A/N - Nope, don't own these characters, but I gotta love 'em.
Chapter 30
The next evening Yumi had to ban Sachiko from her hospital room just to get the older woman to leave on the business trip with her father. "Kiss me and go!" Yumi stated forcefully, pointing toward the open doorway.
"How can I lea-"
Sachiko was cut off by Yoko stepping in and guiding her by hand to Yumi's side. Yumi wasted no time in drawing the flustered Sachiko into a passionate kiss before releasing her back into Yoko's charge.
"Onee-sama, Yumi needs me. I can't go!" Sachiko fought as she was ushered to the doorway.
"She always needs you, Sachiko. That's what it means to love someone as deeply as you love each other. However," Yoko's smile reflected in her eyes as she spoke. "We can't always be by the side of the one we love most. Sometimes we must step away, but we can look forward to our return all the more because of it." Stopping in the doorway, she held Sachiko by the shoulders as she spoke. "Trust me, she will be fine while you are away. We will all take good care of her for you."
Sachiko, still reluctant to leave, turned back to Yumi who was smiling at her affectionately from across the room. The stark white of the bandage on her forehead served as a vivid reminder of the night before and how, for an instant, Sachiko had once again been faced with losing her petite soeur and lover. "I don't want to leave you." She said simply.
"I know." Yumi's smile never wavered.
"I don't know when I'll be back."
"I know."
"If I kiss you again I won't be able to leave." Instead of taking a step into the room, toward her lover's side, Sachiko took a deliberate step away, backward into the hallway.
Even from the distance, Sachiko could see the single tear trailing its way down Yumi's cheek as she mouthed once more "I know."
Without another word, for fear of losing the last of her will, Sachiko turned and marched down the hallway under her own power. She would be strong, just like Yumi. She would do what she must, no matter how it tore at her heart to leave her now. It was only when she stepped into the elevator that Sachiko noticed Yoko still by her side.
"Take care of her, Onee-sama."
"Have no fear, Sachiko. She'll be back in your arms before you know it." Yoko knew Sachiko's innermost feelings. She knew her fears sometimes better than Sachiko did herself. "She will still be here when you get back. Oh, before I forget." Yoko reached into her bag and pulled out a slender-looking smartphone. "Your grandfather had someone deliver this for you today. You were already here so I took delivery."
"A phone?" Sachiko accepted it with confusion.
"Yes, apparently it's the best on the market. This note came with it." Yoko handed a small piece of paper over.
Taking it gingerly, Sachiko unfolded the paper and read the words written in the all too familiar script of her grandfather's hand.
Sachiko-chan, my beloved granddaughter. You have never been one to take the easy path, have you? A path paved smoothly for your future could never have been accepted by you. I know this now. Your father has opened my eyes to your recent choices. While I cannot say I agree with your choices, I cannot deny the pride I feel in you at standing by your convictions. That includes this love you feel for Fukuzawa Yumi. This is not an easy path. In fact, it is quite possibly the hardest path you could have chosen to walk. While I do not understand it and this old heart of mine feels the urge to fight you on it, I will instead respect your decision. Your parents and I have raised you to be strong in your convictions and to be resolute in all you do. How could I now seek for you to do otherwise?
So, my beloved Sachiko-chan, as a small testament to my acceptance of your will, I gift you and Yumi-chan with these phones. They are top of the line, internationally compatible, and will ensure you are connected to each other no matter where either of you is, geographically speaking.
Do not take this as my having no expectations of your Fukuzawa Yumi. Just as any other who would join the Ogasawara family, Fukuzawa will need to prove herself capable before I embrace her wholeheartedly, but I must request that you have enduring patience for your aging grandfather. This is beyond my traditional sentimentalities and is difficult to become accustomed to. These phones should at least show you I am willing to try. I pray to whatever divinity might be listening, that you understand what this old heart is trying to say.
Safe trip and swift return,
Ojiisan
When would she stop with this constant flow of tears? Ever since the day Yumi had first driven away on that motorcycle Sachiko had been shedding an obscene amount of tears. It was beyond embarrassing for the usually stoic young woman. At that moment she was thankful that Yoko was the only one to witness her tears. While it was still embarrassing, she knew Yoko would not think more of it than she should. Additionally, she knew Yoko secretly encouraged the tears. Yoko had always said Sachiko kept her emotions too close to her chest. Now it seemed she was having the opposite issue.
As if sensing her feelings, Yoko silently handed her a tissue and a pair of dark sunglasses as they stepped out into the hospital foyer. This is where Yoko would leave her and return to Yumi's bedside. "Thank you, Onee-sama," Sachiko whispered as she quickly wiped her eyes and nose before setting the glasses securely on the bridge of her nose.
Yoko merely smiled. "I don't think I've said this to you yet, Sachiko, but I am proud of you."
"Huh? Onee-sama?"
"You have finally learned what it is to fully open up and speak the words that are written on your heart. You've finally learned to embrace the imperfections that are love and relationships." Yoko's smile broadened as she spoke. "To think it was to be Fukuzawa Yumi, a girl wholly unknown to either of us two years ago, that would change your heart so dramatically. Maria-sama is smiling on you, Sachiko." Comfortingly, Yoko cupped the cheeks of her petite soeur and whispered, "I cannot find it in me to think that you both were brought together now only to be torn apart by this illness. Take heart and have faith, dear little sister." With that, Yoko kissed Sachiko's forehead and turned her toward the door where a black car waited for her departure to the airport.
Without any words of farewell, Sachiko made her way to the car and departed for the airport. In her heart, she could only pray, hope, and wish that Yoko was right. In the end, she needed to have faith.