(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)
At 10:30 the next morning, Yumi and Sachiko were standing in front of a bridal shop. "Let me get this straight, Sachiko. You want me to pick out your wedding dress. Didn't you already do that? After all the wedding is in a month?" Yumi asked her frowning, visibly upset by having her lovers impending wedding shoved into her face..
"At the time I didn't care, so I let my mother choose." Sachiko replied. "I have now reconsidered."
"But, I know nothing about wedding dresses." Yumi explained.
"I decided that I would like some fond memories of my wedding. It would mean a lot to me if I was wearing the dress you would choose for me if it was us getting married. I would like to smile when I look at my wedding picture." the black-haired girl elaborated.
'Doesn't she know what that will do me when she does get married.' Yumi thought, as she resigned herself to the fact that the fateful wedding will happen, and her lover will be stuck in a loveless marriage. Yumi forced a smile and said, holding the door so her girlfriend could enter. "I can never refuse you, love of my life."
Yumi was surprised when she entered the boutique. Instead of the racks of clothes and mannequins she expected, she was faced with a bare room containing only a service desk. The young lady behind the counter addressed Sachiko. "Ogasawara-san, nice to see you again. How may we help you?"
"I've changed my mind on the dress I chose earlier. Would it be possible for me to select another?" Sachiko told the sales lady.
"Let me check," the clerk said as she looked up the order on the computer in front of her. "We haven't started the alterations yet, so it should be fine." The sales lady added.
"That's excellent." Sachiko stated.
The sales clerk smiled and said, "Let me take you to a fitting room. Come with me." The two women followed the clerk down a long hallway with doors on each side. After opening a door, the clerk ushered the ladies in and told them. "Have a seat. I'll send some refreshments in. Your consultant will be with you shortly."
Yumi and Sachiko sat down in the plush armchairs and relaxed. Between them was a table with a binder on top. Sachiko gave the book to Yumi and said, "This is the store's inventory, look through it and see what you like."
Yumi took the book and proceeded to flip pages. A few moments later a girl came in pushing a cart containing tea and pastries. The girl poured tea for the two seated ladies and walked out of the room closing the door behind her. Over tea, Yumi showed Sachiko some of her choices and the girls discussed the pros and cons of each.
The consultant came in. She was a middle aged lady with black hair and dressed in a business suit. She came over and greeted Yumi and Sachiko, and the two girls pointed out their selections to her. The consultant dutifully wrote them down and told them that she'd be right back with them.
Minutes later the consultant came back in , pulling a rack containing the dresses they selected. Sachiko took each one behind a screen and tried them on. She came out after each dress in order to get Yumi's reaction and opinion. After they were done Yumi said, "They all look gorgeous on you Sachiko, but none of them jump out and say 'WOW'"
The consultant overhearing this suggested. "We do have some styles that aren't in the book, would you like me to bring them?"
"Yes, thank you." Sachiko responded and the consultant again left. The girls settled back into the cushy chairs and waited.
The consultant came back in with another rack of dresses. One of them caught Yumi's eye. It was a simple unadorned mermaid style wedding gown. She held it up and handed it to her girlfriend saying, "Try this one."
Sachiko took the selected dress behind the screen and in a couple moments came back out wearing it. When Yumi saw her lover, her jaw dropped and her face flushed. "You look HOT in that Sachiko." the younger girl said grinning devilishly.
Sachiko blushed hearing those words from her girlfriend. She really did look good in the dress, the material accentuating her voluptuous figure and hugging every curve. "I take it I should get this one then." The older girl said smiling.
Sachiko looked over the rack and brightened. "Yumi, could you try this one on for me?" she asked pulling a second gown off the rack. It was a frilly ballroom style dress with lots of lace and beads.
Yumi blushed and answered the taller girl, "but, I'm not the one getting married."
"Please Yumi. Indulge me. I never dreamed I'd ever see you in a wedding dress. And I would like to see you in this." Sachiko pleaded.
Yumi knew when she was beaten. "Sure," she said smiling at her lover, as she took the dress behind the changing screen. Coming out moments later, she twirled around.
Sachiko gaped. "You look simply gorgeous Yumi, just like Cinderella." Sachiko walked over to the blushing Yumi and asked, "May I kiss the bride?" Yumi nodded and the raven-haired goddess leaned over and passionately kissed her lover.
The two girls changed into their street clothes. Sachiko told the consultant that she'd take the mermaid dress and call to make an appointment for the fitting. The two girls left the boutique and went out to dinner. Over food Yumi noticed Sachiko frowning. "What's wrong, Sachiko?"
Sachiko replied, "I'm just thinking about how things will change between us after the wedding."
Yumi took Sachiko's hand to reassure the older girl. "I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."
"But it won't be the same as it is now." Sachiko said sadly, trying to hold back her tears. Yumi squeezed Sachiko's hand as her own heart started to break. After dinner, Sachiko had Yumi dropped off at home. Once they said their goodbyes, Yumi went into the house and picked up the phone. During dinner, Yumi had made a decision and was now acting on it, dialing determinedly. When the other party answered, Yumi said, "Hey Touko, I need a favor."
