Okazu

Yuri Anime: Strawberry Panic

Here are my final thoughts on Strawberry Panic as I expressed them on Zyl's most excellent blog Hontou ni so omou?:

Considering the fact that this story is really no more than a collage of recognizable scenes, stereotypes and conventions taken openly from other series, I have to say, I thought it turned out pretty good.

There’s no denying that Strawberry Panic wasn’t brilliant, but considering that it was meant to be trashy, it pulled out a few moments of dignity and elegance out of the trash heap.

As stolen memes go, using the (admittedly obvious) one from The Graduate for the final episode made a satisfactory semi-resolution.

Yes Miyuki and Tamao are still doomed to lives of loneliness and alcoholism, but as clones of Youko and Tomoyo that was their fate from the very beginning. In other news, the Shizuma x Nagisa, Amane x Hikari, Kaname x Momomi and in a surpising late entry Yaya x Tsubomi pairs all live *happily ever after!* or some reasonable facsimile thereof, until bad fanfic writers kill one of the pair off in a heavy-handed attempt to create crisis and re-pair the other with someone else.

But I digress.

No, SP is not a diamond in the rough, but let us call it an attractive riverstone, washed suprisingly clean and shiny by the many, many, MANY tons of water that has flowed downstream from clearer and cleaner sources. :-)


...

Considering that I began watching this anime with something akin to loathing, I might have to retract the "not brilliant" comment. It must be some kind of decent/funny/entertaining for me to have 180'ed so thoroughly. I'm not sure if it's a case of the story becoming real and richer despite itself - as parodies are wont to do, just ask any fanfic writer - or the writers managed to find something unique to play with within the framework of the openly stolen memes. I'm inclined towards the former, as I've read many a story that started as a 2-dimensional parody/ripoff that suddenly morphed, without the author being really cognizant of the moment of change, into a decent-ish story.

There's a great scene in Dorothy L. Sayers Strong Poison where mystery author Harriet Vane is bemoaning that very thing to a only-partially sympathetic Lord Peter Wimsey. He, quite rightly, insists that if a writer is going to write anything worth reading then, when the moment comes, s/he must shed the potboiler facade and *write* - conscience be damned. I'd like to think that that was happened here.

What began as thin, barely 2-dimensional trash developed a personality, while never losing that sense of "what can we steal this week?" So, let's call Strawberry Panic the clever, fun-to-be-around street whore of a yuri series that it is and keep an eye out for an OVA, shall we? ;-)

Tags: Anime, Yuri Anime, Strawberry Panic

posted by Erica Friedman @ 4:14 PM 9 comments links to this post   

Drama CD: Mai Otome Miss Maria was Watching: Garderobe Secret Diary, Vol. 1

Well, it's not often that I can say that something made me want to gouge my *ears* out. And yet, Mai Otome Drama CD, Miss Maria was Watching: Garderobe Secret Diary, Vol. 1 absolutely made me feel this way.

I have always assumed that fanservice was primarily a visual medium - it's well known that men respond to visual cues more strongly than women when it comes to things sexual. (Incidentally, they also respond to colors differently, which is why, ladies, your guy thinks that woman over there looks hot, when you think she looks like a whore. Just FYI.) So I thought "How bad could it be?" when I got this Drama CD.

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know two things about me: 1) I love Drama CDs and; 2) It takes a lot to make me squirm.

This Drama CD made me squirm. It made my lips peel back in disgust and once or twice I even flinched. I mean really. This last was particularly bad as I was driving at the time so, as a warning, maybe you should only listen to this CD on the bus or plane. And only then if you your aisle-mates won't mind you occasionally going, "Ewwww!" or "Argh!" out loud.

The basic plot is simple (it would have to be, as this is clearly written for several steps below the Lowest Common Denominator) Miss Maria, the disapproving hypercompetent head teacher of Garderobe, keeps a secret diary of everything that goes on in the school. Each scene on this Drama CD covers one of the more vile occurrences. Miss Maria gives us a bland summary and then we hear what "really" happened.

Okay, that's not fair - not every scenario is vile. Just most of them. They mostly deal with underwear, nakedness, exploitation and the like, usually with a cheerfully clueless Arika happily moving through her days not being able to identify situations that any sane person would run from.

One of the more notably amusing scenes is one where Akane finds herself at Backstage, greeted by what appear to be Headmaster Natsuki and her pet Shizuru as employees of the store. In reality they are employees dressed up as Natsuki and Shizuru, voiced by the same voice actresses, which totally worked for me. As the story goes on, it become plain that they are, in fact, really Natsuki and Shizuru, pretending to not be themselves...and they are *not* employees, but actually owners of the contraband store.

There is a story in which Erstin loses her mind and ravages all the available females around her...it's all fake, of course, she's just pretending to have lost her mind. Let's put it this way - she doesn't ravage *everyone* - just those that you'd expect Erstin to desire. :-)

The lowest point of the whole thing comes when we learn about the origin of Tomoe's infantilism fetish. I will not tell you how that came about. You wanna know, buy a copy of the CD yourself. I'm just trying to forget I ever heard it at all.

The bonus track is a cute (for this CD, anyway) retelling of Natsuki and Mai's early years at Garderobe as roommates, and a lovely little scene where Natsuki reveals her hardcore crush on Shizuru-oneesama. We're also introduced to lil' Tomoe, who hadn't yet developed all her later issues and as a result, is kinda cute.

If the best thing about this CD was the end track, the worst had to be what they did to Chie. Let's put it this way, her 1000% lesbian cool power-up cred from Mai Hime to Mai Otome took a HUGE hit on this CD.

Lastly, the epilogue was, I have to admit, rather amusing. Arika, Nina (unwilling and whiny, as she has been throughout the thing) Irina and Ers all decide to steal Miss Maria's infamous diary. What they find is not at *all* what they expected.

Ratings:

Story - Ugh. Ughughugh. Ugh.

Characters - Erstin - 10, everyone else 3. Arika fails completely for stupid, Nina for whining.

Yuri - 8 but it's all service all the time. There's nothing approaching one woman's actual heartfelt attachment to another's, except for Natsuki's feelings for Shizuru.

Loser FanBoy - 12

Overall - 4

You want to either be a real perv, a real hardcore fan of Otome or one of the voice actresses before you want to get this thing. Or me, irresistibly drawn to the siren call of Drama CDs. Sigh.

Tags: Drama CD, Mai Otome

posted by Erica Friedman @ 2:49 PM 0 comments links to this post   

Yuri Manga:Yokohama Shopping Log Volume 14

It is not without some melancholy that I write this entry. By doing so I am writing the obituary of one of the finest manga series I've ever read - in a sense, acknowledging the passing of an old friend.

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, Yokohama Shopping Log to English-speaking fans, is over. Boo-hoo, sniff, sniff. I know quite a few people who got all teary-eyed as they read the final chapter. I have no intention of telling you whether I am one of them or not. :-)

For those of you unfamiliar with Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (you poor, bereft creatures you), here is the basic idea of the story. In a near future, global weather patterns have shifted slightly, and time and tide have altered the shape of the map. In a far off-section of Musashino, an android named Alpha is left behind by her owner, to make her own life. She runs a small coffee shop off the beaten track to nowhere. In the course of the next 14 volumes, Alpha meets and befriends all sorts of people, and a few other androids, as she experiences life's many moments of joy and sadness.

As I mentioned in my overview of the series, and in my review of Volume 12, this is not a story with loads of action or loads of...well, anything really. It's a quiet, simple, sweet, slice-of-life series about a gun totin' lesbian android. :-)

Of the people and androids Alpha meets, two are rather key to this above statement. In the very beginning of the series, we and Alpha meet Kokone, who works for a messenger service. Alpha and Kokone become very close and it becomes quite obvious to everyone - even Kokone's human coworkers - that Kokone has fallen for Alpha. It is also apparent to Maruko, another android who has a thing for Kokone. Maruko loses, because Kokone's heart is Alpha's.

This final volume of the manga is full of good-byes. Time is spent with old friends; Maki and Takahiro are adults and out in the world, but not gone from Alpha's life. Relaxing days are filled with doing nothing particular, and a few key special moments. Time is the only pressure we feel, as the world keeps slowing down, the shifting sands continue to obscure the roads, fewer people populate the towns, and more and more the only "people" to enjoy the world are the androids humans created to keep them company.

It is a twilight world, a world growing increasing silent and slow, but no less beautiful.

Alpha moves through life with joy, doing the things she has done since the very beginning of the series - visiting Yokohama to buy supplies for the shop, swimming, riding on her scooter. Although she cannot age, there is no doubt at all that she has changed from the first few volumes, when her owner was still a presence in her life, and a person for whose return she waited. She may not have aged, but she has most definitely matured.

Which brings me to what I think was the hardest chapter of the entire series to read. Alpha meets up with the doctor, an older woman who had originally met Alpha after she had been hit by lightning. Alpha and the sensei had become quite close through the series. In this volume they meet for what may well be the last time. The chapter, to me, expresses everything beautiful and sorrowful about the series as a whole. No matter how much we may wish to, we simply can't stay in the same place forever.

The last chapter was, for most of the yuri fans of this series, crucial. We waited, quite breathlessly (apart from the sobs and sniffs) to see if it would end as we hoped, as we dreamed. It is my pleasure to report that...it does.

Do not expect high drama. Expect a quiet, soft moment that says everything.

And expect Kokone and Alpha to move forward into the future, together.

Ratings:

Art - 9
Story - 9
Characters - 9
Yuri - 6
Loser FanBoy - 1

Overall - 9

...and expect more fanfic. lol I can't help myself.)

Tags: Yuri, Yuri Manga, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, Yokohama Shopping Log, Alpha and Kokone

posted by Erica Friedman @ 3:14 PM 5 comments links to this post   

Yuri Anime: Strawberry Marshmallow, Volume 1

Boy oh boy, had I forgotten how sticky the opening theme of this anime is...now I'll have it in my head for a week.

So here we are, looking down the barrel of Strawberry Marshmallow, aka Ichigo Mashimaro. And it's still cute.

I cannot tell you how *annoying* I find it, that's it's so damn cute. And girly cute, no less. And giggly. God, if anyone ever saw me giggling at this, I'd never be able to show my face in public again...

...and this isn't even my favorite volume.

So, I realize that I never really covered any of the episodes specifically in any of my earlier reviews, but I did capture the essence of the series: cute girls doing things cutely.

The first volume is primarily an introduction to our five principals. Itou Nobue, 20 for the anime, so they can leave in all the smoking and drinking gags, her younger sister Chika, 12, annoying next-door neighbor Miu, who is undoubtedly the star of the series, adorable English girl Ana 11, who has forgotten how to speak English and Matsuri, 11, crybaby and everyone's punching bag.

There is no plot in this series, just a series of goofy gags strung along through the mostly-normal lives of the five girls. School, work, playing games like "let's pretend" that kind of thing. Or, it would all be normal, except Evil Psychotic Lesbian(TM)-in training Miu always seems to make everything turn out strangely.

And that's why we watch. Because Miu is crazy. And we love it. ;-)

This US release includes some extras, but nothing exciting. 4 episodes on the first volume, a mini-poster, a reversible case cover and oh boy! a non-credit opening! But I've got all the Ichigo Mashimaro dollies I can stand from Dengeki Daioh (and a few I can't stand,) and US releases never have anything really good anway, except the occasional pencil board (and even those are terrifying at times, like the ROD The TV pencil boards.) More importantly, Geneon has included the clever and rewarding $3 coupon for one of the next two volumes, which I heartily approve of. In fact, let me once again offer up for free, my advice on how to get us fans to buy more DVDs.

1) Include a pre-order form or URL for the next volume in the series. Offer a discount for pre-ordering.

2) Include the same coupon, which provides another discount, thus bringing the cost down to what appears to be a really reasonable price.

3) Offer deeper discounts to people who pre-order the whole series, box sets or thinpaks. Send us whole sets, not one disk in a box and make us buy each other disk separately.

In other words, give us *incentive* and we will buy. Otherwise, get used to selling lots of Volume 1s. This coupon is a baby step in the right direction.

Ratings:

Art - 5 Looks like the manga. Yup.
Story - 7 - If you get past the hump that there is none.
Characters - 7 -This is a completely character-driven series. More specifically Miu drives it.
Yuri - 2- If you can call Miu's crush on Nobue, and Nobue's thing for Ana and Matsuri "yuri." Which is entirely in the eye of the beholder.
LFB - 7 - Just because of the essential loliness of series and author.

Overall - 7

Don't drink soda while you watch this series, though. You're liable to suddenly spurt it out your nose.

Tags: Anime, Yuri Anime, Strawberry Marshmallow,Ichigo Mashimaro

posted by Erica Friedman @ 9:09 PM 2 comments links to this post   

Contest on "Worldshaking" Fanfic

I don't usually post "Worldshaking" Fanfic updates here, but I want this one to get some response, so here we go:

This month I am running the first-ever WSF contest! My website has been essentially the same since 1997 when I first started writing fanfic. I want to update the look of WSF, so I'm looking for submissions of a design feature, template, mascot, logo or anything else to spiff up the site.

The winner will win something I have never *ever* done for before - a story written special for you. You pick the couple, I write the story. :-) Of course, I reserve the right to write the story my way, but you get to pick the couple/relationship. Yuri, yaoi, straight, whatever.

The contest - and this month's fanfic - can be found at: http://www.worldshaking.net

Enjoy!

posted by Erica Friedman @ 7:46 PM 1 comments links to this post   

Yuri Monogatari artist Althea Keaton to appear at MangaNEXT

ALC Publishing, publisher of 100% Yuri,is pleased to announce the
appearance of four-time "Yuri Monogatari" contributor Althea Keaton
at MangaNEXT 2006, the first celebration of American "manga culture."

Althea Keaton will be available for book signing, panels and will be
conducting a workshop on drawing yuri for artists 18 and over.

MangaNEXT will be held October 6-8, 2006 in Secaucus, NJ. For more
information on MangaNEXT, please visit their website.

ALC Publishing was founded in 2003 as the publishing arm of Yuricon,
with a mission to bring high quality yuri publications to the
worldwide English speaking audience. For more information on
ALC Publishing or its parent organization Yuricon, please visit
the ALC website at or email us.

Tags: MangaNEXT, Yuri Manga, Yuri Monogatari, ALC Publishing

posted by Erica Friedman @ 9:29 PM 0 comments links to this post   

Yuri Manga: Voiceful

I really, really like Voiceful by nawoko.

This was not originally so, when the first nawoko stories ran in the then Yuri Shimai magazine. I found them a little too vaguely yuri-ish, and had to turn the yuri googles up and stare hard to really get any yuri vibe from them. I didn't object to the art - or the stories, really - but the fact that they fed in, IMHO, to the idea that any story with two women standing next to one another must therefore be yuri. ("Look! They're standing next to each other - they must be a couple!" is so common a thought process that it's entered the Yuricon Staff shared meme file.)

But my opinion changed when nawoko's story "Voice" ran in Yuri Hime. When it became a series, "Voiceful", I liked it even better. And now, I'm thrilled to have it, and the other nawoko stories as a collected volume. Together, they all work much better than they do as stand-alones.

One of the common threads in nawoko's work is music. It is music that ties these stories together, even more than intense emotional connections between women - which also stand out more in the collected volume, than they did as separate pieces.

"Voiceful," the title series, is the story of shut-in Kanae (right on the cover above) and her transformation as she accidentally runs into, and subsequently befriends, her "goddess," an independent singer who releases her music on the internet, Hina (left on the cover above). This story of two emotionally damaged women who find strength to make each other strong - and thus become strong for themseleves - is really, really nice.

The other stories in the collection also show people from the point of view of their weaknesses, but not in any gruesomely obnoxious way. Most of the stories are quiet, little slice-of-life pieces in which fear and hope and music intertwine to make a melody of life...and sometimes love.

Ratings:

Art - a loose, scratchy sort of nice - 6
Story - stronger as a sum of their parts, but nothing objectionable in any case - 7
Characters - ranging from an annoying 4 to a lovely 8 depending
Yuri - 6
Loser Fanboy - an underwear shot for the very, VERY desperate - 2

Overall - a pleasant, not earthshaking 6

Another solidly put together volume from Ichijinsha, with extra color page not included with any of the original stories.


Tags: Yuri, Yuri Manga, nawoko, Voiceful

posted by Erica Friedman @ 11:09 AM 0 comments links to this post   

Notes on the 14th Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel, "Suzukaze Satsusatsu" Part 3

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

Part 3

"Battle of Hanadera"


What exactly they have in common is hard to define. Hanadera and Lillian are samples of "Boy's School" and "Girl's School" but to compare a boy's school festival with a girl's is a bit bold.

First off, the gates. The signboard announcing the festival was huge and had giant characters that were crowded right off the board onto the wall. When you stepped onto the grounds, the flyers and art hadn't calmed down at all. All the shrubbery had been splashed with color so that it looked like Tanabata or Christmas, with all the things hanging from the trees. And most of the things hanging were things that would make you shake your head and say, "why that?" Records, shoes, nabe (E:bowls one cooks in), all floated there, flowered hats, dog leads and the like, luxuriously.

Near the entrance there was a kind of guest reception where everyone entered - no tickets needed. Once in, everyone was given a plastic supermarket bag with, among other things, a map of the area. Everyone wandered around looking like middle aged women...a spectacle that would never be seen at Lillian Jogakuen.

Speaking of which, at the front gate, the three Rosas, and the three tsubomi - the six members of the Yamayurikai - were now being greeted by a reception of Yuuki, Arisu and Takada-kun. Guardedly, they took their first steps ever onto the grounds of Hanadera Gakuin.

Yes, but...where on earth is "here"? Ninjas handed out flyers, a guy with a big signboard on his back was running around in circles screaming a war cry, popular anime characters were singing theme song parodies. There was no mistake, this was Hanadera, but it had slipped into a different world.

As soon as the Lillian Gakuen uniforms were spotted, a uniform "waaaaah" went up and a spontaneous round of applause came from the Hanadera students. They're asked to take no offense - it's actually meant as a compliment. Sachiko was already starting to tick-tock as Yuuki explained.

No matter what happened, whether a person was suspended or left school, all was held in abeyance for this festival, and people attached to every club came. The Hanadera club tradition was held in great esteem – sempai/ kouhai relations were never cut and the ties always applied. You never discontinued being a club member – to step over that threshold meant disgrace.

Walking slowly, they came to a parting of the road. Of course, there was no Maria-sama statue there. Instead there was a dense forest...and a hill as big as a mountain.

Takada suddenly asks, in a very loud voice, so Yukichi, which way should we take them?

Yuuki says that they'll go left to go in, and come back on the right. Yuuki's voice is also quite loud. Arisu responds –in a much fuller voice than usual– Let's, let's.

What's with these guys, saying such normal things so loudly? And in this weird monotone.

Got it, Yoshino comments quietly. This is so they don't seem to be taking sides between either the Heishi or the Genji clans and no one grumbles.

Arisu says that she got it right and comments that she's pretty sharp. He pushes the air like he's pressing an intercom. This appears to be perfectly normal for the commute into Hanadera, separated as it is into the two factions.

The outward road is very like a mountain road. It's steep, with an undulating surface. With trees and plants placed strategically. What good exercise, Rei comments, as she steps over a stump, going up a set of log stairs.

Yuuki asks if everyone is all right, and assures them that going back, they'll be taking a paved road. They all say they can handle it, but quietly put their hands together at the thought that they won't have to do it an second time.

Because it goes around the mountain, Yuuki continues, the other path takes some time.

Eh? At these words, the gathered maidens' smiles all disappear.

The shot, steep road is Genji'. The long, flat road is Heishi's. Which one would be worse, they wouldn't really know until they had walked it.

Shimako asks if Yuuki always comes this way. As befits the daughter of a temple on a mountain, she's not even short of breath.

Yuuki says that he does exactly as they are doing today. He's neither Genji nor Heike – this is how he buys his neutrality.

Arisu comments that incidentally, he's "hidari" (left) and Takada says he's "migi" (right). They certainly seem to be their respective types. Yumi thinks about what she'd be if she were an Hanadera student, but is puzzled. In the end, she concludes that she'd be like Yuuki. Apparently it's a Fukuzawa sibling quality to be indecisive.

As they approached the end of their hiking course, they reached the area where the steep short path and the long flat path join. For a second time, the visitors encountered a variety of performances.

Refreshment booth tickets, sheets printed for vaudeville programs with performance times, all were being hawked. A stuffed panda was wandering around giving out candy to young kids. When they passed, there were no kids around, so the panda gave Yumi some candy. Yumi thanks the panda, and it pats her head and says, "good girl."

Because Yuuki and the other guys have such "shining eyes" no one will come near them – he is very brave, Rei comments when the panda had left. Panda turns back to them at that and says that that is because they can't see his face. Yumi asks why her only? She holds out the candy she was given. Yuuki smiles and says because of all of them, she's the only one who looks like a kid.

Yumi is not thrilled at this. Of them, Yoshino is the youngest. And, incidentally, she's more than four months older than either Shimako or Yoshino.

Sachiko says that it's okay – Yumi likes sweets after all, doesn't she? Maybe the panda just understood that. Sachiko was trying to divert her, but she hadn't quite gotten the point – liking sweets is a childish thing.

If you don't want them, give them to me, Sachiko says. Yumi says no, he gave them to me, and hides them behind her back. Sachiko just replies "see?" Busted.

Yumi thinks that it's a good trend that Sachiko has finally become accustomed to giving each other enough space to tease a little.

Sachiko instructs her to not eat if they are walking. Yumi just says "okay" (just like a little kid). Yumi opens the bag. As she does so, one suddenly unwraps and on the paper is a kanji character.

She looks more carefully and is surprised to find another character. After a moment, she sees the rest of the kanji – Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society? What the panda and candy has in common with the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society is a mystery to her. But somehow, she feels like she's heard the name Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society before...

Sachiko calls her name. Yumi has fallen behind. Confused, she shoves the candy in her pocket and runs to catch up.


2

The Hanadera Academy Student Council was inside the building. It was a like normal buildings – a row of classrooms, the washroom, etc, but it was deeper than normal. Inside it appeared much like the Lillian Student Council's Rose Mansion, without the second floor meeting room .It had an overall impression of feeling like an old, second-hand goods store. There were things completely unrelated to the Student Council spread around everywhere. In the middle of this mess was a line of old, wooden desks.

At a casual glance there was a washboard, some geta, an empty goldfish bowl, a broken clock in there. Why on earth was this stuff put there? Someone from outside the group couldn't possibly know.

At any rate, at 1:30 PM, when the Yamayurikai members arrived, the room was guarded by Kobayashi. Now that there were four members of the Hanadera Council, they could commence.

So, Kobayashi tells them, the three Rosas will be on the scaffolding, which will be ascended by game player, who will each be asked a challenge questions. The ones who answer correctly get a seal. This will go on from two to three-thirty. Next to each Rosa will be a member of the Hanadera council, just in case there are any questions or problems arise, so the Rosas don't have to worry about them. Does anyone have questions?

He looks around at all the women. Out of the council's treasurer, suddenly appears a master of ceremonies and general manager. They tell him that they don't have questions – that the Hanadera council seems to have everything in hand. And without being told directly, they infer that each Rosa is going to be accompanied by a bodyguard.

So, Kobayashi continues, the three Rosas will leave here in an hour. Now, will the three tsubomi please change their clothes? And with that, the men all leave the room.

Arisu remains behind last, preparing the change of clothes for the three en bouton. He leaves at last, his face showing regret that he's a man, after all.

Shimako asks if they should leave as well. They say no – after all, a little sister can change in front of an older sister without embarrassment. In fact, they were well past being embarrassed at this point anyway – except for maybe Shimako and Noriko, who have only been soeur for about three months – Yumi isn't sure about them.

Instead, Yoshino says, it would be better if the Rosas assisted them. She'd already gotten the clothes out of a dry cleaner's plastic bag. Rei pulls out pins from the clothes, saying "Roger." She wonders if this is all Arisu's doing.

Yoshino says that, as she expected, the pants are too long. Rei says, well, they are for boys. She asks Sachiko if she has safety pins. From her sewing kit, Sachiko pulls out two safety pins and hands them over to Rei, who started in helping Yoshino with her change of clothes. Rei did one leg, Yoshino another and Sachiko worked on two, and in no time at all they were finished. Oh, and by the way - the change of clothes were Hanadera school uniforms.

The three Rosas were guests of their neighboring school, so for them, wearing the Lillian Jogakuen uniform was essential. However, the three tsubomi were there as attendants, and were expected to assist their onee-sama for the hour and a half they were going to be on the scaffolding. It would be a challenge to move around easily in their school uniform. So it was decided that for the duration of the game, the non-Rosas would wear Hanadera uniforms. The en bouton were wearing borrowed uniforms from the three most diminutive Hanadera Council members (after they were cleaned, of course). Yoshino had one of Arisu's, Noriko was wearing one of Kobayashi's and Yumi had, obviously, borrowed one of Yuuki's.

Diminutive, that is, when compared with the others on the Council. Arisu is slender, and Kobayashi and Yuuki both have average height. Their uniforms were fine, but the arms and legs were still long.

Even if we roll up the sleeves, there aren't going to be enough safety pins to go around to hem the pants, Yumi says. The kind of pocket sewing kits women carry usually have one, maybe two safety pins.

Rei wonders if she can find some to borrow. Noriko says that rolling up the cuffs is find with her. Yumi does the same, so that she won't be the only one with rolled up cuffs. From the Rosa's reactions, she could infer that they look pretty stupid. Well, they'd have to endure it for the time being, because to have half of them in gakuran would look even worse. There was no helping it; Yumi unrolled the cuffs, with a little complaint about Yuuki.

Someone suggests just sewing the cuffs. That would be fine, afterwards Yuuki could just pick the thread out. And the sewing kits have needle, thread and scissors.

Yoshino, glancing at her wristwatch, says that they don't have time. Rei replies that in the time they might take to say they have no time, they could just sew. Home economics as her forte, Rei popped open her sewing kit.

But it'll be hard to do with the uniform on. Well, then she'll just have to be brave. And with that, the Yellow Rose sisters, began the argument. Sachiko says, almost to herself that if Yumi had higher heels it would solve the cuff problem. Yumi repeats this, and Sachiko shoots back a "yes", so it wasn't a joke. Sachiko walks over to the piles of junk and says we'll borrow this, too, taking the geta.

Okay, this is okay. She'll make a lot of noise when she walks, but it gives her the height she needs - and the feeling that the scenery has changed. Once she stood upright, she could see the two odango Yoshino had put her braids up in - for a disguise as much as to keep them out of the way.

"Noriko's okay as she is - Yumi, can you take your hair down?" Of course, the ribbons would be conspicuous. She had just put her hair up in her trademark ponytails in the morning quite unconsciously. Now they would stay this way - her hair was obstinate that way. A suggestion that they wet her hair doesn't fly - there's no dryer. There's a washboard, and a pestle, and a bonsai. And a stuffed bear from somewhere in Asia, but no dryer.

Sachiko takes a towel and opens it over Yumi's head, asking her whether she wants a turban or a "gonbei-san" style. Neither appealed, so Yumi takes the towel and ties it off at the back of her neck.

Unexpectedly, she gets compliments on her look and on how the geta look good on her, so she takes a hand mirror and looks herself over. It was a little like a pirate's henchman, but really closer to her father at spring cleaning time. It wasn't such a bad idea, really.

And with that, the transformation of the tsubomi was complete.

Kobayashi, upon seeing her, comments that she looks like Yuuki. Both siblings protest at the same time.

They are all asked to endure for ninety minutes.

Yumi doesn't hear this though, because she's smarting over everyone laughing at Kobayashi's next comment, that they also sound alike.

Yumi wonders why Yuuki's uniform is scratched up. She pulls a panda and some candy from a pocket. Yuuki tells her to shut up. He was part of a "strength" test, as President of the council, Arisu tells her, patting her on the shoulder, and he was taken to the ground. He's very energetic, and is always walking around, taking part in things equally, so his uniform gets a bit beat up.

Yumi thinks that this is a side of her brother she never sees at home. Yuuki as strongman.

The strong man opens the door and asks who left the big box there, in a loud voice.

When? It wasn't there a minute ago. Following the Hanadera members out, Yumi and the others go out to the hall. There is a big cardboard box, at least seventy centimeters in width, painted brown. Someone must have been fast to leave it there.

Maybe it's from the theater club, or someone left part of an exhibit here, Takada suggests. Since its next to the staircase, maybe it was set down as temporary storage until someone could come back for it.

But, it seems unlikely that it just *happens* to be by the Council room. If they were supposed to take it in, then wouldn't it have a label? Who would label an empty box?

It's empty?

Yes.

Maybe they should just throw it away...

They guys all surround the box as they discuss it. (And I can just imagine what the girls are thinking....)

They decide to leave a note warning whoever put it there to take it out. From somewhere, Yuuki pulls a heavy marker and paper. He attached the note to the box with tape.

"Warning:

If this box is not removed in thirty minutes it will be disposed of and the owner will be subject to a suitable penalty.

1:45PM Hanadera Student Council President Fukuzawa Yuuki"

That ought to do, he says.

With dry eyes, they all head out. Throughout all this, the members of the Yamayurikai were silent, but they met each others' eyes. Guys were pretty amazing.


3


In the middle of the grounds stood a red, white and yellow decorated scaffolding, surrounded by the students arriving who would participate in the game.

Gathered around the scaffolding were gakuran, gym uniforms, team uniforms and cosplay – it was very colorful. When they saw the Lillian uniforms, the guys parted quickly to the left and right to let them through, with the official comment that they should take no offense.

You could call it a scaffolding, but it was more like a slide. There was a platform from which it was possible to look down on the grounds. And a ladder on the other side. Shimako, not Sachiko is the one to express doubt about climbing up so high. On the top of the wooden scaffolding is a roofed area. From Yumi's new height it didn't seem as high as before...but it didn't seem short either. Normally going up and down stairs was easy enough...but this ladder would be a bit hard.

Don't worry, Yuuki says – the guys will be using the ladder – they can use the stairs. At which point a dolly is pushed up with stairs that look like the kind for an airplane. They were brought from the library.

Rei asks them to bring the stairs to the yellow side for her. She looked like she'd be find with the ladder, but then remembered that she was wearing a skirt and thought better of it. She ascended with a "boom, boom" sound. So the Yellow section of the scaffolding was entered first. Then the White, section, afterward. Typical of Shimako, she ascended with delicate steps. Last was Sachiko, who looked rather close to despair. When the stairs were in front of the Red section of the scaffolding, she just stood there, looking up.

Yumi starts to say something, but Sachiko cuts her off, saying that it would be inappropriate to switch. Yumi wasn't planning on saying that, however. She wants to go first, she says, to see how it is up there. Sachiko says it can't be helped. But, Yumi continues – she's a little afraid. Would Sachiko come with her?

So, taking Sachiko's hand, Yumi lets herself be led to the stairs. If she's not alone, then it's all right. Not wanting to show her little sister her weakness – or not wanting to acknowledge her own fear, together they ascended next to one another.

There was about three tatami of space. The view was great. They could see the oval track and the gymnasium from there. There was a lovely breeze, which kept away birds and bugs.

Yumi points out Sachiko's seat. There's one seat in the middle of the platform as if for an interview. Yumi tells Sachiko that it's sturdy, having sat down first to make sure that Sachiko feels safe. Even if the scaffolding should crack, as far as possible, this seat would be fine.

Sachiko switches places with Yumi and sits. Her gaze drops just a bit, then doesn't look at the ground, her face stiffening.

Yuuki comes up the ladder to ask if everyone is set. They want to tidy up the ladder.

Yumi says that it's a bit confined up there for three people. She's fine standing next to Sachiko, but she has no confidence in Yuuki as a "bodyguard." "I'm here - that will give onee-sama confidence," she brags.

That may be true, Yuuki says, but when the game begins, there'll be another person up here. The lead person from the challenge players will climb up here to answer the quiz. "Here" is essentially where Yumi is standing. There's a 30 centimeter square of red tape. Yuuki says that neither he nor Yumi is particularly large, so it ought to be okay.

It's nice that it's got Yuuki's approval, but once the game begins, there may not be enough room for more than one person in-waiting, Yumi thought. However, there was no way she was going to desert Sachiko now.

Yumi comments that in order to see the beginning of the game, you'd have to get down. Sachiko is spending her time becoming accustomed to this high place.

Yuuki says that in order to keep it out of the way, they've already removed the stairs.

Yumi says that she'll be fine with the ladder. At the same time, Yuuki and Sachiko express concern at the concept of her using the ladder. Yumi replies that she's not wearing a skirt, so it'll be fine. Yuuki asks if that's the only problem she foresees with the situation. Yumi says yes.

Sachiko says that Yumi's great – there's no *way* she'd be able to use the ladder. Her admiration comes from the heart, so, obviously, heights are a problem for her.

Well, okay, Yuuki says, if you can do it, then do it.

Yuuki waves her over. She can see Kobayashi in the yellow section and Takada in the white. Yuuki looks at his watch and tells Sachiko that it'll be starting soon. Receiving affirmative looks from his companions, Yuuki lifts a handspeaker and announces that the "Hanadera Battle Second Stage – Lillian Encampment" is about to begin.

If he's calling it Second Stage, then apparently, somewhere else the first stage had already happened. Was there a third and fourth battle, Yumi wondered haphazardly. From somewhere, she could hear the sound of a conch blowing, which was some kind of signal, for at that, the crowd came rushing up towards the platform.

Yumi can't see what Sachiko's expression is, sitting in her chair, looking down on the madding crowd, but she's pretty certain that Sachiko's looking like she wants to run away from the spectacle unfolding. It looks like some great migration, or a pack of ants swarming towards sugar...in other words, it was a big commotion.

Hesitantly, Sachiko calls Yumi's name.

Frightened of the thunderous roar boiling up from the ground, Sachiko looks to be rescued. The sound of war cries, and the sounds of people crowded together mingled and broke against one another. It looked like a battle scene from the Taiga Drama (E:a large-scale, year-long historical series NHK TV runs every year on Japanese TV.)

Yumi tells Sachiko that she'll be all right. Standing at the side of her chair, Yumi takes Sachiko's hand. As soon as the first creature, no, person, climbs up, she knows that Sachiko will be all business, as a true Rosa. However, the first challenger had not yet reached the tower.

But, the slides up were not just plain slides. The yellow one was covered in some mustard colored substance which made it hard to climb. The white had white flour sprinkled on it, which was comparatively easy going, so before you got there, there was one obstacle to overcome – a flat container filled with wheat flour, in which were hidden candies. The challenger had to use his mouth to find a candy before he could move on. (E: Oh, god, these poor girls, having the guys covered in much coming up close to them…)

The red slide was set at several strange angles, so there was a rope to assist in climbing. When Yumi first looked at the set up, she could see the colors on the other ramps and wondered why red got the rope, but now she realizes that the rope would make any challenger's palms turn red. To make matters worse, in the battle for the rope, it would be easy enough to get an injury that might also make one's face red with blood.

Yuuki comments that the lead is Ishiguro from the gymnastics club. Yuuki tells to the panting challenger choose a number from 1 to 100 from Ishiguro, while holding out a cookie assortment container. Inside the container are 100 cards, each with a different quiz question.

Ishiguro shouts out "Number one!"

Sorry, Yuuki says, number one is "lose turn". Ishiguro has to go back to the beginning and start over.

In giant letters, the number one card said "Su-Ka!". Ruthlessly, Ishiguro threw it into the garbage with an expletive. When Yuuki says, "next!" he slides down the slide on the edge marked, "exit". The next competitor gives him a glance and uses the rope to pull himself up.

The next challenger asks for "Lucky Seven."

Yuuki says that seven is lucky, there's a question. What has the atomic number seven?

The challenger hems and says he'll come back. He takes himself to the exit and slides down. Apparently his forte was more in humanities than in science and math. So, the questions were anything from "What was Shinran Shonin's best seller?" or "What seasoning should one use?" or "What was classical author Suzuki-sensei's wife's name?" to "What does 9 x 7 equal?". The chances of actually getting a question in your field of expertise was probably 2 or 3 in 100 – and then there were the "suka" cards mixed in.

Now there had been three more challengers who had ascended, been asked a question and descended without answering. Sachiko had become accustomed to the idea that her job was primarily to congratulate those who answered correctly, say, "too bad" to those who didn't and other expressions of support.

As one challenger paused, Sachiko opened up her purse and put her hand in, moving it around. Yumi asked what she's looking for. A wet towel, Sachiko answers. Oh well, she must have left it in her bag in the council room. Yumi offers to retrieve it – she can see sweat on Sachiko's neck and brow. Sachiko says she doesn't have to bother, she can use a handkerchief, but Yumi says she'll get it quickly and be right back. Yumi lets go of Sachiko's hand.

The game had been going on for 30 minutes. There was no end in sight.

Yuuki warns Yumi that it'd be dangerous to climb down in the geta, so go barefoot. She agrees. She pulls off the geta and tosses them in a bucket Yuuki is pointing out. She ties the bucket to a long rope and lowers it down before getting on the ladder. The ladder is so small, it was good mechanism. Yuuki tells her that when she comes back with Sachiko's bag, to put it in the bucket and call out, so he can pull it up. She rogers that. She climbs down barefoot, puts on the geta and finds Yoshino at the base of the red tower.

Yoshino?

Yoshino bears drinks for Rei, herself and Kobayashi.. She's got cold coffee, orange juice and a sports drink. Yoshino asks what Yumi's up to. She tells her that she's off to the council room to retrieve a wet towel for Sachiko. Yoshino sympathizes with her fellow errand runner and they hustle off. When Yumi looks back over her shoulder, she can see Yoshino putting things into the bucket and calling for Kobayashi to pull them up. She looks over to see what's up at the white tower and sees Noriko looking down with a slightly bored expression, obviously having nothing to do.

Even with no errands, this is difficult work.

The work of the tsubomi was very profound.

***

Coming out of the room, Yumi can see that the large cardboard box is still there. Although the time limit is already over, no one from the student council had returned to dispose of it.

Arisu is in the room with their things as a watchman. He's busy writing something when she calls his name. He lifts his head to ask what's up. She tells him that it's something Sachiko forgot. She spots the bag. Because Sachiko is so neat, the object sought is easily found. In a vinyl bag, a large wet handkerchief. During summer, Sachiko carried one to cool off. Even though the calendar said it was autumn, it was still hot enough to warrant her having one for at least a little while longer.

Arisu asks how the game is going. Yumi says that its very lively and makes a "Yay!" motion. He says he's glad and that he's been busy too. This room is the lost child corner, and the broadcast room and the lost and found and other miscellaneous tasks. Right now its quiet, but they still wanted someone to remain behind. Although why, then everyone's gathered together...Arisu smiles at this shopkeeper talk. Yumi thinks that he's chatty because she's an outsider and it doesn't matter whether it's okay or not.

Arisu says there's only 50 minutes more to go, and to tell Sachiko to keep up the good work. Yumi says she will and thanks him for watching over everything. Yumi waves at him and leaves. Because Sachiko is waiting, she doesn't really have time to talk with Arisu.

On the way back, she stops at the bathroom sink and splashes a bit of cold water on her face, which feels good. And Sachiko's towel is a bit lukewarm. She wants to make Sachiko feel good, so she pulls the towel out of the bag and runs it under that tap.

She rinses the towel and wrings it out lightly when, from behind she hears a voice call "Hey, Fukuzawa!"

She turns around to find her way blocked by four male students standing there. The general sense is that these are not nice people, she thinks. Before she can retrace her steps, two of them cut her off from the student council room, and the others stand in front of her, so she's surrounded. If she moves in any direction, she's covered. As if they are basketball team players in a game.

She should call out for help, but her voice isn't coming out. Slowly, they are contracting the circle around her. She decides to try to make a dash for it, but someone grabs her wrist in a strong grip. They grab her hands and feet and shut her mouth with tape. She could try and flail around, but it was four against one - and they were all boys. Coward, she thinks at herself.

They cover her eyes with a mask, tie her hands and feet. She thinks she's being lifted, then thrown into a confined space.

The box?

That cardboard box that they had noticed, but hadn't had a chance to remove. Yumi panics, and wonders where they are taking her. She can feel the lid being lowered. Someone tells her not to struggle. Someone bags the box, and she begins to really panic. She can hear Kanako's voice telling her "It's really dangerous there." And Yumi-sama is defenseless. They are men. You have to be on guard, on guard, otherwise something really bad can happen to you." If Yumi had understood better, she wouldn't have criticized Kanako. But maybe now isn't the time to reflect on this, but maybe come up with a clever plan to get out.

Wait, they called her Fukuzawa. These guys seemed to know her, as they committed this act of violence. But this is the first time she had ever seen them. She couldn't think of anything she could have possibly done to be the receiver of such actions.

They couldn't have anything against her personally. Could they be holding her liable for some criminal act of "Lillian Jogakuen"?

Yuuki, that idiot. He told them that no one would be rude to them, but this is far beyong being rude. What kind of leader is he at Hanadera Academy? Asshole!

***

Change of scene to where Yuuki is.

Feeling a chill up hi spine, Yuuki turned and looked around him. It might just have been a draft, but it didn't feel like it.

Neither Takada nor Kobayashi seemed to have felt anything. It felt like someone had spoken ill of him behind his back. But there was no way to know who might have. Fukuzawa Yuuki had many enemies.

Sachiko asks if Yumi has returned. Yuuki says no, the basket is empty. He gives the cord a tug, but there's no answer. If Yumi had come back, she'd have put Sachiko's things in the basket. Sachiko comments that's she's late. He agrees and looks at his watch. Yumi's been off the scaffold for fifteen minutes, One way was no more than five minutes. He out to see her appear shortly.

Already they were on their second or third go-round in the game. They were getting repeat challengers. They were coming up with less enthusiasm, their palms all red and scratched from the rope, and the ones who had fallen all spread over the mat below. And some of the ones on the way up were resting, and then occasionally remembering to move upwards. It was like this at the white and yellow towers too.

Yuuki suggests that Yumi got caught up in conversation with Arisu in response to Sachiko's comment earlier.

Sachiko says that if she was on Sachiko's business, Yumi wouldn't. She's not that kind of a girl.

Yuuki thinks that Sachiko totally overrates Yumi...but then, maybewhen she was in front of Sachiko, Yumi was that kind of good girl.

He suggests that she might have gotten lost - Sachiko practically erupts, saying that that would be terrible.

Yuuki's a bit surprised at her vehemence, at how deeply emotional she is about Yumi. He says that he'll grab a few of the students around and have them search the grounds. They'll make sure she reaches here. He says it is a way to make Sachiko not worry, but he's uneasy.

Sachiko lifts her eyes, and asks if he's saying that she can't reach this place. (Her words are obviously edging on hysteria.)

He asks her to calm down. Sachiko asks if there might have been an accident.

Like what, Yuuki jokes. A chemistry experiment gone bad?

Yes, Sachiko says, Is the science room in the same building as the student council room? She leaps out of the chair, but she'd forgotten that she was in a high place and had to take her seat again dizzily as soon as she saw how high up they were.

Yuuki reminds her that she suggested it was an accident, not him. He comes to the side of the chair to talk to her. Sachiko presses a handkerchief to her mouth. She asks him to go look for her. She'll keep on going here, reading the questions and giving seals to the correct answers - that's all there is, right? She can do that.

Yuuki says that that will leave Sachiko alone, he can't do that. The first thing is to stop thinking that Yumi met with an accident.

Sachiko says, "Aren't you her younger brother? Don't you think she's cute?"

He tells her that she's speaking nonsense. She commands him to go - after all, doesn't he have to listen when she speaks?

Yuuki thinks who said that, but she is "Sachiko-sama" after all and when she spoke in that tone of command, it was expected to be answered with "Yes" like some kind of magic power.

He says that he'll go, that she should please wait for a little while. He looks down, trying to spot a person. Eventually he sees an extremely large person near the white scaffolding and calls out to Nikkou-sempai, who shouts back. Yuuki asks if he has a moment. Although he only called one person, two begin to come over to the red tower. Nikkou and Gakkou Yakushiji, in other words, the twins.

Yuuki tells them to take over his shift. They say okay. From beside his hip, Sachiko says "huh?" then nods with bad grace.

They come up to the top of the scaffolding, and Yuuki tells them that he'd like them to take his place. With the arrival of these two large bodies, the top of the tower suddenly seems very confined. To make matters worse, a sense of oppression. Sachiko tries to be a little smaller.

They repeat their instructions, and Yuuki clarifies that Rosa Chinensis can affix the seals. With trepidation, Yuuki leaves the Student Council-sponsored event in the hands of the Student Council.

Nikkou and Gakkou comment if Yuuki is planning on going to the bathroom, there are a lot of people. As usually, they talk in succession. There isn't enough time for him to correct the misunderstanding, so he just says yeah, and climbs down the ladder.

For the first time in a while, a challenger makes it to the top of the tower. From above his head he can hear "Number eighteen." The question is, "Up above is a lumber mill, below is a garbage dump - what is it?" The challenger protests that that's too hard. After a moment the challenger gives up, Yuuki mutters that it's an easy question. He climbs down, left right, left, right, until he reaches the ground.

By the way, the answer is a pencil sharpener.

4

By running, Yuuki cuts the time to get to the Council room to three minutes. The campus is very lively as befits a festival. Students, teachers and families are all letting loose. The gym and auditorium have major events, while every classroom had a café, or haunted house or play or refreshment stand, etc.

He concentrated on taking the shortest distance and avoiding all the ruckus. But when he got to the hallway near the Council room, he didn't see Yumi. This entrance/exit was the one thrown open, so he didn't think he'd miss her.

Arisu asks what's up - is the event over, when Yuuki threw the door to the council room open and entered. Yuuki's eyes get round and he runs up to Arisu, telling him that Sachiko's worried about Yumi. He's got Nikkou and Gakkou watching his place - did Yumi arrive?

Yes, Arisu answers, his brows knitting. But she's already left a while back. About 2:40.

Yuuki looks at his watch - it's 3:00. He works out the timing - there's no way he would have missed her. She's lost. He tells Arisu that he'll take a different way back to look for her, Arisu should stay there in case she comes back. He repeats Arisu's name. Arisu is looking at the ceiling, his face decidedly a bad color. Yuuki asks him what he's thinking.

Arisu says, quietly, as if denying it could be possible, "No way." Yuuki grabs him by the shoulders and insists he tell him.

Arisu says that after Yumi left, he heard a noise out in the hall. When he looked out, there were some guys there taking the box away.

The box? Yuuki flew out of the room. Sure enough, the cardboard box was gone. But to connect the box and Yumi's not being here is a bit frivolous. It's more likely that the owner saw the message and removed the box. Yuuki squats down and looks closely at the spot the box had been left. There was some marks in the dust in the corner where it had been, but no marks of its removal.

Yuuki asks Arisu is the noise he heard in the hall was before the box was removed. He wasn't sure why he was asking, but...

Yes, Arisu says - there was a noise of violence, and at first he thought it was a fight. But there was nothing called out that sounded like the usual fighting. Yuuki asks how many people there were. Arisu says three, no, four.

For an empty box? Yuuki asks. It was a pretty sturdy box, but still. What had been inside?

No way, Yuuki says. Arisu sucks in his breath.

There's no way, Yuuki says hopelessly, turning around in and seeing something in the corner. Sachiko's important item Yumi would never drop. But this must have fallen out of her pocket in the struggle. He picks up the bag of candy that the panda had given her.

*

"You mistook me for Yuuki?"

This was the first thing Yumi said when the tape was removed from her mouth.

"Seriously, we can't apologize enough." The four students stand in a line, bowing deeply. They ask her why she's wearing his uniform.

Because I'm running around.

You're height is the same. I'm wearing geta.

You look the same. We were born from the same parents.

To make matters worse, you had your head wrapped in a towel like he does. I had no idea he did that.

Her responses to their excuses were dry whispers insider her own heart.

In any case, she tells them that just apologies aren't enough.

When they had returned to their lair to look at their prey, the hunters had gone pale. As if when they thought they had caught a raccoon and found that they had actually gotten a red panda.

The hunter's lair was the room for the mystery detective novel appreciation society. How far this was from the Council room, she didn't know. She wasn't sure how long she had been in the box. This was definitely in one of the buildings on campus. But how far apart the buildings were, she didn't know. Because they were carrying their heavy baggage in a group, they could have gotten pretty far.

She asks them if they didn't realize that Yuuki wasn't at the council room, but at the Council-sponsored event. They did, but when they saw her, they changed their strategy on the fly.

Originally they were planning on taking Arisu, but when they got there, Arisu wasn't alone. Kidnapping the president would have a lot more impact that just the secretary, they judged. That sums it up, they say.

Yumi asks why the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society would want to kidnap a member of the Student Council for in the first place? Encouraged to take a sit, Yumi sits on two cushions. Compared with being inside the box, this is 100x better.

They protest - that's a pretty shallow interpretation. She shoots back, "there's a deep reason?"

More than her shallow interpretation, there's the whole being mistaken for another person and being carried here - what on earth was that about? As she listens to them, she's not feeling any compassion.

After all it was the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society that gave her the candy. Maybe the panda was in on it all. Geez, talk about destroying the dreams of children.

They tell her that it's part of the club's activities. Young people were moving away from reading these days. The membership has dropped to only eight these days. Hmm, maybe they should change the wording of the membership charter.... The leader says, as if thinking. He's wearing glasses and a self-deprecating smile. He's not a "buchou", Yumi thinks, he's a "kaichou." (E: Clubs - bu - have 'club president's, i.e., buchou. Since this is a society (kai) he'd be a kaichou.)

Yumi asks where the others are - are they out giving out candy?

No, the leader says, the others are helping out other clubs as ghost members. The person giving out candy is a graduated sempai who felt bad for them and volunteered. (Hello...Earth to Yumi!)

A kind Old Boy, upon hearing his juniors predicament, laboring alone to distribute candy...

...kind of pathetic, really.

The animation appreciation society has taken their budget and their clubroom - they've been given half a room. Half! It's obvious that his appeals would fall on deaf ears if he spoke to anyone outside the club, but he'll appeal to Yumi.

Half, huh, Yumi says. Looking around, she thinks that it is a pretty small space, it loks like they cut a regular room in half. However, now is not the time to be thinking of their feelings of injustice. The room was allotted in accordance with the number of display items and the amount of people they were likely to draw. This was an issue of pride.

So, Yumi says, you felt bitter for being given such a small space, so you decided to kidnap one of the Council?

No! they say.

Currently in this small room are the club members and her. Would it have brought people in to kidnap Arisu or Yuuki? The display shows mystery detective novel writing through the years and a map for solving a mystery on fake vellum. All expected and interesting, but not to those who don't care about the genre. Nor did it looks like the work of obsessives.

Yumi doesn't know why guests aren't here. And with no one there by the display, it's like putting up a "Don't come here" sign - it's a vicious circle.

So, the truth is, the leader says, all the members of the Society promised to do a performance to "Gyafun" the Council. Of course, something to raise the status of the club.

Yumi clarifies that "Gyafun" is what the kidnapping plot was called. But, the leader says, we published a notice that we were going to do this in our newsletter in advance.

The newsletter is called "Sherlock and Kogurou." Yumi thinks that's a pretty good name - it would bring up an immediate connection to detective novels.

So, look, the president say - it's a story called the "Riddle of the Disappearing Student Council President." Pretty exciting, huh?

Yumi's speechless. She wants to say it clearly, without a twist that a title like that isn't going to inspire one to want to read it. It's too obvious - and not to be rude, but the feeling is very old-fashioned. She tells them that although they may have presented a copy of this to the Student Council, no one may have read it and therefore were not forewarned about the, erm, Gyafun.

Based on the title, Yumi hypothesizes that the original target was Yuuki, but when that seemed hopeless, they switched to Arisu. But when their original target appeared, defenseless, at the eleventh hour, they switched back to their original target. Only of course, they got the wrong person.

Exactly, they say. We're terribly embarrassed.

Yumi points a finger at them and they all curl up into themselves. She tells them that now that their plot has failed, they need to return her right away.

They say there's a big obstacle in the way of that - if they do, they'll essentially destroy the club.

Well, of course. They'll be known as the "Group that was rude to the Lillian Jogakuen girls - the label with stick with and follow them. Yuuki and the others will never forgive them. Instead of recharging the club, it will put it into crisis.

One of the club members comments that he sort of understands now why kidnappers kill their hostages. Another agrees - after all, she's seen their faces.

How about they were halfway when they hostage escaped. Or they took her but she ran away?

Hey wait, Yumi thinks, why are they discussing this so heartily? The arrest rate for kidnappers is high! She shouts.

Did you learn that on TV? No, she says, it's just something everyone knows. They laugh at her. The kidnapping group is in tune with one another.

Yumi says that she promises to not tell anyone. All of a sudden she wants to return quickly.

They say that she'll say that she was lost. She says fine - teach her a route that she could have taken.

No good, they say - even if she wasn't in a Lillian uniform, anyone who looked at her would see that she's a woman.

This coming from the people who couldn't tell? She shoots back.

That was in the dark area in front of the Student Council room. In a flash, you looked like Fukuzawa. If anyone sees you leaving this room, they'll undoubtedly become suspicious. The leader goes to the door and opens it. In a hopeless voice he says that there's a lot of people coming and going.

Fine, says Yumi. Put me back in the box, carry me back to the Student Council room and leave me there. I'll take it from there. Yumi thinks it's a good idea, but they shake their heads grimly. If your onee-san has become concerned, the box will look suspicious. Plus, Arisugawa Kintarou saw us carrying the box.

Yumi asks them if they are the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society if none of them are any good at this. She starts waving the plastic bag with Sachiko's wet towel back and forth. With her imouto still not returned, what must Sachiko be thinking? But the game must be keeping her busy.

So, how did it end? How did the Disppearing Student Council president escape? Trying to get a hint, she picks up the club's doujinshi and flips the pages. He doesn't die, does he? Killed, put back into the cardboard box, left in a corner of the gym....

The leader asks if she really thinks they'd want to kill her younger brother? She says, of course not, but...

After the festival was over, he would be discovered in the gymnasium storeroom or something. Hello? Yumi says? After the festival? In the gym? Do they think she's going to wait? As time goes on, the situation is only going to get worse. If she doesn't return before the Hanadera Battle Second Stage, Lillian Camp ends, there's going to be trouble.

At that point, the Yamayurikai and Hanadera Council members will be free from restraint and able to move. Not to mention the general student body. It will be a big fuss.

The guys all start stuttering what should they do? Oh, *now* they get all flustered.

Theyhave to see this through to the end and take responsibility, this unimportant guy said miserably.

Yumi thinks that they really seem unsuited for the crime of kidnapping - they seem pretty idiotic. One guy complains that he's getting nervous and his blood-sugar level is dropping. The others look at each other stealthily.

Someone says, here's some candy. Please have some. From who knows where, there appears a mountain of candy. As she picks up a candy, something floats into Yumi's mind and she says, out loud, but talking to herself "aha!" They ask her what and she tells them to bring Kashiwagi to the room.

Kashiwagi-san? You mean Kashiwagi-sempai? Right, Kashiwagi Suguru-san, she tells them. You know him. Yes, they say, but why?

Quickly, she says, I'll explain afterwards. You'll just have to trust me. She slaps these timid men on the butt to get them going. Of course, this is a metaphor - she didn't really slap them on the butt.

Quickly, she repeats. The President says okay and turns and leaves the room.

She thinks that whatever she's coming up with has been building since she got here. And now the captured is ordering around the capturers.

Believe in me, she had said.

Although she didn't really know what she meant by that herself.


5

"What did you guys do?" Entering the room (half) he sought to grasp the situation. Kashiwagi was looking at his juniors with the face of a demon. Usually he looked like he was brimming with self-confidence and humor. This angry side was something else. It made her unexpectedly moved.

"You jerks." With his left hand he grabbed one of the guys.

Yumi jumps in quickly, asking him to calm down - she's fine.

Looking down at her as she clung to his arm and appealed to him, he returned to his usual self. He lowers his head to his knees and apologizes profusely for the offense to Yumi caused by his juniors. His hands are held together correctly - there was no mistake, he was really prostrating himself. He says that it's all due to his failure at guiding them. Boil or bake him at her will.

The lordly prince of Hanadera, prostrating himself, begging for forgiveness. Something that none of his kouhai had ever seen, and it made them panic and put their own hands together.

Yumi asks him to stop. She didn't call him here to scold the others. She pulls him upright by the arm. It feels like the moment in historical plays where the bad guy is prostrate before Mitokoumon and he laughs at them.

She says that she needs his cooperation to avoid publicity. Sure, but...

He's surprised because he thought that she was reaching out to him to deal with them. That the victim, Yumi has a proposal...

She asks him to do her a favor. He says that it would be his pleasure to rescue her and protect her from these idiot kouhai.

She tells him not to blather and to get undressed.

Eh?

"Don't argue!" she yells. She reaches out to drag him back as he starts to run and starts to pull down the zipper on the costume.

He shouts that he understands, he'll do it himself, just let go. He says He enjoys getting dressed up, but dislikes taking things off. Slowly he extracts his arm from the sleeve. The club members still have no idea what's going on, even if Kashiwagi thinks he's beginning to understand. The kouhai all sit properly and watch as Kashiwagi strips down to t-shirt and shorts.

Kashiwagi holds out the costume, telling her not to do any performances, with a complicated expression.

Yumi says that she just needs to borrow it for one thing, as she thrusts one geta-wearing foot into the leg.

Kashiwagi's face returnes for a moment to its usually smiling expression. Got it, her says, thank you. If Yumi says that she won't say anything, they can rely on her discretion, he turns and tells the other four. You four - line up here and grit your teeth, I'm going to teach you about right and wrong.

Guys "right and wrong" look like it might be painful.


***

When Yuuki followed the trail of information about the brown cardboard box to the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society exhibit room and burst in, he found five people in the room.

"Yo, Yukichi."

There were five people in the room, the four members of the society and one former member, all playing cards.

Yuuki asks what's going on. Of course he wasn't asking what Kashiwagi was doing there, but why they were all sitting around playing cards. Kashiwagi says that he was handing out candy, but it wasn't attracting any customers, so they decided to relax and play some poker. Yumi rejects the explanation and looks around, but doesn't see Yumi.

Why, Kashiwagi asks. He's not a member anymore, but still he's the responsible party in the room. The atmosphere around the other four current members seems strained.

Yuuki says he's looking for Yumi.

She's not here, Kashiwagi answers.

Really?

Kashiwagi tells her to look around. Fine, Yuuki says. He looks around the room, under the desk, in the cleaning supply closet, in the lockers one by one. Kashiwagi asks if he's found Yumi yet. During all this, the five had continued to play cards. The four innocent members of the club he assumes were the ones who took Yumi, but they were not keeping her in confinement.

Even with four people, the box would be heavy - they couldn't have carried her far. If they were going to return her after the festival, she'd have to be somewhere they could keep an eye on her. Based on his information, he had no doubt that the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society were involved. As he thought this, Kashiwagi stood and he could see what Kashiwagi was sitting on instead of a chair - a cardboard box. It was definitely the box - it still had the warning note on it.

Yuuki opens the box. Yumi was definitely not inside. But there was a pair of old geta. The old geta Yumi had been wearing. Amazed, Yuuki stood up.

Still playing cards, standing, Kashiwagi says, "Yuuki." He says that he'll be punishing the Society. Not to protect them...Yumi has already allowed that.

Yumi?! Yuuki calls out. Yumi's involved in this?

Yes, Kashiwagi says. She's a good kid.

As he expected, she's was here. Kashiwagi had spoken with her. When Kashiwagi said, "them" Yuuki turned and looked at the other four who were playing cards as if nothing had happened. He could see red marks on their cheeks as if they had been slapped. As Kashiwagi snaps his fingers, the four jump up and bowing deeply, apologize.

As he learns just who the culprits were, Yuuki clenches a fist, but when he remembers that Yumi has exempted them, he endures it.

The club president says that Yumi was everything one would expect from the Council President's older sister - she was amazing.

Amazing? They're talking about Yumi?

"Kind, put together, lots of good qualities."

Yumi?

"When I was hot, she lent me her important towel."

That was Sachiko's...

"Cute, too."

Watch what you say - that face is mine, too.

"Anyway, we all fell in love with her."

Yuuki crosses his fingers in a cross and begs them to stop. He doesn't want to hear any more compliments for his older sister.

Kashiwagi asks if it isn't wonderful to hear how charming his sister is- or does he have a sister complex.

Sister complex? He clenches his fist and looks away. Yuuki asks where Yumi is now.

Kashiwagi lays the cards on the deask and aks if they didn't pass each other.

No, Yuuki says.

Really? Maybe you just didn't notice. Too bad.

What is Kashiwagi talking about? How would he not notice the things her was desperately searching for?

Yumi was there, just before Yuuki arrived, but she walked out of there on her own feet.

Yuuki makes as if to run out, but Kashiwagi restrains him. He knows Yuuki's busy, but please accept this complimentary copy. Yuuki stops and Kashiwagi reads, "Sherlock and Kogorou - inside this month's issue. The Case of the Panda Detective - The wandering candy murder case.."

Ah, Yuuki says. Kashiwagi smiles lightly. Yuuki's a good kid too, take the hint. Yumi doesn't look like Yumi. After a moment, Yuuki clues in that he must have passed her as he was coming there, but didn't notice because she didn't look like herself. He takes his leave, a little confused.

He wonders why, if he passed her, why she didn't call out. He mumbles his complaint about his older sister as he rushes down the hold. What could she possibly look like?


6

Hot.

Yumi heaves a great sigh.

Over the gakuran, now she's wearing a fur coat. It's September. She'll have to endure the heat for the duration. She can feel herself sweating, but there's nowhere she can stop to wipe herself down. She wonders what time it is. Out of habit she looks at her left wrist, but of course, there's no watch. She looks around for a clock, but she can't find one. She goes around the front of a school building, but she doesn't know where she's going. After wandering around a bit, she realizes that she's lost. Right about then, it would have been great if she had called out to Yuuki as they passed one another. Only, the chance passed quickly, and he was running, looking very busy. She might have followed him, but there were a lot of people around who might have noticed and she would have to have some time to explain why she was dressed like this. Even more importantly, she didn't want him feeling like he had to drop everything to assist his sister. If she had thought about it for a second, she might have realized that he was actually rushing around concernedly looking for his missing sister.

She sees a student wearing an armband and asks him how to get to the sports ground. He tells her to go back out the exit she just came in. She thanks him and smiles, bowing, but her balance is off. Her head is hot and heavy. He asks if she's all right.

Yes, she apologizes. The armband wearing student leads her into the shade, seeing that she looks likes she's about to fall. He tells her that if she's going to participate in the Lillian Camp battle, it's almost over. She asks him what time it is. He tells her 3:20, smiling and showing her his wristwatch. She thanks him profusely, this time only with her mouth, and runs out towards the sports oval.

He tells her to watch her head on the exit, still smiling kindly. Everyone around saw her points and laughs. Just as he finishes saying that, she misjudges the exit and slams her head into it.

After walking a bit, she sees the grounds. The white, yellow and red towers make it look like an impregnable fort. There are no brave men on the platforms, but their corpses (not really) lay scattered at the base below. Yumi walks around towards the red scaffold.

Just over there is where onee-sama is. Soon she will be cheerful.

100 meters.

She's getting used to the road, and picks up the pace.

Another 90 meters.

Although her field of vision is limited, Yumi can now make out Sachiko on the tower. Next to her stand the very large forms of the Yakushiji brothers. After another ifteen meters, the sound of the conch shell signaling the end of the event sounds. The Hanadera Battle Second Stage, Lillian Camp is over. She didn't make it back efore the game was over. For Yumi, her Hanadera Battle is not finished.

Out of sympathy, she left the wet towel with the guys of the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society. There was no point in returning this forgotten item at this late time. More importantly, she had to retrieve onee-sama from the people she had been lent to. The worst thing will be onee-sama's face when she sees her. But Yumi keeps walking. She's impatient to change her clothes, but she wants to see Sachiko.

For one moment, it seems that Sachiko, sitting in the chair on the tower, glances downward. Suddenly, Sachiko stands up from her seat. And begins to climb down the ladder. From a height. Without thought that she was wearing a skirt.

Onee-sama!

She couldn't know that Yumi was right there. Frantically trying to keep her legs from getting tangled up, Yumi keeps walking. By this time, Sachiko has made it down to the ground and come running up to Yumi.

And then

"Thank god…Yumi!" With those words, Sachiko embraces her lost panda.

"Onee-sama," Yumi throws her arms around Sachiko, deeply moved as they hold each other. Behind the panda mask, tears mingle with sweat. And although she felt as if she'd really like to fling off the stupid costume in front of everyone, she really wanted to just hold Sachiko a little longer.

Yoshino and Noriko, along with Rei and Shimako, who were detained still, all looked down on them. On the ground there was Lillian Jogakuen's Rosa Chinensis hugging a panda, like a wounded soldier returning home. Slowly, everyone assembled around them.

They did not separate.

If she ever needed it, this was proof that Sachiko was truly her onee-sama. Although she didn't look like her self, she knew instantly that this was Yumi.

"Even is I was in a soundless, pitch dark world, I would soon know if it was Yumi."

Yes, onee-sama.

"Even if you were lying in a bed, all wrapped up in sheets, I wouldn't make a mistake and know it was Yumi."

Yes, onee-sama.

Retuning to that time, Yumi once again nodded.

More happiness than this, she couldn't possibly seek.


The End

***

Afterword – Yuuki's the second person to have a real birthday assigned. He was born in March 31. No specific birthday yet for Sachiko or Yumi.


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

posted by Erica Friedman @ 11:16 AM 11 comments links to this post   

Notes on the 14th Maria-sama ga Miteru Novel, "Suzukaze Satsusatsu" Part 2

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

Part 2

The "Bread Event"

1

It was noon. In order to buy some bread, she headed to the milk hall, where she saw ahead of her a familiar form from the back. Yumi calls out Touko's name. With her distinctive "tate roll" hair style, she couldn't be mistaken. As expected, upon hearing her name, Touko slows and turns to look over her shoulder, acknowledging Yumi. Yumi asks if she's alone. Touko responds tartly that that is it a bad thing to be alone? Does it seem as if she's there to be Yumi's companion? No, Yumi hasn't meant anything of the sort - Touko's responses are always hateful like this. But compared to when they had met, Yumi felt that she was becoming immune to Touko's bitterness. Either she was more experienced, or she was starting to perceive her as a
threatening child - sort of cute in her anger.

Yumi tells Touko that her mother forgot to set the rice cooker, so all she had for lunch was okazu, so she was on her way to get bread. Touko characteristically responds with, "Did I ask?"

Yumi says that she bets that Touko at least wondered why "Yumi, who always brings her lunch" was on the way to the milk hall.

Touko says that Yumi's full of self-conceit - that she doesn't pay that much attention to Yumi, then speeds up with a farewell. Yumi follows her, and whines that Touko's so cold - it makes Yumi feel lonely. Touko commands her to stop it. Yumi's a half step back, next to Touko. She feels as if the younger girl is not *quite* trying to shake her off, at least not yet.

Yumi asks why Touko hasn't come to the Rose Mansion is a while. Touko answers that club activities have kept her busy, but she looks down as she says it. Yumi comments that it's not good to shut herself off from them. Touko says that she's not doing well (yokunai ki). Yumi repeats her words, but Touko just says to ignore the last remark - she has
some things on her mind. Yumi thinks that her meaning is unclear and ignoring that last part won't make them clearer.

Yumi asks if the phrase "yokunai ki" is fashionable, since she's also heard it from her brother. It takes Touko a second to place Yumi's younger brother in her memory.

Yumi says that the other day, her brother's friend was sort of like that - like he was haunted by an evil spirit. Touko says, like get an exorcism type of thing? Yes, Yumi says, but he was just like that - it doesn't mean he really was haunted. More like he was burdened by something. Touko is momentarily silent, then quietly she agrees that it is like that if the troubles are because of a person.

Yumi goes on to say that even if she, Touko, doesn't want to be there when she, Yumi, is at the Rose Mansion, she, Touko, should come by sometime. It would please Sachiko. Touko doesn't answer.

Touko says that she doesn't want Yumi to misunderstand - her problem is not with Yumi, but with someone else. Yumi immediately asks who, then regrets it. That's too much to ask of Touko, and she immediately tries to ask a different question to disappear this one. But Touko answers - her problem is with Hosokawa Kanako.

Well, there was no mistaking it when she said it that clearly.

Touko tells Yumi that she does not like Kanako. It's not often that someone declares so plainly that she doesn't like someone. Touko goes on to say that she's not saying that she wants Yumi to not be friendly with her, and she doesn't blame or censure Yumi either. It's just... she swallows what she's about to say. Yumi repeats the words, "It's just?"

Hearing Yumi pressing the issue, Touko turns towards the bread line and smiles slightly. You'd better hurry or there won't be any bread left. Yumi gets there and realizes that she had forgotten to place an order for bread that day - her mother's mistake was contagious. As she heads over to join the students buying bread now, she wishes Touko good luck. Touko smiles and waves as she walks off.


2

The people swarming around the bread counter were more than usually "lively." In fact, it was so "lively" it kind of redefined the word. This is Lillian Jogakuen - the place for only graceful girls. Not. Yumi thinks this may be tough.

To start off, there wasn't anything like a line. The person in charge of the counter didn't demand order; people were pushing forward, trying to look at the bread displayed, then making up their minds, looking around for advice, friends, holding up the folks behind them.

To make things worse, anyone who wasn't accustomed to the way this worked was slowly losing pace with the line and not moving forward. It wasn't Yumi's imagination, either.

In the middle of all this came "ton-ton." Someone from behind was slapping her on the shoulder. Wondering who it could possibly be, Yumi turned to find herself looking up at a very tall girl. Kanako, Yumi acknowledges.

Kanako asks her why she's there - you always eat your lunch from home at the Rose Mansion. Yumi tells her that the morning rice wasn't prepared. After she had told Touko, she didn't think anyone would want to hear the whole thing, but she had to answer Kanako to be polite.

Kanako replies that that's a problem. What kind of bread does Yumi like? Yumi says she doesn't care. At this point, they were vying for whatever was left after all the classes orders had been filled, so getting any would be satisfactory.

Kanako says she'll get something suitable, then wades around to the left and into the press. Yumi calls after her, but Kanako says she get out of the crowd and wait for her. Yumi calls after her that she could eat okazu-only once, it's fine, but Kanako probably didn't hear her. Kanako makes her way through the crowd and soon, she returns with three breads. Yumi asks if they are also for Kanako - she says no - she brought her lunch. Yumi asks if it was okay that Kanako had cut in from the side. She replies that she feels everyone would understand, since she was doing it for Yumi. Yumi disagrees. She feels she wants to admonish the younger woman, to defend order, but she isn't sure what to say or how.

Kanako says - more importantly, which does she want? Yumi thinks she definitely didn't hear her. Yumi asks how much, and Kanako says for the jam bread? But Yumi insists on all three total. Kanako is confused. Yumi knows she can't eat all three, but she can't very well have Kanako return the ones she doesn't want. She explains that as Kanako bought them for her, she ought to pay for them. Kanako looks down. She won't take money. She bought them all on a whim. She didn't expect Yumi to be responsible for the excess. She figured Yumi could take them for the Yamayurikai members who might want.

Yumi doesn't know what to do - her payment for all three, much less one, has been rejected. She says she can't do that. She figures out a total for the three breads and presses that amount into Kanako's hand. The girl insists that she won't accept, didn't she say that? Yumi insists that she can't accept not paying. It was like they were in a scene of two old women arguing who would pay the café check.

"Stop" a voice says, followed by a flash. Self-styled ace cameraman Takeshima Tsutako says that they can consider that to be like cold water to their faces to make them look up and around themselves and their environs. Yumi repeats "environs?" and looks around - they are surrounded by a crowd of people. They hadn't realized that their voices had grown louder as they had gotten excited. It hadn't quite reached the level of an argument, but it was getting close, which attracted people's attention. Yumi puts on a smile in a fruitless attempt to smooth things over. Now that she had heeded Tsutako's advice, she wasn't sure what to do.

Tsutako briskly commands Yumi to take the bread and Kanako to accept the money. Kanako does so, stubbornly. Tsutako tells her to accept it gracefully - that it's nicer for Yumi, as well. Yumi presses the money for two pieces into Kanako's hand. She makes a fist around the money. Tsutako addresses the crowd, letting them know that the issue is settled and that they should return to a quiet lunchtime. She puts her hands on Yumi's and Kanako's shoulders and begins to walk them away. The crowd disperses, not really realizing what happened, but Yumi knows that she was saved.

Once they had left the milk hall, Kanako stops and says that she thinks she should be grateful. But, she points out, that there were three pieces of bread. Tsutako says she knows - and Yumi did as well. Yumi nods. Kanako gets it, and smiles, nodding her head. She takes her leave of the two upperclassmen.

After Kanako walks away, Tsutako asks why was Kanako in the milk hall in the first place? Yumi says she wondered that, as well. She said she had brought lunch, but she was in the milk hall, with her purse...but didn't buy any bread for herself. Yumi suggests that she was there to buy a drink, like Touko did before. But, Tsutako says, then why was she over by the bread? Yumi ponders this, then stops walking and thanks Tsutako for saving her. She isn't sure her words really convey how she truly feels. She hopes that the willpower she uses behind the words will send the feelings along like a radio transmitter.

Tsutako says it was nothing. She was hungry (E:she chooses an odd word for her stomach) and she happened to come to the milk hall, see the situation and felt it called for intervention. As a result, she's got her bread and all is well.

Yumi comments on the word Tsutako uses for her stomach (kobara) - that Tsutako's probably hungry because she ate her lunch early (hayaben). Tsutako laughs loudly to cover her embarrassment. As they enter the school building, she asks if Yumi's free to hang out with her for lunch. Yumi says that no one has any expectations for her, so sure. Tsutako asks to have a piece of bread. Yumi asks why. For a bribe, Tsutako explains.


3

They did not go into the school buildings, but instead around the back. Yumi looked up at a two-story building, asking if they were going to the clubhouse. Tsutako says yes, if "she's" here. Yumi asks if she means Mami. She does. Tomorrow is the print day for the next issue of the paper and its not yet done, so she's probably typing away, her hair all disheveled.

The clubhouse is where all the club's room are to be found. Not that every club had a separate room. The various physical activities clubs had parts of the gymnasium and the martial arts hall instead, as you'd expect, and the science and chemistry clubs (E: I've commented on this before, but really...I think Konno has a thing about adding new clubs with every book. I almost believe it's some kind of private joke she has...) are in the science building. And the handicrafts use whichever room is free.

But this is where the special clubs gather, like the manga appreciation club, the literature club, the Go club, Tsutako's own photography club and, of course, where the newspaper club puts together issues of the "Lillian Kawaraban."

The rooms weren't big, so clubs often used classrooms after school - only the ones that had equipment used these - of those, the newspaper club was probably the biggest.

At any rate, they entered the building and went up to the second floor. There were no nameplates on the rooms to indicate which was the newspaper club's room, but they could hear the clicking of the keyboard from down the hall.

Tsutako knocked on the door. An answer came from inside, and the door was opened. Tsutako greets Mami, who answers with a slightly hesitant greeting.

Mami is in the room alone. Her hair is somewhat disheveled, pulled back in a headband. Turning her head over her shoulder, Mami says that Yumi is rarely seen near the clubhouse. She asks what turn of events brings her here - what scheme? She gives them a tired look.

Tsutako responds that they are visiting a soldier at the front, to bring her comfort - wouldn't she like something sweet to energize her brain just about now? She enters the room like she's used to it - Yumi doesn't want to be the only one left in the hallway, so saying she's sorry to interrupt, she steps inside.

Mami asks if it's Jam Bread. Tsutako says also chocolate colon and almond nisshu - whichever she likes, gesturing at the lot. Mami says, suspiciously, that it's quite a splendid choice - what is Yumi's request? Yumi denies having one and holds everything out. Mami asks what Yumi wishes, then and takes the jam bread. Obviously, she does not believe the comforting soldiers at the front story - she knows a bribe when she sees one.

Sitting in a chair and opening the almond nisshu, Tsutako explains that just a little while ago, Yumi had some trouble. She gives Yumi a look that says to leave it to her, so Yumi draws a chair and sits, not saying anything. Tsutako explains that she thinks that anything out of the ordinary might be caught by the ears of the newspaper club - maybe she's heard something?

Like what kind of trouble, Mami asks.

Nothing major - just some issues over who was paying for something - whether it was a treat or not.

Mami hasn't decided whether it is important or not, but is clearly withholding judgment until she finds out whether it's newspaper-worthy. She says its okay - thus opening negotiations. Opening the jam bread, she feeds her tired brains. Yumi also opens her lunch, as this whole affair has cut into lunchtime.

Mami asks what the Yamayurikai wants and what Yumi's bringing to the table. Immediately, Yumi says, "nothing." Tsutako says it's nothing like that.

Mami quotes one of her teachers' favorite motto that they should have trivial sentences stricken out of good conscience. At least give her a hint of the Yamayurikai's play choice.

Nope - can't do. Telling her that she didn't know, Yumi thinks, would just mean that her cluelessness would make the paper - and that wouldn't do, either.

Well, does Yumi have any plans to take a soeur any time soon?

No.

Eventually?

No, really.

Okay, well, how about Yoshino?

I haven't heard anything. Which was true, without being entirely correct. She did know that Yoshino had discussed it with her, but she hadn't heard anything about *plans*.

Well how about Shimako? Oh, right, she had Noriko. Having finished the jam bread, Mami pulls up to the word processor, clearly looking for some communication of interest. The Rose families were a basic staple of her work.

Mami asks if Yumi knows Takuya-kun. She does - Noriko's Buddhist-image viewing friend, right? Yumi hasn't discussed him with them directly, but they've mentioned him.

Mami says something about meeting him, and Yumi repeats her words - Mami says forget it, cutting the conversation off with a shake of her head. Yumi decides to continue answering the question. While she herself has not met Takuya-kun, it seems Shimako has. In fact, before she met him, he had visited Shimako's home to see the image of Buddha they had. Out of friendship, Noriko had arranged it with Shimako.

But...why? Mami asks. Yumi says she doesn't know, but she imagines that he has a reason. She knows she's being vague, and there's something deeper here, too, but she doesn't really feel it's her place to look deeper.

Yumi mentions that she didn't think that the Lillian Kawaraban concerned it self with outsiders. Mami reinforces that that was not what she meant, it was just now...

Well obviously it was just now, it couldn't be in the future or in the past.

It's just that he's of interest since both Noriko and Shimako have met him. They said they may invite him for the school festival, so with their consent, he might be interesting to investigate.

Yumi wonders why she's so interested, but suggests that maybe he won't be able to come to the festival - it's a distant day, so who knows... Just about then, Yumi hear footsteps pounding down the second-floor hallway of the clubhouse. They stop in front of the newspaper room, and the door is thrown open. Newspaper club members cry out that they have a huge scoop! Rosa Chinensis en bouton had a huge argument with a potential soeur candidate in the milk hall! Two second-years pull up shortly when they notice Yumi there and their eyes go wide. As they take in the situation, Yumi can see them bring themselves to a full stop forcefully mid-sentence and change topic. "And then, Takeshima stopped it..."

Tsutako greets them cheerfully with a good day, and introduces herself.

The two girls turn from Yumi to Tsutako and their words tail off, as they gape.

There was some confusion regarding Hosokawa Kanako, Tsutako clarifies. Mami turns slowly to look at Tsutako, clearly marking a mental note about the girl's full name. She confirms that the problem was the very bread Mami just ate. Mami says that that's cheating. Aloofly, Tsutako replies that it wasn't cheating; it was for the sake of the newspaper. Tsutako's blank expression gets on Mami's nerves. Tsutako goes on - she's not a candidate for soeur so much as a person who admires Yumi greatly.

Mami rounds on Yumi and looks at her straight on. Yumi plays dumb. Mami grabs onto her (own) ears in frustrations. Yumi tells her to calm down, a little concerned at the other girl's open display of vexation. One of the newspaper club members comes forward, raising her voice to be heard over the five already in the office.

She declares that Kanako is NOT going to become Rosa Chinensis en bouton petite soeur. Mami asks how she knows this. She replies that she got it from Kanako herself. The girl seems a lot like newspaper Club President emeritus, Tsukiyama Minako, brimming with confidence that having a scoop brings, as she offers the information to her much-admired mentor. Ruki (E: ah-hah – I smell a soeur for Mami) says that she asked a despairing Kanako if she was going to be Rosa Chinensis en bouton petite soeur. Mami urges her on with nods that clearly says "then what?"

She laughed, Ruki explains, and said that she didn't have such vulgar aspirations. Mami repeats it all, then falls mute, dumbfounded. Tsutako whistles. And all she wanted now was to once again hear what Yumi wishes. Ruki was a bit diffident upon seeing Yumi, but her manner is more like, "so, what's the answer?!"

Yumi suggests that she pray. At this unexpected statement, Ruki repeats the words. This doesn't mean that she will make the girl her soeur....what the...?

Yumi has nothing but good will towards the girl - but has no intention of making her her soeur.

So, Ruki reports businesslike, I wanted to tell the newspaper club in case they wanted to do an article. Probably not - the matter is a bit too bitter. It wouldn't do to reproduce it all.

Yumi's idea of Kanako is bit shaken by all this. Tsutako notices and asks if she's shocked. Yumi says not *shocked* per se, but now she's not sure what Kanako is thinking. She thinks she's like to get to know her better, and understand how she feels now. Someone who would say so plainly that wanting to be soeur is a vulgar aspiration...she warrants more attention. There are a lot of people in the world, and many ways of thinking - and you can't always tell how a person thinks from how they act on the outside.

Mami, while removing her headband, says to Yumi that if she isn't setting her mind to taking a soeur, she should take pity on her poor classmates...too bad, Mami is saying, there'll be no material her for the paper. She lets her shoulders drop, feeling sympathy for Yumi.

Tsutako says there's nothing for it, I guess I'm just that poor classmate. Should I pitch in and help?

Help?

Yes, for free. Let's eat those breads we brought, she suggests. And although on the face of things, Tsutako looks resigned, it was obvious that she was enjoying herself considerably.


I am found

1


So, what's up? Yuki asks, tuning the chair around and sitting.

Sitting on his bed, Yumi explains that today they did a photo shoot, Rosa Chinensis en bouton in the old greenhouse as part of a new series, "The Name of the Rose." A photo shoot by Takeshima Tsutako of course, and (making her jump for joy) a mini interview with Mami.

Yuki comments that this was obviously with her permission, then takes the towel he was drying his hair with and throws it over the headboard of the bed. Yumi dodges.

She says that it's with Sachiko and Rei's permission too and in cooperation with the newspaper. Since the Yamayurikai is so busy, if the paper is looking for information, it would be embarrassing if they were shadowed. So by doing a series of pictures with a brief comment, it'll keep the newsies mollified. It was just lucky that the Rosa Chinensis in the old greenhouse was blooming right now. What Rosa Foetida and Rosa Gigantea will do, she has no idea. Knowing the newspaper, they'd just keep the same title whether the flowers were blooming or not.

Yuuki says that he's the same - really busy right now.

Yumi thinks it's a bit unrealistic for her to wish for her days of a quiet student life, because then she wouldn't be Rosa Chinensis en bouton, would she? And Yuuki's as busy - actually busier. Recently he wasn't getting home until 7 or 8PM. Next weekend was the Hanadera school festival. They'd been eating dinner separately and he'd even fallen asleep in the bath. Today was unusual; he'd made it home by 7. The four members of the family had eaten together at the dining room table. This chance for brother and sister to talk together a little before bed was the first time in a long while

Yumi asks with interest after Arisu.

He seemed to be chilled, like he was haunted, Yuuki mentions.

Yumi understands - he's the "haunted" person mentioned by Kobayashi.

Now, Yuuki says, he's unexpectedly cheerful.

Arisu? Yumi asks with emphasis. He doesn't seem the kind of person to be unexpectedly cheerful.

And Kobayashi is acting strangely, Yuuki adds.

Maybe he's haunted by something?

No - it's the opposite. He's optimistic all the time. Like "there's someone I admire" - all floaty, like.

Yumi shakes her head in disbelief; he's usually such a frivolous person.

So apart from Arisu, Kobayashi's also a source of worry. Yuuki's afraid that Kobayashi may have influenced Arisu. Yumi says that it's not so severe as to sound like Arisu is bipolar or anything. Yuuki says, no - more like either one, really, is in the grip of powerful emotions. And if those boil over, then it could cause unpleasant feelings. Yumi can understand that viewpoint - and realizes that it's not unlike what she went through. One glance can be taken with good will or with hostility and that can change everything. Yumi agrees.

As if remembering something, Yuuki changes the topic. He asks if any of the Rosas are afraid of heights. Not that Yumi knows...why? Well, because everyone is enthusiastically building a tower, he says.

Tower?

Yes, for the judges seats. Yuuki says.

Ah, Yumi says, slapping herself. That's right - the Rosas are going to act as judges and presenters at the Hanadera school festival. Is it really high, she asks?

Uh, yeah, Yuuki answers. The plans just escalated to about five times bigger. The way he said it was like, "when you are talking about guys making stuff, it gets like that." Like a baby looking at a pile of blocks all shiny and excited. And if he lets it go too long, if there's someone afraid of heights, it'll be hard to change, so he wants to know soon to make alterations asap.

Yumi says she understands - she'll ask. So promising, Yumi gets up from her brother's bed. She leaves with a "good night" and turns back. Yuuki's sitting on the chair, rowing the boat.




2

"High places? Yes, Sachiko has issues about that," Rei responds. They are at the Rose Mansion after school.

Yumi had expected as much.

Reis asks if she already knew. Yumi replies that previously Sachiko had mentioned that she wouldn't ride the jet coaster. Rei remembers the White Day present of a half day date to the amusement park Sachiko had promised Yumi. A lot of things had happened since, so the matter had been shelved for four months.

At the time, Yumi says, I thought vaguely that it was that she didn't like riding fast. Rei asks if she didn't know about Sachiko. Yumi says that she knows now that Sachiko gets motion sick. She'd been with Sachiko for about a year now, and she understands Sachiko has a predisposition towards vertigo.

But, Rei points out, if her father invites her to go overseas - she's off. Rei keeps her voice low. Compared to discussing Sachiko's dislike of men, her Electra complex is taboo. Her, Rei's, uncle, Rei says, drinks before he flies to take the edge off his fear. Sachiko's a minor, but just before takeoff, she takes medicine, sleeps, wakes to eat, sleeps more. But to go to the bathroom, she has to get up. On a school fieldtrip, the classmates who sat close by her all saw her drooly, sleepy face. Rei cracks up at this possibility.

They hear a throat clearing. "Drool, you say?" Sachiko makes her appearance through the biscuit door. It seems she came in halfway through the conversation. Behind her are Yoshino, Shimako and Noriko.
...

Rei insists she was speaking figuratively - no, exaggerating. Being stared at by her good friend Sachiko did not discomfit Rei. She leans back in the chair and stretches her spine.

Sachiko commands Yumi to not believe a word that Rei says to her, poking Yumi as she passes by. Yumi agrees not to, but she thinks that not everything was a lie. Up in the sky, she must have drooled a little. She says it must be nice to go on a trip.

Sachiko smiles, replying that Yumi and the others would be going on one soon.

Yumi answers obediently and gets up to serve tea. But that wasn't what she meant. She meant it would be nice to go on a field trip with Sachiko. Even though they'd both been going to Lillian since kindergarten, they were a year apart, so they would never take a trip together. Of course, that wasn't just confined to the school trip - they weren't in the same class, wouldn't graduate together...wouldn't be together in the same graduating class yearbook. Even though they send a lot of time together, more than half of her time at school is apart from her beloved onee-sama. Even though their classrooms are physically near each other, she was always chasing after Sachiko. Yumi envies Sachiko's classmates. But...if they were in the same class, she'd never have become soeur.

Noriko interrupts Yumi's thoughts to mention that she's behind her, reaching out a hand to take the tea. She says she'll take it from here.

Making tea for Sachiko. These trivial moments accumulate to become a treasure in her thoughts. Therefore, do it carefully - make the tastiest tea you can.

Sachiko asks why they were discussing airplanes, not understanding that she's being made the tastiest tea ever.

Rei explains that they were discussing the Hanadera Academy school festival. As always, at the mention of that, Sachiko's eyes grow cloudy.

Yumi says that if it's no good, they can change things. But, Sachiko protests, that would involve changing the budget and everyone's hard work. As expected, as deeply concerned as Sachiko is in their school festival - such things as the budget would be of concern to her. Sachiko sighs heavily - that would be a problem. Yumi's sure that she's more concerned with everyone's effort than the schedule. That was why she wouldn't want to ask for anything to be changed.

Yumi offers her unworthy self to climb that scaffolding in Sachiko's place, pounding on her chest in a "leave it to me" fashion.

Sachiko says no, she'll do it. No matter how high, as Rosa Chinensis, she'll climb that scaffold well and Yumi can just watch quietly.

But, Yumi says, it'll be like looking down from the second floor. Sachiko laughs at that, saying then it'll be fine. The second floor isn't that far from the roof and I can look down from there. Yumi never thought that, but - then she's surrounded by walls and ceiling, not out in the open air. She decides not to mention that - or that this tower is being built by a bunch of high school amateurs.

Sachiko says to stop complaining - they'll help out and that's that. Yumi says she wasn't complaining, just trying to help. On the actual day, if there was a problem, Yumi would be there as a standby.

Rei compliments Yumi on her ability to handle Sachiko.

Yumi says that wasn't her intention, but she guesses that that was what she did anyway. Imperceptibly, she'd boosted Sachiko to the heights.

Just as Yumi herself starts to ask, Yoshino inquires if Shimako if the second floor is too high for her.

Shimako says that she's a little scared, actually. Because she kind of looks the type to say that, you'd think that everyone would have handled the news with composure.

Actually, it's the opposite.

Yumi says that she shouldn't be worried, it'll be easy - it's just work, just work! It'll be fine, she spoke with confidence, don't think about it another second, but it was obvious that Yumi was now worried.


3

After school, sitting in her seat in the classroom, Tsutako heaves a sigh. Yumi asks if she's not going home yet? Tsutako says she's glad Yumi's there, then amends it to it being maybe not a good thing.

Yumi was, as always, at the Rose Mansion assisting with planning the school festival. She'd just come back to the classroom during a short break for something she forgot. Today was gym class and, even though it was September, the days were very warm. Gym clothes got sweaty and Yumi didn't feel confident leaving them in the locker for more than a day or two.

Yumi asks what's up.

On the desk in front of Tsutako are a number of photos spread out like cards. Considering the amount of time Tsutako spent peeping and taking photos, this scene was not unusual. Depending on how the subject felt and how suitable the picture was, some would be have to be removed.

Yumi comments that all the photos seem to be of herself. Tsutako agrees bluntly. Considering that it was obvious, she doesn't bother temporizing. Yumi thinks it's a bit much, but its not like it bothers her to have her picture taken.

Tsutako goes on to say that the photography club wants to do a exhibition of Yumi. Yumi asks why her?

Because last year the most popular picture was the extra-large panel of Sachiko and Yumi. That's why this year she's relying on them again for their kindness.

Ah, that would explain why Tsutako said it could be bad or good that she was here. Yumi asks if that's the reason she's troubled. Tsutako replies by asking if she looks troubled. Yumi says she does. After all, she's sitting in a dark, unlit classroom alone after school, with her arms crossed and sighing heavily. If she's not worried, then she's thinking about something difficult. Yumi suggests that the problem lies with her choice of photographic subject.

Tsutako comments shortly that Yumi's cute. As always, she's a good subject. Yumi thinks that's she's exceptionally plain herself, but Tsutako always praised her. Yumi's come to understand recently how much Tsutako really likes taking unposed photographs of her.

But, Yumi asks, when did you take this one? In the middle of the pictures are ones on the way to and from school - in front of the station walking side by side with Sachiko; at the bus stop talking excitedly with Shimako, although there weren't any photos of her lolling around on her bed or bathing...

Tsutako says "Yumi's pretty great, huh?" heavily. Yumi asks what's wrong then. Tsutako asks her if she doesn't see the problem. Yumi doesn't. These look pretty much like any other pictures that had been taken of her. Of course the situation is different, and she remembered a lot of the moments. Over time the cameraman's skill had improved too.

Tsutako comments that it's obvious. She takes a sheaf of pictures and pulls out three. Yumi looks at the three and she suddenly understands. When she looked at them casually, she didn't see it. As soon as these were pulled out, it became obvious.

Tsutako wouldn't be able to do the exhibition.

Tsutako says its too bad, she'll have to get rid of the negatives, because it would be worse if the newspaper club got their hands on these.

They're too good, Yumi says. Tsutako agrees. But the announcement of the exhibition had already been made. Maybe they could manage to alter them so no one would notice. She could cut out the parts with Yumi. Yumi says that that's fine - they're not necessary.

Tsutako settles on 12 pictures, but when it comes down to it, she can't bring herself to alter them. Yumi comments that she feels a little afraid. Tsutako says she can understand. After she disposes of them, what does Yumi want her to do. Yumi isn't sure, so Tsutako says she just won't say anything. Yumi thanks her for that. Yumi collects her gym things, sticks them in a bag and turns to leave the room. Maybe, she thinks, it might have been best to consult Sachiko first. Or, maybe it would just be better to hide it from Sachiko. It's not that important. It's just a matter of recalibrating her self-confidence.

The pictures Tsutako took were all unposed, so it might have been by chance. But - twelve times by chance? What's the probability? In all the pictures, Yumi had been wearing different hair ribbons, which proved that it was different days. And yet, every time, there behind her was the figure of....

As she returned to the Rose Mansion, she keeps looking over her shoulder behind her. There wasn't anyone there.

But thinking of those twelve pictures, her heart pounded.


4

The next day was Friday. Pleading that she had plans, Yumi rejected everyone's offers, and stayed later at the Rose Mansion.

The number of students along the gingko tree lined path was sparse. It had been a while since she had been alone at school. Not having her friends around her as usual felt strange. She had grown accustomed to the feeling.

Front, behind, right and left there was no one, the wind blew a susurrus, which caused Yumi to feel uneasy - after all, she was a girl, alone.

Maybe she would call out. If Yumi keeps walking, she has that expectation. She'll call out, then they can walk side by side and talk. Walking slowly, Yumi keeps looking over her shoulder. The wind played through the leaves of the gingko trees and moved her hair.

Someone calls out her name. "Yumi-chan"

A different person then.

"Sei-sama," Yumi replies.

The former Rosa Gigantea, now Lillian Joshidai university student, Satou Sei seemed to leap out of the college grounds to walk by Yumi's side. She was wearing a light blue and white shirt with a white sailor collar which gave her the traces of the look of "Rosa Gigantea."

Sei asks if Yumi's going home now. Yumi nods. Sei reaches around Yumi's shoulder to embrace her and whispers in her ear. "You have a ghost shadowing you - did you know?" Yumi says that that's rude, and Sei acknowledges it. "So, you did know."

Yes, however, if Tsutako hadn't brought it up, a long time might have passed before Yumi had ever noticed. But Sei understood immediately upon seeing it once. She's not "just" a normal person.

Sei asks her where she's headed, with a quick crooking of the thumb to point backwards.

Yumi says that she was going to the school gates. Sei asks what she's going to do there. Yumi replies that if she lies, it'll be found out. That's what she's doing. This was an unexpected development. She hadn't planned for it beforehand - and when you added in the ingredient of Satou Sei to any plan, there was no way to tell what would happen - whether things would go well or ill.

Sei asks, if she's not being a nuisance, can she watch? Yumi replies - and if I say no, will you withdraw like a good girl? Sei says of course, (in the most unreliable way possible.) There's no helping it, Yumi would have to leave it up to the heavens. There was no point in making a fuss if she didn't like it - Sei-sama was just that kind of person.

Leaning on the gatepost was a person that Yumi recognized. As they approached the person lifted a hand and called out, "Hey, Yumi-chan." The greeting "hey" seemed a little out of it for such a person. Yumi asks Kashiwagi why he's there.

He's wearing a white cotton shirt over a deep blue t-shirt and a pair of regular straight-leg jeans, but why is he standing there? His bearing is overflowing with vigor. But there's no sense of him being smart (natty) here. She's thinks that it's good that there's very few students around at this time. The few students standing at the bus stop keep shooting glances at him.

Kashiwagi says that Yumi's cute today, as always, petting her head lightly like she's a puppy. Smiling, Yumi says that that's a bit much, as she shakes his over-familiarity off.

Kashiwagi denies that he's overdoing it - this isn't a play, he's just throwing his heart out there for her. He puts his left hand over his heart and leans in close to her face. The feeling was as if he was about to cry out "Juliet!"

"My deepest apologies," Yumi says, "but I'm a woman." She pushes on his drunken face and he pulls away, but for a moment, he looked as if he was going to kiss her. He says that women are splendid - he worships them. If it weren't for women, men couldn't be born.

Yumi says yes, conditionally, The keyword that made him withdraw here is woman. Kashiwagi likes men. The fact that Yumi is a woman inhibited him, she thinks with emphasis.

In any case, Kashiwagi says, I heard about the ghost on your back from Yukichi, but it's a different type than I expected.

That's rude, Yumi says to him.

This time it was a new ghost on her back - Sei. Sei emerges from the shadow of the gates and shoots him a glare. Woops, Sei says, I had promised to visit silently. But I couldn't just overlook the Ginko Prince trying to get his claws into cute little Yumi-chan and do nothing.

You're wrong, Kashiwagi says.

That might be true, but even as he explains, their conversation moves fast. From the moment it starts, the tempo increases until it's not easy to participate in the conversation.

Kashiwagi says that they agree that Yumi is cute, and he'll forgive the Gingko Prince comment - surely she doesn't mean him?

Sei snaps - excluding you, who else would it be, Kashiwagi? (E: She uses "kisama" for "you", which is exceptionally rude and follows it up with his name with no honorific. This is, especially for THIS series, incredibly strong language.)

Ah, the same as ever - when she's around Kashiwagi, Sei always talks trash, Yumi thinks.

Kashiwagi says that women shouldn't say "kisama." Sei replies that it doesn't matter if she's a man or a woman. And saying that you worship women - it's all an old way of thinking that she won't perpetuate.

Men and women are different from the start. Only you want to put them in the same arena, I think that's all very childish, Kashiwagi counters.

Sei asks what kind of argument that is - he has no real rebuttal. In any case, he's wrong, right Yumi?

The question catches Yumi as her mouth is flapping open and closed like a fish, as if she was trying to eat into the conversation. Now her chance to talk comes. She tells Sei that Kashiwagi was just trying to be friendly - after all, it's her brother's request that they play nice. She makes them complicit in the mutual understanding, but looks at Kashiwagi for confirmation.

Kashiwagi he says that they're all wrong - he's just here to announce his candidacy.

Candidacy?

Kashiwagi says that he was in the council room and he learned of a good position.

Upon hearing this Sei, in amazement, spits out (E:Konno's words, not mine), "Putting in an appearance after graduation. Geez, Kashiwagi-san. Don't you know, everyone hates that kind of old boy most?" (E:And, btw, she's still using very harsh street-like language.)

So much for Sei staying quiet and just watching...that's already forgotten. In the middle of walking the dog, she's gotten entangled with Kasiwagi. Yumi's not sure what to do - if she shouts "stop" there's a possibility that she'll excite the situation. She can't see how to make this situation three people discussing things in a friendly manner.

Kashiwagi responds that he's sorry it doesn't meet her expectations, but he was there at a request from his kouhai. Graduation was only six months ago, and they wanted to speak to him.

Sei repeats, "Request?" and asks if it was from the Student Council.

No, Kashiwagi says, the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society.

So if it was the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society who called you, Sei asks, why were you in the Council room? Does the Mystery Detective Novel Appreciation Society at Hanadera Academy meet in the council room?

For this year, yes.

And there would be the likelihood of seeing Yuuki, wouldn't there?

Yes, Kashiwagi says, since he would probably be nearby.

Understood, Sei says. But, there's no way I'm going to overlook you being over-familiar with Yumi. Turning to Yumi she says, "That's why you're just pretending that you two are friendly."

Kashiwagi insists that they are friendly, its not pretense.

Yumi asks Kashiwagi to be quiet. This is a complicated conversation.

They'd returned to the beginning of the conversation.

"So, in other words..." Sei begins.

Yumi, starting to walk away, gapes a bit. She can't believe she told Kashiwagi to be quiet. She has no idea whether she would have to explain the situation to Sei.

Sei continues - Yumi was just showing her ghost (zajkiwarashi) how friendly she is with a guy - or is she wrong?

You're not wrong, Yumi responds. It was all a presentation for her ghost.

Sei asks if she came up with the idea on her own. No, it was her brother's friend, Yumi says.

Sei notes that the bus is coming - is Yumi getting on? Yes. As Yumi approaches the bus stop, the M Station bus arrives and the doors open. The students who had been waiting at the bus stop formed a line. Yumi could see a girl who had been talking with a friend who had her bicycle come running up.

Sei asks "You're riding too?" (kisama again ) from behind is silence. This time, Kashiwagi is the ghost at her back.

Yumi why he's not using that affectation, the hot red car of his?

There's no answer.

Yumi tells him that it's okay for him to talk. As if it's an incantation, Kashiwagi breathes a sigh of relief and smiles, saying that not talking is hard.

Sei comments that using a car to commute to Lillian U. is prohibited. Kashiwagi says that it's the same for Hanadera. Otherwise he would have offered Yumi a ride home - his way her tail couldn't follow.

She was too easy to follow. At last, the last bus of the day left, Yumi took the front seat. Not once did she turn around, and she had no idea if there was someone there in the back seat - she didn't notice anyone.


5


After classroom cleaning was over, Yumi is approached by Kanako, who asks her if she has a moment. Yumi says that it's fine; it's been a while since they've spoken. In fact, since the bread incident, she hadn't seen Kanako at all She follows Kanako, who is walking silently. Yumi assumes she's just wandering, but that turns out to not be the case.

They walked around behind the gym.

It's after school on Saturday.

The weather is nice.

Thos students left around the grounds are already breaking out their bentou for lunchtime, opening and attacking the contents.

There were many students along the paths. Homeroom had been long, and then there was cleaning. When they finally reached a place where they wouldn't be seen, Kanako turned to her with a look on her face that made Yumi think that maybe she had been the victim of some kind of prank.

The girl had brought her to the old greenhouse. Other people seldom came here. She had picked this unpopular place, but her face was subdued. As usual, though the outside of the greenhouse was crumbling, the inside was unexpectedly tidy. The young leaves of the roses were luxurious with growth. Who on earth did all this?

Yumi inquires quietly of Kanako what she wanted to discuss. Placing herself directly in front of Yumi, Kanako pleads with her to not go to the Hanadera school festival tomorrow. Of all the many things she could possibly have expected Kanako to say - this was not one of them. So she was a little surprised to have this issue broached.

Kanako apologizes for being rude, but since Yumi's not yet a Rosa, it would be okay if she doesn't go.

Uh-huh, Yumi replies. Technically, it is the three Rosas who will be assisting Hanadera with their festival, but that doesn't mean that the en bouton can just not go.

Kanako points out that last year Sachiko did not go. Yumi counters with the fact that Rei did. Kanako says that she heard that Rei didn't want to go but was given no choice. Wouldn't it be better to not go?

Yumi says no - she doesn't think that's a sufficient explanation, and its not that simple. As Yumi searched for the right words, Kanako asked straight out if she wants to go. A line drive, but Yumi asked a question of her own - why does Kanako want her to not go? Kanako answers without hesitation - because there is danger there.

Yumi asks what danger? Kanako says that there are men there. She says it like it's a safari, or a zoo - there are meat-eating creatures, so there is danger.

Men will go after Yumi-sama, Kanako continues.

Yumi gives her a "eh?"

Because Yumi-sama is cute.

Yumi doesn't really understand the logic here, but it seemed to go something like: Boy's schools have boys. There is danger. Therefore don't go to Hanadera.

Yumi-sama is defenseless, Kanako insists. If a guy tries to talk to you, you have to be cautious. If you're not careful you could run into serious danger. Slapping one fist into another, Kanako explains with force.

So, Yumi inquires, because of that, you followed the guys I make contact with?

Kanako has no idea what she's talking about.

Yesterday, Yumi says, after I parted from Kashiwagi, you followed him.

Kanako says she doesn't know.

Yumi tells her that Yuuki mentioned that at the station he followed a tall, long-haired girl all the way to Kashiwagi's home, where she turned back.

Why? Kanako asks, turning her eyes to the hair at her shoulder. Why, despite her words, is Yumi talking to boys?

Not "a boy" Yumi says - he's my brother.

Hearing this stated so assertively, Kanako casts her eyes downwards and says in a fading voice that she worries about Yumi. Yumi shoots back - so worried that you have to follow me? So worried that you do surveillance on me?

As Yumi speaks, Kanako is so quiet that it becomes obvious that Tsutako's photographs were not accidental. Yumi tells Kanako that the person she followed was a member of the Hanadera Student Council.

Kanako says that she didn't know. But she has seen the disgusting cross-dresser hanging on Yumi when he ambushed Yumi at the gate, she says defiantly, with a slightly pleading tone.

Yumi asks her to not call the cross-dresser disgusting.

Kanako protests that he's an okama and they are all limp, instead of manly. As she's speaking an idea blossoms in Yumi's mind. Yumi asks if Kanako dislikes men. Kanako says that she hates them - they are the worst form of living creature. Having stated that so forcefully, it was obvious that she really disliked men, much like Sachiko did.

No, wait. When Kanako spoke of men, it was with chills and shakes, not like Sachiko's straightforward dislike of men. With Sachiko it wasn't a phobia, so much as they brought on rigor when she was confronted by an especially determined man. She could develop immunity, but from time to time she would just panic.

Yumi says that she doesn't think that every guy is awful. Kanako says, with confidence, that the large majority are.

So this was really deeply ingrained. But, Yumi says, there are men and there are women, that's the way it is for humanity, as we learned in class. And you have a father, don't you?

No, Kanako answers.

Oh, Yumi says.

That man, Kanako comments, is not my father.

...

Yumi thinks, so it's that kind of family situation. She decides it's better to not inquire further. That would certainly be reason enough for her to dislike men. When it comes to such things, reasons aren't really necessary...who had told her that?

But, Kanako-chan..., Yumi starts. Men are half of humanity. If you limit your contact them with them, you are narrowing your world. Okay, maybe it's useless to try to like them, but, to say "because they're men" and cut them out, will cause Kanako pain.

Kanako asks with a cold smile why Yumi is defending men.

Yumi wonders if it had been anyone else she was speaking to other than Yumi, would Kanako have criticized her. When she spoke, she had a tendency to add "also" (as in "Yumi-sama must feel that way too") and the "also" seemed to stick in Yumi's mind.

Let's stop this, Kanako asks - this opinion of yours about men doesn't suit you.

Suit me? Yumi asks.

Yes, Yumi-sama should lead an angelic existence. Don't turn towards filthy men, but keep your eyes on this pure garden of maidens, and always smile, she says, enthralled.

It'll never happen Yumi says plainly. Why not? Kanako asks. Because, Yumi answers, while I love this school and the time I'll be here, time will pass and inevitably hings - and I - will change.

Kanako replies that she's not talking about the stuff earlier - she means about what she just said. Yumi says that that is also what she's talking about. She's a private person by nature. That Kanako is worried about her makes her happy, but she will be helping at Hanadera. It's her duty, and she'll do it - it's the most appropriate thing to do at this time.

That's not what I want, Kanako says.

Yumi repeats that, not clear as to what she means.

I can see that the Rosa Chinensis here in this greenhouse are about to bloom, away from the cold air outside and insects, dependent on the greenhouse. With water and food, no clouds to impair them, they grow into perfect roses. That's what I want to for Yumi, an appropriate symbol of Lillian - a pure existence is what I truly believe in. Here you will be a beautiful flower that blossoms. Turning your gaze outward is unnecessary.

Yumi answers that she is not what Kanako believes her to be - she's just a human. She knows she's being a bit crude.

Not just me, Kanako insists. Others too - that's the appropriate image for Rosa Chinensis en bouton - the one everyone admires.

But you're mistaken, Yumi says.

Then you're deceiving us?

Eh?

From the beginning, that's the image you project. If that's not who Yumi is, then she should say so from the beginning and it would be fine. But all of a sudden, you're saying something different, using words that don't suit you. Screaming this crazily, Kanako's face was distorted. Great big drops of tears fell onto her cheeks. Seeing Kanako's teary face, Yumi wondered why she was crying.

She was blaming Yumi. Although Yumi did not understand the charges, quite, she knew that the blame was hers.

"Please don't betray everyone's expectations," Kanako cries out in a pained voice. She turns to leave, but her outstretched arm is pulled
back.

There, in the doorway, was a figure with her arms crossed. That's more than enough, you've said quite enough horrible things, she says.

At the dignified tone, Yumi lifts her eyes. Like something out of a dream, there was Yumi's own beloved onee-sama.

Sachiko tells Kanako that she shouldn't cling to her own perceptions selfishly, that it will hurt the people around her. Yumi says "onee-sama". Behind Sachiko Yumi can see Kanako has an impenetrable look on her face.

In a cold and angry voice, Sachiko tells Kanako to please consider her behavior - she does not rule the world.

In response, Kanako utters a single cry, and then says nothing. Sachiko releases her arm, and Kanako runs out of the greenhouse to the path.

Suddenly drained of tension, Yumi slides to the ground.



6

Are you all right? Sachiko asks quietly, her hands on Yumi's shoulders.

Yes, says, Yumi, but I'm not sure what I would have done if that continued. When she slid down, she looked up at her onee-sama's face. It wasn't the face of an oni, or scary at all, and her voice was like water, not cold at all.

Sachiko says that last night Sei called her and warned her to be on the lookout. Yumi might be susceptible to someone like that.

Yumi wonders, "but why here?" before Sachiko answered her unspoken concern. Sei-sama was always coming to her rescue. The number one person she wanted to have here, just now, was Sachiko.

Sachiko wondered why, as she was prone to do, but after she received the caution from Sei, didn't even think about it twice. Yumi's quiet through all this, as she's trying to get her thoughts and feeling rearranged into some order.

Sachiko smiles and asks if Yumi doesn't think it's good, that from time to time, she, Sachiko, actually thinks about things.

Yumi says it is, of course.

Selfish, prideful, hysterical...that's what's said about me, Sachiko continues. I'm trying to do things that are unexpected, outside the image everyone has of me. Sachiko has walked a few steps and was now reaching out and touching the Rosa Chinensis blossoms. Since Tsutako had taken those pictures a few days before, they had all grown considerably and were looking decidedly red. Sachiko says that wherever Yumi is, and whatever Yumi's doing is always "Yumi-like" and she thinks that's nice.

That girl, she admires you from afar - maybe that could become a red thread to bind a person to another, but it would always be weak. The bond would be so far away that it would be easy to break. What Sachiko is saying, Yumi understands, is that after they met, their thread is very strong and thick. Thin threads break easily - it can't be helped. You can't repair it easily. If you retie it, it'll break again.

Yumi comments that that was the way she admired Sachiko at first - from a distance, as Sachiko played Ave Maria on the organ.

Yes, but just touching with your eyes is easy, Sachiko says. When you find something that's important to you, you want to get more deeply into its shadow - but that can be problematic, too.

Deeply? Yumi asks.

Yes, Sachiko answers, stretching out her hand and walking over to Yumi. I love Yumi's face, hair, fingers - everything. But, loving you doesn't mean I don't look outside you and love other things as well. I want to set this in motion in your heart. This is what fondness is. Throughout this, Sachiko is stroking Yumi's cheek, touching her hair, and finally, straightening her tie.

In my heart?

Yes. You're not seeing enough. Maybe it is like you to do that, but maybe you're sticking too close. Even in a world of no sound and total darkness, I would know that it was Yumi.

Yumi asks if that's what Sachiko sees. She really wants an answer.

Isn't it obvious? When Yumi sees it too, the world won't be so dark.

Eh?

It's like that incident when Yumi did too much and made herself sick, getting caught up in too much, like an Egyptian mummy, all wrapped up in bandages. And I, by the bedside have to unravel it all to find Yumi inside.

Yumi says, um, onee-sama, that's all a little ill-omened.

Right, Sachiko says. That's exactly the kind of mistake I don't want to happen to you.

Just then, Yumi reaches boiling point and tears spill over. There is onee-sama, waiting with her hands open. She calls out, lost for Sachiko. "Onee-samaaa..." Like a switch had been turned on, she manufactured one tear after another - they wouldn't stop. She hadn't cried at Kanako's words, but at this, she couldn't stop crying. Sachiko was so warm in Yumi's heart, that the tears kept flowing. Even in a world of no sound and total darkness, wrapped up in mummy's bandages - she couldn't understand why onee-sama had sought her ought to talk about such things. It was hopeless for her to ever even try and understand.

But then, she had felt that Yumi needed to hear those words right now. Like rubbing and kneading to make soft bones strong, there was some sense that she had to administer this like medicine.

Sachiko tells her that she's on Yumi's side. Like a child, she strokes Yumi, and mysteriously, this feeling drops into her heart. The tears still falling, Yumi steps into Sachiko's embrace to be held.

Yumi thinks about, "everyone" and wonders which everyone and how many? One hundred, two hundred? She doesn't know. But...

Not everyone's love goes cold. For her, she has one existence in her life that is enough. This has taught her that there is only one irreplaceable onee-sama in her life.


***

Continued

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

posted by Erica Friedman @ 12:27 PM 4 comments links to this post   

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

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


Prologue

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

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

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

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

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

***

Part 1

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

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


Beginning One Step

1


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sachiko smiles at that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yumi wonders what kind of person her father is.

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

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

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

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

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

Sachiko asks "Presenters?"

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

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

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

The Lillian girls all ask "A battle?"

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

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

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

And the prize for the MVP?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



1

That's a problem



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yumi sighs.

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

Yumi agrees unsurely.

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


2


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tell us what you know of her, Sachiko says.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


3


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Noriko and Shimako keep quiet through all this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

Continued

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

posted by Erica Friedman @ 10:22 PM 6 comments links to this post   

Yuri Manga:Ameriro Koucha Kandan stories

I'm cheating today. This is not a collection of manga I'm writing about, it's two different stories in four different places, and two are cameos, which all happen to star the same characters. Because it *will* be a new series starting in the next Comic Yuri Hime magazine (on sale October 18 through the Yuricon Shop) I thought it would be fun to tell you the story as it exists currently.

The story in question tells of the women of the Ameiro Koucha Kandan. It begins in the book pictured above, [es] Eternal Sisters 2 anthology. On the cover are the two principles of the story, Seriho (left) and Sarasa (right.) In the ES collection, we meet Seriho who is the owner of the Ameiro Koucha Kandan, (loosely, the Sweet Tea Pavilion.) Sarasa is a local high school student who spends an inordinate amount of time at the cafe, and asks, quite cutely if she can just work there. But Sarasa's motive is not money - she's in love with Seriho. Seriho reciprocates the emotion, and Sarasa comes to work at the cafe. In this story we also meet regular customers Haru - who runs some kind of freaky fortune website, and her friend/partner in mischief Hinoko. Hinoko is the obligatory goth-loli girl that one always finds in Fujieda Miyabi's work.

The second "chapter" of this story takes was published in the extra comic inserted in the August 2006 volume of Yuri Hime. In this little omake, we are given character profiles in which we learn that Seriho, despite her youthful looks is 25, and Sarasa is 17. Huh. How 'bout that.

Tanabata is fast approaching and Seriho wants to something extra special for the cafe. They come up with a special blend of tea that they pour in a long stream (evocative of the milky way, which features in the Tanabata story.) Haru and Hinoko join the staff for the day and the four women have a successful and lively day full of customers. To thank them for their assistance Seriho offer to treate everyone for dinner. Haru and Hinoko leave first, while the others remain. Seriho tells Sarasa that, long before today, she had planned to close the cafe. Sarasa reacts strongly, protesting that people - she - loves the cafe. Seriho and Sarasa have an emotional scene, but Sarasa is successful and the cafe remains open. Phew.

The third appearance of the ladies of the Ameiro Koucha Kandan is Kotonoha no Miko to Kotodma no Majyo to manga. In this volume, Letty, having newly freed Tsumugi from her confinement in the shrine, takes the miko to her favorite watering hole. The big scandal here was when Tsumugi - assumably unfamiliar with ways of the outside world - expresses her love for Letty firmly and loudly. Poor Seriho almost dies of embarrassment...

And the fourth, but not at all final, appearance of the Ameriro Koucha Kandan is the MikoMajyo Drama CD (the one packaged with the manga in the deluxe set), in which Letty and Tsumugi once again visit, this time accompanied by the errant mountain god who has run away. Shrine guardian Isuzu is forced to drag the wayward deity back to her shrine bodily. Tsumugi's request for Letty to open up and say "ahhh" forces Letty to confront her inner femme, and inspires Hinoko to fluster cool Haru by doing the same.

Now, to be honest - these four appearances are the ones I have, or have noticed. I have no doubt that somewhere along the line there's some crossover with Fujieda's other series, especially the ones I'm less familar with, like Twinkle Cyber Nova and Alice Quartet.

But what does exist is cute enough that I though it warranted a mention. And I bet that, once the story begins running in Yuri Hime we'll get a collection that includes both of the first two chapters.

Here's hoping, anyway.

No ratings, since it's not *yet* a collection, but overall - even more adorable yuri from Fujieda Miyabi!

Tags: Yuri, Yuri Manga, Fujieda Miyabi, Ameiro Koucha Kandan



BTW - Happy Birthday me. Older, as my mother says, but not at all wiser. If you're moved to send a present, buy a book from ALC Publishing or t-shirt or mug or something from the Yuricon Shop. That's all the present I need. :-)

posted by Erica Friedman @ 3:51 PM 0 comments links to this post   

ALC Publishing is Recruiting for 5th Annual Yuri Manga Project

ALC Publishing, the only all-Yuri publisher in North America, is recruiting writers and artists for their 2007 Yuri English-language anthology, Yuri Monogatari 5.

Writers and artists who wish to be considered for the new anthology should read the submission rules carefully before sending any materials. Recruitment will be held through October 1, 2006. Due to the time constraints of the project no applications can be accepted after this time however, completed comics can be accepted at any time. Acceptance into the project is not a gurantee of publication. See the above page for details.

Yuri Monogatari 5 is the fifth annual English-language original yuri anthology by ALC Publishing, building on the success of ALC's previous four Yuri Monogatari anthologies, which are now distributed world-wide. The previous anthologies feature the works of popular yuri artists Rica Takashima, Akiko Morishima, Althea Keaton, Kristina Kolhi, Beth Malone and many more!

ALC Publishing, North America's only all-yuri publisher was founded in 2003 as the publishing arm of Yuricon, with a mission to bring high quality yuri publications to the worldwide English speaking audience. For more information on ALC Publishing or its parent organization Yuricon, please visit the ALC website or email us with any questions.

Tags: Manga, Yuri Manga, Yuri Monogatari, ALC Publishing

posted by Erica Friedman @ 12:33 PM 2 comments links to this post