After the period ended, Akira walked with Michiru through the crowded halls to her next class. Michiru heard Akira speaking to her but she wasn't really listening; she nodded once and a while, hoping he wouldn't realize that she wasn't paying attention. Her mind continued to replay Haruka's behavior in chemistry class, leaving Michiru with unanswered questions. She finally arrived at her next class and Akira stood in front of her.

"Michiru-san" Akira called, tearing Michiru's mind away from her thoughts of Haruka. Michiru gave Akira a weak smile before slipping into her classroom.

Akira turned on his heels and begun to walk down the hallway towards his next class as he thought of ways to get Michiru to be more responsive to him. Approaching, his classroom, Akira couldn't help but notice a girl getting some books from her locker. Her hair was long and blonde; she had a nice shape too. Akira couldn't stop himself. it was too easy. Smirking, Akira quickened his pace and pretended not to notice the blonde. Just as he approached her, Akira purposely bumped the girl with his shoulder. She let out an angered grunt and bent down to pick up her stuff while mumbling to herself about the jackasses who didn't look where they were going. Akira picked up a book that had skidded away from the girl and stopped at his feet. He picked it up and casually walked back over to his target, she was crouched down piling up her books. Akira crouched down in front of her. He placed the book on the top of her pile.

"Looks like this one got away from you" he laughed lightly.

The girl raised her head only to be met by his deep blue eyes. She was lost in them instantly as she blushed feverishly.

"My apologies" Akira said smiling sweetly. "You're Minako, right?" Akira asked even though Ami had already introduced them a few days ago. Minako stared at him blankly, while her mind raced… 'This can't be real' she thought to herself. "Are you alright?" asked Akira, as he laughed to himself, knowing that the poor girl was star struck.

"Yeah…" Minako laughed nervously, "of course", but Akira could see that she was still blushing.

Using that to his advantage, Akira held Minako's chin between his thumb and index finger, his eyes slowly seducing her. "Good to know" he said with a wink. Minako's heart fluttered. 'Am I dreaming?' she thought to herself. 'I've got to be dreaming'. Minako was completely hooked when flashed his million-dollar smile. Akira slowly brought her face towards his, as Minako thought 'I'm about to be kissed by the hottest guy in Japan!!' At that moment, Akira felt a hand on his shoulder. He smiled to himself and turned around to face the principal. Reality brought Minako's fantasy to a crashing halt when Akira didn't come through with the kiss. She opened her eyes to see the principal brooding over her.

The principal looked over Akira's shoulder at Minako who now stood holding her books, her face redder than before. "You two should really be in class". He said calmly raising an eyebrow at Akira, who smiled as he eased his arm around Minako, shoulders. "Hai Sensei, gomen" answered Akira turning around and walking down the hall with Minako at his side.

"So where am I taking you?" Akira whispered into Minako's ear the way a lover does.

'Wherever you want' Minako wanted to answer, but her brain corrected her. "I-I have his-history…" she stuttered

"With Michiru?" Akira asked. Sounding too excited for his liking. He cleared his throat and hoping Minako hadn't noticed.

"Mmhmm" she replied

The pair came up to the door at which Akira had stood with Michiru a few minutes prior. Akira stared Minako in her eyes, capturing her with the depth of his own. He leaned in close to Minako, their lips almost touching. She closed her eyes…

Nothing happened…

Minako opened her eyes, her fantasy coming to a crashing halt for the second time; Akira was staring at her, as he held the door to the classroom open for her. His eyebrow was raised and a devious smile played across his lips. Minako's cheeks burned with embarrassment. "That whole time he was reaching for the doorknob?!..." Minako thought to herself as she forced a small smile and quietly slipped inside the classroom with what little dignity she had left.

Michiru didn't even notice Minako had entered the classroom until the blonde took the seat beside her.

"Hi Michiru-san" Minako said managing a semi-cheery tone,

"Huh?" Michiru answered, "Oh, Minako-chan, I didn't know you were here" as she forced a smile. The truth was she hadn't been aware of anything that had happened after Haruka bolted out of class the previous period.

When the bell rang, Michiru was the first person out of the classroom. She searched everywhere for Haruka, only to find her in the most obvious location.

-The cafeteria-

Haruka sat at a small table with few girls, though it didn't look like she was paying them much attention, much to their dismay. Michiru quickly walked over to the table and sat down next to Haruka, who remained silent and avoided her lover's gaze.

"What happened back there?" Michiru asked.

"Why don't you tell me?" Haruka answered her eyes piercing into Michiru's, when Haruka received no answer she broke the stare and looked across the crowded cafeteria.

Michiru gently touched Haruka's face, forcing her lover to meet her eyes for a second time. "What's going on, Michiru?" Haruka asked, searching her lover's eyes, pleading them to yield some answer.

Michiru stroked Haruka's cheek with her thumb. "Love, what are you talking about?" she asked, "Tell me what you're thinking of" she added.

"I want to know what's going on", Haruka said, her voice growing louder as she grew angrier. "That's what I'm asking you! It has been three days since you the two of you met and he's all over you! I can't stand it!" Haruka said shrugging off Michiru's hand.

"Is that what this is all about?" Michiru asked. "He's just a friend, you know that" Michiru's voice was quiet but strong.

"I don't know what I know anymore…" Haruka started, "he comes, and all of a sudden I get pushed into the backseat of my own car!" Haruka's voice was rising again as her anger begun to boil over. Michiru put her hand on Haruka's shoulder to calm her. "And why do you let him touch you like that?" Haruka asked

"Ruka…?" Michiru trailed off. It pained her to see the sadness in Haruka's eyes. She tenderly took Haruka's face in her hands. "Ruka, no one can ever replace you, my heart belongs to you and only you, you know that"

Haruka believed Michiru's words, but she couldn't help but feel threatened, she feared that her place in Michiru's heart was being compromised. How is it that someone Michiru knew so little was able to get away with the things Akira had?

"I don't know...I just don't know", she said in a voice barely a whisper. Michiru's hands fell from Haruka's face as she felt tears begin to form in her eyes. Haruka looked up to see the love of her life fighting back the tears that had formed in her eyes.

"No…Michiru…I…" Haruka stuttered taking Michiru's face in her hands, "I didn't mean that…Michi please believe me…"

Most of the cafeteria was staring at Haruka and Michiru. The inners walked in and couldn't help but notice the couple. They immediately ran to Michiru's side hugging and comforting her as she cried. Haruka abruptly stood up as she ran her fingers through her hair, how could this be happening?' she thought to herself 'I'm not the bad guy here…right?' She let out a deep sigh. Haruka hadn't meant what she said. Michiru knew that right?

Suddenly, a pair of hands pushed against Haruka's back forcing her off balance. She swung around quickly to see Akira standing in front of her.

"What did you do to her?" he asked firmly, surprising everyone including himself. He never got caught in one of his games before, but then again, he never really had competition.

Anger flashed in Haruka's eyes, and in a matter of seconds, Akira was on his back, on top of a lunch table. Haruka had flung him in a sudden burst of rage, causing him to hit a table and turn over chairs and food trays.

Akira made his way back over to Haruka, his chest rising and falling as he tried to keep his cool. Haruka clenched her fist; she had been waiting for this moment for three days. She sent a solid jab to his jaw, breaking the skin of his lip, drawing blood and forcing him back a few steps. Akira regained his stance and wiped his mouth. He charged back at Haruka, but was stopped by Makoto who held him back. Little did he know that she was protecting him.

Akira looked over Makoto and into Haruka's eyes. "She's holding me back Ten'ou, now's your chance…" he provoked "c'mon Haruka…Fight me!"

Haruka wanted nothing more than to take him up on his offer. Her hands formed tight fists and she was about to fight when she heard the fait sound of her lover crying. She turned around and looked at Michiru, seeing the tears in her eyes caused the Haruka to realize the triviality of this battle. Michiru's eyes met hers briefly, and then Michiru quickly turned away.

"This is pointless" Haruka said. And then she was gone.

…To be continued