Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume20 Chapter1 (section)

===Part 6===

"So?"

Sachiko-sama asked, wondering if Yumi had anything to say.

"The name 'audition' can make people think of weird things, so I wanted to clear it up."

Yumi said clearly.

It was after school, at the Rose Mansion. The two members of each rose family were present, totaling six members, with the addition of the Newspaper Club representative, Yamaguchi Mami-san. Even Rei-sama, who had kendo practice every day, took a break from her preparation and decided to attend the special meeting. Since it was related to her darling Yoshino-san's petite s&oelig;ur, Rei-sama wasn't about to say, "Do whatever you want, I'll leave it up to you." 

"If not audition, then what would be a better name?"

"Perhaps a tea party, or a social meet?"

The scritch scratch of a quickly moving pen could be heard. It was the sound of Mami-san taking notes.

"You'll only be changing the name?"

This time Yoshino-san answered the question.

"We aren't aiming to just pick a s&oelig;ur. We want to gather as many potential s&oelig;ur candidates as possible, and hold a meeting with them."

This was the line that the four of them had decided on during an informal conversation during lunch.

Rather than asserting more than they should and saying "We will do it this way," they decided to that it would be better to act as if they were offering their opinion and say "We want to do it this way."

"Basically, it's like a group miai then?"<ref>(S: A miai is an event where two single individuals are introduced to each other to consider marriage. It is similar to the courting sessions of Medieval Western culture.)</ref>

Rei-sama asked.

"What an old fashioned idea. Isn't it more like a large group party?"

Sachiko-sama said in correction.

"Well, at first glance, maybe."

However you looked at it, it was still a strange idea.

"So? How will you pick people out of the attendees at the tea party?"

"We'll announce our picks in the Lillian Kawaraban."

Mami-san immediately interrupted Yumi. "Understood," she said as she nodded.

"We will mix a set of first- and second-years. The first set of participants will be picked at random from a list. These participants will each be examined, and the unfit ones will be winnowed out. We believe that about twenty shall be able to make it to the final round."

Shimako-san continued from Yumi's initial explanation.

"There will be a few rules for the participants. The first-years must have no s&oelig;urs. The second-years may have grande s&oelig;urs, but may not have petite s&oelig;urs."

"This too is a way to winnow out applicants."

"Fine. But after that, when you call the finalists to drink tea and talk, how will you decide then?"

Sachiko-sama pinned Yumi down with her eyes and asked.

"That's it."

"That's it?"

The words "Do you really think this is an audition?" were written all over Sachiko-sama's resigned face.

"The tea party is a place of meetings. What's left to do is for each participant to decide."

"So there's no 'Please become my petite s&oelig;ur?' or 'Sorry, I cannot approve of you'?"

How did Sachiko-sama figure that out? It was obvious that she had wanted this to be an event where people would be sworn into couples.

"No, there is none of that."

"So then, you're telling me you can pick a s&oelig;ur like that?"

"If there's someone there who I find agreeable, then I plan to ask them to become my s&oelig;ur. If I find several candidates, but cannot choose one, then I will ask them to come help out at the Rose Mansion.

"To go through a trial run with them?"

Shimako-san had had this "trial run" with Noriko-chan. The trial run wasn't to test whether the candidate was capable or not, but to test whether a petite s&oelig;ur had a long-term affinity for her grande s&oelig;ur. There was also the unwritten rule that if someone really could not find a s&oelig;ur, then she would take the most useful volunteer in the Rose Mansion.

"I think I understand what you're trying to achieve."

Sachiko-sama said, as she slowly pressed herself out of her chair.

"Well, if this is what all of you have decided, then I'll leave it up to you."

Sachiko-sama wasn't just ending the conversation short; she was gathering her school bag and coat, and getting ready to leave.

"W-w-wait, Onee-sama!"

Yumi quickly followed behind.

"If it's just a tea party, a group miai as you say, then there's no point in me further planning a thing. There's nothing left for me to do."

"But, we wanted you to come to the tea party...."

Sachiko-sama let out a dejected sigh.

"Yumi. A third-year like me who already has a s&oelig;ur isn't allowed by the attendance rules. If you want to do something to please me, then invite as many first-years as you can."

Yumi knew that Sachiko-sama's argument was a logical one, but even then, she could not get herself to say "I see your point," or "You're right. We'll do just that."

Not having her Onee-sama around when doing something as huge as picking out a s&oelig;ur? She had told her Onee-sama about this-and-that for so long during lunch, that there wasn't even a hint about this.

"Sachiko."

Behind Yumi, Rei-sama followed. Sachiko-sama's eyes narrowed.

"Having said that, Rei, I don't intend to restrict your actions. If you want to join in then you're free to do so."

"..."

Rei-sama stared at Sachiko-sama's face for a few moments and then curtly nodded.

"I see. I too will step back from this then. My kendo meet is very soon, after all."

Yoshino-san said nothing as she stood up from her chair. But Rei-sama simply turned her gaze away dryly without saying anything.

"The two of us will help out when we can. Behind the scenes, of course."

As Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama were exchanging glances and heading out of the room, Shimako-san interjected.<!--(S: Her interjection comes below.)-->

Even though Shimako-san was a second-year, she was the grande s&oelig;ur to first-year Noriko-chan, so she was the same as Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama. A person who, by the rules, was not allowed to attend.

"Thank you. Your assistance is much appreciated."

The words hung in the air as the two third-years disappeared through the door.

"What's with those two."

Yoshino-san indignantly burst out, as the creak of the stairs was heard. Were they purposefully doing this?

Noriko-chan whispered timidly.

"Rosa Chinensis called us together herself, but got mad at us?"

"No, that's not it, Noriko."

Shimako-san corrected her, to which Yumi nodded in agreement.

"No, my Onee-sama is not mad."

She had radiated coldness from the outside, but Yumi knew her Onee-sama was probably laughing on the inside.

She was sure of it.

Why her Onee-sama chose to talk and act like she did, though, Yumi still did not understand.

It seemed as soon as the two left the Rose Mansion, the atmosphere became a little cooler.

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==Translator's Notes==
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