August
Chapter 6
August came and with it, summer vacation. The students would be away from school for a whole month, but not before receiving a lot of recommendations and home work. If they wanted to succeed in a competitive world like this, they would need to practice.
A lot.
Haruka was excited because after months of just talking to her family through letters and phone calls, she would finally be able to see them. She had begun to email them, but since she didn't have a lot of free time to spend in a computer, she opted for a more traditional communication form.
Michiru was a little worried about her days off. This could mean being around her father, and she didn't want to jeopardize her chances at succeeding in school. She was already doing so much better, her exams results were great, she had one of the highest scores in the freshmen class.
This was all thanks to Haruka. She made up with a perfect plan for them to study and not be overwhelmed by it. And dividing study tasks between her group was just perfect.
Michiru saw Haruka as this incredible leader. She also knew the other girl was feeling lonely. She barely saw Haruka's roommate and figured they didn't have a good relationship. And for someone so talkative and friendly, it should be a nightmare for her.
Haruka had this romanticized idea about living in a board school. She wanted to become best friends with her roommate and her other classmates, like they were sisters or something. Michiru found it very cute. A little naive, but still cute. Haruka was this silly, over grown, country girl who had a heart of gold.
And Michiru liked her for that.
Not being able to fight her crush anymore, the aquamarine haired girl decided to let it die naturally. Of course she would have a crush on Haruka. She wasn't the first and probably she wouldn't be the last. So why fight it?
Maybe this month apart would help killing it. At least, Michiru was counting in it.
******
Hiroaki was waiting for his sister at the station, with her best friend Mamoru. The younger boy decided to tag along and surprise his friend. This was the first time they would see each other after Haruka left for school and he was excited, feeling so happy to finally being able to be with her.
Making friends wasn't easy for him, even being admired and liked at school, he always struggled with letting people in. Haruka was the very best exception, she understood him and his ambitions to become a lawyer like his father.
And being away from her was killing him. Without her at school, he became this lonely, unreachable boy. Haruka was his bridge to the other students. Being an only child, Mamoru felt more comfortable around adults. He was well liked by his teachers, always polite and so smart.
Haruka tried to write him often, but he understood how busy she was. He also had cram school and English lessons after school.
Maybe now with her back, even for one month, they would be able to hang out and just enjoy each other's company. And Mamoru knew his friend would be insanely busy after school. He couldn't imagine starting to work at such a young age, but he was supportive if it was Haruka's dream. Takarazuka was her favorite subject and they even watched some performances together.
When Mamoru saw his friend, still dressed in her school uniform, getting out of the train, his smile was so big. He ran to her, letting Hiroaki behind. The older boy didn't mind, he knew those two were two peas in a pod. He missed his little sister too, and he wanted to hear everything she had to tell about school and her crazy adventures.
Hiroaki wanted to leave home since he was twelve. Always being compared, even involuntarily, with Hideyuki, his elder brother, he was tired of not being good enough. Hideyuki was this emotionless robot, who only cared for his studies and to get into a good medical school.
With his siblings being so focused in their future, Hiroaki didn't even know what he wanted for his life. But he stopped caring when Haruka left for the Music School. At 15, she was the first Tenou kid to leave home and follow her dreams.
It was weird to be at home when she wasn't but Haruka had always been so independent. Maybe it was because she was the youngest and the only girl.
Their parents never told their children they should move out and live their lives. But Hiroaki was thinking about going to Tokyo for school. He was already studying at the local university, but getting transferred shouldn't be that hard. And finally start his life without being compared with any of his siblings. Not even the mighty genius Hideyuki or the madly talented Haruka.
He smirked. Being jealous of his 15 years old sister wasn’t something he was used to.
Since Haruka was still dressed in her grey uniform, complete with her red bowtie and hat, both boys refrained themselves of giving her bone crushing hugs. Haruka told them about some of the school rules and they wanted to help her respect them.
"I brought dad's car, we can go to dinner after you change into regular clothes," Hiroaki suggested, imagining Haruka being famished after a 5 hour train ride. She looked tired, even her smile was tiny.
"That would be great, thanks..." Haruka said, looking at Mamoru who was carrying her luggage. "Where's everyone?"
"Oh, dad's working and mom had to take care of some stuff at school," Hiroaki said, knowing Haruka missed their parents. "Hideyuki said he will meet us for dinner later, he's studying or something. I really didn't pay any attention."
Haruka gave her brother a small smile. Knowing how busy her family was, she was happy at least someone went to pick her up.
*******
Michiru walked into the studio where she spent most of her free time before her test. Mayuko was busy teaching a class for a few teenager girls.
She stood next to the door, thinking about not even one year ago she was having a crash course in ballet. Mayuko was a strict teacher, but always with a smile and grace. If one day Michiru became the graceful and elegant woman that Mayuko was she would be glad.
Her former instructor was a musumeyaku for almost ten years. And Michiru admired her so much. The girl knew she would become one, just like Mayuko. She wasn't too tall, and her voice was a little high. With some practice, she would be a good singer and dancer.
Distracted, Michiru barely realized the ballet lesson was over. She couldn't believe she was already in a classroom in less than one day after summer vacation started.
But she couldn't just stay at home. Her father was still mad at her, so angry and sad. Michiru felt sorry for him. She admired her father, his talent and how smart he was. But his traditionalist mind was the worst part of him. Michiru couldn't blame him, she grew up with an aunt who thought it was a good thing to retire and became a housewife.
Michiru smirked. Her father would probably have a heart attack if he knew her inner thoughts about girls, or her crush on a classmate. Daiki couldn’t even forgive her for becoming an actress.
"What are you smiling about, Michiru-chan?" Mayuko asked, looking at her former student. Michiru was her most successful project, as a teacher. The girl barely knew modern dance and her ballet skills were pretty basic. And yet, she was able to enter the Music School.
The moment Mayuko heard Michiru passed her test, the younger girl stopped being her student. Now Michiru was her protégé, someone who would follow Mayuko's footsteps and her legacy.
During her time at the Revue, Mayuko got a couple of lead roles. But she decided to retire, or ‘graduate’, as the Siennes called it and teach ballet and dance to girls, help others to fulfill their dream to become Siennes. Maybe she would even try to become an instructor at the Music School someday.
"Mayuko-san?" Michiru started, while helping Mayuko getting the studio ready for the afternoon class. "I was wondering if I could help you during my summer vacation." This could be a good way to practice and stay sharp for the rest of the school year. And an excellent way to not be around her home. Michiru didn't feel like dealing with her father. At least not now.
She had a lot to think about, a lot to deal with and if she got distracted, even a little bit, she could lose everything.
Mayuko knew Michiru's home situation, since she was friends with her aunt. She knew a few girls back in the Revue who had faced something similar, but she couldn't imagine what her pupil was going through. Michiru was way too young to go through all this. So if she could help, she wouldn't ever say no to her.
"Of course. I am working on a recital for my students. I need someone who can dance to help them with choreography," The older women said, smiling. Maybe she still had a few things to teach Michiru.
********
A few days later, Haruka's father, Hideo, decided to take a day off and take his whole family out for dinner. Even not being exactly always present, he missed his children. Sometimes he felt like his kids were all grown up and he had missed it. Hideyuki and Hiroaki were two adults now and Haruka had even moved out.
He tried to be there for them. Tried to go to ballet recitals, school festivals, family vacations. But, like his own father, Hideo was just too busy. Being married to the chief of medicine's daughter didn't help. It was expected for him to step up and take his father in law's place someday.
Luckily, his wife understood. Rina was used to this lifestyle, since she grew up with an absent father. Hideo hated not being there for his family, but he was trying his best to support them.
Follow your own dream. Like his father said to him when he left home. Like his father always said to him.
The family motto.
At least, that was something he could do for his children. Support them in every possible way. Hideyuki wanted to be a doctor? No problem, let's find him a good school and a good hospital for him to work. Haruka wanted to become an actress? Totally fine, let's send her to the best school in the country. Hiroaki was still figuring his life out? That's okay, let's give him everything he needs to make a good choice.
Hideo just wanted his kids to be happy. Even if that implied being away from them for so long.
When he got home, the man couldn't help but smile. Hideyuki was reading a book, probably getting ahead with his summer homework, Hiroaki was playing videogames with his mother and Haruka, his only girl, his precious princess, was doing some muscle relaxation exercises. It was like they never grew up.
"Dad!" She looked up and saw him looking at her, always with his gentle green eyes, just like hers. Being the only girl, Haruka was closer to her father. In their own ways. When he was home, he became the villian of her childish plays. He helped her study, taught her how to write and read.
Haruka was his special little princess. She brought tears to his eyes more than once, with her plays and performances. Hideo thought she was on the right path, because she was very talented.
And he couldn't wait to hear all about her adventures at Takarazuka Music School.
*******
Ami was working on her summer homework, lying on her bed, when Michiru entered in the room. The younger girl just looked at her cousin, quickly taking of her eyes from the book she was reading.
Since Michiru started school, Ami's life was about her studies. Decided to become a doctor, she was even thinking about going to another country for college. Of course it was almost impossible for her mother to let her go, but a girl could dream… If Michiru was working her ass off like a maniac at her school, Ami could do the same.
She admired her cousin for going against everyone and everything. She wanted to have that courage, to defy her parents and just be herself.
The doctor she wanted to be.
But Ami believed courage was attached to the Kaiou name.
The blue haired girl looked up at her cousin and tried to smile. It wasn't Michiru’s fault that she was a coward. And she was going through so many things, Ami couldn't just to cry over her own issues.
Michiru needed her, so she could go through this.
"I want to take you out for dinner," Michiru said, sitting next to Ami. She was smiling, feeling happy. Helping Mayuko was so satisfying, even if she was just watching from afar. She could hear the girls whispering to each other, specially about her status as a future Sienne, a proud student of Takarazuka music school.
Michiru knew some of those girls looked up to her. They wanted to try out for the school some day and knowing someone who was already a student could help them achieve their dream.
Because that was what Takarazuka really was. A dream factory.
And Michiru was so damn proud to be part of it.
"Dinner? Just you and me?" Ami asked, putting the book she was reading aside.
"Yeah, I want to spend some quality time with my favorite cousin,” Michiru answered, already at the door. She didn't want to waste any time. Even after a full day of helping at the studio, she felt so much energy running around her body.
And she couldn't want anything else for her life.
********
The girls choose a cute place to eat, a traditional ramen restaurant they were familiar with. Sitting at the back, like they used to do every time they ate there. They placed their order; Ami didn't realize how hungry she was until she walked inside the restaurant.
"So, I was so nervous, because I haven't played in months, but Haruka, I mean, Tenou-san calmed me down and convinced me to go for it," Michiru said. She was telling Ami about the fundraising and how helpful Haruka was.
"I don't think I would survive school without my regular classes." Ami laughed a little. "I kinda need my math..."
"Oh, but the classes are great! I mean, it’s pretty tiring, but I'm learning so many things." Michiru was always very excited when she talked about school. "And I even made some friends."
Even meeting every day for dinner, the girls barely talked about their school lives. Ami knew just a few things about what was happening with Michiru, but seeing now how excited she was, how happy, how free her cousin was, Ami realized that Michiru had followed her true path.
Going to the Music School had set her free. She was so different from the composed girl, who worked so hard to make everyone proud. But now, Michiru was making herself proud. And that was the best part.
Maybe someday, Ami could do the same. And just let it go. Follow her beloved cousin's footsteps. And allow herself to be happy.
"So, tell me more about these friends you made. Is Tenou-san one of them?"
Ami couldn't help but laugh when she realized Michiru was slightly blushing.
*******
The trip to Hakui was a quiet one. Haruka was so excited to see her grandmother again; she couldn't wait to see her. It was the first time she was visiting Ayako alone. Her father had some events at the hospital and Rina had stayed back to help him. And her brothers had decided to go to Tokyo, so Hiroaki could check some schools.
So, this year she was by herself. And Mamoru. She invited her best friend so they could spend some quality time over the summer vacation. She would be going back to school in two weeks and he knew how busy she would be.
Ayako was waiting for them at the train station. And she couldn't help but smile when she saw her beautiful granddaughter leaving the train, looking for her.
"Grandma!" The girl called out happily. They hadn’t seen each other since before Haruka moved away. They exchanged letters and emails, but the school occupied a lot of Haruka's free time so they didn’t get to talk as often as they would have liked.
Mamoru was in charge of getting their baggage, so he watched from afar the meeting between the two Tenou women. He knew how much Haruka loved her grandmother, how much influence Ayako had in his friend's life. And he loved the old woman like she was his own grandma. She always made him feel welcome in her home. Like she knew his family life wasn't the best one.
His parents were really busy and since they moved to Nagano since his mother got a prestigious position as a fellow in cardiothoracic surgeon. And they didn't have any family around, everyone they knew stayed back in Tokyo.
For a young boy, living like this would he hard. Especially because Mamoru was an only child. Without any brothers and sisters, he closed himself, trying to enjoy his loneliness the best way he could.
Until Haruka came into his life. And took him out of his lonely cocoon. They were practically inseparable until she moved away for school.
She was the sister he never had. And Mamoru missed her like hell. Of course, he understood why she left and he supported her search for her dream. And Haruka did the same for him. Mamoru admired his mother, her work at the hospital and her dedication to medicine. But he inherited his father's trust for justice and wanted to become a lawyer just like him.
"I am so glad to have you both here," Ayako said. Her house was just a few blocks away from the train station, so they decided to walk there. Mamoru, being the perfect gentleman, was carrying their baggage. "It’s good to know that not all my grandchildren are old enough to spend the summer here.”
"Of course not, grandma! I mean, my brothers are idiots," Haruka said, looking around the street, realizing everything was still the same in that small town. Hakui was pretty much the same since Ayako was a little girl. Not that she minded.
Since she became a widow, life was calm enough. She was still working at the family clinic, as a nurse. Ayako loved helping people and everyone trusted her. And since her husband passed away, she had a doctor coming to visit every other week.
In a fast paced country, the peaceful life she had in Hakui was exactly what she asked for.
******
"Oh, grandma, I almost cried when we finished our presentation." Haruka was helping the old woman with dinner. Mamoru did some shopping earlier, since Ayako wanted to do something special to celebrate their visit. She knew her granddaughter loved salads, so she decided to make an old Tsuchiya recipe, a salad with crab, cucumber, scallops and just a hint of citric sauce. She also decided to make a white fish, cucumber, grated radish and scallions salad. It was a perfect combination, seafood and vegetables. And Ayako knew how much Haruka liked it.
The old woman was attentively listening to the girl, as she told her all about her first months in school. Ayako always thought that, for someone so young, Haruka already had a good work ethic. She was always working hard, always giving her best in everything she did.
'This girl will be a great actress someday' she thought. The old woman had great expectations for her granddaughter. She knew the Revue was this magic place where dreams come true. And seeing her baby girl dressed in that grey uniform was already a reason to be proud.
Ayako smiled. When she first started being a fan of the Revue, she never knew she would have someone she knew intimately in their ranks.
Mamoru was getting the table ready for their dinner. He had been listening to Haruka tell these stories since she got back from school and honestly, he didn't mind. It was good to be around her again.
"And you, Mamoru-kun, any news in your life?" Ayako asked the boy, while she worked on the salad dressing. "Any girlfriends?"
Haruka laughed when she saw her best friend getting all red and stuttering. Mamoru was a shy kid, his personal life always private. But she knew his popularity back in junior high, and now that he was a high school student, she could bet even the older girls were throwing themselves at his feet. Mamoru was handsome, tall, with jet black hair and deep blue eyes. Not just that, being really smart, Haruka lost count how many times he had helped her with homework or studying for tests.
"Ayako-bacchan!" He called, embarrassed, not expecting a really forward question.
"Oh, sorry. Any boyfriends, then?" The old woman sat at the table, calmly waiting for the kids.
Haruka started laughing really loud at Ayako's words. And that was one of many reasons why she loved her grandma. She was always brave enough to say whatever she wanted to say. Ayako had this philosophy that life was too short to hold things inside.
The young actress wasn't used to deal with the elderly, but she was pretty sure Ayako wasn’t a typical grandma...
Seeing Haruka laughing, Mamoru couldn't help but chuckle. He should be used to this already.
"Just no girlfriends," He clarified. "I've been busy. High school is a lot harder than I imagined..." He sat by her side, putting some salad on his plate. Haruka poured some grape juice for them and tasted the dressing her grandma made.
It tastes like childhood. Like those Sundays she spent watching old plays with Ayako. Thinking how great would be to be in that stage someday. She shouldn’t be away from her grandma for so long. Maybe she could come back for New Year’s break.
"Grandma, I bought you some DVDs and magazines," Haruka started, helping herself with some fish. "You remember that actress who did a presentation during my entrance exam? I got one of her plays. She's amazing and I think you'll like her."
"Oh thanks. What was her name again?"
"Araki Sei. I met her the other day, she's really nice. "
Mamoru just listened to the women talking. Feeling a little out casted, because his interest in the Revue wasn't a match... He knew Haruka and Ayako could talk about it for decades. Not that he minded, but sometimes the boy just wanted her to have other interests.
Ayako noticed how quiet the boy was, just playing with his food, looking a little bored.
"Haruka, we can watch it later. Now, both of you, tell me, what are your plans for this last two weeks of summer vacation?"
It was her job to educate the youngsters. And Haruka was a little too young to be all obsessed with her future career. She should learn to relax and get some rest. Her life would be even harder if she didn't learn how to loosen up a little bit.
*********
Michiru was using Ami's laptop to do some work for Mayuko. The recital her mentor put together was a success and among her duties, Michiru was responsible for documenting everything. She took a lot of pictures and now she was choosing the best ones to use.
Taking the pictures was something she never did before. She was always in the receiving end of the camera, with her fake smile in position. Always trying to look perfect, the perfect daughter, perfect musician, perfect everything.
Michiru always hated that. She hated looking at herself in pictures, how she was always pretending to be someone she wasn't. But she knew Mayuko couldn't afford a professional photographer. Her dance studio was a good one, but it wasn't big enough to afford this luxury.
And since Michiru was supposed to help her, why not give her former instructor this? During the summer vacation, Michiru saw how much hard work was to train girls for the entrance exam, the same one she took a few months ago. When she was just a student, she didn't realize how tiring was teaching. Specially when some students weren't collaborating. Mayuko mentioned she had one really talented girl, but she wasn’t disciplined enough and even wanting so bad to go to the music school, Mayuko didn't see a future in there for her.
It was a teacher's job to believe in their students, but Mayuko knew the school. She knew the Revue. And she knew talent wasn't enough.
Michiru look at one of the girl's picture. She was tall, slender and strong, but yet delicate. With her short light brown hair, she reminded her of Haruka. But Haruka wasn't a troublemaker. She was always on time for practice and classes; she knew her choreography and lines and was trying to getting better and better.
"Who is that?" Ami's voice startled Michiru. The blue haired girl smiled at her cousin's reaction.
"Oh, that's one of Mayuko-san' students. I think she would be a great asset for the school," Michiru answered, taking deep breaths. She knew she was the only one with whom her cousin would play like that.
"She seems pretty. Is she good enough?"
"Yeah. She's a natural, so confident." Michiru kept looking at some other pictures, gathering them in a flash drive. "She looks like..."
"Let me guess: Tenou-san?" Ami asked, seating beside her cousin. Her tone was almost mocking Michiru.
"Yeah, but not physically," the aquamarine haired girl continued, not really getting any undertone. "She's good, just not applied enough. And Haruka is completely focused. Did you know she created a series of relaxing exercises for us to do after ballet lessons?"
"Yeah, you told me that a few times over these past weeks..." Ami laughed. The shy girls always felt so comfortable next to her cousin.
Michiru had this nostalgic feeling warming her heart. She had been thinking about Haruka in a daily basis, but since she started helping with the recital, she was so busy, she barely had time to do any thinking.
"Maybe you can talk to her?" Ami looked at the girl's picture on her computer. She had such a bright smile in her face. It would be interesting, at least, to see her on stage someday.
"What's her name?"
Michiru thought Ami's idea was good, but she felt like it wasn't her place to do that. She wasn't supposed to give pep talks to the girls, she wasn’t a teacher or anything.
"It's Kino. Kino Makoto."
TBC