Reiko's Manners

[1]

“They’re blooming wonderfully this year too.”

　The white magnolia visible outside the window is swaying in the wind.

　Two months have passed since I started to live by myself. My self-centered grandmother died recently and, though this may sound cold, I was actually relieved. She was my grandmother but she preferred to be called Mary-sama.

　In her last two years, Mary-sama who suffered from dementia started speaking in French, I helped Fuki-san care for her since Fuki-san cannot speak French. It was really painful. But I’m glad Fuki-san didn’t hear about the horrible things she said.

“Well, I have to get going soon. I’ll be late for the entrance ceremony.”

　Originally, I was too impoverished to afford high school, but I was given a special recommendation by my junior high school teachers to take an exam at the prestigious Meisei Private Academy, which has a special scholarship system which include tuition exemptions and provide all school supplies.

Scholarships that do not require repayment are also provided. 50,000 yen a month! You can live well if you have 50,000 yen!

　The uniform at Meisei Private Academy, which I will go to for the next three years, is really splendid. The sewing is also wonderful. The disadvantage is that it is white. It would be very noticeable if dirty.

　White blazer, white skirt, ruffled blouse and ribbon tie.

　It’s a lady specification. It doesn’t suit a poor lady like me. I can’t check my whole body because the only mirror is one with a small washbasin that’s broken and cloudy, but I don’t think there’s any problem with my appearance. Fuki-san isn’t here to fix my hair so I cut it myself, thus, the ends were rattled and weaved together. They are tied with a ribbon of French-made Argentan lace, which is a heirloom from Mary-sama. At least it looks fashionable.

    The school-designated bag I am holding is a famous brand item with a rose and pen school emblem embroidered on it. This fine bag contains two rice balls wrapped in bamboo skin, boiled wild vegetables picked from the back mountain, fried eggs, and writing instruments. Unlike the fine bag it is, its contents seemingly contradict with it.

“Hrnn! Hrnngh!”

　Prying the poorly built sliding door with both hands, the door opened with a rattling sound, a field and a blue sky spread in front of me. And then I close the door, again with force. I locked it, but there’s really nothing to steal, so it’s not very meaningful.

　In the first place it can be invaded from the edge. Crime prevention is important just for the sake of it after all. Even so, this lock can be opened with just one hairpin….

　There was still time before the bus arrived, so I walked to the bus stop. There is one bus around here in the morning and evening. A 40-minute bus ride and a one-hour train ride from a large terminal station will take you to Tokyo’s prestigious school, Meisei Private Academy. It will take almost 2 hours to reach school, but since I have a scholarship paid, this is not a problem.

　Meisei Private Academy is a prestigious school with elementary, junior, high schools, and universities.

　Universities are widely open for admission, but there are few students up until high school. It seems that everything is important for admission, not only in grades but also in family. Meanwhile, about five scholarship students enroll in high school every year to increase their admission rate in famous universities. These five students are expected to gain admission to prestigious schools such as Cambridge, the University of Tokyo, Harvard, and Stanford, as well as perform meritorious deeds. Of course, the cost of taking the exam is paid for by the school.