Notes on Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel 17, "Ciao, Sorella!" Part 4 - Final

Notes on Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel 17,
Ciao, Sorella!

Part 4

From the Water Capital to the Island Nation

1

The Eurostar departed just after 10:30 AM from Santa Maria Novella station, and arrived about 1:30 in the afternoon at Venice's Santa Lucia station. That worked out to about 3 hours, but somewhere in the middle she dozed off, so it didn't feel like that long.

When they arrived at the station, they took a water bus to San Marco square. It didn't seem like there was a single car running.

Because they were returning home tomorrow, they were only staying for one night in Venice. Since that amounted to only a half day visit, they left their luggage at the hotel and went to San Marco Square for lunch at an open café.

First they went to see San Marco Cathedral, and from there, the main event of the day, the challenge of riding on one of Venice's famous gondolas.

They went to the gondola embarkation point, where negotiations on the fare would start.

"It seems like they overcharge right off, so we have to be careful."

The four met in advance to compare guidebooks.

"Then, the highest we'll go is 2500 yen per person."

The courses differed a little, but it appeared that the market price was about 10000 Japanese yen.

As they tried to figure out the cost, it appeared that the price did not go up or down based on the number of people riding one boat. But because in the end, the number of people would split the fee, it was necessary to discuss it, so each person knew what they would have to pay.

So, the simple calculation was 10000÷4=2500 total.

"What if it's over 2500 yen?

"Then we'll move onto another gondola. There's no reason for us to ignore the market price and hand over an inordinate amount of money."

It seemed that showing signs of going elsewhere would make the price come down. In fact, right off when Tsutako-san said that this gondola was more than twice their budget, she succeeded in bargaining enough to bring the price down into their range.

"That's good, because it's not like we have bags of money." Yumi and the others turned their back and huddled, arms around each other's shoulder, speaking in Japanese. The gondolier followed them, puzzled, asking in a mix of Italian and English something that would probably be, "How much money do you have." Because negotiations break down when an excessively low amount is put out, they suggested 2000 yen per person, which was answered with a "that's unreasonable" pose. In the end, they agreed on a forty-five minute course for 10,000 yen, which, since it was market price, they couldn't say they had gained or lost anything.

Later, when they asked, they learned that negotiating as a group wasn't as good as one person, the same forty-five minute course could be gotten for 2000 yen. However, there had been a group of adults, who had to pay 3300 yen per person and who handed over the money very stiffly.

In any case, the negotiations completed, they got onto a gondola at the embarkation spot near San Marco Square.

The oarsman was called a gondolier. The gondolier for Yumi and the other's gondola was a young man. A striped shirt and broad-brimmed hat was the uniform, which made all the guys steering the gondolas look kind of cool.

Floating lightly out of the grand canal, they entered a smaller canal. Like going from the highway to a back road.

There were the backs of three- and four-story pastel-colored buildings all lined up, as the gondola passed with a swish, swish. As the gondola moved down the road, there would be narrow bridges made from brick or some stone like white marble, each one very beautiful.

The gondolier was very talkative. In very slow English, which they did not interrupt, he explained about the city.

"I didn't get about a third of that," Yoshino-san said, grinning. Yeah, absolutely. But, here and there, they could make out a word or two and scrape together enough to think something like, "the main point is roughly this," and it was nice to just ride the gondola and relax. What it was actually like in the thirteenth century, stories of the people who ruled here in the past, those could all be looked up later. For this moment, they would just look at the scenery of these old streets, and feel what it was like to glide down a canal.

At the beginning of the trip, Mami-san had taken a lot of notes, but recently she hadn't opened her notebook at all. It appeared that she thought that if she wanted the readers of the Lillian Kawaraban were going to ride along happily on their trip, she really needed to feel it from the surface down.

At the intersections of canals where the view was obstructed, the gondoliers would call out loudly. Like a signal that said, "My gondola is approaching the intersection now." It was probably the custom in order to avoid accidents, since there were no traffic signals.

About halfway, in a narrow space with limited room, a large boat loaded with luggage came at them.

"I wonder if we're going to bump against them."

But, the gondolier guiding them was a pro. He was young, but he was a third generation gondolier, and he probably rode in his grandfather's gondola many times.

The gondolas looked similar, but the interiors were decorated differently depending on the owner. Like the kind of people who love their cars and relentlessly work on them to make them reflect themselves. Probably, everyone has their "obsession."

At one point they left a main canal to pass under the Rialto Bridge. On the bridge above, they could see students wearing Lillian uniforms; although they couldn't tell who they were, they waved at them from the gondola.

As they passed the Rialto, they quickly moved into a small canal. Their gondolier, handling the gondola beautifully, began to sing a canzone. He had a great voice.

"I wonder if there are any Italians who can't sing well, although I guess the one's who sing badly just don't sing. Or, if they can't sing, maybe they can't become a gondolier, I guess." This artless question popped into her mind, but she didn't have the language skills to ask it.

"If being a gondolier is hereditary, then it's likely that it has to do with both genetics and surroundings it, doesn't it?" Yoshino-san said.

"I see." That it has to do with genetics and surroundings seemed like strange words coming for this person that had just begun kendo. After all, in her situation, after a little more time passed, she would see if it had any affect or not.

The approached the San Marco grand canal from the side, from the "Bridge of Sighs."

"There's a legend that, if you kiss the one you love as you pass under this bridge it will be an eternal love. However..." As Mami-san muttered this, they could hear the gondolier say "kiss" and "tradition."

"Kiss, huh." Having received that information, what could this group of four from a girls' high school do with it. Oh, right, they suppressed their giggles, the gondolier probably said, "next time, with your future lover."


(E: here's a side story I just wrote, about Kei and Sei as they pass the Bridge of Sighs:

"Satou-san," Kei hesitated. "Why didn't you, uh, try and, you know, kiss me?"

"Hmm? Well, I'm too young for 'eternal'. I thought I'd try under a different bridge, where the legend says something like, 'this week,'" Sei grinned.)


"But, you know," after they passed under the Bridge of Sighs, Mami-san picked up the conversation where it had been cut off. "The truth about that bridge is that in former days, prisoners were led over it to their executions, and knowing that they would never return, and that their bodies would give up their last breath, they would grieve, which is why it's called the "Bridge of Sighs. It kills the dream, doesn't it."

"Eh - " The bridge that joined the Ducal Palace and the neighboring prison - that was the Bridge of Sighs. That was the correct explanation. But, what would the feelings of the many couples that have kissed under that bridge, be if they knew that, she wondered?

"Well, even if you know the reason for the sighs, you can repudiate that and accept the legend."

"That's true, but..."

But, you'd be kissing under all those prisoner's sighs. She thought that there'd be no small number of couples that would reconsider, once they knew.

"Um. I wonder what I would do."

Although they had no partners, the four high school girls continued to ponder.

Although he didn't understand Japanese, the gondolier could see that something was worrying his customers so, grinning broadly, he exerted his authority on the waters of the canal.

Last spurt.

The gondola docks came into view.


2

Because there wasn't too much time before they had to meet up with everyone at 5 o'clock, so they decided to peek in some souvenir shops.

When you say Venice, you think of Venetian glass. Thinking that they'd buy some for their homes, they were shocked when they saw the price tag.

"It's unexpectedly expensive."

"It's the cost of being in a tourist area, isn't it?" Tourist areas are always more expensive.

But, poor high school girls, because they just couldn't put their hands on that kind of pocket money.

In the end, after looking into a few stores, Yumi got her mother a Venetian glass pendant, her father a Venetian glass tie pin, Yuuki a Venetian glass bookmark as souvenirs.

The store owners spoke a smattering of Japanese as they were served. Obviously many Japanese tourists visited here.

As they stood on the Rialto Bridge at twilight, they heard some sort of bustling noise. When they looked at their feet, a gondola carrying a band playing their instruments passed by underneath.

3

Venetian cuisine had an abundance of delicious seafood and shellfish.

Lobster, crab, squid and mantis shrimp. The ingredients reminded them of Japan, as they lay there. As expected of the Water Capital. They suddenly became conscious of how tired their stomachs were of Florence's meat. Of course, it wasn't sashimi, and the cuisine was drenched in olive oil.

The hotel room was large, gorgeous and old-fashioned. There was no modern card key, instead they had a large, heavy metal key and furthermore, the lock was massive and took some skill to open. However, because of that, it had the weight to swing shut locking one out in the hallway, which became a burden to the hotel staff who had
to come to the rescue of many of the students.

Coming out of the bath, Yoshino spread her luggage out on top of the red, pink and gold bed and turned on the TV.

"Hey, look."

Coming from the TV was the sound of Japanese, and reflected on the screen was an image of a Japanese home living room.

"What...what's that?"

"A Japanese drama."

But, the set really felt like a set. The actors were all acting serious, so why did the living room look like it was from a comic tale?

"It's probably more than twenty years old."

When she asked how she would know that, it turned out that an actress that Yoshino's mother liked when she was young, was in it. That actress had died several years before Yumi and the others had been born.

"Ah - , I know this young guy. He's, uh, I can't think of his name, but he's in a drama now, playing the evil grandfather of the lead man."

"That's right!"

It wasn't unreasonable that Yoshino-san stopped in the middle of packing. In far-off Italy, they were watching a Japanese television program, after all. And so, they found themselves involved in a drama from the past.

"Last week must have been really awful, huh. But, the person who holds the key to the secret of the lead's birth, leaves every time."

"I don't want this drama to stop. I'd look forward to every Thursday."

They chatted energetically for a while, when they both suddenly realized.

"What day is it today?"

She had a bad feeling. A really, really bad feeling. Before she could answer, Yoshino-san leapt for the phone.

"Hello, Auntie? Get Rei-chan!"

Looking at her wristwatch, it was just a little before 11 o'clock. If you added eight hours, it was around 7 in the morning in Japan. Rei-sama should be up about now.

"Ah, Rei-chan.?"

Yoshino-san didn't preface her conversation with "How are you?" or "Sorry for calling so early?", but suddenly found herself rattling on quickly, coming to the main point.

"Eh? Um. Ah, is that right. No, then, fine. Take care."

Watching Yoshino-san replace the receiver feebly, she seemed out of
it.

"So. Rei-chan found that drama too painful to watch, halfway through Italy. Ah - I fail. That drama we watch on Thursday, I completely forgot that we're leaving Friday morning. Ah, Yoshino, you idiot." She actually stamped her foot in regret, then lightly gripped Yumi's shoulder.

"Yumi-san."

"Y...yes."

"Of course, Yumi-san recorded it, right? Hey, when you're done watching it, lend me the video. I'll give it back before next week's show." She made the request with an extremely adorable "please, oh please" face.

"...The truth is that I forgot."

"Eh-"

"Sorry."

Yumi was in the same boat as Yoshino-san. Going out without thinking "I should record this" show on Friday, so she could enjoy watching the Thursday evening drama, because she hadn't thought that she would be returning on the day of the broadcast.

The old drama was over, the screen changed to a news program. Here it was late night, but the announcer greeted them brightly with the familiar "Ohayou Gozaimasu." And this was followed by the date, stated clearly. "Today is Friday and this is the seven o'clock AM news."

While they had all been happily riding in a gondola, that Thursday evening show had ended.


4

It was Friday morning, Italy time.

They took a water bus from San Marco Square to Marco Polo airport, and from there headed to the Milan airport.

The Milan airport was where, one week ago, they had alighted in Italy for the first time.

The flight to Narita was in about two hours so, as they had an hour of free time, Yumi and the others headed over towards the stores to look for souvenirs to buy for the Rose Mansion.

"I didn't see any senbei in Florence at all. No one else in my group had heard of it, either." They were walking with Shimako-san. They had sought her out conscientiously for free time.

"That's because no one was selling it," Yoshino-san guffawed. The moment when the parakeet said those words and she said "maybe it does exist" notwithstanding.

"So, what should I do?" No matter how many stores that sold sweets they searched through, they couldn't find 'manju from Rome' or 'senbei from Florence.'

I wonder if chocolate wouldn't be all right? Not the same as last year's though."

"Not those, but something tasty."

Shimako-san and Yoshino-san were, this time last year, already in residence at the Rose Mansion, so they knew what souvenirs had been brought back from last year's field trip. Not only knew them, but had eaten them, most likely. Yumi was a little, no, very jealous of them about this.

Eventually, when they had chosen one box of chocolates from the many, many boxes of chocolates on display, the three of them each contributed money to buy it.

After that, since she still had a little pocket money left over, Yumi bought some sundried tomatoes and porcini mushrooms for her family. She was really going to buy some olive oil, but the bottle was heavy and she was scared that on the way, it would break and spill all over.

"Hey, Shimako-san, about Sei-sama," Yumi said, while they waited on line for the register. She hadn't yet told her about the incident with the parakeet in Florence.

But before she could ask, Shimako-san answered. "I guess she was here after all."

"You met her!?" Surprised, she and Yoshino-san raised their voices.

"No." Shimako-san shook her head back and forth. "But, I could sense her. As if she was near."

More than the testimony of someone who has seen someone that looked like her, or a parakeet that spoke the words Satou-san, she wondered if Shimako-san saying that she "felt" her there had more credibility.

"Then, why didn't Sei-sama contact you?"

Like with Shizuka-sama. But outside free time, they didn't have much time to meet. Yumi didn't ask.

What was Sei-sama's feeling, she didn't ask Shimako-san, either.

"I wonder if it's just conceit," Shimako-san smiled a little at herself. "I think, though, that it was for my sake."

For Shimako-san's sake.

Because those words had come from Shimako-san's mouth, they had the ring of truth.

Sei-sama had not met up with Shimako-san, for her sake.

Sei-sama and Shimako-san, no matter how far apart they were, were still connected. To Yumi, they were a magnificent sample of this.


5

Inside the plane, it was identical to the incoming trip: sleep - wake up - eat - go to the bathroom, about two times each, until at last, they had returned to Japan. Coming back felt faster than going, even though the time spent inside the plane wasn't any shorter, maybe because she was tired, she had slept longer, she thought.

In Japan, it was Saturday mid-morning.

With the sound of Japanese fluttering about around them, it suddenly really felt like they were home, but Yumi, still dopey with being overseas, said "Thank you," to the person who held the door for her in the bathroom. Even though the other person was Japanese. They broke up into classes and had a simple homeroom at the airport.

The contents of the teacher's discussion was mainly warnings. "Be careful going home." "Don't drop anything." "Because we have school on Monday, spend this weekend at home, resting." Even if they hadn't said it specifically, the students would probably do that. Everyone was tired and thinking of getting to their beds soon.

Because it was Saturday and there shouldn't be too much rush hour traffic, Yumi thought, she called home.

"See you." She parted from Yoshino, who had slept the whole way back on the bus, at K Station.

"I'm sorry for making you carry the souvenir," Shimako-san said to Yoshino-san.

"It's fine, it's fine. I live nearest the school, I walk to school and don't have to deal with the car or train rush, so don't have to worry that the box will collapse or the chocolates will melt." Yoshino-san offered her service with spirit.

"More importantly, Yumi-san," turning her head, she came close to Yumi.

"Yes."

"Give Yuuki-kun my enthusiastic regards."

"...I'll pass that along." At Yumi's answer, Yoshino-san nodded, satisfied, picked up the bag of souvenirs and her luggage, then disappeared out the exit.

Shimako-san leaned her head to the side, looking puzzled.

"Yuuki thought to record the television drama for me, that Yoshino-san had forgotten to record. He's reliable that way."

Ah, I see. That's why she looked so happy." But even if there was no rush, it seemed that she had brandished the bag with the chocolates just a little. The two thought so at the same time, their eyes had met, but neither of them said anything.

"So that's the way it is."

She couldn't see Yoshino-san's figure anymore.

"Yumi-san, Shimako-san, can we go with you part of the way home?" Mami-san and Tsutako-san lined up next to them on the escalator.

"Sure." Yumi and Shimako-san's replies conjoined. Although her sailor collar had luttered a bit, and she had carried her bag jauntily, Yoshino-san hadn't seemed any different.

Although they were all tired, everyone seemed a little extra bubbly to be on the way home.

Ah, she was really looking forward to that.



Souvenir Report

1

She didn't know if it was because she was slightly jet-lagged or what, but she only became tired on Saturday as she washed the clothes she had worn on the trip, and she slept the whole day on Sunday.

For that reason, although she thought about making a welcome home call to Onee-sama, by the time she woke up properly, there wasn't really time to make a proper phone call, so after all, she just waited until Monday to greet her.

"I'm back, Onee-sama."

"Welcome home." It had been a week since she had been able to see Sachiko-sama, who was unchanged. Somehow, she was a little embarrassed by the "I miss you" on the letter she had sent.

She had visited her class before morning worship, and handed over the souvenirs in the garden. The marble-patterned paper and a little photo album.

"Did you take many photographs?" Sachiko-sama asked, in the middle of opening.

"Ah, yes. Tsutako-san did."

"I see. Did you have fun?"

"Yes."

At her little nod, Sachiko-sama smiled and said, "That's good."

"Um, but, I never found "Roman manju" or "Florentine senbei"."

"Eh?"

"So, um," Yumi's attempt to explain was interrupted by Sachiko saying, "You thought that was serious? You didn't realize that it was a joke?"

"J...joke?"

Liar.

"I thought you understood that, since at the time, you laughed, didn't you?"

It had been more like she had had a cramp, than that she had laughed.

"That's strange. If it had come from Sei-sama, you wouldn't have taken it seriously."

"Ah. No, I'm sorry." If Sei-sama had said it, maybe she would have smiled. But Sachiko-sama has said it with such a serious face, she had never thought of it. Whether the same gag could be accepted or not was as much a matter of character as anything.

"Did you bring back anything for the first-years?"

"Yes. Shimako-san bought something for Noriko-chan, I got things for Touko-chan and Kanako-chan. Yoshino-san expected to buy something nice, but somehow got a lot."

"Did she get something nice?"

"No. So, excepting Kanako-chan and Touko-chan. She got for the Hanadera crowd."

"Hanadera...?"

"For their help with the school festival, the three guys who will help, and for Touko-chan and Kanako-chan, the same."

"I see. As thanks for their assistance."

"Yes.

"You could say, for those people who are everybody's friend."

"You could say that, I guess." Although she really didn't know how the wind was blowing with Touko-chan and Kanako-chan, she feared a misunderstanding that might happen if she did nothing, and since she felt that she should get them souvenirs, she went ahead and did it. Giving presents to people made her feel good after all. Whether they were welcome or not, once they were given, that would be done.

"I understand your feelings." Sachiko-sama nodded. Then she stretched and muttered, "I'll have to ask Tsutako-chan to make me some extra copies."

"Huh?" When Yumi asked of which pictures, Sachiko-sama said "Who knows?" smiled and turned her back.

Perhaps, if she thought about it, she was being conceited, but that was missing the point. Don't go flying up too high, it warned.

Maybe if she was too persistent in following, she would be scolded for being "unbecoming." This morning, she could see many students going this way and that across the grounds. Everyone was giving souvenirs to their onee-sama and imouto.

"Are we finished already? I guess this wasn't sufficient a push for you." Sachiko-sama spoke over her shoulder. As if she was about to pile up yet another request upon her.

"Please, dare me."

"Eventually." As she spoke, Sachiko-sama fluttered her hand back and forth, then returned to her classroom.

In order to be able to read her onee-sama's heart the way Shimako-san did, she would need a great deal more study.

"Although, every once in a while, it's pretty easy to understand."

Yumi, left alone in the garden, crossed her arms and muttered, "Uhn-uhn, I don't understand."


2


When he tall girl with long hair saw the large-eyed girl with the banana curls here, she did not smile.

Surely, something happened that would bring these two together, they were admonished.

"Yes."

Yumi's right and left hands held small boxes, which she handed over at that time to Kanako-chan and Touko-chan.

"Souvenirs. Thank you for your help." They were marble-pattered pens.

The two glanced at Yumi's face, saying "Thank you very much" as they accepted them.

Not that she expected it, but it was hard to decide which one was not smiling the most.

But, somehow, even in this totally not-cute moment, they were both kind of cute, Yumi thought.

As if they were both twins, they turned back to back and looked to see what was in the boxes.


3

Now then, this is the sequel to the field trip.

That had been home one week. The climax of the school festival preparations was nearing, and she was in the Rose Mansion to eat lunch when Sachiko-sama said, "Do you have a moment," put her hand on her shoulder and left the room ahead of her.

Because of her sour look, she wondered, "what have I done now?" and with her heart beating, followed her down the stairs.

"Um?" She went outside where Sachiko-sama, waiting against the outer wall, said, "You." This was part of the central garden, but was in a blind corner from the school buildings and consequently, no one could see them.

"You. Why are you so bad at making arrangements?"

"Arrangements? You mean when I was so clumsy bringing in things for the Sports Festival? Or, did I mix up the order that the club presidents were addressed in?"

"That's not what I mean. You do your Yamayurikai work well. And I appreciate that. But, really." Sachiko-sama lifted her long hair, and heaved a heavy sigh. "You do things so casually, why should I have to come into it. And more importantly, you've forgotten how self-indulgent you were being, haven't you?"

"What?"

That wasn't about Yamayurikai work, but about something recent that inconvenienced Onee-sama. Yumi was caught up in thinking about it.

Sachiko-sama muttered with a "it can't be helped" expression, "...This."

"Eh? Ah-!"

Being held out in front of her eyes was the postcard she had mailed at Pisa.

By the time I received it, how was I supposed to answer it? I see you every day."

"Ah!"

Shoot.

That's right. Shizuka-sama had said it, hadn't she. Air Mail might take more or less time, depending. That must have been meant as a hint.

"When did it...?"

"Yesterday when I returned home, it had arrived."

"Is that right." Like a love letter written in the middle of the night with great joy, but when read later causes embarrassment, she heard this. It probably looked like the kind of thing one wrote on a trip, too, she thought. Moreover, it was a postcard. Who knew who among the Ogasawara household had seen or touched it, at which thought her face flamed.

"I'm sorry, Onee-sama. I shouldn't have sent that letter." As she reached out her hand to take it back Sachiko-sama lifted her arm to move it out of reach.

"Shouldn't have sent it? Don't joke like that. When I get the album filled with pictures of you, I've decided that this is going in there with them, isn't it?"

"Huh?"

"I'll never forget this for the rest of my life." Although she still had an angry expression, there was a slight blush on her cheek now. Maybe not so angry, then, Yumi noticed then.

"Anyway, that's what this was about." Then, the conversation was over. Then, Sachiko-sama, who had moved away from the wall where she leaned, stopped after only a few steps.

And. "I wasn't the only one being missed," she said, then hurried her steps back to the Rose Mansion.

"I'll never forget that for the rest of my life, " Yumi muttered as she watched Sachiko-sama's back move off. And now, she and Sachiko-sama had the same red ears, as she could see her touch her earlobe.

"....I see. I understand."

When Sachiko-sama was feeling shy, she would become seemingly angry. Mm.

Ciao, Sorella.

She looked up happily at the sky.

It was very blue.

Completely clear.

And straight ahead.


***

The Absence of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton


It was the last day of September.

The Rose Mansion was quiet.

No, not just the Rose Mansion. All of the school buildings were quiet. The second-years were gone. That was it.

Six classes worth. When you considered that the school was from kindergarten to college, that didn't seem like very much. However, when students who are normally there are gone, it leaves a sharp impression of inactivity.

After school, Rosa Chinensis, Ogasawara Sachiko was drinking tea alone in the Rose Mansion.

It was quiet.

Rei wasn't there. She was at her club.

She had decided to take a break, as there was no one else around and the only work to do was small, unimportant work associated with the school festival.

Because they had been so busy, the first-years had reported in.

It had been a long time since she had been able to go home early, but for some reason, her footsteps lead her here. So she was sitting in the Rose Mansion, leisurely drinking tea. A luxurious time.

The biggest piece of work was preparation for the play sponsored by the Yamayurikai. But, since the second-years weren't here, this couldn't go smoothly.

While turning over a page of the script, Sachiko gave a small laugh.

When the cast and story were announced, the look on Yumi's face--. The memory was very enjoyable.

She helped herself to more tea. Seating herself, Sachiko inadvertently looked up.

"Hmm?" There was a feeling as if someone had come into the Rose Mansion. Because it was so quiet, it was possible to hear the door below open even on the second floor.

No one called out, but she could soon hear the squeaking sound of someone on the stairs. It might be someone who was used to going in and out of the Mansion. Sachiko put down her cup and opening the door that looked like a biscuit, waited.

Clank. And.

"Ah." The words came from the visitor who had opened the door, who stiffened momentarily. She seemed to have come here not thinking that there was a person inside already.

As for Sachiko, she had at last had time to compose herself, knowing someone was coming up. But when she saw who the someone was, she was more than a little surprised.

"Good day," Sachiko called out.

"G...good day, Rosa Chinensis." Coming to her senses, Hosokawa Kanako lowered her head. She had long hair and was very tall. "Please excuse me. When I heard that there was no meeting after school today, I thought that no one would be there."

"So you came in?"

"...Yes, then."

What had she come for, Sachiko was interested, as she watched Hosokawa Kanako pick up a bag that had been left by the window. It seemed as if she had come to get something she left behind.

Whatever the reason, Sachiko once again poured some tea and let her gaze drop to the script.

And, Hosokawa Kanako indicated that she was planning on leaving.

"Please. I don't mind." Sachiko commented.

"But." She obviously did not want to intrude on an upperclassman who was here alone, doing a script check. Nevertheless, she gave off the feeling of being the kind of person who, if ordered to "go home" would have to be grabbed by the tie and pulled.

"Since you're here, it's fine. Please sit." Sachiko indicated a seat with her finger. Do what you want. Tall Hosokawa Kanako did not appear to be anxious about standing there, doing nothing.

"Rosa Chinensis."

"Eh?"

"You can't possibly be comfortable thinking that I am here."

"Didn't I say that since you're here, you might as well sit?" Ah, so troublesome. Sachiko face could plainly be seen to be fed up.

"N-o, that wasn't it." Hosokawa Kanako said. "I'm not talking about our conversation now."

"Ahh-"

It looked like this was about something that was said when she was coming in and out of the Rose Mansion, helping with the school festival. Either way, that did not alter the fact that this was bothersome.

"You and Touko-chan are coming here to help us, but."

"But I'm an unpleasant sight, aren't I?" She asked, completely straightforward.

"Why?"

"...The day before the Hanadera Academy festival, in the old greenhouse."

So, that was what this was about. The girl felt bad about it, although it was just "that thing" to Sachiko.

"I said what I wanted to say at that time, it's fine now."

However, there was still the vague feeling of things that she wanted to say being left over. After that day, of course the two of them had met each other's gaze but, there had never been a chance to exchange words alone, until today.

"You've forgiven me for hurting your precious Yumi-sama?" Hosokawa Kanako's words held a little sarcasm.

"Forgive or not forgive. It's the same to you, I'm not the world's law. Don't mistake me, I may certainly have hurt other people that I don't know about. I'm just an imperfect human. ...I'm not in a position to judge."

"Imperfect.... What would your followers say if they heard Rosa Chinensis say that?"

"If you want to know, ask them," Sachiko said, her voice rising.

For generation after generation, a too-perfect image had attached to the Rosas. However, The distance between the Yamayurikai management and the normal student body was not easily breached. They had lives that were admired. However, it was not their intention to be deified.

"If I think about it even a little, it's easy to understand why Yumi is popular with the first-years."

"Why are you having this conversation with me."

"Who knows." Why indeed, Sachiko muttered. She didn't know herself why.

"So then, you wouldn't mind if I became Yumi-sama's soeur?"

"If you were the one Yumi chose. I would have no objection."

The westering sun came in through the curtains, and small shadows. These were most likely from clouds.

"But, I thought you did not want to become Yumi's soeur?"

"Yes."

"So, then it's fine isn't it."

"That's true."

Silence.

"I would like more tea." So, Hosokawa Kanako stood up.

"You want me to say that I don't mind if I do?"

"No. I meant to say that I would like to drink more, that's all."

"That's all, huh. Then, if you wouldn't mind." Sachiko held out her cup.

And both of them, from that point on sat quietly in the room, drinking their tea, then eventually left to go home.

The End



I know it will come as a surprise to all of you that just before she wrote this book, Konno Oyuki went to Italy. It was the first time she'd ever gone on a research trip.

The afterword begins with a great line about "as expected of an ojou-sama school, the trip is to Italy. They must have to collect money for that for a long time." lol

Tags: Maria-sama ga Miteru, Marimite, Ciao Sorella