FwB

by harukaze

No commitments. When you want to talk we can talk. When you want to act as if you don’t know me, I don’t know you either. Just as it started so casually, we can end it casually. Just say you’re done and we’re done. No gray areas…just black and white. HM

14. Comprehensions

Chapter 14: Comprehensions

His brain felt like it was pounding its way out of his head. Looking at Satoshi who paid him no mind from outside the open limo door, he glanced at the elevator entrance again and almost kicked himself for not going in with Michiru…She seemed to be taking her time taking Tenoh to bed...and it irked him how comfortable everything between them seemed. For the nth time that night, he wondered how their relationship came to be…and what the blonde woman did to get to the violinist…and why it wasn't something that he can't or have yet the ability to do…

He sighed loudly and pressed his digits over his temples, giving the elevator another look before biting the bottom of his lip and leaning back into his chair, legs shaking uncontrollably as he did so.

Michiru had the knack of asking why he cared so much when he wasn't supposed to…But business venture or not…was it too much asking for it to work out? Recently all her actions seemed to remind him of Yui. From that defiant look in her eyes to the way she spoke to him…always tired, seemingly defeated, but those eyes…always begged to differ.

He and Yui were friends to begin with…and he reckoned that was why comparing the two sisters almost came naturally. Ever since he could remember they always shared a common interest in upholding Kaioh-Miroku. He never saw her as anything more…and kind of wondered why the marriage had to happen in the first place, having one more thing to add to the list of what he agreed with her about. He shared this with her…his disinterest in her being his wife—partner, yes…but wife was stretching it. It wasn't that she wasn't pretty—she was gorgeous in her own right. There just wasn't a spark.

But maybe he shouldn't have been so open…

He sighed again and looked at the vinyl of the limo's ceiling, his mind taking him to the events that passed many years ago.

He felt awful…when he was told that she had died. He felt that he was partially to blame…Maybe if he showed interest…maybe if it was more than a business venture…she wouldn't have had the need to kill herself.

It's not that he thought himself vain enough to think that he was the catalyst for her death…He knew there was so much more involved other than his claimed disinterest. But…he should've tried harder. He sussed all of them should've tried harder…Yui included.

He bit his bottom lip.

Why did he care? The real question should've been why shouldn't he?

It's bad enough to lose someone he considered a friend more than just a mere business partner…but if it were to happen again, Kaioh-Miroku wouldn't be worth it…That CEO spot…shouldn't be threaded with a trail of blood…even though it's already started to be paved with it.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

He looked up to a bloodshot violinist and immediately grew worried.

"Are you okay?"

The door closed as she sat in the side where Hikaru sat before, sighing as she did so and tucking some loose curls behind her ears. She looked up at him and attempted a smile as the car moved forward.

Nodding Michiru stated, "Haruka was just being a problem child…She's had a lot to drink tonight…Not that she's normally like that…just…"

It seemed as if she was making excuses for the blonde…almost reminding him of the night he met Shigeru Toshiro.

At first sight, it was clear who was stronger between the two…Yui and Toshiro. They had all gone out for dinner as a celebration for Yui's acceptance into Todai in her last year of high school and it was in this little get together when he finally met him…her boyfriend. And as soon as he saw him, he didn't get what she saw…

She was strong, self-righteous, vivacious, confident…He was, for one, shorter than Yui…he spoke in stammers, his eyes couldn't meet his in the same assurance. He was…weak…There was no better word to coin Shigeru Toshiro other than weak…his personality, his actions, his words…him.

Afterwards when he spoke of his opinions regarding the man, Yui had been defensive…giving little excuses like Toshiro was nervous or he wasn't usually like that…But in the end, he had been. He had been weak…

When push came to shove he chose to leave instead of stay. He chose the easier way out…He was as much to blame as everyone else regarding Yui's death.

Sighing, he looked up to clearing sapphire eyes and looked outside. "I…I just want to know…" he trailed off, not really wanting to ask this, but feeling as if he had to. "Is there…something going on between you and Tenoh?"

Michiru looked at a loss for words for a moment, causing the red haired man to glance up at her and look back out.

"There…was..."

There was something…It still looked like there's something…

"But there isn't anymore?" he asked just to be sure.

He saw her nod from his peripherals, making him nod in understanding as well. He straightened up from his seat, gathering her attention and looked at her seriously, this time not looking away. He wouldn't…until they were completely done with this conversation.

"I've been acting like a real jerk recently…" he started and saw her swallow a little at his words. Sighing he continued, "I don't know what I was thinking last night…I just…I'm sorry. I'm sorry for intruding, for coming in uninvited…for…kissing you…I'm really sorry."

Her eyes clouded a little at his genuine words as a depressed frown became evident on his face.

"If anything, Tenoh was right about one thing tonight and that was being your fiancé doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean that I can control you or have my way with you…I really hope that wouldn't be the basis of our relationship actually…Just…last night—actually all day…I was wondering where you were…and I've tried to be patient and understanding, but…it flew out of the window and…" He sighed heavily with a trail, looking more conflicted than ever. "I hope you know that I care. I do like you. Whether or not you like me back is completely up to you…and I'm not trying to sound like some weak man, but…I just want you to know that I'm here. I want to work this out if only for the reason of showing you that I'm more than what you currently think I am.

"I'm not a bad guy…" He looked down at the floor, his frown getting deeper. "Our husband and wife title can only be that…if you truly want it to be…a title. I don't want to force this relationship anymore than it already is. Shina oba-san and Shinji oji-san's already twisted your arm into it…I don't want to be the one to break it.

"So…if you want this marriage to proceed as that…it can be. I can look like the happy husband in the forefront. I'm sure we aren't the first to speak of things that are supposedly unspeakable…but…love is just…one of those things that can't be forced…or bought. It can only be given and hope it'll be received…but if that's not the case…just…get back up. Keep trying…"

He looked back up to damping sapphires and rubbed his eyes of moisture as well, not wanting to look weak in front of his fiancé.

"I'm sorry Jiro…"

He almost couldn't hear her…but the breaking of her voice was like shattering glass in his ears. He swallowed the pitiful feeling in his stomach down along with the lump lodged in his throat and nodded, albeit slowly.

"Can I ask though?"

Her face was one of mixed expressions when she looked up at him, her sad and questioning features making her look more real and beautiful as he looked on.

"Why her? There…Is there a difference?"

She smiled in silent melancholy, looking away as she did so. Silence danced around them as she was seemingly finding the right words to say while he continued on with his quiet wait.

"Haruka…" Even the way she said the blonde's name was different…

It struck Jiro then that, he just asked a really stupid question. He looked at Michiru…really looked at her…and once again…he saw Yui…

"Why him? He…I'm sorry, but…is he really like that?"

Her cascading blue hair danced as she shook her head from side to side, laughing merrily as she did so. She almost glowed in the dimly lit café. "No…I mean, he's really different when we're alone…it's just—

"Oh God…you're so in love…"

Yui looked at him indignantly. "And what's wrong with that?"

"Absolutely nothing…Just…I don't know. Shigeru-kun seems so…small. Everything about him looks wrong when compared to you. He comes from a menial background, he's smart—I'll give him that one…but…he's so meek and…compared to you…"

"What? What is he compared to me?"

"Short?"

The blue haired woman slapped him in his arm. "What does that got to do with anything?"

"Well what can he give to you?" he asked incredulously. "You'll definitely have the better job…I don't think he can trump Japan's biggest tea company even if he tried which means you'll be raking in more money. You'll be attending Todai and he was accepted in Keio which is great in its own right, but it's not the top university. He looks too submissive to wear the pants in the relationship so that's out of the window too, and well…the only thing he could've been is taller…and he couldn't do that either!"

Yui sighed loudly for a moment if only to quell his exclamations. But as she looked down at her coffee, she gave a small smile which hinted everything to Jiro. None of it mattered…the income, the education, their backgrounds…their heights least of all.

"He—

"I hope he's everything you think him as…" he stated, cutting off her soft words on purpose. Sapphire eyes looked up at him as he sipped his coffee as well, eyeing her evenly. "I hope…he proves me wrong."

"What would happen…if we decided to cut off the wedding?" Michiru looked at him with widened eyes and he only gave a serious look back. Shrugging he continued, "Would anything happen?"

They looked at each other in momentary silence before the violinist shook her head softly, wordlessly.

"Why not?"

"Haruka…doesn't feel the same way as I do…"

"That's funny 'because you two sure were acting like the married couple—

"We're friends—

"That's what they call it nowadays—

"She called me her…" Michiru cut herself off almost as quickly as she had begun her exclamation, looking every bit conflicted as she had been earlier…probably more.

Jiro only looked on in confusion. "Her what?"

The aqua haired woman sighed loudly and bit her bottom lip as she did so, her eyes looking more troubled as time wore on. "Do…do you remember when you first met her?"

The onyx eyed man nodded. "Your galleria…as Hikaru-chan's date."

The violinist nodded. "Do you remember…why she said she couldn't meet Hikaru-san in the weekend and that was the reason why she had to come with her to the galleria?"

"Yeah," Jiro shrugged. "The weekend's strictly reserved for her fu—

His onyx eyes widened like saucers, Michiru looking away even more-so. He couldn't breathe all of the sudden…it felt like the wind just got knocked out of him.

"Whe…" He shook his head to dispel his rampant thoughts, questions upon questions barraging his brain at once. "When did you…"

"At the start of my parent's divorce finalizations."

That was almost five months ago…

His eyebrows stitched into a heavier frown as he did the dates in his still buzzing mind.

"W…Why?" And that was the only real question that his brain could achieve sputtering out.

The violinist looked at the floor beneath them as she gave a melancholic smile. "We met prior to it…at Trine."

Distant…

He had to grip his temples just to make it stop spinning.

Haruka…Distant…Why couldn't he piece it all together before??

"As I wrote it note for note, I couldn't help, but feel as if I was composing it for a lover."

Michiru's words from only four nights back at her Show and Tell event crept in his mind and he could only smile in confused enlightenment.

Looking back up at her, she continued, "She really mesmerized me the first time I met her. She was so forward, so blunt, but so confident and so arrogant at the same time it just…I was really taken by what she was showing me…And maybe that's what she wanted…maybe that's how she got girls to her bed, but by the end of the night, she was the one to call it…and I was really surprised because I thought she would ask, even though I would've declined.

"We met again the next week and I got to know a little more about her…and her family. It's one thing to know about someone from what you hear or read and another to listen to them bare the truth…and I saw something in her that night that was so clear to me…"

"What's that?"

Sapphires locked with his onyxes as she gave a sad smile. "An obligation…to her family." He nodded in understanding defeat and she continued, "But she struck a chord with me that night…and I hated it because she was so right and I didn't want her to be so we parted ways. I didn't think we'd meet up again…but the following week Otou-san and Okaa-san told me about their plans of divorcing and I didn't know where else to go.

"I never felt close to you Jiro…We never had anything in common other than a question about marriage which was up in the air at the time with no one really asking or telling and even then, I always felt as if you were seeing Yui onee-san instead of me whenever we met…so I couldn't go to you. I barely knew you…"

It was the truth…They really hadn't began "dating" up until a little more than three and a half months back, when the question about the arranged marriage came up and they decided to give more public appearances for the sake of the company…never going farther than their twice a month meetings where a lot of people could see how great of a couple they looked like from the outside.

And the little off hand statement about Yui was…for the most part true as well…These days he could see Yui in the violinist even more-so.

"So I went back to Trine…" Jiro looked back at her as she gave a halfhearted shrug. "I remember feeling depressed about my parents' situation and wanted nothing more than to just stop feeling….if only for a moment…but I didn't want to look as if I was crawling…Haruka…she understood. She saw me, took me to her beach house, and…made me stop feeling…as I wanted her to.

"It was my escape…She was my escape. Every weekend when I disappeared off of the face of the earth we were together…We agreed to a casual relationship from the start…Just sex and nothing else…but it changed somewhere in the middle…and I began having feelings for her. I began to look forward to every weekend much more than I should have and…"

The truth wasn't as painful as he thought it would be…but seeing Michiru's depressed and defeated form instantly made him feel like the bad guy he never wanted to feel like.

"I ended it the night at my galleria…when she and I went to the bathroom…" the violinist said softly. The dammed tears in her eyes were making their way out and he couldn't find it in him to reach out and wipe it away for her…He felt…unqualified. So he just sat there, and sat even straighter as her clear sapphire eyes turned to him, and a single teardrop made its way out of her orbs. "It didn't feel as if I was just backing out from a casual relationship…that's when I knew it was far more than that. It felt…it felt as if I was breaking my own heart while breaking hers simultaneously…and I had to do it if only for the reason that…I couldn't be with her while marrying you was an obligation I had to fulfill…I'm sorry if you think so ill of me—

"I don't." Jiro sighed and merely shrugged, his heart wrenching at seeing such a side from his fiancé. "It's exactly what you've been telling me from the start…and I'm not saying I'm happy about it, but I can't change your feelings regarding the matter. You and Tenoh…you've only began seeing one another again, yes?"

Michiru nodded, wiping her stray tears as she did so. "There's nothing going on between us. We're merely friends. I love her…but I don't think she loves me…"

But it was so clear to the red haired man that the violinist was so wrong in all aspects. Someone who didn't love her with the same voracity as Tenoh does wouldn't have confronted him so angrily…with threats to kill…He could still feel the chill in his spine at the way her emerald eyes glistened at her words…so strongly stated…so proudly said. And the way her eyes shifted from complete hostility to a softer one when Michiru came out was so clearly evident.

If Tenoh doesn't love Michiru…one of them was in denial…and it wasn't the violinist…

"What makes you think that?"

It was a good question, he sussed as he looked evenly at questioning sapphire eyes.

"Our relationship was based on lust—

"Can't be anymore?"

"Aren't you supposed to be against this more than egg it on?"

He laughed deeply at her sudden question, meriting a smile at her end, albeit a confused one. He only shrugged. "As far as I know…nothing's going to stop this marriage now…what with the media and a lot of our reputations on the line. So…why not be a little bit more truthful about it all and…at least have camaraderie between us…rather than just an empty estranged marriage."

It was the first time she had smiled so softly at him…and he could only smile back and nod to himself that to be in this woman's presence was enough…if only to be on her good side. The cogs and wheels in his head began turning…making him look outwardly as if he was in deep thought.

"You really believe that Tenoh doesn't feel an ounce of love for you?"

"Outside the realms of friendship…no. And if it was anything more, I feel as if she would just want the sex involved." She looked at him questioningly as he asked this, making his eyebrows rise in skepticism. "You're…you're not disgusted at all…that I've…fallen for a woman?"

He snickered…but it was the genuine expression in Michiru's end that made him nod seriously. "If something like that were to freak me out…I would not be friends with Hikaru-chan…"

It looked as if she was just hit with this realization which made him smile outwardly more, patting himself inwardly in the back for making the aqua haired woman show yet another side of her he hadn't seen before.

"I want…to make a bet with you." The violinist straightened out at his words, her features looking at him in askance. He breathed in loudly and stated, "I bet…Tenoh has feelings for you…the same if not more than what you have for her outside the realms of lust." Her frowning deepened as he continued, "I bet…my spot as future CFO in the company if I'm wrong—

"Jiro…"

He chuckled at her chastising tone. "But that's if I lose…If I win…you have to tell her how you feel. If something even remotely tells you that she loves you just as much as you love her…the price for losing this bet is telling her wholeheartedly about how you feel…with the risk that she might not feel the same way."

He smirked at her serious features and he could tell she was seriously contemplating this bet.

"I don't want you to give up your job—

"I won't lose…" Her eyebrows stitched into an even deeper frown if that were possible as he arrogantly cut her off with the same smirk in his face. "Are you afraid?"

She shook her head, her defiant stance coming back as she smiled too. "No, you should be…your job's on the line."

He laughed at her proclaimed sentence and moved to where she was sitting. He knelt down in front of her and took her hand in his, reveling at the softness and having just a bit of jealousy flair out in him that Tenoh could feel these hands whenever she could…if she had the balls to.

"I'm here for you," he said softly, locking with her sparkling sapphires. "I know how much of yourself you've sacrificed for me and your parents and the company…and I'm sorry for all the things I've put you through…but if Tenoh holds that small chance of happiness you'll have in the future…I want you to take it and don't look back. Even if we're married…it won't mean anything unless you're happy…so if you need her to fulfill everything…Go to her…and I'll do the same when I find that someone who'll make me as happy as she does for you."

He smiled warmly at her, loving the contentedness he was feeling from saying all he wanted to say. She reached towards him in quiet and understanding melancholy and they hugged as the car rumbled onwards.

He didn't think he'd be saying those words when he was waiting for her to come down from Tenoh's condo…but plans were meant to be skirted anyway right? He was so sure he hated the blonde…especially after seeing how different Michiru was towards her of all people…but…he figured he'll see it. He'll see why she fell in love with her…because as much as he wants her to be like Shigeru Toshiro who was weak and went down without a fight…he doubts even now that Haruka's one for backing down in the first place.

"I'm going to use my jealousy card." They had stopped hugging and he was sitting in front of her, an intent look in his onyx eyes. Michiru looked at him questioningly as he asked, "She'll be helping with the marriage plans…right?"

The violinist nodded. "I'm planning on asking her…if only to spend a little more time before tying the knot…"

Jiro smiled sadly…apologetically…looked away and looked back to her assuring smile after a few seconds. He sighed. "I'll definitely be using my jealousy card…for the bet." The small woman sat up a bit straighter as he relayed, "Anytime that I'm there, I'll be the happy husband…you do whatever you have to do in order to prove me wrong…but that's kind of hard isn't it? Proving me wrong means Tenoh doesn't love you…"

Michiru laughed at his statement. "Well at least I'm not the only one who'll lose something…"

"Ahh we'll be such a bitter couple…"

They shared a laugh as his body and mind relaxed at her easygoing features. He wasn't worried…he'd keep his job and the violinist would confess to the dumb blonde…He briefly wondered if it was possible for him to be fully in charge of Kaioh-Miroku without marrying the aqua haired woman…Because it was unfair for him to get to love something as an and end result to their marriage and for Michiru to not feel love at all.

O--O--O--O--O

Today wasn't as busy as yesterday. She figured…the whole week would be cake compared to the twists yesterday brought up. But she was hungry…and more than that, she missed Haruka. Ever since she and Jiro parted last night, the blonde had been the forefront of her thoughts…starting with what she said, what Jiro had said regarding their "bet", the fiasco with Hikaru, and lastly…if her hangover was so bad in the morning that she was making her coworkers' day that much more hellish because of her surly disposition. She figured she knew her well enough to know having drunk too much didn't mean she wouldn't work…If anything she would instead of lounge around in her condominium. So with her lunch break already in progress and Shizuka going to the next promotional site without her, she called up Satoshi for a ride to Tenoh Corporation, but not before stopping by a restaurant and grabbing what would be their lunch.

She briefly wondered if Haruka ate already…and then if she were being followed, if seeing her visit the blonde at her place of employment didn't look that much of a big deal. Friends having lunch with friends…what was so wrong with that? She figured she didn't care much about what the media would be doing anymore. The people around them knew enough and that was all that mattered to her…for now.

But she would need to talk to the tomboy about some things regarding last night…like if she remembered what she said before she fell asleep…if she were being genuine or was just being funny in her drunken stupor. They have to talk about Hikaru too…and what it meant that they didn't have sex.

She was so resolute in thinking that they did…maybe to quell the torrent of depression overwhelming her as she wrote her album track by track. Because if she did…then the two of them really were just "screw buddies" to the blonde's eyes…but if they didn't…

What did that mean? She didn't feel like having sex that night? But there were so many insinuations that they were going to…What did that mean about the two of them? Maybe…just maybe it had been more than a casual relationship to Haruka? But that was jumping the gun again…because the blonde never gave any indication that she wanted more than what they were already doing. And even then, that doesn't change the situation they're in now.

She frowned slightly in her thought, her attention getting caught by the many ascending steps leading to Tenoh Tower.

"Would you like some help taking the food up ojou-sama?" Satoshi asked as he opened the door for her.

She took the plastic bag filled with what would be lunch and merely shook her head. "Thank you Satoshi-san. I'll call you when I get done."

He bowed and closed the door as she made her way out. After walking up the steps and thanking the doorman up front, she found her way at the lobby, men and women in crisp business suits going every way imaginable. She figured this was how Kaioh-Miroku was like as well…but never got into this kind of business to really know.

Walking to the information booth she gave a kind smile to the young girl behind the counter who after greeting her normally enough figured out who she was and got all saucer eyed.

"Y-y-y-you're Kaioh Michiru!!"

She wanted to grip her temples right then of exhaustion, but instead smiled as prettily as she had been trained and casually just asked, "Is Tenoh Haruka-san working today?"

"I-I…yeah…probably! Can I just please have your autograph fi—

"What is going on here?"

An aged, strict voice cut off the younger woman as they both looked to the side where another woman, older and definitely of higher rank glanced at the receptionist disapprovingly.

"So-sorry Takashi-san." The young girl bowed apologetically as the older woman gave attention to the violinist who had finally decided that maybe being quiet was a better way of getting what she wanted here.

"Do you require assistance Kaioh-sama?"

Oh, she knew her?

Michiru nodded and bowed to the woman. "I was wondering if Tenoh-san had lunch already and if she was okay from last night's party."

"The chairman's surliness from yesterday was so bad that I don't think anything she could do today could merit the same attitude, but in answering your question, no Tenoh-sama did not have lunch yet and I will be getting her some pain relievers for her hangover now that you've mentioned it. Follow me to her office."

She seemed strict…and the aqua haired woman could only follow. They made their way to a glass elevator, the old woman sliding a keycard over it and after a few moments more, they were making their way up, the elevator giving way to the beautiful and warm view that had decided to grace itself upon Tokyo that day.

"Takashi Yuki," the old woman greeted and bowed. "I am very sorry for the way the receptionist treated you…We will be sure to straighten out problems like that. I am both Tenoh Haruka-sama and Tenoh Yuriko-sama's secretary so if it becomes too problematic next time to get into the chairman's office, just call me." She extended her card to Michiru and the violinist could only bow gratefully.

"Thank you. I'll do that."

The door finally opened to the front of the chairman's offices, the smaller woman making her way out first before Yuki. An eruption of noise from the office straight ahead caused her thin aqua eyebrow to go up in skepticism as the olden secretary just sighed beside her.

"I'm just saying chairman that I think it would be fine to cut some of the workers for the Delta Project! There are a lot of unnecessary jobs filled right now and we're paying people to do nothing!"

"God…stop…yelling…" Michiru chuckled as she heard Haruka's low groan. "We're not cutting anyone off…the project's moving at a faster pace than we thought it would which means people aren't getting paid not doing anything. Shizu-san…I need…food…and maybe a Tylenol. If you have neither for me…get out of my office."

A loud sigh emitted from the man in the room with her. "But chairman—

"Talk to my mother about it. I don't care. If you press this with me anymore I'll hire some more workers to do absolutely nothing just to spite you. Go…"

A momentary silence passed over them until finally a rotund man made his way begrudgingly out of her office with a surly look in his face. He passed them without much thought or attention and went into the elevator, grunting to himself every now and then.

"Haruka's so popular with her coworkers," Michiru said in mirth.

Yuki chuckled. "Oh that's not even the half of it."

"Yuki! Are you back?!" the blonde yelled from her office.

Her secretary made her way to the front door, her eyebrows in skepticism. "Yes chairman I am."

"Bring me lunch…and a Tylenol. Give me a whole bottle to drown my sorrows—

"Haruka…"

Emerald eyes widened in surprise as the aqua haired woman popped out from the doorway with a disapproving look behind Yuki.

"Michiru!" But the smile that greeted her upon the blonde's face was enough to change her appearance as she showed the plastic bag of what would be their lunch to the already up and walking tomboy. "Ohhh lifesaver!"

They hugged briefly, Michiru smiling as her familiar scent surrounded her and smiled even wider when Haruka took the bag from her like an eager child.

"What's for lunch??"

"I brought sushi. I hope it's to your liking," she stated merrily and the blonde could only nod.

"Yuki close the door behind you. If my mother comes in tell her to leave us alone—

"Haruka…"

But the young CEO only grinned handsomely, pulling her along and sitting her down on her executive chair, Haruka grabbing the one usually reserved for visitors and pulling it right in front of where the violinist now sat. She dug into the bag eagerly, pulling the Styrofoam containers out and pushing the paperwork strewn across her desk out of the way to accommodate their lunch.

Michiru thought the entire thing looked endearingly cute…

"Did you not eat breakfast?" she asked worriedly as the blonde pulled out one of the two to-go chopsticks from the bag.

Shaking her head, the tomboy stated, "I woke up late…with a big headache…" She stopped digging into their lunch momentarily to look at the violinist apologetically. "I'm sorry if I acted like an ass last night…"

The aqua haired woman merely smiled. "Do you remember last night at all?"

Haruka looked as if she was in a pinch. "We went to that actor's house…I drank…and drank…and told Shou I wouldn't touch her with a pole…and slept…At least that's what my memory's telling me."

Michiru laughed, but nodded nonetheless. "That's technically what happened…"

"Sorry," she said softly. "Long day…didn't give me the right to act like that so…sorry."

They shared a small silence before the violinist brushed her hair endearingly. "You were very mean to her…Hikaru-san."

"Tch…" The blond sounded and grabbed an end of a rainbow roll with her chopsticks. "Yuki! Gimme a bowl." She glared at the roll for a second before locking eyes with sapphires that were looking at her intently. "What did she say to you?"

"Last night?"

"A month back…" Haruka's eyes narrowed at her question, Yuki coming in to the room wordlessly and dropping two plastic bowls on her table as well as two capsules of Tylenol and left just as quickly as she came. "What happened? What did she say to you?"

The aqua haired woman stopped for a second not sure if she wanted to relay everything that was said that day in the restaurant. She looked away from askance and angry eyes towards their untouched meal. "It…wasn't important…"

She said her words in barely a whisper, her eyes flittering back to emeralds that had finally looked away from her. The confused look didn't pass through the blonde's features as she readied their wasabi with some soy sauce on the bowl Yuki gave, the violinist beside her quiet as well.

As Haruka mixed the two ingredients together, she asked without looking at the smaller woman, "Did you…Were you disappointed…when she insinuated it?"

Michiru gulped, watching the black liquid turn slightly dark brown as it mixed with the green semi solid paste. "I…felt that it was yours and her business…and as such, it didn't have anything to do with me…"

It was a lie of course. Disappointment wasn't even the tip of the iceberg concerning her feelings on the matter. She was disappointed…But along with that she was also sad, angry, depressed…she had felt as if she had been betrayed. She felt…as if she was just…a…f-ck buddy. Rightly worded, justly said…all coming from the one woman she wanted to feel more than so with. This was why Jiro was wrong…Because there was nothing, right? Haruka and her…they were nothing to one another before, but mere stress relievers…Right now they were friends…but even that means absolutely nothing when one had to see the bigger picture. And the bigger picture held nothing for them…Nothing, but friendship that would quite possibly wither sooner than both expected it to.

"I hated it…" The violinist's attention shifted to the taller woman's soft voice, her eyes fixing on still narrowed, but less irritated eyes. "I hated it…that you thought me shallow enough to want a quick fix just because you probably thought it was your fault those pictures were sent to your parents meriting that blackmail attempt which caused your mother to question me and then made my day bad."

Emeralds locked with her widened sapphires, a stern look upon the young CEO's hardened features.

"Why'd you do that?"

"I thought…As I said last night…I thought you'd appreciate it…"

"You thought I'd appreciate it if you hooked me up with a one night stand that…I can't stand being around?"

"Apparently it was a bad judge of character—

"I thought you'd know me well enough to know that by now—

"Apparently I don't."

Haruka sighed as she stood up from the black leather chair, setting her chopsticks down on the Styrofoam. Michiru noted her curled fists before she shoved them in her pockets, her expression etched with irritation, but more than that confusion. She walked wordlessly to the glass wall that made most of the perimeter of her office and leaned against it, her face, partially glowing from the ray of sunshine pervading half of the room, towards the still sitting violinist.

She gripped her temples momentarily to dull the pain before looking back at the aqua haired woman with defeated eyes.

"What can I do…to make you get rid of this notion…that I'm some kind of a playboy?"

"I never said you were Haruka."

Panic suddenly began overtaking her as her mother's words from their lunch yesterday reminded her of what the other woman just stated…and how much of a hypocrite she's been…Shina had called her a lesbian playboy…and at the time she had even lashed back at such a thing uttered by her own mother—something she would not have expected given the amount of rudeness and crass it brought. But…had she been a hypocrite? That's what it was sounding like…

"Then don't push girls on me," the blonde stated loudly. "Don't think that I need them…Why? Why would I want to have sex with Shou for? I'm not desperate…If I were that desperate I'd find someone else…"

"And is it that easy?"

Haruka nodded with a condescending smile. "Yes, it is."

"Well then sorry for doing you a favor Haruka…and as a complete sort of irony…you just pinned yourself as a playboy by saying that."

"Is that all I'll ever be to you? Your playboy best friend? 'Let's go to a party Haruka. I'll invite someone so you can bang them tonight!'"

"No…" Michiru gripped her temples roughly. None of this…was going right…

"Would you like to know what happened that night with me and Shou?"

She looked up to still angry emerald eyes, her heart pounding in repeated aching throbs. Shaking her head, she stated softly, "That's your business…What you do with your spare time with your one night stands should strictly be kept to yourself…as is the same with your all of your other…f-ck buddies."

O--O

And all of the sudden she got where all of it was coming from…She needed to take that Tylenol…like now…But as she looked up to the smaller woman who was now looking away and seeing the hurt expression in her features, she couldn't help, but feel like an ass all over again…as she did that night. She had never forgotten about her words of course…but she had never apologized for them either.

"I'm sorry for what I said—

"It's the truth…there's no reason for you to be sorry about it…"

"Stop…saying that."

Michiru only shrugged noncommittally, her eyes never meeting her actions. "Well if you were genuine about your feelings—

"Did you think that I meant it?"

Haruka crossed the distance separating them within several strides as she saw the answer flicker through the violinist's features. She wanted to kick herself…hard…She towered over the smaller woman's figure before squatting down to the floor and looking up at her apologetically. She needed to get this out. Apparently, they both needed to straighten it out.

"If there's anything I want to take back from that night…it would be anything that I had said out of contempt," the blonde stated clearly, making sure their eyes were locked if only for the aqua haired woman to see for herself that she was serious about this matter. "There was that whole childish fight with Sugiura and all I wanted to do was shut him up—say whatever I wanted…just to shut him up. He jested at my intelligence regarding people and gossip so I bit back…just as I've always done. He asked about work, so I answered in a condescending manner. Lastly he wanted to know why that day…like some kind of a prodding reporter…so I told him…crassly…stupidly…like some jerk that's been cornered."

She bit the bottom of her lip as her mind refreshed that memory she had deeply wanted to forget, her narrowing eyes looking down and away now, if only in shame. She didn't have to look up at the hurt expression on the violinist's face…she could still see it clearly from her memory from that night.

She sighed dejectedly as her hands balled into fists…wanting nothing more than to hit herself then for acting the way she did. "I only said what I said to elicit a response. My tongue jumped the gun before my brain could process it and it went out as crassly as I was hoping it to, to make an impact regarding what Sugiura asked without ever thinking of you and what you felt in the other end. I was selfish and stupid and boisterous…and everything you knew me as a person only it was directed to you…and I never meant it to."

They stayed that way with Haruka squatting before the violinist in silence, the troubled looks in their faces never dissipating, her heart feeling heavier by the second as her thoughts successfully reminded her of her exact feelings that night…and how much she messed up just by stating empty words without thinking.

But here was her chance to right it. She would if only to stop the smaller woman from seeing her in this kind of light again.

"From the get go I already felt as if it would be more," she continued and got up, only to pull the vacant leather chair towards her and sitting down again, her eyes flickering back to saddened sapphires. "As you said…the sex was good, but so was the company that came with it. If you were my so-called f-ck buddy Michiru you'd know it…only because I don't think I could care for another human being as much as I do for you if you were merely just…some recreational activity…You would've felt the difference.

"The casual relationship we both agreed on was on a physical plane. The relationship we delved into transcended that…at least for me. You were not…nor will ever be my 'f-ck buddy'. Somewhere in the middle we became friends who respected one another and cared for one another more than the standard contract we agreed upon—a contract I would not break. And that's why I got so angry last night at the prospect that Shou lied. She made me become the woman I never wanted to be in a relationship…the one that I've always avoided. You may not have felt it, but we were in a relationship. A casual one, but nevertheless a relationship. And just as you clarified that you didn't cheat on me with Sugiura, I will once and for all clear the air that's between us and say I haven't had any sexual relations with anyone else since the first night we had sex."

She breathed evenly, thick silence dancing around them like a plague. She wondered briefly if she had said too much…then figured everything was worth saying if only to clear anymore misunderstandings between the two of them. She hoped it didn't sound like she just confessed her undying love though…there was enough on the violinist's plate without her shredding it all up into even bigger, messier pieces.

A hint of a relieved smile flickered across Michiru's features, warming her insides more than she could say. They locked eyes and that smile only grew bigger and the guilt that had been festering inside her finally began loosening at the mere sight of it.

"When I called Hikaru-san that day…I was going to judge everything that was said the night of our break up on whether or not you spent the night with her," she said softly, a small hint of pain flashing through her features as she thought back to that day. "If you did, I was just as what you said I was—a mere 'recreational activity'. If you didn't, you were just speaking out of contempt…and I would've gladly forgiven you…if only you didn't go home with her as both of you had insinuated.

"But it was hard to judge on whether or not she was lying…because she seemed genuinely happy that day, that she kept mentioning it was 'better than the first time' and that you had 'definitely gotten better…'"

Haruka felt the anger rise in her once more as she listened stonily to the other woman's explanations.

"So…because of that I figured since it meant nothing to you…it would be okay to just…be friends. That having camaraderie was better than not speaking at all because even though we were together in a sexual aspect…it was you who I was looking forward to…not what you did in bed…"

The blonde sighed as understanding dawned on her. The way she had acted that night…her too sweet smile…it made perfect sense to her now. "That's why you were overly friendly in Lunaire…"

Michiru nodded with a smile as she shook her head in disbelief at herself. "And that's why you were angry and avoiding me when I was being overly friendly in Lunaire…"

They laughed softly as the pieces finally began falling in place, the weights coming off of their shoulders simultaneously. This felt good to the tomboy…talking it all out. Well…not all of it…but this would definitely do for now. She figured she'd be able to tell the violinist all that she felt someday…It would be too late by then, but to tell so now…She couldn't do it…There was so much going on in Michiru's life that she would not add one more thing for her to think about. They would laugh about it someday…her feelings. For now…she'll just cry to herself.

Haruka gave an outward smile of melancholy as she swallowed the familiar lump of pain down her throat, her attention gathered by those soft hands she'd grown used to feeling on her cheek and her smile turning just a bit more genuinely happy as she met those same enthralling sapphire eyes.

"I'm sorry…"

She gave an outward look of confusion at the violinist's uttered words.

"For not telling you about Jiro and everything that came with him…"

But the tomboy merely shrugged. "As it was…" she said softly in reply. "Our relationship couldn't go any further. You said so yourself, it had to end." Michiru's pained expression was evident at her words, but she marched on. "I know we've said time and time again that the casual part of the relationship had started to become more because of the company behind it, but we were lying to a lot of people. And as it was…we couldn't do it anymore. I didn't want you to.

"So don't be sorry. Our 'break up' was wholly justified if only because I knew from the get go that it shouldn't have lasted…Not because I didn't think it would…but because it wasn't supposed to. I'm only glad that something fruitful came out of it…I'm glad I got those tickets to see you again and it was the catalyst for this friendship—this bond that we have now."

She smiled at the wonderfully happy and content face Michiru sported right then as they leaned towards each other for a hug, the violinist's head comfortably placed on the nook of her neck and her arms at her sides while the tomboy's enveloped her by her shoulders, her hands coming up to brush the cascading aquamarine curls.

She sighed in relief and content and just being overall happy that the smaller woman had the time to come see her today to spend lunch with her…although they hadn't started yet…They had cleared the air of anymore useless misunderstandings that had been plaguing both of them…and only one thing remained uncovered.

Haruka was more than willing to wait that one out…If anything she didn't have to lie to herself and just confess she was a coward…She could picture nothing, but rejection from the younger woman. Of course it wouldn't be the ones she had been dreaming about…like getting slapped as she confessed or getting laughed at in the end of it, but she was more than willing to wait for the day Michiru would let her down easily…with an apologetic, but beautiful saddened look in her eyes that told her she wished she felt the same, but she couldn't force something that wasn't there beyond what their old casual relationship had given.

"Ne…we should eat…"

The violinist laughed at her randomly placed and crass words as the door to her office opened, a wide eyed and surprised Yoshiko staring at them hugging before she quickly apologized and began turning around to leave the room.

"Yoshiko-san wait!"

"Kaa-san, where are you going?"

Haruka laughed loudly as her mother turned back, looking very sorry that she had barged in and may have destroyed the moment they needed…

"I…was just checking if Haruka-chan had gone out to lunch already…that's all. Presume…whatever—

"Did you eat lunch already?"

"Haruka don't cut off your own mother…" Michiru chastised and smiled sweetly at the elder female Tenoh as her daughter gave her an even look. "If you haven't I brought enough sushi Yoshiko-san. We can all eat together before I leave."

"Are…you sure?"

"Sit here, I'll grab a chair from outside," the tomboy stated and got up as the violinist distributed all the containers neatly on the table, opening them to showcase their lunch.

As they passed, her mother gave her a truly apologetic look that she only boisterously chuckled lowly at. "It's not like we were doing anything…"

"I didn't want to ruin the moment," she whispered back harassed.

Her daughter merely shrugged. "It'll be your fault that I couldn't confess my undying love today…"

"Hah…you're too chicken for that aka-chan…I already knew that…"

Haruka threw her a bad look as she smiled back triumphantly, their attention gathered simultaneously by the violinist who only looked at them silently in askance at their whispering forms.

O--O

They looked really, really good.

Yoshiko couldn't help, but think that as she sat in between them in a kind of triangular fashion, her daughter sitting on a chair she pulled some time ago from the room outside to her left and Michiru to the right, looking every bit the beautiful and elegant woman she'd grown to know within the last couple months. She hadn't really meant to barge in…Their secretary wasn't at her table when she finished her meeting with another client and she figured the blonde was either waiting for her and sulking about her headache and when lunch would be or had already left to eat without her.

She sighed softly to herself as she ate another tuna sashimi after dipping it into the soy sauce.

"So when's the whole planning thing…going to take place?" Haruka asked after swallowing some food down. She grabbed a plastic cup filled with water and drank as Michiru looked up with a thoughtful expression.

"This Friday," the violinist said softly. "I discussed it with my mother and told her all of the promotional expenses have already been paid for, for the sites I'll be visiting this week so I can't cancel it and she was more than willing to wait for the end of the week. Starting Friday, it will be nonstop wedding planning."

The elder female Tenoh sighed inwardly at this as she looked at her daughter who only nodded understandingly.

"Well, if you need me for anything, just call," the blonde shrugged and popped another salmon sashimi in her mouth.

"I was actually hoping you'd say that…" The taller woman looked at the violinist questioningly as she only gave an unsure smile. "I was hoping you'd come along with me as a second opinion on…technically everything…But if you're busy with your job or—

"She'll be there…" Her daughter narrowed her eyes as the elder female Tenoh only gave an outward smirk. "I'll be sure to be here to take care of her workload so she can go out there with you and help you with whatever you may need from her."

Haruka sighed and glanced at the smiling violinist evenly. "Well apparently I won't be as busy as I thought I would be…so I'll…be there. Are you sure it's okay though? Your mother and I…aren't the best of friends."

"But we are…and I've told her so," Michiru stated seriously with a still soft smile on her features. "It'll be fine. Don't worry yourself too much about it. I just need second opinions or…an outside view of things."

"Sugiura'll be there as well?"

She nodded. "I know you don't think very highly of him as of now, but…try to like him…at least converse."

"For whose sake?"

"Mine."

"As long as I'm doing it for you and not as a show for your mother—

"I wouldn't want you to work that hard Haruka."

Her daughter smirked and nodded in understanding as Yoshiko smiled at how well they were getting along. But as good as this picture looked…her daughter happy and smiling with Michiru in front of her, she couldn't help, but feel the sadness of their overall predicament. It looked as if both were yielding to the wedding…and she didn't want them to. She would have to talk to Haruka about it later; open up the can of worms that they had been meticulously evading.

They were nearing the end of lunch and the tomboy had just popped the two capsules of Tylenol in her mouth as the violinist looked worriedly on.

"Are you going to be okay for the rest of the day?" she asked as she ruffled her hair affectionately, Yoshiko only smiling silently on at the two of them.

Haruka nodded after shaking her head to rattle her brain a bit. "I know you'll be busy with all the things you have to finish this week so call me up on Thursday night to tell me where to meet up and all that. And if anything else arises like…more blackmailing attempts, just say so…"

"Did you do something about it?"

The blonde frowned a bit at the question, irritation from seeing the man in question last night settling in her head. "You want—

"The truth."

She nodded as her mother looked on at her, curious as to what she's done as well. "I would've done something, but…someone got there before me." A worried frown creased through the smaller woman's features as she continued, "I made the necessary phone calls this morning when I woke up with a bad mood from my hangover and I gave the go ahead to find out who he was, shut him, and his company down and do it so discreetly, but quick enough that no one would know. But as I said…someone got there before I did. Rich people…really don't like to get messed with…"

Michiru sighed as understanding dawned on her. It could only be her parents…

"Don't beat yourself up about it Michiru," the tomboy stated and shrugged. "He had the gall to follow us and then scheme it all up to get rich. I'm actually kind of disappointed I couldn't get my hands dirty this time around…"

"Haruka…"

"I'm serious." The young CEO frowned deeper as she sipped some more water. "What he did…was the catalyst to make your family question you and your relationships, made us lie to look better publicly, and…give the wedding date an express delivery. He'd be more than bankrupt if I got to him first…and I'd be proud to tell it to you."

She stood up with a sigh as Michiru's eyes followed her actions. Rubbing her throbbing temple slightly, she stated clearly, "I'm very protective of the people I love." Sapphires widened at evading emeralds until they finally locked eyes, narrowed, irritated orbs looking down at the violinist uneasily. "That's the two people in this room with me now. If anything were to happen to either of you, I don't know what else I'd do than do everything in my power to right the wrong…even if I have to dirty myself to do it. No one messes my family and gets away with it…it's that simple."

The two women could only sit around her in awe at her words as she drank the rest of her water down. Then wordlessly, Michiru got up and embraced her in a hug, slinging her arms around her neck tightly as she returned the show of endearment, her eyes making their way to Yoshiko's who could only smile at her proudly. Then, the elder female Tenoh got up as well and joined the little hug, eliciting a smirk from the tomboy and a smile from the woman she wished would see that the word "love" wasn't uttered by her daughter in a way a friend would say it to a friend or a family member would say it to another family member.

It was the closest Haruka would be to confessing her feelings…Yoshiko knew that all too well only because she knew her daughter well enough to know. She could only hope that this "friends" phase would be duly over before the wedding, so neither of them would grow old and bitter at missed opportunities.

O--O

"Aka-chan, do you have some time before you leave?"

Her mother had caught her just as she was making her way out of the door. She figured, she was waiting for that opportunity more than good timing, but the blonde would just entertain that thought for now.

"Yes, kaa-san. What's up?"

She entered the doorway to the elder female Tenoh's office and leaned on the doorframe, her arms crossing around her chest casually as she did so. Yoshiko was busy stuffing papers inside folders, this little bit of workout leaving her standing instead of sitting down. She looked like she'd be staying a little later than the tomboy tonight.

"Had a good lunch today I presume?"

Haruka could only nod. "It was a good surprise…seeing Michiru in the middle of a work day."

"You both looked awfully comfortable when I barged in…"

"Just clarifying some things…like if I slept with someone who said I slept with them when I didn't…"

She laughed at the incredulous look upon her mother's face. "Your little playboy reputation finally caught up to you, hmm?"

"I'm not the one spreading the rumors, mother."

"Nh, it's the women you bed. Even better…Gives it a genuine flair…"

"Did you want to talk to me about something or are you just giving me the proper chastising I needed for the day to merit our mother daughter relationship?"

Yoshiko laughed. "No aka-chan…I was actually wondering if…" She trailed off as the smile in her face left as well, the serious intonation changing the tone of their conversation.

"If I'm going to tell Michiru how I feel before she weds?" Haruka asked, leaning her head tiredly on the doorframe as well.

Her mother nodded.

She could only shrug. "I don't think I should—

"Why not?"

"It'd be adding to her stress. It's unnecessary—

"Haruka-chan your feelings are not unnecessary—

"That's not what I'm trying to say." Silence pervaded the room momentarily before the tomboy sighed. "She has a lot on her plate right now. She just came out with an album, we're not completely sure if that reporter's the only person who could start a scandal, and now she has a wedding to plan. I'm not going to add unnecessary stress by telling her I have feelings for her."

"So you'll just sit it out forever?"

"I'll tell her someday…when we could laugh about it—

"It's no laughing matter Haruka-chan."

The young CEO sighed louder and turned so that her back was against the doorframe. Leaning on it so that her head was far back enough to see the ceiling, she stated sadly, "I've already come towards a decision that it's best to remain her friend."

"Why?"

"Because that's all she sees me as."

She heard her mother snicker. "And if you're wrong?"

"If I'm wrong, our relationship would be seen as nothing, but an eyesore to society—

"Since when did you give a crap about what society thinks?"

"Ever since Michiru showed me that it's all that matters in her family."

Her mother frowned at her words as their same emerald orbs locked. Sighing, Yoshiko replied, "She…is the one for you. I can't see anyone else that matches you more perfectly than she does. You should see yourself when you're with her…I almost wish I could pull you out of your body just to show you how well you both compliment each other." She walked towards the tomboy and stood right beside her, her hand coming up to brush some stray blond locks back. "I wish you both would stop being so selfless and start being selfish…if only for yourselves. No one would be in greater pain than the two of you. Can you imagine how it would be if Michiru-chan saw you in the same light that you see her? How the two of you would feel if this goes on in an unrequited love until neither of you can go on anymore? It pains me that you can't be more…that you won't try."

Haruka hung her head low as she stared at the floor in defeat. Smiling to herself, she remembered just then, of her dream. "I had a dream last night," she stated softly. Her mother looked kind of surprise at this random statement, but listened on wordlessly. "That the wedding went off without a hitch and Michiru and Sugiura had a kid. In the dream…I was asked to baby sit and the kid and I were playing…and apparently Sugiura had been too busy with work to really pay her time and attention and as I was spinning her around, she says, 'Faster Papa, faster…'"

That familiar lump in her throat had settled itself there once again making her heart drum in agonizing repetitions. Everything in that dream was still so clear to her…so vivid. It felt real. "I try to explain that I wasn't her dad…and she couldn't understand…so she started crying…and all I could do was hold her and tell her it was going to be okay…that her real mom and dad would be coming home soon. She fell asleep crying on my shoulder and as I held her, I wanted nothing more than to tell her how much I wanted to be her father…or at least be that father figure for her. And Michiru and Sugiura comes home from their date and Sugiura takes her from my arms while Michiru comes to thank me and I stood there long enough to feel the alienation…when she joined the baby and Sugiura and just stood there with them with the most content look in her face.

"I woke up this morning with that picture burned in my mind…and it reminded me just how much of a perfect family Michiru's always wanted. The first time I met her, she was drowning her sorrows because of her family. Even now, she's doing her best to maintain her ties with them…If I were to tell her I love her…and she would magically say she does too…I would be stripping all form of normalcy from her. Being worse than having looked down upon by random people would be not being able to give her what she wants…

"I can't give her everything. Sugiura can. So maybe it's better this way."

Yoshiko sighed deeply as she could only look up to the apparent dam of tears in her daughter's eyes. Haruka merely gave her mother a smile.

"I don't think she loves Sugiura now…but given the time and opportunity they'll be like her parents. They'll learn each others habits, likes, dislikes…And in due time she'll be able to create that perfect family she's always wanted. I'll be there as her best friend and confidante if only to side with her when things don't go her way. I feel…to be that as my sole purpose in her life…would be enough."

Her insides hurt…her heart constantly beating in pain…Sleep…she needed it. She'd welcome it. Maybe…she would see the cute little girl in her sleep again tonight…the one that looked so much like a small version of Michiru.

"I'm gonna go kaa-san." Her mother could only look at her in depression and worry, but she knew she wouldn't be pushing this anymore tonight. Leaning down, she gave her a small kiss in the cheek and smiled handsomely. "Sorry for worrying you so much. I love you…don't work too hard."

Yoshiko reached up to her in a hug and kissed her in the cheek as well. "Drive safely aka-chan."

In the confines and isolation of the elevator, the blonde punched the stop switch and only gripped the guardrails tightly as it came to a brief stop, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably and her tears coming down just as evenly in heart wrenching silence.

Five minutes elapse and the tomboy finally comes out of the elevator in the parking garage, eyes just a bit bloodshot, but looking generally normal…like the strong woman she's always shown to the outside world. Atop Tenoh Tower, Yoshiko could only sigh in worry, her eyes finally leaving the bright red letters that read P1 for Parking Garage One instead of fifty-three…the floor the elevator had stayed in for more than three minutes.

O--O--O--O--O

"So…what is this place?"

They were standing outside the front of a small store, the blonde looking inside just a bit as curiosity was getting to her.

"You know that format and paper I used for the tickets concerning the Show and Tell Event?" She nodded to Michiru who was standing next to her, Jiro looking in with her as well through the clear glass window. "They were custom made here. Shizuka-san said their real specialty is wedding invitations so…"

"Oh…ok…" Jiro nodded to himself in understanding even though Haruka was the one to ask the question and gave a weird look to the blonde. "What would you do in this case?"

They had met a couple hours ago to have breakfast, the tomboy surprised at Jiro being there with them, but even more surprising to her was how…friendly…he seemed. It was…really out of character…But a couple hours had passed and if he was hell bent on looking like the perfect fiancé to Michiru in front of her best friend, she would entertain it…if only for that reason.

Haruka breathed in, in contemplation and stated, "I would get a white piece of paper…say who's getting married, when they're getting married, where it's going to take place, and what time…Michiru…this…is this important?"

Jiro raised his hands up. "My thoughts exactly…"

But the violinist could only roll her eyes at them. "Of course wedding invitations are important. They'll carry all the necessary information anyone not having anything to do with the wedding needs to know…"

"Yeah, but…can't we just skip this entire process and just…do what Tenoh-san just said?"

"Jiro…if they need you at the office—

"They don't! I just…thought it would be something more important like…picking out the dresses…"

"Or the ring," the tomboy joined.

Jiro nodded in agreement. "Or the cake!"

"Or the tuxedoes—

"Okay…"

They both laughed at the chastising look upon Michiru's face as she sighed and stood beside them. "Jiro…you're my fiancé. Agree with everything I have to say."

The red haired man straightened himself under her gaze and nodded politely. Haruka grinned at him as if he were playing the part of a whipped dog.

"And Haruka." She turned to the blonde who suddenly sported an uneasy look at her gaze. "You're my best friend. You will be…the maid of honor for my wedding. Whether or not I choose a dress or a tuxedo for you to wear will be decided by how much…help…you'll be in this process."

Jiro laughed loudly as the young CEO's eyes doubled in fear. "Michiru…come on! I will not wear a dress…"

"By how you're acting right now, you sure sound like you do…"

She decidedly shut up, sending a death glare over at the onyx eyed man's direction as he continued to laugh in mirth.

"My, my, aren't we so cozy this morning…"

All of their attention perked up to the presence of the elder female Kaioh as she walked to them, her eyes construed by large sunglasses and her tan business suit making her look that much more…imposing. She took her sunglasses off as she neared her daughter, sharing a hug with her and smiling sweetly at Jiro. Haruka bowed to her in greeting, but her frozen smile stuck to her porcelain like features.

"Let's get going inside. We need to get these invitations done as quickly as possible to make sure they get sent on time."

She walked in first, followed by Jiro. Michiru looked up worriedly at Haruka who only smiled back.

"I'm—

"Shh, let's go," the blonde stated and playfully pushed her inside. She felt the smaller woman's soft hand squeezed hers gently for a moment making her smile wider as they finally joined Shina and Jiro who were both talking to the owner of the establishment.

A couple minutes in and looking at a few examples littering the store, the door opened once more to welcome another customer.

"What's your favorite color Sugiura…san?"

Jiro coughed at the honorific that followed a little too late. "Green."

"Alright…marine blue and green…so don't go well together…"

"Marine blue?"

"Michiru's favorite color?"

He looked at his fiancé in surprise as she looked back at him in askance. "You…I thought your favorite color was…pink?"

"Not since I was eight…"

The red haired man looked like he wanted to fall off the face of the earth.

"Jiro do you remember when I told you that if you wanted to know something you should ask me instead of my parents?"

"I know…I know," he grunted and scratched his head a bit. "But I thought they'd at least be close…Pink and marine blue…aren't exactly—

"In the same color spectrum?"

He looked at Haruka who managed to cut him off and finish his statement. He could only sigh. "Exactly…"

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet someone."

They all turned to the direction of Shina's voice at which time, Haruka's heart had decidedly leapt up to her throat. Dark, purple eyes bore right through hers as her own emeralds narrowed in reflex.

The elder female Kaioh only smiled prettily. She turned to the woman as she addressed each of them. "That's my daughter and her fiancé, Michiru-chan and Jiro-kun and that beside her is Tenoh-san. They will all be joining us in this quest to make the perfect wedding."

Her company smiled and bowed to them as the two soon to be weds bowed as well. The tomboy could only stand frozen in her spot.

"Everyone, I decided that in order for everything to go as planned, it would be imperative to hire a wedding planner. This is Rai Keiko-chan and she will be joining us as well."

AN: That was supposed to be a cliffy, but if you don't feel it is or don't know why, refer back to chapter five haha. All in all though, I think that should be the last twist in my story…but I'll say it might not be just to be sure. I'm not sure how you guys thought Jiro and Michiru's talk would go, but I hope everyone stop hating my OC and focus their anger on Shina and Keiko now cuz haha…/sigh. So HnM cleared the air on that whole f-buddy fiasco, but of course not fully since they're not all up into each other yet, but we'll see how they get to that phase right? You also got to see how Yui was like prior to her death as well as her boyfriend at the time who wasn't as great as she thought he was…according to Jiro's memories anyway. I personally liked writing that first part in his perspective…It was a nice change of pace. That's about it I think…OH! I'm starting fall quarter next Monday…boooo. So updates probably won't be as scheduled since I'll be busier than usual, but I hope to update nonetheless so don't fret too much. Over 300 reviews…thank you very much for making it happen. It looks like it might pass HP although word-wise it's definitely longer anyway. Thanks for your continued support and hopefully I can update soon enough so you guys won't have to wait too long.

Garfield: Heh guess you are. Haha don't toss that love word so frequently. HnM…will have to wait a little/a lot longer. This was what Michiru's parents were planning and we'll just have to see if they'll have a misunderstanding over it. You have a good weekend as well.

Kilohe: hahaa POWER YES!! O.O wow sorry…came outta nowhere. Pulled a Plankton there (from Spongebob). Nothing would ruin my life more than someone after me in my realm…I hate getting ganked cuz I'm such a PVE-er anyway so if you had set that up and you told me…haha…guess I can… "forget" to update for like…a month.

jadedlilgirl: Woot for reading the whole thing. Glad you like it.

t.: Yeah…it's 6 AM right now as I'm typing this although I'm not as tired this time around oddly enough. I think it was the bad Gruul's run that irked me last time…XD Haruka's line…haha…she's so miserable. I hope…I don't pin her up as some girl who wants to be a guy though…cuz I soooo don't want to portray her as that kind of character. She's a lot stronger than that…You reread it? XD Well I hope I can keep their dialogue separate…don't like to give the readers unnecessary confusion as to who's talking and whatnot.

Icy-Windbreeze: Haha your heart ached…yay! I like that feeling…call me a masochist…but I like that feeling…

Mantaray: XD yeah I was being sarcastic with the title. And the scene in Haruka's room seemed to be the fan favorite of the chappy. Glad you liked it because I had other scenes in mind that would've completely erased its existence.

RaginFireDesire: Haha…I pay for my books and it's a pain so that's why I asked. Glad you liked the chapter and my personal favorite line for this chappy definitely has to be "I'm very protective of the people I love" from Haruka. Wait…as an author…am I allowed to have a favorite line?

wolvesorrow: Yep went scandal route, but I didn't want it to go overboard…just speed things up a bit cuz I don't know how I'll write a whole year where they'll pine for each other until the wedding's finally here. Haha you sound very mad…are you okay? As for the friendship between the two of them everyone will eventually know…probably…I'm not sure yet…haven't written it. But yeah…it'll be questioned and it'll be answered as justly as when I decide it to I guess. The fact that no one knows about Haruka means…no one really knows about Michiru…and that's the main reason why her parents and Jiro don't know her enough to really merit knowing more than what she allows to show. Of course this was done purposefully if only for the reason that no one knows Michiru more than Haruka because she doesn't show all the sides of who she is to anyone else, but the blonde…and adding to the fact that Haruka can kinda skirt around to how she feels too. Haruka's liquid courage…is all but forgotten to her.

mrerice: Alright…huzzah for making me look up what a candiru is…and I won't ever…EVER go swimming in the amazon -.- As for Jiro going into contact w/ them…I really hope your impression of him has somewhat gotten better. He's an okay guy XD I would never wish that on my worst…well okay…for my worst enemies sure…but anyone else and it's too cruel. Glad you liked the chapter and you'll see more Shina-Shinji partnerships on wrecking havoc upon HnM's relationship.

LaCazadora: Yup…guess it'll be explained in further detail within the next chapter as speculation on either Haruka or Michiru's part, but we'll see.

petiyaka: Evil…well it's okay. It's not THAT evil. We'll just see how they'll get over it eh? Einstein? I wish…haha.

AlterEgoErin: It will continue to go down…they're here to stay for the remainder of the story. Haha…I wonder now if I made Michiru too weak when it comes to her parents…but even the most strong willed people bend to their parents' will yeah? Unless a complete emancipation's in order…Haha Yui was a decent relative…but yeah…she's kinda dead…Hahaha the setting would've been a viable enough answer IMO. You're right…it was as if Hikaru wasn't really there huh? I think…I dunno if I wrote it like that to tell you the truth…Although I think I may have subconsciously done that knowing what happened the last time she tried to hit on Haruka when she was in a bad mood. As for Michiru saying she wasn't Haruka's gf…yup. Episode 92 when Minako and Usagi stalk Haruka and they ask her point blank and she's like no…haha. Lying comes so easily…although…hmm…I kind of question when they get together in canon…because at the start of Super it doesn't seem like they've confessed yet, but after the Marine cathedral eps…they seemed closer somehow. Oh wait…Michiru confessed when Haruka accepted the Henshin rod…oh nvm…-.- I'm tired…

Haruka-Michiru: You kinda really hate me right now? XD hahahaha. How you said that reminds me of how I told my mom I broke the blender. "Mom…I kinda broke the blender…" But you know…if all the questions are answered it would mean the end of my story…so…technically we can't have that yet.

krugern: Haha…my gf says that too… "noooo you have more written…read more" (I read to her my story, she doesn't like to read it herself) Yeah I personally think what she said to Shina was sad…Haha Michiru and Yoshiko…we'll see won't we? XD well you definitely, definitely hate her parents more than Jiro now yes? As for Shina and Shinji finding out about that night…I think I'll leave it to the backburner seeing as the only characters I want to acknowledge that scene is in a somewhat even pedestal right now. Of course Haruka has no recollection of what she said…and Michiru…well…I guess she'll think about it a little bit more in her confused state…xD making them see Haruka's perfect for Michiru will be a blast…looking forward to how I write it…? Haha…I'm not even completely sure yet.

Nekomi Kaze: Hmm…will she marry Jiro? Haha we'll see…it might be an ending everyone will love to hate…or hate to love…one of the two oxymoron. Jiro…I hope everyone doesn't think so wrongly of him now…cuz I made him into such a bad guy that I just felt sorry for him…haha. He's had it pretty rough too.

Akira-kun: Haha hmm…Michiru's parents' eating their own words will definitely happen. As for the wedding planning or the actual wedding itself…guess we'll see. Haha…my answers are always the same: "Guess we'll see." One thing's for sure…they'll definitely do all they can to make it go the other way while Haruka'll just keep acting like her same, cool self.

Black Caballiere: XD Jiro…my poor OC. Shina and Shinji…my two other poor OC's that are going to take the hurtfuls from the reviewers (Hurtful comes from Gruul's from WoW…does 8k dmg to the tank and one shot to anyone else who isn't…-.- yeah u so didn't need to know that). Hope you'll be entertained some more. Oh! Not to mention Keiko'll be receiving hurtfuls too :D

Swinging Cloud: I'm sorry that my updates don't work out with your schedule T.T You really should go to bed tho…although I'm just being a hypocrite now cuz it's 6:30 in the morning and I haven't slept yet -.- hahaha foreboding hint of doom…that sounds awesome.

impersonal: :D well I'm glad you love it XD Haruka…for the record does not remember anything and two, did not hear a word Michiru said…if only to live up to my whole…prolonged angst deal. XD

waitingforFWBupdate: hahahaa telenovela zomg…is Maging Sino Ka Man still on cuz damn…I never really watched any of that stuff but when my parents finally moved out (don't ask how backwards that statement just seemed), but when they finally moved out, that show was like…on for a half a year and the last time I visited them, I think it was still showing, but all of them are so alike it doesn't even fade me anymore…I stopped paying attention. The only one I really like is Maalaala mo Kaya…zomg…did I spell that right? A scene where she sees Michiru stealing kisses…haha…as of now that's asking too much, but we'll see how far she'll get to know Haruka's character before we make her daughter do that yeah?

Vanessa Riverton: Sorry for FFN sucking hella badly and not giving you the alerts, but I'm glad you got caught up quickly. Reading your reviews as they popped up hour after hour was amusing to no end. As for Jiro sleeping with Hikaru…haha I can safely say the answer to that is no…too much drama for this author to write about…fo' sho'.

Chumba Wumba: But my mind will keep irking me if I don't update…so I guess forcing myself to stay up to do so is okay haha. Hahahahahaha no pining til eternity? I thought you guys would love an ending like that…Jiro and Michiru married, with that kid while Haruka's off babysitting…yeah. That kind of ending's pretty good yes? Hahaaha yeah, they're not very good liars when it comes to what other people can see…although I think they just choose to think each other as friends to cushion the possibility that they can't be together. I'd like to meet them too T.T :( I'm sorry you're going away, but hopefully I can have a couple chapters ready for you when you come back. Good luck with those exams.

konekokoi: you are more than welcome.

Elphie: Haha Friend fluff…there'll be more of those.

Galinda Thropp: /Blush. Well thank you for taking the time to get an ffn account to review this story although I wouldn't have minded an anonymous one since a lot of people do it enough…it's less of a hassle as well. Haha break em up and put em together again…XD I think I almost did that…until I decided to delete that entire chapter and start from scratch wanting "prolonged angst". XD slap the characters…yeah I'll try to find those grammar/spelling errors I've done. I'm pretty aware of them, but when my attention finally catches it I'm either too busy or too lazy to do anything about it. /slap self. I end up forgetting where they are but tch…-.- haha.