Chapter 11

Nice try

"I know this for a long time Haruka."

"You knew?"

"Yes. But when we argued that night, I thought it was because I lost my wallet and that some men found it at the stadium. I was feeling guilty and desperate, then you arrived and started yelling at me."

"I didn't now, I really thought you had told them… But now you know and…"

"And that won't change anything."

"But we found out what was the truth, and… I… I still love you so much, I can't leave without you…"

"You found out. For my part I knew it. And the problem is not there. You don't have any trust in me. You never had. If it was me, I wouldn't have suspected you that easily."

"I didn't… but you were the only one to know…"

"But I was the one who loved you, how could you imagine only a second that I could have betrayed you?"

"I… I was angry…"

"You should have controlled yourself better. I won't forgive you Haruka. Please go now. I don't want to see you ever again."

Haruka felt desperate. It couldn't be… no… she was so cold. She looked in her eyes and saw nothing. Her deep blue eyes which had been sparkling with love were now empty. She left without saying anything more. Michiru went back in her room and began to cry. She hated to be that cold with Haruka. Her words had touched her. But it was too late. She had seen the sparkle of love in her green eyes, she had wanted to throw herself in her arms, to kiss her lovingly, but she had made up her mind. Haruka had no trust in her, and she would never. She looked at the turquoise ring she hadn't the courage to put off. She loved Haruka, but she would never be with her again.

"So that's all. You will just ignore him by pride?" asked Makoto the following day.

"Just because you think he don't trust you." Added Minako.

"I didn't really understand why you broke by the way… you didn't give any detail." Said Ami.

"I can't. Because even if he don't trust me, I never told any of this secret. This is between us, I can't give you details. I hope you understand." Said Michiru to her friends.

"To change subject, will you go to the party tomorrow night? Everyone of our level will come. It's for the end of the exams. I'll go with Mamoru." Said Usagi.

"I don't know. I can't go there alone…"

"You should go with any of these guys who try to date you." Said Rei.

"I don't know… I don't want to.'

"And if Haruka invited you?" asked Minako.

"I would refuse! He will have to do something really spectacular if he wants me back."

"So… you're still in love." Said Makoto.

"No!"

"You said the contrary. What you said let suppose he had a chance with you…" said Ami.

"Well… maybe. But it will have to be the equivalent of an earthquake or a tsunami!"

"You expect something special?" asked Usagi.

"Not really… I'm just saying he would have to give me proofs of his love and trust. And I know he won't… well… let's forget this, it isn't clear even for me. I don't know what I expect, but I know he won't reach it."

Michiru had had this idea for long, but she didn't wanted to tell it, it had emerge from her unwillingly. But she couldn't guess that the witnesses of this little speech were not only her five friends… Haruka was not far and she had hears every single words and she had a plan… When Michiru left, she came to talk to the girls.

"Hi! I heard everything and I'd like you to help me." Said Haruka.

"Help you? You're joking, and it's not good to listen private conversations." Said Rei.

"I'm sorry I just passed by. Please help me. I really love Michiru more than my life. I want her back. I'll ask you only a single thing, I have a plan."

"We should help him." Said Usagi.

"Michiru will kill us if she knows…" said Ami.

"But we have to. We are her friends, and this is evident that she is in love with him. She is so sad. Her pain can be read on her face. We must do something!" said Minako.

The other girls finally agreed.

"I… I just want you to make sure she will be at the party tomorrow evening. I will have a surprise for her."

"What kind of surprise?" asked Rei.

"Something that will show her I trust her, and above all that I truly love her."

Haruka was glad, she had a chance after all… but will she reach her heart?

The following evening, Ami, Usagi and Minako insisted to make Michiru come with them.

"You'll have fun…" said Minako.

"Maybe you'll find a prince charming like my Mamoru…" said Usagi."To study in good conditions you have to relax…" added Ami.

They were dressed in beautiful evening gowns. Michiru was in her pyjamas.

"I don't know… I just wanted to draw a little… well… to try to draw.""This will give you inspiration… please come with us!" said Usagi.

"Okay… I'm coming, but if I'm bored I come back home."

She put on the wonderful dress she had that night at the concert. Her short hairs made her look different, more adult. She was wonderful.

When they arrived, Rei and Makoto came to them and said discreetly to Ami, Minako and Usagi that everything was in place. But Usagi didn't listen, she had just caught sight of Mamoru.

Michiru was feeling that something with them was strange. They were hiding something. She didn't know what, but they had a plan, it was obvious, they weren't really discreet. But the party began and nothing special happened… till a certain point.

Suddenly a guy from the band made an announcement. Michiru didn't really listen. She was talking with Ami. But she couldn't ignore the person who came on the stage right after.

"Hi everyone… Some of you know me a little. I'm here to make a declaration to someone. I really hate to speak like this from a stage and tell my feelings in front of everyone. But tonight I'll do it, because I'm desperate. Because I want the one I love to come back. So look at this."

An image appeared on a white screen behind Haruka. It was a drawing. A drawing representing Michiru.

"Well… you can see I'm not a great artist. But I realised this for her. And there is something else. One day, I told her very bad things, and she said I didn't trust her. So I'll prove her my trust, and my love for her right now. Because I know she's the one, and that I want to see her face every morning till I die. I'm stupid, I'm rough and I hurt you but Michiru… please, marry me."

Michiru was looking at Haruka. She was gob-smacked but at the same time, pretty angry. She was not going to reach her like this. The girl yelling out her feelings on the stage like this wasn't the one she loved. This was a weak and desperate Haruka. Of course she was touched by the declaration, she knew it came from her very heart. But it was common and a bit ridiculous. And for her, love was a private thing. She hated people who acted like this, confessing their feelings to everyone. And it was easy to ask her to marry because she knew girls couldn't. She looked at the girls and understood that they knew all this.

She left the party, angry. Haruka saw her leave and tried to stop her. She jumped from the stage and run after her. When she reached her, they were in the cold night air.

"Michiru! Michiru please wait!"

Michiru stopped. Haruka understood she shouldn't have run after her, she was in a really bad mood.

"Haruka… so you finished your serenade? Did you really think I would like this?"

"Yes… maybe."

"Look at yourself, you're a shadow. You hesitate when you speak. And this declaration, in front of everyone!"

"I was desperate."

"I see that. But the one with whom I fell in love was not an hesitating man yelling his love to everyone! I fell in love with an intelligent, mysterious and charming woman. And the marriage, it was the most stupid and non sense thing you've ever told me. Girls can't marry with each other!"

She was mad at her. She put off the ring and gave it back to her.

"You had a chance, but you spoiled it!'

"If you had told me yourself I had one maybe I would done much better! I'm in love with you. But our relation is too complicated! It was easy while It was working but now it broke I just don't what to do. I never saw you in such a state, and I can't find any solution. You're nearly as bad-tempered as I am Michiru!"

Haruka looked at her with coldness in her eyes. She knew she hadn't done the right thing, but Michiru knew what she represented, and she was unfair. Because without her, Haruka was not the same, so she couldn't be as Michiru loved her, because when Michiru gave love to Haruka, Haruka was full, without her warmth, she was a shadow. And Michiru too was different without Haruka, she had become so cold. Before her eyes shined and was always searching for her embrace. Now she was cold and unpleasant. Being apart simply destroyed them little by little.