Chapter 15: Then and Now

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

"Yes Yumi?" Sachiko said.

Yumi was frozen and looked utterly confused. Probably the other woman thought she was still angry…well, she still is. But Sachiko's anger had been overpowered by the need to see the woman in front of her.

From the corner of her eye, Sachiko saw that both gentlemen stopped conversing and now had their attention on what was going on with her and Yumi. Kiyonori-san was frowning and appeared to be confused, while contrastingly, her own cousin was beaming and had a triumphant look on his face. She couldn't blame the older gentleman. If Sachiko had to guess, Kiyonori-san was shocked that Yumi used an irritated tone in addressing her, by her first name without any honorifics. The older man should have figured out by now that this meeting is more than just about the Okinawa Expansion Project.

Sachiko then turned her attention back to Yumi and saw that she was still motionless. "Your business card, you were going to give it me?" she said, leaning forward and peering into Yumi's face.

Her action snapped Yumi back to attention, as the younger woman unconsciously took a step back in surprise at how close Sachiko's face was.

"F-Fukuzawa Yumi, Designer" she stuttered as she politely bowed and handed her a business card.

Sachiko was taken aback by the sudden introduction, probably Yumi was more nervous that she thought. "I know" she said almost laughing, causing the younger woman's face to turn a deeper shade of red. Yumi bowed her head lower, in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.

"Ogasawara Sachiko, Head of Finance and Assistant Head of Strategies" she replied as she extended her hand, playing along with Yumi's obvious folly.

Yumi looked from her offered hand to her smiling face. She frowned and shook her head. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Yumi said in an undertone, but still reached for Sachiko's hand and shook it.

Sachiko held on to Yumi's hand longer than necessary, relishing the feel of her soft hands enclosed in hers. Yumi also didn't make any attempt to pull away. Sachiko then looked Yumi straight in the eyes, and sincerely said, "I'm so glad you're here."

Yumi met her gaze, the lines of irritation slowly disappearing from her face, as she mirrored the older woman's smile, "Yes, I am so glad to be here too" then she immediately added with a playful smirk, "Ogasawara-san."

Sachiko squeezed Yumi's hand tight as punishment for how she had been addressed, making the younger woman gasp in pain. She then let go and said, "I do not have any cards with me at the moment, but I can give you one after the meeting…" Sachiko also smirked, "Yumi."

As much as she wanted to bicker with Yumi some more, Kiyonori-san was still in the room and was openly observing them. So without waiting for another reply, she sat down.

"So I guess we can start the meeting?" Suguru-san intoned.

Upon hearing this, Yumi also sat down, disappointed that she wasn't able to have a proper conversation with Sachiko. However, seeing as they had an audience, she knew their conversation would have to wait until after the meeting. On the other hand, her boss booted his computer, attached it to the projector and began his presentation.

At first, Yumi had been annoyed at the little 'act' Sachiko put on earlier. She had obviously been toying with her and she had been enjoying herself too much at Yumi's expense, and in front of her 'big boss' nonetheless. Didn't Sachiko know how embarrassing and scary it had been for Yumi? She was so worried that her boss will figure out how close her relationship is with the Ogasawaras and that her attendance in today's meeting had all been carefully planned and orchestrated by none other than Ogasawara Suguru himself. She just wished that the meeting itself is not a faux, therefore a waste her boss' time. But judging from the way the meeting was progressing, it seems this Okinawa Expansion is a legitimate project. Suguru-san and Sachiko have their full attention on the Power Point presentation and asks questions from time to time.

The only thing Yumi was thankful for, was that their bickering had somehow dissipated her nerves. She was concerned that Sachiko was still angry with her, and didn't want to speak with her. But by the way she acted earlier, it seemed her old lover was as anxious as her about having a conversation to clear things up between them. And the parting words she said before Kiyonori-san started with his presentation, that Sachiko was glad to see her, felt sincere.

"But how about the cost?" Yumi was broken out of her daze by Sachiko's voice.

Sachiko glanced her way, knowing well that Yumi was not paying attention, before continuing, "When you said that we need to import marble and granite from Europe for the façade, have you considered the cost both of the materials and the shipping?"

Kiyonori-san replied with practiced ease. The man seemed to know what he was talking about.

"How about you Fukuzawa-san, what do you think?" Suguru-san spoke after the older man's lengthy explanation.

She straightened her back when she was addressed. Good thing Sachiko caught her attention and she was able to hear the question. Otherwise, she would be in for another row of scolding from her boss, the moment they leave the room. She then took a deep breath before calmly answering, "I agree with Kiyonori-san." She began and looked from Suguru-san to Sachiko and took a professional tone when she continued, "While it may be true that importing the materials from Europe will be more costly, we will be trading this off for quality. Based on Mr. Ogasawara's initial discussion about the target market of this resort, I think it would be best to select higher grade materials. Not only are they more resilient, but the design you require with reference to the original concept is only available in Italy. I believe we have some partners that can offer good prices and given the scale of this project, I think further discounts can be easily negotiated." She then looked to Sachiko, and she felt more confident at the proud look in her old lover's eyes, "on the delivery lead times, it would take around 60 to 90 days, which is considerably longer than if we are to get suppliers from China. But this can easily be managed, given that your Purchasing team can issue the purchase order as soon as the designs are finalized and the contractors are selected."

After speaking, she turned to her boss, and was glad at the smile on his face. It seemed her answer had been correct and it greatly pleased not only her boss, but also Sachiko.

Kiyonori-san beamed at her, before he continued with his presentation. Yumi paid attention to the meeting after that, or at least tried to. She still couldn't help but steal glances at Sachiko, just observing her brings a comfortable and warm feeling in her chest. It seems she really missed seeing that beautiful face of hers. Yumi kept at it, until Sachiko finally caught her staring. The older woman smirked, before averting her gaze. Her face flushed all of a sudden, and she felt like she was that high school girl again...

It was one of the usual meetings of the Yamayurikai, towards the end of her second year in high school. Yumi was following the flow of discussion, despite stealing glances at her seour from time to time. She was even taking down notes to list down the tasks that would be assigned to her.

However, her mind went completely blank and all her attention shifted to the person beside her when her onee-sama spoke. She just exuded so much confidence and self-assurance that Yumi couldn't help but be mesmerized. Yumi's eyes then involuntarily travelled to her onee-sama's smooth black hair that she wanted to touch ('No Yumi, that would be utterly creepy', she mentally berated herself), to her bright sapphire eyes that she wanted to look only at her ('Yumi, you're being delusional', said a voice in her head) and down to her pink lips that she wanted to…

Yumi suddenly stood up, her face beet red at her inappropriate thoughts regarding her seour. She then jumped in surprise when she realized what she just did. Her onee-sama stopped speaking as everyone's attention turned to her. Her blush reached her neck, she was just mortified.

"I'm sorry" she mumbled, before sitting herself back down.

"Yumi, is there something you wanted to say?" came her older sister's voice from her side. "Do you disagree with what I just proposed?"

Yumi kept her head bowed down, willing for her blush to disappear and for her imagination to stop from running wild. "No onee-sama. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

"We can tell Yumi-san" Yoshino-san intoned with a wide smile. "Can you please share with us what's on your mind?"

Yumi's eyes widened. Of course she can't!

She looked up at Yoshino's face and saw a knowing smirk. She shook her head and glared at her best friend in return, making the other bouton giggle.

Her onee-sama coughed, "well, we are done with the meeting anyway. I suggest we meet again tomorrow so we can give updates on each of our tasks."

At this, she and Yoshino stood up to clear up the cups. Noriko and Touko volunteered, but Yoshino-san said that they'll handle it. The first years didn't push it knowing that the two boutons just wanted some time to talk. Or at least Yoshino-san wanted to continue teasing her.

As they stood side by side by the sink, Yoshino whispered, "You were thinking about doing naughty things with your onee-sama, weren't you?"

"O-o-of course not!" she stuttered, turning to look if her onee-sama and Rei-sama heard. "And what were you thinking earlier? It was supposed to be a secret!"

"What did I say?" Yoshino said, feigning innocence.

"You may not have said anything, but…"

"But what? Yumi-san, if you keep acting like a lovesick puppy, then everybody will eventually know." Yoshino whispered back.

Their conversation was interrupted as they heard someone approach. "Yoshino, aren't you done yet? Mother asked us to go home early today, remember?" Rei-sama said.

Both Yoshino and Yumi turned to face her, and Yumi was surprised at the look Rei-sama gave her.

"Ah Rei-chan. Yes, we are just finishing up. Yumi-san can you please finish drying the cups? Rei-chan and I have a family dinner to go to."

Yumi immediately grabbed her friends arm and in hushed voice said "did you tell her?"

Her friend just smiled back and mouthed "update me tonight", before picking up her bag and following Rei-sama out of the room.

Yumi sighed heavily. Probably telling Yoshino-san about the weird feelings and dreams she'd been having about her older sister had been a bad decision.

"Yumi" she almost dropped the cup she was wiping when she was called. She thought everybody had left.

"Onee-sama, I thought you left with Rei-sama and Yoshino-san."

"What are you saying? Of course I would wait for you."

She smiled before going back to finishing her chore, happy that her onee-sama would wait for her.

She then heard faint footsteps and after a few seconds, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand as her onee-sama stood behind her, drew her face closer and seductively whispered in Yumi's ear. "We are alone Yumi. Now, would you be so kind as to share with your onee-sama what you were thinking about earlier?"

Yumi's heart beat quickened and she gently put down the cup she was holding in fear that she might break it. Her knees and her arms suddenly felt weak.

"Yumi?" her older sister said still with that same alluring voice. "Why don't you turn around and look at me?" her seour continued as she placed both her hands on the ledge of the sink on either side of Yumi, trapping her.

Yumi swallowed hard again, forcing down the lump in her throat before obeying her onee-sama and slowly turning around. She blushed at the proximity of her face to hers. Her nervousness intensified and her pulse drummed loudly in her ears.

"Now, tell me what was on your mind." her seour commanded.

"I-i-i.."

"Yes?"

"O-o-onee-sama…"

"Yes Yumi?"

Yumi averted her gaze. Her mind was so clouded and she couldn't trust herself to speak without stammering. Her onee-sama was so close. Her senses were in overdrive and she was well aware of her sister's arms almost touching hers, of her warm breath mingling with hers as she spoke, and of her piercing gaze that unsettled her that she finally needed to look away.

'What is onee-sama trying to do? Kill me with heart attack?!' Yumi thought as her heart continued to beat wildly against her ribcage.

"You have been acting a little… differently… for the past few weeks. You are starting to worry me."

"I'm sorry" she muttered.

"Is this behaviour related to what was on your mind earlier?"

Yumi didn't answer and continued looking away.

"Look at me Yumi. You were staring at me earlier, right? During the meeting? Now I am right here, in front of you. You can look all you want."

Now Yumi was certain that her onee-sama was teasing her. But as to why, she still couldn't figure it out.

Yumi's face turned a deeper shade of red in embarrassment. Her sister then placed a finger on her chin and lifted up her face. Yumi was surprised that her onee-sama was sporting a blush much like hers. And she realized that no matter how confident she sounded, her seour seemed to be just as nervous as she was.

Her eyes drifted again to the older girl's pink lips, making her lick her own lips involuntarily. If she was going to be teased like this, then she might as well grab the opportunity and act on her ever growing desire for the woman in front of her. She steeled her resolve and decided to turn all the dreams she had these past few weeks into reality. The same dreams that made her lose sleep and made her worry that once her feelings were revealed, she would be asked to give back her rosary. She had been so afraid to lose her seour, but at the moment, her feelings were overwhelming her. As it had every time she was near her.

So finally, she threw away all hesitations and just wished that her heart would eventually heal after her onee-sama started hating her and pushing her away for what she was about to do. She then cupped her onee-sama's cheek, surprising the older girl, before leaning forward and placing a soft gentle kiss on her lips. She immediately pulled back and gave her a sad smile, before breaking away from her seours arms and rushing towards the chair to get her bag. She needed to leave fast.

Her onee-sama remained motionless and rooted to the spot. After one quick glance at her back, Yumi turned the door knob to flee. She had one foot out the door when she heard…

"Where do you think you're going Fukuzawa Yumi?"

Her onee-sama's voice had been merely a whisper, but the weight it carried hit Yumi hard. It made her stop in her tracks, close the door and retrace her steps back to the chair. Sachiko-sama turned to look at her and her face was filled with anger.

Yumi gulped, she's in trouble.

The older girl took slow steps towards her and with each thud Yumi's heart beat faster. She stopped a foot away from her and looked at her square in the eyes. Before any word comes out of her mouth, Yumi beat her to it and spoke…

"I will return your rosary, Sachiko-sama. But I will not apologize for what I did. I can't say that it was an unconscious act. I have been thinking about admitting these feeling for a long time, but the fear of losing you, as a sister, had kept me from saying anything. I didn't originally plan on…kissing you… as a way to confess my feelings, but you were…"

"What was I doing Yumi?" her seour said, annoyance evident in her tone.

Yumi didn't know how to continue, her momentarily confidence in admitting her feelings was slowly slipping away. She just wanted to get out of the room and get out of her situation. She didn't want to hear her older sister's heart breaking speech that she hates her, and do not want to speak with her again. Given what she just did, her onee-sama hating her had been the obvious outcome. She just didn't want to hear any of it.

"How selfish of you to just decide for the both of us."

"I'm sorry Sachiko-sama, it's just that I cannot hold back these feelings any longer. Despite knowing that this will dissolve our bond, I just couldn't keep pretending that I see you just as a seour. So can you please just let me leave?" Yumi was close to tears. Couldn't her grande seour understand how difficult her position had been, keeping these romantic feelings for her for so long?

"Who said I want my rosary back?"

"But I just kissed…"

"Don't take me for a fool Yumi!" her onee-sama shouted. "I know what your actions meant. I know why you have been acting so distant lately and why you feel uncomfortable when we're alone."

Yumi stood dumbfounded. Her onee-sama knew about her feelings?

"I-" Yumi was about to say something when her seour leaned forward and claimed her lips. It was an innocent kiss, a mere touching of the lips. She closed her eyes and relished the softness of her lips, a feeling she didn't have the indulgence to cherish when she kissed her earlier.

The older girl pulled away, "I know, because I feel the same way." her seour said in a barely audible voice.

Yumi gaped at what she just heard.

"So don't walk out on me. I was just irritated that you beat me to it… to confessing" her onee-sama shyly admitted. She pouted and Yumi couldn't help but laugh.

"What is so funny?"

"Nothing…" she said, suppressing her giggles. Her nervousness was gone and was replaced by the joy that her onee-sama feels the same way about her.

Her seour huffed, "Then stop laughing and kiss me" she commanded still looking like an irritated little girl.

Yumi whole-heartedly obliged. They shared a gentle kiss and it marked the next chapter of their relationship.

xxx

Yumi's blush deepened at the memory. Back then, she still could not believe that Sachiko harbored the same romantic feelings for her as she had. And to think that the confession was triggered by her inattentiveness to a meeting, so much like what was happening at the moment.

"Do you have any question?" Yumi was shaken out of her musing when she heard her boss' voice. The meeting seemed to be over.

"No, but I do have a few matters to discuss with you privately, Mr. Kiyonori." Suguru-san said.

"Sure Mr. Ogasawara. Fukuzawa-san, you can just wait for me outside." Her boss said.

Yumi reluctantly nodded 'yes'. She wanted to stay behind to clear Sachiko's misunderstanding and hopefully, ask her to be with her again. However, she would be riding back to the office with her boss. It was still within working hours, and she didn't want to ask for him to wait. She also didn't want to explain anything, in fear of revealing any unnecessary details to him. Thankfully, she wasn't the only one who wanted this conversation to happen.

"Fukuzawa-san, I believe we also have some issues to discuss in private. Is it possible to settle this matter today?" Sachiko's voice had been neutral and professional, but Yumi could tell that it was just a mask based on the look in the older woman's eyes.

"Mr. Kiyonori, we can drive Fukuzawa-san back to your office this afternoon. Will you allow her to stay behind?" Suguru-san added.

The older gentleman looked from one Ogasawara to another before nodding his head. With this, Sachiko stood to leave. "This way, Fukuzawa-san."

"Yes, of course." Without any hesitation, Yumi stood up and followed Sachiko out of the conference room.

Suguru turned back his attention to the man in front of him as soon as they left.

"I know it is not my business to ask, but by any chance, are you and your wife acquainted with Fukuzawa-san?" Kiyonori asked as soon as the door closed shut.

Suguru thought for a moment, "Yumi-chan is not just an acquaintance, but family. She is special not only to me and Sachiko, but to Sachiko's parents as well."

"I didn't realize that she have connections."

Suguru furrowed his brow, explicitly showing his annoyance. "Yumi-chan is not the type of person to rely on connections, as you would like to call it. She can most definitely keep her private life separate from her career. But I cannot say the same about me. If word about this meeting got out, the deal is off. And not only this project. I will personally make sure that your firm will not have a chance to even bid or present on all projects the Ogasawara conglomerate will be having in the future."

Kiyonori-san nodded, "I understand. Also I apologize, I didn't mean to offend you or Fukuzawa-san with that comment, Mr. Ogasawara."

"Oh and before I forget, don't overwork Yumi-chan. Sachiko easily worries." He added with a smile.

A/N: We are almost at the end of our story...until next chapter dear readers. Let me know your thoughts.