The rest of the lesson went by without any troubles, and after the students had finished their warm up, Haruka organized a basketball game. She was busy with pulling the loop down while Michiru had a little chat with Meika and Hotaru. Haruka worked on the complicated mechanism which changed the height of the loop when she suddenly put too much of her weight on her damaged leg. A sharp flame of pain shot from her knee up her body; she let out a pain filled gasp while her leg gave way underneath her. "Tenoh-san!" Hotaru called out, causing Michiru to look at the teacher. Her eyes went wide when she saw Haruka lying on her side, holding her right leg and moaning in pain. "Haruka-chan!" Michiru cried out, following her daughter to where the blonde laid. Haruka looked at her, smiling in spite of the pain she was in. "So now it's –chan, eh?" Michiru placed a gentle hand on her friends shoulder. "Are you okay? Shall I get the doctor?" Haruka shook her head and sat upright, massaging her leg. "I'm fine. This happens sometimes, I'm used to it…can you help me stand up?" Michiru nodded and grabbed Harukas upper body to help her getting to her feet. Her hands landed on the blondes chest, and both women blushed furiously. As soon as Haruka stood, Michiru pulled her hands back, her face almost turning purple. "S-sorry for touching you…there." She quickly stammered. Haruka just shrugged. "Never mind, Michiru-chan." She replied, her face back to it's normal color. "I have to sit down." She then said. Michiru nodded, and her heart ached when she saw how Haruka haltered over to the bench, pulling her right leg after her, as if it wasn't a piece of her body, but some kind of prosthesis. The blonde fell heavily on the bench, stretched her leg out and advised her students to play Volley ball. Michiru sat down next to her, eyeing her worried. "Are you sure that you are alright?" the aqua haired woman asked, earning a little smile from the teacher. "I'm fine, Michiru-chan. Don't worry." "Okay." Michiru smiled back, but her smile turned into a frown when she saw how Haruka started to dig through her pockets. "What are you doing?" she asked, curious. "Searching for…" grinning, the blonde pulled out a pack of chewing gum. "This! Want one?" Michiru giggled and shook her head. "No, thanks." Haruka shrugged, popped one of the gums into her mouth and started chewing on it. The two sat in silence, until Haruka found the nerve to ask what she wanted to know ever since she had left Michirus apartment. "Michiru-chan…there's something I want to ask you." Michiru gave her a gentle smile. "Just ask." Haruka gulped and looked down at her legs. "You'll probably won't like me anymore after I asked you." She softly said. Before Michiru could say anything, Haruka gave her a look that kept her silent "But I have to ask." The blonde then said. "If I don't, it will eat up my soul." Michiru looked very worried now, and Haruka decided to let the cat out of the bag. "Michiru-chan…" she took in a deep breath and looked directly into the blue eyes of her friend. "Would you go on a date with me?"
Haruka looked down on the ground, waiting for the disgusted yelp, the noise of Michirus running feet. Instead, a gentle hand was placed on hers, causing her to look up. "I'd love to, Haruka-chan." Michiru smiled at the stunned blonde. Haruka broke into a huge smile. "Really?" she asked, as if she thought that Michiru was lying to her. "No." Michiru replied, sarcastically. "In fact, I just said it so you are not disappointed. Of course really!" Haruka blushed and grinned sheepishly. "Okay, that was stupid to ask." She then admitted. Michiru just sighed before she smiled at her. "Pick me up at eight?" she then asked. Haruka nodded, beaming. Her beam turned into a frown when she remembered a certain little girl. "What about Hotaru? You'll need a babysitter." Michiru shook her head. "She's old enough to stay alone, don't worry." "Okay." Haruka agreed. That was when the bell rang, signaling the end of the gym class – and of the school day. "I have to take Hotaru home now. See you tonight." Michiru smiled at her blonde friend. And before Haruka could react, the aqua haired woman had bent forward and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. When Michiru left for her daughter, Haruka was left behind sitting on the bench, grinning so broadly that the corners of her mouth almost paid a visit to her earlobes.
At seven in the evening, Haruka stood in front of the mirror, eyeing herself critically. Wearing a black tuxedo with white shirt and dark red tie, she looked a lot like a man, but the blonde assumed that Michiru wouldn't mind about that. And maybe it would save them trouble if everyone thought that Haruka was male; after all, there were many homophobes in Tokyo, and the teacher didn't want her secret love to get attacked. Sighing, Haruka ran a comb through her hair, adjusted her tie once more and finally left the apartment to pick Michiru up.