A/N: To those who still read this story of mine: Thank you very much for having the time to do so! So chapter 12 is here, and I hope you guys enjoy it. For those who tried to guess my age... well let's just leave it to your imaginations! Some say my writing comes out as a very young person's writing... which is very interesting to me indeed ^^

So like always, sorry in advance if there are any errors of any kind in this chapter because I do not have a beta reader ^^ You guys can leave a review or PM if you want, but it's okay if you don't :) (But if I were you, you should. Your reviews motivate me and helps me write and upload chapters faster :D)

Disclaimer: I do not own Marimite or any of its characters. All belongs to Oyuki Konno.

Chapter 12: The Pinkish White Envelope

Sachiko opened her eyes and sighed heavily. Normally she would sleep until it was almost time for lunch, for she has a condition where her body has low blood pressure in the mornings. But she woke up at six in the morning today, and she knew exactly why. Still wanting to go back to sleep she tried to close her eyes and sleep again. After a few minutes of tossing and turning she gave up.

It was completely useless.

Her mind was racing with the events that occurred yesterday during the double date she and Suguru had with Yumi and... her boyfriend.

So she became friends with Yumi. It's better to have her as a friend than nothing. Not having any kind of contact with her was like being stranded alone on an island. To put it simply:

She was alone without her and it was killing her.

She didn't even realize it until now. She desperately wanted to control time, and go back yesterday and tell Yumi that no.

She doesn't want her as a friend. She wants her as an equal, a partner or shortly speaking a lover. But she was far too late. Heck, she was already too late when she rejected Yumi's love that summer night because of her cowardice. Because of her.

And now, she was suffering from that same cowardice. She was suffering this pain of jealousy, humiliation and rejection because of her. She wanted to blame Yumi's boyfriend, Kaoru so badly. But she can't because deep inside her she knew that she was the only one to blame for what she's feeling right now.

Rubbing the sleepiness out of her eyes Sachiko was still for a moment before getting up. She trudged to the washroom and flickered the light on. Sachiko undressed and ran the faucet to her luxurious-looking bath tub. It was practically a huge jacuzzi minus the jet streams that make the bath tub bubble and warm. She dipped in and sighed with comfort.

She had everything a young lady of the middle and low class could ever dream of. A big bedchamber filled with expensive furniture, a huge bathroom that is so big that at least 7 individuals could easily fit in the bath tub. Not to mention everything was made out of marble. She had a huge mansion occupied by countless maids and servants who were ready to serve her just by calling them once.

She had a fiancé that any girl would dream of marrying without hesitation. She had money, fame and power. She practically had everything a person would want, so people thought she was living the good and easy going life.

But that's where they're wrong.

She did have a huge bedchamber and bathroom, but those places make her feel lonely due to their enormity. To her, the huge queen-sized bed basically screamed the word alone.

It was true that there were many people in the mansion, but to her they were just strangers who just take care of her needs for money. She'd go home every day after school and when she would open the two, huge mahogany doors she'd say "I'm home." She was greeted by silence after.

She was getting married to a guy who was gorgeous, handsome and polite. People didn't know she was also getting hitched to a man who's only romantically interested in other men.

Realizing that she stayed too long in the bath tub, she got up and unplugged the drain. She can tell that she was in the water for too long because her skin was kind of wrinkly.

She then dried herself and wrapped the towel around her nude figure. Instinctively she walked out of her washroom and walked to another extension of her bedchambers.

Her almost room-sized wardrobe.

So many clothing to choose from...which outfit should she wear today? Scanning for clothes to wear, a certain pair of blue jeans suddenly caught her attention.

Those blue jeans... they were perfect.

She picked it up and ran her fingers against the denim's surface; making memories of her first date with Yumi flood to her mind, and it also flooded her eyes with unshed tears.

These jeans...brought back so many happy memories.

It was decided. She's going to wear the blue jeans and a black tank top.

After making sure she dressed up and looked presentable enough, Sachiko went downstairs to join her mother for breakfast.

On the way Sachiko desperately thought of ways on how she and Yumi could go out together without Yumi's boyfriend and her cousin, and also make it look like she wasn't desperate for Yumi's company.

Which obviously was a lie, for she practically craved Yumi's presence. She just can't start calling Yumi and asking her if they could go out. Especially after her talk with Yumi's brother Yuuki. God was he protective of her.

Sitting at the dining table Sachiko greeted her mother with a pleasant good morning, but Sayako knew that she was in deep, deep thought. She can tell.

"Sachiko-chan? Are you alright?" Sayako asked with a worried face.

"I am perfectly fine mother. Thank you for asking. May I inquire why you asked?" Sayako sighed heavily as she replied."Something's bothering you isn't there?" She knew her daughter was deeply thinking for their food was served two minutes ago, yet Sachiko didn't even pick up her fork. Sachiko on the other hand was surprised but she didn't show it. She was taught that a proper lady must never show her true emotions, for it was a sign of weakness. She has mastered this skill for years now, but her mother easily read her like an open book. Just by observing her.

The prolonged silence confirmed Sayako's conclusion.

"Look, if you have a problem of some sort, maybe you can ask your cute petite soeur Yumi-chan. She's a bright and helpful girl. I'm pretty sure she can help you dear."

This made Sachiko shook her head in disapproval. "I don't think that's possible mother. We... have a complicated relationship as of now." Sachiko's gaze went to her lap, after hearing how her words turned out.

"I see. Well maybe you should ask your cousin Touko instead. She is close to Yumi, and she did help you choose the bride and bridesmaid dresses."

That's it. That's how she'll be able to hang out with the brunette with a valid reason.

Sachiko rapidly thought of an excuse. "I'm not hungry right now mother. May I be excused?" Sayako couldn't say no at the moment because of her daughter's eyes. Her eyes were pleading her to say yes. Sighing in resignation, she agreed.

"Alright. But you have to eat later ok Sachiko-chan?"

"I will mother. Thank you."

As Sachiko walked briskly to her room, she can't help but giggle and smile at the plan her mind was formulating. Not wasting a single second, she quickly entered her room and went straight to her desk. She sat down; grabbed a black fountain pen and reached for the top drawer and took out a piece of paper. With a pen and paper in hand, Sachiko started to write.

Dear Yumi...

Yumi sighed heavily as she climbed to the bus which usually took her to Lillian. After paying her bus fare, she sat down on a window seat and gazed at the moving landscape.

It had been a day since Yumi last saw the blunette who was consuming most of her thoughts since the double date. Only one day has passed, but for some reason all she could think about was that one person.

Sachiko.

Last night she attempted to call her, but when she picked up the phone she decided a last minute change to her plan. So she placed the phone down instead. This continued three more times before she finally gave up. She didn't make up her mind; to call or not to call Sachiko.

Obviously she ultimately chose the second latter. What would she say anyway? If she told her that they should go somewhere; Where are they going?

Noticing that the vehicle she was on stopped at her destination Yumi got up, thanked the driver and got off the bus. She was then greeted by the big gates of Lillian. After entering the campus, Yumi went straight to Maria-sama's statue and began to pray.

She wasn't pretending to pray. She poured her entire soul and being into that single prayer. What was she praying for you ask?

She practically pleaded Maria-sama to give her a perfect chance to talk to Sachiko. She was that desperate; that desperate to hear her former onee-sama's sweet, warm voice.

After finishing her prayers, the pig-tailed girl went straight to the Rose Mansion for the usual brief meetings the Yamayurikai held before morning classes started. As she reached for the entrance door, the door surprisingly swung open, and her petite soeur Touko collided into her with such great force that it sent them both lying on the ground after.

Shaking her head, Touko looked up and recognized that the person she crashed into was the Rosa Chinensis!

"Y-Yumi-sama, are you hurt?" Touko asked worriedly.

"I'm completely fine. Are you hurt?" Yumi replied back. 'It was just like déjà vu all over again.' Yumi thought tenderly.

"I'm ok. Gomen for causing all of this."

Yumi just gave her a cheerful smile while she helped Touko stand up. After that was done, Yumi then asked why her petite soeur was such in a hurry.

"That's because I was going to look for you Yumi-sama."

'She was looking for me? Whatever for?' Whatever the reason, it must be important. Much so that it made Touko search for her in a hurried state. Which was a rare sight for Touko was usually a calm, collected person.

Like Sachiko.

"If you are wondering why, it's because I'm suppose to give you a letter." Touko reached for her pocket; took out a pinkish-white envelope and gave it to her onee-sama.

Yumi looked at the envelope on her hand. Two things are for sure.

It was super fancy looking and that it came from someone really important.

"Who was it from?"

Touko hesitantly blurted out."It was from Sachiko-sama."

Yumi froze for a moment. Did she heard right? That this letter she received just now was from Sachiko? Opening the envelope, she took out a piece of paper and read its content.

Dear Yumi,

You may be surprised to receive this letter from me. I made a very important decision regarding to my wedding which will take place in a month's time. It would be my greatest pleasure if you, Fukuzawa Yumi would accept my request to be one of my bridesmaids. More importantly, my maid of honor. If you don't accept, it's fine. But if you do; you do know that the maid of honor holds the responsibility to plan and arrange a bachelorette party. Please call me as soon as you get this letter to confirm whether you accept this request of mine or not.

Yours sincerely,

Ogasawara Sachiko.

Yumi's eyes widened after reading the letter. This was it! This was the perfect chance she was looking for!

Seeing her onee-sama's surprised expression made Touko curious. She then asked if she could see the letter. Yumi handed it to her with no hesitation. After reading the letter, Touko exclaimed loudly.

"What! This is preposterous onee-sama. Not only will she not cancel her wedding; she also wants you, her ex-lover to be a bridesmaid and her maid of honor!"

Yumi just shrugged and fought the urge to cry. Hearing this from her petite souer somehow made Yumi look at the downside of Sachiko's request. But she must stay optimistic, and so she will."At least we could have fun together for the last time before she gets married right? Be optimistic Touko-chan!"

"Do you know that you are the most selfless person I have ever met?" Touko inhaled deeply before hugging her onee-sama. She won't let Yumi go through with this by herself. She will be at her side, no matter how long it will take. She will never leave her onee-sama's side. Yumi just smiled dearly and hugged Touko back.

"Arigatou Touko-chan. Arigatou."

At that moment, Yumi was forever grateful to the heavens for Touko's presence in her life.

To Be Continued...

A/N: Guess what? I have a mountain stack of homework to do! YAY (not ) (-_-) I promise I will get my homework finished quickly, so that I can start to write chapter 13. So do you guys like this chapter or hate it? Please tell me your opinions through your reviews or PMs. If you have any questions, you can pm me anytime, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.\(~o~)/ - I have no idea what that face is XD

Hope to hear from you soon,

AsulNaRosa