Confrontation

Chapter 6 – Suguru's Out

As Sayako and Sachiko sat talking, 353 kilometres away Tooru Ogasawara was just sitting down to eat in a private room inside a fashionable restaurant in Kyoto. His guest was unaware of his reasons for calling him to the lunchtime meeting on such short notice, but he was sure it was important. Not that Suguru Kashiwagi needed to be convinced to meet with his favorite uncle for any reason.

They chatted amiably about general issues within the company throughout the meal. As they were finishing, Tooru finally brought up the reason he had called Suguru. "Suguru-san," He began. "There is a matter we need to discuss. I believe you know what I am talking about." His face giving Suguru no hint as to the subject he was referring to.

Looking to his uncle with concern, he said. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage. I do not know what you are referring to." Tooru gave his nephew a serious look as he sipped from his wineglass. He was gauging if Suguru was trying to be evasive. Sensing that he wasn't, he put his glass down before saying. "About your upcoming wedding to Sa-chan." Still seeing a blank look on Suguru's face, he added. "Specifically, the reason why you want to cancel it…"

Suguru's face paled slightly. Tooru could see fear in his nephew's eyes momentarily before they hid his emotions once again. "I am sorry Uncle," Suguru began. "You may have been misinformed. I have no wish to cancel the wedding or end our engagement. The merger agreement clearly states…"

Tooru smirked as he interrupted his nephew. "I am sure you don't, given what you and your family will gain from it. However, there is a reason that you would like to see the wedding postponed indefinitely. Actually, there are two reasons, but your reason is why I am here today."

Suguru just sat looking at his uncle. He didn't like where this conversation was heading. He was fairly sure he knew what his uncle was hinting at. However, he wanted to be sure. "Ano, I am not sure what you have heard…"

Tooru caught his unasked question and clarified it for him. "Rumors have been reaching my ears about you…"

Suguru gave a half-serious laugh as he began saying. "You know what they say about…" Tooru cut him off with a wave of his hand. "Yes. Let's just say that I trust the source I heard it from. Implicitly. Please do not waste your time or mine. Out with it."

Suguru knew better than to try and dissuade Tooru. While he really did not want to discuss his private life with his uncle, he did not see any other way out of it. "Hai, as you wish uncle..." He said with resignation.

He paused momentarily to gather his thoughts. Knowing Tooru's patience was already limited, he decided to go with simplicity. "The rumors of my...preferences...in my private relationships are true." The inflection of that one word was intentional. He sipped some water before continuing. "I sincerely hope that this does not reflect badly either on myself or my ability to manage the company. It does not change who I am as a whole." He paused again, attempting to gauge Tooru's thoughts. "I would find it disheartening if you questioned your faith and trust in me. Gomenasai if this has caused you any distress."

Tooru looked intently at his nephew before replying. "There are many things I question Suguru-san, but your abilities in business and your loyalty to this company are not among them." He went on sternly. "Though I am 'disheartened' as you put it, that you did not inform me of this on your own. Trust goes both ways nephew. You know this. I was entrusting you with the two things I hold most dear. Yet you could not return that trust?"

Suguru lowered his head in embarrassment. "I am sorry uncle. Aside from Sa-chan, you are the only other person I have ever told."

"A fact I could appreciate had others not noticed and come to me first." Tooru said. "You need to be mindful of the fact that you are always being watched by those seeking to take what you have for themselves."

"Hai uncle." Suguru replied. "So what will you do now?"

Tooru raised an eyebrow. "You mean what will become of you now that I know?" Getting a nod from Suguru, he went on. "You will still have a place within the company. But there are some changes to be made of course."

Suguru looked at him skeptically. "Because of my lifestyle?"

Tooru grunted. "In part, There have been other issues that have come to light recently with Sa-chan and... someone else. It is those issues that necessitate the changes I will be making."

Suguru, who had been looking at his plate as Tooru said this, snapped his head up and looked at his uncle in surprise. 'Has the princess finally found her own princess?' he mused to himself. As the obvious answer set in, a smile slowly crossed his face. "So, Yumi-chan finally did aim higher. It took her long enough." He then gave a short laugh. "May I assume that our dear Sa-chan's defenses were no match against the force of the Fukuzawa will?"

"You knew?" Tooru asked him.

"Hai, from the moment I first saw them together, during Sa-chan's 2nd year at Lillian." Suguru replied. "My apologies uncle. I suspected at that time that Sa-chan may also have had tendencies similar to mine. I did not wish to bring hardship to her by confessing my own until she was in a position to come forward herself. I was hoping that Sa-chan would finally come to her senses and go after the person she really wanted to be with. I am happy for her."

Tooru said. "Sa-chan hasn't told me. Not as yet anyway." Clarifying for Suguru, he went on. "There was a disagreement between her and Yumi-chan. Yumi broke the news to your aunt Sayako herself."

"Really?" Suguru asked in surprise. "That was not what I expected. Good for Yumi-chan. Do you know how long they have been a couple?"

"According to Sayako, they have been dating for the last three years." Tooru said. "Sa-chan had sought to keep it quiet for her own reasons. However, with the wedding between the two of you approaching, Yumi-chan saw their future coming to an abrupt end and decided to act. As a result, she defied Sachiko's wishes."

Suguru smiled again. "Yumi-chan always seems to know what Sa-chan needs better than she herself does. She has really grown into her own." He said with satisfaction. "So what are the changes you have in mind then?"

Tooru noted his nephews sudden change of mood at the news of Sa-chan's relationship. There fear that had briefly showed itself had dissipated. Suguru was truly elated for his cousin and her partner. It was something Tooru was glad to see. Maybe the sudden changes in his family's way of life would not be as stressful as they could be. He then began by saying. "Obviously there will be no wedding. It is however, too late to recall the invitations. So, we will have to figure out how to handle the 'dis-engagement' the day of the event. Assuming of course, that Sa-chan finally tells me she wants the engagement dissolved."

Suguru nodded his understanding. "If I know Yumi-chan and their friends from the Yamayurikai, that will occur soon. Whether Sa-chan wants to or not." He said with a smirk.

"There is one other thing I would like to discuss with you." Tooru told him. "I would like your thoughts on Yumi-chan's future within the company..."

-0-0-

Yumi and Youko had arrived at the mall just before lunch time. They had walked through several stores admiring and commenting on the latest trends in women's clothes. Yumi had purchased a couple of casual outfits that suited her tastes. Youko had helped Yumi with accessories and suggestions for them.

They then took a break to get something to drink from a small cafe. After they sat down, Youko asked her. "How are you feeling Yumi-chan?"

"Better Youko-sama." Yumi replied. "All things considered."

Youko smiled at her before saying. "But not as well as you should be, given the present circumstances, yes?"

Yumi's face showed some sadness as she nodded a silent yes. She told Youko. "All I wanted was to be recognized for who I was to her. I was tired of the lies and being denied my rightful place."

Youko nodded her understanding as she replied. "It wasn't denial Yumi, it was avoidance. She was desperately trying to hold on to the two most precious things she holds dear: you and her family. She was being pulled in opposite directions in an either/or choice. From her perspective she was trying to keep you both."

Thoughtfully, Yumi said. "I see... So my asking her to acknowledge me was akin to telling her to abandon her family in her eyes."

Youko tapped Yumi on the end of her nose. "Bingo! Yumi-chan goes to the head of the class. Sa-chan must be so proud of you." she said with a touch of amusement.

Yumi looked forlorn as she replied. "Ano...not likely at the moment." She paused for moment, staring at the table top. "It's not like she has any reason to choose me now anyway. Not after what I did to her in front of Sayako-oba-sama."

Youko chided her by saying. "You know better than that Yumi. You are the brightest star in her sky. She, like you, is just trying to muddle through life while causing the least amount of damage and pain to herself and those around her."

"Hai..." was Yumi's reply. It was obvious that she was lost in her thoughts.

Youko went on. "That's not to say that she doesn't have her faults. She does seem to hurt you more often than not. Although, I don't believe that she does it maliciously or on purpose. Perhaps if her girlfriend didn't care so much..." She let the sentence hang.

Yumi blushed at Youko's compliment before saying. "I honestly don't think I could do that. Care less about her I mean..."

"I know that Yumi-chan." Youko told her. "That is why you have always been the perfect match for her as a soeur and a friend. It is just who you are. That is something that I have always been very grateful for." The love in her voice obvious to Yumi.

Yumi blushed even more as she replied. "Thank you Youko-onee-sama."

Before Yumi could go on, Youko cut in. "So I have a request. Something only you can do. Actually, I have several request's."

"What are they Youko-sama?" Yumi asked curiously.

"Number one: No matter how bad things are between the two of you; do not give up on her. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever." She took a breath before continuing. "Number two: Keep loving her with every thing you have. Even when it hurts. Because that is when you will both need it the most." She then paused.

After several moments of silence, Yumi prodded her. "And number three?"

Youko looked at her with tears forming in her eyes. Taking hold of one of Yumi's hands in hers. She said. "Fight for her Yumi-chan. Fight for the both of you. I know she told you not to. However, you and I both know her better than that. Fight for her like your very lives depend on it." She gave a brief sob. "Please save my petite-soeur from herself."

Yumi felt her own tears welling up as she was overwhelmed by the emotions of her great-grand-soeur. "Hai Youko-sama." She said. "I promise, I will save our sister. I will bring her back to us."

Youko smiled at Yumi's professed commitment as she sniffed and wiped her tears back. "I hope so Yumi-chan. Sei and I are counting on you." Yumi smiled at the mention of the former Rosa Gigantea. Youko went on. "There are also two things I want you to know. Please trust me on both of these matters.

"What are they?" Yumi asked.

"First of all, you have more allies than you are aware of. There are a lot of people behind the both of you. You are not fighting this battle for Sa-chan alone." Holding up her hand to silence Yumi, she said. "Please do not ask me how I know about this."

Yumi's eyes threatened to tear up again as she replied. "Thank you Youko-sama. I will remember that." She paused for a moment to clear the lump in her throat. "What is the other thing?"

Youko took a deep breath and began. "Yumi, I know that Sachiko has placed a great deal of burden on you by requesting your silence. While her reasons are understandable, she should have been more considerate of how that would effect you and your relationship with her. That was...very unfair to you." Yumi looked at her in appreciation as Youko went on. "I just wanted you to know that what you did last night was not unreasonable. You need not feel any anguish over that."

Yumi nodded her understanding. "Hai. I do know that Youko-sama. Still, it just hurts that I even had to do it in the first place. More so because I had to hurt Sachiko in order to get the matter brought to light. That bothers me the most." Youko squeezed her hand in sympathy as Yumi went on. "Neither of us left that room unscathed Youko-sama. Given that, I do appreciate Sayako-oba-sama's intervention. Had I simply walked away from Sachiko and not given her an opportunity to at least think on the matter further, I would have done us both a disservice. Regrettably, it would have been one that left no possibility of repair or resolution."

Youko smiled at her again. "My how you have grown Yumi-chan. I knew you were special the first time we met. I am glad I am able to see the results of your soeur-ship with Sachiko now."

Yumi blushed at the compliment. "Arigato Youko-sama. Even though I still feel like I am trying to catch up with her, even now."

Youko looked on with amusement. "Oh Yumi, you have been caught up for some time now. But you need a change of perspective to see that. And I think I know just what the situation calls for."

Yumi looked at her apprehensively. "Ano...what would that be?"

Youko grinned. "Professional dressage and accouterments! What better way to feel a part of the Ogasawara dynasty, than by looking like them?"

Yumi's interest was piqued, even if she doubted that it was possible for her to look like she belonged with them. "You mean if I look like I belong to her social class, then I will feel like I am a part of it?"

"Not just social Yumi, but professional class as well." Youko replied. "More to the point, you will feel better when being seen with her no matter where you are. Although from my point of view, you two have always been part of your own social class." She said with a smile before continuing. "Your tastes have improved since your first year at Lillian. But now you will have to step it up. You will be entering the work force soon and you not only have to know what you are doing, you also have to look good doing it. To stand out from the rest Yumi-chan, you will have to set the standard for other's to admire and follow."

"Like Sachiko does?" Yumi asked.

"Yes." Youko replied. "You managed to get her to relax her style and be a normal teenager during her time at Lillian. Now it's your turn to take a page from her book. To show her that you are capable of equally shining as bright as she does."

Yumi gave a mild blush. "I don't think that is possible Youko-sama." she said smiling.

"Aside from her natural beauty, has she ever outshone me Yumi-chan?" Youko asked.

Yumi thought for a second. "No, you have always looked as beautiful as her. Why do you ask?"

Youko grinned at her again. "Because you have me as your personal clothier Yumi-chan. You are going to look awesome by the time I am done with you!"

Yumi rolled her eyes at that. "And for how many decades am I going to be indebted to you to accomplish that major miracle?"

Youko laughed at her before replying. "Not as long at you think gorgeous. Come now, let's get you outfitted for professional and social warfare!"

With that she helped Yumi up as they went back into the mall to continue their shopping mission.

-0-0-

Later that evening, Touko called Yumi as she had promised. They mainly talked about the trip to the mall Yumi had taken with Youko and the items she had bought. Yumi elected to not tell her about Youko's request to save Sachiko.

Near the end of the conversation, Touko asked her. "When do you plan on talking to Sachiko again?"

She heard Yumi give a sigh before she answered. "I do not know Touko-chan. Sayako-oba-sama wanted a week to work with Sa-chan. However, she didn't say if her and I could talk before then. I don't want to interfere with whatever she may doing. I...I don't want to mess this up for us."

"I will ask her tomorrow what her thoughts on that are, if you wish?" Touko asked her.

Yumi readily agreed, saying. "Thank you Touko, that would be very helpful."

Pausing for a few seconds. Touko finally asked. "Onee-sama..."

"Hai?" Yumi asked.

"When you do talk to her, be mindful of your words." She answered.

Curious, Yumi asked her. "What do you mean?"

Touko began by saying. "As an American quote I heard once says; 'With great power comes great responsibility.' You have a great deal of power and influence over Sachiko. Her spirits are lifted or crushed with a simple word from you. Both of you have that effect on each other. However, in this instance, the danger from that influence is far greater. You have essentially traded places with her. As you once were at Lillian, she is now. As you are now, she once was. Basically, what I am trying to say is that when you are dealing with her, you need not use a bomb where a shinai would suffice."

"I see..." Yumi replied. "I think I know what you mean by that."

"I hope so." Touko replied. "You pushed her to the breaking point last night Onee-sama. She is still fragile. Just be mindful of what you say and how you say your words." She then finished by saying. "Both of your futures depend on it." A note of sadness evident in her voice.

"Hai, I will" Yumi told her. "You have grown up and matured so well Touko. When did you become the onee-sama? Please don't leave me behind!"

Touko giggled at her comment. "Not a chance Yumi-san. I had an excellent example to follow in my onee-sama. And I will always be here for you."

Yumi smiled as she told Touko. "Hai. Good night Touko-chan. Thank you."

"Good night onee-sama."

-0-0-

It was late Monday morning when Yumi's classes finally ended for the lunch break. As she strode towards the cafeteria along the commons she caught sight of a tall brunette coming towards her from the opposite direction. Their eyes met just as Yumi realized it was Sachiko. She immediately stopped walking. She was not sure what to do. She had not planned on seeing her girlfriend today. From the way Sachiko was looking at her, it had been a mutual thought.

Sachiko had stopped a few feet away from Yumi. She was also unsure of what to say or do. She couldn't discuss the engagement with Yumi because she had yet to tell he father about dissolving it. The worst part of it was, whatever confidence she had felt from her declaration the prior morning had immediately dissipated upon seeing Yumi. She just stood staring at Yumi with longing and pain visible in her eyes as tears started to well up. She then looked down at her feet in embarrassment.

Yumi watched the emotions passing through Sachiko's thoughts. She could see what Touko had been talking about. Sachiko's confidence was gone. What she saw hurt her. She could almost see Sachiko shrink into herself as she stared at her. 'Is this how Sachiko saw me four years ago?' Yumi wondered. 'Was I this afraid of her then? Did I lack that much confidence in myself?' She knew she wasn't ready to talk to Sachiko yet, but she knew she could not walk away and leave her in the state she was currently in. 'What would Sachiko do?' she asked herself.

Thinking quickly, she walked over to her and took a hold of Sachiko's hand. "Come." She told her. Sachiko followed behind her as she held onto Yumi's hand. Yumi led her to a quiet pathway just off the commons area and over to a bench. She pointed to it and told her. "Sit." Sachiko obeyed but was nervous because of Yumi's abrupt demeanor. She did not want a repeat of their last argument, not here.

Yumi set her bag down on the bench. Sachiko looked up to her with uncertainty as Yumi stepped closer to her. Yumi pulled Sachiko forward by her shoulders before wrapping her arms around them in a tight hug. She then kissed the top of Sachiko's head as the latter hesitantly wrapped her arms around Yumi's waist. Sachiko's emotions overwhelmed her as she began softly crying into Yumi's chest. She had needed this contact Yumi thought. 'Who am I kidding? she said to herself as she relaxed against her love. 'We both needed it.' They remained in this position for several minutes, until Sachiko heaved a sigh as the tension drained out of her.

Pulling back to look up at Yumi, Sachiko opened her mouth to say something when Yumi quickly placed a finger over it. Shaking her head, Yumi said. "Not yet Sa-chan. We will talk soon. But not today." She then kissed the top of Sachiko's head again before picking up her bag and walking away.

Sachiko let her go. She remained in place for several minutes to allow Yumi ample time to disappear into the crowd before she stood up and walked towards her next class. The contact had not been much, but it had been enough to let Sachiko know that there was still an opportunity to redeem herself in Yumi's eyes. She would definitely be confronting her father this afternoon. For now however, she allowed herself a small contented smile as she strode along the commons.

-0-0-