Disclaimer : I don't own the characters.
Haha I know I've been updating this story like crazy but something tells me that'll stop soon enough. Whenever I am on a roll it seems to end when I become aware of it. Anyway everyone, thanks for leaving such nice reviews. It's is and always will be nice to know what you think about my story. Once again a special thanks to my reviewers (and ofcourse readers!), Silver Sailor Ganymede, royal destiny, PrincessSerenity101, Silas C. ,Myosotis13, aldoraspitelette, petiyaka, Iamtheriver, papapapuffy, unknown01, jem, hunter007, FireyDragoness, -marrionette, LiteDelacour and ofcourse Lyra14260.
I hope you'll like this chapter as well.
- warning : A bit of drama in this chapter, will change ofcourse!
Two Can Play That Game
Chapter three
- Not as planned-
''I am home!'' Michiru yelled as she threw her backpack in the corner and walked over to the livingroom. It was rather quiet on tuesdays at the Kaioh Residence since Michiru's little sister wouldn't be here until the next morning. Every tuesday she went to visit her uncle and aunt. Micihru never liked visiting them, she always felt like some sort of slave there. Probably because they were old fashioned she still felt like Michiru had to take care of them and do whatever they asked. Respect for elders, was how they called it. Michiru simply called it slavery.
''Mother, are you home?'' She asked when she didn't find her mother lying on the couch like usual. At first she got no reply but after calling out for her mother for the forth time she finally got a reply. It came from behind her. Quickly Michiru turned around to face her mother.''Mom...'' She started but didn't even got the chance to finish when she was suddenly greeted by someone's fist. In shock she fell backwards on the ground as she placed her hand over the burning place on her cheeks.
''It's all your fault!'' Michiru's mother yelled, holding a wine bottle in her hand. The aqua haired girl swallowed hard. Her mother was drunk again and she knew exactly what that meant. ''Because of you he left me! I am paying for your damn education and all you do is be a lazy piece of shit and follow damn classes. Try finding a job! What kind of daughter are you anyway?''
Michiru slowly got up again. She was very aware of the fact that her mother could try to hit her again, when her mother was drunk there was no stopping her.''Mother please calm down. You're not yourself, it's the alcohol speaking. Why don't you lay down on the couch and...''
''Shut up!'' Michiru mother screamed, interrupting her daughter.''How dare you to speak to me like that?'' She then added as she stepped closer to the aqua haired girl who backed away.''Stand still and accept the truth!''
''Mother, please!'' Michiru's voice sounded desperate. Upon hearing her daughter's plead Aya stood still, blinking a few times. Michiru had seen this before. This was one of those moments in which her mother went from violent to emotional. And just as the thought had entered her mind Michiru saw her mother fall to her knees, crying all of a sudden.
Aya gazed at her daughter with a pained expression on her face.''I am so sorry Michi. I don't mean to lose my temper with you like that. I love you, you're my daughter and I know you're trying hard to take care of me and your sister.'' She sobbed.''But it's so hard to be alone like this.'' Michiru sighed. How could she stay angry with her mother after that confession.
Michiru and her mother had talked about this many times. The smaller girl would suggest her mother to go out on dates again but her mother would refuse, claiming that there was only one person her heart belonged to.''I am so sorry.'' Michiru's mother whispered again as she let go of the bottle of wine.
''I am going out for a while.'' The aqua haired girl stated. She wasn't going to do this again, forgive her mother only to find Aya repeat the same actions a few days later anyway.
''Michiru, don't leave me.'' Aya tried but her daughter shook her head as she turned around and walked out of the livingroom, unconsciously picking up her backpack again before walking out of the front door, leaving her mother behind. 'I am sorry too mother.'
---
After a few hours of walking around town Michiru had ended up in café Le Marin again. She was sitting in the same booth as earlier this morning, staring out of the window. It had stopped snowing hours ago but the streets were still covered by the white blanket of snow.''Can I get you something?'' A waitress asked when she noticed the smaller girl in the corner.
The smaller girl looked up at the girl. She had black long hair that reached just below her shoulders. She couldn't be much older than Michiru.''Tea please.'' Michiru ordered with a fake smile on her face. The girl just nodded before writing it down and walking away again. Michiru took a deep breath as she started to stare out of the window once again. Maybe Haruka had been right, christmas is a special time of year to be together with your family but Haruka had no idea how hard that was for the smaller girl. Her mother was never home with christmas anyway.
Then she reminded herself of the fact that she hadn't eaten her lunch, it still had to be in her backpack. She wasn't exactly hungry but the light feeling in her head warned her that it was about time to eat something. Slowly she started digging in her backpack but instead of finding her lunch box she found a white envelope.'What's this? This isn't mine.' She thought as she turned it around. The letter was indeed addressed to her but... She hadn't put it there.
As the waitress put down a cup of tea in front of Michiru the smaller girl started to open the envelope.''A secret admirer?'' The girl questioned cheerful. Michiru strugged.
''I don't know, one way to find out.'' She stated. The black haired girl studied Michiru's face closely. It seemed she was more excited about the content of that letter than the aqua haired girl was.
''Megumi, table two!'' Suddenly a voice yelled causing the black haired girl to jump and hurry over to a couple who were waiting for the menu card. Michiru watched the girl leave as she slowly pulled the letter out of the envelope. She took a deep breath before folding the piece of paper open and started to read its content.
Dear Michiru
I've been watching you from a distance for a while.
To show you how interested I am I booked a table
at Sakura's dinner. That new restaurant on the outskirts
of Tokyo. I'll wait for you there on friday evening, 7pm.
I'd love to have dinner with you then,
- Dreamer
Michiru blinked a few times. Someone who was interested in her? This had to be a bad joke, who the hell would ever take the time to take her to one of the most expensive restaurants in Tokyo? A smile appeared on the girl's face as she put the letter back into her backpack. This was stupid. First of all she had no idea who this 'dreamer' was and second, what if he was some kind of creep. It could be Hiroshi. He had tried to ask her out on this way many times before.'You'd think he would've given up by now.'
Then again, it could be someone else as well. All she knew was that this 'dreamer' had to go to the same school as her. How else would he have managed to put the letter in her backpack unnoticed? She smiled again, gazing out of the window.'What shall I do, go or leave him to wait?' To be honest Michiru resented the idea of going on a blind date or any kind of date for that matter but she couldn't help it but feel excited. After all it was kind of romantic and mysterious to meet someone like this. Then again, 'dreamer' was probably male and she simply wasn't interested in dating that gender.
'A why not take a chance?' Michiru asked herself. 'Maybe I'll get lucky.'
-----
The next morning before school had even started Hiroshi had sneaked into the school building. He still had to put Minako's letter in Haruka's locker and that was something that had to go unnoticed. The whole night he had laid awake, thinking of what may happen when Michiru and Haruka find out that it all had been a set up. Finally he found Haruka's locker at the end of the hall but just when he pulled a white envelope out of his pocket he heard a voice.
At first he thought one of the teachers had caught him but when he thought about it her realised that the person's voice sounded familair, too familiar. Quickly he turned around to face a pink haired girl.''Eh...'' He started.''G-good morning Aiden.''
The girl smiled up at him, her eyes focussed on the envelope he was holding.''If you have a crush on Haruka then I suggest you to turn around now. She's not interested.'' Hiroshi laughed upon hearing that.
''Believe me, Tenoh is a good friend but dating her? Never. It'll be like dating a guy and that's not my thing.'' Realising that he had just exposed that he was up to something he quickly stepped back.''I mean...yeah interested in Haruka. I love her!''
Aiden broke down into fits of laughter.''Nice one Sato but I don't think I am that naive. So what are you really up to? Is this why Minako pulled you out of the cantine yesterday? She has a crush on Haruka again and she wants to make up for the past or...or no wait! don't tell me. She's angry with Haruka and she wants you to give Haruka a hate letter but you backed out of it after a sleepless night and now you're going to be sn...''
''Give it up Aiden, you'll never guess.'' Hiroshi interrupted the other.
''Then you'd better tell me.'' She stated with a smirk.
''Better tell you? Ha, now I am not that naive either. I promised Minako to keep it between us so...kst! get lost.'' Aiden rolled her eyes.
''As a member of the school bond I am allowed to haunt these halls this early, you on the other hand...'' She paused, staring at the black haired man with a bright smile on her face.''One word and you'll be expelled forever. So talk me me baby.''
''Baby?'' He asked, rolling his eyes.''Fine, fine but if anyone asks...I didn't tell you.''
''I thought this was just between you and Minako, if she finds out that I know you're the only one to blame.'' Hiroshi's expression changed upon hearing the pink haired girl's words.''Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.''
He took a deep breath in relieve.''Awesome. Well you see since Haruka and Michiru have to go to the winter prom together Minako and I decided to set them up on a blind date first. So we, or actually Minako, wrote so called love letters to one another.''
''I don't really understand the whole purpose behind it but if I am correct you're setting them up on a blind date to get them...to do what exactly?''
''Start dating.'' Hiroshi replied with a proud smile on his face.
''Start dating.'' Aiden repeated. After a few seconds of realising what he had just said she went wide eyed.''Start doing what?!'' Hiroshi laughed at that and nodded.
''You heard me.'' With that he turned around, trying to recall the combination to the lock before opening it.''Tadaa...'' He added as she lay the letter down on top on Haruka's books and closed the locket again.
''You dumbass.'' Aiden stated as she watched him close the locker.''If you put that letter there she'll know that someone who knew the combination to her locker put it there. Suspect number one, you!'' She paused for a moment.''But anyway, don't get me involved in this. I didn't see you today but you'll have to leave the building now before you get caught.''
''It's cold outside.'' Hiroshi complained, ignoring Aiden's comment about Haruka expecting him to put the letter in her locker.''Besides you're already involved. Remember, you helped with that whole 'set Haruka and Michiru up' winter prom thing.''
The pink haired girl shook her head as she held up her hand.''Talk to the hand because the head ain't listening.'' With that she turned around and started walking back to the teachers lounge.
''Maybe I should become a member of the school bond, eat with the teachers, drink with them, gossip about the students and have access to all class rooms...inculding the girls locker room.'' He whispered, trying to imagine all those things as a daily matter.
---
During lunch everyone was seated on their usual spots, discussing winter prom. Everyone seemed to be very excited and much to Haruka's surprise she could even see a smile on Michiru's face. She was just walking to her seat next to Hiroshi when she noticed that Michiru was walking into her direction, she didn't seem to be exactly focussed on where she was heading.
At first Haruka thought Michiru would walk around her but when it already was too late Michiru bumped into her. Before the aqua haired girl could fall back on the ground Haruka had already took her hand and pulled her back. They were now standing so close together that to everyone is looked like the were hugging eachother. Michiru blinked a few times before she snapped out of her thoughts and jumped back.''Don't touch me Tenoh!'' She yelped.
''You're welcome.'' Haruka sarcastically stated. 'I should've just let her drop to the ground but even then she would've find a good reason to blame me for that.'
''You're welcome?'' Michiru repeated.''You should apologize for walking into me. Watch where you are going.''
''But...'' Haruka started, deciding not to press the matter. She really didn't feel like fighting right now.''Whatever, how's your dress hunt coming anyway?''
''Dress hunt?'' Michiru repeated the blonde once again.
''For the prom.''
The aqua haired girl went wide eyed upon hearing that. She hadn't thought about that at all. She had two weeks to come up with enough money to pay for a dress or everyone would find out that she was indeed as poor as some people claimed she was.''I..uh...'' She stammered. At this point she decided just to do what she always did when Haruka asked a question which she couldn't answer properly.
''That's none of yuor bussiness Tenoh, I am not going around and mind myself with your bussiness either, am I?'' She stated.
''But...'' This time the tomboy wasn't going to stay quiet. What the hell was Michiru's problem anyway, she just asked a normal question.''Actually it's my bussiness since I am taking you to the prom remember?'' By this time all the students had stopped eating and talking to listen to the two arguing girls.
''Yeah but that wasn't your own choice nor mine.'' Michiru pressed.''If you think that I am looking forward to the prom then you're wrong. It's a living nightmare to have to dance with you!''
''As if I am so keen on the idea of dancing with you but face it Kaioh, it can't be helped. So why can't you atleast try to be nice with me. I am not forcing you to have a good time with me or to get to know me a bit better but you could atleast give it a try.''
Michiru grunted something inaudible.'Why is everyone looking at us like that, it's rude.' She thought when she become aware that she and Haruka had become the center of attention.
''Okay nothing to see here people!'' Hiroshi suddenly yelled, breaking though the silence.''Just a little argument, nothing special!'' Everyone started whispering again and before you knew it everyone had continued what they were doing again.
''Maybe this is not the best place to talk.''
''There's no good place to talk to you. Everywhere you are is a bad place.'' Michiru whispered, keeping her voice down.
''You're so nice to me. What's next on your list on insults or have you tried all of them on me already? I still don't understand why you hate me so much.'' The tomboy whispered, using the same tone as Michiru. ''This can't seriously still be about that Minako thing, can it?''
''Maybe.'' Michiru replied.''You're a cheating bastard.''
''My love life isn't your problem, what's the real big deal?''
''Just leave me alone Haruka. I've got other things to worry about right now.''
''Like finding an excuse to not go to the prom with me? If you think of something let me know.'' Haruka hissed. She had tried to talk to Michiru in a civilized way but no matter how hard she tried Michiru always knew to piss her off anyway.''Besides what can keep you busy, you're following a course in 'how to annoy Haruka Tenoh even more'?''
''Ha-ha, for your information, I've got a date.'' Michiru replied with a proud smile on her face.
Haruka was surprised upon hearing this and for some unknown reason she could feel a certain sting in her heart.''Oh...'' She whispered, trying to hide her emotions.'What the hell is wrong with me, why do I feel disappointed?!'
''Yes you heard it right, while you continue to be a loner I am going to dine at one of the most expensive restaurants in Tokyo!''
''Ah, who's the lucky guy?'' Haruka questioned, ignoring Michiru comment about her being a loner.
''Uhm...'' The smaller girl blushed. She couldn't tell Haruka she was going on a blind date. Haruka would find a way to make it sound negative and continue to insult her. ''Why would you care?'' She asked instead.
''You're right.'' Haruka finally said.''I don't care.'' And with that said she walked out of the cantine. She didn't feel like eating anymore.
''Yow Tenoh where are you going?!'' Hiroshi yelled as he chased after his friend. They were now standing in the empty hall.
''Home.'' Came the reply.''I don't feel well.'' It wasn't a lie after all, after talking to Michiru her stomach had suddenly decided to play against her as well.
''But we've still got two hours of class after the lunch break.''
''I know but I don't feel well, ok?'' Haruka said, opening her locker. The black haired man smiled upon seeing that the white envelope she lay there.''What the...'' Haruka started as she took the envelope in her hands.
''What's that?'' Hiroshi asked, playing along.
''Probably a love letter from one of my fans.'' Haruka said with a sigh as she threw the envelope back into her locker, took her coat out of it and closed it again. Hiroshi silently cursed.
''Aren't you even going to read it?'' He wondered out loud.
''No, why?'' Haruka asked, putting on her coat and turning around to face the other.
''Just interested, what if it's something important?'' He replied.
''Oh well, tough luck then.'' The tomboy said.''See ya tomorrow!'' And with that said she turned around and started to walk towards the front doors.
'Minako isn't going to like this.' Hiroshi thought as he watched the blonde walk away. Oh no, she sure wasn't going to like this.
To be Continued...
Let me know what you think and ofcourse, how will Hiroshi and Minako be able to make Haruka show up at Sakura's dinner in the first place? And any bets on what the real reason is for why Michiru can't stand Haruka?