A/N: Arvendell here, popping again. I've been absent for quite awhile. I wonder if you folks could still remember me haha ;) I hope you folks are all doing okay. As for me, well, school is still stressing me out. My semester isn't finished yet :( I've been thinking about posting a story as soon as my school works are over for this semester, but alas, school work is dragging. It seems that it won't give me a break yet.

On the story, this used to be entitled Little By Little: Simple to Complex, although this is not in anyway a sequel to Little By Little. However, to avoid confusion that this some sort of sequel to that story, I removed the first three words in the title. Why I thought of giving it a title of little by little before? It's because the relationship between Sachiko and Yumi progressed little by little in this story.

On other note, did you know that I wrote this story a couple of years ago? I have this story since 2009, at the first half of the year. It's even older that Sachiko and Yumi's Alphabet. But, there is even another story that is older than this story I'm posting now. That one, however, I'm not sure if I should post that. Besides, I believe I need to add more scenes to it. Anyway, since I'm posting something that I've written a long time ago, it means I haven't written anything for MSGM. Sad but true. I think I've been overcome by school work that thinking for new stories has been buried deeply haha. Not to say that I'm not posting anything in FFN, but I've drafted the story for that in August last year, and since I've started a long story, I couldn't abandon it.

If you'll ask me why I didn't post this story immediately, well, as I've said, I wanted to post other stories first. When I've thought about Alphabet, that time I was all set to post it as soon as possible because I was excited with the story. It was a fun story, and I was bursting with eagerness to share it. This story, it's still light, but not naughty as compared to others. It is not a drama either. Hmm…I wonder how am I going to categorize this?

Anyway, this is a very long author's note again. As usual, I can't stop blabbing nonsensical matters haha ;)

So folks, here's my…wait, I have to check how far along this in my list (wink)…Found it! Let's start again. So folks, here's my 27th MSGM story. Hope you'll find it worth your time.

You know the drill. I don't own Sachiko, Yumi and co. And, read at your own risk, folks!

-x-

"Simple to Complex"

-Arvendell-

Chapter 1. Impression: Elegant

-x-

What first caught her attention was the elegance that emanated from the star of Lillian Girls Academy, Ogasawara Sachiko, the Rosa Chinensis en bouton. The moment she had set eyes on her, she couldn't take them off. Ogasawara Sachiko was beautiful, perfect.

Lillian Girls Academy was created for daughters of noble families, of wealthy families. Flawless, pure, graceful, rich, and every inched of a lady, Sachiko fitted to the well-known academy in every way. And there was no question as to why she was the object of adoration of the student population, from freshmen to seniors.

And she, Fukuzawa Yumi, still couldn't believe that she would be at the same school to someone like Sachiko. Somehow, she felt so out of place, more so when suddenly Sachiko's attention was turned to her due to an event that she couldn't control. The utter embarrassment that she felt when Sachiko first met her due to a crooked tie was turned into complete confusion when Sachiko declared her as her soeur despite the fact that they didn't really know each other.

"I, right here and now, proclaim Fukuzawa Yumi to be my petite soeur."

Soeur system was a system in Lillian where older students gave their rosaries to younger students as a vow that the elder student, the grande soeur, would guide the younger student, the petite soeur. It was a form of bond as sisters.

If she, Yumi, could hardly believe that she was within the same school with a person such as Sachiko, then what more when she was suddenly pulled within Sachiko's circle at school, the Yamayurikai.

Once more, she felt so out of place. However, all the members made her feel that she belonged there despite being an ordinary student. The Rosa Chinensis Mizuno Youko, the strict, intelligent, and beautiful onee-sama of Sachiko; the Rosa Gigantea Satou Sei, the playful, good-looking with her American features, and who was the onee-sama of her classmate, the equally good-looking and serene Toudou Shimako; the Rosa Foetida Torii Eriko, the beautiful yellow rose, and was the onee-sama of the boyishly-looking Hasekura Rei, who in turn was the onee-sama of physically weak-hearted yet stubborn Shimazu Yoshino.

Gradually, being with the Roses and the en boutons made her feel accepted. However, even when she found herself accepting Sachiko's rosary, making her Sachiko's petite soeur, the feeling of being inadequate as the little sister of the elegant Sachiko plague her mind everyday. She tried her best to do everything to please Sachiko. And she could only hang her head in shame and berate herself whenever she did something that Sachiko found inappropriate or unladylike. More than once, she had asked herself why Sachiko had chosen her as her petite soeur when there were others who were more fitting than her. It was a question that she couldn't find an answer.

But no matter what, she was also happy that she was Sachiko's soeur. It brought her closer to the person she admired the most, to the person she looked up to. Sachiko's mere presence was enough to complete her day. And whenever Sachiko bestowed her a smile, she was beyond happy. Because of that, pleasing Sachiko became her everyday routine.

Nobody was perfect.

It rang true.

It was true.

Yumi was really surprised when she heard Sachiko raising her voice before their second meeting at the Rose Mansion, before Sachiko stubbornly declared her as her petite soeur. And Sachiko pouting to Rosa Chinensis was also a wonder. But those imperfections only added up to her admiration to Sachiko. At least Sachiko could be human, too, even if the side that she could see at first were Sachiko's temper. Somehow, it made Sachiko more reachable, and yet scary at the same time.

Yumi could recall several events that Sachiko had lost her temper. Mostly, it was because of Rosa Gigantea's antics. At times, due to Rosa Chinensis', at what Sachiko and Sei called, meddling. It made her wonder, though, if she could make Sachiko lost her temper, too. And if that case happened, what would Sachiko do? Would Sachiko shout at her?

Most probably, Sachiko would scold her.

Only scold her, right? But what if Sachiko suddenly decided to take back the rosary? What was she going to do?

Sachiko losing her temper happened before their first Valentine's Day as soeurs. It had reduced her to tears. Thankfully, it was immediately resolved. No event of getting back or returning of rosary happened.

Whenever Yumi thought back to that time, she remembered too well Sachiko's bearing. Despite being mad, Sachiko was still so elegant that time. She didn't think anyone could lose her temper and still do it like Sachiko did. Whether angry, happy, serious, whatever emotions she found Sachiko in, the latter could always carry it with borne grace and elegance. And whatever mood Sachiko was in, she always liked to be with her, even if she was at the edge of her seat when Sachiko got angry, whether it was directed to her or not.

"Yumi."

There. That voice. Its gentle tone that contrasted to the cold emotion etched in the person's face belonged to none other than Ogasawara Sachiko. Her Onee-sama.

Smiling, Yumi turned around as graceful as she could, as what she had learned from Sachiko. Her eyes met the familiar bearing of her Onee-sama, standing proud and tall, back straight and long black hair gently swaying with the wind. She was looking as elegant as ever.

"Onee-sama. Gokigenyou," she greeted, the smile never leaving her face.

Sachiko regarded her for a moment, before her eyes smiled and her lips opened, "Gokigenyou, Yumi."

After their greetings, they both turned to Maria-sama to say their morning prayers.

"It's a beautiful day, isn't it, Onee-sama," Yumi said after she and Sachiko finished praying.

"Indeed, it is."

Turning towards the school buildings, Sachiko began to walk.

Smiling, Yumi watched Sachiko gracefully took steps closer to the school buildings and away from her.

Sachiko, for her part, when she noticed the absence of Yumi's footsteps, stopped walking and turned around to look at Yumi.

"Yumi, what are you waiting for? Let's go."

Yumi's smile grew. Nodding to Sachiko, she moved her feet in a fast pace, eager to comply with Sachiko's command.

"Walk slowly, Yumi," Sachiko scolded gently, waiting for her patiently.

"Yes, Onee-sama," Yumi said, smiling impishly, slowing down her steps. Sachiko waited until she was standing beside her. "Let's go, Onee-sama."

Sachiko didn't answer but instead started walking again, Yumi just a couple of feet beside her. Their soft steps were the only sounds that could be heard for a while.

-x-

A/N: There you have it! Kind of like starting anew with Sachiko and Yumi. I can't say how the story will go next chapter since I still have to read it (because I've forgotten how it went) but it's Sachiko's turn. And well, just like before, I'll take this slow. I still have school works screaming at me to stop keep getting sidetracked :(

Well then, hope to hear from you folks! Goodnight! (since it's night here and I'm getting sleepy but shouldn't sleep yet :(

-05 April 2011-

11:08 PM