DISCLAIMER: I don't own Maria sama ga Miteru
The walk to the university was uneventful as usual.
Her apartment building was close, so there was no need to take public transportation. Yumi barely noticed the passersby, her feelings as quietly grim as the gray sky above her. Reaching the bench that she always passed on her way to her classes, she stopped and picked up a small envelope that had been left for her. She rummaged in her bag. Finding what she was looking for, she pulled out a small brightly wrapped package of cookies.
Placing it on the bench, she nodded to herself as another morning ritual was completed.
She continued walking and never looked back. And as she turned the corner, the recipient of her offered snack, a tall woman in a black suit, emerged and picked up the gift.
The woman, Aya Sakuragi, smiled slightly before placing it carefully in her pocket. She began following Yumi to the university as usual.
Unfortunately the lecture turned out to be boring. The professor was stern and uninteresting all at once. Yumi leaned her cheek on her palm and glanced down at her notebook. The notes she had written there blurred before her eyes as she started to nod off. She shook her head to clear it and peered at the professor, hoping he hadn't noticed. As he turned away, she yawned.
Yumi wondered what Aya was doing now. It was strange having her own bodyguard, especially against her will. But over time, she had grown very accustomed to it. She gazed out the window, lost in these thoughts.
Luckily, swinging her bag full of books had managed to hit her stalker that crumpled to the ground behind her.
"Who are you?" Yumi shouted down at her.
She couldn't believe what was happening.
As it if weren't enough that Sachiko had broken up with her after graduation and she hadn't seen her face in months.
As if it weren't enough that her heart was broken and she couldn't seem to mend it.
This strange woman had the gall to follow her around!
"Answer me!" Yumi shouted. Thank goodness no one was there to see; surely she would have been stopped by the police for doing this.
The woman gaped up at Yumi in horror.
"Yumi-sama, sorry! I'm so sorry!" She said quickly.
Yumi frowned down at her.
"How do you know my name?" she asked.
The woman swallowed and nervously said "Please, let me go. I'm not trying to harm you."
Yumi was at the end of her rope. She was exhausted and hungry. And the ever present ache in her heart had returned, unbidden.
The woman continued to apologize. "I'm really sorry! You weren't supposed to see me!"
"My name is Aya Sakuragi." She said quietly.
"I'm following you because I'm protecting you." She continued.
Yumi gaped at woman as she rose to her feet and backed away slowly.
"What do you mean?" Yumi asked, her hand coming up to grasp the rosary around her neck in a nervous gesture.
"I was hired to protect you." Aya said quietly, before she bowed respectfully to Yumi.
Shocked brown orbs stared at her, hoping against hope that the person who hired her was the person she wished still cared about her.
And then her eyes filled with tears as Aya confirmed it.
"I work for Sachiko ojou-sama."
Yumi sleepily rubbed her eyes and glanced up at the professor again, the memory still distracting her.
They had rarely spoken after that meeting, although Yumi was always aware of Aya's presence. Even now she was sure the other was watching her somehow.
And she had to admit; Aya helped her loneliness a little, and made her feel safe. And the knowledge that Sachiko had made the arrangement caused her to feel a bittersweet sort of happiness.
I hope she will like the cookies.
Yumi thought to herself. Small as it was, that little morning ritual always gave her some pleasure, especially because of the small envelope in her pocket. Yumi placed her hand in her pocket.
She could feel the edges of its contents. She longed to open the envelope but that was a ritual she usually saved for the evenings.
Yumi looked out the window morosely, her hand still on the envelope in her pocket. As she watched the rain drip down from the rooftop, she closed her hand over the envelope and drew it out of her pocket. She could do things a little differently today.
She tore it open carefully, appreciating Akira-san's meticulous work. She tugged the contents out and placed it carefully on her lap so that only she could see.
It was a photo of Sachiko in her office, drinking tea and reading the documents.
Yumi tilted her head and then ran a finger along Sachiko's image, feeling both happy and sad at once. She smiled wryly.
You look tired.
Yumi stared at her for a long time before returning the photo to its envelope and placing it back in her pocket.
I really miss you, Sachiko.
As the professor droned on, she felt a little cheered. Seeing Sachiko's face always did that to her, even if it was only through her picture.
Yumi saw Sei waving at her. She hurried over, her fingers still placed over the photo in her pocket.
"Sei-sama." she greeted her, a true smile gracing her face. As always, she was her trusted friend who she could count on.
They made their way to the cafeteria together.
The cafeteria was full now. She recognized her one of her classmates, who sat at the far corner gossiping merrily. She glanced around some more and then paused.
Aya was hurriedly coming towards her.
Yumi tilted her head quizzically.
Aya-san never approaches me in public. Why is she doing it now?
She looked down and noticed the phone being held out towards her.
It read "Ogasawara Sayako".
Yumi's eyes widened. Looking up at Sei she stammered fearfully.
"W-what has happened?"
