Rockstar Parents
-of-
The H&M Chronicles
Chapter Eleven: Michiru Strikes Back, Part II
Michiru had never been so nervous in her life. There were countless times that she came close to this, but never this bad. It was like she had to be doing something in order to keep from thinking about what was on her mind. Michiru fumbled with her earrings, then smoothened out her silky white dress. She cursed her manager for making it skin tight and rather revealing; although she didn't mind flaunting what she had, she was more of a traditional girl. Michiru refused to put any make up on, as always, but she did put some perfume on. For her hair, she didn't do a whole lot special, except leave it down. She knew Haruka preferred it this way and as much as she tried to deny it, she wanted to do her best to be appealing to Michiru. Surely, after two hours in her dressing room, Michiru was ready to go, dazzling like the star that her manager wanted her to be.
The violinist was grateful for the fact that the blonde was Hotaru's papa. Earlier that afternoon, Haruka offered to pick Hotaru up, yet again. Michiru couldn't express how appreciative she was; Haruka was always there when she needed her to be. Michiru wanted to see the blonde before the concert but she simply didn't have the time to do so. Today's schedule was running tight. The only thing that she did wish was for Haruka to come to the concert. The blonde briefly mentioned that she hadn't planned on going, stating she had other things to do, but Haruka did say that she might stop by. What that meant for Michiru, she didn't know. All day she had been thinking of ways to confess her love and she decided the best way would be to do that on stage, with the whole world watching her. But, if the love wasn't returned or Haruka wasn't even there to hear it, Michiru would feel nothing less than an idiot.
'But I can't chance it… I have to tell her. I would rather be rejected and have made my confession, than to not make my confession and wonder my whole life if she would've rejected me.'
"Michiru, you're on in ten minutes."
Ten minutes. Michiru took a deep breath. This concert was strangely what she needed to have in her life. It had been some time before she actually played for an audience; it was odd that out of the blue, an unknown sponsor would decide to support a single concert for her. Her manager couldn't disclose too many details about it but he did say the sponsor would show up after Michiru's last song. Either way, she was grateful that her music was so vehemently supported.
Michiru noticed she was twiddling her fingers far too much. She silently reprimanded herself and made any final touches on her appearance. Despite how nervous she was, she would have to overcome it. Michiru finally took one last deep breath and took hold of her old violin. Michiru hadn't really thought of it until now but it was in dire need of conditioning. Despite the fact that it was in working condition, it looked as if the violin hadn't been polished in at least a few months.
'How could I be so careless?'
"Michiru..." She heard someone knock then open the door. It was her manager. Michiru glanced up from her violin in a rather distant manner. "I don't mean to bother you before the show but..." Her manager pulled a large gift from behind him. "Someone left this for you. They didn't leave a name but they did leave a note." Michiru stepped forward, the size of the gift greatly intrigued her. Not only that but it seemed to be wrapped in elegant, shimmering paper. "I'll leave it with you now. You have about seven minutes left." Michiru heard the door close and for some time, she was reluctant to open the note. It was definitely a fancy, formal note. No doubt some ploy from Seiya, to get back at her, surely. Michiru sighed, unfolding the note.
Dear Michiru,
You are far away from me now. So far that I can't tell you what I would like to tell you. I left on bad terms and thus far, have not been able to apologize for my behavior. What you said to me, it hurt. I'm not one to shy down from pain, I'm not one to admit that I'm in pain either. But your words are etched in the back of my mind. When you told me to leave, I was crushed. You know my intentions were never to hurt you. And, although I haven't shown you as much affection as I would have liked, I will always love you. I have tried countless times to show you how much I care. I would never ask you to feel a certain way, not for my sake. I know your love lies in another. But even then, I hope you know that I will always be there for you, even if it's not to be the love of your life. Good luck with your concert. Oh, the gift - I hope you like it. I noticed that your other violin hadn't been replaced for a couple years now. I figured you might want to start off the first concert in your new tour with something a bit different.
Love,
Me
Michiru was reluctant to close the letter. Seiya had sounded so caring, so giving. Was this truly Seiya? Perhaps it was another one of his ploys. Michiru carefully unwrapped the gift, not satisfied with the idea of destroying such eloquent paper. 'He sure put a lot of thought into this.' Michiru gasped at the beauty before her. In her hand was a brand new, never used before, slender, glass violin. Michiru traced her fingers over every part of it, absorbing the beauty that emanated from it. 'Glass violins are rare... I wonder how he got a hold of this.' Aside from it's rarity, the glass violin in itself was probably worth tons of money. Not that materialistic things mattered to Michiru, but the price had to be considered. 'I can't use this. If I accept his gift then it would be the same as accepting his love. I'm sure.' Michiru rubbed her forehead in confusion. Seiya would never do a thing such as this. Could this have been from –
"Michiru, let's go. You're on in one minute!"
The aqua-haired girl didn't have time to argue with herself, although a sudden realization had raided her thoughts. Instead, she simply picked up the glass violin, with a smile upon her face. This gift was more than just a gift, it was a blessing. Michiru would make her confession tonight, in front of everyone.
Everyone was clapping, cheering, showing their admiration and fandom for her in every polite way possible. She could see that most of her fans were beyond excitement; they fought the urge to scream out to her. Michiru laughed at the thought.
"We'd like to thank you for coming to the concert tonight. Depending on our sponsor's decision to continue the tour, we might possibly be able to have more concerts in the future. For now, we have a special message from Michiru Kaioh."
Michiru swallowed hard. She noticed that she had increased the pressure on her violin, grasping it for dear life. Anxiety filled every part of her body. The aqua-haired woman did everything in her power to contain her trembling though she knew that it was inevitable either way. This was her chance. This was her way of making everything better. Why was this so hard? Why couldn't she make the one confession that she had been wanting to make since the day she met Haruka? It wasn't love at first sight, that was an understatement. Michiru fell in love with Haruka after simply hearing about her. Michiru wasn't sure of what exactly to say. There were so many emotions, feelings, things that she wanted to express and here she was, not expressing them. Michiru finally released the tight grip on her violin, loosening up a bit. Whatever she had to say, she had to say it quick. Through all of her thinking, she hadn't realized the crowd had gone silent and a microphone had been placed before her. Her manager whispered to her through his teeth as he was smiling.
"Michiru... you're on."
The aqua-haired girl smiled weakly at her manager, then took hold of the microphone. This wasn't going to take long, or so she comforted herself. This was her moment of truth. 'You can do it...' Michiru remembered Haruka's smile as she cuddled Hotaru. Hotaru, their daughter, no one else's. That was her family. If she let them fade away, she would never have them. Michiru had to do this.
"I'm a fool." Michiru bitterly laughed at herself. Her manager looked to be confused. This wasn't what she had told him she would be saying but it was too late to stop her now. "I've wanted you from the second I saw you. I've made so many mistakes. I wish I could take them all back. I wish I could take you back. I just want you to know I love you, not Seiya." Michiru paused, watching the expressions of her audience change invariably. She heard whispers, people gossiping. No doubt she would be in the news tomorrow. Media was such a pain to deal with. "I don't want a family without you. I need you. I don't know if you still feel the same for me. But, I want to start over. I want to be a real family. You're the only one I could ever want to see myself with. You're the 'papa' for Hotaru that she needs and you're certainly the partner that I need." Michiru scanned the crowd. Most her fans remained silent. But that wasn't what she was looking for. She was looking for a pair. A pair of individuals that she wanted to see at her concert. A pair of individuals that she needed to see. Michiru gave up her searching after finding that the pair wasn't present. 'I guess she couldn't make it.' Michiru bit her lip. Why did she secretly hope that they would be there? Why? Haruka had a life. Haruka had Rei. Haruka had Hotaru. She didn't need Michiru anymore.
"Michiru..."
The violinist turned around, surprised to see the sandy haired blonde was standing right behind her the whole time. She was smiling at Michiru ever so sweetly with Hotaru in her arms. Michiru felt her spirit jump out of her body and touch the heavens. Every moment that they held each other's stare, was a moment she could die for. Michiru felt tears run down her cheek.
Haruka stepped forward, wiping Michiru's cheek softly. "Don't cry, Michi." The blonde hovered over the smaller girl, beaming down at her with nothing but love in her eyes. "They say that no man is worth your tears..." Haruka closed the distance between them, lowering her head so that her forehead met with Michiru's. "...and the one who is worth your tears, will never make you cry." Michiru sniffled as Haruka placed a hand beneath Michiru's chin. "Granted, I am no man. But the same still applies. I would never wish to be the reason for your tears, Michiru." Hotaru leaned in too, she hated to be left out. The little girl pretended to be as intense as her parents were, though she was silently waiting for something to happen. "Do you love me, Michiru?"
"Hai. I always have."
"Then you must know that I love you too." Haruka replied.
Michiru decided to take the step she never had, even when given the chance. Without thinking twice about it, she reached out, pressing her lips against Haruka's. It wasn't more than a moment that Haruka returned the kiss. Michiru could feel the passion, she could feel every part of Haruka's soul that loved her. It was the sweetest moment of her life. One that she would never forget.
"Uh, excuse me." Michiru's manager poked Haruka on the shoulder.
Haruka paid no mind to the man, instead she brought her family into a warm embrace, placing several kisses on Michiru's head. The blonde waved to the crowd who roared in response. Haruka laughed wholeheartedly as she watched Hotaru dance in her arms. Michiru giggled as well, never feeling as happy as she had in her whole life.
"The violin, was it from you?"
"Hai. Did you like it?"
Michiru held up the violin in her other hand. "It was beautiful. But the thought that it was from you was the real reason that I used it tonight."
"Um, excuse me." Michiru's manager poked Michiru on the shoulder.
"Hai?"
"Do you think you guys could kiss facing the other direction? The press wants to take some more pictures of you two from the side."
Michiru blushed and Haruka rolled her eyes. "Come on, Michiru." The blonde wrapped her arm firmly around Michiru's waist and with the other one, held Hotaru in a secure position on her shoulder. "I'm thinking we should celebrate." Haruka arched her eyebrow in Hotaru's direction. "How does ice cream sound?" Hotaru got wide eyed as if she never had the treat in her life before. "Pink ice cream..."
Hotaru pouted. "No papa, I want your ice cream." Michiru laughed.
"Oh? Have you learned your lesson so soon?" Haruka grinned, pulling them off stage.
"Michiru Kaioh!"
Michiru felt a sudden amount of dread fill her body. The loud shrieks of her mother and father coming from down the hall were not good signs. Seiya seemed to have them hot in pursuit as he approached them with a fierce determination. Haruka nudged Michiru softly. "Let me handle this." Michiru nodded as she took Hotaru from the blonde. "Seiya how pleasant of you to–" Haruka ducked as she sensed a punch was heading her way, then she came back up, landing one of her own right into Seiya's face. "Nice greeting." Haruka stood over a staggering Seiya as he cupped his nose with tears. A few drops of blood trickled down past his mouth. Michiru's parents were dumbfounded but soon found themselves scared when Haruka directed her attentions towards them. "You can either accept me or reject me, but I will not allow you to boss around Michiru like she's a child. She's an adult and can make her own decisions." Haruka folded her arms across her chest. Michiru's parents soon replaced their fear with a false impression of acceptance. "As for you, Seiya... stay away from my family. Don't come near them EVER again." The blonde advanced upon the dark haired boy, causing him to run in the other direction. Haruka laughed. "Now..." The blonde felt Michiru wrap one of her arms around her waist, pulling her towards the door. "Oh yes, that's right. I have a date with my family." Haruka threw a glare at Michiru's parents and them caused them to jump back when she threatened them by sticking her tongue out.
Michiru giggled. "Haruka... was that necessary...?" Hotaru laughed, clapping her hands.
"Every last part of it." Haruka replied with a smug look on her face.
"Look what you're teaching your daughter!"
"Don't be jealous of my life-teaching skills."
"And when is she going to need to know how to stick her tongue out?"
Haruka was stumped but then replaced her confusion with a smile. "You never know, Michiru. You never know. I hear tongues are very useful."
"Is that so? We'll just have to find out, won't we?" Michiru nudged Haruka and laughed. Life couldn't have been any better with Haruka and Hotaru close by her side.