A/N: Thanks a lot, Honulicious, Hikaru-wa-shiawase-ni-eien-ni, Chinensis' Fan, Spikesagitta, Sammie-Chan89, LadyJ07, and Kiros Razer for reviewing the previous chapter ;) Hope you folks will enjoy this chapter ;)

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Chapter 4. Awareness: Red-Eyed Monster

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For how long Sachiko was staring at the red rose on the vase, she didn't know. She wasn't even thinking about anything in particular. Just staring but seeing nothing.

Blinking, she focused her mind on the red rose.

These last few days, she had come to acknowledge that red was becoming a prominent color in her life.

First, Rosa Chinensis was red.

Second, Yumi's face always turned red whenever she was embarrassed. Really. Yumi easily turned red that sometimes she worried that all of Yumi's blood would go to her head. However, the younger girl really looked cute when she blushed. If Yumi would wear a red dress, then it would match her face.

'Yumi in a red dress? That could be a very beautiful sigh. Yumi will surely look good and…'

Sachiko shook her head. Where on earth those thoughts came from?

Erased…

Going back to the present.

The third reason why red was a prominent color in her life was she always saw red whenever…

No.

It was not like that.

'Maybe it was the setting sun which did it. Or is that only an excuse, Sachiko?'

She shook her head once more. She recalled what brought that particular internal debate. It was about what happened a couple of days ago…

Sachiko was walking towards the school gate as fast as her upbringing allowed. She didn't want to make Yumi wait long for her. She didn't think that her discussion with her teacher would take long.

Even if she was many meters away from the gate, Sachiko heard a familiar shriek, followed by familiar laughter. A frown made its way in her features. She knew who those voices belonged to. She quickened her steps some more, and then cursed herself that even if she was feeling worried, her upbringing as well as personal belief prevented her from doing something unladylike such as running. She slowed down her steps to her normal walk when she knew that she would be within sight.

As soon as she reached the gate, she saw what was expected but unwanted sight. Yumi was trying to break free from Sei's grasp.

"Sei-sama, it would be very much appreciated if you'll let Yumi breath," she said calmly.

"But I've missed Yumi-chan. I haven't seen her for weeks," Sei reasoned, her grip on Yumi just loosening a bit to allow the latter to breathe properly.

"You just saw me last week," Yumi said with a pout as soon as she could finally breathe properly.

"Really? I didn't know that. That must be an impostor," Sei denied, making Sachiko's eye twitched a little.

"It wasn't an impostor. It's you. You even asked me what my…my…you asked me a question and I answered you," Yumi explained, getting flustered as she recalled what they had talked about, not willing to divulge the topic to Sachiko.

Sachiko's irritation turned into curiosity at Yumi's words. She wondered what was it that Yumi couldn't say outright, of what Sei asked her.

Sachiko's curiosity changed back into irritation when she realized that Yumi was with Sei last time, and no doubt, the latter also did what she was doing at the moment to her petite seour.

Trying to find words strong enough to make Sei stop teasing Yumi so much and to stop hugging her as she pleased, and finding none that could make Sei obey because the latter never listened unless she wanted to, her irritation grew. Besides, if she prohibited Sei outright, the latter would only tease her to no end, which she didn't like to happen. Sei teased her enough to last her school days. She wouldn't give the latter another reason to tease her further.

Frown turning deeper, Sachiko gazed at the two persons in front of her, blinking when she thought that the place seemed bathed in red. She wondered if the sun did it. The more she stared at Sei hugging Yumi, the more prominent the color red seemed to be.

Taking a deep breath, Sachiko moved her gaze away from the red flower and relaxed her features when she realized that she had been frowning the whole time the memory played in her head.

Yes. That must be it. It was the setting sun that made her see red that time when Sei was being very familiar with Yumi.

But Sei had always been very familiar with Yumi. Sei was their friend, after all. And Yumi was really close to Sei.

A twinge of jealousy flashed in Sachiko's heart, which she quickly dismissed. She couldn't be jealous with Sei, right?

Some memories flashed Sachiko's mind once more.

Yumi hugging Sei, crying in the latter's chest when they had misunderstanding during her grandmother's illness.

Sei kissing Yumi's cheek even though they barely knew each other.

Sei always hugging Yumi whenever and wherever she felt like it.

Sei feeding Yumi takoyaki during the New Year at her house.

Yumi laughing with Sei.

Yumi saying that she missed Sei.

Unconsciously, Sachiko's fists clenched.

Anger.

Jealousy.

The more Sachiko thought about Sei and Yumi, the more she felt those emotions.

Maybe it was because Yumi seemed more at ease with Sei than her even as they grew closer after more than a year as soeurs.

Clearly, with Sei, Yumi laughed freely without worry of being scolded. And Sei could do whatever she pleased without restrictions with Yumi, not being brought up the way she was. Not that she wanted to be like Sei. She could never imagine herself acting silly, hugging anyone at sight or laughing out loud or cursing.

Sachiko almost shivered at the thought of acting like Sei. Nevertheless, she admired Sei's free-spirited way, and she cared for her.

But acting like that with Yumi?

Sachiko felt possessive of Yumi.

Yumi was hers.

How silly and childish it sounded. It was so unlike her. Surely she didn't just think of that, did she?

The sound of approaching steps broke Sachiko's musings. The door opened, and an almost breathless Yumi came in. She frowned. Why was Yumi out of breath? Did she hurry to come here at the Rose Mansion? If she did, then why?

Glancing at her watch, Sachiko's last question was answered. Yumi was 15 minutes late from their set time to meet and study together. Normally, she would have noticed it easily and would be waiting for Yumi with worry because of being late. However, today was not the case. She'd been busy thinking about red.

"I'm sorry for being late, Onee-sama," Yumi apologized, bowing at Sachiko before taking her seat.

"It's alright. Did your teacher delay you?"

"Uhm, no, Yamamura-sensei didn't hold us back. It's Sei-sama."

At the mention of Sei's name, Sachiko's already straight back straightened some more, if that was possible. She gazed at Yumi, waiting for explanation though her face remained passive.

"Sei-sama was on her way to class and she saw me walking towards here. She…well, Sei-sama did…talked to me and…" Yumi tried to explain, a blush creeping in her cheeks. She couldn't tell Sachiko that Sei was teasing her again about…things like kissing and other stuffs pertaining to Sachiko.

Sachiko didn't need Yumi's elaboration to know some of the gist that had happened. Sei had teased Yumi.

And hugged Yumi.

Again.

The third reason why red was becoming a prominent color in Sachiko's life: she saw red whenever Sei touched Yumi no matter how innocent it was. She was becoming a red-eyed…monster. She grimaced at the last word.

"I truly am a red rose."

"Onee-sama?" Yumi asked in confusion, not understanding what Sachiko was talking about.

"Nothing Yumi. Start doing your assignments already," Sachiko said, not realizing that she had voiced out what she was thinking.

"Yes, Onee-sama."

Red.

It definitely was Sachiko's color.

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A/N: Next two chapters, Yumi and Sachiko will realize/accept their feelings for each other ;)

Until next time! Take care!

-Arvendell-

16 May 2011

11:20 AM