Luckily for Michiru, she is saved by the restaurant's attentive service. "And how is everything tonight?" the general manager inquires, taking the wine bottle and refilling the two glasses at the table.
"It's perfect, Richard," Haruka says with a smile. "Miss Kaioh and I were just in the middle of some interesting conversation topics."
"Ah yes, the always beautiful Michiru Kaioh. We haven't seen you here in some time. How is your father?"
"He's doing well, thank you for asking," Michiru responds, grateful for the intervention and the additional wine. At this point she feels that she needs both. "I'll be sure to give him your regards."
"Thank you, Miss Kaioh. Please enjoy your evening, you two."
Sipping her drink, Michiru tries to steer the conversation away from her sexuality. It was one of those things that she never quite knew how to talk about, and it made her anxious to have to address it at all. Suddenly she feels some sympathy for Haruka - it was never easy to be on the receiving end of a personal interrogation.
"I see that I've touched a nerve here, Michiru. While I'd like to be able to go easy on you, I have to remind you that you're the one who brought up this topic."
"Ah...I see how it goes. The old 'you started it' argument. How mature, desu ne?
Haruka laughs. "I never said that I fight fair. Now answer my question."
Michiru sighs and attempts to formulate her response when she feels a soft hand on her shoulder. She looks up to see a nervous older woman holding a pen and a napkin.
"Excuse me. Oh, I'm so sorry to interrupt your dinner. It's just that I overheard the manager talking to you and recognized you after that. I'm a huge fan and I love your music. I have all your CDs. I wish you would release more! But I completely respect your decision to retire. The music industry - can't imagine how much pressure there is! Anyway, I'm blabbing again, but could I please have your autograph. It would really mean a lot to me, and my husband too. He's just over there."
Michiru looks to her right and sees a shy man glancing at her from a table nearby. Smiling, Michiru takes the pen and napkin, writes an appreciative note, and signs her stage name. Meanwhile, she formulates her perfect plan to take a break from her 'interrogation' at the hands of Haruka Tenoh.
"It's always a pleasure to meet fans," Michiru tells the adoring woman, handing her the memento. "In fact, the manager is a good friend of my family's. Although I haven't played in public for some time, I would love to share a song with you and your husband. Let me see if Richard will agree to that." Grinning mischievously at her dinner companion, Michiru stands up from the table and makes her escape.