Quoted By:
Although she had enjoyed her sister's favours for her entire life, Suisei still loved her. True they had had to separate during the winter. For lack of better options Anemachi had had to go to take care of their grandmother. Suisei had spent the winter at their apartment, doing her job as a streamer and an idol. But since the spring, kindly to new beginnings, had come, Anemachi was returning to their accomodations.
What annoyed Suisei was that her sister always kept her waiting. Though it was a vice they shared, she was a restless sort and took poorly to being subjected to her own treatment. Suisei was awaiting Anemachi on the balcony, where she could observe oncoming traffic. She was gaily clad in a suit of pyjamas to match the night sky, and smoking Russian cigarettes. At first she dreamt of receiving her with long kisses, with hitherto unknown caresses. A quarter of an hour having passed, she meditated serious and affectionate reproaches, then after an hour of disappointed waiting she vowed she would meet her with cold disdain.
At length Anemachi appeared, fresh and fragrant. Never, she told her sister, had she had such trouble to get away. She was full of excuses, which Suisei obstinately rejected. But no sooner had Anemachi the good sense to hold her tongue than she ceased her reproaches, and then nothing detracted from the longing with which she inspired her. In her present mood, had the sky fallen it would not have troubled her. But in one bound Anemachi escaped from her. Crouching down, her eyes filled with terror, she was pointing with her finger at a figure which appeared at the door, entering with her own spare key.
Suisei at length turned her head, saw the figure, and perceiving that it moved, was also frightened. Meanwhile, Anemachi was regaining her senses.
"A woman... a naked woman too! I leave for a month and you bring into our apartment your women, and when I arrive they have not had time to dress. And you reproach me with arriving late! Your impudence is beyond belief! Come, send the creature packing. If you wanted us both here together, you might at least have asked me whether it suited me...."
Suisei, wide-eyed and groping for an axe that had never been there, whispered in her ear:
"Be quiet... it is no woman. One can scarcely see, but it is more like a demon."
"Have no fear, Madame," said a very sweet voice.
Slightly reassured, Suisei found strength to ask:
"Who are you?"
"I am an angel," replied the voice.
"What did you say?"
"I am an angel. I am Suisei's guardian angel."
"Say it again. I am going mad. I do not understand...."
Anemachi, seemingly understanding the issue, was indignant. Shee sprang forward and showed herself; with her right hand armed with a slipper, she made a threatening gesture, and said in a rough voice:
"You are a low harlot; oblige me by going the way you came."
"Hosimati Suisei," continued the sweet voice, "He whom your mother adores as the Creator of all has stationed by the side of each of the faithful a good angel, whose mission it is to counsel and protect them; it is the invariable opinion of the Fathers, it is founded on many passages in the Bible, the Church admits it unanimously, without, however, pronouncing anathema upon those who hold a contrary opinion. You see before you one of these angels, yours, Suisei. I was commanded to watch over your innocence and to guard your chastity."
