Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume26 Chapter1 5

Good Morning Chocolate. Part 5

Arriving back at the second-year Pine classroom just before the bell, they passed the first-year Naitou Shouko-chan at the door.

(So that means … )

"Welcome back, you three."

As expected, when they went inside they found Tsutako-san at the entry. Which meant that, undoubtedly, Shouko-chan had given Tsutako-san —

Yumi, Yoshino-san and Mami-san all shared a look and smiled knowingly. In her hand, Tsutako-san gripped a small light-brown gift bag, without a ribbon.

"Is that from Shouko-chan?"

"Uh … yeah."

Tsutako-san answered, with an expression that was more bewildered than overjoyed.

"What's the matter? Isn't it chocolates?"

"Mm."

That answer could be taken as either it was chocolates, or it wasn't. Tsutako-san sighed as she returned to her seat, and curiosity compelled Yumi, Yoshino-san and Mami-san to follow her.

"Is it chocolates? Or not?"

"Aren't you happy?"

"Why are you looking like that?"

Crowding around both sides of Tsutako-san's desk, the trio asked this succession of questions. Sitting down in her seat, Tsutako-san set the paper bag in front of her, let out another deep sigh, then raised her head.

"You know...."

"Hm?"

"Even I thought that if she was going to give me something, that it would be chocolates."

"It's not?"

Well, if it wasn't chocolates, there were plenty of other things it could be – like Hidemi-san's cookies, or Shimako-san's marble cake. Of course, it didn't have to be sweets, it could be something like a handmade scarf or a bag. But the bag was a bit small for one of those.

"Is it something troubling?"

It seemed unlikely that Shouko-chan would give Tsutako-san something she didn't want, but Yumi thought she'd at least ask. Everyone had their own hobbies and preferences, after all.

For instance, what if Shouko-chan raised lizards, or giant spiders, and gave Tsutako-san one of those … that would definitely be troubling.

But Tsutako-san rejected this.

"No, it's something I'm really happy to get."

"Then, what? Why that expression?"

Yoshino-san blurted out her question, irritated.

"I'm just worried."

"About?"

"If I get film as a present for Valentine's Day, what should I give as a return gift on White Day?"

"… Huh?"

Film on Valentine's Day.

That too.

They'd found another Valentine's Day option, unique and interesting.