A/N: Thanks, folks! It took me along time to update. Work is really annoying me these days haha ;) Anyway, hope you'll enjoy the second to the last chapter ;)


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Chapter 8. Differences and Similarities 2


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She had been thoroughly thinking things through. There were just too many things to consider if she, Ogasawara Sachiko, was going to have a romantic sort of relationship with Yumi, her petite soeur.

First thing to consider was Yumi itself.

They needed to talk first. Sachiko needed to tell Yumi how she felt, and find out how Yumi felt about her. A good deal behind that decision was her friends' influence. They had given her a boost of confidence that Yumi loved her back the way she was. She was holding on to Shimako's words no matter how much she tried to tell herself that she couldn't be too sure about Yumi's feelings unless she heard it from Yumi's lips.

The second thing that Sachiko was considering was that if she and Yumi were going to be together, they must keep it a secret except to few such as their close friends. She didn't need a fuss about it. They didn't need people talking about them about that topic. At least not yet until they were ready, ready to share it to everyone.

There was their family first that should be informed before letting it out in the public. Approval was a big question as it was not the usual norm in society, more so in her social circle. However, that was too far thinking ahead. They had to address immediate concerns at first.

The list of things to consider could go on. Sachiko could name a few more, but if she was going to think too much about those problems, then she would get to nowhere.

Better to do things one at a time.

But why Yumi? Why did she, an Ogasawara, born with name, wealth and status, choose Yumi? They were miles apart, different in a lot of things.

If those questions were asked on Sachiko, then she could give several answers.

Yumi was nice, loving and caring.

Yumi was a good person.

Yumi made her smile and laugh.

Yumi made her happy.

Yumi gave her warmth and security, something that she longed to feel.

Yumi aroused many emotions from her.

She felt possessive of her, no doubt about it anymore. She wanted to protect her from anything that could hurt her.

She wanted to be with Yumi.

And though it didn't weigh as much as her good inward qualities, Yumi was pretty, a young rose that promised beauty once in full bloom.

Yumi's mere presence made Sachiko feel foreign yet pleasant tingles, especially when Yumi smiled. And when they touched, accidentally or not, the feeling would intensify. It took her a long time to understand why she felt that way. It used to confuse her. She had never felt anything like it before.

And the anticipation whenever they were together, it was something that Sachiko treasured, and yet tortured her, too. A torture because she itched to be near Yumi, she longed to touch her cheeks that often changed into different shades of red. She wanted to feel its softness and warmth while filled with wonder on how it could possibly change into different colors while the others could not. She barely could. It was either pale as her natural skin color, or crimson when she lost her temper, which happened most of the time, or when she was embarrassed, which rarely happened.

Yumi made her like a lot of things, things that she used to simply ignore or considered as improper and therefore should be avoided. In her life, she disliked many things. She disliked sullied things, unorganized, loud people, ginkgo nuts and cherry trees, losing, pity and…

There was just too many of them that it would probably take her hours to name them all.

However, being with Yumi canceled them all. Her view about a lot of things had changed since Yumi. She liked a lot of things now. And she liked Yumi a lot. It was probably an understatement. Yumi was everything. Yumi was…

"Good day, Onee-sama."

To say that Sachiko was surprised by the person who occupied her thoughts would be an understatement, too, but she kept herself calm. A smile graced her lips as she looked at the newly arrived Yumi who looked a little disheveled but still full of energy. She felt her heart swell at the welcome presence of the person who not only occupied her mind but her heart as well. And as she gazed at Yumi, she knew that despite their differences, she and Yumi had similarities as well. While she might not show it, she would love a person with all her all, and would do everything she was capable of to care and protect that people important in her life.

"Good day, Yumi. Is your class over?"

A shy yet happy smile broke Yumi's lips, which made Sachiko's smile to stay in her lips.

"Yes, Onee-sama. Shimako-san has a meeting with the Environmental Maintenance Committee and Yoshino-san went to the kendo club. Noriko-chan and the others are cleaning I think."

Sachiko looked at the younger girl while contemplating at the information she just received. This could be a good time to talk to Yumi. Rei was at the kendo club, too. She and Yumi would be alone. She would seize this opportunity. She had waited long enough.

Unknown to Sachiko, Yumi's thoughts were exactly the same. They were alone now. No one was likely to come here at the Rose Mansion since the other Yamayurikai members were busy with other matters. As for the other students, no one was brave enough to come here without a good reason, save for the Newspaper Club former president Tsukiyama Minako. Though that was very unlikely as of this moment. The former might be busy with the preparations for entrance exam in universities.

"Do you have a moment, Yumi?"

"Huh? Oh. Yes, I have, Onee-sama. Do you need something from me?"

Broken away from her reverie, Yumi decided to put off first what she wanted to tell Sachiko. Whatever Sachiko needed comes first. That was how it would always be for her.

Sitting across the table, facing each other, Sachiko braced herself for what she intended to say. Then again, without warning, unwanted thoughts crossed her mind.

What if Yumi rejected her? What if Yumi started avoiding her? Could she take it? Was she prepared to take the consequences of her decisions?

Suddenly, Sachiko started having doubts.

"Onee-sama, are you feeling alright?"

Yumi watched as a bead of sweat made its way to Sachiko's brow and her face suddenly turned pale. She glanced at the window. The weather wasn't warm today. She wondered if Sachiko was ill. Worried, she made her way to Sachiko's side and held her shoulder.

"Onee-sama?"

"I'm fine, Yumi."

Sachiko held the small hand that was holding her shoulder as she took deep breaths. She needed to calm herself. It was so unlike her to waver on things. Besides, she was making Yumi worry, which she didn't like causing.

"Yumi, what could I do that will make you hate me?"

"Eh!"

Yumi was confused and surprised. What was Sachiko talking about? Did it mean Sachiko hated her and just looking for a reason for Yumi to hate her, too? What had she done wrong? Yumi's mind started to whirl with unwanted thoughts.

The stretch of silence prompted Sachiko to look up at Yumi's face. Her blue eyes widened at seeing confusion and fear written at the usually happy face.

"Yumi?"

Sachiko was equally confused.

"Onee-sama, I'm…I…Do you hate me?"

Sachiko frowned at the words.

"Why did you say that? I was merely asking what I could do that would make you hate me so that I could avoid it," Sachiko said firmly, dispelling any doubt that Yumi might have.

If Yumi was a car, the screeching of tires would be heard loud and clear as her thoughts came to an abrupt stop. She'd jumped into conclusions again. Sachiko didn't hate her. She really was stupid.

Feeling drained, Yumi sat to the chair beside Sachiko.

"I'm sorry, Onee-sama," Yumi apologized weakly.

"Honestly."

Sachiko didn't need to ask what Yumi was thinking. Whatever it was, she needed not to know. She had read it. Somehow, the thought of Yumi thinking that she, Sachiko, could ever hate her had hurt a lot.

"Onee-sama."

It was Yumi's turn to cut Sachiko's thoughts. Yumi could see that she had hurt Sachiko's feelings by not trusting her enough. She should have known that Sachiko would never hate her. Yumi fretted. The need to reverse what happened was so great that she blurted out what she was dying to tell Sachiko, the words that she had been thinking of different scenarios to tell.

"I love you."

Sachiko caught her breath as she gazed at Yumi with surprise written all over her face.


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A/N: Have nothing else to say, except until next time, folks!

Oh yeah, I'm kind of thinking of posting the other Excapade I have instead of sending it to few loyal reviewers, because it's really kind of sad to leave MSGM, but we'll see on my next update. If I don't feel like it, then rest assured you folks who have been with me that you'll have the copy ;)

Take care, folks!

-Arvendell-

10 July 2011

10:40 AM