Disclaimer: Marimite is not mine.

A/N: A bit short but something's big gonna happen in the next chapter. R&R!!

Chapter 2: Uncertainty

Sachiko opened her eyes. Sunlight streamed into her room through the windows. She stretched slightly on her bed, shading her eyes from the brilliant morning sunlight. It was weekend and she didn't have any school activities or Yamayurikai meeting on that day.

Slowly, she walked towards the door and noticed the red light flashing on and off her telephone. She picked up the phone and pressed the red button. The first voice message was played.

"Good day to you, Sachiko." It was Rei. 'She really was worried about me,' Sachiko thought and smiled. "Hope you had a good night sleep. I'm home all day. So, feel free to come over anytime. Ja." Rei's message ended there. Then came the second one. There was a long pause before the voice came out.

"Sa-chan… it's me, Suguru." Sachiko's eyes widened. "I know I should not say those things to you. I've hurt you. I… I wanted to meet you. Maybe, we could talk things over. Meet me at the park near your house at 5, okay? I'll be waiting for you." Toot… toot…toot…

Sachiko was speechless. Her mind couldn't concentrate. 'What should I do?'

--

"Sachiko?" Rei exclaimed when she saw Sachiko stood on her doorsteps. Sachiko's expression was uncertain and confused. Rei quickly welcomed her in.

"How do you feel?" Rei asked as soon as she closed her bedroom door. She figured it might be more comfortable for Sachiko to talk in her room rather than in the living room where anyone could be passing by.

Sachiko settled herself down on the edge of Rei's bed. "I'm fine," she replied.

"Well, you don't look fine. It's written all over your face. What happened?" Rei asked with a solemn voice.

"Suguru… he wanted to meet me-"

"What?!" Rei cut off Sachiko's words. Sachiko was startled with Rei's sudden outburst.

"You can't meet him, Sachiko. Not after what he'd done to you," Rei said quietly after a long pause.

"Wouldn't you want to tell me why?" Sachiko demanded. Her stern eyes met Rei's.

Rei looked away, biting her lower lip.

"He had hurt you, Sachiko. He's not totally a good guy. What if he did that again? he just… doesn't deserve you!" Rei pointed out. 'And I can't bear to see you crying again for him.'

Sachiko looked down. Rei was right… but she couldn't forget Suguru. That guy has stolen her heart.

"Why you're being overprotective of me when it comes to Suguru?" Sachiko asked.

'Because I love you, Sachiko!' Rei wanted to scream. She wanted Sachiko to know what she felt. She wanted to call her 'Sa-chan', just like Suguru always did. She was jealous of Suguru. Since the day she knew Sachiko was engaged to Suguru, she envied Suguru. Yet, Suguru was not grateful. He made Sachiko cried. And Rei had stopped herself many times from confessing to Sachiko whenever Sachiko cried on her shoulder. She knew too well. It was too risky. Sachiko might totally neglect her. Worse, Sachiko might hate her. 'It's okay,' she thought. 'As long as I can be close to her, comforting her…'

"Rei?" Sachiko called softly, pulling Rei back into reality. Rei shook away her thoughts.

"Well… because… we're friends. You're my best friend. I can't just let him-"

Sachiko put her index finger on Rei's lips, stopping her words. Re's eyes were wide with shock. Sachiko smiled at her. Her intense blue eyes started to soften.

"I'm glad to hear that. I know I could trust you, Rei," Sachiko said. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. Perhaps I'm really not for him. But perhaps it could be the other way around. If we're destined-"

Rei grabbed Sachiko's hand and pulled her into a tight embrace, not wanting to let her go. Sachiko, who was startled by Rei's sudden action, patted the blonde's shoulder.

"Don't worry. I believe with my path. You should not burden yourself for me, Rei. Don't you believe me?" Sachiko said, reassuring the Yellow Rose.

Rei slowly loosened her embrace and let go of Sachiko. Her eyes were dense. "If you say so, Sachiko," she muttered. "I believe you."

Sachiko smiled warmly at Rei. She picked up her coat and scarf, ready to go.

"Well, I'm off," she said. "Thanks."

"Oh? Okay, then. See you later. Um, anyway, when did you plan to meet him?" Rei asked out of curiosity.

"Today," Sachiko replied, adjusting her coat. Rei nodded. Sachiko waved at her and walked out of the room.

Rei watched Sachiko through her window until she disappeared from her sight. She sighed and let herself fell on the bed. She stared at the ceiling for a long time.

'Is it alright for me to feel this way towards my own best friend?'