Love is a Sweet Poison

"Ugh, when you put it like that… it makes sense but I still do not like it." Ami frowns and starts writing. 

Sachi rolls her eyes. "If you -paid more attention in class you would not be behind. Amelia if it was not for the fact that I want to keep up with you I would tell you to graduate. You are so smart and you should advance quicker." 

"If you graduated quicker than I would not 

Be as worried for you to be at the school and you could be closer to my grade. Also, it would get you away from Yukimura." Gabriel placed his arm around her waist. 

"Are you girls sure that I should do this? The offer was still standing and I have completed most of this year's work already. They're really just exams and small surprise assignments." Amelia looks at Sachi and Ami a little surprised. 

"Here is the thing just because you skip ahead does not mean that you will be alone. We will still be your friends and there is nothing that will stop us from coming to collect you from the second or third-year class oom." Sachi smiles and looks at Ami.

Ami smiles back, "If you jump ahead then that will mean that you will be able to help make sure that we will be able to pass and by we I do just mean me because I suck at this and you teach the assignments better and I can understand you better." 

"The choice is yours but I wouldn't mind having you in my classes. I can tutor you if you get stuck." Gabriel kisses her head and rubs her back with the hand that is around her waist. 

Mayumi picks up the teacup that Miyuki poured for her and drinks the tea happily. "Auntie sounds so smart!" 

Looking at the little girl with affection Amelia set the needlework on the table and hugged Mayumi. "You are so sweet. I am smart but I do not like to brag about it. Instead, I like to work towards a goal. I do not try to worry about my place on the list and how to get everything that I need to do." 

"She says that but Amelia is at the charts of all the first years. Usually, that is a male's spot but to beat by a girl sure pushes their buttons." Ami laughs and gets back to the assignment after seeing the glare from Sachi.

"Mayumi how old are you dear?" Sachi stops working on her assignment and lowers her head to look Mayumi in the eye.

"I am five years old." Mayumi holds up her hand and shows Sachi. 

"My what a big girl you are." Sachi smiles at Mayumi and then goes to her bag and pulls out a small package. "Here you can have a treat."

Mayumi stands up and looks over the top of the package. "Wagashi! They look so pretty." She claps her hands. "May I please have the pink flower one?" 

Mayumi smiles and looks at the flower in awe and sighs. "It is so pretty and it will be a shame to eat it but I will! First I will look at it." 

"I didn't say anything. It looks like you have improved a lot over the last few months." Amelia looks at the designs smiling. "I remember when you asked me how to make this and your first attempt was kind of funny." 

"Even though theft didn't look all that appealing. They tasted amazing. I think that you did a really good job for your first time." Ami goes to grab one and gets her hand smacked. 

"You cannot have any until you finish your assignment." Sachi closes the fabric and moves to her other side.

Ami rubs her hand where Sachi had hit her and frowns. She turns back to the assignment pouting.

"Your friends are really good people." Gabriel lowered his voice so that only she could hear. "I will help you get to my class and then I will keep you at my side."

Amelia blushes and nods her head. "I will do as you all suggest. Sachi, Ami, I know that you both would do everything that you could to protect me but Gabriel is right by saying that I should get away from that individual."

"You mean that fucking prick? I think that being with your man will be better as he will be able to protect you better." Ami nods her head.

Sachi hit Ami on the head. "There are young ears here. You should be more careful about what you say!" 

Sara giggles and looks at the group. "This is actually really nice. Mayumi, you must promise to never repeat what Ami says. It is not lady-like."

"Yes~ I will not repeat what Ami-chan says!" Mayumi holds her hand up. "Mother said that I will be going to school soon as well. I was supposed to start in April but we missed the deadline or so that is what Mother has said."

"Suzuka has mentioned that. It is okay you will be able to start in September. I will be getting the assignments from the school on Monday for you to start working on with Sara. If you don't understand something you will be able to ask anyone that is at the table. Sara, I do know that you don't have a formal understanding of everything so I will help out as much as I can." 

"Since Gabriel will be helping me as well we can have a homework party in my room. Does that sound like fun Mayumi?" Ameli was resting her head on Gabriel's shoulder but eye eyes were looking at Mayumi.

"I am soooooo very excited! Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, Auntie! If Autie's friends are over I will ask them too. Oh, but it is only if you don't mind." Mayumi looks at the two shyly.

"I have zero issues with that. With your age, even Ami will be able to help you." Sachi giggles and holds her hand up to Ami.

"I will not lie, I struggle with my school work but with Sachi and Amelia help me out a lot." Ami claps her hand against Sachi's then lowers herself to Mayumi's level. "You aren't scared of me anymore are you??" she looks hopeful.

"You are not scary! I like you too." Mayumi finished eating the wagashi then got up and sat between Sachi and Ami. 

Miyuki came back and looked at the group. "Everything is all set. I need to borrow Sara for a moment. Mayumi will you be okay?" 

"Yes, I will be okay!~" Mayumi waves at the two maids as they leave. 

"Ami, if you do not finish that assignment you are not coming with us and you will not be able t6o eat the wagashi that Sachi has made." Amelia sat up and picked up the needlework. She picked up a purple colour and started to stitch in a chrysanthemum. She started with the outside darker petals and slowly as she worked inwards the petals got lighter to a pale lavender colour.

Gabriel picked up the book that was on the table and flipped 6through the pages mindlessly -thinking about all that he might need to help her with. 'She is so focussed on the needlework and to see her work on it is a rare treat that I was not expecting. She has some amazing skills. I wonder if she will add a small note on the handkerchief.'

The rest of the time went by quickly and Ami held up the piece of paper. "I finished! I did it!" She was so proud that she held it out for Amelia to look at.

"Wonderful, now if you could complete all your assignments that fast." Amelia stood up and stretched out her body. "Alright, now that Ami is done how about we get ready for the day?" 

Gabriel leans over and kisses her cheek. "I will step out and let Miyuki know that we are getting ready to head out." HE gets up and leaves the room looking back at her and winking. He walks to his room and changes the yukata that he had been wearing. 'She is so adorable when she blushes.' 

Miyuki knocked on Gabriel's door. "Sara and I have moved things as you have instructed. Kuma helped bring the food up there. I thought that you would like to know." 

Gabriel quickly tied the tie of the yukata and opened the door. "You are a lifesaver Miyuki. Thank you for all your hard work."