Volume 23 Chapter 1 (1/2)
The day of the closing ceremony for the second semester
At the Rose Mansion, the Yamayurikai member-centered Christmas Party was done The Bûche de Noël, made by shi+mako-san with Rei-sama's instruction, had been very delicious Other than the Rose fauests were still fresh, they were still fired up about the game competition that everyone had participated in and had enjoyed the silly bantering as well
If it were reality, as it ith an, ”Ah, it was interesting,” she soaked up those memories with all her heart, but alas the party's curtain had to draw closed
But…
What madness had happened at the very end that had thrown Yumi down into the abyss
Well… it's fine, it ly fell on her own
That other time, it was because of only one word that was directed at Touko-chan
”Yumi-chan, hat happened!? Eh, Sachiko too!?”
It was Rei-sama who had opened the front door and started off with a shout
”The heck, what is--”
Continuing, a rare sight came into the view of shi+mako-san's surprised eyes
”For the tio inside…”
”That's right Both of the a coat Since when, have they been like this?”
Yoshi+no-san said to Noriko-chan With a head that felt vacant, Yu one after the other While clear, they see a scene from a drama
And so it was
At dusk, the red rose soeurs, ere both e outside, were quickly ushered back into to the Rose Mansion by their friends who had become aware of the disturbance
”this way”
Noriko-chan placed cups filled arh the party's tidying up was almost finished, the tea looked to be properly prepared It was good that the pot's hot water hadn't been dumped out yet, Yoshi+no-san and shi+ with soft voices After that, Rei-sama was in the room Also Tsutako-san and Nana-chan still remained
”I' you worry”
Sachiko-saht, Yu her head She was unable to make the words come out at that moment Tears, that had started because of whatever and were just now stopped, were once again a flood wanting to flow and she didn't know if she could put and end to it -- it was fro
”The story isn't really such a big deal, you know”
Other than her reddened eyes and nose, Sachiko-sanified appearance as always and prefaced the matter before she explained the situation
”Yumi presented her rosary to Touko-chan”
Thereupon all present exclaimed, ”Eh!?” That was obviously not the reaction of those having heard a story that isn't really such a big deal
”Was refused”
This time the outcry didn't happen However, what had arrived was not silence, and neither 'suu'[1], nor 'huu'[2], it was a all of that overlapped together with a breathtaking sound that was difficult to represent
While not being babies or infants or such, rather because two high school girls shared a big cry, anyone would be expected to wonder if as experienced was an acceptable reason for this, however if one looks to hear, the reality in itself would leave one astonished
”It's just that”
After Sachiko-sas up, Noriko-chan murmured a small, ”it's a lie”
”Noriko Watch what you say”
shi+ly cautioned
”Ah, ies In no way did I mean to say that Rosa Chinensis-sama lied”
With Noriko-chan having apologized, Sachiko-sama smiled
”Of course I realize What is not believable, it that such a sentiree? However, surely this is the truth”
Truth Yuhtfully on that word
How is it that Touko-chan rejected the offered rosary? Even if that ”truth” were amended, she would not waver anymore
”In the end, her having been refused, h this way had neglected Yuht that talking is logical To that, there is also so that I want to ask of everyone”
”Ask?”
Yumi also included, everyone other than Sachiko-sama craned their necks
”So, please Regarding the matter of Yumi and Touko-chan, I want you to make sure to let it be for a little while”
”Make sure to let it be…?”
In representation for the group, Rei-sama asked in return
”Even though you have sympathy for Yumi, also don't condemn Touko-chan, and please watch over them from a normal distance Therefore, this is the problem of those two people involved”
”By not being co Touko-chan?”
”Of course, I will do so as well”
Sachiko-sahed
”If Sachiko, who is the elder sister, will do so, we have no reason to but in”
She laughed afterward and, looking at each of the group member's faces, she said, ”It's fine, isn't it?”
”Alright”
Said Yoshi+no-san and the white rose souers, and after that Tsutako-san and Nana-chan nodded their assent Though you couldn't be sure Tsutako-san, somehow or other, and Nana-chan, coht co to do with and couldn't talk about the story
”The person who rejected Yuladly withdraw from this person!”
Yoshi+no cried out Although her facial expression was angry, the corners of her eyes were glinting just a bit”Stop it,” Rei-saainst her cheek Only now to Sachiko-sareement, but only just a bit However, Yoshi+no-san couldn't abide without having said so
”Certainly”
shi+mako-san quietly said
”Yuht?”
Yuave a leaden nod
So it is
Because the matter wasn't completely resolved, ”Please watch over them,” is what Sachiko had said
The guard on patrol ca so as to return quickly, and after which finally all present stood up A few people alking in a gentle cluster through the ginko-lined avenue that had becoh somehow or other there was a sad atmosphere when it was tihing voices fro about
The reason wasn't because everyone had co been rejected by Touko-chan In regards to Yurandfather's funeral, grandfather's colleagues cauy, he hated when it was gloo at that ti It was because they ca, and cheerful athed
After all, Yuloomy At the time that hands were made to meet in front of the Maria statue, Yumi prayed about theNot wishi+ng that they could beco
Regarding herself, like this there are good companions by her side However, now Touko-chan was alone Soh there should be ive her such things as a greeting and a smile -- but now, because there weren't any nearby… Yet for Yu the warmth of her Onee-sama's hands That's probably why she couldn't help feeling that it was likely that Touko-chan was hurting much more than she was
A written invitation that had arrived, three days after that event In with a number of letters taken out from the house(probably like that to conceal to who it would be returned), on which the sender's naasawara Sachiko'
When she had seen such characters, she didn't feel like waiting until she returned to the room She took out the scissors from were they are stored above the shoe cupboard, and, nevertheless because it was onee-sa the seal so as to not cut the contents, Yu
It's like a few-days-late Christe placed inside a red western-style envelope, after gulping repeatedly, it was a si:
We are having a women only New Year's Party Co at noon Place: Ogasawara Sachiko's residence Things to bring: Sleeping wear, You are allowed to bring your own food and drink1 overnight, 2 days have been planned, arriving late/leaving early is ok
”A New Year's Party at Sachiko-sama's house…”
Having seeantia Satou Sei-saainst her will, and if she reht and two days
At the Ogasawara house for the two days at the beginning of each year, Sachiko-sarandfather and her father, Touru-sama, are away, and the servants also have off Because Sachiko-sama and Shachiko's mother, Sayako-sama, would probably be lonely by themselves, it was to intrude on thei-san, who had thought about it similarly, had come over ahead of us, was probably outside of Sei-sama's calculations Soer brother Yuuki being there
As for Sei-saraduated that she would often visit to play Therefore, if it were true, Yuo to visit on New Year's?” and she didn't know if it would it be good to talk to Sachiko-sama
But, lately, because there was a bit of a shocking
But Without getting forcibly taken by soo to Onee-sa such a pathetic little sister This time, I have been spoiled because of Sachiko-sa out her hand I must become more assertive
”Nevertheless”
The 'woh of relief cai-san isn't co on that day, and therefore Sachiko-sama intentionally made it known
”However, I wonder…”
This invitation -- just what's with the invitation's business-like content similar to that of a class reunion invitation If just Yuive her a call---?
While walking, she returned the letter to the envelope and during that ti roo at it, the phone sound chirped
”hello”
No way, she thought while picking up the telephone receiver to talk
”Ah, Yumi-san?”
”Ha?”
Of course, it wasn't fro But, this ”Yumi-san?” was from a frequently heard voice
”um, this is the fukazawa residence, isn't it?”
The person on the other side of the telephone receiver restated
”It is Should I call you shi+mazu-san?”
”Whaaat? For a ht it was your mom, and I was impatient”
Yep, it was Yoshi+no-san
”While talking on the phone a voice is always heard a bit different from usual”
Yoshi+no-san's ehter came from the phone afterward ”By the way,” she promptly entered to the main question at hand
”Did a letter from Sachiko-sama come?”
”Ah I see”
Yumi murmured
”What does 'I see' mean?”
”She sent invitations out to everyone; Sachiko-sama did”
Used the sa style was chosen At last she understood If there were not such consideration, a person would prefer hand-written letters
”Yu”
”Uh-huh Since it just arrived, I haven't asked h That's the plan”
”Well then, I'll go too”
”Really?”
With the long distance road race, is it ok? But before Yumi could ask, Yoshi+no spoke
”After going and spectating the marathon until Hakone for this year's New Year's, I no longer hunger to see a demon that seems to have already been defeated, you know Nah, say it was before defeating the deasawara's New Year's Party were equal, I don't know that I'd have chosen the New Year's Party, you know”
”What about Rei-sama?”
”Why wouldn't she be going?”
”Being a student preparing for entrance exams?”
”If you say that, didn't Sei-sao last time?”