(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)

The young banana curled girl clasped her hands together in front of Maria-sama. Maria-sama, please help me be a better person and right the wrongs I have done. Touko prayed earnestly. It had been a week since her life and dreams came crashing down around her, owing to her selfishness.

"Good day Touko-san," The familiar voice of Rosa Chenesis en bouton's petit soeur said behind her.

Touko turned around fully and put her best smile on. "Good day, Kanako-san. How are you?" the girl said cheerily.

Kanako's face became guarded, not expecting the cheerful response. She responded calmly, "I am well thank you and you, Touko-san?"

"I am fine, thank you." The smaller girl replied. "Since the second years are away to Italy this week, could you care to join Noriko-san and me for lunch?" Touko asked.

She is trying, Kanako thought to herself, and Noriko will be there also so I should be safe. I would love to join the two of you for lunch, thank you for the invitation." Kanako responded and headed down the pathway leading to the Rose Mansion. Kanako was wary of the smaller girl because of the horrible incident last week.

**** FLASHBACK ****

Kanako was walking down the pathway when a familiar voice called out to her. She stopped and turned around. "What can I do for you Touko-san?"

"I have a question for you." Touko responded icily. "How did a stalker fan girl like you manipulate Yumi-sama to make you her petit soeur?"

"Touko-san, I never asked for this. It was Yumi-sama's decision." Kanako shot back at her.

"But why you? There are many more qualified and worthy first years, that would be a much better fit than you." Touko said disapprovingly. "You're just not good enough for Yumi-sama."

Kanako, tears in her eyes, ran at full speed to the Rose Mansion.

**** END FLASHBACK ****

Touko had apologized to her later that afternoon, but she found it hard to believe from a girl who has as many masks as Touko. So she told Touko to prove it.

Kanako entered the Rose Mansion, climbed the stairs, and went through the biscuit door to the meeting room. Seeing no one there, she started heating water for tea and began arranging the table for the Yamayurikai's morning meeting. With the second year members on the school trip to Italy, the meeting would be a small gathering of four.

As Kanako was getting the teacups down, she heard the door open. Kanako turned and greeted the newcomer. "Good day Rosa Chenesis, would back tea be acceptable this morning?"

Sachiko laid her things on the table, sat down then answered smiling, "Good day, Kanako-chan. Black tea would be welcome, thank you."

Kanako fixed the tea and brought it over to Sachiko, who took a sip and sighed smiling. "Just right, " she said to the younger girl, who beamed at the praise.

"Thank you Sachiko-sama." She said bowing.

"Kanako-chan, " Sachiko started, "Since Yumi is away this week and I find myself lonesome, do you think we can spend some time together? I would like to get to know my granddaughter a little better." The older girl asked.

"Certainly, " the younger girl answered smiling. "When would be convenient for you?" Kanako asked.

"How about tomorrow after school?" Sachiko suggested.

Kanako responded immediately, "Of course Sachiko-sama."

"Then it's a date." the older girl said wryly causing Kanako to blush heavily. Sachiko giggled at the younger girl's reaction.

Just then the last two attendees entered, Noriko, Rosa Gigantea en bouton and Rei, Rosa Foeteda. The tow found seats around the table while Kanako server them tea, then sat down herself. Today the student council discussed the play they were planning on doing for the school's cultural festival. While assigning parts, Rei observed, "Between the Handera student council and us, we have all parts covered except one. Do we know of anyone who would be willing to help us?" She asked.

"We could ask Touko-san." Noriko suggested hesitantly, looking at Kanako. "She is a great actress." The two Rosas also looked at Kanako for her approval.

Kanako thought for a second and responded. "I'm having lunch with Touko-san today, so I'll ask her then."

"Agreed." Sachiko said giving Kanako a supportive glance.

With that the meeting closed. Kanako started collecting the cups when Noriko spoke. "Kanako-san, why don't you go ahead, I'll finish up here." Kanako left the cups in the sink and collected her things. As she was walking out the door, Noriko spoke again and said "Thank you."

Kanako turned to the other girl. "For what?" she asked.

Noriko responded, "For Touko-san, it would really mean a lot to her to be in this play."

Kanako nodded, then headed to class.

At lunchtime the three girls, Touko, Noriko, and Kanako met up and left class together. Touko turned to the other two and said, "It's such a nice day out, do we want to eat in the grove?" The other two girls agreed, so the headed out to the grove. Touko seemed full of nervous energy, and she kept chattering on about this and that until they finally made it to the grove and settled down to eat.

As they started eating, Touko turned to Kanako and said, "Thank you for agreeing to have lunch with me Kanako-san. I know it may be too soon to ask, after what happened last week, but I would like the opportunity to start fresh." the banana curled girl finished, smiling sincerely.

Kanako paused, remembering Onee-sama's wish to start over with her, and she smiled thinking of the closeness that brought them and said "Your words of last week still sting, but I am will to try if you will bear with me."

Touko looked pained, being reminded of last week's events, but as the rest of Kanako's statement registered in her brain, Touko visibly brightened. "Thank you, Kanako-san. I packed an extra sweet bun, woul dyou please accept it." Touko said as she handed Kanako the sweet bun she held.

"Thank you, touko-san." Kanako said as she accepted the offering. Kanako brought the bun to her mouth and took a bite. "It's delicious," she responded smiling, then went on. "now I have a favor to ask of you Touko-san. We have an unassigned part in the play we are doing this year. Would you be interested in helping us out?" Kanako asked.

"I would have no problem doing it as long as Yumi-sama approves. The offer means a lot to me, especially coming from you; but I have no wish to alienate Yumi-sama." Touko responded with hope in her eyes.

Kanako smiled, seeing the girl open up to her and stated. "I think between Sachiko-sama and I, Onee-sama will have no problem with you helping us."

Touko jumped up and grabbed Kanako in an excited embrace. "Thank you for the opportunity." Touko said with joy in her eyes. Kanako giggled at the exuberance bubbling out of Touko and realized that Touko was much cuter when she wasn't hiding behind a mask. For the remainder of their lunchtime, the girls discussed plans and ideas for the play, then they cleaned up and headed back to class.

During the meeting after school, Kanako informed the rest of the student council about Touko's conditional acceptance. Sachiko agreed with Kanako that obtaining Yumi's approval upon her return from Italy would not be a problem.