Maria Sama Ga Miteru:Volume12 Chapter1

Chapter 1

(1)

Dropping her glance onto her clipped stack of copies, Rosa Cinensis Ogasawara Sachiko(小笠原祥子)-sama cooly said.

"I am not going."

"Pardon?"

"I said, I am not going. By the way, would you please do something about your unattentive replies?"

Even if you tell me to do something about it... And I cannot take back now what I have blurted out of my lips-- Fukuzawa Yumi (福沢祐巳), who had finally got accustomed after three months of bearing the rather heavy title of Rosa Cinensis en Bouton, thought to herself.

The Rose Mansion (Bara no Yakata, 薔薇の館) had nothing like air-conditioners to refresh one's mind, so all the windows were opened. As a result, cicadas' dry cries attacked from all around like TV broadcasts.

The rainy season had finally ended, and it had turned remarkably hot.

The season was already mid summer.

Sachiko-sama's beautiful forehead was also slightly moistened by sweat drops like freshwater pearls.

Leaving that aside.

For the moment, what Yumi had to do was to ask to repeat onee-sama's unbelievable words that reached her ears just now. I am not going. This line could not be neglected.

"But, onee-sama, your promise..."

Yumi reached out her body and pressed on with her words, and Sachiko-sama lifted her head off the printouts and gave a sigh.

"In no case am I trying to break my promise. However, Yumi, your pose is as if you are going to jump on me."

"...Why shouldn't I?"

Yumi mumbled with her slightly pouted lips. She knew full well that she was really like a racing horse behind the starting line, with her heart anxiously crying aloud being quicker, quicker.

The gate was the final tests. Only if they are over, Yumi convinced herself as she drilled on her studies with all her strength, reached the final day today unscathed, and had her spirits all hyped up. It was just natural to dash with all her power like a boar, towards something right in front of her that she had been waiting for so long. -- Though the analogy somehow turned from a horse into a boar.

"I have been waiting for so long... Amusement park"

Exactly.

Now the topic of discussion between the Red Rose sisters was about the suspended Amusement Park Date. During the rainy season, the issue became the centerpiece of a complicated big fight between the sisters, but the rain had been lifted, and the sisters had reconciled. Therefore Yumi thought it was natural to bring up the issue again. However, Sachiko-sama didn't seem to think likewise.

"I am not saying I will never go, am I? I am only suggesting that going right now seems a little..."

"That is not true. Onee-sama, you have just flatly said 'I am not going.'"

"Stop picking words for me. How defiant you have become lately! I mean 'I am not going right now,' and you have made such an ruckus over my omitting the 'right now.'"

"Ruckus? Then you should choose your words with greater attention, onee-sama. Each one of your words is rubbing against my timid heart."

"Oh my, I am so surprised by a timid heart talking back like this!"

Sachiko-sama hit the stack of printouts onto the table. Shocked by such force, Rosa Gigantea Toudou Shimako (藤堂志摩子) gave a cute little cry.

The Red Rose sisters' conversation was so exciting that everybody else's existence faded off. In reality, however, all six of Yamayurikai （山百合会）'s executive members had gathered in this conference-room-cum-salon, on the second floor of Bara no Yakata (薔薇の館), the headerquarters of Lillian Girls' Academy (リリアン女学園) student body.

It was the afternoon of the last day of final tests. From the day after began the post-exam break, and everyone was summoned here to make various confirmations on events happening in the summer vacation.

"Is it really a good idea to leave the two like that?"

In a low voice Shimako asked the Yellow Rose sisters, who took no notice of the Red Rose sister's debate.

"They are havign a quarrel between close sisters, so we are not butting in." Rosa Foetida Hasekura Rei （支倉令） was pushing the core of her automatic pencil, as she put checkmarks onto the printout she was reading.

"Even if we do not interfere--?"

Rosa Gigantea en Bouton Nijou Noriko (二条乃梨子) raised the same question seriously.

"Let them be, let them be. Fights of intimacy, that's all."

Rosa Foetida en Bouton Shimazu Yoshino (島津由乃), having the same experience but more composure than Yumi as a petite soeur (younger sister), said nonchalantly as she supported her chin with her knitted fingers.

"Fights of intimacy?"

The White Rose sisters exchanged glances and cocked their heads. The two might not be able to understand through experience what it means by "quarrels between close sisters" or "fights of intimacy." They were brand new sisters, having transferred the rosary for less than a month

The problem was, Yumi has heard all of their talks.

However, it was in fact fights of intimacy, so Yumi could not protest a thing.

When the strong bonding was confirmed, Yumi could now do even things impossible when their emotions didn't quite reach each other. Rather, Yumi would like to try everything. Before, Yumi could only watch unbelievably at Yoshino and Rei-sama exchanging snaps. Now that Yumi realized that it felt good to speak straight about her feelings, and it did her body no good to swallow back her words, Yumi decided to do exactly that.

Even onee-sama's little retorts was enjoyable to listen to.

"Anyway,"

Sachiko-sama said as she touched her teacup with her finger and pulled her finger back.

"Oh, seconds? Just a moment."

Yumi stood up and hurried to the electric pot. Onee-sama had a couple of preferences about food, and cooled tea didn't suit her taste.

"Great that you know."

"Well..."

I am your petite soeur after all. Sachiko-sama returned a smile on her face, delighted that her feelings got through.

"See?" Yoshino said to Shimako. "Not even dogs or bacteria can withstand the smell of sisters' fights."

"I see. What a lesson!"

Hey, I heard everything! You other sisters, please stop teasing us.

"Amusement parks are crowded in the summer vacation, aren't they?"

Sipping the freshly prepared red tea in satisfaction, Sachiko-sama said.

"Yeah..."

Yumi gave a vague reply as she served the others with the warm tea. Every place for entertainment would be the same though.

"The School Festival is coming as well, you know."

"Argh"

Yumi was out of words as the unexpected School Festival excuse was pulled out.

What is that? What is that? Sachiko-sama is lining up small obstacles on the road towards the amusement park.

"Above all, I feel most uncomfortable by the heat."

There it went, the attacks of a princess' self-indulgence.

Pulling this excuse meant the end of conversation. Then not only a date at amusement park, any outings between the sisters during the summer vacation would have been ruled out.

"Also, I go to the summerhouse at our summer resort every summer."

"For the whole time this one and a half months?"

"Not for the whole time. This year, the plan is to be from the end of July to the beginning of August."

"Then, what about the latter half of August?"

Yumi just would not let go. Taking into consideraton Sachiko-sama's grandma passing away just a while ago, she had refrained from choosing the obon (お盆) period. -- Though Yumi didn't know exactly what religion Sachiko-sama's grandma believed in.

"The latter half of the summer vacation is spent preparing for the School Festival back at school."

"What?"

"Haven't we mentioned it to you? This is Yamayurikai's custom for its executive members -- voluntary school-commuting in the summer vacation."

Rei-sama said as she opened the fridge.

"Therefore, the real vacation is only at the first half."

Hearing the high-pitched sound of ice cubes from the ice-maker hitting cups, Yumi drooped her head.

What a tight schedule! Then, even if one was not uncomfortable of the heat, and the place was not crowded in the summer, one could not even wingle out a drop of time to go to amusement parks.

"Then, the date in amusement park..."

"Let's wait till winter."

"...I guess."

Well, the result had been clear from the very beginning though. However, Yumi had already put up a good fight in front of her onee-sama. When Yumi returned to her seat, Yoshino greeted her with face that said "Great job."

"Well, the amusement park would not fly away even if you take it easy."

"But..."

I would love to get out together in the summer. Yumi mumbled in a low voice. Yoshino tuned down her volume as she whispered.

"Listen. If you suggest somewhere you can only go in the summer, even Sachiko-sama cannot just dismiss it and say to wait till winter. I did exactly this."

Yoshino advised, somehow like a demon's whisper. In fact, Rei-sama turned back her head upon Yoshino's words, so the analogy was not off the mark.

"You did exactly this? Where are you going, Yoshino?"

"He-he-he"

"He-he-he?"

"Climbing Mt. Fuji."

"What? Really?"

It was meant to be a whispered conversation in order to not get interfered, but Yumi gave a loud cry without thinking. Sachiko-sama lifted her glance, gave a stare to the two, and restarted reading her printouts.

But that would surprise just anyone. It was climbing Mt. Fuji! Mt Fuji was without said the highest mountain in Japan. What a braveheart for challenges, especially for a girl who could only watch from afar at any sports around this time last year.

"It has been my dream for soooo long. It is now ten months since the operation, the doctor has granted permission, and a supervisor will be right with me."

Rei-sama the supervisor was not participating in the conversation, but made a long face towards this way. It was imaginable Yoshino probably succeeded in convincing with threats, and high-handedly tore off permission from the doctor in charge.

I dare say because I am a friend. Yoshino is such a person.

In contrast, my other friend-- Yumi sneaked across the room during post-meeting free time, and stayed still beside the chair on which the beauty with fluffy curly hair sat on.

"Oh!"

Noticing her friend who lifted her head while sticking herself onto the chair, Shimako had "since when are you here?" written all over her face as her eyes startled wide. Ignoring that, Yumi pulled on Shimako's sleeve with "hey hey" blurting from her lips.

"Hey, do you have any outing plans for the summer vacation?"

"I am thinking of hopping around among churches and buddha statue exhibitions with Noriko."

Shimako exchanged glances with Noriko, and smiled.

"Wonderful! This combination really suit you two."

Without thinking, Yumi nodded convincingly. These two were the rare pair among Lillian students, in that their relation started with Buddhism.

"What about you?"

"Let me see. The family custom is to visit our grandma at Yamanashi (山梨). This year, however, grandma said she would come visit us, so I have no idea."

How boring that I am the only one without any plans. Rather than boring, Yumi felt envious to the others. Every pair of sisters had some time in their schedules together.

--Just at that moment, Sachiko-sama called Yumi's name unexpectedly.

"Yumi."

"Y-Yes."

Is she showing a dissatisfied expression? Yumi hurriedly stood up and turned back as she replied. "Say it if you have any problems." If Sachiko-sama told her so, Yumi had no words to reply. If something could be done when she said so, she would say it. If doing anything would not move Sachiko-sama, then anything said would be just meaningless.

However Sachiko-sama didn't say as Yumi expected. Instead, a phrase without a subject reached Yumi's ears.

"Coming?"

"Pardon?"

Coming? It is the present continuous tense of the verb "come."

Oh, it's after the tests, so forget about it.

The problem now is: "who" is coming to "where" ?

What if the omitted subject is the first person pronoun "I," meaning Sachiko-sama herself? In that case the destination would the most appropriately be "here" or "school." You know, it is not common to say "I am coming to Paris." "Here" is most commonly used to specify the current location. Here is not Paris, so it should be "going to Paris."

But what is the point of saying "I am coming to school (here)" ?

Sachiko-sama's expression is in the tone of a question. Then, the subject should actually be "you" or "Yumi." Then to where is Yumi supposed to be "coming" ? Using the verb "coming" means the destination must be somewhere Sachiko-sama would be at--

Seeing the question marks flying out of Yumi's head, Sachiko-sama changed her wordings for one more time in amusement.

"W, Wha, Wha, Whaaaat?"

Upon hearing that, Yumi's heart nearly fell out.

Unable to decide where to place her startlement, Yumi lined up her palms facing out without any thought, and gave them a semi-circular swipe at shoulder height like a car's wiper.

Onee-sama's words were far beyond Yumi's wildest imaginations, that's why.

Exactly.

Why not come visit our summerhouse? Sachiko-sama had said.

(2)

The family shared the same surprise.

"Summerhouse!? At the Ogasawara's?"

Dad, in the position of opening the mizuyoukan pudding can lid, opened his eyes wide. Mom was frozen with a small teapot in her hands. The time was after dinner, while the family was chatting at the sofa.

"What shall we do? Yumi still doesn't have a passport! If it is the last week of July, it is very close. Can we make it?"

"..."

Looking her mother being all thumbs, Yumi thought, this person is definitely the one who gave birth to me. There is no point repeating, but Yumi had said almost the same line immediately after she accepted Sachiko-sama's invitation.

"Yes, it takes two weeks right? RIGHT?"

However, it was a good idea not to tell during dinner. From the surprise received now, it was imaginable that one of the parents would have been choked by a meat ball, and turned out to get rushed to the hospital by an ambulance.

"I said it is inside Japan."

The summerhouse which Sachiko-sama paid a visit every summer was on a plateau summer resort one hour and a half away from Tokyo by bullet train.

"Inside Japan... Yes, it should be within Japan normally. Oh my, my brain grew numb by the double shock, from the gorgeous feel of the word 'summerhouse,' and from the name of the Ogasawara's!"

Mom laughed as she pinched her cheek.

But it was understandable to think first it is overseas. Yumi's onee-sama Ogasawara Sachiko-sama was the daughter of the one and only Ogasawara Group in the world, and the family was so rich that it was not at all strange to hold a castle in every part of the world. For example, in Sweden or Graecia or Rome. Though all are just imaginations, since Yumi has never been to any one of the places.

"But the Ogasawara family will also come, right? With such close relatives by the side, will you be a bother?"

"Sachiko-sama's father and grandpa both have a company to attend, so they will visit the summerhouse during Obon vacation. Her mother will join them at that time as well."

Sachiko-sama, who had to return to school in the latter half of summer vacation, was the odd one to stay in the summerhouse earlier than anybody else. Thinking that Yumi would feel more at ease this way, Sachiko-sama extended the invitation.

"Please~ Can I go?"

Yumi took her father's hand as she begged. It was long since the last time Yumi teased her father for anything.

"What do you think? I have no reason to object it--"

Dad's lips pouted a little as he looked at Mom.

"I guess so... But it would be impolite not to send formal greetings to the Ogasawara couple."

"To the Ogasawara couple?"

Well, it was a little different from staying at someone's house to finish a group project, so it might as well be natural turn into such a big ruckus. Or rather, Yumi's mother was one of those polite people that telephone the host family to say thanks on such trivial matters, Yumi thought to herself.

"Mom, then you are going to phone Sachiko-sama's mom to talk things over and get convinced?"

"Exactly. ... But how exciting! Just like meeting the in-laws for the first time."

"Oh come on."

Was this kind of reaction from an Old Girl from Lillian Girl's Academy? Even within the family living under the same roof, the males would have no clue about such thinking pattern.

"Well, why not some souveniors? How about a combination og Ginza high-class delicacies? But no, the other side must have been used to eating such things. Maybe some lower-class presents might make them happier. Oh, by the way, how much shall we send as something like accomodation fee? If we send in cash, the other side might not be pleased, though. But that doesn't mean we can send in gift certificates, does it? In fact, we have no idea how much it takes to stay in that place for one day anyway."

The panicked mom even took the "Convenient Q&A for Everyday-Life Greetings" for help, but there is no way an item called "Tips when your child go to visit the summer-house of her (extremely rich) Onee-sama" would be recorded in such a book.

But a mother have a mother's special concerns. Her eyes turned bloodshot as they stared straight to the book index.

This most probably started in the Traditional New Year this year, when Yumi stayed one night at the Ogasawara's place. That time, Yumi was lured out by Sei (聖)-sama in a surprise attack, and had had no idea that the venue was Sachiko-sama's place. To her mother Yumi fussed up the truth a little, saying only that she was on a night camp.

Didn't a small box of confectionery she had bought with her do just fine? Yumi thought, but it seemed that her mother had her regrets, because she failed to give some formal greetings before the daughter stayed a night at her Onee-sama's place. By the way, her shock doubled when she learnt her son had also stayed a night, though he had no relations with the Ogasawaras.

As Mom waited for her second chance, Yumi heard directly from school that Sachiko-sama's grandma passed away, but of course she had not brought anything with her at that time. On their way home, Yumi asked for Youko (蓉子) -sama's advice, but Youko-sama said, "It is a secret burial, and that side of the family hate formalities, so it is better not to bring any gift of consolation." In the end, therefore, Yumi left things like that.

That is why Mom now insisted that "This is the time." Nevertheless, as Youko-sama had said, Sachiko-sama and her mother Sayako-obasama never minded such formalities.

"Yumi. I wonder why you are eyed on by the daughter of such a great family like the Ogasawaras? That is like marrying into a family of rank! It makes even the parents nervous to think about meeting the in-laws! So please, Yumi, choose a humble household when you get married."

Mom was so entangled in her thoughts that she began to babble things that made no sense.

"All right, leave it like this and go to bed for now."

In the end, Dad couldn't bear to see it anymore, and took Mom up to the bed room a little earlier than the usual bedtime. A "husband stop" instead of a "doctor stop."

"What a fuss!"

Yuki (祐麒) the brother sat with his legs crossed on the sofa. He was so quiet that his existence had been forgotten, but he had always been in the living room, looking cool-mindedly at the family soap opera from afar.

"Exactly."

Yumi nodded, and poured Japanese tea into a teabowl. Mom had left the teapot for long after she poured in hot water, so the tea's color was expectedly very thick. Greenish brown, or even moss green by now.

"Even though Mom looked like that, she must be very happy."

"I guess."

The two siblings shared a friendly moment sipping tea diluted with hot water. Considering the season, it might be better to drink mugi-cha (麦茶), but the warm green tea didn't taste bad. The taste was very adult, let's put it this way.

"Summerhouse... At that time I should be having a camp at that side as well."

Maybe we will meet over there, Yuki said smilingly while hugging a cushion. Yuki was in high school second-year at Hanadera Academy (花寺学園), negiboring Lillian Girl's Academy.

"A camp? Yuki, what club are you at again?"

"The Student Body."

"So you are also involved in a student body?"

"Yeah."

The two nondescript siblings, who had no relations at all with such things till secondary school, suddenly had a 180 degrees turn when they stepped into high school, as they were swept in the bewildering but dynamic school life.

Oh, but talking about the Student Body.

"Don't tell me you are with Kashiwagi (柏木)-san --"

Oh no, oh no. That guy alone was dangerous.

"That guy has already graduated, though?"

"Oh, I forgot."

Kashiwagi Suguru (柏木優), Sachiko-sama's cousin, was two years elder than Yumi and Yuki. This spring he graduated peacefully at the Hanadera Academy High School, and is now a student at Hanadera University.

"But exactly because he is Kashiwagi-san, won't he sneak into the camp in the name of supervising juniors? Yuki, be careful!"

"Well Yumi, I am now unable to think of an appropriate reaction as a younger brother towards his sister's problematic assertion here."

"Just be careful. Kashiwagi-san has said that he loved the way Yuki struggles."

"Then how should I be careful? If I struggle I just make him happier, but there is no way I surrender without a fight just because of that."

"I don't know how. Anyway, stay normal! Don't be lured into the abnormal side!"

Yumi grabbed on Yuki's shoulders and shook violently, as if encouraging her teammates not to fall asleep while stranded in a winter mountain. But the twin brother was quite cool. His lips curled up a little at the sides as a faint laugh escaped.

"Do you know the meaning of the words you are using?"

"...On the whole, yes."

In the end, all the fuss the sister was making was of no use: Yuki had to protect himself. Being a boy has its own problems.

"So what will the student body do during a camp?"

"Mainly discussing the School Festival, but I guess it is also an encouragement and friendship strengthening group event?"

"Ah, School Festival."

The atmosphere became more and more pressing that the Lillians needed to prepare for theirs. The Roses, who are the high school student body heads, will take the position of leaders and executives in the School Festival, so the boutons will also be busy helping out. Above that, the Yamayurikai executives needed to participate in an event as representatives of Yamayurikai. Last year, it was "Cinderella" the drama.

However, everything time Yumi heard the words School Festival, she would think, how fast has a single year passed away. Thinking back, it was exactly last year's School Festival when she and Sachiko-sama became soeurs.

"So what are you doing this year?"

Yuki asked.

"How about your side?"

"Undecided."

"Same here."

However the Roses seemed to have already formed an idea among them. But the boutons couldn't come to ask about it; it was a little too scary.

Why? Last year, the ex-Roses cheated the unwilling Sachiko-sama into performing at "Cinderella." Using the same logic, this year's boutons like Yumi and Yoshino would clearly be facing the fate of executing some formidable contracts. Probably even more unenviable than last year's.

"...What does a Boy School Festival look like? Maybe I should go to Hanadera this year to take a look."

She felt more like for pastime than for reference. Every year, Hanadera's School Festival was earlier than Lillian's.

Well, it's other people's business anyway. Yumi spoke in such a dreamy tone, but Yuki was quick to correct her.

"Not maybe; it is a must, isn't it?"

"Oh?"

"Isn't it already a custom between student bodies in Lillian and Hanadera to help out each other during School Festivals?"

"Ah!"

"What is with this reaction? Geez."

Hey, it is okay to keep such a lamenting face to yourself.

"Then Yuki, you are also coming to our school this year right? But in last year's Lillian School Festival only Kashiwagi-san came alone, so is it that not everyone need to come?"

"We are helping in accordance to your requests."

"Ah I see. So there is actually a possibly Yuki is coming. But I hate my family staring at me. Last year Mom and Dad yelled to come, but I had stopped them no matter what."

See? Yumi asked for Yuki's agreement, but Yuki turned silent for a while. Yumi pressed on about what the silence meant, and Yuki finally divulged with a grim face.

"...I went. Last year."

"You're kidding!?"

"Kashiwagi-senpai was taking part. So I was brought along unwillingly by the other seniors."

"What?"

Unwilling or not, the fact that he saw "Cinderella" didn't change.

"Why are you saying this after a year? Oh my, I couldn't believe it!"

Yumi seized her brother's cushion to hit him with it.

No way could she believe her brother had seen such a clumsy performance of Sister B. No way could she believe she had been kept in the dark till now, being carefree about it all the time. Yumi was completely discouraged by what a naive kid she had been.

"The subject had not been brought up again after that. I also imagined you would respond this way, so I had tried to stay silent. Humm. Even after a year, Yumi is still embarassed of it."

Even with around a year of difference in age, this formidable brother was analyzing the situation with a cool mind. Argh, how annoying. Or it should be how enviable. In terms of mental growth, maybe he had already surpassed her.

"You put up a good play. Very good."

Yuki said as he patted on Yumi, who turned her back towards him in a tandrum.

"Really?"

Yumi looked back and stared unbelievably at her brother's face, thinking just when did he become so natural at comforting others. Well, Yuki had always been a gentle boy, but his had always been bad at expressing it.

"Sure. Though playing the role of a villian sister, you were too cute to be hated."

"Hey, isn't that a problem on my performance ability...?"

"What's wrong with that? That is not your character originally, right? Among us the reviews were excellent."

It sometimes amazed Yumi how quick-witted his encouragements were. If only I could be at least half like Yuki, speaking the accurate words fluently, Yumi thought to herself. If so, she could be a more robust and supporting petite soeur to her onee-sama.

"Are you coming this year as well?"

"Well, I need to go, I guess. No matter what plans you have on your side."

Then Yuki threw again some discouraging words to Yumi.

"This year, I will be there with you to humiliate ourselves."

(To be continued)

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