Michiru sighed happily as she felt her muscles unwind in the cool waters of the club's Olympic sized swimming pool. It may never compare to the spray of the open ocean, but it was still a haven for her to escape the expectations of life. Michiru's musical talent was discovered early and she was raised as the world renowned child violin prodigy. By the age of four she already achieved recognition in a concert hosted by the Japan Cultural Center of Arts, performing Paganini's Caprice No. 24 in A-Minor. Her parents were no where to be seen during most her childhood. Her father, an ambassador, was temporarily stationed at Indonesia during her booming success and thought it was best to bring her mother and leave her to continue her music education in Japan. What he successfully left behind was a steadily maturing woman and any semblance of a real family.
It was a good idea to come. I haven't felt so calm in days, the aqua haired beauty mused. However, I don't know if bringing Haruka along... was such a good idea after all.
The journey from the changing rooms to the poolside was, for a lack of a better word, eventful. People ranging from the towel-boys to other members were tripping over their own two feet and other inanimate objects staring at Haruka. Naturally, the blond was oblivious to the attention she was attracting. Michiru had to stop herself from doing anything embarrassing and remind herself to focus on walking. That became increasingly harder to achieve when Haruka raised an eyebrow, somewhat sexily, to ask how she looked.
Her calf and thigh muscles were muscular and nicely formed. Not too stocky or thick, mind you. Instead, they were long, shapely and lightly tanned.
Probably from those early morning runs.
Accentuated by the silken material of the bikini bottom, Haruka's hips rolled smoothly as she walk. Her naturally straight and confident posture only adds to her light and but sexy swagger. Exposed by the two piece, her torso boasted of her regular work outs since high school.
That's what I call muscle definition. Sleek and smooth.
Michiru's line of sight traveled slowly past swimsuit-clad, well-formed breasts to reside on Haruka's face where a smirk was waiting.
"Well, do you like what you see?"
Michiru held her own rather remarkably, considering how much the blond was affecting her libido. My my, a little cocky aren't we? She gave Haruka a once-over, taking great care to let her gaze linger. The taut material of the bikini did not hide much, and Haruka felt a wave of tingles up her spine under the intense scrutiny. Then, Michiru looked up and straight in to Haruka's baby blues, her own a stormy green and said..
"Ara..You don't have anything that I don't."
With that, she walked to the edge of the pool, turned her head slightly and winked. Michiru then dove into the waters, cleanly cutting through the water with strong, smooth strokes.
Haruka was floored.
Why that... little temptress.
With a rueful laugh, she jumped into the pool. Although somewhat gingerly, and with a bigger splash.
They swam laps until Haruka felt like her arms were about to give out. Although she had the leg power, she could never hope to slide so cleanly through the water like Michiru does. It is like she becomes one with the element.
This is killing me. I can feel my arms burning, though I'm no weakling. She's teasing me because she knows I can never catch her in the water. Oh, wait until we get back on land, love. You'll never be able to escape me. I want to catch you and hold you forever.
Haruka hung onto the buoy limply and snorted at her partner in the black bikini swimming far up front. Michiru reached the edge and pulled herself up. Noticing Haruka still hanging for dear life in the middle of the pool, she leaned forward and gave a little flying kiss in one of the most seductive poses known to men (and women). Or at least one particular blond woman. Unbeknownst to her, Haruka's pulse was racing a mile a minute as the violinist skipped gaily to the changing rooms for a shower.
Does she know what a sight she's presenting? Does she know how seductive her dripping wet body looks as she pushes herself up the ledge? Does she realize that the way her damp curls cling to her face like a lover has me unreasonably jealous? Just when I thought the final blow was over, she turns around and I get this unbelievably gorgeous sight of her leaning in my direction. Her lips, glittering from her swim, pucker up ever so slightly as she sent a little kiss my way. Oh, little one, if only you knew what you do to me.
Haruka gripped the poor buoy till her knuckles turned white. That little display turned her on much more than she felt comfortable with.
I hope I don't conduct all my sexual tension through the water and kill someone.
Grr.
--
A lone figure stood in the middle of the stage.
The exuding melody was soft and soothing. Almost like a haunting lullaby. Suddenly, the notes lifted reproachfully, almost like a nagging mother. Angrily, they plucked at Haruka's soul.
It was like Michiru's recent bad mood, Haruka realized.
Then, after a moment, the crystal clear notes slowed. As if her anger was soothed after reaching its climax. Haruka seethed at the unknown person who had the power to do that to Michiru. The melody slowly became peaceful. Somehow giving the impression of satisfaction. The violinist was poised beautifully on the stage above her audience and Haruka, lending a feeling of unattainability. Haruka pressed both palms into the armrest. Michiru's face was tranquil as the music soared. Knowing Michiru, her pieces are rarely without meaning.
There's that cute little knot on her forehead when she concentrates on her playing.
Try as she might, the song ended before Haruka could conclude anything. Confused, she stood up with the rest of the crowd and threw a lone red carnation on the stage as she joined their thundering applause. Pushing the thought of what's disturbing the aqua violinist to the back of her head, she smiled and congratulated Michiru mentally as their gazes met.
Bravo, my dear.
--
Michiru smiled and sighed with relief as she uncharacteristically flopped with an unusual lack of grace on her bed. The crowd enjoyed her music. The notes flowed clearly from her hand but her mind still felt clouded. She toyed with the carnation. In her mind's eye, she saw Haruka smile winningly from the front row earlier that evening.
Ahh...
She had felt her heart pumping with adrenaline, and something else, as she smiled back at the handsome tuxedo-clad blond.
The phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hello, good evening. Is there a Kaioh Michiru there?"
The voice was familiar, the caller was obviously in good spirits. Michiru smiled.
"Usagi-chan, how's the engagement moving along? Has anything been finalized?"
"Michiru-san!" Usagi replied with a squeal more befitting a 15-year old than herself.
"I missed you! I'm sorry I didn't call earlier about the engagement. You see... I lost my cell... anndd... err... phone book... and... ermm... writee..."
Michiru had to chuckle lightly at Usagi's clumsy attempts to explain. Usagi was really an Odango-atama sometimes, as Haruka insists.
"Let me guess. You lost your phone, looked for my number in your phone book, but couldn't read a word of your own writing. Am I right?"
"Wow. Yeah." She was, for once speechless. "Michiru-san, you are awesome." she said in an awe-filled voice.
"Ara, I know you too well Usagi-chan. So, when is the big day? We will come over for the reception. I know Mamo-chan's family is very traditional. Does that mean the wedding ceremony will be the traditional Shinto style?"
"Well, I'm not sure. But it's actually not for another half year at least. The date isn't concrete. I'll definitely call you when I know! No use worrying now!" A teasing giggle. "By the way, how is Haruka-chan doing?"
Michiru's thoughts immediately chugged to the toned body she was admiring earlier that day. Well, that wasn't necessarily the best idea ever. You see, after that, Michiru's train of thought completely derailed. As she clumsily tried to form a clever reply, all that came out was an over-dramatic...
"Huh?"
Usagi giggled delightfully. "My God Michiru-chan. You become a bimbo when it comes to Haruka-san. Do you love her?"
The aforementioned train hit a big, hard brick wall. "No way! It's probably just lust Usagi-chan. Haruka has been my friend for too long."
In lust definitely... In love?
"Come on Michi! Who are you kidding? You are in lust and in love. Who wouldn't be? Well, in lust anyway.. Haruka-chan IS very good looking!"
"Oh please! As if she isn't cocky enough. She flirts with half the female population!"
A bark of laughter ,"You're just jealous."
Disinterestedly, "No, I'm not. I just think it's inappropriate."
Does she really like women falling at her feet that much? Am I just one of them?
Michiru's heart clenched.
Usagi continued questioning, oblivious to the dilemma in Michiru's heart. "Okay, to prove my point. What was the first thing that entered your mind when I mentioned her just now?"
Michiru could hear the challenge in the odango-ed blond's voice. For a moment, she considered not answering. However, that would only prove her right. Michiru sighed.
"I was thinking of earlier this morning when we went swimming."
"What was the color of her swimsuit?"
Michiru was startled.
Holy mermaids and King Triton.
She racked her brain. Usually she noticed all these kind of things. It was her artist's eye.
Oh my god. I can't believe I was so busy staring at her I didn't notice the color of her suit.
Usagi began to giggle unflappably. Michiru frowned.
"That proves nothing. I'm a little physically attracted to her. So?"
Usagi was laughing full out now.
Great. I'm a laughing stock because of that blond.
Usagi's voice suddenly took on an impressed tone.
"By the way, how DID you get her into a swimsuit anyways?"
--
"For the love of Santa Claus and his bloody reindeers, shut the hell up! I'm trying to pot the damned ball!"
"Okay okay... No need to get so freaking worked up."
The black ball hit the jaw of the cushion before rolling in the pocket.
"Oooh. close one!"
"Seiya! Shut up!"
Haruka sent a mental thank you to Yaten.
Seiya grumbled and shrugged, "Hey! I was just calling it as I see it!"
Haruka had enough. She straightened up to her full height, her green eyes now almost a thundering gray. Exuding power and authority, she growled audibly. Her lips were pulled back into a sneer, revealing straight white teeth. Looking ever so sleek in her tan suit, she seemed like a wild panther to the Kou.
Yaiii... Seiya flinched inwardly. Boardroom meetings in their company usually proceeded smoothly with the blond CEO in attendance. However, being Haruka's friend and a person who never backs down from a challenge, Seiya jumped to his feet. Gripping his snooker cue with white knuckles, he snarled right back.
"He is right, you know." Taiki called out from where he sat, legs crossed elegantly in a chair. "No good comes from distracting your own partner."
"Speaking of distracted, what's wrong with you? Easy shots have been played badly. Sitting down gloomily and almost missing your turn. Snapping at Seiya. Oh wait, that doesn't count." Yaten smirked as they both began to calm down. He was still curious. And truth be told, a little worried about his friend. The petite platinum blond tossed his ponytail behind his shoulder and took his place at the table. "Well, spit it out."
"It's Michiru." Haruka replied.
"Michiru!" Seiya replied at the same time, finding childish delight in cornering his friend.
The glaring contest started again.
"Seiya really, shut up so we can hear the rest of it." Taiki warned.
Haruka sighed. What to say? The truth. Her mind told her. Well, it is easier than thinking of an excuse. She conceded.
"I'm worried about Michiru." The blond said frankly. Haruka ran her fingers through her short hair and shifted to find a comfortable spot in the lounge chair. Crossing her legs at the ankles, she waited for the Kou brothers to settle down.
Sighing, Haruka told them of Michiru's seemingly bad mood while leaving her own personal thoughts out. She had planned on examining them later.
"The reason I was distracted, was because I was trying to find a way to cheer her up."
I'll leave out the swimming part. I'll never hear the end of it from Seiya.
"She seemed like she was in a better mood this morning. Though I feel like there's something still bothering her. Maybe you guys can help me think of a way to lift her mood. It seems to be affecting her paintings as well."
All four of them sat silently, pondering. Game forgotten, they wracked their brain for ideas.
Well, stranger things have happened. One of the servers working at the bar by the snooker tables mused. He looked over at the four, usually loud and noisy men in suits sitting quietly with hardly any movement. The black pony tailed one anyway... The others aren't usually that noisy. He glanced at their table in the corner of his eye, and shrugged. Maybe makes people go crazy in the head.
"You could get her a pet." Taiki suggested logically.
"A pet could be the perfect playmate, something to get her mind of her worries. I can't believe I didn't think of that." Yaten looked disgusted with himself.
Haruka rolled the idea around in her head. Hmm, possibilities..
"Assuming I get her one, what's it gonna be?"
"A pet! Weren't you listening?" Seiya rolled his eyes.
"I know that you asshat!" Haruka turned flashing green eyes into his direction.
"What I meant was, what species?" Haruka gritted her teeth. Control. Don't fracture your CIO's arms and legs. No matter how much you want to. Control.
Taiki and Yaten rolled their eyes.
"A dog." They answered simultaneously. "They are good companions. Plus, they help keep your loved ones safe," said Yaten as he grinned mischievously at Haruka.
"Labrador?" Haruka decided to ignore them for now.
"German Shepherd? They might make good guard dogs."
"Pug? Chihuahua? Paris Hilton ha..." The rest of them glared at Seiya who threw his hands up.
"Hey, but what if she doesn't like dogs?" Seiya countered.
Good grief. All of them executives of their own respective companies. None of them, I repeat. None of them, thought of that. I must be really tired, Haruka realized. My brain is working at half speed.
"Besides, I can't imagine Michiru with a pug," Taiki chuckled gracefully.
All four of them imagined. And started hollering with laughter.
To be continued.
--
Red carnation could either mean admiration or "my heart aches for you"
Note: Thanks to those to wished me luck for my finals. I think I did pretty well and not so well. Also, big thanks to those who welcomed me back. I'm glad you remembered me. As well as my penchant for notoriously slow updates.
RukaMichi92: Well, Haruka sometimes refers to Michiru as "love" as a term of endearment. I love it how it seems so intimate but those two take it for granted and are so blind to each other. Okay, I'm biased haha.
YinYangTwin1: Haruka in a bikini? Why not? Rawr. Good luck for your finals as well. Though it's probably over by now. I can totally sympathize with the horror of studying.
Black Caballiere: I'm really sorry about the confusion between the POV. I thought I made the transition clear enough, with little indicators along the way. Sometimes, there is a reason why I chose to write it that way.
Krugern: I'm glad you like the "hot club scene". I tried to make it as "hot" as possible. I was sweating as I wrote it (with the intention to make you guys sweat as well). Though, it may be because I turned off the fan lawl.
Much appreciation to those who reviewed. Until next chapter!