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.