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

16. Doubts

Chapter 16: Doubts

She was awake long before the owner of the house as well as her daughter, but did not go downstairs. She had tried once, but when she snuck a peak at how they were both still comfortably snug against one sofa together, she went back upstairs. It struck her then during these couple hours before dawn when she waited out for either of them to wake that she wasn't as proud, nor strong, nor confrontational as she thought she once was. It may have been the one-sided talk Michiru and her had yesterday…or it could've been the fact that she saw the entire conversation she and Haruka shared last night as she stayed in the shadows of the staircases. Regardless of the reason, she had not felt the need to gallivant in between the two women and break them up. She was so sure she would…but she was given the chance and she didn't.

She sighed outwardly.

What was wrong with her? Her daughter was downstairs in the arms of another woman when she's scheduled to marry a nice enough man in a matter of a month and she chose not to do something about it. Maybe the fact that she knew they weren't doing nor going to do anything served as her leeway for not going downstairs right known and start yelling.

She saw it last night…how they interacted. They were nothing short off a real couple. If there was even one kiss on the cheek they would've looked like a real couple…but maybe her presence in the house restrained them from doing anything? She doubted it. Michiru would not have had that talk with her if they truly were together.

The real question now was whether or not she would entertain her daughter's plea and try to look at the good sides the young CEO had. The violinist was resolute on keeping her end of their so-called bargain and she knew she wouldn't have had the need to speak about the matter if it didn't mean the world to her…

What did Haruka do to her?

What did she do to make the barrier that was suppose to be there between women and relationships disappear altogether? And then it was here when she questioned herself about knowing her daughter. Really knowing her daughter. Had she always had an affinity for women? Since when? And…why? As far as she knew, this…phase…came out of nowhere.

But she was starting to really doubt that it was merely a phase…nor wedding day jitters—the only people that had that were soon-to-be weds that were actually excited for the event…not dreading it.

She could still remember her wedding day…and how angry she was because of the fixed marriage. Call her a hypocrite, but she hated the entire thing and wished her parents as well as Miroku Tea Company would fall off a cliff the night before. She felt the only thing good about the entire thing was that Shinji wasn't ugly. He was infuriatingly handsome, confident, and knew the insides and out of tea companies like she did. She could tell he hated it too, but he didn't show it as often as she did.

They didn't have sex the night of their "honeymoon." They had a verbal squabble instead. She had told him exactly what she thought of him and he did the same. By the end of it, they were in separate rooms…not exactly a different hotel, but very close to it. She had thought that, that would be the gist of their marriage…but Shinji was surprisingly annoying.

Maybe it was to bug her. Maybe he thought her irritated demeanor was more or less funny. Maybe…he was lonely and wanted more of the marriage than she did…but the elder male Kaioh made it a point to seek her out during and after company hours just to make his presence known…and sooner rather than later, she had gotten used to his.

There wasn't a romantic story behind it like him catching a cold and her having to take care of him. They didn't go on dates—dating after already being married seemed like a stupid idea in and of itself. It was merely getting used to him…and him getting used to her. A year into their marriage and he had asked oh so cheekily about a successor and she sussed it was in the nine months she had Yui in which they really got close.

Shinji was very protective of her and as soon as they had found out she was pregnant with their first child, he had insisted for her to move in to the Kaioh Estate…for medical reasons. She hadn't gone back to the Fuji Estate since…not even after Yui had died and both of them reverted back the relationship they had a couple months before and after the wedding. It was a big enough mansion where it was possible to live with him…and not at the same time.

But the point of the matter was their marriage had been successful…and she was thinking Michiru and Jiro's would too. They were already friends! It was merely one more step for it to go a little further…

Maybe she should see what the big deal was with Tenoh Haruka…Michiru and Jiro are going to marry regardless of her presence…so…

Shina gripped her temples and sighed once more before looking up to hear slight tinkling noises being made downstairs. She prayed that someone, anyone would be up…So as quietly as she could, she made her way downstairs and snuck a peak at the sofa where only Michiru slept comfortably in now. The noises the kitchen was making were a bit louder here, but at the same time quieted deliberately. She stepped off of the last staircase and into the comfortable living room, glancing at her daughter's relaxed sleeping features as she did so.

"Kaioh-san, good morning."

She swiveled her attention to Haruka who was busying herself in the kitchen.

"Good morning Tenoh-san," she greeted in an automatic clipped tone.

She couldn't help herself sometimes when she spoke to the blonde; her voice seemed to have the knack of going an octave lower and colder…But her gray eyes widened slightly as she finally saw what she was doing.

"You're cooking breakfast?"

She couldn't help the surprised tone in her voice as well apparently and the tomboy merely smirked at her direction before going back to her chore.

"Would you prefer traditional or western?" Haruka asked as she turned around and opened the refrigerator.

A blue thin eyebrow went up in skepticism. "Anything…would do…"

"Hmm…" she sounded and took out an egg tray. "Traditional it is…" Turning to her, she smiled easily and asked, "Want to help?"

She couldn't even remember the last time she had stepped foot in a kitchen moreover helped!

"I…might be a nuisance more than anything," she stated evenly and frowned a little as the blonde woman chuckled.

"You don't cook?"

"No…"

"Kind of surprising…since your daughter does."

"I remember Yui-chan coming home once from high school and raving about a home economics class she was in. Michiru-chan didn't want to be left out of the loop and literally begged her to teach her, and when she wasn't around to teach asked the chefs at the estate instead."

The tomboy laughed. "Cute."

She walked towards the busy blonde and looked over at the side as she meticulously cut a big side of salmon. "And you?"

"Kaa-san taught me."

"I'm surprised she would have the time for it."

"She normally didn't, but she made an exception when she saw how interested I was with knives," and finished off the statement by flipping the cleaver in her hands expertly and with a grin.

Gray eyes could only widen. "I…see…"

Haruka chuckled crassly again. "Not as tactless as I make it sound…But on to better things…is there anything you have about Michiru that I can use for ammo later? Bed wetting habits? Fights in school?"

"Michiru-chan was the perfect child."

She grunted playfully as she tossed one more cut portion into a strainer. "Darn…I was hoping you wouldn't say that…"

"Ammo for what exactly?"

The tomboy shrugged. "It's nice seeing her laugh."

They shared a small look before she went back to her work, but not after giving a small smile.

She was genuinely stunned at how easily Haruka had just said those things to her…And how she couldn't find a trace of malicious intent in the tall woman's sparkling emerald eyes.

She had been in business long enough to know when someone wasn't being genuine or simply lying through their teeth…and the young CEO before her…wasn't… She looked back at her daughter's still sleeping form and frowned.

"What're you planning…on being in this wedding?"

The question was asked very silently, the only sign it was said the momentary pause Haruka made upon cutting the fish before resuming back in her task.

She figured she only had now to ask forcibly since she wouldn't be able to later when it was either too late or she couldn't find the opportunity to.

But the blonde merely sighed. "I…am not planning on anything."

Blue eyebrows stitched into a frown. "What're you getting out of it?"

"The knowledge that Michiru's not burning herself out."

"And you care because…"

"I care because she's my best friend," the tomboy stated resolutely and stopped her actions if only to lock with gray eyes evenly. "I don't want her to stress herself out and get sick because of these hectic preparations. It was only the first day yesterday and she already seemed exhausted. If anything, I hope I can be there so she can simply lean on someone and just…breathe…"

"Isn't that what Jiro-kun is for?"

"She can do that too if that's what she wants…but I doubt she'd show something like her being weak to him."

"Why not?"

"If she doesn't want to show it to me…she wouldn't want to show it to the world."

Shina's frown deepened as the tomboy broke their eye contact and went back to her task.

"Unlike you Kaioh-san…I don't scheme things to happen. I'm merely there. I'm not here to sabotage a wedding…else I wouldn't get my godfather to spend precious time on it as well. I'm here for Michiru and that's about it. She asked me to be here with her…and I'm more than willing to stay until she says otherwise. So…I know we haven't seen things eye to eye…and I can understand why you don't like me…but just like Jiro-kun and I are trying to be on better terms with each other for her sake…it'd be great…if we could too…at least until after everything's over and we can just kind of…part."

She was moreover speechless at the tall woman's words, not expecting her to be so outspoken about the truth and everything that came with it. Regardless…what she and her daughter spoke about last night was just reiterated by the blonde…and if she couldn't nod and agree to something so…civil…she would just seem plain…evil…

"That sounds like a wonderful idea Tenoh-san."

She could see the hint of a melancholic smile on Haruka's face as she finally got done with cutting the last part of the fish and tossed it with the other finished parts.

"Well…even if you don't know how to cook, would you like to help?"

She was kind of surprised that the tomboy still wanted her around…But here was an opportunity where she could see the Haruka maybe her daughter was currently seeing. If anything, she could also gauge for herself how genuine she is as a person…so she nodded…even though the back of her mind was telling her not to.

"Today's breakfast includes grilled salmon, miso soup, tamagoyaki, and…natto…"

She sensed the little bit of discomfort from the last food…and inwardly agreed. She couldn't see how her father liked that food…nor Shinji for that matter. She couldn't kiss him for an hour the last time they had eaten together and he happily shoved it in his mouth. That had been ages ago…She sighed inwardly.

"Want to help with the miso?"

Shina looked up from her reverie and gave a small nod at which Haruka pointed where the pot was being kept. She was moreover pleasantly surprised at how…domesticated the blonde was. She could definitely cook; if she was just a tad bit girlier she could probably make some man happy with her cooking alone! But of course she couldn't say this out loud…So Haruka spouted instructions at her while she grilled the salmon on the stove and she did everything the blonde was saying. Fifteen minutes into it and she could actually genuinely say she was having…fun.

"Okaa-san?"

She turned around in shock as she heard Michiru's voice and gave a small smile as her daughter could only look what might've been a strange picture: her and Haruka civilly sharing a kitchen…and her…cooking in it.

"Good morning Michiru-chan," she greeted and looked up at the blonde questioningly as the taller woman bent down to taste the soup.

She nodded in approval. "Taste the miso…Kaioh-san made it."

Sapphire eyes could only widen, but after the initial shock passed, she really did come between the two to taste the soup.

"It's not as good as what Tenoh-san's godmother did last night, but I think it's pretty good since I have never had the need to cook to myself before," Shina stated dryly at which Michiru just kind of laughed.

"It's very good okaa-san," she complimented and hugged her for a morning greeting. She looked over the tomboy's shoulder and smiled at the smell the grilled fish was making. "Looks delicious Haruka."

"You sleep okay? Is your back hurting?" the blonde asked.

She smiled sheepishly at Shina's direction, but the elder female Kaioh didn't say a word about it. She figured it would be one of those things that she would not talk about…and just let it get swept under the rug.

"It's fine. Can I help?"

"Yeah, get started on the tamagoyaki and we'll be set for breakfast," Haruka stated and flipped another salmon, the side of it grilled into a blackish and orange color.

It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that her daughter had been here before on more than one occasion. She knew where the sugar was for the eggs, where the big bowls were kept, and only took one try at a specific cupboard to find the square pan it would be cooked in. So she wondered in what terms the two meet in. Of course this wouldn't be the first time she'd ponder over this…she'd been doing so for the last week that she had known their relationship went deeper than the supposed fan to violinist. They were so…familiar…with one another as well as one another's surroundings. But before she could get this thought process to continue, a knock issued at the door.

A simultaneous look of askance passed over all their faces.

"Are you expecting someone?" Michiru asked as she beat the eggs in the bowl.

Haruka shook her head, but nevertheless started making her way to the door, the smaller woman trailing behind her. She opened it and Shina had to curve her head to see properly as she was finally met with the tall figure of Tenoh Yoshiko.

"Kaa-san!" the blonde greeted and shared a hug with the newcomer.

"Sorry to barge in so early," Yoshiko stated and smiled at Michiru before engulfing her in a hug as well. "But there were some paperwork missing in your office aka-chan and I was wondering if you stole them."

The tomboy gave a scoff as she turned around, her eyes full of mischief. "I did not do such a thing—

"It's on the table Yoshiko-san…she was working on them last night," Michiru quipped.

"Traitor!"

The elder female Tenoh sighed and looked as if she was about to chastise the blonde, when Shina's presence was finally noticed. Her thin blonde eyebrows went up in skepticism before a rather pleasing smile entered her face.

"Kaioh-san…good morning."

Shina merely bowed back, not really knowing what to say or whether or not she should. She remembered how she was like to the other woman when she literally invaded the blonde's office last week…and she sussed Yoshiko didn't think much of her at the present moment…not that she cared.

"You're just in time for breakfast kaa-san," Haruka stated easily and Shina could tell she was merely stating this to quell any sort of conflict in the air.

"Oh good," Yoshiko replied and made her way to the table. "Western?"

"Traditional."

"Well regardless I'm sure you can do it yourself. Michiru-chan, tell me about the planning while my daughter does the rest."

The violinist laughed as the taller woman made a face at her mother.

"There is natto, yes?"

"Yes, mother…"

They were close…this much was certain. Much closer than she and Michiru were…and from what she gathered…Yoshiko was close to her daughter as well. Her eyes narrowed a bit at the easy going look on the violinist's face and forced herself to look back at the soup in front of her.

"That should do Kaioh-san," Haruka stated suddenly next to her, and turned off the heat under the pot. "Thanks for the help. I can take it from here."

She could only nod…and was sort of lost as to what she should do next. Joining the conversation the two women were having on the dinner table seemed like she would be invading…standing here made her look like an eavesdropper and…she gulped silently at how uncomfortable she was feeling all of the sudden.

"Kaioh-san's a fan of his."

She looked up at Haruka's smiling face and blinked in confusion. She hated looking so lost…

"We all met them last night. She liked Misa obaa-san's soup too apparently."

Oh…

"Nh, Chen-san's a very accomplished calligrapher," she complimented and looked straight at older emerald eyes that locked with hers.

"What's today's plan?"

"Getting the ring."

"Go ahead and go over there Kaioh-san," the tomboy stated easily and dripped a small amount of oil into the square pan. "I'll be making some noise here so they can probably hear you better there."

It was such an open invitation…and she could only nod in assent. She took the spot in front of Yoshiko and smiled at her daughter evenly who sat beside the blonde woman.

"You're getting wrinkles Michiru-chan," Haruka's mother stated evenly and pushed the spot in between the violinist's forehead.

Michiru laughed. "Yesterday was hectic…but I'm glad Chen-san was able to fit the invitations in his schedule."

"I'm very happy to hear that…but since it's Haruka-chan who asked personally he would probably do anything. That old man loves her…"

Sapphire eyes twinkled in amusement as Shina passively listened on.

"It was a big blow when Minoru's father passed away. They were very good friends and Yuu-san wanted nothing more than to show him that he was there if needed. They got to be very close of course and it was a daily thing where he prodded him to bear a child already."

Haruka laughed in the kitchen. "Yeah, I heard tou-san kept saying how he was like, 'Stop making tall buildings and give me a grandchild!'"

They all laughed, a flicker of a smile entering Shina's visage.

"I blame him for turning Haruka-chan into such a boy," Yoshiko said loudly, earning another tongue sticking from her daughter. "They personally made sure they were the babysitters for her when it was impossible for either my husband or me to be around, and as soon as she was born Yuu-san and Misa-san were just so taken. Of course Misa-san tried to get her into girl outfits and Yuu-san wouldn't disagree, but we all knew taking her fishing and any other activity would not make those dresses last…Even worse was that he always prepared shirts and shorts for her in case they would get dirty and well…that ladies is the byproduct of too much love…"

She pointed at the young CEO as she said the word that who laughed crassly along with Michiru and a widely smiling elder female Kaioh.

"Was it hard…to discipline her?"

Yoshiko looked up thoughtfully at Shina's question.

"Was it hard to discipline Michiru-chan?"

The blue haired woman knew it wasn't meant as a backfired question, only one of complete curiosity, and shook her head to answer it. "She learned to be very mature and independent quickly. She already seemed like a woman when I gave birth to her."

The violinist smiled softly at her mother's words and looked down at the table sheepishly.

"It wasn't that Haruka was hard to take care of…" the elder female Tenoh stated looking up at the ceiling in deep thought. "More that…she started as a free soul and got very used to it. Haruka-chan was given a lot of leeway when she was growing up. Minoru used to say, 'She'll only be a kid once' and as far as we knew, another child would not be possible so…we spoiled her…to death. Anytime equal punishment needed to be dealt, she completely skittered away from it. She ran away from home once…"

Sapphire and gray eyes widened in surprise. Haruka merely continued on her task in the kitchen, a small smirk on her face.

Yoshiko sighed as she leaned on her propped hand and looked at her daughter. "She was…ten…"

"Haruka…"

The blonde laughed at the chastise she was expecting from the violinist and waved her tone away.

"Minoru wasn't usually so outspoken, but she did something—

"I cut all his ties with a pair of scissors…"

Looks of surprise from the Kaiohs were sent her way as she flipped the rectangular egg over.

Her mother nodded. "Yes…that was it. All one hundred and fifty ties…and…did you do something to his shoes too?"

Haruka laughed and nodded vigorously. "I threw one pair of each in the fireplace…apparently I had an affinity for being a pyromaniac when I was a kid…"

"Oh my god…Haruka…"

"It's no wonder your husband was so mad…"

Yoshiko nodded at Shina's words as Michiru could only stay baffled. "So…being very angry, he couldn't help himself so he gathered Haruka very roughly and spanked her really, really hard. She cried of course, but there was nothing I could do because I completely agreed with him that this was probably the only way of disciplining her properly this time around. She had never done something like that before and it was completely out of line."

The elder female Kaioh nodded in agreement as the violinist looked quietly on with a sad smile across her features.

"So she was sent to bed without dinner after her spankings and it was in the middle of the night where I finally couldn't stand it and decided to prepare something for her. So I prepared a little salad because my aka-chan loved salads even then and went up to her room…only to find her completely missing. I…panicked. What else could I do? So after waking Minoru up, we woke everyone up to search for her. We figured maybe she was just hiding somewhere in the general vicinity? But an hour later and…no one could find her."

"Where was she?" Michiru asked worriedly.

"She was walking the streets from ten in the evening until around two in the morning to Yuu-san's temple."

"Haruka…"

"I was young! What do you want from me?" the tomboy cried with a wide smile on her face.

"You were lucky there weren't any bad people around!"

"I stayed in the shadows…"

The aqua haired woman sighed and shared an incredulous look with the blonde's mother.

"So after that incident," Yoshiko continued. "We were very shook up of course. We…didn't want to do anymore that would make her run away again and well…she hadn't since, but ever since then our disciplinary methods went down. We were scared that we'd lose her and amidst all the riches…and glamour…what's life…without your child?"

Shina knew these words weren't meant towards her, but she was still shaken up from the deeper meaning it held. She gulped at the uncomfortable feeling settling itself in her throat and chanced a glance at Michiru who was also sporting a suddenly saddened face at her words.

"I'm sorry…it wasn't mean to sound—

"It's fine Yoshiko-san," her daughter replied, and smiled in assurance.

Shina needed to get the conversation out of this little loop…now…"Why…did your daughter run away?"

Yoshiko gave a thoughtful look before looking up at Haruka who was now walking towards them with their readied food in hand.

"She never said…"

The blonde smirked as all three women looked up at her questioningly. She deposited the items on the table as her smile widened.

"We asked…day in and day out why she did it…but she never said. She waited out the day when we forgot and that came sooner than later because we were busy with the company."

Haruka walked back to the kitchen after depositing their food on the table and grabbed plates and bowls this time, for their rice and miso soup. They all stared silently at her as she finished and walked in her normal spot at the head of the table.

"Haruka…why did you do it?"

The smile on the blonde's handsome face saddened a bit as she bowed and stated, "Itadakimasu."

They all followed shortly, Shina looking at their prepared meal and frowning at the generous amount of natto in Yoshiko's plate. But everything else looked nothing short of delicious…and several seconds later she found that it wasn't just the looks. She was genuinely surprised at how such a crass and boisterous tomboy who had such a rich upbringing could cook such a traditional meal…but figured it was all a part of the mystery that was Tenoh Haruka.

The blonde safely evaded the question and the conversation went back to the topic of the wedding. One glance at her daughter's face though told her that this wasn't over, and she was kind of disappointed to realize that she would never know why the tomboy had done what she did.

A part of her was also envious at how familiar she and her mother were. She had tried her best to be there within the first couple of years of Yui and Michiru's birth, but it was obvious "motherhood" wasn't for her. She didn't have the patience for it and tried hard not to show it to her daughters, but couldn't keep it up in the end. She figured this was why they had both grown up to be closed, yet open people. Michiru was the perfect example of a daughter brought up by her. Elegant, refined, educated, intelligent…and to anyone that really didn't know her, a know-it-all rich snob. In her entire life, she had never met a friend of Michiru's unless it was a person somehow connected to her company, like Jiro. She never went to slumber parties or sleep overs. She was…sheltered; brought up to be the perfect lady with no less than perfect scores and no friends to call her own.

Was she lonely? Was that why she turned to Haruka? Why now? It didn't seem like a plausible idea. If she was lonely she would've acted upon it in high school or college. Not…now…

She looked at Michiru with a somehow melancholic look. It saddened her to realize then that she would never really know. She didn't want to ask such a question…she didn't know how to. She didn't know how to talk to her own daughter. It was a wonder that the violinist grew up to be such a wonderful woman…when she was such a horrible mother.

Her chopsticks clattered noisily out of her hands making everyone on the table look at her skeptically. She muttered a small apology and continued eating on, gulping the lump in her throat unsuccessfully with her breakfast.

It didn't taste as great anymore.

If she was to be completely honest, she would give every credit to Michiru for the revival of her and Shinji's marriage. Ever since Yui died it hadn't been the same, what with accusations thrown and insults flung in every direction that left both of them leaving one another in the arms of other people…short term relations that had cut them deeper than they thought it would. It was a wonder that the violinist put up with them for this long. Coldly enough, she never thought of anything affecting her daughter…she brashly thought the silence at her end meant that she no longer cared. But she would not have made that arrangement with them if she hadn't.

"Fix your marriage and I'll go ahead with mine."

It had been so boldly said, with not a flicker or hint of hesitation from her end. What could she and Shinji say about that? She was sticking her neck out for the sake of them and their company and all they needed to do was come together for a couple days in a week to a marriage counselor and fix it…and more than a month later and she and her…ex…husband were talking and communicating more than ever before. They had opened up the sensitive subjects they'd been evading for years…and it was all thanks to their daughter that they were able to.

"It's not to your liking Kaioh-san?"

She looked up in reverie at young, worried emerald eyes and noted her daughter and the elder female Tenoh looking at her in askance as well.

She shook her head. "No, it's very good. I'm…just thinking…Tenoh-san."

Haruka gave the barest hint of a smile before nodding, drinking some black coffee she had made for herself, and got up. "I'm going to take my shower so we can start the day," she stated and stretched languorously as she did so earning smiles from the two women to her right.

"Go ahead and use the hallway bathroom before me Michiru-chan," Shina offered and got a nod from her daughter before the two women made their way upstairs, leaving their mothers in the dining table together.

It was silent for a while, neither women saying a word. Shina raised her teacup to her lips and sipped, noting the bitter taste of the liquid before putting it down and locking eyes with emeralds that were evenly placed with hers.

"So the ring will be the agenda today?"

The blue haired woman nodded stonily.

"Has my daughter been making ruckus?"

Gray eyes gave a questioning look. "Why would she?"

"The last time I remember she and the fiancé weren't in good terms."

"Jealousy issues I presume…"

"It delves deeper than that, although I suppose that was the root of it." Yoshiko sighed and pushed her empty plate away, leaning on her chair easily as she did so. "Has she been behaving herself?"

"As far as I can see, yes."

"Good. I'm glad."

"If you really want to know, she and Jiro-kun are…on pretty good terms now."

Emerald eyes widened in sudden surprise. "Really?"

"Nh, they were like old buddies yesterday."

She gave a thoughtful look for a moment before saying to herself, "I have to talk to her about that…"

"You and Tenoh-san are close."

It was a statement, not a question and both of them knew it. The blonde woman smiled proudly and nodded. "Yes, we are."

"It must feel good…being on even terms with your daughter."

"You and Michiru-chan aren't?"

"I think you know as well as I do that…you may be on better terms with her than I am…"

It kind of hurt her to say it out loud, and she didn't really know why she did. Looking away, she turned her attention back to her tea and sipped it again.

"You should try…It's never too late to talk to her…especially when she's within reach."

She looked up at Yoshiko who sighed and glanced at the table in front of them thoughtfully.

"I will not butt into something that's not my business…and I'm merely connected in this whole thing because Haruka's somehow involved in it as well," the elder female Tenoh said evenly. "The only thing I wish would happen is…that my daughter…as well as yours…can look at us straight in the eyes after this whole ordeal is over and genuinely say they're happy. Right now, Haruka-chan can't say the same…neither can Michiru-chan. My daughter loves your daughter. Your daughter loves mine. If neither of them has brought you to the speed of the present yet, I will. If you want further information regarding how they got here, you'll have to speak to Michiru-chan about it.

"Regardless of the reason though, that is the reality of the situation." Yoshiko sat just a bit straighter in her seat and folded her hands in front of her seriously. "Unlike you, who's probably disgusted at the thought of two women together, I am not like that. It would mean hating my own daughter…and that may be easily done by others, but not by me. Moreover, I'm sad…that this has to happen. Time and time again, I hear them pronounce their love for one another without the other's presence in the room…but it's always the doubts that end their proclamations.

"The 'She doesn't love me back' or 'There are too many things in the way' sentences that always reassures the doubts placed in both their minds. Neither of them know the extent of how much one would do or go for the other…and it strikes them down time and time again."

A hint of a frown flittered on the elder female Tenoh's face, but she still did not maintain eye contact with her. She merely looked away and continued on with the same conflicted look in her face.

"Michiru-chan came to Haruka-chan's office last week after that whole paparazzi fiasco was taken care of," the blonde woman continued. "We ate lunch at my daughter's office and they were speaking about the preparations for this wedding and how Michiru-chan would love it if Haruka-chan were to be with her for the entirety of it."

She shut her eyes momentarily and opened them again with a pained expression laced in her features. "It breaks my heart…to see my daughter nod. It kills me to see her consent to something that she wouldn't otherwise…but of course because Michiru-chan asked for it…she would do it." Emerald eyes locked with hers this time, the seriousness in her demeanor as well as stance heightening. "She…is not who you think she is. She is merely…a girl who is in love…and acting upon it without shattering the relationships of everyone around her.

"She knows what it could do to your company if she were to confess. She knows your daughter would be infinitely saddened if she couldn't help you in the ways she said she would. She is more than willing to see this marriage to its last day honestly thinking that Michiru-chan will be happy…and she'll do it without a single confession regardless of how much her heart's breaking just by standing in the sidelines.

"All…for your daughter.

"That is who Haruka is. That is…what love is. It's not a matter between…a man or a woman…It's a matter between two people. In this case…it just so happens that they're both women. It's not disgusting…it's not made from some lesbian fantasy that they both share…It's not to destroy their and everyone else's reputations around them. It's something so pure and at the same time rejected…that they're always stuck in a crossroad and instead of linking hands and walking pass all the trials and tribulations together…they choose to go their separate ways instead."

Shina gulped the unsettling feeling in her throat, not being able to meet the eyes of the woman in front of her. She felt as if she had just been slapped repeatedly and for the life of her, could not lash back. What could she say to that? She merely looked away, her throat dry and parched, but her mind was far from thinking about the tea still nestled warmly in her hands. They sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Yoshiko sighed and stood up, gathering her attention once more. Emeralds locked with grays, this time a defeated look on the elder female Tenoh's face.

"I could've told them all this already…obviously. But it's a trial that they have to go through by themselves. Sugiura-kun was a part of their trial…and now you and Kaioh-san are as well." The blonde woman shrugged at her and smiled sadly. "It would be nice to see them win in the end…as if this is some sort of game…but sadly enough…I feel like betting that you will…only because I think they've already thrown the towel…and are more than willing to be blind to each other for the sake of being in one another's presence for a little while longer before they have to separate.

"Have a good day Kaioh-san. Tell my daughter and yours that I had to leave lest I hit the traffic and that I will see them later when all of us aren't so busy to just let life pass us by."

She gave her a brief smile, one that Shina could not reciprocate, went to the living room to grab the strewn paperwork on the coffee table and left without another word to her. She had never been so speechless before…and so…sad. She looked down at her rippling reflections on the teacup and gulped at the unfamiliar, unguarded, and melancholic look her reflection gave back.

She was so sure she knew what she doing…and now she could honestly say she was lost. This entire beach house felt like it was suffocating her…She needed to get out and talk to Shinji about…everything: her doubts, her observations, her conversations…everything. To quell her mind? To solidify their decision? She didn't know. She just needed to talk to him…and she couldn't wait to get out and do just that.

O--O

"Was your mother okay?"

Michiru looked up at Haruka with a concerned look and gave a helpless shrug. "I…don't know."

"She seemed to quiet down since my mother left…"

"Nh…"

"Do you think…they fought?"

Sapphire eyes widened at the thought of the blonde's words.

"Would…they?"

The tomboy shrugged. "Kaa-san wasn't very favorable of her ever since that day she came into my office with those pictures…Should I call her up and ask?"

The violinist shook her head. "Yoshiko-san's busy Haruka…"

"Yeah…damn it…she took the paperwork too…"

Michiru laughed at her morose features. "Maybe I should make you work harder…You seem to invite it more than push it away like most people."

"I like to keep my head busy…"

"Busy from what?"

The young CEO noted the glint of mischief in the other woman's eyes and smirked.

"Your presence is just so shiny sometimes that my brain explodes with sparkly goodness just from looking at you…so I guess…I have to keep it busy from…you."

Michiru laughed at her sarcastic words and slapped her playfully in the arm.

"Watch it. Your glow flickers a little when you frown."

They shared wide grins before laughing, the violinist shaking her head incredulously as they did so. They were both standing in front of a very undisclosed jewelry shop waiting for both Jiro and Keiko to arrive. They had separated from Shina at the beach house with the older woman telling them of her brief meeting (date, according to Jiro the other night) with Shinji and would probably join them later on that day.

The jewelry store itself was very unpleasant from the outside. There was one single guard at the only door in the establishment and the entire one story building had bars outside their windows, the tinted glass a sharp contrast to the cement like color the entire building surrounded itself with. It didn't look much like an expensive jewelry store, and to the usual passerby, it was moreover ignored. Over to the more prominent population though, this undisclosed place was the best place to get the most expensive, lavish, and therefore brightest jewelry one could achieve to getting in this side of the country. It was the perfect place to get the perfect ring.

"Slow ass…"

"Well I couldn't help it if it was trafficky okay? Next time you drive yourself!"

Confused looks came over the two women as the two people they were waiting for finally came into view.

"Learn to cut off people dumbass!"

"Learn to shut your mouth! I'm the current CFO of the best tea company in Japan. I don't need my damn wedding planner to be spouting off at me!"

"Current CFO's son you mean…right?" Haruka couldn't help herself and earned another small slap from the smaller woman next to her.

Jiro only looked at her in exasperation. "I don't know how you were able to date this woman for three years…"

"Three long years…I don't know how I did it either," the tomboy stated easily and with a shrug that caused the red haired man to laugh. Looking at the purple eyed woman next to him, she gave a smirk and continued, "But at least it's over."

"That's my line, koi," Keiko stated with a sultry smile and before anyone else could say something, walked to the door of the jewelry store. The guard opened it for her and she walked in and out of sight without another word or look back to them.

"She is freakin' impossible," Jiro grunted and sighed before them earning the tomboy's continued smirk and only a smile from his fiancé.

"Kind of surprised Michiru's not chastising you…" the blonde stated and started making her way to the door as well.

Michiru merely shrugged. "There's nothing to chastise about…"

"Score!"

They all entered the store as the onyx eyed man resumed his fist pumps.

O--O

It was kind of weird being in here…and knowing why. She figured it was going to be one of those things in this whole wedding planning that'll tear her just a bit, but of course, she didn't give a single outward look of discomfort from it.

To her left, about ten feet away was Jiro having what seemed like a staring contest with the colored diamonds behind the glass case. To her right, also ten feet away were Keiko and Michiru, the latter scrutinizing the bigger, wider bands, and sighing every now and then at the nonstop jabber the woman beside her was delivering concerning the importance of the color of diamonds…something about the more expensive the better from what her ears had picked a small amount of.

Apparently it was duly decided that Michiru and Jiro were picking the rings for what they would give to the other…Kaioh Shinji's decision from what Keiko said as they joined her inside already fifteen minutes back.

Haruka sighed and continued to stand at the same spot she had been gracing for the past ten minutes…and for the fifth time within that time span saw Jiro give a shake of his head and momentarily stop before raising his hand up and scratching the back of it. She sighed again. He was going to ask her for help…she could feel it. She almost wished they hadn't been on good terms since yesterday if only for that reason…she'd rather choke than see him give Michiru the wedding ring she chose…Oh the irony of it all…

She would give it one more minute…and he would turn around, flush his so-called pride down the toilet and ask her what she thought about the entire thing…as he had, had the knack of doing for a while now…

She stared at the marbled, clean floor momentarily and looked back up just in time to catch onyx ones on hers. She rolled her eyes in exasperation as he just kind of sheepishly smiled back.

Walking to him, she casually stuffed her hands in her pockets and bent down to the yellow huge diamond rings he was looking at.

"What do you want?"

"What do you think she'd want?"

Haruka sighed loudly. "Is your pride nonexistent now or something?"

"My pride has nothing to do with it," Jiro grunted. "It's not my fault I…don't know what she'd want…"

"I'll help you on one condition."

The red haired man looked at her skeptically.

"Restate that sentence."

He gave her a questioning look before getting what she meant…and then sighed loudly in disbelief.

"Don't whine…it's unfitting for a man of your…stature…" Haruka wrinkled her nose at him.

"Tch…" Jiro stared at the rings in front of them before stating softly, "It's not my fault I…don't know her…"

"What? Couldn't hear—

"It's not my fault I don't know her!"

The blonde smirked as her attention flitted to the aqua haired woman in the other end of the room who was by now looking at them skeptically as well.

"Didn't have to let the world know…just me…"

"You're infuriating…"

"You're hopeless. Go over there and ask what she'd want."

"You're completely ruining the point of me asking you!"

"And you're completely ruining the point of getting to know her."

The red haired man opened his mouth, but no words came out. Haruka just ended it with a shrug.

"How are you ever going to get to know her if you don't plan on speaking with her about things only she would know?"

He gave her a helpless look before sighing again, getting up from his squatting position and walking towards the violinist with the same sheepish look he'd been sporting. The blonde sighed inwardly and rolled her eyes at how helpless the red haired man was until her eyes caught a certain somewhat dull ring between all the colorful diamonds.

It was an eternity, invisible band with a lone diamond solitaire hanging in the middle. The diamond wasn't so lavishly huge, nor was it tiny…moreover the right size. The surrounding gold band was littered with small diamonds inside. If those small clusters were just the right color…it would be the perfect ring.

"Can I help you sir?"

She looked up to a smiling dark suited man and looked back down to the ring she was looking at before.

"You're with the bride and the groom yes?"

She nodded absentmindedly.

"They look like a very lovely couple."

Sighing she got up from her bent position while pointing at the ring. "How much is that if I tweak it a little?"

He looked down at what she was pointing at and frowned. "One of our less expensive rings. It's an eternity band with a combination invisible setting. Solitaire diamond hanging on the ends of a gold band giving it the 'invisible' nickname and twelve small clusters of diamonds around the edge. Five hundred thousand yen."

"If I want to change the clusters to aquamarine and amber gemstones?"

The suited man looked over her uneasily. "The price will definitely lessen."

She didn't really know what she was doing…and why she wanted the ring so badly, but it was irking her…that it was behind that glass and not in her hands. It was…the perfect ring; her mind was nagging that same sentence over and over again. Well…it wasn't the perfect ring right now…but given that she got what she wanted…it would be the perfect one. Perfect ring for what occasion was still a mystery even to her mind, but she couldn't help that it was now working a mile a minute.

"Can I get it tweaked? I'll pay whatever amount is needed for it."

The man before her straightened up a bit and asked, "What would you like?"

"A repetition of amber and aquamarine gem stones around a platinum band…it doesn't matter how many you need to put in it as long as they cover the entire thing. An aquamarine gemstone starting at the right and an amber gemstone ending at the left. Aquamarine to amber in repetition all the way around the band. Is it possible?"

"Of course, sir."

She nodded. "I'll pick it up along with whatever they'll choose," she stated and nodded at the fiancés before glancing back up to the suited man.

"We'll definitely have it ready by then."

She gave one more look at the ring and gave a small smile before walking to the Michiru, Jiro, and Keiko. Purple eyes rolled at her as she came within hearing distance.

"Anything's fine Jiro."

"Yeah, but…do you want…marine blue diamonds? Umm…gold band? Silver band? Platinum?"

"Give her the biggest rock and get it over with," Keiko stated loudly and crossed her arms over her chest in annoyance.

Sapphires gave her an exasperated and rather…tired look as she only sighed loudly and leaned on his shoulder with her elbow casually. The red haired man looked up at her and shrugged helplessly as the same suited man came up to them, still from behind the glass counter as she looked back down to the rings before them.

Looking up at him, she asked easily, "What's your most expensive ring?"

His black eyes widened as he answered rather quickly, "Give me one second."

He disappeared towards the back room as she leaned off of Jiro and onto the glass table, eyeing the rings under her with a small amount of scrutiny.

Glancing back at Michiru she asked, "Did you choose a ring already?"

She nodded while looking away.

"Which one?"

She pointed at a gold, thick, textured band with a square forest green colored diamond subtly set inside. Simple, yet refined.

"Dull…"

"Haruka…"

She shrugged with a playful smile on her face. "So fit for Jiro-kun—

"I hate you…"

She laughed crassly and patted him roughly in the back just in time for the suited man to come out of the backroom with a ring snugly fit inside another square glass box. He set it in front of them and sighed a little bit in relief as it went down safely making Haruka want to kind of…knock it over…just to see what he would do.

"I present to you, ladies and gentlemen, the crown jewel of Asia: The Sea Nymph. It is a flawlessly cut diamond in the most rare dark blue hue. Six point zero four karats. We bought it from Hong Kong not too long ago at an auction that went to a total of almost eight million dollars…eight hundred million in yen."

Keiko went in between them with her mouth opened widely as she could only stare at the huge rock amidst the platinum band. It was…the quietest they had ever seen her.

"I hear…diamonds are a girl's best friend Jiro-kun. I hope you're more than willing to flatten your wallet," Haruka said with a smirk.

The onyx eyed man smiled uneasily.

"Haruka…don't be so crass…"

But the blonde merely laughed. "I would buy it if I were giving it as a ring to my wife…"

The challenging air in her words was so apparent she might as well have told him insensitively that he couldn't buy it for the violinist even if he wanted to.

"I'll buy it—

"Jiro!"

"I'll buy it!"

It was the most she had ever seen him so…sure…and serious. She laughed as the salesman looked as if he just hit the jackpot.

"We are not going to—

"Michiru, I want to!"

"You have nothing to prove to me."

"Would you let Haruka-san buy it for you?"

Sapphire eyes widened in surprise at Jiro's sudden question. The blonde merely leaned casually on the glass case and glanced at Michiru through half lidded eyes.

But the violinist shook her head. "No…it's impractical to buy such an expensive ring. I wouldn't let anyone buy it for me."

"I wouldn't buy it for her…"

The red haired man gave the tomboy an exasperated look as she shrugged.

"I said I would buy it for a 'wife' Jiro-kun…not Michiru. I'd think you'd know her enough by now to know that she doesn't care for things like that…She'd be happy with a gold band, one solitaire setting, and if you want to stretch it…an aquamarine colored diamond." She shrugged easily as the onyx eyed man only stared at her.

"You…why couldn't you just say that!"

"Where's the fun in that?"

He gripped his temples roughly and grunted out loud as Michiru merely shook her head in exasperation at the laughing blonde.

"Get to know her will you? She'll be your wife…Don't be scared to ask small questions like…what would you like your ring to be…If you can't talk about something this simple…how's it supposed to work out?"

The laughter in the tomboy's voice had gone by now as she gave him one last even look before striding out of the small store and making her way outside. They had spent the better part of the morning in that shop and she kind of just wanted to do something else now…maybe look for the cake or…something. She felt someone touch the small of her back and glanced back at the worried expression on Michiru's face. She gave a brief smile.

"Are you alright?"

"You need to teach your fiancé to talk to you…"

Michiru rubbed her back apologetically.

"Force him into a corner one of these days and just like…give him the dater's spiel… 'Hi I'm Michiru. I like to eat sashimi, but hate sea cucumbers. My favorite gemstone's aquamarine. Pisces is my birth sign, birthday's on March sixth. I'm five foot six inches tall, like long walks in the beach, and candle light dinners that Haruka prepares even though I only eat a little bit of it since I would rather skip it all and go straight to dessert!'"

The violinist covered her face in embarrassment as laughter shook out of her small frame. Haruka could only smile at how endearing she looked, Michiru returning her smile and brushing her cheeks in amusement just as Keiko and Jiro came out of the store.

"It's all taken care of," Jiro stated sheepishly as the blonde gave him a quick roll of the eyes.

"What's next?" the blonde asked.

"Cake," Keiko answered easily. "We'll be visiting Sweet Escape in Tokyo for that."

O--O

He'd never seen her this distraught before and was all of the sudden kind of curious as to what was happening in all the planning to make her to start in the first place. He was also getting kind of dizzy eyeing her as she walked back and forth in the small amount of space beside their lunch table.

He closed his eyes momentarily and shook his head to clear it a little.

"Shina…sit down…please…"

His ex-wife looked down to him with a kind of deer caught in the headlights look before finally composing herself, coughing a little, and sitting down.

"So…let me get this straight," Shinji stated, maintaining proper eye contact with her for the full clarification he needed. "You…want to call off this wedding?"

Her eyebrows stitched into a conflicted frown and more than thirty seconds later…shook her head dismally.

"We can't just—

"Listen Shina…" He sighed and gathered his hands before him before propping his chin on it. "What…what did you see? Is Rai-san not doing well?"

"I'm…she's…" The elder female Kaioh leaned back into her chair and looked dejectedly up at the ceiling of the restaurant they were resuming a late lunch in. "Tenoh-san isn't falling for it. She didn't fall for it at all. The wedding planner has…nothing on her."

"Alright…change of plan then?"

"I wish it were that easy…"

"Why isn't it?"

He had never seen her so conflicted in all his life.

Looking around them and not at his face, Shina merely sighed loudly and shrugged halfheartedly. "I…don't know. She…Michiru-chan loves her…"

Her last statement was said in a hissing whisper.

"We…kind of knew that already though…"

"She told me herself Shinji…I…she cried to me…while saying that she loves her and wished that I was nicer to her…what was I supposed to say to that??" She was getting slightly hysterical now, her voice and octave getting a little higher and louder as well. "And then…they slept together—

"They what?!"

She rolled her gray eyes at him. "It's not like that…"

"Shina…tell me you did something…"

He locked eyes with her unsure grays and leaned back in astonishment. She didn't do anything…

"Why not?"

"They weren't…" She gulped momentarily to clear her thoughts before continuing, "Michiru-chan was crying and…she was really starting to cave under all the pressure the wedding was giving her and…they…it was merely…sleeping…together…They shared one sofa… but—

"And you let them?"

"Shinji, you would've done it too if you were in my shoes."

His wife was always the more sensible one out of the two of them…and he could only nod after a few seconds of assimilating her words. If she allowed it…he probably would've too.

"So then what?" he asked with a worried frown on his face and leaned back into his chair as he maintained eye contact with hers.

"We slept. I woke up. I waited for one of them to wake up because I didn't want to go downstairs and be the one to wake them while they were in such a compromising position…and…Tenoh-san finally woke up so I went downstairs and…helped her cook…"

Sapphire eyes widened in disbelief and a little bit of shock. "You cooked?"

She only stared at him evenly. "Yes…I did…" Then her eyes went back to her serious demeanor. "And…during it while Michiru-chan was sleeping, I couldn't help, but sort of interrogate her on her plans regarding the wedding. I did not see a single bit of cruel intention Shinji…not one…It…made me feel like…the evil queen in a fairy tale…Even worse was when her mother came and had breakfast with us…and…completely told me off. It…this entire wedding…it's…"

She trailed off as she breathed unevenly. Sighing the short haired man poured some cold water into her empty glass and handed it to her, one she took without hesitation and drank out of moments later.

"I…feel like the worst mother in the world Shinji…"

"Don't say that."

"And why not? What have I done for Yui and Michiru other than…prod them with long sticks and tell them what to do? Yui died—

"Shina!"

The restaurant was stuffy all of the sudden and his loud outburst had acquired the attention of some of the guests as well. Getting up and shocking a distraught Mrs. Kaioh, he held his hand to her with a small smile.

"Let's walk around in the garden for a bit. I think we need some fresh air."

So they did just that. Hand in hand, they walked out of Il Miele's restaurant and walked to the garden portion of the establishment, passing a few people in their way as they passively looked at some of the flowers blooming around them.

He could only see the blurry shapes and colors of his surroundings though. It was the first time his wife had ever blamed herself fully for their daughter's death. Of course he knew this was completely false seeing that it was both of their faults, but…to hear her say so…in such a manner…

"Let's not cancel it yet."

Shina looked up at him with confused and saddened eyes as he only squeezed her hand back resolutely.

"It's easy enough to do it when we both feel that it's the right call—

"If we wait long enough we can't take it back Shinji…We can't just…have people milling to the wedding ceremony and then tell them there wouldn't be any! It's…scandalous…preposterous…highly unethical—

"I just want to see what you're seeing. I mean…it was just…yesterday. Last week, you were so sure Tenoh-san was this predator of a woman and now…well…It just seems as if she has everyone where she wants them. I called Jiro-kun up last night and all he kept raving about was how good of a company Tenoh-san was and how much she knew Michiru. Haruka-san this, Haruka-san that. It…" He trailed off with a sigh and scratched the back of his head in confusion with his free hand. "I'm not saying you're wrong…but…I want to see for myself who she is. All we ever hear are stories…that's why we have such big preconceived notions! But I'll come in…strong and hard…and hostile…and if she's everything you've been pinning her as ever since lunch started…we would just have to go with a Plan B or…let Jiro-kun take over Kaioh-Miroku by himself."

Shina looked away with a melancholic expression, the gritting of her teeth apparent to her ex-husband.

"I was so sure I could handle this…I told you I would be able to…And it's something so small…so…unimportant—

"Michiru-chan's feelings are not unimportant," the elder male Kaioh said easily. He sighed and turned her head to his, cupping her cheeks softly with the palms of his hand as he did so. "We have been bad parents. It's our fault things have gone the way they've been. Our daughter had probably been hurting all this time and…we wouldn't acknowledge her feelings. It's only until we pushed her to the brink when she lashed back.

"Now, I don't doubt what Tenoh-san has let you seen. I don't doubt that…she may actually be Michiru's match…girl or otherwise…But for the protection of our daughter as well as her interests…we can't just accept her yet. We need to keep going…at least until we know that she…"

"Is not like Shigeru Toshiro…" his wife finished.

He nodded, albeit dejectedly. "It seems that…the fact that she's a woman is now easy to overlook…Michiru-chan has seen over it, Jiro-kun…even you…But…for our daughter's sake…let's continue to act the part of the 'bad guys' and just…go for it…"

"And if she ends up like Shigeru Toshiro in the end?"

Sapphires locked with grays seriously.

"Do you think she will?"

Shina shook her head without batting an eyelash. "No…I doubt she will."

The male CEO nodded. "Let's keep going ahead with an altered Plan A then and…we need an emergency meeting with Jiro-kun, his father, and the rest of the board."

His wife could only nod her head in agreement.

O--O

Their day was cut short due to an unexpected phone call from the violinist's father. Apparently there was an emergency up in Kaioh-Miroku that could not wait the day and Jiro high tailed it out of Sweet Escape without so much as a bye to his fiancé, least of all the rest of the troop. Haruka rolled her eyes once more and Michiru just smiled in exasperation.

They had been in the small store for less than an hour before the red haired man's own escape and they were just beginning the decision making for the type of cake they would need, the entire staff of the establishment ready and waiting for their beck and call.

"Okaa-san, is everything okay?" Michiru asked through the phone as Haruka, Keiko, and the staff looked on passively.

"Michiru-chan," her mother called in the other line. "There are some problems with the internal database and some things are a little skewed. We need all the higher ups in Kaioh-Miroku to have a meeting today so sorry if we disturbed the preparations."

The violinist only shook her head. "Would you like us to go on without you?"

"No, we will continue this tomorrow. I'm sure the problem will be resolved by tonight. Get some rest…you need it."

She nodded and hung up the phone, the blonde before her giving her a look of curiosity.

"It's postponed until tomorrow."

Keiko grunted and started making her way outside. "This is ridiculous…What a waste of an entire day!"

She looked after the sour woman and earned a narrowing look of her eyes as well. Their wedding planner had been making crass statements all morning ever since she and Jiro arrived…and it was starting to get under her skin. She doubted she was going to make it the whole day with her witty comments and overall unhelpful statements and was kind of glad that their plans today would be ending early.

Turning back around she bowed to the Sweet Escape staff members apologetically as the door shut close. "I'm very sorry for the inconvenience. If it's possible, may we postpone today's plans for tomorrow?"

The owner of the company, a small albeit, adorably cute older woman only bowed back at her apology. "It is no problem at all Kaioh-sama. We will be open again tomorrow and will be here until the decision of your wedding cake is set to stone."

A deep blush of embarrassment for having to postpone an already made appointment crossed over the aqua haired woman's face as she bowed back again. She saw Haruka grin at her mortified expression and it didn't disappear until they finally made their way out of the establishment, Satoshi waiting for them in the front of the limo's door dutifully. They made their way inside, finding Keiko's steamed and irritated appearance waiting for them there.

"Your face is so beautiful when you look like a tomato I could hardly stand it," the blonde stated with the most wry and sarcastic voice that the violinist could not help, but let out a small chuckle of laughter before giving her a chastising look.

A flicker of an irritated smile set on the raven haired woman's face. "It kind of reminds me of how you looked like the last time I asked for a threesome yes?"

Haruka sighed in exasperation, but the unsettling feeling in Michiru's stomach came back so quickly upon hearing the other woman's crass words. It didn't help that she knew it was said merely to get a reaction too…but she was suddenly surprised when purple eyes rounded directly at her.

"Tell me…when you experimented with her, did she still suck in bed?"

Her thin eyebrows furrowed automatically.

"Shut up Rai." The tomboy's voice was suddenly dangerous as well.

But Keiko only smirked cockily. It seemed like she wasn't going to back off so easily today. She leaned forward to the violinist's still form, her smirk never wavering.

"I was the one who took her virginity you know. My god…she was absolutely horrible at having sex. I think I vaguely remember even telling her which finger to use."

Deep purple eyes bore right through hers and she could only narrow hers in return, her throat feeling parched and the uncomfortable lump returning.

"Rai—

"Do you know why I requested for a threesome in the first place? I was just so tired at how mundane and hideous she was in bed!" She turned to Haruka now, the blonde looking at her stonily as her venomous words easily spilled out. "I bet…you always asked why I cheated on you. 'Why did she have to leave me?' 'Why wasn't I ever good enough by myself?'" she mocked candidly. "Well Ha-ru-ka…It's because you never were good enough by yourself. In the get go, you were never good enough for me. You were a tagalong, a lap dog for three whole years and when I finally got tired of my little experiment with you, I simply dropped you…just like little miss violinist here dropped you when she got tired of her experiment!"

Slap.

Her hand stung…but it felt good at the same time. Her insides though…were still boiling to an extremely high point.

"Michiru!"

It was as if Haruka's voice was far away, her entire focus set on widened and shocked purple eyes. She felt her jaw tighten momentarily before narrowing her eyes dangerously at the woman before her.

A few seconds later she gave an incredulous smirk at the hurting woman's direction.

"Who are you?"

The question came out slowly, deliberately…severely.

Hollow laughter came out of her which would've cued her of her rather abnormal behavior, but the line she had meticulously placed between her, Keiko, and Haruka was crossed…and she would not sit back and just let the evil woman do as she pleased…not when it still obviously meant something to the blonde.

"Rai Keiko-san…you remind me of a parasite."

She noted the up and down motion the purple eyed woman's throat made, her eyes flickering to the hand that covered her reddened cheek before continuing on and locking their eyes back into place.

"You find a host…feed on it…rely on it…and then die easily once the host goes away. You're also small…in every way possible. You had your use…but at the same time had your disadvantages. And I think it's rather…funny…that you could sit there and say whatever it is you feel like saying because the reality of the situation is…you are a nonentity. Compared to Haruka…you're no one. Compared to Jiro who you've been bashing unprofessionally all morning long…you're no one. Compared to me…you're nothing."

She smiled calmly, almost looking normal, but the words coming out of her mouth now was nothing short of venomous.

"I hope you'll pardon the rich, snobby, know-it-all girl that accompanies my name at times, but I'm kind of glad to show it to you of all people because I don't have a side like this unless otherwise provoked," she said sarcastically. "In the beginning when my mother introduced you I already promised myself that I would tolerate you only until you became too problematic…at which time I will simply…drop you.

"But before that…I would like to tell you some things about Haruka…some things you might have missed because you're blind, insensitive, crass, and an overall…" she stopped for a momentary thoughtful look and laughed. "Hmm even that word doesn't describe your personality good enough…so I guess I'll just settle for the word that rhymes with it best…Witch…"

She felt Haruka chuckle beside her as her hand flitted to the taller woman's hand, placed hers upon it, and grasped it. Her attention never wavered from her too quiet wedding planner.

"I'm slightly envious of you…only because you are her 'first love' and rightly called you so. I'm also slightly envious because you were the one to see her when she was probably in her cutest, most naïve stage…a face I would die to see. Nevertheless, these are the only things I'll ever be jealous of you about because I doubt you ever took note of them. What I am glad of, concerning your contribution, was that she promised herself to never be like you…and if she were an ounce like you, I doubt she'd be my best friend now because frankly Rai-san…your personality is horrible.

"I'm glad she broke up with you years ago because you solidified who she is as a woman in a relationship. You showed her exactly who she never wanted to become and in essence became the woman beside me now. If mother's plan was for you to lure her away from me like a siren…then you and her are very mistaken. It'll take more than you to take her away from me. It'll take more than your crass words to break what we have…

"So for now…I believe…my experimentation concerning you as my wedding planner is duly over. You've caused more hassles than created solutions and I can safely say that…you were moreover useless than anything. You're…" She smiled sweetly. "Fired."

She couldn't even articulate how good she felt after saying all the things she just said and the speechless, wide eyed, raven haired woman in front of her could only widen her smile even more.

"Rai-san please step out of the limo."

It was Satoshi's voice as he opened the door widely that took the purple eyed woman out of her shock. Then…complete rage took over her entire system.

"You stupid—

But she couldn't get any further. For one thing, Haruka, with narrowed eyes stepped in front of Michiru and shielded her from anything Keiko would do, and second, Satoshi had, by this time, wrapped his arms around her waist and had pulled her out of the limo, kicking and screaming hysterically as he did so. He deposited her none too gracefully at the dirty street, closed the door to the limo after locking the inside of it and resumed his spot in the driver's side, locking that as well and driving off with her still screaming at their retreating form, getting one little thud of a hit on the back end of the black limo before they safely managed to get away from arm's reach.

It was silent in the car for a few seconds until harsh, loud, raucous laughter echoed out of everyone present.

"Satoshi-san! How are you so strong when you're so old??" Haruka asked crassly in between laughter.

The old man rolled his eyes.

"He was a bodyguard for my grandfather back in the day," Michiru replied in mirth.

"But he's so tiny!"

"He holds a sixth degree black belt in karate…"

"Alright, so maybe I shouldn't make fun of him anymore…"

They all laughed again as their driver only looked on in mirth at them from the rearview mirror.

Michiru sighed as the overall adrenaline rush in her system flushed out. She leaned her head on the blonde's shoulder and looked up at her tiredly.

"You…were amazing," Haruka stated in awe earning her a small slap. "I'm serious!"

"I know you are…that's why I slapped you," she said exhaustedly.

"You were so…fierce…"

"I've…never done that before…"

The tomboy laughed and swung her arms over the smaller woman's shoulders, enveloping her in a half-hug. "I mean…I was going to go ahead and just let her go on, but—

"I could tell…that she was hurting you."

She looked up at emerald eyes and noted the hint of melancholy there after the initial grin wore off.

"Before I knew it, my mouth had ran away from me and I spoke…everything my mind was blaring out. I'm glad I did it though…It showed me what you meant…about protecting the ones you love. I would never let anything hurt you either Haruka…I promise."

She reached up to her and brushed her cheek softly as well before placing her head back on the comfortable spot on the taller woman's shoulders, smiling a bit at the arms around her that tightened in thanks, if only for a moment.

"Ahh…I am such a bad influence…"

Michiru laughed. "What're we going to tell my mother?"

AN: Haha…Keiko was so easily brushed off…Anyway, the main point of the chapter that I wanted was probably Shina's POV (Yoshiko kicked her ass!!). Shinji will be joining them next chapter and the search for finding Toshiro in Haruka continues. Oh…and once again…if the update comes out late please don't think it's the end of the world…well the end of this story's world anyway. Just means the author's having a hectic week.

Black Caballiere: Haha you cried…nice. Don't worry about the language…even though I've abstained from using them, the people around me save my gf use them on a daily basis so I'm more or less unaffected. As for Keiko, well she's kind of dismissed…dunno if Shinji and Shina are going to call her back for an encore, but I guess we'll see. Shina's slowly, but surely seeing things now and I think the only reason why she still wants to see doubt in the relationship is for her company's best interest.

Vanessa Riverton: Hmm…I'm kinda wondering now if the Keiko/Michiru standoff was any good haha. Keiko got pwned…but she couldn't say much about the matter. It's that whole experiment word…don't toss it in shaky relationships XD Nah not wrong at all that you like the token bad guys…they fuel storylines. Sorry I couldn't make more of her though although we'll just have to see if she's gone for good or not.

petiyaka: A chapter per day? I…can't do it XD That'll be hella long…I'm actually thinking of just showing a portion of each day, like this is the ring part, then we cut off to the cake, and then to the flowers, etc. etc. It's getting to be pretty long and drawing an everyday chapter would mean…30 more chapters…and I doubt I can do that. Hehe and no, Michiru would not have been able to talk to her mother like she did at the beginning of FwB so it's good her character's growing. You'll just have to see how my promised happy ending will come yeah?

Galinda Thropp: Haha, yeah I like hating "the guy" that gets in between my pairings too…they need to FOAC. Jiro got to be pretty okay although he needs a backbone…it almost seems as if Haruka's matchmaking him to get better at talking with Michiru. Haha bad guys keep changing every few chapters…well…that's just the ADD in me I suppose…as you can see, the same thing happened with Keiko XD You know…I wasn't planning on showing Misa and Yuu again…but now I have a scene in my mind and…you will see them next chapter :D

mrerice: Guess it's easier to say it to everyone other than who it matters to most right? Haha I haven't realized I've been writing a form of angst to tell you the truth. In the beginning I was planning on just making a little bit of it pop out and now…well I guess it is overall angstsy huh? XD Well thank you for the compliments nonetheless…it warms my heart that you think so highly of me :D Haha and you and candiru…zomg…well I guess she got what's coming to her, but no…she's unusually really bad…I was going to make her nicer to tell you the truth…but she was a bad egg from the start. Don't count her out yet though…I dunno if she'll make a comeback or not. The Kaiohs haven't exactly dismissed her.

shin: You know…I didn't mean for it to be a cliffy I swear. I mean her looking at them forlornly means she's sad…so I was thinking okay…guess we can end it there. Didn't think it was much of a cliffy. Haha, you know…how they're acting is completely adorable…the only thing missing is well…a kiss…and -.- u guys sure can put up with me…I haven't made them kiss in like…ten chapters…they're still cute though XD haha five something? Where do you live? Cuz then…I guess I could give you a heads up and you can like…schedule it so that you can rest, pop on IE or Mozilla at the right time and see my update right there XD

AlterEgoErin: Haha maybe it's a female safety precaution? Well I usually go to bathrooms alone…wait…no nvm…I've been having the knack of going w/ my gf…or she actually makes me go w/ her sometimes…wow…it really is an unspoken rule XD No…Michiru is not Haruka's ex. I really don't see their "relationship" as gf to gf cuz they technically didn't go out…nor date cuz well…they never did that either…so the term of being a friend w/ benefits to me doesn't make her an "ex". Haha Shina disappearing will not happen, but I hope I let the readers see a more humane side of her. I've been painting her as this cold mother and well…I was actually liking writing her perspective to be honest. Epic Fail WoW term so extra brownie points for you. :D

Swinging Cloud: That is not a cliffy…sheesh! Over exaggerators…glad your getting better at time constraints and…you cried? What a softy…haha xD But dang if it's hitting close to home that…closely (pardon the crappy use of words at my end right now) then I guess it's only right that you can cry. /pat on the back. Can they kiss? No…not yet…Nevah! You know…your kissing scene over at your story Phases had like…the LONGEST interval so don't ask for my kissing scenes to come any closer. BLAME SWINGING CLOUD FOR THEM NOT KISSING! (Sorry if I just completely threw you off the boat w/ that sentence, I'll throw a life preserver for you just in case). Shina and Shinji…will redeem themselves…I believe. We'll see how. Tra la la la kitties, puppies, rhinos (rhinos??), OMG LEMON, butterflies! Still…cracking…up… XDDDD oh and btw…your story was anything, but another silver millennium boring story…I've actually read some of those…and yours is not one :)

LaCazadora: Yes, the premise of stories of loving one another and not being able to say…the driving force of angst XD

t.: Keiko might come back…we'll see XD Jiro has paved his way to the readers' hearts apparently…what a ho ass…

RaginFireDesire: You know…my email was jacked up all week too…It didn't give me the notification for a new chapter for this story when I did and it didn't send me the reviews either so…maybe that's correlated somehow. XD hahah your story alert senses huh? Hehe Shina's…well being a mother I suppose…but that is a little overboard huh?

Anon: O.O Hmm…Don't want to say thank you cuz it would sound like I'm agreeing with you…don't want to stay silent, because you deserve more than that so…I guess I'll go ahead with…/bow…yeah…I'll go ahead with that. Thanks for taking the time to review and I hope your university studies go well…I know how painful schooling can get. Your honesty though…is something I'm very much thankful for :

Mantaray: Haha well hmm…I'm glad you're okay with a longer story although how much longer I can get it is a mystery even to me. I kind of don't want to…XD Michiru having a heart attack won't happen haha. She's too young and I wouldn't do it to her…what she's feeling is merely…that same heart wrenching feeling you get when you cry and you wanna pound your heart to stop freagin throbbing. XD Haha the ring chosen scene…it wasn't that bad…nothing really happens. Haruka chose a ring…I think…the scene concerning the next time those rings come out will be a bigger scene than this one I wrote for this chappy.

Akira-kun: BLIND I SAY BLIND!! XD I completely agree. (stupid evil authors). Glad you're liking Jiro even more as well as Misa, and Shina…did not do anything evil…obviously. I kinda feel sorry for her to tell you the truth…This whole wedding is letting her see more of herself the more she interacts with the ones affected with it the most. I hope I gave her a little more character in this chappy cuz that's what I was aiming for and it would seem…the possibility of them getting together has a somewhat…better prospect.

wolvesorrow: Haha, yeah that trap sucks…Shina and Yoshiko was a little one sided…only because Shina was bombarded by her daughter and her daughter's love interest in a matter of several hours.

Thepillows93: haha…right…no dirtiness implied indeed. They're so bold by having done that. Glad you like Jiro and I hope you enjoy the little amount he was in, in this chappy.

fwbfanatic: Hmm your assumptions will only be found right or wrong in the end of the story right? XD Glad you took the time to review and even more-so that you're enjoying it. As for being a fellow Pinoy xD I immigrated to America from Pinas at 8…and haven't been back since…I want to…only to taste the food my mind's been telling me I've eaten…like balut…one day olds…a lotta of the fruits I miss…:D'''' I'm already drooling just thinking about it…yeah…it's been more than a decade since I've gone back…and…I want to XD

j-belle: Haha wise up…sheesh…blind ass characters right?

Kilohe: Yeah my email's been being weird too -.- Haha your "advice" concerning what I should do is…not helpful XD Guess I'll try to keep it up w/ whatever I'm doing right now. Haha Keiko FOACing…XD yep everyone does win.

Haruka-Michiru: I am not being sarcastic…I was actually proud that I got to sing to one of my reviewers…you didn't like it?? :( /cry. Tch stubborn people…love the drama XD yeah…everything's gonna keep going this way until the actual confession and well…according to my mind it's coming, but not yet. Haha…I'm kind of looking forward to the ending actually…I mean…I love writing and all…but at times…/sigh. I want to see this story to its completion…and I want to do it the un half assed version. With that said…hopefully I can do it without taking people's interests off.

krugern: Haha you know…I just found out that your reviews are like…the condensed version of my chapters XD it's awesome. Glad you liked a lotta the scenes I wrote about and our reactions are pretty much the same where we laugh at and all that. I also liked the convo between Michiru and Shina…I think that was what showed Michiru's maturity to her mother as well as the audience. Haha your internal clock waking you up to read on a Saturday?? That's awesome…I'm glad I have that much power in people to read… XD

konekokoi: My friend and I fell asleep on each other when we were still friends…well she's my gf now…but anyway…that's beside the point -.- Denial? Why yes, it's both their middle names. As for Keio XD Hmm it's one of the things I didn't study for…so…I will come up with the best reply for you. Haruka's in the category where her family is rich and influential enough to get her in the university without so much as a high test score, high entrance exam, and if those aren't good enough…money's always another good factor.

Nanners: Bear!! Hiiiii! /kiss I beat HP…xD weirdo…I'll be coming in wow after this…I haven't played all week…

waiting4fwbupdate: Hahahah marimar…XD I HATE the song that accompanies that show…I mean…I've only seen/heard it like…three times…five max…and I'm like…ugh…that song's annoying…Glad my story's better than the primetime soaps though…appreciate it. Yeah, I figured since the story's directed more at well…two people in a casual relationship, they'd have to be more mature than their HP counterparts, them being in high school and all. But yeah…it's much easier writing them this time around though…Haha nah I'm not hating when you say bitin…I know exactly what you mean…and with that…I hope this one has you feeling the same XD

FWBfanatic: Hmm I'm kinda trying to fit writing in my schedule…although to tell you the truth it's more like fitting my schedule w/ my writing XD What Michiru's feeling hurts…it's the base of her fears right now. She and Haruka will discuss it…probably when they both confess…haha. Should be a nice scene…but it won't come anytime soon :P

AL G: As far as I know, the story will end when there's no more conflict regarding the people around them of their relationship. Will it go as far as them going over said trials and tribulations after they finally get together? Probably not. To tell you the truth…I never thought of it going that far. I kinda like reading and apparently, writing stories in which you show how they get together and well…that is what this story's about. As for that line…I guess Michiru's technically met Haruka's side, but more than "meeting" them, Haruka wants to introduce her as her girlfriend, lover, etc. I kind of put that in as a more dramatic effect to what she was talking about w/ Jiro, although I'm sure she wants to do just that. I'm glad you like the story so far though and I hope you enjoy the rest.

Nekomi Kaze: It's not a cliff hanger though! I never meant it to be…you guys are getting too sensitive… :D your compliments make me warm and fuzzy inside. XD So well…since you made me feel that way, I can safely tell you that they will get together…of course they will. Haha…how they get there is still the ultimate mystery what w/ everything that's stopping them right now. And zomg…don't call me your hero…the warm and fuzzy feeling just turned into embarrassment XD But I'm glad I'm giving the character life to you. I agree though…Michiru is hard to write about…and to be honest, I kind of debated writing what she said to Keiko in the limo…but w/ everything coming to a boiling point, I felt it was necessary so hopefully, I still kept them in character regardless of the OC bashing.

xxdeftonessoadxx: glad you like the story and I will update as soon as I can.

Haruka Akira: Haha you're keeping count for when this chapter comes out?? Haha friends nuzzling…/sigh…so in denial. Apparently Michiru was the one to strangle whatshername…and bash her she did. Umm as for the acting out of impulse making out?? Nooooo…I know it's almost excruciating to see them be together and definitely not be together, but my alter ego's cracking up and is telling my fingers and brain who are in charge of the operation right now to keep this story going as it is. I'm merely in the background of my mind going noooo pleaseeee just once!! LET THEM KISS!! Hahahahhaah ohhh you know…I debated that whole "cousin" thing…haha I was going to write it…and then I remembered how I almost broke my tv when I saw the dubbed episode saying they were…and I just said screw you dub, you don't exist…so therefore…that wasn't included :D That song's catchy though right?? I personally like it…the next time I put in a cliffy (if I do it again), imma put it in my AN for everyone to hear my awesome ad lib songs skills.