Chapter 1

The day's weather was unbelievably excellent, as if one day had simply cleared up the autumn day.

Today was the day of the Kendo match and the surgery. Of course, the good weather had no effect on either, but, the good weather was better than the rainy weather by many times. Maria-sama was protecting the three in spite of everything. The good weather had spread warmth and happiness throughout Yumi, one of the three.

After fourth period had ended, she had dashed dashed off to do her cleaning (Because today there would be many things which would need everyone's best effort), and hurried off to the entrace of waiting place.

There was Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinesis, and there was Sachiko-sama who had already arrived. Unfortunately Rosa Foetida was absent, so she wouldn't get to see the huge event of the match. Shimako-san, who was five minutes later than Yumi, waited, and then all of them headed off to the gymnasium.

The gymnasium seemed much like a park. Among those attending, there were generally three types of seifukus among boys and girls that looked old. The weather was good, and until the event began, it seemed like everyone around here was loitering around.

A navy blue blazer and a dark red hanging necktie was the orthodox style. Blue checked pleated skirts with a a coat of arms next to the arm and a thick beige blazer was the new style. Then there were the people in plain clothes.

Among these clothes, the ivory sailor color and the black low-waist one piece of the Lilian seifukus stood out. Many people in the crowd criticized the Lilianseifukus by calling them anachronisms. Still, even though the Lilian design was old, the design looked new.

Today's kendo match was a regional one, featuring three high school girls called the ``Four Brave'' in a team competition. Even though the match wasn't a national one, it was tradition for each high school to cheer their loudest for their players.

Before two o'clock, the seats in the meeting hall were already filled up. Because five seats were not available in a row, the five girls split into one group of three and one group of two and sat down.

``Sachiko, Yumi-chan, there are empty seats over there.''

In order to pay attention to her sisters, Rosa Chinesis sat together with the Yumi and Sachiko-sama where she pointed.

``Yup, Yumi-chan.''

Some time ago, Rosa Gigantea had bought some mixed sandwhiches and some packs of coffee milk and put them in paper bags. She gave two of them out.

``People say you can't fight on an empty stomach.''

Of course, the only fighting they were going to do was cheering for Rei-sama. - - But, if their stomachs were empty and croaked like frogs later on, it would be embarassing.

``How much is it?''

Yumi took out her purse, but Rosa Gigantea said ``It's alright. It's on me.''. Even though she was an upperclassman, Rosa Gigantea was a student just like them, and had gotten some spending money from her parents so she could pay for the meal. But then, Sachiko-sama put some money in Rosa Gigantea's hand.

``Rosa Gigantea, I won't give you a reason to be proud of yourself. Here's the money for me and my sister.''

``You're tooough. But, because I want to be like an Onee-sama to Yumi-chan, I won't take the money.''

Rosa Gigantea met Sachiko-sama's glance, gave back the money, and went back towards where Rosa Chinesis and the others had sat down earlier.

``Uh - -''

This time, Yumi had to turn towards Sachiko-sama. She had given back money for only one person.

``Since there's nothing we can do, please close your bag.''

Sachiko-sama said this and sank into her seat. Hurriedly, Yumi looked towards Sachiko-sama.

``The best thing to do now is just say Gochisousama and eat.''

``But - -''

Yumi slowly turned away, and Sachiko-sama whispered pouted underneath her breath ``I don't understand.''

``Sometimes I want to do some Onee-sama-like things for you.''

``......I see.''

Yumi couldn't resist, so she took the sandwhich out of the bag in one grasp, and said ``Gochisousama''. The sandwhich had tomato, lettuce, and egg in it, and it was better tasting than Yumi thought it would have tasted.