even after years, i still love you - tenjou-san
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marimiteTRANSCRIPT
EvenAfterYears,IStillLoveYoubyTenjou-San
IsanSachikoXYumi.YumiiscomingbacktoJapanaftersomeyearsawayinAmerica.Rated:FictionK+-English-Romance/Drama-Chapters:10-Words:27,730-Reviews:120-Favs:44-Follows:70-Updated:7/31/2009-Published:1/26/2009-id:4819868URL:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4819868
TableofContents
TableofContents
1.Chapter1
2.Chapter2
3.Chapter3
4.Chapter4
5.Chapter5
6.Chapter6
7.Chapter7
8.Chapter8
9.AN
10.Chapter9
Chapter1
EvenAfterYears,Istillloveyou
"Ido."ThewomansaidandthepriestthenshowstothepeopleinthechurchthenewmarriedcoupleoftheOgasawarafamily.
Whileeveryoneapplaudsandgivescongratulationstothecoupleaftertheyfirstkiss,alonelygirlontheshadowsofonecornerinthechurchlooksatthegorgeouswomanwithtearsonherface.Evenifthegirldon'twanttocometothisplaceandseethis,shecome,becausethegirlhavepromisedtothatwomanthatnomatterwhathappened,shewouldbeatherside.
Itwasherdecisiontofollowthepaththatherfamilyhavechoseforherandforthemanonherside.Theyhadmarriedforthepowerthattheyparentswantthefamilytohave.Loveissomethingthatdoesn'tmatterforthem,andthegirlknowshowmuchithurttothewomaninanelegantwhitedressthatwithasmileinherface,shethankedtoeveryonewhohavecometoseethemarriage,onthesideofherhusband.
Thegirlontheshadowsdon'tgotocongratulatethenewcouple,shechosetostayhideinthecornerandjustseetheloveofherlifegoawayfromher,andshe,justagirlwithnoprestigiousorpowerfulname,coulddonothingtostopit.Thatwomanknowsaboutherlove,andshetoo,lovesthegirlwiththesamestrongpassion,butthen,nothingmattersnow.
Thegirlontheshadowsthenclosehereyesandaftercleanherfacewithherhands,shestepsonthelightandwalktotheexitofthechurch,butbeforego,shefeltapairofeyesonherback,andwhenthegirlturnedaround,lookingtothecouple,sheseethesapphireseyesofthewomanonher.Thehappinessthattheyheldonetimeagonowshowsthetrueemotionsthattheheartofthatwomanhasinthemoment.
Thegreatpainandsadnessintherearevisibleonlyforthegirl,andshe,intheexitofthechurchonlylooksonemoretimetothatbeautifuleyesandsmilesgentlyandsadlytothewoman,herlipsmovinglikeifshewassayingsomething.Andshedefinitelywas.Sheknowsthateveninthatdistance,thatwomancanreadherlipsandunderstandwhatshe'swassaying.
"Trytobehappy,Sachiko."
Withthis,thegirlfinallyexitsthechurch.
"Miss?"Iheardafemininevoicecallingme,andthenaseeawomaninmyside,Ilookatherandshesmilesatme,givingapillowtomeanddisappearedinapassageoftheplane.
Isighandlookatthewindow.Idon'tknowwhyI'mdoingthis,it'salreadyeightyearsIleaveJapantoliveinAmericaandnowI'mcomingbackhome.EightyearsafterthemarriageofSachikoandSuguro-san.InthattimeIjustdon'twanttoseenothingmore,knowthatIliveveryclosetothepersonthatIloveandyetIcan'treachher.SoIjustchoosetoleavethecountryandeverythingbehind.OnemoretimeIseethemarriageinmydreams,hauntedmewithpainfulmemoriesthatIwishIcouldforget.
EvenafteryearsIhavedreamsofherwithmeinLillian,whenwewalktogether,orwejusttalkandsmiletoeachother.Sometimesitwasnotjustdreams,butmemoriesthatIstilltreasurewithmeinmyheart,likethefisttimeshetalkedtome,orwhenshegivetherosaryofourfistdatetogether…Buttoo,sometimes,painfulmemorieslikethemarriagebetweenherandherfiancéIseeinmydreams.
Iwantsobadlytoseemyparentsandmybrother.Imissthemsomuch,likemyfriendsfromLillian.Iwanttogohomeandembracethemhardenoughtokilleveryemotionthatmademeleaveeverythingbehind.ButI'mscaredtogohome,becauseIknowthatifIdo,Iwillseeheragain,withherhusbandandmaybe,childrenthathappilyshewillpresenttheytome.
OhgodhowmuchImissher!EvenaftereightyearsIstillloveherwithsomuchandstrongpassionlikethetimewhenIsaidtoher"Iloveyou"Andshe'ssaystomeback"Iloveyoutoo,Yumi".Iwassohappyjustbystayinhersidenomatterwhat,butinthedeeperofmyheartIknowthatshealreadyhaveforgotthosewords,thissentiment,thisstrongandpainfulemotion,thatlittlebylittlewaskillingme.
Ilookatalittlemirrorinmybag,Iseeagorgeouswoman,dressedinacoatandadarkbluejeans.Shehavealongbrowhairthatfallslikeancascadeinherback,amaturefacewithwhite,almostpaleskinandhazeleyes,deeperandmysteriousthatdifferentfromherfacewithoutemotions,theyheldangreatsadness.Ican'tevenrecognizemyselfanymore,thiswasjustalittleofwhatIwaseightyearsago…
TheplanewhereIwasthensettledintheairportandIsigh,quicklytakingmybagswithme,andexitfromtheplane.Iwalkinthetrackwithsomepeoplewithme,enteringinacorridor,preparingmyselftofacemyparentsandmybrotherinmoresomeminutes.Ialreadyknowthattheywillcameformeandtakemehome.Maybesomeofmyoldfriendsarewiththem,butIthinkthatitwillbebetterifitwasjustmymother,myfatherandYuuki.I'mstillnotreadytofaceanyoneelsethanmyfamily.
Theywillbeintheentranceoftheairport,theyalreadyhavesaidittomyinthephone,beforeIenterintheplaneandflybacktohere.SoIquicklypassamongallthepeopleintheairportwalkingtotheentrance.Myheadislowandmyeyesareinthesoil,Idonotdaretolookatmyfront,howeverperfectlyIknowthatIwillnotbumpagainstsomeoneinthecorridor.
IclosemyeyesandsighwhenIknowthatI'malreadyintheentrance.Andthen,Itakealongbreathandlookforwardtoseemyfamilyforthefisttimeinsolong.Butchoked,Istopmywalkingtolookbetteratmyfamily,andallofmyfriendswaitingforme.Mommy,Daddy,Yuuki…Sei-sama,Shimako-san,Noriko-chan…Yoshino-chan,Rei-san,evenEriko-samacomefromonly-god-knows-whereistheretoo…Iseemyex-petitesœur,Touko-chanwithYouko-sama,andthen…
IseethemostbeautifulpersonthatI'veseeinmylifeinsomanyyearsfarawayfromhome.Agorgeouswomandressedinablackcoat,notsodifferentfromtheminethatI'musingnow,anddarkblackjeans.Sheistallerthanme,andherskinissobeautifulthatmakesmejealousyjusttoseethatsuchperfectpersoncanexist.Herhairisdarkandmuchmorelongerthanmine.Idon'thaveknownwhoisthispersonifI'mnothavinglookathereyes,thesapphireeyesthatalongtimeIdon'tsee,fullofhappinessandlove.WhenthewomanseesthatI'mlookingather,shesmilessuchanwonderfulandhappinesssmilethatalmostmademecry,andthenshesaiddome,inagentleandlovingvoice.
"Welcomebackhome,Yumi."
Yeah,I'mdon'tEnglishsosorryifthewritingisnotsogood^^Anyway,thiswasanideathatIhavesometimeagoandfinallyputonthepaper.Idon'tknowifIneedtodoacontinuation…Whatdoyouguysthink?Anyway,thanksforreadingthis^^
Chapter2
Yes,IamBrazilianandthisismysecondattempttomakeanEnglishfanfic.Iknowthatthefirstchapterisnotsogood,soIhopethatthissecondwillbealittlebetter.Thankyouforreadandforreview,Ihaveanideaaboutcontinuingthis,soIwillmakemorefourorfivechaptersforthishistoryandtooIwillrewritethefirstchapter^^
EvenAfterYears,Istillloveyou
"...That'swhy,wearegrateful."Afterthespeech,theauditoriuminthegigantichallformedfordiversestudents,applaudedtherosesthattoday,finishedtheythirdyearinLillian.
SachikotheformerRosaChinensisandReitheformerRosaFoetida,thankedeveryoneandgracefullyexittheplace,whileinonechair,YumiobservedherOnee-samadisappearaftershepassadoor,patientlywaitingforallthestudentsbeexcusedsothatshefinallycouldmeetalonewithSachiko.
Nightafternightinthepast3weeks,thegirlstaywakeuntilherbodygivesup,thinkingaboutherlifesinceshebecamethepetitesoeuroftheadmiredSachikoOgasawara.Inthestart,shethinksthatbecameherpetitsoeurjustafterhavetalktoheroneortwotimesortobereleasedfromsomethingwaswrong,somethingthatdon'tcan'texistinaseriousrelationshipofsisters,becausegiveandacceptinganrosaryisandecisionthatwillaffectyourholescholarlive,becausethatpersonwillbecomesomeoneimportanttoyou.
ShewashappyjusttobeclosetoSachiko,sowhenshehavecalledhertoaprivatetalkinthatnight,andasksagainifshewouldacceptherrosary,herheartalmostleftherchest.Afterthat,shestartstoknowbettertheotherwoman,untilapointthatSachikobecomessomeoneimportanttoher.Then,shesaidthatshelovesher,aninnocentlovebetweensisters.ButnowsheissurethelovethatshehaveforSachikoissomethingmorepowerfulanddeeper.
That'swhy,thegirlwithhazeleyeshavechosenthisday.BeforeshecouldnoseeherOnee-samaagain,shewilltellher.SowhenYuminoticethattheothersgirlsstarttoleavetheplace,shestandsupandruntotheroseMansion.
"LadySachiko?"AnemployeesaidwhilewithrespecthebeatinawoodendooroftheseveralthathadinthemansionoftheOgasawarafamily.
Behindthatdoor,abeautifulroomexisted,withwallsfullofpicturesandgroovingdetailsbetweengoldenandsilverthatformedworthydrawingsofagreatartist.Themobileswereexpensiveofelegantappearancehowmuchlikethosethatlivedinthatplace.Inthecenteroftheplacewasabigbed,capablefortwopeoplesleepinwithoutproblem.
Underofthethickcovers,afemininefigurewasasleepuntilthemomentwherehersleepwasinterruptedforthebeatsonthedoor.Soon,theeyesofthewomaninthebedhadopened,showingapairofsapphiresthatwithouthappiness,onemoretime,openedforanewday.
IntheRoseMansion,SachikoandReitakenafewthingsfromthetableandafteralastlookontheplace,theylefttheroomandlockedthedoor.Insilencebothgirlshadgonedownthestairsandexittheplace,closingthedoorandthenwalkingtotheentranceofthecollege,butthen,theex-RosaFoetidastopsandSachikolooksatherwithconfusion.
"Whathappened,Rei?"
"Sachiko…WhenwillyoutelltoYumi?"ReiaskswhilethetwoofthenlookedateachotherinfrontoftheVirginMarystatue.
"…About?"
"Whatyoufellforher."Sachikothenclosehereyes,whiletheotherwomancontinue."IalreadyknowSachiko,youandYumi-chanaremyfriendsandIcareforbothofyou."
"Ican't."Sachikosaidcalmbutwithasadlookonherface.ReithenlookspastSachiko,seeingYumirunningintheirdirection."BecauseIhavealreadychosentomarrySuguru."
Thegirlwithsapphireeyesthenlooksatthenewpersonintheplace,andseesYumilookingatherwithchockonherface.Theex-RosaFoetidathensighsandsilentwishedluckyforbothofthem,beforestartsagaintowalktotheentranceleavingthetwosistersalone.
"Yumi…"
"Youwillmarryhim…Evenknowingthathedon'tlovesyouback."Thesecond-yeargirlsaidwithanevidentsadnessonhervoiceandface.
"SuguruisnomorethepersonthatIlove…Butbecauseofmy…"
"…Becauseofyourfamilysake'syouwilldothis!"Thegirlsaidinadesperationtone.Tearsstarttofallfromherhazeleyesonherface.TheeldergirlputherhandsonherpetitsoeurcheeksandYumihugsher,hidingherfaceonSachiko'schest."Butwhataboutyoursake,Onee-sama?"
"Ican'tgoagainstmyfatherandgrandfather.TheyalreadyhavedecidedmyfutureandIcoulddonothingtostopthis.OhYumi.IwishedIcouldhavebeenborninaworldlikeyours."Theex-RosaChinensissaid,puttingherownarmsaroundherpetitsoeurandhuggingthegirlback.
"Youdon't,butyoucanliveinone.Because…BecauseIhavefallinlovewithyou…"
Thewomanonthebed,despitethecallsonherdoor,haveclosedhereyesonemoretime,tryingtogetbackontheworldofdreams,theoneplacewhereshecouldseeheragain.Butthen,thebeatsonherdoorstartsdobestronger,andsoonthevoiceoftheemployeeonemoretimemadepresenceontheroom.
"LadySachiko,excuse-me,Iamentering."
"Trytobehappy,Sachiko."
"Yumi…"Thelipsofthewomaninthechurchunconsciouslysaid,andherhusbandlooksathiswife,thenatthegirlwhoisleavingtheplace.
Hisfacethenreceivedasadlook,becauseheknowsaboutthetruefeelingsofthatgirlandthewomanonhisside.Sachikostayinsilence,notpayingattentiontothecouplesthathappilycomestogivethemcongratulationsforthesuccessmarriage,onlylookingatthedooratthechurch,seeingagainandagainthesamegirlexitingtheplace.Then,aftersomemoreminutes,theplacewasempty,andthenewcouplestaysinsilence,untilthemomentthatthemenfinallystarttotalktohiswife.
"Sa-chan…"Thewomandoesn'tanswerandthenherhusbandembracesher,andshe,forthesecondtimeonherlife,shecriedinfrontofanotherperson.
Twodayslater,Suguruanswersthephone,andreceivingacallingforSachiko,hetoldtothepersonwaitandthengotothedinningroomwherehiswifestillfinishinghersupper.
"Sa-chan,there'sacallingforyou."Thewomannodded,thankingherhusbandandgracefullytakingthephoneinherhands.Suguruthenexittheroom,leavingSachikoalonewithhercall.
"SachikoOgasawara."SoonthewomanhearsSeivoice.
"Sachiko!Didyouknow?YumileavesJapanyesterday!"
Thewomaneyeswideandthephoneonherhandsfalltotheground.
Soonthedooropenandtheemployeeenterontheroom.Thewomanonthebedstayintheplace,notmovinginherfakesleepwhilethegirlinherroomopensthecurtains,allowingthesunlightinvadedtheroomandmakingthewomaninthebedopenhereyesagain,coveringherfaceafterthat.
"Sorrytodisturbyou,LadySachiko,butthere'sacallforyou."
"Inthistimeofthemorning?"Thewomanasks,lookingattheclock,showing6:30A.M.cursingthepersonwhodaretocalltoherhouseinthattime,sheagain,looksatheremployee."Whydon'tyousaytocallmelater?"
"Isayit,butIthinkit'sveryurgent.Isoneofyourfriends,shesaysthatyouwillpardonherlaterifyouknowwhatshehavetosaytoyou,LadySachiko.Iamreallysorry."
Twoyearsafterhermarriage,herfatherandgrandfatherwenttoafriend'smansion,totalkaboutpower,politicandnegotiationsabouttheyfamilies,butinthewayback,theyhaveanaccidentandunhappilytheydon'tmanagetosurvive.Sachiko'smothercriesforbothherhusbandandfather,andherdaughterstayonhersideinthedifficultmoment,fellingsorryforher.Shelovesherfatherandhergrandfather,butinawaythatdon'tmakethewomanfellsorryforthenlikehermother.
Onemonthlater,sheandSugurumanagetodivorcewiththesupportofthefamily,hermother,mostofthem,becausesheknowsthatthemarriagedon'tdoanygoodtoherdaughter.SheandSugurunevertoucheachotherinthesetwoyears,soaftersignthedivorcepapers,thewomanforthefirsttimeinsomanylongfellsfreefromeveryresponsibilityfromherfamily.
"So,whatareyouplanningtodonow,Sa-chan?"Suguruaskswithagentlesmile.Thewomanonhissidesmilesbackandanswers.
"Iwillfindher."
"AlrightIwilltakethecall."Thewomanonthebedsaid,sighingandstandingupaftersomeminutes.
"Iwilltakethephoneforyou,LadySachiko."Theemployeesaidandthewoman
noddedandthegirlleavestheroom.Sachikothenstartedtodresswithmoredecentclothesfaceanewday.
Fouryearsafterherdivorce,Sachikoisonaroom,lookingwithinterestsomepapersonherdesk.Then,afterminutes,shesighsandlooksatthepicturenosofarfromthechairwhereshewasseated.Inthepicture,sheseeherselfinthedayswhereshestudiedinLillianCatholicsScholl,onhersidewasYouko,herOnee-samaandYumi,herpetitsoeur.
"It'sbeensixyearsafterthelasttimeIseeyou…"Thewomanwithsapphireeyessaid,andthenamanenterintheroom,andthenhegivesmorepaperstoSachiko."Theresomethingnew?"
"Iamsorry,Ogasawara-sama.Butwestilldon'tfoundthegirlthatyouarelookingfor.Shesometimestalktoherfamilyusinganphone,buteventheydon'tknowwereshelives."Hesaidandthenthewomanthankedhim,insomeminutes,Sachikowasagainaloneintheroom.
"Yumi…Wereareyou?"
TheemployeethenentryinSachiko'sroomagainandgivesthephonetoher,excusingherself,thegirloncemoreleavestheplace.Sachikosighsandthenpressesabuttonoftheobject,hearingaveryknowingvoicescreamingintheotherline.
"…FORHEAVEN'SSAKE!I'MWAITINGFORDAMN30MINUTES!!!WHYDON'TYOURGUYSJUSTWAKEUPTHEICEWOMANANDGIVETHEDAMNPHONETOHER?!!"
"MyGod…Sei?"Thewomanasksandtheotherlineimmediatewenttosilent.
"Sachiko?Finally!MoresometimeandIwoundgotoyourhouseandkickyouoffthebed!"Theotherwomansaid,inahappinessthatalmostmakesthegirlwithsapphireeyesenterinachockstate.
"My…Whysuchscandal?"
"Oh!Justshutupandcametotheairportalready!I'vecalledtheothersandtheyagreed,andhopefullyIcouldgetyoutoo!"
"Airport?Why?"
"Sachiko!InsomehoursYumiwillbearrivingJapan!She'scomingback!Didyou
hearme?Y-U-M-I!Andpleasedon'tdropthephoneagain!Theothertimeyoualmostmakemehaveaheartattack!
"Yumi…?"Sachikoasksdon'tbelievinginherhears.Withluck,thephonestillsafeinherhands.
"Yeah!IwasintheFukuzawa'shousewhenshecalledthismorningsayingthatshewillcamebacktoseeherfamilyagain.LuckIhavehuh?TheywillbewaitingforherintheairportandsoIdecidedtomakeasurpriseandtakeeveryonetotheretooandherparentsagreed!"
"Alright…"Sachikosaid,andthencameaquestioninhermind."ButSei,whatareyoudoingintheFukuzawahouseinthistimeofmorning?"
"Oh…Err…That,Iwasjust…Uh…AnywaySachikoseeyouontheairport!"Withthattheotherlinewenttosilenceandthecallend.
Sachikothenlooksatthephoneinhertremblinghands,andlittlebylittleasmilestartstoappearinherface.Alonelytearofjoyescapesfromthecornerofhereyes,whilehermindscreamedtoher:YUMI"SBACK!!!!
Twohoursafter,Sachikowaswiththeothersontheentranceoftheairport,waitingfromalmostandhourtoseethefamiliarfaceofherex-petitsoeuremergefromthepeopleinthatplace.It'sgoodtoseeeveryonereunitedagain,Rei,Shimako,Sei,Yoshino,Noriko,herex-Onee-sama,Youko,hercousin,Touko,exYumi'spetitsoeur,andevenErikocomefromOnly-gods-knows-were.TheFukuzawafamilywastheretoo,theonlyonethatnowwillcompletethereunionwas…
Sachikothen,likeeveryoneoftheylittlegroup,looksattheairportwhereagorgeouswomancometotheirdirection.Herheadwasdown,lookingatthefloor,soSachikocouldnotseehereyes.Shedressedinacoatanddarkbluejeansandherbeautifulalongbrowhairfallslikeacascadeinherback,then,shetakesadeepbreathandlooksup,hermaturealmostpalefaceenterinachockstate,whileherhazeleyes,deepandmoremysteriousthanSachikoremember,looksateveryonewithsurprise.
Sachikolooksatthegirl,nowwoman,whoshewassearchingforeightyears.ShelooksatthatbeautifulhazeleyesbuttherewassomethingthattakeSachiko'sattention.Lonely.ThenthateyeslookatherandSachikosmile,asmilefardifferentfromthosefakessmilesthatshehaveshowfromthepasteightyears.
"Welcomebackhome,Yumi."
Thewomanwithsapphireeyesthenalmostdon'trecognizeYumi,shechanged,not
onlyinbody,buttooinheractions.Thepreviouschockonherfacenowalreadyhavedisappeared,showingaperfectladymask,muchlikethesamethatSachikousedforlongyearsuntilthedayshehavebumponthegirlintheRoseMansion.Thensheansweredinablankvoiceandaformalitythatequallychockeveryone.
"Thankyou,Mrs.Ogasawara."
Chapter3
Wellnowthisismyattempttothechapterthree,it'snotgood,Iknow,afterall,Istilllearning^^Well,Ialreadyknowhowthishistorywillbe,soifyoudon'tlikeanverygreatdrama,IsuggestyoutostopreadinglolbutIpromise,itwillhaveahappyending^^MakingancoldYumiisveryhard,afterall,Itoolikehercuteside.Maybetherewillbepeoplewhodon'twilllikeverymuchthischapter,butinthenextIwillexplaineverythingofwhytheYumiPOVonthefirstchapterandwhysheisactingsocoldnow.ThenthereisSachikoPOVtoo,notnowbutverysoon,Ipromise.BecauseIthinkthatherPOVwillbemoreimportantonacertainchapter.^^Wellherethecontinuation^^
ThanksforreadingthisandforReviewagain!
EvenAfterYears,Istillloveyou
"Thankyou,Mrs.Ogasawara."Yumianswered,hereyesstayedalittlemoreonSachikoandthencamebacktotheothers."Thankyouforeveryonehavecancelledyourprobableimportantcommitmentsonlyfortocomehereandreceivemeintheairport.Ireallyappreciatedit."
Nobodyansweredtothecommentarythatthegirlwithhazeleyesmade.Yumiobservedtoallinaoddform,hereyesthatbeforecouldshowthestateofspiritthatthegirlhaveinthemoment,nowafteralltheseeightyearsinAmericawaswithoutemotions.Everyonewereincompletesilence,surprisedforthewaythatYumihavespeaktoSachiko,untilthen,onemoretime,Yumistarttosay.
"Well,itisraretoseealltogetherasinthetimesofLillian.Whydon'tweusethisasaadvantage?"Thegirlasked,lookingthenatanotherpartintheairportwhereislocatedarestaurant."There,Iwillpaytoday."
"Yumiisright,whynot?"Seisaidwithasmileintheface,approachingYumiandplacingoneofherarmsaroundoftheshouldersofthegirlwhototheelderwomandisappointment,Yumididnotmakeanyofthefunnysoundsthatthebrown-hairedgirlalwayswasmaking."Yumiyougrewtall,morealittleandIwillnotbeabletohugyouanymore."
"Don'tmakemedesirethatthismorealittlecomes,Sei-sama."ThegirlsaidandSeilaughedwhilebothstartstowalktotherestaurant,beingfollowedforthegroupthathappilystartedtotalkabouttheeventsinlasttheeightyears.
Apersonhoweverwasleftbehind.SachikostayfrozewhereshehavewelcomedYumi,withhereyesontheplacewheregirl,nowwoman,wasduringsomesecondsbehind.DidshejusthavecalledherMrs.Ogasawara?Nevershewascalledinthatmannerbyherformerpetitsoeurbefore.Never.SachikowasshockedtoseeYumieyeschangewhenSeiapproachedtoherdirection,inthedeeper,showinganoccultcoldthatwasonlymaskedbythefacewithoutexpressions.
"Sachiko…Areyoualright?"Reiaskedslowlyandgentlewithanevidentconcerninhervoicewhilesheplacedahandononeshoulderofthegirlwithsapphireseyes.
"Rei...?"Sachikoaskedaftersomeseconds,stilllookingthegroundwhereYumiwassometimebefore.Toukowhowasalsoclosetothetwogirlanddidnotfollowtheothers,heldoneofSachiko'shandsandsheandReihelpedhertotakethewomanfortherestaurantwhereeveryonewaswaitedforthem,whilealittlebylittle,Sachikocamebacktohernormalstate.
Notmanyminuteslater,allwereseatedclosetoeachotherinthediversetablesoftherestaurant.GreatpartofthetalkatthemomentwascenteredonShimakoandNorikothattogetherhadvisitedsomecountriestolookatsomeoldtemples,andtooaboutwhattheyhavelearnedofthecultureandheardaboutthemysteriesandlegendsthateachplacehave.
SoonthesubjectmovestoToukoandYoukothatcountedwhattheyhadmadeduringtheyearsthatpassed.Thesubjectwasinterestingthatnobodyhadnoticethatofallthepeopleonthetables,twopersonsalmostdidnotcommentorsaidsomething,preferringtobealonewiththeyownthoughts.
Yumilookedinsilencetotheotherspartsoftherestaurant,beforethenhadherattentiononthecupofcoffeeinherhand.Sachikoinanothertablenotveryfar,observedcarefullythegirlwithhazeleyes.YumieyeshadnowbecomeemptyandherfaceshowssomethinglikelonelinessthatgirlwithsapphireeyesonlyforobservingstartstowanderingwhathavehappenedtotheothergirlwhileshewasoutofJapan.
"Then,Yumi-chan,wherehaveyoubeenduringalltheseyears?"Seiasked.
SachikoobservedYumionemoretimemasksherfacewiththesameperfectladymaskbeforeanyanotherpersondiscoversherpreviouslyexpression.Yumithenlookedateveryonethoughtfulbeforeanswering.
"IwaslivinginAmerica."Allthenhadlookedather,makingthegirlcamebackwithherattentiontowardsanyplaceoftherestaurant.
"America?"Yumi'sfatheraskedsurprised.He,ofcourse,knowthathisdaughterhaveleavethecountry,butdidnotimaginethatshetoocrossedtheocean
"Yes,Ihaveknowsanimportantpersonforme,obtainedagoodworkandamhappywiththelifethatIconqueredthere.Youdon'tneedtobeworriedaboutme,father,mother."Yumisaidwhenfinallyshedrinkspartofthecoffeeinherhands.ThegrouplookedatcuriousforYumi,thatthenthegirlquicklymovedofsubject."ButIassureyouthatissomethingveryinteresting.WhatdoyouguyshadmadewhileIwasoutside?Iapologize,Iwasnotpayingattentionsomeminutesago."
"AfterIfinishedthethirdyearinLillian…"YoshinostartedgladtotellpartofherlifeandsoonallattentionwasremovedfromYumithatwithnomuchinterestlistenwhatherfriendhavetosay.Soonhereyesoncemorewerelookingonanotexistingplaceintherestaurant.
SachikoobservedYumiwithgreatinterestuntilwhenshegaveherreply,makingwiththatthegirlwithsapphireseyesfrozeoncemore.ThewomanthensmiledwhenherattentionisforwhataboutherYoshinospeakinginthemoment.
"…Theninthepartthatwemadethreeweeksagoformybirthday,SeiwascompletelydrunkthatfinishedjumpingonYouko-san,hugginghersostrongandpracticallyscreaming"Iloveyousomuch!Marryme??"ThatIneededthehelpofSachiko-san,Eriko-sanandYuuki-kuntoremoveherfromSei'sdeadgrip,right,Sachiko-san?"Sachikoagreed,makingwiththateveryonelaughed,YoukoblushalittleandSeigrins.AlsoYumismiled,howeveranemptysmile.
"IfwecouldIwouldhavetakeapicturefromthemoment!Buttheonlycameraofthedaywasbroken…"Yoshinofinishedandwithoutanyonesees,SeipassanenvelopetoYuuki,Yumi'sbrother,wholooksinsideanthennodded,passinganotherenvelopebacktoSei,wholooksinsidetooandsmileswide.
"Anyway,Ibelievethatalreadyitisalittlelate,canwecangohome,mommy,daddy?"Yuukiaskedandtheyhadagreed,soontheentiregrouphadandlefttherestaurant.
"Ireallyappreciatedallyourcompany,thankyouforhavingcome.Rei-san,Yoshino-san,Noriko-san,Eriko-sama,Sei-sama,Youko-sama,Touko-chan,Ogasawara-san,goodafternoon."Yumiaftersaidit,leavestheairportwithherfamily.
Sachikoobservedinsilencetheloveofherlife,onemoretime,walktofarawayfromherself,andduringsomeseconds,shealmostsawthechurch,shewasdressinginawhitebeautifuldresslookingattheexitwithtearsalmostleavinghereyes,Yumileavingtheplaceforthen,inthefollowingday,flytoAmerica.
Inthebeginningofafternoon,SachikocomesbacktowardtheOgasawaramansioninthecompanyofYoukoandTouko.Duringtheway,whilethewomanofsapphireeyesremainedinsilence,theothertwopeoplearguedabouthowmuchYumihadchangedinAmerica.
"…Ialmostdon'trecognizeYumi.Shechanged,much."YoukocommentedwhilethewomanlooksataSachikoindeepthought.
"…Idon'tknowiftheothershadalsoseesit,butOnee-samaseemedtospaceoutduringthetalks,butinadifferentwayfromtheLilliantimes,andalittlecoldwhenshedecidedtosayssomething…"Toukosaid.
Sachikoonlylookedatthewindowofthecarwhilesomememoriesofeightyearsandofsomeminutesagointheairport,wasshowinginhermind.Theimageofherbeautifulandhappypetitsoeurthatalwayswasonherside,thatunconsciously,evenifthatwasforsomemonths,againbroughtthesunbacktothecoldworldthattheOgasawarafamilyhad.Todaythatimagewaschanged.
Thestrangepersonwithsimilarappearanceofthepersonthatsheloves,theYumiwhocamebackofAmericaafterhaveleavedJapanforeightyears,isnotthesamepersonwhoSachikospendmanyyearslookingforwithoutlosingthehopesofthatonedayshewouldseeagain.Thoseemptyeyeswithaperfectladymaskdidnotbelongtothegentlepersonwhosheunconsciouslylearnstolove.HERYumineverwouldactsocold,neverwouldspeakinasoformalwaytoherlikeifshe'stryingtoignoreorforgether.
WhenSachikoarrivedonhermansion,sheremainedaloneinherroomforalltheday.
"YouleaveitinthesamewaythatI'velasthaveseeit."Yumisaidwhilesheenteredinheroldroom.
"Yes,wethinkthatyouwouldnotlikeifwehavedosomethingwithyourthingswhenyoucomeback."Yumi'smothersaid,makingthegirlnodded.Shethenhuggedtoallofherfamily."Isgoodtoseeyoubackhome,honey."
Aftersomeminutes,Yumiwasaloneinheroldroom.WhatshehadbroughtfromAmericanowwasleanedinonecorner.Shethenlaydowninheroldbedandclosedhereyes.
Aftersomedays,theFukuzawafamilyhadfinishedtocomebackfromatriparoundthecity.Thewomanwithbrownhairwentuptoherroomtochangeherclothes
whenthenhercellularstartstoplayasong.Yumicaughttheobjectandaftertolookwhatnumberitwasandtopressabutton,sheansweredinEnglish.
"AngelineBitencourtspeaking."
"Angel?Howgood!Iwantedtoconfirmtheconcertmarkedforthenextmonth.Yougotobeabletoparticipate,right?"
"YesIwillgo."Yumiansweredsittingdowninthebed.
"Speakingaboutit,whenyouintendtocomebacktoAmerica?"
"Idon'tknowyet,butdon'tworry,IwillgobackbeforetheconcertRichard"
"Right,itwasonlythis.Everybodywantstoknow,yousee.Wemissyouhere,Angel"
"Ialsomisseveryone,saysthisforthey,Richard."Yumisaidwhileshelookedatthefamiliarwallsofherroom,whenthenhereyeswillfallonthephotowhereSachikoarrangedthescarfofYumi'sdresswhenshestillwasastudentofthefirstyearinLillian.
"Iwillsay.ByeAngel!"
"Goodbye,Richard."
Yumishutoffthecellularandputitbackontheplacewhereshehavetakenit,lyingdownherselfonemoretimeinthebedandclosinghereyes,thesamephotowasinhermind.Whenthenhermomentofpeacewasinterruptedforthephoneonherroom.Yumionlylookedattheobject,decidingtoleavethattoherparentsorherbrothertookthecallfromthekitchen,however,aftersomeseconds,Yumiraisesandfinallycatchesthephoneinherhands.
"Fukuzawaresidence."Yumiheardhermother'svoicecomeofthephone,probablyansweringthecallfromthekitchen.Yumithensighs,butbeforeshecouldshutoffherplace,sheheardaveryknowingvoice.
"I'mOgasawaraSachiko.CouldItalkwithYumi,please?"
Yumieyeswideandthen,thegirlplacedthephoneintheplaceandtakingoneofherjackets,Yumileftherroom,runningdownthestairsandgoingtothedoor,whenhermothercaughther.
"Yumi,there'sacallfor…"
"Iamleaving."Yumisaid,openingandclosingthedoorbehindherbeforehermothercouldsaysomethingmore.
Yumistartedtowalkcalmlyinthestreets,lostinherthoughtswhenthenshefoundherselfinfronttothegateofLillianCatholicSchool.Shedoesn'tknowhowmuchtimeshowwaswalkinguntilstopintheplace,fellingherlegsarches.Butignoringpain,onemoretimeshewalkedintheschool,passingforbuildingsandthenfortheMansionoftheRose,whenfinallyshewasonemoretimeinfrontoftheVirginMariastatue.
"Thinkingnow,IrememberthatIdidnotcompleteminethirdyearinLillian."
"I'vebeenlookingforyou."Thewomansaidwhilesheplacedonehandintheshoulderofthegirl,earningherattention.
"Congratulationsontheplay'ssuccess."Thegirlsaidwhileshestandsuptotalkwiththewoman."YourCinderellawaswonderful."
"Didyounotice?IsteppedonSuguru-san'sfeetthreetimeswhileweweredancing."ThewomanSaidandbothofthengiggled."It'sthankstoyouthatIcanlaughlikethisnow."
"Ididn'tdoanything…"
"Wouldyoucomewithmeforabit?"Thewomanaskedandthegirlnodded.BoththenhadwalkedforemptyplacesuntilfinallystoppingintofrontoftheVirginMaria.Thewomanthenremovedarosaryofherneckandshoweditforthegirl,wholookedattheobjectsurprised."MayIplacethisaroundyourneck?It'snotbecauseofabet,oroutofpity.Thisisasacredritual."
Thegirlremainedinsilence,lookingattherosarywithalittleofinsecurity.Butafterlookingatforthefaceoftheotherwomanwhohadagentilesmile,thegirlsmiledbackandsaid.
"I...accept."
"Butthen,that'snotmatteranymore...."Yumisaidwhilesheplacedoneofherhandsonthestatue,asadlookinherface.
"Youdon't,butyoucanliveinone.Because…BecauseIhavefallinlovewithyou…"
Thegirlfinallysaidforthewoman,makingtheeyessapphireswideandlookedwithastonishmentatthegirlwithhazeleyes.Soon,tearsstartedtofallenonthewomanfaceandthegirl,whensheseesthis,triedtorunaway,however,thewomanheldherinherembracehidingherfaceinthebrownhairofthegirl.
"OhYumi.Doyouknowwhatareyoudoingwithme?Myheartbeatsfasterdesiringyoutoalwaysbewithmeinmyarms.WhenIclosemyeyesIonlyseeyourfaceandyoursmile,andwhenIamaloneIhearyourvoice,makingmelookatmysidessearchingforyou,andthenIdisappointmyselfbecauseIcannotfoundyouthere!Yumi.Yumi.Yumi.Youdon'tknowhowmuchIhatemyfamilyformakememoveawayfromyou.Yumi."
"Onee-sama…"Thegirlsaid,movingawayalittletolookatthewomanandthenitgentlycleanedthetears,depositingafterthatasoftkissinSachiko'slips."Iloveyou."
"Iloveyoutoo,Yumi."
"Iwillstayinyourside,Onee-sama,nomatterwhatchoicedoyoumake."
"BecauseIalreadymademychoice."Yumiwhisperedlookingatthestatueface,beforesheonemoretimestartstowalkawayfromLillian.
Chapter4
Well,here'sthechapterfour.IfI'mright,morefourchaptersitwillbefinish.Thanksforreadingandreview^^
EvenAfterYears,Istillloveyou
"…Thisismylastwish.Gobacktoyourhomedarling,andembraceyourfamilyandyourfriendsandtellthatyoumissthem.Thengoafterher…Andtellthatyoustillloveherevenafteralltheseyears.But,ifyouseethatsheliveshappilywithherlivewithoutyou,thengoawayfromheranddon'ttrytokillthathappiness,it'sisnotyourighttodoso…Andit'stheonlywaytobothofyoudon'thurtyourselvesanymore..."
"Yumi!"Thewomanwithhazeleyesimmediatelywakesupfromhersleepandlooksatthedoorofherbedroom,whereprobablyshecouldimagineherbrothercallingher.
"Yuuki?Whathappened?"Yumiaskswhilelookingattheclock.'08:02A.M.'
"MomandDadwanttotalkwithus."Theyoungmansaid."Theyareonthekitchenwaiting.Andinmyopinion,theyareaquitemorehappythannormal."
"JustafellminutesandI'mgoingdown."SheanswersandYuukidisappearedinthestairs.
Yumiafterexitherroom,shewentdownthestairsandenteredonthekitchen,wherehermotherwasinfrontofthestoveandherfatherwasonherside,bothofthemwithbigsmilesontheyfaces.Yuukiwasseatedonachair,lookingathissisterwhilesheenteredontheplace.Hermotherwithherfatherfinallylooksattheychildren.
"Nowthateveryoneishere,Iwouldliketoasktoyoutwo.Doyouknowwhatdayistoday?"HermotherstarttotalkandYumilookedatthecalendar.
"August18?"Yumisaidandthenaftersomesecondshereyeswideandshelooksatherparents.Yuuki'scuriosityrisesbytheattitudeofhissister."Thedaywhenyoutwomarried?"
"Yes!Exactly!"Herfathersaidwhileheputoneofhisarmsaroundhiswife."So,yourmotherandIdecidedtomakeapartytocelebratethisday,especiallynowthatyou,Yumi,arewithusagain."
"Party?"Yuukiasksandhisparentsnodded.
"Yes,wealreadywasplanningitforsometime,andnowistheperfectoccasion,becauseourfamilyistogetheragain!"HerfathercontinuedwhileYumiandYuukilookedatthemwithcuriosity."ItwillbetonightintheluxuriousManzokuTaberurestaurant,thattonightwasreservedonlyforusandourguests.Ofcourse,weinviteyourgrandmother'sandgrandfather's,withuncleKotaroandauntTomari,andsomefriendsofYuuki.Someofthemyouknew,fromHanaderaSchool,andwecan'tforgetyourfriendsfromLillianschoolYumi.Weinvitedthemtoo,youknow,likeToukoMatsudairaandSachikoOgasawara.Weknowhowmuchyoucareforthemand…"
Yumifacewentpaleandshestaresinshockherparentsbeforeherexpressionturnedtoblank.Shelistenwhatherparentshavetosayinsilence.Aftertheyhavefinished,herbrotherthencongratulatesthecouple,followingforYumiwhoembraceherparents.
"I'mhappyforyoutwo,Mom,Dad.Surelytonightwillbealovelynight."Yumisaidandherparentssmiledather.
ThatmorningtheFukuzawafamilyreceivedYumi'sgrandparentsanduncleKotaroandauntTomari.Whentheyenteredthehouse,YumiandYuukiparentsimmediatelywelcomedthem,embracingeveryoneandhelpingtakethebagstotheguest'sroom.
"Yumi!Lookatyou!You'reawomannow!It'smorethaneightyearsthatwedon'thaveseeyouaround!"Herauntstartedwhilethewomanembracedherniecewithgreataffection."Wherehaveyoubeenalltheseyears?Whereallworried!"
"IwasinAmericaaunt,sorryfordon'thavetalktoanyonebesidesmyparents."ThewomanwithhazeleyessaidafterbereleasedfromTomariembrace.Shesmiled,ablanksmile,somethingthatpassedforherfamilywithoutanyoneperceivetheexpressionlessinthatsimplegesture.
"America?Ohmy!Whysofarfromhere,granddaughter?"Oneofhergrandfather'saskswhileallofthenewguestsinthehousehavetheyattentiononher,somethingthatinternallywasextremelybotheringthewoman.
"Justcuriosity.IalwayswantedtovisitAmerica,Idon'thavethoughtthatIwouldstaythereforsolong."Yumilied,suppressingwellthewishtosay:Tobemorefarpossibleofher.
"Anyway"Herunclestarts,whileheputanarmaroundhisnieceshoulders."Americaissuchabeautifulcountry,andsure,theremusthaveinterestingpeople.So,dearniece,doyouhaveaboyfriend?"
Yumionceagainwentpalethatday,butwithafastspeedsheregainedherpostureandforcedherselftosmiletoheruncleandtherestofherfamily,whohavetheyexpectantattentiononher.
"No,uncle,Idon'thaveaboyfriend."
"Hum…Agirlfriendperhaps?"HeasksandYumiglaredcoldathim,makingheshiverbeforethenstarttolaughlikeanyoneontheroom."Calmdown!Don'tkillme!Justkidding!"
"WhatyoudointhereYumi?Doyouhaveajob?"Nowisoneofhergrandmother'swhohaveasked.
"Ihave,don'tworry,it'snothingillegallythatcoulddishonorourfamily."Yumianswersandthemapologizedeveryonebeforeexittheroom,sayingthatshewouldgotothebathroom.
TheafternoonwaspleasanttoallthemembersoftheFukuzawafamily.ThesubjectaboutYumi'slifeinAmericawaschangedandthewomanmakessurethatitwon'tcomebackagain,avoidingherfamilywhenthetalkswasalmostaboutherandwhatshewasdoing.
SoonthenightfallsontheskyofJapanandYumifoundherselflookingatherbathroommirror,seeingoncemorethebeautifulwomanwithhazeleyesandbrownhairthatbeautylikealways,isfallingonherbacklikeagreatcascade.Theluxurioushoweverdiscretebluedressthatshewasusing,mateperfectlyheradultbody,makingshelooksmoreoldthansheactuallyis.
Insomeminutes,shewasincompanyofherfamilyinabeautifulcarthatwasrunningintherestaurantdirection.Theconversationwasgreatandhappily,everyonewastalkingabouttheylife's,butYumistillsilenceinthewholetime,hearingallandwhennecessary,agreeingordenyingsomethingthatwasaskedtoher.Thiscontinueduntilfinallytheystopinthefrontoftherestaurant.
Aftertheyexitedthecar,Yumistaybehindwhilesheobservedherfamilyentersintheplace,andsoon,knowingvoiceswasgreetingthem.Shethencloseshereyesforsomesecondsandtakesadeepbreathe,beforefinallystarttowalk.
"…OgasawaraSachiko.Nicetomeetyou."Thewomanwithsapphireeyessaidwithabeautifulsmileinherface.
SachikowastalkingwithYumi'sfamily,whiletheyarepresentedtoeveryoneintherestaurant.Rei,Yoshino,Sei,Noriko,Shimako,YoukoandErikoaretogethertalking
withtheex-studentsfromHanaderaSchool,isalreadypassedlotoftimeandnowthewomanwithsapphireeyesnolongerareafraidtobewithmansinoccasionslikethis.Toukowasinherside,talkingwithTomariabouttheLillianCatholicSchool,whenthenSachikoseesthatonepersonismissingintheplace.
"WhereisYumi?"Sheasksandthentheylookedaroundlookingforthewomanwithhazeleyes,untilfinallyshecomesfromtheentrancedoor.
Yumiwalkedwiththegracefullyofaperfectlady,herbluedresswasshiningwiththelightsoftheplace.SachikolostherbreathewhensheseesYumi,now,beingabletoseehowmuchherappearancechangedduringtheseeightyears.Hergirlbodynowpossessedthecurvesofanadultwoman,somethingthatmakesSachikosmile,asmilehoweverthatimmediatedisappearswhenthesapphireseyesobservedthematurefaceofthewomanwithhazeleyesthatwithanexpressionlessface,lookedattherestaurant.OncemoreSachikorememberedthattheYumifromeightyearsagostilldisappearedinsideofthewomanwithbluedress.
"Yumi!Thereyouare!"Tomarisaidwithasmileonherface,makingthewomanwithbrownhairlookatherandthen,atSachikoandTouko."IhavemeetwithyourpreviouslyOnee-samaandPetitSoeurfromLillian."
"Iseeyouhave.Goodevening,Sachiko-san,Touko."YumisaidandSachikosmilesatherex-petitsoeur,finallyseeingthatshedroopstheOgasawara-san,butstillunhappyseeingtheoccultcoldnessanddisinterestintheotherwomaneyes,likeontheairport.
"Youknow,I'vestuddedintheLillianCatholicSchooltooand…"TomaristartstotalkagainwithSachikoandTouko,butthetwoofthenstilllookingatYumi,whohavecrossedtheplaceandseatedinoneforgetchair.
Toukolookedsadlytoherex-Onee-samaandthenatSachiko,whostillwithhersapphireeyesonYumi.Shesighsandsooneveryonewasontheyrespectivetables,withtheemployersoftherestaurantstartingtoservetheselectedfood.SachikoobservedthatYumistillactingalittlecoldtoeveryone,likeontheairport,andneverenteringonatalk,justagreeingordenyingwhensomeonetalkedtoher.
Herhazeleyeswereonsomethingintherestaurant,neveronanyoneofthediversetablesandhermaturefacestillwithnoexpressiontobeshowntoanyone.Sachikostilllookingatherduringallthetime,untilwhenYoukostartstotalktoherabouttherestaurantandherattentionwereeasilyonthesubject,talkinghappilyaboutthetasteoftheservedfoodandtheplace.Soon,strangely,shefelteyesonher,lookingatherinadirectwayandwithextremeattention.
Sachikothenlookedaroundanseesthatnoonewaslookingather,thensheagainhaveherattentiontowardherex-Onee-samaandotherswhohaveenteredinthetalk,soonshefeltthesamesensationofsomeonelookingather,makingthewomanfellsuncomfortableduringthetalk.
WhenshefinishedtotalkwithYoukoandtheothers,thesensationsurprisingdisappearedandsheonceagainlooksdiscretelyontherestaurant,tryingtofoundthepersonwhowaslookinginsuchdirectway.Shewassurenowthatsomeonewasmomentsagolookingather,butagain,shefoundsnoone.SachikothenoncemorehadherattentiontowardsYumi,seeingthatnowthehazeleyeswastowardsthemusiciansoftherestaurantwhoelegantlyplayedclassicinstrumentsthatchangedtheenvironmentinamostharmonicone.SomethingthatsurprisedSachikoinseesalittleinterestinthesepreviouslyblankeyes.
Thenaftersomeminutes,anackwardsoundcrossedtheplaceandthemusicstops.Everyoneonthetablesthenlookedatthemusiciansandseesthattheyhavealittletroublewithoneoftheinstruments,theviolin.Theyoungmanwhowasplayingtheviolinwaslookingattheinstrumentwithasadlook.
Surprisingeveryoneontherestaurant,Yumistandsupfromherchairandwalkedtotheyoungmankneelinginfrontofhim,andshockingSachikoandtheothersonthetable,Yumismiledathim,butdifferentfromherotherssmiles,itwasanlivingsmilethatSachikodon'thaveseeforeight-years,ansmilethatbelongstoherpetitsoeur.Herhazeleyesonceblank,nowwhereshiningwithexcitation.Hervoicemadepresence,softlyandgentle.
"CouldIseethatproblemforyou?"Sheasksattheyoungmanandhestayedinsilence,themgivingtheviolintoYumi'shands.
Thewomanlookedlovingattheinstrumentandthenherhandsstartstomadetheirjobonthediversestringadjustingbuttons,forminutesYumihavehertotallyattentiononherworkandeveryoneontherestaurantwaslookingatherinsilenceandcuriosity.Then,Yumirisesandgentlytakesthebowfromtheyoungmanhandsand,withasurprisingabilitythatshockedeveryone,shestartstoplaywiththeviolin.
ThesongstartstotakeeveryonetotalattentiontowardsYumi,whoplayedwiththeinstrumentinawaylikeifinsomemomentsagothatlittletroubleneverhaveexisted.Sooneveryonerecognizedthesongthatthewomanwithhazeleyeswasplaying,thegirlswhohavestuddedinLillianthemost.
"TheMotherMary'sHeart…"ReiwhisperedwhileYumicloseshereyesintheplaying.Soonthesongwasfinishedandthewomanwithhazeleyessmilesgentleat
theyoungboyandhandtohimtheviolin,whotooktheinstrumentbackonhishandswithhisjawonthefloorbyseeingthesuperiorabilitythatYumihaveshowedtoeveryone..
Yumifacethenreturnedtoexpressionlessandhereyesoncemorewereblankagain.Sheinsilentcomebacktoherpreviouslychair,seatinginitasiftheplayingwiththeviolinneverhappened.Everyoneintherestaurantwassilent,untilfinallyYumi'smotherregainedherpostureandaskedtoherdaughter.
"Darling,howdidyoudothat?Itwasbeautifulandincredible."
"ImeetaviolinteacherinAmericaandthenIstartedtolearnhowtoplayit."Yumisaidwithablanksmileandthenstartedtoeat.Itwaseverythingthatshehavesaidaboutit,evenifherfamilyandherfriendstriedtoaskmore,shejustavoidedthesubjectuntilfinallytheygiveupandshewasleftaloneagaintoherthoughts.
SachikoobservedYumi,hereyeswideandtearsofjoyfightingonhereyestobereleasedonherface.Forthefirsttimeinmanyyears,shehaveseeheragain,herpetitsoeur,thegirlwhowithahappysmileonherfacechangedtheworldofmanypeopleinLillian,evenifitwasjustforsomeminutes,shehaveseeonemoretimethegirlwhoshelearnedtolove.
Afteroneortwohours,therestaurantwasclosingforthedayandeveryoneexitedtheplace.Yumiwaswithherfamilywhileherparentstankedeveryonetohavecometocelebratetheymarriageanniversary.Yumiwassilentinherplaceuntilwhenshefeltasofthandonhershoulder.ShelooksatthepersonandfoundSachikostandingbehindher.
Thewomanwithhazeleyeswasabouttosaysomething,butthen,hereyeswerelostonthosesapphireseyesfromtheotherwoman.Theystayedinthatway,justlookingateachother,tryingtoseetheysouls,searchingforthesecretsoccultedandthefeelingsforgotteninthere.ThenthetwoofthemheardthehystericallaughfromSeiwhowastalkinghappilywithTomari.Themomentwaslost.
"Youplayedwelltheviolin."SachikosaidandYumichangedherfacetoherfamilydirection.
"Thankyou,Sachiko-san,Igladthatyouandtheothershaveappreciateit."Shesaid,stillformality,andSachikolookedatherexpressionlessface,desiringtoseeagainthatbeautifulsmilethatsometimeagoshehasseenontherestaurant.
"Yumi!Wheregoing!"Yumiparentscalledandthegirlnoddedattheirdirection.
"Ineedtogonow,excuse-me."Yumisaid,movingawayfromthewomanwithsapphireeyeswhohavetocontrolheractionstonotextendedherarmandcatchYumibeforesheoncemore,havegoaway.Sachikosighsandthenstartstowalk,finallyenteringonhercar.
"Onee-sama."ToukosaidbeforeYumicouldenteronthecarwhereherfamilyis.
"Touko…"Thewomanwithhazeleyeswhisperedwhiletheotherwomanlookedseriouslytoher."YoustillcallmeOnee-samaevenaftertheseyears…"
"Whyareyoudoingthis,Onee-sama?"Toukoasksdirectly,choosingtonotavoidthesubjectanymore."Everyonewassoworriedaboutyou.YouchangedsomuchafteralltheseyearsthatIdonotrecognizeyouanymore!"
"Touko…"Yumiwhispered,lookingatthegirlwhohasasadlookonherface.
"WhyOnee-sama,wayareyouactingsocoldtowardsanyonewhotriestoapproachesyou?DidsomethinghappeninAmerica?Islikeyouhavedied!Sachiko-Onee-samawassohurtinbyseesyouinthatway!Shewaslookingforyouforallthoseyears,waitingforyoutoreturnhome!I'veseethesadlooksthatyougivetoherintherestaurantwhenshewastalkingwithYouko-sama…Don'tyouloveheranymorelikeinthepast,Onee-sama?"ToukowhisperedinawaythatalmostYumididn'theard.Thewomanwithhazeleyescloseshereyes,andthen,forthefirsttime,lookedatsomeonewithemotionsonherface.Yumi'seyeswerestaringsadlytoherex-petitsoeur,andToukoseeingthis,lookedattheground,whispering."YoupromisedtomeinLillianthatyouwouldalwaystellmethetruthbecausewheresisters…"
"…But,ifyouseethatsheliveshappilywithherlivewithoutyou,thengoawayfromheranddon'ttrytokillthathappiness,it'sisnotyourighttodoso…Andit'stheonlywaytobothofyoudon'thurtyourselvesanymore..."
"…Iloveher…Morethananyonecouldeverloveher…IstillloveherevenaftereightyearsandIwillloveherforeveruntilmylifeisgone!Butherseemstobesohappyintherestaurant…Talkingwiththeothers…Itisnotmyright…Notmine…That'swhy,I'vemademychoiceTouko…"Yumisaidandsuddenlysheentersonherfamilycarsthataftersomeseconds,startstogoawayfromtherestaurant.ToukooncethemgobackattheOgasawarafamilycarwhereSachikowaswaitingforher.
"WhathappenedTouko?"Sachikoaskedafterseetheotherwomanenteronthecarandsitstrangelyquietlyatherside.
"I…Don'tknow…Onee-samawas…Crying…"
Chapter5
Hellothere!Thereisthechapterfive!Thanksforreadingandreviewthis,Ireallyappreciateit.JustnowIthinkthatafterthischapter,somepeoplewillstarttohatemexDSoplease,don'tkillmeorsomethinglolAnyway,hereitis^^(^_^)
Xiar:Ifyouarereadingthis!My,I'msurprised!YouguessedrighttheendofthisfanficxD
EvenAfterYears,Istillloveyou
"…NowYumi,ifyouwouldchooseanothernameforyou,whatnamewouldyouchoose?"
"Me?"Thegirlwithhazeleyesaskedandtheoldwomanonhersidesmile,nodding."Ithink…ThatAngelineBitencourtisagoodandbeautifulname…"
"Thenthatitwillbe!"Theoldwomansaidlaughing,whilesheandthegirlenteredonagreatplace,wherepeoplewerewaitingforthem.Whentheyhaveseenthegirl,theysmileandtheoldwomanonhersidesaid."WelcomeAngeline,totheworldofmusic!"
"Youreallyhelpedus!ThankyouMissFukuzawa!"Theoldmansaidandthewomansmileswhileshegivestheinstrumentbacktohisplace.
"Itwasnothing.Ireallyenjoyedhelping."Shesaid,lookingthenattheaccessoriesthatsheboughtonthestorehoursago,butwhensheseestheinstrumentsneedingalittleofattention,shecouldn'thelpbutstayalittlemorelongerthanexpectedtohelptheoldmanandhiswifewiththeinstruments.Then,somethingtakesYumiattention."Whatwasthat?"
"Oh?"Theoldmanandhiswifelookedatwherethehazeleyesare,andthenthemanwalkedinhishandsaveryoldandforgotinstrument.SheplacesitonatableinfrontofYumi,whostaredatitwithadoration."It'saveryoldviolin,itmusthaveoneortwohundredyearsold...Butheisnotcomplete,andifwetriedtocompletehim,wewouldspendagreatamountofmoney,so,wewereplanningsellit."
Yumitaketheoldinstrumentcarefullyinherhands,examiningeachpartofitwithexperiencedeyes,passingherfingersinthedarkwoodwhenthen,aftersomeminutes,finallyYumilookedagainattheoldcoupleandsmiled.
"CanIbuyit?Withthepartsthatyouhave?"Thewomanaskedandaftermoreminutes,againtheoldmanandhiswifethankedherandYumiexitedthestore.
"Didyouseethat,husband?"Theoldwomanaskswhiletheoldmannodded."Suchyoungwomanhelpedusdoingsomethingintwohoursthatwewoulddoinoneortwoweeks!"
"Yes,istrue…Suchexperiencedeyesandabilityhands,likeifshestudiedforalmosttenyears…Iwonder…Whoisshe?"Themansaid,butthenhiseyeslookedatthetable."Anyway,whereisthatCDthatyoubought?Thatoneofthatfamousorchestra?"
"Ithinkthatisthere!"Theoldwomansaid,andaftersomeseconds,sheandoldmanstudiedthecoverwithwideeyes,then,lookingatthefrontdoor."Thatwoman…"
Yumiwalkedhomeandwhenshearrived,shefoundthatherparentswithherrelativesaren'thome,probablylookingaroundthecity.Shethenwentupthestairsandentersonherroom,closingthedoorbehindherandsettingherbagsonthebed.Shethentooktheoldviolinandstartstoaddthepartsthatweremissing.
Twohoursafter,Yumiheardtheentrancedoorofthehouseopenandthen,voicesthathappilytalkedaboutsomething.Yumisighs,herparentsandrelativesarehomeandthemomentofpeaceisalreadylost.Thewomanwithhazeleyesthenputtheinstrumentalmostfinishedbackonthebagandafterputitinherwardrobe,sheexitedherroom.
"OhYumi!Thereyouare!Iwaslookingforyoutoaskifyouwanttogoshopwithyoudearaunt!"Tomarisaidwhileshehuggedherniece,whostaresherblankly."Oh!Comeonniece!Youhavetodosomethinginyourlifeinsteadofstayinthatstrangeroomofyours!"
"Aunt,ifyoudon'thaveseenbefore,almosteverydayIgooutofthishouse!"Yumisaid,freeingherselffromherauntembrace.
"Iknowthat!ButImeandosomethinginyourlivewithyourfamilyinsteadofstayinthatstrangeroomofyoursordisappearwhenwearen'tlooking!"Tomarisaid,puttinganarmaroundherniece'sshouldersanddraggingYumiwithhertothefrontdoor."Nowdon'tbeastubbornchildandlet'sgoalready!"
"Aunt!"ThiswasthelastthingthattheFukuzawafamilyheardbeforethefrontdoorwasclosedontheirfaces.Theylaugh,beforefinallystartstofollowtheyrespectiveroutine.
Yumithensighandstarttofollowherauntinherownfeet,withoutbeingdraggedtothecitylikeshewasdraggedfromherhouse.Thetwowomen'sthentakethebuswhereaftersomeminutes,theywerealreadyinthecenterofthecity,wherethemajorityofthestoreswere.
ThewomanwithhazeleyeslistenboredwhatTomariwassayingaboutnewclothesandtheshoesstorewhileYumilookedblanklyatthepeople,thinkingabouthowmanytimethistripwilltaketostop.Shesighswhenshewasdraggedtothejeansstore.Andstrangely,Yumistartstofellveryuncomfortable,likeifsomeonewaslookingintenselyather.
"Yumi?"
Yumi'sbodyfreezes,andonlyafteroneortwominutes,shewasabletoturnaroundandlookatthepersonwhohasputahandonhershoulder.ShethenfoundthesapphireeyesofSachiko,whonowwasonherfront,andafterthetallgirl,SeiandYoukowereequallylookingatherandTomarithatwasonherside.
"Wow!Whatapleasurefoundyouguysinheretoo!"Yumi'sauntsaidwithabigsmileonherface.SeilaughandYoukosmileswhileSachikoandYumistayinsilence,lookingateachother.
"Sureitis,rightSachiko?"Youkosaid,lookingatthetwolovebirdswhiletheyimmediatelylookedawayfromeachother.
"Y-Yes,itis!"ThewomanwithsapphireeyessaidsmilingandYuminodded,onceagain,withherexpressionlessface.
"Butofcourse,thisisagreatopportunityforYumiandSachikocatchupwitheachother!"SeisaidwithagrinwhileSachikofreezesandYumieyeswentwide,thistime,thepreviouslyRosaGiganteaandRosaChinensisseetheemotionsonYumifacelikeaeightyearsago,whenthegirlwithhazeleyescouldbeeasilyreadlikeaopenbook."Youknow,thetwoweresistersinLillianandevenafteryears,theserelationshipbetweensoeursdon'tiseasilyforgotten.So,whydon'tweleavethemaloneforsomeminutes?"
SeisaidsmilingwhileshedraggedYoukoandTomariforanotherstoreVERYFARfromwheretheothertwowomen'sstayed,watchingtheyleave.Yumisweetdropedandlookedatthewomanonherside,beforethenstartstowalk,beingfollowedforSachiko.
Sachikolookedatthewomanwithbrownhairandthenlookeddown.SheknowsthatshehavetodosomethingaboutYumi.Thissituationisalreadydrivinghercrazyand
sheknowsthatisbecauseofherownfaultfornotbeingabletofightherparentsandrelativesaeightyearsago,allowingYumileaveheroflifeandchangeforsomeonewhoshenotknowanymore!Butnow,shehasthechancethatshewaslookingfortofinallymakeeverythingfineagain.
"I…Don'tknow…Onee-samawas…Crying…"
"Crying...?"Thewomanwithsapphireeyesasked,confused.
"Yes...Italkedwithherasomeminutesago…"Thewomanonhersidesaid,then,lookedather."Shelovesyou,Sachiko-Onee-sama,deeply,butshethinksthatshedon'thavenorightoninterfereinyourlifeanymore.Ithinkthatifyoustillwantheragain,youneedtotalkwithheralone,justthetwoofyou,makeheropenherhearttoyouagainandmakerightthemistakesthatyoutwohavedoneonthepast…"
"Whyareyouhere,Yumi?Cametobuysomethingwithyouraunt?"Thewomanwithsapphireeyesstarted,choosingtobecarefully,stepforstep,beforeenteringonthemainsubject.
"No,Ijustcomebecausemyauntinsisted."Theotherwomananswers,andaftersomesecondsinsilence,sheaskedback,still,notlookingatthetallerwoman."Andyou…?"
"Samethingasyou.SeisaidthatshewantedadiaryandtheninvitedmeandYoukotoawalkonthecity."Sachikosaidandforthefirsttimeonthewalk,Yumilookedather.Herfacestillexpressionless,buthereyeslittlebylittlestartstoshinewithemotion:Curiosity.Sachikosmilesinhermind.
"Diary?Why?"Sheasks,oncemore,lookingbacktowherethetwoofthemarewalking.
"Idon'tknow,butsheseemstobeveryhappyinbuyone."Thewomananswers,lookingdownatherbrown-hairedcompany.Soon,theyenteredinaroadwherethesamestorethatYumihadvisitedonthemorningis,soonYumieyeswhereonthediverseinstrumentsbehindtheglass,Sachikoseeingthis,asked."Youreallylikeinstruments,don'tyou?"
"Yes…"Yumianswered,then,lookingatapianoandtheveryvividmemoryofherandOgasawaraSachikoplayingtogetherpianoinLillian,cametohermind,withtoo,somememoriesnotverywelcomedthatforeightyearsshewastryingtoforgot,makingthehazeleyeslookattheground."Ireallylike."
"Areyoualright,Yumi?"Sachikoaskedconcerned,butknowingwhatmaketheother
womanreactinthatway.Thewomanwithsapphireeyeslookedatthepianobehindtheglass,andrememberedthedayofhermarriagewithhercousin,thesongafterthekisswasoneplayedbyapiano.
"Iam.Thankyou."
"Well.Idon'tseeSeiandtheothersinhereanymore.IdecidedtotrytobuysomethingnowthatI'mhere.Caretojoinme?"SachikoaskedwithasmileandYuminoddedinherdirection.
"Sure."Yumisaid,notlookingathercompanion.
Theystartedtowalk,YumiwasnowfollowingSachikowhowasonhersidejustonestepahead,givingthechancetothebrowneyeslooksatthedarkhairandtheperfectalmostpalefacefromherex-Onee-sama.
"Iwonder…WhyIamdoingthis?"Yumiwhisperedalmostinaudible,askingherselfaboutwhyinfirstplacesheletherauntdraggedtothecity,andnow,whyshewaswalkingalonewiththepersonthatshemostloveintheworld,that'sisalreadyamarriedwomanandthatshepromisedtoherselfthatshewouldnotinterfereinherlifeagain,nowthateverythingseemedtobefinebetweenthem,oralmost…
"Yumi?Whathappened?"
"Huh?"YumithenseesthatshehadstoppedtowalkandSachikowaslookingatherintenselyafewfeetaway.Thebrown-hairedwomanstartedtowalkagain."Sorryaboutthat."
"It'sfine,youseemedtobeinadeeptrough…LikethetimeswhenwereinLillian.Ididn'tknowverywellsuchhabit,youalwaysworriedme."SachikosaidwhilebothofthemrememberedtheconstantmeetingbetweentheRoses,RosesenBoutonandsouersintheRoseMansion.
"Ireallysorryaboutthat,whenIwasmyselfagain,youwerealreadycallingmeback…"Yumisaidhereyeswerelostonsomeplacebeforethemandhervoiceshowedadeepsorrow,occultforyearsandyearsthatalmostthewomanwithdarkhaircry,knowingthatwasshewhomadethat.Yumivoicethenbecomesblankoncemore."Well,whatstoreyouisplanningtogo?"
"Well,IthinkthatIwantgobacktothejeansstore."Sachikosaid,regainingherposture.Yuminoddedandthen,inmorecoupleofminutestheyarebackonthestorewheretheyhadmeeteachotherinthatday.
SachikohadthenchoosesadarkbluejeanspantsandYuminodded,sayingthatshewouldwaituntiltheotherwomancameback,dressedinthenewjeans.ThehazeleyeshaveseesSachikodisappearsinonecornerandsheseatedinonesofa,waitingwhileshelookedatthestore.Thensheseessomethingfunny,shewasinthesamestorewheresheandSachikowhereontheyfirstdatetogether.
ThatwasthefirsttimethatsheOgasawarahadbuyajeanspants,andshe,ofcourse,hadhelpedher,fixingthelengthtotheynotbeverylongandafterthat,theygofortheshoesstore.Sachikothencamebackusingthedarkbluejeans.Itwasbeautifulandfitherbodyperfectlywell,Yumithought.Sachikothensmilesandsaid.
"Yumi,isthishowthey'resupposedtobe?"Yumilookedatherthenatherfeet,wherethejeanspantswerenotyetadjustedtoherlength.
"Excuse-meforamoment."ThewomanwithhazeleyessaidandthensheautomaticallykneelinfrontofSachikoandthenstartstoadjustthelength.
"Everyoneassuchlonglegs…"SachikocommentedwhileshelookedatYumi,still,withasmileonherface.
"No.Thesearemadetobelong.Igetminecutthismucheverytime…"Thegirlanswerswithoutlookattheotherwoman.
"Isee."
"Yes.I'IIfixthelengthnow."JustwhenYumifinishedherwork,shefreezes,rememberingwhatjustshehassaid.Thenasmileappearedonthecornerofherlips,thatdon'tpasswithoutSachikoseesit."Déjàvu?"
"Maybe…"Theotherwomansaid,turningthentowardsthemirrorwhileYumioncemorestandsonherfeet.
"Theysuityouverywell,Onee-sama."Yumisaid,inthesamewaythatshehavesaidineightyearsago,somethingthatsurprisedherselfinsaythatwordagainandsurprisedtheotherwomantobeabletohearitonemoretime.
"Youcalledmeinthatwayagain…"Sachikowhispered,lookingdeeperandlovingatthehazeleyes.
"Yes…"Yumisaid,brokingtheeyecontactandturningaroundtonotshowthelittleblushthatappearedonherface.Aftereightyears,tryinghardtonotshowemotionstoanyoneandsheletthatcoldbarrierfallforsomeseconds.
Theysaidnothingafterthat,aftertheyexitedthejeansstore,Yumioncemorehavethatblankmaskonherface,andSachikostayedinsilence,lookingatherbythecornerofhereye.Then,finallySachikoonceagainstartsatalkbetweenthetwowomen's.
"Yousaidontherestaurantthatyoumeetsomeonewhotaughtyouhowtoplayviolin."YuminoddedandSachikocontinued."Whydidyouwanttolearnit?"
"I…"Yumisaidwhilesheseemedtothinkinananswer."Well,Ineverwantedtolearnit,IwasinvitedbymyteacherwhenIseeaccidentallysheplayingit."
"She?"Yuminoddedagain.ThetwoofthemstopsinfrontofarestaurantandYumiturnedtoSachikoandasked.
"Wanttojoinme?"
"Itwouldbeapleasure."SachikosaidandsheandYumiseatedonatable,soon,employersoftheplacewereontheirside.WhileYumiwastalkingaboutherchoiceoffood,SachikoseemedtothinkaboutthearrivingofYumiinJapanandthenightontherestaurant,afterYumidemonstrationwiththeviolin.
"IwaslivinginAmerica."
"America?"
"Yes,Ihaveknowanimportantpersonforme,obtainedagoodworkandamhappywiththelifethatIconqueredthere…"
"Darling,howdidyoudothat?Itwasbeautifulandincredible."
"ImeetaviolinteacherinAmericaandthenIstartedtolearnhowtoplayit."
"Sachiko?"Yumicalled,forgettingtouseanyhonorificsafterhername.Sachikocamebacktotheworldofthelivingandsmiled,apologizing.Theysoon,afterfinished,exitedtherestaurant.
"So,whydon'tweleavethemaloneforsomeminutes?It'salreadyalmostthreehoursandIstilldon'tseeSei,Youkoandyourauntback,Yumi."Sachikosaid,lookingatoneclock.
"IthinkthatSeisenseoftimeisthreeminutesareequaltothreehours…"Yumisaid.Sachikogiggledandthewomanwithhazeleyessmiledasmallsmile,makingthewomanwithsapphireeyessmiletoo.
"Yousmiled."Shesaid.
"Yes...Ithink…"Yumisaid,lookingattheground."Whydoyousaythat?Ican'tanymoresmile?"
"Youcan,ofcourse,butIliketoseeyousmileagain,youknow,it'sonlythesecondtimeIseeyoudoingitaftersolong."SachikosaidmakingoncemoreYumihideherfacewhenshefellshercheeksburninembarrassment.
"…Iliketoseeyousmileagain…"
"Thesecondtime?Whenwasthefirstthen?"YumiaskedlookingatSachiko.
"Whenyouwereplayingtheviolinintherestaurant…"Theotherwomananswers,smiling.
"Oh…"Yumiwhisperedandthetwoofthenwereinsilenceagain.OnequestionwasburninginYumi'sheartsincethetimeshehadarrivedinJapan,so,withherheadlookingattheoppositedirectionfromSachiko,sheasked."Howwasyourlifeafteryourmarriage?"
SachikolookedatYumi,sheknowsthatonetimethebrown-hairedwomanwouldaskedaboutit,andshealreadywaspreparedforthatmoment.Thechancetofinallymakerighteverymoment,everymistake,everychoicethatwasmakeonthepast.ThechoicethatshewaswaitingsincethetimeshedivorcedSugurotofindagainhertruelove.
"…BecauseIhavefallinlovewithyou…"
"Trytobehappy,Sachiko."
"Sachiko!Didyouknow?YumileavesJapanyesterday!"
"So,whatareyouplanningtodonow,Sa-chan?"
"Iwillfindher."
"Yumi…Wereareyou?"
"Welcomebackhome,Yumi."
"Thankyou,MissOgasawara."
"…Ifyoustillwantheragain,youneedtotalkwithheralone,justthetwoofyou,
makeheropenherhearttoyouagainandmakerightthemistakesthatyoutwohavedoneonthepast…"
"Iloveyou,Onee-sama."
"Iloveyoutoo,Yumi."
"Aftermyfatherandgrandfatherdiedonacaraccident,IandSuguruhavedivorced."
"YOU…"Yumistartssurprised,somethingthatwasevidentinhervoicetone,whichaftersomeseconds,camebacktonormal."…Youtwohavedivorced…Isorryifsomethinghadhappenedbetweenyoutwo."
"Notinghappened,wejusthavebeenmarriedfortwoyearsandthen,finallywecouldgetourfamilyhelpanddivorced."SachikosaidsmilingandYumikeepsstaringattheground.Thetwoofthen,waitedinsilencethesignaltoclosetocrossthestreet,andthenthetwostartedtowallagain.
"Iunderstand…"Yumiwhispered.
"Yumi."Sachikosaidinafirmandserioustonethatmakethehazelfallonhersapphiresone."Therearethingsthatthetwoofusneedtotalkabout,so,IwanttoinviteyoufordinnerintheOgasawaramansion,tonight."
SachikosaidandYumistaredather,whiletheotherwomanwaitedexpectantlyforananswer.Butthen,beforeYumicouldsaysomething,Sachikoeyescouthsomethingbluecomefastontheirdirection,andpushingYumiasidebackontheinthesidewalk,shefellsagreatthingshockitselfonherandagreatpainonmadepresenceherentirelybody.Herworldwentblack,whileinthedeepofhermindascreamcouldbeheard.
"SACHIKO!!!!!!!!!"
Chapter6
HaHaHaLikeIsay,somepeoplewouldstarttohatemeafterthatchapterXDbutdon'tworry,thisisNOTtheend,thisfanficstillit'salittlefartobefinish…WhenIhavewritethefirstchapter,Idon'twasthinkingaboutdomorenineortenchaptersforthisstory…AndtoothisWILLhaveahappyending(^_^)Afterwall,SachikoandYumideservesahappylifeaftereverythingI'mdoingtothemxD
EvenAfterYears,Istillloveyou
YumilookedatSachiko,surprisedfortheinvitationtooncemore,gototheOgasawaramansion.Shealreadyhasgotothereinthepast,twoorthreetimesbeforethedaysheleavesthecountry.Thatsapphireeyeslookingatherlikeifshewastryingtoreadhersoul,justwaitingforapositiveanswer.
TherewassomanythingsthatshewantedtoaskSachiko,aboutherpast,whydidsheandhercousindivorceifthemarriagewastheychoose,howwasherliveafterthat,didshethytolivehappy?Yumiwantedtosaysomuchthingstoher,whysheleaveJapaninfirstplace,howwasherlifeinAmerica,whatshelearninthere,whyshedidcamebacktoJapan,toseeherfamily,herfriends,butmoreimportant,heragain.
Yumiwantedtoapologizeandexplainwhyshewasactingsocoldtowardstheonlypersonthatsheloves,shewantedtosaythatshestillloveher,shestillwantedtofulfillherpromisetostayinSachiko'ssidenomatterwhathappened.Shewantedtosaysomanythingsinsolittletime.
YumilookedatSachikoeyes,oncemore,losingherselfinthem.ShewasalreadydecidedtocomebacktoAmericaandleaveSachikowithherliveoncemore.It'salreadysomanyyears…WhenshehaveseenthatbeautifulanduniquesmilethatSachikogivestoherintheairport,shealreadyhavedecidedtonotinterfereinherliveoncemore,tonotdestroyeverythingthatcouldmakethatwomansmileinthatwayagain.Shedecidedtoleaveoncemore,tonotmakethewomanwithsapphireeyeslosethathappinesswithher.
Butnow,lookinginthedeepofSachikoeyes,shecan'tanymore,shecan'tmakethatperfectladymaskstayonherface,shecan'tnomoremakethetearsofeightyearsofsolitudestayhiddeninthecornerofhereyes.ShelookedatSachikoalmostcryingbutthetallerwomanwaslookingatotherplace,nottoher.Then,Sachikotakeoneofherarmsandpushedherawayfromthestreet.
Then,whileshewasfallingbacktothesidewalksheseeswithwideeyes.Abluecarwascomingintheydirection,themanwhowasdrivingit,byhisdespairedface,helostthevehiclecontrolandthebrakedon'twasfunctioning,andimmediately,Yumialreadyknowthatthecarcouldnotbestopped.Thevehiclecomesfastandsheknewthatthetwoofthemwouldnotescapefromwhatwascoming.SachikohaschoseYumiandthehazeleyesseethecarbeatagainstherlover'sbody.
"SACHIKO!!!!!!!!!"YumiheardherownvoicescreamingSachiko'snamewhiletearsstartedtofallfromhereyesonherface.Forher,sheseesslowlytheotherwoman'sbodyfallsclosetothesidewalk,alreadyunconsciously.
"Yumi!Yumi!Whathappened?YUMI!"SeiscreamedonYumifacewhileshe,thewomanwithhazeleyes,TomariandYoukowhereonahospital,waitingforthedoctorcomebacktotellifSachikowouldbealright.
"W-Wewerewalking…Crossingthestreetand…and…shesavedme…but…"Yumistartedtocryharderagainandthethreewoman'sunderstandwhathappened.
"OhmyGod…Sachiko…"Youkowhispered,lookingatthedooroftheroomwherethewomanwithsapphireeyeswherebrought.Thedoorthenopenedandadoctorexitedclosingagainthedoorbehindhimandwalkingtotheladiesonthewaitingroom.
"YouguysarethecompanionsoftheMissOgasawara?"Heaskedandthefourwoman'snodded."Itwasamiraclethatshedon'treceivemanywounds.Ofcourse,shehastworibsandanarmbrokenbuttheyarealreadyfixedandsheisoutofdanger.Theonlythingnowiswaitingforhertowakeupbutshelostaverygreatamountofblood,soIdon'tthinkthatshewillwakeupsosoon.Nowanyonecan'tenterontheroomiftheyarenotfromherfamily,buttomorrowwewillstarttoallowvisitsfromfriendstoo,toher."
"Thankyoudoctor."Themannoddedandthenexitedtheplace,again,enteringinSachikohospitalroom.YoukothenturnedtoSei,TomariandYumi,whowasfacingtheground,stillwithtearsonherface."Wecan'tdonothingmorenow,let'sgohomefortodayandcomebacktomorrow."
"Youareright,Youko-san."Tomarisaidandthenturnedtoherniece,kneelinginYumi'sside."Yumi,dear,sheisfinenow,don'tworry,now,let'sgohome,tomorrowwewillcomebacktoseeSachiko-san."
"No…"
"Yumi,now,weneedtogohome!"Tomarioncemoresaid,puttingahandonYumi's
shoulder.
"NO!"Thewomanwithhazeleyessaidaloud,pushingawayheraunthandandlookingserioustohercompanions."Iwillstayherewithher."
"ButYumi…"Tomarithenshutupbythelookthatherniecegivestoher.Apleadinglookbutthere'ssomethingmoreinthere,morethanasimplecareforadearfriend.Thatwasadeterminatelookingthatapersonhasforherorhislover."Yumi…Youandthatwoman…"
"Iwillnotleaveheragain…Notanymore…Notagain…"Yumisaid,lookingoncemoretotheground.
"Tomari-san,it'sokay,justtelltoherparentsandherfamilywhathappenedandthatshechoosestostay."SeisaidlookingatYumi.
Tomarijustnoddedandthethreewoman'sexitedtheplace,leavingYumialonewithmorefiveorsixpersonsinthewaitingroom.Thewomanwithhazeleyesputherfaceinherhands,oncemoretryingtocleanthetearsfromhereyes.Shestayedinthatposition,sobbinguntilshefellsahandonhershoulder.
"AreyoualrightMiss?IfI'mright,youtoo,areintheaccidentplace."SheheardSachikodoctorsaid.Thewomanlookedathimandthenattheground.
"Iam,becauseshesavedme…"Shewhispered.
"Youreallyareimportanttoher,likeshewasimportanttoyou,Isee…"Hesaid,sittingonherside.
"Sheis…"Yumiansweredquietly.
"Howmuchtimedoyouknoweachother?"Themanasked,lookingatthecloseddoortoSachiko'shospitalroom.
"TenyearsIguess…"Thewomansaid,hereyestoolookingatthesamedoor."But…ForeightyearsIwaslivinginAmerica,it'salmosttwoweeksthatIhavecamebacktoJapan…"
"Eightyearswithoutseeeachother?"Heasked,surprised.
"Yes…WehaveknoweachotherinLillianatenyearsago."Yumisaidlookingatthegroundwhilesheseessomemomentsthatshespendwithherex-Onee-samaintheschoolonhermind.
"Lillian?LillianGirlsCatholicSchool?"Heaskedandshenodded."Mydaughterstuddedintherenow,sheisasecondyearandeverytimeshetalksaboutherOnee-sama,youknow,aboutthatsisterrelationshipthrougharosary.MywifeandIdon'thaveaseconddaughterorason,that'swhyIamverygratefultothegirlwhowashersisterintheschool.Sheislikeafamilytous,already."
"Yourdaughterisaveryluckperson."Yumisaid,smilingsadly.
"Sheis,indeed."Thedoctorsaidwhilehethoughtaboutsomething,beforethentolookatYumiwithcuriosity."Tellme,youandthatbeautifulwomaninthatroom…Youtwoweresisters,right?"
"Yes,wewere…Todaywewasonthecity,talkingaboutthoseeightyearsuntil…until…"Yumistopswhenshecouldagainfellsthetearsonhercheeks.Thedoctorputanarmaroundhershoulderwhilehestandsup,draggingthewomanwithhim.
"LikeIsaid,Lilliansoeursrelationshipisveryserious,thetwosistersbecamesoclosethattheystartstomakepartofourfamily.Youknow,visitstohernowareonlyallowedforfamily."HesaidandYumilookedathim,thedoctorsmiledather."Iwillgiveyoumypermissiontoyoustaywithherontheroom,becauseyouarehersisterinasoeurrelationship,buthaveinmindthatshewillnotwakeuptonight,ortomorroworthedayaftertomorrow,eveninherinjuriesarenotsograve,shereceivedonestrongcollisionintheheadwhenshefellinthestreet.SoIaskyoutowaitwithpatient."
Hesaidandthewomannodded,lookingathimgratefully.ThedoctorthenwalkedwithhertoSachikoroomwherethetwoofthenstopped.Hethenleaveher,sayingthatheneedtocheckanotherpatientandthatsheisfreetostayhowmuchshewantsintheroom.Shelookedatthedoctoruntilhedisappearedinanotherhospitalroom,andthen,hereyesoncemorewereonthewhitedoor.Shewaitedsomeseconds,thinkingabouttheaccidentwherethewomanwithsapphireeyessavedherlife.Sheclosedhereyesbeforetakeadeepbreathandopenthedoor,closingitbehindherself.
Shethenopenedhereyes,facingaspaciousroomwithwhitewallsandawindowthatatthemomentwasclosed.ButYumiattentionwasimmediatelyonthebedwhereawomanwassleeping.Thewomanwithhazeleyesslowlyapproachedonthebedwhiletearsonceagainfallsonherface.
Sachikowasthereunconsciously.Hereyeswhereclosedandherbeautifulfacewasmorepalethannormal,withsomelittlewounds.Herlongdarkhairwherespreadinthepillows,andlikethedoctorsaid,partofherheadwaswithbandages,likeher
rightarmthatwasdroopedonherside.YumithenslowlyreachedforSachiko'slefthandthatwasrestingonherstomachandstartstostrokeit.
"Sachiko...I'msorry...I...I...Itwasmyfault...Ihavemadethewrongchoice,thinkingthatyou'restillwithSuguru-san...Livinghappywithchildren...Andthinkingthatyoualreadyhaveforgottenme...IfIknowbefore...Lookingatyourgentleandlovinghappyeyesintheairport...ThatmaybeIwasthethingthathavecausethathappinessinyou..."
Yumistartedtosayinalowvoice.Eveniftheotherwomanwasnotawake,Yumistillnotabletolookathersleepingface,herhazeleyeswasontheverypalehandthatslowlyandgentleshewasstroking.Closetoherwasanabandonedchair,thatafteramoment,thebrown-hairedwomansatdown,neverlettinggothepalehand.
"...Ihavemadethewrongchoiceinthepast...IhavepromisedyouthatIwouldstayinyoursidenomatterwhathappened,andIchoicetoleavealltoyou,abandonedyoutoyoursolitude,yourburdenandloyaltywiththedutiesofyourfamilybecauseIdon'thavethestraighttoseeyouwithhim…Tosupportyouinyourdecision…LikewhenyouaskedmetodoinLillian…"
Whensheremovedthatpalehandfromtheotherwomanstomach,holdingitmoreclosetoherselfshegentlekisseditthen,layingherleftcheekonit'spalm,feelingthesofttouchagainstherskin,closingherhazeleyeswhilemoretearsescapesfromhereyes,fallingonthetwohandsonhercheek.
"Whathappenedtoyouwasmyfaultbecauseofmystupidchoice,andtonotbeabletohavethecouragetotellyouthatbehindofmyblankmask,Istillfellforyou…"
Yumithenputthepalehandbackontheotherwomanstomach,notlettingitgofromhergentlegraspwhilethenshelaidherheadonthebedinSachikoside,whisperinginawaythatjustthewomanwouldhear,ifshewasawake.
"Idon'tknowifyourheartcouldeverhearme…Withyouunconscious,butI…Iloveyou…Evenafteryears,Istillloveyou…InevercouldforgetyouorwhatwehavemadetogetherinLillian,onthetwoshortyearsthatwespendtogether,withoutyourfamilyoranythingthatcouldseparateus.Iwantyoutoforgiveme,Iwanttomakerighteverymistake,everywrongchoicebetweenourlives…TotakethissecondchanceandneverletgobecauseIloveyou…OhSachiko…Iloveyousomuch…Imissyou,everytouch,everyfeelingthatyoumakemefell.ThelivethatIgainedwhenIwaswithyou,hearingyourvoice,talkingtomeandonlyme,andyoureyes…Sostrongwithothersbutstillsogentleandlovingtome…Sachiko…Sachiko…
Please…Wakeupsoonandreturntome…"
Yumisaid,hervoicedisappearedinhercrythatslowlytookhertosleepinthatroom.Thewomanwithhazeleyesnevernoticedthesolitarytearthatescapesfromthecornerofoneclosedeyesoftheunconsciouslywoman.
Thedayswhenslowlyandpainfulforthewomanwithhazeleyes,whoeverytimestayinthehospitalwithSachikowhostillunconsciously.Herfamilyandfriendstriedtomakehergohomeandsleepuntilfinally,intheendofthefirstweek,Yumigohomeandstayforsomedays.ButtheninoneafternoonthewomanwithhazeleyesreceivedanurgentcallfromSeiwhowasinthehospital,sayingthatfinallySachikowasawake.
Whenshearrivedbackinthehospital,shefoundinthewaitingroomSeiwithYouko,SachikomotherandsomefriendsfromLillian,butshedon'tstoppedtotalkwiththem,runningtotheroomwhereSachikowasresting,butSeitriedtograbher.
"Wait!Yumi!ThereissomethingthatyouneedtoknowaboutSachiko!"Seisaidbutitisalreadylate,thewomanwithhazeleyesalreadyhaveenteredontheroom.
Whenshearrived,shefoundthewomanwithsapphireeyesinasittingposition,apparentlyreadingabook,onlytostoptolookatthenewpersonintheroomwhostaredatherwitheyesfightingbacksometears.
"Sachiko…"Yumisaidandthenthewomanstaredatherconfused,beforethen,finallyasks.
"Whoareyou?"
Chapter7
Helloeverybody!Finallythe7chapterison!Sorrythelateofthis,ItwasbecauseIwaslookingforabeta,likesomepeoplehaveaskedformeto^_^MyfriendKin756894doneitformeandIreallygratefulforthat.ThanksKin!Hopeyouguyswillliketoreadmorethisfanficnow.It'snotveryfartobedone,morethreeoffourchaptersandthisend.AndforthosewhoareverycuriousaboutYumi'slifeinAmerica,IwillwritewhathappenedtoherinthenextchapterinthesamewayI'vedonewithSachikointhesecondchapter.Anyway,hereitis,thanksforstillreadingit.
EvenAfterYears,IStillLoveYou
"Sachiko…"
"Whoareyou?"Thewomanwithsapphireeyesaskedsurprised.Yumiblinked,confused,lookingatthewomaninthebed.
"What…?Sachiko?"Yumiaskedandthenthedoctorenteredinthehospitalroom,puttinghishandsonYumishouldersandlookingatthewomaninthebed.
"I'msorry,MissOgasawara,todisturbyou.Don'tworry,whentherestofyourfamilyarrives,wewilltellthemeverything."Hesaidandexitedtheroom,draggingthewomanwithhazeleyeswithhim.
"I'msorry,Yumi.ItriedtotellyoubutyoualreadydisappearedinSachiko'sroom."Seisaidhuggingthewomanwholookedather,stillconfused.
"Whatdidshemeanwhenshesaid'Whoareyou?'WhathappenedherethatIdon'tknowyet?"Yumiaskedwhilesheseatedherselfonachairinthewaitingroom.
"Shedoesn'tknowyou."Thedoctorsaid,makingeveryone'sattentionturntohim,whowaslookingatthewomanwithhazeleyes,concerninhiseyes."Isaidthatwhenshewokeup,everythingwouldbefine,andthatinafewdaysshealreadywouldbefreetogohome…butI'vemadeamistake."
"Mistake?"Yumiaskedandthedoctornodded.Lookingathisface,thewomanwithhazeleyesimmediatelyknewthatshewasgoingtohearsomethingnotverypleasant.
"Yes.Ithoughtthatshedidn'treceivegraveinjuries.Iwasright…untilfourhours
ago,whenMissOgasawarawokeupandIdiscoveredthatherheadwasinjured.Don'tworrythough;she'sfine,likeyouhaveseensomeminutesago,but….Shelosthermemories.Everythingaboutherfriendsandfamily,includingyou."
"…Me?"Yumiwhisperedwithwideeyesthatoncemorestartedtolettearsfallsdownthewoman'sface,whileshelookedatthegroundinshock.
"Yes…I'msorryaboutyoursoeur,Yumi-san.Wedon'tknowifshewillhavehermemoriesbackinawhileorifthisispermanent,butstill,bepatientwithhernow."Thedoctorfinished.
Secondsafter,Sachiko'smotheralongwithSuguruandToukoarrived,andsoonthedoctortalkedtothem,explainingthesituation.TheylookedovertoYumiwithsadandconcernedeyesbeforeenteringthehospitalroomwherethewomanwithsapphireeyeswaitedforanexplanation.
Toukowastheonlyonewhostayedbehindwiththeothers.Shewatchedherrelativesdisappearbehindthewhitedoorbeforeitwasclosed.ThenhereyesoncemorerestedonYumiwhostillhadherheaddown,tearsstreamingdownhercheeks,andlookingatsomethingpassedthegroundonherfeet.Shethenseatedherselfbyheronee-sama'sside.
"…But…Shelosthermemories…Includingyou…"
"Whoareyou?"
ThewordsechoedinYumi'sheadagainandagain.Shedidn'tunderstandherworldanymore,orwhyshewasinhereinfirstplace,ifitwasonlytocausepainandsufferingforherandtheotherswhowerestillnearinherlife.Allshewantedwastoseethemagain—herfamily,herfriends,herpetitsoeur,andevenifshewasafraidtodoso,theonlypersonwhosheallowedherselftolove.
"…But,ifyouseethatsheliveshappilyinherlifewithoutyou,thengetawayfromheranddon'ttrytokillthathappiness.It'snotrightforyoutodoso…andit'stheonlywaysobothofyoudon'thurtyourselvesanymore..."
ShewarnedherinAmerica,yetstillYumi,inthelastmoment,letherselfapproachthegorgeouswomanwithsapphireeyesoncemore,thinkingthatmaybeshecouldhaveonemorechance,thehopethatevenafteryears,shecouldbeneartohersoul-mateinthewayshewantedtobe.Butnowbecauseofthiserror,theaccidenthappened,andtheloveofherlifeforgoteverythingandeveryone,includingher.
"…Includingyou…"
Shemadethemistake,andnow,shehastopayforitforbothofthem.Thehopeisgone,andthelovethatmaybe,oneday,theotherwomancouldhaveforher,thelittle,innocentgirlatLillianandtheconfidentwomanofeightyearsafter,waskilled.Shefeltarmsencirclehertremblingforminagentleandstrongembrace.Yumiallowedherselftocryonherpetitsoeur'sshoulder,notcaringifitwasinfrontofherfriends.
"Onee-sama,don'tworry.I'msurethatSachiko-onee-samawillrememberyouandallofusagain.Shewill."Toukowhisperedinthewoman'searwhilesheembracedherinastrongbutstillgentleway.
Thetwosistersstayedthatway.Thewomanwithhazeleyeshadalreadylosthersenseoftime,justlettingherarmsembracetheotherwoman.Withtimehercriesturnedintosobs,andToukomovedawayalittletolookatherOnee-samaface,then,helpingtheotherwomancleanawaywhatwasleftofthetears.
"Yumi-chan,Touko-chan."ThetwoheardSuguru'svoicecallingthem,andwhenYumilookedathimhesmiledsoftlyandcontinued."Touko-chan,goseeSa-channowbeforeyoucan'tanymore."
"Alright."Thewomansaid,nodding,andaftershesmiledgentlytoherOnee-sama,sheletYumigoandstoodup,enteringtheroomwhereSachikowasandclosingthedoorbehindher.
"Yumi-chan,gowashyourface."Hesaidsoftly,andthewomanjustnoddedandexitedthewaitingroomtoenterthewomen'sbathroom.
Yumilookedatherselfthemirror.Hernormallypaleskinwasnowflushedfromrecentlycrying,andherhazeleyeswereshiningwithemotions.Herhandsthenreachedthecoldwaterandaftersomesecondsofjustenjoyingthesensation,shecleanedherfaceandoncemorecomebacktothewaitingroom.Herfriends,alongwithSuguruandSachiko'smother,lookedatherandYumilethereyesrestonToukothatwasleanedonthewallonthedoorside.
"Gotoher,Onee-sama."ShesaidsmilingandYumiopenedthedoor,whisperingtoherpetitsoeurbeforesheclosedit.
"Thankyou,Touko."
Yumilookedatthefamiliarroomwheremanytimesbeforeshesleptin,hopingtoGodtoseeherloveoncemoreopenhereyesandsmileather,butthensheputthatasideandlookedatthewomanwhowasinthebed,lookingatherwithapologizingeyes.
"IsorryforthewaythatI'veacted."Shespeaksandthewomanwithhazeleyesseatedonachairnotveryfarfromthebed,smilingsoftly.
"It'salright;Ijustwasnotexpectingyoutoforgetmeafterthataccident."Yumisaid,lookingdown,whispering."Itwasmyfaultforyoutobethisway."
"No,Ithinkthatitwasmine,too.Afterall,theysaidtomethatwewerewalkinginthemiddleofthestreet,talking,withoutlookingaround."Sachikoanswered,smilingsoftly.
"Howmuchdidtheytellyouaboutme?"Yumiasked,lookingatthosebeautifulsapphireeyes.Theywerestillshiningasalways,butnolongerheldthatspecialwaythatSachikoalwayslookedatYumibefore.Now,itwasasifthewomanwithhazeleyeswasjustonemorepersoninherlife,anditfeltlikeaswordwasslowlyandpainfulbeingputthroughYumi'sheart.
"Notmuch,totellthetruth.Theyjustsaidthatyouweremysister,butyoudon'tbelongtotheOgasawarafamily.Idon'tunderstandverywellwhattheymeant..."Theotherwomansaidconfused,lookingatYumiwithquestioningeyes,lookingforananswer.
"It'salittlehardtoexplain..."Yumibeganwhileshewasthinking."Itwastenyearsago,youandIwerestudentsinaCatholicschoolnamedLillian.There,thestudentsofthesecondandthirdyearalwayshelpthestudentsofthefirstyear,explainingtherulesandeverythingabouttheschool.Butthen,thereissomethingthatgoesfartherthanjustexplainingrulesorfriendshiprelationships.It'sthesoeurrelationship."
"Soeur?"Theotherwomanasked,lookingatYumiwhonodded.Alltheattentionofthosesapphireeyeswereonhernow.
"Thesoeurrelationshipismadebyrosaries.Whenastudentgivesherrosarytoanotherstudent,theyofficiallybecomesisters,theGrandsoeurandthePetitsoeur.ThisrelationshipofficiallycontinuesuntiltheGrandsoeurgraduatesinthethirdyear…oruntilthepetitsoeurdecidestobreakthesisterlybondandgivesbacktherosarytoherGrandSoeur."
"Itseemspainful…"SachikosaidandYuminodded,smilinggently.
"Itis…but,itissomethingthatdoesn'thappenfrequently.Themajorityrelationshipbetweensistersbecomessostrongthatevenafterthebothofthemgraduate,theystillsharethesamesisterlyrelationshipafteryearsandyears."Yumisaid,lookingattheground."Themajorityoftherosaryceremony,theoneaboutgivingyourrosary,ismadebetweensecondandfirstyears."
"Isee…"Sachikowhisperedandtheroomfellintosilence,beforethewomanwithsapphireeyeslookedatYumicuriosity."Youweremysister?"
"Yes…Iwasyourpetitsoeurandyouweremygrandsoeur."Yumianswered,lookingbackatSachiko.
"How…"SachikostartedandYumismiled,noddinginherdirection,askingsilentlyfortheotherwomantocontinuewithherquestion."…Howdidwemeet?"
"Itwasanaccident.Eveniftherearevariousrosaries,onlythreedistinguishedofall,andthepeoplewhousedthemwereconsideredtheexampleofasoeurrelationshipintheentireschool.Thosewhowearthethreerosarieswhereconsideredasafamily,andtheleaders,thethirdyearstudentsImean,wherecalledRosaGigantea,RosaFoetidaandRosaChinensis.Eachnamewasoneofthethreerosaries.Theirpetitsoeur'swherecalledRosaGiganteaenbouton,RosaFoetidaenboutonandRosaChinensisenbouton,andtheirpetitsoeur'swerecalledRosaGiganteaenboutonpetitsoeur,andtherestyoualreadycouldknow."Yumisaidlaughingalittle."Well,youwerethefamoussecondyearSachikoOgasawara,theRosaChinensisenbouton,andIwasthesimpleanddistractedfirstyear,YumiFukuzawa,whohappenedtocometoschoolwithmycrookedscarfandencounteryou."
"Itdoesn'tseemtobeanoticeableaccident."Sachikosaidsmiling.
"Maybe,untilyouarrangedmyscarfanddisappearedinthebuilding.ThenIdiscoveredthatsomeonetookapictureofitandsaidthatifIwantedhertogivethepicturetome,Ineededyourpermissiontoputit…somewherethatIreallydon'tremembernow."YumisaidandSachikolaughsalittle."Well…Iwasoneofyourmanyfangirls,thenwedecidedtogowheretheRosesandenboutonsmeet;TheRoseMansion.Webumpintoeachotheratthedoorwhenyoudecidedtofindapetitsoeursoyouwouldn'thavethepartofCinderellainthatyearsplay.YoudecidedtotakemebecauseIdidn'thaveagrandsoeuryet,butIdidn'tacceptit,andthentheRosesdecidedtomakeabet."
"Abet?!Inasituationlikethat?"SachikoaskedsurprisedwhileYumilaughs,nodding.
"Youdidn'tlikemenatthetime,andyourcousinwastheprince.TheRosessaidthatifyousucceedinmakingmeyourpetitsoeur,youwerefreefromtheplay.ButifIacceptedyourrosary,thenIwouldhavehadtotakeyourplaceasCinderella."Yumianswered,lettingthegoodmemoriesoncemorecomebacktohermind."Well,wepassbyeachothersometimeandafteralittlefightwithyourcousinIdecidedtoacceptyourrosarysoyouwouldnothavetobeintheplay,butyoudon'tgiveitto
meandbecameCinderellaintheplay.IthoughtthateverythingabouttheRoseswasnowover,butthenyoucalledmeandofferedtheChinensisrosarytomebecauseyouactuallywantedmetobeyourpetitsoeur,notbecauseofthebet.SoIacceptedit."
"Sothenwearesisters?"YuminoddedandSachikosmiles,makingtheotherwomansmiletoo."Mycousin,Touko,mentionedsomethingaboutherOnee-sama.ShewasastudentinLillian,too?"
"Yes,shewas.Ashorttimebeforeyougraduated,IgivetheChinensisrosarytoher;shewasmypetitsoeur.Shetoodidnotacceptmyrosaryatfirst,likeyouandI,butIwasalittleinsistent.Ireallywantedherasmypetitsoeur,andIdidneverregretgivingmyrosarytoher."Yumisaidlookingatthedoorwhereprobablyeveryonewasstillwaitingontheoutside.
"Andwhathappenedtothethreeofus?"Sachikoasked,regainingthosebeautifulhazeleyesbackonherface.
"Yourfatherandgrandfatherwantedyouandyourcousin,Suguru-san,tomarry.Youbothdid,butaftertheirdeathsyoutwodivorced.Toukomentionedonedaysomethingabout"commandingacompany."…Sorry,Ididn'treallylistenatthetime.IstillneedtotalktoheraboutwhathappenedinthoseeightyearsthatIwasawayfromJapan."
"Away?Whatdoyoumean?"Sachikoaskedconfused.Yumisighedsoftly.
"IleftJapantoliveinAmericaafteryourmarriagewithSuguru-san,Sachiko."Yumianswered,standingup,makingtheotherwomanlookatherwithcuriosity.
"Why?"
"It's…somethingverycomplicated.Youwon'tunderstandinthissituation."Yumisaidandbeforethewomaninthebedcouldsaysomethingtoprotest,Yumicontinued."Therearesomefriendsofbothofusthatalsowantedtotalkwithyou.Let'stalkaboutitanotherday."
Sachikofellintosilence,lookingatthewomanwithhazeleyes,beforereluctantlynoddedather.Shewantedtoknowmoreaboutthemysteriouswoman.It'slikesomethingwasmissingbesideshermemory,somethingbetterandveryimportant,butbothofthemknewthatitwasn'tthetime.Beforetheotherwomanexitedtheroom,Sachikospokesoftly.
"Thankyou,Yumi."
Yumididn'tstoptolookbackatthewomaninthebedbecausesheknowsthatifshedoes,shewouldbelostinthosedeepandbeautifulsapphireeyes,andthenstartingtosearchherlostlove.HerfriendsthatwerewaitingontheoutsideenteredtheroomtotalkwithSachikowhileYumiheardhercellulargooff.Shepicksupthephoneandaftersheenteredthebathroomagainshelookedatthevisor,beforepressingabuttonandspeakinginEnglish.
"AngelineBitencourtspeaking."
"HeyAngel!It'smeagain!"Thevoiceintheothersidesaidcheerfully.
"Richard,what'sup?"Yumisaidleaningagainstthewall.
"Youknowwhatdayisit,don'tyou?It'salmosttheconcertday!YouhavetocomebacktoAmericatoreplaceSophie!Youaretheonlyonewhocandothisandremember,youpromised!"
"Yes,Iremember.Ipromisetodothisinhermemory."
"Yeah,wewillneedatleastoneweektopracticewitheveryone.WeneedyouheretostartsoIwasplanningtogotoJapaninthreedaystopickyouup.Whatdoyouthink?"
"Yeah,sure.Whynot?"Yumianswered,lookingatthemirroragain.
"Sothat'sit!IwillbethereonWednesdaymorningandwecangobacktoAmericatogetherintheafternoon!Seeyouthen,Angel!"ThephonewentsilentandYumiputitbackontheplace.
"BacktoAmerica...?"Yumiwhisperedwithasadlookonherface,stilllookingatthemirrorwherethefamousAmericanviolinistAngelineBitencourtlookedbackather.
Chapter8
Hipeople!Sorrythelateofthischapter.FinallyYumi'spastisupforthecuriouswithsomedramabetweenYumiXSachikoagain.EvenifI'mlateagain,Iwillfinishthisstory,sodon'tworryhehehe
EvenAfterYears,IStillLoveYou
"Trytobehappy,Sachiko."Withthis,thegirlfinallyleftthechurch.
Yumiknowsthatherbrotherandherparentswerestillinthere,waitingtocongratulatethenewcouple,butshecouldnotstayinthatplace,notanymore.
Thetearshiddeninhereyesfinallystartedtostreamdownonherface.Thegirlranfarawayfromtheplace,crossingthestreetsandparks,neverstoppingorcaringforanyonewhocouldwatchher.Theskyseemedtoknowherpain,andequallystartedtocryforthepooryounggirlwhocouldnotfindhappinessinherlife.
Therainturnedintoastormthatcruellyfelluponthecity.Exhaustion,aftersomeminutes,startedtomakepresenceinYumi'sbody,makingthegirlwithhazeleyesstoprunning,loseherstrength,andfalltotheground.Yumididn'tfighttheraintoriseagain,butinsteadsheletherselfcrysilentlywhileherfacehiditselfinthegramofoneforgottenpark,andthetearslongappearedonherface,choosingtodisappearwiththerain.
"Onee-sama?"Yumiopenedhereyes,herblurredvisionslowlycomingbacktonormal,andnowlookedatherex-petitsoeur.SheseesToukosmileandthenlookedoutofthecarwindow."We'vearrived,Onee-sama."
"Yes,thankyouforwakingmeup,Touko."Yumisaidwithasmile,thenstaredatthehospital.TodayisthedaythatSachikowouldbereleasedfromthehospitalbecauseoftheOgasawarafamilyinsistence.Thedoctoragreedbecausehesaidthatmaybeshecouldwinbackhermemories.
Aftersheexitedthecar,YumiwalkedwithToukoandSachiko'smotherinsidethehospital,andwhiletheoldladysignedsomepapers,Yumilookedatthecalendar.ThenextdaywasWednesday.TodaywasherlastdayinJapan.
"Yumi!Mygod!Whathappenedtoyou!?"Yumi'smotherscreamedwhenherdaughterappearedbackhome.Herclotheswerecompletelysoakedandshelookedverytired.TheywerewaitingforhersinceafterSachiko'swedding.Thegirllooked
athermotherthenattheclock—itwasalreadypastmidnight.Hervisionblurredandshefainted.
"Yumi?Canyouhearme?"Thegirlopenedhereyes,lookedaroundherbedroom,beforelookingatthepersonbyherside.
"…Mother?"Thewomannodded,smiling.
"Whathappenedtoyou?Wherehaveyoubeen?Wewereveryworriedaboutyou!"Thewomanaskedandthegirljustclosedhereyesagain.Thewomanwaited,andrealizingthatnoanswerwouldcome,shestoodandwalkedtothedoor."Youareverytired;wewilltalktomorrow.Sleep,Sweetheart."
"Yumi?"
"Huh?"Thewomanwithbrownhairlookedbackattheperson;hereyesfellonthepalefigureofSachiko,standingclosetoher,lookingconfused.ToukoandSachiko'smotherwerelookingattheminsilence,butwithasmileontheirfaces.
"Areyoualright?Iwascallingyouforafewsecondsbutyoudidn'tanswer."Thewomanwithsapphireeyessaid,andYumiimmediatelyrememberedthetimeatLillianeightyearsago,whensheeasilystartedtodaydreamonlytobedraggedbacktorealitybyherOnee-sama.
"Yes,I'mfine.Sorry."Yumiansweredwithasmallsmile.Somehabitsseemtostillbetherewithher,hiddenuntilnowbehindherladymask,thatafewdaysagoweredestroyedbytheaccident.
"Everythingisalreadysigned.Youarefreetogohomenow,MissOgasawaraSachiko."Thedoctorcameandthefourofthemthankedhimforeverything.WhileSachiko'smotherandToukowiththewomanwithsapphireeyesstartedtowalkbacktothecar,thedoctordiscretelywhisperedtoYumi:"Evenifshedoesn'trememberyounow,deepinthere,thereissomethingasleepjustwaitingtowakeupattherighttime.Don'tgiveupyoursoeurrelationshipwithher,Yumi-san.Thereisstillhope,always."
Yumilookedatthedoctorsurprisedandhesmiledather,beforehestartedtowalkawaytotreatanotherpatients.WhenYumilookedbackattheentrance,ToukowashelpingSachiko'smotherenterthecarwhileSachikowasstillstandinginthewidehospitaldoor,lookingatthewomanwithhazeleyeswithagracioussmile,waitingforher.YumismiledalittleandthenstartedtowalktowhereSachikowasstanding.Thetwoofthemstayedinsilencewhiletheywalkedinthecarsdirection,butthen,fingersinterlacedwithherown,and,lookingdown,Yumiasked:
"Whyareyou…?"
"Idon'tknow…it'sjustsomethingIfeltlikedoing.Doyouhaveanobjection?"Sachikoaskedsmiling,lookingatYumi.
"No…"Theotherwomananswered.Andaftersomeseconds,Yumismiledtoo,squeezingSachiko'shandinherown.
Yumitookthebagsinherhands,quicklybutinaverycarefulsilence,shewentdownthestairsandafterenteringthekitchen,shecarefullyputdownthebagsonthefloorandpickingupapenandapieceofpaper,shestartedtowritetoherparentsandherbrother,tearsstreamingdownherface.Sheputthepaperonthetableandthencarefullyshepickedupherbagsexitedherhouse.Inthemiddleofthedesertstreetshelookedatoneofherhands.ThepassporttoAmericashowedthatshestillhadalittletimebeforeherairplaneleftJapan.Shelookedbackatherhouse.
"Good-byeMom,Dad,Yuuki…"
"Whereweare?"Sachikoaskedverysurprisedwhensheandherotherthreecompanionsenteredaverybigmansion.
"Wearehome,Sachiko.Thisisourhouse."Sachiko'smotherexplainedsmilingsoftly,andinthenextminuteherarmswerearoundherdaughter."Welcomebackhome,mydaughter."
Yumistayedinsilencewhilesheobservedthescene,thinkingaboutwhatthedoctorsaidandabouttomorrow.It'simpossibletomakeapersonwholosttheirmemoriesremembereverythinginjustoneday!SheknowsthatsheneededtoleavebacktoAmericabut…lookingattheOgasawarafamilynow,shewishedshecouldstay,justanotherweek.ShesighedandturnedtoleavetheOgasawaramansionbeforeanyonecouldseeher.
"Oh!Yumi,don'tleaveyet!Iwantyoutodosomethingforme,please."SheheardSachiko'smothersayandsheturnedaround,forcingasmileonherface."ToukoandIwillbebusywithameetinginTouko'scompany;Idon'twanttoleavemydaughteraloneduringthistime.CouldyoupleasestaywithSachikoduringthistime?"
"Thatwouldbewonderful,maybeIcouldremembersomethingthatIforgot."Sachikosaidgracefully,smilingwhilethesapphireeyeslockedwiththehazeloneshopefully.Yumistaredatthemsilent,andbeforeshecouldthinkofaproperanswertogiveandexitthemansion,herownmouthopenedandansweredforher.
"Yes,sure."
"Whyareyoucrying,youngwoman?"Yumilookedupquickly,scared.Someonehadseenhercryinginthemiddleoftheairportwhileshewaswaitingforherplane.Anoldwomanlookedatherconcerned,whileshehandedahandkerchieftothegirl."There,there.Areyoualright?"
"Yes…thankyou."Yumimanagedtocontrolhertrembledvoicetoanswerthewoman.
"Now,whereisyourfamily?Areyoualoneinhere?"Thewomanaskedandthegirljustnoddedinsilence."Why?Youstillveryyoungtogosomewhereinaplanealone."
"BecauseIneedto…Ican'tstayhereanymore…"
"Didsomethingbadhappenwithyourfamilyoryourfriends?"Yumionceagainnodded.ThewomanstayedinsilencebeforefinallytakingaseatbesideYumi."Youknow,everythingcanbechangeforthebetteragain."
"Notthis…becauseitwasnotmewhochoosethatway…"Yumiansweredinawhisper.
"Youspeakasifyou'velostalover."ThewomansaidbutseeingYumilookoncemoreattheground,andtearsstartingtofallfromhereyes,theoldwomanputherarmsaroundthegirl,andYumiletherselfcryonthestrangersshoulder."I'msorry;Ishouldnothavesaidthistoyou."
Yumididn'tanswer;justlettingthetearsgountiltherewasnomoretocryoff.Thewomanaftersomeminutesmovedthegirlawayfromherownbodyandcleanedtheyoungergirlsfacewiththehandkerchief.Yumilookedatthewoman'sclothesandthenlookedatthegroundagain,ashamed.
"I'msorry…I…"
"Youdon'tneedtobesorry,really."Thewomansmiledandthenafemininevoiceechoedintheairport,tellingeveryonethattheairplanetoAmericawillbeleavingsoon.Withthat,Yumistoodup,lookingatthewomanwithasmallsmile.
"Ineedtogonow….Thankyou."Theotherwomanthenlookedathersurprised.
"Youarereallygoingtoanothercountryalone?Areyousureaboutthat?"Yuminoddedandthenthewomanstoodatherside."YouchoseAmerica?"
"Yes…Why?"
"Iamfromthere,andnowI'mgoingbackhome.What'syourname,youngwoman?"
"YumiFukuzawa…"
"MynameisSophieBitencourt.Nicetomeetyou,Yumi."
"Thanksforstayingwithme,Yumi."SachikospokewhilethetwoofthemwerewalkinginthegardensoftheOgasawaramansion.
"Whyareyouthankingmeagain?It'sthefourthtimealready…"Yumiaskedlookingatabigtreeclosetowheretheywerewalking.
"Maybeit'sbecauseIwanttostartaconversationwithyou.ButIdidn'tnoticebeforeyourshypersonality."Sachikosaidinnocently,receivingaglarefromYumi,makingthewomanwithsapphireeyeslaugh,andYumistaredatherwithaconfusedface.
"What'ssofunny?"
"Yourface."ThewomanansweredsmilingmakingYumiblushandlookawayfromhersapphireeyes."Youknow,ifyoustartedaconversationsomeminutesagoIwouldn'tbelaughingrightnow."
"Whydoyouwanttotalk?"Yumiaskedlookingatthegardenagain.
"Iwanttoknowmoreaboutyouandme."
"ThenaskanythingandIwillanswer!"
"Anything?"SachikoaskedandYumilookedseriouslyintothosesapphireeyes.
"Anything."
"Promise?"
"Ipromise."
"WhydidyouleaveJapan?"
"Iguessthisisthetimefor"Goodbye"then,Sophie-san."YumisaidaftersheandtheoldwomanexitedtheplaneandwalkingintotheairportinAmerica."Thankyouforaccompanyingme."
"Yumi,doyouknowsomethingaboutAmericaorhaveyoubeenherewithyourfamily?"
"No…"Yumiansweredlookingawayfromthewoman,embarrassed.
"Thenwhydon'tyoustaywithmealittle,untilyouknowthecityandcantalkEnglishwithoutproblems?"Thewomanaskedsmiling,makingthegirllookathersurprised.
"M…Me?ButI…Idon'twantto…causeyouproblems,Sophie-san!"
"Youaren't,don'tworryaboutthat."Thewomansmiled.
"WhydidIleaveJapan…?"Yumiwhisperedlookingattheground.Sachikocouldsee,evenifitwasforjustsomeseconds,thesadandpainfullookinthosehazeleyes,asiftheywereseeingsomethingagainthatthewomandidn'twanttorememberfromalongtimeago.
YumilookedbackatSachiko,andonceagainthecurrentimageofthewomanwithsapphireeyestransformedintotheSachikofromeightyearsago,wearingtheexpensivewhitedressfromthebride.Thehazeleyeswidewhilethesolitarytearescapedfromthecornerofherlefteye.
SuddenlyYumiopenedhereyes,lookingattheceilingofthestranger'sroom.Thensheremembereditactuallywasherroom,hernewroomwhereshewaslivingforalmostfivemonthsalready.Everytimeshewakesupfromhersleep,forsecondsshepanicked,lookingaroundtryingtofindheroldroombeforethenrememberingeverythingaboutheroldlife,andwhysheisnowhere,livinginthisnewplaceinAmerica.
Shetriedtosleepagain,herbodystilltiredfromthenewschoolthatshestartedtwomonthsago,littlebylittle,learningmoreaboutthisnewcountry,languageandlifestyle,buthersleepseemstodisappear,leavingthegirlawakeandaloneinherbedroom.Afterashortwhile,Yumicloseshereyesagainandsighs.Shethenhearsanoise,makingthegirljumpfromthebed.Shelooksaroundandoncemoresheheardthesamenoise.
"Whatisthat?"Thegirlaskedtoherself,andstandingupfromthebed,shewalkedoutofherbedroom.ThenoiselittlebylittletransformedintoalowsongthatYumistartedtofollow,lookingfortheplacewhereitcamefrom.
Thehousewasbig,almostamansion.ShewassurprisedthefirsttimeshecameinwithSophie.Andsincethen,shestartedtolearneverythingshecouldaboutAmerica.Sophiewasanexcellentteacher,dedicatedtoeverythingshewasdoing
andalmostanewmothertoYumi,whowasverygratefultoencountertheoldwomanintheairportinJapan.
Thelowsongwasnowveryloudinoneroom,wherethedoorwasclosed.Thesongwasbeautifulandharmoniousmadebyaninstrument.Yumiknowsaboutsomeinstruments,sheplayedpianowithSachikomanytimesinLilliansosheknowsthat.Thegirlsmiledsadlyabouttheunwelcomememoriesbutstillpausedcuriouslyinfrontofthedoor,andaftersomesecondsshedecidedtoopenit,surprisedwithwhatshesaw.
"Yumi?"Sophieaskedseeingthegirlstandingatthedoor.Theoldwomanstoodfromherchairandputtheoldviolininclosetable."Sorry,didIwakeyou?"
"No…"Thegirlwhispered,lookingattheviolin."Whatwereyoudoing?"
"Oh!"Thewomanlookedtooattheviolin,thensmiledsoftlyatYumi."Ididn'ttellyouyet,right?I'mamusicianandateacher.Myspecialtyiswithviolins.Wanttoseeit?"
Sachikolookedworriedandsurprisedatthewoman,andimmediatelysheputherarmsaroundYumi,whodidn'tcorrespondthegesture.
"Sorry,didIsaysomethingbad?I'mverysorryYumi!"
"…"Thewomanwithhazeleyesstayedinsilenceforlongminutesthatseemslikeeternityfortheolderwoman.SachikolookeddownatYumi'sface,hereyeswereclosedandherheadwerenowfacingtheground.WhenYumiopenedagainhereyes,Sachikowassurprisedtoseetheriverofemotionsinthosehazeleyes.
"Yumi…?"Sachikowhisperedshocked.Adeepersolitude,likeifshewaslookingatalittlechildwholostherparentsandnowisaloneintheworld,soon,thatchangedtosuchstrongloveandthenfear,fearfromwhatwillhappennext.Andnow,therewasnothing,likeifsomeoneputamaskonYumi'sface,hidingeverythingaboutherrealfeelings.
"IleftJapanbecauseofyou,Sachiko."
Yumifinishedthesongandsmiledtriumphant.Sophiewhowasseatedinachairnotveryfarfromthegirlwithaviolininhands,smiledproud.
"Youreallyareafasterlearner,Yumi.It'sbeenonlythreeyearsandyetyouknowmoreabouttheviolinthanmostpeople,butstill,there'salwaysmoretolearn,don'tforgetthat."Theoldwomansaidandthegirlnodded.
"Iknow.Thankyou,Sophie,forteachingme."Thegirlwhispered,lookingattheinstrumentinherhands.ShewantedtoshowthistoherfriendsinAmericaandinJapanaswell.Thenithither,andherhazeleyesturnedintoasadexpressionandthegirlstartedtocrysoftly.
"Yumi,youneverdidtellmewhyyouleftJapan,andIcanseethatitstillhurtsyouverymuch.I'myourfriend,andsometimesit'sbettertotellthesethingstosomeonethantotakethisallonyourown."TheoldwomanwhisperedtoYumi,puttingthegirl'sheadonherleftshoulder,andthegirlstartedtoexplaineverythingaboutherlife.
"What…?"Sachikowhispered,shocked,lookingatthewomanwithhazeleyesasifshewascrazy.
"YouaskedmeforthetruthandIpromisedyouI'dtellanything."Yumisaidsoftly,lookingseriouslyintoSachiko'ssapphireseyes."Ididn'twanttotellyouthetruthaboutus,becauseIknewthatitmayhurtyounowthatyoudon'trememberanything.YouwereconfusedinthehospitalandIwasconfusedtoo.IdidleaveJapanbecauseofyou,butItoocamebackbecauseofyou,Sachiko.Becauseofourrelationship."
"Yumi…"
"Doyoustillwanttoknowthetruth?"
"Whereareyoutakingme,Sophie?"Yumiaskedimpatientlyafterthetwoofthemexitedthecar.
"Don'tbesuchanimpatientchild,Yumi."Sophiescoldedsoftlywithasmile."Iwillansweryousoon,butfirstIwantyoutoanswermeaquestion.NowYumi,ifyoucouldchooseanothernameforyourself,whatnamewouldyouchoose?"
"Me?"Thegirlwithhazeleyesaskedandtheoldwomanonhersidesmile,nodding."Ithink…thatAngelineBitencourtisagoodandbeautifulname…"
"Thenthatitwillbe!"Theoldwomansaidlaughing,whilesheandthegirlenteredinagreatplace,wherepeoplewerewaitingforthem.Whentheysawthegirl,theysmiledandtheoldwomanonhersidesaid:"WelcomeAngeline,totheworldofmusic!"
"What…?"Yumilookedattheplacesurprised,thenlookingbacktotheoldwoman.
"I'manoldladynow,andsinceyoulearnedwellhowtoplayviolin,Iwantyoutotake
myplaceinconcerts.Iwantyoutotakemyplacehereinthefuture,playingtheviolinwhenthetimewhereIcouldnotplayanymorecame."
Sachikodidn'tanswer.ShewaslookinginYumieyes,seriousandblank.Shewassurprisedforwhathappenedjustsomeminutesago,theemotionsthatsuddenlyappearedjustseemedtodisappearinthenextsecond.Finallyrememberingthequestion,shehesitatedforamomentbeforenoddingandwaitingforwhateverwouldcomefromtheotherwoman.
"Eightyearsagoweweren'tjustsistersinthesoeurrelationship,Sachiko.Weweremorethanthat…almostlovers.Ilovedyouinthattime,andyoutoolovedmeback,butyoualreadymadethechoicetomarryyourcousinbecauseofyourfamily,andafterIsawyoukissinghiminthechurch,IdecidedtoleavebecauseIcouldn'tstandtoliveclosetoyouknowingthatIcouldneverbewithyouinthewayIwantedtobe.Youchooseyourfamilyevenwhenyoudidn'treallywantit,andIchoosetoleaveyoubecauseIwasnotstrongenoughtowaitforyou."
Yumifinallysaid,everytimelookingdeeperinthosesapphireeyes.Sachikowassoshockedatthemomentthatshedidn'tevenblinkatthewords.Yumilookedatthegroundbeforesheclosedhereyesandcontinued.
"Foreightyearsyouwerelookingforme,waitingfortomecamebackwhileforeightyearsIwastryingtorunawayfromyouandforgeteverythingthathappenedtomeinthepast.Butthen,adearfriendtoldmetocomebackasherlastwish.Shewasdyingandstill,shewantedmetobehappy,soIdid.Icamebackherebecauseofthatwishandbecauseofyou,butIwaschanged.IwaswearingamaskbecauseIwasafraid.Ididn'twanttobehurtagain,butintheendIhurtyoubecauseofmychoice.Youraccidentandyourmemorylost,it'smyentirefaultbecausewhenIfinallydecidedtogiveupmychoiceandstarteverythingagainwithyou,itwastoolate."
"Youdidit,yourlastconcert.Congratulations."ThewomanwithhazeleyessaidinperfectEnglishwhilesheapproachedherteacher,beatingherpalms,congratulatingtheoldwoman,whosmiledather.
"Yes,Idid."Sophiesaid,smiling."Youknow,nowit'syourturntotakemyplaceintherewiththeviolin,Yumi."
"Ineedto?I'malreadyveryfamous."Yumisaidandbothwomenlaugh.Thenthewomanwithhazeleyessaidsoftly."Yes,Iamveryhonoredtotakeit,Sophie."
"I'mgladto…"Theoldwomanstarted,butshecouldn'tfinishhersentence;herbodyfellsunconscioustotheground.
"Sophie!"Yumiwasimmediatelyatherside,panicandfearinherhazeleyes."Sophie!HEYSOMEBODYHELPHERE!"
Bothwomenstayedinsilenceafterthat,noonedaredtosaysomethingandtheminutesturnedintosomethinglikeeternity.FinallyYumiopenedhereyestolookbackatSachikowhostilllookingather,hereyeswideandtearsfallingdownherface.
"SachikoI…"
"Idon'twanttohearanythingmore!Thisisnonsense!It'simpossible!"Thewomansaid,almostscreamingbeforethenturningaroundtorunoff,butahandcaughtherwristandsheabruptlyturnedaroundtofaceYumi.
"Wait!I…"
"STOP!IDON'TWANTTOSEEYOUAGAIN!"Withthatthehandthatheldherwristdisappeared,andtheolderwomanstartedtorun,neverlookingback.
Yumijustclosedhereyes,tryingtonotletthetearsfall,whenfinallysheopenedthemandlookeditthedirectionwhereSachikowent,probablyintothemansionagain.ShestartedtowalktotheOgasawararesidenceexittofinallyleavetheplace.ShealreadyknewthatsomethinglikethiswouldhappenifshetoldthetruthtoSachiko,butthiswasherlastchancetomaketheolderwomanremembereverything,evenifitwasapainfulway.YumiwantedtotellSachikothatsheneedstogobacktoAmerica,butthistimeshewillcamebacktoJapanagain,tofinishwhattheydidstartedeightyearsago,butherlastchancewaslost,andnow,Sachikoprobablydidn'treallywanttoseeheragain.
"Whatdoyoumean?"Thewomanwithhazeleyesaskedshocked.
"Sheisdying,MissBitencourt."ThedoctoransweredYumiquestions,makingthewomanlookathim,despaired.
"Youcan'tdoANYTHINGaboutit!?"
"I'msorry,butIcan't;wetriedeverythingalready."Themansaidsadly,thenopenedawhitedoor,whispering."Shejusthassomeminutesleftandshealreadyknowsthat.Sheaskedtoseeyou.Nowplease,gotoher."
ThedoctorpushedgentlyYumiintotheroomandclosedthedoorbehindher.Yumilookedattheoldwomaninthebedandaftersomeseconds,sheseatedinachair,
holdingthewomen'shandsinherown.Sophieopenedhereyestoseewhowasintheroomwithher,andthenshesmiled.
"Yumi…you'vecome."
"Yes,Idid."Thewomanwithhazeleyeswhispered,tryingtocontrolhertremblingvoice.
"I'mglad…Iwantedto...seeyourfaceonemoretime…"
"Whyme?Youshouldhaveaskedforyouroldviolin,heismoreanoldfriendthanIam."Yumisaidsmilinggentlyandthewomanlaughedweakly.
"Hedoesn'ttalk…"
"Buthecanshowbeautifulsongs…"Yumiansweredstubbornly.
"Butonlyif…thereisaperson…whocanplayit…"Theoldwomanrepliedsmiling.
"Yes…you'reright."
"Yumi…"Then,Sophie'svoicewasserious,makingYumilookbackather."Iwantedto…askyousomething…"
"Askme?"
"Yes…"Sophiestarted,squeezingYumi'shandinherown."Iwantyoutopromisetomeyouwilldoit."
"Ipromiseyou,anything.Ipromiseyou."
"First…Iwantyoutostaywithmyoldviolin…hedoesn'tliketobeleftalone….Youalreadyknowthis…"Theoldwomansaidsmiling,makingYumilaughweakly.
"Iwilltakehimwithme."Yuminodded,smilinggentlytoo.
"Good….NowYumi,thisisserious…andthisismylastwish.GobacktoyourhomeDarling…embraceyourfamilyandyourfriends,andtellthatyoumissthem….Thengoafterher…andtellherthatyoustillloveherevenafteralltheseyears….But,ifyousee…thatsheliveshappilywithherlife…withoutyou,thengoawayfromher…anddon'ttryto…killthathappiness.Itisnotrightforyoutodoso…andit'stheonlyway…sobothofyoudon'thurtyourselvesanymore..."
"What…?"Yumiaskedsurprisedandthewomaninthebedonlysmiled.
"It'salreadybeeneightyearsYumi…youleftyourhomeand…yourfamily…yourfriendsandyour…love….Youaremyfriend,Yumi…andIwanttoseeyouhappy….Nooneknowswhathappenedduringthistime…andnoonecantrulyforgetyourtruelove.Iwantyoutogoback…andtrytoliveyourlifelikeyouliveditbefore…evenifitwasjusttry…"
"Sophie…I…"
"Youpromisedme…youwoulddothis….Now…promiseit…again…to…me…"
"I…Ipromiseyou."
TheoldwomanclosedhereyesandherhandinYumi'sownfellbackonherside,andthewomanwithhazeleyeslookedatthepalefigureofherfriend,teacherandevenmother,whiletearsstartedtostreamdawnonhercheeks.
AN
Hiagainpeople!
I'mheretoaskyouforgivenessaboutthisstory.IhadsomeproblemshereinmyhomewithmyfamilyandIcouldnotcontinuewritingfanficsinthattime.
I'mreallysorryforthelongupdate,andfortheoneswhothoughtthatIwastoolazytofinishEvenAfterYearsorTitanic.IhadreadcarefullyeverymessageandreviewandIreallydidappreciatethatmanypeoplehadlikedit.
IwouldliketosayIdidn'tgiveupinmystory,mynextchapterisalmostreadyandifyouguysletme,IwouldliketofinishwhatIhadstartedverysoon.
Again,sorryandthankverymuchforthosewhowillunderstandme.
Chapter9
EvenAfterYears,IStillLoveYou
Thereisareunionbetweenfriendsandfans,peoplefromeverytypeofplacesstandingtheretosaygood-byetoaverydearandfamousperson.Butnomatterhowsomeoneissad,thereisnocomparisonaboutwhatthewomanwithhazeleyeswasfeelinginthatmoment.Herfacewithnoexpression,lookedatthecoldstonewhilethepeoplestartedtoleaveinsilence.Thewoman'seyesletthetearsstreaminginhercheeks,andafteralastlook,sheturnedaroundandstartedtowalktotheexit,rememberinginherheadthegoldenwordswritteninthecoldstone:
SophieBitencourt
Agreatmusician,thebestteacherandalovedmother
Wewillmissyou
R.I.P
"Onee-sama…?"ToukomurmuredwhenshestoppedtolookatthewomanwhocalmlywaswalkingfromthegardenstotheexitoftheOgasawaramansion.Thewomanwithhazeleyesequallystoppedwhenshenoticedshewasnotaloneanymore.
"Touko?"Yumiaskedconfused."Whyyoustillhere?Whataboutyourreunion?"
"IcamebackquicklybecauseIforgotmycellphone,but…Areyouleavingalready,Onee-sama?"Toukoaskedwithsuspicion.
Theyoungwoman,sincethetimesheacceptedtheChinensisrosary,startedtolearnmoreaboutYumi'slifeandemotions,shedeeplyrespectedherandaswellhaddeeplycareabouttheirrelationship.Bothofthemweresoclosetothepointofbecomingsisters,notjustbyasimplebondformedbyrosaries,butsistersinsoul.Andlookingatthewomanwithhazeleyes,shedidknowthatsomethingimportanthadhappened,andYumismiled,knowingwhatToukowasthinking.
Whentheywereyoung,shetrustedintheirsoeurrelationship.Theeldersisterhelpedtheyoung,andtheyoungsupportedtheelderinherdecisions.Toukowasagreatpetitesoeur,therewerenoonewhocouldhavesupportedherlikeshedidinthattimeandstilldo.Yumiclosedhereyes,rememberingthemomentsshehadsharedwithherpetitesoeurinthepastandafewdaysago,inthehospital.
Whensheopenedhereyesandlookedbackattheyoungwoman,shedidn'tstoppedthetearsfromstreamdownonherface,andsoonshecouldfeelthefamiliararmsaroundherbody.
"Itoldher…Touko-chan…Itoldhereverything…"Thewomanwhisperedpitifully,embracingbacktheyoungwomanwhotoowascryinginhearinghernamebepronouncedinthesamewaylikeeightyearsago.
"Whatwillhappentousnow?"Themanaskedtohisfriendsbutwascompletelyignored.
Everyoneintheroomhadtheirheadsdown,lookingatthegroundwithsadeyesandexpressions.Noonewantedtobelievethattheirleaderanddearfriendhadgone.Forevergone.Noonewantedtothinkaboutthenextconcertthatwillhappensoon,knowingthattheonewhostartedeverythingwillbenottheretoseethem.
"Wecan'tstopnowbecauseofthis!Weneedtostaystronganddotheconcert!"Awomansaid,andthen,everyoneattentionwasonher."ThereareonlyonepersonwhocantakeSophie'splace,andIknowthatSophietoowantedthis."
"Angel?"Amanasked,approachingslowlytothewomanwithbrownhairandhazeleyes."Angeline?Canyoudothis…?"
"I…"Thewomanwhispered,herexpressionhardindeeplythought,theredlinesclearlyvisibleinherface,showingthepaththetearshadtakenonherfaceafewminutesago.Finally,thewomanlookedupateveryone."IwilltakeSophie'splace,Iwillhonorhernameandeverythingshehadteachmeuntilnow.Buttherestilltime,andIwantallofyoutostartpracticing."
"W-Wait!Whereareyougoing?Angel?"Awomanasked,confusedinseeingthewomanwithhazeleyesstandsandtakehercellphoneinhands.
"Ineedtofulfillmyfriend'slastwish.I'mgoingbacktoJapan."
"Onee-sama…whydidyoutoldher?Whyyoudidnotwaitforabettertime?"Toukoaskedgentleandthewomanwithhazeleyestookastepbacktolookatherpetitesoeurface.
"BecauseI'mgoingbacktoAmericatomorrowmorning,Touko-chan."Toukoeyeswidenedinshock,thenaftersomeseconds,herarmswarpedthemselvesinatighterembrace,thetearsnowstrongersoakingYumi'sshirt.
"Why…?WhyareyouleavingusagainOnee-sama?Why!?"Yumilookedather
petitesoeurwhoarealmostscreamingindespair,soonhervoiceturnedtoaweaklywhisper."Don'tyoucareaboutusanymore…?"
"Touko-chan…ThereasonIcouldplayviolinthatnightintherestaurant,isbecauseI'maveryfamousviolinistinAmerica."Yumiwhisperedgentle,pattingsoftlytheyoungerheadlikeshealwaysdideightyearsago."IhaveaconcertthisSaturdayandIcan'tskiporcancel."
"Concert...?"ToukolookingatYumiwhosmiledandtookthischancetoputbothofherhandsinTouko'sfacetowipethetearsaway.
"That'sright.I'mdoingthisforapersonwhoIequallycareverymuchandthathadpassedawaysomedaysago.IwantedtotellSachiko…IwantedtoexplainthatIwouldcamebacktoseeheragain,totrytobringhermemorybacktellingherthetruthaboutme,her,andthoseeightyears.ButIthinkit'slatenow…ImadethepersonwhoIlovelosthermemoriesaboutme,andmore;IendedupmakingherhatemebecauseIwasindespair,IwasthinkingsomuchaboutthelittletimeIhadhere,thatIdidnotholdbackwhensheaskedmewhyIdidleaveJapaninfirstplace."
"Onee-sama…"Yumidetachedherselffromtheembrace,andToukoobservedthewomanwithhazeleyeslookattheOgasawaramansionwithasadexpression.
"Iknowshewillnotwanttoseemeforalongtimenow…"
Thewomanwithhazeleyeswalkedcalmlyintothecorridor.Eveniftherearemorethantwentypersonswithher,inherthoughts,sheisalone,walkingalonetotheplanethatwilltakeherhome.Stepbystep,sheisapproachingthecorridorends;Yumialreadycanseethesunlightfromtheopenmetaldoors,andwhenthatlightfinallycouldtouchherskin,theplaneisverycloseofher,andthewomanwithhazeleyesknows.Shecouldnotgobacknow.
"Youcan'tgiveuponher,Onee-sama!!Sachiko-onee-samalovesyou,shejustdoesn'trememberit!"Toukosaid,staringatthewomanwhosmiledcalmlyather.
"Iwillnot.Notagain,notthistimeorever.That'swhyIdidcomebackinfirstplace,andthat'swhyIwillcamebackoncemore,becauseevenafteryears,Istillloveher."YumiputherhandinTouko'sshoulder,smiling,andthen,startedtowalkagaintotheOgasawararesidenceentrance.Butbeforeshehadexitedtheplace,YumilookedagainatTouko."Touko-chan,myplanewillleavetomorrow10:00A.M,couldyoucameatmyhousebeforeIleavetotheairport?Iwanttogiveyousomethingimportant."
Toukostayedinsilence,lookingatthewomanwithhazeleyes.Shecouldseeclearly,thereisnomorethestrangerwhohadcamefromAmericahidingheremotionsatanycost,shecouldseenowthegirlfromeightyearsagoshinningbehindthatmaturefacethatnowissmilingather.ToukosmiledbackatherOnee-sama,yes,herOnee-samahaddefinitivelycomebacktoherfamilyandfriendsnow,andreplied.
"Iwill,Onee-sama."ThewomanwithhazeleyesnoddedandexitstheOgasawararesidence.
ToukothenlookedbackattheOgasawaramansioninworry.IfYumisaidthetruth,then,howisSachikonow?Theyoungwomanstartedtoruntothemansion,sheignoredtheemployeesaftershehadstoppedtoaskwherethemistressofthehouseis.Eventually,shehadcometostopatSachiko'sbedroomdoor.
"Sachiko-onee-sama?"Toukocalled,knockingthedoorbutwithoutareplyfromtheotherside.
Finally,aftersomesecondsofwait,Toukoopenedthedoorandenteredintheroom,andthefirstthingshefoundisthewomanwithsapphireeyeslyinginthebed,herfacehidinginherarmsmixedwiththepillows,apparentlysleepingaftercryingduringthetimesheweretalkingwithYumioutside.
Theyoungwomanfindablanketlyinginadesknotsofarfromthebigsizedbed,andaftercoveringSachikotremblingbody,Toukolookedatthewomanandwhispered.
"It'sbetteryoufindyoumemoriesagainverysoon,Sachiko-onee-sama,please…Evenifshedoesn'tshowit,IknowOnee-samaishurtbecauseofwhateveryoutoldhertoday…"Toukosilentlyexitedtheroom,carefullyclosingthedoorbehindherandstartedtowalkinthecorridorsofthemansion,untiloneemployeestoppedher.
"Touko-sama!"Theyoungwomanlookedcuriouslyatthegirlwhopantingsmiledupatherbeforeshowacellphoneinherhand."Wefoundyourcellphoneinthelibrary."
"Imusthaveforgottenitinthereyesterday."Toukosaid,takingthephoneinherownhands,smilingtothegirl."Iwaslookingforit,thankyou."
"Yes!"Thegirlanswered,blushingalittle.ToukoglancedbackatSachiko'scloseddoor,beforestarttowalkagain,thistime,totheOgasawaramansionexit.
"Wherearewegoing?"Shethought,lookingatthequietandpeacefulplace.
Theskyiscompletelydarkbutthemoonwasshinningmajestically,it'slightsoftlybathedthestatueofVirginMarywhosilentseemedtoprayforthesakeofeverygirlinLillian'sAcademy.Thestudentswerehappy,dancingandlaughingcelebratingthecompletesuccessoftheplay.Thestatuewascompletelyalone,justthemoonwereit'scompany,untilwhentwogirlscomecalmlywalkinginsilent,andfinally,thegirlwithlongblackhairstoppedinfrontofthestatue,andthegirlbehindhercametostopaswell.
Thegirlwithhazeleyeslookedcuriouslyatthebackoftheothergirl,whoaftersomeseconds,liftedherhandstoherneckandslowlyshetookofftheChinensisrosary.Thegirlwithlongblackhairandbeautifulsapphireeyesturnedaroundandmeetthefirstyearwithasmile,therosaryinbothofherhandsgentlymovingwiththebreeze.
"MayIplacethisaroundyourneck?"Thegirlwithsapphireeyesaskedgentle,andhazeleyeswidened,surprised,staringattheobject."I'mnotaskingthisbecauseofabetorpity.Thisisasacredritual."
Thegirllookedupfromtherosarytothegirlwithsapphireeyes,whocalmlywaitedforananswer.Inthedeepofthoseeyes,shecouldseeinthemsincerity,anxietyandfear,nottheblankstarethatshehadfoundthefirsttimethesecondyearaskedhertoaccepttheChinensisrosary.
Thisisthewayshewantedittohappen,andbecauseofthat,thegirlwithhazeleyesrepliedcalmlywithoutatraceofinsecurity.
"Iaccept."
Thegirlwithsapphireeyesliftedtherosaryandgentlyputtheobjectinthegirl'sneck.Thehazeleyeslookedattheobjectlyinginherchest,andthenslowlyshelookedupattheotherstudentandsmiled.Andthegirlwithsapphireeyescouldn'thelpbutsmileback.
"Thankyou…"
"…Yumi."Thewomanunconsciouslywhisperedandthensheopenedhereyesandstaredattheceilingofherbedroom.Minutesseemedtopassbutthewomandidn'tcareaboutit,hermindwasoccupiedreviewingthestrangedreamshehadjustwakedupfrom.
Theplacewassomehowveryfamiliartoher;inthedeepofherheartsheknowsthatshehadbeentherebefore,andthatplaceseemedtobeveryimportantinherlive,butshecouldnotrememberwhy.Then,thevisionofhazeleyescamefromthedreamtohermemory.Theothergirlwithherhadbeautifulhazeleyes,butstrangely
shecouldnotrememberthegirl'sface.
Whocouldthatgirlbe!?
Thewomanwithsapphireeyeslookedatthewindow,thinking,andthenshesawsomethingodd;thesunlightenteringgentlyintoherroom.Hadsheslepttherestoftheafternoonandthenightaswell?Shelookedattheclock,andthenumberssomewhatshockedher.
"Almostnineinthemorning?SincewhendoIsleepsomuchlikethat?"Thewomanwhisperedtoherself,andthememoryofwhathadhappenedyesterdayhadcomebacktoher.
SachikoOgasawarawasconfused.Hermotherandfriendstoldheralittleaboutthewomanwithhazeleyes,butnevermentionedsomethingabouttheirtruerelationshiporthemotivethegirlhaddisappearedforeightyearsandwhenshefinallyhadthechancetoasktothepersonofthesubject,thewomantoldhertheywerealmost…lovers?
Howcanthatbe?It'ssomethingimpossible!Surelyshemusthaveacrushinamanonherjobifshehadone,orsinceshewaspartofaveryrichandimportantfamily,shemaybemusthaveasoon-to-behusbandthatherfamilywillforcehertomarrylikeeveryfemalechildfromknowfamilies.
Butstill,whydoshefeltlikeherheartisabouttoexplodeeverytimesheseesYumiorthinkofher?Andthatfeelingisnotsomethingnew,butsomethingshehadfeltsincelongago,itdidnotstartinthehospitalbutsomewhereshecan'tremember!Sachikothenrealizedsheoncemorestartedtocry,andangrilyshewipethetearsawayfromherfaceandraisedfromherbed,secondsaftershewaswalkinginthemansioncorridorswithoutpayingattentiontowhereshewasgoing.
"Sachiko?"Shefeltahandgentlygrabhershoulder."Dear,iseverythingalright?Youseemedtobemadatsomething."
"Mother?"Thewomanwithsapphireeyeslookedattheoldlady,whosmiledgentleather."No…It'snothing."
"It'sgoodtoseeyouhadawaken."Mrs.Ogasawararepliedsmiling,then,shestartedtowalkwithherdaughter."Come,youmustbehungry."
Sachikodidn'treplied,knowingthathermotherguessisright.AftertheyhadfinishedtheramblearoundtheOgasawaramansion,finallybothwomenstoppedatthebigkitchen,andafteranemployeereceivedtheordersfromMrs.Ogasawara,
immediatelystartedtomakebreakfastforthewomanwithsapphireeyes.
"Mother…WhereisTouko-chan?Ihadn'tseeherheretoday."Theoldladylookedatherdaughterandsmiled.
"Touko-chanlefttoseeYumi-sanbeforesheleavesagaintoAmericatoday."Sachikolookedsurprisedathermother.
"Leave?"
"Yes,atleast,that'swhatTouko-chantoldme.Yumi-sanisaveryknowviolinistinAmericaandsoonshehasaconcerttoattendandsadlyshecouldnotcancelit.Iwantedtoaskhertocamehereandhaveadinnerwithustonight,butthenTouko-chantoldmethat."Mrs.Ogasawaraspokeinasadlytonewhileseatinggracefullyinanavailablechair.
"Iunderstand…"Thewomanwithsapphireeyeswhispered.
"Touko-chan!"Yumi'smothersaid,smiling,steppingasidetolettheyoungwomanenterinthehouse.
"Goodmorning."Thewomanrepliedinanod."IsOnee-samastillhere?"
"Oh!Yes,sheisinherroomtalkingwithafriendfromAmerica.Theywillbothleavesoon.Please,feelfreetogothereandtalktoher."TheoldwomansmiledandToukostartedtoclimbupthestairstothesecondfloorofthehouse,soon,shecouldhearvoicescomingfromoneoftherooms.
"Then,thisiswhatyoudecided?"Amasculinevoiceasked,onethattheyoungwomaninthecorridorhadneverheardbefore.Itisspeakinginanotherlanguage;clearlyit'snotJapanese.Shecouldn'tunderstand.
"Yes,ofcourseIwillbeleavingbacktoAmericaeverytimethereisanewconcerttodo,butthisismydecision."Camethereplyofafemininevoiceinthesamelanguageshecouldnotunderstand,butstillshecouldrecognize,it'sbelongtoherOnee-sama."Doyouhavesomethingagainstit,Richard?"
"No,whywouldI?AndIthinktheguystoowilldon'tmindit."Themasculinevoicerepliedinahumortone.Theconversationsoondisappearedwhenanotherpersonknockedthedoorandenteredintheroom.
"Touko-chan?"Thewomanwithhazeleyesaskedconfused,again,usingtheJapanesetoneandlanguage,thenabeautifulsmileappearedinherface.Yumi
stoodupfromherbed,whereshewasseated,andaffectionatelyembracedtheyoungwoman."Youcame!"
"Yes."Toukoansweredaftertheyhaddetachedfromtheembrace.TheyoungwomanthenlookedattheotherpersonintheroombesidesherandherOnee-sama.
Themanwasalsolookingcuriouslyather;hehadshortblondhairandbrowneyes,thewayhewasdressedyoucouldguesshewasthebusinessmantype,buthisappearancedidn'tbetrayhisAmericannationalityorhisstillyoungage,aroundtwenty-fiveorthirtyyearsold,Toukoguessed.
"ThisisRichard,heisoneofmyfriendsinAmericaandtheonewhotakescareofanythingrelatedtotheconcertstheorchestraattendsoranythingweneed."YumispokeinJapanesetoToukoandthenshelookedatRichardandsaidsomethinginanotherlanguage,now,ToukocouldguessitisEnglishbythesituation.
Themanlistedwithoutreplying,lookingatYumi,thenbackatToukoandhesmiled,noddinghisheadandthenheexitsthebedroominsilence.
"Whereishegoing,Onee-sama?"Theyoungwomanlookedatthedoor.
"Heisgoingtowaitformewithmyluggageinmyfamily'scar.Iwantedtobeleftalonewithyou."Thewomanwithhazeleyesanswered.Toukolookedather,confused."Please,couldyouwaitalittle?"
"Yes…"Toukowhispered,Yumismiledandexitedherbedroom.
Theyoungwomanlookedattheroom.Everythingstillsthesame,likeeightyearsagowhenshecamehereforthefirstandlasttime.Somethingthencaughthereye.ThereisaforgottenCDintopofthebed.Maybeit'ssomethingYumihadforgottoputinherluggage?Shetooktheobjectinherhandsatthesametimeapersonenteredintheroom.
"Touko-chan?"Yumilookedatherpetitesoeur,andeventuallyherhazeleyesdiscoveredtheobjectinherhands.
"Whatisthis?"Toukoaskedslowly,lookingupfromtheobjecttoherOnee-samaface.
"It'saCDwithsomeviolinsongsI'veplayedwithmyteacher'sorchestra.IliketohearitwhenI'malone."Yumismiled,walkingclosetoTouko.
"CanI…Staywithit?"TheyoungwomanaskedshylyandYuminodded.
"Ofcourse,Icaneasilyfindanotheroneforme,afterall,itismeandpeopleIknowwhodothosesongs."Yumismiled,andthensheshowedablackboxtotheeyesoftheotherwoman."DoyoustillrememberthedayIgiveyoutheChinensisrosary?"
"OfcourseIremember!"Toukorepliedindignant,makingYumilaughalittle.
"Inthatsameday,SachikohadgivenmeanotherrosarytoreplacetheChinensisfamilyrosary.Inaway,shetoldmethatthesisterlyboundcontinues,evenifyoudoesn'twearanymoretherosarybecauseyouhadgiveittoanotherperson.Butstill,shewantedtoourrelationshiptocontinuetogrow,andnoneofustoforgetwhywehadstayedtogetheruntilthatpoint."Yumiopenedthebox,andToukolookedattheobjectfascinated.Insidethelittleblackbox,agoldrosaryshoweditsbrilliance.
Theobjectinitscentershowedapieceofstoneintheformatofaheart,however,eachpartpossessedadifferentcolorthatjoinedinthecenterofthestoneandformedacombinationofcolorsthatthewomanhadneverseenbefore.Toukogentlyletherindexfingertouchthestone,caressingthepartthathadadeeplyhazelcolor,andthenherfingerwanderedtothepartthatweremadeofadeepsapphirecolor,finally,stoppinginthecenter,wherethetwocolorsmixedtogetherbeforewithdrawnherhand.
"AndIstillrememberthatuntilnow."Yumiwhispered,closingtheboxandhandingittoTouko,whotooktheobjectgentlyinherhands,confused.
"Why…?"
"IwantyoutotakethisandgiveittoSachikoforme.It'snotlikeIwanttobreakourpromise,Ijustwanttomakeanewone.SoonIshallcamebacktoretrievethisrosaryfromherhands."Yumismiled,lookingatthebox.HerhazeleyesthenoncemorelookedatTouko'seyes."Willyouplease,givethistoher?"
"Yes,Ipromise,Onee-sama."Toukosmiledback.AsoundthencaughtbothwomenattentionandYumiglancedattheclock,sighing.
"It'stimenow.Seeyousoon,Touko-chan."Yumionceagainembracedtheyoungwoman,andwithoutmorewords,sheleftthebedroom.
"Isweardear,thereissomethingbotheringyou.Don'ttrytohideitfromme."Mrs.Ogasawaraspoketoherdaughter,bothofthemseatedonthecouchofthelivingroom.Sachikowasstaringatthesmalltable,thinking,untilhermotherhadsuccessfullycaughtherattention."Please?"
"Mother…"Thewomanwithsapphireeyessighed,andoncemorelookeddown.
"WhatisthetruerelationshipbetweenYumiandmeeightyearsago?Please,don'ttrytochangethesubjectlikeyouandeveryonedidthosepastdays."
"You…Reallywantthetruth?"Theoldladyasked,andthis,broughtSachikothememoriesfromthepastday.
"YouaskedmeforthetruthandIpromisedyouI'dtellanything."Yumisaidsoftly,lookingseriouslyintoSachiko'ssapphireseyes."Ididn'twanttotellyouthetruthaboutus,becauseIknewthatitmayhurtyounowthatyoudon'trememberanything.YouwereconfusedinthehospitalandIwasconfusedtoo.IdidleaveJapanbecauseofyou,butItoocamebackbecauseofyou,Sachiko.Becauseofourrelationship."
"Yumi…"
"Doyoustillwanttoknowthetruth?"
Sachikolookeduptohermother,andlikeshedidtoYumi,shehesitatedforamomentbeforenoddingandwaitforwhateverwouldcomefromtheotherwoman.
"Inthestartbothofyouhadasoeurrelationship,nothingmorethanthesisterlyaffection,butIcouldseethataftersometimethissisterlylovestartedtochangeforsomethingmore.Icouldseeclearlyinyoureyesandtheeyesofthatgirlthatindeedbothofyouwereinlovewitheachother,becauseIhadthatspecialshinninginmyowneyeswhenImeetyourfather."
"Youaren'tforcedtomarryhim?"Sachikoasked,buttheoldladyshookherhead.
"No,Iwasforcedtomarryhim,butIwasluckbecauseIhadfallinlovewithhim,andwewerehappy.Butyouaren't,Sachiko.Inthattime,yourfatherandgrandfatherhadforcedyoutomarryyourcousin,Suguru,andIcouldn'tdoanythingtostopthisbecauseI,asafemalemember,wasn'tstrongtostopyourfatherandgrandfathertogether.Youdecidedtomarryyourcousin,ignoringyourownfeelingsforthatgirl,andaftershehadseeyourmarriageceremony,Yumidisappearedthenextday."Mrs.Ogasawarasaidgentle,lookingatherdaughtereyes.
"So…Thoseeightyears…"Sachikowhispered.
"Shehadtrulylovedyouatthattime,Sachiko,so,inmypointofview,foreightyearsshewaslivinginAmericatryingtoforgetyou,butIcanseeshecouldnotcontinuewiththat.Foreightyearsyouweretryingtofindher,Idon'tknowwhyyoudidn'thadsuccess,butwhenshecamebacktoJapanagain,shedisappointedmanypeople,notonlyyoudarling,butherparentsandherfriendsaswell.Hercaringandhappy
personallywaschangedforacoldone.Idon'tknowwhyshehadactedinthatwaytowardsyou,this,issomethingyouwillneedtoaskherifyoustillwanttoknow,butwhenyouhadthisaccidentthatmakeyoulostyourmemories,shehadbrokendawninthehospitalandwascomfortedbyTouko-chan.IstillrememberherfacewhenIandyourfriendshadenteredinthehospitaltoseeyouhowyouwere."
Thelivingroomfellintocompletesilence.Sachikowasstunned,allthosethings,howcouldsomethinglikethosethingshappenandstillshebecapableofforgeteverything?Still,evenhearingeverythingfromanotherpersonpointofview,allseemedtostillstrangeandsounreal!Likeifitwasjustastoryfromsomebook.
"Touko-chan!Youareback!"Sachikolookeduptoseehermothergreettheotherwomanwhosmiled.
"Yesaunty,it'sgoodtobeback."Toukoanswered,walkingcalmlyclosetothetwowomen.
"HowisYumi-san?"Mrs.Ogasawaraasked.
"Onee-samaiswell,butstill,leavingtoAmerica."Toukosighed,lookingsadlytoSachikoandthenbacktotheoldlady.
"Shewill…comeback?"Thistime,itwasSachikowhobrokethesilence,andthequestionsurprisedeveryoneintheroom.
"Yes,shewill."Toukoreplied,then,hereyesfelltotheblackboxinherhandsandshehandledtheobjecttoSachiko,whotookitinherhands,curiously.
"Whatisthis?"Thewomanwithsapphireeyesasked,lookingattheblackboxandthenatToukowhonowwaswalkingtoaradiowithaCDinherhands.Soon,asoftlysongplayedbyaviolincouldbehearintheroom.
"ThisisansongthatOnee-samaplayedwithherviolin."Toukosaid,notansweringthewoman'squestion.
Sachiko,liketheothertwowomen,wasincompletelysilence.Thissong,shehadhearditbefore!Sheissureofthat,inthatsametone,withaviolinthatwereplayedbyexpertlyhands.Butshecouldnotrememberwhenorwherethathappened,andanotherstrangememorycametohermind.
Thewomanlookedlovingattheinstrumentandthenherhandsstartedtomadetheirjobonthediversestringadjustingbuttons,forminutes,thewomanwithhazeleyeshadhertotallyattentiononherworkandeveryoneontherestaurantwaslookingat
herinsilenceandcuriosity.Then,thewomanstood,andgentlytookthebowfromtheyoungmanhandsand,withasurprisingabilitythatshockedeveryone;shestartedtoplaywiththeviolin.
"What…isthissong?"Sachikowhispered,andhermotherrepliedsmiling
"TheMotherMary'sHeart."ToukonoddedandstartedtowalkcloseatSachiko.
"It'sasongplayedinouroldschool,theLillianGirl'sAcademy.Onee-samasomedaysagohadplayeditinaviolininarestaurantforus.Wedidn'tknowshehadlearntoplayviolinthattime."ToukolookedfromSachikototheblackboxandcontinued."ThisboxissomethingOnee-samahadaskedmetogiveittoyou.Shesaid'IwantyoutotakethisandgiveittoSachikoforme.It'snotlikeIwanttobreakourpromise,Ijustwanttomakeanewone.SoonIshallcamebacktoretrievethisrosaryfromherhands.'"
SachikolookedtoToukosurprisedandthenattheboxinherhands.
"Promise?"Shewhispered,slowlystartingtoopenthebox.Sapphireeyes,whentheyfindthegoldenobjectinside,widened.
"STOP!IDON'TWANTTOSEEYOUAGAIN!"
"Doyoustillwanttoknowthetruth?"
"IleftJapanbecauseofyou,Sachiko."
"ThenaskanythingandIwillanswer!"
"It's…somethingverycomplicated…"
"IleftJapantoliveinAmericaafteryourmarriagewithSuguru-san,Sachiko."
"Whoareyou?"
"SACHIKO!!!!!!!!!"
"Therearethingsthatthetwoofusneedtotalkabout,so,IwanttoinviteyoufordinnerintheOgasawaramansion,tonight."
"Welcomebackhome,Yumi."
"Trytobehappy,Sachiko."
"..IwishedIcouldhavebeenborninaworldlikeyours."
"Youdon't,butyoucanliveinone.Because…BecauseIhavefallinlovewithyou…"
"Onee-sama…Iloveyou."
"Iloveyoutoo,…"
"…Yumi."Thewomanwhispered,andtearssilentlystartedtostreamdownonherface.