Chapter 12
Departure in bad conditions
Haruka and Michiru began their second year at university the next day. Michiru hadn't very much time left between her studies and the violin rehearsal that happened more and more often as an important concert approached. Many of Michiru's violinist's mates saw the ring she wore and the new of Michiru's wedding became the topic of all the gossips, Michiru preferred not imagine what it would have been if those silly girls had known about Haruka being a woman... But many people knew around them, and it soon became a problem. The insults and attacks that they had underwent before became fiercer, especially on Haruka. As she looked like a man, men attacked her more easily, but few dared to attack Michiru physically. Haruka was worried and she never let Michiru come back home walking alone after her rehearsals. She tried to hide the bruises that caused her the fights to Michiru, but it was not easy... The fights were not always engaged by her opponents, but she couldn't allow anyone to insult Michiru, even if it meant being hurt.
"Haruka... Did you read the newspaper this morning? They say that another monster was seen in the park..."
They were having breakfast together before going to university, and Michiru was reading the local newspaper.
"Don't pay attention to this rubbish... Monsters... and why not aliens? But I guess it helps them to sell more..."
"I don't know... That's not the first time... I heard things... some of our mates tell stories about monsters apearing and young ladies in sailor suits fighting them..."
"Sailor suits? Who would be stupid enough to wear a sailor suit to fight a monster? Personnally I would never wear such a ridiculous thing... Michiru, all this really doesn't make sense..."
"You know... They are said to be rather sexy in them... I've been told that their skirts weren't very long... Maybe I sould find one for tonight..."
Haruka raised her nose from her cup of tea and smiled.
"So you already have plans for us tonight..."
"Not really... Remember I have a rehearsal and you said you wanted to work on your car..."
Haruka sighed.
"I know... By the way, I'll be a little late tonight, wait for me, don't come back by yourself... even if I don't believe this story if monsters I do believe that people are attacked in town."
"Don't worry I'll wait for you."
Michiru got up and came to Haruka. She kissed her forehead then took her head between her hands, passing one in her sandy blonde hair.
"I'll be all right. Stop worrying... you're so tensed..."
Michiru sat on her knees and gave her a tender kiss.
"Promise me you won't fight anymore if you can avoid it... I hate to see you hurt... and bruises aren't sexy, you're becoming less attractive..."
"Michiru... I can't promise you this... I can't just let go of everything... I can't just hear people insult you and not react. Do you remember how you slapped your sister's face when she said I was a monster?"
"Yes... But you'd rather listen to me if you want to have fun in bed with me tonight..."
"So you do have plans..."
Michiru silenced her by a kiss. She had been serious, there was hardly a day when Haruka didn't come back with more bruises and minor injuries, when it wasn't worse. She knew Haruka hid them most of the time, but Michiru wasn't stupid, she could sense her body tense when she embraced her too tightly... It wasn't knew, there had always been a few silly guys that attacked Haruka, by jealousy. First she was a briliant pilot, more gifted than most of men... she had to fight for long... but the violence had increased since they were together... And now that the news of them being engaged it was worser than ever. But there was something else... Michiru had heard by Lily that a little gang had targeted Haruka because of her next race and above all because Michiru had refused one of their member's demand not long ago. A little part of Michiru was proud, because all the persons that wanted to fight Haruka did it by jealousy, only jealousy. It showed again how great her lover was, but her main feeling about this was that she was worried and sad. She felt that never they would be understood by the others... They would always be seen as "special", different, strangers to this "normal" society.
That night, Michiru waited for Haruka as she had asked her to. One of her mates had proposed to wait with her because of the recent attacks. He was a man, the same age as her, rather handsome. Michiru knew why he had proposed her to stay. Indeed it was nice... but this guy was clearly attracked by her. Michiru didn't mind. She was used to this. Men never respect the fact that Haruka and her were engaged. Never respected the fact that they were in love... As if because they were two girls, it didn't count. People usually respected couples in love. But men didn't seem to respect her being in love with Haruka. But even if his intentions were clear, he wasn't a bad guy, he just tried to be nice and polite, he even asked her about Haruka's wealth cause he knew she was subject to attacks.
Haruka finally arrived... She came out of the car when she saw the man with Michiru.
"Good night. Sorry Michiru... I'm later than I thought I would."
Her voice was colder than usual.
"It's all right. Sousuke waited with me."
"Thanks."
"If I had such a girlfriend I wouldn't let her alone at night as you do..."
"She's my fiancée."
"That is worse."
"I don't need any lesson from a guy like you."
Michiru knew Haruka was loosing her temper... She took her hand.
"We should go now Haruka... if you want me to show you what my plans for tonight are..."
Haruka let go of Michiru's hand and jumped into her car. Michiru was a little taken aback. Haruka was showing jealousy... She knew it was her main fault, but she hadn't the occasion to see it since the time when she had been kissed by Lily... Actually Michiru had let her no other occasion to be jealous... She scarcely let men aproach her... She had began to develop an antipathy for men in general since it was them that made the bruises on Haruka... and Haruka wasn't really jealous towards women... It was strange but safer for Michiru because she had only girls in her close friends.
Haruka drove very fast. She wasn't looking at Michiru and her face didn't sound very happy...
"Haruka... Could you drive slower please?"
"Do you mean my driving is bad?"
"No... but... A little to fast... Haruka, Sousuke was just waiting with me because he thought it wasn't safe to let me wait outside alone."
"Yes... That's great. I thanked him if I remember. And you should have stayed with him since if he had a girlfriend he wouldn't let her alone at night!"
"Haruka, stop this, you know where it will lead us... and I'll never leave you for a man like him! I'll never leave you at all! Besides… you don't make so much troubles when you see me with my friends when they are girls."
"Michiru... Do you mind me letting you alone like this?" asked Haruka in a quiter tone.
"No... Of course no... We both have activities we love... And it's a good thing. And I let you alone too when I go to my rehearsals, or when I go to the swimming pool..."
"Well... But if I see this guy hanging around you again I kill him!"
Haruka was now smiling a bit. Michiru sighed in relief.
Not far away from the place where Michiru and Sousuke had waited Haruka, a dark green-haired woman and a young black straight-haired girl wearing sailor suits had witnessed the scene.
"A briliant violinist and swimmer... An unbeatable racer and deadly jealous person... Do you need more evidences, Hotaru?" asked the dark green-haired woman.
The young girl smiled, her eyes were gleaming.
"We found them, Setsuna-mama! Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama... we really found them!"
"But now an harder mission awaits us..."
Next morning, Michiru went with Lily to a shop where she knew the most beautiful wedding dresses were sold. As she entered the place, a both familiar and unpleasant voice called her.
"So… the gossips weren't false after all… you and your freaky girlfriend are about to marry…"
"Miharu… what are you doing here so early in the morning... you usually are not a morning person."
"Just having a walk… maybe I should go and greet your beloved Haruka."
"She's at the tracks."
"You let her going on her own… I heard there were pretty girls around… with the great race that is to be held next weekend… she has a lot of feminine friends…"
"Whatever you're trying it doesn't work… I trust Haruka. You won't make me jealous. I'm near Haruka for too long, I know her, and I know about her fans. I'm not jealous of silly little girls like them."
"But you were once jealous because of me…"
"You kissed her."
"Please don't remind me of this. But did you announce you marriage to mom and dad?"
"I… I plan to do it."
"Trust me… you won't have to."
"What do you mean!"
"Bye, my dear myself."
"Miharu!"
The girl had left. Michiru knew what she was up to. She was going to tell her parents about the wedding before she had any occasion to do it… but after all… was it that important. Besides… she had been rather surprised by her last words… obviously she was ironical. It had been years since she had call her "dear myself", they did it when they were about five or six year old… but it was long ago.
"Michiru… are you sure you want to find a dress today? You put on about ten of them… Your concerts begins next week… you'll spend three days in Paris, three in Milan and three in London… you could find one there, they are the bests in the world…" said Lily after a very long morning.
"Yes…that's my intention… but I'll be alone, it won't easy to choose…"
"Haruka doesn't come?"
"No… she had a race next week end as my dear sister reminded me… I bet she knew I would be absent, that's why she teased me about Haruka's fans."
"You'll spend a week and a half apart… it won't be too hard?"
"I have no choice… when I enlisted I thought it was only for London the last three days… so Haruka would have probably been with me, but she can't come for so long…"
Michiru put on her casual clothes and let the wedding dress… she was not in the mood for choosing a wedding dress… Miharu's word had touched her more than she expected.
"I hope Haruka won't get hurt while I'll be absent…" said Michiru on the way back.
"I'll keep an eye on her. And I'll take care of the freaky fans…"
Michiru laughed lightly. The idea of going far away even if it was only for less than two weeks was making her feeling very bad… she felt something bad was to happen, and Miharu's sudden appearance surely wasn't a good sign.
So the following Friday, Michiru was at the airport with Haruka and the other members of the orchestra, ready to leave for Milan.
"Promise me you'll not put yourself into trouble, Ruka…"
"I promise. Are you less worried now?"
"No. And I think I'll be like this for the whole trip. I'll call you everyday."
"Me too, and think of you all the time. And don't forget to find a beautiful wedding dress…"
Michiru threw herself into Haruka's arms and held her tightly.
"I don't want to leave you…"
Haruka tightened the embrace. She knew this would happen. She too felt very bad but she had hoped Michiru would be less emotive, when she was like this, Haruka could not let go of her.
"You… you must Michi… they need you."
"And me… this is you who I need."
Haruka kissed her deeply. It was difficult, but she had to play the strong one… otherwise Michiru would never be able to leave.
"Everything will be allright… the remember of last night and of this morning should help you survive nine days without me…"
Michiru laughed as a tear ran down her cheek.
"Silly… well… I must admit that you are exceptional when you know you'll won't have sex for more than a week…"
"Am I not always exceptional?"
Michiru laughed and kissed her with passion.
"Of course you are." She muttered.
"I'll miss you badly…"
"Michiru! The plane is leaving without you!" called a voice behind them.
It was Sousuke. Haruka lost her smile immediately.
"He comes with you."
"He's part of the orchestra."
"He's doing what? Floor cleaning? This jerk can't be a musician…"
"Haruka…"
Sousuke approached them.
"Let me take these for you."
He took Michiru's luggage from Haruka's hands and headed to the plane.
"Hey! What are you…"
Michiru silenced her with a kiss.
"Don't pay attention to him… I'm leaving right now, just pay attention to me."
"Don't tell me you'll spend nine days with him?"
"Well… he's got the place besides me in the plane… and in the hotel too… he's got the room next door."
"What?"
"They… they did the organisation by alphabetic order."
"Michiru… if he tries anything…"
"Don't worry, I promise I'll tell you everything and if he acts like a jerk you'll have the right to beat him when we'll come back."
"I'm not joking… our situation isn't easy… if someone's tell that my fiancée cheats on me with a man on top of that…"
"you only pay attention to your pride? I thought you were jealous just because he would be next to me while you can't… Haruka…"
"I… sorry I didn't meant this."
Michiru kissed her briefly on the lips and left almost running. Haruka caught her before she could jump in the plane, holding her wrist tightly.
"Michiru… I love you."
She dragged Michiru closer and gave her a last passionate kiss. Michiru smiled, Haruka's loving glance had gave her confidence. She passed a hand in her sandy hair, kissed her and left.
