Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume5 Chapter2 2

A gift from a rare visitor. Part 2.

"Huh?"

After a full day, Yumi heard something completely unexpected as she went straight to the Rose Mansion.

"I said, we're about to have to accept. Don't make me say it twice."

Sachiko-sama was clearly displeased.

"Umm-"

So she was forced to find someone else for an explanation. In the second-floor room, Yoshino-san and Shimako-san and Rei-sama, who'd left club activities, were looking very annoyed, though not to the level of Sachiko-sama, as they sat around the table.

"Minako-sama found way to pressure them."

Yoshino-san said, slamming her fist on the table.

"I knew she was up to something, but still! … It's so frustrating!!" "So, what happened?"

Yumi was still puzzled, so Rei-sama lifted her index finger.

"From above." "Above?"

She looked at the ceiling. Not that she expected something like a hole, which would mean rain would leak through.

"No, no, above, as in third-years."

"Third-years? … Oh, the Roses!"

"Right. The three of them were together today and neatly called their sisters together during lunch break."

"… Ahh."

Come to think of it, Shimako-san was supposed to eat lunch with her at the Rose Mansion today, but come lunch, she suddenly canceled it and vanished. Yumi didn't pay it any mind because Shimako-san was often called out for committee meetings, but that must have been Rosa Gigantea.

"So, then?"

Like a baton touch from Rei-sama, Sachiko-sama continued.

"A command, to accept the newspaper club captain's Valentine's Day project. As their final request, could we refuse?"

"Umm."

Well, no, you wouldn't usually be able to refuse. –Is what Yumi thought. But the first time she'd come into the Rose Mansion, she heard Sachiko-sama yell, "The onee-sama are mean!" Considering Sachiko-sama among the realm of "normalcy" would probably be a mistake, too.

"Anyways, that's why we're having a special meeting. So I'll probably miss club activities today."

Rei-sama had assumed she was the only one being pressured, and thought with Sachiko-sama and Shimako-san vehemently refusing, it wasn't a big deal. So, after school she quickly went to change into her kendo gi and began practice swings. And when Yoshino-san blasted in after running from the Rose Mansion, she finally realized how important the matter had become. Because no one had thought Minako-sama would be able to persuade all three Roses at once.

Right on time, so to speak. Because when they'd finished explaining things, the three Roses arrived with one another.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Foetida, and Rosa Gigantea. It was the first time they'd been together since the student council election speeches, Yumi thought. And belying their tough exam studies was their sparkling appearances, with glittering eyes, glossy skin, and lovely, silky hair. They were so beautiful Yumi's eyes felt like they might implode.

"Not that we were really waiting in anticipation."

Sachiko-sama said venomously, but she looked cute, sulking the way she was. Even if they'd sown the seeds of annoyance, she was still giddy at being able to see her onee-sama.

"Oh, then I suppose the meeting will have commenced without any stagnation without us."

Excellent, she nodded, as she took a seat. The Roses were in perfect spirits. The five that were in the room originally seemed to be sucked in by their presence, as their determination seemed to be cut in half right at the onset.

"So?"

Rosa Chinensis asked Sachiko-sama, her sister.

That began round one.

"Have you decided on your answer to the newspaper club?"

"…" "Sachiko."

When she was scolded for being silent, Sachiko-sama seemed to explode, letting out her feelings at once.

"If the onee-sama are going to order us like that, then no matter how unwilling we may be, we shall have to consent."

"Oh, how unthinkable. You make it sound like we're forcing you."

"Am I wrong?"

"Yes, of course. The student council election was a splendid opportunity to slide our responsibilities to the boutons. We're living a humble life of retirement. How you wish to manage the Yamayurikai is up to you."

"Then why are you interfering?"

"Interfering?"

"Interfering. You said to collaborate with the newspaper club."

"All I said was to think it over."

"And that is interfering. We made our decision yesterday."

"Stubborn, as always."

"Oh, how wrong of me. But I wonder who chose this inflexible person to be their sister?"

"Me. And that's why I want you to be more flexible. Intermingling with the students, isn't that a splendid idea? You've become so much more open since choosing Yumi-chan to be your sister."

"---"

Sachiko-sama loses by KO.

Onto the second round.

Resting her elbows on the table, then resting her chin on her intertwined fingers, Rosa Foetida narrowed her eyes.

"Rei."

"Yes."

Rei-sama, called upon, looked troubled. It was a bit different from a frog being stared at by a snake, but for once, she looked hesitant. Like she wanted to say "have mercy!" knowing what lay in store. But Rei-sama knew it was a road she couldn't avoid. Also, that it wasn't going to be fun.

"It's almost been two full years since I made you my sister, so I'm sure you can guess what I'm about to say."

"Yes."

Like a balloon leaking air, Rei-sama seemed to shrink every passing second. On the other hand, Rosa Foetida, who looked so bored most of the time, had a glimmer in her eyes and looked excited.

"So may I assume I know your answer?"

"I'll do whatever onee-sama thinks is best."

"Oh, no, you have to decide, on your own."

Say it, Rosa Foetida egged Rei-sama on.

"… I'll help the newspaper cl-" "Objection!"

Yoshino-san said, unable to restrain herself.

"Rosa Foetida, don't you think that sort of pressure is dirty? Rei-chan is Rei-chan, too, if you don't like it, say it!"

She was so excited she forgot to change "Rei-chan" to "onee-sama."

"Yoshino, be quiet."

"That's right, don't confuse her. I'm talking to Rei, outsiders should remain silent."

"Outsiders!?"

Yoshino-san was about to squeal in anger when Rei-sama stopped her, "Idiot, don't let her goad you."

"The more Yoshino screeches, the more persistent onee-sama gets!"

"What?"

"Exactly."

Rosa Foetida smiled victoriously.

"You still have tons to learn, Yoshino-chan."

Yoshino-san still hadn't really fully grasped her "auntie" Rosa Foetida. What that multi-talented Rosa Foetida loved most were unusual things and rarities. And the moment she found something she was interested in, she would suction onto it and never let go, like a soft-shelled turtle. Persistence aside, it was a sight to behold. Knowing that, Rei-sama just wanted to squeeze through with minimal resistance. Because she knew the more she would show she didn't want to, the more Rosa Foetida would begin to act.

But all of Rei-sama's actions just went to waste.

"You'll do whatever I think is best, you said, right, Rei? Then, I'll have you cooperate."

Rosa Foetida was just that kind of person.

Third round.

Rosa Gigantea looked at Shimako-san.

"Well, that's how it is, good luck."

"… Okay."

Well, now that the second-years Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama surrendered, the first-year Shimako-san really didn't have much fighting power to begin with.

But, gosh, Rosa Gigantea. The "good luck" cheer, why couldn't she say that during the student council election?

"Whaaaaaat, Yumi-chan. You look bored."

Rosa Gigantea laughed, looking at Yumi's face.

"Not really."

"Oohh? You should go straight into a fury, like Yoshino-chan."

"Yoshino-san?"

When Yumi turned around, she saw Yoshino-san with an expression that definitely couldn't deny it, as she sat leaning against Rei-sama. Like a child that came down with a cold.

Yoshino-san was brutally honest.

She was steadfastly against Rei-sama going on a date with someone else, so she objected to the fullest extent, and once she lost, she began to pout like that. Intense, but easy to understand and cute. Forcing a smile, Rei-sama was patting Yoshino-san's shoulder.

Sachiko-sama glanced at Yumi. As for why Yumi noticed that, well, it was because she was looking at Sachiko-sama first. She couldn't help that her eyes kept wandering to onee-sama.

After a moment of exchanging glances, Sachiko-sama quickly turned away. If only she would give a quick smile, or something, Yumi thought. Then she'd able to settle down, knowing that at the very least, her sitting there wasn't a discomfort.

But Sachiko-sama seemed to be too busy to bother about her sister.

"Anyways, even if we are to cooperate with the newspaper club, we'll have to add our own conditions and amendments."

She sought agreement from Rei-sama and Shimako-san. Her mind was already working.

"Exactly. Why do we have to do what she says?"

"Agreed."

Rosa Foetida glanced at her wristwatch, and Yumi ended up doing the same. Four in the afternoon.

-And that's when they heard the creaking of stairs. The Rose Mansion was old, so when someone jubilantly went up and down, they could even feel the vibrations.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

After a quick knock, the door opened, and as expected, Tsukiyama Minako-sama came in. Maybe she waited to allow plenty of time, or maybe it was just a coincidence, but although she could have come earlier, she arrived well after the meeting had come to an end. After all, she glanced at the Roses, seeming to ask, "How did things go?" Clearly she'd gone to the Roses and requested assistance with the Valentine's Day project.

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