Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or the characters Haruka and Michiru. The basis of the character of Dachi was inspired by the video for Liar by Camilla Cabello.
(Update Jan to correct some typos and the flow)
Michiru slowly walked into the restaurant waiting room, her eyes wandering around the antiquated decorations. Before she could say anything, the hostess beckoned her to follow as she entered the dining room. She quickly led her to the table where her fiancé was already ordering for them both. She glanced ardently at the outdoor seating, inwardly sighing as she would have preferred to be out in the light breeze. Taking her seat across from the dark haired man, Michiru once again stared off towards the blue sky visible from the windows. The light colored sky was a stark contrast to the dim yellow glow inside the restaurant. To her, the unpleasant light gave everything around a sickly glow. But Dachi never wanted to sit outside, as it would mess the perfect coif of his hair or something like that. He managed always to dismiss her suggestions with a counterpoint she couldn't possibly get past.
"I told you that outfit would look striking on you," his compliment really directed to himself. She recalled the scene earlier after she descended the stairs at her parents' mansion in her chosen summer dress. Dachi was waiting, only to direct her to change into something more high-end before arriving at the restaurant. "We have an appearance to maintain, my dear," he reminded her with a toothy smile.
Michiru kept the slight smile on her face, not listening much to the man across from her. She was introduced to Dachi by her parents mere months ago, obviously their choice for her in marriage. At first glance, there was not much wrong with him. He was attractive enough, with his dark hair and eyes easily matched. He put more than an enlightened effort into his appearance to ensure he wasn't hard on the eyes. On top of that, he was about to step up as the new CEO of her father's company. The upcoming promotion likely played a significant role in becoming engaged a few months after their meeting.
Focusing back on her table from her musings, Dachi was still lecturing her on all the things she should keep in mind for the evening's event, a gala to celebrate his official announcement as CEO. So he dwelled on, not noticing that his words were falling flat between them, reminding her of all the things wrong. Simply saying he was highly focused on how people perceived him was an understatement. Unfortunately, he was arrogant and strong-willed to force everyone only to view him in an agreeable light. Which just meant that most people who had to deal with the ugly side were very put off. Michiru was simply his latest accessory to show off, to raise his image. Wishing her to be more than something that looked good on his arm, Dachi consistently monitored her. The current lecture seemed to be on the do and don't of being a socialite like a child and not his future wife. This lunch date was no exception, and as his pompous voice carried through the room, she noticed more eyes focusing on her. Some staff would look at her sympathetically as they moved about the table to deliver their meals. It was apparent to just about everyone she was not pleased to listen to him, but she could do little about it.
Dachi snapped his finger at one of the staff, pointing to his wine glass demanding it filled. Almost instantaneously, a waiter approached the table to pour the requested wine. Michiru caught the shine in the blonde waiter's eyes as he, no she, winks at her. She watched the waiter curiously, noting that she is dressed more like the male waiters, with a black vest over the button-down shirt and a tie. The face the blonde made was slightly more interesting as Dachi gave a dissertation about the wine he selected as she showed him the bottle. Then, moving to pour the glass, Michiru watched as she oh so casually slipped and poured wine straight into Dachi's lap.
He quickly raised from his seat, cursing aloud on how expensive his suit was and how impervious the wine stain will be to remove. The blonde waitress was apologizing, Michiru observing that no one was really attempting to help Dachi as he continued the carry-on. Watching the scene unfold, the blonde wipes the wine from the tabletop, and she catches the heart-shaped wine stain remaining on the otherwise white linen. Next to the heart shape stain was a folded piece of paper. Michiru quickly grabbed it while Dachi's held his phone to his head, already calling for his driver.
"It's ok. I have a spare in the Bentley. I'll have the driver bring it around," he proclaimed, sending the wait staff away. As the driver brought in a black garment bag, Michiru sat in silent observation, and Dachi disappeared subtly to change. She glanced at the paper still in her hands once she was sure no one was looking. A questioning look appeared on her face as she read the cryptic message. Then, pondering the possible meaning, or even if it was for her, she simply spaced out. She didn't dare to let her mind travel to the events waiting for her after they left the restaurant. In an attempt to occupy her mind, her eyes carelessly wandered over the walls of the restaurant. Glancing around at the decor, she wondered why Dachi favorited the place. The food was rather ordinary and decorated to look like an old establishment when she knew for sure it was not more than a few years old.
Her thoughts fleeted away as Dachi returned and took his seat at the table. Pretending that nothing had happened just moments ago, he presented a large velvet box in his hands. He opened it for her, and her eyes fell on the sapphire necklace contained within. Dachi flashed another toothy smile as he placed it on the table in front of her.
"What do you think?" He questioned as he took a bite from his sandwich. Michiru looked at the oversized gold braiding contracting around the comically sized blue jewels. It really was ghastly. Realizing he likely intended for her to wear it this evening, her thoughts suddenly drifted to the gala that evening. It would be the first appearance that Dachi and herself will make together after their engagement announcement. Although they held an official engagement party hosted by her parents, this would be the opportunity to show off for both Dachi and her father's potential business partners. Dachi was a longtime family friend, and they planned engagement to occur when he took over the CEO seat. Michiru was not much more than a piece of the perfect CEO package.
"Michiru, honey?" He asked again, and she glanced up, noticing he was still waiting for her praise for the ugly present. She smiled, but before she could get a word out, Michiru felt something stuck in her throat. She tried to sip water to clear her throat elegantly but found her glass empty. She gestured for help from her fiancé, but he just looked at her passively, taking another bite from his sandwich and awaiting her answer. Seemingly oblivious, as always, to her distress.
Just as she thought she would succumb to the lack of oxygen and the lack of brain cells in Dachi, there were pair of strong arms around her. She felt a slight pressure on her stomach, but the voice in her ear was more predominant. "You need to speak the truth, mermaid." Air rushes into her lungs once again, and she feels the ability to breathe return. She looked around to see her slightly concerned fiancé and the blonde waitress standing just behind her.
"Well, Michiru?" Dachi impatiently asked. Her eyes moved about the room, confused as to what happened. Finally, her eyes met the concerned face of the waitress, who began to move away from the couple but never broke her stare. "Michiru! What do you have to say for yourself?" He berated.
"I... I never liked this restaurant!" she shouted. Dachi just stared, eyes slowly going wide, confusion evident on his face. She looked around as her loud proclamation still seemed to echo in the room. Michiru glanced over at the blonde standing a few feet away, receiving just a wink in response. Her green eyes seemed brighter, almost glowing in the dim yellow light of the restaurant.
Deciding this was all just too weird for her, Michiru stood, turning on her heels, and briskly made her way towards the front of the restaurant. Once out the door and the feeling of the fresh air on her face, a smile graced her lips. But, before she could truly enjoy the calming breeze, a sharp noise broke the calm atmosphere. Suddenly she heard an ear-piercing screech, and as her eyes began to search for the source, darkness abruptly overcame everything.
Jolting up with a shock, her dream pulled her from her slumber much more effectually than the alarm. Reaching over and turning off the annoying contraption, she rubbed her head slightly as she recalled her dream. Such a harsh ending to a strange dream, she thought. Moving her eyes around the room in her parent's home, she lightly groaned as she made her way from under the covers. Still shaking from the strange dream, she entered the shower hoping it would wash away the lingering feeling. Unfortunately, her mind was unrelenting, replaying the details again as she lathered herself. Maybe her dream warned her of the impending threat of becoming locked in a golden cage. Dachi's unsurprising haughtiness brought Michiru closer to the doll he wanted her to be. Gasping as the warmth of the green eyes suddenly washed over her memory. Why could she remember in such detail the blonde with green eyes? Knowing she wouldn't find any answer in the suds making their way down the drain, she exited the shower and began to prepare for the day. She glanced at the calendar on her desk as she applied lotion, reminding her that tonight was the gala. Maybe that was what the dream was trying to tell me. She pushed the vision to the far corner of her mind as she pulled the light blue sundress over her head. She admired the results of her reflection, ensuring everything was perfectly in place before she headed down the stairs.
Inwardly pondering if she would manage to convince Dachi to enjoy having lunch outside, she didn't notice the voices flowing from the living room until it was too late. She paused in the doorway of the large gathering room at the scene. Dachi was animatedly conversing with her father. Neither acknowledged her presence right away, choosing to finish their business discussion before her father turned to greet her.
"Good morning to you too, father." She smiled. Turning her attention to Dachi, she softly spoke as she lowered her gaze, "I apologize for causing you to have to make a trip to the Kaioh residence. My understanding was that we were meeting at the restaurant."
"Dachi stopped by with a gift," her father offered. Dachi nodded to an awaiting maid, who produced a large box for her. She opened the lid, and a familiar-looking twill blazer and skirt set greeted her. She scrunched her nose at the memory of her dream that this was for her. It screamed old lady wear in the worst way. Her internal fears were confirmed when Dachi approached her.
"Why don't you go try it on," he suggested. Michiru knew there wasn't much of a suggestion behind the statement.
"Thank you for the gift, Dachi. I don't want to cause us to be late because of trying it on. I'm sure it fits perfectly. You always have great taste." Trying to slip out of being directed what to wear, she wore the most disarming smile she could. Dachi didn't even blink at the enchanting smile she flashed.
"Michiru, we have appearances to maintain," he blandly replied as he glanced down at her sundress. "Why don't you wear it to the restaurant?" Michiru sighed in compliance and returned up the stairs to change, cursing under her breath the whole time. Once the ugly tweed material adorned her body, she again inspected the results in the mirror. The twill set was too hot and heavy for the time of year, and it was just cut all wrong. She looked like a box. It even had a matching hat! she cried to herself. She emerged down the stairs a few moments later, and the two left for the restaurant
An extraordinary feeling of deja vu washed over her as she passed through the glass receiving room of the restaurant. The same decor flooded her memory again, distinctly fashioned to make the room seem more seasoned than it was. Then, following Dachi to a table near the back of the room, everything started to move in slow motion. Until her eyes came upon the sight of a very familiar-looking blonde waitress dressed in the male staff uniform when time stood still for a moment, she spent the morning recalling the blondes striking features. Those splendid green eyes. Those feminine curves. She swallowed the lump that rose in her throat at the last unexpected thought. "I told you that outfit would look striking on you," he seemingly complimented himself as he pulled Michiru from her thoughts. Her heart jumped as she suddenly snapped her head back towards Dachi.
"What did you say?" She cautiously asked, recalling her dream.
"Oh, don't fret my dear. We have appearances to maintain my dear," Dachi explained with a practiced smile. Michiru's eyes went wide, trying to rationalize what was going on. Dachi continued to lecture her on all the things she should keep in mind for the evening gala, which still all went in one ear and out the other. Michiru watched discreetly as the blonde approached with the red wine bottle. I'm losing my mind... There is no way I dreamed this last night, not in this detail! Michiru looked up in time to catch the blonde winking at her as she lifted her hand to pour the glass of wine.
As soon as Dachi stood to yell about the wine now covering his lap, Michiru's eyes doubled in size, and a shocked gasp escaped her. Then, true to her dream, she watched the blonde wipe the wine from the tabletop, leaving a heart-shaped stain on the otherwise white linen. Next to the heart stain sat the folded piece of paper. Michiru quickly palmed it, already knowing what was on the inside. Dachi soon returned to the table in his new suit and presented the large velvet box. He didn't have to open it for her to know it contained the large sapphire necklace.
"What do you think?" he eagerly questioned. Thoughts were running through her head like a mouse trying to find the cheese in a maze. And at that moment, not a single idea had anything to do with the jewelry. "Michiru, honey?" He asked again, and her eyes raised to glimpse at him awaiting her praise for the ugly present. She stood from the table slowly, looking deep into Dachi's eyes, a storm swirling within her.
"The necklace is ghastly. And... And your fake tan makes you look like an orange!" She called out. She watched as the shock spread across his smug face with the realization of her words. Not waiting for whatever response he may have, she turned on her heels and made her way quickly towards the restaurant's front hall. As she approached the entrance foyer, she suddenly recalled how her dream had ended. She stopped a few feet short of the room, glancing around in an attempt to determine what to do next. She suddenly caught sight of a familiar crop of blonde hair near the door leading to the patio. Pondering for a moment how she unsuccessfully tried to convince Dachi to dine outside, she continued to look longingly at the outdoor seating. Finally, her decision seemed made when the blonde casually opened the patio door, seemingly unaware of the commotion she caused still echoing from the table towards the back. She flashed a shining smile as Michiru stepped onto the patio. She felt the breeze on her skin as her eyes adjusted to the afternoon sun. She was right, and it was a beautiful day to be on the patio. She knew that this was what her dream must have been telling her all along. She then heard the unsettling screech towards the restaurant's front, followed by screams as some ran to see what happened.
Michiru tensed for a moment, thinking that maybe she didn't dream the events. The breeze caressed her cheek again, signaling that this was still the time to make her exit. She opened the gate to exit the patio, stepping on the sidewalk towards their car waiting on the side street. Approaching the car, she risked a glance towards the front of the building at what was going on. She moved slightly further into the road to get a clear view past the crowd. Shock flowed through her system, realizing a car had indeed crashed into the front entrance. As she stood looking toward the front, she heard a bell ring behind her, followed by shouting.
She turned to see a spandex-clad bicyclist heading towards her. And then another. And when quite a few more were heading in her direction, she took action to move out of the way. Then, what she would describe as the Tour de France heading in her direction, did she start to panic. She closed her eyes, but instead of feeling pressure from crashing bikes, she felt a sudden force from her side. Feeling her boy slam against the asphalt, she glanced up at the heavy object that landed on top of her. She gasped as shining green eyes examined her for injuries. She struggled, and pain shot through her as she got up, but the blonde led her to relax back down.
"There are many people who wish to tell him the truth. You need a few more changes than that mermaid," she heard a husky voice murmur as her heavy eyelids succumb to darkness again.
Jolting straight up in bed, she grimaced at the piercing sound coming from her alarm on the nightstand. Glancing nervously around her room, she realized that she again was at her room in her parent's home. Silently relieved at the familiar location, she began to ponder how she ended up here in the first place. Her mind drifted to one of the many times she requested to live independently while attending classes and how they always refused. Even now, they did not want her to move in with Dachi even though there was a guarantee she would have her own room. She mused, I'll have my own room even after we are married.
Momentarily shaking her disgust with her current living situation, her dream jumped to the forefront of her mind. She jumped up to look at the calendar, confirming tonight was the gala, and she was supposed to meet Dachi at the restaurant he loved to frequent. Did she seriously have a dream within a dream about today? Shaking her head once again, she struggled to understand what was going on. Without changing or touching her hair, she threw on her robe and ran downstairs to confirm her suspicions that Dachi was waiting for her.
Just as her foot left the last step, the voices reached her from the living room. She froze as she could make out the words of both her father and Dachi clearly. Panic stuck her whole body as she struggled to determine what could be happening. Her heavy breathing catches her father's attention as she hears his voice much closer to her now.
"You're up early, Michiru... And you're not dressed," her father's disapproving tone was evident as he eyed her appearance. "Are you feeling ok?" She could only manage a slow nod in reply.
"I thought I heard Dachi here and was excited to see him." She shyly added. Dachi moved from his spot in the living room, unconcerned with the possibility that his fiancé could be ill.
"Well, I guess it is better this way. I brought you a gift. You can take it upstairs with you and get ready." He nodded to a nearby maid, and she produced a large box for her. She opened the lid to be greeted by a familiar-looking twill blazer and skirt set. "Hurry along now Michiru, we have appearances to maintain," he said as he dismissed her urgently.
"I'll wear it if we can sit on the patio today," Michiru suddenly found her voice, startling both men. "An outfit like this would catch more attention in the sunlight." Not sure how to perceive her bargaining with him, Dachi mindlessly nodded in agreement as Michiru made her way back to her room.
Silently she followed Dachi through the restraint foyer hall, slightly smiling that he requested patio seating when the hostess started walking towards the dark corner of the restaurant. She even held her eye roll when he added that the table must be under an umbrella to help block the wind.
That makes no sense! But at least I can enjoy the beautiful weather during the dreadful lunch. Taking in the feel of the soft breeze offering a familiar caress on her cheeks from her dreams, she couldn't hold in the smile that beamed across her face. They took their seat on the patio, and Michiru glanced around. She didn't catch sight of the blonde waitress, and she sighed. She was slightly disappointed but perhaps relieved that she was not in a live version of her dream.
"Are you sure you're feeling well, darling?" Dachi asked, finally appearing slightly concerned for his fiancé's health. More precisely, he was worried Michiru's odd behavior would carry over to tonight's gala.
"I'm just going to powder my nose," Michiru hesitantly replied as she stood from the table. Although she may not be entirely sure what was going on, she needed a moment to compose herself.
"I told you that outfit would look fabulous on you," he seemingly complimented himself as she began to walk away. Michiru looked back at him, trying to hide the shock on her face. Something bizarre was still happening. She made her way inside the restaurant and towards the powder room. Just as she made it to the door, she spotted the familiar blonde waitress carrying a tray to a table.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the blonde by the wrist. She wordlessly pulled her into the powder room with her, locking the door behind them. Turning to look at the blonde, she saw she tried her best to conceal her amusement. She was livid that the blonde not only knew what she was experiencing but was enjoying it.
"What is going on here?" Michiru demanded. The blonde just raised an eyebrow at her and shrugged a shoulder.
"I tend not to ask too many questions when a beautiful woman pulls me into a washroom room with her. But I do think that is one question you should ask yourself." The blonde offered. Michiru felt the wave of defeat coming over her.
"I have no idea why I am here, why I am reliving this moment. I felt somehow talking to you would give me the answers I was looking for," Michiru was on the verge of tears. The blonde approached her cautiously, unsure of the smaller woman's turmoil. She placed an arm gently on the teal haired woman's shoulder.
"Hey," she said as she placed a finger under Michiru's chin, causing her to look up at her. "I'm not sure what happened to you to cause those tears, but I am sure you don't deserve them. If you think there is some way I can help you, I will," the blonde offered with a smile. She gave a husky chuckle as she knocked the matching tweed hat off Michiru's head. "First thing would be to get rid of that hat," the blonde smirked, earning a smile from the shorter woman. Michiru launched herself into the blonde's embrace, her arms cautiously closing around the girl. Once Michiru calmed down, the blonde excused herself to return to work, giving Michiru a few moments to freshen herself up. Then, she exited the bathroom leaving the ugly hat behind on the floor.
Upon returning to the table, Dachi was waiting with a velvet box already placed in front of her seat. "What happened to your hat?" Dachi accusingly questioned as Michiru sat down.
"I don't like it," she simply stated.
Dachi gave her a suddenly puzzled look before trying to take her hand. Then, he firmly added, "we have appearances to maintain..."
"No, you have an appearance to maintain!" Michiru suddenly interrupted, standing again. "I will be your accessory no longer. I don't want the necklace, and I don't want you picking out my clothes." Enjoying the stunning face staring back at her, Michiru continued. "I have been able to dress myself since I was eight, and you're not going to change that. And I don't like your suits either! So I will take a walk!" Michiru turned away from Dachi, concealing the smile on her face.
As she made her way to the patio exit, she heard Dachi call out, "My limo will pick you up at 7!"
He had to get the last word in, didn't he? she thought as she exited, ensuring to stay on the sidewalk this time as the Tour de France passed by the street.