Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 27 Chapter 3
Shimako-san let out a sigh.
"Whats the matter? Werent you able to meet with something-something Ami-san?"
Yumi asked, when she saw the figure enter the Rose Mansion and slump down on a chair in exhaustion.
By the time theyd opened the box of absentees chance entries and determined who the winner of the white card was, there hadnt been much time left in the lunch break. So they decided that Shimako-san would pay a visit to the winner after school. That much, Yumi knew. Shimako-san had departed holding the application form of the successful candidate, with her cheeks slightly flushed. Almost like the bride-to-be after an arranged marriage interview.
It had been about two and a half hours since then. Shimako-sans actions suggested something had happened.
Since Shimako-san arrived at the Rose Mansion so much later than usual, Yumi had conjectured that her conversation with the other girl must have been going really well. But judging from her appearance, that seemed unlikely.
"Its Igawa Ami-san. And I was able to meet her, however."
"However?"
" &h.e.l.lip; it was a lot more trouble than I had expected."
"Trouble?"
As she parroted this word, Yumi thought, "In what way?" Was there some problem with Igawa Ami-san herself? Was there some kind of peripheral inconvenience, although nothing sprang to mind there. Or was there some incompatibility between her and Shimako-san?
"But I cant really explain what I mean all that well."
Shimako-san let out another sigh.
"Gah, youre taking so long. Just say it already."
Yoshino-san thumped the table a number of times, albeit softly.
"Just what did she do thats rubbed you the wrong way, Shimako-san?"
"I wouldnt say that she rubbed me the wrong way."
Right on cue, Shimako-san corrected Yoshino-san on this point. Beside her, Noriko-chan nodded in agreement. If Shimako-san hadnt said anything, she probably would have.
"So you were able to meet with this Igawa Ami-san then, Shimako-san?"
Yumi asked, seeking confirmation, and Shimako-san answered with, "Yeah."
"And the white card? Did you hand it over?"
"I did. She showed me her student notebook."
Just as theyd planned. Yumi didnt see how there could be any problem with things up to this point.
"Then I was going to talk to her about the schedule of things to come."
"You were going to?"
"She asked me not to come around to her cla.s.sroom any more."
"Huh!?"
n.o.body could believe their ears.
"Not to come around to her cla.s.sroom? Then, what did she want? Is she going to see you in your cla.s.sroom?"
Shimako-san shook her head.
"She proposed that we meet in a specific location at fixed intervals. Say, in front of a specific set of shelves in the library after school."
"Whats up with that?"
Yoshino-san frowned. Yumi herself undoubtedly had a similar expression on her face.
"At any rate, it looks like she wants to avoid the public gaze. At least when shes with me."
However, since they had to plan the half-day date together, they had to meet. So the library, then. People at the library were generally caught up in their own affairs, so they probably wouldnt pay attention to everyone around them.
"In that case, couldnt she come to the Rose Mansion?"
Shimako-sans response was mumbled, as though she found it hard to get the words out.
"She said she didnt even want to come to tomorrows explanatory meeting in the Rose Mansion."
"Wha!?"
Who did this first-year think she was? Anger was the appropriate response to such an arrogant att.i.tude. But if she was supposed to be angry, why was Shimako-san so lethargic?
"Now I get it."
Yoshino-san said.
"I see why Shimako-sans so exhausted."
" &h.e.l.lip; Yeah."
It was truly terrifying, the Igawa Ami-san virus. Compared to this, the contagion rate of influenza was no big deal. In the twinkling of an eye, it had spread to 100% of the population of the Rose Mansion. The symptoms were lethargy, sighing, and fatigue.
"Gokigenyou. Oh? Whats wrong, everyone? You dont look well. Has the exhaustion from yesterday finally caught up with you?"
Mami-san cheerfully called out, after arriving a bit late, and seeing the lack of energy surrounding her in the Rose Mansion. But her enthusiasm was sure to be short lived. After hearing the story of Igawa Ami-san, Mami-san would surely display the same symptoms. The infection rate was 100%, after all.
However.
"I see. Not much we can do about that, then."
Even after hearing the tale, Mami-san retained her energetic state.
"We havent printed anything about the explanatory meeting in the Lillian Kawaraban, and even though she has refused to attend, were not going to disqualify her just for that. At a minimum, all we require is a report on the date. Thats the only non-negotiable requirement."
Just what youd expect from the head of the newspaper club. Her experience arguing with teachers and various other students probably led her to the conclusion, "It takes all sorts to make a world," and she remained unperturbed.
"So, what to do?"
"Im sorry to bother you with this Shimako-san. But, for now, can you go along with Igawa Ami-sanss requests? If she doesnt want to stand out, we shouldnt push her into the limelight. She may well become accustomed to it, to the point where shell be seen with you around school."
"Understood."
Shimako-san agreed.
"As for the explanatory meeting &h.e.l.lip; Ill write up the details and you can give that to her. Ill make a copy for Tanuma Chisato-san and Matsudaira Touko-san too. Then we can change tomorrows explanatory meeting to a purely optional one."
"Is that okay?"
"Its neither good nor bad. But its about all we can do. If we try to be difficult, itll just create more problems."
Compromise required both sides to give a little, and if this was what was required to get things done, then so be it. Everyone was busy, and there was no point sweating the small stuff.
"Which brings me to the schedule for the dates. Have the three of you come to a decision?"
"On that matter."
Yoshino-san raised her hand.
"If possible, can we have all three on the same day?"
Yumi exchanged glances with Shimako-san.
"That should be fine, but."
"Why?"
In Yumis case, she hadnt even considered the possibility that they would be on different days. Why so? Because last year, Rei-sama and Shimako-san had had their dates on the same day, which just happened to coincide with the day that Yumi and Sachiko-sama went on a date unrelated to the treasure hunt. Consequently, she thought it only natural that they should all happen on the same day.
"Why, you ask? Isnt it obvious - to diffuse the efforts of the newspaper club in following us."
They heard the sound of someone clearing their throat, just towards the end of that statement. Turning to look, Mami-san was glaring at Yoshino-san with a frown on her face.
"This strategy meeting. Are you sure it wouldnt be better if I wasnt here?"
Indeed. As the current editor-in-chief of the Lillian Kawaraban, Mami-san could hold the t.i.tle of Miss Newspaper Club.
"Ah. It doesnt matter if you hear it. Besides, itd be more annoying if you found out about it later and there was some kind of mix-up. Watching the reaction, attempting to explain things, it would all be such a waste of time that I thought wed just cut all of that out."
Nothing timid about Yoshino-san.
"I see."
Mami-san relented. It seemed it was hard for her to protest to the plan so boldly laid out in front of her. Last years dates had all taken place near K Station, and the head of the newspaper club, Tsukiyama Minako-sama, had disguised herself and lurked in that area. Yoshino-san was silently saying that such behavior was not acceptable, and trying to stop it.
"Well then, how about we settle on Sunday week."
The coming Sunday would be too soon, not giving them enough time to work on the plan for the date. Just like that, the trio (Shimako-san, Yoshino-san and Yumi) decided on the day. Of course, they acknowledged that if this didnt suit their partners, then theyd have to change it.
"Mami-san, is that okay with you?"
Yoshino-san asked, and the response was an affirmative, "As you wish." Apparently, Mami-san could handle defiance as well.
"At any rate, what kind of person is this Igawa Ami?"
Noriko-chan asked, now that the conversation had reached a natural break, as she flicked the application form of the winner of the absentees chance draw.
They were both first-years, but since they werent in the same cla.s.s or clubs, they had no point of contact. Was Noriko-chans bad mood caused by indignation about how her beloved onee-sama was being manipulated, or because she found it hard to stomach the idea of her beloved onee-sama going on a date with someone else? It looked as though shed been silently thinking about Igawa Ami-san during the entire time Yumi, Yoshino-san and Shimako-san had been deciding on the day of the dates.
"I wonder."
There was only one entry in the absentees chance draw that said either, "In the car park," or, "Under a car," making Ami-san the closest entrant, by far. Despite that, she didnt want to be seen together with Shimako-san. She didnt even want to come to the Rose Mansion, because it would draw too much attention to her.
"Maybe shes a fan of Yumi-san or Yoshino-san &h.e.l.lip; ?"
Mami-san offered.
"I considered that too, however."
Shimako-san continued with, "I dont think its that," and Mami-san quickly took back her words.
"Right. Regardless of whose card she was initially aiming for, its unlikely to be the cause of her obstinate desire to stay out of the limelight."
Suppose, purely for arguments sake, that this girl admired Yumi or Yoshino-san, and she wasnt happy with Shimako-san, then surely she would have been better off waiving her right when Shimako-san first came around and informed her of it. If she thought that going on a date with Shimako-san would bring her closer to the other Rose families, then surely she wouldnt have pa.s.sed up the opportunity to come to the Rose Mansion.
"Even if she wants to stay out of the limelight, as soon as that report hits the Lillian Kawaraban, shes going to be outed."
Just what were these current first-years thinking? Mami-san, perhaps on account of being in the same second-year pine cla.s.s as Yumi and Yoshino-san, also found herself grumbling about kids these days.
In the end, not even a single prize winner chose to attend the explanatory meeting about the half-day date.
Yoshino stopped in at the second-year chrysanthemum cla.s.s on her way to school that day, to touch base with Tanuma Chisato-san.
"About the explanatory meeting scheduled for today, weve made some changes for the partic.i.p.ants."
Chisato-san asked what was meant by that, but then dismissed it saying, "Ah, dont bother."
"Its after school, right? Voluntary attendance? Youll give me a doc.u.ment with the main points later? No major changes from last year? In that case, I dont really think I need to attend."
Thats probably the benefit of being last years victor. Of course she didnt have to go, but whats up with that - that tone she used.
"Even though you dont have to go, wont you come along anyway?"
Quickly recovering from the slight, Yoshino tried one more push. Thereupon, the boss nonchalantly said:
"Thats not going to happen. Because of my obligations, Id never considered attending."
"Huh?"
"You see, Ive got club activities today."
"Ah."
With that, realization dawned on Yoshino.
"Dont Ah, me. Its been a long time since youve attended. And the events over now, so its about time you came back to the kendo club."
" &h.e.l.lip; I suppose."
"Even though youve got a dojo right next door, youre just going home and not even touching your shinai, arent you?"
" &h.e.l.lip; Yeah."
Talk about kicking over the hornets nest. Yoshino had been skipping out on club activities, using the election and the event as an excuse. Because Rei-chan wouldnt be there, and it was cold.
Itd been so long since shed been, that the day they had club practice had slipped her mind.
(I see.)
Because it had been planned without any regard to the schedules of whoever may have found the cards, the explanatory meeting was bound to be canceled. If they hold the event again next year, theyd be better off waiting until the winners were known before setting a date and time for the meeting, or else being a bit more forceful about the requirement to attend. Yoshino made a mental note to tell Mami-san about this later.
"The third-years hardly ever stop by, so theres plenty of s.p.a.ce, and nows not the time for you to be missing practice. If things stay like they are, spring will come, new first-years will join, and youll still be the worst in the club."
Thats speaking quite frankly. Yoshino endured the parts she couldnt refute. Like the frozen dojo floor first thing on a winters morning.
"Pardon my intrusion, Ill be leaving now."
If she rattled the bushes any more, the only thing that would come out would be more trouble. Yoshino decided to beat a hasty retreat.
"Ah, Yoshino-san."
Yoshino thought, "What now?" as she stopped, and Chisato-san said:
"About the plans for the date - since its a prize for the winner, we can go wherever I want, right?"
"Thats correct."
Yoshino looked behind her. It was a bit rude, but she didnt really have any great expectations for the date with Chisato-san. Her feelings were that if there was somewhere Chisato-san wanted to go, then by all means, go ahead.
"Then leave it to me. Ill come up with a brilliant plan and show it to you later."
"Alright, thanks."
Yoshino bowed to Chisato-san, then started walking away once more.
(Just what would be brilliant with you and me&h.e.l.lip; )
As Yoshino walked down the corridor, each and every student she pa.s.sed seemed to be in a better mood than her.
That was the mornings conversation.
Lunch time. Noriko-chan appeared in the Rose Mansion and apologetically said:
"It seems Touko wont be attending the explanatory meeting. She said shed be fine with just the print out explaining it. For some reason, outside of cla.s.s, shes hard to get hold of &h.e.l.lip; Please forgive me."
Watching this from the side, Yoshino thought, "Youre only cla.s.smates, theres no need to feel so responsible." The heartfelt apology made the circ.u.mstances surrounding it look quite tawdry.
"Its okay, dont worry about it."
Yumi-san soothed.
"None of them are coming. Its better this way. Instead, I feel bad about using you as a messenger, Noriko-chan."
For doing something that the person herself was supposed to do, in other words.
"Thats fine. If youd come to our cla.s.sroom, Yumi-sama, it would have just been a wild goose chase."
"Because shes hard to get hold of? Is she running away from her cla.s.smates?"
Touko-chan was the girl of the moment. Perhaps Igawa Ami-san was exercising such extreme caution because she didnt want to end up like that.
"I dont really know. Shes there during cla.s.s, but when theres a break she just seems to go missing."
Yumi-san listened to Noriko-chans explanation, then folded her arms and looked at the ceiling before muttering, "Is that so."
That was the lunch conversation.
Which brings us to the after-school conversation.
(None of the card holders will attend the explanatory meeting. I guess thats how it goes.)
Yoshino shook her head as she walked down the corridor. No-one shows up to such a boring meeting if its not compulsory, usually.
Since the planned explanatory meeting had been canceled, theyd also canceled their after-school get together.
(Ah, Im bored.)
Shimako-san had gone to her previously scheduled periodic meeting with Igawa Ami-san.
Judging by their earlier conversation, Yumi-san had gone searching for Touko-chan.
What would Noriko-chan be doing? Since the meeting had been canceled, perhaps shed gone home early for a change.
Even if there wasnt a meeting, and even if she was by herself, she could go to the Rose Mansion, take it easy and drink some tea. But shed feel a bit guilty about that, so Yoshino didnt think that was an option.
(Club activities? I could go to that.)
It had been so long since shed been that, in truth, it was a bit tough. It was unavoidable while shed still been busy, but after that excuse had run out shed just been avoiding it because it was bothersome, which made the barrier grow much higher.
It wasnt just because of what Chisato-san said, but Yoshino didnt want to appear pathetic to the new club members in spring. Having a third-year student who was so hopeless would be a hard sell. Even though shed only started practicing kendo in second-year, who would know that when they first met her? Shed be better off making a note that said that and pinning it to her chest.
(New students &h.e.l.lip; )
As she was thinking that she should head to the martial arts building, Yoshino realized that she had arrived at the middle-school building. Her legs must have automatically headed in this direction while shed been thinking about the new club members.
Quickly, she headed towards the middle-school third-year cla.s.srooms. Without being summoned, Nana appeared in the hallway.
"Ah, gokigenyou."
When she noticed Yoshino, she said a few words to the students shed been talking to then rushed over. Was that merely innocence? Or a misunderstanding of her feelings.
"Was there something you wanted from me?"
"Do you have a minute?"
"Yes, of course."
Since Yoshino had come all the way here to see her, Nana-chan was clever enough to realize that she obviously wanted to talk to her about something.
"Good job on the Valentines Day event."
"Thanks."
Good job indeed. Yoshino was trying to prolong it so much that it even brought her all the way out here. Although a girl two years her junior was hardly going to complain about that.
"And the yellow card was found."
"Pretty much."
"Thats great, isnt it?"
"Great!?"
Yoshino couldnt believe her ears when she heard what Nana said.
"Well, the card was hidden so that it could be found, right?"
Nana said, looking puzzled.
"Well, thats true, but even so."
Because it had been found on the day, the absentees wouldnt get their chance in the draw. And since the middle-school students were only allowed to enter the absentees chance draw, they wouldnt have a shot at the card or the half-day date.
Was she really okay with that? Yoshino was going to ask, but swallowed the words. After all, how did Nana view her existence? Thinking about that, everything became clear. Nana didnt mind whether she won or lost.
"I put in an entry too. But I was completely wrong, I didnt even think about the outside wall of the staff room."
"&h.e.l.lip; I see."
Tentatively, she then gave the answer to be checked. Perhaps hoping to bring it to a close. The disappointment was because shed had such high hopes.
"I wrote down the martial arts building."
Nana said.
"Hmm, really?"
Yoshino responded, not showing much enthusiasm. Actually, Yoshino knew that without having to ask. Yesterday at lunch, when theyd been sorting through the absentees entries, Yumi-san had spotted Nanas entry form and handed it to her.
"That was way off."
In other words, Yoshino was a member of the kendo club, so the martial arts building. It was too simple, and would have been found annoyingly fast. Give it a little more thought. And the martial arts building - at least write down where in the building you thought it would be.
"Yeah, it was a bad guess. But it seemed the obvious choice, so I had to go with it."
Even in that case, you should have at least narrowed it down, Nana-chan. Just on principle, Yoshino was mortified once more.
"But I was completely wrong. Im glad Yoshino-sama chose a far more interesting place than I had imagined. And Im thankful that you allowed us middle-school students the chance to partic.i.p.ate."
Nana said, her eyes shining with grat.i.tude. Based on that expression, Yoshino knew Nana wasnt just saying it to be polite, it was what she truly believed.
Had she been thinking that she wouldnt be able to partic.i.p.ate, even though Yoshino had informed her about it? Surely some amount of expectation was good?
"Im not sure I really understand. Youre saying that overall you were happy with the event, including the outcome?"
"Of course."
Nana smiled, as though to say, "You still dont get it?"
"Even though you only partic.i.p.ated, thats okay?"
Yoshino omitted to say whether the other option was overall victory or a reward.
"Yeah, you see."
The next moment, Nana said something completely unexpected.
"I can go on a date with Yoshino-sama any time."
"Ah."
- It goes without saying that, after that, Yoshino gleefully threw herself into her club activities.
"Shimako-sama."
Shimako was standing in front of the shelf of dictionaries in the library when a voice called to her from behind. She was about to turn around until she heard a whispered, "Stay like that."
"Wont you take a seat at that table?"
The location she was pointed to was a simple table divided into three sections, each with its own light and chair. It was more suited to solitary study than a group discussion. At present, the right-hand section was being used by another student, but the middle and left-hand sections were free.
"Very well."
Shimako nodded, and walked over to the table. She debated for a while about which chair to take, before deciding on the middle one.
"Pardon me."
She excused herself to the student already seated at the table, then took her chair. When she did, the girl on the rights shoulders seemed to flinch. Perhaps it was because shed done something unexpected, like sitting across two seats on a train that was going to get crowded.
Even though Shimako had taken her seat, there was no indication that the left seat would be filled. After about a minute, as Shimako was starting to look around, wondering what happened, Igawa Ami-san sat down beside her. If another student hadnt come around looking for a free seat, perhaps she would have been made to wait another two or three minutes.
"Gokigenyou."
Although Shimako thought it unlikely that people would connect them even without the delay between taking their seats, Ami-san undoubtedly considered it a necessary precaution.
"I apologize for the trouble Im putting you through."
The same blunt manner as always. The difference was she was being more polite.
"Here. This is from the head of the newspaper club - its the doc.u.mentation regarding our date."
Underneath the table, Shimako held out the printout so that her neighbor could take it.
"Ah. Its 4,000 yen this year."
Ami-san muttered, quickly scanning the paper.
"You know about last year?"
Shimako asked.
"Yeah. I looked it up, for reference. It was in one of the back issues of the Lillian Kawaraban."
"I see."
They were whispering, but since they were right next to each other their voices carried far enough. Because of the separation, from a distance it would look like they were each working on different things. Ami-san had a book open and was pretending to read, such was the extent she was going to.
"Most things are about the same as last year. Thats good."
"It is?"
"Yeah, actually."
This time Ami-san pa.s.sed a piece of paper to Shimako under the table, apparently shed already worked out a plan. It was written in pencil on a piece of lined paper.
"This is &h.e.l.lip; "
When Shimako saw the densely packed schedule that covered every place and time, from their meeting to their parting, she was lost for words. Shimako didnt know much about this girl, so she hadnt really been expecting anything, and this was definitely nothing.
"Ah, you know, Ami-san."
"Yes?"
"The date is a reward for the winner, so we can go wherever you would like to go. Thats what we were meeting here to discuss, right?"
Shimako said, still unsure of how best to convey this. Had Ami-san come up with this plan, thinking it was for the best?
"Yeah. Of course I know that."
The response seemed to say, "Why are you saying this now?"
" &h.e.l.lip; So you see."
It looked like shed studied last years Lillian Kawaraban in quite some detail. How to approach this, so that her feelings werent hurt.
"If youre using last year as a guide, the winner, Kanina Shizuka-sama, let her cla.s.smates plan out their date, and I just went along with it."
Not everything that happened during last years date was included in the Lillian Kawaraban article. And, of course, the events that happened after Shizuka-sama had gone home (including the appearance of Satou Sei-sama) were not recorded either. Despite that, when reading the article it probably looked as though that date had been planned for Shimako. Although what Ami-san hoped to achieve by taking her on a date shed already experienced, Shimako didnt really know.
"Is that right?"
Ami-san murmured. Then, while it seemed that she understood, she followed that up immediately with, "Might as well make the most of it." It looked like she had no intention of withdrawing the piece of paper that Shimako held in her hand.
"I think the locations fine. Or do you dislike it? Would it make you uncomfortable?"
She wasnt willing to give an inch, as though it were her last line of defense. It may just have been Ami-sans natural voice, but the way she spoke now seemed to be more pressing.
"Not at all. If thats what you want Ami-san, then I have no objection."
"Thats good. Then Ill go home and rework this, expect something even better."
Their conversation had barely concluded and Ami-san was already standing up.
"But, why here?"
Shimako asked, as she held the piece of paper out for Ami-san.
"Because,"
The next moment, Ami-san said something completely unexpected.
"Im a fan of Rosa Gigantea."
Once more, Shimako was left worrying incessantly.
Yumi found Touko-chan in front of the clubhouse.
"We finally meet."
"&h.e.l.lip; Ah."
When Touko-chan appeared shed been jogging, as though in a hurry, but when she saw Yumi she stopped, as though resigned.
"Gokigenyou."
Seeing her natural, unforced smile, Yumis chest swelled. There was no doubting that she was seeing Touko-chans true face.
"What brings you here?"
Touko-chan asked, leaning against the clubhouse wall.
"When I went to peek on the drama clubs activities in the gymnasium, they said that you were probably here."
"Is that so?"
"Youre practicing a play for the third-years send-off, right?"
"Yeah. We decided to split into three groups and do three short scenes. Since Im doing a two-person play, it doesnt matter if we dont have a lot of room, so we decided to come here."
Touko-chan said, looking up at the building.
"I knew it. I didnt think youd be running away."
Hearing Yumis words, Touko-chan smiled bitterly.
"Its unavoidable that people would think that, since Im not in the cla.s.sroom. Some of my cla.s.smates know about this, but theres a certain credibility to me running away to avoid the inquisitive eyes and barrage of questions. The truth of me having to leave for club activities is a bit of a let down."
"It seems Noriko-chan doesnt know either."
"Ah, my mistake, I forgot to tell her. Plus she looks like shes been busy with things at the Rose Mansion, so Ive just missed her a couple of times."
"Shes worried about you. You should find a chance to explain things."
"Understood. Ill do that."
Touko-chan replied meekly. Her docility was a bit anticlimactic. In truth, Yumi was perplexed.
"Did you come to talk about the date?"
"Yeah &h.e.l.lip; More or less."
There was something else they had to discuss too. But it would get chaotic if matters werent handled one at a time, so Yumi decided to go with this talk first.
"As for the day, how does Sunday week, so not this Sunday but the next, work for you?"
"That day is fine."
Touko-chan responded immediately.
"Is there somewhere youd like to go?"
Yumi asked as she watched Touko-chan take out her school notebook and jot down a reminder for the date. Touko-chan thought for a while, then raised her head.
"Is it okay if we go somewhere I want to?"
"Of course. It can still only be a day trip, and it has to fit within the budget though."
Yumi held out the printout that Mami-san had prepared which explained the conditions.
"I see. 4000 yen, so thats 2000 per person. If it all goes on travel, thats only 1000 yen each way. You cant get very far on that. And even if you do, theres nothing left over for food &h.e.l.lip; "
Touko-chan mumbled as she skimmed over the conditions.
"But if we go somewhere using our commuter pa.s.s, thats 2000 yen each for lunch, right?"
"Ah, thats true."
They both laughed. They had such wildly different ideas about how to use the 4000 yen for the date, and whether it was a modest or extravagant sum.
This time around, the three groups were all going on dates under the same conditions, but the shape of those dates was likely to be completely different.
Shimako-san was going with a first-year that, until now, she knew absolutely nothing about. Yoshino-san was going with someone that she had previously looked upon as a rival, but was now a fellow second-year club member. And then.
Yumi looked at Touko-chan. The person that she might soon call her pet.i.t soeur.
They had to talk about that properly. Yumi had caught Touko-chan today, but she didnt know when theyd have a chance to talk next.
" &h.e.l.lip; To-"
Just as Yumi started to say her name, someone above her called out, "Touko-chan?"
They both looked up at the same time. The window on the second-floor of the clubhouse opened, and a student stuck her head out and looked down at them.
They were in the same grade, so Yumi knew the girls face &h.e.l.lip; Right, she was the president of the drama club.
"I was getting worried since you were taking so long to come back."
Then she saw Yumi standing next to Touko-chan and said, "Ah."
"Im sorry. Youre in the middle of something. Its cold, right? Why dont you both come inside?"
"Thats okay."
Yumi turned to look at her, then called back. It was certainly cold, but if they went into the clubhouse, she wouldnt be able to say what she wanted to.
She wanted to say those words to Touko-chan alone. They werent something to be said in front of other people.
"Im sorry I interrupted your club activities. Well be done soon."
"Really? Dont worry about that. Its just the two of us anyway."
Take your time, she said as she closed the window.
"Well then."
Touko-chan folded the printout and put it in her pocket.
"Ah, yeah."
Even though they hadnt been hurried on, perhaps she was worried about keeping the club president waiting.
Touko-chan bowed, then turned away.
(Ah.)
To make her stop, a single word was needed.
To make her stop, a single word. Then just hand over the rosary. It would take less than a minute.
(Wait.)
Yumis right hand reached out to Touko-chan.
Whether she felt something or not, before Yumi could say a single word, Touko-chan looked back over her shoulder.
"Umm, Yumi-sama."
The next moment, Touko-chan said something completely unexpected.
"Id like to wait until after our date to hear your reply."
The reply she referred to could only be one thing.
"Huh?"
Even though it would take less than a minute.
In the end, Yumi had to wait at least another week.