A/N: Hello again everyone. Just a short note this time. So my usual hello to all the new story groupies is just a blanket one. Welcome All! My apologies for another long delay in getting this posted for everyone's enjoyment. Between work and the Muse still being her uncooperative self, sometimes it takes a while. T_T
Sassygirl (Guest): Regarding your review. If you are going to hide under my desk and read the discarded chapter drafts that are scattered about down there, would you please talk to me once in a while? Oh, and could you please also bring/share some milk and cookies too? I am a starving writer here! LoL. ^_^
Confrontation
Chapter 10 – Past and Present
Yumi entered her house and gratefully closed the front door behind her. She had arrived home after a long day at Lillian University. She had taken three tests that day and was tired from the exertion. After kicking off her shoes at the entrance and dropping her bag in the living room, she walked towards the kitchen. She decided that she definitely needed some Matcha tea to perk her up.
Entering the kitchen, she was happily surprised to find her mother talking with Ogasawara Sayako. As Yumi came up to her, Sayako greeted her with an enthusiastic "Gokigenyo Yumi-chan!" Before giving Yumi the same cupped hand on the cheek gesture that Sachiko always did. "Gokigenyo Sayako-oba-sama!" Yumi eagerly replied. Sayako then opened her arms to hug Yumi, which she gladly accepted before going to greet her own mother.
Miki looked on the sight of them hugging wistfully. Admittedly, she felt a little jealous upon seeing how close her daughter Yumi and Sayako had become. Deep inside her heart, and unknown to her guest, Miki secretly wished that she had had that kind of relationship with Sayako back when they were both students at Lillian High School for Girls. It was something she deeply regretted not having had the courage to admit to then. 'Well, life doesn't always go in the direction we would like it to, does it?' Miki lamented to herself. 'However,' she remembered. 'Because of that missed opportunity, Yumi and Sachiko are able to share that kind of special affection now.' The thought of her daughter's happiness with Sachiko made her smile as she reciprocated Yumi's hug in turn.
Yumi then sat down at the kitchen table with Miki and Sayako. They began chatting over the tea her mother had prepared. They exchanged small talk about her life at school, Touko's recent adventures with her petite-soeur's ascension to Rosa Chinensis, and other recent events in their lives. Sayako then began to tell Yumi and Miki about some of the activities that had gone on behind the scenes on her behalf. Yumi listened intently as Sayako described her conversations with Sachiko. She then gave a brief narration of Sachiko's confession to her father regarding her feelings for Yumi. Yumi had blushed hotly as Sayako told them that Sachiko had boldly stated that Yumi was all she needed or wanted. The blush was only compounded when her mother Miki teased her upon learning that Sachiko had refused to marry anyone else. "That is some effect you have on your girlfriend Yumi-chan." Miki said. "What's your secret?" Sayako had then chimed in with. "I believe Sa-chan said that it had something to do with her lips...or was it her kiss? Something along those lines anyway." Yumi had turned her head away at the comment as she was sure a nose bleed or death by embarrassment was only seconds away.
Her embarrassment was short lived as Yumi was stunned to hear about Kashiwagi's forced confession to Tooru. She never expected to receive his enthusiastic support not only for her and Sa-chan as a couple, but her introduction as a protege as well. What did not surprise her was that he had known almost from day one about their mutual attraction to each other. 'Like-knows-like as Sei-sama always says. All this time, I have believed that he was secretly competing with me for Sa-chan. All he really wanted was for us to succeed.' Yumi knew she would have to thank him for that later when she had a chance. After the current crises was dealt with first. As if reading her thoughts, Sayako casually asked Yumi what she was going to be wearing to the wedding ceremony that Saturday.
"Huh?" was Yumi's characteristic response. "Sachiko's wedding is in two days. Remember? What kind of dress are you going to be wearing?" Sayako asked her. Yumi's heart sunk as she listened to Sayako's question, so she did not answer immediately. She was confused as she believed that the wedding would be canceled. 'Didn't Tooru-oka-sama indicate that he would honor her request?' She thought. 'Did he change his mind? Is Kashiwagi-san's family demanding to stick to the agreement? Or is Sachiko's grandfather insisting on following through with the marriage?' Her lack of response caused Sayako to look at her directly as a myriad of questions and implications flooded Yumi's thoughts.
Sayako, seeing Yumi's facial expression, silently berated herself. How could she remember to edit her description of Sachiko's confession only to turn around and forget that Yumi was unaware of the hidden agenda that had been planned in lieu of the wedding? She made a mental note to call Touko as soon as she left the Fukuzawa's and enlist her help in ensuring Yumi's emotional well-being and attendance.
Miki watched the conversation between them over her cup. She had seen Yumi's reaction as well. She wondered why Sayako hadn't told Yumi what was really happening that day. However, she trusted Sayako implicitly. If Sayako wasn't telling her then she had her reasons. Miki elected to remain quiet on the issue until she could ask Sayako about it.
Yumi was not sure how to take the news. She shook her head to clear the negative thoughts before she started to cry. While she gave no further outward reaction to Sayako's question, Yumi answered Sayako by simply saying. "I haven't really decided on anything yet." She then excused herself to go up to her room. "I have a ton of homework to complete before Friday's classes." She told them. Upon reaching her room, Yumi quickly shut the door. Instead of doing her homework however, she dropped down on her bed and began sulking over the news that the wedding was still on. Thinking that all of her actions have been for naught, she laid down and began to silently cry. 'Is this how our dream ends Sachiko?' she asked in her mind. 'Is this how our future dies?'
After hearing Yumi close her bedroom door, Sayako turned to Miki. "Miki-san, there is a reason why we have kept Yumi in the dark about what will be happening at the wedding."
Miki responded by raising an eyebrow as she sipped her tea.
"You are well aware of your daughter's facial expressions. Obviously, she is also very expressive emotionally. Not even someone who is blind could miss what her feelings are at any given moment." Sayako explained to her. Miki nodded in agreement.
Sayako continued by saying. "Tooru's father is a very meddlesome and overbearing creature. Especially when is comes to Sa-chan and the family businesses. We are trying to keep Tooru's father from finding out about the engagement being called off until the ceremony is underway. We suspect that he has Sa-chan and Yumi being watched. We knew that if Yumi did not behave as though she were about to lose Sachiko forever, that he would become suspicious and start looking into things he shouldn't." Miki's eyes widened in understanding as she said. "Ah. I see."
"Good." Sayako replied. "Now we need you to ensure that Yumi will attend the ceremony. She needs to be there. Not just for the announcement, which I am sure she will be overjoyed to hear, but also for Sa-chan. She will be needing Yumi near her as we are sure her grandfather will undoubtedly cause a scene after he finds out he was misled. Especially if Sa-chan intends to 'come out' and announce her affections for Yumi-chan. In fact, I am counting on all of their friends in the Yamayurikai to be there for support and protection as well if necessary." Miki again nodded her understanding. "The dress question is important Miki-san. Sa-chan intends to wear an accessory in a matching color. If Yumi-chan is paying attention, she will know something is up and will stay her emotional outbursts until Sa-chan can play it out." Sayako told her.
"I can take her out shopping for a dress tonight." Miki replied. "Is there a preferred color?"
Sayako smiled. "Sa-chan said it must be sapphire blue. Although, I don't know why."
Miki nodded and said. "Must be something that only they know. While we are out shopping, I will try to buoy her spirits a little as well. In any case, Yuuichiro and I will see that she is at the ceremony." She replied. Sayako smiled, "I will send over Touko-chan to help you with her Saturday morning as well." Miki nodded again in acknowledgement as she said. "Arigato gozaimasu."
They sat sipping their tea for a few minutes as they lapsed into quiet contemplation of the upcoming event. Miki broke the silence by asking. "So, Sako-sama, is this what it's like?" Sayako gave her a questioning look. "Being a part of this conspiracy has me wondering. Is this what it's like to be part of the Yamayurikai? Of being a soeur? Is this what it is like being someone's soeur and knowing that you always have this kind of power and support behind you for a lifetime?"
Sayako nodded her understanding. "Yes it is." She replied. "This is kind of what it is like. To know that you always have someone to turn to. Someone that will always have your best interests at heart." Looking directly into Miki's eyes, she finished. "To know that someone will always love and cherish you."
Miki blushed under her gaze before looking down into her cup. "It...it makes me wish that I had been a little more brave back at Lillian and told a certain special someone of my true feelings for them." She paused for a moment before shaking her head and saying. "Ah, well. Life's little regrets. Right?" as she sipped her tea again. Sayako gave a barely audible "Mmn." in agreement.
"Speaking of that..." Sayako said thoughtfully as she suddenly stood and turned towards the counter. Finding her purse, she pulled an object out of it. Turning back to Miki, she walked over and stood next to her. Sayako held out an thin onyx colored box toward her.
"What is this?" Miki asked her as she gently accepted the box from her friend.
"A gift of sorts." Sayako told her. "It's a kind of 'welcome to the family' memento." She paused for a moment. "One that you earned a long time ago. I do hope that you like it." She finished with a blush.
Curious as to what Sayako meant, Miki opened the box. The inside of the box was lined in red velvet. Upon the velvet sat a rosary. The chain was made of alternating silver and emerald beads. The cross itself was also of silver with fluted ends that were embedded with mother of pearl in the shape of a cherry blossom. At the center of the cross was a pink pearl. Miki covered her mouth with her free hand as she gasped at the sight of the exquisite rosary. She then removed the rosary from the box and held it up. As she looked at it, she could see writing on the back side of the cross. Upon closer inspection, she could read the words 'For my Soeur' on the horizontal bar. This was crossed by the words 'Sayako' on the vertical bar.
Miki was taken a back by such an exquisite gift. There is nothing, she believed, that she had done to merit such an expensive and intimate gift from someone of Sayako's standing. Miki looked up and started to refuse it. Before she could however, Sayako pressed a single finger to Miki's lips. With a sad smile upon her face, Sayako said, "For what should have been, my fairy." Sayako then reached into the top of her blouse and pulled out a matching rosary that hung from her neck. The only difference, Miki could see, was that the back of the other was cross etched with the words. 'Miki Houribe' and 'My Soeur'.(1)
Reading the words brought tears to Miki's eyes as she stood up. She and Sayako shared a mutual hug as Sayako whispered into her ear. "Despite life's twists, turns, and regrets. I wanted you to know that you were in my heart then and that you are still there now. Had you been brave...rather had we been brave, you Miki Houribe, would have not only been my chosen petite-soeur, you would have become a wonderful Rosa Chinensis in your own right." Miki simply responded by hugging her tighter. Her tears of joy preventing her from saying anything coherent at that moment.
"I am happy now," Sayako continued. "Because the way things are currently going, my petite-soeur and I will soon be family for real."
Sniffing back her tears, Miki said with a smile. "I look forward to that...Onee-sama." The love for her friend and former crush evident in her voice.
-0-0-
In an office across town, the elder of the Ogasawara men was speaking into the phone on his private line. "I see. And they haven't been together at all for several weeks?" he asked the person on the other end. After waiting for the other party's response, he hung up saying. "Thank you for your report." He then reached for a cigar and lit it before turning his chair around and putting his feet up on the credenza. Looking out the window behind it, he contemplated the culmination of the plans he had forced his family into by sheer force of will.
Everything was as he had deemed it to be. Sachiko would be marrying Suguru in two days per the engagement agreement. Once she did, the company's future would be halfway secured. He would make sure that fool dandy Suguru understood implicitly what was expected immediately thereafter to secure the other half. His and Sachiko's 'preferences' not withstanding, they would produce an heir. The elder Ogasawara would see to that. Whether it was actually Suguru's or not was irrelevant. There would be a male scion to take over in the future.
He had been concerned that he would have to force his grand-daughter into living up to her duty by driving away the distraction named Fukuzawa Yumi. However, his contact had just informed him that the pair had fought several weeks ago. After the screaming match between the two, the Fukuzawa girl had stormed out of the Ogasawara mansion and had not returned. Neither had she called for Sachiko. Another contact had informed him that the former soeur's were actively avoiding each other at the university as well.
'Good.' He thought. 'At least Sachiko understands her place and will do what is expected of her.' He blew out a puff of smoke. 'After they are married, she will submit herself to him and produce a fine heir, or two. Within the week, it was expected that she would drop her college courses and sign away her claims to the company. She will accept Suguru taking her place at the head of the company then retire to become the dutiful and submissive wife that her husband's position demands.' He smiled outwardly. Yes. Tradition would be followed. Life was indeed good.
-0-0-
At that same moment inside Tooru's study at the Ogasawara mansion, one of his longtime maids hung up the phone and waited for him to speak. "That was very good Himeko-san." He began. "You may keep your job. But I warn you. I never again want to find out that you have been spying for my father. Understand?" Himeko bowed deeply, her face flush with embarrassment and said. "Hai Ojou-sama." Tooru waited until she stood up again. "Good. All is forgiven then. You may return to your duties." Himeko bowed again and turned to leave.
As she reached the door, Tooru stopped her by saying. "Oh, and Himeko-san?" She turned to face him. "Hai Ojou-sama?" Smiling at her, he said. "About your parents...that high interest loan that was due and their medical insurance..." She nodded nervously. "You can forget them. They're both paid for."
Himeko's eyes went wide at his statement. "O-o-jou-sama?" She asked.
"Consider it a good faith bonus for your all your hard work for us. You should also see a raise in your next paycheck." He then dismissed her with. "Have a good night." Himeko turned and left, closing the door behind her.
As she walked down the hall away from Tooru's office, she could hardly believe her good fortune that day. She had been horrified to learn that Tooru knew of her spying on his daughter. He had been very angry at the time. After she had broken down crying and told him about his father holding the high interest debt over her and her parent's head to gain her cooperation, he had told her about what he had wanted her to report to him. Explaining that it would be the last such report she would ever give. Fearing for her job and reputation, she had agreed. She had then waited outside his office until asked to make the call.
Now, she knew what he had done. Despite his anger, he had understood why she had unwillingly betrayed his trust. On her behalf, he had then removed the threat that had bound her to that betrayal. 'Yes.' Himeko thought to herself. 'The Ogasawara's were good people.' They understood that loyalty went both ways. She had chosen well in serving them as long and faithfully as she had. Now that the current crises with her family had been avoided, it was a service she intended to continue giving them as long as they allowed her. She permitted herself a small smile as she hurried to her room to call her parents and tell them the good news.
-0-0-
A/N: 1. Miki Houribe is used here as Mrs. Fukuzawa's maiden name. It is canon to the established MSGM back story written by Konno Oyuki-sama. (Personal Note: This name is also used in a beautiful story written by fellow FanFiction writer Arvendell entitled: "Love Will Lead You Back." Please read it!)