Disclaimer: Marimite is not mine.

A/N: This is for my friend Krystal who loves Marimite as much as I do. Happy birthday.

Chapter 1: Comfort

Sachiko ran in the pouring rain, trying to stop her tears from falling to the ground. As she spotted the Rose mansion, she quickly ran into it, slamming the wooden door behind her. Every single Yamayurikai members had left the mansion, which was a relief. She slumped herself into a couch and finally couldn't hold her feelings any longer.

She couldn't stop crying. Her tears flowed down her cheeks endlessly. 'How could he did this to me?' she thought, biting her lips.

Sachiko felt a soft hand touching her cheek. She looked up and saw Rei standing upon her. Rei's hand caressed her cheek, rubbing away the tears that stained Sachiko's face. Sachiko choked back a sob.

"Rei!" She immediately pulled Rei into a hug. Rei wrapped her arms around Sachiko's shoulder, comforting her. She could feel Sachiko's cold ear on her cheek and Sachiko's long hair which was wet between her fingers.

"Shh… let go of your feelings. Don't keep what you feel inside. It's okay to cry. I can always provide you a shoulder to cry on, you know," Rei said softly, whispering into Sachiko's ear.

Sachiko clutched Rei's blouse and sobbed on her pleated collar. Rei patted Sachiko's shoulder, thinking of one person in particular that would make Sachiko cried. Sachiko then let go of Rei and wiped the tears that brimmed in her blue eyes. Rei smiled warmly at her.

"You ok?" she asked. Sachiko couldn't miss the worried tone in Rei's voice.

"Nn. Thanks a lot, Rei. That really calmed me down a bit…" Sachiko bit her lower lip. "Suguru… how could he? I love him so much and he… He pushed me aside. He was just… enjoying himself, seeing me like this." Sachiko buried her face in her hands, not believing herself by crying for a guy.

Rei approached her, removing Sachiko's hair that covered her face and tucked it behind her ear. She put her hand on Sachiko's shoulder, reassuring her. Sachiko looked up and flashed her a smile.

"Thank you for your time, Rei. I… I'm sorry for wetting your collar," she said, feeling quite embarrassed.

"Oh, it's okay. I know you're having a hard time. Cheer up, ne," Rei replied softly. "Well I think we should go home now. It was really late. I could walk you home."

Sachiko nodded a thank and looked outside the window. It was still raining and the sky was colored with dark patches of heavy clouds.

"Uh oh. There's only an umbrella here, Sachiko. I guess we have to share. Do you mind?" Rei asked, holding an umbrella with her right hand.

"No, I don't. Let's go," she replied.

Not long after, the two of them walked side by side in the pouring rain with Rei holding the umbrella. Sachiko was still gloomy. Although she tried not to show it, Rei knew it very well. 'You're hurting yourself, Sachiko,' Rei thought as she caught a glimpse at Sachiko.

"Nee," Sachiko called, catching Rei's full attention. "Why did you come back to the Rose Mansion?" she asked.

"Ah… that… well…" Rei was hesitated but she continued, "I left something and decided to get it back. Then I saw you running there and figured that something was wrong. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. I'm just glad that you were there. Thanks," Sachiko replied, squeezing Rei's arm.

"Anyway, do you mind telling me what's going on? It's okay if you are not ready yet. But I'm here. You could tell me everything, as a friend," the short-haired blonde replied.

"It was Suguru," Sachiko started. Rei winced when she heard that name. She knew it must be him.

"He said, I'm not right for him and I'm not good enough for him. We were not meant to be together. No matter what…" Sachiko stopped. Her voice started to crack.

Suddenly, Rei grabbed Sachiko's hand and slipped her fingers through hers.

"It's okay. Let him be. He doesn't know that he had done the biggest mistake in his life. Whatever happens, it's not your fault," Rei said.

Sachiko smiled, tightening her grip in Rei's hand. Suddenly she stopped walking and stared at someone who was standing on their way. 'Suguru…'

Rei turned in front and saw him. Instantly, her smile melted down. She glared warily at Suguru before glancing back at Sachiko. Sachiko's expression was stoic. It was hard to guess her emotions.

"Sachi-"

"Let's go, Sachiko. We might be late," Rei cut him down before he could say anything. She pulled Sachiko and walked quickly past Suguru. Suguru, who was wet under the pouring rain just watched them brushing past him with wide eyes. He tried to stop Sachiko but was frozen at his place when he caught a cold glare from Rei.

Sachiko, still pulled by Rei, looked back at Suguru.

'Suguru…'

A/N: That was the first chappie. My apologies for the bad grammar. Tell me what you think. Did Sachiko was too OOC?