geranium garden (ycsh), 2-4

// white, 04


The preparation of Elysion is going well. So is Shiori’s adaptation to the student council’s schedules and other miscellaneous work as well as her equestrian club activity.

She felt glad she has gone past her childhood weakness. She’s able to work her hardest to be the stage girl she always long for.

That day, she was running shopping errand alone in the market place when she came across a flyer on a shop she happened to pass. A notice of children stage play that will be shown as a part of monthly literature awareness week, it said.

A moment of the distant past struck her. It was that time when she and her sister would watch the TV or DVD of the stage plays since they were kids. Shiori didn’t know when the habit started, but it was a fond memory she had in her childhood. Of admiring the theater as a whole, of wanting to become one of the stage girls, of hoping to be able to become the brilliance itself – the glimmering, almighty world of stage enchants both Yumeoji sisters.

When younger, Shiori coped up with her weak constitution. Staying indoors a lot and rarely coming to school are something usual for her. She didn’t remember any clear reason why she’s weak, while her older sister is not having any health issues.

Hence, when her sister is training to be a stage girl in early years, she’s unable to follow. It’s not like she envied her sister for it—Fumi is a kind older sister who’ll take care of her, even when she’s busy with her own way of life.

Shiori found her sour reflection by the glass, reaching on the untouchable poster.

“… And now, I’ve been left behind again.”

She has stood on her own stage by her own power, yet she’s unable to share the same stage as her sister.

Yumeoji Fumi transferred to Rinmeikan – their parents told her since she’s unable to reach Fumi anymore. Since she have forsaken her Siegfeld’s scholarship, Fumi opted to live independently. Their parents allowed her to, after her strong will to redeem for her failures. She cooks for herself, works for herself, renting a place for herself and paying for it … she does everything by herself now.

Fumi should have found her own home that she won’t look back – and Shiori could only do the same, for now.

If only she was strong. If only she was older. If only she was able to catch up; nothing bad will happen.

Or will it still happen?

[It’s true that sometimes she can forget as she danced, just like how Michiru taught her to – but it doesn’t mean that the ‘hole’ can magically disappear.]

Shiori hung her head low as she walked away from the store, taking her attention back to the shopping errand.

.

(Rain is going to come, soon.)


---


Yachiyo whistled as she took her not-so-safe landing below one of the empty bus stop. She was collecting information from around the school, mostly to the café or any shops that the students frequented. As she was thinking to go back and call it a day, the rain started. Her uniform is barely safe but at least she could keep her notes in her shirt pocket so it won’t be wet.

A rain in the middle of autumn wasn’t exactly lovely. Sometimes it will be too cold after the rain. Perhaps it is a sign that the winter is coming? Who knows. As far as Yachiyo is adept and people-watching, she’s not really good at guessing the weather.

There’s no sign for the heavy rain on letting up soon when Yachiyo got a glimpse of small girl with blonde hair running in the rain to the direction of the school’s entrance.

That person—could it be?

“Shiori!”

Yachiyo tried to yell. The green-eyed girl turned to search the source of calling. The pinkette then added a gesture of waving to get her attention. Shiori then made a beeline through the bus stop that Yachiyo used as a shelter, catching her breath.

Shiori was sopping wet from her head to her toes, also whatever plastic bag she is bringing with is drenched.

“What are you doing, running in the middle of hard rain like this? You might catch a cold that way~”

Though, Shiori didn’t answer. Rather, the blonde looked down, to the wet ground, to her shoes.

Yachiyo paused. This isn’t the usual Shiori whom she knows. Shiori whom she knows at least will answer her question. Is the girl trying to hide something? Did she drop Akira’s snack on the way here? Or she’s trying to swallow something else so grave that she’s unable to respond?

-As much as Yachiyo can analyze people, this is beyond her. She didn’t know which button to push.

“… Let’s wait until the rain slowed down a bit, then we’ll make it to the dorm.”

The younger girl nodded numbly. The pinkette scratched the back of her neck.

(How can things turn out like this? This is like the first time Shiori has been in student council room.)

Yachiyo loosened the blazer she always have around her waist, draping it around the blonde’s shoulder. The pinkette fished a pale pink handkerchief from her pocket, handing it to Shiori, who’s finally looking at her way.

Wavering jade green eyes. It is almost dark, as dark as the clouds gathering above them, blessing the earth with the merciful rain.

Swallowing, Yachiyo took the initiative herself to dry Shiori’s hair. A small handkerchief might unable to dry her hair completely, but it is the only thing Yachiyo can do.

“… Thank you.” Her expression of gratitude is almost muted.

“Mm.”

All that Yachiyo could hope is for the rain to let up in any time soon. Clamming up in the awkward atmosphere is not a better thing to do in the rain.


.

.

.



“It’s hard to be a senpai, you know.”

Yumeoji Fumi reprimanded both of them with a flick on forehead. Again, the three (or maybe just Yachiyo and Mei Fan are the one who’s ‘playing around’ in Fumi’s standard) of them were practicing.

It was one of those ‘Fumi-senpai’s Sparta Class’ that Yachiyo and Mei Fan ended up getting because they (actually, only Mei Fan, Yachiyo is there merely for fun) wanted to get close to Akira’s level in dancing. Unlike Akira’s endless sermon, Fumi’s stories sometimes are nice to listen. Or maybe Yachiyo felt good to be able to deliver her teasing punchlines here and there - to the point that Fumi will be angry.

“But Fumi-san, you looked like you’re okay to handle a lot of juniors like us.” Mei Fan praised. Fumi, for instance, looked bashful. Yachiyo sneered at the blonde senior.

Mei Fan is correct, though. If Akira is distanced because of her charismatic air, or whether Michiru is there to be friendly but with an aura of authority, Fumi is the only member of Edels that is considered as 'nobles coming from the plebeians'. It is said that the title of Edels reflect the owners. Fumi's title is one of Frau Jade - a gem that's said in Feng Shui to be a symbol of purity and gentleness. It surely reflects Fumi quite well.

“Maybe because I have a little sister that I'm experienced at handling juniors?” Fumi mumbled.

“Ooh? So someone like you can have a little sister, Fumi-senpai?” the pinkette teased.

“Excuse me!? Yachiyo, Akira already told you to watch out for things you said!” Fumi glared daggers at the pinkette. Yachiyo feigned hurt.

“I don’t think I can handle another Fumi-san, though,” said Mei Fan.

Fumi sighed, maybe for the umpteenth time for the day. Though, Yachiyo caught a glimpse that somehow Fumi smiled, a fond smile. “My sister is not like me. She’s a lot … softer.”

That fond smile made both of them dumbfounded. Mei Fan and Yachiyo stole a glance to each other. It was a sudden change of mood.

“Now I’m curious!” Mei Fan raised her hand. “Is she enrolled here in Siegfeld, too? Is she in our year?”

“Ah, no. She’s still in junior high, two years younger than me. And yeah, she’s in Siegfeld.”

Yachiyo caught another unusual expression from Fumi. This time is one of prideful elder sister. Then, it slowly alternates to down-turned brows; expression of uneasiness, uncertainty.

“Though, since I’m busy with Edels, I haven’t had the chance to see her. I wonder if she’s doing well in her studies and her training...”

“Then, we need to see her right now!”

“No, Mei Fan. Both of you are still not done with training for the day!”

“Eeh!?”