A/N: PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU PROCEED WITH THE CHAPTER. This is the side story that I've created for Noriko's little sister. I know that other readers don't like OCs and would pretty much curse me because this doesn't involve any details of Touko and Yuuki's relationship. Even though this chapter is so unrelated to the main plot, I want to try to play with Noriko and Yuiri's characters. I still hope that you'll still read this. Enjoy, and please review about what you think of Noriko and Yuiri's character development.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

-TheSilentReader-

CHAPTER 25: The Gigantea Family

The noisiest and probably the only noisy table in the ramen diner belonged to Sei's group. Sei was the most energetic, telling stories about her experiences as the Rosa Gigantea and her infamous pranks. Shimako and Noriko had nothing to do but laugh and drink the shakes that they ordered, while the youngest Yuiri just watched everyone having a good time, occasionally nodding and smirking to whatever she found agreeable and amusing. Sei did not mind other people looking at them. At times, Shimako would warn her onee-sama to lower her voice, and the latter would oblige. But when the conversation heated up again, sei could not control her voice anymore. Furthermore, the present Gigantea sisters could not contain their laughter too, for they could relate to whatever Sei was talking.

All Yuiri could do was to laugh.

"I really miss Yumi-chan and her dinosaur squeals. You know that Shimako and Noriko really are useless when it comes to squealing. Lately, I feel like surprising Yumi. I was even tempted to cut classes just to hug that cute squealer . . ."

Still, she was nervous like she was having mental seizures because of the fact that Noriko-sama was beside her, laughing her heart out, unable to hold it even though she was trying to cover her mouth with her hands. Sei sat at a crouching position, a very rare gesture of a normal Lillian student; her hands on the rest of her chair, she was looking at her silent cousin. She then thought of something interesting to spice up the evening.

"Oi, Yui-chan, say something. I don't want you to get bored here." Sei smirked at her.

Yuiri wanted to bit a reply back to her conniving cousin, but she aborted her mouth from opening and saying something so rude. Instead, she took the safe route, and said, "I like listening to you, instead, Sei-chan." She particularly said that suffix to irate the former Rosa Gigantea.

Sei ignored Yuiri's comment, instead, prod further, "Oh, come on! At least tell us about the high school division," then, Sei looked at her imouto, "She's in Lillian since forever. She even met her best friend there too, right? Almost the similar circumstances as Eriko and I."

Shimako, who seemed to be oblivious of Sei's machinations, looked at Yuiri with curious but shining eyes. "Really, Yuiri-chan? Then, tell us what you think about anything—" She smiled at her petite soeur as if asking for approval, then continued, "Your club activities, the teachers, your classmates, or even the Yamayurikai . . ."

Nice one, Sei though. Her petite soeur surprised Sei this time.

Yuiri narrowed her eyes to her cousin, but seeing Shimako-sama so eager to know something about her; in the most unexpected way, she obliged to answer. She looked at her ramen, which was neglected because she was listening to Sei's stories before, "I really like the school. And no one's really bothersome there, except for my best friend." She said meekly.

Sei volleyed another question, "How about the Yamayurikai?"

"They have polished reputation with the students and the teachers. No one was unsatisfied with their performance as school leaders." She said it like she was reading it from a book.

Sei noticed something else. "Whoa, Yui-chan, the pitch of your voice suddenly changed!" This evoked a lazy glare from the first year. She continued, "Well, I expect nothing less. You know what, when I was still a Rose, I always thought that our batch would be the end of the council—" then, she chuckled, gaining a laugh from Shimako. "—because it would be just Youko who would do the work."

Noriko was quite happy that Shimako found her onee-sama in the same ramen house. They were to get another table far opposite from Sei's but fate seemed to draw Shimako and Sei close together. Shimako felt different the moment they entered; she even said to Noriko, "I had a weird feeling the moment I stepped inside here." And it turned out to be interesting; she found Sei gulping her ramen a couple of tables away. They were unaware that her little sisters were here. However, the turn of events was different for her; she did not expect that Yuiri-chan was Sei's cousin. At first, they would just greet the onee-sama (for Shimako's sake), walk away and mind their own business. Yuiri, her eyes bore to her like flashlights, even though they looked so bored—never was a time that she could see the circular outline of her iris—they were always half-mooned. Still, she had very enticing eyes.

But they were always hidden because of her glasses.

It, too, was one of the reasons why she asked her to come to the Yamayurikai mansion once.

Sei seemed to be enjoying her story, "Youko's a big killjoy, while Eriko only works when she's amused. I'm lazy. Only Youko has the initiative to actually work." Then, she stared at Noriko, who looked back, too. "Oi, Nori-rin, how about you? How's your work with the Yamayurikai?"

Noriko replied immediately, "Nothing much. Same as always. I still serve tea."

All of them laughed.

Sei was almost hiccuping because of excessive laughing. "You've never been promoted. That's why you should get a petite soeur now."

Dead air. Noriko gasped as if the ceiling of the ramen house had fallen over her. Sei-sama's words left a heavy load upon her. Did Sei know that Noriko had asked Yuiri to come to the mansion?

Yuiri froze in her seat. Adjusting her glasses as an excuse for her unguarded action, she told her companions, "I think I need to freshen myself up." She said hoarsely. Noriko stood up to let her junior pass. Then, Yuiri quickly rose up.

"Wait, let me go with you, too." Shimako announced.

When Noriko and Sei were all alone, Noriko's orbs turned into slits. "What were you thinking?" She croaked.

"Nothing. I was just giving the punch line. Is getting a petite soeur really bothers you? Is Shimako bugging you about it?" Sei's voice was lower than before. In a way, Noriko was grateful that the older sister had been considerate enough to know that this topic is personally serious for Noriko. She then replied, "No. She seldom mentions it."

"Oh." Sei acted as if she was examining her nails. "So, do you like my cousin?"

Noriko expected this question from her. "Yes, she's very nice, although she does not express herself very much."

"You act as if this is not the first time that you've talked to her." Sei began to play with a chopstick by swirling the remaining contents of the ramen bowl. Then, she mumbled, "It's odd, you know. She never talks about herself. Not usually with anyone that she just met."

"Ah." Noriko chose not to dwell anymore about it. She just hoped that Sei-sama would not push through the topic. She doesn't want to talk about Yuiri, the fact that she was talking with Sei-sama. She knew that the elder sister is very skilled at reading people.

And she probably does, thought Noriko, the moment Sei mentioned, "I'll give you a hint: she only confides with two people only. Me and Ai-chan."

"Ai-chan?"

"Her best friend."

"Ah."

The atmosphere was heavy with silence. Probably, it was the second time the Sei's table was quiet. Noriko tried to look for something to fumble on, while Sei was looking at every movement Noriko was doing. What Shimako said was true; Noriko did not like the attention others give to her. Sei sighed. "Please take care of her, Noriko-chan."

It was the first time Satou Sei had called her by her complete first name, without any form of vandalism.

"Hai, Sei-sama."

Yuiri needed to pee. After that rash statement from her cousin, her bladder seemed to fill up that rapidly that all she could think was to get away from the table. At least in the bathroom, she had time to think. Most of the great ideas came up from the bathroom, as Greeks might have proven it. She wanted to thank her cousin for being such an ass but at the same time, her savior. The moment that Noriko was in view, from where she was sitting, Yuiri almost spit out the udon that she had been eating. Her presence made her nervous. But at the same time, she was curious about her other facets. How that single desire could rose up from her nervousness and fear of her?

Yuiri was the first to finish her business. What was she going to do now? With Rosa Gigantea here, she did not know how to act. Did she have to wait for her? She's afraid she must do it. It would be rude to leave her behind, knowing that Shimako-san followed her.

Shimako opened the door of her cubicle. Seeing Yuiri standing by the sink, crossing her arms, looking at her shoes, and waiting for her, she said, "Yuiri-chan, you don't to wait for me."

"Ah. I-" She arranged her eyeglasses.

Shimako smiled. Yuiri thought that she needed some explanation, and based from Shimako's facial features, she then explained, "Ah, I thought that girls wait for each other in the bathroom. I don't know when that came from, but base from what I observe, girls go to the restroom in groups . . . ."

"I understand." Shimako hurried up and washed her hands upon the sink.

"Eh?"

"Then, please wait for me, Yuiri-chan. I'll be finished in a minute." Shimako smiled.

It was already dark when they were outside. Sei was unusually glued to Noriko s they went outside, which made the later retorted, "You know that I don't make interesting noises. Why are you even trying, Sei-sama?" Shimako was just watching Sei and Noriko bicker. Yuiri was looking away; she seemed to be more focused in protecting herself from the autumn wind.

Sei replied, "I know. Just give me some service, you know." Then, she winked. Noriko grimaced. "Did someone ever tell you that you're like a dirty old man?" Noriko bantered.

Sei looked at the sky, as if she discovered that the answer to Noriko's question was there. "Youko did. Do you want the details?"

"Ugh, spare me."

Sei exclaimed. "Finally! A reaction from Yui-chan!"

Yuiri and Sei were to head in a different direction than the current White Rose sisters. They said their goodbyes, while Sei once said to Noriko in a more charming and less lecherous manner to take good care of her beloved imouto. Never did Sei do something like that, which made Shimako blushed, just like the first time they met today. Noriko just smiled and nod. Immediately, Yuiri and Sei-sama turned away, and began to walk.

Noriko watched the leaving duo's steps as they walked away. She was not satisfied with this meeting. Even though she was beside Yuiri the whole time, she was not able to talk to her. She wanted to see her again, in a more personal manner, not just accidentally at the hallways of Lillian. She stood there, gathering her strength and courage, and shouted.

Shimako was beside her. She waited for so long for Noriko to say those words.

"Would you reconsider my offer?"

There was a long silence. Noriko stepped forward. Her sole tapped the road so loudly that most of the noise was nullified. Sei anticipated too much drama from this encounter. Yuiri did not turn back.

"I'll be there next Monday, after classes."

Noriko smiled, and whispered, "Thank you, Yuiri-chan."

"Oh, that moment was so heavy that even I could not spoil it for you." Sei said after they walked two blocks.

"Shut up." Yuiri was blushing. She tried to hide her face from Sei. Sei did not anymore tease her about Nori-rin.

"Anyway, how did she asked you before?"

Yuiri never mentioned how Noriko had asked her to come to the Rose Mansion, but it was, without any doubt, the most horrific moment in her entire high school life. Her conscience was banging against her heart to surrender herself to the desperate Rosa Gigantea en bouton, and free the heavy burden that had been with her since the photograph was published. There was always a slight worry that she could meet the bouton anywhere in the campus. Therefore, she had devised a plan to completely let Noriko-sama out of her sight. It was to avoid any place that Noriko-sama usually visits. Thank goodness, that even their afterschool schedules and club activities did not mashed up. Thank goodness that Robotics club had a little exposure—

Until there was a knock on the door.

Yuiri came to the clubroom right after the classes to recheck the club schedules. She was shuffling some of the papers upon the corkboard, when someone had knocked three times. She was quite curious who that was; the club members, who are the only people that had the time (and the responsibility) to report in the club seldom, knock the door. Nobody knocks the door anymore. She had no choice but to open it, thus she did so.

"Gokigenyou," the visitor bowed slightly, "These are the documents from the student council. I hope that you'll submit the requirements on time."

Of course it was Noriko-sama.

And of course, she just stood there, staring. "Would you like to come in?" She was not listening to whatever the sempai was saying. Although she wanted to take back the invitation, it was rude if she did so. She thought to herself that her mind and her heart were in angry dispute now; her mind was polluted by her ingenious conscience. All the more when the sempai said, "Sure. Since this is the last club."

The last club?

"I gave the last copy of the files to your club."

"I see."

Noriko was sitting on a free chair, while Yuiri put the papers in a folder and placed it on the club president's pile. The clubroom was deadly silent, except for the crisp shuffling of papers. Yuiri checked again the files, and she saw that the name of the club was on the paper. So, this was one of the tasks of the boutons of Yamayuri council, Noriko seemed to be waiting Yuiri to finish, that after a heavy and deadly three minutes of total silence, she asked, "Would you like to visit the Rose Mansion?"

"What for?"

She walked to the door and slowly held the doorknob. "I would like you know what you think about the Yamayurikai." She opened it wider, "To be honest, I'm curious about you."

Yuiri could not look at her; her back was only seen by Noriko. "I'm sorry, if I'm too informal. But please consider my request. Gokigenyou."

She was so resolved to ignore totally the senior, but how the tables have turned! Still, she must have known something. No one ever had the guts to say such things at her. But her decision would not change; she won't be setting a foot to that mansion.

But she had considered the offer tonight. What's the matter with her?

"Don't ignore her." Sei began to speak, as she arranged her coat. "You're not ignorant of the fact that she wanted you to be her sister."

She replied, as she suddenly mumbled, "To think that I trying my best to ignore her."

"I won't say anything anymore." Sei whistled.

Shimako was holding Noriko's hand as they walked away. They walked slowly, because Rosa Gigantea was aiming for the right time to say this, "You know, you really are nervous asking her again."

"How do you know?" They still kept on walking.

"You are not always shy when you tell someone of what you felt. In fact, it is unusual that you keep your opinions to yourself."

"Shimako-san?"

"Good luck with her." She squeezed the other's hand lightly.

"Why's that?"

The Rosa Gigantea took a deep breath, put her hand to her chest, and recited evenly, "We have a legacy, the Gigantea family. Petite soeurs in our line are really the hard-to-get, I-have-a-warped-personality, dark types."

"That sounds so not you, Shimako-san."

Then, her onee-sama was rather to excited as she looked at the sky and began her own soliloquy. "Imagine: you, me, Onee-sama and Yuiri in that table. We are very different from each other, but we jive so well."

"That's not a good joke, Shimako-san."

"But it's not bad either. Asking her like that, I'm so proud of you."

"Mouuu . . ." She tugged Shimako's arm.

"Finally, a grandchild!"

"Shimako-san!"

She came that Monday afternoon. Yuiri had asked her club president to dismiss her from club activities for a while, since she has done her job for the exhibition. Three prototypes to be exact. Now, she's sitting on a bench near the Rose Mansion, waiting for Noriko. However, Rosa Gigantea en bouton did not know anything about it. The moment she had finished her cleaning jobs in the classroom that afternoon, she rushed to the girl's clubroom, only to find out that Yuiri already left, and that she was needed by a sempai. Immediately, Noriko rushed outside and to the Rose Mansion.

She ran, and opened the door. She rushed to the stairs; her fast movement did not result to any creaking. As she ran, she almost shouted because Yuiri was about to knock on the Biscuit door. She went near to her, stopped her hand, and said, "Yuiri, I'm sorry I took so long."

Yuiri looked at her through her eyeglasses and lowered her hand. "No, it's my fault. There was no agreement that we'll meet somewhere." Noriko was worried because they had not spoken about how she would be introduced to the Yamayurikai.

When Yuiri stepped back from the door, Noriko said firmly, "Don't worry, just follow my lead."

Somehow, Yuiri felt as if all of Yamayurikai were expecting them. After Noriko-sama opened the door, the three Rose were sitting together, facing the door—as if they were panelists for an audition. There were several papers that were neatly scattered on the table—they seemed to be sorting them out. Rosa Chinensis was holding a fountain pen, while Rosa Gigantea was pointing something upon Rosa Chinensis' paper. Rosa Foetida, however, was reading a document. When they felt that someone had been at the door, they looked up, and put down whatever they were doing.

"Ara." All the Roses breathed.

Noriko introduced them to the crowd.

Yuiri, however, was so nervous. She was surrounded the Roses. They seemed to glow from their positions, and no matter how she tried to ignored it, she felt that there was something devious lurking about their presence. Right. At first, she thought that they would resume to their work again, but the moment Noriko introduced her to the Roses, they slowly got up, and walked towards her. She braced herself.

When they walked, it seemed that Noriko was brushed off by the Roses. Immediately, Rosa Chinensis said to her, "Come here, Yuiri-chan."

The other members of the party, Touko and Nana, were doing something else at the far side of the table. The moment Yuiri-chan was "ordered" to come here, Rosa Gigantea beamed. Yuiri was terrified with such behavior, as if Rosa Gigantea had found the perfect prey for today's meal. Her hair suddenly became alive that it flows like languorous water. She walked about the room, and propped a chair for her, "Here, Yuiri-chan." When she sat, Rosa Foetida smiled at her from her seat, and said, "Would you like some tea?" Yuiri had no time to reply when Rosa Foetida turned her head to her petite soeur and said, "Nana, please serve her some tea."

Rosa Foetida's intimidating voice did not end there. Seeing Shimako too enamored with the new visitor, she said to her jokingly. "Oh, Shimako, your smile is just too shiny, oh, I can't take the piercing white light. Honey, I am practically melting."

When Nana placed her tea before her, the former pat the latter's shoulder, and whispered, "Good luck with the Roses."

"Why is that?"

"They are really dangerous when amused and interested."

Yuiri just honored Nana's effort by drinking her tea. "I'm Nana, by the way. Let's be friends."

Yuiri looked at her for a good five seconds. Nana-san seemed fine—calm and collected. Thank goodness. The truth, she wanted to leave the place as soon as Rosa Gigantea had a weird smile plastered upon her face. But, at least, she had Nana, who somehow captured her wavelength.

The Roses were not dangerous. They were sadists.

They were sadists, in Yuiri's opinion, for they were too familiar, too mushy, too kind to her. It was very suspicious.

It was weird. She though that the reason she went there at the Rose Mansion was to help—at least that was what her classmates have thought if one is invited to the mansion. The moment she heard of this, she thought, why are they so excited about helping? Isn't that an extra load for them? Isn't that pure masochism? She had prepared for the hard work, but she did not expect that she would be the one sitting, doing nothing. She was already in her third helping of tea, because Rosa Foetida kept on asking her petite soeur to fill the cup again. She wanted to stop Nana-san, but how could she resist when Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Gigantea did not stop throwing questions at her?

"Will you be coming again, tomorrow?" Rosa Chinensis said.

"Ahh. . ."

"Yeah, actually, we gave ourselves a break today, because tomorrow, we'll be focusing on the culture festival. Too much preparations."

"Could you help us here?" Shimako-sama prodded more.

"I guess. . ."

"Well, it's settled. But we should ask Noriko-chan first." Yoshino turned to Noriko. "Noriko-chan, is it alright if she'll come to the mansion again tomorrow?"

Noriko, who was looking all the time for Yuiri's condition, was surprised by the senior's question, "Ah, well, that's Yuiri's prerogative to. . ."

"Well then, it's settled." Rosa Foetida said.

"Ah...Yuiri-chan, we really want you to come tomorrow..." Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinensis said repeatedly.

Two weeks had passed, and still, Yuiri frequented the mansion. Never did she tell anyone about her presence in the mansion; only Aikira knew. Her best friend was, at first, very concerned about Yuiri's situation, for she knew that Aikira wanted otherwise. In fact, she wanted to get away from the Yamayurikai. However, Yuiri just told her to stop worrying, and she would deal with her problem by herself. Aikira, knowing that there was nothing that she could do for her. She just said, "I hope you know what you're doing. You should tell her the truth. Before we know it, she would be asking you to be her little sister. And with that, you would not be able to keep everything."

One time, Noriko went out of the mansion to get the papers from the clubs.

She was preparing green tea when Touko was suddenly beside her, and said, "Thanks for the hard work, Yuiri-chan." The celebrated bouton of Rosa Chinensis smiled. Yuiri did not bother to reply; she only gave a slight nod. When Touko realized that the kouhai was still shy with the Yamayurikai members, she continued, "You know, thank you for being here. Noriko was truly happy whenever you're here."

Yuiri was not surprised about the statement; she was surprised that the statement came from Matsudaira Touko herself, the one she truly wronged. "I don't think . . ."

Touko chuckled, "She was already acting like an onee-sama. And you sure are interesting." Then, she took the tray from Yuiri and said, "I'll take it."

Touko was very kind to her; she would teach out whenever Noriko was not around. In the first week that she was visiting the mansion, she still was not comfortable whenever Touko was around, even more when she tried to talk to her. In one circumstance, she asked gently if Yuiri had some problems with Touko. Yuiri was surprised with such direct question that she replied rather awkwardly, "No! No . . . I don't hate you at all, Touko-sama."

"I'm glad."

After two weeks of Yuiri's daily presence in the mansion, she was gone.

She did not show up during the Monday afternoon meeting. Noriko was given permission to look for her, but she intended to stay. If ever something came up, Yuiri must have some reasons not to go to the Rose Mansion. She intended not to wait either. At that moment, she was confident that Yuiri would come back some time.

Two weeks had passed. She was still returning to the mansion. Not once that she had seen Yuiri whenever Noriko visited the club room. Ever since she left, the classes had been busy about homeroom activities. After all, there was the Sports festival. And the second years would be having their Italy trip few weeks from now. Another was the preparations for the school festival.

Whenever she was looking for her at her classroom, she was always not there. By some cosmic coincidence, the universe really planned not for them to meet. With the rising work done inside the Rose Mansion, she was sure that her free time did not jive with Yuiri's. She could not even find her best friend, Ai-chan. Even Nana-chan had tried to find the missing first year, but it seemed that the duo, Yuiri-chan and Reizei Aikira (Nana-chan knew her for being such a famous glutton and the infamous member of the Debate club) had was nowhere to be found. It seemed that even the loud Aikira was even joining her best friend into hiding.

However, a chance had opened for her after several attempts at finding the first year, when a teacher did not appear to class. When another teacher announced that the teacher was not present, she immediately went outside the classroom and looked for Yuiri-chan's class.

One class period away from lunch break; she had time to look for Yuiri's class section. For the first time, she felt like disobeying the rules. A Lillian student should not be loitering along the corridors of the building, but she did anyway. She walked along, looking for someone with glasses. There were several people in every section that has one, but she knew that she wasn't her.

The chimes signaled that it was already lunch time, and with that, she had the opportunity to ask any first year to lead her either to Imaizumi Yuiri and Reizei Aikira. She asked everyone, and the moment she went to the classroom, her timing was so accurate—Imaizumi Yuiri and Reizei Aikira was about to walk out the sliding door.

Noriko noticed the short-haired, lean girl holding the hand of Yuiri. She stopped in front of the said first year. "Are you Ai-chan?"

Her face was blank. "Only Sei-sama calls me that." She deadpanned.

She knew about Sei-sama. "Oh, pardon me, Aikira-chan. I need to talk to Yuiri-chan."

Aikira was about to say something, until she was stopped by Yuiri with a tug upon her hand. "It's all right, Kira."

Aikira looked at her worried. "Okay."

"Thank you." Yuiri went forward, and the moment she released Aikira's hand, Noriko immediately covered the Yuiri's empty hand with hers. At first, she walked slowly, until Noriko felt that she needed to run.

The first year, who were slowly filling up the corridor, looked at the couple, and the instant the Noriko sprint into a run, they made a way for Rosa Gigantea en bouton.

"Oi, don't look at my best friend like that! That's enough! Show's over! Back to your work!" Noriko heard Aikira's voice as she kidnapped her best friend away.

Not soon, they were at the lone sakura tree among the towering forms of ginkgoes. Noriko had run endlessly, without even stopping for a break. They had slowed down at the staircases, but still, she had to run. It was the only way that Yuiri could not retaliate and escape and run to the other direction. They knew that the sakura tree was not as lively as it was during the spring, but at least, Noriko had her confidence amplifying up here. Afterall, this was the place that she had received her rosary from Shimako.

"Why are not going to the Rose Mansion anymore?" Noriko huffed for more air.

"I have my reasons." Yuiri muttered.

"Don't you like the mansion? The Yamayurikai?"

"It's not that. I like them. They're nice."

Noriko was far less convinced by the first year's statement—even though it was vague. It doesn't mean that if she liked the mansion, the Yamayurikai in general, that she liked Noriko too. Both of them were not talking anymore; not even the wind was noisy enough to drown the deafening silence. In desperation, she raised her rosary from her neck.

"I want to talk to you in private because of this."

". . ."

"I want you to be my little sister." She could still not receive any reply from her. "Am I not good enough?"

"You are."

She removed the rosary.

"Will you be my little sister?"

"Can you accept me? Can you forgive me for what I've done?" Yuiri's hands were holding the string of beads, as if resisting Noriko's actions.

"What have you done?"

Yuiri gulped for air. "Before you give me that rosary, you must know me first. I have gravely hurt your best friend. I gave that photographer that you were looking for all this time. I took it at M station." Her face was stern.

"You . . . ?" Noriko could not even complete her sentence.

This was the point of no return. "Yes. I used a camcorder. I gave it to one of the members of the Kawaraban. Now that you know that I was the cause to all those ruckus, would you still accept me as your little sister? More so, could you even forgive me?"

Other than the truth, Noriko wanted something else. "You are just stating facts."

"I am."

"Are you not going to explain yourself?" Noriko was desperate for her reasons. Whatever Yuiri was doing, she was sure, that this was just to lure her away. She was sure. Her reluctance the first time she asked for her name, the sudden fear that she felt in Yuiri the moment she first met her, the distant demeanor, the sudden disappearance.

"Now, can you even offer your rosary?" Yuiri gritted her teeth.

"Are you not going to explain why've you done that?"

"NO. Still, with all that I've confessed, can you still accept me?"

Noriko snapped, "Yes! Because I've chosen you as my sister. And it's not my nature to give up." Her eyes were narrowed. Even though she was shocked with Yuiri's confession, for that moment, it did not matter. Yuiri's excuse would not even stop her from giving the rosary to her. If she rejected her, she would try again, just like Yumi-sama.

Noriko asked again, "Now, would you like to be my little sister? Yes or No. Right now."

Yuiri, however, was shaking suddenly, her one hand on her mouth; the other was preventing Noriko to get closer. "How could you even explain yourself now? Are you not angry? You should be angry!" It was one of the moments that Noriko was glad that she witnessed Yuiri's voice changes.

"Yes or no?"

"Yes." Her reply was so fast that she was taken aback with it. She was even more doubtful if she had heard correctly. No matter. If she had said yes, then the rosary that she would give her won't be rejected. If not, then she would say no again anyway.

"Then stay still, Yuiri."

"Okay."

As she put the rosary onto her crown, she said softly, "Whatever your reason, sooner or later, you will reveal all of those to me. I'll be waiting for your explanation."

Then, without fixing her eyeglasses because of the rosary getting it off its position, her tears suddenly fell down. "Noriko-sama, you sure are peculiar. I really could not fathom this now." Her tears just ran down, and she was shedding a lot of water before Noriko could notice it. But then, Yuiri's stomach grumbled.

"Come on," she wiped Yuiri's tears with both her thumbs. "You should eat first."

They went to the Yuiri's classroom; they were holding each other's hand. Shimako's rosary, that bright silver, was shining on Yuiri's chest. The newly inducted little sister of Noriko had her head hung low. Noriko could not help but grin. As students walked passed her and greeted her with the usual, Gokigenyou, she responded more, adding I hope you have a good day! When they went back, Aikira was still inside, her and Yuiri's bento still untouched. She really waited for Yuiri.

When they were inside, Aikira greeted her with, "You accepted Noriko-sama's rosary?"

Yuiri could not reply by words, but by a blush on her face.

"You're Rosa Gigantea en bouton petite soeur now, huh?" Aikira smirked.

"Yes, she is now." Noriko said, as she handed Yuiri to her best friend.

Aikira laughed. "So, you knew something about her, I'm sure. I bet she did not explain her actions." Noriko was shocked by the accuracy of Aikira's words. Her closeness to her best friend was astounding.

"Come with me. Let's eat?" Noriko almost commanded, but her smile was so wide that Aikira was almost weirded out seeing the serious Rosa Gigantea en bouton doing such. But, Aikira realized that it was because Yuiri accepted her Rosary.

"Us? Three? Where?"

"Let me answer all of those," Noriko smiled, as she held both Yuiri and Aikira's hands. "Yes, us three, in the Rose Mansion. Are you okay with that, Yiuri?"

"I guess."

Then they went to the Rose Mansion. Noriko held both first years' hands.

"I'm here."

The Rose Mansion's Biscuit Door opened slowly.

"Ah, Touko!" Noriko exclaimed.

Touko came to the Rose Mansion just to eat her lunch along with the rest of the Yamayurikai. In her hand was her bento. She headed as fast as she could; the rest might already be there. Instead, she found only three people in the salon. They were Noriko, Yuiri-chan, and . . . ?

"Ah, sorry for my manners." Noriko noticed the cause of the Touko's raised eyebrow, and immediately introduced the first year. She motioned Aikira to stand up. "Aikira-chan, you probably must know the Rosa Chinensis en bouton, Matsudaira Touko." Then she looked at Aikira, and nodded.

"Reizei Aikira. Pleased to meet you, Rosa Chinensis en bouton." She bowed deeply.

"Noriko-san, we've already met."

She smirked, and in a snapped, the formality about her person was gone. She grinned, "Yup, we met at Milk Hall before." Then, she turned to the other first year, "I've told you about that, right, Yui?"

Yes, the first year glutton. And the one who gave the speech in the welcome ceremony of the freshmen. However, Touko was immediately irritated by her gait, then, said to the group politely, "Please resume on what you're doing."

When she placed her bag somewhere in the salon, she noticed the gleaming rosary between Yuiri-chan's breasts. When Noriko caught her looking, she only just gave her a grin. A large grin, that is, that almost resembled somebody's. When she thought about the rest of the Yamayurikai being gone, she realized the person that reminded her of that grin; it was her own Onee-sama.

Without thinking, she chuckled.

Then, the group resumed their talking and eating like Touko was not there. From Touko's perspective, Aikira-chan seemed close to Yuiri-chan because of the way she talks with her. Yuiri just nodded and even mouthed a few words such as "yes", "no" and "maybe". And a few smile, clearly telling Aikira to shut her mouth, because the short- and raven- haired Aikira was goofing at some story about Yuiri. Eventually, her attention was focused on Yuiri's friend.

Then, the rest of the Yamayurikai blasted the door; all of them went inside, saying, "Sorry we're late!"

Then, Rosa Chinensis said unconsciously, "Ara, Aikira-chan."

"Yo, Rosa Chinensis. Good to see you again." The first year chuckled.

Huh? Such nerve of this first year!

"Oh, Yuiri-chan. It's good that you're back here in the mansion." Rosa Foetida said. Yuiri just bowed down.

Noriko introduced the new girl to the rest, and it turned out that Aikira was Rosa Chinensis' one-time Go partner. Then, Shimako gasped, and slowly walked to Yuiri and enveloped the first year into her arms. With that, they finally get it, that Yuiri became Noriko's petite soeur. Yuiri gasped.

"Sei-sama's rosary." Shimako whispered gleefully, "Finally, a granddaughter!"

"You met her at the Board Games club?" She exclaimed as they were walking along the red bricked road. She resumed acting jealous.

"Oh, yeah." Yumi, however, was enjoying Touko's reactions.

They were whispering, so that the rest of the Yamayurikai (and Aikira-chan) would not hear them. They were lagging more than the rest, so that they could have at moment together. In fact, Touko insisted. The rest was celebrating Yuiri's induction, asking questions at Yuiri, only that Aikira was willingly acting as the spokesperson. She was like Touko, quickly catching everyone's attention—thus far, everyone liked Yuiri's best friend.

"Why did you not tell me?" Touko demanded.

"I thought that it wouldn't matter to you." Then, Yumi looked at her more closely. "Why, did something bother you about that first year?"

"No, nothing like that." Her voice was too low.

"Well, she's a good Go partner. And she's a very good political analyst." Yumi said casually.

"Isn't that a job?"

"I enjoy her column in the Lillian Kawaraban, you know."

Touko frowned.

Then. Yumi stopped walking. The rest did not even bother looking back; there was actually a commotion between the Red Rose sisters. Everyone was so enamored with the new Rosa Gigantea en bouton petite soeur and her best friend. After halting, Rosa Chinensis said gravely, "Are you jealous?"

Her bouton stopped too, facing her Onee-sama. "Of her? No, of course not."

"I don't want you to experience what I've experienced before, Touko. That's why, I'm telling you now. You are my only petite soeur. Nothing will ever change that." She smiled at her. After saying her speech, she walked again, passed by Touko. As she stepped away from her bouton, she said, "Are you interested in her?"

It was an immediate response. "No." She gulped, as she narrated with her eyes closed. "She's a gluton, and unpredictable. And she's so confident. And too lively."

Yumi stopped walking. "Wow. You really like that first year."

Touko joined her then. "We only met twice. How could a person like someone that she'd met only twice?"

Rosa Chinensis lifted an eyebrow. "Do you want me to answer your question?"

"Mou... Onee-sama."

"So, when was the time you first met her?" She became curious. Did she meet Aikira at the Milk Hall too? And the first year was eating on bento good for four people?

"Well," Touko was looking anywhere else other than her Onee-sama's eyes. "I did. I saw her at Milk hall, eating from two bentos at once."

"I see. It's rare that you see a girl that doesn't get fat, with all the foodstuffs she's eating."

"True, Onee-sama. I couldn't agree more."

"So, you're truly interested?"

"Aaaand, we're back in that topic again."

Yumi just laughed.

That evening

"You sure are a celebrity now, Yuiri."

Yuiri adjusted her eyeglasses after she heard Aikira saying that. "What do you mean."

They were at the balcony of Yuiri's apartment. The owner was checking on her cacti plants. Her other companion, however, was eating away her second pack of Pocky. When she spoke, two Pocky sticks were hanging by her teeth. "The Lillian Kawaraban is bugging my ass off because they wanted me to have an interview with you."

"Why would you do that? You know everything about me." Yuiri said as if she heard the most ridiculous things from her best friend's mouth.

Aikira gulped her Coke. "That's the point! However, they don't want that. They want something of a live coverage about it. Detail by detail info about the rosary ceremony."

"That's private."

"I said so too. That's why I planned to decline." Aikira smiled. "But, surely, someone from the Kawaraban would bug you because everyone knows that you are the new addition to the Yamayurikai."

"What are you trying to say Kira, is that . . ."

She pointed at Yuiri with her newly extracted Pocky stick, "I'll do the interview, so that I got to choose the questions, not them. How about that?"

"Whatever." Yuiri tended on her cacti again.

"Okay then." Aikira grinned. "You know what, this isn't supposed to be my job. Just because I have one of the columns in that newspaper doesn't mean that they have the right to nag you for an interview. Damn."

Yuiri was speaking of a different language. It was seldom that she'd say such to a friend, "That's the spirit, dear friend."

Aikira snorted. "I'm just a writer. And I have my duties in the Debate Club!"

"I thought you only have the contests as your major events."

"True. Though it's hard that at this early membership, I would be included in the contest."

"That's bad."

"Indeed. You see Yui, I was expecting them to act all bossy around me. You know, the usual stuff. I'd make coffee or tea for them, clean the clubroom, and do the dirty work. But no. They've put me in the worst case scenario." She finished her second pack of Pocky. She opened another one.

"Maybe because of your parents."

"That totally sucks." She handed her the newly opened Pocky pack. "You want?"

"Thanks," Yuiri pulled out three Pocky sticks. "But, probably, you're really good at debates." Then she gave it back to the glutton.

Aikira just nibbled five sticks at once. "Jeez. But you know, I was preparing for the worst of the worst. You'll never know, some students might be total bitches at Lillian. Angels they thought we are."

"Right. You watch too many morbid documentaries. You're nuts." Yuiri drank Coke from Aikira's can.

"I'm kidding. So, will you let me do that interview?"

"Okay, fine."

They watched the stars. For a moment, neither of them spoke, no one gave any smart-assed banter. They just stared at the sky.

"You know, the Rose Mansion is really nice." Surprisingly, Yuiri was the first to speak.

"Yeah." Aikira whispered.

TO BE CONTINUED