Shorter than usual.

THREE DAYS AFTER

-Michiru-

"Hey! You two grab those chairs and move it here!" I instantly snapped as that demanding voice took over my ears. I searched around and saw the vice rep pointing her fingers here and there with much aggressiveness.

I looked around in circles again and saw other students moving from one corner to another in hurry while others were working on the floor with complete dedication. It took a couple of seconds before everything around me began making sense.

That's right.

Today, after all, marks a week before the cultural festival starts and everyone in this school was either in panic or in frustration but also without a doubt with mere excitement.

"Kaioh-san." I looked over my shoulder and saw couple of my classmates standing behind me.

I turned around. And with a smile, I asked, "Hai?"

"We've finished doing our jobs. Is there anything else we could do?"

"You could help with sewing the garments for the play." I told them.

The other girl with much longer hair quickly fidgeted from where she stood while the other looked back and forth in discomfort.

"Is there anything wrong?"

"Well…." One of them started, holding her friend's arm protectively.

"She told us to stay away from her area of expertise." added by the other as she pointed her finger behind me.

My eyes followed her finger and rested upon the woman sitting near the window. There was proud smile plastered across her lips as she sewed the clothing in delight.

Akane…

"Is there something wrong, Michiru-san?" I broke off from my daze as soon as their worried voices tingled inside my ears.

I quickly looked back at the two and shook my head in reply. "There isn't. Sorry." and forced a smile out, adding, "Just help anybody who isn't done with theirs. Okay?"

The two nodded in unison and scurried away from my sight.

I sighed and glanced back at Akane.

It has been a weeks since I had seen Haruka. I haven't really talked to her ever since then. Maybe, I'm the one to blame for it. Because for some odd reason, I couldn't face her. And with this slowly growing gap between us, I'm beginning to have this thought that maybe… just maybe… what connected Haruka and I was a simple five-paged math problem.

A thought that simply upsets me the most.

Still…

I'm happy...

I should be happy with the way everything turned out, right?

Mikoto and I just got back together and I should be glad that it happened. Because as far as everything was concerned, that's what I really wanted, wasn't it?

But…

How come it doesn't feel that way?

Somehow, with that short span of time being away from her, somewhere, somewhat, my feelings aren't as strong as it was before. By any means, I'm not as happy as I had imagined myself would be.

And this feeling simply agitates me…

Why?

-x0x-

-Haruka-

"This is some miracle." A familiar voice sneered. I looked over my shoulder and saw her pompous stature towering over me. "A change of heart?"

I snorted and stood up, picking the boxes along. "And you skipped a faculty meeting just to tease me?"

"Get over yourself." She retorted, walking right after me. I knelt down as I dropped the boxes. "The meeting ended a few minutes ago and I came here to check up on my class."

"Well, the class rep had been shouting back and forth at us. Those two girls had been folding the same paper for the last two hours and I had been gathering these boxes since then."

"Having fun?"

I scoffed, turning around. "If the concept of having a woman a feet shorter than you boss you around is fun, then perhaps it is. But aside that, no it's not."

It didn't take much from her willpower not to laugh. Apparently, she found the concept to be hilarious. I shrugged, not taking anything from her serious.

"By the way," Ikuko walked right in front of me and leaned on the boxes I just piled up. "I read your paper."

I sneered again as I pulled her body away from the boxes.

She stood up properly and continued, "It was written beautifully; heartfelt and honest."

"Well my journalistic competence never seems to fail me." I kidded, taking another box up from the floor.

"but modesty already did." She shot back, coughing. I shrugged, again, and kept piling the boxes one after another. And though she kept herself from saying anything anymore, I could still feel Ikuko's probing eyes watching me.

After a while, the silent atmosphere became a counseling environment.

"Tell me…" she muttered, walking closer."That hypothetical question of yours, was it anything near reality?"

"And what if it was?"

"Then you're really messed up."

I squinted before turning my head away. "Touching."

Ikuko laughed, really hard. I grunted.

"Listen." Her laughter settled a little as she took another opportunity to speak up. "Natsu may have told you, God knows how many stories-…"

"30 stories." I uttered, grinning.

Her smiling lips instantly cracked into gritting teeth. I felt a little happiness splurge all throughout as I found myself now looking at the obviously angry Ikuko.

She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Okay, that hypocrite had already told you 30 stories about me which I'm very sure had changed your opinion of me, but regardless of what all that was, I want you to know that I'm still older than you. So please take this as something from someone who had gone through the same thing as you're going through."

I stopped and felt her crouching next to me.

She spoke softly and sincerely, "Don't let anything you want slip from your grasp, Haruka."

-x0x-

-Michiru-

An hour had passed since those two giggling girls by the corner asked for a new job and ever since then I couldn't find myself to stop from glancing at Akane.

And every single time that I do so, a heavy feeling started forming around my chest.

I sighed.

I haven't asked Akane about Haruka since then and she hasn't said anything to me as well. I wanted to ask her, to tell you the truth, but it was something I shouldn't do. So I stayed still and waited for her to open up instead.

But none in those weeks did she mention it or anything near it.

So here I am, feeling something I shouldn't be feeling.

"Michiru."

I snapped and strangely found myself looking at her deep round eyes. 'When did she get here?'

"Akane." I managed to utter without any trail of surprise. "What is it?"

"Nothing." She smiled, giddily. "Just that you've been spacing out for quite a while now."

"Ah…" I stopped midway, looking for any alibis which luckily popped a second later. "I was just thinking what we could do to improve the productivity of each student."

She beamed clapping her hands altogether. And without any hesitation she began blabbering endless proposals.

I held my smile up, looking very much interested but my mind was definitely finding a way out of this conversation.

And as soon as one came into mind, I spoke immediately out, "Akane."

She stopped and asked in a soft voice, "Hmmm?"

"I really have to go and check the students doing the props outside."

"Oh." She murmured and added with a smile. "Okay. I'll just continue sewing the garments."

And with a 'V' sign, she bid me good luck and hurried to her place. I returned it with a smile and walked directly out of the room.

To tell it honestly, I did what I did because looking at Akane somehow I feel ….

How should I put it?

It wasn't bitterness or jealousy. I'm not really sure what it was or was I looking forward to know what it actually was. It's just that her face reminds me of Haruka, not in the physical aspect though, just the incident that had transpired. And somehow, just by looking at her face substantiates what Haruka had been pressing so eagerly about, that a kiss is only a kiss…

And that feeling is a bit unsettling.

-x0x-

-Haruka-

Normally I would be shrugging or most likely ignoring anything Ikuko would say or had said. But somehow, even after an hour had passed, all I had been thinking about are those few words she had uttered.

And I can't believe I let it get through to me!

I shook my head vigorously and hoped to let it slip out of my thought. But…

I stopped and dropped my gaze down the ground.

Supposedly, if what Ikuko said was true…

Then…

What am I supposed to do now?

"Tenoh-san." A stern voice called out.

I looked up and around and spotted her heated stare casted upon me. With a forced smile, I asked "Yes, class rep?"

"You didn't happen to glue those boxes on the floor now did you?" She asked, raising a brow as she pointed to the boxes beside me. I shook my head in reply.

"Then please take those boxes outside already?" She said, trying her very hardest from screaming. "You've been staring at them for quite some time now."

The other girls inside the room giggled softly among themselves.

I nodded, forcing a smile out while mentally cursing that little demon. And as told, I picked the remaining two boxes up and headed outside.

That's right.

That small student with high pitched voice standing by the platform is my bossy class rep. If I remember it correctly, she's a meek, polite and reserved student during class. I used to find her innocence very attractive. But now, she just reminds me of Anna-nee. Aggressive, bossy and definitely rude.

Ahhh... what happened to that innocence?

I thought, chuckling at the irony.

Still, I got to hand it to her for bei-…

Trail of thoughts quickly stopped as I caught a glimpse of her face down the window. I stopped and watched her smile sparkling under that vast greenery. And what's supposed to be only a few seconds of staring lasted longer than planned. The only thing that disrupted me was hearing this annoyingly familiar teasing voice ringing from ear to ear

"Hey there lover girl!"

I shuddered as I turned around, and spoke with less enthusiasm compared to hers, "Chizu."

She stopped, eyed wide as she gasped, "What happened to you?"

I cocked a brow in response. She walked closer and patted me by the shoulder. "First you turned me down, then now you're helping out. Dying?"

"What's with that?" I chuckled lightly.

"You see the only reason why people change for the better is because their days are numbered."

"That's one frightening theory." I laughed and added with a smile, "Besides, it's fun."

"Really?" She eyed me dubiously, continuing, "Having sex with me is fun but-…"

"Chizu."

"I know. I know." She waved, breathing deeply. "Anyway, what happened to that?"

She walked closer and leaned by the windowpane. "Is that her?"

I turned around and looked at to where she was pointing. I scoffed, "Was it obvious?"

"It's starting to be." She replied, smiling. Turning her body around, she asked again, "Isn't she with Aozawa Mikoto?"

"Yea…" I said, much to my dismay.

"This may not be my business but…" She pushed herself up and walked a few steps ahead. Turning around, she continued "I don't think you should continue pursuing her."

I looked at her, unaware of the harshness and bitterness that slipped out of my mouth "That's exactly what I'm doing Chizu. I'm distancing myself away from her."

"Good." She nodded. "You should know that getting involved with someone who's in a relationship isn't right to begin with."

I faked a laugh and bantered out, "Something I really don't want to hear from you."

She made a face before walking away.

I sighed, looking out the window again. Michiru's smile drastically became even wider and brighter, her eyes glittered with immeasurable joy as she looked at the woman standing in front of her.

Mikoto.

Then it hit me. Jealousy hit me. It felt like countless of tiny rocks continuously thrown at me and it only gets painful as time goes by.

I felt helpless. Weak at most. And the only thing I could do was to turn my back around and hope.

Hope that even behind that smile, I saw Michiru's face somehow fell a bit.

-x0x-

-Michiru-

As soon as I stepped out of the school building and into the grassy field, I found myself looking around and searching for a certain being.

To tell you the truth, checking the students making the props wasn't really my responsibility. And aside from taking my distance from Akane, I also did it for a different reason.

I wanted to see her.

I wanted to see Haruka.

And if there are any opportunities that would make that happen, then I'd take that chance. Albeit the concept of seeing her makes me feel uneasy, I can't help but want to. Because the fact of the matter is, I do miss that dumb blonde a lot.

I leisurely walked through field, not even bothered by the time. Slowly taking steps forward and around while hoping to bump into her along the way.

I did manage to bump into a lot of people, but none I even bothered talking to or seeing. And as I neared to where my classmates are, my conviction slowly wavered.

I stoop and smiled as I asked politely, "Is everything going well?"

All looked up and confidently said aloud, "Everything's great."

"Anything else I could do to help?" I asked, smiling, as I took a sit next to them.

One of my classmates handed over a brush and directed me to paint the portion they haven't painted yet.

And I did what exactly was told.

Helping out was fun. It kept me from not thinking about Akane or Haruka and anything related for that matter. It helped me to focus on what's needed to get done and what should be done.

It lasted for few minutes until someone came over and called my name out.

"Michiru!" I looked up and saw Mikoto running with great urgency towards me.

I stood up and welcomed her with a smile. "Miko."

"I finally found you." She huffed then smiled, "I've been hoping to get some time where we could be alone together."

"Me too." I forced a wider smile.

She walked closer and pulled me into a hug. I quickly returned the affection. And after a while, I pushed her gently away.

"What's wrong?" she asked, worriedly.

"Nothing." I shook my head, smiling. "It's just that, I really need to get back now."

"Oh." She managed to utter. I could see the disappointment from her eyes and somehow I felt bad for doing what I just did.

"Let's see each other afterwards." I assured with a smile.

Mikoto beamed up. And with a quick kiss on the cheek, she instantly left to where her group was.

It's not that I'm not happy to see her, I am. But I was hoping to see someone else.

I wonder…

Was it wrong hoping to see someone else and not your girlfriend?

The way back to the room was a bit struggle. The hallway was just too crowded with students going on and about their respective assigned duties. It was irritating, but what irritated me most, was this constant protest running at the back of my mind, telling me over and over again not to go back.

And how surprisingly obedient I was.

-x0x-

-Haruka-

I made my way back and as soon as I could even reach the doors, I already heard different voices roaring from where I stood. And it only grew louder as I stepped inside the room.

That mini class rep hastily made her way towards to where I was and scolded me without any fear or favor. I had it clearly in my mind that this would happen but I wasn't expecting this much. She glared, growled and finally left me all alone.

Again the room was insanely disorganized and irritatingly loud. I could easily tolerate all of that but add it with a slightly immature and self-proclaimed experienced sensei teasing you endlessly then it becomes unbearable.

I stood up and immediately walked towards the door.

Ikuko was caught by surprise and asked "Where are you going?"

I waved as I slid the door open, "Anywhere just not where you are."

Without waiting for her retort, I slid the door close and left. And as I walked this cramped up hallway, only a single trail of thought came to mind.

Love.

Ridiculously as it may sound…

I, Tenoh Haruka, had finally fallen in love. And it is a world I'm completely unfamiliar with.

It wasn't as if I haven't thought or heard of this before but, it is only now that I felt it; that I really felt it.

Chizuru wants me to step back and stay way…

Ikuko advised me to take a chance and move forward...

But I wonder…

Beyond the line of what is right or wrong…

What is it that I really want to do?

I sighed, casually putting my hands inside my pockets. As long as I haven't cleared my thoughts out, I'll continue distancing myself from her.

I felt a slight relief flourished as soon as I reached the clinic. It wasn't because I didn't enjoy being bossed around or teased at -well I exactly didn't, but it was just that I could really use a quiet environment right about now. Unlike the jam-pack corridors and classroom, the clinic was ringing with silence

I slid the door open and greeted with much delight, "Good afternoon. I'm feeling really-…" I paused as soon as my eyes fell on an empty desk. And when I finally thought I could have some time to relax, I heard that all too familiar voice muttering my name.

"Haruka."

I felt my heart stopped as that reminiscent voice flowed from ear to ear. I turned around and finally for the longest time, I was now looking directly at those clear blue eyes.

And what may seem like a decade was only a few seconds passed before I barely managed to speak coherently her name out. "Mi-… chiru."

-x0x-

-Michiru-

Uneasy.

And as we lay silently on the bed with a thin sheet of cloth hanging between us, I couldn't help but feel the uneasiness I was talking about. But beyond that, somehow, an unexpected feeling of happiness surfaced. I was truly happy. I finally saw Haruka. So happy I couldn't even find the words to say anything.

But I had to say something.

I need to say something.

"The nurse had to go outside for an urgent call." I said, wondering to myself why I had in the first place.

"I see."

Then uttered randomly once again, "If you stared at the ceiling for too long, you could trace a picture out of those lines."

"Yea, you're right." Haruka replied monotonously.

"And if you listen carefully, you-"

"Michiru." She called out. I stopped and let her continue. "You don't have to try so hard to make a conversation. It's okay like this."

"No!" I quickly said aloud. Much louder than what I had in mind. And softly added, "It's not okay, Haruka…"

She stayed still, not even finding the courage to say anything.

A familiar heat began building up behind my eye. I blinked several times to get the tears out of there, but to no relieve.

"Hey…" her gentle voice sipped through my ear.

I quickly wiped the tears and responded a bit angrily, "What?"

"Did Kokoro like the nikuman?"

My eyes widen a little then I found myself smiling, laughing lightly as I replied, "She loved it. Kokoro said you have great taste."

"What can I say, the kid is honest." Haruka proudly replied.

I giggled and bantered out, "That or you're just utterly arrogant."

"Easy right there, Michiru." I could feel her cunning smile spread out from her entire face. "Jealousy won't get you anywhere."

And for the longest time, I finally found myself laughing genuinely and incredibly out loud.

After a while, I settled down and unconsciously muttered out, "I've missed this."

And as soon as I realized what I had said, it was already too late to take it all back.

So instead, I continued. "I've missed talking to you. I've missed laughing with you. I've missed our childish banter and shameless mockery. But most of all I've missed being with you."

There were too many questions raging through my head, all of them clamoring for answers. I spoke and picked the simplest one. "You?"

Haruka never did say anything after that. And again, that feeling of uneasiness came crawling its way back as the lull in our conversation grew. As I finally came to accept that silence as a no, Haruka suddenly called my name out.

"Michiru."

-x0x-

-Haruka-

"I've missed this."

I felt my heartbeat escalate a little. And it continued to beat more and more as Michiru continued.

"I've missed talking to you. I've missed laughing with you. I've missed our childish banter and shameless mockery. But most of all I've missed being with you."

I wanted to say something. I really did. But no words came to mind. And even if do words cross my mind, as soon as I try to organize all those words into a concrete explanation and let it out in the open, a soft sigh came out instead.

"You?" She asked traces of panic, mostly fear, behind that gentle voice.

There were a lot of things going though the back of my head right about now. Two clear things kept pressing my decision back and forth. It was either I follow Chizuru's advice by letting this slip or take Ikuko's by taking a chance.

But beyond that constant advice from Chizu bubbling through my head, I took the other one.

And with one deep breath, I called her name out, "Michiru."

I saw her moving on her bed through that thin cloth.

"Hmmm?" She murmured softly.

Gathering further courage, I spoke once again, this time with much certainty in my voice.

"I love you."

Thanks for still reading! I'm warning all the readers now, if you don't like Romance with slow development, then this story isn't for you.