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 s.h.i.+mako-san with Rei-sama's instruction, had been very delicious. Other than the Rose families, even those who had been invited guests were still fresh, they were still fired up about the game compet.i.tion that everyone had partic.i.p.ated in and had enjoyed the silly bantering as well.
If it were reality, as it was with 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&h.e.l.lip;
What madness had happened at the very end that had thrown Yumi down into the abyss.
Well&h.e.l.lip; it's fine, it may be the case that she unknowingly fell on her own.
That other time, it was because of only one word that was directed at Touko-chan.
”Yumi-chan, w-what 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 s.h.i.+mako-san's surprised eyes.
”For the time being, if we can go inside&h.e.l.lip;”
”That's right. Both of them are in the midst of such cold without wearing a coat. Since when, have they been like this?”
Yos.h.i.+no-san said to Noriko-chan. With a head that felt vacant, Yumi clearly confirmed the faces of her friends appearing one after the other. While clear, they seemed somehow distant. With this, it was like watching a scene from a drama.
And so it was.
At dusk, the red rose soeurs, who were both embracing and loudly crying 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 with warm black tea in front of the two. Although 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, Yos.h.i.+no-san and s.h.i.+mako-san could be heard saying with soft voices. After that, Rei-sama was in the room. Also Tsutako-san and Nana-chan still remained.
”I'm sorry for making you worry.”
Sachiko-sama spoke preemptively. To the right, Yumi in the same way, followed her onee-sama, only to hang 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 from that sort of feeling.
”The story isn't really such a big deal, you know.”
Other than her reddened eyes and nose, Sachiko-sama had the same dignified 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 what was 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-sama's words summing things up, Noriko-chan murmured a small, ”it's a lie...”
”Noriko. Watch what you say.”
s.h.i.+mako-san chidingly cautioned.
”Ah, my apologies. 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 sentiment would just come from out of your mouth, don't you agree? However, surely this is the truth.”
Truth. Yumi closed hey eyes and chewed thoughtfully 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, may be nothing to report about in particular. Although this way had neglected Yumi's feelings among other things and I thought that talking is logical. To that, there is also something 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&h.e.l.lip;?”
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 compa.s.sionate to Yumi-chan, and not condemning Touko-chan?”
”Of course, I will do so as well.”
Sachiko-sama decisively announced, after which Rei-sama laughed.
”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 Yos.h.i.+no-san and the white rose souers, and after that Tsutako-san and Nana-chan nodded their a.s.sent. Though you couldn't be sure Tsutako-san, somehow or other, and Nana-chan, completely, understood the situation, perhaps for her future might completely have nothing to do with and couldn't talk about the story.
”The person who rejected Yumi-san this way, I will gladly withdraw from this person!”
Yos.h.i.+no cried out. Although her facial expression was angry, the corners of her eyes were glinting just a bit . ”Stop it,” Rei-sama said, and held her little sister's head against her cheek. Only now to Sachiko-sama's words, did Yos.h.i.+no nod agreement, but only just a bit. However, Yos.h.i.+no-san couldn't abide without having said something.
”Certainly.”
s.h.i.+mako-san quietly said.
”Yumi-san isn't giving up, right?”
Yumi gave 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 came, hurrying so as to return quickly, and after which finally all present stood up. A few people were walking in a gentle cl.u.s.ter through the ginko-lined avenue that had become dark. Although somehow or other there was a sad atmosphere when it was time to close up the Rose Mansion's door, now cheerful laughing voices from here and there were fluttering about.
The reason wasn't because everyone had completely forgotten about the matter of Yumi having been rejected by Touko-chan. In regards to Yumi, there was proper consideration. At the time of grandfather's funeral, grandfather's colleagues came running and said while laughing, ”That guy, he hated when it was gloomy, you know.” The resemblance to the feeling at that time is amazing. It was because they came to produce that overdoing, laughing, and cheerful atmosphere. Therefore, Yumi also laughed.
After all, Yumi's heart was not dead yet. She couldn't stay gloomy. At the time that hands were made to meet in front of the Maria statue, Yumi prayed about the matter of Touko-chan ― that Touko-chan wasn't crying. Not wis.h.i.+ng that they could become Soeurs, but rather that she wasn't crying.
Regarding herself, like this there are good companions by her side. However, now Touko-chan was alone. Some time ago, she had run down this road alone. Although there should be many a person worrying about Touko-chan -- someone who would give her such things as a greeting and a smile -- but now, because there weren't any nearby&h.e.l.lip;. Yet for Yumi, it is while feeling 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 mailbox, she discovered a curiously self-addressed thing (probably like that to conceal to who it would be returned), on which the sender's name was written: 'Ogasawara 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-sama's letter, after carefully breaking the seal so as to not cut the contents, Yumi read where she was standing.
It's like a few-days-late Christmas Card, the word-processor typed message placed inside a red western-style envelope, after gulping repeatedly, it was a simple thing:
We are having a women only New Year's Party. Come and join us. Date and time: January 2nd, starting at noon Place: Ogasawara Sachiko's residence Things to bring: Sleeping wear, You are allowed to bring your own food and drink * 1 overnight, 2 days have been planned, arriving late/leaving early is ok
”A New Year's Party at Sachiko-sama's house&h.e.l.lip;”
Having seemed to have been tricked by the former Rosa Gigantia Satou Sei-sama last time, she was taken to Sachiko-sama's house against her will, and if she remembered correctly that time was also one night and two days.
At the Ogasawara house for the two days at the beginning of each year, Sachiko-sama's grandfather 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 them and busily pa.s.s the time. Moreover, that Kas.h.i.+wagi-san, who had thought about it similarly, had come over ahead of us, was probably outside of Sei-sama's calculations. Somehow, that's why it came to even Yumi's younger brother Yuuki being there.
As for Sei-sama, she had said that when she graduated that she would often visit to play. Therefore, if it were true, Yumi churned her feelings, saying, ”Was it alright to go 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 matter. To that extent, her head hadn't stopped spinning.
But. Without getting forcibly taken by someone, couldn't she go to Onee-sama's house for new year greetings too. She must stop being such a pathetic little sister. This time, I have been spoiled because of Sachiko-sama's way of reaching out her hand. I must become more a.s.sertive.
”Nevertheless.”
The 'women only' characters made her laugh a bit, and then a sigh of relief came from Yumi. Yumi's rival, Kas.h.i.+wagi-san isn't coming on that day, and therefore Sachiko-sama intentionally made it known.
”However, I wonder&h.e.l.lip;”
This invitation -- just what's with the invitation's business-like content similar to that of a cla.s.s reunion invitation. If just Yumi were invited, Sachiko probably would give her a call---?
While walking, she returned the letter to the envelope and during that time looked with a fleeting side-long glance at the living room telephone. As though she looked to have been aiming at it, the phone sound chirped.
”h.e.l.lo.”
No way, she thought while picking up the telephone receiver to talk.
”Ah, Yumi-san?”
”Ha?”
Of course, it wasn't from Sachiko-sama, this was in no way her style of good speaking. But, this ”Yumi-san?” was from a frequently heard voice.
”...um, this is the f.u.kazawa residence, isn't it?”
The person on the other side of the telephone receiver restated.
”It is. Should I call you s.h.i.+mazu-san?”
”Whaaat? For a moment I thought it was your mom, and I was impatient.”
Yep, it was Yos.h.i.+no-san.
”While talking on the phone a voice is always heard a bit different from usual.”
Yos.h.i.+no-san's embarra.s.sed sounding laughter 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 same content. Because of numerous invitations, that writing style was chosen. At last she understood. If there were not such consideration, a person would prefer hand-written letters.
”Yumi-san, of course, is probably partic.i.p.ating.”
”Uh-huh. Since it just arrived, I haven't asked my parents though. 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, Yos.h.i.+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 demon, if the Hakone race and the Ogasawara'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-sama go last time?”
”Well...”