Editing Maria-sama Ga Miteru:Volume18 Chapter 1 1 (section)

===<noinclude>Shock<sup>2</sup> </noinclude>Part 1===

It all began with that single sentence.

"So, about the play for the school festival."

Going back in time, to just before the school field trip. When this year's Yamayurikai production to be staged for the school festival play was revealed to the first- and second-year students.

One day, with the sports festival safely behind them, during lunch break, at the Rose Mansion, while eating bento, in the middle of a short briefing session, Rosa Chinensis, Ogasawara Sachiko-sama, suddenly stood up and spoke.

"So, about the play for the school festival."

This abrupt broaching of the subject "play" took even her even her soeur Fukuzawa Yumi by surprise. Why here, onee-sama? When we were discussing other clubs?

"This year we will do 'Torikaebaya Monogatari.' That's all."

Then, she sat back down.

"Torikaebaya..."

"...Monogatari."

"Ah."

One by one, they each repeated what they had heard.

First was "Torikaebaya...": Rosa Foetida en Bouton, Shimazu Yoshino-san.

At first glance, it seems she was continuing her friend's words, but after a  moment, the line "...Monogatari" came from Yumi.

The final "ah" seemed to be a single person, but really it was two voices in perfect sync. This unplanned harmony came from Rosa Gigantea Todou Shimako-san and her petite soeur Nijou Noriko-chan. Soeurs for not even three months yet.

It was lunch break, so only official members of the Rose families were present in the Rose Mansion. The two helpers from first-year Camellia class were not here. Just the two members each from red, white, and yellow. Six people total.

"What's the 'ah' for?"

Posing this question to the white rose soeurs was Rosa Foetida, Hasekura Rei-sama.

"You two had a different reaction than Yoshino and Yumi-chan."

The preceding two lines were merely repeats of the title that Sachiko-sama had said. The final "ah" was clear that they had thought of something.

That was the issue. Speaking of 'Torikaebaya Monogatari'.

"Ah."

Yumi cried out, belatedly. Sachiko-sama, who, for the meeting, was seated across from Yumi, quietly raised an eyebrow as if to say "took you long enough." But for the Yellow Rose sisters, this was something they did not understand.

"This."

Shimako-san pulled a book from her handbag and placed it on the table.

"A library book?"

Before Rei-sama could reach out for it, Yoshino-san picked it up and flipped through its pages.

"Ah, is this that book you were talking about?"

"Yoshino, you know it?"

"Because I saw Noriko-chan borrow it when Yumi-san returned it. Oh, yeah. Shimako-san borrowed it after that."

It was one volume in a series of Japanese classical literature, holding countless stories. 'Torikaebaya Monogatari' is one of them.

"I see. That's what the 'ah' was for."

Rei-sama nodded while watching Yoshino-san pass the book around.

"And? Why did Yumi-chan have this book?"

"My onee-sama asked me to read it. If it was the theme for the play, it would have been nice to say so from the start."

With assumed importance, Yumi took a fleeting glance at her onee-sama's face. Sachiko-sama then made a surprising reply:

"You baka. There's no way I could have told you.

"Uh, why?"

"If I had told you, wouldn't you have objected? So I consulted with Rei, and we kept it quiet until some preparations were completed."

"Why would you expect us to object?"

Well, even though 'Torikaebaya Monogatari' is classic literature, it includes romance throughout, which might be a bit too exciting for someone halfway through high school. But any objections for those reasons would more likely come from Sachiko-sama, not Yumi.

"...no way."

Yoshino-san whispered.

"What?"

"What Yumi-san said just now. Please, say it one more time."

While not really understanding, Yumi tried to do as Yoshino-san asked.

"Why would I... object? Huh? What, just me?"

Shimako-san and Noriko-chan nodded in agreement as they suddenly understood the situation, joining Yoshino-san in the "outside of this event" group.

Still not getting it, Yumi pointed a finger at herself and tilted her head. Feeling sorry for her friend, Yoshino-san gave a hint.

"Yumi-san, did you read this book?"

"I read it."

"Then let's play a word-association game. What about 'Momotaro'?"

"Oh, exterminating oni?"

"'Tale of Genji'"

"Biography of a playboy."

"I'm not sure I'd call it a biography, but, good enough. 'Tale of the Bamboo Cutter'"

"Buh, beautiful space alien who returns to the moon?"

What? Answering but still not getting it. They came to the main point.

"So now, 'Torikaebaya Monogatari'?"

"A brother and sister who look alike, switch places....  What!?"

And now even thick-headed Yumi figured it out.

"No, no way."

"Yumi-san may think 'no way', but that's how it is."

The three-member "outside of this event" group, which did not include Yumi, all looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

"It's a pity, but it's settled."

Yoshino-san chuckled as she clapped Yumi's shoulder.

"That's right. Especially since Yuuki-san will be coming to help us."

Do not agree to this so gently, Shimako-san. Help! Please!

"As expected, Rosa Chinensis-sama. Making use of a good opportunity," said Noriko-chan. While everyone pretty much sympathized, they all looked at the chosen one with faces wishing her good luck from the bottoms of their hearts.

"I'd love to take your place, but unfortunately I don't have a brother like Yuuki-kun."

With reasoning like that, there was nobody else who could take her place. Yoshino-san's cute face now also looked like a demon's.

"Onee-samaaa..."

It was hopeless from the start. Yumi, not to be beaten by Yoshino-san, with great effort made a cute face, begging for help.

"That's how it is. Choose to prepare yourself, Yumi."

Total and honorable defeat.

It wasn't a question of quantity or quality of affection. It's just that Sachiko-sama was not Rei-sama.

"Your reply?"

"...yes."

And there you have it. After last year's lead role was a fiercely fought contest that she narrowly escaped, this year she broke away from the field already.

Fukuzawa Yumi, in her 17th autumn.