Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 26 Chapter 3
After school.
As arranged, both the organizers and the partic.i.p.ants in the Valentines Day event gathered in the courtyard once theyd finished cleaning.
Since the Lillian Kawaraban had repeatedly carried the message that anyone not present at 3:40pm would be disqualified, most of the partic.i.p.ants had been thinking about likely hiding spots as they cleaned and then made their way to the courtyard by 3:30pm - ten minutes early - and waited.
Yumi and the other hosts were to stay in the parlor on the second-floor of the Rose Mansion until just before the start.
"Hoho."
Yoshino-san kept peeking out the window from behind the curtain as she spoke.
"Id have hated it if there werent as many partic.i.p.ants as last year, when it was Sachiko-sama and Rei-chan hiding their cards, but theres quite a lot of people out there."
There were three other people in the room but none of them were by a window. Yoshino-san was the only one peeking outside. If theyd all gathered around to take a look, they would undoubtedly have been spotted by the students waiting out in the courtyard, and that would have been quite embarra.s.sing. At any rate, if they were spotted, they couldnt very well go out on a balcony and elegantly address them like Marie Antoinette.
"Oh, theres Sachiko-sama. Yumi-sans fans are slowly creeping over towards her. I wonder what theyre planning. I guess theyll probably follow her around, like what happened with us last year. In that case, I hope theyre brave."
Then, without a moments delay, Noriko-chan interjected.
"You girls, stop following me! Like that?"
"Oh, thats good!"
Yoshino-san heartily applauded this unexpected imitation. Shimako-san played the part of the onee-sama, chiding her pet.i.te sœur with a "Noriko."
Yumi remained seated, fixed to her chair.
"Hey, it hasnt even started yet, you dont have to sit there so nervous."
Yoshino-san joked, looking back over her shoulder.
"Well, I suppose."
But even so, what else should she do? There was no point having a strategy meeting this late in the game, and the newspaper club was handling all the setup and behind-the-scenes work, so there wasnt anything for the hosts to do.
"Oh, right. There might be some students that wont want to track dirt into the Rose Mansion, so we should —"
Hitting upon this idea, Yumi stood up, but Noriko-chan interrupted her.
"Put some damp rags out? I left three of them by the Rose Mansion entrance earlier."
"Ah &h.e.l.lip; I see."
So she sat down.
"We could check on the first floor storeroom, since we wont be able to go down there once it starts."
"But we just gave it a quick tidy-up at lunch-time."
Shimako-san smiled as she straightened the notice board hanging on the wall.
"And you were the one that said we should let our visitors see the Rose Mansion as it usually is, and not dress it up just for them, Yumi-san."
"Thats true."
In the end, it looked like all she could do was sit and wait for the event to start.
On that topic, Mami-san had repeatedly told them not to get in the newspaper clubs way and be a nuisance. Yumi in particular had been cautioned to watch what she said both before and during the event, so she wouldnt let slip a hint. Shed been labeled as someone requiring extra attention because she usually let everything she thought show on her face.
"Oh, theres a surprise."
With five minutes left until the beginning of the event, Yoshino-san called out, still keeping watch over the courtyard.
"Touko-chans arrived."
Naturally, the other three were all surprised when they heard this too.
"Toukos&h.e.l.lip;."
Apparently even her cla.s.smate, Noriko-chan, hadnt known. Or, more likely, when theyd spoke in the morning, Touko hadnt given a concrete answer and instead left her with the impression that she wouldnt partic.i.p.ate.
"Yumi-san."
Shimako-san patted her on the shoulder. As though to say, "Isnt that great?"
"Yeah."
Yumi smiled back at her.
Perhaps this was Touko-chans attempt to meet her half way. But even if it wasnt, the fact that Touko-chan had decided to partic.i.p.ate in the treasure hunt was enough to please Yumi.
On Sat.u.r.day, theyd left the school building together and then parted ways at the statue of Maria-sama. Yumi still had no idea why Touko-chan had attacked her with such venom back then.
She thought that it was probably a misunderstanding, although she had spent some time wondering whether she had done something to offend Touko-chan and just been too thick-headed to notice.
If it was a misunderstanding, then it should be cleared up. If shed caused offense, then she should apologize. But she couldnt do that until she knew the cause. Saying, "Im sorry but I dont know why," would just make Touko-chan even angrier.
So Yumi had decided to leave Touko-chan alone for a little while. Just until Touko-chan was willing to meet and talk with her.
Yumi didnt think that anything unrecoverable would happen by leaving her alone, since Touko-chan had Noriko-chan as her friend. Touko-chan would be okay as long as she had Noriko-chan.
Yumi still didnt know why Touko-chan had been so angry, but it had to be something serious to warrant that level of emotion.
If only Touko-chan hadnt reacted by slamming her heart shut. She was still coming to school as usual. And today, shed been composed enough to partic.i.p.ate in the event.
"Yumi-san, want to see?"
Yoshino-san offered up her place by the window, but Yumi declined and remained seated.
It was good to know that Touko-chan was there. It was good just to know that Touko-chan was there.
"Our three stars and Noriko-chan, dont you think its about time you made an appearance in the courtyard?"
Mami-san called out to them up the stairway.
"An appearance, huh."
It made them sound like princesses. The four girls exchanged glances and laughed.
Then the four princesses fired themselves up by standing in a huddle, layering their hands one atop the other, and shouting "Lets do it!" before descending the squeaky staircase.
"Now its time to start the Future Roses Treasure Hunt."
Mami-san announced through a megaphone.
At the same time, the three future Roses - Shimako-san, Yoshino-san and Yumi - made their appearance, and the cheer from the a.s.sembled students echoed into the cloudy winter sky.
"Well begin by sealing off the second–chance draw."
That phrase was the signal for Noriko-chan to appear holding the box that had been set up in the Rose Mansion for second–chance entries.
Mami-san sealed the entry slot with masking tape, then used a thick marker pen to write "Not to be opened until after the cards have been returned" so that it covered both the box and the tape. This way, neither Mami-san nor the future Roses would be able to tamper with the contents.
The students that were about to partic.i.p.ate in the treasure hunt werent eligible for the second–chance draw, so they had no stake in that entry box. Even so, they were lured in by Mami-sans performance and let out an "Oooh."
"Now, I trust all you partic.i.p.ants have your entry forms with you? Anyone that doesnt, please raise your hand."
After checking the smattering of raised hands, Noriko-chan set down the second–chance entry box and ran about handing out entry forms. Watching this unfold, a portion of the students made an "Oh?" expression.
Why was Rosa Gigantea en bouton doing this? Other than Mami-san, where were all the newspaper club members?
Actually, while these questions seemed the same, there were subtly different answers to the two.
"Would all the sœurs of the future Roses come over here, please. You will be given a five minute handicap again this year."
Sachiko-sama was the only person that followed these directions. Noriko-chan didnt move towards the indicated spot beside Mami-san.
"Thank you, f.u.kuzawa Yumi-sans onee-sama, Ogasawara Sachiko-sama. I can confirm that Shimazu Yoshino-sans onee-sama, Hasekura Rei-sama, has already made an entry in the second–chance draw. And finally —"
Mami-san looked at Noriko-chan as she spoke.
"Toudou Shimako-sans pet.i.te sœur, Nijou Noriko-san, has chosen to a.s.sist with todays event as part of the staff instead of partic.i.p.ating - for which she has our grat.i.tude."
The students that had been watching Noriko-chan in confusion, and those that hadnt noticed, all had expressions that said, "Why?" When the treasure hunt was first announced, the Lillian Kawaraban had printed an article stating that the future Roses sœurs would be partic.i.p.ating. Accordingly, Sachiko-sama was standing ready to accept her five minute handicap. Rei-sama couldnt be present today because she had exams, so shed placed her hope in the repechage round for losers (meaning someone who couldnt be present on the day) called the "second–chance draw." But, Noriko-chan.
"I was happy just to hear that my onee-sama wanted to search for my card. So Ill stay by my onee-samas side and a.s.sist where I can."
Was what shed said when she decided not to partic.i.p.ate. There wasnt even a trace of resignation or self-denial about it. Rather than spending the intervening time away from Shimako-san for a chance to search for her card, Noriko-chan had chosen to experience those hardships together with her onee-sama. Perhaps Noriko-chan felt that even if she didnt search for it, she already had Shimako-sans card in her heart.
So that explained why Noriko-chan was a.s.sisting, but it still left the mystery of where all the newspaper club members were. The answer was that, at present, they were distributing the cards and hints throughout the school.
Last year had been the first year for this event, and both the organizers and the partic.i.p.ants hadnt really known what they were doing, so a certain amount of b.u.mbling was acceptable. But having seen how it turned out, certain ragged edges became apparent based on things theyd noticed and predictions about how the next one would go. So, in the lead up to this years event, theyd made certain improvements.
One of those was that the cards werent hidden until just before the event.
Last year, Sachiko-sama had buried her crimson card in the old greenhouse early in the morning, and Rei-samas yellow card had remained hidden in a book in the library for quite a while too.
Shimako-sans white card had been hidden just before the event, but that was only possible because the spot shed chosen: the committee notice board made it easy since it looked like she was just posting a notice.
But this year was different. Things were a bit more complicated. The newspaper club members had to cover the area of the treasure hunt in a very short period of time.
It was more complicated because it would be a complete waste if they hid the cards at their leisure and they were discovered ahead of time. So theyd decided to hide the cards when all the partic.i.p.ants were gathered in the courtyard, just prior to the start. The repeated warnings that anyone not in the courtyard at 3:40pm would not be able to partic.i.p.ate were so that the partic.i.p.ants wouldnt be able to see them hide the cards.
The registration forms had been distributed a couple of days ahead of time, rather than immediately before the start like last year, to reduce the number of people required (in fact, it had all been left up to Noriko-chan to deal with).
The registration form was more or less the same as last year. It was split into two parts by a line to cut along, with the top part containing the treasure hunt rules and the bottom part a statement that the partic.i.p.ants would sign saying theyd abide by the rules. On the back, the top part contained a map of the school building and surrounds, with a dashed line showing the bounds of the treasure hunt. Basically, anything within the dotted line was in-bounds, and everything outside was out-of-bounds.
This year, the bounds were extended along the gingko-tree path to just before the school entrance. Naturally, it didnt extend into the neighboring university, nor into the security guards hut near the door.
"There are three cards that look like this: one red, one white, and one yellow. The first person to find them will be awarded the half-day date with the respective future Rose. Any ties will be decided by scissors-paper-rock."
Mami-san held up an example card as she continued her explanation.
"But its not just the cards that are hidden. Theres also hints and advice, so take care when youre searching."
This was also a new experiment this year.
They wanted to make it as fun as possible while also avoiding inconveniencing any of the staff and non-high school students - as much as they could for an event that was held on school grounds. But if they wrote down all of the things to be mindful of, the rules would have to be written in such a small font that people would get bored and just skip over them. So, they decided to put up warnings at places where the students would have to take extra care, and since it would be boring just to have warnings, they decided to mix some hints in too.
"Now if you could all check that youve filled out your name, grade, cla.s.s, and student number correctly on the entry form."
After answering all the partic.i.p.ants questions, Mami-san surveyed the courtyard and lazily nodded. The partic.i.p.ants were all focused on Mami-san so they probably hadnt noticed, but the newspaper club members had been slowly trickling back and the last one had just returned.
"The event ends at 4:40pm. You can start once youve handed in your form."
With that, the curtain was raised on the Future Roses Treasure Hunt.
It was the same as last year, in that while the partic.i.p.ants could be seen as a single group, once theyd submitted their forms there was a wide variety of subsequent actions.
Some ran away from the courtyard as fast as they could, some joined together in groups of friends to discuss, and others started by searching the courtyard — perhaps remembering the proverb that its hardest to see whats right under your nose. And then.
There were those that kept watch over the one student that had been given a delayed start. About ten girls. Probably all first-years.
"You dont have to worry about me. You can start your search already."
Sachiko-sama said, indicating that she didnt need the company.
"Is it a bother if we wait until you start, Rosa Chinensis?"
"Not at all, but if you wait for me then it makes the handicap pointless, doesnt it?"
Sachiko-sama smiled apologetically, still not understanding that those girls were going to follow her around.
(You girls, stop following me!)
It seemed like Noriko-chans impersonation would soon be echoed by the real thing. Yumi probably wouldnt be present to witness it, but she shuddered just imagining it. The first-years would probably break down in tears.
"Your five minutes is up."
Mami-san announced to Sachiko-sama, indicating that she could now start.
"I see."
But Sachiko-sama didnt spring into action immediately. She handed her entry form to Mami-san, then looked at the sky over the courtyard and took a deep breath.
"Yumi-san, please come with me."
Yumi was intrigued by her onee-samas actions, but she followed Mami-san into the Rose Mansion as requested. The task a.s.signed to the three future Roses was to wait in the headquarters — the Rose Mansions second-floor salon — for the cards to be found, or the time limit to be reached.
As Mami-san led her through the Rose Mansion foyer, they heard Sachiko-samas voice call out from behind.
"I thought I might have some tea in the Rose Mansion. How about you girls?"
(Huh&h.e.l.lip;?)
Yumi and Mami-sans eyes met. They looked back and, just like shed said, Sachiko-sama was walking towards them.
"Hey, Yumi-san, whys your onee-sama coming for tea instead of looking for your card?"
Ahead of them, Yoshino-san had also been surprised by this and stopped to turn around and inquire. Was it because shed given up on the treasure hunt already, or because she was so confident in her belief that she was the only one who could find Yumis hidden card?
"You didnt let anything slip to Sachiko-sama, did you?"
"&h.e.l.lip; I dont think so."
Yumi shook her head slightly under Mami-sans penetrating gaze.
She certainly hadnt let any verbal hints slip. Or rather, they hadnt had many opportunities to meet of late, and when they had met they didnt discuss the treasure hunt at all. She couldnt have let anything slip, although that didnt hold if Sachiko-sama has ESP.
"Tea! Ill get the tea ready!"
Realizing that they would soon have visitors, Noriko-chan dashed up the stairs, pa.s.sing both Shimako-san and Yoshino-san.
Sachiko-sama entered the Rose Mansion accompanied by five first-years. Last year, Satou Sei-sama had acted like a pick-up artist, bringing students back to the Rose Mansion.
Naturally, not all of the first-years had accepted Sachiko-samas invitation. About half of them had gone off to search on their own rather than sit around and drink tea.
"So this is how its going to be."
Yumis group all hurried so they could get there first and welcome their guests when they arrived.
It would be fine. They had prepared plenty of teacups and extra chairs because theyd expected that something like this might happen. While there were certain physical imitations, it had been the dream of the previous Rosa Chinensis, Mizuno Youko-sama, to see the Rose Mansion overflowing with students, and those ideals had been inherited by the current Red Rose sœurs.
"Alright, lets start with Yumi-san here, Yoshino-san there, and Shimako-san over there."
Mami-san briskly issued the instructions. It seemed shed given some thought to this — if the hosts were all seated together in a group it might have made it harder to approach them. As time went on, people would probably move around, or come and go, but it seemed she wanted to start things off on the right foot.
Yumi sat down "here," Yoshino-san sat down "there," but before Shimako-san could sit down "over there," the sound of someone knocking on the door announced the arrival of their guests. As the closest person to the door, Shimako-san went to open it.
"Welcome to the Rose Mansion."
The trio called out in unison, smiling elegantly at their visitors.
So it was that the treasure hunts competing event, the tea party, got off to a modest — but at least outwardly respectable — start.
It began with a gathering of the Rose Mansion inhabitants and five other girls.
But as time went on, the tea party would prove to be neither "modest" nor "competing."
At first, it was a leisurely tea party.
Since the treasure hunt had only just started, the partic.i.p.ants were relaxed, thinking, "It wont have been found just yet," but forgetting that the early bird catches the worm. Although the truth of that matter was reflected in the fact that no-one had appeared at the headquarters claiming victory.
The only sounds that could be heard on the second floor of the Rose Mansion were the chattering of girls that sounded a bit like birds singing, bursts of laughter that sounded like bells ringing, and the bubbling and whistling of the electric kettle. All soft sounds.
Even after finishing her cup of tea, Sachiko-sama still didnt leave the room. And since Sachiko-sama didnt make a move, neither did the first-years that shed invited.
"May I have another cup?"
Sachiko-sama asked Noriko-chan, lazily raising her teacup. Apparently she planned on staying for some time yet. Yumi wondered if she was doing this to detain the first-years, or if she wanted to experience Youko-samas dream for just a little while longer.
But apparently she was over-thinking it.
"Rosa Chinensis, are you so calm and composed because youve guessed where the card is hidden?"
One of the first-years asked, unable to endure the wait any longer. Depending on the answer, she was probably going to reconsider her own actions up to now.
"Hmm?"
Sachiko-sama tilted her head in confusion. Apparently she didnt understand what she was being asked.
"Youve guessed where Yumi-samas hidden her card, and its such an obscure location that youve got plenty of time, right? Otherwise, I cant understand why youd be relaxing here drinking tea."
Then another first-year leaned in and asked:
"Or did you never intend to look for the card?"
Quite right. Theyd followed Sachiko-sama because they expected that the onee-sama of a host would search for her card. But if Sachiko-sama never intended to look for her card, theyd have to quickly abandon their strategy.
"Youre both wrong."
Meaning that she hadnt guessed where the card was, but she hadnt given up searching either.
"Its because here &h.e.l.lip; Im by Yumis side."
"Huh?"
The first-years responded, looking like theyd been tricked. Yumi had also been quietly listening in, and while she didnt have a mirror, she was sure she had the same dumbfounded expression. Sachiko-sama had said that she was here because she didnt know where the card was — it was incomprehensible.
"If I dont know where it is, Im hardly going to find it by searching at random, am I?"
Well, that may be true. But even so, if she just stayed here and didnt search, shed eventually run out of time.
"But, Rosa Chinensis, didnt you say that you havent given up?"
"Yes, of course."
Sachiko-sama smiled.
"I entered into this event because I wanted to find Yumis card."
"Um&h.e.l.lip;."
The second-floor of the Rose Mansion was filled with looks of confusion.
"You dont understand?"
Sachiko-sama said, "Right now Im waiting," then looked straight at Yumi.
"Waiting for Rosa Chinensis en bouton to reveal her faults."
In a way, that may be the strongest strategy.
About that time, kendo club member Tanuma Chisatos eyes were drawn to a round, CD-sized piece of drawing paper affixed to the committee notice board.
The top part — basically, from 11 to 1 oclock — contained an ill.u.s.tration of a white rose and the word "Hint." The lower part, at 6 oclock, had "1/7" written.
And then.
The rest of the s.p.a.ce in the center was taken up by the single hiragana character "ma" written in big, bold strokes.
"Ma?"
It didnt take much thought to realize that this was a clue to the whereabouts of Shimako-sans card.
But, "ma."
What the heck did that mean?