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Ghost Hunt:Volume 5 Chapter 1

2009-11-30T13:53:14Z

220.255.7.203: A section was also missing from near the end. I have added it in.

Ghost Hunt Volume 5 Chapter 1

1

On the second day, I rushed to the office after the term opening ceremony. It was already filled with people.

“What is going on?”

Taka shrugged in response to me, who had entered the office and couldn’t help peering around.

“I don’t know.”

“Has Naru returned?”

“It looks like it. When I got here he was discussing something in his office, but I haven’t seen him yet.”

“Then, why did he gather everyone here?”

“Please don’t ask me.”

On the sofa used for guests sat 4 people who were not guests. And they were, Bou-san, Ayako, Masako and John. Although they are not members of “Shibuya Psychic Research”, they are psychics who act in adjunct with us.

I gently lowered my head.

“Yo.”

It was Bou-san who raised his hand in his usual leisurely manner. Takigawa Housou. A monk originally of Takano Mountain.

“What is going on?”

“Don’t ask me. I was called here by Naru-chan.”

“Really?”

“Ah. I cancelled all my prior engagements before coming.”

“What’s up, again?”

“On the phone last night he said there’s a big job. He hung up after saying there’s a job; I came at the designated time, but he himself is waiting in his office instead.”

“In that case I completely don’t understand what is going on.”

“It is exactly like that.”

I poked John, who was sitting right in front of me, in the shoulder. John Brown - an exorcist whose attractions are his doll face and Kansai accent.

“What about you, John? Have you heard nothing about it?”

John’s soft blond hair shook side to side.

“It’s the same on my side; he didn’t tell me anything either.”

“But he actually gathered everyone here - what type of situation could it be?”

The one who cut in was Ayako. One had better not be tricked by her fancy make-up and mistake her for a bar hostess. Matsuzaki Ayako. Self proclaimed Miko.

As I was thinking along with Bou-san, John and Ayako, Masako started laughing softly. Hara Masako - a 16 year old top grade spirit medium.

“What is it?”

Ayako used her sharp voice to ask in response. Masako used the cherry-blossom colored sleeve of her kimono to hide her mouth.

“… then, that is saying there was no adult contacting everyone.”

“Contact? What about?”

“Contact from the client in this situation. And when so many psychic users are clearly gathered.”

“And this so-called ‘client’ is?”

“For me it was a person called Ohashi (大桥) who contacted me.”

Saying that, a mocking smile appeared on that doll-like face.

That was saying, this Ohashi-san had nothing to call us for – I think that was what Masako was trying to say.

Ayako’s face was filled with fury. Just as she was about to speak with displeasure, the door to the boss’s office opened, and the verbal war did not have the chance to start.

It was Naru, dressed entirely in black, who pushed the door open and walked out.

Aiyaya, he really did come back.

Following him was Lin-san’s tall form and Mori-san’s gentle figure. Then,

“… eh?”

John and Ayako said simultaneously,

“Young man?!”

Bou-san stood up.

“Yasuhara-kun!”

I shouted.

The fourth person who came out from the boss’s office, was Ex-Student Council President Yasuhara, who had fortunately entered a certain first class public university this spring.

Regarding us, who stood there with our jaws hanging open, Naru looked like he found us noisy; he waved his hands and called for everyone to sit on the sofa. Following Naru’s instructions, we sat, and everyone asked the question that I wanted to ask. Naru, looking impatient, waved his hands once more.

“We will explain the situation in order from the beginning to everyone; could I have a bit of quiet?”

A frown had already appeared on that other-worldly beautiful face, there was no use for us to continue pestering. Out of options, everyone shut their mouths; Naru looked around at us.

“Someone has made a request to us. I have already accepted. So I hope to receive everyone’s help.”

Masako cut in and said,

“That is… is it a request from the agent – a person called Ohashi?”

“Yes.”

“He made his request to me last week.”

Naru nodded.

“Then Hara-san must act independently.”

“Of course, ask if there’s anything I can help with.”

Doll-san said that with a coy tone, smiling. Ayako raised her brows.

Naru only nodded, then looked around at us once more.

“The investigation will begin in 5 days. Is there anyone here who cannot participate?”

No one replied to Naru’s words. After confirming that,

“I hope to receive everyone’s help this time.”

Naru turned to look at Yasuhara. Yasuhara Osamu - the Student Council President who came here to make his request on behalf of the students in the previous case.

Upon seeing Yasuhara’s gentle nod, Naru dropped a bomb.

“Yasuhara-kun, I would like to ask you to act as my substitute.”

“What in the world?”

“That is to say, have Yasuhara-kun play your part?”

To Ayako’s abrupt outburst, Naru shot a cold look.

“Didn’t you hear what I just said?”

“Of course I heard it. But why?”

“I will explain the situation. Can’t you wait a little?”

Swallowing Naru’s ice-cold words, Ayako fell silent. Then suddenly Mori-san cut in.

“Wh~y do you have to use that tone of voice?”

She glared at Naru, shocked. And then she looked around at us,

“I’m really sorry. This child has such poor manners.”

This… “This child”!

“Could everyone treat him as a person with an abnormal disposition and tolerate him please.”

What type of response do you think we should have? Everyone looked on blankly, while Naru looked extremely displeased and coughed once.

“… this is an extremely big job. It could even be called a job for publicity. The client has requested secrecy in its execution, but to what extent secrecy can be maintained I don’t know. If the media gets wind of this I can imagine it turning into a big uproar. I did not want to accept it initially, but some events have occurred such that I had to accept. That’s why I have requested Yasuhara-kun to be my substitute.”

The last job was also a famous one, besides paranormal events becoming the target of the media, we, the ones responsible for resolving the situation, have also become celebrities. News reporters and magazine reporters have arrived in droves and gave us endless trouble. For the media-hating Naru, he left this place from the second day of the incident until the clamor had subsided.

“However, is this a situation of the level that requires Naru to orchestrate?”

To Bou-san’s query, Naru replied coolly,

“If that was not the case I would not purposely have Yasuhara-kun come here.”

Naru gently rested his hands on his knees.

“It looks like the client has gathered many psychic users. They are practically all suspicious people widely lauded by the media. I don’t want to have anything to do with that type of people.”

Bou-san smiled, satisfied.

“So you are forcing something you dislike onto someone else?”

“I’m not particularly forcing you all. If you don’t feel like it, you may leave.”

When Naru said those cold words, once again Mori-san interrupted everyone’s words.

“Why don’t you ask everyone nicely? You do wish for everyone to go together, right? That’s why you have gathered everyone here, am I wrong?”

… and that’s true too.

“When you are asking people for something, do you use this tone to speak? I’ve clearly told you before – such a child that refuses to learn.”

Has there ever existed a person who was so firm with Naru?

When Mori-san lectured Naru, who had turned to a side, we started laughing.

“I’m so sorry he is such a mal-mannered child. Could everyone please not hate him.”

“Madoka!”

Aiya, Naru looks rather displeased.

“Wha~t?”

In contrast, Mori-san wore a smile that looked like heart symbols were about to come flying out.

“Could you be quiet for a while? I can’t speak at all like this.”

“Ah, Ok.”

Saying that, Mori-san flashed a smile.

“If that’s the case, you have to mind your tone *heart*.”

… very, very strong. This person is so inconceivably strong.

Naru, wearing an expression of extreme displeasure, was momentarily lost for words.

Mori-san looked around at us again.

“Naru really dislikes the publicity stage. He planned to refuse this job, but he accepted only because of my situation. Although I think it is going to trouble everyone, could everyone please help him.”

When asked by someone like that, everyone should have trouble refusing. Everyone nodded, as though influenced by Mori-san’s smile.

Naru knocked on the table with his fingertip unhappily.

“In conclusion, I beg to be excused from the foolish uproar like the one that happened the last time. And I don’t wish to cooperate with the fools who are immeasurably self-satisfied when lauded by the foolish media.”

… Eh. Isn’t this a little out of the ordinary?

“And then? Is Naru-chan not going to the site?”

Bou-san asked. Naru frowned.

“Even if I didn’t want to go, I don’t have any reason not to.”

“I have a question.”

I raised my hand very respectfully.

“Then what character will Naru go as?”

“I will go as a simple investigator from this place.”

… Oh. If he’s an investigator then isn’t that the same rank as me?

“Then, what is the client like this time?”

Ayako asked. Using a dangerous expression, Naru gave a name. Everyone was instantaneously stumped.

This was a super famous person whose name even I knew of. That being the case, if the media finds out, there would really be a huge uproar.

Regardless, it was the name of Japan’s former prime minister.

2

Discussion and preparation took 3 days. On the fourth day we set of for the distant Nagano-ken to begin our investigation.

The subject of the investigation was said to be an ancient manor. Because there were spirits appearing it was abandoned for a long time. … Yeah, this is a clichéd story.

Before entering the city we turned off towards the mountains. We followed the road, covered by greenery and winding according to the slope and climbed upwards. Very soon we encountered an ancient, dilapidated gate: an unwelcoming iron lattice red with rust. The doorpost looked like it was made with bricks, but it appeared half rotten, covered entirely with green moss. Although there was a door, there were no walls on either side. On both sides of the door was a dense forest. It gave one a feeling of not wanting to take a single step in – a dark and frightening feeling.

When the gates were opened, our “Shibuya Psychic Research” van travelling ahead of us entered. That vehicle was driven by Lin-san, with Naru as passenger. I took Bou-san’s car. In the passenger seat was Ayako; John, Yasuhara and I were in the back.

After travelling in the dim forest for a while, we saw a majestic building.

- It was huge. Really very huge.

“… incredible…”

I raised my head to look at the building and couldn’t help muttering. Yasuhara also nodded in agreement.

“Really. It’s like a hotel or a museum.”

Indeed, this manor looked like an ancient hotel or a museum. Rather than calling it a big house, it might as well be called a castle. The gardens surrounding the house also looked abandoned. Even from the outside, one could tell that this house had been vacant for a long time.

Ayako, too,

“Really incredible. There really is everything in this world.”

For no reason we were all moved.

“But it is very poorly maintained. Left like this it is almost like a haunted house.”

Ayako said that; Bou-san couldn’t control his laughter.

“Certainly, isn’t this a haunted house?”

“Ah, it is.”

Indeed, there isn’t a house more like a haunted house than this one – an immense abandoned manor. The haunted houses in foreign horror films are just like this one.

Counting the number of windows, the house was basically a 2 storey structure. There were 3 levels at some places. The exceedingly steep roof was a grayish green color, and attic windows could be seen. Brick colored chimneys normally protruded from the roof, but about half of them have already been destroyed.

The windows too, kept up the appearance with cracked glass. Although all the windows were fitted with frames, only about half remained in a whole condition. The wall, which repetitively protruded and receded in a complicated shape, was made with grey stone. On that wound crisscrossing ivy; due to the season, its naked stems created a tortoise shell appearance.

The gravel pathway overgrown with weeds led straight to the building. After disembarking on a patch of withered, yellowed weeds had overgrown such that it was no different from a lawn, our feet up to the calves were buried in leaves dampened by dew.

“Mai, your first impression is?”

Looking up at the house, Bou-san asked.

“It gives me goosebumps.”

For some reason, this house gave off a very strong oppressive feeling. If I weren’t in a group with adult psychics, I definitely wouldn’t think of entering.

“Yeah, anyway such impressive haunted houses are rare.”

Even Bou-san looked a little tense.

After we disembarked and were looking vacantly at the roof, Naru’s sharp voice came from where he had walked up to the main door.

“What are you lot doing?”

Bou-san couldn’t help bending his head slightly down and whispering into my ear.

“With that type of attitude, do you think he can pass as just a simple investigator?”

“You’re right.”

It looks like the day this huge lie is seen through isn’t too far off.

After ascending the stone steps was the main door. Beyond the immense pair of doors was a ridiculously humongous hall. It looked like the electricity was connected; the hanging lamps were lit and shone brightly. At the center of the hall were fairy-tale like stairs. Two men stood at the base of the stairs. One was a man above forty, and the other was about sixty.

We walked through the main doors which had always been open, one of the men walked up to us.

“I am called Ohashi.”

Saying that, the man bowed deeply.

“The boss is…”

When that was said, Yasuhara took a step forward.

“That would be me.”

… ah ah, I ah’ed because I’m an honest person and therefore dislike this. However, Ohashi-san did not have any suspicion, and bowed towards Yasuhara.

“I have been given full responsibility over this issue. You can take me as the client.”

Yasuhara also bowed gently.

“I am the boss, Shibuya Kazuya.”

He said that with perfect composure, as though without any guilt on his conscience.

“So I see. You are as youthful as I’ve heard you to be.”

Saying that, Ohashi-san looked towards us.

“You all are?”

Bou-san gently lowered his head.

“I am called Takigawa.”

“Takigawa… the first name is?”

“Housou.”

Ohashi-san softly repeated “Takigawa Housou” once. Then he turned to Ayako.

“I am Matsuzaki Ayako.”

“I am called John Brown.”

Yasuhara spoke.

“They are psychics who have deigned to work closely with us. They have specially come to help us this time.”

“Is that so. And the other 3 are?”

Yasuhara lightly replied.

“They are my assistants.”

“And their names are?”

Ohashi-san asked like that; I momentarily glanced unconsciously towards Naru and Lin-san. Being asked like that was no big deal for me, but what would Naru and Lin-san do?

Naru spoke up first.

“I am called Narumi Kazuo (鸣海一夫).”

… That big liar. (tl/n: but calling him 'Naru' still works, so it works for me :P)

Ohashi-san looked at me.

“Ah, … I am Taniyama Mai.”

Ohashi-san’s vision turned towards Lin-san. Even we had shifted our sights onto Lin. He was finally about to divulge his name. Or would he refuse as usual? That we were enthusiastically looking forward to it was something that couldn’t be helped. Everyone was unconsciously staring at Lin-san.

Lin-san wore an extremely blank look and lowered his head.

“I am Lin Koujo (Lin2 Xin4 Chu2 林兴除).” (tl/n: The chinese characters used, the han yu pin yin for the mandarin pronunciation are listed, but since he is from Hong Kong, and Cantonese is the main dialect spoken there the mandarin pronunciation is probably wrong, so I copied the name given in the English Manga…)(con't: In mandarin pronunciation (hanyu pingyin) 林兴除 is indeed Lin2 Xin4 Chu2. In cantonese romanization it is Lam4 Hing3 Cheui4. In Kanji romanization, 林興除 is hayashi kyou jo. 興 is an alt form of 兴 which means joy/prosper and 除 means remove/except, so 兴除 might match his description.)

… ai, ai~~!?

Compared to Ohashi-san who had asked the question, the lot of us were gasping unconsciously.

“You are Chinese?”

“I have gone back to China recently.”

“Were you born in Hong Kong?”

“Yes.”

So… so Lin-san was actually a foreigner! Really, really incredible.

It’s really annoying, about that Lin-san, it wouldn’t hurt to tell us directly. … no, wait a moment. It could be that the supposed “Lin Koujo” was a temporary pseudonym like Naru’s.

Eh~~ It’s very deep…

Ohashi-san looked around at us, then gestured towards the corridor at the upper left.

“Please come this way. All the guests have already gathered.”

3

(tl/n: this part lists a large number of names and characters. I’ve tried to copy the names off the English manga, but the manga cut down several characters, so I’m not too sure if I’ve gotten all the names right. Characters whose names were copied from the manga are written in English with the Chinese characters in apprentices; other characters with names not from the manga are written with the Chinese characters, with the English pronunciation in apprentices followed by a question mark. The English pronunciation listed will be used in all future references to that character, unless no pronunciation is given.)

(tl/n2: In the original text – as original as a Japanese to Chinese translation can be – Mai refers to all the other staff and minor characters as 大叔, 老婆婆, 哥哥, 姐姐 etc. They translate directly as ‘uncle’, ‘granny’, ‘older brother’ and ‘older sister’. However, I found it very awkward to have Mai calling complete strangers so intimately. Hence I have replaced these honorifics with descriptions about the ages and genders of the characters. ‘uncle’ became ‘man’, ‘granny’ became ‘old lady’, ‘elder brother’ became ‘young man’ and ‘older sister’ became ‘young woman’.)

Ohashi-san led us through many turns in the wide corridor, towards the center of the house. It was a really quaint, intricately complicated building, or perhaps a mansion as it was originally called. As I am merely a plebian I don’t quite understand.

The place Ohashi-san brought us to, was a frighteningly large room. In the center of the grandiose room was a large table with many people sitting at it, waiting.

… Aiyo, Masako was there too.

Masako had arrived here much earlier, and sat there dressed in her usual kimono. She looked at us from there, with a slight smile on her face.

We were apparently the last group to arrive. After Naru, who was the last, had entered, the man standing next to the door shut it.

Ohashi-san had us seated properly.

“Everyone has arrived, so I shall begin.”

Saying that, Ohashi-san,

“First, let me introduce each of our guests who have come to visit us.”

Ohashi-san initially gestured to a man seating at the extreme end.

“三桥芳名(Mihashi Houmei?)-san from 三魂会 (Association of the Three Immortal Souls of Taoism).”

That man wore a face filled with suspicion and nodded in greeting towards everyone.

“圣忍-san of the 澄明协会(Choumei Association?, lit: Clear Bright Association), with his assistants 上原美纪(Uehara Yoshimi?)-san and Atsugi Hideo(厚木秀雄)-san.”

A group of 3 consisting of a man about 30, and a young man and woman.

“Professor Igrashi Chie(五十智绘) of the National Defense Academy of Japan (防卫大学) and her assistant Suzuki Naoko (铃木直子)-san.

A refined old lady and a young miss.

“The Abbott of Housen Temple(法专寺), Imura Kenshou(井村健照)-san.”

An “Abbott” is a type of monk, Bou-san had said before. Just like the mentioned bald-headed man.

“Psychic, Hara Masako-san.”

I don’t need to explain more with Masako.

“Head of Minami Psychic Research (南心灵调查会), Minami Reimei (南丽明)-san. And the members 中原清明(Nakahara Kiyoaki?)-san, Shiraishi Yukie(白石幸惠)-san, and Fukuda Miwa(福田三轮)-san.”

An elderly man, a younger one, a middle-aged woman and a young woman.

Ah ah! Really, who exactly is whom? Can I remember everyone’s name before the end of the job? Hee hee.

The only ones that had yet to be introduced were us, and a kind looking foreign gentleman.

“This person listening by the side is Professor Oliver Davis from the British Society for Psychic Research.”

Everyone’s vision was immediately focused.

Professor Davis.

Even I know of him – this celebrity within the industry – a researcher in the English Society of Psychical Research, aka SRP. He is a psychic gifted with both ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) and PK (Psycho Kinesis).

Everyone’s gazes were filled with mixed respect and competitiveness, but only those who were taken aback showed it clearly on their faces. (tl/n: please proofread)(pr/n:I believe there is a mistake in the chinese ver.)

Ohashi-san ignored the minor chattering and continued the introductions.

“The Head of Shibuya Psychic Research, Shibuya Kazuya-san and co.”

Aiyo, Ohashi-san had turned everyone into assistants.

“Takigawa Housou-san, John Brown-san, Matsuzaki Ayako-san, Narumi Kazuo-san, Taniyama Mai-san, and Lin Koujo-san.”

Ohashi-san pointed us out individually, while correctly listing our names. Incredible.

“There are twenty persons listed above.”

Following that Ohashi-san introduced the 5 men who had appeared without me noticing. They were the men standing by the door just now. Saying they were there to look after us or something, ie they were the staff here.

Ohashi-san continued to speak.

“My master’s wish is that everyone lives here during the course of the investigation.”

His ‘master’ refers to Ohashi-san’s employer.

Eh~~. ‘Politicians’ should be public servants. But nobody mentioned the man in the City Hall. Why is that? Thinking about it closely, it is really strange~~.

“Of course, there is no problem if you should wish to withdraw from the investigation and leave, but prior to that could I request everyone not to enter or leave this place.”

4

After taking care of the luggage, myself, Ayako and others went to the Dining Room. I’m not sure why, but everyone was together in the Dining Room. That is to say, twenty people, all drinking tea.

After Ayako, Masako and I sat down, a man asked if we would like tea. In this manner it was really like a hotel.

I asked for a cup of coffee. Seated at the table, Minami-san from Minami Psychic Research, was talking very proudly to the people around him.

“Please leave it to me. There won’t be any trouble at all. Not only do we have advice from Professor Davis, in the worst scenario we can get help and advice from the American Alex Taunus (阿历克斯?塔乌纳斯) – everyone knows him, right?, he’s a famous psychic – and Uri Geller.”

Ales Taunus. Uri Geller.

Aren’t they both famous psychics? I think anyone in this field would know of Taunus, and Geller is a very famous person. Famous to the extent that it makes one feel that that Minami-san is lying.

Isn’t that fellow at a little great at least?

Minami-san continuously bragged about how wide his connections were. Psychics and researchers whom even I know of all appeared to be his friends.

The people around him wore expressions of half-doubt.

“He’s really incredible.”

I whispered to John who was seated next to me.

“Yeah. He actually knows of Professor Davis.”

Yeah. However one puts it, the Professor is a person nobody in the industry wouldn’t know of.

The Professor sat next to Minami-san, smiling calmly while replying to the fragments of English spoken by the people around him.

“Which county is the Professor from?”

“He is English.”

“So it is like that. How should I put it – he gives off the feeling of an English gentleman.”

“Yes indeed. However,”

John tilted his head.

“However?”

“Nothing much. However, the Professor is much older than I had imagined. … I originally thought he would be a much younger person.”

The Professor is probably around 40. I feel that he is young enough. Because the image of ‘Professors’ in my mind is that of an old man.

“Hey, can you speak English, John?”

When I asked that, John’s blue eyes were shocked wide open.

“I… ''do'' come from an English speaking country.”

… Yeah, I know that. It’s just that people fluent in English are a little hard to come by.

“… I’ve asked a really stupid question. Because your Japanese is not bad, John.”

“Thank you for saying that. Then, what do you want to do?”

“Could you act as interpreter in a while or something?”

After I said that, John laughed out loud.

“With the Professor?”

“Yeah. Regardless he is a famous person, and I want to speak to him.”

John smiled.

“Is he very ugly?”

“No. Just now Takigawa-san also said the same thing to me.”

What the ~~ Is Bou-san also~~?

“Even Bou-san too, can’t defeat a famous person.”

“What did Takigawa-san say to the Professor… could I ask?”

“Admiration?”

“Exactly. Takigawa-san admires the Professor greatly.”

Eh~~ that is to say he is a fan of the Professor. Putting it like that, Bou-san regularly uses anecdotes of the Professor as examples.

As we were chit chatting, Naru spoke to Yasuhara.

“Then, boss, let’s begin.”

… Eh. I felt a little unwell.

“Yes.”

Yasuhara doesn’t make others feel the slightest bit that he is the head of the “Shibuya Psychic Research”. After giving an honest reply, we, who are the muscle, stood up.

5

To begin we had to move the equipment to the room which was to act as the headquarters of the investigation. There were computers, instruments of all shapes and sizes, a huge pile of surveillance equipment, etc. We put together the stands then installed the equipment while connecting the computer and monitor cables. While we were engaged in those jobs, Ohashi-san appeared.

“Is the arrangement of having your rooms here alright?”

Yasuhara nodded to Ohashi-san in greeting.

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

“The equipment is really impressive.”

Ohashi-san looked up at the equipment on the stands with a look of awe.

“Thank you for saying so. Then, I have a question I would like to ask you, may I?”

… Eh eh. Yasuhara is doing the questioning?

“Ah, ask away.”

“Then…”

With that, Yasuhara turned back to look at Naru.

“Narumi-kun, could you please.”

Aiyah, so there was still this hand to play.

Yasuhara smiled pretentiously.

“I have to go to the van to check on the equipment. –Ohashi-san, excuse me. Thank you.”

With that said, Yasuhara left. Naru let Ohashi-san take a seat, and then sat down himself. He opened a file at the table we had asked them to prepare.

“First, could you please confirm once more the content of the initial request.”

Eh. With Naru starting work, the atmosphere also started to stretch taut. Even the air around the ones assembling equipment tensed.

Ohashi-san began to speak very seriously.

“This building was originally the property belonging to the master’s in-laws. Not only had the mistress never lived here, even her father… that is the previous generation, had also never lived here. Furthermore there are legends about spirits appearing here, and then now these things have all been forgotten. The month before last, there was a boy who vanished in this building.”

“… this, how is it explained?”

“Because this is a vacant house, there were some young people from the nearby suburbs coming and going. That is to say the entire ‘Bōsōzoku’ (tl/n: motorcycle street gang) trespassed in here, then one of them disappeared, and they reported it to the police. Because the design of this huge building is extremely complicated, everyone thought that the youth was not feeling well at some place and couldn’t be found; the police also gathered manpower to search, but he still couldn’t be found. And this isn’t the only thing.”

Ohashi-san laughed bitterly, looking very troubled.

“Even a youth from the fire department involved in the search has disappeared.”

… wow…

“At that time there were a few who said they had seen ghosts and the type. When this place was renovated, an incident of a workman disappearing had also occurred. The previous generation had repeatedly exhorted during their lifetime that this building should not be touched.”

Ohashi-san himself looked half-believing; his face wore a bitter smile.

“However, two people have disappeared here, and bad rumors have spread, so we can’t leave it as it is. Or rather, we also don’t wish for more victims to appear… Therefore we are trying to ask you psychics to take a look.”

“So that’s the case.” Saying that Naru looked around the room. This was also a posh and spacious room – just like the mansions that appear in foreign films. Although there are some places that have been badly degraded, it was spick and span.

“This looks like an ancient building… when was it built?”

“I’ve heard that it was initially built around the 10th year of the Meiji Era.”

“The 10th year of the Meiji is…”

“About 110 years ago. The year was 1877. However, after its construction this house was continuously added to or renovated, and it is said that there is practically nothing remaining of the original building now.”

“Do you know when the renovations took place?”

“Unfortunately… This building was built by the generation before the last – by the mistress’s grandfather. Apparently from that time he had frequently renovated the house. When the previous generation was around, he would renovate a part of the house almost every year.”

Naru stopped writing in the notebook and looked up.

“Every year? But they don’t live here right?”

“Yes, it was like that.”

… how strange. If that’s the case, what did they do the construction for?

“Could I ask what the name of the generation before last was?”

“He was called Miyama Kaneyuki (美山钲幸). He owned a large piece of land in the Suwa region. Then he built a (cotton? silk?) spinning factory, and was a philanthropist. Apparently he founded an orphanage or a private hospital or something. At first, it was said that due to the unrest in Meiji 40, that is to say 1907, the hospital etc was forced to close amongst all the other businesses that were sold off.”

… is this a Japanese History lesson?

“In the end Miyama Kaneyuki passed away about three years later.”

How tragic ~~. He must have felt very depressed then.

“Subsequently the next generation 宏幸(Hiroyuki?) inherited Kaneyuki’s work. The previous generation also died about twenty years ago.”

Naru knocked on the table with his fingertip.

“Did Kaneyuki live here?”

“Yes. The previous generation was born in the main house in the Suwa region, and apparently never lived over here. This place was just a holiday home at first.”

“Has Hiroyuki ever been here before?”

“It appears so.”

“Have you ever seen anything here yourself, Ohashi-san?”

“I arrived here about a week ago to make preparations. However nothing like that has happened.”

“The others too?”

“Yes. I have not heard of anything happening.”

Naru looked deep in thought. He frowned slightly,

“That… Could I talk to the people who were with the missing person?”

“I’m very sorry; if it is possible we would wish to proceed with the investigations in secrecy…”

Naru frowned slightly. But regarding that issue he made no further comment.

“Lastly, do you have any opinion on the cause of the rumours?”

“I really don’t know anything.”

“Thank you very much.”

Lowering his head gently, Naru spoke.

“Ah ah, Ohashi-san. Could you give me the floor plan of this building?”

“I’m really very sorry. I’ve enquired before, but it’s said that such a thing doesn’t exist at all. Just as a floor plan was about to be drawn the building was coincidentally renovated again and…”

“… is that so? Thank you.”

“This building does give one the feeling of a haunted house don’t you think?”

Once Ohashi-san had left, Ayako’s excited-for-no-reason voice piped up.

Bou-san also laughed contentedly.

“Exactly. An ancient bungalow. A deep and long history. … Naru-chan, how is it?”

Naru looked reluctant.

“I feel a little unsettled.”

“What about?”

“A haunted house left vacant for a long time. The building itself is very complicated and there is no floor plan. But we have to live inside.”

Yeah. In such situations Naru has always advocated not staying at the site until safety can be verified.

“Aiyo, such a cowardly statement.”

“Can’t you call this being cautious? – Mai.”

“Yes~~.”

“Anyway set up thermographs around this area and observe. Go with Bou-san. Do not continue once the sun has set. After dusk you must stay together with the others. Do you understand?”

“… Yeah.”

After saying that, Naru looked at Ayako.

“Can you write some protective charms?”

“Of course I can. I am a Miko after all.”

… and that’s true too. If there’s anyone who thinks that Bou-san looks like a monk he deserves my praise.

Naru rapped the table with a bang.

“The protective charms – please make one for each person. Also make one for each room.”

Bou-san tilted his head.

“Isn’t this over-reacting?”

“This is a line from a fellow lacking in thought trying to find excuses to be lazy.”

Bou-san’s face sank momentarily. Then he smiled contentedly.

“-Yeah. It is indeed better to be a little more cautious.”

He looked at Naru with a celebratory expression.

“… what?”

“That attitude, if you aren’t more careful and change your behavior normally you would be seen through, Narumi-kun the investigator.”

Ayako also clapped her hands.

"Ah, what he says is true. Oh, you are really too arrogent to be seen as an investigator~~"

Hehe.

"Oh, we were asked to helped to the best of our capabilities by the director, who is our distinguished guest. If you don't listen to us with the appropriate attitude~~"

Naru frowned slightly.

“… I understand. And your ages are truly ''much greater'' than mine.”

This guy. He clearly emphasized the words “much greater”.

Naru stood up. He immediately put a pretentious smile on his face.

“Then, I would like to start work. Could everyone help out? Matsuzaki-san, Takigawa-san?”

This is really chilling. Or more accurately it makes one shiver although it isn’t cold. John, looking over, also hugged his head.

“Whatever… Mai, let’s go.”

“Yes, I’m coming.”

Only Bou-san and I hurriedly escaped from that place.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter1 5

2008-06-30T04:19:16Z

220.255.7.203: 'Takaradzuka' to 'Takarazuka', source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takarazuka_Revue

==5.==

"Please."

A white cup was filled about seven tenths to the brim with a red, steaming liquid and placed in front of me.

This is a liquid called 'black tea.'

"Would you like sugar or milk?"

A relatively short, pony-tailed girl offered a stick-shaped item from the basket. This girl was, if I remember correctly, also a first-year. I forget her class and surname, but she was the petite sœur for Hasekura Rei-sama, the Rosa Foetida en bouton, and I think her name was Yoshino-san.

"No, thank you."

I thought in a daze after refusing. Umm, what was milk again?

Ahh, I'm so confused.

The one who was the most surprised by Sachiko-sama's declaration was none other than Yumi herself. She was frozen in place, even oblivious to the uproar around her. How many times must Sachiko-sama petrify her in one day?

Let's settle down and talk about it. Is what happened, and thus everyone moved into the room, past the door with the "meeting" plate.

Sachiko-sama, who'd made the selfish declaration in the first place, left behind her sœur, Yumi, even if the declaration was a temporary loss of mind, and angrily shouldered her way into the room. Prepared for battle, would be the most suitable way to describe her state.

"… War, with Sachiko-sama."

In reality, if you went by image, the two of them probably were more suited to being in completely separate positions.

"Oh dear, what a helpless onee-sama, leaving her little sister behind."

When Rosa Gigantea embraced Yumi by the shoulders and walked into the room, Sachiko-sama seemed to have realized her clumsiness and so she stood up, pulled out the seat next to her, and beckoned, "sit here."

Then, when everyone sat down, black tea was distributed. And that was where we were.

This room had an atmosphere unlike any other school facility. Just like the stairs and the hallway, the floor and walls were of worn, wooden boarding. Aside from the one adjacent to the hallway, the other three walls each had a wooden-framed bay window, and the clean cotton curtains for each were opened and fastened with a thin ribbon. The size was about half that of a classroom, and there was an arrangement of flowers on the elliptical table in the middle of the room that could probably seat up to eight people. Rather than a student council headquarter, it felt more like an old, western-style dining room.

Of course, the three Roses were seated at the table, as were Sachiko-sama, Yumi, Shimako-san, and Tsutako-san, who was treated as a guest. Rei-sama and Yoshino-san pulled chairs over from around the washstand by the wall.

The electric pot was making a bubbling sound, having had fresh water recently added. I had never even imagined students elegantly sitting and drinking black tea after school in a school building. At some point, even cookies were placed on top of spread tissues.

I had no idea you were treated this well when you became a Yamayurikai staff member.

"Let me start off by saying, please do not misunderstand, we put in a lot of personal effort into keeping this a pleasant space to be."

As if reading Yumi's mind, Sachiko-sama, sitting right next to her, whispered. The Yamayurikai budget was not used for tea, she seemed to be want to say. Each member brought in tea themselves, and cookies tended to be donations from classes that had cooking class.

"If you prefer, we have coffee and cocoa. They are, however, instant, so their taste is not top-notch."

Rosa Chinensis smiled.

"So come and play any time you wish. As you are Sachiko's sœur, you are a valuable friend."

Lowering my guard and then nonchalantly firing off the main question. The Roses certainly were not a normal kind of people.

(That, that's right, the crucial matter was still left unanswered.)

Sachiko-sama's bombshell of a statement had left everyone staring at each other.

While certainly not having forgotten, Yumi honestly wished she could simply forget. She could not think of a reason. In fact, having ended up as a victim of an accident, she could not grasp why she was being made to sit in such a seat. It felt more like she was being summoned as a witness for a trial or a parliament.

"Oh, Rosa Chinensis, so you accept Sachiko's assertion?"

"But Rosa Foetida, if Sachiko has made the decision, we are not in the right to pursue the matter, am I wrong? Rosa Gigantea, do you have an opinion?"

"I think whether we accept it or not should be left for later. At the very least, not while one of the protagonists is looking like her eyes might pop out in surprise."

Immediately, everyone looked at Yumi.

(Pr, protagonist, does that mean me-!?)

"Poor thing, she's struggling to grasp the circumstances."

The Roses giggled. Yumi began thinking they were simply having fun at her expense.

(Of course, that has to be the case. It must.)

She could not think this gorgeous membership would have taken that earlier joke seriously. To begin with, regardless of what condition Sachiko-sama was in, there was too much impossibility in her making Yumi her little sister.

(Wait, wait.)

Maybe it's all a joke that Sachiko-sama is a part of. Of course, that must be it. Then it all makes sense. "We apologize, our joke might have gone too far." –if they were to say that now, I could laugh, return, "I knew it was weird," and squeeze out of this in one piece.

However.

"No matter what anyone says, Yumi is my little sister."

Sachiko-sama still refused to bend with her statement. What could she be thinking?

"Personally, I would like to ask Yumi-san too, not just Sachiko."

"M, me…!?"

Yumi flinched at the sudden shift of focus. As had been evident, Yumi had not been able to grasp the circumstances. It would be easy to say "I don't know," but she could surmise from the atmosphere that such a statement would simply corner Sachiko-sama into a further predicament.

"Umm-."

If possible, she wanted to be an ally for Sachiko-sama. However, how could you fight when you didn't know who was an ally and who was an enemy? She wished Sun Tzu could teach her the art of war right there.

"If I say so, it must be so, am I wrong? There is no need to confirm with Yumi."

She stands firm. Sachiko-sama looks unwilling to crumble her firm stance.

"Ah, umm…"

"Just be silent for the time being."

Zap! Even to her ally, Yumi, she was merciless.

Of course, had they really been sœurs, onee-sama's order would be absolute, so she would remain silent. But as that wasn't the case, Yumi felt Sachiko could have been a bit kinder.

"It seems you want to continue this conversation without Yumi-san, but I won't allow that."

Rosa Gigantea's eyes sparkled.

"Sachiko. You simply dragged a passer-by into this mess for the sole purpose of escaping from the job imposed on you, right?"

(Job imposed on her…?)

The moment Yumi tilted her neck to the side, a person sitting far away raised her hand and said "wait." That was Tsutako-san, who Yumi had forgotten existed.

"What is it, Takeshima Tsutako-san?"

"I am honoured that you know of me, Rosa Gigantea."

"Yumi-san notwithstanding, there is no student that knows not of you. You are notorious, after all."

I'm sorry I don't stand out – Yumi whispered, deep inside.

"I am grateful."

Tsutako-san continued after fixing the position of her glasses.

"I do not mind if you simply wish to consider me an outsider, but may I ask one thing, having been allowed to listen in on the conversation?"

"Of course?"

"I have no idea what is going on."

Why Sachiko-sama had to declare Yumi to be her sœur. What connection that has with this "imposed job." Tsutako-san seemed to be wanting to know.

"That is true, forgive us for not explaining."

Rosa Foetida nodded. Sachiko-sama urgently stood up.

"There is nothing to explain. I chose a sœur, that is all. The meeting is over."

"How selfish. If you wish to break up the meeting, you may return home by yourself. Of course, Yumi-san will stay here with us."

Sachiko-sama had no choice but to sit back down to Rosa Chinensis' words.

"To put it shortly, Sachiko decided to reject a job for the school festival she had previously accepted, today, after all this time."

"Because you changed your story."

Sachiko-sama complained, but Rosa Chinensis continued.

"The story did not change. Even if there was not enough information presented at the time, your own role remains unchanged."

"Umm, … what is Sachiko-sama's job?"

Now Yumi asked.

"Ahh, we were short on explaining once again. Actually, for this year's school festival we are planning to hold a play."

"The Yamayurikai staff will get together and perform."

It sounded extremely extravagant. Yumi wished greatly to be allowed to watch.

"Us three Roses, being part of the executive committee for the school festival, are busy every day. Of course, that means the boutons will have to be the central figures for the play."

Rosa Foetida added that they planned to borrow members from the dance club as extras.

"Dance club, what play are you expecting to perform?"

Tsutako-san eagerly asked, it seems her blood as a cameraman was beginning to catch fire.

"Cinderella. The dance ball scene."

Wow.

"And, and the lead role?"

Forgetting her situation entirely, Yumi also became excited. This one had her 'closet Sachiko-fan blood' catching fire.

"Of course, Sachiko."

Kyaaa.

Sachiko-sama, as Cinderella.

Then Rei must be the prince!? A splendid recital contest of two boutons.

It's beautiful just imagining. Too beautiful. It was getting into [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_5#Takarazuka Takarazuka] territory.

I have to secure a ticket, no matter what. I wonder if they hand out numbered tickets prior to the event, or something. It was something to look into before heading home.

Wait, hold on.

They did mention Sachiko-sama rejecting the job earlier. That means she wants to stop being the lead actress-.

"This year we intend to call upon a guest from Hanadera. Sachiko seems to object."

"Guest?"

"It's customary. As both schools neighbor each other on the same hill, Lillian and Hanadera Institute help each others' student councils during the school festivals. We helped out during their school festival last month, too."

It sounded like a neighborly relationship from the countryside. Funerals, weddings, fires, moving. No matter what, people are willing to take a break from work to help out, that sort of custom.

I had a culture shock when my grandfather died in Yamanashi, and his neighbor took a break from his bank, even though it was a busy time at the end of the term, to help take condolence calls. But to see the same thing carried out so close, and by high school students, at that.

"I have no objection to the inviting of a guest. But I see no reason why the Hanadera council leader has to be the prince."

Sachiko-sama muttered.

Ah, I see. Rei-sama is not the prince.

"Then what would you have him do? Cinderella? Will Sachiko do the prince, then?"

Yumi was probably not the only one who thought, 'that might be more interesting.'

"Why does it end up like that. I was just thinking, maybe back-stage work like carrying around props-."

"How could you even insinuate making a guest do menial labour? We were the judges for their main event. Even if it might have worked, they did not request us to pour tea. Although Sachiko might not have known this, having skipped out on the appointed day?"

"What I cannot stand is that we are changing role distribution now, two weeks before the school festival."

It was a verbal dispute between Sachiko-sama and Rosa Chinensis. A duel between sisters.

"And as I said, Hanadera's council leader was intended to be the prince from the start."

"That's a lie. Rei was saying the prince's lines all the way up to yesterday."

"I was told from the onset I was just a stand-in."

Rei-sama raised her hand to fan away the electric pot's vapours.

"See, look. Aside from Sachiko, everyone knew. If you are still in disbelief, you may speak to the handicrafts' club whom are working on the costumes. The princes' costume is being tailored to suit Hanadera's council leader."

"So you decided this while I was not in attendance."

Sachiko-sama grinded her teeth, frustrated at how her position was becoming disadvantageous.

"Oh, wake up, we have no need to call secret meetings. … Ah, however, come to think of it, Sachiko did skip out on a number of meetings. We might have decided upon this then. However, in that case you brought this upon yourself, did you not? You always fled when we had a meeting with Hanadera. This is what happens when you never deal with your dislike of men."

(Dislike of men?)

I got it! Yumi clapped her hands in her mind.

To combine everything so far, Sachiko-sama accepted the leading role for the play, as decreed by the Roses. Whether it was intended or whether it was an unfortunate communications miss, only Sachiko-sama missed out on the notice that Hanadera's council leader was to play the prince's part. Having found this out today, Sachiko-sama became as furious as the raging flames, and proclaimed that she was withdrawing from the leading role. The reason is, -well, because she hated men.

(But, hating men…)

She'd never thought about it, but Sachiko-sama and the description 'hating men' seemed to fit together perfectly. There were students in Yumi's class whom admitted to having arrhenphobia or simply hating men, and she did have the same sort of aura.

(I wonder if she dislikes her father, too…)

As she absent-mindedly had such thoughts, she felt as if she was being stared at, and when she looked up, she noticed Rosa Gigantea, jaw protruding and eyes narrowed, laughing at her.

"You're amusing."

"Huh?"

"You were going through life's many phases."

"Eh!?"

Yumi rushed to suppress her face. However, it was too late. She couldn't take back the 'life's many phases,' and a great wave of red attacked her face, like it was delivering a finishing blow.

"You have an unpredictable nature, you're pretty fun."

That.

Is almost definitely not praise. Even though my grade in Japanese is rather average, I can tell that much, Rosa Gigantea.

"Hmm. However, how does Sachiko-sama disapproving of the lead role tie into her making Yumi her little sister? The plate outside says 'in a meeting,' but does that mean you were discussing a role change?"

Tsutako-san continued her my-pace questioning. However, Rosa Foetida smiled bitterly and lowered her shoulders.

"Well it was meeting, in the beginning."

The staff members who packed into the Rose Mansion after school every day for school festival preparations. Presumably, they intended to discuss a number of problems that had arisen.

They began the meeting without waiting for Shimako-san, who was going to be late because of day duties. Plus, as she was just a bouton, her attendance was not mandatory.

To explain things a bit, the Yamayurikai is the student council, as it would be called in an ordinary school. The official staff members that would be called the "staff" were the three Roses, Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Foetida. These three filled the student president, vice president, secretary and accounting roles, as per the management structure passed down through generations.

No one really knows when the student council roles became synonymous with the Roses. Whether the chicken or the egg came first. Anyways, when someone mentions the Yamayurikai staff, they mean the red, white and yellow Roses.

However, beginning with the student council, they are also the School Festival Executive Committee, they organize the seasonal events such as the Freshmen Welcome Party and the Graduate Farewell Party, and though not as gaudy also are the Budget Committee and hold general student meetings, and perform a vast number of other small duties, certainly too much for the three to handle alone. As such, you could almost call them apprentices, but the Roses have their sœurs lend their hands as assistants. As long as there is no stunning upset, the Yamayurikai management tends to be passed down in such a way, so that the little sisters of the Roses are called boutons. Everyone accepts them as Roses waiting to blossom.

"Most of the agenda was easy to make decisions on, so the meeting was going smoothly."

"Then Sachiko began complaining about the play appointment."

"When we teased her to silence her, she exploded. Sachiko carries herself well outside, so she's popular, but she has a rather violent temperament, so it is extremely difficult to keep a handle on her."

The Roses said plainly.

"Tease!? That was not mere teasing, you were driving a stake into my heart!"

Sachiko-sama was agitated by the reminder.

"You said I have no right to speak, as I cannot even find a petite sœur."

"I did say that, but that did not mean 'Regardless of who it is, get a petite sœur.' To grab the first first-year you see upon stepping outside, how hasty, how simplistic. You are not warashibechouja[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_5#warashibechouja] after all."

(… Warashibechouja.)

A bead of sweat appeared on Yumi's forehead.

(So that would make me a straw.)

Well, thanks to their explanations, I can see what's going on, but this is becoming ridiculous.

"Warashibechouja, that is splendid. If I remember correctly, it had a happy ending, did it not?"

Sachiko-sama, now you're making no sense.

"So you intended to simply hold onto Yumi-san until you found a better person? I cannot accept such a relationship. As your grand sœur even my dignity would be in tatters."

Rosa Chinensis sighed, disgusted. However, Sachiko immediately responded, staring straight at onee-sama.

"I will take care of Yumi forever. I will train her and turn her into a magnificent Rose. There is no problem then, correct?"

Even if that was prompted by the way the conversation was going, was it wise to say such big talk? It would just magnify her shame when she would have to take it back.

"Stop saying things as you think of them, Sachiko."

"Why do you claim I am simply thinking as I speak?"

"You just met Yumi-san just now. How could you make such a promise?"

Invisible fireworks kept scattering.

However, it was three versus one. Plus, the three were the strongest third-years among the Lillian Girls' Academy High School students.

"If I am not mistaken, you did not even know Yumi-san's name until just earlier?"

"That…"

Sachiko-sama's tone fell. As if seizing the opportunity, Rosa Gigantea spoke softly.

"Isn't that enough? That's enough stubbornness."

That's right, Yumi thought. It was better to admit defeat in a dignified manner. If she did not want to be Cinderella, there would surely be other ways to resolve the matter. Little sisters are not there to be impulsively bought. She should think harder and find a more suitable partner.

Of course

If Sachiko-sama were to choose another first-year, it would be a shock. Even if it was arbitrary, Yumi was happy Sachiko-sama announced her to be a sœur.

"Please wait."

Just then, Shimako-san stood up.

"I think Sachiko-sama and Yumi-san did not just meet."

Until then, she had faded into the background like she didn't exist. Like Rosa Foetida en bouton and her petite sœur, it might be that boutons are supposed not supposed to intrude unless needed. Sachiko-sama seemed to be the exception.

"And why do you think so?"

Rosa Gigantea asked her own sœur.

"Because Yumi-san came to visit Sachiko-sama."

"Eh? I thought Shimako brought them here?"

Rosa Chinensis shifted her eyes between Yumi, Tsutako-san and Shimako-san.

"It seems we did forget to ask why Yumi-san and Tsutako-san came here."

Apparently everyone simply assumed that Shimako-san had brought her personal friends, or had brought students volunteering to help with the school festival, or wanted to bring up a problem with a club or the gymnasium usage, or something of the sort. Of course, there was no helping this, as Sachiko-sama's hysteria and the collision and the sœur declaration had left everyone in a confused state.

"Is this true?"

Rosa Gigantea directly asked Yumi, not Sachiko-sama.

"… yes."

Wrangling out an almost inaudible voice, Yumi answered. Even though she had nothing to be faulted for, she disliked these situations. It felt like when her mother was asking for her reasons after a sibling fight as a child.

"I have proof, too."

Tsutako-san took the opportunity to cut in. She handed something to Rosa Chinensis.

(Ah, the photo from the morning…!)

She only got a glimpse, but there was no doubt it was the two-shot photo.

But still. The situation seemed to be settling down, but the two classmates, whatever they were thinking, complicated everything again.

"I see, so the two had already met before. Excuse my discourtesy."

The snapshot made its rounds, and finally fell before Yumi and Sachiko-sama. In this way, Sachiko-sama learnt of the existence of the photo.

Yumi lay in wait, curious as to how Sachiko-sama would react.

When Sachiko-sama took ahold of the photo, first she tilted her head to the side the slightest bit, then slowly began to look at Yumi.

She's contorting her forehead. But it wasn't a look of displeasure.

(This-, this puzzled look-.)

Sachiko-sama whispered so that no one else could hear.

"I wonder when this happened."

I knew it.

She had completely forgotten.

Even though it had occurred just that morning, the fact that she had already forgotten meant that Yumi was too bland to remember. Either that or, for Sachiko-sama, it was too trivial to bother remembering.

Either way, Yumi was disappointed. If her face wasn't remembered, then there was no need to fix her reputation.

However, with that knowledge, Sachiko-sama's actions were nothing short of bold. In her mind, she had taken a first-year she'd never met and declared her to be her sœur.

She has no right to be angry at being called warashibechouja.

"As you can see, Yumi and I, as shown in the photo, have already established an intimate relationship."

Wait a second.

Now armed with a prop, Sachiko-sama seemed to relinquish her hysteria and adopt a more logical attack.

What fast regeneration. The whisper of "I wonder when this happened" must have dried at the rate of a gas-based drying machine, such was the speed at which she recovered.

Sachiko-sama persisted.

"Plus, I feel you have no right to intrude on who I choose to be my sœur?"

It seemed she was fully intent on keeping to her lie about Yumi to the bitter end.

No, that's not the case. Sachiko-sama probably wants to convert it from a random declaration to reality. It was hard to say, but probably to get out of being Cinderella.

"Indeed. Even if you came up with it on the spot, to have qualms about you proactively choosing a petite sœur or intending to tear you two apart is not within our rights. You are first and foremost a student in this academy."

Even so, Yumi felt they had to say something. –Lest this goes in a bad direction.

Sachiko-sama was still Rosa Chinensis en bouton, and was destined to become Rosa Chinensis in half of a year. For her to call this normal, average student her sœur, even for a moment, was synonymous with creating an uproar. There was no need to even test this.

[[Image:MM_v01_02.jpg|thumb|''Sachiko-sama slammed the table with enough force to overturn cups.'']]
In that case, Tsutako-san is unique enough to be a better fit. Even so, why did I have to be the one to run into Sachiko-sama.

"Okay, I approve."

Eventually, Rosa Chinensis said that, and Sachiko-sama's expression brightened. With just that, the atmosphere in the world transformed into a glittering space. Right, just like the scene where Cinderella has magic cast upon her.

"However-."

Rosa Chinesis continued, smiling.

"This does not mean you do not have to be Cinderella. Just remember that."

"The promise!?"

Sachiko-sama slammed the table with enough force to overturn cups. Cinderella after the magic had worn off.

"Promise?"

Rosa Chinensis laughed scornfully.

"You made that up yourself, did you not? I clearly said that people without a little sister have no right to speak. Therefore, feel free to speak, from now on."

"Then please remove me from the role."

"No."

"Why."

"Hating men does not fall under 'a critical reason for which the change of roles is the only solution.' In your case, it is not like you have an allergic reaction from seeing men, or you feel like vomiting, or anything, correct? Just because you say 'I do not want to' does not mean the world will conform to your wishes. We call that self-centered. I am sure you, as the next Rosa Chinensis, are aware of that fact?"

With that, Rosa Chinensis, put her hand to her cheek and exaggerated despair.

"I am sure this comes back to my inadequacy at teaching. But I had no idea you would not understand such a basic thing."

What a pity. Sachiko-sama had no retort.

Perhaps in this way, the Roses become stronger from generation to generation. It felt like I had just experienced a dreadful dressing room scene.

"I am leaving."

Sachiko-sama abruptly stood up.

"Wait."

Rosa Chinensis remained sitting, looking up at the sœur whom she had just crushed.

"Let me confirm one thing. What is Yumi-san to Sachiko?"

"Eh?"

"Do you still feel as though Yumi-san is your sœur?"

Rosa Chinensis is probably asking whether, now that the role of Cinderella is unrelated, Sachiko still asserts Yumi as her sœur.

"Of course-."

- I retract what I said before. Of course Sachiko-sama would say that.

After all, making Yumi her sœur was a big act to extricate herself from being Cinderella. With that no longer possible, there was no reason for her to keep Yumi, whom she didn't know the face nor name of, as her little sister.

However.

"Of course, Yumi is my little sister."

Sachiko-sama said something unexpected. Yumi sat up and apprehensively searched Sachiko-sama's face for clues.

She was hysteric until just recently, and she was confused, so maybe she messed up her use of Japanese. Surely she must have meant to say 'she is not my little sister.'

"Onee-sama, are you attempting to slight me? You make it sound as if I made Yumi my sœur for the purpose of using her."

Woah, woah, but wasn't that the case? However, because the opponent was Sachiko-sama, Yumi held back on her desire to interject.

Will someone please say something, in my stead?

"Splendid."

Rosa Chinensis nodded, satisfied.

"If you were to throw away Yumi-san now, I would have had to cut our sisterly ties."

Why do things have to become so outrageous?

There was no premonition of this when I woke up. When I stepped out of my house, when I walked through the school gates, nothing was different than usual.

Only, my sailor collar was bent. From something so trivial, I was sucked into such a big incident. I felt like a person in a vortex.

However, for someone stuck in a vortex, it kind of felt like I was in the outfield.

"Did you hand her your rosary?"

"Not yet. I would not mind performing the ceremony in front of everyone, if you so desire?"

"That sounds good."

Wait a second.

Is no one going to stop Sachiko-sama? At this rate, this average person is going to become the petite sœur of Rosa Chinensis en bouton. This isn't the time to be saying "that sounds good" while smiling and sipping cooled tea!

"What's wrong? She looks like she wants to say something."

Rosa Gigantea noticed Yumi's expression.

"I wonder if she has qualms about performing the ceremony here and now."

"Oh come now. Is there any student dissatisfied with receiving a rosary to become a formal sœur?"

Quipped Rosa Foetida, as matter-of-factly as if she were repeating an equation.

"But see, some people prefer to be alone."

"Well aren't you romantic."

That's not what I mean, that's not what I mean, but-. Yumi sat speechless, unable to find the timing to butt into the Roses' musings.

As for what Sachiko-sama was doing while Yumi stuttered, she had quickly reached into her breast pocket and retrieved her rosary.

(Are you serious!?)

Once you place that over an underclassman's neck, you can no longer take it back. It might seem over-the-top, but the sanctity of the give-and-receive of a rosary is like that of a marriage registration.

Or maybe I was the one being insane. This is all a dream. The typical pattern, where the alarm rings as the rosary is placed around my neck, waking me up.

(But do you feel pain while dreaming?)

When I hit my butt in the hallway, it actually hurt. I tested this by pinching my arm, and it did hurt.

"Stay still, Yumi."

Sachiko-sama orders. The rosary in her hand was on stand-by above Yumi's head, its lace opened wide for ease of placement.

If that hung around my neck, I would become the petite sœur of Sachiko-sama, whom I adored.

Botamochi[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_5#botamochi] from the shelf. A top from the gourd.

No, more like a horse. A spinning top from a gourd is no surprise. But if you plucked a horse out it would be like 'are you serious?'

Ahh, this isn't the time to be thinking about that. There is only one thing to think about.

Is this okay?

Is it okay to just become a sœur like this?

"Um, umm…"

"Wait."

Yumi and Shimako-san simultaneously shouted.

"Sachiko-sama and the other onee-samas, everyone forgot the most important thing."

"Important thing?"

"Yumi-san's feelings."

"Yumi-san's feelings?"

The Roses scoffed.

"Do you think she would refuse the rosary?"

"I will not presume. However, I feel it is proper to hear her feelings."

Shimako-san said this firmly. While you might not expect it from how she looks, when it comes to it, she stands up for her opinions. As expected from Rosa Gigantea en bouton. Even so, as a fellow first-year, it was an envious trait.

Anyways, the ceremony was halted, so I was thankful of Shimako-san.

"Indeed. Even if it is an offer from Rosa Chinensis en bouton, there are those like Shimako who say 'I'm sorry.'"

Rosa Chinensis lightly threw a ball to [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_5#check check] Shimako-san. It seems that rumour was true.

"However, Yumi-san is Sachiko-sama's devotee. Of course she wouldn't refuse?"

Tsutako-san spoke to Shimako-san, almost like idle chatter.

"I agree. She… Yumi-san, just by observing her I could tell she was a Sachiko fan almost immediately."

Rosa Gigantea nodded. I see, she saw all of my facial expressions because she was observing.

If that's the case, maybe Sachiko-sama likewise figured out in an instant, and that would explain why she had no hesitation in dragging Yumi into the mess.

And by her side, Sachiko-sama was rolling the rosary in her hand, seemingly oblivious to the outcome of the discussion. It seemed she was supremely confident that Yumi would not refuse the rosary.

"Still. There is that chance. Shall we ask, then?"

Rosa Chinensis turned to Yumi and asked.

"Sachiko wants to make you her sœur. Have you the intent of accepting?"

Asked so directly, Yumi lost her words.

Become Sachiko-sama's petite sœur was a fairy tale, like marrying a Hollywood Star. But because it was an unattainable dream, you could continue to dream, and enjoy it.

And now, a ticket for an express train to that dream was in her grasp.

It would be a lie not to say 'yes.'

But deep down, she thought, 'is that okay?'

Everyone stared at the silent Yumi. Then, Yumi solidified her resolve and spoke.

"I apologize. I cannot become Sachiko-sama's sœur."

Everyone began murmuring.

"Now it's getting interesting."

Rosa Gigantea irresponsibly laughed, Rosa Chinensis rolled her eyes, and Rosa Foetida was petrified with jaws agape.

"Do I, have the right, to ask why?"

Sachiko-sama trembled a bit.

"I was certainly a fan of Sachiko-sama, but."

"What, did you become afraid after seeing her true self?"

Rosa Chinensis cut in and asked Yumi.

"Not at all."

Although it was slightly different from her selfish image of Sachiko-sama, she was glad she could see the human side – her sulking and her being angry. Because of that, she felt she couldn't attribute it to disliking Sachiko-sama's personality.

"It's hard to explain, but. Because I'm a fan, doesn't mean I would do anything to become her little sister…"

"Hmm."

"Because as a fan, I do have a bit of pride."

"It's disgraceful to be expected to follow orders, tail wagging and all."

"Not quite, but…"

I thought it was hard formulating how I felt into words.

"Well, either way, Sachiko got rejected again."

"Poor Sachiko, two consecutive upset losses."

"The first-years this year are really something."

The Roses surrounded Sachiko-sama. Although rather than consoling, they seemed to be having fun.

"If you think I'm pitiful, will you do something about Cinderella?"

Sachiko-sama forced a smile.

"Oh dear, Sachiko, who hates being pitied, is starting to beg."

"How rare."

"You say to do something, but do you have anything in mind?"

Even though they know.

If you were to step back and look at the whole scene, you would see an interesting image. Sachiko-sama had turned into a toy for the Roses.

"Drop either me or the Hanadera council leader from the leading roles."

"Oh what are you saying, just because you were rejected by Yumi does not mean we have to feel that much pity for you."

Of course, that sort of logic wouldn't fly. However, I began to think it was a bit cruel to force her to dance with a man like this.

She was so averse to co-starring with a man that she tried to make Yumi her little sister.

"Ah, um."

Yumi suddenly shouted out.

"You were still here?"

Perhaps because she was still stung by the rejection, Sachiko-sama sounded bitter. Even though, as they stood next to each other, she clearly would have known had she left, how uncute.

"Um, would it be possible to tell the Hanadera council leader to step aside this time?"

"Are you trying to back up Sachiko now?"

Rosa Chinensis swayed her jaw-length hair happily.

"It's not about backing her."

Yumi surprised herself, noticing that she was opining to Rosa Chinensis.

For whatever reason, she felt different from usual.

"We sent a formal commission to the Hanadera council leader, so that is impossible."

"Then how about swapping Sachiko-sama's role, at the very least?"

"Swapping roles?"

"For example, swapping with Shimako-san's role. Shimako-san is just as pretty as Sachiko-sama. Plus she is also Rosa Gigantea en bouton."

Shimako-san, at having been singled out, shot a look of "how could you say that!" Yumi put her hands together and apologized, in her mind. Even though it was a supposition, maybe it was a bad idea.

"Shimako, a first-year, for the lead role?"

"I think first-year second-year is inconsequential."

"That is true."

I thought, just one more push. Rosa Chinensis stared up at the ceiling in thought.

"Since it was a communication mishap, it seemed like everyone was laying the blame solely on Sachiko-sama. But everyone also-"

And then a voice cut in.

"Silence!"

Sachiko-sama, standing next to me, suddenly shouted.

"If you say any more, I will not forgive you."

"Sachiko-sama…"

Rather than the usual hysteria, this was a more weighted tone.

"I understand you are saying this for my sake. However, please do not trouble the onee-samas over me."

Sachiko-sama laid a soft hand on Yumi's shoulder, then snapped right and lowered her head to the Roses.

"I apologize. I will scold her later."

The shoulder she was touching felt sad. Even though I'd tried to help Sachiko-sama, it might have been a complete whiff.

"True."

Rosa Gigantea mumbled.

"What Yumi-san tried to say is true. As Sachiko did just find out today, and the responsibility for that lies at least partly within us. How about we think about the role a bit more."

The other Roses immediately began countering. No matter the reason, the costume and posters were already ordered, and as it was almost time for the dress rehearsals, role re-distribution was too tough, seemed to be the strongest argument.

"However, forcing her to dance with a man is wrong, too. For Sachiko's sake, as well as ours."

"I see. People who coerce their juniors into doing things are not fit for leading the student council. Plus, 'Cinderella' is going to be our banner production."

"But it's hard changing roles now."

Rosa Gigantea happily cut into Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida's worries.

"Basically, we just need to make Sachiko willing to play Cinderella."

"Even though we cannot change the Prince?"

"Yup. And without changing the cast."

Rosa Gigantea explained.

"Lets have a bet."

"Bet?"

"Unsparingly forcing her to do Cinderella is unfair. So we'll give Sachiko a chance, and if she loses, she has to undergo the penalty."

I see.

However, what is bothersome is how she seems confident that Sachiko-sama would lose.

Rosa Gigantea whispered into Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida's ears, already gaining their approval. It seemed like she was using Sachiko's numerical inferiority to her advantage.

"If I win?"

Sachiko-sama asked, unperturbed.

"I'll promise this time, once and for all, you can step out of Cinderella."

"I understand. I accept the bet."

"Sachiko-sama! You're accepting the bet even without asking what it is!?"

Even though it might have been meddlesome, even Yumi burst out out this.

"It hardly matters. It makes no difference if I lose."

Sachiko-sama's rather surprisingly a gambler. Even though she was fastidious, she didn't seem to disgust bets.

"Well, as per Yumi-san's request, I'll explain the rules of the bet."

Rosa Gigantea simply stated, suppressing a laugh.

"Whether Sachiko can make Yumi-san her sœur or not. Of course, Sachiko will be betting on 'yes.'"

"Eh!?"

The one that was surprised the most was, of course, Yumi.

(I thought I was done here!?)

"You were already refused once. Getting her to accept your rosary by the school festival is almost impossible. However, the moment it happens, you're immediately off the hook. In exchange, you will participate in dress rehearsals as normal until that time comes."

"I see. If I do not want to hold hands with Hanadera's council leader, I need to seduce Yumi as soon as possible, correct?"

"That's right. We will not interfere in any way. Winning or losing is entirely up to you. I think the terms are pretty fair, would you agree?"

"Sounds better than I expected."

Sachiko-sama already looked like she was confident of winning.

"Oh, and, one more thing."

Rosa Gigantea spun around to Yumi and spoke.

"No accepting the rosary simply to be useful to Sachiko. The moment you say okay and the Cinderella role becomes vacant, you're stepping in."

"Eh, why me?"

"What are you saying? When you accept the rosary, you become Sachiko's sœur. Of course it becomes your duty to fill the vacancy left by your onee-sama."

Are they insane?

"I, I, I can't replace Sachiko-sama! That, that's impossible!"

"No worries. You won't accept the rosary. As long as you stay true to that, Sachiko is guaranteed to lose."

And if it falls to Yumi, that would be amusing in itself, says Rosa Gigantea, a dreadful thing to suppose.

"Then, then rather than a bet between the Roses and Sachiko-sama, it becomes a match between Sachiko-sama and I-."

"You can look at it that way. … Well, if you're going to regret anything, regret that you the Buddhist heart that made you think, even for an instant, of helping Sachiko."

Rosa Foetida's word choice of "Buddhist heart" felt out of place at Lillian Girls' Academy.

*********************

"Unbelievable."

Tsutako-san muttered, as they walked along the gingko tree roadside.

"Why didn't you just say 'ok'? If Yumi-san became her little sister, it would have been so easy to negotiate."

The autumn sun was falling quickly, and when Yumi was freed from the Rose Mansion, you could already call it twilight.

"Then Tsutako-san, you were worried more about the photo than me, during that whole time?"

"Of course. Who do you think I am?"

The photography club ace, Takeshima Tsutako-san, I think.

"But it's getting interesting."

Tsutako-san said the same thing as Rosa Gigantea.

"Because it's someone else's business."

"I'm at ease because it's someone else. Ah, that's right, now it's Yumi-san's turn to finally collect land tax. It's disappointing that another precious sœur-less person leaves the world, but, well, if the opponent is Sachiko-sama, it's only a matter of time, I think? It would have been more amusing to designate a deadline date, in my opinion."

"Tsutako-san, you think Sachiko-sama is going to win?"

"Because Yumi-san seems so much less energetic about this."

"……"

To be honest, I was thinking the same thing. When attacked from head-on, I can't help but wonder if I would end up shaking my head vertically, crushed by sheer power.

"But. Cinderella is on the line, so I can't just lose."

When I raised my fist with resolve, Tsutako-san corrected, "That word choice makes you sound like you want to play it."

When we arrived at Maria-sama's statue, we stopped and put our hands together. This is customary. Heading to school and leaving from school, every day one time each. Actually, any time you passed by this statue, you always greet her.

(Maria-sama, today was a terrible day. If it's possible, please return me to my peaceful days as soon as you can.)

I opened my eyes and turned around, and then.

"Wait right there."

It was déjà vu. Just as in the morning, an icy voice that seems to have come from Maria-sama.

"Sachiko-sama…"

Whether she had come running, she was panting and standing roughly 10 meters behind Yumi.

"Remember this. I will absolutely become your sœur."

Even amidst the odorous fallen ginko nuts, the figure of Sachiko-sama standing straight and proclaiming the challenge was awesome.

"Gokigenyou. Do have a safe trip home."

Having said all she wanted, Sachiko-sama smiled and vanished off to the school buildings.

"She looked pretty cool."

Tsutako-san quipped, as we watched her off.

Even Yumi, that moment, felt her resolve teeter off its base.

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==Translator's Notes and References==

===Takarazuka===
* Is a famous theatrics group in Japan, in which women play both the male and female roles.

===warashibechouja===
* Literally translated, 'the straw millionaire,' it's a fairy tale about a poor man who was down to some straw, and after he exchanged his straw, he continued to make exchanges until, in the end, he became extremely rich.

===botamochi===
* I don't think this is a standard Japanese phrase. She's saying "it's like pulling a snack out of a shelf, our a horse out of a gourd," essentially trying to say it came out of the blue. I decided to leave it in, for cultural reference sake.

===check===
* This is a baseball reference. Pitchers often throw balls back to their bases in order to, bluntly, try to tag out runners. This is called 'checking the runner,' and is in reality a way to keep fast runners honest, by ensuring that they don't get too greedy by stepping far away from the base. In this case, Rosa Chinensis was throwing a light jab to Shimako-san, as despite their being on relatively friend terms, the latter DID reject her sister.