'But she's not a pianist.' Michiru protested tossing her hands in the air. Ushydo frowned dabbing his cigar into the ashtray seated on his desk. Michiru had been in his office for over an hour hashing out the details of her tour, the addition of Haruka Tenoh. Ushydo had been thrilled at the announcement, the tour was set to already make him millions and with the addition of a star as big as Haruka it would likely double his pay. Michiru on the other hand wasn't sold.

'She's a huge star.' Ushydo said, again.

'What about her racing? Surly she'll be missing some.' Michiru paused searching for the term. 'Events?'

'Not likely, I've talked to her trainer and rearranged some of her endorsements. She'll have to hit the track likely once a week but with her talent for the sport she shouldn't suffer. And there aren't any races until the summer so we're just out of the season. She has the time to devote to this.' He paused took a long drag of his cigar and said 'Look Michiru, I know she isn't your first choice but there isn't anyone else, you fired them all or they refuse to audition. Without Haruka your show will be cancelled. She's your only hope.' 'You should be thrilled, you should be kissing her feet not in here trying to convince me to cancel. Don't forget you're getting a bad reputation for being a bitch, maybe Haruka's fan clubs can help shine a different glow on you too.' Michiru frowned deeper.

'Fine.' She said. She stood and showed herself out. Mimet was waiting at the front.

'I'm so excited.' Mimet gushed.

'I'm glad someone is.'

Usagi balanced a tray of coffee on top of the pile of music sent over by Michiru, she teetered as she climbed the stairs. She'd never been to this part of Haruka's condo before, she usually stayed in the kitchen or the living room. Haruka it turned out had a music room tucked away down the long hallway adjacent to her bedroom. A piano sat in the center of the room flanked by a drum set. Guitars lined the walls and a saxophone sat on a stand in the corner. Seiya strummed a guitar, Yaten and Taiki lounged on the chaise that sat in the opposite corner to the saxophone. Minako paced and Haruka stretched her fingers seated at the piano. 'I have coffee.' Usagi announced pushing the door open with her hip.

'Thanks Usagi.' Haruka beamed moving over to the door to relieve Usagi of the coffee tray. Haruka handed cups out as Usagi distributed the music. 'It really is beautiful work.' Haruka said her coffee cup rested against her lips as she drew in the scent of the rich blend.

'She's talent.' Taiki agreed.

'She's a bitch.' Seiya added. Haruka and Usagi shot him a look of displeasure. 'She is, no one would work with her because she fired them all. I was there, she yelled at them, made them feel awful. I mean sure they were missing notes but tell them, talk to them.'

'He has a point.' Minako sighed.

'It's not polite to speak about someone who isn't here to defend themselves.' Usagi said meekly. Haruka smiled.

'She's right.' Haruka said. 'Let's give Michiru the benefit of the doubt shall we?' The group nodded, pulling out their instruments they began working on the music. Haruka could appreciate why the other pianists had been fired, the music was intricate, detailed and difficult. She moved her pinky finger far along the keys just able to reach. Glad for her long digits.

'It definitely sounds better with you playing.' Minako announced. 'My throat is sore can we take a break?' she suggested after they'd been practicing for nearly two hours. Usagi clapped.

'It's so pretty.' She said.

'Imagine it with the violin.' Haruka added.

'I think we're in a good place to rehearse with Michiru.' Yaten suggested. Minako nodded slowly. 'Great, so tomorrow?'

'Haruka has a meeting in the morning but I could put a rehearsal in the afternoon calendar.' Usagi said.

'Sure, sounds good.'

Haruka killed the engine pushed the door open and pressed the lock button of her key fob, she was late. She hated to be late, someone with such speed should always be early, or at the very least on time. With the exception of the bedroom Haruka mused as she boarded the elevator. She checked her watch again and frowned, her endorsements had gone late, there was traffic she couldn't have planned on and the rehearsal hall wasn't anywhere near her usual stops. Excuses, all valid but she was still late. Stepping out of the elevator Haruka could hear the sound of Minako's voice, it was sharp and out of key, she was nervous. Haruka sighed, shrugging she hurried over to the piano and joined in.

'Nice of you to show up.' Michiru said not missing a note.

'Figured I'd grace you all with my presence.'

'If you're going to be late, it's likely better you don't show at all.'

'She's only a few minutes late Michiru.' Seiya defended.

'Sorry.' Haruka said glancing over to Seiya, shaking her head slightly at him. 'My morning ran late, it's not an excuse I realize. I will try to be more careful.' She added evenly. Michiru pulled her bow across the strings of her violin ending the song, Minako took a deep breath and let out the last note. Haruka frowned. Michiru sighed.

'Is it too difficult for you?' Michiru said plainly?

'No, of course not.' Minako replied.

'Fine, from the top then.' Michiru demanded. She rested her bow on her violin, Haruka moved the music around to the beginning and Minako took a deep breath. The sound of crashing stalled them. Haruka raised her eyebrow standing at the piano and gazing in the direction of the noise, Michiru released her violin from its tuck under her chin, Minako turned; everyone was now facing Usagi, who sat in the middle of fallen music stands.

'Hi.' She smiled.

'Ah, Usagi, good.' Haruka laughed striding over to her assistant, helping to pull her up.

'Sorry, I tripped.'

'I'm surrounded by morons.' Michiru muttered moving back to her mark on the stage.

'Sorry.' Usagi said again, leaning into Haruka who steadied her.

'Are you hurt?'

'No.'

'Good, maybe have a seat in the audience?' Haruka suggested. Usagi nodded she made her way across the stage and down into a seat pulling Haruka's planner out and powering up the cell phone.

Minako's voice cracked, Haruka's hands ached and Seiya could no longer stand, he lean against a stool strumming along with the music. Michiru however looked unfazed. 'Maybe we're done for the day?' Yaten suggested dropping his drum sticks. Michiru rolled her eyes. 'It's pretty late.'

'Fine.'

'Tomorrow then?' Taiki confirmed.

'Yes.'

'10?'

'If Haruka can make if for then.' Michiru sighed.

'She can.' Usagi announced adding the note to Haruka's planner. Usagi stretched, Seiya made his way down into the audience to chat with her, Yaten put his arm around Minako and Taiki busied himself reviewing the music. Michiru filed her violin into its case, and without a word to anyone disappeared behind the stage. Haruka stretched her back and turned to where Michiru had been standing. She shrugged. 'Ready to go Usagi?'

'Yup!'

'You know she has a boyfriend right Seiya?' Haruka added with a laugh.

'Boyfriend isn't a husband.' Seiya laughed. 'I still have a chance.'