Family Affairs

Chapter Five: Not Bad For A Tear

" Michiru. "

The aqua-haired beauty turned around, with Haruka still attached to her arm. She wasn't used to people addressing her, or even saying hi, but she was more surprised when she saw Minako standing before her.

" Hello Minako. "

" Very good to see you again. " Minako replied, checking behind her as all of her friends had arrived. " Who's your friend? "

Michiru should've known better than to think Minako actually cared. She felt like she was under pressure when she saw nearly ten people join her in a matter of seconds. Even more pressure was added when she saw Makoto. " This is my.. My… " She glanced over at Haruka who was smirking widely. " This is my old best friend. "

The blonde was bewildered by the statement Michiru had made but when he was jabbed in the side, he quickly regained his composure. " Ah yes, my name is Haruka Tenoh. It's a pleasure to meet all of you beautiful ladies. I do hope Junai is as beautiful as you all are but I don't think the school could compare. "

All of the girls, except one, seemed to swoon like Michiru had never seen before.

" No way! YOU are the FAMOUS Haruka Tenoh? " Minako jumped with joy. " I can't believe this! Haruka, please do me a really big favor! Promise to take a picture with me. Please! My friends will not believe this. I can't believe I know the world's best race car driver! " Before the blonde could get carried away, Minako was nearly dragged away by a very, very, angry brunette. " Bye Haruka! I love you! "

Haruka laughed but quickly stopped when he noticed Michiru fixated on the two escaping the scene. Haruka grabbed Michiru's hand gently and she turned her attention to him.

" Right. Well, Haruka and I are going to our first class. I promise to formally introduce all of you later but if we don't see the principal before class then Haruka might not be able to attend Junai. "

" Excellent. I would love to be acquainted to the Tenoh. " Seiya stepped in. " How about we all meet you at your house after school? "

Michiru rolled her eyes, knowing damn well what Seiya was trying to do. She could only agree and then punish him later. " Maybe not tonight. How about Friday? All of you will be invited to come over Friday night, if you would like. Be there at seven sharp. I'm sure we'll have some fun. "

All the girls leaped ecstatically as she pulled Haruka away from scene. " I didn't know you were so popular. " He mentioned as he watched the girls skip off as if they were a little too happy.

" I'm not. Those girls have never talked to me in my life. Except to tell me that I'm a bitch. " Haruka thought she was joking but was puzzled when he noticed she wasn't joking. " Don't worry Haruka. If you promise to pretend that you're my best friend, I promise to take care of you. "

" You're really bad at cutting deals with people. "

" My deals are the best. So it's a take it or leave it. "

Haruka smiled at Michiru, admiring her sense of passion. " Don't worry, I won't tell anyone your little secret. But can I ask one question? "

" No. "

" Great. How come you told them I was your best friend? "

" I said no. "

" Yeah, well I thought I could try. "

Michiru stopped in her tracks. " Just trust me. I'll tell you eventually. "

" Okay. " Haruka sighed in defeat but quickly assumed the role of escorting her through the hallways... School with Michiru was definitely going to be fun.

" Michiru! " The blonde ran up to Michiru, smiling emphatically. " I was looking all over for you. You didn't tell me where the lunch room was so I ended up having to find it myself. "

" With your charm Haruka, I don't you'll find try to find anything by yourself. "

" What's that supposed to mean? Oh, you're talking about the girls who walked me over here… well, you know… "

" No details please. " Michiru replied as she patted the seat next to her. Haruka quickly followed her instructions and sat down. The two began to share her lunch because the blonde seemed to be too lazy to get his own food. " How was your history class? "

" Incredibly boring without you. I'm glad it's the only class we don't have together. Or else I might need to kidnap you for every one of my classes you aren't in. "

" Aw. " Michiru's heart melted. " Are you having Michiru withdrawals? "

" Maybe. " Haruka took one of the French fries and was about to toss it in to his mouth when he noticed a rather handsome man approach them.

" Michiru, good morning. It's good to see you back. "

" Hai, you too Mamoru. How was your summer? "

" It was alright but I'm sure it will be better now that you're here. " The raven haired boy smiled as his vibrant blue eyes sparkled in the light.

Haruka squinted at the guy, already coming to the conclusion as to what kind of guy he was. He stood up, in defense of Michiru's respect. " I'm Haruka Tenoh. " The tall blonde matched his height evenly. " You are? "

The raven haired boy thought about shaking the hand Haruka held out but declined with disinterest. " I am an admirer of Michiru and that is all you need to know. "

" Very well then. Admirer of Michiru, could you please move away from our table? It seemed to smell very good over here until you dropped by. "

Mamoru scoffed but left casually, finding some other prey on the radar. " Michiru, I'll catch you later, when the company you choose is of better taste. "

Michiru had a grin on her face as she waited for Mamoru to leave. As soon as he was out of sight, she pinched the blonde ferociously. " Haruka! What is your problem? This is your first day at school and already you're starting fights? "

" Hey! He was the rude one. Why do I get pinched? "

" Because she likes Mamoru more. " Another boy approached the table with a tray of food. " And Mamoru doesn't eat Michiru's food, unlike other people around here. But… I won't name anyone specific. "

Haruka wanted to jump over the table and choke Seiya. " You again. "

" Now, now. You two need to calm down. Seiya, this is Haruka. Haruka this is Seiya. You are formally introduced. No fighting allowed. "

Seiya and Haruka groaned. " If you're not looking can I punch him? "

" No Haruka, you may not. " Michiru glared at the blonde.

" Ha! " Seiya stuck his tongue out.

Haruka caved. He knew the only way this was going to work out is if he pretended like Seiya wasn't such bad thing. Besides, after meeting with Mamoru, Seiya seemed like less of a threat so Haruka decided to just agree with what Michiru wanted.

" So Haruka, got a new girlfriend yet? "

" No. " The blonde replied as if he was pouting. Then he glared at Seiya, quickly replacing that glare with a grin. " But I have ten numbers! " He held out his hand and the two nearly choked as they figured out he wasn't lying. " I didn't have any paper so I wrote them here. Now, if only I could remember which one was which… oh this is bad. " Haruka scratched his head. " Michiru, do you know who these people -- "

" Haruka. No details. "

" But! "

" No buts! " Michiru replied as Seiya laughed at the very disappointed Haruka.

Michiru placed a finger on her violin in contemplation. It had been a very long but interesting day. She honestly never thought she would feel so good about going to school. What should have been a very monotonous final year at Junai was so much different than she had expected. For some reason, she actually felt as if she belonged there. She felt at ease this afternoon when she having lunch with Seiya and Haruka. Although they bickered all throughout lunch, she couldn't help but laugh the entire time they were arguing. It made her feel like she had a small family within Junai. And while she never thought anyone's negative opinion about her would affect her, she certainly never knew what it would be like to be showered with attention.

She severely underestimated Haruka. Maybe he would prove to be more useful than she thought. Maybe he would make everyone would leave her alone, maybe he would be her protector against Mamoru, or maybe he would be that older brother that always made her smile. Out of all those ways, she liked the last one best. He did have this unique way to always make her smile. She hadn't known him for more than a month but already she couldn't imagine what life would be like without him.

The aqua-haired girl smiled when she remembered how concerned he looked when he opened the door to let her out of absolutely expensive but beautiful car. That one genuine expression made her feel like she was worth more than anyone had ever expressed. When he offered his arm, when he bailed her out and pretended to be her best friend, when he fended off Mamoru, but most of all, when he gave her the impression that she was the center of his universe, she simply couldn't understand the overwhelming amount of happiness that she felt. For once in her life, she met someone that wasn't like everyone else; he was someone that cared simply because he thought she was worth enough to care about.

Michiru smiled to herself as she felt a warm tear roll down her cheek.