(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)
Re-Humanizing Sachiko - Chapter 10
Yumi quietly padded over to the futon to check on her house guest for the umpteenth time that night. In the dim light she saw rise and fall of Sachiko's chest. The brunette breathed a sigh of relief, since she had never seen the girl drunk before and was unsure how liquor affected the sleeping beauty.
Sachiko had fallen asleep on her back, and sometime during the night had thrown off her covers. Yumi let the girl stay uncovered, since it wasn't cold in the apartment. "What are we to each other now,Sachiko," she said to the sleeping princess. "Friends, girlfriends, or nothing special at all?" She looked at Sachiko's full lips, and smiled, remembering how soft and demanding they were against her own. She also looked at the girl's full chest, straining against the tank top that bound them.
Yumi involuntarily reached out to touch them, but stopped herself just in time. 'Now who's the pervert,' she chided herself as she slowly pulled her hand back. She was startled when Sachiko suddenly shifted and rolled onto her side. Yumi stood up at that point and moved back to her side of the room, sat against the wall, and dozed.
The brunette awoke with a start, when she heard Sachiko scream her name. Yumi hurried across the room to see what was wrong, and blushed when she saw the state the woman was in.
Sachiko seemed to be caught in a vivid dream. She was tossing and turning but it didn't seem to be a nightmare, since the girl had smile on her face, as she was whimpering, moaning and calling out for the brunette. Yumi blushed and looked away once she realized that her guest might just be having an erotic dream about her.
Yumi was pleased that she wasn't the only one of them, to have these sorts of dreams. Many times she had woken up in the middle of a damp spot, and had to let the mattress air out. She also wondered if she was as vocal as Sachiko was being right now. She sighed and sat herself back down on the floor.
Yumi thought about what happened earlier. It was going to be awkward between them in the morning. Sachiko's words still stung her heart, and she felt a little responsible for adding pepper to the pot. Right now, she hated herself for working there. 'Maybe I am a type of whore,' she thought, seriously considering what was said to her. 'I mean, I work two jobs where essentially everybody sees me as an object, to be pawed and ogled. I even get paid for it. I may not spread my legs, but I still am being used nonetheless. But what else am I good for? I have no education, no skills. I'm not good for much else anyway.'
Yumi forced herself to stop that train of thought. She knew self pity and self hate wouldn't solve anything. She recalled the words Sister Misame said to her the day she left the orphanage to find her way in the world. She had said, "When things are dark, and you feel so overwhelmed that you can't breathe, turn your eyes to God, and leave Him your burdens. Give over you pain to Him, so that you can find peace."
Taking that piece of wisdom to heart, Yumi closed her eyes and prayed, 'God, I know I may have not made the best choices in my life, but I've tried my best to keep to the spirit of your Word. My heart is confused and my mind is jumbled. I have no idea which way to turn. Please grant me insight, O Lord, that I can move in the right and proper direction. I humbly ask this of you. Amen.'
Yumi's heart felt a little lighter after her prayer. 'Maybe, I'll receive a sign,' she thought as she made to get up. She stopped when she heard Sachiko softly call her name. "Yumi, please stay with me always," Sachiko mumbled in her sleep. "I don't want to be alone."
"I would be very happy to, Sachiko-sama," Yumi whispered in response, as she settled back down onto the floor, and continued her silent vigil.
XxX
Sachiko woke up in Yumi's apartment with a pounding skull and a thick tongue. 'How much did I drink last night,' she wondered. She sat up slowly so her head wouldn't move too much. When she placed her hand on the mat, she encountered a damp patch, and blushed recollecting her dream the previous night, about Yumi and an onsen. To force the images out of her mind, she slowly looked around the bare room. Next to the futon on a low table, sat a cup of water and a note with two aspirin sitting on it. She picked up the pills, and swallowed them with the water. After she set the cup back down, she read the note:
Sachiko-sama, I went out to grab us some breakfast. I'll be back soon. Make yourself at home. If you need more water, the sink is in the bathroom. I hope your feeling better. - Yumi
Sachiko unsteadily got to her feet and made her way to the bathroom, with the empty cup. She filled it again and drank it down, setting it on the ledge of the sink. She washed her face, then retrieved her bag from the living area in order to get changed. Feeling a little more human, she leaned against the wall and tried to figure out how to rectify things with Yumi after last night's debacle.
'I'm surprised she didn't kick me out last night,' the heiress thought. 'I basically accused her of prostitution. All she does is entertain people, there's nothing wrong with that. I do that when we have our business parties. What does that make me? At least she earns a living doing that, I get nothing.'
Sachiko sighed, and looked around the stark room, with its lack of furnishings and personal effects. She moved to the center of the room and turned in a circle to get a complete view of the small apartment. Sachiko suddenly felt guilty, for having so much, when there were many people, just like Yumi who had much less. The only things that stood out in the room, were a beautiful wood jewelry box, and and a framed picture sitting on a dresser.
Sachiko walked over to the dresser and examined the two items. The jewelry box was gorgeous, and she could tell that whoever made it added a lot of love in the crafting. She then picked up the frame to get a better look at the picture. A man and woman were standing behind an armchair, on which was seated a blonde girl holding an infant on her lap. The three adults were all looking lovingly down at the infant. She could only assume that the infant pictured was Yumi, and the rest of the subjects were the girl's family.
Sachiko felt her eyes tearing up, as she realized that this was most likely the only picture the brunette owned of her family. A family she never knew, since they died while Yumi was so young. When she gently put the picture back on the dresser to wipe her tear filled eyes, she noticed that the blonde held a striking resemblance to the girl immortalized on the faded picture her father carried around. She took a closer look at the blonde in the picture, there was something else familiar about her, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Before her mind could ponder the implications of the discovery, she heard the door open behind her.
"Ohayo, Sachiko-sama," Yumi said happily, as she walked into the apartment carrying a plastic bag and two cups.
"Ohayo, Yumi," the heiress responded. "I was just looking around. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course not," Yumi said, as she approached the low table to put her purchases down. "I told you to make you self at home."
"I know," Sachiko explained. "But I still wanted to let you know. I was looking at this picture over here. Are they your family?"
Yumi looked at her guest, with a sad smile. "Yes, that's me with my parents, Miki and Yuchiiro, and Maria-obasama is the one holding me up," the brunette replied.
"So that's Nakajime-san?" Sachiko asked surprised.
"Yes," the younger girl said as she started taking the breakfast out of the bag, which consisted of an assortment of packaged bread. "Come sit down and eat. I'm sure you'll feel a lot better with a full stomach."
Sachiko came over and knelt by the table. "What are we having," she asked.
"I wasn't sure what you liked, so I got some different things," Yumi stated. "Would you prefer coffee or black tea?"
"Tea would be wonderful," Sachiko replied, thankfully.
The brunette passed one of the cups to her guest, then asked, "Do how want the sweet bun filled with red bean paste, or the roast pork bun?"
Sachiko thought for a moment. "I'll take the meat, please," she decided.
Yumi handed her the requested bread, then opened hers and started eating. When the black haired girl wasn't eating, Yumi looked concerned and asked, "Is anything wrong, Sachiko-sama?"
"I was just looking around for some silverware," Sachiko stated.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking," Yumi said, getting up. "I usually eat these with my hands. Let me get you a knife and fork."
"Sit back down," Sachiko told the brunette, picking up her bun with her fingers. "I'll be fine." She took a bite out of the roll.
Yumi sat back down and the enjoyed their breakfast together. Afterward, they sat and sipped at their drinks. "Yumi," Sachiko said, breaking the silence. "I really am sorry about what I said last night. What you do at the Rosebud isn't any different than what I do when I act as hostess for my family's parties. I just don't get paid for it."
"Well, I guess that makes you a slut," Yumi said deadpan, causing Sachiko to look at her host sternly, taking exception to the description. Then the brunette started giggling. "At least whores get paid."
Sachiko couldn't help but laugh at Yumi's goofy grin. "I guess that makes us even then," she responded.
After that exchange, all the awkwardness disappeared between them, and they started talking about other things. "I never knew you were such a good singer, Yumi," Sachiko asked. "Sei said you sounded like a professional performer."
Yumi blushed, embarrassed at the compliment. "I'm not that good," she dissembled. "I don't know anything about music."
"But Yumi, you have a strong presence as a performer," Sachiko argued. "Didn't you see all the tables fill up once you started singing, and how about all those requests. Can't you see you're really talented."
"Even if you are correct, Sachiko-sama," Yumi said. "I wouldn't even know how to get started."
"Leave that to me," Sachiko suggested. "I can make some calls, maybe get you an audition somewhere."
"No, Sachiko-sama," Yumi said adamantly. "It wouldn't mean anything if I succeeded, just because you got me an audition with someone who wants to earn brownie points with your family. If it is going to happen, I will have to put the effort in. Don't you understand?"
"Okay, fine," The older girl said petulantly. "Can I at least assemble a list of agents for you to contact?"
"As long as you promise not to call ahead, and tell them to expect my call," the brunette replied, adding the condition.
'How stubborn can she be,' Sachiko thought before saying, "I promise. But you have to promise me something too. If you do get an offer or a contract, you let me have someone check it over. I wouldn't want anyone to take advantage of you."
"That sounds fair," Yumi responded. "I promise not to accept anything without checking with you first."
"Deal," Sachiko said, holding out her hand.
Yumi took the offered hand, and shook it, sealing their agreement. They talked for a bit more while they finished their drinks, then the brunette stood and started to collect the garbage. "It's almost noon," she said, looking at the clock. "You probably have some things to do, so I'll let you get going."
"I already missed my morning classes, and it seems silly for me to go all the way there for just half a day," the heiress said, not wanting to be separated from Yumi just yet. "Can we just go out somewhere together?"
Yumi was surprised at this. She didn't expect Sachiko to want to stay with her, so it took her some time to reply. "Well I do have to run some errands, and get my laundry done, since my Saturday is all booked up," she said. "But if you want to wait here for an hour or so. We can go out after I'm finished."
"Why don't you take me with you," the older girl suggested. "I can help you."
"Have you ever washed clothes before," The brunette asked incredulously.
"No," Sachiko replied. "But I can learn. At the very least I can keep you company."
Yumi rolled her eyes and smiled. "If you insist," she said as she went over to the closet and took out her laundry bag, slung it over her shoulder, and waited by the door. "Let's go."
Sachiko got up, grabbed her purse, and met Yumi at the door. Yumi held the door for her guest, followed her out, and locked the door behind them.
Yumi brought Sachiko to the laundry mat around the corner from her apartment. Once there, she secured one of the sorting tables, dumping out the contents of her laundry bag, onto it. "Now, Sachiko-sama," she said. "What I need you to do is sort these clothes into three piles: light colors, dark colors, and underwear. I'll be back to help you after I get some change for the machines."
Sachiko looked at the pile as if it were a complex puzzle. "I can do this," she said, more to boost her own confidence, than let her friend know that she was capable. Yumi shook her head, smiling, and walked over to the change machine. As the heiress was sorting the clothes, she was bothered by the state of the brunette's wardrobe. Most of the clothing was worn and thread bare. A good portion of it had been repaired or patched multiple times. Yumi's underwear was in the worst shape, with most of it having been stretched out, so that it would no longer fit properly.
Sachiko shook her head as she started a fourth pile, 'Discard' where she placed all the items that should be thrown out and replaced. "What's this," Yumi asked when she returned, indicating the extra unsorted pile which consisted of most of her underwear, and regular street clothes.
"These items are trash. They are barely serviceable, and need to be replaced," Sachiko informed the younger girl.
"I can't afford to replace all of this," Yumi argued, as she saw the size of the pile.
"I figured as much," Sachiko stated in a tone that would brook no arguments. "That's why I decided that after we are done here, I am taking you shopping. Even if you do get an audition somewhere, you can't wear holey jeans and patched shirts."
"But, Sachiko-sama," Yumi started.
"No buts, Yumi," the black haired girl said firmly. "Either you do this with me, or I go by myself and decide what to get you. Wouldn't you rather have a say in the matter. Because I think you'd look adorable in crinoline and lace"
"Fine," she said. Yumi knew when she was beat, and if she didn't want to be stuck looking like a ten year old, she'd have to go with Sachiko. "But I will pay you back, and that's a promise," she added.
With a concerted effort within an hour, most of the remaining items that survived Sachiko's purge, were wished, dried, folded, and returned to the laundry bag. There were some dressier items, that Yumi wore at the club, which were washed, and hung in order to air dry at home. The pair left the laundry and walked back to the brunette's apartment.
XxX
The pair's shopping expedition went off without a hitch. Sachiko had called for a car to pick them up in front of the apartment building, and take them to the shopping district. Staying true to herself, Yumi chose the most inexpensive items that would suit her needs. And Sachiko, who believed the brunette deserved finer things, either substituted some items or secretly added items to their purchases. One item in particular was rather daring. It was a white, satin merry widow, trimmed in lace. The older girl also made sure to keep all the receipts, so that Yumi wouldn't be able to return the merchandise and credit back the account.
After shopping, the two girls went to a cafe for lunch. Again Yumi settled for the cheapest item on the menu, and ordered a water with it. When the check came the brunette took out her wallet, and offered Sachiko money to pay for her portion of the bill.
Sachiko refused the money saying, "This is my treat this time. You paid for the ice cream yesterday, and breakfast today. You also let me stay over last night. It's the least I can do, to repay your kindness."
"Well if we're keeping track, then I should pick up the next twenty or so meals to pay you back for all the money you spent on my wardrobe today." Yumi shot back.
"I told you before, you don't need to pay me back for any of it," Sachiko responded. "Think of it as my gift to you. Speaking of gifts, I have one other to give you." Sachiko reached into her purse and handed Yumi a small box.
The brunette took the box and asked, "What is it?"
"Open it and find out," the heiress replied.
Yumi opened the box. It contained a cell phone. "Now, you've gone too far, Sachiko-sama," she said angrily.
"Look," Sachiko said calmly. "You are going to need a way for the talent agents to get a hold of you. Consider it a business accessory. When you get big and famous, I'll let you pay me back. It's prepaid with a year of service, so you won't have any recurring bills. Quit complaining and say 'thank you' already."
'Will I ever win a fight with this woman,' Yumi thought. "Thank you for everything you've done for me today," she said happily. "I really do appreciate it."
"You're very welcome, Yumi," Sachiko replied. "Now if I can see your new phone, I'll program it for you." After the brunette passed over the phone, her companion started punching buttons. Fifteen minutes or so later the older girl returned the phone, then moved to the seat next to Yumi. "Now, to make a call, you hit the down arrow until the the name of the person you want to call is highlighted, then press 'Send'. Go ahead and try it."
When Yumi pressed the down arrow, she saw Sachiko's name appear, then she pressed again and the text lit up reversed, and finally she pressed 'Send'. A couple of seconds passed and she heard the other girl's phone ring. Sachiko took hers out and pressed 'Ignore', and the ringing stopped.
"Very good. If you want to call a number that isn't in your contacts, you can just dial the digits, then press 'Send'." Sachiko dialed a number on her phone, in a few seconds the phone in Yumi's hand started playing the introductory bass line of 'Fever'. "Do you like it," the older girl asked. "I downloaded it and associated the ring tone with my number. Any other call you get will just be the standard ring tone. Now, to answer a call, just press 'Send', and talk into it" Sachiko disconnected the call and put her phone back in her pocket.
Sachiko settled their bill, and the pair of girls walked back to the car. Once the sedan arrived at Yumi's apartment building, it pulled up in front of it, and the driver let Yumi out. Sachiko turned to Yumi and said, "I have to get back home now, so I'll leave you here." Yumi started collecting the shopping bags, and thanked the older girl once again as she stepped out of the car. When the brunette turned to head to the building's front doors, Sachiko noticed something awfully familiar about the shape of Yumi's profile. 'She couldn't be?' the heiress thought, puzzled by the unsuspecting likeness she just saw. Sachiko mulled it over for a while, before telling the driver to take her to the massage parlor, instead of home.
Just then her phone rang. It was Yumi, so she answered. "Hello."
"What's with all this extra stuff," the brunette asked, sounding upset. "I didn't pick it out."
"Well I felt you needed some other things, so I added them on," Sachiko replied calmly.
"I thought our agreement was that you would let me choose what to get," Yumi argued. "And I end up with some extra dress outfits, and sexy lingerie."
The heiress chuckled before she responded, "The dress outfits are what I think might come in handy for auditions, and I thought the lingerie might look pretty on you. Maybe someday you can model it for me."
Yumi sputtered over the phone, embarrassed, while Sachiko broke out in laughter picturing the brunette, red faced. "I have to get going now," Sachiko said. "I'll call you tomorrow." She hung up the phone, put it back in her pocket, and sat back against the seat, until she reached her destination.
Author's Notes: I know, I must sound like a broken record by now, but thank you for reading.
Considering the events of the last chapter and this one... I am changing the rating of this fiction to M just to be on the safe side.
Now on to reviewer responses:
Honulicious: I am thinking that Sachiko was too busy watching something else, to worry about the men drooling over our brown haired pixie.
Nyaaaaaaah: Well it looks like things between our heroines are on an even keel for now.
SweetestSuicide: I wholeheartedly agree... but that's what happens when one loses control, but at least Yumi has a good right hook. :)
elliehandesu: Thank you, and I'll try and sprinkle in some more 'spice' from time to time...
Spikesagitta: All I can do is quote: "It ain't over 'til its over" :)
Chinensis' Fan: Thank you. And I will try and give you more scenes...
Balticbard: One of them has to be :)
Until we meet again. Keep reading!