Everything will be in Haruka's Perspective unless specified.

Fast transition. Gaps will be filled up in the next chapter.

-THREE DAYS AFTER-

"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."

"GAH!" and in a wicked timing, the nurse suddenly burst through the door. "What a pain! What a pain!"

In pure idiocy brought mostly by panic, I added in an instant "you-..r friend Akane!"

She looked at Michiru with a small smile "You're still here. Well, you should rest more." then was replaced with a quick frown as her eyes fell on me. "And you," With one eyebrow cocked up, "I'm guessing another headache."

It is funny how drastically different her reactions were between Michiru and me. I couldn't blame her though. I spent most of my school days, if not in the dark corners of the library or in an empty classroom, here inside this clinic. But really, I do embrace the harmless sarcasm and supposedly light, almost unseen, concern… or so what I wanted to believe.

I grinned, shaking my head lightly "Terrible, terrible headache."

A hand waved as a long and loud grunt replaced the cunning smile on her face. Taking the folder piled up on her desk, she walked back towards the door, clearly not forgetting to voice her complains by doing so. After hearing a very informative cursing, complaining, insulting and did I say cursing, the nurse once again left the clinic.

I could hear Michiru laugh lightly before voicing out, "I know."

"You know what?"

"I know you like Akane, Haruka."

"No seriously…" I chuckled, confusedly asking "What?"

"I saw you two kissing."

"When?"

"Two weeks ago." She sighed. And in her joyful voice, she spoke out "It's nice seeing you getting serious."

I swear for a moment there, I felt my heart jumping out of my chest. My pulse raised and my mind broke any trail of thoughts. When did I ever kiss her? Then it hit me. Those prying eyes from before belonged to hers.

"But remember, Akane's my dear friend. If you happen to hurt her, intentionally or not, I'm coming after you," She threatened "with Kokoro by my side." or what it seems to be.

A smile grazed my lips and I couldn't help but to shake my head at that thought.

"As frightening as a 2 and a half feet tall kid pinning me down on the ground sounds, it's not what you think." I chuckled, "I never kissed Akane."

"I know what I saw." She said assuredly.

"Yea, well not everything you see is what you believe them to be." I spat, taking much confidence in my words. "Something just caught in her eyes and I helped her with it. We didn't do anything aside from talking."

"So you're telling me, you, Haruka, the ultimate playgirl and hormonally dysfunctional sex maniac didn't do anything to Akane, your typical innocent, cute and pure schoolgirl inside an empty classroom other than talking?"

"Yes, and by the way, bravo for that touching description." I clapped.

Michiru giggled as she spoke, still with hint of awe "But I did hear you right, about you liking Akane?"

"I suppose…?" I murmured not knowing what to reply reasonably back.

"So what did you two talked about?" She asked giddily with much curiosity behind it.

"Well…" I paused, pursing my lips. There wasn't any way out of it. Because this time, I want to be honest… or, at least, to save myself from this ridiculous predicament I had put myself in. And though telling her the truth may come as a shock for her or that the repercussions may not go my way, but hey, it's a risk I'm willing to take.

Taking another deep breath, I spoke cautiously out "Michiru the truth is, I had been-…"

"Michiru."

"Miko?"

My face somehow fell a bit as I heard that worried voice echoing inside the room. I pretended for a moment that it was someone else but somehow, hearing her name flow right out of Michiru's mouth kept it hard for me to continue pretending.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, sitting straight up onto the bed.

"I went to find you in your classroom and they told me you never came back. One of the students outside said they saw you going in here. And so, I was worried about what had happened to you."

"I'm fine. I just got a bit tired and decided to take a rest here."

I laid there quietly listening to the couple exchange their word of worry, gratitude and love to each other. From that time being, realization hit me, rapidly unveiling its depth. And for some weird reason, I had finally come in terms with what Chizuru's been pressing about. I sighed, smiling, finally grasping firmly onto an honest and clear understanding.

Mikoto has Michiru.

Michiru has Mikoto.

Clearly…

There's no place for me.

"I'll go get your things and then I'll accompany you home."

"That'll be great."

The only relief I could get out of this heart wrenching truth was not seeing Michiru's face when she looks at her.

"So you two made up huh?" I teased playfully, perfectly masking away my disappointment and my pure lack of confidence.

"Ah… yeah, we did." She muttered softly away. "It happened a few weeks ago."

"Oh." I tried sounding a bit surprised when in fact, I wasn't. I knew exactly when and how it happened. I can still picture how it went- clearly and accurately. I was right there when it happened. Right in the middle of it.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Hey," I chuckled lightly. "We're not really that close to share each other's melodramatic love life or our lame pursuit of having one." The latter…- was most likely pertaining to me.

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, you see based on the depth of our relationship, I can only give out honest, which considered degrading at times, opinions."

"Enlightening." Michiru uttered in nothing but pure sarcasm. Shrugging, she added next, "Anyway, what were you trying to tell me before Mikoto went in?"

"Well…"

I knew from the moment I uttered that word, I had put myself in a very difficult and problematic situation.

-Next Day-

"I'm sorry…" she shook her head, laughing bitterly back "I didn't hear you clearly."

I raised both brows, sighing. "Like I said, you have to go out with me."

I'm guessing from fast deformation of her face: brows twitching, jaws tightening and as well as hands clenching, she didn't like what she just heard. It took another second to prove that fact as her hand swiftly made its way right across my head. I stumbled a few steps back, tending my now swollen forehead. Where was the innocence Michiru was talking about?

I hissed, asking sarcastically "Really? Do you have to do that?"

"What were you thinking?" she asked, taking a step closer.

"Akane, if I was thinking I'd probably be asking a less hostile girl than you." I argued.

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because in my long idiotic time being, with so many girls' name running through my mind, I blurted out yours."

"And this happened when?"

"During my supposedly confession to your dear dense friend."

Fingers cradled her temples as she shook her head in disappointment. She growled a little, "How did your so called confession ended this way?"

"Because!" My voice raised a little. Breathing deeply, I continued softly back "because Michiru already has Mikoto and I don't want to get in the way."

I heard her gasp then growl before replying "but you're getting in MY way."

"I had a feeling you'd say something like that so I prepared something." I raised a finger.

"I don't encourage bribery."

Inching closer, I added impishly "two VIP tickets to Spitz concert."

I felt my smile expanding from ear to ear when I saw her succumbing to the bribe. And though everything seemed to go my way, my victorious celebration didn't last that long.

"What are you two doing here?"

As soon as I heard her voice ringing in my ear, my cocky smile cracked into a nervous grin. I turned around, sweating, and no logical explanation or alibi to utter back. Yes, I hesitated to say anything back. I wasn't even sure if Akane was already on my side. And for what seems to be years of pure utter silence were only a minute passed when I felt Akane taking a step beside me.

"We were just discussing about our date this coming weekend." Akane replied tapping my shoulder. I took the liberty to just nod along with her.

"Sorry to bother you two." Michiru apologized, smiling.

Akane waved a hand, reciprocating the same smile "Not at all. Not at all."

"Well I should be heading out now. The props people are waiting." She bid, smile never fading from her face as she walked down the cramped up hallway.

And there I was, standing, watching as those aquamarine locks drowned in the sea of people.

"Alright hand it over." Akane demanded; hand pushed against me.

I rummaged through my pocket and held out two tickets. "These costs me a lot."

She grabbed the tickets and counted, only God knows why, then asked "We don't actually have to date, right?"

I cocked up a brow, "I lost almost 40,000 yen and the most action I get is this?" She laughed, so candidly, smacking away her hand across my shoulder. "I haven't even brought you in bed and you're already this wild?"

She glared, and I figured I just hit a landmine. I laughed nervously, waving a hand "It's a joke. A joke. A stupid joke to be precise."

"I'll go out this weekend with you" She huffed, evidently forcing herself out. "But you do know that we can't keep doing this."

"I know."

"You have to tell her the truth."

"Yeah… I know."

She added "More than I enjoy getting free stuff."

I laughed, "I thought I lured you perfectly in."

"You did. But Spitz has only one concert a year." A cheeky smile grazed her lips. I dismissed it with a simple chuckle. She turned her back around then waved the ticket, giggling "This coming weekend okay. I'll make sure to show up."

I waved, chuckling as I watched her walk away.

This may not be the best idea

but,

Can you blame me for going to this extent?

-Saturday-

The day sure went by fast and I was nothing but happy about that. I'm not saying that the date didn't go well because it did. The date went, for the most part, well, if not great. It was different, in a good way though. It's like taking a twelve year old kid on their very first day out, literally. It was harmless, fun and yeah, just like Michiru said, innocent. But beyond the innocent entertainment, I wanted the date to end fast. And to elaborate as to why would be damn tiring.

I sighed, walking briskly back to where I parked my bike. As soon as I neared the area, I heard this all too familiar voice screaming my name out.

"HAWUKA! IT'S HAWUKA!"

I turned around and saw this little cute kid pointing her fingers in my direction. I smiled and waved a hand. The next thing I knew she was in mid air, launching herself towards me.

I lost balance, almost having this two and half feet tall kid pin me down the ground. How's that for irony?

"Well hello there hime-chin!" I regained my footing, knelt down and scooped the kid off the ground. "You aren't being a bad girl by leaving your house all by yourself?"

She giggled cutely, cupping both my cheeks with her tiny palms "I am not Hawuka!"

"Oho!" I gasped amusedly. "Then who are you with?"

I didn't even need to hear what Kokoro has to say because as soon as I heard her voice, I already knew the answer.

"There you are Kokoro." She stepped in, in her all too graceful manner. "Don't give Haruka too much trouble."

"I am not twouble, onee-chan!" She pouted turning her face back at me. "Tell onee-chan I'm not twouble, Hawuka."

I smiled and poked Kokoro's nose. "Like she said, she's not twouble."

"See!"

"She is heavy though." I whispered to Michiru.

She laughed and took Kokoro from me. "Why don't we just walk Kokoro?"

"Where are you two going?" I asked.

"The playgwound!" Kokoro shouted giddily, hopping ahead of us.

Michiru laughed at her sister before replying "We just went out to do some groceries and Kokoro wanted to stop by the playground."

"Wanna play with me, Hawuka?" Kokoro asked(or what it sounded like) while pulling my hand.

"Koko don't just force someone." Michiru scolded, calmly. "Besides, Haruka is on a date."

"I don't mind." I quickly said, turning to look back at Michiru. "And I was just on my way back from the date."

"YAY!" tiny arms all raised up in air. "Alwight Hawuka, up! Up!" I chuckled at the demanding face of hers. I scooped Kokoro up and placed her on my shoulder.

"Where are we heading, Hime-chin?"

"Launch ahead! Hiiiya!" one arm stretched forward, finger pointing eagerly out.

"Alright! Hold tight!" Securing her position, my hands tightly clutched around Kokoro's body, I ran as fast as my feet could carry me. Only the sound of this child's laughter fuelled me on this journey

We arrived shortly afterwards with Michiru falling behind. Once there Kokoro demanded to put her down. She ran towards the sandbox and quickly began building, what looked like, a mountain. I curled up my sleeves and sat in front of her, joining in her intent of building the largest sand mountain there is.

After short while, Michiru stepped in and stood beside us. Kokoro stopped as she looked up "Onee-chan join us!"

I chuckled, laughing at the thought of a sand-covered Michiru. "Michiru won't join us, hime. She isn't willing enough to dirty herself."

A brow rose in my direction and a challenging stare thrown away. She muttered, self-confidently "I can be dirty if I want to."

I cunningly smiled back, matching equally her gaze "When you say it like that, it sounded so sexual."

I could see a shade of red spread across her face but Michiru made sure to keep her composure still as she bantered out "You can't handle me even if you try."

"Nice touch." I clapped, nodding impressively.

"Huh?" Kokoro confusedly asked.

We both laughed and while Kokoro had no clue as to why, in just a second later, she joined us in, with her tiny voice overpowering our laughter.

This was the part of the day I didn't want to end fast. One, because playing in this sandbox gives me this nostalgic feeling of my childhood and two, was the fact that it felt good- being this close to Michiru that is. But this day has to end at some point. And as soon as Kokoro stood up and laid on the bench, I knew this day had finally came to an end.

I lifted Kokoro up and carried her on my back. "I'll walk you both home."

"You don't have to. I can carry her."

"It's okay. I really don't mind." I insisted. "Besides, I don't think you're capable of doing so with those grocery bags."

She smiled "Sorry to bother you."

I returned the smile and started walking ahead.

The truth is, it wasn't because Michiru was incapable of doing so but it was, for the most part, me wanting to stay with her for a little longer. Taking advantage of her incapacity, my selfish self took this opportunity. How pathetic I must be?

"Kokoro seemed to have found liking in you." Michiru mused, glancing over her little sister.

"She has excellent taste, what can I say."

"I still keep figuring why and what." She retorted back.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Such resentment in those words."

"I was merely saying the truth."

"Hey," I started, squinting at her direction. "If I turn this on, you wouldn't even find the time to keep your hands away from me."

"Dear God no!" She laughed after saying the statement with pure sarcasm. I pouted before laughing along with her. After a while, her mocking laughter died and a genuine smile was replaced. "But I got to hand it to you for being great with kids."

"It's really not that hard." I told her. "Just pour in gentleness and mix it with my undeniable charm and beauty, it'll be a piece of cake."

"I figured you'd say that."

"That's because," I paused, smiling lopsidedly. "You know me too well."

"As if." Michiru scoffed, hitting my shoulder lightly.

"You know, I just found something out."

"Well enlighten me with this newly found learning." She mocked, smiling cheekily again.

"You and Kokoro are too heavy for your own age." I mused, grinning from ear to ear.

Again, her brow cocked up. And with the same kind of smile, she replied "Now I see that charm of yours."

We laughed. We probably did only just that while we walked the streets back home. It wasn't how I imagined this day would end, but somehow... it was better.

-A Week Later-

(End of Cultural Festival)

Waiting.

This is what I always do every time the cultural festival ends. Everyone would gather outside for the bonfire preparation and celebration while I, all by myself, would sit on top of this table, here inside this empty classroom waiting for the same thing for the last three consecutive years. But this tradition of mine was bound to break at some point.

And that point happened when my name was uttered in her dulcet voice, "Haruka?"

I looked over my shoulder and saw her walking towards me. "Michiru, what are you doing here?"

"I just went back to return the papers." She answered taking another step closer. "And how about you? What are you doing here by yourself?"

"Waiting." I said, looking back at the window.

"Well if you're waiting for the bonfire, it'll start soon. Everyone's outside already." She chided.

"Not that!" I chuckled, a hand over my mouth.

"Then what?"

"Well…" I paused, pursing my lips, then challenged "You have to wait and see."

"Alright then." She sighed, sitting on the table just beside me. "At least spare me some details."

"Since you begged for it."

"I didn't beg."

"Well you could beg, you know." I gave her a pout.

She dismissed it with a hand. "Please?"

"That's more like it." I beamed, bumping her on the shoulder. "Do you know that temple by the mountain side? The one with that ridiculously huge long stairs?"

"You mean the one that people rarely goes to?"

"That one!" I clapped. Continuing, "Every year, the same day we celebrate our cultural festival, they also have their own celebration."

Her brows furrowed, "So?"

"So now you have to wait and see."

Michiru was then obedient but not before muttering cheapskate loud enough to get a small laugh from me. She stayed still, not voicing a single word as she look outside the window with such curiosity and patience. I took the liberty of taking a glimpse of her from time to time. And as soon as I heard that same sound blasting outside and saw that angelic smile across her face, I knew from then on that this little tradition of mine was better off broken.

I glanced back at the window and said aloud "Great, isn't it?"

Fireworks kept soaring up in the starry sky. And all I could see from that clear reflection was Michiru's astounded face. "How did you-…"

"You never see me every bonfire now, do you?" I cut her off, looking back.

"Wow." Michiru gasped amusedly, continuing with a big bright smile, eyes still glued outside "I must say, you really have a knack at finding beautiful sights."

I looked at her, my face softening. I replied with a tender smile, "Yeah. It is beautiful."

We stayed silent for a while, enjoying the colorful scenery out the window. The smile never left her face since then and mine was no different. Being this close to Michiru was both a good and a bad thing. It was good because it felt good. How should I put it... It's like-... it was the most natural thing in the world. And it felt nothing but incredibly nice. The bad thing about this though, was being this close and not being able to say how you really feel.

Sucked in my own thoughts and feelings, I never realized that the fireworks had ended, and Michiru was already preparing to take her leave.

Unconciously though, I uttered out of the blue "I like you."

As soon as I realized what I said, it was already too late to take it all back. So instead, I cleared my throat and said once again "I like you, Michiru."

"I like you too, Haruka" She replied smiling

"A different kind of like."

Michiru only looked at me, evidently taken back by the sudden confession. She kept her mouth shut, not knowing what to say. But when she did, I already had a feeling what it would be. "But I'm with Mikoto."

"I know." I smiled, hiding the bitterness in my voice. "And I'd be lying if I say I'm happy for you when I'm not. Because the truth is, I'd think you'd be better off with me."

"Haruka-…"

"Please… just listen for a moment." I raised a hand, completely cutting her off. "I'm not expecting you to say the same thing nor am I hoping you'd feel the same way. It's just that… if I don't say this now, I might regret it later. So there you go. I like you. A lot actually. And I have come to accept and live with that fact."

"..."

"You can speak now." I told her.

Michiru panicked, awkwardly looking back at me. "I really don't know what to say."

I smiled "I had a feeling you'd say that."

"I'm sorry."

"Hey, hey!" I laughed, bumping her shoulder once again. "Don't feel sorry for me. I heal easily. For all you know, I'd be coming home with a girl later and wash these emotions away with sex."

"Haruka." Hear head titling as she stared at me with rather serious look

"Yeah. I know. I can't even laugh at my own joke." I nodded. Leaning my chin on one hand, I asked "So what do you do to heal heartbreaks?"

Michiru just kept her gaze glued on me. There wasn't any pity on her face anymore. I couldn't quite explain it or put a finger on her emotion but it was better than the first.

It wasn't like I didn't expect this to happen. I did. I played this scene a thousand times in my head and all of it didn't go my way. I was prepared for it but I wasn't expecting that it would hurt this much. It really does. And what's even more painful was keeping this feeling bottled up inside, forcing yourself to hide it in front of her so she won't feel guilty or sorry. Because the last thing I really want from her was sympathy.

"Here." Michiru handed out after rummaging through her bag.

I looked down then back at her. Tilting my head, I asked confusedly "Pocky?"

"It's chocolate flavored." She smiled, offering her box of Pocky whole-heartedly

A genuine smile finally cradled along the corners of my lips. And after a while I let out a soft chuckle "Wow, Michiru! You sure know your way to a woman's heart."

She grimaced, glaring "Just get one."

"Ne," I started, asking next, "Do you regret hearing it?"

"That depends. Do you regret saying it?" She asked. I shook my head in reply. "Then no. I cannot return your feelings but I'm happy you feel that way about me."

"We're still friends?"

"Nope." She said flatly. She turned her head facing me, blue eyes now staring at my green ones. Smiling, she said "We're close friends."

I grinned, nodding my head. "I'd like that."

"So," She paused, smiling ever so deviously. "Are we now able to share melodramatic love life or our lame pursuit of having one?"

"Ha!" I laughed and teased out "Unfair! You've got an earful!"

I tried to get another stick of pocky from her, but her hand quickly smacked mine away. "Hey!"

"Retribution." She said, squinting.

"Now I'm wondering why I even like you."

"You were captivated by my beauty and intelligence."

I waved, replying indifferently "Yeah yeah. Just give me one."

Michiru finally give in. Sighing, she handed the box out, without forgetting to grunt while doing so.

"By the way," I started, gulping the food down my throat. "Just so you know, I haven't thought of you naked."

Michiru rolled her eyes, as expected, and replied in pure mockery "Oh dear God why haven't you."

We laughed, really loud, like we always do when we're together.

Turned down by the first person I fell for

Had my heart broken for the very first time

Yeah,

I may have not prepared myself for this…

But,

Beyond this heart-wrenching feeling, a small strand of relief was somehow worth all the pain.

That's right.

Because now,

I feel so much lighter.

And that's got to be something.

-x0x-

-Mikoto-

I walked through the hallway in a hurry earnestly searching for Michiru. Running up and down the stairs, through the empty hallway, and towards the faculty. The bonfire was about to start and I can't afford to spend my last bonfire without her. When I finally reached another floor, I heard two different voices from a distant place. One I'm familiar with but the other I was trying to figure out who. I ran towards the room, and my smile just grew when Michiru's voice became more distinguishable and clearer.

I stopped and walked slowly towards the door with a bright smile on my face. As soon as I reached the door, I heard this voice again, this time something I wasn't expecting to hear from her.

"I like you, Michiru."

That was the time when I felt my smile disappear.

The time when I felt nothing but anger.

The time when I realized, I would never come to like her.

Haruka.

There are a lot of holes in this chapter which will be filled up on the next chapter. I just don't want to give much of Michiru's feelings. By the way, you'd be reading four different POV's starting in the next chapter.

Sorry for taking so long and a big thank you to those who previously reviewed. ^_^