Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter6 2

2008-08-09T16:39:36Z

97.82.58.53: /* <noinclude>The first of January. </noinclude>Part 2. */

===<noinclude>The first of January. </noinclude>Part 2.===

I was up until one on New Year's Day, but I was still awakened at seven o'clock by my mother.

But, this was customary in the Fukuzawa household on New Year's Day, so I had to get up, rubbing my eyes.

Well no, actually, stumbling down while rubbing my eyes wasn't allowed. First I had to brush my teeth, wash my face, and of course I had to change out of my pajamas. When I finally finished dressing myself, we were to gather in the only Japanese-style room in the house.

After all, we have to prepare ourselves for the upcoming year on New Year's Day.

When we became middle-schoolers, the ban on watching Kouhaku Utagassen[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#gantan] was lifted, so ever since then it became customary to exchange "Happy New Years!" greetings deep in the night. Even so, we still maintained our tradition of waking up in the morning and once again exchanging greetings before eating our ojuu. Then we received a sip of otoso, and opened our ojuu.

"Alright, I'll be taking mochi orders."

When everyone placed their chopsticks on the ojuu food, Yuuki stood up and began taking note of how much mochi everyone wanted. At the same time, father stood up and walked to the kitchen. In our household, it was customary that grilling mochi and boiling soba was done by the men, so mother and I didn't move. That said, it wasn't like we were supposed to happily eat while waiting. In the meantime, we'd prepare the ozouni for the mochi, and set up oshouyu and nori.

"But his unusual obstinacy is such a bother."

Whispered mother. Usually you could just toast mochi in a microwave, but mochi is better when it's grilled on an iron, my father said, and so we did it the old way. As a result, the one who washed the irons with carbonized mochi was his assistant. Poor Yuuki, he was destined to become the victim of father's obstinacy on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The living room had a television, like it was from a completely different era, and it showed things like the first sunrise of the year, a shouchikubai, or an announcer wearing a kimono. The morning newspaper that was placed in the sideboard after father had finished reading it was thicker than usual, being the New Year's edition. And from those small differences from the normal day, you could feel that New Year's Day was a relatively special occasion, I think.

And while we dug ourselves into the horigotatsu while eating mochi and osechi, and sipping tea, the New Year's Cards would be distributed. Usually the postman would be riding around in a bike at this time of day, but during New Year's, the job is instead taking by university part-time workers. So even if a stack of postcards were placed in the mailbox, sometimes you never heard them coming, and you'd only realize it later.

It was the job of children to retrieve the New Year's Cards. –Or rather, more like a hobby. It was like trying to get a magazine you were waiting eagerly for. It was a pain to write them, but receiving them was a joyful occasion. Who sent me a post card? I wanna see! And so Yuuki and I alternated peeking out of the house and checked the mailbox every ten minutes.

After a number of whiffs, I coincidentally opened the door and saw the onii-san placing the stacks in our mailbox. Well, I say onii-san, but he didn't look like he was that much older than me.

"Thank you for your troubles."

We greeted each other, and he handed me to postcards directly. There were two stacks. The part-time nii-san, before moving on to the next house, stopped by the mailbox a few steps down, and placed a stack into my father's office's mailbox. It was ten forty in the morning.

Me first, we probably looked like, as we scrambled into the house and began dividing the cards.

To father, to mother, to me, to Yuuki, and then to father's office, they were all mixed together. Oh, and a few that had been accidentally mixed in, that were supposed to be sent elsewhere. As a result, the postcards were split into six mountains, and piled up before each respective person.

"Yumi, read your cards later."

Yuuki cautioned, not stopping. But even so, when you saw the name of who wrote you the card, wasn't it normal to want to flip to the back?

"Father, father, Yuuki, me, father, mother, father, father."

When she resumed working, to catch up, this time she was warned, "Quiet."

"Think it in your head, it's distracting."

"Yuuki's like a mother-in-law."

"Anyone would complain like this if their son had a wife like Yumi."

Giving up, I started saying, "father, father, mother, Yuuki," in my head.

(Huh…?)

But when she split a card to Yuuki, she felt like the name on the card was familiar. And it stuck her mind because the card was to Yuuki. Yumi thought, most high-school cards were from classmates or club-mates, but it wasn't a name she'd heard from Yuuki's mouth-.

(Who was it?)

But she couldn't double-check, because Yuuki stacked more cards on top of it.

She could have asked Yuuki, can I see who that was? But it would have been wasted effort if she'd been wrong, so she forgot about it. There're plenty of people with similar names, after all. And if Yuuki asked her about a card sent to her, she wouldn't feel too comfortable, either. Privacy is important.

Of course, almost half of the cards sent to our household were to father. And if you counted the cards sent to his office, how many is he receiving? It was overwhelming. Because, if you're receiving cards, it also means you're sending around that many, too, right? Becoming an adult is dreadful. Even our mother, a housewife, received far more than we did.

Having finished splitting the cards, Yuuki and I took our shares, split up a bit, and sat down on the sofa. It wasn't like "whoever has more cards is more popular," but it did put a bit of pressure on the other person. Luckily, we were about the same, judging from the thickness of our stacks. I was happy that the number of cards I received went up along with my New Year's gift when I became a high-schooler. Even though I wasn't a part of any club.

Instead of reading them in order, I looked for one name.
Ogasawara Sachiko.

The person I love the most at school.

Silently apologizing to Yoshino-san and Tsutako-san, I skipped past their cards, and as I began to worry, "Maybe she didn't send me one?" I found it.

"B, brushwork…"

Would it be called India-ink painting? It was a relatively simple postcard, with a plum flower painted using faint hues, and on top of it, with black India ink, "Happy New Year's," and "Best regards for the year," and then the year, and then "New Year's Day." The little stamp pressed to the side was Sachiko-sama's "Sachiko," in a brilliant scarlet accent.

"How refined…"

When I remembered the card I'd sent out, my face felt like it was on fire. It was bad enough that I hurriedly wrote it because I'd forgotten about it until the second-semester closing ceremony, but the New Year's card that I'd begged father to let me print off of his computer was rather scrambled and noisy. I should have just used a template that came with the word processor software, but I ended up adding a bunch of things, and in retrospect that was a bad idea. The letters were extremely fancy, and I used way too many colors.

Your personally showed in your New Year's cards. I carved that into my brain.

The first phone call we received for the new year came when mother was hurrying me about my Yamanashi decision.

"It's from grandmother."

Wait right there, she scolded, before she picked up the receiver.

"Happy New Years. It's Fukuzawa."
Her voice was an octave high. Oh, mother, her voice was in New Year's mode, too.

"Ah, yes. No, not at all. Thank you for looking after her all the time. Has she been bothering you much?"

Wait right there, I'd been told, so I couldn't return to my room. Plus, I'd finally finished writing the thank you cards, and had stumbled down the stairs to go to the bathroom, so the air conditioner in my room was still on.

(I hope it's not a long phone call.)

I tried to reason out who the caller might be, by concentrating on the receiver. From the speech mannerism, I could tell it wasn't grandmother. And it was someone "looking after" someone other than mother.

"I see. Please guide her in the future, too. … Please wait a second. I'll switch to her."

Still holding onto the receiver, mother bowed toward the phone, pressed the hold button, and turned to me, "Yumi-chan."

"Me?"

She wouldn’t say "please guide in the future" to a friend of mine. But I couldn't imagine my homeroom teacher calling-.

(C, could it be…)

"It's Rosa Gigantea."

"Eh?"

"Rosa Gigantea, right? Satou-san. My, the Roses are so polite have such a proper way of speaking."

"---"

I forgot to mention that mother was a graduate of Lillian Girls' academy. She was a regular student who never dealt with the Roses, but her admiration of the Yamayurikai staff was extraordinary. She would probably be shocked beyond belief if she were to see how the real Rosa Gigantea acted, so I didn’t deny it, simply agreeing, "Yes, she's so wonderful."

"Hello, it's me."

"Ah, Yumi-chan? Did you hope for a moment it was Sachiko?"

"… No. Happy New Year's."

"Happy New Year! Kingashinnen![http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#kingeashinnen] Bonne année! Boy, how joyous, how auspicious!"

"…"

Even in the new year, Rosa Gigantea's old-fashioned methods were still in good health.

"Did something happen?"

"I wanted to hear Yumi-chan's voice."

"Huh?"

"- Is a lie hohoho-"

"Did you call me to be the first to tease me?"

Rosa Gigantea might do it, seriously.

"Of course not. Getting right to the point, do you have any plans tomorrow and the day after?"

"What do you want?"

"I'm bored. Wanna go on a date?"

"Date?"

"Other people call it a hatsumoude[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#hatsumoude]."

"I'll go!"

I immediately OK'd it. This invitation was my wish. A hatsumoude with the Yamayurikai members.

And maybe I'd be able to see Sachiko-sama in a kimono.

"So, will it be the second or the third?"

"Are you open on both? Because it's a one-night two-day lodging course?"

"Lodging?"

"- Though by lodging I mean at a friend's house, so it's free. But, it's a sleep-over, so make sure you have your parents permission."

"Friend's house?"

"It's a big house, but their family is out for the second and the third. So, we're going to barge in and help out with house-keeping, kind of. You know, if the young people are happily partying the night away, it'll ward robbers away."

"W, wait a second."

An unexpected development.

And it was far, far more enticing than staying at home or going to Yamanashi.

"Mother."

I turned to mother, who was listening not two meters away.

"Can I go to the Yamayurikai lodging?"

"Lodging, on New Year's?"

Mother looked dubious, at first, but I implored her enough that she finally reluctantly allowed me to go.

She'd allowed her son to go, so she probably felt guilty if she didn't let her daughter go, too. After all, our household is based on the fundamental of "boys and girls are equal."

Plus, Rosa Gigantea seemed like such a lady, that adults adore her. And so with a senpai like that, she doesn't have to worry as much about me. Of course, if she knew how Rosa Gigantea really is, maybe she would worry.

Finally, the kicker was that I was already hesitant on going to Yamanashi. She was probably worried about the prospect of leaving me at home alone anyways, on a level totally different from "boys and girls are equal." So me going to a friend's house put her at ease. Either way, I'm the kind of daughter that'd go anyways, even if they were to tell me, "Don't go," so I'm sure that just added to her worries.

"Rosa Gigantea, she's given me permission. I'll participate."

I jumped back on the receiver, panting.

"Roger. See you, then, we're meeting at M Station tomorrow at two. In front of the convenience store before the ticket gates, you know what I mean?"

"Roger-"

She quickly took a mental note.

"Give mother my blessings. I'll be taking care of her tomorrow, like that."

"Yes. Then, tomorrow."

After hanging up, I remembered I forgot to ask who else was coming. It seemed like I was definitely excited. I felt a bit inconsiderate, as she might have wanted me to call the other people and spread the word.

(I hope onee-sama's with us.)

Ahh, and as I thought such a thing, my heart really went into Happy New Year mode.

My brain was so filled with rapture that, even though Yuuki and I usually did rock-scissors-paper to see who put the thank you cards in the mailbox, this time I went ahead and did it on my own accord.

I felt bad for grandmother, but I thanked her for coming back from Narita.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7_1|Chapter 7 Part 1]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter3 6

2008-08-09T14:17:33Z

97.82.58.53: /* <noinclude>What do you think? </noinclude>Part 6. */

===<noinclude>What do you think? </noinclude>Part 6.===

"I tried calling out downstairs, but no one responded, so I let myself in."

After being lead to the middle of the room, then recommended a seat, and then sipping on the tea she was given, the visitor asked, "Was it a bother?"

"Not at all. Actually, we're sorry. When we're on the second floor, we often don't notice anyone knocking on the door. So it helps us greatly that you walked in."

Incidentally, it was Shimako-san that lead Shizuka-sama into the room, pulled a seat out for her, and then poured her tea. Yumi was frozen in place, stuck between Rosa Canina in front of her and Rosa Gigantea en bouton behind her, so she was rendered immobile.

Shizuka-sama was alone. Without being accompanied by her classmates or her colleagues, she entered the Rose Mansion, the nesting place of her enemies. She probably came, not minding how many could be inside. As proof, she was actually surprised it was so empty.

The visitor took another sip, very elegantly.

Someone other than the usual members sitting at this table and sipping tea. It felt mysteriously natural, but it also felt a bit odd.

She blended into the room, like she was in a place she was used to being in. Even so, a part of Yumi refused to believe what she saw. Like she was trying to find a mistake, and only Shizuka-sama was out of place. It might have just been that she was unused to the sight.

But if Shizuka-sama won the election, this would be the norm. But it was still difficult to imagine that with the addition of Shizuka-sama, someone else would vanish.

"There's not much time, so I'll leave the pleasantries aside. I came here today to speak to Shimako-san."

Somehow managing to thaw herself, Yumi looked at her wrist-watch. There were only about fifteen minutes left until lunch break ended.

"Then, shall I… shall I take my leave?"

"That would be unnecessary. On the contrary, please remain, Yumi-san."

Shizuka-sama stopped her. Shimako-san nodded, too. They were both calm. They looked so amicable to each other that it was difficult to believe they were actually enemies. Of course, it may simply be the people around them believing them to be enemies.

Yumi sat down in a seat that saw them from the side. In truth, she was more on Shimako-san's side, but she felt it would be awkward if she chose a side here. Plus, she couldn't say it aloud, but she didn't dislike Shizuka-sama. Rather, she leaned more toward liking her.

"May I ask what you want?"

Shimako-san said. It felt like her drifting personality had vanished, and now she was completely locked in.

"You are aware, I believe, that I've announced my candidacy for the student council."

Shizuka-sama began.

"Yes."
Shimako-sama smiled, gently. In this case, Yumi was basically just a spectator, so she kept silent.

"But it's not out of nonconfidence in you or the other boutons. Will you believe me?"

"Of course."

Shizuka-sama didn't decide, "I'll do it," because she felt Shimako-san and others weren't up to the task, in other words. And Shimako-san basically replied, "I know that already." Yumi knew that much, too. Actually, she hadn't even thought about the possibility of people being dissatisfied with the boutons, so the confirmation took her by surprise.

"Then, why have you not registered? Wouldn't you have registered with Sachiko-san and Rei-sama if I hadn't?"

"I may have."

"The deadline is today, after school."

"Yes."

Shimako-san understood that perfectly well, without the need for Shizuka-sama to point it out. Because Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama seemed to be rushing her every time they saw each other. And she was just talking about it with Yumi.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't think I am obliged to tell you."

Surprisingly, Shimako-san used a harsh tone. Of course, this reaction was wildly different from when Yumi asked essentially the same question.

"… Indeed."

While Shizuka-sama made a "how unexpected" face, she didn't show any signs of backing down as she continued to speak.

"I have come simply to present you with another road, because you seem to be lost."

"Road?"

"I think you're hesitating over running because you're not the same age as the other boutons. You've done well as a bouton despite being a first-year. And now, after working harder than anyone else, I can also sympathize if you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of working even harder for your second, and third, years."

"What do you want-"

Shimako-san's angelic smile became a bit strained. I'm glad I'm not the only one that can't see where this is going, Yumi thought.

"If you want to become like Yumi-san, use me. –That's all."

It was still beating around the edges, so Shimako-san rephrased Shizuka-san's words quite directly.

"Are you saying I should step aside and let you become the Rosa Gigantea next year?"

(What!?)

She didn't think Shizuka-sama would say such a thing, so Yumi almost jumped out of her seat in surprise. You're joking, aren't you? was how Yumi felt as she searched Shizuka-sama's face, but she, in turn, simply stared at Shimako-sama, with a benevolent smile.

"Of course, but I have no intention of kicking you out of the Rose Mansion. Fortunately, I have no sister, either. Once Rosa Gigantea graduates, I have full intention of welcoming you as my sister."

"Shizuka-sama, you liked Shimako-san!?"

She was trying so hard, but finally Yumi burst out.

"No, Yumi-san. Shizuka-sama isn't saying that."

Please stay silent a bit longer, Shimako-san seemed to scold, so Yumi zipped her mouth shut again. Shizuka-sama didn't confirm nor deny that, but she glanced at Yumi and giggled, so it proved Yumi's logic was off. She thought Shizuka-sama had ended up running because she wanted Shimako-san as her sister, but apparently that was wrong.

"I don't think it's a bad proposal for you, at all."

Shizuka-sama repeated. Yumi nodded inside, "That's true."

That way, Shimako-san automatically became Rosa Gigantea en bouton again. And she would take up the same duties in the Yamayurikai. And then when she became a third-year, she would become Rosa Gigantea. It sounded great. It sounded too great, so it was scary.

"Think about it."

The fifth period bell rang, so Shizuka-sama stood up.

"Wait, please."

Shimako-san followed her.

"I have not made up my mind about running, yet, but I must answer this now."

"What is it?"

"No matter what happens, I have no intention of becoming your sister. Of becoming anyone's sister. My onee-sama is Satou Sei-sama and Satou Sei-sama alone."

"… I see. I understand."

Shizuka-sama simply nodded, quietly.

And then, Shimako-san announced her candidacy after school. In the end, you could say Shizuka-sama took it upon herself personally to blow away all of Shimako-san's worries. And only Yumi, who'd been present at their conversation, knew about that.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_5|Part 5]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter4_1|Chapter 4 Part 1]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter3 3

2008-08-09T02:14:58Z

97.82.58.53: /* <noinclude>What do you think? </noinclude>Part 3. */

===<noinclude>What do you think? </noinclude>Part 3.===

Onee-sama sighed.

Secretly.

Staring at something in the air.

"Onee-sama, would you like another cup of tea?"

"I've had enough."

But she'd been rubbing her finger along the edge of the empty cup for some time.

"Shall I massage your shoulders?"

"No need, they're not stiff."

Nevertheless, she was massaging her own shoulders.

Sachiko-sama had been strange as of late. She didn't know how she was during class, but when Sachiko-sama sat in the Rose Mansion, she was always spaced out. Like she wasn't being responsible for her own words or actions.

Her mind was wandering. –That phrase fit this Sachiko-sama perfectly.

Ten more days until the election. Right after registering candidacy, she'd made the election posters and submitted them to the election management committee, answered interviews for the newspaper club, and did other things in her packed schedule, so she might have been finally showing her exhaustion. At least, that's what Yumi assumed, at first, but when this continued for four or five days, it was clearly more troubling than just exhaustion.

"If you have anything you want."

Unlike a government seat, or a mayoral election, street, or school speech presentations were forbidden. Which meant once you finished everything you needed to do, the candidate and her supporters were all left with simple boredom. The submitted posters would be put up by the election management committee, and the flyers with candidate public commitments were created and distributed by the election management committee. Of course, the candidate registration deadline hadn't passed yet, so they didn't seem to be in any hurry, yet.

As a result, the only thing Sachiko-sama could do with regard to the election was to write a draft for her election speech. But, what a heavy sigh. Her draft seemed to be progressing well, but in the blank spaces, it was like she'd been doodling while speaking on a phone, with random spirals and flowers having been drawn.

"Do you have any concerns?"

Despairing, Yumi asked. Yoshino-san and Rei-sama were still in the midst of creating their posters, so they were off in their own little word, shoulders hunched together. Shimako-san had still not come.

"It would be of no use telling it to you."

Sliced in two with one swing.

On top of admitting that she had something bothering her, Sachiko-sama said Yumi wasn't worth discussing it with.

Of course, she had no confidence whatsoever she could help out with that concern, but she thought she could at least be a listener, so it was a shock.

"Shimako's pretty late."

Rei-sama mumbled, looking at the clock.

"She doesn't feel comfortable being with us. Every time she sees our face, she feels like she's being pressured to register for candidacy."

Sachiko-sama expressed a little bit of interest in that topic.

"Yumi. How's Shimako in class?"

"She didn't seem to look any different."

Sachiko-sama sighed heavily, this time to Yumi's answer.

"I see. I wonder what she's thinking."

And then everyone went silent.

Yumi didn't know what Sachiko-sama was thinking, either.

At least she might have been able to help with making the posters, but Sachiko-sama finished it all at home.

Sachiko-sama's mechanical pencil made meaningless motions on top of the draft page. What was she thinking?

Was she thinking about Rosa Canina, or something else?

With nothing to do, Yumi spun her cup around. They hadn't moved from their seats, but Sachiko-sama seemed further and further away.

Loneliness from not seeing each other, and loneliness by sitting next to each other.

What you can see, and the mind you can't see.

Yumi might be more heavy-hearted at seeing Sachiko-sama than Shimako-san.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_2|Part 2]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_4|Part 4]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>