Volume 27 Chapter 1 (1/2)
The alarm on Mami-san's wristwatch noisily sounded
Game over
Time was up for the treasure hunt
The participants had already started to asseh they couldn't hear Mami-san's alarm, they'd come because they could each tell the time with their oatches
4:40pm
The individually tiny voices and laughter joined together and knocked on the outside of the roo upon the shore
Everyone aiting for the results to be announced
However
Here, in the room on the second floor of the Rose Mansion, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop
The events that had taken place during the last few moments had been so hectic that it took a while for comprehension to catch up
Either that, or everyone's led to think of how to control a situation that was as chaotic as so toys everywhere
Let's sort out what happened
First off, at 4:35p waited until the time was ripe, ordered the hider of the red card, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton (fukuzawa Yumi), to, ”Stand up”
Just as Yu up, Matsudaira Touko-chan, who until that moment hadn't set foot in the Rose Mansion at all that day, burst into the roo for all the world like a person possessed
”Yumi-sama, won't you take me as your petit soeur?”
All the students around them had been surprised, but theaddressed herself It's said you can never really know another person, but Yumi had asked Touko-chan to be her soeur previously, and been refused On top of that, she'd been attacked by Touko-chan once more the previous week, albeit as part of a completely incomprehensible conversation, and the subsequent cold shoulder had not really garnered her any sympathy
So had obviously arisen between the, and then a wait for the blood that had obviously gone rushi+ng to Touko-chan's head to recede so that thecould be sorted out and the tie between the students decided to settle themselves
And yet, Touko-chan had co in front of Yu had happened
It seeh that surprise would reach Yumi's face before happiness or any other emotion
Then, without thinking, she stood up That hen the red card ed between the chair cushi+on and Yumi's backside, it arm from her body heat
”Ah”
And that hen the alarm went off on the wristwatch worn by the head of the newspaper club, Yauchi Mami-san
Well, what to do now
Somebody, take control Of this situation
There was somewhere between twenty and thirty (no ti their breath
At that point
”It's 4:40pm The treasure hunt has ended, so would all the participants please assemble in the courtyard I repeat - ”
The voice came from the school's PA system
”Ha”
Hideht everyone back to reality Hidemi-chan had been scheduled toroom in place of her onee-sama Mami-san, who couldn't move from the event's headquarters, that is, the Rose Mansion Of course, her watch was synchronized with Mami-san's The approximately ten seconds delay was probably due to confusion about how to use the equip room
”This is no good We have to get out there”
Mami-san called out In other words, ould happen if the promoters were late? She still had the i the results ahead of her
”Everyone, to the courtyard, quickly”
Having calmed down, the other students heeded these words and broke for the biscuit door Rosa Gigantea en Bouton (Nijou Noriko-chan) as today playing the role of assistant, dashed out carrying three baskets full of bite-sized chocolates that were prizes for participation
Things ency evacuation
However
”One moment”
Sachiko-sama called Mami-san to a halt
”There's just one thing I want to confirm What do you plan to do about the red card?”
”Ah…”
Yoshi+no-san's yellow card had been found by Tanuma Chisato-san shi+mako-san's white card hadn't yet been claist the absentee entrants
However, what of the red card?
It was only just within the time limit, but the red card had made an appearance However, while it had ”made an appearance” there had been no specific person that had come forth, card in hand, and said, ”I've found it” In truth, the red card was even now still atop the cushi+on, although it had probably cooled down slightly
”Well … ”
Mami-san started to speak, but then closed her mouth
If multiple people found the card at the same time, the winner was supposed to be impartially decided by rock-paper-scissors But did that ranted to all participants in the room, with the exception of Chisato-san But then there were those ere at point-blank range, and those ere further away and only found out about the card later, and various levels in-between, so it couldn't just be decided by calling everyone together and having them all play rock-paper-scissors
If, just after 4:35pm, Yumi had stood up when Sachiko-sama had asked her to, then the red card would unquestionably belong to Sachiko-sama But, with the arrival of Touko-chan, the situation became more complicated
”It's Touko-chan's, right?”
Sachiko-sama said
”Uh”
Upon hearing these unexpected words, everyone caught their breath simultaneously Sachiko-sama hadn't stopped Mami-san to press her own claim
”But, even if you say that Rosa Chinensis”
”It's true that I asked Yu, she remained seated It was Touko-chan that made her stand up”
The participants who had been entertaining a slight hope despondently filed towards the door Soer case than they had just renounced her claim With that, there was no way it would be overturned
”Yumi-san”
Ma confirmation that this was acceptable
Yumi nodded
Just like Sachiko-sa out of her chair, but she had still re Touko-chan's words that had caused her to stand up
If it had been someone other than Touko-chan, Yumi probably would have accepted But it was Touko-chan, so nothing more complicated needed to be considered
”Then hand the red card to Matsudaira Touko-san We'll handle the formalities later”
Mami-san spoke quickly, as she made a dash for the biscuit door
”Okay, everyone out”
In accordance with that order, everyone quickly left the roo rush-hour Yu that flow
She could see both Touko-chan and Sachiko-sama, but they were too far away that she couldn't reach out to either of them
”Testing, one, two”
Ma in such a hurry, Mami-san strode purposefully into the courtyard with her deed at precisely the appointed ti according to schedule,” as she stood in front of the participants The slight hoarseness in her voice just added to the charm
”This is the deadline for anyone who has found a card to come forward”
The three future Roses, that is Yumi, Yoshi+no-san, and shi+mako-san, stood beside Mami-san The members of the newspaper club, who had been scattered around the school during the treasure hunt, had also resumed their positions in the courtyard Only Hide room to make the earlier announcement, was nowhere to be seen
”In that case, I shall announce the results”
When Ma students stopped their conversations and looked towards the front
”This year, two of the treasures, the bouton's cards, were found”
This caused a bit of a stir Those who already knew this result and those ere hearing it for the first time listened carefully to what came next The red flush that was visible across their faces probably couldn't be explained solely by the setting sun
Of the three, tere found - which meant that one was still undiscovered That kind of result probably gave rise to agitation within the primary participants
”Would those people whose name I call please step forward”
Losing out to the surrounding tuaphone
”The first card found was the yellow card It was claimed by Tanuma Chisato-san, from the second-year chrysanthemum class”
Both applause and gasps of surprise came from the crowd That was understandable Chisato-san had claimed the yellow card last year, and followed it up with a repeat performance this year So this was the second consecutive year she'd achieved this remarkable feat
Frost those excited voices Chisato-san cal she was e
”Good grief”
Yoshi+no-san shook her head, as she too moved In the event that a card was found, the hider of the card would stand next to the victor That had been arranged and agreed to beforehand
”Congratulations”
”Thank-you”
The interview began
”I'll start by asking how you're feeling about being the first person to find a card”
”I'm really happy”
The interview proceeded at a surprisingly brisk pace, because at soaphone had been swapped for a microphone Since Hide away froaphone under her arms, the obvious inference was that she'd borrowed the ht it with her - What a commendable petit soeur
”And where did you find the yellow card?”
”On the exterior wall of the staff room”
As expected, there was a stir fro The explanation that was given earlier in the room on the second floor of the Rose Mansion would have to be repeated
”The exterior wall of the staff room? Is that correct, Rosa Foetida en Bouton?”
Of course, Mami-san had anticipated this reaction from the crowd and calmly continued the interview
”Yes That is correct”
Yoshi+no-san agreed
”But I can hear a nu that the staff room was out of bounds”
Then, Yoshi+no-san and Chisato-san both looked immensely self-satisfied as they simultaneously said:
”The inside was”
Neither of the pair said anythingbroadly In the end, it fell to Mas once more
”If you look at the iven, I think you'll all understand - ”
Much thanks for all your hard work
Mami-san then asked Chisato-san if she had any final state the mic over to her
”If this treasure hunt event is held next year, naturally I'll be ai When that happens, club president, I'd like enerations know of my deeds”
High-school was three years So, short of repeating a grade, a record of three consecutive victories could never be broken Of course, this year the middle-school students had been allowed to enter in the form of the ”absentee's chance draw,” but that should probably be viewed as a special case since it didn't involve actually walking the grounds and searching for yourself
”It's a deal”
Ma and applause In reality, aof three consecutive victories was unlikely to happen, but everyone present was all fired up
”Okay,on to the red card, which was found only moments before time was up”
Silence fell over the courtyard
”After consultation, Matsudaira Touko-san, from the first-year Camellia class, was declared the winner”
At that instant
The ground shook as though there were an earthquake Unheralded, thunder rang out A sudden gust of wind rocked the school walls - Of course, none of those things actually happened, but they're good metaphors for the roar of voices that reverberated around the courtyard
The sound of all different voices clashi+ng together made a noise that was hard to believe could come from humans Those few ry roars, shrieks, and applause - to name just a few At any rate, they all undoubtedly conveyed 'surprise'
”Over here, please, Matsudaira-san”
Fro completely unaffected by the reaction, and took the final few steps to stand beside Mami-san
On reflection, it was good that both Chisato-san and Touko-chan had made their way to the Rose Mansion before the time limit was up As a result, when they went downstairs they were towards the front of the crowd (ie standing near the entrance to the Rose Mansion), so they weren't expected to push their way through the crowd
”You too, Yumi-san”
When shi+mako-san pointed this out, Yuo and stand next to Touko-chan
Standing next to Touko-chan
Everything had been in such a state of confusion since Mami-san's alarm went off that Yumi hadn't had time to become conscious of it However, Touko-chan had indeed said those words
(Yumi-sama, won't you take me as your petit soeur?)
Just reh to make her heart race Yuh she herself was the one who had found the treasure
”Congratulations”
”Thank-you”
The interview co by There was still a little bit of noise around, but everyone gave Touko-chan their attention because they all wanted to hear the full story from the finder of the red card
”So tell me, where did you find the red card?”
”On the second floor of the Rose Mansion”
Touko-chan answered Whereupon Maht face:
”Could you provide us with some more details?”
Touko-chan glanced at Yuh to ask, ”Is that okay?” Of course, Yu, it had always been her intention to tell the specifics of the location
”On a chair Rosa Chinensis en Bouton had been sitting atop the card”
The moment Touko-chan said this, the courtyard burst into uproarious laughter
”Is that correct, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton?”
”Er, ah, yeah”
Yureed to Mami-san's request for confirmation She hadn't considered that this would be hter Touko-chan had probably anticipated this, and that's why she'd initially responded with, ”On the second floor of the Rose Mansion”
Probably thinking that this explanation was unsatisfactory, Mami-san added her own commentary
”I the start, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton sat on that chair, the card pressed against her butt, for the entire hour But it wasn't brute force - she'd assured us that she would stand up if anyone asked her to do so Five minutes before the end, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton's onee-sama, Rosa Chinensis, asked her to stand up, and she started to do so, but was ain Immediately afterward, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton was startled into standing up by the force hich Matsudaira Touko-san entered into the room As I'm sure all the participants that were there to witness the events would testify Rosa Chinensis accepted this situation, and Rosa Chinensis en Bouton gave it her seal of approval And with that, Matsudaira Touko-san was acknowledged as the winner”
After Mami-san had said that one back into the Rose Mansion at so out of the entrance carrying a bundle of docu into her ear Mareement, and said:
”Since we didn't have time earlier, I'll take the opportunity now”
Grinning, she turned to Touko-chan
”Matsudaira Touko-san, sorry to bother you, but may I see your student card?”
”Okay”
Touko-chan put her hand into her pocket and produced her student ID card Mami-san took the card and coht This was just a precaution - surely she'd registered properly
It must have only taken about five seconds, but Yurew
Mami-san nodded
”This is indeed her entry fornized as the holder of the red card”
A hs could be heard fro the outcome
”Now, just a reminder that in the unlikely event that two ”absentee's chance” entrants both picked the correct location, those entries would not be honored”
In other words, if the prize was over-subscribed, it would not be awarded
”Which brings me to the white card, which sadly went undiscovered Prelile entrant picked the correct location, winning the white card and the special prize of a half-day date The name of the winner, and the location of the white card, will be published in the Valentine's Day special edition of the Lillian Kawaraban We'll also have speculation about the dates, so we hope you'll look forward to it!”
The response to Maood PR for the school newspaper was an abundance of cries of dissatisfaction Understandable, really The special edition wasn't going to come out today, and if it were to include speculation about the dates then it probably wouldn't be out for at least a week Waiting that long would be hard for even the best trained dog
But, now that she'd said that, there was no going back Ma the words out her mouth
”And on that note, the ”Future Roses Treasure Hunt” Valentine's Day event comes to an end I'd like to thank everyone that was involved in the event The future Roses will be handing out chocolates to all the participants, so please take one on your way out”
Yumi took one of the baskets that Noriko-chan had prepared and hurried to the edge of the courtyard Similarly, Yoshi+no-san stationed herself near the entrance to the school buildings, and shi+ the path that led towards the rear of the courtyard, so that the students would be enticed to disperse
”Thanks for participating, please take one”
Inside the basket were merely bite-sized chocolates, but the participants received theh they were the treasure
”Thanks for your hard work”
”It was fun”