A/N: Life wasn't easy as it looks like, because sometimes you have to bear, the most painful events, you encounter every day. Our lives were just burrowed from the one who is patiently and lovingly, watching us from above. But future, could never be determined by anyone and we will never know if, what might happen tomorrow.
Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning, a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, Deep-burning and unquenchable.
Hey, if you're thinking that I'm being sentimental, well am not. ^_^
Anyway in this chapter, Shiori wasn't included for a while, because I want to provide some parts for the other characters as well... hehehe, because like I've said before I don't want to be bias.
And enough with the drama's for a while and let's have happy chapter. ^_^
Happy reading!
iv
Rough, yet Happy Day of the Maidens
After her class that afternoon, Sei went straight to the Rose Mansion and entered the student council room quietly. Where, she found Youko standing near the window, looking outside. Sei smiled and put down her bag on top of the table. And approach Youko without making any noise, and from behind Sei wraps her arms, around Youko's waist.
"What the...Sei!" Youko said, surprised. When, she saw the person that embraces her from behind. Sei smiled at her mischievously. Then, the girl rested her head on Youko's shoulder and she knew, that something was wrong with Sei "what's wrong?" she asked, worriedly. And felt Sei tightened her embrace, around her waist.
"I had a talk with Shiori, this morning" Sei answered, in a low voice. Youko's body stiffened, after hearing the name.
"What did, she say?" Youko asked in a calm voice.
"She told me that she's still, in love with me" Sei answered. Which, made Youko gasped but didn't say anything "but I told her, that I'm already in love, with someone else" Sei added, and let go of Youko, to turn the girl around to face her. Youko looks at Sei with unreadable emotion. While Sei smiled, and leans closer to Youko. Who flinch a little bit and about to move away, when, Sei stops her by encircling her arm, around Youko's waist again. Youko looks at the other girl confused "I'm in love with..." Sei was about to say but stops. When, she heard the footsteps coming. And freed Youko, then step back with a quick pace. While, Youko was staring at her astonished, but didn't say anything. Until, the door opens and Eriko together with Shimako, entered the room laughing. The two girls stop laughing. When, they saw Sei and Youko's awkwardness.
Eriko and Shimako shared secret glances, on each other "did something, happen?" Shimako's eyes asked Eriko's. Who, in return shrugged.
"Where are the others?" Youko asked breaking the silence and took her seat.
"Yumi san and Yoshino san were, on their way here now. But for Sachiko sama and Rei sama, I don't know, because I didn't see them" Shimako answered and put her bag, on one of the chairs and headed, to the sink to prepare the tea, for the three heads of the Yamayurikia.
"Oh, I've seen those two. They're in the library burrowing some books" Eriko said talking about, Sachiko and Rei. And then, took her seat. Which, is between Youko and Sei's chair "so, what's with the two of you?" she asked maliciously. Youko smirk at Eriko, and then shrugged. While, Sei looks away avoiding Eriko and Youko's eyes. And to Sei and Shimako's bewilderment, Eriko suddenly laughs out loud. While Youko was just, smiling mysteriously and didn't say a word.
"What's so funny?" Sei asked Eriko confused.
"The correct question, is whose funny?" Eriko answered still laughing.
"She's just out, of her mind" Youko said looking at Eriko, then looks away blushing. When, Sei looks at her. Eriko's laughter died only. When, the door opens and Sachiko, with Rei following behind enter the room. Sachiko and Rei look around confused.
"Did we, miss something?" Rei asked.
"It's nothing" Youko answered, and glance at Eriko "Eriko was just happy, about something" Sachiko and Rei looks at each other and shrugged. Then, took their respected seats, Sachiko took the seat next to Youko while, Rei took the seat, in front of Eriko. Which, is in the opposite side of the table, Shimako serve the teas for her seniors. When, she noticed Sachiko looking around.
"If you're looking for Yumi san, she's not here yet, Sachiko sama" Shimako said with her usual, understanding smile "she's with Yoshino san"
"I see" Sachiko answered and relaxes on her seat.
Long silence...
The door opens and Yumi along with Yoshino entered the room. But the two first years, were stood frozen at the doorway. When, they sense the awkwardness, inside the room. Yoshino glance, at Yumi who glance back, with frown "did something happen?" Yumi asked through her eyes.
"Don't ask me, because I'm with you" Yoshino answered wide eyes. Yumi sighs. Then, look at the others.
"Sorry, we're late" Yumi said, apologetically. And bowed her head before, putting her bag on the chair next to Sachiko. While Yoshino, put her bag on the chair next to Rei. And the two first years help, Shimako in serving the teas.
Youko stood from her seat to begin that day's meeting which, is about the school's sports festival that will be held, on the upcoming week.
"All of the students will be divided in five groups. Blue, Red, Yellow, Green and White" Youko started without looking at anyone "Blue, will be compose of 1st year Peach Class, 2nd year Peach Class and 3rd year Peach Class" Youko announces.
"Alright!" Sei said in a loud voice and with a broad grin. The others looks at her confused "well, I'm just happy, because I will be in the same group with Yumi chan and Shimako" Sei explained "and it will be great, don't you agree with me Yumi chan?" Sei asked glancing at Yumi.
"Of course it is, Sei sama" Yumi answered while, glancing at Sachiko. Who was now turning red, for whatever reason she might have, that only confuses Yumi.
"Green, will be compose of 1st year Pine class, 2nd year Pine class and 3rd year Pine class" Youko said, for the groupings of the next group.
"If Sei sama, Yumi san and Shimako san, were all in the blue team then, me, Sachiko sama and Eriko sama, will be in the same team?" Yoshino asked and then, glance at Youko worriedly.
"Yes, Yoshino san the three of you, will be in the same group" Youko answered.
"Oh, what a disaster" Yoshino grumbles in a low voice.
"Did you say something?" Eriko asked frowning.
"I didn't say anything" Yoshino answered, shrugging.
"White will be compose of 1st year Wisteria class, 2nd year Wisteria class and 3rd year Wisteria class"
"Then, Youko sama and I, will be on the same team?" Rei asked pointing herself then, Youko who nodded.
"That's right Rei" Youko answered. And continued, announcing the class. Which, belongs to the two remaining groups and when, Youko was done. Sachiko raises her hand "yes Sachiko?" Youko asked after taking her seat.
"Who decided the groupings?" Sachiko asked. In a calm yet cold voice that makes Yumi shivers.
"It's the school directress" Youko answered. Then, looks at Sachiko one eyebrow raise "why? Are you against about the groupings?"
"No, if it is the school directress decision, I don't have any complains" Sachiko answered but everyone in the room knew, that Sachiko was against the groupings. Yumi touch Sachiko's hand underneath the table and then squeeze it lightly.
After one hour, the meeting has finally ended. And everyone helped in cleaning the room for another thirty minutes. Before, they all decided to go home. Since, it was already six in the evening. When, they reach the school's gate, Eriko along with Shimako said goodbye to them. Since, the two girls have to take the bus on the opposite side of the road. While, the rest of them will only be separated at the M station because Sei, Youko, Rei and Yoshino will be taking the train and Sachiko will be pick up by her family driver, and Yumi has to ride another bus, to reach her home. After reaching the M station, Sei, Youko, Rei and Yoshino said goodbye to Sachiko and Yumi. And it was just only the two of them again.
Sachiko faces Yumi, with unreadable emotion. Which, made Yumi frowns while, looking up at the older girl "I didn't had the chance to ask you about this question earlier, but now I do" Sachiko said but Yumi didn't say anything, and waited for Sachiko to continue "what's going on, between you and Sei sama?" Sachiko asked.
"Nothing" Yumi answered confused.
"Then tell me, why is that Sei sama was asking you, to hang out with her again tonight?"
Yumi smiled at Sachiko, before she answered the question "it's because Sei sama, needs someone to talks to and last night and I'm the one she called and if you're going to ask, why me? Well, I couldn't answer that because I myself, don't know the reason either" Yumi said.
"Was that really all?" Sachiko asked suspiciously.
"Of course, besides there's no reason for me to hide this kind of things from you" Yumi answered with confidence "but if you're going to ask me about it, I'm not telling you anything"
"I know" Sachiko answered and about to touch Yumi's hand. When, a black Mercedes stops in front of them.
"Your pick up, was already here" Yumi said in a low voice.
"You're right" Sachiko agreed with a sigh "I'll see you tomorrow"
"See you, onee-sama" Yumi said and Sachiko gets in the car. When, the driver opens it for her.
Shimako was lying on her bed already. When, she receives a call from her onee-sama, Satou Sei.
"Shimako?"
"Yes it's me, onee-sama"
"I want to tell you something"
"About?" Shimako asked and waited for Sei to continue.
"About my past..." Sei said. Which, made Shimako gasped but didn't say anything. And Sei told her about Shiori.
-o-
The Day of the Sports Festival...
Sachiko was about to leave the Ogasawara Mansion, that morning to go to school. When, she saw the man that she despises the most. It was Kashiwagi Suguru, her cousin/fiancé "what are you doing here?" Sachiko asked, coldly.
"I came here, to pick you up and drop you to your school" Suguru answered with a cunning smile.
"There's no need, for you to do that" Sachiko declined and walks out of the door.
"Your father, asked me to do this. And I didn't come here, because I wanted to" Suguru said as Sachiko pass him.
"Is that so, then don't you ever show your face, in front of me again" Sachiko said without looking at Suguru.
"You know, that I can't do that Sa-chan because we're engage"
"My parents are the only ones, who decided that" Sachiko said sternly and faces Suguru with piercing eyes "I never dreamed, in my entire life to marry someone like you" Sachiko added and get's in the car.
"Then you have, to be strong Sa-chan. If you really wanted, to be free and do, what you think is best for you" Suguru whispered as he watches the car leave, the Ogasawara compound.
When, Sachiko reaches Lillian she gets off the car frustrated, her brows were twitching. And she even ignored the greetings of the other students, and there were times that she glares fiercely at the other students. Who in return, step back in fear but Sachiko's frustration subsided. When, she saw Yumi standing in front, of the statue of Maria sama "Yumi" her heart shout, and her body wants to run towards the younger girl, but she controlled herself, because that wasn't the proper way to do it. When, Yumi was done praying the girl faces her. As if sensing, that she was there watching, Yumi smiled at her which, warms her heart and takes away all of her worries and frustrations.
"Gonkigenyo onee-sama" Yumi greeted her.
"Gonkigenyo Yumi" Sachiko answered and walks slowly towards her petite soeur/beloved, and stops in front of the girl. Yumi frowns while looking up at her.
"Is something, wrong?" Yumi asked. Concern was visible in her brown eyes. Sachiko smiled and touches Yumi's tie while staring down. At those pair of honest brown eyes.
"No, nothing is wrong"
"Are you sure?"
"Of course" Sachiko answered but Yumi knew that something was wrong with Sachiko, but she didn't press on the matters.
-o-
At nine thirty, the Lillian's sports festival has started. And all of the visitors had also, settled down on the area provided for them.
Sei puts her arm around Yumi happily. When, the latter joined the team "you're finally here" Sei said.
"Sorry, for being late" Yumi said apologetically.
"Nah... Don't mention it" Sei said grinning.
"Let's work hard on today's game, Yumi san" Shimako said who appeared behind Sei and smiled, at Yumi apologetically "please forgive my onee-sama's un lady like actions"
"It's alright, I'm getting used to it" Yumi said.
"But someone, isn't getting used to this sight, you know" Sei said mischievously and glance at Sachiko, who was looking at them, with displeasure "I wonder, what might Sachiko do if I kiss you, right here and right now?" Sei asked maliciously. But before Sei could do what she's planning. Yumi freed herself in a hurry and hid herself behind Shimako. Sei laughs out loud at her action.
"Stop teasing Yumi san, onee-sama" Shimako said calmly yet serious. But Sei just smirks at them.
"Why, are you jealous Shimako?" Sei asked playfully. At her own petite soeur, who blushes and avoided Sei's eyes. And it only made Sei, happier "hey, don't worry Shimako am always yours" Sei said, teasingly to Shimako.
"That's enough Sei" a calm voice said behind Sei. When, Sei glances behind her. She saw Youko looking at her, with well controlled temper "you've caught enough, attention already"
"Really Youko, did I also caught you're attention?"
"Indeed, because I wouldn't be standing here right now, right?" Youko asked one eyebrow raise "and I'm warning you Sei, don't make me lose my temper on you" Youko added threateningly. Before, glancing at Yumi and Shimako "and you two, don't let Sei do as she pleases" Yumi and Shimako nodded, afraid to argue back on a very calm Youko.
After Youko had left, Yumi and Shimako shared glances then, look at Sei "Youko was really, scary" Sei said shrugging. And after few more minutes of chit-chat the game has finally started.
The first game was one hundred meter dash, and the players will be the third years. And from the blue team, Sei was the team's representative, in green team was Eriko and from the white team it was Youko. And as the representatives from each group lines up, the cheers from the members and visitors started.
"Go for it Sei sama!" Yumi screams while, smiling broadly. But her smile faded. When, she saw Sachiko looking at her furiously, and it made her flinch. And with a force smile Yumi, gives Sachiko a peace sign.
"I will Yumi, just for you!" Sei shouted back happily ignoring the dangerous glare, from Youko and Sachiko, which is starting to scare the other students, who are standing near the two girls.
A/B: Well, I have to stop there for now because am not yet done, with the next chapter...hehehe
But I hope you still enjoy, because for the next chapter. It will be more fun because I don't like continues drama. It makes me itchy.
Ha! Anyway, see you all again to my next update. I wonder, when will it be? Do you have any idea? hehehe ^_^
1:42 PM [Oct. 6, 2010]
Please be quiet, I'm at work right now... just sneaking around...hehehe