Maria-sama 02 Kibara Kakumei

Translator's Remarks

Hi, I'm Sukoshi! I'm a big Maria-sama fan, and I've recently gained enough skill to be able to translate the novels ^^. I'm really having a blast doing the translation (although it is hard work), and I hope you enjoy the translation too. I have to say that Konno Oyuki-sensei is a great writer, and that comes from someone like me with so little Japanese experience. If you followed the actual progress of this day by day, you'd have noticed that the translation schedule became a bit erratic near the end. I've been having a lot of work on my plate and such, so that'll be the reason why. Anyways, you'll notice that about a few chapters in, I dropped the hyper-accurate stilted style I used for the translation and have adopted a more English natural style (thanks to the advice of the wonderful Rosa Chinesis). I'll be gradually changing the beginning of the text and doing overall edits after I've finished with the novel. I've kept the names in the Japanese style, last names first, honorifics and all. Just email me if you think otherwise or have any reccomendations/edits, and I'll be happy to add them in. Also, I've added in translation notes (or just fun remarks) in parentheses, followed by "Me:", if it doesen't have that, it's not a parenthetical comment by me. Anyways, have fun, and remember, Maria-sama is watching

Story 1: Best Soeur

Chapter 1

Section 1

After the Gakuensai:

The Sunday vacation after the Gakuensai change progressed along like a cat (Me: literally, like a cat) for Yumi, who waited in much anticipation to return to those confusing days before the Gakuensai.

After getting off the bus, Yumi went through the school gate in a hurry, passing through the rows of Gingko trees where a very small number students were still entering school, and hurriedly walked ...no, lightly ran.

With the hem of her skirt mussed and her collar fluttered about, Yumi entered the morning which loomed ahead largely. Anyhow, today was an important day.

"Aaah. Why did I have to forget to set the alarm like I normally do?"

Right before going to sleep on Sunday, as she sat on the toilet seat, she said to herself "I will set it" but as soon as she returned to her room, she completely forgot. She washed her hands as she remembered, and closed the toilet seat, and closed the door, the deadly thing happened. As she was dancing up the stairs, she met her little brother and began to talk to him. That was probably the reason she forgot.

Why did she make such a mistake? Oh why was she such an idiot, to be late on such an important day?

As the Maria-sama statue that sat in the middle of the two forking roads came to view, she hurried to a stop in front of it, clasped her two hands together, and began to pray as custom said.

"Maria-sama. Today, as always, please look after me. Please allow me to go through the day without mistakes"

As soon as she opened her eyes, she began to run ...well, as she just started walking ...

"Please wait"

From behind the voice called out to her, and without thinking, Yumi straightened her back. For an instant, Yumi became very angry. Was there a boy here, thought Yumi to herself, but she was soon proved wrong.

"Yumi, why are you in such a hurry?"

Yumi recognized the voice and began to turn, as she recognized the lens of a newest-style small camera.

"Gokigenyou. Hmm? Did you think I was Sachiko?"

Saying those words and with a tone of confidence was the Photography Club Ace--Takeshima Tsutako.

Even when simply talking with Tsutako-san, she would not let go of her camera. It was almost like meeting a cyborg.

"Gokigenyou. I'm sorry but, I don't have the time to play this game."

Yumi once more rejected the request, turned her back to Tsutako-san, and began to walk on in silence.

"Ara, you don't have the time?"

Putting her camera in her pocket, Tsutako-san began to follow Yumi. If Yumi was to be the sub ject of a photo, it would be a grand school entry.

"Hmmm. Yumi is hurrying onward for some reason I don't know. Also Yumi, if I'm not mistaken about your relationship with Sachiko, where is she?" (Me: "where is she" is not quite the phrase that's adequate here, but it conveys the general sense of a question of Sachiko presence in Yumi's relationship with her).

After saying this, Tsutako's glasses shined. This Tsutako was a lot like a sempai in the Newspaper Club. She would eventually get what she wanted to know.

"I must admit, you weren't mistaken"

Inappropriate for a friend but with no other choice, Yumi answered as she kept walking towards the school. This was not a place to spend her time.

"From usual you're entering school a lot faster. Your face says that you're late for something"

Tsutako stepped out in a half step and turned towards Yumi's face in a motion of fluidity. Her footwork was good. This was also the results of a girl who took hidden pictures.

Of course if Tsutako had not noticed Yumi, she might not have been this late and would have been able to hurry. She would be written about as "Number 1 Late" in the papers with much enjoyment, it seemed. (Me: I could not translate this part very well. 'Number 1 Late' refers to 'Chikoku 1'.)

"Oh, I see. Sachiko-sama is waiting for Yumi-san? So this morning, you two wanted to meet without spectacle in a hidden Rendezvous?"

"Rendezvous?"

"French. Literally translated, it means 'Meeting' doesn't it? The roman- ticist Tsutako-san would of course call it 'hidden meeting'. Rendezvous, the conversation meant to only be heard by those closest to you." (Me: 'Ren- dezvous' is literally found as the Katakana 'Randebuu'. 'Hidden meeting' is the Japanese word 'Deai'. I had a beast of a time translating this sentence, and would love it if somebody gave me a hand.)

"Only meant to be heard closest to you" Tsutako had said incredibly. Just when was this person from? By the way Tsutako speaks, sometimes you would not think of her as a 16-year-old just like Yumi.

"It's not something as tender as a hidden meeting!" Yumi answered in a cold glance, after which Tsutako shifted her glasses and slightly raised the edge of her lips, as she looked at Yumi with a searching glance.

"Arama! So, then what is that proud shining Rosary on your chest?"

"Uh"

Tsutako had sharp eyes. The Rosary was, of course, from the night before yesterday, by Ogasawara Sachiko. With the receiving of the Rosary, Yumi had become the soeur of the "Target of Affection" of the entire school -- Sachiko. (Me: "Target of Affection" is a title given to Sachiko from book 1. Literally "Akogare no Mato").

Just remembering made her blush. On that strong night, Sachiko had presented her Rosary with great seriousness, and she received it with a feeling as if she had taken a plunge into the dark. Trying to remember that in the middle of the daytime light, she soon realized that reality was waiting. As she plunged into the dark, she had felt a sudden drop. Then all of a sudden, a soft bed opened up beneath her because of an archangel. Of course, reality was harsh. While jumping, if one made a mistake with their footing, one may break their feet. If one made a mistake, their neck could break, and it would mean instant death.

"Anyways, it's visible. Yumi-san, you should hide it underneath your seifuku in a place where others can't see"

"This is a place where others won't see it, so it won't be noticeable ...and I don't have time to just talk like this!"

Yumi sighed, and then began to run, before talk could start that she had been idling around like idly gossiping mothers. She was already late, and now she would be completely late.

"Yumi-san, next time, please listen to me carefully"

This time Tsutako did not chase after Yumi. Instead, from behind, various shutter noises could be heard. A high school girl that ran with all her might, that was an enjoyable thing.

And anyways, Yumi began to notice that the number of eccentrics around her began to increase (Me: I'm not sure what this means. "Eccentric" here is the Japanese word "Kawarimono")

Section 2

In the corner of the middle garden of the High Grade School (Me: This uses a construct used often in the first novel--Koutoubu, to mean High School) Yumi reached the erected student council building--The Bara no Yakata, at 7:50 AM.

"You are late"

Used until the end of the Gakuensai used for exchanging props and clothes, the multipurpose first floor door was opened by Yumi. Inside, the faces of the eminent members all turned towards her. (Me: This was very difficult to get into English without sounding like chicken scratch. My apolo- gies.)

Rosa Chinesis, Rosa Foetida, Rosa Foetida en Bouton Hasekura Rei- sama, Rosa Gigantea en Bouton Toudou Shimako-sama, and ...

"Did you get caught in traffic?"

Low blood pressure in the morning Sachiko-sama. Sachiko-sama's eyes sharply turned towards Yumi, and asked Yumi with her normally cold voice. (Me: Low blood pressure in the morning was the excuse that Sachiko gave in the last novel for coming to school early on the day that she adjusted Yumi's sailor collar.)

"N...No."

"Then why are you late?"

Her trademark black hair falling gracefully from her neck down to her chest. Her eyebrows raised up, looking at Yumi with a facial expression of a cold stare, raising goose pimples at her beautifulness.--It was a captivating sight. With her soft words, Sachiko let out a question that hung in the air. Even looking at it in the most positive way, this could only be called a cross-examination. (Me: I feel very bad for rendering this in English. Konno Oyuki-sensei phrased this description beautifully, and translating it made it lose much of its flavor not only because I'm not even half as skilled a writer as she is, but because English just doesn't have many of Japanese's subtleties. The impression here was one of hard but elegant beauty.)

"Hold on, Sachiko"

Rei-sama gently pushed her shoulder into Sachiko, but Sachiko replied "Please stay silent" and completely shut her out, turning back to Yumi.

"If you have a reason for being late, say it clearly."

"..."

After Sachiko said this light criticism, Yumi replied back honestly "I overslept".

"What time do you think it is now?"

"7:52 ..."

With a fool's honesty, Yumi looked at her watch and replied, and Rosa Chinesis let out a small "Pu" behind Sachiko sama.

After the Gakuensai, a simple cleaning-up meeting was planned, and everyone was told to meet at the Bara no Yakata until 8 AM. Because she came now, Yumi was late, in spite of Sachiko-sama profusely explaining to her about the meeting. Because she was a first year, she would come at least 15 minutes early, to be able to meet with her Onee-samas.

"You're even later than the 3rd years! What is the meaning of this?"

She didn't know. The others had come from the gym (Me: I encountered a word I didn't know here, so I'm not sure what this exactly means). She was absentminded this time.

"Sachiko-sama is scaryyy"

Suddenly from behind, the voice came. Without time to react, from behind, Yumi's arms were pinned behind her back. "Guu" she let out, as she was forced into an unseemly gesture.

"Gokigenyou, everybody"

"Rosa Gigantea!"

As usual, Rosa Gigantea's entrance seemed like a stampede. Out of the Lillian Jogakuen High Grade School Student Council's leaders, Red, White, and Yellow Roses, only Rosa Gigante came, turned Yumi's neck around with her hand, then raised her hands in the air in a big yawn. After she finished, the two looked like arranged manequins. (Me: This sentence was a bit hard to understand.)

"Sorry, sorry. I totally forgot like I always do, and came. But, since the meeting's at 8, it's safe, isn't it Sachiko?" (Me: Safe is in Katakana--Seifu.)

Rosa Gigantea, like a hostage scooped up as a shield, or a puppet hugged during a ventriloquism act, pulled the dangling Yumi from right in front of Sachiko. (Me: Think: "I just stole your girl!")

"Ehh, but Yumi ..."

"It's alright you know"

This time it was Rosa Foetida who intervened.

"The point is the meeting starts at 8, so it's alright"

"But, I wanted to bring to Yumi's attention ..."

"This coming from the sempai who made us wait 25 minutes day before yesterday has little persuasion power" (Me: Sachiko and Yumi went 'eloping' together in the first novel.)

Rosa Chinesis laughed, and Yumi who had a part in the being 25 min- utes late affair could do nothing but flinch. The without thinking attacker Sachiko went red in the face and protested.

"Onee-sama, you're being too soft on her!"

But Sachiko could only keep the affair in the palm of her hand. Rosa Chinesis folded her arms over her chest and answered.

"It's as it should be. We are the third years, and you second years are like our children, and the first years like our grandchildren. Home discipline is basically our role. We won't sit silent like irresponsible grandmothers who only come when their sisters act cute."

Grandmothers, she said. Yumi and also-first-year Shimako exchanged glances and their eyes lit up. So. The Rosas are grandmothers, huh.

"When you were a first year Sachiko, and even until we graduate, do you really think we'll spoil you?"

"Th, That's ..."

It seemed that Sachiko could not find words to reply with. Of course there was no mistaking that, when Sachiko was a first year, her "Grand- mother" had spoiled her.

"Well, that's how it shall be. Please drop this now."

"-- --"

Sachiko was completely defeated. If that was the case, then nobody could win.

"The Rosas, they're basically sadists, aren't they" thought Yumi. "Or Sachiko-sama is a masochist". The whole time, without even becoming obvious, Sachiko had been talked down to. The whole school's Target of Affection, the authentic princess of a good family, talking down to her gave a good feeling that one could only suspect. But it was all just a way of the Rosas showing affection, Yumi knew.

Also, whenever Sachiko was amongst the Rosas, she was different from her image. Normally, her image was one of grace and a faultless bishoujo.

"Aree, Yumi-chan, what's this?" said Rosa Gigantea from behind as if she was stopping a child's game, and this time transformed into a sexually harassing old man and ran her hand down Yumi's neckline. (Me: Hahahaha. I'm surprised it didn't look so detailed in the anime.)

"Kyan"

The cold hand hitting her collar bone, Yumi let out an unnatural sound. Even while saying "Sorry", the long awaited rosary was pulled out.

"Hmm. I wonder if this is why Sachiko is in good spirits."

"Ara, maa"

"When the time comes to do it, she does it." (Me: This was my lame attempt at trying to transliterate a Japanese expression into English. The original was "Yaru toki ha yaru yo ne.")

With their mouths flapping, the Rosas kept looking back and forth from Yumi's dangling rosary back to Sachiko. It was almost as if they were pandas in a zoo.

"This isn't really a meeting any more, Onee-samas"

This brought attention to her displeasure, as she combed her hair up and spoke with a look of distaste. But she didn't look as if she were hiding embarassment.

"Maa, with that said, please give me some service. When and where was the ceremony?" (Me: The word for service here is "saabisu", commonly used in less than proper places.)

"S, service?!"

Calm Sachiko pulled her eyebrows up with a piku piku. Yumi knew she was becoming angry at being the Rosas feeder.

"Why must I give the Onee-samas service."

"Aa, so. Then, I'll hear it from Yumi-chan. Yumi-chan is obedient, so she'll teach me."

"Uhhhh" (Me: This is Yumi's classic stammer line.)

What a bother. Sachiko faced Yumi with a look of "If you tell, I'll never forgive you.". The school's three most powerful girls turned and faced her. How awful. (Me: It was difficult to preserve the original sentence structure here. Sorry.)

It can't be helped--Yumi took a deep swallow. Unexpectedly, the area near her stomach seemed to move a little, she thought.

(Th... this ...)

Bad. Small pricks brought her to attention. Again the second came. She was already doubting herself. In the very near future, she would have to do the undesirable thing.

(It can't be helped.)

So, the thing she had tried with great effort to avoid all of life, she had no power to stop from happening, there was no mistaking that she had to do the this. How to decrease the unseemliness of it was what she should be thinking about.

(1. Before the thing happens, write down the embarrassing information on paper. 2. In a big voice lie. 3. Run immediately.)

Yumi chose the third one. Anyways, if she had chosen the embarrassing information writing, she would have to hear it and be sorry.

"Ah, kora, wait!"

So she began to ran but, before she could struggle to the door, Rosa Gigantea reeled her in and dragged her to the circular center of the room. (Me: Yumi's actions are sometimes just so comical. Until you catch yourself in real life in a Yumi moment. Then you'll get a good laugh at yourself, I guarantee.)

"Hmm, do you not want to say it? Because it was a beautiful memory, you don't want to talk about it?"

Yumi shuddered and shook her head. She was wrong. There was no way to run away from telling the story of the sister ceremony.

(Aa ...but ...mmmm)

For this sort of stuff, she should have had breakfast----. And just as she was thinking this, Gyorogyoro, a sound like a frog, emerged from Yumi. The unbelievable thing didn't end after a full three seconds, the longest something like that has ever happened in her entire 16 years of living. And the center of the room all fell silent and the sound echoed off in the air.

(Aa ...has it ended yet ...)

Of all places, why did this frog's solo have to be heard among these beautiful people. A hole ...yes, she'd dig a whole in the floorboards, a whole 10 meters deep, and she'd want to stay buried in it for 10 years.

" ......Kuu"

The person who broke the silence was Rosa Gigantea. The girls laughed with a 'fufufu' and a 'kusukusu' but not an 'ahahaha' in big voices, and threw themselves backward. She was lured in--no, actually, there was no way she was lured. They began to bear it--Yumi and Sachiko, isolated out of the others in the room who were swept up in a wave of laughter. (Me: I'm thinking that 'ahahaha' is not a ladylike way to laugh.)

"Great. Yumi-chan, you're awesome!"

"What would you do about Sachiko Onee-sama's predicament, I was thinking, no that was incredible timing."

"For Yumi-chan's foolish actions, I apologize."

Not knowing who hit what, the Rosas laughed with seemingly great satisfaction. The simple wrap-up meeting wasn't actually so simple. Rei and Shimako who had already left and missed the laughter that had spread out across the room. Review meetings and naming meetings were conducted in the one room of the upstairs that had a salon-like atmosphere. (Me: I probably hopelessly mangled that last bit. I tried what I could, though.)

Second floor one room, first floor one room. Even though the Bara no Yakata was a mansion, it was pretty small. But even though it was small, to call it a shack would be a mistake, it was a beautiful building. In the corner of the Middle Garden, built quietly, and having wooden floorboards older than the rest of the school's floorboards, with a stained glass thatched roof, and ivy crawling up the outer wall, with wooden edges to the bay windows, the outside of the building looked like it had been taken out of a sepia photo. After entering, the aged floorboards creaked as you stepped on their aged bodies, but this was time after time the special headquarters of the Yamayurikai. It was a mansion that filled you with a sense of cleanliness. (Me: Because 'Bara no Yakata' means 'Rose Mansion', that's why Yumi questions its largeness.)

The beautiful Sempai walked up the narrow steep stairs which creaked with gentle sounds. Whoever reaches the room first should probably make preparations but, because the stairs were narrow, it was not possible to overtake someone, only to walk while seeing someone's backside. "I need to learn many things about the Yamayurikai from Sachiko" thought Yumi, because Sachiko was of the same grade as her.

From today, no from the night before yesterday when she was given the rosary, she had become Sachiko's soeur. Sachiko was the soeur of Rosa Chinesis, Rosa Chinesis en Bouton, the Lillian Jogakuen High Grade School Student Council leader out of the other three Rosas, and she would become the next Rosa Chinesis. Yumi, who gave no thought that she would eventu- ally become Rosa Chinesis, was Rosa Chinesis en Bouton's soeur, and her appearance at the Yamayurikai was customarily to aid with the Yamayurikai Member's affairs. Also, she would stay by Sachiko's side, take on her tasks, and become a wholehearted soeur. (Me: Talk about rending grammar. This sentence, while easy to understand in Japanese, was horrendous to get into English. I can't even imagine the amount of damage I've dealt to the sen- tence's elegance.)

And today was the special day. Today was her first day as Sachiko's soeur.

So.

(I became quickly disillusioned, huh?)

While going up the stairs and watching the coldly swaying black hair of Sachiko, Yumi became a little blue. What will the mass-of-pride-Sachiko do with her soeur, thought Yumi. Because this was their first meeting, she didn't have very high hopes, but today was just too cruel.

(No. She'd never give back the rosary!)

While Yumi climbed up the stairs with heavy creaking steps, "I don't understand" thought Yumi to herself. Sachiko couldn't be read, almost like an unfathomable thing to a guest. (Me: Geh, that's one of those lines that translates very badly into English. Times like these you wonder whether true English translation is even possible or not. Trust me, translation is a lot harder than it seems.)

(The frog solo made everyone laugh really haaard ...)

With ten more steps to go, today the steps looked like they had no end in sight. What should she say. Silence could only be bad, she thought, and it showed on the middle of her head. If they could start the sister relationship all over again, she would prefer a large lightning strike to today--and just as she thought this, the climbing Sachiko turned, and looked down upon Yumi. (Me: Looked down here, amusingly, means both physically and (at least to Yumi) mentally).

With eyes that showed a request, she looked bleak-faced. But in this position one step above Yumi, Sachiko's natural elegance and beautifulness was only more highlighted.

Yumi looked up at Sachiko with obedient fascination. Sachiko was a beautiful, and that's why there was no reason Yumi was her soeur. Of course, even from a distance, one could see the beginnings of her beauty.

"Turn your palm over and give your hand to me please."

As commanded, Yumi presented both of her hands. Because this wasn't a palm reading, she decided not to stick out only one hand. It brought an image herself to mind. (Me: I had trouble translating the last bit, so take it with a grain of salt.)

(...Korette)

What could it be. Ah, that's it. In Home Economics Class, an image of a boy getting punished, that's it. If she remembered correctly, in an illustration in a novel, the painful-looking bodily punishment the boy had to receive with both his hands together with the look of the beautiful boy.

But, she had completely forgotten the rest of the story.

(No, could Sachiko-sama want to do that with me ......?)

In her imagination, she could see herself being struck. Like lightning it would strike---- even after thinking that, when it came down to it, she thought "The pain will probably be little".

But, Yumi closed her eyes tightly. Rei-sama, who had been walking in front of Sachiko-sama, had already disappeared through the biscuit like door, leaving Yumi and Sachiko-sama alone in the area.

However, after waiting a little while, the pain did not come, and instead sounds of Sachiko-sama shuffliing in her pocket could be heard. "Are?" she thought to herself, and a trivial answer visited her on top of the palm of her hand.

"This----"

Opening her eyes, she saw there were two toffees.

"Here's something for what you didn't get" (Me: Again, I had a bit of a time translating this.)

"Eh ......?"

"You didn't eat your breakfast because you were in a hurry, I under- stand"

Sachiko-sama turned on the heel of her foot, and her back faced Yumi once more.

"I'm not even a bit embarrassed"

"Sachiko-sama ......"

After clearing the last step, Yumi ran up, and followed from behind. Her thoughts seemed so stupid. But, no way, Sachiko-sama couldn't put these toffees in her stomach often, could she? Yumi couldn't even think that. (Me: Obviously the more English natural thing to say would have been "eat the toffees", but I kept it this way for authenticity's sake.)

Reaching the doorway, Sachiko-sama who seemed like she remembered something pushed her hand out to the door and said to Yumi.

"From now on, please stop calling me 'Sachiko-sama' "

"Eh?"

"You are my soeur, and to show the distinction, call me clearly with 'Onee-sama' "

Sachiko-sama said this, put Yumi's tie in order, and said "Your answer?"

"......Yes."

She wasn't able to understand what just happened, but in spite of that Yumi nodded, and that person smiled with a satisfied look, and went on ahead and disappeared through the biscuit-like door. (Me: "that person" is specifically put, because in Japanese, "sono hito" is used.)

"Onee-sama ......"

Even if just a little bit, she tried whispering the name. After saying it, she blushed. Those were words she would never get accustomed to saying.

Onee-sama.

The back of her ears were tickling a little bit, but that couldn't compare to the "Doki Doki" of her speeding heart.

Even though it was a stupid, Yumi took out the rosary hidden under- neath her seifuku. This was reality, she needed to confirm one more time. Of course the rosary was there. Sachiko-sama's rosary put on her nick the night before yesterday by Sachiko-sama.

So, she would only call "Onee-sama" to Sachiko-sama, and in the whole school, only Yumi could. Yumi, in great excitement, Yumi lifter her fist into the air without thinking.

"Don't be late"

Sachiko-sama called out from the middle of the room.

"Y, yes."

Yumi, on the verge of panic in her answer, jammed down the sweets and entered the middle of the room. In the middle of her fist from the candy she held, the wrapping paper still remained, not very skillfully wrapped.

Section 3

"Are, Yoshino-san is ......?"

After the main members reached their seats, Yumi noticed that Rei- sama's soeur Shimazu Yoshino-san could not be seen. Because pouring tea was a task for first-years, Shimako-san was the only one doing it, and Yumi began to help in hot haste.

"Because her fever from yesterday hasn't receded yet."

Rei-sama answered as if she were talking to herself.

"It's probably because she was in such high spirits for the Gakuensai."

After the event, her physical strength had collapsed. Everyone but Yumi seemed to know this, did not think it was very special, and the talk flowed on smoothly.

As she was distributing the black tea that Shimako-san had put on her tray, absent-mindedly she thought "Yoshino doesn't have a strong body, does sheee". That being said, the girls had looked over Yumi countless number of times as if scrutinizing her physicality. (Me: I had a bit of trouble on the last bit.)

Shimazu Yoshino-san, from Lillian Jogakuen kindergarten, had never been in any of her classes with Yumi. While she didn't know her very well, at the Gakuensai she helped prepare loudly, and didn't engage in soft meetings. (Me: Many of the students at Lillian have been going here their entire lives.)

Yoshino-san whose appearance and actions were always in the middle of the public gaze, did not seem like someone of an image of a cute girl with an always reserved smile. To draw a comparison, it was like, among the roses and the lilies, the one shining lily of the valley. (Me: I know that metaphor was very badly translated, and I hope it comes out comprehensible.)

While handing out Rosa Foetida's teacup, Rei-sama's idle conversation entered her ears.

"So. The Newspaper Club has chosen Rei and Yoshino-chan to speak with."

"Newspaper Club? I and Yoshino?"

Rei-sama, with a look that asked "Why?", inclined her neck. Lured Yumi turned her neck. It was laudable. Stalwart Rei-sama and truly obedient Yoshino-san were not mad that the Newspaper Club were following them.

"Hora, Yumi-chan, don't look away. The tea will spill."

Rosa Gigantea, while taking her teacup from the tray, watched with a rapt expression on her face.

"Sorry."

First apologizing, there was no way she could notice the Rosa Foetida sisters' conversation.

"Well. Wasn't there a scandal in the Newspaper Club? Oh yeah, making a big example of those two sisters, I think they restricted all their coverage to them."

After saying this, Rosa Gigantea looked thankfully at Sachiko-sama and Yumi to include them.

"Is that so----"

"Absentmindedly trying to remember a Newspaper Club story, she un- derstood why the Newspaper Club was not fighting scandal. Normally, they diligently covered school functions and the results of athletic competitions. The coming-tomorrow Newspaper Club would probably make a special fea- ture of the Gakuensai.

"You and Yoshino-chan, through questionnaires the Newspaper Club has handed out, have been named Best Soeurs. After an official request, there isn't really a reason to refuse, but----"

Rosa Foetida talked as if she were discussing a mathematical equation, and asked in a business-like facial expression to Rei-sama "What will you do?"

"But, I don't no when Yoshino will be able to get back to school, so ......" (Me: Note that Rei does not refer to Yoshino in honorifics.)

"I see."

Understanding this, Rosa Foetida coldly nodded, held her teacup in both hands, and cooled her finger off. Rosa Foetida wore this uninteresting- seeming facial expression. But she wasn't lethargic, and after deciding her work, she saw that no-one was neither not here nor late. Seeing everything was well, she watched everyone with a please-be-interesting face. (Me: I had a pretty hard time with the last two sentences, so I could've translated the completely incorrectly.)

It was awe-inspiring.

Rosa Foetida and Rei-sama were sisters, not in the thrilling way that Sachiko-sama and Yumi were, also not quite in the self-endowed "Resembling friends" relationship of Rosa Gigantea and Shimako-san, but something she couldn't quite grasp.

Why did Rosa Foetida choose Rei-sama as her soeur? Why does Rei- sama answer back in that way? After getting an Onee-sama of her own, Yumi wanted to try to understand the relationship of the others.

"Has everyone picked up their cup? Then, let's have a toast."

Rosa Chinesis stood up and said this. Called a review meeting, it some- how seemed as if one had to meet in a " 'Thank you for your hard work' meeting" before returning to normal days. The day after the Cinderella play finished, the executive community of Rosas once again became busy, after this work finished, they had to plan the Night Festival, and since then, they had not all met in the same building once. (Me: I translated "Otsukare- sama" as "Thank you for your hard work" because it is a phrase typically used to congratulate work.)

"First, congratulations for the success of the Gakuensai."

They toasted their Darjeeling Tea straight outward. The tea that Shimako- san had poured in was different from Sachiko-sama's, it had a more mild taste. With pet expressions on their face, they drank the tea, and Rosa Chinesis straightened up a second time and held out her cup.

"And, let fortune smile on the memory of Sachiko having made Yumi- chan hers." (Me: The same expression used here "Mono ni suru" can also be used as "to become my girl", so, you can take it both ways.)

"Bu"

Inattentively, just as Yumi had looked like she would spit out the black tea, Rosa Chinesis had already spoken.

"Aramaa, I'm so embarrassed."

"----Ro, Rosa Chinesis"

"It's alright, these are young people" said the third years, and made a smile as if they were getting older. If you took them seriously, you would think they betrayed your hopes as friends. But even then, she didn't "be- come Sachiko's". Finding the words, Yumi flapped open her mouth like a goldfish.

"When you close your mouth, you should wipe the area around it. It's unseemly."

Sachiko-sama took out her gorgeous lace white handkerchief. Almost getting tea spit on it, she wiped the outside of the lips dry.

"Ara, you would wipe her lips for her?"

Rosa Gigantea raised her eyebrows high.

"Rosa Gigantea, is there a problem with wiping Shimako's mouth?"

"Shimako wouldn't let me but, I would reeeally want to do it to Yumi- chan."

"Please say things more clearly and also, please do not spoil my sister."

Delivering a person attack, Sachiko-sama was cool. What was that switch that transformed her from Elegant Mode to Hysteric Mode, she did not know. Even though they were sisters, Sachiko-sama was an ununder- standable person.

Because morning prayers were coming up soon, everyone quickly downed their tea and stood from their seats. While cleaning cups, Shimako-san said:

"There are many types of sister relationships, huh."

The water, starting from last week, was a little cold.

Chapter 2

"Yoshino, are you up?"

Knowing her routine, after Rei knocked, she did not wait for an answer, opened the door, and entered. As usual, Yoshino was sleeping face down on her wooden semi-double bed, and then her face moved a little and she recognized the intruder.

"----What?"

While she didn't have any hopes of receiving a "Welcome" from the ill person, she wasn't really wanting to immediately be accosted with a "What?". While she was thinking this, Rei pulled the chair from the desk, and pulled it over by the bedside and sat down.

"Your fever still hasn't gone down then?"

From when Yoshino was a little child, whenever she would get a fever, a hand-towel with a little-bird design would be placed on her forehead. Without it, she was not content. The print had faded now, and the end had frayed countless times, but it was sewed back together good as new.

Just a little while ago, the middle-aged lady had squeezed the towel, folded it up precisely, and tried to apply it to her face. It was pleasantly cool.

"Is everything the same?"

Because her situation was a little disgraceful, Yoshino did not open her mouth. Familiar with this, Rei did not pay it heed and went on.

"Because Rei-san is your Takuhaibinya-san today, I'll take out everything I have to give." (Me: Takuhaibin is a home delivery service in Japan which delivers goods door-to-door and to convenience stores and hotels and the like for moderate prices. For more information, see: http://www.japan- guide.com/e/e2278.html. "Ya" is a suffix for stores.)

Taking her binder out of her schoolbag, she took out all the official papers from the clear case and placed it on the top of the table.

"The English reader will be homework until the next week. Also, your classical literature report has been returned. And----"

"What about club activities?"

Interjecting, Yoshino unexpectedly said. When not in school, they used their long-accustomed equal names for each other. Based on the situation, Yoshino had skill in choosing when to say "Onee-sama" or when to say "Rei-chan".

"Club activities?"

Rei closed her schoolbag and asked back.

"Well, you have another competition coming up, so weren't you saying that you had intensive training to do?"

"I was saying ......?"

"Did you sabotage it because of me?"

Purposefully removing the little-bird-design towel, she asked as if she were searching for something. Someone who loves to read hard-boiled mys- tery novels, can easily take an ob jective look, and make the person nod honestly. She became angry enough to get a heart attack, just as it always has been for the many years they had known each other.

Then Rei sweetly smiled and denied it.

"That's not it. Today I had practice with my dad, so I came back early."

"Really?"

"Really."

In the middle of Yoshino's pupil, one must be very good to tell a lie to Yoshino. As expected, Yoshino had become skilled at seeking the piles of lies that Rei made. If she saw an inkling of lying, there was no way she could believe or understand.

"But, not everything is an a lie" whispered Yoshino's heart, in the form of an explanation. It was true that she had plans to practice at her father's do jo, because it was pretty late. Plus, she didn't want to come early for Yoshino's sake, she wanted to come early for her own sake. At school, she thought of only Yoshino, not paying heed to other things. A wicked mind, as always, is judged by the wooden swords. After seeing that, she would never give much import to the kouhais' influence. She had work to do, so she had to skip club practice.

Her dad had said "Your swordsmanship is good, but your sword is not stable. You must be a woman who flows her sword with passion." Her father had said "On the path to the sword, there is no distinction between male and female." These words Rei took too heart. Yoshino also was made self-conscious of them.

"Look at the handout."

Yoshino set the wet towel in the box near her bedside, and with effort raised her body and scrutinized the delivered thing. Because she seemed a little worn out, Yoshino had undid her trademark braids. That was also probably because of the fever. Noticing it in her vision, Yoshino raised her face and said "What?".

"Uun."

Rei laughed and returned her neck sideways.

From when she was little, nothing had changed about Yoshino. Liv- ing in the same place all her life, Rei had been born next door, and they were cousins. Even before the formality of becoming soeurs, they had truly thought of each other as sisters. For Yoshino's sake, Rei would defy Maria- sama, and if needed, lie. To not make Yoshino worry, to protect Yoshino's normal student life. Up till now, she was Yoshino's knight.

"Rei-chan, what's this?"

Yoshino pointed at the tea envelope mixed in with the handout and asked.

"Ah, yes. I had forgotten. A questionnaire, requested from the Newspa- per Club."

"Questionnaire?"

"Yup."

Rei had been chosen for the Best Soeur prize, and she had denied the Newspaper Club's request to collect data about her, she explained in brief.

"Best Soeur prize ......"

Muttering this, Yoshino's facial expression became complex.

"Yes, because gathering data would have been useless, I asked them to give us a questionnaire. After organizing that, they will make it into a news story."

"Fuu-n. Ja, Rei-chan should write it. Mine too."

"Alright."

Rei took the blank forms, placed Yoshino's up on the desk, and began to write on it. For each person, the form was two pages long, the first page was for personal data. Full name, Birth date, constellation, blood type, class name, and student ID number were the entries on the form. Without confirming with Yoshino, she began to fill it out. The second page was for questions like favorite words, favorite author, and beloved performer. Each question she asked Yoshino, and filled out on the page.

"This is ......"

Her questionnaire and Yoshino's, each one she clipped together and while she was returning them back into the tea envelope, she annoyingly remem- bered. The truth was, every person who received a prize from the Newspaper Club received a questionnaire, not just the Best Soeur award. For today af- ter school, it seemed like the questionnaire was the whole prize in total, but Rei had been the winner of the wondrous of Mister Lillian.

"Mi, Mister-- ......?"

With a premonition about it being a mistake, Yoshino made her eyes circles and laughed.

"Sometimes, the mistaken lowerclassman unfortunately call me 'Older Brother' " (Me: "Older Brother" is "Onii-san" here, so it doesn't sound as stilted as the English version.)

"Rei-chan, what if you grow out your hair?"

Extending her hand out, Yoshino stroked Rei's very short hair.

"It wouldn't suit me, it is inappropriate on a protector."

"Fuuun"

Sachiko is Miss Queen, and Shimako is Miss Princess, and this year there is talk that the extra Miss Cinderella prize will go to Yumi-chan. At this, Yoshino mumbled with force "Yuuumi-san?"

"Huh, do you know Yumi-chan?"

"A bit."

For Yoshino who rarely expressed much interest in a particular person, that answer was surprising. From long ago, because she had to take off from school often, she rarely formed deep relationships with anyone. Because she formed a pleasant outside face, she seemed personable, but that was her pecularity.

"Because it seems that she accepted Sachiko's rosary, we'll get to know her much more intimately from now on."

After hearing Rei's news, Yoshino asked "Really?" and pushed aside her bedding and lifted herself out of bed. Because it was the evening of late autumn, the heating had not yet turned on, and her one layer of clothing pa jama was unpleasantly cold. Rei took the cardigan lying on the chair and put it on top of Yoshino.

In the front neck of her pa jama, exposed on the lost-weight Yoshino, was her Rosary.

Rei had given it this summer past. The dark green color of the stone suited Yoshino's white skin well.

Chapter 3

Lillian Jogakuen High Grade School's Newspaper Club President, Tsukiyama Minako, was in high spirits.

For some reason, girls here had high preference for the publication of random words, the weekly newspaper "Lillian Kawaraban".

"Incredible."

With a B4 size paper in her right hand, and her left hand touching her hip, she stood elegantly as always, and her gaze absentmindedly fell upon the expanse of paper. The paper being held in her hand, it was the final check in the preparations for the next edition. The beautiful all-color test print was ready, a pre-eminent spectacle.

"It isn't just a visual spectacle. The news stories' contents and the sentences all contribute to its beautifulness."

The sub ject was the raw-food-time game, so Minako thought. (Me: I have absolutely no idea what this means, and I translated it as best as I could. Help appreciated. Raw-food time game is "Wadai ha namamono no jikan ga shoubu") Right now, it was without the thing that readers requested, so how could it be seemed to becalled a newspaper? On that point, the "Lillian Kawaraban", her chest expanded in pride.

Of course, when there was nothing to write about, one could talk about teacher's hobbies, or the flowers blooming on campus, or what clouded the tea, but now was different. Because this time, she completely understood the readers' preference.

Now, what was in season, no matter whatever else was said and done, was the Yamayurikai members. The girls who over took others clearly, were whom the readers wanted to read about. Of course, the opportunity must be split up, was her feeling.

She, unlike the sempais, had the courage to not only gather data about the Yamayurikai, but also to write skillfully about them. With uniform excellence, she would gather each of their individual characters together, something that hadn't really been done in the past.

Minako took the thing from last week off the shelf, and narrowed her eyes at the headline.

"The monopolized interview!"

The large talk with Rosa Chinesis en Bouton about her soeur.

Hora, she can work wonders this way. This god-entrancing, uncompara- ble talent. Without thinking, she sighed.

"So, so-- --"

Rosa Chinesis en Bouton's conversation was thrilling.

The without-soeur Entire School Target of Affection Ogasawara Sachiko, rejected by Rosa Gigantea en Bouton Toudou Shimako, without anyone checking, had with a sorry done something to Fukuzawa Yumi that all the students were curious about. She cleared that up clearly. Because she had lost her claim, she could not create a news story, so the talk was about what happened and did not happen at the Cinderella play. This sequel she was able to publish at the same time, and the effects were very successful. And, this time----

"Onee-sama, please put an end to this thing you are fascinated by."

With her long-awaited good-feeling intoxicated, her soeur Yamaguchi Mami's voice pulled her back to reality.

Without understanding what happened, she entrusted herself to the beautiful world, and looked around at her surroundings. The large table instead of a desk, the slightly old computer, this year's budget meeting had shown that they were going through financial troubles, and then she laid her eyes on the shape of the newly bought color printer. Other then Mami, there were two other members here, and they continued in silence in their "As always" fashion, each one doing their own work enthusiastically. (Me: "As always" is "Itsumo no koto" here.)

"Mami....... you."

"If you do not look over the news stories, we will not be able to print for tomorrow. Then, we will not be able to put into practice Onee-sama's "Raw-food time game" saying." (Me: Again, I have no idea what "Raw- food time game" means. I'm guessing it's an idiom of some sort. Assistance would be much help.)

"----I understand."

Without any alternative, Minako went over to the chair. The soeur that she had picked was sometimes a lady with harsh words, she sighed aloud. Of course, what she had said was perfectly correct, so she wouldn't pout about it. Because of all the club work she had to do, her third-year Onee-sama life was a lot like "Resmebling Minako's first year time", but she had a hunch that it was a little better than that. (Me: Again, pardon the stiltedness.)

"Yoshino's is wrong."

For a half minute, she had spoken obediently like a gentle lady --. Mi- nako flipped the two-shot on top of the test print with her fingers. (Me: A two-shot is a picture that features two people. Literally in Katakana "Tsuushotto".)

With boy-like Hasekura Rei, she [Yoshino] had her picture taken, smiling a gentle smile. They looked completely like two lover classmates. (Me: So, does that mean this lover classmate stuff is somewhat pervasive at Lillian? Food for thought.)

There two who should have been chosen for the "Best Soeur Award" had been shosen. Sublime older sisters and their female cousin younger sisters was an old scheme. Being female cousins and childhood friends, Rei had a relationship where she gently compared for the weak-constitution girl, like a knight. Rosa Gigantea family and Rosa Chinesis family's conversations had already passed, now Rosa Foetida family's turn had come. If this wasn't news, then what was.

"Onee-sama."

Once more she heard the warning, and Minako scanned the news story in panic. ----And.

(Are ......?)

What, where was this strangeness. There was neither misprint nor dropped words. The itemized list portion was there, and there were no especially strange wordings in it. But, what was strange. Where had Mami found it, and then .......

"Ne, who word processed this?"

After Minako said this, the first year that sat in the seat next to Mami raised her hand and said "Yes".

"This ...what is it?"

This, if she remembered correctly, was supposed to be a news article interview about the Best Soeur Prize. Because Takeshima Yoshino was abscent on illness, the two had answered on a form. Hasekura Rei had been the secretary here it seemed, because everywhere was written in the same blue fountain pen, the same handwriting covered the form. Their beautiful relationship concealed the secretary episode, and the news article was tacked into the print.

"......The questionairre form, was there an error in filling it out?"

"Eh?!"

In that place, all three of the other Newspaper Club members almost at the same time jumped upon the test print.

"Haskeura Rei-sama's favorite books are all girls' novels, and Shimazu Yoshino's are all Ikenami Shoutarou swordsman stories."

"Rei-sama's interest is in sewing, and Yoshino's is in watching sports on television."

"Rei-sama's favorite word is "Sincerity", and Yoshino's is "The first move will win the match"" (Me: So that everyone reading this can look cool and say Rei and Yoshino's favorite word/phrases, here they are in Japanese. Rei's is "Makokoro" meaning sincerity or dedication, Yoshino's is "Sente Hisshou" meaning literally "First move-certain victory".)

It wasn't wrong, thought everyone. No, this wasn't wrong. While me- chanically typing the questionairres, they had gotten mixed up.

"But, I typed it correctly."

The first-year who word processed the questionairres took the handwrit- ten versions out of the tea envelop. The two questionairre forms confirmed her claim as they were revealed.

"Hahan. Then, we can't just blame you."

Hasekura Rei's name was written on the first page of the questionairre, and the word "Sewing" on the other, and they had been clipped together.

"Rei-sama was wrong."

"Probably."

But, before it can be placed in the newspaper, they should clearly confirm and correct it.

"Today Yoshino-san is in school."

Mami guessed Minako's question and gave the report.

"At this time, Rei-san has club activities. Maybe she's in the Bara no Yakata."

Of course, it was good to go, and Minako herself stood up. This time, she would not meekly wait for the report. Putting on her cardigan, she left the room.

On the way, in the Middle Garden, she met Takeshima Tsutako of the Photography Club.

"Ara, the person that's walking here is the Newspaper Club's Minako- sama. For staying so late, Thank you for your hard work." (Me: Again "Otsukaresama" is used.)

The Photography Club and the Newspaper Club. While they had a give- and-take relationship, this time, the friendship was sour. Her complicated actions made it so that Minako did not understand what she was thinking.

"Rei-sama? She's not inside the Bara no Yakata. Hora, because the match is soon, she is busy with club practice."

At a lucky time, she had just come from the Bara no Yakata. Her connection was that she was a classmate of Fukuzawa Yumi, and so maybe the rumors that she showed her face at the Bara no Yakata were somehow true. Envious.

"If you're going to the martial arts do jo, let us go together."

The young woman Takeshima Tsutako smiled sweetly and sequested this. In truth, she would bring a ladder up to the gym, and perform her life work of taking pictures of the students. The Kendo Club and Fercing Club's practice was on the verge of conclusion, and her aim was to see it, so they talked along the way.

"Because Kendo is a beautiful sport, those faces are a bit inappropriate to take pictures of."

Maybe it was better to have gone before the protector had shown up, Minako thought, but that seemed wrong. (Me: Not sure if this translation is correct or not.)

"After practice, the instant you snap those faces, they have the best look."

With her sweat-smeared face, and her long continuous black hair, Tsu- tako's eyes sparkled as she talked. Unfortunately, the Minako-without-this- interest nooded and said "Aah, I see" and had no choice but to listen to this conversation.

That building called the martial arts do jo was a simple Japanese-style building, behind the school building, and behind the second gym. This was where the Kendo, Archery, Judo, and Karate clubs practiced, and today half the wooden floor was lined with straw mats of the Judo club, but only the Kendo club was still using it. (Me: I encountered some words I didn't know here.)

"B, ...beautiful" the young woman Takeshima Tsutako exclaimed, as the martial arts club students filed out, with their T-shirts exposed. Tsutako closed the shutters around them in a trance. There was no mistaking that she was thankful from the bottom of her heart now that she was born a girl.

"Yareyare."

Separating herself, Tsutako walked over by the Kendo Club. The girls were in the height of their practice for the upcoming match, so Minako sat in a corner and inspected them, not thinking it was inappropriate.

Looking around, she could not recognize the presence of Hasekura Rei. The protector was really like this she thought, but the large dripping writing of her name seemed different. (Me: I couldn't translate this very well.)

"Ippon!"

The large voice of the student referee resounded, and it seemed to be an end. She tried to call out to the watching first-year staff-member.

"Second year, Hasekura Rei-san ......"

"Ah, Rei-senpai, she left early."

"......Eh, when?"

"About 30 minutes ago, I think."

If she had left 30 minutes ago, she would've already finished her prepa- rations to go home, and be out the door. From the beginning, she should've checked the footwork box. Now it's too late!

"I'm sorry I couldn't help."

The first year staff member politely gave her salutations and once more turned to face ahead. Maybe she was a little cute. From the side, Takeshima Tsutako revealed herself without a sound and clicked the shutter. ( ......)

Minako stood up from her place in silence.

"Minako-sama, has your business finished?"

"Rei-san has left early."

"That's annoying."

Without letting go of the camera and looking over this way, Tsutako looked as if she was going to take out the camera, and without thinking Minako pushed her two hands out and avoided the lens.

"Your guard is strong, Minako-sama."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Of course not. That was a compliment."

Takeshima Tsutako lowered the camera, and her eyes inside of her glasses narrowed and she smiled. Minako did not like this very much.

With nothing left to do, she left alone from the martial-arts do jo, turned towards the school building, and started walking while complaining.

Right before printing the news story had to be corrected, and now Rei- sama couldn't be met, and to make matters worse, she had been captured by the little camera monk. The blissful feeling she had some time ago had just died. (Me: "Kieuseru" is the verb here which I translated to "just died", because it's a vulgar form of the convential verb, "Kiesaru" or "Kieru" to disappear.)

Before she returned to the clubhouse, she decided that she should try to call Hasekura Rei's house. Because she lived relatively close to the school, she had probanumbebly already returned.

She used the green phone in front of the office unhappily. After entering in her card, she skilfully punched out the number on the number pad. Mi- nako had memorized the phone numbers of about seventy students. Also, the Newspaper Club club officers were not all required to have this ability. This were her own passion. At the beginning of each school year, she would gaze over the distributed student address books, and would gain pleasure out of her activity. She was a person whose interest was in other people. (Me: I had some trouble translating that last sentence/portion.)

In her hurry, it seemed like she accidentally dialed a number outside the area, she heard the phone call sound, but there was no answer.

"Is she not there?"

Irritated, she punched in the number one more time with her index finger. She waited, and eventually punched it in 10 more times, in a time that felt like eternity.

On her 13th attempt, she finally heard a male voice. The voice recited their personal message, and because Hasekura Rei was an only child, she had no siblings.

"Sorry, it seems than no-one is in the main portion of the house right now----"

It seemed like her father had gone to the do jo. And if Hasekura Rei had not returned yet, then she did not know whether she would perform the things a do jo disciple does, as the daughter of the do jo master.

Just as she was thinking this, Minako saw a visitor in the entrance across from her, it was a student's shape.

"I understand. I must hasten again."

In haste, Minako dropped the reciever and sprang out as if she had indoor slippers on.

"Rosa Foetida!"

Walking with a slow tempo, Rosa Foetida was walking slowly in front of the library, and turned. Her semi-long hair was bound up in a hairband in her typical style. Her sailor collar was straight, and her tie was wrapped firmly. The whole school thought of her as a beautiful person, this was Rosa Foetida.

"What ......is your business?"

Without thinking, Minako stepped back a half step. It seemed as if Rosa Foetida had at some time grown larger and gotten closer to her.

"A, Ano"

While she was never very polite, today she was especially impolite. Not quite looking like she was pouting, Rosa Foetida had a somewhat langued look. Her facial expression showed dissatisfaction as if she was thinking of somebody of the opposite sex.

"My apologies for calling out for you to stop."

Minako gave one deep bow and touched the sub ject. This was the person who could do nothing but know about Hasekura Rei and Shimazu Yoshino. The moment she found out what she wanted, she would return to the print room to immediately start working on correcting the article and print it out. In the indoor light given off by the monitor of her computer, she expected to stay behind for a while. Before the patrolman began his rounds, she would have been able to print everything out.

"Rei and Yoshino's interests ......?"

Raising her eyebrow a slight amount, Rosa Foetida replied.

"Yes, for production in an interview in one article I have, I need to know this ......"

"Rei likes kendo, and Yoshino-chan likes to read. What sort of books she reads I do not know."

"-- --"

Nothing went well.

"But, stitching----"

As a test, she spoke out a bit more.

"Stitching?"

Rosa Foetida tried repeating the word "stitching", and whispered "Aah" as if she had remembered something. But of course, as Minako had already known, her hopes were misplaced.

"Stitching, a sweater stitched out of stictching wool?"

"Y, yes ......"

"I have not seen this sweater. Maybe one of Yoshino-chan's classmates would know?"

With this question, it became obvious that Rosa Foetida had probably not even thought of Hasekura Rei from the beginning.

"But, their favorite sayings ......"

As if grasping for a straw, Minako asked her last question.

"Favorite words always change, so why would anyone talk about them?" (Me: I'm not completely sure about this sentence.)

"----Of course."

Minako could do nothing but nod. This sisterhood was a little reserved.

"Is that all?"

Looking as if she were drugged, Rosa Foetida began touching her hair.

"Ah, sorry. Thank you for your time."

She gave a deep bow and wondered whether Rosa Foetida had gone mad. With an uninteresting facial expression, Rosa Foetida plowed on in a birsk pace. Why was she in such a slow tempo today?

"Hey, you."

As she was returning, she turned without thinking, and Rosa Foetida unexpectedly asked.

"There's a river, and you must ride it in a boat, and in front of you there is a big waterfall right? But, if you don't go down this waterfall, you can't return home."

"Ha ......"

What was she drawing a comparison with? While it was incomprehen- sible talk to Minako, she could do nothing but make noises as if she agreed and tilt her head."

"You have an oar. Which way would you row?"

"Eh?"

At first she was waiting for Rosa Foetida to get to the point, but it seemed like the conversation was about boats from start to finish.

"Which way would you row? Would you row up the waterfall, or would you go down it, what do you say?"

"Ah, it's alright. Why would we need someone else's opinion?" (Me:

Your guess is as good as mine why she says "we".)

Without giving another answer this time, Rosa Foetida turned towards the back gate and started walking.

"Gokigenyou"

Minako called out to Rosa Foetida, but she did not turn. Rosa Foetida was not ignoring Minako, she just didn't feel like answering.

(What in the world's going on with Rosa Foetida ......)

Having forgot the crisis in the near future, her reporter's soul surged up. She's probably just not feeling well, yeah that's the only impression she could get. Because that's what she thought it was, she couldn't see anything else. That was the position Minako was in.

Chapter 4

After school, a day when echoes of the Gakuensai were called out again.

"Are?"

After her classroom cleaning was done, "Shall we go to the Bara no Yakata" called out a face Yumi recognized as she was walking down the corridor by Crysanthemum Class.

"Yoshino-san?"

"Aah, Yumi-san."

Yoshino-san lifted her gaze from the desk and smilled her ever-cute smile.

Crysanthemum Class's cleanup had already finished, and the desks and chairs were precisely arranged in a line. Because all the students were im- mersed in club activities, there were an uncountable amount of school bags hanging on the wall, and there was no other life.

"You've come to school?"

With a pose like "Sorry for interuuupting", Yumi entered the classroom.

"Yeah, from today. I've rested in all for a week."

Fufufu, smiled Yoshino, slightly raising her lips. Now that Yumi was getting used to it, it seemed like it was a calm smile.

"Yoshino-san, are you alone?"

"Yup. I was resting, and I must also copy some notes."

On top of her desk was piled up a stack of notes that it seemed she had borrowed.

"Ouch."

"It's not that much. Would you wait a bit?"

After saying this, Yoshino once again started coping the notes. Because she was doing the copying here, Yumi decided to pull out a seat and sit behind Yoshino.

While Yumi was absentmindedly staring at Yoshino, she wondered "What kind of a person iiiis Yoshino-san?"

She was a bit slight of height. She was losing some weight, but it did not seem as if she was doing this on purpose. Her whole body gave off the impression of a slight build, and it seemed adequate for her. She was wearing a lap blanket on top of her skirt that she had probably handmade. Not conspicuous, it was a dark green color made of knitting wool and matched her seifuku.

Yumi stopped sweeping her gaze over Yoshino.

Her forelocks split straight down above the eyebrows, and split into two parts in the middle, and down lower stitched together in three parts. While not as dark as Rei-sama's hair, the color Yoshino's hair wore was a little brown, and the stitched together braids did not seem very heavy.

Her eyelashes gave the impression that they were not as long as they were thick. If she was in any danger, Yoshino-san could hang her head down at an angle, and she would be well hidden. Because of this, her number one soeur candidate could nod. (Me: I wasn't quite sure how to translate this, oh, and "number one" is in Katakana). When Yoshino-san became a second year, it would be good of her to take a feminine soeur. (......Aaah, what in the world am I thinking about?)

Because of her wild thoughts, Yumi became embarassed. She tried to stop her blush by bringing her hands up to her cheeks.

"Huh?"

Unexpectedly, Yoshino-san lifted her head. It seemed as if she had felt Yumi's gaze upon her.

"Ah, uuuh, nothing....... Sorry."

In the confusion, it was already too late to fix things. Also, because she had no excuse for what was what, Yumi was in trouble.

"Rosa Gigantea was right. Yumi-san is interesting." (Me: This refers to Rosa Gigantea's first meeting with Yumi in the first novel, where Yumi let her emotions play out on her face, and Rosa Gigantea thought that amusing.)

Looking at Yumi's face closely, Yoshino-san did not look particularly unhappy. Having finished copying the notes, she was smiling as she was placing a sharp pencil and an eraser in her in her pencil case.

"I made funny faces again?"

"Yeah."

"Uwaa ......"

Her face caught on fire. Why was it always that when she was in front of beautiful women, she could only thing embarassing thoughts?

No, that's not it. Recently, the number of beautiful women around her was increasing. That was the problem." (Me: "Beautiful women" here is "Bishoujo".)

"How do I seem to you?"

Putting her school bag in the hand she had copied the notes with, Yoshino-san whispered.

"Your appearance?" (Me: This wasn't quite accurate, but it was the most natural translation I could think of.)

"Yeah. What Yumi-san sees of me with her eyes, my image."

"Yoshino-san's image, huuh."

Being attacked with the question, Yumi could not find words to frame the answer. Of course, Yoshino-san's eyelashes were thick, and her hair was long, but that wasn't what she wanted to hear. Not what she could see with her eyes, but something more like an internal image----.

"A little weak in body, and the type of person you would like to protect?"

"I see."

Trying to save herself from a capsizing boat, without thinking Yumi blurted out her idea, and Yoshino-san seemed to agree, but now if she tried to think about it more closely, it was probably quite embarassing.

"Well ......, not really weak in body, but"

She tried to add the follow-up in, but it was too late.

"It's alright, don't worry. I am weak. What else?"

At her urging, Yumi answered once more, but thought her words well through.

"You're feminine, I think. You're gentle around those around you, you aren't too conspicuous, and you're cute. You have a brother at home, and you're the type of person people like....... Are?"

While she chose to build up an image not using impolite words, her words were turning in a weird direction. She wasn't asking about everyone else's interest in her. But Yoshino-san said "Honorable" and then giggled.

"At home, it seems like Yoshino-san wears a frilly apron and bakes cake, and sews lace tableclothes." (Me: Wow Yumi, just wow. You sure have an overactive imagination.)

"And my favorite is milk tea?"

"Yeah. And you take care of a white cat."

"Ah, I see. That sort of image." (Me: Homemaker.)

She makes mini flower patterns from lace and ribbon.

Rather than tight skirts, she wears flared ones.

She has an A-line coat.

Her favorite fruit is strawberry.

She prefers pink over blue.

She likes ice cream and cake and candy.

She has pride in her English and her country, but she's not very good at math and science.

This girl gave of an impression of a "seeming like a true girl", and it probably would not change much. At least Yoshino-san and her agreed on that point, her thought swelled in her mind.

"But, I'm nothing like that girl."

Said Yoshino-san.

"Really?"

"Yes, I'm not like what I seem."

With a breath that resembled letting out a sigh, Yoshino-san smiled, lifter up her lap blanket, and folded it. The motif created with the lap blanket and the color's texture was suited for a maiden....... But she probably had not sewed that herself.

"So, you aren't like your feminine image?"

For some reason, it was a little disappointing. But, now, Yumi began wondering what sort of a person Yoshino-san was, and a new interest boiled up in her.

"I'm not, so I'm not." (Me: Here I wasn't quite sure how to translate the phrase to English well. "Inai koto mo nai to omou keredo.")

Yoshino-san whispered this with emphasis and rose. Then she walked to the back of the room, opened her locker, and put the lap blanket inside.

"Should we go to the Bara no Yakata?"

Yumi asked, but Yoshino shook her head.

"We can't return together bcause it's getting close to the time for my Onee-sama to meet me"

"Rei-sama ......?"

Rei-sama's kendo match was close, so every day she was pursuing her club activities with great energy. Also, the Bara no Yakata was probably in the middle of one of its frequent afterschool "Tea Party Meeting" with little talking actually gonig on. (Me: Here, "tea party" has a much more formal meaning than the typical English idea of it. It's sort of like a business meeting.)

"Since today's my first day back at school after a while, my Onee-sama is worried about me."

"Of course."

The knight must see the princess off and meet her later. The princess must be protected well by the knight. (Me: I didn't catch "boroku" in the last sentence, so, caveat emptor.)

"Also, I'm a little worried."

"You don't seem worried."

"Because she does kendo, she seems strong, you know."

"......You shouldn't show mercy, Yoshino-san."

Now the image that Yumi was embracing was a little different. She was thinking that Yoshino-san was the type of person who would never say bad things about other people.

"It's just that I've known her since she was born, so I know her inside out."

"Eh?"

Why Yoshino-san said that Yumi did not know, and so she tilted her head. As if watching herself in a mirror, Yoshino-san also turned her head in the same direction.

"Are, Yumi-san, you didn't know? Rei-chan and I are cousins."

"Eh?!"

Having heard they were cousins were the first time, she was surprised, but not as much as the shock she received for hearing Yoshino-san call Rei- sama "Rei-chan".

"Yumi-san, you don't seem very knowledgeable about these things."

It seemed like this was a very well-known piece of juicy gossip at school.

This year in summer, Rosa Foetida en Bouton Rei-sama had chosen Yoshino- san as her soeur, the "Lillian Kawaraban" made a story about them, and the whole school including the incoming new students seemed to learn about them. It was embarassing for Yumi, because she, who had attended Lillian from Kindergarten, did not know at all.

Well, since there was no changing it, nothing could be done. Because she thought of the Newspaper Club as bad, she had no interest in reading the "Lillian Kawaraban". The time she met the Yamayurikai members for the first time, the time when she started following Sachiko-sama.

"Yumi-san, you received your rosary from Sachiko-sama, right? How was it?"

"How was it ......"

"Was your heart pounding?"

Of course.

"......Yeah."

Because it had only happened a week earlier, that scene was still fresh in her mind. Her beloved Onee-sama, with a face full of determination, had given her the rosary. Out of her 16 years of life, this was probably the time she felt the happiest. In the middle of her heart, it had felt like a fire of flowers had opened up.

"In my case, it wasn't like that."

"It wasn't ?"

"Both I and my Onee-sama had been going to Lillian this whole time, right? From a long time ago, it was already tacitly decided that when we enter high school, we would become sisters."

This time, Yoshino-san clearly called Rei-sama "Onee-sama".

"On the day of the High School Entrance Ceremony, I was sick, so I couldn't come. Later, Onee-sama came, and while I was sleeping, gave me the rosary. That was all."

"That's a beautiful enough story."

"I know. But it's not a story that involved any heart pounding. It was like the last story in a mystery book."

"Fuuun"

Basically, Yoshino-san wanted a heart-pounding experience. Yumi, on the other hand, just wished to be able to lead a normal student life.

"But, Yoshino-san, time you spend wishing won't come back. Rei-sama and your cousin relationship, there's no reason that you couldn't change them, right?"

"Yep. That's why that's my only little complaint. Somehow, Yumi-san wanted to only listen."

"Isn't it good to listen?"

"It's fine. Because up till now, I've never had friends like this."

While her cousin relationship was strong, it can't be that she complains about Rei-sama to Rei-sama.

"I see."

She tried to say, but, she noticed something.

(Wait a second. If that's true, Yoshino-san is very sociable with others, but never opens her heart to her classmates?)

Other people don't notice her. Ah, Sachiko-sama wasn't the only person she needed to learn from.

"That's why Yumi-san is special to me."

Holding her chin in her hands, Yoshino-san laughed lightly. But across the room from the angel-like smile, Yumi was thinking something surprising.

"Yoshino, sorry for making you wait."

Narrowing the small silence that had been born between the two, Rei- sama strode in the classroom with vigor.

"Are, you're together with Yumi-chan?"

"Ah, I was just passing by. Sorry for the interruption."

For some reason, staying there had become intolerable, and she stood quickly. Before Rei-sama wasn't here, and now she came in and started talking, it was as if Yumi was a bug interrupting a meeting of lovers. She didn't know where to go.

"Yumi-san, what's wrong?"

"Yeah. Because we haven't been made soeurs just yesterday or today, we don't want to be so close to each other."

Yoshino-san and Rei-sama said in the same dry tone.

"C, close ......"

So, Rei-sama said that, because we had only become soeurs yesterday or today, we wanted to be very close to each other.

"Close?"

Yoshino-san's eyes shined as she asked.

"It's nothing big, scoldings, fixing mussed ties, secretly giving candy. After becoming a big sister, Sachiko seems to be having a lot of fun."

"A, ah. Rei-sama."

Without thinking about hello, she pushed on. Giving candy, scolding, fixing and checking garments, those were normal things, not close things-- . Rei-sama and Yoshino-san's relationship really did not resemble Yumi's. Truly, theirs was a cousin relationship. In a weird portion, they had found something valuable. (Me: Not quite sure what the last bit means.)

"Alright. Let's go home."

Rei-san pulled Yoshino-san's bookbag and lifted it up.

"Yumi-chan, when you go to the Bara no Yakata, would you please tell the Onee-samas my messages, it'll be until the match is finished. I'm sorry for troubling you."

"Ah, sure."

"Gokigenyou, Yumi-san. After listening to what I had to say, you cleared it up."

Yoshino-san said, while looking as if she would tilt her head. After Rei- sama, she turned towards the corridor and walked out. But, what had been cleared up, Yumi had no idea.

"Yoshino-san, what're you scheming?"

Without thinking, Yumi called out for her to stop, Yoshino-san turned quietly and took one night to ask "Why?" in return.

"Why----"

Rei-sama disappeared through the door. To the question Yumi threw out in the air, Yoshino-san answered "What am I doing.", and with these vague incomprehensible words, she left.

"What am I doing --"

What was she thinking? Also, if Yumi wasn't mistaken, Yoshino-san had answered Yumi's question with a question back.

"Jaa ....... Yoshino-san, what in the world are you planning?!"

Left alone in someone else's classroom, Yumi sat down to order her thoughts.

From when she had said "What am I doing", it seemed as if a power had entered her eyes. Just what in the world did she plan to do. Maybe it would be good to stop her. Yumi wondered who she should talk with.

Because after Yumi listened to her conversation, Yoshino-san said that Yumi "cleared it up", Yumi felt somewhat responsible.

But, without life experience, when people like Yoshino-san got an idea in their heads and began thinking about it with enthusiasm, first year girls would not understand it. (Me: This sentence was tough, and I hope I got it right.)

"Seems like a toothache."

Yumi's requested "Normal Student Life" seemed once again far away.

Story 2: The Rosary That Can be Returned

Chapter 1

It happened quicker than she thought.

"The Rosa Foetida en Bouton sisters are in crisis."

Yumi heard this news after class had finished and was in the middle of the integral part of school student life, after school cleaning.

Her other classmate in cleaning Katsura-san who had returned to class noisily spoke quietly to those around the door. Yumi picked up the words as she was washing the blackboard.

"Is that true?!"

Without a lady's flattery, Yumi descended from the platform in a daring pose and jumped on Katsura-san.

"B ...be quiet Yumi-san."

She almost could not be quiet (Me: I couldn't translate this sentence well). Both of Yumi's hands gripped onto Katsura-san's arms, and took her to the corner to press her for answers.

"I, in the first place, don't grab my seifuku while touching the cleaning rag."

Katsura-san appealed in a voice that resembled a scream. If one looked, her seifuku's green-black texture had become thicker around the area of her arm.

"Ah, sorry."

Yumi hastily dropped her hand. Because she was in a trance, she had still held on to the rag.

"It's alright. Now that you've removed your hand, I can try to dry it off."

After this, Katsura-san began relaying her newly learned information. As always, she had sharp ears.

"Because it happened after sixth period, it's old news."

So talk had already started.

Yoshino-san who had just come back to school for two days had gotten a home room pass to leave school early for the hospital. She already had an appointment with the doctor, and because there were so many people around her when she was leaving, Yumi thought it was useless to approach her.

"The Crysanthemum class just thought it was swelling, right? It's alright if she just misses cleanup."

"Why?"

"Because, Yoshino-san----. Are? You've never had Yoshino-san in the same class as yourself ?"

"Nope."

Yumi shook her head and Katsura-san whispered "From Kindergarten to the first year of high school, because classes change once every two years, that's very rare" and because she had no other choice, began to explain about Yoshino-san.

"If you've never been in the same class with her before, what do you think is wrong with her?"

"Doesen't she have a weak body?"

"That's probably also there, but look here."

Katsura-san pointed to the middle of Yumi's chest.

"Tie?"

"You stupid. The heart."

Because she had no reason for being an idiot, Katsura-san poked Yumi on the head with all her might.

"If you had been in the same class as her, you would have seen it once."

"What?"

"Her fits. If you see them, you'll see that her heart is bad. The heart is vital to life, you know."

"Well, I guess."

Sometimes it seemed like Yoshino-san became short of breath and had to sit down to control her breathing. So that's what this "swelling" business was about.

"Is that why she always rests during marathons? And hikes? And she only watches everyone else in gym class? Because she can only hover around happily?"

"Of course."

That's why she doesen't have any close friends. That's also probably why her cousin Rei-sama has to help with everything. Because she cannot get close to any classmate, she has never had any intimate friends.

"And?"

Yumi went back to the earlier conversation.

"Are, how far did I get in the story? Since I got sidetracked, I don't really remember."

Katsura-san began stammering "Uhhhh" with a facial expression like that of a middle-aged woman. Yumi immediately sent out a boat to save her.

"Yoshino-san had an appointment with the doctor, so she left early."

"Ah, yeah."

Katsura-san clapped her hands together.

"Yoshino-san had to leave early, and it seemed like Rei-sama would go too. Of course, Rei-sama would have to skip homeroom, right? So, then it seemed that Yoshino-san forbid Rei-sama. The plan was to meet a taxi in front of the school gate, and she tried to convince Rei-sama that she would go alone."

"Ah."

"It seemed like just an ordinary argument. Rei-sama said "We'll go together" and Yoshino-san replied "You won't go" in argument. Eventually, the time for the medical appointment came, and Yoshino-san just walked to the school gate and walked out to the taxi."

"And Yoshino-san left just like that?" (Me: Was an odd translation.)

"Yeah."

"What was the main reason for her leaving?"

"Rei-sama had gotten permission to put her name in the student note- book for early leave from her homeroom teacher. Yoshino-san got mad at this, and she gave back her rosary. They did it right in front of Maria-sama."

"-- --"

My god, Yoshino-san. Yumi was wondering just what Yoshino-san would do, but she never thought that Yoshino-san would return her rosary-- --.

"Hm. Now that she returned the rosary, what happens?"

"That's why I said crisis. Just what did you hear?"

Katsura-san with her face in wonder whispered "Oh, yeah".

"Rosa Foetida en Bouton getting her rosary back is huge, something like this has never happened before."

"Crisis, huh? Isn't it like a breach on vows?"

Yumi asked, and Katsura-san stuck out her index finger and waved it around furiously.

"It's more like divorce."

"......Huuuuh?" (Yumi here said "Heeeeee")

Her surprise put her in a pose as if she had been through a tornado. A younger sister who shows her older sister deference giving her rosary back is like a proper wife suddenly announcing that she wants a divorce. No, it's worse than that. Because it's never happened before.

"Also, how do you know so much about this, Katsura-san?"

"I heard it straight from Rei-sama."

"Eh?"

"She's walking around in the school garden like a ghost. She looks really bad, and she keeps walking around and mumbling complaints as if she were in a trance."

Hearing this, she realized that everything Katsura-san had said had been the truth.

"Rei-sama is"

"I believe I had just gone out from the classroom. She was walking around as if she were sleepwalking. That was the first time I saw that side of Rei-sama."

"I have to speak to her quickly."

Handing off the cleaning rag to Katsura-san, she sprang out of the class- room with large strides. Because Katsura-san believed she had seen Rei- sama in the school garden, first Yumi descended the stairs, and opened the door next to them and went outside.

"Where should I go?"

The outside of the Lillian premises was large. If Katsura-san had already heard the story in such detail, then it was probably already very late.

"Eh, as always." (Me: I'm not really sure what this means. The Japanese is "Eei, mama yo".)

She whispered the last words she had ever heard from a drama, turned North, and ran. Trying to put the conversation together, Rei-sama had probably suffered a great shock. When people received shocks, they either wanted to be alone, or they wanted to talk with someone. Even though Yumi had no idea which kind Rei-sama was, she had a feeling that Rei-sama was the former. So, wouldn't she go to a place that no-one ever goes to, she was thinking.

Peering into the old greenhouse that Sachiko-sama had run away to the day before the Gakuensai, she peered inside and as expected found Rei- sama. Mistaking Rei-sama for someone else for a moment, it seemed that

Rei-sama had not really talked to anyone.

"Rei-sama."

She caught a sidelong glimpse of the handsome Rei-sama and called out to her, but stopped after that. Why had she come to find Rei-sama, thought Yumi to herself. Rei-sama was loitering around the school, she had heard, and without pause to stand and think, she sprang out of the classroom. But now, she had found Rei-sama, she wondered what she should do. She had no idea what she could do for Rei-sama.

Maybe I'll just become an annoyance to Rei-sama. Rei-sama chose this place to come to because she wanted to be alone, right.

"Ah, Yumi-chan."

Rei-sama recognized Yumi and weakly smiled back at her, a slightly painful smile. On her left hand, the rosary dangled like a deep-green rock. That must be the rosary that Yoshino-san gave back.

"Whyyyy?"

Why had Yoshino-san given the rosary back? She would like to know that. Saying these words as if she really were in a trance, she sighed out.

"Yumi-chan, have you ever wanted to give back Sachiko's rosary?"

"Eh? Ah? ......No, not yet."

She interjected honestly, not even thinking once about it. But she thought Rei-sama would do the same. That's why when she heard about people who broke their sisterly vows, she thought it was absolutely unbe- lievable.

"Sorry. Since you've only been sisters for a week, you've never had that experience."

"Yeah."

If that conversation were to occur, she would find it very difficult to think about removing herself from such a relationship. She might hand Sachiko-sama a divorce letter, but she would never hand back her rosary.

"Ah, what's this. I think I'm going to die."

Rei-sama cried out unexpectedly, and squatted in obstinacy. Instead of "I want to die", "I think I'm going to die" somehow seemed more like Rei-sama, or at least Yumi thought.

"Please, for my sake, don't die."

From behind, a cold voice called out.

"Sachiko-sama!"

Turning around, she saw Ogasawara Sachiko standing.

"Please compose yourself, Rei."

Sachiko-sama crossed Yumi, went to Rei's side, and commanded. (She's so awesome ......)

It was mournfully decided. (Me: I'm not sure what this means). This command in this tone of voice was one no-one else could mimic.

"Rosa Foetida en Bouton just shouldn't die. Come, let's go."

As Yumi was watching Sachiko-sama with wonder thinking "My Onee- sama is awesome", Sachiko-sama grabbed the frozen Rei-sama's wrist and began to walk.

"Ah, where to?"

Rei-sama asked, and was answered that Sachiko-sama would lead her to the Bara no Yakata.

"Since you're moping around here, it would be troublesome to stay." (Kuh --)

That's that. There was no other choice. Consoling Rei-sama, she had to then be forced along to a place with friends. The answer that Yumi had been searching for Sachiko-sama had simply turned into action. Even though Sachiko-sama had come here because she was worried about Rei- sama, Yumi had never seen anything like this before. When she called Rei-sama "troublesome", that was nothing but elegance.

Of course, if Rei-sama spent an hour quietly at the Bara no Yakata, it would help. In that hour, Rei-sama's older sister, Rosa Foetida would probably be there. Even if Rosa Foetida wasn't there, there would be some other third-year there who could help.

Maybe the Rosas could do something about what happened between Yoshino-san and Rei-sama. At least the useless Rei-sama would not come back here again.

While she was thinking this, Sachiko-sama and the trailing-behind Rei- sama left the greenhouse. From the back gate of the school, she recognized the figure of a person who turned and walk slowly through.

"That's ......"

Half believing half doubting, Yumi saw them off. That figure in the distance seems just like that person. No, it can't be.

(I'm thinking of the wrooong person.)

Because she wore the same seifuku, she looked like a girl of the same year as Yumi, and looked as if she fit in completely in this school.

"What are you doing Yumi? You must hasten."

Sachiko-sama noticed Yumi being late, turned, and said.

"Ah, yeah."

"Please don't make any more problems. I could go alone but, it would help if the two of us could go along."

Saying this, she had no choice but to follow, but she didn't really feel an obligation, but felt happy, and ran up to Sachiko-sama. Whether that figure she had seen in the distance a little while ago she was mistaken about or not she would find out when she arrived at the Bara no Yakata.

"You don't have to run."

But, I would like to be next to you for a little. Being here made her content, and it felt like a fulfilling existence.

So if that's the case, why would Yoshino-san give Rei-sama back her rosary?

Always proper and gentle Rei-sama had received a huge shock, and had deadened. The two's bond had seemed so strong, so why----.

Understanding other people's affairs was very difficult. In her sixteen years of living, she had groped onto this idea.

Chapter 2

"Don't have too high hopes." (Me: In Japanese, this sentence has a slightly rythmic sound to it.)

Rosa Chinesis said immediately.

"Huh?"

"Because I recognized that Yumi-chan looked as if she were saying "I'll leave this to you", so I wanted to give you a warning in the beginning." (Me: "I'll leave this to you" is "Omakaseshimasukara douzo yoroshiku".)

"Ah."

"Yes. Just because we are third years, the highest on the ladder, if you think we are like Superman and can do anything, then you are sorely mistaken."

Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinesis sat down in the lined up chairs, and sat down with an attitude that said "So, let's listen to what you have to say."

It was the second floor of the Bara no Yakata. Luckily, Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea were all set drinking tea when the three had come in. This "luckily" feeling showed clearly on Yumi's face, and so the Rosas warned her.

"Rosas, wasn't that a little cold? Anyways, I would like to hear what you suggest we do with Rei-sama."

While Rei-sama was getting into her seat, Sachiko-sama appealed to the Rosas.

"If we suggest nothing, that's not good enough, is it?"

"Yes....... So, what shall we do with Rei and Yoshino-chan?"

Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea looked at each other and gracefully sipped their tea.

"Shall we say what happened to get Rei into this disheveled state?"

"This tea is hot, Sachiko."

Rosa Gigantea laughed coldly.

"You and Yumi-chan are all fired up because you want to help but, isn't the real matter at hand Rei's feelings?"

"Rei's?"

Everyone's gaze met upon Rei-sama, and with the unexpected attention, she blinked her eyes twice, then thrice.

"Please try to think. For example, if you and I ......, no, Yumi-chan's example is better. If Sachiko and Yumi-chan, for some reason, decide to split, then what?"

Rosa Chinesis walked to Sachiko-sama's side and stroked her black hair. It was amazing how Sachiko-sama in this situation so quickly looked young. Of course, when anyone is in front of their "Onee-sama", anyone would look like their "soeur".

"Then what, you said. What are you trying to say, Onee-sama?"

"Aren't you trying to meddle into someone's affairs? If you're trying to meddle her affairs, shouldn't you first ask for Rei's opinion?"

"----I see."

"That's what I was saying. But even if she doesen't want help, I'll still listen to what you're asking."

"Why?"

Sachiko-sama asked suspiciously. Why would she want to deal with Rei- sama and Sachiko-sama if she didn't want to know? (Me: I wasn't sure how to translate the last bit.)

And, Rosa Chinesis said:

"Because I'm your Onee-sama."

Hearing this, Sachiko-sama blushed. She had answered back with a very simple and clear answer. Hearing this proclamation, no-one could blame Rosa Chinesis for their "affection".

"Would it be helpful if Rei spoke with Rosa Foetida?"

Sachiko-sama's eyebrows twitched near the temples.

"I think that's inappropriate. I would also not want myself, Rosa Gi- gantea, Rosa Foetida, or Sachiko to interfere in this."

"Oh, is that so? Then would it be alright if I ask Shimako, who is out of this group of people?"

Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Foetida acted carefree. They would not pressure this upon Rei-sama, thought the newly acquainted Yumi.

"If Rosa Foetida isn't here, then a talk ......!"

Shouting this, Sachiko-sama thumped her hands on the table. The clever third years didn't make a single move.

"This isn't a life-or-death conversation, is it?"

Yumi felt what Rosa Chinesis said marked the end of this line of conver- sation.

"Even if there's a family revolution going on, it is rude to interfere in the going-ons of another's territory" (Me: If only Bush thought this way ...)

Rosa Gigantea said these words with no inkling of forgiveness. But, saying this, the Rosas would not forget to help when needed.

"So, if Rei requests, then we'll talk with her."

"Yes. We do not want to come on as if we were aggresive salesmen. What do you say, Rei? Should we talk with you?"

Yumi believed that, even though they had been talking for a while, Rei- sama would not give an answer.

But even though outsiders don't say much, sometimes when the conver- sation strays, they regain their true characture. Regaining some energy in her eyes, Rei-sama responded "No".

"If this comes up again, I may talk. But right now, I am in total confu- sion."

But if she could say that so clearly, wouldn't she already be better, thought Yumi. She didn't seem as if she were confused.

"I'll try to think over it" said Rei-sama. Why did it turn out like this? Why did Yoshino-san part with Rei-sama? If she had any faults, they must be quite small.

Of course, if she was unwilling to accept help for such a fundamental thing, then the Rosas would have to act as mediators sheathing their swords. And just as it ended, her failure became unbounded. (Me: I'm not quite sure what the last sentence here means, sorry.)

"Then we're just interferences."

Sachiko-sama said, pouting. Hunting out Rei-sama, gently scolding her, and leading her back to the Bara no Yakata, it was all just useless work.

"Because they are your friends, they would go through such efforts for you."

Rosa Chinesis followed up. Whether it was genuinely nice or it was a joke, Yumi did not know, but she did know well one thing she wanted to say. Even though it was seemed useless, she would probably do the same thing again. Whether doing something or just standing about, she would act without care for gain or loss. That is what friends are.

"Well, I think Sachiko and Yumi-chan's decision to bring Rei here was an honorable one. I had heard that Rei was walking around aimlessly, as if she were in a trance, and talking about the incident to random people."

"I, that --"

She didn't know, it seemed like Rei-sama wanted to say, but her words simply faded out. She probably had some recollection in the corner of her mind.

"Ah, so you did."

Rosa Gigantea lowered her eyebrows.

"If she was going around talking aimlessly, then this truly is a serious wound."

Was Sachiko-sama's opinion, and Yumi agreed. At least, Rei-sama had become the sub ject of Katsura-san's gossip. If she thought about the inci- dent where Sachiko-sama appeared at the greenhouse, then as expected of Katsura-san, she would be spreading rumors. With a gloomy look on her face, Rei-sama was walking around, talking in a worried voice. Without recognizing Yumi, she had said that Yoshino-san had returned the rosary, and that was already enough. If she had said that without thinking, then this was a truly cruel wound.

"Now let's go back."

Shimako-san had come. No, that's not right, before Yumi, Sachiko-san, and Rei-sama had come to the Bara no Yakata, Shimako-san had already been there. It was more appropriate to say that she had returned.

"It's bad that Rosa Foetida has already gone home." (Oh, yeah ......)

Understanding the situation before the Rosas, Shimako-san had gone out to call Rosa Foetida, but she could not catch her.

All of a sudden, Yumi had an "Aha" moment. The figure of that person she had seen from behind as she was leaving the greenhouse, that must have been Rosa Foetida.

"I had tried to call her but, it was already too late."

The Rosas always looked at places that should be looked at. Because of this, the Rosas seemed just like supermen. (Me: "Suupaaman" is used in Katakana.)

"Rosa Foetida must not have understood the weight of the situation. ......Hey, Shimako. How does it look outside?"

"Because this was after school, the rumors won't be spread as wide."

While listening to Shimako-san's information, Yumi stood up, opened the curtains of the window, and tried to look down. There were many students who could spread rumors, if they knew of what was going on know. The amount of people had increased a small amount from the time Yumi, Sachiko-sama, and Rei-sama had arrived.

The girls did not have the courage to simply open the door and meet the stundets head on. In order to satisfy the curiosity of the people around them, they would gather into a group around the girls.

"Hey. I recognize someone. Oh no, she's in a big hurry."

Rosa Gigantea popped up from nowhere, looked out the window past Yumi's head, and smiled.

It was the Newspaper Club president, someone she could easily recognize. Because they had been chasing Yumi, she could easily remember their faces. The Newspaper Club girls went around with their ears wide open, and with these sharp ears they quickly made news stories.

"Rei. How is Yoshino-chan?"

Yumi heard Rosa Chinesis ask Rei-sama from behind.

"She had left in a taxi to the hospital."

"I see. I'm glad."

Until the surroundings become as quiet as possible as soon as possible, it would be best not to show Yoshino-san around. It was as if after doing the thing, they were protecting a bad person.

"Even though everyone is quiet today, tomorrow everyone will be abuzz."

In a moment that floated in her heart, she heard Sachiko-sama say "Yes." and nod. Because Yoshino-san's heart was week, if the surprise made her want to rewind time, then her opinion would coincide perfectly with Yumi's.

It was slightly ironic that a revolution occured with Yoshino-san. She had thought that Yoshino-san was everyone's friend. While she had no idea what the future would hold, she knew that everyone hoped that this would end and everything would go back to normal. If it were possible, it would be best to make Yoshino-san and Rei-sama soeurs immediately.

"It will no-doubt become a scandal. This time, it'll be more problematic than what happened with Sachiko and Yumi-chan."

Rosa Gigantea said, as if she were talking about the weather.

Tomorrow there will be a little light rainfall. Temperatures will also drop.

But after she thought about it again, and realized that it wouldn't simply be light rainfall.

It would rain, but it would be a huge typhoon. At that time, all expec- tations will quickly fall apart, and everyone at Lillian will set their sights north.

Chapter 3

"Good evening."

Rei, who had just returned home, did not put her schoolbag down, and opened the door of the adjacent house.

"Ara, Rei-chan. Okaerinasai."

Yoshino's mother, Rei's aunt, appeared in the entranceway in a cooking apron while waving. She had been cooking potatoes, and the smell wafted over to Rei. Today Yoshino would probably eat her favorite meal.

"Has Yoshino returned from the hospital?"

"Yes, about thirty minutes ago. Because in her checkup they drew a lot of blood, she went to sleep after."

Rei's aunt looked up at the second floor and said. From her facial ex- pression, it seemed that Yoshino had gone to sleep, but she was not feeling too bad. For many years now, after Yoshino would go through checkups, she would become very tired.

"Is there some message you would want me to deliver to her?"

"No, it's alright. Because I hadn't come to the hospital with her, I was just worried whether she had come back or not."

"Is that all?"

She knew everything up to Yoshino entering the tax, but she didn't know what happened after. If she knew that Yoshino had returned her rosary and had left the school as if she were cutting off ties with Rei, she would get angry enough to have a heart attack.

"Rei-chan."

She had turned to leave, but her aunt called out to her to stop.

"What happened between you and Yoshino?"

Her heart rang.

"Why? What did Yoshino say?"

Turning around, Rei asked.

"That girl hadn't said anything, but somehow I think something hap- pened."

Her aunt was a clever mother. Even though Yoshino had not said any- thing, she was able to guess that something had probably happened.

"It was just a small argument. It's fine, we'll soon make up, so don't worry."

Because Rei had not made sense of her feelings yet, it was difficult talking to her aunt. Even though it will be cruel, when she would next meet with Yoshino, she would carefully ask Yoshino her true feelings about herself.

"So ......"

"Ah, Rei-chan."

This was the second time her aunt had called her to stop after she had turned her back.

"Rei-chan, uh----"

She waited but, her aunt did not say any fiery words.

"Aunt?" (Me: Saying "Obaasan" in Japanese is polite, which is roughly "Aunt" in English, but of course there is no last name attached, which is impolite in English.)

Maybe her aunt thought that something had happened to Yoshino's body? But that seemed too suspicious. When her aunt finally said the long awaited words, Rei felt as if she had tired herself out.

"Since I made a little too much beef and potato stew, would you ask your mother to let you come and pick it up?"

Her aunt's beef and potato stew was a little too sweet for the tastes of the Hasekura family.

Story 3: Unanticipated Consequences

Chapter 1

The rumor spread faster than she thought, thanks to the power of the news- paper club. By noon of the next day, all the students at the school already knew the truth that the Best Soeur couple were in crisis. It spread extremely quickly.

"You're horrible Tsukiyama Minako."

It was lunch break.

Yumi had tried to bring her lunch one-handed into the Bara no Yakata, where Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea looked at each other over the table and groaned.

"This is bad. Should I pour you some thick tea?"

Rosa Gigantea said as she looked at Rosa Chinesis as if she were a department head watching some drama unfold. Her gaze did not shift from the wide expanse of the table, and her back was slightly slumped. It was as if she were an "old man".

"Rosa Chinesis. Is Japanese tea alright for you?"

"Hmm ......No, actually, I'd like Orange Pekoe."

It was said that always having the same thing was good, and Rosa Chi- nesis was a person who always had the same taste, but today she wanted to try something different it seemed.

"Orange Pekoe."

Saying this and inclining her head as if she were wondering whether Darjeeling was bad, Rosa Gigantea searched the cupboards, and produced a teabag from a glass-like bottle. She looked as if she knew how much to use.

(Me: Rant time! No disrespect meant, but, Orange Pekoe is not, and I mean not a flavor of tea! Remember that ye scallawags!!! Orange Pekoe is, in fact, a grade of black tea one can find when searching for tea. Typi- cally, Orange Pekoe looks a lot like clumpy chunks of dirt, and is a lot less fine ground than your typical teabag which uses Fannings. Because of this quality, Orange Pekoe often contains a lot more flavor. Plus, Orange Pekoe often contains the first tea leaves, so that's another plus. The Fannings which your average teabag uses are the leftovers of every other grade, of which Orange Pekoe is only the topmost, and then ground up. The flavor is a lot more diluted, and is thusly a lot cheaper. So make no mistake, there is no Orange Pekoe flavor of tea, and I have not ever seen an Orange Pekoe teabag anywhere.)

The thing that caused the Rosas to grumble was a copy of today's head- line from the Lillian Kawaraban. It was a one-sided color print on B5 paper, it was quite simple, but it drew the eye to it. (Me: If you're not familiar with paper sizes, different paper sizes have different classifications. The standard US paper size is Letter, while the standard European size is A4. B5 is yet a different size.)

The headline was, in big letters, "Yellow Rose Revolution". And next to it was written, "What will happen now in the yellow rose family?!", and was printed in order to get readers excited.

"It's just like a sports newspaper."

The unexcited true fan Rosa Gigantea complained while stuffing herself with mustard, Taramo Salad, and a sandwhich.

"It's awful how this can be the school-approved newspaper."

Rosa Chinesis said, while fishing out a straw-like rice ball from the middle of her lunch box.

(So, is that it.)

For some weird reason, Yumi understood.

Before, the Lillian Kawaraban seemed like an orthodox school newspaper. Because it was read in every corner of the school, maybe two or three issues were released per month, and this sort of gossip could be found as news stories.

So then, what sort of a person was this Tsukiyama Minako, who chased after rumors and made news stories out of them?

Her character was such that, ten days ago she had released an issue of the Lillian Kawaraban that featured a two-shot of Rei and Yoshino, and now her new layout completely destroyed that image. And the sense this new layout gave was very convincing.

Well, regarding sense, the two Rosas in front of her eyes were great examples. One was having bitter tea with a sandwhich, the other was hav- ing a rice ball with Orange Pekoe tea, both were huge mismatches, Yumi thought, and as she was, Rosa Gigantea took interest in interesting-looking Yumi, gazed at her face, and laughed. She must be making funny faces. (Me: If you didn't know, Yumi has a tendancy to make funny faces as she thinks about things that get her excited.)

"What is Yoshino-chan doing during break?"

Rosa Gigantea asked, without saying anything about Yumi's face.

"Ah, yes. I went during break to try to see her, but it seemed like

Yoshino-san had not come to school."

"Rei had come."

Whispered Rosa Gigantea, seeming too serious, and she wiped her mouth with the ring finger of her left hand and continued stuffing herself.

Yumi had heard that, because Rei-sama was always coming to school without Yoshino-san, from first period she seemed to choose to stay inside her classrom. When the first night dawned, it became a lot quiter, and Rei-sama showed that she was not in fact very robust, almost as if she were recovering from an illness, and she looked a slight bit pitiful. Well, that was Rosa Chinesis's opinion. Everyone was worried that Rei-sama was trying to act too brave. The cleverly taken pictures in the newspaper extra made it seem that even her expectations had had a portion eaten out from them. (Me: The last bit was somewhat weird to understand, what with the randomly-changing sub ject nature of Japanese and no helpful pictures in novels.)

"Because Rei turns down requests and is careful around her classmates, they seem to not have been able to obtain much information about this, and that's good, but --"

Rosa Chinesis stopped her words and then, for some reason, set her gaze upon Yumi. "Letting Rei change and then thoroughly listening to her is awful" added Rosa Chinesis.

Without them saying, Yumi could see in one glance that the work Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea had to perform in their morning classes had made them tired. Having to run a marathon and then swim all during first period had made them completely exhausted. Because of the time they had spent swimming, each of the two's appearances reflected the special amount of fatigue they had, and she already could understand that from the moment they entered the room.

Of course. Because of what they had to do in the morning, they were probably mentally tired also. Stress was probably nearby.

Remembering the rumors and reading over the newspaper extra once more, Yumi became worried about the Rosa Foetida en Bouton sisters. Be- cause the intensely excited students could not hear about the thing from the person herself, they would all listen to the rumors. People who were nearby to the Rosas en Boutons would make the en Boutons their targets. Yumi herself not knowing the true state of things chose to not bear the ques- tions her classmates flung out as complaints and instead ran to the Bara no Yakata, where she learned about the many problems plaguing the Rosas.

"It's sort of like what happened to me ......"

Two weeks ago was the Gakuensai, and Yumi remembered the things from that time. Whether or not Yumi and Sachiko-sama would become souers was the topic that had exploded throughout the students. The thing that was going on now resembled what happened then.

"But this time, doesen't the trouble lie with Rei and Yoshino-chan? They should put more worth into a soeur relationship, and that's why it's not good."

The Rosas were adults, Yumi thought. Neither their actions nor mood nor analysis were wrong. During Yumi's time, they had only wished her a vague "I hope you do well".

"By the way, what about Shimako? If she's in the same class as you, how come she didn't come running with you?"

"She would smile sweetly and say "I don't know", so everyone would leave her alone."

Right now, Shimako was probably in the secret Gingko forest collecting Gingko nuts. She was fidgety about it from morning.

"Of course, it's the advantage of being in beautiful. On the other hand, in Sachiko's case, many truthful rumors floated about her."

If Yumi looked, Rosa Chinesis herself had quite a beautiful shape. Rosa Gigantea, on the other hand, did not have the normal type of beauty. Be- cause her eyes and her nose were not quite aligned, she could be compared to a stone sculpture in an art showcase and be called beautiful. In Rosa Foetida's case--.

For that matter, what about Rosa Foetida? Who would be like Rosa Foetida that when a crisis breaks out, they aren't available? Now, Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea were coming to the Bara no Yakata, and com- plaining about the situation. Because Rei-sama was in fact Rosa Foetida's sister, it was only appropriate for Rosa Foetida to listen to her.

"Is Rosa Foetida on vacation?"

Yumi asked, and the two Rosas looked at each other and said "She was coming but." and phrased the answer in an ominous way.

"But?"

"After yesterday's Rei incident, she just disappeared. It is eerie but, there is no talk about it."

"Every day it seems that things are getting worse. Why is this happen- ing?"

After saying "Why is this happening?" she put her chin in her hands. Wouldn't it be better if they don't worry about it? In the first place, at least they found out the cause of the incident with Rei. No, not really. If someone doesen't understand the cause, then they can't deal with the situation.

"Well, when my ability is needed, I can speak in Rosa Foetida's name."

Rosa Gigantea carelessly stipulated.

"If we don't show our face it's good, Yumi-chan. But yesterday, we should've sorted things out completely."

Complaining about yesterday's decision with Rei-sama, Rosa Gigantea said this, and Rosa Chinesis nodded.

"But yesterday, you said we should not interfere in family revolutions ......"

"We thought that yesterday, but the situation has completely changed. Now we must act."

Said Rosa Foetida as she flipped the newspaper extra with her fingertip.

"What sort of news story is this ......"

Yumi lowered her gaze onto the expanse of paper. Actually, this morning near the row of gingko trees, she took the newspaper, and had looked over it once carefully.

"There's a big problem. This isn't a news story, it's a fiction story."

The newspaper extra was attacked by five fingers.

"It's a fiction story?"

" When you say "-- isn't it" or "-- it seems like", all you're doing is guessing. If you read the whole thing, you'll see that it's a mixture of part truth and part fact."

From being just a newspaper reporter, Tsukiyama Minako had moved on to other appropriate genres, Rosa Gigantea said in sarcastic un-praising words.

Really, the sentences used in the newspaper article seemed more like a fiction story than an article. Without being able to expand upon the truth, and having a lack of data on Yoshino-san and Rei-sama, they would have to use their imaginations to write the article. But if someone had not pointed that out to Yumi, she would not have noticed, because the articlehad been written with such skill. Under the premise that a newspaper contains the truth, readers would most-certainly believe what they were reading.

"Because they wrote something different from the truth, aren't they protecting Rei-sama and Yoshino-san?"

"They didn't protect anyone. After this, I hope other revolutions don't occur."

"I see ......."

Yumi nodded uncertainly.

(That's bad.)

Before she had used much effort to understand what was going on, but after this conversation, she became clueless.

(Ummm. Even though Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinesis had been watching the situation clearly from before, now that the sensational novel- seeming article had been written, it seemed like hopes of this incident with Rei-sama and Yoshino-san would be finished quickly would be realized.-- At least, that's what I thought.)

"This is a problem. The news story is quite a moving piece."

Rosa Chinesis stood up and this time poured in some Orange Pekoe tea for herself.

"It'll probably have an effect."

Rosa Gigantea leaned her back upon the chair and sighed "Yare yare".

The three set their teacups down with a clang, washed them, and the two Rosas left the room into the corridor, with Yumi not understanding the words they had just wishpered. Yumi watched with an inclined head as they did not come back.

"Moving piece ......? Effect ......?"

But the surprise was quickly revealed.

(Me: The suspense is killing me!!!!! Heh.)

Chapter 2

As the first bell rang, Yumi hastily entered the classroom.

The fifth period math teacher Shimonoseki-sensei, an old man, would come to class precisely on the second bell. Everyday, the students would wait quietly with their textbooks, notes, and copying utilities on their desk and would wait for the teacher to arrive.

But, seeming as if the students had forgotten their normal routine, the students were deep in talk, as if it was a remnant from lunch break.

"Why is everyone talking?"

The close-by diagonally one desk back Oyamada Miyuki-san cried. As if protecting Miyuki-san, one person from her intimate group said "It's noth- ing" and wiped her own eyes.

(Contagious crying ......?)

She tried looking around, and realized that all the girls were somewhat refraimed and all their eyes were cloudy. As one person cried, so did everyone in the area, as if no-one had noticed the first bell, everyone kept saying "It's nothing" but to seemingly no effect.

"Ah, sorry. I'll leave now."

While not fully giving up her chair, Yumi stood up and slightly retreated by herself. Then, without thinking, she sat herself in another seat, brought along her book, and began worrying about what had occured behind her.

Shimako-san came in through that direction.

"Was it a good harvest?"

As Shimako-san came up next to her desk, Ymui asked her, and Shimako- san laughed happily in reply. If you heard her, it seemed like her laugh was unrefined, while she wore an enjoyable facial expression.

Right before she had left, she had brought a vinyl bag with her in which chopsticks could not be seen. Her harvest seemed to be hidden in places around the school. With various folds in the vinyl bag, the opening was tightly tied, and a smell assaulted out from it.

"It's like this."

Shimako-san lowered her voice slightly and talked into Yumi's ear.

"Because of what happened between Rei-sama and Yoshino-san, an awful trend has started."

"Awful trend?"

"People have started breaking their soeur relationships. And it's not just one or two soeurs."

(Ehhh ?!)

Because she called shouted this out loudly, Shimako-san hurriedly cov- ered Yumi's mouth because she had guessed this would happen. Already Shimako-san had to cover Yumi's mouth twice before, so that her loud voice would not carry the information to others.

"W, why?!"

All of a sudden the reason Miyuki-san who sat behind her was crying made sense. Being clever, Yumi was not a person who would turn her head without delicacy to recognize Miyuki-san. She wanted to hear about the revolutions but, Shimako-san added more.

"Of course there was an effect to the affair between Rei-san and Yoshino- san."

Just as she said this, the second bell rang, and at the same time, Shimonoseki- sensei entered the room, and Shimako-san had to go back with her stuff, not being able to give a detailed report. Miyuki-san cried with a voice com- pletely unbefitting a voice used in the middle of math class. Whether one put up the English reader or a Japanese book, any textbook was enough, and it seemed that it was quite helpful for Miyuki to currently be in math class. Because of Shimonoseki-sensei's old age, he would not pay much attention to what the students did in class.

In the quiet room the sound of the teacher's chalk echoed throughout the room.

When Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea had talked about being worried about the effects, this is what they had meant by effects.

It was sarcastic.

Were Rei-sama and Yoshino-san not the center of the school's admiration and had the Newspaper Club not embellished the account of their splitting up into a moving tale, then this sort of flying sparks would not have occured.

Yumi, while hiding behind her textbook, took out the B5 size paper, she folded it into the same size as a note and began to read it again. "Yellow Rose Revolution" the newspaper extra was titled in big letters, at first they only wrote about the simple truth that Yoshino-san had given back Rei- sama's rosary in front of Maria-sama's statue.

After this, because it was not known why they had severed their soeur relationship, everything written from here on was different from what was different before. Up till now, the power had resided in the older sister. By custom, the older soeur would propose to the younger soeur when requesting a soeur relationship. And that's why the split and the rosary return was given to the older sister, which was nothing but unbelievable.

(Wellll, because the younger sister must show absolute obedience towards the older sister, the younger sister should not be able to rebel.)

But also, Rosa Foetida en Bouton Rei-sama was also a friend. And there weren't really going to be ten or twenty students who wanted to become Rei- sama's soeur. (...Also, this is a pretty weird thing for Yoshino-san.)

"So, Number 5. Come and solve this example problem."

Because she did not hear it very well, for a second she thought that the teacher had called out number 35, which was herself, and her heart skipped a bit. Then, after a while, she heard a small noise from the seat diagonally behind her, and in a very small voice she heard "Yes.".

As the girl stood up, Yumi saw that it was Miyuki-san. Miyuki-san had just stopped using her handkerchief, and uneasily walked with a feeble gait to the front of the classroom, and to the platform. The same year as Yumi, this girl was the type of person who did not stand out. Now, for some reason, a sort of fleeting dependance was seemed emphasized in her.

"Miyuki-san, ......that's awful."

Because all of Yumi's classmates knew the situation, they all whispered together. Even though he was close to the students, the old teacher, as expected, did not hear the small mumbling. Seeing Miyuki-san's swollen eyes and red nose, the teacher said "Hay fever, huh?".

"I'm sorry but, I cannot solve this."

Holding the chalk in hand with a heavy feeling she had ascended the platform to the blackboard, and now she decended it with her chest down- trodden. This was a problem that if one had listened in class one would be able to solve, but Miyuki-san could not solve it. It was because she was crying in the middle of the explanation.

"Return to your seat. Alright then, number 15."

Passing Miyki-san on the way to the platform was Tsutako-san, who walked with a face that obviously said "Huh, me?", but also showed that she had been paying attention in class. She answered the question perfectly with the white chalk on the blackboard according to the teacher's method.

As Tsutako-san was returning to her seat, she turned slightly towards Yumi, pointed to her, and gave the message "Be careful.". Hearing this, she realized the pattern in the calling of the student IDs. First number 5, then number 15, the numbers increased by ten. So naturally, the next student would be number 25 and after that number 35, which was Yumi's student ID number. Finally she finished reading the headline, and she returned back to her textbook.

There were 20 minutes left in the period, and they felt long. In the beginning of the period, she was somewhat happy.

By the end of fifth period, Miyki-san's tears had dried up, but she fell into a sort of dejected state. It seemed like someone strange now sat in the seat diagonally behind Yumi.

It was break time. Shortly after, Miyuki-san's classmates came, sur- rounded her, and began to talk to her. While she did not listen to what her friends said to Miyuki-san, she could at least recognize that Miyuki-san was now without an Onee-sama.

"It's terrible."

One of Miyuki-san's surrounded friends said. But, why? To Yumi, the girls, speaking in such a dramatic way, seemed to be seperated from reality in another dimension.

"Nothing can be done. This is the cost."

As Miyuki-san was being comforted, her tears began to flow again. As this was happening, the chime for sixth period rang, and the students once more returned to their respective seats.

Yumi whispered to her heart "I must continue.".

Chapter 3

"Well, everyone is copying Yoshino-san."

After school as she was walking down the corridor, Tsutako-san turned to talk and brought up a bad topic.

"Yoshino-san, copying--"

Already deeply involved in the incident, Yumi did not believe those words. Of course, the incident with Miyuki-san after lunch break mim- iced Yoshino-san's incident. Well, not the true Yoshino-san, but actually the image that everyone had received of her. Weak, gallant, and slightly pathetic ....... That was the image that Yumi had of Yoshino-san just a while ago.

"Well, just look around. After this, these incidents will get more com- mon."

"No way!"

"I'd be willing to bet against your "No way!" "

While she didn't understand what Tsutako-san was betting against or why, why did Tsutako-san have to turn this into such a large matter? It seemed like this conversation would continue on forever.

"What is this copying Yoshino-san thing?"

"With a tragic face, calling out to your Onee-sama and returning your rosary in front of Maria-sama."

Hearing this, Yumi replied "Ehhhhh--"

"Well, well. Miyuki-san had no reason to return her rosary, but she did, didn't she? If you were to return yours, would you cry like that?"

"I see."

Tsutako-san explained it simply. After this, Tsutako-san felt like going places with her camera and clicking its shutter, but then she would not be able to talk on the way. It seemed quite ridiculous on Tsutako-san's part.

"Well, what do you think Yumi-san? While humans do have mutual feelings for each other, sometimes certain things happen and they are forced to part. Do you think that Yoshino-san returned that rosay while smiling?"

"Well, I don't, but."

"Whatever you think, don't you think it resembles more of a situation where you shout out in a heated voice and then begin to cry?"

Of course. A scene pressed a button into her mind of Yoshino-san fighting back tears and giving her rosary back. Whether she was laughing or angry, Yumi could not tell. But, according to Katsura-san's talk, Yoshino-san had been angry when she had given back the rosary.

"The power of the press is strong. This situation is resembling what happened in the article."

Yes, that's true. That newspaper extra.

In the extra, they had written that Yoshino-san had completely surren- dered. It was awful whenever Rei-sama's relationship with Yoshino-san was cut. The Rei-sama of the Rosa Foetida family was a hero known to be able to do hard work with great resolve. So, when the time came for the rosary to be returned in anger, it was unbelievable that the person who surrendered in the performance was Rei-sama.

"My Onee-sama called it a Rosa Foetida en Bouton disaster. It was a bad story."

When the upperclassmen graduated, the en Boutons would become the Rosas. So then, the Rosas and the students they called en Boutons did not have to be friends, the en Boutons just must be chosen to be next Onee- samas.

"......"

The situation was quickly becoming worse. While she had not given it much thought, Yumi would become Rosa Chinesis en Bouton next year. Looking at Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama, she worried if that position was actually good.

"Yumi-san, you're soft. Shimako-san is now Rosa Gigantea en Bouton and next year as a second year she will become Rosa Gigantea."

If she thought about that, it was actually someone else's affair. But, Shimako-san must be pretty tough.

"Well, being the sister of an en Bouton, how can you not think that you would surely eventually become a Rosa yourself ?"

Whether the words were meant to comfort her or to put pressure on her, Yumi did not know. Tsutako-san then patted Yumi on the shoulder.

Thinking about how she would eventually become a Rosa, she realized that she would gain much extra responsibility, had she done it without being Sachiko-sama's soeur it would obviously have been awful. Probably, up till her graduation, she could distribute this pressure out among friends, but because of Yoshino-san's decision, she could not lighten her burden. (Me: The end of that was a bit difficult to translate.)

"Well, Tsutako-san. A bit ago you said that Miyuki-san was copying

Yoshino-san? And that it was all an act?"

As Yumi said this, Tsutako-san looked up through the tall window on the stairs and moaned out a "Yeah". As autumn was deepening, the afternoon sky was becoming heavier and more like winter. And the enthusiastically clinging leaves on the trees with their lovable color and round shape gave Yumi a warm feeling.

"Well, it's difficult to say. Do you think the people did that because of what they actually felt?"

"What do you mean?"

"While the incident with Yoshino-san and Rei-sama may influence them, these people have probably thought out the whole affair beforehand, I'd think. Of course, they did learn about what happened with Yoshino-san and Rei-sama, but do you really think it is that easy to start these soeur breakups? In spite of what happened just now, these people must have been worrying from the beginning that they were not meant for each other, and so now they've decided to part."

Well, the girls must have worried from before, hadn't they? Of course. Just like Yumi was always wondering whether or not her soeur relationship was compatible or not, Yoshino-san was thinking this and in her anger, made an unusal decision.

Hearing this, Tsutako-san laughed and replied "If it was such an unusual decision, why did three of the breakups already happen at lunch?" Of course, it was happening too quickly. At least, that's what Tsutako-san pointed out.

"So you saw them all?"

"Yup, I actually did. Miyuki-san, just as normal as Yumi-san who was drawn in a picture of the word normal, gave back her rosary with cloudy eyes."

Tsutako-san must have lifted the camera in front of her eyes and at that moment captured the appeal on film. Yumi scrunched her eyebrows together and hurriedly defended "It was quite casual.". All over lunch, when people should have been eating, these strange incidents were hilighted. So, she guessed, because of these things she was able to steal two more pictures of strange incidents. Well now, this was worrying.

"But, why did they copy Yoshino-san? What would they gain in copying her?"

Yumi asked this as she descended onto the last step of the stairs. After this Tsutako-san would go to the clubhouse and Yumi would go to the Bara no Yakata, and so they would have to part ways. To keep talking on the way, the stopped on this step, leaned on the handrail, and continued talking.

"Isn't it wonderful to be like the heroine of a tragedy?"

"The heroine of a tragedy ......"

Of course, the image of Yoshino-san in this incident did make her seem like the heroine of a tragedy, and because Yumi was a girl, she enjoyed these sad stories and maybe once or twice wanted to empathise with these crying figures, but --.

"Well, isn't every day a bit boring? They wanted a change."

Of course, it was not very crafty, said Tsutako-san.

"All the Lillian students really want is to be praised."

The students who have attended Lillian Jogakuen would easily go onto college with great scholarship ability and household managing skill. Of course, along the way, students from other schools would transfer in, but it was part of school tradition to not talk about this test as if it were a highly competitive test. Without this talk, a casual atmosphere could be created. While much of this casual atmosphere was made and it was liked, sometimes it could be called boredom.

"If every day at Lillian was thrilling, then everyone would not be affliicted with this disease."

"Disease, huh?"

"Yes, it's a disease. In continuous boredom, you cannot do anything, you cannot find anything, you don't notice what your heart really wants, and you become paralyzed in your student life and --" (Me: I apologize here for the translation. The original Japanese really was a lot more elegant than I could put it.)

Like that unusual thing that Yoshino-san did.

"In this somewhat exciting thing, without knowing, a great magic has happened."

"Of course. I see."

Yumi understood Tsutako-san's words completely. If everyone did their best all the time and had no free time, then there would be no people like this. If Yumi had not become Sachiko-sama's petite soeur, then Yumi would probably be feeling bored right now. Plus, she didn't pursue her club activities with zeal like Tsutako-san did.

"Yeah, and the reason that the current Lillian Kawaraban is so popular is probably because it helps that boredom. But when we can't stop our boredom, we like to spy on the brilliant Yamayurikai--"

"While it is to cure boredom, this sort of stuff can only be written if one collects data. But, just like when the immunization-less students assaulted Yumi-san for a direct interview, the students do this and create news articles without anyone being any wiser about the consquences." (Me: I had a really rough time translating this. Tsutako's Japanese in general tends to be more difficult than the Japanese of say Yumi, and even Yumi comments on it on occasion (well, she did in the last novel).)

Tsutako-san who herself disguised herself when students were in gym clothes puffed this out angrily. Well, a person should do things the way they want to do them.

"But this buzz can't just be blamed on the Newspaper Club. The root of the problem is the unforgivable actions of Yoshino-san. The problem is, they made it seem fun."

Tsutako-san then predicted like a fortune teller "These three incidents won't be the end of it", and then left towards the garden and the clubhouse.

This was getting unbearable. Even though what happened between Rei- sama and Yoshino-san was only one thing, the feeling was becoming that nothing can be done to patch it up. If like Tsutako-san said that what happened between Yoshino-san and Rei-san would spread like contagion, then soeur relationships would fall apart, and this special thing about Lillian would completely collapse.

(What can be done?)

Her feet turned the opposite direction from the Bara no Yakata for a second, then turned back. The best medicine for everyone would be if some- how Yoshino-san and Rei-sama could patch things together. But the talk was that this crime of copying each other could not be fixed.... Maybe it would be a little different from the talk.

The first thing that should be done is to persuade Yoshino-san to accept the rosary again. But she was absent again today. And today Rei-sama was doing club activities so there was no way to go out and persuade her.

If one thought about it, there was one hope left. Rosa Foetida. Even though she was not very happy for some reason, her poor sisters were going through a crisis. It would be good if she could help us, and because she is normally quite different, there was no talk about what had happened to her. If she put all her heart into it, then maybe she could teach us how to make a solution.

As she descended from the last step, she thought it was perfect, as she looked upon the footgear box. Rosa Foetida was in the third year Crysanthe- mum class. Even though Rei-sama and Yoshino-san were of different years, they also were in Crysanthemum class. As she thought this, she found a small rock fell on her objective.

(Rosa Foetida's real name.)

While she had probably heard it before, she couldn't produce the name. Not just Rosa Foetida, but also Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinesis's full names she could not remember because they were never called by them.

She could recognize their names when they lined up by student-ID num- ber, so she had to open that door in her mind.

(I'm really an idiot.)

She became saddened, and then decided to pull herself together and start work on her new operation, when in front of her eyes appeared the shape of a student. Not changing out of her indoor shoes because it was impolite, she walked up to the end of the room, and the person was none other than Rosa Foetida.

"Rosa Foetida!"

Yumi ran enthusiastically ran up to Rosa Foetida, who weakly turned towards her. For some reason, Rosa Foetida's eyes were teary, and her cheeks were read.

"Wh, wha--"

She wasn't able to say "What is it?".

Rosa Foetida avoided Yumi's glance. Her left cheek seemed red and swollen, as if a hand had impacted onto her cheek.

Her swollen left cheek looked like the time when Sachiko-sama had slapped the helpless Hanadera Gakuen Student Council President. Then, Yumi suddenly understood what was going on. Someone had slapped Rosa Foetida.

Even though she didn't let it show, Rosa Foetida's cheek looked as if it were painful. Which one of her friends was so cruel as to have a reason to slap Rosa Foetida like this?

"What?"

Faking composure, Rosa Foetida replied. But, with her head hanging downward, and her face turned away, conversation was a little hard. It seemed like what happened to Rosa Foeita was more important than what happened between Rei-sama and Yoshino-san.

"I'm sorry but, I'm in a hurry. If you can, please make it short."

"No, if that's the case, then it's fine. I'm sorry for bothering you."

While what she had to talk about wasn't short, because Rosa Foetida looked really bad, today she would just talk to see her off.

"Yumi-chan."

After having turned her back to Yumi-san and walking away, it seemed that Rosa Foetida remembered something and turned again, hiding her left cheek as she had been the whole time.

"Yes?"

"I apologize, but, this thing-- --"

"I won't say, and there's no-one here."

Yumi hurriedly turned her face away. If any student picks this late time after school to leave, then they would not want anyone to see her face.

"Well, I'm not really hiding anything, but it is really bad, so."

"No, it's alright."

While she didn't understand what "No, it's alright" meant, she anyways saw Rosa Foetida off to the entrance.

"Gokigenyou."

After a time, her figure became small in the distance, and Yumi looked out.

When, where, how, and who in the world would slap her? The person who slapped her in this school must be very bad.

(I wonder if she'll be alright ...)

While she wasn't part of the Newspaper Club, she really wanted to know what had happened.

She saw Rosa Foetida's shape disappear amongst the trees in the school garden, and Yumi turned back into the school building with a sigh. The way Rosa Foetida seemed, it would only become more awful as time went by. Before Katsura-san had said "The third year, second year, and first year position in the Rosa Foetida family is peaceful", but now to remember those words, they seemed completely unbelievable.

Yumi noticed that Rosa Foetida had gone out without changing her shoes. Now, it was time for Yumi to go to the Bara no Yakata. While she seemed like she was going home, following her was probably just a useless waste of time. Yumi paused a bit, because she was tired.

What had she said in the midst of that sorrowness and happiness?

With that bedraggled look, Rosa Foeitda had left for home, and did not notice that she had not taken off her indoor slippers. Of course she did not notice that her little sisters were going through a crisis.

Chapter 4

"Yumi-chan, it's useless."

Rosa Gigantea laughed. Whether she had simply gotten used to it, or was fighting against it, Rosa Gigantea put a false impression of strength on herself.

"So ....... It's useless?"

"Yup. Rosa Foetida is becoming an aah, and it'll soon end. Until that happens, we can only wait."

"Aah?"

"Aah is Aah. It's like worrying all the time whether you will live or die, or the vague feeling you get when you don't think about anything. What did it seem like she was thinking of ?"

When Yumi entered the Bara no Yakata, there was no-one else there, so Rosa Gigantea enthusiastically made instant coffee for her as if in greeting. If Yumi's classmates heard that Rosa Gigantea had served her, they would be very jealous.

"She's been like this for a loong time. She's going through her Aah phase. This is the first time that people around her are in a panic. Soon it'll end, and don't you think she'll go back to normal? But this time Rei- sama and Yoshino-san's revolution is interfering in her cycle, so you'll have to bear with her."

"But-- --"

This time Rosa Foetida had been slapped, so it was different. But, she stopped self, and she did not tell Rosa Gigantea about the red swollen cheek. Yumi swallowed her words together with the hot coffee.

"Ah, delicious."

"You think so? It's because I know what Yumi-chan likes."

Not only was the coffee made with skill, but the correct ratio of sugar and milk powder was superbly dissolved together.

"Because people do have one or two abilities."

"Is one of Rosa Gigantea's two being able to understand the taste of other people?"

Yumi asked without thinking. Rosa Gigantea heard this and happily laughed loudly.

"Well, if that's the case, then hear me out a bit."

Rosa Gigantea asked because Yumi had drunk the black coffee in her cup.

"Do you know Rosa Foetida's skill?"

"......No."

Even though Yumi had no idea why Rosa Gigantea was asking that question, she shook her head honestly.

"So, do you not like her much?"

"Not really."

If someone about Sachiko-sama's dislikes, she would answer "Men", but Yumi knew nothing about Rosa Foetida.

"That's right."

Rosa Gigantea said and then pushed her hand and patted Yumi on the head as if she were praising a good kid.---- Of course, Yumi wasn't a kid but, she still didn't mind it.

"But, why did you say that's right?"

"Rosa Foetida has nothing she's good at and nothing she's bad at."

"Huh?"

What did Rosa Gigantea mean by saying that Rosa Foetida has nothing she's good or bad at? Because she didn't understand why Rosa Gigantea said that, Yumi inclined her head.

"She's like a powered up form of the normal Yumi-chan. She doesen't really need any effort to do any normal thing. Do you understand?"

"Yeah ....... Wow, I'm jealous!"

"You shouldn't be."

Because she really didn't understand, Rosa Gigantea placed the palm of her hand on top of Yumi's. For some reason, Yumi's heart didn't quicken when Rosa Gigantea started getting close to her. Unlike with Sachiko-sama.

"People, even if it is only one thing, have fun doing what they are good at."

"Why is she like that?"

"What should she do, she couldn't choose being like this. Try to think about it. If there were a girl just like her, she would be able to do everything. But also, she would never be noticed at what she does. She would always be only above average at her work."

And that was a bad thing, Rosa Gigantea addad. While she could do anything, anything more than simple performance she could not do.

"That's why Rosa Foetida always has either an interested look or a bored look on her face."

said Rosa Gigantea. But if she thought about it, she still couldn't think about it as a bad thing. Of course, Rosa Gigantea probably didn't mean to say it as if it was a truly bad thing.

"IN reality, she's bored. Since she's good at everything she does, and she knows just how much she can do."

"You mean, she understands her limits?"

"Yup, that's it. While it seems that she can do anything, there's one thing she can't do. She can never be a genius at something."

It seemed like she was from another world. If only Yumi was blessed like that, it would be as if she had won the lottery. But of course, she wasn't going to express that with a laugh.

"Wondering what to do, this uninteresting girl joined the Yamayurikai and took on all the difficult tasks. This changed her student life to be a bit more rich, she became one of my novelty friends, and we got along very well. The whole point in her taking Rei as her soeur was that it was something different."

"-- --"

For some reason, she felt as if she had broken out into a sweat. So, huh? She made Rei-sama her souer because it made her normally boring life a little happier? Is that it?

"Why do you look so confused? Everyone has different criteria for picking their soeurs. I know many people who made people their soeurs based on their faces."

"Rosa Gigantea ....... Could that be why you made Shimako-san your seur?"

"Well, I wonder."

Rosa Gigantea smiled mysteriously. She was avoiding the question.

"Well, anyways, it's pointless to put your faith in Rosa Foetida. Of course Rei is very important to Rosa Foetida, but Rei and Yoshino-chan are not very close to her. And that's why when something affects her sisters, she doesen't get involved, and in fact, she gets involved in something else. Even if you can't understand them, you can still be happy for them, can't you?"

Because Rosa Gigantea did not see Rosa Foetida's swollen cheek, she could be happy about it and laugh.

"This time everything is piling up but, it will be interesting to see a revolution like this later when Rei is Rosa Foetida."

Well, anyways, Rosa Foetida was useless. Yumi fell into deep thought, and Rosa Gigantea outstretched a hand towards her cup and said "One sip please." and then drank some.

"Ah, would you get me another cup?"

"Really? Well, I'll get three new cups and pour tea into them."

"Three cups?"

"Yes. For I and Yumi-chan and someone else."

Yumi didn't understand what Rosa Gigantea had said.

"Someone else?"

"Ah, Yumi-chan, don't worry, it's no-one."

"......"

Maybe Rosa Gigantea was trying to tell some ghost story. Well, nor- mally, Lillian didn't have this kind of stories going around. Maybe even if she didn't want to hear it, ......she would be forced.

She thought deeply, but shey couldn't figure it out, and so Yumi walked over to the side wall. Just as Rosa Gigantea had said, she placed three tea cups onto a tray. There was no brand on the teabags, only the same Dar- jeeling Tea as always. After setting down the three teacups, Rosa Gigantea turned her head and stood up silently.

"Gya!"

"What's wrong? I just came to help you out. Stop shouting like someone was hurting you."

Taking the tray back from Yumi, she placed it and the cups on top of the table.

"You look as if you really were hurt."

After playing this prank on the stiff Yumi, Rosa Gigantea hugged Yumi.

(......Well, I don't really feel anything.)

But, because she was suddenly clamped, Yumi's limbs tried to struggle out of Rosa Gigantea's grip. But, she had known for a long time now that Rosa Gigantea didn't really mean to attack Yumi and so she didn't struggle very hard.

"Ro, Rosa Gigantea, nobody really cares when you do this?"

It was probably unbearable to Shimako-san. Her own Onee-sama was hugging another girl. But, being glued onto Rosa Gigantea's body, she had a hard time speaking.

"Nobody's pure."

Then she said "No-one but Yumi-chan." and hugged her again, and gave her a light kiss.

"W, wait Rosa Gigantea!"

That wasn't very good. Now knowing what Rosa Gigantea truly in- tended, Yumi started struggling intensely. Rosa Gigantea then simply let her go. Then, just as if she was about to run, she saw Sachiko-sama standing for some reason.

"----Yumi."

"Sa, Sachiko-sama!"

Oh no, she had found herself in a shallow situation stuck in a shallow puddle-- --. Sachiko-sama ignored Yumi, walked straight up to Rosa Gigan- tea, and coldly said.

"You're being playful with Yumi again. Don't you know when to stop yourself ?"

(The third teacup!)

Yumi thought for the first time "She can do this kind of thing.". Rosa Gigantea had noticed that Sachiko-sama was coming to the Bara no Yakata. In order to tease Yumi, she would purposefully make this show in front of Sachiko-sama. Rosa Gigantea was a true sadist.

"Yumi-chan and I were sharing a warm hug. Why do you interfere, even though you can see our warmth?"

"If you enjoy someone else's body warmth that much, why don't you hug your own soeur?"

The way she said it seemed like it was only a misunderstanding. Hearing this reply, Yumi blushed.

"Shimako? I hadn't thought about that."

"Well, you should think about it. So please stop using my soeur."

"I'll try to think about it."

Sachiko-sama turned and said.

"Don't struggle indecently. Don't let Rosa Gigantea get an ounce of fun out of you."

"......Alright."

Yumi didn't think she had done anything wrong, but she still answered that way to Sachiko-sama. She looked very adult-like.

Also the words that Sachiko-sama were not her true feelings. She under- stood that they were from a little jealousy.

"It's alright. Quickly dry yourself off."

Sachiko-sama took out her white-lace handkerchief and dried off Yumi's cheek.

Where Rosa Gigantea had just kissed a moment ago she had felt nothing, now as Sachiko-sama's handkerchief dried it off, her cheek felt het. The smell Sachiko-sama's hair gently wafted out, and her heart beat faster.

Sachiko-sama was awful. She felt like the true person for Yumi's body. (Me: Uh ..., I'm not quite sure what this means so ...take with a grain of salt.)

Chapter 5

(Me: I apologize but, I had a very hard time overall translating this chapter.)

She was worrying. What should she do. The time had come when she absolutely had to decide. She had to come to a standpoint quickly and the cruel day kept going past.

She tried to weigh the decisions. Her body would not be able to go back to what it was. She realized it had already come to its limits.

So she had come to a place where she had to decide something and had to take action. She couldn't put it off, because everyone was slowly beginning to catch wind of what was going on. Ah, but.

But even before that, there was a problem. She could enter the building but, she would not be able to do it.

First, she stood determinedly in front of the cloudy class door. Soon the door would open, and she would not be able to do what would happen. She worried for about five minutes and ended up retreating away. Students in their Lillian Seifukus walked in the view in front of her, a place she couldn't enter. She had entered the building once, and no-one else could enter it. She loitered about but absolutely no-one could see her. (Me: The tone of this sentence was weird, I couldn't translate it all that well.)

She had to decide quickly, so that she would talk to someone, then be tied forcibly to the operation table. But at this late hour, it was getting later.

"I won't go."

She whispered, while not being able to lift up her hair. For some time, on the desk, a cash card and an insurance card had been waiting. Whether the insurance had come, and when, she couldn't really keep in sight.---- Anyways, this was her first time doing this. (Me: Gah, this is also really hard to translate.)

"Well, it'll probably be better eventually if I go to the general hospital."

That was not a very odd thing to do, and and best of all everyone could see her, and she could loiter there.

In spite of this, she had lived ten years and still could not pinch it. It seemed nothing would change, just like her nothing changed with her swollen ear earlier.

But, every person worried that their body would become useless.

Eventually, a broken human body could not move, almost just like a machine. The normally capable woman sighed hopelessly.

Story 4: What in the world is going on?

Chapter 1

Yoshino-san had rested for almost a week, and now unexpectedly called Yumi's house.

Well, a telephone call was surprising but, Yoshino-san had never tele- phoned before so it was a little, no very, surprising.

It was slightly past 8 PM.

"Yuuumi. Phone."

Her brother, who rarely shouted, shouted to her.

"Hurry up. I think it's a public phone."

"Public phone?"

While tilting her head, she took the phone receiver and from it heard Yoshino-san's voice.

"Younger brother?"

"Yup. He's a pain."

"He sounds like reliable."

"What do you mean?"

As her brother thought, it sounded like the phone was outside. In the back of Yoshino-san's voice, you could obviously tell the clamor there was not from her house. In the lamor, Yoshino-san's voice could barely be heard.

"It's alright. Because I'm an only child, I've always envied brothers and sisters."

But because of her souer relationship with Rei-sama, she really wasn't alone, was she. Yumi thought this, but she didn't even hear Rei-sama's name from Yoshino-san.

Surprisingly, Yoshino-san shined on the phone. She had took off just that Yellow Rose Revolution thing started, so why wasn't she worried about it? Her excited voice didn't at all seem worried, even though both Rosa Foetida and Rei-sama walked around as if they were sick.

Well then, did Yoshino-san not know about the awful thing that had happened in school? Then, if Yumi told her, what would hse think?

"What did you do while you were resting?"

Of course she didn't sleep in her bed, but it sounded like she seemed happy. It would be hard for her to listen to what had happened to Rei- sama.

"Well, I had a checkup at the hospital."

"A checkup?"

"Yup. They wanted to check my blood, and they gave me an electric cardiogram, and they checked for my heart echo."

"Does it sound bad ......?"

"Not really. If it was bad, then they wouldn't do a checkup."

After saying this, Yoshino-san fell silent.

"I called on the phone because I well, wanted to ask you something. Well, I, really, I want you to come see me Yumi-san." (Me: I tried to capture the tone of the Japanese but probably failed. Yoshino had a very nervous, pleading tone.)

"Me?"

If that was why she called, she probably wasn't planning on going to school yet. As usual she said "I'm sorry for asking you." and she told Yumi when and where to go.

"Eh?"

Quickly writing it down on a memo-pad, Yumi asked Yoshino-san again. If Yoshino-san wanted her to come, she would've thought that Yoshino-san would've invited Yumi to her house.

"But Yoshino-san, aren't you getting treatment at the hospital?"

Just as she said this, she heard an odd announcement over the phone.

Doctor in charge of Room 1100, please come to the Nurse's Station immediately.

Something was happening to Yoshino-san at the hospital.

Chapter 2

"Sorrry for intruding." (Me: It's used more like a comic formality here.)

Recognizing the name on the plate on top of the door, Yumi opened it and found Yoshino-san on her bed reading a paperback book.

"Aah, Yumi-san."

Yoshino-san looked up to Yumi and smiled as if she were a blooming flower.

Because it seemed like Yoshino-san's room was a private room, nobody else was with her. On the side of the bed was a small desk on top of which there were piles of paperback books which probably helped Yoshino-san fight boredom.

"Here ......"

Yumi gave some flowers that she had spent time picking out. At first she was going to bring a cake and some fruits, but her mom had asked her whether Yoshino-san would be able to have that much, and she ended up bringing flowers.

"Thanks a lot! They're beautiful!"

There were many types of flowers, but she choose three varieties of cute- looking yellow flowers. For some reason it suited Yoshino-san very well.

"I didn't really pick it out myself, but I picked it up at the florist. I was looking for lilies and ones that didn't smell very string. There were lots."

So that she didn't waste time arranging the flowers, the florist rec- comended her to buy a vase. In the middle of a shape that looked like a backwards straw hate was an oasis, and in the middle of the oasis was arranged the flowers. She placed this on the table and let it decorate the area.

"I found out that a potted plant is bad." (Me: I'm not quite sure if this is what the translation would be, but in context, this is the best I could mangle.)

"Ahh, yeah, because it's "taken root". I didn't really pay much attention to that." (Me: You'll see why "taken root" is set off.)

Taken root or To go to bed, Yoshino-san could've meant either one, because she was in a hospital. It was just like continuing Sadness and Death or avoiding the numbers Nine and Four. Just like Hospital or Sick Person. (Me: This paragraph is laced with Japanese puns. She was confusing Taken Root or To go to Bed, both "Netsuku". Sadness and Death is "Ku ya Shi" in this case. And the numbers are "Kyuu ya Shi". Also, "Kuyashii" is an adjective meaning regrettable or mortifying. Lastly, Hospital is "Byouin" and Sick Person is "Byounin".)

"I'm sorry for calling you over on a Sunday."

Yoshino-san placed the book she was reading on top of the mountain of other books, turned to face Yumi, and locked eyes.

"Nah, it's alright."

Yumi sat in the suggested round seat and turned her head. More than coming on a Sunday, Yumi had come because Yoshino-san had purposefully called her and said "Come over". She had gotten a happy win.

"What's wrong? You sound angry."

The two had not met outside of school before. Even though Yoshino-san wore a pa jama and gown and Yumi wore a jumper skirt with a mohair style cardigan, they both shrugged a bit and laughed.

"What happened?"

Yoshino-san's question changed the sub ject quickly, but while Yumi was normally only average at Japanese, she was able to follow who Yoshino-san was talking about. (Me: The original Japanese didn't contain any sub ject in the last sentence, so I decided not to put it in.)

"She's been a bit absentminded for a while. But I think she's alright."

"I see."

Then she was right in thinking that she should've answered Yoshino-san's question with information about Rei-sama.

"Well, is she still absentminded?"

"Yup. Welll, we're trying to help her out."

When she said this, Yumi thought. Yoshino-san seemed happy that Rei-sama was absentminded. It should be the other way around.

"Next week Saturday. Rei-chan has a sports meet. It's kendo."

"Yup."

"I hope she totally wins."

Well, it was good that her merriness came back to her. Yoshino-san's face looked as if it was relieved. Something had made Yoshino-san seem like she was angered at Rei-sama. But if Yoshino-san had already heard everything, there was nothing wrong in Yumi saying this about Rei-sama. While listening to Yoshino-san like this, it seemed that Yoshino-san didn't actually hate Rei-sama.

"Yumi-san. Did you read the special article about Rei-chan and I in the Lillian Kawaraban?"

The subject of the conversation suddenly changed.

"Y, ......yes. I read it."

Actually, Yumi had brought this special edition of the Lillian Kawaraban with her in her purse. While the newspaper wasn't very uplifting, Yumi brought it along because she would have to show it in case Yoshino-san asked.

"Well, didn't the whole thing seem fake?"

"Huh?"

"It was a misprint. Well, was it a misprint? Well anyways, they made big mistakes in those answers."

"Eh?!"

Yumi hurriedly opened her back, pulled out the Lillian Kawaraban, and looked. Because she was in a hurry, the two pages of the newspaper that had the story fell on Yoshino-san's bed, and she grabbed them quickly.

"----Ara. Some really bad things have happened."

Reading the story sideways, Yoshino-san laughed.

(I don't think that story is something you should laugh about-- --)

On one page thwas an example of the crisis. This week's newspaper featured an article about all the crises that followed after the crisis with the Rosa Foetida en Bouton sisters. On the page were printed the names of twenty different people from ten different classes. On the page was Oyamada Miyuki-san's name and Katsura-san's name. It had happened on that day Yumi had turned her head backwards to look at the crying girl. Obviously the Newspaper Club would push this all the way.

But this list only contained the people that the Newspaper Club knew who had returned their rosary. In reality, who knew how many sisters had said goodbye to each other. What in the world would happen.

"-- Eh. So, anyways, where's the misprint?!"

Yumi thrust out the Lillian Kawaraban with her hand and pressed it on Yoshino-san. Once again Yumi ran her eyes over the newspaper but she had absolutely no idea where the mistake could be.

"Well. Whoever would read this article would think that it's the truth."

"So, it's just something like a Kanji mistake?"

"It's the contents."

After Yoshino-san pointed this out, she once more regarded the paper carefully. She had absolutely no idea what Yoshino-san meant. After giving up, Yoshino-san took the Lillian Kawaraban in hand. "All of this here." she said, while tracing her index finger throughout a large area on the paper.

"All of this?"

"Rei-chan and my questionairre. We had given two papers put, but they entered them in incorrectly."

"Eh ......? Ehhhh--?!" (Me: Yumi's responses are just great some- times.)

There was birthdate and height and bloodtype. There was also a variety of healthy-showing clinical records that were arranged as if they had no data but simply compiled together notes. But the big part of it was their personal tastes.

"No way."

Rei-sama read girls novels and Yoshino-san read books with Samurai killing each other? It really really didn't match their looks.

And Yoshino-san had much evidence piled up to back it up, in the form of paperback books. She took one off, opened the cover, and showed Yumi.

"......Ikenami Shoutarou."

It was like suddenly she lost all her energy.

"Yup, it seems like the whole thing is wrong."

The final blow was when Yoshino-san pointed to the tower of paperbacks.

It was good to read books not assigned in class, but in order to completely forget school, she would read and reread books about her favorite swords- man.

"Wait, wait. Yoshino-san's hobbies are-- --"

"It doesen't seem like me. I like watching sports programs."

She liked sumo and basketball and soccer, and she loved the olympics to death. Yumi's image of Yoshino-san changed.

But then, it was Rei-sama who sewed. (Me: This section's sentence rythym is paced out more uniformly in Japanese. I tried, but I couldn't really imitate it."

"That lap blanket I use in class. Remember it? Rei-chan made that herself."

"-- --" (Me: Another great Yumi moment.)

Yoshino-san had much more to say, and Yumi just couldn't handle it right now.

Who would believe that the cool-looking Rei-sama who waved around a bamboo stick at school goes home and works with a sewing ball?

It didn't suit them at all. She could bet that, without Yoshino-san telling anyone this, nobody would be able to find the mistake. While it wasn't very nice of the Newspaper Club, it wasn't a very unexpected mistake.

"I think the thing with Rei-chan is useless."

"Useless?"

"She's always been protecting me like a knight. Plus, have you seen how she looks? Among all the girls, she looks just like a boy."

But inside, she was really a girl. Before she had talked to Yoshino-san, Yumi had thought that Yoshino-san was a real girl inside who also looked like a girl.

"Yoshino-san, you know. I see what you mean by useless."

Where that came from and why Yumi interrupted, she had no idea.

"Because of me Rei-chan acts in this weird way."

Yoshino-san said with a serious look.

"Is that why you gave back the rosary?"

Well, after reading the Newspaper Club's story, it didn't seem like that.

Breaking the soeur relationship because she was worried about Rei-sama's future, it was almost like a world in a ballad.

But Yoshino-san had given the newspaper article a sidelong glance and dismissed it as totally incorrect.

"It isn't very brave of me. It's like turning my back from a friend."

"Huh?"

"It's just that, I don't feel that our relationship was right. I was just talking about returning our relationship to a new piece of paper."

"What do you mean?"

"I have to be strong because of Yoshino, she says. Well, if I wasn't there, then what would she do? In reality, Rei-chan isn't a very strong person, so now she uses me as a shield to get stronger. I didn't realize that quickly."

Rei-sama wasn't supporting Yoshino-san, she was getting close to her.

Yoshino-san realized from a long time ago that for some reason Rei-sama wanted to get close to her. She tried her hardest to seperate from Rei-sama, but unfortunately, she went to the same school as Rei-sama and loved next door to her. So she had no other way left other than to break their soeur relationship. While Yoshino-san had thought about saying it over and over again, she eventually put it off, until that day came.

Yoshino-san forcefully gave back her rosary to the very overprotective Rei-sama.

"I really hope Rei-chan gets stronger."

said the girl whose favorite phrase was none other than "The first move will win the match" with a fierce facial expression, and then smiled.

"Because of this, Rei-chan isn't the only one affected. I also will become stronger."

"Become stronger----"

Yoshino-san was already very strong, Yumi thought, but she understood what Yoshino-san intended. What would she do with all this strength, though?

But while Yoshino-san ponited out what she wanted to do, Yumi had no idea why she wanted to do it.

"I've decided to have surgery."

She had been strong for twenty minutes.

Chapter 3

"-- So anyways, Yoshino-san said "I can't help but, good luck on your match." That's all."

After hearing out the message completely, Rei-sama oggled.

"Yoshino-san is in the hospital? And she's going to get surgery-- --"

"This week, Saturday. On the day of Rei-sama's match."

Right now it was lunch break on Monday.

Because Rei-sama would be busy after-school today with club activities, she called to Rei-sama in the garden and gave her Yoshino-san's message.

"I thought my aunt and uncle were a little lately, but ......"

Rei-sama bunched up her fist in front of a hemp tree in the middle of the garden. She was sad. But since this was a hemp tree, it would be a little painful if she punched it-- --. (Right now Rosa Gigantea wouldn't be confused at all, and she'd hug us all."

Rei-sama suddenly raised her head and came close to Yumi.

"Which hospital? The one she always goes to?"

Rei-sama close up. Because she had been Rei-sama's dance party at the Gakuensai, she was a little immune but, Rei-sama still came up with force. It was because of her haircut. Wearing that seifuku, she looked just like a bishounen.

"Yumi-chan!"

"......The hospital she always gets checked up at."

The moment Rei-sama heard this, she turned on her heel and began walking away. Yumi hurriedly pulled Rei-sama back. Hey hey, what time do you think it is now? It's only lunch time now, she thought, and then a pang hit her heart. Rei-sama would take drastic measures for Yoshino-san.

"What'll you do if you go?"

"What'll I do."

She didn't answer Yumi. She just wanted to go. She wanted to go and meet Yoshino-san.

"Why do you think Yoshino-san hid this from you?"

"Why."

"Why did Yoshino-san make the operation date on the same date as your match? You don't understand anything!"

Rei-sama, who was being held back by Yumi, went limp.

"I don't understand. I don't understand anything."

Up till now she and Yoshino-san had always walked together. Without telling Rei-sama why, she had broken their soeur relationship, and on the same day as her kendo match, Yoshino-san had scheduled her operation. Rei-sama didn't understand anything about this Yoshino-san.

While Rei-sama dropped her head down, Yumi became jealous.

Yoshino-san held this sort of place in Rei-sama's heart. Even if they hadn't seen each other in the last few days, because they had the same blood, no matter what happened, they would see each other, even if they knew what they were doing was reckless. If Yoshino-san said goodbye to Sachiko-sama, she wondered if Sachiko-sama would cry for even one of the ten minutes that Rei-sama had. It seemed like Rei-sama and Yoshino-san would be together 'till the ends of the Earth. Had Yumi's face twisted in jealousy?

"It doesen't seem like this operation is a big deal. The success rate is about 100 percent ......"

"About?! On her heart?! Is this true?!"

Rei-sama grasped Yumi's shoulder and shook her violently.

"Re, Rei-sama."

She wasn't a doctor, so if you criticized Yumi like that, she still wouldn't be able to answer. She was just a messenger and knew little about medical science. Rei-sama realized this and after a little while relaxed her grip on Yumi's shoulder, said "Sorry.", and lifted her hand up.

"Yoshino-san has hated surgeries for a long time."

"I see."

When Yoshino-san was born, her heart was formed a little differently than other people's. While she didn't understand the difficult stuff, she had heard that there was a hole in one wall of her heart. That's why her blood would always get in other places, and she would get heart palpitations and short of breath.

If one payed attention, they'd realize that beacuse of Yoshino-san's ill- ness, it was hard for her to have a normal student life. It would have been better had she had the surgery when she was a kid and she wouldn't know any better, but for some reason, it had gotten worse in grade school. She started disliking it from about then too. Yumi heard all of this yesterday directly from Yoshino-san.

But now that she was becoming an adult, her illness was becoming more serious, and before it became any worse, it was best to get the surgery done. Now that medical technology had advanced, they did not have to open up much of the area to finish the surgery, and so Yoshino-san decided to do it now.

But, it was too cruel. Even though Yoshino-san didn't directly say it, the reason she was seriously thinking about surgery was because of Rei-sama.

It's like she had said before. Because of Rei-sama, I need to get stronger, she had said.

If Yumi thought about it, she lived on for herself. Even if she didn't live for herself, she wouldn't be able to live for other people. Still, it was better to live your life for other people and get close to them and become stronger, Yumi thought. (Me: Wooh. This sentence was tough to translate.)

"Do well in your match. It was Yoshino-san's wish."

Yumi touched the palm of Rei-sama's hand and told her. Because it was a problem that only the two of them could overcome, Yumi could do nothing to help.

But she really wished both of them good luck.

In Rei-sama's match.

With Yoshino-san and her surgery.

"----Yoshino's wish."

Rei-sama hung her head down as before and whispered. Rei-sama's thick and meaty hands clenched, and she hardened her face. She really looked like a man, or someone who didn't like to sew wool.

Chapter 4

"What's wrong, Hasekura-san?"

Asked Rei's advisor Yamamura-sensei, after keeping still.

"Your heart isn't in it. If you hold your sword like this, you won't get anywhere."

"I see."

"President, I know it's a bit annoying but, can we go and see the under- classmen practicing? Hasekura-san, a minute please."

Rei was urged out by her sensei, so they walked together out of the martial arts practice area. Rei had no choice but to go along. If she had been demoted to the first-year level in the middle of her practice for the match, then she had really lost it. She had never lost a single match since joining the club.

"I know it's impolite of me to ask why."

Yamamura-sensei walked up to the outside wall of the practice area and laughed. That sound. Yamamura-sensei was probably doing this to help a club member out. News of Sachiko and Yumi-chan's battle had gotten out quickly amongst the teachers.

Walking up to the wall, she began to listen to the practice plans in the warm air. It seemed far away now.

The first two days after Yoshino had returned the rosary she did not remember very well, but gradually the hole in her heart had started to fill up, and a dry wind began to blow in her heart. The hurt she had felt after Yoshino-san returned her rosary would never heal in this lifetime, and it seemed like she had given up hope.

Rei knew that something she had done was completely wrong. She didn't know what she had done wrong, but she couldn't help but think it was the worst thing possible. A kind of thing that would make it natural for Yoshino to leave me. Rei was a person who had some sort of large defect in her heart somewhere.

But Yumi-chan had heard Yoshino-san's story and understood how she had felt. She wanted to understand also, and so her dry heart thirsted for Yoshino's moisture.

Once more she wanted to hug Yoshino with these hands. Once more she wanted to see that beautiful heart, worn with a soft smile.

"Hasekura-san, is something wrong because Shimazu Yoshino-san is not here?"

Said with a stoid face, Yamamura-sensei's words had somehow pierced the heart of the matter. The graduates of Lillian were smart. They didn't lose sight of the goal.

"Yoshino-san isn't here ......?"

She tried not to think about it. Like matter to a person's mind, Rei had always taken for granted Yoshino being around her. Up till now in her life, she could in no way believe that Yoshino would not be at her side.

"Shimazu Yoshino-san is your strong and gentle friend, isn't she? And if she wasn't here, then you wouldn't be yourself, would you?"

"I'm not myself ?"

"A little bit. The Rei-sama you now is different from the Rei-sama you had always been before."

So then, what kind of a person was she. She was good at Kendo, and her gentleness came from only taking care of Yoshino, so----.

"I'm not the kind of person you think I am, sensei."

She was a coward, she was alone, and she was a crybaby. There was no way she could be called a strong person. This was the truth. If Yoshino was not at her side, she could do nothing. She realized that, because Yoshino had been there, she had become strong.

Tears began to flow. This was the first time she cried since Yoshino had left. Yoshino's parting had been such a shock that she had forgotten how to cry. Yamamura-sensei was surprised at Rei-sama's tears, but oddly enough, she let Rei cry on her shoulder just like an Onee-sama.

"Sensei."

At last her tears dried. Rei had wanted to ask someone this.

"Was I a burden to Yoshino-san? Because without knowing it, I had come closer and closer to her."

"I don't really know."

Yamamura-sensei said.

"You did get close to her, but I think you're wrong about being a burden to her. If you had an honest relationship with her, shouldn't some hard work be able to patch it together again? Even though Shimazu-san returned the rosary, she hasn't died, has she? She's still living, and right next door to you, right?" (Me: Notice that, Yamamura-sensei being a Lillian graduatee and not a student or a teacher, she calls Yoshino Shimazu-san here.)

"......Yeah."

"Then everything's OK, isn't it?"

After Rei rose her face from sensei's shoulder, it felt like Yamamura- sensei's sermon was done. Yamamura-sensei turned back towards the prac- tice room and went ahead. But then, remembering something, Yamamura- sensei turned back towards Rei.

"You don't have the manners of a first year. You're 50 times worse."

"Oh."

"Good luck at the match, president."

Yamamura-sensei's gave Rei a thumbs up.

Rei nodded, took her sword, and went out. For some reason, it seemed like a wonderful power had burst through her.

Good luck.

Everyone always wished her good luck.

Chapter 5

Section 1

"So, huh? Are you Rei and Yoshino-chan's go-between?"

Sachiko-sama whispered in a low voice as she wrapped Yumi's hair and tied it into her ribbons.

"Well, I'm not really like a go-between because I don't go every day. I go to tell Yoshino-san about Rei-sama. Oh yeah. Should we go together to meet Yoshino-san at the hospital today?

Today was Wednesday.

Because Friday was the day before the operation, many things had to be done, so the nurse had advised Yumi not to come that day. So today was the last day she could meet Yoshino-san before the operation.

"Dummy. Wouldn't I know what's happening between Yoshino-chan and Rei then? I don't want this to be a big thing, so isn't it best for only you to know?"

"Yeah ......"

Yumi felt it would be better if she also didn't know what was happening between them. Whether she was happy or not at this was a complex matter.

"Anyways."

Sachiko-sama said in a serious voice.

"Since Rei is waiting so patiently, it would be bad if I go. You should be the only one."

Yumi shrugged her head, took her school bag, and once more walked along side the row of Gingko trees. Yumi caught up to Sachiko-sama and fell in line with her.

This was the first time they were travelling home together. It hadn't happened before because there was always something or the other coming up.

Since they had become soeurs, their relationship did not feel very in- timate. After seeing Yoshino-san's relationship, she was shocked. Because Yumi had not paid much attention to the soeur relationships of other people, she had no idea what they were like.

"I wonder what's going on with Rosa Foetida."

Oh my. They had both received gossip from different people about this. But Yumi was already worried about this topic.

"She has a fever, so she's resting. It's been a week, hasn't it?"

"I'm worried about her."

while Sachiko said, Yumi thought "Is it really a fever?" While she wasn't playing hooky, there was something going on that hadn't made her feel like coming to school.

Because she had seen Rosa Foetida with her swollen cheek, she had gotten a weird impression of her. But because Rosa Foetida was an Onee- sama, she couldn't talk to Rosa Foetida frankly as she had planned out. (Me: I'm guessing she's saying this in reference to helping out the Rei-Yoshino situation, but I'm not really sure.)

Should she talk to her? Without noticing, she had stopped to think, and Sachiko-sama had gone on towards the gate.

"What's wrong? Please hurry."

From then on, Yumi for some reason walked to the school gate with her arms crossed. Even though her rosary was above her seifuku, it gave made her peaceful. Many things could happen but, being here with Sachiko-sama made her feel as if someone was telling her "It's alright.". Being in touchable distance from Sachiko-sama made her incredibly happy.

At the bus stop, it seemed as if an uncountable number of students had gotten their duties from their clubs, and were now waiting for the bus. Sachiko's hand abruptly stopped touching her. Also, she walked around sneakily, as if she and Sachiko-sama were lovers. It was embarassing. Wondering how Sachiko-sama felt, she gave a sudden glance over to Sachiko-sama. Obviously, she had on her always-composed facial expression, and it seemed that she did not understand anything about her embarrassment. On the other hand, this made Yumi's face light up red. Her feelings for Sachiko-sama were complex.

"Just as Rosa Gigantea said, your face can't sit still."

Inside thu bus, Sachiko-sama held on to the strap, and sighed as she whispered.

"My face can't ......sit still?"

It was as if someone had shot a gun down from the ceiling.

Funny faces was a positive name, not a negative one. But then, what kind of comment would have been better?

With Sachiko-sama's one phrase, she made it obvious that she did not understand anything about Yumi's vacillating happiness and saddness.

Her innocent face switched quickly from happiness to dejectedness. That sort of person, Yumi, should not be found anywhere near Sachiko-sama.--

-- Yumi thought, as the bus pulled up to the station.

Section 2

After getting off at the M-station JR building's north entrance, Sachiko- sama went off towards the ticket counter.

"Be careful."

Sachiko-sama straightened Yumi's tie as always, smiled like Maria-sama, glided off towards the ticket counter, and disappeared from sight. Her long, straight hair swiveled from side to side on her back, and from behind, she gave off an aura of a beautiful person.

The bus to Yoshino-san's hospital was in the south bus terminal, and took about 50 minutes. Climbing up the steps to the station, she saw the train that she normally took every day, and almost boarded it.

(Stupid, stupid.)

If she boarded that train, she would go straight home.

At the boarding place, Yumi recognized the train by the sign written on the top of the car. The car came up and the doors hissed open. The hospital was in the middle of a quiet residential district, so there were many people coming home from work and school.

After she reached the stop before the hospital, she had to get off the train and walk the rest of the way.

There were no medical checkups at night on Wednesdays, a sign in front of Yumi proclaimed, as she entered the hospital.

Because patients were done coming for the night, the accounting and pharmacy booths were closed, and the waiting room was empty. Because of this, Yumi could trace the smell of disinfectant in the air. A hospital at night seemed to have this gently cool air.

Because when she had come the day before yesterday she had come earlier, it was just after lunch on a Monday, this sort of atmosphere wasn't in the hospital then. She was supposed to meet Yoshino-san at seven, and now it was 6:05. She had nothing to do while waiting.

(Darn ......)

A strange thought leapt out at her. She tried to deny it, because this hospital was a modern, clean hospital, and there was no mistaking that the waiting room was obviously a beautiful place. It was not an old wooden building with corners full of spiders and their cobwebs. Yumi tried hard to hold on to the thought, but it felt as if a chill swept through the room.

(Hurry up.)

If she entered the hospital patient ward, there were many nurses, and Yoshino-san was bound to be in her room. Because Yumi was the guest to this meeting, this was to be her lounge.---- But there was nobody else here.

Because Yumi was afraid that Sachiko-sama was watching, she carefully ran up to the elevator, and pushed the up button.

Yumi waiting in front of the elevator for a while, and then the doors opened. Because she had waited for a while, she pushed the button again, and at the same time the elevator door opened. She thought it was slightly weird.

But because there was no-one else inside, she shouldn't be worried about entering the elevator. It was bad if there were only two men she didn't know, the talk at school said.

She took the elevator up to the fifth floor, and went out towards the nurse station. Like a barrier, no-one could enter the hospital rooms without passing the nurse station first.

While looking through the glass window at the nurse's station, she sud- denly held her breath. Just at that moment, it felt as if something had crept up to the nape of her back. Without thinking, she brushed her back.

Then.

(ΔΠΣ)

Without actually saying anything, Yumi called out. In the depths of the corridor of the hospital room, she saw a person's shadow with a white flanking color float away in the distance.

That shadow took one glance at Yumi, turned around, and went through the other way down the corridor.

(......No way.)

What was that? It seemed like a patient at the hospital. And the color of his robe was white.

"I hope it doesen't threaten me."

If there were no people, then why was that figure stalking around without being helped? Some weird shapes were floating around. But, because they were all protected by Maria-sama, everything would be alright.

(......But)

Where have I seen this person before, Yumi thought to herself.

Of course, the moment she saw its shape, she was surprised, and she couldn't think up anything else. She had calmed down slightly after the figure disappeared, but she couldn't help but think that that person was someone she knew. It wasn't Yoshino-san.

(So, someone other than Yoshino-san knew her in this hospital?)

She felt a tap on her shoulder, its resounding echo, and suddenly straight- ened herself.

"Wh, what?"

Turning around, Yumi was a little surprised at noticing the features on the person who had tapped her shoulder.

"Yoshino-san ......"

"Yup. Hi."

Yoshino-san was returning to her room after making a phone call, and she waved around her phone card in front of Yumi.

"What happened, Yumi-san?"

"......I, just now, I saw Rosa Foetida."

"Eh?"

"Yeah. It was Rosa Foetida. And she was a ghost!"

Yumi interjected exicetedly. Of course, Yoshino-san did not understand anything of the explanation.

"Quiet down Yumi-san. Rosa Foetida? Rosa Foetida is alive so, why would you see her ghost?"

"Then, maybe it was a vengeful spirit?"

"Please stop that Yumi-san. People here are going to get surgery done."

"......Sorry."

Even though Yoshino-san looked like a weak person who would get scared by ghost stories, Yoshino-san did not meet Yumi's eyes. While turning to- wards Yoshino-san's hospital room, Yumi thought that Yoshino-san wanted to keep the blah blah to a minumum, but then suddenly, it seemed as if Yoshino-san remembered something. She said.

"Well, I also saw her."

"Eh?!"

"I said I saw her. I meant it like, I think I had seen her before. But I thought the only reason Rosa Foetida would be in the hospital was because it was a dream, so I forgot it, but----"

Maybe this was Rosa Foetida Yoshino-san was talking about. Maybe they were passing each other and didn't recognize each other. It was funny that both of them were in the same hospital ward without knowing that the other was there.

"But, did I mistake her for someone else? Because Rosa Foetida should be in school, so---- "

"Well, she's taken off since the end of last week."

"Eh?"

Yoshino-san perked up her ears as if she was hearing this for the first time.

"When did you see her? Then I can tell you if she was at school or not."

"Last week, no, I think it was at the beginning of this week. Sorry, I don't remember it very well."

"People say that she has a fever, so she's taking off from school."

"The fever is so bad that she has to be at the hospital?"

The two of them sat on the bed in the hospital room and nodded "Yeah." Was it normal to get hospitalized for fevers?

"Did you hear anything from your nurse?"

"I don't want to go there."

"I see."

Yumi realized that it would be better if she stopped her investigating. Yoshino-san had forcefully said "I don't want to go there", so it couldn't be helped. For whatever reason, she had pushed Yoshino-san's button, and she didn't know what could happen next.

Well, but.

The two of them had already decided that the person they each saw had to have been Rosa Foetida. While wondering if they were in danger, each of them wondered whether being eye-witnesses to each of their stories gave enough evidence that it was Rosa Foetida. If they talked about these incidents with the Newspaper Club, the club would no doubt thank the two and use the material for a story.

(Rosa Foetida's mysterious hospital student life.)

-- Of course, she wouldn't let anything like that happen.

"Hey, Yumi-san."

Yoshino-san said in a quiet voice.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for helping with all these things, Yumi-san."

After saying these words, the words seemed as if they came from another world. For some reason, Yumi-san lowered her face.

But, the surgery wasn't hard, she had said. It wasn't something trivial, but it was a simple form of heart surgery, she had said before.

"No, don't make that kind of face. I don't think I'm going to die, so it's alright. These errands are nothing like a will."

Her face said everything in times like these. If when she became an adult, Yumi ever played Poker or Ma jong, her heart would say everything on her face.

"I just wanted to thank you. Also I have one more favor I want to ask of you?"

"A favor?"

Because Yoshino-san looked as if she was asking something amazing, bringing up a favor was a small warning about the task to Yumi. But really, the task was disappointingly simple.

"Day after tomorrow, if you have any free time, can you go to see Rei- chan's match?"

"----Eh?"

"You know, her kendo fight?"

"Oh, Rei-sama's match."

"Yeah"

Even though Yumi just nodded, she didn't think Yoshino-san wanted to talk more about it.

"Oh. I understand."

She really had wanted to come after school to see Yoshino-san, but a surgery is in the hands of a doctor, and because she wasn't Yoshino-san's blood-type, Yumi realized that she would only be a nuisance that could do nothing.

"I'll see Rei-sama's stunning win."

Yoshino-san said thank you and smiled like an angel.

After giving Yoshino-san some dinner, Yumi yelled back to Yoshino- san that she would see her later. It was a bit awkward, because she had undertaken a large responsibility. She didn't feel anything as she left the quiet hospital. For some reason, everything and everyone just seemed very simple.

Directly in front of her at the entrace, she could see the flashing red lights of an ambulance. In the waiting room, the nurses loitered, seeming as if they were the family of the patients here, and not going pale at all at the sight of injuries.

Whether it was illness or an accident Yumi did not know, but she still felt sad for the person. While going out the door so as not to be an annoyance to the hospital, Yumi thought of Rei-sama.

How bad was Rei-sama's heartbreak now?

The only thing she probably felt was that, the depths of her heart wanted to be next to Yoshino-san. Only because Yoshino-san had requested it, Rei- sama ground her teeth and beared the missed meetings. Because of Yoshino- san's frank love for Rei-sama, Yumi could think that Rei could do nothing but win at the match.

Of course, because Rei-sama was Yoshino-san's Onee-sama, Yoshino-san thought she was strong. Yoshino-san was a fascinating person, thinking like that.

In order to catch the bus that ran to M station, Yumi ran to the bus stop. Quickly getting into the car, just after getting inside, she seated herself in a seat and sighed.

After running, thinking about the day after tommorow made her heart beat quickly.

Story 5: The Fighting Maidens

Chapter 1

The day's weather was unbelievably excellent, as if one day had simply cleared up the autumn day.

Today was the day of the Kendo match and the surgery. Of course, the good weather had no effect on either, but, the good weather was better than the rainy weather by many times. Maria-sama was protecting the three in spite of everything. The good weather had spread warmth and happiness throughout Yumi, one of the three.

After fourth period had ended, she had dashed dashed off to do her cleaning (Because today there would be many things which would need everyone's best effort), and hurried off to the entrace of waiting place.

There was Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinesis, and there was Sachiko- sama who had already arrived. Unfortunately Rosa Foetida was absent, so she wouldn't get to see the huge event of the match. Shimako-san, who was five minutes later than Yumi, waited, and then all of them headed off to the gymnasium.

The gymnasium seemed much like a park. Among those attending, there were generally three types of seifukus among boys and girls that looked old. The weather was good, and until the event began, it seemed like everyone around here was loitering around.

A navy blue blazer and a dark red hanging necktie was the orthodox style. Blue checked pleated skirts with a a coat of arms next to the arm and a thick beige blazer was the new style. Then there were the people in plain clothes.

Among these clothes, the ivory sailor color and the black low-waist one piece of the Lillian seifukus stood out. Many people in the crowd criticized the Lillianseifukus by calling them anachronisms. Still, even though the Lillian design was old, the design looked new.

Today's kendo match was a regional one, featuring three high school girls called the "Four Brave" in a team competition. Even though the match wasn't a national one, it was tradition for each high school to cheer their loudest for their players.

Before two o'clock, the seats in the meeting hall were already filled up. Because five seats were not available in a row, the five girls split into one group of three and one group of two and sat down.

"Sachiko, Yumi-chan, there are empty seats over there."

In order to pay attention to her sisters, Rosa Chinesis sat together with the Yumi and Sachiko-sama where she pointed.

"Yup, Yumi-chan."

Some time ago, Rosa Gigantea had bought some mixed sandwhiches and some packs of coffee milk and put them in paper bags. She gave two of them out.

"People say you can't fight on an empty stomach."

Of course, the only fighting they were going to do was cheering for Rei- sama.---- But, if their stomachs were empty and croaked like frogs later on, it would be embarassing.

"How much is it?"

Yumi took out her purse, but Rosa Gigantea said "It's alright. It's on me.". Even though she was an upperclassman, Rosa Gigantea was a student just like them, and had gotten some spending money from her parents so she could pay for the meal. But then, Sachiko-sama put some money in Rosa Gigantea's hand.

"Rosa Gigantea, I won't give you a reason to be proud of yourself. Here's the money for me and my sister."

"You're tooough. But, because I want to be like an Onee-sama to Yumi- chan, I won't take the money."

Rosa Gigantea met Sachiko-sama's glance, gave back the money, and went back towards where Rosa Chinesis and the others had sat down earlier.

"Uh----"

This time, Yumi had to turn towards Sachiko-sama. She had given back money for only one person.

"Since there's nothing we can do, please close your bag."

Sachiko-sama said this and sank into her seat. Hurriedly, Yumi looked towards Sachiko-sama.

"The best thing to do now is just say Gochisousama and eat."

"But----"

Yumi slowly turned away, and Sachiko-sama whispered pouted under- neath her breath "I don't understand."

"Sometimes I want to do some Onee-sama-like things for you."

"......I see."

Yumi couldn't resist, so she took the sandwhich out of the bag in one grasp, and said "Gochisousama". The sandwhich had tomato, lettuce, and egg in it, and it was better tasting than Yumi thought it would have tasted.

Chapter 2

Yumi had never seen a kendo match on television before.

So she didn't know how to tell whether Rei-sama was winning or not. But Sachiko-sama filled her in on the rules as they were watching.

Firstly, this wasn't an individual match, but a team match.

Of course, there were matches which would have one overall victor as the champion, but today's match was a match between four schools, of which each school would pick a five people as their representitive team to fight with the other school teams. The five people, in order of skill, were called Captain, Undercaptain, Center Mark, Advance Guard, and Rear Guard. The Advance Guards would fight other Advance Guards, the Captains would fight other Captains, and so on. Rei-sama was the Lillian team's captain. (Me: The titles were a bit tough to put in English equivalents, but I did try. The Japanese names are, in the same order as appeared in the text: Taishou, Fukushou, Chuuken, Senpou, and Jipou.)

The teams together were called the "Four Brave", and no one position in each team had a specific age to it. The age of the members constantly switched, and the only thing that determined their position was their rang. Last year's champion was Takurazawa High School. Their Captain, Under- captain, and Center Mark had already graduated, so the second years who had followed in their places did not show as much promise.

There were four schools, and two would go to the finals for the cham- pionship. The matchups were picked by lottery, and Oonaka Girls' School and Lililan were not chosen for this round.

The female swordsmen of the four schools entered, took in the sights of the match, and sat down.

Yumi took a quick glance at her watch.

It was two o'clock in the afternoon. Was everything with the operation going along smoothly?

Yoshino-san's surgery was scheduled to have started at nine o'clock this morning. Yoshino-san had purposefully asked the surgeon to make today the day of the surgery. Even though she had known from the beginning that the match was today, she had chosen this day as the day. Maybe Yoshino-san herself didn't understand why she made today the day of the surgery.

The teams gave their oats and the celebrated players gave their greetings and the match abruptly started. The starting two players went out and the referee blew his whitle.

"I'm trembling."

Quickly gulping down her coffee milk, Yumi put it in the empty bag so that it wouldn't be an annoyance, and placed the bag underneath her seat. The ratio of the sandwhich eating had been split between Yumi and Sachiko-sama 4 to 2. (Me: I'm not quite sure what this meant. Did they share the sandwhich? Not sure.)

For Sachiko-sama, the juice of the olives had permeated the bread, so she did not enjoy it much. Also there was a choice of white or wheat bread, but the wheat bread's texture was created using caraway, so she didn't like that either. Since Yumi was the one who had made the fuss about the sandwhiches in the first place, she was the one who ended up eating most of it. Because a growing moneyed pricessed had many likes and dislikes, mothers would make cooked rice for them. Well, in the case of Sachiko- sama's household, it was a chef.

"Don't let your attention wander. You should focus on the match."

Sachiko-sama suddenly held Yumi's jaw as if it were the lever of a shower, and turned her face towards the match.

(But --. If Sachiko-sama does these kind of things to me, I'll be able to concentrate even less.)

Then suddenly, it began. The match started as Oonaka and Takurazawa faced each other.

The Captains were brilliant. Even when looked viewed from a layperson's eyes, the four matches that had come before were beautiful, but this was different. She didn't understand how, but their very souls were different.

With a sudden whoosh, the Oonaka Captain struck from behind, and at the same time, the three referees raised the white flag.

"What was the point of them raising the flag right now?"

After having watched four matches, Yumi understood it somewhat. If the flag was decided to be raised, then something bad had happened.

"That was a great strike."

Sachiko-sama sighed with wonder after her praise for the Oonaka Cap- tain.

"You know Kendo well, Sachiko-sama."

"That's because Suguru-san played Kendo." (Me: Suguru-san as in Kashiwagi Suguru, as you'll soon find out.)

Suguru-san's full name was Kashiwagi Suguru, Sachiko-sama's cousin. He was a third year from Lillian Jogakuen's neighboring school, Hanadera Academy, was part of the student council, and was a very handsome youth. Sachiko-sama's parents had decided that she was to get engaged to Kashiwagi- san, but he was a homosexual ....... Well, he was some person. (Me: Part of the plot of the last novel involved chasing down Sachiko and Kashiwagi and a confrontation on Kashiwagi's part.)

Speaking of which, what had happened with Kashiwagi-san? Had the engagement been cancelled?

Oonaka had scored a 4-to-1 victory ratio in the preliminary rounds. Next, the Lillian students stood for their matches.

It was Rei-sama's turn.

The Advance Guard match came first, and it felt like their souls lighted on fire. They stood up with proclaiming with their posture that they would definitely win.

Maybe because of the style of the Kendo matches, today Rei-sama's tormented face seemed a little different from her usual self.

The match was against Tsukimigaoka school, a coed private school. Whether they were winning or not, hoarse voices shouted and mixed with each other in cheer for their school. The people wearing yellow were only cheering Lillian. (Me: Tsukimigaoka means approximately, "A face watching the moon".)

The Advance Guard and the Rear Guards of Tsukimigaoka both lost, but the Center Mark and the Undercaptain both won against Lillian. The next match was the the Captain match, the one with Rei-sama.

"The pressure is intense-- ......"

"It's alright. If Rei-sama loses here, she won't be able to face Yoshino- chan, so she will win."

Yumi thought that Sachiko-sama's words were probably right.

Thrusting her wooden sword in front and to the side, and thrusting out at the other person's back, Rei-sama was truly beautiful. She wished Yoshino-san could watch Rei-sama now.

(Oh yeah. It's a good thing I brought my camera.)

For noticing this late in the match, she was an idiot. While she was in the process of self-loathing, she saw a flash from the guest seating.

"Tsutako-san ......!"

"Ara, Yumi-san. Gokigenyou."

Tsutako-san, hearing her name once, turned around, but then quickly went back to the match. The Photo Club's ace was incredible. She was take good pictures, and never let a good opportunity run free. Yumi looked very closely and found the Newspaper Club president next to her. Was this her enthusiasm about gathering data for the newspaper?

(I'll ask her to make copies of the photos after the match.)

Yumi was truly glad that Tsutako-san was her friend. Later, she heard that the Rosas didn't expect that she would bring her camera. Rather than leaving her camera at home like a beginner, she brought her multifunction camera as a mark of her being a semi-pro, so that she could be able to take many different good pictures. She left the responsibility of picture taking to Tsutako-san and once more concentrated on the match.

Just as Sachiko-sama had said, the Captain's match was dominated by Rei-sama. She saw the main piece of the flag being launched into the air. Rei-sama had forced the Tsukimigaoka captain to play the defensive, but they were after all captains. Using her technique, the Tsumigaoka captain skillfully returned all of Rei-sama's attacks.

"Incredible."

Next to her, Sachiko-sama clapped, and at the same time, three red flags were raised. Happening so quickly Yumi did not quite understand what was going on but, Rei-sama's forearm was thrust up into the air in victory.

"Sachiko-sama can make out moving things very well."

Yumi said that, and Sachiko-sama replied with a bitter smile.

But, this was Lillian's win in the preliminaries, right? Rei-sama had won.

"Huh ......?"

Didn't Lillian win? Didn't Rei-sama win all of her matches? Or----.

"I don't think it'll turn out like Yoshino-chan said it would."

Yumi wondered just how it would turn out and inclined her head as the final match began. It obviously wasn't break time.

The standings so far were, the Advance Guard match had gone to Oon- aka, the Rear Guard match had gone to Lillian, the Center Mark match had been a draw, and the Undercaptain match had gone to Lillian. It seemed as if they would win.

"If Rei-sama wins, then we win!"

Yumi was excited, but Sachiko-sama drew herself back with an unhappy look on her face. Yumi quickly pulled her hands out of the air.

"That's not how it is. Rei-sama is very skilled but, that won't help."

"Huh?"

"It's bad."

Yumi did not understand what was bad. Up till now, Lillian had amassed two wins, one loss, and one draw, and next was the Captain match with Rei- sama, who seemed determined to win.

"The Oonaka Captain is strong."

"Strong?"

"Because we hadn't gotten in a third win up when we hit the Undercap- tain match, this won't go very well."

"It won't go very well ......?!"

Sachiko-sama's tone of voice sounded as if Rei-sama would lose. But, hadn't they gotten two wins and two losses when facing off against Tsukimi- gaoka? How can Tsukimigaoka be stronger than Oonaka? How cruel to get defeated by the Tsukimigaoka captain when Rei-sama had easily won against the Oonaka captain.

"It's not that simple."

Lillian also seemed more prepared than Tsukimigaoka. It was only be- cause the Lillian first years, in their first Kendo match, hadn't been able to perform as well as they should have.

"Oonaka's Captain is a black belt."

"Black belt?"

"Yup. Third rank."

"What is Rei-sama then?"

"Second rank."

"Well, which one is stronger?"

"......You really don't understand anything about this, do you?"

Sachiko-sama whispered from the depths of her heart. She learned from Sachiko-sama that black belt started at first rank, and continued to second rank, third rank, and so forth. So, unlike professional sumo, the more ranks the better---- Of course, Yumi did not say this out loud.

"What would happen if Rei-sama loses?"

Then, Lillian would have totally two wins, two losses, and one draw.

"The person with the most wins wins the tournament."

As of now, Lillian had one more win than loss. But if Rei-sama loses this match, then the wins and losses become the same. Then what.

"This is a one-on-one match between two schools now."

"But if Rei-sama wins, then shouldn't both captains win?"

"You would think so."

"Then, she would lose ?!?!"

There was small chance that Rei-sama, who had already lost one bout, would win the second.

"But she may win."

"I see."

But, Sachiko-sama had said. This won't go very well, she said. Oonaka's captain is stronger because she is third rank, she said.

But then, what would happen.

What about Yoshino-san who would rejoice at Rei-sama's winning?

What would happen to their relationship?

The truth was, the results of the match were not as important as the effect they had on Rei-sama once again offering her rosary to Yoshino-san.

"It's starting."

Sachiko-sama had motioned for her to be quiet.

That's right. Yumi was required to watch Rei-sama's fight on Yoshino- san's behalf.

(Will Rei-sama be able to pull off another victory, like she had with the Tsukimigaoka captain?)

Yumi looked at her watch, and found that it was passing four o'clock. She wondered how Yoshino-san's operation was going.

Good luck Rei-sama.

A layperson couldn't tell just how much effort was needed to win. Then suddenly, Oonaka's captain won, with force. In spite of everything, she had won. The voices in the room got louder.

So.

So, after all that effort, she had to think about what could happen next.

In the fierce competition of the meeting wooden swords, Rei-sama had withdrawn, and at that moment, the body of people far away had shown their decision.

Every person wearing a black one-piece sighed and drooped their shoul- ders. Of course, Yumi was part of that group.

So, the Captain match had been decided. The captains of the two schools, with sweat dripping down their faces, got up and once again stood at the ends of the exhibition area.

Meeting Rei-sama's face head on, Yumi realized that even though Rei- sama had lost, she did not hide her face. She held it with power. Yumi did not understand why.

Her quiet eyes were like a water's surface undisturbed by waves. But it wasn't as if Rei-sama sad with her eyes dazed. Her eyes weren't just quiet, the core of them quaked with a sense of having been wronged. Not quite being wrong, but as if she the middle of her heart was a sword that now needed more sharpening. Anyways, it was over.

(Why did it happen this way?)

While initially being in the lead, the tides had turned against Lillian, and they had lost because of the immense pressure. Steeling their shoulders with the two victories they gained, the other four of the team congratulated each other for their hard work and resolved themselves that, because they had lost this time, they would win the next. It was all part of the mental game.

There was no more to the match.

Even still, Rei-sama left looking as if she had won.

Chapter 3

Yumi had heard that the surgery had finished around the time of the end of the match. Yoshino-san's father had heard this and gone red in the face as he was appearing in his city hall meeting. The surgery was a total success and she was in good spirits, her father who had just come back from the hospital told everyone.

After the match, Yumi could not just stay at home, so she decided to go to the hospital, and talked to Yoshino-san's mother outside the nurse station.

"I'm sorry but, Yoshino is sleeping right now. But, do you want to see her sleeping?"

"Well, after the surgery she was put into ICU, so ......"

"Come back later to see her. It's just that, she looks a little frail now with the tubes connected to her."

"......"

There was no point lying. Yoshino-san's heart surgery was hard on her. They would speak like this just to put the patient at ease.

Yumi wanted to see Yoshino-san sleeping, but suddenly an image of Rei- sama floated to her mind, and she resolved that she would wait. If she were to so easily meet Yoshino-san, then it would be rude to Rei-sama who had been waiting for much longer to meet Yoshino-san.

It seemed like she had heard Yoshino-san say "The kendo match" as she woke from amnesia, but then she went back into a deep sleep.

"So, how was the match?"

Yoshino-san's mother asked but, she changed her mind and said "Don't answer that question." and smiled.

"If we learned about how the match went before Yoshino-san wakes up, then she would be angry at us."

Yumi thought that Yoshino-san's mother was very insightful.

Chapter 4

Rei-san visited Yoshino-san on an evening three days after the match.

Rei, who had been so patient until now, had ran to meet Yoshino. When Rei had heard in the morning that her aunt had visited Yoshino in the hospital, she had dropped all her club activities that day and gone to the hospital. Because of all the tubes connected to Yoshino, it had seemed like she did not want to meet anyone.

"It's been a while."

For someone who had had undergone heart surgery three days ago, Yoshino seemed very perky. So much so that she surprised Rei. Yoshino rose up from the bed and met Rei with her usual smile.

"You look pretty happy."

"I'm not. Since they stopped the anesthesia, the cut hurt and hurt, but finally, they gave me an injection to stop the pain, and I felt better."

"......It hurt?"

"You know. Where they cut the skin, mess with your heart, and close it."

Yoshino said, as if she were simply reading out a recipe. But if you looked closely at her, you could tell it had really hurt. Rei was very surprised that Yoshino had gotten surgery, with her reaction like this.

"Yoshino----"

Since they parted, Rei had wanted to talk to Yoshino many times. Now that Yoshino was right in front of her, Rei couldn't find any words to say.

"So, how long has it been?"

"Something like two weeks."

"This is the first time we haven't seen each other for so long."

"Yeah."

Other than the school field trip, they had never been apart from each other for so long before. But because they were able to frequently reach each other on the phone, they didn't feel lonely without each other. It had been a very long time ago, and now that they remembered their experience, it made them happy.

"Rei-chan."

Yoshino said, with a meek look.

"I'm sorry. I walked off without you, Rei-chan."

"Eh?"

"If we had gone together, there would have only been one way. You would have lent me your shoulder, and I didn't want that. I wanted to be able to walk with you. That's the kind of relationship I wanted with you, like Yumi-san and Sachiko-sama's. That's why I wanted surgery. I wanted to build the body of a grand master, and walk beside Rei-chan, shoulder to shoulder. I wanted it to become equal between us."

Yoshino said all of it in one breath. After that, it seemed like all words disappeared.

"Do you believe me? That I didn't give back the rosary because I hated you?"

"Yup. I understood."

When she had gone up to face the Oonaka captain, her heart was not bleak with pressure, it was just as if there was a sense of loss, and the world had gone completely white. That was when she finally understood what it meant to win. She would win at all costs, and would not be touched by the person in front of her. No-one was standing between her and victory.

"I love you more than anyone else in the world, Rei-chan."

Yoshino whispered.

"I love you more than anyone else too."

Rei touched Yoshino's nostalgaic hair.

More than her father, more than her mother, Rei loved Yoshino more than anyone else in the world.

That's why she believed Yoshino's words. She was able to humbly accept what Yoshino had meant to say.

Rei had never seen Yoshino's face so close before. Now, the distance between them was closing, and their hearts had become very close. Rei felt as if she had gotten much closer to Yoshino-san than she had been before.

"Oh yeah. How was the match?"

Yoshino asked suddenly, as if she had just remembered.

"We won."

Yoshino narrowed her eyes as if she did not believe Rei.

"Really? But wasn't Oonaka's captain that Tanaka-san?"

"It had gotten really complicated up to the finals, but the judges' final call was that we had won. Eventually, we won by only one match."

"But wasn't she a third year and a third rank? Aweeeesome!"

Yoshino hadn't even hoped that Rei could beat Oonaka's captain.

Next year Yoshino would surely go and cheer Rei on, Yoshino said. And maybe because she would have had a year, Yoshino would be able to study cooking, and challenge Rei to a homemade lunch contest, and then Yoshino would laugh like a demon as she was crowned the ultimate grand master title.

"You are very happy. Did you really have surgery?"

"I did. Do you want to see the scar?"

"......Should I?"

"I want Rei-chan to see."

Yoshino-san opened all the buttons on her pa jama and removed it. She wasn't wearing anything underneath, because her entire chest was covered in a huge wad of gauze. There was not a single bandage other than that.

"They poked me with a lot of things, it was bad."

Yoshino said, as she unded the tape. Peeling off many layers, Yoshino exposed her right chest, upon which was a scar about ten centimeters.

It was stiched into a line in the center. Rather than using stitches, they had used something resembling wire to seal the cut. For some reason, the scar resonated off Yoshino's princess white skin as a sort of medal.

"It'll blend in. It's not really visible right now as it is."

"I see."

Because she was a woman, it would be be better if she had no scars, but for some reason, things would not be the same if it disappeared. "If it didn't blend in, I'd look like a female pirate." Yoshino laughed.

Yoshino said, after she layered the gauze back on, and buttoned up her pa jama.

"Also, I'm going to start kendo."

"Eh?!"

"Because I'm Rei-chan's cousin, I probably have some talent. Before I had cheered, but I would be more happy actually doing it with you than just cheering you on. And next year, I'd win against Oonaka's Tanaka-san and get revenge for Rei-chan."

After the surgery, Yoshino had really started thinking big. Rei smiled wryly without thinking.

"Well, I hope I will at least be able to keep my seat as captain."

Yoshino really was in a good mood. But she had to be corrected.

Because she was a third-year and she would graduate, Oonaka's Tanaka- san wouldn't be there next year.

Because they had just become friends, Yoshino had started resembling Yumi-chan a little.

Notice.

The patient had stripped off the gauze, but had put it back into place like a professional.

So we did not tell Yoshino-san and Rei-sama to be careful.

Story 6: Good Thing It's Over.

Chapter 1

"----And that's why."

It was Monday.

The ever-peaceful student rhythym had set back into place....... Or so it seemed, as Yumi walked to the Bara no Yakata after school.

(Why do I have to ask Rosa Foetida what happened?)

The hot Darjeeling Tea had turned into Iced Tea. Many things had happened that hour, and they had finally caught Rosa Foetida.

"Everyone. I'm sorry I'm late today."

"You were trying to run from me."

"Huh?"

"I know you the best Yumi-chan. So, that's why it's your responsibility to explain."

"But ......."

Because today wasn't a meeting day, Yumi thought it would be alright if she didn't come, but everyone thought she had been running away.

"So, please continue."

"But, I said everything that needs to be said."

But, Rosa Foetida's explanation had not been enough, so she had been stubbornly requested to explain more. Having come after school for the first time in a while, Rosa Foetida used her power to throw the discussion wide open.

For some reason Rosa Foetida had been depressed the last time Yumi had seen her but, she did not really want to meet with that Rosa Foetida again. Other than the newcomer Yumi, everyone had thought she was running away.

Somehow, it seemed that Rosa Foetida had once more regained her in- teresting in the things around her.

"Yumi-chan, there's nothing wrong with what I'm saying, right? I had said that I had been gone for about two weeks, so there's nothing wrong with that. And then a crisis happened with my younger sisters and I didn't notice a thing. After two weeks, I just wanted to come back. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yah."

But she just couldn't forget about it. When the biggest part of the crisis was starting in the first week, Rosa Foetida had been going to school, but she hadn't noticed, and making her notice would have made too big of a spectacle out of it.

"Well, it's settled then. Everything's at peace."

"I see."

"Is Yoshino leaving the hospital next week?"

"Yes."

"Thank goodness."

Rosa Foetida crossed her eyebrows at the cold cup of black tea and drank it down.

"Ah, I'll do the washing."

"Oh? Too bad for you."

Yumi rolled up the sleeves of her seifuku.

Well well, it seems she got off the hook.

It seemed like Yumi became the leader of cleaning for today (because today wasn't really her duty) because a one-on-one questioning with Rosa Foetida would be uncomfortable for her. She would have a better time soaking herself in very cold water than talking with Rosa Foetida.

"By the way, Rosa Foetida."

"Yeaaah?"

"Rosa Foetida ....... Well----"

While Rosa Foetida was humming a lively song, Yumi had the sudden urge to want to know what had happened. Her swollen cheek, her more than one week absence, and that figure who could have been Rosa Foetida at the hospital. But it was a private thing, so she really shouldn't ask. So she somehow found something she wanted to say to Rosa Foetida and opened her mouth.

"It can't be that Yumi-chan also thought I was pregnant?"

"Eh?! Rosa Foetida was pregnant?!"

In her great surprise, Yumi turned off the water faucet. Rosa Foetida wore her obviously bored face.

"I said it can't be, didn't I? I don't know why people thought that. I don't know anyone like that, so."

"You don't?"

"I don't. From kindergarten, I've been going to girls' schools. How would I know someone then? It could have been a teacher but, since I've only been to private schools, my teachers have all been old men and women."

"Even if they are all old ......"

But Rosa Foetida obviously wasn't like that.

"You're the only one of my classmates who worries about me like this. I wonder why."

I wonder why, she had asked. She could only guess about Rosa Foetida's personality was why. While she flipped the bursting faucet back on, her heart beat a little faster than before. "Pregnancy" she had said. It was one of the most scary topics to talk about.

"I have a dentist's note. I will show it to you, if you really want to be sure."

"Ah, a dentist's note....... Wait, dentist?!"

Again the surprise made her turn off the fauced. Thank goodness it was the dentist.

"Huh, you didn't know? I had my wisdom tooth removed."

Rosa Foetida opened her mouth wide and showed the large hole in the back of her gums on the left side of her mouth.

"It's so horrible, I got a grain of boiled rice stuck there."

"Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?!"

If Yumi had heard correctly.

Because Rosa Foetida hated the drilling noise of the dentist's tools, she kept strict discipline with her oral hygeine. Rosa Foetida had been able to boast that she had never been to the dentist in her life. But because she had not been to a dentist, her wisdom tooth had grown in an odd spot, and things had gotten worse from there. She had quickly knocked on the door of her dentist, but then she had heard that drilling noise of the tools, and she just couldn't open the door. So it had seemed like she was pregnant.

"You might be laughing because it was just a dentist but, I have a deadly fear of dentists. So I had thought that, only if I started dying because of my wisdom tooth would I go to see the dentist."

"So ......, So, when your cheek was swollen and you were crying."

"Probably. It hurt so badly I was losing my patience with everything. Ara, Yumi-chan, did I meet you somewhere?"

"You had specifically said 'Yumi-chan' to me. And then----"

Yumi abruptly closed her mouth. She went back to putting on her indoor shoes, and then she understood what was going on. This experience was embarassing for Rosa Foetida.

So then, that time she had come to the hospital to meet Yoshino-san, and she had pointed out that person who she thought she knew but wasn't in a Lillian seifuku, that was Rosa Foetida.

"I had thought it could have been Urashima Tarou. She was the only other person who had been gone for two weeks."

Because Rosa Foetida had not wanted to go to the dentist, and because she had thought it was embarassing to go, she had kept it a secret from everyone at her home. She had eventually contracted fever, and started moaning, when Rosa Foetida's father had seen her, panicked, and called the ambulance. Luckily, he had taken her to the general hospital which had a dentist on spot, who removed the tooth there. It was a good thing her father had noticed what was going on.

"So he had called an ambulance right? He was taking me home when the vain head of the neighborhood had looked at my father and told him to keep me in the hospital until my fever went down."

"You have a good father."

"How could he be good?"

Rosa Foetida made a dubious face. From the sounds she had made during the conversation and the look that was painted on her face, it looked as if she would never forgive her father for what he had done.

"Well----"

Because he was a person who loved her, he had done something unpleas- ant for her. Yumi thought that was a great quality to have.

Chapter 2

Well.

Yoshino-san, who had given her rosary back while being a petite souer and had nullified her soeur relationship was almost required to give notice when she came back to school.

When Yoshino-san had returned from the hospital back to school, she walked into the Lillian Jogakuen garden changed into her winter uniform at a time when the Yellow Rose Revolution was almost done with and forgotten. Hearing that Yoshino-san had come back to school, the Lillian Kawaraban had offered her an apology. It was a fitting prize.

But, Yoshino-san had come back to school again.

This time, Yoshino-san called Rei-sama in front of the Maria-sama statue herself and asked "May I be your sister." with a lowered head.

If you were a year younger than the other person, it was customary to give back the rosary, but completely unexpected to ask for it. And worse, to ask someone whom you had previously severed with. Again, everyone made a big fuss about it.

Ignoring the murmurs at the edge of the crowd, Yoshino-san and Rei- sama came to school every day as good friends. It seemed like they had become better friends than before the Yellow Rose Revolution, and Yumi wasn't the only one who thought that. It really seemed like Yoshino-san would take up kendo next year.

This time, the lowerclassmen who had been affected by Rei-sama and Yoshino-san's crisis and who had given back their rosaries, went in private to their Onee-sama's and requested to become soeurs again. In one hour, the confusion had been replaced. It seemed like there had been many people who had been caused worry by this revolution. This was a good chance to become friends again.

"For god's sake, what were those girls thinking?" (Me: Guess who said this!!!)

The girls' don't understand themselves, Sachiko-sama grumbled. But, Yumi understood for some reason.

Because the Rosas and their petite soeurs were the idols of the school. The girls just wanted to get a little closer to their idols. Because Yumi had been just like them not too long ago, she understood their feelings very well.

Sachiko-sama would probably never understand them. But, the Sachiko- sama that wouldn't understand was the Sachiko-sama that Yumi loved.

"By the way, Yumi."

While walking through the falling leaves of the path of gingko trees after school, Sachiko-sama said with playfulness in her eyes.

"From now on, if I hear you call me 'Sachiko-sama', I will not answer back."

"Eh?"

"I'll wait for however long it takes for you to change the way you call me."

Having said what she wanted to say, Sachiko-sama turned her back to- wards Yumi and walked onward.

"Sachiko-samaaa."

Yumi trailed after Sachiko-sama, as she realized that Sachiko-sama wouldn't turn around just like she had said she wouldn't.

"If you don't want this to go on forever, please call me correctly." (Me: There's a subtle shift in tone here. Sachiko talks in a more instruction manner than the familliar manner she was talking with earlier.)

I understand, Yumi thought, as Sachiko-sama plowed on without looking back at Yumi. Yumi scrunched her eyebrows together. For some reason, it felt very embarassing.

"......ee-sama"

"I can't heeaar you."

So that was what she wanted Yumi to do.

Yumi suddenly got an idea, and looked about. Happily, no-one but Maria-sama was watching.

"Onee-sama!" (Me: The call we know and love, started here!)

(Me: I'm about to butcher Konno Oyuki-sensei's good sentence again, so I apologize in advance. If I put this note after, it would ruin the effect of the ending.)

Strangely, Yumi's voice spread out throughout the row of gingko trees. And Yumi's Onee-sama with beauty like Maria-sama's echoed into the air "Yes", and turned around, with a satisfied smile.

Afterword

Next summer, I want cream cakes, and chocolate cakes, and strawberry cakes, and .......

Hello there, it's Konno.

As I had planned, I baked another cake. This time, it was of the Rosa Foetida family.

Even though there are three colors of Rosas, for some reason, Rosa Foetida's color left a lasting effect.---- But even then, Red (Me: Chine- sis) and White (Me: Gigantea) have pretty strong ones too. Without saying which one is the better one, I like both Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinesis (Just as I had said before).

By the way, for some reason, nowadays a trend has started of long Af- terwords, but for this novel I didn't really want one, so I was honestly stuck without knowing what I should do.

The chief said:

"Well, at first keep it to seven pages. But if you have a lot to write and you want to go overboard, write something like nine or eleven pages."

She had left that reply on my answering machine.

"If that's too much, then keep it short." said my real Onee-sama (laugh). "Should I do that?" I thought to myself, when I thought I would put "Afterword" in the table of contents but would in fact write in a short story. There were a lot of people who went into Afterword Mania, so I thought whether I should do as I always do and not write much, or whether I should write a lot. So.

Ah, there we go. How would an alphabetical composition (is there a better name?) be? Is that the way to go?

I don't know whether this is a very praiseworthy format or not, but I gave it my best attempt.

(Me: The format of the majority of the afterword is in a Kana-order chart, kinda like the Japanese equivalent to alphabetically themed lines in English. I'll post the preceding Kana, the Japanese word, and the English translation with hyphens in between and use a final hyphen to set off the actual bit she wrote. If you have any better ideas for the formatting of this piece, just give me a holler.)

I--Intaneetto--Internet--It's nice to meet you internet. But writing that is like saying "It's nice to meet you, cold China". (Me: I'm not quite sure what this means, maybe closed Communist China will not give a response to her greeting, like the internet?)

Ro--Roan--Roan was Shinran (Me: the creator of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism) who changed everything with one strike.

Ha--Hana--Flower--Many flowers came out from the middle of a novel, it is often said.

Ni--Nikujaga--Beef and Potato Stew--The cooking eaten by people going to school in this book.

Ho--Bokou--Alma Mater--Last year, I went to my alma mater cultural festival. Seeing the beautiful new school building, I shouted "I want to go back agaaain!". I'm jealous of the people who go there now.

(Me: "Bo" is "Ho" with added diacratic marks, which means that it is the same sound pronounced lower in the throat, which is why they are included in the same heading. Try pronouncing them both for yourself.)

He--Heianjidai--The Heian Period--If I would have been born in the Heian period, I would surely have been called the unmatchable woman of the world (only in looks). But, who knows how many times I wouldn't be able to take a bath as a student, so if I had a time machine, I would not relocate myself.

To--Toukou--Toukou--A girl who will enter Maria-sama ga Miteru.

She has a very strong personality.

Chi--Chokoretto--Chocolate--I love pastries more.

(Me: All half-vowels in Japanese are formed by postfixing the consonant sound (in this case "chi") with a small version of the consonants in the "ya" section ("ya", "yo", and "yu" are the three) so "cho" is written "chi" small-"yo" which is why "cho" fits in the "chi" section.)

Ri--Ririan Jogakuen--Lillian Girls' School--It seems like it's on top of a hill.

Nu--Nurunuru--Slimy--The chief hates slimy food.

Ru--Ruri--Lapis Lazuli--Whether it's used as the name of an island, the name of a rock, or the name of a color, it's still beautiful.

Wo--Wo--Wo--When you were little, didn't you worry about balance when writing "wo" ?

Wa--Wanchan--Wanchan--My favorite type of dog. It isn't very small, has short hair, and is black.

Ka--Katakori--Stiff Shoulders--For some reason, my left shoulder is [a stiff shoulder].

Yo--Youchien no Sensei--Kindergarten Teacher--This is what I wanted to be when I was little.

Ta--Tabemono--Food--For some reason, I wanted to put food on this list .......

Re--Retaa--Letter--Thank you for your continuous stream of letters. I read them with pleasure.

So--Soba--Soba--In winter, I love to have it.

Tsu--Tsumami--Snacks accompanying alcohol--I have a lot of snacks that are supposed to accompany alcohol, even though I really don't like alcohol much.

Ne--Neko--Cat--Because the number of dogs in our area has grown smaller, I see a lot of cats.

Na--Natsu no Otogi--Summer service--Even now there are people who remember "Summer Service". It was a short film.

Ra--Ra jio--Radio--I listen to late night radio recordings. I'm a heavy listener.

Mu--Musashino--Musashino district--I have a feeling that it was a large place.

U--Undou--Exercise--I truly hate it. But, I can swim and I can run.

Wi--Wi--Wi--Whenever I use this kana, I think of a senpai I had whose name was Rumiko-chan. She wrote Kanji as if she wrote on the yen. They were very beautiful. If I see "wi", I remember her.

(Me: For those of you unfamiliar with modern Japanese linguistic his- tory, "wi" was one of the Kana removed from the Kana list during the '70s Japanese Ministry of Education language reforms. While you may think Japanese is a convoluted language to learn now, the complexity today is nothing compared to the Japanese of pre-reform days. Words like Otoko (meaning "man") were instead called Wotoko (with the "wo" pronounced slightly more breathily than "o" or just the same, just as today). In fact for years, some people legally didn't have names because their names used Kanji that were axed during the reforms. (Eventually, a set of old Kanji were kept just for naming purposes, which forms the name-Kanji of today.) Nowadays, most Japanese students recognize "wi" and its cut-off friend-in-crime "we" as bygones of a past age, but don't really know much about it.)

No--Nori--Dried Seaweed--I love it. I eat it all the time.

O--Oyuki--Oyuki--When I was named, my parents were thinking "What name rhymes with sushi?". Just like Chiyo rhymes with Kiku (Me: Chrysanthemum).

Ku--Kushami--Sneeze--Menthol is the name of a candy for the throat. It's very useful if you are sneezing.

Ya--Yamagata--Yamagata--My parents' birth town.

Ma--Maria-sama ga Miteru--The Virgin Mary is Watching You--On the internet page for Maria-sama ga Miteru, I recieved a comment "Even though it's soft, Maria-sama ga Miteru is perfect Yuri." and I laughed after reading it. That's about the most praiseworthy anyone's words can get for me. Thank you.

Ke--Ke--Kekkan--Blood Vessel--The nurse made me cry a little. But she drew my blood with such skill, she must be praised.

(Me: My dictionary says the word used for nurse here assumes a female gender, which is why I used "she".)

Fu--Futagoza--Gemini--It seems like two personalities piled in one. How does that work?

(Me: Futagoza's kanji translate to "two sitting children")

Ko--Konno--Konno--The Kon character in Konno makes me laugh.

E--E--Picture--It interests me.

Te--Tenisu--Tennis--In Junior college, my classmate asked me with a serious look "Why aren't you joining tennis or soccer?".

A--Ami mono--Knitting--Before, I used to zealously love it. But I haven't touched it in a while.

Sa--Sachiko--Sachiko--Her name isn't Shouko, it's Sachiko.

(Me: Often name Kanji in Japanese have different common readings. One common reading of the kanji used in Sachiko's name is Shouko.)

Ki--Kirai mono--Things one hates--Sachiko has many things she hates. I haven't heard of many things she likes.

Yu--Yume no Miya--Temple of Dreams--Because I'm under "Yu" heading, I chose this to write about.

Me--Megane--Glasses--I only use them when I'm watching television at home.

Mi--Mi--Snake (from Chinese Zodaic)--Mi and Mi and Mi and Mi, each use different characters. The Mi used in Yumi's name is the Mi from Year of the Snake.

(Me: In the beginning, each of the "Mi"s used a different Kanji. The Mi used in Yumi's name is the Mi used in Midoshi, or Year of the Snake."

Shi--Shinchou--Height--I'm shorter than you think I am. Yes, I am short.

We--We no Ji--The character We--I think of a kettle in the fire.

(Me: As I said above, "we" was another one of the Kana removed by the Japanese language reforms.)

Hi--Hinemosu--All day long--For some reason, I think of some round living thing falling asleep on a verando.

Mo--Moo Baagaa--Moo Burger--It's delicious, and I don't wait when eating one.

Se--Senkou--Incense--I like my room to have it. Aroma Therapy.

Su--Surippishu--Slippy Shoe--I'm sorry, wait for a little bit.

N--n (Me: In English)--n--Whenever I see either (Me: Japanese) n or (Me: English) n, I think they're both incredible.

......Well.

Somehow I've managed to fill nine pages, quite a large amount.

Next time, I'll make another bad cake. First Red, then yellow, next white.

Speaking of which, Rosa Gigantea is very popular ....... I'm having a lot of fun writing the story.

"Now it shall be revealed, Rosa Gigantea's past!!" (Excitement, excite- ment)

If Minako would have written it, I wonder if she would have called it that (laugh).

Well, whatever you think, I hope you feel happy.

Then, I'll see you again in spring.

(End.)