"Listen, Michiru...I have to clarify a few things with you." Haruka seems unusually hesitant as she opens the passenger door of her yellow convertible. As she climbs into her own seat and starts the car, the blonde looks over at her companion. "See...the truth is, I don't really do relationships."

"Is that right?" Michiru replies, though she is somewhat distracted, still mulling over Haruka's answers from the evening. Of course, having written a number of 'society pages' for the Vancouver Post under a pen name, Michiru was already well aware of Haruka's tendency to have a new girl on her arm for each special occasion.

"It's my own fault. It's just that my duties as CEO keep me far too busy to have any sort of ongoing commitments." Haruka accelerates smoothly, shifting gears with ease to navigate the many bends in the road.

"I understand, Haruka. That's the best BS excuse there is."

The tall woman laughs, not sure how serious Michiru is being. "But here's the thing... I really want to keep seeing you after this weekend."

"We might be able to work something out," the aqua woman offers, flipping her hair. "I don't need you to be exclusive. I know you're rather famous, and I'm sure there are more than a few girls who want to go cruising along the beach in your car."

Haruka laughs again. "I'm sure there are. But none as special as you." Reaching over to take Michiru's hand, the blonde seems suddenly curious. "I feel like you've learned more than enough about me tonight, but I still hardly know you at all."

"Well, ask away. It's only fair. And if you're still curious by the time we get back to the cottage...then I'll just have to distract you again."

"Mmm. I'll think about that later. For now, let's start with the basics. How long have you been with the Post?"

"Just for the last four months or so. I just moved back to Vancouver earlier this year from the east coast. It was the first position that I applied for, and luckily enough I got it."

"Did you seduce the boss?" Haruka teases.

Michiru feigns indignation. "Fortunately there was no need. My credentials did the trick on their own. And besides, I don't think Ms. Setsuna Meioh would have been particularly receptive to my advances."

"Setsuna? She's the editor?" the blonde frowns, looking deep in thought.

"You know her."

"From a long time ago. For some reason I thought she was still in Japan or Hong Kong, perhaps. I didn't realize she was here. She's never at the local charity functions or anything like that."

"No, Setsuna usually asks someone else to go in her place. So how do you know her, anyway?"

"I'd rather not say...", though Haruka raises an eyebrow suggestively.

"I wish I hadn't asked," Michiru responds, making a face at the thought of her supervisor and Haruka together.

"This is what happens when a reporter's too curious," the tall woman continues, laughing again at Michiru's look of disgust. Parking the car, Haruka turns to look at her companion with a thoughtful expression. "Actually, I do have a serious proposal for you. Let's talk about it inside."