Notes on the Fifteenth Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel, "Ready, Go!" - Part 4

Maria-sama ga Miteru: Ready, Go!
Part 4

Casting Aside Embarrassment of One's Parents

1

For lunch on Sports Day, one went to any spot one liked. The team area, back to the classroom, in the school's central garden, go to the cafeteria.

As everyone spread out to those places have lunch together with their families, it seemed that this year it might be a little impossible. The parent's seats were jam packed, and then on top of that students were trying to squeeze in, looking for a spot that was left over. There were people who could spend all of lunchtime looking for an empty space on the grounds to be together with mother and father.

"Yumi."

The "Club Relay" was over and, after about an hour's rest, the members of the Pep Squad would be gathering together in the front, Sachiko-sama, holding a nylon sheet came up to Yumi.

"Yes."

"Let's go. ...No, I mean, lead on."

"Whah?" Yumi asked. She could understand, "Let's go" but what did she mean by "lead on."

"You have to pick up your lunch in the classroom....don't you?" As they talked, students passed by on each side with ""I'm going now,". Because it would be bad to interrupt a conversation between soeur, because one wants to get to the place where on can eat lunch right away, and because during this time to relax, the newspaper club's Mami-san and photography club's Tsutako-san are rolling around taking photos and they wanted to be somewhere else.

"...Lunch? Ah, yes. Wherever we go together is fine, our classroom is fine..."

"Yes."

"It's not possible to get all the work done anyway, recess is so..." As usual, Yumi's reasoning was off.

Even if they were in different years, being able to eat lunch together made the day flow by pleasantly, Yumi thought.

Where was Yoshino-san, who had specially stalked into the enemy camp to get Rei-sama.

Though Yoshino-san was irritated at Rei-sama, when Rei-sama appeared, she looked happy, just a little. As soon as she realized that she was showing that her mood had improved, she made a bad mood face, but for one second, Yumi had seen her real expression. Yoshino-san loved Rei-sama.

"So then, where would you like me to lead you, Onee-sama?" Was there something she wanted done before she sat down to eat lunch? There was no work for the Yamayurikai today, so where should she be leading Sachiko-sama--. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't figure it out.

"Has it been decided?"

"Decided?" Been decided, she said. When, where, who is making what decision. Inside her head thoughts whirled around over and over. "I give in. Onee-sama, please explain."

"You're making fun of me, even though you know what I mean." Sachiko-sama's face flushed red just slightly.

"No way..." That's just absurd. There's no way Yumi would be that reckless to tease Sachiko-sama like that. ---Well, that could have a lot of meanings.

"Really, you haven't hit on it?"

"...I'm sorry." Although she hadn't been criticized yet, for the moment, Yumi apologized. There was always the possibility that she had inadvertently been rude to Onee-sama, it wasn't beyond the pale.

"Then, don't you plan on introducing me?"

"Introducing Onee-sama? ...Um, who to?"

"Your parents." Sulkily, Sachiko turned away. There, Yumi finally noticed.

"Ah."

"It's not 'ah'. Why are you being so thick-headed about it? I've been, you know, all morning, no, since last night when I couldn't sleep, worrying endlessly about it over and over."

"Onee-sama, you couldn't sleep?" Somehow that made her happy. Yumi smiled. Sachiko-sama who was filled with self-confidence. The cause of her sleeplessness was meeting her little sister's parents.

"Of course. Meeting Yumi's father and mother, would I properly greet them, that kind of thing. Or whether I would make a good impression, that kind of thing." Coming from the Fukuzawa couple, this comment would make sense; coming from Sachiko's mouth it seemed a little funny.

"If it's from Onee-sama, I'm sure whatever comes out will be fine." To the extent that she will stand magnificently upright and greet them as if they were nobility from a foreign land.

"Yumi's parents are an exception."

"Huh?"

"I don't want them to dislike me."

"..."

Ah, Yumi recalled. Onee-sama might appear to have confidence, but not when it was the first time to have met. The evening of their Valentine date she had confessed to having been very nervous about calling Yumi's home. At her summer home, muttering that she could not defend Yumi. At the Saionji's house, at Great-grandmother's party, when Yumi had done a musical performance in lieu of a present. All of Sachiko-sama's piled-up confidence collapsed very easily. Always when it was something to do with Yumi. Perhaps Yumi was Sachiko-sama's Achilles heel.

Therefore, Yumi realized, that for Sachiko-sama this was a big problem that swelled.

"Then, I'll lead on." Yumi began to walk on ahead.

Although it was a little, no, very, embarrassing, there was a distinction. Compared to the beating of Onee-sama's heart, this was nothing.

"They're okay as parents." Despite sending their daughter to a girls' private school the Fukuzawa family continued to be commoners. Her father was easily excited and her mother was careless. However, they were both kind, honest people. Not really "okay as parents" but, for Yumi that was a boast. Now Yumi would be introducing her parents whom she boasted about to her onee-sama she boasted about.

"I hope I'll be all right." As the time approached, Sachiko-sama began to hesitate.

Seeing her hands begin to tremble Yumi nodded hugely. "Of course you will. "Dad and Mom already like you."

"Really?" With an atmosphere like she couldn't believe it, Sachiko asked in return. As if this was her being soothed and not really a consideration.

"Even though you haven't yet met, I know it. Because for me, Ogasawara Sachiko-sama is a very important existence."

"Ah..., I see." Sachiko-sama muttered, as if she understood. "Because I always talk about you in that way to my parents."

--There.


2


And so, Yumi lead Sachiko-sama to the place where her family was seated, to present her to parents who were not expecting another daughter, and who were stuffing their faces with fried food in one hand and onigiri in the other.

"This is my onee-sama, Ogasawara Sachiko-sama."

Therefore, at the time Yumi made the introduction this way, they grasped the information, and lifted their heads in a "Ah, okay," sort of feeling, then, "Huh?" for one second were silent, then at the same time gulped down whatever they had in their mouths.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm always indebted to Yumi-san." Onee-sama greeted them a little tensely.

"Ah, the debt is all mine, really." For a moment the atmosphere was one of embarrassment. Somehow the feeling of it being a scene from a television drama where the heroine introduces her lover to her parents floated around them. In that case, the father who decides and who is sitting makes an unpleasant face and crosses his arms. And the mother, who has a nervous temperament sucks in her breath with an exclamation of disappointment.

Nevertheless.

"Cough cough." In reality, both parents looked like they wanted to cough up the food in their throats, having been presented with this person for introduction without warning.

"Mom, Dad." At being called, the response was cough, cough. Therefore Yumi was exceptionally embarrassed, probably the most embarrassed she'd ever been in her life.

Such a fuss just when Sachiko-sama has come, because of this accident, something in her nature was loosened Well, she was a little worried that they might be choking to death.

"Excuse for me being rude. I'm Yumi's father."

"I'm her mother."

Sucking in a deep breath, her parents had managed to find their lost voices.

Ah, if only they could dig under that vinyl sheet and bury themselves in a hole underground, the three members of the Fukuzawa family thought.

(That would leave Yuuki, sorry. You'll just have to live strong by yourself.)

Anyway, speaking about making room for one's family, the place they were sitting was crowded in with many other families. They were all in the middle of enjoying their lunches, so digging such a hole would be impossible.

However, despite there being no hope of digging a hole for her unforgivable parents, they had not moved, indeed looked as if they had been knocked down, while she stood looking down at them. Certainly, they looked at least like funeral attendants who had gone astray and found themselves in the middle of a picnic.

But you two know well how much Yumi likes Sachiko-sama. This is their first meeting with the object of their daughter's worship, and their failure to respond properly was causing her to fall into a pit of despair.

"Ah, fried food." Sachiko-sama said suddenly. "It looks tasty." Looking down from above on the nested boxes stuffed full of okazu. (E: okazu are little tidbits of food that are gathered together for boxed lunches, something like what we call appetizers.)

"How, oh-" Although Mom seemed secretly ill at ease, she calmly reached into the plastic bag and pulled out a toothpick, with which she raised a piece of fried chicken, "Please, please," she held it out to Sachiko-sama. Yeah, she was that kind of person.

"Is it all right? Thank you very much." Sachiko-sama took it without refusing, carrying it to her mouth. And three people held their breath and watched, until she muttered the single word, "Delicious."

"The lunch made by Yumi's mother was very delicious. When...right, when we were going the summerhouse, you made us lunch, right? That was the time I was thinking of."

Sachiko-sama turned towards Yumi as she spoke – as expected, Yumi was tongue-tied. "Ah, right, right, and Onee-sama, you were overcome by the umeboshi (E: Salted, preserved, sour apricots that are, for some reason usually called "pickled plums") and asparagus."

"Overcome is an exaggeration. But, our summerhouse manager did do a menu that was the same for our return trip. The onigiri (E:rice ball) was made very well with the koshihikari (E: a type of rice – see Notes on Novel 12 for the reference), and as expected the nori (E:dried seaweed strips) was perfectly crispy, I vaguely remember there being two types..." Sachiko-sama spoke with large gestures, giving good service. As she spoke, it gave Mom and Dad's good spirits time to rise to the surface.

"If you please, have an onigiri."

"Oh, I don't want to appear as if I was asking..... But, since you offered, thank you, I will." After wiping her hands with the proffered wet towel, Onee-sama seated herself on the vinyl sheet as if it were perfectly normal and proceeded to eat an onigiri.

Today, Mom's onigiri were the umeboshi type. The contents were, of course the standard every day umeboshi.

"Thank you so much for the food." In the end, in the time it took to eat one rice ball, all was harmony and it was if Sachiko-sama had come over to visit relatives without whom she was familiar.

"Since Sachiko-san's family could not be here today, we'll make sure that we root extra hard for the Green team." That the noble daughter of the Ogasawara Group was the onee-sama of their cute daughter, the one that they call Sachiko-san, absolutely made her parents giddy; upon meeting her, they were relieved to find that she was a fairly typical young lady.

After spending some time relaxing, or you could say, living around the four corners of the vinyl sheet, there was no mistaking that with thanks for the kind offers, it was time for Sachiko-sama and Yumi to turn back towards the school.

"They're quite wonderful." Sachiko-sama smiled as they walked.

"R...really?"

"I can really see how they are Yumi's parents."

"Somehow, that doesn't have the feeling of being meant as a compliment." Here parents were seen to be "succhakamecchaka" (E: I was just totally unable to find a translation for this onomatopoeia,) that was understandable. That didn't really match with the previous words that they were wonderful.

"It was a compliment. You have a cheerful family. Very normal-seeming."

"... ..."

Of course whether that was a compliment depended on how you looked at it. Sachiko's family was pretty unique, so a normal family was something to admire, but it was embarrassing if she thought that all that a little while ago was normal. Absolutely mortifying.

By the time they reached the path by the Library, they slammed into Mami-san, coming from the side. As she walked, she was furiously writing some memo in her notebook, although what could have her so busy they did not know.

"Lillian Kawaraban?"

"No, Sports Festival Executive Committee." But after the morning check-in was done, supposedly they didn't really have much work. There was probably a change in their job.

"When we're done eating, would you like some assistance?"

"Ah, really? That would be a big help. Although I should say that Yumi-san can't really help."

"Why?"

"Even if they are so busy that they would borrow a cat's paw, the teacher won't let the student make the test. Right?" Mami-san closed her notebook with "Later," and left at a quick pace. Halfway, she began looking back and forth around the school grounds, looking like she was checking for something, but what it was Yumi didn't know.

"Onee-sama, did you understand that?" Watching over Mami-from behind, Yumi asked Sachiko-sama."

"Yes," came the answer immediately. "Yumi is participating in the 'Scavenger Hunt Race' this afternoon. Don't you think it probably is something to do with that?" she said.

"'The Scavenger Hunt Race'... ...?"

Last year, when Yumi had watched the Lillian Jogakuen Scavenger Hunt Race, she had wondered what kind of people participated in that, then promptly forgot about it. So, when Sachiko-sama pointed out that Mami-san, like several other people on the Sports Festival Executive Committee were probably doing research for it, she didn't even want to think about it.

3

They took their lunch boxes from the classroom, then the two of them went to the old greenhouse.

Because the weather had continued to be nice all day, the rays of sunshine had penetrated the glass making it rather warm, although it had cooled slightly, the demerit of it being hot was surpassed by the merit of it not being a particularly popular place, which won out, and they spread their lunches out.

Sachiko-sama had already eaten one onigiri and one piece of fried chicken but, opened her bento with her tongue out and ate. The bento was wrapped in paper with a high-class restaurant's name written on it. Usually the servants made her her lunch, today must be a rest day for them.

And so the sisters spent some time alone without outsiders, after which they reversed their route and returned to the grounds.

Although there was still about 15 minutes left before 1:00 when the afternoon events were to begin, the assembly music wafted over the grounds, and the area inside the track became the circle for the folk dance. This was self participation, so students who wanted to participate freely joined in the circle.

"Onee-sama, let's go dance."

"Eh, but..."

"It'll be fun, promise."

Sachiko flinched a little, but let herself be led by the hand and they joined the circle. Thereupon, instead of gazing upon the participants from a distance, suddenly she was promoted to one of the common people who did folk dances.

There might not ever be another chance to dance with her beloved Rosa Chinensis. This was totally different from Yumi's hesitation last year to jump into the circle.

The music was a medley from "Oklahoma." Since Sachiko-sama was so much taller than Yumi, she took the man's part.

First, both turn in the same direction and standing slightly obliquely side-by-side, one put a hand on top of the shoulder, then step.

From there, palms are wrapped around each other, and you turn slightly towards one another as appropriate, and stepping out with the heel, boom, and the foot behind also settles with a boom, reversing direction three times before a partner change.

(Ah....Onee-sama's...)

Thinking about it, this dance really brings a pair together, as if they are the same person, one by one with the next partner.

Led by the music, Sachiko-sama advanced further away. Because the number of participants increased, she might go all the way around twice, possibly. As she thought about it, a new person appeared.

She became inattentive, as she carelessly greeted her new partner, not noticing who was standing by. It was a fairly conspicuous existence.

"Kanako-chan." Why are you here? Was what she was saying.

No, obviously because she was a student here at the school, so it shouldn't seem strange; that she should her he partner honestly surprised her. Not being the kind of person who cooperates with her classmates easily, she would never have predicted that she'd participate on her own in the folk dance.

Because she had been surprised, she hadn't immediately stood next to her. Yumi glided up to Kanako-chan's body, who reached out a hand to put on her shoulder. A little late, Kanako-chan's hand arrived.

"Have you decided upon a penalty?" As they stepped out in the dance, Yumi inquired. Because Kanako-chan was so tall, in order to face her face, Yumi had to look over her shoulder and upwards.

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"If I win, you have to assist me."

"Eh?"

"Whether you know what it is or not won't affect whether you win or lose, right? Therefore, it's no problem."

What's this not saying because of fastidiousness. She didn't want to find out for the first time after she had lost what the penalty was.

Certainly it could be that way. But, interest was interest. If it was something self-centered or impossible that she had to pass on, she wanted it to be said in advance, so she could prepare Kanako-chan to have some self-control.

But self-control or denial – to what degree would it be? Would preparation be necessary or not?

"At least give me a hint. What would it entail?"

"If the conditions are followed, it will be completed quickly." They separated and lifted their hands, standing close, but apart.

"Conditions?" Apparently Yumi's idea of a penalty is different than Kanako-chan's. Using her until the day of the school festival was, comparatively, a heavy burden, what this was frightened her momentarily.

Kanako-chan's grin remained with Yumi, as the girl slid over to the next person. As a replacement, Touko-chan appeared.

"To – "

To Yumi's obvious question, "Why?" Touko-chan was prepared with an answer, which she supplied.

"Because. Everyone wants to dance with Rosa Chinensis, so they have all taken the woman's part. There weren't enough people, so latecomers were put here."

So that was the reason that there weren't many tall people on the men's part line.

"Anyway, if I took the same part as Kanako-san, then there's no chance I'll have to dance with her."

"Yeah, that's true."

Two diminutive people dancing to an 'Oklahoma' medley. Completely unlike just before, their faces were on the same level, which felt strange.

"But, it's too bad." Yumi said, stopping over a little.

"Yes?" Noticing what she was doing, Touko stood up a bit on tiptoe. Because they danced better with balance, they returned to walking along at the same height.

"Well, because Touko-chan joined the folk dance in order to be able to dance with Sachiko-sama, didn't you?"

"Eh? Ah...well, yes. Really, it is regrettable." As Touko-chan's unclear answer floated in the air, it became time for a partner change.

After Touko-chan, it was some first-year she didn't know. As expected, it couldn't continue to be people she was acquainted with.

Clank, clank, like a robot, her new partner took her hand, silent until she couldn't put up with it and suddenly opened her mouth.

"Y...Yumi-sama."

"Y...yes-" Inadvertently answering the same way.

"Since I first entered school, I've been a fan of Yumi-sama. So, when I saw you enter the circle to dance with Rosa Chinensis, I though that this was my chance. Although you're reserved, being with you feels like spring water flowing down from the stage, and...and..." at the peak of nervousness, she returned to being a robot.

"Thank you. That makes me happy." Unlike so many of the people who wanted to dance with Sachiko-sama, who were forced into the role of the man, like Touko-chan, that was not why she had joined. To think that she had joined specifically to dance with Yumi really did make her happy.

"Didn't you know? There are many Yumi-sama fans."

"Really?"

"Really."

The Oklahoma medley finished. The piece that continued was "Korobushka" (E: A Russian folk song.)

And, Rei-sama turned towards her.

"Yumi-chan, it's been a while."

"Yes."

It's been a while. Greeting her as if she was a companion that she hadn't just not seen in a very little while, she gestured for Yumi's hand as she spoke. Last year Rei-sama had been her partner in the dance scene in the play. Therefore, they fit. ....although in saying that, there was a difference in a waltz and a folk dance.

However, as expected of Mr. Lillian. When she met her gaze, it did feel a bit like dancing with a guy.

When she said farewell to Rei, she encountered another face she knew. Another diminutive stature, small, pale body. However, the fighting spirit inside was clearly visible in her eyes. And the trademark braids.

"Yoshino-san, why did you take the man's part?" Yumi pointed to her partner of a moment ago, Rei-sama, as she asked. Touko-chan's reason would not be applicable to this pair. Yoshino-san gazed over at Rei-sama with a glance that said, "Don't you understand?" and said, "Dancing with Rei-chan is over in a moment isn't it? Then you separate and move on to another person. Don't you think it's better to be next to the person looking on them with eyes shining? The dance itself becomes the dance you are doing with them."

That's totally Yoshino-san. All she would have had to say to Rei-sama is one word, "Dance."

"But you more like you're worried than you're looking on her gladly."

"Well, yeah. I want to make sure that those students who have a one-sided thing for Rei-chan are preemptively braked."

"With Yoshino-san right next to her, no one is going to do anything."

"Exactly."

However, instead of stopping Rei-sama from dancing, she was allowing a little service for the Rei-sama fans.

Yumi, who was totally far away from Sachiko-sama, thought about it for a moment. Whose hand was she holding now. Strangely, she wasn't jealous. Wherever Sachiko-sama was, all was well. She was still in the near vicinity. That their hearts were connected, this confirmed that easily.

But, what if. If they were separated and far apart, could these feelings be continued? When Onee-sama graduated, would that be the graduation of her sister as well? After all, Shimako-san had already seen off her onee-sama, which Yumi thought remarkable.

Although they were both second-years, she wasn't sure she could follow her example.

However, Shimako-san was always two or three steps ahead of Yumi, and wasn't easy at all to catch up with.

4

When it became one o'clock, the afternoon part began.

As soon as lunch was over, the points were counted and put into keeping for the hard events. The awards for participation were put out and gave the feeling of menu of fun things had started.

First of all, the "Faculty Relay."

The teams were arranged by curriculum, so the athletic teachers were given a 2-kilometer handicap. In this event, with his head thrown back in an air of superiority, the teacher of social studies was already sweating , the science teacher who appeared weak was unexpectedly fast, why did the level of tension go up when the teachers of foreign languages arrived, it was always interesting to catch a glimpse of this aspect of the teachers one saw every day, wasn't it?

Continuing on was the "Hakama race." The premise was simple enough - one by one the runners run wearing the hakama (E: men's formal divided skirt - I'm betting this is like our sack race) for 100 meters. Simple, but one of the best-loved events. The reason was that participation was restricted to soeur. It becomes a memory shared by those sisters, and people can watch them and say "those two are soeur", and as soeur their breaths were in synch, which made it something that was looked forward to.

All the people who wanted to participate were gathered, lining up in the groups they were running in, when suddenly a broadcast flowed over
them.

"Calling the following: Third year Matsu Group Ogasawara Sachiko-san, second year Matsu Group Fukuzawa Yumi-san."

The two, who were relaxing in the Green team area looked at each other
when they heard their names called. What was it?

However, the announcement wasn't done.

"Third year Kiku Group Hasekura Rei-san, second-year Matsu Group Shimazu Yoshino-san, second-year Fuji Group Toudou Shimako-san, first-year Tsubaki Group Nijou Noriko-san. You are urgently needed at trackside." In conclusion, the Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Foetida and Rosa Gigantea sisters were being called.

Not having a clue why, the six responded to the call, coming from different areas to form a line. When they were seen entering the track, from outside the track a great cheer went up.

"Thank you very much. You were called on by no less than everyone. That the entire Yamayurikai should participate in this year's hakama race, the Sports Festival Executive Committee received so many requests, they had a discussion about it."

"A discussion about that. Nothing ever reached my ears." Yoshino muttered. Apparently the Sports Festival Executive Committee had been in active service, advancing this while keeping it secret from her.

"So this is a special nomination from everyone to humbly request that you participate. Will you do so?"

Sigh -

Before the actual people involved could say wither they would or not, from the outfield came a lively ruckus. Every team's cheering section was jeering at them "Nyah nyah."

"... That's unfair." Said Yoshino-san, clicking her tongue.

"What an overbearing way of handling this, it's really uncomfortable," commented Sachiko-sama. However.

"I guess that after all this, there's no possibility of us returning to our seats without doing anything, is there?" At Rei-sama's drily whispered words, the remaining three who objected nodded. On the other hand, this seemed interesting. And Yumi did not appear to be the only one who thought so. Saying, "It can't be helped, " Sachiko-sama put a smile upon her face. Yoshino-san rolled up the cuffs of her tracksuit, full of "bring it on". Shimako-san and Noriko-chan, although they, as always, did not display their emotions upon their faces, didn't look like they were "I absolutely don't want to do it."

So basically, the members of the Yamiyurikai hurried to become part of the "Hakama race."

Just being together was not only what made it interesting, it was the crowd in which one was paired up.

Sachiko-sama and Yumi weren't an especially new couple, immediately in
front of them was Katsura-san and her onee-sama, in front of them was
Yoshino-san and Rei-sama.

As one pair started, the next would stand by with the hakama. Three pairs would have hakama ready to use, and the fourth would use the one the first pair returned with. Because one was busy getting ready, one didn't really watch the running ahead of them, but side glances showed soeurs running in such different ways that it was deeply interesting.

Like, here there was a pair in which the onee-sama swaggered.
Like the imouto was being pampered slightly.
Like their breaths were evenly matched.
Like today, these two had had a fight.
One could understand this easily in 100 meters of running. In one
hundred soeur relationships, there would be 100 ways of relating.

"Rei's team is running." At Sachiko-sama's words, Yumi's hand stopped tying and she looked up. Their start was a little relaxed, but slowly they accelerated.

In an event like this, having a partner whose body was as close as possible to one's own was an advantage however, beanpole Rei-sama and shorty Yoshino-san were running, bam bam, as if there was no difference at all.

Participating suddenly, with no time for practice, their breath came evenly. There were no worried looks visible between them or calling out to see if the other was all right. They ran together as if they were running alone. Upon seeing this, Yumi knew that tears flowed from her eyes.

She remembered something Yoshino-san had said just before her heart surgery. I want to walk shoulder to shoulder with Rei-chan, Yoshino-san had said. Every time Rei-chan had lent her her shoulder, or carried her piggyback, she had hated it.

But now, Yoshino-san ran side by side with Rei-sama without her assistance, with her own power, she pounded the earth.

But even though that was it, her tears wouldn't stop. Thank god, thank god, kept being said inside her heart as Yoshino-san headed for the goal tape. Sachiko-sama put her arm around Yumi's shoulder and drew her close. Instead of asking why she cried, she said, "We'll also do our best, right?"

"Yes-" Wiping the tears away, Yumi stepped forward. The group in front of them were starting. One hakama, left and right.

In a place that two people cannot be simultaneously, there could only be one person with Sachiko-sama. That that should be her brought her great joy.

"Take your position." The teacher with the pistol's voice could be
heard clearly.

Wondering what kind of soeur they might appear in other people's eyes, Yumi waited for the moment they started.


5

Now then, the different teams picked out first-, second- and third-years with talent for the 'Large Jump Rope' event that was to begin. From each class, seven students for a total of 21 would skip a large rope. 2 of those would spin the rope, the remaining 19 would be the jumpers. At the command, they would run in one at a time into the middle, and the team that could jump the longest was the winner.

Students that disliked participating in the relay or the scavenger hunt race would choose this race or "Rush Hour." Tsutako-san was a jumper, Mami-san was chosen as the trainer. "Rush Hour" by the way, was an event in which five students were crammed into a cardboard box and had to travel 30 meters and back.

"After all, it could be compared with the back of an acorn." Holding up the "Hakama Race" first place prize of a notebook with an embossed school seal, Yoshino-san said with a flustered face.

The Large Jump Rope was over, the second-years' choice for "Rush Hour" over, and also the first-years' "Three People Gable", and they stood gazing at the scoreboard.

"For most events, Green team and Red team are monopolizing the lower ranks. Yellow team has as much as 100 points difference, can you believe it. I'm miserable but no tears are coming."

With the exception of Red and Green teams, the others had scores that had broken into three digits. Shining especially brightly was the Yellow team with 160 points written there.

"There's four events remaining? Um, to win the championship." Her face flushed as if she was turning serious, Yoshino-san began her barren calculations.

"Even if we come in first in all the events, I wonder if there's any possibility of Green team winning, is there?"

"But, if Yellow team came in last place in all of them, right?" Yumi said, while jotting something down with the pencil she had won for third place in the "Hakama Race" (also engraved with the school seal.) That the until now top runner Yellow team would fail to take even a single point in any of the remaining events was close to zero.

Whether it be by twenty points or five, it would basically need a miracle to defeat a team that had a 100-point lead. It's true that you never know until you try, but sometimes it is possible to know even if you don't.

"First things first. Yumi-san, do your best on the 'Scavenger Hunt Race'." (E: The race name is actually "Borrowed Items Race', but I think Scavenger Hunt feels right.)

"Of course I'll do my best, but, y'know..."

But, speaking of the "Scavenger Hunt Race", that's probably controlled by fortune. Yoshino-san could say what she wants, but that was the real chance of success. If fortune was good, you drew a good item and were heading for the goal while the other people wandered around. Fast legs weren't what won this.

"Okay then, I'm o-ff!"

After the now-starting third-years' "Fan Dance" then Yumi's main event, the "Scavenger Hunt Race" would begin.

Geez. If Sachiko-sama went to the Green team cheering section, she'd be too late to see her finish the race. So she moved slowly, taking a long look, trying to see if she'd run into her at the entrance gate. She could hear the music come. At last, the "Fan Dance" had begun.

Purple, Yellow, Red, Blue, Gray and Green fans were opened with a "Flip". Sachiko-sama had said that she had a purple fan, so Yumi's gaze turned towards the grouping of purple.

And there she was.

From a distance she found it her, a little mysteriously easily. Sachiko-sama didn't have features that attracted attention. Anyway, from this distance, it was too small to see.

Maybe since she was an imouto, she was able to locate her quickly. Wherever, whatever the reason was, the reason wasn't something she could express but, there was no helping it.

Among the third-years' "Folding Fan Dance" there was one person wearing school uniform.

Whose fault was it? In the middle of a sports festival where everyone was the same, this had the feel of someone dancing for god, gazing up to the sky.

(This is bad, this is bad)

Once again, her eyes filled with tears. Yumi went behind the entrance gate to the path, and turned towards the water fountain next to the gymnasium. She wanted to watch Onee-sama's dance until the very end, but with her vision blurred by tears, what else could she do? Quickly wash her face and pull herself together for the "Scavenger Hunt Race."

When she arrived at the water fountain there was someone already there.

"Itsue-san?"

"Y, Yumi-san...." With a big movement up and down of her shoulders, Itsue-san turned to look over her shoulder.

"Ah, yeah. I, some thing went into my eye."

"I need to gargle. The grounds are really dusty, huh?"

There was no reason for either of them to give a reason for coming to the water fountain, but seeing each other in such a bad situation, they both reacted out of confusion.

"Then, I'll go." Itsue-san left the space to Yumi and quit the scene quickly. There were four taps. If they stood side by side, they could have both used two each.
"Itsue-san...?" Looking behind her, Yumi shook her head.

What a strange way of walking. What was weird about it, after a moment, became obvious. On the right foot, only the toes were in her sneakers, like she was wearing slippers, walking with a pull.

"But, why are you walking with one shoe off, I wonder?"

The reason she was walking strangely was understood but, what the reason for it all was not.

The music ceased and applause sounded. The "Fan Dance" was over.

"Ah, that's not good." Yumi quickly made her way back, retracing her steps.

However, she had never washed her face.

6

The "Scavenger Hunt Race".

That is where sweat and tears and sighs and laughter are made. Like the previously run "Bread Eating Race", after the start, one ran twenty meters, and, in order of arrival, found a piece of paper attached to a cord, confirmed the contents, upon which was written a subject which you had to search for around in the grounds, and then, take it to the goal - this was a rigorous contest.

Well, when we say "laughter" we don't mean the laughter of the chosen participants, it was inevitable that the audience would be laughing at the participants. Although that most people kept the event at a distance for such a reason, it could be said that among people who want a good laugh, it is a popular event. For instance, the entire second-year membership of the rakugo club said that they'd participate.

Now, as for the contents of the borrowed things. Because they could be as small as an eraser, as large as a person, there was considerable breadth. However, since this was a school Sports festival, there were, sensibly, certain restrictions within the rules.

In other words, (not that anyone would bring these to this place in any case) poisonous snakes, or poisonous spiders would be rejected as dangerous.

And while not dangerous, something like a duralumin case with 100 million yen rolls of notes or something like that, is not something that would normally be found in a school.

Right, right, the most important things will be ones that exist in two or more in the area. So something that says "XX-sensei" doesn't exist. Because XX-sensei may have gone off to the toilet, and one would wander around for how long looking for them, which would be a pain. So if there are more than one of a thing, even if one is lost, there's a chance to find another. At lunchtime, when Mami-san was wandering around, she had been identifying items in advance, determining if they were suitable.

"Everyone here, please assist the participants by offer your items cheerfully. Even if it is an opposing team, we appreciate your cooperation." The broadcast spread out, and at last it was time to start.

"I'm a little excited." At the sound of the voice, Yumi turned to look over her shoulder to see standing in the line of the Purple team was Shimako, who chuckled.

"Shimako-san, you were pushed into this event too?"

Shimako-san and the "Scavenger Hunt Race." Their images were a little far apart, when suddenly the idea of Yoshino-san was suddenly contagious.

"No, I announced my candidacy. But, why? What do you mean by 'too'?"

"Ah, nothing." There was no way to respond to that why. No good explanation she could make. It was probably better if she didn't try and explain, she shouldn't wonder.

However, Shimako-san dared to run in the "Scavenger Hunt Race", perhaps it was a burden that she could willingly shoulder, since she doubted that it would corrupt the image of the "Fuji Musume." --No, it was really unlikely.

While they were chatting, the event proceeded. Those who started before Yumi and the others had run off before in the direction of the family seats or the student cheering sections, frequently with a shout.

"Please lend me your glasses."

"Does anyone have a novel?"

Yeah, those would be pretty easy to procure. Upon seeing the contents of the envelope, some of the participants rushed madly ahead, not to the goal, but to the exit gate, trying to run away home with no confidence...not, their aim was the just-finished third-year dancers. Have successfully received yellow folding fans, they then stampeded directly from the exit gate to the goal.

Wavering, then heading for the Green team area to find Yoshino-san, some of the participants were searching for a "notebook with the school seal." Equally, so were the people looking for "a winner of the "Hakama Race," and Yoshino-san came to mind first. At a glance, that particular participant was Tanuma Chisato-san. Yoshino-san unwillingly handed over her notebook.

Some of the borrowed items were people. For instance, "An elementary school teacher".

Or, for instance, "A person with their hair dyed brown."

Inside might say, "A person with pierced ears" or "Someone wearing sneakers."

And while the sweat and tears and laughter of the "Scavenger Hunt Race" proceeded,next up was Yumi and Shimako-san's turn.

So, with a fighting yell, do your best. Having decided previously with janken (E: Rock, scissors, paper) they took a direct line when the time came, Yumi suddenly sighed "Ahhhhh" with a voice full of despair as if the world was about to end.

Seeing what "it" was, Shimako-san, who had just before admitted to being excited, flushed, then went pale.

"Sh...Shimako-san?"

Following her glance towards the track where a skinheaded priest stood, clapping his hands rhythmically for Yellow team participants.

"No way, that person..."

"...My father."

Standing peacefully at the goal, stood a middle-aged man in a priest's stole, waving hugely. However, there was no way that the paper read 'Priest' she thought.

"The subject is, 'A person wearing Japanese clothes,' correct."

Shortly after the participant got to the goal, a broadcast was made. Certainly, a priest was wearing Japanese clothes. However.

"Why?" Shimako-san said, as if it was squeezed out of her.

There were plenty of women wearing crested kimono, why did they pick her father? Why had her father complied? Why was her father at a Catholic school wearing the uniform of another religion? Why...?

Although all the words that came after Shimako-san's "why" were Yumi's imagination, she felt that she really didn't know, nor did Yumi know the answer. However, the first "why" was soon established.

"Why did you choose to wear these clothes today?" They were holding an interview with the person who had contributed to first place.

"The truth is, I just came from a Buddhist funeral ceremony. I just wanted to see how my daughter was doing before going home.... No, I really just wanted to participate. Ha ha ha..." Slapping his cheeks heartily, he laughed.

(Is that person really Shimako-san's father?)

There was no resemblance at all. However.

Still not having taken her subject into her hands, Shimako-san wrapped her hands around her face. "I guess so" she could do nothing but give her consent.

The interview was over, and the next set of subjects were set, at last Yumi's turn had arrived.

At the sound of the pistol, she dashed. There were six contestants who all grabbed an envelope at roughly the same time.

Please let me get something easy. Praying, Yumi pulled out the paper from the envelope. Opening the twice-folded paper, there were the following characters written.

|----------------------------|
| A man wearing a suit |
|----------------------------|

...eh?

"There's such a thing?" Yumi wondered out loud? Suits at a sports festival. And restricted to a man. A person wearing traditional clothes would be less difficult.

"Yumi-chan, go for it!"

(Ah, Dad.)

As soon as her glance turned towards the parents' seats, she regretted it. She wished she had consented to let he father wear a suit. But, she could not have dreamed that this would happen.

It was certainly too late to say such a thing now. What was most important now was to run off and discover a man wearing a suit.

(Suit, suit....um)

Giving the usually dandy teachers a proper up and down, it was decided that today they were pretty rough. There definitely weren't several possible applicants appearing for the subject, as she looked impatiently. Thinking that at the end, jersey shirts were everywhere, suits were pretty awful, and this would be impossible.

Still of the other five who had started with her, not one had made it to the goal yet.

"So-and-so has one, come here," the voices came, she could heard them but, in Yumi's position, her object was a person, wearing something specific, and someone standing there calling out that "there's someone wearing a suit" would be really strange.

"Yumi, what is your subject? Tell me." Leaning her body forward, Sachiko-sama cried out. Finally, students were passing through the family seating and starting to come out.

"Um, e..." Just as she was about to respond, she noticed it, far away, behind Onee-sama. "Excuse me, Onee-sama. We'll talk later." She crossed the rope and entered the cheering section, disregarding dumbfounded Onee-sama and her classmates and walked step by step towards the very tail end of the ridge. Her aim was standing by the edge of the painted Green team sign.

"Please."

Standing there was a middle-aged man, to whom she bowed her head. This man who wore a black suit, was surprised for a moment, when she showed him the piece of paper with the subject, agreed pleasantly.

"If we go at this rate, we might win." The man held out his hand to Yumi. He was the same generation as her father, so she wasn't opposed to taking the hand of this complete stranger.

Cutting across the cheering section bleachers for the second time, she returned to the track and aimed at the goal. Shimako held a canteen in her hand and running, shaking off the goal. Anyway, that was done, but there was still something to do.

"Today, you wore a suit." The interviewer asked.

"The truth is, I have just come directly from a wedding. I wanted to catch a glimpse of my daughter before I returned home..." It was pretty much the same exact answer as before.

A Buddhist marriage.

Today was Sunday, therefore most of the fathers had many plans piled up on top of one another.

Well, cooperation in the "Scavenger Hunt Race" would make a nice memento.

While the man in the suit was on the side of the goal receiving a ballpoint pen with the school seal from the members of the Sports Festival Executive Committee, Yumi waited and called out.

"Thank you very much, you really saved me."

"I was able to help? Then, I'm glad."

Seeing his bright smile, there was somehow the feeling of this not being the first time they'd met. Yumi felt as if she should recall with an "ah, yes, right". Apart from the Japanese gestures, there was something foppish about his speech that she remembered from somewhere.

About how old he was, he wasn't as sarcastic, there wasn't enough of a sample to see. No..., it was different from Kashiwagi's sarcastic way of speaking. – Or you could say that in this case it had become domesticated.

"You're exactly as I heard about, Yumi-chan."

"Huh?"

"Come visit with me. We can talk comfortably."

"Ummm."

Where were they going to go? Her head was spinning around. But how could she be "just as he'd heard" when this is the first time they'd ever seen each other.

But, this person knew her. It wasn't the first time Yumi had met him. Ah, but then, her name was sewn on her gym clothes, he probably just saw it there.

No no, he had clearly called her "Yumi-chan" not "Fukuzawa-san". Only the last name was there.

So, why did he know her given name? Roll, roll, her mind spun around and around back to the beginning.

And then.

"Uncle."

Whether it was timely help or a big interruption, she didn't know, but with her usual impeccable timing, a young girl with banana curl hair made an appearance.

"Hey, Touko-chan. It's been a while, hasn't it. You should come by occasionally."

"Well, from time to time I do drop by your home for a visit. But Uncle is busy and rarely there."

"That's harsh."

Even as he said it, he looked like a happy "Uncle." Because Touko-chan had come by, "I don't know who this gentleman is and don't know how to cope" was put on hold for a moment, to see if their conversation held some kind of a hint, so that she would not be left, standing and gaping.

At which point, a new person joined them.

It was Sachiko-sama.

"Father."

"Father!?"

At hearing that word, Yumi blurted out a repetition. Father, Father....she said Father. Um, in other words.

Yes, Sachiko-sama nodded.

"My father."

"Correct. I'm Sachiko's father, Ogasawara Tooru."

No way, he was introducing himself to his daughter's little sister with his full name. In addition, he had a smile like a youthful star.

"So, you mean the reason I was chosen wasn't because Yumi-chan knew who I was?" Sachiko's father asked with something in his face that looked like regret.

Sorry. You were the first person I saw that was wearing a suit.

But, it was possible to say that she had never seen a picture and therefore didn't know that he was Sachiko-sama's father. Although the "Ogasawara" written above his jacket breast pocket might have been a give away if she had thought about it.

"Ah, that was it. It would be nice if you call me Tooru-ojisama, you already call my wife Sayako-obasama, right?"

Tooru-ojiama and Sayako-obasama. Ah, exactly like festival dolls lined up in front of a folding screen.

"At any rate, why have you come? Weren't you at a wedding ceremony?" Sachiko-sama asked.

"This is no good. I took it too easy," Tooru-ojisama cried out as he looked at his wristwatch. He totally, halfway through the reception, slipped out of the hall. About now, surely Sayako-obasama would begin worry about Tooru-ojisama.

"Sachiko, please keep this a secret from your grandfather. How vexing. Well, then." With these words, the gentleman in the suit went out the back of the grounds. That shape aimed at the most suitable place.

"So that's how you were introduced to him for the first time..." Seeing her father off, Sachiko-sama heaved a huge sigh.

Really.

Not to be defeated, Yumi sighed equally as heavily.

To Be Continued

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