Chapter 5: Unexpected Visitors
Michiru closed the door and looked at the money the student had given her. She sighed; it wasn't much, but when he would come on a regular basis, like he said he would, it would be enough to pay the apartment and the food she needed. Michiru sighed again and walked back into her living room. She pulled the novel she borrowed from Mugen's library out of her rucksack and started to read; Michiru couldn't afford a TV, but she didn't mind about it at all. Opening the book, Michiru tried to concentrate on the story, but she had to find out that it was impossible. The letters constantly were overlapped with the image of Haruka. The aqua haired girl let out a small, sad sigh when she thought about the harsh words she had flung at poor Haruka. Her thoughts were interrupted when someone rang the doorbell. Michiru flinched and shot a fearful look at the front door before she got up and walked into the kitchen. Picking up the biggest knife she found, the aqua haired girl walked over to the door and asked: "Who's there?" "Joe!" came the reply. Michiru frowned; why, for heaven's sake, should Joe want to visit her? The aqua haired girl opened the door, revealing the grinning American. "Hi." Joe now spoke, waving her hand. Her eyes fell on the knife, and she frowned. "In case I somehow offended you, dontcha think it's a little extreme to greet me with a knife in hand? We can talk about a possible offence, ya know." Michiru smiled weakly at the remark of the American and put the knife away. "Don't worry, Joe, the knife isn't for you. I thought that…someone else was at the door." Joe let out a short whistle. "You really must love that special someone else. Hey, I hope it's not Haruka." "No." Michiru calmed her down. "But why don't you come in, you don't have to stand in the hallway all the time." "Thanks, I thought you would never ask." Joe chuckled, entered the apartment and closed the door behind her. "Come on, let's sit down in the living room." Michiru sighed. "You surely are here to talk to me about the things I said to Haruka, right?" Joe nodded and smiled. "Right as rain, Michiru."
While Joe and Michiru had their little talk, Haruka sat at home, cursing at her Playstation 2. "You stupid damned boss! Die, dammit!" the blonde yelled while she hit the buttons of the controller, trying to kill the last boss of the new game she had bought. Her gaming was interrupted when somebody hammered against the front door. Haruka sighed, pressed the "Pause" button and walked to open it. "Oh, hi Hiroshi." She greeted as soon as she saw who was visiting her - Norikos boyfriend. "Hi Haruka." Hiroshi replied, smiling. Haruka grinned at him and spoke: "How often do I have to tell you that: don't bang against my poor door that hard. One day you'll ruin it." Hiroshi just chuckled and asked: "May I come in?" "Sure." Haruka stepped aside, allowed him to enter and closed the door. "Let me guess", she sighed as soon as the door was locked again, "Noriko sent you here to kick my ass for the black eye I gave her." "Yep." Hiroshi agreed, rolling his eyes. "If she ever finds out that you're one of my best buddies, she'll kill me." He then said. Haruka chuckled and nodded. "Probably. Okay, let's finish it as soon as possible." She then said and closed her eyes. One second later, Hiroshis fist connected with her chin, causing her to stumble backwards. "Ow." The blonde mumbled as soon as she had recovered from the punch. She rubbed her chin and sighed. "You know, Hiroshi, one day I'll have enough of that." "Sorry." Hiroshi apologized, walked into the kitchen and returned with a cloth soaked into cold water. "There, put it on your chin." He advised her. Haruka nodded and pressed the cloth against the spot where Hiroshi had hit her. "You know, it would be healthier for me if you would break up with Noriko." She then spoke. Hiroshi sighed and nodded. "I know that, Haruka. But I love her way too much to do that." "Just don't let her find out about our little…agreement." Haruka advised her friend. "Of course not!" Hiroshi replied. "If she finds out that you let me beat you voluntary, she'll be very pissed off." Haruka just grinned before she motioned towards the kitchen. "Now that you hit me, as she wanted you to, what do you think about a beer?"
"…you don't want to talk about it, right?" Joe sighed while Michiru stared down on the floor. "Not really, Joe." She agreed softly. Joe nodded. "I understand and respect that, Michiru. But I think that you should at least apologize to Haruka." Michiru let out a short, bitter laugh. "And what should I tell her? I can't just walk up to her and say, Hey, Haruka, sorry about calling you a sick dyke, I didn't mean it." "Why not? Haruka surely will accept your apology. She likes you, ya know." Michiru sighed and stared down at her feet again. "I'll go and talk to her." She finally said. Joe nodded satisfied and placed a gentle hand on Michirus shoulder. "Haruka wants your friendship, Michiru." She softly spoke before she got up and left, leaving Michiru alone with her thoughts and worries.