A/N: ...I don't even know where to start... I am soo sorry I haven't updated in almost three months :C I've been ridiculously busy now. I was tempted more than once to just put an author's note update saying that I won't be writing and updating soon. But I HATE IT when an author does that. Like when you find an update from an author you really like, and then in only 5 seconds, as you're reading the "update" -cough- you're eager smile turns into a frown :( So I just sucked it up and began to write crap without stopping. Thank the Lord for beta-readers... especially my beta-reader XD I'm not going to lie, but I believe I have the best beta-reader in the whole world. VEAMGEE you are awesome! I love you so much T.T
I hope people will still read this. Anyways thank you to those who are still sticking with this story of mine. Please PM, comment, review etc.! So I'm sorry once again for the long wait. Here's the awaited ch. 21 and FYI this is the second to the last update! Have fun reading!~~
Disclaimer: I do not own Marimite or any of its characters. All belongs to Oyuki Konno.
Chapter 21: Cold Blood
"That went well."
Sachiko turned her head and gave Suguru, who at the moment was driving, a pointed look. "I'm sorry, but was that sarcasm?"
Suguru chuckled before answering "Oh, I'm sorry too. I thought that because you're finally out and proud-" Sachiko lightly giggled at this. "-you would at least lighten up because we did it!" Both couldn't help but smile at his statement.
"We finally did it alright."
They were on the road, heading back to the hospital. After the ordeal that occurred earlier was finished, it is as if the heaviest weight was lifted off her chest. She took a deep breath, and cherished the feeling of not hiding who she was anymore, the absolute freedom of expression. She could love anyone she wants now; and there was only one person who owns her heart.
"If you don't mind me asking, what are you planning to do now? Since you're out and proud and everything?" Suguru asked nonchalantly while keeping his eyes on the road.
Sachiko briefly froze for a second before she felt her eyes look over the moving scenery at the car's tinted window. There were things that she wanted to do now that she can make her own decisions, without someone watching her every move like a hawk. Asking Yumi out on dates, showing her love to the girl of her dreams in public, marrying the brunette and spending the rest of her life with the woman she loves.
A tiny but genuine smile began to form itself on the heiress's lips. "There's so much that I want to do that I can't keep a list of it in my he-" Sachiko was cut off by a loud shriek of glee from the driver.
"I love driving on highways! They make me feel like I'm actually a professional race car driver! Alternatively, like Jackie Chan when he chases bad people on the road! Oh and you know that urge when you are chasing someone and the person jumps into a car, you whistle for a taxi, get into the vehicle and yell to the taxi driver, 'Follow that car!'? I feel like becoming a taxi driver now."
Sachiko saw a weird glint in Suguru's eyes before she realized what was about to happen. "No, no Suguru do-"
Too late…
The red sports car suddenly accelerated from 80 km/h to 105 km/h, much to Sachiko's dismay but more so to her horror. Her face turned pale white at this; her left hand grasped her seatbelt tightly, and her right hand holding on the handle for dear life. Suguru, however, found the entire situation rather hilarious. The way his cousin quickly gripped the seatbelt and the support handle was just so comical! Not to mention how her face turned from its normal color to pale white, then sickly green.
'Oh Maria-sama, I cannot die now! Not yet!' Sachiko silently sent a pleading and desperate prayer to their Mother.
"Suguru, I swear to everything that is holy, if you don't slow down in the next five seconds we are going to arrive at the hospital not to visit Yumi but lay down helplessly in a stretcher!. Why? Because we're going to become the first (surprisingly) and last victims of your horrible driving!"
Much to Sachiko's immense relief, Suguru released some pressure on the gas pedal. Seeing Sachiko's relieved demeanor made him howl with laughter. It was amazing how only he could manage to make the cold, icy princess of Lillian beg for her life because of his great driving skills.
"You're just overwhelmed by my amazing driving skills! I'm such a great driver that your body couldn't handle it." Suguru said playfully, letting a cheeky smile take over his lips. The comment earned him a brief sideways look from the slightly pissed-off blunette as she raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow in mild irritation and slight curiosity. "Come to think of it, how did you earn your driver's license?"
"Well, all I can say is that I have my own devious ways and to top it all off, I had some reliable resources" he said this with much confidence and pride, that his nose was as pointed as that of a carrot.
Releasing her grip on the seatbelt, Sachiko looked at the man who was behind the wheels and gave him a knowing look. "You didn't pass the driving test, did you? For all I know, you could've just bribed the driving instructor with money into letting you pass the driving exam."
"…"
After 5 seconds of silence has passed, Sachiko's conclusion was most likely confirmed.
"You did bribe the instructor with money, didn't you? No wonder… It makes sense though. There was no way you could have passed the driving test and still drive like a crazy-psychopathic-mad man who has no clue whatsoever on how to ride a bike let alone drive a car."
"But I do know how to ri-"
"And don't even lie to me about knowing how to ride a bike. Do not forget, I was there when you tried to ride a bike when you were ten. You were on that blue bike with no training wheels for what, 5 seconds before crashing hard into the garden hedge?"
Suguru placed his left hand on his chest- feigning mocked hurt- still keeping his right hand on the steering wheel. "Sa-chan! I was little then! I'm a man now, and I know how to ride a bike!"
"You should know by now that I am no easy person to fool." Sachiko shook her head in fake disappointment. "I still have a clear, vivid image of you giving death glares to the poor blue bike that did nothing to you while one of the house maids helped you stand up. If your glares could burn things, the bike would have been nothing but a puddle of melted metal and rubber."
Sachiko smiled fondly on the said moment down memory lane, chuckling like a schoolgirl. Not many people knew this fact, but Suguru has a terrible sense of balance. His inability to keep up perfect equilibrium on anything was beyond her understanding.
Or anyone's for that matter.
"You know, just because you can do whatever your heart desires now doesn't mean you could just enter Yumi-chan's life as her girlfriend. Don't forget that she has a boyfriend, and judging from the way you kept her at an arms-length back then, I'm not going to be surprised if she doesn't exactly open up her arms for you. Not to mention you're also wooing a comatose guy's girlfriend. "
Sachiko's eyes widened both in surprise and confusion upon hearing this sudden statement. How could have she been so stupid? How did she forget that Yumi already has someone else?
'Probably because you were greatly blinded by your heart's selfish desires, that's why.'
In the corner of his peripheral vision, Suguru could clearly see the immense turmoil clouding the raven-haired girl's eyes, so he decided to soften his verbal blow.
"But don't worry Sa-chan. Judging from Yumi's character and the looks she was throwing at you before the fail-company merging, one can easily tell that she loves you, even though I have no clue when and how she'll break up with Kaoru-kun." Suguru said with an assuring voice. He doesn't know why, but for some reason, he felt like being a nice guy for a change. Even for just one day.
Sachiko's demeanor quickly changed to a somehow relaxed one; her heart beat slowing down, and her facial features softening to the texture of a fluffy, feathered pillow. Nevertheless, as quickly as relief came, it was suddenly replaced by doubt and uncertainty.
"Are you absolutely sure?"
Suguru tried to resist the urge to roll his eyes. Unfortunately, the temptation was too strong. "I have never been positive in my entire life…well except that time when I knew for certain that I was way more interested in my gender and not the opposite counterpart. One time, this cute guy was using the drinking fountain after first period ended. I was walking down the hallway when that cute ass immediately caught my undivided attenti-"
Sachiko plugged her ears with her fingers, repeatedly saying "La-la-la-la!" while her former fiancé immediately started laughing so hard to the point that one could hear his laughter from the outside of the car.
"I do not need to know that kind of information. Thank you very much." Sachiko dryly commented after her cousin finished with his laughing fit. Suguru just threw her a lewd smile before replying.
"I'm sure I'm not the only one who has ever gawked on their crush's bullocks." This earned the grinning Suguru a swat on the back of his head.
"At least I don't ogle at people's butts like a thirsty man who had delusions of an oasis in the middle of the desert." Sachiko retorted.
"Touché."
Sachiko grinned inwardly at her amazing victory. No sooner did her smile falter just a bit though. 'Did I just admit to Suguru-kun that I do in fact look at Yumi's butt when chance presents itself to me?'
"Oh by the way Sa-chan, why don't we go and buy flowers for Yumi-chan and Kaoru-kun before visiting them? There's a nice flower shop nearby the hospital." Suguru suggested with a shrug.
Sachiko just replied with a nod, knowing just what kind of flowers she would buy for Yumi.
It was close to two in the afternoon, and Sachiko stood in front of the entrance of the pleasant flower shop, taking her time to think what kind of flowers she would buy for Yumi's boyfriend. Just saying it left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had this deep look of concentration on her face, thinking of what flowers she was supposed to buy for the person she hated the most; which got her certain looks from people who probably thought, "What's with this woman, standing in the middle of the sidewalk with that weird look of concentration on her face?"
Thanks to her flower arranging classes, she now remembered just the perfect flowers for the soccer captain. Having thoughts of what flowers to buy, Sachiko walked towards the entrance and gave the glass door a gentle push.
The bell that was slightly on top of the door gave a little 'cling-cling' chime, catching the old woman's attention in front of the cashier desk. The raven-haired girl gave the store owner (probably) a warm smile, and the old woman gladly returned it.
The store was of adequate size, not too big and not too small either. On the front left was the cashier, and the rest of the place was full of organized, see-through aisles with pictures of the flower classes. Looking around, azure eyes spotted the white orchids at the second aisle on her right. Taking a pot, she started her search for the popular blood red roses, praying to the heavens that there was a bouquet left.
Heading towards the rose section, immense relief quickly flooded her system when she found a perfect seven-rose bouquet sitting on top of the middle shelf. There were many kinds of rose genus: from the romantic red Rosa Chinensis, to the white, cluster-flowered Rosa Floribunda. Cautiously taking the bouquet with one hand and holding the orchids with the other, Sachiko began walking towards the cashier. Before she nearly reached the cashier desk, a familiar, feminine voice suddenly called out for her from behind.
"Sachiko-sama?"
That person reached her and tapped her left shoulder, making the blunette turn around.
"Yoshino-san, I didn't expect to see you here." Sachiko greeted in acknowledgement. The braid-haired girl was wearing a cute, light-purple sundress with matching violet flats. Her mellifluous black hair was in a braid as per usual. Her hands were holding two types of potted flowers: a pot of pink geranium on her right and dark pink roses on the other.
"Are you here to buy get-well flowers for Yumi?" Sachiko asked while handing her payment to the elderly woman. "Arigatou and keep the change" Sachiko said to the old lady after she put the potted plants in a special container.
"Yes I am. Actually, I'm here to get both Yumi-chan and Kaoru-kun get-well soon flowers." Yoshino said; her eyes set out for the price on the tiny screen on the cashier. It seemed like she was wary of the green numbers that was going to pop out.
"Oh, I see." Sachiko answered while waiting for the present Rosa Foetida. Somehow, her reply came out like a displeased one. Yumi and Kaoru were that close that even Yumi's overprotective yet caring best friend approved of them.
"Is there a problem Sachiko-sama?" The tomboyish girl asked worriedly after she was done with her purchase. They both said their thank you's to the old woman again before leaving the shop. Both of them were to visit the same person anyways, so why not walk together?
"It's nothing Yoshino-san. May I ask however, why you would give Kaoru-kun flowers when you've only known him for a short time?"
Yoshino gently tilted her head, her eyes watching the clouds above lazily rolling by. "This is my own way of saying thank you to him you see." She replied warm-heartedly before facing the older girl, who was then giving her a very confused look.
"Thank you? You're thanking him for what?" Sachiko asked as she pushed the button to crossing at the pedestrian lane. Both began to cross the street when the white walk sign started blinking, and soon reached the end of the cross lane. "For you know, saving Yumi from those horrible men…" The younger girl trailed off, not noticing that the former Rosa Chinensis was not walking beside her.
Sachiko was even more confused. Kaoru saved Yumi from horrible men?
Yoshino turned around and took in the older woman's perplexed demeanor before it hit her like a ton of red bricks. "Yumi-chan didn't tell you about the incident last summer?"
Sachiko felt a bad feeling of dread in the bottom of her stomach after the words 'incident last summer' left the other girl's lips. "What do you mean 'the incident last summer'?" Her voice was slightly higher; her tone colored with worry.
Instead of getting an answer right away, she felt a hand grabbed her wrist and tugged her along an empty alley on their front right. Once they were there, Yoshino let go of the blunette's wrist before saying.
"I'm not supposed to tell you this for two reasons. One, Yumi-chan specifically told me not to even mention this to anyone including you and two, no matter how many times I ask myself, "Who is to blame for my best friend's traumatizing experience?" , my answer always ends up with your name."
Sachiko's eyes widened at the younger girl's statement. Something must have happened to Yumi that she told Yoshino not tell anyone including her own sempai. In addition, Yoshino was blaming her.
"Do you remember that night you rejected Yumi-chan's love?" Yoshino suddenly asked out of silence.
"How did you kno-"
"Do you or do you not remember that night Sachiko-sama?" Yoshino asked again, but this time her tone was ice cold.
Sachiko nodded her head before replying. "Yes, yes I do."
"Did you know," Yoshino began while looking at the ground. "That Yumi-chan was almost raped by two men the night after you cast off her love for you?" The present Rosa Foetida tried hard to fight back the tears that were forming on her eyes. "If it wasn't for Kaoru-kun, I don't even know if Yumi would still be breathing today."
Sachiko stood frozen with shock; finding it hard to breathe as Yoshino's words sunk into her mind. She held the younger girl's sad gaze as the information processed in her brain.
'Yumi-chan was almost raped by two men…'
She had been paying attention, keeping her senses close to Yumi after that night. May it be through her five senses, the telephone, or other people. She somehow knew something was bothering the girl, and thinking that maybe it was the brunette's way of getting over her, she ignored it. She didn't expect this at all.
"Since then, Yumi's never been herself anymore. She became a lifeless body that just goes through life like a dead person." Yoshino hastily wiped a stray tear from her cheek before continuing. "Do you know how much it hurts to see your best friend slowly dying from the inside?" Yoshino asked with pain-filled voice, and just by hearing her, Sachiko realized just how much pain she inflicted.
Sachiko knew that Yumi was definitely traumatized; heck, anyone would be distressed from an almost-rape experience. Nevertheless, hearing how she dealt with it from someone else just makes this familiar heart-wrenching feeling in her chest more unbearable by the second.
"I…I…"
"Please mend her broken soul Sachiko-sama. Please bring back the Yumi we knew and still love."
"I see you bumped into someone while buying flowers Sa-chan. Nice to see you again, Yoshino-chan." Suguru greeted warmly before enveloping the girl in a friendly embrace.
"The same goes to you Kashiwagi-san." Yoshino replied politely while returning the hug.
The two girls finally arrived and met up with the waiting Suguru. The air around them was somewhat tense, especially, Sachiko's. Yoshino's words were still ringing in her head like some awful echo that wouldn't go away.
'Yumi-chan was almost raped by two men…Please mend her broken soul Sachiko-sama…'
"Let me help you with those potted plants Yoshino-chan. They look really heavy."
Yoshino gave him an appreciative smile before handing over the potted geraniums. The raven-haired girl couldn't really help because she herself has her hands full of flowers.
"Let's go visit Yumi-chan and Kaoru-kun then, shall we?" Suguru suggested eagerly. "They will be awake in no time because of the fragrant smell of those flowers you guys bought." He continued jokingly before beginning to walk. Both girls started following him quietly, not uttering a single word or sound.
When they got near the hallway where both Yumi and Kaoru's rooms were located, a female doctor in her early 30's approached them with a remorseful look plastered on her face.
The next words uttered by the doctor caused a potted flower to collide with the floor's surface; the slow, deafening sound of the ceramic pot magnified by a thousand times.
"I'm sorry, but ********-san couldn't make it.
-Yumi was such an innocent, bubbly, and cheerful person. If you're sad, depressed or gloomy, just being in the same room as her could instantly brighten your day. She was a blooming rose; the petals blood red, beauty radiating from its surface. Its fragrance, so alluring that it could make the wildest of beasts calm down and fall to its knees in an eye's blink. But know, because of my stupidity and foolishness, the once angelic girl is broken and torn apart. She still carried on though; putting up a mask to hide wounds and pain underneath. She did it flawlessly, that everyone was fooled. Even me... Her innocence was tainted with obscenity. The crimson rose was still ruby red, and it was still mesmerizing to the eye. But that's where every single one failed to notice. From afar, it would seem that the rose by the garden is quite normal. But if one had the time and observed it close enough...
The enthralling sanguine Rosa Chinensis was stained...
Stained with cold blood... - Sachiko
To Be Continued…
A/N: Kaoru's last name is Sakomoto by the way. Both Yumi and Kaoru's last name is in 8 letters :) MWAHAHA I'm such a tease! Don't tell me something I don't already know~ So the next chapter is going to be the last one :c. Thank you for reading this sad story of mine and please review or PM me if you have any suggestions or questions. I don't even know where to start with the next chapter... I won't make a promise when it comes to the next update deadline but I will however promise you this: I WILL FINISH THIS STORY! Even if it costs me my life. Apparently I have bad news. I lost my drive to write this story (but I'll still finish like mentioned before) and I'm quickly losing interest in Marimite D: (Please don't hit me! T^T) Have a nice day and smile like there's no tomorrow!~
Thank you once again to my amazing beta-reader veamgee-sama ^^
Hope to hear from you soon,
AsulNaRosa