Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter9

By onee-sama's side

Part 1.

Adding Yuuki and Kashiwagi-san, who'd come back from the restroom, we settled down for sushi dinner. And I couldn't help but recoil slightly when I opened the lid to the box.

(Eek…)

I expected as much, based on the container, but it was completely different from the sushi I was accustomed to eating at home. Because rather than octopus, or sliced mackerel, or kappa rolls, it was all red snapper, or abalone, or urchin, or fat tuna, or sweet shrimp, and other such expensive foods. Really, there was egg, but it wasn't the egg sushi you normally think of, the one with the slab of egg placed on rice and bound with nori. No, it was actually the thickly-cooked egg, like the usual sushi, but it had no rice, and instead was sliced and placed at the edges, like decoration.

Even the squid, salmon roe, and young Japanese amberjack were made with high-quality fish. They were fresh and juicy so that even a complete newbie could tell.

(I feel like, if I eat this once, I won't be able to eat regular sushi ever again.)

I secretly sighed, and that coincidentally overlapped with Yuuki's sigh. –We were both from the same family, so we thought the same thing. We looked at each other and lowered our shoulders.

"Wow, how rich. Itadakimasu-"

Rosa Gigantea was undaunted. Seriously, what sort of lifestyle did she usually live?

"Yumi-chan, was sushi a bad idea?"

Noticing us siblings, who were staring at the sushi without lifting our chopsticks, aunt Sayako looked worried.

"No, no."

"It's my favorite."

We answered, and Sachiko-sama gently said.

"You don't need to force yourselves, you may not have an empty stomach, yet?"

But I felt like we had to eat, at least a bit. Because aunt Sayako was sorrowfully looking at her yet-unopened box.

"Nonsense, itadakimasu."

Yuuki steeled himself and split his chopstick. The chopsticks were rounded, and only connected at the top.

"I'll just think of it as the Ryuuguujou."

The dancing of red snappers and flounders.

-Or rather, temporarily placing himself in a completely different world. Is what he meant, I think.

Well of course.

So, I split my chopsticks too. After all, think about it. I'd been surprised by almost everything since coming into this house, but there's nothing you can do about their being at least an entire class higher. Sachiko-sama didn't invite me so she could brag, so it was rude to be surprised at every turn. … I felt bad.

So in a way, I thought it would be the better guest if I simply accepted things for how they were.

(Ahh, the red snapper is so delicious!)

As Sachiko-sama said, I wasn't that hungry, but it was so delicious that my chopstick kept saying, "One more."

(It's great, but I don't want to know how many calories I've eaten today. New Year's weight-gain is so bad… mm?)

And then I saw something unbelievable.

(Really?)

I thought I saw wrong, so I looked away. But it bothered me, so I looked again, and I realized it did happen.

(Wh-what are you doing, Kashiwagi-san…!)

He was picking up the urchin, salmon roe and abalone, among others, from Sachiko-sama's sushi box and placing them in his own.

(If he wanted more, there's another box…)

Stupid Kashiwagi, I fumed, mimicking Rosa Gigantea's speech mannerism. Even if they were cousins, it was mean taking sushi without asking, -I thought.

Sachiko-sama should just scold him, like Sachiko-sama does.

"'Stop being caught up in the moment!'" That was soothing.

But my telepathy never reached Sachiko-sama, who instead simply allowed him to carry on.

(Why-!?)

While chewing on sushi, I fumed. Even if I wanted Rosa Gigantea to notice, she was so absorbed in sushi she didn't seem to care. The tail of sweet shrimp was even sticking out of her mouth.

But.

After observing for a while, I began to realize it wasn't what I first thought. It wasn't that Sachiko-sama was simply having her sushi taken. Kashiwagi-san was placing his own flounder, squid and sweet shrimp to the empty places of Sachiko-sama's box. And Sachiko-sama was eating the sushi Kashiwagi-san was placing on her box without any questions.

When he noticed my stare, Kashiwagi-san smiled, full of composure, and winked.

(What!?)

Right as my head was about to switch into all-out panic-mode, Yuuki put egg in my sushi box.

"I'm taking your ginger."

"Right, go ahead."

I liked the sweet egg, and Yuuki liked the bitter ginger. So we always traded. Like father and Yuuki's kakipi. It was a family thing.

(… Oh!)

After another glance at Sachiko-sama and Kashiwagi-san's sushi boxes, I felt an overwhelming sense of defeat. Kashiwagi-san's actions were simply that of a history of closeness. And so I felt envy over Kashiwagi-san's knowledge of Sachiko-sama's likes and dislikes, and a bit of indignation at Sachiko-sama's wordless acceptance of it.

(Didn't Sachiko-sama dislike men? Didn't Sachiko-sama hate Kashiwagi-san? Then why was she able to eat sushi that Kashiwagi-san had touched?)

So, afterward, the delicious sushi didn't taste so delicious anymore. –Even though Kashiwagi-san and Yuuki were both eating without any lamentation.

Onee-sama is such a curious existence.

With just a tiny gesture or behavior, she could toss her sister into the clouds, or drop her into a bottomless pit.

Part 2.

"Uhh, ummm. I know it's an indecent request."

It was just after eleven thirty at night when Yuuki prostrated himself in front of Rosa Gigantea and Sachiko-sama.

After our late dinner, we split up and cleaned the dishes, and has then split up into the Lillian and Hanadera groups.

This house had many guest rooms, but they were all semi-double or twin bedrooms, so even if we could fit two people into one, it wasn't possible to crowd three, so aunt Sayako suggested we spread blankets in the Japanese-style room. It was like we were lodging, after all, so Sachiko-sama had to be with us.

We dragged three sets of blankets from the blanket room (!) to the Japanese-style room we played cards in, amused ourselves by spreading our blankets out like a parachute, and put them down. We felt so much better when Kashiwagi-san left from our sight that it almost felt mercenary.

After spreading out the blankets, we went into Sachiko-sama's bedroom bathroom by seniority (as big as it was, we couldn't fit all of us at once), and as I was enveloped by Sachiko-sama's own body soap and shampoo, I couldn't stop myself from humming. Maybe I was this happy because I was able to see Sachiko-sama's room. As I expected, it was gorgeous, but I won't bother explaining. I'm feeling this good, there's no reason for me to compare it to my own room and depress myself.

And, we were in the middle of deciding who was going to sleep where when Yuuki stumbled into our room. Of course, we immediately thought, "What!?" and Sachiko-sama even quickly wrapped her negligee with a gown.

"Um, so, what. You don't want to sleep alone with Kashiwagi. So you rolled into the room of the three, young maidens."

Hmmhmm, abbreviated Rosa Gigantea, who looked like she was cordially listening, but in truth, she was definitely finding this hilarious.

"Yes."

Yuuki nodded, looking troubled.

"I get it."

I didn't understand him at first, but I realized Kashiwagi-san's orientation and thought, "Oh, wow."

Neither Sachiko-sama nor Rosa Gigantea asked "why." Because they knew, of course. That Kashiwagi-san was a homosexual. But they both had, like me, probably forgotten all about it.

(But, but.)

Even if he's a homosexual for boys, did it necessarily mean he liked anyone? After all, Hanadera Institute is an all-boys school, so it would be like unleashing a wolf among sheep, so that would be extremely dangerous.

"Kashiwagi-san is rather distrusted, isn't he?"

"How rude, Rosa Gigantea. I am always a gentleman."

And Kashiwagi-san appeared, having pursued Yuuki. This time, I covered my pajama with a sweater. Rosa Gigantea seemed to intend to sleep in a T-shirt and spats, but she didn't care about the male eyes. –Though I think she should have fretted about it just a bit.

"I was joking, Yukichi. Here, come."

He lifted both hands and gave a somewhat crooked smile, like that of Rhett Butler. Even if you weren't Yuuki, you'd want to run from that. I felt goosebumps all over.

"Even if you were just teasing, don't you think the fact that he believed you reflects on your habitual behavior, Kashiwagi?"

Said Rosa Gigantea. Wait, can you be talking?

"Not that you can be talking." See.

And everyone could see Kashiwagi-sama's counterattack coming.

"I mean, who do you think you are, anyways? A woman talking to a man like that. Is that what the ladies' school, Lillian, is coming to these days? How uncute."

"Hmph. None of your business. And if the student council president has such an old-fashioned view on women, Hanadera isn't much of anything, either. Buddha must be rolling in his grave."

"What-!"

Maybe it was because they hated each other, because they were really going to the extremes. Plus, they were both good with words, and they had the confidence of student council presidents. And to top it off, now they were fighting for their school pride. And Yuuki, who sort of caused this, was looking confused about what to do.

"Sure, Yuuki-san. Go ahead and bring blankets. Not with us, but you may use the empty room on the other side of these sliding doors."

Leaving that seemingly endless verbal spar to the side, Sachiko-sama turned to Yuuki.

"Th-thank you very much. Sachiko-san."

(Sa-Sachiko-san!?)

Even though he was my blood-related brother, I became enraged. Calling my precious onee-sama by "-san!?"

"Yumi. Lead him, please."

"… Yes."

I reluctantly stood up. Onee-sama's orders are absolute, anyways. And Sachiko-sama didn't seem perturbed by being called "-san," so there was no point in me kicking up a fuss about it.

"Oh, I'll go too."

Kashiwagi-san paused the fight and said.

"Wait."

Rosa Gigantea hurriedly stopped him.

"Why're you going?"

"If Yukichi is going to sleep here, I have to bring my own set of blankets, too."

Never questioning his own properness, Kashiwagi-san continued, with an "I mean, think about it" expression on his face.

"Even if you're next door, it's still just a single sliding door. And Yukichi's a healthy guy. Yumi-chan aside, if he were to attack Sacchan or you, what would you do? So I need to keep watch over him."

You're more dangerous, I thought, but then I remembered Kashiwagi-san isn't interested in girls. Well, thinking objectively, without thinking of Yuuki as a relative, a high school male was indeed dangerous, but. Ummm. But I'd rather not think about that. I mean, he is my brother.

Then.

"Sachiko-san, are you still awake?"

The door to the hallway slid open, and aunt Sayako peeked in.

"Oh, Suguru-san was here, too?"

"Oh listen to them, they're trying to leave me out, alone."

Without any humor or jest, Kashiwagi-san bluntly spoke the truth. Well, we were trying to eliminate Kashiwagi-san, so I guess he does end up being "left out."

"My, why?"

"Probably because I'm handsome."

-If Yoshino-san were here, she'd say his brains definitely melted somewhere.

"No, that's not-"

When I began speaking, Rosa Gigantea harrumphed and stopped me. Apparently aunt Sayako doesn't know of Kashiwagi-san's "preference." Well, when you see aunt Sayako's serene smile, you end up feeling like you shouldn't tell her.

"Oh, come come, play nice, okay?"

"… Yes."

And so, despite everyone else objecting, Kashiwagi-san was to sleep next door with Yuuki.

"-Oh well, then. Okay, Yuuki, if Kashiwagi attacks you, shout for help."

Said Rosa Gigantea to Yuuki, who was walking to bring blankets.

"Oh, mother, did you want something?"

She said "good night" an hour ago, but she suddenly came back, so of course she probably had a reason. And she was wearing a gown over her pajama, so aunt Sayako seemed to already be prepared to go to sleep.

"Oh, yes, yes. Sachiko-san. Isn't tonight the night to float treasure boats?"

"Oh, that's right. The second of every year. I had completely forgotten, I'll get them ready now."

And with that, Sachiko-sama left the Japanese-style room. And she returned with "writing utensils" such as brush pens, magic pens and ball pens, as well as neatly colored paper, so I could surprise those were the tools needed to "float treasure boats."

"What's starting?"

Rosa Gigantea didn't know either. She asked aunt Sayako, who'd pulled a cabinet table from the corner of the room to the light and begun writing on the back of the colored paper.

"'Nakakiyo,' you don't do it at Sei-san's house?"

"Nakakiyo?"

Of course, we didn't do such a thing at the Fukuzawa household either. I don't even know what it is.

"Oh, nakakiyo? Wow, how nostalgic. I didn't know you still did that."

Kashiwagi-san said, as he put his blankets down.

"What's 'nakakiyo'?"

Yuuki asked.

"You guys don't do it, either?"

-No, we don't. So, what's this "nakakiyo?" Does it have to do with treasure boats?

"It's a charm. They say if you write a song starting with nakakiyono on a sailboat and put it under your pillow, you see a good first-dream."

As Sachiko-sama explained, aunt Sayako seemed to have finished writing, as she placed her brush pen down. The words she showed me had beautiful, flowing handwriting.

    Nakakiyono

         Toononefurino minamesame

    Naminorifuneno

         Otonoyokikana

"Hmmhmm, a palindrome."

Rosa Gigantea nodded.

"A palindrome?"

I tilted my head, and then Yuuki blushed and muttered, "You don't even know that?"

"Read it backwards."

"Nakakiyono- oh."

Wow. It was like "tomato" and "shinbunshi (newspaper)." Oh, there was a Koike Keiko-san in my class, too. I mean, I'd end up "Miyuwazakufu," so that's no fun.

"But, what does it mean?" It sounded more like an incantation than a charm, to me, so it didn't soak into my heart at all. I mean, what's "nakakiyo," anyways?

"'Nakakiyo' is for 'nagaki yono (of the long night).' Changing the voiced sounds into non-voiced sounds, like the iroha song, you know?"

"Iroha song?"

"You know. 'Irohanihoheto' is for 'Iro ha nioedo (the fragrance of colors).'"

"Ah."

I found that out for the first time. But I didn't want to embarrass my onee-sama any more, so I stayed silent.

    Nagaki yono (of the long night)

         Touno neburi no mina mezame (everyone awakens from a distant sleep)

    Naminori fune no (the surfing boat's)

         Otono yokikana (pleasant sounds)

Sachiko-sama wrote a song mixing kanji and kana. And then the unintelligible incantation magically turned into a 31-syllable poem.

"Nagaki yono-"

I didn't understand exactly what it was supposed to mean, but I felt like I could see a wonderful dream while being softly rocked on a big boat. After all, that's what "otono yokikana" would mean.

"Is this an Ogasawara custom?"

"No, my parent's home. That's why I was so surprised the first New Year's after being wed, because no one folded treasure boats."

Aunt Sayako giggled like a young girl as she folded her sailboat. Yes, I don't think it's very prevalent in the world. At the very least, it's the first time I'd heard of it. Rosa Gigantea, too.

But, oh, as expected of someone from a noble family. When it comes to elegance, I think this is the zenith of it. Even if aunt Sayako wasn't the wife of the "rich Ogasawara household," she would probably be living elegantly like this, anyways. There might be other unimaginable customs floating around this household.

And, now Sachiko-sama folds treasure boats with her. Sachiko-sama's father and uncles were absent, but if guests or assistants remained in the house on the night of the second, they were mystified and did it with her. Kashiwagi-san, too. Because he was a cousin, he probably stayed over since he was young. It was a bit vexing, but as I said to Rosa Gigantea, it happened "before I became her sister," and I repeated that to myself like a mantra. The past is the past.

Of course, we folded treasure boats, too. If we could partake in such an unusual experience, and have a good dream on top of it all, there was no way I was going to miss out.

"Nakakiyono toononefurino minamesame…"

We copied the example Sachiko-sama gave us. The brush pen handwriting was artistic, and in comparison, our felt-tip pen handwriting looked much thinner and edgy, and because we were so used to writing horizontally, the letters end up gradually slanting. Plus, we spaced it horribly, so there was plenty of margin to the left and under it, so it looked pretty bad.

"Who cares. Once you fold it, you can't see it anymore."

Displaying mind reading skills, Rosa Gigantea consoled me. Of course, I was probably going through life's many phases, anyways.

We sat shoulder-to-shoulder and shared the small desk. I stole a glance at the completed and in-progress ones, and noticed Kashiwagi-san and Rosa Gigantea both had clean, skillful handwriting. It was like, not tall, or wide, or slanted, but rather was handwriting that would cleanly fit Japanese writing paper, that sort of model-like handwriting. And yet they still had a unique blend to their styles. So they looked completely different. That said, they were both strongly unique individuals, so that wasn't surprising.

Yuuki's handwriting was big and bold. It wasn't good, per se, but it had its own flavor. I was used to seeing it, but in this situation, it looked fresh.

After writing the song, I double-checked by reading backwards, and then folded the boat so the words were inside. First, you fold it into a regular boat, and then you add a sail. It'd been a while since I did origami, so I was a bit confused at first, but after a bit of fidgeting with the windmill, I figured it out.

"Not like that, Yuuki-san, see, you fold this diagonally."

Sachiko-sama finished folding her treasure boat earlier, so she was teaching Yuuki how to fold it.

"How envious."

Whispered Kashiwagi-san, but the significance of that was unfathomable.

"Good night."

This time, really. Aunt Sayako returned to her bedroom after folding her treasure boat. Before the sliding doors were shut down, Yuuki dragged his sheets right next to the door, and dragged Kashiwagi-san's sheets to the complete other side.

"Sachiko, over there, Yumi-chan in the middle, and I'll be here."

Rosa Gigantea said they should pick who sleeps where with rock-scissors-papers in the beginning, but now she seemed to have a complete change of heart as she felt sleepy, directing people to where they would sleep. Rosa Gigantea closest to the room with the Hanadera guys, me, then Sachiko-sama.

"Children in the middle, you know. Yumi-chan is the youngest and has the smallest breasts, so you're the child."

"… Then Sachiko-sama's the mother and Rosa Gigantea's the father?"

I said what came to mind, and she wrapped an arm around my neck, "What a rude child."

"You shouldn't have any complaints, Yumi-chan, you're next to Sachiko."

"Right."

I felt happy and I felt a bit defeated. It was a chance to see Sachiko-sama's face, but in turn, she'd be able to see my foolish face.

"No need to worry yourself, Rosa Gigantea."

Sachiko-sama smiled.

"Nonsense."

Rosa Gigantea looked determined. "You can't be too cautious."

She dubiously glanced at the door.

(… Oh, I get it!)

Rosa Gigantea didn't trust Kashiwagi-san. Should I be happy or sad that she wasn't thinking of Yuuki at all? She probably set up sleeping positions in case Kashiwagi-san had any weird thoughts.

Like, if he were to attack Yuuki, she'd be able to rush over immediately.

Like, if he were to try to go near Sachiko-sama. The two people in the middle would be obstacles, so we could thwart him. Even if he said he was only interested in men, he did have the precedence of trying to kiss Sachiko-sama, so you could let your guard down. But of course, that just made me an obstacle.

"What should we do about lighting?"

"How about a brown-out?"

I piped up.

"Brown-out?"

They both asked. Huh, they don't know what a brown-out is?

Then a poorly stifled chuckle from the other side of the door came through. –Kashiwagi-san.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to listen in. Yumi-chan, do you mean one light bulb?"

"Yes."

"What a wonderful expression. That does indeed turn the room brown."

But Kashiwagi-san's praise didn't make me happy. Oh, but his chuckle was contagious, as Sachiko-sama began giggling, too. Rosa Gigantea killed her voice by lying face down in her pillow.

"That's Yukichi's big sister for you. What a flavor."

I could just imagine Kashiwagi-san holding his stomach with laughter and Yuuki cradling his head in embarrassment. I'm sorry I'm an idiot, brother.

The other room seemed to pick "black" instead of "brown." I could see their lights being turned out.

And that left our room.

"I think it's easier to sleep in the dark?"

"As Sachiko says. Two-to-one, Yumi-chan's opinion is rejected. Lights out."

Quick vote, quick action, the lights were immediately snuffed out.

"Oh, evil."

"Yumi. Are you afraid of the dark?"

Sachiko-sama whispered.

"N-no."

"Ah, bingo."

Rosa Gigantea maliciously laughed.

"That's not it!"

Well, actually it was, but it's not something you admit. But of course, denying it was just like affirming it, anyways.

"Ooh, complainers get rolled into a reed."

Rolled in a reed? -As I pondered that, I think it was Rosa Gigantea who tossed a blanket over me and tightened it from both sides. Umm, isn't this more like a Belgium waffle than a reed?

"If you're scared, 'fess up!"

"Waah."

Squeeze, squeeze.

"Onee-sama, save me."

Rosa Gigantea was going all-out in hugging me. It was through a blanket, but because Sachiko-sama was right there, she was enjoying herself to the fullest.

"Save, is something happening?"

"Rosa Gigantea-"

As soon as I started speaking, the lights went on. Under the bright lights, Rosa Gigantea backed off and surrendered to Sachiko-sama.

"I take back my words. I support brown. If something happens in the dark, our reaction is slowed."

"It seems so."

Still holding onto the string for the light, Sachiko-sama laughed bitterly. When I got up and looked at what they saw, the sliding door was open, and Kashiwagi-san and Yuuki both looked like they were going to jump in. It was hard to see if the door was open in the dark. Not that it was pitch black, because light came through the hallway lights.

"Just so you know, we didn't open the door for bad intentions."

"We know, we know. It's too early for a sneaking visit."

"Alright, then."

They were having such a childish fight earlier, so it was kind of surprising that they could have a mature conversation. –I thought. Understanding without much explanation, then receiving the sign of understanding, and through it all, even including a bit of jest.

Maybe Kashiwagi-san fit Rosa Gigantea's level of conversation perfectly. I mean, sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a maze, but Kashiwagi-san deftly handled it like a game of catch. Though maybe it should have been obvious from the moment it was apparent they could have a verbal spat. But if I were to say that, Rosa Gigantea would squeeze me to death again.

But, "sneaking visit?" What era is she from?

"Yuuki, I won't make fun of your sister anymore, so go ahead and sleep." Yuuki didn't know what was going on, but when he heard his name, he snapped back and hurriedly closed the door he opened.

"G-good night."

"Yes, good night. Yuuki's cute."

Rosa Gigantea seemed to think fondly of my brother. Maybe she likes raccoon faces.

"Then this uncute fellow will retreat, too."

"Thank you for your troubles, Mr. Bodyguard."

"No problem."

Kashiwagi-san closed the other door, and Sachiko-sama mumbled.

"Suguru-san, thank you for your concern."

"Good night."

Kashiwagi-san shut the doors together softly. And then on the other side of the door, they began wordlessly pillow fighting, so it was kind of exasperating. But after the conversation about attacking and not attacking, it was kind of smile-inducing.

"Well those treasure boats are going to end up lost."

Turning the room brown after leaving one lightbulb, Sachiko-sama slowly slid herself into the sheets to my side. And that slight breeze sent the fragrance of her shampoo to me. My hair, or Sachiko-sama's hair, or maybe Rosa Gigantea's hair, I don't know. Not that it mattered, I felt peaceful anyways.

"By the way, Yumi-chan, we're getting up at six thirty tomorrow morning."

Out of the blue, Rosa Gigantea placed an already-set alarm clock next to my pillow.

"Ehh."

There's no school, so I whined for more sleep, but she would have none of it.

"We're eating breakfast together. Because it's 'lodging.'"

She explained aunt Sayako's cooking was delicious but took extraordinary time to finish. So the plan was to occupy the kitchen before she began making breakfast.

"If she wants to eat bread, she's the type of person to start measuring out how much flour would be needed."

Sachiko-sama sighed. Well, she was so confused about pouring tea that it was understandable. Of course, employed cooks usually prepared meals.

"… If we also did radio exercise, this would be a complete lodging."

I let slip, and Rosa Gigantea began cackling.

"Sounds nice, let's do it."

"Feel free. But, I won't be accompanying."

-Indeed. Sachiko-sama and radio exercises were a mismatch.

Rosa Gigantea said she'd drive Yuuki and I home after breakfast, but I politely turned her down. Apparently it took a while to walk to the nearest station, though, but I would also prefer not to ride with Kashiwagi-san. Since he's the same age as Rosa Gigantea, he's likely recently gotten his license, too. I don't trust his handling technique, plus there's that red car. I became embarrassed just looking at it.

What to do.

While I pondered, the blanket warmed my body, and I slowly drifted. The pillow fight next door had ended at some point, so it was silent. They were so active right before sleeping, so they must have gone straight to sleep.

I thought I'd never actually like Kashiwagi-san, but he wasn't as bad as I thought. After all, he's related by blood to Sachiko-sama, and she did like him a long time ago (this is important!). So he's not really that bad.

I turned around and went closer to Sachiko-sama. So we wouldn't get cold, we had stuck our blankets next to each other.

(Did onee-sama already go to sleep?)

I could feel Rosa Gigantea, behind me, was already in sleeping mode. Hey, hey, weren't you going to protect us?

I decided to leave it at "I never heard" her soft snores. Not for Rosa Gigantea, but for Rosa Gigantea's fans.

(Still, it's like a dream.)

In the brown room, I could see Sachiko-sama's sleeping face at an arm's length. I was the only one that could savor this scene, this moment.

Not even her cousin, her fiancé, Kashiwagi-san.

I truly appreciated being born a girl who could become Sachiko-sama's sister, and that I was a Lillian student at the same time as Sachiko-sama. I thanked Maria-sama with all my heart.

I usually sleep facing up, but I decided to sleep with my right shoulder down.

-And that's when Sachiko-sama's eyes opened.

(Eh!?)

I panicked, like a middle-aged man who just got caught peeping, but Sachiko-sama didn't seem to be scolding me.

"Yumi."

Sachiko-sama spoke to me in a voice only I could hear.

"Y-yes."

"I'm glad you could come today."

"Yes."

"If you don't mind, feel free to come again."

"Yes."

As pathetic as it may seem, I could only say "yes," not being able to answer fully. I don't know if Sachiko-sama was exasperated or not, but she giggled, said "good night," and closed her eyes again.

She went through the trouble of talking to me-. I felt guilty, but I also became elated, replaying Sachiko-sama's words in my mind.

(Did she say she was glad? And, I could come again?)

I was so excited the drowsiness that was visiting me just a moment ago vanished.

I even folded treasure boats, too. If I didn't get to sleep soon, morning would arrive.

But my simplistic mind simply repeated Sachiko-sama's words like a circular canon.

    I'm glad

         Come again

    I'm glad

         Come again

Eventually those words became waves, and I was on a big boat riding those waves.

My first dream was of Sachiko-sama cosplaying as Benten carrying a towering stack of sushi boxes.

When I thought I should help, Rosa Gigantea, looking like Daikokuten, arrived with bags of takoyaki and toumorokoshi slung over her left shoulder, and she chased me everywhere while cackling with a small mallet.

And when the mallet hit me, lots of small candy sprayed everywhere. Like rain, and that rain never ended.

Nagakiyono touno nemurino minamezame naminori funeno otono yokikana

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