Chapter 10: Decision

As they ate calmly, Ayashi couldn't help but to stare at Haruka, lost in her thought.

"Is there something in my face?"

"Ah...no...sorry I didn't mean to stare." Stuttered Ayashi out of embarrassment.

Haruka smiled and quietly handed her an apple. "There, if I remember well you like fruits... especially green apple, right?"

"Hai, thank you." Answered back Ayashi. She slowly took the apple and smiled.

"Ahh! I ate too much! My stomach starts to hurt..." Said Sasuke with a smirk in his face. He knew his presence wasn't required.

"You did eat a lot and too fast... you should rest for a while. I will make you some tea. It will help you to digest." Replied Haruka. She was on her way to the door when Sasuke suddenly stood up and walked to her.

"Thanks but it's ok, I don't want to bother you. I will head home now, we have to get up early tomorrow. See you Haruka. Ayashi take care!" And with that he was out of the room.

"Ano...I'm not ill..." Pouted Ayashi blushing. She hated it when everybody thought that she was fragile and weak. 'Even if it's the truth' She thought sadly.

"No, you're not but you still need to rest." Replied Haruka smiling. She then walked to the bed and sat next to Ayashi.

"I'm sorry..." Ayashi said softly.

"Why are you sorry for?" Asked Haruka.

"I...just...wanted to see you...I didn't mean to...cause you any problem." Ayashi looked up and stared at the blonde, her eyes reflecting the sadness within her. She was always a burden to Haruka ever since they met and she couldn't stand it anymore. She wanted to see Haruka happy but whenever she was near the blonde she only brought more problems.

"Aya what are you talking about? I'm really happy to see you. You don't have to be sorry, I should be the one to apologize...I haven't visited you once. I'm sorry." Haruka said feeling guilty. Fukuoka wasn't really far from Tokyo still she hadn't paid her any visit. She was too happy being with Michiru that she completely forgot her blonde friend who obviously has been waiting. Even if they kept in touch through mail and phone, she only thought of her friend for an hour or two and then it was only Michiru.

"A-Are you seeing someone?" Asked shyly Ayashi after a moment of silence. She knew from the argument earlier between Haruka and Sasuke that the blonde might be involved with someone and she wanted to have an answer.

"Ah...Hm no, we broke up." Haruka said looking away from Ayashi and blushing slightly. She didn't know why but suddenly she felt nervous. Ayashi has grown a lot since last year and she was now a beautiful woman. The closeness of their past relationship was still there but the time took away the innocence of their hearts. The respect, admiration and friendship they shared slowly turned into deeper feelings.

"Do you still...love her?"

Haruka slowly turned her head and met beautiful blue eyes that shone with unshed tears. Her heart started to beat faster and she didn't know what to say or to do. She knew Ayashi loved her but it was only an infatuation, because she had rescued her, helped her and cared for her, Ayashi saw in this the affection she craved for, and mistook it as love. Haruka couldn't lie, she knew her heart had for a long time belong to someone else but now that this someone else had broken her heart into pieces, she didn't know what to think.

"I don't know..." Replied softly Haruka. She knew she still loved her but it was too painful and complicated.

"Then...do you love me?" Asked seriously Ayashi. She gently took both of Haruka's hands in hers and waited patiently for an answer.

"Aya...why are you asking me this? You know I-" Answered Haruka but was cut before she could finish.

Ayashi had leaned and kissed Haruka tenderly. She then pulled away timidly and stared at a blushing Haruka. "I mean...Do you love me this way?" She asked shyly.

"I-I'm not sure Ayashi..." Haruka said silently. "Can you give me...more time, please?" Requested the blonde. She knew by the way Ayashi looked at her that it wasn't an infatuation, Ayashi did love her. The same way Michiru used to love her.

"Time...huh...Hm I-I think I can wait a little longer..." Replied gently and sadly Ayashi.

Seeing the hurtful expression on her friend, Haruka silently took Ayashi in her arms and kissed her forehead. "Just give me a week..." Whispered Haruka.

As they slowly made their way to the main building of Tokyo University, Haruka couldn't help but to be worried about Ayashi.

.: x :.

"Aya, Are you sure about it ?" Asked Haruka concerned.

"Hai, I'm sure!" Answered Ayashi smiling. Ayashi had decided to come back to Tokyo and to apply to the same university as Haruka. She wanted to make a surprise to Haruka, but she failed miserably. Her sudden arrival only worried the blonde and she couldn't help but to feel guilty about her childish play.

"Hey! Look... Haruka-san is with another girl!" Said excitedly a student in the University courtyard to his classmate.

"No way! I thought he was with Michiru-san..." Replied the other.

"Well seems like he was...but this new girl is as beautiful as Michiru-san!"

"I don't care about the new girl...for me there's only Michiru-san!"

Their presence didn't go unnoticed by the other students. They all started to make their own rumors about the new girl. Haruka never thought about it before but realized the mistake she had just made by arriving with only Ayashi instead of Michiru and Sasuke.

"Haruka? You-you were going out with Michiru?" Suddenly asked Ayashi. She heard what some of the students were saying and she was at loss. Neither Haruka nor Michiru had said something about being involved with one another to her. She wanted to know if it was true and if it was then why did they kept it secret from her.

"Ah...hmm...well yes..." Stuttered Haruka nervously. She did planned to tell Ayashi about their relationship but she never had the courage to tell her friend.

"I see..." Replied Ayashi sadly. If it was Michiru then she hadn't any chance to win Haruka's heart. She knew that back in Mugen Gakuen, Haruka's heart already belonged to someone. Now with what she learned, the person that held Haruka's heart in their hands was probably no definitely Michiru.

Slowly tears made their way down her face.

"Aya?" Haruka slowly took Ayashi in her arms. "I'm sorry...I should have told you first. I'm really sorry." She then whispered.

.: x :.

"Hey Haruka! Ayashi! This way!" Waved enthusiastically Sasuke who was sitting in front of Michiru in their usual place at the cafeteria.

"Hey Sasuke, Michiru." Greeted Haruka as she near their table.

"Sasuke-san, Michiru-san." Said Ayashi with her soft voice.

"You can drop the formalities Ayashi, ne Sasuke?" Said Michiru smiling, Ayashi eyed Sasuke who only approuved by nodding. "So how was your first day at Todai?" Asked Michiru as they all took their seats. She knew from Sasuke that Ayashi had decided to apply to Todai.

She had took the entrance exam back in Fukuoka in April and had received the results in July. Being accepted she had asked her parents if they approved of her choice. At first they were reluctant because it was very expensive but as they knew later that she had received a loan, they couldn't say no.

"It was nice." Ayashi answered while keeping her eyes on her food. She couldn't look directly into Michiru eyes for she knew that she was the one Haruka loved. The only thought of them being together just broke her heart into pieces, even if they broke up she could still see that they had shared something deep and that they were suffering from being apart.

The lunch was quiet. Sasuke had tried to humour the table but had failed miserably, everyone was too lost on their own thoughts. Haruka was worried about Ayashi, whom since their last conversation seemed to be dishearten. It pained Haruka to see her like this, and more since she knew how the blonde felt for her. It was her fault and she felt the obligation to bring back the smile to Ayashi's pretty face.

Michiru, her was looking at Haruka. She somehow felt jealous of Ayashi, the blonde girl has Haruka's whole attention since her come back and seemed to still held feelings for Haruka. Michiru tried as though it didn't matter but as they sat in front of her she couldn't help but to look at them and slowly without realizing it, she felt a pang of guilt and regret that spread through her body.

"Ano...I forgot I have papers to finish." Said suddenly Michiru. She was loosing her mind here and she couldn't afford to break up here in front of everybody. "If you will excuse me I will go ahead. See you later guys." She then stood up and left her friends in a hurry.

"Hey Michiru..." Called back Sasuke, but the aqua haired girl didn't hear his call and was soon out of the cafeteria. " Well I guess I will have to go too, I have a class in thirty minutes and since I forgot my schedule I will have to ask for another one first." Said Sasuke, but before leaving he finished to drink his soda and then stood up. "What about you guys? Do you have classes this afternoon?" Asked Sasuke before leaving.

"Well Ayashi didn't have any this afternoon, I just have one to intend but since it's Marketing, I think I will pass." Replied Haruka.

"Ok, see you tomorrow then! And Ayashi take care!" Said Sasuke smiling. He waved them goodbyes and he was out.

"Hm...ano...I said I'm not ill!" Pouted Ayashi.

Haruka smiled and turned toward a fuming Ayashi. "I must admit that you seem a little tired, aren't you?" Questioned Haruka joyful.

"Not you too!" Replied eagerly Ayashi but as soon as she looked up and met Haruka's beautiful teal eyes that shone with happiness but also concerned, she just stared at Haruka's angelic face.

"Let's go home..." Said Haruka gently after a moment. "Father will be happy to see you again."

Ayashi blushed and looked away. It's been so long since she could see Haruka's face from this close, that she was mesmerized. "Hai..."

.: x :.

"Aya-chan! It's been a long time! How are you ?" Asked cheerfully Kenji.

"I'm fine...Tenou-san." Replied shyly Ayashi. She didn't know how to react in front of Haruka's father, it's been so long since she has been there and hearing from this powerfull man through newspapers and Tv didn't help. Ever since she had moved back to her parents she always saw the man in the news, and it reminded her that they weren't from the same class and thus world.

"Don't be so shy Aya-chan! And don't call me Tenou-san. We've known each other for a long time now. You are like a daughter to me..." Said enthusiastically Kenji.

Both Haruka and Ayashi for a reason unknown blushed profusely and looked away from each other. It was the way Kenji had said it that disturbed them.

Seeing their comportement, Kenji knew something between those two had changed. He then smiled.

"Well I think dinner is ready. 'A table mes enfants'!" Exclaimed Kenji still grinning. He then leaved the livingroom laughing.

"Sorry about that..." Apologized Haruka to Ayashi. She didn't know what her father had implied by saying those things but she was sure he had something behind his head.

"It's...It's ok." Replied hastily Ayashi still not willing to look at the tall blonde. She then silently ran out of the livingroom and followed Haruka's father.

"What a day..." Sighed Haruka tiredly. "And I still have to talk to Michiru tomorrow. We really need to talk." Said aloud the blonde to herself. She then walked slowly out of the room.

TBC

AN: Thanks for the reviews ! I hope you liked that chapter too. Anyway things will start to move faster from now. By the way I have a question, according to the Haruka I tried to portray in my fic, do you think she will choose duty over love or love come first?