A/N: Yes, I know, ungodly short chapter… I'll just plunk this here…there are a lot of chapters to this story, considering the short length of each one, but sometimes I just need a break from the complex story telling…a lot of religious themes throughout…anyone who's taken a study in Christianity has a good idea where this is going…I felt since Shimako is so very devout, this was an appropriate use of biblical referencing…inspite of the nature of the fiction at hand…contradictory though it is.
Hence the fiction name.
I'll probably give this an update about once a week...
Sinfully Devine
Arc 1: Commandments
Chapter One
It behooves the head of the family to teach the many parables in a simple way, so that without difficulty, his fellows can understand his words, and take them as law.
This too holds true for those who proclaim themselves as sisters, held bound and revered by a rosary.
"It has been decided." Yumi said happily. "The new votes are in, and with this good news, I can finally graduate without any concerns."
"Finally, I thought they'd never tally them." Yoshino sighed with a breath of relief. "Not to mention, I was worried that the soeur system might actually fail us when it came to our younger sisters. They're an interesting brand this year, that's for sure."
"I would not speak so freely on the matter." Shimako said slowly. "They tried very hard this year to earn favor in the elections. Mind you, I was worried for a moment that Noriko-chan wouldn't garner very much respect."
"You doubted her?" Yoshino asked, leaning forward just the slightest bit.
"Of course not, that would be silly." Shimako said with a slight shake of her head. "Her abilities to speak her mind are astounding. It gives me the reason to believe that she would not falter." Gathering the dishes, Shimako offered a simple little frown. "However, that selfsame reason instills my worry all the same. Others might not see it that way. Noriko-chan is very headstrong."
"I know what you mean." Yumi said quietly, a heavy sigh falling from her lips. "Touko-chan can be the same way. I wish she would listen, but, she likes to do things her own way."
"Thankfully, you look past that, Yumi-chan." Yoshino nodded from her place. "Now that we have elections out of the way, we can relax a bit. Have you guys decided what you're going to do after graduation?"
"I will stay home a little while longer, and help my family." Shimako said quietly from her place at the small sink. "I'm not yet prepared to join a convent, so I've decided to take catechism classes for a while longer."
"Sounds like you have it easy." Yoshino said, shoulders slumped as she leaned heavily on the table. "I'm not so lucky." Clearing a few fallen flower petals out of her way so that she didn't squish them, she sighed. "I'm going to try to get my way into university if I can. If push comes to shove, our family owns a corner store. I can always help out there." Giving a glance to Yumi, Yoshino grinned. "Are you still trying to figure out what you're going to do?"
"I want to go to university." Yumi said then, her eyes averted as soon as she realized the spotlight was on her. "I just don't know what I want to do yet…" fidgeting only the slightest bit, she pulled her lower lip between her teeth. "But, I think, maybe I'll go to Lillian's university. That way, the commute won't be so bad, and I can keep kind of close to Touko."
"I'm sure that it will help to take the weight off of her mind." Shimako nodded knowing that to be true. Having washed the tea set, she turned off the water and leaned gently on the small counter top. "The first year that Sei was no longer part of the council, I remember how difficult it was for me. Sometimes, I would see her walking back and forth from her classes. It was enough to instill some measure comfort."
"Are you really going to become a nun, Shimako-chan?" Yumi asked then.
"That was indeed the plan I had in mind." Shimako said with the slightest nod, her lips thinning into a tight line. "I have no need to change paths now."
Yoshino, true to form, was the first to address the gigantic, looming elephant in the room. "What does Sei-san think about that?"
"I don't know." Shimako murmured, averting her gaze to the floor. "I never had the particular urge to ask, and if she thinks poorly of the choice, she's never said anything to indicate such a thing." The question bothered her either way. Sei had a past that could be considered delicate.
"Sei-chan can be difficult that way." Yumi said, cutting off what she knew would be a retort from their good friend. "I wouldn't worry, Shimako-chan. If that's what you want to do, then you should go ahead and do it. I'm sure Sei-chan will support you no matter what you choose."
"Yes, well there is that at least." Shimako smiled, but, she had to admit it felt empty. "In any case, this is probably an inopportune place to have a discussion of such merits, don't you think?" Shimako asked, trying to smile light heartedly as she gathered her school bag. "I really must be going, but perhaps we can discuss this another time, over tea away from the school...yes, I do believe that would be best."