Michiru and Setsuna were at the Crown, getting lunch.
After they had ordered and were still waiting for their food, Michiru
brought up a subject that had been plaguing her for the last three and a half
weeks.
"Setsuna," she started, "Do you think that
Haruka's been spending a lot more time with Mamoru-san lately?"
Setsuna tore her gaze from the window.
"Do you?"
Michiru frowned. *She
always manages to turn my questions back at me.
"Well," she sighed. "I
don't know ...but what if Haruka *is* seeing someone else?
What if spending time with Mamoru-san is only a cover?"
"I think," Setsuna said slowly, "That this
is between you and Haruka."
"Oh, Setsuna!"
Michiru cried, ignoring the young waitress, who was setting down their
food. "I know that it is, but
that's the point; Haruka won't talk to me.
She claims that she and Mamoru-san just got to be good friends, and that
they're out helping each other with school and stuff."
"But you don't believe her."
Setsuna guessed.
Michiru nodded brokenly.
"I just can't seem to trust her, Setsuna...I try, God knows I try;
but every time that she goes out with him and leaves me at home, I wonder."
Now she met Setsuna's garnet gaze. "I
wonder if maybe he's not just covering for Haruka, so that she can go out and
see *her.*"
"Michiru," Setsuna said soothingly, reaching
across the table and taking Michiru's hands in her own. "I think that
before you pass judgment on what Haruka may or may not be doing, you must first
speak to Mamoru-san."
It was a cold Friday night on the first of May, and Mamoru was just
getting off of work. It was
raining, which made the sky appear darker yet, and a slight fog had just began
to set in.
Shivering, he hurried to his car, only to see a figure
waiting by it.
"Haruka?" he inquired, remembering not to sound
too excited.
"No, Mamoru-san."
The figure took a step forward. "It's Michiru."
Now glad that he hadn't sounded excited, Mamoru tried to
smile. "Oh...hello, Michiru-san.
What can I do for you?"
"Mamoru," Michiru said, dropping the formalities,
"We need to talk."
Mamoru nodded dumbly.
*She knows!* "Here," he said, opening up the car door for her.
"We can get coffee."
"Thank you."
Michiru said, slipping into the car.
After waiting for the car to warm up, Mamoru started in the
direction of the Crown Arcade. He
figured that just incase something else went wrong, he could count on Motoki to
bail him out with some last-minute emergency that just could not wait.
Parking the car, Mamoru got out, and rushed to the other
side, to open up the door for Michiru, only to find that she had gotten out on
her own.
*Hmmm...* He mused. *She
must really be upset.*
Pretending not to notice, he opened the door to the Crown,
and ushered her in. Selecting a
booth, they both sat, and a waitress came.
"What can I get you two?"
Unazuki asked cheerfully.
"Tea." Michiru
said, not bothering to be polite.
"I'll have coffee."
Mamoru gave her an apologetic half-smile.
"Okay," Unazuki said.
"That's one tea, and one coffee.
Be back in a minute." As
she hurried off, Mamoru turned to Michiru, who was looking down at the tabletop,
and refusing to meet his eyes.
"Michiru," he started warmly, trying to sound
polite, even though her attitude was wearing on his nerves.
"I'm no good at guessing games, so whatever it is, you're going to
have to tell me."
Michiru sighed, raising her eyes to meet his.
When she did, Mamoru saw raw determination in her eyes, as well as hope
and love. "Mamoru," she began, "If I ask you a question,
will you promise to answer me honestly?"
"What's the question?"
Mamoru stalled.
"Promise." Michiru
replied coldly. Then, more softly,
"I need you to promise me first."
Mamoru swallowed. "Alright. I promise."
Michiru seemed to relax visibly, but her eyes remained
determined. Looking Mamoru square
in the eyes, she asked, "Is Haruka cheating on me?"
Mamoru stiffened. "What?"
he choked out.
"You heard me!"
Michiru cried, jumping up. Realizing that every eye in the arcade was
her, Michiru sat down again. Glaring
at Mamoru, she repeated her question in a drawl, pronouncing every vowel.
"Is Haruka, seeing...another...woman?"
Mamoru sighed inaudibly.
"No, Michiru." He
answered. "She's not." Although
he wasn't really lying, the intent was dishonest, and it pained him.
"You promised, Chiba."
Michiru reminded him.
Mamoru nodded. "I
know. And I was telling the truth; she is not seeing another
woman."
Michiru looked at him keenly, then got up.
"Thank you." She
said, not sounding as though she meant it. Grabbing her purse, she hurried out
the door.
"Wait!" Mamoru
called, "Don't you want a ride..." she was already gone.
"Guess not." He
concluded, frowning.