Disclaimer: I don't own any of Maria Sama Ga Miteru characters. XD
Note: This chapter and the one following it will be kind of absurd and short I think. It will most probably be something insane. XP
Secondly, about Kay's (Thanks Kay for pointing out) question about the missing Yumi fans in the story (Chapter 8). Hmmm.. Well, it was a brief encounter with the people in school that Thursday afternoon and apparently, the people who hate Yumi to the core are Sachiko fans. If we all remember, Yumi started out the series being a fan of Sachiko too. It wasn't until around season 2 that Yumi had people admiring and worshipping her, so I guess that Yumi's fans aren't that strong enough? Haha. Alright, I think my explanation was pretty dumb. And I think partly would be due to the lack of time in the change of scenes too. =)
Ah! And well, about Tsutako, she appeared briefly for while too. But since it's requested, I shall slot some airtime for her into this chapter. Enjoy~ ^^
Well, technically, the story should end during the next chapter. With the entire climax over and such. But I've decided to drag it by a couple of additional chapters or so. I hope it won't be a sudden ending and that it's entertaining enough.. Lighter stuff maybe.. =X
Haha! Here you are, the start of the wacky stuff. ^ ~ ^
Chapter 10- Bizarre Plan
Warm sunlight shone into the room as Yumi stirred. Slowly, she opened her eyes. And the very first sensation she felt was warmth. Then, numbness.
"Ah.." Yumi tried to clench her right fist but found that she was unable to do so. It's as if she had lost a limb.
'Gosh..' Yumi glanced down at her arm as a light surprise overtook her.
"Sachiko.. sama.." Yumi muttered as she looked at the person in front of her with loving eyes. Streaks of tear marks covered her face as she looked very serene while asleep. It looked like Sachiko had been pouring out all night long.
Yumi was happy. That somehow or another, her efforts paid off. She had been worrying that Sachiko would be still pissed at her and she didn't know what to do. The sight of seeing her beloved oneesama gripping her hand and falling asleep on it was priceless.
"Oneesama.. I.." Yumi whispered as she reached out to stroke her hair.
Unexpectedly, the door opened.
"Ah Yumi san, you're awake!" The voice spoke.
Immediately, Yumi whipped her head over to the direction of the door. That sudden movement shocked her.
"Tsutako san.." Yumi greeted as she sighed in relief. She didn't want anyone catching her in that previous action.
"Good morning, Yumi san." Tsutako chirped happily.
"Are you feeling better today? You had us all worried sick." Tsutako continued with concern.
"Morning, Tsutako san. I'm feeling better already. I guess I really overexerted myself" Yumi tried to give a sheepish grin as she nodded.
"Well well, what do we have here." Tsutako glanced up and down at both Yumi and Sachiko cheekily.
"I guess the newspaper club will have some reporting to do. There you go. Look at my masterpiece." Tsutako said as she fished out a picture.
Yumi gaped in shock.
"You were sleeping so soundly and I didn't want to wake you up, so I had this taken. Well? May I have the permission to publish it in the newspaper?" Tsutako grinned at Yumi as she asked. A sense of achievement was written all over her face.
Yumi looked at the picture on hand. It was Sachiko and her. And while Yumi was soundly asleep, Sachiko looked as if she was worried sick. With both hands holding onto Yumi's right hand tightly, Sachiko slept with furrowed brows.
"Y-Yes, you may. B-But Tsutako san.. May.. May I have a copy of it too?" Upon finishing her sentence, Yumi looked down and blushed heavily. Deep inside of her, she was actually elated that someone had managed to capture that moment.
"Well, of course!" Tsutako winked with a smile.
"Oh by the way Yumi san. I heard that the newspaper club is going to release an issue that will cover the apology over the uproar they've created. It should be out soon. Maybe around next week? And I hope you won't hold it against them though. They had been given a very stern warning by the school's head sister. Of course, I'll give them this picture as evidence. That ought to shut those fans up for good." Tsutako stated as she extended a hand to give Yumi a pat on the back.
"Thanks Tsutako san. Thanks for encouraging and supporting me." Yumi smiled at her friend. This was one loyal friend she wouldn't lose.
"Alright. Save your thanks though. Don't mention it. Ah! I'm sorry, I have to get going now. I have an appointment with my family. I'll see you back in school alright! Take care." Tsutako glanced at her watch as she gave a warm hug to Yumi. Quietly, she proceeded out of the room.
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Yumi was barely enjoying the quiet time she had when the door opened abruptly again.
"Yumi chan. You're awake. Oh god, I was worried sick." Sachiko's mother, Sayako entered.
"Yo, Yumi chan." Another figure entered momentarily.
"Here, this is for you. Get well soon alright?" Kashiwagi then proceeded to put the oversized hamper down beside the bed.
"Kashiwagi san! Sayako obasama! Why are you here?" Yumi questioned with a puzzled look on her face.
"Oh Yumi chan.. Of course we have a reason to be here. You fainted on our grounds yesterday morning, remember? We were very worried and rushed over to see you. But you were still in a coma yesterday." Sayako replied with a worrying tone.
"Sayako obasama, thank you for your concern and sorry for putting you through all this trouble." Yumi replied as she bowed her head deeply.
"Oh no no, please don't say that. Sachiko has already explained the situation to us previously and we are all very aware that it is not your fault. You meant it as a good intention to want to celebrate my daughter's birthday. No one blames you, Yumi chan." Sakayo expressed a smile with extreme concern and assurance as she reached out to stroke Yumi on the back.
"Thank you, Sayako obasama, Kashiwagi san." Yumi spoke as she gave a nod to them.
"Well then, I guess I'll have to move her for a bit." Kashiwagi pointed over to Sachiko and paced over to the other side of the bed.
"Eh?! Where are you taking her to?!" Yumi questioned immediately.
"Yumi chan, we will bring Sachiko home now. She has been sitting by your side for the entire time. She hasn't eaten anything at all. And I think that she would need the proper rest and nourishment before she comes back to visit you. Well, if not, she may end up fainting too." Sayako chuckled slightly as she looked at her daughter with motherly eyes.
"Yes.. I guess that would be most appropriate then. Please do." Yumi looked over at Sachiko with a longing gaze. She wanted to be in her presence just for a little while longer.
"Yumi chan. If you will, please forgive me." Kashiwagi smiled at Yumi before ensuing over to carry Sachiko up from her seated position. Sachiko stirred and let out a soft groan but did not wake.
As both figures left the room with Sachiko, Yumi found herself slumping down on the bed and hugging the pillow dearly.
'Oneesama.. What were you thinking of when you broke our bond..? I wish to forgive you now. But somehow, there is a nagging feeling in my heart. I need something. Some sort of assurance that I won't be hurt in such a way again. I can't imagine going through such an ordeal another time. I would surely break. Oneesama, would you give me the security I need?' Yumi thought as she decided that Sachiko would have to do something to prove herself again.
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Soon, afternoon came. All the Yamayurikai members had come to visit Yumi and to offer words of encouragement as well as concern. Both Youko and Sei were also present. Seeing that everyone was at hand, Yumi took the chance to explain the whole matter to everyone.
"So.. That's how it is. I hope all of you won't blame oneesama. I'm sure she didn't really mean me any harm." Yumi assured the worried looks that were cast upon her.
"You're still as loyal as ever, Yumi chan~" Sei grinned as she ruffled Yumi's head.
"Be good and get well alright?" Youko smiled at her.
"Yumi chan, call us if you ever need anything. We'll bring it down for you." Rei offered along with Yoshino.
The rest of the people stayed in the ward for awhile before leaving. Yumi was glad. She was happy that she had such great friends who would stand up for her no matter what happened.
'Maria sama.. I am extremely grateful for what you have done for me.' Yumi prayed silently as she drifted off to sleep.
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Shock engulfed her as Sachiko arose from her slumber. Bright rays of sunlight scorched her vision.
"Gasp!" Sachiko inhaled a huge breath of air before glancing at her surroundings.
She was in a familiar place. It was her room. No, wait. Sachiko recalled the events as she rushed out of her room in alarm.
'Yumi.. Why am I here?! Am I not supposed to be at the hospital? What happened? Oh gosh!' Sachiko thought as she ran down flights of stairs in fright, hoping to find an answer.
Alas, she bumped into a person.
"Sa-chan.. Are you alright? Why are you running around in hysterics?" Kashiwagi enquired.
"Suguru san.. Oh.. What in the world happened? I was in the hospital and.. Why am I here? Where is Yumi?" Sachiko questioned with urgency.
"Sa-chan. Calm down first. Panicking won't do you any good alright?" Kashiwagi said firmly as he brought Sachiko over to the nearest room.
"Take a seat." Kashiwagi said as he closed the door.
"Now, to answer your queries. Your mother and I had brought you home from hospital yesterday as you had yourself drained out from all the crying and worrying. You haven't had a proper meal in days and your mother was very concerned. So we thought that it was proper to bring you back home first. Well, about Yumi, I heard that she was discharged this morning. The last time we visited her, she had expressed that she was feeling better already. I had also contacted the doctor this morning and he told me that everything would be fine. So I guess Yumi chan is going to be okay." Kashiwagi smiled as he finished the sentence, trying to offer a sense of peace to his cousin.
Sachiko rose from her seat.
"I must see her now. Please. I need to talk to her." Sachiko pleaded in despair.
"Sa-chan.. Don't be so agitated. I promise you I will take you to her after you have properly nourished yourself. Firstly, I want you to have a nutritious meal, followed by washing up. After everything is done, call me. I'll be waiting in the main hall." Kashiwagi stood up as he offered a hand to Sachiko.
Almost immediately, Sachiko leapt up and ran out of the room. With the goal of having a meal and showering in mind, she rushed about to fulfill the activities. There was no time to waste. She needed to see Yumi desperately.
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Sachiko resisted the urge to puke as she gripped tightly on the car's handle and support. Her cousin's driving skill still hasn't improved yet. It was still as reckless and speedy as it had been. This ride attempted to stretch her motion sickness to another level.
In a little while, the car came to halt.
"Sa-chan, we're here. I'll wait for you in the car." Suguru smiled as he flashed a smile across.
"Yes Suguru san. Thank you." Sachiko replied as she stumbled out of the car.
Sachiko gazed at the house in front of her and took in a big breath.
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The doorbell rang.
"Yuki! Get the door, will you?" Yumi's mother instructed as she shouted from the kitchen.
"Yes. Coming!" Yuki rushed to the door. As he swung it open, Sachiko's appearance took him by surprise.
"Sachiko sama.. You're here to loo-" Yuki paused in midair as he was cut off by Sachiko's sudden sentence.
"Yumi.. Where is she? I need to speak to her. Please. Let me in." Sachiko beseeched.
"Please wait for a moment, I will inform Yumi this instant." Yuki said as he turned up the stairs heading for his sister's room.
"Yumi, Sachiko sama is at the door. She wants to see you.. Yumi? Open the door." Yuki raised his voice as he knocked on his sister's door.
As the door opened, Yumi came crashing into the arms of her brother.
"Yuki.. I-I am a bit disorientated now. I don't think that I can handle a talk with Sachiko sama. Would you please ask her to leave first? I really need to organize my thoughts before doing anything." Yumi sobbed silently as she hugged her brother.
Yuki sighed. He was trapped in between both parties. Both were asking him for a favor and he could only choose one side to take.
"Yumi.. I guess so. I'll ask her to leave first. But don't take too long alright? Sachiko sama looks as if she could break any moment." Yumi nodded as Yuki left her room in silence.
'Oneesama.. I really can't face you now. I don't know what to say to you. I am afraid of committing again. I don't want to be hurt anymore..' Yumi whimpered as she slammed her fists into the pillow.
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It was late in the night as Yumi was having trouble falling asleep. Suddenly, she found herself being unable to move.
Yumi struggled as a figure wrestled her to her bed. It was just seconds before that the figure had entered her door. He was fully masked in black and was hovering over her menacingly.
Yumi let out a frightful scream as the man in black wrapped his arms around her.