Disclaimer: Maria-sama ga Miteru and all characters therein belong to Konno Oyuki, Nagasawa Satoru, Shuueisha, and Geneon Entertainment. I'm just borrowing them for nefarious (but nonprofit!) purposes.
Third set of drabbles: Yumi and Sachiko.

Obligation
In the beginning, Sachiko's interest in her wasn't sincere-- she was just a person who'd been in the right place at the right time. Sachiko first used her, then cared for her out of obligation.

Things are different now, Yumi assures herself, but sometimes, on days when she's down, or Sachiko's ignoring her, or everything is perfect but she still feels so completely inadequate and unworthy, she can't help but wonder if obligation is still the driving force behind Sachiko's feelings.

It isn't a pretty thought, but it's a valid one, and she can't seem to stop it from coming.

Second Impression
The first time Yumi visited the Ogasawara house, the thing that most struck her about it was the hugeness of it, the sprawling decadence; the stern iron gate marking the barrier between the world she knew and the world that was Sachiko's. She knew awe, and perhaps a touch of envy.

The second time Yumi visited the Ogasawara house, the thing that most struck her about it was the hugeness of it, the stark loneliness; so much sterile, empty space, nothing like the coziness of her family's own rather modest house. She knew sorrow, and perhaps a touch of pity.

Husk
Note: Told from Youko's POV.

You've changed, Sachiko.

The beauty of her youth has yet to fade, and the facade is as perfect as ever. But there is an emptiness to her now, a quiet sort of despair. She has been reduced to the person she is expected to be.

I'm sorry.

I've been so busy with my own life, my petty desires and dreams. I never noticed her slipping away, becoming less person and more inanimate object with each passing day. If only I had been there for her when she needed me.

If only...

It's because she's gone, isn't it? Your life's joy.

Maturity
Yumi remembers well the day Sachiko first began to accept her as a fellow adult.

Coming to visit the Ogasawara residence, she found Youko comforting a distraught Sachiko.

"Is something the matter?" She asked.

Youko said nothing; just gave her a knowing look and then returned to her task.

After a few moments, Sachiko pulled herself together. "It would be best if you went home, Yumi," she said. "This is not an affair you should hear of."

"You can speak to me of these things," Yumi said. "I'm no longer a child."

"No," said Sachiko, "I suppose you are not."

Revelation
There are fragments of her on the pillow, and scattered round the room. She isn't sure she can put herself back together again.

Yumi does it for her, gathering the pieces and assembling them with loving dedication.

She is whole again now, but she has become something more; she feels as though she has touched the depths of the universe. She sees everything with such clarity now, and such distance. It is quite an odd experience.

She comes back to herself in Yumi's arms, her body damp with sweat.

"Your turn now," she says, her voice foreign, hoarse.

Yumi smiles.

Letting Go
The end of the day draws near; it is time now for the sun to sink below the horizon.

They do not want to believe it. She cannot be leaving. Not Ogasawara Sachiko. Time may pass for others; not her.

There is a second-year sitting outside the school building, crying her eyes out. Yumi doesn't know her personally, but she's seen her around. She steps forward and offers the girl her handkerchief. As the girl takes it, Yumi realizes, too late, that it was the one Sachiko gave her for Christmas so long ago. Tears pool in her own eyes.

Utterly Perfect Imperfection
When Sachiko dances, it is beauty in motion. Effortless, graceful, flawless in form.

There's also something distant about it, as though she is untouchable; human hands are not suited for her body.

When you look closer, it becomes rigid, confining. She is following a pattern dictated to her by others, as she has all her life. A perfect china doll, fully automated.

Only a select few have had this revelation, her two soeurs primary among them.

Youko took the doll off its shelf, but it is up to Yumi to breathe life into it.

Sachiko and Yumi dance, clumsily imperfect.