Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume15 Chapter1 2

Today's Enemy: Excess Cuteness. Part 2

"And?"

Sachiko-sama asked as she climbed the creaky staircase.

"What do you intend to do, Yumi?"

"I'll participate. The way things turned out, I don't really have much choice, do I?"

Yumi answered, following her up the stairs.

She was still in a bit of shock when she finished cleaning and followed her usual habit of heading towards the Rose Mansion for her Yamayurikai work. Then Yumi saw her beloved onee-sama as she exited the school building and instinctively rushed over to her, and started speaking as though in a daze. Telling her all about what had happened during their afternoon homeroom.

"So, Yumi."

"I know. It's all my fault for not paying attention during homeroom. I'll be more careful from now on."

"Right, you're undoubtedly reaping what you've sown. However."

Sachiko-sama stopped at the top of the stairs and turned around.

"That wasn't what I was about to say."

"Huh?"

"You were thinking you had to do something about Kanako-chan, weren't you? I was about to ask how you intended to proceed."

"How I intend to proceed?"

"That's right."

Sachiko-sama placed her bag on the ground and quietly leaned against the wall. If they opened the door before them, they would find their fellow Yamayurikai members waiting inside. So this sisterly conversation should remain outside. That sort of demarcation undoubtedly existed within Sachiko-sama.

Consequently, after climbing the last stair, Yumi gently lined herself up alongside Sachiko-sama.

"It seems like it'll be quite difficult."

This morning, Yumi had run into Kanako-chan at the entrance and waved, but been completely ignored.

During lunch break, she'd gone to visit the first-year camellia classroom, but when Kanako-chan came out she took one look at Yumi's smiling face and turned around and went straight back into her classroom.

She wanted to talk to her, but that seemed impossible given the circumstances.

After lowering her desperately waving hand without getting an opening, and seeing the target of her smile disappear with a stiff expression, Yumi was at a bit of a loss as to what to do. Unapproachable seemed the best word to describe her.

"Oh? But, onee-sama, weren't you of the opinion that I shouldn't force myself to reconcile with Kanako-chan."

Yet, in spite of that, she'd been saying things to spur Yumi on.

"Yes, that's right."

Sachiko-sama looked down and smiled.

"It's not as though I've changed my opinion. But, even if I were to tell you, "This is what you should do," I don't expect that you would meekly follow what I said. Moreover, I want to respect your feelings about removing this ill-will between you and Kanako-chan."

"Onee-sama … "

They had been standing side-by-side looking in the same direction, but their gazes gradually met, until their special someone was projected on both of their pupils.

"You want to reconcile with her, don't you?"

"Yes."

Yumi answered decisively.

She hated the way things were currently. They may not be able to go back to the close relationship they had previously, but even so she wanted to at least get to the point where they could greet each other and make small talk. She couldn't bear the thought of Kanako-chan continuing to treat her as though she were invisible.

"Well then, give it your all. Make sure you properly convey your desire to reconcile with her."

The weight of her onee-sama's hand resting on her shoulder felt neither aloof nor indulgent, instead it was just right to encourage Yumi.

Magical hands.

It felt like even Sachiko-sama had been harboring this vague feeling of unease, that she'd neither named nor put words to, but that seemed to be flowing away now.

"It may not work out. But if you put your whole heart into it and it comes to naught, then you'll be able to accept that, right? If that happens, then come to me. I'll be waiting for you with open arms."

Smiling wholeheartedly, Sachiko-sama looked as divine and beautiful as Maria-sama.

Just looking at her was enough to warm Yumi's heart.

Ahh, just how much did she adore her?

Unfortunately, there was no machine to measure those feelings or unit to describe them in, so it wasn't possible to convey precisely.

For now, Yumi squeezed tightly on Sachiko-sama's left arm.

"I love you, onee-sama."

Then she quickly pivoted and did an about-face, grabbing on to the stairway railing.

"Ah, Yumi!?"

"Thank-you for your advice. I'll go and see her right away."

Yumi called out as she ran down the stairs. Full speed ahead. No time like the present.

Your onee-sama's supporting you, so go, Yumi. Go with all your might.

Reaching the ground floor, she accelerated, not letting her legs slacken, then opened the front door and burst outside.

As for the other.

Sachiko-sama found herself alone at the top of the stairs.

"… I didn't mean you had to go right this second."

Sachiko-sama let out a sigh of exasperation as she opened the biscuit door, then turned back to pick up the two school bags and carried them into the room.