CHAPTER ELEVEN
Yumi: "What are you doing, Yumi?"
-o0o-
The night passed excruciatingly slow. It was a pain. And here I am unable to fall asleep, contemplating on what to do.
Wait.
Was there really anything or something that I should do?
I asked myself that question several times. Something wasn't really clear to me at that moment. I tried, and tried to think back. I even tried to meditate. But, it was of no use. Then, finally, I decided to take a walk around the house. The first thing I noticed was the lights at the kitchen were open.
Someone's still awake?
I slowly walked inside the kitchen. From where I stood, I saw Shimako with a cup of tea at the counter. She had this unreadable look on her face. But when she finally realized she wasn't alone, she looked away with a flustered look. Then, she stood up from the stool and headed to the sink to clean the used cup. This made me wary of her actions. I watched her back as she continued to wash the used cup.
She's really taking her time for a single cup…
I sighed and probably Shimako heard it as well. I walked up to the refrigerator to get myself a bottle of water. I know Shimako noticed my presence just by looking at her all tensed up.
"Do I make you feel uncomfortable?" I asked her. I can even see the surprised look in her eyes.
"W-what are you talking about, Yumi-san?" Shimako put up a forced smile as she continued washing that cup.
"For how long are you going to wash that thing?" I asked her still she wouldn't look at me. And that's when I snapped. I pulled the said blonde at the refrigerator, pushing her with a bang. Both of my arms were either side of Shimako's head. With a piercing look, I asked her again.
"Do I make you feel uncomfortable?"
Shimako, she wasn't looking at me, she was rather looking at the floor. It's as if she was trying to stop herself from crying.
What have I done? I made Shimako cry… I'm the worst…
"Was it because of what you saw between me and Adi?" I asked, this time, in a calm and civil manner. She only nodded at me. "I see…" Now, it was clear to me… I continued and said, "You must be shocked, I understand if you don't want to associate yourself with me anymore…" I let Shimako go and started to go to my room. But before I could do so, I felt someone tugged the sleeve of my pajama. I turned around and saw it was Shimako, looking unsure of herself once again.
"Please don't force yourself, Shimako…"
Still, Shimako held me by my sleeve. She looked at me in the eyes and said, "I'm not forcing myself, Yumi-san… I'm just surprised." She had that look of disappointment. But what made me confused was… I could see deep inside there was pain.
"Shimako…" I called out to the said blonde. Taking her arm, this time, with care, I said, "If there's anything you wish to confide with me, don't hesitate to tell me." I pulled her to a hug before kissing her forehead and wishing her a goodnights rest. "Good night and sleep well, Shimako…" I said, leaving the sandy-blonde girl alone to her distressed thoughts.
-o0o-
By the time morning came, I had to wake up extra early for my guests. Though, I didn't expect it would be the opposite since most of the Yamayurikai members were awake and preparing breakfast. When I walked inside the kitchen, I saw Rei-sama, Youko-sama, Yoshino and Shimako busying themselves as they prepare the food while Eriko-sama and Sei-sama were sitting at the table.
"Sei, come here and help." Youko-sama said.
"But Eriko isn't helping, ask her too." Sei-sama replied as she continued to fiddle with the silverware on her hand.
I could hear Youko-sama sigh at Sei-sama's reply. "You know Eriko can't cook-"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Eriko-sama said, defending herself.
Instead of commenting, Youko-sama ignored what Eriko-sama had said.
"Come on before Yumi-chan or Sachiko wakes up." Youko-sama said.
"I think that's a little too late, Youko…" Eriko-sama said as she pointed towards my direction. "Gokigenyo, Yumi-chan… I'm sorry for intruding inside your kitchen-it was Youko's idea trust me." Eriko-sama was about to say something but Youko-sama elbowed her, indicating her to stop.
"Ah~ don't worry about it, it's totally fine… just tell me if you need anything." I said with a smile.
"Gokigenyo, everyone…" I heard a familiar cool and monotonous voice greeted us. It was Sachiko still in her sleepy state. Whoa…
"Oh my… Sachiko, weren't you able to get some sleep?" Youko-sama asked.
Although we did hear her reply, it sounded more like a grunt to us. So, we took it as a 'yes' and decided to leave her alone since we all knew that Sachiko's a not-so morning person, or so we thought…
"I wonder what kept you awake, Sa-chan…" Sei-sama said with a grin on her face. Honestly, she reminds me of a Cheshire cat whenever she grins like that. But given the situation, she still continued to press on against the highly irritated Sachiko-sama.
"Sei… that's enough," Youko-sama warned Sei-sama, giving one of her glares, while Sei-sama could only stick her tongue out. "Would you like to rest in the living room? We'll just call you when breakfast is ready." Youko-sama said to Sachiko.
The said girl on the other hand was silent. We didn't know if she had fallen asleep already or she wasn't in the mood to answer us. I only thought of one thing at the moment. So I walked at one of the cupboards and started to prepare tea for Sachiko-sama. I placed small amounts of tea leaves in the strainer. And once I started to pour the hot water over the strainer, the change of color could be seen from the teapot as I continued to brew the said beverage. By the time I was done, I poured small amounts of the hot tea in a cup. "Sachiko-sama, wake up. Drink this so you'll feel better." I said to the still sleepy girl.
Sachiko-sama did what I asked, even thanked me for the drink. When she was done with her cup, I poured her another. This continued until I noticed the stares being given to me by the three Head Roses.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing, nothing… you both just look so… I don't know, it's as if you're both are in a soeur relationship. You and Sachiko, that is." Youko-sama said.
"Did she ask you to convince me to take her rosary?" I asked.
"No… But, did she ask you again to take her rosary?" Youko-sama asked while the Eriko-sama and Sei-sama looked intrigued I only nodded at the question.
"And?" The three roses asked at the same time.
"I declined…"
There was a brief silence as the three ladies in front of me took the entire information in.
Were they really expecting me to accept Sachiko's rosary that much? They're not up to something are they?
Those were the thoughts running inside my head as I saw the look at their faces. Each having those strange and different looks. I could clearly see the hint of interest, intrigue, and most of all that mischievousness in their eyes. And that's when I really wondered, there really is something going on…
-o0o-
I have to admit breakfast was an amazing experience to me. Back at England, I usually eat on my own since my Father is usually busy with only God knows whatever it is. But, today, with the Yamayurikai, it was different and it felt warm. I didn't say much in the conversation they were having, I just continued to watch with a smile and sometimes I would laugh whenever one of them made jokes. Usually it would be Sei-sama and Yoshino then Eriko-sama who would say those jokes while Youko-sama and Sachiko would only comment on some of the puns being released sometimes to them. Shimako, on the other hand, was… she was still elusive. When our eyes met, she looked away, probably, because of last night.
I'm such a twit! How could I forget, I made her cry…
"Ah, that's right… where's you're friend Yumi-chan?" Sei-sama asked.
"Who? Adi?" I asked. Sei-sama only nodded back. "She left early this morning since she has an early flight back to London."
"Ah~ I see…" Sei-sama said as she rubbed her chin as if she was thinking of something. Then, suddenly, a grin formed on her lips. "She must be a girlfriend of yours, huh, Yumi-chan?" Sei-sama teased and even Eriko-sama joined as well. "He~h... Yumi-chan, I didn't know you have a high standard when it comes to girls." Eriko-sama and most of the girls laughed. Even I laughed as well. But I wonder will they laugh again when I tell them the truth? I grinned at that thought.
"Actually… Adi is my ex-girlfriend." I said.
Oh how I love the look on their faces!
I grinned once again at their shocked expressions. The first to recover to their shock was Sei-sama. "You're not kidding right?" She asked me as she tried to stop herself from laughing. "Ask Shimako, she saw me and Adi snogging yesterday." I wanted to say that but, for Shimako's sake, I decided not to.
"Ah~ wow… that definitely surprised me, Yumi-chan." And once again, Sei-sama grinned. "Ne, Yumi-chan… Between the two of you, who confessed first?" Sei-sama asked.
I can't believe I'm being asked about this.
"Hey… why the sudden interest in my love life?" I asked.
"Come on, Yumi-san… it's not like we're going to leak it out to the public." Yoshino suddenly chimed in.
"Since when did you become to like romance?" I asked Yoshino.
"Just because I like Ikenami Shoutarou's works doesn't mean I don't like romantic-stuff." Yoshino answered back.
"Yoshino, just drop the topic… you're making Yumi-chan uncomfortable." Rei-sama said but, Yoshino ignored her. "So, who confessed first?"
"Of course, it was Adi." I finally answered.
"Eh~ then, who ended it first?" Sei-sama asked. I swear she was starting to act like an old man. "We both did," I said. "I see… so-" Sei-sama was about to say or maybe ask another question, when suddenly Youko-sama nudged the said blonde so she would stop from talking.
"No more questioning. We should, at least, remember that we're only guests here." Youko-sama said with a stern voice. Honestly, sometimes this woman scares me. But given that fact, I'm still thankful to her.
I sighed when I heard Rosa Chinensis stopped the others from asking personal questions about me. Well, specifically about my love life. But a chill ran down my spine when I heard Sei-sama said, "You're lucky Youko's here to stop us. I'll make sure to continue this some other time…" she said with a chuckle while I, on the other hand, gulped at that creepy laugh of hers. I wasn't afraid of them asking me about my love life, I was more afraid of Sei-sama's laugh.
-o0o-
After breakfast, the rest of us were in the living room. Everyone was seated at the couch while some were looking at the valuables around the room. Well, to be specific, it was Yoshino, Eriko-sama and Sei-sama who were scanning around the whole place as if criticizing it.
"You three, sit down right now. You're all making us look like we don't have any manners," Youko-sama said. But, of course, the three didn't comply which earned them an exasperated sigh from the head of the red rose family.
"Youko… Relax… It's not like Yumi-chan minds," – Sei-sama turned her direction towards me – "Right, Yumi-chan?" She asked with a grin on her lips.
"Sei-sama is right, Youko-sama. I actually don't mind at all."
"Then, Yumi-san…" Yoshino started.
"What?"
"You don't mind if take a look around the house do you?" Yoshino asked. I should have known…
"Yoshino!" Rei-sama said, trying to warn her cousin.
"But, Rei-chan… Yumi-san said she doesn't mind. So, what's the problem?" Yoshino asked while Rei-sama could only sigh at her cousin.
And so, the so-called impromptu tour around the house started...
-o0o-
We, of course, started in the first floor which consists of a Living room, Dinning room, Kitchen, several Guest rooms, and few Bathrooms. After that we headed to the second floor which only has three rooms: a Music room, Study room, and a Dojo with a small Gym. At the third floor, I took them again near the Swimming pool and led them to its surrounding areas like the Changing room, Jacuzzi, and a small place where people can relax while being under the sun. Or, let's just say where you can have barbeques with your guests.
By the time we arrive at the fourth floor, the Library. Yoshino asked me, "Yumi-san, I hope you don't mind me asking but… How did all of these books get in here?"
"Through the lift," I said.
"What lift?" Yoshino said, obviously, her patience was running low.
"She means an elevator, Yoshino-chan." Sachiko-sama said.
"No… That's not what I'm trying to say. It's just that all this time, while we go up using the stairs, you actually have an elevator or whatever Lift built inside your house." Yoshino was about to say something but then she was stopped by Rei-sama herself. "Err… so this is the library, feel free to look around then after that we can proceed to the next floor."
While I was watching everyone wander around the library, Yoshino came to me again. "Yumi-san, aren't there any Japanese books? All I can see are either English, French, or in other foreign languages."
"Well, some of them are in the study while some are in my room." I said. At the mention of –my room- few pairs of eyes landed on me.
"Alright, next stop: Yumi-chan's room!" Obviously it was Sei-sama who said that. When we arrived at the fifth floor, Sei-sama led us to a door which, thank the Gods, wasn't my room. It was where most of my game consoles, DVDs, and other entertainment related stuffs were stored. But when we entered the said room, most of them were either shocked or surprised. I didn't understand, why though?
"I feel like I'm in a small cinema…" I heard Sei-sama say. Well, it's probably true since the size of the TV monitor is two-meters in height and five-meters in width.
"Yea… there's even a small bar with drinks and snacks." said Yoshino as they walked inside the room.
The said room we were currently in was just one of the two in the fifth floor. And now we're heading straight to my room. The room was carpeted in soft crimson carpet with rose patterns of black while the walls and ceiling were painted in a darker shade of gray. The interior of the room has a Victorian feel in it. The room itself was divided into six areas: lounge area, study area, bathroom, walk-in closet, balcony, and the bedroom. The lounge was where I could relax after studying, and sometimes, this place is where I watch the TV, enjoy a snack or drink from a small fridge at the counter. Also, sometimes, aside from the small study area, this is where I read since the sofas are comfortable. The study area is just your normal study area with a desk, lamp shade, a personal computer with two extra monitors connecting to the main, and the bookshelves where most of my school books, reference books, and other school materials. The bathroom would probably be the second to the biggest area in the room since it has a built-in Jacuzzi, a bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet. From the bathroom, there's also a door connected to another room, the walk-in closet where I put all of the garments that I wear starting from hats, eyewear, jewelries, watches, dresses, tops, pants, everything from formal to casual it's in here. While moving on to the next part of the room, the balcony, it's just one door away from the bedroom which consists of a king-size bed with lots of pillows to keep me and my head comfortable. I can't deny that part of me and I can't help it if I like 'em soft.
While everyone was enjoying the view around the balcony, I noticed a few things. Well, to be exact, it was two things… One, Sachiko-sama was away from everybody else. It was as if she was avoiding something. At first, I couldn't understand what it was… but suddenly, I was beginning to understand why…
I walked up to her and said, "You know… you don't have to put up a front."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Sachiko-sama asked.
"Well, I'm just talking about that there's always a limit to a human's pride. Or maybe, shall I call it stubbornness?"
The moment those words came out of my mouth, I felt a familiar feeling and I always feel this whenever I argue with this woman in front of me which I find fun, I think I'm getting myself confused at the idea.
'Does that make me sound cruel?'
The thought itself left a bad aftertaste when I caught a glimpse of Shimako looking at me. It only became worse when she realized that I was looking back at her and she looked away from me.
'I guess now I should know what I should do first…' That's what I said to myself as I walked directly towards Shimako. 'Now, what?' O…kay so, there are some times that I screw up too. And sad to say, this is one of those times. "Come with me," I said, almost as if I was giving an order. Shimako, on the other hand, could only muster an unintelligent "Eh?" After that I dragged the said girl out of my room and continued to drag her until we reached a small garden outside of the building.
"It hurts…"
"Huh?" - 'Did I do something wrong again?' - Great! Here I am trying to re-establish our friendship by apologizing about what happened last night.
"My hand…" For a moment, I blanked out. 'My hand…?' I looked down at her hand and saw that mine was still connected to hers. "Ah! Um, sorry 'bout that. Does it still hurt?" I asked though, she only shook her head as a reply.
"…Um, I know you're wondering why I suddenly dragged you here…" I paused then, I sighed. Obviously, I didn't know where to start. 'I guess I'll start with an apology first.' – "I, uh… about last night, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you or even scare you. Ah… how do I explain this?" As I panicked and tried to think for an explanation, I could feel her staring at me which made panicked even more. I only stopped from thinking when I heard her voice.
"It's alright… I understand," she says. But that reply of hers did not surprise me instead it was what she was about to do.
'What the?'
The said girl was almost inches away from me. 'When did she…?' I wondered but that shouldn't be my top priority right now since at this moment Shimako's face was just inches away from me. At that time, I felt her warm breath as it tingles on my skin… slowly and slowly, she neared my face… eyes closed, flustered cheeks, and I could even tell that she was nervous at that time from the way she held both of my hands.
Then, at a brief moment… it happened; Shimako placed her lips to my own.
She's basically an amateur with this – Kissing. It was as if she doesn't even now what she was doing until I had enough. I placed my right hand at the side of her head while my left arm roamed around her waist hugging her at the same time. "Open your mouth," I said. She obeyed me as if she was in a trance. Then, slowly, I deepened the kiss as I let my tongue wander and entice her own. Moments had passed and yet we we're still kissing as if our lives were depending on it.
'What are you doing, Yumi?'
The moment I heard those words, I let Shimako go. "I, err… I think we should get back…" I walked back inside the building without looking back at Shimako. I didn't want to see her reaction after that kiss. Clearly, during this time, I asked myself…
"What do you think you're doing?"
"!"
-o0o-
A/N: Of course that was a cliffhanger everyone… I hope you enjoyed this chapter, everyone. And, um, if you're confused about something please don't hesitate to ask. I haven't made an update since I was reading some Maria-sama ga Miteru stories, Strawberry Panic! stories, and other fan-made fictional stories in … so… I'm sorry (^_^)
Anyways, Happy New Year Everyone! (^_^)
-o0o-
Disclaimer:
Maria-sama ga Miteru is not mine.