"Rosa Chinensis!"
"Shh- shh… she's been so overworked lately, don't you think? Let her be for now, Nana." Yoshino continued to shuffle her paperwork on the white linen of the classic table. "I know the play is tomorrow and all, but Rosa Chinensis has been in charge of the whole production and the lead role… not to mention schoolwork."
(And no matter how hard Yumi tries, she doesn't have the multi-tasking capabilities of Youko-sama nor Sachiko-sama… poor girl. Here's hoping letting her catch a nap here will prevent another classroom fainting incident.)
A week ago, it had been decided. What exactly had passed through Yoshino's mind, Yumi did not possess any knowledge of that.
"This year, in accordance to the agreement we came upon in the previous meeting, the Yamayurikai will perform 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter' since Sachiko-sama chose otherwise last year. I know everyone already knows this aside from Rosa Chinensis, who missed the previous meeting due to illness. What I want to present to you today are the roles both myself and Eriko-sama proposed." Yoshino lightly grasped a sheet of paper in her left hand, and began to read aloud.
Yumi heaved a visible sigh of relief- there was no way she would have to play a role that required hair that "shines like gold". That had been the description of the main goddess character from the book Sachiko had recommended she read two summers ago. An elegant fair-haired maiden by the name of Shimako seemed to easily be a perfect fit for the role of Kaguya-hime.
"As for me, I'll be playing the emperor." Yoshino chimed. After blinking a few times, she continued. "The five princes shall be played by Noriko, Nana, Kanako, and some of our comrades from Hanadera. Speaking of which, Yuuki-san kindly volunteered to be the adoptive father of Kaguya-hime." Yoshino cast a small glance at Shimako and smiled. "Rosa Gigantea shall be the leader of the celestial beings."
Yumi was a bit befuddled. She fumbled with her uniform tie with a small sense of unease.
(Why has Yoshino-san not mentioned the lead role yet? Shimako-san has been chosen for another role other than the lead… Only Touko-chan and myself are without roles… I'm sure she'll receive the part… her acting skills are superb.)
"Touko-chan will receive the role of Kaguya-hime's adoptive mother." Yoshino turned her stare to Yumi. Freezing in her seat, Yumi waited to hear the inevitable.
"Rosa Chinensis shall play the role of Kaguya-hime, per Eriko-sama's personal request."
"E-e-e-ehhh?!" Yumi gaped- it was not the most redeeming course of action, but it was all she could muster from the shock. Everyone in the room stared at her, and Yoshino could not help a small chuckle that escaped her mouth.
"It's unfair!" Yumi yelled. She stood up quickly, and planted both of her hands on the white linen of the table. Almost a mirror image of what had transpired during Sachiko's first year. "I only missed a single meeting, and it was from an illness, not for my own gratification!"
Ostensibly, Yoshino rebuked Yumi's complaints. "Unlike your onee-sama, I also sympathize with you Yumi-san, I truly do. However, this is a personal request from Torii Eriko-sama, and another scolding from her is something I'd rather not endure at this point. Her ideal play was skipped last year, so please Yumi-san."
(It figures that it turned out like this! First onee-sama to get out of playing the lead again, and now… well, Eriko-sama is one to thoroughly enjoy unusual combinations.)
Yumi slowly sat down in her seat, and closed her eyes. With a small pout of resignation, she finally spoke. "If it is Eriko-sama's wish, I will follow it."
Yoshino grinned broadly. "Thank you very much Yumi-san." The grin faded from her face at a fairly rapid rate into one of leadership. "Next, we will have to contact several clubs as per usual. Luckily we already have some props and costumes from last year that can be re-used as 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter' is from the same era…
Back in the present situation, Shimako chimed in. "Will she really be okay?" Noriko seemed to also beg of this question with a concerned look.
Yoshino shook her head slightly, and turned to Shimako. "Trust me, all Yumi needs is a small resting period, if only for a little while."
At the head of an ornate table adorned with antique chairs resided a dozing Yumi Fukuzawa. Her chestnut pigtails were spread slightly on the table, and both of her arms cradled her face. The only sound that could be heard in the entire room aside from Nana's outburst was a steady pattern of breathing.
Touko was at Yumi's side, as per usual. She cradled her head with open palms propped up by her arms on the table. Her face simply remained gazing yet also frowning at Yumi the entire time the conversation had taken place.
Hosokawa Kanako sat in opposition to Touko. She sat emotionless at the table, with her hands interlaced together on the delicate fabric. A slight blush passed her features as she regarded a sleeping Yumi. Never one to miss a beat, Touko immediately noticed the tall girl's blushing face. A small glare was directed towards Kanako from the drill-haired girl, and the motion was just as quickly mirrored by Kanako towards Touko.
(Why does she still even come here? Onee-sama has a little sister already, and she has her duties with the basketball team. How troublesome.)
A sigh passed Touko's pouting lips, and she once again directed her vision towards Yumi.
(Onee-sama… you better be all right. Sachiko-onee-sama will be at this play, and I don't want to imagine the amount of questioning I'll receive if you don't appear well…)
"Rosa Foetida." Began Touko, "It's troublesome that onee-sama fell asleep; however, work must still be done... in essence, what I'm trying to say is, what else must be completed by tomorrow night?"
Yoshino's eyes glittered with what appeared to be amusement. "Well, well. You're becoming more and more helpful, aren't you Touko-chan? Anyways, these programs need to be folded properly by curtain time." Yoshino gathered the stack of papers, and pushed some in Touko's direction. "By the way, there's plenty more of these to be folded, more than Touko can handle alone. Let's get started, shall we?" With those words, Yoshino distributed more of the programs to be folded while Nana refilled her tea.
Paper was creased for what seemed like an eternity, yet in reality about thirty minutes had passed. Touko appeared to flinch for a second while holding a finger to her nose. Another shake from her, and despite all attempts to do otherwise…
"ACHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
"Mmm… eh? Oh… bless you, Touko-chan." Yumi shifted positions and dazed back off into her dream world, the contents never to be shared with an absolutely puzzled Yamayurikai.
(How did onee-sama know immediately it was ME who sneezed… then again…)
Touko blushed slightly. (Yumi-sama…)
"Amazing, simply amazing. We make all kinds of noises, and yet she only wakes up to bless her little sister for sneezing." Yoshino shrugged her shoulders. "No matter how much that girl grows, she'll always be the same, huh?"
Shimako and Noriko giggled slightly, and a small grin spread over Nana's face.
After another thirty minutes or so, it was time for everyone to return home. Yumi still slept lazily at the table, a small amount of drool had also escaped her mouth and lightly dampened the table.
"Onee-sama," began Touko, "It's time to return home."
Yumi moved slightly and mumbled, "Mmmm… just five more minutes Touko… I promise…. Onee-sama is quite tired." Yumi casually flopped to her other arm for a pillow.
Finally agitated, Touko stood from her seat and stormed over a short distance to Yumi. She continuously began to shake Yumi from side to side. "We must return home now Yumi, remember the bus you usually travel by…"
It had been a more vigorous attempt, and yet Yumi still slept lazily.
The rest of the Yamayurikai excused themselves, and left Touko to wake up Yumi.
After much more prodding and poking from Touko, Yumi finally woke up about fifteen minutes late for her bus.
Never a too graceful girl, Yumi jumped up almost immediately and rubbed her eyes in confusion after glancing at her wrist watch. "Touko-chan! The bus! Oh noooooo… another one won't arrive for about an hour!"
With an absolute look of terror in her face, Yumi collapsed back into her chair. "Now what will I do?" She pondered aloud. Her small face was firmly planted into the palm of her hand.
Touko glanced quickly from side to side, and attempted to find her words several times.
"It can not be helped, I suppose… Onee-sama, I'll have my chauffer drive you home. It will be fine, I'm positive." A small redness swelled beneath Touko's downcast eyes.
"REALLY? Oh, Touko, you truly saved me!" Yumi almost squealed this, and wrapped Touko within her thin arms. Why did it seem like Touko was the big sister all of the sudden? It was a very strange image indeed for esteemed Rosa Chinensis.
Suddenly, Yumi realized her mouth had been absolutely dry. She hurriedly went to the cabinet in the small meeting room, and sifted through its contents. "No tea left, huh…." Yumi sighed the words out.
"Onee-sama, Rosa Foetida claimed the last of what we had for the day. I can prepare a glass of water for you if you'd like."
Yumi shifted her facial features into an expression of gratitude with her eyes closed. "It's okay, Touko. I feel I need something with a little bit of sugar in it in order to energize me. Please excuse me while I travel to the milk hall quickly. Please wait for me, okay?" With that, Yumi exited the room and closed the biscuit door behind her. Touko could hear the familiar creaks of the stairs as Yumi traveled downstairs, and then the slam of the actual front door.
(She didn't even ask if it was okay to leave for the milk hall…. But I hope onee-sama is feeling okay…)
Yumi raced the brick path in order to reach the milk hall and obtain some kind of nourishment. Whilst walking, she noticed someone with a ponytail and a tall figure covered by a light white hoodie and a dark knee-length skirt walk by.
(Odd, why would someone that does not attend Lillian be on campus this late? Perhaps it's a college student.)
The thought quickly dissipated from her mind, and Yumi continued to skip along her way to the milk hall. She picked a strawberry juice pack from the machine.
(It's funny, I picked that drink of all things.)
She smiled lightly to herself and sipped away merrily at the welcome nourishment with her feet spread wide and her hand resting on the hip.
"Fukuzawa Yumi." A soft yet commanding voice played very clearly to her as a delicate hand made its way to her left shoulder. "Am I really that invisible to you? Honestly…"
--
A/N: I'm back at it again, another nagging idea that occurred after reading what transpired at the end of volume 18 of the light novels. Not the most remarkable Marimite fic as per usual, but I hope you'll enjoy the ride with me as I post this. I don't know how many more chapters there will be, I guess whatever feels appropriate. 3 at the most, I'm thinking.
I wondered what had happened when Eriko's wish of seeing the Yamayurikai perform "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" didn't occur during Yumi's 2nd year. Knowing her character though, the play Sachiko picked out probably made her extreme like of weird VERY happy.
Thanks for any reviews/comments, and also a deeply felt thanks to all the other Yumi - Sachiko fanfic writers!