Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume10 Chapter7 1

Smile, Smile. Part 1

June arrived.

They switched to summer uniforms.

The design didn't change but the material was thinner, making it lighter overall. Which somehow made her want to twirl around.

"… Why are you spinning?"

Her younger brother Yuuki asked, as he poked his head through the open door with a stunned expression on his face. Without the winter button-up jacket, the white shirt of the Hanadera Academy uniform was dazzling.

"Hehehe."

Because, she was in a good mood. Yumi spun around once more. Lightly. Her skirt flared.

The weather currently was so-so. According to the weather report, there was no chance of rain this weekend. It would be cheerful weather.

"You're really that happy to be going on a date with Sachiko-san?"

Yuuki asked, taking a couple of steps into her room. His objective wasn't his beautiful older sister, but the mirror on the door of his sister's closet.

"You bet I'm happy."

Yumi answered as she tied her hair ribbons. Because it was such a good morning, she'd chosen bright blue ribbons with a lace fringe.

"Even though you see her every day?"

"Of course."

It was a trip with just the two of them. Sachiko-sama's time was reserved solely for Yumi, with no-one to interrupt them. Completely different to school.

"That's a relief."

"What is?"

"Well, recently you haven't been all that happy, right? That sort of thing."

Yuuki stood beside Yumi and checked his hair in the mirror. Until a year ago, they'd been about the same height, but he'd shot up. Guys. But not only that, the way he'd matured as a person was annoying too.

"Thanks for your concern. But I'm totally happy now. You know, Sachiko-sama's been talking with me about all kinds of things related to our amusement park date."

Like saying that she felt reassured Yumi was with her. Or saying she'd treat Yumi to ice-cream. Or suggesting that they should both wear jeans.

Under those circumstances, it looked like they'd have a wonderful date this Sunday.

"Not only that, but Sachiko-sama's been a lot more gentle recently. It was stupid of me to sulk about minor things."

"Hmm."

Yuuki had a conflicted expression on his face as he re-buttoned his cuffs.

"You know, your school life seems to revolve around Sachiko-san."

"Yep. Because we're soeurs. … Why?"

"It sounds like dependence, or something. It's a bit worrying, you know."

"Worrying?"

Perhaps seeing the change in his older sister's expression, Yuuki quickly backpedaled.

"Ah, no, it's probably just me worrying needlessly… How to put it, ah, I'm a worry-wart, you know. Pay no attention to me."

" – Alright."

Yumi nodded. She'd intended to smile broadly, but her cheek cramped and it ended up looking weird.

" … Sorry, I'll be leaving ahead of you."

Seemingly unable to endure being there any longer, Yuuki fled downstairs. Perhaps because he was in such a hurry, he slipped on the last step and landed on his butt.

"Don't worry about it."

Yumi closed her closet door and picked up her school-bag.

There was nothing to worry about.

Indeed, compared to her, Yuuki was quite sensitive.