Sorry for the long wait. here's Chap 5. Please enjoy.

AU

Day 3

A pair of blue orbs watched the glimmering sky above her. Ever since her tall blonde friend left her all alone, she was left with nothing but to engross herself in the scenery around her. Though the cold breeze sent a shiver to run down the woman's petite frame, joy and serenity prevailed throughout her body instead. And as the wind blew across her soft skin, a smile would graze her lips each and every single time.

Soft but audible steps were then heard from a near distance. She looked around and saw the same blonde woman who had left her earlier. The blonde smiled innocently as she moved forward.

"I was starting to think you had left me here." Michiru brooded over, though in a playful manner.

"I can't leave a pretty lady all by herself." Haruka said, taking a sit next to her. She looked at the mocking smile of Michiru's and added impishly, "or the one who ruthlessly murdered my feet on the dance floor."

"I did give a warning beforehand."

"Oh I know. But I was really thinking not that brutal." The taller of the two said, chuckling

Michiru narrowed her gaze before shrugging everything out. "You know what, I think I have matured a little."

"Really?" Haruka gasped amusingly.

"Really." The sea nymph nodded with a smile. "The Michiru before would have done this." She said, hitting Haruka across the forehead, which stunned the blonde but kept the playfulness of her smile. "But now, I can just take it all in."

"I need to learn that" she muttered, rubbing her forehead. Both women burst into fits of laughter… and stopped to gasp for some air.

Just then, Michiru saw a white plastic bag on the blonde's hand. "What's that?"

"Ah this?" Haruka asked, raising the bag up. Michiru nodded. "Well something that could make you smile."

"Is that a million yen?"

Haruka's brows furrowed. Her lips started turning into a sly grin, "A million yen? That's all it takes? Where's the pride I've been arguing with all this time? I thought you'd be smiling for at least a ten."

Michiru faked a smile as she playfully hit the blonde across the arm. "Economic crisis. A million is enough."

Haruka laughed. She then dug her hand inside and grabbed a round bun. "Here you go"

The smaller of the two looked at the blonde's hand then back at her face. "Nikuman? Seriously?"

"Hai. The old lady gave me a great discount for that." She beamed. "Something to smile about,ne?"

Michiru sighed, rolling her eyes. Haruka then grabbed her share inside the bag as well and begun unwrapping it. She took a bite then mumbled a few words out, "Nice place huh?"

"I was wondering how you have known such place."

"Well." She stopped as she swallowed down her food. "It was during those times when I used my bike or 'the death machine' as you preferred to call it, to go to school but ended up not going to school instead."

"And to think that something good will come out of skipping a class." Michiru said, mocking."So do you usually bring all your girls here?"

Haruka stopped from munching to look at her. She laughed lightly before turning back to look at the scenery. "Nope. You're the first."

As surprising as this revelation was, she was far more surprised when Michiru felt a blush build up from her cheeks and her heart suddenly pounding a little faster. She wanted to ask herself why but she was more than commited to shrug this feelings by bantering out, "You really do know what to say."

Haruka laughed, taking another bite. "It's best when it's hot."

"What is?"

"Nikuman. Besides it makes the scenery look much better."

Michiru smiled, taking a big bite from the said food. Haruka let out a contented smile and took a bite as well. There were no words uttered after that .The two sat still enjoying the quiet and peaceful atmosphere around them while happily indulging the hot nikuman.

A strong gust of wind suddenly came roaring at their direction. Michiru yelped a little as she shivered at the coldness it brought.

Haruka, on the other hand, quickly removed her coat and wrapped it around the other girl. "Here you go."

"Ah.. thank you."

"I'd say charming. sweet. endearing." she pointed out.

"I'd say shameless. bold. confident." Michiru spat, grinning. Haruka looked at her for second before nodding appraisingly and clapping.

"Ne," she started, her tone a bit different from before. "Do you think... I mean.. do you think tomorrow would be a great day?" Michiru asked, looking away.

"Do you?"

"I don't know… I'm used to having someone there for me, waiting, caring, loving… It's just that, now I'm wondering...if there would be someone waiting for me after this."

"hmmm…" Haruka murmured.

"Why am I asking you anyway?" Michiru snorted. "You don't even know what love is."

"Hey!" Haruka move back dramatically, hand over chest. "I've been around women to at least give an opinion about that."

"Having sex with them is not the same as being in love or being in a relationship."

"That's really a cheap shot."

Michiru giggled at the cutely pouting blonde. After a while, she sighed, wrapping her arms around her legs then resting her head on her knees.

"I'm just wondering what would be tomorrow like. After all, Mikoto was my first… and when something like that happens, you begin to feel uncertain about love in general…"

Haruka's face began to soften at Michiru's hopeful expression. Looking up at the starry sky, she said in a very gentle voice, "Wanna know something, Michiru?"

She chuckled lightly, "Alright."

"I think there are lot of things that may surprise you just yet. I mean, just because something good ends doesn't mean something better won't begin. And believe me there will be something out there better for you... "

Michiru smiled, raising a brow. "And how would you know that?"

"Because…if it didn't work out with that person, it only means that someone out there loves you even more." She looked down and warmly stared at Michiru, "Don't you think?"

And for the longest time, a genuine smile cradled along the sea nymph's lips. "You know what,"

"What?"

"You're odd."

The taller one scoffed, "Is that a compliment?"

"I mean in a good way." Michiru quickly added in defense. Then continued, "You're cocky, confident, narcissist-…"

"Let me guess, not your first time to compliment someone?"

Michiru laughed. "No really. But you're also… let's see, you're surprisingly… gentle, kind and thoughtful. Somehow, that conceitedness and everything, it suddenly doesn't matter anymore."

"I am a lot of things. You just have to be patient to see them all out." Haruka grinned proudly, hand over chest.

"Surprisingly you are. And yes, it does really ask a lot of patience from someone. But modesty really isn't your thing." Michiru mused with a simple smile. The blonde chuckled in return.

"Well..." Haruka stood up, brushing the dust off her pants. "Shall I take you home?" gentle hands reaching out.

Smaller but soft hands gladly accepted the offer. Michiru was pulled up… and somehow… they ended up walking hand in hand, with no hint of protest coming from the outspoken sea nymph beauty.

Three Days After

Day 4

-Haruka-

Let's see…

If a person asked me how my three days went by, I would look into their eyes and say with much love and sincerity 'life-changing'.

…

…

Okay maybe not that dramatic or that incredibly poetic but I am sure that the feeling was different than I usually get to experience. It was fun, exciting and certainly engaging. And that is somewhat noteworthy, especially coming from someone who would more often than not describe her day as wet, wild and hot.

So in a sense, it could be really life-changing. Normally, I get to spend three days with different women and get as far as I wanted. But now I spent it with only one woman, didn't get as far as bantering, childish bickering or some light verbal attack, and yet in an odd way, I'm more contented. And though the farthest that I got was a word of gratitude, I was far happier.

There was something about her that keeps me coming back, well aside from the fact that I like her, somehow, she kept the level of my interest high enough to keep out of any girl's reach and had me fully engaged on her. Trust me on that one; I normally don't stick to only one girl.

But all kidding aside, I really enjoyed it. I probably wouldn't mind having every single day spent like that. I'm not saying that those three days I spent with her completely changed me, it's just that, I had a feeling that something like that doesn't come quite often…

"So." I snapped and looked at the woman sitting in front of me. "How was your three days?" She asked as she scanned through the sheets of paper.

I smiled and leaned an inch closer. "Life-changing, sensei." I said with much love and sincerity.

Her face went sour as she pushed my face away with a hand. "Did you lose a bolt or two?"

I tossed my hair as I looked into a distant space. "Normally, I would retort something back but I'm that much thankful for grouping me with Michiru."

"And normally, I would have reported you long ago but I owe your sister that much not to." She retorted exactly as expected. "And where's the report I asked you to do?"

"Here." I handed out with a smile. Her hand quickly took it away and piled it next to the other papers on her desk. "I went through a lot just to write that."

"You'll be going through a lot more if you didn't." She rephrased, taking a quick sip from her coffee. "Who in the world would fail their homeroom anyway?" muttering silently to herself.

I pulled the chair next to hers and sat, head leaning on the backrest. "Ne, can I ask you something?"

She nodded, "Anything related to school."

I whistled as I rolled my eyes and kept my mouth indefinitely shut after that.

She groaned before waving a hand. "Go ahead."

"I think I've gotten myself in an impossible situation." I murmured. She stared at me for a while with a lopsided smile hanging at the corner of her lips.

I looked away as I continued with my head behind my arms, "How should I put it… it's like, you suddenly found yourself in the middle of something you don't expect yourself to be in. And then you're wondering what to do next. Thinking that if you move forward, would the other be happy? But if you step backward, would you be happy? When you think about that, you'll start getting afraid of moving at all. Eventually, you'll just keep standing where you first stood. So hypothetically, if it were me, what would you tell me?"

Her brows furrowed for a quite a while before letting out a sigh. "I'd say what the hell are you talking about?"

"I mean… if something changes, a change that you don't want or like, if you either move forward or backward, don't you think it's better to stay still? I mean it is better that way, don't you think?"

"First of all, what?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Second, I think you need some friends, seriously. And,"

"And?"

"If you stay still, Ibahara-san will see you sitting on his chair. I doubt he'll be happy about that."

I groaned as I pushed myself up from the seat.

I should have known sensei wouldn't be of any help. That should have been a given since she is, after all, my sister's best friend. Any advice obtained from her wouldn't be any helpful. So asking for her undivided attention was just plain stupidity for my part.

"Well… Thanks I guess." I waved.

"Ha-… I mean Tenoh-san…" She called out, coughing. I peered over my shoulder and saw her arranging the pile of papers on her desk. "I think that any impossible situation is not going to get any better if you don't do something about it."

"Well yes that is true…" I pondered as I turned around. I took a step closer and added with assurance, "but I have it in good confidence that my rough charms and impeccable sexiness doesn't really register on the other person's unusual romantic palate."

"And that person can't see your brutal modesty?" She mocked. I laughed. "Well then let me ask you something." Gently tapping the pen on her cheek.

I nodded, casually putting my hands back in my pocket, "Shoot."

"If you have that so sure, why do you still seek for an advice?" She asked with a really annoying and somewhat challenging grin.

My brows cocked right up at the question… well it was more of an all-knowing remark than a question. Intense gaze pierced right through my stunned stature as she self-assuredly swings her head back and forth.

"That only proves that a part of you believes that you still have a chance."

"You're probably right." I sighed, pulling Ibahara-sensei's seat back. I sat down and continued. "I mean seeing how responsive the other person is; the sweet hitting, the sarcastic replies and the distant look in their eyes, I could very well tell that I do stand a chance."

"So much so for being optimistic." a sarcastic remark savored in disappointment.

"I'm just being pragmatist, sensei."

"Pragmatist?" She scoffed.

"Yes. You see, when you get on the nerves of the person you like, that's really not a good sign. Even the stupidest of all could tell that. So basically, anyone has a better chance with her than I do." I stated.

That is after all, the truth. And if I see it that way, the best solution is to be contented of what you have right now with the other person.

I leaned my head onto my palm and muttered, looking at the windowpane. "I just need someone… someone who would tell me that staying still is better no matter how badly you want the other person is…"

After all, it's wrong to take advantage of the situation when the other is vulnerable.

"Well based in my experience, staying still has never been a good idea." She said, tapping a hand onto the table with a smile grazing her lips as she looked at me. "Besides, I think no one will be that worked up unless they like the other person… So even if it's in the slightest, at least you have something to work into."

"…."

"This is after all only a hypothetical question." I laughed at the sudden winking. "So I'd say why don't you try? You won't know unless you do."

I finally cracked a genuine smile. I hate to admit it, but after listening to that bizarre romantic point of view, she was right.

"Well, I think... Your romantic philosophies are more suited for you back in high school." I stopped, placing a hand under my chin. A grin suddenly spreads across my lips "which I heard didn't work in every single way to any of your prospect mate."

"He-… He-.. Wha-.." Heavy shade of red masked her face in total embarrassment as she kept stuttering the words in her mouth. I laughed aloud which placed her on the tip of her sanity. With one loud blow and a threatening look at my direction, I was put into silence.

"Where did you hear that from?"

"From Natsu-nee." The pencil on her hand instantly broke in half. She growled as I continued with my musings. "Onee-san talks… a lot. You should know better Ikuko-san. Your friends with her."

That's right. Ikuko-san is my sensei and is friends with my sister, Natsuki. They have been friends since middle school, and I have known her since I could remember. So talking to her this casually was nothing out of the ordinary. Still, I find it hard to get accustomed in calling her sensei.

"Not anymore." She said, grunting, hiding her angered face behind the pile of papers. "And call me sensei."

"Well then sensei," pushing myself up from the chair. "It was nice to be envisioned by your ideals but I should be going now. I can't keep the other girls waiting." I waved a hand while sliding the door open with the other.

"No running in the hallway." she chided from behind, adding, "And don't skip any of your classes this time!"

"Hai. Hai." I laughed, jogging my way through the corridors.

Now…

What should I do?

-x0x-

-Michiru-

Normally, I don't despise Monday mornings. But then again I normally don't get to face people with a broken heart. I'm not yet ready to see her face or to hear her voice. Somehow, a part of me knew that I would crumble with just a simple glimpse of her. It's obvious that I still have feelings for Mikoto and that wouldn't drastically disappear overnight or in two days but still, I have to be strong. I can't afford to have my effort of forgetting her or everything Haruka did to make me feel better put to waste.

To be honest, I was doing perfectly okay when I was with Haruka. I had forgotten about school works, my problems, I even have forgotten about Mikoto at that time. But as I lay myself to sleep, all those memories and feelings I have for Mikoto kept coming back. And for a while, I started missing her.

And I hated that fact…

"Michiru!" a woman called out in a loud shrill happy voice. I turned around and saw Akane jogging hey way towards me. "Geez, you've been spacing out again."

"Sorry." I muttered. An arm was quickly enveloped around my shoulder.

She smiled and said with much confidence, "Don't worry. I'm always here for you."

"But you left me back then in the yaku house."

Her stunned reaction was priceless and was held for not more than five seconds. Slowly, her arm dropped back to her side then a childlike pout formed around her lips.

"You were drunk! And… And it was definitely not in my built to carry you back home. Bu-… but I did call the next best solution."

I giggled "You did and I'm really thankful." circling my arm around hers. "Shall we go?"

"Hai." She beamed. "So how was your three days with Tenoh-san?"

"Well…It was… surprisingly different." I said. Unexpectedly, I found myself smiling at the thought.

"You know that I have never been particularly fond of Haruka. The first time I saw her, I knew I would never like her. That's why it seemed such a bad idea when I got stuck together with her on that math project thing. But you see, the funny thing is... it wasn't. During those three days, somehow... somewhere not only did I stop disliking her but I started liking her."

"I knew it! My kouhai was right!" She joyfully announced. "Wow! Tenoh-san sure is amazing."

I laughed as I playfully squeezed her arm. "It's nothing like that."

"Well, I'm sure she hit on you." She added with a self-assured smile. "She hits on every woman there is. Single or not."

"Actually, not really. It's more like being playful, nothing serious." I said, remembering exactly how the days went by. "Also, she didn't act the way I had in mind. She was really thoughtful, and… How should I say this… She was surprisingly, serious and sensitive."

"Are we talking about the same person here?" She joked. I laughed. "But it's good to hear you had a great time. I, on the other hand, spent it with Kanzaki-san… though for just a day."

At the simple mention of her name, unwanted thoughts kept flashing right before my eyes.

"She's so silent, so distant and so mean!" Akane kept growling, pouring her frustration out on her hair. "Arghh! I don't want to see her!"

"Me neither."

Akane stopped from pulling her hair and stared at me. That's when I realized what I had just said. I quickly looked away and pulled her hand as I went back to walking.

"Ne Michiru," she softly called out. Judging by the tone of her voice, I knew what was coming up next.

I held my head straight and kept walking.

"I've been meaning to ask this… But why did you and Mikoto break up?"

My face softened. Though I knew what her question would be, I just can't prepare myself from feeling dejected.

I peered over my shoulder to look at her and pulled a smile out, "It's… Your project, are you done with it?"

Her brows furrowed.

"Hey Michiru do-…" Thankfully, halfway through sensei suddenly barged in on us.

"Takahashi and Kaioh, class is about to begin. Get inside." sensei motioned. I heard Akane sighed disappointingly before running inside.

The class began. It flowed normally as usual. Endless whispers, soft giggles and continuous exchange of notes during the whole period sensei discussed the different theories. I was trying my best to keep up, but my mind doesn't seem to obey this time. Instead, I looked out the window and watched the wind dance around the trees.

Suddenly, a foreign feeling started flourishing within me.

Was it guilt?

It probably is. After all, Akane is the only real friend I have right now. Though not telling her…

Somehow, I felt uncertain if it was right.

Even so, a larger part of me believed that it was better this way.

Why?

I guess it's because I always felt that it's not something to talk about. It's not something she should hear from me. It's not something Akane should know and hate Mikoto for. Akane and I are friends, but so are Mikoto and Akane. And even though Mikoto had done me harm, she still had done nothing to Akane. She had been nothing but a good friend to her. So even a little of unbiased judgment, I still think Mikoto deserves it.

I sighed. 'Somehow, being this reasonable… is quite painful.'

"Michiru!" I heard a girl yelling my name out as secretly as possible. I looked around and saw Akane pointing her finger in front while mouthing some unreadable words.

"Kaioh." I finally caught up to what Akane was trying to tell me.

I hastily stood up as soon as sensei's voice penetrated my ears. "Hai!"

"Your project?" cocking a brow up. I took the papers out and passed it in front. As soon as sensei got a hold of them, she quickly piled them inside her folder.

"Alright. I did tell you about having an exam right?"

A mixture of eager and depressed voices echoed inside the room.

Sensei continued. "Well, we won't have them anymore."

I immediately saw a pair of arms up in the air while surprisingly having a gloomy face. She was having trouble whether to be happy or not about the news. And the sight of a troubled Akane was simply funny. So I started laughing.

"Kaioh." I stopped and saw sensei smiling. "You don't have to be worried about your partner. I already informed her about this."

"Ah hai." I managed to blurt out properly.

During that short period that sensei smiled at me, Haruka's words kept playing over and over. A part of me was pushing to ask what that secret project was yet the other was pulling me to stay and join Akane in her rejoicing. But as soon as a decision came to mind, sensei was already nowhere in sight.

Instead, I gathered my things and joined Akane with rejoicing.

-x0x-

-Haruka-

Doodles…

Doing doodles with my finger on a wooden table was never really a habit of mine. In fact the last time I did it was in a playground where all the swings were taken and I had nothing else to do. And I did it using a stick. Now, my fingers traced the wooden table yet those hard-work doodles were nowhere in sight.

I let out a soft but long grumble.

"What are you doing?"

"Doodles... Look I drew a dog." I said, pointing. "But you can't see them anyway."

"I'm asking you what you're doing in here." Ikuko-.. I mean sensei asked, frowning.

"Ah well.." I mumbled, changing my position. I stared at her coolly as I placed a hand under my cheek. "Spending my break here."

"Again, why?"

I sighed, "Well you advised me to try, right? So, here I am. Trying."

Her brow raised skeptically in my direction.

"And trust me, I'm doing everything." I added

"Don't tell me it's me?" She asked innocently yet more like haughtily.

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "For a math teacher, you sure don't know the answer in this romantic equation."

"Again, why?" She asked, glaring.

"I can't do what you told me to do if there are distractions." I explained, looking seriously. "Normally at this hour, I'm with different girls: making the best out of my break."

"Thankful to your sister. Thankful to your sister." Ikuko muttered to herself continuously while rubbing her temples.

"But since I'm going along with your advice, I'm confining myself away from all those girls. This is me trying to be faithful, sensei."

"I also said get yourself some friends."

"Oohh.." I whistled, shaking my head. "That's not possible. You see, I'm friendlier than what a normal friend should be."

Ikuko groaned. "Then why bother me?"

"That's easy. I don't need anything from you. With you it's just like being around my sister, not tempting. Plus I can be as carefree as I want."

Her eyes narrowed for a couple of seconds as I only kept smiling at her. She sighed and rolled her eyes to different direction.

"So.." I started, after what may seem a long hour of silence… which in reality of course was just a minute. "How are you?"

Her brows furrowed. She looked at me and sneered, "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to make a conversation here. Jeez!" I said, dropping dramatically my head on the table.

"I thought that's you being weird."

"Well if you don't want to talk, then I'll talk. Natsu-nee told me lot of great stories about her friend back in high school." I stated. Her eyes went wide open. I continued, "She use-… "

"No! No. No. No. I'll talk!" shoving her hand onto my face. I chuckled at how easy she could be. She huffed, "I can't remember when I felt this much miserable… Ah I remember, ever since you walked in here."

"You won't get any sympathy from me." I chuckled, folding my arms together. "Let's restart. So, how are you?"

"I'm feeling miserable. I have one student who…." And there goes Ikuko talking.

I haven't gotten a firm decision yet of what I should do. But for now, I'm thinking of taking a few steps… a few slow steps towards her. It might take a while to get there… but I think it'll be worth it. Besides rushing it out hasn't always been a good decision.

But for now, Ikuko-san being here will be a great start.

-x0x-

-Michiru-

I already had it in my mind what this day would exactly be like. She'll seek me out, talk to me and plead. There would be a long speech of how sorry she was and how perfect we are together and she'll cry. That's the scene that kept playing over and over in my mind last night. It's not about me being presumptuous but in this way, I can prepare myself for anything that would come out my way. Words and actions are all well planned. So if that scene ever happened, I would not give in easily.

But…

"Can we talk? Please." She pleaded, her voice sounded dejected. Tears cradling the corner of her eyes, sorrow shone yet there is still hope and… love.

But, as I looked at those gentle yet vulnerable brown eyes…

I knew, certainly knew…

I forgot to prepare my heart.

It suddenly ached… my heart that is. It ached not of anger… but for yearning… longing… I quickly looked away from those reminiscent eyes and stared at the ground instead.

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Please." Her pleading voice sent a quick stabbing pain down my heart. I stood still, my back facing her.

"What I did was wrong and I know... I know it. And it kills me to see that look in your eyes. I didn't mean to do it. It was never in my intention to hurt you. But I did. And if there is a good reason for what I did, I'd tell you but there isn't. What I do know is that I feel horrible. And I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am, but I am. I am sorry."

I dared not to look at her. Somehow, the sight of a tearing Mikoto would crumble any defense I built up. So I held my silence and walked away. I can't give in. I have to be strong…

"Michiru, stop!" She ran after me and grabbed my wrist from behind. Mikoto spun my body around to face her.

"Listen! Anyone is entitled to one mistake and that was mine… but I don't think we should throw everything we have together just because of something I stupidly had done. Because I do believe that we're better than this. We are great to together… We are perfect for each other. Don't you think we owe it to give it another try?"

I could feel my tears gathering around my eyes.

"Michiru." She called out softly… sweetly.

"Mikoto…" I looked directly in to her eyes, "You're hurting me."

Confusion, disbelief and hurt lingered in her eyes as she looked right at me. Her hand loosened as I was able to break free from her grasp. Arms fell onto her sides. She stood still, laughing yet crying, her hands covering her face. I wanted to step forward, wrap my arms around and hug her but I can't. I can't give in.

In my heels, I turned around and walked away, with the sound of her sobbing voice following through.

-x0x-

-Haruka-

Michiru calling me on the phone was really a surprise. Well, technically it did brought a smile to my face. I can't even wipe the happiness off of my face every single time her name blinked in my screen. But, I can't help feel agitated when I heard her voice. There was something remarkably off in her tone. I don't know what that was but I had a feeling it wasn't good.

I sighed, hands in pocket.

Maybe I'm looking too much into it…

"Hey…" A voice greeted, startling me in return. I looked up and saw her smiling. I moved to the side, offering a space for her to sit on. "What happened earlier was a shock to everyone, wasn't it?"

I threw my head back then laughed. "Yeah yeah. It was. Sensei sure was full of surprises."

We shared another round of laughter. Michiru stopped to gasp for some air and I immediately followed right after. Just then, the sun started disappearing from the horizon and soon I found myself and Michiru quietly enjoying the scenery.

After a while, Michiru moved a little from her seat and then began talking "Mikoto wants to get back together with me…"

Hearing her name flow freely from Michiru's mouth without any anger or disdain pained me a little. I propped from my seat and looked at her, masking away the dismay from my face.

"Do you want to?" I quickly asked, looking at her blue orbs.

She looked at me for a while before quickly turning away, "I don't know… I really don't."

"Were you happy hearing it?" I asked once again, my chest feeling heavier than before.

"I think so… maybe… I don't know…"

"What do you want to do?"

"I'm confused. I was thinking, after I vented my anger and frustrations out, I just became terribly lonely… and I guess a part of me does miss her…" She explained in that hopeful expression of hers. She then looked at me and innocently asked "What do you think I should do?"

I chuckled, bitterly. "You're seriously asking for my opinion?"

"Yes."

"From someone you once describe as a self-absorbed, selfish, insensitive narcissist, are you sure about that?"

"I get it. I get it." She waved, pouting. "I told you I'm sorry about all of that. Besides, you were there when it happened, remember? I guess your opinion matters at some point."

"I did remember you getting drunk." I teased, grinning from ear to ear. I had to. Somehow this conversation is slowly hurting me.

Michiru playfully slapped me across the shoulder as she gave another pout. I faked a hurt expression before throwing my head back and laugh.

When did I become this much of an actor?

I stopped laughing and sighed heavily instead.

"Ano sa Michiru, why did you call me?" I asked out of nowhere.

Michiru looked up and our gaze connected in an instant. Her mouth opened a little but said nothing.

"Why did you call me?" I asked once again, gazing intensely at her.

Michiru backed away though. Her gaze fell down on her hand. "I'm sorry that I called. I didn't know you were doing something. I just thought that you were free and…"

"It's not that…" I muttered, chuckling. "I'm not mad that you called. I just want to know why me? You could've called Akane, but why me?"

"I don't know." Michiru said softly, not daring to look right into my eyes. "You were the first person I thought of, Haruka…"

"Why is that, Michiru?"

"I don't know... maybe… it means that I can talk to you… Maybe bec-…"

Talk? Me? I sneered quietly at the thought, "Don't you ever get tired of always talking?"

"I don't. I don't get tired of ta-…"

"Cause I do get tired of it."

"If you hate it that much then why did you accept my call? Why then are you here?" She spat, angered eyes now looking at mine. I chuckled softly, my eyes turning away.

"Just… do what you want to do…" I waved.

"Baka! I don't know what to do! That's why I called you out here."

"And now I'm an idiot." I laughed.

Maybe I am. I'm sitting in front of the woman I finally want to be with, and listening to her talk about her old love. Listening and doing my best not to move forward; to just stay still and act happy about it even though this is hurting me too much already. You're right Michiru, I really am an idiot.

"Trust me Michiru, you wouldn't like to hear what I'm going to say." I said, earnestly looking into those blue eyes.

"Try me." She dared.

"What good will come out of hearing my opinion anyway?" I pressed.

"I don't know, but conversely… what harm could possibly come out of it?"

"Harm?" I scoffed, covering my mouth with my hand. Michiru really say the dumbest things… She doesn't even have a clue, huh?

I stopped and smiled at her frowning face, "I may be biased. That's not a good thing, isn't it?"

"Biased?"

"Yes. Certainly biased."

"Why?" she asked.

There were million reasons I could give myself not to move forward. Million reasons kept hunting me for a while now; reasons that were logical, reasons that were right. But as I looked right into her eyes down to her lips, those reasons seemed so trivial. And the only thing that seemed important was practically the only one thing running through my mind...

-'do you think tomorrow would be a great day?' -

-'I wonder.. if there would be someone waiting for me after this…' -

-'I think I've gotten myself in an impossible situation.'-

-'I think that any impossible situation is not going to get any better if you don't do something about it.'-

-'staying still has never been a good idea'-

-'So I'd say why don't you try? You won't know unless you do.'-

-'I think there are lot things that may surprise you just yet. I mean.. just because something good ends doesn't mean something better won't begin. And believe me there will be something out there better for you... Because…if it didn't work out with that person, it only means that someone out there loves you even more.'-

…to move forward.

I leaned down and kissed her. I never felt my heart beat this damn fast before. And though it was only for a moment but I felt eternity somewhere. And as I pulled away, the feeling of both sadness and happiness enveloped my heart for the first time. I deeply looked into her eyes, and said with much love and sincerity,

"That's why."

-x0x-

-Michiru-

"I know it's sudden but-…"

Haruka mumbled continuously. I wasn't really paying attention to what she's saying anymore. I'm still preoccupied at what just happened. Her lips were really soft and warm. But that's not the point. The point is why my heart suddenly skipped a beat when she kissed me…

Haruka kissed me?

Haruka kissed me...

She kissed me..

Kissed me.

"So, I don't mind-…"

Without even knowing, I slapped Haruka across her face. Hard.

She looked at me, taken back, as she cupped her swollen cheek. She creased her brows as she stood up, "What was that for?"

"Are you out of your mind?" I yelled, punching repeatedly on her chest. "Why did you do that?"

"Well if I have to explain myself, I'm guessing it didn't have the desired effect." She whispered, laughing bitterly.

"It doesn't mean you could do it to some girls, you could do it with me!"

"I didn't mean it that way. It's-…."

"What? What do you mean it then?" I asked, yelling and still hitting her across the chest

"Hey stop that." She said, catching both my hands.

"Answer me! What the hell were you thinking?"

"God. You're loud." Haruka whined, shaking her head. "I don't know. It just suddenly happened."

"Suddenly happened?"

"Yes. Something out of impulse. You know, a sudden, momentary thing."

"An impulse?" I shook away my hands and poked her chest instead. "You're telling me you just happen to have a hormone malfunction and decided to kiss me?"

"Hormone malfunction?" She sneered, head shaking. "Believe me Michiru, the last thing I want right now is to be hit by a girl because I only did what she was asking me to do."

"What?" I gasped then glared. "Now you're telling me I asked you to kiss me?"

"Yes. And you let me do it. You, Kaioh Michiru, let me, Tenoh Haruka, kiss you."

I squinted, groaning out of anger.

"Just forget it. I didn't even mean to do it." She waved, turning around.

"I can't believe you! Just when I started to think differently about you!" I fumed, clenching my fists together. "I can't even dare to look at your face right now!"

Glaring for one last time, I turned around and walked as quickly as possible away from her.

I can't believe she did that. I can't believe Haruka would actually do that…

But at most…

I can't believe my heart is still beating as fast as before….

What… just happened to me?

-x0x-

-Haruka-

What the hell was that!

Well… Yeah, what I did was, I would like to say wrong but it felt right… Okay Maybe what I did was not something Michiru likes, obviously. But how did it turn into something like that; slapping, pushing, arguing, and definitely walking out. I meant no harm in doing that. I just did what I felt right at that moment.

God!

I really don't know what that woman is thinking. First, she acts as if she and I are mortal enemies, then became friendlier, then sweeter and then lovable. And now she hates me again?

Argh!

I just! I just…

I ducked my head between my knees as both arms crossed over.

I just… can't bring myself to hate her more than she hates me…

"Here you go." She said, placing a can of coke on top of my head.

"Thanks." Taking the coke and placing it on the table. She walked casually back onto her desk and sat on the wooden chair.

"You seldom visit me. So what happened?"

I sighed, still hiding my head behind my arms, "…"

"Is it about a girl?"

"…"

"Michiru?"

I groaned, burying my face deeper.

"What happened?"

"It's both their fault! Ikuko and Michiru."

"Natsu's Ikuko?"

"Yes!" I fumed. "She advised me to take chance."

"Chance?"

"At Michiru." I blurted out, adding softly, almost in a whisper, "I kissed her.."

She gasped then happily inched closer. "When? How? Wait Ikuko said that?"

I can't believe I'm telling Anna-nee about this.

"Just a while ago." I replied, dropping my feet back on the floor. I slumped back and continued, "She had this cute little pout up on me, her eyes were just sparkling, it's like… Like it's only now that I've seen such a beautiful shade of blue… then her cheeks were rosier than I used to remember… and her lips were fuller. You know… How could I resist that?"

"And?"

"It was great. The kiss was perfect."

Anna moved her head slightly, her brows creasing. After a while, a finger tapped onto her chin. "I don't get it. You kissed her and the kiss was perfect. What went wrong?"

"The slapping, the hitting, poking, screaming and walking away happened." I elaborated one by one, faking a smile. "A hormonal malfunction, she said."

Her head instantly threw back as she laughed out loud. I growled, slapping my face with both hands.

The laughter soon died down. Anna-nee wiped a tear from her eyes and spoke, "Well, I'll let you in a little secret."

I groaned. "I had enough with the advices."

"It's not an advice. It's more like an observation." Anna-nee stated. "When a person reacts the way she did then it's not meaningless for her."

For a split second, I actually hoped what Anna-nee said was true. But apparently, my conviction on Michiru's reactions was stronger than that.

I started feeling gentle hands caressed my head. "Just give it some time."

I smiled faintly, closing my eyes. "I guess…"

-x0x-

-Michiru-

"Tadaima…" I said, particulary to no one. I closed the door behind me and threw the keys on the table.

Heavy footsteps began roaring in our house, I turned and saw Kokoro running towards me. She launched herself and gave my legs a big welcoming hug.

Finally something I could smile about. Ever since then I constantly kept thinking about her lips, her smile, and her eyes. Just simply everything. And when I think about it, has Haruka always been that-….

I stopped, my hands quickly covering my mouth.

What? Was I about to say-…? No. No way. No, it's not possible.

I shook my head vigorously once more.

I just have to stop this. Since the kiss happened, I started thinking of Haruka in a different way and I don't want to think of her in that way.

Finally, I let out a long and loud groan.

"Onee-chan?" I looked down and saw Kokoro's head tilting, her face extremely worried.

I bent down and ruffled her hair. "Onee-chan's just thought of something bad."

"Bad? Like bwo-bwoco-cocoli?"

"Hai, Koko. As bad as broccoli." I said smiling. Kokoro gave me a sad look before turning to a supportive smile.

She ran across the hall then up to her room, "Onee-chan gambatte!"

Just then, my mother walked out of the kitchen. "You look miserable."

"You look good too, okaa-san."

She laughed. "No… I mean, is there something wrong?"

I walked pass her, straight into the kitchen. I grabbed a slice of bread from the pantry and walked right back into the living room.

"Michiru." She called out, cocking a brow. "Is there something wrong?"

I looked at her then back at the flower pot. I exhaled then shrugged. "Nothing."

"Okay. If you need any food, there's a left over in the fridge." She said, turning around.

There are a lot of things I do by my own. Hiding my own problems is just one of them. I don't see the need to tell people about it. Besides who would best solve your own problem but you yourself. So now it bugged me why I suddenly blurted out to my mother,

"She kissed me!"

My mother quickly turned around and asked, "Who did?"

"Haruka did!" I exclaimed, more aggravated than before.

"And that is bad because?"

"Because… It's just not right to kiss me that suddenly. She clearly took advantage of the situation! What was she thinking?"

"If it's Haruka, she probably wasn't thinking." She laughed.

"That the problem! She never thinks. She just acts the way she wants to."

Okaa-san stepped a little closer and sat near me, "Let me ask you one thing, did the kiss mean anything to you?"

My mouth almost fell open. The question really took me by surprise. I haven't asked myself about it yet. But even if I already did, what would I say?

"Does it?"

I looked away. "The kiss meant nothing."

"Then why are you troubling yourself over something you said was nothing?"

This is why I hate talking my problem out. Somehow, my mom manages to look deep within me, a place that I don't even bother to look into.

"I'm not troubling over it. I'm just angry, irritated and pissed. I just—I just don't know what to think of her anymore!"

She laughed lightly. My mother basically found enjoyment in my misery.

"Well, why don't you ask yourself this."

I looked at her, hating that all-knowing smile plastered on her face. She stood up, fixing the folds on her skirt.

"Ask myself what?" I asked, leaning forward.

Her hand cupped her chin, "If it was really nothing, why are you then that confused and annoyed?"

I want to say something back... but what would I say?

I can't even seem to know the answer…

If that kiss really did mean nothing to me…

Why…

Why am I getting so worked up about it?

Thanks for reading.

As you could see, I have decided to make this fic longer. Sorry about that.