Chapter Thirty-Six
Siblings
When Yumi reached the old greenhouse, she strongly wished she could stop her heart from hammering so hard in her chest. The fact that the loud drumming against her ribcage was all she could hear made her more apprehensive. Butterflies run wildly in her stomach as she walked closer to the closed door. She was trying to breathe in and out, slowly, calming herself down. Somehow, it worked, but she still couldn't stave off the uneasiness worming inside of her.
She opened the door and dread flooded her instantly. There was no sight of Sachiko. The greenhouse was deserted. Frightful, random thoughts came rushing in her mind as she went inside the greenhouse, leaving the door wide open behind her. What if something horrible happened to Sachiko? What if she was abducted, again? She felt her heart stop at the screaming thoughts. She was already in state of panic when she spotted a small folded paper tucked between the stem and the leaf of a red rose. She plucked the paper in haste, unfolding it, and read:
S.Y.,
We will talk some other time.
S and Y—those were her initials. It was for her, from Sachiko. Yumi could easily recognize Sachiko's handwriting in her sleep. She couldn't be mistaken. But why did it feel like someone else, a stranger, had left her a message? A part of her was relieved to know that Sachiko was safe, but the biggest, most nagging part of her was still on pins and needles. It was as though she could feel her lover's emotions behind those neatly written words. Why did her mind say she had a lot of explaining to do? Why did Touko and her infidelity suddenly come to mind? What if Touko told her? What if Sachiko already knew about that night?
All at once, a sense of foreboding devoured her. She had a terrible gut feeling she was right.
Sachiko did not bother closing her eyes and falling asleep while Suguru was driving his car in his usual smug, manic self. Her random, chaotic thoughts were already enough to get over her motion sickness. In Suguru's vantage point, Sachiko was gazing blankly at his dashboard, or at a few times, out of the window. Not even a single sound ever left her mouth since she got onto the passenger seat. She wasn't grumpy or indifferent. She was just quiet, eerily quiet.
Suguru cast a furtive glance her way from time to time, checking and wondering if she was all right. He thought it was best to pay her no attention when, unexpectedly, Sachiko spoke in a soft, detached voice so cold he felt a shiver run down his spine.
"When did you know about them?"
So, she knows, Suguru thought with an inward sigh. He parked the car with a screech next to a coffee shop. He took a quick glance around the neighborhood before fixing his gaze on his fiancée. After what went down last night, he was smart enough to know that they weren't exactly on a friendly footing. He was smiling kindly when he offered, "Do you want to go inside and—"
"Answer me." Sachiko's demeanor did not change, yet it was enough to shut him up.
Suguru fretted on his seat. "The very same day I called and told you about your girlfriend cheating on you." He hesitated, but he was also too curious not to ask, "Did she tell you?" It seemed it was still difficult for him to mention her name.
Sachiko remained impassive, brushing his question aside. "How did Touko tell you?"
"You'd rather listen to your father blathering about our wedding all day than hear my side of the story." It was a lame attempt at humor, but at least, he got a scowl from the Ice Princess. "It wasn't her intention to tell me that's for sure." He said. "I kind of forced her to talk to me. She locked herself in her room, crying all night."
Sachiko still didn't look at him when she asked, "Did you know she had feelings for Yumi?"
"Yes," Suguru answered straightaway. There's no point of lying to her now that she's aware and consciously prying, he thought. "She didn't tell me, but I knew somehow. Like you, I could easily read her like an open book."
"You knew and you decided to keep it from me. You and everyone else," Sachiko scoffed before pressing her lips in indignation.
"And what would I tell you?" Suguru said, his tone hitched up in disbelief. "It's not that simple, Sa-chan. I have no idea it would turn out this way, for goodness sake!"
Sachiko turned her head and looked at him straight in the eye just when Suguru decided to drop the matter and continue driving. His heart broke at the sight of her eyes brimming with unshed tears, her face barren of emotions. Though Sachiko was understandably struggling not to show it, he could definitely see that she was in intense pain. Now, the urge to murder someone resurfaced. He would definitely kill her, Suguru thought madly.
"I want to see Yumi." Sachiko blurted out, breaking his thoughts. "Leaving her a note without explaining was wrong. I felt bad for running away. I should have faced her instead of being a coward. I should at least give her a chance to explain." Her cold gaze softened miserably as she spoke, "Suguru-san, I need to talk to her."
Clenching his jaw was his way to stop himself from crying out words he knew he would later regret. Suguru was seething and the woman seated next to him could see it clearly. "You want me to drive you to your cheater of a girlfriend? Then after that, what? You go all lovey-dovey again like nothing had happened? You will give her another chance to cheat on you again?" He laughed mockingly. "I cannot let you do that. I can't just let you go and see her after what she did to you. And besides, Touro-Ojisama had made me promise to drive you home on time—"
"Please," Sachiko pleaded, cutting him short. "Please, Suguru-san. I know you're mad. I am, too, but I need answers. I need to see her. You're the only one who can help me."
He sighed. How could Suguru refuse when all he could hear was the desperation in her voice? Hearing her beg was as scarce as hen's teeth. He could never say no never mind his burning anger and jealousy. "Fine," He said, a strong disinclination in his tone. "But you only have half an hour to see her. I will wait for you outside her house."
When they reached the Fukuzawa residence, they were surprised to find the house empty and the vicinity desolated. Police tapes rolled out across the street.
"What happened here?" Sachiko muttered, her alert eyes inspecting the area. She turned her head to Suguru, who went silent as a mouse after checking the house. "What do you think happened?"
"I think it's best if we leave right now." He said. Without making eye contact, he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the car in a rushed manner.
Sachiko sensed his alarm so she let Suguru drag her. When they both got inside the car, Suguru immediately started the engine and took off in full speed, neglecting to fasten his own seatbelt.
Sachiko felt sick at the sudden change of momentum, barely managing to push down the retch that threatened to spring up from her stomach. She waited for a couple of minutes for the nauseating feeling to subside before shifting in her seat to look at Suguru in all seriousness. "What do you think happened back there, Suguru-san?" She asked. She would not stop asking the same question until he would give her a satisfying answer. After seeing his reaction earlier, she had a feeling he knew something, if not a little about what was going on.
"I don't know." He simply said. He swiveled abruptly to the right, making Sachiko clutch the door handle for dear life.
"If you're planning to die, please die alone. Don't drag me with you." She said, closing her eyes tight. She was becoming more lightheaded and the nausea had started to threaten her once again.
"We're running late and we both know how your father is about tardiness. He would demand answers so I don't want him to ask questions."
Sachiko opened her eyes and looked at him scrutinizingly. There was something in his voice, which tickled her curious, prying mind. "Do you also not want me to ask you questions?"
It was an accusation and Suguru knew it.
"Sa-chan," Suguru sighed tiredly. "I know nothing about it, okay? I am as surprised as you are." He looked at her briefly, frustration was evident on his face. "If I knew something, you would be the first to know. Believe me, I learned my lessons well. No more secrets this time, I promise you."
Sachiko studied him more closely before looking away. "Okay, I trust you." She said, more likely to herself than to the man behind the wheel.
It made Suguru smile, at least. "You should. I would never allow myself to fall short to your expectations. You must know I am your number one defender, and supporter. Failing you is the same as killing myself a hundred times over." He said, glancing at her.
Sachiko had to roll her eyes. "Now that you say that, I think you're really lying."
"No, I wasn't."
Sachiko looked back at him at the tone of his voice and noticed his right hand whitened on the steering wheel.
"There's one thing I am certain though, about what we witnessed earlier." He said all of a sudden. Her gaze returned to his steely face. "There had been an attack. It wasn't just an ordinary attack. I think it was an assassination."
Sachiko let out a shaky breath as she let the revelation sink in. "Do you think Yumi—"
"Of course not and why would they even try to kill a Sekamitomi?" Suguru said acerbically, "They must be delusional if they thought they could kill her. She's Lucifer's child."
"Do not say that." Her warning was as sharp as her glare. "I won't allow people insult and disrespect the woman I love, especially right in front of me."
"After what she did to you—!" Suguru sneered in anger, barely able to stop himself. "How foolish, Sa-chan." He groaned as he shifted the clutch in a deft, forceful motion. "I couldn't really blame you. It's partly my fault for letting you get close to her. But let me tell you this with emphasis, you chose the wrong person to love. An angel like you can't fall in love with a monster like her. She doesn't deserve anything from you."
Slowly averting her gaze out of the window, Sachiko leaned against the glass and said, "Yes, maybe it's foolish, but I really do love her. Wrong or not, I can't stop myself from falling more in love with her. This is already out of my control. " And with a sad smile, she whispered, "She's everything I want. And I don't think I deserve her, either."
Suguru snarled internally, biting the inside of his cheek hard as he sped off to the Ogasawara Mansion, pretending not to hear everything.
Suguru was right when he told Sachiko about her father being at the mansion waiting for them. Indeed, the man was at the foyer flanked by his guards when they arrived. Touro graced them a tight-lipped smile at the sight of them holding hands. A few moments earlier while the twosome were still in the car, Suguru had asked Sachiko to act as if she was committed to the idea of marrying him. Needless to say, Sachiko rebuffed his suggestion, but when he mentioned it would be for her own benefit—so her father would not pester her about her 'secret lover'—she acquiesced in his plan.
Touro excused himself after giving his daughter a lukewarm embrace and his future son-in-law a proud squeeze on the shoulder, saying he had a conference in Kyoto. He told Suguru to make sure to 'guard' his daughter while he would be away for a couple of days. This made Sachiko scoff deep inside. Suguru hid his smirk as he made another promise.
"Suguru-san," Sachiko called hesitatingly when they reached the hallway to her room.
Stopping on his tracks, Suguru turned around and looked at her. A mixture of curiosity and concern could be seen in his eyes. "What is it?"
Letting out a breath, Sachiko replied, "Will you call Yumi? Tell her I want to see her. I really need to talk to her, tonight, over dinner." Though the way she said it was more of a demand, her eyes were pleading pitifully.
Suguru shook his head in disbelief. "Can it not wait until tomorrow? You'll see her at school!"
"No, this cannot wait." Sachiko said resolutely, "It has to be now."
He stared hard at her as if his unwavering stare would somehow convince Sachiko to change her mind. When she didn't, he sighed, fishing out his phone from his pocket, and begrudgingly dialed Yumi's number. He groaned when he was answered by an automated answering system. He started to feel thoroughly annoyed after dialing her number a number of times and still got the same response from the robotic voice. At his last attempt, he left her a brief message laced with anger and frustration.
"It's okay," Sachiko was behind her bedroom door at the end of the corridor when she told him to stop. She opened the door and before she could walk inside her room, she heard Suguru laugh.
"Ah, it's so good to finally hear your voice again, Yuukichi." He said in his typical sly, seductive tenor.
She turned her back around to stare at him the second she heard Yuuki's name. Suguru winked at her before giggling at Yuuki's response.
"Oh yes, it's been a while, isn't it?" He said, locking Sachiko's incredulous stare. "If you don't mind, how about seeing me tonight at my place?" He smiled impishly. "Oh, Yuukichi, you're not thinking of naughty things, are you?"
Poor Yuuki, Sachiko thought with a roll of her eyes.
"Let's have dinner." He said. "No, no, it's just you and me, and my fiancée."
Sachiko noticed he was emphasizing the word clearly and loudly as though he was intending for the entire Japan to hear it.
"If your sister's around, why don't you tag her along?" He continued. "It'd be a pleasure seeing her again. My fiancée's been dying to see her. I'm sure they have a lot to talk about." He grinned. "That's great! How's seven? Wonderful, Yuukichi. You're wonderful!"
Suguru hang up the phone with a satisfied, lopsided smirk as he drew closer to the door. He walked past her when he stepped into her room as if she was just a statue standing in the hallway. Sachiko followed him after closing the door behind her with a slam. "What was that about?"
"Get ready. We're going to my place, meeting my great friends." He said in a laid-back manner. "Wear something impressive."
"You're not answering my question." Sachiko said, irately.
Instead of answering her, Suguru shook his head, putting his right forefinger on his lips while raising his left thumb over his shoulder, pointing at the door. Her brow scrunched in confusion until she grasped what those silent gestures stood for. She nodded her head in understanding.
"Why do I need to wear something impressive? Am I not impressive enough?" Sachiko said in a teasingly seductive voice.
His brows hitched up, but then his lips upturned into a knowing smirk. "Of course, you are." He said, playing along. "But I want to overwhelm my guests, not just to impress them."
Sachiko realized she was rather consistent with her eye roll when Suguru was around. "I'm sure they wouldn't mind."
"Oh, they will." Suguru smiled, sickeningly sweeter than his voice.
Sachiko mimicked his smile, only more hostile and threatening. "Certainly, love."
Suguru giggled silently. He could almost hear the profanities in her head. "That's my future wife!"
Sachiko shot him a slaying glare before going inside her bathroom and closed it with a deafening bang.
Sachiko dolled up a simple yet classy black shirt dress, flaunting her long, flawless legs and natural, breathtaking curves. Suguru steeled his eyes away after catching himself staring at her exposed flesh on more than one occasion. Sachiko cleared her throat awkwardly every time she caught him leering.
"You're making me uncomfortable." Sachiko finally uttered her discomfort, unconsciously pulling her skirt over to her knees. Unfortunately for her, they were sitting opposite each other in his closed living room. "Aren't you supposed to like boys, and not get attracted to girls?"
Although it was obvious that Suguru was taken aback by what he just heard, he was nonetheless able to laugh it off. "You were in love with me once." He stated matter-of-factly. "And now you are in love with a girl."
Sachiko was looking at him like he was not making any sense, which she thought he definitely wasn't. "So," She said, drawling out the word, apparently asking for a much better logic.
"So, I am just like you, I guess." Suguru answered. He crossed his legs and smiled. "I get attracted to both genders. You can say we're bisexuals."
"Oh," Sachiko said. "But I don't think we are alike. I mean, I don't think I am bisexual." She concluded after some thought. "Yes, I had feelings for you a long time ago, when I was young and immature, but I was never attracted to any other boy, or girl. I can't think of myself getting attached to anyone, especially with another man."
Suguru leisurely put his cup down on the coffee table between them. He smirked as he looked at her. "That is because you already found the right man, right here." He said, pointing at himself smugly.
"I already found the one and that is Yumi." Sachiko corrected with a sarcastic smile.
Suguru only laughed, opting not to voice out his mind concerning the name mentioned. A while later, with an eyebrow rose challengingly, he asked, "If you are nothing like me, then do you think you're a full-blown lesbian?"
Without hesitation, Sachiko replied calmly, "I don't need labels to describe my love for a girl. I am Sachiko who is in love with Yumi."
Just when he was about to react, a knock at the door was heard. "Come in." He said, glancing at the door.
A young maid opened the door, bowing at them when she was inside. "Your guest has arrived, young master." She informed him politely.
He stood and carefully smoothened down his dark blue yukata. "Good. We'll be out in a minute." He looked at Sachiko and said, "We better not let them wait. We have a lot to talk about."
Sachiko stood up and followed Suguru out of the living room to the parlor. There was a look of surprise on their faces when they got inside and found Yuuki sitting alone.
"How lovely to finally to see you, Yuukichi!" Suguru said, breaking the awkwardness that was slowly filling up the room. "You're early as usual, aren't you? Are you alone?"
Yuuki stood with an uncertain smile. "Ah, yes, I'm alone. Thank you for having me." He said, cautiously glanced at Sachiko.
"Where is Yumi?" Sachiko said, walking past Suguru, and halted in front of the younger boy. She was terribly displeased not to see Yumi that she neglected to greet their guest.
Yuuki looked terrified at her threatening stance. "S-she, uh, well, Yumi is kind of busy, Sachiko-san."
"Busy?" Sachiko echoed the word incredulously. "Really, Yuuki, did you tell her that I'm here?" She shot him a suspicious scowl, which made Yuuki squirm on his spot. "Knowing Yumi, she would not accept Suguru-san's invitation."
"Now, now, Sa-chan," Suguru said reprovingly. "Let the boy breathe for a minute. He had just arrived. Please, Yuukichi, sit and pardon my fiancée for her rude manners."
Yuuki did as told and smiled nervously. He deliberately avoided Sachiko's gaze and stammered, "N-no, it's fine."
The couple sat across him. "I'm sure Yuukichi informed his sister before he got here." Suguru told Sachiko before setting his eyes on Yuuki. "Isn't that right, Yuukichi?" He gave him a wink and a suggestive smile that made Yuuki flinch deep down. "But I sincerely hope Yumi-chan's busy with work and not with some girls."
Yuuki didn't know how to react. He wasn't even sure if it was a good-natured banter or a deadly sarcasm.
Sachiko's deadlier glare told him it was the latter.
Yuuki flashed a kind yet sad smile instead of countering his comment. "I think it's fine if I will tell you the truth." He told them. "I hadn't had the chance to tell Yumi about tonight's dinner." He seemed hesitant to continue as he looked Sachiko in the eye. "She isn't living with us anymore, Sachiko-san. I couldn't reach her cell. When I tried to call the number she gave me in case of emergency, her guard answered and said she was busy and couldn't be interrupted. She, uh, she left us and went back to her . . ." He paused as though searching for a word, then sighed and said, "House."
"Why? When did she leave?" Sachiko asked worriedly. "Did she tell you the reason?"
"She didn't have to." Yuuki said. "The night before Yumi came back from Shizouka, someone broke into our house and vandalized her room like a savage animal that they are. We were unconscious the entire night that we had no idea until we got into her room. Yumi said it was because they had infused something, a gas, into our house."
"We had seen the chaos." Suguru chimed in. "We went to your house to see Yumi-chan earlier today, but we found it empty. Police tapes were everywhere. We thought there was an attack. What really happened, Yuukichi? I don't think that was an ordinary housebreaking."
"There was an attack." Yuuki confirmed with a nod. "Someone was trying to kill Yumi, shooting bullets like we were practice targets when we—Yumi, mother, and I—were in her room."
Sachiko gasped when she remembered the large gauze that concealed Yumi's almost entire left cheek. "Yumi got hurt." Her face hardened with dread when Yuuki answered her with another nod.
"She didn't get shot, but she had a deep slit across her cheek. A bullet was able to graze her face when she was rushing out of the room. She also got four broken ribs during the explosion."
Yuuki regretted revealing his sister's injuries after seeing the horrified expression on Sachiko's face. "Sachiko-san, Yumi is fine." He assured her, hoping his words would somehow ease her concerns. "Shortly after the incident, her guards came to her aid. Yumi had us relocated immediately to one of her safe houses, not very far from home. We really didn't want to move out, father especially, but Yumi thought we were not safe. Mother was saddened and awfully worried when she said she couldn't stay with us now that she's being targeted."
There was a long gap before Yuuki spoke again. "I heard one of her guards advised her to retaliate, but Yumi refused. The shooter died, but Yumi was able to find out who had sent him."
"Did you know who it was, Yuukichi?" Suguru asked straight away. Sachiko sneaked a look at him.
"No, I didn't." Yuuki shook his head. "Yumi didn't tell us anything. We still have no idea of what went down after she rushed out to the shooter. We heard gunshots and a loud explosion then more rapid gunshots. I never felt so terrified in my life."
Suguru offered a tender smile. "We're glad that you're all right."
Yuuki smiled in kind. "We are, too, but we are still worried for Yumi's safety." He looked at Sachiko, who hadn't spoken for a while. "Did she go to school, Sachiko-san?"
Sachiko, who was seemingly got lost in her thoughts for a short moment there, looked up at Yuuki like she had just seen him for the first time. She shook her head as if to clear her thoughts away. "I'm sorry I missed that. What did you say, Yuuki?"
Suguru frowned while Yuuki smiled at her understandingly. "Did Yumi go to school today? We haven't heard from her since we moved out. We thought she was truly busy."
"She did, in the afternoon." Sachiko said. They waited for her to continue, but it seemed like she had no intentions to. Suguru regarded her with concern and a hint of suspicion.
"How is she?" Yuuki said with a sigh. "Did she look troubled or in pain?"
"She's fine, Yuuki." Sachiko said reassuringly. "She's your sister. She's strong. There's nothing Yumi can't handle. Have faith in her."
"I worry about her all the time." Yuuki admitted. "Sometimes, I forget who she really is."
"We always forget who she is and what she's capable of." Sachiko agreed with a small smile. "Yumi may tend to act foolish and reckless, but she wouldn't do anything to hurt us by letting herself get hurt."
Yuuki smiled. "Yes, you're right."
"Okay!" Suguru exclaimed, jumping up to his feet. "I think we're having enough drama for the day. I'm famished with all these suspense and talking." He said after stretching his arms and legs. "Let's gobble up those foods, shall we?"
Shortly thereafter, at the dinner table, Yuuki leaned against his chair after dabbing his mouth with his napkin and putting the cloth on the table next to his empty plate. "If you don't mind me asking, Sachiko-san, why do you want to see Yumi so urgently?" He asked. "You saw her today at school, didn't you?"
Placing her fork and knife down, Sachiko looked up at him. "Yes, I did, but we hadn't had the chance to talk after school. Something came up and I had to go home early."
Yuuki nodded, but he wasn't a bit contented of her reply. "What do you want to talk to her about?" He risked asking, but he was quite sure he wouldn't be getting an answer.
"It's something personal." Sachiko replied.
He was right.
"I understand." Yuuki said, offering an apologetic smile. "You will see her tomorrow."
"Hopefully, I'll make sure to talk to her then."
Half an hour later, Yuuki had to go back home after receiving several insistent calls from his mother. After the incident, his parents, particularly Miki, were stricter and uncompromising than usual. Suguru had offered to drive him home, but Yuuki asked him to call for a cab instead. Few minutes later when the cab arrived, the couple walked him out to the main gate. Before Yuuki could get inside the cab, Sachiko grabbed his shoulder and smiled at him sweetly. "Be careful, Yuuki." She said. What was so unexpected and overwhelmingly shocking was when she closed the distance between them and pecked his cheek in a chaste kiss.
The two men turned wide-eyed as they gawked at her. Sachiko went inside the mansion with Suguru hot on her heels. Before they could enter the foyer, he grabbed her arm and forced her to look at him.
"What was that kiss about?" He demanded furiously.
Sachiko yanked her arm away and ignored him, walking away to the parlor.
Suguru followed her and slammed the door shut. He paced around the room for a few minutes before finally facing her. "Why did you kiss Yuuki?" He asked tirelessly.
Feeling absolutely irritated, Sachiko stood from her seat and snatched her purse. "Take me home. I'm awfully tired."
"You're still not answering my question!" He said hotly. "Why did you kiss him? Are you insane!?"
She turned around and regarded him fiercely. "It was just on the cheek! Why does it bother you so much? Are you jealous of him, or me?" When Suguru did not retort but pressed his lips in frustration, she added, "I have to remind you that you're not my boyfriend, nor my real fiancé, Suguru-san. And that was only an act of appreciation, nothing more." She sighed, also becoming frustrated. Truth be told, she was equally surprised at her action. "I'm not sure why, but aside from you, Yuuki's the only man I am not uncomfortable being close with. It's probably because he is Yumi's brother, which makes him my brother, so to speak." She explained, or more like defending herself.
Suguru backed away and scorned. "I'll call a driver to take you home. I'm also tired." He walked out of the parlor after bitterly uttering, "Good night."
Sachiko woke up in the morning with an awful headache. Grimacing, she trudged into the bathroom, her head throbbing painfully in her hands. She discarded her nightdress on the floor and walked straight to the sink. When she caught her reflection in the mirror, she sighed at how appalling she thought she looked. Her lips and face were two shades paler than normal. Dark circles were starting to visibly pop under her eyes. Her dark blue eyes were red and puffy. Then, she remembered crying to sleep last night. She wasn't the least concerned and surprised of how easy it was to forgive Touko, and Yumi. They were family, after all. She had forgiven the latter from the bottom of her heart even though she was sure Yumi was still oblivious about Touko's confession. But she also couldn't deny the fact that it still hurt so, so much. Just thinking about Yumi being affectionate with another woman tore her heart and soul apart.
Rei and Yoshino were in the meeting room when she got there. The two were suspiciously on good terms considering Yoshino's outburst yesterday. The second year Bouton served her tea and surprisingly stayed cool-headed even though Rei had said something she was certain the Yellow Rose Bouton would react aggressively. Sachiko glanced at her friend questioningly, but Rei only smiled at her. The White Rose couple arrived moments later. Sachiko was getting anxious after checking her watch for the third time. It's almost twenty-five minutes till homeroom yet they were still waiting for Yumi, or at least a sign that she would be coming, to start the morning meeting. Was she late or absent again? The thought made her frown and sigh deeply. The council watched her with concern. Noticing she had their attention, she assured them with a smile and decided to get going without her petite soeur.
Just as what she had dreaded, Yumi was absent again. When lunch came, she hurriedly went down to check on the brunette. Touko squinched down behind Noriko when she saw her approaching. They greeted each other civilly, but there was still this palpable tension between them, which Noriko and Shimako didn't fail to notice.
The rest of her afternoon classes were a blur. Though her mind was functioning pretty well—she was participating and carrying her tasks as flawless as usual—somewhere deep in her soul was a harrowing ache to caught even just a tiny glimpse of the brunette. She was worried. Even though she told Yuuki to trust his sister more, she couldn't help it herself. Maybe Yumi was the Head of a powerful business empire and was trained to do the impossible, but she was still a high school teenage girl, who also happened to be the love of her life. She realized no matter how much you trust someone, it wouldn't stop you from worrying about them. That's already a given when you fell in love. That wasn't a choice that you could simply ignore, pass over, or put an end to.
The afternoon meeting started soon after Rei and Yoshino arrived from Kendo practice. They were secretly panting when they got inside the meeting room as though they had been running or doing some rough activity outside. Sachiko looked at them amusedly, which the Yellow Rose noticed and shrugged off with a pointed look and a shake of her head.
It is not what you think it is, Sachiko could hear her thoughts almost as clear as the heavens.
Rei cleared her throat as she sat on her seat, avoiding Sachiko's gaze. "Since Yumi-chan's not here, I guess I'll be the one to send the invitation to Hanadera's student council president. I'll go and see him right after the meeting."
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, other than the Red Rose.
"No, I'll be the one to hand Yuuki the invitation." Sachiko decided. All eyes turned to her. Their faces showed both signs of surprise and disbelief.
"Sachiko, are you sure? For years, you've been avoiding going to that place. Have you forgotten Hanadera is an all-boys school?" Rei spoke up, voicing everyone's concern.
"I'll be fine." Sachiko said dismissively.
Rei wasn't deterred by her scowl. "Then I will go with you." She said, rather determined.
Sachiko caved in when she realized Rei wouldn't relent.
Soon after the meeting was over, the two Roses strode toward the gate when Rei spotted a black sedan parking across the street.
"We aren't going to ride the bus to Hanadera?" Rei asked after recognizing the car.
With a loud sigh, Sachiko replied, "Father's orders."
They got inside the car when Rei looked at her face closely for the first time today. "You look awfully tired. Are you even sleeping these past days?"
"I was trying. There are a lot of things in my head right now. I wanted to talk to you about it, but now is not the right time." She said, glancing at the rearview mirror.
Rei followed her gaze and understood what she was trying to say when she caught the driver sneaking a look at them. "Your father's orders," She remarked, looking back at her.
"That's not all." Sachiko said.
Rei chuckled despite her friend's unfortunate circumstance. "I'm dying to hear the rest of it."
"When the coast is clear," She said with a half-smile.
After instructing her chauffeur where to go, Sachiko rested her head on Rei's shoulder while closing her eyes the entire ride. She opened her eyes wearily when she heard her friend's voice calling her to wake up. With a soft groan, she straightened sluggishly on her seat. It felt like it had only been a few seconds since she felt the car move.
"We're here, Sachiko." Rei informed her. "At Hanadera."
"I fell asleep?" She thought out loud. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and tried to focus on her surroundings. They had stopped beside Hanadera's renowned monumental gate, which stretched as far as human eyes could see. It was said that its walls enclosed the entire mountain where the school was located on top of it.
Rei smiled and responded, "Yes, you did. You were even drooling on my shoulder."
Sachiko glared at her after glancing at the said shoulder and found it spotless. "I don't drool."
"Stop being so perfect," Rei said with a light chuckle. "Come on, let's meet the handsome president inside." The short-haired Rose opened the door and was about to get off the car when she felt a cold hand tug at her elbow. She stopped moving and turned her head sideways, regarding her friend worriedly. "You don't have to go with me. Just wait here." She said, her voice soft and sympathetic. "I'll go get Yuuki so you could talk."
Sachiko smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Rei."
Rei took the invitation letter out of her bag and got off the car. Before closing the door, she looked at her friend and said, "Any time."
Sachiko remained patiently in the car about half an hour or so. When she saw a tall figure walking next to a brown-haired boy advancing toward the gate, she alighted from the vehicle and met them halfway.
"Gokigenyou, Yuuki." Sachiko greeted the boy with an eager smile.
"Gokigenyou, Sachiko-san." Yuuki replied kindly.
Sachiko glanced at the taller woman, and with that one look, Rei understood that she needed to leave and let them talk in private.
"I'll be in the car." Rei told her. She gave Yuuki a nod and marched to the awaiting black vehicle.
Sachiko waited for Rei to get inside the car before she spoke, "I'm sorry to bother you like this, Yuuki. I know you're busy, but I really need to talk to you."
"It's fine, Sachiko-san, but to be honest, I was quite surprised when Rei-san told me she came here with you." Yuuki said. "Is this about Yumi? Was she absent again?"
Nodding, Sachiko answered, "I was hoping if you could help me talk to your sister. I have no other way to contact her if she's not in school." She paused, biting her lip. "I have something very important to talk to her about. I know I told you not to worry about her, but I am. I am worried and desperate, Yuuki." She immediately looked away when she felt tears pricking her eyes. She did not pull back even when she felt the younger boy step closer, practically invading her personal space.
"Here, save this. You can contact her with this number." He said, reaching out his hand and handed out a small crumpled paper from his pocket. Sachiko took it and neatened the sheet with her fingers. She studied the digits hastily written and noticed it was Yumi's penmanship. "But last night when I tried to call back, the same guard answered the phone for her." Yuuki went on explaining. "And just like the many times, she said Yumi was busy."
"She?" Sachiko looked up from the paper the instant she heard him say. "A woman was answering her phone?"
Yuuki cringed slightly at the tone of her voice and the forbidding look on her face. His eyes slowly widened when he realized he must have uttered a taboo word. "Ah—yes, I mean, no! I-I mean, it's a woman." He shut his mouth and scolded himself mentally. "No, it-it isn't what you think, Sachiko-san. It was only a female guard. The woman was her guard. A guard and a woman, not any other woman…" He frantically and desperately tried to explain as Sachiko's scowl deepened.
If this was any other time, Sachiko would surely laugh at his predicament. For Yuuki's sake, she kept her temper in check while reminding herself that this boy wasn't the enemy. He wasn't in the wrong. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intimidate you." She said ruefully.
"No, no, it's okay! It's okay." Yuuki shook his head vigorously. "I-I wasn't intimidated." He said, flushing.
"That's Megumi," Sachiko said. "We don't exactly like each other. She has feelings for Yumi. She threatened me a couple of times and I think she really wants to kill me."
Yuuki blinked and looked at her as if she was telling him a dreadful love story from a hundred years ago. He forced himself to nod as though he understood and cleared his throat when he couldn't think of anything to say.
"I'm sure if Yumi knew you were calling her, she would not hesitate to talk to you. This is Megumi's own doing." She told Yuuki. "That woman will do everything to have Yumi back."
Yuuki only stood there, bobbing his head while staring stupidly at her.
"You don't have to pretend you understand, Yuuki." Sachiko said, rolling her eyes. "I don't expect you to. You don't know the entire story, even your sister doesn't. She didn't even believe me when I told her about what her very own guard did to me."
Yuuki scratched his head, dropping his gaze in embarrassment. Feeling sorry for the boy, Sachiko patted the side of his arm and smiled at him reassuringly. "I wish I could tell you everything. It'll be easier and safer for me if someone other than Suguru-san knows." She sighed, not wanting to go further and explain herself. "Can you try and call Yumi now, see if she's available?"
Smiling, Yuuki answered, "Of course." He pulled out his cell and with just one tap on the screen, they heard a ring in the other line.
"Hello." A monotonous female voice answered the phone pretty much on the spot.
Yuuki quickly put the speaker close to his mouth and responded, "Hello. Hi! This is Yuuki speaking. Can I speak with my sister?"
"Hello, Yuuki-san. I'm sorry, but Yumi-sama is busy right now, do you—"
Sachiko snatched Yuuki's phone and nearly crushed it with her hand when she cut in, "Hello there, Megumi. I think Yumi can find a little time to talk to the both of us. Do I need to introduce myself? You definitely know who I am, right?"
There was a short pause then a girly giggle. "Ogasawara-san," Sachiko could imagine the woman's sardonic smile. "Certainly, how could I not know Yumi-sama's love of her life? Let me see what I can do."
Sachiko glanced at Yuuki, who shared the same look on her face. They were bewildered at how accommodating the woman was. Yuuki didn't know her personally other than she was one of Yumi's guards. After his several attempts to talk to his sister, he gathered the female guard was contrary to the word accommodating.
"However," The woman spoke, breaking their thoughts. "As much as I like to help you get in touch with her, Yumi-sama herself had strictly ordered us not to bother her at this time unless, of course, her or her family's lives are in danger. You are not in danger, are you?"
Clenching her teeth, Sachiko clutched the phone forcibly that her face and her hand had turned pale as a ghost. She nearly lost her cool and was about to scream in anger when Yuuki quickly seized hold of his phone and drew a couple of steps back in agitation. "Megumi-san, please, we would just like to have a word with my sister." He implored her, hoping she would change her mind and help them get Yumi. "Please, just tell her that we're calling."
Sachiko watched Yuuki with exasperation as he conversed with Megumi in an irritatingly level-headed fashion. His fine features puckered when his eyes shut. With a muted sigh, he opened his brown eyes and locked them with Sachiko's. "It's okay, Megumi-san. Just kindly tell her that we're trying to reach out, Sachiko-san especially." Shaking his head apologetically, Yuuki moved closer to her when the call ended. "I'm sorry." He said. "I truly wish I could help you. I have no idea why Yumi has been avoiding us."
Sachiko smiled at his expression of regret. As surprising as it looked, it was heartfelt. "I don't want to believe that's the case." She told Yuuki. "Yumi has her reasons and whatever it might be, I'm sure it's not because she doesn't want to see and talk to us." Her smile gradually fading. "I only pray she's safe."
Yuuki couldn't help but show off his perfect set of white teeth when he replied, "I see why Yumi loves you very much."
Her smile cheerfully came back to life. "I love her very much, too. I couldn't even perfectly explain it myself."
"That," exclaimed Yuuki playfully. "I always have to wonder and ask myself why."
Sachiko laughed. "You're not alone. There's more of us."
Days had passed and it was finally Friday. Sachiko was feeling and living her days like something between a zombie and a ghost. Immediately after class, apart from Rosa Foetida, the rest of the Yamayurikai council members gathered at the Rose Mansion. They had only waited for roughly five minutes in the meeting room when Rei arrived alongside the Hanadera Student Council President.
Everyone courteously welcomed their guest, who greeted them back in the same way. Rosa Gigantea ushered the Council President to sit at the head of the table with Rosa Chinensis on his right and Rosa Foetida on his left. Because Rosa Chinensis en Bouton was not in attendance, the White Rose took her place next to Sachiko. The meeting carried on for more or less an hour and a half. They were deliberating about the event and every plan, suggestion, and idea each of them had come up with was being considered seriously. At the end, they settled on having another play.
Initially, Yoshino was opposed to the idea of roleplay considering the short amount of time they had to prepare until the school festival. We only have three weeks, the braided girl insisted on. Somehow, it was Yuuki's idea and Rei's assurance that got the girl's half-hearted approval.
The council walked their guest to the main gate once they were done finalizing everything. After praying to Maria-sama, Sachiko heard Noriko whisper animatedly to Shimako of how Yumi and Yuuki were like two peas in a pod. Noriko even asked the older girl if the two were twins. Sachiko took a good look at the only boy in the small crowd. True enough, everything about him reminded her of Yumi. Even his mannerisms were similar to her lover's. Sachiko unconsciously stopped on her tracks when she felt a painful, longing tug at her heart. She bit her lip, straining her tears from falling.
Amongst the group, only Yuuki was able to notice Sachiko. Their friends were so engaged in their conversations that they had even failed to notice him lagging behind. He approached her in wary steps and halted a couple of feet away.
"Sachiko-san? Are you okay?" Yuuki called concernedly.
Sachiko immediately hid her tearstained face, wiping her eyes in secret. She faced the boy with a sad, apologetic smile after making sure she patted her eyes dry. Yuuki felt sympathy and reflexively mirrored her smile. Before he could say anything, Sachiko continued to walk, but slowed up her pace when she was already next to him. Yuuki flinched when her hand suddenly gripped his arm, prompting him to walk with her. He was a bit agitated of how close they were that he could smell the flowery scent her shampoo. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, his eyes instinctively rolled sideways, stealthily peering at the reserved yet breathtaking woman beside him. He noted her mien changed drastically. Her posture was stiff, her steps mechanical, and her gaze vacant. When they were nearing the gate, Sachiko released his arm, but remained close. She faced Yuuki with a poker face and spoke for the first time since she was asked if she was all right.
"I want to believe that Yumi is safe somewhere." She said, her voice a bit husky. "But if she was, why couldn't she be here with me? Why couldn't she even give me a call and tell me she's okay? Sometimes, I wonder if she really does care about me, if she really loves me or not."
"Yumi cares about you and she loves you very much, Sachiko-san." Yuuki spoke a tone that made Sachiko still. "You have no idea how irritating she is at times. All she can talk about is you. It's you all she can think of. And I'm certain that wherever and whatever Yumi is doing right now, she is thinking of you." A small smile had managed to crawl into his serious face when he said, "She is crazy about you, believe me. And I can totally see why. You have little to no reason to doubt her love."
Sachiko wasn't sure if she was blushing, but she could definitely feel her cheeks burning.
"Never doubt her feelings for you, Sachiko-san." Yuuki went on to say. "I promise you that when Yumi comes back, she will explain everything. Like you said, we just have to trust her more."
"I hope her reasons will be credible enough to persuade me." Sachiko said. "All she did these past few months was to hurt me. Intentionally or not, she's doing it again. She's gone without a word, refusing to talk to us. She's causing me a lot of distress. Does she really think I won't care!?"
Not knowing what to do or say, Yuuki delicately took her hand and offered a warm, comforting smile.
Sachiko sighed as if she could read Yuuki's thoughts. "I guess I really have no choice but to wait for her return and pray that she's doing all right."
"That's all we can do for now." Yuuki replied consolingly.
"Thank you, Yuuki, for everything." Sachiko said, flashing a smile of her own.
Yuuki squeezed her hand before letting go. "Don't thank me. Think of me as your brother and know that I will do anything to make you happy. I will always be here for you."
When Yuuki and Sachiko passed through the gate, a sleek, red sports car zoomed in front of them like a bolt of lightning. Sachiko didn't have time to think as the passenger window rolled down halfway then came Suguru's possessive voice.
"Sa-chan, let's go! This is urgent. Your mother wants to speak with you." He didn't even acknowledge the boy's presence as he rolled up the window and opened the door for Sachiko to get in.
Sachiko peered at Yuuki briefly before reluctantly getting inside the car. It was minutes later that Sachiko decided to speak and break the silence.
"What does mother want to talk so suddenly about?" She said, worry and uncertainty in her voice.
"Who knows." He said so indifferently that it got Sachiko to look at him. "Why asked me? I'm just a messenger."
"Again, this is about Yuuki, isn't it?" Sachiko said. "You're deranged."
Suguru scoffed, stepping hard on the accelerator to full speed until they arrived at the Ogasawara Mansion. He promptly stepped off the vehicle and dashed inside the mansion, leaving Sachiko in the passenger seat. Sachiko took a deep breath before slowly opening her eyes. A maid came down running to her aid and, with ginger steps, held her up till they reached the foyer. She was as surprised as she was woozy to see her mother looking at her with so much concern. Uneasiness instantly settled in the pit of her stomach. She pushed herself from the female servant and went closer to her mother. Sayako grabbed her in a tight embrace right away and, all of a sudden, sobbed quietly on her shoulder. "I am sorry, Sachiko." She said.
Before Sachiko could ask questions, Sayako pulled her into the hallway up to the grand staircase and into her office. She closed and locked the door in a hurry. "Mother, please tell me what's wrong." Sachiko said in frenzy.
Sayako finally locked eyes with her daughter. The look of worry and horror in her mother's face scared her. Sachiko shivered inwardly as the cold air from the opened balcony wrapped her colder body.
"Whatever your father will tell you, don't believe him." She told her.
Sachiko shook her head, trying to grasp what she said.
"Please, Sachiko, listen to me." Sayako clasped her face with her hands, steadying her. "Your father already knows about your lover." Sachiko gasped. She was petrified at her mother's declaration to put it mildly. "He knows and he is coming over to talk to you. He is mad, Sachiko, very, very mad." Sayako said, weeping. "Whatever he will tell you, do not believe him." She repeated with clear emphasis. She kissed Sachiko on the forehead and just then, the door shook with loud, dull thumps.
"Open up!" A rough, aggressive voice called behind the door.
Sayako frantically glanced between the wooden door and her daughter's horrified face. "It's all right. Do not be afraid, my dear. I will protect you. You are my daughter. I will not let anyone harm you." She said soothingly, brushing Sachiko's hair. She held her by the arm and opened the door. Three men immediately stepped inside the room. Sachiko recognized them as her father's security team.
"Touro-sama wants to see you." One of the guard, the taller and tougher-looking, said. His cold, unblinking eyes fixed on Sachiko.
Feeling her whole body stiffen, Sachiko did not move but stared at her mother. Sayako nodded, tears still flowing from her already puffy eyes. "I will not go anywhere. I will not leave your side."
"Hurry up!" The man demanded. "Touro-sama doesn't have all day."
Sayako and Sachiko went out of the room together and were directly escorted to the patriarch's office. Along the way, they met Suguru, who was flustered to see them right under the nose of three burly guards.
"Gokigenyou, Sayako-obasama. Where are you two heading?" Suguru said in a suspiciously cheery voice when not so long ago he was fuming. He cautiously approached the two women, furtively gauging the men's reactions.
"To your uncle's office," Sayako said. The message hidden in her tone was tenuous that both Suguru and Sachiko had hardly picked it up.
Suguru beamed innocently. "Oh, is that so? What a coincidence! I'm going there as well."
The guard in the middle stepped forward, blocking him from joining them. "I'm sorry, Kashiwagi-sama, but you can't come with us. Your business with Touro-sama can wait." He said.
Suguru raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me, and who are you? Who gave a peon like you the right to decide whether or not my business with Touro-ojisama can wait?" He said intimidatingly. "I believe I can go and see my uncle and father-in-law whenever I want." The guard dipped his head in apology as he drew a step back. Suguru pulled the lapels of his suit like a boss and positioned himself in between Sachiko and Sayako. "Let's go, ladies?"
The walk to Touro's office was extremely unpleasant. The atmosphere surrounding them was suffocating enough that Sachiko thought if they would stay a minute longer in the hallway, she would pass out. What's worse was the men at the back were watching them with gimlet eyes as if they were ready to strike at them anytime.
Her mother's cold, clammy hand affectionately stroking her skin did not help easing her dread the least bit. If anything, it only made her feelings worse.
The moment they got inside her father's office, her mother was clutching her more protectively to her side. Touro sat on a chair at the head of a long coffee table. Sachiko caught the flash of anger in his eyes, which turned to fury when he saw Suguru entering after them. He bent forward and grabbed hold of a glass and a battle of champagne. He was back leaning on his seat, pouring the exquisite liquid into his empty glass, when he finally graced them with his undivided attention.
"All of you, have a seat." He said after drinking his champagne.
Suguru took the seat closest to the man while Sayako sat two seats from him, Sachiko next to her.
"Isn't this wonderful, gathering around here like a big happy family that we are?" He said, displaying a wide, sarcastic smile. "Maybe I am just getting old, but I can't seem to remember inviting you two for a meeting." He poured himself another drink before speaking menacingly. "If you don't mind, I wish to speak with my daughter alone."
Sachiko could feel her mother tensed up on her seat, but was surprisingly able to retaliate just fine. "I think I have the right to be here as well as you are." She said. Her parents were shooting daggers with their eyes. No one was yielding when Suguru barged in unexpectedly.
"With all due respect, Touro-ojisama, as your successor and a substantial part of this family and your son-in-law, I believe I also have the right to stay, here with my fiancée." Suguru said with strong conviction, taking a quick glance at Sachiko. "Whatever it is that you wish to say to Sa-chan, you can say it in front of her future husband."
There was nothing but stillness in the room after Suguru spoke. Touro gradually dissolved into laughter. When he was done laughing or rather mocking, he regarded the boy with a fierce yet proud smile. "Very well, since you are so confident that Sachiko will marry you, I will let you all stay and hear what I am about to say to my beloved daughter." His expression was grim and forbidding when he looked at Sachiko. "I'm sure your mother already told you why I called you here."
"Touro," Sayako warned threateningly.
The man visibly ignored his wife's threat. He picked an envelope from the table and handed it over to the person adjacent. Suguru took the envelope wordlessly and unfastened its flap. His eyes grew alarmingly wide when he saw what's in it. He carelessly stood and passed the paper to Sachiko, who took it with reluctance.
"Take a look." Suguru told her. He was still standing before her when Sachiko did what she was told to do. Her breath hitched when she pulled out its contents. Several clear pictures of her and Yuuki were inside the envelope. Her kissing Yuuki with Suguru's appalled face in the background, them at Hanadera's standing so close, and earlier at her school when Yuuki was consoling her. They were shot holding hands.
"Are you still acting and trying to fool us?" Touro said. "Now that I know, I am immensely disgusted and scandalized—!"
"Touro!" Sayako stopped her, standing up with a rude, piercing cry. "That's enough!"
"What are you so afraid of, my dear wife?" Touro retorted tauntingly. "Our daughter needs to know. Her ignorance had caused us this sickening humiliation. If this would come out to the public, our family and social status were over."
Sayako turned to look at her daughter beseechingly. "Do not listen to him, Sachiko."
"I don't understand." Sachiko said, bewildered and overwhelmed by what was happening.
"You need to tell your father that that boy isn't your lover." Sayako said in tears. "Assure us that you are not in a romantic relationship with Fukuzawa Yuuki."
Sachiko wanted to laugh at their faces at the absurdity of it, but instead, she snapped and completely lost her composure. "I love who I love and you cannot force me to do everything you want!"
That's it. Touro flared up, jumping up on his feet and faced his wife with bared teeth. He showed nothing but utter rage as he roared to her face, "Is this what you want, letting your precious daughter disgrace this family!?"
Sayako squared up to her husband's aggression despite her fear. "I do not want this to happen, no one does, not even Sachiko!" She risked taking a step towards the man. "But you cannot tell her, Touro. It'll ruin everything you're working so hard for."
"Tell me what, mother?" Sachiko broke in on the heated conversation, glancing between her parents.
"She wants to know." He said to his wife. "Isn't this the perfect time to reveal our secret even my own father doesn't know?"
"Secret?" Sachiko looked at her mother for some sort of an explanation, but the woman refused to meet her gaze. "Mother, what is father talking about? What secret?"
"Touro, please." Sayako pleaded under her breath. She finally turned to her daughter when she discerned her husband wouldn't back down and grabbed her shoulders, shaking them in desperation. "Tell your father that Fukuzawa Yuuki isn't your lover, Sachiko. Please, tell him. Tell him, now!"
As impulses kicking in, Sachiko pulled herself from her mother's tightening grip. "What does Yuuki have to do with your secret? This does not make any sense at all!"
"It would make sense if only your mother was reasonable and brave enough to tell you the truth." Touro said.
"Touro," Sayako was badly shaking with tears and hatred for her husband.
"This is the only way to stop your daughter from bringing more shame and trouble onto this family, Sayako!" He told his wife. "I will not allow anyone, anyone, tarnish Ogasawara's reputation. If she keeps on doing what she wants, then I have no choice but to do what I think is best. I have to tell her the truth. It is the only way to stop her from completely destroying this family."
"What is this truth that you keep on saying? What do I need to know?" Sachiko drew closer to her father, walking past Suguru. But before she could proceed any further, her mother stopped her.
"Sachiko, don't." Sayako begged. "It's better for you not to know anything. Just tell your father what he wants to hear and this will be over."
Sachiko jerked her mother's hand off of her. "No, mother." She said defiantly. "I will not eat my words to please him, or this family. I am done acting and pretending to be a perfect daughter for everyone's sake. This is me. This is who I am." She paused momentarily when she felt another hand brushing her back. It was Suguru, coaxing her to stop. She shook her head, silently telling him that she wouldn't concede defeat. Not now. This was the best time to tell them the truth. She would fight until the end. "I will not marry, Suguru-san." She told them stubbornly. "The only one I will marry is Yu—"
"You can't marry your brother!" cried Sayako.
to be continued.
I am so sorry for the delay. No excuses, but I had the worst writer's block ever. Thanks to MsgmSY for the push and comforting words. It really helped me.
And please tell me your thoughts. 4 chapters more. Everything will be revealed.
Until next time, guys.