Chapter 5
Big girls don't cry
"When will they arrive?" "In the afternoon. Tenzin joins us for the evening." Haruka pulled the strap of her backpack tighter. "Are you ok?" Michiru nodded and closed the space between them, leaning against her partner's side. Behind the wide window, they watched the arranging airplanes and luggage getting dragged around. "And you?" Haruka shrugged. "I have no time to be homesick. Meetings, shootings, lunch and dinner dates with business partners." She was not lying, but it was also not the full truth. Haruka was already sad, because she had to leave her family behind. When she was younger, it was no big deal. Her parents left her alone frequently. And the year in the US was a relief. This was different now. The racer let her hand wander around her wife's waist. "Take good care of our daughter and Setsuna. She is always a mess when we four are apart from each other." Haruka's joke evoked the two other family members.
"This place is a labyrinth" Setsuna grouched. "But we found the food corner. Here!" She gave Haruka a bag with pastries. The racer thanked her co-parent, putting the food in her backpack. "Please be back soon, Papa!" Hotaru cried out and hugged the waist of Haruka. She patted the head of her daughter with a tender smile. "Of course. I miss you already." Then she hugged Setsuna goodbye before the racer stepped to her wife's side again. Setsuna shoved Hotaru away while waving to Haruka. She knows that they needed a few moments for them. "I lied. I am sad already" the taller woman admitted ashamed. Michiru smiled and pulled her into an embrace. "I know. My psychic abilities, remember? I can sense it." They chuckled. "Be safe." "You too." Then Haruka bent down for a long kiss goodbye. "Look! I knew it! This is Tenou Haruka and her wife Kaiou Michiru!" With widened eyes, they parted, looking around from where the interruption came. "Oh no…" Fans. They crowded them and disturbed the emotional farewell. "I got this. Go!" Michiru whispered and pushed Haruka out of the crowd. While signing autographs, she looked up a last time to watch her partner walk away to the gateway turning around with a little wave. Sometimes there was no time to be sad.
Back at home, the family started to clean the house. Michiru's parents would visit them for the summer, looking after Hotaru for the school holidays. The work kept the mind of the violinist occupied while she waited for the call of her wife. But the plain wouldn't be in L.A. until the night. Over 11 hours on a plane. Michiru sighed. But the doorbell woke her up off from her daydream.
"Sofu! Soba!" Michiru heard Hotaru call out for her grandparents. Setsuna was already at the door, greeting the parents of her co-parent. "How was the trip here?" They chatted for a few seconds until Michiru stepped by their sides. Her mother pulled her immediately into a hearty embrace. "My little girl." "Hi mum." She pulled away to welcome her father, too. "Let's get your bags." After sorting all things, they got into the kitchen preparing the tea. They talked and updated them with the news. Her father started with a little garden project after he retired. They moved back to the small town they lived, before her father could not work as an instrument builder anymore. He got gout years ago.
Just before dinner was ready, the doorbell rang again. Tenzin had arrived. With rollicking enthusiasm, he greeted his niece and sister. Compared to this, he bowed down very demure in front of Setsuna. They were always aloof to each other. But Michiru knew that her brother had a little crush on her best friend. It was a bit amusing seeing her outgoing brother like a coy boy. After dinner, Michiru dismissed everyone from the cleaning duty. She needed some moments for herself. Laughter and chatting reached her ear while she put away the clean dishes. It was lovely having her home filled with her family. That always reminded her of the time her own grandparents were still alive.
"You were a bit rough to that girl" Haruka admonished her girlfriend who dried her hair with a towel. Michiru laid her head back in her neck. She knew that the racer was right. "She is one of Usagis' friends, am I right?" "I think so." The violinist turned around facing her partner. "I need to apologize to her." With a light smile, she walked past Haruka to the changing room. "I hurry!" she called out before sliding through the dressing room door. Under the shower, her mind started to wander. Her diligence often consumed her, making it hard to soften for other people. Letting her guard down was not easy for her. Maybe it was her fear of being not enough. Of losing the ability to care for her loved ones. After her big breakthrough, she earned the money to have a better and comfortable life. But she also looked after her parents. The old home, they lived in, was a ruin, but she financed the rebuilding together with her brother. He was also very successful in the music business. Earning an own label and radio show while still building a legacy with his old band. Everything could be easy for them now. But the silence stood on the doorstep of the world. There was no time to rest or calm down.
"The Dirty Dancing Soundtrack?" Haruka repeated Michiru's words in disbelief. The other girl laughed and put the cassette in the player of Haruka's car. "I love those cheesy movies about love. Don't be rude!" Haruka grinned, thinking of a teasing remark while turning her view shortly from the street to the passenger seat. "It is the perfect music for a road trip like this." Haruka chuckled. Michiru was right. The upbeat, cheerful music kept her enthusiastic while they drove through the countryside. The summer holidays just started, and they planned to spend some time in Michiru's old hometown. Not for pleasure, obviously. Tenzin told his sister that an old friend of him visited Tokyo a few days ago. He told him something about a new drug that he wanted to try with some of his friends back home. Tenzin was alarmed, but was not sure what to do. He had also no time because of his new factory job, he had to get after the Jigoku closed down for renovation reasons. Therefore, Michiru jumped into action, using the school break to investigate this further. Her brother was not happy, sending his little sister into this trouble. But Haruka ensured him to look after her. After making some jokes about Michiru punching her enemies by herself, he finally agreed. But Haruka was still not sure why he let her go. Of course, it was nice to see Michiru's old home town. In the end, it was somehow odd.
They drove for a few hours. The little town was by the sea, surrounded by green hills and a wide forest. Michiru, who wore a light blue blouse to a dark blue skirt with white tube socks, was good at hiding her excitement. However, in the way her eyes sparkled as she spotted Haruka in her dark green Ford Mustang, the racer knew, she was happy to go on this trip. They would stay two weeks. One for their mission and the second one for some normal holiday teenager stuff. It was the first time for Haruka. Her previous vacations were more the luxurious type. Beaches at far away, exotic places. Sightseeing in Europe. And she liked it. Her mum and dad could tell and show her so many interesting things. But being just with Michiru in her old home, she was away from far too long, was like all this special journeys combined in one.
Nearly before the sunset, they arrived at the hotel they would stay at. It was build close by the sea, which was calm this day. The setting sun sprinkled on the surface of the water. The reddening light dipped the houses up in the hills in a warm atmosphere. This place was straight out of an advertisement clip by a travel agency. Besides the big gray factory near the beach, which pumped smoke up into the air. Haruka noticed the strange fishy smell. Michiru started to laugh as she saw her companion struggling with the strange odor. "You turn up your nose at the economic foothold of this area. The fish factory. Followed by our agriculture and the great shopping mall. And nothing changed since 1987." Haruka put on an inquiring face. Michiru chuckled and patted the racer's shoulder. "The year we moved away. Come on!" They got their bags and walked up the small way to the entrance of the hotel. It was an old ryokan. They left the shoes at the door, got some slippers and walked to the reception. An old man sat behind the desk watching some sport show on national television. As he shifted his position to see who came into his hotel, the owner lit up with happiness. "Kaiou Michiru! Our gifted child! You are home!" He ran around the counter and greeted the young woman exuberant. Haruka perceived the shy smile on Michiru's face. She was a bit overwhelmed with this situation.
"How long do you stay and thirst of all… who is the handsome gentleman you brought with you?" The owner eyed up Haruka who had also a good look on the little round man with his bald head. He wore a traditional kimono and glasses. "This is my friend from a school project about small economies in Japan. Tenou Haruka. We will stay here for two weeks." The owner narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "School project? Economy? Well, when your researches are all about failing, then you're at the best place." His voice was filled with resignation. With slumped down shoulders, he walked back to his desk. "I can give you my best rooms for your stay. You said one week, eh?" "Two weeks and one room" Michiru corrected him. The owner coughed at this. "But he and…" Haruka stepped into this awkward situation by clearing her throat. "This is alright. We…" The facial features of the man lit up again. "Now I see it. You are Tenou Haruka, Japans first international FEMALE motocross racer! What a pleasure to meet you." He nearly jumped over the desk after he realized who stood in front of him. Haruka was slightly embarrassed. But after a little chat with the owner about the last champion chip season, he finally gave them the papers for their room.
"This is the best one. Luxurious and cheap. For two such talented people like you, I will do anything. I can read every wish from your lips." Haruka and Michiru shared a glimpse. Leaving us alone can be a good start, Haruka thought. But the owner insisted on carrying their bags to the room upstairs. He gave some information about the hotel away, like how many foreigners came here because of one of the oldest Shinto shrines in the woods or the good spots for water sport enthusiasts. When they arrived at the room, Haruka visualized it very traditional and saw herself wearing a kimono for the next two weeks. But after opening up the door, a westernized interior greeted them. One bed, a television set, some unsightly paintings on the walls. And a separate bathroom inside the room. The owner noticed the questioning faces of his two guests. "Well, the people from the west don't love the full experience." He giggled and left the pair, so they could furnish.
With a sigh, Michiru let herself down on the edge of the bed. Leaning back with crossed legs, she observed the room. "This was somehow arduous." Haruka snorted. "Not in the slightest" she joked. With a bumping sound, Michiru laid down on the bed, eyes up to the ceiling. "I can sleep on the floor, if you want." The offer of the racer was a bit halfhearted. The bed looked inviting. Not just because of her tiredness. Seeing her companion laying there with the skirt pushed up a bit on her thigh, was a bit too much for her teenage hormones. "No, I think we can make an arrangement. This is my dance space and this is your dance space." "Now we are at the quotes after listening to the whole soundtrack twice?" "You loved it" Michiru remarked and got up on her elbows. The racer smiled and continued packing her things into the drawer.
After a quick dinner at the hotel restaurant, the duo got as fast away from the chatty owner and his wife as they could. His wife was the cook and the meal was very delicious, but Haruka could not stand a long-lasting conversation about race cars, American football and surfing. Michiru was very amused by the trouble the other girl had. However, the real difficulties started as they got to bed. They laid as far away from each other as they could. The space between them made Haruka's heart ache. She wished that they could close up a bit. And then a bit more. Maybe she could get an arm around…
"A penny for your thoughts" Michiru ripped Haruka out of her mind, which was still at the sleeping situation of last night. She cached not enough rest. With a reddening face, she looked up from her banana milkshake. "Nothing" she lied. Michiru dragged on the straw of her strawberry milkshake and ate a fry from the basked between them. "I told you. Banana milkshakes are gross." Haruka rolled her eyes. "No, the shake is delicious. But I am a bit worried. Here are not many young people. I don't know if we find them at this place." The food corner of the mall was indeed very empty on this day. This was strange. The weather was cloudy and the beach was not the best place to be.
"The youth ran away when the time has come. But the ocean is turbulent today. I can feel it." Haruka nodded, leaning back and dragging on her straw. It was very delicious. Michiru has no good taste in milkshakes, Haruka thought with a half-smile. "We looked at the arcade, the shops and even at the food corner is no one. The wind blew us into the wrong place." Suddenly, Michiru slammed her palm on the desk. "I know where they are! Let's go!" Without the opportunity to ask another question, the violinist stood up, grabbing Haruka by her hand and pulling her behind.
After a five-minute ride, Michiru made her stop in front of an old bowling and roller-skate rink. "Now I see that nothing has changed since 1987" the racer mumbled while the violinist got out of the car. "I heard of places like this, but I actually never saw one." Haruka closed her door, taking a good view over the hall while leaning on the car roof on her forearms. She twisted the temple arms of her sunglasses between thumb and pointer finger. Michiru's eye twitched in disbelieve. "Then I can show you one of the finest establishments for the youth of our country, madam." The rising eyebrow of her companion told the violinist to stop here. Haruka hated the discussion about their different backgrounds. This was one to lose for her. And it was not the right time to get into a fight. With a sight, Haruka got up from her position and walked over to the smaller girl. Playfully, she offered Michiru in a big gesture her right arm. "Then we can't lose any time. Please show me the place where the children of today enjoy their leisure time." Michiru smirked, hooking her arm around Haruka's.
The place was everything the racer could imagine about an old recreation center in a back lands small town. Dim light, moldy air and shady people mixed with some school kids. Nobody looked more out of place than the pair that just entered the hall. For a second, they stopped in their tracks, observing the scene. Luckily, no one noticed until they entered the skating area. Derogatory side glances followed them until they got to the shoe renting desk. The woman behind the counter recognized Michiru as well, and she involved her in a little chat. Haruka stood by her side, smiling like an idiot. After this encounter they changed into the skating shoes and Haruka hated it already. Holding the balance was harder than it looked. Meanwhile, Michiru had no problem standing on the roller-skates like a fairy. "It is indeed your first time" she laughed as she saw the racer struggling on her wheels.
"Come on, take my hand. I got you." Hesitant, Haruka reached her hand out, and the violinist enclosed it with her own. "Do you trust me?" Her view wandered from her hand up into the smiling blue eyes of the smaller girl who made her heartbeat rose up. The tune of "We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off" kicked in while Michiru pulled her behind. With wide eyes, Haruka followed her. First she had a little problem to hold the balance. But the violinist was back by her side, holding her strong, so they could slowly move forward. Other people passed them by, dancing to the beat as if it was nothing. The racer swallowed hard at this embarrassment. But after a glance to Michiru, who had a good time holding the other girls' hand and sliding along, she felt nothing but her heartbeat pumping the emotions through her body and brain. The song changed to "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and with excitement Michiru got in front of Haruka who was fascinated that the other girl could hold herself up with confidence and elegance while she rolled backwards. "I love this song!" There was an excited sparkle in her eyes. "Yeah, I know this one, too." It was a singalong for the whole crowd, and the pair joined in. Now it was her own prejudice Haruka was embarrassed of. It was fun. Perfect and innocent fun with the girl she started to fell for. The racer made up scenarios in her head meeting Michiru in a small town like this and how their life would look like if they were normal teenagers.
"And what do you say?" Michiru asked as they sat down in a corner of the hall, sipping on some sodas. "The hardest battle I ever fought." The violinist gave the racer an annoyed look. With a light chuckle, Haruka denied her remark. "No, it was really great. I can't remember when I had a cheerful afternoon like this in the last months." Michiru took Haruka's hand in hers and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. The racer made a shy face but had no chance to say something because a young man appeared at their table. "Kaiou Michiru?" he said with a low voice, like he was not fully sure that he talked to the right girl. Michiru's eyes widened, and she jumped up from her chair, throwing her arms around the stranger's neck. Haruka felt a building bulk of jealously filling her stomach. Who was this lucky guy, being nearly swiped from his feed by a rarely outgoing Michiru. After they parted, the violinist still holds his hands. Haruka finally stood up from her chair. She was grumpy and irritated. But the smaller girls' wide smile made her feel something warm in her chest, too. "Haruka, this is Yoshi, We went to elementary school" she introduced the two who shared a short glance and a nodded. "Don't be shy" Michiru pushed her companion to bow down polity. "Tenou Haruka, nice to meet you." "Shima Yoshi. Nice to meet you, too." Both bowed down a bit. Haruka couldn't leave him out of sight. Something suspicious surrounded this young man.
"What are you doing here? It's been years" Yoshi said with a hurtful undertone. With a laugh, Michiru gave him a soft slap on the arm. "It was time to come back. I think. We will stay here for two weeks." Yoshi nodded, and a shadow hushed over his face. "Are your classmates?" The violinist shook her head. "No, we worked for a school project and somehow…" "Became partners for another project." Haruka interrupted. Her tone was a bit harsh, but Michiru didn't notice it. Or she ignored it. But Yoshi couldn't take his eyes from the racer after this. "Right. You have to come to the pictures. Thursday? It's a romance and horror double feature." Michiru's features brighten up. "We would love to!" Now Yoshi grinned from ear to ear. "Great! See you!" They said their goodbyes and Haruka was left with a troubled mind. There was something odd around this young man in his leather jacket, white shirt and tight jeans. Looking like some John Travolta doppelgänger.
"You look troubled" Michiru noticed after they got back to the hotel. Haruka toning down her shirt and throwing it on her side of the bed. "I felt a strange aura around this Yoshi." This was just half of the truth. She even felt a bit of jealously. And this feeling was unfair. Michiru was her partner in a serious mission, not her girlfriend. Even, if this were the case. It was a complicated feeling. She had no idea how to communicate it. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to Michiru, who beamed a big smile into Haruka's direction. "Don't be alarmed. He is an old friend." But then something changed in her way of looking. A different thought came to her mind. "He is the little brother of Tenzin's friend." Haruka's eyes widened. "So, he can bring us to the subject of our investigation?" Michiru nodded thoughtfully. "But they are not very close. Not as far as I know." "Then I hope you are a friend of double features." Haruka laughed. With a smile, the smaller girl turned around and went to the bathroom. Before she entered she looked back to her companion who threw herself on the bed turning on the TV. "You will love this" she said jovial and closed the door behind her.
Thursday came fast. The last two days were a mixture from stakeouts and renting movies because the weather was chill and rainy. They stayed the whole Wednesday in bed watching some movies, being in a state between dozing and discussing their next steps. As Haruka fell asleep during Ghostbusters, Michiru couldn't resist drawing the softer side of the stone hart racer. Luckily, the blond didn't wake up until the credits started and Michiru had time to place her sketchbook under her pillow. The movie night arrived and a visibly nervous Haruka saw her rear chance to have a nearly normal date night with her friend or partner. The question, what they were, popped up a thousand times in her head this evening. Michiru, who wore a light green summer dress and some high heels, which made her tall enough that she could lay her head on Haruka's shoulder. But the racer was not sure if the other girl was aware of this fact, like she was. She tried hard to dissemble her thoughts.
"Teen Lover and A Nightmare On Elm Street. What a double feature. Do you know any of these films?" Michiru sounded cheerful as she stood in front of the old cinema, reading the big letters on the display. "I saw the horror movie in America. It was fun. But it is obvious that they want to get every teenager around this area in the mood… for somewhat." Haruka stretched the last word. "Great expectations" Michiru said in a joyful manner. "Come on!" With a smirk, the blond followed the other girl into the cinema. The smell of popcorn filled up the foyer. It was the best advertisement for a snack. So they bought a bucket of popcorn to share and tickets. Haruka insisted on paying, after Michiru suggested asking Yoshi for a discount. But the ego of the racer was too big for such things. The violinist laughed and called her "silly". Was she flirting with Haruka? The taller girl was confused, but also happy that they maybe got closer in baby steps. Even the way they slept changed. Michiru slid nearer to her companion from night to night. Therefore, it seemed to be naturally that she nestled up against Haruka's arm as they took the seats. "You have the popcorn" she whispered as the racer gave her a playful side glance. "Of course" was the also whispered remark to this.
The movie theater filled up and between some flirty exchanges, they looked out if there were some of the kids Tenzin knew. "Is there someone you can recognize?" "No. Not in the slightest." Haruka sighted. It was bedeviled. But maybe they were no big romance fans and appeared for the second movie. So they waited. After "Teen Lover" ended, Haruka got up to buy some drinks. Sitting and waiting made them thirsty. Not just for the drinks, the racer admitted to herself. She still felt Michiru's presence on her arm. She put her hand over the sleeve of her black t-shirt, as if she could hold the feeling of the other girl forever in this place. "Hey, nice you came." A familiar voice greeted Haruka from behind. She turned around and found Yoshi standing in front of her. "Hello, yes, Michiru is a big movie fan." "I know." The air between them was frosty. "My grandpa owns this theater. I smuggled her in every movie we showed since I can remember my name." He walked over to the counter and gave Haruka a bag of sweets. "Those are her favorites. They are on me." Haruka got the bag and bowed down to thank him. She almost declined the offer. But there was no time for some good old ego drama.
"I saw you through the window of the projector room." And they got back on the ego train. "I can tell it from the way she looks at you. Well. You can consider yourself very happy." Haruka narrowed her eyes. She was not sure what to say in this loaded situation. "Thank you" was everything she could press out between her lips before she excused herself to go back to Michiru. "Oh, I love those! How did you know?" "I met Yoshi in the foyer. He knows you very well." Michiru tilted her head with a serious expression on her face. "You are jealous, aren't you?" Haruka felt exposed. The white color of her skin reddened immediately. "I… I am just curious about your past." This was not even a lie. Michiru opened up the bag of sweets. "Don't be ashamed. You are the person I want to spend my time with. He is, like my life in this city, a memory. A very good one. But this is my past. You and our mission are my present." With this, she gave Haruka some berries coated with chocolate. Before the racer could say something to this, a loud bang could be heard in the foyer. The two were alarmed and jumped from their seats. The people around them were in total confusion and after someone screamed, panic set off. They ran into a storeroom to transform between buckets and toilet paper. An increase compared to the dark alleyways they had to deal with otherwise. Neptune and Uranus cleaved through the moving crowd of fleeing visitors. The worm-like creature could be heard from afar. It made quite a mess destroying the snack counter.
"Yoshi" Neptune gasped as they came to a hold in front of the monster. There was no second guessing that the creature broke out of the body of the sea guardian's childhood friend. Anger flooded Uranus, seeing her partner in distress again. But there was no time for sentimentalities. "I escort the people outside. Can you do this?" Uranus shouted to Neptune, who got herself back together. It was better if she attack the daimon. And a Deep Submerge later, it was done. Uranus stepped back to the side of her partner. "I can't believe that he took something of this drug." Neptune spoke more to herself than to Uranus. She kneeled down next to Yoshi's lifeless body. His pulse was weak, but he was still alive. "Here!" Uranus said, as she found a little ampulla with pink dust. "I wonder why there are not more of those monsters" she noticed after she observed the vial. Neptune lowered her body to get a better look at the item. "Do you think not everyone changes after consuming this?" Uranus nodded. "But I wonder why. Maybe it has something to do with the pure hearts holding the talismans?" Neptune considered this assumption. "Then someone else must be after the talismans as well." "Maybe. I mean, those creatures appeared, we awoke in our Sailor Guardian forms and were sent to this mission about finding the talismans to rescue the world. There can be no coincidence." Neptune closed her eyes for a second. "I sense a strange feeling. The sea is turbulent. I think I will get a vision this night." Uranus got up and grabbed Neptune by her hand. "Let's get out of here first." They ran to the backdoor, disappearing into the night.
"I had a strange feeling today" Michiru spoke into the darkness of their bedroom. "There was some energy around this Ami girl. Did you feel it, too?" Haruka shifted her position to face the shadow of her girlfriends silhouette. "I know what you mean." "Do you think one of them could hold one of the three talismans?" This thought weighted heavy on Haruka's mind. She started to like those strange girls around the little bun-head. "I am not sure." "Maybe I can get a vision in one of my dreams?" "Then we have to go to sleep. Let me hold you." The violinist slid into the arms of the other one and they kissed each other goodnight.
"You miss her, aren't you?" Michiru jumped a bit. The plate she dried with her cloth slipped nearly out of her hands. "Tenzin!" Her voice was angry, but her brother wished the bad feeling away with a wide grin. "I knew it" he laughed. "You two act like you were married for sixty years." Michiru shrugged. "Two are a good start, I think. Besides, I am still waiting for her to call. The plane arrived twenty minutes ago." Tenzin hold up his hands in defense. It made him look like a childish boy, even when he was wearing his business trousers and a black polo shirt. His adult look was completed with his slightly longer hair he combed back. It had the same color as Michiru's. Now they looked almost like twins. "She will call you soon. Can I help you with those?" He pointed to the plates in the sink. Michiru was aware that he would never let loose. And to be fair, she needed someone, who got her out of her memories of the past. They haunted her the most when she was apart from her wife. Tenzin turned on the radio. "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons was on and they both started laughing immediately.