The last few chapters have been hard, let's have a little fluff ;)
.
.
Ami and Makoto would join them shortly after Naru had been calmed down. They gathered in hospital lounge which by Ami's request which was arranged so it would be only preoccupied by them. Ami confessed that it was her time to abuse the privilege, but no one was complaining. The longue was a nice place to get rest after a long day.
"You know… I've been thinking about it. You two are awesome." Minako chipped in. Each of them was holding a plastic cup of coffee and sat on a comfy red couch.
Michiru and Haruka dumbfounded. Haruka's head was on Michiru's lap while her wounded arm rested on the couch pillow. They both had been clueless that they filled the room's atmosphere with intimate tension. Minako itched to point out that but also was nice enough to hold it back in.
"The way you two protect each other. Haruka caught that woman's slap for Michiru and Michiru did the other way around… I think only people with very amazing chemistry can pull trick like that. What a teamwork!" Minako cheered.
Both women blushed at the same time. Haruka covered her face, shifting her head and wondering if she should change her head position on Michiru's lap while Michiru cleared her throat, hands keeping Haruka stay on her position. The tension now became awkward.
Minako earned a light slap on the back of her head from Rei. "Ouch!"
"Don't mind her." Rei said and then pulled Minako up with her. "We both would check on Ami and Makoto. They both take so long. Let's go, Minako!" Rei dragged the perky blond with her.
"What? No, I haven't finished my coffee." Minako tried to escape from Rei but the raven haired royalty apparently had few secret techniques to make Minako go with her.
The lounge door closed, leaving only Michiru and Haruka inside.
They both had already fallen on awkward situation. Michiru tried to loosen the tension, "Thanks, I guess."
"What for?" Haruka asked back.
Michiru pursed her lips, "Catching a slap for me."
"Anytime… you too. Your glare and what you said to Osaka Naru just now has grown me Goosebumps." Haruka chuckled.
"You always try to save everyone, don't you." Michiru sighed. She tried to talk out the things that had been bugging her mind.
"I'm still not a nice person." Haruka shrugged. "You don't know me with what I have done in the past."
"You turn out great." Michiru assured.
"I'm not proud of who I was… but I'm glad that you think I am now great." Haruka couldn't stand Michiru's eyes on her. "I'm still trying to be that person you met 8 years ago."
Michiru frowned, "You haven't changed."
"I have, a lot. Great deal lots… and I'm sure you have too."
Michiru seemed thinking and processed Haruka's words. "I change, yes. But there's not much change about the way I feel about you even after 8 years."
Michiru's words turned Haruka's head. No, the aqua haired royalty didn't mean that… suddenly, the blond felt panic and fear.
"I'm scared losing you." Michiru continued. Her hand brushed Haruka's hair gently. "I almost lost you once… perhaps twice if I count your past accident that I didn't know." Michiru let her gaze lingered longer on Haruka's face. "It scared me and like all of your fears… it's my only biggest fear until today."
"But you've let me go." Haruka referred to the event 8 years ago. Michiru was suddenly disappeared after Haruka told her she would move away to another town that summer. The blond was waiting Michiru at their usual hang out spot but the aqua haired girl never showed up at their last appointment.
"You will go away?" The aqua haired girl asked. Haruka didn't dare to see the other girl's expression. The soft sand beneath her feet was never enough for her distraction in this conversation.
"Yes… I don't want to." Haruka took a peek to Michiru and then regretted at once. The most beautiful pair of orbs Haruka had secretly treasured now was turning into pool of tears. The tears turned to waterfall.
"But… My happy ending is with you." Michiru sobbed.
Haruka followed the suit, her cry broke out and the blond hugged Michiru. "I'm sorry… let's meet tomorrow and we will go somewhere together." Haruka suddenly had an idea.
"… what do you mean?"
"Let's go somewhere together! We can build our own castle and get dragons to slay!"
The blond's excitement didn't transpire onto Michiru this time.
"Let's meet here tomorrow." The blond gave a final hug to the aqua haired girl and took off before the sun set.
It was their final meetings with each other before 8 years later they met under the similar sunset.
"I know you'll be back. I haven't expected it to be whole 8 years. I wanted you to be the one who find me. So, I've been waiting here. I am that selfish." Michiru smiled. "However as the time went on I was overwhelmed by many illogical fears about you. I was scared you forgot about me. I was scared you hated me. I was scared I have changed too much that when we would meet again, you won't recognize me as your summer friend anymore. I had so many fears. They all had been blocking me away to you. What you must remember about me now, Haruka… I never and I will never be the one who let go…us." She emphasized her last sentence.
Michiru never let her go… Haruka smiled. A little closure behind Michiru's action that had broken her heart now slowly rebuilt Haruka's hope back. "Is that a confession?" Haruka teased.
"What about you?" Michiru asked Haruka.
The blond sure had to find a way to explain about her circumstances to the aqua haired royalty. Michiru didn't deserve anything but the truth.
"Some occasions, I will dream about the same summers. When I got that dream, I knew I was having very good dream." Haruka answered. "It was full of princesses and dragons. They fight until the castle turns into ruin… they fight to seek happiness. Ever after."
Michiru also recalled back their sweet memories together, summer 8 years ago. "How are the princesses doing now?"
"They were separated once but then reunited and found each other again, they are older but stronger." Haruka told the newest version.
Michiru raised an eyebrow, they would do that game. It had been a long time. "Really? That sounds cliché."
"They are still slaying dragons. Princesses who slay dragon will never be cliché." Haruka defended her plot. "Also don't forget about your hello kitty dragon." Haruka winked.
They both laughed… they both felt 10 years old all over again.
.
.
There was something that had been bugging Haruka about Motoki's case. From the profile description, Motoki was a bright guy that always stayed positive no matter difficult the challenge was.
"We found this in his hospital room." Rei said. Ami and Makoto had joined them in the break room after coincidentally she and Michiru just finished making up with each other. "An envelope without a letter."
It was a blue sky envelope, Haruka reached out to have a look. There were some letters on the back of the envelope.
"Secret of Sea…" Ami read it. "What does that supposed to mean?" The blue haired girl always frustrated everytime she encountered something she didn't understand.
"You don't remember? Motoki said about it before he jumped." Haruka now was throwing a look at Ami. It hadn't been only her imagination.
"I… I apologize. I was too busy holding you down. If I hadn't you could've tried jumping together with him… or so I feared." Ami lowered her head. The rest of the royalties were now looking at Haruka's direction with same understanding eyes.
"I wouldn't!" Haruka felt somehow cornered. Ami was right, she could've done something crazy. She sighed. When Haruka was about to tell Motoki's words, another interruption came.
"Is Tenoh Haruka here?"
Haruka covered her face, trying to hide between Michiru and Ami. "don't tell her I'm here." She whispered.
"She is here." Michiru immediately sold Haruka out. Ami was still confused. "Haruka, she is your sister, and she is worried about you." Michiru said now stepping aside to reveal the blond to her sister.
Setsuna locked her eyes with Haruka before the garnet's eyes did observing her younger sister's condition thoroughly. The older woman let out a relief sigh and approached Haruka for a hug.
Haruka forced a grin, and buried herself with her sister's hug. The blond got nice view in Ami as the blue haired royalty's jaw dropped on the floor looking at her forever idol in front of her.
"Sis, my friends are here." Haruka said on Setsuna's ear.
"I miss you and I don't care. You really good at making trouble Haruka, and made my heart stop. I'm getting older and older…"
"Then get married!" Haruka released the hug first.
Her sister raised an index finger, "Don't you bring up that topic here!"
The older woman now realized with her surroundings. Her eyes went to the aqua haired royalty first. Haruka applauded Michiru to maintain a neutral expression under Setsuna's stare. "Thank you for calling me." Setsuna said.
Michiru only nodded. That time, Ami had gathered all the courage inside her petite body to tap Setsuna's shoulder.
"Uhm… Meioh Setsuna-san?"
Setsuna turned around and was greeted by 2 series of her book that she had been written about quantum physics. "Si-sign here, please! I'm your fan!"
Everyone in the room except Michiru and Setsuna were holding back a laugh on Ami's act. Even Makoto did a silent clap as praise for blue haired woman.
Setsuna glanced at Haruka who had a big grin all over her face. "You have interesting friends Haruka. This is the first time your friend is my fan and not yours." Setsuna picked up the pen and the books from Ami. "What's your name?"
"Mizuno Ami."
"Wait… Mizuno Ami that writes to me sometimes ago about the latest research in dimension probability?"
Ami lit up, "You read it!"
"Of course I never let out a single message unread. You are one young brilliant researcher!" A praise from Setsuna made Ami turned into a puddle.
Haruka rolled her eyes, now they had 2 geeks inside the room. Setsuna winked at her direction, "I like her." She mouthed. Haruka sighed, "yeah, whatever."
.
.
Haruka got one day sick leave and few days' permission to not participate in strenuous physical activities. The blond disliked that since Setsuna took advantage from her in home.
"This is like taking care a 10 years old all over again." Setsuna smiled. No annoyed tone and whining. Haruka almost believed Setsuna really missed it. Living together under the same roof. "I didn't ask you to come."
Setsuna slapped her back, "You will react the same as I do when the opposite circumstances happened."
Her sister had a point. "I won't pamper you too much. It's just one arm and you giving me a treatment like I am an invalid." Haruka rolled her eyes. She was watching her sister moving around the unpacked boxes. Ever since Haruka settled in, her things hadn't really settled appropriately yet. When Setsuna arrived and witnessing a world war three in the house, she immediately got on her feet and did some arranging with Haruka's things. "This is so disgusting in here! Where's your cute cat?"
"You ask about her every 10 minutes. She is under the cabinet there, just watch your feet."
Setsuna only approved on Luna, out of all new things Haruka had in her new life. The older woman was questioning the royalties system in Haruka's school. She immediately disliked it and had been asking Haruka to get out from that weird organization. It smelled so much trouble when Haruka wouldn't get anything in turn.
"You always see everything in black and white." Haruka tried to explain. The blond was actually using Setsuna's words that once had been used to lecture her. "For me, the royalties had so many colors aside the monochrome… they are the last hope."
Setsuna's hands on her waist, the older woman was holding a rug and cleaning the kitchen cabinet. The place where surely Haruka wasn't giving a care a little bit. "You should hear yourself talking. You sound like you are into a weird faction or sect or something else."
"Don't you ever feel you want to do something useful?"
Setsuna now threw Haruka a weird look. "That's one of my reasons to be a scientist Haruka… I want us to have a better life."
"That's what I feel about things lately. I never gave a care before… but when I saw this poor guy in desperate situation, I felt like I want to do something."
"Haruka…" Setsuna's tone was more serious. "You are not a humanitarian soldier."
"I've done bad things in the past." Haruka replied.
"Which isn't your responsibility to fix it by helping every stray cat on this earth!" Setsuna recountered.
"You like Luna."
"You know that's not my point." Setsuna's hand dropped, now she put her hands inside the pocket. "What you are doing now with these royalties… and Kaioh Michiru…" There was something in Setsuna's tone when she mentioned Michiru's name. "…is something dangerous both psychologically and physically."
Haruka opened her mouth but Setsuna kept talking. "The thunder and the rain, Haruka!" Setsuna reminded her blond sister. Haruka threw her face away, avoiding her sister's gaze.
"I get it. You will never understand no matter how I explain things to you!" Haruka got up and stormed out from the house. She needed time alone… somewhere without having her sister telling every fears Haruka had in life.
.
Haruka put on her helmet and opened the gate. She was surprised when there was someone standing in front of the house. The most unexpected person Haruka thought would see her.
"Osaka Naru…"
The woman looked up, flashing a thin smile. "Tenoh Haruka-san… I apologize to come without early notice. Ami said I can meet you here."
Haruka was still shocked that she forgot to let the woman inside. "Of course. Wait, let's get inside."
Osaka Naru was very different woman compared to a girl Haruka had been witnessing struggling in front of the morgue. She wasn't wearing a labcoat today, instead she wore a strapless black dress under a gray sweater. The woman was beautiful and classy although she only applied a thin layer of makeup. "No, I won't be long…" She refused Haruka's invitation to enter the house.
The woman brought a black suitcase which was very unfitting. "How can I help you?"
Naru took a deep breath, "Motoki's funeral will be held tomorrow. Would you come?"
Haruka nodded. She had a plan with her royalty friends to come tomorrow.
"Great! I- I want to say sorry for my behavior the last time."
"You were sad and grieving." Haruka didn't want this to be another one blaming herself. "And you have to remember that Motoki's death is no one's fault." At least Haruka was trying to believe that. She still tried and she believed she could get over it soon.
"It's funny, Tenoh-san. I drop by because I want to say the same things to you."
Haruka listened.
"I've heard the full and detail stories from Ami. How you tried to save him… you have done everything to help him. I really am grateful for that on his behalf." Naru paused a moment, relieving a flood of memories of his ex-boyfriend. "For now, I just believe that Ueno Motoki had been long gone even before he jumped from hospital rooftop."
Those words were very painful for that woman. Haruka closed her eyes to respect Naru's moment.
"I want to give this to you." Naru handed the suitcase.
"What is this?"
"… Like I said before, for now I just believe that. However I also believe that he was better man than that. He wouldn't have gone suicidal like that if it weren't because of strong reasons." Naru motioned to the suitcase. "Inside was all Motoki's belongings from the university. I want you to find those reasons. I am a rational woman, Tenoh-san. But I believe, this way it would make peaceful soul for Motoki, I, and his family."
Naru wanted Motoki not to be a genius turned crazy guy who jumped from the rooftop. The woman wanted Haruka to find the deep reasoning behind Motoki's action. "I understand… you know that I should discuss this first with the royalties, right?"
Naru smiled more in relief, "I understand. Say my apologize to Kaioh-san and gratitude for all of them. I got the part that they just wanted to help." She sniffed. "And Tenoh-san…" Naru stared deeply at Haruka's eyes. She slowly lowered her head and then her upper body. She did 90 degrees bow for Haruka. The kind of bowing that only would be done for showing high respect to certain individuals. "Thank you."
Naru smiled and went back to her initial position. "See you tomorrow."
Haruka blushed.
.
.
When she got back inside the house, she caught Setsuna was standing near the window. From her position, the older woman could've watched and heard Haruka's conversation with Naru.
"Sis, are you…" Haruka wanted to say eavesdropping but Setsuna turned her head, looking at Haruka with an expression the blond had never seen before. She was calm and somehow…
Like mother's face.
"Haruka…" She paused. The blond couldn't believe that Setsuna perhaps had been trying to find right words to say. Until this time, her sister never struggled as for what to say to her younger sister. "Haruka…. I-I'm sorry."
Even after her accident, Setsuna never apologized. Haruka gaped in disbelief.
"I think… I understand it. Perhaps, you will keep doing this royalty thing no matter what I say… But I understand it a little bit. I cannot prevent you to be what and who you are." She smiled. Setsuna took her time brush Haruka's injured arm and then going inside to the deeper part in the house. Haruka guessed she went to the kitchen or bathroom. Her sister needed space to cry.
.
.
.
The spectators were standing in neat row as the coffin was being lied down into the deeper part of the earth. The elegy and wrecking sobs became the background of today's funeral. Rain was pouring and thunder had been polite enough to hide until the ceremony was over. The royalties were standing on the last row. Each of them was holding an umbrella with the same color as their dress. The royalty's uniform. Haruka acknowledged their outfit appeared to be more lolita style instead of old victorian. If there wasn't university's emblem on the left shoulder, Haruka could've thought that those 5 women were cosplaying. Minako's hair was very contrast with the dark outfit she was wearing and Rei was the most who blended in at this kind of ceremony.
Haruka suppressed a smile over her thought. She couldn't help but always find the dynamics of royalties women were really something.
"I knew the suit would look nice on you." Michiru whispered beside her. Actually they both could have a usual conversation due to loud sobs and creepy music on the background. However Michiru whispered in name of respect.
Haruka looked over herself. She only had her high school uniform's pants aside his dark jeans. Her black shirt was Setsuna's birthday present for her a year ago. Surprisingly enough, when the royalties picked her up at her house, they had brought Haruka a formal black suit for her. It was Minako's idea and the blond royalty had been persuading her to wear it.
"… is it?" Haruka wasn't sure about her own appearance. She only knew Setsuna had given her a nod of approval and the other royalties went quiet when she put on the formal suit.
Michiru told her that they were stunned by her wonderful appearance. "You are quite stunning, Haruka." The aqua haired royalty winked accompanied by a little brush on Haruka's arm.
"It's a shame that you would wear it for funeral. How about a date with me after this?" Minako bluntly flirted with confused Haruka on the way to the cemetery. "You look like a real knight, the cool one, and with your blond hair… it's like you just come out from shakespeare's story." Minako rambled on until Michiru's glance and Haruka's demand stopped her.
When the song stopped and the elegy had reached the end, one by one the spectators were leaving. Haruka watched until there was only Osaka Naru and Motoki's family left, grieving with tears in front of the man's stone. Naru gave Haruka a glimpse and then a generous smile. Haruka nodded trying to give the woman smile. She didn't know why, perhaps her smile could lighten up Naru's spirit a little.
"Haruka." Michiru called her softly. "Let's go."
.
They were going together by Mizuno's family limousine. Haruka had intended to take her bike before Setsuna and Michiru reminded her that she would pop up every of her stitches open on the way. The blond reluctantly agreed, the sight of the car had also been her reason to agree. Haruka loved cars and Ami's limousine was very elegant and beautiful although it wasn't kind of car designed for racing.
"… Actually, there's something I want to tell you all." Haruka began when they were all situated on their respective seat in the car. "Naru went to see me yesterday." Haruka looked over at Ami's direction, the one who didn't seem to be surprised. "She gave me this, saying it was Motoki's possession from the university." The black suitcase she had brought with her. Makoto had been asking about the case but Haruka had promised her to tell everyone about the matter after the funeral was over. "I haven't opened it yet."
All eyes were now fixed on the black case. "Let's open this." The case was locked by a code but Naru had told her she had set the code. What they needed was opening it.
With the bare eyes, there wasn't something unusual with the contain of the bag. Several documents, pictures, and printouts. What attracted Haruka's attention the most was a piece of blue paper mixed with the printouts. The color was similar like the envelope they had found in Motoki's hospital room.
Haruka opened the folded paper. Inside of it was a chaotic handwriting. Trash. Useless. Die. Disappear. Hate. All the cruelest words that could drive a proud man like Motoki into the edge of his mind. Haruka read the last sentence of the letter.
You cannot even die properly? What you can do then?
How about jumping to meet your death?
"This letter…"
Haruka handed it over to Michiru and then she let the others take a look. "Who would write letters like that?"
"Whoever it is, perhaps they are the reason behind Motoki's suicide." Makoto concluded.
When it was Rei's turn to read the letter, the raven haired royalty dropped it immediately. Haruka never saw Rei's expression became like that. Her eyes went wide and full of horror. In second, her pale skin turned paler. Rei immediately scrambled back on her feet, kicking the paper away from her. "Take it away from me… I hate that!"
Minako was the one who first reached Rei's side. The blond royalty put her hand on Rei's shoulder. Rei jerked back, avoiding it but Minako persistently didn't give up. She grabbed both Rei's wrists. "Rei-chan! Rei-chan! Look at me! Hey!"
That was also the first time Haruka heard Minako's calling Rei name affectionately.
"The letter… the writer has very dark soul. It hurts me." Rei said weakly. Minako pulled Rei's head on her chest. Caressing Rei's silky raven hairs gently while humming an unknown soothing melody. Haruka witnessed how the tension on Rei's shoulder slowly eased away.
"You have no idea who the writer is?"
Rei closed her eyes, trying to focus more on Minako's melody. "A man… with very dark heart. I think."
Haruka exchanged glances with Michiru. Both had the same worries. Michiru nodded, affirming Haruka's concern.
"If it has been planned by that man… Motoki's death could be a murder."
.
.
AN: I think the murder is not surprise anymore. How about a spoiler for the next chapter's guest? Yes, the protagonist of this fandom, a certain pigtailed blond head will make appearance. Tell me what you think, and I hope you enjoy the mystery and chemistry!