(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)
Re-Humanizing Sachiko -Chapter 26
"You can just put your bag down anywhere for right now," Sister Misame told the brunette as they entered the director's quarters. The room wasn't big, but the only furniture inside was a twin bed placed along the right hand wall, a small writing desk facing the window across from the door, and a dresser in the left corner. There was also a futon, unrolled along the left side of the room. "I'm sorry I couldn't give you your own room, like the other sisters, but space is at a premium. I guess you'll just have to put up with an old biddy like me." The older sister chuckled at her own joke.
"Thank you for going to all this trouble," Yumi said meekly, as she put the suitcase against the wall. "It's more than I deserve. I'm sorry for being a bother. I would have been happy with a futon in the storeroom."
"What's gotten into you, Yumi-chan," the old woman sighed. "I thought we finally got past your self deprecation. Over these past weeks it seemed you were finally seeing your own worth." Sister Misame paused and shook her head. "Something happened to you out there. I'm not going to pry, but I wish you'd talk about it. It hurts seeing you like this." She wrapped her arms around the younger girl, and whispered, "Remember, you can tell me anything."
Yumi returned the embrace. "Thank you, Sister Misame," she said. "But there's nothing to be concerned about."
The older nun patted the brunette on the back, and broke the embrace. "I'm still not buying it," she said with a half smile. "But I'll let it go for now. I got something out for you. Consider it a present." Sister Misame turned to the closet and took out a set of light blue novice robes, and passed them to the younger girl. "This was my habit from when I was just a Novice. Why don't you wear it for now. You can leave off the headpiece."
"I couldn't do that," Yumi said, trying to give the robes back. "I'm not a novice yet. You said I'd be a Postulant until the chapter house approved my application."
"Well then, here's your first lesson, 'Postulant'," the older woman said sternly. "You must always do what your superior tells you. You will wear that as instructed. It will give you a little more respect from the girls. Up until now, they've viewed you as 'Yumi Nee-san.' If we don't break that impression, they will walk all over you. Understand?"
The Sister's logic made sense to the younger girl. "I'm sorry I questioned your judgment Sister Misame," she said bowing her head low. "It will never happen again."
"Good," the older nun said, satisfied. "And one other thing. In addition to your duties here, you will be studying. I talked to a friend of mine, who is the director of Lillian Jogakuen. I've made arrangements with her, that if you can pass their first, second, and third year exams, You will get your diploma and graduate with their current third year class. I have also arranged a tutor for you, who has been through their curriculum. You will meet her tomorrow."
Yumi looked at the older woman quizzically, wondering why the Sister would go through all the trouble for someone like her.
"And to answer your unvoiced question," Misame continued. "I've always felt bad that you never continued your education. You always worked so hard and gave back so much, that I feel a little guilty. Think of it as an old woman's gift to a precious daughter."
Yumi was shocked and pleased at Sister Misame's confession. She never thought the old woman thought that way. "Thank you," she said. "I won't let you down. I'll do my best."
"I know you will Yumi. You always do. Now let's get to bed. We have to be up at twelve thirty for Matins."
XxX
"Ojousama, the automated guest room cameras caught something I think you might be interested in," the security guard told Sayako, who was sitting in her office, relaxing after the stress of hosting the engagement party.
"Show me," she said as she offered the guard the seat by her laptop.
The guard quickly sat down in front of the computer, opened the browser, and typed in the address of the video server. He logged into the server and selected a link. A new browser window opened and started playing the requested video.
"The driver was right. I didn't think she had the guts to come here," Sayako exclaimed as she looked over the guard's shoulder. "She was right under my nose and I missed it. God dammit." The security guard looked at his employer fearfully. He wasn't sure if he would be losing his job, hearing the woman's irate voice. "You may go. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Do you think you can get me a copy of this."
"Yes Ojousama," the guard said before he left.
Sayako sat at her desk and watched the two women on the video, with an evil grin.
XxX
Sachiko sat looking at herself in her vanity mirror. Her body was still tingling from her tryst with Yumi hours before. She tried touching her breasts and the spot between her legs. It felt good, but it wasn't as pleasurable as what she experienced earlier with the brunette. She sighed longingly, wishing things were different, and she had the freedom to choose her own path. They barely had a chance to talk together before their passion overtook them and they rutted in bed like animals in heat. "What did she mean by 'Let's not make any promises we can't keep,'" the heiress pondered. 'Is she giving up on me? On us?'
Her mind was dragged out of her musings by the sound of the hidden phone vibrating in her vanity drawer. She opened the drawer and answered quickly, hoping it was her girlfriend. Her heart fell when she recognized her cousin, Touko's voice. "Sachiko," it spoke, sounding sad and defeated.
"What's wrong, Touko," the heiress answered. "You sound like you've been crying. Is Yumi alright?"
"She's gone, Sachiko."
"What do you mean, gone," Sachiko asked, in fearful desperation. "Did mother take her?"
"She left," the younger girl said, sniffling as she began to cry again.
Those two words tore the heiress's heart apart, and what her cousin said next shattered it completely.
"It your fault you know," Touko said coldly, letting her hurt and frustration vent. "It would have been better if you had never got involved with her at all. Then you mother wouldn't be looking for Yumi and those damn papers. She would have been blissfully ignorant and going about a normal life."
"Don't you realize that I'm hurting over this too," Sachiko argued. "I finally found someone who truly loves me, and now she's gone. How do think that makes me feel. She deserted me, not that I can blame her. The whole situation is messed up. Hell, I'd leave if I could. If anyone is at fault it's my bitch of a mother."
Sachiko's tirade caused the younger girl to regret her harsh statement. Her cousin was absolutely correct. The blame lay solely on Sayako's shoulders. "I'm sorry, Sachiko," Touko said remorsefully. "I was being unfair, letting my emotions get the better of me."
"It's alright, Touko. I probably would have done the same. I'm sure wherever she is, Yumi's hurting more than we are."
"I'm sure," the younger girl agreed. Then she spied the box sitting on the dresser and added, "By the way, she left something here for you. I'll drop it by tomorrow."
Sachiko said goodbye, and sat there, weeping silently for the love she had lost.
XxX
Yumi hadn't slept a wink, from the time she lay down, until she heard the knock on the door summoning them to their devotions. Her mind was filled with her experiences the previous day, and a longing for a certain black haired heiress she came to know intimately. She blushed guiltily and silently asked God to forgive her transgression.
She dressed in the habit given to her by Sister Misame, as the older woman got herself dressed. The ladies prepared themselves in silence, as was their tradition. The older nun passed Yumi an ivory rosary, yellowed with age. The younger girl took it reverently and placed it around her neck. Then The brunette received a small breviary. Once they were ready, the older woman opened the door and they silently made their way to the chapel along with Sister Izuma and Sister Makoto.
When the procession entered the chapel, the sisters filed into the first pew closest to the altar, and set themselves down on the cushioned kneelers. Yumi, being unfamiliar with the liturgy, tried her best to pay attention and follow along. It didn't help that her mind was troubled by sadness and a sense of loss. She prayed that over time the hole in her heart would heal, and she would fell normal again.
After their devotions and meditations the four women made their way back to the main house, and their rooms. Once they were back in the room, Sister Misame turned to Yumi and said compassionately, "You'll get used to our schedule soon enough, but you should take some time and study the breviary I gave you. Get some sleep, Morning prayers are at five thirty, and then you'll be on breakfast duty."
Yumi changed quickly and lay back down. She closed her eyes but sleep still eluded her. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Sachiko. 'I hope you understand,' she said, willing her thoughts to the heiress imprisoned in a mansion. At some point she fell asleep and dreamed.
A waltz was playing in the background, and she found herself standing on a wooden dance floor. Across from her was Sachiko smiling, hand extended, waiting for someone to grasp it. Yumi placed her hand in the up turned palm, and the older woman swept her into the dance. As they waltzed, Yumi's heart soared with the music. This is where she should be. All of a sudden, the brunette felt the heat leave Sachiko's hands, and the brilliant smile, turn cold and stern. The pair turned slower and slower, as the music wound down then stopped suddenly.
Frost started to form on the heiress' face. Yumi rubbed the girl's hands between hers in an effort to warn them, but with no success. She felt the air cooling around her, so she pulled at Sachiko's hand, but the older girl was frozen in place. "Come on Sachiko," Yumi pleaded. "We have to get you someplace warm or, you'll turn to ice." She yanked again on the unmoving arm.
"Look well upon what you have wrought," Sachiko's icy voice, spoke through frozen lips. "You gave me warmth and you stole it away again. Are you pleased." Then she turned into an ice sculpture.
Yumi dropped to her knees in tears, crying, "I never wanted this. Please come back. I love you Sachiko."
With her last words ringing in her ears, Yumi shot up in bed. She felt the icy sweat roll off her body. 'Oh, what have I done,' she thought remorsefully. She looked across the room at the bed where the older nun lay sleeping. Yumi lay back down and pretended to sleep until she heard the knocking that signaled the next round of devotions.
Again the two women got dressed in silence, and walked with the others down to the chapel. The morning devotions were much the same, and Yumi tried to pay more attention to them than earlier. She had better luck, though her mind was still focused on her more worldly troubles, especially the dream she had. Soon the Sisters and her were walking back to the main house where she joined Sister Izuma in the making of breakfast.
Yumi reached up and grabbed aprons off the hook on the wall of the kitchen. She passed one to her companion before putting hers on and tying it behind her. Once they washed up, Izuma turned to the younger girl and said, "Go ahead and start filling the big pot with water, while I get the rice."
It was going to be rice porridge for breakfast. Yumi felt her stomach growl at the thought of food. She went over to the stove and picked up the large, hefty stock pot, brought it over to the sink, and started the tap. When it contained the right amount of water, the brunette turned the tap off, and brought the pot back over to the stove. She started the water heating, as Izuma made her way to the sink to wash the rice.
The Sister turned to the brunette and smiled. "I was when pleasantly surprised when Sister Misame told us of your decision. You've always held a special place in all our hearts. You're so thoughtful and diligent. I am very happy to have you with us. I just hope our conversation the other day didn't push you into a rash decision. Just remember, it's alright to have second thoughts, and no one will hold it against you if you change you mind. A Postulancy is a trial period after all. Even after you complete your Novitiate years from now, you first vows won't be permanent either. You will have plenty of time to be sure of your calling."
"Don't worry Sister Izuma," Yumi said. "Our talk just helped me straighten out what was going on in my heart. I believe being here is the best place for me."
"Alright then," the nun sighed. "If you have any questions or need any help, don't be afraid to ask. We're here to guide you too. Now, let's make some porridge." The two women set about their task.
In short order, breakfast was completed and Yumi ladled the porridge into the big serving bowls that the older orphan girls would take to their dining tables along with a plate of bread. As the girls filed in to take it out to the dining room, they looked with surprise at the brunette in the Novice habit. Not being sure how they were supposed to react the girls took the food and left with a quick 'thank you.'
After the last girl left, the two woman washed themselves, hung the aprons on the wall and headed into the dining room to take their place at their table. The stares from the girls made Yumi self conscious, so she paid closer attention to her actions. Once they were seated Sister Misame stood up to make an announcement.
"I'm sure you all recognize the newest member of our staff. Although she is just a Postulant, I expect you to treat her with the same deference and respect you show to the rest of the Sisters here. That being said I will ask our newest addition to say grace." The older nun sat down and bowed her head, as Yumi stood up.
The brunette clasped her hands, bowed her head and prayed, "Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen." After the subsequent chorus of 'Amens', everyone started eating. That is everyone but one. As Yumi looked around the room at the girls she was going to be in charge of, she noticed Ayane-chan sitting, looking down sullenly at her bowl of porridge. When the little girl looked up, the brunette could see the glistening of tears welling up in Ayane-chan's eyes. When their eyes met the seven year old shot out of her chair and ran from the room. Sister Makoto was starting to get up to follow, when Yumi said, "Stay here Sister. I'll take care of this." She got up and went off to find Ayane-chan.
Yumi left the dining room and started looking for the young girl. After living in this house for most of her life, there weren't many hiding places the older girl didn't know about. As she was turning down the hall toward the entry way, she heard sniffling coming from the coat closet underneath the stairway. When she opened the closet door, Yumi saw Ayane-chan, sitting on the floor, knees to her chest, crying. "Move over, so I can get in there too," she asked and the little girl scooted over making Yumi a place to sit.
Yumi sat down and wrapped a comforting arm around the little girl's shoulders. "What's the matter, Ayane-chan," she asked gently.
Ayane threw Yumi's arm off her shoulders and glared at the older girl. "You're the worst," she spat, then went back to sobbing in her knees.
"What did I do," the older brunette said confused.
"You became one of them," the seven year old said petulantly. When she realized the old girl was waiting for a further explanation, she went on. "Ever since I can remember, you've been my onee-san. You've always looked after me and treated me like I'm special. You even got really sick when you gave me your blanket, and wrapped yourself around it when I was cold. You protected me from the other girls when they picked on me. Now you're one of them and not my onee-san anymore. You have to treat all us girls the same. I'm not special anymore."
"Is that all you're worried about, Ayane-chan," Yumi said, ruffling the little girl's hair. You'll always have a special place in my heart. I'm still the same Yumi inside. Only my clothes have changed. You're still my little Ayane-chan. Nothing has changed."
"Can I still call you 'Yumi Nee-san'" Ayane asked.
"Sure, but only when we're alone. OK."
The little girl brightened and wrapped her little arms around the older girl. "I love you, Yumi Nee-san," she said, letting go.
"I love you too, Ayane-chan," Yumi responded, smiling. "Now let's get back to the dining room before our table-mates eat all our food." She got up and helped the little girl to her feet. They left the closest and walked hand in hand until the dining room. The two girls separated, and went to their seats.
After breakfast, Sisters Makoto, and Izuma, took the younger girls upstairs, to get them washed up and dressed, while Sister Misame went to her office. This left Yumi to supervise the older girls in cleaning the kitchen and dining room. The girl's were very responsible at their tasks, so Yumi filled a bucket and went to start mopping the floors.
"I can do that Sister," she heard a voice saying behind her, and continued her task. She then felt a hand on her shoulder, so she stopped and turned. The doe-eyed girl in front of her said, "I've finished my task, Sister. Let me do this for you."
Yumi blushed, realizing that the younger girl was originally talking to her. She chuckled and handed over the mop. "I'm sorry. I guess I don't know my own name anymore. Thank you for your hard work, Hisa-san." The admiration in the younger girl's eyes made Yumi a little uncomfortable. She then moved over to the sink to put away the breakfast dishes.
XxX
Sachiko was moping around her room. Last night after the initial bout of grief waned, she went to her father and informed him of Yumi's departure. Unfortunately, Tooru couldn't initiate an investigation into the brunette's whereabouts unit Monday. He would have to hire an outside agency, since he didn't know who among the security staff was on Sayako's payroll. The heiress understood the reason for the delay in action, but it frustrated her nonetheless.
She had left her father and went back to her room fuming. She tried getting some sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, a vision of her angel's face gazing lovingly upon her, popped into her head, keeping her awake. Even now her heart ached with longing for the younger girl. She sighed and walked to the window and gazed out.
She stirred at the sound of knocking at her door. "Come in," she called, turning to face her incoming visitor.
Her cousin, Touko, walked in carrying a wrapped box. "Here's an engagement present for you," the younger girl said, walking into the room and shutting the door behind her. She placed the package reverently on the elegant writing desk, before walking over to embrace her cousin. The two women held tightly to each other, drawing strength and comfort in the other's presence, trying to fill the Yumi-shaped hole in their hearts.
They broke apart in silence, and Sachiko walked over to the desk, where the present lay. She paused and slowly unwrapped the box. Once the paper was removed, she lifted the lid. The heiress reached inside and brought out the wooden box within. Sachiko's breath caught as she recognized the handmade jewelry box that she saw when she stayed over the brunette's apartment. Atop the jewelry box was an envelope labeled with her own name. She opened the envelope and read the letter it contained.
Sachiko my love,
I hope you can forgive me for not being strong enough to stick it out. I'm powerless over this situation, and nothing I have done has made it any better. In fact, I've probably made things worse by just knowing you. I am not leaving because I don't love you. It is just the opposite. I'd rather live my life suffering without you, than cause you any more harm. I love you with all my heart and soul. I will cherish the time we have spent together, and nobody will ever own my heart, but you.
The jewelry box and the items within are yours now. I have no need of them where I will be going. I pray to God that you will find the happiness you deserve someday. It is my fondest wish you you. Take care of yourself.
I'll love you forever,
Yumi
Sachiko let the letter drop from her numbed hands, as she read the final line. 'How can I go on without you, when you're the only thing that matters,' she thought as she stood there letting the tears flow from her eyes.
XxX
After mass, Yumi was standing outside the Director's office, waiting for Sister Misame to finish up with a set of potential adoptive parents, who had approached the older nun after the service. She was startled when she heard the the Sisters raised voice say, "I don't care how large a donation you make. We are not a child super market! If you want to adopt one of our girls, you will have to be properly investigated and approved by the Child Welfare Agency. Now take your money and get out!" Yumi heard some muttering, before the door opened and a well dressed man and woman stormed out of the office, and headed toward the main entrance.
"Is everything all right Sister," Yumi asked as she walked into the office and saw the older woman shaking with rage.
The older nun let out a deep breath before answering the younger girl. "I'll be fine in a moment," she stated. "People like that just get me so angry. They think that just because we don't have a lot of money, we will just let anyone adopt for a big enough donation. We haven't done that since I was made director here."
Yumi couldn't hide her shock at the realization that something like that was done at one time. When Sister Misame saw the brunette's expression she went on to explain. "It was done as a way to bring in much needed money to support our work here. Logically, sacrificing one to benefit the welfare of the rest, made sense. But I've thought the practice distasteful ever since I first experienced it."
The older woman let out a sigh, then continued her story. "The Order had opted me here as a Novice about a month before. The former director summoned me one evening when she was meeting with a woman. During the meeting she asked me to bring Hina-chan to her office. She was the most charming and accommodating toddler you'd ever meet. After I brought the girl in, I witness the exchange, and vowed to myself that if I ever had the chance, I would abolish that practice here."
"Do you know whatever happened to Hina-chan," Yumi asked, thinking about the little girl's voice that saved her from Sayako.
"No records were ever kept on those transactions," she stated sadly. "So I have no way of knowing. I just keep praying that the girls were well taken care of." Just then there as a knock on the door. "Yes," the director called out.
Ymi heard the door open, and a familiar voice asking politely, "Are you Sister Misame? Khaori-sensei from Lillian told me you needed a tutor."
The older nun got out of her chair and approached the young woman. "Ah, yes Satou-san. She called ahead, and said to expect you I can't thank you enough for agreeing to help out." She turned to the brunette. "Yumi-chan, I'd like you to meet Satou Sei-san. She will be your tutor helping you get through the exams we talked about. Satou-san this is Yumi, our newest addition."
Yumi stood also and turned around, hoping the older woman wouldn't let on the fact that they knew each other. "Nice to meet you Satou-san. Please take good care of me," she said bowing.
Sei took her cue from the fear in Yumi's eyes. "The pleasure is mine, Yumi-san. Let's get along."
"Yumi-chan, why don't you show Satou-san around and get acquainted," Sister Misame instructed the younger girl. She then turned to the sandy haired woman and said, "After you're done Satou-san, come back here and we will come up with a schedule for your sessions. And you will be staying for dinner. Correct?"
"I would be happy to, Sister," the woman replied in her responsible adult voice.
"If you'll excuse me, I have some work to do," the older woman said, sitting back down and picking up a pile of invoices to go through.
Yumi turned to her guest and said, "Shall we go?" She extended her hand, indicating Sei should precede her. The brunette shut the door on their way out f the office. "Let me show you the grounds. The autumn flowers look lovely." She led her companion outside.
Once outside, Sei turned to the younger girl. "Is this some set of cosplay research," she joked. "I didn't think Sachiko was the religious type."
Yumi blushed eight shades of red. "This isn't an act, Sei-sama," the brunette told the older girl.
"So you were just seeing how the 'other half' lived, when you were out there working," Sei asked coldly. "I didn't think you were the type of person to lead people on. What about Sachiko?"
The younger girls face fell, when she hear the name of the heiress. "I'm not like that," she said softly.
"Then what happened? Let me guess. Sachiko rejected you, so you decided to give up on the real world altogether," the sandy haired woman suggested.
"Not exactly," Yumi said, starting to get annoyed by the older girl's glibness.
Sei sat down on a nearby bench, and patted the seat next to her. "Why don't you sit down and tell me about it," she said, suddenly compassionate. "You look like you need a friendly ear."
With the older girl's offer, the floodgates opened. Yumi poured out the entire story, from Sachiko's confession up until now. She bared her soul to the woman on the bench next to her. She let out her hopes, fears, and reservations about her future. Yumi expressed her guilt over what she did to Sachiko. It was a catharsis, for the brunette and at the end of the story, Sei sided over to her and held her in a comforting embrace, while the younger girl shed cleansing tears against the other's chest.
Sister Misame looked out from the window of her office upon the couple on the bench, and smiled fondly. 'Let the healing process begin,' the old nun prayed.
Author's Notes:
Thank you for reading this installment. It looks like I got my inspiration back. I feel re energized about this story, and the conclusion is just around the corner so hang on tight, faithful readers.
And to my reviewers and followers - I appreciate you all.
Review responses:
Claine24: I don't think Sachiko is taking it well at all. I hear her scary, ice princess voice in my head when I sleep saying, "Give my Yumi back." I'm starting to fear for my sanity. :-)
Honulicious: All I have to say is. Sometimes you have to go back to where you came from to find something you need.
shameka: I'm glad I was able to come through for you.
Spikesagitta: I agree, and Yumi is just figuring out how high that cost is.
Rasta Lioness: Yes the orphanage is a victorian mansion, though it probably is in need of some repair. And I just hope I can keep passing muster.
Guest: Thank you for your support. I am kind of torn between a happy ending or sad. I flip flop all the time, so I'm not even sure what ending this story will have yet. Maybe a happy but sad ending.