PROLOGUE


Disclaimer: I don't own Maria-Sama Ga Miteru or any of its characters. Credits to the author.

Summary: Sachiko decided to continue with her life without Yumi. Years after their breakup, they meet again and Sachiko has to face the bitter consequences of her selfish choices. She realized the mistake she made and wants to make amends. But how will she do this when the woman she loves is about to be married?

A/N: My first Yumi - Sachiko fic. Imoshen88 had been kind enough to do an awesome beta review of this story, so I am reposting it with some grammar changes. Any errors are mine and mine alone. ^^


Sachiko stared outside the tinted window of her black Mercedes Benz. She usually didn't need a driver, but today was one of those occasions where she had to attend an event as "Mrs. Ogasawara". She looked momentarily at the handsome young man sitting elegantly beside her, before looking back outside again.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this Sa-chan?" Suguru asked, noticing the distant expression his wife had.

Sachiko didn't answer. She had a lot of snide retorts to that question but, decided against any of them.

She closed her eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. She had to start conditioning her mind. She may have had years of training on how to mask her true feelings, however, no amount of training could stop her emotions from spilling out. Not when the event she is about to attend is bound to end all hopes she had of fixing things between them.

"Yumi..." she whispered, as memories from years before flooded her mind.

...

"Is this what you really want?" came her faint voice from the other end of the line.

"You knew from the very beginning that what we had was wrong" she responded a bit stronger than she intended. Yumi should know that it is not a matter of wanting or not wanting. This is something that she had to do – she didn't have a choice.

"Wrong? We've been doing this for almost a year and now you're telling me that we had was a mistake?"

"Do not put words in my mouth, I never said anything about our relationship being a mistake"

"Isn't that what you meant? I just want a moment with you Sachiko. This is the only time I have ever demanded time from you..."

Sachiko bit her lower lip. How did an argument about Yumi's simple request end up like this?

She knew the reason why Yumi needed her, and that it was important for her to be there, but Yumi should also know that the Ogasawara family and business matters is her top priority. She hated saying 'no' to Yumi and hated that she was put in a tight spot wherein she had to choose between her lover and her family. How many times has she denied Yumi of her time? It surely had been difficult for her, just as it was difficult for Sachiko.

"You know the reason why I can't go out now, Yumi"

Sachiko breathed in before letting the next words spill out of her mouth "...and you know that sooner or later we have to stop this"

"Have you been accustomed to your new life as a married woman?" Yumi responded with a mixture of sadness and disappointment.

"What are you trying to imply?" came Sachiko's heated retort.

"Nothing. Then I take it that this is goodbye?"

She didn't say anything. She didn't plan on ending things between them, though the very thought has been at the back head every waking day of her life. She dreaded the day when she had to make the hard, selfish decision to end their illicit affair and be the woman her family and the society expected her to be. Sadly, Yumi had to be the sacrifice.

Is this really the right time? Is there a right time?

Maybe fate is presenting her with an opportunity to end her anxiety... only to end her only remaining happiness in the process.

"For me, everything have been real and right. It may be morally wrong to be with a married woman, yet, it has been my happiest. Because I love you and willingly gave you everything I had, despite knowing that one day, everything will end. I know I will never your priority, because I am just me...nothing special. But I guess I have been so blinded by my happiness tht I failed to see the signs of you slowly drifting away."

Her voice was broken and every word spoken with tears was shattering Sachiko's heart. But she said nothing.

She wanted to tell Yumi that she was wrong...she was special. That Sachiko was just too weak to fight against her grandfather's wishes for her to be married to Suguru. Yumi had been there...at the wedding and the nights thereafter. Finding moments of freedom in her warm embrace, only to wake up to the cold dark reality alone. Yumi knew that she needed to leave early before the household awoke and her driver and Suguru were the only ones who knew of their sin. Sachiko hated the arrangement, but always said to herself that they didn't have a choice. Yumi never complained. She just willingly accepted the few hours Sachiko could spare for her. The Fukuzawas and Touko-chan didn't know anything, because if they had, she knew they would despise what she is doing to Yumi.

"Good bye, Sachiko" Yumi finally said. She waited for a reply...but none came.

After a minute of silence, the line went dead and there was a long beeping sound. Sachiko clutched the phone hard, fighting the urge to cry or to call back. But she didn't. And that was the last words they ever exchanged.

...

"We're here" Suguru said, waking Sachiko from her recollection.

She got out of the car and stared at venue entrance in front of her. And with a heavy heart, she walked towards the garden where her old friend and lover was to be wedded.


Meanwhile, somewhere in a Bridal tent... "She's here" she whispered.

Touko looked at her onee-sama, "who?"

"You know me too well Touko... You know who I am talking about"

The seours shared a knowing smile, but one was of bitterness while the other was with anticipation.