From the backstage aisle Yumi looked over at Touko with pride. The drama-club's performance for the school festival had finished and Touko had played her part with perfection. The girl definitely had a talent for acting. Meeting Touko's glance she gave her a huge smile, her hands moving furiously in applause.
She was pleased to see Touko-chan return her smile. Yumi could never be sure if the affection she showed towards the younger girl would be accepted. Over the last few weeks in preparation for the School festival, she'd grown a lot closer to the wilfull first-year and she'd found herself understanding the girl a little more with each day.
Touko held forth a tough exteriour, but hidden deep inside was a strong urge to be loved and cared for. She'd had occasion to visit Touko's house a couple of times during the preparations. They'd been quick visits, she'd merely gone to drop things off or to pick things up, but on each occasion she had failed to meet her parents.
They were rarely at home, Touko-chan had informed her. Their schedules left little time for their only daughter.
After a couple of visits, she'd come to realise why Touko prefered to spend time over with her cousins rather than her own home. After this, Yumi had quickly come up with an excuse to invite Touko over to her house, insisting she stay for dinner as well. That had been the first of many dinners.
As she looked over at the young girl taking a final bow, she couldn't help but notice the way her eyes searched the crowd. They glanced almost with resignation, but Yumi could also see the slightest bit of hope mixed in. She couldn't help but sigh as Touko's eyes turned to steel and she saw the all too familar shield return.
"You were great Touko-chan," Yumi congratulated as the actors left the stage.
Touko shrugged as if non-pulsed. "We've been working hard."
Yumi smiled. "I'm sure your parents would've been proud if they were here."
"Hmph," Touko looked away, sticking her head high up in the air. "I don't care what they think."
"Aww," Yumi smiled affectionately. "Come with me Touko-chan." She grasped the girl's hand and led her outside.
"Let me go Yumi-sama," Touko struggled.
Yumi's grip tightened as she continued to drag the younger girl behind her. "I want to talk with you in private."
It wasn't long before the two girls were seated on a bench inside the greenhouse.
"What do you want Yumi-sama?"
Yumi smiled hesitantly, suddenly nervous. "I...I just wanted to say I'm proud of you Touko-chan."
Not used to such words of affection, Touko blushed and looked away gruffly. "I simply did my job as a member of the drama club. You don't need to be proud of me. You're not... Hmph. Forget it."
Yumi wished she could read the girl's thoughts at this moment. There were times she felt as if Touko genuinely liked her and yet, when the girl looked at her with angry eyes, all her confidence would dissapear.
With a sigh, her thoughts drifted back to another conversation she'd had recently in the very same greenhouse.
"What's wrong Yumi?"
Yumi looked up at the sound of her onee-sama's voice. She gave her elder sister a brave smile, her mood picking up instantly at the girl's presence. She was continually amazed at how much she cared for Sachiko. Her feelings were so strong they sometimes scared her with their fierceness. She was going to miss her terribly when she graduated.
Shaking her head, Yumi forced the thoughts out of her head. Now was not the time to be thinking about such things.
"I'm fine Onee-sama."
"Yumi." Sachiko said her name softly, covering the girl's hand with her own as she sat down next to her.
With a soft sigh, Yumi glanced across at Sachiko with affection. She didn't want to worry her Onee-sama with her thoughts, but she realised that not explaining would worry her more.
"Do you think Touko-chan likes me?"
Sachiko smiled with understanding and gently squeezed Yumi's hand.
"I think it's about time you chose a petite souer. You're scared she would reject your rosary? You know, that cousin of mine adores you. She simply can't stop talking about you. You're always brought up in conversation."
Yumi sighed again, happy with the notion of Touko's affections, yet still troubled.
"Touko-chan is so tough. I know her family situation and I understand why she appears so strong all the time. I want to be there for her. But...but...she doesn't need someone like me. What can I do? How can I protect her? I'm not that strong..."
"Yumi...look at me."
Yumi met her Onee-sama's gaze hesitantly, blinking at the tears starting to form.
"It is your strength that's brought me where I am."
Yumi blinked in confusion, her brows furrowing as she tried to comprehend what her Onee-sama was saying.
With a gentle movement, Sachiko lifted her free hand and placed it lovingly against Yumi's cheek, smiling as the younger girl leaned into her touch.
"Much as I would like to say I'm the stronger one here, being your Onee-sama, I can't. It is your strength that has guided me over the past twelve months. A year ago I could never have imagined meeting with Hanadera boys of my own will. I could never imagine befriending some of them. Enduring the sight of numerous males rushing and yelling and climbing up a double storey tower to where I sat. No...I could never have imagined any of that. You've guided me with just your presence...and your love. Don't underestimate yourself Yumi, there's a quality inside your heart that speaks with its own strength. Remember that."
Yumi blinked as she pushed the memory aside. She remembered the love that spilled from her heart at her Onee-sama's words. She'd reached for her then, resting her head against Sachiko's chest as the tears fell.
Shaking her head, she brought herself back firmly to the present and her current predicament.
"Touko-chan," she began with determination. "I don't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"Oh, no," Touko-chan turned back to face Yumi, a genuine smile reaching her lips. "It's okay. Is there something else you wanted to say? If not I'll be--"
"Wait," Yumi grasped Touko-chan's wrist to pull her back down to the bench. "There is something else..."
Touko-chan looked at her curiously. "What is it?"
Yumi reached hesitantly into her pocket, her hand trembling slightly. "I...I bought you something. I wanted to give it to you when the time was right."
"What is it?"
Unable to meet her gaze, Yumi closed her eyes as her fingers reached for the hidden rosary. "Can you open your hand Touko-chan?"
Touko's gaze became thoughtful, a suspicious look reaching her eye. Nevertheless, she agreed to the request.
"You're acting strange Yumi-sama. What do you want to give me?"
Slowly and with great care, Yumi lifted her hand from her pocket, the rosary inside enclosed in a tight fist. There was no better time for this, she tried to convince herself. It would be okay if Touko-chan refused. Her Onee-sama was there for her.
Just thinking about Sachiko was enough to lift Yumi's spirits. A new wave of confidence rising through her, she used her empty hand to place it against the back of Touko's, holding it in place as she lowered her fist.
"Will you accept me as your Onee-sama?" she said the words softly, her hand opening up to press the rosary firmly onto the girl's hand. "I know I'm not the strongest person around, but I'd like to watch over you. If you'll have me?"
Yumi held her breath as she awaited the girl's response. Looking into her eyes she noticed a miriad of emotions start to take place. The first was one of shock, surprise, then disbelief followed by what looked to be fear, finally she saw what could only be described as happiness.
Not trusting her own eyes, Yumi blinked a couple of times before trying to speak. "Do you accept?"
"What do you think?" the girl flashed her a grin, her head lifted high as she met Yumi's gaze proudly. "Well, don't just stand there. Shouldn't you place the rosary around my neck like a good Onee-sama?"
"Yes!" Yumi responded immediately to the command, hastily picking up the rosary. She paused then, regaining her composure. Who was the older sister here anyway? With a smile, she met Touko's gaze warmly as she slowly lifted the rosary up and over the younger girl's head.
"Touko-chan?" She spoke the girl's name softly as her hands came to rest against her shoulders. She was surprised at the tears glistening in her eyes. "Touko-chan?" She repeated her question, wondering why the younger girl was crying.
A second later, she felt small arms engulf her waist as her newest sister burried her face against her neck.
"Aww...Touko-chan," she spoke quietly, her own arms moving to complete the embrace. Her little sister might put on a brave front, but for once, she'd allowed herself to reveal some true emotion. Yumi couldn't have been happier to realise that she was the cause of it.
"Thank you Touko-chan."
With a sudden jerk, Touko released herself from Yumi's embrace. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes before reaching for Yumi's hand.
"Come on Onee-sama," she glanced up cheekily at Yumi. "Lets go tell everyone the good news. I can't wait to see Kanako-san's reaction. Teeheehee."
"Touko-chaaan," Yumi rolled her eyes good naturedly as she followed the younger girl outside.