Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter5 3 (section)

===<noinclude>The Hot Second Week. </noinclude>Part 3.===

Yumi and Rosa Gigantea were both so absorbed into the task at hand that they forgot all about the fact that they were running through the gingko tree walkway, so they stepped on a ton of them.  Plus, as they had gone from the school building to the gymnasium, and then stepped out directly, they were still in their indoor shoes.

When they arrived at the goal, they saw the prince holding onto Sachiko-sama's wrist.

"You bastard, Kashiwagi, you were a double-blade…!"

(Eh…?  Ehh!!)

Even Yumi understood the meaning behind that word.  It meant he was very self-centered, in that he was fine with the opponent being a man or woman.  Or maybe it was simply convenient, rather than self-centered.

"Rosa Gigantea, I would prefer if you did not make such a statement that could breed misunderstanding."

Kashiwagi Suguru-sama could act smoothly and calmly even in such a situation.

"Then, that hand, what's with it!  Let go of Sachiko!"

Her words were tumbled.  Rosa Gigantea was so angry she struggled to be coherent.

"I can let go, but then she would run away."

"You're the one that needs to run away.  Even if we're girls, with this many, you'd have trouble breaking free."

On cue, Rosa Chinensis, Rei-sama, Rosa Foetida, and Shimako-san all arrived.  Sachiko-sama swung her arm out of Kashiwagi-san and escaped.

"Sachiko, are you alright?"

Sachiko-sama nodded softly.

"Let's have you explain this to us, Kashiwagi-san."

Rosa Chinensis stepped forward.  Almost as if that were a signal, the ring around Kashiwagi-san constricted.

"I am stunned you could behave in such a shameful manner in front of Maria-sama."

"There's no need to ask for an explanation, we should stick him out to the police for molestation."

"I agree.  If he has any excuses, he can make them to the police."

Even Kashiwagi-san, who always seemed to have composure, had to feel a bit rushed, surrounded by angry high school girls.

"Wait a second.  Hear me out!"

He stuck out both hands, in a "calm down" pose.

"There's nothing to debate.  Yumi-chan, go call the police."
Rosa Gigantea said.

"Yes!"

But right before she turned around, Yumi noticed, and froze.

"What's wrong, quickly."

"I can't go, I… Sachiko-sama would be in distress."

"Eh?"

All the stares at Kashiwagi-san switched instantaneously to Sachiko-sama.  Yumi walked to the downcast Sachiko-sama and asked.

"You would prefer not to have Kashiwagi-san brought to the police, right?"

"Why, do you think so?"

Sachiko-sama lifted her face slowly and looked at Yumi's eyes with curiosity.

"It's, written on your face."

"You understand me well."

"… Yes.  I don't know why, but very."

"I see."

She nodded once, then turned toward everyone else.

"Everyone, I apologize for causing a problem.  Kashiwagi-san being a molester is a misunderstanding.  Please forgive us."

Then, she bowed her head deeply.

"Sachiko!"

"Sachiko-sama!"

They did not expect that Sachiko-sama, who was fervently shaking Kashiwagi-san off, would then move to defend him.  Aside from Kashiwagi-san and Yumi, everyone shouted in surprise.

"But, we saw you try to get away from him when he grabbed your wrist!"

Of course, now Sachiko-sama was being probed for an explanation.  Kashiwagi-san fixed his pompous collar, with golden ornamentation.

"We were speaking in a civil manner at the start.  But along the way we began arguing, and that was when everyone arrived."

Sachiko-sama explained.  But no one would be appeased by that.  Yumi raised her hand.

"What were you talking about?  Or rather, more importantly, why did you two have to come this far, to escape peoples' sight?  What's going on between you two-."
Rosa Chinensis looked a bit angry.

"Tell them."

Kashiwagi-san said, just then.  Of course, he was speaking to Sachiko-sama.

"Even if our talks had broken down, the reality is that I did grab your wrist.  If that were to be called molestation, that might be the case.  However, I'm sure both of us would rather this not be dragged to the police.  I would prefer this to be settled quickly and efficiently.  To do this, we would have to explain well enough to appease everyone here.  Don't you agree?"

What, is he trying to say?  -Yumi thought.

"If you would be willing to fix this mess, I would not be sent to the police, and we would be able to cleanly finish tomorrow's play."

What he said was full of holes, but his confidence and his excessive smoothness was a bit irritating.

(Sachiko-sama, if you don't want to say anything, you don't have to.  Sachiko-sama is far more important to us than Kashiwagi-san.)

She didn't know what "tell them" meant, but Kashiwagi-san should say it himself if he so desired.  If him saying it would hurt Sachiko-sama, then it would be the same, making Sachiko-sama say it.

"… You're right."

Sachiko-sama glanced at Kashiwagi-san.

"That might be better for both of us."

She had the eyes of a dead person.  Or perhaps the eyes of a doll.  Her eyes did not reflect Kashiwagi-san, who was in front of her, but rather something far, far in the distance.

"He, -Kashiwagi Suguru-san, is my cousin."

"C, cousin!?"

Everyone did a double-take at hearing this unexpected relationship.  Because they had not given away any hint whatsoever.

"Blood-related?"

"Yes."

Sachiko-sama's father's elder sister's son was Kashiwagi-san, Sachiko-sama explained. Then, why would they have hidden their relationship all this time?  Those sighs were unsuitable if they were just relatives.

"Not only that."

Sachiko-sama continued.

"He is also my fiancée."

"-!?"
Everyone was speechless.  Holy woman or lady aside, when surprised this much, they would stand speechless, jaws agape.

In the case of Yumi.

"F, fi…"

She was trying to remember the meaning of the word fiancée.  It was written, those promised to marry, but maybe there was more.
[[Image:MM_v01_07.jpg|thumb]]

(I mean, they can't be bringers of misery and ruin, or something, so they must be fiancés?  Then, Sachiko-sama and Kashiwagi-san are to marry in the future.  … So that means, they love each other!?)

And thus, she was flipping through life's phases, again.

"That's why it would be a bit awkward bringing the police into this.  We're already intended to marry, so grasping her wrist is no big deal."

Kashiwagi-san held Sachiko-sama's hand.

"I can embrace her shoulder."

And as he spoke, he placed a hand on her shoulder.  The refreshing hand of Kashiwagi-san looked extremely impure this time, to Yumi.

"And kiss."
(Stop…!!)

Don't touch Sachiko-sama any more.  –Yumi thought.

If they touched, Sachiko-sama would become dirtied.

Now, she understood.  Sachiko-sama's feelings.

She didn't dislike men.  She disliked Kashiwagi-san.  –As she thought that, Kashiwagi-san drew his face closer to Sachiko-sama.

(Ahh!!)

Just as Yumi covered her eyes with both hands.

PAAAAANG.

The violent sound of the slap echoed around the gingko trees.

"Stop being caught up in the moment!"
It was probably not a very long period of time, but it felt like everything went in slow motion after the slap.

Kashiwagi-san recoiled, holding his cheek.  Sachiko-sama held her right wrist with her left hand.

Then, Sachiko-sama was the one who hit him, after all, Yumi dimly thought.

And then Sachiko-sama-.

"Sacchan!"

Kashiwagi-san's voice brought Yumi back to her senses.  Sachiko-sama was already far away into the distance, running toward the auditorium.

Yumi jumped out to follow.  Kashiwagi-san took a flying start, but Yumi caught up when he slid on a gingko nut, and while she felt a bit apologetic, she pushed his shoulder and made him completely trip.

"I'm sorry, but Kashiwagi-san won't cut it!"

It was her best parting remark, ever, in her entire life.  It was probably because she thought it from the bottom of her heart, rather than acting it out.

 

*****

 

When Yumi had also vanished into the distance, chasing Sachiko-sama, Rosa Chinensis held Kashiwagi-san's shoulder, as he tried to get back up.

"I apologize for my junior's conduct.  However, the gingko sap on your costume, you are aware, I think, that it smells?  I would like to remove its stains immediately, so I would appreciate it if you would accompany us back to the Rose Mansion.  Plus, we have to discuss what we shall do tomorrow."

Apparently, Kashiwagi-san lost the will to pursue after that.

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