Label Play 3 - (Orientation Play Mini-Archive)
Episode: 'A Most Sailor Surprise: The Duality of Haruka (1)' (Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune/Sailor Moon)
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"T-Taking a break?"
When Hanou Haruka first heard her beloved Michiru say these words, she had felt gut-punched.
Their relationship was rock-solid, they had been through a whole lot of issues, yes, but none ever came to shatter their bond. In fact, nothing had occurred as of late to warrant this sort of circumstance.
But where the blonde was quick to feel like this was a break-up, her wife huffed.
"Silly girl, I don't mean a divorce," The green-haired beauty rebuked. "I mean, we have been hardly doing much between working for our 'new queen' and spending time just the two of us at home. It does feel a bit repetitive."
Haruka's shoulders, once tense, sagged in relief. "So... what's this all about?"
"Well, Setsuna is busy at work and lives in her lab most of the time, and Hotaru went to live with Lil' Usagi. I don't need to explain to you that, with everyone else quite busy and spending time with their own families, our marriage is growing a bit stale."
That actually made the blonde embarrassed. "I-It's not that bad-"
"Love, you have cars and sports to keep your blood pumping, but I can hardly get the same pleasure as you do," Michiru whined in contempt, arms crossing below her breasts. "All I am saying is that I wish to get some time off so we could both unwind. Then we go back to normal."
"How... how long?"
"A week is enough."
"Wh-What about me? I mean, I want to be with you and-"
"Well, you could find yourself some company," Michiru interjected once more, a devilish smile. "Are you telling me that Ms. Pretty 'Boy' has never had a thought about trying her luck in a pub?"
That was... true. It was such an embarrassing thing to bring up to Michiru, but it has been a long time ago since she said those words. Haruka was just curious, that's all. And now? Now that she had hardly thought of it in years?
It was quite frustrating. But Michiru was right.
Both needed some time to unwind. Work was doing well for the two of them, but it was true they were getting too bored of each other.
So, despite some reluctance, Haruka accepted. And, soon after, the Michiru-less week started.
The first day? Ugly.
The blonde was a bit displeased that Michiru had actually gone to stay at Setsuna's flat so that it could work - if it would work - leaving Haruka without her morning's Michiru-trademarked Smile.
The rest of the day felt rather difficult. Haruka couldn't stop thinking about how stupid this idea was and how she came to regret it. But as she came to realize this also meant she could eat outdoors rather than indoors and... skip on the 'lovely veggies diet' her beloved wife cooked for her, there was less displeasure.
There was, however, an issue. A frequent issue at that.
Since no one would wait for her at home, Haruka had gone out of her way to finally accept the recurring offer of visiting the pub late at night with some of her subordinates. All nice fellows, hardly anyone there appeared to be the handsy kind of drunk guys.
There were girls too and none had ever complained about any issues of that kind.
Still, Haruka was not strong with proper Sake.
She was quite the wobbly walker, hardly remembering much of that first night going back home beyond someone escorting her there and... staying over.
When she woke up the next day, the blonde felt panicky. She looked at her clothes, glad that she was still dressed and... untouched, but still aware she wasn't alone at home.
Stalking her own steps to the living room, her alarmed mood vanished as a playful one replaced it.
The very moment she recognized who was currently crashing on her couch, Haruka giggled.
Karimari Sen was someone that had been in her racing team from the very beginning. They were roughly the same age and he had been quite the lucky guy for various reasons.
First, it was because Michiru had taken a liking for him when they were still early on in their relationship.
Crushes of this kind would have usually triggered Haruka's own jealousy, but it would be fair to say that... Well, the blonde had a crush on him too.
It was something that had been heavily suppressed, there was no doubt, but not only were Michiru's words pretty much giving her weird ideas, but Haruka felt somewhat bad for Sen.
Out of everyone in her team, Sen was also the most hardworking one. Going for overtime frequently and yet... hardly bringing up family, friends and... lovers.
Haruka was lost in her thoughts as she walked to the stoves, her mind tinkering over the fact she never had heard Sen bring up ever getting a girlfriend- was he a virgin?
Stealing a glance to his snoring face for a moment, the girl sighed.
Probably.
Still, she had other issues to brave about: Cooking breakfast.
Haruka was good in many practical things but... it's been a while since she cooked. She used to be somewhat good, but now? Now she could only glare at how infuriatingly simple and yet different the setup of the stoves now was.
It took her a while to harness the power of the kitchen without setting it on fire but... she got some bacon and scrambled eggs done for herself and Sen.
She set his plate by the small table in front of the couch and she finished hers rapidly so she could get a quick bathroom break.
She needed to get out of her clothes too, relieved it was a Saturday so she didn't have work for the day but...
Haruka made a fatal mistake. A big one that a now-awake Sen took notice of right as he was eating some slices of beacon from his plate.
"Good morning," Haruka had greeted chirpily, expecting him to give her a surprised but overall polite look but his reaction was something else.
"G-Good mor...!" Sen froze up. All the while looking at her. "H-Haruka-san!"
The way he looked away, almost like a shy school boy, made the blonde frown- what was wrong with him? But the real question as she looked down to try and find the issue with her outfit was...
What is wrong with me for wearing such a skimpy outfit!?
Black tank-top and panties- of course anyone would be embarrassed!
Her face turned beet-red at the realization. "I-I am so sorry! Give me- me a moment!"
She rushed to the bedroom, head burning at the notion that she sort of flashed a long-standing friend and made quite the impression by being so straightforward about it.
Her hands were on her face, reminding her that Michiru would always be the one calling her out if she picked the wrong clothes and... she wasn't there.
It was just her. And Sen.
Alone in their home.
...
"Are you telling me that Ms. Pretty 'Boy' has never had a thought about trying her luck in a pub?"
Technically speaking, I found Sen in a pub.
And he was reliable enough to be a good conversation buddy if he was willing to stay over. If he could, that is.
She changed into clothes a bit more fitting for having guests over and she walked back to the living room.
"S-Sorry for that. I forgot that... you know."
"I-It's alright, Haruka-san. I doubt you are like that but..." Sen replied, briefly pausing as he frowned in concern. "Is Michiru-san already out for work?"
"She should be but... she is also staying over at a friend."
"Heh! What happened!?"
Ah yes, this was going to be way more awkward than she needed it to be but... Haruka brought up the truth and the two talked it over some glasses of orange juice.
"So... Michiru-san wants to just destress. Nothing else."
"As far as I know, yeah," Haruka admitted. "I-I mean, did you notice anything that could be important for me to know?"
"Not really," Sen admitted honestly. "In fact, you two hardly look troubled or anything."
"Even when she is alone?" Haruka didn't notice how quiet her voice had gotten with that question, but the man snorted.
"Even when she is alone. Heck, you should see some of the gossip she brings to the girls of the group."
...
"What gossip?"
"I really don't know much, Haruka-san, not a girl."
She rolled her eyes at that reminder but... something else came up. "Speaking of girls, I never heard you mentioning a girlfriend."
"That's because I don't have one. And never had one."
That fact intrigued Haruka. "Never?"
"Haruka-san, I am a 'car nerd' and a background character to the 'handsome pilot' I work for."
The blonde flinched at that, forgetting how easily she could ensnare ladies' eyes with a smile or two. She never thought it would play a factor in one of her workers' lack of romances.
"Sorry," Haruka apologized, but then she had a bit of an idea about it since she now had some spare time to invest somewhere. "How about we do something about it?"
Sen blinked. "Like... what?"
"Well, I will be your wingwoman."
"R-Really?" The man flashed a surprised look. "I mean no disrespect, Haruka-san, but... you are going to attract women to you."
"Oh, it's alright," Haruka smiled confidently. "I will just dress like a girl while helping you!"
Ah yes, a good plan. And one that allowed her to get something going on without cheating on Michiru!
AN
If only Haruka knew that her wife was three parallel dimensions beyond her in terms of planning - and that Michiru is having a proper spy in their midst.