A/N: Hi guys! Here is the second installment of the engagement party! Sorry if I have mistakes related to punctuation, grammar or spelling. To the reviewers who pointed out( indirectly) that I'm really bad at cliffhangers and suspense:

Yes, I know I suck ok? T.T just rub it on my face LOL XP. Now, read the new chapter while I work on Ch. 10.! Enjoy! Also review or comment if you like! (please do T.T) :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Marimite or any of its characters. All belongs to Oyuki Konno.

Chapter 9: The Engagement Party Part II

Yumi sighed in her mind. Turning around, she asked the person who was Yoshino with a questioning stare.

"Did you follow me outside Yoshino-chan?"

"No. I was just walking outside to get some fresh air and…"

Not believing her best friend, Yumi just stood there, arched her left eyebrow upwards and crossed her arms below her chest; giving her the 'oh really?' look.

"Ok maybe I did. I don't remember anything about you telling me to not follow you though."

Followed by that was a loud face palm from Yumi. What was I thinking? Of course she followed me, being the curious person she is. Baka

"So back to my question: Who was that guy and what is your relationship with hi-"the braided girl stopped her sentence and then started to mutter "NOOOO WAYY" louder and louder by the second. "Are you guys dating? Oh god Yumi did you replace Sachiko-sama that fast?"

Yumi's eyes bulged instantly when Yoshino's question went through her ear canals. Clearing Yoshino's confusion, Yumi said.

"No. NO. We are not dating. And how can you say that? Of all people, you Yoshino-chan should be the one to understand that no one can ever replace Sachiko… well not that fast." she whispered the last part while looking down.

"Gomen Yumi-chan! I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. It's just that…well I thought you guys were. From the point of it…you see…" Yoshino muttered, feeling embarrassed of her previous actions.

"No need to apologize Yoshino-chan. I don't blame you for making those kinds of conclusions to be honest. But really, we were just hugging as friends." Yumi emphasized on the word friend.

"Who was that guy you were with anyways? You never introduced him to the Yamayurikai earlier, even though he's your friend. Why?"

Yumi wanted to answer Yoshino, but since they're still at the party, she insisted that they will talk about it tomorrow. Of course, the current Rosa Foetida whined and tried to change Yumi's mind with her puppy eyes. But alas, Yoshino's technique didn't work. For Yumi was immune to those puppy eyes. Why? Ask Yuuki, and he'll tell you he tried doing puppy dog eyes to Yumi since they were toddlers. And so Yumi was therefore immune to cute animal eyes by the time she reached puberty. And no, even the kitty eyes don't work.

"Eh? Why can't you tell me right now Yumi-chan?" Yoshino pleaded.

"Do you want to know tomorrow or never know the reason at all?"

This made the braided-haired girl stop pleading, making Yumi smirk in her mind.

"Let's go to our table then neh? I'm pretty sure the others must be wondering where we are now, especially after you stalked me earlier."

"I didn't stalk you!" Yoshino quickly defended herself. " I was just observing your wellbeing at a reasonable distance…"

Yumi giggled at her best friend's way of thinking. 'That's pretty much what stalking means' she wanted to say, but didn't. Yoshino's way of describing the verb stalking was correct after all.

Naturally, by the time the two went back to their seats at their table, Sei was bombarding both Yumi and Yoshino with questions on where they were. At the same time Yumi was teased endlessly by the blonde woman, much to Youko's dismay.

"Oh you're turning red Yumi-chan! Are you sure you just went to the washroom? Or did you go somewhere else?"

Yumi just groaned whilst putting her head on the table, while Yoshino tried to assure the playful woman that Yumi did went to the washroom ( clearly it was a lie) and she just went after.

"Would you do us a favor Sei and stop teasing Yumi-chan? She doesn't need your teasing right now." An annoyed-Youko finally declared.

"Hai hai Youko-chan. Do you want me to tease you instead? You appeared to be jealous not a moment ago." Sei retorted cheekily, winking at the former Rosa Chinensis in the process.

"Sei, please stop having those foolish delusions." Youko rolled her eyes. Her? Be jealous? Now that was just plain foolish. No way she wants the blonde's affections.

Right?

Youko's musings where suddenly interrupted by an announcement made by the bride-to-be's father, Ogasawara Tooru. He was standing in the middle of the room and said.

"To all the guests who attended this joyful occasion, thank you for coming. It is my utmost pleasure to announce that this couple before me-"Tooru gestured for the engaged couple in front of him."- will be wed before this Autumn ends."

Claps erupted, and compliments from the others of how they look good together were uttered. Yumi can't help but feel so disheartened with the announcement. Is she sad for herself because her love won't be fulfilled by the one she loves? Or is it because she's sad for Sachiko's marriage, knowing that her married life would be hell for her? Most likely both.

All of a sudden, Rei spoke up.

"We should take our leave now. Persuading Sachiko about backing out of the engagement was futile."

Yumi was startled of this information. 'Rei-sama tried to talk Sachiko-sama about it too?' Well the act shouldn't surprise her, but it did. After all, they were best friends, so it's only natural for Rei to try her best to stop Sachiko from making the biggest mistake in her life, to voice those two words to Suguru at the altar.

I do.

"You guys go ahead. I have to say a few words to Sachiko-sama" Yumi waved them off.

"But Yumi-chan…" Yoshino replied, not wanting to leave her best friend alone with her.

"Don't worry. I'll be back with you guys before you know it." Yumi answered back with a smile.

Yumi-chan… When did you get so strong? When did you suddenly grow up without me noticing?

The future Ogasawara heiress was sitting down, having a glass of champagne in her hand. She was thinking of her decisions, and more importantly her conversation with Rei.

'Did I really make a bad decision?'

Sachiko was so deep in thought, that she didn't hear footsteps growing louder at her direction. Someone tapped her shoulder, and when she turned around to greet the said person, she was astonished to the point where breathing became an ordeal. For standing in front of her, was no one other than Yumi.

"Yumi? What brings you here?" Sachiko finally asked. Her mind was at turmoil at this point. What could she possibly want to talk about?

"I'm here to tell you congratulations on your engagement Sachiko-sama."The brunette answered composedly, as if Sachiko's question was a simple one.

"Oh, well thank you Yumi…anything else you want to tell me?"

"There is one more thing actually. I wish you happiness regarding the engagement, and I hope you won't regret this decision you made" Yumi replied with a serene smile, making Sachiko even more uneasy.

Sachiko gripped her glass of champagne tighter. That smile just now wasn't true at all. It was a fake one. Yumi told her best wishes to her, yet her smile seemed so… full of distress. 'Did I really do this to you Yumi? That you can't smile your true smile anymore?'

"Thank you Yumi."

"I should get going now. I don't want the others to wait too long now." Yumi gestured towards the exit.

Giving Yumi a nod, Sachiko uttered. "Thank you so much for coming. You don't know how much this means to me. Thank you for finally accepting our fate."

"You also don't know how much this took me to attend this party, Sachiko-sama"

Yumi turned around and started walking. As she was walking, Yumi can't help but let a few teardrops roll down her cheeks.

When the party was finally over, Suguru went to where his fiancé was at. He found her sitting all alone at one of the guest tables. As he was approaching, he saw that she was zoning out; she was staring at her lap for more than a minute actually. Sitting down next to her, Suguru started to shake Sachiko's shoulder until the woman finally snapped out of her trance.

"Get ready at noon tomorrow Sachan. I'll pick you up at that time." Suguru told his cousin.

"And why is that?" Sachiko gave him a questioning stare.

"Well, you see… we're going to have a double date tomorrow with an underclassman of mine. He asked me if we can go tomorrow" Suguru explained wearily. He steeled for the raven-haired girl's response which would definitely be an unpleasant one.

"WHAT?" Sachiko exploded; not caring if her way of speaking was unrefined. "You accepted his request without my knowing?"

"Oh it can't be that bad. It's just a simple lunch at a local restaurant. What's there to be mad about?"

Sachiko can't help but feel like choking her fiancé to death. Her hands started to clench violently. One can clearly see a vein about to pop on her forehead.

Seeing this reaction, Suguru quickly thought of a way to escape Sachiko's wrath. Looking at his wristwatch, Suguru exclaimed.

"Why look at the time! I have to go home now. I do want to be ready for our double date tomorrow. See you then Sachan!"

Suguru hastily walked outside to his red sports car, making the bride-to-be groan with frustration, deciding that it was safer for him to be not near her instead of being in front of her. God knows what could happen if she did manage to choke him.

It was clearly night time, so she better get ready for bed to. Along the way to her chambers, Sachiko can't help but remember her conversation with her best friend Rei.

-Flashback-

"Are you sure you want to go on with this engagement Sachiko?" Rei asked seriously.

"Of course I will. That's why I held this party."

Rei felt so sorry for her friend. She was stuck in a loveless engagement and what's worse was that she thought this was an excellent decision. This is nothing but a simple business merging!

"Are you going to say that I'm wrong Rei? That I did the wrong thing like all the others have?" Sachiko asked with a scorn.

"No."

"Why?"

Sachiko can't believe it. And her she thought that Rei will tell her that marrying Suguru is a bad idea. She stood corrected.

"I'm not here to tell you that your decisions are wrong. I'm just merely suggesting that maybe you should think about your decisions carefully; that small things like your choices would be a big impact in your life later on."

"So you're saying that this decision I made would later on have a huge influence in my future? I thought of that Rei, and I know how my future will turn out."

"That's where you're wrong. No one can foretell their future. We don't accept the future given to us by our parents or anyone else. We make our own future."

Sachiko can't help but smirk bitterly at Rei's words

'She can't understand what I'm going through. She doesn't know what it feels like; to have your parents' expectations so high you can't possibly disobey them.' Sachiko mused sullenly

It was true. To the Ogasawaras, arranged marriages had been a part of their traditions for decades now. What could possibly change that now?

"You may think that I don't know what it's like, to have your parents or other people decide your future. So I'm not going to persuade you to change your mind. I just hope you find happiness later on."

-End of flashback-

Sachiko arrived to her bedroom. She changed to her night dress and was lying down on her bed. She was pondering to herself deeply, and so drowsiness can't overcome her. Standing up, she went to her balcony and into the slightly windy night.

"Can I person like me really change her future?" She murmured aimlessly to the cool breeze.

To Be Continued…

A/N: I worked for 5 hours on this chapter, and I hope my efforts aren't fruitless. Leave a comment or two if you want ^^ Next up, the double date! (hooray! *does the dougie*

I do however have to ask you guys this: Do you guys want me to update every week or update every 2 weeks but have 2 chapters ready and post them 3 days interval? :3

Hope to hear from you guys soon,

AsulNaRosa