CONTENT: F/F romance. Eventual pairings: Sachiko/Yumi. Sei/Youko. Shimako/Noriko.

SUMMARY: In regards to relationships, life is sometimes a matter of circumstance. An alternate universe take on Maria-sama ga Miteru with Sei and Yumi then Sachiko and Shimako as soeurs.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is a rewrite from my original story, which I'm now not at all fond of. I don't expect this one to go on too terribly long. Maybe fifteen chapters at the most. I really love the friendship between Sei and Yumi so that's what a good portion of this story will be about. The romance between Sachiko and Yumi will be focused on in later chapters in detail but really it's the Sei/Yumi friendship and soeur relationship that's at the heart of this story.

A Matter of Circumstance

By: Dreiser

It was strange, the idea that she was Rosa Gigantea. The title suited her onee-sama, certainly, but for Sei she didn't feel like it fit her very well. Almost as if she was wearing someone else's clothing and it was too baggy or too tight. She just wished she could have done something for her onee-sama before she left. Given her something back for everything that had been done for her but in the end all she had was a promise to do something for her own petite soeur.

Gazing at the rosary wrapped around her wrist, Sei murmured, "Rosa Gigantea."

There was a bare noise, perhaps a snap of a twig, and Sei looked up to see a girl with wavy brown hair, blowing in the wind and for a moment, she thought it was Shiori. The girl quickly apologized then rushed off and Sei blinked. Realizing it was a first year, it took another moment but she found herself giving chase. She wasn't sure why but she ran after the girl but as she rounded the corner she slammed into another. Sei was soon on the ground with a different first year, this time a girl in pigtails who looked up at Sei with wide eyes and an embarrassed blush as Sei hovered over her, their limbs in a tangle.

"This is a memorable first meeting, wouldn't you say?" Sei remarked, a grin tugging on her lips. She wasn't sure why she said that or even why she was smiling. The words and her sudden bout of good humor came naturally somehow and the first year turned an even darker red as Sei stood. Offering her hand to the girl and pulling her up, she tilted her head and said, "You're all right, aren't you? I didn't crush you, did I?"

"No, not at all!" the girl said quickly, bowing to Sei, a blush still clinging to her features. "And it was my fault for not looking where I was going. I'm very sorry, Rosa Gigantea!"

"Oh?" Sei raised an eyebrow and studied her thoughtfully. "But I ran into you and made you fall. How is it your fault?"

The girl seemed to be at a loss for words, her face screwing up in thought as she tried to come up with an answer and Sei chuckled at how everything was shown on her features. Thinking back to how she was as a first year and even a second year, Sei knew she could never be like this. Never this normal, never this charming, it was like her onee-sama said. She took things far too seriously and she never relaxed, not when it came to her feelings. It was all or nothing, life or death with her, and maybe that should change. Looking at this first year, Sei thought she might never be truly happy if she continued living that way.

Bells began to sound, announcing the start of classes and the girl gave a startled cry then bowed again, apologizing once more to Sei and running off. Watching her go, Sei grinned and realized she never did get an answer.

Both encounters slipped from Sei's mind until she was in the middle of the ceremony presenting the saint medals to the first year students. Toudou Shimako. That was the name of the first girl, the one who had run off. The second, the one Sei ran into, was Fukuzawa Yumi who wore the same wide eyed expression when Sei presented her with the medal. Unable to help herself, Sei gave Yumi a lopsided grin and leaned in as she placed it around Yumi's neck, whispering in her ear, "We meet again."

Yumi responded with a blush and a startled yelp, making Sei chuckle and causing Youko and Eriko to watch with interest. When they were back in the Rose Mansion, they asked about Yumi. Thinking back to her onee-sama's words, how she shouldn't rush or take it too seriously the next time she found something she cared for, Sei kept her feelings to herself. For once she didn't want to analyze or dwell. Especially not on the innocent and affectionate feelings Yumi stirred in her. Instead, she simply said that she found Yumi interesting and, almost as an after thought, she included Shimako in her explanation.

The very next day, Sei arrived at school and stopped in her walk as she saw Yumi praying in front of Maria-sama. Her body seemed to move of its own volition and Sei couldn't fight the grin spreading on her lips as she jumped on the younger girl's back, embracing her from behind. "Good morning, Yumi-chan!" Sei called her name out in sing song tones, her grin growing wider at the surprised cry that Yumi released in response.

"Rosa Gigantea!" Yumi exclaimed, a familiar blush emerging on her cheeks.

"How are you this morning?" asked Sei, still hanging onto Yumi, and enjoying the way her blush got steadily stronger.

Yumi's eyes darted to their fellow students who were watching them with interest before landing back on Sei. "I'm well, Rosa Gigantea," Yumi replied. "But…" Whatever she wanted to say next was silenced by the attention they were receiving.

"But?" Sei encouraged, lifting an eyebrow and slinging an arm around Yumi's shoulder, leading the girl towards the school.

"But how do you know my name?" asked Yumi hesitantly.

"Yumi-chan," Sei said her name with exaggerated sadness, forming a pout and poking Yumi's cheek. "I gave you a medal just yesterday and the day before I squashed you but already you forget about me?"

"I didn't forget!" said Yumi quickly, blushing again. "I just didn't expect you to remember me. I'm only a first year student and you're a member of the Yamayurikai. I'm not at all important and you're Rosa Gigantea…"

Scoffing at this, Sei rolled her eyes and said, "Being a Rose isn't important. Anyway, those type of things don't matter to me." Yumi studied Sei with a curious look on her features, one that intrigued Sei and caused her to ask, "What is it?"

Blushing fiercely, Yumi ducked her head and said, "I was wondering what matters then."

"Hmm," said Sei with a look of overdone seriousness and closing her eyes. She only opened one when Yumi giggled at her expression then she grinned and leaned closer. "Yumi-chan will just have to spend more time with me to find out."

When lunch arrived, Sei's wanderings took her past the first year classes. To be perfectly honest, she wasn't sure how she ended up there but she was there all the same. Able to witness the horde of students gathered outside a classroom and watch as a reporter for the school paper fought their way through the crowd. Curiosity seizing her, Sei leaned close to one of the first years and asked, "What's going on?"

"Everyone wants to get a look at Fukuzawa Yumi," the first year replied without turning around. "They're saying she had a romantic encounter with Rosa Gigantea this morning by Maria-sama! The newspaper even wants an interview with her."

"Romantic encounter, eh?" Sei considered this thoughtfully, scratching her cheek. "I'd say it was more of an rendezvous. Then again, I always liked how that word sounds." At this, the first year turned around and released a cry on seeing the Rose they had just been talking about. Sei smirked and decided out of all the startled cries she heard, she'd always enjoy Yumi's best. Looking into the classroom again and seeing Yumi's pained and nervous expression as the reporter started to question her, the words of her onee-sama echoed in Sei's mind. Then do something for the one that will become your petite soeur. "Excuse me," Sei said with a grin, making her way through the suddenly parting crowd of students and into the classroom. "Yumi-chan!" she called out, smiling rakishly as she grabbed her hand, pulling Yumi out of her chair and away from the reporter from the school paper. Wrapping an arm around Yumi's waist, she drawled, "Let's get something to eat." Turning and walking away, she looked over her shoulder at the crowd of people, giving a jaunty salute and a cheeky grin in a way of saying goodbye.

Purchasing food at Milk Hall was an unusual experience with the stares and the whispers but once their items were purchased, Sei treating Yumi to a can of tea, Sei took Yumi in hand and grinned at the startled cry as she moved into a fast run. Yumi soon matched pace and they had lost all of their onlookers as they settled on a bench near the cherry trees in the back of the school. Sei always favored this part of the campus for the privacy it leant as well as the presence of Goronta, a stray cat that she, and many other students, had adopted as the school pet over the years.

Chewing thoughtfully on her sweet bean bun, Sei offered the cat some of her food and smiled as she watched him eat. She peered up at Yumi who blushed at her attention. "Thank you for saving me, Rosa Gigantea," said Yumi shyly.

"Well," said Sei humorously, leaning back and opening up her can of coffee. "It's probably my fault anyway." She raised an eyebrow and lifted a hand up to her mouth, as if sharing a dark secret, "I did initiate our romantic encounter." Yumi giggled at this and slowly began to eat her lunch. Sei enjoyed the comfortable silence between them and smiled when Goronta jumped up on the bench, settling next to her in hopes of getting more food. As she fed him Sei said, "Personally, I've never been fond of our school paper. It all seems like gossip to me and I don't understand their fascination with the Yamayurikai. Almost all of the articles focus on us and I really don't see the reason why."

"It's because you're all so wonderful!" Yumi exclaimed and when Sei focused on her, she turned the darkest shade of red that Sei had seen from her yet. Fortunately for Yumi it was an altogether charming look. At least, in Sei's opinion.

"We're all wonderful, hm?" Sei teased, poking Yumi in the side, and grinning at the little cry Yumi released as she squirmed. Laughing at the ticklish outburst, Sei jutted her lip out in a pout. "Yumi-chan doesn't think I'm special at all, does she?"

"Of course you're special!" said Yumi strongly, her cheeks red but a determined look in her eyes. Seeming startled at her own ferocity, Yumi blinked and looked down at her lap as she continued, "I mean, I haven't met the other members but you've been so kind to me and…" She trailed off and Sei smiled softly, reaching out to gently cup Yumi's chin.

Lifting Yumi's head up and meeting their eyes, Sei murmured, "I want to be special to Yumi-chan."

Blushing again and blinking dumbly, Yumi took in the cheeky grin Sei formed moments later and her face screwed up in comical protest. "Rosa Gigantea!" she cried, exasperated and somewhat fond. "You're teasing me, aren't you?"

"Maybe a little," revealed Sei with a wink before taking a drink of her coffee. "Mostly it's the truth."

"But…" Yumi frowned and she wore a look of utter confusion. "Why would you want to be special to me?"

"Why not, Yumi-chan?" replied Sei, lifting an eyebrow and putting an arm behind Yumi on the back of the bench.

"Mou," said Yumi with a heavy sigh. "You answer a question with a question which isn't answering at all."

"It's a good trick, isn't it?" Sei grinned and Yumi shook her head. Studying the girl for a moment, Sei tapped the can of coffee with the tips of her fingers. She wasn't sure why but the words came before she could stop them, "I don't get along with most people." When Yumi looked to her with surprise, her eyes going wide, Sei went on, "My personality isn't the best and I usually could care less what happens to other people but something about Yumi-chan makes me want to care."

"Rosa Gigantea," said Yumi in a whisper.

"Sad isn't it?" said Sei with a wry chuckle, lifting an eyebrow.

"No," Yumi shook her head and she reached for Sei's hand, holding it gently and Sei blinked, surprised at the gesture. Yumi saw Sei's reaction and she started to pull her hand away only to have Sei grip it tighter, squeezing it tenderly and Yumi blushed. She ducked her head as she said quietly, "We may have just met but Rosa Gigantea is already special to me."

Clucking her tongue, Sei said playfully, "Yumi-chan is just saying that to pacify me."

"I'm not!" said Yumi forcefully, coloring and ducking her head again before looking up with a unwavering gaze. "I mean it."

And she did mean it. Sei could see that in her eyes and in her expression and a warm feeling seizing her, Sei grinned and slid closer to the other girl who released a surprised yelp at the gesture. "Yumi-chan," Sei said in a low and mischievous tone, putting their faces very close together and winding a lock of Yumi's hair around her finger. "Would you come with me after school?"

"Where?" asked Yumi.

"The Rose Mansion," supplied Sei, grinning at the shocked look on Yumi's features.

The crowd was back but this time they were staring at Sei who was waiting outside of Yumi's classroom. Her arms folded over her chest and an amused look on her features, Sei ignored them, only pushing off the wall when Yumi came running over. "Rosa Gigantea!" she exclaimed in a rush, an apologetic light in her eyes. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting."

"I'd wait forever if it was for Yumi-chan," Sei drawled, chuckling when Yumi huffed at her. "What? Yumi-chan doesn't believe me?" Sei declared extravagantly, hooking her arm with Yumi's and practically skipping down the hall. Pressing a hand to her chest, she said, "I'm crushed! My devotion is pure as the driven snow."

"You shouldn't tease people so much, Rosa Gigantea," said Yumi with a frown that didn't match the twinkle in her eyes. "People won't ever take you seriously if you act this way."

"People," Sei said dismissively, rolling her eyes as they walked out of the main building and towards the Rose Mansion. "I've never cared what anyone thinks of me." Yumi's eyes widened and then she observed Sei thoughtfully. Grinning at this reaction, Sei poked Yumi in the cheek and asked, "What is it?"

Frowning slightly, Yumi pushed Sei's hand away, sighing as she looked ahead. "I wish I could be like that," she revealed.

"Yumi-chan could learn," said Sei after a moment and when Yumi looked at her she smiled softly. "I could teach you."

"Rosa Gigantea," said Yumi quietly, a sort of disbelief and hope clinging to her voice. "Can you really teach that kind of thing?"

Tilting her head to one side, Sei considered this then said, "If my onee-sama can teach me to behave in a somewhat civilized manner then I'm pretty sure I can teach you to not care what people think."

"Somewhat civilized?" said Yumi, giggling.

"That's what Youko says anyway," said Sei in a faux confession. They walked in silence and Sei hooked her arm in Yumi's pulling her close and she murmured, "All you really have to do is figure out who matters to you most, Yumi-chan. Once you've got a list of those people in your head just keep it there and remind yourself they're the only ones that count. If you have that figured out then what everyone else thinks stops becoming so important. They turn into background noise." Sei looked down at Yumi, scratching her cheek and wondering if she had done a decent job of explaining. "Does that make any sense?"

"Yes," said Yumi quickly, nodding her head and blushing. "It does. Thank you, Rosa Gigantea."

"Ahhh," Sei declared, grinning and ruffling Yumi's hair. "Yumi-chan is so cute when she blushes. It makes my heart flutter."

"Rosa Gigantea!" Yumi cried, her cheeks puffing out, appearing indignant as she glared at Sei but the look quickly left her as they came to the Rose Mansion. Pausing in her walk, Yumi stared at the building with uncertain eyes and an air of nervousness clung to her. Something in her wanted to protest going inside, it all felt so overwhelming in that instant, but Sei was at her side and she was smiling warmly, taking her hand and tugging her forward, telling her to come. "Yes," Yumi replied, automatically following after Sei, sighing when she felt Sei squeeze her hand in gentle reassurance as they walked up the stairs.

They opened the door to the council room and Yumi blinked at the sight of her classmate, Toudou Shimako, sitting down for tea with Rosa Foetida and Rosa Chinensis. Sei had a similar reaction until she recalled the offhand mention of the other girl's name to her fellow Roses. Something she had done less out of interest in Shimako and more out of an attempt to keep Yumi to herself. Lifting an eyebrow and a smile quirking on her lips, Sei said, "Shimako is here too." Focusing on Eriko and Touko, she continued in perfectly even tones, "Why is that?"

"I want Toudou Shimako-san to help the Yamayurikai," said Youko easily, wearing a serene expression.

Snorting at this explanation, knowing it wasn't anything close to the truth, Sei put an arm around Yumi's shoulder and offered a rakish grin. "What do you know? That's why I brought Yumi-chan with me," she drawled.

"Yumi-chan, is it?" asked Youko, eyeing them with a discerning gaze.

"Yes, Rosa Chinensis!" said Yumi quickly, trying to bow with Sei still resting on top of her. "My name is Fukuzawa Yumi. I'm a first year in the Pine Class."

"The same as Shimako-san then," offered Eriko and Yumi nodded, blushing at the attention.

"This is suspiciously responsible of you, Rosa Gigantea," said Youko as her lips curved upwards in a smile and she rested her chin in the palm of her hand. "Should I be concerned?"

"Weren't you saying how third years should set better examples for the first years, Rosa Chinensis?" asked Sei, a gleam in her eyes, hugging Yumi closer to her. "And you're right. We are short handed around here, we could use the help."

Releasing a thoughtful murmur, Youko shifted her attention to Yumi. "What do you say, Fukuzawa Yumi-san?" she began. "Are you willing to assist the Yamayurikai? Shimako-san has said she needs to think further on the matter."

Her eyes flew from Sei to Youko then back and seeing the happy shine in Sei's eyes along with an honest affection, Yumi felt whatever anxiety she had suddenly disappear. She had no idea why Rosa Gigantea seemed to like her or why she would ever want much less need her help but the idea that she did pleased Yumi more than she could properly explain. "Yes," she said happily, looking at Sei whose smile got that much wider and Yumi squeaked as she was wrapped up in a hug. "I'll help for as long as I'm needed, if that's what the Roses want."

For those present, there was no doubt in anyone's mind it was exactly what Rosa Gigantea wanted.

Wherever Yumi went, she brought a liveliness with her and Sei was certain that was part of why she was becoming so attached to the girl. The Rose Mansion was a quiet place for the most part when you took away the occasional spat between the council members but with Yumi there it was filled with laughter and jokes and it made Sei want to be there. Though she had attended Lillian ever since kindergarten, she never felt entirely at home. There was a perpetual feeling of being an outsider and when she looked at Shimako, who after a week also agreed to help the Yamayurikai, she saw shades of herself in how she was with others.

Perhaps that's why she was initially drawn to Shimako but Sei wondered, with them being so alike, what she could ever have to offer her. Yumi was her complete opposite. A bright and cheerful girl, someone with a loving family, utterly normal in a way that was stupendously charming. Honest to a fault and without even thinking about it, Sei found herself telling Yumi things. Giving her advice, increasing Yumi's self-confidence, and speaking of her own past.

Done with meetings for the day, they walked out of the Rose Mansion, and Sei slung an arm around Yumi's shoulder, as had become her habit and Yumi just smiled up at Sei, used to this action. In the distance, Sei saw a flash and she squinted at the figure of Tsukato and her camera being accompanied by Mami from the school paper. Raising an eyebrow, she looked over at Yumi who hadn't noticed them and grabbed her hand.

"Yumi-chan," Sei drawled, turning sharply and forming a lopsided grin. "Dash!"

With that, they took off in a run and trying her best to keep up with the rapid pace, Yumi wailed, "Rosa Gigantea!"

They came to a stop by the cherry trees in the back of the school, a place they had come to think of as their own, they visited it so often. Sitting down on a the bench with a huff, Sei grinned up at Yumi. "Did I wear Yumi-chan out?" she asked.

"Mou," said Yumi with fond exasperation, sitting next to Sei and sighing. "It would be nice if you would give me a little more warning before we go running off. Sometimes it's hard for me to keep up with you, Rosa Gigantea."

"But I like the idea of Yumi-chan chasing after me," Sei teased, laughing at the grimace Yumi formed.

"Why did we go running anyway?" asked Yumi curiously.

"Just trying to lose the spies," said Sei casually, putting her arm on the back of the bench and around Yumi's shoulders. When Yumi heaved another sigh, Sei cocked her head to one side. "You're going to have to get used to them if you keep spending time with me. You know that, don't you?"

"It's hard to," Yumi confessed, looking at Sei with wide and quietly confused eyes. "I know what you told me, how it doesn't matter what other people think of me. Just the people I care for and I've been trying to think that way but…"

"But?" prompted Sei, dipping her head to peer into Yumi's eyes.

"But I don't understand why being with you is enough for them to be interested in me," Yumi confessed, her cheeks turning a deep red. "I'm not special, not like the Yamayurikai." Yumi's brow furrowed and she murmured, "Maybe that's it though. When you stop and think about it, Shimako-san looks like she fits in so much more than I do. I guess it's natural that people wonder why I'm there."

"Yumi-chan is there because I want her to be," said Sei softly and Yumi looked to Sei with a startled expression. Smiling at this and reaching out to play with one of Yumi's pigtails, Sei continued, "And I also hope because it's where she wants to be."

"Rosa Gigantea," whispered Yumi, her gaze filling with tears and Sei clucked her tongue at this, wiping them away and Yumi released a little laugh. "Of course I want to be with you. It's so much fun and you're so nice…"

"I'm glad Yumi-chan thinks I'm fun," said Sei, grinning widely. "I'd be destroyed if she thought otherwise." When Yumi rolled her eyes and wiped the last of her tears away, Sei went back to playing with her pigtails. "I didn't used to be this way. When I was younger, I took everything so seriously." Yumi looked at her with blatant disbelief and Sei laughed. "If Yumi-chan doesn't believe me she can ask Rosa Chinensis or Rosa Foetida. They've known me for years. Anyway," Sei went on, moving her gaze to the cherry blossoms drifting on the wind. "When she graduated my onee-sama told me to stop being so serious about things. That I should try to relax the next time I found something I cared for." Sei looked to Yumi who had a light blush covering her features and Sei tugged on one of her ribbons, letting Yumi's hair fall loose. "That's why I'm happy Yumi-chan thinks I'm fun." Pulling the other ribbon free, Sei ran her fingers through Yumi's hair that sat at her shoulders. It was slightly askew and in some way it reminded Sei of her own haircut with the little pieces sticking here and there but Sei thought it suited Yumi. "You look pretty with your hair down, Yumi-chan," she remarked, curling a lock around her finger.

"Do you prefer it down?" asked Yumi, touching her hair self-consciously.

"Yumi-chan is Yumi-chan and I love her cute face no matter what," Sei drawled, pinching Yumi's cheek and grinning at the squeak she released. "Your haircut isn't why I like you."

"Then why?" asked Yumi, quiet enough that Sei almost didn't hear her.

"I like Yumi-chan because of the way she's changing me," said Sei and when Yumi looked utterly confused, she chuckled. Rising to her feet, she pulled Yumi up after her and flung an arm around her shoulders. "Come on," she drawled. "We should go before we miss the last bus and we're forced to hitch a ride in Sachiko's limousine."

Giggling at this and feeling slightly overwhelmed at the idea of being in Rosa Chinensis en bouton's chauffeured car, Yumi followed after Sei, unable to help going over the Rose's words. Wondering how she was changing Sei and hoping whatever those changes were, the older girl felt they were good ones.

A soft hand in her own kept Sei from leaving the council room at the end of their meeting. Arching an eyebrow and looking at Youko curiously, she could see the silent request in her friend's eyes. "Yumi-chan," Sei called out, smiling as she looked up at Yumi who paused in her conversation with Yoshino and Shimako. "Go ahead without me. I need to talk to Rosa Chinensis."

Nodding her head and giving a smile, Yumi left the council room and after Sachiko quietly asked if Youko needed anything else, they were left alone and in relative silence. At least until Sei walked to the window and watched Yumi interacting with Yoshino, a smile on her face and her hands moving emphatically. She felt Youko move to stand at her side. "Ahhh," Sei said with a happy sigh, resting her hand against the glass of the window pane. "Yumi-chan is such a good girl, isn't she?"

"I notice she's been wearing her hair down as of late," observed Youko shrewdly. "Is that your doing?"

Scratching her cheek, Sei replied, "I told her she looked pretty with it down but I didn't tell her to wear it that way. Although, I do like it. Don't you think it makes her looks more like me?" asked Sei with an impish grin.

"She certainly looks more mature," said Youko, ignoring Sei's remark about her and Yumi's hair being alike. Studying Sei for several moments, she finally said, "You're a different person when you're with her."

"Is that so?" asked Sei innocently, blinking at Youko who simply stared at her. Grinning at this, Sei shook her head and looked back out the window, watching Yumi walk backwards as she spoke with Shimako and Yoshino. "The day I met her I was running after Shimako. When I first saw Shimako I thought it was Shiori and maybe that's why I chased her but then I ran into Yumi and you could never confuse Yumi for Shiori and even Shimako, she just looks like Shiori, but Yumi…"

"Yumi-chan is special," Youko supplied and Sei looked at her with amusement. "You know, I originally brought Shimako here because I wanted her to become your petite soeur. When you spoke about her you had the same look on your face when you first mentioned Shiori but Shimako—"

"Is too much like me," interrupted Sei with a grin, lifting an eyebrow at the shocked look on Youko's features. Chuckling and folding her arms over her chest as she leaned against the wall, Sei said, "I do have some self-awareness, Youko."

"Really? That's good," said Youko with mild humor, smiling when Sei bumped their shoulders together. "What about Yumi-chan?"

"What about her?" asked Sei, frowning.

"She's nothing like you," said Youko and there was a fondness in her eyes as she smiled at Sei.

"I know," Sei laughed good naturedly. "That's why I love her." Pushing off the wall, Sei entwined her fingers, stretching her arms above her head and popping her back with a sigh. "Something about Yumi-chan makes me want to help her and I just like being with her." Looking over her shoulder at Youko, she lifted an eyebrow. "Isn't that enough?"

"Yes," said Youko quietly. "That's more than enough." Her gaze traveled back to the window where the girls were stopped at the statue of Maria-sama. "I have no intentions of trying to make Shimako your petite soeur. All the same, I would like her to continue to help us if you have no objections."

"You've got plans for her, haven't you?" asked Sei, smirking and laughing when Youko just looked at her placidly. Tossing her hair over her shoulder and offering Youko a jaunty grin as she headed out the door, she declared, "Why would I care? After all, I have Yumi-chan."

Remaining still, Youko watched the door to the council room slam shut then she heard the hurried stomp of Sei heading out of the Rose Mansion. Turning slowly, Youko looked out the window, watching as Sei ran in a most unladylike fashion. Heading quickly down the path and towards Maria-sama's statue where Yumi was praying in relative peace until Sei jumped on her back. Though she was too far away to see, Youko could clearly picture Yumi's blush and hear her affectionate protests in her mind and a smile forming on her features, Youko walked from the window. "I'm happy for you, Sei," she murmured, speaking to the empty room.