Disclaimer: I don't own any of Maria Sama Ga Miteru characters. XD
Note: Dramatic chapter. O ~ O
Many many thanks to the people who have put in their effort to review the past chapters. ^^
An anonymous reviewer reminded me that this flick was not supposed to be comical. Well, I guess you're right. It was initially thought to be comical. But then, it slowly deviated into something dramatic. Hence, the genre has been changed. =)
Chapter 9- Happy Birthday
"I'm ready." Words of determination and courage sounded as she glanced up at the frosty sky.
Finally, this night had come. Yumi was nervous. She had been nervous all along since she left her house.
There was only one place to go.
Once again, she exclaimed in awe as she faced the gates of the Ogasawara residence. She had been there twice. And each time, it never failed to astonish her as to how huge the house and compound was. The first time Sei took her there, Yumi was surprised that the gates could be automated. Everything was computerized and there wasn't a need for human contact at all. The mansion wasn't even in sight. It could only be seen if she traveled much further in.
There was a reception intercom speaker located near the gates and Yumi took in a large breath before proceeding to press the button on it.
A buzzing sound filled air shortly after. Once it subsided, a man's voice sounded though.
"Ogasawara residence. How may I help you?" The man spoke.
"H-Hello. Erm.. My name is Yumi. Fukuzawa Yumi. A second year from Lillian acadamy. I have come to see Miss Ogasawara Sachiko. Would you please open the gates for me?" Yumi requested nervously.
"Miss Fukuzawa, it is already close to midnight and I believe that Miss Sachiko is already asleep. If you would, please come back again tomorrow." The man replied in a firm voice.
"Bu-But I need to see her urgently. It is important. And it's just for a moment. It won't take long. I promise!" Yumi sounded very desperate for the man to understand her.
"May I know what matter is it that is very important that you see Miss Sachiko?" The man asked.
"Th-That.. I cannot say anything about it. I just need to see her. Please!" Yumi pleaded in frustration.
"Mr Ogasawara has set a rule that no visitors are allowed after eleven at night. I am very sorry but I am not able to adhere to your request. Please come by again tomorrow. Thank you." Following that, the man released the reception on the other side and the speaker went dead.
Yumi was devastated. She wanted to push the button for another try but decided not to as she would get the same answer again. It was close to twelve already. Yumi wanted to be the first to wish Sachiko a happy birthday. That had been her wish all along.
Soon, Yumi settled herself down at a spot near the gates. As it was freezing cold, she curled herself into a ball and tried to think of other alternatives. And as she immersed herself in thought, Yumi fell asleep.
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"Gasp!" The little girl near the gates suddenly shook.
Yumi found herself sprawled on the grass patch near the ground where she had sat. She had been dreaming all along. The jerking movement that woke her up caused her to fall backwards, landing hard on the grass. Well, luckily it was grass.
Yumi looked at her watch. It was six twenty in the morning. Soon, the sun will rise.
'Oh no! I've been staying here for the whole night.. Ahhh, my back hurts, my head hurts.. Ugh.. I can't move..' Yumi thought to herself in irritation.
Suddenly, the there was a slight movement and the sound of metal retracting. Yumi glanced up in front of her. Very much to her surprise, the gate opened.
Yumi froze. It wasn't a car.
"Onesama.." Yumi muttered lightly.
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Sachiko was moody today. She had told her servants to leave her alone. The people in the estate were happy and excited that it was her birthday. Upon waking up, Sachiko was greeted with birthday wishes wherever she went. But deep down inside, she missed her. She wanted to see her.
'It's the worst birthday for all time..' Sachiko was unknowingly tearing when she thought of it. She wasn't able to fall asleep the previous night. Her heart had been ill.. It was painful.
Sachiko took a light breakfast and received her blessings from both her parents.
Sensing her daughter's despair, Sayako enquired.
"Is anything wrong dear? It's your birthday today and yet you are having such a grim look. Are you not happy about it?" Sachiko's mother asked.
"Mother.. I.. I'm fine. Of course I'm happy. Everything is alright." Sachiko gave a forceful smile as she replied her mother.
Sayako wasn't convinced. There was clearly something amiss. Her daughter didn't look happy at all. Not in the least bit. On one side, she was terribly worried, but on the other, she did not want to probe further. It seemed that Sachiko was very reluctant to confide in her. Maybe, this could wait.
"I'm leaving soon. If not, I'll be late." Sachiko expressed as she kissed her mother goodbye.
"Yes dear, have fun in school." Sayako replied her daughter as the heavy doors closed behind her.
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A mixture of shock and surprise greeted her as she approached the gates.
Sitting near it was a figure. Suddenly, it stood up. And as Sachiko neared the entrance, she paused in her tracks.
"Onesama.." That was what Sachiko had thought she heard. It was soft and light. It also sounded weak.
"Yumi?" Sachiko questioned out loud.
"Yumi, is that you? Oh god.. What are you doing here?" Sachiko rushed forward to meet her ex petite soeur. As their gazes met, Sachiko could see tearful eyes. And when the tears fell, she reached out to catch it.
After wiping the tears off Yumi's face, Sachiko continued.
"Yumi.. Why aren't you saying anything? Please.. Talk to me." Sachiko put her hands on Yumi's shoulders and shook them.
"Sachiko sama.. Please close your eyes for awhile.. Don't look.." Yumi requested in a soft voice.
Sachiko did not know why. But she did as she was told. Thoughts whirled through her mind as she faced the darkness.
'Why? Why is Yumi here? Why didn't she call me? What is she going to do?' Sachiko started to panic but she resisted the urge to look.
"Happy Birthday to you.. Happy Birthday to you.. Happy Birthday to Sachiko.. Happy Birthday to you.." The voice was weak, but the tune was there.
It took Sachiko a few seconds to comprehend the scene she was facing. There was a magnificent cake in front of her. It was white and frosty. Lighted candles illuminated the darkness as the strawberries surrounding it gave off a fresh and sweet aroma. It was beautiful.
Tears started to cloud Sachiko's eyes as she faced the person in front of her. She wished that time would freeze at this moment. She wanted to capture this beautiful memory forever.
"I think that this might be the last time I'm calling you this.. But.." Yumi gave a slight pause.
"Onesama.. Happy Birthday.." These words struck Sachiko heavily. Her mind was at a loss. Sachiko was unable to speak. Many words revolved around in her, but none was able to be projected out.
For what seemed like eternity, Sachiko stood there in a trance, unable to move a muscle.
"Onesama.. I don't mind you hating me.. I was happy to have loved you. I will always cherish that memory. It doesn't matter if you don't think in a way that I do.. But.. I love you.. And I will always do." Yumi continued as warm streaks of tears streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry onesama.. For all the things that I've done.. I didn't mean to hurt or defy you.. I only wanted to make you happy.. I wanted to see that smile of yours.. As long as you are happy…" Yumi trailed off.
"This must be a dream.. I.. I-I feel tired.." Yumi's consciousness slowly slipped away as the vision of her onesama disappeared from her sight.
The flames on the candles went out. And as they fell, it was accompanied by a loud splatter. The cake resting on Yumi's hands slid off.
That was the end of the celebration.
Sachiko screamed. She found herself yelling and screaming loudly for help. She hadn't seen anyone faint in her presence before. The feelings that overwhelmed her were filled with extreme shock and loss.
"Yumi.. Yumi wake up! Yumi... Somebody.. Help!" Sachiko was desperate. She needed help immediately.
Sachiko lunged herself at the intercom. It was only a few metres away, but she found herself distanced from the person she loved.
"Help! Call the ambulance! NOW! Did you hear me?! Call the ambulance now!" Sachiko howled at the speaker furiously.
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Sachiko paced frantically around the spot as she heard the ambulance siren.
"Yumi.. Yumi.. Please be alright.. Please.. Please.." Sachiko took Yumi in her arms and rested her head against her chest. She hugged her tightly, refusing to let go.
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Everyone in the room stood up.
"There is no cause for worry. Your daughter has been exposed to fatigue, stress and extreme cold. I have given her some medication and right now, she needs a lot of rest. She will probably wake up tomorrow as good as new." The doctor assured the people around him as he exited the ward.
Yumi's mother was worried sick. Her whole family was crowded around the bed hoping to see a glimmer of hope.
Unknown to anyone, a figure slipped out silently.
Sachiko didn't go to school that day. She had stayed in the ambulance and by Yumi's side up till the time when she went into the examination room. She couldn't help it but blame herself. It felt as though she was the cause of all this trouble. Sachiko was at a loss as to what to say to Yumi's parents. They had not questioned her about anything, nor did they speak to her at all. She felt terrible, sad and worried. She cried silently as her hands reached for her creased forehead.
Soon, evening came. The birthday party was cancelled. Sachiko was in no mood for such things anymore. The only concern on her mind is that frail girl sleeping in front of her.
Suddenly, the door opened.
"Sachiko chan.." Yumi's mother reached for her.
"Miki Obasama.." Sachiko greeted her.
"Obasama.. I'm terribly sorry.. I.." Sachiko tried to continue but was cut off by a hand that rested on her shoulder.
"Sachiko chan.. Please.. Don't apologize. It's not your fault that she fainted. It's because she didn't consume her meals properly. We don't blame you at all. Listen to me Sachiko, what my daughter needs right now is someone who can always be there for her, no matter what happens.. And that person is you.. I am not exactly sure about what has happened recently.. But I'm sure that Yumi needs you the most right now.. So please.. I beg of you.. Stay by her side.. Alright?" As Yumi's mother finished speaking, she looked as if she would break down that instant.
"Obasama.." Sachiko nodded as she embraced Yumi's mother.
After returning her gaze to the person lying on the bed, Sachiko held Yumi's hand and cupped it in hers. She will never leave Yumi again. Never.
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Sachiko directed her gaze at the items Yumi carried on her. There was a gift and a card. The package seemed to be soft and delicate. Putting that aside, Sachiko moved her attention to the card that lay beside it. It was contained in a pink envelope. On the front of the card were the words, 'Ogasawara Sachiko'.
Slowly and carefully, Sachiko tore open the flap of the envelope. A warm sight greeted her. The card was beautifully made and drawn. The sides were decorated with pink and red roses. In the center of the card, there were the words 'Happy Birthday' written on it. Then there was the drawing of what seemed to be like Lillian academy. Two people were gracing each other happily in that scene. One was offering the other a rosary. It was the sacred ritual of making someone your petite soeur. Of course, the figure on the left with long flowing hair was Ogasawara Sachiko and the one on the right with cute pigtails was Fukuzawa Yumi.
As Sachiko stared intently at the cover of the card, her mind brought her back to approximately one and a half years ago. Back to the day when she had made a shy little girl her soeur.
Intermittent cries were heard from the room as a certain someone flipped open the card.
'Dear Onesama,
Happy Birthday! It's been over a year since we became soeurs. I will never forget the memory you gave me on that day. Since the first time I saw you, my heart has been captivated by your presence. When you adjusted my scarf for me, I felt that my heart to could jump out. I never thought that someone like me deserved to be pampered by you. You were like a bright star, always shining above me. But you were too far.. It seemed like I couldn't reach you at all. Until one day that is..
I remembered how you hated men. And because of that, a chance was created for me to be together with you. Remember the play, onesama? During the practices and rehearsals, I felt a change. A change in myself and a change in you. The always strong and firm Ogasawara Sachiko poured her heart out to me. I felt honored and at the same time relieved that you placed so much trust in me.
Soon, I found myself allocating a vast amount of space in my heart. It was always reserved. Reserved just for you. Just in case you needed a place to step into, I am always here. I will always support you.
During the times when we had doubts about each other, I was sad. I was very afraid. Afraid that you would leave me. I thought that I wasn't worthy of you, I thought that I was out of your league. And so I stayed by the side lines and watched you in secret. I was contented just to see u smile. I didn't dare to move in, I was afraid to lose you. When Touko chan first appeared, I thought that I wasn't that important anymore. In truth, I got jealous. I didn't want anyone calling you onesama. I felt that I was very selfish. I wanted to have you to myself. Soon, I started to hate myself as I am unable to comprehend my feelings. It was the same with Kashiwagi san. He knew about you more than me. I felt inferior. I wanted to know everything about you. To be the one who is closest to you, the one nearest to your heart.
I was happy to be in the same room as you. I was contented to be able to stand in your presence. I loved the times when you would comfort me and hold me in your arms. I secretly took chances to walk with you in the rain, so that I would be able to be close to you. Even if it is only for a bit, I wanted to be with you, onesama.
But when you stepped out of my life, everything changed. It feels as if I have no home to return to. The vast space in my heart is now empty. I have no one to call onesama anymore. I know that by writing this card, I am stepping over the line. I don't have the right to call you onesama again. Many things that I treasure cannot be done anymore. But I don't blame you. I am very grateful that you took me into your care and showered your love on me. In my heart, Ogasawara Sachiko is already a part of me. No matter what may become of the future, I will always love you. For all eternity..
PS. If there really is a next life, I would like to become your sister again.
With love,
Yumi'
Sachiko looks at the scarf with eyes that are red from all the crying. Slowly, she brings it up to inhale the sweet scent that lingers on it.
"Yumi.. I'm sorry.. I was wrong.. I was selfish and stubborn. I didn't try to understand you at that point in time.. I love you. Please.. Please forgive me.." Sachiko wept heavily as she leaned in to place a kiss on Yumi's forehead.
Warm tears stained the little angel's face.
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Unknown to Sachiko, someone was already awake. The evidence was the streak of tear that flowed down the side of her face.
