Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 10 Chapter 9
On Sat.u.r.day, she didnt see Sachiko-sama.
This was because Sachiko-sama was absent from school. Given the way they parted, Yumi thought she hadnt wanted to see Sachiko-sama anyway, but it was lonely knowing that her onee-sama wasnt on campus.
"Sachiko-sama isnt here either. Rei-chan said to go home and not stay back today."
Yoshino-san had made up with Rei-chan at some point. Even Shimako-san looked uncharacteristically happy when Yumi ran into her in the shoe-locker room that morning, probably because of Noriko-chan. Yellow and white were in a good mood.
During recess, Yumi saw Touko-chans figure in the first-year camellia group cla.s.sroom. She returned to cla.s.s, relieved that Touko-chan wasnt absent too, but on the other hand she felt disappointed in herself for being so suspicious, and resentful of Sachiko-sama for making her act that way.
She was still feeling depressed when she got home, so she decided to go for a stroll to relax. It looked like it was going to rain, so she got her umbrella from the umbrella stand, and that was when her mother asked her to pick up some things from the shop.
A tub of b.u.t.ter from the convenience store. - Then, the umbrella was gone.
She returned home soaking wet and crying, and broke down sobbing in the entrance.
"Yumi-chan!?"
Hearing her sobs, Yumis mother, father and Yuuki all gathered from where they were around the house. Using the loss of her umbrella as a defense, she didnt hide her tears from her family.
"Dont just take something that doesnt belong to you."
Crouched down on the concrete floor in the entry, Yumi pounded her fist on the wooden door frame over and over.
"Dont take my precious things away from me!"
To Yumi, her missing umbrella was just like Sachiko-sama.
Sunday evening.
Yumi made a telephone call to the Ogasawara residence.
There wasnt the same sense of antic.i.p.ation that she used to have.
Maybe she shouldnt have. Sachiko-sama was sure to be out somewhere with Touko-chan. - Feeling like she was checking out an alibi, Yumi dialed the number.
Cold water was flowing somewhere deep within her heart.
Supposing, then.
She thought that it would be okay if she called to apologize for Friday. Yumi didnt think she was completely in the wrong, but she did acknowledge that she went too far.
If she found out that Sachiko-sama wasnt out with Touko-chan, shed be able to meekly apologize to her hearts content. And when they met tomorrow, if some of the awkwardness between them had dissipated, then the telephone call would have served its purpose.
"Ogasawara residence."
A middle-aged ladys voice came from the telephone receiver. It wasnt Sayako-obasama, so Yumi thought it was probably a maid.
Yumi gave her name and asked if Sachiko-sama was available. The maid seemed to think for a while, before saying, "Please wait one moment," and putting her on hold.
"&h.e.l.lip; So onee-samas there then."
If she wasnt, the maid probably would have said so and hung up the phone. As she listened to the sounds in the background, Yumi felt her heart fluttering, just a little. However.
"h.e.l.lo, Yumi-chan?"
The call had been picked up by a young man.
"Huh?"
"Its Kashiwagi. Its been a while, hey."
Her head was spinning. Shed definitely called the Ogasawara residence, so why had Kashiwagi-san answered? The crucial piece of information that she was missing was that Kashiwagi-san and Sachiko-sama were cousins.
"Umm &h.e.l.lip; ?"
"Sacchans at home, but she cant come to the phone right now."
The thought that she was in the bath floated into Yumis mind, but that wasnt something theyd go to all the trouble of getting Kashiwagi-san as a subst.i.tute to avoid saying. Oddly, Kashiwagi-san apparently read too much into her silence and quickly followed up with:
"Shes resting after getting a bit under the weather in the car."
"In the car - "
"Let me be clear, so you dont misunderstand. It wasnt just me and Sacchan going for a drive together. Touko was with us too, so you can relax."
"Touko-chan was there?"
Kashiwagi-san obviously had no idea that Yumi was more worried about Touko-chan being there.
"Yeah, even now Toukos looking after her. Shes more level-headed than she looks, so you shouldnt be too worried. Theyre not even allowing me in the room."
Kashiwagi-sans clear laugh came through the receiver.
"&h.e.l.lip; Is that so?"
Despite the nonchalant response, Yumis heart was anything but calm.
Touko would be happy just to go on a drive, on a drive, on a drive. - The words that Touko-chan had spoken echoed through her mind.
"Why were you calling? I could take a message for you. Ah, would you prefer I got Touko?"
"No need. Its not urgent. Ill tell her when we meet at school."
"Really? Sorry about this."
Although Kashiwagi-san had offered to take a message, Yumi thought it was better to refuse that offer. It would have been okay if Sachiko-sama had been by herself, but knowing Touko-chan was by her side soured things.
After hanging up the phone, all her strength suddenly left her.
While saying that she couldnt promise another time for their date, Sachiko-sama was faithfully going out with Touko-chan.
It wasnt a date between the two of them. Kashiwagi-san was there too. However, while that may have been true, it was small comfort indeed.
When they parted on Friday, Yumi had questioned whether Sachiko-sama was choosing Touko-chan over her. She knew that, now, that answer had been found.
Sachiko-sama had chosen Touko-chan, thats how it was. If she accepted that, there was nothing else to do. Although it was incredibly painful, it happened because peoples hearts change.
Yumi took off the rosary that hung around her neck.
Even when she wasnt wearing her school uniform, shed instinctively put on the rosary that she received nearly eight months ago from Sachiko-sama, as though it were an extension of her body.
(Alright, thats enough.)
If she took off the rosary and was no longer Sachiko-samas pet.i.t soeur, then the feelings of her onee-sama that she had witnessed could no longer wear away at her either.
Yumi was already so tired.
From living her life doubting the person she loved.
Consequently, she decided not to go to the Rose Mansion, starting that Monday.
It hurt to look at Sachiko-samas face, and since shed firmed her resolve to stand down as her pet.i.t soeur, Yumi, as Rosa Chinensis en bouton, had no reason to involve herself in the Yamayurikai work. The timing was fortunate, since Noriko-chan had officially become Rosa Gigantea en bouton, she should be able to fill the hole Yumi left.
"What on earths going on?"
Yoshino-san questioned her, when she hadnt been to the Rose Mansion at lunch or after school.
"Sachiko-samas worried about you."
"As if."
Yumi snorted.
"Its true."
She was probably worried about her dignity as Rosa Chinensis. At this busy time, her pet.i.t soeur was the only one who wasnt showing up, impugning the honor of the grand soeur.
"Anyway, why dont we go there together right now?"
As Yumi was about to leave, Yoshino-san grabbed her by the arm and started walking.
"Im not going."
Yumi shook herself free and turned towards the shoe locker room. Thereupon, Yoshino-san followed after her, saying:
"I dont know whats going on, but Im sure its Sachiko-samas fault. So Ill protest alongside you. If you keep silent when youre angry, youll never be able to make up."
"Its already gone beyond that point."
She rejected the unsightly clinging that would have resulted. And what reconciliation? Sachiko-sama had found a junior that she prioritized over her own pet.i.t soeur, there was no way to return things back to the way they were before.
"Thank-you for your concern. Im sorry."
"Yumi-san&h.e.l.lip;"
By now Yumi had changed shoes and Yoshino-san no longer tried to stop her leaving. At the same time that Yumi was exiting the shoe locker room, Yoshino was turning around and heading back.
Yumi realized it was raining as she was making her way to the main entrance. The door that was usually open before and after school was closed, and rain was falling heavily on the other side of the gla.s.s pane.
It was all becoming such a bother that she thought shed rather just get wet on the way home, but that would be too conspicuous and someone would call out to her, so Yumi opened her bag and took out her red folding umbrella.
She stepped outside, irritated that it wasnt opening properly, and someone standing there looked her way.
"- Yumi."
"Onee-sama&h.e.l.lip;"
Suddenly, she didnt know what to say. She had the rosary in her pocket, so that she could return it whenever they happened to meet. But now that the time had arrived, she couldnt jump into action. Her umbrella was in her right hand, her school bag in her left. There was no hand free to give back the rosary.
"I had a feeling wed meet."
Sachiko-sama smiled. Although she was standing under the roofs overhang, she had her school bag and umbrella, so it was obvious she intended to go home. If Yumi had let Yoshino-san drag her along to the Rose Mansion, they probably wouldnt have met here.
"Theres something I have to talk to you about."
Yumi stiffened where she stood, and Sachiko-sama took a step towards her. Yumi started to panic, and took a thoughtless step backwards.
In just that short amount of time, contradictory feelings had stirred within her heart.
Like, Sachiko-sama was waiting here just so she could talk to me.
The talks going to be about returning the rosary.
No, shes going to confess that its all been a trick played by the drama club member Touko-chan.
As if its going to be such a convenient explanation.
"Yumi."
Sachiko-sama took another step forwards and gently straightened Yumis collar. Hearing her name called like that, all the strength left Yumis body and she melted.
Her beloved onee-sama. Yumis feelings hadnt changed one bit.
"Onee-sama."
How many times had they called each other that? As she thought about this, they silently locked eyes.
Just then.
A student emerged from the main entrance and made her way to Yumis side.
"Sachiko onee-sama. Sorry I kept you waiting."
It was Touko-chan.
Yumi watched Sachiko-sama and Touko-chan regard each other. However, there was no possible explanation other than that they had arranged to meet here.
"&h.e.l.lip; So thats how it is, then?"
Yumis melted heart froze in an instant. Sachiko-sama hadnt been waiting here for her. Yumi had just happened to come along while she had been waiting for Touko-chan.
Staying would be too miserable, so Yumi turned her back.
"Wait, Yumi-sama."
Surprisingly it was Touko-chan who called her to stop.
"You were still in the middle of your conversation, right? Were in a bit of a hurry, so we cant just stand around chatting though. Why dont you continue your conversation as we walk?"
"Huh?"
While Yumi was still surprised, Touko-chan turned to Sachiko-sama and almost pleaded.
"Please, Rosa Chinensis, why dont we do that?"
" - Youre right. Yumi, why dont we walk home together?"
Sachiko-sama had made the offer, but Yumi rejected it.
"No."
How wretched, to have to intrude on this harmonious pair as they go home.
Yumi didnt know what the excessively composed girl was planning, and if it was just spite or not, but she hated Touko-chans amiable expression and resented the way Sachiko-sama just went along with what she said.
"Thats enough already."
Yumi dashed off, leaving things as they were.
"Ah, Yumi-sama!?"
Touko-chans voice chased her from behind. And yet, Sachiko-samas voice did not come.
The rain soaked her face. Soaked her hair. Soaked her uniform, steady and heavy.
Yumi ran on, thinking that she must have looked unsightly as she did so. The wounded heroine from a TV drama would look more dashing as she ran.
But when it came to her, what happened? Her school bag thumped against her side, and her umbrella turned inside out, like she was in a comedy.
Continuing to look unsightly, she recklessly raced past the library, flew past Maria-samas garden, and thundered down the path lined with gingko trees until her legs finally stopped when she was within sight of the front gate.
Because there was someone she knew in the group of university students about ten metres in front of her.
Mixed among the many brightly colored umbrella was a black, mens umbrella.
Even from this distance and from behind Yumi knew. It was the back of someone she trusted, who had helped her out countless times.
"&h.e.l.lip; Sei-sama."
Despite how weakly she called out, the black umbrella slowly turned around.
The pink floral umbrella, yellow polka-dot umbrella and navy blue checked umbrella that she was with continued on towards the main gate as though they didnt notice that the black umbrella had stopped.
"Whats the matter, Yumi-chan!?"
Sei-sama called out. Most people would be surprised to see one of their juniors soaked to the bone despite holding an umbrella.
"Sei-samaaa."
Yumi threw down her umbrella and school bag, and leapt straight at Sei-samas chest.
"What on earth happened?"
Yumi just kept sobbing, and while this had rattled Sei-sama, she wasnt in a position to calmly explain why she was crying. But earlier, Sei-sama had said that she should let it all out. Yumis thoughts had grown so painful that she could no longer carry them by herself, and she wanted to tell them to someone.
"Ahh, there, there."
Sei-sama gently rubbed Yumis back as she heaved with sobs. Letting her stay like that, without thinking. To surrender herself to a higher power and let her exhausted body rest.
Eventually Sei-samas hand stopped moving, and she muttered.
"&h.e.l.lip; Sachiko."
By that, Yumi knew that Sachiko-sama had made an appearance. But she didnt draw away from Sei-sama. She renewed her effort and clung to her. Conveying without words that she didnt want to face Sachiko-sama.
Sei-sama and Sachiko-sama were facing each other, but neither of them spoke, so Yumi couldnt tell what was going on around her. All she could hear were Sachiko-samas footsteps slowly approaching.
"Yumi."
Softly, she called out her name. However, Yumi didnt respond. In Sei-samas arms, she shook her head back and forth, not looking up.
Eventually, she heard the sound of Sachiko-sama sighing.
"Sorry for troubling you with her."
Those words seemed to be directed at Sei-sama. The head directly above Yumis nodded slightly.
"Yumi-chan."
Sei-sama whispered, accompanied by the sound of receding footsteps.
"Is this okay? Sachikos going, you know."
"Its fine."
Yumi quietly raised her head. - And saw that Sei-sama was holding another umbrella in addition to her open black one.
"Whats this?"
"Sachiko-sama picked it up and gave it to me."
It was Yumis red folding umbrella. On closer inspection, Sei-sama was holding her schoolbag too.
"&h.e.l.lip; Sachiko-sama."
Yumi grabbed her closed red umbrella and held on to it tightly.
She thought, "This is me. A wretched umbrella fallen to the ground and dirtied by muddy water. Sachiko-sama picked it up and handed it off to Sei-sama."
She became so disheartened by the thought that she was no longer needed that she flew from the black umbrella.
Sachiko-sama was just beyond the school gates. She was seated alongside Touko-chan in the rear of a black car that had apparently come to pick her up, her face peeking out the window.
"Onee-sama!!"
Yumi tried yelling at the receding car, but her voice didnt carry. Sachiko-sama didnt even look her way once and the car kept picking up speed.
Surely it was because of the rain.
The strengthening rain masked both her voice and her appearance.
Eventually the car Sachiko-sama was in became blurred by the rain, and she lost sight of it.
The driving rain was pulling them apart.
"Onee-sama&h.e.l.lip;"
Even when she cried out, the sound of the rain nullified it. Even when she chased, the rain obscured her, making her figure invisible.
The rain fell.
The rain fell.
Even though it wasnt supposed to be like this.
Yumi continued to cry together with the rain.
She had her umbrella, and she clung to it and got drenched as she cried out to her onee-sama, knowing her voice wouldnt carry.