Haruka's P.O.V.

"..."

Yamato's question came to me so unexpectedly. I just stood with a blank mind.

Hanae?

It had been so long since I had last heard that name. I didn't want to hear it, but part of me said otherwise.

I'm suddenly reminded of her.

Hanae.

~*~*~*~*
It was just another normal day that I was to teach class. I was gaining popularity due to my appearances on TV and my classes where getting very, very full.

The new list of students was posted outside of the gate for people to see if they were able to get in. The last available class admitted students on a first come first serve basis.

It was early in the morning. About 7am. The class wasn't until noon.

Many people checked if they made it a day or two before.

I was ready to leave my home for an interview when I spot a young woman with long, wavy, light brown hair. She was wearing a creamy white, slightly pink spring dress, that was paired up with a white floppy hat.

I realized I was standing at the gate for too long, and began walking faster, hoping that she didn't notice my stare.

"Ah! I got in!" I hear her soft voice from behind me cheer. I turn glance behind me

'She must be a student' I thought to myself.

From where I stood now, you could see her face.

Just as I had expected. Gentle features, and a beautiful smile.

'Wow.' I had thought at that moment. I was mesmerized by her for a few moments before catching myself and walking away.

A few hours later, when the my noon class was to begin, I anxiously waited for her arrival.

Each student walked in, and I, watching them arrive, half hoping that they were the girl I had seen earlier when I heard their footsteps outside of the room.

Disappointment after disappointment. To my surprise she was the second last one in, almost late.

As so as she walks in she glanced at the clock and gave a relieved sigh. She mouthed the words ''made it" before taking a seat by herself in the corner of the room.

The class starts and I had to take roll. I called out each name, wondering when I would get to hers.

As I went down the list, I found myself a little nervous, and perhaps even impatient to get to her name.

I wanted to know it.

"Hanae Tsukino."

"Ah. Yes that would be me." She answered while raising her hand.

I nod at her with a smile and keep going down the list casually.

'Hanae Tsukino huh?' I repeated to myself.

A flower.

Her name seemed to suit her well, as she appeared to be similar to a flower in the spring; a blossom in full bloom.

In the beginning, I didn't get to speak to her much. Seeing as she was one of our more promising students, rarely needing any help from instructors.

I did finally get to talk to her at our third class, when she was arranging a piece with cherry blossom branches.

While the others chatted among themselves while they worked, she remained quiet in concentration. Seemingly dedicating her full attention to the flowers, as if trying to speak to them silently.

"Mr.Utsunomiya?" She looks up at me from her table. "May I have you please evaluate my work?"

"Ah. Sure." I nod. I inspect it closely, checking every branch's position and angle.

"It's very nice. It's quite the work of an amateur. Are you...sure you've never done this before?" I asked her seriously.

"I...have been studying for a while now." She admits shyly. "I've always wanted to try ikebana, but my home country wasn't very big on it, so I couldn't acquire classes for it..."

'Home country?' I asked myself, wondering where she was from.

I decided to ask her.

"I'm from the United States. How about yourself Mr. Utsunomiya?" She asks, trying to begin a conversation.

"I'm from-"

We talked throughout almost the whole class that day. Of course, still talking about ikebana in between.

"Thanks for the lesson Mr. Utsunomiya." She waved goodbye after class.

I waved back as I watch her leave.

I wanted to know more about her.

The following week, I found myself waiting impatiently for Tuesday to come.

'Why?' I would ask myself even though I new the answer.

It was as clear as a sunny spring day.

I wanted to see her again.

And every time I saw her after that, seemed to complete me in some way.

Every week I'd look forward to teaching my classes because of her.

Every time we saw each other, we would talk about silly things, ikebana, or just ourselves.

Although I spent most of the time speaking about myself, it was only to encourage her to tell me more about herself.

A month past us quickly, and soon it was already early April.

The cherry blossoms rained down their petals that Tuesday, April 7th.

She came to class early that day. Telling me that she wanted to help me set up for class. I accepted her help and together we quickly prepared for class.

We finished early and sat across from each other, drinking tea peacefully.

She sat beside the open sliding door, and looked out at the falling flowers.

"Spring wants to tell us that it's soon to come to an end this year?" She says in a questioning tone.

"Soon, spring will be over." I nod. "It's a shame it can't stay for longer."

"Yes. If it didn't end, the flowers would always be in full bloom and vibrant."

Hanae paused before continuing. "The flowers have lived their period of glory, and are now set to wither and die..."

He voice trails off and he gaze is distant, as if trying to find something.

I stared at her and couldn't look away. My eyes found it soothing to watch her. Whether it was, arranging, smiling, talking or just determined like now.

I had already realized several weeks back that I had an interest in her, and that I wanted to be together with her.

I hadn't gotten the chance to say anything because I couldn't find the right moment.

At that moment I felt like it was then and there.

"Hanae..." I spoke her name.

She slowly turns her gaze from the trees to me. "Yes?"

"I-"

Before I could say anything, her phone rings. She looks at the caller id and it seemed to be urgent. She excused herself and took the call.

I waited for her to finish to resume my confession.

Ten, twenty, thirty minutes. Class had already started without her.

She finishes her call and comes back in.

"I'm sorry that took so long..."

"It's fine. Is everything alright?"

"Yes." She nods with a smile. "Everything will be alright."

I couldn't finish now.

'I suppose I can just tell her next time...'

Little did I know that, 'next time' would never come.

Next week came along and I waited for her to arrive.

I waited and waited. Class started, and I still waited.

"Mr. Utsunomiya. Have you heard?" One of the woman whisper to me.

"Its truly tragic...." Another says.

"What happened?" I ask in confusion.

A "So the school doesn't know?" Chatter erupts from the small group of ladies.

"About what?"

"Hanae Tsukino's...."

Death.

I couldn't believe it, and it didn't sink in until...

Later that day a man in a suit came by the estate and requested to speak to me.

We met at the entrance of my home he greeted me and held out an envelope.

"She requested that we invite you before she left..." The man said averting his gaze and bowing before turning to leave.

He goes and as soon as he's out of sight, I open the envelope slowly, fearing what it had inside.

I unfold the thick paper.

"Hanae Tsukino's...funeral?" I read outloud.

That's when it hit me. As if the arrow of reality struck me in the heart.

She....she's really gone....

I fell to my knees.

"Master Haruka!" The maids gathered around me, worried.

I still couldn't believe it. I was clinging onto the hope that maybe, it was all a dream. A nightmare.

And the week dragged on feeling like a year. Slow and tasteless.

'This has to be a nightmare, it can't be real.'

And then the day of her funeral came.

The coffin and her portrait picture. She was smiling and it was almost as if she told the crying crowd that she was alright, that she lived a satisfactory life.

At the microphone the priest was saying the prayers and everyone was silent, some crying others just praying along.

Once it was over the priest gives the microphone over to the man that had came to my house before. He was tall and had longer dark hair, and dark eyes.

"Now a word from Ms.Tsukino's husband..."

'Husband?'

The man began speaking but my mind blocked everything out. I could only hear myself.

'She was married?'

"I promised her that I would do everything in power to raise our son..."

'Son?'

She never needed me from the beginning.

I was wasting my time.

I never had a chance.

She was already happy.

It felt like I had lost twice, once to life, and the other to her husband.

Both times, I was too late.

~*~*~*~*
Haruna P.O.V.

"You're only interested in Haruna because she reminds you so much of Hanae." Yamato points at Haruka accusingly.

"...." He stays quiet but then closes his eyes, accepting to the act.

"...I guess you knew then." Haruka admits. "How did you find out?"

"Takao was telling me about it, I had asked him about your interests. I couldn't leave Haruna in the hands of someone I didn't know about."

"...I see." Haruka then just smiles. "I suppose I'm not worthy."

"Exactly." Yamato says then pull me into his arms. "In which case I'd rather be with her than to leave her to someone who thinks of her as just a replacement."

"Huh. Yamato, you...."

"Haruna, is special to me, and I won't let you have her."

A/N: yeah pretty much. Anyways, sorry I couldn't stop myself from not writing so this came out in like less than in an hour lol. And this is the longest chapter so woot woot.

Ah the things I do while I wait in the car. XD

Hope you enjoyed <3 and...

you guys hella thought Haruka was Harue's father lol psh hell no. XD

I'm saving that for another arc ;)

Thanks for reading :3 don't forget to vote and comment!