Volume 20 Chapter 3 (1/2)
The electric kettle histling and stea away ”Cup check Spoon check The black tea is still in there” It was Saturday One forty-five in the afternoon to be exact In the Rose Mansion, Yu off the needed accouterer What looked to be a reception was co woven handbag-looking things
”These scones have arrived from the Confectionery Society”
”Whaa” Hot and fresh The still stea was a face Delicious! Delicious!
”If Mami-san explains them, you'll understand That said, I have to return” Yoshi+no-san thus reported She hastily scrawled a naer,” which was her way of agreeing
”But, why scones?” While it eet and nice s, Yumi had to ask
”If one's talking about a tea party, the first thing that co about afternoon tea, it should be black tea and scones”
”One two three” the count was enumerated by Mami-san ”Given the number of people, we should have plenty,” was mumbled
”Except Can we really accept this?” Although a provision of scones had arrived, until now she hadn't heard a single thing about them
”It's okay It's okay Because the distinction is: 'support'”
”Support? It's a probles beforehand”
Yoshi+no-san crossed her arms in front of her breast and then spoke ”The Confectionery Society said that they had wanted to keep this a secret If they turn out to be well-prepared we should dig in It seems they don't have much confidence”
Comparatively they were baked well, but just to be sure Ma and with her hand broke it into a trisection (although the room was not limited to three occupants) This size could only be called a ”taste” Yumi and Yoshi+no each tossed a corner into their mouths
”I'sh good!” Munch, ant and not too sweet taste It seemed to be suitable for black tea
”So? Do you still want to complain? Obviously, it's not easy to think of this as a free gift but” Although Yu ive her an explanation for the scones Because one piece had already been issued and approved, she probably would be staying now
”Since it's the Yamayurikai, it won't be bothersome I promised to only take pictures of the scones to be placed on a staff-recruiting ad for the Lillian Kawaraban”
”A shrewd business person”
”One hand washes the other”
Maistrate in an historical play taking a bribe ”We won't be setting up the shot until we put a plate of scones out”
Because there were many visitors today, the amount of cups, spoons, etc housed in the Rose Mansion was insufficient They subsequently borrowed some from the Home Economics room For now, they would borrow to supplement what they had since there wasn't time
”Isn't it okay if we just put out this basket?”
”I guess so” Thus, the woven basket of scones was arranged in the center of the table Having done this, the room's preparations were couests
Desks and chairs from the school baseh it was unusually tight--no, to be frank it had become considerably craht Ian to partake of one cup of tea each Although they were drawing close to the appointed hour, if there was any free tiht if they went to the first floor room? Because the weather was favorable, they asked each other o out into the courtyard?
”Come to think of it, is Tsutako-san downstairs? I want to take a photo of the scones before it's too late,” Mami-san inquired With one hand, Yoshi+no-san poked the bread
”Oh yeah, that's right Tsutako-san, Tsutako-san! That Tsutako-san, who a raphing the tea party; of course, she doesn't hear”
When the scones froarnered all the attention Although, Yoshi+no-san was going up to the second floor, Tsutako-san's purpose was to convey the e to the two people ere there After they went to the second floor, they brought in the scones is all that had actually happened
”Why are you hesitating?”
When the plan for the tea party was announced, Tsutako-san and her tripod were dispatched, and two ”okay”'s were given Even this , when they attended the exact same class, of the three people present no one witnessed an ounce of hesitation on her part Then, letting all this ti so far as to come to the Rose Mansion, to sient business she was forced to run off to
”She was saying so like, 'The place where the participants will enter and exit, if I et a snapshot After the tea party ends, we'll arrange for the participants to hold a group photo, and then I'll capture a proper photo'”
”Then, if the conditions are bad or there is some other crisis, there'll be no proble, ”I've had a change of heart”
”Tsutako-san was saying, if there's an outsider playing caraphed and probably won't be able to relax See, even with an i halls are not depicted It seems to be the same case here”
”Yeah I have a hunch that is a terribly perfect reason for her disappearance” Therefore, she e fetish But still, Yumi was not easily convinced Isn't Tsutako-san an obedient spirit?
”Since we'll be standing by in the club house during the tea party, if so happens, please call out I don't want to have to tell you that, but is that all right?”
”Thather back, can I? But that's fine After all, I did bring the scones During the tea party if there's a request for it, despite being incompetent, I can become the cameraman” Mami-san took a miniature camera out of her pocket and took pictures of the scones She took photos froain and again Because she was afraid itreat frequency The Confectionery Society is the saether confident in their skills
”Mauests soon” The newspaper club underclass by on the first floor, and was now in the room on the second floor made a face
”Ah! That's right The nas” Ma done so, she left only two in the pile Mami-san then stuck the remainder in a box, which was handed to the newspaper club rookie
Fros, Yus and attached them to their chests ”Second-Year Pine Group fukuzawa Yumi” ”Second-Year Pine Group shi+mazu Yoshi+no” As for those in attendance, an invitee would also stick a na to her chest
”Well, then”
The newspaper club rookie confirs and left the room Mami-san called her to a halt with, ”Wait a second” Her junior club ht ”What now?”
”The extra cups that we've borrowed”
”Yes”
”We have the cups and we have the scones, and we have the blank nas…”
”What's your point?” While she was questioning, Maic marker and furiously wrote a na Tsutako-san had h we're collecting data for the newspaper article, we're not Yamayurikai staff If we continue to just wander around in the Rose Mansion, I think it will be a distraction So”
”Second-Year Pine Group Ya in her hand and read out the characters' pronunciation
”That's right We also have the qualifications to participate”
”US?!” The underclass and held it up so they could see Obviously, a cheek was pulled out in chagrin Why was her name written there? The rookie underclass, Yumi learned her name for the first time
In front of the Rose Mansion entryway, there were already guests asseure was reflected That form was projected onto the inside floor of the Rose Mansion The appearance was accepted but Noriko wanted to knoas there
If one was to check a clock, after another five minutes it would be 2PM The commence with an exact greeting
”It's almost time” shi+mako-san muttered
”What should we do, I'm a little nervous”
”Noriko, how is it that you are nervous?” She realized such restlessness cannot be easily calmed
”But, our future coht be here”
”That's true But for us, all we can do is help Yumi-san and Yoshi+no-san, if only just a little” Creeeak Creeeak That kind of sound was heard co down the stairs When one turns to face it, until a little while ago the scene above us could have been seen Hidemi-san had returned
”You brought the nas” This was the Confectionery Society's es tossed inside They took them out one by one and placed them on the desk The students lined up silently, by order of school year Hidemi-san somehow had see on the second floor had inconvenienced her? It was at that tiet worried
Soht Noriko's eye ”Hi Hide at Hidemi-san's chest, Noriko cried out She need not have so deliberately pointed it out Hide on Cos that would be distributed to the invited guests, there was hardly even the tiniest difference On closer inspection of the naether on white cardboard with a black ic marker, ”First-year Peach Group, Takachi Hidemi” had been written
”Yes” Hideed Reluctantly, Ma the tea party One could make a case that she had snuck in to collect data for the newspaper club But if you thought about it, that wasn't necessarily true
Recently she had been persuaded
”Huh? Hidemi-san, isn't it a rule that you can't participate?” shi+ she fervently disagreed with the state of affairs by way of hera face
”It's not like that” It was not like such a rule actually existed It was fifteen minutes before the commencement-if the tea party attendants were made to wait, it was natural they would be bewildered
”That's a problem” shi+mako-san voiced her earnest sy up to the second floor, Hidemi-san's re like ”reluctance” was given as a response Hidemi-san herself had already consented
”Perhaps she'll ement Because of this, for shi+mako to consider herself a wonderful Onee-saue
”An ideal candidate she says” sheher
”Because such circumstances have arisen, it won't be possible to be away fro the tea party” When they had planned the party Mareed to co the tea party, such help will be curtailed, is what shi+ht
”It's okay, right? If so like office work or routine duties, don't worry about it Please allow us to take your place greeting people” At shi+mako-san's words, Hidemi-san offered no resistance ”Okay,” was her only initial response
”Well then, at two o'clock, please begin the reception I will humbly meet with Yumi-sama or Yoshi+no-sama, at two”
”I accept”
”To quote Mami-san, 'Your job will be to receive the written invitations and student notebooks After confir' So that's it, and thanks again”
With her head lightly hung, she staggered up the stairs Given such a knack for ”infiltration for the purpose of newspaper reporting” it was difficult to judge whether or not she would be successful Nevertheless, it orrisome
At any rate, when two o'clock eventually arrived, Noriko opened the entryway door and invited in the guests ”Sorry it took so long Please couests responded with, ”Good day”
”Although it's lengthy, please cole file line for reception” While shi+ traffic in front of the desk, Noriko was counting off ”1 2 3” In all, twenty-five people had entered the Rose Mansion As there were neither late arrivals nor absentees, the door was closed for thewas quite wonderful
After school on Wednesday when the audition application process was closed, the final number of applicants was fifteen from the first-year, combined with ten from the second-year Because at first they'd planned to have no more than twenty from each, all of the written invitations could be delivered Was the difference in the number of applicants from the first- and second-years probably due to the fact that, since they were only shooting for two Boutons, the first-years felt they were more committed to the outcome? Or did it have to do with how many days remained in your campus life for a first-year versus a second-year? In either case, if one were to divide the first-years and second-years up in a folk dance because they could only dance with an opposing grade, even if the number isn't equal they won't care
They had noticed when preparing the actual roo it work as soood They were thinking that sort of thing while carrying in the desks However, when you thought about it, it wasn't h Touko had been able to apply and participate, regrettably, Noriko felt her absence keenly In the end, Touko had not applied
”Once a person has finished at reception, please advance in line, and climb the stairs to the second floor” No mistake, it was plainly stated as the foundation of fundaroup didn't swarm the entrance They received written invitations and student notebooks, confirs It was a si boredom
They finished receiving the second-years and they'd begun to anize the first-years, Noriko who'd entered Lillian at the high school level, and since the classes were mostly separate, there were students she didn't know
”Good day Welcome to the Rose Mansion”
”Good day, Noriko-san Thank you for your hard work” Even though she didn't herself know this or that person, the other party certainly knew her Since beco happened frequently
”Thank you, it see” Before, Noriko had thought it bothersoes When she spoke, because she was Rosa Gigantea's little sister, she wasn't seen as anything but that Because shi+mako-san was in the Yamayurikai, such is where the relationshi+p had been born In other words, shi+ relationshi+p She thought it was important
The last girl to coth hair” First-year, Chrysantheirl but on closer inspection she thought, ”Ah, how cute”
Since Yoshi+no-saht appear, she thought As usual she would be cute, and as such refined with a tender facial expression, either way sheto find
For Shouko-san, being in Rose Mansion was a rare treat She snaked about and investigated the vicinity Since she was curiously investigating everything, she had ended up being last
”Here's your na”
”Oh, thanks” Shouko-san temporarily stuck it to the chest of her unifor at the desk, Shouko-san asked, ”Other than the tea party attendees, who else is here?”
”Co the written invitations, Noriko twisted her neck around What was it the girl had asked? ”U tea”
Thereupon, the nearby shi+ replied ”With the exception of the attendees, only those tho are holding the tea party Noriko and I are doing this for the two journalists in the Newspaper club, because they are also attending the tea party I don't think it's anything to dwell on”
”The newspaper club And”
”And? If perhaps you mean Rosa Chinensis or Rosa Foetida, they will not be attending today” Noriko anticipated the answer With the exception of those two, the ”And” she was referring to was not hit upon But, Naitou Shouko-san had indicated an ”and” so it ht possibly have been someone other than the Roses
”No, umm” Shouko-san looked down and hesitated Afterwards, ”I see,” was spoken and voluntarily the conversation was ended
”Shouko-san?” There was probably so that, Shouko-san looked up with a shed
”I'et upstairs, I've ure of the person with the naturally curly hair disappeared up the stairs Noriko silently watched the back of the figure take her leave She tapped on shi+mako's shoulder
”Well, if it was so important, I'm sure she'll state it properly later”
”I think so”
”Yes Well, let's go up stairs as well” ”It's all right” was the thought that was nodded with a smile Noriko also cliun
”We thank you for co today
For this h we're the one's that want sisters, we don't have any relation to the people rote them for us 'Let us provide a place to h an hour and a half is indeed a short tiiven plenty of time to make close friends in school But for those people who do not get the opportunity, ould like to receive you for the chance to deepen their friendshi+ps”
While giving this ridiculous greeting Yoshi+no thought, ”How uests can we expect to keep with such a serious, for?” , to deepen any friendshi+ps?
Look, that second-year student is checking out the face and nairl whose eyes resemble plates
Anyway, the guests entered the roo one cup of tea, they made self-introductions When there was free tied to move their chairs At that point, the students were asked if could they take their seats They're probably thinking this is the key that divides victory from defeat, because everyone moved frantically
It was 1:16PM
As the nuht about it, realistically a second-year student had the advantage and it beco like a market But it isn't that si for one second-year Therefore, even though it was only 1:16PM, they had some time to find a suitable partner, it seemed
Look, that first-year student Plainly, she had eyes only for Yu each other, she could only be seen for two seconds here, and five second there It would be thought considerate to approach this person
”That is all This tea party is going to set a good precedent” Even though the guests were restless, Yoshi+no brought it to a close in a suitable place No one liked a long speech Her head bowed to the light applause and Yoshi+no took her seat During the greeting, shi+mako-san and Noriko-chan concluded the tea preparations, the purpose of which was for Yumi-san and herself to distribute
”Ueted A first-year student was beginning to approach and lifted her hand to help
”I appreciate it truly, but I can e”
”Please sit down everyone” Because one person dashed out, suddenly ”Me too!” ”Me too!” was heard and everyone jumped up from their seats This was only a narrow asseed on the saht about it briefly, it was understandable Finally people settled into their seats
For practical purposes, Yoshi+no carried up the tray She poured out five cups of black tea That's serious! When it started it looked like a great ration of Water Buffalo, she watched in awe and her hand almost slipped instinctively
”Here, please don't get up” Was this an announceht have quipped ? Still, this attes were conveyed Most first-years started to stand up, only one girl remained seated calmly and their eyes met
Sed se but she was flattered and liked it Because of that, it didn't come across as unsociable In Yoshi+no's case, because the idea coh there were hands saying, ”I'll help,” it's still attractive She wanted to doubt that this was so points”
Nevertheless, even though the plan at first had been for an elegant tea party fro like a slapstick cooing well
While the tea brewed, the self-introductions began Suddenly a ”leadoff batter” in the guest's introduction ball game was needed, and because it was an aard situation, Yuanizer's side
”I'roup I have no favorite subjects in school, or any I'e points My Onee-saasawara Sachiko Umm the end”
What was that? Yoshi+no stared at her s best friend's usual hue points is not the way to sell yourself at all Moreover, giving your older sister's name everyone here knows her name
”I'roup I belong to the Kendo club Since there ht be first-years who aren't aware of it, I had an operation on e as a weak person My favorite writer is Ikena sports My wish is to have a little sister as soon as possible Since I haven't thought about it until now, by all means, someone who has free time announce your candidacy”
With this challenge, she didn't make it a ”command” like the character ”rei” (co Rei-chan's eyes, ready to refuse any caller at the gate, Yoshi+no faced it head on
”I'roup I serve as editor-in-chief for the Lillian Kawaraban We thank you for always reading with interest As you know the newspaper club has helped with this tea party froe If this tea party is successful in finding a cute little sister or two, it will only be an extra bonus and ill be lucky That it was possible to join this circle of friends, gives s Thank you for your consideration”
”I'roup Until this project ca an older sister But now because of the newspaper it see and I can't help it If I'm able to meet someone, I would like it to be someone ould help with reat understanding Therefore, having an older sister is really quite a boon”
As expected, because she wasn't able to say so like, ”I was reluctantly sucked into this” she chose her words carefully as she introduced herself But Once again, such an introduction did not sell herself at all Hidemi-san implicitly said, ”If you beco like throwing a ball to a base to check to a runner
They continued on with the general participants' self-introductions Since they weren't accusto in the Rose Mansion, it was like they were straining, or they wouldn't give the so crazy Only in their self-introductions did they feel safe There was scarcely a proht in Yoshi+no's net
Around that tiht hair stood up
”Naito Shouko, of the first-year Chrysantheirl Yoshi+no's body unconsciously leaned forward ”When I attended ed for the Yamayurikai Even if I'm only able to become acquaintances with them, I'm happy”
(During the time she attended middle school, her real elder sister had been betrayed by Torii Eriko-sae, and she's happy)
Yoshi+no thought to herself, half in jest But such thoughts are actually so about Naito Shouko she disliked She was a pleasant girl Perhaps Naito Katsu
”Hey” she touched Yu a different expression - she'd found Naito Shouko
”I found her” Yuh and muttered Yoshi+no was quite impatient I found her she had said But found what?
Perhaps she means she found a little sister
”Yumi-sama what kind of little sister do you hope to find? Someone friendly and cute like me? Or like Rosa Chinensis, who's beautiful and prideful?”
This was free time Free time was the time set aside to stand up fro shy Yet
”Uuess that's not really what I'” For a while now, Yumi had found herself stuck in her chair She was surrounded by three first-year students and was encountering a barrage of questions She had been cornered, as if in a Shougi-style pincer maneuver It had becoi piece[1] Having sat in a chair at the end of the room had been her fatal mistake
In truth, she had wanted to have a discussion with Naito Shouko-san, but such thoughts had been ground to dust with the intervention of these three Because they were doing her a courtesy she was happy, despite being blocked frooal Thus, she answered their questions one at a time It was impossible to simply say, ”Could you step aside and let me out?”
”When soeur meet for the first time, is there really an i the question was Aiko-chan When it had come time to prepare the tea, she had been the first to step forward
”Who can say I think each person feels differently about it” In shi+er sister's firstplace was under the cherry blossoms They each seeh in Yoshi+no-san's case, she had known Rei from the time she was born, so she wouldn't likely to have been very excited when they became sisters
”Then, how about in Yumi-sama's case? How did you feel when youeyes
”Because I had ad! But, in Onee-sas about it were indifferent”
”No way!” Nozoave a small outburst
”It's true But after a while I forgot about thatbehind Yuhed explosively at the same time
”What's this? Yuotten herself a hare by and was heard to tease ”I'roup?”
The first-years of course said, ”Oh, please do” and opened a path Yu, the more the merrier The three first-years had probably also felt that way Chigusa-chan stood up and gave up her chair Yoshi+no-san said ”it's okay” and slapped Yumi's hands with hers
”Time to switch”
”Huh?” Confused Yuainst her will and settled Yoshi+no-san into the seat As they were changing places, she heard whispered in her ear ”Yuirl, don't you?” That girl in glancing over her shoulder she saw that it was Naito Shouko
”Wow” she understood what she meant and was surprised
”Don't ht on such things,” hat she said Then finally she said, ”it'll work out fine”
”Yeah” Afterwards, she made up her mind with a nod and left the circle Yumi cocked her head Why did Yoshi+no-san say, ”it'll work out fine” and how did she knohat Yu? Yoshi+no-san is a person capable of telepathy after all, isn't she? However, the tone of voice that had said ”it'll work out fine” had been lowered, soback at Yoshi+no-san, the first-years who had been chasing Yuether in thanks in her mind Yumi called out to Shouko-chan
”Good day Are you having fun?”
”Yes” Ma at Shouko-chan's side, was just departing Yumi took the seat that had just been vacated
”Naito Shouko-san There's been soossip that you're Naito Katsumi's real little sister, but” was it true? When she heard this, the girl caement
”It's not that I was hiding that fact But given that raduated And besides, even if I were to say that, wouldn't it work against me? It probably wouldn't open any doors for me, would it?”
”Why not?”
”Because probably my older sister didn't leave the best impression on the persons of the Yamayurikai”
”I'm not sure” Yue of Katsumi-sama The omniscient Yoshi+no-san had been the one to haveof a squawk
”Since I've entered high school, I've been asked again and again about the time my older sister was enrolled here I don't really resemble her So why does the conversation naturally flow to that question? As a cram-study person, she held this kind of event in derision She seems to have seen Torii Eriko-sama as a rival” She was put-off by Torii Eriko-sama!
”But you and your sister are close, aren't you?”
”That's not so Since ere little, we've repelled each other”