Disclaimer: I do not own Maria-sama ga Miteru.

Title: One – the violin.

Yumi stretched out her languid body tiredly as she stared broodingly at the pitch-darkness of the room. From the window, a melody of sorrow floated into the room, flooding the silence with sadness with every note played. The woeful tune of the violin extended its influence to her ears as its dance penetrated soul-deep. At the sound of the anguished music, Yumi couldn't help but let a few stray tears roll down her cheeks.

This rueful tune was simply too beautiful.

In the gloom of the night, there were no colors illuminating the chilly room. The brightly painted walls of the day now seemed forbidding and cold with shadows looming around the corners. The freshly-cleaned curtains flapped wildly in the wind, rebelling against the hooks which grappled them steadily to the windows. Weary of the frequent nights where she slept alone, Yumi often pretended that Sachiko was next to her and sleeping peacefully instead of staying up to tend to her business matters. However, tonight was different.

Sachiko was playing the violin.

She wasn't physically standing in front of her, but Yumi could imagine the look of concentration on her lover's face as she drew the music from her soul, having seen it many times. Basking in the familiar tune, Yumi debated about the simple act of going to her beloved. Despite her inner voice screaming at her to approach Sachiko, the younger woman was held back by the memory of the quarrel yesterday.

Yesterday… the day where she told me that she had to go to Paris for ten months. Ten long months without seeing each other… and she told me this news just 2 days before she had to leave…

"Sachiko, do you really have to go? Can't you just send an assistant to manage matters?"

I'll miss you… so very very much…

"Yumi, you have to understand… This woman is very vital to the success or failure of this important project! I cannot feel at ease unless I'd personally met her and clinched the necessary promises to make this project work. Why can't you put yourself in my shoes? Be more matured will you, you're 26 already!"

Such harsh words when I was just inquiring for the details…

"Those are my words to you as well, Sachiko."

"So are you saying that I'm insensitive and selfish? Is that it, Yumi? You can't stand living with me anymore, am I right? Perhaps we aren't really suited for each other after all. We're too different."

Did you ever know that I couldn't sleep at night before I knew you were coming to bed?

"What are you saying, Sachiko. Is that how you really feel? If it is, then we should just separate. There's no point in being married and living together when the both of us can't stand it."

Did you ever notice how I hugged you at night while trying not to wake you?

"Fine then. If you really want it so much, I won't stop you."

Did you ever know how hurt I felt at those words? Sachiko…

Staring at your back as you left the room… I would never forget those feelings…

Flipping over and burying herself under the blankets such that she wouldn't be able to hear the heartrending violin piece, Yumi tried to force sleep to embrace her. Nevertheless, the haunting song wouldn't stop its humming inside her preoccupied mind. Sitting upright, Yumi retrieved two small pills from the drawers next to the bed and a glass of water from the nearby flask. Popping the white substance into her mouth, Yumi gulped down a mouthful of water and went back to bed. Within minutes, the pills had worked their effects and Yumi went into a dreamless state where nothing could reach her.

"Sachiko…" she whispered in her peaceful slumber, "Sachiko…"

The aria continued to resonate throughout the house.

That night… nature kept unusually silent, mourning for two parts of a bleeding heart.

"Goodnight… Yumi, ten months would pass just in a blink of an eye. I'm sorry… Maybe you would be hurt enough to not miss me at all while I'm away. There's always a price to pay for happiness… and mine is the price of managing the whole company by myself. This can't be helped… I'm sorry."

It's Sunday.

The sun shone brightly with the scorching rays of the afternoon, finally managing to penetrate through the thick blue curtains of Yumi's room. Feeling the sun's heat on her face and arms, Yumi stirred in her sleep before slowly cracking her eyes open to adjust to the sudden surge in light intensity. Blinking slightly, she turned to the other side of the bed on reflex to greet 'good morning' to Sachiko, only to be met with an empty space where the older woman should have been sleeping.

"Oh."

It was a simple response to her absence as the events of the recent days were slowly rewound in her memories. However, 'oh' was the last emotion Yumi felt as she realized that Sachiko left without saying goodbye.

Why?

Being the only person left in the house, the brunette decided that she wanted to be matured for once and take things in her stride instead of moping around for Sachiko for days and months.

It's just ten months.

In that instant where an almost crushing ache flared within her, Yumi smiled sadly at the wedding portrait of Sachiko and her while she packed her bags.

Five hours later, Yumi found herself walking down the familiar gravel path to her old house where her parents and Yuuki still lived in.

"Ding dong!"

Maybe she was really right. Maybe all those feelings in the past were… just the past…