Volume 3 Chapter 1 (2/2)
Tomorroould be the last day of exams So they would usually enjoy their brief respite between exaoing hoone home, it would have just been a repeat of yesterday, so they'd gathered here They couldn't study, because the Rosa Gigantea rumors wouldn't leave their minds
”The upperclass?”
”Rei-chan… I mean, onee-sama said she would come-”
The rumors were centered more around the first-years, so the second and third-year students didn't seem to pay it as ather at the Rose Mansion and think of a counter-measure
”How about shi+mako-san?”
Yoshi+no-san asked Yu her head abruptly, like she had just remembered Because, see, shi+mako-san's in Yumi's class
”By the tione”
”Oh”
They sighed together, again
First-years couldn't do anything when push came to shove They'd only been born one or two years earlier, Rosa Gigantea often said, but that one or two year difference was definitely huge But even with another two years, she couldn't i like those super-humans, so people are probably born with different dispositions
”Mm?”
They heard the dull sounds of feet cli the stairs They couldn't tell, at first, but by the time it'd come close, they could hear the unique characteristic of those footsteps
”I wonder if it's Rei-sama?”
”It could be”
For the inexperienced first-years, even despite knowing that footsteps have a unique characteristic to theed to
The squeaking sound of feet crushi+ng down on the decrepit floors stopped in front of the second-floor salon that Yumi was in, also known as the conference room
”Is someone there?”
The person who cah the biscuit-shaped door made her appearance with scarlet roses behind her back (at least, that's how Yumi saw it)
”O, Onee-sama!”
”Oh, Yumi And Yoshi+no-chan”
Always the brilliant and cool expression Yuasawara Sachiko-sama, entered the room
”It, it has been a while, onee-sama”
But they'd passed each other in the hallway thisBut Sachiko-sama smiled, ”Indeed,” and sat down next to Yumi at the round table
”And?”
Sachiko-saers above the table, and asked
”What are you two trying to do?”
Yu of which, as Sachiko-sa here, too?
”I was thinking about going hoo to the Rose Mansion”
”And that Rei-sama?”
”I'ht by some first-years”
Like background rush, grush” sound of so the stairs This time it was no doubt Rei-sama
”Sorry for being late”
Rei-sa her forehead bare Because there were almost no students left, she'd apparently run from the hallways
”I wish you would be a bit more quiet”
Sachiko-sama muttered to herself, and Yoshi+no-san wiped Rei-sama's drenched face with a handkerchief
”I stopped by the Milk Hall, but they don't have a whole lot of supplies right now, so they were sold out”
But Rei-sama placed a cute bear-symbol pouch on the table
”What is that?”
Yoshi+no-san asked
”A first-year gave it to ether”
Yumi was the only one that squealed, kyaa
”I'll pour tea, then”
And she stood up quickly To be honest, she'd been hungry for quite soht after exa any lunch
”Making cupcakes during exam time”
Yoshi+no-san looked troubled
Ah Because Rei-sama received those cupcakes Whichfan of Rei-sa jealous She probably didn't want to say it, but Yoshi+no-san had to have been a bit hungry, too So this had to be a dilemma
But when they re-started thetea, Yoshi+no-san see the cakes, as she happily gobbled theht have been because she was bothered far antea's rumors
”I don't actually read everything by Cosmos Books, so I can't say for sure”
Rei-saan
”But I haven't read anything like that, so it's probably a new release”
”When did the new books come out?”
Sachiko-sama inquired
”Today It's the sixteenth of every month”
”Today!?”
Yoshi+no-san and Yumi both stood up
”If you intend to go to the university book store, it's futile They were sold out”
With Rei-sama's one state them completely
”They only order one copy each of Cosh school student waited for the store to open, and bought it then, there were a number of students that dashed out between exams”
”Hoerful”
Yoshi+no-san h she was just about to dash out, herself
”So we have no leads?”
”But, Yumi-chan”
Rei-sa for the chance to do so
”Huh?”
It was a book exactly like the ones she saw at the library with Tsutako-san yesterday -Right, Cosmos Books
”But, Rei You said they were sold out?”
Sachiko-saantly tilted her head to the side
”So I bought a different book that was released today”
”Gosh, Rei-chan, you did your own shopping instead?”
Yoshi+no-san was so exasperated she forgot ”onee-sama” and polite speech
”No Well, I' to read it later, but…”
Rei-sama found the leaflet tucked inside the book
”'Cosmos News'?”
Is how the title, in elaborate decorative font, read on ould count as the front cover of the quad-folded leaflet Rei-sama nodded, ”Yup”
That was a ”news” leaflet detailing new publications, quick notes by authors, and other such introductions
”After all, how do you think people find books without knowing their titles?”
”I don't know…”
Well, she said that, but it wasn't actually a question
”And that's where 'Cosmos News' comes in”
Rei-sarossed, but without any offense, Yumi still only saw a handsome man She would definitely be so stylish in a Hanadera uniforiven that she loved shoujo novels this much, it definitely would feel a bit weird
”The new publications summaries, see, there're only a few, but they are listed”
”Ah, that's true”
Everyone looked at where she pointed
- ”Forest of Thorns” by Suga Sei - Were thoseinside the forest of thorns that was her soul The anticipated new novelist, a shocking autobiographical tale!
”So that's why”
Sachiko-sama whispered But Yuantea?
”Yuantea's name”
Sachiko-sama suddenly posed a question
”Umm… I think it was Satou-, Satou Sei”
”Right”
Safe If she couldn't say the Roses' na her
Right, Rosa Gigantea's name is Satou Sei For such a flamboyant exterior, her name was actually relatively mundane, so it didn't really stick
”Ah, Sei is the same”
She noticed that ht Even if they sounded the same, they ritten differently
Yoshi+no-san, next to her, didn't seea Sei” and ”Satou Sei” over and over again-
”Shuga Sei!”
Yoshi+no-san suddenly shouted, a rarity, along with her sudden understanding
”I get it Suga ar?”
Yoshi+no-san is completely excited
”Sugar? Would be satou… oh, Satou!?”
So, Suga Sei equals Satou Sei It was a bit of a rough guess, but it ar, and then Satou
”But that's not enough to conclude that Rosa Gigantea wrote the novel”
”Right, it's still a stretch So I wonder if the ruan because of that leaflet?”
In stark contrast to the excitable first-years, Sachiko-sa
”By which you mean?”
In an effort to at least give appearance, Yu the muscles in her face
”I haven't read it, so I can't say for sure … But if the contents of the novel were extreantea's past Then that would be a good way to deduce Rosa Gigantea is Suga Sei”
”Um, but, it was released today, was it not? Then it would be weirdabout it since three or four days ago?”
If it wasn't released yet, they wouldn't know about its contents And the first-years wouldn't know about Rosa Gigantea's incident last year, either
”But there's a way to grab these books before the release date”
Rei-sama folded her arms and confidently said
”Go to the big bookstore around Kanda They sell books and comics three or four days before the release dates”
”Kanda, you mean Kanda, with the used bookstores?”
”Yes It's pretty famous”
If that were true, people living in ions or on small islands had reason to be annoyed Tokyo is useful… although a person living in Tokyo really shouldn't be ad that
”Then, Katsura-san and others bought 'Forest of Thorns' at Kanda or some store like that, and already read it?”
”I don't knoho Katsura-san is, but that's probably what happened, I would think? Even if they can't talk about it outright, I'm sure some upperclassmen talked about what happened Yumi-san, too, if you had a sister two or three years above you, you ht have found out about it, you know?”
”But Rei-chan never told me”
Yoshi+no-san interrupted, somewhat cross
”I'm only one year ahead of you, I don't really know much, either I specifically said two or three years, didn't I?”
U a lover's quarrel
While exasperated, Yumi felt a bit envious After all, there was no way she could act cross to Sachiko-sama
When she glanced at Sachiko-sama, by chance their eyes met Yumi iot caught peeping
”But, it's the o to Kanda to buy the book, and then even read it”
Yoshi+no-san s Katsura-san's actions weren't so much confidence but rather- ”Evasion, isn't it?”
Rei-sa ”Evasion?”
Sachiko-sama cocked her head to the side, like she just heard so It was unthinkable that someone like Sachiko-sama wouldn't knohat ”evasion” meant, but Yu
”Evasion, u you need to be doing, but you run away by doing so else”
Sachiko-sama responded with an ”of course I know that much” look Rei-sama came in to help
”These cupcakes are an exa”
”What I don't understand is what 'what you need to be doing' is”
”Wait, what-”
That's studying for exa Sachiko-sama, the three looked at each other
(Sachiko-sama, you… do you…)
Yumi's premonition came true
It wasn't even a joke, Sachiko-sama truly, honestly never studied for exams
Deciding that they wouldn't be able to solve anything by thinking without any new information, the four decided to breakup and leave the Rose Mansion
After all, none of them had actually seen the book yet (save Yu the book fro would lead nowhere
It was already past three
After saying farewell to Rei-sama and Yoshi+no-san, who'd decided to purchase ”Forest of Thorns” at a bookstore near their homes, Yumi headed by bus to M Station with Sachiko-sama
There was a big bookstore inside the station They had an abundance of Cosmos Book Collection products, so even if it were a heavily-anticipated book, it probably was unlikely to be sold out, Rei-sama had advised
Sachiko-sa bus
”I wonder if it's really Rosa Gigantea”
”… I doubt it”
”Why do you think so?”
”No reason”
Whenever she tried to start a conversation, it would end up one-sided like this And in the end, Sachiko-saan wondering if her existence there was a bother
The bus rounded the rotary and stopped at the station bus stop
They clilanced at the wickets, then went into the station's building Their objective, the book center, was on the third floor
When they went through the glass doors, and when they went on the elevator, Sachiko-sa bad…?)
The sight of the two of theether reflected off of the elevator panes
When she looked carefully, she noticed Sachiko-sama didn't look particularly displeased, but rather she see ”Deep in Thought” were to hover over peoples' heads in such situations, then she wouldn't have to end up worrying so much
(-As if)
Sachiko-sahts
The book center, occupying almost half of an entire floor, radiated a very book-store-esque atmosphere so ot off of the elevator Sachiko-saazine racks at the front and entering the store
”May I enter a small inquiry?”
Oh, what a lady with i through books
”Where ht I find the new publications of Cosmos Book Collection?”
Dancing around the subject was not so Sachiko-sama would do As always, she was cool and composed, and on top of it all, she was beautiful
”Ah… uh, umm, Cosmos Books”
The e to recover his composure Yumi couldn't blame him, because when he looked up, a person so beautiful it put even soht in front of him
(Or so like that Gosh, I'm a totally obsessed little sister…)
Straightening herself out, she followed Sachiko-sa the as the eer stunned, but was blushi+ng all the way to his ears
”Over here”
The two of theuided to the corner labeled ”Junior Novels” between the book collection shelves and the comic shelves All of the books here had florid cover illustrations and a gorgeous mood This was the shoujo novels section
”Thank you And, the 'Forest of Thorns' that was published today…”
Sachiko-sa to er on anything Like she was purchasing drapery at a draper, or having a diarade jewelry store I s yourself via self-service, taking the theht?
”Is this what you are looking for, ma'am?”
(… Wow, the e differently now, too)
Sachiko ic This employee, he looks under twenty, I wonder if he's ever said ”ma'am” to someone before in his life
”May I have two copies of that?”
Sachiko-sama said She probably meant one for herself and one for Yumi
”Yes, hold on-”
But the erew dim The hill of books was a valley at one place, and that valley had only the thickness of one book And that here the employee had retrieved the ”Forest of Thorns”
”It's sold out?”
Sachiko-sa
”I apologize”
The employee lowered his head - he didn't have to bow so h
”There's no helping it”
Then I'll just have the one, Sachiko-sama told the employee, and then she turned around to Yumi
”I'm sorry, Yumi You'll have to find a copy somewhere else”
”Ah, yes”
Well, in Yu to be easier for her to buy the book than Sachiko-sama But she wondered if the book was still in stock inside the drawers under the shelf Apparently not, though
”We were supplied two hours ago, but they're all gone…?”
The e around his head, so they must have sold out extre home probably snapped them up like piranhas
(There's no helping it)
Yuhts She would have to stop by different book stores on her bus-ride home to find ”Forest of Thorns”
After paying at the cashi+er, Sachiko-saht toward the second floor, where the wickets were, without even glancing at the year-end super-bargain sho Of course she wondered about Rosa Gigantea, too, but Yu for the possibility of going shopping with her onee-sama
Well, it WAS after school, and they were still in uniforms, and Sachiko-sama probably barely had time to even stop by at the book store But still, they were sisters, but they never went out together, so she wished they could slon and enjoy soht that wasn't entirely being greedy
”… Yumi”
In front of the wickets, Sachiko-sama fixed Yumi's tie, as always, and then spoke in an unusually doubtful voice
”I wonder if we shouldn't”
”What?”
Because it was so abrupt, Yumi blinked, confused
”Shouldn't… what?”
She fearfully asked Sachiko-sa to say we shouldn't be sisters, was she?
”Read this”
”Huh?”
She was surprised, because ”this” was pointed toward the newly-purchased book that was settled into Sachiko-sa
Because
”But you bought it to read it, didn't you?”
”… That's true, but…”
Why was Sachiko-sa the last copy of the book in the store, that she'd gotten by even having her little sister give up on it?
”It feels like we're digging up Rosa Gigantea's past on the merits of simple curiosity”
”Ah”
”How do you feel?”
How…
(Onee-sa for my opinion-)
I don't think it would be any useful
Frantically resisting the urge to run away, she glanced up at Sachiko-sa Yumi's answer
”Umm, I think”
She reluctantly opened her nore her onee-sama's question
”assu that means what I would do…”
”Of course?”
Sachiko-saht black hair swayed
”I would read it”
”Why?”
”Because I like Rosa Gigantea”
”I like her, too But still”
Because she likes her, it wasn't right to uncover things, and her role was to protect Rosa Gigantea Yus painfully well
”Onee-saantea probably wasn't the author of 'Forest of Thorns'”
”Did I?”
”Yes Then I would want to read the novel right away and find proof that it isn't her”
”And what if it turned out to be definitively Rosa Gigantea?”
”Nothing…”
”Nothing?”
”If Rosa Gigantea were Suga Sei, I would probably respect her I raph”
When Yuhed
”Um… onee-sama?”
Did she say soain? But Sachiko-sa
”It's good, your attitude”
”You're right I should learn from you I should just read it, and think about it afterward”
”Um…”
She couldn't figure out what Sachiko-sa about There was no way that Sachiko-saraph froantea, of course
A bit of a su, but Sachiko-sa further If they lived closer together, like Yoshi+no-san and Rei-sama, it would be so much better Because then they'd be able to share more time
The book store she stopped by on the way home was a small family business that only received one copy of Cos distance away from the train station as well as the store's rather plain appearance, Yumi was able to safely obtain a copy of ”Forest of Thorns”