Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume29 Chapter1

Onee-sama, Rosary and Petit Soeur

Part 1.

In the middle of winter, a mere 30 minute difference in morning bus departure time meant a world of difference in ambient temperature.

You could say that this was obvious, since the sun would have had less time to warm the Tokyo atmosphere, but as she rode the bus that looped between the north gate of M station and Lillian's Girls Academy she couldn't dismiss it so simply.

She had thought it worthwhile checking if the bus that left at 7:30 was the same as the one that left right on 8:00. The peak-time for middle-school and high-school students heading to school was around 8:00am, so the bus was usually loaded to 200% capacity with students packed in tight and hanging on to overhead straps or handrails. Naturally, the heat was incredible. On days when you were carried through to the general vicinity of one of the heating ducts it was so steamy that you wanted to take off your muffler and gloves, but there was no room to move, so all you could do was endure until you arrived at the Lillian's Girls Academy bus stop. – That was the scene that usually played out around Yumi on her trip to school these days.

(Oooh, it's cold)

So then, the only conclusion you could draw for why Yumi was now shaking as she sat in a deserted bus was that she had caught an earlier bus than usual. Even so, there would normally be more students catching this bus, but the one immediately before it had been running late and scooped up all of the students waiting on the platform, which meant that when this bus departed it only had about ten students on-board. It sounded like the heater was turned on, but its rattling did very little to warm the air.

Yumi placed her hand over her chest as she looked out the window. Underneath the layers of her gloves, coat and school uniform was a small weight. The cross that hung from her rosary was listening intently to the rhythmical thudding of her heart.

By following the line of thought that led to her catching an earlier bus, Yumi arrived at this rosary.

(… Today's definitely the day I give this to Touko-chan)

As a result of that decision she had been assailed by waves of various emotions, including nervousness, excitement and sorrow, to the extent that she opened her eyes an hour earlier than usual this morning. In spite of her exhaustion from their long trip yesterday, Yumi had awoken without the aid of her alarm clock.

And once her eyes were open, there was nothing she could do. At the very least, her emotions made going back to sleep impossible, so Yumi turned the heater on with the remote control then quietly crept out of bed while it was still dark. It seemed a waste to spend the extra time on 'image training,' so she decided to head to school early instead. And when she arrived at M station, Yumi realized that by missing the morning peak she had also avoided various people asking her about how yesterday's date went.

The bus stopped in front of the gates to Lillian's Girls Academy. Ten girls, including Yumi, filed out of the rear doors of the bus, all of them students at Lillian's. Yumi was last off the bus, and as she stepped down, she turned and look inside the bus. The lone middle-aged woman who remained in one of the priority seats looked ill-at-ease.

Of the nine other students who got off the bus with her, none of them seemed to be smiling. Naturally, they recognized her as Rosa Chinensis en bouton, but they just gave a slight nod and then hurried off ahead of her. They all had their reasons why they had to arrive at school early. Yumi saw them off with a smile, then slowly walked after them.

Yumi glided smoothly across the pedestrian bridge, when usually she would have to trudge in order to keep pace with those around her. Of course, there had been days when she had to arrive early as part of her Yamayurikai work, but she'd never arrived at school so early without a meeting or task scheduled. It didn't matter when she arrived at the Rose Mansion today, so the feeling of being rushed was absent.

Yumi spotted a small sprout growing in a corner of the pedestrian bridge. The wind may have carried it there, since it was in a spot where dust had gathered. In spite of how cold the air felt on your skin. The pedestrian bridge was, just a tiny bit, closer to the sun than the ground, and perhaps it had good exposure to sunlight. Spring would soon be here.

As she passed through the tall gates, the number of people Yumi could see walking in front of her increased. Students who caught the bus that looped in the opposite direction blended together with those who walked to school. Sprinkled in amongst these were a few university students and members of the teaching staff, who weren't wearing uniforms.

After walking down the path lined with trees, now stripped back to their branches, the statue of Maria-sama appeared. Normally Yumi was just one in a crowd of people when she passed by here, and was always mindful of the people behind her, but today it looked like she'd be able to take her time.

Oh.

The sole person in front of the statue of Maria-sama was just finishing her prayers as Yumi arrived.

The student turned around slowly, perhaps having sensed Yumi's presence or heard her footsteps. The girl turned around as though in slow-motion, and the instant their eyes met her mouth made the exact same shape as Yumi's.

"Ah"

The two faint sounds overlapped each other, sounding like a voice. The two of them stood facing each other with their mouths agape. But surely that couldn't have lasted for very long. The young lady in front of her quickly put on a smile, as though her momentary surprise had never happened, and said:

"Gokigenyou, Yumi-sama."

This time around she projected her voice from her diaphragm.

Vertical hair-rolls that swayed beside her ears, a determined brow. First year camellia class, Matsudaira Touko. Member of the drama club. Yesterday, Yumi's partner on a date. And –

"Thank-you for yesterday."

As expected. She was someone who was able to act properly even in such circumstances.

"It seems like I caught the bus just ahead of yours. As our bus was leaving, we could see the next one pulling in to the bus stop and all the students on board sighed. Ahh, if only we'd waited for the next one."

Not only that, but she seemed the same as usual.

"Yep. It was deserted."

Belatedly, Yumi smiled and walked forward. Then stopped in front of the statue of Maria-sama. Yumi's heart leapt when she passed in front of Touko-chan, but she took care not to show it. Because it was kind of annoying. It would be embarrassing to be the only one who looked as though they were getting all excited.

But the truth was, Yumi was all excited. Because the face that she had been picturing as she walked along the path had suddenly appeared in front of her. And since she didn't know why this good fortune had befallen her, Yumi couldn't help herself.

When she lowered her hands that had been joined in prayer and turned around, Touko-chan was still there. So close that Yumi could almost reach out and touch her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Yumi walked over and stood beside Touko-chan. The cross hanging from her neck asked if she was sure about this, but Yumi walked alongside Touko-chan towards the school buildings.

Their chance meeting in front of the statue of Maria-sama may have been a perfect opportunity to give the rosary to Touko-chan, but Yumi didn't think so.

In order to retrieve the rosary, she would have had to undo the buttons on her school coat.

Would have had to call out to Touko-chan to stop her from walking away.

People would have noticed. While Yumi was contemplating this, two other students had already walked past them.

But she knew immediately that these were all minor things. There was a bigger reason why she thought that this wasn't the right time.

For instance, if her coat jacket was to come unbuttoned right now, Touko-chan were to stop walking and she could see that there was no-one else around, it would still be no good.

As they walked, Touko-chan spoke.

"For some reason I woke up earlier than normal today."

So that was why she had arrived at school somewhat earlier than usual.

"Hmmm."

Despite responding indifferently, Yumi's heart fluttered. It may simply have been a problem with her sleep cycle. But there was also the possibility that Touko-chan arose early due to excitement.

The pair stopped in front of the entrance to the school building. When they entered inside, they would each go in different directions, first to change into their indoor shoes and then on to their classrooms. If there was something she wanted to say, now was the time.

"Today at lunch-time."

That was probably all Yumi needed to say for the astute Touko-chan to understand.

"Okay."

At Touko-chan's small nod of assent, Yumi added, 'In front of the statue of Maria-sama.'

Students were walking around them as they stood there talking. Some students didn't even look at their faces. Others looked inquisitively at the pair who were the center of so many rumors.

Yumi turned to leave when she was stopped by Touko-chan saying, 'Umm.'

"I have something to ask of you."

Despite the presence of a group of three first years noisily making their way past, Touko-chan drew close to Yumi and whispered in her ear.

"At that time – "

When she heard what Touko-chan said, Yumi was surprised. But judging by Touko-chan's expression, she hadn't misheard her.

Touko-chan had been thinking about the same thing.

Yumi was elated at Touko-chan's request, even more than she had been about them both waking up early.

First year camellia class, Matsudaira Touko.

Member of the drama club.

Yesterday, Yumi's partner on a date.

– And the girl who would become Yumi's petit soeur in a few hours time.

Part 2.

Yumi's predictions were confirmed when she opened the door to the second year pine classroom and saw that there were hardly any students inside, and the room seemed colder than usual.

"Gokigenyou."

Yumi started by greeting the three students who had arrived ahead of her. After that, she walked over to her seat and placed her schoolbag and purse on the table. Then she took off her school coat and gloves, and put them in her locker at the back of the classroom. Yumi then returned to her seat and had just finished taking out the notebooks that she would use for today's classes when she was confounded. Something had gone missing.

"Oh, what's this about, you don't have to go to the Rose Mansion?"

Yumi's classmates were watching her, intrigued, as she remained seated.

"I just felt like coming to school early today, for no real reason."

Yumi's classmates chuckled at her answer, one of them adding, 'My, what a luxury.' When she asked about this, Yumi learned that they all regularly arrived at this hour because of the public transportation near where they lived. If they caught a later bus or train they would risk being tardy, so their only option was to wake up early.

"It must be hard to do that every day."

As for Yumi, she caught a bus to and from M station. Traffic congestion made it harder to judge when a bus would arrive compared to a train, but thankfully even if she if she did miss the bus she only had to wait about ten minutes for the next one to arrive.

"Because you do it every day, you get used to it."

"Right, right. And once you're used to it, it's surprisingly pleasant."

"You get to skip the morning rush hour."

All three of the girls spoke. Yumi thought that they were the ones who had the luxury.

"And there are other girls who have club activities or committee meetings that get here even earlier than us."

That was true. There were a number of desks with a bag on them, but the owner nowhere in sight. Most clubs had canceled their regular morning practices because the 'Third Years' Farewell Party' was drawing near, but some were holding special club activities.

"So what do you usually do during the thirty minutes or so until everyone arrives?"

Yumi bowed her head as she asked. Since they were all experts, they undoubtedly had some brilliant way of making use of the time.

"Nothing much … right?"

The three girls exchanged glances.

"Around Christmas and Valentines Day we'll knit, or do something similar. But, these days? We'll usually just finish off some homework or go over our English vocabulary."

"Yeah, that's it. Because we have to wake up early, we also have to go to bed early. And it's just more efficient to study in the morning."

"Ohh..."

At least for today, Fukuzawa Yumi had finished all her homework and was fully prepared for class. Naturally, she hadn't brought along some unfinished knitting either. And she wasn't such an avid reader that she always carried around a book to read.

"Oooh."

Yumi thought about the many occasions when she was low on time but desperately wanted some more, but now that she had unexpectedly found herself with some spare time she didn't know how to use it.

"Yumi-san, you're really…"

"Looks that way."

Her three classmates laughed, amazed. They were undoubtedly thinking that she was dull and lacked interests.

"Anyway, if you had some Yamayurikai work to do, you could do that."

That was true, so Yumi couldn't really object.

"Or how about going to the Rose Mansion? There's probably something there to do."

"Maybe."

The next Yamayurikai organized event was the 'Third Years Farewell Party,' so of course there was work to do. But the Yamayurikai members had decided to co-ordinate when to come in early and stay back late so they could all work together. Even so.

"I'm not sure how well it would go down if I went to the Rose Mansion early and started working by myself."

"Ahh."

Since Yoshino-san would be the only one shouting about 'throwing off the pace' or 'breaking a promise' it would probably be okay, but then Noriko-chan would show up early tomorrow morning to meet Yumi. What was simply a way for her to waste some time would turn into a major drama.

"Really, what I want to do is go and see my onee-sama, but I don't think she'd be here just yet."

Yumi flopped down over her desk. The other girls looked surprised.

"Oh, is that so? Sachiko-sama seems like she's the type of person who would come to school early."

"She wouldn't be here this early unless she had something to do."

Sachiko-sama was no good early in the morning because of her low blood pressure. Especially in winter, when it took quite a while for her body and brain to get in gear.

Even so, it's not as though she would burst through the school gates rushing to make it on time. Running, and consequently rustling her skirt and tossing her sailor collar, would be such an offense to Sachiko-sama's sense of dignity that it would rank as one of the most indecent acts she could perform.

While they were chatting, the number of students in the classroom was steadily rising. Then the other three girls left her with a cryptic remark before returning to their respective desks.

"Yumi-san, good luck."

"Huh?"

Good luck, they said. But what on earth would she need luck for? Before Yumi had a chance to turn around and ask, a new group of students tramped into the classroom.

"Ahh – Yumi-san's here."

In the time it took the one person to say that, she had been surrounded by six of her classmates.

(Ah.)

Belatedly, Yumi understood the meaning of the 'Good luck.'

"Is the rumor about yesterday's date true?"

"What happened? Your partner was Matsudaira Touko-san, right?"

"Where did you go? I tried looking around K station yesterday."

"...Well."

Yumi was frankly amazed at how her life somehow managed to be constantly in the spotlight. But she couldn't just sit there dumbfounded, she had to think.

So then, how to weather this storm?

If she were Shimako-san, she would only have to smile to evade their concentrated attack. Even if Yumi wanted to emulate her, they were fundamentally different. Yumi would only succeed in creeping them out with a forced smile.

(That's right. There's a phrase that's perfect for this situation.)

Yumi thought, 'What was it?' as she looked at her classmates, who were anxiously waiting to see what would come out of her mouth. Mami-san had taught it to her, a magic phrase that would get her out of this kind of situation.

"Umm, it's that thing."

Yumi raised her right index finger, and twirled it around.

"That thing?"

Her classmates shook their heads blankly.

"Right. That, that thing."

It was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't quite get it out. What was it? She knew what it was, but she just couldn't find that phrase that meant something like a promise.

"Oooooh."

Well, she'd come this far. The girls asked her, 'Are you okay?' and 'Does it hurt?' as Yumi grimaced, trying to force sound through her larynx.

"It's annoying. The words aren't coming out."

"Huh?"

Instantly the worried expressions all changed to relieved expressions, well, all except for Yumi's.

"There's a phrase for it."

Yumi told her classmates, who were starting to recover from shock. But having said that there was a phrase, she was still no closer to working out what the phrase was.

"It's not so much a promise, more an order? Right, at the end I was given an order. A … mumble, mumble order."

"Hasekura Rei?"

"No!"

"An order to show compassion to all living things?"

"Shorter than that."

"A suppression order?"

"That's it!"

"That's it, huh?"

After a cheer of relief, there were high fives all around.

"Well, if you're under a suppression order, that's all there is to it."

Yumi's classmates let her off surprisingly easily, perhaps in part from a shared sense of achievement they felt from uncovering that buried phrase.

Leaving the cluster of girls, Yumi saw Mami-san and Tsutako-san standing by the door, looking at her.

"Gokigenyou. Have you just arrived?"

The pair responded in the negative to her question.

"We were just waiting for the right time to join in and help you out."

"It started to get interesting when you said, 'It's that thing,' but in the end we were forced to sit this one out, right?"

The editor-in-chief of the Lillian Kawaraban and the self-described photography club ace looked at each other and smiled.

"Heeey."

Since they were watching, they should have helped out. None of this watching because it was interesting nonsense.

"You got there on your own, so it's all good."

Yumi paused to think when Mami-san told her this. Maybe she had a point.

"Exactly."

Tsutako-san agreed as she raised her camera. It sounded like praise, but things felt kind of awkward.

"Ehehehe. I'm just heading off to my onee-sama's classroom."

Looking at her watch, Yumi saw it was the perfect time. The peak time for high school students arriving at school was almost over.

"Okay, take care."

Yumi headed out into the hallway after hearing these words and the cheerful sound of a shutter clicking coming from her two friends.

Yumi instinctively drew her shoulders inwards as she stepped from the heated classroom into the cool hallway. However, as she watched the students walking past her, she soon felt as though this wasn't necessary.

Part 3.

"Huh? She hasn't arrived yet?"

Sachiko-sama's classmate said, 'Yeah,' as she looked pityingly at the junior who had come all the way from a separate school building to ask the question.

"Which is unusual for Sachiko-san."

She said, as though reading Yumi's facial expression. Since this girl's seat was right next to the door, Yumi had probably talked with her on numerous occasions.

"Umm, is it just that she's not currently in the classroom?"

Like if she'd arrived at school, but just ducked out to go to the toilet. Or if she was on duty. Yumi considered the possibilities.

"I'll check."

The girl swiveled her upper body around, looking behind her. Focusing on the seat in the exact center of the classroom. Taking the bait, Yumi also leaned forwards a fraction.

"Too bad. Sachiko-san's bag isn't there."

"I guess not."

From what Yumi had seen over the girl's shoulder, the classroom was deserted. There were probably only five people in there. Yumi had only caught a glimpse inside, but she hadn't seen any unattended bags either.

"Ah... In general attendance is poor, but since Sachiko-san doesn't have to take an entrance exam, she's been coming every day."

"That's true."

Yumi nodded. Naturally she was already aware of this, since it concerned her onee-sama. Yumi knew that Sachiko-sama had been coming to school every day without fail. Even if Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama hardly ever visited the Rose Mansion now that they were 'comfortably retired' and had entrusted the running of the Yamayurikai to the three second-years, they were still close soeurs. They would still meet at least once a day to talk, even without the Rose Mansion. Well, there were some days when they did little more than exchange greetings.

"I understand. Thank-you for your assistance."

Yumi expressed her gratitude, then turned to leave the third year pine group classroom behind.

"If Sachiko-san arrives, I'll tell her that Yumi-san came to see her."

"Ahh, don't bother. I'll come back at lunch-time to see if she's here."

Yumi bowed once more to the kind senior, then strode off down the corridor.

Yumi then went directly to the main entrance and took this opportunity to peek into the shoe box room.

And even though she walked all the way there, it goes without saying that she didn't run into the person she was looking for – those fairytale stories just don't happen. Ogasawara Sachiko-sama's figure was nowhere to be seen amongst the students hurriedly changing their shoes atop the wooden floor.

The flow of students changing their shoes was uninterrupted, but in one of the quieter moments Yumi stealthily positioned herself in front of the shoe box with the 'Ogasawara Sachiko' name-tag.

(Will it be her indoor shoes? Or her outdoor shoes?)

Heads or tails. Odd or even. That was the feeling Yumi had as she opened the locker door.

( – Indoor shoes.)

Which meant that she hadn't arrived yet, after all.

Yumi glanced at her watch. The first bell would ring soon. The students' movements were even more frantic. They had probably been running, several of them were breathing heavily.

Indeed, late.

(I wonder if she's taking the day off.)

Truthfully, Yumi had thought about calling her last night. To give her onee-sama a report on the date.

Mami-san had taught her the phrase 'suppression order' to help her escape from a barrage of questioning, but there had been no formal request to keep this private. She was free to talk, as long as it didn't affect the soon-to-be-published Valentine's Date special edition of the Lillian Kawaraban.

However, when Yumi asked Sachiko-sama 'May I call you after the date?' on Saturday, Sachiko-sama had immediately replied with a firm 'No.' Her reason being that she had various events she had to go to, so didn't know what time she would return. And since Sachiko-sama had said that she could wait until Monday to hear how the date went, she had, at least on Saturday, been planning on coming to school today.

Maybe she caught a cold? Just as Yumi was idly pondering this.

"Yumi-san!?"

Yumi returned to her senses after hearing her name called out so emphatically. Turning towards the voice, she saw a surprised looking person standing near the second-year lockers, looking back at her. Naturally, she knew the girl with the trademark twin long braids veeery well. They were both in the same class, and both in the same position as boutons. That fearless warrior, Shimazu Yoshino-san.

"I have no idea what you're doing, but if you keep standing there you're going to be late."

Looking around, Yumi saw there was hardly anyone left. Everyone had dashed off to their classrooms.

"Oh no."

No matter how early Yumi had arrived at school, if she wasn't in the classroom in time for morning prayers she was out. She had been saved by Yoshino-san's arrival. As Yumi chased after her friend, who moved with unbelievable speed for someone whose weak body meant they could only spectate during PE until midway through their first year of high-school, she felt an inexplicable need to look over her shoulder.

(Huh?)

Yumi couldn't believe her eyes. What she had seen was just too incredible.

"What, why have you stopped? Let's go."

At Yoshino-san's urging, she resumed running.

The chimes started ringing all too soon, so Yumi couldn't run off to double-check. Therefore, the most likely conclusion was that she had been wrong about what she saw.

Because.

The girl with the long, disheveled hair running in the direction of the third-year classrooms had been, well, Ogasawara Sachiko-sama.

And that was absolutely, completely, impossible.

Part 4.

"Well, you must have been mistaken."

Yoshino-san decisively declared. Cutting through the Gordian knot. As expected, her rationale was that there was no way it could have been Sachiko-sama. It was inconceivable for anyone who knew Sachiko-sama's usual behavior to think that the running figure could have been her. This was the same opinion that Yumi held.

It was during the break between the first and second classes.

In the end, Yumi and Yoshino-san had arrived at their classroom just in time for the start of the morning prayer broadcast. That was immediately followed by the morning hymn, which they both sang while still out of breath. Then came homeroom, which passed uneventfully. And while they both had the same first class of the morning, regrettably, their seats weren't close enough to allow them to talk.

But then the first class had finished about five minutes early and Yoshino-san came flying over to Yumi's desk as soon as the formalities of standing and bowing were completed. Finally they were free to talk.

They both knew a little bit about each others date yesterday. But they wanted to hear the particulars – where they went, how their partner acted – so badly that they had barely paid any attention during the preceding class. As evidence of that, Yoshino-san had to ask their teacher to repeat a question twice before she could answer it.

There were so many things Yumi wanted to ask but she was a bit reluctant to do so, having recently used the 'suppression order' excuse. The question was, would she be able to hold out until after school, when they could discuss this at the Rose Mansion?

"By the way, Yoshino-san, why were you so late this morning?"

Yumi thought she'd try asking an innocuous question.

Yoshino-san usually arrived at school about the same time every day. Since she walked to school, she was unaffected by bus or train delays.

"That's because..."

Yoshino-san looked sullen as she answered.

"I overslept."

"Ohh... That's unusual."

"It's because I wasn't going to school with Rei-chan."

Yumi was taken by surprise when Yoshino-san slammed her fist down on the desk.

"Whaa? Yoshino-san, does Rei-sama usually wake you up!?"

Just what you'd expect from the closely related and closely located Yellow Rose sisters.

Not satisfied with her onee-sama merely serving as a house-sitter, tea server and target for her to throw cushions at, Yoshino-san had also turned her onee-sama into a substitute alarm clock.

Now here was a scoop for the front page of the Lillian Kawaraban. The headline practically wrote itself.

"The Opposite Sisters: Petit Soeur Master and Grand Soeur Maid."

At Yumi's obvious excitement, Yoshino-san said:

"It's not like that."

"Okay."

Yumi smiled, relieved. Ahh, what a surprise that had been. And while she was sure it wasn't Rei-sama she had seen this morning, it was completely believable that Rei-sama would have done such a thing, unlike Sachiko-sama.

"… It doesn't happen all that often."

"Huh?"

Even if it doesn't happen all that often, it still happens. As was her custom, Yumi secretly tried to imagine herself in the same situation as the Yellow Rose sisters, but the thought of Sachiko-sama coming all the way to her house and then waking her up was just so unlikely that she couldn't picture it.

"My mother, she's a bit of an airhead."

Yoshino-san twirled the tips of her braids around her fingers as she spoke.

"If I'm not out of bed after about an hour, she'll make the wrong assumption. It might seem obvious, but she doesn't think to come and wake me up. So I'll just sleep the whooole time. So then, when I'm not out the front of my house at the usual time, Rei-chan will come to my room and get me out of bed and ready for school in five minutes, and then take me to school."

But now with entrance exams and result publications and what-not, there were some days when Rei-sama would come to school and some days when she wouldn't. Obviously, there's no way Rei-sama would wake Yoshino-san up on those days when she wasn't going to school. Yoshino-san probably understood that well enough, but had been caught unprepared this morning. She probably slept right through the alarm because of her exhaustion from yesterday.

"So, strange as it may seem, that could have been Sachiko-sama."

"Eeeh?"

The 'that' that Yoshino-san referred to was the 'mistake' that Yumi had seen.

"When you first said it, my immediate reaction was that there was no way it could have been Sachiko-sama. But there are very few things you can say about any human with absolute certainty."

"Well, that's true."

But would Sachiko-sama, whose favorite phrases included 'Your tie's crooked,' 'No running in the hallway,' 'Don't make such a fuss,' and 'Would you please calm down a bit,' really run down the hallway with her skirt tossing and her collar flapping?

"Anyway, if you thought it was Sachiko-sama then it must have been Sachiko-sama. A soeur's intuition is not something you question."

"I wonder."

"Why don't we check?"

Yoshino-san glanced at her watch. Yumi too let her gaze fall on the dial. Fortunately, since the previous lesson had finished early, there was still a decent amount of time remaining in the break. Plenty of time to make it over to the third year classrooms and back.

"If Sachiko-sama isn't in the third year pine group classroom, then you must have been mistaken after all."

"And if she is?"

Yumi asked, as she rose from her seat.

"In that case..."

"In that case?"

Yoshino-san smiled.

"The probability that it was Sachiko-sama just went through the roof, don't you think?"

Part 5.

And that's why, about three minutes later, Yumi was standing in front of the third-year pine group classroom.

She was here because she had always intended to come back during her break. This was what Yumi kept telling herself. However, each time she thought it, it still sounded like an excuse. Perhaps she was feeling guilty about tracking down her onee-sama.

The front door of the classroom was half open, so Yumi peeked inside. Sachiko-sama was nowhere to be seen inside the still mostly empty classroom.

(I must have been mistaken after all.)

Since Sachiko-sama wasn't at school, then it must have been someone else that she had seen earlier.

What kind of nonsense had she been thinking? Yumi smiled wryly. There was no way that the angelic Ogasawara Sachiko-sama would be reduced to uncouthly running through the hallways. Yumi was glad she had taken such drastic measures to determine the truth. A happy ending all around. – After a few joyous steps Yumi ran into someone she hadn't expected to see.

"Yumi."

"O... onee-sama."

Standing in front of her was Ogasawara Sachiko-sama. Running into a third-year student, like Sachiko-sama, near the third-year classrooms was hardly something unexpected. But as Yumi had just recently concluded that Sachiko-sama wasn't at school, she was left flustered.

"Go... gokigenyou. Have you just arrived at school?"

If Sachiko-sama was in the classroom, then the probability that it had been her went through the roof. Yoshino-san's words came rushing back to her.

"What a silly thing to say. I've been here for hours. What time do you think it is?"

As further proof, Sachiko-sama wasn't carrying her school bag. Nor was she wearing her coat. Finally, she looked just as beautiful as ever.

"I was in the bathroom. My hair was a mess, so I went to brush it."

As Yumi outwardly nodded in acknowledgment, internally she was going over her onee-sama's words.

Her hair was a mess? She's been here for hours? – Yumi had a bad feeling about this. However her musings were unexpectedly interrupted when Sachiko-sama cheerfully said:

"That reminds me, you came to visit this morning, didn't you?"

"Ahh, yeah."

"My apologies. I only made it here just in time for morning prayers."

Completely throwing out Yumi's previous conclusion.

"Did you oversleep or something?"

Perhaps that sort of thing even happened to Sachiko-sama, from time to time. However, she shook her head.

"I forgot to get off at the right train station."

Sachiko-sama seemed somewhat different to usual. This was probably the first time that she had ever done something like that.

But their short break was almost up, so as much as Yumi wanted to stay and have a leisurely chat all she could do was inform Sachiko-sama that she would return at lunchtime, and then leave.

Part 6.

"You said you'd be back during the lunch break."

Sachiko-sama smiled as she looked straight at Yumi.

"And you really did come back."

Sachiko-sama stepped out into the hallway and closed the classroom door behind her. Before the door closed, Yumi caught a glimpse of the words 'Self-study' written on the blackboard in large letters.

"I thought you'd be busy with other things."

Sachiko-sama said, as she adjusted Yumi's tie.

"If you want to talk about your date, then I don't mind if I'm not the first person to hear about it. It can wait until we both have more time to talk."

A group of three third-years walked past them. They were probably on their way to Milk Hall, since they were carrying their purses.

"It really won't bother me at all. Even so."

Yumi called a halt to this monologue that Sachiko-sama was slowly progressing.

"Well of course I want to tell you about it. But there's something else we have to discuss."

Yumi wondered what was showing on her face as she said this. Sachiko-sama's face instantly tensed. As though Yumi's spell had worn off.

"Really. I see."

Eventually, Sachiko-sama nodded. Then she followed Yumi. She didn't ask where Yumi was taking her. Perhaps having guessed that Yumi's 'discussion' was not something that should be held in the hallway during lunchtime, she followed along as though it was perfectly natural that they should be going somewhere else.

Still wearing their indoor shoes, they stepped out through the main entrance. Even without her coat on, Yumi didn't feel cold.

Yumi walked silently alongside Sachiko-sama, who wasn't saying anything either. Not only that, but for some reason Yumi felt as though she was about to start crying. It felt as though her chest should be tightening up.

The narrow path beside the library. They had walked along it together, like this, countless times. One by one, the memories came flooding back to her.

"Why do you have such a forlorn expression?"

Unexpectedly, Sachiko-sama broke the silence. Yumi stopped walking and raised her previously downcast head.

Next to Yumi, her onee-sama was smiling. Yumi wanted to ask, 'Why are you smiling?' but all she could do was smile weakly back.

"I'm fine."

Sachiko-sama's right hand gently brushed her cheek.

It was warm. Yumi hadn't been feeling the cold, but she knew it was there because of how much her exposed face had cooled.

"You're fine too."

The hand that had stroked her cheek eventually took hold of Yumi's left hand.

"See, I'm tightly joined to you by our hands. Don't worry, I'm not going to let go."

"Onee-sama...."

Even though Sachiko-sama had removed her hand from Yumi's cheek, Yumi could still feel its warmth.

"Won't you tell me what it is you wanted to talk to me about?"

Perhaps Sachiko-sama had absolutely no idea what this was about. Yumi thought so. No matter what Yumi said next, it wouldn't change how they were.

In that case, she would definitely be fine.

Even after Yumi becomes Touko-chan's soeur, there's no need to cut her ties with Sachiko-sama. Similar to how after Yumi became Sachiko-sama's petit soeur, Sachiko-sama's relationship with Mizuno Youko-sama remained unchanged.

In that way, the tradition of soeurs at Lillian's Girls Academy is passed down. Having taken a petit soeur, you have to accept the loneliness that comes when she becomes a grande soeur.

When they arrived in front of the statue of Maria-sama, Sachiko-sama naturally drew to a halt. Perhaps she had realized they were coming here based on the path they were taking.

Sachiko-sama unclasped her hand from Yumi's, then looked up at the white statue of Maria-sama. Then she slowly turned to look at Yumi.

What was it you wanted to speak about, her quiet gaze inquired.

Consequently Yumi's stomach tied itself into even tighter knots. Looking around, as though in answer to Sachiko-sama's question, a shadow emerged from the rear of Maria-sama's garden.

"...Touko-chan."

Touko-chan bowed deeply, as though she were trying to wear Sachiko-sama's whisper upon her head. Her nose was a bit red. It must have been a long wait in the cold for her while Yumi was visiting that third-year classroom.

There was no-one else around. On special occasions, like Christmas or Valentines Day, this area would be busy morning, noon and night, but not on a cold, ordinary day like today. There was always the possibility of some late-arriving third year student passing by, but it was unlikely such a person would go out of their way to bother them.

The three people faced each other. They formed a triangle, in front of Maria-sama.

"I see. So your report isn't just about your date."

Yumi saw acceptance in Sachiko-sama's face.

"You have become soeurs."

It was incredibly quiet, like the perfectly still surface of a lake that acted like a mirror.

"No."

Yumi shook her head.

"We haven't yet formally become soeurs."

"You haven't become soeurs?"

Sachiko-sama repeated, as though she had heard a word that she didn't understand. Yumi nodded, and drew out the rosary that still hung around her neck, holding it up for Sachiko-sama to see.

It was the rosary that she had received from Sachiko-sama, in this very spot, one year ago on the night of the cultural festival. Yumi always carried it with her, to the point where it seemed like it was a part of her body.

In the same way that it had probably been a part of her onee-sama's body.

"So then…"

Yumi spoke.

"… is it alright if we hold the ceremony in front of you?"

Sachiko-sama's eyes widened. The white finger she had drawn up to her red lips trembled.

Sachiko-sama had probably been imagining all kinds of conversation topics as she walked down the path alongside Yumi. But she had obviously not predicted this.

There was a disturbance, as though a strong wind had caused a wave to form on the still lake surface.

"Onee-sama."

Yumi asked for her blessing.

"Are you okay with this?"

Sachiko-sama looked first to Yumi, then to Touko-chan. Touko-chan meekly nodded her head in acceptance.

"This is what we both desire. Touko-chan and I both want to have the ceremony in front of you, onee-sama."

It had taken a long time.

Lots of things had happened.

But having overcome all kinds of trials and tribulations, they were about to join together as soeurs.

Even Maria-sama must have fretted as she watched over them. That was why this location, the place where so many entreaties had been made to Maria-sama, was the most appropriate place for the ceremony to be held. And the place where, above all else, Yumi wanted her beloved onee-sama to bear witness.

Sensing the occasion, Sachiko-sama smiled and took a step back. Yumi took a step towards Touko-chan, holding aloft the open rosary.

Touko-chan leaned forwards slightly, lowering her head. Her fringe dangled towards Yumi.

It had been a long time for both of them since they had first awoken to their desire to become soeurs. Now that they were finally here, there was no hesitation. It would only take a moment to place the rosary around Touko-chan's neck, but Yumi was still nervous. She felt as though Maria-sama might pat her on the back.

Time seemed to stretch out for Yumi as she carefully lowered the rosary down past Touko-chan's head and onto her shoulders, making sure that it didn't catch on her hair rolls. After Yumi removed her hands from the rosary, Touko-chan slowly looked upwards and straightened her back.

And with that, the two were officially soeurs.

"Congratulations."

Sachiko-sama placed her right hand on Yumi's shoulder and her left hand on Touko-chan's shoulder.

"Touko-chan. Some time ago I said that it didn't matter to me who became Yumi's petit soeur, but now, from the bottom of my heart, I'm glad that it's you."

"Thank-you. I will try my hardest to live up to the name of Rosa Chinensis en bouton's petit soeur."

"You'll be fine."

Sachiko-sama said the same thing to Touko-chan that she had said to Yumi just previously. Then she took a deep breath and smiled brightly, as though she had just switched TV channel.

"Well then, Yumi."

"Yes."

"Did you have anything else that you urgently wanted to talk about?"

"Huh? Nope."

The rosary ceremony was the main event. It wasn't that Yumi didn't have anything she wanted to talk to Sachiko-sama about, it's just that none of it was what she would call particularly urgent. Things like yesterday's date, and the future.

"Well then, my apologies, but is it okay if I take my leave now? There are some things that I should do during the lunch break."

Sachiko-sama turned towards the school buildings.

"Ahh, I'm sorry I dragged you all the way out here."

Yumi had said she had something she wanted to talk about, and then dragged her onee-sama out here, all without asking whether or not it was convenient for her. And since Yumi had shown up as soon as the lunch break had started, Sachiko-sama wouldn't have even had time to eat her lunch. Of course, Yumi didn't think that her onee-sama meant that she had to eat her lunch when she said she had things to do. Now that Yumi thought about it, she realized that her onee-sama had been quite busy recently. She should probably ask her about it when they had time to chat at length.

"That's not it at all. I'm glad you brought me here."

"Okay."

Just by looking at her onee-sama, Yumi could tell that it hadn't been a bother to her.

"You two don't have to hurry on account of me, take your time returning."

Sachiko-sama walked off, leaving them with those words.

"Thank-you."

Yumi and Touko-chan bowed, then watched Sachiko-sama walk away. They remained in place, silently standing next to each other and watching Sachiko-sama's retreating figure until she was out of sight.

Before too long, that beautiful, tall figure disappeared behind a grove of trees. They remained still for a moment afterward, as the sight lingered in their memory. Eventually, Yumi broke the silence.

"Touko-chan, becoming soeurs is just the start of our work."

When Yumi said this, Touko-chan got a strange look on her face. The kind of look you get when you put an odd flavored candy in your mouth.

"What?"

Touko-chan asked, staring straight at Yumi. Touko-chan seemed to be looking for some hidden meaning, but, alas, Yumi wasn't hiding anything so no matter how long she waited, nothing more would happen. Upon realizing this, Touko-chan smiled, somewhat disheartened, and said:

"Please just call me 'Touko.'"

"Oh."

Unable to process this sudden request, Yumi put herself on guard, ready to defend herself against a frontal assault. But, really, this time Yumi was in the wrong for being surprised. Now that they were soeurs, it was only natural that they would change how they called each other. So it was an extremely reasonable request from Touko-chan.

"Ahh, I see. But."

It would be hard for Yumi to suddenly change how she addressed Touko-chan. Especially after 11 months of addressing her a certain way.

Touko-chan smiled coolly as Yumi panicked.

"I see what's going on. I suppose you also found it hard to call Sachiko-sama 'onee-sama' then, didn't you, onee-sama?"

"Oooooh."

Yumi had no comeback. Touko-chan had hit the nail on the head.

"In that case – "

"In that case?"

Touko-chan looked defiant as she repeated Yumi's words. That's when Yumi realized what had happened, and swallowed the words she had intended to say.

"...No fair."

The phrase had just rolled off Touko-chan's tongue so fluently moments before. The first 'onee-sama' had been referring to Sachiko-sama, but there was no mistaking that the second 'onee-sama' referred to Yumi.

Since Touko-chan had so effortlessly cleared the hurdle of addressing Yumi as 'onee-sama,' there was no way Yumi could counterattack by saying, "In that case, you should start by addressing me as 'onee-sama.'"

"What's not fair?"

Even though she knew full well.

"Nothing. Anyway, we should head back soon otherwise we won't have time to eat lunch."

Yumi reached out her right hand to her soeur.

"Let's go, Touko."

"Okay."

The cool wind caressed her warm cheeks.

With that, the two of them headed off, walking side-by-side.

Everything's fine.

The warmth of Sachiko-sama's hand still lingered in Yumi's empty left hand.

Translator's Notes

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