Yumi picked up her new phone and unplugged the charger. She'd placed it on charge while she'd been getting ready for bed, just to make sure the battery would hold out when Sachiko called. Even though it was already practically full, she felt better being on the safe side.
She'd rushed to it the moment she'd exited the bathroom and had been pleased to see there were no missed calls. She'd actually contemplated taking it into the bathtub with her, but didn't feel like explaining why to her parents or brother if they'd caught her coming in or out with it.
She was now sitting on her bed playing around with the settings, checking out the in-built games and contemplating sending Sachiko a message. Her girlfriend had said she'd call once she was done studying, so she didn't want to interrupt her.
But maybe a quick message would be okay...?
Sachiko didn't have to answer the phone that way and she could continue studying. On the other hand, she didn't want to disturb her.
Yumi closed the phone with conviction, determined to allow her girlfriend time to study. Instead, she reached into her bag and took out her copy of their photo strip. She'd already cut off the fourth picture and placed it inside her locket. She had decided not to peel the back off and had left it intact when she'd fitted it into her locket.
But what was she to do with the other three? As she looked at them thoughtfully an idea came to her and she picked up her phone again and slid the battery cover off. The photos weren't large so she could easily stick them on the back.
On the left side of the phone's logo she placed the one showing herself kissing Sachiko's cheek, on the right she placed the one where Sachiko was kissing hers.
Below the logo and towards the centre, she stuck on the final photo, the one with her and Sachiko smiling cheek to cheek. It was perfect.
She re-attached the phone's cover and stared down at the photo's, admiring them with a dreamy smile. She and Sachiko definitely looked cute together, even if she was biased with her opinion.
"Hey Yumi," Yuuki greeted as he stepped through her half opened door. "What's with the goofy grin?"
"Nothing," Yumi looked up from the phone and smiled lazily.
"Is that a cell-phone?" Yuuki took a seat and straddled her desk chair.
"Sachiko got it for me."
"Sachiko?" Yuuki questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Ehhhh, I mean Sachiko-sama..."
Yuuki shook his head and looked at his sister knowingly. "Don't worry Yumi, I get it."
"Get what?" Yumi looked at her brother nervously, her cheeks turning a pale shade of pink.
"You're a kept woman, now" Yuuki teased. "It's okay too call her Sachiko."
"Kept Woman!? " Yumi's eyes widened and she looked at her brother incredulously.
Yuuki chuckled mischevously. "A cell phone Yumi. It's the kind of gift a boyfriend would get you."
"Boyfriend!?"
"Let me have a look," Yuuki insisted, stealing it from his sister's hands before she could react.
"Yuuki!" Yumi protested, but her brother was too quick and he held up the cell phone, moving just out of reach.
Yumi watched furiously as Yuuki turned the phone around and glanced over the photos.
"Nice," he smirked before handing it back.
"Yuuki!!" Yumi snatched the phone back and sat down on the bed, completely red-faced.
"Relax Yumi," her brother chuckled. "I'm just teasing."
He returned to the chair and looked at his sister thoughtfully.
"The nature of your relationship with Sachiko-san doesn't concern me."
"Yuuki..." Yumi's voice softened and she looked at her brother carefully.
Did he know? Was this his way of giving her his approval?
"We don't need to talk about it," Yuuki stood up and chuckled good naturedly. "I could sense a change in you the last few days. I just wanted to confirm it."
"A change?"
Yuuki shrugged. "Yeah... I don't know what it is, but you've just been sort of different. Happier maybe...and you've had this goofy grin on your face non-stop."
"Goofy!?" Yumi made a face at her brother as he laughed.
"Yeah, almost clown-like..."
"Clown-like? Yuuki!!"
Yuuki expertly took a step back as Yumi made an attempt to shove him in reprimand.
"Yeah, definitely clown-like," he chuckled, evading his sister once again. "You might want to consider applying for a job with the circus."
Yumi frowned at her brother and glared at him sternly.
A moment later, she gave in to the teasing glint in his eye and joined him in good natured laughter.
"So, you're happy?" Yuuki sat back down on the chair and looked at his sister thoughtfully.
Yumi couldn't hide the grin that came to her lips.
"I'll take that as a yes," Yuuki chuckled. He paused then, his eyes turning serious.
"Yumi...I know it's not really any of my business, but Sachiko-san...isn't she still engaged to Kashiwagi-san?"
Yumi's smile turned into a frown and she let out a deep sigh.
"Yeah..."
"Does she intend to cancel the engagement?"
"I don't know..." Yumi was slow to respond, her frown deepening.
"Have you spoken to her about it?"
Yumi averted her gaze and sighed again. "No, not really. I haven't thought about it too much. I've been trying to avoid it actually," she responded reufully.
"Do you intend on asking her?"
Yumi shrugged evasively. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "I don't want to push and make her upset. It's not really my place to interfere with her family--"
"You think so?" Yuuki questioned his sister gently. "Then whose is it? If you are together...doesn't that give you, of all people, the right to press the issue?"
"Yuuki, If you were in my position, would you ask? Would you demand it?"
Yumi looked at her brother seriously.
"Would you push the person you love into doing something they weren't comfortable doing? Something they weren't ready for? Even if not doing so could potentially cause you emotional distress?"
Yuuki met his sister's gaze with determination, but looked away after a moment.
"I guess I wouldn't," he admitted.
The siblings sighed in unison at the situation.
"They live in a totally different world, don't they?" Yuuki broke the silence.
"Yeah," Yumi agreed. "You're talking about Kashiwagi-san as well, aren't you?"
"I am," Yuuki confirmed. "I know he doesn't want the engagement to proceed any more than Sachiko-san."
"He told you?"
"Not in so many words."
"Then why doesn't he just call it off?"
"Most likely for the same reason as Sachiko-san. His father and grandfather are really powerful men. They'd probably disown him."
"Have you met them?"
"Yeah, they're quite intimidating. I know I wouldn't want to stand against them."
"So you think it's hopeless?" Yumi looked down at the floor with dispair.
"I didn't say that," Yuuki moved to his sister's side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Kashiwagi-san might not have enough reason to stand up to his family, but Sachiko-san does. I've seen how much she cares for you. I know I'll never forget how concerned she was during the Hanadera festival. When she thought something had happened to you, she lost it completely. No person alive could've refused her demand to look for you. She was definately scary! If anyone can stand up to the Ogasawara and Kashiwagi families it'd be Sachiko-san. Especially if it concerns you."
"Scary?" Yumi couldn't help but giggle at the image. Yeah, Sachiko could definitely be scary sometimes.
"Uh huh," Yuuki chuckled.
"You really think Sachiko could do it?"
"You'll never know unless you ask her."
"But what if she's not ready? Or worse, what if she does stand up to them and they still force her to go through with it. I don't want to subject her to--"
"No, I don't think that would happen," Yuuki interjected. "Despite tradition, a wedding in this day and age must have the full consent of both parties. If she really didn't want to go through with it they couldn't force her."
"Unless they disowned her."
"Do you really think her parents would do that? I've met her mother, she doesn't seem the type. You've met her father...?"
"He actually seemed nice," Yumi admitted. "He didn't seem too scary at all. A bit smug though," she added as an afterthought. "But I haven't met her grandfather."
"That doesn't mean he's an Ogre," Yuuki pointed out.
Yumi chuckled. "No, I guess not. But I still don't want to push her Yuuki. I know Sachiko. And if something has to be done, she'll do it in her own time. I'd rather she called off the engagement when she felt ready, rather than putting pressure on her to do it immediately. I'm not even sure how far away the date will be. Sachiko doesn't seem too concerned about it at the moment, so there's probably plenty of time before we really have to consider our options."
"Well, that's your decision," Yuuki conceded. "You do know Sachiko-san better than I do. Even though I don't agree with you completely, I won't interfere."
Yumi smiled at her brother as he stood up.
"It's just my job to look out for you. After all, you are my elder sister...in a way."
Yumi chuckled as Yuuki exited her room. Her brother had left her with a lot to think about. By all rights, she should be feeling completely depressed about the whole situation, but strangely, she was left feeling somewhat comforted.
Nothing was determined yet. She would trust Sachiko. The girl would never hurt her intentionally. Of that she was certain. As long as she had Sachiko's love, then she knew everything would turn out okay.
It had to...
xxx
Yumi stirred as she felt the vibration of her cell-phone against her chest where she'd let it drop as she'd drifted off to sleep. She'd put the phone on silent so as not to disturb the rest of the household when she received Sachiko's call.
She'd stayed awake as long as she could, playing one of the in-phone games to keep herself alert, but eventually her lack of sleep from previous nights had taken its toll and she'd inadvertantly dozed off.
She blinked a couple of times as she re-oreinted herself before realising why her skin was buzzing. She sat up and reached for the phone immediately, but it was too late. The phone had already stopped ringing.
Yumi sighed as she closed up the phone. "I missed it." A second later she chided herself for being so silly and hastily called her girlfriend back.
"Hello..."
"Yumi?"
"Hey Sachiko," Yumi laid back down on the bed comfortably. "Sorry I missed your call."
"That's okay Yumi. I didn't wake you did I?"
"Oh no..."
Sachiko chuckled into the phone. "I did, didn't I? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call so late. Dinner went longer than expected. My father brought home a couple of clients last-minute and my mother and I had to help entertain."
"Does that happen often?"
"Sometimes," Sachiko paused for a moment. "I don't usually mind, but since I didn't have time to study before dinner, it really made things a bit difficult."
"Well, I'm glad you called."
"Even if I did wake you?"
"I was actually waiting for your call. I only dozed off for a few minutes. So it's really okay Sachiko. I'd be more upset if you hadn't called."
"I guess I was being a little selfish," Sachiko admitted. "I wanted to hear your voice..."
Yumi's heart skipped a beat at the idea. "I wish you were here with me right now."
"What would you do if I was?" Sachiko replied lightly, somewhat flirtatiously.
Yumi couldn't help but blush, a little suprised by the sudden change in her girlfriend's voice.
"I'd hold you close," Yumi replied in a hushed tone. "And kiss you..."
"Where would you kiss me?"
"Where? In my room...oh you mean...I...I'd kiss your lips." Yumi's blush deepened as she closed her eyes and imagined the scenario.
"Do you like kissing me Yumi?"
"Ehhh?" Yumi was a little startled by the turn of the conversation.
Why did she want to know this?
"Tell me Yumi," Sachiko's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Do you?"
"Of course," Yumi whispered.
"Can you say the words?" Sachiko questioned huskily.
"I...I like kissing you Sachiko. Do you like kissing me?"
"I do."
"Where do you like kissing me best?" Yumi questioned without thinking, the words slipping past her lips before she could stop them.
She heard Sachiko laugh softly at the other end before responding, causing her cheeks to turn an even deeper shade of red. Why had she said that?
"I like kissing your lips Yumi...but I have to admit, your chest has a different type of appeal. Although, there's other parts of you I've yet to kiss, so until then...your breasts would have to be my favourite..."
"Sachiko..." Yumi's face turned bright red and she exhaled sharply as she remembered the way Sachiko's lips had felt around her nipple. She couldn't help but wonder about those 'other parts ' and the crimson flush swept over the rest of her body.
"I'm sorry Yumi," Sachiko giggled nervously into the phone. "I didn't mean to embarras you. I don't know why I started talking about this..."
"It's okay," Yumi joined her in laughter, doing her best to steady her breathing. "It's kinda weird being able to talk about stuff like this isn't it?"
"I wouldn't say weird," Sachiko replied gently. "It's just more intimate than we're used to."
"Yeah," Yumi agreed. "I still find it a little hard to believe we're actually girlfriends. It feels like just yesterday you were placing your rosary around my neck for the first time. And now..."
"Now we're having a naughty phone conversation," Sachiko interjected with a chuckle. "Yeah, we've come a long way since then."
"Sachiko...when did you first start thinking of me as more than a sister? I mean, did you have these kind of thoughts before? Or did you only realise it while we were at the resort this weekend?"
"I'm not too sure Yumi," Sachiko replied after a long pause. "On some level I think I've always been attracted to you. I never consciously had any thoughts of kissing you. But there were times I would look at you and my heart would stop. I'd find myself reacting in a manner that confused me and I would instantly brush aside my thoughts..."
"Really? What kind of thoughts...?"
"I'd notice the cute smile on your lips, or a cute face you were making and I'd get a sudden urge to touch you. I found myself straightening your scarf more than necessary and I would tell myself there was nothing wrong with the way my knuckles would sometimes brush against your breasts as I did so. I also found myself wanting to touch you more and more. Whenever you were close I'd look for any excuse to touch your cheek, your shoulder, hold your hand, put my arm around you...basically anything that would give me contact with you."
"Sachiko..." Yumi felt a warmth in her chest from her girlfriend's words. "So that's why you were always straightening my neck-tie," she quipped.
Sachiko laughed softly. "Yeah, you've got a very devious Onee-sama."
"I did notice it though," Yumi admitted. "I could feel the back of your hands brush against my breasts sometimes. It would always make me blush..."
"Hmm," Sachiko chuckled. "I do remember you turning red a lot. Whenever I would touch you actually..."
"Yeah..."
"Yumi...when did you first start thinking of me this way?"
"I've always been a little awestruck by you Sachiko," Yumi admitted. "But I tried not to let that take over. I justified my reactions by thinking they were only natural responses to someone I adored. After a while though, I did start to suspect I was actually attracted to you."
"What gave you your biggest clue?"
"Seeing you that morning in your summer house," Yumi responded somewhat shyly.
"When I looked at you in bed, my eyes went to your hands, your shoulders, your lips...and I couldn't move. I wanted to kiss you more than anything. And when you turned around and began changing I was once again glued to the floor. I couldn't take my eyes off you. I watched as you began to slide your nightshirt down off your back and something clicked. I ran out of your room red-faced and warm all over. My thoughts at that moment were anything but sisterly. After that I started to have all sorts of images in my head and occasional dreams..."
Sachiko's voice was very soft and low. "What kind of images?"
Yumi was glad Sachiko couldn't see how red-faced she was right now.
"Not those kind! Not exactly... I was just kissing you and touching you...and holding you..."
"I see," Sachiko spoke huskily. "So you fantasise about touching me Yumi...?"
"I do," Yumi's blush deepened in response.
"Yumi..."
Sachiko hesitated and Yumi could sense something important had come to her mind.
"You find it hard to turn those dreams into reality, don't you?"
"What do you mean Sachiko?"
"When we're together, I've noticed you always hesitate to touch my breasts. It's almost like you're afraid to touch me there..."
"Oh..." Yumi trailed off, suddenly feeling shy. "It's just that you're so incredibly beautiful Sachiko. I look at you and I see an Angel. A part of me doesn't feel worthy..."
"You have me up on a pedestal," Sachiko acknowledged. "I'm only human though. I'm not perfect."
"I know," Yumi agreed. "But to me you're still amazing. And even though I feel dazed, I do want to touch you..."
"Then touch me," Sachiko's voice became soft and husky. "Next time we're alone together Yumi...I want you to touch me."
Yumi closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. "Okay..."
"Yumi..."
"Hmmm?"
"You're thinking about it now, aren't you?"
Yumi chuckled. "Yeah..."
"I'm thinking about it too," Sachiko admitted. "Yumi...hang up the phone."
"What...why...uh...okay..." Yumi stammered as she obliged, confused by the request.
Before she could give rise to any thoughts, her phone rang.
Surprised, Yumi flipped it back open. Her eyes went wide as she saw Sachiko's face staring back at her from the small screen.
"Sachiko...?"
"Video call," Sachiko smiled. "I wanted to see your face Yumi."
"Oh," Yumi smiled back warmly.
Sachiko was lying down on her side with the phone next to her on the bed and she could see the girl's hair spilling over her shoulder, half covering the side of her face.
"You look very cute with your hair down Yumi."
Yumi blushed. "Uh...thanks..."
"I wanted to remember the way you look right now before I went to sleep."
Yumi's blush deepened. "Sachiko..."
"I love you Yumi," Sachiko smiled at her tenderly. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight Sachiko. I...I love you, too."
With that, she hung up the phone and crawled under the covers. She was glad to have spoken with Sachiko tonight and it wasn't long before she was drifting off happily, unable to get Sachiko's image to leave her mind. It was almost as if the girl's presence was still with her. She couldn't wait to see her again in person.