The Last Rose of Summer

Elsa Grey and Michiru Kaioh walked down the halls of Mugen Gakuen, becoming familiar with the school before they started their high school career within the next week. The two of them were in their middle school uniforms very much like the other students that were roaming around the halls, though they were all different. Michiru had her sketchbook in hand as she smiled thoughtfully at her friend who was talking animately with her whole body, but was also distracted by the other students. There was a sudden commotion as the two girls rounded the corner.

The two of them stopped, blocked by a group of students. Michiru frowned. Elsa stepped closer to the mass of students and stood on her tiptoes to get a closer look. Her eyes widened when she realized what the commotion was all about.

"Michiru-san!" she called to her friend in a frantic whisper. She backed up to get closer to her friend and then pulled on her sleeve, eyes wide.

Michiru furrowed her eyebrows, "What is it?"

"That's..." Elsa started slowly, pointing at the mob, "He's..."

Before the pinkette could finish her thought, a tall blonde pushed his way through the mob of girls. He ran his hand through his short, windswept hair and closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. When he opened them again he scanned the hallway looking for an escape, but before he could he met eyes with Michiru.

Elsa continued to tug on her friend's sleeve, "Michiru-san!" she whispered again, "He's looking over here!"

Michiru wasn't listening. Her and the green eyed stranger continued to stare at each other, eyes wide.

The blonde recovered first and narrowed his eyes, throwing an attractive smirk at Michiru before he quickly made his way down the hall and out of sight. Both Michiru and Elsa watched him go.

"I can't believe that the Haruka Tenoh is going to be attending school here!" Elsa exclaimed turning to her friend in excitement, "Just our luck, huh? This is incredible!" She rambled on.

"Haruka Tenoh..." Michiru had heard that name before. Haruka Tenoh was an idol who had debuted a year or two earlier. It didn't take long for him to become popular, especially with the girls, his good looks and husky voice winning them over easily. Being busy with her own music career she didn't have the chance to follow his, but people talked and Michiru was impressed by all the attention he was getting.

"We're going to be going to school with Haruka Tenoh, Michiru-san!"

Even though Michiru had never met him, something about him was familiar. Comforting. His gaze? His smirk? She didn't know.

She didn't know if she wanted to find out.

***

Haruka rounded a corner and pressed herself against a wall, catching her breath, "What a mess..." she sighed and gripped her head in pain, "And what was that all about?" she asked herself thinking back to the green haired girl, "Michiru Kaioh. The violin prodigy," she smiled to herself. Haruka was a fan of classical music having been introduced through her hobby of playing piano, and through that she had found the Michiru Kaioh. The girl was incredible and her passion for her instrument really did show through her music, something that Haruka couldn't do. And she knew it. Her career as an idol was just a way to keep her mind busy. She knew that if she didn't occupy her mind would be plagued by the strange thoughts that had been running through her mind for years now.

Michiru Kaioh... Haruka felt something when she made eye contact with her. It was faint, but she had felt something. She wasn't quite sure what. The mystery of it was scary, but Haruka wasn't one to run from fear. She was headstrong, wanting to face fear head on. Face fear and overpower it. It was in her nature.