Chapter 2
An Evening With The Devil
"Where do we stop yesterday?" Haruka put her chin between thumb and index finger, visualizing her heavy thinking. "You got punched in the face, Papa!" Hotaru blurted out with a chuckle. The thought of this still made her laugh. For her, it was a strange thing that her confident, strong and elegant Papa got hit randomly by someone in a mosh pit. Even for Haruka it felt weird thinking back of this time. It was not that long ago, but with all the events in between, it felt like decades had passed. "You're right. I got punched in the face and your uncle Sota was not happy about that. I can tell you."
"There is something about this girl. But I can't put my finger on it." Michiru and Haruka watched Usagi walk away after they gave her the tickets for the violin concert. Haruka crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Tell me about your feeling." Michiru shook her head instead. There were no concrete words to describe this sense she got from the aura of the young girl. "Maybe we need to get to know her a bit better. Just to be sure. I hope she has nothing to do with our new enemies or mission. She has such a pure soul." "And heart" the blond added with a stone-cold face. Michiru knew her partner well enough. Haruka was everything but delighted to rip a pure heart out of the body of such an innocent girl. The violinist touched the other girl's arm gently. "But first we can distract ourselves by choosing our outfits for the evening?" The racer smiled shyly. "And promise me to not wear this ugly frill shirt again, Haruka!"
Haruka was in a rush. This stupid charity week eats up all her time and she was late for her training. You are a disappointment for the family again, echoed the voice of her uncle over and over again in her head. After she came back from the concert with a missing tooth and a black eye, they had to cancel a promo shooting for the new catalog. Haruka was the poster boy of the family company. Tenou Sportswear for all ages, presented by some teenagers and young adults only. A household name in the department of clothing for all sports. It was a legacy and a burden. Her father and uncle were both the owners. They split the responsibilities. Her uncle was the finance genius and her father the creative director together with his wife and Harukas mother. She was a priced American designer in the 70s. Futuristic clothing with traditional Japanese elements for every occasion. David Bowie was a big fan of her work and a regular guest at the infamous summer parties at their beach villa. But with all this weight on her shoulders, it was hard for Haruka to run away. Her uncle obligated her to help at the occasional charity week at her school. This shortened her time to go to her trainings and the motocross junior championships were right around the corner. She was frustrated.
To make matters worse, haunting nightmares torturing her every night since she was at the concert. Visions of the apocalypse filled her with fright. On some stressful days, they even creeped in her daydreams. But there was another thing about these dreams. Just moments before Haruka wakes up, a woman in a bright light was sent from heaven and told her to search for the talismans to find the Holy Grail. This was the only way to rescue the world from a total destruction. It was wild and Haruka wished this nonsense to stop. But this was not enough. With the nightmares, gruesome creatures emerged in the street of Tokyo. The newspapers were full of sightings of wormlike monsters attacking people. Luckily, no one got killed because a strange female figure appeared simultaneously who fought against those monsters and saved the people just in time. It was crazy. Too crazy for Haruka to speculate about it.
Now was not the time for daydreams or monsters. Her life was not a science fiction movie. She sprinted alongside the school hallway to get to her locker. Two hours wasted for nothing but serving old people with money drinks while they heard a panel discussion about investing into technology at public schools. The whispered comments Haruka picked up while strolling through the crowed disgusted her. And they were not the result of senseless day drinking. This year at charity week her school raised money for a public school nearby which got canceled all after school activities because of a lack of finances. It was a shame. Haruka may seem a bit absorbed in her own problems, but she has also a big sense of fairness. She was cold, not an egoist. And inequalities in education systems are nothing to discuss at fancy diner parties. It was a real and big problem.
Haruka reached her locker and was not even slightly out of breath. She knew how to use her strength right. She was not even sweaty and just right in time to get to her training. Suddenly, she heard wild applause from the auditorium. With a heavy sigh, she grabbed her sports bag and fumbled out of her jacket and white shirt. Underneath, she wore a plain white t-shirt. She put her black jeans' jacket over it and was just about to go when a pair of footsteps stopped her in her tracks.
"Nice to see you again, Tenou Haruka. I knew you looked familiar." Haruka recognized the voice. Slowly she turned around. More than surprised, she realized it was the singer of the Pretty Guardians standing behind her. He looked out of place in his black shirt and trousers, wearing suspenders and a night blue bow tie. Haruka was not able to reply something as fast as he stretched out his hand to invite her for a firm shake. "Kaiou Tenzin. Pleased to meet you again. You can call me Tenzin." Haruka let go of his hand and forced a smile on her face. "Alright. But what are you doing here? As far as I know, you are not a student." Tenzin grinned from ear to ear. He looked like a little school boy who pranked his teacher. "I am not. You're right. But my sister and I gave kind of a concert for the glitterati. I accompanied her on the guitar." Harukas eyebrows went up. She was about so answer something sharp about this comment but was interrupted by a clicking sound of high heels on the hallway floor. "Here you… oh, you again!" This voice sounded familiar too, and Harukas heart sank into her guts as she saw who the owner was.
One day prior
This was not her best performance. The daydream got her head elsewhere. This can't happen when she sits on a motorbike or in a race car. Creepy visions will lead to mistakes which can end deadly. Here on the running ground it was unimportant. But she has a reputation. Even when she competed against some other students for a charity event and not international athletes. It was a thing about respect.
After the competition, she put on her tracksuit and was about to head out as a girl called out her name. Haruka turned around. It was one of the girls from the race. "Hello! I am Elza Gray, and it was a pleasure to run against you. You are very fast. So it must be true what the people say about your abilities." A polite smile appeared on Harukas face. She was not in the mood to talk, but it was a part of the whole being famous thing. It sounded arrogant. But it is what it is.
"I brought a friend of mine. She always wanted to meet you. A big fan, so to say." Haruka snorted. She was just about to say something to get out of the situation as a young woman appeared besides Elza. She was stunning, and Haruka swallowed hard. Shoulder-length turquoise hair surrounded her soft facial features like waves. Her blue eyes met Harukas and for a moment it seems that they were hundreds of years old. A strange sensation formed in the racers' chest. But there was something more. She looked familiar. Just like the woman from her nightmares.
"This is Kaiou Michiru. A very talented artist." Michiru seemed a bit shy at first. But when she spoke, a shot of lightning rushed through Harukas body. "You can hear the wind calling to you, am I right?" This was it. Haruka just knew it then. She was indeed the girl she saw every night in her dreams. The sudden urge to escape the situation rose up in Harukas mind. "I can draw you if you want." Haruka turned her back on her. "No, I don't like this." And without another word, she walked away. "How rude" she heard Elza say, who thought she was out of earshot. "It's okay Elza. Let her. She has her reasons."
"You" was all Haruka could say at this moment. But then everything falls into place. Tenzin was the brother of Michiru, and she was the talented young violinist who gave a concert at her school. "Oh, you are acquaintances?" Michiru cocked her head, eying up and down Haruka with a cold look. "Sort of. Can we go now?" Tenzins' look wandered between the pair. Then he shrugged his shoulders and put his hands in the pockets of his trousers. "Well, you sounded a bit more exited the last time you talked about her." He nodded in Harukas direction, and Michiru blushes. What an awkward situation, the racer thought. "But I hope you loved the performance of us? I know it is not the same as…" "I was not there." "You missed it?" The disbelief in his voice sounded acted. "Well, then I have to invite you to her upcoming performance tomorrow on this fancy ship. A benefits gala for rich people who try to pretend to be kind-hearted. Maybe we can get you a ticket." Haruka was not sure why he insisted her to see his sister playing the violin. But then she remembered something.
"You don't have to get me a ticket." A shadow hushed over Michirus face and Haruka felt guilty instantly. Her brother was just about to open his mouth as she raised her hand. "It happened that my parents are a part of this notorious society and I already have an invitation." The expression on the violinists face changed. Maybe there was a glimpse of easement. "Of course. You are the daughter of Tenou Haruto. Great! Then I hope you make it this time, Ruka!" Haruka grimaced at this nickname. Tenzin smacked her shoulder in a friendly manner. "See you there" Michiru said shyly before she grabbed her brother angrily by his arm. "Stupid ass" she muttered to him under her breath. For a moment, Haruka watched the siblings disappear around the corner. Then she remembered that she has to get her stuff together to be on time for the training. She ran faster than the wind to her motorbike.
After the evening on the ship, there were many opportunities to hear Michiru play her violin. But the first night she heard her play Paganini stayed with Haruka forever. The events after that rushed. And then she found herself with this beautiful girl in her arms in the garage of a racetrack. It was the day of the junior championship. Haruka had won, but the victory felt sour after she found out about her destiny. Michiru transformed back into her civilian clothes and stood up carefully with the help from Haruka. "I am a Sailor Guardian" Haruka said out loud, still in disbelieve. Was that her real path? Obviously. But she was not ready for this responsibility. Michiru gave her a worried look. "It will be alright. We are in this together. When you want to." Haruka looked down at her with a tired smile. "Yes" she said and took the transformation stick.
"You got some dirt on your tuxedo." Michiru mumbled while she straightened the fabric of Harukas' jacket. The racer laid her fingers above the hand of her partner. "The evening is ruined after all. We should get some takeaway and go back home." Michiru smiled. It was still new for the both of them, living together in one flat. But it was very practical for their mission. And they must admit that they enjoyed the presence of each other. Michiru hooked arms with Haruka, and they strolled off to the nearest restaurant, discussing the movie they want to get from the video rental shop.
"Mama-Michiru went to a public school?" Hotaru was confused. She saw the two of them always in this big, glamours house, and even her grandparents lived in one by the sea. Haruka nodded. "Yes. Well, her family was not always in this wealthy situation. Her father was the janitor of my school back then. So she got the gig at the charity event." Hotarus' eyes widened. They did indeed not talk much about Michirus' background. She was not ashamed, but this life felt not real anymore. It was kind of buried in the past. Just from time to time, Haruka remembers how the gossip spread after they started seeing each other on a daily basis. Classmates assumed that the famous good-looking Haruka with an imperium on one hand the world of racing on the other should not date the daughter of the janitor. They were not even dating back then. But it was like a relief leaving their schools for their investigation at the Mugen Academy.
"But she was gifted with a great talent and got out of her situation." Haruka ruffed Hotarus hair and was about to turn off the lamp on the bed stand. But then she felt Hotarus small hand on hers."Is this the reason why Mama-Michiru can be so strict when we practice the violin together?" A sad undertone was audible in her voice. A warm expression formed on Harukas face. "It means much to her that you two share an interest. But I can put in a good word for you." She winked and finally turned off the light. "Am I too strict to her?" Haruka jumped a bit when she found Michiru waiting in the hallway for her. "You can just say something when you want to join us. It is open for public audience." The joke didn't lift Michirus' mood up. She was too concerned. Haruka lead her away from Hotarus' door and the pair made their way back downstairs. Setsuna sat on the sofa reading a book. She looked up as the two other woman entered the room.
"Have you seen a ghost?" Michiru shook her head. "No. But maybe I am sometimes frightful myself." Haruka rolled her eyes and Setsuna looked confused. Eventually, Michirus' mood brightened up a bit. "Anyone up for some good old horror movies and popcorn?" Haruka and Setsuna shared a bewildered look but agreed to this suggestion. After they cuddled up on the couch and put on a movie, Haruka looked down to her wife in her arms. She was happy that the nightmares finally came to an end, and they have the opportunity to enjoy their life together.