Chapter 2

``Don't have too high hopes.'' (Me: In Japanese, this sentence has a slightly rythmic sound to it.)

Rosa Chinesis said immediately.

``Huh?''

``Because I recognized that Yumi-chan looked as if she were saying ``I'll leave this to you'', so I wanted to give you a warning in the beginning.'' (Me: ``I'll leave this to you'' is ``Omakaseshimasukara douzo yoroshiku''.)

``Ah.''

``Yes. Just because we are third years, the highest on the ladder, if you think we are like Superman and can do anything, then you are sorely mistaken.''

Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinesis sat down in the lined up chairs, and sat down with an attitude that said ``So, let's listen to what you have to say.''

It was the second floor of the Bara no Yakata. Luckily, Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea were all set drinking tea when the three had come in. This ``luckily'' feeling showed clearly on Yumi's face, and so the Rosas warned her.

``Rosas, wasn't that a little cold? Anyways, I would like to hear what you suggest we do with Rei-sama.''

While Rei-sama was getting into her seat, Sachiko-sama appealed to the Rosas.

``If we suggest nothing, that's not good enough, is it?''

``Yes. ......So, what shall we do with Rei and Yoshino-chan?''

Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Gigantea looked at each other and gracefully sipped their tea.

``Shall we say what happened to get Rei into this disheveled state?''

``This tea is hot, Sachiko.''

Rosa Gigantea laughed coldly.

``You and Yumi-chan are all fired up because you want to help but, isn't the real matter at hand Rei's feelings?''

``Rei's?''

Everyone's gaze met upon Rei-sama, and with the unexpected attention, she blinked her eyes twice, then thrice.

``Please try to think. For example, if you and I ......, no, Yumi-chan's example is better. If Sachiko and Yumi-chan, for some reason, decide to split, then what?''

Rosa Chinesis walked to Sachiko-sama's side and stroked her black hair. It was amazing how Sachiko-sama in this situation so quickly looked young. Of course, when anyone is in front of their ``Onee-sama'', anyone would look like their ``soeur''.

``Then what, you said. What are you trying to say, Onee-sama?''

``Aren't you trying to meddle into someone's affairs? If you're trying to meddle her affairs, shouldn't you first ask for Rei's opinion?''

``- - I see.''

``That's what I was saying. But even if she doesen't want help, I'll still listen to what you're asking.''

``Why?''

Sachiko-sama asked suspiciously. Why would she want to deal with Rei-sama and Sachiko-sama if she didn't want to know? (Me: I wasn't sure how to translate the last bit.)

And, Rosa Chinesis said:

``Because I'm your Onee-sama.''

Hearing this, Sachiko-sama blushed. She had answered back with a very simple and clear answer. Hearing this proclamation, no-one could blame Rosa Chinesis for their ``affection''.

``Would it be helpful if Rei spoke with Rosa Foetida?''

Sachiko-sama's eyebrows twitched near the temples.

``I think that's inappropriate. I would also not want myself, Rosa Gigantea, Rosa Foetida, or Sachiko to interfere in this.''

``Oh, is that so? Then would it be alright if I ask Shimako, who is out of this group of people?''

Rosa Chinesis and Rosa Foetida acted carefree. They would not pressure this upon Rei-sama, thought the newly acquainted Yumi.

``If Rosa Foetida isn't here, then a talk ......!''

Shouting this, Sachiko-sama thumped her hands on the table. The clever third years didn't make a single move.

``This isn't a life-or-death conversation, is it?''

Yumi felt what Rosa Chinesis said marked the end of this line of conversation.

``Even if there's a family revolution going on, it is rude to interfere in the going-ons of another's territory'' (Me: If only Bush thought this way ...)

Rosa Gigantea said these words with no inkling of forgiveness. But, saying this, the Rosas would not forget to help when needed.

``So, if Rei requests, then we'll talk with her.''

``Yes. We do not want to come on as if we were aggresive salesmen. What do you say, Rei? Should we talk with you?''

Yumi believed that, even though they had been talking for a while, Rei-sama would not give an answer.

But even though outsiders don't say much, sometimes when the conversation strays, they regain their true characture. Regaining some energy in her eyes, Rei-sama responded ``No''.

``If this comes up again, I may talk. But right now, I am in total confusion.''

But if she could say that so clearly, wouldn't she already be better, thought Yumi. She didn't seem as if she were confused.

``I'll try to think over it'' said Rei-sama. Why did it turn out like this? Why did Yoshino-san part with Rei-sama? If she had any faults, they must be quite small.

Of course, if she was unwilling to accept help for such a fundamental thing, then the Rosas would have to act as mediators sheathing their swords. And just as it ended, her failure became unbounded. (Me: I'm not quite sure what the last sentence here means, sorry.)

``Then we're just interferences.''

Sachiko-sama said, pouting. Hunting out Rei-sama, gently scolding her, and leading her back to the Bara no Yakata, it was all just useless work.

``Because they are your friends, they would go through such efforts for you.''

Rosa Chinesis followed up. Whether it was genuinely nice or it was a joke, Yumi did not know, but she did know well one thing she wanted to say. Even though it was seemed useless, she would probably do the same thing again. Whether doing something or just standing about, she would act without care for gain or loss. That is what friends are.

``Well, I think Sachiko and Yumi-chan's decision to bring Rei here was an honorable one. I had heard that Rei was walking around aimlessly, as if she were in a trance, and talking about the incident to random people.''

``I, that -''

She didn't know, it seemed like Rei-sama wanted to say, but her words simply faded out. She probably had some recollection in the corner of her mind.

``Ah, so you did.''

Rosa Gigantea lowered her eyebrows.

``If she was going around talking aimlessly, then this truly is a serious wound.''

Was Sachiko-sama's opinion, and Yumi agreed. At least, Rei-sama had become the subject of Katsura-san's gossip. If she thought about the incident where Sachiko-sama appeared at the greenhouse, then as expected of Katsura-san, she would be spreading rumors. With a gloomy look on her face, Rei-sama was walking around, talking in a worried voice. Without recognizing Yumi, she had said that Yoshino-san had returned the rosary, and that was already enough. If she had said that without thinking, then this was a truly cruel wound.

``Now let's go back.''

Shimako-san had come. No, that's not right, before Yumi, Sachiko-san, and Rei-sama had come to the Bara no Yakata, Shimako-san had already been there. It was more appropriate to say that she had returned.

``It's bad that Rosa Foetida has already gone home.''

(Oh, yeah ......)

Understanding the situation before the Rosas, Shimako-san had gone out to call Rosa Foetida, but she could not catch her.

All of a sudden, Yumi had an ``Aha'' moment. The figure of that person she had seen from behind as she was leaving the greenhouse, that must have been Rosa Foetida.

``I had tried to call her but, it was already too late.''

The Rosas always looked at places that should be looked at. Because of this, the Rosas seemed just like supermen. (Me: ``Suupaaman'' is used in Katakana.)

``Rosa Foetida must not have understood the weight of the situation. ......Hey, Shimako. How does it look outside?''

``Because this was after school, the rumors won't be spread as wide.''

While listening to Shimako-san's information, Yumi stood up, opened the curtains of the window, and tried to look down. There were many students who could spread rumors, if they knew of what was going on know. The amount of people had increased a small amount from the time Yumi, Sachiko-sama, and Rei-sama had arrived.

The girls did not have the courage to simply open the door and meet the stundets head on. In order to satisfy the curiosity of the people around them, they would gather into a group around the girls.

``Hey. I recognize someone. Oh no, she's in a big hurry.''

Rosa Gigantea popped up from nowhere, looked out the window past Yumi's head, and smiled.

It was the Newspaper Club president, someone she could easily recognize. Because they had been chasing Yumi, she could easily remember their faces. The Newspaper Club girls went around with their ears wide open, and with these sharp ears they quickly made news stories.

``Rei. How is Yoshino-chan?''

Yumi heard Rosa Chinesis ask Rei-sama from behind.

``She had left in a taxi to the hospital.''

``I see. I'm glad.''

Until the surroundings become as quiet as possible as soon as possible, it would be best not to show Yoshino-san around. It was as if after doing the thing, they were protecting a bad person.

``Even though everyone is quiet today, tomorrow everyone will be abuzz.''

In a moment that floated in her heart, she heard Sachiko-sama say ``Yes.'' and nod. Because Yoshino-san's heart was week, if the surprise made her want to rewind time, then her opinion would coincide perfectly with Yumi's.

It was slightly ironic that a revolution occured with Yoshino-san. She had thought that Yoshino-san was everyone's friend. While she had no idea what the future would hold, she knew that everyone hoped that this would end and everything would go back to normal. If it were possible, it would be best to make Yoshino-san and Rei-sama soeurs immediately.

``It will no-doubt become a scandal. This time, it'll be more problematic than what happened with Sachiko and Yumi-chan.''

Rosa Gigantea said, as if she were talking about the weather.

Tomorrow there will be a little light rainfall. Temperatures will also drop.

But after she thought about it again, and realized that it wouldn't simply be light rainfall.

It would rain, but it would be a huge typhoon. At that time, all expectations will quickly fall apart, and everyone at Lilian will set their sights north.