CHAPTER TEN
Shimako: "Yumi-san and Mathers-san"
-o0o-
After our last period, some of my classmates started to pack their belongings while some started to clean up the classroom, including Yumi-san. She was in her usual seat and I couldn't help but wonder what was wrong since it was clearly written all over Yumi-san's face. I wanted to ask what was bothering her but I decided to let her have her own peace and quiet for the meantime. And with that I quietly, walked out of the music room and headed straight towards the school's gym.
Slowly, I walked while sometimes other students, sophomores, or seniors greeted me with a polite 'Gokigenyo, Rosa Gigantea en bouton' and I would reply back with a smile after saying, 'gokigenyo' as well. This went on until I managed to arrive at the gym.
From the outside, I could hear students as they busied themselves. I've noticed there were a lot of students helping us out for the play and, of course, I'm very thankful about. Just thinking about it, a certain pigtailed girl flashed through my mind. Well, it's was true. Yumi's been a great help inside and outside of the Yamayurikai. -I just hope she knows how much… - I ended my musings for awhile as I changed my school shoes to my indoor shoes.
While I was changing, I heard someone calling my name. I already know who it was just from the tone of her voice. "Onee-sama…" I said as I walked to her. She had this familiar grin on her face which indicates that something was bound to happen -but what?- I asked myself.
"Shimako, remember what we talked about last night?" Onee-sama asked. Immediately, I remembered the discussion that me and my Onee-sama had on the phone last night which was something to do about me being unable to be just a back-up dancer at the play.
"Of course, Onee-sama…" I said almost giving a defeated sigh.
"Now, now, don't be like that. I'll make sure you'll do just fine." Onee-sama said giving me a thumb up and a smile. "Ah, finally she's here!" Onee-sama said out loud. I looked at where she was waving at and I saw Yumi-san walking her way towards us while Sachiko-sama was… I don't know if my eyes were playing tricks on me but, did I just saw Sachiko-sama glare at Onee-sama? Well, this is Sachiko-sama I'm talking about so I guess it's alright, not unless, it has anything to do with Yumi-san. "Ne, Yumi-chan, do you know how to dance?" I heard Onee-sama asked Yumi-san. -I think I know where this discussion will lead to… - I thought as I watched them both talking with their backs in front of me.
"Here that, Shimako… Yumi-chan will be teaching you Waltz, isn't that great?" Onee-sama said while I couldn't help but to be surprised even more. -Onee-sama must have said something to Yumi-san to make her agree… - I said to myself. I didn't want to look at Yumi-san's face. I was too embarrassed to do so. But with little confidence, I managed to asked, "Is it really alright with you?" I said still with my head turned down.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Yumi-san asked.
"To teach me how to dance the Waltz…" I said almost like a whisper.
"Huh? I'm sorry… can you repeat what you said, I wasn't able to hear everything…" Yumi-san said.
I was too tense at that moment. At first, I started to tremble. Too nervous to even speak, I really think I lost my voice. Thankfully, after a good few seconds I found my voice and was able to speak again. "I-I said… I-is it a-alright f-for y-you t-t-to teach-" Before I was to finish, Yumi-san cut-in. "Yes, it's alright with me." She said.
"Shall we start then?" Yumi-san said. She bowed and offered her right hand which timidly took. Moments later, Yumi-san was leading me on the dance floor. "One… two… three… one… two… three… that's right… follow the beat-" But before we could even continue dancing… I accidentally stepped on Yumi-san's foot for the nth time. - Oh… this is so embarrassing! - "Yumi-san, I'm really-really sorry. Maybe we should take a break for awhile"I immediately berated myself for causing her such pain. -She's probably mad at me now… -I said to myself and just by thinking about it made me sad. We sat down in one of the benches inside the gym, for several minutes, neither one of us were talking. I know even before I had difficulties when it comes to making friends because of my timid personality and, honestly, I want to change that. I want to be able to approach people and not the other way around. Just like Yumi-san. Just like when I first met her. -I'm sorry… I wasn't able to tell you what was my first impression of you, Yumi-san.
I was about to speak to Yumi-san and start a conversation with her but when I was about to turn to face her the said girl was no longer sitting next to me. - When did she? - I asked myself as I found her walking up to Sachiko-sama with two bottles of water. Yumi-san gave one bottle to Sachiko-sama by letting it touch Sachiko-sama's face making Sachiko-sama surprised.
From a far, I couldn't help but to watch them talk. Although I wasn't able to hear them, I could see the way they conversed. I even saw an unreadable look on Yumi-san's face. -Sachiko-sama must have said something to make Yumi-san look like that… - my musings were put to a stop when I heard a familiar voice near me.
"You seem to be thinking seriously there…" Immediately I knew it was my Onee-sama who snuck up to me. But I never expected to hear her next words, "…does a certain pigtailed girl has anything to do with it?" She asked with her grin on her face.
I know my face was blushing since Onee-sama's smile seems to grow even wider when she saw the state I was in. I was about to defend myself but Youko-sama called everyone from the Yamayurikai to gather around even including Yumi-san.
"Everyone, this is Kashiwagi Suguru, Hanadera's Student Council President. He'll be acting as the Prince in our play." Youko-sama announced. He was entertained by most of the Roses and there would be some time that one of us would ask if there's anything Kashiwagi-san needed.
"Excuse me, but, I was wondering… where is Cinderella?"
We all looked at Sachiko-sama who had that cold look on her eyes, "Pleased to meet you, my name is Ogasawara Sachiko," she said, all too plainly.
"The pleasure is mine…" Kashiwagi-san replied.
After introducing Kashiwagi-san, we started practicing with the dance steps once again while some started memorizing their lines. But by the time we were allowed to rest, my eyes started to wander about Yumi-san's whereabouts since she managed to disappear from me again. - What am I thinking? It's as if I'm a frantic lover or something! - There it goes again! I can feel my face heating up. Oh no! I need to calm down. Or else, someone will notice!
"Hey, Shimako, are you alright?" Onee-sama asked as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "Yes, Onee-sama," I answered without looking at her. But she didn't let me go, instead she asked, "Are you sure?" I only nodded at her still unable to look at her. She just heaved a sigh, probably, from the way I acted earlier. This made me sink even lower.
For a good several minutes, my head turned up when I heard Onee-sama say, "Ah… finally… we thought you both won't show up anymore," instead of a reply from the two, Onee-sama was ignored.
"Sachiko-sama, can't you take a joke?" Yumi-san said to the already mad Rosa Chinensis en bouton. -What happened?-I wondered as I watched both bicker. The scene itself made me think… someone like Sachiko-sama, a perfect example of a lady, was arguing with Yumi-san over something we all don't know. - I wonder… what really happened?
"But, you know? You really were staring awhile ago, Sachiko-sama," Yumi-san said. - What? Staring? - But before their heated conversation could go on, Youko-sama stopped both parties. "Okay! I don't know what it is you're both arguing about but, maybe some of you can explain what's going on." At first, Youko-sama looked at Sachiko-sama but the latter just turned her head away from us. So, now Youko-sama turned her attention towards Yumi-san 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." Yumi-san said making some of the Yamayurikai members surprised, especially the three head roses.
"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?" Sachiko-sama argued back.
If what Yumi-san had said awhile ago surprised us then, what Sachiko-sama had revealed just made us surprised even more.
"HAHAHA… My God, Sa-chan. I didn't know you had it in you." Onee-sama said as she continued to laugh.
"I didn't know even Yumi-chan can grill Sachiko like that." Eriko-sama teased still with a smirk on her face.
"That's enough everyone… I'm announcing everyone's role so please listen." Youko-sama said as she opened a red notebook and started to cite each role. - This is it.
"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" - Wait! That's me! I will play as Sister B… - I couldn't believe my ears when I heard the announcement.
"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?" Youko-sama asked.
I was still preoccupied by my thoughts when all of a sudden…
"What's the matter, Yumi-chan?" Youko-sama asked.
"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, I could almost feel the hotness of my cheeks for every passing second. But as each second drops, I don't think I can suppress the blush on my cheeks anymore - This is so embarrassing… Maria-sama, please let me vanish right now…
"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?" Youko-sama asked.
"Alright," Yumi-san agreed while Youko-sama smiled in relief. "Thank You, Yumi-chan."
After the announcements of roles, Youko-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."
Once I got a copy, I opened it slowly as if it was a sacred item.
Slowly…
One page after the other…
I nearly dropped the booklet when I read a part from the summary. It said, '…, who had always been kind to Cinderella, is spared punishment. She marries the captain of the royal guard, whom she met at the ball.' - The captain of the royal guard… Yumi-san… - I was brought back to reality when I heard my Onee-sama and Rosa Foetida spat with each other. It only stopped when Youko-sama stopped them. "Stopped it, both of you!" she pulled Yumi-san away from her fellow roses. "Honestly, what are you both? Kindergartners?" Youko-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," Onee-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." Youko-sama said as she led everyone to the shoe lockers.
As we head to the shoe lockers, Kashiwagi-san was first to leave. But once we were out, none of us noticed the weather outside as it took us by surprise and got everyone wet.
"This is bad…" Rei-sama said with worry in her voice.
"…You're worrying too much, Rei-chan. And besides, you'll never know the rain might stop any minute now." Yoshino-san said, but her words were immediately shut down when we all heard the 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-san said, but unfortunately Rei-sama shook her head.
"Now-now don't be disappointed… it's not like you guys are the only ones who doesn't have an umbrella." Onee-sama turned her attention towards Sachiko-sama. "Hey, Ice Princess, do you have your mobile phone with you?"
"No, I don't."
"I guess we'll just have to wait her till the rain-" Before Youko-sama could finish her statement… Yumi-san cut-in. "U-um, I have… a mobile phone that is," Yumi-san said as she brought out her mobile phone.
"Will you please call anyone who that can save us from this rain?" Youko-sama asked.
"Okay…" was Yumi-san's reply. She started looking for 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? - As if the pigtailed girl read my mind, she introduced the woman beside her. "Everyone, this Daphne, an assistant of one of my friends." 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 Onee-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 Onee-sama she 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 calm and cheerful thanks to Onee-sama and Yoshino-san's hilarious jokes. Sometimes I would smile at their jokes and sometimes I would laugh as well. Several moments later, I felt that Daphne-san was slowing down indicating that we're almost there. From the outside I saw a five-storey building. Daphne-san stopped the van just in front of the small gate of the building where a small intercom/lock was placed.
Yumi-san, who was busy looking inside her bag, said out loud, "There it is", then, turned her attention to 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-san was the one being greeted.
"Adi!" Yumi-san 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-san asked but instead, "Wait. Don't answer that! Instead, why are you here?"
Instead of answering, the foreign looking girl looked at us then sighed. "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. - She must be Yumi-san's childhood friend - I wondered as I studied the said girl in front of me.
"Hey, you haven't answered my question," Yumi-san interjected but unfortunately Mathers-san ignored her. This obviously made Yumi-san annoyed.
"Why won't you all come inside, you'll catch a cold if you don't…" Mathers-san said as she invited all of us inside Yumi-san's home and led us in the living room. We all sat down in one of the couches while Onee-sama plopped down in one of the empty seats.
"Yumi, go and make some tea for your guests," Mathers-san said making Yumi-san annoyed once again.
"Is this your house?" Yumi-san 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-san retorted back.
"Yumi, you know that I can't be trusted inside the kitchen. Who knows I might end up destroying everything whatever it is in there."
"Good point," with that Yumi-san left while Mathers-san went on her way.
Moments later, Yumi-san 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's imposing." Youko-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. And I couldn't help but to stare at it in silence.
My thoughts were put to a halt when I heard Onee-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?" Youko-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 Sachiko-sama.
"What?" Sachiko-sama asked.
"Did you know about Yumi-chan's home being close to yours?" Youko-sama inquired.
"No"
"Hmm… speaking of that little tanuki, where is she?" Onee-sama said. Not only the whole group but I also wondered… where IS Yumi-san at this time? Is she with Mathers-san?
"Didn't she say she'll take care of our clothes?" Yoshino-san said.
"If that's the case then, we shouldn't make her wait." Youko-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-san 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-san 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. - Why was she looking away? - My musings stopped as I listened to what Yumi-san had to say, "If you're done picking on what you're going to wear, please feel free to use any room from that hallway to get change." Yumi-san 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 Sachiko-sama sent a death glare at Onee-sama for including her to one of Onee-sama's jokes once again. "Sei, what did I told you?" Youko-sama said in a warning tone. "To piss your sister to the point that she'll kill me…" was Onee-sama's reply. Youko-sama, on the other hand, sent another death glare at Sei-sama. Honestly, if looks can kill… Onee-sama's probably dead by now - Honestly, when will Onee-sama ever learn?
"Okay… I'm done picking. See you guys later," Eriko-sama waved at us as if saying goodbye while, Rei-sama and Yoshino-san excused themselves to look for a room as well. "Excuse us too… Let's go, Yoshino," Rei-sama led her cousin to one of the rooms.
Sachiko-sama was about to invite Youko-sama but, Onee-sama had asked Youko-sama first. "Come on, Youko," Onee-sama pulled Youko-sama out of the living room, in to one of the rooms, and leaved me with Sachiko-sama and for some unknown reason I feel like there's something off in the atmosphere.
"They left…" was all I could hear from Sachiko-sama at that moment.
"A-ano, Sachiko-sama, shall we go?"
"Right," Sachiko-sama said. For a moment I thought there was a pause but then again this is Sachiko-sama, right? "You go pick on a room; I'll follow in a bit." Sachiko-sama added.
I did follow what Sachiko-sama had said. I picked up the clothes Yumi-san lent me and started to walk towards one of the doors at the hallway. Before I went in, I knocked three times to make sure that it was empty. And so, I knocked. On the first knock, there was no reply. On the second knock, there was no reply again. On the third knock, there was no reply just like my first and second tries. By the time I opened the door, the sight before me made me drop the clothes I was holding…
"Oh my… it seems like we have an audience…"
It was Mathers-san who spoke. She stood up from the bed and unzipped her dress exposing her bare skin; the only thing that was left on her was a necklace with a ring in it. After she stripped, she proceeded to the bathroom while Yumi-san remained silent on her position.
"I-I… I better go find a new room," I immediately excused myself. But before I could even walk away, Yumi-san held me at the wrist. I wasn't sure of what was happening since I could only feel her warmth when she hugged me. When Yumi-san let go of me, she had a different look on her face. It was something I couldn't understand.
"Shimako," Sachiko-sama said from behind, taking both mine and Yumi-san's attention. "…I've been wondering what's taking you so long. I've picked us a room, let's go." Sachiko-sama said. She first walked off leaving me with Yumi-san once again. I was about to follow her when suddenly I heard Yumi-san saying, "Looks like the Princess is in a bad mood again… don't get to her bad side, Shimako…" She had the usual 'friendly' Yumi-san look on her face when she said those words. I could only nod at what she said. And soon, I left without looking back at her. I decided not to since I, myself, do not know what I could do if I ever saw her face. The scene I just witnessed was still running inside my mind.
I was off to find a suitable room for me and Sachiko-sama to use on. But when I walk passed on a certain door, I couldn't help but notice an unfamiliar sounds of cry. I know it wasn't my place to pry. But when a sudden loud muffled sound was heard, I stared at the door in front of me. It was as if it was making me want to open the door and walk inside. I pretended not to hear what was going on inside as I knocked on the door. On the first knock, there was no reply. On the third knock, there was no reply again. On the third knock, there was no reply just like first and second tries.
At first, I was staring at the door knob. I inhaled, exhaled and finally I decided to open the door. But what I saw surprised me the most…
I couldn't believe at what I was seeing…
Two girls,
Yumi-san and Mathers-san,
Kissing or was it making-love?
This got me rooted from where I was standing.
I couldn't even talk at that moment.
"Oh my… it seems like we have an audience…" That brought me out of my trance. It was Mathers-san who spoke. She stood up from the bed and unzipped her dress exposing her bare skin; the only thing that was left on her was a necklace with a ring in it. After she stripped, she proceeded to the bathroom while Yumi-san remained silent on her position. Why wouldn't she be after what had happened?
"I-I better go find a new room," I immediately excused myself. But before I could even walk away, Yumi-san held me at the wrist. I wasn't sure of what was happening since I could only feel her warmth when she hugged me. When Yumi-san let go of me, she had a different look on her face. It was something I couldn't understand.
"Shimako…"
"!"
"Are you alright? I've been calling out to you several times now…" Sachiko-sama said with a little sigh. Was I really spacing out? "I'm sorry I was just-" I paused and thought of another reply. "…I'm sorry, Sachiko-sama. It won't happen again," I said to the older girl.
-o0o-
CHAPTER TEN
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 – from the movie 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'
(6) Jacqueline de Ghent – from the movie 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'
(7) Baroness Rodmilla de Ghent – from the movie 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'
(8) Marguerite de Ghent – from the movie 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story'