Yumi looked around their room timidly as she closed the door, her eyes searching for her Onee-sama. Where was Sachiko-sama? Had she become so angry that she'd left her alone? Had she gone home?
Entering the bathroom, Yumi thought back to the angry look Sachiko had given her as she'd wrapped the towel around her body. Her words had been just as harsh.
'Dry yourself off Yumi,' she'd said, the words sounding as if they'd come from an army general rather than a loving big sister. Why was she so cold?
It was all her fault, Yumi realised. She'd been unable to stop herself from staring at Sachiko. What had she been thinking? The girl had forgiven her the first time, but what had possesed her to repeat her offending behaviour?
No wonder she was so miffed...
Yumi paused then as she hung her towel next to Sachiko's to dry. She was pleased to see that at least the girl's stuff was still here.
'Sachiko-sama was miffed...'
'Sachiko-sama acts miffed when she's embarrassed...'
Entering the bedroom, Yumi couldn't help but smile at the thought. She now understood Sachiko's reaction. The girl had simply been embarrassed.
That was totally understandable. She too was more than a little embarrassed. She'd been caught ogling her Onee-sama's body. And if she wasn't mistaken, Sachiko-sama had taken the time to look at her as well.
She hadn't been so frozen and caught up in thought that she'd missed the look Sachiko had given her.
Yumi blushed at the memory. What had Sachiko-sama been thinking? Did she measure up?
Yumi tapped her forehead in reprimand. Measure up to what? She was the girl's petite seour. Nothing more. It's not like she wanted the girl to find her attractive enough to make love to...
Yumi froze at that thought.
'No! '
She had no right thinking along those lines.
'Stop it,' she chastised herself.
'What you're thinking is ridiculous. Sachiko-sama is a lady from an honorable family. She would never even entertain that kind of idea. Just because you felt her react to your touch...felt the way her breath quickened as you massaged her neck...felt the tightening of her nipples as she pressed them against your back...'
'No! ' Yumi shook her head. 'That doesn't mean anything. You're just over-reacting. Even if she did feel something, Sachiko-sama is a lady. She would never act on those feelings. Face it Yumi, she will never be anything but your Onee-sama. She loves you...that should be enough.'
Yumi sighed.
Was it enough? After what had transpired between them inside the hot-spring enclosure, Yumi had come to realise the truth about her feelings.
Her feelings ran deeper than that of a sister. But what about Sachiko? What did she feel? Yumi wasn't so dense not to realise that something had clicked for the older girl as well. Would she ever act on those feelings? Or was it best to forget they even existed?
She knew about Sachiko's family situation. Was aware of the fact that she could never have a romantic claim on the girl. She was already taken. In fact, Sachiko had once told her that she did love her fiance, even though he didn't feel the same way. Did she still feel that way? Would she ever find the courage to stand up to her family and denounce the engagement if those feelings had changed? Did she even have the right to ask Sachiko to do something like that?
With a sigh, Yumi stepped out of her robe and quickly dressed herself in a comfortable pair of jeans and her favourite T-shirt. Exiting the bedroom, she sat herself down on the sofa and turned on the TV.
'Where's Sachiko-sama? ' Yumi couldn't help but wonder as she began flicking through the channels. Her earlier panic had subsided once she'd seen the girl's things, but she was still worried.
Her concern was nullified a moment later at the sound of the door opening.
"Onee-sama," she greeted the girl with a smile, leaping up off the sofa to meet her half way.
"Oh good," Sachiko smiled. "You're back. I was just getting us some cold Oolong Tea." Sachiko held up a couple of plastic bottles which she proceeded to place on the kitchen bench. "You're mother went to all the trouble of making us a boxed-lunch so I thought it might be fun to have a picnic. The weather's good for it, there's not a cloud in sight and there's a lovely spot not too far from here. The leaves turn an amazing red colour around this time of year."
"A picnic?" Yumi grinned at the idea. "I'd love to. I'll go grab a blanket...oh I didn't pack one."
"It's okay," Sachiko reassured. "I did."
A few moments later, the two girls were exiting arm-in-arm out the door.
Sachiko looked over at her petite seour with a warm smile as she pondered of their time together. They'd walked hand in hand through the woods, enjoying the sight of Autumn's effect on the trees. This was truly her favourite time of year.
Once they'd found a suitable spot, she'd quickly laid down the blanket while Yumi had unwrapped their food. They'd eaten in companionable silence, occasionly commenting on the quality of the food or the beauty of the surrounding nature.
She now felt full, content, and a little drowsy.
"Are you tired Onee-sama?" Yumi questioned as Sachiko lifted a hand to cover an inevitable yawn.
"Hmm, a little," she acknowledged.
"Lets have a nap," Yumi suggested. "It's so nice out here and I don't think we'll be disturbed."
Sachiko nodded at the idea, lazily moving to help Yumi pack up their stuff. "I'd like that."
A moment later, she found herself lying on her back with Yumi's body curled up at her side. The girl was using her chest as a pillow and Sachiko couldn't help but smile at the sight. She moved her hand tenderly over Yumi's shoulders until it came to rest at the girl's lower back. With a content sigh, she pulled her small body even closer to her own as she allowed the sweet state of slumber to overtake her.
Sachiko awoke a little while later to find Yumi's eyes gazing up at her with adoration. She smiled fondly at the younger girl, instinctively lifting her hand to caress her cheek.
"Hi," she greeted her petite seour with a gentle tone. "Did you have a good nap?"
"Mmm hmm," Yumi replied, making no move to get up. "I think I could stay like this forever."
Sachiko laughed softly, her thumb tracing a small circle over the girl's cheekbone, enjoying the Yumi's skin warmed at her touch.
"Hmm, I don't think I want to move either. It's been a long time since we've been able to lay around like this."
"Yeah," Yumi agreed. "Not since summer. I'd love to visit your summer house again. Just the two of us. I love spending time alone with you."
Sachiko's smile widened in response. "Me too, Yumi. I'm happiest when it's just the two of us."
Yumi frowned then and moved out of Sachiko's arms, taking a seat at the edge of the blanket.
"What's wrong Yumi?" Sachiko sat up and moved to sit next to Yumi. What was troubling her?
Yumi sighed as she met her eyes, surprising Sachiko with a sudden sadness.
"Yumi?"
Yumi sighed again. "I'm gonna miss you Onee-sama. When you graduate..."
"Oh..." Sachiko's mood turned pensive. "I'll miss you too Yumi. But you'll be okay. You'll have the Yamayurikai, Noriko-chan, Shimako-san and Yoshino-san, to keep you company. And don't forget Touko-chan. Your petite seour is a handful. I'm sure my cousin will keep you on your toes. You'll probably be so busy you won't even think about me..."
"No!" Yumi moved closer and grasped Sachiko's hands with her own. "I'll never forget you Onee-sama. Didn't I tell you that you're always in my thoughts," she brushed a thumb over her charm bracelet in emphasis. "I don't know what I'm gonna do without you..."
"Come here Yumi," Sachiko spread her arms and welcomed her petite seour into a warm embrace. She carresed her hair tenderly as the girl burried her face against her chest. "It'll be okay Yumi," she leaned down and whispered into her ear. "My thoughts are always with you," Sachiko blushed at the admission.
"Really?"
"Oh Yumi," Sachiko tightened her hold on the younger girl as she felt her own emotions start to well up inside. "Don't you know how much I care for you? Your face is the first one that comes to mind when I wake up each morning, and each night before I go to sleep it is your face that ushers me into slumber. Yumi...I've never felt so strongly about anyone before. Sometimes the intensity of my feelings scare me. But I want you to know...no matter how far apart we are, we shall always be together in some form."
Yumi pulled away from the embrace to meet Sachiko's gaze.
"Onee-sama," she spoke with tears in her eyes. "Onee-sama...I...I love you so much."
Tears formed in Sachiko's eyes as Yumi fell back into her arms and she felt gentle sobs wrack the girl's body. She could do nothing but stroke her hair gently as the tears began to fall down her own cheeks as well.
"Yumi," Sachiko finally spoke the girl's name once her tears began to subside.
"I wasn't sure where I wanted to go...what universities to apply for. My parents want me to take the exam of every prestigious univerisity in this country and abroad. They want me to have the best education...and I had every intention of doing as they please. I would go wherever they wanted me to go. I've always done exactly what they wanted. Their approval is very important to me. But, since meeting you...my priorities have changed. I've become a stronger person."
Sachiko paused then. She guided Yumi away from her just enough so that she could meet her gaze. She need to show the girl what she was feeling.
"I've come to realise something," she looked deep into Yumi's eyes, her voice wavering slightly with emotion.
"It's okay to do what will make me happy. You've made me realise that. And it's not until just now that I've come to a decision. I want to stay in Tokyo. I don't want to leave your side. If that makes me a weak person, then I don't care. I need you Yumi. With you by my side I feel stronger. I have no intention of going abroad or interstate."
Yumi's eyes widened in surprise, and a whole flood of emotions were revealed. "You don't?"
Sachiko gazed lovingly at her petite seour and gently lifted her hand back to the girl's cheek. She smiled warmly when Yumi lifted her hand to the back of hers, holding her palm in place against her cheek.
"I don't Yumi. There are some very prestigious universities right here in Tokyo and I'm sure my parents will be more than happy If I chose one of them. But, I'm not going to waste my time taking exams for universities I have no intention of attending. I'd rather spend that time with you. Because I do know that even if I attend a university close by, it won't be the same as it is now. So I don't want to waste any opportunity I have to spend time with you. But I also want you to know that we won't be too far apart next year either. I promise."
"You promise?" Tears were now streaming down Yumi's cheeks as she gazed up at her, the girl's face an emotional roller coaster.
"I promise Yumi," Sachiko choked back her own tears. Lifting both hands to Yumi's cheeks, she tenderly wiped away the droplets, her gaze never once leaving her petite seour's.
They looked at one another for a long moment, neither girl able to speak.
It was Yumi who finally broke the silence.
"Onee-sama," she began hesitantly, a bashful look in her eye.
"Yumi?"
"Can you seal the promise?"
Sachiko's brow furrowed in response. "How?"
Yumi blushed and she appeared to hesitate for a moment, as if changing her mind.
"Yumi?" Sachiko questioned, speaking the girl's name tenderly, in an effort to reassure her.
Sachiko looked down quizically as Yumi's cheeks became even redder and the girl looked away, embarrassed.
"With a...a kiss."
Sachiko blinked a couple of times, unsure if she'd heard the girl correctly. "A kiss?"
Yumi blushed again and moved to take a step back. "I'm sorry Onee-sama. I don't know why I said that. I was just kidding," she giggled nervously.
"Yumi!" Sachiko interjected, reaching for Yumi's shoulders to stop her from moving.
As Sachiko looked down at Yumi, taking note of her flushed cheeks, she realised exactly what kind of a kiss the girl had meant.
Unbidden, an answering blush appeared on her own cheeks. The thought of kissing Yumi was something she'd only entertained in her deepest dreams - dreams whose existence she refused to even acknowledge.
As she continued to contemplate the girl's request, she found her thoughts drifting back on the day's events. Her blush deepened as she remembered the way her thoughts at the time had been anything but sisterly.
And now...the girl was merely asking for a kiss. Could she give Yumi what she wanted without crossing the boundaries of their relationship? Or was it already too late for that? What was she to do?
She couldn't just keep staring at the girl...looking deep into those hazel eyes...that sweet button nose, her oh so inviting full red lips.
Sachiko slowly lowered her face until her forehead was pressed against Yumi's, never once breaking eye contact. She could see the uncertainty in the girl's eyes, but was moved by the love she saw there and a little surprised by the hint of desire.
God help her, but she could no longer resist her feelings. Who had she been kidding? Yumi was more to her than just a little sister.
Feeling free for the first time in her life, Sachiko closed her eyes and bridged the final distance that separated her lips from Yumi's.
Sachiko couldn't move at first, her lips frozen against Yumi's as she initiated their first kiss. She merely sat there unmoving, her lips pressed against Yumi's, her mouth half open and her heart pounding in her chest while her hands lay motionless against the girl's cheeks.
After a moment, she began to tremble. Yumi's lips were so soft below her own that she found herself wanting to explore them in more detail.
She'd never actually kissed anyone before, not even her fiance. She'd always been quick to slap away any advances, so she wasn't too sure if she was doing it right.
Pushing away the thought, Sachiko gave in to instinct as she began to move her lips against Yumi's. She brushed over them softly, opening and closing her lips as she tasted her sweetness.
The younger girl reached for her instantly and timidly placed one hand against the back of her neck while the other made its way around her waist.
Sachiko trembled at the girl's touch and increased the pressure of her mouth. She moaned when Yumi's lips parted and they started to move slowly against hers.
Sachiko flicked out her tongue and pressed it against the entrance of Yumi's lips. The girl opened her mouth timidly, allowing her full access to explore the warm expanse of her mouth.
A second later, her tongue had found Yumi's and Sachiko once again moaned softly, her body trembling slightly as she heard an answering moan from Yumi.
She allowed herself the luxury of sliding her tounge against Yumi's for a long moment.
When she finally pulled away, her heart was pounding in her chest.
Opening her eyes slowly, she met Yumi's gaze shyly, her hands dropping to her sides as she broke away from their embrace.
"Sealed with a kiss," Sachiko said the words huskily, her eyes darting away from Yumi's.
She could not remember a time in her life when she'd felt more shy or self-concious than at this very moment. How was one supposed to react after sharing an intimate kiss?
They stood in silence, neither girl knowing how to proceed, their eyes looking anywhere but at each other.
It was Sachiko who finally spoke up.
"That was my first kiss," she admitted with red cheeks.
Yumi looked up in surprise, meeting Sachiko's eyes for only a second before looking away again.
"Mine too," Yumi revealed with an answering blush.
"I see..."
"Are you sorry?" Yumi questioned, a hint of uncertainty entering her tone.
"No Yumi," Sachiko reassured, gaining enough courage to reach for the girl's hands. She smiled as Yumi met her gaze, doing her best to keep her voice from shaking.
"In fact," Sachiko continued with every ounce of courage she had left in her body. "I think I'd like to kiss you again sometime. With your consent of course."
Yumi blushed sweetly as a shy smile graced her lips. "I'd like that."
Sachiko felt her own cheeks turn a shade darker. "Lets go back to our room Yumi. I think we have a lot to discuss."
Yumi agreed quickly.
"Yumi, after all that's happened today, I think we need to be completely honest with each other."
Sachiko turned to face Yumi on the sofa where they sat, her words coming out clear and concise. She'd thought long and hard as they'd walked back up to their room and she was determined to overcome her past weakness. She was done hiding her feelings.
Something very important had been put into motion today and Sachicko was unable to ignore it. When she'd kissed Yumi, the emotional dam inside her had finally broken. She now felt as if her personal freedom was hinging on the events that were about to take place.
"I agree," Yumi's words bought a smile to Sachiko's lips.
"In all honesty, I'm a little nervous," she admitted with a blush. "I'm not sure how to proceed. This situation is a little overwhelming for me."
Yumi reached over and took Sachiko's hands into her own, a shy smile on her lips. "Me too..."
Sachiko frowned nervously, her eyes darting away from Yumi's for a moment before looking back up.
"Yumi...about the kiss we shared...are you really okay with it?"
Yumi nodded. "Shouldn't I be asking you that question? I mean, I haven't pushed anything onto you that you don't want?"
"What is it you think I might not want?"
Yumi blushed and looked away. "I'm not sure...me..."
"You?"
"Us," Yumi struggled to explain what was going through her head. "A... A girlfriend... A lover..."
Yumi let go of Sachiko's hands as the word left her lips.
"Is that what you want Yumi? Do you want me as your girlfriend? As your l-lover?" Sachiko couldn't help but struggle with the word, a deep blush marring her cheekbones.
"I don't want to lose you as my Onee-sama," Yumi looked up at Sachiko with earnest, her features an open book as the love she felt for the older girl washed over her.
"But I also know that my feelings for you are more than that. I love you so much it sometimes hurts when I can't be around you. I might be naive when it comes to matters of the heart, but I do know that the love I have for you has developed into more than just that of a sister."
"Yumi..." Sachiko squeezed the girl's hands as tears began to form in her eyes.
Closing her eyes to blink away her own tears, Yumi struggled to continue.
"If having you as my Onee-sama is all that you want, then I would gladly push aside my feelings."
Yumi paused then, her eyes becoming more serious than Sachiko had ever seen them.
"I love you Sachiko," Yumi spoke the words clearly and without hesitation, speaking only her given name for the first time since they'd met. "My biggest fear is not having you in my life. If the kind of love I speak of is not something you could ever return, or is something you find offensive...please forgive me. I would never force my feelings onto you."
Sachiko was speechless. She wasn't worthy of having such feelings directed at herself. She was far from perfect. She was selfish, hysterical, over emotional, arrogant, self-centred, self-indulgent, weak and completely undeserving of the love this wonderful girl spoke of.
But being the selfish person that she was, she could not refuse it. How could Yumi not realise how much she needed her? There was no one else in this world that she loved as much as the young woman sitting before her. Not her parents, her grandfather, her younger cousin, or her fiance. The only person she really needed in her life was Yumi.
"Sachiko?"
Sachiko was startled out of her thoughts by Yumi's use of her first name. This was the second time she'd spoken it now and Sachiko had to admit, she really liked the way it rolled off the girl's tongue.
"I'm sorry Yumi," she apologised, realising she'd kept the girl waiting unnecessarily.
"I see," tears formed in Yumi's eyes as she leapt off the couch.
Sachiko quickly leapt after her, instantly realising her mistake.
"Yumi, wait!" Sachiko easily caught up with Yumi and deftly wrapped her arms around the girl's waist, holding her firmly in place.
"I don't think you understood my meaning," Sachiko tightened her hold as she spoke, dropping her chin to Yumi's shoulder. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of Yumi's hair, indulging herself for a moment before turning Yumi around in her arms so they were once again facing one another.
"I was apologising because I kept you waiting," Sachiko explained, her hands moving up to Yumi's shoulders.
"I see..."
"Yumi," Sachiko spoke her name tenderly, her eyes softening. "My beloved Yumi...I don't deserve you. I'm truly not worthy of your love. But I am selfish. I want to be happy. And do you know what makes me the happiest in this world, Yumi? It's you. I've never been one to laugh or to let loose without reason. I've always done what was right and expected of me. Since I met you my life has turned around. I've found myself enjoying little things I hadn't noticed before."
"Sachiko..."
"I love you my dear Yumi. Don't ever doubt that."
Sachiko lowered her forehead to Yumi's, her cheeks flushed with emotion.
"My Yumi," she allowed her breath to fall against Yumi's lips as she spoke. "I'm very much in love with you. I want to keep you as my petite seour, but I also want you as my girlfriend...and eventually as my lover."
Yumi's eyes flew open in surprise, blushing at the sound of the word lover coming from the older girls lips. "Sachiko..."
"Kiss me Yumi," Sachiko demanded, her eyes locked with Yumi's.
With tears in her eyes, Yumi quickly obliged.
Sachiko opened her lips for Yumi immediately and pulled the girl's body close to her own.
She enjoyed the softness of the girl's lips, allowing her own to slide against them leisurely at first, until eventually she was meeting Yumi's tongue with her own.
Yumi pulled away as thier kiss deepened, her breath coming in short gasps.
"Sachiko..."
"Yumi..."
"Where do we go from here?" Yumi blushed nervously.
Sachiko moved forward to wrap her arms tenderly around Yumi. "I don't know Yumi," she spoke the words as she placed a loving kiss against the top of her head. "I feel very nervous, but also very free. I just want to be with you."
"Can we go shopping?" Yumi suggested.
It wasn't quite what Sachiko had in mind, but it would be good for them to focus on something else after the emotional roller coaster they'd just been on.
"Sure Yumi."
Yumi grinned and tightened her arms around Sachiko.
Looking down at the younger girl with adoration, Sachiko reached for her cheeks and guided her gaze upwards. "I love you," she said huskily and pressed her lips firmly against Yumi's.
She kissed her for only a moment before pulling away slightly.
Wanting more, Sachiko quickly returned to recapture Yumi's lips, this time running her tongue against her lower lip as she took it into her mouth. She pulled back breathlessly a moment later, her eyes half open as she struggled for breath.
"I'm sorry Yumi," she spoke with a glint in her eye. "But your lips are just too sweet."
Sachiko couldn't believe her own words, but was intrigued when she saw an answering glint in Yumi's eyes.
"Oh really?" Yumi lifted herself up on tiptoes in order to once again join their lips together.
Sachiko closed her eyes and moved a hand up to Yumi's neck. She gasped softly as Yumi's tongue began to move across her lips, seeking permission to enter. Granting her request, she allowed the girl full access to her mouth and it wasn't long before Yumi's tongue was reaching for hers.
Sachiko felt her legs begin to weaken and pulled away.
"Lets go Yumi," Sachiko spoke after regaining her breath. "Or we might not make it before the shops close. I just have to get my purse."
"Okay," Yumi agreed with a smile.
Sachiko released her hold on Yumi and moved towards the bedroom.
"Wait," a soft hand grabbed her wrist.
"Yumi?" Sachiko looked down in question.
With a blush on her cheeks, Yumi reached up and placed a quick kiss against her lips, applying pressure for only a moment before pulling away. "I just wanted to kiss you again," she explained with a blush. "I'll wait for you outside."
Sachiko reached for Yumi's hand and pulled her back. She placed a tender kiss of her own onto the girl's lips before letting her go.
Yumi smiled up at her and giggled. "You might be right, at this rate we probably won't make it."
"Go then," Sachiko smiled back, releasing her hold on Yumi.
"Okay," Yumi agreed with a grin. "But...one more kiss."
And with that, she lifted herself up on tiptoes, pressed her lips for only a moment against Sachiko's, almost teasing her with the lightness of the contact, before running out the door.
Closing her eyes, Sachiko lifted a hand to her lips and sighed. Yumi was so adorable. She couldn't wait to explore this new side of their relationship. With that thought, Sachiko quickly grabbed her bag and headed outside, eager to return to Yumi's side.