Chapter 3

Lilian Jogakuen High Grade School's Newspaper Club President, Tsukiyama Minako, was in high spirits.

For some reason, girls here had high preference for the publication of random words, the weekly newspaper ``Lilian Kawaraban''.

``Incredible.''

With a B4 size paper in her right hand, and her left hand touching her hip, she stood elegantly as always, and her gaze absentmindedly fell upon the expanse of paper. The paper being held in her hand, it was the final check in the preparations for the next edition. The beautiful all-color test print was ready, a pre-eminent spectacle.

``It isn't just a visual spectacle. The news stories' contents and the sentences all contribute to its beautifulness.''

The subject was the raw-food-time game, so Minako thought. (Me: I have absolutely no idea what this means, and I translated it as best as I could. Help appreciated. Raw-food time game is ``Wadai ha namamono no jikan ga shoubu'') Right now, it was without the thing that readers requested, so how could it be seemed to becalled a newspaper? On that point, the ``Lilian Kawaraban'', her chest expanded in pride.

Of course, when there was nothing to write about, one could talk about teacher's hobbies, or the flowers blooming on campus, or what clouded the tea, but now was different. Because this time, she completely understood the readers' preference.

Now, what was in season, no matter whatever else was said and done, was the Yamayurikai members. The girls who over took others clearly, were whom the readers wanted to read about. Of course, the opportunity must be split up, was her feeling.

She, unlike the sempais, had the courage to not only gather data about the Yamayurikai, but also to write skillfully about them. With uniform excellence, she would gather each of their individual characters together, something that hadn't really been done in the past.

Minako took the thing from last week off the shelf, and narrowed her eyes at the headline.

``The monopolized interview!''

The large talk with Rosa Chinesis en Bouton about her soeur.

Hora, she can work wonders this way. This god-entrancing, uncomparable talent. Without thinking, she sighed.

``So, so- -''

Rosa Chinesis en Bouton's conversation was thrilling.

The without-soeur Entire School Target of Affection Ogasawara Sachiko, rejected by Rosa Gigantea en Bouton Toudou Shimako, without anyone checking, had with a sorry done something to Fukuzawa Yumi that all the students were curious about. She cleared that up clearly. Because she had lost her claim, she could not create a news story, so the talk was about what happened and did not happen at the Cinderella play. This sequel she was able to publish at the same time, and the effects were very successful. And, this time - -

``Onee-sama, please put an end to this thing you are fascinated by.''

With her long-awaited good-feeling intoxicated, her soeur Yamaguchi Mami's voice pulled her back to reality.

Without understanding what happened, she entrusted herself to the beautiful world, and looked around at her surroundings. The large table instead of a desk, the slightly old computer, this year's budget meeting had shown that they were going through financial troubles, and then she laid her eyes on the shape of the newly bought color printer. Other then Mami, there were two other members here, and they continued in silence in their ``As always'' fashion, each one doing their own work enthusiastically. (Me: ``As always'' is ``Itsumo no koto'' here.)

``Mami. ......you.''

``If you do not look over the news stories, we will not be able to print for tomorrow. Then, we will not be able to put into practice Onee-sama's ``Raw-food time game'' saying.'' (Me: Again, I have no idea what ``Raw-food time game'' means. I'm guessing it's an idiom of some sort. Assistance would be much help.)

``- - I understand.''

Without any alternative, Minako went over to the chair. The soeur that she had picked was sometimes a lady with harsh words, she sighed aloud. Of course, what she had said was perfectly correct, so she wouldn't pout about it. Because of all the club work she had to do, her third-year Onee-sama life was a lot like ``Resmebling Minako's first year time'', but she had a hunch that it was a little better than that. (Me: Again, pardon the stiltedness.)

``Yoshino's is wrong.''

For a half minute, she had spoken obediently like a gentle lady -. Minako flipped the two-shot on top of the test print with her fingers. (Me: A two-shot is a picture that features two people. Literally in Katakana ``Tsuushotto''.)

With boy-like Hasekura Rei, she [Yoshino] had her picture taken, smiling a gentle smile. They looked completely like two lover classmates. (Me: So, does that mean this lover classmate stuff is somewhat pervasive at Lilian? Food for thought.)

There two who should have been chosen for the ``Best Soeur Award'' had been shosen. Sublime older sisters and their female cousin younger sisters was an old scheme. Being female cousins and childhood friends, Rei had a relationship where she gently compared for the weak-constitution girl, like a knight. Rosa Gigantea family and Rosa Chinesis family's conversations had already passed, now Rosa Foetida family's turn had come. If this wasn't news, then what was.

``Onee-sama.''

Once more she heard the warning, and Minako scanned the news story in panic.

- - And.

(Are ......?)

What, where was this strangeness. There was neither misprint nor dropped words. The itemized list portion was there, and there were no especially strange wordings in it. But, what was strange. Where had Mami found it, and then .......

``Ne, who word processed this?''

After Minako said this, the first year that sat in the seat next to Mami raised her hand and said ``Yes''.

``This ...what is it?''

This, if she remembered correctly, was supposed to be a news article interview about the Best Soeur Prize. Because Takeshima Yoshino was abscent on illness, the two had answered on a form. Hasekura Rei had been the secretary here it seemed, because everywhere was written in the same blue fountain pen, the same handwriting covered the form. Their beautiful relationship concealed the secretary episode, and the news article was tacked into the print.

``......The questionairre form, was there an error in filling it out?''

``Eh?!''

In that place, all three of the other Newspaper Club members almost at the same time jumped upon the test print.

``Haskeura Rei-sama's favorite books are all girls' novels, and Shimazu Yoshino's are all Ikenami Shoutarou swordsman stories.''

``Rei-sama's interest is in sewing, and Yoshino's is in watching sports on television.''

``Rei-sama's favorite word is ``Sincerity'', and Yoshino's is ``The first move will win the match'''' (Me: So that everyone reading this can look cool and say Rei and Yoshino's favorite word/phrases, here they are in Japanese. Rei's is ``Makokoro'' meaning sincerity or dedication, Yoshino's is ``Sente Hisshou'' meaning literally ``First move-certain victory''.)

It wasn't wrong, thought everyone. No, this wasn't wrong. While mechanically typing the questionairres, they had gotten mixed up.

``But, I typed it correctly.''

The first-year who word processed the questionairres took the handwritten versions out of the tea envelop. The two questionairre forms confirmed her claim as they were revealed.

``Hahan. Then, we can't just blame you.''

Hasekura Rei's name was written on the first page of the questionairre, and the word ``Sewing'' on the other, and they had been clipped together.

``Rei-sama was wrong.''

``Probably.''

But, before it can be placed in the newspaper, they should clearly confirm and correct it.

``Today Yoshino-san is in school.''

Mami guessed Minako's question and gave the report.

``At this time, Rei-san has club activities. Maybe she's in the Bara no Yakata.''

Of course, it was good to go, and Minako herself stood up. This time, she would not meekly wait for the report. Putting on her cardigan, she left the room.

On the way, in the Middle Garden, she met Takeshima Tsutako of the Photography Club.

``Ara, the person that's walking here is the Newspaper Club's Minako-sama. For staying so late, Thank you for your hard work.'' (Me: Again ``Otsukaresama'' is used.)

The Photography Club and the Newspaper Club. While they had a give-and-take relationship, this time, the friendship was sour. Her complicated actions made it so that Minako did not understand what she was thinking.

``Rei-sama? She's not inside the Bara no Yakata. Hora, because the match is soon, she is busy with club practice.''

At a lucky time, she had just come from the Bara no Yakata. Her connection was that she was a classmate of Fukuzawa Yumi, and so maybe the rumors that she showed her face at the Bara no Yakata were somehow true. Envious.

``If you're going to the martial arts dojo, let us go together.''

The young woman Takeshima Tsutako smiled sweetly and sequested this. In truth, she would bring a ladder up to the gym, and perform her life work of taking pictures of the students. The Kendo Club and Fercing Club's practice was on the verge of conclusion, and her aim was to see it, so they talked along the way.

``Because Kendo is a beautiful sport, those faces are a bit inappropriate to take pictures of.''

Maybe it was better to have gone before the protector had shown up, Minako thought, but that seemed wrong. (Me: Not sure if this translation is correct or not.)

``After practice, the instant you snap those faces, they have the best look.''

With her sweat-smeared face, and her long continuous black hair, Tsutako's eyes sparkled as she talked. Unfortunately, the Minako-without-this-interest nooded and said ``Aah, I see'' and had no choice but to listen to this conversation.

That building called the martial arts dojo was a simple Japanese-style building, behind the school building, and behind the second gym. This was where the Kendo, Archery, Judo, and Karate clubs practiced, and today half the wooden floor was lined with straw mats of the Judo club, but only the Kendo club was still using it. (Me: I encountered some words I didn't know here.)

``B, ...beautiful'' the young woman Takeshima Tsutako exclaimed, as the martial arts club students filed out, with their T-shirts exposed. Tsutako closed the shutters around them in a trance. There was no mistaking that she was thankful from the bottom of her heart now that she was born a girl.

``Yareyare.''

Seperating herself, Tsutako walked over by the Kendo Club. The girls were in the height of their practice for the upcoming match, so Minako sat in a corner and inspected them, not thinking it was inappropriate.

Looking around, she could not recognize the presence of Hasekura Rei. The protector was really like this she thought, but the large dripping writing of her name seemed different. (Me: I couldn't translate this very well.)

``Ippon!''

The large voice of the student referee resounded, and it seemed to be an end. She tried to call out to the watching first-year staff-member.

``Second year, Hasekura Rei-san ......''

``Ah, Rei-senpai, she left early.''

``......Eh, when?''

``About 30 minutes ago, I think.''

If she had left 30 minutes ago, she would've already finished her preparations to go home, and be out the door. From the beginning, she should've checked the footwork box. Now it's too late!

``I'm sorry I couldn't help.''

The first year staff member politely gave her salutations and once more turned to face ahead. Maybe she was a little cute. From the side, Takeshima Tsutako revealed herself without a sound and clicked the shutter.

( ......)

Minako stood up from her place in silence.

``Minako-sama, has your business finished?''

``Rei-san has left early.''

``That's annoying.''

Without letting go of the camera and looking over this way, Tsutako looked as if she was going to take out the camera, and without thinking Minako pushed her two hands out and avoided the lens.

``Your guard is strong, Minako-sama.''

``Is that a bad thing?''

``Of course not. That was a compliment.''

Takeshima Tsutako lowered the camera, and her eyes inside of her glasses narrowed and she smiled. Minako did not like this very much.

With nothing left to do, she left alone from the martial-arts dojo, turned towards the school building, and started walking while complaining.

Right before printing the news story had to be corrected, and now Rei-sama couldn't be met, and to make matters worse, she had been captured by the little camera monk. The blissful feeling she had some time ago had just died. (Me: ``Kieuseru'' is the verb here which I translated to ``just died'', because it's a vulgar form of the convential verb, ``Kiesaru'' or ``Kieru'' to disappear.)

Before she returned to the clubhouse, she decided that she should try to call Hasekura Rei's house. Because she lived relatively close to the school, she had probanumbebly already returned.

She used the green phone in front of the office unhappily. After entering in her card, she skilfully punched out the number on the number pad. Minako had memorized the phone numbers of about seventy students. Also, the Newspaper Club club officers were not all required to have this ability. This were her own passion. At the beginning of each school year, she would gaze over the distributed student address books, and would gain pleasure out of her activity. She was a person whose interest was in other people. (Me: I had some trouble translating that last sentence/portion.)

In her hurry, it seemed like she accidentally dialed a number outside the area, she heard the phone call sound, but there was no answer.

``Is she not there?''

Irritated, she punched in the number one more time with her index finger. She waited, and eventually punched it in 10 more times, in a time that felt like eternity.

On her 13th attempt, she finally heard a male voice. The voice recited their personal message, and because Hasekura Rei was an only child, she had no siblings.

``Sorry, it seems than no-one is in the main portion of the house right now - -''

It seemed like her father had gone to the dojo. And if Hasekura Rei had not returned yet, then she did not know whether she would perform the things a dojo disciple does, as the daughter of the dojo master.

Just as she was thinking this, Minako saw a visitor in the entrance across from her, it was a student's shape.

``I understand. I must hasten again.''

In haste, Minako dropped the reciever and sprang out as if she had indoor slippers on.

``Rosa Foetida!''

Walking with a slow tempo, Rosa Foetida was walking slowly in front of the library, and turned. Her semi-long hair was bound up in a hairband in her typical style. Her sailor collar was straight, and her tie was wrapped firmly. The whole school thought of her as a beautiful person, this was Rosa Foetida.

``What ......is your business?''

Without thinking, Minako stepped back a half step. It seemed as if Rosa Foetida had at some time grown larger and gotten closer to her.

``A, Ano''

While she was never very polite, today she was especially impolite. Not quite looking like she was pouting, Rosa Foetida had a somewhat langued look. Her facial expression showed dissatisfaction as if she was thinking of somebody of the opposite sex.

``My apologies for calling out for you to stop.''

Minako gave one deep bow and touched the subject. This was the person who could do nothing but know about Hasekura Rei and Shimazu Yoshino. The moment she found out what she wanted, she would return to the print room to immediately start working on correcting the article and print it out. In the indoor light given off by the monitor of her computer, she expected to stay behind for a while. Before the patrolman began his rounds, she would have been able to print everything out.

``Rei and Yoshino's interests ......?''

Raising her eyebrow a slight amount, Rosa Foetida replied.

``Yes, for production in an interview in one article I have, I need to know this ......''

``Rei likes kendo, and Yoshino-chan likes to read. What sort of books she reads I do not know.''

``- -''

Nothing went well.

``But, stitching - -''

As a test, she spoke out a bit more.

``Stitching?''

Rosa Foetida tried repeating the word ``stitching'', and whispered ``Aah'' as if she had remembered something. But of course, as Minako had already known, her hopes were misplaced.

``Stitching, a sweater stitched out of stictching wool?''

``Y, yes ......''

``I have not seen this sweater. Maybe one of Yoshino-chan's classmates would know?''

With this question, it became obvious that Rosa Foetida had probably not even thought of Hasekura Rei from the beginning.

``But, their favorite sayings ......''

As if grasping for a straw, Minako asked her last question.

``Favorite words always change, so why would anyone talk about them?'' (Me: I'm not completely sure about this sentence.)

``- - Of course.''

Minako could do nothing but nod. This sisterhood was a little reserved.

``Is that all?''

Looking as if she were drugged, Rosa Foetida began touching her hair.

``Ah, sorry. Thank you for your time.''

She gave a deep bow and wondered whether Rosa Foetida had gone mad. With an uninteresting facial expression, Rosa Foetida plowed on in a birsk pace. Why was she in such a slow tempo today?

``Hey, you.''

As she was returning, she turned without thinking, and Rosa Foetida unexpectedly asked.

``There's a river, and you must ride it in a boat, and in front of you there is a big waterfall right? But, if you don't go down this waterfall, you can't return home.''

``Ha ......''

What was she drawing a comparison with? While it was incomprehensible talk to Minako, she could do nothing but make noises as if she agreed and tilt her head.''

``You have an oar. Which way would you row?''

``Eh?''

At first she was waiting for Rosa Foetida to get to the point, but it seemed like the conversation was about boats from start to finish.

``Which way would you row? Would you row up the waterfall, or would you go down it, what do you say?''

``Ah, it's alright. Why would we need someone else's opinion?'' (Me: Your guess is as good as mine why she says ``we''.)

Without giving another answer this time, Rosa Foetida turned towards the back gate and started walking.

``Gokigenyou''

Minako called out to Rosa Foetida, but she did not turn. Rosa Foetida was not ignoring Minako, she just didn't feel like answering.

(What in the world's going on with Rosa Foetida ......)

Having forgot the crisis in the near future, her reporter's soul surged up. She's probably just not feeling well, yeah that's the only impression she could get. Because that's what she thought it was, she couldn't see anything else. That was the position Minako was in.