CH Volume 1 (1/2)
”Gokigenyou”
”Gokigenyou”
The clear h the serene, blue sky
Today, once again, the arden sateway
Wrapping their innocent bodies and souls is a deep-coloured school uniform
Walking slowly so as to not disturb the pleats in their skirts, so as to not toss their white sailor scarves into disarray such is the standard ofclass, for instance, is too undignified a sight for students to wish upon themselves
Lillian Private Academy for Women
Founded in Meiji 34, this acade woious tradition Placed in don Tokyo, where you can still see traces of Musashi+ Field's greenery, it is protected by God, a garden where e from pre-school to university
Time passes, and even now, in Heisei, three era-names past Meiji, it is a valuable acadereenhouses are shi+pped out in carefully packaged boxes after 18 years of schooling - an arrangement that continues to survive
She-, fukuzawa Yumi (福沢祐巳), is just one of those ordinary ladies
Monday of Uneasiness Part 1
”Wait”
It was Monday
Down the rows of gingko trees is a fork in the road, and it was here that Yumi was called upon from behind to wait
It was a cold, piercing voice, strong enough to seeht in front of Maria-saht that perhaps it was Maria-sa her to hold still
Having been spoken to, you must first stop and answer ”yes,” then turn your entire body Even if it was unexpected, youyour face” is definitively unladylike conduct
As elegant as possible, as well as beautifully All in order to get even one step closer to being like the elder sisters
That is why as soon as you turn about and stand facing your coenyou-
Unfortunately, Yuenyou”
”---”
It was because recognizing who had called out to her struck her speechless
The reason why she had not immediately ju herself the way a student at Lillian Girls' Acaderess toward this goalat least, that is how she wished it would have been Rather, her astonished far behind her racingher frozen in time
”U to me?”
Soed to ask, incredulously Of course, Yumi had already confirht, and she was the only one that could possibly be spoken to Even so, it was difficult for Yumi to believe
”You are not mistaken I am the one who spoke, and you were the one to whom I spoke”
Not mistaken, she had said Yet, Yu, of course there was ano idea why she would be called upon, her mind was in a state of near-panic
She floated a thin s what sort of state she was in
Because they were in different grades, there had been no prior chance to see her face from this close This was even the first time Yumi had heard her voice this clearly
Her waist-length straight hair shi+ned so brightly that it begged you to ask what shampoo brand she used It was so well-kept that it was hard to ile strand of ill-conditioned hair
”Hold this”
She held out her bag When Yu, she reached out behind Yumi's neck with both of her empty hands
(Kya-!!)
Not knoas happening, Yumi shut her eyes, lowered her chin and stiffened
”Your tie, it was crooked”
”What?”
When she opened her eyes, that beautiful face was still in front of her Apparently, she was fixing Yumi's tie
”You should always be aware of your personal appearance Maria-sa, after all”
And with that, the person took back her bag froenyou,” and walked ahead to the school building
(That that was)
Standing there, left behind, blood slowly flowed back into Yu what just happened
There was no doubt about who that was
Second-year pine-class Ogasawara Sachiko-sama (小笠原祥子) Incidentally, her name was 7th on the attendance sheet She was known as ”Rosa Chinensis en bouton”
She was such the object of the school's affections that you could not help but wonder if it was okay to say her name, for someone of such lower stature to even mention her
(That's)
Yumi was just about to boil in embarrassment
(That's not fair!)
She stood dumbfounded for a few moments
She had exchanged words with the onee-sama she aspired to for the first ti episode It was too cruel
Maria-sama is mean!
When she looked up out of spite at Maria-sama, the latter maintained her ever-present chaste sarden
Part 2
”Ooh, so that's what happened”
Katsura-san (桂), who sat in front of her, just laughed when she heard the story
”You were so gloo if you ran into a ”
”A ht have been better”
”Why?”
”It doesn't stick with you”
”Yumi-san, it seems you haven't run into a molester”
”I commute by bus”
Students of Lillian Girls' Acadeenerally took a circulation bus froet to school Both of theard, but Katsura-san took a crowded train to get to M Station, whereas Yu in the difference in pleasantry (or unpleasantry)
”Wasn't there talk about a Lillian rail car, though?”
”There is one, but you know, it's ether so that Lillian students all crowd into the second car from the back But because of day duties and club activities and the likes, if you leave too early there aren't enough students, so it's kind of pointless”
Apparently, though, because rumours circulated, fe that car, ainstout e to step into a car full of young woh Plus, there was hardly any opportunity to make any suspicious moves, anyways
The Lillian uniform used a non-lustrous black cloth that seehout The ivory sailor collar with a single black line was tied up as is into a tie During this season, the one-piece, loaist plaited skirts were knee-high Combine all this as a set with the threefold white socks and the ballet-style leather shoes and you get a very traditional outfit, one that had a firmly-rooted popularity with ordinary people as well as, of course, the uniform maniacs
This attractive outfit advertised a lady's upper-class stature And sailor uniforms attracted unwanted attention as it were, too
”Trains are crowded, so I always check how I look beforehand”
Saying that, Katsura-san, using Yumi as a mirror, acted out how she fixed up her forelocks and re-tied her tie Like this, she meant
”I see, I was so careless”
Yumi bent over her desk Then, Katsura-san pat her head, as if saying ”there there”
”Pretty antly as they ride to school wouldn't think of these things Don't worry about it, it's not a big deal”
”It is a big deal”
”As long as we forget, it's fine isn't it?”
”Why?”
”Because she's the star of Lillian Girls' Academy Stars don't worry about each and every amateur”
Stars and amateurs
Even though it was the truth, or rather, because it was the truth, it hurt Katsura-san's consolation was a bit of an extreme treatment
Incidentally, Katsura was a naenerally did not exist The custorade as ”–san” When speaking to an upperclassman, ”-sama”
”There's no helping withering ahen you're called upon The only first-year in our class that can handle being spoken to by a 'Yamayurikai' council member is her”
And with that, Katsura-san shot a glance behind her Following her line of sight, Yumi saw Toudou shi+mako just step into the room
”Gokigenyou, Katsura-san Gokigenyou, Yumi-san”
As she greeted the two, shi+antly advanced to her seat
”Go- Gokigenyou”
Yumi and Katsura-san looked at each other, as if they wanted to ask, ”What're you so embarrassed about?”
Even though they're the sah completely unlike Sachiko-saly beautiful
Looking at her depressed you,you think, beautiful people are beautiful even fro as beautiful as Sachiko-sah-school student was snuffed out, just like that
”Did you hear?”
Katsura-san began whispering, so Yumi also lowered her voice
”That shi+ over the 2nd-years”
It was fa sisterly voith Rosa Gigantea despite being a 1st year student
”Not that”
”Not that?”
I that it was the latest scoop, Katsura-san put her index finger over her lip and said ”Onee-sama told me” Her Sœur was a tennis-club senior, as in the same class as Sachiko-sama
”shi+antea propose, but apparently so did Sachiko-sama”
”Ehh-!!”
”Yu loud”
The two of thele desk It was a spectacle very un-befitting of ladies, but the two of theive theeneration it is, women love rumors about other people
The Lillian Girls' Academy's Sœur system was said to have been borne out of the school's attitude of respecting the autonoraduated froement of teachers and Sisters, they were expected to lead an ordered life with their oer The Sœur systeuide their little sisters through this rather overwhelhout the school, it becaulations, the pure and righteous school life was passed down froeneration
Sœur meant sisters, in French Presumably in order to prevent confusion with Sisters, they avoided using English Originally every senior and underclassnating two tightly bonded girls No one was sure when the ritual of vowing to becoan
”According to the stories, Sachiko-saantea's hand, even though it came later”
Katsura-san see excited by the ru
”I wonder if she just preferred white over crimson”
”That's not the point Sheesh… Yumi-san, you're a bit weird See? When you're in shi+mako-san's class of people, you can even have your pick between two roses”
”Your pick, that's such a despicable wording”
”But, truth be told, Sachiko-sama was rejected”
”Mmm”
What a wasteful thing to do, thought Yumi
”What do you mean 'mmm,' don't you think it's horrible?”
”Why? If you can't have two onee-sama, you do have to pick one”
”And you pick the one that came later?”
”But it's not a race”
”Yes it is!”
And thus did Katsura-san conclude the discussion, heaving a sigh Coed Sœur vows the day she joined the tennis club
”Speaking of which, what about Rosa Foetida?”
”Rosa Foetida is peaceful and secured with a 3rd-year, 2nd-year and 1st-year”
”I see”
For Yuantea and Rosa Chinensis en bouton fighting over shi+er sisters was
”Either way, the reality is, Sachiko-sama proposed to her, and she didn't immediately accept”
As she said that, Katsura-san looked at the clock
The bell would ring for theprayers
Then, a hymn would sound from the school broadcast syste prayer at the Sanctuary, everyone prayed in their classroo the hymn, listened to the principal speak, then calmed their spirits and offered prayer to God
Please allow hteously today
However, on this day, despite praying, she had the feeling that she was about to be jarred from her peaceful daily life
Part 3
”Yumi-san, Yumi-san”
Yumi was called upon after school, just as she had finished her cleaning duties and had walked out of the music room
”Ah, Tsutako-san (蔦子) Have you already finished cleaning the classroom?”
”Yes, and that's why I hurried here, to ensure ouldn't walk past each other Yu duty, after all”
Because the first-year classrooms were distant fros with them As the entrance and the club houses were close by, it was convenient for going ho to club activities
”You were looking for me?”
”I wanted to discuss so”
”Discuss?”
This prolasses by the nose-bridge with a finger, nod, and say ”yes”
”Yuet to, so we'll excuse ourselves now Oh, I'll return the cleaning journal to the staff room on the way, too”
The three students ere helping with cleaning duty smiled with pure eyes
”Why… thank you”
”No, no Think nothing of it Gokigenyou”
”Gokigenyou”
The unifors, leniently flowed down the hallway Tsutako-san and Yuether
”You are, I think, aware that I belong to the photography club?”
Tsutako-san turned back toward Yumi and asked, abruptly
”Y, … yes”
Because she's notorious
Aside frouely rerined she henever she ret was the reason why she had no choice but to hang onto her cah school, this had been the first time Yumi ended up in the same class as Tsutako-san, but already she'd been shoo or three photos that she never realized had been taken Though she couldn't really tell how 'good' Tsutako-san was, she had to admit that even her ordinary self looked at least 30 cuter in the photos
”You kno the school festival is close by? Well, because of that, I've been co”
She only used people as her photo subjects Well, specifically, ”feh-school students” Honestly, there was no probleood photos can't be taken when the subjects even subconsciously pose,” so she had a tendency to take secret photos
”Tsutako-san, don't you think ittom?”
”Why should I throay the privilege I have, being an active Lillian Girls' Academy student? I just want to seal away beauty as beautifully as they coe, eventually, but it's possible to preserve 'now' in all its glittering glory I just think that'sbeen chosen by the camera”
With that, she raised a clenched fist
”Even so”
”Not to worry I've gotten per, including the negatives, for rejected pictures And before I present the”
”Permission?”
”Like this”
Tsutako-san presented two photographs to Yumi
”What?”
Three, two, one
It required three seconds to realize what the photos were of
”Ehh!”
As Yuenerally accepted of a Lillian student, Tsutako-san covered her mouth
”Th, this”
Ahh, and what it was
Thescene, that same scene she wished could be erased froasawara Sachiko-sama and Yumi
Even so, it was definitely worthy of the photography club's ace She had not let the shutter chance go by Both of Sachiko-sa Yu the sound of the knot being squeezed
Even while struggling to hold onto her bag, Yu in the photo
As always, Sachiko-sama was lovely And as a direct result of her presence, Yuel
”The first one was taken with a long-range lense, the close-up But this one, the one where your whole body is photographed, hasit look better, don't you think?”
By the way the title is ”Training,” Tsutako-san said, and Yuree
”Can I have this?”
As Yuhed and took back the photos She looked as if Yued hook, line and sinker
”I don't mind, but on two conditions”
”Conditions?”
”Condition one: that you allow raphy-club exhibit during the school festival”
”Eh…”
Exhibit? Panel? Was she out of her mind?
How reckless, to line up soht, weight and figure, to soasawara Sachiko-sama, in front of every student
”Tsutako-san You ”
”Why would I be kidding? I've been confident, ever since I snapped the photo, that it was my best work this whole year That's why I developed the film at the cost of lunch break”
As she said that, Tsutako-san's storowl Ah, her lunch lay untouched in her bag Hobbies take precedence even over the nurturing appetite
”But, a panel…”
Yumi looked down
”You don't want the photo?”
Tsutako-san plucked the two photos and waved them in front of Yumi's face
”I know You've always ad the remote possibility of a two-shot, I know you don't even have a close-up photo of her head When the field trip photos were put up outside the staff room, you were vexed that you couldn't request copies, because you were of a different grade, aht? And as you aren't part of any club, you had no 2nd-year student to request for a copy The only photo you have is one from the athleticsin line for the relay, happened to be in the background and, well, I won't say a rice grain, but she is really just a speck”
”Excuse me She was at least the size of a pencil And even so, it's a treasure to me”
Tsutako-san could pursue a career as a private detective if she so desired
”I wonder if that pencil will satisfy you, after today's events”
The lens of her glasses shi+ned like a camera flash
”… You're evil”
Of course there was no way she'd be satisfied, having seen such a good photo
”But, isn't there a chance Sachiko-sama refuses?”
”That's why”
Tsutako-san put up her index finger and laughed, triumphantly
”The other condition is that you receive permission from Rosa Chinensis en bouton”
”Ehh!? That's impossible, absolutely impossible”
Again, she says so so smoothly
”Why?”
Tsutako-san widened her eyes in surprise
”You two look so intimate Like sœurs”
”I wish!+”
Yu to school, she'd been suddenly called out, and when she wondered as going on, she'd been cautioned about her appearance
”Well And she fixed your tie while at it, too If your classmates found out they'd be envious”
”As if they would say, 'Oh, I'm so envious?'”
Just re the incident made her want to blush
”Sachiko-saht, what a slovenly student”
It wasn't supposed to be like that
In reality,onee-sama in the near future was supposed to be a more beautiful situation
For example, like a scene in ait, even after graduating Even if it were just an instant Like picking up and returning Sachiko-saot bloay by wind, or so trivial like that
But, a bent tie On top of that, she panicked so reet or thank her She'd fallen to the status of an impolite underclassman
”A slovenly student, isn't that fine? After all, it let you get close to your lovely onee-sama”
”Err…”
There was no retort to that Had her tie not been bent, it would have been likely she would have never been called to, in her entire life
”Tsutako-san, why don't you negotiate in person? You do that all the time, after all”
”Even Tsutako-san, brave and fearless as she is, is intimidated by the Yamayurikai council”
The Yamayurikai was the student council of the Lillian Girls' Acadeh School The council, called the White, Red and Yellow Roses were, despite being students, on a different social standing than the regular students, like court officials Sachiko-sama was the petite sœur to Rosa Chinensis
”Also, Yumi-san, I decided that it would be profitable to use you for negotiations”
”W, Why?”
”Because you caught the attention of Sachiko-sama”
”That's because of my tie-”
”If a bent tie were all that were needed to get the attention of Sachiko-sama, every Lillian student would walk around with bent ties”
That was Tsutako-san's retort
”No way”
”Quite frankly, I've seen such calculating first-year students”
First-years that undertook a bold deed the likes of walking in front of Sachiko-sa her attention for onetone, as if she were a leading actress, standing at the ht
”Especially Sachiko-sama, she's considered one of the most compulsive about cleanliness in the school She's faht have been more than one person who foolishly attempted such a stunt” To carry a proper soul, one hly 11 years since kindergarten, that had been a repeated et the attention of their beloved senior silance froard
Even worse, sometimes that student's onee-sama was called out for a discussion about personal appearance
”Sachiko-sama, … is scary”
”Did you just find out? Ogasawara Sachiko-sama is scary Of course, this is only with matters that she disapproves of”
”And you're telling me to face that scary Sachiko-sama…?”
Frankly, she thought Tsutako-san was just as scary
Already Yu ready to run The toes of her indoor shoes were already facing the entrance
”You don't understand, Yuel Michael”
”A, Archangel Michael…?”
What is she saying, does she even understand what she's saying? Tsutako-san's eyes were focused on so far away
”She is, in reality, subli that opposes her aesthetic sense is absolutely unforgivable She is, after all, a born princess She has her own peculiar sense of rules”
Tsutako-san i away alone Yumi could not help but raise her hand, say ”Um,” and request
”Tsutako-san, I only get e class”
”Yes?”
”Can you lower the level and explain, please?”
”Lower the level?”
”Umm, in other words, can you explain more clearly, please?”
Tsutako-san folded her arht It was hard to explain to someone else a theory you had already completed yourself
”To put it siry, so it's alright When she's angry, there's always reason in her words”
”So?”
”So don't worry and get persuading”
”Why me?”
”Seems to be a fit You and Sachiko-sama”
Sheesh, I can't understand Tsutako-san's thought process
”And what basis do you have for that?”
”Basis? I have no basis These things are all about instinct Intuition”
Sachiko-sama, who never bothered with the ties of underclass to call out to her, chastise her, and then re-tie Yumi's scarf with her own hands Tsutako-san seemed emphatic that this was a brilliant achievement, one that couldn't have happened with pure luck
”Even if the person is not aware of it, I think like-minded people subconsciously step closer to one another”
”And again you're being irrational”
Essentially, it see she didn't want to do on Yumi
”If you're regretful of being thought of as a slovenly student, then replace that i ,' you'll turn out to be a polite lady”
”Ugh, Tsutako-san, you're persuasive”
”Why, thank you I have been invited by the debate club once”
Her triuh was so masterful that it felt she could be invited by the theatrics club, too
Ten minutes later, Yumi stood in front of the door for the Yamayurikai headquarters, the ”Rose Mansion”
In the end, Tsutako's killer blow of ”You don't want the photo?” had pushed Yu with Sachiko-sama
Part 4
The Lillian Girls' Acadeh School Student Council was nae to Maria-sama's soul
Maria-sareen oak tree, was a japanese nightingale, was ayou were arten
(But why is it a sapphire…?)
She had wondered this as a child, and had dragged that bewilderale, mountain lily, and then spontaneously a sapphire
She could understand the cos, but a materialistic symbol such as a jewel, as opposed to natural beauties such as the sky and plants and animals had always felt out of place Plus, a sapphire was an expensive possession, so while anyone could look up at the sky and bask in its beauty, only a select few could adorn themselves with sapphire
(But a lady the stature of Sachiko-sama probably wouldn't find the sapphire out of place)
And that ent on in the mind of Yumi, who stood rather blankly in front of the Rose Mansion
Lillian, being ould have to be considered a 'school for upper-class ladies', was filled with daughters of comparatively prosperous households Yu the school since infancy, technically counted as a daughter of a coning office
While the exchange of their parents' occupations was not standard practice in the classrooe every so often during regular conversations, and from this you could hear of doctors, lawyers, company presidents of ser enterprises, university professors, and other such varying degrees of remarkable titles
However, the Ogasawara Sachiko she was about to randdaughter of the president of the Ogasawara group, an extensiveother things, and herher a princess of perfect pedigree
The Rose Mansion It was called a hly half the size of a classroo up floor space in the corner of the courtyard for high school buildings However, being an independent building used solely by the student council and, with the aid of its wooden two-story appearance, you could surely see why it became known as a mansion
”I wonder if Sachiko-sama is really in here”
Yu the fist she had raised for knocking
”Well she wasn't in the classrooathering in the Rose Mansion after class every day to prepare for the school festival”
With that, Tsutako forced Yu purely as an escort Yumi was the main dish She wanted to complain, whose fault is it that she had coot a copy of the two-shot photo Plus, as Tsutako-san s ell, she could undo the ruined reputation she s went really well, she could be on speaking terms
”Yes They come here every day…”
In other words, there was no turning back