The day Haruka walked past the gymnastics class was the day she fell in love. There was a girl swinging on the uneven bars and the moment Haruka saw her she was transfixed. Sleek, tall and athletic with long brown hair. Haruka couldn't help staring. The perfect features of a doll dusted with freckles, generous curves… no… she shouldn't be thinking like this. No. Yes. Why.

Haruka changed her route home so that she could watch the gymnastics, or rather, that girl. On a cold afternoon when Haruka was standing outside the window, waiting for the class to start, a group of girls approached her.

'It's the one who's always watching Kitsumo.' 'He's cute.' 'I'll say so.'

Haruka felt mobbed, it was too much like at school.

'What's up guys, it's time for class to start.' Kitsumo was walking up to the group.

'Oh, hey. Why don't you come inside? It's freezing.' Their eyes connected and Haruka felt a blush creep up her neck.

'It's ok, I was just leaving.'

'No I insist, it's warmer inside and besides, don't you want to watch?'

Haruka nodded dumbly.

After the class Kitsumo sat next to Haruka. 'Do you want to join? You seem pretty interested.'

'What? Me? I'm afraid it's not my thing.'

'I'm sure you could pick it up, you look pretty athletic.' She leaned in a bit closer. 'We need another guy for some lifting and stuff.'

'Well um, actually I'm a girl.' Haruka looked into the other girl's eyes. 'Sorry to disappoint you.'

'Oh' Kitsumo went red. 'Sorry, I obviously wasn't paying enough attention.'

'I might give it a go. I mean I can still do lifting and stuff.'

'Ok, do you have anything to wear?'

'Not really, the only really sporty thing I do is track.'

'That might do. Come tomorrow.'

So Haruka trained with the gymnastics class, on alternate days to track and those damned piano lessons her mother made her attend.

After a few weeks Kitsumo asked Haruka if she was interested in doing a routine in a comp. 'It does mean extra weekend training though.'

'Will you be training me?' Haruka asked hopefully.

'Yes' Kitsumo looked her up and down. 'But we should get you a proper outfit first.'

That weekend Kitsumo took Haruka to do something she loathed: shopping.

'I don't see why I have to do this. Can you just buy something in my size and bring it to me?'

'No, besides trying it on is the funnest part.'

Haruka sighed. 'For you maybe.'

After buying something in a nice colour that they both agreed on, they returned to the studio.

'Blue is your colour, definitely.'

'If you say so.'

They trained for three hours before Kitsumo decided that it was time to take a break.

'Hey, Kitsumo?'

'Yes Haruka.'

'Do you, um, have a boyfriend?'

'I did. Until about a week ago that is. Why do you ask?'

'Just curious.'

'What about you?'

'Um, Kitsumo, well, you're a really good friend of mine and I should probably tell you that… I'm homosexual.' Haruka blurted out.

'Ok, do you have a girlfriend then?'

'No. You aren't shocked or anything.'

'Why should I be?'

'Oh, well, I guess I'm just used to people being shocked and then they kind of leave.' Haruka decided to go for it.

'Kitsumo'

'Yes.'

'Will you go out with me?'

Now she looked shocked, but said recovered quickly. 'Ok, it'll be something new to me but I will try.'

Haruka held her close. 'Arigato.'

'Is that why you watch me all the time?'

'Yes I'm sorry.'

'Do you want to continue to train?'

'Just for this comp.'

'Ok'

Haruka stood near the entrance to the ring with Kitsumo.

'I love you Kitsumo.'

'I know. I love you too Haruka.'

'Remember to always follow the rhythm.'

'I know Kitsumo.' Haruka leant in and kissed the other girl, a warm feeling spread through her body as she felt the other girl return her kiss.

'Good luck.'

'…AND IN FIRST PLACE… HARUKA TENOU'

Haruka stepped up to the podium and received her medal, eyes shining, in her heart thanking Kitsumo.

Walking away from the stadium with her arm around Kitsumo, Haruka felt an enormous sense of contentment. As they neared Kitsumo's house Haruka stopped.

'We shouldn't be seen together. Your mother will freak.' Haruka put her arms around the brunette.

'Yeah, you're right. Goodnight.' Kitsumo leant in for a kiss.

'Goodnight.' Haruka rewarded her generously.

'KITSUMO TANAGASHI!' An angry looking woman strode up to them. 'Get your hands off my daughter this instant!'

Haruka stepped back.

'Young man, how dare you touch my daughter in such a way!'

Kitsumo hid behind Haruka.

'Mother please, hear us out.'

'Mrs Tanagashi, I love your daughter very much and I would never dream of doing anything to her without her consent.'

Kitsumo wrapped her arms around Haruka's waist, unaware that Haruka's shape became easily visible.

'You're a girl?!' Mrs Tanagashi grabbed Kitsumo by the wrist and pulled her away from Haruka. 'Why Kitsumo? Do you wish to shame our family? To dirty our name with this…' She searched for a word to describe their behaviour.

She then looked up at Haruka. 'Does your mother know what you've been up to?'

Haruka gulped. 'Uh, my mother doesn't need to be involved with this.' She backed away.

'Oh yes she does. You shall call her and explain what you have been doing.'

'I am very disappointed with you Haruka. I thought all this "I am a boy" business was behind us.' Katana Tenou sighed.

'It is behind us mother. I have realised that I am not interested in boys.'

'It's not just that Haruka. Did I do something wrong? Does your father need to become involved?'

Haruka started. 'NO!'

'It's too late now to do anything except apologise to Mrs Tanagashi for the inconvenience cause to her family. And Haruka, you shall not see Kitsumo again.'

That night Haruka decided that it was time for her to leave. She packed a bag with some clothes and money and slipped off into the night.

'Tony!' Haruka tapped on her friend's window. 'Let me in.'

Tony leant out of his window 'Haruka what are you doing out at this hour?'

'Mother said that I couldn't see Kitsumo again so I left. Can I stay with you until I find permanent accommodation?' She asked hopefully.

'All right.'

After a week Haruka found a cheap but spacious apartment and the courage to tell her mother that she was moving out.

'If it is what you want then fine. But if you change your mind you're welcome to come back.'

Her mother's words were echoing around her mind as she unpacked her stuff.

As soon as her phone line was installed she rang Kitsumo.

Her younger sister answered the phone.

'I'm so glad you called, Kitsumo hasn't been the same since… you know.' Chiru sounded concerned. Meet us at the park at two thirty. I'll tell mother that we're going shopping or something'

'Arigato Chiru.'

At the park Haruka sat on a bench reading a racing magazine, thinking about her money situation. She could try getting her licence for a motorcycle and/or a car and look for a sponsor.

'Haruka!' Kitsumo ran over to Haruka and, regardless of all the people around them, gave her a deep kiss. 'I've missed you so much.' She sat down and embraced the blonde.

'I'm staying in an apartment. You could move in with me.'

'Hmmm, it is a possibility. Can you afford it?'

'I'm looking for a job.'

'When you find work then, I can visit you can't I?'

'Of course.'

'Tony, would it be too much trouble to get me a fake ID?'

'What for?'

'A driver's licence.'

'No'

'Could you?'

'For a price'

'How much?'

'A few hundred'

'Sure'

Haruka applied for her licence training that same week and started lessons. At the same time she searched for a racing company that would sponsor her. It was difficult because she was a girl but eventually she came across a wealthy businesswoman who played in racing circles.

'Do you have a licence?'

'Not yet.'

'You will by the end of the week.'

'When can I start?'

'There is a small comp on the weekend; I will pay you five hundred if you don't lose and then a thousand for each place.'

'Arigato'