Mm, how to put it... [ in thought, Haruka rocks on the balls of her feet, leaning further over the counter before straightening back up. she's looking at the wall more than she is at Michiru. ] Well, my life before I met you was comfortable, there's no denying that. And I'm sure I look like the sort of person who shouldn't rightly want for anything, but... I wasn't happy. It was all I knew, and I was scared by the thought of leaving it behind, but I wasn't happy. I needed something more. A purpose. And now that I've found it, all the trivial things I used to fill up my time with -- I don't need them anymore.

It's probably presumptuous of me to say that when I don't even know anything about being a real soldier yet, but I'm glad for it. It feels like... no matter what fate has in store for me, I'd rather accept it than run away again. Because even if it means my life is cut short, it wouldn't have been a waste.

[ she scratches the back of her head as she reestablishes the eye contact, a bit self-conscious. Haruka could never tell Michiru about the nights she'd spent curled up in her bed, screaming soundlessly into her pillow this isn't what I want, this isn't me -- she could never get across the full extent of what this means to her -- but this is still more than she'd be willing to share with anyone else, and it leaves her feeling the slightest bit vulnerable. ]