College Life
Part ?: A final gesture

by Greenbeans


Disclaimers:

If you have made it this far into my series without reading
"Obligations," you're good.  Now go do it because I'm not
going to explain in a lot of detail how Haruka manages what
she does in this one.  If you've read "Obligations" than
the ideas presented in this will be familiar.

BTW: I *DO* (!) have Tim's permission to do this.  Don't 
just go off copying his ideas or others 'cause that's rude.

Comments, thoughts, complaints, compliments, ramblings,
and flames are all accepted.  But the latter two stand a
serious chance of being printed out and turned into rat 
cage lining.

All characters are property of their respective holders.
I belong to myself, thank you, and have a nice day :)


*****

Michiru moved about the apartment she shared with Haruka
getting things ready to be shipped to Japan.  Most of the 
furniture and appliances would be left for the next residents
of the apartment.

I saddened her that they would be leaving in two weeks, but
they had indulged their own wants for long enough.  It was
time to go back.

She had learned much here.  Not really from her course work,
but from her interactions with other people.  She knew that
Haruka felt the same way.

A hand was placed on her shoulder while another along her
waist.  She smiled slightly at that.  It had taken Haruka
a while to get used to the touch of another person.  Now
she would initiate contact.  She turned into Haruka's 
embrace so that she was facing the tall girl.

"You seem so sad," Haruka said gently.

"It's a sadness we share," she leaned her head onto her
shoulder.

"That it is, but you know that we can't afford to become
too attached to anything.  The 30th century is a long time
from now.  Many things will come and go between now and 
then," she reasoned while holding her closer.

"I know," she whispered.  "The future is a long time from
now.  Why not live for today and let tomorrow come when it
gets here?"

Haruka laughed softly.  Michiru lifted her head up startled
to look her.  She smiled down at her and gently pressed
her head back down.

"In a hundred years from now we will probably laugh at 
ourselves for even having this conversation.  But for 
today, I am sad to see the dream fading away."

*****

I was having lunch with Haruka and Michiru today.  That
wasn't as an unusual occurrence as it used to be.  Soon, it
will be a memory.  While I do look forward to the summer, 
I know that I am going to miss them once they're gone.

"What are your plans for the summer, Beans?"  Michiru
asked while eating daintily.

"Well, I tried to get an internship with one of the major
software companies, but didn't.  So I'll probably go home 
to work in the electronics department at a store in the 
mall or something."

"Aren't there any more internship opportunities available?
I'm sure their is a company out there that would like to 
have you," she encouraged.

"Some companies are still doing interviews, but I don't 
qualify for any of them," I answered.  Most everyone left
wanted someone that had completed at least up to the junior 
level courses.  I would be starting them next fall.

"That's a shame," Haruka sympathized between bites of her
salad.

"It doesn't matter," I lied.  It had crushed me when I'd
been flat out refused by every company I'd applied to.  I
would just have to wait until next summer before I'd get
an internship.

*****

On their way home from the college Michiru spoke to Haruka.

"I know what you are thinking, Haruka.  Just because you 
were able to fix it so that no one noticed Minako-chan was 
missing while we raised her again is no reason to think you 
can arrange an internship for Beans."

"I want to do it, Michiru.  I know we can't allow ourselves 
to become attached, but we *do* have to make friends, don't 
we?"  She smiled at Michiru.  "We should repay her somehow 
and this would be a good way."

"Are you sure that you don't want to do it just to bring
her to Japan?"

She started.  "How did you know that?"

Michiru smiled.  "Silly, I know *you*.  You would get her
an internship in Japan so that everyone could meet her and
we'd get to see her once in a while."

"It's a lot cheaper to bring her to Japan than to bring
everyone here.  They all want to meet her, after all," she
tried to defend her logic.

Michiru smiled to herself.  This was one of the reasons why
she loved Haruka so much.  Under her protective layer that
she showed to the world at large, she was really a thoughtful
person.  Haruka was letting her feelings show by trying to
bring their friend with them.  Even though she was hiding it.

"Let's see what we can do," Michiru said.

***** (a few days later)

"You'll never believe it Haruka, another company has come to
the school looking for interns.  Except, get this, they only 
want one that can speak Japanese.  Do you realize how far that
narrows the field?"

Haruka kept a straight face.  She knew exactly how far that
narrowed the field, down to four people, and two already had
internships.

"I'm happy for you, Beans.  Are you going to apply?"

"With odds like that?  Of course!  The only thing is that the
internship is in Japan.  I'm not so sure about that," she
said thoughtfully.

"What?  We spend a school year in *your* country, but you
won't spend a summer in ours?  I'm hurt!"  She tried to look
injured.

"Haruka, you don't do 'innocent' very well," Beans said 
dryly.  "Leave it to Michiru.  But if I did go, I might get 
to see you guys.  That'd be cool.  I'm not sure where the
company is exactly, but it's a small island."

"Several islands, thank you," she growled to cover up her
surprise at Beans' jump in logic.  If she wasn't careful, 
she'd blow everything.

The company they had selected was located not far from the 
Juban district.  The idea of getting to see each other often 
was quite realistic.

"Er, sorry.  Well, I've got to go to Writing.  See you 
tomorrow!"  She waved at her then jogged off to class.

***** (two days later)

Michiru was preparing dinner for Haruka and herself in the
kitchen when the phone rang.  She stopped slicing some
carrots to pick it up.

"Really?  I'm glad that it worked out so well.  Please keep
us informed," she hung up.

Haruka came into the kitchen then from the garage.  "Who was 
that?"  She asked after stealing a carrot slice.

"The company's representative," she answered, going back to 
her cooking.  "He interviewed Beans today."

"And?"  She prompted, leaning up against the counter, 
blocking her way.

Michiru stopped to smiled at her.  "And he called to thank 
us for recommending such a shining prospect.  Usually they
didn't interview at this school, but he was very impressed.
He's certain that if she continued to do well in school, she
could have a job with them when she graduated and would 
probably be heading a development team in a few years."

Haruka shared in her joy.  They already knew that Beans was
talented, they just need to help some people realize it.

"Don't go throwing her on a plane yet, Haruka," she warned.  
"He just offered her an internship, she still hasn't accepted 
it yet.  It's a big step to go to live another country.  
Beans doesn't have the advantage of having someone to share 
the experience with like we do."

"But," her protest died on her lips, "you're right.  There's 
nothing more we can do.  I hate not having control of a 
situation!"

She kissed Haruka lightly on the cheek.  She always saw the
logic in things if you could get her to downshift for a
minute.  "Since you're in the way, I place you in charge of 
finishing the vegetables."

"Oi *, I have to finish --"

* Quick Translation: Oi -- hey

She placed a finger on her lips to silence her protest.  
"See what interfering gets you?"

Haruka grinned wickedly.  "Vegetable stirfry?"

"Baka *," she hit her lightly with a disk towel.  Haruka 
continued to grin as she turned to the sink to wash her 
hands before starting.

Quick Translation: Baka -- silly (stupid, idiot, absurd)

*****

I sat at one of the tables in the cafeteria eating.  Okay, 
so none of the food was making it to my mouth.  I wasn't 
really hungry.  I was thinking.

I had been scared out of my wits at the interview.  I almost
had a heart attack when the representative from the 
NPC Corporation only spoke in Japanese.  I had always been
confident in my lingual skills, but this was probably the
toughest test I'd ever faced.

I'd worried about my performance all day after that.  Later
that night, the representative called.  I expected the 
"Thanks for applying, try again next year" message that I'd
become so familiar with.  Instead, he offered me the 
internship.  I just about passed out right there.

The terms of the internship were just as unbelievable.  They'd
pay for my flight to and from Japan.  They would provide room
near where I'd be working and a stipend for board.  On top of
that, they would pay me a regular salary.  While most companies
were kind to their interns, this was outright generosity, plus.

"Hi Beans," Haruka sat down at the table.  She looked at my
plate and then her own.  We'd gotten the same thing for lunch.

"The casserole didn't look that bad," she commented, seeing
that I hadn't eaten mine even though it was one of my favorite 
dishes.

"It's fine.  I'm just not hungry," I assured.

"Oh," she began to eat.  "How did the interview go?"

"Great.  I was offered the internship," I said simply.

"You don't sound enthused.  I though this was what you wanted."

"It is what I wanted.  But some things concern me," I told her
about the terms they offered and how the excessive generosity 
made me uneasy.  I also told her about having to leave my 
family.

"As for their generosity.  I'll have you know that most people
in Japan are that way, but NPC Corporation is more so.  They
are known throughout the country for being very loyal to their
employees.

"Do you know where they are located?"  I asked.

"Yes, they are close to the Juban district, which is where
Michiru and I went to school.  We still live in the area,"
She grinned.  "We can come by and pester you often."

"Which I'm sure you would do no matter where in the country
I ended up," I sniped back easily.  "But what about my 
family?"

"How long have you been at college?  Two years?  I'm sure 
they are used to not having you around.  You can't live under
your parents forever, Beans."

"Do you ever miss your family?"

She leaned back and sighed.  "I have often wanted a hug from
my daughter," she said softly.

"Daughter?"  I was shocked.  I wouldn't think Haruka would
ever allow herself to be touched by anyone but Michiru.

"Michiru, Setsuna, and I have an adopted daughter, Hotaru.  
She's not Michiru's cousin as we told you," she smiled 
sheepishly at that, but I'd gotten used to their 'evasions' 
long before now.  "She's probably grown a lot since we left."

We sat thinking for several minutes.  Neither of us eating our
food.  Just thinking.

"You're not going to tell me to go, Haruka?"

Her face softened from it's usual gruff appearance.  "No, Beans,
I'm not.  This is a decision that you have to make on your own."

***** (a couple of days)

I though about it for a couple of more days.  Finally, I decided
that I was over analyzing the issue.  I was going to do it.
Opportunities like this didn't come along all that often and I
needed to seize this one.

I called the representative and told him of my decision.  I would
be leaving as soon as school got out.

I then called Haruka to let her know.

*****

"Just be sure to apply for an international drivers license."

Haruka hung up the phone and laid back into Michiru's lap.  They
were spending the evening outside on the grass.  The sky was
clear tonight and the moon full.  It bathed the entire yard in
a soft white glow.

"That was Beans.  She's going," she said once she was comfortable
again.

"Really?  I'm glad to hear that," Michiru stroked her fingers
through her soft hair.

"We're so self-indulgent," she closed her eyes at her statement.
It wasn't right for her to manipulate things just so she got
what she wanted, but she had.

"We are," Michiru agreed.  "But I think that in this case it is
a good thing because we want to share what we have with others."

She caught her hand and kissed it.  "Perhaps, but I have missed
Hime-chan, Setsuna, and everyone.  I want to go back."

"Soon, love, soon," she looked up to the stars.  In a few days
she would be viewing the stars from their home in Tokyo.  No
matter where they were, they would always have the stars and
each other.  The thought comforted her.

***** (day before leaving)

"Thanks for helping me pack," I said to my roommates.  They 
both were going to stay in the dorms during the summer term.
It would be hot, quiet, and miserable, but they both wanted
to get ahead in their majors.  Summer was the only real way 
to do that.

"Not a problem, Beans.  I can't believe that you are actually
going to Japan!  You're coming back next fall, right?"  Alex 
put some of my clothes into a bag.  Most of my stuff would be
staying here with them, rather than sending it home to my
parents.

"Of course!  Someone has to keep you two out of trouble," I
grinned at them.  The RA in charge had agreed to let us 
keep the same room, and didn't mind that Jeff would be openly
staying with Alex.  I was going to give my room key to him
tomorrow when I left.

"Heh, you're the one that we're turning loose on Japan.  
They'll probably send you back after a week because of the 
trouble you cause," Jeff teased.

"Possibly," I admitted.  I was now excited about the prospect
of getting to live overseas for three months.  It was going
to be an adventure to finally get to submerge myself in the
culture I had studied for several years now.

"Thanks for keeping my fish for me while I'm gone.  Remember, 
you don't need to clean out the tank," I'm lucky that they
were going to stay to upkeep the lake god.  I'd worried about
that until they told me their plans for the summer.

Jeff shook his head.  "I still don't see how you kept the 
tank as well as you have without cleaning it."

I shrugged, "It works."

There was a knocking at the door.  Alex stopped to let Haruka
in.  With the additional body and the mess of my packing, our
room was suddenly quite cramped.

"Hey Beans, I was wondering if I could talk with you for a 
moment?"

Jeff stretched out.  "Yep, I need a burger, how about you?"
He looked to Alex.

"Sounds good to me.  Bye," they left the room to us.  They
were good, understanding roommates.  I'd miss them.  We'd
already agreed to e-mail each other, and, if it was possible
meet on IRC.

Haruka grinned.  "Actually, I needed to talk to the lake 
god, if you don't mind," she came up to the tank.

It burbled a little at being so close to her.

"Oh, I see how it works.  I've been tossed aside for the
lake god.  Just wait 'til I tell Michiru that you're
moonlighting," I teased.

"Very funny."  She called as I closed the door behind me.

***** (At the airport)

"Oh, God, this is it.  I can't believe you're really
leaving," Alex hugged me.  She had been crying some.  We
had become almost as close as sisters during our time as
roommates.

"I always leave during the summer," I pointed out.  "I'm
just going somewhere different, that's all."

"I know," she wiped away her tears.  "You behave yourself.
We won't be able to post bond if you find yourself in 
jail."

I smiled at that.  "I don't expect that I'll find myself
in the pokey.  Besides, Haruka and Michiru will be there.
They tell me that they live pretty close to where I'll be
living, so they can keep and eye on me."

"They already promised me that they would," Alex said.  
For some reason, it didn't surprise me that she talked 
them into babysitting me.  I don't think she needed to go
to the effort; they would have any ways.

I handed my key ring over to Jeff.  "Here's the room key
and the keys to my car."

"Any gas?"  He asked slyly.

"Yes," I hit him lightly on the shoulder.  "Cross town is
fine, but not across the country.  Got that?"

"Maybe I'll get that pile of bolts actually running well
while you're gone," he scratched the back of his head
innocently.  My car wasn't the best in the world, but it
ran.  Plus this was all coming from a man who doesn't 
even own a car, so I never take his jibes too seriously.

Over the PA, the flight I was leaving on was announced 
for boarding.

"That's my flight," I said while trying to hold back my
excitement.  Alex might take it wrong if I ran to the
plane and hopped aboard.

Haruka and Michiru had left early this morning.  They had
promised to track me down once they got back.  They said
that they had several friends who were anxious to meet
me.  Having someone waiting for me when I arrived made
me feel better about going.

My roommates walked me to the gate.  Both hugged me and
promised to write.  I waved to them as I left.  This was
the beginning of my next adventure.

***** (Back at the dorms)

"What are you all doing?"  Alex asked the maintenance
personnel who were taking measurements in the lobby of the
dorms.

"You know how we've been trying to raise money to network
the dorms, right?  Well, a company gave us a grant that
would more than cover the expense," he said.  While it
gave him a lot of work to do over the summer, it was also
long overdue.  The students wanted and needed to be able
to network.

"But what does networking the dorms have to do with this?"
Jeff asked, pointing out all the equipment in the lobby.

"Ya know, that's the funny part of it.  The grant came with
a condition.  For us to get the money, we had to remodel
the lobby with twin fish tanks that will be inset in the 
walls.  They're going to be a meter wide and tall and run 
the entire length of the lobby.

"What's really strange is that we have to fill them with 
that cruddy muck from Moore's Lake.  We've also been told 
what fish to put in them and how many.  Plus, get this, 
we're NOT supposed to clean them!  Some how these huge tanks 
are going to clean themselves.  Isn't that a riot," he 
laughed at the very idea.

"But hey, if that's what it takes, I'll do it," he 
rejoined the group he had been working with.

"Isn't that odd?"  Alex asked Jeff on the way up to their
room.

"Must be something special about fish tanks here in the
dorms that actually hold fish," he commented.

The lake god was thrilled with its future accommodations.

*****

It was evening when I arrived in Tokyo.  The city lights 
were an amazing sight to a girl that was born and raised in 
the country.  Life in a big city should be interesting.

At the airport, a man that I didn't recognize held up a sign
with 'Beans' written in kanji.

"Good evening!" I greeted in perfect Japanese.  

"Hello," he replied in shaky English.  He continued in 
Japanese.  "I am to take you to your apartment."

"Sounds good to me," I said.

It didn't take me long to be processed through customs and
soon I was on a ride through the streets of Tokyo.  He didn't
talk much, except to say that the company was excited to have
me joining them.  He hoped that we would mutually learn from
our experiences.

We drove into a huge parking garage.  It was the base of an
even larger building that had to be at least 20 stories
tall.  I'd never seen a building this huge in my life.  What
shocked me was that it was dwarfed by most of the buildings
surrounding it.

Between us, we carried all of my things to the elevator.
Some of my stuff was going to be shipped over here during the 
next week or so.

"Your apartment is on the 24th floor," he told me.  I had
guessed wrong.  This building had 35 floors.  Aye!

The elevator opened up to a short hallway that only had five
doors leading off of it.  Two in each direction on either
side of the elevator.  The one next to the elevator I'd assume
was the stairs.  He lead me to the nor'east door.

Setting my bags on the floor, he handed me a key.  "This is 
as far as I go.  Ja ne," he turned around and went into the
still open elevator.

I puzzled briefly over his leaving, shrugged, and unlocked the 
door.  Bright lights stunned me along with several shouts.

"What the --" I gasped.  The main room was filled with people
I didn't know.

"Everyone be quiet!"  A familiar voice rang above the crowd.
I got a chance to look around.  I spotted Haruka behind the
kitchen counter and Michiru sitting on a couch next to 
Setsuna.  But there were 5 females and 1 male that I didn't 
know.  These must be their friends.

I threw my bags inside the door and slipped my shoes off
quickly before entering into the thick of things.

"Good evening!"  I greeted in general.  "I'm Beans, you 
all must be Haruka and Michiru's friends, ne?"

"You guessed it," Haruka said from the kitchen nook.  She
had two bottles of something on the counter and several 
glasses.

"Let me introduce everyone," Michiru said while Haruka
continued to pour.

"The gentleman over there is Mamoru-san."  He appeared to be
older than everyone else present.  Maybe not Setsuna.  But
boy is he handsome!  The girl next to him had a possessive
look about her.  Too bad....

"Next to him is Usagi-chan."  The girl -- yes, a girl -- had 
these odd ball things made with her hair on her head.  I didn't 
know that you could defy physics that way.

"Odango atama," Haruka called from the kitchen.

"Dumpling head?"  I asked in English.  She grinned wickedly.  
At least I wasn't the only one she teased.

"The three on the couch over there are Ami-chan, Minako-chan, 
and Rei-chan," she continued.  I looked at Ami a little funny.  
I didn't know that odd hair colors were the norm over here.  
At least they didn't tell us that in class.

Minako-chan reminded me of the general breed of blonde ditzs
I'd met before.  I hope this wasn't an international problem.
(No screaming, I'm a sandy blonde myself :P)

Rei-chan had this startling raven black hair.  She seemed to
have a total attitude of calm around her.

"Against the wall over there is Makoto-chan."

"Please call me Mako-chan," she said easily.  She was 
probably a shade over height, when compared, and strong 
looking.  Haruka's native borne competition, maybe?  It was 
an interesting idea.

"You already know Setsuna-san," she gestured to the dark green
haired woman sitting next to her.   She smiled kindly and
nodded.

"And this," Michiru hugged the girl on her lap, "is Hotaru-chan."

She was too cute.  I mean, there was no other way to describe
her.  She has shoulder length dark purple hair and wide eyes 
that thirst to know about everything around her.

She crawled out of Michiru's lap and came running up to me.
"Nice to meet you," she said slowly in English, then stuck 
her hand out to shake.

I took hold and shook. "It is a pleasure to meet you," I
looked up to everyone.  "All of you.  I would have never
expected such a warm greeting."

Hotaru ran over to Haruka and hugged her waist.  "Well done, 
Hime-chan," she said while patting the girl on the head.

"Shall we have a toast to our new friend?"  Haruka asked.

Everyone came over to the counter and took a glass except
for the Usagi girl, who spilled hers.  Michiru cleaned it up
quickly while Haruka poured her another glass.  Rei made
some quip about how she would never grow out of her 
clumsiness.

Usagi was about to protest, but Mamoru put his hand on her
shoulder.

"Welcome to Japan!"  Everyone toasted and drank.  I think
the two bottles were one of cider and one of white wine.
To me, the two looked the same, but whatever Haruka had
handed me definitely wasn't cider.  I don't think she
would give Hotaru wine.

I pulled Haruka aside for a moment once the festivities
were underway.  "Tomorrow, tell me how you got in here,"
I said.

She looked innocent, then smiled impudently.  "Tomorrow, 
I'll tell you how you got here."

*****(End part  ?: The end)*****

   [Rolling credits: BGM "Talent for Love" (Chisa, Chisa!)
   SD Beans, Haruka, and Michiru walk onto screen]

Well that's it!

   [Haruka nudges Beans when she gets too close to Michiru]

I'd like to do a big thank you to those that have written
me.  Your support has made this project all worth it!  I'd
also like to thank Tim Nolan for his support, encouragement,
ideas, and allowing me to bounce off his series.  Thanks a 
lot Sempai!

   [Beans takes offense and yells at Haruka.  Lots of misc 
   hiragana on screen]

Special thanks to Naoko Takeuchi for creating a series that 
leaves a lot of room for exploration.

   [Michiru tries, and fails, to pull them apart.  They 
   separate and are in opposite corners of the screen with 
   Michiru in the center]

Also:

* My roommates for enduring my late night typing sessions.

   [SD pics of Alex and Jeff flash on screen]

* Aimee-chan for believing that I really *can* write.

   [SD Andy flashes next]

* Blitz Kreig for giving me your support, not matter what the 
project was.

   [SD of Beans' family, with tractor in BG]

* Mike-sempai for story ideas.  You shouldn't have filled my
head with dorm legends.

   [Fish tank with happy murky water]

* Tuxedo Dan for your support and kind words.

   [Beans sticks her tongue out at Haruka]

* Darkwind for your non-support and unkind words.  No, I have
not banged my head up against a wall yet.... *BIG GRIN*

   [Haruka stands off with pissed look on her face]

* Jackie Chiang for being my fearless proofreader, correcter 
of my many errors, partner in crime, imouto, and instegater of
countless hours of nipping at each other.  It's been fun!

   [Michiru sighs and boxes both their ears]

* Lord Charon for pushing me when I didn't want to move.  I 
can be as stubborn as a mule when I want to be, but that never
discouraged you.

   [Beans and Haruka give water works worthy of Usagi]

* A Sailor Moon Romance for posting this drawn out series.  
It makes me feel good to share my stories with others.  
Thanks!

   [Michiru puts her arms around both of them and they stop 
   crying]

Arigato minna!

   [They all do GQ poses with Beans holding up a sign that 
   says:  "Bye bye!"]

Programs used in producing "College Life":

Windows 95 (Gack!)		maplay 1.2+
Notepad				WinPlay 3
Programmer's File Editor	CD Player
Texto'LE				Desktop Toys (Yea!)
Netscape Navigator 2.02		Eudora Light
Microsoft Word 97			WinAmp

   [(For you AMG fans:)  Haruka chasing Beans around the 
   college campus with disk gun drawn.  Michiru sighing
   at their immaturity]

"Sponsors":

Circle K (for *way* too much Pepsi)
David Sunflower Seeds (I have a 3 gallon bucket of them ;)
Burger King
Random House American Dictionary
Random House Japanese Dictionary
Random House Bad Spellers Dictionary (Didn't help, did it
Jackie? ;)
Random House Thesaurus (Where do you think I got the big 
words from?)

   [Fade out with Beans receiving a disk to the head]