Blurred Lines
Disclaimer: I don't own Maria-sama ga Miteru or any of its characters. Credits to the author.
Gift
"You…want me to come up to your apartment?"
Yumi fidgeted in her seat, "Only if you want to." She muttered.
With the executive's forehead slightly creased, and with the unsure look of those blue eyes, Yumi felt like she had made a mistake in making that offer.
…
Ogasawara Sachiko then looked outside the car, "Are there any parking lots nearby?"
'Is she accepting my offer?'
"Does that mean…you're coming up?"
The executive looked at her questioningly, "You are the one who offered, why do you look so surprised? But I cannot just leave my car on the road, so if you know of any places where I could park, please let me know now."
The suggestion was made without thinking, which was why Yumi was stunned in disbelief that their managing director actually was coming up to her place. She reigned in her anxiety, not wanting to make her boss wait any longer, and pointed to a small road on the side leading to a parking lot behind the apartment building.
They took the stairs in silence with Yumi in the lead, and with her apologizing now and again about every little thing – how small the hallways were, how dimly lit the staircases were and finally, how cramped her apartment was.
Ogasawara Sachiko never said a word even as she took off her shoes and placed them neatly by the genkan, because what Yumi didn't know was that Sachiko had something on her mind.
Fukuzawa Yumi's house was a studio-type apartment. It was neat and clean, the walls painted cream and the ground covered in wooden floorboards. The far end of the wall had windows, currently hidden behind lacey white curtains that were fluttering with a gentle night breeze. To her left is a small kitchen and a door, which she guessed led to a bathroom. Straight ahead was a bigger space, separated from the kitchen through a kitchen counter. On her left was a bed, a side table and a dresser, while on the far right was a small dining table for two and which probably doubled as her working area.
"Ojama shimasu", Sachiko said as she entered the room and she could just see the small smile on Fukuzawa Yumi's face at her polite greeting, but decided to act like she didn't notice.
"You can sit over there, Miss Ogasawara." Fukuzawa pointed to the table across from the bed before she proceeded to fully open the window and let the cold night air in.
"Just some light snacks will do for me, Fukuzawa." Sachiko said as she watched Fukuzawa retraced her steps back to the kitchen, not wanting the other woman to go through all the trouble on her account.
"I can quickly make a tamago sando." The woman suggested. "And perhaps, tea?"
"That sounds good." Sachiko responded, as her hand reached for the small box in her bag.
Truthfully, Sachiko just wanted to have the chance to give the gift she bought Fukazawa for her birthday. She was having second thoughts on whether or not she should give it, after all, it was likely for Fukuzawa to find it strange upon finding out what the present meant to Sachiko.
'Will she accept it?'
"Ma'am, after the design, you will be working with the technical department next, right?"
"Yes."
"That would mean you have to work extended hours again?"
"Most likely."
Sachiko pulled her hand out of her bag and turned to look at Fukuzawa Yumi. She could see the younger woman just beyond the kitchen counter. The woman seemed to be a bit more talkative than normal, probably trying to be a good 'host' and engaging her in small talk. It was good to see her be relaxed – or try to be relaxed – around her, so Sachiko decided to give her full attention.
"You, on the other hand, will be going on vacation with your family, right?"
Fukuzawa suddenly stopped what she was doing and looked at her worriedly, "Oh. Sorry for being insensitive, I shouldn't have asked those questions."
"You should stop apologizing for every little thing. It was merely for conversation sake why I said that, and I am not in any way upset. I am used to working like this since I was in university and was a trainee under my father and grandfather. I've been under constant pressure, so I am quite used to it."
Sachiko herself was not usually this open about herself, however, she has long since realized that Fukuzawa Yumi has a way of breaking down her walls and taking off the masks that usually keeps her innermost thoughts hidden. When in front of the brown-haired woman, Sachiko was unafraid to be herself - not the executive nor the heiress that she is to everyone else.
"But it's still not easy, right? It couldn't be. If you are under constant pressure and stress, there will come a time wherein you will explode."
Sachiko's eyes widened upon hearing those words.
"My father said so himself. He runs a small architectural firm. My brother Yuuki is working alongside him so I am given a free pass, but they expect me to eventually help-out with the company. He said that while the company is important to him, he makes sure to leave everything behind once he leaves the office, because other than being the president, he is also a father and a husband."
Sachiko placed a hand on her chest as she felt her heart constricting, breath caught in her throat choking up the words she wanted to throw at Fukuzawa Yumi. But since the younger woman was busy preparing their meal, she seemed unaware of Sachiko's sudden burst of emotions.
"Father also said that what burdens him the most are the decisions he makes, especially those that affect his employees. Making choices that affect people's lives and their families is what usually weighs him down. That is why he started sharing his burden with his management team, he seeks their opinion before any major decision is made so that he hears everyone's opinions and – "
"Stop talking, Fukuzawa Yumi." Sachiko whispered in an undertone, but still it was heard as the other woman suddenly halted both in what she was doing and what she was saying.
Yumi was stunned upon hearing the dangerously low tone of the executive. It was as if the air suddenly got colder as a tense atmosphere enveloped them. She was momentarily confused as to what brought about the sudden change, she was just hoping to eliminate the awkwardness by trying to engage the big boss in a conversation. Yumi was still embarrassed at how cramped her apartment is and thought she'd make up for it by being a good host.
Yumi chanced a glance at her guest. The woman had her eyes down, her hands neatly folded on her lap, but her shoulders were slightly shaking.
"Have I said something to offend you?" Yumi asked worriedly.
"…"
Yumi's lips drew to a frown. Without another word, she picked up the plate of sandwiches, approached her boss cautiously and gently placed it in front of her. Yumi then turned around to get tea…
"Wait."
She felt a tug on the back of her shirt making her stop in her tracks.
"Don't turn around." The words were barely audible, but Yumi could make out the sadness laced in them. So, she quietly obliged, her hands dropping to the sides. She then heard the scraping of the chair against the floor, followed by the rustling of clothes before she felt arms pulling her by the waist…encasing her in a warm embrace.
Her body stiffened…her breath caught to her throat.
The person behind her then leaned her cheeks on Yumi's head.
'What is going on?!' Yumi screamed in her head, unsure what to make of her current situation. Her heart was threatening to burst out of her chest and she silently wondered if Ogasawara-sama could hear or feel it as well, especially when she was pulled much closer.
"Just stay still."
The voice Yumi heard was pleading…so uncharacteristic of the usually confident and intimidating director she knew.
It was then when Yumi's nervousness slowly dissipated and was replaced by concern. She wanted to say something, hoping to find a way to comfort Ogasawara-sama…but in the end decided to just do as she was told.
"I am so tired." Ogasawara Sachiko's voice was barely a whisper. "I am doing my best. I am doing everything I can to make sure we don't downsize or close down. But I cannot do everything in mere months. I am…" instead of words, Yumi heard quiet sobs and she felt tears well up from her own eyes as well.
"I am not perfect."
Ogasawara Sachiko sounded so pained that Yumi wanted to turn around and return the woman's embrace.
But she didn't.
Instead, Yumi just closed her eyes and allowed her own tears to fall. No more words were said, and Yumi just wished that what she was doing was enough – listening, allowing her to speak without being interrupted or judged, and letting her release her anxieties through this tight embrace.
Yumi gazed ahead, her vision blurred with tears. They were cloaked in silence, save for the sound of the few passing cars outside and the thump of her own beating heart. Her mind was blank, her body still and her breathing steady. Yumi knew she needed to reel in her emotions, to appear strong, and give the support Ogasawara Sachiko needed at that moment.
…
It took a few more minutes before Yumi felt the arms around her pulling away. Still, she didn't turn around. She remained standing, giving the other woman time to settle back down on her chair, before she made her way back to the kitchen as if nothing happened. While her back was to her, Yumi wiped her own cheeks on the cuffs of her shirt, then started making tea.
Their embrace was not in any way romantic, instead, it was emotionally painful…like Ogasawara Sachiko felt so burdened that she just needed to unload even a portion of that heavy weight on her shoulders. But the mere fact that she didn't want to be seen made Yumi think that she was still holding back…that she still has apprehensions of showing weakness nor to admit how burdened she was by the responsibilities given by her family and the expectations people had of her.
The only thing in Yumi's mind now was how best to support Ogasawara Sachiko. This thought never left her mind even as she walked back to her guest to serve the tea.
"I'm fine." The executive started. "Don't worry about me." She said with a small smile, as if reading Yumi's thoughts.
Yumi nodded.
They proceeded to eat in silence, Yumi unsure of what to say, afraid of cracking a joke to lighten up the mood. There was no oppressive atmosphere, no tense pressure between them.
Soon after, Yumi relaxed, thinking that maybe this is what Ogasawara Sachiko needed… a place where she could be herself, without anyone questioning her or expecting anything of her. Their quiet atmosphere was only broken when Ogasawara Sachiko shifted in her seat, the chair creaked as she reached for her bag and pulled out a small red box.
Yumi eyed it curiously as it was set down in front of her. It was exactly after she finished her own meal, thinking that maybe, the executive was observing her and waiting for this moment.
"This is for you." Miss Ogasawara said with a serene look on her face.
Yumi eyed the box, which she knew could only be a gift for her birthday. What puzzles her is why she was being given a present. It seemed impossible that their managing director would do this to each of her employees and a part of Yumi conceitedly thinks that she is being given special treatment…something which she doesn't deserve.
"The look on your face means you've guessed what it's for." The tone of the executive was thankfully back to normal when she spoke.
Yumi nodded her head, but still… "Why?"
"Am I not allowed to give my employee a present for her birthday?"
Yumi felt unsure whether Miss Ogasawara was trying to lighten up the mood or to sidestep the question – maybe both.
"Do you give all your employees presents for their birthday?" She said, voicing out her thoughts.
The executive donned a serious expression, "No, only you. Though you knew that already."
'…but still you've got the courage to ask that question…' was seemingly left unsaid.
Nevertheless, her boss' response made her blush.
"You may not have realized it, but you've been helping me out since I started at the Yokohama office. Our brief encounters were the only times when I could be myself. It is apparent in your eyes, you see me as me. Although you always look anxious, you are not afraid to speak up nor challenge me. Just like now." The woman paused, blue eyes softening, pink lips drawing up to a gentle smile, and a gaze that was heartwarming. "Is that enough of an explanation for you?"
Yumi was at a loss for words. She had no idea Ogasawara Sachiko saw her that way.
The woman then picked-up the box and pulled out the present for Yumi to see.
It was a rose gold rosary ring…
'Is that truly to be mine?'
"I know that what we have is unique, something that is quite difficult to label. If we both were high school students of Lillian, and you a grade below me, I would have asked you to be my soeur. The older sister guides, while the younger sister supports…and that's what you've been to me, someone who unknowingly supports me whenever I need it."
Yumi understood how special a soeur bond was because Yoshino-san had explained it to her once. That was why to be thought of as an imouto by a person such as Ogasawara Sachiko was something Yumi found to be unreal…something out of a fantasy novel.
"But since we are not in high school, I will not ask you to call me onee-sama." Ogasawara-sama giggled, "Instead, I will just request that you accept my gift of appreciation, for everything you've done for me so far…including lending me your shoulder and your ears tonight."
Ogasawara-sama then turned her body to face Yumi, their knees brushing into each other due to limited space. The woman then held the ring in front Yumi...an expectant gaze in her azure eyes.
Yumi was unsure if she should accept the gift, because despite Miss Ogasawara's explanation, she still felt like she hadn't done anything to help out the other woman – not consciously at least. She felt undeserving of this 'appreciation'.
This uncertainty must have been evident on her face because the executive suddenly added, with a hint of panic in her voice, "If you are still unconvinced that you deserve this gift, then how about you think of it as a reminder of a promise…"
"A promise?"
Ogasawara-sama nodded her head, "…a promise that you will lend me your shoulder should the time come that I need it again."
Hazel brown eyes met blue ones, as if trying to read the thoughts of the other.
"If you say it like that…then I will gladly accept." Yumi whispered. "If you need a shoulder to lean on, or someone to embrace" she added with a playful smile, "just let me know."
"You are the one who said those words, I hope you keep them." The way it was said made Yumi nervous somehow, like Miss Ogasawara already had some sort of a plan in mind.
She however brushed those fleeting feelings aside and still responded confidently, "Of course."
Miss Ogasawara then lifted the ring, those blue eyes twinkling, silently urging Yumi to lift her hand. Not wanting to make the other woman wait any longer – despite how embarrassing it was - Yumi lifted her hand, and Ogasawara Sachiko slipped it on the ring of her left finger. It was surprisingly a good fit and Yumi silently wondered if that had been a mere coincidence.
"Thank you for accepting."
Yumi admired the ring. It was embellished with ten small stones and with a small cross on top.
"It's beautiful." She commented sincerely.
"I am glad you like it." Ogasawara-sama said, before she stood up with her bag in hand. "Anyway, I won't stay any longer. I would like to catch some sleep to prepare for tomorrow's meetings."
Yumi glanced at the clock and was surprised that it was almost three in the morning. "Of course, ma'am. Thank you again. Let me walk you down."
Ogasawara-sama shook her head, "No need. Get some rest before you head back to Tokyo, Yumi." And with that she hurriedly left.
Yumi was already standing by her door, watching Ogasawara-sama's retreating back when she realized…
"Did she just call me by my name?"
A/N: Hello! I just had to put in the "rosary" part, albeit a version that fit into their current setting. I was thinking of this an Alternate Universe to 'Reset', in case you've read that fanfic. ^_^