"I still don't know if I'm cut out for this," Shimako muttered.
Sei wrapped her arm around the shoulder of her former petite soeur and attempted to look her directly in the eyes. "Don't worry," she said. "I'm confident that you'll do a fine job, Shimako-san...or should I say, Rosa gigantea?"
"Well, that's just the thing. Being one of the three Lady Roses is a great honor, but having everyone address me as Rosa gigantea is a bit much, don't you think?"
"Oh, you'll get used to it after a while. The other girls don't seem to mind. Nobody's holding them at gunpoint and forcing them to say it. It's just another one of those funny Lillian customs."
Sei's words of encouragement confused and disturbed Shimako a bit, as Shimako didn't fully understand the meaning behind the metaphor. After a few seconds of trying to figure it out, she smiled back at Sei and nodded.
"I see," she said. "Well, if you really believe that I can handle it, I'll do my best to uphold that honor."
Sei giggled, and kissed Shimako lightly on the cheek. "You don't have to do it for me, but I appreciate the sentiment anyway."