Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 27 Chapter 1
The alarm on Mami-sans wrist.w.a.tch noisily sounded.
Game over.
Time was up for the treasure hunt.
The partic.i.p.ants had already started to a.s.semble in the courtyard. Although they couldnt hear Mami-sans alarm, theyd come because they could each tell the time with their own watches.
4:40pm.
The individually tiny voices and laughter joined together and knocked on the outside of the rooms gla.s.s window, like a wave breaking upon the sh.o.r.e.
Everyone was waiting for the results to be announced.
However.
Here, in the room on the second floor of the Rose Mansion, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
The events that had taken place during the last few moments had been so hectic that it took a while for comprehension to catch up.
Either that, or everyones mind had gone blank as they struggled to think of how to control a situation that was as chaotic as someone upending a toy-box, scattering toys everywhere.
Lets sort out what happened.
First off, at 4:35pm, Rosa Chinensis (Ogasawara Sachiko-sama), having waited until the time was ripe, ordered the hider of the red card, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton (f.u.kuzawa Yumi), to, "Stand up."
Just as Yumi was in the process of standing up, Matsudaira Touko-chan, who until that moment hadnt set foot in the Rose Mansion at all that day, burst into the room with incredible force, looking for all the world like a person possessed.
"Yumi-sama, wont you take me as your pet.i.t soeur?"
All the students around them had been surprised, but the most surprised had to be the person being addressed herself. Its said you can never really know another person, but Yumi had asked Touko-chan to be her soeur previously, and been refused. On top of that, shed been attacked by Touko-chan once more the previous week, albeit as part of a completely incomprehensible conversation, and the subsequent cold shoulder had not really garnered her any sympathy.
Some kind of misunderstanding had obviously arisen between them. Therefore a refusal would be soon forthcoming, and then a wait for the blood that had obviously gone rushing to Touko-chans head to recede so that the misunderstanding could be sorted out and the tie between them cut. It shouldnt take too long. The surrounding students decided to settle themselves.
And yet, Touko-chan had come sprinting, door-slamming, panting and leaping in front of Yumi as though something had happened.
It seems reasonable enough that surprise would reach Yumis face before happiness or any other emotion.
Then, without thinking, she stood up. That was when the red card made its entrance. As a result of spending the last hour wedged between the chair cushion and Yumis backside, it was warm from her body heat.
"Ah."
And that was when the alarm went off on the wrist.w.a.tch worn by the head of the newspaper club, Yamaguchi Mami-san.
Well, what to do now.
Somebody, take control. Of this situation.
There was somewhere between twenty and thirty (no time to take an accurate count) students watching on, holding their breath.
At that point.
"Its 4:40pm. The treasure hunt has ended, so would all the partic.i.p.ants please a.s.semble in the courtyard. I repeat - "
The voice came from the schools PA system.
"Ha."
Hidemi-chans voice sounding through the speakers brought everyone back to reality. Hidemi-chan had been scheduled to make the announcement from the broadcasting room in place of her onee-sama Mami-san, who couldnt move from the events headquarters, that is, the Rose Mansion. Of course, her watch was synchronized with Mami-sans. The approximately ten seconds delay was probably due to confusion about how to use the equipment in the broadcasting room.
"This is no good. We have to get out there."
Mami-san called out. In other words, what would happen if the promoters were late? She still had the important task of announcing the results ahead of her.
"Everyone, to the courtyard, quickly."
Having calmed down, the other students heeded these words and broke for the biscuit door. Rosa Gigantea en Bouton (Nijou Noriko-chan) who was today playing the role of a.s.sistant, dashed out carrying three baskets full of bite-sized chocolates that were prizes for partic.i.p.ation.
Things moved fast. Like watching an emergency evacuation.
However.
"One moment."
Sachiko-sama called Mami-san to a halt.
"Theres just one thing I want to confirm. What do you plan to do about the red card?"
"Ah&h.e.l.lip;"
Yoshino-sans yellow card had been found by Tanuma Chisato-san. Shimako-sans white card hadnt yet been claimed, so a winner would be chosen from amongst the absentee entrants.
However, what of the red card?
It was only just within the time limit, but the red card had made an appearance. However, while it had "made an appearance" there had been no specific person that had come forth, card in hand, and said, "Ive found it." In truth, the red card was even now still atop the cushion, although it had probably cooled down slightly.
"Well &h.e.l.lip; "
Mami-san started to speak, but then closed her mouth.
If multiple people found the card at the same time, the winner was supposed to be impartially decided by rock-paper-scissors. But did that mean that chance was granted to all partic.i.p.ants in the room, with the exception of Chisato-san. But then there were those who were at point-blank range, and those who were further away and only found out about the card later, and various levels in-between, so it couldnt just be decided by calling everyone together and having them all play rock-paper-scissors.
If, just after 4:35pm, Yumi had stood up when Sachiko-sama had asked her to, then the red card would unquestionably belong to Sachiko-sama. But, with the arrival of Touko-chan, the situation became more complicated.
"Its Touko-chans, right?"
Sachiko-sama said.
"Uh."
Upon hearing these unexpected words, everyone caught their breath simultaneously. Sachiko-sama hadnt stopped Mami-san to press her own claim.
"But, even if you say that Rosa Chinensis."
"Its true that I asked Yumi to stand up. But even though she started moving, she remained seated. It was Touko-chan that made her stand up."
The partic.i.p.ants who had been entertaining a slight hope despondently filed towards the door. Someone with a far stronger case than they had just renounced her claim. With that, there was no way it would be overturned.
"Yumi-san."
Mami-san turned around and called her name. Seeking confirmation that this was acceptable.
Yumi nodded.
Just like Sachiko-sama had said, Yumi had started the process of getting out of her chair, but she had still remained seated. It had been the shock of hearing Touko-chans words that had caused her to stand up.
If it had been someone other than Touko-chan, Yumi probably would have accepted. But it was Touko-chan, so nothing more complicated needed to be considered.
"Then hand the red card to Matsudaira Touko-san. Well handle the formalities later."
Mami-san spoke quickly, as she made a dash for the biscuit door.
"Okay, everyone out."
In accordance with that order, everyone quickly left the room like commuters exiting a train during rush-hour. Yumi started walking in the opposite direction, opposing that flow.
She could see both Touko-chan and Sachiko-sama, but they were too far away that she couldnt reach out to either of them.
"Testing, one, two."
Mami-san said, speaking into a megaphone. Despite departing in such a hurry, Mami-san strode purposefully into the courtyard with her demeanor conveying, "Ive emerged at precisely the appointed time," and exuding the impression, "Everything is going according to schedule," as she stood in front of the partic.i.p.ants. The slight hoa.r.s.eness in her voice just added to the charm.
"This is the deadline for anyone who has found a card to come forward."
The three future Roses, that is Yumi, Yoshino-san, and Shimako-san, stood beside Mami-san. The members of the newspaper club, who had been scattered around the school during the treasure hunt, had also resumed their positions in the courtyard. Only Hidemi-chan, who had gone to the broadcasting room to make the earlier announcement, was nowhere to be seen.
"In that case, I shall announce the results."
When Mami-san said this, all the chattering students stopped their conversations and looked towards the front.
"This year, two of the treasures, the boutons cards, were found."
This caused a bit of a stir. Those who already knew this result and those who were hearing it for the first time listened carefully to what came next. The red flush that was visible across their faces probably couldnt be explained solely by the setting sun.
Of the three, two were found - which meant that one was still undiscovered. That kind of result probably gave rise to agitation within the primary partic.i.p.ants.
"Would those people whose name I call please step forward."
Losing out to the surrounding tumult, Mami-san raised her voice as she spoke into the megaphone.
"The first card found was the yellow card. It was claimed by Tanuma Chisato-san, from the second-year chrysanthemum cla.s.s."
Both applause and gasps of surprise came from the crowd. That was understandable. Chisato-san had claimed the yellow card last year, and followed it up with a repeat performance this year. So this was the second consecutive year shed achieved this remarkable feat.
From amongst those excited voices Chisato-san calmly made her way to Mami-sans side, her face showing she was eminently pleased with the reaction she was getting.
"Good grief."
Yoshino-san shook her head, as she too moved. In the event that a card was found, the hider of the card would stand next to the victor. That had been arranged and agreed to beforehand.
"Congratulations."
"Thank-you."
The interview began.
"Ill start by asking how youre feeling about being the first person to find a card."
"Im really happy."
The interview proceeded at a surprisingly brisk pace, because at some unknown point in time Mami-sans megaphone had been swapped for a microphone. Since Hidemi-san could be seen hunched over walking away from Mami-san with the megaphone under her arms, the obvious inference was that shed borrowed the microphone from the broadcasting room and brought it with her. - What a commendable pet.i.t soeur.
"And where did you find the yellow card?"
"On the exterior wall of the staff room."
As expected, there was a stir from the audience, and even some booing. The explanation that was given earlier in the room on the second floor of the Rose Mansion would have to be repeated.
"The exterior wall of the staff room? Is that correct, Rosa Foetida en Bouton?"
Of course, Mami-san had antic.i.p.ated this reaction from the crowd and calmly continued the interview.
"Yes. That is correct."
Yoshino-san agreed.
"But I can hear a number of people saying that the staff room was out of bounds."
Then, Yoshino-san and Chisato-san both looked immensely self-satisfied as they simultaneously said:
"The inside was."
Neither of the pair said anything more, instead only smiling broadly. In the end, it fell to Mami-san to settle things once more.
"If you look at the maps you were given, I think youll all understand - "
Much thanks for all your hard work.
Mami-san then asked Chisato-san if she had any final statement, handing the mic over to her.
"If this treasure hunt event is held next year, naturally Ill be aiming to get the yellow card for a third year running. When that happens, club president, Id like my name inscribed on a roll of honor, so that future generations know of my deeds."
High-school was three years. So, short of repeating a grade, a record of three consecutive victories could never be broken. Of course, this year the middle-school students had been allowed to enter in the form of the "absentees chance draw," but that should probably be viewed as a special case since it didnt involve actually walking the grounds and searching for yourself.
"Its a deal."
Mami-sans a.s.surance was met with much cheering and applause. In reality, a miraculous string of three consecutive victories was unlikely to happen, but everyone present was all fired up.
"Okay, moving on to the red card, which was found only moments before time was up."
Silence fell over the courtyard.
"After consultation, Matsudaira Touko-san, from the first-year Camellia cla.s.s, was declared the winner."
At that instant.
The ground shook as though there were an earthquake. Unheralded, thunder rang out. A sudden gust of wind rocked the school walls. - Of course, none of those things actually happened, but theyre good metaphors for the roar of voices that reverberated around the courtyard.
The sound of all different voices clashing together made a noise that was hard to believe could come from humans. Those few moments of sound encompa.s.sed cheers of joy, angry roars, shrieks, and applause - to name just a few. At any rate, they all undoubtedly conveyed surprise.
"Over here, please, Matsudaira-san."
From amongst these seething voices, Touko-chan emerged looking completely unaffected by the reaction, and took the final few steps to stand beside Mami-san.
On reflection, it was good that both Chisato-san and Touko-chan had made their way to the Rose Mansion before the time limit was up. As a result, when they went downstairs they were towards the front of the crowd (ie. standing near the entrance to the Rose Mansion), so they werent expected to push their way through the crowd.
"You too, Yumi-san."
When Shimako-san pointed this out, Yumi belatedly remembered that she had to go and stand next to Touko-chan.
Standing next to Touko-chan.
Everything had been in such a state of confusion since Mami-sans alarm went off that Yumi hadnt had time to become conscious of it. However, Touko-chan had indeed said those words.
(Yumi-sama, wont you take me as your pet.i.t soeur?)
Just remembering it was enough to make her heart race. Yumi nervously looked out upon the crowd, as though she herself was the one who had found the treasure.
"Congratulations."
"Thank-you."
The interview commenced, with Yumi standing by. There was still a little bit of noise around, but everyone gave Touko-chan their attention because they all wanted to hear the full story from the finder of the red card.
"So tell me, where did you find the red card?"
"On the second floor of the Rose Mansion."
Touko-chan answered. Whereupon Mami-san asked, with a straight face:
"Could you provide us with some more details?"
Touko-chan glanced at Yumi. As though to ask, "Is that okay?" Of course, Yumi nodded. Since that answer contained a deeper meaning, it had always been her intention to tell the specifics of the location.
"On a chair. Rosa Chinensis en Bouton had been sitting atop the card."
The moment Touko-chan said this, the courtyard burst into uproarious laughter.
"Is that correct, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton?"
"Er, ah, yeah."
Yumi hastily agreed to Mami-sans request for confirmation. She hadnt considered that this would be met with laughter. Touko-chan had probably antic.i.p.ated this, and thats why shed initially responded with, "On the second floor of the Rose Mansion."
Probably thinking that this explanation was unsatisfactory, Mami-san added her own commentary.
"Immediately following the start, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton sat on that chair, the card pressed against her b.u.t.t, for the entire hour. But it wasnt brute force - shed a.s.sured us that she would stand up if anyone asked her to do so. Five minutes before the end, Rosa Chinensis en Boutons onee-sama, Rosa Chinensis, asked her to stand up, and she started to do so, but was made to sit down again. Immediately afterward, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton was startled into standing up by the force with which Matsudaira Touko-san entered into the room. As Im sure all the partic.i.p.ants that were there to witness the events would testify. Rosa Chinensis accepted this situation, and Rosa Chinensis en Bouton gave it her seal of approval. And with that, Matsudaira Touko-san was acknowledged as the winner."
After Mami-san had said that much, Noriko-chan, who had slipped away and gone back into the Rose Mansion at some earlier point in time, came dashing out of the entrance carrying a bundle of doc.u.ments and whispered something into her ear. Mami-san nodded in agreement, and said:
"Since we didnt have time earlier, Ill take the opportunity now."
Grinning, she turned to Touko-chan.
"Matsudaira Touko-san, sorry to bother you, but may I see your student card?"
"Okay."
Touko-chan put her hand into her pocket and produced her student ID card. Mami-san took the card and compared it to what was on the papers that Noriko-chan brought. This was just a precaution - surely shed registered properly.
It must have only taken about five seconds, but Yumis nervousness grew and grew.
Mami-san nodded.
"This is indeed her entry form. She is officially recognized as the holder of the red card."
A mixture of applause and sighs could be heard from the partic.i.p.ants who had been watching intently, awaiting the outcome.
"Now, just a reminder that in the unlikely event that two "absentees chance" entrants both picked the correct location, those entries would not be honored."
In other words, if the prize was over-subscribed, it would not be awarded.
"Which brings me to the white card, which sadly went undiscovered. Preliminary results indicate a single entrant picked the correct location, winning the white card and the special prize of a half-day date. The name of the winner, and the location of the white card, will be published in the Valentines Day special edition of the Lillian Kawaraban. Well also have speculation about the dates, so we hope youll look forward to it!"
The response to Mami-sans feel-good PR for the school newspaper was an abundance of cries of dissatisfaction. Understandable, really. The special edition wasnt going to come out today, and if it were to include speculation about the dates then it probably wouldnt be out for at least a week. Waiting that long would be hard for even the best trained dog.
But, now that shed said that, there was no going back. Mami-san brought the event to a close, forcing the words out her mouth.
"And on that note, the "Future Roses Treasure Hunt" Valentines Day event comes to an end. Id like to thank everyone that was involved in the event. The future Roses will be handing out chocolates to all the partic.i.p.ants, so please take one on your way out."
Yumi took one of the baskets that Noriko-chan had prepared and hurried to the edge of the courtyard. Similarly, Yoshino-san stationed herself near the entrance to the school buildings, and Shimako-san moved to a spot along the path that led towards the rear of the courtyard, so that the students would be enticed to disperse.
"Thanks for partic.i.p.ating, please take one."
Inside the basket were merely bite-sized chocolates, but the partic.i.p.ants received them as though they were the treasure.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"It was fun."
Seeing their smiling faces and hearing their words of thanks made Yumi want to throw the basket in the air and jump for joy. Of course, it would be problematic if the chocolates came flying out of the basket, so she didnt do this.
"Yumi-sama. What did you think about Touko-san finding the card?"
One of them hit her with a straight ball, out of nowhere. The girl had a tense expression on her face, as though shed been angry when she heard the result. A first-year, apparently. Yumi wasnt busy, since this girl seemed to have waited to approach her until after the crowd had thinned out, when she wouldnt be inconveniencing anyone.
"What did I think?"
Yumi tilted her head, questioningly.
"Well, Rosa Chinensis must have realized it was on the chair, right? And yet, it seems a bit unfortunate, you know."
"I see."
This girl was being serious - there was no trace of deception or an attempt to conceal anything. So she was openly speaking what was on her mind.
"You know, whether it was Touko-san, or Rosa Chinensis, or even someone else I dont know, my feelings probably wouldnt change. Id just be happy that someone found it. And thats how I am now."
After shed said that, Yumi impishly drew her index finger up to her mouth.
"Although thats a bit rude to Shimako-san, since no-one found her card. Dont tell her I said that, okay?"
The first-year laughed at this, and the tension seemed to be released.
"Whether the person who found the card was someone I knew well, or someone I didnt know at all, wouldnt change my feelings."
"So youd still feel that way, even if Id found the card, for example?"
"Of course. Id be delighted."
"I understand. Sorry for asking such a strange question."
"Not at all. Thanks for partic.i.p.ating."
After taking a chocolate from the proffered basket, the girl quickly bowed her head and ran off. Feeling refreshed, Yumi watched her go for a short while.
"You done?"
Hearing that voice, Yumi turned around and saw that Yoshino-san had made her way over and was swinging her basket around.
"Rei-chan said she wanted one, and theres some left over, so is it okay if I give it to her? A chocolate, that is."
"That should be fine &h.e.l.lip; ah, wait."
Looking around the courtyard, a group of students remained congregated around Shimako-san. Would she have enough chocolates left in her basket to be able to handle that group?
"Dont worry about them. All of those girls already took a chocolate."
Yoshino-san said, yawning.
"Theyve got a chocolate, but they still havent gone home?"
"You should remember what happened last year, Yumi-san."
"Ah."
Where on earth had Shimako-san hidden her white card? Those who just couldnt wait for the Lillian Kawaraban special edition to come out were sticking around, unwilling to leave. Probably intending to accompany the newspaper club members when they went to retrieve it.
"Like I said, itll be revealed in the Lillian Kawaraban special edition."
Even at this distance, they could hear Mami-sans troubled voice as she explained the situation. But Yumi and Yoshino-san knew she really wasnt that troubled. She was just sifting out the partic.i.p.ants, until an appropriate number remained. And, because they knew this, the group stubbornly remained, despite her calls for them to go home.
"Hold on a minute."
Mami-san said to the remaining students, then walked over to Yumi and Yoshino-san.
"It doesnt look like Ill get the numbers down any further than this, so Im going to get the white card. How about you, Yumi-san, Yoshino-san?"
Will you come too? Thats what was being asked, and Yumi and Yoshino-san looked at each other. There were about fifteen or sixteen girls left in the group. Add to that Tsutako-san and Mami-san from the newspaper club, the leading lady Shimako-san and her pet.i.t soeur Noriko-chan, and it was a pretty big bunch. The more people there were the harder it would be to lead them, plus they already knew the hiding place, so they decided to sit this one out.
"Well tidy up the Rose Mansion."
"Really? Thatll be a great help. I told the other newspaper club members they could leave after theyd collected the hints for Shimako-sans card, and its getting late, so this looks like a good place to call it a day. The review meetings tomorrow at lunch. See ya."
Without waiting for an acknowledgment from Yumi or Yoshino-san, Mami-san headed back to where Shimako-san and the others were waiting. As a group, they headed off towards the school building with Shimako-san in the lead.
Which led to an odd sensation. The courtyard, which had earlier seemed to be absolutely buried beneath the ma.s.s of students suddenly seemed quite deserted, now that there were none there.
After picking up washcloths that were hanging on the line between the Rose Mansion and the school building, the bouton pair entered the Rose Mansion.
"That Touko-chan,"
Yoshino-san said, as they climbed the stairs.
"Hmm?"
"She didnt go to you, did she, Yumi-san?"
For a moment Yumi had no idea what Yoshino-san was talking about, but then Yoshino-san swung around and held out her basket, and Yumi realized that she was talking about when they were handing out chocolates to the partic.i.p.ants.
"Ah, now that you mention it."
Yumi realized that, indeed, she hadnt seen Touko-chan get a chocolate.
"Its not, "Now that I mention it." She took a chocolate from my basket, then left. Whats up with you two?"
"What do you mean, whats up with us?"
Yumi hastily followed her friend who stomped up the steps with an angry and amazed look on her face.
"Just before, there was that huge uproar when she asked to become your pet.i.t soeur in front of everyone. Then after that, its like, ohhh, nothing happened - but thats not true, right?"
When you put it that way.
"This time she was the one that asked. So hurry up and give her the rosary already, and stop all this constant flirting, and flirting, and flirting, and flirting."
Yoshino-san waited for Yumi to finish climbing the stairs, then slung her arm over Yumis shoulder, around her neck, and pulled it in tight.
"Owwwww."
Chocolates from their baskets scattered all over the floor.
Yumi used the dust cloth in her free right hand to signal her surrender and eventually Yoshino-san relaxed her hold. Then, rather than removing her arm, Yoshino-san left it there, swung around in front of Yumi and embraced her with both arms.
" &h.e.l.lip; Im so glad, Yumi-san."
Yoshino-san whispered into Yumis ear.
"Yeah."
Their bodies separated and they smiled at each other. The joy was doubled and the sadness halved. Yumi was thankful to have that sort of a friend to care for her.
"Alright. Lets hurry up and clean this place, Rei-chans waiting in the cla.s.sroom for me to meet her, so we can go home."
With satisfaction emanating from every part of her body, Yoshino-san did as she said and hurried into the room.
" &h.e.l.lip; Oh geeze."
Left behind in the corridor, Yumi gathered the scattered chocolates in her basket, picked up the washcloth and headed for the biscuit door.
"Whats taking you so long?"
Yoshino-sans voice called out from inside.
It was only after theyd gone out the main entrance that she realized they should have left the chocolate basket behind.
"Onee-sama."
Noriko quickly closed the distance to Shimako-san, walking in front, and clasped her hand over Shimako-sans where she held the basket, allowing it to be pa.s.sed to her. It had been prepared with a slightly larger number of chocolates than the others, so there was still about twenty remaining.
"Ah."
Shimako-san reacted by smiling. As Noriko expected, she too had apparently forgotten about the basket until just then.
"Thank-you."
"Dont mention it."
Shimako-sans smile was a high quality energy source for Noriko to run on. Yoshino-sama and Yumi-sama may scoff, but Noriko had no thoughts of cooling her love for her onee-sama.
So, when Mami-sama asked her, "What will you do?" naturally she answered with, "Ill go with you." She absolutely wanted to be there when the trick behind Shimako-sans hidden white card was revealed to everyone.
Of course, it would be a lie to say she wasnt interested in seeing Yumi-samas response to Toukos confession, but that was no reason to be impatient. Let nature take its course, and since theyd reached that point it would probably end peacefully. Trying to rush things would just cause problems.
After taking possession of the basket, Noriko stood still for a while, allowing the group of white-card-seekers to catch up and overtake her, before continuing again. Having a pet.i.t soeur buzzing around the leading lady Shimako-san would be an eyesore for the partic.i.p.ants, and Noriko didnt want that.
"Log skewered rabbit."
Noriko caught part of the conversation between the students walking ahead of her.
(Log skewered rabbit?)
What the heck. Just as she was thinking that, the image of a rabbit being spit roasted on a thick log forced its way into her head.
Log skewered rabbit. Was that the signature dish of some famous chef?
But, sticking a spit thick enough to be called a log through a rabbit, seriously -. Shed seen a TV show on this topic a while back, and the largest rabbits used for food were about the size of a medium dog.
"Enjoyable rabbit circle."
That was the next sentence she heard.
(Enjoyable rabbit circle?)
Or maybe it was, "Enjoyable rabbit check." Either way, it painted a happy picture. Rabbits dancing under a full moon.
"Shine rabbit soup."
Back on the signature dishes, then. Almost like what happened in the legend, The Hare of Inaba. -
After thinking that, Noriko had a moment of realization. They still hadnt given up on trying to deduce the location of Shimako-sans white card. When the time limit was reached, it was obvious from Rosa Chinensis testimony that six out of the seven hints had been brought to the Rose Mansion, but now the girls who had been out running around and searching had linked up, they had the full set. So they were shuffling the characters and picture around, trying to come up with the answer.
Such a shame, but neither "Log skewered rabbit" nor "Enjoyable rabbit circle" were correct. As for "Shine rabbit soup," thats not even a proper sentence. But most of all, if that was the hint, where would you search? Its not as though theres a rabbit warren anywhere on campus.
"That picture, should it really be rabbit? Or is there some better way of describing it?"
Noriko silently agreed with that statement.
(Exactly. Youll never solve the riddle if you think thats just an ordinary rabbit. Sorry that its such a bad picture. Actually, I was the one that drew it.)
In truth, she had intended to spend some time practicing and draw a better one, but Yoshino-sama had said, "You dont want to make it too easy to understand, because then people will find the card right away." So instead Noriko submitted the initial drawing that shed done solely from memory. If the main reason that Shimako-sans card had not been found was because of that drawing, then that was most regrettable.
Taking the path leading past the library, they came to the path lined with ginkgo trees.
Setting aside the "drawing of a rabbit that cant be called a rabbit," there were six characters.
Ku, shi, ta, no, ma, ru (in syllabic order)[1]
As expected, no one thought that the ma was the ma from Maria-samas statue, so even as they drew close they all kept walking at pace.
As they continued to walk, they slowly drew closer to the goal. And as they walked and shuffled the cards, there was a certain synergy that led to a connection, with sporadic cries of, "Ah," and, "Could it be," filling the air.
(Yes, thats correct.)
Inside the school gates, just beside the security guards post was the car park.
The white-card-recovery-squad watched a blue car come out of the car park, then went in.
"You were looking to make a big splash, huh Shimako-san."
Mami-san muttered when they saw the car park.
"&h.e.l.lip; Indeed."
Following their gaze, the students all dashed off in search of the answer. Noriko too sprinted away, fl.u.s.tered. The basket was a bit of a nuisance, but Noriko ran with one hand over the top of it to keep the chocolates from spilling out.
"Such high spirits."
Shimako-san smiled at Mami-sama, as neither gave chase. They both continued to walk calmly. Of course, Noriko already knew where the card was hidden, so she hadnt had to wait until now to get the answer. But she did want to find out what state it was in currently.
At that moment, there were hardly any cars in the car park. They continued further in, to the s.p.a.ces near the wall that were reserved for the teaching staff.
When they reached the destination, the students stood there, dumbstruck.
(Victory to Shimako-san.)
In her mind, Noriko a.s.sumed a triumphant pose.
In the parking area reserved for teachers, in a single parking s.p.a.ce, a transparent plastic sleeve was stuck to the ground with masking tape. Despite the plastic, there was no mistaking it. Inside was -
"The white card &h.e.l.lip; "
Someone said.
"But, I had a look around this area earlier, and it wasnt like this."
Someone else said, dumbfounded.
"The cars that were parked here during the treasure hunt have since left."
The girls turned around to look at the voice that called out from behind them, and there was Mami-sama, who had finally arrived. Shimako-san was standing beside her.
"Which should lead you to the answer."
" &h.e.l.lip; Under the car."[2]
"Thats about 80% right."
It wasnt clear what she was basing that grade on, but Mami-sama peeled the tape off the ground and picked up the plastic sleeve containing the card.
"As expected from a pro driver like Aota-sensei, theres no tyre tracks over it at all."
"Aota &h.e.l.lip; ah, Miffy-chan!"[3]
"Yep. Miffy-chan, so the correct answer was under Aota-senseis car."
Mami-sama pointed at the concrete b.u.mper, and everyone saw that it had "Aota" written on it in white paint.
Aota-senseis nickname was Miffy-chan. Aota-sensei was a middle-school teacher, and since Noriko only entered Lillians Girls Academy at the start of high-school, she didnt know the reason behind the nickname, or even what Aota-sensei looked like.
Theyd discussed this in an earlier meeting, and to avoid certain students have an unfair advantage, the Lillian Kawaraban had printed an article about Aota-sensei as part of their "Teach us! OO-sensei" series. This article, in the second edition of the paper for the year, contained the nickname "Miffy-chan" as part of the profile, so the plan was a go.
Incidentally, Aota-sensei was unaware of the plan. While Mami-sama had been explaining the rules of the contest, a first-year from the newspaper club had run to the car park and stuck the card underneath the car. At any rate, it was just as well they didnt go home while the event was taking place, or it wouldnt be "Under Aota-senseis car," but, "On the ground where Aota-senseis car is usually parked."
"Aota-sensei wouldnt go home while the event was happening, to make sure the middle-schoolers werent breaking the rules. Only after it had been brought to a successful conclusion would they go."
Antic.i.p.ating this, Shimako-san had selected Aota-senseis car. A big splash indeed. Like the ebb and flow of the tides, the look of the hiding place changed over time.
"Ah - "
One of the students cried out, suddenly.
"That blue car from before!"
"Youre right! That was Miffy-chan driving it!"
A number of other cries rang out, "What a shame," being one of them, but all the girls that spoke out had a touch of pleasant surprise mixed in their voice.
- I want fun.
That had been Shimako-sans theme. On that account, you could call it a huge success.
(Now I understand.)
The visage of Aota-sensei.
"He really does look just like d.i.c.k Bruna."[4]
While Noriko was remembering the face of the middle-aged man in the car that had left the car park just before, and admiring Shimako-sans work, Shimako-san drew alongside her and gently took her hand.
(Ah.)
She didnt put it into words, but, "Thanks for your co-operation," came through loud and clear.
Shimako-sans hand was warm and soft, and Noriko wanted to remain joined like that forever.
(Oh no.)
The chocolates inside the basket would all melt away.
The car park was quite lively.
Casting a sidelong glance, Rei-chan muttered quietly, but with feeling:
"Shimakos card was underneath Aota-senseis car."
&nb