Enjoy ^^
.
Minako had been holding Rei's hand during the journey. The raven haired royalty was resting her head on Minako's shoulder. Haruka noticed how calming Minako's presence was to the atmosphere in the car. The relationship between Rei and Minako was certainly not a common one. Minako had told Haruka that Rei was her songwriter and they both were in a band. They both were from art department and now Haruka could see it that they both were also awfully close.
"What do we do then?" Makoto broke Haruka's train of thought. The brunette was always the most rational one in situation like this.
"Naru asked me to bring a closure about his death. If we tell her about our suspicion, it would break her more… however, leaving the guy's death as a shameful crazy guy death is also bad." Haruka replied.
"I guess, for now… let's just leave it as it is. Osaka Naru is still in grieving period. If we break this kind of news to her, it would turn worse." Michiru decided.
They all agreed and they spent the rest of the journey in silence.
XXX
.
Few next days went by in a blur for Haruka. Her sister had gone back to the city yesterday after a distress phone call from Mamoru, her colleague. It looked like everyone in there was a mess when Setsuna left. So, after they got back from the hospital where the doctor took off Haruka's stitches, with a heavy heart, Setsuna took off accompanied by cheerfully Haruka who waved her hand too excitedly. The blond had regained her freedom now.
"I know, Luna. You miss my sister." Haruka rolled her eyes. Over past several days, her sister had bonded weirdly with her cat. If the cat could speak like human, Haruka was sure they both were talking behind her back. "How about going to the beach?" Haruka snatched the cat and grabbed her keys. She would enjoy her first ride after a long time.
She wasn't the only one who had been excited during the bike ride, Luna also shared the same feelings with her as she purred excitedly. It was afternoon and there were people who still spending their time enjoying the sight of the beach.
"Haruka, what are you doing here? Ah, hello Luna." Minako appeared suddenly. The blond royalty was holding a Popsicle in her hand. Minako was nice enough to share it with Luna who licked it happily.
"You…" Haruka had been planning to avoid any royalties after Motoki's funeral but it seemed now her plan failed. "What you are doing here?" Haruka asked back.
Minako looked up, "I asked you first."
Good point. Haruka followed Minako crouching near Luna. "Taking her out…" Haruka answered.
"Well… I have a job here." The blond royalty shrugged. "Ami said you need your space after all what happened in your first case. I don't have intention to bother you or anything."
It was weird having sensitive conversation with Minako like this. The blond royalty was usually the loudest and most fun out of them. "What's your job?"
Minako reverted to her usual self, she pointed the sea. "I work here… there!"
Haruka didn't get it.
"I am a lifeguard." Minako buffed her chest in proud. "You see, the beach is the most awesome place in here!"
Haruka agreed.
After Luna had finished Minako's Popsicle, Minako then grabbed Luna and dragged Haruka with her to the beach. "As the royalty, we need take some voluntary job for extra credits. We are prodigies, we are mostly excels in studies academically. The university had given us so many conveniences about out credits. This is part of their condition. We take some voluntary jobs for this city."
There were so many things to learn about the royalty's thing Haruka didn't understand. However, Haruka thought they were being there as part of the system wasn't bad. "You guys have part time job?"
Minako nodded, "Starting today this semester. Rei is working at the shrine, Mako is helping the florist, Ami is working at kindergarten nearby, and Michiru and I are working here."
That was interesting for Haruka. "You mean, Michiru works as lifeguard too?"
Minako wasn't aware of Haruka's flushing face, "Yes. There she is." The blond royalty waved her hand which it had becoming her trademark action around the others. Haruka watched it too, Michiru emerged the water carrying an orange float and being her gorgeous self. The scene was breathtaking.
"She flipped her hair everytime she goes out from the water." Minako commented, filling in Haruka's thought despite more objectively.
Haruka swallowed, she felt like she was watching a scene from Baywatch but with Michiru in it. Far much beter.
The time felt going on forever when Michiru walked approaching the two blondes who were standing on the shore. One with happy face and the other with obviously staring face.
"Minako, it's supposed to be your turn to watch!" Minako hissed and then her eyes darted to Haruka. "Haruka…" The aqua haired royalty greeted her with certain gentleness on her tone.
Haruka was speechless, Minako helped speaking for her, "Haruka takes Luna out for a ride… I see her on the street."
Michiru smiled, throwing teasing gazes for Haruka while her hands slowly wiped wet dripping sea water from her neck. Haruka gulped.
Their interaction was broken by Minako when the blond royalist snatched over the orange float from Michiru's hand. "Like you said, it's my turn to watch now." Minako took off her white jumpsuit revealing orange bikinis underneath. Haruka glanced but Michiru was quick to distract her with a slight touch on her shoulder.
"Haruka, don't you want to swim or anything? You have to have fun in the beach." Minako grinned. The blond royalist was completely clueless about Haruka's inability around the water.
"Ah…" The offer took Haruka off-guard.
"Haruka will pass." Michiru replied Minako, her hand squeezed Haruka's and the blond felt suddenly relax. "We will play with Luna instead."
Minako shrugged but then she threw her white jumpsuit to Michiru. Haruka just realized the jumpsuit was the uniform for the lifeguards.
When they both finally alone with Luna, Michiru led Haruka to their favorite spot.
"Thanks, I guess." Haruka began. She had many excuses to tell people to hide the facts that she couldn't swim but sometimes when someone close to her asked, she became lost temporarily. Revealing weakness and talking about her fear was not things Haruka liked to do with others.
"I think you already knew about the best spot to watch the sunset." Michiru brushed away the sensitive topic. It was natural to do so as each other had known the other's button. "At the top of crescent cliff."
"Yes."
"Let's go there." Michiru now released Haruka's hand. Now that Haruka knew their next destination.
"Can you climb?" People should climb a little to reach the top of the small cliff.
"I am a prodigy, Haruka." Michiru reminded her. "Climb is just one of the things I've learnt and done. I'm not an expert but I can climb a cliff."
Haruka knew that, she just wanted to stir some reaction from Michiru. "Luna would see the place where I found her last time. I hope she doesn't have any trauma." Haruka chuckled.
"Cats have nine lives."
"I hope Luna has hundred." Haruka grinned and patted the white fur. "It's not that I want to throw her toward the running car or anything… but I feel more relax that she won't be suddenly gone."
Loss was inevitable thing, both women knew about that. However, Haruka also knew that the aftermath and consequences of the thing was often too much.
"We're here." Michiru broke Haruka's thought. "You want to race who will reach the top first?" Michiru challenged. It was a distraction for Haruka and the blond gladly accepted it. "You're on."
Michiru had whole 8 years experience with the cliff. The woman knew which rock was safe enough to step on. Haruka wasn't shocked when the aqua haired royalty reached the top first and gave her a hand with smug grin.
"Fine, miss royalty. You win." Haruka accepted the help.
"I heard your sister went back to the city yesterday." Michiru took a spot which at the edge of the cliff. Haruka followed the suit, their feet were dangling and Haruka just avoided looking below her and she was good. The blond took comfort to the sky above and sight of Michiru's face beside her.
"Yes, I'm whole again." Haruka flashed a victory smile. "She treated me like I'm handicapped when my limbs are working fine."
"She just worried about you." Michiru tried to reason.
"Oh, you don't get on her side." Haruka huffed.
"Even if I'm not her favorite, I can feel her sentiment if it's related with you." Michiru's gaze moved from Haruka to slowly setting sun on the west.
"You think Setsuna doesn't like you?"
Michiru smiled, "Your sister and I actually have interacted more in the past than what you know, Haruka."
Haruka slowly moved her hand and found Michiru's hand on her lap. "So, you two have been gosipping about me?"
Michiru shook her head, "No. Not much I hope. We have been sharing about your ridiculous baby photos." Haruka knew Michiru was joking and it wasn't the right time to talk about it.
"… so, what have you been doing for 8 years?" Haruka had told about part of her time to fill the 8 years gap, it would be fair if Michiru did that with her too.
"Swimming a lot…" She answered in a beat.
Haruka raised an eyebrow, certainly she wasn't doing just that, "There is no… someone?" Haruka asked nervously, hopefully her tone didn't reveal her emotion now.
Michiru giggled, "I will tell if you do too."
She always made things challenging, the aqua haired knew the way to make Haruka opened up a little. "There is no one for me now." The blond replied.
Michiru frowned, clearly she didn't believe Haruka's answer.
"What?!"
"How about in the past?"
Haruka's mouth opened, she had to say something fast so Michiru couldn't catch anything behind it but then she closed her mouth again. "… no one has mattered enough to me."
The aqua haired royalty seemed approve with Haruka's vague answer, she didn't push anymore.
"It's the same with me too." Michiru confessed.
The breeze of wave filled in the nice silence between them.
"I already knew your answer about this, but I just want to make sure… are you alright? Doing things with royalties like us… there perhaps would be worse case than Motoki in the future."
Haruka clenched her left hand. The throbbing sensation she had been feeling because of her wound now mostly had faded away. "There wouldn't be any other Motoki in the future. I will make certain of that."
Michiru smiled, "I don't like it with your participation in royalties, Haruka."
It was a shame, Haruka had more expectation that Michiru would be more understanding than her sister. It turned out, Setsuna had been more accepting her choice in this matter.
"I don't like it, but I agree with the others that you are now important asset for the royalties." Michiru continued.
Haruka turned to face Michiru, there was flickering hope in her eyes.
"I never said it to you personally… that's why I will say it now." Michiru took a deep breath.
"Welcome to the royalties."
Their eyes continued lingering on each other's until the sun drowned by the horizon.
XXX
.
Haruka had a habit to get her breakfast on convenience store. She couldn't cook, that left her to buy her daily breakfast on that 24 hours store. Today however, was an exception. She had woken up late because she thought her sister would be there to wake her up like usual. One visit from Setsuna had ruined Haruka's routine.
Her savior of the day was Kino Makoto. She waited Haruka on the track field with a wrapping box full of food.
"Here." Makoto gave it to her. From the smell, Haruka gulped. Her stomach rumbled.
"Why… how?"
"Today you will much energy beside your bread. I have time to cook, so I figure you need this." Makoto shrugged.
"… Why I need this for today?"
"We have inauguration competition, remember?" The brunette royalty grinned. Haruka couldn't say that she had completely forgotten about the event.
"First year versus second year… the other students department would be invited to watch too." Makoto patted Haruka's back. The blond stumbled on her feet, she was too stunned to react.
"Charge your energy. See you on the field." Makoto winked and then ran off.
Haruka swore the brunette enjoyed it. She guessed, Makoto had marked the event on her calendar and counting the day to come. The brunette obviously loved competition and even though she was very gentle and kind person, Makoto was also strong in every sports field.
Haruka didn't have plan to win any match today, she didn't do any preparation. Right now, she would enjoy her luxury breakfast with Luna and waiting for her turn.
"Nice weather today…" Haruka stared at the slow moving cloud. The meal box had been devoured and Haruka would've asked for more if she could. It was a huge surprise to figure out a person like Makoto could cook yummy food like that.
Haruka was standing on the track field. She stanced her position, waiting for signal.
Bang! The gun has been fired and the runners took off like the wind.
Haruka ran like her usual self. She had been grateful that Makoto didn't participate in running race. The brunette royalty now was in kendo match and going to do her judo match after. Makoto had invited her to come after she finished running.
The blond grabbed the red finish line. A man's voice from the speaker roared followed by the spectator's cheer. "The first is Tenoh Haruka and the second is Elsa Grey!" The speaker announced.
Haruka could've been misheard. She didn't plan it to be the first… she ran like usual. She wasn't that fast. The second place whose name was Elsa Grey tapped her shoulder to gain Haruka's attention.
"You don't even break a sweat." The red haired woman pointed out.
Haruka's breath indeed accelerated, her heart also beat faster, however she had no sweat.
Haruka glanced at the crowd bench. She spotted it. The most remarkable woman on the crowd was smiling at her direction. Michiru waved at her with Minako who was too cheerfully clapping.
"Congratulation." Michiru said.
Haruka didn't hear it but the blond could understand the royalty's word even if they were miles away. Haruka nodded, broke a grin, and finally happy that she had won. For the first time, it mattered.
.
They spend their lunch break on the university's cafeteria. Makoto promised she would join them later after briefing for the next round. After taking her lunch, Haruka made a beeline to an occupied table. She took out Luna quietly and dropped the white cat on her lap. Haruka tore off a chunk of burger and gave it to Luna.
Michiru and Minako soon joined at her table. Haruka still impressed about how the other students would step away everytime the royalties walking on them. It was like both women splitted the red sea apart. Michiru was right when she told Haruka about royalties are being treated like a plague.
"Thank God, today is orange juice." Minako put the little carton on the table and her tray on the next. Haruka asked a question she had been holding in.
"Where's Rei?"
Minako bit her sandwich, "Music class… it's suck that we both got different music class." Minako replied.
Haruka turned to Michiru who gave her the extra explanation, "Minako is good at singing where Rei is good at composing. The two have different kind of music class."
Haruka nodded. She now was paying attention to other students in the cafeteria. They were all staring at their table. Most eyes were strangely directed on Haruka. She shivered.
"What's wrong with them." Haruka muttered. Luna purred from under the table.
Michiru became uneasy too, "you are freshman and it's the second time you share table with the royalty."
Minako swallowed and piped in, "They think you are problematic student, Haruka. After… well, Motoki's case, things become a bit crazier and man strange rumors spread. All of them are absurd."
Haruka looked around at her surrounding. Now the crowd's whisper had become not so subtle anymore.
"It's okay. It will last about a week or so." Minako saved her juice for the last. "That's why I think, Michiru and I will give you a visit because of the circumstances. We, the royalties had been adept with this kind of treatment, we all are an expert in turn blind eyes and deaf ears on what other people say. You, in the other hand…" Minako stole Haruka's french fries from the tray. "Are new and still inexperienced with these kinds of things…"
The blond felt a bit offended, "I can take care of myself just fine."
"We see that… I've argued with Michiru about that too." Now cluelessly the blond royalty threw the fireball to Michiru's field. Haruka's eyes darted to the aqua haired royalty, demanding an explanation.
"It's just a precaution. You are new and need some adjustments." Michiru quickly replied. "For your note, this is our first case that someone turned out dead in the process. Suicide. Our worst case was only dropped out or jail time."
Minako agreed with a nod.
Haruka's expression turned grim, before she joined the group, their case hadn't resulting anyone's death. This perhaps wasn't her fault, but Haruka was a bad luck.
Makoto appeared with still wearing her kendo outfit. She took a seat beside Haruka and like Minako, snatched away Haruka's french fries. "Hey, I heard you won the race." Makoto thugged Haruka's arm playfully.
"Yes, thanks to your mealbox." Haruka had forgotten to thank the brunette royalty.
"What meal box?" Minako piped in.
"It's tournament day and Haruka always brings bread for breakfast. I noticed so, I woke early to cook extra food for today." Makoto explained.
Michiru shifted on her seat, "you eat breads every morning?"
It was no big deal for Haruka, "yes."
Michiru shook her head but then didn't push any further until Minako changed the conversation to Makoto.
"We are going to watch you after break, but we guess you will still win anyway."
Makoto grinned accepting Minako's compliment openly. "There are some tough freshmen this year." Makoto stole Minako's juice.
"By the way, Haruka… you are famous." Makoto said. Across her, Minako was desperately reaching her juice container from Makoto's hand but the brunette had held it high so Minako couldn't reach it.
"Me? Famous?" Haruka raised an eyebrow.
Someone took the juice from Makoto's hand. Haruka noticed Rei's silky raven hair when she looked up. "Actually… we are famous." Rei corrected. She gave back Minako's juice to the pouting blond. Minako hugged Rei while saying I love you and Rei just huffed. They both were actually cute in Haruka's perspective.
"What do you mean we are famous?"
Now Ami came. She brought her laptop case and some notes perhaps from her previous class. Haruka saw a sandwich wrap above the pile of notes, concluding that the blue haired royalty had eaten her lunch on the way there. "There are stories about us in the internet. Apparently, some students from the IT club have cooperated with university's magazine to uncover Motoki's incident." Ami sat on the only chair left, she opened her computer and access the university's website. "I don't know where they get this… but they have pictures." Ami clicked the link and several pictures popped up.
They were pictures of Motoki when he was in hospital. The one who had attracted them most was a picture of Ami and her while they had confronted Motoki on the roof. There was only one print, and from the angle, the picture had been taken somewhere in hidden spot behind the connecting doors.
"What the hell…" Makoto cursed.
The picture immediately brought back Haruka's memories on the hospital rooftop.
"The sea has secret. The wind knows it all."
Pain.
Drown.
Thunder. What?
Then he jumped.
"HARUKA!"
The blond blinked, her mind went back to the present and she immediately was faced against Michiru's worried expression. "Are you okay?" Michiru asked.
"Fine." Haruka replied too fast. No one on the table had trusted her. "I'm fine!" Haruka repeated, shrugging off abundance attention she suddenly got from the royalties.
"We will discuss this later in the velvet room." Michiru referred to the room behind the red door in the clock tower at Art department. "Let's keep this until then." Michiru ended their unpleasant lunch break with everyone left to their each destination.
.