"Uu, no! It was right here. Even Mom doesn't believe me. Uuu!!!" Maria kept wailing regardless.
"I'm looking because I believe you. But it's obviously nowhere to be found."
"Uu! But it was here. Right here, but I can't find it. Uuu!"
"Then someone must have pulled it out. Anyway, stop making that uu sound."
"Uuu—who pulled out Maria's rose? Who took it away? Give it back, give it back. Uuu—"
"How would I know? Stop yelling. Stop making that uu sound."
Rosa Ushiromiya slapped Maria across her left cheek. For only that instant, Maria fell silent and stopped making a fuss. But naturally, it only lasted an instant. Once Maria realized her wish would not be granted and had instead been rejected, she began crying even louder.
"Uuuu—Maria's rose. Maria's rose. Uuuu—"
"I keep telling you to get rid of that strange verbal tic, but you never listen. That's why your classmates look down on you. Don't push it too far."
Another slap struck Maria's face.
This time, she did not fall silent. Instead, as though a dam had burst, she cried louder and louder. Rosa Ushiromiya was clearly growing impatient and raised her hand again, intending to silence her daughter.
"Aunt Rosa, please don't get angry yet. I mean, she's still young. You don't need to take her so seriously."
Lin Yan gave a wry smile and rubbed his hands together, trying to smooth things over. But Rosa Ushiromiya gave him a stern glare, and he deeply understood that he should not meddle in other people's business.
"I'm sorry, but could you go back to your rooms first? Auntie has something to say to Maria."
"Uu! Nobody believes in Maria's rose. It was right here. Uu, look for it. Hurry and look. It was here. Right here. Uuu—"