Chapter 14: Everlasting Love
Haruka sat in her apartment, brooding. When she had arrived there after school, Michirus things were gone, and the aqua haired girl hadn't left anything to tell her lover where she had gone. Haruka let out a heavy sigh; if she only knew where Michiru was, then she could drive there and talk her into staying. "I don't want her to leave." The blonde whispered to herself. "I don't want to loose her…I have to find her." No sooner thought than done, Haruka jumped up, grabbed her leather jacket and ran out of the apartment.
Michiru made her way to the bus station, ready to travel to the airport and take the first last-minute flight available. She didn't really care where she landed, as long as it was outside Japan…and far away from Haruka. Michiru knew, if the blonde should show up in time to keep her from flying, she would stay. Her heart ached when she thought about the hurt expression on Harukas face, but still the aqua haired girl wanted to leave. Just when the bus came in sight, a familiar voice came from behind, calling her name.
Haruka was driving down the street, looking everywhere if she could spot Michiru. Instead of finding Michiru, she found Hiroshi, who stood on the boardwalk waving over to her. Haruka pulled her car up to him and gave him a curious look. "What do you need?" the blonde asked. "Don't tell me Noriko sent you to beat me again, I don't have the nerve for that now." Hiroshi shook his head no. "Joe sent me. She…" the young man whispered into Harukas ear, and the blondes eyes went wide. "What?! Is Joe totally nuts now?" the blonde yelped when Hiroshi had finished his talk. Hiroshi just chuckled and asked: "And, are you going to do what Joe suggested?" Haruka thought about it for a moment, then grinned. And finally, she nodded.
"I can't believe I'm doing this." Michiru muttered while she sat in the passengers seat of Joes car, earning a broad grin from the American. "Oh yes, you can. After all, you like surprises, don't you?" Michiru sighed and nodded. "But only when they're nice surprises." She then said. "You'll like it." Joe replied cryptically and pulled up into a parking lot. Michiru stared at the building in front of her in pure surprise. "What…?" Joe just grinned at her. "I told you, you'll like it." The two of them got out of the car and entered the crowded Karaoke-bar.
Joe had taken a good hold of Michirus hand, to keep her from changing her mind and running away. Michiru followed her through the people that stood in the bar, listening to some guy singing in a terrible voice. Joe spotted Hiroshi and waved him over. "Did she agree?" the American asked, and Hiroshi nodded. "She's over there. Waiting for you. Better hurry up, before she changes her mind." Joe nodded, left Hiroshi with Michiru – who felt extremely uncomfortable by now – and vanished into the crowd. Hiroshi led Michiru over to one of the desks – it was extremely close to the stage, Michiru realized – and the two of them sat down. "Okay, what's going on?" Michiru asked Hiroshi, who just grinned at her. "Can't tell, it's a surprise." Michiru pouted, wondering why she had let Joe talk her into coming here. "Because you don't want to leave and just needed an excuse to stay." A little voice said in her mind. Michiru silently agreed on that, but she still felt a nagging fear for Haruka – her stepfather was unpredictable. Michiru sat down, facing the stage, and waited. She didn't have to wait for a long time; the guy soon finished his song, and the announcer came on stage again. "And now, hear "Everlasting Love", from Haruka and Joe, to Michiru!" the man spoke into his microphone, and Michirus eyes went wide. Hiroshi chuckled at her expression, and he had to hide his laugh when Haruka and Joe started to sing and Michirus eyes nearly fell out.
Hearts go a-stray, leaving hurt when they go
I went a-way just when you needed me so
Filled with regret I come back beggin' you
Forgive forget where's the love we once knew
Open up your eyes then you realize.
Here I stand with my ever-lasting love.
Need you by my side, wanna be your
bride. You'll never be denied ever-lasting
Love. From the very start, open up your heart.
Be a lasting part of ever-lasting love.
Real love will last forever
Real love will last forever
Where else river flows no one really knows
To someones others shoulder when you last in love.
Like the sun that shines, endlessly it shines
You always will be mine. It will turn to love.
With the love all gone I can't be strong
We have our very own everlasting love.
Real love will last forever
Real love will last forever
The last words of the song slowly faded away, leaving both Haruka and Michiru near tears. "I love you, Michiru." Haruka now spoke into the microphone, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Please don't leave…" Michiru slowly rose from her chair, walked over to the stage and climbed on it. "I won't." she answered, looking directly into Harukas teal eyes. Joe quickly vanished from the stage, leaving the two standing alone up there. "I love you too, Haruka." Haruka smiled at her lover, dropped the microphone – causing a horrible loud rumbling sound – and pulled her into a strong hug. They sank into a deep kiss, neither Haruka nor Michiru hearing the clapping and whistling of the audience. Joe watched them with a small, but somehow sad grin. "Well, at least those two are together now. Pity that I don't have a girlfriend." The American thought to herself. "Excuse me?" a voice next to her suddenly spoke, causing her to jump. "Yes…?" she turned around to face a stunningly beautiful young girl, smiling up at her. "You have a pretty nice voice, you know." The girl now said, causing Joe to blush. "Umm…thanks." The American quickly regained her sense and gave the girl her best charming grin. "May I invite you for a drink?" The girl grinned back, causing Joes heart to perform a little leap, and nodded. "It would be my pleasure. Besides, I'm Kaori." „Joe." The brown haired girl introduced herself. They walked over to the bar and sat down, starting an uniformly conversation.
Haruka and Michiru watched this from afar, both grinning. Meanwhile, the two of them had sat down at the desk Hiroshi had reserved, Michiru sitting on Harukas lap. "Seems like Joe has a crush." Michiru spoke, enjoying Harukas hand which was stroking her back. "Yeah. That's good, she needs a girlfriend anyway." The blonde replied. Michiru just smiled, before her eyes went wide and she let out a little gasp. "Haruka!" the aqua haired girl then blurted out, "I left my suitcase at the bus station!" Haruka smiled at her and patted her upper leg. "Nevermind. We'll go and buy you some new clothes tomorrow." Michiru gave her lover a thankful look, and they shared a short kiss. They broke the kiss just in time to see Kaori placing her hand on Joes thigh, while the American grinned at her flirt. Haruka shook her head while Michiru giggled and whispered into Harukas ear: "I beg Joe will look very tired tomorrow." Haruka nodded, and they kissed again. None of them wasted a single thought on Satoshi, and that should turn out to be something very dangerous.