FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
Grace: Yes. You are correct. The Yumi, in this story, is somewhat a natural-bishounen which results for others to like her naturally, and at the same time, gives our dear Sachiko quite a headache. Don't you agree?
AsulNaRosa: Thank you for thinking it was amazing AND thanks for not getting tired of reading as well since, in all honesty, the story is progressing quite slowly. We're not yet even in the "Valentine's Day Arc". It's one of the arcs that I like in the series, so I, at least, will try to write a version of my own. I hope you all will enjoy it though. Anyway, thank you for the review! (-_ -")
D.E.: No more waiting; here's chapter 17… AND chapter 18 will be posted, if not tomorrow (Sunday; July 8, 2012; Philippines Time), then within this week.
Veamgee: Thank you so much for that compliment! I won't keep you waiting anymore since chapter 18 will be posted soon enough. I just need to reread it all over again.
Nyaaaaaaah: Wow… Didn't know there would be people getting excited over this fic. Thanks a lot…it truly made me smile.
-= o0o =-
EIXIRT'S NOTES
I'm back! I'm terribly sorry if I suddenly vanished from the FFNET-world…hehe. I've been busy with my transferring to another school and I'm still trying to cope with the environment, way around the academy, and the people in my new school. I think I'm suffering from this so-called "culture shock". Anyway, here's She is my Master: CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Sachiko: "You're the idiot, Idiot."
Enjoy!
-= o0o =-
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Sachiko: "You're the idiot, Idiot."
-= o0o =-
It's been two weeks since Rei had offered her rosary again to Yoshino-chan. And, I could see how happy Rei is again just by watching her tutoring Yoshino-chan for this morning's final exams. I'm happy for my friend though…watching them interact with each other gave me a somewhat familiar yet foreign feeling.
This made me turn towards my Petite Sœur who was quite lax on her seat. 'Doesn't she want to study for the exams?' I kept looking and did not even realize Yumi was gazing at me as well.
"Is something the matter, Sachiko-sama?" Yumi asked.
"Nothing…" I said, turning my attention on my book. 'I guess she really doesn't need any help with her studying…'
After telling myself that my own Petite Sœur doesn't need my help, I noticed a teacup with Darjeeling tea being placed next to me. I turned to my right and what I saw surprised me.
Yumi…
I almost said her name there... That was close…
"Here," Yumi placed the teacup on the table, "this should help you while you study."
"Thank you, Yumi," I closed the book then I asked, "but, Yumi… Are you not going to study for your exams?"
Looking confused, Yumi repeated, "study?"
"Yes. Study," I said, as if, the said word was foreign to me.
"Thank you for asking, but I don't need to…" Yumi said.
"Yumi—" I was about to ask what she meant by saying those words. And, doesn't she realize I'm only asking her as her Onee-sama and… and… now, she tells me: I don't need to… She even cut me off when I was about to talk.
"I'm sorry if you think I'm being careless. But, this is just the way I've been. I'm not being complacent. Try asking Shimako." She turned towards the said girl, "tell them what I usually do in class."
Shimako-chan looked at us, surprised, probably for not expecting to get our attention. And coincidentally, the school bell rang, indicating that our exams will start shortly.
"Ah~ looks like it's time for exams…everyone good luck with your exams!" Yumi said, almost like she's trying to get our attention towards her and not to Shimako-chan. "Shimako, let's go." Yumi reached for Shimako-chan's hand. "We'll go ahead…good luck again to your exams!"
Both Shimako-chan and Yumi went to their classroom together. I said to myself, it's alright…they're in the same class. It couldn't be helped. I can't believe I'm being like this. What will I do if there will come a time when almost all of the students here in Lillian…NO I don't even want to think about it! Honestly, what is happening to me?
-= o0o =-
Patiently waiting for the school bell to ring, I don't know why but I'm getting impatient all of a sudden. If only I could pass my test paper and leave but, of course, I can't…it wasn't what my tutors had taught me.
I sighed inwardly after checking the time.
"I caught you sighing…" I turned and saw Rei standing near my desk. "Is this about the exams?" she asked.
"I wish it was…" I said as I packed my belongings. And I could tell that Rei was looking at me with a curious expression on her face. It couldn't be helped.
I stood up and took my lunch, "Shall we eat at the Rose Mansion?" I said.
Rei only smiled and not too long she too took her lunch and followed behind.
On our way towards the Rose Mansion, I saw the very person who's been bugging my mind, Yumi. And, she wasn't alone.
Yumi was talking with a stranger. Moments later, the said stranger handed a paper bag…and they talked some more. Just watching those two from the distance made me want to walk to their direction and greet that said stranger.
"Sachiko?"
Immediately, my attention went directly to Rei.
She looked at where I was looking. And judging from the sudden rise of her eyebrow, Rei knew I was looking at Yumi. But, I don't understand why Rei was smirking at that time. "That girl… she couldn't be a fan, right?" Rei asked, still her smirk has not faded away.
"Fan? She could be from Yumi's home and…"
"…And she was just delivering something for Yumi-chan?" Rei continued. "Is that it?"
"Whatever you say…" I said and turned towards where the Rose Mansion was. "I'm going now."
"Hey, wait! It was only a joke!" Rei said, trying to catch up with me.
-= o0o =-
By the time Rei and I arrived at the Rose Mansion, only Shimako-chan and Yoshino-chan were there. 'That's to be expected… Yumi was talking with that girl…' I said to myself as I opened my bento.
A few minutes later, the biscuit door creaked open and Yumi walked in. "Good day, everyone! How's everybody's exams?" she asked in a lively manner. 'I guess talking with that stranger made her that way.'
"Do you really have to ask that?" Yoshino asked, looking quite beaten up. "Wha~ I'm done for…what will I do for tomorrow's test?" Yoshino asked, frantically. Then, suddenly she turned towards her cousin. "Ne, Rei-chan~ you wouldn't want me to fail, right?" she was, obviously, begging for Rei to tutor her.
'I wonder… Will Yumi do the same?' I glanced back at my Petite Sœur… 'I don't think that would happen.'
"What won't happen, Sachiko-sama?" I heard Yumi ask. And to think, she was just right next to me. 'When did she get near me?' She looked at me with a curious-look on her face. "What's the matter, Sachiko-sama?" she asked.
"Nothing," I said, drawing my attention towards my lunch.
Yumi looked at me for awhile as if she was trying to assess my actions. "If you say so," she said. Turning away from me, Yumi sat opposite Shimako-chan.
'I need to be patient with this one as well… First, that Stranger, and now, her…'
"How did you fair with your exams?" I heard Yumi ask and, at the same time, started a conversation with Shimako-chan.
"Just fine…I did manage to answer all of the questions…" Shimako-chan said, taking her bento out of her bag.
"Hm… Questions… Why does it remind me of something?" Yumi said as if she was talking to herself. For a moment, she was in deep thought…until, "I can't believe I forgot to give it her!" Yumi exclaimed.
Another 'her', why am I so not surprised about this?
Yumi continued by mumbling something incoherent. She was searching some unknown object inside her bag. The first few things she took out were a couple of notebooks. While searching, a folded A4-paper flew down. Shimako-chan took it and unconsciously read the contents. Her eyes slightly widen as she read the contents of the said paper.
"You should not be reading that." Yumi snatched the paper away and placed it inside her pocket.
"I'm sorry," Shimako-chan said.
"It's fine…" Yumi walked behind Shimako-chan and, unexpectedly, she positioned her face near Shimako-chan's as if she was whispering something. "I hope it's alright with you…" I heard Yumi say while Shimako-chan, who was blushing at that time, only nodded in response.
Now I know why eavesdropping is bad… I sighed inwardly at that thought. I didn't even realize that someone was talking to me.
"Hello?" Yumi waved her hand, "Sachiko-sama?"
"I'm sorry, could you repeat what you were saying… I didn't quite hear it." I said.
"I said: would you like to go home together today?" Yumi said.
Did something happen that I didn't know about? I asked myself as I looked at my Petite Sœur curiously. "Of course, Yumi. I'd be happy to." She definitely caught me off-guard there…
"That's great then," Yumi said with a smile on her lips.
-= o0o =-
I looked at my watch and said to myself. Only five-minutes left and the teacher will dismiss us. I never would have thought that there will come a day that I will wish for school to end as quickly as possible. Although it's almost time for our dismissal, I couldn't help but feel rather excited. Is it because this is the first time that Yumi approached me? Somehow, thinking about it made me…happy.
When I heard the school bell rang, I promptly picked up my bag and straightly went to the Rose Mansion. After our Yamayurikai duties Yumi and I will go home together… I was happily saying that to myself to the point that I couldn't contain it and smile for myself. By the time I arrived at the Rose Mansion, I was inwardly smiling. I even thought will Yumi be inside the Meeting Room once I open this door and so on. But when I was about to reach for the door knob, I heard Yumi's voice. And unexpectedly, it made my heart skip a beat. Why is that so?
Apparently, Yumi wasn't alone inside the Meeting Room. Is that Onee-sama? Wait, why would I be surprised if Onee-sama and Yumi are talking? That's beyond ridiculous and besides they're both my sisters. I shouldn't be worried. That's what I keep telling myself but, what's with the intense atmosphere? I can even feel it even if I'm being separated because of this door.
I know it's wrong to listen to other people's conversation especially, if you're not a part of it. But right now, I'm very concerned and worried at what is happening inside the Meeting Room. I really shouldn't listen…this isn't proper. I should probably—my thoughts stopped when I heard Yumi say:
"Rosa Chinensis, is Rosa Gigantea present?" Why is Yumi looking for Sei-sama?
"Yes, she is, Yumi-chan." I heard Onee-sama say. From the tone of her voice, I could tell Onee-sama's smilling and the intense atmosphere from before was finally gone. "Is there something you need from her?" I heard Onee-sama ask.
"Ah—I just want to give this to her. That's all." Yumi said, sounding a little shy. Wait! I need to stop thinking like this…I might go crazy. I sighed and turned around. And surprisingly, the said blonde, whom both of my sisters was talking about, was standing just a few steps away from me.
"What are you doing standing there, Sacchan?" Sei-sama asked. Curiously, she looked at me as she walked near the door. "Are you coming or not?" she asked me. I just nodded and followed behind my senior as we entered the Meeting Room.
"Oh, here she is, Yumi-chan." Onee-sama said.
"Hm?" Looking from Onee-sama then to Yumi, Sei-sama asked. "What's up?"
"Yumi-chan is looking for you." Onee-sama said, pointing at Yumi at the other side of the room.
"Is that right, Yumi-chan?" Sei-sama asked with an annoying smile…well, at least for me, it was annoying. But Sei-sama's next action made me infuriated. How dare she hug my Petite Sœur so passionately? I nearly charged at them but I stopped when I heard Yumi tell Sei-sama:
"F-Follow me for a second!"
With flushed pink cheeks, determined eyes, and slightly out-of breathe look, Yumi said those words. She must have realized that all of our eyes were on her when she suddenly looked conscious. "A-anyway, please follow me…" Yumi said as she walked out of the room while Sei-sama, who was chuckling at that time, stepped out as well.
"I wouldn't follow them if I were you." I heard Onee-sama say. Just hearing her statement made me snap. "Why can't I?" I asked with a raised voice as if I was demanding for the answer. Onee-sama didn't answer me for awhile but, she looked at me straight in the eyes with much intensity that I haven't felt before from her. "I-I'm sorry…" I said. Ashamed of my actions, I hung my head down. I was practically surprised when I felt Onee-sama presence once again. She's hugging me… I looked at her and the intense feeling from before was no longer there. Instead, it was replaced by a warm and caring sensation.
"I didn't know you can be this agitated when it comes to Yumi-chan." Onee-sama said with a grin.
"A-Agitated? What nonsense are you talking about, Onee-sama?"
Onee-sama looked at me again. But this time, with much interest. "What nonsense indeed…" Onee-sama said and, smilling, she sighed more like from relief.
"Heh~ what's this you sisters are talking about?"
I nearly jumped from my position when I heard Sei-sama's loud voice from behind. When did they get here? Maria-sama, please don't tell me they heard what I said earlier…
"It's nothing, Sei-sama." I said, irritated. Honestly, can't she stick to her own Petite Sœur? I turn towards Yumi and said. "Let's go, Yumi." But before heading out of the Meeting Room, I bowed to my seniors and said, "Gokigenyo".
After that I left dragging Yumi away with me. I didn't stop from walking… I didn't even care if Yumi was calling out to me. When I heard her sigh, she must have realized that I won't stop no matter what. Is she disappointed at me now? I asked myself, feeling a bit angry and incompetent.
This caused me to stop and to turn around to face Yumi.
With my head hung low, I was trying to hide my teary eyes as I ask Yumi, "Do you prefer Sei-sama than me?" I waited for her to answer. And then, I asked myself. What will I do if she says she do prefer Sei-sama? The mere thought itself caused a few tears to roll down my cheeks.
"Are you crying over something so simple?" I heard Yumi say.
Immediately, I looked at her and she was grinning at me. "What do you mean simple?" I shouted all of sudden.
"Honestly, Sachiko-sama… You should now the answer to that," she said, pulling out her handkerchief, she walked near me. "Tell me," softly wiping my tears away, she asked. "Whose rosary is it that I am wearing right now?" she was directly gazing at me. Yumi, you're too close.
"T-then…" at first, I started to stutter. But then, I managed to continue. "…Then, what about that gift you wanted to give to Sei-sama? Explain to me what happened back at the Rose Mansion."
Yumi looked at me for a couple of seconds before sighing. But after that, I couldn't believe what I saw… Did Yumi just snort at me? I asked myself, not believing at what I just witnessed.
"I can't believe you actually fell for that act." Yumi said and, after that, she looked like she was having a hard time stopping herself from laughing. "Sachiko-sama, that gift you are referring to came from Sei-sama's friend who's not enrolled here in Lillian. I met her friend during lunch-break before I arrived at the Rose Mansion."
After hearing what Yumi had said, I couldn't believe I actually made a complete fool out of myself. No wonder Yumi laughed at me. I can't believe this. All this time, it was actually a friend of Sei-sama's and not someone whom I thought was—a fan-girl… or someone else… I tried to look away from her after realizing my actions, but, Yumi kept me still.
She held both sides of my head and stared directly into my eyes. Grinning at me, she said. "And don't forget, I am your Petite Sœur and you," she pointed at me, "You are my Grande Sœur." Yumi said as if she was reminding me something so trivial. 'How can she say something so embarrassing with such a straight face?' I wondered. It didn't even occur to me that Yumi was telling me something. "…e-sama?" This is bad…Yumi caught me spacing out again. "That expression of yours when you're spacing out—it's cute." Yumi giggled.She extended her hand to me and said. "As I was saying… Shall we go home now, Onee-sama?" Are my ears playing tricks on me again? Did Yumi just…?
It took me ten-minutes to comprehend, grasp, realize, and understand what Yumi had said. And, once again, as I was deep in thought, Yumi was trying to get my attention. "Hello? Onee-sama, are you alright?" she asked me while waving her hand in front of my face. "Hello?" Yumi waved her hand again.
"Yumi…" I called.
"Hm?" Yumi said.
"Will you say it for me again?" I asked.
"What it?" Yumi looked at me, confused. I can't blame her but… I've been waiting for this moment for her to actually—wait—what's this? Why are my eyes tearing up? No matter what I do my eyes keep on welling up. "Idiot, what are you crying for this time?" I heard Yumi say. And to my surprise, she pulled me in for a hug.
"You're the idiot, Idiot." I said, leaving her embrace before she even see my already flustered face. I expected for her to say something back at me but it never came. Not one retort or anything except maybe for that small smile that I saw when I turned around to look at her.
"What are you waiting for, Onee-sama? Let's go home." Yumi said with that smile of hers. Surely, now…I am not mistaken. Yumi did call me Onee-sama.
-= o0o =-
Disclaimer
Maria-sama ga Miteru is not mine.