In the manga, Haruka takes great interest in Tsukino Usagi. She teases and seduces her to which Usagi does not resist completely. But both girls are in strong relationships with their significant others? Could Haruka's wondering eyes landed on a target?

Usagi's and Haruka's first encounter is nothing out of the ordinary. They see each other in the Crown Center; Usagi and her friends are attracted to the "handsome" Haruka. It looks much more like puppy love than love at first sight. In the anime, Usagi sort of stalks Haruka knowing good and well that she already has a boyfriend at home.^[1] She's, at first, attracted to the charming and cute looks of the "dashing" race-car driver yet there is something more ...

Haruka, on the other hand, takes a stronger interested in the blond-haired cutie. She starts off with her usual flirtatious comments and a bit of teasing but it almost leads to seduction. In Act 24, Haruka pats "odango-atama" on the back and invites her to race again; she doesn't do this to the other girls in the Crown Center, though. This is probably the first sign of her affections towards Usagi. Even Michiru comments on their "closer than usual" relationship:

Usagi's own feelings get a bit more complicated as the manga continues. Constantly, she feels a "badum, badum" (the sound of a heartbeat) when she's near Haruka. Her heart races when she moves closer to the attractive bishonen. Could it be a lust for danger? We all feel that rush when we do something we know we shouldn't. Even though she deeply loves Chiba Mamoru, she still is tempted by something she can't explain. Usagi feels something about Haruka which draws her closer; something she doesn't feel with Mamoru.

Then there's the name "odango-atama." No one but Seiya Kou and Haruka refer to Usagi so affectionately. It's a playful term, commenting on Usagi's hairstyle and cuteness. Young schoolboys usually tease, bully, or "mess with" girl they like; the attraction is there but they just don't know how to express it in a meaningful way.

Haruka usually surprises Usagi with a spontaneous touch. Early in the Infinity arc, Haruka pats Usagi on the back, pulls on her odangos, and puts her hands over Usagi's eyes like a little kid. She seems to enjoy making Usagi uncomfortable and getting to her when her senses are down. It's always a kind of switch between their personalities when they meet: Usagi becomes serious and doubtful, Haruka becomes a bit careless and jaunty. Act 25 somewhat exemplifies this "mutual transfusion." The Inners travel to Mt. M and whose meets them on the way? Who else but Haruka "himself." She excitedly comments on their frequent meanings much to Usagi's embarrassment.

Things start to heat-up as the manga progresses. Act 26 showed the first kiss between the two. Usagi chases a mysterious soldier "who runs like the wind," not knowing the soldier waits for her in a tree above. The woman jumps down and asks "Odango-chan" not to disturb "their mission." She gently lifts Usagi's chin up and kisses her. Later, Usagi dreams of Haruka kissing her and her face changing into the soldier's. She is disoriented and disturbed by Haruka's affectionate gesture; what does this mean?

Haruka offers a first-ever confession later on. When Usagi confronts her about her true identity, she replies to her with a very wishful tone:

It almost feels as if Haruka wants Usagi to chase after her. I almost see a sense of regret and hope in her eyes when she looks at Usagi; she thinks about what it would be like to have been with her. Even when Usagi questions her gender, Haruka asks if "that's so important."^[3] Haruka is devoted to her mission but still has the "what if's in the back of her mind. Can she keep pushing her desires aside to save the world? But when Mamoru comes along Haruka takes her leave with a sad smile on her face - she chooses reality over fantasy. Usagi empathizes with Haruka's pain. Mamoru even comments that "[Haruka] always looks like 'he' wants to tell [Usagi] something."

Truly, the pairing of H&U is unclear. Although Haruka has her very touching moments and Usagi questions her own feelings, they never outright say they have anything for each other. I find their relationship very tragic; they both have lovers, yet feel something for each other. Haruka is haunted by her doubts and desires; Usagi does not understand her feelings and cannot easily comprehend those of Haruka's. Perhaps things would have been different - happier, even - in another world where Sailor Soldiers wouldn't be needed. All we can do is keep dreamin' ...

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