Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume23 Chapter1 (section)

=== Part 2 ===

A written invitation that had arrived, three days after that event. 
In with a number of letters taken out from the house mailbox, she discovered a curiously self-addressed thing (probably like that to conceal to who it would be returned), on which the sender's name was written: 'Ogasawara Sachiko'.

When she had seen such characters, she didn't feel like waiting until she returned to the room. She took out the scissors from were they are stored above the shoe cupboard, and, nevertheless because it was onee-sama's letter, after carefully breaking the seal so as to not cut the contents, Yumi read where she was standing.

It's like a few-days-late Christmas Card, the word-processor typed message placed inside a red western-style envelope, after gulping repeatedly, it was a simple thing:

  We are having a women only New Year's Party. Come and join us.
  Date and time     :   January 2nd, starting at noon
  Place             :   Ogasawara Sachiko's residence
  Things to bring   :   Sleeping wear, You are allowed to
                        bring your own food and drink 
  * 1 overnight, 2 days have been planned, arriving late/leaving early is ok

"A New Year's Party at Sachiko-sama's house…"

Having seemed to have been tricked by the former Rosa Gigantia Satou Sei-sama last time, she was taken to Sachiko-sama's house against her will, and if she remembered correctly that time was also one night and two days. 

At the Ogasawara house for the two days at the beginning of each year, Sachiko-sama's grandfather and her father, Touru-sama, are away, and the servants also have off. Because Sachiko-sama and Shachiko's mother, Sayako-sama, would probably be lonely by themselves,  it was to intrude on them and busily pass the time. Moreover, that Kashiwagi-san, who had thought about it similarly, had come over ahead of us, was probably outside of Sei-sama's calculations. Somehow, that's why it came to even Yumi's younger brother Yuuki being there.

As for Sei-sama, she had said that when she graduated that she would often visit to play. Therefore, if it were true, Yumi churned her feelings, saying, "Was it alright to go to visit on New Year's?" and she didn't know if it would it be good to talk to Sachiko-sama.

But, lately, because there was a bit of a shocking matter. To that extent, her head hadn't stopped spinning.

But. Without getting forcibly taken by someone, couldn't she go to Onee-sama's house for new year greetings too. She must stop being such a pathetic little sister.  This time, I have been spoiled because of Sachiko-sama's way of reaching out her hand. I must become more assertive.

"Nevertheless."

The 'women only' characters made her laugh a bit, and then a sigh of relief came from Yumi. Yumi's rival, Kashiwagi-san isn't coming on that day, and therefore Sachiko-sama intentionally made it known. 

"However, I wonder…"

This invitation -- just what's with the invitation's business-like content similar to that of a class reunion invitation. If just Yumi were invited, Sachiko probably would give her a call---?

While walking, she returned the letter to the envelope and during that time looked with a fleeting side-long glance at the living room telephone. As though she looked to have been aiming at it, the phone sound chirped.

"Hello."

No way, she thought while picking up the telephone receiver to talk.

"Ah, Yumi-san?"

"Ha?"

Of course, it wasn't from Sachiko-sama, this was in no way her style of good speaking. But, this "Yumi-san?" was from a frequently heard voice.

"...um, this is the Fukazawa residence, isn't it?"

The person on the other side of the telephone receiver restated.

"It is. Should I call you Shimazu-san?"

"Whaaat? For a moment I thought it was your mom, and I was impatient."

Yep, it was Yoshino-san.

"While talking on the phone a voice is always heard a bit different from usual."

Yoshino-san's embarrassed sounding laughter came from the phone afterward. "By the way," she promptly entered to the main question at hand.

"Did a letter from Sachiko-sama come?"

"Ah. I see."

Yumi murmured.

"What does 'I see.' mean?"

"She sent invitations out to everyone; Sachiko-sama did."

Used the same content. Because of numerous invitations, that writing style was chosen. At last she understood. If there were not such consideration, a person would prefer hand-written letters.

"Yumi-san, of course, is probably participating."

"Uh-huh. Since it just arrived, I haven't asked my parents though. That's the plan."

"Well then, I'll go too."

"Really?"

With the long distance road race, is it ok? But before Yumi could ask, Yoshino spoke.

"After going and spectating the marathon until Hakone for this year's New Year's, I no longer hunger to see a demon that seems to have already been defeated, you know. Nah, say it was before defeating the demon, if the Hakone race and the Ogasawara's New Year's Party were equal, I don't know that I'd have chosen the New Year's Party, you know."

"What about Rei-sama?"

"Why wouldn't she be going?"

"Being a student preparing for entrance exams?"

"If you say that, didn't Sei-sama go last time?"

"Well..."

But, with that "If you say that" reply, the year before Mizuno Youko was in a similar situation, and couldn't come because she was reliably attending winter term short courses. Incidentally, there were two people likewise preparing for entrance exams, since it must've also been the case for Torii Eriko-sama, who about then was gracefully passing the time in Hawaii.

Now, Rei-sama, which type is she, I wonder.

"Come now, let Rei-chan do as she likes. She's out now doing reference book shopping. If she comes back I'll ask and see. After that, I'll call Yumi back. Since this is my first time at the Osagawara house, we must have discussions about things, by what means do I go, and what do it take along?"

"Hahaha. Somehow or other you've become accustomed to vigor haven't you?"

"I'm counting on you! Well then..."

"Yeah."

Yumi hung up the phone and "Whew…," she laughed.

One year since then, Yumi absentmindedly thought. In this one year, whether from the back breathing "also," or at the front breathing, "still," she didn't understand it herself.

She put the telephone receiver back, and, in the time she had begun one step toward the stairs, the phone was ringing again.

Could it be Yoshino-san? Still, assuming her neighbor Rei-sama had returned, to talk and call again, it was a bit quick feeling. If she hung up and immediately pushed the redial button, even in this way it probably couldn't connect that quickly. Is it that fast?

"Hello."

And yet, while Yumi didn't know if there was something Yoshino forgot to say, she talked into the receiver to find out.

"Ah, is this the Fukuzawa residence."

"Yes."

Sometime a switch occurred, and a calmly composed voice was heard coming from the receiver.

"I am Lillian Girls' Academy high school section second year Toudou Shimako--"

"Shimako-san!?"

"Yumi-san? Good day. Is now okay to talk?"

It was rare for Shimako-san to call, but Yumi knew immediately the reason for the call.

"The truth is, a letter came from Sachiko-sama..."