A/N: Hey guys! Sorry if this update's kind of slow. You see, I got caught up in some sort of… accident to put it. So I apologize for the long wait :c Stupid nurse won't let me even use my laptop. I mean, how can you even hurt yourself with a laptop? Anyways, thank you to those who are still reading this story. You guys don't know how much that means to me. Also, a big thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter and to those who gave my story a chance. I love you guys so much XD This chapter is dedicated to all the moms in the world!
I haven't read any new updates or fics out there, so I'll start reading some(YES!) and review some fics and updates. Finally, give a big round of applause to my beta-reader veamgee for editing the latest chapter! Best. editor. ever!
Please review, pm or leave a comment if you have the time to do so. That would be greatly appreciated. Here's chapter 20 and have a blast reading? (-3-)/
Disclaimer: I do not own Marimite or any of its characters. All belongs to Oyuki Konno.
Chapter 20: A Mother's Love
Beep...beep...beep...
Beep...beep...beep...
5 days, 22 hours, 13 minutes, and 49 seconds has passed since the tragic event that sent her life into a spiral of complete chaos. It didn't matter. Everything didn't matter anymore except for her. For the past few days, both her father and grandfather did everything they could to convince her to leave Yumi's side. In fact, they actually persuaded her with gifts, money and empty promises or actual lies of how everything would be fine if she marries Suguru.
Telling her to leave the brunette's side and carry on with the marriage as if nothing happened.
Just recollecting those memories was enough to make the Ogasawara heiress's blood boil furiously with hatred. Are they that blind to see that she doesn't want to get married to him? What's even worse was that they didn't even tell these things to her personally. As if sending other people to convey their messages would even slightly convince her of ever leaving Yumi's side again.
She had had enough.
Sachiko wanted to shut her heavy, tired eyes and wished for both the time and the world to stop, even if it is just for a mere second. She was so tired, so weary of putting up a front for her family. It's been too long. She has reached her limit to the point where her perfect exterior was cracking and crumbling away with the wind like sand. Her hand shuffled through her messy raven hair as she sighed heavily. Her position hasn't changed at all during the last few days. Sitting on a beige armchair right beside the sleeping girl; her sapphire orbs not even straying away from the petite girl's unmoving face, her hand gently stroking the girl's arm, sometimes squeezing Yumi's hand, hoping that the simple action would bring her back to the state of consciousness. Sachiko just sat there, only leaving to perform the most mundane tasks such as to go to the washroom and taking a shower. Other than that, only the ticking of the wall clock and the beeping of the monitor could be heard as she waited patiently, silently praying to the gods to bring Yumi back to her and the awaken world.
But then, what will happen next after Yumi has awakened? Sachiko's unoccupied hand clenched dangerously tight; her long nails digging into her palm, making crescent-moon marks in the process. She seethed at the idea of Yumi waking up next to her, only to find out that she's still engaged to be married. Then they'll go back to this vicious cycle of sadness and heartbreak; only to repeat and repeat for the ages to come.
Well, she won't let that happen anymore. Not again.
"Yumi, if you can hear me, please listen carefully" Sachiko whispered softly, reaching for the sleeping girl's face to brush a few strands of hair, being careful to avoid the gauze wrapped carefully around the crown "I'm just going out to settle a few things, ok?" She stood half-way and bent down to kiss Yumi's forehead. "I'll be back soon enough, I promise."
Standing up fully, Sachiko reached into her jean pocket and took hold of her cell phone. Flipping it open, her thumb made quick work with the keypad as she dialed the number of a man who owns a red sports car. It only took two rings before the person on the receiving end picked up and answered.
"Sa-chan, is everything alright?" Suguru's worried tone rang clearly through the phone.
"Yes, everything's quite alright. The reason I called you is because I need a ride to my residence. And I need you there with me as well."
Sachiko could practically see Suguru's right eyebrow reach his hairline as her words sunk into his brain. He asked her why, his voice ringing with confusion and curiosity and all that.
"Umm… Do you mind me asking why? What exactly are you planning here Sa-chan?"
Determination welled up inside her, and with a steely tone she answered "I am going to the mansion and break the news to Father and Ojii-sama that I want the marriage to be officially annulled. And that I'm in love with Yumi."
Sachiko heard the young man turn off the car engine and remove the keys from the ignition. Gazing at the huge building called her house; Sachiko tried to slow down her anxious, heavy breathing and reluctantly closed her eyes. Her grasp on the car door's handle was so intense that as a result her knuckles were turning white.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Sa-chan? I mean, we could always confront them some other time. You know, when you're ready and more comfortable with your decision?"
Forcing her eyes open, Sachiko glanced at the grand entrance of the mansion of the Ogasawara residence and took a much needed intake of somewhat dense air.
Shaking her head, Sachiko tugged the door handle towards her and pushed the door open.
"No. I'm so tired of running away from this. I have to do it now before any of these gets even worse. There's no turning back on this; not when I am well aware of my feelings towards Yumi and that the love of my life needs me, my support and my acceptance" she said with determination flaming up in her sapphire eyes.
"And besides, I can't bear the thought of hurting her again when this engagement of ours is still ongoing." she added rather wearily as she stepped out of the sports car.
"Ok…," Suguru nodded at his fiancée's resolve, as he too opened the door of his side and stood up beside the car. "Ok" he uttered again.
The near-winter breeze slightly made her chilly. Having no outer layer of clothing such as a coat or jacket would probably be the reason why. Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to will her limbs into motion. The sooner she gets this thing over with, the faster she could return to Yumi's side.
'Come on legs. It isn't that hard to walk over to the double doors. Just put one foot ahead of the other one step at a time.' Sachiko mentally coached herself. Occupied by her inner ramblings, Sachiko failed to notice her cousin go around the car, remove his black business suit jacket, and place it around her slightly-shivering petite frame. This quickly awakened Sachiko from her inner thinking. She thoughtfully regarded what had happened around her while she was busy with her musings.
Sachiko turned around to face the man and gave him a small, thankful smile.
"Thank you, Suguru-kun."
Suguru's face was a surprised and confused one at first, but just as fast as his puzzled demeanor surfaced, it vanished rather quickly and was soon replaced by a knowing smile, fully understanding that Sachiko's word of gratitude held a lot of meaning behind it.
Not to mention she called him 'Suguru-kun' for the first time in the past five years pretty much made the right corner of his lips tug just slightly upward, making his smile have an edge to it.
"Shall we?" Suguru asked with a gentleman-like hand gesture towards the door. Sachiko nodded her head, still smiling softly. She knew that their sudden visit would end rather... unpleasantly, to say the least. But with someone like Suguru beside her through it all, and with Yumi's undying love firmly tucked away in her heart, she knew that she could stand her ground against her family, or more importantly, her grandfather.
With that thought ingrained in her mind, Sachiko finally started walking towards the double-doors, Suguru shortly following her lead from behind. Before she could even ring the doorbell though, the left door opened and a very surprised-looking Sayako greeted them.
"Sachiko! Suguru! I'm so glad you two are visiting the house today! I was beginning to think you were planning to live with Yumi at the hospital, Sachiko" was Sayako's greeting to the two.
She sounded pleased to see her and Sachiko knew exactly why. She hadn't spoken to her mother that much since Yumi's accident. She only spoke to her when she needed mundane things such as clothing and etc. at the hospital. And the fact that she didn't budge at all when Sayako practically begged her to come home didn't help lessen the worries of her easily-worried mother.
"Likewise, Mother" Sachiko said ruefully. "Suguru and I just came by so we could talk to Father and Ojii-sama" she continued, meeting with her mother's eyes and holding their gaze. "I know I'm not being the best daughter in the world right now, but I really need to speak to them, and well…including you."
Sayako stared at Sachiko as if her daughter was some sort of delusional lunatic, her mouth holding back a gleeful yet understanding smile.
"You may not know yet, but I understand now why you didn't leave Yumi-chan's side during these past few days."
She sounded as if she discovered something that was to be kept a secret, and knowing that undecipherable smile plastered on her mother's face, Sachiko truly believed that she knew without her even telling her mother. Sayako may be that talkative kind of person, but only a few people knew that she was also a very keen observer.
'But how did she find out?'
Sachiko knew herself inside and out, and she knew she was a person of discreet. And because she was the daughter of one of the high-class families in Japan, she was trained not to leak out any of her emotions. She was taught to hold all those feelings behind a fake and impenetrable mask of show. So how did her mother find out?
"B-but ho-"
"Don't you want to come in? I won't be surprised if you two will catch a cold sooner or later; standing out there for a long period of time. Let's continue this discussion inside, yes?" Sayako gestured to the inside of the house.
Sachiko noticed that her mother had purposely cut her off. Not wanting to show her baffled confusion any more, she nodded her head in agreement and stepped into the household with Suguru trailing behind her. The two of them stood right beside Sayako after entering.
"You two wanted to have a talk with Tooru and Ojii-sama, right? If so, I'll accompany you. They're both in the main study room; you know, talking about business plans and all that." Sayako flicked her hand up and down nonchalantly, looking as if her husband and father-in-law were in there for the last couple of hours. Then she started walking, expecting the two to follow her.
The main study room, the older female Ogasawara was talking about, was located at the south-west wing part of the mansion. Walking there would take quite a time. Knowing this, Sachiko began walking behind her mother, turned around and gave Suguru a long, annoyed and pointed look. Her lips curled into a sneer and whispered angrily "You're the reason why she knows about my relationship with Yumi!" she said accusingly. "How could you?!"
With this Sachiko snapped her head forward and started walking in a quicker pace, momentarily leaving the blinking and confused man alone. Not a moment too soon, Suguru quietly jogged to catch up to the seething girl and rose his hands up in defense.
"I didn't tell Aunt Sayako anything! Why would I do that anyways?" Suguru looked up, finding the ceiling to be interesting all of a sudden and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Besides, I'm sure she knew about your relationship with Yumi even before you did." He finished calmly while looking away, bracing himself for his cousin's outburst.
"What?!" Her voice raised two octaves higher.
He knew it.
Sachiko's eyes were saucers now. Her annoyed, seething demeanor from earlier was instantly replaced by a face that said: 'I can't believe it! I don't believe you!'
She was on the verge of hysterics now, to sum it up. Did everyone know of her and Yumi? Were they that obvious?
Furrowing her eyebrows, Sachiko racked her brain for any signs that gave away the supposed secret. They were not the touchy-feely kind of people, that's for sure. The only time they did show affection was when they were in private, away from the world's prying eyes. The only exception to this was when they were practically grinding against each other at the dance floor during her bachelorette party.
'Yumi and I didn't really do anything in front of mother that gave us away. We always kept our distance from each other when we were at my family's presence…'
After racking her brain for answers and not finding any, she gave up thinking.
"I don't understand you at all." Sachiko finally answered after moments of thinking, as she silently waved her hand towards Suguru like he's some kind of freak in a traveling circus. "I mean, what did you mean when you said about the part where she knew about our relationship even before I did? How is that even possible?"
Suguru chuckled, his eyes twinkling in merriment. "You still don't get it, do you?"
She was this close to clutching her head and tearing her hair out of anxiousness for answers. What did she not get that everyone else did?!
"Don't get what, Suguru?!" Sachiko's eyes glinted with desire for answers. "I don't understand how mother could know about Yumi and I, even before I did. I never let my guard down! I was trained to do so in an early age. Pretending became a second nature to me, putting up a mask in front of everybody," Sachiko clarified these facts, stating that it was impossible for anyone to read her.
"So how did mother find out? I just don't get it!" Sachiko finished desperately, dropping her head wearily; confusion was swirling inside her mind like a whirlpool.
"Everything that you just said was indeed true," Suguru confirmed, nodding his head in agreement to what his cousin just stated. "But, you forgot one important fact. I'm surprised though. It was right under your nose, and you still didn't ge-"
"Obviously," Sachiko cut in, fed up with Suguru's answers. They were answers- yes, but they didn't really answer her questions. Her questions were just being answered with more questions, adding more to her frustration.
"Sachiko," Suguru planted his hand on Sachiko's shoulder, making his confused cousin look at him. "She knows because she's your mother." he answered with a serious look.
Upon hearing this, Sachiko's puzzlement vanished and an 'oh' formed on her lips.
Due to her just-now epiphany, Sachiko didn't notice she had arrived at the entrance of the main study room. Apparently, her mother has to somewhat make her realize this.
"We are here, Sachiko-chan." Sayako announced with a grin.
Suguru nudged her using his elbow with a reassuring smile. Looking at her mother and Suguru, Sachiko can't help but grin as well. Judging from their looks, especially her mother's, she was sure that no matter what happens, they'll stand up for her and back her up. This thought made the Ogasawara heiress grin even more.
Nodding her head, Sachiko gestured for her mother to open the twin doors that leads to her father and grandfather's whereabouts.
"Let's do this."
"So, I'm gay. I'm in love with Yumi and that there is nothing anyone can do or say to change how I feel."
Sachiko remained motionless as she shifted her eyes between the members of her family, trying to hold her ground under her grandfather's burning and steely gaze.
Fear was running down her spine rapidly. She was anxiously waiting for someone- anyone to utter a word or even a sound. But being the good pretender that she was, she managed to tear her gaze away from her grandfather's unrelentingly.
"You may feel this way Sachiko, but I know for one that you still love Suguru. And two, this thing- whatsoever abomination you're feeling at the moment is nothing but a phase my dear." Endo Ogasawara said, finally breaking the eerie silence that descended down the room.
Sachiko clenched her hands dangerously tight; her knuckles turning pale white as her body silently shook from rage. Hearing those words abominationandphase makes her want to punch him. How dare he say that?! Just when she was about to shout back, Sachiko felt Suguru's hand on her left shoulder.
He was telling her to calm down.
"Okay," Sayako said softly, still looking at Sachiko warmly. "I know that what you feel for Yumi-chan is true and I thank you for being honest." She finished warm-heartedly, causing Sachiko to smile gratefully.
"You agree to this?" Tooru asked his wife bewildered while gesturing wildly to her daughter. This made Sachiko look over to her father and then away quickly, her eyes skittering around the room, pausing for a long time on Sayako, before she sighed and stared off deeply in the distance towards one of the huge wall windows.
Sayako turned her attention to her husband. "Tooru," Sayako began with a stern voice. Her tone surprised not only Tooru, but everyone else in the room. She was known to have the most tender and warm voice when she speaks, but not all the time. And right now, this was being proven.
"Sachiko is our daughter, dear. We have to accept her for who she is. Her being in love with a woman doesn't change the fact that she's still our little girl."
Tooru breathed in deeply, his forehead forming wrinkles from furrowing his grayish eyebrows.
"But that's just it, Sayako! Sachiko is in love with a woman! A woman! I can't have a daughter who's a-a lesbian!" Tooru shouted with rage as he pointed his finger towards his daughter, who at the moment was on the verge of tearing up.
"And what's wrong with being in love, Tooru?! Aren't you happy our Sachiko has found love?!" Sayako shouted back quickly.
"I'd rather have her spend the rest of her life with the woman of her dreams than with a man who could never make her happy." she continued her outburst.
"Would you forgive a person if he/she called your daughter a dyke who deserves to die and burn in hell for her preference in sexuality?"
Tooru slammed his hand on a nearby table lamp. "What kind of question is that?! Of course not! I could never forgive such a person for hurting Sachiko."
Sayako cupped her husband's face and made him look at her. "Do you know that by not accepting who she is, is hurting Sachiko even more?"
Endo cut in, unable to hold in his anger anymore upon listening to the exchange between the married couple, "I cannot believe my daughter-in-law accepts her only daughter being a lesbian! Tooru, do the right thing and disown this girl at once! I cannot bear the thought of having a shameless sin live in this household." he finished angrily, his voice dripping with disgust and hatred.
Tooru gazed at his wife's pleading eyes before looking at his father.
"No"
Endo's eyes widened in surprise, "What did you just say, Tooru?"
"I will not disown my only daughter, Father. Because I think Sayako is right. Her liking the same gender doesn't change the fact that she's still my own flesh and blood. I am her father, and I'll do anything to protect her from pain and suffering. Even if it means accepting her for whom she is…or going against you."
To Be Continued…
A/N: Like it? Hate it? Why not review so I could know? As you can see, this story is going to an end. Maybe I'll round it up in 2-3 chapters, it depends. Thank you once more for reading and until we meet again!
Hope to hear from you soon,
AsulNaRosa
P.S. Isn't my beta reader the best or what? Ahahaha :D