Chapter 6 - The Elsa Intervention
« Father, you can't force Haruka into marrying me, you see that she… he doesn't want any of it. » said Michiru during dinner.
« He should have thought about it before. And don't you want this guy to marry you? »
« We're too young to get engaged. »
« That was not my question. You like him, right? »
« I… That's not the question. »
« Michiru, I think my idea is a good one. First for the family honour, and for yourself. Don't lie, I saw the way you look at him. »
« That… might be true. But I don't want to have Haruka by forcing her… him into marrying me. Please, let him go. »
« No, Michiru. I'm not. »
« Ok… Did you took a closer look to his reputation? »
« The best we can imagine. »
« Well… then you let me no choice. Since you're so stubborn I'm gonna tell you something you won't like at all about Haruka. Something that I think will make you renounce to your plan… »
« The fact Tenoh Haruka isn't a man won't make me renounce, Michiru. »
« Ok then… WHAT? You knew? »
« Michiru, the Tenoh family is as famous as ours. Everyone knows they have a female heir, not male. »
« And you… »
« It's your choice of life. »
« Then you know she can't marry me. »
« You two can marry anyway, and you will. You're already dating someone who you're not engaged too. The fact you're homosexual will also sound… you know… will give a bad image. The least the two of you can do is to marry. »
« We're not dating. Haruka doesn't want to be with me that way. It was just a kiss. We broke the following morning. »
« You could have said that before, young lady. »
« I did… »
« You didn't sound that convinced. That's why I continued. Anyway, now it's too late. Even if you're not dating, everyone thinks you do. You're getting married. Next time you won't lie to your father. »
Michiru's father got up. Michiru pushed her plate onwards, crossed her arms and let her head fall on them. How was she going to arrange everything now? Should she disobey her father? He'd be mad, more than mad… But she had to respect Haruka's life.
« Ohayo Michiru. » said Haruka that morning as she picked her up to go to school. »
« Ohayo… »
Michiru sat next to Haruka in the car. Suddenly something flew to her. She caught it.
« What is it? » she asked, holding a dark blue velvet covered box.
« Open it. »
Michiru did as she was said. She found a silver ring with three stones on it. The middle one, who was slightly bigger than the two others was a diamond, the two others were aquamarine.
« Haruka… »
« It is your engagement ring. »
« Thanks but… »
« You don't like it? »
« I do… But… Haruka, we've got to stop everything. I don't want to keep on invading your private life like that. I will disobey my father. By the way, he knows you're a woman and he doesn't care. He still want us to marry. »
« I think he made a dance the other day when they announced on TV that homosexual marriage was authorized. »
« Yes, he must have. »
« Michiru, there's no hurry. I know you're gonna find something, don't make your father disown you or something. »
« But you… »
« I said it was ok. Yesterday I was kinda… angry. That's all. »
« Haruka, what did you mean when you said that the reason you came in this class was me? »
« We'll talk about that later. »
« Right… »
« Do you want me to pick you up after your violin lesson tonight? My training is gonna last longer than usual. I'll be out by the time your lesson will end. »
« It's nice of you. »
« I don't like it when you're alone at night. And you said your father couldn't send you anyone tonight. »
« I see… Your lesson isn't lasting more than usual. You're just worried about me. I can call a taxi you know… »
« It will be fine. And please, don't try to guess everything like that, it is not funny. »
« I'm forced to guess since you say nothing. »
As they arrived at school, Michiru had the idea of a totally new and stupid plan to get to Haruka…
Just as always when Haruka arrived somewhere, there was a bunch of girls awaiting her. Michiru knew it. Every morning she stayed aside, watching the scene, this morning would be different… As they got out the car and the girls were about to run after Haruka, Michiru was quicker and caught Haruka's hand, holding her back.
« Michiru? »
Michiru didn't need much effort to get Haruka closer, then she quickly passed her arms around her neck and kissed her with passion. The reaction was immediate, Haruka closed the embrace by placing her arms around Michiru and returned the kiss with the same passion. The girls around didn't even dare make a step forward. The kiss broke as they ran out of air.
« What was that for? » asked Haruka.
« Morning kiss? »
« Michiru… »
« There were those girls around, I had to do something. You see? This morning they won't be bothering you. »
« You did that on purpose. »
« No… » answered Michiru innocently.
Haruka smiled and sighed. She took Michiru's hand in hers and walked to school.
That same morning, at break, Michiru was handed a paper.
« What is that? » she asked to the student that had given it to her.
« A message for you, it comes from the caretaker. »
Michiru unfolded the paper to learn that her violin teacher had broke a leg the very same day and couldn't teach that evening.
« Haruka, I think you won't need to pick me up tonight, my teacher cancelled the lesson. »
« Oh… Then maybe you could come to my training? »
« Why? »
« Cause you're my lovely fiancée. »
« And? »
« Fresh can't do you wrong. You're always confined in classrooms. »
« You're right… I might bring my scrapbook… »
So Michiru found herself drawing on the benches of the tracks as Haruka was running, drawing Haruka of course, and pretending to draw the race field.
« Kaioh Michiru? »
Michiru returned herself, surprised.
« Yes. Who are you? »
« Grey Elsa. I'm a racer. I'm Haruka's opponent. You're her girlfriend, right? »
« Kinda… »
« You're not? »
« I'm not. »
Michiru didn't understood why she didn't lie to this person as she was lying to the whole world.
« I heard you were… rumours I guess. I don't get what Haruka-san's thinking about! Having such a young woman by her side and not even try to get to her… Oh maybe you're not… »
« I'm a lesbian. Haruka's just… complicated. »
« I see. Maybe you'd like to come with me and have a coffee or something after the training.
« But Haruka… »
« You're not dating her, right? So you can at least have coffee with me? »
« I could… »
« As friends. »
« OK… »
« See you later then. »
That said, Elsa left and began to train again. She was astonishing. Never in her life Michiru had met someone that straightforward.
« Whoaaa!!! I'm finished. I'll take a shower then I'm bringing you somewhere nice. » said Haruka, stretching her arms.
« I can't… »
« Why? »
« I've got a date. »
Michiru regretted to have employed this word as soon as it left her mouth.
« With who? » asked Haruka, suspicious. That's when Elsa approached, ready to go.
« Grey-san… »
« Oh please just call me Elsa-chan. »
« Right… »
« Wait a second… Michiru, you've got a date with Elsa Grey? »
« Yes… Is that a problem. »
« You don't even know her! »
« We've talked a bit a moment ago. » said Elsa, smiling.
« Michiru's my fiancée, Grey. You're not taking her on a date. »
« She said you weren't. »
Haruka's eyes that had been burning with anger suddenly lost their gleam and pain could be read on her face. Michiru stoop up. She could see she had unwillingly hurt Haruka. This situation had ran out of control.
« Haruka… That's ok, I'm not going… »
Michiru tried to touch Haruka's arm but she was rejected.
« No, go! »
« Not if you take it that way. »
« It's fine. »
« Elsa-chan, I'm not coming, sorry. »
« Ok. »
Elsa got away and Haruka headed for the showers. She threw all her clothes away in a careless way and entered the showers.
« Haruka! What was that? Do you have an explanation? » asked Michiru before Haruka had the time to push the button for water.
« That what? »
« Your scene. You made me a scene. »
« It was not a scene. »
« Oh yes it was! But if you want me it's not the good way! »
« Who said I wanted you? »
« If you don't then why did you get jealous? I won't wait for you forever! I can't bear it, Haruka! I love you! »
Haruka pushed the button and water ran over her body.
« Do you listen to me?! »
Michiru felt a wave of energy overwhelming her body. She walked to Haruka, seized her arms and leaned her against the wall in a almost brutal manner.
« Why won't you listen to me? »
« I'm listening. » answered Haruka softly.
« Then why? Don't you feel the same way? »
« Maybe. The point is… I don't to live it again. »
« What? »
« That morning when you screamed and fainted when you saw who I am. »
« I won't… I know who you are and I love you. »
« You're going to run away one day or another if we get together. By being friends, I'm sure to keep you close. »
« I'm all yours, Haruka. I'm not going to run away from you. You're suffering as much as I do. You have the power to stop our suffering. »
The water of the shower was damping Michiru. She suddenly realized more or less the position she was into as she passed her hand over Haruka's naked body and felt that she had never been so attracted to anyone before. She suddenly felt a hand in her damp neck, then butterfly kisses over her cheek until they reached her lips. She quickly found herself against the wall in place of Haruka, melting in a tight and loving embrace. She caught one of Haruka's hand and slid it under her shirt to make her understand what she wanted. Haruka didn't need more to start undress her partner.
« Hey you! » yelled a voice behind them. They froze. It was Haruka's coach. They stopped kissing, slightly out of breath. Michiru began to laugh lightly.
« You saw his face? »
« No, I was busy getting rid of your bra. »
« Let's take back this interesting activity at your apartment… »
Haruka put on her casual clothes and handed Michiru clean sport clothes she was keeping in her locker.
They jumped in the car and drove home quickly. Haruka had difficulty opening her door, too busy with Michiru's lips.
« Michiru… Michi… »
« What? »
« Are you sure? »
« Yes. »
« And… »
« Shhh… I swear I'm not gonna run away. I need you too much for that. So what are you waiting for? I don't even have underwear. »
Haruka didn't need Michiru to tell it twice. She got rid of the trousers and the sweater in no time. Then she took Michiru in her arms like a bride and lead her to the bed.