Chapter 2 Seiiryu Soga and Sachiko-sama

Yumi was walking home from school. She stopped at the bus stop and waited for the bus to arrive. She looked at the sky and saw cumulus nimbus clouds. "Oh, it's going to rain" Yumi told herself silently "And to think that I haven't even brought with me my umbrella." She looked at the road for any sign of a bus yet she could only see cars passing by. She took a deep breath and began praying to Maria-sama, "Please Maria-sama, don't let it rain before I would ride a bus back home"

"Maria-sama huh? You mean Mother Mary?" A voice said next to her.

Yumi shrieked in surprise and turned to where the voice came from, it came from her left side. A boy about her age, 15 years of age stood beside her. Yumi looked at him from head to toe. He has a light blond hair fashioned to stay up at the back and at the left side then casually falling down his forehead. His eyes were the color of the the lake in a breezy day and his eyelashes were thick, long and smoky. His nose is pointed but not too pointed. And Yumi quickly noticed his lips they were the shape of a cherubim's bow and how they seemed so soft to touch and seemed to inviting someone to kiss them because of their fullness and redness in color. Yumi appraised him objectively. He is fair in color, no not pale but his skin seemed to glow and his cheeks rosy. He is tall about 5"9'. His face gave the look of a cool but smart, independent but gentle and somewhat rebellious but nonetheless kind person. He was sporting a motorcycle jacket, red in color with a white sport shirt inside and a pair of red sneakers. He is a heart throb alright Yumi thought. Yumi thought he resembled someone and began looking at him curiously.

"Ha ha ha…" Yumi giggled quietly. Now she knows who he resembles.

"Umm, what are you laughing at? Do I have any dirt in my face or what?" The boy said rather self-consciously.

Yumi blushed because apparently she both embarrassed herself for laughing at a stranger and the stranger for someone to laugh at him.

"Uh, no…it's just that…" Yumi said rather hestitating.

"What? It's just that what?" The boy replied while taking out a handkerchief and began wiping his face for any possible smudge.

"You look like…you look like a princess from fairy tales. The one who temporarily died because of the poisoned apple. You seem to fit the book's description about her physical appearance but of course you are a boy and you don't possibly live with dwarves. " Yumi said to the stranger.

"Argh, a lot of people tell me that…" The boy interjected.

"Oh, I'm sorry…I didn't mean to offend you in any way. " Yumi frantically said.

"No, I was not offended. It's fine. When people tell me that I'm rather…hmm…pissed but at least I look like that princess and not the dwarves!"The boy said brightly.

"But you have a rugged appeal." Yumi clapped her hand to her mouth, silently scolding herself for being too much honest.

"Thank you!" the boy replied warmly, "Oh, look it's raining. Come let's share this jacket." The boy placed the jacket over their heads to shield themselves from the soft rain. "By the way, I am Seiiryu Soga at your service!" the boy introduced himself.

"I am Fukuzawa Yumi" Yumi replied.

"A cute name certainly fits a cute lady like you." Soga said.

Yumi blushed and look towards the road. She saw a bus speeding up towards them. The bus stopped infront of them and the two stepped in the bus. Together, they sat at the available seats at the back.

Sitting down, they absorbed their surroundings. The air conditioner hummed as the cool air swirled around them. They smelled the strawberry scent of the air freshener fastened around the air conditioners. They both noticed that they are somewhat wet and their clothes damp from the rain. Yumi looked outside and saw that the rain become heavier. She sighed and began to remove the ribbons fashioned to her hair in the form of pigtails. She removed them one by one and let her hair fall down clumsily to her shoulders.

Soga noticing Yumi's current activity let out a wolf-like whistle and smiling at her said, "You look prettier with your hair down, you look mature, sophisticated and…well prettier!"

"Thank you. You are generous with such kind words. Actually, my hair is wavy and kind of coarse. It's just wet that's why it might look shiny and pretty. It's not manageable that's why I keep in pig tails." Replied Yumi.

"Is that so? Well then why don't you have it treated?" Inquired Soga.

"It might damage my hair more, you know the chemicals and stuff." Yumi replied.

Soga said while nodding his head, "Ahh…but I know a natural treatment. They often do it in France and I'm telling you it's all natural and organic. No chemicals!"

"France? Then do I still have to go in France to have that treatment?" Yumi said incredulously .

It was Soga's turn to look outside even though he is not beside the window. The bus came to a stop and then Yumi told Soga, "I'm stepping out of the bus Soga-san, my house is near from here."

Soga snapped out from his thoughts and sensed that Yumi is not beside him anymore. He said, "I'll come down with you. You might get wet."

"Oh, you don't have to do that. I already abused your kindness by making you listen to my sentiments about my hair." Yumi said while blushing because of Soga's concern.

"The bus is leaving!" shouted the bus driver.

Standing up and taking Yumi's arm, Soga said, "Come on Yumi-san"

They both left the bus and began walking home. At first, they stood meters from each other while Soga is holding his jacket over their heads. Then as the rain got heavier, Soga closed the gap between them and telling Yumi, "Is it okay if I get this closer to you? I mean, it's raining and all… I don't want you to get wet and honestly… I don't want myself to get wet too…"

Yumi stopped and thought for a second.

"Actually it might be bad if someone sees us and thinks that… well, I don't want to get sick too and miss my class tomorrow… just put some distance, ok?"

"Sure…"

They walked together and finally they reached the house of Yumi.

Yumi turned to Soga, "As much as I would like to invite you inside our house, I think it's not appropriate. We had just met today but I appreciate your kindness. Thank you."

"It's nothing really. Everyone would just go in their way to rescue a damsel in distress like you. Thank you for trusting me." Soga mumbled.

"So long then, Soga-san?"

"Can I see you some other time? Or call you, Yumi-chan?"

Yumi blushed and quickly looked at her feet. She couldn't believe that a guy like Soga is interested in her.

"Maybe…"

Soga's face broke into a huge grin, "Well then, your number is listed in the directory… I guess."

"Yes"

"See you soon, Yumi-san"

"I'll see you soon, Soga-san"

Yumi was surprised when she saw that she is already in front of the statue of Maria-sama. She put her hands together and was about to pray for Soga's safety when a voice called out to her-

"Wait."

"…" Yumi saw that it was that person who called her, "Um… would you be speaking to me?" she asked lamely. Yumi already confirmed that she was the only one in direct eye sight and she was the only one that could possibly be spoken to. Even so, she found it difficult to believe.

"You are not mistaken. I am the one who spoke and you are the one to whom I'm speaking to."

She gave Yumi a small smile and walked straight towards her.

"Hold this." She gave Yumi her bag which Yumi accepted, puzzled.

"Your tie, it's crooked."

Ahh, so my tie got crooked this morning because of the hug that Soga gave me. Yumi thought.

"You should always be aware of your personal appearance. Maria-sama is watching, after all."

And with that, the person took back her bag from Yumi, said "gokigenyou," and walked ahead to the school building.

That was… Ogasawa Sachiko. Yumi told herself.

Surely it's just an ordinary day.