Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume15 Chapter2 1

===<noinclude>Everything Prepared? </noinclude>Part 1===

The wide, blue sky enveloped them, like Maria-sama's soul.

When the weather cleared up perfectly like this, especially after times of rain, it led to spontaneous exclamations of, "It's our reward for good behavior," and, "It's because Maria-sama likes us." Especially at a Catholic girls' school.

At any rate, after all manner of things had happened, fine weather greeted them for the day of the Lillian Girls' Academy High-School Athletics Festival.

"Gym uniform, check. Lunchbox, check. Alright, I'm heading out."

After doing her final check in the entrance, she was just about to head out. But upon hearing her farewell:

"Ahh, Yumi-chan."

Someone called out to stop her.

"What is it? If you're after the invitation, I gave that to mom yesterday."

She responded with an answer to what she thought was the question, but it turned out to be something different.

"How do I look? Is this okay?"

Her father looked down at her uneasily, standing at the edge of the entrance way, wearing a cream polo shirt. In his hands he held a number of other outfits, that he had apparently been unable to decide between.

"That's fine, isn't it? It doesn't matter."

"It doesn't matter? Take a proper look, and pick which one would be best."

The range spread from well worn clothes to brand new ones. Just how many pieces of clothing had made the final cut? Ah, when she looked closer, she saw some of Yuuki's clothes mixed in there too.

"You know, it's just your daughter's athletics festival. There's no need for you to put on a fashion show."

It was Sunday.

Her father didn't have to go to work today, so he'd decided to come and watch the athletics festival. But he was getting a bit carried away.

"But I don't want to look bad compared to the other fathers … wouldn't you be embarrassed if I stuck out like a sore thumb? Especially since you're Rosa Chinensinth's little sister."

"… It's Chinensis."

He was probably getting it confused with hyacinth. They were both pretty flowers, but completely different plants.

"Please, Yumi-chan."

It looked like he was overthinking it and had completely confused himself. At any rate, he probably wouldn't be satisfied if she picked one immediately, so Yumi hesitated for a moment before choosing.

"Then, the polo shirt you've got in your right hand. Green suits you, dad. Plus I'm on the green team, so it'll be a lucky color. Probably."

There wasn't really anything wrong with the cream polo shirt he was wearing, but there wasn't any reason to choose it either. By offering up some sort of explanation, her dad would feel better about wearing the shirt.

"Okay, I see … but is it alright to not wear a suit?"

A charcoal gray suit was draped over his left arm. That might be the best choice if this was "Parent's Day" at school.

"Dad. The athletics festival is a sports meet. Casual clothes are better for cheering her on, don't you think?"

Yuuki said, yawning as he arrived, then took the suit from their father's hand. While he was at it, he spotted his clothes, and took them too.

"Well, you see, your father's heart is burning with a secret rivalry with Sachiko-sama's father."

Even her mother joined the conversation, lured in by the noise in the entrance.

"But Sachiko-sama's family isn't going to be there."

Previously, her mom had been so panicked about Yumi getting invited to the Ogasawara family's villa that she'd caused the Koshihikari scandal. The reason for her current strange calmness was because she knew this beforehand.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you? Sorry about that."

Mom said, smiling openly. Then, without a moment's delay, Yumi followed it up with:

"They're going to a relative's wedding."

"… Well, it is Sunday."

With all tension suddenly gone, her father turned around and walked down the hallway, to return the clothes he was carrying to the closet. Yumi called out to her younger brother, who was following their father.

"How about you, Yuuki? Are you coming?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Why not? Because I've got other plans to go out."

He left after this curt answer.

" … So he says, but he's actually embarrassed. He~y. I've made lunch for you too, Yuuki, so I'll leave it here and you can eat it at lunchtime."

Her brother's response of, "Okay," came from further in the house. He was going to have lunch at home … so that must mean his explanation of going out was just a made up excuse.

Looking at her quietly chuckling mother, Yumi was impressed. She'd known exactly what her husband and son were thinking.

"But still…"

Was a girls' school athletics festival really that embarrassing?

"Boys his age have a delicate mentality … it seems you don't yet understand that, Yumi-chan."

"Uhh."

On top of that, she'd read her daughter's mind. She was not someone to be taken lightly.

"It's good that you're enthusiastic, but don't injure yourself. Winning is secondary. The athletics festival isn't over until you return home."

"Isn't that for school excursions?"

"The same theory applies here."

Yumi's mother saw her off with a smile.

"Take care. We'll come and watch you later."

"Yep. I'm off."

Yumi responded energetically, then headed outside.

She took a deep breath of the clear air.

Winning is secondary.

But what if there was a penalty hinging on the outcome?

Then you wouldn't be able to say something as easy-going as that.