Chapter 2
Swimming events
So, several weeks passed without any word exchanged. Haruka managed to get up early to be gone before Michiru being awake and went to bed early enough to not have to talk to her on night. It was quite difficult, but the chance she had was that Michiru passed a lot of time practicing violin and drawing. She had also heard she was could be seen at the swimming pool. Haruka had wanted to go and see her like she did with her violin practices but she knew it was going to far… and above all, she knew there wasn't any discreet place from where she could watch Michiru swimming without being seen and she had thought of it for long… Since the day she had learnt that she swam, the image of Michiru in a swimming suit obsessed her. "Stop to imagine this…you're becoming a rude pervert… maybe I should jump into this damned swimming pool myself! Some cold water wouldn't do me any wrong…"
But Haruka unwillingly found another way to see Michiru in a swimming suit. The sport teacher announced after three months of doing volley ball that they would skip the following week to swimming.
Some of Haruka's friends found that she acted strangely towards Michiru. They didn't know Haruka was lesbian but still, the fact that they were roommates and had never talked each other in three months sounded strange.
"What's the matter? She is shy, that's sure, but she changed a little since she is friend with Lily. She's a nice girl, you know…" said one of her friend the morning before the sport class.
"I just don't want to know her… she seems so boring… with her violin things and all… Sincerely… she has no personality."
She noticed at this very moment that Michiru wasn't very far… she passed in front of her nearly running. Haruka saw her and felt deeply sorry… she could have sworn that tears were running on her face.
Michiru was sad… in fact she had never been so sad. Lily joined her, she had heard by other girls that Michiru was in the bathroom.
"I heard what she said. Everyone know in fact…"
"I wanted her to be my friend… and she hated me!"
"How long will you cry like this?"
"Dunno."
"I think you'd rather come to the swimming class, Michiru. You're always feel better after a bit of swimming a little."
"I'd rather not see her! And she will be at the swimming pool."
"I know it. I also know she has been awfully rude towards you. If I were you… well… I would try to avenge… Haruka is an athlete, she never lost a race. Imagine what people would tell if she lost against the less sporty person in this school…"
Michiru opened the door. She wasn't crying anymore.
Haruka, who usually was so remarkable, was weirdly discreet. She was ready to begin the swimming class, but she wasn't at ease. She hated to wear swimming suits… it showed her legs and the forms of her breasts was obvious. She had wanted so much to be a man… the only way she had find to accept her body as it was, was by loving girls. The pleasure she had with them had finally made her accept herself… but she kept dressing as a man when she could and being in a swimming suit embarrassed her. She was feeling weak. And she had another reason to be discreet… she had hurt Michiru and as the minutes came by, she worried more and more. Michiru should be here… Suddenly she saw her. She felt relieved… and indeed Michiru was sexy in her swimming suit… But there was something different. She was walking to her with her beautiful eyes full of determination. She had an evil smile on her face.
Michiru wasn't embarrassed towards Haruka anymore, she was angry at the blonde. She hated to be judged by people who never took time to talk with her. Haruka's words had first made her feel upset… but then they had awakened her. And Lily had give her a plan. She would hurt Haruka. The blonde had never lost a race in her life, even against men, but she was to loose against the boring girl with her violin things. She talked to Haruka for the first time in three months.
"Haruka! I wanted to see you…"
Haruka looked at her in surprise. The first time she uttered her name… it sounded beautiful pronounced with her voice… but she had also noticed that Michiru's voice wasn't hesitant and low as it always was in class. It was clear, direct and obviously full of anger and provocation.
"Michiru… what… what's the… what's the matter?"
She was hesitant. This new Michiru was impressive and her glance pierced her like a knife. She was taken aback and sincerely afraid.
"It seems you're not at ease here. What's the matter? Period?
Haruka looked at Michiru as though she had just punched her. She seemed so electric, not the calm girl she usually was… so the sea could be agitated sometimes… She came back to reality, she couldn't let herself got thrown by Michiru in front of everyone…
"I… I'm okay, thanks. So why did you want to see me?"
"I said this because it would be a pity if you weren't able to race."
"I'm always able to race!"
"And I was told you always win… But will you win against me?"
Haruka received another punch. She was trying to challenge her? Is this girl, so self-assured, so aggressive could be the same beautiful angel she watched everyday, playing violin, sleeping, dreaming… In fact Haruka knew she was lost. She had been obsessed by an appearance, with a personality she had preferred to imagine… now she was deeply in love with Michiru Kaioh, a beautiful girl with an incredible personality she was eager to discover. But while she was lost in her thoughts, everyone was staring at her, wondering how Haruka would react to Michiru's provocation. She did her best to look and sound cool. She smiled.
"You're not really good at sport, Michiru. Definitely I love to pronounce this name…I'll win. I practice everyday. Maybe I'm not used to swim, but I'm an athlete, so I still have a very good chance against you."
"You'd better take care, Tenoh…. She is quick. I saw her swim." Said Lily.
"You know me and you know her. You should no she has no chance."
"We will see." Said Michiru.
"Why don't you race now? The teacher hasn't arrived yet…" said Lily.
"It's okay for me. And you princess?" "Shut your mouth! She is your opponent not your beloved! "
"Let's go."
They began the race at the sign of Lily. Haruka knew she would win. Michiru was small and probably the less athletic girl of the school. A part of her would have liked to let her win. Just to see a smile on her face. She knew their relation would change, that they would talk, and that she was truly in love. But she had never lost a race, and she knew the other girls looked at her. She was like some men for this point, she liked to impress cute girls. She was such a flirt. In three months she had had two girlfriends in this school. If she lost this race, she would be less popular… even if she loved Michiru, she couldn't renounce to their admiration. No… she wanted to win. And she was far ahead, Michiru hadn't began to swim and Haruka had nearly reached the other side… it was too easy… but… in fact… no… Michiru had won. She did have swum, she had the time to cross the swimming pool two times while she was ending her first length… They finally got out of the swimming pool.
"It's… impossible… How did you…"
"I don't now, it's just the way it is." Said Michiru, smiling. Now she was more calm but still more confident than usual and somewhat… connected with reality. It was a strange reality to talk with Haruka. She didn't exactly if she had came out of her aqua bubble… or if Haruka had entered it.
Haruka left the swimming pool without a word. She missed the swimming class. She didn't want to stay in front of everyone after loosing. She was not angry with Michiru, she had deserved to loose. And it was not as painful as she thought it would be. But still she wanted to be alone for a while. Michiru saw her leave. She felt guilty and ran after Haruka. When she caught her she was in the lockers, sitting on a bench. Haruka looked at her at she entered. This little room and the sight of Michiru in her blue swimsuit gave her ideas. But that was not the moment to think of this.
"I'm sorry for what I said about you, Michiru." Said Haruka.
"Don't… I think that if you didn't, I would never have react. I always wanted to talk to you but you never give me that chance while we were alone, and I was too shy to talk to you in front of everyone… I don't know why but I thought it would be… embarrassing."
"I didn't think what I said… I could explain why I did and why I avoided you… but I'd rather not if you don't mind… I just want to tell you… it was not against you because I find you are exceptional and I like you, even if I don't really know you."
Haruka had gotten up while saying that and had approached Michiru. They were near now. "Too near "thought Haruka. Michiru was feeling good, she had wished to talk to Haruka, she had idealized this moment, but in fact, it was much better than what she imagined. She liked Haruka. There was something in her eyes that made her feel warm. Without thinking of it, she threw herself in Haruka's arms. Haruka was surprised. She hadn't expected it. Having Michiru so near, to feel her body against hers was a wonderful feeling. Her hands began to caress tenderly Michiru's hair, then she took in one of her hands… she couldn't control the situation anymore. For a moment, Michiru thought she was about to kiss Haruka. Their lips were nearer and nearer… and strangely it didn't bother her…
