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FOR YOUR EYES ONLY

Nyaaaaaaah:

What will happen with Shimako and Yumi? Well…that's a secret, but of course there's still some fluff between the two, the Sachiko/Yumi/Shimako triangle is still present, and it will be shown in the upcoming chapters.

D.E.:

Did you wait long? Here's the new chapter; I hope you'll enjoy reading this.

Honulicious:

Glad you like it.

AsulNaRosa:

Faithful readers..? WOW! It's the first time I've read someone write that in a review, and it made me form a goofy grin too HAHA! (Salamat sa review. Natuwa naman ako sa sinabi mo; salamat ulit!).

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EIXIRT'S NOTES

I'm sorry if I couldn't reply to the UNSIGNED reviews (you know, the one that has Guest written on top of the review). Anyway, CHAPTER 19 will be posted within this week, if not, next week. I have my reasons for the delay. Starting from July 10 – 13 (Philippines Time), I will have to take my Mid-terms, so… Yes. CHAPTER 19 won't be posted yet; but, to make you all a little curious, I'm going to give HINTS about whose POV will be used in CHAPTER 19…

Can you guess who she is?

HINTS:

(1) Probably, not the 'loudest' member in the Yamayurikai;

(2) Has long hair;

(3) Pine class was her Class section when she was just a 2nd-year in Lillian

Are you all having a hard time guessing who she might be? How I wish I could know your answers; can I know your guesses please!

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She is my Master

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Youko: "Tomorrow's gonna be a long day."

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'Cold… It's already that time of the year huh…' I thought and it reminded me of a certain someone. Excitedly, I smiled. "I wonder what I should get her this time…" I said to myself.

"Heh~ are you planning on buying someone a present, Rosa Chinensis?"

Immediately, I turned around and saw Yumi-chan, curiously looking at me. 'When did she get here?' I wondered. "Yumi-chan…" I said, still, trying to calm myself after getting surprised moments ago. "…You nearly gave me a heart-attack."

"Did I? Sorry about that." Yumi apologized, and placing her bag where she usually sits, she exclaimed. "Ah! I almost forgot." Yumi-chan started digging inside her bag, and after several seconds of searching, she said. "Found it!" Yumi-chan looked back at me and said, "Shall we enjoy a nice cup of hot tea, Rosa Chinensis?" she brought up a small package, "a friend of mine gave this to me," she added.

I nearly laughed when I heard the *a friend of mine gave this to me* part. Oh, Yumi-chan, you really remind me of Sei. And thus, I couldn't help but tease her. "…A friend of yours, Yumi-chan?" I said, grinning behind my tangled fingers.

"Yes, a friend gave this tea to me." Yumi-chan answered, though, her back was the one facing me.

"Could this friend of yours… a girl?" I asked.

"Yes." Yumi-chan answered without looking at me again.

"I see… She's a *girl* and a *friend* at the same time." I said almost like pretending to understand what Yumi-chan had said.

"Rosa Chinensis," Yumi-chan started as if she was giving me a warning which I didn't expect. She walked back to the table with two cups of tea. "Here," she gave my share of the tea and, after taking her cup, she went back to her seat.

After several minutes, the Meeting Room had been quiet. It's either I said something I shouldn't have or Yumi-chan just doesn't know how to start a conversation. Since I doubt it's the latter, I guess I messed up.

"The tea… It's delicious." I, suddenly, heard Yumi-chan say. Then, she added. "The tea. It was given to me by Shimako." I, on the other hand, was not able to speak at all after hearing Yumi-chan say: *it was given to me by Shimako* and, it greatly reminded me of my conversation with Shimako-chan back in the Infirmary. 'Is there something going on between these two?' I curiously asked myself that question.

"Does Yumi-chan like Shimako-chan?" There! I finally asked that question.

"I do." Yumi-chan answered with a nod.

I didn't think that Yumi-chan would immediately say *I do*. I even asked myself; did Yumi-chan misunderstand my question? She must have, right? And so, I asked her again. "Yumi-chan, you do understand what I'm trying to ask you, right?"

"Of course, I do." Yumi-chan looked at me as if I was crazy. Well, the thought was making me crazy.

"You do?" 'And I thought you were smart…' I said in disbelief.

"I do. After all, is there something unlikable with Shimako?" Yumi-chan said looking so innocently as ever.

Oh, Maria-sama! This girl is as thick as a block. She totally misunderstood me! I nearly slapped my face after hearing Yumi-chan's statement. "Yumi-chan, I don't think you understand what I just asked you." Yumi-chan looked at me with a confused face. Then, from normal to confused, her expression suddenly changed to surprised.

"Oh… you mean *like* as in," Yumi-chan paused. Seems like she's too embarrassed to continue what she was trying to say.

"Yes, Yumi-chan," I said with a nod, "*like* as in *the…like*."

"Oh… I see." Instead of looking at me, Yumi-chan found her cup more interesting. And, all of a sudden, from being silent, she asked me nervously. "Rosa Chinensis, is Rosa Gigantea present?"

'Trying to change the topic, Yumi-chan?' I wanted to tease her again after seeing her facial reaction awhile ago. But instead, I just nodded and said. "Yes, she is." Then, curiously, I asked. "Is there something you need from her?"

"Ah—I just want to give this to her that's all." Yumi-chan said quite timidly.

'Did Sei ask her to get her a birthday present?' And just on cue, the door opened and there came Sei and behind her was a frowning Sachiko. "Oh, here she is, Yumi-chan."

"Hm?" Looking from me then to Yumi-chan, Sei asked. "What's up?"

"Yumi-chan is looking for you." I pointed at the said First-year.

"Is that right, Yumi-chan?" Sei asked with that patented smile of hers. 'I wonder what will happen to Yumi-chan once Sei is done teasing her…' That's what I thought. But after hearing Yumi-chan tell to Sei, "F-Follow me for a second!"

Yumi-chan said those words with flushed pink cheeks, determined eyes, and slightly out-of-breathe-look. She must have realized that all of our eyes were on her when she suddenly looked quite conscious. "A-anyway, please follow me…" she walked out of the room while Sei, who was chuckling at that time, stepped out as well.

'F-Follow me for a second! …A-Anyway, please follow me…' I remembered Yumi-chan's words and even the way she said it. 'But why was she pretending at that time? She even said those words in front of Sachiko!' At the sudden thought of my Petite Sœur, I immediately stopped her. "I wouldn't follow them If were you."

"Why can't I?" Sachiko obviously snapped at me. She raised her voice as if demanding for an answer.

I didn't speak for a moment. Instead, I looked at her straight in the eyes with much intensity. It was so much that this was the first time that I've actually done such a thing and to my own Petite Sœur no less. "I-I'm sorry…" I heard her say. 'Oh, Sachiko…' Seeing my little sister with her head down made me sad. I wanted to at least be there for her even if it's just for awhile. After all, Eriko, Sei, and I will graduate and leave Lillian soon. And so, just for now, I'll do my duty as her Onee-sama. 'When was the last time I've hugged you like this, Sachiko?' I wanted to ask her that but I guess this should be fine. I looked at her and, surprisingly, she was looking at me too. "I didn't know you can be agitated when it comes to Yumi-chan." I said with a grin. 'I miss this…'

"A-Agitated? What nonsense are you talking about, Onee-sama?" Sachiko shot back.

'How cute…' I looked at Sachiko again, but this time with much interest. 'You're so adorable when you hide your blush like that, Sachiko!' I almost laughed after seeing Sachiko's facial expression. 'Oh, this is so priceless!' "What nonsense indeed…" I said smilling.

"Heh~ what's this you sisters are talking about?"

Sachiko and I turned immediately and saw Sei and Yumi-chan. Neither Sachiko nor I heard their footsteps when they were coming up. 'I wonder if they heard our conversation though.'

"It's nothing, Sei-sama." Sachiko said, irritated. She turned towards Yumi-chan and said. "Let's go, Yumi." But before heading out of the Meeting Room, she bowed and said, "Gokigenyo."

"Interesting," I said as I was looking at my two little sisters walking through the pathway towards Maria-sama's statue.

"Yeah… Even pretending to be shy," Sei giggled at this. "But, I have to admit she really looks cute awhile ago even though she was only pretending." And again, Sei giggled. She looked at me with a smile and said. "Do you want to know what we talked about?"

Flat and clearly I said. "No."

"Why not?" Sei asked, hugging me from behind.

"Because I want you to tell it to me on your own, Sei. That's all." I didn't hear any reply from her and I assumed she wasn't ready to speak, but when I felt her arms around me tighten, I told myself to prepare for the worse.

"It's Shiori," 'Ah…so that's the worse part.' "The gift, the one Yumi-chan pretended to give to me. It came from Shiori."

"I see." I felt her arms around me loosen, and when Sei was doing this, I told myself: 'Please don't do this.'

"Is that all you're going to say?" Sei asked.

I can feel the change in her as she released me from her hold completely. "Please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not mad at you." Sei tried to argue.

"But—" I was, unexpectedly, cut-off when Sei moved close to me…real close.

"Shh… I don't want to hear another word from those beautiful and luscious lips of yours. Or else…" Sei continued, but this time, I interrupted her.

"Or else… What?" I said, daring my girlfriend to continue.

"Or else… I'll—" Sei didn't continue on; she looked at me with her grey eyes, cupping both of my cheeks. She gave me a light peck on the lips. Still, without taking away her hands, Sei looked at me and, placing her forehead next to mine, she smiled. Her actions made my heart skip a beat. Moments later we were arguing, and now, we're like this.

"Sei, stop. Someone might see us." I told my clinging girlfriend as I try to pry her off.

"I don't want to." Sei said, acting like a child of all times. "Besides, nobody has caught us doing this and that." Sei grinned at me as I tried to cover my flushed face. 'Maria-sama, this is so embarrassing!'

"…And, don't you think the idea of getting caught makes you turned on?" Sei added.

"SEI!"

"I'm just kidding. Geez… you really are a shy one." Sei said, smiling at me. "It just makes me think of how cute you are."

"Cute? I thought Yumi-chan was the cute one." I said, teasing her in the process.

"Uh… Yes. Yumi-chan is cute; but, you, on the other hand…" Sei hugged me closely and said, "You are stunningly beautiful, Youko." She gazed at me, and without any hesitation, she placed her lips on mine.

As Sei's lips was almost a hairline away from mine, I said: "You really do know your words, Ms. Satou Sei. Not to mention, you're quite a charmer."

Sei looked at me, surprised; yet, she smirked at me. "You have no idea, Ms. Mizuno Youko." Sei said and, as she closed the gaps, I didn't stop her anymore. Her kisses soon started to become more passionate and needy. I, too, was starting to feel that tingling sensation all over my body. I never thought Sei's touches could have this so much effect on me. It affected me so much that I didn't realize that Yumi-chan was standing at the doorway, sporting a surprised look on her face. Promptly, I pushed Sei away from me and I tried to make a thousand explanations in an instant.

"I uh…" Yumi started to say, but couldn't. She just turned and picked up a certain item. "I um…I forgot my umbrella," Yumi said, blushing madly. "I'll be leaving now, gokigenyo." Yumi bowed and, in the process, she clumsily dropped her umbrella. Hurriedly, Yumi picked up her umbrella. "Gokigenyo," she bid goodbye again and, hurriedly, Yumi left leaving us staring where Yumi stood moments ago.

For a good couple of seconds, awkwardness filled the room; until, I heard Sei laughing loudly.

"Sei, this isn't funny."

"What are you talking about? Didn't you see Yumi-chan's face?" Sei asked, trying to stop her laughter; she asked me another question: "Are you worried that she might tell Sa-chan about this?"

I looked at Sei and, for a moment, I couldn't believe myself for admitting on how worried I was. I just sighed, and shook my head as I watch Sei laugh without a care in the world. 'Tomorrow's gonna be a long day...' I said to myself, sighing once again.

-= o0o =-

DISCLAIMER

Maria-sama ga Miteru is not mine.