Notes on the Fifteenth Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel, "Ready, Go!" - Part 3

Maria-sama ga Miteru: Ready, Go!
Part 3

Friend's affection and Onee-sama

1

White, purple, yellow, pink, green, red.

One after another the flags were followed by young women wearing the same color headbands around the track, to stand in lines in the interior.

The principal declared the games open.
Team captains made the pledge.
And then, radio calisthenics - -.

Within the confines of the sports festival, once begun, the events were non-stop. Participants became lost in the moment, as they did things with no time for concerns over emotions or physical health.

To put the sense of pleasure numerically, out of ten, about seven or eight could not even digest a sense of accomplishment at all.

Outside the track, near the curb by the family members was a banner of thanks for the full house. Not as quite densely packed, one could see the teachers, and about half that space was filled with sponsors talking, and even so, was filled with family standing and watching.

Just before exiting, Yumi turned her glance towards the family seats for one last inspection. Seats only in name, really it was a vinyl sheet with bleachers, among which she spied the Fukuzawa pair. Catching her eye, with camera on standby, her father waved at her happily. Yumi turned away quickly.

Why is it that parents you see all the time at home were embarrassing to meet at school? Hurrying to the Green team area, that puzzle was quickly put aside.

The area for the pep squads were also outside the track in a direct line. Colored rope divided the space which rose in a gentle incline, on a nylon sheet, members from each team, regardless of year, mingled. Behind them stood large signboards, emphasizing the team's color. Each team had megaphones and fans matching the signboard in order cheer them on. Where there was a color that didn't match, paper had been affixed on top to make it match.

Now then.

The first event was the first year's ball rolling. This was called "Giant Ball Rolling" and it was a little different from the normal ball. The track was divided into three parts and had ping pong balls, tennis balls and basketballs on it. After once around, the giant ball was on standby. From then on, the giant ball has to be pushed around the ping pong balls, tennis balls and basketballs - in other words, it was a relay.

Last year Yumi and her team had, during this event, found going around with the ping pong balls the most difficult. The name of the game was "rolling" but really, spinning the ball on the ground to progress was the rule. You could use your feet to help, one or two, maybe three people trying to roll the ball, you could use a soccer dribble. Therefore, it was called it "Kickball".

There were four kinds of balls, six round goals. Based on the order of their arrival, 20 points to 5 points would be awarded.

"On your marks, ready...!"

At the sound of the pistol shot, the first round started.

The balls were painted with the team color, from the cheering section they couldn't be seen at all. But the colors of the headbands and sashes could be seen and that brought on shouts of encouragement.

The ping pong balls were so light, they were kicked further ahead of the kickers than they expected. Halfway they were losing sight of their balls and unexpectedly kicking others, which contributed to the occurrences of accidents, which made the ping-pong race interesting.

Thinking that her assistance was not needed for cheering on the Green team, Yumi's gaze went ahead to the Red team.

Noriko-chan, Touko-chan and Kanako-chan--. All her first-year friends were gathered in the Tsubaki Group, which was why her eye was drawn there.

She squeezed her sweaty hands together on the fourth lap. Touko-chan was on the ping-pong balls, Noriko-chan on tennis balls and Kanako-chan was standing by in front of the basketball.

The points were Yellow in first place, second place was Pink, third place was Purple, fourth Red, fifth Green. White, the last place team, until halfway was in the race for first, then had the promised derailment when they got lost inside the family area and had to go around looking.

The third lap was finished at a run and Touko-chan took the sash easily, the fourth lap had begun.

Carefully, carefully, using the inside arch of her sneakers, Touko rolled the ping-pong balls. Rolly, rolly, rollroll, roll. Tipping it up in the air with the tiptoes, as if it was serious work. Kick, rollrollrollroll, kick! Rollrollroll!

When she had established a good tempo, her glance went to those who chased her.

"Go for it - !"

While Yumi was cheering, she wasn't sure which person she was cheering for, she thought. The Green team first-years, or Red team's Touko-chan.

Don't go there. If there was even a 10000 to 1 chance of the latter, the Green team would, as one, turn on her as an enemy.

"Hey, Touko-chan is really moving forward with some oomph, isn't she?" Yoshino-san asked calmly. Yumi certainly thought so. This was clearly an unexpected byproduct of the sports festival.

In the end, Green left her behind and Touko-chan passed the sash to Noriko-chan. To dispel any reluctance of her friend, Noriko-chan gave the tennis ball a good kick.

"Oh...!"

Accurate and with all her heart. She would run to exactly where the ball was then give another good kick.

"Noriko-chan's doing it."

With each big kick the ball would go far, far, which naturally increased the risk. If the ball got too much in front of the player, it could roll off the track and there would be time loss, which although it wasn't the intention, might not be able to be recovered from.

However, Noriko-chan. Not caring, she kicked with force. Her control was perfect. Overtaking the Green team ahead, so she switched strategy to a smaller kick as the distance closed.

There was nowhere to go.

No matter how you calculated in your head, there was no way to outrun her. Distance, or ration or time or angle or friction, ...no matter how you figured it, using math or physics formulas, it looked like she just flew past.

In conclusion, the Green team was chasing Noriko-chan, and a dead hit arc meant that Kanako-chan took the sash with a one minute lead.

But, Kanako-chan took it and skipped, skipped. She had no control, constantly overshot the course and had to adjust and her speed didn't slacken.

"Wah-" came the shouts from various places.

As if there was no one in front of her, flying and rolling, the conspicuously tall young woman.

The cheers for the leading Purple team were now overwhelmed by the Red team and then, in a moment stopped, as the lead was taken.

One, then in succession, the second, third, sashes were handed over. In other words, by herself Kanako-chan had taken the team from fourth place to the top.

"...Wow." From among the dumbfounded Green team cheering section, Mami-san approached and whispered. "Red team's secret weapon. Yumi-san, really what's up with you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Not taking her as a soeur."

"--- It's not like that." (E: She says "Dakara" but translating it as "therefore" is so not what she meant.)

It's not that she wasn't. She wished that people would stop saying that. But, what if Red team did defeat Green team on points and Kanako-chan asked, "Please make me your soeur" what would she do? Yumi didn't know herself.

Heading to the bleachers to brood, Sachiko-sama's voice came from above her head. "Yumi. There's no time for idle talk, or lollygagging. Next is the second-years' turn."

"Ah, yes."

Standing and looking back over her shoulder, there wrapped in the uniform of the Pep Squad was the figure of Onee-sama.

"Whaah!"

"'Whaah?'" Sachiko-sama drew her eyebrows together dubiously, trying to understand the meaning of Yumi's shout.

"Onee-sama, how dashing....!"

"Really?" Sachiko-sama raised a hand lightly and did a "model" turn around. She wore a facial expression that was not dissatisfied.

Made from the same color cloth as the Lillian school uniforms, white gloves and a green headband, which was considerably longer than the normal ones, and a sash of the same color was all good. There were five third-years all dressed the same but, it suited none of them as well as Sachiko-sama. Of course, that was "foolish little sister" talk, Yumi conceded. ....But please allow it to be said.

"When it first was decided, I wasn't particularly eager. But, after I saw Yumi at the Hanadera School Festival I didn't think gakuran was so bad, somehow." (E: Gakuran is the boy's school uniform, but the style Sachiko is wearing an old-fashioned version, with a longer coat.)

"Yes, it suits you well. Rosa Chinensis. The onee-sama of the Pep Squad are all in line with our expectations, we second-years will give it our very best." Mami-san saluted. She takes Yumi by the scruff of the neck and pulls her along to the entrance gate.

"You probably have great reluctance to part but, as soon as 'Dodgeball' is completed, you will once again be able to meet your beloved onee-sama."

"Then the next thing is the third years' 'Ball Throwing', I guess." (E: The nickname is really something like "Putting Balls In.")

Because the three years do their events in turn, even though different years may be on the same team, it was hard to have a relaxed conversation. To make things worse, Sachiko-sama was one of the Pep Squad and had to be on standby at the front of the Green team area.

"...What a splendid relationship you have." Geez, Mami-san was seriously amazed.

By the way, "Kickball," "Dodgeball," and "Ball Throwing" were what the first three events were called casually by every year.

In front of the large written banner at the entrance, the second-year students were gathering from each team.

"You're late." Yoshino-san, who had arrived already, looked at her angrily. She might have been slow, but the first-years hadn't left yet so, even if she was angry, she couldn't be really late--.

Nodding slightly, Tsutako-san approached and whispered, "The Princess is not amused."
"What's the reason?"

"Looks like all sorts of things."

"All sorts, huh?" Yumi glanced quickly over at the scoreboard.

The result of the Ball Rolling was that Green team had fallen two places to fifth. But, after Kanako-chan, their rival Red team had been dragged down slightly to fourth place at the end, by a misplaced goal.

"Have you seen Rei-chan at all?" Yoshino-san suddenly asked, subdued.

"Huh? No, not yet." Although Mami-san had dragged Yumi through the rear of the Yellow team section, Yumi hadn't had time to sightsee.

"What's up with that, already?"

That could be said about you, Yumi thought.

She really didn't know why, but Yoshino-san was really irritated about Rei-sama, but she really didn't have the stomach for directly questioning her about it, since she seemed to get angry at the drop of a hat. Like, for instance, about classmates that gathered a little slowly, that sort of thing.

"Sachiko-sama? You've seen her already."

"Mm." Yumi nodded. Maybe she should mention her gakuran look.

"Yumi's Sachiko-sama is very cool, my Rei-chan if she comes, if Rei-chan comes, if Rei-chan comes---"

It was like a skipping record, wasn't it? Because it seemed to endlessly repeat.

"What will she be wearing?" Yumi saw that Yoshino-san needed a bit of help getting the boat out of dock. So she gave it.

"Canary Festival, sort of like a Carnivale."

"Ca...canary?" ...so you're saying, the familiar little bird that's good at singing, that canary, Yumi decided. Rei-sama's team color is yellow. But getting together in a canary carnival, she really just didn't understand.

As she had said that, Yoshino-san had been looking back and forth around the Yellow team section.

"Don't see it."

"Eh?"

"Have some warrior's compassion. Lady Yumi, if you're in front of me, I can't see."

Yeah, but even if you say that, that won't help you see. A warrior's, no, friend's, affection can be too much and when she acts this way, Yoshino-san is a bit scary.

"Okay, Yumi-san, Yoshino-san."

In front of them is a large bag. Inside was filled with tennis balls made from soft sponge in the team colors, and a cloth with which to grasp the balls. The four turn.

Yoshino-san also grabbed it. Mami-san and Tsutako-san -san already had taken balls. The majority of the balls were cast away in the near vicinity.

Then, for "Dodgeball" who, exactly, was running away?

For each class, there were people with three skills. Someone tall, fast, quick witted would hold the white feathered arrow. That person's job was to have the basket on their back and run away from the balls.

Yumi and the other's jobs were to get the balls in the baskets of the opposing teams without chasing them. In the end the basket with the fewest balls got the most points. The first-years who had done "Ball Rolling" were leaving, and the second-years who would do Dodgeball were ready to enter. This event used the space inside the track. First of all, each team settled into shape where the three team members protected the one who carried the basket on their back.

"Okay? We're going to attack the red team." Yoshino-san instructed her nearby teammates.

"Anyway, we have to attack that team with oomph. We're below them in points." Just like the warrior of a little while ago, Yoshino-san. She seemed possessed of the spirit of an ancient strategist.

"Right."

"Got it."

Why was it that, even though she saw all her classmates nod, that right from the beginning, she was pretty certain that no one really understood what the strategy was.

The six teams mixed messily. Where each basket was wasn't easy to see, and once it began, everyone would be going here and there with no idea of where the target was. She had already experienced this in rehearsal.

"It's starting."

The sound of the pistol roared on high. At that signal, colored balls began flying from all directions. The balls were light, so they never flew as far as one hoped. Therefore the idea of an attack on the enemy was effectively thrown away until you got close to a basket.

To seriously consider protecting one's own basket, your allies have to surround it and block the oncoming balls. That lowered the probability of balls going into the basket. But, if one is protecting, then one can't attack. To attack, one couldn't protect. That was the trifling dilemma of this event.

"Wahh - unfair." Yumi and Yoshino-san were protecting the Green team basket Yumi saw something that made her cry out.

"The Purple team has Shimako-san carrying their basket."

Looking where she pointed, it was certainly Shimako-san's form running around in a dither.

"What's unfair?" Yoshino-san wiped away a few flying balls as she asked.

"Have you ever heard that Shimako-san is quick-footed? Or very tall? Or able to move as nimbly as a mouse?" Which would you say, that or like a old cat that basks in the sun on the veranda. And even that might be flattering, poor thing."

"..." Obviously thinking that the person who even said that was the poor thing.

"Right? It may not be a compliment to say it, but there's only one reason they wanted Shimako-san to shoulder the basket. The authority of Rosa Gigantea."

"Authority?"

"At the moment someone might cast a ball and possibly hit Shimako-san, they will have a moment of indecision. That's what the Purple team is aiming at."

"That's a strategy?" This from Yoshino-san, who had just told them to focus on Red team, who saw some kind of difference. Anyway, Shimako-san's carrying the basket seemed to touch off anger in Yoshino-san.

"I'm going in."

"Eh-!?"

"I don't have to hold back from Shimako-san, right?" As soon as she said this, she dashed for the Purple team's basket.

Even if she called out to stop her, Yoshino-san was hardly the kind of person to hold off being reckless.

There' no helping it, Yumi ran towards the Red team corps. Although she wasn't tall, perhaps she could spot a crack in the wall of the allies protecting the basket. Along the way, she stopped to pick up fallen balls. The gym clothes were good for that – she could get a lot of them in the pockets and the cuffs.

The balls were specific colors, but for the purpose of the game that didn't matter. The main point was to get as many balls in the basket as possible, so no one checked to see which color ball they were throwing. Therefore she picked up everything but green to throw away. Then earnestly threw. Next to her were her classmates focused on one thing – throwing balls into the Red team basket.

Nothing to do with Yoshino-san's strategy, Yumi's enemy was the Red team. Kanako-chan was putting serious effort into it; for the sake of response she would face this with all her power. You could say that she was thinking that she would deal with this in good faith.

They threw balls as if they were in a dream when the finishing pistol sounded. If you looked, now that it was over, there wasn't a trace of the formations each team had originally formed to protect their baskets. As the time limit approached, each person had rushed the enemy formations.

From each team's basket the balls were taken out and gathered to be counted. "One, two..." As promised, each ball was thrown into the sky as it was counted. Because there were fewer balls in the basket, the team that ran out of balls first was first place.

"Seventy-eight, seventy-nine-"

Unlike the relay, not everyone had been light-footed, so there were thirty, forty in difference. The annual average from top to last was twenty balls or so.

"Eighty-five, eighty six-"

The first to have no more balls was Yumi's Green team. Continuing from there was Red team, White team, Pink team and by a narrow margin, Purple team.

And.

"How did that happen, the favored for victory Yellow team came in last place?" The raised voice came from the broadcasting area. But still, there were balls remaining in the basket.

"Saying that must be pretty painful for the favorites." As, one after the other, the many colored balls were thrown into the sky, Mami-san commented, subdued.

"That's because they became the target of every team. This way the relay won't matter."

"And you know that because of the Lillian Kawaraban predictions?" Yumi asked, surprised, as the last ball from the Yellow team's basket was thrown, pow, into the air.

"Of course. The leader is always handicapped." Mami-san nodded.

So then the reason Green team was able to take first place was because it hadn't been considered an enemy by the other teams.

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

"After the unchecked team gets the high score, this time we started with a scrap value. From now on, it gets interesting."

"Ehhh....-"

"It's all right. Now we can see exactly what differences there are in power. The other teams are sure to notice us now."

"..."

Somehow, those words did not bring any happiness or comfort.

The yellow basket was at last empty. The total results were added to the scoreboard, and they were given the command to exit.

In the middle of all the students becoming dumplings at the exit gate, Shimako-san was there. Seeking her impressions on being the person who dodged, she only had one thing to say.

"Yoshino-san was scary."

--Yeah.


2


As the second-years passed the third years coming in for "Ball Throwing", they maintained a traditional style.

In front of each team's basket a pole had been installed, into which balls were thrown. In contrast to "Ball Dodging," the winner of this event had the most balls in their basket. Of course, the balls were beanbags.

"So, the third-years get to have all the fun." Taking up their positions in the team area, Yoshino-san muttered while playing with the cheering goods. Before the third ball event, the first- and second-years had to risk their life and limbs as they ran hither and yon.

"Yeah, right."

Certainly, standing in front of a basket and throwing beanbags up into it did not require great physical effort.

"It's all right. The third-years are retiring, that's why," said Tsutako-san, appearing suddenly from behind them.

"What's with that?" Leaning on a third-year's shoulder, Yoshino-san's face looked angry. She was sweaty and more or less just letting her feelings out as expected, but in generally good spirits and still seemed loose and relaxed.

"Hey, when one becomes a third year a lot goes on." As Tsutako-san spoke, she grabbed the cardboard box of goods, thrust her hand into it and pulled out her camera.

"A lot?"

"Like choosing a school, examinations, preparations for studying abroad, looking for a job. That's a lot. Because all of it tires one out, we should have a little sympathy for them." After saying so much, Tsutako-san quickly took her leave. It was very like her somehow to have managed to get a camera there. So habitually did Tsutako-san carry a camera with her, it was odd that they didn't hear the shutter in the middle of their own event. One couldn't entrust such a thing to another year student on the Green team, as in the morning all the different years participated in events and there was at least some time when there was no one watching over the team section. Unless a valuable is brought to the staff room, even if it's lost on school ground, the school doesn't do anything. However, if a camera is put in with the valuables, it's not easily put in and taken out.

The camera is valuable. But, she wanted to take pictures. As a desperate attempt, Tsutako-san had resorted to hiding it like a dog, hiding it very deep inside the cardboard box. Digging it up quickly, she was here and there, photographing the third-years' event. This was Tsutako-san's number one reason for living.

"That route, huh?" Yumi muttered as she watched the "Ball Throwing". The third years' retiring days were usually exhausting. That's what she was saying, in other words.

"What is Sachiko-sama doing after graduation?" Yoshino-san asked after hearing Yumi say 'That route, huh?'"

"I haven't asked." She returned the question, because she had answered. "How about Rei-sama?"

"She's going to Lillian U., isn't she? She decided that when she was young."

"Really? That's nice."

"If you have enough time to say 'that's nice' so jealously, why not just ask her already? If you keep hesitating about asking, then time will pass and it'll be useless, since there's so much in the world. For instance, the cast of the play for the school festival."

"Wahh-. Don't say it –" She covered her ears in haste. A little while ago, the stage play had become, for Yumi, an untouchable topic. When earlier she had tried to talk about it, it had been set aside.

"If you put off asking whether she's going to another university, it'll be a bigger shock."

"I know. ....But," If she didn't ask, she could postpone the shock.

"Geez. Why are you so passive about what Sachiko-sama will do? We're talking about your onee-sama here, there's no retreat from it."

"Mm." But, whether Yumi asked or didn't ask, Sachiko-sama's course had already been decided. So whether time passes and is unrecoverable wasn't the problem in Yumi's heart.

Green beanbags flew up towards heaven like a water fountain. White too, yellow, purple, pink and red. One by one the fountain of beanbags bubbled up, and Yumi's heart was discontented.

From nursery school to high school, Sachiko-sama had attended Lillian. But that was no basis to hope that she would choose the university. But, no matter how many hopes Yumi had for that, life didn't always go at her own convenience. If it looked like her father would be going to another country, she might choose a university overseas.

Onee-sama, what are you doing after graduation –

With a few short words, the matter could be settled.

The main thing was that she had no courage to even begin it now. She didn't need Yoshino-san to point that out, she understood it well.

Bang bang.

At the sound of the pistol, the multicolored fountain disappeared. Each team took down their baskets and the count soon started.

"One, two, three..."

Since no other team thwarted one during this match, a victory was brought about purely by one's own power.

The end result was that because of Rei-sama's and the other's perseverance, Yellow team came in first, recovering their former place in one crushing defeat. Regrettably, Green team came in fifth. You could say that that was their natural force of arms. Although, talking about force of arms for the "Ball Throwing" game seemed a little weird.

"How vexing. With all that throwing, how did we get fifth place?" Sachiko-sama complained when they returned to the Green team area.

Well, that would be because the other teams got more balls into the basket. Yumi squashed the words down just as they were on the verge of leaving her mouth. Anyway this was just Onee-sama's desire and needed no answer. Losing is mortifying, saying something to someone totally settles one. Therefore just listening at a time like that is important.

"Coming back here about halfway I met Rei, whose face was filled with victory. Ah - so offensive. There must be some way to win."

"Of course, Onee-sama. Please make it up on the "Centipede Race".

"Can we do that? Yes, we can do that. So, it will be done." As if to memorize the conjugation lesson, Sachiko-sama punched her fist into her palm. Pulling herself together, Sachiko-sama put the gakuran over her gym clothes and joined the cheering.

Hu-rray, hu-rray, Gr-e-en.

Boom, boom, boo-boo-boom, boom, boo-boo-boom.

"Yumi-san, you've completely become Sachiko-sama's protector." Although Yoshino-san made fun of her, her words secretly contained "It's so I guess." She had become fairly accustomed to times when Sachiko-sama was sulky or became hysterical, she thought. Nevertheless she still couldn't ask about essential things. When she saw the mood on Sachiko-sama's face, it would be too painful. She thought that she'd better not keep thinking over difficult things.

At the side of the track, the first-year's massed game is beginning.

Balance in a V shape. Balance in a T shape. Supported headstand. Fan pose. Two-level pyramid.

Although it was called "group physical exercise" there was nothing acrobatic about it. However, every time a pose was decided, applause boiled up from the audience and the cheering sections.

"Fweet, fwee-fwee. The sound of the whistle was fresh.

Not to be rude, but this was more like a side dish, without points relevant to the score, which could be seen if one regarded it calmly from the side.

In the middle of all these first-years were Kanako-chan, Touko-chan and Noriko-chan.

Although she might have a lot going on in her head, a first-year will suspend it all and just perform. Thinking this made Yumi very glad.

The Sports Festival is not just about the fight. Banding together to make it all happen, came the thought.

With a thunderous applause, the group physical exercises concluded, a great success. Confirming with the program, now was the team Pep Squad battle.

"First of all, the Red team cheer." As soon as the announcement had been made, three red-clad students seethed over the rope barrier, flying out onto the track. Holding red flowers in their teeth and castanets in their hands. Other students had similar accoutrements.

This year, the Red team theme was, "Carmen."

At the sound of a guitar, the light steps of the Red team Pep Squad marked time. "Ole!"

The finish of the performance was all of the flowers from the students' mouths were thrown up into the air. When one could see them, the flowers were not roses, they were camellia. Of course, the Red team's origin was Tsubaki Group.

"Next is Green team." The order of the pep squad battle was from the team in lowest place. Sachiko-sama and the others in the gakuran corps stood in a single line on the track. Legs apart, hands behind their backs. The lines of their backs were awe-inspiringly straight as a pin. According to plan, Yumi advanced first out of the team area, drawing back to the side of the drum. A little separated, Yoshino-san stood on standby.

"Hoo-ray." In the middle of it, the squad leader raised a left fist. "Hoo-ray." This time it was the right hand. "Gr-e-en, Go!"

At this spoken signal, the entire Green Team called out "Hooray hooray Green" while beating time. As Sachiko-sama and the others beat their hands together, Yumi banged the drums with all her might, boom boom do do boom. Yoshino-san flourished the green flag, swish swish. As the 3-3-7 rhythm continued, the five wearing gakuran took out folding fans and began a marching song. Of course, the fans were green.

It was an orthodox style cheer, but the main thing was that it was totally cool.

Yumi thought about next year, going into Matsu Group and putting on the gakuran like Onee-sama. It was the established custom of Green team to wear gakuran, and Yumi had the feeling that going forward there was a high likelihood of them continuing to do so.

After Green came Pink team. This year's theme was written on large posters that declared "Momotarou." It was after all, the Momo group - pretty straightforward.

As expected, leading a dog and a monkey and pheasant, appeared Momotarou. (E: http://www.midtesol.org/ClassProjects/project1/story6e.htm)
The attendants were in the cheering section. Wearing cardboard faces, there were many dogs, monkeys, pheasants, singing at the top of their voices, "Momotarou-san, Momotarou-san." When they finished, Momotarou sang out, "The demons have been vanquished~", and threatened the Yellow team, White team, and Purple team with his fan. Likening the teams in places above them to demons.

However, none of those teams got angry; instead, they all smiled and looked happy. It was hardly mortifying when coming from a team two places behind, Yumi understood well, from Green team.

After Pink, White team came up to do the pep squad battle.

The theme was "Angels". That was the story, but because the wings were stuck to the arms rather than the back, they looked more like pigeons. Although these wings would need more that just cheering power to be of use. Having five pigeons lead the cheer wasn't a masterpiece. ....No,they really are angels.

Continuing on was Purple team with "Fuji Musume." (E:Fuji=Wisteria, Musume=Daughter or Young Girl)

"Huh?" Three popular third-years formed the core of the Pep Squad, and wasn't that, right in the middle, second-year Shimako?

"...She was carried up here." Yoshino-san nodded, her arms crossed. After all, she was Rosa Gigantea. It's a suitable position for a leader.

"But so, the theme Wisteria Girl isn't really about the members? Shimako-san is an accredited master of classic Japanese dance."

"So it's Wisteria Girl because Shimako is there, I guess."

"Umm."

Shimako is the lead, therefore, Fuji Musume is the lead. A prince is the lead, a chicken is the lead.

"Feels like the leader was decided by consensus."

Confirming her friend's rumor, Shimako began to dance on a purple bier upon the students' shoulders. Made out of a light purple cotton, the kimono had been sewed on a machine so that from a distance it looked like a fine long-sleeved kimono. She also had a fairly done hand-painted bamboo hat. The entire grounds breathed with wonder at the elegant dance.

Then, last came the Yellow Team.

When entreated, Yoshino-san replied, "I haven't seen it," and with great effort it seemed she had managed to not go see it.

"Fwee-fweet fwee-fweet, fwee-fweet fwee-fweet, fwee-fweet fwee-fweet, fwee-fweet fwee-fweet."

Suddenly, the bright sound of whistles echoed. Gaudily clothed in yellow costumes, Rei-sama and the others entered. They set a musical samba rhythm, shaking their bodies violently right and left.

"Canary..."

The sleeves were made up of who knows how many layers of frills, with some close resemblance to yellow fur.

Yes, canary. The canary festival, you could call it strangely.

"...It's...yeah."

Geez, Yoshino-san wouldn't even look over there. She waited patiently with her face down for the whole thing to be over quickly.

"It's not so bad, really."

Rei-sama looked happy. The whole team was getting into the Latin style as it rose to a climax. Because it was men's outfits, it wasn't like it was a lot of skin showing Carnivale-type.

"Yumi-san, if it were your onee-sama, you wouldn't say that."

"You don't think?"

"Yes. Try to imagine it." Yoshino-san said. Sachiko-sama in a flouncy yellow blouse dancing around with boogie-woogie moves.

Yumi compliantly let the image float into her head of that situation. Somehow, it just wouldn't come. In its place what floats to her mind, is the image of Onee-sama tossing the outfit away with "There is no way I will do it."

Umm, definitely. That's what would happen Yumi thought, as she steals a sideways glance at Sachiko-sama in gakuran.

"Fwee-fweet fwee-fweet, fwee-fweet fwee-fweet, fwee-fweet fwee-fweet, fwee-fweet fwee-fweet."

The Canary Festival continued on.


3

Now then, after the hullabaloo of the Pep Squad battle came the second-years' "Tug of War."

Yumi donned white gloves and gathered in front of the entrance gates. Two teams by lottery met at the tug of war ground, the simple rule was that the winning team was awarded 20 points. In short, this was not by place, just which one won or lost. Of course, fortune controlled this probably. If your lottery was good, and you tugged against a weak team, the winning team had a good probability of moving up.

The results were:

Shimako's Purple Team's competition was a crushing defeat.

From one week ago, they were doing independent practice at lunchtime, that's why they won. Mami-san told them.

Yeah, in order to win, some such secret effort was necessary.

"Isn't that shameful. Why would they do such a thing."

Those harsh words came from, of course, Sachiko-sama. Having just recently been defeated at Ball Throwing, what high place is she looking down from that she'd forgotten that. It was totally Sachiko-sama-like to say that. To Yumi, which was the most shameful.

Moving on, there was the first-years' "Cancellation" to do. 30 sticks of about 1.5 meters are put in the center, which each team tries to carry to their area. The team with the most sticks gets the highest number of points. This is the last event in which all the first-years participated, from each one of the colors before the start, came a ruckus. You could see them pointing out the various locations of the sticksn and saying, "You get that one" or "I'll take that one."

This event, which person went for which stick was, in large part, the strategy. In order to get the largest number of sticks, it was necessary to decide ahead of time which sticks to get.

"Ready..."

Bang.

At the start signal, the first-years dashed out simultaneously. The closer sticks were the most advantageous, therefore those students who had confidence in their running left those to their classmates and headed to take sticks further away.

One person could easily pull a stick out. For the sake of strategy, one might focus on pulling the stick out with an accomplice, hands wrapped around each other.

With four teams trying to pull the same stick out at the same time, the stick would not move. In many cases, after one step, reinforcements from the camp came and the stick was taken away.

Over each stick formed many dramas.

"What are they doing, those girls?" Standing next to her, Yoshino-san pointed, smiling.

"No way, they aren't going to be able to take it, are they?"

Looking in the direction of her finger, Touko-chan and Kanako-chan each held the end of one stick, not moving. No, it wasn't that they weren't moving, it looked like they were pulling against each other, their power balanced.

"What a spectacle."

What kind of stratagem was this?

"...But, aren't they both on Red team?"

"Yes. Is this some kind of gag?"

People in the audience were noticing and were pointing and laughing. When they saw the girls at the end of the outstretched finger, they would start to laugh.

The situation wasn't funny per se, more like a couple of clowns at the circus, as around Touko-chan and Kanako-chan the atmosphere seemed to say, "please laugh at us." The god of laughter was surely smiling down upon them.

"Hey hey, what's going on here?" The students doing broadcasting had also become aware of the situation. "In all the craziness, they don't recognize their opponents. These two are both on the Red team, trying to take the same stick." Excitedly, they reasoned out the situation.

However, Yumi understood. For both Touko-chan and Kanako-chan, they did recognize an opponent, above taking the stick.

Enemy or ally, this was a risky thing. Now, the stick on which rests my hand, I do not want this person to take. No, I want to take it from this person, was the feeling. All at once their hostility gushed out at one another. Absolutely, natural enemies.

"These two are showing fierce determination. No one from any other team, or the Red team will put out a hand. What is their intention? If they don't move soon, the stick won't make it back to any camp before time is up. It'll be a total waste."

Not really understanding why they did this, people were just surrounding and gazing at the two of them. This was unheard of, and no one could judge where reinforcements should come from – the other teams or the Red Team.

"Ohh. One person from the Red team, a brave student, flies out. So, how is she going to deal with this?" (E: this is the announcer speaking over the PA)

"It's Noriko-chan."

Brave or not, Noriko grabbed the very middle of the stick and pushed them along towards the Red team camp. The pressure of pulling and pushing, which had been in balance, was suddenly upset and in the stick was eh-eh-eh-eh pulled along.

As expected of Noriko. When it's time to do a thing, she does it. As the other teams stood around and watched them in amazement, the ending pistol sounded.

The stick arrived at the Red team camp held in the hands of three people. By a hair's breadth, they made it in time.

With the last one counting, the Red team had done well, getting six sticks. There were calculated to be five sticks per team, so that was a magnificent result. Green team had four. With that, they were now the lowest place.

"What is this?" Sachiko-sama shook angrily, when she saw the scoreboard. When they saw that, everyone on the Green team shook with fear. Elegant Rosa Chinensis was trembling all over with wrath. This wrath must be appeased.

Yoshino-san, with the feeling that she'd say, "Just like always", calmly made a flower with color paper that she set on her middle finger, because only people who didn't really know Sachiko-sama would have their hearts race over this happening.

"Y...Yumi-sama, please..." Whuh, the first-years were pushing her ahead of them. She had used the centipede race event once to make her recover, it wouldn't be effective again. Moreover, it was time for the second-years' dance and she had to be making her way to the entrance gate. Glancing sideways to see what Onee-sama's state was, her anger hadn't yet abated.

Right. She had been the one to boast of aiming at absolute victory and here they were in last place to her chagrin. Sachiko-sama who hates losing. She can't forgive this state of affairs.

Then.

"Onee-sama, here." Yumi held out drumsticks.

"What is this?"

"Please, don't hesitate to drum. It's what the instrument is for. Now then, I'm going to do the 'Dance of the Flowers.' So, here." Inclining her head quickly, she grabbed up her flower prop and took her leave.

At least with this, she could avoid a situation in which the beautiful handkerchief is ripped, the sleeve of the gakuran is torn, the folding fan is broken or the banner is rent. Because there isn't time now to calm her down, this has the feeling of an emergency measure. When she returned she'd be sure to do some follow-up.

"Yumi-san, hurry, hurry." Her classmates were standing by behind the entrance gate waving her forward.

"Com-ing." As she answered, she shot a quick look over her shoulder.

(What's that...? Just now) Somewhere back there, she thought she had seen a face she knew.

(But who?) It wasn't Dad or Mom. She checked to make sure she knew were they were.

(Where?)

It was understandable because in this direction there were, in the area of the track many students and families all mingling, so it was just face, face, face. She couldn't be sure, now, even what direction she had been facing before.

What was it, that feeling of something she hadn't seen in a while.

"What are you doing, we're starting." Mami-san had turned back to the gate to drag her into place, the music was already playing and the White team students were just entering.

(Concentrate, concentrate)
Think about it later.

Putting the flowers on her fingers, Yumi walked out onto the inner field. For the sake of this day, since the second term had begun, they had practiced every day in gym class.

There were three colors of flowers. Pink, blue and yellow. Yumi and the others of the Pine group were, along with Shimako-san's Fuji group, using blue flowers.)

First come the blossoms. In time with the music, the petals were slowly carried out.

The buds blossom.
The buds blossom.

Before long, the entire area inside the track was filled with three colors of blooming flowers.

The music changed and the flowers sought out the rays of sunshine gladly.

The flowers withstand the rain.

And the wind scatters the petals apart, one and two at a time, like a whole side of falling cherry blossoms. Pink or blue or yellow flowers, there was no difference. When the wind stopped, the last pose was of six, small colorful flowers.

Although they gave it their all, regrettably she wasn't able to complete it for whatever reason. In the family seats was Dad, who had in his hand camera, whose film would be developed, but not seen by anyone.

When the dance was over, as she headed back, she passed Sachiko-sama, who was going out for the centipede race.

"Yumi." Onee-sama was smiling lightly, her humor restored and the stress gone, Yumi thought.

"Did you bang the drum?"

Looking kind of happy that she asked, Sachiko-sama said, "Silly," and fixed the position of Yumi's headband. "It was a musical dance program. I couldn't have drummed, even if I wanted to."

"Ah."

"When I realized, I had to laugh. In any case, getting so irritated is ridiculous."

"Yeah."

In other words, the drums had been indirectly effective.

Sachiko-sama's anger had been appeased by the medicine.

"You really are a miraculous girl." Sachiko-sama said earnestly, her little sister could feel it was part of a complicated mood.

(E: Kiss her! Kiss her! Oh. Sorry...)

"Um. That was meant as a compliment, right..."

(E: Rock on Yumi, ruin that mood.)

"Of course it is." Sachiko-sama nodded hugely, then hurried to join her classmates at the entrance gate. Halfway there, as if "ah, right", she turned to look back over her shoulder and offered, one more, this time genuine, compliment.

"The dance was good, your dancing was totally wonderful."

"T...thank you – " The compliment made her happy but she really didn't understand it, even as she hit the drums to cheer Sachiko-sama on as she made her appearance for the centipede race.

The consequence of that was that Green team moved into third place, more importantly Red team was in sixth place in total points, in a sudden reversal. The only remaining event of the morning was the club relay, and being announced at lowest position midway through the day held a stigma which was said to be inescapable.

4

The difference is five points, huh." Yoshino-san said, after looking at the scoreboard.

"Five points or not, a victory is a victory." Overhearing, Sachiko-sama stated definitively.

Right now it was good that they were winning, but was such a narrow margin really the kind of situation where one could use and comprehend it as that phrase?

No, because Sachiko-sama would simply coolly disregard anything to the contrary. If she thought five points was a win, then she'd smile...yeah.

"Club members who are going to participate in the club relay, please gather at the entrance gate, please."

Now then, it was that flower of the morning activities, the "Club Relay."

The six winners of the preliminaries would advance, the six batons would be carried around the track twice.

First of all were the culture clubs. Comparing these to the athletic clubs, there were many harsh words, which contained a "bustling" element. In place of a baton, these clubs ran with a small prop symbol.

For instance, the rakugo (E: traditional story-telling) club ran with a folding fan.
The art club ran with a paintbrush.
The flower arranging club ran with a flower arrangement.
The brass band ran with a clarinet.

The handicrafts club had a bamboo scale used in making traditional Japanese clothing. ---solving that.

"Hey, why is Mami-san here?"

Each team was being introduced. In lane six was "Lillian Kawaraban," the original newspaper club. A rolled-up newspaper served as their baton.

"I pass. I have no physical strength. I'm perfectly happy to take notes on the condition of all the club members from here." Mami-san gave her reason for missing the preliminary round, since other members of the club has more stamina. If they really hadn't had enough members to run, they could have let in retired member Tsukiyama Minako-sama.

"Then, why were you on the Athletic Festival Executive Committee?"

"As a member of the executive committee, I was responsible for arranging who the representative players were."

"Hoho!"

That was the principle reason.

"But even committee members are players." Yoshino-san interposed, looking jealous. Yoshino-san has somehow ended up being a participant in the great bird of the Sports Festival, the "Color Opposition Relay."

"You didn't say that you didn't want to do it. Yoshino-san, your fault." With that, Mami-san was being a bit harsh.

"Pfft." And, Yoshino-san was being easy to understand. The nail was hit on the head, she was just struggling....but really, today she had been exceptionally prone to losing her temper easily. Yumi wondered why.

"L...look, look, Yoshino-san. It's starting." Trying to draw her attention by pointing at the track.

Yoshino-san ran her fingers through her bangs. "I know, I know. I just don't want to think about it."

"...Eh?"

"Yes. Not having said I didn't want to do it and being wrong." Heaving a great sigh, made her appear reluctant, or full of self-loathing. "But at this late date, I can't pull out." Or maybe it was something else.

Down on the field, preparations were complete.

In between the bang of the pistol and the baton hand-offs, Yoshino-san told her story in dribs and drabs. The truth was, it was a reckless promise.

When she heard "reckless promise", Yumi's heart pounded for an instant. Her moment when she an exchanged a promise with Kanako-chan, came immediately to mind.

"A promised with whom? Rei-sama?" Yumi's voice cracked a little as she asked the question.

"Uhn-uhn." Yoshino-san shook her head back and forth. "Torii Eriko-sama."

"Eriko-sama...ah!" As she shouted, Yumi pressed her hand against her mouth. However, her voice was swallowed by a cheer, so it didn't stand out. Sachiko-sama wasn't at her side at the moment, ears from hell Mami-san was cheering on the wonderful conditioning of the newspaper club relay as if in a dream, so the two Tsubomi were, for a moment, unnoticed. On the track a dead heat was unfolding.

"Yumi-san, you met her too?" Yoshino-san continued after a pause.

"Um. No, I didn't meet her per se, but I saw her from a distance. ....That's it."

Before, that feeling of "who was that", it was Eriko-sama. She wasn't in school uniform, so she wasn't instantly recognizable.

Now, Yoshino-san having said, "Eriko-sama" confirmed it. There was no mistake, it had been Eriko-sama.

"So, as I suspected, I'm the only one she appeared in front of."

Yoshino-san, you're talking about her as if she was a ghost.

"I had thought that, when she graduated, that settled that. But it looks like we'll be rivals for the rest of our lives."

"Rivals? With Eriko-sama?"

"Yes. Who else would it be? With Rei-chan between us, she's opposite me."

"—"

Yeah, that kind of idle curiosity would be like Eriko-sama.

Of course, there were many fans of Rei-sama in school, but Yoshino-san did not regard the majority as enemies. Related by blood, spending day and after day together for seventeen years and practically living together in houses that were close by each other, Yoshino-san wouldn't be matched by too many companions.

Except one person. Eriko-sama alone was the exception. For the reason alone that Eriko-sama was Rei-sama's onee-sama, she would have to follow her orders. The person who could freely move "Yoshino's Rei-chan." That there should be in existence anyone who could do that outside herself, Yoshino-san could not forgive.

"So, when did you meet Eriko-sama?" Yumi inquired. In the relay, the batons had been passed twice.

"Pretty early on. Maybe before "Dodgeball"? About halfway towards the entrance gate, a voice called out to me."

"Really." So that's why Yoshino-san had been in such a foul mood the whole time.

She had met up with Eriko-sama and made a reckless promise, so she was self-conscious. Probably, she had fallen into a trap of self-abhorrence. So when she saw Rei-sama plunge into her optimistic "Canary Festival" her irritation came to a climax. So the causes for her temper were various and many throughout the day, and her words mixed with her feelings.

"So, what did you promise?"

"To introduce her to my soeur." Yoshino-san fiddled with the front part of the headband tied around her head, staring into the distance. (E: "staring at the day after tomorrow"....I quite liked that.) The meaning of the words not sinking in, thinking she might have misheard, Yumi asked again.

"Who?"

"Me. To Eriko-sama."

Yoshino-san introduce her soeur. Then, the other party was Eriko-sama. --- Inside Yumi's head she arranged the sentence. A mysterious encounter. Information that, until now she hadn't heard, now came floating lightly to the surface.

"Congratulations. Who's the other party?"

"There isn't one. You know that, Yumi-san."

Yeah, guess so. But hear me out for the moment. "If there isn't anyone, how can you introduce her to your soeur?"

"That was why it was a reckless promise, like I said. Didn't you hear me?"

"I heard."

That really was a reckless promise. You could say that at the point of promising, the promise itself became scrap paper. ....Huh?

"It was inadvertent. She was saying that en bouton need to take soeur, and it was like nag nag nag from a mother-in-law or something. Because Rei-chan is spoiling me or like Rei-chan is to blame at all. To make matter worse, she had heard from somewhere that you had a candidate, and that was in her list of complaints too."

"M...me?" Yumi waved her hand back and forth confusedly at the misunderstanding. Of course, Eriko-sama wasn't the one in front of her.

"It doesn't matter what the real situation is. She was just looking for material to provoke me. I wonder if things aren't going well with her lover. It's been like that for a long time, she'll make fun of me because she's bored."

If you know that's how it is, then why are you jumping on the provocation, Yoshino-san?

"So you inadvertently let it slip that you would introduce you to your soeur?"

"Sort of. I said that right now it doesn't seem like much, but there is a first-year that interests me and I might hand over my rosary."

"It's sort of intrusive, but it looks like she achieved her objective."

"That was her objective. Obviously."

No. Obviously, normally one doesn't make a promise of an introduction when there is no candidate, does one?

"But you know, did Eriko-sama think 'I need to see her' just to extract that promise?

"Seems like it, doesn't it?"

"Seems like. Wait, don't tell me, Yoshino-san, you didn't go and agree to a specific time and place for this introduction?"

"I did. But, 'when' was part of her persistence."

Snapping Turtle Eriko-sama. Yumi suddenly remembered the nickname. Somewhere, someone had said that, she couldn't remember exactly. (E: It was Sei. At the end of the Eriko arc, in the Principal's office. To Yamanobe. With the candlestick.)

"So, when did you promise for?"

"Well, after this, there's the class trip and the school festival rattling around, so after those are completed. So, the month after next at the intramural kendo club meet? Then."

"Eh? Ehh??"

The kendo club meet wasn't even two months away. How was she supposed to meet and make someone her soeur in two months. It wasn't likely that she'd succeed.

Certainly, for Yoshino-san a period of less than two months would not be the problem condition. "Really, to tell me that she wanted to see it soon, this was a good place to talk. That it's an impossibility, because Eriko-sama repeated it over and over, she understood. ...Yes, she did understand that. And I know that I have to give it some thought, to look at how the problem can be cleared, and put some effort into enjoying that part. She really understands my personality." Remembering that, Yoshino-san felt double chagrin.

"What are you going to do?"

"Whatever I have to. I'll take a soeur. Then I won't look back."

"Take a soeur?"

"Eriko-sama laughed when she said, 'The sky's the limit,' apologetically. But I've come to realize that it was an opportunity. I'll put some serious effort into it."

Opportunity. Serious effort.

Namely, the words that Yumi cannot bear to accept.

"Thinking about it, in neither April or May did some party strike me when I saw her, so without such pressure being applied as far as possible, maybe I didn't try to find a soeur. That's probably it. When Sachiko-sama took Yumi-san as a soeur, because of the situation with the role of Cinderella, it forced her to move proactively. Look at Shimako-san, the situations with both Sei-sama and Noriko-chan took meddling before they became soeur, didn't they, right. This might be a good chance."

Ah, positive Yoshino-san. A horse led against her will to the water, gallantly drinking.

"Hey you two." Grabbing their arms and thrusting her face forward with a wry smile, Mami-san joined them. "Though you are talking as if it's a secret and I can't hear it, you're audible, is that okay?"

"Eh."

Who knows if it's all right. If it was audible, then there was no helping it. While they were talking in the middle of a dream, the culture club relay had finished. Although it had unfolded in front of her eyes, who had come in first at the goal, she didn't know.

"But, Mami-san, you won't write a report on this, will you." Yumi said. That was in response to Mami-san's earlier inquiry "Is it okay?"

"Yumi-san, where is that self-confidence coming from?"

"Because if Mami-san wants to write a truly perfect article, I think she should wait for the official announcement. Until the opportunity is ripe, type quietly and reservedly. Of course, Yoshino-san will give permission for research to be conducted ahead of time."

There, they don't have to worry. If she spoke glibly, the possibility of good negotiations were higher.

"Um, Yumi-san. You've got me where it hurts. In that case, there's nothing I can do as editor of the Lillian Kawaraban except anticipate that time." Mami-san showed herself to lament grievously. However, even if Yumi had not said anything, she might have had to do the same.

"Well, I want to do a good article about the Yamayurikai. Being hasty won't make that happen. Right now I have enough information, I can let this swim." Saying this, Mami-san preceded to grab her pencil and begin noting down the results of the relay.

Sports Festival to Class Trip to School Festival. There were certainly many events this semester to write articles about. However, there was a pause in November when Yoshino-san would have to put out results. At that moment in time, the Lillian Kawaraban will be in a fallow season.

"Hey, the athletic clubs are running."

The other half of the club relay, the athletic clubs were getting ready to go. The rules were the same as for the culture clubs. However, they used standard batons. Running with a ball or racket would get in the way.

"Where's the kendo club?"

"They drop out after preliminaries. It's that way every year." Yoshino-san said, as if it were trivial. "It's not just out of respect. Honest to a fault, they run with hakama (E: men's formal, divided skirt) flapping around their legs. They are unlikely to win and advance to the next round."

"....I see."

Nonetheless, every year the kendo club continued to make a determined challenge. It was a hardship. No, they probably went out from obstinacy.

Then, that left as the finalists, the track and field club, the tennis club, the basketball club, the physical athletics club and the judo club.

"The track and field team was tough in the first race." Mami-san said, closing her notebook.

Speaking of the relay, surely this was the track and field team's specialty.

Six of their short-distance runners were gathered to participate. Of course Yumi's classmate Itsue-san was one of them, about three more were also entries.

Which club glittered with the most intense fighting spirit. Without exception, there were no smiles. Just a little while ago in the same area, the culture clubs had been totally different.

The athletically oriented clubs saw the sports festival as a something to look forward to. –One could really feel that spirit.

Bang!

No flying out. A nice start.

One by one they covered their allocated distance. But, which participants were flying by. Fast, fast. At that point, the baton had been passed twice. At the top was the track and field club. But tennis club wasn't defeated. Although the lead was by two bodies, they were pretty close in second.

"At last, at last, next up is Itsue-san, huh. Let's see if she shows solid running," Yoshino-san muttered. Checking up on Itsue-san's condition, estimating for the afternoon's Color Opposition Relay.

Noticeably, there were no runners from Green team in any year. Apparently the key to victory, Itsue was the only one on track and field club.

"They are still in the lead. The baton is about to passed to Itsue-san."

"Wah." As expected of the track and field club. Itsue-san was also fast.

"Huh, Itsue-san has stalled."

"Eh?"

Following the pointing finger, Yumi did not immediately understand. The space between the tennis club had lessened, but it still looked pretty open. However, it was only noticeable because the third place was so slow. You could say that the softball club was chasing the tennis club.

"Because I was weak at doing sports, I watched them all." Shimazu Yoshino. Interests: Watching sports.

"I wonder if something's wrong with Itsue-san." Saying that, even if she was in a slump, Itsue-san was still far faster than Yumi at her top speed, and in that case, all she had to do was preserve the lead until she could pass the baton to the next person.

Indeed, the form of the track and field club members was magnificent. As she thought that, she looked at the final anchor.

As the baton was being passed, she sucked in her breath. (What the heck is that?)

Neither a girl, nor a high school student, nor a Japanese person had speed like that. She'd never seen that kid of running from a student in gym class.

(C...cheetah?)

There was no catching this cheetah. In front of everyone, she crossed the white tape at the goal.

"The captain of the field and track team. She's in Rei-chan's class." Yoshino instructed sotto voce. If they had such a person, no wonder the Yellow team was a favorite to win. That kind of fast wasn't at an inter-high level, it was more like at an international level.

After all, the anchor, running alone, the track and field club took first place. With joie de vivre. And they lived happily ever after.

And with that, the boisterous "Club Relay", and the Sports Festival morning portion ended without incident.

To Be Continued

Tags: Maria-sama ga Miteru, Marimite, Ready, Go!