CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Acceptance


"That is love, Touko-chan."

Touko's world seemed to slow down. Like in a very slow momentum, she turned around toward the voice. A tall, charming girl with an Occidental features and short, blonde hair stood not too far from her. Her face was pleasant; her eyes were kind; her pink lips were stretched into a gentle smile. There was an amiable atmosphere surrounding her, which she only felt with Sachiko and Suguru.

"Hiya!" The blonde said jauntily. "I'm a friend of Yumi-chan. My name is Sato Sei."

At the mention of Yumi's name, Touko seemed to remember what the blonde had said and suddenly lost her interest. "I'm sorry, but I can't talk to you. I was taught not to interact with people I don't know. Gokigenyou." She nodded and walked past the stranger.

"Wait, Touko-chan!"

Touko begrudgingly stopped in her tracks; her eyes narrowed in anticipation.

"I know how it feels." Her voice was soft and sympathetic. There was a pause before the blonde continued, "I'm sure you have one trusted friend, talk to her about it. Don't keep it all to yourself, Touko-chan. Let it go."

Who the hell she think she is!? What does she know about me!? Touko screamed in her head as she turned around in fury. "I don't know what you're talking about! Please, leave me alone!"

She started running when tears had finally escaped her eyes. She later found herself standing at the bus stop. Thoughtlessly, she got onto an awaiting bus and sat on the first empty seat she saw. She looked at her own reflection in the window and saw fresh tears running down her cheeks. She closed her eyes, trying to stop another tears from falling. Her mind pictured Yumi's gloomy face as she said, "I actually really like you, Touko." Her eyes opened slowly, gazing at her reflection once again.

"She called me Touko." She whispered dreamily. She leaned her forehead against the cool glass and closed her eyes one more time; her thoughts were full of one air-headed, unsophisticated, clumsy brunette. How her goofy smiles, carefree laughs, irritating voice, gawky movements would irk her yet there would always be that inexplicable warmth in her heart. She couldn't deny this feeling any longer. This strong emotion must be something and, for once, she was open with the idea of knowing it. "That is love, Touko-chan." The blonde's voice reverberated in her head.

She shook her head with a contemptuous smile. "Love? Such a foolish thing to say." She stayed in that position within the comfort of her own thoughts until she felt someone sat heavily beside her. She glanced around when she heard stifled cackles at her back. A hefty, grisly-looking man was sitting next to her and two more standing close to them. All were looking at her with piggish stares. She felt sick in her stomach when she caught a whiff of their odor. It smelt like decaying food and foul garbage with a mix of burnt rubber.

As soon as the bus had stopped, she wasted no time in getting off the vehicle and hurried away. Before turning to a corner, she heard several footsteps behind her. She took a glance and saw the same men on the bus leisurely following her trail. Her heart pounded so hard against her ribcage at the sight of them. She impulsively quickened her pace to wherever her feet would lead her. Moments later, she stopped momentarily outside an old building, looking around to see if she was safe.

They were gone. She sighed in relief.

She cast an eye over the area for the first time. "Where am I?" She mumbled. There was no use. The place was unfamiliar to her and no other people seemed to exist aside from a couple of stray cats lying in wait for food in a rusty dumpster. She decided to call Suguru to pick her up. That was the only way to leave this place unharmed. She snatched her phone out of her bag and was about to dial his number when a large hand seized her by the throat and pinned her hard against the brick wall.

She coughed.

She heard laughters and felt herself being dragged away from the wall into somewhere else. She opened her eyes, but her vision was hazy from the concussion. She desperately tried to break out from his solid grip, but her strength was failing her. She was too weak or the man was too strong for her. She thought this would be the end of her life when she was violently hurled to the ground. Her leg up to one side of her face were grazed painfully against the rough pavement. She moaned loudly in pain.

"What do you want!?" Touko screamed on top of her lungs.

They laughed hysterically. "Our junks into your tiny holes, angel face." One of them said excitedly.

Touko burst into tears. "Please . . . Please, don't do this. Please . . . I'll give you whatever you want, just don't hurt me, please!"

"Oh, don't worry, child. This won't hurt you a bit. You'll even beg us for more." Another voice said manically.

Touko instinctively pulled her thighs to her chest and locked them with her arms protectively. "Don't come any closer!" She wailed, extremely terrified.

"You heard her. Follow what the lady says." The voice, which was unlike any of her aggressors, was tender and sounded like her own age.

With wobbly legs, Touko pulled herself up, straining her eyes to clear her gaze. The place was unlighted and secluded. She didn't get the face of the voice since her sight was blocked by three huge backs facing her.

The three men laughed their hearts out. "Are you out of your mind, boy?" One of them said with a sardonic laugh. "Do you want to get butchered by us? We're four times your size! Go home and fuck your mama!" They laughed again.

"Why don't you do it, then? It sounds so appealing to you." Touko could hear the amusement in his voice. "Er, don't bother. I'm sure your mama won't even look at your ugly face since you have a face even a mother can't love."

The largest one of them groaned furiously. "You're asking for your own death, you brainless brat! I'll shred you to pieces!"

The boy chuckled humorlessly. "Try to at least touch me . . . that is if you can." He said mockingly.

What are you doing? If only Touko had the strength to scream, she would shout at the boy. For a second, she thought he might be her savior, but his stupidity proved her otherwise.

The leanest of the three stepped forward and went for a sprint, aiming his fist at him. The boy only stood there, shaking his head. He raised his hand and grabbed a heavy-looking rod from his backpack and struck him hard in the head. He fell unconscious at the impact and hit his head to the ground.

"I'm sorry about that." The boy said, drawing closer to the remaining two. He truly sounded sorry and Touko had to wonder why.

"Do you think you can scare us with that?" The largest one said with a scornful huff. "Even if you would, you couldn't bang me up with that crap!"

"Let's try and see it, shall we?" The boy said coolly. He stopped and gestured them to come to him. Without delay, the two launched themselves at him, ready to rip his head off. The boy did not move, but tightened his grip on the rod. "Here goes nothing." He said, swaying the rod forcefully to the bigger guy. He hit the side of his head and the guy staggered backwards. Not giving the other a chance to attack, the boy yanked him by the arm and struck his knee brutally on his man parts—the man yelled in utter pain—and kicked him hard on the face, which knocked him out. "I'd make sure that the likes of you will never beget children."

The last guy growled in anger after shaking his dizziness off. He darted toward the boy with everything he got. The boy did the same. He swatted his rod powerfully, aiming to hit his right shin then the other. The man shrieked and stumbled on the ground. The boy didn't waste time as hit him again on the head, twice. He let out a long, tired breath after making sure he was down for the count.

Touko couldn't believe her luck. A boy, probably as young as she was, arrived in a nick of time and defeated three full grown men who were twice his size. Unbelievable.

The boy had finally locked eyes with the girl. "Are you alright?" His eye widened. "Wait here. I'll go get help." He turned around, but the girl pulled his hand.

"Please, don't leave me here. Let me go with you." Touko said pleadingly.

He considered it for a moment then nodded with a sigh. "Okay, but first, we need to clean your wounds." He fished his phone out then dialed a number. He waited, but no one was picking up the phone. "I think no one's at home yet." He hung up and looked at the girl. "My house isn't too far from here. We can walk, if you like, or we can go ride a bus. You decide."

Touko dropped her gaze. "I don't want anyone to see me like this. People will stare and interrogate you for sure."

The boy scratched his head. "Yes, you are right. Let's start walking, then." But before that, he unbuttoned his shirt and offered it to the girl. "Wear it for the meantime till we reach my house."

Touko took it and wore the shirt over her slightly tattered uniform. They walked in silence for, more or less, half an hour. When they had arrived in a modern, three story house, Touko felt awfully worn-out. The boy must have noticed it as he rushed toward the red door and opened it with haste. He led her to the living room and gave her a bottle of water to drink.

"Please, wait here. I'll go get medicines and clothes for you to wear."

Touko smiled at him, thanking him for his kindness. The boy smiled back awkwardly and left. Touko was certain she hadn't seen the boy before, but it felt like she had already met him somewhere. Her musing were cut short when the boy got back with a medical kit and clothes.

He handed her the clothes with a sheepish smile and said, "Those are my sister's. Good thing you're about the same size."

Touko looked at the green shirt and pajama bottoms. It had a big letter "Y" printed all over it. "Your sister surely loves her name."

The boy chuckled. "You can say that."

"What's her name?" Touko was surprised at her own words. She did not even ask the boy for his name. How rude of her, she thought.

The boy looked hesitant, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sure you know my sister."

The doorbell rang the moment she opened her mouth to react. They both looked at the door. "Speak of the devil, my sister's here." She heard the boy say. She felt a sudden chill running down her spine as the butterflies in her stomach awakened. Her gaze drifted back to the boy. "Who's your sister?"

The boy sent her a kind smile. "Fukuzawa Yumi."

Touko was completely taken by surprise. All of her system seemed to shut down at the sight of her worst nightmare. There, with all her glory, stood the most beautiful devil she had ever seen, gazing back at her with that huge, lovely eyes of hers. Why after everything that had happened to her, she still ended up seeing her? She needed a break from all of these, from her! Her presence alone was too much for her to bear right now. Her consciousness must have slipped away when the last thing she remembered was darkness. Total darkness. And a voice, as beautiful as the heavens, calling out her name. "Touko-chan! Touko!"


Yumi was staring at the sleeping girl who was laying peacefully on her bed. Anger, an emotion she had trouble controlling lately, had resurfaced after seeing her condition. She suffered severe abrasions from the left side of her face down to her leg and bruises in other parts of her body. She hardly cooled down after the girl had passed out.

"Those idiots will pay with their lives." She told Yuuki heatedly. "No one should ever touch my friends!"

Yuuki sighed. "I already took care of it. You don't have to concern yourself about it anymore."

"And did you kill them?" She snapped at her brother. "No! You let them live!"

Yuuki fell silent for a moment. "Please remember who you are now, Yumi. Not the person you were a long time ago."

"I am Fukuzawa Yumi. I am Fukuzawa Yumi . . ." Yumi muttered under her breath, shaking her head vigorously. "I am Fukuzawa Yumi. I am Fukuzawa Yumi. I am Fukuzawa Yumi . . ."

Touko woke up at hearing faint sounds nearby. She canted her head to the right where the sound was. Her heart skipped a beat, recognizing the person standing by the window. "Yumi-sama." She said in a soft whisper.

Nonetheless, Yumi heard it and directly set her attention to the lying brunette. "Touko-chan!" Her voice was grateful. She immediately went to her side and sat on the head of the bed. "How are you feeling? Did I wake you?" She leaned in closer to check up on the girl meticulously.

Touko suddenly felt so anxious. She cleared her throat, shaking her head slightly. "I am alright."

Yumi leaned in a bit more closer that her face was a few inches above the younger brunette. "Are you sure?"

Touko started to feel the heat rising up to her face. Yumi was just too close for her liking. "Yes, I am sure." She breathed out as quietly as possible when Yumi stood and fumbled something out of her drawer. It was a thermometer.

"Let me check your temperature." Yumi said as she sat on the bed again. "You look like you're having a fever." She gingerly touched her forehead then lingered on her cheek. "You are really hot, Touko-chan."

Touko swallowed hard, almost seeing vapor coming out of her nose. She must be hallucinating now. Yumi gently pulled her right earlobe then slipped the tip of the thermometer into the ear canal until the thermometer beeped.

"97.6." Yumi read out loud. Touko had to suppress a smile at the incredulous look on her face. "I have to buy a new thermometer." She glanced at Touko with an apologetic smile. "Stay. I'll be right back."

"There is no need for you to do that, Yumi-sama. I am fine." Touko assured her with a small smile. "Thank you."

"This is all thanks to my brother, Yuuki." Yumi replied pleasantly.

Touko nodded.

Yumi's face scrunched up as she remembered what Yuuki had told her about what happened to the younger girl. She tried so hard to quell her rage.

"Yumi-sama," Touko said, placing her hand on Yumi's cheek. Her impulses told her to do what she did. "Yes, it was an unfortunate, terrifying ordeal for me, but I am safe now. I am here with you." Touko bit her lip after realizing what she said. For a second, Touko witnessed a shift of emotions appeared on Yumi's face. It was an interesting sight, Touko thought amusedly.

"Yes, you are right." Yumi whispered, giving her a sweet, gentle smile.

Touko blushed, averting her gaze to the ceiling. "Um, Yumi-sama, what time is it?" She said to break the awkwardness she was feeling.

Yumi glanced at her watch. "It's ten past eight."

Touko sat bolt upright. "What?" She was about to alight from the bed when Yumi halted her.

"Is something wrong, Touko-chan?" Yumi asked concernedly.

"I have to call my family. It's past my curfew. They will be so worried." She said frantically.

"Settle down, Touko-chan." Yumi said soothingly. "Yuuki had already called Kashiwagi and he said he'll be here in a minute." She saw the worry in the girl's eyes so she added, "Don't worry, he did not say anything except that you're here."

Touko seemed to loosen up a little. That was when she noticed that she was no longer wearing her school uniform and that her arms and a small portion of her left cheek were wrapped in bandages. "Where's my uniform?" She looked at Yumi for an answer.

Yumi squirmed on her seat. "It was dirty, so I, er, change it—"

"You what?!" Touko exclaimed, getting off the bed.

Yumi stood, raising her hands defensively. "I—I did it with my eyes closed!" Her trembling voice didn't sound so convincing in Touko's ear.

Touko narrowed her eyes at her dangerously. "Oh, gosh! How could you do it with your eyes shut?!"

"I swear! I only used my hands!" Yumi pressed her lips. It didn't sound right at all. Nope, definitely not after hearing Touko gasp.

Fortunately for Yumi, the door burst open that saved her from Touko's sinister glare.

"What's going on in here?" Yuuki said in alarm. She glanced between Yumi to Touko, who looked as though she was being molested again. But the look on her face now was worse than the time he saw her at the dark alley. He looked at his sister with an accusing look. "Yumi, did you do something to her?"

"What!?" Yumi almost shouted. "I didn't do anything!"

"Yes, she did!" Touko said hotly. "She was groping me while I was asleep!" She groaned irritatedly. "The nerve!"

"Why are you so angry?" Yumi said with a pout. "You were smiling when I did that to you."

"What!?" Touko and Yuuki cried out at the same time.

"Er, it's not like I was really groping you or anything . . ." Yumi said matter-of-factly.

"And you said you were closing your eyes!" Touko said; her face was beyond annoyed now.

"Yes, I did." Yumi said calmly like she was talking to an elderly who lost his way home. "But how could I possibly know I did it right if I closed my eyes all the time?"

Yuuki shut his eyes in embarrassment, shaking his head in disbelief. "Oh, Yumi!"


Touko could still feel the chill and the strange warmth in between her legs when she, yet again, imagined Yumi's hands wandering all over her body. Regretfully, a moan had escaped her lips and Suguru had to stop his car to check on her.

"Touko-chan, are you hurt?" Suguru didn't fail to notice the blush on her face and that look in her eyes. Lust. He smirked deep down. "What are you thinking?" He asked, feigning innocence.

Touko shook her head. She wasn't aware of the look on her face and her cousin's scrutinizing gaze. "I am just pissed at Yumi-sama. She's just . . . unbelievable!"

Suguru started the car. "Yumi-chan, eh?" He shifted the gear; his eyes in the rear-view mirror. "What did she do now?" Touko's blush amplified. Suguru smiled as if it had already answered his question. "You have to forgive her. She is just Yumi-chan."

"How could Sachiko-Onee-sama stand being with her all day?" She sounded jealous, Suguru thought. "She's helplessly annoying! I couldn't stand seeing her face for a second!"

"Says the girl who was rescued by her brother." Suguru said teasingly.

"They're different." Touko grumbled.

His smile widened. "What do you think of Yuukichi? The two look very much alike. They're like twins."

"They aren't twins?" Touko reacted quickly.

Suguru laughed at her reaction. "No, they aren't. Yumi-chan is nine months older than Yuukichi. Strictly speaking, Yumi-chan is still his older sister although they were born in the same year."

Touko said nothing. She was pondering.

The two cousins were silent, consumed by their own thoughts.

"Suguru-kun," Touko decided to break the silence. "I saw Yumi-sama at the Sekamitomi estate when Sachiko-Onee-sama and I went there a week ago." She paused, constructing the right words to say. "At first, I thought she was the Sekamitomi friend Onee-sama said she'd be visiting . . ."

"What made you change your mind?" Suguru asked cautiously.

"She couldn't be." Touko mumbled, shaking her head forcefully. "Like you said, she's just Yumi-sama." She told him. Touko pondered her thoughts for a bit. Suguru sensed her internal struggle, but waited for her to speak her mind. "But what was she doing there?" She asked herself. "When I saw her on that day, she was so different. I was so convinced back then that she was, indeed, the friend Sachiko-Onee-sama visited." She shook her head again. "But when I met her at school, she acted differently. She was all too cheerful and ungainly. It's really weird . . ." Touko appeared to be digging into the puzzle.

Suguru had to say something, and fast.

"Sachiko-Onee-sama mentioned you knew her." Touko was staring at his reflection in the rear-view mirror. Suguru must act indifferent.

"Yes, I know her." He simply said.

Touko expected for him to continue. "So," She pushed when he said nothing. "Who is she? Is she Yumi-sama?"

Suguru smiled, so proud of his cousin solving the puzzle on her own. Maybe, someday, she could help them solve the case they were investigating. But today was obviously not the day. "No. I'm afraid you're wrong this time, Touko-chan."


"What happened to you!?" Noriko asked in horror at the sight of her friend wrapped in bandages.

Touko sat on her seat, putting her bag on the table. "I'm fine." She answered without looking at her friend.

"No, don't you give me that answer, young lady!" The girl snapped. "Now, look at me!"

Touko reluctantly did as told.

"So, care to explain?" Noriko had no intention of letting her go without knowing what really happened.

Touko sighed. "I hope I won't bore you to death." She told Noriko everything with the exception of riding the wrong bus and ended up in Yumi's bed.

Noriko's jaw fell to her feet. "And you said you were fine!? You could have been raped if it weren't for that boy!"

Touko had obviously skipped mentioning the boy's name. For some reasons.

She hushed her friend by covering her mouth. "Not too loud." Touko said, glancing around.

Noriko grabbed her hand away from her face. "What was he doing there, exactly? Did you know? It's just strange he was there when no one else was."

"He was picking up this medieval-looking rod, he called was a mace, from an antique store. He was on his way home when he heard me scream." Touko explained, having the need to defend her savior.

"What does he look like?" Noriko asked nonchalantly. "Was he tall and handsome? Does he look like a prince in fairy tales?"

Touko thought it for a moment. However, what was in her mind was an entirely different person. "Yeah. Well," She blushed when it had finally dawned on her. "Never mind about that. Why did you ask?"

Noriko was looking at her skeptically. "Did something happen that you forgot to tell me?"

Oh, gosh. She forgot how good Noriko was at reading her. She dropped her mask down and sighed. "I'm sorry I'm so forgetful at times. Thanks for reminding me."

"No, problem." Noriko said dismissively. "Now, tell me."

"Yumi-sama—"

"I knew it!" Noriko exclaimed, cutting her short. She had this smug look on her face that Touko terribly wanted to rub out.

"You knew what?" Touko said, feeling agitated all of a sudden.

"You like her." Noriko said casually. Touko opened her mouth to react when Noriko pointed a finger at her. "What? Are you going to tell me that it's not true? I can read you like an open book, you know."

Touko laughed nervously. "Then, you read me all wrong."

Noriko eyed her for a minute and said, "Yes, you're right. I was absolutely wrong."

Touko nodded victoriously.

"You are already in love with her. And please, stop denying it anymore!"

Touko almost choked out.


Seconds turned into days, days into weeks, and weeks into months. Time flies by so fast. Yumi thought bitterly.

It was almost summer vacation, end of first term, yet she still hadn't had any idea how to tell her fiancée about the load she was carrying since her grandfather's death. All eyes were on her now. Almighty people all over the globe were expecting her to do her role accordingly. She was taught and trained drastically for this, to take over his power, to take over the world. She shouldn't have any second thoughts. She's the Head of Sekamitomi now. Her powers and judgments were absolute.

But here she was, standing by the window in the Yamayurikai meeting room, so engrossed in her own despair. The events that occurred in the past few months did not help improve her mood the least bit.

Shimako had already asked that conceited Noriko to become her petite soeur, and so, she had to endure seeing them together. She didn't understand why she was so troubled by it. She should be happy for Shimako, right?

Rei and Yoshino had been too busy in their kendo practices that Yumi hardly caught them in the Rose Mansion.

And there's Matsudaira Touko. That girl got weirder every day. What did she ever to do to her for crying out loud!

Yumi heard footfalls drawing closer. She went back to her chair and waited for them to enter the room. Just as she released her breath, the mahogany door opened. Rei and Yoshino got inside first then followed by Shimako and Noriko.

Her lips upturned into a small smile.

Sachiko immediately locked her gaze the moment she got inside the room. If only she could gaze at her forever, she would.

Sachiko's smile melted at the sad look on Yumi's face. Though the brunette was smiling, she could clearly see the pain underneath it. She had already seen it, that depressing look on her face. It was on the day she went to see her at the Sekamitomi estate. It was heart-shuttering to say the very least. She attempted to talk to her about it, but Yumi deliberately avoided being asked. She had given her unlimited chances since she thought she was still in mourning for her grandfather's death, but four months had already passed and she was still the same. No, she believed she was getting worse.

Everyone had soon settled in their seats as Noriko prepared the tea. Rei and Yoshino looked at each other knowingly before looking at the rest of Yamayurikai.

"Do you guys have any plans for the summer?" Yoshino spoke up, glancing at her friends. Everyone shook their heads except for Yumi.

"Summer is just around the corner and so Yoshino and I thought it would be great enjoying the heat and the sand with the Yamayurikai." Rei added.

"That would be fun." Noriko said enthusiastically. Shimako smiled at her. Yumi narrowed her eyes at them.

"What do you guys think?" Rei asked them. "Sachiko?" She was hoping her friend would agree to the idea.

Sachiko smiled. "Do you already have a place in mind? We have a summer house in Shizuoka that we can stay. It's along the coast of Izu Peninsula. The journey will only take us about three hours."

The Yamayurikai beamed at her. Yumi only smiled, forcefully.

"I heard there is a place there that is very famous for its hot springs." Noriko could no longer contain her excitement. Shimako giggled. Yumi sighed, thankfully, not loud enough to grab everyone's attention.

"Yes, there is a place. It's not far from our house." Sachiko said with a wide smile. "Shimako, Rei, let's invite our Onee-samas."

"Excellent idea, Sachiko." Rei commented. "I'll tell my Onee-sama tonight."


Everyone had a huge smile on their faces as they went out the meeting room. They were so engaged in their conversation to take notice of the Chinensis sisters. Possibly they did notice, but they didn't mind.

Yumi was still sitting on her seat, staring outside the window. Her face was blank and her eyes were empty. She knew Sachiko stood and went over to her side. She closed her eyes as she felt warmth enveloped her body. She smiled contently. This is what I want. She heard her mind say. I only want her.

"What's the matter, my love?" Sachiko whispered in her ear. "Please, talk to me." She said, beseechingly.

A shiver ran down her spine, causing goose bumps on her arms.

"I am so worried about you. Please, don't do this to me, Yumi."

That being said, Yumi looked as though she had just awaken from an awful dream. She looked at Sachiko in the eye with such ferocity. "I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean—" She was cut by a tender kiss on the lips.

"Please, tell me what's going on." Sachiko pleaded after breaking off the kiss. She saw Yumi's face fell.

"This is not the best time to talk about this." Yumi said simply. She stood, grabbed her bag, and walked toward the door.

But Sachiko wouldn't let her go that easily. She grabbed her hand, making the brunette face her. "Why don't you talk to me now? I am here. We can talk."

Yumi's hazel eyes darkened. "Not now."

Sachiko let her hand go. She felt fear welling up in the pit of her stomach. She eyed the brunette closely and whispered, "Who are you?"

Her face was expressionless as she said, "I am Sekamitomi Yumi."

(to be continued . . . )


Finally end of chapter 28! The next chapter will be their summer adventure (yikes) and because Msgm SY guessed it right sooooo . . . haha you'll see. ;)

I'll just warn you guys that the next chapter won't be soon. I know and I'm sorry. But that depends on how persistent and good you are at convincing me. ;)

Please, comment and review! I promise to change my mind if you'll do so. Haha So, till next time? :D