Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume32 Chapter1 2

Laughing While Reminiscing. Part 2.

On the way to their destination classroom they were surrounded by several of their juniors.

Since this happened outside the third year Chrysanthemum classroom, Sachiko assumed they were waiting because they had some business with Rei. One, two, three, …. Only her eyes moved as she counted them. Seven people all up. A mixture of both first and second year students.

"Umm, Rosa Foetida. Could you please sign our autograph books?"

One of the students asked, acting as a representative for the group.

"You don't mind?"

Before responding to the students, Rei sought confirmation from Sachiko. Because they were traveling together, Rei was probably concerned about making her wait.

"Go ahead."

Having said that, Sachiko slipped out of the huddle of students.

Standing before her now, this was Hasekura Rei.

Sachiko only knew a small part of Rei's school life, since she was in a different class and not involved with Rei's kendo club.

Having been set free from the tyranny of exams, Rei would probably happily sign whatever she was asked. A rumor had gone around that Rosa Foetida wouldn't refuse to sign autograph books and she would probably still be getting requests tomorrow, even though it was the day of the graduation ceremony.

Sachiko smiled wryly.

It had probably been towards the end of February when, during one of her free periods, a student had held out a notebook, that was bound like a paperback, towards her and asked if she would sign it. She had been incredibly busy at the time, although she couldn't remember with what, and had flatly refused without putting any thought into the decision. This happened in public and some people apparently took it to mean that Rosa Chinensis wasn't going to sign anyone's autograph book. The precedent of the Valentine's Day chocolates may have had something to do with it, but from that point on no-one had asked her to sign their book. It wasn't that she was feeling jealous as she watched Rei, but she did regret it somewhat.

Mainly for that student. She should have signed because that girl had been the only one to work up the courage to ask her. Even if she was in a hurry, she could have taken the notebook and returned it afterwards. If that wasn't possible, she could have at least asked for the girl's name and class. – But, unfortunately, she couldn't even recall the girl's face.

"Rosa Chinensis"

Someone suddenly called out to her as she was watching Rei standing in the side of the hallway, still signing away.

"Are you busy right now?"

It was an unknown junior. No, Sachiko had the feeling that she had seen this girl somewhere before, but couldn't remember her name.

"Not at all, as you can see."

She had time to spare while she waited for her popular friend.

"Would you like to sign my autograph book?"

"Yeah, sure."

Sachiko had been leaning against the wall but stood up straight when the book and felt-tipped pen were offered to her.

"I wonder what I should write."

She asked as she accepted the items, and got the response of 'Your name.'

"It's okay if I just write my name?"

"Yeah"

Rei seemed to be writing something more than just her name. She was probably changing it for each person, or taking requests. When she had heard the phrase 'Heart, physique, technique,' she had unintentionally blurted out 'Sumo wrestling?'

And as for Sachiko.

It was a bit shaky because she had stayed standing as she signed, but she wrote her name wholeheartedly. – Ogasawara Sachiko.

"Thank-you very much."

"You too."

"Huh?"

"I'm glad you came back."

"You actually remembered?"

"Truthfully, I wasn't sure when I first saw your face."

Sachiko brushed her fingers against the autograph book she had just returned. Her conviction came because she had recognized it. Conversely, if she had just seen the book it probably wouldn't have been enough either. The face and the autograph book were a pair, and because of them she had recognized the girl she had initially refused.

"I'm sorry I turned you down back then."

"It's okay. You said what you did because you were in a hurry. So I thought I'd wait for an opportunity when you weren't busy."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Really. Sachiko had hastily rejected her, but it seemed as though her feelings had been properly conveyed. Sachiko smiled.

That's nice.

At least in the eyes of the girl in question she wasn't seen as a complicated and hard to get along with senior.

"Umm, could you do the same for us?"

The students who had received Rei's autograph had timidly made their way over. They seemed to have noticed that Rosa Chinensis, who was rumored not to sign anyone's book, was pleasantly chatting with a student holding an autograph book.

Sachiko let out an exasperated sigh then relented.

"But I'm only going to write my name."

She couldn't match Rei's level of service, but Sachiko thought she should probably follow her example.