Volume 26 Chapter 2 (1/2)

When she left the classroom at lunch time, Sachiko-onee-sama was out in the hallway

Touko didn't knohether she was just coincidentally passing by the first-years' area, or whether she was lying in wait Touko tilted her head down, part bow and part hanging her head in shame, and went to walk by when Sachiko-onee-sama said:

”Are you running away?”

(Running away?)

Touko stopped and turned around, wondering what Sachiko-onee-sa about

”The treasure hunt Are you participating? Or not?”

”I don't understand what you're saying Whether or not I participate in the treasure hunt is no concern of yours, Rosa Chinensis But even if I don't participate, I don't think you could call that running away”

Talking to Sachiko-onee-saht that she'd been wrong to look down upon the Red Rose sœurs She'd even apologized for it But these were two separate matters

”I suppose”

Sachiko-onee-sama muttered

”Although it seems consistent to me”

”Consistent?”

”How you're always running away from Yumi”

Touko wanted to retort with so, but she couldn't find the words If she rereement Nonetheless, she couldn't even come up with a hackneyed excuse

”Are you afraid of facing Yumi?”

”Huh?”

”It's frightening I'm afraid too”

The words co from Sachiko-onee-sama's mouth were completely unexpected

”Because she's so honest I' with her is an assault on your weaknesses Like they're reflected in a perfectly clear mirror I don't want to lookdon't want to admit to them”

She looked down, then abruptly s that expression, Touko instinctively asked:

”So then why are you still with her?”