Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume9 Chapter9

Behind the Scenes of the Maria Ceremony Inquisition

Part 1.

Yumi was already nervous.

The four instigators, plus Touko-chan, had gathered before 7:30 in the Rose Mansion for a final meeting, which had just ended. Since they had to arrive at school before the two leading actresses in order to set out their net.

"Yoshino, you're in charge of escorting Shimako to the chapel when she arrives."

"Roger."

"Yumi-chan, you're to wait by the first-year shoe lockers and let us know as soon as Nijou Noriko arrives at school."

"Okay."

Rei-sama briskly confirmed their assigned roles.

"Now, Touko-chan."

"Ye~s. I've got to get the juzu."

She was in high spirits. Even her ringlets seemed to have gained extra bounce somehow.

"I wonder if Nijou Noriko will have brought the juzu today."

Not a morning person, Sachiko-sama spoke lethargically.

Indeed. The juzu. That was the main point. Without it, they couldn't proceed with Rei-sama's rewrite of the script, "The Maria Ceremony Inquisition."

"Ah, but, it's always been kept hidden in her bag, even up to yesterday. She was probably planning on waiting until Rosa Gigantea had some free time after the Maria Ceremony to return it to her."

"Huh!?"

What did you just say Touko-chan? That you've been peeking inside your classmate's bag every day?

(They're friends, friends.)

Yumi shook her head, and recited this in her mind.

"Well then, let's pray for success."

Everyone nodded at Rei-sama's words, then scattered to their assigned locations. There wasn't another meeting organized. The next time the five were all assembled would probably be during the event itself.

Yumi hurried to the shoe locker room.

On the way, her eye was suddenly caught by the statue of Maria-sama at the end of the corridor. Unlike every other day, Maria-sama was adorned with a floral necklace. Today was the Maria Festival.

When she was young, today of all days she'd try to be a good girl, and not fight with her friends. But this year, she found it a bit difficult to look Maria-sama straight in the eye.

Yumi hoped that once it was all over, she'd be able to properly confess to Maria-sama.

She was looking forwards to being able to proudly proclaim, "That's my friend."

(– But if things go south, that won't happen!)

She spotted Shimako-san ahead of her down the corridor, much earlier than they'd expected her to arrive at school.

"Oh no."

Yumi immediately hid behind a pillar. If they met here, their plan would go awry right at the start. According to the script, Yoshino-san was supposed to get Shimako-san to assist her because Yumi was late to arrive.

(W-what should I do … )

She had to get to the shoe boxes so she could watch for Nijou Noriko. But Shimako-san was in her way. There weren't that many people that had arrived at school just yet that she could try and fool Shimako-san into thinking she was just another face in the crowd either.

(Well, in that case I've got no choice.)

Yumi turned back, climbed the stairs, then walked towards the main entrance before descending the next set of stairs, taking the long way around.

"Fukuzawa-san, quiet in the hallway."

Thanks to the teacher's warning, she hadn't managed to escape unscathed. Looking at her watch, it was 7:45. Nijou Noriko generally arrived a bit after 8, but that was just an average, so there was some variation either earlier or later. Especially for students who caught the bus from the train station, traffic problems that caused a 10 to 15 minute delay were a common occurrence.

Descending the stairs, as she was turning towards the shoe-boxes, Yumi caught a glimpse of Shimako-san from behind, in roughly the same spot Yumi had been before her detour, and looking none the wiser.

(Sorry.)

Instinctively she clasped her hands together.

"… What are you doing, Yumi-san?"

"Oowah."

Her heart jumped.

"Ma-mami-san."

"Gokigenyou. Did something happen to Shimako-san?"

"No, not at all."

"Really?"

"Yeah … "

"Well, okay. But it's definitely smelled like something's been going on these last few days. It seems interesting, but I haven't dug too deeply, instead waiting to see how it turns out. Especially since you've reserved me a front-row seat."

"Ahahaha."

So that's how it was.

It would be pointless trying to deceive her. Mami-san was playing the role of Shimako-san's assistant today. When it happened, she'd know the inside story.

"Um, Mami-san."

"I know, I know, keep it a secret from Shimako-san. But in return, when it's over, I want the full story. An interview with Rosa Chinensis or Rosa Foetida to accompany the article in the "Lillian Kawaraban.""

"I can't promise anything, but I'll have a word with my onee-sama."

"Okay. I'll keep quiet for today."

The way she airily walked away showed she was looking forward to it. But Yumi, still startled by these events, didn't have time to enjoy herself.

"Gokigenyou, Yumi-sama."

"Gokigenyou, Rosa Chinensis en bouton."

It looked as though there were always first-years who knew all about the Yamayurikai members even though they'd only just entered high-school, as Yumi was greeted by a succession of students she didn't know while she waited near the first-year shoe boxes. Although the polite juniors were actually quite cute.

"May I inquire as to who you're waiting for?"

The end result was that one of them approached her.

(This isn't good.)

She was totally standing out. Even though Yumi had been chosen for this task on the basis that Nijou Noriko would walk by without noticing her. What had she done to attract this much attention?

(Maybe I should move.)

Since she didn't have to worry about being spotted by Shimako-san, Yumi decided to move from the shoe-box room to the hallway adjoining the room. But even then, her situation wasn't all that much changed, so Yumi moved further back to the point where she could just make out the entrance and resumed her stakeout.

(Black, longish bob cut … )

As 8 o'clock approached, Yumi grew steadily more nervous. The face that she'd been intently searching for had not yet appeared. Yumi wouldn't have mistaken her in a line-up of students, but it was possible that she could have slipped past unnoticed in the crowd.

(Maybe I should have waited by her shoe box, even if I did stand out.)

Just as Yumi was starting to head back, a girl walked past her.

(Huh … !?)

She seemed to sparkle for a moment, as though someone were saying, "It's her." Yumi rubbed her eyes and looked again, but there was no fluorescent paint or gold thread, just a girl in a normal school uniform walking away from her. But there was no doubt that it was Nijou Noriko.

(Ah, ah.)

With her legs in a tangle, Yumi frantically chased after her. The plan was that Yumi would report to Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama, who were waiting in a different corridor, after confirming that Nijou Noriko had entered into the first-year camellia classroom.

Unaware that she was being followed by an older student, Nijou Noriko walked calmly along the corridor. She had no idea what was going to happen to her today. – On that point, Yumi could sympathize.

(Hm?)

She suddenly stopped in the middle of an empty hallway.

(What is it?)

Thinking she'd been spotted, Yumi immediately looked for a place to hide, but unfortunately there was nothing large enough for her to hide behind.

(Outside?)

Nijou Noriko was looking out through an open window.

Indeed, the weather was fine today. Just like Maria-sama's soul.

(Even so, what's with that expression?)

Even from a distance, her face looked gentle and kind. Or, to put it another way, she looked happy.

After Nijou Noriko had departed carrying her bag, Yumi went over and looked out the window from where she'd been standing.

"–"

She knew she'd lost.

No, it had never been about winning or losing. But it was the final realization that she should entrust Shimako-san to this first-year, Nijou Noriko.

Framed by the rectangular window, she could just make out the figures of Shimako-san and Yoshino-san carrying cardboard boxes full of medallions.

Part 2.

Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama walked side-by-side.

Ahead of them was the first-year camellia class. The classroom that Nijou Noriko was in.

Yumi followed along a couple of steps behind them, unsure of her place.

Would it really all be resolved peacefully after starting with an attack like this?

Perhaps being given this chance to come clean would be a nuisance to Shimako-san. Perhaps she'd prefer to have an uneventful time at school, nestled close with Nijou Noriko as her petit soeur.

"What are you mumbling about, Yumi?"

"Um, nothing."

"Yu~mi-chan. I don't want to hear it if it's something we can't do anything about at this point."

"Ah, right."

There was no point saying it if they weren't going to listen.

Sachiko-sama told her to stand back a bit, so reluctantly Yumi stood next to the wall about 5 metres away. Looking idly out the window, Yumi played the role of "person waiting for someone." She probably wasn't putting enough effort into her acting for it to look strained, or like she was hamming it up. Instead, she'd taken on the role completely.

"Would you mind calling Nijou Noriko-san over?"

Sachiko-sama said to a student in the vicinity of the classroom's front door.

"Alright."

The student seemed completely shocked by the sudden appearance of the two Roses, but quickly straightened up and responded.

"Please wait here a moment."

Handling it splendidly.

At the same time their messenger disappeared into the classroom, Touko-chan quietly left her stand-by position in the hallway and entered through the rear door.

(Oooh, it's started … )

There was no turning back now. All she could do was give it her best and not worry about the outcome.

Nijou Noriko emerged from the classroom. She seemed slightly confused when she saw Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama, as though they weren't the people she expected to have called for her.

"Gokigenyou. Are you Nijou Noriko-san?"

Rei-sama broke the ice.

"Yes … ?"

Nijou Noriko responded carefully, as though trying to sound out her opponent's state of mind.

"Hmm."

Sachiko-sama looked her up and down.

"So this … ?"

The conversation was hard to follow from Yumi's vantage point, five metres away. Although, if it followed the script, she should know what they were saying even if the volume was a bit low. But if they were ad-libing, they were doing very well. If the world came with a remote control, Yumi would be pressing the volume-up button.

(Ah!)

Rei-sama had just done an audacious ad-lib. She'd grabbed Nijou Noriko's chin, angling her face left and right, up and down.

"What are you doing!"

Her voice was so loud that it reached Yumi. Nijou Noriko brushed away Rei-sama's hand, glaring at the older student. Quite the strong appearance.

From her position, Yumi could only see the backs of Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama. But she didn't have to see their expression to know they were pleased with what they'd seen of Nijou Noriko. They probably wouldn't have accepted someone who sobbed weakly after being assaulted as a candidate for Shimako-san's petit soeur.

According to Rei-sama's script, the two Roses would ask Nijou Noriko a couple of rambling questions before letting her go. Since the main reasons they came here were so they could remember her face, and so that Touko-chan had time to get the juzu.

But Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama were getting caught up in their acting. They were provoking her, as though they wanted to start a fight. Yumi was getting worried that they were going a bit too far.

"Wait a minute."

See, told you so. Enraged, Noriko called out to them as they were walking away. Demanding an explanation for the shabby treatment she'd received. Rei-sama returned alone to her earlier position and answered:

"So you want to know why we came to see you? It's because we wanted to see your face."

"You came to see my face?"

Crushed right at the outset, Nijou Noriko seemed to crumple, and Rei-sama asked her a question of her own.

"Do you like Toudou Shimako?"

That question was the only one that reached Yumi clearly.

"I do."

(Alright!)

Alone in a corner of the hallway, Yumi raised her fist. Even as she was jokingly wondering why she was posing victoriously, she could see a glorious future ahead.

"Okay. Good luck to you."

Having been told that, Nijou Noriko looked confused as she went back into her classroom. Touko-chan passed her on the way, and when she spotted Yumi she patted her skirt pocket and flashed the peace sign.

The juzu of fate was thus delivered into the hands of the Yamayurikai executive.

Part 3.

The ceremony took place with no teachers or nuns present.

The high-school division of Lillian's respected the independence of its students, so the student council generally operated without adult supervision.

(Oooh, this takes me back.)

Yumi peeked in through the doorway, her excitement building.

It was the afternoon following the priest's morning mass. There were approximately 200 first-years assembled in the chapel, already seated in their six class blocks. Exactly one year earlier, Yumi had got her first glimpse of her onee-sama when she was playing the organ, and was immediately drawn to her. Although at that time, she'd never imagined that one year later she would be Rosa Chinensis en bouton.

"Why are you sneaking around?"

Yumi turned around when prodded, and standing there was Sachiko-sama, having made the leap across the year-long gap. On her chest was a dazzling, deep crimson, rose corsage. Unfortunately, it was not the flower Rosa Chinensis, nor was the white one Rosa Gigantea, or the yellow one Rosa Foetida. Although no matter the flower, it could only look better when Sachiko-sama was wearing it.

"Your rose is crooked."

Sachiko-sama adjusted the salmon pink corsage attached to Yumi's breast pocket as she gently chided her petit soeur. It didn't seem much changed from before, but it was probably subtly different to her onee-sama. Or maybe it was just that she had to be doing something to calm her nerves.

"Yumi."

"Yes?"

"… No, never mind."

Sachiko-sama had started to say something but then stopped. Her hands seemed to be shaking slightly. Perversely, Yumi felt relieved when she saw her onee-sama anxious or hesitant. Seeing that side of her peek out from time to time made her all the more human, which made Yumi happy.

"You look really pretty, onee-sama."

"Huh?"

Yumi gently wrapped those shaking hands with her own.

"Let me get a proper look at you."

"… Alright."

Just as Sachiko-sama was giving her permission to look, the sound of a shutter clicking echoed around them.

"Tsutako-san."

"Personally, I'm more interested in you Red Rose soeurs."

Tsutako-san peeked in through the door and said, "There."

"More interested? Than what?"

"Mami-san's orders. She said it was vital that I got shots of Shimako-san and Nijou Noriko. And that she wanted to use the good ones in the "Lillian Kawaraban.""

"… That Mami-san."

Yumi looked over at Mami-san, standing some distance away with a salmon pink corsage attached to her chest. Even so, her deductions had led her quite close to the truth.

"Well, it's fine. She'll keep quiet during the welcoming ceremony, like she promised."

Mami-san waved gently, smiling. Formidable. Really, if she turned into an enemy, she would be a scary opponent indeed.

"Sorry I'm late."

Just before their scheduled start time, Shimako-san and Yoshino-san arrived in the chapel. The piano score for "Ave Maria" had gone missing somewhere inside the Rose Mansion, and they'd spent the lunch break looking for it.

Of course that was because Yoshino-san had intentionally hidden it, and then found it at an opportune time, in accordance with their scenario. Why did she do that? Because their plans would go awry if Nijou Noriko and Shimako-san met during lunch and discussed the juzu.

"Shimako-san was talking about playing it from memory, without the score. I had a heck of a time trying to stop her … it was a bit nerve wracking."

Yoshino-san whispered, as she glanced sideways at the white rose pinned to Shimako-san's chest.

Even though they were only just at the start, or not even there yet, the scenario was starting to unravel at the seams due to various ad-libs and accidents.

Although, reality never goes exactly to plan.

Would they really be able to pull this off neatly? The start time arrived as Yumi was worrying about this.

Part 4.

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

With this greeting from Sachiko-sama, the welcoming ceremony began.

Since she was standing in the background, Yumi couldn't see Sachiko-sama's gallant face directly, but she was eminently satisfied by the awed reaction of the first-years.

Thinking, "This is how wonderful my onee-sama is."

It may just have been "petit soeur foolishness," but that was fine. She'd be a fool for her onee-sama. Since that was the correct stance for the petit soeur.

Yumi turned her attention to the first-year camellia class and quickly spotted Nijou Noriko. She was looking beyond Sachiko-sama, her gaze lingering in the area around Yumi. Her pleading gaze was startling, but naturally it wasn't Yumi she was looking for, but Rosa Gigantea who was standing beside her.

She must have wanted to inform Shimako-san about the missing juzu. But Shimako-san was probably thinking about the program of events and didn't notice Nijou Noriko's gaze. Even if she had noticed, there was nothing she could do about it at this point.

Yumi also spotted Touko-chan seated behind her classmate, Nijou Noriko. She was calm and composed, and grinned when her eyes met Yumi's.

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

Sachiko-sama ended with those words, handing the microphone to Rei-sama.

Hearing the keyword, "medallion," Yumi quickly returned to her senses. The event unique to the first-years welcoming ceremony was about to start. Then the plan was to have "that" happen in the middle of the presentation of medallions.

(So stressful, so stressful.)

She picked up the closest of the six cardboard boxes, the one labeled with the name "plum," from the table beside her. Yoshino picked up the "wisteria" box next to it, and Mami-san the "chrysanthemum" one, then they went and stood beside the Roses.

"Yumi-san, you were supposed to take the tag off the box."

Mami-san pointed this out to her.

"Ah, oh right."

Yumi put the tag back on the table then moved to Sachiko-sama's left-hand side. Oh boy. Even the ring-in assistant was more composed than her.

While all this was going on, the classes that Rei-sama had called out – plum, wisteria and chrysanthemum – lined up in the aisle that ran between the rows of pews.

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

Inside the boxes that the assistants held was the precise number of medallions required for each class, neatly lined up so that their chains didn't get tangled. The Roses took the medallions one at a time and placed them around the necks of the first-year students.

It didn't take long to empty the 30 or so medallions from the boxes.

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

Rei-sama's voice came through the mic.

Camellia class. The time had finally arrived.

Yumi trembled with excitement as she picked up the box for peach class.

There wasn't really anything the boutons had to do for this scene. But she was nervous just watching. She couldn't help but think back to one year before when she'd been a part of first-year peach class and received a medallion from the former Rosa Chinensis. Like a tired person counting sheep but still remaining wide awake.

"Calm down."

Sachiko-sama said quietly. But her voice contained a touch of excitement.

About half the medallions were remaining in her box. All the classes were moving at about the same pace, so there would probably be about half the medallions remaining in the box that Mami-san was holding too.

Yumi snuck a glance to the side.

There were only three more girls to go until Nijou Noriko received her medallion.

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

Strangely, Yumi could hear Shimako-san's voice clearly.

Thump, thump.

Her heart beat like a TV drama sound-effect.

Just one more.

Sachiko-sama's hand stopped moving.

She saw Touko-chan take a step out of line.

Then, just as Nijou Noriko stepped in front of Shimako-san.

"Stop right there!"

A voice rang out with impeccable timing.

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

With her voice echoing around the chapel, Touko-chan took center stage. She was able to keep her breathing steady, perhaps a result of her training.

"Touko-san!"

Naturally, "that girl," Nijou Noriko called out her classmate's name in surprise.

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

Touko-chan glanced at Nijou Noriko, then turned to the three Roses and bowed quickly.

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

Sachiko-sama was paying attention to her acting. Intentionally using the honorific "-san" when addressing Touko-chan.

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

Just what you'd expect from an actress, self-styled or not. Pleading for attention with cloudy eyes. As though she was the real victim.

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

"That's right, Rosa Foetida."

At that point, the color suddenly drained from Shimako-san's face. She'd finally realized what Touko-chan held in her left hand.

A few seconds later, Nijou Noriko's expression stiffened. With her expression still frozen, she grabbed for the juzu, but the moment she did Touko-chan lifted it high overhead.

"This is more fitting for you!"

With Touko-chan's excessively 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.

Part 5.

The sparkling juzu was really pretty.

Flecks of light scattered around the chapel, like a portent of some visitor from heaven.

"This is yours, right Noriko-san?"

"It's not mine."

Nijou Noriko flatly denied it. Probably expecting the actress Touko-chan to break into a soliloquy and not wanting to suffer through it.

Then she dutifully asked how Touko-chan came to believe that she was the owner of the juzu, and, with the end justifying the means, Touko-chan made something up.

Sachiko-sama stepped in when the situation escalated and they started growling at each other like a pair of dogs.

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

"I told you it wasn't."

Perhaps it was hard for her to reign it back in now that her spring had sprung, but of all things, Nijou Noriko was now snarling at Rosa Chinensis.

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

"Of course."

Because the juzu was Shimako-san's. To a degree, they'd expected that answer from her.

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

"Huh!?"

Nijou Noriko had been puffed up with pride, but when she heard this she was thrown into confusion.

The juzu flew free from Touko-chan's hand, tracing an arc through the air. Rei-sama caught it.

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

Intentionally trying to anger her, Rei-sama juggled the juzu, then spun it around her finger.

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

"Noriko!"

Shimako-san jumped in. The agitators mentally raised a fist in triumph – just another little push.

The climax was at hand. It would end with Shimako-san admitting that the juzu was hers and acknowledging her situation at home.

But the other first-years knew nothing of this, so they started murmuring when Rosa Gigantea stepped in.

(Now, Shimako-san!)

Getting impatient, Yumi wanted to give her her cue.

However.

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

The strangest thing happened, Nijou Noriko stopped Shimako-san. Then she said the cool line, "At the moment, I'm the one with the problem."

"Nice attitude."

Sachiko-sama smiled radiantly. Her stunning smile that could make anyone raise a white flag.

But Nijou Noriko didn't surrender. She babbled on for a while about hypotheticals, then held out her hand and said, "Give me back the juzu."

"Not yet."

Rei-sama smiled.

"If you want it back, tell us who it belongs to."

Even though she knew. A sustained assault. The interrogation was as terrifying as the two Roses were beautiful. Yumi thought this even though she knew the inside story. Nijou Noriko must surely be frightened. It wouldn't seem strange if she broke down in tears.

(Huh?)

Yumi heard a soft rustling sound, and looking over she saw Mami-san stealthily moving her hands behind her back. Yumi peeked at her backside, and saw she was jotting down some shorthand notes in her student diary.

(Incredible…!)

Huge respect for her reporter's spirit. And her special ability. It was like she had eyes in the back of her head.

"Answer the question, Noriko-san."

Hearing Sachiko-sama's voice, Yumi went back to watching the unfolding scene. The interrogation was still in progress.

"It's – "

Then she seemed to finally be lost for words. The situation had completely turned against Nijou Noriko.

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

Then Nijou Noriko looked down, as though to shut out all the noise that was pouring down upon her. What was she thinking? It looked as though she couldn't find the answer she wanted within her heart, but was still searching for it.

"Say something, Noriko-san."

"What happened to your earlier spirit?"

There was no let-up in their attacks.

Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama had been forged by the previous Roses, and they seemed to follow their lead as they reveled in the role of villain.

Watching in silence, Shimako-san smiled weakly. One moment she was standing behind Nijou Noriko, and then:

"That's quite enough!"

She shouted as she stepped forwards. The only other time Yumi had heard Shimako-san raise her voice like that was during their performance of "Cinderella" at the cultural festival the previous year.

She took a deep breath, then said:

"I'm the owner of that juzu."

"Shimako-san!"

Nijou Noriko screamed.

"Shimako-sama."

"Rosa Gigantea."

Shimako-san silently let the cries of her name wash over her. She had probably been first to arrive at the answer that Nijou Noriko was searching for.

"Would you care to explain?"

Sachiko-sama asked Shimako-san after the noise in the chapel had died down.

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

It was just like Shimako-san to protect Nijou Noriko. Saying that if there was a penalty, she should be the one to pay it.

"No, I should be the one … !"

Nijou Noriko jumped in. But then Rei-sama gently put her arm around her shoulder and whispered something in her ear. Probably asking her to stay quiet for a little while. Now that the conversation was finally heading in a good direction, they didn't want Nijou Noriko muddying the waters.

"Why would a devout Christian like you – "

Nobody breathed as they awaited the next words.

"Because my family runs a Buddhist temple."

Words could not express how beautiful Shimako-san looked as she faced the chapel's cross and made this magnificent declaration.

The face of someone who had sacrificed themselves, but gained something.

Everyone was speechless.

(… She finally said it.)

It was hard to believe it had gone that well. On the way, they'd departed from the original scenario a fair bit, but the end result had been just fine. Shimako-san seemed to walk easier, as though a load had been removed from her shoulders, when she went over to Nijou Noriko and said:

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

"Shimako-san!"

The pair embraced. Nijou Noriko cried like a child, despite her somewhat cold exterior.

(Huh … )

How did that happen? Tears were streaming down Yumi's cheeks too.

(Wawawa.)

One after another, the tear drops fell from her chin onto the chapel floor, making a polka-dot pattern. She thought it was foolish of her, since she was one of the people that set the surprise, but now that her spring had sprung Yumi found she couldn't reign it back in.

Clap, clap, clap, clap.

"You finally said it, Shimako-san."

Sachiko-sama said as she applauded.

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

Rei-sama shrugged.

"Huh?"

The crying, hugging pair raised their heads and looked around.

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

Sachiko-sama's voice resounded through the microphone, followed by surging waves of applause echoing around the chapel. The atmosphere in the place was already like a concert, and although no-one said it, they were all thinking, "Yes!"

Whether Shimako-san's confession was real, or just part of the entertainment, it was all good. Either way it was deeply moving. The vast majority of the students seemed to feel that way.

"This is for the best, right?"

Yumi couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Don't you think it's fine?"

Sachiko-sama said, smiling.

" … Right. I guess you're right."

At any rate, the juzu was safely returned to Shimako-san, and Shimako-san looked refreshed, like she'd cast out her demons.

Tsutako-san captured it all with her camera.

Mami-san was already writing it out in her student diary.

Just as they were about to get the welcoming ceremony back on track.

"Touko!"

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

Part 6.

"What, it's over already?"

As they exited the chapel, they ran into Satou Sei-sama.

"What's over?"

Sachiko-sama, Rei-sama, Yoshino-san and Yumi all asked in unison.

"Something happened, right? A momentous occasion for Shimako."

"An occasion?"

That seemed a bit wrong.

"I hurried over as soon as my classes finished, but it doesn't look like I made it in time."

Even though she'd said something about not relying on her after she'd graduated. Perhaps that meant she hadn't completely cut off all contact, since she got worried and came to check on the situation herself. And even though no-one had talked to her about it, she'd managed to sniff it out on her own.

"Were you worried?"

"Well, yeah. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. But looking at your faces, I imagine it was a success."

"Thanks to you."

Sachiko-sama said without a trace of irony. But since Sei-sama didn't actually do anything, or rather couldn't do anything, she simply looked conflicted and smiled.

"Ah right. If you'd like, why don't we all go somewhere? My treat."

Sei-sama proposed, after sneaking a look inside the chapel and seeing Shimako-san and Noriko-chan happily cleaning.

"Thanks for the offer, but Yoshino and I have a prior engagement."

Rei-sama and Yoshino-san had their monthly "Hasekura and Shimazu family dinner" tonight.

"Well, that's a shame. So, how about the Red Roses?"

A glance. This time their eyes met. Adding Sei-sama might make it more lively and fun, but Yumi felt like spending some time alone with Sachiko-sama.

"We'll excuse ourselves as well. Sorry, but Yumi and I have to plan what we're going to do on our day off."

Sachiko-sama politely declined Sei-sama's offer without consulting Yumi. Since they hadn't previously arranged to plan their day off, Yumi perked up a bit because she interpreted this as Sachiko-sama also wanting to spend some time alone with her too.

Sei-sama whistled.

"So lonely. I've been dumped by my juniors. I wonder if my classmates will console me. Ah, Yamada-chan. I guess I will be joining you after all."

Sei-sama called out to a group leaving the university grounds, then took off running, saying, "See you later."

"She seems to be quite popular."

"Yeah."

"Even though she said she was lonely."

Well, that's how she was. Everyone seemed to understand and nodded.

"Rei and Yoshino-chan, are your bags in the classroom? If so, you can head home now."

Sachiko-sama asked when they arrived at the entrance, taking possession of the medallion boxes that Yoshino-san had been holding.

"Since Yumi and I left our bags in the Rose Mansion."

"Ah, you're planning your day off together? Sounds nice, Yumi-chan."

"Ah, yes … "

She agreed with Rei-sama noncommitally, then recovered the cardboard box that she'd accidentally let slip down a bit. "Planning their day off" had just been an excuse for Sachiko-sama to refuse Sei-sama's invitation, but since Sachiko-sama had kept on walking with an unconcerned look on her face, Yumi didn't know what they were really going to do.

"Please wait up, onee-sama."

When they arrived in front of the Rose Mansion, Sachiko-sama came to a complete stop and asked Yumi:

"Is there anything that you want?"

"Huh?"

She suddenly asked, completely out of the blue.

"It'll have to be for White Day and your birthday combined, however. I'll buy you something as a present."

"Huh!?"

Opening a surprising treasure chest.

"I've been putting it off for all kinds of reasons. But it's been bothering me."

Sachiko-sama looked incredibly lovely as she awkwardly mumbled.

"Ah, well. How about another half-day date then?"

Yumi proposed, jumping on board the lie about planning their next day off.

"That sounds nice. Is there anywhere you want to go?"

"… The amusement park."

Although having the date at an amusement park might have been a twist. But since she'd been asked, she thought she might as well go for it. She wasn't just saying it. She really wanted to go.

Hearing this, Sachiko-sama thought for a little while before answering.

"I'm not going on the roller coaster."

Despite adding a condition, she had unmistakeably given the go-ahead.

The cherry blossoms were no longer blooming anywhere.

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