CHAPTER NINE
Sachiko: "Yumi... me... in the Jacuzzi..."
Surely it was just dance rehearsals today and I had Rei as my dance partner too. But I never expected to see that presumptuous rude fox dancing as well. Not to mention her dancing partner was Shimako.
"Sachiko, do you want to take a break… you look like you need some," Rei paused as she saw where I was looking at. "…or rather, you look like you could kill anyone with that glare of yours."
"What are you talking about, Rei?"
"I'm talking about the way you look at Shimako-chan and Yumi-chan over there. You've been staring at them for quite sometime." "It's as if you're-"
"Stop" I immediately said. "Whatever it is you're thinking of please just stop it."
Fortunately, Rei wave it off. But unfortunately for me, Rei wasn't the only one who's watching.
"I wonder what is it that you are thinking of." Someone said from behind, startling me.
"Onee-sama" I nearly jumped from where I was standing when my said Grande Soeur walked up to me just like that.
"What's the matter?" She asked, obviously, she saw me and Rei stop from dancing.
"We, me and Rei, were just taking a break." I answered.
"I see…" Onee-sama didn't look at me. Instead, she said. "I just thought it has anything to do with Yumi-chan. That is all," she left with that known smirk of hers on her lips.
After that conversation my mood has been bad. I'm only wondering what is that presumptuous rude fox is thinking. 'Gay? Lesbian? A woman who prefers women rather than men…' The previous conversation with Yumi had popped through my mind as I continued to watch both First years dance.
'Could she be interested with-' I immediately paused. What was thinking? I shouldn't conclude, or better yet, I shouldn't pry into other people's business - I wasn't trained to become that sort of lady - I said to myself as I sighed heavily.
"!" I nearly screamed when all of a sudden I felt something cold and wet placed on my cheek.
"Are you alright?"
It was Yumi who asked. She was carrying two bottles of water. "Hey, I asked you if you're alright," she said as she gave me the extra bottle she had, though up to this point I was still staring at her, speechless. When did she get here?
"…I'm fine" I said.
I looked at her again and decided to ask her, "Yumi, are you… um… interested with …Shimako-chan?" I could clearly see the look on her face. It was obviously written that she was surprised - 'I guess my assumptions were correct.' - I stood up just before I could hear her answer and said, "Its fine… you don't have to answer." I turned away from her. But suddenly, I stopped.
Just several meters away, someone familiar was talking with the Roses. Seeing him again made me want to walk out of this place. But before I could even do so, Onee-sama called everyone from the Yamayurikai to gather around even including Yumi.
"Everyone, this is Kashiwagi Suguru, Hanadera's Student Council President. He'll be acting as the Prince in our play." Onee-sama announced. He was entertained by most of the Roses and I just watched from the sidelines as some of the Yamayurikai members continue to ask if there's anything that he, Kashiwagi, needed.
"Excuse me, but, I was wondering… where is Cinderella?"
Everybody turned their attention towards to me. And immediately, I placed my well-known mask as I introduce myself. I didn't even bother what kind of reaction he'll give me. "Please to meet you, my name is Ogasawara Sachiko." I said, all too plainly.
"The pleasure is mine…" he said, a little dryly.
But I bet he just hid it under that smile of his.
After introducing Kashiwagi-san, we started practicing with the dance steps while some started memorizing their lines. But by the time we were allowed to rest, I immediately walked out of gymnasium leaving everyone behind.
I walked and walked not minding where my feet would lead me to. I only stopped when I saw I familiar edifice in front of me, the Greenhouse. Slowly, I walked inside. And right in front of a familiar rose bush, I took a seat.
"I thought I'd see you here…"
Suddenly someone said from behind, it was Yumi - the least, maybe, person that I thought who would find me first. She walked inside the Greenhouse, at least this time, without the intention to annoy me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Hmm… Probably, same as you… How about you, Sachiko-sama? What are you doing here when at this very moment everybody as well as the Prince is waiting for you to return back to the Gym?" said the pig-tailed girl. - 'And here I was thinking that she came not to annoy me.' - But what? To listen to what I've been hiding deep inside? To comfo- I stopped at my last thought… that wasn't right… that was NOT definitely right.
Yumi walked further inside, stopping just beside me. She took the pot next to me. And the next thing I knew, she was sitting right next to me.
"Don't be alarmed. And besides, I won't kiss you so suddenly if that's what you're nervous about."
"!" Immediately, I tried to calm myself after hearing Yumi's statement. "What are you talking about? I was just going to say 'You'll get your skirt dirty if you sit', that's all." I said, hoping that she'll buy my failure of an excuse.
"Really?" she said as she flashed me one of those annoying 'alluring' smiles of hers.
"Really," I answered with a determined face.
"But what about yours then?" she asked, playfully, and still with that annoying 'alluring' smile of hers - Now, why in Maria-sama's name would I find it alluring? - I really should stop thinking about this sort of things.
"I just thought of that now…" I said as I stood and fixed my skirt.
"Honestly, what kind of an excuse was that?" Yumi said as she tried to contain her laughter.
"Yes, I wonder about it myself…" I, for the first time, agreed with this girl next to me.
After several seconds inside the Greenhouse, I found myself in an awkward situation. - During this sort of circumstances… you should at least try to start a conversation. - And that's what I thought but, I guess she beat me up to it.
"You really don't like the idea of dancing with someone from Hanadera, do you?" she asked. At first, I looked at her - How could she possibly know? Her attention was on Shimako during the whole practice or, was I wrong? - All the while as I kept silent, Yumi stood from where she sat. I watched her move and the next thing I knew, she was offering her hand in a gentlemanly manner.
"What are you doing?"
"If, by chance, Cinderella find the Prince horrible, would Cinderella give this loyal Knight an opportunity to dance with her?" Yumi asked while her right arm still extended, asking for a dance. Not to mention, this was my first time hearing Yumi speak in English, plus the accent as well while, on the other hand, could barely contain my blush after that.
With a final look, I took her hand…
She pulled me closer to her body…
Slowly, we swayed to a beat she created…
She twirled my body…
With my body turned against hers,
We continued to dance… …
And that was it…
Slowly I tried to take a glance at Yumi just to see her reaction.
"…"
To say the least, it was unreadable. I've never thought she could produce such a face - why though? - I asked myself.
When she looked back at me, I pretended that I did not see that unreadable expression of hers. "Listen, I may not want to dance with someone from Hanadera, but I won't run away from this. If I ran away, I'd lose."
"Losing is something I hate above all else." I said with a determined face.
"You're being intense. Try to relax a little or you might suffocate there." I looked at her almost surprised at what she said. It's almost similar with what Onee-sama told me before. "You've been staring at me a lot, is there something on my face?" she asked.
"!" I didn't answer her question when I hear her say those words; I just immediately walked out of the Greenhouse and walk back to the Gymnasium. Although I know that she was walking behind me, I tried to make haste just to lose her. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful.
"Ah… finally… we thought you both won't show up anymore."
I walked inside the Gymnasium, not minding or, probably, not hearing what Sei-sama had said since I was still preoccupied with the Presumptuous Rude Fox behind me. "Sachiko-sama, can't you take a joke?" she said.
Immediately, I turned. Unladylike - be damned. I'm starting to lose my patience as well as whatever I'm supposed to think of. - Damn it, Yumi, why are you making me lose control?
"But, you know? You really were staring awhile ago, Sachiko-sama." Yumi said to add to her point awhile ago.
"I was not," I snapped back.
"Yes, you were," she answered back.
"I was not," I said again as I tried to win the argument.
"Yes, you were," she answered again.
I was about to say 'I was not' just like awhile ago but, someone interfered in our argument. "Okay! I don't know what it is you're both arguing about but, maybe some of you can explain what's going on." Onee-sama said. She looked at me, wanting an explanation but, I just turned my head away from not just my Onee-sama, but also, the other members of the Yamayurikai.
Onee-sama turned her attention towards Yumi instead.
"Well, awhile ago we were talking then I said to Sachiko-sama 'You've been staring at me a lot…' and then I asked her 'Is there something on my face?' that's all. But apparently she keeps on denying it… just like now."
"How many times do I have to say it to you? I wasn't staring at you. And besides, it was more like a glance than a stare. Don't you even know the difference between the two?" I argued with Yumi again, forgetting the fact that there were other people watching us from the sidelines.
"HAHAHA… My God, Sa-chan. I didn't know you had it in you." Sei-sama said continuing her laughter while the other Yamayurikai members snickered at my sudden outburst.
"I didn't know even Yumi-chan can grill Sachiko like that." Eriko-sama teased still with a smirk on her face. - Ugh… I feel like I'm the center of a conversation right now. Thank you very much, Yumi! - I said to myself sarcastically as I keep on ignoring the Head Roses' embarrassing comments.
Onee-sama, who probably thought that I had enough, stopped everyone from teasing me, "That's enough everyone… I'm announcing everyone's role so please listen." Onee-sama opened a red notebook and started to cite each role.
"Kashiwagi Suguru-san as the Prince"
"Ogasawara Sachiko as Cinderella"
"Fukuzawa Yumi as Captain Laurent (5)"
"Todou Shimako as Jacqueline de Ghent (6)/Sister B"
"Tori Eriko as Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent (7)/the Stepmother"
"Shimazu Yoshino as Marguerite de Ghent (8)/Sister A"
"Hasekura Rei as the Wizard"
"Satou Sei as the King"
"And yours truly as the Queen…"
"Now is there or are there any questions?" Onee-sama asked.
I was about to raise my hand to get her attention, but someone beat me up to it. "What's the matter, Yumi-chan?" Onee-sama asked. I looked at her as she fidgeted on her seat. - Now she's nervous? This is a first. - I said to myself as I continue to watch with amusement the said pigtailed girl.
"I was just wondering why was I in the cast. I mean, I'm not even part of the Yamayurikai. And, honestly, I thought I was just Shimako's dance instructor… sort of, but now I'm a little lost… if you know what I mean."
After hearing the dance instructor part, Sei-sama snickered. I'm pretty sure everyone heard it since everyone had this different reaction on their faces. But I was primarily intrigued with Shimako's reaction. No matter how hard she hide it I can still see that flushed look on her face.
"Yumi-chan… I'm sorry if we dragged you into this, but Rosa Foetida, Rosa Gigantea, and including me thought that you'd do the part best than anyone else we know. So please Yumi-chan, won't you reconsider?" Onee-sama asked.
"Alright," Yumi agreed while Onee-sama smiled with relief. "Thank you, Yumi-chan."
After the announcements of roles, Onee-sama also announced that tomorrow we'll do the costume fitting and at the same time rehearse some important scenes with the costumes on. "Before everyone went home, here's the script for the play. Make sure to memorize it all." Everybody, including me, got a copy of the script. I was too preoccupied that everybody was starting a conversation. Well, mostly a conversation between the Onee-samas and Yumi.
"What?" Yumi asked. She noticed Sei-sama grinning at her like there's no tomorrow.
"Ne… Yumi-chan… Since you can memorize your lines much faster than me, will you help me memorize mine?" Sei-sama asked with her arm placed on Yumi's shoulder. Yumi, on the other hand, was just ignoring the head white rose.
"Now, Sei! Why would Yumi-chan help you with your lines when you, yourself, are capable of memorizing it?" Eriko-sama said as she tried to pull Yumi away from Sei-sama.
"Leave it, Dekochin!" pulling Yumi away from Eriko-sama.
Both yellow and white roses continued their bantering with Yumi being pulled in the middle. It only stopped when Onee-sama stepped forward. "Stop it, both of you!" She, too, pulled Yumi away from her fellow roses. "Honestly, what are you both? Kindergartners?" Onee-sama turned her attention to us. "Now that everything is settled we should pack up and start heading home."
"Finally… I don't think I can move a muscle if we continue rehearsing," Sei-sama said as she massage her shoulders.
"Stop complaining, Sei. It's not like you did a lot anyway."
"You hurt me, Youko. I may be lax from time to time, but I'm also sensitive."
"Please, both of you… not here and especially not in front of everybody. You might even scare Yumi-chan here."
"…"
"See. She's not saying anything," Eriko-sama pointed at Yumi.
"Just drop it, Eriko." Onee-sama said as she led everyone to the shoe lockers. And thankfully, Eriko-sama did stop.
As we head to the shoe lockers, Kashiwagi-san was first to leave. I thanked Maria-sama for that. -- I thought he would never leave - I sighed at that thought. Once we were out, none of us noticed the weather outside as it took us by surprise and got everyone wet.
"This is bad…" I heard Rei said with worry in her voice. Now that I think about it, shouldn't I be worried as well since I told my chauffeur not to drive me home. Not to mention, I don't have an umbrella with me.
"…You're worrying too much, Rei-chan. And besides, you'll never know the rain might stop any minute now." Yoshino-chan said, but her words were immediately shut down when we all heard lightning and thunder clasping in the horrid rain. "O-kay… I guess not…" she paused for a second. "Please tell me you have an umbrella with you, Rei-chan." Yoshino-chan said, but unfortunately Rei shook her head in affirmation.
"Now-now don't be disappointed… it's not like you guys are the only ones who doesn't have an umbrella." Sei-sama turned her attention to me. "Hey, Ice princess, do you have your mobile phone with you?"
"No, I don't." I replied in a stern voice. Honestly, does she know how to ask favors?
"I guess we'll just have to wait here till the rain-" before Onee-sama could finish her statement… Yumi interjected into the discussion. "U-um, I have… a mobile phone that is," Yumi said as she brought out her mobile phone.
"Will you please call anyone that can save us from this rain?" Onee-sama asked.
"Okay…" was Yumi's reply. She started looking at her contacts, though, at first; I thought there was a grim look on her face when she made the call.
Several minutes later, we found ourselves staring at a woman who's probably at her mid-twenties. She was wearing a black female suit that gave her this intimidating and sophisticated look, but that wasn't the only thing that made her intimidating. It was her features. She has these ivory and slate colored eyes, creamy white skin, and pink colored lips. Obviously, based from her looks, she seems to be from another country… London, perhaps?
"Daphne (8) thanks for coming." Yumi said which earned her a nod from the said woman. - Who is she anyway? - As if the pigtailed girl read my mind, she introduced the woman beside her. "Everyone, this Daphne, an assistant of my friend's." with that said, Daphne bowed. "I've brought what you've asked me…" she said as she brought out a pile of umbrellas, "…and the van is waiting outside the main gate."
And just as what the foreign looking woman had said, there really was a van waiting outside of the main gate. "Please follow me…" Daphne said as she led everyone inside the van. "Where shall we head first, Milady?" Daphne asked.
"Ah, well…" Yumi had this look of uncertainty for awhile, but to everyone's surprise Sei-sama cut-in for her. "How about we go to Yumi-chan's place and get ourselves dry up."
"I don't mind all of you going to my place but, why though?" Yumi asked but knowing Sei-sama, the said white rose just shrugged her shoulders. And this made Yumi sigh. "Daphne, let's go back to the house," and once again she resigned herself for a sigh.
The drive was almost too familiar to me since we were already at a certain part of Musashino which was common to me, my neighborhood. It didn't take long for everyone to see my home, the long walls, and the imposing gate. At first, I acted that I didn't saw where we were due to the continuous storm. Much later, we found ourselves stopping outside of what it seems to be a five-storey building at the top; I noticed the stairs connecting from the building to where we all stood.
Yumi, who was busy looking inside her bag, said. "There it is," she said out loud, then turned her attention at the gate before us. I saw her tap an item at the side of the gate after that it didn't take long as we all heard a clicking sound from the gate. As we all went inside, I noticed several things like the pathway and the trees surrounding it. And the last that took my attention was the building itself. It was different from all of the structures that I have seen in my entire life. It was like a glass structure since it was painted in white while there were some parts of the building that are part glass, mirror, and probably cement.
Once we were inside, we were greeted by another foreign looking girl. Well, more like, Yumi was the one being greeted.
"Adi!" Yumi yelled as she tried to fend off the said foreign looking girl who was hugging her. When she was finally able to do so, she asked. "What are you doing here?" still in a ragged voice, Yumi asked but instead, "Wait. Don't answer that! Instead, why are you here?" - Isn't that just the same?
Instead of answering, the foreign looking girl looked at us then sighed. Alright, I know we're all in a bad-state but can this girl be sensitive enough as to not remind us of how we look. - How rude - I said to myself as I continue to look at the said foreigner. I only stopped when we all heard her say, "Oh my, where are my manners? Let me introduce myself. My name is Adelicia Lenn Mathers (9), please to meet you all." she said as she curtsied in front of us. - So, she has manners. So, what? - I wondered as if I was criticizing the said girl in front of me.
"Hey, you haven't answered my question," Yumi interjected but unfortunately this Adelicia-girl ignored her. This obviously made Yumi annoyed.
"Why won't you all come inside, you'll catch a cold if you don't…" Adelicia said as she invited all of us inside Yumi's home and led us in the living room. Being a lady as we are… well, maybe except Sei-sama, we sat at the couch while Sei-sama plopped down to one of the empty seats.
"Yumi, go and make some tea for your guests," Adelicia said making Yumi annoyed once again.
"Is this your house?" Yumi asked sarcastically.
"Obviously, it isn't… oh and ah… I'll have Earl Grey while you're at it."
"Why won't you make your own tea, instead of ordering people around?" Yumi retorted back.
"Yumi that I can't be trusted inside the kitchen. Who knows I might end destroying everything in there."
"Good point," with that Yumi left while her foreign looking friend went to God only knows where.
Moments later, Yumi walked out with cups of hot tea and a pile of towels for us to use.
"Sorry about earlier, here use it to dry up." she said as she gave the towels.
"It's alright Yumi-chan, after all we're the one who are imposing." Onee-sama said.
"No, you're not imposing at all. In fact, you guys can come visit me anytime you want. Oh, before I forgot, come with me…" we followed her for a good couple of seconds and soon we found ourselves staring at a pool while at the side was an enormous Jacuzzi. It could probably fit several people in it. With that thought running though my mind, I couldn't help but think - Is Yumi telling us to take a dip and - I just stopped thinking about it.
Need to stop thinking about it. - Yumi… me… in the Jacuzzi… - My thoughts were put to a halt when I heard Sei-sama say, "Yay…! A Jacuzzi! Let's all take a dip," she said. "As much as I agree with you, Sei. We can't since we don't have anything to change on after we take a bath," Eriko-sama stated. It was true, so for now I'm still safe. "Ah! I've taken care of that," Yumi said. "How?" Onee-sama asked. "Just wait and see…" was all Yumi's reply.
After we have managed to get our bathrobes, towels, and everything that we need, we proceeded towards the Jacuzzi and let the water do its wonders on our bodies.
"Ah… This is feels amazing, I could get used to this," Eriko-sama said as she stretches her arms. "What are you talkin' about? Even you have somethin' like this in your home." Sei-sama countered and once again they started another verbal battle. "You maybe right but, it's completely different if you're going to compare it to mine. I wonder who designed the whole place… Or better yet, doesn't she know that she's practically your neighbor Sachiko?" Eriko-sama said which, obviously, made everyone turned their attention towards me.
"What?" I asked.
"Did you know about Yumi-chan's home being close to yours?" Onee-sama inquired.
"No," Of course, I lied.
"Hmm… speaking of that little tanuki, where is she?" Sei-sama said. Not only the whole group but I also wondered… where IS Yumi at this time? Is she with that Adelicia-girl, alone, doing whatever it is that they may be doing? From that moment, I stopped myself from thinking those weird thoughts. Well, at least someone made me stop.
"Didn't she say she'll take care of our clothes?" Yoshino-chan said.
"If that's the case then, we shouldn't make her wait." Onee-sama said as she stood up and covered her naked body.
After a few minutes, we were back again at the living room and what we saw was something we didn't expect. From there, Yumi was waiting with clothes hanged up together and also a medium sized box which was filled with packs of unused undergarments.
"Um… I don't know about your sizes but, I think everything in there will do." Yumi said as she tried to look away from us; not to mention, she had this flush look on her face when she was looking away. - Was it because of our state of undress? - My musings stopped as I listened to what Yumi had to say, "If you are done picking what you are going to wear, please feel free to use any room from that hallway to get change." Yumi pointed the said hallway and the next thing we knew she entered a certain room in the same hallway.
"Wow…! From the looks of these clothes, I'd say they're all expensive." Eriko-sama said as she studied each garments hanging in front of them. "Yea… somethin' what you'd expect Sa-chan to wear," and immediately I send a death glare at Sei-sama for including me to one of her jokes. "Sei, what did I told you?" Onee-sama said in a warning tone. "To piss your sister to the point that she'll kill me…" was Sei-sama's reply. Onee-sama, on the other hand, sent another death glare at Sei-sama. Honestly, if looks can kill… Sei-sama's probably dead by now.
"Okay… I'm done picking. See you guys later," Eriko-sama waved at us as if saying goodbye while, Rei and Yoshino excused themselves to look for a room as well. "Excuse us too… Let's go, Yoshino," Rei led her cousin to one of the rooms.
I was about to invite my Onee-sama but, Sei-sama had asked her first. "Come on, Youko," she pulled my Onee-sama out of the living room, in to one of the rooms, and leaved me with her petite soeur who I'm having a little trouble to be with.
"They left…" was all I could say at that moment. "A-ano, Sachiko-sama, shall we go?" Oh yea… Shimako's still here. I nearly forgot about that. "Right," I said, hoping that she didn't notice that I almost forgot her presence. "You go pick on a room; I'll follow in a bit." I said.
Shimako did follow what I've said. And just when I was about to walk to her, she surprised me when she suddenly dropped the clothes Yumi lent her. I was about to ask what was wrong since she looked amazingly pale then suddenly from pale her face blushed from different shades of red - Is she embarrassed of something? - My question was clearly answered when I saw a certain fox walked out of the door. She held Shimako at the wrist when the latter was about to walk back - Did Shimako saw something? - Then, pulled her to a hug. I was uncertain about what was going on but, I, Ogasawara Sachiko am positively convinced that something is going on.
CHAPTER NINE
A/N:
Hmm… it's been awhile my dear readers… I hope you're all (still) enjoying 'She is my Master'. Well, thank you for reading and I love all the reviews, thank you very much. Though some of my grammar and spelling are wrong, I'm very-very sorry about it.
Anyway, about the story, so far it will still run for quite some time since Sachiko hasn't made Yumi her petite soeur yet. I wonder how she'll do it when Yumi's resolve or shall I say Yumi's stubbornness is as bad as Sachiko's. In short, this arc isn't done yet. =D
About the chapter, hmm… Sachiko is really something huh? Jumping from assumptions to another… No wonder Yumi can handle her haha…! I wonder whose POV I shall use on the next chapter… Hmm… will it be Shimako, since she (probably) saw something that surprised her or maybe, Yumi, since she has something to do with it? Hmm… maybe one from the head roses for a change huh?-! Oh, really I wonder… my dear readers, a little help please. =D
CAMEO/S:
(8) Daphne – from the anime/manga 'Rental Magica'
(9) Adelicia Lenn Mathers – from the anime/manga 'Rental Magica'
TRIVIA/S:
N/A
REFERENCE/S:
(5) Captain Laurent – a character from the movie 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'. He's the captain of the royal guards.
(6) Jacqueline de Ghent – from 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'. She is different from her mother and sister in that she is kinder to Danielle, the protagonist. But she is clumsier and rather naïve. She also married the captain of the royal guard, whom she met at the ball.
(7) Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent - from 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'.
(8) Marguerite de Ghent – from 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'.
DISCLAIMER:
Maria-sama ga Miteru is not mine.