Author's Note/s:
This is my thirteenth chapter of She is my Master and I hope everyone's enjoying it. I love the feedbacks by the way. At least, somehow, I know someone's reading my story. (^^)
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To the following:
insomniac1970 - I have a reason for doing that to our haughty Ojou-sama. And besides, she's too much of a tsundere…hehe…don't you agree? Oh… I appreciate the review, thanks a lot! (^_^)
Rasta Lioness - Yes, I like the conversation too (between Sachiko and her inner-voice). I added inner-Sachiko in the story to show that Sachiko still has that side of hers—the one under her cold mask she wears almost everyday. And, um, thank you for the review, I appreciate it! (^_^)
Honulicious - Fighter..? Hmm…you could say that since she's Yumi's All-around-attendant. Her character/personality is the same with the series, Hayate no Gotoku (Hayate, The Combat Butler). Um, thanks for the review, I appreciate it! (^_^)
D.E. - You're welcome…I'm just glad that there are people giving their feedbacks. Well, here's another update and thanks for the review, I appreciate it! (^_^)
Grace - Thank you for the review. Also, I too can't help but wait for the battle between the women around Yumi. She really is such a dense/natural bishounen in the story. It's almost a sin but, it's worth it hehe… (*^-^*)
HeavyTeaDrinker - Thank you for waiting and thank you for the review. I hope you're still enjoying reading this story. Anyway, here's Chapter 13. Enjoy! (^_^)
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Yumi: "the cravat"
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I sighed, thinking of another day of preparation for the school festival. Everything was alright and well, at least, that's what I think. If you call the suffocating aura inside the gymnasium alright, then I guess everything's alright. 'Damn it, how did it come to this?' I asked myself that question as I watch a few students help out fixing some of our costumes which we will use for the Cinderella Play.
"A-ano… I'm here for your costume, Fukuzawa-san."
I heard a soft voice from behind. It was a timid-looking girl, standing not too far away, probably a First-year just like me. And, just by looking at her, she might faint any time soon. "Are you alright?" I asked. Curiosity came to me when I saw the girl fidget. "Hey, you alright?" I asked again.
The girl only gave a stuttered reply. "Um, I think I forgot your costume somewhere… I'll just go and get it," the girl said. She ran off to only God knows where. The moment I could no longer see her, I felt an arm placed on top of my shoulder. Surely enough…it was no other than Sei-sama.
"What can I do for you, Sei-sama?" I asked the Third-year White Rose.
"Let's go through our lines together to be sure we have them down." Sei-sama said cheerily.
"No, thank you, Sei-sama," I politely declined. "I don't need to since I already memorized my lines."
Sei-sama looked at me, intrigued. Probably, because of what I've said awhile ago. "Heh~ Don't tell me, you managed to memorize every single one of them, didn't you?" she asked, surprised that I was able to do something so…I don't know trivial maybe? I only turned my back and let her imagination decide on its own. "Eh~ It's no fun practicing alone, Yumi-chan," Sei-sama said, pleading like a child. 'Honestly…'
"Rosa Gigantea, if you want to practice, then, go somewhere else. You'll be doing us a favor if you do that."
We heard a voice behind us…it was Sachiko-sama looking colder than usual.
'Somebody must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed.'
"Hmm… Wanna practice with me then?" Sei-sama asked, smirking with delight as she continued to tease Sachiko-sama.
'Why does she have to worsen the situation?' I sighed after watching both women argue. Well, it was more like a one-sided argument to me. Once again their argument flared on.
"Come on, Sa-chan…you're no fun at all," Sei-sama said. She looked up to Sachiko-sama and smirked. "If you're like that, you'll end up single for the rest of your life." The moment I heard Sei-sama said that, I couldn't contain my laughter.
Sachiko-sama looked at us with annoyed, and maybe, offended eyes. For a second there, I thought she would walk-out crying to who knows where. Or, she would give me and Sei-sama a piece of her mind. Now, that scared me. But instead, the usually proud and stubborn heiress only gave us an "Hmph!" loud enough for, almost, everybody inside the gymnasium to hear. And just like what I predicted awhile ago, Sachiko-sama stormed-off… Well, minus the crying part.
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A couple of minutes had passed after Sachiko-sama had stormed-off to the other side of the gymnasium. Apparently, Sachiko-sama's mood has not improved. I noticed it became worse.
I, on the other hand, have no clue whatever her problem was. Since Sei-sama and I were seated away from her, we no longer teased her.
"I assume that both of you had something to do about Sachiko's behavior." Youko-sama said as she sat next to Sei-sama.
"Now, why would you say that? It was Yumi-chan's fault since she laughed at your petite sœur." Sei-sama said, pretending to be innocent.
"What nonsense are you talking about, Sei-sama?" I immediately looked at Youko-sama, hoping that she wasn't mad. "Youko-sama, it was definitely Sei-sama's fault. She teased Sachiko-sama about her being single for the rest of her life and hmph-" I was immediately shut-off by Sei-sama, literally. She covered my mouth to stop me from talking but unfortunately…
"Sei," Youko-sama called with a little bit of malice in her voice.
"Yes Youko?" Sei-sama asked.
I could see the bullets of never ending sweat coming from Sei-sama's forehead. And just by looking at her, it's as if, Sei-sama saw a Hannya* behind Youko-sama.
'Blimey, even I saw it too!' I thought, terrified.
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The Changing room, just like the inside of the gymnasium…it was a hectic sight. From left to right, I can see students busying them selves with the costumes doing several, or maybe, few alterations with the costumes.
'Now that I think about it…that girl, she didn't come back with my costume. I wonder if she's okay,' I wondered.
Looking inside the room, I saw some of the Yamayurikai members getting their costumes fixed while some were memorizing their lines for the play. And just around the corner, I saw the timid-looking girl who was suppose to help me with my costume. There she was sitting alone altering a costume.
'Probably, my costume…'
I walked up to her and from what I can tell… She hasn't realized that I was behind her. She was too serious with what she was doing. When I moved in front of her, she still hasn't picked up my presence.
"Wow… You're pretty good with your hands," I said, looking at the costume she was sewing.
She suddenly looked at me, startled. "Awawa…" I looked at her mumble incoherently… More like, hyperventilate in front of me.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
She just gave a nod and handed the costume to me.
"Is this mine?" again, I asked.
And just like before, the girl replied with a nod.
I walked to the other corner of the room where I can try on my costume. Before I tried the costume on, I stared at the clothes for awhile.
First was the white, long-sleeved, shirt with a high-end collar. Next was the silver-clothed waistcoat. Then from the pile of garments was the red, overcoat, seamed with golden thread. After that was the light-brown trousers which ran just around my ankles and, surprisingly, it fitted me well.
Next from the list would be, the boots. After that would be the last piece from the lot – the cravat.
After donning on the costume, I took my ribbons, placed the other in my bag. Then, I tied my hair into a low knot. I even tried to pull my bangs up by using some hair-wax. Though, some of the hair failed to stick.
'They just kept sticking out of nowhere, huh,' I wondered as I stare at myself at the mirror.
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Once I was satisfied looking at myself, I decided to look for that timid-looking girl to ask if I wore the costume right. When I finally found her, he was talking with two of her friends who, surprisingly, stopped from talking. The timid-looking girl noticed her friends' strange reaction. She turned around to see what was wrong.
I walked up to her and asked. "Hey, am I wearing the costume right?" the girl kept staring at me.
It didn't take a minute or two, the said girl passed out. The incident itself caught the attention of several students. Some of them were even asking questions like…'What happened?', 'What's going on?', and Etc.
"Excuse me, let me through," a familiar voice said behind the on-lookers. It was Eriko-sama. "What happened here?" She asked.
"She fainted, Eriko-sama." I said while carrying the unconscious student in my arms. "She must be stressed."
Eriko-sama gave me a smile that can be compared to Sei-sama's. "Really Yumi-chan?" she asked. "I don't think its stress. I think... its love." Now I know what was that smile…it's a smile of a lecherous perverted old man.
"Are you still sane, Eriko-sama?" I asked the Third-year Yellow Rose.
"Yes, of course, I am. What made you think that I'm crazy?" Eriko-sama asked.
"Never mind," I said, ignoring the 'I think its love joke' Eriko-sama gave me.
I stood up and carried the unconscious girl in my arms. "I'll take her to the Infirmary. I'll be back as soon as I can." I said and walked out of the Changing room where I, coincidentally, met Sei-sama and Youko-sama. Not to mention, everybody inside the gym were looking at us. 'Nice, Yumi, very nice!'
"What happened?" Youko-sama asked with urgency in her voice.
"She—this girl, she fainted moments ago. I was just asking her about the costume and, suddenly, she fainted." I explained, hurriedly.
"Fainted? Or, did Cupid struck her down with one of his arrows?" Sei-sama asked sounding like Eriko-sama.
'Honestly, can't they be serious?' I thought.
I only looked at the person whom I found to be more rational between the three Head Roses, Youko-sama. But, unfortunately, the said Red Rose was trying her best not to laugh. "I-I'm so sorry… I couldn't contain myself… pfft-" Youko-sama said holding back her laughter.
"I think I'll just go now…" I said, annoyed.
I walked out of the gym with this timid-looking girl in my arms. Frankly, enough, I feel bothered. Why? It was because of the stares I've been receiving from the students I met as I went to the Infirmary while carrying this girl. 'This girl, who is she anyway? And, besides, is it strange to help a fellow student?' I thought. I really wasn't expecting their reaction though. I just let it pass as I readied myself to face the School Nurse, Ritsuko-sensei*.
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'How am I going to open this door?'
That was the first thing I thought when I arrived at the front of the Infirmary's door…a very basic question, indeed. I sighed at that. Then, by some miraculous force of nature, the door slid open giving me a perfect view of Ritsuko-sensei* with Misato-sensei* in a provocative manner.
"I think I'll go back later." I said, embarrassed.
"WAIT!"
Immediately, I was pulled inside the Infirmary and dragged towards one of the beds. I placed the girl in my arms on one of the beds and waited for Ritsuko-sensei. Meanwhile, over the white curtain opposite of the bed, I could see the silhouettes of both women who, based on my imagination, were trying to put their clothes on as fast as they can. When they were done, the curtain opened and I saw Misato-sensei leaving with a flustered look on her face while Ritsuko-sensei was having a hard time hiding her embarrassment. She cleared her throat hoping that it would calm her down. "What happened to you're friend here, Fukuzawa-san?" She asked.
"Well, moments ago… she fainted. And, honestly, I don't know why!" I said, defensively. I was already feeling like it was my fault since all the people whom I came across with kept on asking me the same question.
"Relax—I'm not telling you it's your fault. I'm only asking what happened so I can properly help this girl; okay?" Ritsuko-sensei said.
I looked at her and nodded. I told her what happened in the changing room starting from the point where I was looking for this timid-looking girl to ask if I was wearing the costume correctly. Then, the part when I saw her talking with her friends. "After that you can almost fill in the blanks, Sensei." I said, tiredly.
"Heh~ you really are popular with the girls huh, Yumi-chan." Ritsuko-sensei teased. She looked at me like how Misato-sensei would which I find annoying. Now, while walking to the other side of the bed, she took out a pen with a built-in flash light similar to what doctor's use in the TVs. She opened the girl's eyes checking if the girl was alright. "She's fine… a little dehydrated, but with a little rest, she'll be up in no time." Ritsuko-sensei said after examining the girl resting on the bed.
"Then, I'll take my leave now, Ritsuko-sensei." I said. I stood up and bowed before walking out of the Infirmary.
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Moments later, I was heading back to the gym for the rehearsals and just when I was about to turn to a corner. I saw everybody—The Yamayurikai Members and that student from Hanadera. Kashiwagi… he, he was holding Sachiko-sama very closely and very intimately.
'Why was that?' I thought. But I never would have imagined what he, that Kashiwagi, would do next…
"If you would explain the misunderstanding, you can resolve this peacefully." Kashiwagi said. Still standing next to Sachiko-sama, "That way, I'll be able to help out with the play for the school festival tomorrow with no hard feelings. Right?" he continued.
"You're right. This way might be beneficial for the both of us." Sachiko-sama said in a lifeless manner. I've never seen Sachiko-sama like this. 'This isn't right! This isn't like her at all!' I thought to myself. At that moment, I wanted to scream at Sachiko-sama. I really do. But instead, I held back in my position.
"He, Kashiwagi-san, is my cousin." Sachiko-sama said. 'So, was that it?' I thought. I looked at Sachiko-sama. 'No…' I can tell that there's more she's not telling us.
And so, I readied myself for the worse.
"He's also my fiancé." Sachiko-sama said.
"Yes, because we promise to marry each other." Kashiwagi said. He took one of Sachiko-sama's hands. "We also hold hands, of course." He said. This caught Sachiko-sama off-guard. She was clearly surprised when that man touched her hand. But that man continued, "I also put my arm around her," he said. Again, he didn't mind what he was doing to Sachiko-sama. Until, his face was only inches away from hers. I wanted to break them apart but, when I heard the next words coming from that man's mouth, I stopped.
"…And we kiss," those were the words he said.
Those were the words that made me stop from breaking them apart.
My world seemed to stop after hearing such declarations. Everything… everyone… they all seemed to stop moving until, suddenly, a slapping sound was heard. It came from Sachiko-sama. Her hand was still bended sideways after hitting her cousin at the cheek.
"You're getting carried away. How about you stop it..!" Sachiko-sama retorted. Immediately, she turned and left.
Kashiwagi was about to follow Sachiko-sama but, I just couldn't let that happen. I walked up to Kashiwagi's side, took his wrist, and threw him over the shoulder. "Sorry, my hand must have moved on its own." I said before turning towards where Sachiko-sama had gone to.
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For nearly half an hour, I was searching for Sachiko-sama. But still, I wasn't able to find her.
'She's probably back at the Gym or the Rose Mansion…' I said to myself.
But the moment I saw the Old Greenhouse, I stopped from my tracks and decided to head towards the old structure. There, inside, I saw Sachiko-sama sitting in silence. I opened the door and let myself in.
"Who is it?"
"It's me—Yumi,"
"What is it?"
I walked up to her and moved the pot away so I could sit next to her. "Sachiko-sama…" I said as I tried to start a conversation.
"…Hm?" she looked at me with those lifeless eyes of hers and I wondered. 'What should I say in this sort of situation?' Quietly, I sighed. "…Nothing…" I answered, awkwardly.
At that time, I didn't know what to do but, I do know that I want to help this girl right next to me. 'Strange…before I didn't want anything to do with her. But now, here I am trying my best to console her.' I thought. I was only brought out of my reverie when I felt a hand touching my arm.
"Stay…"
She pulled me closer and leaned on my shoulder. "Stay here," Sachiko-sama added. She pulled me even closer with tears flowing down her cheeks.
I, during that time, didn't know why she was crying. I didn't trust my voice that time too so…I lend her my shoulder for her to cry on. And at the same time, I patted her back as she continued to cry. When Sachiko-sama managed to stop from crying, I gave her my handkerchief. "Feeling better?" I asked. She gave me a nod after wiping some of her tears.
"You really must have some feelings for that Fiancé of yours." I said, stating a fact. 'Now why did that leave a bitter aftertaste?' I thought to myself.
Immediately, Sachiko-sama looked at me just after washing her face from the faucet. She was looking at me with a mixture of anger and shock.
'Suspicious…' I thought bitterly, again.
"What made you say that?" Sachiko-sama asked with the same look on her face.
"You didn't drop the role." I said, plainly.
"So, what if I didn't? That doesn't prove anything?" Sachiko-sama said. She wiped her face after washing it awhile ago.
"Maybe, maybe not… you probably knew that, that guy—Kashiwagi, will act as the Prince so you didn't drop your role…you're still in-love with him. Aren't you, Sachiko-sama?" I said. Though, I didn't know why I said the last part.
"That's not true," Sachiko-sama said. She gave me a look similar to when I was still living inside the mansion as her bodyguard—that look of annoyance. 'Heh, she's back to her normal self again.' I thought. "Suguru-san is my fiancé, but only because our parents decided he should be. He'll be put into the Family Register so he would lead the Ogasawara Group someday." Sachiko-sama said as she squeezed the water away from my handkerchief, continuously.
"So… you're not in-love with him?"
"I was, a long time ago." Sachiko-sama said with a smile on her face. "What do you think he told me at the celebration of my entrance into High School?" Sachiko-sama asked with a grin on her lips. I could only shrug a 'no' at her question and let her continue from speaking. "He told me…'I'm sorry, but romantically, I'm only interested in men. So you should take a lover outside our marriage and have his baby. We'll put the baby in our Family Register and make it the Heir to the Ogasawara Group. It's still related to us by blood, so I'm sure the family will love It.' that's what he said." Sachiko-sama quoted.
"What? Then, why didn't you call off the engagement?"
"He avoided me after that, so I didn't have a chance to say anything." Sachiko-sama said and continued. "Awhile ago, I tried to talk to him about the engagement and he got angry."
"Why would he?" I said. 'It looks like Mr. Kashiwagi doesn't only need an over-throw…' I said to myself.
"He doesn't know that I used to have feelings for him." Sachiko-sama said, plain, and simple.
'So that what it was…'
Even though Sachiko-sama tries to make a light of it, it can't be that simple because Sachiko-sama truly cares for him.
"Up until now I've been running away from him. In order to make up for that, I have to perform with him in the play tomorrow." Sachiko-sama said. "I don't want to run away anymore."
I stood up from where I was sitting and said, "Alright, I think Milady's back to herself now, shall we head back now?" I offered my hand to her with a smile. I know it may sound clichéd but, with me and her wearing our costumes for the school play, we looked like the prince and princess from some random fairy tale.
Sachiko-sama took my hand and I held hers carefully as we walked back to the Rose Mansion. I assumed everyone will be there. Well, except for one. And as suspected, everyone was at the Rose Mansion. They even left a note at the front door saying, "The visitor has left. Please clean the bottom your shoes before entering. Don't bring the ginkgo smell!"
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Well, that was it for today's rehearsal. I hope and I pray that my problems won't pile up as I continue to stay here in Japan. Now that I think about it, I haven't even solved a single problem that I've encountered…
My First Problem: Sachiko-sama.
She's one eccentric woman. At first, she gives you the cold shoulder. Then, suddenly, she reverts to someone caring, fragile, honest, and someone who'll give a warm feeling all at the same time. I've witnessed it before back at the mansion and, now, at the school's old greenhouse. That was the first time she opened up to me. 'Why me though?' I wondered, curiously.
My Second Problem: Shimako.
I really don't know how to talk to her after our 'encounter'. Whenever we end up bumping to each other, we only greet with a 'good day' or sometimes, with a nod. I know I should talk to her sooner or later. After all, I don't want anything to become awkward between us…not that it haven't become awkward between us. I just don't understand why she kissed me! And to make matters worse, I deepened that kiss.
'Why did I do that?'
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Cameo/s:
* Akagi Ritsuko is the workaholic and heavy-smoker Nerv's head scientist (Neon Genesis Evangelion).
* Katsuragi Misato is the chief operations at Nerv (Neon Genesis Evangelion).
Trivia/s:
* Hannya (mask) is a mask used in Japanese Noh Theater, representing a jealous female demon or serpent. It possesses two sharp bull-like horns, metallic eyes, and a leering mouth split from ear to ear.
Disclaimer:
* Maria-sama ga Miteru is not mine.