Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 20 Chapter 4
After school at the Rose Mansion on Monday, Sachiko-sama asked, "So? How did it go?" Although she omitted the subject, Yumi didnt need her to specify. Onee-sama was seeking her report on the tea party.
"There were two sets of girls that became soeur right then and there. Afterwards, I wondered if it was a good idea to let them go through with it. But after knowing each other a little more, they will probably decide for themselves what they really want. There were quite a number of partic.i.p.ants; because of the meet and greet, there is the potential for a great many soeur to form."
The newspaper club was in the process of publishing the particulars. By way of an announcement, the article "The Tea Party Sisters" and the situation of those soeur was being chronicled in the Lillian Kawaraban. While drinking black tea, Sachiko-sama acknowledged with "hmm... hmm..." and listened to the report. Before long, Yumi said, "That is all," and brought her report to a close. Sachiko-sama put down her cup and frowned.
"The thing I want to hear the most about is my little sister and Reis. The two sets of soeur who formed that day, were either of you involved in forming one?" She used sufficient intensity. Yumi and Yoshino-san couldnt think; they just looked at each other.
"...We werent."
"Impossible. Neither of you did?" Her eyes caught a momentary flash of sunlight and shined. It was scary. But, there was no way they could lie about this. They just honestly confessed.
"Its... not possible."
"I see..." She was stunned. Sachiko-sama sighed with a disgusted face. Rei-sama had heard the gist of it from Yoshino-san. "Forgive me, I already knew as much," was the kind of vibe she had gotten and patted her shoulder. Sachiko-sama didnt give up quite that easily.
"Well then, how would you say your situation has changed from before the tea party began?"
"Well, if thats how its going to be..." she clapped her hands with a pop. "To the first-years who said they wanted to become our little sisters, we will call on them to come and help out after school. Because there was too many for any one meeting, we divvied up days to have them come, and thats what well do starting from today." For Yumi there were three helpers and Yoshino-san had two. Because there were only five, for Monday and Tuesday there would be one person each. Since this was a Monday, Aiko-chan who stuck to her like a puppy had said she was coming to help Yumi.
"I see. Well, where are those girls now?" Twisting around like a snake, Sachiko-sama rather unnaturally glanced about her. But even if she were to check, she must know there was no one else in the room other than the usual Yamayurikai members. Anyone could see her ill-humor reflected in her actions. Neither Shimako-san nor Noriko-chan would be rushing to Yumis rescue. The G.o.d you dont touch cant curse you. If they reacted individually, it was understood the situation would escalate.
"Thats strange. I wonder if they got lost on the way." Yumi answered with an insincere smile. In response, the angle of Sachikos eyebrows increased.
"If its true, theyre not winning any points toward becoming your little sister. But how might one get lost after coming to this school for a half a year I wonder. Given that they came to the Rose Mansion just the day before yesterday, for them to require someone to guide them here is problematic... No, rather its unthinkable." Darn it! Yumi thought, but the damage had been done.
"Onee-sama, you must be joking."
"Why would I joke, its not a laughing matter? At least you can laugh, compared to a little while ago."
"Im sorry." But, she couldnt understand why they hadnt come. Aiko-chan who had tentatively been one of Yumis little sister candidates, would feel more able to come and go freely. It was troublesome for Yumi. In spite of that, she needed guidance. Sachiko-sama couldnt say flat out, "I dont understand why they havent come," so she had inadvertently let her feelings escape in jest.
When they had been deciding who would be coming to help today, Aiko-chan had been the first to raise her hand. Because she was so enthusiastic, she would have been thrilled to be the first to show up. Surely she could not have forgotten.
At that moment...
"Good day. Ive come to help." Aiko-chan had her utmost spirit switched on as she entered the second-floor room.
"To help...." It would soon be four oclock. All the Yamayurikai members checked their watches at the same time, which meant they also immediately saw the time on their neighbors wrist.w.a.tch. The question of whether or not her watch was wrong, she was likely to have confirmed it. It looked entirely like a scripted scene from a play. And yet, that didnt change the fact that it was four oclock.
"Oh, everyones gathered, huh. From the first-year Plum Group, Im..."
Without waiting to introduce herself, Sachiko-sama asked, "Whats this?"
"Huh?"
"Because you suddenly show up at the last minute to help, did you really plan to come? If so, dont hold back and trade places with someone. If this was a situation you could not get out of, its not necessary to try and come and overwork yourself. Since were shorthanded, its not a bother. However, in such a case, properly inform us in advance of your absence." Even thought this was her little sisters little sister candidate, for the moment Aiko-chan was at the fulcrum of being half a Rose Mansion guest, and half a Yamayurikai apprentice. Although Sachiko-sama was restraining her temper as much as possible, what had to be said was stated firmly.
However...
"No. I hadnt planned on being absent. Only, in order to meet the Roses and everyone, I ended up spending time preparing my appearance. Actually, today was Phys. Ed., you know. Having my hair in a headband is a habit I dont take lightly." Her reply dumbfounded everyone present.
"I... I see." Sachiko-sama had already forgotten that she was angry. Her face was drawn back. This was bad. This was considerably bad. Yumi took Aiko-chans hand and pulled her to the corner of the room.
"Look, it doesnt matter what your hair looks like."
"Huh? But, I couldnt come before Yumi-sama with a shameful appearance&h.e.l.lip;"
"I just splash water on my hair. Its not something I would come to hate you for. But you can really save me by cleaning the room or preparing the tea. Even if you say you want to help, isnt it impossible to immediately entrust the work of the student council to you? While first doing the odd jobs, the people here will come to depend on you. Thats whats called for." At that point she was finally able to speak. Aiko-chan seemed to have noticed her mistake.
"Yumi-sama, I... What should I do?" Tears followed. At this late hour, a task like cleaning the room would be impossible. Everyone had already served themselves tea.
"I understand so calm down. First why dont you pour yourself some tea. While youre at it, offer everyone refills. Its okay. Then we still need to tidy up. When you arrive its good to take the initiative and wash and hang the cups." Keeping attentive to both this side of the room and the other, Yumi spoke quickly in a whisper. Onee-sama was serious.
"Yes." Aiko-chan nodded. Sachiko-sama appeared to be putting on a performance.
"I wonder could someone refill my tea?"
"Yes, right away." Aiko-chan hurried to see to the teakettle. As a way of saying "thank you" Yumi bowed her head to Sachiko-sama. Onee-samas older sister had also been serious.
"Ah, Rosa Foetida. Excuse me, could I have your signature?" It was Tuesday after school. Yoshinos little sister candidate had come to help out.
"Signature?" Actually she should have gone to her club activities. Rei-chan should go but, it seemed like this little sister candidate seemed worried. She had ending up coming to the Rose Mansion while still wearing a dougi . When she saw that girls face, it had seemed like she was ready to visit the Budoukan .
But being asked for her signature just after meeting her, it was the same as yesterday with Sachiko-samas face cramping up. "This is what I feared," Yoshino thought.
This first-year student was a Rei-chan fan. Though she didnt know whether or not the person in question was aware of it, the girl had become considerably bubbly. Even still, this first-year had said she wanted to become my soeur. Even though I thought she had been deeply moved, in the end her aim had been to get close to Rei-chan. My pride was ripped to shreds. Why would I want that girl? (Although its a waste, should I eliminate her from the running?)
Two candidates vs. three candidates. Even when Im at my best, Yumi-san beats me in the number of followers. If I were to eliminate this person as a possible candidate, that only leaves one. What should I do, Yoshino? (But unlike Yumi-sans fan from yesterday, this girl wasnt late; shes light on her feet. And shes not overly cheerful.)
She was earnestly searching for a good candidate, so she restrained from rounding her choices down to one. In the end, she would ride roughshod over the objections. In my report to Rei-chan, there would be my name and a blank next to my chosen soeur.
As it is, Rei woozily left the room. It was like her life energy had been sucked away. In such a state, would her kendo practice be all right?
"Ah, Rosa Chinensis. Rosa Chinensis would you also give me your autograph?" (I withdraw my previous remarks) Rather than being one of Rei-chans fans, she might just be a simple follower of each new fad. When those fad-seeking hands reached toward Yumi-san, Yoshinos cord of patience was finally cut.
"Youre fired." That girl didnt understand why Yoshino lost her patience. For a while afterward, her eyes would be made red and swollen.
On Wednesday, Nozomi-chan came. She brought four of her cla.s.smates with her. Drinking tea and chatting, they came and went as quickly as a storm. Then came Thursday. Misae-chan introduced herself as Yoshinos little sister. Yoshino-san paid her heed for only a moment. Crying, she returned the way she had come. They had planned to have Chigusa-chan arrive on Friday. In the end, she didnt come.
And then the fated Sat.u.r.day arrived.