Happy Valentine, everyone! (Handing you heart shaped cookies) I hope you all blessed by a lot of loves everyday :D
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The next day Haruka decided to spend her morning jog along the coast. The sun hasn't risen yet. Bringing the kitten along, the blond set her favorite music on her playlist while running along the coast waiting the sunrise came.
"I haven't named you yet." Haruka talked to the cat while putting the cat in her usual place. Beneath Haruka's half zipped up jacket.
Paying attention to the sea, Haruka spotted something was moving toward the shore. It swam and apparently had hands and feet.
A person.
Who would swim really early in the morning when the sky still dark outside? Perhaps someone who is out of their mind or perhaps a mermaid from the fairytale. Haruka grinned on her later thought.
The person emerged from the sea. The sight made Haruka's jaw drop.
"Michiru." The blond felt heat spread around her face.
Michiru was naked and wet.
She quickly turned around to give the naked woman her privacy.
"I saw you, Haruka…" Michiru greeted the blond, "Good morning. Although the sun hasn't up yet." Michiru noted.
Expecting Michiru had put some garments on her body this time, Haruka turned around, "Good mor- what the hell." Michiru was still naked. The blond kept her eyes covered with both hands.
"Seriously, Haruka… it's not like you never witnessed me in similar state before."
That was 8 years ago and they both had been 5 grade students. "Exactly. That's why I knew the differences." Haruka emphasized her words with still covering her eyes.
"Really? Then, does my body seem so awful for you until you close your eyes like that?" There was hurt in her voice. Unfortunately Haruka failed to detect playful tease too inside Michiru's words.
Who insane enough to tell that kind of figure was awful? "No… no, your body is fine!"
"Just fine?" Amused tone.
"Fine! Beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful, amazing, your body is eighth wonder of the world!"
A giggle and then Haruka could feel Michiru stepping closer.
"You can look… the eighth wonder of the world." Slowly, Michiru placed her hand on Haruka's. The aqua haired woman pried opened the covering fingers carefully. Haruka wanted to hide a little bit longer since she was sure her face had turned awfully red like an apple by now. She thanked whatever deities above as now Michiru had finally put on a towel covering her glorious state.
She saw Michiru's smile for the first time in last two days since 8 years ago, "I don't remember you are so prude, Haruka. I'm sure you have seen naked women before… I guess more than once."
How Haruka had been missing playful and teasing remarks from her best friend. In addition, how the smile undoubtedly could turn every dolphin into idiot.
"Not yours." The blond sighed. They both were again trapped in silence. This time though, Haruka was enjoying it.
"How is your cat?" Michiru decided to open a conversation.
"I haven't named her yet… cannot think any good one."
"Make up things like that, we were good at that… we used to do that right? Let me help you." Michiru suggested. This morning, Haruka felt she finally encountered with Kaioh Michiru she had been missing in years. "You are Michiru." Haruka said with unsure tone.
Michiru stare back at Haruka as if she had said something dumb, "Of course I am."
"I don't understand why you acted ice queen on me last time and last time too…" Haruka referred to their two previous meetings.
Haruka thought Michiru would never reply but then the other woman spoke up, "… It's because your comeback is so sudden Haruka. I thought I am ready, but you come without knocking and I don't want you to see me… off guard, you've caught me both here and in the university. I should've calculated that possibility, but still…" Michiru breathed. "After hours swimming, I think I've come to peace term about you being here…" Michiru came to the end of her explanation.
Haruka still had few questions but she would let it to rest for now. She gave a thin smile of understanding, perhaps Haruka should learn about this knocking thing next time.
Their attention then went back to the white cat.
"You find this white fur ball kitten at night, when it's full moon."
Haruka nodded, "I don't want to give her a name like moonball or white moon. It's too cheesy."
"You find it under the cliff right there… do you know what the cliff was named?"'
Haruka shrugged, as far as she recalled, the cliff was nameless.
"We named it crescent cliff… considering the sphere shape of the stone forming it. We named it 5 years ago, you have moved away…" Michiru noted.
"How about Luna?" Haruka had an idea. The cat then peeked out under Haruka's jacket.
"She likes it." Michiru smiled, "Hey Luna… nice to meet you."
"Meow."
"She likes you too." Haruka stared at the sudden change of attitude from the cat. It turned more spoiled around the aqua haired woman.
"That would be an honor. She is cute cat."
"Speaking about cute… what were you thinking, swimming on the sea while the sky still dark?" Haruka gave Michiru a cue to talk about herself.
"It's my routine. I swim every day… morning, day, night… when I met you 2 days ago, I just finished my night swimming routine." Michiru replied. "I am from art department but they categorize me as royalty since I am a prodigy in 4 fields. Art, Sport, Science, and literature."
Haruka frowned, "I thought we have only 3 departments."
"The literature department was originally standalone until it was merged in with art department."
"You are genius in every field." Haruka rephrased.
"I enjoy swimming keenly, also with painting, reading, and studying. I had no expectation to be called prodigy."
"Do they know that you are an idiot in sculpting dragon and an expert in creating new version of hello kitty?" Haruka's joke earned a light slap from Michiru on her shoulder. The aqua haired woman laughed, "It was 8 years ago, Haruka. I can sculpt a real dragon with clay now… in fact, there are my several creations in art department gallery."
"I'm not surprised." Haruka felt happy for her friend. Time really went by fast.
"How about you? Why you late entering college?" This time Michiru asked. It was a way for both of them to catch up.
Haruka felt suddenly uncomfortable, "well… thing happened. An accident." Haruka rolled up her sleeve jacket and revealing old scars which started along her wrist until her upper arm. "I was unconscious for about 2 weeks and missed graduation exam. I must retake the high school exam."
Michiru's gaze stayed fix on the ugly scars, for the moment Haruka felt Michiru was angry but then when the aqua haired woman looked up she only caught sadness.
"I didn't know that."
Haruka smiled, "Sure you didn't. That time, my sister was really out of her mind. She barely capable to think anything beside me… she became mess inside her mind and abandoned some of her researches. Basically it was my fault for sneakily riding a motorcycle without her knowledge." She stopped her story when Michiru placed a hand on her scarred shaking arm.
"You are shaking, are you cold?" Michiru asked.
If she said yes, it would be a lie. The summer morning was actually warm enough… even wearing a long sleeve shirt would be overkill in the weather like this.
"No." Haruka answered. "Keep holding me like that and maybe it will stop shaking." Haruka said it with a joke but the other woman seemed aware of Haruka's vulnerability.
"Okay, I got you." Michiru held Haruka's hands until the sun rose on the east.
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When Haruka finished her afternoon class, the blond found Makoto was waiting her outside the class. The tall brunette was leaning against a wall with her trademark gentle smile. "Hey, Haruka."
Haruka nodded for reply, "what are you doing?"
"Picking you up. Minako asked me this morning and giving me your class schedule for whole week." The royalty showed Haruka a paper that contained Haruka's list taken subjects.
"How?"
"We are royalties… remember? As part of the university's system, we were given access to student's information. It's easy to access your class schedule." Makoto explained and then gestured at Haruka to follow her. "We will go to the tower."
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Moon clock tower where the prodigies called royalties, gathered and worked their duty was a high old clock tower that looked like just come out from Harry Potter's book. The tower's difference with the one in Hogwarts was some perky flowers graffiti on its wall. Haruka noticed the graffiti was new.
"Minako…" Makoto said as if she heard Haruka's wondering thought. The drawings were so perky that made Haruka undoubtedly believe it was all the blond royalty's doing. "We are residents on the top floor." Makoto pointed steep stairs.
"It won't move around, right?" Haruka gulped looking at the stairs.
"What is this? Hogwarts?" Makoto chuckled. "Don't worry, the stairs almost never been used anymore. Over here, we have more convenience way to reach the top floor." Makoto pressed the up button.
Elevator. Of course.
"The others are waiting. Minako insists to bring you up here and hold a party… she really loves it." The elevator door opened. It was modern style and really stood out with the old style rustic building.
"I really rarely join them in that room. Today is an exception. I hope you will stir something to those royalties." Makoto winked.
When the elevator opened again, Haruka immediately saw a red door at the end of the hallway.
"That's our room, well… the only room in this tower. The room is usually called the velvet room."
When Makoto was about to open the door, a guy exited the room in hurry. His face was pale and his dark hair was a mess. There were dark circles under his bloodshot eyes.
Haruka came to understanding about the room's name. the red door wasn't the sole reason why it was called velvet room. Inside the room, the floor was all covered by red carpet and there were 5 red desks which had been arranged like star shape. The one desk near the window which located furthest away from the front door was occupied by Kaioh Michiru. On her left was Ami and her right was Minako. Haruka watched Makoto went to her desk on the right near the door, which left the desk on Haruka's left was Rei's. She took her time looking at the room decoration. On the wall there were some works from art department. Around Ami's desk, the atmosphere of science department was stronger. It strengthened by a library on the attic which was connected by a ladder. There were several trophies some championships from sports department and utilities that Haruka was sure belonged to sports students. The room reminded Haruka to student council room, only it was much larger and located 150 feet above the ground.
"Was that guy our new assignment?" Makoto asked. "He is a guy from science department, right?" Now Makoto's gaze rested on Ami who kept concentrating on her microscope.
"Yes. Motoki Ueno. His grade is falling quite impressively…" Minako read the information she got.
"What his reasoning?"
"Upcoming essay, he said… but I guess he isn't really good to work under the pressure. That guy looks awful, he never gets good sleep at night." Minako explained again.
Haruka caught Luna slipped out from under Minako's desk. The kitten ran directly toward Haruka.
"She misses you so bad." Minako smiled, watching Haruka's interaction with her cat.
"Badly… you should pay attention on using your adverb, Minako…" Ami corrected.
Makoto laughed, Rei snorted and Minako rolled her eyes, "Fine, Miss Adverb!"
Haruka found Michiru was the only one who kept neutral reaction. She had her back on Haruka. The aqua haired prodigy was setting her gaze on scenery outside.
"Michiru, we will hold a party, until when you keep looking outside like that?" Minako approached Michiru and tapped her shoulder. "We have done watching when Haruka finished her marathon exam, right?" Minako winked.
Haruka heard that part. The blond indeed had marathon exam today.
Makoto seemed joining Minako's play on tease, "yea, Michiru said you are holding back. You could've run faster and break record in that distance."
Haruka blushed and she wasn't alone to do that.
"That's enough." Ami cut in. Haruka guessed, the blue haired woman had gotten used to playing as referee. "Minako, now Haruka is here. What kind of party you're planning on?"
"The party is us, Ami… don't you see." Minako spread her arms. "We will promote Haruka to be our knight and join the party!"
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"You are crazy." Makoto reacted first.
"Nonsense." Ami followed.
Michiru nodded, sharing agreement with her two other friends.
Haruka heard a yawn from Rei. The blond wondered if those 5 women always had this kind of dynamic around them.
"Why we are known as royalties in first place if we even don't have a butler or a maid to serve us!" Minako started her argument.
Haruka took a step back, it seemed she was being put to difficult situation. She could just walk away from the room and went home. Her initial purpose to retrieve Luna back had accomplished.
"Wait, Haruka. Here, sit… I know I won't get their agreement in first conversation." The perky blond royalty pulled a chair for Haruka.
"Minako… I think it's not a good idea. I don't want to get into your business as 'royalty' or whatever." Haruka sighed. Michiru smiled a little on Haruka's words. Her eyes were delivering a message to Haruka to be patient and let Minako do the speech.
Haruka and Michiru couldn't do telepath. It just Haruka could understand what kind of message Michiru wanted to say to her through her expression.
Then Haruka sat, believing Michiru would've liked her to listen to Minako.
"You won't do cleaning or cooking, I promise." Minako turned to Haruka, assuring the blond about the plan. Haruka still not interested.
"We prodigies are royalties. Our duty is set the problematic student back on track so they will not get drop out. However, our biggest problem along this time is… they are avoiding us like a plague!" Minako said her last words with higher speech. Like doing an opera, her hands were moving around dramatically.
Receiving no reaction, Minako continued her speech. "Haruka had potential to be a royalty… only, she is a freshman… I knew, such a waste."
Haruka was about to protest but Minako then raising her hand and pointing directly toward Haruka. Minako's face hovered dangerously close from Haruka's nose. "Haruka,"
"Yes?"
"You have really big heart… a very selfless one on top of that."
Haruka didn't feel like she was a nice person. In the past she had hurt so many people.
Minako narrowed her eyes, "you can't see it but I can."
Michiru cleared her throat. The gesture made Minako grin and stepped back from Haruka. The cerulean eyes were throwing a challenge glare at everyone in the room except Rei. The raven haired woman appeared to be sleeping.
"We need a spy to get information we need. A front soldier… invisible and reliable."
Now Ami looked considering Minako's argument. "She has a point." Ami nodded. "But, Haruka still has no idea about how we are working."
"A little training, she can do that." Minako did a little jig when Ami acknowledged her presentation.
"Whoa, wait there… Juliet." Makoto cut in. "She isn't a royalty… and I don't see any regulations that allow us gaining outsider help."
"Actually…" Ami took over Minako's answer. Seemed the perky blond had done much preparation for bringing her in. "There is no regulation that forbid it either."
"Gray area, which perfectly white for me!" A fist ball on the air, Minako offered a hand toward Haruka.
"So, 2 votes yes… Makoto? No… Michiru? How about you?"
The aqua haired royalty bit her bottom lip, thinking about Haruka's involvement would certainly increasing her chance to see her more.
But Michiru shook her head, "No… I don't share your opinion, Minako."
Minako shrugged, "okay… Rei is sleeping… count her as abstain. We are draw in the votes."
Haruka raised her hand, "Do I have a voice over this matter? Since you all are debating over me as if I weren't here."
The room occupants were exchanging glances.
"Minako, I'm grateful that you see me very positively… but trust me. I'm not a person you think I am. I'm not that nice and brave, and honestly, this kind of job would be pretty handful for me…" Haruka's speech was cut when Rei stiffled a yawn.
"I can't do it. Don't count me in." Haruka finally said and got up from her chair.
No one stopped her from walking out the red door this time. Only a pair of amethyst eyes that kept observing Haruka until she disappeared behind the door.
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"What do you think, Luna?" Haruka patted the white kitten in her arms. The cat seemed looking at Haruka full of concern too. "No, I don't need your pity." Haruka chuckled. The last thing she wanted was getting a pity from a kitty. That one at least rhymed.
On her way to parking lot where she had parked her bike, Haruka caught a guy was standing behind the building while banging his own head on to the wall.
"What? What is he doing there?" Haruka didn't want any trouble, but if a person kept banging his head on concrete wall, the next sight wouldn't be pretty. And she was right.
The wall began to get tainted with blood. Haruka's eyes widened and then rushed to the crazy guy. "Hey! Hey! Stop that!" Haruka grabbed his collar and managed to pull him away from the wall. "What are you doing? Do you want to die?" Haruka was sure the guy was a suicidal. No one in their right mind would've hurt themselves.
The guy's face was bruised and covered with blood. However, the blond recognized the guy's face as the student who had exited the royalty room when she about entered with Makoto. Haruka recalled his name.
"Motoki Ueno…"
The guy's eyes fluttered open but his pupils were dilated. "The hell you know my name… a piece of trash like me…?"
Haruka gulped. Perhaps she needed to call for help but the area was overall quiet. Only people who brought a motorcycle would go to the isolated area in this part of university. "Let's get your head checked out. Do you have anyone I can call?" Haruka sighed, the guy in fact needed hospital. Above all that, he needed help for his current mental condition.
"Get away from me!" He struggled and pushed Haruka away. They both dropped to the pavement. Motoki was the first who snapped out from their fall and then ran away from Haruka. "Get away.. get away…" He kept muttering incoherent words.
"Wait!" Haruka got up. Her elbow scratched the pavement when she was falling but it was the least of her worries. After checking Luna was alright, she chased the Motoki guy.
There was trail of blood, it wouldn't be hard to locate where the guy had gone. Haruka's chase ended in front of a laboratory's door. The door needed an access card to enter. The blond didn't have it since she was from sport department.
"Damn…" Haruka finally gave up her vain chasing. She got back to the parking lot to retrieve Luna.
Her white cat was gone… for countless time in a day, Haruka cursed herself. She should've brought Luna with her…
"Luna… Luna…" Haruka called her cat while circling the entire parking lot. She searched behind the bush until above the tree, there wasn't a clue of Luna's whereabouts.
When the blond was looking from under the bikes, she caught with a familiar voice. "Haruka…"
The blond looked up. It was Michiru who was also holding Luna in her arm. The cat was okay and Haruka quickly reached out to get her cat.
"What happened?" Minako asked. Now Haruka noticed that Michiru had come together with the other four royalties' members.
"There's blood!" Makoto's voice shouted from the spot Haruka had intervened Motoki.
Michiru stayed near Haruka, her eyes were searching on Haruka, "Luna suddenly appeared in front of our door. Minako thought the cat was thirsty but then she led us to this place." Rei unexpectedly again, became the one who did the explanation.
"I saw that Motoki guy…" Haruka replied. "He kept banging his head over the wall at there until his head was bleeding. I tried to stop him but then he freaked out and ran away. I chased him, he entered a laboratory in science department. It needs a card to get in. I don't have it." Haruka was still out of breath after a long chase and her effort finding her cat. So, she explained the incident with brief sentences.
Rei suddenly grabbed Haruka's arm and lifted it up, exposing Haruka's injured elbow. "She hurts here…" Rei said to Michiru who also seemed surprised as well. The raven haired girl then took out first band aid from her pocket. "I have more of these… which one do you like?"
Now Haruka was totally crept out. Rei appeared to be a nice girl but she was so weird.
"I assume you like the mermaid one then. It's the popular pattern this year." Rei murmured and applied it on Haruka's elbow. While letting her arms getting twisted by Rei, Haruka's eyes wandered to Michiru.
Their gaze met.
And time stopped.
Until Minako sneezed loudly. "Can we go inside please? It's sure is windy here." The blond royalty brushed her red nose. Rei threw a glare when Makoto was face palming.
"Haruka, you said that Motoki got inside a laboratory, right? I can get in and check for his condition." Ami finally spoke up.
"… but don't go there by yourself… the guy is insane."
"All the royalties could get access to each door in this university… for your information." Minako winked but then she sneezed again.
Rei had finished with Haruka's elbow and then followed Ami to the science department.
Michiru brushed Haruka's arm briefly, "Go home. We will deal for the rest." The aqua haired woman let her gaze stayed a bit longer on Haruka's before completely turned around and joined her friends.
Luna got relaxed in Haruka's hands. While looking at the cat's sleeping form, the blonde's mind wandered to Motoki's desperate face and Minako's offer back in Moon clock tower.
Her mind was again in turmoil.
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AN: Thanks for reading and reviews. This will be a long ride and the mystery just began. For question from Ami, it's yes. This would be all Haruka's POV as she is the only one who has fresh/new eyes regarding the (ehem) town and people. So, I hope you enjoy this chapter and have a nice day! I love you all :P