"The Troubling Meddling Mother's"
Characters: Ogasawara Sachiko, Fukuzawa Yumi, Ogasawara Sayako, Fukuzawa Miki.
A/N: (07/20/2014) Just reviewing and updating this lovely story. Maria-sama ga Miteru and the associated characters herein are property of their respective owners and the honorable Oyuki Konno. I own nothing except the Fan Fiction story concept written below. The author wishes to thank Oyuki-sama for creating such a beautiful world. And for graciously allowing those of us who enjoy it to come and play in it on occasion.
Thank you to all the kind readers, reviewers and followers for their comments on this, my first attempt at story writting ever. Please continue to enjoy and to leave constructive comments and advice.
And now, the conclusion...
-Chapter Three-
Several more days passed before Sayako telephoned Miki to check on their progress. "There seems to be a noticble improvement in Yumi's mood. She seems more focused now, but I sense that she is still avoiding the issue with Sachiko. So, I suspect that nothing has really changed between them." Miki said. Sayako voiced her agreement. "It's the same with Sachiko. Something has obviously happened within themselves, but there has been no further obvious progress as yet. Perhaps another little nudge in the right direction is in order?" Miki concurred with her sentiments. Sayako continued. "Now how and where to do that?"
Standing in the front room, Miki looked down at Yumi's photo of their first meeting. Seeing the Maria-sama statue in the background, a thought occurred to her. "I think I have an idea...".
-0-0-
The following week, the Musashino prefecture was holding a festival just outside the Lillian school grounds. Yumi and Miki decided to attend the festival and spent the morning touring the various concert events, plays, resturant's and shops. Both were enjoying themselves a great deal as they had not spent much time out together as mother and daughter for several months. After lunch, Miki had Yumi take her on a tour of the Lillian campus and the Rose Mansion. While she had heard Yumi speak of the famed Yamayurikai meeting place, she had never had the opportunity to be inside of it, though she herself was a Lillian Alumni. Yumi was enthusiactic in her pride of the building and everything the student council did within it's four walls. She had even made tea for her mother. Yumi had insisted that Miki sit in her chair. Yumi took advantage of the opportunity to sit in Sachiko's place.
Unbeknownst to Yumi, this was all part of a larger scheme between Miki and Sayako. The latter also having come to the festival with Sachiko. The two pairs had then played an elaborate game of cat and mouse all morning in keeping the two girls oblivious to the presence of the other. Miki had used her cell phone during her tour of the Rose Mansion to text a cue to Sayako to start heading towards the mansion.
As Yumi and Miki were walking back towards the festival, their path passed near the statue of Mari-sama. Out of habit, Yumi walked towards the statue to give a short prayer. As she did, Yumi caught sight of Sayako and Sachiko walking towards them from the opposite direction. Surprised by their appearance, Yumi stopped cold about 30 meters from the approaching pair. Subconsciously, she was aware of the fact that they were standing in almost the same positions as the first time they ever met.
Yumi sensed her mother's presence close behind her. "I believe you two have something to discuss." Miki said from over Yumi's right shoulder. "Mom, I am not..." Yumi started to say before being interrupted by her mother. "Yumi. Now. No more excuses." Miki said sternly. Then softly, into Yumi's ear, "If you truly want something, you have to make an effort to get it." She then gently pushed Yumi in Sachiko's direction.
Sachiko had also stopped as soon as she had sighted Yumi and Miki. Her mother casually said, "Ah, how nice, Miki-san and Yumi-chan are here too." Sensing something was amiss. Sachiko looked to her mother and asked her, "What is this about?"
Sayako said, "Perhaps she could tell you best." as she gestured towards Yumi. "Or maybe she is just the best one to listen to you." Her mother's obtuse answer only served to annoy Sachiko as she asked again. "What are you and Miki-san up to?" Sayako replied, with obvious pride in her voice, "We're meddling." Sachiko shot her mother her best 'Ice Princess glare of death' look at that remark. Her mother only smiled in return. "Perhaps a confession in front of Maria-sama would be good for the both of you." Sachiko looked towards Yumi. By the look on Yumi's face, Sachiko could sense that she was having a similar conversation with Miki-san. After a brief pause, Sayako told her. "Go. Now."
-0-0-
Sachiko and Yumi were nervous as they approached each other. They greeted one another with a simultaneous "Gokigenyou" that caused them both to start and giggle as a result. After a few moments of trepidation, Sachiko began with by saying, "I gather that your mother has conspired against you as well." Yumi briefly looked over her shoulder at her mother before replying. "Yes, it seems that way." Sachiko and Yumi shared a grin over their current predicament and returned to staring at each other. Neither was sure where to start.
Sachiko and Yumi both started to say, "I have something..." at the same time. This caused the pair to blush and laugh again. Sachiko yielded to Yumi by saying, "Yumi, please go first." Yumi began to argue, "Onee-sama..." before pausing briefly. "Hai." She finally said. She swallowed nervously. Realizing that the moment was upon her to let her true feelings be known. Yumi looked to Maria-sama for strength and support as she started to speak.
A small smile crossed her face as she began. "On an autumn morning not too long ago, in front of this very place, I had the good fortune to be 'disciplined' by a very special person." She turned her head back and looked into Sachiko's sapphire eyes. "I had no idea how much my life would change after that moment." Yumi then reached forward and took both of Sachiko's hands into her own. "Sachiko, I feel blessed to have had your guidance in shaping me into a petite-soeur you could be proud of. It has meant so very much to me to have had your help, your wisdom, your friendship, and your love."
Sachiko noticed Yumi's dropping of the honorific as she sighed heavily before continuing. "I have told you many things about me. However, there is something I have kept hidden from you." Yumi paused briefly again to gather her thoughts. "You have become very important to me. A treasured possession of sorts, my most precious person. As a sister and a friend, I have come to care about and...love...you a great deal."
Sachiko see the fear and trepidation in her petite-soeur's eyes. She could also feel Yumi's hands shaking as they held hers. Whatever she was about to say was important. The pair were trying very hard to hold back tears.
"Sachiko...I am in love with you. I have been for some time now. I do not know exactly when it happened. I just know that I do. I love you with everything that I am. I just wanted to tell you that you are always first in my heart. So, from my heart to yours..." Yumi paused briefly as 'It's now or never.' crossed her mind. "... I. Love. You."
Tears of joy welled up in Sachiko's eyes at the sudden onslaught of emotions and thoughts that Yumi's words brought to her. Her mind was in chaos. She tried to open her mouth to speak several times, but kept closing it without saying anything. As a tear fell from her left eye, she looked down and brought Yumi's hands up together. Pressing them up to her lips, she gently kissed Yumi's fingers. Sachiko closed her eyes to try and gather her thoughts together.
Yumi was becoming increasingly nervous as Sachiko's silence continued. Her mind began thinking; 'Have I offended her? Is she disgusted with me now? Did I overstep my boundaries? Is she going to ask for the rosary back?' Yumi was startled back into the moment as Sachiko emitted a single sob and caught her breath.
Sachiko had given up trying to remember anything that she had planned to say to Yumi about her own heart's desire. Unable to think of anything else in her state, Sachiko went with simplicity, "Yumi,..." She took another deep breath. "From my heart back to yours...I am in love with you too." She then smiled at Yumi, "You have become the very reason I exist. Everything that I am and everything that I do is for you."
Yumi was not quite sure she could believe what she just heard. Sachiko loved her too! She started doing a nervous and excited dance as she shifted her weight back and forth from foot to foot. Biting her lower lip, she asked, "R-Really?" Sachiko burst into spontaneous laughter before saying. "Yes, yes Yumi. I love everything that you are and have been to me. I love you!"
They both embraced each other tightly as Miki and Sayako shared knowing smile with each other. As Yumi and Sachiko broke their embrace, they cupped each others face. With nervous glances at each other lips, they knew what the other wanted next. As they started to lean in to kiss, they suddenly stopped. The pair then looked to Maria-sama and then back to each other as they blushed in unison.
After a moment of thoughtful silence, Yumi looked up at Sachiko, with a wicked lilt to her voice she said; "Maria-sama will just have to close her eyes." She then pulled a surprised Sachiko toward her as they shared their first kiss. Several seconds elapsed as Sachiko responded in kind to Yumi. As they did, they became aware that they were both quietly giggling in joy. After releasing their kiss, they went back into a mutual embrace. Neither wanted this moment to end.
As they both looked again to Maria-sama. Sachiko murmured, "How appropriate." Yumi just smiled and nodded her silent agreement. There was truly no other place on earth that would have sufficed for such a moment between them.
As they broke from their shared embrace; they turned to look back and forth at their mothers. Sachiko then said loud enough for the pair to hear, "You two, are in big trouble! This consipracy is over." Both Miki and Sayako smiled as they advanced towards their daughters.
As Yumi turned back toward Sachiko, she was startled to see Tsutako-san standing behind a tree with her camera in hand. She froze mid-turn at the shock. Tsutako just smiled at Yumi before quietly mouthing the words "Two shots." while giving Yumi a thumbs-up and winking. She then discretely turned and walked away. Yumi smiled back in gratitude at her departing friend as she turned back to Sachiko and hugged her again. Sachiko was seemingly unaware of Tsutako's presence.
As they hugged, Yumi whispered into Sachiko's ear, "Now we will have two more special soeur pictures." She looked at Yumi confused. "Our moment was captured...again." Yumi clarified for her. Sachiko grasped her hint and smiled wryly. She then whispered back to Yumi, "Remind me to thank her, before I break her camera." They both laughed at the comment as Miki and Sayako came together and hugged them both.
-0-0-
Continuing their day together, the four of them chatted merrily as they walked though some more exhibits at the festival and took in another play. Sachiko took advantage of the distraction to get away from Yumi momentarily. Excusing herself to go powder her nose, she quickly proceeded back to a jewelery booth that she had seen earlier in the day. Looking through the display case, she spotted the items she wanted. She purchased two of the items and had the jeweler personalize them before returning to the venue.
She arrived just as the play ended. Yumi asked if she was okay. Sachiko responded with, "I am fine. The line was just long. And you know how I am with crowds, especially on hot days." as she smiled at Yumi. Yumi nodded in agreement. The group then decided to call it a day. Sayako offered to take Yumi and Miki home. They both readily agreed. 'More time with my Yumi.' Sachiko thought to herself.
When they arrived at the Fukuzawa residence, Sayako stayed in the car as Sachiko walked Miki and Yumi to their door. Miki excused herself after politely thanking Sachiko and her mother for the ride home before going inside. Leaving Yumi and Sachiko staring at each other in silence by the door.
"It has been an...interesting day" Yumi said in a way of breaking their silence. "Yes it has." Sachiko beamed. "But there is one other thing that would make it so much better." Yumi looked at Sachiko for a moment as a smile spread across her face. "Do you need another kiss already?" she asked slyly. Sachiiko blushed at Yumi's statement. "Well, I believe that will be a necessity from now on. One Yumi kiss would simply never be enough." she said before laughing with Yumi.
Sachiko looked seriously at Yumi. "What I meant to say is that I think there is one other order of business that we need to discuss. Now that our relationship has, well, changed." Yumi looked at her with confusion evident on her face.
Sachiko briefly reached into her jeans pocket before kneeling down in front of Yumi. "Fukuzawa Yumi," Sachiko began. "Would you allow me the honor of becoming your girlfriend?" As she asked the question, Sachiko extended out her hand palm up towards her. As Yumi looked at her in shock, she saw what Sachiko held.
In her hand was a gold double serpentine bracelet. At it's center was a heart shaped medallion that had two sapphire blue stones that bordered a red "S" that was engraved into it. In addition, Yumi saw that it sported a gold cross that hung from the clasp. Yumi gasped at its beauty. She then answered with a very excited. "Yes! Yes! A million times yes!" She then extended her left arm towards Sachiko. She was shaking with excitement as Sachiko placed the item around her wrist. She continued to stare at it in amazement for several seconds before glomping her 'girlfriend' in a huge hug.
"I am so happy." She said to Sachiko. As she released her embrace, she said "But I wasn't expecting this. So I do not have anything to give to you." She then bit her lower lip in dejection. Sachiko just smiled at her before saying. "Oh, but you already did." As Yumi looked on, she raised her left wrist, exposing an identical bracelet. The only difference was a red "Y" between the stones. Yumi's heart leapt at the sight of it.
"So this means that we are 'officially' a couple now?" Yumi asked. "Are you okay with that?" Sachiko asked in return. "Oh yes!" was Yumi's enthusiastic reply. "Good!" she said as they hugged again. Sachiko then pulled Yumi in and kissed her. "I will call you in the morning Yumi" she said. "We have a few things to discuss." Yumi looked up at Sachiko with curiousity. "Like what? she asked. "Like how we are going to make the announcement to the Yamiyurikai." Sachiko replied as she pulled away and began walking back to her car. Yumi froze at the mention of their friends. 'How were they going to tell them?' she wondered.
Sachiko got into her car after calling out to Yumi. "Sweet dreams my love." Yumi went inside and closed the door. She then leaned against it with a sigh. A dreamy smile evident on her face.
-Epilogue-
The following monday morning, a familiar black sedan pulled up to the Lillian front gates. As the driver opened the door, a smiling Sachiko Ogasawara got out of the back seat. She looked around momentarily before turning back to the door she had just exited. She held out her right hand and assisted an equally happy Yumi Fukuzawa out of the car.
Together, they walked together hand-in-hand through the gates and along the path towards the Rose Mansion. They stopped momentarily for their customary prayers in front of Maria-sama. The pair shared a brief knowing smile as they looked at each other before continuing on their way.
They strolled leisurely along the path to make sure that they would be the very last ones to arrive. As they entered the upstairs meeting room, they saw that their plan had achieved its intended goal. They proceeded to their seats and sat down. At their places on the table were white envelopes with each of their names. Sachiko gave Yumi a questioning look. Yumi shrugged and then opened hers first. Inside were two photographs that Tsutako-chan had taken. One showed Yumi holding Sachiko's hands and was labelled "Confession", the other was of Yumi and Sachiko kissing and was labelled "Love". Yumi discretely showed the photos to Sachiko earning a brief smile from her.
As the tea was prepared and set out, Sachiko called the meeting to order. "Before we begin with council business this morning," Sachiko began. "Yumi and I have an announcement to make." Seeing that she had everyone's attention, she turned to her petite-soeur and yielded the floor with a simple. "Yumi." Yumi stood up next to her onee-sama and started to speak.
"As you all have witnessed, Sachiko and I have been rather distant of late. We would both like to apologize if our actions caused any of you trouble. I will simply say that there was an issue between us that needed to be addressed." Yumi stopped momentarily waiting for any comments to be made. "And?" an obviously concerned and curious Yoshino spoke up. "Was it?" Yumi and Sachiko smiled at each other before holding out their left wrists and bracelets for all to see. "It has been resolved." They replied in unison.
"I knew it!" Yoshino yelled out while giving her cousin Rei a high-five. Everyone began trying to congratulate and hug them at the same time. As Sachiko and Yumi listened to the cacophony of noise explode around them, they shared a knowing look. Their future would bright because they were surrounded and loved by some of the best people on earth.
-The End- -Fin- -Nada Mas- -O-O-