Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume9 Chapter5

The Maria Ceremony Inquisition

Part 1.

The angels sang as they walked.

They went in order of height, the archangels with wings, the flower-bearers with baskets of flowers hanging around their neck, the little angels, all of them costumed kindergarteners.

The angels had paraded the considerable distance from the kindergarten to the middle- and high-school buildings. – To pay a visit to all the Maria-samas within the campus.

They'd been blessed with good weather for this year's Maria Ceremony, and the clear blue sky spread out forever without a single cloud in it, like their heavenly mother's soul.

All the statues of Maria-sama had been adorned with flowers for today. The one that lived in the small grove near where the ginkgo-tree path split was no exception.

The usually white Maria-sama statue was, for today only, covered in flowers of many different colors. Noriko hadn't been expecting this, so was startled when she saw it on her way to school.

As she was heading to her classroom, Noriko looked out the hallway window and saw Shimako-san walking outside. She was carrying a medium sized cardboard box, walking quickly in the direction of the chapel.

"Shima … "

Noriko started to call out to her, but stopped. Her mind was likely occupied with thoughts about the Yamayurikai organized first-year welcoming event.

(I wonder if we'll have a chance to see each other after it's over.)

Noriko still had the juzu that she'd borrowed in her school bag. She'd been bringing it to school every day in case there was a chance to return it, but the opportunity had never arisen.

Borrowing Sumireko-san's magnifying glass and looking at the juzu while thinking of Shimako-san had become Noriko's daily routine.

Her soul felt cleansed just looking at those crystal beads. There was a tiny Buddha inlaid in the conspicuously larger bead just above the purple tassel. The Buddha was carved out of ivory or something similar, and though it was about the size of an adzuki bean, the detail was so fine that each of his fingers were clearly visible. The profoundly benevolent expression stirred the human heart. Wicked thoughts were forbidden when looking at Buddhist images, but it was such a splendid juzu that Noriko would unintentionally think, "This must be worth a fortune," when she held it.

"Noriko-san, have you heard from Rosa Gigantea what today's entertainment is?"

When Noriko arrived at her desk, a couple of her classmates came over and asked her this. Since they didn't have classes today, there weren't that many people in the first-year camellia classroom just yet.

"Entertainment?"

"For the welcoming ceremony the Yamayurikai are hosting after the mass, of course."

They all laughed innocently.

"It's a tradition that the executive members put on some kind of performance. Last year, when she was a bouton, Rosa Chinensis played Ave Maria on the piano. Shimako-sama can play the piano too, right? I'm sure it'll be good."

(Huh … even the Roses are going to a lot of trouble.)

Noriko liked watching amateur talent shows, but then Shimako-san was added into that mix, so of course her interest was piqued.

(I see. So Shimako-san's good at the piano … )

Her classmate's offhanded comment had been surprisingly informative. She also filed away the fact that the Roses' petit soeurs were called boutons.

At that moment, one of the students near the door came over to Noriko and said:

"The Roses are here to see you."

"Ah, okay."

Noriko walked out into the hallway thinking it would be Shimako-san, but there were two unexpected people waiting there.

(– Red Rose and Yellow Rose.)

Roses were Roses, but the color was different. It was the two third-years that Noriko had seen some time ago walking in the courtyard with Shimako-san. From memory, their titles were Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida.

"Gokigenyou. Are you Nijou Noriko-san?"

The tall girl with short hair, Rosa Foetida, asked her amicably.

"Yes … ?"

Noriko stood up straight and answered, not knowing why she'd been called out here. Sadly, while she had no interest in the Red or Yellow Roses, they were two grades above her. It would be a lie to say she was unafraid of them.

"Hmm."

In contrast to her partner, Rosa Chinensis looked Noriko up and down, appraising her.

"So this is Shimako's … "

Her casually arranged, long, glossy hair swayed gently.

"She's still a bit raw … although."

"Ah!"

Rosa Foetida suddenly grabbed Noriko's jaw, pointing her face in various directions.

"What are you doing!"

Noriko brushed off Rosa Foetida's hand.

"Oh, she's got some fight in her. Wonderfully fierce."

(What's up with these two… ! Treating me like some sort of animal!)

"She'll do, you think?"

"I suppose."

The pair looked at each other and conferred quietly. Then, after arriving at some conclusion, they said, "That's all, thanks," turned and left.

"Wait a minute."

Enraged, Noriko called to the two seniors.

"Mm?"

"You called me out here, you've come to some sort of agreement, and now you're leaving without an explanation?"

Rosa Foetida turned around and looked into the eyes of Noriko who was shaking with anger. Then she said, "She's got a point," and walked the couple of steps back to her.

"So you want to know why we came to see you? It's because we wanted to see your face – is that good enough?"

"You came to see my face?"

"Yep. We simply wanted to see your face."

"Why … ?"

"Because we wanted to see it, of course. It's not hard to answer why we wanted to see it. We wanted to see what we wanted to see, right? … Do you have any other questions?"

"No … I don't."

If they were going to answer like that, she had no idea what to ask. For some reason, she got the feeling they were trying to confuse her.

"Then in that case, I have one. Nijou Noriko-san, do you like Shimako?"

"I do, why?"

"Then it's fine. Good luck to you."

Rosa Foetida left her with that and returned to the waiting Rosa Chinensis and this time they left.

"Good luck she said … ? With what … ?"

Pondering those ambiguous words of encouragement, Noriko was returning to the classroom when she bumped into Touko-san, who was just leaving.

"First it was Rosa Gigantea, now you're sucking up to Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida as well, huh."

Touko-san said, with a look of hatred that seemed so out of place on her face.

"That's not it."

Noriko said as Touko-san walked away, but Touko-san didn't turn around.

"… Huh."

Noriko sighed in resignation. Her spirit felt exhausted. What would she have to do to get a peaceful school life?

Returning to her seat, Noriko saw that her school bag was sitting open on her desk.

(…?)

That sight made her feel incredibly uncomfortable. Noriko thought her bag had been hanging from the hook on the side of her desk when she'd left.

With a bad feeling, she hastily inspected its contents.

(Commuter pass, purse, pencil case … )

As she checked, the blood slowly drained from her face.

( … What do I do!)

The only thing missing was Shimako-san's juzu.

Part 2.

The morning was taken up with a mass for all high-school students, led by a priest from outside the school.

However, neither his sermon about gratitude nor the lovely voices of the choir entered into Noriko's consciousness. She couldn't stop thinking about the missing juzu.

(Just who would … )

She didn't want to think about that. However, when she left home, it was definitely in her school bag. Then she'd found the bag left there lying open – .

The only thing she could think was that someone had taken it.

(Just another prank? No, this is different.)

If it were just another prank, then the juzu would have been returned to her by now.

(But who? And why? Did they know it was a juzu?)

She couldn't look her fellow classmates straight in the eye. But it seemed unlikely that someone from another class would tamper with her bag, since they'd stick out like a sore thumb. Even if her classmates didn't know it was Noriko's bag, it obviously belonged to someone in first-year camellia class.

The culprit was among them.

A chill ran along Noriko's spine as she guessed at their motive.

When the mass finished, Noriko went looking for Shimako-san.

(What should I do? I have to tell Shimako-san about the juzu … )

She spent her lunch time scouring the school grounds, but in the end couldn't find the busy Rosa Gigantea.

Then, with Noriko completely exhausted and her shoulders slumping, the afternoon's event, the Yamayurikai organized new students' welcoming ceremony, began.

Part 3.

The ceremony began without any teachers or nuns present.

Lillian's Girls Academy respected the independence of its high-school students, so it was customary that the adults wouldn't intervene in the school council's events.

There were about two hundred first-years assembled in the chapel, seated by class in six blocks.

Six older students with corsages pinned to their chests, apparently members of the school council, were standing in the area where the priest had been not that long ago. It went without saying that the three in the middle had red, yellow and white roses befitting their titles. The three hanging back had pink rose corsages.

"To all first-year students, let me begin by congratulating you on entering high-school."

The student holding the mic and stepping forward looked incredibly striking. There was no need to check the color of the rose pinned to her chest, it was the senior that had brazenly appraised Noriko – Rosa Chinensis.

"Lillian's Girls Academy's high-school student council is called the Yamayurikai, after the mountain lily associated with Maria-sama's soul. Because of this, every year we hold a welcoming event for the first-years on the day of the Maria Ceremony."

Rose, lily, whatever. Fine, have a speech, but can't she wrap it up quickly?

However, it seemed Noriko was the only thinking that. The classmates around her were listening to Rosa Chinensis' words with rapt attention. For some reason, they seemed ten times more serious than when they'd been listening to the priest's sermon.

(… Shimako-san.)

Standing diagonally behind Rosa Chinensis, Shimako-san wasn't looking around restlessly like Noriko was. Since she didn't know what had happened, she stood there calm and composed.

(Shimako-sa~n. Something terrible has happened. What should I do?)

Even when Shimako-san did finally look her way, the distance was too far for her to do anything.

"As older students we happily welcome our new younger sisters. Together, let us enjoy our time at school in a manner that Maria-sama will approve of. We've been planning and practicing for what's happening next, so we hope you enjoy it."

Even if they hoped she'd enjoy it, Noriko wasn't really interested in hearing the council members sing or put on a talent show. But if it was Shimako-san playing the piano, then she might listen.

(– but it doesn't look like they're doing that.)

"We'll start with the presentation of commemorative medallions."

The mic had been handed over to the tall, short-haired girl – Rosa Foetida.

"When your class is called, line up in single file."

First-year plum class was lined up in front of Rosa Chinensis, wisteria class in front of Rosa Foetida and chrysanthemum class in front of Rosa Gigantea.

Incidentally, Noriko was in camellia class and it looked as though they'd be called last, to line up in front of Rosa Gigantea when chrysanthemum class was done.

From a distance, the medallion looked something like a pendant. It hung from a chain around the neck, like a medal.

"May the Virgin Mary bless you and watch over you."

Three people for six classes. But it didn't take as long as expected, because all they were doing was handing out the medals. Each Rose would take a medallion from the basket held by their pink-rose wearing assistant and skillfully place it around the neck of a first-year.

"Would peach class, pine class and camellia class step forward now."

While the announcement was still being made, Noriko sluggishly got to her feet. She wasn't interested in receiving a medallion, but there would be an outcry if she refused. She was worried about the juzu, so wanted this ceremony to be over as soon as possible.

"May the Virgin Mary bless you and watch over you."

Shimako-san said to each girl in turn as she placed a medallion around their neck. There were two more people in line ahead of Noriko.

(Perhaps someone's returning the juzu to my bag right at this moment.)

Noriko idly thought as she waited in line. However, all her classmates were currently in the chapel with her.

(One more.)

"May the Virgin Mary bless you and watch over you."

(Next.)

When the student in front of Noriko received her medallion and walked away, Rosa Gigantea appeared and smiled when she saw it was Noriko.

"May th– "

Shimako-san started to speak but was interrupted.

"Stop right there!"

The voice came from behind Noriko.

"That girl doesn't qualify to receive a medallion from Rosa Gigantea."

The owner of the voice stepped forward, pushing her way through the murmuring students.

"Touko-san!"

Noriko shouted when she saw her face.

"Esteemed Roses, please forgive me for interrupting this sacred ceremony."

Touko-san glanced at Noriko, then turned to the three Roses and bowed quickly. Her trademark ringlets bounced like springs.

"What is the meaning of this. Umm … Touko-san?"

"Please listen, Rosa Chinensis. Touko can't stay silent any longer."

There it was.

The certain kill, her watery eyes technique.

(Just what the heck is she going to say?)

A single bead of sweat broke out on Noriko's forehead.

"Just now, you said something about Noriko-san not meeting the qualifications to receive a medallion from Rosa Gigantea?"

"That's right, Rosa Foetida."

In her usual manner, Touko-san had succeeded in capturing the attention of the Red and Yellow Roses.

At that moment, the color of Rosa Gigantea's face changed.

(Shimako-san … ?)

Shimako-san's eyes were focused on a single point. Noriko followed her gaze and arrived at Touko-san's left hand.

(What's going on?)

Looking closer, Noriko let out an, "Erk." What Touko-san was tightly grasping would indeed have the power to change Shimako-san's complexion.

(I-I've got to get that back somehow.)

Noriko reached out for it, but Touko-san had obviously been expecting this and lifted her arm high in the air.

"This is more fitting for you."

With Touko-san's loud laughter as background music, the dazzling light coming through the stained glass windows caught the crystal juzu, making it shine brilliantly like a halo.

– Amen.

Part 4.

In truth, it wasn't the right time for it, but.

The way the juzu sparkled in the chapel was really pretty, and Noriko was mesmerized by it for a little while.

It may have been impudent, but didn't it fit in nicely?

"This is yours, right Noriko-san?"

Touko-san announced triumphantly, holding forth the juzu.

Noriko used her gaze to control Shimako-san, who looked like she was about to jump out, adopted an imposing stance and responded, "It's not mine."

It had been left in her care by Shimako-san, so it wasn't a lie. Of course she had no intention of mentioning who the real owner was.

"Just how did you come to the conclusion that it was mine, Touko-san?"

Noriko was peeved, having just been attacked. If Touko-san was looking for a fight, she'd get one.

"That was … "

The ringlets faltered for a moment. If she said she saw it in Noriko's school bag, then she'd have to admit to opening the bag without permission.

"Come on, why did you think that?"

(If you can answer, then answer!)

In front of Maria-sama.

"I accidentally bumped into Noriko-san's desk and it came flying out."

Touko-san's response was smooth, like she'd practiced it.

"Don't you lie to me!"

(How dare she lie so shamelessly in the chapel.)

Even if she was unwilling to back down from that, would someone normally open the pouch and look inside? On top of that, she'd silently taken someone else's personal belongings.

(Even kindergarteners should know not to steal someone else's things.)

"What do you say, Noriko-san. Is this your property, as Touko-san claims?"

This time it was Rosa Chinensis that questioned her.

"I told you it wasn't."

"You'd swear that in front of Maria-sama?"

"Of course."

Noriko answered, puffed up with pride. But when Touko-san heard this, she chortled.

"Well then, I can throw it away, right?"

"Huh!?"

The juzu left her hand and carved an arc through the sky.

"If it doesn't belong to you, then it's none of your concern, right?"

Rosa Foetida caught it, and started juggling the juzu. So, asking to have it returned would be the same as admitting it was hers, then.

She hadn't expected the Spanish Inquisition.

"So you're asking me to destroy the juzu to prove my faith? … Alright, I confess. It's mine."

"Noriko!"

Shimako-san rushed forwards, unable to contain herself.

The students who'd been quietened by the developments started to get noisy again with Rosa Gigantea's unexpected entry.

"Shimako-san, don't say anything unnecessary."

"But."

"It's okay. At the moment, I'm the one with the problem."

Noriko turned her back to Shimako-san and took a step forward, to protect her.

"Nice attitude."

Rosa Chinensis smiled elegantly. It was the first time Noriko realized that she may be an incredible beauty.

"It was never my intention to blaspheme before Maria-sama, but that doesn't mean I didn't bring the juzu to school. While it may have been my fault for bringing something unrelated to my studies to school, how is it different to a comic book or a CD? There's no prohibition against bringing Buddhist items to school."

Noriko talked on and on. She may have been making excuses or quibbling, but she was explaining as best she could.

"Oh, things just got real."

Rosa Foetida muttered in amazement.

"Give me back the juzu."

Noriko commanded, holding out her hand. However, Rosa Foetida did not return it.

"Not yet."

"If you want it back, tell us who it belongs to. Earlier, you said it wasn't yours, didn't you Noriko-san?"

Rosa Chinensis provided the cross-examination, bringing her gorgeous smile to bear on Noriko.

"Even now, you admit that you brought it to school, but you did not claim that it was yours. Which means that the owner must be someone else, no?"

"…"

She had to hand it to the school council. They hadn't overlooked a thing.

"Noriko … "

Noriko held back Shimako-san, who was about to step forwards. Then gently kept holding her hand, to reassure her.

But for all her outward show of strength, the problem had not been resolved. Noriko still stood on trial.

"Answer the question, Noriko-san."

"It's – "

She was lost for words.

Certainly, she'd done nothing wrong. But there were things she couldn't honestly say too.

(Because it would cause a problem for someone else … ?)

That's it.

If Noriko told the truth, this idiotic inquisition would turn its attention to Shimako-san.

That she would not allow.

(Because, ignoring myself for the moment, Shimako-san actually does truly believe in the teachings of Christ. Yet she's still prepared to leave the school if everyone finds out about her secret … )

"What's the matter, Noriko-san?"

Rosa Chinensis looked into Noriko's eyes, searching for an answer.

(What should I do … )

If she did say that the juzu was hers now, it may end the investigation. But if she did, she'd be lying in front of Maria-sama.

For Shimako-san's sake, Noriko was prepared to tell as many lies as she had to.

But would Shimako-san allow Noriko to lie on her behalf?

Noriko was backed into a corner.

(But, other than a lie – )

"Say something, Noriko-san."

"What happened to your earlier spirit?"

She knew that as long as she remained silent her opponents attacks would grow more impudent.

Shimako-san squeezed Noriko's hand tightly. She realized later that this was a sign that, "You've done well."

"That's quite enough!"

Shimako-san shouted. Noriko noticed she'd taken a half-step forward.

She took a deep breath, then said quite clearly:

"I'm the owner of that juzu."

"Shimako-san!"

As well as Noriko's shriek, there were also cries of "Shimako-sama" and "Rosa Gigantea." The chapel was in uproar, with face after face after face focused on Shimako-san.

Shimako-san looked over her shoulder, surveying the entirety of the chapel and the commotion instantly ceased.

"Would you care to explain?"

Rosa Chinensis looked directly at Shimako-san. Shimako-san initially nodded, then said, "Before that."

"Before that, I'd like you to excuse Noriko's behavior. Noriko was just protecting me."

"… How so?"

"Because I gave Noriko my juzu to look after. If there's a penalty, then I should take its full weight."

Shimako-san said resolutely.

"No, I should be the one … !"

Noriko jumped forward, but someone gently restrained her shoulder.

"Noriko-san, please don't interfere."

Surprisingly, it was Rosa Foetida.

"Wha … ?"

She whispered that it was okay, then turned her attention back to Shimako-san.

"Why would a devout Christian like you – "

Rosa Chinensis asked quietly.

Everyone waited with bated breath. For the words that would come from Shimako-san's mouth next.

"Because my family runs a Buddhist temple."

Words could not express how beautiful Shimako-san looked as she made this declaration, facing the cross.

Nobody said a word.

The strength drained from Noriko's body, and she fell on her butt.

(… She finally said it.)

Still sitting on the floor exhausted, Noriko looked up and saw that the blurry outline coming towards her was the real Shimako-san.

"You worked so hard to protect me, I'm sorry."

"Shimako-san!"

Noriko clung to her and cried like a child. She didn't understand why the tears wouldn't stop. Even though she didn't know what the tears were for, she let them give voice to her emotions.

(That's it, it's all over.)

She remembered what Touko-san had said some time ago. About enduring, but crying when you wanted to – it was exactly like that.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

Somewhere, someone was applauding.

"You finally said it, Shimako."

It was Rosa Chinensis.

"Oh brother. This year's entertainment was fairly over the top, wasn't it."

Rosa Foetida shrugged.

"Huh?"

Noriko and Shimako-san, still embracing, exclaimed in unison. The atmosphere in the room had changed somehow.

"A big round of applause to Shimako and Noriko-san for showing us a vision of beautiful sisterly love!"

Rosa Chinensis said into the mic (had she been holding that all along?), bringing the event to a climax.

"Huh? … Wha!?"

Unbelievably, the sound of applause surrounded them in the auditorium, like a sudden downpour of rain. What kind of magic was this, they all looked incredibly moved, as though they'd just watched a dramatic masterpiece. There were even some students who were crying as they applauded – just what was the meaning of this? To begin with, who among those students would be crying after finding out the truth?

Rosa Chinensis spoke to the bewildered pair.

"Why have you been hiding it until now? Did you really think that the daughter from a Buddhist temple couldn't attend a Catholic school?"

"Huh?"

"Honestly. I don't know if it's earnestness or stubbornness. But it was worth the buildup."

Rosa Foetida agreed, looking elated.

(Buildup?)

"Then, about my family – "

Rosa Foetida laughed when Shimako-san timidly started to ask.

"Of course we knew. My grandfather's a parishioner at Shouguu temple. Didn't you know that?"

"Wha!?"

"I'll tell you something else too. All of the parishioners know that you attend Lillian's too. They've got a bet going with the chief priest about when you'll come out and announce it."

"… No way."

Rosa Chinensis said it so easily. Even though Shimako-san had spent so much time agonizing over it.

"I didn't really think it was something that you had to admit. But, Shimako, keeping it hidden seemed to be causing you pain. I thought the best way would be for you to announce it in front of everyone. But that meant we had to deceive you. I apologize for that."

This was the "brouhaha" that Sumireko-san had talked about. Noriko sniffed, still not fully satisfied with the explanation.

(A public shaming in front of everyone, my tears – )

"Although I deserve a lot of the credit for spotting Noriko-san, right?"

"Touko-san!"

She chuckled and tilted her head when Noriko rushed over to her.

"You know, the Red Rose and Yellow Rose onee-samas begged Touko to help out. But playing a villain was such fun!"

Noriko remembered, all too late, that Touko-san had said she was joining the drama club.

"Then my outdoor shoes, and the clips in my indoor shoes, and the graffiti on my desk – "

"Of course? I wanted to give you a sense of impending danger, but a thumbtack would really hurt. When I saw her give you that cloth pouch behind the auditorium, I thought, "This is suspicious, there's definitely something here." Isn't Touko brilliant!"

Touko-san closed her eyes, slowly getting drunk on herself.

"Right. Let Touko give you one piece of advice Noriko-san – when you have something precious in your school bag, keep it locked. You're surprisingly absentminded, so anyone could look in your bag whenever they felt like it."

Such a sweet personality. Noriko felt dizzy thinking she'd have to spend the rest of the year in the same class as her.

"Rose onee-samas, Touko was of use to you, wasn't she? Your praise please!"

"Touko! Before that, you apologize!!"

Noriko's furious roar echoed around the tall ceiling of the chapel.

Part 5.

After the medallions were handed out to the remaining students, the Yamayurikai's first-year welcoming ceremony came to a close.

"Shimako did ask to be punished."

Rosa Chinensis said as they watched the first-years leave.

"I heard Noriko-san say she wanted to be punished too."

Rosa Foetida said, smiling.

"So we'll leave the cleanup to you." – With those parting words, the Yamayurikai executive and their assistants went on ahead.

"But it was kinda fun, hey."

Rosa Foetida whispered, so that Noriko and Shimako-san couldn't hear. Rosa Chinensis smiled slightly and said, "Yeah."

Shimako and Noriko-san were left behind.

Somehow it didn't make sense that they'd been publicly humiliated and then punished.

First of all, what was the punishment for?

(Did we actually do anything wrong? – Maria-sama, please tell me.)

But, naturally, the statue of Maria-sama in the chapel didn't offer any form of response.

"Noriko, can you bring me the dustpan?"

"Ah, okay."

Shimako-san, however, seemed invigorated and happy as she cleaned the chapel. Like the blue sky after a downpour, or a gentle breeze in early summer, or after finally letting out a sneeze that had been building up.

(So, well, it's fine.)

Noriko chose to think of it like that.

Maria-sama was watching over them.

The afternoon light coming through the stained glass windows made the room absolutely beautiful.

(I should send an email to Takuya-kun when I get home.)

To say that Buddhist statues were great. But statues of Maria-sama also had a distinct beauty to them.

(Going to churches to look at statues of Maria-sama could be fun too.)

As Noriko started to think this, the Maria-sama in a school uniform beside her turned towards her and smiled.

"Next time, why don't we go and look at Buddhist statues together?"

She said.

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