�Back already?� she asked teasingly. But when she saw the look on Tenshi�s face, her tone instantly turned serious. �Honey, what�s wrong?�
Tenshi had been fighting tears all the way home. She was afraid that if she spoke now, they would spill. But she couldn�t avoid her okaa-san�s question. She tried to keep her voice in check as she gave her barely audible answer.
�She didn�t choose me.�
�Tenshi�.� Michiru probably hadn�t heard, but it didn�t matter. She was still concerned for her daughter.
�I can�t do this anymore!� Tenshi sobbed, finally letting her tears fall freely. �We were supposed to be through the worst; we were supposed to live happily ever after. Why didn�t she choose me?�
�She will,� Michiru told her. Tenshi looked up at her, begging her mom with her eyes to tell her how. �Give her a chance to go through this thing. Girlfriends come and go, but you guys are special. Your love is pure, and she�ll eventually see it and return it.�
�What if she doesn�t? What if she stays with him?�
�Neko-chan�s dating a guy?!� Michiru asked, obviously dumbfounded. It was surprising, considering Neko�s attitude towards boys. �She won�t. Deep inside she has to feel what you two shared. I doubt that she�d find someone else so easily who could satisfy her desire to find that feeling again, even if she doesn�t know what it is she�s looking for.�
�I love her, and I trust her,� Tenshi whispered, �but I�m not sure that I can watch her date Jasper-san.�
Michiru lifted up her face. �Tenshi, you are a strong and cheerful person. You will get through this just like everything else. If you need to distance yourself from her some, do so. Just remember, in the end, she�s going to want what only you can provide. So don�t go too far.�
Tenshi tried to smile through her tears. �You do this better than Haruka-papa does,� she said.
Michiru nodded knowingly. �What did Haruka say?�
�Love�s tough. You�ll get over it,� Tenshi paraphrased, rolling her eyes.
�That�s your papa for you. She�s better at acting on her emotions than discussing them.� Glad that Tenshi was cheering up some, Michiru gave her a supportive hug. �Stay my beautiful hopeful girl, okay?� she asked with all the compassion of a mother, before letting Tenshi go up to her room.
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