Chapter 10: Moving Together
After their breakfast, Haruka and Michiru got ready for school. Haruka lend one of her shirts to Michiru, since she didn't want to wear the same one like yesterday, and the two of them made their way down into the garage to Harukas car. Haruka unlocked it by pressing the button on the key, and they climbed in. Michiru fastened her seatbelt – she knew Harukas driving style well enough by now – and Haruka drove off. "Hey, Michiru." The blonde spoke up as soon as they were out of the garage and on the street, "I wanted to ask you something." Michiru gave her a questioning look, and Haruka talked on. "Would you want to move in with me?" Michiru gasped at her and replied: "Haruka, you can't mean that!" Haruka chuckled. "Why not?" "We don't know each other well enough to live together." Michiru pointed out. Haruka shrugged and replied: "And? We would get to know each other. Plus you would be safe from Satoshi in my apartment. Joe and me are the only people who own the card for the highest floor, so he can't get in at all." Michiru had to admit that this was a good argument. "But, are you sure you want me to move in with you?" she asked, sounding worried. "What if I get on your nerves?" Haruka chuckled again and shook her head. "I don't think you will, Michiru. And even if you do, the apartment is big enough to avoid each other." Michiru giggled at the last remark and finally nodded. "Okay, Haruka. Since you won't stop nagging until I agree, I'll move in with you." "Cool!" Haruka beamed. In her happiness, she almost drove past the school, but she realized fast enough and hit the break. Ignoring the honking of the drivers behind her, the blonde pulled into her parking lot, and the two friends got out of the car. "We'll get your things from your old apartment after school." Haruka spoke while the two girls walked over to the school building. Michiru agreed on that and let out a happy sigh when she thought about the fact that now she always would have enough to eat. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she gave her tall blonde friend a worried look. "But, Haruka…I won't be able to pay a part of the rent." Haruka looked down at her, grinning. "I don't care about that." She then informed her. "Your company will be enough payment for me." Michiru blushed and looked down on her feet. "Thanks, Haruka." She then softly spoke. Haruka patted her shoulder, grinning, and the two friends walked into the school building.
The forenoon lessons went by pretty fast, and lunchtime soon came. As always, Haruka, Michiru and Joe met in the cantina, and as always Noriko had to make her stupid comments about carpet lickers. This time, however, the trio just ignored her; they had more important matters to discuss. "The trial against Satoshi will start in two weeks." Joe informed her friends. "Michiru, I'm afraid that you'll have to depose." "That means I have to talk about…two years of daily rape?" Michiru asked, her voice unsteady. Joe nodded while Haruka put a comforting hand on her friends shoulder. "Joe and I will be here for you." She promised. "Right, Joe?" the American just nodded, and Michiru gave them a weak smile. "Thank you, both of you." The two girls grinned at her unison, causing Michiru to giggle. "Hey, Joe." Haruka suddenly spoke up, "Michiru is moving in with me!" Joes eyes went wide. "Really? How nifty!" she then grinned. "We'll pick up me things after school." Michiru informed the American, and Joe cried out: "I wanna help! I wanna help!" "You just want to peek at Michirus underwear." Haruka replied, and Joe blushed furiously. "I want not!" Turning to Michiru, the American spoke on: "See? You offer your help and the only thing you receive is ingratitude." Michiru giggled and shook her head. "Poor Joe." She then said, patting the Americans brown hair. "Stop that!" Joe cried out. "You are ruining my hair!" Haruka laughed and teased her friend: "There's not much to ruin anyway, Joe, the way your hair stands from your head." "It's like that on purpose!" Joe stated, earning odd looks from Haruka and Michiru. "It looks as if you stuck your fingers into the outlet." Michiru informed her friend, causing Joe to stuck her tongue out to her while Haruka cracked up.
Finally, school was over. Haruka and Michiru were walking to Harukas car, Michiru so close to her blonde friend that there hands were touching while they walked. Haruka of course noticed that, but she didn't dare to take hold of Michirus hand, in fear that the gesture would be interpreted wrong from her friend. She got surprised, though, when suddenly Michirus fingers tightened around hers, without Michiru saying anything about the fact that she just took Harukas hand into hers. Haruka didn't make any comment either, but she looked and smiled down at Michiru, who returned her smile. They made their way over to the car and got in, Haruka driving off to Michirus apartment.
Since Michiru didn't own very much, the suitcase was packed soon, much to Harukas dismay. "I think we should go and buy you some clothes." The blonde mumbled while she helped Michiru to put the clothes into the suitcase. "No, that's not necessary." Michiru protested, but Haruka shot her a glare that made her shut up. "We. Will. Go. Shopping. Tomorrow." The blonde than ordained, and Michiru nodded. "Okay, okay. Fine." She agreed, earning a satisfied look from her blonde friend. "Good. Now, let's get that suitcase into the car and then drive home." Haruka announced. Michiru nodded again, Haruka picked the suitcase and the two of them left the apartment – with Michiru taking Harukas hand again, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And to the aqua haired girl, it was.