Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume28 Chapter8 2

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It was probably a spiderweb or something similar. – Eriko smiled as she remembered the scene from earlier that day. It would be different if it were a red string, that unseen thread that was said to join fated lovers, but this was a yellow one.

From the mouth of the teapot rose steam heavy with the fruity scent of the black tea.

"What's this? You're spacing out about something, or are you reminiscing?"

"Nothing of the sort."

Eriko turned around and responded to the question that came from behind her.

School had finished for the day. The only two people in the student council building, the so-called Rose Mansion, were Eriko and her onee-sama, Rosa Foetida. Youko would probably show up soon, panting, but never late. Following that would be Youko's onee-sama, Rosa Chinensis, and Sei's onee-sama, Rosa Gigantea. As for Sei – who could tell; sometimes she'd show up for meetings and sometimes she wouldn't.

"Oh. You say it's nothing, but your expression tells a different story."

"Well I was just pouring the tea, and had come straight here after cleaning the classroom, so I was smiling thinking that this would be over soon."

There was no way to adequately explain the truth so Eriko substituted something appropriate.

"But you never look like you're doing it grudgingly, Eriko."

"Yeah. I find these odd jobs kind of fun. At home I'm coddled, so it's a fresh experience."

"So? Have you found someone you want to take as your petit soeur?"

Rosa Foetida asked, studying her face.

"Unfortunately, no."

Eriko's lips curled into a smile as she placed the cups of tea on the table.

She didn't think it was worth mentioning the first-year that she had seen that morning. It was just a passing fancy, nothing more.

"Then what did you mean when you said it'd be over soon?"

"I meant in general. First semester's generally the time to take a petit soeur."

"A petit soeur isn't going to jump into your arms while you're spacing out, you know."

"True. But if Youko or Sei find a petit soeur, then I'd be free of this too, right?"

This response earned Eriko a, "Hey," and a tap on the head with a notebook.

"I wouldn't go so far as to call those remaining 'small-fry', but if you take too long trying to land one then you'll find all the good ones have been caught."

"I know that."

This time around the notebook used to hit Eriko on the head was thrown towards her chest.

"What's this?"

She asked, catching it. Rosa Foetida responded with:

"A list of eligible first-years."

"And I have to choose from one of these?"

"Not at all. Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Gigantea and I wrote it the other day for a bit of fun. It's a list of first-years that we'd pick if we were second-years."

"… You must have plenty of free time."

"Whatever. You can use it as a reference, if you'd like."

"And Youko?"

"She hasn't seen it yet. I beat Rosa Chinensis at scissors-paper-rock."

"I might not pay any attention to what you've written."

"I know that. But still, you're intrigued, aren't you."

"I suppose so."

Eriko was indeed interested, because after a flip through the book she said, "I'll borrow this," and put it in her bag.

She could hear the sounds of somebody, probably Youko, running up the stairs.