Author's Note: Hello, well here I go again another chap. I really like how this is going; I don't know about y'all hopefully y'all like it too. I also want to deeply thank nalia-san,haruki97, jade-MEST and everybody else who makes time to read and review my story. Thank you so much guys, now let's move to the story.
As I lay dying- Ch. 6
Afterwards, Haruka headed to her daily practice at the track. Even though she was one of the faster runners of Machida (if not the fastest of all), Haruka still needed to practice to keep herself in shape and because well…she still was part of the track & field team.
"Hey, Tenoh! Congrats on your new girlfriend. Missing her already?" Kenta amusingly asked.
"Ishii, man! You never leave your good humor aside eh?"
"Ha, and here I thought you considered me an embittered and humorless man" Kenta confidently retorted.
"Well you seriously surprise me each time. Whenever I think I have known all about you, there is always something else coming from you and we even live under the same rooftop"
"Hum that's me. You should have already learned. But what about you Tenoh? You had that little fact well hidden? I'm glad though, she seems to really love you and well you…you need to see yourself in a mirror" Kenta laughed a bit while losing up a bit. Yes, it was truth that Haruka and him didn't really had the best relationship, but they lived together and he really deep down cared for the racer.
"Ha-ha very funny. But Kenta, I know you and I…we don't really get along too well, but I wanted to ask you to keep my…secret a secret. Not for me, for Michiru. I wouldn't like to get her in any type of trouble or scandal" the tall tomboy seriously asked well knowing the answer from her occasional adversary.
"You don't need to ask me that Tenoh. You said it yourself, even if don't get along well, our differences are to be taken care of at the track, I compete with you at the track racing" the little rivalry both racers had was because of the outcome of the sports they both participated in. They were involved in various sports, javelins, weights, football, and track & field. Kenta could easily keep up with Haruka in all of those sports, but at running. He always chased after her, but for some reason he could never defeat Haruka at running, she was like the wind "I wouldn't do something low as revealing your secret just to see you down. I like to play fair"
"Thank you Ishii. I knew I could count with your discretion. I really appreciate this, now why don't we dispute our differences running ah? A 200 meters race and winner pays dinner tonight" Haruka started jogging to the starting line.
"Ha, you bet Tenoh" and Kenta started jogging after her.
Meanwhile, at the music classroom, the orchestra practiced and practiced for an upcoming event. Michiru had learned to play her violin when she was 6 years old, and even though many people considered her an extraordinary musician, she still felt she could do more to improve her technique. She now found herself practicing her melodies at Machida feeling like she could expand her talent.
"So, now it's official?" a still hopeful clarinetist asked.
"Umm I am afraid so. Haruka and I are officially dating since Sunday" Michiru calmly answered Kaori.
"Ah uh… I see. I am sorry for how I finished our conversation last time" a slight blush appeared on Kaori's cheeks as she remembered how childish she had been when she started crying while speaking to the violinist "I…I am very happy for Haruka-kun and of course you, Kaioh-san"
"Michiru"
"Uh?"
"Please I don't wish to upset people with my relationship with Haruka. I see the way Haruka treats you and I think he thinks of you as a nice and good friend, so I would like to become your friend too. Of course if you want to"
"Ah, yes Haruka-kun is a very nice guy and a good friend. That's why I …I don't see why not we shouldn't be friends Michiru-san, but you too need to call me Kaori. Ok?"
"Ok Kaori-san. We are now friends" the violist now warmly smiled to her new friend and colleague.
"We should keep practicing before Nato-sempai scold us" Kaori giggled a bit as she grabbed her instrument.
"Hai, hai. We don't want to get in trouble with Nato-sempai. I heard his detentions are super bored"
"Hai, they are. I had once had to stay, but shhh don't tell anyone, I was just 5 minutes late and he made me stay half an hour after regular practice" Kaori pouted a bit at her memory and laughed once again this time followed by the aqua haired girl.
"Wow, I surely don't want to stay extra time. Let's make some music" the young violinist enthusiastically proposed as she started to give life to her instrument
Six months had lapsed since Haruka had asked Michiru out and they formally became a couple. They were immensely happy together and they could not wish for anything else. The gossips about their relationship had stopped a few weeks later their romance started. Everyone had accepted them at Machida, even Kaori and Kenta, everything was absolutely perfect. Michiru had become very close with Kaori, forgetting all her differences and becoming best friends. Today was a sunny Sunday afternoon, and after spending all morning with her tall, handsome girlfriend Michiru decided to visit her new best friend's house.
"Michi-chan, are you ok? You look sad. Is everything alright?" a concerned Kaori asked her friend.
"Yeah…yes. It's just that next weekend is my birthday"
"Hey, that's awesome! Shouldn't you be happy then? I love my birthday's, my parents always get me lots of presents and take me out for dinner" Kaori beamed excitedly as she recall her birthday activities.
With a sadden expression on her face, the violinist look down to the ground and exhale profoundly "that's the problem, my parents have a business trip next weekend on my birthday date and they're leaving me alone"
"Aww…well, not necessarily alone. Don't forget about Haruka, you too could spend the weekend together, you know" Kaori winked as she tried to cheer up her now best friend
"Kaori-chan! What are you trying to imply?"
"Me? Ha, c'mon Michi-chan. You two guys had been together for half a year now. Don't tell me you guys haven't have tried anything yet?"
"Of c-course n-not" the violinist helplessly tried to deny while a slight blush spread over her delicate cheeks.
"Ah huh, and I am Mother Theresa. Look at you! You are a terrible liar. You should avail from the situation; I mean a whole weekend without your parent's interventions, just you and her. What best present for a birthday. Oh, I can't wait for my birthday! "
"What did you say?" Michiru nervously asked.
"That I can't wait for my birthday?" Kaori confusedly responded.
"No, no before that. Did you refer to Haruka as..?"
"Her. Yes, I did. You seriously didn't think that I didn't know about Haruka's real persona. Did you?"
"But…but, you always referred to her as him. Always calling her Haruka-kun"
"Well, I wasn't gonna go shouting, Haruka-chan, Haruka-chan inside Machida" Kaori humorously waved her hands on the air repeating it in a loud voice.
Michiru tried to suppress her laughter "Shhh… someone could hear you. I didn't really know, you knew. How did you find out? Haruka does a great job keeping it a secret, so far it's only Kenta, you and me who knows from Machida"
"Well…" Kaori shamefully started "I used to have a huge crush on her, since we started junior high. And I used to follow her around everywhere and that's when I noticed some feminine gestures on her" she declared with a huge blush on her face "But that's over!" she hurriedly finished.
"It's ok Kaori-chan. I know you are over her, I just didn't expect you to know"
"Well, I might not be Mother Theresa, but I am not dumb" Kaori fake an indignant expression.
Both girls burst into laughter "Hai, hai. You're definitely not dumb, but very funny Kaori-chan" Michiru giggled a bit more.
"So, about my idea" Kaori slyly continued "are you ready for a passionate night or nights?" the platinum haired girl mischievously smiled.
"Kaori-chan!"
"C'mon Michi-chan! Don't hide it; you're dying to be with her. I have seen how you two love birds look to each other. You two look like you are ready to jump each other any minute"
Michiru smacked Kaori's arm playfully "Ha-ha, I wouldn't say it like that. But… is it that obvious?"
"Yup, I tell you and this weekend could be your only chance to have some fun" Kaori winked once again only to receive another playful smack from her friend.
"I don't know…Even if I am dying as you say it, it doesn't depend on me only. I don't know about Haruka"
"Pshh, I am more than sure that she will be more than happy to participate, ha-ha" another smack "Hey, you quit that! They hurt you know" Kaori's mouth curved into a mock pout.
"Then stop saying stuff like that" Michiru graciously said.
"But they're true" Kaori pouted one more time, and both girls started laughing once more "let's get something to eat, I'm starving" Kaori proposed.
"Yes, let's go. I am also hungry" the violinist followed her friend to her kitchen.
"But afterwards, we're planning everything for your grand night. It has to be very special. Oh my god this is much better than music practice with Nato-sempai" Kaori excitedly announced.
"Oh my, Kaori-chan you are impossible. But I am glad I can count with you" Michiru happily replied as she kept hearing on how Kaori was gonna think of a great plan.
In another part of the city, an energetic and agile blonde drove like a daemon another test car at a local race track she had become very fond of. Haruka had always liked speed, one day after her arrival to Tokyo, she discovered Basin's raceway park and she had fell in love with the many cars racing at tremendous speeds. She made her way to the race track and made herself friend with a nice man owner of a car shop garage. Ojida Tetsuya was a nice and smart man. He was in his mid-forties and even though he didn't drive anymore, he placed his own garage and helped around the track. Haruka had shared her intentions of racing professionally one day with him, and after a long talk Tetsuya agreed on helping her. It obviously wasn't gonna be easy, since she was a woman, and the racing world didn't have much faith in women. Despite everything, Tetsuya accommodated Haruka to start as a test driver, she was gonna drive the cars that his crew and him had recently repaired and she was also gonna help around repairing them, too.
"Good job, Haruka-san" Tetsuya approached Haruka as she got off from a recently repaired car and took off her helmet.
"Thank you, Tetsuya-san"
"If you keep like this, you will soon be ready for the real action"
"You are talking about a real race?" Haruka's expression grew into pure happiness.
"Hai, hai. Very soon, but keep up with the hard work. Ok"
"Okay. I am ready for everything"
"I am sure, but I see something different on you. Is everything alright?" the old mechanic perceived an absently Haruka.
There was something else keeping the mind of the handsome tomboy busy, besides racing. Next weekend was going to be her girlfriend's birthday. She had passed and survived Valentine's Day, she contently remembered how happy Michiru looked when she saw her coming to school with a huge stuffed bear and a dozen of red roses. But now it was different, February was gone and March arrived, and the racer didn't know what to do for her girlfriend's birthday.
"Yes, I am just…a little tired"
"Ok, then. You should take a shower and head home to rest a bit" before the blonde could turn away to head to the showers Tetsuya continued "Hey, Haru-chan, when you're ready to confess I'll be here" Tetsuya smiled a knowing expression on his face, he had become very accustomed to the blonde that he already knew when there was something off with the racer.
Haruka only nodded "Hai, hai" and continued her trip to the showers.
After Haruka left the race track, she headed to her best friend's house, Hisoka. She still didn't know what to give as a present to her girlfriend and she needed some help since the day was coming up soon. Hisoka was her best option and so she decided to ask him for advice.
"Haru-kun! What are you doing here man? Everything alright" a sleepy Hisoka opened his door's house.
"Yes, yes. Well, I just need a little help with something. Can I come in?" Haruka exasperatedly asked.
"Oh sure, sure please come inside" between a yawn Hisoka wide open his door and let Haruka inside.
"I don't know if I came to the right place" Hisoka kept on yawing, adjusting and shrugging off his sleepiness "I better go, I don't think you will be of much help"
"Wait, wait. Sheesh I'm just a bit sleepy. But tell me what's wrong. Having problems with Michiru-san already?"
"Nope, nothing close. Well, it has to do with Michiru, but nothing bad"
"So, what is it?"
"Her birthday… she is turning 16 next Saturday, and I just can't think of anything special to give her"
"That's easy! Why don't just you wrap yourself in a gift box and give yourself completely" Hisoka burst into laughter when he imagined his friend wrapped as a present.
"I knew I shouldn't come here" Haruka glared Hisoka as she stood up from the chair she was seating on.
"Wait, wait! I am just kidding, but I am absolutely right she would love it though" Hisoka laughed harder this time.
"Ughh why don't you grow up Hiso-kun" Haruka reached for the door.
Hisoka got up from his seat and grabbed his friend from her hand and sat down the annoyed blonde again "just kidding, umm this seems like a complicated thing"
Both adolescents seated in Hisoka's living room, thoughtful expressions on both the blonde and black haired man. They seated silently for 15 minutes now, both struggling to come up with an idea, any type of idea now. When suddenly a door was abruptly open, leaving in sight a beautiful black haired woman, Hisoka's sister. She was a little older than both Haruka and Hisoka.
"Tadaima" Satou Yuiki greeted her brother and companion.
"Hey sis" Hisoka greeted his sister back.
"Hello" Haruka joined greeting the beautiful woman.
"Hello Haru-chan, Hiso. What are you two doing here so quietly?" Yuiki intrigued asked.
"Umm you see, here Haru-chan got a girlfriend"
"Hiso-kun!" Haruka roared.
"It's ok Haru-chan, Yuiki is my sis, and she knows you well, she won't say anything. Right Yuiki?"
"Silly Haru-chan, of course not. How many years how we known? Plus it's not the first time I heard you're going out with a girl" Yuiki winked at her.
Haruka felt her cheeks burning "I just don't want to bother you, that's all" the blonde replied.
"No bother at all. Now tell me you guys what's going on?" Yuiki asked one more time.
"Well, like I was telling you, Haru-chan has a girlfriend" Hisoka tried to explain.
"That's good, congrats" Yuiki turned to Haruka, and she only gave her a small smile.
"Yeah, yeah…the problem is that her girlfriend's birthday is next weekend and she doesn't know what to get for her. I was trying to come up with something, but nothing" finally Hisoka finished explaining the situation.
"Umm a birthday? This is her first birthday you are spending together?" Yuiki asked.
"Yes, I want it to be special, but I just seem to be blocked from ideas"
"Don't worry, I just got one myself. Do you know her favorite color?"
"Yes, aquamarine"
"Ah that's a beautiful color, why don't you give her some jewelry with an aquamarine gem, like a ring, bracelet or pendant, something like that. I know I would love something like that; I am sure she will as well"
"That sounds perfect!" Haruka beamed as she reached for Yuiki and placed a quick kiss on the older woman's cheek "Thank you, Yuiki. Hiso-kun, you suck at giving advices!" she shouted Hisoka as she headed for the main door.
"No problem" was Yuiki's answer as she leaned on the door.
"Whatever Haru-chan, I still think mine was a better idea!" Hisoka shouted back at his friend.
Never the handsome tomboy imagined she would have much trouble figuring out a present for a girlfriend. She promptly rushed to Shakati Mall and wandered around jewelry stores. She didn't have much cash on her, but that didn't matter much to the blonde because she wanted something simple and beautiful that could say 'I love you' without being too fancy. I don't know how I never thought of jewelry! I am losing my charm, now I only need to decide on what? May be a ring? No, no…not a ring, than what?
"May I help you, sir" a graceful sales lady approached the blonde tomboy.
"Ah…umm. I am looking for something special. You'll see it's my girlfriend's birthday, but I am not very sure of what would be a good thing to give her, I was thinking of a ring"
"Something special? Umm let me see a ring? Have you two being together for a long time now?
Haruka thought that question was very personal, but she needed help deciding on the gift, so she decided to answer anyway "Ah…not really, we've been together for a couple of months"
"Umm then a ring might not be very suitable yet, may be a necklace? Yes a necklace with her birthstone!" the sales lady looked like she had recently discovered that electricity existed.
"Yes, that sounds good, but I don't know her birthstone" Haruka shamefully confessed.
"Don't worry honey, that's what I am here for. Now, what's her birthday?"
"March 6"
"Ok, so her birthstone is the Aquamarine. Now, I am gonna show you all pendants we have" the sales lady looked for a little bronze key and opened the crystal counter before her "now take a look, there are some beautiful pendants in gold, silver, and white gold whatever you need or want"
Haruka spent various minutes looking around the pendants before her, they were all an aquamarine color, but in different shapes and sizes, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles even a tear drop shape one, she was very undecided until she spot a heart shaped pendant " I like that one" Haruka said pointing to the heart shaped one.
"Good choice, you can have it engrave it if you want to" the sales lady said holding the pendant and looking the space behind it.
"Really? That will be awesome" Haruka enthusiastically replied.
"We will have it engraved and ready for you for her birthday ok?"
"That will be fantastic"
TO BE CONTINUED…
I think I am going to upload sooner that I always do because I really like how this is going :) please be prepare for next chap ;)