A/N: And we're back. In our last episode, Touko ate Nana and Kanako became President of the Justin Bieber fan club, Of course, I'm kidding, I am sure that Kanako has better taste in music. In honor of Matt Smith's final bow as the Doctor, I will start this chapter with what he says anytime that he is going to do something crazy, Geronimo!
Disclaimer: Don't own Marimite, not making money, and I'm just writing for my own, and hopefully others', amusement.
Ten Years Later
Chapter 15: Stars
Yumi
'It had been a fun weekend, but now it's time to get back to work,' Yumi thought as she walked into the office. She always tried to be the first to arrive and the last to leave, a trait that she had picked up from her father. "To be a success in business, you need to set the proper example, Yumi," were his words of advice when she had asked him about it. She knew that this firm would one day be hers so she decided to follow her father's lead. However, she was not the first in; her father, Yuuichiro, was already at his desk looking at the ledger.
"Come on in, Yumi, and look at this with me," Yuuichiro commanded. His daughter smiled and walked over to the senior architect's workspace. One could only call Yuuichiro's desk a desk in the loosest sense of the word. It was his drafting table. He simply cluttered it with paperwork and other effects, such as family pictures. These he would stow in plastic milk crates when he was working on a design.
Yumi chuckled at one of the pictures on her desk. It was picture of the family when they took a vacation to California after she and Yuuki had graduated from high school. They were all wearing Mickey Mouse ears in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was first time that she could remember smiling after the break up. 'If it wasn't for Yuuki's antics on the trip, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed the vacation and I would have stayed in my funk. He has saved me more than once. I need to remember to thank him and do something special for him.' Yumi mused. A clearing of a throat reminded her that it was her father, not her brother that demanded her attention.
"Yumi, thanks to you getting the Haibatsu project started and winning the bid for the Sendai Community Center, we are way ahead of revenue projections for this quarter," her father said calmly.
Yumi started to nod and then it hit her, "Dad, we got the Sendai project? Why didn't you tell me?" She was surprised, happy, and annoyed with her father all at the same time.
Her father's serious mask crumbled and he gave her a big hug, laughing, "Congratulation, Yumi. The mayor and city council loved your design and they want us to get it started as soon as we can. Not only that but we are in the final selections for the new Tenmei building project. You are to meet with their company president tonight at dinner. My girl, you have always been my treasure but now you are becoming a gold mine!"
Yumi looked a little embarrassed at her father's praise, but being hugged by him was never a bad thing. 'What girl who has a good relationship with her dad hates this?' she asked herself while returning the hug. 'Yep, I'm a daddy's girl even after all these years.' Something struck her as somewhat odd and she asked Yuuichiro, "Why would the company president wish to meet with me?"
"Well, I found that a bit strange myself to be completely honest," the elder Fukuzawa answered. "The person from Tenmei said that it was a prerequisite to be considered for the project. It was also different that they wanted the lead architect instead of the head of the firm," Yuuichiro thought for a moment and gave his daughter one last squeeze before releasing her. "It doesn't matter to me unless the president is some sexual predator creep. In any case, you have my fullest confidence, Yumi. I could not be more proud of you and your brother. You both have accomplished so much in your young lives. Well, enough mush, get back to work," he said, suddenly reverting back to boss mode.
Yumi chuckled and in a cheeky voice, replied, "Yes Milord! Your poor serf will return to her duties. It is a privilege to serve, Milord." She bowed and she left the area prompting her father to mutter, "Smart ass."
As she returned to her desk, Yumi pondered the significance of the dinner meeting. Her intuition told her that there was something behind the demand that she attend instead of her dad. 'Maybe it is some hot businesswoman that knows I'm out and wants to try her luck. It's too bad for her that I have Shi-chan now!' Yumi groaned when she remembered that they had made plans for this evening. 'Damn, this sucks but work is work.' She quickly texted Shimako apologizing that she was going to have back out of their date because something came up at work. She promised to make up to her in any way that Shimako chose, and Yumi emphasized "ANY." That message sent, the brunette sighed and began to get her proposal ready for the dinner.
Sachiko
On her way into the Ogasawara Conglomerate main offices, Sachiko could hardly maintain a straight face. 'There is some benefit in being born to this wretched family,' she exulted internally. 'I get Yumi's undivided attention for an evening. Maybe we can get some warmth back in our relationship!'
Suguru, her cousin/soon to be ex-husband was sitting next to her in the limousine listening to her chuckle to herself. When he had had enough, the Kashiwagi heir grumped, "Okay, Sa-chan, what has got you so bloody happy this early in the morning?" He had never been a morning person. 'I wish that I was back in bed with Alice. He was so cuddly this morning. This early meetings are so bad for my mood and a fucking waste of time.' He knew that the Ogasawara board was going to make the same demand that his family's board of directors did, that they produce a male heir. 'Both companies are stuck in the freaking Edo Era. Why the hell can't Yumiko inherit both companies? She is the most serious person that I've ever met, other than the Old Monster. She is not as evil, and I hope that it stays that way.' He returned his attention to Sachiko who was answering him.
"Do you know the Tenmei Company, the one over in Nagasaki that my father is letting me run?" She asked. Suguru nodded, and she continued, "Well, Father and I decided that it needed a new office building because the current one was built when the last Emperor was young. You will never guess who the lead architect for the best looking design is."
Suguru groaned again, 'Why is she doing this to herself? I can tell that it will be a long time before Yumi-chan trusts her again, if ever. Nothing is ever easy.' To Sachiko, he pretended to guess, "Um, Yumi-chan?"
Sachiko's smile blinded him as she answered, "Yes! I am going to hire her, not because I want her even though I do, but because her design was the best, but I made a dinner meeting the requirement to accepting the Fukuzawa proposal. I get to spend the evening with her tonight!"
With a fake smile and a syrupy tone, Suguru said, "I hope that you have fun, but please don't get your hopes up because she and Toudou-chan are really close now. I would hate for you to get crushed when she rejects you for her current girlfriend."
"I know," Sachiko snapped petulantly. "I am not going to push the issue. I will be patient because I believe that time is on my side. It might take years, but we will be together again and nothing and no one will ever separate us again," she finished with a determined look in her blue eyes.
Feeling slightly relieved, her cousin breathed, "Just so long as you are realistic. Now let's get this bullshit meeting over, so I can go to my company's board meeting to hear it all over again."
"Do you wish for me to accompany you, Suguru?" Sachiko offered, concerned for him. "I can tell them where to go as well."
"No thanks, Sa-chan, I am fully capable of telling them to go fuck themselves by myself. However, I am happy for the moral support," he finished with his first genuine smile of the conversation.
Yumi
"Good God, what time is it?" Yumi asked looking at her watch. It was just about time to pick her son up from school. Her parents had volunteered to watch him while she was at the dinner meeting. She often found herself so absorbed in her work that she lost track of time. It was definitely one trait that she inherited from her father.
She quickly saved her work on her computer, stood up, and stretched. "I need to get back into yoga. I'm too young to be this stiff," Yumi complained under her breath. 'Besides, I need to keep my figure in good shape so that I can make Shi-chan drool.'
Shimako had called almost immediately after receiving Yumi's text that morning. She was unhappy, but she understood that this was a function of Yumi's occupation. 'I do not want to have to rely on her being an understanding girlfriend. I need to make it up to her and not let her think that I could ever take her for granted.' Yumi smiled at the thought of the honey-haired angel.
The phone rang, interrupting her pleasant reverie. She answered, "Thank you for calling Fukuzawa Architecture, Fukuzawa Yumi speaking. How may I help you?"
A voice on the other end replied, "Fukuzawa-sama, I am Takeuchi from Tenmei Company. I was just calling to confirm your meeting with our president for 6:30 at the Tokyo Four Seasons' Ekki Bar and Grill in Marunouchi. Your attire should be semi-formal. Our president will meet you there. The reservation is under the Tenmei name."
'What a pain in the ass,' Yumi thought bitterly. She took a cleansing breath, and replied, "I understand. I will be there. Thank your president for this opportunity."
Takeuchi ended the call with a smile in his voice, "Certainly, Fukuzawa-sama. The president will look forward to your presentation tonight."
"There's nothing for it," the young mother sighed. "It's time to get going so I can get ready for this nonsense. Dad is going to owe me BIG for this."
Two hours later, Yumi found herself standing at the hostess station at Ekki, waiting to be taking to her table. She was wearing a brand new little black dress that she had hurriedly bought at Shibuya 109. Shimako had helped apply her makeup, remarking how beautiful Yumi was and how much that she wished that Yumi was dressing up for a date with her instead of a business meeting. The architect gave her girlfriend a scorching kiss that was itself a promise of future intimacies.
Checking to see if she remembered her laptop for the sixth time since she got into her car, Yumi noticed that Yuuichi had left something in her bag. It was a note that read, "Good luck, Mommy! You are the best." She smiled, understanding that Shimako had put him up to it. She was thanking all of the gods for them as the hostess led her to the best table in the restaurant. The hostess looked like she was the same age as her ex-husband's new girlfriend. Suddenly, Yumi felt old.
"Please have a seat, Fukuzawa-sama," the hostess said in a servile tone that made Yumi cringe. "Your party called to advise that they were running a little late and that they will be here in less than ten minutes. You are free to order whatever you wish off of the menu. Your party has prepaid for this evening." She left a menu and poured Yumi a glass of water. "Will there be anything else at this time, Fukuzawa-sama?"
Yumi gave the girl a brittle smile, which betrayed her nervousness. Gently, she answered, "No thank you," and began to peruse the menu.
Sachiko
The raven-haired heiress looked at her image in the mirror. Her dress was a blue Vera Wang original that brought out her eyes. Her makeup and hair had been exquisitely done by her stylist, whom Suguru and Alice had recommended. She was, in a word, breathtaking. Sachiko fought down her excitement, transformed her face into its noble mask, and walked out into the dining room.
As she approached the table, she noticed that her crush had set up her computer and was looking over the menu. 'It was an inspiration to prepay for tonight. It eliminates that awkwardness at the end of the evening,' she patted herself on the back. 'All that matters is Yumi."
Arriving at the table, Sachiko said in a businesslike manner, "I am the president of the Tenmei Company. I do apologize for being late." She struggled to keep her face impassive as Yumi turned to the voice, the architect's eyes widening as she realized to whom the voice belonged.
Taking advantage of Yumi's speechless state, Sachiko briskly said, "I am Ogasawara Sachiko and I am pleased that this project means enough to you, Fukuzawa-sama that you would take time to make this presentation. I hope that it matches the sketches that your firm sent over. Your work-up for the new offices were by far the best. My hope is that the 3-D models will confirm this choice," She took a breath, "Have you ordered yet?" Her crush shook her head, and Sachiko suggested, "Let me recommend the Kobe beef medallions. They simply melt in your mouth. I had that the last time I dined here with my family."
By this point, Yumi had recovered from her shock. She was relieved that Sachiko was keeping this professional. 'At least she isn't treating this as a date,' she thought gratefully. "Thank you so much, Ogasawara-sama. I really appreciate this opportunity to earn your business."
"I am happy that you are doing so well in your career. It would be quite the feather in my cap to get a Fukuzawa Yumi-design for one of my companies. No, I am not just flattering you because you are an old friend, Yumi. You really are making a name for yourself in architecture circles. It will not be long before you will be considered one of the top architects in Japan, if not the world. I must admit that I am a bit jealous of you."
This startled Yumi, "Why would you be jealous of me, Sachiko-sama? You are the heir to the Ogasawara Conglomerate. You have a beautiful daughter and lovely home. I even bet that you can still fit into your Lillian uniform. I wish that I was as strikingly beautiful as you are, Sachiko-sama."
"No, Yumi," Sachiko corrected, "You are every bit as beautiful as you think that I am. Just ask Touko-chan or Yoshino-chan." She deliberately stayed away from mentioning Shimako in that sentence. 'Let's not get her thinking about her girlfriend. I am so jealous that my Yumi is in her arms,' Sachiko thought grumpily.
Yumi blushed and waved her hands frantically, "I'm not that at all. So shall we eat in order that we can get on with our business and go home to our children before it gets too late?"
Sachiko allowed herself a small smile at her former soeur's nervous attempt to re-focus the evening. 'Be patient,' her mind chided her. 'She is conscious of you. Keep it subtle.' Subtlety was a hallmark of nobility and Sachiko had mastered it at a young age. "Very well, Yumi. Let us eat then." The meal was a success, at least in the sapphire blue eyes of the Ogasawara heiress. The conversation was light and touched on nothing of significance. It felt like a meal between two old friends that were reconnecting after some years apart, which it was.
After the meal, Yumi's confidence and professional demeanor returned as she flawlessly presented her vision for the Tenmei Company offices. Sachiko was surprised at her kouhai's grasp of her trade and the plans proposed. "I am impressed, Yumi, your ideas are inventive and aesthetically marvelous. This will be the most stylish building in Nagasaki when you and I are done with it. Please do not take this the wrong way, but you would have gotten this project even if we were not former soeurs and I wasn't in love with you. My father was even impressed with your work." She extended her hand, "The Tenmei Company formally accepts the bid from Fukuzawa Architecture for our new office. Congratulations."
Yumi took her hand and shook it as if it were some nameless, faceless client that had just hired her and not the woman who had turned her life upside down, and if she was completely honest with herself, was making her heart race. Her face remained impassive as she raged at herself, 'Don't let her charm get to you, baka. You have Shimako now and this person destroyed you. You are not some fickle woman. You cannot trust her.' She quieted her mind to the best of her strength and calmly said, "Thank you, Ogasawara-sama. On behalf of Fukuzawa Architecture, it is our pleasure to work with the Tenmei Company on this project. We will send over a contract in the morning for your legal department to peruse.'
Sachiko's eyes appraised her new contractor and saw that a battle was being fought under the profession mask that Yumi was trying to maintain. Her spirit soared, 'She's so cute when she is self-conscious! I am feeling good about this!'
The women quickly concluded their business and left the restaurant chatting like old friends about nothing. That Sachiko had tried nothing and that she had still got the contract made Yumi ecstatic. Sachiko was on cloud nine because her dinner plan had worked perfectly. As they parted, Sachiko gently laid her right hand on Yumi's shoulder, saying, "Thank you for everything, Yumi. I am happy that you are becoming such a successful businesswoman as well as an architect. Dinner was fun. We should do it again, no strings attached, just as friends."
Yumi started, but regained her composure, "As long as you understand that we are only friends, then that would be fine, Sachiko-sama." She felt better after set those boundaries because she did, in her heart of hearts, miss their friendship.
"Of course, Yumi, I understand," Sachiko replied while internally complaining about being friend-zoned again. A sudden inspiration hit her, "Yumi, why don't we get all of the former Roses together for a meal? It would be something informal and a chance for us all to catch up after all the years."
Yumi liked the idea, but she knew that Yoshino would use Sachiko's proposal as an opportunity to air all of her grievances against the heiress, which would spoil any chance of the evening being fun for everyone. "Please let me think about that, Sachiko-sama. I am not sure that everyone will be happy that we are becoming friends again."
Sachiko giggled, "You are afraid that Yoshino-chan will let me have it with both barrels, aren't you? Well, do not worry about that, Yumi. I still talk often with Rei, and Yoshino-chan always lets me know how much she hates me."
"I will think about it," Yumi replied with a sigh. "So then, Sachiko-sama, I thank you for dinner. I will get started on this project after the site has been selected. Have a pleasant evening." The younger woman got into her car and drove away.
As she watched her love drive away, Sachiko smiled, "I wonder how Yumi is going to explain who hosted her for dinner to Shimako-san. Oh well, not my problem, but it could be my chance." She chuckled and slid into the back seat of her limousine. "Yes, it could definitely be my chance!"
To be continued…
A/N: I am so sorry that it has taken so long for an update. I will not make excuses, but things just have not gone my way lately. Thank you all for reading and please let me know what you thought. Cheers!