Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume23 Chapter5 2

Nearly Far? Or Distantly Near? Part 2

"It seems the misunderstanding has been cleared up. Us interfering gentlemen should take our leave."

Kashiwagi-san said, taking his uncle by the arm.

"Right. Sorry everyone for putting a dampener on your fun New Year's party."

The slightly dispirited gent raised his hands in apology.

As she watched them go, Yoshino-san said, "I thought this was an open event," which may or may not have been intended as a joke.

"Wait."

Sachiko-sama called out to the two men who were heading towards the staircase. Yumi wondered what was going on as Sachiko-sama walked over to Kashiwagi-san and quietly conversed with him.

"Suguru-san … do you mind if we have that talk?"

"Now? I don't mind, but do you want to do this when your grandfather's not here?"

"We can tell my grandfather when he gets home. But I'd rather do it now."

Yumi was a bit jealous that Kashiwagi-san knew exactly what Sachiko-sama was talking about when she said "that talk." But Yumi reconsidered and calmed herself down when their grandfather was mentioned, since it seemed like it would be a serious and weighty conversation.

"What's this about?"

Sayako-oba-sama asked.

"With Suguru-san here, as well as both you and father, this seems like a good chance to have a talk."

"Hmm."

Tooru-oji-sama adjusted his collar and turned towards Sachiko-sama.

Since she was neither Sachiko-sama's mother or father, nor Kashiwagi-san, Yumi was worried about whether it was okay for her to hear this conversation, but she hadn't been told to leave and the other party members were still there so for now she decided to stay where she was and listen. At that point, for some unknown reason, Rei-sama quietly made her way to Yumi's side.

"?"

"Don't worry, it's alright."

Rei-sama whispered quietly. Then she motioned with her jaw showing that the conversation was about to start, just as Sachiko-sama opened her mouth to speak.

"Suguru-san and I would like to wipe clean the slate of our engagement."

(Wha-!?)

Naturally, Yumi shrieked. But just before her shriek could escape, her mouth was blocked by the palm of Rei-sama's hand so that no sound could escape.

"See."

It looked as though Rei-sama had made her way over because she'd predicted just such a situation. No doubt Sachiko-sama would have found it rude to be interrupted by a third-party while she was conversing with her parents. Yoshino-san, the other dangerous character, had covered her mouth with her own hand. Shimako-san and Noriko-chan had also reacted, but their voices weren't loud enough to interrupt the conversation.

Then there was the reaction of Sachiko-sama's mother and father.

"Huh?"

There wasn't that much shock, just a small tilt of the head in confusion.

"We've talked about it together. That was our conclusion."

Sachiko-sama continued. Even if her parents' reaction wasn't quite what she expected, she seemed anxious to convey the message fully. Kashiwagi-san remained standing silently beside Sachiko-sama, but his expression was like he was looking at something far away.

"Wipe clean?"

"That's fine, right? They're both still young."

Mr. and Mrs. Ogasawara said to each other.

"So … is that all?"

Sachiko-sama asked.

"What do you mean?"

Tooru-oji-sama asked, as though to say, "How else should we have reacted?"

"You're not opposed to this?"

"Opposed? Why would we be?"

This time it was Sayako-oba-sama that responded.

"Because, if Suguru-san and I marry, the Ogasawara group will – "

Right. There had been talk of entrusting the Ogasawara group to them.

"Why are you thinking about that? Suguru doesn't have to be married into the Ogasawara family to work at the company. While your grandfather does appear to favor Suguru as his successor, he's not stubborn enough to force his only granddaughter into a marriage she doesn't want. Even if neither of you sought employment with the Ogasawara group, there's other people it could be left to. There's plenty of talented people in our company."

Tooru-oji-sama said smoothly. Whatever will be, will be.

(Huh, but then – )

"So then, why did you make us get engaged?"

Sachiko-sama asked her parents. That was what Yumi wanted to hear too.

"Oh my, you've forgotten?"

"Forgotten what?"

"Basically, you told Kashiwagi's older sister that you desperately wanted to be his wife."

"Wha!?"

Now this was a rare sight, Sachiko-sama's mouth was open wide in amazement.

"That's right. So please don't make out as though we were forcing this on you."

"Huh … I didn't know that."

Kashiwagi-san mumbled. With a wee bit of delight.

"When did I say that!?"

Sachiko-sama's face reddened. Like she was a bit angry.

"I think it was back when Sachiko-san was in kindergarten."

"Yes, that sounds about right."

Sachiko-sama's parents had faraway looks as they spoke. They were probably remembering Sachiko-sama back when she was little.

"But that was so long ago. I can't be held accountable for that."

"Oh? But since you never said anything, we thought you still loved Suguru-san. That's why we don't have a problem with what you've just told us."

They'd been told that Sachiko-sama and Kashiwagi-san shared such feelings, but if they didn't share them then it was only natural they'd grow apart. Looking at it from that angle, Sachiko-sama's parents hadn't been interfering in their relationship at all.

"… So that was it."

Sachiko-sama mumbled, deflated. It had obviously taken a lot of courage and determination for her to broach this topic. But despite that, it had been settled far too quickly.

"Oh, don't be so disappointed. I'm glad that you told us. Because you always find it so hard to talk about the most important things."

Sayako-oba-sama said, putting her arm around her daughter's shoulders.

"At any rate, we understand your feelings. I'll think of something to tell your grandfather."

However, Sachiko-sama refused Tooru-oji-sama's offer.

"No, father. I'll speak to him when he gets home."

" … I see. You're okay with that?"

"Yes."

Sachiko-sama obviously thought that this was her business, so she would see it through to the end. Besides, Sachiko-sama's doting grandfather would obviously much prefer to hear the words from her lips.

"Well, now we really should be on our way, I suppose. Oh, right, Suguru. I'll call a taxi, so it can drop you at the station on the way."

"Alright. I'll go with you then."

After using the first-floor phone to call for a taxi, the two men waited in the entrance. When the time came for them to leave, they were seen off by a bevy of women.

"Ah, wait a minute, Tooru-san."

Sayako-oba-sama came clattering down the stairs, having slipped away unnoticed some time earlier.

"Here, you forgot your glasses. You came home to get them but then they slipped your mind."

"Ah, that's right. Thank-you."

Tooru-oji-sama took the glasses case he was offered and put it in his coat pocket. And then:

"Ah."

Kashiwagi-san quietly exclaimed.

"I just remembered something. Ah …. where is it?"

Kashiwagi-san looked restlessly around the entrance before spotting a small paper bag in the corner and picking it up, saying, "There it is." It seemed likely that he'd dropped this after he arrived, when he heard Yumi's scream.

"Here, Sacchan."

"Huh?"

Sachiko-sama looked blankly when he offered it to her.

"I said this before, right? It's a present from me. You can share it with everyone later."

"I wonder what it could be."

As she said this, Sachiko-sama slid her finger through the tape lightly holding the bag closed and peeked inside. From Yumi's position, she couldn't tell what was inside. The bag was rather small for sweets and it wasn't that thick either.

"Mmm."

Sachiko-sama's face brightened the moment she realized what the gift was.

"Thank-you, Suguru-san. It's a wonderful gift."

What on earth could it be that made her so happy? Since he'd told her to share it with everyone, Yumi would probably find out some time today. But would someone other than Sachiko-sama be that happy to receive it? She had absolutely no way to tell, though.

"Ah, right. I'm going skiing with my uni buddies from the morning of the fifth."

Kashiwagi-san suddenly announced his schedule. Even though nobody had asked.

"Huh?"

"So if there's anything you need me to do, I'd appreciate if you let me know by the day before that. I'll be at home on the afternoon of the fourth."

"Will you be away for long? Are you going overseas?"

Sachiko-sama asked back. Indeed, from what Kashiwagi-san had said, it wasn't obvious when he'd next be contactable after the fourth.

"No, just for four days. In the Tohoku region."

"I doubt there's anything that urgent that I'd need you for."

And it was only domestic travel, so it shouldn't take too long for him to return. Yumi didn't understand why he was informing his relatives of such an absence.

"I suppose. But the winter break will be over by the time I return."

"So?"

"That's all. I'll pick you up a souvenir."

"That won't be necessary."

Sachiko-sama smiled. Just don't break a leg, alright?

Even though they'd just canceled their engagement, they looked to be closer than ever.