Chapter 4: Unexpected events

.:x:.

"All those competition… I wonder what it would have been if we were of the same gender…" She asked to herself, her eyes closed. Slowly reflecting on her words, Haruka suddenly opened her eyes as an idea stroke her. "That's it!" She looked at herself in the rearview and smiled.

.:x:.

"Registration's done!" Exclaimed happily Michiru, as she walked out of the administration building of her new business school. After her conversation with Setsuna, the young aqua haired girl had decided to talk to her parents about her project of studying in Tokyo. Much to her surprise they were very encouraging. "And I thought they wouldn't approve…" She whispered to herself smiling.

As she walked toward the subway, Michiru spotted a tall blonde woman across the road. "Haruka-san?" She asked herself almost desperately. The possibility of this woman being Haruka was high since not a lot of women were that tall and had those beautiful long waving blonde hair. Knowing this, Michiru's heart throbbed faster and stronger. Instinctively then, Michiru tried to cross the street but the light was still red. Once the light switched to green to let people cross the street safely, she couldn't find the blonde woman anymore. She looked from right to left several times but still no traces of the blonde woman. "Where did you go? Haruka-san…" Michiru whispered sadly, she then closed her eyes in order to retain the tears that frighten to fall.

Michiru couldn't help it, she had thought about Haruka constantly, eventhough she knew they had only met once, but she was attracted to this beautiful woman. She hasn't seen Haruka for more than a month now and was loosing hope of ever meeting her gain, especially if fate wasn't on her side.

.:x:.

Haruka walked down the street looking at the piece of paper she had in her hands. "I think it might be somewhere near here…" She told herself. She then looked up from the note to the building in front of her. "77th … that's it." She smiled to herself and made her way into the building.

The interior of the building was spacious and elegantly decorated, on the right side a few women were sitting, chatting with one another. Haruka turned to her left and headed to the reception. "Hi." Said Haruka, in order to get the attention of the receptionist, who seemed to be busy typing in her computer.

"Hi Miss, how can I help you?" Asked the receptionist without looking up.

"Well, I have an appointment with…with… hm…" Haruka thought an instant trying to remember the name but nothing came out. "Ah, I'm sorry I forgot with whom I have an appointment." She said blushing slightly from embarrassment.

"Well, your name then?" Asked the receptionist.

"Pearson, Pearson Haruka." She answered.

Hearing the name of the customer, the receptionist stopped what she was typing in her computer and looked up. In front of her, stood magnificently one of the most renowned models of this past 5 years. She couldn't believe her eyes, Pearson Haruka was here in front of her. She had always wanted to be a model too but unfortunately she wasn't tall enough. Staring at the blonde woman before her she almost spaced out, when she heard someone calling her name. "Marisa-san, are you alright?"

"Oh, Sakamoto-san… yes, well I'm sorry. It's just that… Pearson Haruka has an appointment here." Replied the receptionist a little.

"I know. She had an appointment with me." Said softly the other woman. She was in her early twenties and had her long blonde hair tied in a ponytail. She went to Haruka and presented herself. "I'm Sakamoto Ayashi, nice to meet you Pearson-san." She said smiling and then stretched her hand.

"Nice to meet you too. Please call me Haruka." Replied Haruka as she shook hand with the smaller woman. "Aino Minako told me you could help me." She added.

"I will do my best, Haruka-san." Replied Ayashi smiling. "My office is just down there." She then added as an invitation to head to a more private place to discuss.

"I'm following you."

.:x:.

"Kaioh-san." Called the caretaker of Setsuna apartment building. "I have a message for you."

Michiru slowly walked to him. She had been wandering a little around the place where she had seen Haruka but couldn't find the woman. After an hour she decided to head back home.

"Here, a person came by and gave me this for you." Said the young caretaker as he handed Michiru a small envelope. It was addressed to her as only Michiru, she didn't recognize the handwriting but it was an elegant handwriting and she liked it immediately. She caressed the writing and felt her heart skip a beat. Slowly, she returned the envelope and upon reading the name, closed her eyes as her heart pounded violently. 'And I wasn't even there…' She thought sadly to herself, pressing the envelope against her chest.

"Are you alright Kaioh-san?" Enquired the young man. He saw the sad look on the young aqua haired woman and wondered what the blonde woman meant to her.

Recomposing herself, Michiru tried to smile. "Yes, I'm alright, thanks." She was too emotional when it came to Haruka and somehow it scared her. "By the way, when did she come?" Asked Michiru.

"Oh just fifteen minutes after you and your sister went out this morning." He replied precisely. To him, this morning at nine pm was a day he will always remember for it was the day he saw the most beautiful woman ever. The aqua haired woman in front of him was also beautiful but not as striking as the tall blonde was.

"Ah…" It was the only word that came out of her throat at this moment. She couldn't believe fate would play with her so mercilessly. She longed to see Haruka and after more than a month of waiting, her prayer was granted but not in the way she wished. She wanted to be near the blonde, to talk to her, to see her smiling and to befriend her. Unfortunately she only got a glimpse of the blonde before she disappeared and a letter. 'A letter…' She repeated to herself.

"You sure, you are alright Kaioh-san?" Demanded a little worried the caretaker.

"Yes…thanks." Replied softly Michiru before walking away.

.:x:.

"So, Haruka-san… what brings you here?" Asked Ayashi smiling. She then sipped her tea in a manner to tell the other blonde that she was willing to hear the whole story. "Mina-chan just asked me to give you a special appointment."

"Yes, thank you by the way. I know from what I heard from Mina-chan that your schedule is pretty tight." Said Haruka smiling back. "Anyway, I'm here for a coaching."

"A coaching?" Asked Ayashi a little surprised. "And how can I help you?" She then added interested. Ayashi was a renowned actress just as her friend Minako was. They've known each other for four years now and had worked together a couple of times.

"Well… I know you're also teaching acting, so I was wondering if you could teach me too." Replied Haruka slightly embarrassed.

"You're right. I had a few students before… but it was more of an obligation than my own will." She confirmed.

"Oh I didn't know, Mina-chan didn't tell me." Haruka blushed from pure embarrassment now. 'Minako you little…!'

"Why do you need to learn acting?" Asked Ayashi curious. "Are you planning on quitting modeling for acting?" She then added.

"Oh no, it's not that." Answered Haruka hastily. "I'm not modeling, not anymore…"

"It's a shame, you are really beautiful." Smiled Ayashi as she sipped her tea again.

"Thanks." Haruka didn't know why but the compliment only made her uncomfortable. "Well, I'm sorry I made you waste your time. I shall leave." She added.

"Iie, you're not wasting my time… plus I didn't say I wouldn't teach you." Replied smiling Ayashi.

"But-"

"No buts, to be honest my schedule is not as tight as I made people think." She cut the tall blonde. "Plus, I can't deny Mina-chan this favor."

Haruka watched the young woman before her and wondered if she was always acting busy in order to be left quiet to relax. 'If she does it everyday that means she's good ...' Thought Haruka but her train of thoughts was cut by Ayashi's voice.

"So what kind of acting do you want to learn?" Enquired seriously the smaller woman.

Taking aback by the sudden switch of behavior, Haruka couldn't help herself but to think that Minako was right. "Well, I know that may sound strange to you but I would like to know how to act as a … a gentleman." Stated Haruka.

Ayashi looked intently at Haruka, focusing on her facial features. "That's interesting." She finally said after a minute. "But with your beautiful long hair, it will be difficult for you to pose as a man-"

"I know, I'm willing to cut them." Interrupted Haruka.

At Haruka statement and at the intensity of her eyes, Ayashi became more curious. She had to admit to herself that there was something attracting about this woman. "Why?" She whispered, loud enough for Haruka's ears to get the word.

"Why?" Repeated the tall blonde. "Well, I will answer your question at the only condition that you are willing to give me one week of your time starting tomorrow… and that you're keeping this secret."

Ayashi thought about the offer, it wasn't very fair to her honestly, but she was too curious now to back away. "Okay, you have my word." Said the smaller woman.

Haruka surprised by the prompt answer, didn't know what to think of it. "Aren't you checking with your manager first?"

"No need, I've scheduled myself a two weeks vacation last week." Replied Ayashi smiling innocently.

The tall blonde stared at the woman before her and couldn't suppress her thought. 'She is terrific!'

"So?" Enquired Ayashi still smiling but with a hint of impatience.

"I've made a bet with my brother…" She started and immediately got the attention of the other woman. "… But after one month and a half, I couldn't find any high position in any company… even with my good resume and past experiences." She finished.

"And?" Asked Ayashi. She somehow knew that there was something behind this bet. 'She wouldn't go through all this just for a bet with her brother, right?'

"Well, I'm kind of getting tired of ever losing to my twin brother..." Stated softly Haruka. Seeing the surprised expression on Ayashi, Haruka immediately corrected herself. "Don't get me wrong, we get along very well… it's just that no matter what I do, he will do it better than me… and somehow my pride runs very low nowadays." She finished with a sad tone in her voice.

"So you are willing to sacrifice your life for it?" Asked Ayashi seriously. She knew that competition between two relatives could end very badly but seeing how Haruka spoke she knew it was just a question of pride and self acknowledgment.

"My life? I thought we were just speaking of sacrificing my hair?" Asked Haruka somehow astonished by the sudden question. Glancing at the smaller woman and meeting her soft blue eyes, Haruka understood what she had meant by life. "I guess, yes." She replied quietly looking away. She did bid her farewell to Michiru, someone she would never meet again in her new life style. "I'm willing." She then stated more firmly, locking her eyes with Ayashi's.

Ayashi couldn't help herself but to stare at those beautiful teal eyes that reflected determination and a hint of sadness. "Then I will do my best." She replied softly. She then extended her hand to Haruka and smiled. "Deal?"

Haruka looked at Ayashi and shook her hands, smiling back. "Deal."

.:x:.

"Michi-chan, I'm home." Called Setsuna from the entrance of her apartment. However, her sister didn't reply. As she made her way to the living room, Setsuna found it empty. "Strange, she usually waits for me in the living room." Stated the dark haired woman. They've been living together for more than a month now and Michiru being the useful little sister always waited for her and sometimes even prepared the evening meal.

Setsuna slowly walked to Michiru's bedroom but stopped abruptly in front of her door. Her little sister was crying, she could hear her sobs from here even if she knew Michiru was trying to hide the fact that she was crying.

"Michi-chan?" Asked Setsuna as she opened the door and made her way to her sister bed's side. "What's wrong sweetheart?" she then asked concerned evident in her voice.

"She…She's… gone." Michiru replied still clutching her pillow.

Setsuna didn't understand what Michiru meant by that, but she knew she was upset and needed comfort. Slowly she turned Michiru to face her and saw her little sister's eyes red from crying. "Oh Michi-chan, how long have you been crying?" She whispered as she caressed Michiru's hair softly.

Michiru didn't respond, she just cried harder and sought after her sister embrace. She didn't understand herself why she was crying so much for someone she barely knew but somehow her heart wasn't paying attention to this fact. She was full of regrets now. "Haruka-san… She... she said… she had to go back... to America." Stuttered Michiru between sobs.

Setsuna got suddenly confused. She knew Haruka was important to her little sister but she didn't know it was to this extent. "You've met her?"

Michiru only shook her head and handed the letter she had kept with her. "She came by… this morning… just after we went out."

Setsuna took the letter and opened it. Upon reading the content, she understood a little better Michiru's behavior. Haruka was also regretful of this departure but considered Michiru as one of her friends and would always remember their moments in each other companies. "I will always treasure those memories. Yours, Haruka." Setsuna whispered Haruka's last words and closed her eyes, feeling the sadness that Michiru was going through. "Oh Michi-chan, don't be so upset… I'm sure you will be able to make new friends in your new school." Setsuna added quietly stroking softly her little sister's back.

"I know… but Haruka… she was... she made me… feel comfortable and …safe." Whispered the aqua haired girl as slumber slowly claimed her.

Slowly, Setsuna disengaged herself from Michiru's embrace and laid her sister softly against the mattress. 'She's like a young adult trap in an adult body…when it comes to feelings.' Thought to herself Setsuna. 'I hope she will be able to blossom from this … unexpected experience.'

AN: Where's the hairs cut scene? Hey, don't worry it will be in the 5th chapter! I had ideas for the scene but I still need some time to think about which one to stick with. Why not a simple one? Well that wouldn't be interesting, would it?

Anyway thanks for reading and reviewing my fic. I have to admit that your reviews give me the motivation to update faster. Thanks! YulinG still busy…

Oh and feel free to correct my english whenever it's too obvious...or not. I like to know where I made some mistakes. We only learn from our mistakes, right?