A/N - Okay so this is another long chapter, that I did seriously consider cutting in half but then it would seem like a really tedious chapter, so it's a long one. So there :P. I'm sorry for the delay between chapter 11 and this one but I was overworked (and a little writers block too) but I'm halfway through Chapter 13 so yay!
Also I'd like to thank everyone for their excellent reviews, you all really encouraged me :D So here it is. Chapter 12. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 12 – THE LAST PERSON I EXPECTED TO SEE
"Are you nervous, Tenoh-san?" The blonde in the fire-suit shook her head slowly as she sat in her new and improved Honda 3 liter F1 car. The mechanic who had previously spoken to her smiled reassuringly while Haruka just grabbed her helmet from his hands. He looked around the crowd. It was small because this was invite only. The spectators were mainly sponsors and the racers families; in the section where Tenoh's family should be, he noted, it was completely empty.
"Tenoh-san, is your family here yet? Do you want me to give word to the security guards in case they arrive late?" Haruka was silent for a moment or two, and the mechanic kept his eyes on her. He thought this racer was a little arrogant – not good enough to talk to him eh?
"No, thank you. That won't be necessary. They aren't coming."
"Haru-chan. Are you sure you don't want us there? I'd love to see you race." Yumi looked at her daughter with such tenderness that it caused the blonde to turn away. Haruka couldn't bear to look at her mother, not now. She just wanted to be left alone. Haruka looked over at her clock, it was 7am.
"Hai, I'm sure okaa-san. I just want to get today over and done with. It's a tiring journey anyway and I know you wouldn't make it back in time for judging the Comps." Yumi kept her gaze on her daughter. Eventually Haruka turned around, facing her mother. "Besides, you'll have plenty more chances to watch me race over the next twelve months." Haruka flashed her charming smile. Her mother smiled gently. Yumi brought the robe closer to her cold body and she watched as Haruka checked her appearance one last time in the mirror. Yumi looked over to the suit-carrier she had laid on her bed; her tuxedo for the banquet event just after the race. A 3pm late lunch that Haruka did not want to goto for sure, but if she wanted to sweeten the deal on her future, she had no choice. Yumi walked over to Haruka and hugged her tightly,
"I know you don't need it... but good luck, darling. I know you'll do just fine." Haruka smiled into her mother's hug.
"Thanks, mum. Tell dad I'm sorry, but I just couldn't face him today." Yumi nodded and she held on for one last lingering moment to her child. When she eventually let go, she smiled broadly at Haruka.
"I'll see you later tonight right?" Haruka shrugged,
"More like tomorrow morning, but yeah, sometime horribly late in the morning, no doubt... Mum, I really got to go. I love you." Haruka hugged her mother one last time before grabbing her suit from the bed and heading out the door. A few moments later the front door slammed shut and a short while after that the distinct sound of Haruka's convertible revving up could be heard then slowly fading away.
The mechanic was empathetic; the blonde was alone today and on one of the biggest days of her life. Haruka smiled politely at him and decided to go on for her practice lap. She only had thirty minutes until the faux-Prix begun for all the aspiring junior racers and she just wanted to race and get that ecstatic feeling she always got when she raced – she forgot about everything and right now she needed that more than anything. She had to forget everything. She had to get on with her life. She had spent most of last night thinking about her decision; had she been selfish? She had spent countless years building up to this moment… this point in her life. She only ever wanted to be in the F1 and now she had that opportunity thrown in her face. Should she really have thrown that all away for Michiru? Minutes passed in which Haruka only thought about Michiru. How she was certain Michiru would wait for her… how Michiru would know that she was serious about her. A happy ending for her, for Michiru, for everyone. But those happy endings are only in those sappy romance movies, and if there was one thing Haruka was sure of, it was that her life was nothing like a sappy romance movie.
The only thing that broke the blonde from her deep thoughts was the screaming in her ear from her team,
"Tenoh! Are you paying attention? GO! GO!" Haruka snapped her head back up to the track. She was still in the starting grid… on her own. Every other car had vanished from sight. 'Kuso!', how long had she been there thinking? Without another second's thought, Haruka snapped the car into action, zooming down the racetrack, and after a few minutes' silence in her earpiece, the sound of her team manager laughing rang in her ears,
"That's better Tenoh! Man, you had us scared back there!" The manager continued to talk, but Haruka didn't hear a single word he was saying. She was too busy concentrating on the feeling she had. The energy she could feel rushing through her body, rushing through her veins, the only thing she saw was the blur of the scenery around her as she whizzed past it. She didn't even take a glance at the speedometer. All she did was look at every bend ahead of her. She approached the Casio Triangle turn and took it all with ease while some of her competitors were reduced to having to slow down drastically and some even had to call it a day right there. They weren't made of the right stuff for F1 Haruka thought. 'I am though. I've earned the right to be here.' Haruka was brought out of her thoughts as she came to the 'Spoon' bend. She glided easily through it. She became aware not because the famous 13th bend was dangerous but because it put you into a false sense of security; soon the 'Gyaku bank' bends would be coming up. The most difficult S bends known to F1. So now, there was no time to be moping or thinking of things related to a certain girl. That girl was off-limits as were any thoughts related to her. So for Haruka she had to remember she couldn't think of how Michiru was probably sitting back in Tokyo, preparing for the day… having a shower… pampering her perfect porcelain skin, and looking every inch the elegant lady she truly was. 'Oh crap, I can't stop thinking about her'. The blonde literally shook her head to get rid of these thoughts… The thoughts of Michiru's beaming face as she enters the room where the Winter Comps is being held. The blonde laughed bitterly at herself. 'How will I know what her face looks like when I won't be there? Fuck it.' The blonde had to get on with today, so without a second thought her foot forced the accelerator deeper into the base of the car.
Miles away from Mie, there was an aqua-haired girl sitting in her bedroom, staring down at a dress on her bed. The dress was the same one Minako had treated with such delicacy just the day before. It was the same dress Michiru had never had a chance to wear before, but tonight she had the chance to wear it. She had the chance to put that dress on and live a dream she had hoped for before… the chance to dance and be treated like a princess by the one in her arms. But tonight, she would not be held by the one who mattered. But nonetheless, she had to remember that she brought this on. She told Haruka to forget about her for the next year.
Yesterday Michiru had convinced herself she had done the right thing. She had told herself how it was clear Haruka would not stay for her. But who was she to make the blonde choose between her dreams and Michiru? The tomboy looked heartbroken when she had left her, the violinist was sure of that, but for now it was for the best. The heartache they would both feel could be overwhelming, especially if they let their relationship escalate. Michiru sighed, and she looked over to her bed again, then up to her clock. It was 12:30pm. She had four and a half hours to get ready and get to the hall for the Winter Comps. Before another thought could enter her mind, there was a ringing reverberating in her room, and it took the young girl a few moments before she realised it was the sound of her cordless phone. Acting on autopilot, she picked it up and answered as formally as she could.
"Kaioh residence." Michiru stayed silent for a moment as the line seemed to be dead. She was about to repeat herself when she heard a familiar voice speak to her.
"Michi-chan, darling! Your father and I will be home later today. We managed to seal the deal in Osaka and Kyoto yesterday and the day before and we'll be home in time for Christmas."
"Okaa-san? Tonight? What?" Okay, this was all too much drama for Michiru. She could not handle tonight for sure.
"Michiru-chan, isn't your little dancing competition tonight? Where is it? We'll make it for around 6:30, that's when it starts right?" Michiru could only find herself confirming her parents' questions regarding the dance. After a few moments of idle chitchat regarding the dance, her choices and the dress, her mother became silent, realising that whenever that dress was brought up, Michiru suddenly became morose and silent. Her mother decided to change the subject.
"So, how are you finding Mugen, Michi? Made many friends?" Michiru's mind instantly drew her to think of a certain tomboyish blonde. She shook her head of that thought,
"The school's just fine mum. I've made some good friends." In her head, Michiru was hoping her mother would not ask the inevitable follow-up question... but there was a reason it was known as 'inevitable'. There was no hope in hell that her mother would not ask.
"Have you met anyone, Michi-chan? Anyone special?" At that instant, the aqua-haired teen couldn't help but laugh out loud. A cruel, bitter laugh is all that escaped her lips though.
"Haha, yeah mum, I found someone real special..." Michiru took a deep breath inwards. Is this really something she wanted to talk about right now? Hell no, "But it didn't work out mum, so I'd rather not talk about it, okay?" A deafening silence at the other end of the phone encompassed Michiru's ear. She sighed deeply and then her mother cleared her throat,
"Okay, Michi... well, we had better go, our train is leaving just after our lunch. We'll see you tonight. Take care, baby." Michiru said nothing back but instead she hung up. She looked around the room and once again on the dress in front of her.
"I had better start getting ready." She spoke to no-one but herself, but it had become a habit; it's one way to remind her of everything she has to do. She heads into the bathroom and begins to draw herself a bath, and while she waits for the tub to fill, she decides to turn the TV set in her room on. For some reason it's already on Setanta and before she can get a chance to turn it over, the voice from the channel speaks out,
"My God! This is the most exciting F2 race we've seen in some time. Haruka Tenoh has managed to blow away Raikonnen's lap record here at Suzuka. Only nineteen laps left. My God, this is a no-brainer! If Tenoh doesn't get the F1 opportunity today this will be a travesty in the sport!"
Not being able to hear one more word, Michiru turned the TV off and sat down on her bed, head in her hands as she fought back the tears threatening to escape her beautiful, blue eyes. Michiru laughed bitterly again, before standing up and heading back into her bathroom, intent on distracting herself from crying.
"Love sucks."
At 2:25pm, Haruka Tenoh was in her dressing room, fully dressed and changed from her fire-suit into her relatively new and unworn Armani tuxedo; courtesy of her loving parents a few months earlier. Haruka stared at her reflection. After the race she had showered and spruced herself up something special. Her hair was in a cute and tousled state, she smelt impeccable and she looked quite dashing if she did say so herself. She looked every inch the charming sports personality, but as she looked deep into her own reflection, she could see in her eyes the emptiness that suddenly appeared overnight. Even her smile was not her usual. She was not at her full potential either, and everyone was oblivious to it except her… or so it would seem. And now she had to keep up this pretence, this horribly fake Haruka for the night, as she subtly charmed her way into the contracts of most appealing sponsors for the night. She hung her head and sighed deeply. Now she had to go out there and get into a limo that would drive her from the circuit and to the hall where she and the rest of 'Japan's youngest talent' were and whore herself out. And even though she was focusing on that, there was still something in the back of her mind, nagging at her to look at the clock, and every time she did she was only ever reminded of the fact that at 6:30pm the Winter Comps would be starting, and if Seiya was still at this stupid banquet with her after 3pm, then the arse for sure would not make it back. Haruka sighed and decided it was time to go and face the metaphorical music.
The location in which the banquet was being held was nothing short of breath-taking. A large country manor located right in the heart of Japan's countryside. It was perfect for rich men to come and show their wealth to the ambitious and money-hungry young who were there to vie for their affections... and their finances. Inside the manor house, the main banquet was being held in a large dining room adjacent to the room Haruka was currently standing in, with a glass of orange juice in her hand. She was surrounded by five gentlemen, all elderly than her who at the moment were praising her, but she couldn't care less.
"You scared us back there, Tenoh. Thought you'd gotten stage fright! I mean every car had been gone for ten seconds or more and I was sure you were going to lose! Talk about a shocker!" Haruka took a dislike to this man, who only seemed to want someone who could bring him victory. He had no faith in her driving abilities... well, in 'his' driving abilities. She still had to masquerade around these guys and that pissed her off too. Oh, what she wouldn't give to see each and every one of their faces when she told them she was a female. Oh God, what she'd pay! Inwardly chuckling at herself, Haruka was brought out of this little world of hers when the arrival of a gentleman aged around forty joined the group. With him was a beautiful and elegant woman who seemed to be the same age. The gentleman was dressed in a light blue suit, with a button down light blue shirt and no tie – instantly Haruka liked this man, he was laidback and seemed to not give a fuck what anyone else thought of him. His dark brown hair complimented his brown eyes, and he had the warmest smile she had seen all day. Haruka instantly smiled back at him. His wife was a beautiful woman of typical Japanese beauty, beautiful long black hair and dark eyes accompanied her but she had this air of mystery surrounding her. Haruka bowed to the couple, but before she could speak the gentlemen spoke first.
"It is an absolute pleasure to meet you Tenoh-san. Allow me to introduce myself; Kenzo Higa and this is my wife Akemi Higa." The couple bowed back and Haruka smiled. This was the kind of man she liked. He gave respect when respect was shown.
"You race exceptionally well as always Tenoh-san. I saw you at Fuji too. Amazing, it's almost like you were barely trying, but still you enjoyed it! Not as much as me I bet... man you are one exciting driver, Tenoh!" Haruka smiled, this man was definitely great, he was talking to her normally, and he clearly had passion f the sport. He wasn't bragging about his wealth like the other idiots here. Haruka relaxed and decided to use her disarming smile.
"Thank you Higa-san. It means a lot that you appreciate the sport more than others." Haruka let her eyes wander to the other five men who seemed oblivious, but Kenzo laughed, and he laughed loud.
"Please call me, Kenzo. I hope that all my potential drivers feel that familiar to me." Kenzo had a twinkle in his eye and Haruka wholeheartedly appreciated this man. He reminded her so much of her dad. So full of himself, but so humble somehow in his actions and the earnest tone in his voice. And his wife was not a trophy wife. Of course she was gorgeous, but she seemed content to be spending time with her husband, her eyes barely leaving his form once. Haruka sighed inwardly, but smiled at the couple before her. Then it all clicked in her mind. This was THAT Kenzo Higa?
"Higa? Of Higa Corporations?!" Kenzo smiled warmly then nodded,
"Yeah, that's me... well, last time I checked. I take it your manager told you a little about me." Haruka nodded instantly,
"I had heard you wanted me for the Super Aguri team... I'm not sure I could leave Honda, they've been very kind to me, Higa-san." Kenzo laughed at Haruka and at first the blond was angry but then Kenzo spoke,
"I take it Honda haven't spoken to you yet then? They're making engines for us too. Sort of like a joint venture... all above board don't worry Tenoh-san. So in effect you will be racing Honda... if you want to join us that is. I mean Honda have their main drivers in F1 don't forget, but we're relatively new and if Honda change their mind about letting you race for us, we're all partners. We share our talent and resources. You wouldn't be letting anyone down, Tenoh-san, if that's what you're thinking." Haruka was silent for a moment and took all this in. She had heard the rumours of course, but now that Higa himself said it was true, how could she argue? And of course, if they are with Honda, she could switch teams with no problems if she didn't enjoy it. Plus, starting with Honda brought far too much pressure. Starting out with a team as new as her could do her favours. Haruka looked up at Kenzo and grinned,
"Please Kenzo-san, my sponsors should feel free to call me Haruka-san." Before anymore could be said of Haruka's brand new agreement to join Super Aguri, into the room came the rest of the prospective young talents; ranging from soccer players and baseball players, to actors and young filmmakers and of course there were a few singers; Seiya being the most prominent in the room. Their eyes locked for a moment. Haruka's eyes filled with an intense dislike that the world had never known and Seiya's own eyes were filled with... what was that? Empathy? Pity? Oh no, she couldn't handle any more pity, not from him. Higa looked in the same direction that Haruka had concentrated her eyes and saw Seiya.
"Ah, yes you go to Mugen with Kou-san don't you? Man, that school is so lucky… So much talent in one place. You must be so glad to be surrounded by talent like your own, Haruka-kun. I even heard a rumour that Aiko Neptune transferred there, under a different name, but hey, gossip is gossip. I don't really listen to it all, but when you're an old man like me, it's all I can do to cling onto my youth!" Kenzo laughed heartily again and Haruka laughed too. Then she saw Seiya talking with some men who wore flashy sunglasses and made flamboyant hand gestures; they had to be music producers.
"Excuse me, Kenzo-san, I'll be back in a moment." Haruka quickly bowed and Kenzo smiled softly as Haruka began to walk over to Seiya. Akemi leaned against her husband,
"She seems like a nice girl... shame she felt like she couldn't tell us she was a nice girl herself though." Kenzo chuckled at his wife,
"She's got talent. She probably didn't want discrimination of her gender to be an issue. She's a good looking girl, though!" Kenzo beamed at his wife.
"Kou-san, I would love to sign you to my label but I hope you'll take no offence when I say that I need to hear and see you for myself. My scouts know talent, there is no doubting that, but I don't sign pretty-boys who get girls to swoon at their feet. I'm looking for talent, charisma and a lasting impression. Have you got all that Kou-san?" At this moment in time, Seiya Kou was faced with one of the biggest men in the Asian music industry, Shigeo Furuya, and now he needed to prove himself. With one look at the clock, Seiya saw it was 3:25pm, and he had one of the biggest chances of his life in front of him. Seiya looked up to the main stage where there were a few microphones set up next to instruments. He laughed inwardly to himself,
"Hai, Furuya-san, I have got everything you need and more. But my words are not always enough... perhaps I could show you?" Furuya raised his eyebrow in intrigue and he looked at the stage that had garnered Seiya' s attention. The older man smirked at Seiya and he nodded his head,
"Show me what you got, Kou-san." Seiya smirked and with a quick bow, he turned on his heel and made his way towards the stage. Just before he reached the stage, he felt someone grab a firm hold of his wrist. He turned and was faced with Haruka, glaring ever so slightly at him.
"What are you doing, Seiya? If you don't leave here in the next ten minutes, you know as well as I do, you will not make it back in time. Remember what I said, don't you dare let her down!" Seiya wriggled his arm free from Haruka's grasp and looked calmly at her,
"I won't let her down, Haruka. I promise. But just like you, I need to do this." Before another word could be said, Seiya jumped onto the stage, getting his music prepared.
Haruka walked away, deciding to sulk at the back of the room, constantly staring at her watch then back to Seiya. A few moments later, Seiya stood on the stage and cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen and my esteemed fellow prodigies. I am Seiya Kou and I will be performing my piece earlier than previously planned. I hope you enjoy my rendition of 'Let Me In'. Thank you." The few violinists and cellists in the room began to play a gentle melody, and Seiya began to sing, his voice surprisingly smooth and calming. His eyes were closed and he sang with a certain charm that even Haruka could not deny.
Loving you could be so easy,
loving you could make me warm.
Ever since the day I left you,
I try, but I just can't get you
out of my mind.
It was in this moment that Haruka was sure the fates were mocking her. Although the song had been chosen by their manager (as most songs were), Seiya seemed to be reminding her of everything she was forced to leave behind. Haruka's mind drifted to the first time she had ever seen the aqua-haired beauty; she had just been rudely awoken from her mid-class slumber and looked up to see the most divine human being she had ever had the privilege to lay her eyes on. Michiru…to even think of the girl's fine features hurt Haruka deep inside. She moved her feet, trying to find a comfortable way to stand, but it all seemed in vain. No matter what she did, she knew she would never be comfortable. Not until she was with the one girl who could put her at ease. Haruka sighed and looked up at Seiya, who seemed to be off in his own world.
Thought that I could do without you,
thought I had to look around.
But now that I know I need you,
and promise that I'll never leave you,
won't you please...
Once again, Haruka was drawn to her memories of the previous weeks. She had thought Michiru was an uptight brat, but she proved to be quite the opposite. She was fun-loving, even if only a select few saw that side to her. The weeks they had spent dancing, Haruka had stolen a touch here or there on the younger girl's waist and although she felt guilty at the time, now she as laughing at the irony of Michiru probably wanting Haruka to steal those touches anyway. Haruka was already missing the touch of Michiru, although she would probably have to get used to this – she had a whole year ahead of herself to miss the younger girl. 'Love sucks!' this was something that Haruka definitely came to the conclusion of in the past twelve hours.
Let me in
let me in your arms again.
Let me give my love to you once more.
Let me love you, let me love you.
Take me in,
take me in your arms to stay,
and I'll never go away again.
'Cause I love you, 'cause I love you.
Everyone was enamoured with Seiya's storytelling through his strong yet soft voice. He had everyone empathising with him; God knows he had Haruka's emotions in his hands. The tall girl wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She wasn't crying but God she felt like it. Why couldn't life just be in her favour? Couldn't she be like the good guys and heroes in all those films she saw? Couldn't she get the glory and the girl? She scoffed… no, life wasn't one of the movies she watched as a kid with her dad. In life you can't have this and that, it was this OR that.
I'll never be the same without you,
if I have to say goodbye.
I have no right to ask you,
but if you can, won't you try to
love me?
(Won't you try to love me)
Help me?
(I need you so badly)
And let (and let me)...
One more glance to the clock showed Haruka that there was only three hours left for Seiya to get back to Tokyo, to their school and get changed and dance with Michiru. Ah yes no problem... shame about the three and a half hour journey it is from Mie to Tokyo, huh? Another glance spared to Seiya showed that he was oblivious to everything except the music. 'A true artiste – completely submerged in his work.' Haruka thought as she looked at Seiya, her eyes resting on the music producer near the front with a large smile and yen signs in his eyes. Seiya was doing what Haruka was doing. Putting their self first, securing their future and securing their careers before doing securing anything else in their lives. Was it practical or pathetic?
Let me in,
let me in your arms again.
Let me give my love to you once more.
Oh, 'cause I love you, 'cause I love you.
Oh, take me in,
take me in your arms to stay
and I'll never go away again.
Oh, 'cause I love you, 'cause I love you.
No doubt it was practical but damn it all if it didn't reek of a pathetic lifestyle. Why bother building the perfect life if there is no-one to share it with? No-one to just enjoy life and be carefree with? But there was, wasn't there? Michiru was there, and what if when she came back, none of it mattered and Michiru hadn't found anyone? Then they could be together. Of course there is pressure in waiting for someone, god only knows what can happen in a year, but Haruka's heart was not so fickle. She intended on spending the rest of her years with the one she loved; Michiru Kaioh. And to spend a lifetime in the warm embrace that Haruka had envisioned was all she could hope for. But even if she couldn't have that, there was no way Haruka was living the next twelve months without knowing the sweetness of her love. It could drive her insane.
Oh, let me in
let me in your arms again.
Let me give my love to you once more.
Oh, let me love you, let me love you.
Take me in,
take me in your arms to stay
and I'll never go away
Haruka was only snapped from her reverie when the applause became deafening. Seiya was bowing on stage, relief written over his face. For a millisecond his eyes locked with Haruka's again and his expression changed to one of sadness. But for who, she wasn't sure as the moment passed so quickly. She did manage to catch a glimpse of Seiya looking over at the grandfather clock in the hall; 3:40pm. The music producer then approached Seiya and he brought the young man to him, grinning ear to ear.
"Kou-san, let's discuss the specifics of your contract!" Seiya grinned from ear to ear before moving into the crowd with the slime-ball music producer. Haruka had to clench her fists and swallow her anger... God he was going to let her down, she knew this would happen. Even if Haruka drove she would be cutting it fine and she was Japan's soon-to-be number one car racer. Looking around the room, Haruka needed an escape, anything to distract her. She knew that if she kept thinking about it, something could happen. She even had this inkling to run from the party, say to hell with it, and drive back to Tokyo and be Michiru's knight in shining armour. But another part of her told her how stupid that would be, to drive for three and a half hours to just dance three dances with a girl who only wanted to go to the dance to live a memory she lost because of Karin... shit, just like Haruka did with Keiko. The blonde shook her head in frustration and thought about how unfair this all was. What was the clear option?
"Tenoh-san, are you okay? You look troubled." Haruka looked up and was greeted with Akemi and Kenzo Higa standing in front of her, looking incredibly concerned at the blonde. Haruka forced out a smile, and the strain alone from doing it almost caused Haruka to wince in pain, hell it could have almost matched with the conflicting emotions she was feeling inside.
"I'm fine, Kenzo-san. I guess you could say I was just thinking about some things." Haruka looked away as she said that last word. Kenzo looked at her then smiled sympathetically. He then spoke in a quieter tone,
"Hai, I know that look Haruka-san... I was young once." Haruka looked up at Kenzo and saw the look in his eyes. He wasn't being patronising.
"Yeah. It's sometimes the worse feeling in the world... and here I thought it was meant to be the best." Haruka laughed at the irony, only realising it as she spoke about it. Akemi smiled.
"It really can be a cruel mistress and the most loving partner, Haruka-chan. Does this girl know how you feel?" Haruka looked up at Akemi, then down at her own appearance. Clearly Akemi Higa was a very perceptive woman, but that didn't matter. They didn't judge her but these strangers seemed to care for her when she was in a time of distress. Haruka simply nodded slowly, not letting her eyes leave those of the older woman in front of her. Akemi smiled gently once more.
"And does she feel the same way?" Haruka's jaw clenched as Michiru's words ran through her head again,' I want to be with you. I do, and I had hope that you'll always feel that way for me, Haruka', and Haruka found herself simply nodding again, the ability to speak coherently had abandoned her for now. If she opened her mouth now, only choked words would come out. This time Kenzo looked at his wife, and he spoke once more.
"So you love this girl and she loves you? And you're still sad? I don't get it Haruka-san." Kenzo wasn't a stupid man, he was optimistic and Haruka wished there were more people like the Higa's in the world already. Haruka looked to the floor, and closed her eyes, willing her voice to return to her, to give them an answer and put this heart-breaking issue to rest. After a few seconds, she found the energy to grant her the ability to speak up.
"Yes, she loves me deeply and I love her deeply. But our year of separation... it would not benefit us... and she thought it would be best to forget each other… For now." Kenzo nodded slowly, digesting all the information but Akemi was smiling hopefully,
"But that only means after a year, you can get together and enjoy your youth together, ne?" Kenzo looked over at the worried racer.
"I understand, Haruka-san. It's a new love, right?" Haruka looked at him. She didn't move and she didn't say anything but she didn't need to, her eyes gave him the answer. Kenzo seemed apologetic as he continued speaking, "I agree that this is unfortunate Haruka and at such a special time for lovers. But I hope you have all loose ends sorted out for the day after tomorrow."
"The day after tomorrow? What's going on then?" Haruka was feeling weak. She had brought up all her emotional problems to a stranger, well her sponsor, and now she was confused. Had she forgotten an event or something? What the hell was going on the day after tomorrow? Kenzo raised one eyebrow, seemingly amused at the blonde's reaction.
"Did you not get the second letter? It was meant to be given to you at Fuji, Haruka-san." Upon seeing Haruka's increasingly confused look, Kenzo carried on, "At Fuji, just after the press conference, you were to be told about the change in travel plans for the F1 rookies... you're not leaving in the New Year. You're leaving on the 26th, Haruka-san." Haruka's jaw dropped on the floor. How could ANYONE have forgotten to tell her that very important detail?! She was damned glad she had already sorted out her belongings and packed everything, but goddamit, now she had 7 days less with her family and friends than she had planned. The anger and confusion must have been clear on her face because she soon felt a calming hand on her shoulder,
"Haruka-san, are you okay?" Haruka looked up at the man and she shook her head,
"I need to go to Tokyo. I'm sorry, Kenzo-san." Kenzo smiled softly,
"If you promise to race for me Tenoh-san come the 26th and don't be sorry. I am a man of my word and I promise to give you a place on my team if you promise to race for me right now. I take it the girl is back in Tokyo?" Haruka nodded and Kenzo smiled, and Haruka looked at Kenzo.
"I promise I will be here on the 26th but I need to go to Tokyo. I need... I need to make sure that I leave properly." Kenzo smiled understandingly. Haruka wanted to go back and show the girl that she was all she thought about. When she was told she was leaving a week earlier, she wasn't thinking about getting to race with the big boys earlier, no, she was thinking about the girl and how she didn't want to leave her a week earlier. Kenzo chuckled and looked through his pockets, he pulled out two pairs of car keys, one with Kenzo's name emblazoned on the key and another plain simple car key attached to a plastic tag with 'prototype' written in messy Kanji.
"In that case Tenoh, take these," He threw the prototype key to Haruka and winked, "Take the team car. Go and make sure you leave her properly. See you on the 26th." Haruka smiled as she made a mad dash to the exit out of the manor, and she threw her key to the valet who disappeared around the corner hurriedly. As Haruka waited impatiently for 'her car', Haruka's phone in her trouser pocket began vibrating madly, she took it out and looked at the caller ID; Aw, shit it was her agent. She answered it reluctantly,
"HARUKA! Are you freaking MAD? Leaving the middle of this banquet? You had better have a damned good reason! TELL ME!" Haruka held the phone away from her ear for a moment,
"Don't worry Super Aguri will sign me... you'll get your commission." The boy returned with her car, "I gotta go, bye!" As the boy got out, Haruka took a quick moment to admire the beautiful car in front of her. She jumped in and couldn't believe the rumours were true. The Aguri-Honda supercar, the Honda concept, was real and she was sitting in it, in all its metallic silver glory. They released an earlier version, but as soon as Haruka saw the 320mph speed the car could clearly reached, she grinned. She could definitely make Tokyo for 6:30pm, and with that thought in mind, she let go and guided the car on its rapid journey to Tokyo, every few seconds glancing at the clock.
Once she got stopped by a red light 90 miles from her destination, Haruka decided to play is safe due to the amount of cars. She took out her cellphone and made a swift phone call to her dad, he should be there at Mugen with Setsuna and Hotaru. She got put through to voicemail after a solid thirty seconds of ringing. It was still a red light, but before she could speak she had to wait a moment, a helicopter overheard would have drowned out the words she so badly needed her dad to hear. After she relayed her message, she looked over at the clock. 6:02pm, fuck she was really cutting it fine.
At Mugen Gakuen, there were 8 girls standing in the gymnasium, which had been transformed into a more than elegant ballroom that matched the images most of the girls had in their minds. The floor had been freshly polished the night before and it looked like the perfect floor for dancing. And at the moment, there were only a few couples from each school here, but it seemed like a big deal and in fact the panel announced that due to the small numbers and the time they had, they could see every pair dance without any other pair. Every pair would be at the mercy of the judges. But the judges came as a shock to Michiru. Why did no-one tell her that Yumi and Leon Tenoh were going to be two of the five judges'? What the hell? Did that slip everyone's mind? She thought back to when she saw the familiar woman at the panel.
"MINAKO! That-that-that's Haruka's mum!" Minako looked over to the panel where Yumi was sitting quite comfortably, with Leon sitting behind her talking to her softly. Minako scrunched her face in confusion,
"Yes... it is. Are you okay, Michiru? Did you not read your sig- up sheet properly?" Michiru looked at the blonde incredulously.
"The sign-up sheet? Are you mad? Did it not occur to anyone to tell me that they were the judges?!" Minako laughed softly and put a hand on Michiru's shoulder, almost to support her laughing frame,
"Oh you are too much, Michiru-chan! So you didn't think that Yumi Tenoh, one of the best ballroom dancers Japan ever produced would not take part in a prestigious dance competition as a judge? With her equally as qualified husband, Leon Tenoh, the most acclaimed Latin dance teacher in Tokyo?" Minako carried on giggling, and Michiru frowned in slight annoyance before regaining her composure.
"Isn't that bias? I mean their daughter goes to Mugen. They may sway their vote that way." This time all the girls laughed and Setsuna approached Michiru and spoke calmly.
"Michiru, for the years Haruka did compete and her parents were judges, not once did they ever give Haruka a positive feedback. In fact once, they told Haruka to go home and check she didn't leave her dancing shoes at home. She was so annoyed. They always scored her fairly though, but trust us, there was no bias!" Michiru found herself grinning, imagining Haruka's face as she would be told her dance was less than spectacular... or being told that she lacked passion... or sex appeal! HA!
Michiru looked over to the judges again, and Yumi smiled gently at Michiru. At that, the younger girl felt her guilt build up and couldn't bring herself to look at Yumi anymore. She looked away and looked down at Hotaru. She was talking to Taiki, much to Setsuna's annoyance but because it was Hotaru it was that loving annoyance.
"Taaaaaaiki-kun, when are you going to marry Setsuna-chan?" Taiki instantly sweat-dropped and looked over to Setsuna who simply smiled amused. She giggled then spoke to Hotaru,
"Taru-chan, can't you go and bug someone else?" Hotaru stuck her tongue out playfully at Setsuna then pouted,
"No I can't! Yaten threatened to eat all my sweets at school if I kept bothering him, Seiya-kun isn't here yet and Haruka-papa won't be back till tomorrow. Taiki-kun is the only person left! If you take him away, who can I talk to?" Setsuna grinned,
"Only interested in talking to the boys, eh, hime-chan?" Hotaru went redder than a tomato.
"N-n-no... erm, oh look, Leon-papa! Bye!" With that Hotaru ran over to Leon who grinned and took the little girl into his arms. Michiru looked around once again. She was getting a little worried now. It was 6:22pm, and Seiya had called her at two guaranteeing he would be there, but here they were with 8 minutes left till the beginning of the Winter Comps and still no sign of him. Michiru had already signed them in, so it was just a matter of waiting. Before Michiru could worry anymore, Leon stood up and approached the microphone near the judges table, and he cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Winter Comps, Tokyo regionals. I'd like to welcome Mugen Gakuen competitors for the night; Michiru Kaioh, Seiya Kou, Setsuna Meioh, Taiki Kou, Minako Aino and Yaten Kou." Michiru began to space off as Leon introduced the competitors from Ikuen Gakuen and Gaigo Gakuen. It was only when Leon's intense stare, which was too similar to his daughter's , was directed at her did she begin to pay attention, because Leon was announcing the first dance and the first couple, " So in five minutes, I hope Miss Kaioh and Mr Kou would please come to the floor as our first couple and grace us with their rendition of the Vienesse Waltz. You have five minutes until then, have a good evening ladies and gentlemen."
Michiru could feel the stress rise in her body. All she wanted to do was to have her one dance, damn it, and Seiya was nowhere to be found. Michiru decided to stress out in a nearby chair, and she looked over the room. There were nearly 200 people there to watch them all dance. It would come to her time to dance, and he wouldn't be here. 'Oh God, this is not happening.' was all the young violinist could think.
Haruka was around the corner and she smiled to herself, it was 6:29pm, and she was literally seconds away from the school. She would make it in time. Haruka had to thank the Gods for this. Time was on her side... well that and a car with nearly 200 horsepower.
Leon was very confused. Well, he had been for over an hour and a half. Since he had checked his voicemail. It was from Haruka and it confused him a little. He had seen on Setanta that his little girl was in Mie, she had won her race... after a worrying start. But his mind kept wondering back to the voicemail he received from her.
"Dad, it's me, Ruka. I know that this is not going to make much sense but... oh wait a minute, there's a freaking helicopter going past now!... Anyway... I want you to know I really do love you and I would never do anything to risk my career or my future. I would never want to disappoint you, and I have no intention of doing so. But I just want to know that you'll love me and be proud of me regardless of my decisions. I love you and mum so much."
There was no way after that race that Ruka did not get a sponsorship, it would have been damned near impossible, not to mention an absolute disgrace to the sport if she was refused one because of her rare bad start. Oh well, it was sixty seconds till the Comps would officially start and as Leon was about to bring this to his wife's attention, he looked towards the door and saw a familiar figure. His eyebrows rose in definite shock.
Michiru sat on her chair and sighed inwardly. She could see Leon staring over at her, but this time he was not staring… he was gawping. Yes, a definite gawp, but not to her… to something behind her. But judging from the steady breathing coming from behind her, it was not something, but rather someone. As she was about to turn around and see who was standing behind her, she heard a familiar voice speak,
"Sorry, I'm late Michiru-chan." Michiru spun around and opened her eyes in shock. She took in the figure in front of her. She thought that since her partner was clearly not making it that she was doomed, so the figure in front of her was definitely a shock to her senses. The other person was slightly breathless, no doubt from running from whatever vehicle they were in, in order to get to the room on time. They were dressed in an impeccable tuxedo and their hair was looking more styled and controlled than it usually did. When Michiru finally found her voice, she shakily said the other's name.
"Seiya?"
A/N 2 - Sigh... you know what to do if you've made it this far!
(Let Me In does not belong to me, it is the property of The Osmonds b if I did own it I would make it a hella smexx)