A/N: I know that you all hate me. I have no excuse except that I have gone back to school and I have zero mental energy. Please forgive me, and I so appreciate all those who have followed and/or reviewed.

Disclaimer: Konno Oyuki owns these characters. I merely torture them for fun.

Ten Years Later

Chapter 21: Beliy Plaschik

Yumi

Wanting to put off the inevitable for a few more moments, and wanting to get her head together, Yumi went to the office. True, she needed to check in and to see if there was any more prospective business. She knew that it was just an excuse to avoid her responsibility. After picking up her car, Yumi drove to her parents' house to pick up her child. Yuuichi was, of course, beyond excited to see his mother and spent ten minutes regaling her with everything that he and his grandparents had done. While this was happening Miki prepared tea for the two of them.

It was during the time that she was watching her daughter and her grandson interact, Miki could tell that there was something wrong. "Yuu-chan, could you be a dear and go help your grandfather with the yard?" She asked, "He always tries to do too much."

"Sure thing, Grandma," Yuuichi chirped and ran off outside.

With firm eyes, Miki turned to Yumi and asked, "So what has you all down and dreary?" Yumi began to protest that nothing was wrong, but Miki was hearing none of it, "You should know by now that I can tell when something is wrong because I am your mother, and I know you better than you know yourself."

Yumi sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She bit her lip and then replied, "That banquet was a setup. Sachiko-sama was there and I became so angry that I drank way more than I should and woke up in bed with her. I have screwed up everything with Shimako with a person that I despise doing something that I don't remember. That is why I am freaking out, Mom."

"Well, that is disturbing," commented Miki. "Are you sure that you had sex with her?" Yumi nodded. "I see. You do know that you have responsibilities to both Shimako-chan and Ogasawara-sama, right?"

Yumi groaned in frustration, "I couldn't give a crap about the latter, but Shimako is going to be devastated. I know that I need to tell her what happened, but I am scared."

"I disagree. You do have a responsibility to the Ogasawara girl because I am pretty sure that she thinks that she has a chance," Miki paused and exhaled thoughtfully. "Your priorities are in order: your son, your firm, your girlfriend, and then her. Take care of your priorities and be honest with everyone, especially yourself."

Yumi looked confused, "What do you mean, especially myself? Mom, why do think I am such a mess right now? I know that deep down; there is a part that wanted that night with Sachiko-sama to happen. It has been something that I have wanted since we were dating at Lillian. However, being with Shimako showed me what love is supposed to feel like."

"That is where you are lying to yourself, Yumi. It was more than a small part that wanted this to happen. This is why we warned you to slow down with Shimako-chan." Yumi reddened with anger, but her mother held up her hand. "Please hear me out. Your father and I have always liked Shimako-chan, so don't think this is about that. Since the two of you got together, we have felt that you both were trying to force something instead of letting it happen. Tell me honestly, if you were truly in love with Shimako-chan, what should you have done when you saw that other woman at the banquet? Was it to drink yourself into a stupor and sleep with your ex-girlfriend? Or should you have called her, told her what was going on, and left as soon as you could get a taxi? Your father would and has done the latter every time that he was in a situation where even the appearance could hurt me."

The young architect began to cry, "I love Shimako, Mom. I do"

Miki grasped her arm, "Sure, she has been a friend for over ten years, so of course you love her. You also love Youko-san, Sei-chan, Yoshino-chan, Rei-san, and Yuuki's Touko-chan, and for the same reason. They have stood by your side through thick and thin, and you know that they love you."

"But I am not just going to have sex with them out of obligation, Mom," Yumi exclaimed in exasperation. "Do I love Shimako the way that I loved Sachiko-sama? No. I will never let myself lose my sense of self and perspective again, but I do love Shimako in a different way than I do the rest of my friends."

The grandmother watched her daughter teeter on the edge of hysteria for a moment before responding, "Yumi, I never said that you didn't love her that way. I said that I don't think that you are as in love with her as you believe. I have said too much, and you have things to do. I believe in you, Yumi. If I am wrong, then you and your girlfriend will get through this. Be honest with her. She deserves that much. If I am right, I will be sad because I hope that I am wrong. Just know that we will be here for you even if you decide that the risk is worth the potential of getting back together with Ogasawara-sama. And before you yell that you will never do that, you just did in a manner of speaking. Call me later."

Before Yumi could process what her mother said, she was in her Camry with Yuuichi in his booster seat headed back to her house. 'Did I really want to sleep with that woman? Am I using Shimako as a substitute for Sachiko-sama? Am I in love with Shimako?' "I just don't know anything anymore," She yelled, disturbing her son's nap.

"Mommy?" Yuuichi asked.

Shaken from her introspection, Yumi tried to comfort her son, "It's okay, Sweetie. Mommy is just having problems at work."

Her hope for a simple resolution to her son's concern was dashed when he asked, "Are you thinking about that mean person again? Daddy says that you only get mad like this when you think about her."

The young mother internally condemned her ex-husband to the hottest ring of Hell for talking to their child about her past. "Daddy makes mistakes sometimes. A lot of the work that Mommy does is in her head, so when I cannot get the image right in my mind, I get frustrated. Don't you notice when Grandpa does the same thing?" Looking into her rear view mirror, Yumi thankfully sees comprehension creep into her treasure's eyes.

"Yes! Ojii-san's* face gets all red and he says things that I am not supposed to repeat," Yuuichi replied sunnily. "Obaa-san* tells him to watch his language and to go to his room." This begins a giggling fit that Yumi quickly joins.

As they laughed together, Yumi thought, 'This is all I really need. Whatever happens with Shimako might hurt, but as long I have my baby, I can get through anything.' Further thought was stopped as she pulled the Camry into the driveway. 'There's nothing for it, time to face the music.'

Sachiko

Sitting in the back of her limousine after leaving the helicopter at the office, the mind of the heiress is swirling in tumult. 'If Yumi doesn't love me, then why did she make love to me? It was everything that I have dreamt of, perfect. There was magic there, wasn't there? I know what she said this morning, but did she really she really mean it? Oh God, she was so beautiful.'

"Ogasawara-sama, we are home," Harada announced, interrupting her thoughts.

Shaking her head and mentally replacing her mask, Sachiko replied, "Very good, Harada-san. Thank you." The smile that she favored her driver with a smile that was nicer than normal, leaving the man wondering what had happened to his employer.

"Will you be needing me anymore today, Ogasawara-sama?" He asked, hoping that the answer would be negative because it was his daughter's birthday, not that he was expecting her to remember.

Sachiko thought for moment, and then she remembered, "It's little Satoko's birthday today, isn't it? I am so sorry that I forgot to get her gift." She opened her pocketbook and pulled out a few bills and put them in Harada's hand, "Please give this to her for me and apologize on my behalf for not getting her a gift."

"But Ogasawara-sama," He sputtered. "This is 50,000 yen!"

The raven-haired heiress looked puzzled a moment, and then pulled out a few more bills, "Satoko-chan is twelve now, right? This should get her some really nice outfits for hanging out with her friends." She nodded in dismissal and went into the mansion, leaving the man goggling at the 100,000 yen in his hands.

Walking into the house, Sachiko started giggling as she remembered Harada's face. She felt like she really needed a bath, bath, but she wanted to bask in Yumi's scent just a little longer and relive the happiest night of her life.

Behind her, she heard Suguru's teasing voice, "Oh my, Sa-chan got some last night! Who's the lucky woman?" When his cousin failed to respond, his jaw dropped. "It was Yumi-chan, wasn't it? How the hell did that happen? I thought that she was just about to shack up with Toudou Shimako."

"We met at the banquet and she got drunk. I took her to my hotel room, and when she propositioned me, I could not say no." Sachiko's face reflected her mixed feelings.

Suguru laid a comforting hand on his soon-to-be ex-wife's shoulder, "She woke up angry, didn't she? I am so sorry, Sa-chan. It must be awful to finally get your heart's desire, but the aftermath is not what you hoped it would be. The only good news is that Toudou-chan will probably not take this well and Yumi-chan will be single again. What do you think your chances are?"

Burying her face in her hands, the usually composed Sachiko sobbed brokenly, "I don't know. When we were making love, it was the amazing thing that I have ever experienced. I really felt like we were back together and she loved me again. I know that she was passed out, but she refused to let me go until she woke up sober. I love her. I have never stopped loving her. When she woke up, the things that she said hurt so much. It's like she regretted giving in to her feelings. For once, I don't know what to think or to do." She turned and put her head on his shoulder as she wept.

While he hugged her, Suguru was at a loss. On one hand, he was happy that Sachiko got to feel what truly making love to someone felt like, but on the other hand, he was hurting with her. It was like when he was with his first love and realized that he was just using him for sex. And contrary to how he had acted throughout their marriage, he did love his cousin as a sister.

They stood in the doorway, embracing as Yumiko arrived home. Seeing her parents acting like couple for the first time in her life confused her until she realized that her mother was crying. Walking over, she hugged her mother and father, creating a long overdue picture of family unity. Even though she loved embracing her parents, she knew that something bad must have happened for them to be holding each other. She was precocious enough to understand that her parents did not love each other like other parents loved each other. "Mother, did someone die?"

This jarred the adults, "No, my heart." Sachiko responded. "Mother is just overwhelmed and your father was helping me."

Suguru winked at his daughter, "I can be nice to her when she deserves it, Yu-chan. Mommy had a rough morning and she needed to let it out. She should do that more often. I really wish that the two could see that it is okay to be human and cry when you need to do so."

Fire flashed in the eyes of both mother and daughter, "How are we not human?" They asked in unison, causing the playboy to start laughing, which proved contagious. For the first and likely last time, they were acting like they were truly family.

Shimako

The young teacher found herself for once in her apartment and not at her girlfriend's house. It seemed too large to be there without Yuuichi or Yumi. After talking with Yoshino (see last chapter), she made breakfast and caught up on some overdue housework. For the last month, she had spent five nights or more at Yumi's and the dust was starting to take over. 'Maybe I should discuss with Yumi about letting this apartment go and move in with her. Why pay rent on a pace when I'm never here anymore?' Just as she asked that question, she remembered the last quarrel and the feelings that she saw on the other woman's face: exasperation, anger, and hurt. 'I have to stop this or I will chase Yumi away like I did Noriko.'

Looking at her watch, she knew that Yumi and Yuuichi were due back to the house in about an hour, so she finished her cleaning, hopped into the shower, and packed an overnight bag. She was fully prepared to do what was necessary to mend the breach between them. Gathering her transit pass to ride the train to Yumi's, she was ready to set out.

On the train, as she was looking through her messages, she saw a news story about the Sendai Community Center Grand Opening Gala. She nearly dropped her phone when she pulled up a picture of Yumi looking thunderous, sitting next to her ex-girlfriend, Ogasawara Sachiko. 'Yumi looks so angry. Sachiko-sama must have surprised her. What won't that woman do to steal my girlfriend?' Shimako was just as angry as the picture of Yumi portrayed. Looking through the rest of the photos for the rest of the evening, she noticed a trend, Yumi was drinking in all of them, but she was looking less angry with each one. 'Oh God, she got drunk. Oh my God. Oh my God. And look at Sachiko-sama, it's like she's ready to pounce. Please tell me that Yumi didn't get pass out drunk.'

Just then her phone rang; Shimako's nerves lurched as she saw Yumi's number. 'I'm not ready for what she has to tell me. Those pictures told me all I need to know. It's pretty clear that Yumi got drunk and Sachiko took advantage.'

She sighed, forced a smile, and answered the phone, "Good afternoon, Yumi. I was just on my way to your place. What's up?"

"I just dropped Yuuichi at his dad's for the night. How about we order some pizza, get some ice cream, and watch Netflix? After that fancy food and the other nonsense last night, I need something basic and to get some alone time with my girl."

Tears began welling in Shimako's eyes. 'She's acting like nothing happened. Maybe it didn't.' She took a breath, "That's sounds wonderful. Did you need me to get anything at the corner store?"

"Nope," came the cheerful voice. "I got it all. You just need to bring your beautiful self. I missed you last night. How soon will you be here?"

"I'm almost to the corner," the teacher replied. "I'm less than five minutes away."

"I cannot wait. I love you." The call disconnected, and Shimako wanted to go back home, get drunk, and sleep until Monday…anything to avoid what she felt in her bones was coming. 'If something happened, will she actually tell me, or will she just chalk it to being drunk? I hate this feeling.'

Shimako tried to keep herself composed as she reached the door of Yumi's house. As she reached for the door, she took a quick breath. 'There's nothing for it. Let's hear what she has to say.'

Yumi

(An hour earlier) Just as Yumi was about to take Yuuichi out of his booster seat, her cell rang. She was happy to see that it was her ex-husband and not her ex-girlfriend, "Hello Masa-kun, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

"Well Michie got three tickets to Disneyland, and we wanted to take Yuuichi-kun for the day. Do you mind? She's gotten quite attached to him," Masamune said with a sigh.

Yumi laughed, "Are you feeling jealous or lonely?"

"Not funny! Anyway could you bring him over? My car is in the shop."

Remembering that she needed to have a heartbreaking conversation with her girlfriend, Yumi wavered. Having her son home would be a good excuse to not talk about Friday night. However, postponing the inevitable would just make it worse. Decision made, Yumi answered, "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

"Thank you, Yumi. I feel bad about having to ask you to bring him, but my car won't be ready until Monday."

"It's not a problem, Masa-kun," the mother replied. "I need to go to the store anyway."

On the way back to her house, Yumi rehearsed what she was going to say to Shimako. There would be no excuses. She would accept whatever the honey-haired woman decided. Even though what happened was out of her control. She did put herself in a compromising position. She made a quick call to determine Shimako's mood and to enjoy the last few moments of having her as her lover. 'There's nothing for it, let's get this over,' she thought with a sigh as she arrived home. She opened the door to see her girlfriend sitting at the table, "Shimako, I…"

A/N: Yes, I am leaving this here. I toyed with having Yumi catch Shimako off guard, but I wanted Shimako to test Yumi's honesty and integrity. We will see that next time. Thanks for your patience, and I hope that it was worth the wait. Read/Enjoy/Maybe review? Peace

* Ojii-san: Grandpa

*Obaa-san: Grandma

*Shinbun: Newspaper