Chapter 9: Secret Revealed
The next morning, Michiru was torn out of her sleep by the annoying beeping of the her alarm clock. Groaning, the aqua haired girl rolled over and turned it off, wishing for nothing more than that she could stay at home from school today. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible, and so she climbed out of her bed, rubbing her eyes. One second later, her mother's voice came drifting up to her: "Michiru, dear! Are you up already?" "Yes mom!" Michiru called back while she dressed herself before she hurried over into the bathroom to put her light make-up on and do her hair. Ten minutes later, the aqua haired girl left the house and hurried over to the bus stop, waiting for her bus to come and pick her up.
Six endless school hours later, Michiru left the school building, glad that the day was finally over. She was just about to walk over to where the bus drove off when her best friend Miko suddenly nudged her ribs and pointed over to the main entrance. "I think somebody is waiting for you there, Michiru." The black haired girl then spoke, giggling. Michiru gave her an odd look before she looked over to where her friend pointed – and started to beam. "Haruka!" the aqua haired girl called out, running over to where the blonde stood, leaning against her black convertible grinning. The couple greeted each other with a long, gentle kiss, before Michiru pulled back and looked up at her lover. "How come you know when school ended today?" Haruka gave her a mischief grin and replied: "I called your mother and asked. She was more than glad to tell me, and also gave me a description of how I can reach the school the fastest." Michiru giggled and shook her head. "Typical for her!" The two grinned at each other before Haruka pointed to her car. "Allow me to give you a ride, my Lady?" Michiru smiled and nodded. "My pleasure, Sir." She then spoke, giggling. Haruka chuckled and held the door open for her girlfriend, allowing her to get in, before she climbed in herself and drove off.
"Where are we going?" Michiru asked while Haruka zoomed down the street, driving way faster than allowed, but knowing that police never would give her a ticket. Haruka looked over at her and smiled. "Have you eaten lunch yet?" she then asked. Michiru smiled back and shook her head. "I'd be glad to invite you then." The blonde continued, earning another smile in return. Harukas smile faded though when suddenly a weird, rattling noise came from the hood of her car. "What the…" Haruka started, but her words got cut off when an explosion shook her vehicle, causing her to loose control. Michiru let out a shocked scream when the car started to slinger. Harukas hand gripped the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles stood out white when she tried to get the car back under control. Another explosion made the car shake, and it's hood flew away, a dark column of smoke emerging from it. The front window burst into millions of splinters, a bigger one of them slicing her arm open without her even realising it. Finally, Haruka managed to stop the car, leaning her head on the steering wheel panting, sweat running down her brow. Next to her, Michiru closed her eyes and let herself fall back into the passenger's seat, her heart racing in her chest. "You…okay?" Haruka finally found herself able to ask, leaning back and opening her eyes again. Michiru nodded, but suddenly her eyes widened. "Haruka, you are bleeding!" Haruka looked down at herself, only to find out that one of the splinters had cut a deep wound into her left upper arm. Letting out an angry growl, the blonde wiped the blood off – only to expose silver glinting metal underneath. Michirus eyes widened even more, and Haruka nearly had a heart attack when she realized what had happened. "Haruka, what…what is this?" Michiru whispered, staring at the metal underneath Harukas skin in horror. Haruka stared at her hands for a few moments in silence before she spoke, her voice so soft that it was almost inaudible. "We need to talk."
"…and that's what happened." Haruka finished her explanation, not daring to look at her girlfriend after the last words had left her mouth. It was the gentle touch of Michirus hand on her own that made her look up. "Haruka…none of this is your fault." The aqua haired girl spoke, her voice full of sympathy and love. "You were in a coma, and it was the only way to save you." Haruka gave her an unsure look. "You…you don't want to leave me now?" she finally asked, her voice shaking. "Of course not!" Michiru cried out, shocked at the blondes suspicion. "Why should I?" "I'm a freak!" Haruka hollered out, her desperation clearly showing in her voice. "They made me a freaking robot!" "No." Michiru replied, gently squeezing her hand. "You aren't a robot, Haruka. Robots don't have any emotions, but you have plenty." Haruka chuckled at the last bit and nodded. "Thanks." She then softly spoke. Michiru smiled at her once more before pointing to the still smoking car. "So…what shall we do about that car of yours?"