Misunderstood The First Positive Theory of Haruka's Childhood? by Naia Zifu "This must be the weirdest idea you've had since I've known you, Haruka-chan," Urano said, adjusting his glasses. "Firstly, when the principal finds out you're sure to be punished." "I don't care about that," Haruka replied. "Maybe, but remember, you'll still have to go home and face your parents later," he reminded her. "So?" she said, a mischievous gleam in her blue-green eyes. "By then all they'll be able to do is ground me. Like that'll make any difference. Come on, Urano-kun, are you going to help me or not?" The dark-haired boy looked at his friend, and could tell by the look in her eyes she was serious. "Well, okay," he said with a sigh, and went to his wardrobe. "Good thing we're close to the same height." He took out one of his school uniforms and offered it to her. "This should fit." Ten'ou Haruka had grown up resenting her gender-- no, that wasn't true, she didn't actually mind being female. It was the way her parents expected her to be the stereotypical girl that bothered her. They'd given her dolls and toy make-up rather than the cars and mecha she'd wanted. Her wardrobe consisted of dresses in dainty prints and pastel colours-- she wasn't even allowed to wear pants. She had to take piano lessons every Thursday, practise every afternoon, so they could dress her up and show her off at stuffy recitals. They worried that she wasn't maturing fast enough because at thirteen she had yet to notice boys. In spite of all that, Haruka didn't hate her parents. She was their only child, and they lavished her with gifts and attention. She knew they loved her. They just couldn't understand. So Haruka led something of a double life-- when her parents were around she'd do her best to be the kind of daughter they wanted, but with her friends she let her natural tomboyish personality out. If her parents had known their daughter was the fastest runner in her school, could take any boy in her grade in a fair fight, held all the top scores on the race games at the arcade, and was actually beginning to notice _girls. . ._ "So, why'd you decide on this all of a sudden?" Urano asked. Haruka took off her fuku right in front of him and dressed in his uniform, which was a little tight in the chest but otherwise fit fairly well. She'd known Urano since grade one. He was like the brother she'd never had, so changing in front of him was no problem. "Urano-kun, you don't know what it's like at my house. I never feel I can be myself around them. It's almost like being two different people," she said with a sigh. "I can't live like that anymore. I want to know who Ten'ou Haruka really is." "Wouldn't it be easier just to talk to your parents about this?" The girl untied her high ponytail, sandy-blonde hair falling halfway down her back. "They wouldn't understand, Urano-kun. They have all these outdated ideas what girls are supposed to be like, all delicate and feminine," her voice was mocking at those last words. "They'd never let me." Haruka picked up the shears and began mercilessly hacking at her hair. "You're thirteen now, Haruka-chan," Urano said. "You're old enough to make your own choices." "My point exactly." "So tell them that." "I will. Later." "When it's too late for them to do anything about it?" "I thought we'd been over this already." "Gomen," Urano apologised. "I'm just nervous, I guess." He sat down and stared at her in silence for a moment. "You don't really expect to fool anyone by dressing up like that, do you? Won't it be suspicious for Ten'ou Haruka to be absent and a new, male transfer student resembling her to show up the same day? And anyway, you'd think they'd have records of that kind of thing." Haruka shrugged. "I don't expect to fool them for long. I'll be lucky if I even get through the day unnoticed. That's not what's important. I just want to try it for a while, see how it feels, how long it works, how many people fall for it. . . Hopefully this will help me find out more about myself, Urano-kun. That's more important to me right now than most anything else." "So ka," he said, and went over to her. He took the shears from her hand. "Here, let me fix this for you, Haruka-chan." "I can do it myself," she protested. "Well, you aren't doing such a great job so far," he observed. "You have really pretty hair, Haruka-chan. I just don't want it to get ruined." "Okay," Haruka agreed at last. Urano took out the chair from his study desk, and she sat down obligingly. "Arigato, Urano-kun." Haruka studied her reflection in the mirror minutes later, an almost unreadable expression on her face. Urano thought he saw the beginnings of tears in his friend's eyes as she gingerly reached up to touch her now boyishly short hair. "Oh god, I did something wrong, didn't I?" Urano asked nervously. "I didn't mean to mess it up. I was just trying to even it out for you." "No, it's perfect," she reassured him with a smile, "just what I always wanted. I guess I just got kind of emotional for a moment there." Haruka removed the gold hoop earring from her right ear and slipped it into her pocket for safe keeping. She admired her own reflection for a moment longer, pleased with her appearance for the first time she could remember. She turned back to her friend. "How do I look?" "Like Haruka-chan in my uniform with a haircut," he replied. "But I like it. I hope this helps you find your real self, Haruka-chan." "Hikaru-kun," she corrected. "Remember today my name is Takano Hikaru. I'm the new boy who transferred in from Redwind Academy." "Where's that?" "I don't know, but at least it sounds impressive." Haruka checked her watch. "We'd better be going now. Wouldn't want to be late to school on my first day." The moment they arrived on campus, Haruka was swamped by pretty girls wanting to know about the handsome new boy. She smiled her most charming smile and took advantage of her almost boyish voice while flirting. The details of Hikaru's life she made up as she went along, but the girls accepted the story without question. Haruka enjoyed the attention. "If I'd known it could be this easy to attract girls," she said to Urano, "I would've dressed up like this a lot sooner." "Enjoy it while you can, Hikaru-kun," he replied. "After they find out your secret, they probably won't be interested anymore." "Urano-kun, you always were the eternal pessimist." The homeroom teacher, Mrs. Nakayama, reluctantly accepted the transfer student story, though Haruka knew she'd ask about it in the office and that would be the beginning of the end for Hikaru. The new boy was introduced to the class and assigned a desk near Haruka's empty one. Haruka bit her lip. There was something she hadn't considered. When she'd left home over an hour early it was under the pretence of getting to school early to study. When she didn't answer the roll, the secretary would have to call her mother to ask why she was out. Her poor mother would probably imagine her kidnapped, in a hospital somewhere with amnesia, or, worst of all, lying dead by the side of the road. She'd probably call around frantically to anywhere she thought her daughter might go, or maybe even drive around looking herself. What if she panicked and called the police? Haruka gasped involuntarily. "Hikaru-kun, is something wrong?" the teacher asked. Haruka felt her face redden, and sank into her chair. "I'm fine. I just, uh, I just need to go to the washroom," she stammered. Mrs. Nakayama gave her a peculiar look, but took out the hall pass anyway. "Hurry back." "I will," Haruka promised, and rushed out the door. She took the back stairs down to the cafeteria, which was deserted at that time of morning, and dropped a coin into the phone in the hallway. She dialled her own number and listened nervously as the phone rang once, twice, three times. . .her mother answered on the fourth ring, but upon hearing her familiar voice Haruka promptly hung up. What was she supposed to say? 'Mama, it's me, I just thought you should know I'm at school masquerading as a boy today, so when they call wondering why I'm absent when you saw me leave extra early, don't panic.' "I'm so stupid sometimes," she muttered on her way back to class. "Dress up as a boy to try to find my true self, great idea. Now my mother will be worried sick, I'll probably get suspended from school, and when my parents see me come home like this they'll probably kill me." She sighed and ran a hand through her short-cropped hair. "Great job so far, Haruka, let's see what else you can mess up today. . ." "Excuse me," a feminine voice called from behind her. Haruka turned around, and there stood the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. She was struck speechless. "I've been wanting to meet you since I first saw you this morning," the girl said, smiling and offering her hand. Haruka took her hand, and rather than a simple handshake, she kissed it. The girl blushed becomingly. "I'm Ten-- uh, Takano Hikaru," she said. "What's your name?" "Kai--" "Takano Hikaru, get back to your class," Mrs. Nakayama interrupted, taking the hall pass. "You were supposed to go to the washroom and come right back, not stop to flirt in the hallway." "Yes, ma'am," Haruka said, looking at the floor. She walked slowly back to class, stopping once to admire the green-haired girl one last time, and chancing a little wave. Just as Haruka entered the classroom, she heard Mrs. Nakayama yell at the girl, "And haven't you got a class to be in now, too?" Something Haruka had been wondering herself. By lunch, word of the handsome new transfer student had spread around the school, and Haruka was swarmed by so many pretty girls vying for her attention she hardly got a chance to eat. She paid little attention to her groupies, however. She was busy scanning the cafeteria for the beautiful girl from the hallway, but couldn't see her anywhere. She sighed. Urano pushed through the crowd of girls surrounding Haruka, and she moved her books from the seat she'd been saving for him. "Hikaru-kun," he said, smiling, "it was hard finding you in all this. How's your day?" "So far, so good," Haruka replied. She smiled and indicated the crowd around her. "I could really start to get used to this." "I'm glad you're happy, Hikaru-kun." He leaned in closer and whispered, "And I'm glad you've finally found yourself, Haruka-chan." "But there is one problem I hadn't considered. I have gym class next period." Urano frowned. That _was_ a problem. Hikaru couldn't go into the girls' locker room and dress in Haruka's gym clothes. He offered her his gym bag. "Here, I've already had gym class today. You can borrow my gym clothes and change in the washroom. Lock the door." "Urano-kun, that's disgusting!" "It's the only thing I can think of. Just do it." Haruka accepted with a half-hearted thanks. Borrowing Urano's uniform was one thing, but his used gym clothes? But he was right, it was the only way. He was just doing his best. She was glad, at least, for that. "What are you looking for?" Urano asked, as Haruka's eyes scanned the cafeteria again. She blushed a little, and admitted, "A certain girl, Urano-kun. I think I'm in love." "Huh? With whom? When did this happen?" "In the hallway this morning," she replied. "I met the most beautiful girl there, Urano-kun. You should have seen her. She had this incredible hair, aqua-green curls about to here," Haruka indicated her shoulder, "big, exotic, deep-blue eyes, the sweetest little smile, and the voice of an angel. I have to find her again, Urano-kun. I have to find out more about this girl. I don't even know her name." "She didn't tell you her name?" "She tried to, but Mrs. Nakayama chose just the wrong moment to catch us, and sent me back to class before I found out," Haruka said sadly. "But I can't stop thinking about her. She's just so beautiful. I-I think she's the girl I want to marry." Urano nearly choked on his sandwich. "Wha-- hold on a minute, Hikaru-kun, does she know you're. . ." "No, but. . ." "Then how do you know she's. . ." "I, um, I guess I didn't think about that," she said sadly. "You're probably right. A girl like that could have any _guy_ she wants, so why should she be interested in me?" Urano mussed Haruka's hair. "Cheer up, Hikaru-kun. I'm sure you'll meet the right girl someday." "Hey!" Haruka cried, trying to smooth it again. "But really, Urano-kun, I was so sure this girl _was_ the right one for me. She seemed so perfect." "Hikaru-kun, you met this girl once, for only a moment, and you couldn't even find out her name, so how can you know if she's the right girl or not?" Haruka bowed her head, closed her eyes, and spoke quietly. "I just felt it the moment I saw her," she said. "Love at first sight, like in the movies. My heart started racing, my palms were sweating, I couldn't even breathe for a moment." She opened her blue-green eyes and looked into Urano's large, brown ones. "In that moment, I knew she was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The rest of my life, Urano-kun, and at my age that's an awful long time. If I can't have her, I-I don't think I'll ever fall in love with anyone else again." "Isn't that a little melodramatic?" Urano asked. Haruka blushed. "Excuse me for still being a bit of a romantic." "Don't worry," he said, patting her shoulder, "you'll get over it soon enough." When the final bell rang at the end of the day, Haruka was surprised but pleased not to have been called to the principal's office all day. All her teachers had accepted the transfer student story easily, and she even toyed with the idea of trying to get by with it one more day. She stood outside waiting for Urano, who had promised to walk her home and help her face her parents. "Ten'ou Haruka," a voice called, and without thinking, she turned. Seeing Mr. Osaka, the principal, standing with his arms folded and a stern look on his face, Haruka suddenly realised her mistake. She lowered her eyes and asked quietly, "How long have you known?" "Your homeroom teacher recognised you," he said. "But even if she hadn't, your going to all Ten'ou Haruka's classes and hanging around with her best friend would've been a give-away." "And no-one confronted me about it?" "Mrs. Nakayama told me what you'd done and asked my advice, and I decided since you weren't hurting anyone I would let you finish your day in peace so as not to embarrass you in front of your friends." He looked around at the students still filing out of the building. "Come on, let's go talk about this in my office. It's more private." "But Urano-kun--" "Is there already. And I called your mother, Haruka-san. She should be here shortly." Haruka sighed and put her hand in her pockets. "Then I guess we should just get this over with." Urano sat staring at the floor in the principal's office, and barely even glanced up when Haruka was brought in. She took a seat near her friend, and the questioning began. "So, Haruka-san, what made you decide to come to school as a boy today?" Mr. Osaka asked. "It's obvious you were planning it, leaving home early to go to Urano-san's house to borrow his uniform and cut your hair. A lot of trouble to go to for one day, don't you agree? And you must've known you'd have to go home and explain it to your parents later. Excuse me for saying so, but this whole scheme sounds rather stupid to me." Haruka fixed him in a steely gaze. "I didn't ask your opinion," she snapped. "You wouldn't understand my reasons if I told you." "So ka. Urano-san, how much did you know about this ahead of time?" Urano's brown eyes went wide, giving him the look of a deer in headlights. "Me? N-nothing, sir. She just climbed up the tree outside and knocked on my window this morning-- she does that a lot, 'cause we're best friends and all-- but she'd never come that early before. She told me what she was planning, and I didn't like the idea, but she was so determined I gave in." He looked at his friend, who watched him with an angry expression. He wanted to say something to please her. "But I'm glad I did. Seeing Haruka-chan as happy as she's been today is worth any punishment." "So ka," he said again, steepling his fingers. Mr. Osaka watched Haruka in a way that made her uncomfortable. "Just out of curiosity, Haruka-san, are you wearing boys' underwear also under that uniform?" Her face flushed with anger and she leapt out of her chair. "Why you ecchi--" A knock at the door interrupted her, as the secretary came in to announce Mrs. Ten'ou's arrival. Haruka blanched as her mother walked in, anger abruptly changing to fear. Ten'ou Kazashi was a tall, statuesque woman with icy blue eyes and sandy-blonde hair worn in a French Twist. Her designer dress and real gold jewellery showed her wealth. She greeted Mr. Osaka with her best manners and dazzling smile, but her expression changed as she looked at her daughter. "Haruka-chan," Kazashi murmured, approaching her, "what have you done to yourself? Your beautiful hair," she reached out to touch it, but Haruka drew back, "you've ruined it." "That's your opinion," the girl retorted. "Are you angry with me for some reason?" her mother continued. "Did something happen to make you suddenly want to become a boy?" Haruka bowed her head. "I never said I wanted to become a boy." Kazashi put a hand under her daughter's chin and lifted her face to meet her eyes. "Then what is it, Haruka-chan? Explain it to me. Why all this all of a sudden?" "It's not all of a sudden," Urano said. "Haruka-chan has always been a tomboy." "Who are you? And what makes you think you know so much about my daughter?" "Kobayashi Urano, Haruka-chan's best friend since grade one," he replied. "If you think you know her so well, why didn't you know that?" The woman's eyes widened in surprise. "If you're Haruka-chan's best friend, why did she never mention you?" "She wouldn't, around you. Mrs. Ten'ou, your daughter's led kind of a double life all these years. I know around you she's always tried to act like the perfect little lady, but that's only because she knows it's what you expect from her. But the older she gets, the harder it is to keep up that facade. She couldn't take it any more. And since she didn't know how to tell you in words. . ." he gestured towards Haruka. "Gomen ne, Haruka-chan, I didn't know," Kazashi said quietly. She looked her daughter over again. "Are you sure this is what you want?" Haruka nodded. "For as long as I can remember." Kazashi sighed and ran her fingers through Haruka's hair. The girl didn't draw back that time. "I guess it really isn't _that_ bad," she conceded. "If this is what will make you happy, I-I'll try to get used to it." "Arigato," Haruka said, smiling. "And. . .you don't have to try to be more feminine just to please us anymore. But one thing I would still like you to do, is continue your piano lessons." "Okay," Haruka agreed. "But can I wear a tux to recitals?" "A tuxedo?" her mother repeated. "Doshite?" But after considering it a moment, she agreed. "Arigato," Haruka said again. Then she asked Mr. Osaka, "Do I have to go back to wearing my fuku to school now that I'm going to be Ten'ou Haruka again?" "I'm afraid so," he answered. "We can't have our students cross- dressing and giving our school a bad name." Haruka snapped, "A bad name? How will it hurt the school if one girl, and a tomboy at that, is wearing a boys' uniform?" Urano put a hand on her arm and shook his head. It wasn't worth arguing over. Haruka reluctantly agreed. "And the same goes for this flirting with other girls you were doing all day," Mr. Osaka added. Haruka's mother looked shocked. "Please tell me that was just part of your boy disguise." When Haruka said nothing, she turned to Urano, who shook his head. "You knew about this all along?" "Of course I did. She is my best friend, after all." "And Haruka-chan's. . .flirting. . .with other girls never. . . _bothered_ you?" she asked. Urano shrugged. "No, not really. Why should it?" Kazashi closed her eyes and massaged her temples as if to get rid of a headache. "It's okay, I can handle this. I'm sure it's just a phase she's going through. She'll get over it soon enough. . .I hope." "Haruka-san," the principal began, seeming uncomfortable, "who you choose to see in your personal life is none of my business. But as long as you're wearing our uniform, others will see you as a representative of our school. We do not condone homosexuality [Kazashi made a pained sound at the word] at our school, so I'll ask you not to engage in such activities while representing us. Is that clear?" Haruka was about to protest, but Urano stopped her. She bit her lip and nodded silently. Urano asked, "Excuse me, but are we going to be punished?" Mr. Osaka stroked his chin thoughtfully. "We really have no precedence for something like this. We've never had anyone try to pass themselves off as the opposite sex here before. But no-one was hurt by it, and the problem has been straightened out now. Still, I'd like to use Haruka-san as an example so no other girls get similar ideas. Why don't you keep her home tomorrow, and on Monday morning I'll arrange an assembly. I'd like her to face up to all the people she fooled, and apologise for what she's done." "Nani yo?!" Haruka cried. "What happened to not wanting to embarrass me in front of my friends?" "That's very reasonable," Kazashi said. "Haruka-chan, why don't you thank Mr. Osaka for giving such a light punishment?" "Mama, he wants to humiliate me in front of the whole school. I didn't even do anything wrong." Her mother nudged her in the ribs and she muttered an insincere thanks. "And me?" Urano asked. "You?" Mr. Osaka laughed. "All you did was help a friend dress up as a boy. I hardly think that's deserving of punishment. You're in no trouble, Urano-san." "But all Haruka-chan did was dress up as a boy and she's in trouble. Isn't that a double standard?" "No," he replied hastily, but didn't explain why. "Go home, Urano-san." Kazashi announced, "If we're finished here, I have to take Haruka-chan home now. Her father will be home from work soon, and she has her piano lesson today." "Of course." "Urano-kun, would you like me to give you a ride home today? It'll give us a chance to get acquainted. I want to know all about the best friend my daughter never told me about." That evening, Haruka sat at the piano, instructor lurking over her shoulder, as she was finishing her piano lesson. She was still wearing Urano's uniform, as much because she was reluctant to return to wearing dresses any more than she had to, as because her mother wanted her father to see what she'd done. Haruka could hardly wait for the shopping trip she had been promised for tomorrow afternoon, when she'd finally get to choose whatever clothing she wanted for the first time in her life. "You're getting very good at that, Haruka-chan," her father called from the doorway when the final notes of her song had faded from the room. "Arigato," she said, turning to smile at him. "Were you standing there long?" He shrugged. "Maybe ten minutes. But I don't mind waiting a while if I can hear my little prodigy play." Ten'ou Masato, a very tall, friendly-faced man with brown hair, golden-flecked green eyes, and a moustache, crossed the room to embrace his daughter, then stepped back to have a look at her. He smiled and nodded his approval. "You look nice, Haruka-chan," he said, touching her hair. "To hear your mother talk I was worried you'd look like an army cadet or something, but I like your new haircut. I think it really suits you." "I-I'm glad you approve," she replied, surprised. "Haruka-chan, did you lose your other earring or did you just take it off on purpose?" Haruka retrieved the other from her pocket. "These earrings are real gold-- Mama would kill me if I'd lost one," she said with a laugh. "I took it off because I decided I like the way I look with one." Masato held her chin and examined her once more. "You know what? I think you're right. You do look good with one," he agreed. "I wasn't angry, just worried you might get in trouble if you'd lost an earring." "Papa, how come you're finding this all so much easier to accept than Mama?" Haruka wondered. He smiled. "Haruka-chan, I've known about that other life of yours for years. I'm just surprised it didn't come out before now." "You knew about everything all along?" Masato looked a little uncomfortable. "Everything except the lesbian part." "Gomen," Haruka mumbled, looking at the floor. "Don't be," he said, taking her face in his hands. "Haruka-chan, don't ever apologise for being who you are. You're a wonderful daughter, and who you're attracted to has no bearing on your worth as a person. I'll still love you no matter what, and I know the same goes for your mother, once she adjusts to all this." "Mr. Osaka wants me to apologise in front of everyone at school on Monday," she told him, on the verge of tears. "He wants to make an example of me, to humiliate me in front of the whole school. I didn't even do anything wrong, Papa." "There isn't anything about today you regret?" "No," she insisted. But a moment later she changed her mind. "Well, maybe I shouldn't have lied about being a boy. I did take advantage of a lot of innocent girls that way. But that's all I feel sorry about. I won't apologise for being a tomboy or for liking girls. I'm tired of people trying to turn me into something I'm not." Masato hugged his daughter tightly. "I'm afraid there will always be people who will disapprove of you and try to change you. That's the natural human reaction to anyone who's different. But, Haruka-chan, as long as you're comfortable and happy with yourself, that's all that matters." "I am happy with myself, now that I don't have to pretend anymore," she replied. "But what will I do about school Monday? They'll be expecting me to apologise for dressing like this and flirting with girls, and I can't do that." "I'm sure you'll do the right thing, Haruka-chan," he said, kissing her forehead. "Now go wash up and change for dinner. It'll be ready in half an hour." Haruka started slowly upstairs. Someday, she promised herself, she would no longer have to put on a nice dress to eat dinner. Someday she would stop wearing dresses altogether. "Hurry up, Haruka-chan, or we'll be late to class," Urano called on the way to school Monday morning. "I'm in no hurry," she called back. "Haruka-chan," he said, slowing down to walk alongside her, "I know it must be embarrassing to go back and face everyone after what you did Thursday, but you've just got to accept the consequences of your actions." "I wouldn't be embarrassed if he weren't making me get up in front of the whole school and apologise," Haruka complained. "All I did was dress up in your uniform for one day, not like I committed some crime or something." She was back in her fuku now, only because she had to, but she had refused to wear the headband her mother had hoped would help clear up about her gender (as if the fuku itself weren't enough of a clue), and she still wore only one gold hoop earring in her left ear. She wondered if she'd be expected to remove it, though. They'd probably view it as some sign of rebellion, although Haruka had never really intended it as such, or at least not consciously. "I didn't mean it that way. I _helped_ you dress up that way, remember? I just meant. . .I don't know what I meant. Forget I said anything. Let's just go get it over with." Haruka was surprised. "Urano-kun, you aren't in trouble, remember? I'm the only one who has to get up and embarrass myself at that assembly." "I know, but I still feel guilty about your getting in trouble and I didn't. And besides, I have to support my best friend when she needs me most." Haruka smiled and hugged her friend. "Arigato, Urano-kun. I don't deserve a friend as good as you." "I know," Urano said, blushing. "But since you're such a cute girl I'll keep you around in spite of it." The schoolyard was empty when they arrived at the school. Confused, they stopped at the office to ask about it and were sent directly to the auditorium for the assembly. That was fine with Haruka-- better to get it over early and get on with her day than put it off and have to spend the day dreading it. She strode onto the stage proudly, evoking first stunned silence and then whispers from the audience. Urano followed with a slow, shuffling gait, face bright-red, and sweating profusely. Mr. Osaka called for quiet before turning the podium over to Haruka. "Ohayo gozaimasu, minna-san," Haruka greeted the assembly cheerfully. "I'm Ten'ou Haruka, the girl who came to school Thursday as a boy, Takano Hikaru. As my punishment," she laughed a little at that, "I was told to apologise in front of everyone at this assembly." Haruka paused, took a deep breath, and looked out over the audience. "I-I'm sorry I fooled so many of you into thinking I was a boy. I'm sorry if I made anyone uncomfortable with my flirting." She looked at Urano and smiled mischievously. "However, I make no apologies at all for having dressed up that way. I prefer the boys' uniforms. They suit my personality more. I'd wear them every day if they'd let me." She saw a vein beginning to stand out on Mr. Osaka's forehead, but continued anyway. "And to all the pretty girls I flirted with, I want you to know I was serious. I really do find you attractive. And if you're into girlfriends, maybe we can get together sometime." Mr. Osaka started onto the stage. Haruka spoke quickly now. "If you don't see me in school for a while, you'll know why. Try not to forget me while I'm gone. I'll miss you all. Ja ne!" She winked and blew a kiss to the assembly as Mr. Osaka took her by the arm and dragged her off-stage. The audience began whispering and talking all at once. "I can't believe I almost fell for a girl!" "Why'd she come to school as a boy Thursday anyway?" "Has she really been secretly a lesbian the whole time?" "Eew, and I changed in front of her every day in gym class!" Haruka ignored the rude comments as she was taken from the auditorium toward the principal's office on the promise of a long suspension. She hadn't done anything wrong. It was their fault for being ignorant and homophobic. Haruka had sworn never to apologise for being herself again, and she wouldn't. The green-haired goddess from the hallway admired the tomboyish blonde from the back of the auditorium. "Interested in girlfriends, eh? Maybe we really _will_ get together sometime." She smiled her angel smile and rested her face on her hand. "Haruka," she said, voice caressing the word, and sighed dreamily. ©1998 Naia Zifu, all rights reserved, for all the good it'll do me... Haruka and Michiru are SM characters that I don't own rights to, but basically everyone else in the story was created by me, again for all the good it'll do me... As always, I'm not trying to make money off anyone else's ideas. This story is my first real, fully SM fanfic, the first positive fanfic portrayal of Haruka's childhood (as far as I know, has anyone seen others?) and was made in retaliation to all the other fanfics which always have her abused and abandoned as a child. I just thought someone should be nice to her for once. It's a nice change from the usual child Haruka fanfic, eh? Keep watch for other Haruka and Michiru fanfics from me in the future-- I've become more than a little obsessed!