Volume 12 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Part 1[edit]
Dropping her glance onto her clipped stack of copies, Rosa Cinensis Ogasawara Sachiko-sama coolly said
”I a”
”Pardon?”
”I said, I a about your inattentive replies?”
Even if you tellabout it And I cannot take back nohat I have blurted out of ot accusto the rather heavy title of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton, thought to herself
The Rose Mansion[1] had nothing like air-conditioners to refresh one's mind, so all the ere opened As a result, cicadas' dry cries attacked from all around like TV broadcasts
The rainy season had finally ended, and it had turned remarkably hot
The season was already mid summer
Sachiko-sahtly moistened by sweat drops like freshwater pearls
Leaving that aside
For the moment, what Yumi had to do was to ask to repeat onee-sama's unbelievable words that reached her ears just now I alected
”But, onee-sama, your promise”
Yumi reached out her body and pressed on with her words, and Sachiko-sah
”In no case a to breakto jump on me”
”Why shouldn't I?”
Yuhtly pouted lips She knew full well that she was really like a racing horse behind the starting line, with her heart anxiously crying aloud being quicker, quicker
The gate was the final tests Only if they are over, Yumi convinced herself as she drilled on her studies with all her strength, reached the final day today unscathed, and had her spirits all hyped up It was just natural to dash with all her power like a boar, towards so for so long -- Though the analogy somehow turned from a horse into a boar
”I have been waiting for so long Amusement park”
Exactly
Now the topic of discussion between the Red Rose sisters was about the suspended A the rainy season, the issue becaht between the sisters, but the rain had been lifted, and the sisters had reconciled Therefore Yuain However, Sachiko-sama didn't seem to think likewise
”I a that going right now seems a little”
”That is not true Onee-sa'”
”Stop picking words for oing right now,' and you have ht now'”
”Ruckus? Then you should choose your words with greater attention, onee-saainst my timid heart”
”Ohback like this!”
Sachiko-sama hit the stack of printouts onto the table Shocked by such force, Rosa Gigantea Toudou shi+ave a cute little cry
The Red Rose sisters' conversation was so exciting that everybody else's existence faded off In reality, however, all six of Yaathered in this conference-room-cum-salon, on the second floor of the Rose Mansion, the headquarters of Lillian Girls' Academy student council
It was the afternoon of the last day of final tests Froan the post-exam break, and everyone was su in the summer vacation
”Is it really a good idea to leave the two like that?”
In a low voice shi+mako asked the Yellow Rose sisters, who took no notice of the Red Rose sister's debate
”They are having a quarrel between close sisters, so we are not butting in” Rosa Foetida Hasekura Rei was pushi+ng the core of her automatic pencil, as she put check
”Even if we do not interfere--?”
Rosa Gigantea en Bouton Nijou Noriko raised the same question seriously
”Let thehts of intimacy, that's all”
Rosa Foetida en Bouton shi+ the same experience but more composure than Yumi as a petite soeur[3], said nonchalantly as she supported her chin with her knitted fingers
”Fights of intimacy?”
The White Rose sisters exchanged glances and cocked their heads The two h experience what it hts of inti transferred the rosary for less than a month
The problem was, Yumi has heard all of their talks
However, it was in fact fights of inti
When the strong bonding was confirs impossible when their emotions didn't quite reach each other Rather, Yu Before, Yumi could only watch unbelievably at Yoshi+no and Rei-saood to speak straight about her feelings, and it did her body no good to s back her words, Yumi decided to do exactly that
Even onee-sama's little retorts was enjoyable to listen to
”Anyway,”
Sachiko-saer and pulled her finger back
”Oh, seconds? Just a moment”
Yumi stood up and hurried to the electric pot Onee-sama had a couple of preferences about food, and cooled tea didn't suit her taste
”Great that you know”
”Well”
I am your petite soeur after all Sachiko-saot through
”See?” Yoshi+no said to shi+s or bacteria can withstand the shts”
”I see What a lesson!”
Hey, I heard everything! You other sisters, please stop teasing us
”Amusement parks are crowded in the summer vacation, aren't they?”
Sipping the freshly prepared red tea in satisfaction, Sachiko-sama said
”Yeah”
Yuue reply as she served the others with the warh
”The School Festival is co as well, you know”
”Argh”
Yumi was out of words as the unexpected School Festival excuse was pulled out
What is that? What is that? Sachiko-sa up small obstacles on the road towards the amusement park
”Above all, I feel most uncomfortable by the heat”
There it went, the attacks of a princess' self-indulgence
Pulling this excuse meant the end of conversation Then not only a date at a the summer vacation would have been ruled out
”Also, I go to the summerhouse at our summer resort every summer”
”For the whole time this one and a half months?”
”Not for the whole time This year, the plan is to be froust”
”Then, what about the latter half of August?”
Yu into consideration Sachiko-sao, she had refrained froh Yurandma believed in
”The latter half of the su for the School Festival back at school”
”What?”
”Haven't we mentioned it to you? This is Yamayurikai's custo in the summer vacation”
Rei-sae
”Therefore, the real vacation is only at the first half”
Hearing the high-pitched sound of ice cubes fro cups, Yumi drooped her head
What a tight schedule! Then, even if one was not uncomfortable of the heat, and the place was not crowded in the suo to amusement parks
”Then, the date in amusement park”
”Let's wait till winter”
”I guess”
Well, the result had been clear froh However, Yuht in front of her onee-sareeted her with face that said ”Great job”
”Well, the amusement park would not fly away even if you take it easy”
”But”
I would love to go out together in the summer Yumi mumbled in a low voice Yoshi+no tuned down her volume as she whispered
”Listen If you suggest soo in the summer, even Sachiko-sama cannot just dismiss it and say to wait till winter I did exactly this”
Yoshi+no advised, somehow like a demon's whisper In fact, Rei-sama turned back her head upon Yoshi+no's words, so the analogy was not off the mark
”You did exactly this? Where are you going, Yoshi+no?”
”He-he-he”
”He-he-he?”
”Cli Mt Fuji”
”What? Really?”
It was et interfered, but Yulance, gave a stare to the two, and restarted reading her printouts
But that would surprise just anyone It was clihest es, especially for a girl who could only watch from afar at any sports around this time last year
”It has beenIt is now ten ranted perht with me”
Rei-sa in the conversation, but inable Yoshi+no probably succeeded in convincing with threats, and high-handedly tore off pere
I dare say because I am a friend Yoshi+no is such a person
In contrast,post- free time, and stayed still beside the chair on which the beauty with fluffy curly hair sat on
”shi+mako-san”
”Oh!”
Noticing her friend who lifted her head while sticking herself onto the chair, shi+mako had ”since when are you here?” written all over her face as her eyes startled wide Ignoring that, Yu from her lips
”Hey, do you have any outing plans for the summer vacation?”
”I a churches and Buddha statue exhibitions with Noriko”
shi+lances with Noriko, and smiled
”Wonderful! This combination really suits you two”
Without thinking, Yu Lillian students, in that their relation started with Buddhism
”What about you?”
”Let randrandma said she would come visit us, so I have no idea”
How boring that I a, Yumi felt envious to the others Every pair of sisters had soether
--Just at that moment, Sachiko-sama called Yumi's name unexpectedly
”Yumi”
”Y-Yes”
Is she showing a dissatisfied expression? Yumi hurriedly stood up and turned back as she replied ”Say it if you have any problems” If Sachiko-sa could be done when she said so, she would say it If doing anything would not less
However Sachiko-sama didn't say as Yumi expected Instead, a phrase without a subject reached Yumi's ears
”Co?”
”Pardon?”
Co? It is the present continuous tense of the verb ”come”
Oh, it's after the tests, so forget about it
The proble to ”where” ?
What if the o Sachiko-sama herself? In that case the destination would the most appropriately be ”here” or ”school” You know, it is not co to Paris” ”Here” is most commonly used to specify the current location Here is not Paris, so it should be ”going to Paris”
But what is the point of saying ”I a to school (here)” ?
Sachiko-sama's expression is in the tone of a question Then, the subject should actually be ”you” or ”Yu” ? Using the verb ”co” means the destination must be somewhere Sachiko-sama would be at--
Seeing the question ed her wordings for one more time in amusement
”W, Wha, Wha, Whaaaat?”
Upon hearing that, Yumi's heart nearly fell out
Unable to decide where to place her startleht, and gave theht like a car's wiper
Onee-sainations, that's why
Exactly
Why not come visit our summerhouse? Sachiko-sama had said
Part 2[edit]
The family shared the same surprise
”Suasawara's?”
Dad, in the position of opening thecan lid, opened his eyes wide Mom was frozen with a small teapot in her hands The ti at the sofa
”What shall we do? Yumi still doesn't have a passport! If it is the last week of July, it is very close Can we make it?”
Looking her ht, this person is definitely the one who gave birth to , but Yumi had said almost the same line immediately after she accepted Sachiko-sama's invitation
”Yes, it takes teeks right? RIGHT?”
However, it was a good idea not to tell during dinner Froinable that one of the parents would have been choked by arushed to the hospital by an ambulance
”I said it is inside japan”
The summerhouse which Sachiko-sama paid a visit every summer was on a plateau summer resort one hour and a half away from Tokyo by bullet train
”Inside japan Yes, it should be within japan norrew nueous feel of the word 'suasawara's!”
Mohed as she pinched her cheek
But it was understandable to think first it is overseas Yuhter of the one and only Ogasawara Group in the world, and the fae to hold a castle in every part of the world For exainations, since Yumi has never been to any one of the places
”But the Ogasawara faht? With such close relatives by the side, will you be a bother?”
”Sachiko-sarandpa both have a co Obon vacation Her mother will join them at that time as well”
Sachiko-sama, who had to return to school in the latter half of summer vacation, was the odd one to stay in the su that Yumi would feel more at ease this way, Sachiko-sama extended the invitation
”Please~ Can I go?”
Yu since the last ti
”What do you think? I have no reason to object it--”
Dad's lips pouted a little as he looked at Mom
”I guess so But it would be iasawara couple”
”To the Ogasawara couple?”
Well, it was a little different froroup project, so itruckus Or rather, Yumi's mother was one of those polite people that telephone the host faht to herself
”Mo to phone Sachiko-saet convinced?”
”ExactlyBut how exciting! Just likethe in-laws for the first time”
”Oh come on”
Was this kind of reaction from an Old Girl fro under the sa pattern
”Well, why not soh-class delicacies? But no, the other side s Maybe soht make the like accoht not be pleased, though But that doesn't ift certificates, does it? In fact, we have no idea how much it takes to stay in that place for one day anyway”
The panicked mos” for help, but there is no way an iteo to visit the summer-house of her (extremely rich) Onee-sama” would be recorded in such a book
But a mother has a mother's special concerns Her eyes turned bloodshot as they stared straight at the book index
This most probably started in the Traditional New Year this year, when Yuasawara's place That time, Yumi was lured out by Sei-sama in a surprise attack, and had had no idea that the venue was Sachiko-sama's place To heronly that she was on a night camp
Didn't a sht with her do just fine? Yurets, because she failed to give soht at her Onee-sama's place By the way, her shock doubled when she learnt her son had also stayed a night, though he had no relations with the Ogasawaras
As Mom waited for her second chance, Yurand with her at that time On their way home, Yumi asked for Youko-sama's advice, but Youko-sama said, ”It is a secret burial, and that side of the faift of consolation” In the end, therefore, Yus like that
That is why Mom now insisted that ”This is the time” Nevertheless, as Youko-sama had said, Sachiko-sama and her mother Sayako-obasama never minded such formalities
”Yureat fa into a family of rank! Itthe in-laws! So please, Yuet married”
Moan to babble things that made no sense
”All right, leave it like this and go to bed for now”
In the end, Dad couldn't bear to see it anymore, and took Mom up to the bed room a little earlier than the usual bedtime A ”husband stop” instead of a ”doctor stop”
”What a fuss!”
Her brother Yuki sat with his legs crossed on the sofa He was so quiet that his existence had been forgotten, but he had always been in the living roo cool-mindedly at the family soap opera from afar
”Exactly”
Yumi nodded, and poured japanese tea into a tea bowl Mo time after she poured in hot water, so the tea's color was expectedly very thick Greenish brown, or even reen by now
”Even though Mom looked like that, she must be very happy”
”I guess”
The two siblings shared a friendlythe season, it reen tea didn't taste bad The taste was very adult, let's put it this way
”Su a camp at that side as well”
Maybe illa cushi+on Yuki was in high school second-year at Hanadera Acade Lillian Girl's Academy
”A caain?”
”The Student Council”
”So you are also involved in a student council?”
”Yeah”
The two nondescript siblings, who had no relations at all with such things till secondary school, suddenly had a 180 degrees turn when they stepped into high school, as they were swept in the bewildering but dynamic school life
Oh, but talking about the student council
”Don't tell i-san --”
Oh no, oh no That guy alone was dangerous
”That guy has already graduated, though?”
”Oh, I forgot”
Kashi+wagi Suguru, Sachiko-sama's cousin, o years elder than Yuraduated peacefully at the Hanadera Acadeh School, and is now a student at Hanadera University
”But exactly because he is Kashi+wagi-san, won't he sneak into the ca juniors? Yuki, be careful!”
”Well Yumi, I aer brother towards his sister's problematic assertion here”
”Just be careful Kashi+wagi-san has said that he loved the way Yuki struggles”
”Then how should I be careful? If I struggle I just make him happier, but there is no way I'll surrender without a fight just because of that”
”I don't kno Anyway, stay normal! Don't be lured into the abnormal side!”
Yurabbed on Yuki's shoulders and shook hi her teammates not to fall asleep while stranded in a winter mountain But the twin brother was quite cool His lips curled up a little at the sides as a faint laugh escaped
”Do you know the ?”
”On the whole, yes”
In the end, all the fuss the sister wasa boy has its own problems
”So ill the student council do during a camp?”
”Mainly discussing the School Festival, but I guess it is also an encourageroup event?”
”Ah, School Festival”
The at that the Lillians needed to prepare for theirs The Roses, who are the high school student council heads, will take the position of leaders and executives in the School Festival, so the boutons will also be busy helping out Above that, the Yamayurikai executives needed to participate in an event as representatives of Yamayurikai Last year, it was ”Cinderella” the drama
However, every time Yumi heard the words School Festival, she would think, how fast has a single year passed away Thinking back, it was exactly last year's School Festival when she and Sachiko-sama became soeurs
”So what are you doing this year?”
Yuki asked
”How about your side?”
”Undecided”
”Same here”
However the Roses see them But the boutons couldn't come to ask about it; it was a little too scary
Why? Last year, the ex-Roses cheated the unwilling Sachiko-saic, this year's boutons like Yu the fate of executing some formidable contracts Probably even more unenviable than last year's
”What does a Boy School Festival look like? Maybe I should go to Hanadera this year to take a look”
She felt more like for pastime than for reference Every year, Hanadera's School Festival was earlier than Lillian's
Well, it's other people's business anyway Yumi spoke in such a dreamy tone, but Yuki was quick to correct her
”Not maybe; it is a must, isn't it?”
”Oh?”
”Isn't it already a custom between student councils in Lillian and Hanadera to help out each other during School Festivals?”
”Ah!”
”What is with this reaction? Geez”
Hey, it is okay to keep such a lamentable face to yourself
”Then Yuki, you are also coht? But in last year's Lillian School Festival only Kashi+wagi-san came alone, so is it that not everyone need to come?”
”We are helping in accordance to your requests”
”Ah I see So there is actually a possibility Yuki is co at me Last year Mom and Dad said they'd come, but I had stopped them no matter what”
See? Yureement, but Yuki turned silent for a while Yumi pressed on about what the silence rim face