Editing Maria-sama Ga Miteru:Volume17 Chapter 7 3 (section)

===<noinclude>The Parakeet's Hint </noinclude>Part 3===

After finishing lunch, they once again went out.

First, they went to a shop selling marbled stationery and bought a souvenir for Sachiko-sama.

"I wonder if we should get something for Touko-chan and Kanako-chan."

Since Noriko-chan's onee-sama, Shimako-san, probably bought something for her. Yumi said quietly. To which Yoshino-san replied:

"It's fine."

" 'It's fine,', meaning what?"

"It's fine to buy something" or "it's fine to not buy something?"  Or did Yoshino-san's "it's fine" mean "it's fine either way, whether you buy something or not"?  But Yoshino-san seemed to be engrossed in choosing a souvenir for Rei-sama. That's right. Mami-san was also puzzling over a souvenir for Tsukiyama Minako-san, and Tsutako-san was closely examining picture frames to be used for some unknown person. Inside the small store, other Lillian students had also come in to shop.

Eventually, Yoshino-san brought two cute, small boxes to the cash register. As if she just started to remember the earlier conversation,

"It's fine to buy something."

"But?"

"Yumi-san, which are you going to make your little sister?"

"Which... ?"

In this case, "which" probably meant Touko-chan or Kanako-chan.

"They cannot both be your little sister together, so it's better if you don't keep their hopes up."

"Hopes, huh?"

What should she do for a souvenir? She didn't want to create a misunderstanding, so she had to be careful.

Little sister.

One year ago, after just one action by the center of attention Sachiko-sama, Yumi became a "candidate for little sister" and the focus of rumors throughout the high school. Back then, because of all the things going on, it was scary to be surrounded by so many inquisitive looks. Eventually she did become a little sister. Now, she can look back and laugh. But being made to think of those two girls, it was pitiful. If she was just feeling guilty for not doing anything, then there's nothing she can do about it right here and now.

"Is that what you mean, Yoshino-san? Did you buy a rosary for your future little sister at the Vatican?"

"I did not. I changed my mind."

"Oh. And why's that?"

"It is futile to buy something for someone without being able to think of that other person.  "Also."

"Also?"

"I thought maybe I would give the precious rosary that Rei-chan gave to me, so that I would choose a precious little sister."

That was a very compelling argument.

Yumi could tell that Yoshino-san was thinking about this seriously.