"I'm sorry."

The day after the Maria ceremony, quite unusually, Sachiko-sama bowed her head in apology.

"Okay?"

Yumi looked up at the sky, her onee-sama was apologizing - was it snowing?

The weather was fine.

It must be the early summer fine weather before the rainy season started. The sky as seen from the courtyard sandwiched between two school buildings sparkled clear and blue and wide, with only a few wispy clouds. Just like Maria-sama's soul.

And yet, despite this, Sachiko-sama's face. Call it gloomy, or boarded up, either way it was like a cloudy sky.

When, after they'd finished eating lunch in the Rose Mansion, Sachiko-sama had said, "Yumi, a moment," Yumi had happily thought that they were going for an after-meal walk or something. The weather was good, and the Rose Mansion's courtyard had plenty of grass, the perfect place for an afternoon nap.

But, thinking about it, she had so far never received such a wonderful invitation. Thinking logically, it was probably to say something she didn't want to say in front of other people, that much Yumi understood. In the room on the second-floor of the Rose Mansion, the usual members, Rei-sama, Yoshino-san and Shimako-san, were relaxing.

"To tell you the truth."

"Ah, yes."

Gulping down her saliva, Yumi put herself on guard. Since she had absolutely no idea what Sachiko-sama was going to say, and how it was related to her being sorry, Yumi was on edge as she waited for those words.

"It's about our trip to the amusement park, it'd be a great help to me if we could push that back until next week, if that's possible."

"Huh? Ah?"

They were going on a trip to the amusement park together.

The cherry-blossom season and the Maria ceremony were overlapping and flowing together, that was the plan for their half-day date that Yumi had requested instead of White Day or birthday presents. With the condition that they didn't go on the roller-coaster.

"What do you think?"

"Ah, yes. I don't mind. If you'd like."

Yumi had thought it would be something more monumental. They'd only made the plans yesterday evening. Sachiko-sama had probably gone home and asked, then found out she had other plans for that day.

"You're fine with it? Ahh, that's such a relief."

Sachiko-sama put her hand to her chest and breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her expression, Yumi was relieved too. She was glad it wasn't a serious conversation.

While it was true the date had slipped by a week, that was no reason to get mad. Having a cloudy expression for something like that, onee-sama.

It was a postponement, not a suspension, so there was no reason whatsoever to be bothered by it.

The mid-term tests were coming up soon, so Yumi thought that maybe that was just perfect.

Sachiko-sama never studied for exams so it wouldn't matter to her, but Yumi had to study hard just to maintain her average grades and it would be a real help to spend that precious day before the exams preparing for them. By having their date the following week, the tests would be over and she'd be able to relax and enjoy their time together.

"It really helps that you're such an accommodating petit soeur, Yumi."

Sachiko-sama smiled as she adjusted Yumi's tie, like always.

The daisies in the small flowerbed beside the grass rustled, as though they were laughing.

However.

The amusement park date didn't take place the following Sunday either.

As expected, the cancellation came from Sachiko-sama's end, on the Friday two days before the event.

It was the last day of the mid-term exams, so all the grades were scheduled to tidy up and go home after their morning third-period classes.

"Yumi-san, there's no meeting in the Rose Mansion today."

Yoshino-san called out to Yumi, who had grabbed her school bag and was flying out of the classroom.

"Yeah, I know."

As a general rule, club and committee activities were put on hold for the duration of the examination period. Since it was the last day, it would be overlooked as long as they didn't make a ruckus, but the Yamayurikai didn't have any urgent matters to attend to, so they weren't meeting today.

" - But, why did you think I was going to the Rose Mansion?"

Yumi stopped and asked.

"It's easy to tell, just from your behavior."

Yoshino-san laughed, looking to shock her.

"So happy, so excited. The very picture of "Yumi-chan going to meet Sachiko-sama.""

"Really!?"

Yumi hadn't noticed. Apparently she'd become happy and excited at some point. Certainly, it felt like she had a spring in her step.

"That slack-jawed expression is just awful. If you don't change that before you go, Sachiko-sama will scold you. "Yumi, sharpen up.""

"Ah, yes."

Yumi instinctively stood up straight, at attention.

"Oh wow, that was just like Sachiko-sama."

They both burst into laughter at the same time.

"I take it that the reason you can't keep yourself from smiling is because you're thinking about Sunday?"

"Of course. It's our first date in nearly three months. I'm happy, but I'm also nervous. I can't seem to calm down."

She felt excited, nervous and fidgety.

"Oh my."

"But, you know, it's just a small detail, but I'd calm down a bit if we sorted out when and where we were going to meet on Sunday, that kind of thing."

Which was why Yumi was going to visit Sachiko-sama's classroom. That was the excuse anyway, the real reason was she wanted to see Sachiko-sama. And if she was lucky, they could go home together, at least as far as the train station.

"Well, in that case, I'm sorry I've kept you here."

"No, not at all."

At that moment, a camera flash went off.

"Excuse me, Fukuzawa Yumi-san and Shimazu Yoshino-san, this is Lillian's Weekly, a picture please."

Takeshima Tsutako-san smiled as she aimed her camera.

"Such a bother."

Yumi replied, hiding her face behind her school bag. It was all in good fun, she'd instinctively slipped into Tsutako-san's narrative.

"You'll have to go through our agents."

Yoshino-san was in a good mood too. Since the mid-term exams were over, more or less everyone was on a high.

Click, click.

The sound of the shutter felt good. Like they really were stars.

"Hmm."

Tsutako-san lowered her camera, apparently satisfied.

"Thanks for your co-operation. If any of them come out well, I'll give them to you."

In such a hurry she skipped the farewell, "Camera-chan" walked out into the hallway, the sound of film being wound back into its spool coming from her camera.

"Tsutako-san, there's no club activities today."

Yoshino-san used her hands as megaphone as she called after Tsutako-san.

"Roger that."

Tsutako-san said, although it was obvious that she was heading straight to the club house, to develop her photos in the photography club's darkroom.

"I had some film remaining and I thought it would be a shame to waste it."

"Is that so."

Yumi and Yoshino-san looked at each other and shrugged.

But, having said that, it looked like Tsutako-san was in a good mood now that her tests were over too.

"Look, you'd better hurry or you'll miss Sachiko-sama."

Yoshino-san tapped Yumi on the shoulder.

"Ah, you're right."

That had been an unexpected delay. Would she make it to the classroom in time? Maybe she should head straight to the foot-locker room or the entrance to try and meet Sachiko-sama.

"Yumi-san."

As they were parting, Yoshino asked:

"You're really happy right now, yeah?"

"Of course."

Yumi replied immediately. Because on Sunday she'd spend some time with her beloved onee-sama, just the two of them. And for now, she was overjoyed to be counting down the time until then.

"I'm glad."

"Yeah."

That feeling was a treasure bestowed only to Yumi.

Sachiko-sama's leather shoes were neatly arranged in the small locker.

(Which means )

Her onee-sama was still in the school building.

Yumi buoyantly headed towards Sachiko-sama's classroom. As she approached, she spotted Sachiko-sama in front of the third-year pine classroom.

Her right shoulder was leaning against the door and she looked to be talking to someone. Even though Yumi only saw her from behind, there was no mistaking it. That long, black, glossy hair. Her exceptional proportions, obvious even from a distance.

"Onee"

Yumi started to call out, but then withdrew. Because the student standing beside Sachiko-sama had come into view.

The self-proclaimed actress with vertical hair rolls on each side of her head, Matsudaira Touko-chan. Her overindulged voice carried the short distance to Yumi.

"So, is that okay? I won't intrude on you, Sachiko onee-sama."

"No. It's not a pleasure trip."

Yumi wasn't sure what it was about, but Sachiko-sama was rejecting Touko-chan's proposal.

"Touko would be happy just to go on a drive with you."

"It's a bother."

"I'll be a good girl."

Like a spoiled brat, she'd taken hold of Sachiko-sama's hand and was swinging it back and forth. Such outrageous behavior. Even as Sachiko-sama's petit soeur, Yumi wouldn't dare to act like that.

"Be reasonable, Touko-chan."

Sachiko-sama sighed, perplexed. Even so, Touko-chan hung on.

"Please, onee-sama."

Yumi thought it was kind of sad that she had to witness this scene, but was unable to move away. On the other hand, she couldn't jump in there and pull them apart either.

"Ah, Yumi-sama."

Of all things, Touko-chan approached her.

"Yes ?"

Sachiko-sama turned around to follow Touko-chan's gaze, and when she saw Yumi, just for a split-second she had a sour expression on her face.

(Wh what!?)

Seeing that look on Sachiko-sama's face was a far, far bigger shock to Yumi than seeing her talking to Touko-chan like a close friend.

Touko-chan was fine. She could act audaciously and by her words disregard the soeur system, but that could be clearly explained as the actions of a third-party. Yumi considered it to be on a different level to matters regarding herself and Sachiko-sama.

However, Sachiko-sama was different.

Sachiko-sama's every action was not just a way to divine her will, but even a small variation in her expression could send Yumi into anxiety or bliss.

"What's the matter?"

Sachiko-sama smiled as she asked the question, and while it may just have been her being overly considerate, it seemed like she was trying to smooth things over.

" Nothing."

Yumi glanced at Touko-chan. She was reluctant to discuss their fun Sunday in front of someone else.

"Well then Rosa Chinensis, I'll leave you here. Take your time, Yumi-sama."

Touko-chan made the smart move and deftly ceded the spot to Yumi.

Yumi felt awkward, like she'd driven her out, but there was no avoiding it. In her mind, Yumi repeated over and over that there was no way she was going to run away, that she was Sachiko-sama's petit soeur, and that she'd come here on a proper errand, as she somehow managed to hold her ground.

"What was the matter with Touko-chan?"

As the vertical hair rolls turned a corner, Yumi indirectly inquired.

"Touko-chan? Ah, it's the same as always."

Yumi wanted to ask, "So what is this thing that's the same as always?" but she firmly resisted. It would seem like jealousy, and that wasn't good.

"But enough about that, you were here for something, Yumi."

"Ah, well - "

Yumi started to speak, but then:

"I wonder if it's to talk about our amusement park date?"

Sachiko-sama was first to broach the subject.

"Yes."

Yumi's response was short and cheerful. But, in complete contrast to Yumi's effervescence, Sachiko-sama's eyes drooped and she seemed to hang her head.

"Indeed, I did say next weekend."

"Yeah"

Yumi had a bad feeling about this. The way Sachiko-sama exhaled, it was almost like a sigh.

"Is it, perhaps, inconvenient for you, or something?"

"Well, yes. But it's not something that I absolutely have to do no matter what."

So, even if Sachiko-sama said that Sunday was okay, having heard that, Yumi would have to respond with something like, "Your commitments should take precedence." That was the standpoint of the "accommodating petit soeur."

"Onee-sama, don't worry about me."

Despite her disappointment, Yumi smiled as hard as she could when she said this.

Even if they went out, Sachiko-sama was bound to think about her other duties and, therefore, not enjoy herself to the fullest, and it wasn't fun for Yumi to be with a distracted Sachiko-sama.

It really was a shame, but that's how it was, and she wasn't going to push her luck. She wasn't going to act spoiled like Touko-chan, and say, "Please onee-samaaa." That wasn't her personality.

"Really?"

Sachiko-sama asked, her face showing how much of a relief this was to her. Yumi had thought that she would show restraint by refusing at first and accepting the second time, but Sachiko-sama accepted as soon as Yumi offered.

"We'll definitely go the weekend after."

"Understood. Thank-you."

Looking at a relieved Sachiko-sama, Yumi thought, "Well, that's okay." Her onee-sama had been looking for a petit soeur that would put her at ease. Yumi took it as Sachiko-sama's way of saying, "I can relax when I'm by Yumi's side."

Yumi had been thinking that it would be nice to go home with her onee-sama, but the reality wasn't quite as enjoyable. With the postponement of their date once more, Yumi's energy was suddenly sapped.

The walked in silence out the entry, then along the path beside the library to the path lined with ginkgo trees. Sachiko-sama looked like she was deep in thought the entire way, keeping her head down. Yumi was worried, because it looked like it didn't matter to Sachiko-sama whether she was there or not. She wasn't someone who would habitually search for something to say.

Which was why Yumi spoke up, wanting Sachiko-sama to remember that she was there. Even if she wouldn't shift her gaze from the blooming hydrangeas.

"Umm, onee-sama. This thing you have to do, is it related to your father's work ?"

"No."

Sachiko-sama shook her head.

"Then, is it your family ?"

"Well, if I had to say, that's probably it. There's a lot of things "

Although it did sort of feel like she was avoiding answering the question, if it was about her family then it wasn't something that Yumi could keep pestering her about.

But now she was intrigued by what was more important to Sachiko-sama than their promise.

"Speaking of your family, is Sayako-obasama well?"

"Yes, thanks be to God."

"Your father too?"

"My father and grandfather are both fine too But, why do you ask?"

Sachiko-sama turned her head. Apparently suspicious because Yumi had raised a topic she'd never inquired about before.

"Ah, no reason."

Yumi hurriedly tried to allay Sachiko-sama's doubts.

"I just thought I'd ask."

But, having asked, Yumi was slightly relieved. Even if it was some family problem, it didn't sound like anyone was sick or anything. But, in that case, just what was it then?

Was it the same thing as the previous week? Or had something unexpected come up two weeks in a row? Would it be okay to ask her straight out, or not?

It was troubling.

"Touko-chan."

Suddenly, Sachiko-sama called out the wrong name.

"Huh?"

No, that wasn't it. She wasn't looking at Yumi, but further ahead. And there was, indeed, Touko-chan.

"Ah, Sachiko onee-sama."

Touko-chan had been leaning against the small iron gate that led to Maria-sama's garden and when she saw them she stood up straight and waved.

"Did you finish your conversation? Touko's waited here because hers was still on-going."

Sachiko-sama seemed to think for a moment before looking at Yumi.

"So, you see, Yumi. I'm sorry."

No sooner had she said this, then Sachiko-sama darted across the five yard gap to Touko-chan, and they walked off together. It happened in the blink of an eye. - Before Yumi had a chance to say anything.

Yumi was dumbfounded about having been left behind, but before long she prayed at the statue of Maria-sama, then out of necessity turned towards the main gate and started walking down the tree-lined path.

She wanted to keep a certain amount of distance between herself and those two walking ahead. With the current gap, Yumi thought she'd get the next bus after them, which was fine.

Touko-chan had gone home together with them before. But, until now, she'd never once snatched Sachiko-sama away from Yumi.

(Is it something they don't want to tell me about?)

Perhaps Sachiko-sama and Touko-chan were sharing a secret.

Supposing that was the case, why did it feel like she'd been backed into a corner?

Was she happy?

These were the questions Yumi asked herself.

She should be happy that she'd become the petit soeur of her beloved Sachiko-sama.

But then why did it feel so lonely?

Why did it sound hollow when her mind whispered that she was happy?