Chapter Three

Shimako Toudou enjoyed early mornings despite the fact that the temple's patrons allowed her little sleep most nights. The serenity that flooded Tokyo between night and day brought stillness not only to Japan but also to Shimako's mind.

She found those mornings to be the best time to pray. However, the left side of the temple was currently being remodeled, and the workers came right around that time Shimako would have begun her prayers. The machines would disturb the serenity she needed, and after making the workers tea like a dutiful daughter would do, Shimako decided to head to Lillian early. She did not want to linger when her presence could be a distraction.

When she entered Lillian's gates, the emptiness, while surreal was comfortable, and for the first time in a long time she felt completely at ease on the school grounds. As she walked along the paved path, Shimako recalled that the doors to the campus' church always remained open so when she came across the road's juncture that's where her feet led her, but not before stopping and praying at Maria-sama's stature first.

She entered the church a few moments later, and stood at the center, admiring the way the early sunlight illuminated the stain glass windows. Before she let too much time escape, Shimako walked to the front pew, knelt down, and began her prayers.

She prayed for good health and calmness. For her parents both living and dead. She prayed for her brother and her temple's patrons, and she prayed for each one of the student council by name. She lingered a little longer on Eriko, praying that God could help ease her mind. She ended with Sei like always, though she knew the older girl wouldn't appreciate the prayers.

As she began to conclude her prayers, she heard the church door swing open. Startled, Shimako stood up and whipped her head towards the intruder.

Satou Sei. Rosa Gigantea. Her Onee-sama.

Though surprised, Shimako smiled warmly. "Gokigenyo Onee-sama," Shimako greeted and was about to make a small quip about Sei praying and the apocalypse coming, when she took in Sei's expression. Pained, haunted, and entirely too pale for her liking.

Sei mumbled a greeting as well as she sank into the pew nearest to her. She looked on straight ahead, a clenched fist to her mouth, eyes firmly shut in pain.

Not knowing what else to do, Shimako went to Sei's side and sat down next to her. They weren't the type of soeurs to discuss things that matter so Shimako took Sei's free hand within her own.

Shimako felt Sei's initial flinch at the contact before Sei gripped Shimako's hand with all her might.

Shimako bit her lip to suppress a pained groan from escaping her lips. Her bones felt like they were being melded together, but she couldn't make a sound. Sei needed this from her. She wouldn't let her Onee-sama down.

Almost when the pain became unbearable, Sei loosened her grasp and gently massaged Shimako's hand with her own, showing a tenderness that melted Shimako's heart. Without saying a word, Sei kissed Shimako's palm before gently holding the hand in her lap.

Shimako watched on as intrigued as she was worried. Sei turned to her and smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry. Déjà vu can be quite painful."

Shimako nodded briefly. "That's all right."

Shimako sat there as Sei held her hand for minutes or hours or perhaps just seconds. She watched Sei out of the corner of her eye. Sei stared straight ahead, expression blank.

Before Shimako could worry too much, Sei sighed.

"Do you remember awhile back when everyone thought I wrote that book Forest of Thorns?"

"I do."

"Did you ever read it?" Sei asked.

"No, I didn't see the point."

Sei smiled warmly before her eyes darkened again.

"Have you heard of Shiori Kubo?"

"Briefly."

"Do you know the story?"

"No, and Onee-sama you don't have to tell me it-"

"I want to tell you." Sei cut off.

"Okay."

"Okay. I loved her and she loved me, but then she had to leave because she wanted to go to the convent and she couldn't take me with her." Sei released a pained sigh. "It hurt, Shimako."

"And this is where I met her, and this is how I met her, early in the morning while she was praying alone. It was too sudden and too much and I'm sorry for freaking out."

"Don't be," Shimako soothed. "Is that why you came here this morning?"

"I think so, but to be honest, I don't know why I do most things." Sei said, self deprecatingly.

"Thank you." Shimako said genuinely, squeezing Sei's hand in the process. Perhaps they weren't the type of soeurs that were extremely close, but moments like these were all the more precious because of it.

"You're welcome." Sei said in return.

"So," Shimako began after a lull in the conversation. "I was raised on this not being a big deal, but Rosa Foetida made me feel like it was."

Sei chuckled lightly. "What is it Shimako?"

"My biological parents died when I was still a baby, and I was adopted by my grandparents."

"You're birth parents are dead and the sky is blue. No biggie." Sei replied nonchalantly, with indifferent swipe of the hand no less.

Shimako smiled despite herself. "I'm glad you're so blasé about the fact that my parents are dead."

Sei laughed. "That's what I'm good for being inappropriately blasé about most things."

Instead of responding, Shimako laid her head on Sei's shoulder, feeling light and content. They stayed like that until class started and perhaps a little bit afterwards as well.

Shimako didn't mind though. She felt everything was going to be all right in the end.