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 Two

It was just a wooden building. Yumi knew that from having been inside it before and further yet, it was just a wooden building she had been invited to visit. No, strike that, she had been ordered to visit by Rosa Gigantea. So taking all of that into account why was the idea of walking inside this wooden building which she had been in before suddenly so very intimidating to her?

Perhaps it had to do with the occupants. There was something about Rosa Gigantea and her infectious smile and playful attitude that put Yumi at ease as much as it embarrassed her. But when it came to the rest of the members of the Yamayurikai she found herself feeling noticeably out of place. Especially around Rosa Chinensis en bouton, the object of her admiration. And though she thought it was horribly egotistical of her to think so, something made Yumi feel like the older girl didn’t like her. Why she would feel that way she didn’t know. Maybe it was the barest disapproving look Sachiko had worn on her features when Yumi was around or maybe it was just this sense that she felt that the older girl knew she didn’t belong there and resented her for it. But the idea that Sachiko could feel so strongly towards her was utterly ridiculous. She was hardly important enough to merit such things.

Whatever it was, it made Yumi feel entirely uncomfortable and incredibly depressed. She much rather be completely unnoticed by the girl she admired than have the haunted feeling she was disliked by her. Which is why she stared at the Rose Mansion, knowing she had to go inside unless she wanted Rosa Gigantea to come out and pull her inside by force, but avoiding it all the same. She remained there, standing and staring, hoping some lingering idea of escape would grasp her mind. Sadly, no ideas arrived so the standing and staring continued. At least until she heard a soft but dryly humorous voice remark, “The door is for opening.”

Releasing a cry of surprise, Yumi spun around and was met the amused gazed of Shimazu Yoshino who was closely followed by the tall and stately Hasekura Rei who wore a sympathetic expression. “Yoshino-san, Rei-sama!” Yumi exclaimed, bowing to them both and moving out of their way. “I was just…”

“You were staring at the door for five minutes,” remarked Yoshino, wearing a hint of a smile. “Why is that?”

Blushing furiously, Yumi searched her brain frantically for a polite way to say that she was scared to go inside a simple wooden building because of the people who occupied it to some of said people who did the occupying. That was when Rei’s eyes crinkled around the edges and she murmured with understanding, “It is strangely intimidating, isn’t it?” She peered up at the Rose Mansion and continued, “I remember when oneesama first brought me here. She had to drag me inside, I was so frightened.” Rei settled her gaze back on Yumi and looking into her kind eyes, Yumi suddenly felt very envious of Yoshino to have such a sensitive oneesama. “You can come inside with us, if you want.” She shifted her gaze to Yoshino, a grin playing at her lips. “Yoshino will protect you. She’s very good at it, she’s done it for me for years.”

“Rei-chan shouldn’t tease,” Yoshino huffed as the older girl chuckled. Peering around Rei, she met Yumi’s eyes with an equally kind gaze and said, “Rosa Gigantea invited you, didn’t she?” When Yumi gave a jerky nod, Yoshino said very logically, “So you shouldn’t be nervous about coming inside. She wants you here.” Before Yumi could reply, Yoshino hooked her arm through Yumi’s and led her through the door of the Rose Mansion and up the stairs all with a quietly amused Rei following. When Yumi looked back to Rei as if to ask her silently for help the older girl shrugged as if to say there was nothing she could do, that this was simply her petite soeur and you had better get used to it. “Sei-sama,” announced Yoshino, pushing the door to the door to the council room open as Yumi and Rei trailed behind her. “You have a guest.”

A blur of black, white, and blonde was all Yumi saw before she almost tipped over from the sheer force of Sei’s hug. They went tipping from side to side, bumping into Shimako and causing her to stumble back into a frowning Sachiko as Sei rubbed their cheeks together and exclaimed, “Yumi-chan! You’re here!”

“Of course I am, so please let me go,” Yumi wailed pitifully, almost tumbling into the ground but finding herself saved from the fall because of Sei’s hold on her.

“No surprised cry of ‘Rosa Gigantea’?” remarked Sei as she pouted pitifully, ducking her head down so the younger girl could see for herself how pitiful the pout truly was. “Yumi-chan disappoints me.”

“I don’t mean to disappoint you,” replied Yumi tightly, doing her best to stand upright under Sei’s weight but once again falling back into Shimako. Her eyes wide, Yumi looked to the other girl and did her best to bow in apology with Sei hanging onto her. “I’m so sorry, Shimako-san!”

Shimako started to reply but was cut off by Sachiko moving to stand in front of her, staring Sei down with an annoyed air surrounding her. “Rosa Gigantea,” she began in stiff and formal tones. “Since you are the cause of this commotion shouldn’t you apologize as well?”

Blinking at this suggestion, Sei rested her chin on top of Yumi’s head and looked contemplative for a long moment then flashed a wolfish grin as she said in sing song tones, “Sorry Shimako-san!”

“That’s quite all right, Rosa Gigantea,” said Shimako softly, wearing a sweet smile.

“I’m sorry too!” Yumi piped up again, stepping as close to Sachiko as she could manage with Sei still hanging onto her, looking up at the older girl with plaintive eyes. “I didn’t mean to bump into Shimako-san, honestly, Sachiko-sama! I promise!”

Her eyes widening just the slightest, Sachiko’s features held a moment of confusion which quickly disappeared into her usual polite mask then she replied, “I believe you, Yumi-san. But perhaps you should be more careful while in the company of Rosa Gigantea. It seems that she enjoys creating this type of disturbance while in your company. You should do your best to discourage her.”

“Yes, Sachiko-sama!” Yumi exclaimed, blushing prettily and wearing an eager smile.

Studying Yumi’s reaction closely, Sei prodded her in the side and did a fair imitation of Yumi as she said, “Sachiko-sama? Why doesn’t Yumi use that same voice when saying my name?”

“What voice?” inquired Yumi nervously, her eyes darting from Sei to Sachiko who appeared utterly bored with the conversation. The rest of the Yamayurikai looked positively enthralled though.

“Respectful and reverent, like Yumi-chan is in love,” declared Sei, moving away from the younger girl and clutching her hands over her chest. “That kind of voice.”

“Rosa Gigantea!” Yumi cried, sounding very cross and nothing at all like the voice Sei had just imitated.

“See? That’s how Yumi-chan sounds when she speaks to me. Not at all respectful and reverent like when she speaks to,” Sei paused and stepping close to Sachiko she said with special emphasis, “Sachiko-sama.”

Lifting an eyebrow slowly, Sachiko murmured, “Is there a point to this conversation, Rosa Gigantea?”

“Just this,” Sei drawled, she leaned her face in close to the brunette and held up her index finger as if making an important proclamation. Pausing in her statement, she looked back to Yumi and wore a rakish grin as she wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled the younger girl to her. Yumi released a cry of surprise which Sei chuckled at before she focused back on Sachiko who continued to look completely bored with the proceedings. “I think her surprised cry is much cuter than her respectful and reverent voice.”

“I would suppose it’s a matter of preference,” said Sachiko, frowning.

“Naturally,” said Sei, smiling widely and appearing immensely pleased with herself.

Clearing her throat in a strangely polite manner, Youko fixed everyone’s attention on her. “Perhaps we could get to work?” she suggested, gesturing to the seats at the council table in a clear hint for to take a seat.

At Youko’s words, everyone present drifted to their usual places but Yumi remained frozen, unsure where she should sit or even if she should really be here, Rosa Gigantea’s insistence or not. That’s when she felt a warm hand grasp hers and Yumi looked up into Sei’s smiling eyes. “Yumi-chan sits next to me,” she said it in a halfway questioning tone, her gray eyes serious and looking for a response.

“Yes,” said Yumi with a nod of her head, barely able to take in the wisp of a smile Sei wore before she led them around the table and to their assigned seats. Pausing when they got there to pull Yumi’s chair out for her. Blushing at this, Yumi sat quickly and did her best to ignore the feeling she was being stared at.

The feeling of being stared at and sensing that she was out of place kept Yumi from being able to concentrate fully on what was being said in the meeting. Every few minutes she’d lift her gaze up to focus on Sachiko who sat across the table with Shimako at her left and Youko who sat at the head of the table at her right. Sachiko didn’t seem to notice her gaze and wore a serene expression on her beautiful features which caused Yumi to blush lightly as she looked at them. She could hardly believe she was in the same room as the older girl, much less sitting at the same table. In fact, she didn’t understand why she was here in the slightest. Of course, she was here because Rosa Gigantea requested it of her but that didn’t mean she understood why it was requested. That continued to confuse her to no end and focusing her gaze on the blonde sitting next to her, Yumi wondered why she had suddenly gained her attention. Everyone in Lillian Academy knew of Rosa Gigantea’s reputation. That she was beautiful but standoffish and often rude, she had a strange edge to her that kept people from her despite the charm of her outward appearance. And yet everything Yumi heard about her somehow wasn’t true. Rosa Gigantea had never acted that way in her presence. She was jokes and smiles and though Yumi saw that edge she somehow thought it would never apply to her. Just as she thought this, Rosa Gigantea caught her eye and wiggled her eyebrows, causing Yumi to release a giggle. But she was soon quickly ducking her head and turning red with embarrassment when she noticed Sachiko’s gaze upon them. She slowly lifted her eyes when she heard Sachiko begin to speak in cool controlled tones about the play she was to star in for the Cultural Festival.

“You decided this when I wasn’t here,” said Sachiko, her eyes focused on the table.

“Because you always run away when we have meetings with Hanadera Academy,” replied Youko calmly, looking at her petite soeur with an almost wry humor in her voice. “It’s because you can’t get over of your hatred of men that this sort of thing happens to you.”

Yumi’s eyes widened and she turned to Sei who smiled at her expression and leaned in close, to whisper into her ear, “Sachiko doesn’t want to dance with the Student Council President of Hanadera Academy. We asked him to play the prince in the play.”

“Is it really fair though?” Shimako’s soft voice filled the room and everyone drew their eyes to her. “To decide things about the play Sachiko-sama is starring in without her being present?”

“Fair,” Eriko tasted the word more than said it, looking at Youko with gleaming eyes. “I’m not sure. Is it fair of us, Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Gigantea?”

“Perhaps not,” murmured Youko, inclining her head.

“Definitely not but there is that allowance we made,” Sei drawled, resting her chin in the palm of her hand and smirking at Sachiko. “Or have you given up so easily now that Shimako has turned you down?”

“Not in the least,” said Sachiko stiffly. “However, I don’t see what that has to do with the play.”

“Let’s make a bet,” announced Sei, rising to her feet and sending her chair clattering backwards. “Like Shimako said, it’s not fair for us to decide things about her without her being present. So how about we give Sachiko the chance to play a penalty game?”

“So if I win…” Sachiko began, standing to her feet as well.

“You can drop the role of Cinderella,” said Sei as she gave a jaunty grin. She looked over at Youko and Eriko who both inclined their heads in agreement. “We promise.”

“What’s the bet?” Yumi found herself asking before she could stop herself. Instantly, all eyes turned to her and she blushed dark red and ducked her head to stare at the table.

Chuckling softly, Sei ruffled Yumi’s hair and replied, “Whether or not Sachiko can make Shimako-san her soeur.” Yumi’s eyes widened at this and she focused her attention on Sachiko who wore a flat and controlled expression on her features. Standing beside her now was Shimako who was wearing the barest hint of a frown. “You have until the day before the school festival. But getting someone to accept your rosary who has already turned you down should be a difficult task. Of course,” Sei drawled, putting both hands on the table and leaning towards the two girls. “To keep Shimako from accepting your rosary just to get you out of the play, she must take on the role of Cinderella herself if you win the bet.”

“No,” Shimako’s voice, soft but powerful, rang out in the air and everyone turned to her. “I don’t agree with Sachiko-sama being forced into the role of Cinderella but I won’t be the prize in a bet.”

“I also don’t agree to these terms,” said Sachiko in cool tones, giving Sei a derisive stare.

“Oh?” said Sei, scratching her cheek, looking thoughtful and vaguely disappointed. Turning to Youko, she shrugged and said, “That’s the only idea I had.” She felt a gentle nudge at her side and blinking, she looked to Yumi who appeared as if she wanted to say something but was holding herself back. Leaning down towards her, Sei questioned, “What is it, Yumi-chan?”

Darting her eyes from Sei to Sachiko and then back, Yumi said rather hesitantly, “Why can’t someone other than Sachiko-sama play the part of Cinderella? It doesn’t have to be her, does it?”

“Someone could,” offered Youko slowly, giving Yumi a sweet smile that stayed on her face even as she turned to Sachiko who looked at her oneesama with a veiled gaze. “But I’m afraid that would defeat the purpose of Sachiko playing Cinderella, Yumi-chan.”

“Purpose?” questioned Yumi with confusion.

“To help Sachiko get over her fear of men,” Youko answered coolly. Stepping closer to her petite soeur, she continued, “I’m sorry but our decision is made. You will be playing the role of Cinderella.”

“You’re being unfair and mean!” Sachiko burst out, suddenly unable to mask her feelings with her usual cool indifference, her hands clenched at her sides. “Oneesama, you promised—“

“You came up with that promise on your own,” interrupted Youko smoothly, arms folded neatly over her chest. “I’ve told you my reasons for wanting you to play this role and as your grande soeur I want you to try and respect them. I’m sure as the future Rosa Chinensis you could understand my thinking if you tried. It wouldn’t be ideal for you to continue to feel this way towards men. Particularly when you consider the involvement the Yamayurikai has with the Student Council at Hanadera Academy.”

Clenching her jaw in anger, Sachiko didn’t reply and instead turned on her heel and quickly left the council room, unaware that Shimako was following close behind. There was silence for several moments when Yumi gave into her urges and whirling around, she glared at Youko and released a frustrated cry of, “Rosa Chinensis! Sachiko-sama was right, that’s really not fair!”

“Really?” asked Youko, an amused smile tugging at her lips. “Then what would you suggest we do, Yumi-chan?” Yumi blinked in response, her mouth opening and the closing quickly, causing Youko to chuckle softly. Walking towards the younger girl, she reached out to play with the strands of hair in Yumi’s left pigtail. “When you can think of a way to get Sachiko over her fear of men as well as a method for her to finally work with Hanadera Academy, let me know.”

Swallowing nervously, Yumi found herself thinking of that terribly blank look Sachiko had in her eyes when they were discussing the play. The older girl didn’t want to do this, she was being forced and that wasn’t something that Yumi could ever agree with. So gathering up her courage, Yumi looked Youko in the eyes and said, “If I do think of something then Sachiko-sama wouldn’t have to play Cinderella anymore?”

“Sachiko wouldn’t,” agreed Youko, the smile on her face growing, “but you would.”

“What?!” Yumi exclaimed, her eyes going wide.

“You don’t agree now?” asked Youko, looking at Yumi with interest.

Darting her eyes around the room, observing Youko’s restrained curiosity, Eriko’s sly grin, Sei’s bemused expression, Yoshino’s worried gaze, and Rei’s warm look of concern, Yumi focused back on Youko who lifted an eyebrow in expectation. Taking a deep breath, Yumi thought of Sachiko and how she had looked and knew that she couldn’t let this go on, even if the older girl disliked her, she couldn’t let her be forced into anything. So nodding her head, she forcefully declared, “I agree!”

---

It was peaceful outside, the leaves blowing in the wind and the faint sound of birds chirping. Peaceful enough that it made Shimako wonder if they had really gone through that scene inside the student council room. Sachiko’s head was tilted back, staring up into the darkening sky and her locks of her hair floated elegantly on the wind. She was painfully beautiful but so restrained, enough that Shimako often found herself wondering what the older girl was really thinking. Having that kind of uncertainty wouldn’t be good when dealing with your soeur, would it? That’s what Shimako thought anyway.

“I’m sorry,” murmured Shimako, standing next to Sachiko and looking up into the sky with her. “I know that you don’t want to play that role but I couldn’t let myself be used that way.”

“It’s fine,” said Sachiko faintly, looking to Shimako with understanding eyes. “I never thought you would agree to such a thing and I’m not sure I would want to win you as a soeur over such a petty thing as a bet.”

“They did say you would have the right to speak up in meetings if you took a soeur though,” Shimako remarked, focusing away from Sachiko and back on the leaves blowing in the wind, taking a step forward as if to reach out and touch one. “Isn’t that why you originally asked me to be your petite soeur?”

Considering this, Sachiko finally replied, “Perhaps at first. I hated that oneesama implied I didn’t have the same rights as her because I lacked a soeur so of course, I immediately wanted to find one. And yes, it was she who first suggested I take you as my soeur but it was only that… a suggestion. The decision to ask you was my own and I feel it was the correct one.” Shimako’s shoulders stiffened at this and she turned quickly around, maybe to protest Sachiko’s words, but the words were lost on her lips when she saw how close the older girl stood. They were a breath apart and Sachiko smiled softly at Shimako’s surprised expression. Quietly reaching out, she brushed a curly lock of hair back into place, lingering to feel the softness of the younger girl’s skin as she murmured, “I know that you don’t believe in me but I’ll change that.”

“You don’t know me, Sachiko-sama,” said Shimako in a soft but somehow forceful tone. She locked their eyes and if Sachiko was taken aback by the strength in her gaze, she didn’t show it. “If you did know the real me then you wouldn’t want me for a soeur.”

“You’re certain of this?” questioned Sachiko, considering Shimako carefully.

“Yes,” said Shimako, giving an emphatic nod.

“Well then,” said Sachiko lightly, a smile on her lips and humor in her voice. “Then you simply must let me know the real you, Shimako-san. I’m afraid there’s simply no other way to convince me to surrender in my quest to make you my soeur.” Shimako’s eyes widened just the slightest bit on hearing this and Sachiko turned from her, looking back to the Rose Mansion where Yumi was exiting the building in a hurry with Sei hot on her heels. “Yumi-san, Rosa Gigantea,” she greeted politely. “Is anything the matter?”

“Sachiko-sama!” Yumi exclaimed excitedly, coming to a halt in front of her and bowing to the older girl. Sachiko couldn’t help but notice how her cheeks were flushed a rosy red when she lifted her head, revealing an eager smile on her features. “I think I found a way to help you!”

“Help me?” echoed Sachiko dimly.

“Yumi-chan found a way to get Youko to agree that you wouldn’t have to play the role of Cinderella,” announced Sei proudly, slinging an arm around Yumi’s shoulder and causing the younger girl to tip slightly to one side under the weight. “She’s a genius, my Yumi-chan!”

“Rosa Gigantea!” Yumi released a breathless exclamation of her name, blushing in embarrassment. “I’m not a genius. It’s not even a very good way now that I think of it but at least Rosa Chinensis agreed.”

“What way?” asked Sachiko, sounding very much like she was trying not to get her hopes up.

At this question, Yumi and Sei exchanged a nervous look before jointly explaining what they had to do in order to get Sachiko out of playing the role of Cinderella in the play. While they did so, Shimako stood where she was, watching them from only a short distance away. But no matter how small the space between them, Shimako felt distinctly apart when she looked at Yumi and Sei’s enthusiastic expressions. Just because when she saw them and then she looked at Sachiko she swore she could see the reason why they would never be able to be soeurs. Not in the ways that truly mattered. Which is why she turned on her heel to leave but she had only taken two steps when she heard her name called out.

Shimako looked over her shoulder, hair blowing in the wind, to the sight of Sachiko looking at her with dark and questioning eyes, her hand reaching out to her as she said, “Please stay and help us?” Sachiko paused a moment and corrected, a wry smile on her lips, “Help me?”

Gazing at that hand, seeing it for what it really was, a gesture of friendship as well as an offering at the same time. A silent plea for help and to allow the older girl to get the first glimpse of what she asked for earlier. To see and know the real Toudo Shimako, not the perfect illusion others admired. And though her heart jumped at the thought, in as much fear as excitement, Shimako found herself stepping forward and taking Sachiko’s hand in her own, softly murmuring, “All right. I’ll stay.”

A gentle and pleased smile was Sachiko’s only reply.

---

The plan or lack of plan wasn’t going very well. It was a very good way to get Sachiko out of the play but only if they could come up with a way that would convince Youko that Sachiko would lose her fear of men and would start cooperating with the Student Council of Hanadera Academy by doing whatever they came up with. All Yumi could think of was to ask her brother, Yuuki, who was involved with the Student Council at that school for advice. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much Yuuki had to suggest. Other than to offer that he could understand why a girl wouldn’t want to dance with the Student Council President.

Because Yumi had a strange hope that eventually she would think of something to help Sachiko, she found herself attending play rehearsals. Watching with a wistful expression as Sachiko danced beautifully with Rei but her heart hurting because she knew this wasn’t what the older girl wanted to be doing. She was soon broken out of her Sachiko induced daze by the feel of her right pigtail being caressed and she looked at a curious Rosa Gigantea giving her an easy smile.

“Yumi-chan,” Sei began, leaning towards the younger girl. “Do you dance?”

“No, not at all,” said Yumi, shaking her head vigorously.

“Oh?” Sei released a humming noise of surprise. Looking to Eriko who was changing the disc in the cd player, she questioned, “Rosa Foetida, do dance lessons start in the second year?”

Holding the cd aloft, Eriko looked to Sei and replied, “I think so.”

“Then I’ll show you how,” said Sei matter of factly, turning back to Yumi who blinked at this remark. Grinning rakishly, she leaned in close and said, “You’ll need to know if you’re going to take Sachiko’s place.” Before Yumi could reply, Sei pulled her out onto the middle of the gym floor and arranged them in a formal dancing position. “It’s easy,” Sei gave a wink. “Just pretend I’m your Prince Charming.” No music played as Sei held their hands up and began to quietly count along with a soundless melody. Yumi released occasional cries of surprise that were eventually drowned out by Eriko putting on a new cd. This did nothing to help the younger girl relax in Sei’s arms who looked at her with a bemused expression. “Do I make Yumi-chan so nervous?”

“I’ve never danced before, Rosa Gigantea!” Yumi exclaimed, scowling as her cheeks puffed up in annoyance. “You can’t expect me to be perfect at it like…” She slowly trailed off, unable to finish the statement and instead fixing her eyes on the person she was going to mention, watching as Sachiko glided effortlessly about the gym with Rei, looking every inch like the princess she didn’t want to play.

“You think Sachiko is perfect?” asked Sei, soft and serious, causing Yumi to immediately focus on her. When Sei saw that she had the younger girl’s attention, she formed a wry smile and gently spinning them around, she said, “No one is perfect, Yumi-chan. It’s just some people are better at pretending otherwise.”

Turning red, Yumi stammered, “I don’t think Sachiko-sama is perfect! I just… I mean, I wish I could be like her.” Ducking her head from Sei’s inquiring gaze, Yumi looked at Sachiko with veiled and longing eyes then continued, “I know she’s not like everyone thinks she is but I still…”

“I wish you would look at me that way,” said Sei in a bare whisper that was solemn and sad and quiet enough that Yumi wondered if she had even heard it. Especially when she looked up at the older girl and was greeted with a wolfish grin and smiling eyes. “I’ll win Yumi-chan over if it’s the last thing I do.”

“Rosa Gigantea,” Yumi said with an exasperated sigh.

“What’s this!” exclaimed Sei, forming an extreme pout. “You don’t believe me? But I swear I’m telling the truth! I’ll make you forget the faux perfect Sachiko-sama and then get you to promise to love me forever!” Sei spun Yumi around in a swift movement, causing the younger girl to laugh happily and squeal in surprise. Grinning widely at this, Sei dipped Yumi down and their faces a breath apart, she wiggled her eyebrows and drawled, “Or am I not dashing enough for you, Yumi-chan?”

Finding herself swept up in the fun of it all, Yumi wore a thoughtful expression and declared, “Definitely not dashing enough. You don’t even have the proper princely manners, Rosa Gigantea.”

“No proper princely matters, eh?” Sei demanded, doing her best to appear thoroughly offended and looking silly in the process. Scowling playfully at this, she studied Yumi for a moment then said, “I’m going to have to punish you for saying such a thing, Yumi-chan. You’ve wounded my delicate feelings.”

Seconds after she said this, Sei’s fingers flew down to Yumi’s midsection and began tickling her in earnest. Releasing a shriek of surprise, Yumi tried to squirm away from Sei but found herself held in place by Sei’s arms becoming wrapped around her while her hands continued the very concentrated job of tickling her to death. Eventually Yumi managed to wriggled her way out of Sei’s arms only to have her wrist grabbed as she tried to make her escape. Laughing still, she was pulled back into the older girl who spun her around in a final dance move and her laughter dying into wheezing coughs, Yumi rested her face on Sei’s shoulder, weakly peering over it to notice that the entire gym had ceased their activities and were solely focused on them. Unable to help herself, Yumi’s eyes were drawn to Sachiko who wore a small frown and had a dark look in her eyes. Turning red with embarrassment, Yumi pushed Sei away from her and bowed deeply to everyone in the gym while loudly proclaiming her apologies.

Then she turned on her heel and ran, ignoring the calls of Sei for her to return.

---

Yumi wasn’t sure how she managed it but she went an entire school day without seeing Rosa Gigantea. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. She saw parts of her, glimpses really. Her skirt, her hair, a hand reaching out to her, but never her as a whole person. Mostly because her not so strategic and desperate attempt to avoid her had been succeeding. Too bad she wasn’t doing nearly as well with the gossip that was spreading all over school about their little dancing episode during play rehearsal.

Staring at her shoes instead of pulling them out of their locker, Yumi wondered yet again why this was happening to her. She never wanted this kind of attention drawn to herself. The most she ever hoped for was to maybe, one day, speak to the Rosa Chinensis en bouton and she had done that. It was a simple enough wish she thought. Nothing lofty like hoping to be made her petite soeur or to be someone she loved or particularly cared for. But somehow she felt like she was being punished for this desire.

Why else would she be drawn into Rosa Gigantea’s web? This was an act of divine punishment because there was no logical explanation for someone as important as a Rose to become interested in her. Of course, that wasn’t to say that she didn’t like her blonde sempai, it was impossible not to like Rosa Gigantea in her opinion but that didn’t mean Yumi appreciated all the attention the older girl was lending her. Especially the attention of her more obsessive and entitled fanbase.

Continuing to stare at her shoes, Yumi almost didn’t hear her name called out. Then she turned to see one of her classmates who was on the tennis team approaching her with racket in hand. Instinctively, Yumi found herself praying she wasn’t a Rosa Gigantea fan aiming to hit her on the head with it.

“Katsura-san,” Yumi greeted her warily, eyes focused on the racket, watching for any sudden movement.

“What’s going on?” asked Katsura who magically stayed in place thanks to what Yumi figured were her pleas to God. Perhaps she wasn’t being punished as badly as she thought.

“What?” asked Yumi rather nervously, edging away from Katsura while the girl neared her with the racket rising upward. Surely she wouldn’t be cruel enough to use the Twist Serve Tornado.

“The girls in the Dance Club were just saying that you were going to be in the play that the Yamayurikai is putting on,” Katsura began, coming even closer. Her movement causing Yumi’s hands to release the locker door, accidentally slamming it shut. An action that had Katsura puzzled.

“I’m going to be in it,” Yumi replied, trailing off as she looked at her shoes and noticed their were filled with an inordinate amount of tacks. Yes, this was definitely divine punishment. But at least she had looked before putting them on. That was something. “But I’m just dancing in a place where I won’t stand out.”

“But they said your dance partner is Rosa Gigantea,” said Katsura with a breathless excitement and Yumi was drawn away from her tack filled shoes to look at the other girl. Her eyes were sparkling and enthusiastic and while she now felt somewhat secure she wasn’t going to be assaulted with a tennis racket Yumi was certain it was safe to say Katsura was a Rosa Gigantea fan.

“Yes,” said Yumi, giving a weak smile.

“So it’s true?” Katsura expelled the words more than said them, doing this in a disbelieving demand.

“Yumi-san! Good day!”

Cursing the very existence of name, Yumi looked over her shoulder to see more of her classmates approaching. She wondered how she could avoid the very clever Rosa Gigantea all day but her classmates could surround and trap her like a swarm of locusts before she even knew what was happening. “Good day,” said Yumi, trying her best not to sound reluctant as she faced them.

“We were just talking about you!” the first classmate exclaimed while the other two swarmed Yumi on both sides, leaving her feeling distinctly trapped and more than a little intimidated. Still, at least one of them was blocking Katsura and her deadly tennis racket.

“Oh?” inquired Yumi anxiously, trying her best to figure out a mode of escape.

“Could you tell us the truth about what’s going on?” pressed the second classmate and Yumi backed up as she took a step forward with her demand. Rearing away, Yumi’s hand faltered, causing her shoes to tip and several tacks slipped out, falling onto the floor with a light tink.

“Is it true Rosa Gigantea danced with you?” the third classmate questioned rapidly.

“That she held you close?” the first classmate butted in soon after.

“I heard that she wants you to be her petite soeur!” the second exclaimed excitedly.

“Is that why you’re spending so much time with Rosa Gigantea?” asked Katsura, her eyes widening.

“Yumi-san, what sort of duties are you carrying out for the Yamayurikai?” demanded the second classmate.

“Which oneesama do you like best? Rosa Chinensis en bouton or Rosa Gigantea?” the third jumped in again. “Is Shimako-san jealous of you spending time with the Yamayurikai too?”

Staring at the pile of tacks on the floor, Yumi wondered what Sachiko-sama would say were she in the position. Or Rosa Gigantea for that matter. Although she thought neither would find themselves in such a place because no one would dare to press them in this manner. Lifting her gaze, she started to give what she hoped would be a very neutral reply that would brook no further questions when she caught sight of Rosa Gigantea in the distance. She was surrounded by a group of girls, very much like Yumi was now, except this group was smiling and giggling and looking at her with adoring eyes. Rosa Gigantea, to Yumi anyway, seemed to be encouraging this behavior, grinning right back and tapping one of them playfully on the nose.

Her eyes unable to move from this scene, Yumi replied almost robotically, “Because of certain circumstances I’m helping the leaders of the Yamayurikai with the play. It’s because of that, that I’ve been able to speak with them.” She watched as the Rose slung an arm around one of her admirers shoulders and Yumi was sure she winced on seeing this. Rosa Gigantea did that to her once and somehow, though it did embarrass her, it made her feel special too. Perhaps it was a mistake to have felt that way. “Rosa Gigantea danced with me but it doesn’t mean anything. I’m sure she danced with other girls after I left.” Tears were welling up in her eyes, she could feel it and she could hear them pressing for more answers as she stared at those pile of tacks from girls she knew wished they were the one who had danced with Rosa Gigantea, who spoke with Rosa Chinensis en bouton, and she wondered yet again what she had done to deserve that kind of honor. Who was she anyway? She lifted her gaze, eyes blurry from tears but she could still make out Rosa Gigantea’s smile and those girls laughing around her. “I’m not special,” Yumi said, her voice shaky and hoarse, hands clenched into trembling fists at her side, sad with herself for having ever considered otherwise. “Do you really think I would be special to someone like Rosa Gigantea?!”

“Yumi-san!” one of her classmates exclaimed in upset apology.

But it was too late. Yumi was once again running.

---

Alone beneath the shelter of the ginkgo trees. It was a familiar scene to Shimako. After all, this is where she went for privacy, to be alone with her thoughts. That was why the sound of soft footsteps approaching was a surprise to her but not nearly as much as who those footsteps belonged to.

“Sachiko-sama,” Shimako greeted politely, though the surprise did echo in her words. “Good day.”

“Good day,” Sachiko returned the greeting just as politely. Her blue eyes shone with a restrained sort of humor and she tilted her head to one side, observing Shimako with some fondness. “You seem surprised.”

Blinking at this, trying not to reveal she was also surprised that Sachiko should have noticed such a thing, Shimako replied, “Only because I thought you hated sakura and ginkgo trees, Sachiko-sama.”

“Oh, I do,” admitted Sachiko freely, gazing at the trees she had just admitted to hating. She looked to a perplexed Shimako and formed a small half smile. “But you like them, Shimako-san, and so I find myself here.” Shimako wasn’t sure how to reply and sensing this, Sachiko soon continued, “I don’t want impose but I was hoping to ask you a favor.”

“A favor?” echoed Shimako.

Lifting up the play booklet for Cinderella, Sachiko said almost wryly, “A favor with memorizing lines. Although Yumi-san’s idea was a good one, no one has been able to come up with any alternative solutions that oneesama might accept. Which means I will have to play this role.” Sachiko’s eyes darkened and a tiny almost imperceptible scowl formed on her features. “Whether I like it or not.” The invisible half scowl faded as she focused back on Shimako and said, “Which means I will have to know my lines.”

“You need my help memorizing them?” asked Shimako, unable to believe that Sachiko really needed assistance with such a thing. It was very well known how the older girl got perfect marks in everything she was involved in. Certainly a person like that didn’t need help learning their lines. “Truly?”

“Need, no, want, yes,” said Sachiko giving another smile that revealed she did know what Shimako was asking. Her eyes seemed to become veiled and dark as she murmured slowly, “But if you don’t want…”

“No!” Shimako interrupted quickly but somehow also softly, though her cheeks burned. It was the first time she had ever done such a thing. Interrupted a sempai in the middle of a sentence. Strangely, she felt good about doing so. “No, I want to help you, Sachiko-sama.”

“Good,” said Sachiko and Shimako swore she could see the older girl release a sigh of relief. She did notice how her blue eyes got lighter and appeared to shine as she went onto say, “Is now a good time?”

“Now is fine,” Shimako said and she started to gather up her things only to pause as Sachiko took a seat on the stairs where Shimako often ate her lunch. “Sachiko-sama?” she said in confusion. “Wouldn’t you rather go somewhere else?”

Brushing off the portion of the step next to her before neatly placing her handkerchief there, Sachiko looked up at Shimako with a serious gaze. “This is your favorite spot, isn’t it, Shimako-san?” she murmured.

“Yes,” said Shimako, unsure where this was going.

“You seem to think I won’t want you for my soeur if I know the real you,” Sachiko remarked, going back to arranging the handkerchief. “I told you otherwise and said I would learn who this fabled real you is to prove you wrong.” Looking up at Shimako whose eyes were wide in disbelief. “I should think that knowing your favorite places is a part of that. Besides,” Sachiko offered her hand. “I want to spend more time with you.”

Feeling as if she were in a daze, Shimako took Sachiko’s hand and sat down on that carefully arranged handkerchief, barely aware of accepting the play booklet from the older girl when she was next to her. But as they began to read lines and she heard Sachiko release the quietest and perhaps most polite curse she could imagine when she got a line wrong, Shimako smiled. And then when it happened again, she laughed, and when Sachiko joined her she wondered if this is what it would be like.

If they were soeurs.

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