The next day, Haruka returned to Tokyo.
Mamoru would return a few days later, so as not to arouse suspicion.
As she walked up the steps to her breach house, Haruka felt
a definite air of foreboding looming overhead.
Assuming that it was a side effect of her loss, Haruka slapped on a
smile, and entered the house.
As soon as she was through the door, there was the sound of
pounding feet. Setsuna and Hotaru
came rushing into the room. When they saw her, instead of looking happy, they looked
worried. Then Hotaru grinned.
"Haruka-papa!" she screamed, jumping into the
older woman's arms.
Haruka took a step back, stumbling.
She was still in physical pain from the delivery, but also knew that to
limp would rouse suspicion. "Hime-chan!"
Haruka cried, smiling. "I
missed you. What've you been up
to?"
"Oh, nothing special."
The girl replied.
"Hey, Setsuna."
Haruka grinned at her friend. As they all headed for the living room,
Haruka asked, "Where's Michiru?"
"She'll be back by tonight."
Setsuna answered, her back to Haruka.
"Oh?" Haruka
asked. "Well *where did she go?*" this time she put a
little more force into her question, and hoped that Setsuna caught on to it and
just answered. She didn't mind if Michiru left the house--in fact, she
encouraged it--but something just didn't seem right here; first Michiru didn't
return any of her calls, and was never home when Haruka called, and now all
these cryptic answers? It was just
gnawing at her.
"To some musical convention."
Setsuna replied easily. If
she was lying, it didn't show. Haruka
frowned at the thought.
"Oh, alright."
Haruka said belatedly. "I
was just hoping that she'd be here when I got home."
Setsuna nodded in sympathy.
"She said to tell you that she regrets not being here for your
arrival, but you know life..."
*All too well.*
Michiru fidgeted. When she
had learned of Haruka's departure, she was already too late to catch an earlier
flight and be there first. She
didn't have enough energy to teleport herself home, either.
So now, here she was, on a late flight, knowing that not only would
Haruka beat her home, but that she'd sure have some explaining to do.
"But so will Haruka."
Michiru whispered underneath her breath.
Although she had planned to trail Haruka, that plan had been foiled.
She had not caught sight of the Other Woman, either.
On that note, Michiru didn't know whether to be pleased or disappointed.
If there was no Other Woman, then she was being foolish and owed Haruka
and apology. But if there was, then
she might have lost her one chance to catch Haruka in the act.
And Michiru was certain that there was another woman.
Why, all the clues indicated that there was. Michiru remembered that
night, on Haruka's birthday, when the blonde had left late that night, then lied
about her whereabouts. And then a
week or two later, when Haruka had gone out, and they fought.
Just the memory brought tears to Michiru's eyes.
"Haruka," Michiru whispered, her voice hoarse
from lack of use. "I don't
want to lose you..."
By the time that Michiru got home, the lights were out, and all was
silent. Taking off her shoes,
Michiru crept into her room, and changed into her pastel nightgown.
Haruka was lying on her usual spot in the bed, and seemed to be asleep.
Settling into the bed, Michiru was almost asleep when
Haruka's voice drifted to her. "Where were you?"
Although the question startled her, Michiru replied evenly,
"Practicing with my music coach. I
just lost track of time..."
"Funny," Haruka interrupted, her voice still low
and peaceful. "That's not what
Setsuna said."