The magazine that Yoshino-san leafed through was the February edition of "Cosmos Friend."

Inside the Valentine"s Day special was a "Wrapping corner", and Yoshino-san had brought it thinking that it might be useful as a reference. Although it looked like the true owner of that magazine was Yoshino-san"s onee-sama, Rei-sama.

"Hmmm."

The "Wrapping corner" was a double-page spread, so didn"t take long to finish reading. It contained things like how to make heart-shaped boxes, how to wrap things so it looked like there was a flower on top, and how to cope when there wasn"t enough wrapping paper. There were plenty of good ideas, but nothing that made them exclaim, "This one, this one," after seeing it.

Basically, the "something" that they all felt was lacking made them unable to reach a decision about the wrapping paper.

Yoshino-san"s fingers deftly flipped through the pages of a serialized novel and the announcements of new Cosmos publications. The "Cakes for February and March" also flew past and she arrived at the Cotton Club"s "Try it Yourself" section. That page contained details on how to hand-make various items.

"Wouldn"t the candy be more of an ornament to these?"

Shimako-san said. She was sitting beside Yoshino-san and had been watching on. That was pretty much what Yumi had been thinking, so she instinctively agreed, saying, "Yep." The items on that page all looked difficult enough to make to warrant that reaction.

"These would be a walk in the park for Rei-chan."

Yoshino-san groaned as she crossed her arms. It was probably a matter of how much skill they had, and how much time they could put into making these items.

But, that was fine. It was nice to have a cute wrapping for the candy, but wrapping was wrapping after all, and once the package had been opened its role was finished.

But if they gave them something handmade, and the recipient liked it, then she could keep using it long into the future - that"s what Yumi was thinking.

"If we choose something simple, we should be able to do it."

Shimako-san said, pointing towards the first picture. Around it were a number of small items, all marked as "For beginners."

"But, even so. You and I need two, Shimako-san, and Yoshino-san needs three."

No matter how easy they were, the numbers made it difficult.

"That"s true."

Even though her tone of voice made it sound like she was troubled by this, Yoshino-san appeared to be stifling a smile. She seemed quite pleased that she had received one more chocolate for Valentine"s day than the other two.

"Well, Shimako-san has Noriko-chan, so people would have held back, right? And since Yumi-san is Sachiko-sama"s pet.i.t soeur, they may have thought that you"d refuse the chocolate too."

Was that a.n.a.lysis supposed to be a show of humility or something?

"Well, when compared to the bulging bags full of gifts that Rei-chan received, three is so tiny, so cute."

Apparently three chocolates weren"t enough to make her happy.

"Speaking of Rei-sama, what was she doing about return gifts this year?"

Yumi swung the conversation that way, looking for a point of reference. From memory, she baked cookies for everyone last year.

"Well, about that."

Yoshino-san closed the magazine and leaned in closer, as though to say, "Listen up."

"The gift givers took the admirable step of telling her, "We know you"re going to be busy with graduation and so on, so there"s no need for any return gifts." But, it"s Rei-chan, you know? There"s no way she could just say, "Thank-you," and leave it at that."

Indeed.

"So then what?"

"She didn"t want to discard their thoughtful gesture, so she"s not giving any return gifts on White Day, instead she"s decided to wait until spring break to express her grat.i.tude."

Yoshino-san then grumbled about the difficulty of obtaining the gift givers" addresses, since that wasn"t written on the wrapping or cards. Indeed, nothing would make it through the post if it only includes the girls" names and cla.s.ses.

"That"s so like Rei-sama."

"She"s decided to hand-make exquisite, elaborate cards. Really, she"s such an idiot."

Okay.

Setting aside whether or not she was an idiot, that"s just the kind of person Rei-sama was. This year, she hadn"t been able to make Yoshino-san chocolates because she"d had one exam after the other on Valentine"s day, so instead she gave her a handmade card.

"Have you used it yet? That, you know, umm, "Valentines chocolate request coupon"?"

Yumi inquired, and Yoshino-san answered, seemingly bored.

"Not yet. I"ve been thinking about what to get, though."

"And have you come to a decision?"

This time it was Shimako-san that asked. And the answer she got back was:

"Truffles."

"Huh?"

"Truffles, I said. Rei-chan"s deluxe, handmade chocolates truffles."

"Chocolate truffles?"

By reflex, Yumi and Shimako-san looked at each other. Chocolate truffles were fairly low-key. Yoshino-san could request whatever she wanted, so was free to choose something bigger or flashier. There was no need for restraint. Rei-sama was more skillful than a professional, so no matter the request she"d probably be able to fulfill it.

"Two years ago, she gave them to Eriko-sama. I"d like to try them, to see how good they are."

"&h.e.l.lip; Ah."

There it was, Yoshino-san"s eternal rival, Eriko-sama.

Having graduated last spring with an outstanding academic record, Eriko-sama was Yoshino-san"s onee-sama"s onee-sama, making their relationship one of "grandmother" and "granddaughter."

Normally, this relationship was one of doting and indulgence, but in this case they both competed for Rei-sama, sandwiched between them. Musashi and Kojirou.

"Even now, you"re competing with her."

"Sort of."

Yoshino-san spoke earnestly.

"I have a lot of different thoughts about Eriko-sama."