Something To Believe

TITLE: Something To Believe

SERIES: Maria-sama Ga Miteru

AUTHOR: Dreiser

EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com

YAHOO I.D.: dreiser7

CONTENT: F/F romance. Yumi/Touko.

SUMMARY: Yumi wants to believe there is someone in the world meant for her and only her. Touko wants to believe for once someone truly loves her and only her.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my long period of on the job training. It's nearly endless folks!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I do love Yumi and Sachiko but as coupley as they are my favorite pairing has to be Yumi and Touko. Why? Well, read the fic and find out the answer because I think my reasons are all in there. The title of this fic, not as creative as it could be, comes from the song Believe by The Bravery.

Something To Believe

By: Dreiser

Although she wasn't an only child, Yumi was horrible at sharing. Mind you, it was just the important things that Yumi loathed to share. If you wanted to borrow a shirt, book, or even a little bit of money she was more than happy to accommodate you. But if it was something she truly loved and treasured? Her head would grow hot and her eyes would burn and she would seethe and seethe until what she loved was finally returned to her.

Such a thing had already been witnessed when her oneesama had appeared to be drifting away from her thanks to the attentions of Touko. She knew her behavior was childish and she hated it and herself at the time but all the same Yumi couldn't stop those feelings from rising up in her.

Ridiculous thoughts, honestly. Sachiko was a person, not a possession, and Yumi had no ownership rights over her. Particularly because those rights belonged to Suguru and the Ogasawara family.

Yumi loved Sachiko.

Yumi was in love with Sachiko.

And Yumi knew without the smallest bit of doubt that Sachiko returned those feelings. But it was like Youko had said in her first year when Yumi was watching her oneesama dance with awe and a flutter in her heart, Sachiko had serious eyes. She would do whatever her family asked of her. Even marrying a man who didn't love her and whom she could never really love. She would do it in hopes of pleasing her family, to keep their love.

Sachiko would marry Suguru and Yumi dreaded that day. With graduation approaching for the two Roses that wedding seemed to loom ever closer. She knew her oneesama attending Lillian University was a last minute delay tactic. Sachiko's attempt to give them as much time together as she could before she had to take that final inevitable step towards Suguru and her future with him.

A future without Yumi.

They couldn't play this game that Suguru had invented in his head. Where Sachiko goes out on his arm during the day and comes home to Yumi at night. Living a farce where they said one thing and meant another. It would kill them. They had to live honestly together or not at all.

Once the marriage happened they could be nothing more than friends.

It wasn't fair to her oneesama and Yumi railed against that future time and time again. Wanting to smash it with her fists and tear it apart limb from limb but that wasn't something Sachiko would allow Yumi to do. So what was left for her? She would be left behind and that precious thing she loved the most in the world, the one thing she would rather die than share, would be with another. And Yumi would be alone.

Then one day Sachiko mentioned with a sad but encouraging smile that Yumi needed a petite soeur and suddenly it became so clear. No one could replace her precious oneesama but perhaps, if she was very lucky, she could find someone to ease the loneliness she would feel at Sachiko's departure.

Part of her did find it all very ridiculous, these overdramatic feelings she was having. It wasn't as if Sachiko was dying or moving to some far off land. She would be right next door at Lillian University but Yumi knew despite the proximity of her oneesama things wouldn't be the same.

They simply couldn't. Not with the impending marriage hanging over their heads and that ever present knowledge that one day Sachiko couldn't be with Yumi as they were now.

The problem was finding a petite soeur was harder than one would actually think. After the utter disaster of the tea party and her subsequent dealings with Kanako she wondered if there was anyone truly meant for her other than Sachiko. That perhaps they were wrong and maybe they should play Suguru's game. After all, twisted and deceptive as it was they would still be together and wasn't that all that really mattered?

"We wouldn't be happy," Sachiko murmured sadly, pushing stray locks of hair from Yumi's eyes. "Perhaps we might be at first because we would be together but that could change over time. You could become resentful of the act I would be putting on with Suguru and I would hate myself for hurting you." Pulling her hand away and staring up at the glass ceiling to the greenhouse, Sachiko continued, "I thought too much on what was ideal in a soeur, what was best for the Yamayurikai, when I chose Shimako and you know how that ended." Dropping her gaze, Sachiko offered Yumi a tender smile and caressed her cheek. "When I chose you I thought of nothing but myself and what I truly wanted. And what I wanted most was you as my petite soeur. Listen to your heart and I promise it won't lead you astray. After all," Sachiko gave a light chuckle, "it did bring you to me."

"But oneesama," Yumi pleaded, reaching for Sachiko's hands. "How will I know who is right for me? Who is really meant to be my petite soeur?"

Blue eyes darkened sweetly and Sachiko ducked her head, her lips brushing lightly against Yumi's for a ghost of a kiss as she murmured, "You'll know." Taking Yumi's hand in her own, she placed it over her heart. "Because you'll feel it in your heart. How it warms at their presence, races at their smile, and grows fierce in your desire to protect them." Sachiko pressed her lips to Yumi's forehead and softly echoed her own words. "You'll know."

Weeks went by and somehow Yumi found herself pulled from Sachiko's world and into Touko's. A world she once jealously thought to be so close to her oneesama's. But that wasn't true. Despite the difficulties Sachiko had at home thanks to the infidelities of her father and grandfather she knew her family loved her. Perhaps that was part of the reason she was so willing to give them what they wanted in terms of marrying Suguru. She wanted to return that love in whatever way she could, even if it had the potential to make her miserable in the future. Yes, Sachiko's family loved her and they gave her attention. Almost too much attention, if you asked Yumi. Going into every little detail of her oneesama's life and making it their own. Because she was one of them, an Ogasawara. It was a dangerous and suffocating sense of belonging. Yumi could well understand Sachiko's longing for both an escape and a desire to bury herself in her family's loving embrace and never leave.

However, Touko could hardly say the same.

Measure the amount of attention Sachiko received from her family and multiply by two then you would see how very little Touko mattered to those who bore her. She had been wandering when Yuuki found her, desperate not to return to the home that always seemed empty, despite the people occupying it. Unable to go to her clubs she loved so much because of their ability to keep her from that place, to keep her mind occupied, and to finally give her that feeling of belonging. Because of what? A misunderstanding, a petty argument, a clash of personalities. And suddenly Touko found herself sitting on Yumi's bed, held in Yumi's arms, and crying into the warmth of Yumi's embrace. It was then that Yumi understood what Sachiko meant when she said that she would know in her heart who was right for her. Because in that moment there was nothing Yumi wanted more than to ease the pain Touko was feeling. Nothing was as important to her as Touko and when she felt that, Yumi finally knew who her petite soeur was. Realizing this and holding Touko close to her, Yumi had been sorely tempted to offer her rosary. After all, despite the less than happy circumstances it was so very thrilling to finally know who she wanted. The problem was, Yumi wasn't so sure Touko wanted her.

In fact, there were times Yumi doubted Touko liked her very much. There had been more than a few instances of Touko saying she needed to work harder to live up her role as Rosa Chinensis en bouton. That she wasn't suited to someone as elegant and refined as Sachiko. At the time, Yumi had thought the words to be accurate if not a bit jealousy filled. Surely if Sachiko was the one that Touko wanted as a grande soeur then Yumi would hardly be good enough. While it had hurt so very badly in the past when she thought herself unworthy of Sachiko it was nothing compared to the thought she wasn't fit to be Touko's grande soeur.

There was only thing she could do. She would prove beyond any shadow of a doubt to Touko that she was the one meant to be her grande soeur. Showing her with not only words but with deeds how she would be not only a welcome presence in the other girl's life but a well desired one. The first thing Yumi did to prove this was to mend Touko's fractured relationship with the school drama club. A relatively easy matter once she got the members to understand Touko's caring heart was masked by a rather prickly exterior.

And then came the night of the Yamayurikai's Christmas party. Touko was hurting and she seemed so very far from Yumi. She ran after the younger girl and before she could stop herself, Yumi offered Touko her rosary. The world was absolutely still and Yumi felt a strange sort of peace when she took the rosary off, holding it aloft in the air in the small space between her and Touko. But then those horrible words came.

No, it wasn't the words that were horrible but rather the way they were said and that twist of Touko's mouth. The one that told Yumi she didn't believe this was something Yumi truly wanted. That she was offering her rosary out of sympathy not out of a genuine desire to have Touko as her petite soeur. When in reality it was the one thing Yumi wanted the most. She stood there, numb and hurting, watching as Touko ran from her, wondering if there was ever going to be anything she could do to get her to come back, to welcome her with open arms.

Touko ran from Yumi, so Yumi ran to Sachiko.

She knew she should stop leaning on her oneesama so much and Yumi had tried so very hard to keep her feelings of sadness in but Sachiko had known something was wrong. Hearing the kindness in her oneesama's voice, Yumi couldn't stop the story from spilling past her lips. How she offered Touko her rosary and with it, her heart, only to have them both rejected. Sachiko listened and she comforted and most of all, she had supportive but fierce words of wisdom and warfare to share.

There's no shame being rejected, the only shame comes from not trying. If Touko was who she wanted as her petite soeur she shouldn't give up. She should keep trying until Touko was finally hers. These words warmed Yumi's heart and she agreed strongly, then something in her broke and she was in Sachiko's arms. Releasing the pain of Touko's rejection through her tears, knowing that tomorrow she would have to try again.

Because for Yumi it was Touko or no one. There was no runner up, nobody waiting in the wings, it was Touko and only Touko. She was the one Yumi knew was meant to be her petite soeur. Even if it seemed Touko didn't quite know that herself. But she would soon learn. Especially if Yumi had anything to do with it.

----

The next day, Yumi wore her hair down. Much speculation was created over this change in hairstyle for the popular en bouton of Rosa Chinensis. When Yumi entered her class the first thing she was greeted with was the flash of Tsutako's camera and Mami confronting her with her ever present pen and pad of paper at the ready.

"Rosa Chinensis en bouton, changes hairstyle out of mourning for her oneesama's upcoming graduation!" Mami exclaimed, pen touching the pad of paper as she looked at Yumi expectantly for a reaction. When it came to Yumi it was well known that her face told the story. Only this time she didn't get quite what she expected. Yumi gave a mysterious smile and tilted her head to one side. Blinking in confusion, Mami said, "Yumi-san?"

"Do you want a scoop, Mami-san?" asked Yumi, eyes glittering and a playful look on her features.

"What scoop?" inquired Mami almost suspiciously, not really believing in the luck of good stories landing in her lap. Though, cynical as she was, she couldn't help but say eagerly, "Is it the reason for the new hairstyle?"

"Sort of," Yumi revealed altogether impishly.

"What is it?" Mami pressed, pen landing on paper and staring Yumi hard in the eyes, presenting an unspoken demand for the story in her body language.

"I've asked Matsudaira Touko to be my petite soeur," announced Yumi proudly. Mami's eyes went wide and she opened her mouth to begin asking questions but Yumi cut her off with a wave of her index finger. "But sadly, she's turned me down. I'm not giving up though! I'm announcing here and now to you, the voice of the school, that I will have Touko for my petite soeur." The doors to their classroom opened and their sensei walked inside. Yumi made a tching noise under her breath and gave Mami a smile. "We'll have to finish this later, Mami-san." Yumi turned away and started towards her desk but looked over shoulder to say rather mischievously, "And just so you know, I'm wearing my hair down because Touko once said she liked how it looked this way."

Silence except for the flash of Tsutako's camera and something deep inside Yumi rejoiced. Because if she could get one up on one of the fiercest members of the newspaper staff maybe, just maybe, convincing Touko to be her petite soeur might not be as hard as she thought.

Lunch time arrived and Yumi picked up her box lunch to go with Yoshino to the Rose Mansion, wearing what appeared to a permanent satisfied smile on her features. Basking in the stares and the sounds of gossiping as they walked past Yumi almost didn't hear her friend's not so quiet demand to know what was going on.

"Yoshino-san?" asked Yumi, blinking at the hostility.

"I'm sorry, Yumi-san," said Yoshino, stopping in her walk to face her friend. "But all of this," she gestured agitatedly at the nearby gossiping students. "Is starting to get on my nerves and they're not even talking about me! Why are you so happy that they're speaking about your rejection? Did you really tell Mami-san about Touko-chan turning you down? Why would you do that?"

"Ah," said Yumi wisely, feeling rather like Sachiko-sama but not nearly so cool. Perhaps she was feeling like Sachiko-sama-lite. Leaning in close to Yoshino, she formed a little grin and drawled, "It's to get her attention."

"Touko's?" asked Yoshino disbelievingly.

"It should come shortly," Yumi said, looking pleased with herself and hooking her arm in Yoshino's as she continued their walk down the hall.

"What should?" Yoshino questioned, not quite believing this was Yumi she was talking to. She was starting to think maybe everyone was wrong when they predicted she would be the driving force behind the Yamayurikai next year instead of Yumi. Particularly if the other girl was already showing a mastery for the art of manipulation. It reminded Yoshino of Youko-sama but in a strangely pleasant way that bode well for their future.

"Touko-chan's reply," said Yumi simply.

They kept walking arm and arm and were nearly at the stairs when they heard Touko say rather imperiously, "Yumi-sama!"

Pausing in her walk, Yumi turned to face Touko still wearing that satisfied smile on her features. Something which seemed to further enrage the younger girl. Observing the crumpled remains of the school newspaper in Touko's hands, Yumi's lips quirked up a bit and she remarked, "A new edition already? We have a very productive newspaper staff, don't we Touko-chan?"

"Yumi-sama," Touko said in a low tone, looking very much like she was trying quite hard to control herself. "Why did you speak with them? You do know the entire school is talking about us now."

"I hope so," said Yumi, leaning towards Touko and looking entirely pleased with herself. She gave into a sudden and rather playful desire and tapped the younger girl on the nose. "Because that's the reason I decided to speak with them. So I could let everyone know I chose the cute and charming Touko-chan as my petite soeur." Yumi pulled back and wore something of a pout. "Even if she's turned me down on the first try."

"First try?" Touko echoed, looking stunned.

"Of course," replied Yumi, pushing a stray lock of hair from her eyes and smiling at Touko. "Touko-chan is the only one I want for my petite soeur so even if she rejects me at first, I can hardly give up if I want Touko-chan to be mine, now can I?" Yumi stepped closer to the younger girl and once again felt rather like Sachiko-sama as she fixed the scarf that had become messy from searching for Yumi throughout the school. "Instead, I'll just have to spend my time convincing you what a good grande soeur I will be."

"Yumi-sama," Touko's voice was a bare whisper and she stared with disbelieving eyes at the older girl who was fixing her scarf. "Why did you really change your hair?"

Gazing up at Touko, her eyes crinkled around the edges as she smiled then Yumi replied, "That night in my room, my hair was down and you said it looked better that way." Pulling away and standing at her full height, Yumi continued, "My hairstyle doesn't matter to me. What matters is whether or not Touko-chan likes it."

Then with that, Yumi hooked her arm in Yoshino's and disappeared down the stairs. Leaving Touko frozen with gossiping students surrounding her on all sides. Just as they began to swarm to demand answers on exactly why she would turn down the most popular member of the Yamayurikai among the first year students, Noriko stepped in. She shooed them away with glares and a few harsh words and by the time they were relatively alone, Touko had finally found her ability to speak again.

"Why is she doing this?" said Touko, her tones empty and sad and incredibly lost as she looked at Noriko.

"I don't know," answered Noriko honestly. "But I believe Yumi-sama when she says she wants you as her petite soeur. I can see the truth of it in her eyes."

Clenching her jaw, Touko stiffened her back and said bitterly, "She wants Sachiko-oneesama but she can't keep her, especially after the wedding. I'm meant to be a poor replacement."

"Touko," said Noriko, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.

Much like Yumi, no reply came from Touko. She simply turned on her heel and walked away, ignoring the stares and the gossip that followed. Leaving Noriko staring after her with a worried expression.

---

"I want to know what's really going on!" Yoshino declared, whapping her hands down onto the table. They had been eating their lunch in relative silence with only the intermittent sound of polite chit chat interrupting them and it was too much for her to take. Especially considering the rather dramatic scene they had left back at school involving Yumi and Touko. The Rose Mansion meeting room almost seemed to shake from the force of Yoshino's agitation and pointing her finger accusingly at Yumi, she said, "You aren't just teasing Touko-chan, are you?"

Normally the idea of Yumi playing with another person's emotions would be the furthest thing from Yoshino's thoughts but after the display she witnessed she wasn't so sure about that. Shimako raised an eyebrow in a sign of mild interest and turned to Yumi with an expression of blasé curiosity. Yumi, for her part, blinked at the sudden outburst and after a moment burst into embarrassed laughter, rubbing the back of her head.

"I messed it up, didn't I?" asked Yumi sheepishly. Sighing quietly and wearing a wry look on her face she continued, "I never get it right when I try to be like oneesama so I don't know why I bother to try."

"Yumi is Yumi," murmured Shimako, blue eyes warm with kindness. "She shouldn't try to be like Sachiko-sama because while there are some things only Sachiko-sama can do there are others that are just for Yumi."

"I'm not sure Touko-chan is one of those things," said Yumi sadly.

Yoshino released a snort and took a sip of her tea then said, "Of course not. But mostly because Touko-chan isn't a thing, Yumi-san. She's a person. One smart enough to know when you're attempting a bad impersonation of Sachiko-sama." Yumi gave a half hearted laugh at this and Yoshino looked at her friend sympathetically. "To be fair, you didn't remind me of Sachiko-sama back there. It was more like watching shades of Youko-sama."

"Really?" Yumi brightened slightly.

"Really," said Yoshino in dry tones. She set her cup of tea down with a clink and tilted her head to one side, observing her friend closely. "What is your plan for Touko-chan?"

"Yes," Shimako broke in softly, leaning forward. "Does Yumi-san truly want Touko-chan as her petite soeur or is this something else?"

"She had better want her!"

Simultaneously, all three girls turned to see Noriko standing in the doorway to the meeting room. Her dark eyes were narrowed and she walked into the room, her stance quiet and controlled, gaze never leaving Yumi's as she said in commanding tones, "Don't play games with Touko's heart."

"Noriko," murmured Shimako, standing up and walking to her petite soeur.

Immediately, Noriko deflated, unable to maintain her anger while in Shimako's direct presence. Her dark eyes became gentle as she looked at the blonde. "Shimako-san," she said, her expression pleading. "Let me say this?" A small but understanding smile played on Shimako's lips and she dipped her head in acceptance. Noriko returned the smile before turning her serious eyes back to Yumi who looked at the younger girl apprehensively. "Touko sees herself as nothing but a replacement for Sachiko-sama to you. If that's the truth, I don't think you want her for your petite soeur for the right reasons and it would be best if you please left her alone."

Yumi's brown eyes were impossibly wide then became slowly lidded. Deep in thought, she began speaking more to herself than anyone present. "At first, it was that. I couldn't bear the thought of being without oneesama and I longed for anyone to fill the void her absence would leave in my life. I went along with the tea party for potential soeur’s in hopes of finding someone but it didn't work. In fact, nothing I did seemed to work." Lifting her gaze, Yumi smiled softly and said, "Then I started to spend time with Touko-chan. The more time I spent with her the less time I worried about oneesama leaving me. I thought of Touko-chan, not oneesama, wanted to be with Touko-chan, not oneesama, to see her smile and laugh, and I know I still love oneesama…" Yumi sighed deeply, looking off to one side, before turning back to face Noriko with eyes that reminded her so much of Touko's. Hurt and confused and begging just for the smallest bit of understanding. "I always will love oneesama but I think, maybe, these feelings I've been having mean that I can love Touko-chan too."

Silence then Noriko released a huge whoosh of air and formed a lopsided grin. "Don't tease her too much, Yumi-sama," she advised, waving her finger at Yumi. "She doesn't know how to take it."

"But that's what makes it fun," Yumi found herself pouting at the idea of not being able to tease Touko. She started to say something else but froze in midsentence as she realized how right Noriko really was. Touko didn't know how to take her teasing at all, she didn't know that Yumi didn't mean any harm with her words, that it was her way of showing affection. Considering that, suddenly her actions had an almost cruel effect and it was more than Yumi could bear. The need to set things right took her over and Yumi began rushing to gather up her things and soon went running out the door. Calling to her perplexed and questioning friends, "I need to explain!"

Watching her go, Noriko smiled, lacing her fingers with Shimako's and murmured, "Good luck."

---

After some wandering and a few strategic questions, Yumi managed to locate Touko on the school stage, working on the set for the latest drama club production. The doors opened with a loud creak, causing Yumi to wince as they announced her presence. Touko looked up from her work, curls bouncing and wearing a smile which slowly faded as she acknowledged Yumi's presence.

"Yumi-sama," Touko greeted coolly.

Sighing quietly and knowing she should have expected as much, Yumi mustered up her courage and offered Touko her brightest smile. "I've come to speak with Touko-chan about some very important matters," revealed Yumi, bouncing back and forth on her heels and looking up at Touko who stood above her on the stage.

"Important matters require an audience, I see," remarked Touko, nodding her head.

"Ehh?" Yumi made a noise of pure confusion and followed Touko's gaze which was focused on a fairly significant crowd of students staring at them from the entrance to the stage area. She wearily noted most of them were the ones she had stopped to ask questions about Touko's whereabouts. Turning back she noticed that Touko was packing up her things and she called out anxiously, "Touko-chan…"

"If you want us to have an audience when we speak then we must get closer to them, Yumi-sama," said Touko, regarding the other students with a clinical gaze. Shifting her book bag from one hand to the other, her curls bounced as she walked and her lips curled up in a smile that held no happiness. "They can't hear us from that distance. And you must prove how much you love your cute and charming Touko-chan, isn't that so?"

"No," said Yumi firmly and Touko's smile grew a little more twisted, causing Yumi to reflect on her words. Shaking her head fiercely, she looked at Touko who stood in front of her wearing a face of blatant disinterest. "I want to speak to you alone. I didn't mean for them to follow me. But I just wanted to find you as quickly as I could so I began asking whoever I could find where you were."

Touko's eyes were lidded in thought then she said quietly, "Why is that, Yumi-sama?"

"Not here, I want to speak to you in private," Yumi replied. Hesitating a moment, she reached out and took Touko's hand in her own, looking forward as she did. Unable to see the look of surprise Touko wore at this. Yumi calmly led them through the crowd of students then stopped to face them. Her expression was kind but resolute as she said, "Thank you for helping me find Touko-chan but please don't follow us."

Then she turned and walked away with Touko at her side, ignoring the calls that met her words. After a minute or so, she peeked over her shoulder and gave a sigh of relief on seeing they had no one following them and the crowd of students was dispersing. It was then that Touko snapped out of her temporary daze and shook her hand free of Yumi's grasp who frowned at this. A light blush covering her features, Touko said stiffly, "I'm perfectly capable of following you on my own, Yumi-sama. You don't need to hold my hand to guide me."

"I know," Yumi said, her gaze warm and welcoming. Debating it for a moment and deciding it was worth the possibility of another rejection, Yumi gently took Touko's hand in her own again. "But I want to hold Touko-chan's hand." Turning on her heel, she swallowed hard and waited for Touko to pull her hand away again. Only it never came and Yumi could swear she felt the slightest hint of a squeeze. Not hard and harsh but tender and full of care. Sighing happily, Yumi led them to the area surrounding Lillian Academy and towards a small grove she had discovered in her first year. Not only was it beautiful and peaceful, it was wonderfully isolated. Yumi stood in the center circle which was absent of trees and the sunlit poured down on her features, highlighting her anxiety as she faced Touko. Instinctively reaching for the girl's other hands, she stared down at them as she said, "I shouldn't have spoken to Mami-san. That article was an invasion of your privacy."

"Then why did you do it?" demanded Touko, her voice strangely low and even.

Lifting her eyes, Yumi gave a wan smile. "I wanted to prove to Touko-chan how much I wanted her as my petite soeur. Although," Yumi released a nervous laugh. "I now think I did a poor job of it."

"Yumi-sama," whispered Touko. Squeezing her eyes shut, she shook her head then gazed at the older girl with a disbelieving stare. "Why would did you think an article would accomplish that?"

"I thought that it would be like shouting the words out to the entire school," Yumi confessed, keeping her eyes fixed on her hands that continued to hold Touko's. Her fingers lightly caressed the softness of the other girl's skin and she found herself entranced by the sensation. Shrugging her shoulders lamely, Yumi continued, "I'd be telling everyone how I've chosen Touko-chan as my petite soeur and it would prove to you how proud I was of that." Reluctantly tugging her hands from Touko's, she formed a melancholy smile. "I understand now that I was forcing my feelings onto you and that wasn't fair. Just because I want you as my petite soeur doesn't mean you will ever feel the same way." Touko started to speak but Yumi stepped forward, gently pressing her index finger against yielding lips. "Let me finish." When Touko nodded silently, Yumi smiled again then continued, "That doesn't mean I'm giving up. I mean it when I say I want Touko-chan for my petite soeur. But I'm going to try and not bother you too much with my pursuits. And," Yumi closed her eyes and seemed to be steeling herself for something terrible. "All you need to do is tell me to stop trying and I promise I will."

Silence.

The rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the loud beating of her heart but no words came from Touko and Yumi felt the tears begin to fall before she could help herself. She pulled her hands away from Touko to angrily wipe them away but was stopped by a firm grip around her wrist. Blinking in confusion, Yumi didn't dare to move as Touko reached out and wiped the tears away with the pads of her thumbs. A wry smile graced her features and her hair bounced as she tilted her head to one side.

"Yumi-sama is a delicate creature, isn't she?" Touko remarked, gently teasing.

"Touko-chan?" Yumi breathed, hope shining through.

Lightly tracing her thumbs down until they fell away from the older girl's skin, Touko murmured, "Do as you like. I won't stop Yumi-sama from enjoying her pursuits."

"Touko-chan!" Yumi's released a cry of happiness as she swept the other girl up in her arms.

Several moments passed and Touko was rigid in Yumi's embrace but eventually something relaxed in her and she loosely returned the hug. Yumi tucked her head into the crook of the younger girl's neck and gave a laugh of pure joy, unable to believe this was truly happening. When the warmth of her breath struck Touko's skin, she noticed the visible shiver it caused and with it, Yumi realized as much as Touko might protest when she showed physical affection she did enjoy it. She had to go slowly though, she couldn't scare Touko off again. Knowing this, Yumi pulled back and smiled sweetly at the other girl.

"Thank you for giving me a chance," said Yumi earnestly.

Reddening a bit, Touko scowled. "I'm just letting Yumi-sama do as she likes," she protested.

"Maybe," Yumi conceded, bending down to pick up their book bags which they dropped on the grass. She peered up at Touko and offered a playful grin. "But I'm thankful for anything that has to do with Touko-chan."

Touko stiffly took her bag from Yumi and whirled around to face away from the older girl. A few seconds passed then she stuck her hand backwards in an awkward offering. "We'll be late for class," Touko stated, the tips of her ears turning pink. Smiling widely at this, Yumi eagerly took Touko's hand and followed her back to the school.

She was well aware this would cause more gossip and curiosity and she simply didn't care because the only thing that mattered was Touko. That and the fact Touko hadn't outright rejected Yumi as her grande soeur.

Something that made this a very good day indeed.

---

The problem with Yumi was her popularity and the fact she didn't care about it. This made life more than a little difficult for Touko who did care about Yumi's popularity. Mostly because she had to deal with the aftermath.

Aftermath being jealous and enraged fangirls. Jealous that Yumi wanted Touko for her petite soeur and enraged that Touko had dared to reject her. Which made no sense to Touko. If they loved Yumi so much shouldn't they be glad she rejected her? It did leave the petite soeur field wide open, after all.

But Touko knew what fueled their rage. Yumi and her damned insistence that she wanted only Touko for her petite soeur. Something that irritated Touko to no end because she just knew it wasn't true. What Yumi wanted was someone to distract her from Sachiko, to take her mind off the upcoming marriage and departure from school. The truth was, it didn't have to be Touko, it could be anyone but it was easier with her.

She was aware of the situation with Sachiko and as such Touko wouldn't press Yumi in ways another petite soeur might. Demanding Yumi spend time away from Sachiko and with her, becoming jealous of Sachiko's importance in her life. Yumi thought Touko would never do such things and that made her a very appealing petite soeur.

The truth of the matter was, Touko wanted to do all those things. Well, no, she didn't want to do those things because they were so insufferably childish and stupid but she did have the natural urge.

Really, Touko couldn't help it. She, like countless others in her grade, instinctively liked Yumi. And another problem with Yumi, particularly for Touko, was the more time you spent with her the more likable she became. Hell, she transformed into someone downright lovable.

And despite what some might think, Touko wasn't immune to Yumi's charms. Sometimes she wished she was. Lately Touko wish for that almost all the time. It was getting disgustingly hard to be around Yumi and her lovability with the constant exclamations of how she wanted Touko for her petite soeur. Because the more she heard this, the more Touko wanted it to be true.

She wanted to be the person Yumi cared for, the one she leaned on, the one who held the biggest place in her heart. But Touko knew that place already belonged to Sachiko and she also knew how much Sachiko needed Yumi's love. No matter how Yumi was hurting at the idea of losing Sachiko there was no doubt in Touko's mind that Sachiko was hurting more. Touko saw how empty Sachiko's life was before she had Yumi. A life filled with people admiring her at a distance but never getting close and never easing Sachiko's loneliness. Then Yumi came and smashed down all the perceived barriers Sachiko had around her and at last she was happy.