Section 1

``So, huh? Are you Rei and Yoshino-chan's go-between?''

Sachiko-sama whispered in a low voice as she wrapped Yumi's hair and tied it into her ribbons.

``Well, I'm not really like a go-between because I don't go every day. I go to tell Yoshino-san about Rei-sama. Oh yeah. Should we go together to meet Yoshino-san at the hospital today?

Today was Wednesday.

Because Friday was the day before the operation, many things had to be done, so the nurse had advised Yumi not to come that day. So today was the last day she could meet Yoshino-san before the operation.

``Dummy. Wouldn't I know what's happening between Yoshino-chan and Rei then? I don't want this to be a big thing, so isn't it best for only you to know?''

``Yeah ......''

Yumi felt it would be better if she also didn't know what was happening between them. Whether she was happy or not at this was a complex matter.

``Anyways.''

Sachiko-sama said in a serious voice.

``Since Rei is waiting so patiently, it would be bad if I go. You should be the only one.''

Yumi shrugged her head, took her school bag, and once more walked along side the row of Gingko trees. Yumi caught up to Sachiko-sama and fell in line with her.

This was the first time they were travelling home together. It hadn't happened before because there was always something or the other coming up.

Since they had become soeurs, their relationship did not feel very intimate. After seeing Yoshino-san's relationship, she was shocked. Because Yumi had not paid much attention to the soeur relationships of other people, she had no idea what they were like.

``I wonder what's going on with Rosa Foetida.''

Oh my. They had both received gossip from different people about this. But Yumi was already worried about this topic.

``She has a fever, so she's resting. It's been a week, hasn't it?''

``I'm worried about her.''

while Sachiko said, Yumi thought ``Is it really a fever?'' While she wasn't playing hooky, there was something going on that hadn't made her feel like coming to school.

Because she had seen Rosa Foetida with her swollen cheek, she had gotten a weird impression of her. But because Rosa Foetida was an Onee-sama, she couldn't talk to Rosa Foetida frankly as she had planned out. (Me: I'm guessing she's saying this in reference to helping out the Rei-Yoshino situation, but I'm not really sure.)

Should she talk to her? Without noticing, she had stopped to think, and Sachiko-sama had gone on towards the gate.

``What's wrong? Please hurry.''

From then on, Yumi for some reason walked to the school gate with her arms crossed. Even though her rosary was above her seifuku, it gave made her peaceful. Many things could happen but, being here with Sachiko-sama made her feel as if someone was telling her ``It's alright.''. Being in touchable distance from Sachiko-sama made her incredibly happy.

At the bus stop, it seemed as if an uncountable number of students had gotten their duties from their clubs, and were now waiting for the bus. Sachiko's hand abruptly stopped touching her. Also, she walked around sneakily, as if she and Sachiko-sama were lovers. It was embarassing. Wondering how Sachiko-sama felt, she gave a sudden glance over to Sachiko-sama. Obviously, she had on her always-composed facial expression, and it seemed that she did not understand anything about her embarrassment. On the other hand, this made Yumi's face light up red. Her feelings for Sachiko-sama were complex.

``Just as Rosa Gigantea said, your face can't sit still.''

Inside thu bus, Sachiko-sama held on to the strap, and sighed as she whispered.

``My face can't ......sit still?''

It was as if someone had shot a gun down from the ceiling.

Funny faces was a positive name, not a negative one. But then, what kind of comment would have been better?

With Sachiko-sama's one phrase, she made it obvious that she did not understand anything about Yumi's vacillating happiness and saddness.

Her innocent face switched quickly from happiness to dejectedness. That sort of person, Yumi, should not be found anywhere near Sachiko-sama. - - Yumi thought, as the bus pulled up to the station.