Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume26 Chapter3 4 (section)

===<noinclude>Ahh, Tea Party. </noinclude>Part 4===

At first, it was a leisurely tea party.

Since the treasure hunt had only just started, the participants were relaxed, thinking, "It won't have been found just yet," but forgetting that the early bird catches the worm. Although the truth of that matter was reflected in the fact that no-one had appeared at the headquarters claiming victory. 

The only sounds that could be heard on the second floor of the Rose Mansion were the chattering of girls that sounded a bit like birds singing, bursts of laughter that sounded like bells ringing, and the bubbling and whistling of the electric kettle. All soft sounds.

Even after finishing her cup of tea, Sachiko-sama still didn't leave the room. And since Sachiko-sama didn't make a move, neither did the first-years that she'd invited.

"May I have another cup?"

Sachiko-sama asked Noriko-chan, lazily raising her teacup. Apparently she planned on staying for some time yet. Yumi wondered if she was doing this to detain the first-years, or if she wanted to experience Youko-sama's dream for just a little while longer.

But apparently she was over-thinking it.

"Rosa Chinensis, are you so calm and composed because you've guessed where the card is hidden?"

One of the first-years asked, unable to endure the wait any longer. Depending on the answer, she was probably going to reconsider her own actions up to now.

"Hmm?"

Sachiko-sama tilted her head in confusion. Apparently she didn't understand what she was being asked.

"You've guessed where Yumi-sama's hidden her card, and it's such an obscure location that you've got plenty of time, right? Otherwise, I can't understand why you'd be relaxing here drinking tea."

Then another first-year leaned in and asked:

"Or did you never intend to look for the card?"

Quite right. They'd followed Sachiko-sama because they expected that the onee-sama of a host would search for her card. But if Sachiko-sama never intended to look for her card, they'd have to quickly abandon their strategy.

"You're both wrong."

Meaning that she hadn't guessed where the card was, but she hadn't given up searching either.

"It's because here … I'm by Yumi's side."

"Huh?"

The first-years responded, looking like they'd been tricked. Yumi had also been quietly listening in, and while she didn't have a mirror, she was sure she had the same dumbfounded expression. Sachiko-sama had said that she was here because she didn't know where the card was &mdash; it was incomprehensible.

"If I don't know where it is, I'm hardly going to find it by searching at random, am I?"

Well, that may be true. But even so, if she just stayed here and didn't search, she'd eventually run out of time.

"But, Rosa Chinensis, didn't you say that you haven't given up?"

"Yes, of course."

Sachiko-sama smiled.

"I entered into this event because I wanted to find Yumi's card."

"Um…."

The second-floor of the Rose Mansion was filled with looks of confusion.

"You don't understand?"

Sachiko-sama said, "Right now I'm waiting," then looked straight at Yumi.

"Waiting for Rosa Chinensis en bouton to reveal her faults."

In a way, that may be the strongest strategy.