Chapter 1
When the Wind Fight the Sea
Michiru was part of the swimming team of her high-school. She swam as often as she could and was unbeatable. But she always refused competitions. She was far too busy to attend a competition, swimming was a leisure she loved, but she hated to compete. She was part of a team because she had to be part of a sport team; that was one of her school's rules. The competition that was to be held today opposed her school to some school for gifted not far from hers she did not remembered the name. She had been forced to participate because one of the girls had broken her leg. She was in her swimming-suit, on a bench, waiting for the beginning of the competition when she heard people arguing next to her. They were a tall blonde short-haired girl and a man who probably was her father, or maybe her coach. She was wearing a grey swimming suit, and that seemed to be the problem.
"Why did you enlisted me in that… thing? Asked the blonde in a angry whisper."
"You're a girl, so you have to make girls sports."
"But why swimming? Look at this… I look like a… What will say the guys? No one know about me…"
"They aren't here, this is the girl team of your school, and they needed someone… The coach was told you were from another school. You're called Emiko Tenoh, as youre mother, you're Haruka Tenoh's cousin. And in that suit… and it suits you very well, believe me, Ruka… no one will guess who you are."
The man was right, thought Michiru, this girl was really handsome, she could easily be a model. And there was like a strange and attractive shine around her.
"I'm glad you didn't enlist me to dance class… But look everyone's staring at me…"
"It's because your attractive, my girl, what's wrong with that?"
"I hate this. I just can't bear men looking at me this way. Why did you intervene? I do many sports, nearly every."
"Ruka, it is not funny, I just don't like to see you acting as a tomboy, you're a marvellous girl… You're my daughter, and I'd like you to be more feminine."
"Mom did like me to be a tomboy, why don't you accept it?"
"Your mother wanted a boy, I wanted a girl, we had a girl, but she changed you in a boy. It's unnatural… one day you'll regret it, you can't fight your nature… and… well, you are said to be unbeatable at every sports… we'll see if you're reputation isn't overrated…"
"Dad… that's not funny… but I'll win."
"I don't think so my dear" thought Michiru. She had never been beaten at swimming and that was not this who would do it… Finally, this competition was not going to be as annoying as she thought it would. The girl seemed more athletic than the others she had seen while changing. But she seemed uneasy… and she don't know why… but not in her element. The girl seemed to notice Michiru. She lowered her tone so Michiru didn't heard the rest of the argument.
"Dad, we'd rather be more discreet, I think this girl here heard us. And I bet she's one of my opponent."
Haruka glanced at Michiru. She had never so such a girl… Her long turquoise hairs were falling on her waist and her beautiful blue eyes in the vague, she looked cold; but something was strange… Haruka could not help but feel attracted to her. She seemed very calm, so Haruka wondered if she was really competing today… but her blue swimsuit was an evidence she was not just a visitor. And the bench on which she was sitting was full of other girls who must be part of the team.
"Haruka? Are you dreaming? Do you only listen to me?"
Haruka went out of her daydreaming.
"Oh… yes Dad… what were you saying?"
"I told you that after the competition you'll have to go on the girl's room. Please no mistake, Ruka."
"Why? There are no men today, I could use their room… I'd rather not change with all of them… it would be embarrassing."
"If you don't look at them like you just looked to this young turquoise-haired woman, there won't be any problem. You're a girl, so you go with the girl."
"I… I wasn't looking at her… what are you imagining?"
"Don't try to fool me, I don't expect you to love men after what the education your mother gave you."
"Don't blame, she's ill, and mad, it's not her fault."
"I know, I know… Well, go and win." Said her father with a sad look on his face before leaving his daughter to find a place where he can see the competition without wetting his suit. Haruka joined her team.
Michiru had no problem to beat everyone, but the rest of her team was beaten. Haruka did well too, but she saw quickly that Michiru, who seemed quite defenceless on the bench, was now a serious opponent, she hadn't faced her yet, but for the first time she was scared to loose. The turquoise-haired girl was not a defenceless beauty, she was a Mermaid. And Finally, only them were left, they had defeated everyone in their opponent team. So the next round would be between them.
Michiru had observed Haruka, and thought that she would have to be cautious, the girl was not as comfortable in water as she was, she had less practice and she noticed that she always went out of the swimming pool as quickly as she could and dried the water of her face in a nervous way, but she was athletic, she was quick and strong, she had muscles. And her appearance revealed she was a high-level sportive. Michiru was a little scared, she didn't really practiced… swimming was her leisure, she was lucky, she never had to train like her team mates to be the best. This girl lived for sport, she lived for intense moment like competitions.
Before the departure, in the swimming pool, she looked at the girl, she seemed determined and concentrated. She was a pro, herself was only an amateur, though she loved swimming, she had never seriously compete. The blonde felt her glance, and looked at her. They deeply looked in each other eyes. Haruka felt a strange warm invade her, she had been cold in the water since the beginning, but the girl's glance warmed her. Michiru was feeling as she suddenly had wings, she was transported. She would win, she knew it.
The race began… Haruka and Michiru were equal… The blonde was giving everything, she knew she had no chance to win against the Mermaid, but she would do her best. They were different, the blonde needed to breathe very often, but her opponent nearly didn't. It was as though she didn't need air. Michiru was watching Haruka, she had adapted herself to the blonde's speed because she was curious… she could see her efforts, but it was evident she never practiced swimming. But she was far more quick than the others, and she knew the girls in her team trained very much. Michiru looked at her like this for a while, then she decided it was time to take the advantage and she pushed herself… but Haruka had not given her best yet, and Michiru was surprised to see she had more to give… but she herself was the same, and she finally distanced the blonde and won.
Haruka was deceived, but she knew she couldn't do anything against her. Michiru and her went out and Michiru was officially declared winner. It was her first medal. Before, it wouldn't have affected her, but now… she felt proud. She had liked to compete. She shook hands with Haruka. They both felt an intense warmth… and for a second, nothing else in the world seemed to matter… they were alone… Michiru felt as if she was falling into the blonde's green eyes. At the same time, Haruka was drawn in the turquoise-haired girl's. eyes. Michiru's hand was still in Haruka's, and she didn't want to interrupt this so sweet and warm contact. Haruka was feeling the same. They began to get closer, like if hypnotised… Then Haruka's father came for his daughter.
"Emiko, my dear. You should congratulate miss Kaioh."
They suddenly awoke from their daydream.
"Miss Kaioh you are the first to defeat her, she's an expert at nearly every sports."
"Really?" asked Michiru.
"I… I do very much sport."
"I noticed, your physic reflects it. For my part, I'm just lucky, I don't really train… I was replacing a mate. I usually don't compete."
"You should."
"I know, the coach wants me too, but I had a bad opinion about competition… but now I think I was wrong… I loved our race. You're a surprising opponent."
"Miss Kaioh! Go and change I don't want you to get a cold, I need you next week to face Jyuban…" yelled her coach.
"I think I should go… otherwise he'll loose his nerves… Miss Tenoh, come with me, you are freezing…"
"Good idea, and call me…"
"Emiko! Don't be that formal miss Kaioh, Emiko is as old as you are."
"Ok Emiko, let's go then…"
Michiru took her hand and they headed to the girl's room.
