6:45. "Haruka, are you sure you want to go? You look so tired."
"I'm fine. Lets go."
They got in the car and drove to the small, out of the way restaurant that was Michiru's favorite, arriving at 7:00 on the nose. Haruka pulled into the parking lot, finding Osamu's car and pulling up beside it. "He must already be inside, then," Michiru commented idly as they got out and headed for the entrance.
"Mmm." Haruka tried to ignore the irrational surge of anger she felt toward Osamu...but he had better not get any closer to *her* Michiru. The moment the thought entered her head she scowled, knowing she didn't really have a choice. If Michiru preferred Osamu, that would be the end of it. And then she scowled again, wondering why she was even considering this in the first place, if not for... no, she had seen the way her old friend had looked at Michiru, and she didn't like it.
"Go on ahead." Haruka waved Michiru toward the door. "I'll be there in a minute." It wasn't fair to either Michiru or Osamu to have the day ruined because she was upset, and she needed a moment to rein in her irritation lest it explode. As she entered the restaurant, she immediately wished she hadn't waited.
Osamu was being quite the gentleman, it appeared. As Haruka approached their table, she noted first that he was pulling out the chair for Michiru, and second the small colorful bouquet that rested beside her plate. She stalked across the remaining distance and seated herself with a curt greeting to Osamu.
If Michiru noticed that she was being more quiet and... sulky-though Haruka never liked to admit she sulked-Michiru gave no sign. She was her usual self, and talked with Osamu animatedly, comparing interests.
"Osamu-san," Michiru produced a ticket, holding it out to him. "I have a concert in two more days. If you are free? Haruka will be going, you two can have some time to catch up-"
"I don't think I can make it," Haruka interrupted suddenly. At Michiru's startled glance, she immediately felt guilty, but continued relentlessly. "Sorry, but I really...have plans already."
The drive home was silent for a long while. Michiru broke the silence. "Haruka... has something happened? I was under the impression you were still friends with Osamu, but you're avoiding him when possible... And you *don't* have any other plans except the concert. Or have you just not mentioned them?" When Haruka didn't reply, Michiru added, "And he *is* planning to leave shortly, ne?"
"He's decided to stay a little longer now," Haruka answered, and the remainder of the drive continued in silence.
"I'm fine. Lets go."
They got in the car and drove to the small, out of the way restaurant that was Michiru's favorite, arriving at 7:00 on the nose. Haruka pulled into the parking lot, finding Osamu's car and pulling up beside it. "He must already be inside, then," Michiru commented idly as they got out and headed for the entrance.
"Mmm." Haruka tried to ignore the irrational surge of anger she felt toward Osamu...but he had better not get any closer to *her* Michiru. The moment the thought entered her head she scowled, knowing she didn't really have a choice. If Michiru preferred Osamu, that would be the end of it. And then she scowled again, wondering why she was even considering this in the first place, if not for... no, she had seen the way her old friend had looked at Michiru, and she didn't like it.
"Go on ahead." Haruka waved Michiru toward the door. "I'll be there in a minute." It wasn't fair to either Michiru or Osamu to have the day ruined because she was upset, and she needed a moment to rein in her irritation lest it explode. As she entered the restaurant, she immediately wished she hadn't waited.
Osamu was being quite the gentleman, it appeared. As Haruka approached their table, she noted first that he was pulling out the chair for Michiru, and second the small colorful bouquet that rested beside her plate. She stalked across the remaining distance and seated herself with a curt greeting to Osamu.
If Michiru noticed that she was being more quiet and... sulky-though Haruka never liked to admit she sulked-Michiru gave no sign. She was her usual self, and talked with Osamu animatedly, comparing interests.
"Osamu-san," Michiru produced a ticket, holding it out to him. "I have a concert in two more days. If you are free? Haruka will be going, you two can have some time to catch up-"
"I don't think I can make it," Haruka interrupted suddenly. At Michiru's startled glance, she immediately felt guilty, but continued relentlessly. "Sorry, but I really...have plans already."
The drive home was silent for a long while. Michiru broke the silence. "Haruka... has something happened? I was under the impression you were still friends with Osamu, but you're avoiding him when possible... And you *don't* have any other plans except the concert. Or have you just not mentioned them?" When Haruka didn't reply, Michiru added, "And he *is* planning to leave shortly, ne?"
"He's decided to stay a little longer now," Haruka answered, and the remainder of the drive continued in silence.