Disclaimer : I do not own Bishoujo Sailor Moon or any of its characters except for Kazuki/Akira/strange people who I made up randomly on the spot. The original manga rightfully belongs to Takeuchi Naoko.
Chapter 8: Our Dance of Affections
by Enchanted Ice Star
After Haruka changed into more casual clothing, a simple white loose blouse and black slacks, it took a good while until Haruka's ranging fans relented and let us push through, allowing access to Haruka's yellow Ferrari. I got in tentatively, unsure, until she gave me a dashing smile and turned to wave at her fans. I smiled to myself as I saw the girls swoon and throw back kisses, lips pouted as if they were trying to look like human ducks. I giggled when Haruka returned a flying kiss, sending the first row of people into a wave of squeals.
If only they knew how euphoric the actual thing was, skin to skin, mouth to mouth...I let my own thoughts wander dazedly as I touched a finger to my own lips, a tingling sensation still upon them. I fastened my seatbelt absentmindedly, finger still to lip but quickly let my hand drop to my side as Haruka got in.
Finally, Haruka started the engine and we drove off, turning to look at me with a sly twinkle in her eyes. I tilted my head at her. "Do you always take such pleasure in tormenting your admirers?"
"Are you jealous?" That twinkle seemingly brightened.
"Oh, perhaps," I replied silkily, turning to look at the road ahead. "But I think I should be more worried then jealous, if it's that painful to be one of your admirers."
Haruka turned to look at me again, slightly wide-eyed. She gathered her composure swiftly, yet not until I saw her expression out of the corner of my eye and inwardly laughed. "Are you saying you admire me, Michiru?"
"I'm saying that I'm worried about my own sanity," I answered and nodded ahead of us. "And you're making me even more worried because you're not looking at the road."
She laughed, a beautiful sound to my ears as she listened to my request and turned her focus back onto the road. She drove quickly and smoothly, as if we weren't on rough road at all, the wind breezing through our hair and running its transparent fingers through each strand. I could not suppress the overwhelming sense of contentment I was bathing in, the most happiness I had felt in all my lifetime. I suddenly could not bear to think this happiness would go away some day, but I quickly shook my morbid thoughts out of my mind and focused on the present emotions rushing through me.
"I know a place that suits you well," Haruka's voice interrupted my thoughts and caused me to look at her. She kept her eyes straight ahead, but I felt a strange sensation that she was looking at me nonetheless. She made a left turn and I noticed briefly then that we were driving by a beach. I tucked strands of flying hair behind my ear before commenting.
"Are you planning to take me to the beach?"
"No," she answered. "They don't exactly have delicious food there."
I smiled but made no attempt to make more conversation. I was simply delighted by her company, the warmth her mere presence gave me. I leaned back on the comfortable leather seat and fiddled with the audio system until my finger accidentally hit the CD button. Immediately, slow, crisp notes of violin music met my ears and I could not help but raise an eyebrow.
"I still didn't quite believe you when you said you listened to classical," I confessed.
"Well, there you go," she smirked.
"It's kind of familiar sounding."
"It's your third album."
"Oh," was all I could utter as we lapsed into silence again. The sound of my own violin music playing around us was rather strange, as I was not one to listen to my own CDs over and over again. In fact, I would simply record them and never listen to them after that. I found no reason to.
I didn't even realize when we pulled up in a parking lot by the beach, the sky already a beautiful shade of royal blue. Haruka, being very much the charming person she was, got out swiftly and opened my side of the door. I thanked her quietly and took in my surroundings. She smiled as my expression danced. The water afar looked so clear and inviting, tempting me to simply drown in it forever. Off to the side was a building that was designed in the fashion of a mansion, and I would have mistaken it as such if there hadn't been a welcome sign lighted in neon blue that read "The Beach House".
"I thought you'd like the surroundings," Haruka explained as she lead the way into the homely-styled restaurant. I could only nod, hoping I did not seem too excited as I was suddenly feeling a wave of schoolgirl giddiness. Here I was, walking into a beautiful restaurant with the only person in the world that I would desire to share a wonderful evening with.
We were greeted by a pretty brunette waitress wearing a pink sweater who immediately looked Haruka up and down. I did not understand the sudden wave of protectiveness I felt range inside of me and was utterly surprised at the mental battle I was having. I took a breath and attempted to clear my mind. Glancing out the large windows, I tried concentrating on the clear, rolling waves and its soothing sound in the distance.
"Right this way, sir," the pretty brunette nearly gushed, her cheeks a light pink as Haruka smiled back at her in that captivating way she had with any female around her.
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and followed, passing a few tables that gave us looks of longing. A voice whispered rather loudly, "Aren't they a beautiful couple?". I found my cheeks slightly warm and was glad when we passed the small place reserved as a dance floor and was seated at a table near it. I scolded myself inwardly. Where was my usual calm? I was being utterly silly!
Haruka seemed to notice my flustered state and leaned forward slightly from her seat across. "Something bothering you?"
"No," I lied smoothly and stared back at Haruka unflinchingly. She did not seem convinced but made no further inquiry, much to my gratitude. The waitress came back swiftly with two menus, her gaze dwelling on me for a second as if seeing if I was worthy to be around such company as Haruka. Once again that inward wave of annoyance flared and I could not believe I was being so affected!
"Is there anything else you need?" The waitress asked eagerly, turning her attention back to Haruka, casting the blonde a sultry look as she did so. "We've got a special menu tonight."
"Really?" Haruka replied, her gaze welcoming as she shot another charming smile at the waitress. I pretended not to notice the exchange of flirtatious looks and found the picture of a lemon topped salad on the menu rather interesting to look at. "Does it include any pretty, brunette women dressed in pink?"
"I don't know," the brunette answered coyly. I started staring at the menu awfully hard, finding it rather hard to distinguish between the small print letters on the page. "It depends if you'd like that with the appetizer, main dish, or...dessert," she let the word roll of her tongue and pretty pink lips. I inwardly gagged and once again felt awfully surprised at the sudden immatureness I was experiencing.
Haruka and the waitress were merely having their little flirting fun, and here I was acting like an old spinster shaking my head at some young couple in love! I shook my head and flipped a page in the menu, as if really contemplating over what to order when in fact one hundred and one percent of my attention was concentrated upon Haruka and her now glowing teal eyes and the brunette.
"I'd like that for dessert," Haruka answered slowly, never taking her eyes off of the now nearly red-in-the-face waitress. Of course, I didn't notice this, as I was busying myself with the menu. Yes, I was perfectly indifferent.
"For here? Or take out?"
"That's a hard decision."
Something strange snapped in my head and I placed the menu down hard onto the table, trying horribly to keep every grain of my composure intact. I smiled awkwardly up at the waitress whose attention was now solely on me, a surprised expression on her face as if she hadn't realized my presence here in the first place. I folded my hands daintily across the now shut menu and forced my smile wider.
"I think I'd like the grilled tiger prawns with the carb on the side."
"Pardon?" The brunette waitress numbly took out a pad of paper, her lips pursed at my sudden interruption in her lovely flirting. "The grilled tiger prawns with carbs on the side? I'm sorry miss, but we don't serve an all carb meal here."
She took my menu from underneath my hands and flipped open to the page listing main courses. "Unless, of course, you meant the crab on the side," she smiled brightly back at me and I had to hold onto every bit of composure I had left as I felt my cheeks grow warm. Wonderful. Splendid. I was acting completely unintelligent and I was suppose to be perfect. I took a quick breath and nodded stiffly.
The brunette smiled again. "I personally love that dish. Would you like rice with that or pasta?"
"Pasta," I answered and flinched mentally at the flat tone of my voice. The waitress kept her practiced smile on her face as she scribbled down my choice. I dared myself to glance at Haruka and was even more flustered by the fact that she seemed utterly entertained by my current disheveled state. Her eyes twinkled mischievously, and if I wasn't feeling so uncharacteristically agitated, I would have found her looking rather dashing.
"And you, Mr..."
"Tenou," Haruka offered, which I thought completely unnecessary. The waitress beamed back and the only thing I could feel happy about was the fact that I wasn't the only idiot who fell for Haruka's false gender facade. Haruka calmly flipped open her menu and scanned it before placing her order with her voice adjusted to a particularly alluring tone of huskiness.
"Your dinner will be arriving shortly."
"And I hope by your own lovely self, I presume?" Haruka hinted.
The brunette seemed absolutely head over heels by Haruka's words and I could not help but realize what this feeling was. I could not believe I was even feeling any hint of what I was feeling, but the emotion was evident as my insides churned uncomfortably. Not even trying to stare out the window and at the calming sight of the ocean soothed my nerves. I had never felt so frazzled!
I was jealous!
Yet I was never jealous! I was always open, calm, embracing to all situations and rather poised. I decided it must have just been the day, after all, I had just run out on my parents and out of the airport. Who knew how hectic they were now? I quickly dismissed those thoughts and finally found my emotions easing without the presence of the brunette waitress.
Haruka was resting her chin on two folded hands propped up by her elbows. She was looking every bit innocent, as if it were only normal to flirt with any pretty creature that walked by. Yet I suddenly felt a wave of sadness wash over me. Perhaps I was simply taking things too seriously. Haruka obviously found everything an entertainment to her. Was I just another pretty girl then?
The thought suddenly made me feel cold.
"Michiru?"
Her worried voice immediately brought me out of my depressing thoughts and I found myself looking into teal eyes full of concern. I gripped onto my own hands tightly underneath the table and crossed my legs neatly. Haruka frowned slightly. "You look pale."
I wondered briefly if she was still trying to play silly mind games with me and decided that I would not let her get the better of me. Instead, I plastered a smile on my face and took a sip of iced water from my glass. "I'm perfectly fine," I answered. "In fact, I was thinking it was getting rather stuffy in here."
Haruka raised an eyebrow. "Stuffy?"
"Oh, with all the electricity in the air, it's bound to get a little steamy," I could not help but say, the words rushing out of my mouth in a wave. I saw Haruka visibly relax as she laughed.
"Could this be?" She started dramatically, her eyes dancing. "Kaioh Michiru, jea--"
"Spare me," I narrowed my eyes at her, immediately silencing the blonde as she regarded my deadly expression. It was my turn to laugh mentally as she seemed suddenly rather frightened by my cool expression and I wondered how long I could keep it up before I burst out giggling. I had learned from Ami-chan that if I were to look seriously solemn or disapproving, I could have quite a chilling effect on my victims.
Haruka cleared her throat awkwardly, as if just noticing the odd atmosphere she had created with her almost flagrant flirting. I finally offered her the tiniest of smiles, but decided not to relent just quite yet and kept a steady indifferent gaze on her. "So, this is really a lovely place."
"Yes," she answered, glad at my voluntarily move in conversation. "Like I said, it suits you."
"Yes, I agree," my eyes danced as my lips quirked slightly upwards. "But I'm sure it suits you quite well also."
Haruka suddenly looked quite sheepish, her cheeks a tinge of pink as she scratched her head thoughtfully. "Well, I do really like the view we get from here. I think it's really soothing to my mind," she mumbled rather incoherently. I laughed lightly, enjoying her sudden discomfort and not really feeling the least bit guilty for making her feeling the way she was. After all, who had put me through some unnecessary live soap opera action?
Just as my mood was turning for the better, the pretty brunette came back with both our dinners expertly balanced on one arm when she could have just as easily carried the two plates with both. I decided to dismiss this observation and thanked her for bringing us our dinners.
She smiled forcedly and turned to look at Haruka again. "Enjoy your dinner," she said cheerfully and quickly glanced at me. "And you too miss."
I nodded absentmindedly and watched as Haruka turned on her charms again. I decided I would refrain from eating until the scene was over with, as to save myself from further embarrassment of gagging on my own food.
"I hope you'll remember dessert."
"Of course," she whispered back unabashed that I was still here watching. "The dance floor will be open in a bit," she added suggestively. "With a live jazz band," her voice was now even quieter.
I could not help but raise an eyebrow at such comments and glanced at Haruka to see how she was taking it. I decided that this was definitely her hobby; flirting with waitresses, or women of any sort, as she looked absolutely happy at such a prospect as dancing with the waitress who was now sending her very, very, suggestive looks. I decided, and forced myself to think so, that it could have been worse. At least the waitress was pretty, and not some fifty-year-old woman fawning over gorgeous young men. Or in this case, gorgeous, handsome women.
Just as the waitress turned to leave, the live band came to life and breezy jazz music fluttered through the restaurant's cozy atmosphere. A few couples were already heading towards the floor, hand in hand and looking quite intimate. The brunette waitress turned to look over her shoulder, catching Haruka's gaze and sending her a confident wink.
I was sorely glad that I had decided to wait until her departure before I started biting into my food.
Haruka turned back to sit straight in her seat, once again looking quite unashamed and quite composed. I stabbed a fork into a prawn and glanced almost dismally at the crab shell on my plate. I was completely loosing it! What on earth was happening to me? I nibbled quietly at my food, still deep in shock at the emotions running quite rampantly in me. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. I was acting just like a silly schoolgirl, which I heavily despised to ever act like!
I concentrated on the tangy taste of my food and tried to think about nothing but food.
"This is good steak," Haruka commented, and swiftly cut a piece for me, placing it on the edge of my plate. I glanced at her but she merely smiled. I inwardly scowled. Was she trying to buy my affection back with a piece of bloody steak? Ha, I thought ruefully, dabbing my napkin daintily on my lips. Think again, Tenoh.
As I was halfway through my plate, already feeling quite full, someone came up to our table again and I felt that I would probably sink into the floor if it was her again. Fortunately though, especially for my sanity, Haruka and I both looked up at the same time to notice that it was a young man. I unconsciously placed my fork down on my plate and noticed that the young man was looking at me and only at me.
Haruka frowned and broke the strange silence. "If you want to know which way the bathroom is--"
But the young man dismissed Haruka's comment and gave me a bright smile. "I was actually wondering if this lovely young lady here would allow me to invite her to dance with me."
I tried not to look surprised and glanced quickly at Haruka who was now staring daggers at the young man. The man wasn't that bad to look at, though I thought Haruka was much better. Of course, I was not about to disclose that piece of information out loud and smiled charmingly back at him. "I would love to," I answered smoothly, placing my napkin aside and pushing my chair back.
The young man smiled dashingly and took my hand in his. He turned to look at Haruka briefly and apologetically. "I'll just be borrowing her for a few minutes."
I found my insides knotting themselves into a tangled mess of giggles as I took in Haruka's dumbfounded expression. It looked as if she were a child only just realizing someone had taken her candy away from her. I tried to keep my expression neutral and whispered a soft, "See you in a bit," to her before disappearing off to the dance floor with my new mysterious partner in hand. I was definitely going to get my fair share of amusement.
Two can play this game, Haruka, I thought playfully.
Half an hour later, we were still at it and my feet were starting to protest. The polite young man had introduced himself as Kisho and he was in first year university. He seemingly liked to talk and thankfully his conversations were intelligent, yet my throat was starting to get dry and I was slightly worried about leaving Haruka by herself. Just then, Kisho swerved us around and I was able to look over his shoulder at Haruka, who although was trying to be inconspicuous, was still noticeable training her eyes on us.
I could not help but giggle, and somehow she seemed to hear me for her eyes locked with mine. I could not read her expression, though she definitely did not seem to be enjoying herself as much as the time when she was casting her magic over the poor pretty waitress. I decided that I had teased her long enough and focused my attention back to saying good-bye to Kisho, who was already onto another conversation about trumpets. Yet before I could make the first move, I saw out of the corner of my eye Haruka get up and head towards us, her gaze unwavering.
I silently murmured a prayer for Kisho, as Haruka seemed ready to do something quite drastic...
That was, until the tables completely turned and I could only watch in muted horror as the pretty brunette waitress holding a jug of water in one hand and a tower of plates in the other walk right into Haruka who's concentration had been solely focused on Kisho and I. I flinched outwardly and heard the brunette gasp, the people on the dance floor turn their heads towards them, and all the while the blues played cheerfully in the background.
"Oh my god." The pretty brunette shrieked, which I thought would be followed with the deepest apology, and yet her next words clearly shocked me.
"You're...you're a woman!"
Kisho had let go of me and was now standing by my side, squinting his dark eyes as if confused. I immediately pulled away, forgetting to thank him for the previous dances, and headed straight towards Haruka and the waitress and the small group of people around them. I pushed my way through and took in the sight before me; smashed plates and vegetable bits littered the wooden panels of the dance floor while Haruka looked every bit the woman she was with her half drenched white blouse clinging to her now awfully visible curves.
"I can't believe I flirted with a woman!" The girl continued to rant on and I could see Haruka's expression turn from surprise to embarrassment to anger. I would have commented on how nice her figure actually was underneath the layers of clothing she always wore, but the circumstances did not seem fit and I immediately took her hand in mine, not caring who was giving us the oddest of stares.
"Haruka, I think it's getting late," I whispered gently and started leading us out of the restaurant. As we pushed by a few middle-aged woman, I heard another rather shocked whisper flutter through the air.
"And I thought they were such a beautiful couple! Good heavens!"
I felt Haruka's grip around my right hand tighten rather painfully at the rude comments flittering through the air and I was truly glad when we got outside and into the cool night. The sea breeze was chillier, carrying the scent of salt and sea spray. I would have liked to linger there for a moment longer, basking in the cool air, but I somehow felt Haruka's tenseness and decided that it was best to leave as quickly as possible.
As we drove off, I could not help but turn to look at Haruka worriedly. Her gaze was sedate, her face quite serious, and she did not once look at me. I wondered if she was angry, and yet the air around her seemed calm. She slowed down for a red light and I took this chance to place my hand gently on top of hers on the steering wheel. She responded only by a mere twitch and I simply responded by tightening my grasp.
"We sure gave them a shock back there, didn't we?" I started with a light-hearted tone.
She looked visibly disgruntled, but I was not discouraged by her lack of response. The red light turned a bright green and we were speeding off again to who knows where. I took my hand away and thought quickly. "You know, I think you should learn to treat your date better," I smiled more to myself than for anyone else. "Really now, isn't it common sense not to flirt with someone else?"
I glanced at Haruka quickly and noticed her lips twitching into a smile. I inwardly felt a wave of relief and simply smiled as she shrugged. "It's an old habit," she smirked cheekily. "And old habits die hard...but of course, that's not the most interesting bit of your sentence."
"Oh?"
"You consider yourself my date?" She asked sneakily, and I was glad she seemed quite concentrated on her driving or else she would have seen a faint blush grace my cheeks.
"I don't know anymore, with all that flirting that wasn't directed towards the said date," I teased lightly.
"I'm just afraid you'll have difficulty keeping your hands to yourself if I sweet talk you Michiru," Haruka answered swiftly as if she weren't making a statement of sheer arrogance. I giggled, holding a hand to my chin as I fell thoughtfully silent. A few seconds passed in peace until Haruka spoke up again, this time her voice unmasked and open. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
I stared at her in surprise but quickly shook my head, not minding the locks of aqua hair blowing into my face as I did so. "I guess I shouldn't mind. After all, if you were to be anything different then you were now, I think I wouldn't be sitting in this car."
Haruka chuckled, that sparkle returning to her eyes. "Then I guess I should mind. If I have to remind you, you sort of left me all alone back there with that guy who couldn't find the bathroom--"
"He wasn't trying to find the bathroom Haruka," I persisted.
"Well I bet he was and he probably thought it was too rude to ask a pretty lady like yourself which way the bathroom was so he asked you to dance instead."
I raised an eyebrow at the absurd reasoning Haruka had, but couldn't help but laugh in amusement at it nonetheless. I sighed and shook my head, feeling all the sudden worries of the restaurant incident fading as quickly as the wind blew by us. If all my troubles could be as easily blown away with Haruka by my side, I decided that life was worth every second, every minute, every breath...
Haruka sneezed.
I looked at her with concern. "We really should pull the hood up for the car. You're going to catch a cold with all this wind blowing and that wet blouse," I glanced at it disapprovingly and wished I hadn't, for the thin fabric was awfully plastered onto Haruka's skin and gave me quite a nice view of her shapely figure.
She seemed to read my mind and smirked brightly. "Like what you see?"
I could not reply. Haruka saved me from doing so by obliging with my wishes, putting up the hood of the car and shutting out the blowing wind. Still, I was worried for her health and slipped out of my jacket, placing the heavy item of clothing across her front. She blinked at me questioningly but I merely sat back in my seat. "I just don't want you to catch a cold," I explained.
I saw her smile slightly. "I didn't know you were so motherly."
"Motherly?" I echoed, slightly repulsed by the epithet. "You make me sound old."
"Motherly is good," Haruka reassured. "It'll come in handy when you become a maternal figure in the future."
I blushed for the umpteenth time that night and fell silent, thoughts running vividly in my mind- especially images of having a family with Haruka. Of course, I knew this was impossible, but I did not stop my imagination from dreaming up such lovely images...Haruka would make such an adorable father figure, though I could not help but wonder if she would even want to do that sort of thing.
And besides, who was saying that I was going to be her destined soul mate anyway? I frowned at my thoughts, wondering if my feelings towards the blonde were justified and returned. I suddenly felt doubtful, which surprised me as I was never doubtful about such matters. If I was interested in someone, it was almost a guarantee that they would return my feelings. I had never been rejected in my life yet, and the sudden idea seemed rather foreboding as I looked at the confident demeanor of Haruka.
"It's late, won't your parents be worried?"
Yes, and no. Perhaps they would be worried about my wellbeing for just a moment, but they would most likely be worried sick about the ruins that their reputation would be in if news leaked out that their perfect and prim daughter had runaway with a woman. I could not contain the bitter smile that graced my lips and I unconsciously held myself tightly around the waist.
I could not feel bitter and acrimonious about my own life for long though, for Haruka sneezed again, her body slightly rocking forward before landing ungracefully back onto her leather seat. She gave me a sheepish look as we drove into a tunnel, bathing us with artificial orange light.
"You didn't answer my question--" She began, but I quickly cut her off with a forced tone of light-heartedness.
"I don't want to go home," I said heartily and smiled awkwardly. "But I think you should change. Driving around in wet clothing won't do anything good to your health."
Haruka could only nod before she tentatively suggested, as if I would be appalled by her offer, "Then I guess we'll go to my place?"
I noticed that her tone was slightly unsure, not as steady and confident as usual when she paused poignantly on the words 'my place'. I smiled knowingly to myself and exuded an air of indifference to whatever may lay behind such intentions as going over to her place. I fiddled with the ends of my shirt and replied lightly, "I suppose so, if that's no problem with you."
"Of course not," she answered a bit too hastily and I noticed to my amusement that her cheeks were a nice rose. "I have to warn you that I'm not a tidy person."
"I wouldn't have thought so."
"Hey!"
I giggled into my hand and shook out my aqua tresses. "I'm just teasing, Haruka," my voice betrayed me and the affection I felt for her leaked through. "I just love seeing you uneasy. It's so cute."
"Cute," she mumbled almost grumpily before a sly grin replaced her former expression. "Well, I think a certain someone was more uneasy then myself back at that restaurant. Who was turning twenty shades of green?"
"I was not turning green!" I cried indignantly.
"Figurative speech, Michiru."
I pretended to let out a huff of annoyance but a foolish smile spilt out of my lips instead. Oh, strange how Haruka could bring out such a childish side of me, such a light-hearted air around me that I was sure no one would be able to quite recognize me anymore if they were to see me here, laughing, giggling, blushing, teasing. I tried to think of something witty to shoot back at the handsome blonde next to me but before I could, we were slowing down and slipping into an underground parking lot of a towering apartment building.
"I live on the ninth floor."
"I see," was all I could manage as we got out and headed up the elevator with Haruka respectively pressing the '9' button. I took a breath, light and shallow, and wondered dismally why I was suddenly so tense and slightly anxious. I had grown so close to Haruka...and yet I just realized I did not know much about her at all except that she was awfully charming, a flirt, and an excellent racer. What else did I know? Who did she live with? Her mother? Her father? Did she have siblings?
All these questions flew around in my mind in such a fast pace that I was suddenly light-headed.
"I live alone," Haruka offered voluntarily, answering one of my thousands of questions. I nodded again and followed her out of the elevator and down a carpeted hallway until we reached a door marked 915 in loopy gold numbers. "I...I moved out when I was fourteen."
"Fourteen?" I echoed in disbelief. Fourteen. Fourteen I still felt awkward, frightened, and slightly unaware of my surroundings, though even then I was considered an accomplished and esteemed young lady. No one knew that inside my head I was completely lost. And Haruka had lived by herself since fourteen? I stared after her in surprise as she swung the door open and revealed a room bathed in utter darkness.
She flicked on the lights carelessly, revealing a somewhat stylishly decorated room that was quite simplistic and seemed to revolve around the colour white and blue. I didn't think it was quite messy, except for the various unwashed plates scattered around on the table I assumed as the dining table fit for around four people. There were no flowers or picture frames showing unforgettable memories, just simple abstract paintings and a few photographs of cars. I slipped out of my shoes and instantly felt quite comfortable. The whole area smelt fresh and clean, just like Haruka.
"I'm just going to go change," she said hurriedly and walked rather quickly into another room, shutting it gently behind her.
I took this chance to take a good unabashed look at Haruka's living space and found it quite suiting to my taste. Though I would personally add a more elegant touch to certain things, I decided that it was acceptable. Then again, who was I to judge and make comments on Haruka's decorative tastes and interior design? I smiled slightly and relented to my thoughts. Of course I wanted to be someone worthy of judging Haruka's apartment. It would mean I was important to her, close, significant. A wistful expression played on my soft lips.
I crept along the dining table and towards a bookcase, and it was then that I first noticed the lone picture frame bordered with intricate silver designs sitting there collecting dust. I lifted the light frame into my hand and blew away the thin film covering it and blinked questioningly at the photograph within it. The picture was taken outside, on a seemingly sunny day, with blue skies and no clouds. A tall woman with straight blonde hair was holding onto a baby, with equally blonde hair that was slightly lighter than her own. I was rather mesmerized by the sweet picture, and only when a loud snapping sound broke me out of my sudden daze did I dare tear my gaze away from it.
I spun around and saw Haruka closing her bedroom door behind her, her gaze on me. I suddenly felt like I was intruding on something private and found myself clumsily putting the picture frame back on its spot on the shelf. Haruka's expression was unreadable and I immediately thought the worst; perhaps she was angry by me prodding around her house. My cheeks turned a deep red and I started hesitantly.
"Go-Gomen, I was just--"
"That's a picture of my mother," she cut in rather monotonously. "And me, of course." She added as an afterthought, the smallest hint of a small on her lips, though her eyes did not shine with the light I usually saw.
I didn't know what to say. She did not seem particularly happy to be talking about the picture, and yet there was a certain longing in the way she was poised and her gaze suddenly so wavering. I crept closer to her and gave her a gentle squeeze in the hand, trying to tell her that it was okay and that she didn't need to feel uncomfortable. I leaned in slightly to take in the scent of her cologne and smiled. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
She visibly relaxed and a relieved smile found its way onto her handsome features. She shifted around until her fingers were on top of my smaller ones, her grasp strong, yet gentle at the same time. I felt so safe, so utterly secure and blissful just to be holding onto her. She leaned in closer, her lips just above my ear and her warm breath tickling my senses. "And that's why you're so wonderful, Michiru," her voice was low and husky, my insides immediately flipping. "The most wonderful girl I've ever met."
I suddenly felt an uncomfortable tug within me. I suddenly felt a little bit colder and I instinctively pulled back to look up into her teal eyes slightly glazed with emotion. Was it emotion? I wondered desperately to myself. Did she feel for me the way I felt for her? Did she need me the way I needed her? Would she look at me the way I looked at her? I was suddenly insecure. Did she...did she love me?
I needed to know.
It was as if she had been purposely avoiding such words of affection, just merely hinting occasionally some sweet words and comforting praise...but was there love? Was there passion the way passion was erupting within myself? Or was I alone in this dance of affections, no partner but simply fooled by my own naive self that she, Tenoh Haruka, may feel something for me? My heart cried out at such thoughts and I had never felt so insecure and in need of reassurance.
But I was so scared. So scared to even mention such feelings...in fear of rejection. Would she laugh, thinking my words absurd? But did she not care for me? I reached out to her again and found myself burying my face into her neck. She seemed surprised, but she slowly reacted and placed her arms around me and all the while we were standing next to her dining room table. I knew the setting was probably inappropriate, and that perhaps we should have lighted a few scented candles or turned off the lights, but my soul could not wait and my thoughts were torturing me.
"Do...do you..." I began, my voice slightly cracking.
Haruka tilted her head, resting her chin on top of my head. "What is it Michiru?"
I didn't want to trip over my own emotions, I didn't want to fall just yet. I felt like I was in heaven when I was in Haruka's arms and I hoped I would not ruin everything with my own stupidity or ignorance. My grip tightened around her and I continued rather quietly, but determinedly. "Do you...do you feel for me, Haruka?"
I felt her tense in my arms, her shoulders lifting and her heart beating close to mine. I felt her thoughts running and I felt my own frights catching up on me. She was silent, and I was fearful of her reply. I suddenly felt like crying, the stinging sensation in my eyes before I could register it. Haruka made me laugh, Haruka made me smile, Haruka made me everything happy, and yet here I was, wanting to cry. I dared not lean away from her and let her see my shaken state, and merely stayed buried in the crook of her neck, waiting in that horrible, horrible silence.
"Do you, Michiru?"
My brow furrowed at the question, and I wished I could see her expression from my position, but I could not. I frowned slightly and bit my bottom lip. "That's not fair," I started softly. "I asked first."
Haruka laughed lightly, a low resonating sound that faded away almost as fast as it had begun. Silence unraveled around us again and I felt the tears coming. She was going to shake her head and say it was all fun and good, but she was not serious about anything. She was going to let go of me and turn around in that casual manner she always turned away from me in and send me out the door. My lips shook at my own worthlessness and I started ever so gently to pull away.
But she stopped me.
She placed her hands comfortably on my shoulders and stood me square in front of her. Her gaze was so gentle, so soft...I had never seen it so. It made me feel...loved, but I had to shake the silly thought of my head. I hated disappointment. I hated failure. I hated being turned away from. I could only keep my gaze on her out of my sheer stubbornness to look unaffected by the silence around us. She smiled ever so slightly, a quirk to her lips.
"Do I need to say anything at all, Michiru?" She started just as quietly as I had been speaking. "Don't you...don't you feel it like I do?"
My blue eyes widened at her cryptic words, but I felt quite calm from them. My lips opened on their own accord and words spilled out of them softly. "Are you...are you referring to that special thing we have?"
"Yeah," she breathed. "That special thing we have."
I frowned, unable to contain it. "What is that special thing, Haruka? Tell me, or else I'm afraid I might just be eternally miserable."
She merely replied with a mischievous smile and a shine in her eyes that I only saw when she set her gaze upon me. I suddenly felt quite foolish, asking such silly questions when everything before me was already my answer. She leaned in closely, just a breath away and her gaze still unwavering upon mine. "I don't prefer words when I have other options," she whispered.
My gaze softened and her lips brushed against mine teasingly. "What other op--"
This time her lips lingered on mine, so gentle and featherlike, not passionate, but beautiful. I felt my stomach flip and my heart quench, all my worries momentarily forgotten. But still, I felt that tug within my gut, wanting to simply hear three words from the taller woman before me. I broke the contact slowly, tilting my head upwards to look at her again.
She let go of me and turned to walk towards the window, still undrawn and revealing the cityscape below. Though her back was towards me, I could almost feel her smile. "It's dark out already."
I smiled at her implication and decided that I should not worry too much, not when Haruka seemed utterly relaxed and fine that I was here with her. I crept up behind her and wrapped my arms around her from behind, giggling mentally at how I simply could not keep my hands off of her. "I guess I'll just have to stay here all night then, Haruka," I whispered into her ear. "Since it's so...dark out already."
She nodded slowly. "You're more than welcome to."
I waited for the question she would for sure ask.
"But what about your parents--"
I smiled at her predictable words and simply let go to stand beside her. "Oh stop worrying, Haruka," I teased gently. "You'll get wrinkles and white hair and all those horrible things."
She smirked and turned to look at me. "But you'll still love me all the same, neh?"
My eyes widened at her words. Was I that transparent? Were my feelings written all over my face? Or was I taking her words too seriously? But I could not deny it. I loved her! I loved every little bit of her to her last strand of hair, to her dancing eyes and to her beautiful hands. I could only nod at her words, and speak the littlest as possible. "Of course."
She smiled and turned to look out the window again, and I took this chance to sneak a glance at her almost longingly.
When will you say those words to me, Haruka? When will you make my heart settle?
AN: Aw, poopy Haruka avoiding those three lovely words! Isn't Haruka's worst thing suppose to be confessing? So I decided that she wouldn't spill her guts right away, but in fact, dance around her feelings towards Michiru in a way that would satisfy Michiru's queries and yet annoy her nonetheless. I hope you all understand. Anyway, this was a much more less angsty chapter if you get what I mean. Once again, reviews are most appreciated and I hoped you enjoyed this chapter!