Yumi glanced over the school yard, and there she was. Her Onee-sama, the one who'd chosen her out of all the other first year students. How could Yumi ever show Sachikio-sama how thankful she was to be given this chance? Sachiko turned gracefully (had she ever done anything without grace?) and beamed as she noticed Yumi.
"Gokigenyo Yumi-chan."
"Gokigenyo Onee-sama." Yumi was immediately on the lookout for anything she did wrong. Were her pigtails crooked? Or perhaps Sachiko was giving her such an odd look because her skirt had a stain she didn't know about! Yumi knew she never got anything right, and why should Sachiko-sama accept anything less then perfection? Yumi blushed as her Onee-sama came closer. As Sachiko studied Yumi her puzzled expression grew.
"Yumi, where is your lunch? Are you buying from the cafeteria today?"
"No, I have my lunch right here..." Yumi looked down at her homework, expecting to find the bento box resting on top. "Aieee! I must have left it at home. I was up so late studying..."
"Yumi! I've told you before not to over work yourself. How can you be my petite soeur if you don't even take care of yourself?"
"I'm sorry." Yumi's heart sank. She'd done something wrong again. She stared at the ground, pondering on how to make it up to Sachiko, and where she'd find something to eat.
"Since you have no lunch, you'll eat with me." Sachiko's words lifted Yumi's eyes to her face, and she saw a warm, sympathetic smile. "You'll come with me to have tea at the Rose Mansion, and if you wish we can invite Shimako-chan so she doesn't eat alone." Yumi lit up instantly.
"Thank you Onee-sama!" Sachiko nodded and began in the direction of the mansion. Yumi followed, an extra bounce in her step. Later, as Sachiko sat next to her sipping honey spiced tea, another grin split Yumi's face. Even if she wasn't perfect, Sachiko-sama cared, and right now that was all that mattered.
Sei laughed, holding a forlorn bento box in her hands. "Silly Yumi...leaving her lunch in the classroom alone...oh well. Can't let good food go to waste." As she took a bite of rice her gaze followed the pair hurrying down the walkway. "Perhaps she'll start forgetting her lunch more often."