Editing Maria-sama Ga Miteru:Volume17 Chapter 8 5

===<noinclude>From City of Water to Island Nation </noinclude>Part 5===

Inside the airplane was same as before. Sleep, wake, eat, visit the restroom. After two rounds of this, they had at last returned to Japan. The return trip felt faster than going out. Flight time was not shorter, but they were tired and probably slept more on the return trip.

It was Saturday mid-morning in Japan.

Surrounded by Japanese flitting about, bitten by the heartrending return to her home country, dazed by her time abroad, Yumi said "thank you" in English to the person in front of her who held the door open to a Narita airport restroom. The other person was probably Japanese.

Each class held a quick homeroom, then disbanded at the airport.

The teacher spoke mainly about tips and pointers. "Be careful going home." "No side trips." "You've been with the school since Monday, so take the weekend to rest at home." Even if the teacher hadn't taken the time to warn them, the students probably would have done so. Everyone was tired and wanted to hurry up and rest on their own futon.

Thinking that because it was Saturday, the roads would be packed, or that she'd miss the morning rush hour, Yumi decided to return home via train.

"See ya."

Yoshino-san planned to split off at the airport, taking a bus to K station and sleeping along the way.

"I'm sorry you have to carry the souvenirs."

Shimako-san said to Yoshino-san.

"It's fine, its fine. I'm closest to the school, and I commute on foot so we don't have to worry about the box getting crushed on a box or train during rush hour, or the chocolate melting."

No matter when, Yoshino-san's spirit of service flourished.

"More than that, Yumi-san."

Turning her head, she approached Yumi.

"Yes?"

"Give my sincere regards to Yuuki-kun."

"...I will."

At Yumi's reply, Yoshino-san nodded, lifted her incredibly heavy luggage, and disappeared in the direction of the bus stop.

"Why?"

Shimako-san tilted her head with curiosity.

"There's this TV drama that Yoshino-san forgot to record. She knows that Yuuki recorded it for me. That's what she means."

"Oh my. She must be so happy."

"You said it."

But in that luggage, even without rush hour, the chocolates might get broken. They both thought of this at the same time, and their faces met before either could say this.

Already, Yoshino-san could no longer be seen.

"Yumi-san, Shimako-san, are you heading somewhere together?"

Mami-san and Tsutako-san waved from where they waited by an escalator."

"Yes."

Answering, Yumi and Shimako-san joined the two people. Their sailor collars fluttered only a moment, but it was like Yoshino-san's bag of unrelenting cheerfulness.

Even though their bodies were exhausted, everyone was somehow buoyed by the sensation of returning home.

Ah, that sure was fun.