TITLE: A Matter of Circumstance

SERIES: Maria-sama Ga Miteru

AUTHOR: Dreiser

EMAIL: dreiser7@yahoo.com

YAHOO I.D.: dreiser7

MY WEBSITE: http://www.dreiser.org/

CONTENT: F/F romance. Sei/Yumi. Sachiko/Shimako.

SUMMARY: Life is a matter of circumstance, especially in regard to relationships. What if circumstances changed and Shimako found herself accepting Sachiko’s rosary and Sei decided to truly take Yumi into her care? What would happen then?

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but my love of really great plot ideas given by Sean Gaffney.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: As noted in my disclaimer, the idea for this fic came from the great Sean Gaffney. But despite that, if you have any issues with what happens in the story, please go bitching to me and not him. Not unless you want to look stupid. Anyway! This is an alternate universe fic and ye gods, I’m surprised I’m writing it because I normally dislike alternate universes a great deal but the idea was so good I had to borrow it and I did get rightful permission so here we are. Despite the alt universe status of the fic, I am going to try to keep the storylines and characterization as close to canon as I can. Do let me know if you feel I’m doing a horrible job. My feelings are not easily hurt so don’t give them the slightest bit of worry. Oh yes, there’s one more thing. This is going to be a somewhat light hearted and humorous fic. There will be drama because this is Marimite and it’s required but I do plan to bring the laughs. Or at least, I hope to.

A Matter of Circumstance

By: Dreiser

Part One

Sei had the gnawing sense that Youko was plotting again. What made it worse was the fact that she couldn’t properly devote time to research said plotting because of how busy they were preparing for the Sports Festival. That left her in a near constant state of unease, like some monster was ready to jump out from behind every corner she passed to bite her ass off like so much gummy on a bear.

Because such things often occurred when it came to Youko and her plotting.

Things had gotten better in the past few weeks though. The irrational anger she originally felt for Shimako was slowly leaving her and Sei found herself enjoying the younger girl’s company. Although she still balked at the idea of taking her as a petite soeur. It wasn’t due to the same mentality that caused her to deny Shiori that right but simply because Youko was right. Shimako was like her. In fact, Shimako was her in so many ways that Sei felt it honestly wouldn’t be best for the girl if she took her under her wing.

After all, isn’t it better to learn from one who isn’t like you and can expand your world? Sei hardly thought she would be the one to do that for Shimako and while she liked the girl… loved her even, she couldn’t see herself being a particularly involved oneesama to her and again, she had this sense that might be something Shimako wouldn’t demand but would perhaps greatly benefit from.

Maybe Youko was thinking the same thing because lately she had begun to withdraw her constant efforts to pair them together. Forever hinting at how good a petite soeur she would make for Sei. But she had made that cryptic remark about wanting Shimako to stay and there being many ways to accomplish that. The way she said it, in that careless sly way she often had, it tended to make Sei nervous. Youko was never casual so when she pretended to be there had to be a horrible reason behind it and Sei almost feared discovering the truth.

It was easy to push that fear away when she was this busy though. She couldn’t waste time worrying about what hare brained scheme Youko had cooked up now when she had a million things to arrange for the Sports Festival. During times like these she was almost glad that her oneesama pulled her into the Yamayurikai.

Now if only if she properly see around the boxes she was carrying while trying not to fall asleep. Walking on her tip toes so she could peer over the top, Sei made her way down the stairs, hearing the chatter of first year students talking near her just as her shoe slipped on a loose sheet of paper that had fallen onto the floor. Her feet immediately went sliding out from under her and Sei released a yelp of surprise as she felt herself tumble down the stairs as she lost her hold on the pile of boxes in her arms. The boxes went flying every which way but Sei fell directly forward, gravity leading her to land perfectly onto one of the first year students she heard talking.

They remained in a tangled pile on the floor and Sei groaned low in her throat, body aching as she pulled backwards and looked into the wide brown eyes of the first year student. Instinctively flexing her hands just to test if they were still working, Sei was distantly aware of a pleasantly pliant softness they had encountered and the way the first year’s face instantly turned a dark shade of red. Her brain not quite accurately functioning, Sei found her head hanging low from sheer exhaustion and saying, “Feels nice.”

Just seconds later, her brain was fuzzily recalling the feel of a slap to her cheek and her body being shoved forward, causing her to land onto the floor with a groan. Lying on her back, she dimly stared up at the first year student whose face was flushed, an angry expression on her features. Somehow it didn’t seem right to Sei. A girl that normal looking, who appeared cute and innocent in her perfectly matching pigtails and red ribbons, would be the first one to really slap her. Not a slap for her own good, to snap her out of a funk, or to prove how she was being a stupid jackass, but a genuine slap caused by her actions seeming to have wronged another person.

Those brown eyes went wide and the girl turned red again but somehow Sei knew this time it was from embarrassment and not anger as she exclaimed in a horrified and very worried manner, “Rosa Gigantea!”

Simply wonderful. She had been recognized. Surely now her reputation would grow all the more infamous. Soon she would transform from being the strangest Rose to also the most perverted. Strangely enough, that title didn’t bother her in the slightest. Something that led Sei to believe they were right in saying she was the strangest amongst her friends. But she did take comfort in the fact that Eriko would always have the biggest forehead.

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t know it was you! And you fell, didn’t you? Of course you fell, you fell onto me!” the first year nervously exclaimed, helping Sei to her feet. Her eyes darted around anxiously and seeing several other students approaching she released high pitched laugh. Bowing her head low and fast, she declared loudly, “Please accept my sincerest apology, Rosa Gigantea!”

Then she turned on her heel, grabbing her friend’s hand and pulling it away from the camera it held in the process, and disappeared down the hated steps that had contributed to Sei’s downfall. Feeling very much like a dirty old man, Sei wanted to go after the girl to say she had nothing to be sorry about but her back protested as a piercing pain jolted down it. Sliding down onto the floor again and ignoring the fact this wasn’t at all a proper image to present as a Rose, she wondered if this was yet another example of Youko’s plotting gone wrong.

Because it had certainly bitten her in the end.

---

Things were back to normal. Or at least that’s what Yumi hoped. When she woke up this morning she was sure she would get to school and everyone would know about how she had slapped Rosa Gigantea for falling onto her. Well… to be perfectly honest, she hadn’t slapped her because of that but it still wasn’t Rosa Gigantea’s fault that she had fallen and her hands had landed where they were. Though Yumi did wonder why exactly she had decided to flex them in the way that she did. But that hardly mattered, she had slapped a sempai! And one of the Roses at that. She was sure her doom was sealed the moment she stepped on campus.

But no one had said a thing. Apparently nobody was aware of the slap except for the people who were there to witness and experience it. Which was herself, Rosa Gigantea, and one other who was currently saying her name loudly. “Yumi-san! Yumi-san!” Tsutako called out as she rounded the corner.

“Tsutako-san!” replied Yumi happily. “Are you done cleaning the classroom?”

“Yes, I hurried here so I could see you,” said Tsutako in a clever way that had Yumi looking at her perplexed.

“Did you need something?” asked Yumi, lost as to what Tsutako could want with her.

“Yumi-san,” one of her classmates interrupted gently. “We have clubs to attend so we have to go now.”

“I’ll return the cleaning log to the staff room,” another classmate offered.

“It appears you’re free to come with me, Yumi-san,” said Tsutako, offering a smile that didn’t serve to reassure Yumi in the slightest.

“All right,” said Yumi before hesitantly following after Tsutako, wondering exactly what this was all about. But the moment they were alone, she wasn’t met with answers but instead the bright flash of Tsutako’s camera going off in her face. Blinking in surprise, she barely had time to take in Tsutako’s words.

“You know I’m in the Photography Club,” Tsutako stated matter of factly.

“Yes, it’s true that you don’t let go of your camera except during class,” said Yumi rather sheepishly, unsure if she was saying it polite enough so Tsutako wouldn’t be insulted. The other girl immediately began talking again so it appeared she had done a good enough job.

“Before I show any of my photos, I get permission from the people in them,” continued Tsutako and suddenly Yumi had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Tsutako revealed two photos side by side, one of Rosa Gigantea lying on top of Yumi, their faces close enough for a kiss, with dazed expressions that could easily be interpreted as love on their features and the next one of Yumi simultaneously slapping Rosa Gigantea while pushing her away with a look of anger. “Like these.” Releasing a cry of horror, Yumi lunged to take the photos into her possession but Tsutako lifted them out of her reach. “By the way,” she said with disarming casualness. “The title is Love and Hate. I want to submit them as a comparison piece.”

“Tsutako-san!” cried Yumi in pleading tones, looking absolutely miserable and terrified at the same time. “You can’t let people see those pictures! They’ll know what I did to Rosa Gigantea!”

“I thought you would say that,” said Tsutako wisely, lowering the photographs. “I saw how respectful you were to Rosa Gigantea once you realized who she was and the fact that it was all an accident on her part. I also know that you admire Rosa Chinensis en bouton. I’m willing to not submit the comparison piece under two conditions.”

“Conditions?” asked Yumi, her eyes wide and her mind vaguely contemplating the idea of jumping Tsutako in order to retrieve the evidence of her horrible crime against a sempai.

“The first is that I can put the first photograph, titled Love, into the Photography Club’s exhibit at the school festival,” Tsutako said, her eyes twinkling beneath the lens of her glasses.

“Tsutako-san,” said Yumi, feeling her forehead twitch in irritation and embarrassment. “You’re joking, right?”

“Would I joke about that?” said Tsutako, giving a whisper of a smile which caused Yumi’s stomach sink even more and made her think that perhaps it was located in her shoes. “The second condition is to get permission from Rosa Gigantea. If you fulfill both of these conditions then I’ll destroy all evidence of the second photograph that I’ve titled Hate.” Tsutako formed a rather odd and mournful expression as she murmured, “And for me, that’s like killing one of my most precious moments that can never be recreated.”

“From Rosa Gigantea?” Yumi exclaimed, her eyes wide at the idea of asking the sempai she had slapped for permission to exhibit a photograph that showed them in a very romantic manner. Feeling her forehead twitching again, Yumi said, “Can’t you do that, Tsutako-san?”

“Even I think the leaders of the Yamayurikai are frightening,” informed Tsutako in a deadpan manner.

“Well, it’s harder for me!” declared Yumi, her forehead now feeling like it was going to explode from sheer frustration. “I’m the one who slapped her!”

“Why?” asked Tsutako in a curious tone. “Rosa Gigantea didn’t appear angry with you. In fact, it looked like she wanted to come after you to apologize for what she had done. Besides, don’t you want a chance to apologize to her properly for what you did? Or do you think apologizing and running away is good enough for a Rose? And,” Tsutako took a step closer to Yumi. “It will be a chance to see Rosa Chinensis en bouton.”

Her forehead still twitching, Yumi lowered her head in a sign of defeat. “When do you want to go?” she asked wearily. Instead of replying, Tsutako gave a most enigmatic smile that caused Yumi’s entire head to hurt when she saw it. And to think this day had been going so well.

---

Precisely five minutes later they were standing apprehensively in front of the Rose Mansion.

Gazing at the building in a hard stare, somehow thinking if she looked at it long enough she would be able to psychically know its occupants, Yumi said, “I wonder if Rosa Gigantea is really inside?”

“The heads of the Yamayurikai have been meeting here daily in preparation for the Sports Festival,” said Tsutako. “Which is tomorrow. So she should be in there.”

Yumi had just raised her hand to deliver what would probably have been a very quiet and almost incomprehensible knock onto the door when a soft and lilting voice questioned, “Do you need something from the Yamayurikai?” She and Tsutako turned and were greeted with the sight of Toudo Shimako looking impossibly perfect. The jealous girl in Yumi wanted to hate her for that but she somehow just couldn’t, the girl gave off this feeling peacefulness that made Yumi simply want to admire her. Or at least stare at her for some time.

“Shimako-san!” Yumi found herself saying. “Why are you here?”

“Shimako-san has been helping the Yamayurikai, remember?” Tsutako replied, elbowing Yumi in the side and through the physical touch somehow reminding the other girl of the fact that it was rumored Shimako was being actively pursued as a petite soeur by both Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinensis en bouton. Yumi felt the jealous girl rising up in her again but it was instantly quashed by Shimako’s peaceful aura. Besides, what could she get jealous about? It’s not like she was a deserving person like Shimako who should get the attention of two such important and wonderful sempai. She should just feel happy for the other girl. “It’s completely natural for her to be here.” Tsutako paused and grinned at Shimako, looking at her almost imploringly. “Shimako-san, could we go in with you? Yumi-san and I need to talk with Rosa Gigantea.”

“I think Rosa Gigantea is probably inside,” said Shimako, slipping in between the two girls and pushing the door to the mansion open. Smiling softly as she looked back at them, she continued, “Please come in.”

Shimako immediately began walking up the stairs to the mansion while Yumi and Tsutako lingered in the lobby. For some reason, Yumi imagined the mansion to be a very bright and shiny place. Something that glowed with brilliance, just like the members of the Yamayurikai, but instead it simply looked like an old wooden building. She wasn’t sure if this was disappointing or comforting. Needless to say, Shimako was halfway up the stairs before she and Tsutako had the good sense to follow.

They had just reached the door to the main council room which was helpfully labeled with an elaborate red sign which read, ‘Council Meeting, Quiet Please, Yamayurikai’, when the sound of an exasperated shout met their ears. “I’m not being lazy! I’m injured, so stop trying to make me haul boxes! And I know you’re plotting somehow because you keeping giving me those damn mysterious smiles!”

“It appears Rosa Gigantea is here,” said Shimako, smiling again and Yumi winced at the description of her being injured. Hopefully Rosa Gigantea meant from her fall and not from the slap that Yumi had insolently given her.

“Then that was Rosa Gigantea?” asked Tsutako, peering from behind Yumi.

Her hand on the doorknob, Shimako replied matter of factly, “It happens all the time with her and Rosa Chinensis.” She then opened the door and for Yumi time seemed to move in very dramatic slow motion and she found herself face to face with a fast moving Sei. As they went falling backwards, her mind dimly acknowledged this is how the older girl must have felt when she was falling on top of her and for the first time she truly did realize it wasn’t Rosa Gigantea’s fault. Except for that squeezing thing with her hands.

They lay still, once again in a tangled pile and Sei was motionless for a moment then she muttered into Yumi’s neck, groaning low in her throat, “Why does this keep happening to me? Has someone cursed me? Or am I just doomed to live out my life in a series of manga like situations?” Then she pulled back and took a long look at Yumi whose eyes were wide and a hesitant look was on her features. Sei’s eyes soon followed suit but after a moment, they grew lidded and lowering her face so they were just inches apart, studying Yumi for a very long while, she finally said, “You aren’t going to slap me again, are you?”

“Rosa Gigantea!” cried Yumi in something close to outrage. “I came to apologize!”

“Oh?” Sei looked at Yumi with interest as she rose to her feet and brought the other girl up with her. “I thought you already did that.”

“She wanted to apologize properly, this time without running away,” offered Tsutako helpfully.

Tilting her head to one side and observing a blushing Yumi closely, Sei gave a decisive nod. “Very well then!” Grabbing Yumi’s hand, she dragged her into the council room and said, “A proper apology cannot occur without the eyes of a somber audience!” Coming to a stop in front of the long wooden table, she looked to the rest of the Yamayurikai and Shimako while giving a grand sweeping gesture towards Yumi. “This girl has come to properly apologize to me. Although,” Sei formed a thoughtful expression. “I don’t think there’s much to apologize for. It was more my fault. Actually,” she paused and turned to glare at Youko and pointed accusingly at her. “It’s your fault for making me carry boxes when you knew how tired I was. Of course an embarrassing manga like situation would occur under those circumstances!”

“Sei,” said Youko with something close to irritation. “What in the world are you talking about?”

“This girl slapped me because I accidentally fell on top of her and squeezed her breasts,” said Sei rather carelessly, waving her hands aimlessly about and not taking notice of the way everyone else’s eyes widened, some gasps were heard, and Yumi’s face turning red as a tomato. “Something that wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t made me carry boxes when I was half asleep!”

“I’m responsible for who you squeeze now?” Youko questioned in dry amusement.

“When I’m half asleep and you’re plotting, yes,” said Sei with a nod. She then looked to the red faced Yumi and said, “You wanted to apologize?”

Feeling as if her head was going to explode from the sheer amount of heat it was holding, Yumi bowed deeply and said, “Please accept my most sincere apology for slapping you, Rosa Gigantea. I realize now that it was all an accident and I behaved very disrespectfully.”

Silence for a moment then Yumi felt her the soft touch of fingers lifting her chin up and she looked into a pair of smiling blue gray eyes. “I don’t think you have anything to apologize for but thank you,” Sei murmured. She then turned her attention to Tsutako. “Did you want something or were you just here for moral support?”

“Yes!” exclaimed Tsutako, suddenly straightening up very properly. She presented the photograph titled Love and said, “I was wondering if I could have your permission to exhibit this in the upcoming school festival?”

“Oh?” Sei released a thoughtful sound and studied the picture closely. Moving her attention to Yumi, she gave a knowing smile and questioned, “You don’t mind people seeing us this way?”

Becoming even redder yet, Yumi wasn’t sure what exactly to tell the older girl. Of course she minded if people saw them in a clearly romantic situation but at the same time she minded even more if they saw her slapping one of the Roses, and so she found herself stammering, “Not if Rosa Gigantea doesn’t mind!”

Sei continued to study Yumi for several seconds then she smiled slowly and stepped even closer to the younger girl. Her hand reached forward and she captured a lock of hair from Yumi’s left pigtail, gently playing with it and winding it around her finger, releasing it as she drawled, “You’re interesting. I like you.” Dipping her head down so their faces were almost as close as they were in that soon to be displayed photograph, Sei’s eyes were warm and playful, and she murmured, “Tell me your name?”

“Yumi!” exclaimed Yumi all too nervously, looking up at the other girl with wide eyes. “Fukuzawa Yumi.”

Watching them like everyone else in the room, Youko’s eyes were drawn from Yumi’s obvious nervous fascination with Sei to Shimako’s peaceful acceptance and an idea began to form in her mind. Her plotting, it seemed, was far from over.

---

Sachiko wasn’t the type of person to get nervous. She considered herself an active personality in many ways, someone who was decisive, and to her people who were like that didn’t get nervous because nervousness implies a lack of conviction. But all the same, she was incredibly nervous as she waited in the council room of the Rose Mansion for Shimako to arrive after the Sports Festival.

The idea to take Shimako as her petite soeur was something that her oneesama had originated, yes, but the more that Sachiko thought about it the more the idea appealed to her. The younger girl reminded Sachiko of herself in many ways but at the same time, they were incredibly different. Enough that Sachiko felt they could benefit from one another’s increased company. Besides, she didn’t think it would be best to leave her in Rosa Gigantea’s hands. The incident from yesterday proved the older girl could be a flirt whose attention shifted from one girl to another rather quickly. Sachiko, however, would only focus on Shimako if she agreed to be hers. She would never waver in her devotion and give the younger girl the attention she deserved.

“Sachiko-sama?” Shimako’s lilting voice met her ears and Sachiko turned to face the younger girl who stood, sweetly smiling at the entrance to the council room.

“Shimako,” said Sachiko quietly. “Please, come inside.” Closing the council room door, Shimako followed Sachiko’s request and looked at the older girl with questioning eyes. Seeing this, Sachiko smiled gently and said, “You must be wondering why I asked you here.”

“Just a bit,” admitted Shimako, her blue eyes holding a small light of confusion.

She had rehearsed what she would say over and over again but now that the moment was upon her and she actually had to say the words Sachiko found herself drawing a blank. But there was Shimako looking at her with a gaze filled with such concern that Sachiko wondered if perhaps it was the younger girl’s kindness that was throwing her off. She was so used to people looking at her with this overdone admiration that the fact she was being approached as simply another person was enough to throw her.

“From the day that I met you, I’ve thought you were special,” began Sachiko hesitantly, not sure where she was leading the conversation but the words spilling from her lips all the same. “You came to work with us under very unusual circumstances and you’ve held up stupendously. Especially considering the treatment you’ve received from some.” Sachiko paused and her blue eyes darkened, flashing with anger for just a second at the way Rosa Gigantea tended to treat the girl. “I know we haven’t had the chance to spend much time together but in the moments we’ve had, I’ve felt close to you. I think, perhaps, people tend to treat us the same. They have these… ideas of what we should be and at times we feel we must live up to them.”

“Sachiko-sama?” her name was a whisper on Shimako’s lips and Sachiko could swear she felt her palms begin to sweat as she reached into her pocket and wrapped her fingers around the precious rosary that her oneesama had given her.

“We are alike but in many ways we’re different,” Sachiko continued, stepping closer to the younger girl who looked up at her with soft and tender eyes that were quietly questioning. “I think we complement each other in the fact that you are able to remain so responsible, calm, under the utmost of pressures and most unfair of treatment while I often don’t handle myself quite as well.”

“Oh, no, Sachiko-sama,” exclaimed Shimako softly, shaking her head as she did so. “That isn’t true at all.”

“I think it is,” murmured Sachiko, looking down for a moment, staring at the place where her hand was hidden beneath her skirt, grasping the rosary and slowly moving it out from its pocket. Lifting her gaze, she straightened her back and she could feel herself slipping into an overly formal mask just because she wasn’t sure of any other way to be. If she didn’t do this she had the smallest feeling that it was possible she could utterly fall apart. “There are several traditions in our school but one is more important than any other. It involves time, thought, and a great deal of consideration. I’ve done all of these things and I think I’m ready. Which is why I asked you to be here now.” Shimako looked at Sachiko with concern, confusion, and a bit of curiosity as Sachiko pulled the rosary from her pocket and lifted it into the air, forming a perfect circle as she revealed it to the younger girl who was now looking at her with impossibly wide eyes. “Toudo Shimako, will you be my petite soeur?”

Staring sadly at the rosary that twisted in a circle in front of her before focusing her attention on the restrained features of Sachiko which she knew hid so very much, Shimako said regretfully, “I can’t.”

Her head buzzing but with what, she had no idea, Sachiko felt her arms automatically lower and grasping the rosary at her side, she decided she couldn’t look at the younger girl any longer. Seeing that sympathy in her eyes was almost as painful as hearing her rejection, so staring out the window into the darkness, she said tightly, “May I ask why?” Before Shimako could reply, she found that she couldn’t help herself, and heard the words spilling from her lips almost jealously, “Is it Rosa Gigantea?”

“No,” said Shimako, giving her head a small shake. She stepped closer to Sachiko and the older girl felt compelled by her presence to look at her. Lips silently moved for a moment, leading Sachiko to believe she was as lost for words now as Sachiko had been earlier. “I don’t think we would want the same things from our soeurs.”

“What?” Sachiko breathed the word more than said it, genuinely shocked to hear this from the younger girl. “But how can you be so sure of that, Shimako-san?”

“I’m sorry, Sachiko-sama,” said Shimako regretfully, bowing deeply. “I don’t think I can explain it any better.” She turned on her heel and paused at the doorway to give the older girl one last look backwards before she said again, “I’m sorry.”

Numbly staring at the opened doorway, Sachiko sat in the nearest chair, and she remained there for who knows how long when Youko appeared before her, an expression filled with concern and that ever present knowing she seemed to possess.

“Sachiko?” Youko said, her voice was painfully tender and for a small brief moment, Sachiko wanted to hate her for it. Her oneesama, to her anyway, appeared to magically know everything about everyone. Surely she knew this rejection from Shimako would greet her. But if she knew why would she have encouraged her?

“Shimako-san refused my rosary,” said Sachiko, staring at where she had placed it carefully onto the table. “She said it was because she believed we wanted different things from our soeurs.” Turning her attention to Youko, she looked at her oneesama, pleading with that all knowing personality to give her the answer. “But how could she be so sure of such a thing? I didn’t even get the chance to tell her what I would expect from my petite soeur, if anything. How could she know it was right to reject me?”

“Perhaps she doesn’t know but only thinks she does,” offered Youko wisely and Sachiko looked at her with pained and puzzled eyes. “Sachiko,” said Youko warmly, reaching for the rosary and delicately placing it around her petite soeur’s neck. She paused to arrange it carefully beneath her shirt and when she was done, cupped the younger girl’s cheek tenderly. “If you had turned my rosary down, I wouldn’t have accepted that. I would have chased you until you realized what a good oneesama I would be. If Shimako-san turned you down because she doesn’t think you want the same thing in soeurs then prove her wrong with your actions.” Stroking Sachiko’s cheek and reaching her fingers out to play with a few strands of her hair, Youko murmured, “Being rejected is only the end of the world if you allow it to be, Sachiko. And by the same token, it only remains a rejection if you allow it to stay that way.” Tilting her head to one side and flashing a bright smile of encouragement, she questioned, “Do you want it to stay that way?” When Sachiko slowly shook her head no, Youko chuckled and pulled her petite soeur to her feet, giving her a gentle push towards the doorway to the room. “Then prove it!”

Sachiko dimly headed towards the doorway, pausing at the entrance to turn and stare at Youko with shining eyes. “Oneesama,” she said her name in a grateful murmur. “Thank you.”

“I know, I know,” said Youko with a happy chuckle. She made flitting movements with her hands to encourage Sachiko to leave her presence and head out the door. “Now go after her.”

“Yes!” Sachiko proclaimed, giving a decisive nod and turning on her heel to head down the stairs and out of the Rose Mansion.

Walking to the window and watching Sachiko walk onto the campus grounds to immediately spot an exiting Shimako praying at Maria-sama, Youko smiled softly. She was certain things between her petite soeur and Shimako would be resolved in their own good time without any need of her interference. Which left her with another far more unusual pair to focus on. Namely Satou Sei and Fukuzawa Yumi.

---

The Sports Festival had been exhausting in more ways than one. Usually just the physical effort tended to tire Shimako but now she was also dealing with mental and emotional exhaustion after turning down Sachiko’s rosary. She almost felt physically ill as she did so but when she was looking at the older girl who, to her and so many others, was so very perfect in so many ways she felt a sharp feeling of inferiority seize her. Particularly because she felt Sachiko was the type of person who was painfully honest with everyone she encountered and Shimako herself was hiding her true self from everyone around her.

It was a plain fact in her mind that when Sachiko asked her to accept her rosary she truly had no idea who she was asking this from. Which led Shimako to have to reject her. When it came to the matter of saying they wanted different things from their soeurs, she just felt this was true.

She saw the relationship Sachiko had with Youko, how the Rosa Chinensis charmed and twisted her younger sister into doing what she wanted, subtly changing her for the better, shifting her into a new person, and she thought perhaps this is what Sachiko meant to do with her as well and Shimako wanted no part of it. She was happy how she was, no matter how flawed.

Sighing heavily and opening her eyes as she finished her prayer to Maria-sama, Shimako turned and walked away from the statue to leave the school grounds. That was when she heard the call of, “Wait!”

Turning around, she was greeted with the sight of Sachiko, her long black hair blowing in the breeze, her slate blue eyes even and unreadable, she was once again looking utterly perfect. “Sachiko-sama,” Shimako said her name quietly.

“I know you rejected me but I don’t accept it,” Sachiko began slowly, a smile of confidence spreading on her features as she spoke. She stepped closer to the younger girl and looked at her kindly. “I also know that you believe we both want different things from our soeurs but I plan to prove differently.”

“Sachiko-sama,” Shimako found herself unable to say anything but the older girl’s name, she was that surprised by this turn of events. No words would come, not even as Sachiko smiled again and gently reached down to tuck a stray lock of hair back into place behind her ear.

“I will be your soeur,” stated Sachiko quietly but powerfully and with such strange depth of conviction and consideration that Shimako didn’t know what to say in response. But she needn’t worry because Sachiko was already moving away, looking at her with a knowing gaze that pierced her as she said, “Farewell.”

And Shimako was left there alone, staring after her, wondering precisely what had just happened.

---

The entire morning Yumi had felt in a daze. No matter what she did, that scene flashed over and over in her mind. A smiling Rosa Gigantea leaning down towards her and murmuring, “You’re interesting. I like you.”

Of course, she wasn’t sure how much of that she could really believe. From what she had experienced in the past day, Rosa Gigantea was something of a flirt who didn’t take things seriously. After all, if she did, shouldn’t she care more about the photo of them that she had given permission to be displayed in the upcoming Cultural Festival? That was hardly a photo that Yumi would want being displayed if she was a Rose and she didn’t have feelings for the other person in the picture. Which caused Yumi’s brain to fog over as she considered if maybe, possibly, somehow, Rosa Gigantea felt something for her. Of course, the very idea was ridiculous and Yumi silently cursed herself for even daring to think such a thing as she stood in front of Maria-sama. Having that ridiculous thought in front of the statue just made it all the worse.

“Yumi-chan!” an enthusiastic voice called out and Yumi felt a warm arm sling around her shoulder and even warmer breath tickle her neck as that voice turned rumbling and fond, “How are you this fine morning?”

Looking up into Sei’s blue gray eyes that twinkled playfully, Yumi exclaimed, “Rosa Gigantea!”

“Yumi-chan you’re always making surprising sounds around me,” Sei chuckled, ducking her head down so their faces were side by side. She wore a comical frown and said, “Am I really so surprising?”

Before Yumi had the chance to reply, a refined voice politely greeted, “Good day, Yumi-san.”

Turning her head towards the sound of the voice with some difficulty because Sei was still leaning on her and embracing her from behind, Yumi immediately reddened when she was met with the sight of Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Chinensis en bouton. The second of which looked at them with veiled and disapproving eyes. “Rosa Chinensis! And Sachiko-sama!”

“Good day,” said Sachiko politely, her eyes drifting from Yumi to Sei and then back.

“Good day!” Yumi exclaimed nervously, attempting to bow to them but finding the task near impossible with Sei leaning on top of her. Looking back at Sei, she cried with some exasperation, “Rosa Gigantea!”

“Hmmm?” Sei raised an eyebrow and carelessly dropped her chin onto the top of Yumi’s head. “Ohhh, you’re right, Yumi-chan. I didn’t greet them good day, did I?” She formed an overly sweet smile and dropped her head so her cheek rested next to Yumi’s again and gave a bright smile. “Good day, Sachiko, and Youko.”

“Good day, Sei,” said Youko with a chuckle, shaking her head and walking past them. “Come, Sachiko. We have some work to do before classes begin for the day. Lets leave Rosa Gigantea with her new charge.”

“Good day,” said Sachiko rather stiffly as she passed.

Observing them as they walked away, Sei remained in her embrace with Yumi for as long as they were in sight. Soon as they disappeared from view she pulled away and rubbed the back of her head. “Youko has been plotting to make Shimako my petite soeur for months now but I think she might have given up,” Sei quietly remarked.

“Rosa Chinensis? Why would she do that?” asked Yumi, rather puzzled at the idea.

“Because meddling is what she does best,” said Sei sardonically. She focused her attention on Yumi and her eyes shone with a dangerous type of amusement and she drawled, “But now that I’ve met Yumi-chan I think she might leave me alone. After all,” Sei winked at the younger girl. “We do have our romance on display.”

“Rosa Gigantea!” Yumi exclaimed in frustration, restraining herself from stamping her foot in annoyance. “We don’t have a romance! Why do you say such things?”

“Yumi-chan makes such fun expressions when she’s angry,” commented Sei, chuckling happily and slinging an arm around the younger girl’s shoulder as they walked towards the main school building. “That’s why.”

They walked into the building with all eyes on them and by the time noon arrived, the gossip involving Yumi’s relationship with Rosa Gigantea was nonstop. When lunch arrived, Yumi found herself trapped in her room, the door and window completely swarmed with students who wanted to see the girl whom the normally standoffish Rosa Gigantea was seen embracing and laughing around.

“Tsutako-san,” said Yumi rather warily, looking at her friend who stood next to her desk. “You haven’t shown anyone the photo, have you?”

“Of course not,” said Tsutako, looking almost offended. “I’m waiting for the Cultural Festival to start for my grand unveiling. This is all because of what went on this morning down by the statue of Maria-sama. Most of the school saw you there.”

Reddening at the idea of that, Yumi said in a rather depressed tone, “Of course they did.”

“It might be better for you if you didn’t eat lunch in the classroom,” Tsutako offered. “I found out the Newspaper Club is coming here to collect information on it. They have some really accomplished and talented reporters.” Yumi formed an expression of distaste at this and that was precisely when one of said reporters made her way into their classroom holding a notepad and pen expectantly. “See,” said Tsutako wisely. “She’s here.” A slow smile forming on her face, she said, “If I let them publish that photo I’m sure there would be a huge reaction.”

“Hey, Tsutako-san!” Yumi exclaimed in desperation. She was about to plead with her to please not give the Newspaper Club that photograph when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Shimako looking at her with an expression of quiet concern. “Shimako-san,” said Yumi with a relieved sigh, thankful it wasn’t the reporter.

“Yumi-san,” Shimako said her name almost covertly as she took her hand. “Come with me.”

She quickly found herself being led out the second door to the room, through all the crowd of students, and escaping the calls of the reporter that didn’t make any attempt to follow them. Part of Yumi believed the only reason she was allowed to escape from all of this was the fact that Shimako was with her and any of those people couldn’t quite make themselves be rude enough to Shimako to make her stop walking, even if she had Yumi’s hand in her possession and they desperately wanted to ask Yumi about her relationship with Rosa Gigantea. They were soon sitting down on small concrete stairs behind one of the buildings surrounded by the ginko trees, quietly eating their lunch.

“Shimako-san,” said Yumi hesitantly. “Can I ask you something?”

Putting her lunch box neatly away, Shimako looked to Yumi with a smile. “What is it?”

“Rosa Chinensis… has she, I mean,” Yumi flushed and looked at the ground, unsure of how to continue it was such an odd subject. “Rosa Gigantea said that Rosa Chinensis wanted you to become Rosa Gigantea’s petite soeur. That she had been plotting it. Is that true?”

Forming a thoughtful frown, Shimako murmured, “I don’t know.” She smiled softly at Yumi and said, “I do know that Rosa Gigantea seems far more fond of you than me at the moment. And I…” Shimako trailed off, her eyes growing worried as she thought of Sachiko.

“Shimako-san?” questioned Yumi. “Are you all right?”

“Sachiko-sama offered me her rosary last night,” said Shimako slowly. “I turned her down, saying I thought we wanted different things from our soeurs and at first I thought she accepted what I said. But then she came and found me by Maria-sama and said she would prove to me she would be a good oneesama to me and that we did want the same things.”

“Shimako-san!” Yumi exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement as she grasped the other girl’s hands. “That’s so romantic.”

Looking at Yumi with a wisp of a smile, Shimako murmured, “Do you really think so?” When Yumi nodded emphatically, Shimako gave a soft laugh and said, “I suppose that’s true. I’m not sure myself nor Sachiko-sama found it nearly so romantic though.”

“Do you like Sachiko-sama?” asked Yumi softly, trying to hold back that small and petty feeling of jealousy that was welling up in her. She had admired Sachiko since her first day of school, when she watched her playing the harpsichord at the opening ceremony. But realistically she knew she would never be good enough for someone like Sachiko and that part of her also found some joy in perhaps being able to help give her someone who would be perfect. Someone like Shimako. When the other girl nodded in affirmation, then Yumi tilted her head in confusion. “Then why did you turn her down? Because of what you said?”

“I like Sachiko-sama very much but I don’t think she knows who I truly am,” said Shimako, looking off into the distance. “I also don’t believe if she did truly know me she would want me as a petite soeur.”

“Shimako-san,” Yumi murmured in concern.

Shaking her head quickly, Shimako rose to her feet and collected her lunch box at the ringing of the bells. “Shall we be going?” she asked, looking off into the distance. “Do your best to not step on the ginko nuts.”

“Shimako-san!” said Yumi a bit frantically, grasping for her hand, causing the other girl to look down at her with blue eyes that had lost their earlier confusion and held a strange reflective peace to them. Shivering a bit at this, Yumi said, “Are you sure you’re all right? That you’re not just pretending to be? Because you don’t have to pretend with me. I might not understand but I’ll at least try to.”

Smiling softly at this, Shimako murmured, “Yumi-san, you and Rosa Gigantea… you might go well together.”

“Ehhh?” Yumi cried out in surprise, staring after her as she walked away. Hurrying after her, careful not to step on the ginko nuts as she went along, she called, “Shimako-san! What do you mean by that?”

---

Much like Sei’s words had done, what Shimako said stayed with Yumi for the rest of the day. Causing her to brood over it as they cleaned the music room for their last class. “Yumi-san?” one of her classmates said.

Seeing them gathered at the door to the music room, Yumi waved her hands as she said, “I haven’t finished writing in the cleaning log, so please go ahead and leave before me.”

“All right,” one of them said. “We’ll be leaving then.”

“Good day!” another called as they departed.

Left to herself, Yumi leaned against one of the tables and released a heavy sigh. It was refreshing to be by herself. Her classmates had been good throughout the day, deflecting the interest of other students in her relationship with Rosa Gigantea and restraining themselves from asking the same ever present question that everyone else was. Why a Rose would be interested in such a unremarkably normal girl like her.

It was because she considered herself so unremarkable that she truly hated being stared at. After all, it wasn’t as if she had done anything that deserved such attention. She simply ended up being landed on twice by Rosa Gigantea when she fell, that’s all. Something that as ridiculous as it was, hardly made her special. It was only a matter of circumstance. Her being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And she didn’t have the slightest clue why her being landed on caused the Rose to suddenly pay attention to her. It made no sense.

Walking across the room, she stood in front of the piano and lifted up the cover to the keys. She pressed a finger down carefully, listening to the clear sound before taking a seat and resting her head against the top of the piano. Seconds later, she felt a pair of arms circle around her chest and a warm voice whisper in her ear, “Is Yumi-chan planning on making sweet music for me?”

“Rosa Gigantea,” said Yumi with a sigh, somehow expecting it would be the older girl because she was just beginning to feel some semblance of peace, and opening one eye to peer at her.

“Aww,” Sei pouted and gently poked Yumi in the cheek with her index finger. “Yumi-chan can’t even work up the energy to sound surprised for me? What kind of greeting is that for a beloved sempai?”

“When did I call you beloved?” asked Yumi wearily, giving into the strange knowledge that behaving like a normal respectful student to the Rose didn’t help at all in terms of communicating with her.

“True,” admitted Sei and she gave a rakish grin as she settled her chin on the younger girl’s shoulder. “That just means I’ll have to try hard to make myself beloved to Yumi-chan, doesn’t it?”

“Rosa Gigantea,” said Yumi slowly, trying her very best to be polite. “Why are you here?”

Frowning at this, Sei studied Yumi for a long moment and said very seriously, “To invite you to our romantic photo’s grand unveiling, of course. I’ve convinced Tsutako-san to rename it ‘Love’s First Meeting’. I thought you would want to see the crowd’s reaction.”

“Rosa Gigantea!” Yumi said her name in a panic, leaping to her feet, her eyes wide.

“Ahhhh,” said Sei, looking extremely pleased with herself, pointing up at the younger girl. “There’s the Yumi-chan I know and love.” She considered Yumi thoughtfully and said, “I think I prefer you saying my name surprised more than anything else.”

“You were just teasing me,” said Yumi darkly, staring at the older girl who was standing up.

“Yumi-chan is cute and clever,” declared Sei, grinning widely and tapping her on the nose. She reached for the younger girl’s hand, tangling their fingers together and pulling her forward. “Which is why she’s going to come with me now.”

“Rosa Gigantea,” Yumi called out almost desperately as she was tugged along. “Where are we going?”

“The Yamayurikai are busy planning the play for the Cultural Festival,” Sei informed, looking back at Yumi. Wearing a pathetic expression she said, “I never get any rest. Isn’t it sad, Yumi-chan?” When the younger girl didn’t answer, she continued, “Anyway! I want Yumi-chan to help us out with the planning. That way I have the perfect excuse to fall on her carrying more boxes.”

They were halfway down the hall, Yumi stumbling after Sei who was laughing and making jokes as they went along when they were greeted by Yamamura-sensei who upon seeing them exclaimed, “Oh! Well!”

“Yamamura-sensei,” Yumi called out in a kind of plea and Sei stilled in her walk only because Yumi’s feet began to skid along the floor. The Rose frowned at this and looked at the teacher who studied them with a clear curiosity.

Her eyes fixed at their entwined fingers, Yamamura-sensei said eagerly, “I thought it was some kind of mistake, but is that rumor true? But it is strange, isn’t it? Satou-san you’re a Rose and Fukuzawa-san is just a normal student, not special like Toudo-san… so why are you together?”

“Uhm… that’s because…” Yumi began quickly but soon trailed off, lost as to how she could explain her strange connection to Rosa Gigantea or exactly why someone as special as the older girl was would have any interest in someone unexceptional as her.

“Who says Yumi-chan is just a normal student?” questioned Sei rather stiffly, staring down the teacher with flashing eyes. Her hand tightened in Yumi’s grasp and the younger girl stared up at her with wondering eyes. “She’s special to me and that’s all that matters. Besides,” Sei enforced, her eyes narrowing. “Considering the students gossip should be above the teachers, don’t you think?”

Before Yamamura-sensei could reply, Sei turned on her heel and was once again dragging Yumi down the hallway, but this time at a much more fast and controlled pace, like she was holding in a great deal of anger. When they reached the stairs, Yumi said quietly, “Rosa Gigantea?” The older girl paused and looked back at Yumi with darkened eyes and swallowing hard on seeing this, she continued hesitantly, “Please don’t be angry. She was right in a way. I am just a normal student, so it doesn’t make sense.”

“You’re special to me,” said Sei quietly and Yumi thought this was perhaps the first time that she had seen the Rose act serious. So of course, just moments later a rakish smile formed on her features as she said, “Yumi-chan is my favorite human pillow.”

“Mou,” Yumi sighed, rolling her eyes and walking with Sei down the stairs. They were now outside the building and she looked to the older girl and questioned, “Is that why you want me to help the Yamayurikai with the Cultural Festival? To sleep on me?”

Considering this very seriously, Sei titled her head to one side and murmured, “I wonder… what do I want Yumi-chan for?” She looked to Yumi, leaning down to reveal her twinkling eyes and remarked, “It’s a secret.”

“Rosa Gigantea!” cried Yumi in exasperation as she was dragged along campus. “Tell me!”

As they went along, the two were so caught up in one another they hardly noticed the stares of the other students following them the entire way. Nor did they care about the gossip that would soon follow.

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