Chapter 7: Heart Breaker

Disclaimer: Maria-sama ga Miteru and its characters are not mine. Credits to the author.

Yumi

"I haven't heard from you for so long" Yoshino protested. It had been weeks since Yumi called her. "You're busy with a new guy, aren't you?"

"I don't have a boyfriend, Yoshino-san" Yumi said. "I did meet someone though, Nagisa Kyouya-san. But he's just a friend."

"Does this friend take you out to dates from time to time?"

"Yes we do go out, but it's always with his band mates. He and his friends are great company."

"That's probably just his style. Befriend you at first, then introduce you to his mates. Then one day, you will realize that you find his presence comforting. You will always long for his company and wish that he is always by your side, making it difficult for you to go back here to Tokyo. Upon realizing that you have fallen for him, he will confess the undying love that he felt for you the moment you met."

"Where do you get those ideas?"

"From you, obviously. I think it happened to you once" Yoshino said.

"No it hasn't happened to me yet. You're probably watching too many television drama shows again."

Yoshino thought for a moment, "Oh yeah. That's probably it, the story line of A Promise of Forever." She chuckled. "I don't have much of a choice, because Rei-chan likes her dramas. Anyway, if you ever decide to take things seriously with Nagisa Kyouya-san, be sure to bring him here to Tokyo one time, so I could meet him. He sounds like a nice guy. I believe Touko-chan will also be in Japan soon, so she can get to meet him as well."

"In case you've forgotten, Touko doesn't like me dating anyone"

Only because your petite seour knows that your relationships are all just distractions to forget Sachiko, Yoshino thought.

"She only disapproves of it because you are dating too many different men" Yoshino responded instead, "that is the reason you stopped introducing your boyfriends to her, right? Because every time she arrives here in Japan, you have a new man."

"Why do you make it is sound so bad? It's not like I change boyfriends because it's a hobby." Yumi sounded exasperated.

"Of course I understand, you're my best friend. But the rest of Japan doesn't know. They just see you as a heart breaker" Yoshino said matter-of-factly.

"Really, Japan?" Yumi giggled. "And that is what I am puzzled about. You are the only one who knew about my exes." And probably Rei-sama too, Yumi thought. "Why does it feel like a lot of people know?"

"Yumi-san", Yoshino-san seems to be shaking her head, "of course those guys have friends. And their friends have friends. These rumors spread like wildfire and before you know it, everybody knows. Add to that, there is facebook, twitter, instagram and some other apps I haven't downloaded yet."

"That's why I steer clear from social media. If your explanation is correct, then my life is already trending and I'll have you know that I am not interested in seeing how many shares, hashtags and comments it's already got" Yumi sighed. "Anyway, how is your job coming along?"

Then Yoshino-san went on and on about her demanding job as an editor, how annoying her boss was and how Rei-chan seemed to have less time for her since the enrollees at their family dojo had increased. Yumi just listened happily at her friends chatter. She was currently alone in her hotel, because Eiko-san returned to Tokyo for another project. The layout of the renovation was almost complete, so Yumi agreed to be the only one to stay behind to finalize the plans with their client.

Sachiko

Sachiko walked out of the hotel ballroom, making sure to keep her face blank and her strides reasonably slow. Her upbringing forbade her to lash out at Hagane-san in a room full of people, but her self-control was almost at its limit, so she decided to leave. She wanted to do something to abate her anger - throw her phone at the wall, kick Suguru-san's leg, or tear her handkerchief apart - but she did neither. She couldn't. Not with everybody watching her like a celebrity.

The doorman handed Sachiko her coat as she approached the door. She grabbed it without sparing the poor man a look and headed out. She was waiting for the elevator when her phone rang. It was Suguru-san.

She pressed the cancel button. But before putting it back in her purse, she searched her phonebook for a number she hasn't dialed in a long while.

"Hello, Sachiko?"

"Rei, I'm sorry for calling so suddenly. Is this a good time to talk?" she asked.

The other woman, sensing the anxiousness in her voice decided to drop all pleasantries and directly asked, "What's the matter Sachiko?"

Sachiko was embarrassed that she hadn't even asked how her friend was doing, despite not speaking with her for months. But that could wait, while the nagging issue on her mind could not. "Have you talked to Yoshino-san recently about -" she paused and took a shaky breath "- Yumi?" Saying her name stirred an unexplainable emotion inside of her, making her heart ache in longing.

The elevator bell chimed a few seconds before the door opened. Thankfully, there were no other passengers. It would not be proper to have a phone conversation in an elevator. Thus, if there were other people, she would have been forced to hang up on Rei.

"Have you heard about her having a –"

"Boyfriend?" Rei guessed. Alleviating the difficulty of Sachiko from saying the word.

"Are you sure you want to know?" Rei asked tentatively. When she didn't hear a response, she continued "Of course you do. You wouldn't be sounding this distressed if you didn't already know. So I am guessing this is just a confirmation of the information you already have" Rei stated.

Sachiko smiled inwardly. They rarely talked, but it seemed theirs is a friendship that would not be extinguished by distance and time alone. Rei still knew her this well.

"So did Yoshino-san tell you anything?" Sachiko asked with a small voice.

"No she didn't"

Sachiko sighed. But before she can say anything else, Rei continued "Yoshino didn't have to. I had the chance to see Yumi-chan from time to time. And every time I see her… she's with a different man."

Sachiko swallowed hard. "Are you sure they are not just friends?"

"Sorry Sachiko, but it didn't seem that way. I apologize for not saying anything about this. I just thought you and Yumi-chan had ended things, and that it was best not to tell you anything until you ask me about it."

"I understand"

"Sachiko, are you okay?" Rei asked with a worried voice.

The elevator pinged once more signalling that she has reached the ground floor.

"Yes I'm fine. Thank you Rei." She knew that her friend didn't believe that she was fine, but decided to let it slide. Rei probably knew her well enough, to know when to push her for details.

She stepped out of the elevator and placed her phone back in her purse. She walked out the hotel lobby and called her driver to prepare the car.

She was waiting by the sliding glass door when Suguru caught up to her.

"Sachiko, wait" he called.

Sachiko gave him a piercing look. He was already a few feet away from her when she asked, "You knew, didn't you? That Yumi has…changed."

Suguru gave her an apologetic look, "You were not supposed to know that."

"That she already has a boyfriend?" Sachiko looked incredulous. She was angry that Surugu-san knew and didn't tell her. But to tell straight to her face that she wasn't supposed to be informed at all? That was just plain cruel.

"You must understand. None of Yumi-chan's relationships last, which meant that despite being with countless men, her heart still belongs to you" Suguru-san reasoned out. "I think her exploits were nothing you should be worried about since clearly, she's still yours."

She wanted to refute Suguru-san, to tell him that Yumi had once again rejected her during their encounter at the Ogasawara's main office. But she couldn't. Yumi's refusal to be with her was a wound that has not yet healed.

"You can still get back with Yumi-chan. Let me help you." Suguru said with concern. "You don't have to go through this alone."

"You want to help? Then tell me where Yumi is staying in Nara." Sachiko doesn't usually make rash decisions. She is a calculating person, studying every angle, confirming every information she has and making all the necessary preparations before she makes a move. But not when it concerns Yumi.

"It's late in the evening Sachiko, it would be dangerous to go there now."

"Nothing you can say will stop me from leaving. So it's either you help me to find her, or just let me roam around Nara blindly looking for her." Sachiko said stubbornly.

Suguru just shook his head in disbelief.

At that moment, "Ogasawara-sama!" It was Hagane-san, running towards them.

Every person in the lobby turned their attention towards the couple. There were murmurs, and news that the famous Ogasawaras were in their midst quickly spread, making every person's head turn their way. Thankfully, her driver arrived, giving them a reason to exit the building.

Sachiko walked out "give me the keys" she said. The old man looked confused.

"Oujo-sama?"

"I said give me the keys. Call for another car to pick Suguru-san up. I'm taking the car somewhere else." Her driver, who was still surprised at her words, reluctantly handed her the keys.

She didn't wait for her chauffeur to assist her. She proceeded to the driver's seat and opened the door, but before she climbed in, she turned to look at the two men following her.

Upon seeing her attention on him, Hagane Kinta-san took the opportunity to speak. Gathering up what remains of his courage, he asked. "Mr. and Mrs. Ogasawara, before you leave, I just wanted to confirm if I can still come to the office on Monday?" Sachiko saw from the corner of her eyes that the man's knees were shaking.

"That would depend. Do you have Yumi's number?"

Hagane-san's face paled, "Fukuzawa Yumi-san's? N-n-no, I didn't have the chance to get it."

Sachiko then shook her head and was about to sit down when Hagane-san's panicked voice stopped her. "But I can call Kyouya for you!" He almost shouted. "H-h-he has Fukuzawa-san's number for sure."

A tinge of red coloured Sachiko's face in fury. Is this man really pushing my buttons on purpose? She thought angrily.

"Go on" Suguru-san said from behind the man. "Do not make Sachiko wait." He quickly added.

With fumbling fingers, he searched for the number in his phonebook and called his friend.

"Kyouya!"

"Hey, what's up Kinta?"

Help me, Hagane-san wanted to say as he looked from one Ogasawara to another.

"Do you have Fukuzawa-san's number?" he asked.

Sachiko opened her palm to Hagane-san, asking for him to give her his phone. He immediately wiped the screen on his black suit before giving it to her.

"This is Ogasawara Sachiko. Is Yumi with you?"

There was a pause and Sachiko's irritation grew with every second of waiting. "She was here at my place just an hour ago. But she said she was tired and needed to rest, so I took her to her hotel."

Sachiko closed her eyes and took a deep breath. They were just together? In his room? Inappropriate thoughts swirled in Sachiko's mind, making her want to tear apart the phone she was holding. She was gripping it too tight, turning her knuckles white, just to stop herself from making a scene.

"What hotel is she staying?" Sachiko asked in a controlled voice.

There was silence again before he decided to answer, "What do you need from her?"

She raised an eyebrow and looked at Hagane-san. The man looked terrified once more and said loudly, "just tell her Kyouya".

The man on the other end of the line sighed audibly before giving her the address. "You're not a stalker are you?" he asked. "Are you really the Ogasawara Sachiko?"

She didn't answer and handed the phone back to its owner.

"You can come to the office on Monday. But the moment a word about what happened tonight gets out, you will find your desk and your stuff outside." Suguru said coldly. "Leave."

Hagane-san bowed again and again in gratitude before walking back inside the hotel.

Suguru-san turned his attention back to Sachiko. She was already seated in the driver seat, buckling her seat belt.

"Sachiko, let me come with you" he said.

"No" came her curt reply, before shutting the door and stepping on the gas.

When she accepted Yumi's decision that they shouldn't be together, she thought she was ready. She thought they could have their own separate lives, and with it came the possibility of having their own lovers. But hearing about Yumi being in a relationship with someone else, and that she had been with many other men before that Nagisa Kyouya, was filling her with so much jealousy that she was not able to think straight. Even Rei confirmed that Yumi had been with men. Men who probably kissed her, touched her and did unimaginable things to her. Sachiko's jealousy was overwhelming her, making her drive faster.

A/N: Magandang umaga dear readers. Let me know your thoughts.