Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume6 Chapter2 5

===<noinclude>Hors d'oeuvre. </noinclude>Part 5.===

"I'm planning an ambush. Do you have any objections?"

Tsutako was looking straight at Minako-sama, who spat out her words somewhat sullenly.

"I object."

"But you're not going to elaborate further?"

"Ahh, yeah. Although I appreciate all the effort you've gone to so far."

Despite the cold, they were underneath the enormous "K-station" sign at the station's north exit. In other words they were standing outside the station, shivering.

A matching set of young women, they were. – Without a guardian, looking to cause mayhem. Well, Tsutako was looking to cause unsupervised mayhem – but her parter was Minako-sama so she should exercise some discretion.

"Gokigenyou"

– And so, toning down her behavior, first came the greeting. Actually, this was the first time today she had met Minako-sama. 

"Yes, gokigenyou."

But, despite the words, Minako-sama didn't seem to be in good spirits. Well, standing around in the cold for so long while watching the people passing by would put her in a bad mood too. 

"Earlier I ran into Shimazu Yoshino, and she'd hit upon something."

"Yoshino-san? What did she say?"

"It'll be difficult because I'm looking for something that moves around, she said."

"Hah."

"So if I don't move, sooner or later I'll see Rei-san or Shimako-san as they go past here."

"…"

For argument's sake, even if you did assume that the targets did come to the north exit, Tsutako thought it would only happen when the date was almost over. It was the front of the station.

There were certainly a lot of people around, but they were all heading towards the station, or the station building, or the building next door. You'd have a higher chance finding them miles away from the station before the date was about to begin, she thought.

Firstly, even if they used this station, there were exits open in all four directions so if they didn't come this way it was all over.

It's a long shot. – In her mind, Tsutako let out a sigh.

What's the matter with you, Minako-sama. If you keep up like this, you won't get to see Rei-sama or Shimako-san.

"Umm, why don't we take a break somewhere."

She offered, hoisting her plastic shopping bag.

"If you'd like, I've brought some things we could eat."

Somebody had to make a move, otherwise she'd be here forever.

"A break?"

Minako-sama abruptly asked, with an 'in a situation like this?' look on her face.

"If you're not free to take a break, so to speak, I don't mind if we call it a strategy meeting."

"Strategy meeting?"

This time it was a suspicious look that seemed to say 'what's your motive?' Probably because she was used to bossing around first years.

"You'll treat me to a nice, warm, canned tea, Minako-sama. And then we'll call it even. Come, come."

Pulling her by the hand, they entered the station building. As long as they were out of the wind, anywhere was fine. She was only this frozen because she'd met up with Minako-sama.

"Wait, Tsutako-san. I'm still – "

Tsutako whispered into Minako-sama's ear something that silenced her grumbling.

"It's okay. I have a better idea."

If they had looked back over their shoulder they would have seen the outline of a familiar bus departing amidst the wintry scenery.