„But...the trial was dropped...?" Michiru asked unsure. Haruka nodded and turned back to the gravestone. "That doesn't matter for me, Michiru. I killed my sister." She whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. Michiru pulled her love close to her, stroking her shortcut blonde hair. "But Haruka, it was an accident." When Haruka didn't reply, Michiru led her to a nearby bench, and the two of them sat down. "Do you want to tell me about it?" the aqua haired woman asked gently. Haruka just nodded, but stared at her boots for a few minutes. Finally, she started to talk.
"It happened six and a half years ago. My sister – her name was Kaori – and me were driving home from a birthday party." Michiru realized how hard this was for Haruka and gently took her hand. Haruka swallowed hard and tried to blink back some tears before she continued talking. "We both had refused to drink alcohol, and I was sure that we would make it home safe…but…there was another driver…he was drunk, and he…" Harukas voice cracked, and a sob wrenched itself from her throat. "He crashed into the passengers side of the car." The blonde then whispered hoarsely. "The gas tank exploded, and there was a huge fire…that's how I got scarred. I managed to free myself from the car, but Kaori…she burned to death in the flames." Haruka buried her face in her hands, and her voice came muffled and tearful. "I tried to save her…I really tried…but she was penned in the car, and I couldn't get her out…" "And why did they charge you?" Michiru asked. "My parents wanted to see me in prison…they thought and still think that her death was my fault." Haruka answered hoarsely. "Oh, Haruka." Michiru whispered shocked, unable to believe that parents could do something like that to their own child. "The accusation was dropped…but my parents still blame me for Kaori's dead, and they hate me." Haruka finished her story, and Michiru hugged her close. "That is so terrible, Haruka." She whispered, holding her love close. Haruka looked up, sudden fear in her teal eyes. "You aren't going to leave me now, Michiru, are you?" she asked, her voice shaking. "Of course not!" Michiru answered, gently kissing Haruka afterwards. "I love you, Haruka. And now that I know about your accident, I know that it wasn't your fault." For the first time since Michiru had found her, Haruka managed a weak smile. "You have no idea how much this means to me, Michiru. I couldn't stand loosing you now." Michiru smiled and patted her lover's hand. "I'll always be with you, Haruka. No matter what." The aqua haired woman made a vague gesture towards the way that led away from the cemetery. "Shall we go home now, Haruka?" Haruka just nodded, Michiru took her hand and the two of them made their way home.
Back at Michirus house, Sakura already waited, as nervous as ever. She had taken Harukas dogs down to her for company, and the two animals had fun playing in the garden when Haruka and Michiru arrived. "Finally!" Sakura called out, relieved to see that Haruka was alright. In the past two hours, she had made up various images of Haruka committing suicide, and she had drove herself into panic with that. Now, the elderly woman threw herself into the stunned blonde's arms. Michiru frowned and kicked her mothers leg slightly. "Mom, this is my girlfriend your hugging to death!" "I was so worried." Sakura explained while Haruka just stared down at her dumbfounded. "Worried?" Haruka now asked. "Yes." Sakura admitted. "I thought you would do something stupid." Michiru just sighed and grabbed Harukas hand. "Come on, honey, let's go and have dinner!" Haruka nodded, and all three of them made their way into the kitchen. While Michiru started to cook, Sakura read the local newspaper, the "Daisuka Gazette". "Oh, look!" the elderly woman suddenly called out. "Instead of that weird meeting, theirs casino night tomorrow in the local bar. What do you think, shall we go there?" "I don't know if this is a good idea." Haruka answered, frowning. "Satoshi and Hiroshi will be there, and I don't wanna get into a fight. Again." Michiru, on the other hand, seemed to like the suggestion her mother had made. "I think we should go to the casino night, Haruka." She agreed, and Haruka gave her a worried look. "You really think so, Michi?" "Sure. Look, if you keep hiding up here, Satoshi and Hiroshi will be able to spread more rumors. But if you go down into the village more often, the other inhabitants will find out that you are a very nice person. Just as I found out." Haruka sighed when Michiru looked at her with puppy-dog eyes. "How could I deny you something when you look at me like that? If you want it so badly, we will go down to the casino night, honey." Michiru smiled and planted a kiss on her lover's mouth. "Great. I love you Haruka!" "I love you more." Haruka stated, and Michiru giggled. "Are you sure about that?" "One hundred percent." The both women smiled at each other, and Sakura watched them, also grinning from ear to ear. "I bet casino night will be great." She thought to herself. "And if anyone attacks Haruka or Michiru, I'll kick his sorry ass." With that, Sakura helped her daughter with cooking while Haruka went out to play with her dogs until dinner was ready.
