A/N: Alright! This is the longest chapter I ever made for this story but don't worry it's not the end not yet... hehe ^_^
Anyway happy reading and sorry for keeping you all waiting!
xii
I love you, good bye
Sei approaches the information desk to ask for Shiori's room number "hi!" she greeted the male nurse in charge at the information desk with a smile.
"Yes?"
"I was looking for a patient but I don't know her room number"
"Her name?"
"Kubo Shiori san" Sei answered and waited for the nurse as he checks the computer for the name. Sei smiled at the nurse when he glances at her.
"Kubo Shiori san was staying at the room 23 in the second floor of the hospital" the nurse said.
"Oh, thanks for the help" Sei said and about to left when the nurse called her name "yes?"
"Please write your name on the visitor's log book first before you go and visit the patient"
"Right, I forgot, sorry about that"
"It's no biggie just don't forget next time" the nurse said. Sei nodded and wrote her name on the log book and bid goodbye with the man and walks towards the elevator.
-o-
Monday morning all the members of the Yamayurikai except for Sei were gathered around the Rose Mansion.
"Rosa Gigantea isn't here yet" Rei voice out to break the awkward silence inside the room because it seems like that everyone was in deep thoughts.
"Oooh..., Rei chan you're an idiot! Well, isn't it obvious that Rosa Gigantea wasn't here yet and everyone already knows it!" Yoshino's mind screams.
"Onee-sama isn't coming to school today" Shimako replied that made everyone's eyes focused on her.
Shimako was cleaning the surroundings of her house early in the morning when her onee-sama arrive an announce "good morning Shimako" the blonde girl greeted her with a force smile "I need someone to talk to and your name pop out in my head" Sei said jokingly but Shimako knew that her onee-sama was just forcing herself. She nodded her head understandingly and leads Sei inside the house and let her wait in the receiving room for a while as she went to the kitchen to prepare some snack for her guest. When she came back she sit on the chair opposite to Sei's and waited patiently for the older girl to speak up "remember what I told you about Kubo Shiori?" her onee-sama asked, she nodded her head knowingly but didn't say anything "a man named Nakamura Shinji came into my house last night... and he told me that Shiori was dying, that she only had one week left to live" Sei said shakily. Shimako put her hand on top of Sei's hand. Sei looks at her and forces a smile "I don't know what to do... and I thought that I should go somewhere peaceful and..."
"It's alright onee-sama, everything's going to be alright" Shimako said softly "give yourself a time to think" she advices but Sei shook her head.
"I already thought about things... many, many things and I didn't get any sleep last night" Sei said with a meek smile.
"It doesn't show on your face" Shimako replied teasingly. Sei smiled at her.
"Last night I decided to pay Shiori a visit"
"If you did, then why are you still here?"
"I guess, I was trying to clear my mind first and like I've said your first name was the one that pop out in my head" Sei said chuckling.
-o-
"Shimako san?" Youko called out at Sei's petite soeur when the girl became silent all of a sudden "Shimako san?" she called out again.
Yoshino nudge Shimako in the arm "Shimako san, Youko sama was calling for you" she said and wave her hand at her friend's face "helloo! Earth to Shimako, are you there?"
"W... what?" Shimako asked confused.
"I said Youko sama was calling out your name"
"I... I'm so, sorry" Shimako said embarrassed "I didn't heard you" she added apologetically and glance at Youko.
"It's alright but you seem like in deep thoughts. What's wrong Shimako san?"
Shimako didn't answer and remembered the last conversation she had with her onee-sama.
"I'm not going to school tomorrow" Sei said as they wait together for the bus to arrive at the bus stop. Shimako nodded but looks at Sei sceptically.
"But what if everyone ask me if where you are?"
"Just tell them the truth" Sei said answered sincerely.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
Shimako shook her head when Yoshino nudge her arm again for the second time "you don't have to nudge me every time I space out, Yoshino san" Shimako said looking at Yoshino one eyebrow raise but her friend just shrugged and smiled at her sheepishly. Shimako turn her gaze to Youko "Sei sama paid me a visit to my house yesterday and she wants me to tell everyone the truth if why she's absent today"
"And her reason is?" Eriko asked.
Shimako then told everyone if what had Sei told her and as she told the whole story to the whole members of the Yamayurikai and saw different reactions that she thought that it was so much fun to see them react differently but she casted it away until she was finish and everyone was quiet. And before anyone could say a word or ask a question the bell rang.
"It's time for us to go to our class now" Youko said who stood up from her chair and grab her bag without waiting for anyone "please excuse me" she added and left the room in a hurry.
Eriko who knows what does Youko's reaction means stood up in a hurry and followed Youko out of the room "Youko, wait up!" Eriko called out to the black haired girl but Youko didn't stop to wait for her "Youko!" she called out again but Youko walks only much faster to Eriko's frustration. She let out a curse under her breath and run to be able to keep up with her friend and grab Youko's hand who tried to free herself from her grip "Yo..."
"What?" Youko exclaimed turning around and faces the shock Eriko while staring at her face "what?" she asked again.
"I'm sorry" Eriko whispered and to Youko's bewilderment Eriko embraces her tightly.
"W...w"
"It's alright" Eriko whispered and rub Youko's back comfortingly. Youko then embraces Eriko back and cried silently on her friend's shoulder.
-o-
Yumi walks slowly next to Sachiko after they left the Rose Mansion to go to their own class.
"Is something bothering you?" Sachiko asked.
"Stay away from Sachiko san" Yuuki's words suddenly echoed on Yumi's head "if you care for this family, Yumi" Yumi shook her head and smiled at Sachiko "it's nothing" she said and cling her arm around the older girl "just don't mind me"
-o-
After reaching the second floor Sei stops in front of the room with the number 23 embedded on the door. With a sigh Sei gathered all her courage and strength she had inside her and knocks on the door and waited patiently for someone to answer her or open the door. When the door opens, Sei saw Nakamura Shinji, at first the man was surprised to see her then a sincere smile was formed on his lips "I'm glad you came" Nakamura said in a low voice.
Sei looks at Nakamura's eyes determinedly "I made up my mind to stay with Shiori until her last days"
"Shinji san, whose there?" a voice of a girl asked from the room.
"She's awake?" Sei asked and Nakamura nodded his head then close the door behind him.
"Take care of her for me while I'm gone"
"Where are you going?"
"I'll buy some grocery" Nakamura answered which is obviously a lie.
"Thank you" Sei said.
"You better go inside now" Nakamura said encouragingly and before the man left he patted Sei in the shoulder.
Sei opened the door slowly.
"Shinji san?" Shiori asked.
"No, it's me" Sei answered and entered the room silently where she found a shock Shiori while staring at her "hi there Shiori" she greeted the girl meekly and approach the girl's bed.
"What are you doing here?" Shiori asked confused.
"To pay you a visit" Sei answered simply and sits on the chair next to the bed "you should have told me" Sei said and holds Shiori's pale hand "you should have told me..."
"Who told you that...?"
"It doesn't matter... anymore. I'm sorry for not listening to you back then... I know it's my fault and..." Sei stops when Shiori covered her hand with her own pale hand.
"It's already in the past Sei. You don't have to feel sorry. I didn't tell you because I don't want to hurt you"
Sei let out the tears that she had been holding since she arrives at the hospital earlier that morning. Shiori wipes the tears in Sei's face with her thumb.
"It's alright... Sei, It's alright" Shiori said tears had also started to fall from her eyes. Sei hugs Shiori tightly.
-o-
After class that afternoon Youko was on her way to the Rose Mansion when someone drags her away "what are you doing Eriko?" she asked confused when Eriko drag her towards the school's back gate "Eriko?"
"We need to talk"
"About what?"
"About you and Sei" Eriko answered and stop at the side of the road while looking around for a taxi "don't try to protest or argued back" Eriko warned when Youko opened her mouth to say something "and don't worry about the younger ones, I left them a note telling them that today's meeting was cancelled and they should go home and rest early or do whatever they want" Youko closed her mouth and remained silent until a taxi stops in front of them.
[One hour later]
The taxi had stopped in front of the Tokyo General Hospital. Youko looks at Eriko in disbelief "you said you wanted to talk?" she asked wide eyes.
"I do" Eriko answered nodding her head.
"Then what are we doing in this place and of all places. Why are we in this hospital?" Youko asked calmly but her eyes were showing the opposite. Her eyes were showing anger and frustration but Eriko ignored her and pay their fare.
Eriko gets off the taxi "are you coming or not?" Eriko asked the hesitant Youko
Although still in protest Youko gets off from the taxi which made Eriko smirk.
"I can't believe I'm doing this" Youko mumbles.
"It's because you want to clear something inside you" Eriko replied that made Youko frowns.
"Alright Eriko enough with your games, what are you planning?" Youko asked putting both of her hands on her hips.
"Who knows... it's just my mouth talking" Eriko answered and started to walk towards the hospital building and Youko walks next to her "Youko?" Eriko called out after a few seconds of silence.
"Hmm?"
"Do you trust me?"
"I do, why asked all of a sudden?"
Eriko faces Youko and looks at the girl's eye seriously "you know that I care for you and Sei, right?"
"Yes"
"Then whatever you might see today don't hate me, okay?"
"Eriko..."
"Listen to me Youko. I'm doing this because I wanted to help you. I know that you were hurt after you heard about Shiori san and that Sei went to visit her... I"
Youko grab Eriko's shoulder to silence her friend "I understand Eriko you don't have to explain, alright?" Eriko nodded and the two of them started their way again towards the hospital's entrance.
At the hospital lobby they were met by a female doctor who is also Eriko's aunt "about the patient I called earlier..."
"Oh, Kubo Shiori san, she's at the room 23"
"Is there another room we could use to observe the people inside the room 23?" it was Eriko that asked the question and her aunt looks at her sceptically "our reason for coming here is kind of personal. So, I and Youko here were thinking if you could help us a little bit" Eriko's aunt eyed them thoroughly then let out a sigh of resignation.
"The best place where you could view the room 23 from the outside is at the rooftop of the next building of the hospital but you have to use a binocular to have a clear view of the room. Try burrowing one from the security guard on your way there" Eriko smiled broadly while Youko showed a force smile. They both thank the woman and excused themselves and rushes to the next building.
When they reach the rooftop with binocular in hand Eriko handed it over to Youko who looks at the brown haired girl puzzled "you're not expecting me to be the one peeking on that room, right?"
"What?"
"Come on Youko the purpose why we came here is to clear some doubts that you had been keeping in there" Eriko said and put a finger on her own heart.
Youko raise her hand as a sign of resignation and search the room 23 using the binoculars until she found it and saw Sei having a happy conversation with Shiori. She felt a sudden pain but she didn't show it and continued to watch. Shiori was laughing happily at what might be Sei was telling her.
"Shiori san was dying and she only got one week left to live" Shimako's voice echoed on her head and she felt guilty for all the things she had done to the girl a year ago. Youko puts down the binocular and faces the waiting Eriko.
"So...?" Eriko asked and waited patiently. Youko shook her head and rested her head on the girl's shoulder.
"I think I better let go...of Sei" Youko whispered shakily.
"Why?"
Youko let out a sob and her shoulder started shaking. Eriko didn't move and let Youko cries "I can't bear the thought that Sei has to choose between me and Shiori san in the future... and I don't want to see her suffer and be in pain" she answered shakily.
"Is it because you love her or just because of pity for Shiori san?"
"I love Sei and that's all there is"
Eriko embraces Youko tightly and rub the back of the girl comfortingly "do you believe in destiny, fate... whatever they call it, do you believe in them?"
"I really don't know, why?"
"Well, most people do believe that if the two people are truly meant for each other. Then no matter what happens they will be together at the end"
"Do you believe in it?"
"Honestly, I really don't know" Eriko answered and let out a soft laugh.
-o-
The next day...
Yumi stops in front of the statue of Maria sama that morning and joined her hands and offered a small prayer before proceeding to the Rose Mansion where a meeting will be held at eight o'clock but she was one hour early because she still needs to clean the room before the second and third years arrive. When she entered the Rose Mansion she heard some movements from the second floor that made her frown. Yumi climb the stairs as quietly as possible until she reaches the second floor and stops in front of the only room there. She knocks at the door softly before she opened it and surprise to see Satou Sei sitting on the window's railing while looking outside solemnly.
"Good morning Yumi chan" Sei greeted her without looking at her way.
"Good morning Rosa Gigantea" Yumi greeted back and put her bag on her chair "would you like some tea?"
"Yes" Sei answered still looking outside.
"I'm glad you came to school today"
"Did Shimako tell everyone why I'm absent yesterday?" Sei asked but Yumi didn't answer and when Sei turns her head back in the room she was surprised to see Yumi standing in front of her, brow twitching.
"Shimako san said that you went to visit Shiori san, is that right?"
"Yes" Sei answered. Yumi sighs.
"Was it really true that she's..."
"Dying?" Sei finishes for her and Yumi nodded her head "yes it's true, she only got a week to live"
"I'm sorry"
"It's alright"
"You're not planning to stay with her aren't you?" Yumi asked unsure.
"Honestly, I am"
"I see..." Yumi said nodding her head and walks to the sink to prepare the tea.
"You're not going to ask me another question?" Sei asked puzzled.
"Like what, Sei sama?" Yumi asked back without looking at the older girl.
"I don't know..." Yumi sighs and faces Sei again.
"I really don't what to tell or ask you, Sei sama" Yumi said honestly and the two of them became silent. And Yumi return to what she's doing.
"I want to stay with her until her last days..." Sei said after a long silence that stops Yumi when she's about to pour hot water at their tea cups.
"Do you love her...?" Yumi asked almost in a whisper but Sei didn't answer.
Youko raised her head after she heard the conversation between Yumi and Sei inside the room. She arrived early at Lillian planning to have some time alone and to think about so many things but when she reaches the second floor of the Rose Mansion she stops on her track when she heard voices coming from the inside. It's not her intention to eavesdrop but her curiosity was killing her after she heard Sei's voice. And before anyone sees her she turns around and left the Rose Mansion in a hurry and her feet had taken her to the music club's room, the place where Sei told her the first time that she and Shiori became a couple and that was already a year ago which made her smile sadly at the memory. She smiled at the old and new members of the music club who smiled back at her shyly.
"Did you come to listen to our song, Rosa Chinensis?" the vocalist a year ago who was still the vocalist of the club until now asked. Youko nodded "then I have a song just for you"
Youko sits on one of the chairs and listened as the vocalist started singing their new song.
Three little birds, sat on my window.
And they told me I don't need to worry.
Summer came like cinnamon
So sweet,
Little girls double-dutch on the concrete.
Maybe sometimes, we've got it wrong, but it's alright
The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same
Oh, don't you hesitate.
Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.
As she listens to the song, she remembered the very first day she met Sei.
[Two years ago]
Before entering the gate of the Lillian Girls High School she straightened out her back and raised her head with dignity and started to walk slowly towards the gate "according to the school's rules you must walk slow and speak in your most polite manner. You shouldn't scream. You shouldn't raise voice or have a scowl on your face" she recited to her mind and stop in front of a statue. The statue of Maria sama, she looks up enthusiastically and joined her hands together and close her eyes to offer a prayer "Maria sama, this is my first day in this school. I ask for your gui..." her prayer was interrupted when someone bumps into her from behind causing her to lost her balance but before she hits the ground someone's arm was encircled at her waist. She opened her eyes slowly and saw a worried pair of azure eye staring down at her.
"Are you alright?" the girl with long blonde hair asked and help her to stand up properly. Youko didn't answer and just stared mesmerized at those azure eyes.
"What have you done, Sei?" another girl with brown hair and wide fore head asked, behind the girl called Sei.
"I accidentally bumped into her and nothing more. And it's your entire fault because you keep on following me around" Sei retort.
"Sei what a nice name even her eyes how beautiful it matches her hair perfectly" Youko thought then glance at the other girl "and whose this Decochin?" her mind asked silently. The girl with wide forehead looks at her curiously and to her irritation she stared back at the girl one eye brow raised.
"Are you okay?" the girl asked.
Youko composed herself and a self satisfied smile was formed on her lips "yes I'm fine, thank you for asking" she answered and excuses herself "but I have to go now, cause I don't want to be late on the first day of class" she added and left the two girls looking at each other in daze.
Blue as the sky, sunburnt and lonely,
Sipping tea in the bar by the roadside,
(just relax, just relax)
Don't you let those other boys fool you,
Got to love that afro hair do.
Maybe sometimes, we feel afraid, but it's alright
The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change.
Don't you think it's strange?
Youko smiled at the memory and stood up, the vocalist stop singing too. Youko shook her head "continue singing" she said and the vocalist sang again as she was told.
Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song
You go ahead, let your hair down
Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams,
Just go ahead, let your hair down.
You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.
'Twas more than I could take, pity for pity's sake
Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger
When you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer?
Do what you want to.
Youko walks towards the door "I shouldn't be sulking around here. I'm Mizuno Youko the highly respected Rosa Chinensis the strong willed and optimistic head of the Yamayurikai. I should do the right thing" she whispered and reaches out for the door knob to open the door and left the room with a decision set on her mind.
-o-
[Two days later]
After the meeting of the members of the Yamayurikai that afternoon Youko looks at Sei who was preparing to leave "can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked then looks at the others "alone" she added and everyone nodded understandingly and left the room. Youko didn't had the chance to talks to Sei since the girl has been absent for two days and she knew why even if no one tells her but now that the girl was present at school they need to talk to settle things out between them. When the others were gone Sei sighs and faces her but didn't say anything "is it true that Shiori san was... dying?" she asked calmly.
"Yes" Sei answered with unwavering eyes while looking intently at Youko's.
"And you're planning to spend most of your time with her?"
"I do" Sei answered confused "hey, what's this all about?"
"I'm just trying to know and clear some things up, Sei" Youko answered. Sei's brow furrowed.
"What are you trying to tell me?"
Youko let out a sigh "I think we should break..."
"No... No" Sei said cutting Youko's words because she knew exactly if what was Youko is about to say, she approach the girl and hold her on the shoulder "why are you saying this, all of a sudden?"
Youko shook her head and looks at Sei teary eyed "because I don't want you to choose between me and Shiori san when the time had come"
"Youko, I..." Youko kissed Sei in the lips to prevent her saying another word.
"I love you say I really do that's why I have to let you go... I don't want to hurt you but I must"
"Youko..."
"Goodbye Sei" Youko whispered and saw the tears filled Sei's azure eyes "I love you but she needs you most right now" she added and kissed Sei for the last time and left the room.
Eriko looks at her watch then back at the Rose Mansion's front door and when it opened she saw Youko came out crying. She approaches the girl and offered her hand "I'll buy you a one gallon of banana ice cream" she said with understanding smile. Youko wipes her tears and cling her hand on Eriko's arm "I'm proud of you" Eriko whispered.
"You should be... you know it hurts me..."
"Ssshhh... it's alright, remember what I said before?"
"If we are truly meant for each other no matter what happens we will be together at the end" Youko answered and Eriko nodded happily.
A/N: I hope you enjoy and have a nice a day everyone!
P. S
Just be thankful alright? because this will be the last time you'll read about Shiori and the following chapter will be focused back on Yumi and Sachiko. ^_^
[November 16, 2010]
9:39 PM
