Notes on the 14th Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel, "Suzukaze Satsusatsu" Prologue and Part 1

Notes on the 14th Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel, Suzukaze Satsusatsu


Prologue

It took about three months to read this novel. It went very slowly because I traveled four times, published a book and had a life this spring - but it also went slowly because I found myself translating/synopsizing in great detail. So there were 64 pages of typed notes on this novel. It was pretty damn exhausting. :-)

Overall, this book was great. It was incredibly funny in places and had the most romantic ending so far. It also had several scenes which were priceless, not the least of which was Sei in Kashiwagi's face. Once again - this is NOT a translation. It is a detailed, typo-filled synopsis, with occasional sections that got damn close to translation and as a result read really awkwardly. I'm not fixing any of it. Comment on typos and grammatical/syntactical errors at your own risk. (Which is to say - don't. You'd only be a total ass if you did, given the number of hours that I spent typing all this up for you. I'd have finished much earlier if I was only reading the book for myself.)

Because the author comments in parentheses from time to time, I've marked my own comments as (E:comment) so you know when it's me, not Konno Oyuki-sensei.

Once again, I state unequivocally that Konno Oyuki is a goddess among women and I cannot stress enough what a very good writer she is. If you know anything at all about me, you know that this is high praise. I strongly recommend that you take time and learn Japanese if only to read this series in the original. It's REALLY worth it.

In any case, please enjoy my notes on "Suzukaze Satsusatsu" "A Cool Spring Breeze"

***

Part 1

Notes on the 14th Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel - Susukaze Satsusatsu (Cool, Brisk Breeze)

It's because we're saying goodbye to a lively summer that autumn has the image of "lonely" and "sorrowful." The reality is that this is the season for many events, and the person who sits back and sighs will find their tears falling with the leaves. Of course, if you're alive, then many things will happen regardless of the weather, or whether it's hot or cold. However, usually, something like this is a small event that quickly blows by.


Beginning One Step

1


The door was opened onto a chilly atmosphere, there in that girls' school, where it overflowed and filled the air strangely.

"Sorry to keep you waiting so long." Rei, as advanced guard, calls out to those waiting in the only entrance and exit. The guys standing there all respond with single syllables, as if Japanese had deserted them. What's with that "waaah" anyway? Are they on safari? No, It's Lillian Girls High School, no doubt about it. It's just normal for a bunch of gakuran (E: boy's school uniform)-wearing boy student council, non-inhabitants. That war cry of "Uhs" and "Ohs" - is what passes for conversation among these guys - it's not meant as a threat. But people who are not immunized to guys, or are excessively frail, might not realize that.

Yumi, standing in the shadow of the door takes the hand of her onee-sama, who is one the verge of rigor and tells her it'll be all right. Sachiko squeezes Yumi's hand and smiles. It took all her might to move her cheeks, but yes, it would be all right.

She welcomes the Hanadera council formally. Yumi is full of pride at how queenly she is.

When they are all seated at the table, the Hanadera council on one side, the Lillian council on the other, Yumi is reminded of an omiai (E: arranged marriage meeting) scene from a TV show.

They ended up meeting in the library in Lillian in a conference room on the second floor, partially out of concern for Sachiko. Noriko pour tea into paper cups, and both parties prepare to start self-introductions. Sachiko says, with incredible formality, that she thanks them for making time today. They all nod. Then she apologizes for the incident the other day - it was incredibly rude of her, and she thanks them for this opportunity.

Kobayashi, now dressed in uniform, looks much more the math honor student and less punk, asks if she's well. Sachiko smiles and says that afterwards, she felt much refreshed. He generously says it was likely to be sunstroke. Yumi cheers him on - every light word from him that Sachiko responds to is a step forward.

They decide that the visitors should introduce themselves first. Yuuki hands it over to Nikko-sempai, who stands along with another of the third years. Nikko-sempai introduces himself as Yakushiji Akimitsu, and the other as Yakushiji Tomomitsu. The Yamayurikai sucks in a gasp - they're HUGE. They seem to be 2 meters at least. Their school uniforms must be a special order.

Yoshino asks, timidly, if they're twins. Yes, they respond in stereo. Yumi remembers meeting them at the summer resort - and how they recognized that she and Yuuki were not twins, but looked alike.

Next to introduce himself is Takada Magane. He says his hobby is body-building. But he uses a word that the girls don't know. The meaning is clear, but the nuance is that of a person who takes things to extremes. Yumi thinks that in a short sleeve shirt his arms probably look like hams. She's glad he's not closest to Sachiko.

Feeling the atmosphere get weird, Yuuki hands the intro to Kobayashi. Kobayashi Masamune. His best subject is math - his worst subject is everything that is not math.

Sachiko smiles at that.

Arisugawa, second-year. Idol group type, slender guy. Yumi tries to remember if he was there on that first day they tried to meet the Hanadera council. Then she vaguely remmbers him - he was in a frilly white camisol, and red pants...and mules. Is he...

"I'm a cross dresser." He confirms. Sachiko's face goes rigid. She probably had no idea such a thing existed.

Yumi wonders if he and Takada, the manly man, get along, or they annoy each other.

Sachiko glances at Yuuki as if to say, you're not gross....

Yuuki introduces himself and thanks them for the care they've taken of his sister.

Yoshino comments that they really do look alike. Yumi says something bland, because really, its obvious and everyone says so - including them so...and more importantly, Lillian introductions are about to start.

Sachiko introduces herself so beautifully, that it's a bit like being in a dream. Yumi and others, feel intoxicated by it. In fact, those who have never experienced it are accursed.

Kobayashi says that he knows that the Yamayurikai is the name of the student council, but all the Rose names are difficult to remember. Poor Kobayashi the math whiz isn't good at memorizing things that have no reasoning involved.

Sachiko graciously says that they don't have to address them by their titles - family name, given name, whatever they are comfortable with, is fine. But if they take advantage of her lenient offer and call her Sachiko-san or, heaven forfend, Sachiko-chan, there's no way Yumi's going to forgive them. She flashes laser beams out of her eyes at Koboyashi as Sachiko sits and Rei stands.

Rei introduces herself, and Takada says that he's heard the rumors.(E:Your reputation proceeds you.) Rei says what rumors are those? He says the ones about your skill in kendo. He goes on to say that he's in kendo too, and he'd love to cross shinai (E: split bamboo swords used in kendo) with her one day. She says that would be nice, but has a complicated expression on her face, clearing her throat. Yoshino has an expression that looks like it would be uninteresting, but Yumi knows that crossing swords with a guy would be a new thing for Rei.

When Shimako introduces herself, Kobayashi says, oh, the Buddhist temple... she's like "eh?" Kobayashi tells her that Shimako's father had come to Hanadera, had been laughing in the gym loudly and had mentioned that his daughter was at Lillian.

Yumi wonders what kind of person her father is.

Okay, come what may, Yumi's up next. She stands and introduces herself. She feels like she ought to say something more than just her name, title and grade, so she says, "That's my brother over there - for the moment." Yuuki's like, "What do you mean by that?" Every giggles a little on both sides. Yumi thinks, this is bad - they're automatically breaking into a comedic act, so she stops herself and sits.

Yoshino adds that she's Rei's cousin to her introduction. She shoots Yumi a little smile.

Noriko adds that her hobby is Buddha image viewing. Arisugawa invites her to the school for the festival.

The Hanadera school festival is held on Buddha's birthday, Kobayashi comments, and Noriko and Arisugawa have a moment of bonding. Yumi's knowledge of Buddhist ritual is minimal. This conversation turns into chat which breaks the ice, during which Sachiko is able to pull herself together. Kobayashi acts as chairman to start the meeting off.

He says that they'd like all the Rosas to help out, and be judges and presenters as well.

Sachiko asks "Presenters?"

Kobayashi - yes, just like last year. He looks back and forth between Sachiko and Rei.

We're not doing the "Miss Hanadera" Contest like we did last year.

Yumi's a little concerned at the idea of a Miss Hanadera contest at an all-boy's school, but after all, they have a Mister Lillian. Last year Rei won that title. Kobayashi says that this year's theme is a Battle.

The Lillian girls all ask "A battle?"

He says like the battle between Heike and Genji clans. (E:http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~HF7N-TKD/explanation/genji-to-heike.html)

Rei gets it. Like a war conducted by both the physical education clubs and culture clubs where events are awarded points. Yumi doesn't really understand, but the rest of the Yamayurikai seem to.

Sachiko asks what they'd be doing. Yuuki answers this time - during the games, there's be challenge quizzes. The judges will decide the correct answers. And they could present winners with prizes - as yet undecided. Also for the MVP.

And the prize for the MVP?

A ticket to next month's Lillian Jogakuen festival. As soon as Yuuki says that, Yumi says "Eh?" loudly and is reprimanded by Sachiko.

The three Rosas agree to the plan, so the bouton can't really object.

Noriko has a question - she wants to confirm Arisugawa's name. She's written the guys names down. Next to each, she's drawn a picture. Yuuki's staring up at the ceiling, Takada has a boneless ham next to his name. Kobayashi has a face with glasses flashing, so you can't see the eyes. Nothing special next to the twins' names. Shimako calls her by her name and the looks on the guys' faces is priceless. She
apologizes for asking. But Arisu says it's okay.

Yuuki calls Arisugawa "Arisu," (Alice) and speaks like he's saying it's okay if he doesn't say his full name. Arisugawa, who had looked down at the table looks up and tells her that his whole name is Arisugawa Kintarou. He says that it's so awful he hates to tell people when he's introduced. He looks like he's going to cry, but smiling, Sachiko agrees with him. She gets up quietly and walks over to him, and addresses him as Arisu. (E: And I and Yumi swoon.)

Everyone's surprised, but she says that that's his nickname, right? He throws his arms around Sachiko, crying. Arisu says that he was born in a boy's body, but he's got the heart of a girl and he should have come to Lillian. He wants to be Sachiko's little sister. Yumi protests loudly. Anything but that - that alone. I'm Sachiko-sama's soeur. Whatever his body and heart are, this is just pathetic, she thinks.

Sachiko apologizes, but tells Arisu that that is the case, Yumi's her little sister. She separates herself. He apologizes. She starts to turn away stiffly, Yumi can see that she's on the verge of rigor again. Arisugawa's surprise attack embrace had popped the breaker in Sachiko's head. Even if she was able to agree that in his heart he's a woman, his body is still a guy's. Separating herself from him has used the last of her reserves. Yumi jumps up to take Sachiko's arm and leads her back to her seat. If it looks like she's monopolizing her onee-sama, well then, fine. Her concern was more for Sachiko's pride than consideration for Arisugawa.

Kobayashi puts his hand on Arisu's shoulder and tells him that it's too bad. But maybe he can become Yumi's friend, at least. She says as long as he understands that she'll never turn over her onee-sama. Then she smiles and winks.

He says he's happy and claps his hand. Rei says that they all welcome him as a friend.

In plain clothes, between Rei and Arisu, it would be hard to tell which one was the boy and which the girl.

Yoshino says that she's not planning on turning Rei over to him, either - with a smile. They all welcome him, but Noriko takes Shimako's hand in hers.

As Arisu thanks them all, Sachiko has once again recovered. Little by little, each one of these shocks has hardened her.

Yuuki suggests that, as they've settled Arisu's situation, they can move on. Kobayashi is a bit jealous - after all, this meeting was as much about deepening bonds as anything.

They decide to have a kampai/toast with tea. As they are all getting ready to leave, Shimako says suddenly that she's been thinking about it, but no matter how long she considers it, she still can't tell which one of them is the President of the Hanadera council. Yumi thinks that that is true - no one introduced themselves as president
or vice president.

Sachiko assumed it was the twins, as they were the upperclassmen. Rei assumed it was Kobayashi, since he spoke first. Kobayashi says that he's the treasurer.

(E: Oh my god, is this the most obvious punchline...?)

The twins are war captains - they offer the advice of the previous years.

That leaves three. Kobayashi jokes that they ought to make it a quiz. Yuuki calls him an idiot.

Turning to the girls, and bowing deeply, he apologizes for his clumsiness. "I'm the Hanadera Council President," Yuuki says.

Yumi's "Eh?" reaches the ceiling of the council room. This is the first time she's heard about it.


2

Yuuki sums up - Hanadera is a traditional two-party school. Conservatives vs Liberals - athletes vs intellectuals, Genji vs Heike, however you want to look at it. He explains the situation as he and Yumi head home.

Yumi asks - aren't some people into sports also intellectual? Yuuki says he *did* say he was speaking broadly. He tells her that third year middle school students actually don't sleep the nights before they choose their clubs, because it's so stressful. She asks what clubs he's with. He says none, because he wanted to remain independent. He's only on the student council.

What about Kashiwagi-san, Yumi asks. He was the complete opposite, Yuuki says. He was in multiple clubs. Athletic and cultural - he joined them impartially. Yumi thinks that suits Kashiwagi - dance and tea and kendo, as befits a Hanadera U. honor student. A veritable superman.

So, how many other students are like you, in no clubs at all? Very few. So, Yumi asks, how did you become the Council President? Kashiwagi nominated me as a farewell present. Yumi's confused - so, if the former President nominates you, then it's decided? No, Yuuki says, there's an election. It's the same with the Yamayurikai, right? In my case this year, there were no other candidates. He smiles masochistically. VP Takada is athletic, Secretary Arisu is culture, Treasurer Kobayashi is an independent. The third years are just there as advisors.

The bus arrives at the station. Yuuki gets up abruptly, forcing Yumi to run after him. She asks why he hid this from her - he says he didn't hide it, he just never said anything. She says that's the same thing - like last year not telling her what kind of a person the former council president was. She says that it was deplorable and he apologizes. She asks why he never told her right from the start. He says because he's really only a figurehead. It's not like he has any real influence or authority. She agrees that he really didn't seem like he did. He keeps walking but she stares at his back and considers. She asks if he wants to be more like Kashiwagi-san. He says that power and influence doesn't really suit commoners like them.

But she thinks, it's true she doesn't know why Kashiwagi nominated him, but that's a vote of confidence and worthy of feeling pride. And, after all, the rest of the student body copied Kashiwagi and voted him in. It's like Yumi last year for the festival play. Sachiko, in her mind was Cinderella, and she wasn't able to be Cinderella, because Sachiko was.

Yuuki muses that sooner or later, Yumi will be Council President too. She agrees. But first there has to be an election and she's not sure that the student body has confidence in her.

The start walking again, side by side, passing houses on both sides, Old, new, eccentric, large, small...eventually they reached their home. The home their father had designed.

At their gate Yuuki turns to Yumi and tells her to become stronger. She laughs, but he is totally serious - adding, "And do it fast."

He goes through the gates, leaving her to wonder what he meant.



1

That's a problem



On the way to the dustpan, the girl says that Yumi's brother must envy Yumi-sama. The girl is quite tall - 179cm. (E: 5' 10" - that's a lot taller than I expected....) Especially for a 15-year old.

The girl goes on to say that she's wise, and cute, with a good personality - being near such a flawless older sister must make him want to raise a white flag and humble himself in order to serve her.

Flawless older sister, eheheh. "Kanako-chan..." she says. She gets ready for it to be a joke, to smile and laugh...but Kanako goes on to say that Yumi is the most charming person she's ever seen. Totally seriously. Kanako isn't joking at all.

Her eyes glitter as she says that Yumi-sama is refined. They are alone together in the Rose Mansion. The air is full of sparkles.

This is the first time Yumi's ever been admired by a younger girl like that. Because she has no past data, she really doesn't know what the correct answer is. Because silence is awkward, she fills the space with words that aren't related. Yumi apologizes for shanghaiing Kanako into cleaning the Rose Mansion, and says it's all right if she's a bit nervous.

Kanako says that it's fine. She lifts her long straight hair and smiles. She expected it, since Noriko had to clean elsewhere, and would be late. Yumi's just first there and it's her great pleasure to assist Yumi-sama in anything she desires. (E: No I'm not kidding...that's pretty much what she says.) So saying, she picks up a wipe and heads for the table. Yumi calls after her to stop - that wipe was used to clean the bathroom.

Kanako complains that Yumi-sama shouldn't have to do stuff like this - it would be best if Rosa Foetida en bouton had a soeur. If Yoshino had heard that... and anyway, Yumi knows that she really ought to take a soeur too.

Just then, Rei walks in, notices Kanako's there. The first-year greets her politely, returning to this world as she does so. Yumi's relieved that someone else is there with them. Rei thanks Kanako for her efforts, puts her bag down on one chair and seats herself in another. Kanako says that it's no problem and Yumi had almost finished anyway. Rei smiles at no one in particular. Kanako offers her, and Yumi, some tea.

When Kanako's out of earshot, Yumi whispers to Rei that she didn't do much. Rei says she figured that out. But it's okay. Yumi deserves a gallant assistant. And with being so busy with the school festival, free help is priceless.

Yumi thinks that a little excessive praise won't really harm anyone. And she is helping. But she wonders if she's being a little soft.

Kanako serves them tea with a little bow, and takes her leave politely. They can hear her walking down the stairs slowly and steadily, and the sound of the door opening and closing as she leaves the Rose Mansion.

Yumi sighs.

Rei laughs. What's the sigh for? She says that it was a heavy sigh.

Yumi agrees unsurely.

Rei says she can figure out what it meant. Yumi protests, but really, Kanako's a bit of a force on her shoulders. Being the person who is adored is a strange position for her, and it's putting a bit of mental strain on her.


2


At the Rose Mansion, Rei announces that Yumi has an obsessive first year fan who follows her around like a stalker. They are affixing the Yamayurikai seal to the Lillian festival entrance tickets. Sachiko stops counting tickets, and looks up to ask "what?" Rei teases her - haven't you noticed? Since the beginning of the second semester.

They'd been working steadily on this task for about 30 minutes and the monotony has gotten to Rei, so she's dishing a little. After all, this is really repetitive and it would be harsh to have to do it without some conversation to move things along.

Yumi says modestly that it's not necessary for Sachiko to have noticed. Aside from anything else, her duty is to stamp the tickets with consecutive numbers. It's monotonous, but she can't not pay attention halfway through - it's incompatible with conversation.

Sachiko says that she knows. A tall girl, with bizarrely long one-length hair...

Bizarrely long? Sachiko's hair is very long - and what was the length one would require for a compliment?

Rei says, "Yes, that one." On a list of Kanako's features her hair and her height were the first.

Sachiko saw her once talking to Yumi in the hallway. When she saw me, Sachiko says, she left.

Yumi protests - she doesn't think Kanako left because she saw Sachiko coming. It had been no more than a brief greeting in the hallway between acquaintances and then they had moved on.

Rei asks if Sachiko hadn't given her the evil eye. Sachiko asks why she would do that. Rei says because she saw Yumi having a nice relaxed chat with some strange underclassman and she got jealous? Sachiko asks Rei to please stop making fun of her. She looks at Rei with swollen cheeks for a moment and Yumi sees it.

(E: I almost spit a mouthful of soda out when I read that - I mean, seriously. Sachiko? Puffed cheeks? I swoon - and so does Yumi. I hope they animate this scene!)

Yumi thinks Sachiko is impossibly cute. And she feels as if she's done something terribly rude to even see her looking like that.

Ah - she's a first year, Sachiko says, well that explains that. She heaves a heavy sigh.

Noriko, whose ink pad is drying out, so she's pressing down heavily on the tickets suggests that Rosa Chinensis should invite her over one day - that might get rid of the infestation. (E: Have I mentioned that I love Noriko?)

Yoshino comments that she hasn't seen this person - her aim must be to get close to Yumi alone. Her job is to divide the tickets by class and put them in a bag.

Yumi smiles as she protests. Having decided that the conversation will go on anyway, she stops numbering the tickets.

Shimako inquires whether Kanako is a friend of Noriko's. Not really a friend - a classmate. What was the boundary line between those?

Tell us what you know of her, Sachiko says.

Noriko stops what's she's doing to gossip properly about Kanako. First year Tsubaki (E:Camellia) group, Hosokawa Kanako-san. She does not stand out particularly in class. In terms of clubs, it seemed that she was interested in culture clubs when the term began, but she hasn't joined anything specifically. At lunch she's by herself as often as not - she's a lone wolf type. When Noriko finishes, Yumi thinks she's wrong about Kanako. To her eyes, Kanako seems a lively bright character. But maybe she's different to Noriko.

If Kanako is a lone wolf, then she's like Noriko, Yoshino says mercilessly. Noriko doesn't reply. Shimako asks if she's ever spoken to the girl - Noriko shakes her head. Only on practical matters.

What about Touko? Nope - they are natural enemies. (E: In other words - has Touko spoken to Kanako - no.)

Rei, remembering to stamp tickets again, asks Yumi what she thinks, if she'd be interested in the girl as a soeur. Yumi likes her plenty and she's certainly been a help to the Yamayurikai, but she can't give a straight yes or no. She and Kanako don't have a relationship like her and Sachiko. Perhaps over time that kind of passion could build. But then, maybe she shouldn't hope for that - it might be better to choose a soeur for practical reasons.

Yoshino says that she's against it - Yumi and that girl aren't in harmony.

You mean height-wise? Yumi asks. It seems odd for the older sister to be shorter, inverse to the way things should be.

There is that, but what Yoshino means is that she doesn't get a good feeling from the girl - all "Yumi-sama"ing all over the place.

Rei asks if Yoshino isn't just a bit jealous - if Yumi picks a soeur first it would be vexing. She denies it, almost calling Rei "Rei-chan" then amending it to "onee-sama". She says it's not that simple.

Shimako coolly analyzes hot Yoshino - if Yumi took a soeur, it would be easier for Yoshino, so she'd have no reason to be jealous.

Of course, she took a soeur in the first term, so they were all settled in now, but there was expectation that the others would choose soeur this term - especially as the school festival was coming.

The school festival - thinking about that, Yumi glances at Sachiko who, upon meeting her eyes smiles elatedly. See? Sachiko asks - now you know how I felt this time last year.

Not really, Yumi says, because she hasn't really grown close to anyone yet, as they had this time last year - but she didn't want to see anyone's face when she said that.

Rei says but really, it's troublesome if at least one of them doesn't take a soeur, patting Yumi on the shoulder. Yes, Sachiko says, sounding like an old person, we want to feel at ease. Noriko makes fun of the third-years saying that they are compelled to interfere, but that they should let Yumi develop a close relationship naturally.

Yumi agrees. Fixing a tie, meeting each other under the sakura tree...

Sachiko says don't you remember? Then accuses Yumi of losing her mind, but Yumi thinks that Sachiko isn't one to talk.

Not remembering...completely forgetting...there was some keyword there. She stands up suddenly. It's the day she has to return some things to the library - when does it close?

Sachiko says she should go ahead, they'll be okay. Rei tells Yoshino to go with her. Yoshino is immediate suspicious. Rei says that she'll catch up with Yoshino after cleaning up. Yumi wonders why? It's not like the library's that far.

Noriko offers to clean up, but Rei turns her down, saying that it's okay to leave it to them. In fact, why don't Shimako and Noriko take off early? Without saying specifically, the two third years are clearly cutting themselves off from the others.

So Yumi and Yoshino head off to the library, and behind them the White Rose sisters follow them out of the Rose Mansion.


3


Yoshino wonders what the two third-years are planning. Yumi asks what she means - Shimako agrees with Yoshino that it's unusual for the two third-years to stay behind to clean.

Noriko wonders if it's something to do with the play for the festival. Although they hadn't said anything, all three second-years had, in their hearts, felt that that must be the case.

Yoshino says that if it were something like placing orders with the handicrafts or fine arts club, they wouldn't have had to be alone together. She insists that they have to find out. It falls to Yumi to put the brakes on her. Amazingly, Yoshino subsides quickly. They ask if Shimako knows anything. No, she swears. Yumi can't imagine what could be worse than last year's play, where man-hating Sachiko had to dance with a man. Yumi's a little worried that Yoshino might persist in questioning Shimako, but she doesn't.

Noriko reminds Yumi that she wanted to return a book to the library. Yumi has to rush to get it in before they close. Yoshino notes that it's not a book she'd expect Yumi to read. Yumi says that Sachiko recommended it.

Noriko asks about borrow the book Yumi has read. It has stories - nothing about Buddhism, Yumi says. Yoshino jokes that Noriko could just go to the bookshelves in her bedroom for that. Noriko laughs too loudly - Yumi and Yoshino hush her, but Noriko says that they are used to it. Yumi thinks that this is a bit unbecoming their age, but the library staffer asks about the book, and Noriko says she does want to borrow it. She does so, just as Shimako walks up and asks about it. The librarians are naturally a bit staggered - has this book ever had so much interest shown it? Much less by the members of the Student Council? Probably not, no.

One of the librarians asks if the play will be Kaguya-hime. The girl must be a fan of mysteries - detectives who use deductive reasoning. But she fails, because its not like the book is "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter". On the other hand, Sachiko had borrowed this book over the summer and recommended it to Yumi...

Yoshino says that Shimako did good. They had all left the library, put their hands together in front of Mary and were walking again. Yoshino says that Shimako has a soeur, and now she and Yumi...it makes her feel a little lonely to think of it. She's just not inclined to choose a soeur. Yumi nods in agreement. Yoshino asks if Yumi understands what she means. She says that Yoshino had expressed exactly how she feels. Yoshino looks a bit happy at that.

Although it is a bit lonely looking at the backs of friends who had moved forward, Yumi just didn't want things to change.

Noriko and Shimako keep quiet through all this.

Yoshino blurts out how troubling this whole soeur thing is. Yumi asks what she should do.

She's asked whether she's aiming to take Kanako as soeur, and she says she really doesn't know. On the one hand, she's thinking about it - on the other, not. She also worries that Kanako's aim is to be Rosa Chinensis en bouton petite soeur, which is not a good reason to take her on.

Yoshino councils her to say so clearly if she isn't interested in her as soeur.

Shimako agrees - if Kanako is coming to help in hopes of becoming her soeur, and as time goes on her hope swells, Yumi will cause pain for them both by not being honest from the beginning.

Yumi protests that Kanako has never said anything about becoming soeur. Shimako feels strongly that if she should keep allowing Kanako to help, then she's making some kind of commitment. (E: Well, duh - she would think that, after her and Sei's experiences.)

Yoshino then points out that making a stalker her soeur might cause problems later. Noriko says, "speaking of stalkers..." and points to the gate where, having arrived earlier, stand Rei and Sachiko, with another person, who calls out "Yumi-saaan!" One hand up over the shoulder, waving, with a happy expression, very cute, but...standing
there in slovenly gakuran, was Arisu.

***

Continued

Tags: Maria-sama ga Miteru, Marimite, Cool Brisk Breeze, Suzukaze Satsusatsu, Sachiko and Yumi