A/N: Since some of you wanted the next chapter, here it is then. But don't think it's done already ha ha :) :)

Chapter 4.1. At The House

"Where are we going, Onee-sama?" Yumi asked after she visibly calmed down from her shock, shock that Sachiko was driving. She could hardly believe it when a sleek, red sports car pulled in their driveway and her shock doubled when Sachiko came out from the driver's seat.

"You'll see," Sachiko replied with a smile, still enjoying Yumi's reaction.

"Another surprise?"

"Soon, Yumi, soon."

Yumi wanted to probe Sachiko but held herself and decided to just enjoy the moment. It had been a few weeks since the two of them became alone together. After their dinner date, they weren't able to go out again because classes had started and she became busy with classes and the Yamayurikai now that she was Rosa Chinensis. And of course, Sachiko was also busy with college. Despite her frequent visits to Sachiko and Sei at Lillian University, those times were incredibly short.

"Here we are," Sachiko said, which brought Yumi out of her reverie.

Yumi looked around and saw a tall gate opened automatically. Once inside, she could see a beautifully landscaped garden and a two-storey house. Questions flooded her mind as Sachiko parked the car and then as they headed to the front door.

"Uhm, Onee-sama, whose house is this?"

Yumi's question remained unanswered even until they were inside the huge living room. She looked around in awe. The wall was adorned with simple yet elegant, and for sure expensive, paintings. At the middle of the room were equally beautiful and elegant couches surrounding a glass table with an expensive looking vase full of blooming fresh red roses. At the left side of the room was a grand piano and…wait.

Heart thumping, Yumi turned to a smiling Sachiko.

"Onee-sama, don't tell me that this house is…this house is…is…" Yumi had trouble saying what she wanted to say.

Sachiko raised her eyebrows.

"What can you say about my home, Yumi?"

Sachiko broke into fits of laughter when Yumi's eyes went impossibly big with surprise.

"Y-your home?"

Yumi worked her jaw to function. This house was Sachiko's? But…but…She couldn't believe it. On the second thought, Sachiko having a house of her own wasn't really surprising considering her family's wealth. They could have as many houses, or mansions, as they wanted. But what really was surprising was that Sachiko was here, meaning she wasn't with her parents. Her parents let the princess out of their palace?

"Yes, Yumi. This is my home now."

"B-but, your parents? Sayako-obasama and…"

"They are at the Ogasawara mansion. You can't expect them to live in this small house."

"Small?"

Did her Onee-sama just call this house small when in fact it looked as big, no, it was definitely bigger than their own house.

"Yes. Would you like to look around?"

Yumi nodded, speechless. Well, if you would compare this house with the Ogasawara mansion, then it was really very small.

Sachiko toured Yumi around the house. The kitchen was well spaced and complete with utensils. There was a study room and the three guest rooms called red room, yellow room and white room, which were definitely named after the three roses in Yamayurikai and of course matched the rooms' colors. The guest rooms were huge and beautiful, but they were nothing compared to the master's, or in Sachiko's case, mistress' bedroom. It wasn't as huge as Sachiko's room in the Ogasawara mansion, but still, it was huge and magnificent, and the four-poster canopy bed stood imposing at the middle of the room. Also, there was a terrace that overlooked the garden and, to Yumi's another surprise, a rose-shaped swimming pool.

"Onee-sama, this is really your house?" She asked foolishly for the lack of something to say.

"Yes. This is what I asked for graduating at Lillian," Sachiko said matter-of-factly.

Yumi's jaw dropped.

"G-graduation gift?"

"Yes. I wanted to try and live on my own. They don't mind as long as I'll visit the mansion frequently and of course, I'll be working part-time in our company soon."

"Y-you're going to work?"

Yumi was incredulous.

Sachiko smiled wistfully.

"Yes. Since I've met you, I longed to try new things. You showed me that there are other things aside from school and home."

Yumi couldn't help but blush at those words.

"And you're alone here?"

At the question, Sachiko grimaced.

"Not really. I have two bodyguards there, at the gate. And once a week, household helpers come and clean the house and outside. As if I couldn't do it by myself," Sachiko added as an afterthought.

Yumi smiled.

"You can't possibly study and work and then do household chores, Onee-sama. You'll be worn out."

"Yes, I guess so. Come, let's go downstairs."

As they were about to go out of the room, Yumi noticed another sliding door that she hadn't taken a look yet.

"Onee-sama, what is that door for?"

Sachiko sighed and then said, "It's to the Jacuzzi."

"Jacuzzi?!"

By the time Sachiko showed her the swimming pool and the bar beside it, Yumi was feeling dizzy already by the luxury.

"Yumi, are you alright?" Sachiko asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, Onee-sama. It's just…the water looks inviting."

Sachiko frowned at the sudden change of topic but seeing the excited look in Yumi's face, she smiled.

"Do you want to take a swim?"

"Yes."

A/N: Do you think something will happen? You'll find out soon :)

Again, Arigato for reading!

---Arvendell---

04 February 2008