#nunsgacha

thank you to peace and gigi for proofreading (jp and en, respectively)!

chapter list

Mari: Oh my, it sure is lively here, isn't it? Kana: Hyah! You surprised me! Maria: Ah, you’re the Tennis Team’s… Hanaoka-sama. The mass already ended, though. Do you have something you need at the church? Mari: No, not at all. I didn’t come here to pray, since I’m not religious in the first place. I just swung by to see how you were doing, Maria-san. Maria: So that’s why? Mari: Yep. Azusa-san from my Tennis Team was worried about you. You caught a cold and passed out, didn't you? Azusa-san can’t come because she’s working in your stead at the infirmary. And so, I came to check on you instead. Maria: Ah… Thank you for taking the trouble to come all the way here. Fortunately, by the grace of God, I have completely recovered ♪ I have caused so much worry for everyone, haven’t I... I’m ashamed— no, it's unforgivable for me to have done so. I’ll need to property apologise to Azusa-sama as well… Mari: Hey, showing her a cheerful face is the best apology you could give her. If you’ve recovered, then that’s good enough ♪ I’m glad I’ll be able to give her a positive update too. Azusa-san should always have a sparkling smile on her face… ♪ Oh, yeah. While I’m at it, Kana-san, the dear children on the Volleyball Team were worrying over you, too. Kana: Eh? Me? Ah, right! I hurriedly ran to the church from the infirmary, and it’s just been so chaotic here… I forgot to tell everyone on the Volleyball Team! Mari: Yeah, give them a call at the very least. Apparently, the whole team went out looking for you. You shouldn’t make your friends worry too much, you know? I’m concerned, since you’re strict on both yourself and others. Don’t get yourself too worked up for everything, alright? Kana: U, uuu… You’re right, I’m sorry… H- How embarrassing! I ended up showing a pitiful side of myself to Hanaoka-senpai, whom I admire! Maria: Fufu. Ume-chan, you really are a clumsy person ♪ Kana: Look who’s talking! Better yet, this is all your fault~!! … Achoo ☆ Maria: Achoo? Kana: H, huh? Achoo, hchoo! Maria: Ume-chan, did you catch a cold? You must go to bed and relax! I shall nurse you back to good health… I’m returning the favor, since I caused you so much trouble… ♪ Kana: Come to think of it… You definitely gave me this cold! It’s said that you recover once you give the cold to someone else, and you look right as rain while I feel all sick~!? You're always like this, pushing all your troubles onto me! You always smile so peacefully and all, but I always get the short end of the stick! Achoo, aaaachoo! ☆ Maria: Ume-chan, you’ll hurt your throat if you keep shouting. Fufu. Taking in people’s troubles and impurities, and cleansing them even through suffering… Ume-chan, you’re really just like a saint… ♪ Compared to you, Ume-chan, I still need more faith. I feel like I just realized it… I’m a tiny bit frustrated ♪ I’m proud of you, Ume-chan.

Transfer Student-san, Hanaoka-sama too… Can we all pray for Ume-chan together? For my lovable childhood friend. Let’s pray, with all our hearts. It’ll definitely reach the skies, and the Lord will definitely, definitely give us his blessings. The Lord has watched over Ume-chan’s good deeds, after all… ♪

Maria: I have recovered elegantly… ☆ The Lord must’ve guided me, I feel fully recovered now! Maybe it’s because I slept at a weird time, or maybe it’s because of the medicine, my head feels a little heavy, but… ♪ Kana: Don’t force yourself to wake up— everything’s fine. Go back to sleep, I finished cleaning up almost everything! I said this before, but it’s the Sabbath— you should be resting! Maria: Ume-chan, don’t speak in such a loud voice… Sounds vibrate easily in the church— it’s hurting my head. Kana: So many complaints! Don’t you have something else to say to the transfer student and I?! You've caused so much trouble, yet you act like nothing's wrong… You’re always like this…! No matter how much trouble you cause others, you always, always go through life without a single care in the world! Maria: …… Kana: E— Eh? Don’t look so sad, I just spoke a little too harshly. Everyone has their ups and downs, right? Maria: It’s hard to tell if Ume-chan is strict or kind… But that’s a relief… ♪ Thank you, Ume-chan, and the transfer student too. I’ll never forget this favor for as long as I live. I’m embarrassed how much I cannot ascertain the situation… Ume-chan… We were as close as siblings before, but we drifted apart. I thought that you must’ve started disliking me, because I kept on making you mad all the time due to my carefreeness. So… I don’t really know how to say this, but I’m glad. Ume-chan is still the kind, reliable Ume-chan I knew after all… ♪ Uu, uuuu… Fuee...n… Kana: Eh, why are you crying~!? I have no idea what’s up with you! I’m myself, Umezono Kana! It’s not like your inseparable childhood friend would change that easily! Won’t you stop worrying over unnecessary things? Maria: I— I’m sorry. When I’m with Ume-chan, I feel so easily sentimental. I wonder why… Do you have a hobby of cutting onions or something, Ume-chan…? Kana: That doesn’t make sense… I don’t have such a silly hobby, are you making fun of me? You… You used to be such a crybaby. I don’t know when it happened, but you suddenly became all smiles all the time. Maybe it’s because when you’re with me, you remember the old days and return to being a crybaby? Maria: Hm, hmm. Maybe you’re right. When Ume-chan is with me, it’s like you’ve returned to the “old Ume-chan” too… ♪ Kana: What even is the “old Ume-chan”... Anyways, I’ve said this so many times already, but stop calling me “Ume-chan”! I feel like I’ve heard years' worth of “Ume-chan” all in one day!

Kana: Fufuu~n ♪ Look! Being Maria’s substitute is a piece of cake ♪ Of course! I’ve been close to her ever since we were cryin' babies, after all! It’s a simple task to “act like Maria”! When I was little, I used to help with church work anyways~ It’s actually pretty nostalgic, I’m starting to have some fun… ♪ … O-ouch!? Uuu~, I forgot that I had an injury… I can’t get too excited, I’ll do my best within the limits~ ♪ (I got through the most troublesome part, the Mass, already— it should be fine from now on, right?) (I mean, I still remember a lot of things like the proper way to offer prayers. Well, it’s no wonder, since I’m smart and diligent!) (But honestly, I'm starting to get a little tired...…) (It’s hard to look after the elderly and children…) (Well, I don't mind the older folks too much. I actually like the grandparents here.) (If there was something I didn't understand, they were there to teach me something new… ♪) (There were a lot of people who still remembered me too!) (Being told things like, “Long time no see Ume-chan, you’ve grown so much”... I was glad to hear them~ ♪) (The children were the troublemakers! I’m supposed to read the Bible passages to them, or sing songs!) (They wouldn’t listen to a single thing I said… So irritating!) (Yet they would come clinging to me so annoyingly, like nothing happened…) (My hair got pulled and they touched me all over too! Ugh!) (But as much as I hate to admit it, they’re all super cute.) (When I was handing out cookies, they would stretch their tiny hands and plead, “Gimme gimme, I want some toooo!”... ♪) (I remember when we were little, Maria and I used to do the same thing…) (Always arguing about who would get more cookies…) (Maria was such a crybaby though… In the end, I would end up giving all my cookies to her.) (Every single time too! So unfair, hmph!) (... I wonder if Maria is doing fine… She's properly resting, right?) (I made her drink medicine and go to sleep, but she’s much more stubborn than she seems!) (She wouldn't even listen to me when we were kids!) (I have to make sure that she isn’t doing anything she’s not supposed to!) (That's all! It’s not like I’m worried about her or anything!) (I’ll clean up later, for now I’ll go check up on Maria….. Hm?) Hey! You brats! Stop playing in the church and hurry up and go home~! Don’t touch the stained glass, it’d be dangerous if it broke! You’d get hurt! Nngh, you want to play soccer outside? Fine, I’ll join too— but only if it’s volleyball ♪ You don’t know the rules? What're they even teaching you in school?

Fine, I’ll teach you guys how to play! Ask Ume-chan sensei anything! Fufuu~n ♪ Uwah, stop tugging my hand! Don’t come close, so annoying! Seriously, stop touching me with your cookie-crumb-stained hands! For God’s sake, these kids really are so annoying… ♪

Kana: Mariaaaa~?! Are you okay? Are you alive? Please tell me you’re fine~! Maria: Oh, Ume-chan. You're quite loud today; has something happened? The Lord values silence, you know? Kana: Wh- what!? Wh, why are you acting so normal?! Oooh, oooh, oooh! Now I feel so stupid for coming back home in such a hurry! Maria: My, I don't quite understand what you're talking about... It’s been a while since you last came to our church, Ume-chan! Welcome, welcome, I'll prepare some tea~♪ Kana: Is this even the right situation to be drinking tea?! A- Are you okay? I heard that you caught a cold, shouldn’t you be sleeping? Maria: I don’t have the time to sleep— Sabbath Day Mass is about to begin. Even if my body is weakened from sickness, my faith is hard as steel. Yes, my devotion to the Lord is helping me stand even now… and I take pride in that…☆ Kana: Are you a martyr!? If it’s Sabbath, then you should be resting, not working yourself to the bone! I’m sure God would agree with me as well! Maria: Hohoh… You can speak for God just as a prophet does, Ume-chan? Oh...? Ume-chan... Where on Earth did you obtain such a fine beard? You look quite divine…☆ Kana: That’s the Lord, not me! Why are you talking to a cross, are you hazy from your fever? Uwah, your eyes are out of focus, and you’re wobbling too! Ugh, why did that transfer student leave Maria like this!? What a useless idiot…! Maria: Oh, the transfer student was being annoying, saying things like "please don’t force yourself and rest", so I locked him in solitary confinement. He’s probably talking with God, or with his inner self right now…♪ Kana: You're so excessive sometimes, you know?! I mean, the fever's not helping at all, but–! You've been this way ever since we were kids! You'd always act weird whenever you caught a cold, and it’s all thanks to that belief in God of yours! Maria: Fufu… The first time I spoke with an angel was when I had also caught influenza and had a high fever…♪ Kana: That’s just a delusion your fever caused! Ugh, just rest already! If I leave you like this right now, I feel like something super annoying is gonna happen! Maria: But… I have to attend Mass as a disciple of God… Kana: Ugh, I’ll do it in your place! Forget going, seriously, and rest! Please just listen to me sometimes, Maa~chan! Maria: …Maa~chan. Kana: I- A- Calling you that old name was an accident! Forget it! I said nothing! J-just hurry, go to bed, and sleep! Your job right now is to rest! I’m sure God would agree with me as well! Just leave everything to me! As long as you have me, you have no reason to pray to God! There’s nothing for you to worry about! Maria: …… Y-yes. You're as right as ever, Ume-chan. I’ll do as you ask, so please stop making that face. If you make such a sad face, my heart will ache...

Azusa: Relax a little, okay? The disinfectant'll string just an itty bit~☆

Kana: …Nngh!?

Azusa: Azusa told you to relax, didn't she~? ♪ There we go, all done~☆ 

You handled the pain really well~! Good girl, good girl ☆

Kana: You’re my underclassman, aren’t you? So cheeky!

Azusa: Eheheh~, sorry ♪ 

Now to bandage it all up~, and we’re finished with the treatment ☆ Now you can show off your sparkling smile again ☆

Kana: Ugh! I can’t smile knowing that I just got hurt when there’s gonna be a practice match soon! 

Damn you, Nekozuka… 

She must have skipped mopping the court! I slipped on the dust and fell because of that! Oooh, oooh, ooooh!

Azusa: Luckily it's only a scratch ☆ 

Make sure you don't stick it in the hot water when you bathe, okay? ☆ Take care~☆

Kana: Yeah, thanks– for treating me, I mean.. You’re… the tennis club’s Kobato-san, right? 

It’s a Sunday, so why are you working in the infirmary today?

Azusa: Ehem ♪ Actually, a tennis ball directly hit Azusa's forehead, so Azusa came to treat that as well~☆ 

Also, the Healthcare Committee has a rotation in place, and so there’s always at least one person in the infirmary after school and on weekends~☆ 

Today it’s supposed to be Maria-senpai’s shift, but due to certain circumstances, she’s not here ☆ 

It’s fortunate that Azusa happened to be here when you came~☆

Kana: Nngh? That Maria… 

Always saying things like "hard work is a virtue ♪" with such a pleased expression... Is she skipping? 

What happened to her? She prays all day and doesn't seem like she's got any hobbies, so what do you mean by "certain circumstances"?

Azusa: Oooh? From the way you talk, Umezono-senpai... are you acquainted with Maria-senpai?

Kana: Not even close. I’ve known her since when I was a baby, whether I like it or not. We’ve been together all through kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school just because of our families!

Azusa: Wow~☆ It’s surprising, since Maria-senpai and Umezono-senpai are, like, total opposites~☆

Kana: It’s not like I’m close with her or anything, I've just known her since we were younger. 

Our houses are right next to each other too, so I always see her whether I want to or not…!

Azusa: Azusa's sooo jealous~☆ She would love to have a relationship like that, where you get to grow up like sisters with someone else ☆

Kana: It’s not all fun and games, you know. I've got chronic stomach pain 'cause of her… 

Maria’s always been absent-minded, ever since she was a child! Augh, so annoying!

Azusa: Ahaha ♪ That kind of feeling of knowing someone inside out is what Azusa's jealous of~☆ 

…Oops. Anyways, Maria-senpai lives right next to you, right? Then that’s perfect ☆ 

Umezono-senpai, once you get home, can you check up on how Maria-senpai’s doing?

Kana: Nngh, what do you mean?

Azusa: It's that "certain circumstance" Azusa told you about~. Maria-senpai apparently got sick. ☆ 

When Azusa came to treat her forehead, Azusa found Maria-senpai on the infirmary's floor with a flushed face ☆ 

It seems like she caught a cold~☆ 

It’s easy to catch a cold in a place like the infirmary, you know? 

Azusa made her drink medicine and made the transfer student— who was coincidentally with us— take her home, but… 

Azusa’s worried, so it would be nice for Umezono-senpai to check up on her ♪

Kana: O-oh, that’s a little worrying. 

Fine, I owe you one, so I’ll go check on her. 

I got hurt too, so I should go home and rest instead of showing up at practice for the volleyball team again anyways… 

Checking up on that stupid Maria’s condition is a cheap price compared to what you’ve done!

Azusa: Eheheh, thank you~☆

Kana: D-don’t mistake it for anything else okay! 

The transfer student took Maria home, so I’m just worried that he might've shown his true colors as one of those phony "nice guys" on the way back! 

Maria’s sick and weakened, so if she gets attacked by the transfer student, there’s no way she’ll be able to go against him! 

She’s not used to boys either, so if he's too sweet on her then he'll take her out in one shot too! 

I'd feel awful for her parents if anything happened to her! 

That’s the only reason I’m doing this!

Azusa: Okay, Azusa will just leave it like this ☆ 

You’re really nice, Umezono-senpai~ 

Azusa understands how you could be Maria-senpai’s childhood friend ☆

Kana: Being her childhood friend is a curse in my life! 

Anyways, thank you for treating me! I’ll make sure to hurry and head home, bye-bye! 

Oooh, that Maria~! Always causing me trouble…!

Azusa: Eheheh ♪ They really are "similar", even if they seem like opposites at first~☆