Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume29 Chapter2 2

Conversation Stories. Part 2.

The White Rose Soeurs, Yoshino-san and Touko, formerly Touko-chan, were already present in the Rose Mansion's second floor room.

"Oh, you're here, Rei-chan."

Yoshino-san spared only a quick glance at the appearance of her beloved Rei-sama. Instead she grabbed Yumi, who had arrived with Rei-sama, by the arm and walked her over to a corner of the room.

"Could it be, could it possibly be..."

Yoshino-san whispered furtively.

"Oh, umm."

"When I arrived, Touko-chan and Noriko-chan were cleaning the room together. Then when they finished cleaning, they started preparing tea."

"Ahh, I'll explain properly."

Yumi had asked everyone to come to the Rose Mansion after school to introduce someone, but she hadn't said anything more. Or, rather, she had carelessly forgotten to mention that she was now a grande soeur. Thankfully, her level-headed petit soeur had taken the right approach.

"It was impossible to get anything out of her. Noriko-chan wasn't saying anything either. Shimako-san looked as though she suspected something, but was politely pretending not to notice. We were all just waiting anxiously for you to arrive."

So the moment Yoshino-san saw Yumi, she just couldn't contain herself and came rushing over.

"I have to make a formal report."

Upon hearing this, Yoshino-san let go of Yumi's arm, as if to say 'Go ahead.'

"A report to everyone."

"Sachiko-sama's fine with it?"

"I spoke to her at lunchtime."

"I see."

It was a shame that she had gone home before Yumi had a chance to invite her.

"Touko."

Yumi invited her over. Yoshino-san let out a small squeal of delight when she saw what was happening, but Yumi continued, unfazed.

"I, Fukuzawa Yumi, and Matsudaira Touko, have today performed the rosary ceremony, making us officially soeurs. As soeurs we're very new, and still a bit raw around the edges, but please watch over us fondly. Please take care of us."

Yumi and Touko both bowed deeply.

When they both simultaneously raised their heads, they were greeted with applause and congratulations from their friends. The greatest joy was the gift of happiness.

There had been plenty of doubts along the way. Yumi truly believed that this day was only possible due to everyone's support.

"Noriko?"

Touko suddenly dashed out from beside Yumi. Looking over at what was happening, Yumi saw tears streaming down Noriko-chan's face. Plonk, plonk. Like drops from the god of crybabies.

"Noriko's ecstatic."

Shimako-san said. Noriko-chan was unable to speak because her throat was blocked from crying, so instead she nodded her head repeatedly in agreement.

"Noriko."

Touko embraced her friend.

"Just like a baby."

Touko joked, but Yumi could see the sparkle from a teardrop that had formed in the corner of her eye.

Just for a moment.

Then Touko adjusted her bangs and used that opportunity to wipe her tear away with her fingertips.

Yumi thought Touko would have been better off not hiding it. That would have been honest.

"Ahh... If I may."

Rei-sama had her hand raised, as though she were in class.

"I'm overjoyed that I could be present on such an auspicious occasion. It's not at the same level as this major news, but may I also make an announcement?"

Everyone urged Rei-sama to continue, whereupon she beamed happily.

"I, Hasekura Rei, have today made it safely through the entire university application process."

In other words, she had completed all her entrance examinations and received all the results.

"So, how did you go?"

There was tension as the question was asked, then Rei-sama made the peace sign with her right hand.

"All passed."

"Woo."

"Incredible."

It was just modesty to suggest this wasn't big news itself. It's no wonder she was in such high spirits. The sense of relief from knowing that she had finished her exams and passed would have Rei-sama on a high.

"So, have you decided?"

Yoshino-san asked, meaning which university Rei-sama would go to. Since she only had one body, no matter how many universities had accepted her she could only attend one.

"I'm still undecided. I'm going to give it some serious thought tonight."

"Humph."

Based on her bored response, there was no doubt that Yoshino-san found this uninteresting. Since there was no chance that Lillian's Women's University would be amongst them, they were all the same to Yoshino-san.

At any rate, everyone raised their black tea in a toast. The happiness multiplied, joyously, and everyone shared a laugh.

Even so, Yumi regretted that her onee-sama could not be there. If Sachiko-sama had known how enjoyable a time they would have, surely she would have postponed whatever it was she was doing.