Editing Maria Sama Ga Miteru:Volume12 Chapter1 (section)

===Part 3===

 

It was the second day of post-exam break that Sachiko-sama phoned.

Mom received the phone first, but she had already completely recovered from the panic two days ago. Therefore she was able to be her best self and clearly greet, "Thank you for taking care of my daughter at school." Sachiko-sama also, in the tone of a dependable senior, replied, "Yumi has helped a lot, and I am indebted."

Knowing that the call was from Sachiko-sama, Yumi had positioned herself next to the receiver and listened to the whole conversation. As to the pending problem of greeting Sachiko-sama's parents, it seemed the couple had gone out, and it was enough to just say, "Please give my greetings to your parents." Though Mom was all excited herself, the reality fell short of her expectation. The call turned out to start from the other side, but that was good in itself, in that it allowed no spare time for worries.

"Are there anyone else you would like to invite to the summerhouse?"

Yumi received the phone, and Sachiko-sama said so without introduction.

" Pardon?"

" If you want, you may invite two or three more people."

" Okay..."

Unable to comprehend the meaning behind, Yumi chimed in ambiguously. It was really out of her grasp: Why would Yumi, the guest invited to Sachiko-sama's summerhouse, be responsible for asking other potential participants?

Maybe it was custom to have a big boisterous gathering every year, and Yumi was just one of the guests? This year Sachiko-sama was not with her family, so Sachiko-sama suggested so in order to gather more people? -- Ideas swirled in Yumi's head.

"Did you invite any others except me, Onee-sama?"

Yumi asked tentatively.

"No, I didn't invite any others."

The situation became more and more mysterious.

"I am fine with what it is now."

Well, me too! Yumi would like to say, but stopped. Sachiko-sama had gone through the trouble of calling in, so the deduction should be she hopes to make the gathering more lively.

"Well..."

It was hard to discover what Sachiko-sama was really thinking. Sachiko-sama is perverse in nature, and would turn more and more cranky unless the correct questions were asked.

"Then, why don't we ask Youko-sama to come?"

Mizuno Youko-sama was the previous Rosa Cinensis, sister of Sachiko-sama. Sachiko-sama's inclination was uncertain, but if someone must be pulled in no matter what, then nobody is suitable except Youko-sama.

"She always looks busy, though."

Saying that should have nothing wrong, but when Sachiko-sama said "she looks busy," then that line could not be used. What about calling the other two previous Roses except Youko-sama? Not sure why, but something sounded funny.

Next, the faces of Yoshino and Shimako came up. But that would just be a common member gathering, and if Sachiko-sama really wanted so, she should have suggested without beating around the bush, "Why not have a Yamayurikai executive member camp?"

"Then, what about onee-sama's classmates?"

"Yumi, did you hear what I said? I asked you to invite who you want to invite to the summerhouse."

''I know. I know every word of it. That is exactly why I am troubled.'' A desparate moan cried out from Yumi's heart.

This question was harder tham those in any subject's test at the finals. So difficult that Yumi would as well just want to give up and ask for the solution set.
"Anyway, ask around during the post-exam break. I will ask again at the term-end ceremony."
In the end, this question remains a question for homework.
Even amidst all the summer homework, this question is using the most brainpower -- probably.



"I am not going."

"What?"

"I said, I am not going. By the way, Yumi. Do something to that absent-minded reply, or Sachiko-sama will get annoyed."

Some days ago, someone different had exchanged similar conversations with me-- Yumi gave a "humm" as she grabbed the mobile receiver in her room.

"Put that aside, Yoshino, you just said you are not going, right?"

"Yes I did. Your schedule of staying at the Sachikos' summerhouse is exactly the same time 
as our trip to Mt. Fuji."

In the end of Yumi's confusion, she directed the "Why not go to the summerhouse" invitation call to Yoshino. The group would turn out to be the same old student body members, but that probably would not result in a big mistake. Though not really inspired by Yuki's words, if the summerhouse visit turned out as something like a Yamayurikai camp, it might be just as good.

"Shimako and Noriko most probably would be the same."

Well, school activities would eat up most of the latter half of vacation, so it is not a coincidence at all that plans are made for the not-so-busy period.

"Moreover, our club is also having a camp. It is really tough to be both in club activities and Yamayurikai."

"I can understand."

Yumi rolled over on her bed, grabbed the milk bottle close by and shook it. From this spring, Yoshino is joining the Kendo Club to be with Rei-sama.

"Also, you are the only one who got invited, right? We won't butt in."
Yoshino giggled on the other side of the phone.

"Butt in..."

Yumi gave a bitter laugh.

"Sachiko-sama said it would be fine to invite others. No, the tone was more like, why not invite someone?"

"What on earth is that?"

"I don't know myself. Maybe something is amiss if there are only the two of us? Or maybe Sachiko-sama would like to have a more boisterous trip? But then, why didn't Sachiko-sama invite her own classmates? I don't mind at all if Sachiko-sama's friends are there. Actually I would like to be friendly with them in the first place. Sachiko-sama's tone felt like I can bring along anybody I would like to."

The tone was as if Sachiko-sama would provide the Ogasawaras' summerhouse if Yumi had nothing no plans to go anywhere during the summer. But it was not that Yumi would die for going to the summerhouse. She just wanted to create some memories with Onee-sama. Therefore Yumi felt something strange about this invitation, which turned out as if "there is a company resort around, so bring your friends along!"

"I don't get it."

"You think so too?"

"Nope. I am not even trying to understand what Sachiko-sama is thinking. What I would to ask is Yumi's feelings."

"Pardon?"

"Why do you not care a bit? Why didn't you say that the two of you are enough?"

Yoshino shot two whys to press for an answer.

"...Nothing really. On second thought, it is not that I need to make it just for the two of us."

"No kidding! Why?"

"Even if you ask me why..."

Yumi thought back. In the New Year at the Ogasawaras' residence, it was pretty fun with Sei-sama. A little before, when Yumi visited Sachiko-sama's grandmother's place, everything worked out because Youko-sama was there. Maybe Sachiko-sama even found it fun to have everyone together doing something exciting, Yumi thought recently.

"Unbelievable."

Yoshino's mumble transmitted clearly through the receiver.

For Yoshino, it was just normal to be with Rei-sama her Onee-sama, and Rei-sama was always her top priority, unreplacable by anything on earth. Therefore it nearly became her habit to say "Unbelievable" when any sister couples different from hers rubbed her the wrong way. For Yumi, the Yellow Rose sisters were the unbelievable pair. It could be called a miracle how close the two could stick together, Yumi often thought to herself.

"But if Yoshino and Shimako were unavaliable..."

What should Yumi do?

If Yumi talked to Tsutako or Mami, they would most probably jump on their feet to follow. But it was supposed to be private, and Yumi just didn't feel comfortable to do what she wanted under the surveillance of Photo Club and Newspaper Group. On the other hand, if the two were invited on the condition of no camera and no news coverage, it would be just to cruel to them.

"Why not invite Touko-chan?"

Mumbling without much thinking, Yumi heard yet another outburst from Yoshino from the other side of the phone.

"Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid! Aren't you stupid or something, Yumi?"

"You don't need to use so many 'stupid' on me."

A total of five by finger count.

"This is just stupid!"

Oh, six.

"What are you up to by calling your rival out? At a place like the Ogasawara's summerhouse, you are having your debut and away game. Under such disadvantages, do you really think you are fighting on the same ground with that cheeky hair-roll?"

"Away..."

A clever analogy that surely from Yoshino, a sports watching fan.

"So Touko-chan is the home team?"

"Of course she is. Though not blood-related, she and Sachiko-sama are relatives."

"Oh, yes."

Now Yumi was reminded. She had completely forgotten about it.

"What is wrong with the weaker side sending salt to the stronger side to rub on his wounds?"

"E- Exactly"

''Exactly as you said.''

"Now you got it. Never ever invite her! And don't drop any stupid ideas to Sachiko-sama!"

"You are pretty scary, Yoshino."

"You are too considerate, Yumi, so I am concerned about you. I know what term describes you best: '''Ohitoyoshi<ref>お人好し -- People who are overly kind and considerate without thinking, and often end up giving up their rights or hurting themselves.</ref>'''"

"Argh--"

How harsh it is to be unable to refute. Upon Yumi's silence, Yoshino continued her arguments with increasing vigor.

"Just tell Sachiko-sama, ''let's go for the two of us only''. Okay? Got it?"
Overwhelmed by such pressure, Yumi could only nod on the spot for the time being--