マリア様がみてる
子羊たちの休暇

Maria-sama ga Miteru:
Kohitsuji-tachi no Kyuka

(Maria Sama is watching:
Vacation of the Lambs)

 

 

Sachiko-sama's hand was originally icy because of air-conditioning, but it was warmed up by the outside air and Yumi's hand, and was now sweating.

The ladies' room was quite crowded. It was the summer vacation, so old ladies, mothers, sisters and small girls were forming a queue. There were even babies on baby beds, moving their legs in satisfaction after they had their diapers changed.

"After you finished, wash your hands and wait here."
"Okay."
Noddingly Yumi queued at the end.
"Hey, it is your turn next, Yumi. The innermost compartment is empty."
Onee-sama was not always a coordinator (仕切り屋, originally meaning recyclers who classify garbage to different categories) like that, but she sounded so dependable when she unhesitantly coordinated things. It was as if Yumi had returned to childhood, and was going out with her mom.

By the time Yumi finished using the washroom and let cold water running down to her hands, she felt much more refreshed.
"Why not I buy some juice?"
Sachiko-sama, who was standing in front of the next basin, talked to Yumi in the mirror.
"I will buy some juice as gratitude to your lunchbox."

"Well"
In this situation it is better to straightly let people treat. Onee-sama would like to do something like an elder sister from time to time.
"Besides, I would also like some ice-cream."
After wiping her hands, Yumi put away her handkerchief into her bag, turned 45 degrees to the right, and faced the non-reversed, real Onee-sama.

"Well, can't help it."
Sachiko-sama was grumbling on her lips, but she was in fact quite delighted.
She queued for a while at the drive-in shop, and brought back soft ice cream.

(I took a little advantage from my Onee-sama -- Great!)
Her legs were not wobbly anymore, but Yumi walked up and took Onee-sama's hand. On her right hand was delicious soft ice cream, and on her left hand was her favorite Onee-sama.

"It's hot."
Despite her words, Sachiko-sama did not push back Yumi's hands, so everything is fine, and they continued to walk that way.
The black car was very eye-catching, and they could find the car immediately among the many cars in the lot. The driver, who was also taking a break, immediately returned, and waved to the two to show the directions.

Sachiko-sama stepped slightly ahead and pulled Yumi's hand. The fifteen-minute break was five minutes overtime.
"We are leaving soon. Finish it quick."
"Okay."

My heart.
Covered with soft ice cream, and melted into Ogasawara Sachiko-sama.
Not only cool, but very soft and sweet when I taste it.

(Marvellous!)
-- That was Yumi's brain, melting together with the soft ice cream.


 

Copyright 2003 Konno Oyuki / Shueisha
(C) 2003 今野緒雪・集英社
Translation v1.0 OTYAKU.COM
All rights reserved for original author and translator