Where the Light Doesn't Shine

By Soranatsukiai

Chapter I – Getting there

Lately, Sachiko had been required by her grandfather to be present during company meetings and she's been leaving the school as soon as the last subject ends. It had been like that for the past two weeks.

Today was supposed to be a beautiful day for the young Ogasawara. She finally had a break from her busy schedule and was on her way to the train station. Looking out the window, she thought about the recent conversations that led to this date.

Thursday, 9:10 pm

Yumi had just finished her nightly rituals and was about to go to bed when she heard her phone ring. Seeing the name on the screen, she wasted no time in answering the call.

"Good evening, Onee-sama!"

"Good evening to you too, Yumi. You seem to be in a very good mood. Did anything good happen today?" Sachiko was relieved that her sister had been doing well without her but sad at the same time for the exact same reason.

"Nothing really. I..." She was contemplating whether to tell her sister of the childish fact that she was just happy to hear her voice but decided against it.

"Nothing, Onee-sama. Everything just went well today, even the meeting with the Newspaper team. We have agreed on theguidelines for the upcoming event and they will have it released by the next publication." Yumi started as she told her sister about what happened in the after-school meeting. Sachiko gladly listened and verbally nodded from time to time but Yumi never talked about how she was doing, never about herself.

Faking a hurt expression, the older one said "Really Yumi, we haven't spent time together for a few weeks and you didn't even miss me?"

"No!" Yumi was surprised by what she heard that she didn't realize what came out of her mouth. "No?" The older girl was just teasing but did not expect to hear such a hurtful answer like that. "No. Yes! Uhh, I didn't mean to say no!"

"Yumi, relax. It would be sad if you really didn't miss me but I will not take it against you."

Feeling guiltier than she already was, the younger girl decided to just do what she does best. Being honest with her feelings. "Onee-sama, I'm sorry about that. I knew you have a lot going on and I didn't want to burden you with my selfishness."

"...and why would you be selfish, Yumi?"

"Because... I miss you Onee-sama. I know that your family needs you and you have a lot going on. Yes, I see you at school but that's not even every day or we can't even have a proper conversation sometimes. I want to be with you or call you, I want to hear about your day. I'm sorry Onee-sama. I told you it's very selfish of me."

Sachiko's heart couldn't be any happier with the confession of the person on the other line. She always envied how Rei and Yoshino was with their relationship especially because of how close they can be physically and how easy it is for them to communicate. But she thought that those two had practically grew up together and maybe she should be taking the steps already for Yumi and her to get to that level.

"I appreciate your concern Yumi but that is such a silly thing to worry about. Do you know that when I'm having a bad day at school or with my family, simply seeing you lightens up my mood? So please, don't stop yourself from doing what your heart feels. I would welcome everything that you want to do."

"Onee-sama?" "Yes Yumi?" "Why didn't you call me then?" Sachiko thought about how silly both of them are and remembered that this was like the same situation when she and Yumi sat on the gym's stage. She scolded Yumi for sitting on the dusty stage but she herself sat there. "You are right. I should have had the initiative to call you. To make up for that, I would like to ask, are you free this Sunday?"

"Yes!" Came a quick reply." Uhmm... I mean, I don't have anything planned on that day. Why do you ask, Onee-sama?"

Chuckling a bit to herself at Yumi's giddiness, she replied "I was just wondering if I could spend the day with my souer and to show my regret for not calling her for a few weeks, I'm willing to do anything she wants for that day."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

"Hmm..."

"My my, Yumi, are you planning to make me do something naughty or dangerous on that day?" "Oh no, Onee-sama! I was just thinking that I really wanted to go to the newly opened theme park in the other town. Yoshino was actually hinting on wanting to go but I told her I already made plans to go with someone else."

Sachiko never knew about it, rather, Yumi never talked about that theme park or about wanting to go there. She wanted to know if Yumi found a new friend while she was busy. She wanted to know who that lucky person is but didn't want to seem too obvious. "Is that so. Well, are you going with your brother?"

"No, actually I told her that without asking the person yet."

"So, you're not sure whether he or she will go with you? What's stopping you then?"

"Well, she was busy and I'm not sure if she wants to go to a place like that. Lately, she always had other responsibilities on Sundays." Hinting on who the person she was referring about, she wished her Onee-sama would just figure out who the person was because she was embarrassed to ask.

Sachiko however, already had a person in mind. She knew that it was Shimako who always helps out with her father during Sundays. Just thinking about it not being her, already caused a bit of irritation. But she couldn't let that show, couldn't she? "I guess that would be a bit of a problem. But if you really want to go with her then it's at least worth a try. Why don't you go ahead and ask her?"

Thinking that her Onee-sama already picked up the hint, she grew a bit of courage to ask.

"Will you go with me?"

"Oh, you want to practice asking her? I think the way you said it is already good enough."

"No! Onee-sama, will you go with me?"

-End of Chapter-

Hi all! I had this idea when I had free time at work. I was already doing less because I was preparing to resign back then. Now that I have free time, might as well enjoy watching all the anime I could, read and write fanfcis too! Yey bumlife! Hahaha. Kidding! I'll be going on a different training soon so I'm enjoying my time. I know there aren't a lot of new stories or readers of marimite anyomore but I still oh so love Sachiko and Yumi! :)