Chapter 11 – Soeurship
"A man may live forever but until he has something worth dying for has he ever truly lived?" – Ogasawara Tooru
...
Brown almond eyes absently scanned the faces of the girls passing by as they stepped through the gateway and onto the grounds of Lillian Girl's Academy. Leaning against the brick wall just outside the main gate, Yumi sighed heavily as she glanced once again at her wrist watch. I'm going to be late for class at this rate, she thought to herself, feeling frustrated and putout. Arching her back slightly she used her shoulders to propel herself off the wall and walked the few steps to the gate before merging with the thinning flow of other students dressed in their dark Lillian uniforms. The stream of traffic entering the school grounds about her increased its pace as the warning bell suddenly sounded, signaling that classes would begin shortly. The slender brunette quickened her step as well and just managed to enter the classroom ahead of her homeroom teacher.
"Cutting it kind of close aren't we Fukuzawa-san?" the teacher chided Yumi as she followed the first year high school student into the classroom, pausing only to slide the door closed behind her.
"Sorry, Sensei," Yumi replied as giggles were heard throughout the classroom. Yumi quickly moved to her desk and took her seat; keeping her face cast down to hide the heated blush of embarrassment she could feel burning her cheeks.
"It's alright," Watanabe-sensei replied with a genuine smile. Of the current teachers at Lillian, Watanabe was the youngest and she could well recall her high school time here. "Please try to be a bit earlier from now on." Though a teacher, all the students in her class loved and respected the youthful woman who had obtained her current teaching position almost directly after graduating from Lillian University. To the still attractive brunette teaching was more than a job, it was the realization of her lifelong dream. She cared for her students almost as if they were her own children. Seeing Yumi nod in acceptance the teacher started to take roll call. After morning prayers were said the first class of the day began.
Yumi tried to pay attention but soon found herself only half listening to the teacher as her mind wandered back to the previous day and the series of events that had transpired which led her to be waiting outside the main gates of the school earlier. Could anything have gone more wrong than it did? Desperately she wondered if there was something she could have done differently to avoid it all. From seeing her friends, Yoshino-sama and the General, the unexpected meeting with the Yamayurikai and their even more unexpected request that she become the Petite Sœur of the Rosa Chinensis en Bouton. As if those weren't enough for one day there was that surprised ambush behind the clubhouse building, she reminisced, pleased despite everything that she had been able to assist the other girl. Slowly she replayed the drama that happened after the attack once again within her mind, starting with her visit to the Rose Mansion to return the item dropped by Sachiko.
As impossible as it had seemed at the time, the doorknob remained out of her reach. It was as if she were in some cliché scene of a nightmare from a low grade horror movie on television, where she felt like she was running down a hallway which kept progressively getting longer. While the end of it was always in sight, it remained forever out of reach. Her hand, thrust forward ahead of her body reached for the doorknob only to miss it by a scant few centimeters. Reflexively she had reached again only to have it still remain just out of her grasp. Having anticipated a firm purchase of her hand on the doorknob to lean upon her body continued its motion, tilting progressively forward even though there was nothing to grasp onto in order to counterbalance her shifting weight. Even as the door swung wide before her falling body a pale arm shot forth from behind it and grasped her arm in a vain attempt to arrest her fall. Instinctively Yumi grabbed for the apparently disembodied appendage causing her body to turn in midair. Well at least I won't land on my face, she thought good naturedly a split second before she landed upon her backside on the worn wooden floor and felt a heavy weight crash atop of her, driving her down and causing the back of her head to strike the floor forcibly. Before she could even register completely what had happened pain exploded in her forehead as something struck it with considerable force.
The weight upon Yumi shifted slightly off of her chest after a brief moment or two and a soft melodious voice enquired of her in a concerned tone, "Are you alright?"
The petite first year high school student lay there for a long moment with her eyes closed as she did a mental physical check of her extremities. My butt hurts, she realized, finding the fact more amusing than anything else. I'm certain I will have a headache here shortly, she noted dryly due to the pain in the back of her head as well as the front of it. I don't think I have a concussion though. Not that I would know if I did or didn't. Yumi ran her tongue across her lips slowly, tasting the familiar metallic taste of blood. Great, I busted open my lip! Can this day get any better? First I get slashed from a knife and now I'll have a fat lip! Once more she slid her tongue across her now moistened lips and savored the taste of the blood there oddly noting its taste was different than her normal one. Damn I taste good! "I...I think so," Yumi finally replied opening her eyes and suddenly finding herself staring into the deepest alluring sapphire eyes she had ever seen. Yumi quickly took in the stunning features of the face scant centimeters from her own, instantly realizing who it was that had fallen on her. The younger girl's brown eyes quickly took in the slightly disoriented look, disheveled hair and cracked lip of the en Bouton and ascertained that Sachiko was, like herself, not seriously injured. "Sa…Sachiko-sama?" Yumi said softly as her mind whirled, still slightly confused from the fall and resulting bumping of heads but coherent enough to register the upperclassman's body against her own.
"Oh thank goodness!" Sachiko exclaimed as she draped herself over the brunette laying upon the floor and gave her a tight embrace. "I was so fearful that I had hurt you when I fell upon you," continued the raven-haired en Bouton as she leaned away once again before slowly sitting up and gathering her feet beneath her to stand. Once upright again, Sachiko extended a hand to the prone girl to assist her in rising as well.
Why did it have to be her? Yumi could do little more than lay there and endure the hugging, mindful of the softness of the older girl's chest that pressed against her. Her breasts are really soft and so much larger than my own. The slender brunette quickly gathered her senses once again and when Sachiko offered her hand to help her stand she accepted it without much thought. The older girl's fingers felt exceptionally warm as they grasped hers and pulled her to her feet. "Thank you, Sachiko-sama," Yumi intoned, "I hope I did not injure you too severely? My apologies. Had I not grabbed your arm you wouldn't have fallen with me and hurt yourself."
Sachiko slipped a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed at the cut upon her lip, wiping away the blood that had trickled a short ways down her chin. "If I hadn't been in such a hurry and yanked open the door right at that moment you wouldn't have fallen," Sachiko countered with. "Are you certain you're alright? If you'd like I could escort you to the nurse's office?" Sachiko quickly did a once over of the younger girl, noting that there didn't appear to be any visible injuries.
"What have we here?" asked an amused voice from above the two girls, who upon hearing the voice turned and looked up towards the landing above them. "Aren't you going to introduce us?" Sei enquired of Sachiko as an almost knowing grin spread across her lips.
"That's right," Sachiko said suddenly as a smiled blossomed upon her face as well. She looks beautiful when she smiles like that, Yumi thought silently. "Come with me," Sachiko whispered out the side of her mouth even as she tightened her grasp upon Yumi's hand which she still held. "Just let me do the talking," she told Yumi as she returned the soiled handkerchief back to her pocket with her other hand.
"Eh?" was all Yumi managed before the older girl led her up the stairs and into the meeting room she had just left earlier that day. In short order the entire Yamayurikai was seated at the large table and regarding herself where she stood slightly behind and to the side of Sachiko, the older girl acting almost as a shield to the staring eyes within the room arrayed before the pair of them.
"Onee-sama," Sachiko said respectfully, "I have an announcement."
"Just what are you starting now I wonder," the Rose Foetida inquired as she clasped her hands together before her only to rest them upon the book lying closed on the table directly in front of her.
"I would like to introduce you to my Petite Sœur," Sachiko continued, unperturbed by her upperclassman's interruption. Yumi thought the smile upon the raven-haired woman's face best resembled that of a preschooler showing off a new toy to their classmates. Yumi couldn't help think that may not be far from the truth of the matter for some reason. How did we get to sœurship from colliding at the front door, Yumi couldn't help but wonder, shocked into silence by Sachiko's unprecedented announcement.
"Sachiko, you don't even know this girl," the current Rosa Chinensis declared before Yumi could say anything. "Not that she isn't adorably cute," Youko added with a soft smile and nod towards Yumi to take any harshness from her words. "Running into her at the door is no doubt the first time you've laid eyes upon her. Isn't it?"
"Onee-sama! Are you trying to insult me?" Sachiko fired back as the bright smile disappeared from her face to be replaced by an angry scowl. Sachiko-sama can be scary, Yumi suddenly realized upon hearing the tone of the girl's voice and catching a glimpse of the expression on Sachiko's face from where she stood slightly to one side and behind the girl who would be her Onee-sama. While Yumi couldn't see the entirety of Sachiko's glare she saw enough to know she did not want to be the recipient of such a look. Yumi had seen a similar look upon her mother's face all too often when the Queen was angry and out of sorts and so she decided to remain quiet rather than face the wrath that such an expression usually indicated. Sachiko turned, pivoting around to face Yumi directly, her sapphire eyes regarding the younger girl intently even as her expression shifted to a contemplative one. "Of course I know her, Onee-sama…" Sachiko said in a more thoughtful tone as she continued to stare at the younger girl.
Really? She doesn't recall me from this morning? Yumi almost wanted to scream. First she doesn't thank me for coming to her aid and now she's completely forgotten about me? Yumi's shoulders sagged dejectedly. Am I really that unmemorable? Yumi finally glanced away, feeling slightly self-conscious under the intense scrutiny of the older girl. Her eyes quickly scanned the members of the Yamayurikai, noting the different expressions ranging from open curiosity to confusion and on to what she could only surmise to be amusement on Sei's face. Lastly her wandering eyes fell upon Yoshino who only grinned at her as if to offer her courage while yet finding the situation extremely humorous. I'm certain I shall hear about this for some time to come, she realized with a mental groan at the thought of the teasing she would receive from Yoshino and her cousin.
"It was this morning…" Sachiko mumbled aloud just barely softly enough for Yumi to hear it without the words actually carrying all the way to the table where the others sat.
This is not good, Yumi realized with a start. If she remembers the attack from this morning and says anything about it Rei will no doubt tell Mother about it. Yumi could clearly see herself being removed from Lillian by the Queen under the pretense of it being for her own safety. If she pulls me out then I won't be able to discover why those girls were attacking Sachiko-sama in the first place, she realized. Worse yet they may try again and be able to succeed! Yumi's eyes returned to the woman before her just in time to see a look of dawning appear upon Sachiko's face. Damn she's remembered! Left with little alternative or time to formulate a different plan, Yumi leaned slightly to one side so that her head appeared past Sachiko so that all the other occupants of the room could clearly see her. "I'll do it!" she exclaimed in a slightly louder voice than was actually required, startling Sachiko in the process.
"You will?" Sachiko intoned, hearing her words echoed by Sei as well as her own Onee-sama behind her at the table. The oldest of the pair didn't allow the surprise of the younger girl's decree to impede her goals but rather quickly turned back around to face the other. "You see. I officially declare Yukuzawa Fumi my one and only Petite Sœur!" Sachiko announced with a triumphantly smug smile upon her face.
For a long moment there was complete and utter silence within the meeting room of the Yamayurikai. "W…who?" enquire Youko in an unbelieving voice.
"Yukuzawa Fumi," Sachiko repeated sharply, still smiling as she moved to stand beside Yumi and laid a hand upon her perspective Petite Sœur shoulder. "Stand up straight, don't slouch like that, Fumi," Sachiko scolded the brunette next to her softly upon seeing Yumi with her head tilted down towards the floor, apparently staring at her feet. "Maria-sama is always watching."
"Well….I guess that concludes that," Sei said in a rather loud voice before anyone else could speak. "If we don't hurry we'll be late for mass and the First Year Welcoming Ceremony," the Rosa Gigantea declared as she got to her feet. "If you'll excuse us, I think we shall go ahead to the chapel. Sachiko," Sei said turning to address the en Bouton, "Please catch up as quickly as you can when you're done with…Fumi. I'm certain you both have a few things to discuss." Sei snickered softly as if at some private joke as she slipped her arm around Shimako's and made ready to leave.
"I understand," Sachiko replied as the others filed out of the room, the last being Sei herself who closed the door behind her but not before shooting the Ice Princess a knowing grin. Yumi, having seen the smile upon her senior's face could well guess what it was for though the perplexed look upon Sachiko's face when she turned to face the smaller girl clearly indicated that the en Bouton herself hadn't a clue. "Thank you for accepting, Fumi," Sachiko offered with a warm smile. "Onee-sama was correct, you are rather cute," Sachiko stated. "As my Petite Sœur you are also a member of the Yamayurikai now. If there is anything you do not understand please do not hesitate to ask me," Sachiko informed the other girl. "Please be sure to come to the Rose Mansion daily as I am certain we shall make great use of you, Fumi."
"I'll do my best," Yumi said disheartened. The newest member of the Yamayurikai made to speak further but couldn't bring herself to tell the older girl. It's just too painful that not only did she not remember me, when she recalled my name she got it wrong as well.
"Shall we go?" Sachiko enquired. Yumi simply nodded and followed the older girl from the Rose Mansion. The two walked along the pathway in silence, each lost in their own thoughts for the moment.
Yumi cast several glances towards the girl next to her as they walked along. She's smiling like she hasn't a care in the world. I have to tell her. "Sachiko-sama…" Yumi opened with after taking a deep breath before starting.
Sachiko raised one finger to halt her from speaking further. Pausing, the elder girl turned to face the young brunette. "Please, you should address me as Onee-sama moving forward," Sachiko explained before turning to regard the statue of the Virgin Mary which they had coincidently stopped before. "It is said that she is always watching us after all, so we should always try to do our best."
"I understand," Yumi responded with, "However may I ask a favor?"
"We are Sœurs now, Fumi," Sachiko replied. "You may ask me anything."
"I see. Then may I ask that you call me by my name," Yumi said as respectfully as she could.
Sachiko's brows knitted in confusion. "I thought I was. Is there some other name you wish to be addressed as?"
"Fukuzawa Yumi is my correct name, Sachiko-sama," Yumi offered, not wishing to embarrass or anger the older girl she had just agreed to become Sœurs with.
Sachiko regarded her blankly for a very long moment. Yumi, speared upon the older girl's unwavering gaze began to squirm slightly, fearful she had offended the girl before her. "I see," Sachiko finally said as if to herself. "That makes more sense. I kept thinking that Fumi didn't fit you correctly. Yumi is a much cuter name and I believe it adorns you perfectly!" Sachiko said as a charming smile appeared upon her full lips. "My apologies for not recalling your name correctly from this morning," she offered humbly. "I would also like to thank you for your intervention this morning. If you had not come along things would have proven bothersome I fear. I truly am sorry, Yumi, for not stating my appreciation earlier. I've been a little out of sorts today for some reason," the older girl offered in way of reason even as her brows knitted together in thoughtful speculation on why she was feeling so muddled.
Yumi smiled upon hearing the older girl's words. So she did remember me…even though she got my name wrong. "I understand. I'm certain being a member of the Yamayurikai must keep you terribly busy," she stated recalling that Sachiko had ran off so quickly because she was due at the Rose Mansion. "That reminds me," Yumi said as she reached into her pocket and withdrew the small metallic case she had picked up earlier that day. "I believe you dropped this behind the clubhouse," she said as she held out the object to the older girl.
Sachiko's eyes widened slightly upon seeing the case. "Arigato, Yumi. I would have been sorely pressed upon discovering it was gone," she replied as she accepted the item which then quickly disappeared into the pocket of the raven-haired en Bouton. "I would like to talk further with you, Yumi," Sachiko said. "I'm certain there are many things we'll need to discuss as I have never had a Petite Sœur before," Sachiko admitted nervously.
Yumi, upon seeing the slightly anxious look upon the older girl's face replied with a grin, "Funny, I've never had an Onee-sama before so let's do our best to figure it out together!" Absently Yumi's mind noted that the cut upon Sachiko's lip from where they had butted heads before was almost undetectable. She heals pretty quickly for a human. Maybe it wasn't as bad as I first thought, she reasoned, recalling she herself had been discombobulated directly after incident.
"Most certainly," Sachiko replied with as her lips turned up in a smile once more, the worried look slipping from her face. "I must hurry to reach the chapel before the mass begins however before I go there is one thing further I must do." So saying the raven-haired beauty reached beneath her uniform and after fishing about for just a moment extracted a silver rosary. Slipping the rosary over her head carefully Sachiko held it open with both hands before the smaller girl, the daggling crucifix caught the afternoon sunshine and seemed to sparkle with an unearthly light of its own. "Yumi, will you accept me as your Onee-sama?"
"I accept," Yumi said as she tilted her head forward and allowed Sachiko to place the rosary about her neck.
"Arigato," Sachiko responded with in a gentle voice. As Yumi stood back up the two girls smiled at each other softly, feeling that they would each give it their best effort. "I must go. Will you wait for me tomorrow morning at the front gates?" Sachiko asked. "We can walk to the Rose Mansion together and then to class," Sachiko said as her hands smoothed the smaller girl's collar and then proceeded to untie and retie Yumi's sailor's scarf into a perfect knot.
"I think I would like that…," Yumi paused for a heartbeat or two before adding with a bashful smile, "…Onee-sama." The smile which lit-up the older girl's face upon being addressed as Onee-sama, caused Yumi's chest to suddenly and unexplainably feel warm. Sachiko quickly said her goodbye before rushing off in the direction of the chapel. Maybe this won't be too bad, Yumi thought as she watched the older girl's retreating back. She doesn't seem cold hearted, certainly not enough to be labeled as the Ice Princess. Yumi turned and walked towards the building where the first year student shoe lockers were so that she could change into her outdoor shoes for the trip home.
The lunch bell rang loudly drawing the newest member of the Yamayurikai from her thoughts. Yumi raised a hand to her chest, feeling the rosary dangling between her breasts through the bark fabric. Suddenly realizing that she hadn't been paying attention in class the entire morning she turned around in her seat quickly to her fellow classmate, Oyamada Miyuki. "Miyuki-san," Yumi exclaimed, "Can I please borrow your notes from this morning lessons?"
Miyuki grinned at Yumi before replying. "I will loan them to you," she said with a sudden mischievous glint in her eyes, "But only if you tell me what you were daydreaming about all morning, Yumi-san!"
"Eh!" Yumi squeaked at her friends words. "It was nothing," she stated as she waved her hands back and forth as if to shoo off whatever the girl might be thinking of.
Miyuki held up her notebooks from the morning classes but kept them just out of Yumi's reach as she arched a brow. "That sounds overly suspicious, Yumi-san. Are you certain you weren't thinking about a boy?"
"N…no way," Yumi quickly replied with a nervous chuckle.
"Oh then it must have been about one of the Lady Roses!" Miyuki continued with, pressing her attack. "Which one is your favorite?" Miyuki enquired as she leaned in intently.
Yumi, knowing that the Roses were one of Miyuki's favorite topics decided to play along, especially if it would get her the needed notes from the morning's topics. "I'm not certain," she offered non-committedly. "Which is yours?" Yumi asked, turning the table upon the other girl. Miyuki, unaware that the conversation had been redirected handed the notebooks to Yumi while she proceeded to list what she liked best about each of the three Roses. I wonder if anyone will be like that towards me when I'm a Rose? Listing off what they like and dislike, Yumi couldn't help but wonder as she feigned listening. I'm certain Sachiko-sama will be fawned upon like this. She already is from what I have heard. Even some of the third year students approached her on Valentine's Day last year. Miyuki progressed from listing each Rose's good points to rumors and gossip she had heard concerning the Roses and their en Boutons. Not for the first time Yumi was truly amazed at the level of gossip that could be found at school. It is almost as bad as being back at court…no, I think it is even worse! Well, none of that stuff really concerns me. As I'll be by Sachiko-sama's side considerably more now maybe I can find out who it was that attacked her and why. If Ookami are acting on their own I need to stop it before someone get hurts or discovers their actions. Though, with so many girls infatuated with Sachiko-sama, it certainly is going to make protecting her more difficult. Yumi sighed heavily suddenly wonder just what she had gotten herself into this time. This has become such a bother.
Author's Note:
Well, now we can really get into the heart of the story I think. I did mention at the onset of the tale that I would be touching upon canon. Granted it was slightly different but it serves its purpose none the less. I've no clue what the next chapter will bring at this point. The Muse is being very hush-hush about it.
I'll do my best to maintain this publishing schedule however work is insanely busy and I have relative in town for the next two weeks. My niece and nephew are very demanding on my time, a fact I can't help but love. So I make no promises but will try my best.
Kind Regards,
EJ Daniels
All characters within this story, unless otherwise stated are the sole property of Oyuki Konno the original writer of the Maria-sama ga Miteru light novel series.
(111412 - 4495)
