Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-09-23T17:43:22Z

Molenir: /* Pointless words of praise and worship */

== Uh volumes 7-14? ==
What happened to the translations of these? Someone seems to have jumped ahead and skipped many of the volumes in the middle to work on the volume 20+ ones.

7-14 got animated so buying the DVD's gives you a good idea of the story, I think the translator jumped ahead because they are interested in newer unanimated stories.

Volume 12. It would be great if this could be finished after volume 31 as it hasn't been touched since January 2010. Also, much thanks for ALL the hard work the translators are doing. Your effort is greatly appreciated!

== Other Marimite Translations ==

Is there any interest on Seki's part to merge or link other translations done by say Okazu into the Bakatsuki project? I'm not sure if you're insistent upon your own translations or not, so it's just me bouncing around a question.

-Sukoshi

Right now I'm leaning towards insisting on my own translations.

-[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I think you're alienating the dozens of translators eager to work on this project by saying you can power through 10 years and 8 months of konno oyuki's work. as a translator myself I know it can take forever working on a single line to make it fit in the scope of the english language. bakatsuki should be the central hub for all the translations being done so far. it should be the collaborative efforts of all the translators and editors into forming a cohesive readable experience for all marimite fans. we can achieve that by observing haruhi's staff page. we need a supervisor who can keep up with Tlers and editors. we can establish more thorough translation and editing guidelines. we need someone to properly ask okazu for use and revising of her works, since she literally did 6 volumes already. I'm not saying it should be me; I want to translate too, but we have to face the scope of this series, which is four times larger than haruhi, not counting the stories not in novels, yet in the four years since the anime started, which i assume was when popularity increased, there is no cohesive translation staff. I just want to make sure there is one place for fans to find/read/enjoy the original version of marimite before it is licensed, which god knows what kind of guidelines they'll follow. I'm still going to translate, starting from the last chapter. Whether I bother posting it here or not is up to how well received and implemented these plans are to the marimite fans, current staff included. gokigenyou.

-AlphaUltima (recent TL work in Hidamari Sketch x365 with SpoonSubs and SZS with Plumcity/Entropy)

Honestly, if someone else wants to organize stuff they can do so, especially considering I'd underestimated how quickly my free time would dwindle as I near graduation. Because my primary motivation with the project was just to practice, that sort of administrative work is something I'd not wanted - and still really don't want - to have to deal with.

-Seki

okay, first thing is updating the list to volume 33. then i'll ask okazu for her blessing in using her scripts for this project. we'll figure it out from there.

-AU

She said yes. Here's the full email:

''Hello -You're more than welcome to use those translations. I actually have one more, as well, that hasn't yet been posted to Okazu. So, the 18th books has also been translated - this one by Rei and Sukoshi. I'll post that soon to Okazu, so you can take it from there. Cheers, Erica''

Just finished updating the novel lists. I'll start breaking the novel sections down as I already have them all in text files already.

== Vol 12 discussion ==

Wouldn't it be convenient to link to what is done from volume 12?

http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru

-Proto

I can add it, but when I get to v12, I'm probably going to replace it with my own, should I add it anyways? :< Or have like a link next to v12, or something? >_>

-Seki

You could add it as a preview I guess, as the people over the Zero no Tsukaima section do. It is not a bad translation though, they are by Harukano from Otakyu, the same guy who did the Juuni Kokki translations until it got licensed.

-Proto

I added it next to v12. It's not whether it's a good or bad translation, so much as I'm just intending to power through everything nonetheless. We'll see if my stance changes later on, when the novelty idea of translating 30+ volumes wears off ;p Bunch of stylistic differences and all that I assume exist, since there were no guidelines agreed upon or anything.

-Seki

I have some scripts from other volumes, but I think getting someone to copy-paste these onto the wiki would be a PITA.

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 16:04, 29 March 2008 (PDT)

Rawr, was internetless for the weekend _-_

-Seki

== Thanks Cadurc ==

Didn't know how to spell the word >_>

Will try to use that spelling from now on.

== Pointless words of praise and worship ==

Thanks for your hard work on volume 1 and 2, really looking forward to the rest of it. Good luck "powering through" all that!

Thanks for picking up this series. After 30+ novels, it didn't seem like anybody was ever going to translate it. Good luck working on it and please don't burn yourself out! ^^;;

- neoh

Thanks for translating. The novel really touched me. I went through 4 volume in just, I dunno, 2 days or something. I even print it out. --Azzura

I might be a late fan to Marimite but thanks so much for sticking with these novels and continuing to work on them for the past couple of years(!). I can't imagine how much work it has been. I wanted to let you all know that there are still those of us reading and enjoying them. I think I've read them all at least twice. These novels deserve to have the wider audience you are giving them. So thought I'd give some encouragement and to say I'm looking forward to hopefully reading novels 23-27 in the future. - bibliopowers (August 2011)

Thanks for your kind comments, it's always good to know that there are other people enjoying this too. [[User:Enn are|Enn are]] 16:39, 1 September 2011 (CDT)

Thanks for amazingly quick posts for Volume 31 Marguerite Ribbon! I'm really enjoying it so far.
And the chapter "My Siblings" just made me cry like a baby. Thanks for posting this touching chapter.
-bibliopowers

I'd also like to add my thanks for all your efforts in translating this series. I check in here every few days hoping for a new update, and am always thrilled to see a new bit has been translated. I noticed volume 31 is done. Can't wait to find out which you will translate next. Please keep up the great work!
-Molenir (January 2012)

I just want to also say thank you to all who are working on this project
ANDARIAL (APRIL 2012)

Volume 27 finished up so quickly! Thank you very much. I can't wait to find out which one you'll work on next. Part of me hopes you'll go to 26 and work backwards to 23, another part of me would love to see you go from 23 forward, and then another part of me would like to see Beloved times translated. No Pressure! :) I'll be happy with whatever you decide. Thank you for all your efforts.
-Molenir (April 2012)

Volume 10 complete! Once again, thank you for all your efforts on our behalf. It is very much appreciated. I look forward to the next volume you choose to translate, with hope and anticipation.
-Molenir (September 2012)

== <3 ==

Encouragement never hurts <3

My portfolio's due on Monday, so I should get back to translating on Tuesday~

== Sorry guys ==

Life hath turned its basilisk eyes upon me: my computer dies, then my proxy dies, and now I realize I don't have Office anymore. I'll try to rectify that by tonight -_-

=( *pat pat*

Whoops. Well, let's hope that this is just a low and things will get better from here for you :D

-Proto

Just wanted to say thank very much you for the hard work of translating these novels. And I also hope that things will get better for you =).

-Yurine

You should exercise more and have a healthy body. So that your healthy mind can translate for us!!!

-Lime

== Editing help ==

Hi,
I would like to help and unite parts of Marimite into single volumes, like it was done with Marimite Volume 1. I am not sure if I can commit such - let's say - big interference without being in Baka-Tsuki's team. I bothered you on irc channel but my connection wasn't so great at the time.

Thanks for your wonderful job and possible answer.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 08:27, 11 July 2008 (PDT)

Uh, I don't think anyone would mind if you did that, but I (still) haven't finished going through my friend's proof-reads of v1 and vV2, which is why I was hesitant with doing it for v1 and why I haven't really done it for v2. If you're willing to put up with the eventual nit-picky changes that I'd prolly only do on the original chapters/parts for the time being, go for it. (And I never noticed you poking me on IRC O_o;; weird.)

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I see, great. Well, if you don't insist on daily monitoring your updates, I'd take it :). I was poking in general on the main #Baka-Tsuki channel.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 13:59, 11 July 2008 (PDT)

I'm pretty laid-back about everything except actually translating, regarding this thing, so go for it :p

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

By the way, I went through my friend's proofs for v1 and v2, so those should be relatively safe.

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

Cool, I'll do it next week.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 06:40, 29 July 2008 (PDT)

I don't know how (or whether to) upload single-volume versions of your translations, but I recently converted your translation of Ibara no Mori to a single volume. I did it for myself so I could read it on a Kindle, so it lacks links back to baka-tsuki. Conversion is easy, I'd be happy to do it for earlier volumes once you're done with edits. Lemme know and I can send you HTML, Kindle/Mobi-compatible .prc files, whatever.

I've hidden the single-volume Ibara no Mori on ziggr.com for a little while, in case you want it: http://ziggr.com/maria-sama/baka-tsuki/03/ I'll probably pull it down in a few weeks.

PS: I love the translations. I delight in reading them. Thank you!

[[User:ziggr|ziggr]] 22:04, 02 August 2008 (PDT)

Umm, I'm not really sure what I should say @_@ I don't mind, of course. If you want me to ask around about how to upload them, I could do that. And thanks for reading <3 (If that wasn't what you meant, uhhh, sorry, could you rephrase? XD)

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I've done the full text version for Volume 1-2-3 by including the chapter pages -> if a chapter is edited, the full text version is automatically updated.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 01:30, 10 August 2008 (PDT)

I'll try to keep all your formatting, didn't notice the title ones. Geh, I've been sick, going to a cardiologist on Wednesday, so kinda distracted, gonna get back to work in a bit (esp. since I'm one scene away from ending v4 -_-)

[[User:Seki|Seki]] 1:21, 11 August 2008 (GMT)

Hope you feel better soon and please try to take it easy. Wouldn't want you to be burned out. Anyway looking forwards for your translations!^^

== Dialogue ==

I was wondering if it would be possible to keep dialogue line and the explanatory author's line in the same paragraph. Because else it is a bit too confusing - someone speaks a complete thought, and then we are told who said it, but this two things seem unrelated.
If it is fine with you I would have liked to edit already translated chapters this way. Just punctuation, nothing else =)
-Iatheia

Umm, unless other people also find it confusing, I'd prefer to leave it as is, because of author's style. So if anyone else feels the same, feel free to leave a message, as like an informal poll or something. If it's a big enough problem we could open a poll in the forum instead, I guess.
-- [[User:Seki|Seki]]

It confused me a little at first, but I've since accepted that as the author's style and embrace it as such. So leave it as is! Great job, btw, I'm enjoying your translations! --Shikan

I didn't have a problem following the style and flow of dialogue lines from the get-go. I vote to leave it as is. You're doing great work and I really appreciate the time you put into this! Hope things have gotten better for you! -- HoodedZippy

== Updates pliz... ==

Why is there no updates? T_T --[[User:202.147.242.12|202.147.242.12]] 23:25, 2 November 2008 (PST)

== Volume 5 ==

Thanks for the fifth volume
We've waited for, like, eternity on this one.
Anyway, good job.

six months ain't that bad for one translator.
this isn't an anime/manga with visual context.
granted a majority of it was anime-d already,
but a lot of dialogue and descriptive narrative
is all based on the translator's interpretation of the novel.
hopefully other translators will join the cause.
-AlphaUltima

== Stepping out ==

Hate doing this, but I'm gonna give up for at least two months. I'm graduating in three months but I've got nowhere to go afterward... which is a big problem. Hopefully I'll figure out what I'm going to do this summer and beyond, but until then translating isn't even at the back of my mind. I just don't have the time nor presence of mind to do it right now... if I forced myself I wouldn't be paying the work enough respect, and I honestly would rather not have this hanging over my head. Hopefully I'll figure things out in the next few months, and if/when I do (or if I end up being a rounin) I'll poke my head back in and see if I'm still needed. Until then, gokigenyou, and thanks for putting up with all the difficulties. When I started up I honestly thought I'd be able to go a volume a month, but I sorely underestimated how busy I'd become in my last year of university.

-[[User:Seki|Seki]]

good luck. we'll do our best. don't be surprised if things are still the same when you come back...
-AU

Thanks for all done novels, Seki. Wonderful job. I hope your life goes well and I cross my fingers for you.--[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 23:10, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your translations, and best wishes regarding your life and future. Gokigenyou -- rh

==Illustrations==

Just wondering, have those novels no illustrations? Or were they left out because they would have been to much, or were there some other reasons? Like I said just wondering... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 09:19, 4 November 2009 (UTC) - Ah, I see they have illustrations but not all of those are added so if anyone who have those illustration feel free to add them. ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 08:16, 16 December 2009 (UTC)

==Okazu Translation Notes==
For now I have put them on the respective Chapter Talk page, but maybe they should be collected on a own translators notes page for each of thos volumes? --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 08:16, 16 December 2009 (UTC)

== request to translators ==

please remember to register for chapters and volumes you are registering

when updating, please attempt to remember to updates the registering to show completed status

out of every series on the site yours is the only one to have entire volumes with full texts not only not show there the completed status, not only not show that a translator is working on them, but not even appear on the registration page! No one can what anyone else is working on, and is against Baka-Tsuki policy and practices. Please, Please, Please do this.

That is because most of those later translations are c&p from [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu]. We got the permission for that once...

Also our translators did register, even the first, but Seki removed what was registered if the translation was completed... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 07:31, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Ah, that it explains it. chapter titles for volume 21 full text needs work, btw, . --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 21:33, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

== Soeur vs Sœur ==

I've noticed that the first five translated volumes use sœur while as far as I can tell most of the later ones use soeur. I prefer the more French style sœur anyone object to me changing them all to that so there is consistency across all the volumes?

Sukoshi also likes to use the French spelling for words. It's problematic because most Americans can't read French (myself included), whereas the rest of the English-speaking has some familiarity with it. I guess it's a good idea, since theoretically the Japanese loan word came from the French. If we do, I'll need to memorize the ASCII code for making that character. xD ~Rei

Often when French words appear in English texts they appear in italics. Would this also be a good idea? ~Rei

I think I speak for most people here when I say, we just want to be able to read the story. While Soeur is more visually appealing to my English eye, if you insist on the other, I don't think anyone will complain. Proper French spelling aside, by this point we've long since come to recognize what it means anyway so I doubt it matters. ~Molenir

Still, I think we should have consistency for the new readers. ~ Novium

== volumes 7-14? ==

I know I can catch the main idea in the anime, but with much dissatisfaction, moreover, I really want to read the novel (sadly, i don't know any Japanese at all), so can you guys please work on those volumes too. I would be very thankful if you do (I know, you guys don't have time, but please at least consider it. And sorry for my bad English, it is not my primary language.)

== Thanks ==

Thanks for translating especially for quick posts for Volume 31, I am really liking it. Which volume are you going to after volume 31? If possible could you do volume 34? --Maria

Welcome to the wiki, and thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately, I only have raws for Volumes 1-33, so can't translate Volume 34 at the moment. I'll probably work on Volume 27 next - it was suggested on the forum a while back (9 months? has it really been that long?). I've had a quick flip through it, and it looks good. [[User:Enn are|Enn are]] 06:46, 15 January 2012 (CST)

Hi, I'd like to add another huge thanks for finishing volume 31 so quickly, I so appreciate you taking the time to do this! I loved the book, especially Shimako's family story and the umbrella vignettes. As for volume 34, I have a copy and would be glad to send it to you as I have no translating skills. My understanding is that Yumi and Nana have a great conversation in that ribbon story and I had always hoped to be able to translate it someday. In any case, I'd be happy to give it up. Looking forward to volume 27, thanks again! -bibliopowers

Thanks Enn are for finishing volume 27! You will work on other volumes? Any idea of what you will pick up? GM

Thank you so much for finishing volume 27! I loved reading about the other dates that weren't depicted in the anime. I hope you will keep translating and start a new volume soon? I so appreciate your time and effort, a real gift to Marimite fans. Thanks for all the hard work! -bibliopowers

Talk:Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-04-30T01:59:12Z

Molenir: /* Pointless words of praise and worship */

== Uh volumes 7-14? ==
What happened to the translations of these? Someone seems to have jumped ahead and skipped many of the volumes in the middle to work on the volume 20+ ones.

7-14 got animated so buying the DVD's gives you a good idea of the story, I think the translator jumped ahead because they are interested in newer unanimated stories.

Volume 12. It would be great if this could be finished after volume 31 as it hasn't been touched since January 2010. Also, much thanks for ALL the hard work the translators are doing. Your effort is greatly appreciated!

== Other Marimite Translations ==

Is there any interest on Seki's part to merge or link other translations done by say Okazu into the Bakatsuki project? I'm not sure if you're insistent upon your own translations or not, so it's just me bouncing around a question.

-Sukoshi

Right now I'm leaning towards insisting on my own translations.

-[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I think you're alienating the dozens of translators eager to work on this project by saying you can power through 10 years and 8 months of konno oyuki's work. as a translator myself I know it can take forever working on a single line to make it fit in the scope of the english language. bakatsuki should be the central hub for all the translations being done so far. it should be the collaborative efforts of all the translators and editors into forming a cohesive readable experience for all marimite fans. we can achieve that by observing haruhi's staff page. we need a supervisor who can keep up with Tlers and editors. we can establish more thorough translation and editing guidelines. we need someone to properly ask okazu for use and revising of her works, since she literally did 6 volumes already. I'm not saying it should be me; I want to translate too, but we have to face the scope of this series, which is four times larger than haruhi, not counting the stories not in novels, yet in the four years since the anime started, which i assume was when popularity increased, there is no cohesive translation staff. I just want to make sure there is one place for fans to find/read/enjoy the original version of marimite before it is licensed, which god knows what kind of guidelines they'll follow. I'm still going to translate, starting from the last chapter. Whether I bother posting it here or not is up to how well received and implemented these plans are to the marimite fans, current staff included. gokigenyou.

-AlphaUltima (recent TL work in Hidamari Sketch x365 with SpoonSubs and SZS with Plumcity/Entropy)

Honestly, if someone else wants to organize stuff they can do so, especially considering I'd underestimated how quickly my free time would dwindle as I near graduation. Because my primary motivation with the project was just to practice, that sort of administrative work is something I'd not wanted - and still really don't want - to have to deal with.

-Seki

okay, first thing is updating the list to volume 33. then i'll ask okazu for her blessing in using her scripts for this project. we'll figure it out from there.

-AU

She said yes. Here's the full email:

''Hello -You're more than welcome to use those translations. I actually have one more, as well, that hasn't yet been posted to Okazu. So, the 18th books has also been translated - this one by Rei and Sukoshi. I'll post that soon to Okazu, so you can take it from there. Cheers, Erica''

Just finished updating the novel lists. I'll start breaking the novel sections down as I already have them all in text files already.

== Vol 12 discussion ==

Wouldn't it be convenient to link to what is done from volume 12?

http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru

-Proto

I can add it, but when I get to v12, I'm probably going to replace it with my own, should I add it anyways? :< Or have like a link next to v12, or something? >_>

-Seki

You could add it as a preview I guess, as the people over the Zero no Tsukaima section do. It is not a bad translation though, they are by Harukano from Otakyu, the same guy who did the Juuni Kokki translations until it got licensed.

-Proto

I added it next to v12. It's not whether it's a good or bad translation, so much as I'm just intending to power through everything nonetheless. We'll see if my stance changes later on, when the novelty idea of translating 30+ volumes wears off ;p Bunch of stylistic differences and all that I assume exist, since there were no guidelines agreed upon or anything.

-Seki

I have some scripts from other volumes, but I think getting someone to copy-paste these onto the wiki would be a PITA.

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 16:04, 29 March 2008 (PDT)

Rawr, was internetless for the weekend _-_

-Seki

== Thanks Cadurc ==

Didn't know how to spell the word >_>

Will try to use that spelling from now on.

== Pointless words of praise and worship ==

Thanks for your hard work on volume 1 and 2, really looking forward to the rest of it. Good luck "powering through" all that!

Thanks for picking up this series. After 30+ novels, it didn't seem like anybody was ever going to translate it. Good luck working on it and please don't burn yourself out! ^^;;

- neoh

Thanks for translating. The novel really touched me. I went through 4 volume in just, I dunno, 2 days or something. I even print it out. --Azzura

I might be a late fan to Marimite but thanks so much for sticking with these novels and continuing to work on them for the past couple of years(!). I can't imagine how much work it has been. I wanted to let you all know that there are still those of us reading and enjoying them. I think I've read them all at least twice. These novels deserve to have the wider audience you are giving them. So thought I'd give some encouragement and to say I'm looking forward to hopefully reading novels 23-27 in the future. - bibliopowers (August 2011)

Thanks for your kind comments, it's always good to know that there are other people enjoying this too. [[User:Enn are|Enn are]] 16:39, 1 September 2011 (CDT)

Thanks for amazingly quick posts for Volume 31 Marguerite Ribbon! I'm really enjoying it so far.
And the chapter "My Siblings" just made me cry like a baby. Thanks for posting this touching chapter.
-bibliopowers

I'd also like to add my thanks for all your efforts in translating this series. I check in here every few days hoping for a new update, and am always thrilled to see a new bit has been translated. I noticed volume 31 is done. Can't wait to find out which you will translate next. Please keep up the great work!
-Molenir (January 2012)

I just want to also say thank you to all who are working on this project
ANDARIAL (APRIL 2012)

Volume 27 finished up so quickly! Thank you very much. I can't wait to find out which one you'll work on next. Part of me hopes you'll go to 26 and work backwards to 23, another part of me would love to see you go from 23 forward, and then another part of me would like to see Beloved times translated. No Pressure! :) I'll be happy with whatever you decide. Thank you for all your efforts.
-Molenir (April 2012)

== <3 ==

Encouragement never hurts <3

My portfolio's due on Monday, so I should get back to translating on Tuesday~

== Sorry guys ==

Life hath turned its basilisk eyes upon me: my computer dies, then my proxy dies, and now I realize I don't have Office anymore. I'll try to rectify that by tonight -_-

=( *pat pat*

Whoops. Well, let's hope that this is just a low and things will get better from here for you :D

-Proto

Just wanted to say thank very much you for the hard work of translating these novels. And I also hope that things will get better for you =).

-Yurine

You should exercise more and have a healthy body. So that your healthy mind can translate for us!!!

-Lime

== Editing help ==

Hi,
I would like to help and unite parts of Marimite into single volumes, like it was done with Marimite Volume 1. I am not sure if I can commit such - let's say - big interference without being in Baka-Tsuki's team. I bothered you on irc channel but my connection wasn't so great at the time.

Thanks for your wonderful job and possible answer.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 08:27, 11 July 2008 (PDT)

Uh, I don't think anyone would mind if you did that, but I (still) haven't finished going through my friend's proof-reads of v1 and vV2, which is why I was hesitant with doing it for v1 and why I haven't really done it for v2. If you're willing to put up with the eventual nit-picky changes that I'd prolly only do on the original chapters/parts for the time being, go for it. (And I never noticed you poking me on IRC O_o;; weird.)

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I see, great. Well, if you don't insist on daily monitoring your updates, I'd take it :). I was poking in general on the main #Baka-Tsuki channel.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 13:59, 11 July 2008 (PDT)

I'm pretty laid-back about everything except actually translating, regarding this thing, so go for it :p

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

By the way, I went through my friend's proofs for v1 and v2, so those should be relatively safe.

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

Cool, I'll do it next week.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 06:40, 29 July 2008 (PDT)

I don't know how (or whether to) upload single-volume versions of your translations, but I recently converted your translation of Ibara no Mori to a single volume. I did it for myself so I could read it on a Kindle, so it lacks links back to baka-tsuki. Conversion is easy, I'd be happy to do it for earlier volumes once you're done with edits. Lemme know and I can send you HTML, Kindle/Mobi-compatible .prc files, whatever.

I've hidden the single-volume Ibara no Mori on ziggr.com for a little while, in case you want it: http://ziggr.com/maria-sama/baka-tsuki/03/ I'll probably pull it down in a few weeks.

PS: I love the translations. I delight in reading them. Thank you!

[[User:ziggr|ziggr]] 22:04, 02 August 2008 (PDT)

Umm, I'm not really sure what I should say @_@ I don't mind, of course. If you want me to ask around about how to upload them, I could do that. And thanks for reading <3 (If that wasn't what you meant, uhhh, sorry, could you rephrase? XD)

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I've done the full text version for Volume 1-2-3 by including the chapter pages -> if a chapter is edited, the full text version is automatically updated.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 01:30, 10 August 2008 (PDT)

I'll try to keep all your formatting, didn't notice the title ones. Geh, I've been sick, going to a cardiologist on Wednesday, so kinda distracted, gonna get back to work in a bit (esp. since I'm one scene away from ending v4 -_-)

[[User:Seki|Seki]] 1:21, 11 August 2008 (GMT)

Hope you feel better soon and please try to take it easy. Wouldn't want you to be burned out. Anyway looking forwards for your translations!^^

== Dialogue ==

I was wondering if it would be possible to keep dialogue line and the explanatory author's line in the same paragraph. Because else it is a bit too confusing - someone speaks a complete thought, and then we are told who said it, but this two things seem unrelated.
If it is fine with you I would have liked to edit already translated chapters this way. Just punctuation, nothing else =)
-Iatheia

Umm, unless other people also find it confusing, I'd prefer to leave it as is, because of author's style. So if anyone else feels the same, feel free to leave a message, as like an informal poll or something. If it's a big enough problem we could open a poll in the forum instead, I guess.
-- [[User:Seki|Seki]]

It confused me a little at first, but I've since accepted that as the author's style and embrace it as such. So leave it as is! Great job, btw, I'm enjoying your translations! --Shikan

I didn't have a problem following the style and flow of dialogue lines from the get-go. I vote to leave it as is. You're doing great work and I really appreciate the time you put into this! Hope things have gotten better for you! -- HoodedZippy

== Updates pliz... ==

Why is there no updates? T_T --[[User:202.147.242.12|202.147.242.12]] 23:25, 2 November 2008 (PST)

== Volume 5 ==

Thanks for the fifth volume
We've waited for, like, eternity on this one.
Anyway, good job.

six months ain't that bad for one translator.
this isn't an anime/manga with visual context.
granted a majority of it was anime-d already,
but a lot of dialogue and descriptive narrative
is all based on the translator's interpretation of the novel.
hopefully other translators will join the cause.
-AlphaUltima

== Stepping out ==

Hate doing this, but I'm gonna give up for at least two months. I'm graduating in three months but I've got nowhere to go afterward... which is a big problem. Hopefully I'll figure out what I'm going to do this summer and beyond, but until then translating isn't even at the back of my mind. I just don't have the time nor presence of mind to do it right now... if I forced myself I wouldn't be paying the work enough respect, and I honestly would rather not have this hanging over my head. Hopefully I'll figure things out in the next few months, and if/when I do (or if I end up being a rounin) I'll poke my head back in and see if I'm still needed. Until then, gokigenyou, and thanks for putting up with all the difficulties. When I started up I honestly thought I'd be able to go a volume a month, but I sorely underestimated how busy I'd become in my last year of university.

-[[User:Seki|Seki]]

good luck. we'll do our best. don't be surprised if things are still the same when you come back...
-AU

Thanks for all done novels, Seki. Wonderful job. I hope your life goes well and I cross my fingers for you.--[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 23:10, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your translations, and best wishes regarding your life and future. Gokigenyou -- rh

==Illustrations==

Just wondering, have those novels no illustrations? Or were they left out because they would have been to much, or were there some other reasons? Like I said just wondering... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 09:19, 4 November 2009 (UTC) - Ah, I see they have illustrations but not all of those are added so if anyone who have those illustration feel free to add them. ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 08:16, 16 December 2009 (UTC)

==Okazu Translation Notes==
For now I have put them on the respective Chapter Talk page, but maybe they should be collected on a own translators notes page for each of thos volumes? --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 08:16, 16 December 2009 (UTC)

== request to translators ==

please remember to register for chapters and volumes you are registering

when updating, please attempt to remember to updates the registering to show completed status

out of every series on the site yours is the only one to have entire volumes with full texts not only not show there the completed status, not only not show that a translator is working on them, but not even appear on the registration page! No one can what anyone else is working on, and is against Baka-Tsuki policy and practices. Please, Please, Please do this.

That is because most of those later translations are c&p from [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu]. We got the permission for that once...

Also our translators did register, even the first, but Seki removed what was registered if the translation was completed... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 07:31, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Ah, that it explains it. chapter titles for volume 21 full text needs work, btw, . --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 21:33, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

== Soeur vs Sœur ==

I've noticed that the first five translated volumes use sœur while as far as I can tell most of the later ones use soeur. I prefer the more French style sœur anyone object to me changing them all to that so there is consistency across all the volumes?

Sukoshi also likes to use the French spelling for words. It's problematic because most Americans can't read French (myself included), whereas the rest of the English-speaking has some familiarity with it. I guess it's a good idea, since theoretically the Japanese loan word came from the French. If we do, I'll need to memorize the ASCII code for making that character. xD ~Rei

Often when French words appear in English texts they appear in italics. Would this also be a good idea? ~Rei

I think I speak for most people here when I say, we just want to be able to read the story. While Soeur is more visually appealing to my English eye, if you insist on the other, I don't think anyone will complain. Proper French spelling aside, by this point we've long since come to recognize what it means anyway so I doubt it matters. ~Molenir

Still, I think we should have consistency for the new readers. ~ Novium

== volumes 7-14? ==

I know I can catch the main idea in the anime, but with much dissatisfaction, moreover, I really want to read the novel (sadly, i don't know any Japanese at all), so can you guys please work on those volumes too. I would be very thankful if you do (I know, you guys don't have time, but please at least consider it. And sorry for my bad English, it is not my primary language.)

== Thanks ==

Thanks for translating especially for quick posts for Volume 31, I am really liking it. Which volume are you going to after volume 31? If possible could you do volume 34? --Maria

Welcome to the wiki, and thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately, I only have raws for Volumes 1-33, so can't translate Volume 34 at the moment. I'll probably work on Volume 27 next - it was suggested on the forum a while back (9 months? has it really been that long?). I've had a quick flip through it, and it looks good. [[User:Enn are|Enn are]] 06:46, 15 January 2012 (CST)

Hi, I'd like to add another huge thanks for finishing volume 31 so quickly, I so appreciate you taking the time to do this! I loved the book, especially Shimako's family story and the umbrella vignettes. As for volume 34, I have a copy and would be glad to send it to you as I have no translating skills. My understanding is that Yumi and Nana have a great conversation in that ribbon story and I had always hoped to be able to translate it someday. In any case, I'd be happy to give it up. Looking forward to volume 27, thanks again! -bibliopowers

Talk:Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-04-30T01:57:27Z

Molenir: /* Pointless words of praise and worship */

== Uh volumes 7-14? ==
What happened to the translations of these? Someone seems to have jumped ahead and skipped many of the volumes in the middle to work on the volume 20+ ones.

7-14 got animated so buying the DVD's gives you a good idea of the story, I think the translator jumped ahead because they are interested in newer unanimated stories.

Volume 12. It would be great if this could be finished after volume 31 as it hasn't been touched since January 2010. Also, much thanks for ALL the hard work the translators are doing. Your effort is greatly appreciated!

== Other Marimite Translations ==

Is there any interest on Seki's part to merge or link other translations done by say Okazu into the Bakatsuki project? I'm not sure if you're insistent upon your own translations or not, so it's just me bouncing around a question.

-Sukoshi

Right now I'm leaning towards insisting on my own translations.

-[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I think you're alienating the dozens of translators eager to work on this project by saying you can power through 10 years and 8 months of konno oyuki's work. as a translator myself I know it can take forever working on a single line to make it fit in the scope of the english language. bakatsuki should be the central hub for all the translations being done so far. it should be the collaborative efforts of all the translators and editors into forming a cohesive readable experience for all marimite fans. we can achieve that by observing haruhi's staff page. we need a supervisor who can keep up with Tlers and editors. we can establish more thorough translation and editing guidelines. we need someone to properly ask okazu for use and revising of her works, since she literally did 6 volumes already. I'm not saying it should be me; I want to translate too, but we have to face the scope of this series, which is four times larger than haruhi, not counting the stories not in novels, yet in the four years since the anime started, which i assume was when popularity increased, there is no cohesive translation staff. I just want to make sure there is one place for fans to find/read/enjoy the original version of marimite before it is licensed, which god knows what kind of guidelines they'll follow. I'm still going to translate, starting from the last chapter. Whether I bother posting it here or not is up to how well received and implemented these plans are to the marimite fans, current staff included. gokigenyou.

-AlphaUltima (recent TL work in Hidamari Sketch x365 with SpoonSubs and SZS with Plumcity/Entropy)

Honestly, if someone else wants to organize stuff they can do so, especially considering I'd underestimated how quickly my free time would dwindle as I near graduation. Because my primary motivation with the project was just to practice, that sort of administrative work is something I'd not wanted - and still really don't want - to have to deal with.

-Seki

okay, first thing is updating the list to volume 33. then i'll ask okazu for her blessing in using her scripts for this project. we'll figure it out from there.

-AU

She said yes. Here's the full email:

''Hello -You're more than welcome to use those translations. I actually have one more, as well, that hasn't yet been posted to Okazu. So, the 18th books has also been translated - this one by Rei and Sukoshi. I'll post that soon to Okazu, so you can take it from there. Cheers, Erica''

Just finished updating the novel lists. I'll start breaking the novel sections down as I already have them all in text files already.

== Vol 12 discussion ==

Wouldn't it be convenient to link to what is done from volume 12?

http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru

-Proto

I can add it, but when I get to v12, I'm probably going to replace it with my own, should I add it anyways? :< Or have like a link next to v12, or something? >_>

-Seki

You could add it as a preview I guess, as the people over the Zero no Tsukaima section do. It is not a bad translation though, they are by Harukano from Otakyu, the same guy who did the Juuni Kokki translations until it got licensed.

-Proto

I added it next to v12. It's not whether it's a good or bad translation, so much as I'm just intending to power through everything nonetheless. We'll see if my stance changes later on, when the novelty idea of translating 30+ volumes wears off ;p Bunch of stylistic differences and all that I assume exist, since there were no guidelines agreed upon or anything.

-Seki

I have some scripts from other volumes, but I think getting someone to copy-paste these onto the wiki would be a PITA.

[[User:Kanzar|Kanzar]] 16:04, 29 March 2008 (PDT)

Rawr, was internetless for the weekend _-_

-Seki

== Thanks Cadurc ==

Didn't know how to spell the word >_>

Will try to use that spelling from now on.

== Pointless words of praise and worship ==

Thanks for your hard work on volume 1 and 2, really looking forward to the rest of it. Good luck "powering through" all that!

Thanks for picking up this series. After 30+ novels, it didn't seem like anybody was ever going to translate it. Good luck working on it and please don't burn yourself out! ^^;;

- neoh

Thanks for translating. The novel really touched me. I went through 4 volume in just, I dunno, 2 days or something. I even print it out. --Azzura

I might be a late fan to Marimite but thanks so much for sticking with these novels and continuing to work on them for the past couple of years(!). I can't imagine how much work it has been. I wanted to let you all know that there are still those of us reading and enjoying them. I think I've read them all at least twice. These novels deserve to have the wider audience you are giving them. So thought I'd give some encouragement and to say I'm looking forward to hopefully reading novels 23-27 in the future. - bibliopowers (August 2011)

Thanks for your kind comments, it's always good to know that there are other people enjoying this too. [[User:Enn are|Enn are]] 16:39, 1 September 2011 (CDT)

Thanks for amazingly quick posts for Volume 31 Marguerite Ribbon! I'm really enjoying it so far.
And the chapter "My Siblings" just made me cry like a baby. Thanks for posting this touching chapter.
-bibliopowers

I'd also like to add my thanks for all your efforts in translating this series. I check in here every few days hoping for a new update, and am always thrilled to see a new bit has been translated. I noticed volume 31 is done. Can't wait to find out which you will translate next. Please keep up the great work!
-Molenir (January 2012)

I just want to also say thank you to all who are working on this project
ANDARIAL (APRIL 2012)

Volume 27 finished up so quickly! Thank you very much. I can't wait to find out which one you'll work on next. Part of me hopes you'll go to 26 and work backwards to 22, another part of me would love to see you go from 22 forward, and then another part of me would like to see Beloved times translated. No Pressure! :) I'll be happy with whatever you decide. Thank you for all your efforts.
-Molenir (April 2012)

== <3 ==

Encouragement never hurts <3

My portfolio's due on Monday, so I should get back to translating on Tuesday~

== Sorry guys ==

Life hath turned its basilisk eyes upon me: my computer dies, then my proxy dies, and now I realize I don't have Office anymore. I'll try to rectify that by tonight -_-

=( *pat pat*

Whoops. Well, let's hope that this is just a low and things will get better from here for you :D

-Proto

Just wanted to say thank very much you for the hard work of translating these novels. And I also hope that things will get better for you =).

-Yurine

You should exercise more and have a healthy body. So that your healthy mind can translate for us!!!

-Lime

== Editing help ==

Hi,
I would like to help and unite parts of Marimite into single volumes, like it was done with Marimite Volume 1. I am not sure if I can commit such - let's say - big interference without being in Baka-Tsuki's team. I bothered you on irc channel but my connection wasn't so great at the time.

Thanks for your wonderful job and possible answer.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 08:27, 11 July 2008 (PDT)

Uh, I don't think anyone would mind if you did that, but I (still) haven't finished going through my friend's proof-reads of v1 and vV2, which is why I was hesitant with doing it for v1 and why I haven't really done it for v2. If you're willing to put up with the eventual nit-picky changes that I'd prolly only do on the original chapters/parts for the time being, go for it. (And I never noticed you poking me on IRC O_o;; weird.)

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I see, great. Well, if you don't insist on daily monitoring your updates, I'd take it :). I was poking in general on the main #Baka-Tsuki channel.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 13:59, 11 July 2008 (PDT)

I'm pretty laid-back about everything except actually translating, regarding this thing, so go for it :p

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

By the way, I went through my friend's proofs for v1 and v2, so those should be relatively safe.

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

Cool, I'll do it next week.

[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 06:40, 29 July 2008 (PDT)

I don't know how (or whether to) upload single-volume versions of your translations, but I recently converted your translation of Ibara no Mori to a single volume. I did it for myself so I could read it on a Kindle, so it lacks links back to baka-tsuki. Conversion is easy, I'd be happy to do it for earlier volumes once you're done with edits. Lemme know and I can send you HTML, Kindle/Mobi-compatible .prc files, whatever.

I've hidden the single-volume Ibara no Mori on ziggr.com for a little while, in case you want it: http://ziggr.com/maria-sama/baka-tsuki/03/ I'll probably pull it down in a few weeks.

PS: I love the translations. I delight in reading them. Thank you!

[[User:ziggr|ziggr]] 22:04, 02 August 2008 (PDT)

Umm, I'm not really sure what I should say @_@ I don't mind, of course. If you want me to ask around about how to upload them, I could do that. And thanks for reading <3 (If that wasn't what you meant, uhhh, sorry, could you rephrase? XD)

[[User:Seki|Seki]]

I've done the full text version for Volume 1-2-3 by including the chapter pages -> if a chapter is edited, the full text version is automatically updated.

[[User:Vaelis|Vaelis]] 01:30, 10 August 2008 (PDT)

I'll try to keep all your formatting, didn't notice the title ones. Geh, I've been sick, going to a cardiologist on Wednesday, so kinda distracted, gonna get back to work in a bit (esp. since I'm one scene away from ending v4 -_-)

[[User:Seki|Seki]] 1:21, 11 August 2008 (GMT)

Hope you feel better soon and please try to take it easy. Wouldn't want you to be burned out. Anyway looking forwards for your translations!^^

== Dialogue ==

I was wondering if it would be possible to keep dialogue line and the explanatory author's line in the same paragraph. Because else it is a bit too confusing - someone speaks a complete thought, and then we are told who said it, but this two things seem unrelated.
If it is fine with you I would have liked to edit already translated chapters this way. Just punctuation, nothing else =)
-Iatheia

Umm, unless other people also find it confusing, I'd prefer to leave it as is, because of author's style. So if anyone else feels the same, feel free to leave a message, as like an informal poll or something. If it's a big enough problem we could open a poll in the forum instead, I guess.
-- [[User:Seki|Seki]]

It confused me a little at first, but I've since accepted that as the author's style and embrace it as such. So leave it as is! Great job, btw, I'm enjoying your translations! --Shikan

I didn't have a problem following the style and flow of dialogue lines from the get-go. I vote to leave it as is. You're doing great work and I really appreciate the time you put into this! Hope things have gotten better for you! -- HoodedZippy

== Updates pliz... ==

Why is there no updates? T_T --[[User:202.147.242.12|202.147.242.12]] 23:25, 2 November 2008 (PST)

== Volume 5 ==

Thanks for the fifth volume
We've waited for, like, eternity on this one.
Anyway, good job.

six months ain't that bad for one translator.
this isn't an anime/manga with visual context.
granted a majority of it was anime-d already,
but a lot of dialogue and descriptive narrative
is all based on the translator's interpretation of the novel.
hopefully other translators will join the cause.
-AlphaUltima

== Stepping out ==

Hate doing this, but I'm gonna give up for at least two months. I'm graduating in three months but I've got nowhere to go afterward... which is a big problem. Hopefully I'll figure out what I'm going to do this summer and beyond, but until then translating isn't even at the back of my mind. I just don't have the time nor presence of mind to do it right now... if I forced myself I wouldn't be paying the work enough respect, and I honestly would rather not have this hanging over my head. Hopefully I'll figure things out in the next few months, and if/when I do (or if I end up being a rounin) I'll poke my head back in and see if I'm still needed. Until then, gokigenyou, and thanks for putting up with all the difficulties. When I started up I honestly thought I'd be able to go a volume a month, but I sorely underestimated how busy I'd become in my last year of university.

-[[User:Seki|Seki]]

good luck. we'll do our best. don't be surprised if things are still the same when you come back...
-AU

Thanks for all done novels, Seki. Wonderful job. I hope your life goes well and I cross my fingers for you.--[[User:Rinu|Rinu]] 23:10, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

Thank you very much for your translations, and best wishes regarding your life and future. Gokigenyou -- rh

==Illustrations==

Just wondering, have those novels no illustrations? Or were they left out because they would have been to much, or were there some other reasons? Like I said just wondering... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 09:19, 4 November 2009 (UTC) - Ah, I see they have illustrations but not all of those are added so if anyone who have those illustration feel free to add them. ;) --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 08:16, 16 December 2009 (UTC)

==Okazu Translation Notes==
For now I have put them on the respective Chapter Talk page, but maybe they should be collected on a own translators notes page for each of thos volumes? --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 08:16, 16 December 2009 (UTC)

== request to translators ==

please remember to register for chapters and volumes you are registering

when updating, please attempt to remember to updates the registering to show completed status

out of every series on the site yours is the only one to have entire volumes with full texts not only not show there the completed status, not only not show that a translator is working on them, but not even appear on the registration page! No one can what anyone else is working on, and is against Baka-Tsuki policy and practices. Please, Please, Please do this.

That is because most of those later translations are c&p from [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu]. We got the permission for that once...

Also our translators did register, even the first, but Seki removed what was registered if the translation was completed... --[[User:Darklor|Darklor]] 07:31, 26 February 2010 (UTC)

Ah, that it explains it. chapter titles for volume 21 full text needs work, btw, . --[[User:Saganatsu|Saganatsu]] 21:33, 12 April 2010 (UTC)

== Soeur vs Sœur ==

I've noticed that the first five translated volumes use sœur while as far as I can tell most of the later ones use soeur. I prefer the more French style sœur anyone object to me changing them all to that so there is consistency across all the volumes?

Sukoshi also likes to use the French spelling for words. It's problematic because most Americans can't read French (myself included), whereas the rest of the English-speaking has some familiarity with it. I guess it's a good idea, since theoretically the Japanese loan word came from the French. If we do, I'll need to memorize the ASCII code for making that character. xD ~Rei

Often when French words appear in English texts they appear in italics. Would this also be a good idea? ~Rei

I think I speak for most people here when I say, we just want to be able to read the story. While Soeur is more visually appealing to my English eye, if you insist on the other, I don't think anyone will complain. Proper French spelling aside, by this point we've long since come to recognize what it means anyway so I doubt it matters. ~Molenir

Still, I think we should have consistency for the new readers. ~ Novium

== volumes 7-14? ==

I know I can catch the main idea in the anime, but with much dissatisfaction, moreover, I really want to read the novel (sadly, i don't know any Japanese at all), so can you guys please work on those volumes too. I would be very thankful if you do (I know, you guys don't have time, but please at least consider it. And sorry for my bad English, it is not my primary language.)

== Thanks ==

Thanks for translating especially for quick posts for Volume 31, I am really liking it. Which volume are you going to after volume 31? If possible could you do volume 34? --Maria

Welcome to the wiki, and thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately, I only have raws for Volumes 1-33, so can't translate Volume 34 at the moment. I'll probably work on Volume 27 next - it was suggested on the forum a while back (9 months? has it really been that long?). I've had a quick flip through it, and it looks good. [[User:Enn are|Enn are]] 06:46, 15 January 2012 (CST)

Hi, I'd like to add another huge thanks for finishing volume 31 so quickly, I so appreciate you taking the time to do this! I loved the book, especially Shimako's family story and the umbrella vignettes. As for volume 34, I have a copy and would be glad to send it to you as I have no translating skills. My understanding is that Yumi and Nana have a great conversation in that ribbon story and I had always hoped to be able to translate it someday. In any case, I'd be happy to give it up. Looking forward to volume 27, thanks again! -bibliopowers

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume27 Chapter1 2

2012-04-29T08:19:59Z

Molenir: /* Warrior Demands a Response. Part 2 */

===<noinclude>Warrior Demands a Response. </noinclude> Part 2 ===

"Testing, one, two."

Mami-san said, speaking into a megaphone. Despite departing in such a hurry, Mami-san strode purposefully into the courtyard with her demeanor conveying, "I've emerged at precisely the appointed time," and exuding the impression, "Everything is going according to schedule," as she stood in front of the participants. The slightly hoarseness in her voice just added to the charm.

"This is the deadline for anyone who has found a card to come forward."

The three future Roses, that is Yumi, Yoshino-san, and Shimako-san, stood beside Mami-san. The members of the newspaper club, who had been scattered around the school during the treasure hunt, had also resumed their positions in the courtyard. Only Hidemi-chan, who had gone to the broadcasting room to make the earlier announcement, was nowhere to be seen.

"In that case, I shall announce the results."

When Mami-san said this, all the chattering students stopped their conversations and looked towards the front.

"This year, two of the treasures, the bouton's cards, were found."

This caused a bit of a stir. Those who already knew this result and those who were hearing it for the first time listened carefully to what came next. The red flush that was visible across their faces probably couldn't be explained solely by the setting sun.

Of the three, two were found – which meant that one was still undiscovered. That kind of result probably gave rise to agitation within the primary participants.

"Would those people whose name I call please step forward."

Losing out to the surrounding tumult, Mami-san raised her voice as she spoke into the megaphone.

"The first card found was the yellow card. It was claimed by Tanuma Chisato-san, from the second-year chrysanthemum class."

Both applause and gasps of surprise came from the crowd. That was understandable. Chisato-san had claimed the yellow card last year, and followed it up with a repeat performance this year. So this was the second consecutive year she'd achieved this remarkable feat.

From amongst those excited voices Chisato-san calmly made her way to Mami-san's side, her face showing she was eminently pleased with the reaction she was getting.

"Good grief."

Yoshino-san shook her head, as she too moved. In the event that a card was found, the hider of the card would stand next to the victor. That had been arranged and agreed to beforehand.

"Congratulations."

"Thank-you."

The interview began.

"I'll start by asking how you're feeling about being the first person to find a card."

"I'm really happy."

The interview proceeded at a surprisingly brisk pace, because at some unknown point in time Mami-san's megaphone had been swapped for a microphone. Since Hidemi-san could be seen hunched over walking away from Mami-san with the megaphone under her arms, the obvious inference was that she'd borrowed the microphone from the broadcasting room and brought it with her. – What a commendable petit soeur.

"And where did you find the yellow card?"

"On the exterior wall of the staff room."

As expected, there was a stir from the audience, and even some booing. The explanation that was given earlier in the room on the second floor of the Rose Mansion would have to be repeated.

"The exterior wall of the staff room? Is that correct, Rosa Foetida en Bouton?"

Of course, Mami-san had anticipated this reaction from the crowd and calmly continued the interview.

"Yes. That is correct."

Yoshino-san agreed.

"But I can hear a number of people saying that the staff room was out of bounds."

Then, Yoshino-san and Chisato-san both looked immensely self-satisfied as they simultaneously said:

"The inside was."

Neither of the pair said anything more, instead only smiling broadly. In the end, it fell to Mami-san to settle things once more.

"If you look at the maps you were given, I think you'll all understand – "

Much thanks for all your hard work.

Mami-san then asked Chisato-san if she had any final statement, handing the mic over to her.

"If this treasure hunt event is held next year, naturally I'll be aiming to get the yellow card for a third year running. When that happens, club president, I'd like my name inscribed on a roll of honor, so that future generations know of my deeds."

High-school was three years. So, short of repeating a grade, a record of three consecutive victories could never be broken. Of course, this year the middle-school students had been allowed to enter in the form of the "absentee's chance draw," but that should probably be viewed as a special case since it didn't involve actually walking the grounds and searching for yourself.

"It's a deal."

Mami-san's assurance was met with much cheering and applause. In reality, a miraculous string of three consecutive victories was unlikely to happen, but everyone present was all fired up.

"Okay, moving on to the red card, which was found only moments before time was up."

Silence fell over the courtyard.

[[Image:MM_v27_021.png|thumb]]

"After consultation, Matsudaira Touko-san, from the first-year Camellia class, was declared the winner."

At that instant.

The ground shook as though there were an earthquake. Unheralded, thunder rang out. A sudden gust of wind rocked the school walls. – Of course, none of those things actually happened, but they're good metaphors for the roar of voices that reverberated around the courtyard.

The sound of all different voices clashing together made a noise that was hard to believe could come from humans. Those few moments of sound encompassed cheers of joy, angry roars, shrieks, and applause – to name just a few. At any rate, they all undoubtedly conveyed 'surprise.'

"Over here, please, Matsudaira-san."

From amongst these seething voices, Touko-chan emerged looking completely unaffected by the reaction, and took the final few steps to stand beside Mami-san.

On reflection, it was good that both Chisato-san and Touko-chan had made their way to the Rose Mansion before the time limit was up. As a result, when they went downstairs they were towards the front of the crowd (ie. standing near the entrance to the Rose Mansion), so they weren't expected to push their way through the crowd.

"You too, Yumi-san."

When Shimako-san pointed this out, Yumi belatedly remembered that she had to go and stand next to Touko-chan.

Standing next to Touko-chan.

Everything had been in such a state of confusion since Mami-san's alarm went off that Yumi hadn't had time to become conscious of it. However, Touko-chan had indeed said those words.

(Yumi-sama, won't you take me as your petit soeur?)

Just remembering it was enough to make her heart race. Yumi nervously looked out upon the crowd, as though she herself was the one who had found the treasure.

"Congratulations."

"Thank-you."

The interview commenced, with Yumi standing by. There was still a little bit of noise around, but everyone gave Touko-chan their attention because they all wanted to hear the full story from the finder of the red card.

"So tell me, where did you find the red card?"

"On the second floor of the Rose Mansion."

Touko-chan answered. Whereupon Mami-san asked, with a straight face:

"Could you provide us with some more details?"

Touko-chan glanced at Yumi. As though to ask, "Is that okay?" Of course, Yumi nodded. Since that answer contained a deeper meaning, it had always been her intention to tell the specifics of the location.

"On a chair. Rosa Chinensis en Bouton had been sitting atop the card."

The moment Touko-chan said this, the courtyard burst into uproarious laughter.

"Is that correct, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton?"

"Er, ah, yeah."

Yumi hastily agreed to Mami-san's request for confirmation. She hadn't considered that this would be met with laughter. Touko-chan had probably anticipated this, and that's why she'd initially responded with, "On the second floor of the Rose Mansion."

Probably thinking that this explanation was unsatisfactory, Mami-san added her own commentary.

"Immediately following the start, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton sat on that chair, the card pressed against her butt, for the entire hour. But it wasn't brute force – she'd assured us that she would stand up if anyone asked her to do so. Five minutes before the end, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton's onee-sama, Rosa Chinensis, asked her to stand up, and she started to do so, but was made to sit down again. Immediately afterward, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton was startled into standing up by the force with which Matsudaira Touko-san entered into the room. As I'm sure all the participants that were there to witness the events would testify. Rosa Chinensis accepted this situation, and Rosa Chinensis en Bouton gave it her seal of approval. And with that, Matsudaira Touko-san was acknowledged as the winner."

After Mami-san had said that much, Noriko-chan, who had slipped away and gone back into the Rose Mansion at some earlier point in time, came dashing out of the entrance carrying a bundle of documents and whispered something into her ear. Mami-san nodded in agreement, and said:

"Since we didn't have time earlier, I'll take the opportunity now."

Grinning, she turned to Touko-chan.

"Matsudaira Touko-san, sorry to bother you, but may I see your student card?"

"Okay."

Touko-chan put her hand into her pocket and produced her student ID card. Mami-san took the card and compared it to what was on the papers that Noriko-chan brought. This was just a precaution – surely she'd registered properly.

It must have only taken about five seconds, but Yumi's nervousness grew and grew.

Mami-san nodded.

"This is indeed her entry form. She is officially recognized as the holder of the red card."

A mixture of applause and sighs could be heard from the participants who had been watching intently, awaiting the outcome.

"Now, just a reminder that in the unlikely event that two "absentee's chance" entrants both picked the correct location, those entries would not be honored."

In other words, if the prize was over-subscribed, it would not be awarded.

"Which brings me to the white card, which sadly went undiscovered. Preliminary results indicate a single entrant picked the correct location, winning the white card and the special prize of a half-day date. The name of the winner, and the location of the white card, will be published in the Valentine's Day special edition of the Lillian Kawaraban. We'll also have speculation about the dates, so we hope you'll look forward to it!"

The response to Mami-san's feel-good PR for the school newspaper was an abundance of cries of dissatisfaction. Understandable, really. The special edition wasn't going to come out today, and if it were to include speculation about the dates then it probably wouldn't be out for at least a week. Waiting that long would be hard for even the best trained dog.

But, now that she'd said that, there was no going back. Mami-san brought the event to a close, forcing the words out her mouth.

"And on that note, the "Future Roses Treasure Hunt" Valentine's Day event comes to an end. I'd like to thank everyone that was involved in the event. The future Roses will be handing out chocolates to all the participants, so please take one on your way out."

Yumi took one of the baskets that Noriko-chan had prepared and hurried to the edge of the courtyard. Similarly, Yoshino-san stationed herself near the entrance to the school buildings, and Shimako-san moved to a spot along the path that led towards the rear of the courtyard, so that the students would be enticed to disperse.

"Thanks for participating, please take one."

Inside the basket were merely bite-sized chocolates, but the participants received them as though they were the treasure.

"Thanks for your hard work."

"It was fun."

Seeing their smiling faces and hearing their words of thanks made Yumi want to throw the basket in the air and jump for joy. Of course, it would be problematic if the chocolates came flying out of the basket, so she didn't do this.

"Yumi-sama. What did you think about Touko-san finding the card?"

One of them hit her with a straight ball, out of nowhere. The girl had a tense expression on her face, as though she'd been angry when she heard the result. A first-year, apparently. Yumi wasn't busy, since this girl seemed to have waited to approach her until after the crowd had thinned out, when she wouldn't be inconveniencing anyone.

"What did I think?"

Yumi tilted her head, questioningly.

"Well, Rosa Chinensis must have realized it was on the chair, right? And yet, it seems a bit unfortunate, you know."

"I see."

This girl was being serious – there was no trace of deception or an attempt to conceal anything. So she was openly speaking what was on her mind.

"You know, whether it was Touko-san, or Rosa Chinensis, or even someone else I don't know, my feelings probably wouldn't change. I'd just be happy that someone found it. And that's how I am now."

After she'd said that, Yumi impishly drew her index finger up to her mouth.

"Although that's a bit rude to Shimako-san, since no-one found her card. Don't tell her I said that, okay?"

The first-year laughed at this, and the tension seemed to be released.

"Whether the person who found the card was someone I knew well, or someone I didn't know at all, wouldn't change my feelings."

"So you'd still feel that way, even if I'd found the card, for example?"

"Of course. I'd be delighted."

"I understand. Sorry for asking such a strange question."

"Not at all. Thanks for participating."

After taking a chocolate from the proffered basket, the girl quickly bowed her head and ran off. Feeling refreshed, Yumi watched her go for a short while.

"You done?"

Hearing that voice, Yumi turned around and saw that Yoshino-san had made her way over and was swinging her basket around.

"Rei-chan said she wanted one, and there's some left over, so is it okay if I give it to her? A chocolate, that is."

"That should be fine … ah, wait."

Looking around the courtyard, a group of students remained congregated around Shimako-san. Would she have enough chocolates left in her basket to be able to handle that group?

"Don't worry about them. All of those girls already took a chocolate."

Yoshino-san said, yawning.

"They've got a chocolate, but they still haven't gone home?"

"You should remember what happened last year, Yumi-san."

"Ah."

Where on earth had Shimako-san hidden her white card? Those who just couldn't wait for the Lillian Kawaraban special edition to come out were sticking around, unwilling to leave. Probably intending to accompany the newspaper club members when they went to retrieve it.

"Like I said, it'll be revealed in the Lillian Kawaraban special edition."

Even at this distance, they could hear Mami-san's troubled voice as she explained the situation. But Yumi and Yoshino-san knew she really wasn't that troubled. She was just sifting out the participants, until an appropriate number remained. And, because they knew this, the group stubbornly remained, despite her calls for them to go home.

"Hold on a minute."

Mami-san said to the remaining students, then walked over to Yumi and Yoshino-san.

"It doesn't look like I'll get the numbers down any further than this, so I'm going to get the white card. How about you, Yumi-san, Yoshino-san?"

Will you come too? That's what was being asked, and Yumi and Yoshino-san looked at each other. There were about fifteen or sixteen girls left in the group. Add to that Tsutako-san and Mami-san from the newspaper club, the leading lady Shimako-san and her petit soeur Noriko-chan, and it was a pretty big bunch. The more people there were the harder it would be to lead them, plus they already knew the hiding place, so they decided to sit this one out.

"We'll tidy up the Rose Mansion."

"Really? That'll be a great help. I told the other newspaper club members they could leave after they'd collected the hints for Shimako-san's card, and it's getting late, so this looks like a good place to call it a day. The review meeting's tomorrow at lunch. See ya."

Without waiting for an acknowledgment from Yumi or Yoshino-san, Mami-san headed back to where Shimako-san and the others were waiting. As a group, they headed off towards the school building with Shimako-san in the lead.

Which led to an odd sensation. The courtyard, which had earlier seemed to be absolutely buried beneath the mass of students suddenly seemed quite deserted, now that there were none there.

After picking up washcloths that were hanging on the line between the Rose Mansion and the school building, the bouton pair entered the Rose Mansion.

"That Touko-chan,"

Yoshino-san said, as they climbed the stairs.

"Hmm?"

"She didn't go to you, did she, Yumi-san?"

For a moment Yumi had no idea what Yoshino-san was talking about, but then Yoshino-san swung around and held out her basket, and Yumi realized that she was talking about when they were handing out chocolates to the participants.

"Ah, now that you mention it."

Yumi realized that, indeed, she hadn't seen Touko-chan get a chocolate.

"It's not, "Now that I mention it." She took a chocolate from my basket, then left. What's up with you two?"

"What do you mean, what's up with us?"

Yumi hastily followed her friend who stomped up the steps with an angry and amazed look on her face.

"Just before, there was that huge uproar when she asked to become your petit soeur in front of everyone. Then after that, it's like, ohhh, nothing happened – but that's not true, right?"

When you put it that way.

"This time she was the one that asked. So hurry up and give her the rosary already, and stop all this constant flirting, and flirting, and flirting, and flirting."

Yoshino-san waited for Yumi to finish climbing the stairs, then slung her arm over Yumi's shoulder, around her neck, and pulled it in tight.

"Owwwww."

Chocolates from their baskets scattered all over the floor.

Yumi used the dust cloth in her free right hand to signal her surrender and eventually Yoshino-san relaxed her hold. Then, rather than removing her arm, Yoshino-san left it there, swung around in front of Yumi and embraced her with both arms.

" … I'm so glad, Yumi-san."

Yoshino-san whispered into Yumi's ear.

"Yeah."

Their bodies separated and they smiled at each other. The joy was doubled and the sadness halved. Yumi was thankful to have that sort of a friend to care for her.

"Alright. Let's hurry up and clean this place, Rei-chan's waiting in the classroom for me to meet her, so we can go home."

With satisfaction emanating from every part of her body, Yoshino-san did as she said and hurried into the room.

" … Oh geeze."

Left behind in the corridor, Yumi gathered the scattered chocolates in her basket, picked up the washcloth and headed for the biscuit door.

"What's taking you so long?"

Yoshino-san's voice called out from inside.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume27 Chapter1 1

2012-04-29T08:16:35Z

Molenir: /* Warrior Demands a Response. Part 1. */

===<noinclude>Warrior Demands a Response. </noinclude>Part 1.===

The alarm on Mami-san's wristwatch noisily sounded.

Game over.

Time was up for the treasure hunt.

The participants had already started to assemble in the courtyard. Although they couldn't hear Mami-san's alarm, they'd come because they could each tell the time with their own watches.

4:40pm.

The individually tiny voices and laughter joined together and knocked on the outside of the room's glass window, like a wave breaking upon the shore.

Everyone was waiting for the results to be announced.

However.

Here, in the room on the second floor of the Rose Mansion, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The events that had taken place during the last few moments had been so hectic that it took a while for comprehension to catch up.

Either that, or everyone's mind had gone blank as they struggled to think of how to control a situation that was as chaotic as someone upending a toy-box, scattering toys everywhere.

Let's sort out what happened.

First off, at 4:35pm, Rosa Chinensis (Ogasawara Sachiko-sama), having waited until the time was ripe, ordered the hider of the red card, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton (Fukuzawa Yumi), to, "Stand up."

Just as Yumi was in the process of standing up, Matsudaira Touko-chan, who until that moment hadn't set foot in the Rose Mansion at all that day, burst into the room with incredible force, looking for all the world like a person possessed.

"Yumi-sama, won't you take me as your petit soeur?"

All the students around them had been surprised, but the most surprised had to be the person being addressed herself. It's said you can never really know another person, but Yumi had asked Touko-chan to be her soeur previously, and been refused. On top of that, she'd been attacked by Touko-chan once more the previous week, albeit as part of a completely incomprehensible conversation, and the subsequent cold shoulder had not really garnered her any sympathy.

Some kind of misunderstanding had obviously arisen between them. Therefore a refusal would be soon forthcoming, and then a wait for the blood that had obviously gone rushing to Touko-chan's head to recede so that the misunderstanding could be sorted out and the tie between them cut. It shouldn't take too long. The surrounding students decided to settle themselves.

And yet, Touko-chan had come sprinting, door-slamming, panting and leaping in front of Yumi as though something had happened.

It seems reasonable enough that surprise would reach Yumi's face before happiness or any other emotion.

Then, without thinking, she stood up. That was when the red card made its entrance. As a result of spending the last hour wedged between the chair cushion and Yumi's backside, it was warm from her body heat.

"Ah."

And that was when the alarm went off on the wristwatch worn by the head of the newspaper club, Yamaguchi Mami-san.

Well, what to do now.

Somebody, take control. Of this situation.

There was somewhere between twenty and thirty (no time to take an accurate count) students watching on, holding their breath.

At that point.

''"It's 4:40pm. The treasure hunt has ended, so would all the participants please assemble in the courtyard. I repeat – "''

The voice came from the school's PA system.

"Ha."

Hidemi-chan's voice sounding through the speakers brought everyone back to reality. Hidemi-chan had been scheduled to make the announcement from the broadcasting room in place of her onee-sama Mami-san, who couldn't move from the event's headquarters, that is, the Rose Mansion. Of course, her watch was synchronized with Mami-san's. The approximately ten seconds delay was probably due to confusion about how to use the equipment in the broadcasting room.

"This is no good. We have to get out there."

Mami-san called out. In other words, what would happen if the promoters were late? She still had the important task of announcing the results ahead of her.

"Everyone, to the courtyard, quickly."

Having calmed down, the other students heeded these words and broke for the biscuit door. Rosa Gigantea en Bouton (Nijou Noriko-chan) who was today playing the role of assistant, dashed out carrying three baskets full of bite-sized chocolates that were prizes for participation.

Things moved fast. Like watching an emergency evacuation.

However.

"One moment."

Sachiko-sama called Mami-san to a halt.

"There's just one thing I want to confirm. What do you plan to do about the red card?"

"Ah…"

Yoshino-san's yellow card had been found by Tanuma Chisato-san. Shimako-san's white card hadn't yet been claimed, so a winner would be chosen from amongst the absentee entrants.

However, what of the red card?

It was only just within the time limit, but the red card had made an appearance. However, while it had "made an appearance" there had been no specific person that had come forth, card in hand, and said, "I've found it." In truth, the red card was even now still atop the cushion, although it had probably cooled down slightly.

"Well … "

Mami-san started to speak, but then closed her mouth.

If multiple people found the card at the same time, the winner was supposed to be impartially decided by rock-paper-scissors. But did that mean that chance was granted to all participants in the room, with the exception of Chisato-san. But then there were those who were at point-blank range, and those who were further away and only found out about the card later, and various levels in-between, so it couldn't just be decided by calling everyone together and having them all play rock-paper-scissors.

If, just after 4:35pm, Yumi had stood up when Sachiko-sama had asked her to, then the red card would unquestionably belong to Sachiko-sama. But, with the arrival of Touko-chan, the situation became more complicated.

"It's Touko-chan's, right?"

Sachiko-sama said.

"Uh."

Upon hearing these unexpected words, everyone caught their breath simultaneously. Sachiko-sama hadn't stopped Mami-san to press her own claim.

"But, even if you say that Rosa Chinensis."

"It's true that I asked Yumi to stand up. But even though she started moving, she remained seated. It was Touko-chan that made her stand up."

The participants who had been entertaining a slight hope despondently filed towards the door. Someone with a far stronger case than they had just renounced her claim. With that, there was no way it would be overturned.

"Yumi-san."

Mami-san turned around and called her name. Seeking confirmation that this was acceptable.

Yumi nodded.

Just like Sachiko-sama had said, Yumi had started the process of getting out of her chair, but she had still remained seated. It had been the shock of hearing Touko-chan's words that had caused her to stand up.

If it had been someone other than Touko-chan, Yumi probably would have accepted. But it was Touko-chan, so nothing more complicated needed to be considered.

"Then hand the red card to Matsudaira Touko-san. We'll handle the formalities later."

Mami-san spoke quickly, as she made a dash for the biscuit door.

"Okay, everyone out."

In accordance with that order, everyone quickly left the room like commuters exiting a train during rush-hour. Yumi started walking in the opposite direction, opposing that flow.

She could see both Touko-chan and Sachiko-sama, but they were too far away that she couldn't reach out to either of them.

Talk:Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume27 Chapter1

2012-04-29T08:08:44Z

Molenir: Created page with "Adding a please in the sentence, "Yumi-sama, won't you make me your petit-sour." changes the tone of the sentence to make it more obviously a respectful request."

Adding a please in the sentence,

"Yumi-sama, won't you make me your petit-sour." changes the tone of the sentence to make it more obviously a respectful request.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume27 Chapter1 1

2012-04-29T08:03:42Z

Molenir: /* Warrior Demands a Response. Part 1. */

===<noinclude>Warrior Demands a Response. </noinclude>Part 1.===

The alarm on Mami-san's wristwatch noisily sounded.

Game over.

Time was up for the treasure hunt.

The participants had already started to assemble in the courtyard. Although they couldn't hear Mami-san's alarm, they'd come because they could each tell the time with their own watches.

4:40pm.

The individually tiny voices and laughter joined together and knocked on the outside of the room's glass window, like a wave breaking upon the shore.

Everyone was waiting for the results to be announced.

However.

Here, in the room on the second floor of the Rose Mansion, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The events that had taken place during the last few moments had been so hectic that it took a while for comprehension to catch up.

Either that, or everyone's mind had gone blank as they struggled to think of how to control a situation that was as chaotic as someone upending a toy-box, scattering toys everywhere.

Let's sort out what happened.

First off, at 4:35pm, Rosa Chinensis (Ogasawara Sachiko-sama), having waited until the time was ripe, ordered the hider of the red card, Rosa Chinensis en Bouton (Fukuzawa Yumi), to, "Stand up."

Just as Yumi was in the process of standing up, Matsudaira Touko-chan, who until that moment hadn't set foot in the Rose Mansion at all that day, burst into the room with incredible force, looking for all the world like a person possessed.

"Yumi-sama, please won't you take me as your petit soeur?"

All the students around them had been surprised, but the most surprised had to be the person being addressed herself. It's said you can never really know another person, but Yumi had asked Touko-chan to be her soeur previously, and been refused. On top of that, she'd been attacked by Touko-chan once more the previous week, albeit as part of a completely incomprehensible conversation, and the subsequent cold shoulder had not really garnered her any sympathy.

Some kind of misunderstanding had obviously arisen between them. Therefore a refusal would be soon forthcoming, and then a wait for the blood that had obviously gone rushing to Touko-chan's head to recede so that the misunderstanding could be sorted out and the tie between them cut. It shouldn't take too long. The surrounding students decided to settle themselves.

And yet, Touko-chan had come sprinting, door-slamming, panting and leaping in front of Yumi as though something had happened.

It seems reasonable enough that surprise would reach Yumi's face before happiness or any other emotion.

Then, without thinking, she stood up. That was when the red card made its entrance. As a result of spending the last hour wedged between the chair cushion and Yumi's backside, it was warm from her body heat.

"Ah."

And that was when the alarm went off on the wristwatch worn by the head of the newspaper club, Yamaguchi Mami-san.

Well, what to do now.

Somebody, take control. Of this situation.

There was somewhere between twenty and thirty (no time to take an accurate count) students watching on, holding their breath.

At that point.

''"It's 4:40pm. The treasure hunt has ended, so would all the participants please assemble in the courtyard. I repeat – "''

The voice came from the school's PA system.

"Ha."

Hidemi-chan's voice sounding through the speakers brought everyone back to reality. Hidemi-chan had been scheduled to make the announcement from the broadcasting room in place of her onee-sama Mami-san, who couldn't move from the event's headquarters, that is, the Rose Mansion. Of course, her watch was synchronized with Mami-san's. The approximately ten seconds delay was probably due to confusion about how to use the equipment in the broadcasting room.

"This is no good. We have to get out there."

Mami-san called out. In other words, what would happen if the promoters were late? She still had the important task of announcing the results ahead of her.

"Everyone, to the courtyard, quickly."

Having calmed down, the other students heeded these words and broke for the biscuit door. Rosa Gigantea en Bouton (Nijou Noriko-chan) who was today playing the role of assistant, dashed out carrying three baskets full of bite-sized chocolates that were prizes for participation.

Things moved fast. Like watching an emergency evacuation.

However.

"One moment."

Sachiko-sama called Mami-san to a halt.

"There's just one thing I want to confirm. What do you plan to do about the red card?"

"Ah…"

Yoshino-san's yellow card had been found by Tanuma Chisato-san. Shimako-san's white card hadn't yet been claimed, so a winner would be chosen from amongst the absentee entrants.

However, what of the red card?

It was only just within the time limit, but the red card had made an appearance. However, while it had "made an appearance" there had been no specific person that had come forth, card in hand, and said, "I've found it." In truth, the red card was even now still atop the cushion, although it had probably cooled down slightly.

"Well … "

Mami-san started to speak, but then closed her mouth.

If multiple people found the card at the same time, the winner was supposed to be impartially decided by rock-paper-scissors. But did that mean that chance was granted to all participants in the room, with the exception of Chisato-san. But then there were those who were at point-blank range, and those who were further away and only found out about the card later, and various levels in-between, so it couldn't just be decided by calling everyone together and having them all play rock-paper-scissors.

If, just after 4:35pm, Yumi had stood up when Sachiko-sama had asked her to, then the red card would unquestionably belong to Sachiko-sama. But, with the arrival of Touko-chan, the situation became more complicated.

"It's Touko-chan's, right?"

Sachiko-sama said.

"Uh."

Upon hearing these unexpected words, everyone caught their breath simultaneously. Sachiko-sama hadn't stopped Mami-san to press her own claim.

"But, even if you say that Rosa Chinensis."

"It's true that I asked Yumi to stand up. But even though she started moving, she remained seated. It was Touko-chan that made her stand up."

The participants who had been entertaining a slight hope despondently filed towards the door. Someone with a far stronger case than they had just renounced her claim. With that, there was no way it would be overturned.

"Yumi-san."

Mami-san turned around and called her name. Seeking confirmation that this was acceptable.

Yumi nodded.

Just like Sachiko-sama had said, Yumi had started the process of getting out of her chair, but she had still remained seated. It had been the shock of hearing Touko-chan's words that had caused her to stand up.

If it had been someone other than Touko-chan, Yumi probably would have accepted. But it was Touko-chan, so nothing more complicated needed to be considered.

"Then hand the red card to Matsudaira Touko-san. We'll handle the formalities later."

Mami-san spoke quickly, as she made a dash for the biscuit door.

"Okay, everyone out."

In accordance with that order, everyone quickly left the room like commuters exiting a train during rush-hour. Yumi started walking in the opposite direction, opposing that flow.

She could see both Touko-chan and Sachiko-sama, but they were too far away that she couldn't reach out to either of them.

Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-02-23T19:12:45Z

Molenir:

[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|200px|thumb|MariMite volume 1 cover.]]

Maria-sama ga Miteru (マリア様がみてる) is a Japanese light novel series written by Oyuki Konno (今野緒雪（こんのおゆき）) and illustrated by Reine Hibiki (ひびき玲音). The series is published by Shueisha under their Cobalt imprint. Many of the short stories which were later also included in the novel series were first published in the Cobalt magazine. The series has currently 36 published volumes. The spin-off light novel series Ōshaka-sama mo Miteru (お釈迦様もみてる) about Yumi's younger brother Yūki and his schoolmates at Hanadera have since August 2008 six published volumes.

''Maria-sama ga Miteru'' is also available in the following languages:
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_%28Fran%C3%A7ais%29|Français (French)]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_Spanish|Español (Spanish)]]

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

== Story Synopsis ==

Maria-sama ga Miteru's story revolves around the students of the Lillian Catholic school for girls, and can be considered character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain. At Lillian Girls' School, there is a tradition known as the sœur system (sœur being French for "sister"), in which a second, or third-year student, the grande sœur ("big sister"), will give her rosary to a junior student, the petite sœur ("little sister"), and promise to look after them and guide them.

When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a first-year at Lillian, is praying in front of the Virgin Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi's uniform ribbon. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, and she speaks of her meeting with Sachiko to her friends during class and lunch. After school is over, Yumi's classmate Tsutako Takeshima meets with Yumi to show her that she took a photograph of Yumi's meeting with Sachiko earlier that morning. Yumi asks if she can have the photo, but Tsutako says she will give her the snapshot under two conditions: one being that Tsutako can display it at the upcoming school festival, and two being that Yumi get Sachiko's permission to do so as well. Yumi agrees to this, which sets in motion a series of events involving the entire Yamayurikai — the student council of the school. A few weeks after first meeting Sachiko, Yumi accepts Sachiko's rosary and therefore agrees to become her petite sœur.

This officially inducts Yumi into the Yamayurikai where she assists them in school matters at the same level as the other two petite sœurs — Yoshino Shimazu, and Shimako Tōdō — who are the petite sœurs of Rei Hasekura, and Sei Satō respectively. Through her activities in the Yamayurikai, Yumi becomes closer to the other members and generally finds her experiences with the group to be enjoyable. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria-sama_ga_Miteru Synopsis from wikipedia.]

'''Warning:''' Suffice it to say, this series is considered yuri, having various mentions of lesbian relationships. They are not, however, particularly graphic. If you find this sort of topic offensive, look away.

== Translation ==

=== [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

'''Translators are asked to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on''' (see [[Format_guideline#Translators|the Guideline page]] for usage rules).

=== Format Standards ===
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Format|Maria-sama ga Miteru specific formatting]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes|Maria-sama ga Miteru translation notes]]

== Updates ==
* 18 January 2012
** Started translation of volume 27
* 15 January 2012
** Finished translation of volume 31
* 31 August 2011
** Finished translation of volume 28
* 17 April 2011
** Finished translation of volume 30

[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Updates|Past Updates]]

== Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる by Oyuki Konno ==
=== Volume 1 - Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1|Monday of Uneasiness]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2|Tuesday of Storms]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3|Anxious Wednesday, Friday of Battle]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4|Spicy and Bitter Weekend]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5|The Hot Second Week]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6|Waltz-like Sunday]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 2 - The Yellow Rose Revolution/黄薔薇革命 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v02_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1|Best Sœur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2|The Returned Rosary]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3|Unexpected Consequences]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4|Just what is going on?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5|Fighting Maidens]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter6|As long as it ends well]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 3 - Forest of Thorns/いばらの森 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v03_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Forest of Thorns
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter1|The semester exam and the paperback]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter2|The White Rose]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter3|Who's Suga Sei?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter4|If I could meet Eve]]
* The White Flower Petal
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter5|Springtime Buds]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter6|Summer Greenhouse]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter7|Autumn Love]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter8|The last flower of winter, and then]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 4 - Rosa Canina/ロサ・カニーナ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v04_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Rosa Canina
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter1|A lonesome warmth]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter2|Rosa Canina?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3|What do you think?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter4|Raison d'etre for sœur]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5|A modest secret]]
* Nagakiyono
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6|The first of January]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7|The hatsumoude on the second]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter8|With the archenemy]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter9|By onee-sama's side]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 5 - Valentine's Gift - Part 1/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v05_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Surprise chocolate
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter1|Research]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter2|gift from a rare visitor]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter3|Outsider]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter4|The thirteenth of February]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter5|St. Valentine's prank]]
* The Yellow Rose complication
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_1|18:50, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_2|19:18, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_3|19:30, Rei]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_4|23:10, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_5|23:10, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_6|23:10, Rei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 6 - Valentine's Gift - Part 2/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v06_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* First date triangle
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter1|Order]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter2|Hors d'oeuvre]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter3|Main]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter4|Dessert]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter5|The crimson card]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter6|Rosa Chinensis' best day of her life]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 7 - Beloved Times - Part 1/いとしき歳月（前編） ===
[[Image:MM_v07_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose at Full Speed
** In the Beginning
** Rabbit and Cat and Wolf
** Umbrella Maker's Wife
** Yellow Rose Rebellion
* Very Busy Days
** Monday
** Tuesday
** Wednesday
** Thursday
** Friday
** Saturday
** Freebie
* A Short Interlude

=== Volume 8 - Beloved Times - Part 2/いとしき歳月（後編） ===
[[Image:MM_v08_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Will
** Lost Item
** Farewell Gift
* As the Years Pass By
** Just Before Graduation
** Eriko, Sei, Youko
** Farewell Address and Formal Reply
** Towards the Light
* Hold One of My Hands
** Spring Breeze
** Autumn Bonds

=== Volume 9 - Cherry Blossom (Sakura)/チェリーブロッサム ===
[[Image:MM_v09_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* The Cherry in the Ginkgos
** Falling Cherry Blossoms / Exam Failure
** Maria and Maitreya
** Rosary or Juzu
** The Maria Ceremony Inquisition
* BGN (Background Noise)
** If the Cherry Blossoms Fall
** 8 – 3 = Right
** Worrisome First Year
** Behind the Scenes of The Maria Ceremony Inquisition

=== Volume 10 - Rainy Blue/レイニーブルー ===
[[Image:MM_v10_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Drop of a Rosary
** Peppermint Candy
** Raindrop
* Yellow Rose Warning
** Suspicious Clouds
** Signs of Rain
* Rainy Blue
** Premonition
** Smile, Smile
** Sweets
** Blue Umbrella, Red Umbrella

=== Volume 11 - Holding a Parasol/パラソルをさして ===
[[Image:MM_v11_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Girl with the Yellow Umbrella
* Classmates
* Welcome
* White Umbrella
* Visitor
* Beneath a Clear, Blue Sky
* Postscript

=== Volume 12 - Vacation of the Lambs/子羊たちの休暇 ===
[[Image:MM_v12_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter0|Prologue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter1|Plans for the Summer Vacation (夏休みの予定) ]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter2|In the Dream of Seeing Cabbage Butterflies (紋白蝶の見る夢は)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter3|Midsummer Greetings with a Pressed Leaf (押し葉の暑中見舞い)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter4|The Rich Princes and Princesses (お坊ちゃま、お嬢様)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter5|Searching in the Mist (霧中模索)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter6|Songs of an Angel (天使の歌)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Epilogue|Author's Epilogue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Translator's_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 13 - One Page of Midsummer/真夏の一ページ ===
[[Image:MM_v13_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Operation OK For Short (Tentative)
** Offer and Plot
** Cunning Boy
** OK, Let's Do It.
* Together With the Old Gentleman
** Working With Resignation and a Dustpan
** As Far as the Meeting Place
** Search for Takuya-kun!
* Rosa Foetida ☆ Illustrated Diary
** 〇th of July (Saturday) : Sunny
** △th of August (Sunday) : Cloudy
** Ⅹth of August (Saturday) : Sunny

=== Volume 14 - Cool Breeze/涼風さつさつ ===
[[Image:MM_v14_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume14_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The First Step
* That's a Problem
* Setting Aside the "Bread Incident"
* Finding Me
* The Battle for Hanadera
* Postscript

=== Volume 15 - Ready, GO!/レディ、GO！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v15_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter1|Remaining Cuteness of Today's Enemy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter2|Everything Prepared?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter3|Friend's affection and Onee-sama]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter4|Casting Aside Embarrassment of One's Parents]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter5|Joker, Anchor]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter6|Penalty Game Speculation]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 16 - Variety Gifts/バラエティギフト [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v16_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter1|Variety Gift I]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter2|Variety Gift II]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter3|Variety Gift III]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter4|Variety Gift IV]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter5|Variety Gift V]]
* Postscript
 

=== Volume 17 - Ciào Sorella!/チャオソレッラ！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v17_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter1|Each and Every Farewell Gift]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter2|Going out at the Beginning]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter3|Leisurely Dialogue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter4|The Mouth of Truth's Complaint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter5|The Capital of Flowers Is What Kind of City?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter6|Resounding! Leaning! Melting!?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter7|The Parakeet's Hint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter8|From the Water Capital to the Island Nation]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9|Souvenir Report]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9.5|The Absence of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton]]
* Postscript
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 18 - Nothing Special, Just a Normal Day/特別でないただの一日 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v18_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter1|Shock]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter2|Are you changing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter3|What will happen? What will we do?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter4|Ah, Misunderstanding]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter5|Dramatics]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 19 - In Library/インライブラリー ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v19_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1|In Library - - I]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1.5|Silent Night's Vision]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2|In Library - - II]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2.5|Joanna]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3|In Library - - III]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.2|Chocolate Coat]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.3|Yasuko]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.4|Masumi]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.5|Asaka]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4|In Library - - IV]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.1|--- Magic Among the Cherry Blossom ---]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.2|-- The Door of Cherry Wood --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.3|-- The Burial Among Cherry Blossoms --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5_Epilogue|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales - Epilogue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5|In Library - - V]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5.5|Library Book]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter6|In Library - - VI]]

=== Volume 20 - Sister Audition/妹オーディション ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v20_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1|-- Right or Wrong -- ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.2|Maria-sama's Star]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.3|Maria-sama's Planet]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter2|Welcome to the Tea Party]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter3|Interim Report]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter4|The Crucial Battle]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter5|Harvest]]
*Postscript

=== Volume 21 - Rose Mille-Feuille/薔薇のミルフィーユ ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v21_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Yellow Rose Panic
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter1|The result of 100 battles?]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter2|Panic Attack!]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter3|The Bout's Whereabouts]]
*Reverie of the White Rose
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter4|Two Peaceful People]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter5|The Heaviness of Reverie]]
*Rosa Chinensis's Sigh
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter6|After-Finals Prize]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter7|High Tension and Roller Coasters]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter8|A Mille-Feuille of Sighs]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Postscript|Afterword]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 22 - Blank Map of the Future/未来の白地図 ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v22_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter1|An Unexpected Visitor (予期せぬ客人） ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter2|A Little Bit of Something（何となく、の中には）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter3|Of Strange Things（ひょんな事から）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter4|Even though it's Christmas（クリスマスなのに）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter5|Rose Dialogue（薔薇のダイアローグ）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Afterword|Afterword]]

=== Volume 23 - Other Side of the Frosted Glass/くもりガラスの向こう側 ===
[[Image:MM_v23_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Chapter1|Onee-sama's Lead (お姉さまのリード)]]
* In One Year's Time (一年の計)
* Stopping In Along the Way (寄り道と道すがら)
* Full To Bursting At the New Year’s Party (新年会てんこ盛り)
* Nearly Far? Or Distantly Near? (近くて遠き？　遠くて近き？)
* A Chill Breeze (冷たい風)
* The Heart In the Frosted Glass (心のくもりガラス)
* Afterword

=== Volume 24 - Masked Actress/仮面のアクトレス ===
[[Image:MM_v24_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume24_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose, Hardball Fight
** Riding a Bicycle
** Contest
* Masked Actress
** The Opening Ceremony's Spoiled Child
** Explanatory Meeting and Clandestine Meeting
** First Year Camellia Class is Normal
** Beneath the Mask
* A Moment of Honesty

=== Volume 25 - Big Door, Small Key/大きな扉　小さな鍵 ===
[[Image:MM_v25_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume25_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Key Holder
** Sometimes Falling, Sometimes Pulling
** Slightly Slipping Away
** Proposal Together With Arrival
** What I Wanted to Hear
* Keyhole of the Heart
** Pitiable Person
** Fortunate Interview
** In Her Pocket

=== Volume 26 - Crisscross/クリスクロス ===
[[Image:MM_v26_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume26_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Crisscross
** Good Morning Chocolate
** Sentimental First-Year Camellia Class
** Ahh, Tea Party
** A Shortcut and Dropping In on the Way
** The Blank Map's Valley
** The Red Card's Outlook
* Map Stroll
** Meandering
** X-Mark

=== Volume 27 - In Search of You/あなたを探しに ===
[[Image:MM_v27_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter1|Warrior Demands a Response]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter2|The "Absentee's Chance" Girl]]
* Unexpected Words
* Opportunity for a Date
* "Why?"
* Amendment, Overwriting and an Old Photograph
* The Door That Opened
* When Tomorrow Comes

=== Volume 28 - Frame of Mind/フレーム　オブ　マインド [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v28_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter1|Frame of Mind 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter2|April Deja-Vu]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter3|Frame of Mind 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter4|Three-Leaf Clover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter5|Frame of Mind 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter6|Sprouts in Dry Wood]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter7|Frame of Mind 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter8|The Yellow Thread]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter9|Frame of Mind 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter10|The Awkward Princess]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter11|Frame of Mind 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter12|Bouton of Light]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter13|Frame of Mind 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter14|The Greenhouse Fairy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter15|Frame of Mind 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter16|The Doppelganger Story]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter17|Frame of Mind 9]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter18|A Roll of Film]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter19|Frame of Mind 10]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 29 - Crown of Roses/薔薇の花かんむり [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_29_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter1|Onee-sama, Rosary and Petit Soeur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter2|Conversation Stories]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter3|Not Here]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter4|Burning Bridges]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter5|Santa's Refreshments]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter6|The Miracle Worker]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter7|Would You Like to Waltz?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 30 - Twinkle, Twinkle, Twirl/キラキラまわる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_30_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter1|Scattered Sunshine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter2|Frivolity and Self-Loathing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter3|Those Two, On the Other Hand]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter4|Star Up Teacup]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter5|What Kind of Groups?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter6|Distant Desire]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter7|Amongst the Stardust]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 31 - Marguerite Ribbon/マーガレットにリボン [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v31_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter1|Marguerite Ribbon 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter2|Debut]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter3|Marguerite Ribbon 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter4|A Rival is Fine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter5|Marguerite Ribbon 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter6|Buying Florentine Senbei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter7|Marguerite Ribbon 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter8|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter9|Marguerite Ribbon 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter10|My Siblings]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter11|Marguerite Ribbon 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter12|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 1]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter13|Marguerite Ribbon 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter14|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 2]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter15|Marguerite Ribbon 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter16|Memories of the Blue Umbrella]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter17|Marguerite Ribbon 9]]
* Afterword

=== Volume 32 - Pre-Graduation Tableau/卒業前小景 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v32_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter1|Laughing While Reminiscing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter2|Onee-sama's Racket]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter3|Me and the Interviewer]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter4|Graduation Group Photograph]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter5|Sweet Bun Feast]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter6|Support and Skinship]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter7|Forgotten Things]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter8|What's the Person Beside You Doing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter9|The Ribbon's Path]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 33 - Hello Goodbye/ハローグッバイ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v33_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter1|Today's Goal]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter2|The Green Bird and the White Flower]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter3|Grand Entrance]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter4|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter5|Parting Gift Trio]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter6|Soloist's Adlib]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter7|Connecting Chains]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter8|Continuing Path]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Postscript|Postscript]]
 

=== Volume 34 - Little Horrors/リトルホラーズ ===
[[Image:MM_v34_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume34_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Chapter 1: "Little Horrors - I" / リトルホラーズ―I
* Chapter 2: "Chinami-san and Me" / チナミさんと私
* Chapter 3: "Little Horrors - II" / リトルホラーズ―II
* Chapter 4: "Picking up a Handkerchief" / ハンカチ拾い
* Chapter 5: "Little Horrors - III" / リトルホラーズ―III
* Chapter 6: "An Honest Lie" / ホントの嘘
* Chapter 7: "Little Horrors - IV" /リトルホラーズ―IV
* Chapter 8: "One Pair" /ワンペア
* Chapter 9: "Little Horrors - V" /リトルホラーズ―V
* Chapter 10: "Dream of a Butterfly" /胡蝶の夢)
* Chapter 11: "Little Horrors - VI" /リトルホラーズ―VI
* Chapter 12: "Extra:Little Panic" /おまけ・リトルパニック

=== Volume 35 - Step/ステップ ===
[[Image:MM_v35_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
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*

=== Volume 36 - My Nest/私の巣 ===
[[Image:MM_v36_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*
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== Project Staff ==

*Project Administrator: ''None Designated''
*Project Supervisor: ''None Designated''

=== Translators ===
'''ACTIVE'''

* [[User:Enn_are|NR]]
* [[User:Sukoshi|Sukoshi]]
* [[User:hasekura_rei|hasekura_rei]]

'''K.I.A.'''

* [[User:Seki|Seki]]
* [[User:Harunako|Harunako]]

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Kurokaze|Kurokaze]]

=== Editors ===
'''ACTIVE'''

(none, beside some occasionally passing readers)

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Ribonizer|Ribonizer]]

=== Contributors ===

* Erica Friedman of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translations of volumes 15 through 19 and
* Rei and Sukoshi of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translation of volume 20 and 21.
* Update: as of May 19, 2010, translations no longer hosted on Okazu.

== Series Overview ==
* Volume 1 - マリア様がみてる (April 24, 1998, ISBN 4-08-614459-X)
* Volume 2 - マリア様がみてる　黄薔薇革命 (February 3, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614554-5)
* Volume 3 - マリア様がみてる　いばらの森 (April 27, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614591-X)
* Volume 4 - マリア様がみてる　ロサ・カニーナ (December 1, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614661-4)
* Volume 5 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） (March 3, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614695-9)
* Volume 6 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） (April 25, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614715-7)
* Volume 7 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（前編） (February 2, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614817-X)
* Volume 8 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（後編） (April 3, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614841-2)
* Volume 9 - マリア様がみてる　チェリーブロッサム (July 27, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614895-1)
* Volume 10 - マリア様がみてる　レイニーブルー (March 29, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600078-4)
* Volume 11 - マリア様がみてる　パラソルをさして (July 1, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600136-5)
* Volume 12 - マリア様がみてる　子羊たちの休暇 (December 25, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600210-8)
* Volume 13 - マリア様がみてる　真夏の一ページ (March 28, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600243-4)
* Volume 14 - マリア様がみてる　涼風さつさつ (July 1, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600284-1)
* Volume 15 - マリア様がみてる　レディ、GO！ (October 31, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600337-6)
* Volume 16 - マリア様がみてる　バラエティギフト (December 25, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600360-0)
* Volume 17 - マリア様がみてる　チャオソレッラ！ (March 31, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600399-6)
* Volume 18 - マリア様がみてる　特別でないただの一日 (October 1, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600484-4)
* Volume 19 - マリア様がみてる　インライブラリー (December 25, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600527-1)
* Volume 20 - マリア様がみてる　妹オーディション (April 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600568-9)
* Volume 21 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇のミルフィーユ (July 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600609-X)
* Volume 22 - マリア様がみてる　未来の白地図 (December 22, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600704-5)
* Volume 23 - マリア様がみてる　くもりガラスの向こう側 (March 31, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600743-6)
* Volume 24 - マリア様がみてる　仮面のアクトレス (June 30, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600784-3)
* Volume 25 - マリア様がみてる　大きな扉　小さな鍵 (October 3, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600823-8)
* Volume 26 - マリア様がみてる　クリスクロス (December 22, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600859-9)
* Volume 27 - マリア様がみてる　あなたを探しに (March 30, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-600895-2)
* Volume 28 - マリア様がみてる　フレーム　オブ　マインド (June 28, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601034-4)
* Volume 29 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇の花かんむり (October 2, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601075-7)
* Volume 30 - マリア様がみてる　キラキラまわる (December 26, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601110-5)
* Volume 31 - マリア様がみてる　マーガレットにリボン (April 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601144-0)
* Volume 32 - マリア様がみてる　卒業前小景 (October 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601214-0)
* Volume 33 - マリア様がみてる　ハローグッバイ (December 26, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601244-7)
* Volume 34 - マリア様がみてる―リトルホラーズ (July 1, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601305-5)
* Volume 35 - マリア様がみてる　私の巣　(December 25, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601363-5)
* Volume 36 - マリア様がみてる　ステップ　(December 28, 2010, ISBN 978-4-08-601481-6)

Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-02-23T19:06:42Z

Molenir: /* Volume 36 - My Nest/私の巣 */

[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|200px|thumb|MariMite volume 1 cover.]]

Maria-sama ga Miteru (マリア様がみてる) is a Japanese light novel series written by Oyuki Konno (今野緒雪（こんのおゆき）) and illustrated by Reine Hibiki (ひびき玲音). The series is published by Shueisha under their Cobalt imprint. Many of the short stories which were later also included in the novel series were first published in the Cobalt magazine. The series has currently 36 published volumes. The spin-off light novel series Ōshaka-sama mo Miteru (お釈迦様もみてる) about Yumi's younger brother Yūki and his schoolmates at Hanadera have since August 2008 six published volumes.

''Maria-sama ga Miteru'' is also available in the following languages:
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_%28Fran%C3%A7ais%29|Français (French)]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_Spanish|Español (Spanish)]]

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

== Story Synopsis ==

Maria-sama ga Miteru's story revolves around the students of the Lillian Catholic school for girls, and can be considered character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain. At Lillian Girls' School, there is a tradition known as the sœur system (sœur being French for "sister"), in which a second, or third-year student, the grande sœur ("big sister"), will give her rosary to a junior student, the petite sœur ("little sister"), and promise to look after them and guide them.

When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a first-year at Lillian, is praying in front of the Virgin Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi's uniform ribbon. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, and she speaks of her meeting with Sachiko to her friends during class and lunch. After school is over, Yumi's classmate Tsutako Takeshima meets with Yumi to show her that she took a photograph of Yumi's meeting with Sachiko earlier that morning. Yumi asks if she can have the photo, but Tsutako says she will give her the snapshot under two conditions: one being that Tsutako can display it at the upcoming school festival, and two being that Yumi get Sachiko's permission to do so as well. Yumi agrees to this, which sets in motion a series of events involving the entire Yamayurikai — the student council of the school. A few weeks after first meeting Sachiko, Yumi accepts Sachiko's rosary and therefore agrees to become her petite sœur.

This officially inducts Yumi into the Yamayurikai where she assists them in school matters at the same level as the other two petite sœurs — Yoshino Shimazu, and Shimako Tōdō — who are the petite sœurs of Rei Hasekura, and Sei Satō respectively. Through her activities in the Yamayurikai, Yumi becomes closer to the other members and generally finds her experiences with the group to be enjoyable. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria-sama_ga_Miteru Synopsis from wikipedia.]

'''Warning:''' Suffice it to say, this series is considered yuri, having various mentions of lesbian relationships. They are not, however, particularly graphic. If you find this sort of topic offensive, look away.

== Translation ==

=== [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

'''Translators are asked to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on''' (see [[Format_guideline#Translators|the Guideline page]] for usage rules).

=== Format Standards ===
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Format|Maria-sama ga Miteru specific formatting]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes|Maria-sama ga Miteru translation notes]]

== Updates ==
* 18 January 2012
** Started translation of volume 27
* 15 January 2012
** Finished translation of volume 31
* 31 August 2011
** Finished translation of volume 28
* 17 April 2011
** Finished translation of volume 30

[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Updates|Past Updates]]

== Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる by Oyuki Konno ==
=== Volume 1 - Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1|Monday of Uneasiness]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2|Tuesday of Storms]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3|Anxious Wednesday, Friday of Battle]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4|Spicy and Bitter Weekend]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5|The Hot Second Week]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6|Waltz-like Sunday]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 2 - The Yellow Rose Revolution/黄薔薇革命 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v02_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1|Best Sœur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2|The Returned Rosary]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3|Unexpected Consequences]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4|Just what is going on?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5|Fighting Maidens]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter6|As long as it ends well]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 3 - Forest of Thorns/いばらの森 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v03_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Forest of Thorns
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter1|The semester exam and the paperback]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter2|The White Rose]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter3|Who's Suga Sei?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter4|If I could meet Eve]]
* The White Flower Petal
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter5|Springtime Buds]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter6|Summer Greenhouse]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter7|Autumn Love]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter8|The last flower of winter, and then]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 4 - Rosa Canina/ロサ・カニーナ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v04_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Rosa Canina
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter1|A lonesome warmth]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter2|Rosa Canina?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3|What do you think?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter4|Raison d'etre for sœur]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5|A modest secret]]
* Nagakiyono
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6|The first of January]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7|The hatsumoude on the second]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter8|With the archenemy]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter9|By onee-sama's side]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 5 - Valentine's Gift - Part 1/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v05_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Surprise chocolate
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter1|Research]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter2|gift from a rare visitor]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter3|Outsider]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter4|The thirteenth of February]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter5|St. Valentine's prank]]
* The Yellow Rose complication
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_1|18:50, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_2|19:18, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_3|19:30, Rei]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_4|23:10, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_5|23:10, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_6|23:10, Rei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 6 - Valentine's Gift - Part 2/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v06_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* First date triangle
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter1|Order]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter2|Hors d'oeuvre]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter3|Main]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter4|Dessert]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter5|The crimson card]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter6|Rosa Chinensis' best day of her life]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 7 - Beloved Times - Part 1/いとしき歳月（前編） ===
[[Image:MM_v07_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose at Full Speed
** In the Beginning
** Rabbit and Cat and Wolf
** Umbrella Maker's Wife
** Yellow Rose Rebellion
* Very Busy Days
** Monday
** Tuesday
** Wednesday
** Thursday
** Friday
** Saturday
** Freebie
* A Short Interlude

=== Volume 8 - Beloved Times - Part 2/いとしき歳月（後編） ===
[[Image:MM_v08_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Will
** Lost Item
** Farewell Gift
* As the Years Pass By
** Just Before Graduation
** Eriko, Sei, Youko
** Farewell Address and Formal Reply
** Towards the Light
* Hold One of My Hands
** Spring Breeze
** Autumn Bonds

=== Volume 9 - Cherry Blossom (Sakura)/チェリーブロッサム ===
[[Image:MM_v09_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* The Cherry in the Ginkgos
** Falling Cherry Blossoms / Exam Failure
** Maria and Maitreya
** Rosary or Juzu
** The Maria Ceremony Inquisition
* BGN (Background Noise)
** If the Cherry Blossoms Fall
** 8 – 3 = Right
** Worrisome First Year
** Behind the Scenes of The Maria Ceremony Inquisition

=== Volume 10 - Rainy Blue/レイニーブルー ===
[[Image:MM_v10_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Drop of a Rosary
** Peppermint Candy
** Raindrop
* Yellow Rose Warning
** Suspicious Clouds
** Signs of Rain
* Rainy Blue
** Premonition
** Smile, Smile
** Sweets
** Blue Umbrella, Red Umbrella

=== Volume 11 - Holding a Parasol/パラソルをさして ===
[[Image:MM_v11_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Girl with the Yellow Umbrella
* Classmates
* Welcome
* White Umbrella
* Visitor
* Beneath a Clear, Blue Sky
* Postscript

=== Volume 12 - Vacation of the Lambs/子羊たちの休暇 ===
[[Image:MM_v12_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter0|Prologue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter1|Plans for the Summer Vacation (夏休みの予定) ]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter2|In the Dream of Seeing Cabbage Butterflies (紋白蝶の見る夢は)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter3|Midsummer Greetings with a Pressed Leaf (押し葉の暑中見舞い)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter4|The Rich Princes and Princesses (お坊ちゃま、お嬢様)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter5|Searching in the Mist (霧中模索)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter6|Songs of an Angel (天使の歌)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Epilogue|Author's Epilogue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Translator's_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 13 - One Page of Midsummer/真夏の一ページ ===
[[Image:MM_v13_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Operation OK For Short (Tentative)
** Offer and Plot
** Cunning Boy
** OK, Let's Do It.
* Together With the Old Gentleman
** Working With Resignation and a Dustpan
** As Far as the Meeting Place
** Search for Takuya-kun!
* Rosa Foetida ☆ Illustrated Diary
** 〇th of July (Saturday) : Sunny
** △th of August (Sunday) : Cloudy
** Ⅹth of August (Saturday) : Sunny

=== Volume 14 - Cool Breeze/涼風さつさつ ===
[[Image:MM_v14_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume14_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The First Step
* That's a Problem
* Setting Aside the "Bread Incident"
* Finding Me
* The Battle for Hanadera
* Postscript

=== Volume 15 - Ready, GO!/レディ、GO！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v15_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter1|Remaining Cuteness of Today's Enemy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter2|Everything Prepared?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter3|Friend's affection and Onee-sama]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter4|Casting Aside Embarrassment of One's Parents]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter5|Joker, Anchor]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter6|Penalty Game Speculation]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 16 - Variety Gifts/バラエティギフト [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v16_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter1|Variety Gift I]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter2|Variety Gift II]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter3|Variety Gift III]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter4|Variety Gift IV]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter5|Variety Gift V]]
* Postscript
 

=== Volume 17 - Ciào Sorella!/チャオソレッラ！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v17_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter1|Each and Every Farewell Gift]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter2|Going out at the Beginning]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter3|Leisurely Dialogue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter4|The Mouth of Truth's Complaint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter5|The Capital of Flowers Is What Kind of City?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter6|Resounding! Leaning! Melting!?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter7|The Parakeet's Hint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter8|From the Water Capital to the Island Nation]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9|Souvenir Report]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9.5|The Absence of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton]]
* Postscript
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 18 - Nothing Special, Just a Normal Day/特別でないただの一日 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v18_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter1|Shock]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter2|Are you changing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter3|What will happen? What will we do?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter4|Ah, Misunderstanding]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter5|Dramatics]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 19 - In Library/インライブラリー ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v19_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1|In Library - - I]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1.5|Silent Night's Vision]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2|In Library - - II]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2.5|Joanna]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3|In Library - - III]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.2|Chocolate Coat]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.3|Yasuko]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.4|Masumi]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.5|Asaka]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4|In Library - - IV]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.1|--- Magic Among the Cherry Blossom ---]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.2|-- The Door of Cherry Wood --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.3|-- The Burial Among Cherry Blossoms --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5_Epilogue|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales - Epilogue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5|In Library - - V]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5.5|Library Book]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter6|In Library - - VI]]

=== Volume 20 - Sister Audition/妹オーディション ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v20_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1|-- Right or Wrong -- ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.2|Maria-sama's Star]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.3|Maria-sama's Planet]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter2|Welcome to the Tea Party]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter3|Interim Report]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter4|The Crucial Battle]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter5|Harvest]]
*Postscript

=== Volume 21 - Rose Mille-Feuille/薔薇のミルフィーユ ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v21_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Yellow Rose Panic
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter1|The result of 100 battles?]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter2|Panic Attack!]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter3|The Bout's Whereabouts]]
*Reverie of the White Rose
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter4|Two Peaceful People]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter5|The Heaviness of Reverie]]
*Rosa Chinensis's Sigh
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter6|After-Finals Prize]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter7|High Tension and Roller Coasters]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter8|A Mille-Feuille of Sighs]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Postscript|Afterword]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 22 - Blank Map of the Future/未来の白地図 ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v22_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter1|An Unexpected Visitor (予期せぬ客人） ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter2|A Little Bit of Something（何となく、の中には）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter3|Of Strange Things（ひょんな事から）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter4|Even though it's Christmas（クリスマスなのに）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter5|Rose Dialogue（薔薇のダイアローグ）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Afterword|Afterword]]

=== Volume 23 - Other Side of the Frosted Glass/くもりガラスの向こう側 ===
[[Image:MM_v23_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Chapter1|Onee-sama's Lead (お姉さまのリード)]]
* In One Year's Time (一年の計)
* Stopping In Along the Way (寄り道と道すがら)
* Full To Bursting At the New Year’s Party (新年会てんこ盛り)
* Nearly Far? Or Distantly Near? (近くて遠き？　遠くて近き？)
* A Chill Breeze (冷たい風)
* The Heart In the Frosted Glass (心のくもりガラス)
* Afterword

=== Volume 24 - Masked Actress/仮面のアクトレス ===
[[Image:MM_v24_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume24_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose, Hardball Fight
** Riding a Bicycle
** Contest
* Masked Actress
** The Opening Ceremony's Spoiled Child
** Explanatory Meeting and Clandestine Meeting
** First Year Camellia Class is Normal
** Beneath the Mask
* A Moment of Honesty

=== Volume 25 - Big Door, Small Key/大きな扉　小さな鍵 ===
[[Image:MM_v25_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume25_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Key Holder
** Sometimes Falling, Sometimes Pulling
** Slightly Slipping Away
** Proposal Together With Arrival
** What I Wanted to Hear
* Keyhole of the Heart
** Pitiable Person
** Fortunate Interview
** In Her Pocket

=== Volume 26 - Crisscross/クリスクロス ===
[[Image:MM_v26_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume26_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Crisscross
** Good Morning Chocolate
** Sentimental First-Year Camellia Class
** Ahh, Tea Party
** A Shortcut and Dropping In on the Way
** The Blank Map's Valley
** The Red Card's Outlook
* Map Stroll
** Meandering
** X-Mark

=== Volume 27 - In Search of You/あなたを探しに ===
[[Image:MM_v27_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter1|Warrior Demands a Response]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter2|The "Absentee's Chance" Girl]]
* Unexpected Words
* Opportunity for a Date
* "Why?"
* Amendment, Overwriting and an Old Photograph
* The Door That Opened
* When Tomorrow Comes

=== Volume 28 - Frame of Mind/フレーム　オブ　マインド [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v28_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter1|Frame of Mind 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter2|April Deja-Vu]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter3|Frame of Mind 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter4|Three-Leaf Clover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter5|Frame of Mind 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter6|Sprouts in Dry Wood]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter7|Frame of Mind 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter8|The Yellow Thread]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter9|Frame of Mind 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter10|The Awkward Princess]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter11|Frame of Mind 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter12|Bouton of Light]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter13|Frame of Mind 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter14|The Greenhouse Fairy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter15|Frame of Mind 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter16|The Doppelganger Story]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter17|Frame of Mind 9]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter18|A Roll of Film]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter19|Frame of Mind 10]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 29 - Crown of Roses/薔薇の花かんむり [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_29_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter1|Onee-sama, Rosary and Petit Soeur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter2|Conversation Stories]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter3|Not Here]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter4|Burning Bridges]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter5|Santa's Refreshments]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter6|The Miracle Worker]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter7|Would You Like to Waltz?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 30 - Twinkle, Twinkle, Twirl/キラキラまわる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_30_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter1|Scattered Sunshine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter2|Frivolity and Self-Loathing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter3|Those Two, On the Other Hand]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter4|Star Up Teacup]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter5|What Kind of Groups?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter6|Distant Desire]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter7|Amongst the Stardust]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 31 - Marguerite Ribbon/マーガレットにリボン [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v31_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter1|Marguerite Ribbon 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter2|Debut]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter3|Marguerite Ribbon 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter4|A Rival is Fine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter5|Marguerite Ribbon 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter6|Buying Florentine Senbei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter7|Marguerite Ribbon 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter8|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter9|Marguerite Ribbon 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter10|My Siblings]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter11|Marguerite Ribbon 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter12|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 1]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter13|Marguerite Ribbon 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter14|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 2]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter15|Marguerite Ribbon 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter16|Memories of the Blue Umbrella]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter17|Marguerite Ribbon 9]]
* Afterword

=== Volume 32 - Pre-Graduation Tableau/卒業前小景 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v32_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter1|Laughing While Reminiscing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter2|Onee-sama's Racket]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter3|Me and the Interviewer]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter4|Graduation Group Photograph]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter5|Sweet Bun Feast]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter6|Support and Skinship]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter7|Forgotten Things]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter8|What's the Person Beside You Doing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter9|The Ribbon's Path]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 33 - Hello Goodbye/ハローグッバイ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v33_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter1|Today's Goal]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter2|The Green Bird and the White Flower]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter3|Grand Entrance]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter4|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter5|Parting Gift Trio]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter6|Soloist's Adlib]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter7|Connecting Chains]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter8|Continuing Path]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Postscript|Postscript]]
 

=== Volume 34 - Little Horrors/リトルホラーズ ===
[[Image:MM_v34_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume34_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Chapter 1: "Little Horrors - I" / リトルホラーズ―I
* Chapter 2: "Chinami-san and Me" / チナミさんと私
* Chapter 3: "Little Horrors - II" / リトルホラーズ―II
* Chapter 4: "Picking up a Handkerchief" / ハンカチ拾い
* Chapter 5: "Little Horrors - III" / リトルホラーズ―III
* Chapter 6: "An Honest Lie" / ホントの嘘
* Chapter 7: "Little Horrors - IV" /リトルホラーズ―IV
* Chapter 8: "One Pair" /ワンペア
* Chapter 9: "Little Horrors - V" /リトルホラーズ―V
* Chapter 10: "Dream of a Butterfly" /胡蝶の夢)
* Chapter 11: "Little Horrors - VI" /リトルホラーズ―VI
* Chapter 12: "Extra:Little Panic" /おまけ・リトルパニック

=== Volume 35 - Step/ステップ ===
[[Image:MM_v35_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]

=== Volume 36 - My Nest/私の巣 ===
[[Image:MM_v36_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
Adding in Lines so that
Things Format Correctly
Somehow this seems wrong
But absent the actual chapter titles
This seems like the best I can do
At least for now.

== Project Staff ==

*Project Administrator: ''None Designated''
*Project Supervisor: ''None Designated''

=== Translators ===
'''ACTIVE'''

* [[User:Enn_are|NR]]
* [[User:Sukoshi|Sukoshi]]
* [[User:hasekura_rei|hasekura_rei]]

'''K.I.A.'''

* [[User:Seki|Seki]]
* [[User:Harunako|Harunako]]

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Kurokaze|Kurokaze]]

=== Editors ===
'''ACTIVE'''

(none, beside some occasionally passing readers)

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Ribonizer|Ribonizer]]

=== Contributors ===

* Erica Friedman of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translations of volumes 15 through 19 and
* Rei and Sukoshi of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translation of volume 20 and 21.
* Update: as of May 19, 2010, translations no longer hosted on Okazu.

== Series Overview ==
* Volume 1 - マリア様がみてる (April 24, 1998, ISBN 4-08-614459-X)
* Volume 2 - マリア様がみてる　黄薔薇革命 (February 3, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614554-5)
* Volume 3 - マリア様がみてる　いばらの森 (April 27, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614591-X)
* Volume 4 - マリア様がみてる　ロサ・カニーナ (December 1, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614661-4)
* Volume 5 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） (March 3, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614695-9)
* Volume 6 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） (April 25, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614715-7)
* Volume 7 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（前編） (February 2, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614817-X)
* Volume 8 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（後編） (April 3, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614841-2)
* Volume 9 - マリア様がみてる　チェリーブロッサム (July 27, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614895-1)
* Volume 10 - マリア様がみてる　レイニーブルー (March 29, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600078-4)
* Volume 11 - マリア様がみてる　パラソルをさして (July 1, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600136-5)
* Volume 12 - マリア様がみてる　子羊たちの休暇 (December 25, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600210-8)
* Volume 13 - マリア様がみてる　真夏の一ページ (March 28, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600243-4)
* Volume 14 - マリア様がみてる　涼風さつさつ (July 1, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600284-1)
* Volume 15 - マリア様がみてる　レディ、GO！ (October 31, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600337-6)
* Volume 16 - マリア様がみてる　バラエティギフト (December 25, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600360-0)
* Volume 17 - マリア様がみてる　チャオソレッラ！ (March 31, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600399-6)
* Volume 18 - マリア様がみてる　特別でないただの一日 (October 1, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600484-4)
* Volume 19 - マリア様がみてる　インライブラリー (December 25, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600527-1)
* Volume 20 - マリア様がみてる　妹オーディション (April 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600568-9)
* Volume 21 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇のミルフィーユ (July 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600609-X)
* Volume 22 - マリア様がみてる　未来の白地図 (December 22, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600704-5)
* Volume 23 - マリア様がみてる　くもりガラスの向こう側 (March 31, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600743-6)
* Volume 24 - マリア様がみてる　仮面のアクトレス (June 30, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600784-3)
* Volume 25 - マリア様がみてる　大きな扉　小さな鍵 (October 3, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600823-8)
* Volume 26 - マリア様がみてる　クリスクロス (December 22, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600859-9)
* Volume 27 - マリア様がみてる　あなたを探しに (March 30, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-600895-2)
* Volume 28 - マリア様がみてる　フレーム　オブ　マインド (June 28, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601034-4)
* Volume 29 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇の花かんむり (October 2, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601075-7)
* Volume 30 - マリア様がみてる　キラキラまわる (December 26, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601110-5)
* Volume 31 - マリア様がみてる　マーガレットにリボン (April 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601144-0)
* Volume 32 - マリア様がみてる　卒業前小景 (October 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601214-0)
* Volume 33 - マリア様がみてる　ハローグッバイ (December 26, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601244-7)
* Volume 34 - マリア様がみてる―リトルホラーズ (July 1, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601305-5)
* Volume 35 - マリア様がみてる　私の巣　(December 25, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601363-5)
* Volume 36 - マリア様がみてる　ステップ　(December 28, 2010, ISBN 978-4-08-601481-6)

Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-02-23T19:03:32Z

Molenir: /* Volume 36 - My Nest/私の巣 */

[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|200px|thumb|MariMite volume 1 cover.]]

Maria-sama ga Miteru (マリア様がみてる) is a Japanese light novel series written by Oyuki Konno (今野緒雪（こんのおゆき）) and illustrated by Reine Hibiki (ひびき玲音). The series is published by Shueisha under their Cobalt imprint. Many of the short stories which were later also included in the novel series were first published in the Cobalt magazine. The series has currently 36 published volumes. The spin-off light novel series Ōshaka-sama mo Miteru (お釈迦様もみてる) about Yumi's younger brother Yūki and his schoolmates at Hanadera have since August 2008 six published volumes.

''Maria-sama ga Miteru'' is also available in the following languages:
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_%28Fran%C3%A7ais%29|Français (French)]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_Spanish|Español (Spanish)]]

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

== Story Synopsis ==

Maria-sama ga Miteru's story revolves around the students of the Lillian Catholic school for girls, and can be considered character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain. At Lillian Girls' School, there is a tradition known as the sœur system (sœur being French for "sister"), in which a second, or third-year student, the grande sœur ("big sister"), will give her rosary to a junior student, the petite sœur ("little sister"), and promise to look after them and guide them.

When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a first-year at Lillian, is praying in front of the Virgin Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi's uniform ribbon. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, and she speaks of her meeting with Sachiko to her friends during class and lunch. After school is over, Yumi's classmate Tsutako Takeshima meets with Yumi to show her that she took a photograph of Yumi's meeting with Sachiko earlier that morning. Yumi asks if she can have the photo, but Tsutako says she will give her the snapshot under two conditions: one being that Tsutako can display it at the upcoming school festival, and two being that Yumi get Sachiko's permission to do so as well. Yumi agrees to this, which sets in motion a series of events involving the entire Yamayurikai — the student council of the school. A few weeks after first meeting Sachiko, Yumi accepts Sachiko's rosary and therefore agrees to become her petite sœur.

This officially inducts Yumi into the Yamayurikai where she assists them in school matters at the same level as the other two petite sœurs — Yoshino Shimazu, and Shimako Tōdō — who are the petite sœurs of Rei Hasekura, and Sei Satō respectively. Through her activities in the Yamayurikai, Yumi becomes closer to the other members and generally finds her experiences with the group to be enjoyable. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria-sama_ga_Miteru Synopsis from wikipedia.]

'''Warning:''' Suffice it to say, this series is considered yuri, having various mentions of lesbian relationships. They are not, however, particularly graphic. If you find this sort of topic offensive, look away.

== Translation ==

=== [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

'''Translators are asked to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on''' (see [[Format_guideline#Translators|the Guideline page]] for usage rules).

=== Format Standards ===
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Format|Maria-sama ga Miteru specific formatting]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes|Maria-sama ga Miteru translation notes]]

== Updates ==
* 18 January 2012
** Started translation of volume 27
* 15 January 2012
** Finished translation of volume 31
* 31 August 2011
** Finished translation of volume 28
* 17 April 2011
** Finished translation of volume 30

[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Updates|Past Updates]]

== Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる by Oyuki Konno ==
=== Volume 1 - Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1|Monday of Uneasiness]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2|Tuesday of Storms]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3|Anxious Wednesday, Friday of Battle]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4|Spicy and Bitter Weekend]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5|The Hot Second Week]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6|Waltz-like Sunday]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 2 - The Yellow Rose Revolution/黄薔薇革命 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v02_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1|Best Sœur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2|The Returned Rosary]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3|Unexpected Consequences]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4|Just what is going on?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5|Fighting Maidens]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter6|As long as it ends well]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 3 - Forest of Thorns/いばらの森 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v03_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Forest of Thorns
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter1|The semester exam and the paperback]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter2|The White Rose]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter3|Who's Suga Sei?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter4|If I could meet Eve]]
* The White Flower Petal
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter5|Springtime Buds]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter6|Summer Greenhouse]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter7|Autumn Love]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter8|The last flower of winter, and then]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 4 - Rosa Canina/ロサ・カニーナ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v04_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Rosa Canina
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter1|A lonesome warmth]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter2|Rosa Canina?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3|What do you think?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter4|Raison d'etre for sœur]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5|A modest secret]]
* Nagakiyono
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6|The first of January]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7|The hatsumoude on the second]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter8|With the archenemy]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter9|By onee-sama's side]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 5 - Valentine's Gift - Part 1/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v05_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Surprise chocolate
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter1|Research]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter2|gift from a rare visitor]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter3|Outsider]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter4|The thirteenth of February]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter5|St. Valentine's prank]]
* The Yellow Rose complication
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_1|18:50, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_2|19:18, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_3|19:30, Rei]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_4|23:10, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_5|23:10, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_6|23:10, Rei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 6 - Valentine's Gift - Part 2/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v06_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* First date triangle
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter1|Order]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter2|Hors d'oeuvre]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter3|Main]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter4|Dessert]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter5|The crimson card]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter6|Rosa Chinensis' best day of her life]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 7 - Beloved Times - Part 1/いとしき歳月（前編） ===
[[Image:MM_v07_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose at Full Speed
** In the Beginning
** Rabbit and Cat and Wolf
** Umbrella Maker's Wife
** Yellow Rose Rebellion
* Very Busy Days
** Monday
** Tuesday
** Wednesday
** Thursday
** Friday
** Saturday
** Freebie
* A Short Interlude

=== Volume 8 - Beloved Times - Part 2/いとしき歳月（後編） ===
[[Image:MM_v08_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Will
** Lost Item
** Farewell Gift
* As the Years Pass By
** Just Before Graduation
** Eriko, Sei, Youko
** Farewell Address and Formal Reply
** Towards the Light
* Hold One of My Hands
** Spring Breeze
** Autumn Bonds

=== Volume 9 - Cherry Blossom (Sakura)/チェリーブロッサム ===
[[Image:MM_v09_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* The Cherry in the Ginkgos
** Falling Cherry Blossoms / Exam Failure
** Maria and Maitreya
** Rosary or Juzu
** The Maria Ceremony Inquisition
* BGN (Background Noise)
** If the Cherry Blossoms Fall
** 8 – 3 = Right
** Worrisome First Year
** Behind the Scenes of The Maria Ceremony Inquisition

=== Volume 10 - Rainy Blue/レイニーブルー ===
[[Image:MM_v10_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Drop of a Rosary
** Peppermint Candy
** Raindrop
* Yellow Rose Warning
** Suspicious Clouds
** Signs of Rain
* Rainy Blue
** Premonition
** Smile, Smile
** Sweets
** Blue Umbrella, Red Umbrella

=== Volume 11 - Holding a Parasol/パラソルをさして ===
[[Image:MM_v11_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Girl with the Yellow Umbrella
* Classmates
* Welcome
* White Umbrella
* Visitor
* Beneath a Clear, Blue Sky
* Postscript

=== Volume 12 - Vacation of the Lambs/子羊たちの休暇 ===
[[Image:MM_v12_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter0|Prologue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter1|Plans for the Summer Vacation (夏休みの予定) ]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter2|In the Dream of Seeing Cabbage Butterflies (紋白蝶の見る夢は)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter3|Midsummer Greetings with a Pressed Leaf (押し葉の暑中見舞い)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter4|The Rich Princes and Princesses (お坊ちゃま、お嬢様)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter5|Searching in the Mist (霧中模索)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter6|Songs of an Angel (天使の歌)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Epilogue|Author's Epilogue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Translator's_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 13 - One Page of Midsummer/真夏の一ページ ===
[[Image:MM_v13_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Operation OK For Short (Tentative)
** Offer and Plot
** Cunning Boy
** OK, Let's Do It.
* Together With the Old Gentleman
** Working With Resignation and a Dustpan
** As Far as the Meeting Place
** Search for Takuya-kun!
* Rosa Foetida ☆ Illustrated Diary
** 〇th of July (Saturday) : Sunny
** △th of August (Sunday) : Cloudy
** Ⅹth of August (Saturday) : Sunny

=== Volume 14 - Cool Breeze/涼風さつさつ ===
[[Image:MM_v14_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume14_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The First Step
* That's a Problem
* Setting Aside the "Bread Incident"
* Finding Me
* The Battle for Hanadera
* Postscript

=== Volume 15 - Ready, GO!/レディ、GO！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v15_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter1|Remaining Cuteness of Today's Enemy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter2|Everything Prepared?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter3|Friend's affection and Onee-sama]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter4|Casting Aside Embarrassment of One's Parents]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter5|Joker, Anchor]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter6|Penalty Game Speculation]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 16 - Variety Gifts/バラエティギフト [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v16_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter1|Variety Gift I]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter2|Variety Gift II]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter3|Variety Gift III]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter4|Variety Gift IV]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter5|Variety Gift V]]
* Postscript
 

=== Volume 17 - Ciào Sorella!/チャオソレッラ！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v17_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter1|Each and Every Farewell Gift]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter2|Going out at the Beginning]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter3|Leisurely Dialogue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter4|The Mouth of Truth's Complaint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter5|The Capital of Flowers Is What Kind of City?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter6|Resounding! Leaning! Melting!?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter7|The Parakeet's Hint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter8|From the Water Capital to the Island Nation]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9|Souvenir Report]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9.5|The Absence of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton]]
* Postscript
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 18 - Nothing Special, Just a Normal Day/特別でないただの一日 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v18_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter1|Shock]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter2|Are you changing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter3|What will happen? What will we do?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter4|Ah, Misunderstanding]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter5|Dramatics]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 19 - In Library/インライブラリー ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v19_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1|In Library - - I]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1.5|Silent Night's Vision]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2|In Library - - II]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2.5|Joanna]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3|In Library - - III]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.2|Chocolate Coat]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.3|Yasuko]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.4|Masumi]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.5|Asaka]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4|In Library - - IV]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.1|--- Magic Among the Cherry Blossom ---]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.2|-- The Door of Cherry Wood --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.3|-- The Burial Among Cherry Blossoms --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5_Epilogue|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales - Epilogue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5|In Library - - V]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5.5|Library Book]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter6|In Library - - VI]]

=== Volume 20 - Sister Audition/妹オーディション ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v20_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1|-- Right or Wrong -- ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.2|Maria-sama's Star]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.3|Maria-sama's Planet]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter2|Welcome to the Tea Party]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter3|Interim Report]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter4|The Crucial Battle]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter5|Harvest]]
*Postscript

=== Volume 21 - Rose Mille-Feuille/薔薇のミルフィーユ ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v21_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Yellow Rose Panic
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter1|The result of 100 battles?]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter2|Panic Attack!]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter3|The Bout's Whereabouts]]
*Reverie of the White Rose
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter4|Two Peaceful People]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter5|The Heaviness of Reverie]]
*Rosa Chinensis's Sigh
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter6|After-Finals Prize]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter7|High Tension and Roller Coasters]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter8|A Mille-Feuille of Sighs]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Postscript|Afterword]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 22 - Blank Map of the Future/未来の白地図 ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v22_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter1|An Unexpected Visitor (予期せぬ客人） ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter2|A Little Bit of Something（何となく、の中には）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter3|Of Strange Things（ひょんな事から）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter4|Even though it's Christmas（クリスマスなのに）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter5|Rose Dialogue（薔薇のダイアローグ）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Afterword|Afterword]]

=== Volume 23 - Other Side of the Frosted Glass/くもりガラスの向こう側 ===
[[Image:MM_v23_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Chapter1|Onee-sama's Lead (お姉さまのリード)]]
* In One Year's Time (一年の計)
* Stopping In Along the Way (寄り道と道すがら)
* Full To Bursting At the New Year’s Party (新年会てんこ盛り)
* Nearly Far? Or Distantly Near? (近くて遠き？　遠くて近き？)
* A Chill Breeze (冷たい風)
* The Heart In the Frosted Glass (心のくもりガラス)
* Afterword

=== Volume 24 - Masked Actress/仮面のアクトレス ===
[[Image:MM_v24_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume24_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose, Hardball Fight
** Riding a Bicycle
** Contest
* Masked Actress
** The Opening Ceremony's Spoiled Child
** Explanatory Meeting and Clandestine Meeting
** First Year Camellia Class is Normal
** Beneath the Mask
* A Moment of Honesty

=== Volume 25 - Big Door, Small Key/大きな扉　小さな鍵 ===
[[Image:MM_v25_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume25_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Key Holder
** Sometimes Falling, Sometimes Pulling
** Slightly Slipping Away
** Proposal Together With Arrival
** What I Wanted to Hear
* Keyhole of the Heart
** Pitiable Person
** Fortunate Interview
** In Her Pocket

=== Volume 26 - Crisscross/クリスクロス ===
[[Image:MM_v26_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume26_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Crisscross
** Good Morning Chocolate
** Sentimental First-Year Camellia Class
** Ahh, Tea Party
** A Shortcut and Dropping In on the Way
** The Blank Map's Valley
** The Red Card's Outlook
* Map Stroll
** Meandering
** X-Mark

=== Volume 27 - In Search of You/あなたを探しに ===
[[Image:MM_v27_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter1|Warrior Demands a Response]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter2|The "Absentee's Chance" Girl]]
* Unexpected Words
* Opportunity for a Date
* "Why?"
* Amendment, Overwriting and an Old Photograph
* The Door That Opened
* When Tomorrow Comes

=== Volume 28 - Frame of Mind/フレーム　オブ　マインド [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v28_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter1|Frame of Mind 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter2|April Deja-Vu]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter3|Frame of Mind 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter4|Three-Leaf Clover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter5|Frame of Mind 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter6|Sprouts in Dry Wood]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter7|Frame of Mind 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter8|The Yellow Thread]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter9|Frame of Mind 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter10|The Awkward Princess]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter11|Frame of Mind 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter12|Bouton of Light]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter13|Frame of Mind 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter14|The Greenhouse Fairy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter15|Frame of Mind 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter16|The Doppelganger Story]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter17|Frame of Mind 9]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter18|A Roll of Film]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter19|Frame of Mind 10]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 29 - Crown of Roses/薔薇の花かんむり [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_29_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter1|Onee-sama, Rosary and Petit Soeur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter2|Conversation Stories]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter3|Not Here]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter4|Burning Bridges]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter5|Santa's Refreshments]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter6|The Miracle Worker]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter7|Would You Like to Waltz?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 30 - Twinkle, Twinkle, Twirl/キラキラまわる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_30_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter1|Scattered Sunshine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter2|Frivolity and Self-Loathing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter3|Those Two, On the Other Hand]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter4|Star Up Teacup]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter5|What Kind of Groups?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter6|Distant Desire]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter7|Amongst the Stardust]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 31 - Marguerite Ribbon/マーガレットにリボン [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v31_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter1|Marguerite Ribbon 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter2|Debut]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter3|Marguerite Ribbon 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter4|A Rival is Fine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter5|Marguerite Ribbon 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter6|Buying Florentine Senbei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter7|Marguerite Ribbon 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter8|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter9|Marguerite Ribbon 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter10|My Siblings]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter11|Marguerite Ribbon 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter12|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 1]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter13|Marguerite Ribbon 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter14|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 2]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter15|Marguerite Ribbon 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter16|Memories of the Blue Umbrella]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter17|Marguerite Ribbon 9]]
* Afterword

=== Volume 32 - Pre-Graduation Tableau/卒業前小景 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v32_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter1|Laughing While Reminiscing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter2|Onee-sama's Racket]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter3|Me and the Interviewer]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter4|Graduation Group Photograph]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter5|Sweet Bun Feast]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter6|Support and Skinship]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter7|Forgotten Things]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter8|What's the Person Beside You Doing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter9|The Ribbon's Path]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 33 - Hello Goodbye/ハローグッバイ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v33_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter1|Today's Goal]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter2|The Green Bird and the White Flower]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter3|Grand Entrance]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter4|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter5|Parting Gift Trio]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter6|Soloist's Adlib]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter7|Connecting Chains]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter8|Continuing Path]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Postscript|Postscript]]
 

=== Volume 34 - Little Horrors/リトルホラーズ ===
[[Image:MM_v34_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume34_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Chapter 1: "Little Horrors - I" / リトルホラーズ―I
* Chapter 2: "Chinami-san and Me" / チナミさんと私
* Chapter 3: "Little Horrors - II" / リトルホラーズ―II
* Chapter 4: "Picking up a Handkerchief" / ハンカチ拾い
* Chapter 5: "Little Horrors - III" / リトルホラーズ―III
* Chapter 6: "An Honest Lie" / ホントの嘘
* Chapter 7: "Little Horrors - IV" /リトルホラーズ―IV
* Chapter 8: "One Pair" /ワンペア
* Chapter 9: "Little Horrors - V" /リトルホラーズ―V
* Chapter 10: "Dream of a Butterfly" /胡蝶の夢)
* Chapter 11: "Little Horrors - VI" /リトルホラーズ―VI
* Chapter 12: "Extra:Little Panic" /おまけ・リトルパニック

=== Volume 35 - Step/ステップ ===
[[Image:MM_v35_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]

=== Volume 36 - My Nest/私の巣 ===
[[Image:MM_v36_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]

== Project Staff ==

*Project Administrator: ''None Designated''
*Project Supervisor: ''None Designated''

=== Translators ===
'''ACTIVE'''

* [[User:Enn_are|NR]]
* [[User:Sukoshi|Sukoshi]]
* [[User:hasekura_rei|hasekura_rei]]

'''K.I.A.'''

* [[User:Seki|Seki]]
* [[User:Harunako|Harunako]]

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Kurokaze|Kurokaze]]

=== Editors ===
'''ACTIVE'''

(none, beside some occasionally passing readers)

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Ribonizer|Ribonizer]]

=== Contributors ===

* Erica Friedman of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translations of volumes 15 through 19 and
* Rei and Sukoshi of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translation of volume 20 and 21.
* Update: as of May 19, 2010, translations no longer hosted on Okazu.

== Series Overview ==
* Volume 1 - マリア様がみてる (April 24, 1998, ISBN 4-08-614459-X)
* Volume 2 - マリア様がみてる　黄薔薇革命 (February 3, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614554-5)
* Volume 3 - マリア様がみてる　いばらの森 (April 27, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614591-X)
* Volume 4 - マリア様がみてる　ロサ・カニーナ (December 1, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614661-4)
* Volume 5 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） (March 3, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614695-9)
* Volume 6 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） (April 25, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614715-7)
* Volume 7 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（前編） (February 2, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614817-X)
* Volume 8 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（後編） (April 3, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614841-2)
* Volume 9 - マリア様がみてる　チェリーブロッサム (July 27, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614895-1)
* Volume 10 - マリア様がみてる　レイニーブルー (March 29, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600078-4)
* Volume 11 - マリア様がみてる　パラソルをさして (July 1, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600136-5)
* Volume 12 - マリア様がみてる　子羊たちの休暇 (December 25, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600210-8)
* Volume 13 - マリア様がみてる　真夏の一ページ (March 28, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600243-4)
* Volume 14 - マリア様がみてる　涼風さつさつ (July 1, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600284-1)
* Volume 15 - マリア様がみてる　レディ、GO！ (October 31, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600337-6)
* Volume 16 - マリア様がみてる　バラエティギフト (December 25, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600360-0)
* Volume 17 - マリア様がみてる　チャオソレッラ！ (March 31, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600399-6)
* Volume 18 - マリア様がみてる　特別でないただの一日 (October 1, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600484-4)
* Volume 19 - マリア様がみてる　インライブラリー (December 25, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600527-1)
* Volume 20 - マリア様がみてる　妹オーディション (April 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600568-9)
* Volume 21 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇のミルフィーユ (July 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600609-X)
* Volume 22 - マリア様がみてる　未来の白地図 (December 22, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600704-5)
* Volume 23 - マリア様がみてる　くもりガラスの向こう側 (March 31, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600743-6)
* Volume 24 - マリア様がみてる　仮面のアクトレス (June 30, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600784-3)
* Volume 25 - マリア様がみてる　大きな扉　小さな鍵 (October 3, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600823-8)
* Volume 26 - マリア様がみてる　クリスクロス (December 22, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600859-9)
* Volume 27 - マリア様がみてる　あなたを探しに (March 30, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-600895-2)
* Volume 28 - マリア様がみてる　フレーム　オブ　マインド (June 28, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601034-4)
* Volume 29 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇の花かんむり (October 2, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601075-7)
* Volume 30 - マリア様がみてる　キラキラまわる (December 26, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601110-5)
* Volume 31 - マリア様がみてる　マーガレットにリボン (April 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601144-0)
* Volume 32 - マリア様がみてる　卒業前小景 (October 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601214-0)
* Volume 33 - マリア様がみてる　ハローグッバイ (December 26, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601244-7)
* Volume 34 - マリア様がみてる―リトルホラーズ (July 1, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601305-5)
* Volume 35 - マリア様がみてる　私の巣　(December 25, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601363-5)
* Volume 36 - マリア様がみてる　ステップ　(December 28, 2010, ISBN 978-4-08-601481-6)

File:MM v36 cover.jpg

2012-02-23T19:02:57Z

Molenir: Cover v36 Maria-sama ga Miteru

Cover v36 Maria-sama ga Miteru

Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-02-23T19:01:57Z

Molenir: /* Volume 35 - Step/ステップ */

[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|200px|thumb|MariMite volume 1 cover.]]

Maria-sama ga Miteru (マリア様がみてる) is a Japanese light novel series written by Oyuki Konno (今野緒雪（こんのおゆき）) and illustrated by Reine Hibiki (ひびき玲音). The series is published by Shueisha under their Cobalt imprint. Many of the short stories which were later also included in the novel series were first published in the Cobalt magazine. The series has currently 36 published volumes. The spin-off light novel series Ōshaka-sama mo Miteru (お釈迦様もみてる) about Yumi's younger brother Yūki and his schoolmates at Hanadera have since August 2008 six published volumes.

''Maria-sama ga Miteru'' is also available in the following languages:
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_%28Fran%C3%A7ais%29|Français (French)]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_Spanish|Español (Spanish)]]

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

== Story Synopsis ==

Maria-sama ga Miteru's story revolves around the students of the Lillian Catholic school for girls, and can be considered character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain. At Lillian Girls' School, there is a tradition known as the sœur system (sœur being French for "sister"), in which a second, or third-year student, the grande sœur ("big sister"), will give her rosary to a junior student, the petite sœur ("little sister"), and promise to look after them and guide them.

When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a first-year at Lillian, is praying in front of the Virgin Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi's uniform ribbon. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, and she speaks of her meeting with Sachiko to her friends during class and lunch. After school is over, Yumi's classmate Tsutako Takeshima meets with Yumi to show her that she took a photograph of Yumi's meeting with Sachiko earlier that morning. Yumi asks if she can have the photo, but Tsutako says she will give her the snapshot under two conditions: one being that Tsutako can display it at the upcoming school festival, and two being that Yumi get Sachiko's permission to do so as well. Yumi agrees to this, which sets in motion a series of events involving the entire Yamayurikai — the student council of the school. A few weeks after first meeting Sachiko, Yumi accepts Sachiko's rosary and therefore agrees to become her petite sœur.

This officially inducts Yumi into the Yamayurikai where she assists them in school matters at the same level as the other two petite sœurs — Yoshino Shimazu, and Shimako Tōdō — who are the petite sœurs of Rei Hasekura, and Sei Satō respectively. Through her activities in the Yamayurikai, Yumi becomes closer to the other members and generally finds her experiences with the group to be enjoyable. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria-sama_ga_Miteru Synopsis from wikipedia.]

'''Warning:''' Suffice it to say, this series is considered yuri, having various mentions of lesbian relationships. They are not, however, particularly graphic. If you find this sort of topic offensive, look away.

== Translation ==

=== [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

'''Translators are asked to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on''' (see [[Format_guideline#Translators|the Guideline page]] for usage rules).

=== Format Standards ===
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Format|Maria-sama ga Miteru specific formatting]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes|Maria-sama ga Miteru translation notes]]

== Updates ==
* 18 January 2012
** Started translation of volume 27
* 15 January 2012
** Finished translation of volume 31
* 31 August 2011
** Finished translation of volume 28
* 17 April 2011
** Finished translation of volume 30

[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Updates|Past Updates]]

== Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる by Oyuki Konno ==
=== Volume 1 - Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1|Monday of Uneasiness]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2|Tuesday of Storms]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3|Anxious Wednesday, Friday of Battle]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4|Spicy and Bitter Weekend]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5|The Hot Second Week]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6|Waltz-like Sunday]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 2 - The Yellow Rose Revolution/黄薔薇革命 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v02_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1|Best Sœur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2|The Returned Rosary]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3|Unexpected Consequences]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4|Just what is going on?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5|Fighting Maidens]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter6|As long as it ends well]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 3 - Forest of Thorns/いばらの森 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v03_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Forest of Thorns
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter1|The semester exam and the paperback]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter2|The White Rose]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter3|Who's Suga Sei?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter4|If I could meet Eve]]
* The White Flower Petal
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter5|Springtime Buds]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter6|Summer Greenhouse]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter7|Autumn Love]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter8|The last flower of winter, and then]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 4 - Rosa Canina/ロサ・カニーナ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v04_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Rosa Canina
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter1|A lonesome warmth]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter2|Rosa Canina?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3|What do you think?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter4|Raison d'etre for sœur]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5|A modest secret]]
* Nagakiyono
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6|The first of January]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7|The hatsumoude on the second]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter8|With the archenemy]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter9|By onee-sama's side]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 5 - Valentine's Gift - Part 1/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v05_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Surprise chocolate
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter1|Research]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter2|gift from a rare visitor]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter3|Outsider]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter4|The thirteenth of February]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter5|St. Valentine's prank]]
* The Yellow Rose complication
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_1|18:50, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_2|19:18, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_3|19:30, Rei]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_4|23:10, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_5|23:10, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_6|23:10, Rei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 6 - Valentine's Gift - Part 2/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v06_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* First date triangle
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter1|Order]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter2|Hors d'oeuvre]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter3|Main]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter4|Dessert]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter5|The crimson card]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter6|Rosa Chinensis' best day of her life]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 7 - Beloved Times - Part 1/いとしき歳月（前編） ===
[[Image:MM_v07_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose at Full Speed
** In the Beginning
** Rabbit and Cat and Wolf
** Umbrella Maker's Wife
** Yellow Rose Rebellion
* Very Busy Days
** Monday
** Tuesday
** Wednesday
** Thursday
** Friday
** Saturday
** Freebie
* A Short Interlude

=== Volume 8 - Beloved Times - Part 2/いとしき歳月（後編） ===
[[Image:MM_v08_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Will
** Lost Item
** Farewell Gift
* As the Years Pass By
** Just Before Graduation
** Eriko, Sei, Youko
** Farewell Address and Formal Reply
** Towards the Light
* Hold One of My Hands
** Spring Breeze
** Autumn Bonds

=== Volume 9 - Cherry Blossom (Sakura)/チェリーブロッサム ===
[[Image:MM_v09_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* The Cherry in the Ginkgos
** Falling Cherry Blossoms / Exam Failure
** Maria and Maitreya
** Rosary or Juzu
** The Maria Ceremony Inquisition
* BGN (Background Noise)
** If the Cherry Blossoms Fall
** 8 – 3 = Right
** Worrisome First Year
** Behind the Scenes of The Maria Ceremony Inquisition

=== Volume 10 - Rainy Blue/レイニーブルー ===
[[Image:MM_v10_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Drop of a Rosary
** Peppermint Candy
** Raindrop
* Yellow Rose Warning
** Suspicious Clouds
** Signs of Rain
* Rainy Blue
** Premonition
** Smile, Smile
** Sweets
** Blue Umbrella, Red Umbrella

=== Volume 11 - Holding a Parasol/パラソルをさして ===
[[Image:MM_v11_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Girl with the Yellow Umbrella
* Classmates
* Welcome
* White Umbrella
* Visitor
* Beneath a Clear, Blue Sky
* Postscript

=== Volume 12 - Vacation of the Lambs/子羊たちの休暇 ===
[[Image:MM_v12_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter0|Prologue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter1|Plans for the Summer Vacation (夏休みの予定) ]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter2|In the Dream of Seeing Cabbage Butterflies (紋白蝶の見る夢は)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter3|Midsummer Greetings with a Pressed Leaf (押し葉の暑中見舞い)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter4|The Rich Princes and Princesses (お坊ちゃま、お嬢様)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter5|Searching in the Mist (霧中模索)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter6|Songs of an Angel (天使の歌)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Epilogue|Author's Epilogue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Translator's_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 13 - One Page of Midsummer/真夏の一ページ ===
[[Image:MM_v13_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Operation OK For Short (Tentative)
** Offer and Plot
** Cunning Boy
** OK, Let's Do It.
* Together With the Old Gentleman
** Working With Resignation and a Dustpan
** As Far as the Meeting Place
** Search for Takuya-kun!
* Rosa Foetida ☆ Illustrated Diary
** 〇th of July (Saturday) : Sunny
** △th of August (Sunday) : Cloudy
** Ⅹth of August (Saturday) : Sunny

=== Volume 14 - Cool Breeze/涼風さつさつ ===
[[Image:MM_v14_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume14_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The First Step
* That's a Problem
* Setting Aside the "Bread Incident"
* Finding Me
* The Battle for Hanadera
* Postscript

=== Volume 15 - Ready, GO!/レディ、GO！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v15_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter1|Remaining Cuteness of Today's Enemy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter2|Everything Prepared?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter3|Friend's affection and Onee-sama]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter4|Casting Aside Embarrassment of One's Parents]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter5|Joker, Anchor]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter6|Penalty Game Speculation]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 16 - Variety Gifts/バラエティギフト [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v16_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter1|Variety Gift I]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter2|Variety Gift II]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter3|Variety Gift III]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter4|Variety Gift IV]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter5|Variety Gift V]]
* Postscript
 

=== Volume 17 - Ciào Sorella!/チャオソレッラ！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v17_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter1|Each and Every Farewell Gift]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter2|Going out at the Beginning]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter3|Leisurely Dialogue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter4|The Mouth of Truth's Complaint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter5|The Capital of Flowers Is What Kind of City?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter6|Resounding! Leaning! Melting!?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter7|The Parakeet's Hint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter8|From the Water Capital to the Island Nation]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9|Souvenir Report]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9.5|The Absence of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton]]
* Postscript
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 18 - Nothing Special, Just a Normal Day/特別でないただの一日 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v18_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter1|Shock]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter2|Are you changing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter3|What will happen? What will we do?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter4|Ah, Misunderstanding]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter5|Dramatics]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 19 - In Library/インライブラリー ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v19_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1|In Library - - I]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1.5|Silent Night's Vision]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2|In Library - - II]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2.5|Joanna]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3|In Library - - III]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.2|Chocolate Coat]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.3|Yasuko]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.4|Masumi]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.5|Asaka]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4|In Library - - IV]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.1|--- Magic Among the Cherry Blossom ---]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.2|-- The Door of Cherry Wood --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.3|-- The Burial Among Cherry Blossoms --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5_Epilogue|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales - Epilogue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5|In Library - - V]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5.5|Library Book]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter6|In Library - - VI]]

=== Volume 20 - Sister Audition/妹オーディション ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v20_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1|-- Right or Wrong -- ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.2|Maria-sama's Star]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.3|Maria-sama's Planet]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter2|Welcome to the Tea Party]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter3|Interim Report]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter4|The Crucial Battle]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter5|Harvest]]
*Postscript

=== Volume 21 - Rose Mille-Feuille/薔薇のミルフィーユ ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v21_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Yellow Rose Panic
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter1|The result of 100 battles?]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter2|Panic Attack!]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter3|The Bout's Whereabouts]]
*Reverie of the White Rose
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter4|Two Peaceful People]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter5|The Heaviness of Reverie]]
*Rosa Chinensis's Sigh
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter6|After-Finals Prize]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter7|High Tension and Roller Coasters]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter8|A Mille-Feuille of Sighs]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Postscript|Afterword]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 22 - Blank Map of the Future/未来の白地図 ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v22_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter1|An Unexpected Visitor (予期せぬ客人） ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter2|A Little Bit of Something（何となく、の中には）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter3|Of Strange Things（ひょんな事から）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter4|Even though it's Christmas（クリスマスなのに）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter5|Rose Dialogue（薔薇のダイアローグ）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Afterword|Afterword]]

=== Volume 23 - Other Side of the Frosted Glass/くもりガラスの向こう側 ===
[[Image:MM_v23_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Chapter1|Onee-sama's Lead (お姉さまのリード)]]
* In One Year's Time (一年の計)
* Stopping In Along the Way (寄り道と道すがら)
* Full To Bursting At the New Year’s Party (新年会てんこ盛り)
* Nearly Far? Or Distantly Near? (近くて遠き？　遠くて近き？)
* A Chill Breeze (冷たい風)
* The Heart In the Frosted Glass (心のくもりガラス)
* Afterword

=== Volume 24 - Masked Actress/仮面のアクトレス ===
[[Image:MM_v24_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume24_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose, Hardball Fight
** Riding a Bicycle
** Contest
* Masked Actress
** The Opening Ceremony's Spoiled Child
** Explanatory Meeting and Clandestine Meeting
** First Year Camellia Class is Normal
** Beneath the Mask
* A Moment of Honesty

=== Volume 25 - Big Door, Small Key/大きな扉　小さな鍵 ===
[[Image:MM_v25_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume25_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Key Holder
** Sometimes Falling, Sometimes Pulling
** Slightly Slipping Away
** Proposal Together With Arrival
** What I Wanted to Hear
* Keyhole of the Heart
** Pitiable Person
** Fortunate Interview
** In Her Pocket

=== Volume 26 - Crisscross/クリスクロス ===
[[Image:MM_v26_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume26_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Crisscross
** Good Morning Chocolate
** Sentimental First-Year Camellia Class
** Ahh, Tea Party
** A Shortcut and Dropping In on the Way
** The Blank Map's Valley
** The Red Card's Outlook
* Map Stroll
** Meandering
** X-Mark

=== Volume 27 - In Search of You/あなたを探しに ===
[[Image:MM_v27_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter1|Warrior Demands a Response]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter2|The "Absentee's Chance" Girl]]
* Unexpected Words
* Opportunity for a Date
* "Why?"
* Amendment, Overwriting and an Old Photograph
* The Door That Opened
* When Tomorrow Comes

=== Volume 28 - Frame of Mind/フレーム　オブ　マインド [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v28_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter1|Frame of Mind 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter2|April Deja-Vu]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter3|Frame of Mind 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter4|Three-Leaf Clover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter5|Frame of Mind 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter6|Sprouts in Dry Wood]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter7|Frame of Mind 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter8|The Yellow Thread]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter9|Frame of Mind 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter10|The Awkward Princess]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter11|Frame of Mind 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter12|Bouton of Light]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter13|Frame of Mind 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter14|The Greenhouse Fairy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter15|Frame of Mind 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter16|The Doppelganger Story]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter17|Frame of Mind 9]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter18|A Roll of Film]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter19|Frame of Mind 10]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 29 - Crown of Roses/薔薇の花かんむり [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_29_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter1|Onee-sama, Rosary and Petit Soeur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter2|Conversation Stories]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter3|Not Here]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter4|Burning Bridges]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter5|Santa's Refreshments]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter6|The Miracle Worker]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter7|Would You Like to Waltz?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 30 - Twinkle, Twinkle, Twirl/キラキラまわる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_30_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter1|Scattered Sunshine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter2|Frivolity and Self-Loathing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter3|Those Two, On the Other Hand]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter4|Star Up Teacup]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter5|What Kind of Groups?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter6|Distant Desire]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter7|Amongst the Stardust]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 31 - Marguerite Ribbon/マーガレットにリボン [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v31_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter1|Marguerite Ribbon 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter2|Debut]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter3|Marguerite Ribbon 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter4|A Rival is Fine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter5|Marguerite Ribbon 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter6|Buying Florentine Senbei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter7|Marguerite Ribbon 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter8|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter9|Marguerite Ribbon 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter10|My Siblings]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter11|Marguerite Ribbon 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter12|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 1]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter13|Marguerite Ribbon 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter14|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 2]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter15|Marguerite Ribbon 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter16|Memories of the Blue Umbrella]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter17|Marguerite Ribbon 9]]
* Afterword

=== Volume 32 - Pre-Graduation Tableau/卒業前小景 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v32_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter1|Laughing While Reminiscing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter2|Onee-sama's Racket]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter3|Me and the Interviewer]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter4|Graduation Group Photograph]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter5|Sweet Bun Feast]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter6|Support and Skinship]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter7|Forgotten Things]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter8|What's the Person Beside You Doing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter9|The Ribbon's Path]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 33 - Hello Goodbye/ハローグッバイ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v33_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter1|Today's Goal]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter2|The Green Bird and the White Flower]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter3|Grand Entrance]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter4|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter5|Parting Gift Trio]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter6|Soloist's Adlib]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter7|Connecting Chains]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter8|Continuing Path]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Postscript|Postscript]]
 

=== Volume 34 - Little Horrors/リトルホラーズ ===
[[Image:MM_v34_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume34_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Chapter 1: "Little Horrors - I" / リトルホラーズ―I
* Chapter 2: "Chinami-san and Me" / チナミさんと私
* Chapter 3: "Little Horrors - II" / リトルホラーズ―II
* Chapter 4: "Picking up a Handkerchief" / ハンカチ拾い
* Chapter 5: "Little Horrors - III" / リトルホラーズ―III
* Chapter 6: "An Honest Lie" / ホントの嘘
* Chapter 7: "Little Horrors - IV" /リトルホラーズ―IV
* Chapter 8: "One Pair" /ワンペア
* Chapter 9: "Little Horrors - V" /リトルホラーズ―V
* Chapter 10: "Dream of a Butterfly" /胡蝶の夢)
* Chapter 11: "Little Horrors - VI" /リトルホラーズ―VI
* Chapter 12: "Extra:Little Panic" /おまけ・リトルパニック

=== Volume 35 - Step/ステップ ===
[[Image:MM_v35_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]

=== Volume 36 - My Nest/私の巣 ===

== Project Staff ==

*Project Administrator: ''None Designated''
*Project Supervisor: ''None Designated''

=== Translators ===
'''ACTIVE'''

* [[User:Enn_are|NR]]
* [[User:Sukoshi|Sukoshi]]
* [[User:hasekura_rei|hasekura_rei]]

'''K.I.A.'''

* [[User:Seki|Seki]]
* [[User:Harunako|Harunako]]

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Kurokaze|Kurokaze]]

=== Editors ===
'''ACTIVE'''

(none, beside some occasionally passing readers)

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Ribonizer|Ribonizer]]

=== Contributors ===

* Erica Friedman of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translations of volumes 15 through 19 and
* Rei and Sukoshi of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translation of volume 20 and 21.
* Update: as of May 19, 2010, translations no longer hosted on Okazu.

== Series Overview ==
* Volume 1 - マリア様がみてる (April 24, 1998, ISBN 4-08-614459-X)
* Volume 2 - マリア様がみてる　黄薔薇革命 (February 3, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614554-5)
* Volume 3 - マリア様がみてる　いばらの森 (April 27, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614591-X)
* Volume 4 - マリア様がみてる　ロサ・カニーナ (December 1, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614661-4)
* Volume 5 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） (March 3, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614695-9)
* Volume 6 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） (April 25, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614715-7)
* Volume 7 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（前編） (February 2, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614817-X)
* Volume 8 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（後編） (April 3, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614841-2)
* Volume 9 - マリア様がみてる　チェリーブロッサム (July 27, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614895-1)
* Volume 10 - マリア様がみてる　レイニーブルー (March 29, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600078-4)
* Volume 11 - マリア様がみてる　パラソルをさして (July 1, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600136-5)
* Volume 12 - マリア様がみてる　子羊たちの休暇 (December 25, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600210-8)
* Volume 13 - マリア様がみてる　真夏の一ページ (March 28, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600243-4)
* Volume 14 - マリア様がみてる　涼風さつさつ (July 1, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600284-1)
* Volume 15 - マリア様がみてる　レディ、GO！ (October 31, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600337-6)
* Volume 16 - マリア様がみてる　バラエティギフト (December 25, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600360-0)
* Volume 17 - マリア様がみてる　チャオソレッラ！ (March 31, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600399-6)
* Volume 18 - マリア様がみてる　特別でないただの一日 (October 1, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600484-4)
* Volume 19 - マリア様がみてる　インライブラリー (December 25, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600527-1)
* Volume 20 - マリア様がみてる　妹オーディション (April 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600568-9)
* Volume 21 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇のミルフィーユ (July 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600609-X)
* Volume 22 - マリア様がみてる　未来の白地図 (December 22, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600704-5)
* Volume 23 - マリア様がみてる　くもりガラスの向こう側 (March 31, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600743-6)
* Volume 24 - マリア様がみてる　仮面のアクトレス (June 30, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600784-3)
* Volume 25 - マリア様がみてる　大きな扉　小さな鍵 (October 3, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600823-8)
* Volume 26 - マリア様がみてる　クリスクロス (December 22, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600859-9)
* Volume 27 - マリア様がみてる　あなたを探しに (March 30, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-600895-2)
* Volume 28 - マリア様がみてる　フレーム　オブ　マインド (June 28, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601034-4)
* Volume 29 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇の花かんむり (October 2, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601075-7)
* Volume 30 - マリア様がみてる　キラキラまわる (December 26, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601110-5)
* Volume 31 - マリア様がみてる　マーガレットにリボン (April 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601144-0)
* Volume 32 - マリア様がみてる　卒業前小景 (October 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601214-0)
* Volume 33 - マリア様がみてる　ハローグッバイ (December 26, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601244-7)
* Volume 34 - マリア様がみてる―リトルホラーズ (July 1, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601305-5)
* Volume 35 - マリア様がみてる　私の巣　(December 25, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601363-5)
* Volume 36 - マリア様がみてる　ステップ　(December 28, 2010, ISBN 978-4-08-601481-6)

File:MM v35 cover.jpg

2012-02-23T19:00:46Z

Molenir: uploaded a new version of "File:MM v35 cover.jpg": Cover v35 Maria-sama ga miteru

Book Cover of Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 35

File:MM v35 cover.jpg

2012-02-23T18:56:30Z

Molenir: Book Cover of Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 35

Book Cover of Maria-sama ga Miteru Volume 35

Maria-sama ga Miteru

2012-02-23T18:44:10Z

Molenir: Adding the new volumes (Not sure how to add the pictures for them though.

[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|200px|thumb|MariMite volume 1 cover.]]

Maria-sama ga Miteru (マリア様がみてる) is a Japanese light novel series written by Oyuki Konno (今野緒雪（こんのおゆき）) and illustrated by Reine Hibiki (ひびき玲音). The series is published by Shueisha under their Cobalt imprint. Many of the short stories which were later also included in the novel series were first published in the Cobalt magazine. The series has currently 36 published volumes. The spin-off light novel series Ōshaka-sama mo Miteru (お釈迦様もみてる) about Yumi's younger brother Yūki and his schoolmates at Hanadera have since August 2008 six published volumes.

''Maria-sama ga Miteru'' is also available in the following languages:
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_%28Fran%C3%A7ais%29|Français (French)]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru_Spanish|Español (Spanish)]]

(Note: Translation progress varies for each version.)

== Story Synopsis ==

Maria-sama ga Miteru's story revolves around the students of the Lillian Catholic school for girls, and can be considered character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain. At Lillian Girls' School, there is a tradition known as the sœur system (sœur being French for "sister"), in which a second, or third-year student, the grande sœur ("big sister"), will give her rosary to a junior student, the petite sœur ("little sister"), and promise to look after them and guide them.

When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a first-year at Lillian, is praying in front of the Virgin Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi's uniform ribbon. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, and she speaks of her meeting with Sachiko to her friends during class and lunch. After school is over, Yumi's classmate Tsutako Takeshima meets with Yumi to show her that she took a photograph of Yumi's meeting with Sachiko earlier that morning. Yumi asks if she can have the photo, but Tsutako says she will give her the snapshot under two conditions: one being that Tsutako can display it at the upcoming school festival, and two being that Yumi get Sachiko's permission to do so as well. Yumi agrees to this, which sets in motion a series of events involving the entire Yamayurikai — the student council of the school. A few weeks after first meeting Sachiko, Yumi accepts Sachiko's rosary and therefore agrees to become her petite sœur.

This officially inducts Yumi into the Yamayurikai where she assists them in school matters at the same level as the other two petite sœurs — Yoshino Shimazu, and Shimako Tōdō — who are the petite sœurs of Rei Hasekura, and Sei Satō respectively. Through her activities in the Yamayurikai, Yumi becomes closer to the other members and generally finds her experiences with the group to be enjoyable. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria-sama_ga_Miteru Synopsis from wikipedia.]

'''Warning:''' Suffice it to say, this series is considered yuri, having various mentions of lesbian relationships. They are not, however, particularly graphic. If you find this sort of topic offensive, look away.

== Translation ==

=== [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|Registration]] ===

'''Translators are asked to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Registration Page|register]] which chapters they're working on''' (see [[Format_guideline#Translators|the Guideline page]] for usage rules).

=== Format Standards ===
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Format|Maria-sama ga Miteru specific formatting]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes|Maria-sama ga Miteru translation notes]]

== Updates ==
* 18 January 2012
** Started translation of volume 27
* 15 January 2012
** Finished translation of volume 31
* 31 August 2011
** Finished translation of volume 28
* 17 April 2011
** Finished translation of volume 30

[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Updates|Past Updates]]

== Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる by Oyuki Konno ==
=== Volume 1 - Maria-sama ga Miteru/マリア様がみてる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1|Monday of Uneasiness]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2|Tuesday of Storms]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3|Anxious Wednesday, Friday of Battle]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4|Spicy and Bitter Weekend]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5|The Hot Second Week]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6|Waltz-like Sunday]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 2 - The Yellow Rose Revolution/黄薔薇革命 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v02_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1|Best Sœur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2|The Returned Rosary]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3|Unexpected Consequences]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4|Just what is going on?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5|Fighting Maidens]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter6|As long as it ends well]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 3 - Forest of Thorns/いばらの森 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v03_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Forest of Thorns
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter1|The semester exam and the paperback]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter2|The White Rose]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter3|Who's Suga Sei?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter4|If I could meet Eve]]
* The White Flower Petal
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter5|Springtime Buds]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter6|Summer Greenhouse]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter7|Autumn Love]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter8|The last flower of winter, and then]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 4 - Rosa Canina/ロサ・カニーナ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v04_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Rosa Canina
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter1|A lonesome warmth]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter2|Rosa Canina?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3|What do you think?]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter4|Raison d'etre for sœur]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5|A modest secret]]
* Nagakiyono
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6|The first of January]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7|The hatsumoude on the second]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter8|With the archenemy]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter9|By onee-sama's side]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 5 - Valentine's Gift - Part 1/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v05_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Surprise chocolate
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter1|Research]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter2|gift from a rare visitor]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter3|Outsider]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter4|The thirteenth of February]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter5|St. Valentine's prank]]
* The Yellow Rose complication
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_1|18:50, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_2|19:18, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_3|19:30, Rei]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_4|23:10, Eriko]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_5|23:10, Yoshino]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Chapter6_6|23:10, Rei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume5_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 6 - Valentine's Gift - Part 2/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v06_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* First date triangle
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter1|Order]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter2|Hors d'oeuvre]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter3|Main]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter4|Dessert]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter5|The crimson card]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Chapter6|Rosa Chinensis' best day of her life]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume6_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 7 - Beloved Times - Part 1/いとしき歳月（前編） ===
[[Image:MM_v07_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume7_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose at Full Speed
** In the Beginning
** Rabbit and Cat and Wolf
** Umbrella Maker's Wife
** Yellow Rose Rebellion
* Very Busy Days
** Monday
** Tuesday
** Wednesday
** Thursday
** Friday
** Saturday
** Freebie
* A Short Interlude

=== Volume 8 - Beloved Times - Part 2/いとしき歳月（後編） ===
[[Image:MM_v08_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume8_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Will
** Lost Item
** Farewell Gift
* As the Years Pass By
** Just Before Graduation
** Eriko, Sei, Youko
** Farewell Address and Formal Reply
** Towards the Light
* Hold One of My Hands
** Spring Breeze
** Autumn Bonds

=== Volume 9 - Cherry Blossom (Sakura)/チェリーブロッサム ===
[[Image:MM_v09_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume9_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* The Cherry in the Ginkgos
** Falling Cherry Blossoms / Exam Failure
** Maria and Maitreya
** Rosary or Juzu
** The Maria Ceremony Inquisition
* BGN (Background Noise)
** If the Cherry Blossoms Fall
** 8 – 3 = Right
** Worrisome First Year
** Behind the Scenes of The Maria Ceremony Inquisition

=== Volume 10 - Rainy Blue/レイニーブルー ===
[[Image:MM_v10_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume10_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Drop of a Rosary
** Peppermint Candy
** Raindrop
* Yellow Rose Warning
** Suspicious Clouds
** Signs of Rain
* Rainy Blue
** Premonition
** Smile, Smile
** Sweets
** Blue Umbrella, Red Umbrella

=== Volume 11 - Holding a Parasol/パラソルをさして ===
[[Image:MM_v11_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume11_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The Girl with the Yellow Umbrella
* Classmates
* Welcome
* White Umbrella
* Visitor
* Beneath a Clear, Blue Sky
* Postscript

=== Volume 12 - Vacation of the Lambs/子羊たちの休暇 ===
[[Image:MM_v12_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume12_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter0|Prologue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter1|Plans for the Summer Vacation (夏休みの予定) ]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter2|In the Dream of Seeing Cabbage Butterflies (紋白蝶の見る夢は)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter3|Midsummer Greetings with a Pressed Leaf (押し葉の暑中見舞い)]] (unfinished)
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter4|The Rich Princes and Princesses (お坊ちゃま、お嬢様)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter5|Searching in the Mist (霧中模索)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Chapter6|Songs of an Angel (天使の歌)]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Epilogue|Author's Epilogue]]
*[[Maria_Sama_Ga_Miteru:Volume12_Translator's_Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 13 - One Page of Midsummer/真夏の一ページ ===
[[Image:MM_v13_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume13_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Operation OK For Short (Tentative)
** Offer and Plot
** Cunning Boy
** OK, Let's Do It.
* Together With the Old Gentleman
** Working With Resignation and a Dustpan
** As Far as the Meeting Place
** Search for Takuya-kun!
* Rosa Foetida ☆ Illustrated Diary
** 〇th of July (Saturday) : Sunny
** △th of August (Sunday) : Cloudy
** Ⅹth of August (Saturday) : Sunny

=== Volume 14 - Cool Breeze/涼風さつさつ ===
[[Image:MM_v14_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume14_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Prologue
* The First Step
* That's a Problem
* Setting Aside the "Bread Incident"
* Finding Me
* The Battle for Hanadera
* Postscript

=== Volume 15 - Ready, GO!/レディ、GO！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v15_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter1|Remaining Cuteness of Today's Enemy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter2|Everything Prepared?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter3|Friend's affection and Onee-sama]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter4|Casting Aside Embarrassment of One's Parents]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter5|Joker, Anchor]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume15_Chapter6|Penalty Game Speculation]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 16 - Variety Gifts/バラエティギフト [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v16_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter1|Variety Gift I]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter2|Variety Gift II]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter3|Variety Gift III]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter4|Variety Gift IV]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume16_Chapter5|Variety Gift V]]
* Postscript
 

=== Volume 17 - Ciào Sorella!/チャオソレッラ！ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v17_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter1|Each and Every Farewell Gift]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter2|Going out at the Beginning]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter3|Leisurely Dialogue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter4|The Mouth of Truth's Complaint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter5|The Capital of Flowers Is What Kind of City?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter6|Resounding! Leaning! Melting!?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter7|The Parakeet's Hint]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter8|From the Water Capital to the Island Nation]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9|Souvenir Report]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Chapter9.5|The Absence of Rosa Chinensis en Bouton]]
* Postscript
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume17_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 18 - Nothing Special, Just a Normal Day/特別でないただの一日 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18|(Full Text)]]===
[[Image:MM_v18_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter1|Shock]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter2|Are you changing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter3|What will happen? What will we do?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter4|Ah, Misunderstanding]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Chapter5|Dramatics]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume18_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 19 - In Library/インライブラリー ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v19_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1|In Library - - I]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter1.5|Silent Night's Vision]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2|In Library - - II]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter2.5|Joanna]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3|In Library - - III]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.2|Chocolate Coat]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.3|Yasuko]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.4|Masumi]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter3.5|Asaka]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4|In Library - - IV]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.1|--- Magic Among the Cherry Blossom ---]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.2|-- The Door of Cherry Wood --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5.3|-- The Burial Among Cherry Blossoms --]]
***[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter4.5_Epilogue|Cherry Blossom Folk Tales - Epilogue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5|In Library - - V]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter5.5|Library Book]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume19_Chapter6|In Library - - VI]]

=== Volume 20 - Sister Audition/妹オーディション ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v20_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1|-- Right or Wrong -- ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.2|Maria-sama's Star]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter1.3|Maria-sama's Planet]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter2|Welcome to the Tea Party]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter3|Interim Report]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter4|The Crucial Battle]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume20_Chapter5|Harvest]]
*Postscript

=== Volume 21 - Rose Mille-Feuille/薔薇のミルフィーユ ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v21_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Prologue|Prologue]]
*Yellow Rose Panic
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter1|The result of 100 battles?]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter2|Panic Attack!]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter3|The Bout's Whereabouts]]
*Reverie of the White Rose
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter4|Two Peaceful People]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter5|The Heaviness of Reverie]]
*Rosa Chinensis's Sigh
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter6|After-Finals Prize]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter7|High Tension and Roller Coasters]]
**[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Chapter8|A Mille-Feuille of Sighs]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Postscript|Afterword]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume21_Translator's Notes|Translator's Notes and References]]

=== Volume 22 - Blank Map of the Future/未来の白地図 ([[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22|Full Text]])===
[[Image:MM_v22_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter1|An Unexpected Visitor (予期せぬ客人） ]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter2|A Little Bit of Something（何となく、の中には）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter3|Of Strange Things（ひょんな事から）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter4|Even though it's Christmas（クリスマスなのに）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Chapter5|Rose Dialogue（薔薇のダイアローグ）]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume22_Afterword|Afterword]]

=== Volume 23 - Other Side of the Frosted Glass/くもりガラスの向こう側 ===
[[Image:MM_v23_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Prologue|Prologue]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume23_Chapter1|Onee-sama's Lead (お姉さまのリード)]]
* In One Year's Time (一年の計)
* Stopping In Along the Way (寄り道と道すがら)
* Full To Bursting At the New Year’s Party (新年会てんこ盛り)
* Nearly Far? Or Distantly Near? (近くて遠き？　遠くて近き？)
* A Chill Breeze (冷たい風)
* The Heart In the Frosted Glass (心のくもりガラス)
* Afterword

=== Volume 24 - Masked Actress/仮面のアクトレス ===
[[Image:MM_v24_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume24_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Yellow Rose, Hardball Fight
** Riding a Bicycle
** Contest
* Masked Actress
** The Opening Ceremony's Spoiled Child
** Explanatory Meeting and Clandestine Meeting
** First Year Camellia Class is Normal
** Beneath the Mask
* A Moment of Honesty

=== Volume 25 - Big Door, Small Key/大きな扉　小さな鍵 ===
[[Image:MM_v25_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume25_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Key Holder
** Sometimes Falling, Sometimes Pulling
** Slightly Slipping Away
** Proposal Together With Arrival
** What I Wanted to Hear
* Keyhole of the Heart
** Pitiable Person
** Fortunate Interview
** In Her Pocket

=== Volume 26 - Crisscross/クリスクロス ===
[[Image:MM_v26_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume26_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Crisscross
** Good Morning Chocolate
** Sentimental First-Year Camellia Class
** Ahh, Tea Party
** A Shortcut and Dropping In on the Way
** The Blank Map's Valley
** The Red Card's Outlook
* Map Stroll
** Meandering
** X-Mark

=== Volume 27 - In Search of You/あなたを探しに ===
[[Image:MM_v27_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter1|Warrior Demands a Response]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume27_Chapter2|The "Absentee's Chance" Girl]]
* Unexpected Words
* Opportunity for a Date
* "Why?"
* Amendment, Overwriting and an Old Photograph
* The Door That Opened
* When Tomorrow Comes

=== Volume 28 - Frame of Mind/フレーム　オブ　マインド [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v28_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter1|Frame of Mind 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter2|April Deja-Vu]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter3|Frame of Mind 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter4|Three-Leaf Clover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter5|Frame of Mind 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter6|Sprouts in Dry Wood]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter7|Frame of Mind 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter8|The Yellow Thread]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter9|Frame of Mind 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter10|The Awkward Princess]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter11|Frame of Mind 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter12|Bouton of Light]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter13|Frame of Mind 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter14|The Greenhouse Fairy]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter15|Frame of Mind 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter16|The Doppelganger Story]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter17|Frame of Mind 9]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter18|A Roll of Film]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Chapter19|Frame of Mind 10]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume28_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 29 - Crown of Roses/薔薇の花かんむり [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_29_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter1|Onee-sama, Rosary and Petit Soeur]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter2|Conversation Stories]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter3|Not Here]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter4|Burning Bridges]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter5|Santa's Refreshments]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter6|The Miracle Worker]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Chapter7|Would You Like to Waltz?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume29_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 30 - Twinkle, Twinkle, Twirl/キラキラまわる [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_30_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter1|Scattered Sunshine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter2|Frivolity and Self-Loathing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter3|Those Two, On the Other Hand]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter4|Star Up Teacup]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter5|What Kind of Groups?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter6|Distant Desire]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Chapter7|Amongst the Stardust]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume30_Postscript|Afterword]]

=== Volume 31 - Marguerite Ribbon/マーガレットにリボン [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v31_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter1|Marguerite Ribbon 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter2|Debut]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter3|Marguerite Ribbon 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter4|A Rival is Fine]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter5|Marguerite Ribbon 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter6|Buying Florentine Senbei]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter7|Marguerite Ribbon 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter8|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter9|Marguerite Ribbon 5]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter10|My Siblings]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter11|Marguerite Ribbon 6]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter12|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 1]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter13|Marguerite Ribbon 7]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter14|Yumi-chan's Illustrated Diary – Future Volume 2]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter15|Marguerite Ribbon 8]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter16|Memories of the Blue Umbrella]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume31_Chapter17|Marguerite Ribbon 9]]
* Afterword

=== Volume 32 - Pre-Graduation Tableau/卒業前小景 [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v32_Cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter1|Laughing While Reminiscing]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter2|Onee-sama's Racket]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter3|Me and the Interviewer]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter4|Graduation Group Photograph]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter5|Sweet Bun Feast]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter6|Support and Skinship]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter7|Forgotten Things]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter8|What's the Person Beside You Doing?]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume32_Chapter9|The Ribbon's Path]]
* Postscript

=== Volume 33 - Hello Goodbye/ハローグッバイ [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33|(Full Text)]] ===
[[Image:MM_v33_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_BackCover|Back Cover]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Prologue|Prologue]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter1|Today's Goal]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter2|The Green Bird and the White Flower]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter3|Grand Entrance]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter4|The Problem of Adding "-San"]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter5|Parting Gift Trio]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter6|Soloist's Adlib]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter7|Connecting Chains]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Chapter8|Continuing Path]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume33_Postscript|Postscript]]
 

=== Volume 34 - Little Horrors/リトルホラーズ ===
[[Image:MM_v34_cover.jpg|thumb|100px]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume34_Illustrations|Novel Illustrations]]
* Chapter 1: "Little Horrors - I" / リトルホラーズ―I
* Chapter 2: "Chinami-san and Me" / チナミさんと私
* Chapter 3: "Little Horrors - II" / リトルホラーズ―II
* Chapter 4: "Picking up a Handkerchief" / ハンカチ拾い
* Chapter 5: "Little Horrors - III" / リトルホラーズ―III
* Chapter 6: "An Honest Lie" / ホントの嘘
* Chapter 7: "Little Horrors - IV" /リトルホラーズ―IV
* Chapter 8: "One Pair" /ワンペア
* Chapter 9: "Little Horrors - V" /リトルホラーズ―V
* Chapter 10: "Dream of a Butterfly" /胡蝶の夢)
* Chapter 11: "Little Horrors - VI" /リトルホラーズ―VI
* Chapter 12: "Extra:Little Panic" /おまけ・リトルパニック

=== Volume 35 - Step/ステップ ===

=== Volume 36 - My Nest/私の巣 ===

== Project Staff ==

*Project Administrator: ''None Designated''
*Project Supervisor: ''None Designated''

=== Translators ===
'''ACTIVE'''

* [[User:Enn_are|NR]]
* [[User:Sukoshi|Sukoshi]]
* [[User:hasekura_rei|hasekura_rei]]

'''K.I.A.'''

* [[User:Seki|Seki]]
* [[User:Harunako|Harunako]]

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Kurokaze|Kurokaze]]

=== Editors ===
'''ACTIVE'''

(none, beside some occasionally passing readers)

'''M.I.A.'''
* [[User:Ribonizer|Ribonizer]]

=== Contributors ===

* Erica Friedman of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translations of volumes 15 through 19 and
* Rei and Sukoshi of [http://okazu.blogspot.com/ Okazu] for translation of volume 20 and 21.
* Update: as of May 19, 2010, translations no longer hosted on Okazu.

== Series Overview ==
* Volume 1 - マリア様がみてる (April 24, 1998, ISBN 4-08-614459-X)
* Volume 2 - マリア様がみてる　黄薔薇革命 (February 3, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614554-5)
* Volume 3 - マリア様がみてる　いばらの森 (April 27, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614591-X)
* Volume 4 - マリア様がみてる　ロサ・カニーナ (December 1, 1999, ISBN 4-08-614661-4)
* Volume 5 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） (March 3, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614695-9)
* Volume 6 - マリア様がみてる　ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） (April 25, 2000, ISBN 4-08-614715-7)
* Volume 7 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（前編） (February 2, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614817-X)
* Volume 8 - マリア様がみてる　いとしき歳月（後編） (April 3, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614841-2)
* Volume 9 - マリア様がみてる　チェリーブロッサム (July 27, 2001, ISBN 4-08-614895-1)
* Volume 10 - マリア様がみてる　レイニーブルー (March 29, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600078-4)
* Volume 11 - マリア様がみてる　パラソルをさして (July 1, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600136-5)
* Volume 12 - マリア様がみてる　子羊たちの休暇 (December 25, 2002, ISBN 4-08-600210-8)
* Volume 13 - マリア様がみてる　真夏の一ページ (March 28, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600243-4)
* Volume 14 - マリア様がみてる　涼風さつさつ (July 1, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600284-1)
* Volume 15 - マリア様がみてる　レディ、GO！ (October 31, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600337-6)
* Volume 16 - マリア様がみてる　バラエティギフト (December 25, 2003, ISBN 4-08-600360-0)
* Volume 17 - マリア様がみてる　チャオソレッラ！ (March 31, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600399-6)
* Volume 18 - マリア様がみてる　特別でないただの一日 (October 1, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600484-4)
* Volume 19 - マリア様がみてる　インライブラリー (December 25, 2004, ISBN 4-08-600527-1)
* Volume 20 - マリア様がみてる　妹オーディション (April 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600568-9)
* Volume 21 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇のミルフィーユ (July 1, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600609-X)
* Volume 22 - マリア様がみてる　未来の白地図 (December 22, 2005, ISBN 4-08-600704-5)
* Volume 23 - マリア様がみてる　くもりガラスの向こう側 (March 31, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600743-6)
* Volume 24 - マリア様がみてる　仮面のアクトレス (June 30, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600784-3)
* Volume 25 - マリア様がみてる　大きな扉　小さな鍵 (October 3, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600823-8)
* Volume 26 - マリア様がみてる　クリスクロス (December 22, 2006, ISBN 4-08-600859-9)
* Volume 27 - マリア様がみてる　あなたを探しに (March 30, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-600895-2)
* Volume 28 - マリア様がみてる　フレーム　オブ　マインド (June 28, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601034-4)
* Volume 29 - マリア様がみてる　薔薇の花かんむり (October 2, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601075-7)
* Volume 30 - マリア様がみてる　キラキラまわる (December 26, 2007, ISBN 978-4-08-601110-5)
* Volume 31 - マリア様がみてる　マーガレットにリボン (April 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601144-0)
* Volume 32 - マリア様がみてる　卒業前小景 (October 1, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601214-0)
* Volume 33 - マリア様がみてる　ハローグッバイ (December 26, 2008, ISBN 978-4-08-601244-7)
* Volume 34 - マリア様がみてる―リトルホラーズ (July 1, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601305-5)
* Volume 35 - マリア様がみてる　私の巣　(December 25, 2009, ISBN 978-4-08-601363-5)
* Volume 36 - マリア様がみてる　ステップ　(December 28, 2010, ISBN 978-4-08-601481-6)

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume32 Chapter8 1

2010-06-08T21:47:54Z

Molenir: /* What's the Person Beside You Doing? Part 1. */

===<noinclude>What's the Person Beside You Doing? </noinclude>Part 1.===

Touko walked with the words, 'The petit soeur supports' echoing in her mind.

(I don't have to do anything)

Smiling, she entered the school grounds. Rosa Gigantea, who had just imparted those words to her, and Noriko still remained in the Rose Mansion that she had just stepped out of.

Touko turned around to look up at the second floor, before starting to walk again.

It wasn't from jealousy.

When she had said earlier that she didn't want to chase after her onee-sama, she had been telling the truth. Touko was happy for Sachiko-sama and Yumi-sama to be with each other.

Yumi-sama was the person that Sachiko-onee-sama had originally chosen.

Touko had been jealous, and opposed it thinking that Yumi-sama wasn't fit to be Rosa Chinensis' petit soeur. But at some point she had stopped being bothered by it and accepted it.

And then it seemed like her eyes chased after that vision.

Above all else, she enjoyed seeing Sachiko-sama together with Yumi-sama. As though she was watching a play from the spectator's seats.

The pair of them didn't have to realize she was there. Touko was fine with that.

But before she knew it, she had been pulled up onto the same stage – . And Touko was perplexed by that. While there was still the three of them, it was fine. But Sachiko-sama would soon be leaving them. When that happens, what should she do?

Touko knew that Sachiko-sama played an incredibly huge role in Yumi-sama's life. And the day that larger-than-life existence went away, the day a gaping hole would be opened in her heart, was approaching. And Touko didn't believe she could fill that hole.

"Oh, is that you Touko-chan?"

On the first floor of the school building, she ran into Rosa Foetida.

Alone.

Probably on her way home, as she was wearing her coat and holding her bag. And she probably thought the same thing upon seeing Touko.

"Gokigenyou, Rosa Foetida."

So that was all Touko said as she bowed her head. It would show a lack of refinement to ask, 'Are you alone?' or 'Are you on your way home?'

The first-year and third-year shoe boxes were a distance apart so they momentarily separated before reuniting at the entrance.

"That reminds me, how did it go?"

Rosa Foetida inquired.

"Huh?"

"You've just been searching the first floor of the Rose Mansion, right?"

The soft breath blew across the top of Touko's head, disturbing some specks of dust. It was times like these that drove home the difference between their heights.

"Ahh, yeah, we have. Unfortunately, we didn't find a single item of yours, Rosa Foetida."

"I'll bet. And Sachiko too?"

"Naturally."

They looked at each other and laughed. No-one had come out and said that Rosa Chinensis had done a check of the first floor room, but it was common knowledge by now.

Suddenly remembering, Touko said:

"Although Yoshino-sama left the Rose Mansion a short while ago."

"Oh, really?"

"She may still be at school though.... Would you like to go after her?"

If Rosa Foetida ran, she could probably catch her at the statue of Maria-sama, or by the front gates.

"Nah, not really."

"I don't mind, if you want to go on ahead."

"It's not that important."

"Ahh, I see."

Rosa Foetida and Yoshino-sama were cousins and neighbors, so they could see each other whenever they wanted to.

"… What is it?"

Touko asked, feeling Rosa Foetida's eyes on her. Rosa Foetida just laughed.

"Oh, I was just thinking that recently you've stopped referring to yourself in the third-person."

How to respond to that kind of question.

"I still do. At times suited to that character."

"Character, huh?"

"… It's like western style clothes. When the time and circumstances are appropriate, you pull them out of the closet and put them on."

"I see."

Rosa Foetida laughed loudly. She seemed to take that as a joke.

Was it a joke, or was it the truth? Touko didn't really know herself, so she laughed along too.

"Sorry, but I'll have to leave you here."

As they passed through the entrance, Rosa Foetida turned towards the left.

"Are you returning home by the back gate?"

She asked without thinking. Usually, Rosa Foetida would head towards the right, the same way Touko was going. But, on reflection, since Rosa Foetida walked home, she didn't have to board one of the buses in front of the main gate. She probably had a number of choices when it came to deciding her route home.

"Nope. I thought I should go to the martial arts building before I went home."

"The martial arts building?"

Well, it was between here and the back gate. The martial arts building was where they practiced various martial arts. And Rosa Foetida was in the Kendo club. But, there probably wouldn't be anything happening there now.

"I may not have left anything in the Rose Mansion, but my gear is still in the martial arts building. And it's not really the sort of thing you want to take to a graduation ceremony, so I should get it today."

Rosa Foetida shrugged, and smiled.

"When my exams were over, I thought I'd be able to lead the younger girls in a lot of practice, but that didn't really happen."

That may have been regret on Rosa Foetida's part. It wasn't that she had forgotten her gear, she had left it there on purpose.

"Well, all kinds of things happened, and tomorrow's the graduation ceremony."

"All kinds of things?"

"You got it. But once you start, there's no end. So I'm graduating with the feeling that there are still many things left undone."

It seems everybody had something they wanted Rosa Foetida to do.

"That's quite noble of you."

"Huh, isn't it the opposite?"

Rosa Foetida cackled, but Touko stood by what she said.

To admit that there were still things left undone, and to realize that was okay, was refreshingly noble. Far better than puffing your chest up with pride and declaring that there is nothing left undone.

After going their separate ways, Touko was struck by a thought:

– Rosa Foetida, what on earth have you been doing until now?

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume32 Chapter3 4

2010-06-08T20:24:23Z

Molenir: /* Me and the Interviewer. Part 4. */

===<noinclude>Me and the Interviewer. </noinclude>Part 4.===

"How did it come to this?"

Sitting on a chair in the clubroom, Minako looked at the two people in front of her.

"What do you mean, this?"

One of the two was Sachiko-san, who had accompanied her here.

"Didn't Sachiko tell you? That we wanted to speak to you?"

The other one you could call Sachiko-san's partner in crime, Hasekura Rei-san. Rosa Foetida.

The Red and Yellow Roses were seated on the other side of the desk to Minako, and looking at her with composed expressions. Usually, the innermost chair was the seat of honor, but her two guests stubbornly refused to move from their positions. Encamped by the door, they probably intended to block any attempt Minako might make to flee.

"Well, she definitely said that. Although I didn't hear anything about you lying in wait for me, Rei-san."

"Oh, I must have forgotten to mention that Rei had gone on ahead of me. We thought you might be suspicious if we both showed up, so we thought one of us should go and bring you here. That's all."

"Go and bring me here?"

So their target was the newspaper club's clubroom from the outset, and their prior conversation had just been to draw her here.

They'd caught her unprepared.

Minako had been completely taken in by Sachiko-san's meek appearance. Ahh, she'd been completely blinded by her desire for a scoop, and was now left looking foolish.

But, still, who could have imagined that Rei-san was lurking in the locked clubroom, or that both her arms would be seized the moment she stepped inside?

"Mami. You're there, aren't you? You're their accomplice in this, I'll bet."

Venting her frustration, Minako looked at the door between Sachiko-san and Rei-san and called out, loudly.

It would have been impossible for Rei-san to go into the staff room and nonchalantly retrieve the key for the newspaper club's clubroom. Which naturally led to the idea that there was someone helping her. Someone for whom retrieving the key wouldn't be out of the ordinary. And someone who could innocently return the key after Rei-sama was inside. In short, it had to be someone in the newspaper club.

"I'm sorry, onee-sama. But I was helpless when faced with the awesome power of Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida."

Just as Minako had expected.

The feminine voice answered her from the other side of the door. The answer, and the way it was said, made it sound like something from a cheap drama. Minako was definitely not amused.

Upon reflection, the newspaper clubroom was a little, no make that a lot, cleaner than normal. The usual clutter of papers were stacked neatly on the shelves, and the computer and printer had been shifted slightly. As though an infrequent clean-up had just recently been completed.

And thinking back on it, her conversation with Mami in the hallway had probably been to plant the idea of coming to the newspaper club's clubroom in her head. This wasn't some spur of the moment deal, but a meticulously planned and rehearsed operation. The toothache, headache and stomachache were probably a pack of lies too. Oh Maria-sama, please forgive this naïve fool.

"Oh, by the way, Hidemi really did have to leave to see the dentist."

Sensing what she was thinking, Mami's voice came through the doorway.

"Hmm, now you tell me."

Was that supposed to make it any better, having a single truth mixed up in all of this?

It seemed as though she had no choice but to accept the situation. Minako settled back in her chair and turned defiant.

"And so? What is this? Have you come to settle some old scores?"

Thinking about it, it was completely out of character for Sachiko-san to approach the newspaper club to discuss something. Let alone divulge her years of memories on the eve of graduation.

"A settling of scores, you say?"

Sachiko-san smiled. Then she produced a small note-taker from somewhere and pressed the record button.

"I will now begin our exclusive interview with Tsukiyama Minako-san."

"Huh!?"

Their rationale was as follows:

For the past three years, Tsukiyama Minako had been single-minded and, at times, quite aggressive in how she went about gathering information. If things continued like this until graduation, there could be no closure. So it would do her good to have the tables turned on her just once.

"Wait, hold on just a moment."

"We will not wait."

Quite right. If her opponent asked her to wait, there's no way she would hold back.

"As this is the first interview, we've been checking up on you for the last couple of days."

"What do you mean?"

A glance at the scattered papers that Rei-san spread out over the desk revealed that they contained detailed notes about her actions during the last few days at school.

Her school arrival and departure times, how she spent her lunch break (where she was, who she was with and what she ate), who she talked to that wasn't in her class – .

"I get it. You've been following me."

"It was surprisingly easy to follow you. You didn't notice a thing."

"I noticed. I had a bad feeling."

"Even so, you didn't work out that it was us, did you Minako-san?"

"When you swept your gaze around, you were never able to pick us out of the swarm of people in the same school uniform, right?"

In other words, when she had discreetly looked around Sachiko-san or Rei-san had been amongst the crowd of students. That was somewhat vexing.

"Tsukiyama Minako-san, what's your most profound memory of your three years in high school?"

"Huh?"

That's a fairly abrupt change of topic, Sachiko-san.

"Hmm, let me see – "

"Please tell us about what you plan to do after graduation. Share all of your thoughts about the future."

As soon as she had finished answering the first question, Rei-san asked her another one.

"What's your favorite phrase?"

"Which subjects do you like?"

"Sum up your thoughts about Lillian's Girls Academy in one sentence."

The two of them took turns bombarding Minako with prepared questions. They were all quite banal. Uninteresting details. This was probably just another part of their harassment.

"Hey."

Minako opened her mouth.

"This is kind of boring, isn't it? Asking me these kinds of questions."

"You're right."

Sachiko-san agreed, and pressed the stop button on the recorder.

"Huh?"

Not actually expecting them to stop, Minako was dumbfounded.

"So, are we done?"

"The interview was just a pretense."

Rei-san smiled.

"A pretense …"

"If we hadn't done that, we wouldn't be able to have a nice, long chat with you."

As she said this, Rei-san leaned over and took something out of her bag. After Sachiko-san had cleared away the note-taker, Rei-san placed three containers of milk coffee on the desk.

"We'll only need until we've finished these, for our friendly chat."

"I don't understand."

A friendly chat. Why a friendly chat here? Why did these people want to have a friendly chat with her? Inside Minako's head, these questions were swirling around in confusion. Watching this spectacle, Sachiko-san smiled.

"I'm not sure when, but you spoke with Yumi. Some time when you weren't collecting data or preparing a story. She said it went well."

"Well?"

Yet another thing that Minako didn't understand.

"I don't know the details, but apparently she learned a lot from it."

"No way."

"Come now, my petit soeur is not one to lie."

Sachiko-san smiled. Was that a joke? No, probably not. Sachiko-san was always deadly serious.

Just when did she become the sort of person that could so openly praise their petit soeur like that? At the very least, when they had started high school she was a grumpy, hard to please person who seldom smiled. Quite the changed person.

"I don't think I explicitly taught her anything, more that your petit soeur was able to derive a lesson from a meaningless conversation."

After putting down money for the milk coffee, Minako took one of the packs, inserted a straw and gulped it down. If the two Roses wanted to continue to chat, she wasn't going to allow them to hold this over her.

"Once more, you're not making yourself very endearing."

"Well, that's just Minako-san's way, isn't it?"

Rei-san and Sachiko-san both took their milk coffees.

"Speaking of petit soeurs,"

Minako suddenly thought of something, and changed the topic.

"Yumi-san, Yoshino-san and Shimako-san all made something cute for the White Day return gifts, didn't they?"

If they were just having a chat, any topic should be fine.

"As usual, you have keen hearing."

Well, that's true. Even though she had retired from making the newspaper, her intelligence gathering antennae had not grown dull.

"Those girls, they couldn't wait for White Day and so they made and distributed their gifts the following day."

"Their reasoning was that things would be in chaos because of the approaching graduation ceremony, and they might not have a chance to see each other because of class scheduling."

"Purses, weren't they? After they'd finished they had to hand them over right away."

The older sisters shared a glance as they spoke.

"Still, I can understand how they felt."

Minako murmured. Sometimes she'd be gathering information for a story to put in the Lillian Kawaraban two editions later, but when she finished the article sooner than expected she would want to put it in the next edition. It was the same thing.

"So it's not that they didn't wait for White Day, it's that they couldn't wait."

The three of them laughed.

"And how about you two? Did you also get the handmade purses?"

The response of 'We didn't' was instantaneous from the two of them.

"I see. How did that make you feel?"

She felt like delving into this a bit deeper. She thought it was a long shot from the start, but surprisingly they answered in a carefree manner.

"Part of me was disappointed, but part of me was okay with it. It was a complicated feeling."

"If it had been something that Yoshino had worked her heart out to make then I would have wanted it, but because she made it with the others I didn't. Oh, Minako-san, why are you smiling?"

"Huh?"

Minako hadn't realized that she was as she listened to them talk. But she definitely did seem to be smiling. Listening to Rei-san and Sachiko-san speak when they weren't on guard, being able to see them as they really were, made her feel happy.

"I was just thinking that friendly chats are surprisingly good."

If she was to put what she heard here into the Lillian Kawaraban, it would probably make her readers very happy. But, bad luck. This was a friendly chat. It would be uncouth of her to turn this unguarded conversation between friends into an article.

After about thirty minutes of chatting in the clubroom, the pair of Roses left.

"This was fun."

"Later"

Those words stuck with her.

As she saw them off, Minako pondered the question she had thought of a while back, but hadn't voiced.

(Hey. Why did you choose the newspaper club's clubroom as the location for our friendly chat?)

She didn't ask, but she had a rough idea of the answer.

Those two had been checking up on her movements. So they must have known how many times a day she would walk to the front of the club house, but then return without going inside.

Sachiko-san and Rei-san understood Minako's feelings.

What that pair knew, Minako too knew.

And some things are better left unsaid.

This is what they call empathy.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume32 Chapter2 2

2010-06-08T20:06:38Z

Molenir: /* Onee-sama's Racket. Part 2. */

===<noinclude>Onee-sama's Racket. </noinclude>Part 2.===

Just how long had she been unable to stop thinking about tennis rackets.

It all went back to about a week ago. Probably no more than ten days.

After school, they were practicing their swings at the tennis courts that seemed lonely now that the third years were no longer there. Katsura was watching over her petit soeur, Mizue.

For some reason, Mizue seemed different then usual.

Something seemed out of place, as though she was wearing different clothes, or had a new haircut. But her hair was the same as usual, and Katsura was accustomed to seeing her in the clothes she had on.

It wasn't what she had on, but Katsura soon realized what it was. She was using a different racket. Which changed her form when she swung.

Katsura was going to ask her where she got the racket. Was it a newly purchased one? Was she borrowing it from someone? If she had asked about it quickly, it probably would have been a non-event. Mizue would have answered, telling her where it was from.

But Katsura hesitated momentarily. Looking closely at Mizue's racket, she saw that it wasn't a new one. And in the clubroom they had a number of spare rackets, but it wasn't one of those either. But it was definitely one that she had seen somewhere before.

That's it. It was Katsura's onee-sama's racket.

Why did Mizue have it?

Had her onee-sama given it to Mizue? That was probably it.

If a senior said they wanted to give you their racket, anybody, even Mizue, would gladly accept. So that was fine. Then where was the problem?

(… I get it)

Why did onee-sama choose Mizue to give her racket to? That was the question.

She fretted over it, but couldn't do anything about it. She couldn't decide whether or not to ask her onee-sama about it.

(Right. It's not like I'm in any position to judge her …!)

Katsura startled herself.

Maybe this was just her reaping what she had sown.

About this time last year, Katsura had received a racket from the then vice-president of the tennis club, and she too had kept this a secret from her onee-sama.

At that time, she had been overjoyed to have elicited such an action from a beloved senior. For the students in the tennis club, it was like receiving a memento from someone you admired. Thinking that her onee-sama would have been offended by her receiving the racket, Katsura had adorned a wall of her room with it and the commemorative photo that Takeshima Tsutako had taken of them.

(It wasn't an affair. It's just that I admired her like an idol.)

But in that case, why hadn't she told her onee-sama about it. And why had she kept the racket hidden?

Right. Because she was feeling guilty about it. So she hadn't wanted her onee-sama to find out.

Understanding that, she couldn't ask her onee-sama about her feelings.

It was only when Katsura was placed in the opposite position that she realized just how unthinkable an act she had done.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume22 Chapter5.2

2010-06-08T18:11:22Z

Molenir: /* Section 2 */

=== Section 2 ===

Sachiko-sama's room was a room fit for a princess. A huge, beautiful room.

But that didn't mean that the walls were lined with pink flowers or that the room was filled with teddy bears or other such girly things. It was a room of ivory walls and curtains of a brick-like crimson. The room was a work of art.

The curtains were different than the ones she had seen last time. Perhaps Sachiko changed the color for the season.

Rei considered herself a child, but even to her untrained eye, she could easily spot the furniture made of quality, old wood.

"...."

Just what didn't this room have? There was a four-poster bed, a desk, a grand piano, and a table set all fit into one room. Plus Sachiko even had her own bathroom.

"Please, sit."

Sachiko said, as she picked up a circular object from her table.

"Embroidery?"

With a single glance, she knew it was. To Rei who had a hobby with such crafts, there was no mistaking it.

"Yeah, just a bit."

"Show me."

"No, I'm not as good as you are, Rei."

Sachiko hesitated, but then showed Rei the work.

"I don't really stitch that often."

Rei took the stitching in her hand and set her cheeks in place. In the middle of a white handkerchief, a red rose was blooming. This had to be a Bullion Stitch.

"It looks fine by me."

"Really?"

Sachiko smiled at the praise. Rei was a lucky girl to get a princess to smile at her like this.

"For Yumi?"

"You can tell?"

"Well you know..."

Sachiko always daydreamed about Yumi. She didn't show it but she thought of Yumi as the cutest thing ever. Rei and Sachiko were good friends so Rei knew these things.

It was not quite love.

The two had a relationship that could be best summarized by something Sachiko's previous Onee-sama Mizuno Youko had said. "Ever since you made Yumi your soeur, you've started to make these great faces."

Yumi-chan was pushing Sachiko in a good direction.

"Let's eat."

"Even though we're still waiting on your cake Rei?"

"Even then."

The two laughed and suddenly a knock came from the door. Sayako Obaa-sama had brought tea.

"Thanks for waiting."

Sayako Obaa-sama said as she placed heated slices of Rei's pound cake on their plates.

"Ah, sorry."

"I tasted your cake already Rei-san. It was unbelievably delicious."

"Thank you. I put a lot of hard work into it."

Rei's response was simply flattery but it seemed to make Sayako Obaa-sama happy.

"What did you use to make it? Please show me some time."

"Oh, I'll write down the recipe and send it to you. As soon as I ..."

Rei stuttered as she spoke. Sachiko's composed face seemed to be giving Rei a message.

"Well not right now you know. Soon though."

"Oh yeah sure. Please don't forget."

"Y, yeah."

Sachiko waited until Sayako Obaa-sama left for the room before she shrugged.

"Ah, thanks for holding back on the recipe. If you hadn't, the family's stomachs would wretch at the sound of pound cake too."

It seems like recently Obaa-sama had cooked a fairly large amount of Mille Feuille, and had been causing trouble for her family and friends. If that's all it was then Rei would have no problems holding off on the recipe from Obaa-sama.

"So?"

Sachiko changed the subject as she sipped her tea.

"You wanted to talk about something right?"

"Huh?"

Rei wondered whether she had revealed to much already, and finally admitted that she did want to talk. After all, she had something she wanted to talk with Sachiko about.

"You knew all along."

"I did. Just meeting without a reason isn't your style Rei. Though I would be happy if you just wanted to meet Rei."

"... I'm sorry about that."

"So am I. Plus I'm glad that you wanted to come and talk with me."

Sachiko went back to eating a bite of her pound cake and exclaimed "It's delicious".

"It's made of raisins, apricots, plums, and pineapples."

Rei began to count out individually the fruits that she had put into the home cooked pound cake.

"Is that all?"

"And figs."

"Ah, figs. Now that you mention it, it makes sense."

Sachiko seemed to feel more satisfied as she took a not very thin piece of cake, jabbed her fork through, and brought the fork into her mouth. Rei asked as she saw Sachiko eating.

"I've been thinking about a lot of things."

"Mmhmm."

Sachiko's answer was ambivalent.

Did Rei really want to go through with this? The thing was, she was only having trouble with finding her resolve at the end of the very end of the last part. And the only reason she could go back on her decision was because she was still in a position where she could fall back on something but what she chose. Once Rei began talking about it, she couldn't take the words back.

"Would you listen to something I want to say? Are you up for that, Sachiko?"

"Not a problem with me."

Sachiko responded.

"Just keep your thoughts to yourself until the end, okay Sachiko?"

Rei desperately pleaded with Sachiko. This was the reason she had come.

"Yoshino..."

How should she start this whole thing? But Sachiko was only going to listen and not offer any conclusions of her own, so hopefully she wouldn't press too hard on the topic Rei was going to open with.

"has become close friends with an underclassman."

"..... Okay..."

"Middle school, third year, a girl named Arima Nana."

"Has Yoshino introduced her yet?"

Rei shook her head and said "No."

"I was doing some things, where I saw them together."

"What things?"

Rei was just relaying the story to Sachiko but maybe she was leaving too many of the finer details out of the picture.

"Oh, I was on an O-miai. That's when I saw Yoshino."

"An O-miai?"

Sachiko suddenly straightened, and narrowed her eyes. Oh yeah. Rei hadn't said anything about that before the vacation.

But it had been a long time since that O-miai. Then finals came up and then the winter vacation, and she never found the time to tell anyone about it.

"Well, um, we'll talk about the O-miai some other time. I just met some cousin I knew. Someone told me that he was going to get the same surgery that Yoshino had gotten so I wanted to cheer him on...."

Sachiko smiled as she asked her next question.

"How old was he?"

"Ten."

Rei answered.

"I thought so."

Sachiko thought and laughed dryly.

How had Sachiko known? How did she know it was a kid the moment she heard that he was going to have the same surgery that Yoshino had. Well Rei hadn't really given much import to the O-miai. If it had been a real O-miai then she would have probably made a much bigger fuss to Sachiko about it.

Now Rei was going back to her original point.

"So what does this Nana-san have to do with your O-miai?"

Sachiko asked.

"Yoshino just dropped in unannounced to the hotel, and she had brought that Nana girl with her."

"I see."

"My dad and the dad of the boy who I had an O-miai with knew about Nana so I decided to do some research."

"More things I'd never expect you to do Rei."

Sachiko let out a bored sigh. Even Rei understood that these rash decisions weren't things she normally did.

"It's because Yoshino didn't tell me anything about her."

Sachiko noticed that whenever Yoshino came into the picture, Rei would suddenly start acting differently and her judgment abilities would become impaired.

"So? What's wrong other than her name?"

Sachiko leaned forward in anticipation.

"Arima Nana used to be Tanaka Nana."

Rei answered as Sachiko swallowed a piece of the pound cake. It felt like there had been a very large chunk of apricot. The fruit chunk must have missed the slice of the knife by a centimeter, because the whole point of the cutting was to decrease the clumps of fruit.

Why was this the only piece that had escaped the knife, though? It had also been missed when Rei had dumped the fruits into the batter, and even when she had been mixing the fruits through the batter.

"Wait a second. Who is this Tanaka Nana?"

Sachiko asked.

"The youngest daughter of the Tanaka sisters."

"Ah, like that Oonaka girl you faced off against in last year's and this year's kendo matches. Those Tanaka sisters?"

"Yeah, those. I was a bit surprised when I found out."

The man who owned the Arima Doujo was their son in law. It was a fairly well known story in the kendo world and so Rei's father and grandfather had known about it, but those lower in the Hasekura family hadn't.

And so Rei hadn't known. Rei didn't think Yoshino had known this either when she became friends with Nana.

"How do you think they met?"

"Who knows."

Rei didn't know that much. She had investigated all she could about Nana's life, but she hadn't asked either how they had met. They were all on the same Lillian Girls' School premises, so there was at least one place she could have talked to either.

"But it's a very recent thing."

This had to be Rei's soeur intuition. But Yoshino hadn't seemed to be close with Nana before the school festival. And during the Soeur Audition Tea Party, Yoshino hadn't even been sure about the 'p' in petite soeur. Even though Yoshino had been so aggressive about it then.

"Rei."

"Whenever or wherever they met I don't care a bit about. But why couldn't she tell me?"

Rei stabbed the cake with her fork in her anger.

"Rei!"

"I know, I know I'm asking too much of her. I'll be graduating soon and Yoshino needs to find a soeur. But at least, tell..."

"Stop!"

Sachiko lightly tapped Rei on the forehead.

"You've become feverish."

Sachiko's touch had felt cool to Rei. And yet for some reason, the palm of Sachiko's hand had cooled Rei down.

"I'll hear all your complaints in a second. But first just calm down a bit."

Sachiko said and stood up. Rei looked at Sachiko, wondering what she was about to do. Sachiko turned toward the room door.

"You can't finish this piece of cake, right? So I'll just go downstairs and grab a spoon."

Sachiko pointed to the cake then left the room. Rei's eyes fell on top of the cake on her plate and there she found a piece that Rei judged too thin to be eatable with a fork.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume22 Chapter3.2

2010-06-08T15:22:18Z

Molenir: /* Section 2 */

=== Section 2 ===

Where Yoshino thought she would go to greet Nana, she instead met Sachiko-sama.

Sachiko-sama was bringing along Touko-chan and Kanako-chan.

"Gokigenyou, everyone."

Yoshino was the first to welcome the visitors. Great great, the two of them had finally arrived. Now the conditions for introducing Nana were set.

"Gokigenyou, Rosa Foetida en Bouton."

"Gokigenyou, Yoshino-sama."

Kanako-chan greeted them perkily, while Touko-chan greeted them mildly. Somehow, she had managed to bring a "I was dragged along" attitude in with her. She held hands with Kanako-chan and Noriko-chan, and was simply talking with the two. No, they weren't holding hands -- at least Kanako-chan's grip wasn't. It was to prevent Touko-chan from running away.

"Where are you headed Yoshino-chan?"

Sachiko-sama asked.

"Just to grab someone."

Yoshino wasn't willing to reveal just who she was yet, and Sachiko-sama didn't ask.

"I see. Thanks for the hard work then. Is everyone there already?" <ref>Again, the ritual "Gokurou-sama" is used.</ref>

"My Onee-san is there, and Shimako-san, and Yumi-san, oh and Noriko-chan too. Ahh, but they've all been in a group for a while now I guess." <ref>It still remains a bit amazing to me how Konno Oyuki-sama consistently keeps Yoshino and Yumi as good friends, and Sachiko and Rei as good friends, but Yumi never becomes good friends with Rei, and Yoshino talks rarely with Sachiko.</ref>

Sachiko-sama nodded, then spoke as if she suddenly had thought of something.

"Well, if you see Tsutako-san, could you say something to her for me? Tell her that if she doesn't pick up the pace a bit, the party will start without her."

"Sure thing."

said Yoshino, as she began walking again. Though Yoshino didn't really think she'd meet Tsutako-san anywhere.

Right now, Tsutako-san had probably dragged someone in front of the Maria-sama statue, and had begun taking a flurry of pictures.

The Closing Ceremony, after all, came right before a long vacation, and so many girls would be found about the school falling into the bonds of sisterhood. Especially around this time of the year, with Christmas and the end of the year coming up, it is as if all the girls' bottled feelings would come gushing out.

She knew, because she had seen several such instances since she had come to school.

For that matter, why had Sachiko-sama known that Yoshino wasn't really looking for Tsutako-san?

Yoshino walked inside the middle school building, and found it deserted.

Yoshino-san opened the classroom door, and found Nana sitting there, by herself.

"I'm sorry. Had you been waiting a very long time?"

"I had."

Nana, who had inserted herself into a library book, had brought along a coat and even a handbag, not because she had been ready to get up and go at any time, but because a single step into the classroom made Yoshino realize how cold it was.

The heater had shut off, so it obviously had been a while. The hallways too had been cold, but because Yoshino had been walking quickly, she hadn't noticed. But sitting in a large room, alone, in a chair, obviously made the room feel cold.

"Have you been here since the end of homeroom?"

"No. I went to the mass to kill some time."

"Yoshino-sama did notice me."

"Ah, ..... um okay."

Even if Yoshino had recognized her, she wouldn't have said anything, and so one couldn't really call Yoshino disinterested. Rei-chan had been sitting right next to her, and so if Yoshino had called out to Nana, then everything would have come to a head right then and there, and Yoshino's big plan of introducing Nana to Rei-chan at the Christmas Party would have been a failure. Plus, Rei-chan had seen Nana at the <Hotel in the Middle of the Forest>.

"No, you were right, you hadn't seen me. The middle school girls wanted to keep a distance from the high school Onee-samas, and chose to quietly behind them."

"Oh, really?"

Yoshino had never been to a mass in middle school. Before she had undergone the heart surgery, Yoshino would have never even dreamed of choosing to stay in a cold place for long periods of time. Of course, she hadn't been able to go to very hot places either. But this past of Yoshino's seemed to her like some time long ago, in a faraway place.

"Shall we go?"

"Sure."

"Nana picked up her bag, and opened her coat."

"Ah, I'm nervous."

It was Yoshino who said it, not Nana.

"Why are you nervous, Yoshino-sama?"

I'm the one who should be in this situation, Nana seemed to say as she inclined her head. These words that Yoshino had just uttered in haste refused to go away.

"Um. Well, uh, you know. I have to take you there with me. I was thinking about how I should introduce you, and that sort of thing."

"Is that sort of stuff really that hard?"

It was an innocent, neutral question, uttered blandly. A question of pure poison, thought Yoshino. The only kind of answer she could give in this situation is one that had no substance to it.

"No, it isn't, but...."

Yoshino smiled uselessly.

No matter what happened, at least Yoshino had finally found the way she would introduce Nana to Rei-chan.

It would be a competition. She'd tell them to compete. Following the tradition of Rei-chan's kendo, Rei-chan's opponent will be this middle school student.

"It's not something I'm really worrying about. Just a what-should-I-do kind of thing."

But the rest of the people awaiting their return to the Rose Mansion wasn't Rei-chan. Plus there was no-one else there who even had an inkling of experience with kendo. Those people would judge for themselves what kind of person they thought Nana to be.

For example, if Yoshino-chan promised to Nana that Nana would be her prospective soeur, then the situation would resolve nicely. It was the easiest way to introduce her to everyone else.

Nana was the middle school girl that Yoshino liked the most. The problem was, Yoshino really couldn't find any other words to describe their relationship.

The reason she was nervous was because she didn't know how the others would react.

The reason she was nervous was because she didn't know why Nana was coming.

"Hm? You're nervous about a what-should-I-do thing ...?"

But a feeling so close to Yoshino's heart was something Nana had no way of knowing.

"Well, I'm just asking but, why wouldn't you be feeling nervous?"

It would obviously be weird for Yoshino to be nervous in this situation, but that was because she knew this about herself. And anyway, Yoshino wanted to find out the reason.

"The Rose Mansion is a place where all Middle School students want to come close to. It's where the high school student council meets, is it not? It's naturally a place where you have to keep your guard up."

It seemed as if she was talking about the distinction between Home and Away matches.

"It doesn't really seem that way though."

"But it is, so that's why I wouldn't be nervous."

"I see. So it's just an argument for argument's sake."

"Yup."

Nana said without any pressure. Yoshino both envied and hated Nana for this. Because Nana had no intention to be nervous, she had no other goal but to attend the Rose Mansion's party.

That was why when Yoshino had called Nana up over vacation and asked her hesitantly whether she wanted to come to the party, she immediately accepted. At the time, Yoshino had thought nothing of it.

For Nana, the party at the Rose Mansion would be nothing but another one of her many parties.

"Let's go."

Yoshino said once again.

She said it more to encourage herself, than to tell Nana something.

Ike Ike, Go, Go. <ref>"Ike Ike" means "Go Go" in Japanese. The rest of the sentence is in English.</ref>

And so the starting pistol went off. And later, it would feel as if she had seen the finish line ahead and had begun running too quickly.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume22 Chapter2.3

2010-06-08T05:26:01Z

Molenir: /* Section 3 */

=== Section 3 ===

Why had this even happened?

Noriko thought to herself, as she plodded along the hallways.

Noriko herself had been the cause, she realized.

But she just couldn't get herself to accept that.

Archetypically bad things were simply bad. Even letting Shimako-san scold her would be better than saying empty words to Touko.

So she should have accepted the outcome as it was.

She understood this, but still could not so simply dispel the doubt from her heart.

In spite of turning Yumi down, she ended up being whisked into a more fundamental conflict. Noriko's show of emotion had sprung Shimako-san into action.

Shimako-san and Yumi-sama were walking about one classroom in front of Noriko. The two were talking, not even turning their heads once.

Did Noriko really want Shimako-san to turn around and look at her, or was she better off if Shimako-san didn't, Noriko pondered, as she walked along.

Bum-Bum-Bum-Bum. <ref>Sukoshi: The sound of plodding down the corridors.</ref>

Noriko had tried to present her just argument to Shimako, but had teared up. (Noriko felt depressed.)

Those tears weren't the tears of being talked into defeat, or tears of disappointment while being scolded. Rather, rather... they were tears that came out from self-pity.

Had Shimako-san understood, maybe she wouldn't have been so harsh in her rejection of Noriko's reasoning. Nobody had really understood, and so she had lost against Yumi-sama.

Shimako-san had reacted the way she did to punish Noriko. It made Noriko hang her head down in defeat.

The plodding sound her footsteps made down the corridor seemed to perfect words to describe herself now.

Bum-Bum-Bum-Bum

"I'm sorry."

The words being whispered within her heart seemed to be echoed in the air.

Noriko did not react, plodded one step forward, then stopped.

"Sorry?"

She realized that she had forgotten what was going on around her. Next to her, Shimazu Yoshino-sama stood with a serious expression on her face.

"That this ... um ... happened between Noriko-chan and Shimako-san ... well I was thinking maybe it was my fault. I thought I should at least, um, apologize or something."

Yoshino-sama had a soft, meek expression on her face, and bent her head down. It was unbelievable that this was the same Shimazu Yoshino who only minutes ago had zealously exclaimed "How dare you talk to your Sempai like that?". Still, the highs and lows of the passion did indeed fit Yoshino-sama's personality.

"I'm afraid I don't really know what you are apologizing for, Yoshino-sama."

Noriko-chan admittedly candidly.

This is what had started it all, Noriko had kept pondering from the beginning, and so she had rationalized that it had all come from within her. So where Yoshino-sama's apology came from, she couldn't begin to guess.

"Well, I'm the one who wanted to invite Touko-chan and Kanako-chan in the first place..."

Yoshino-sama said.

"Huh?"

"Yumi-san was just trying to do what I had asked her to."

"I ... don't really understand where you're going with this, Yoshino-sama."

"Because I had asked her to bring some underclassmen to the party."

"Right."

She had heard the whole thing. She didn't really feel like this was helping in any way, but she felt that she should listen to what Yoshino-sama was saying.

"So, you know..."

"Ah."

Noriko-chan suddenly understood. Yoshino-sama had found a person whom she wanted to claim as soeur, but bar that, she had thought that she would introduce the girl to everyone. For her, Yoshino-sama had wanted to call other guests, so the girl's presence would not stick out so markedly.

"Well ... congratulations ... is that what you're looking for here?"

Whether this allusion to the soeur oath was in fact a curse for Yoshino-sama or not, she did not know. When Noriko had accepted Shimako-san's rosary, many people had congratulated her, so Noriko felt that was an accurate response.

"Not yet, not yet. We're not going up those stairs yet."

Yoshino-sama laughed slightly and shook her head.

Obviously. Yoshino-sama's face was only filled with thirty percent happiness. The remaining seventy percent showed a face that hinted at a world of trouble yet to come.

"Anyway.... that's why when you had said that it was Yumi-sama's duty to invite Touko-chan and Kanako-chan, really it should have been my duty. But Shimako-san had stood up before I could say so, so I felt that the misunderstanding was my fault."

"No, it wasn't your fault..."

But with that, Noriko began reassessing her thoughts and actions. It would have been impolite to have said this to Yoshino-sama.

And then, Yoshino-sama began matter-of-factly discussing words that seemed to be answers to a deep secret.

"But when I heard Yumi-san speak up at you, she didn't seem very surprised."

These unexpected words stunned Noriko.

Noriko was so surprised, that she hadn't even realized that she had stopped walking.

Yoshino-sama turned her head around to look at Noriko.

"I think I sort of understand. If I had asked Noriko-chan to invite Touko-chan, then you would have done it, wouldn't you?"

"..."

"But because Yumi-chan had asked, you didn't want to, did you?"

Noriko thoughtfully nodded. Yoshino-sama wasn't simply toying with Noriko's heart by guessing at her motives. For some reason, in spite of everything, Yoshino-sama actually understood how Noriko had felt.

"I see. Well then, Noriko-chan, you would be feeling fed up with everything then, right?"

Yoshino-sama was spot on.

"That's why you're acting like that."

"Hahaha, I see."

Noriko laughed heartily, and Yoshino-sama stretched languidly.

"So then why don't we just drop the matter?"

"Huh?"

"Things just turn out the way they'll turn out. That's the way human relationships work. Or maybe, things turn out the way they should is a better way to paraphrase it."

"I know what you mean, but..."

"Well, there's nothing else we can do. They're our friends. Even if they're not asking anything of us, we still need to give them the benefit of the doubt."

Yoshino-sama spoke, as if she were talking about her own matter.

Actually, Yoshino-sama was probably explaining half of it to herself. In other words, as Yumi-sama's close friend, Yoshino-sama herself had been in a similar position. That's why Noriko-chan was just sharing sentiments with Yoshino-sama.

As the two continued walking and talking, they came up to none other than the First Year Camellia class. Yoshino-sama stopped in front of the back door.

"When I think about it, I guess we just aren't there yet."

"We?"

"Yumi-san and I. Up against Shimako-san."

Yumi-sama and Shimako-san were in front of the door, just walking out the door having called Touko and Kanako-san to step outside with them.

"I felt it, you know. Right then, Shimako-san had acted like a true Onee-sama."

"Yes. She really is an Onee-sama."

Yoshino-sama patted Noriko and whispered "Just for you". An affectionate without any second meaning.

"But Yoshino-sama will soon get there."

If Yoshino-sama actually found herself a petite soeur, then she'd have no choice but to become a grande soeur herself. Truth be told, Shimako-san at first had been a bit billowy. It's not as if Noriko had given Shimako-san some special power. Their time as soeurs together had simple made them so. So if the girl that Yoshino-san was going to bring to the party was actually going to become her soeur, then all her complaints of "not yet, not yet" would have little choice but to stop.

Noriko's remark had meant to cheer Yoshino-sama on, but Yoshino-sama's expression had clouded.

"That's true but ... I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

"Even if she may become my soeur, I feel like I put too much of a burden on Noriko-chan. That's why I had apologized earlier."

"Again, I'm very sorry Yoshino-sama ... I don't really know why you are apologizing...."

That the mystery would solve itself by this evening, Noriko could not know.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume22 Chapter2.3

2010-06-08T05:22:33Z

Molenir: /* Section 3 */

=== Section 3 ===

Why had this even happened?

Noriko thought to herself, as she plodded along the hallways.

Noriko herself had been the cause, she realized.

But she just couldn't get herself to accept that.

Archetypically bad things were simply bad. Even letting Shimako-san scold her would be better than saying empty words to Touko.

So she should have accepted the outcome as it was.

She understood this, but still could not so simply dispel the doubt from her heart.

In spite of turning Yumi down, she ended up being whisked into a more fundamental conflict. Noriko's show of emotion had sprung Shimako-san into action.

Shimako-san and Yumi-sama were walking about one classroom in front of Noriko. The two were talking, not even turning their heads once.

Did Noriko really want Shimako-san to turn around and look at her, or was she better off if Shimako-san didn't, Noriko pondered, as she walked along.

Bum-Bum-Bum-Bum. <ref>Sukoshi: The sound of plodding down the corridors.</ref>

Noriko had tried to present her just argument to Shimako, but had teared up. (Noriko felt depressed.)

Those tears weren't the tears of being talked into defeat, or tears of disappointment while being scolded. Rather, rather... they were tears that came out from self-pity.

Had Shimako-san understood, maybe she wouldn't have been so harsh in her rejection of Noriko's reasoning. Nobody had really understood, and so she had lost against Yumi-sama.

Shimako-san had reacted the way she did to punish Noriko. It made Noriko hang her head down in defeat.

The plodding sound her footsteps made down the corridor seemed to perfect words to describe herself now.

Bum-Bum-Bum-Bum

"I'm sorry."

The words being whispered within her heart seemed to be echoed in the air.

Noriko did not react, plodded one step forward, then stopped.

"Sorry?"

She realized that she had forgotten what was going on around her. Next to her, Shimazu Yoshino-sama stood with a serious expression on her face.

"That this ... um ... happened between Noriko-chan and Shimako-san ... well I was thinking maybe it was my fault. I thought I should at least, um, apologize or something."

Yoshino-sama had a soft, meek expression on her face, and bent her head down. It was unbelievable that this was the same Shimadzu Yoshino who only minutes ago had zealously exclaimed "How dare you talk to your Sempai like that?". Still, the highs and lows of the passion did indeed fit Yoshino-sama's personality.

"I'm afraid I don't really know what you are apologizing for, Yoshino-sama."

Noriko-chan admittedly candidly.

This is what had started it all, Noriko had kept pondering from the beginning, and so she had rationalized that it had all come from within her. So where Yoshino-sama's apology came from, she couldn't begin to guess.

"Well, I'm the one who wanted to invite Touko-chan and Kanako-chan in the first place..."

Yoshino-sama said.

"Huh?"

"Yumi-san was just trying to do what I had asked her to."

"I ... don't really understand where you're going with this, Yoshino-sama."

"Because I had asked her to bring some underclassmen to the party."

"Right."

She had heard the whole thing. She didn't really feel like this was helping in any way, but she felt that she should listen to what Yoshino-sama was saying.

"So, you know..."

"Ah."

Noriko-chan suddenly understood. Yoshino-sama had found a person whom she wanted to claim as soeur, but bar that, she had thought that she would introduce the girl to everyone. For her, Yoshino-sama had wanted to call other guests, so the girl's presence would not stick out so markedly.

"Well ... congratulations ... is that what you're looking for here?"

Whether this allusion to the soeur oath was in fact a curse for Yoshino-sama or not, she did not know. When Noriko had accepted Shimako-san's rosary, many people had congratulated her, so Noriko felt that was an accurate response.

"Not yet, not yet. We're not going up those stairs yet."

Yoshino-sama laughed slightly and shook her head.

Obviously. Yoshino-sama's face was only filled with thirty percent happiness. The remaining seventy percent showed a face that hinted at a world of trouble yet to come.

"Anyway.... that's why when you had said that it was Yumi-sama's duty to invite Touko-chan and Kanako-chan, really it should have been my duty. But Shimako-san had stood up before I could say so, so I felt that the misunderstanding was my fault."

"No, it wasn't your fault..."

But with that, Noriko began reassessing her thoughts and actions. It would have been impolite to have said this to Yoshino-sama.

And then, Yoshino-sama began matter-of-factly discussing words that seemed to be answers to a deep secret.

"But when I heard Yumi-san speak up at you, she didn't seem very surprised."

These unexpected words stunned Noriko.

Noriko was so surprised, that she hadn't even realized that she had stopped walking.

Yoshino-sama turned her head around to look at Noriko.

"I think I sort of understand. If I had asked Noriko-chan to invite Touko-chan, then you would have done it, wouldn't you?"

"..."

"But because Yumi-chan had asked, you didn't want to, did you?"

Noriko thoughtfully nodded. Yoshino-sama wasn't simply toying with Noriko's heart by guessing at her motives. For some reason, in spite of everything, Yoshino-sama actually understood how Noriko had felt.

"I see. Well then, Noriko-chan, you would be feeling fed up with everything then, right?"

Yoshino-sama was spot on.

"That's why you're acting like that."

"Hahaha, I see."

Noriko laughed heartily, and Yoshino-sama stretched languidly.

"So then why don't we just drop the matter?"

"Huh?"

"Things just turn out the way they'll turn out. That's the way human relationships work. Or maybe, things turn out the way they should is a better way to paraphrase it."

"I know what you mean, but..."

"Well, there's nothing else we can do. They're our friends. Even if they're not asking anything of us, we still need to give them the benefit of the doubt."

Yoshino-sama spoke, as if she were talking about her own matter.

Actually, Yoshino-sama was probably explaining half of it to herself. In other words, as Yumi-sama's close friend, Yoshino-sama herself had been in a similar position. That's why Noriko-chan was just sharing sentiments with Yoshino-sama.

As the two continued walking and talking, they came up to none other than the First Year Camellia class. Yoshino-sama stopped in front of the back door.

"When I think about it, I guess we just aren't there yet."

"We?"

"Yumi-san and I. Up against Shimako-san."

Yumi-sama and Shimako-san were in front of the door, just walking out the door having called Touko and Kanako-san to step outside with them.

"I felt it, you know. Right then, Shimako-san had acted like a true Onee-sama."

"Yes. She really is an Onee-sama."

Yoshino-sama patted Noriko and whispered "Just for you". An affectionate without any second meaning.

"But Yoshino-sama will soon get there."

If Yoshino-sama actually found herself a petite soeur, then she'd have no choice but to become a grande soeur herself. Truth be told, Shimako-san at first had been a bit billowy. It's not as if Noriko had given Shimako-san some special power. Their time as soeurs together had simple made them so. So if the girl that Yoshino-san was going to bring to the party was actually going to become her soeur, then all her complaints of "not yet, not yet" would have little choice but to stop.

Noriko's remark had meant to cheer Yoshino-sama on, but Yoshino-sama's expression had clouded.

"That's true but ... I'm sorry."

"Huh?"

"Even if she may become my soeur, I feel like I put too much of a burden on Noriko-chan. That's why I had apologized earlier."

"Again, I'm very sorry Yoshino-sama ... I don't really know why you are apologizing...."

That the mystery would solve itself by this evening, Noriko could not know.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume22 Chapter1.6

2010-06-08T04:57:37Z

Molenir: /* Section 6 */

=== Section 6 ===

During the afternoon of the next day, Kashiwagi-san came to the Fukuzawa residence to quickly offer his thanks again.

Yumi's father was working, and her mother was out shopping. Yuuki was at home, but he had locked himself in his second floor bedroom. So inadvertently, it was Yumi who answered the intercom and came to the door.

"Hello." Kashiwagi-san was alone. "I've come as a representative for the Matsudaira family."

She watched Kashiwagi-san take out a huge box in a purple cover, much like a Japanese pastry chef of an old shop, and realized that Kashiwagi-san was more worried than usual. He didn't greet her with the usual "Hey", and he had come wearing a dark gray suit and a tie. She couldn't make out if the tie was navy, or just a very dark green. Last night, after all, he’d just been wearing a sweater. She understood that being someone's representative was hard work.

"Touko's parents wanted to come here to offer their thanks, but it seems like Aunt... Touko's mother is still a bit shocked. When she saw Touko come in, she sighed and fell asleep right where she was. So I was asked to come and represent them."

"Oh."

"They're very relieved. They would have wanted to come and offer their thanks in person but, after all that’s happened my aunt's not feeling very well. After the incident with Touko, it seems like the house won't quiet down."

"Um, don't worry about it."

"Sure, but I did undertake this job, didn't I? I've become an actor in a situation where I shouldn't be acting."

Kashiwagi-san checked inside the high-quality Japanese sweets box, and confirming that he had actually given her the box, turned to Yumi and said, "Thank you."

"..." That was that.

He was a person to be used. He had no purpose if he did not fulfill the responsibility given to him. If Kashiwagi-san had been worried about what to do, then he had had the choice of not accepting the job in the first place, but that wouldn’t have been very mature. He would not forgive her if she, in the absence of her parents, were to decline this gift. She had played around with the idea for a mere moment, and then rejected it.

Was it right to accept it when her parents were not there? If this was a delivery, then she would sign and accept the package immediately. But what if just a regular person were dropping the package off? She had received Lantern Festival Gifts and Seibo Gifts, but it had always been by businessmen.

"What should I do?" Kashiwagi-san spoke when it seemed as if Yumi would not accept.

"Right now, my parents aren't here."

"So? You told me this before."

"I'm wondering whether I should accept it."

Voicing her concern to the person who had come to deliver the gift seemed like some sort of joke. But Kashiwagi-san gave a serious reply.

"It's fine. It's not some sort of trap. It's not something that you accept, and have no choice but to give some equivalent gift back. This is simply a gift showing the thanks of the Matsudaira family for the time that Touko stayed here. If Yumi-chan's mother were here, what would she do?"

"I think she'd take it." She would be afraid though.

"Then?" Kashiwagi-san smiled. "Well, why don't you take it for now. When is your mom coming back?"

"By evening,” Yumi answered. Her mother had gone out to buy groceries for dinner. She probably was not coming back until she was ready to start preparing dinner.

Kashiwagi-san took the box back lightly, and quickly looked at his watch.

"Then, five o'clock."

"Five o'clock ?"

"I won't tell the Matsudaira family anything until five o'clock. If your mom comes and really denies the gift, then I'll call them on the cell phone. I hope she comes quickly. I've been told that my job ends by five o'clock if I do not contact them."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I am. Do you want to accept it?" She nodded. Kashiwagi-san placed the box of pastries onto Yumi's hands. It was extremely heavy. It felt more like a wooden box than just a box.

Only a man could lift something so heavy so easily, and talk peacefully while doing it.

Kashiwagi-san had said that she could not win if she defeated him, and as Yumi tried to find ways in which she was sharper than Kashiwagi-san, her jealousy came back. Maybe this time she would buy some dumbbells and try to lift some weights.

"Oh yeah. Even if Mom doesn't come back by five, she will call."

Kashiwagi-san did not know that Yumi had been thinking about dumbbells, and Yumi thought of herself in a towel after coming out of the shower and bowed her head down.

"Won't you come inside, Kashiwagi-san?"

Yumi asked, mimicking her mother's pushiness. She wondered if having Kashiwagi-san wait inside would be the honorable thing to do.

"Ha-ha-ha. There's no way I can come inside while your parents are out."

"But Yuuki is here."

"Oh, I see."

"Should I call him?"

"She turned away from the front door, but then Kashiwagi-san called out, "There's no need for that" and stopped her.

"I have come here only as a Matsudaira family representative."

Kashiwagi-san began walking to the street where his red car was parked, and Yumi accompanied him. She didn't want him to go home like this. Her sentiment, however, was wholly different from the feeling a young girl would feel when her lover is leaving and her feelings are a-flutter. Yumi simply had something to ask Kashiwagi-san.

"Kashiwagi-san."

"Yeah?"

"Why did Touko-chan run away from home? Do you know?" Yumi asked pointedly, as Kashiwagi-san removed the key from his car door. And his normally bubbling smile faded a slight bit.

"... And what if I know?" Kashiwagi-san asked as if he was searching for something. Which meant that he probably did know. He wouldn't have done anything had he not known.

"You just can't tell me?" He knew, and so he was presented with the choice of either telling her or not telling her. Whichever one he chose she knew her life would be at least a bit changed afterward. To say "I know but I will not tell you" is different from saying "I do not know, so I cannot tell you."

"Touko-chan ..."

"I've heard nothing about her,” Yumi confessed honestly. It was something she might have heard, but it wasn't something that people often talked about.

"But in spite of all I've said, you still want to know?" For a second, it almost felt as if he was saying "This is a boring thing, you know" or "I'm telling you this, but I'm gonna get made fun of", or "It's just a romantic fancy", or something like that. But it wasn't. She wanted to label it one of those, and even though his choice of words and his previous mood made it feel like one of those, she knew instinctively that this was an incorrect assumption.

She had come to be interested in Touko-chan. If she wanted to know what was going on, and if she could accept being offered such dark words, then she should know.

"That's because you're putting your interests ahead of others,” Kashiwagi-san whispered.

"Mine?"

"This isn't a simple matter. This isn't just some random gossip about some person. But if it's Yumi-chan I’m telling, I can tell you, can’t I? I can just tell whomever I want."

"...Huh?" Kashiwagi-san had grown deadly serious.

"Are you sure it's okay? If I tell you, then you'll know Touko's secret. And you'll know it without Touko knowing that you do. You should think about what that means."

"What that... means?"

"Can you just listen and hold on to the secret?”

"Ah." It suddenly felt as if she had been tossed against something, and her face flattened.

"I ..." She hadn't given the matter enough thought. She hadn't been planning to simply ask in such a manner. It seemed like a topic that needed a great deal of courage to discuss, and she hadn't thought it did.

"For your sake, and Touko-chan's sake, think it over some more. You can ask me about the situation. If you do, I will answer." Kashiwagi-san left the words hanging in the air, and left.

---

Yumi's mother returned home shortly. She brought over the pastries, but she couldn’t pass on all the information to her parents. That she still talked with him even though she hadn't taken the pastries, and that she had been rude by not letting him in, and that it had been bad of her to let Kashiwagi-san wait until five o'clock, all those things she couldn’t say.

Eventually, she got a call from Yuuki. "Kashiwagi-sempai came over, and I didn't know. Why didn't you call me?" Even though it had felt like he was in his room and did not want to be disturbed, Yuuki was making a fuss as soon as Kashiwagi-san had left.

"I was going to but Kashiwagi-san said that he had been sent over by the Matsudaira family, and said it was fine.”

"...He had only come to deliver the pastries?"

"Yep. I can give you the phone Yuuki, but can you make the call?" Yumi tested Yuuki by handing him the phone receiver. He took the receiver and quickly punched in Kashiwagi-san's number.

"Ah, Sempai? Whassup?" Yumi heard Yuuki's voice and sighed. She still hadn't found the courage she needed to. She hadn't decided whether she could find the courage or not. And until she decided, she did not want to hear Kashiwagi-san's voice.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume22 Chapter1.4

2010-06-08T04:50:39Z

Molenir: /* Section 4 */ Removing repeated sentence

=== Section 4 ===

The Fukuzawa family dinner ended in an aura of calm.

Touko-chan laughed abundantly, talked profusely, and happily ate all the food on her place. As a guest, one could not get more hospitable or perfect.

Even though they told her not to, after she finished eating, Touko-chan picked up the tableware and placed it in the sink. Then she said, "Could I please use your phone?"

"Eh?" She said it so quickly, Yumi had to ask for clarification. "Why?"

"I don't want to impose. I bothered all of you so suddenly, and I'm very sorry."

"You'll go back? But to where?"

"Home. My mind feels a lot cooler. If I don't go back, then my parents would start shortening their lives in worry." Touko-chan was serious. Yumi understood that Touko-chan thought highly of her parents, and that Touko-chan's parents were raising her with a lot of care.

"Do you want to call home?" Since he was the closest to the phone receiver, Yuuki brought it over and asked.

"No. I left the house after a small argument, so I'd rather not talk to them on the phone and instead meet them in person, I think."

"Then who will you call?" Was Yuuki not going to give her the receiver until he found out who? Yuuki held on to the receiver, and was not letting it go.

"I thought I'd call a taxi. Even if my parents left to look for me, I'm pretty sure somebody would be at home." That was when Yumi remembered: Touko-chan had walked here. Rather than going to the bus station and taking a train, it would be faster to get into a car and go directly to the Matsudaira home. But she didn't have the money to return by train, so this was probably the real reason why she wanted to call a taxi.

"Why don't we take you. Where do you live?" Yumi's father put on his jacked, and took the keys for the car. "Yumi should come too. Her parents might be worried, so if you go together and say hello it would ease them."

"Ah, sure," Yumi answered and wondered, ''What does this situation remind me of?'' Now she remembered: When she was a child, Yumi had forgotten why but, her friend had been scolded by her parents. Yumi had let her friend come home with her, and later they had both gone to her parents and apologized. Her friend's parents held back from scolding her badly in front of a friend. Even after Yumi left though, her friend had gotten scared at least a second or a third time, but neither time was as bad as the scare she had gotten from the first time (that had prompted her to come home with Yumi).

Yet, it seemed that wasn't why Yumi's father wanted Yumi to come along. If they confirm that Touko-chan had been staying at her "school sempai's" house until such a late hour, then it would put Touko-chan's parents at ease.

"I won't let her come." Touko-chan held back. She didn't want to put the Fukuzawa family through any more trouble. Touko-chan also didn't want to ask for travel expenses.

"Don't worry about us Touko-chan. But if you get into a taxi alone to go home at this hour, then we’d be bound to worry."

There was no reason to doubt the Fukuzawa family, but Touko-chan, who had run away from home, had to decide whether or not she would go home by herself. Young maidens can, after all, suddenly change their mind halfway through a decision. Someone must keep an eye on these maidens, because they seem sensitive to smoke. <ref>I think the idiom "sensitive to smoke" seems to imply that their decisions are wispy and easily blown away, twirled, and changed.</ref>

"I think I'll go home by myself," Touko-chan declined politely. Howevever, Yumi's father would not give up. And then...

"Um ... can I say something?"

"What, Yuuki?"

"You have to compromise. And I'm the one who'll decide this," Yuuki said, as he picked up the receiver and pressed one button. It seemed like he had forgotten to press the other numbers. Soon, sounds could be heard coming from the receiver. Someone was on the other line. "Ah, hello? Please take care of it," was all Yuuki said before he cut the line.

"Who did you call?" He hadn't called a taxi company, that was certain. He hadn't dropped any hints from names, but by saying "Please take care of it", it was obvious that a car was on its way.

"You'll find out soon."

"You'll find out soon." Right after Yuuki finished talking, within ten seconds, the Fukuzawa home's intercom rang. Yuuki opened the door without bothering to find out who it was. Wondering what was going on, Touko-chan tagged along with Yuuki and Yumi, and they met an unexpected person.

"I'm sorry for calling so late at night." The visitor came up from behind the kids, walked up to the parents, and bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry that Touko took so much of your time."

Hearing his apology and his deference, Touko-chan suddenly made a deflated face. "Suguru Onii-sama." That was how she called him, the man known as Kashiwagi Suguru-san.
He finished talking with the Fukuzawa parents, and then came over gently to Touko-chan. "I came to pick you up. Let's go."

Touko-chan nodded slightly.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume22 Chapter1.1

2010-06-08T04:25:49Z

Molenir: /* Section 1 */

=== Section 1 ===

Mi, miru fiiyu <ref>Mille Feuilleu</ref>

Yu, Yumi.

Mi, miru fiiyu.

Yu, Yumi.

''Aah, I should stop,'' she whispered to herself.

Returning from the Ogasawara family's house in Kashiwagi-san's car, she began her personal, endless shiritori.<ref>Shiritori is a game where the last Japanese syllable from a word is used to create the first Japanese syllable for the next word in the sequence. The sequence here is in reference to the last book, Rose Mille-Feuille, where Shiritori is played.</ref>If the shiritori itself were to continue in such a meaningless manner, there would be no problems for it. The problem was really Yumi's state of mind as the shiritori game was progressing.

When she stopped to consider it, there were several unpleasant things that Yumi was thinking about. In order to drive them out of her head, she had engaged in this mindless endless shiritori. This way, she would become swayed by the rhythm, and her sewing needle would start moving around wildly, and even if the thread slid out, she would not notice and keep stitching onward, almost as if she were falling into a trap. How many repetitions had she made by now?

''No, stop.'' She did it again.

At least she was in her own room, where no one would disturb her. She would add in a sigh at the most important times, and then let it go and continue sewing. If someone saw what she was doing, it would seem like some sort of a performance.

"Ahhh."

Yumi let the sewing needle out of her sewing hole, and set down the first stage of her sewing. The thread, which curled like the instant ramen that she had made, fell from her knees onto the floor. She wouldn't move an inch from her current position, though she could easily pick it up if she wanted to.

"... I'm thinking too much about it." It had been several days since then, and yet…

Even though she had relinquished the mille-feuille that Sayako Obaa-sama had given her as a gift to her family long ago, maybe it wasn't really about time. No it wasn't. Even though time had passed, she had the feeling that she had become swept up into it.

Those meaningful words Kashiwagi-san had spoken. His words the fleeting Yumi could not simply cry "How idiotic" and let go.

The feeling of defeat she felt from comparing how well Kashiwagi-san understood Sachiko-sama or how effectively Sachiko-sama could rely on him was a bit different from what she felt now--not only was the matter a bit different at its core, but it weighed on her heart more.

Kashiwagi-san understood. That was probably the essence of it. Yumi worked hard to seek out a relationship with Sachiko-sama, but there were things that she still didn’t know about her. That's what was painful. When Kashiwagi-san had hinted that this was a thing in which he could not be defeated, she’d felt she’d lost to a point where she could not hope to win. When Yumi had been given a handicap from the person she had thought was her rival, she was beyond receiving compassion.

Yumi sighed several times, rolled her ramen-like wool into a ball, and then looked up.

Her sense of time was distorted, but it was probably around evening. The inside of her room had become dark.

"Well."

Yumi put down her sewing work and stood up to turn on the lights. Her eye catching on nothing specific, Yumi glanced outside her window.

''What could have happened?'' She didn't know. It had felt as if someone had called Yumi. ''From outside ... ?''

She tried to concentrate on the outside from her second floor window, but the surrounding houses' roofs, the trees, and the dim light made her unable to distinguish any figures outside.

"Mom." Yumi dashed down the stairs, and poked her face into the kitchen. "Mom, you..."

"Huh?" Her mother pressed the mute button on the cordless phone, and looked up.
"... didn't call me. I see. Sorry for bothering you."
"It's fine." <ref>Yumi actually says "O-jamashimashita" a formal way in Japanese of saying "sorry for bothering you", and her mother replies in kind with "douitashimashite" or the ritual "you're welcome" and in this case "it's fine".</ref>

Yumi finished the exchange of formalities (TL Sukoshi: see above remark). Yumi's mother once again turned back toward the phone and began talking. In the last few days, her mother had been trying to collect recipes she had been seeing on TV. She was becoming just like the person she was on the phone with, Taeko Oba-chan. <ref>Oba-chan meaning aunt.</ref>

'If Mom hadn’t called me, then…'' She twisted her head around and went out of the kitchen. ''Yuuki?'' Yumi bounded up the stairs and knocked on Yuuki's room.

"Yuu..." As soon as she had begun speaking, she remembered. Yuuki would be out today with Kobayashi-kun.

It really was her imagination then, wasn't it? She went back to the stairs and sat down.

"It really felt like someone was calling me though." She stuck her face between her knees, and finally let out a groan. Mishearing something wasn't really supposed to hurt this much. ''But.''

Maybe Dad had come home. Rather than giving up, Yumi went down the stairs again, and went up to the front door. His shoes weren't there, which meant that he was still in the office.

Just to make sure, Yumi went outside and up to the front gate. She had come out just as the newspaper boy was giving out the evening paper, so she went up to him and said "Thanks for your hard work," <ref>Gokurou-sama Desu. Another Japanese ritual phrase.</ref> and took it directly from him.

The land had become completely dark. The sky was dark and clear. She looked up into the night sky, and could see a small star intermittently blinking. She searched for the moon but could not find it. Whether she just couldn’t see the moon at this time of the month or whether it was covered in clouds, Yumi did not know.

''Riiing.''

She walked into the house to the sound of the phone hurriedly screeching. Belatedly, Yumi realized that not enough time had passed for her mother to have finished the previous call and have left. So even though someone was calling, her mom’s last call must have finished.

"Hello." Yumi's mom returned to the living room, and as usual stood one step in front of the phone and spoke into it.

"Yes ... yes. Aah, thank you for taking care of us. No no, of course not. You really helped me out."

As she was talking, Mom's gaze immediately flung to her daughter. Yumi thought that perhaps the conversation was about Yumi, so she came closer to the phone and heard, "So what? You've been a big help taking care of my son". Not "my daughter" but "my son". Whoever it was, he seemed to be a friend of Yuuki's.

"Yuuki hasn't come home yet," Yumi whispered, while making large mouth movements to let her mother know. Then her mother said, "Sure, just hold on" and gave the phone to Yumi.

"... But, I'm Yumi." Hey, hey, Mom. Had she reached the age where she was confusing her son for her daughter? Although, in her seventeen-year-long life, she had often been mistaken for her brother.

Without taking the phone back, her mother quickly said, "Of course I know that. It's for Yumi-chan."

"Huh?" Her mother spoke as Yumi clutched the phone in her hard.

"It's Kashiwagi-san!"

"…!" She was so surprised that her heart pounded, and she felt as if she would drop the receiver. What timing! It was he who had been sending her into random fits of melancholy for so long.

Anyway, Yumi's mother could not even fathom why a call from Kashiwagi-san unnerved Yumi so. Whatever the reason was, he really didn't have any self-control.

"Hello."

"Ah, Yumi-chan, sorry." Kashiwagi-san's always cheery voice started with an apology. "I don't really call you, so you might be surprised but--"

"Uh." Well she was surprised. But because Kashiwagi-san annoyed her, she would not reveal that. She cultivated a "I'm always cool and collected" attitude. Right. This was one of those situations where she had to act as distant as possible.

"Did something happen?"

"Ah, well..."

Some time passed, and it felt like Kashiwagi-san was searching for the right words. Like someone who can't find a good way of conveying bad news.

"Nothing's happened at Sachiko-sama's house, has it?!" Yumi turned into the phone and shouted. Kashiwagi-san was Sachiko-sama's cousin. If something were to happen to Sachiko-sama or her family, it would be expected for Kashiwagi-san to call and tell her the news.

No. It's not that. The Ogasawara household is fine."

"Oh really? Great!" She felt some initial relief then wondered, Then what is it...? Kashiwagi-san did not seem like the type of person who would tie up the phone with small talk.

"It's actually about Touko."

"Touko-chan?" She wasn't expecting that but, when she thought about it, Kashiwagi-san was Touko-chan's cousin too. That's why, if one was to put Kashiwagi-san between them, then Sachiko-sama and Touko-chan were in the same place. [TL Sukoshi: in the family web.]

"If that's your reaction then, she hasn’t shown up?"

"Shown up? To my house? No, she hasn't but... Why would she?"

"No. It's better that she stays away. Things just flew out of control. She's late coming home, so her parents are worried."

"But it's just six." She could be preparing for the school festival and having to stay late. It was pretty common for a girl like her to not come home by this time.

"Yeah, well when Touko-chan had come home she had gotten into a fight with her parents. It seems she had an outburst of anger, and she left the house. That's why we want to know."

"She got into a fight then left?" Just what had happened?

"Touko seems like that kind of person ... well she kind of looks like a girl who gets into reckless trouble. She hasn't left the house before. Her parents are also worried about her, and came to me crying about what to do. Of course, she could just turn up back at home but, whatever she does, she set out to do what she felt she had to do."

"I see." And Fukuzawa Yumi seemed tied quite strongly to this “whatever she does” business. "What about Sachiko-sama's house?" Yumi asked.

"Well, I'm calling from the Ogasawara house."

"Oh."

If Kashiwagi-san wanted to think of the person that Touko-chan would rely on, he would first think of Sachiko-sama. If she wasn't where Kashiwagi-san was, then…

"I didn't want the Matsudaira family to make it a big thing, so I decided to come here directly. And Touko wasn't here."

"Did you tell Sachiko-sama?"

"I thought Sacchan was the only person who I could tell what happened to, but at the last minute, her friends came over and I couldn't see her. And if I go and say that I want to talk to Sachiko-sama, then Sayako Oba-sama would wonder what had happened.”

"Well, do you think Touko was one of those friends ...?" Touko-chan was a Lillian Girls Academy student, and if you stretched it, she really was Sachiko-sama's friend.

"No. One of those friends was Hasekura-san."

"Hasekura ... Ah." It was Rei-sama. Rei-sama and Sachiko-sama were friends, so coming over to each other’s houses was not odd at all. Ahhh. Those two were meeting over Exam Holiday.

"I'm sorry if I'm being too much trouble but, could you give me Nijou Noriko-san's house number? I've heard the name before, and I haven't had a chance to tell Sacchan about this so..."

"Then I'll call her. If I find anything, I'll let you know Kashiwagi-san.”

"Ah, that would be a big help. If she were to suddenly get a call from a young man, then Noriko-san's parents would get worried."

"Yeah." Noriko-chan was staying at her great aunt's house, so you couldn't really say parents, but Yumi replied to Kashiwagi-san quickly without making any corrections.

"What about Yoshino-san or Shimako-san?"

"That's right." She started thinking next to the phone and let out a soft groan. "Do you think Touko-chan would go there? I don't really know who Touko's friends are, so I don't know."

"I don't really know either."

"Then it's best we don't."

If this became too big of a thing, then when Touko-chan returned, things wouldn't go well, is what Kashiwagi-san was trying to say. That's right. She wasn't classified into the "ran away from home" stage yet. She was still at "hasn't returned yet". Whatever that meant.

"Ah." Suddenly the image of a girl appeared in Yumi's mind.

"Huh?"

"What about Kanako-chan?"

"Kanako-chan?"

"A classmate of Touko-chan's, like Noriko-chan." She was a person who seemed to talk with Touko-chan a lot more than Shimako-san or Yoshino-san would.

"I haven't heard of her. What does she look like?"

"She has long hair, and she's tall."

"Oh I see. The girl who appeared at the school play? She played the ... Chief Councilor I think?"

"Yep."

"Really... She's a good friend of Touko's?"

"Well I've heard that they're natural enemies, but..."

"But?"

"But recently I've been seeing them together."

"I see. If two people oppose each other, and something happens, they can quickly come together. I get it. So can you ask this Kanako-chan also?"

"I'll try as hard as I can, but I won't make into a big thing."

"Thanks a lot Yumi. Ah, let me give you my cell phone number."

"Sure, sure." Yumi jotted down the numbers Kashiwagi gave onto a memo pad next to the phone, and then cut the call.

"What happened? A friend ran away from home?" the moment Yumi put the phone down, her mother asked. It seemed that she had been listening to Yumi during the entire duration of the call.

"Yup, well I don't know. She's just late in coming home, and her parents seem worried."

"Hm. I see. She's their wonderful daughter after all."

While she commiserated with Touko-chan's parents, the reason Yumi-chan's mother still didn't have a worried look on her face was because it was still not seven o'clock. If it were ten or eleven o'clock at night, she would have reacted quite differently.

"Kashiwagi-san was the one who dropped Yumi-chan and Yuuki off with his car, right? Maybe he'll become our son-in-law?"

"Stop!" Yumi immediately whispered.

"Come on Yumi-chan. Isn't your reaction supposed to be different? A normal girl your age is supposed to say, 'Aiiee! Mom, what are you saying?! Please stop this!' and blush and run straight into her room."

"…" Only if you've watched too many dramas.

"Then she'll be tossing and turning in bed, imagining her wedding." That depends on the person.

Whether Kashiwagi-san was still with Sachiko-sama, or whether they were ex-es was not known, and to contemplate marriage? He's gay. If she told her mother the truth, then she wouldn't be acting so interested in him.

No, even though he was gay, lately he'd been becoming more suspicious.

(TL S: Yumi actually used slang, so I had to write "ex-es" (cringe). And no, Yumi is not insulting Kashiwagi, he really is gay. From when they were young, Sachiko and Kashiwagi were arranged to be married. Sachiko loved Kashiwagi, but then one day, Kashiwagi came to Sachiko and told her that he was gay, and that while they could marry, they couldn't have kids. Sachiko was shocked and enraged, and developed a hatred for men (together with the treatment of women by men in her family). Please refer to the first novel or story-arc for more.)

"Well anyway, feel free to call him to your heart's content."

Yumi took the note on which Kashiwagi-san's phone number was written, and the phone receiver and went up the stairs. Noriko-chan's house number and Kanako-chan's house number were written in her student notebook, which was in her room.

"It's almost dinner time, so when you're done calling, please come down."

"Suuure."

When she had put her hand on the doorknob of her room, she could hear the sound of the front door opening downstairs.

''Maybe it's Dad? Or Yuuki?''

She was a bit interested in who had come home, but she wanted to take care of the matter of Touko-chan first, so she entered her room. Before Yumi could even open the student notebook, her mother called.

"Yumi-chaaan."

"... What now, Mom?" She didn't care when Yumi had finished her phone call, but she kept endlessly calling "Yumi-chaan," and would not let her concentrate.

"Excuse me, Yumi-chan."

She peeked her face outside of the door, and her mother was calling from underneath the stairs. She would come down after she finished the phone call, so she decided to go back.

"Could you please come down?"

"Huh?" ''Could you please come down?''?

Well one thing she was sure of was that this wasn't "Come down for dinner." Maybe she should at least see her mom downstairs.

Dad or Yuuki had probably brought home some large thing, and her mother wanted her to see it quickly, or something like that. She had no idea what that could be, but it was one of those things that happened in the Fukuzawa family.

"Look, Yumi-chan, it's a really huge watermelon!" was the kind of thing she was thinking. It was winter, so of course no one would bring back a really huge watermelon, but…

"Yumi-chan, hurry, hurry."

Her mother was waiting in the corridor. She greeted Yumi with her always-happy tone of voice, and lead her to the entrance.

"Wow." Just as she thought, Yuuki had come home, and was standing there.

And next to him was…

"Good day, Yumi-sama." The shrilly-laughing, roll coiled hair girl.

"T...Tou ...!" Yuuki had brought back something even bigger than a huge watermelon in the midst of winter.

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter9 2

2008-08-14T09:28:49Z

Molenir: /* <noinclude>By onee-sama's side. </noinclude>Part 2. */

===<noinclude>By onee-sama's side. </noinclude>Part 2.===

"Uhh, ummm. I know it's an indecent request."

It was just after eleven thirty at night when Yuuki prostrated himself in front of Rosa Gigantea and Sachiko-sama.

After our late dinner, we split up and cleaned the dishes, and has then split up into the Lillian and Hanadera groups.

This house had many guest rooms, but they were all semi-double or twin bedrooms, so even if we could fit two people into one, it wasn't possible to crowd three, so aunt Sayako suggested we spread blankets in the Japanese-style room. It was like we were lodging, after all, so Sachiko-sama had to be with us.

We dragged three sets of blankets from the blanket room (!) to the Japanese-style room we played cards in, amused ourselves by spreading our blankets out like a parachute, and put them down. We felt so much better when Kashiwagi-san left from our sight that it almost felt mercenary.

After spreading out the blankets, we went into Sachiko-sama's bedroom bathroom by seniority (as big as it was, we couldn't fit all of us at once), and as I was enveloped by Sachiko-sama's own body soap and shampoo, I couldn't stop myself from humming. Maybe I was this happy because I was able to see Sachiko-sama's room. As I expected, it was gorgeous, but I won't bother explaining. I'm feeling this good, there's no reason for me to compare it to my own room and depress myself.

And, we were in the middle of deciding who was going to sleep where when Yuuki stumbled into our room. Of course, we immediately thought, "What!?" and Sachiko-sama even quickly wrapped her negligee with a gown.

"Um, so, what. You don't want to sleep alone with Kashiwagi. So you rolled into the room of the three, young maidens."

Hmmhmm, abbreviated Rosa Gigantea, who looked like she was cordially listening, but in truth, she was definitely finding this hilarious.

"Yes."

Yuuki nodded, looking troubled.

"I get it."

I didn't understand him at first, but I realized Kashiwagi-san's orientation and thought, "Oh, wow."

Neither Sachiko-sama nor Rosa Gigantea asked "why." Because they knew, of course. That Kashiwagi-san was a homosexual. But they both had, like me, probably forgotten all about it.

(But, but.)

Even if he's a homosexual for boys, did it necessarily mean he liked anyone? After all, Hanadera Institute is an all-boys school, so it would be like unleashing a wolf among sheep, so that would be extremely dangerous.

"Kashiwagi-san is rather distrusted, isn't he?"

"How rude, Rosa Gigantea. I am always a gentleman."

And Kashiwagi-san appeared, having pursued Yuuki. This time, I covered my pajama with a sweater. Rosa Gigantea seemed to intend to sleep in a T-shirt and spats, but she didn't care about the male eyes. –Though I think she should have fretted about it just a bit.

"I was joking, Yukichi. Here, come."

He lifted both hands and gave a somewhat crooked smile, like that of Rhett Butler. Even if you weren't Yuuki, you'd want to run from that. I felt goosebumps all over.

"Even if you were just teasing, don't you think the fact that he believed you reflects on your habitual behavior, Kashiwagi?"

Said Rosa Gigantea. Wait, can you be talking?

[[Image:MM_v04_08.jpg|thumb]]
"Not that you can be talking."
See.

And everyone could see Kashiwagi-sama's counterattack coming.

"I mean, who do you think you are, anyways? A woman talking to a man like that. Is that what the ladies' school, Lillian, is coming to these days? How uncute."

"Hmph. None of your business. And if the student council president has such an old-fashioned view on women, Hanadera isn't much of anything, either. Buddha must be rolling in his grave."

"What-!"

Maybe it was because they hated each other, because they were really going to the extremes. Plus, they were both good with words, and they had the confidence of student council presidents. And to top it off, now they were fighting for their school pride. And Yuuki, who sort of caused this, was looking confused about what to do.

"Sure, Yuuki-san. Go ahead and bring blankets. Not with us, but you may use the empty room on the other side of these sliding doors."

Leaving that seemingly endless verbal spar to the side, Sachiko-sama turned to Yuuki.

"Th, thank you very much. Sachiko-san."

(Sa, Sachiko-san!?)

Even though he was my blood-related brother, I became enraged. Calling my precious onee-sama by "-san!?"

"Yumi. Lead him, please."

"… Yes."

I reluctantly stood up. Onee-sama's orders are absolute, anyways. And Sachiko-sama didn't seem perturbed by being called "-san," so there was no point in me kicking up a fuss about it.

"Oh, I'll go too."

Kashiwagi-san paused the fight and said.

"Wait."

Rosa Gigantea hurriedly stopped him.

"Why're you going?"

"If Yukichi is going to sleep here, I have to bring my own set of blankets, too."

Never questioning his own properness, Kashiwagi-san continued, with an "I mean, think about it" expression on his face.

"Even if you're next door, it's still just a single sliding door. And Yukichi's a healthy guy. Yumi-chan aside, if he were to attack Sacchan or you, what would you do? So I need to keep watch over him."

You're more dangerous, I thought, but then I remembered Kashiwagi-san isn't interested in girls. Well, thinking objectively, without thinking of Yuuki as a relative, a high school male was indeed dangerous, but. Ummm. But I'd rather not think about that. I mean, he is my brother.

Then.

"Sachiko-san, are you still awake?"

The door to the hallway slid open, and aunt Sayako peeked in.

"Oh, Suguru-san was here, too?"

"Oh listen to them, they're trying to leave me out, alone."

Without any humor or jest, Kashiwagi-san bluntly spoke the truth. Well, we were trying to eliminate Kashiwagi-san, so I guess he does end up being "left out."

"My, why?"

"Probably because I'm handsome."

-If Yoshino-san were here, she'd say his brains definitely melted somewhere.

"No, that's not-"

When I began speaking, Rosa Gigantea harrumphed and stopped me. Apparently aunt Sayako doesn't know of Kashiwagi-san's "preference." Well, when you see aunt Sayako's serene smile, you end up feeling like you shouldn't tell her.

"Oh, come come, play nice, okay?"

"… Yes."

And so, despite everyone else objecting, Kashiwagi-san was to sleep next door with Yuuki.

"-Oh well, then. Okay, Yuuki, if Kashiwagi attacks you, shout for help."

Said Rosa Gigantea to Yuuki, who was walking to bring blankets.

"Oh, mother, did you want something?"

She said "good night" an hour ago, but she suddenly came backs, so of course she probably had a reason. And she was wearing a gown over her pajama, so aunt Sayako seemed to already be prepared to go to sleep.

"Oh, yes, yes. Sachiko-san. Isn't tonight the night to float treasure boats?"

"Oh, that's right. The second of every year. I had completely forgotten, I'll get them ready now."

And with that, Sachiko-sama left the Japanese-style room. And she returned with "writing utensils" such as brush pens, magic pens and ball pens, as well as neatly colored paper, so I could surprise those were the tools needed to "float treasure boats."

"What's starting?"

Rosa Gigantea didn't know either. She asked aunt Sayako, who'd pulled a cabinet table from the corner of the room to the light and begun writing on the back of the colored paper.

"'Nakakiyo,' you don't do it at Sei-san's house?"

"Nakakiyo?"

Of course, we didn't do such a thing at the Fukuzawa household either. I don't even know what it is.

"Oh, nakakiyo? Wow, how nostalgic. I didn't know you still did that."

Kashiwagi-san said, as he put his blankets down.

"What's 'nakakiyo'?"

Yuuki asked.

"You guys don't do it, either?"

-No, we don't. So, what's this "nakakiyo?" Does it have to do with treasure boats?

"It's a charm. They say if you write a song starting with nakakiyono on a sailboat and put it under your pillow, you see a good first-dream."

As Sachiko-sama explained, aunt Sayako seemed to have finished writing, as she placed her brush pen down. The words she showed me had beautiful, flowing handwriting.

Nakakiyono

Toononefurino minamesame

Naminorifuneno

Otonoyokikana

"Hmmhmm, a circular."

Rosa Gigantea nodded.

"A circular?"

I tilted my head, and then Yuuki blushed and muttered, "You don't even know what?"

"Read it backwards."

"Nakakiyono- oh."

Wow. It was like "tomato" and "shinbunshi (newspaper)." Oh, there was a Koike Keiko-san in my class, too. I mean, I'd end up "Miyuwazakufu," so that's no fun.

"But, what does it mean?"
It sounded more like an incantation than a charm, to me, so it didn't soak into my heart at all. I mean, what's "nakakiyo," anyways?

"'Nakakiyo' is for 'nagaki yono (of the long night).' Changing the voiced sounds into non-voiced sounds, like the iroha song, you know?"

"Iroha song?"

"You know. 'Irohanihoheto' is for 'Iro ha nioedo (the fragrance of colors).'"

"Ah."

I found that out for the first time. But I didn't want to embarrass my onee-sama any more, so I stayed silent.

Nagaki yono (of the long night)

Touno neburi no mina mezame (everyone awakens from a distant sleep)

Naminori fune no (the surfing boat's)

Otono yokikana (pleasant sounds)

Sachiko-sama wrote a song mixing kanji and kana. And then the unintelligible incantation magically turned into a 31-syllable poem.

"Nagaki yono-"

I didn't understand exactly what it was supposed to mean, but I felt like I could see a wonderful dream while being softly rocked on a big boat. After all, that's what "otono yokikana" would mean.

"Is this an Ogasawara custom?"

"No, my parent's home. That's why I was so surprised the first New Year's after being wed, because no one folded treasure boats."

Aunt Sayako giggled like a young girl as she folded her sailboat. Yes, I don't think it's very prevalent in the world. At the very least, it's the first time I'd heard of it. Rosa Gigantea, too.

But, oh, as expected of someone from a noble family. When it comes to elegance, I think this is the zenith of it. Even if aunt Sayako wasn't the wife of the "rich Ogasawara household," she would probably be living elegantly like this, anyways. There might be other unimaginable customs floating around this household.

And, now Sachikos-sama folds treasure boats with her. Sachiko-sama's father and uncles were absent, but if guests or assistants remained in the house on the night of the second, they were mystified and did it with her. Kashiwagi-san, too. Because he was a cousin, he probably stayed over since he was young. It was a bit vexing, but as I said to Rosa Gigantea, it happened "before I became her sister," and I repeated that to myself like a mantra. The past is the past.

Of course, we folded treasure boats, too. If we could partake in such an unusual experience, and have a good dream on top of it all, there was no way I was going to miss out.

"Nakakiyono toononefurino minamesame…"

We copied the example Sachiko-sama gave us. The brush pen handwriting was artistic, and in comparison, our felt-tip pen handwriting looked much thinner and edgy, and because we were so used to writing horizontally, the letters end up gradually slanting. Plus, we spaced it horribly, so there was plenty of margin to the left and under it, so it looked pretty bad.

"Who cares. Once you fold it, you can't see it anymore."

Displaying mind reading skills, Rosa Gigantea consoled me. Of course, I was probably going through life's many phases, anyways.

We sat shoulder-to-shoulder and shared the small desk. I stole a glance at the completed and in-progress ones, and noticed Kashiwagi-san and Rosa Gigantea both had clean, skillful handwriting. It was like, not tall, or wide, or slanted, but rather was handwriting that would cleanly fit Japanese writing paper, that sort of model-like handwriting. And yet they still had a unique blend to their styles. So they looked completely different. That said, they were both strongly unique individuals, so that wasn't surprising.

Yuuki's handwriting was big and bold. It wasn't good, per se, but it had its own flavor. I was used to seeing it, but in this situation, it looked fresh.

After writing the song, I double-checked by reading backwards, and then folded the boat so the words were inside. First, you fold it into a regular boat, and then you add a sail. It'd been a while since I did origami so I was a bit confused at first, but after a bit of fidgeting with the windmill, I figured it out.

"Not like that, Yuuki-san, see, you fold this diagonally."

Sachiko-sama finished folding her treasure boat earlier, so she was teaching Yuuki how to fold it.

"How envious."

Whispered Kashiwagi-san, but the significance of that was unfathomable.

"Good night."

This time, really. Aunt Sayako returned to her bedroom after folding her treasure boat. Before the sliding doors were shut down, Yuuki dragged his sheets right next to the door, and dragged Kashiwagi-san's sheets to the complete other side.

"Sachiko, over there, Yumi-chan in the middle, and I'll be here."

Rosa Gigantea said they should pick who sleeps where with rock-scissors-papers in the beginning, but now she seemed to have a complete change of heart as she felt sleepy, directing people to where they would sleep. Rosa Gigantea closest to the room with the Hanadera guys, me, then Sachiko-sama.

"Children in the middle, you know. Yumi-chan is the youngest and has the smallest breasts, so you're the child."

"… Then Sachiko-sama's the mother and Rosa Gigantea's the father?"

I said what came to mind, and she wrapped an arm around my neck, "What a rude child."

"You shouldn't have any complaints, Yumi-chan, you're next to Sachiko."

"Right."

I felt happy and I felt a bit defeated. It was a chance to see Sachiko-sama's face, but in turn, she'd be able to see my foolish face.

"No need to worry yourself, Rosa Gigantea."

Sachiko-sama smiled.

"Nonsense."

Rosa Gigantea looked determined.
"You can't be too cautious."

She dubiously glanced at the door.

(… Oh, I get it!)

Rosa Gigantea didn't trust Kashiwagi-san. Should I be happy or sad that she wasn't thinking of Yuuki at all? She probably set up sleeping positions in case Kashiwagi-san had any weird thoughts.

Like, if he were to attack Yuuki, she'd be able to rush over immediately.

Like, if he were to try to go near Sachiko-sama. The two people in the middle would be obstacles, so we could thwart him. Even if he said he was only interested in men, he did have the precedence of trying to kiss Sachiko-sama, so you could let your guard down. But of course, that just made me an obstacle.

"What should we do about lighting?"

"How about a brown-out?"

I piped up.

"Brown-out?"

They both asked. Huh, they don't know what a brown-out is?

Then a poorly stifled chuckle from the other side of the door came through. –Kashiwagi-san.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to listen in. Yumi-chan, do you mean one light bulb?"

"Yes."

"What a wonderful expression. That does indeed turn the room brown."

But Kashiwagi-san's praise didn't make me happy. Oh, but his chuckle was contagious, as Sachiko-sama began giggling, too. Rosa Gigantea killed her voice by lying face down in her pillow.

"That's Yukichi's big sister for you. What a flavor."

I could just imagine Kashiwagi-san holding his stomach with laughter and Yuuki cradling his head in embarrassment. I'm sorry I'm an idiot, brother.

The other room seemed to pick "black" instead of "brown." I could see their lights being turned out.

And that left our room.

"I think it's easier to sleep in the dark?"

"As Sachiko says. Two-to-one, Yumi-chan's opinion is rejected. Lights out."

Quick vote, quick action, the lights were immediately snuffed out.

"Oh, evil."

"Yumi. Are you afraid of the dark?"

Sachiko-sama whispered.

"N, no."

"Ah, bingo."

Rosa Gigantea maliciously laughed.

"That's not it!"

Well, actually it was, but it's not something you admit. But of course, denying it was just like affirming it, anyways.

"Ooh, complainers get rolled into a reed."

Rolled in a reed? -As I pondered that, I think it was Rosa Gigantea, who tossed a blanket over me and tightened it from both sides. Umm, isn't this more like a Belgium waffle than a reed?

"If you're scared, 'fess up!"

"Waah."

Squeeze, squeeze.

"Onee-sama, save me."

Rosa Gigantea was going all-out in hugging me. It was through a blanket, but because Sachiko-sama was right there, she was enjoying herself to the fullest.

"Save, is something happening?"

"Rosa Gigantea-"

As soon as I started speaking, the lights went on. Under the bright lights, Rosa Gigantea backed off and surrendered to Sachiko-sama.

"I take back my words. I support brown. If something happens in the dark, our reaction is slowed."

"It seems so."

Still holding onto the string for the light, Sachiko-sama laughed bitterly. When I got up and looked at what they saw, the sliding door was open, and Kashiwagi-san and Yuuki both looked like they were going to jump in. It was hard to see if the door was open in the dark. Not that it was pitch black, because light came through the hallway lights.

"Just so you know, we didn't open the door for bad intentions."

"We know, we know. It's too early for a sneaking visit."

"Alright, then."

They were having such a childish fight earlier, so it was kind of surprising that they could have a mature conversation. –I thought. Understanding without much explanation, then receiving the sign of understanding, and through it all, even including a bit of jest.

Maybe Kashiwagi-san fit Rosa Gigantea's level of conversation perfectly. I mean, sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a maze, but Kashiwagi-san deftly handled it like a game of catch. Though maybe it should have been obvious from the moment it was apparently they could have a verbal spat. But if I were to say that, Rosa Gigantea would squeeze me to death again.

But, "sneaking visit?" What era is she from?

"Yuuki, I won't make fun of your sister anymore, so go ahead and sleep."
Yuuki didn't know what was going on, but when he heard his name, he snapped back and hurriedly closed the door he opened.

"G, good night."

"Yes, good night. Yuuki's cute."

Rosa Gigantea seemed to think fondly of my brother. Maybe she likes raccoon faces.

"Then this uncute fellow will retreat, too."

"Thank you for your troubles, Mr. Bodyguard."

"No problem."

Kashiwagi-san closed the other door, and Sachiko-sama mumbled.

"Suguru-san, thank you for your concern."

"Good night."

Kashiwagi-san shut the doors together softly. And then on the other side of the door, they began wordlessly pillow fighting, so it was kind of exasperating. But after the conversation about attacking and not attacking, it was kind of smile-inducing.

"Well those treasure boats are going to end up lost."

Turning the room brown after leaving one lightbulb, Sachiko-sama slowly slid herself into the sheets to my side. And that slight breeze sent the fragrance of her shampoo to me. My hair, or Sachiko-sama's hair, or maybe Rosa Gigantea's hair, I don't know. Not that it mattered, I felt peaceful anyways.

"By the way, Yumi-chan, we're getting up at six thirty tomorrow morning."

Out of the blue, Rosa Gigantea placed an already-set alarm clock next to my pillow.

"Ehh."

There's no school, so I whined for more sleep, but she would have none of it.

"We're eating breakfast together. Because it's 'lodging.'"

She explained aunt Sayako's cooking was delicious but took extraordinary time to finish. So the plan was to occupy the kitchen before she began making breakfast.

"If she wants to eat bread, she's the type of person to start measuring out how much flour would be needed."

Sachiko-sama sighed. Well, she was so confused about pouring tea that it was understandable. Of course, employed cooks usually prepared meals.

"… If we also did radio exercise, this would be a complete lodging."

I let slip, and Rosa Gigantea began cackling.

"Sounds nice, let's do it."

"Feel free. But, I won't be accompanying."

-Indeed. Sachiko-sama and radio exercises were a mismatch.

After breakfast, Rosa Gigantea said she'd drive Yuuki and I home, but I politely turned her down. Apparently it took a while to walk to the nearest station, though, but I would also prefer not to ride with Kashiwagi-san. Because he's the same age as Rosa Gigantea, so he's likely recently gotten his license, too. I don't trust his handling technique, plus there's that red car. I became embarrassed just looking at it.

What to do.

While I pondered, the blanket warmed my body, and I slowly drifted. The pillow fight next door had ended at some point, so it was silent. They were so active right before sleeping, so they must have gone straight to sleep.

I thought I'd never actually like Kashiwagi-san, but he wasn't as bad as I thought. After all, he's related by blood to Sachiko-sama, and she did like him a long time ago (this is important!). So he's not really that bad.

I turned around and went closer to Sachiko-sama. So we wouldn't get cold, we had stuck our blankets next to each other.

(Did onee-sama already go to sleep?)

I could feel Rosa Gigantea, behind me, was already in sleeping mode. Hey, hey, weren't you going to protect us?

I decided to leave it at "I never heard" her soft snores. Not for Rosa Gigantea, but for Rosa Gigantea's fans.

(Still, it's like a dream.)

In the brown room, I could see Sachiko-sama's sleeping face at an arm's length. I was the only one that could savor this scene, this moment.

Not even her cousin, her fiancé, Kashiwagi-san.

I truly appreciated being born a girl who could become Sachiko-sama's sister, and that I was a Lillian student at the same time as Sachiko-sama. I thanked Maria-sama with all my heart.

I usually sleep facing up, but I decided to sleep with my right shoulder down.

-And that's when Sachiko-sama's eyes opened.

(Eh!?)

[[Image:MM_v04_09.jpg|thumb]]
I panicked, like a middle-aged man who just got caught peeping, but Sachiko-sama didn't seem to be scolding me.

"Yumi."

Sachiko-sama spoke to me in a voice only I could hear.

"Y, yes."

"I'm glad you could come today."

"Yes."

"If you don't mind, feel free to come again."

"Yes."

As pathetic as it may seem, I could only say "yes," not being able to answer fully. I don't know if Sachiko-sama was exasperated or not, but she giggled, said "good night," and closed her eyes again.

She went through the trouble of talking to me-. I felt guilty, but I also became elated, replaying Sachiko-sama's words in my mind.

(Did she say she was glad? And, I could come again?)

I was so excited the drowsiness that was visiting me just a moment ago vanished.

I even folded treasure boats, too. If I didn't get to sleep soon, morning would arrive.

But my simplistic mind simply repeated Sachiko-sama's words like a circular canon.

I'm glad

Come again

I'm glad

Come again

Eventually those words became waves, and I was on a big boat riding those waves.

My first dream was of Sachiko-sama cosplaying as Benten carrying a towering stack of sushi boxes.

When I thought I should help, Rosa Gigantea, looking like Daikokuten, arrived with bags of takoyaki and toumorokoshi slung over her left shoulder, and she chased me everywhere while cackling with a small mallet.

And when the mallet hit me, lots of small candy sprayed everywhere. Like rain, and that rain never ended.

Nagakiyono touno nemurino minamezame naminori funeno otono yokikana

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</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter8 3

2008-08-07T13:38:41Z

Molenir: /* <noinclude>With the archenemy. </noinclude>Part 3. */

===<noinclude>With the archenemy. </noinclude>Part 3.===

So, without really figuring out what was going on, we began playing a poem card game, and I was swept along with the momentums, so without realizing it, I actually began playing around with Sachiko-sama's mortal enemy, Kashiwagi-san.

We'd moved places to the Japanese-style room, which is where we ended up playing. The scent of the freshly-laid tatami tickled my nostrils, and the room was decorated with a lavish India-ink hanging scroll and a shouchikubai flower arrangement. This room was designed so that if you removed the sliding doors, it could become twice or even three times as spacious.

The results of the match were, of course, the complete defeat of the Fukuzawa siblings, who weren't used to playing such a refined game. In contrast, the Ogasawara relatives had years of experience, so there was simply too much of a difference in skill. That said, even though it was obvious how things would turn out, losing was vexing.

"Okay, how about diving up into teams and playing cards?"

Kashiwagi-san suggested.

Rosa Gigantea, who'd lost to Kashiwagi-san by one point, agreed vigorously. She seemed to be looking at it as a chance to take revenge.

"Sure, but how should we split teams?"

"If we do the Fukuzawa siblings, then the Ogasawara family, that would leave Rosa Gigantea and I-"

"What-!?"

Yuuki and I, as well as Rosa Gigantea all raised a complaining voice. Of course. Turning it into a team match was theoretically supposed to be to even things up, so sticking the inexperienced Fukuzawa siblings together was absurd.

That said, Rosa Gigantea was complaining for a different reason. They had bad blood between them, so the two of them teaming up wouldn't end too well.

"If half object, I guess that idea's been rejected."

He probably said it just to say it. Because he backed down quickly.

I glanced at Sachiko-sama, who was putting away the poem card game. She looked like she didn't really care who she was paired with. Aunt Sayako, to her right, looked the same. They're so mature.

I mean, I'm not saying it aloud, but I wouldn't like it if Sachiko-sama and Kashiwagi-san were paired. And like Rosa Gigantea, I would prefer if I wasn't paired with him, either. But if everyone said something that selfish, we wouldn't get anywhere.

"Auntie and I, Sachiko and Yumi-chan, and the two men?"

-Suggested Rosa Gigantea. Kashiwagi-san seemed to be pleased by the suggestion, too.

"What a wonderful arrangement. Yukichi, come here."

Kashiwagi-san slid to the side, opening the space next to him. He seemed to be in very good humor.

(…?)

I knew Kashiwagi-san was a homosexual, but was he really that fond of placing the raccoon-faced Yuuki next to him? I mean, I'm not a male homosexual, so I can't really say much about it. Speaking of which, Yuuki was the one being rather indecisive.

"Onee-sama, shall I come over?"

"Please."

I settled down where Yuuki used to be. Rosa Gigantea slid over, and with that, every pair was able to sit next to each other.

"What first?"

Rosa Gigantea shuffled the plastic cards with blinding speed.

"Shall we start with babanuki[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#babanuki]?"

Aunt Sayako giggled.

"Yumi, you're in charge of taking the card from the neighbor."

"Ah."

"Okay? Be insentient as you do it, and then hand it to me. I'll manage our cards."

Sachiko-sama whispered in my ear, at the start.

"Oh, battle plans? How friendly."

Rosa Gigantea laughed, teasing, but I didn't understand that "battle plan." Because babanuki was luck-based, wasn't it? It's a simple game where you discard pairs while taking and giving cards?

But I realized it wasn't so simple. It was usually an individual game, so that left one person on each team free to perform a task. Thus, the game hinged on how that free person was used.

(What… what?)

Right after everyone spread out their cards in a fan, Kashiwagi-san just stared at me. We were going clockwise, so sitting to our left, they would take cards from Sachiko-sama.

Wondering why he was doing that, I took a card from aunt Sayako's fan.

(Insentient, insentient.)

However. I glanced at the card as I handed it to Sachiko-sama, and I reflexively went, "Erk!"

(J, Joker…)

The Joker is the "baba." How unfortunate to draw the Joker in the first turn. Then, Kashiwagi-san's eyes glimmered.

"Yumi-chan, you just drew 'baba' didn't you.'

"Ah."

When I shouted, Yuuki and Rosa Gigantea, whom were supposed to be enemies, both said, "Idiot." And Sachiko-sama, to my side, sighed.

Of course, my reaction at drawing the joker was bad enough, but then my reaction to his question was even worse. It was like saying, "Yes, we have the Joker."

"So that's what you meant by insentient."

Sachiko-sama said, "Don't worry, we just started," and placed a reassuring hand on my depressed shoulders.

I learnt a lesson. You couldn't underestimate "babanuki." It's a poker-like adult's game.

Afterward, I pulled cards while singing "Maria-sama's soul" in my mind. As a result of it, the game continued without a hitch, and we were able to finish first. Maria-sama may have lent her strength to us.

But when it came to intellectual games like shichinarabe[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#shichinarabe] and doubt, Kashiwagi-san and Rosa Gigantea showed immense skill.

"Yumi-chan, keep this in mind. Men that are good at shichinarabe are men you want to avoid at all costs."

"If I may interject, ladies that are great at doubt are like they're admitting they're great liars, are they not?"

And so they argued. Rosa Gigantea and Kashiwagi-san were like archenemies. They were similar, and yet very contradictory.

"Shall we take a break?"

Aunt Sayako said, and their circle crumbled. They looked like they were relaxed, but everyone was pretty focused.

After the poetry card game, babanuki, shichinarabe, doubt, scum, rummy, concentration, page one, and then ladders, so it was already past eight. Time flies when you're having fun. I looked at the score we kept on a notepad and was surprised we'd played so much.

"Where could I wash my hands?"

I stood up.

"Oh, I'll lead you."

Rosa Gigantea went with me. She knew her way around another person's house. She took my hand and lead me down the halls.

"Rosa Gigantea, have you been here before?"

She seemed to know Sachiko-sama's mother, too.

"Indeed. This year, no, I guess it's more like last summer, I came over. Rosa Chinensis was with me, of course."

"Mmm."

"Jealous?"

Rosa Gigantea stopped and pinched my cheeks. I'm not being sullen!

"It was before I became her sister."

It would be illogical to be jealous, I thought. I mean, of course. That said, I also felt it was natural that I'd be a bit envious when listening to stories about onee-sama before I came to know her. So in the end, I probably was being sullen.

"Righto, youths with bright futures shouldn't be bothered by the past."

Rosa Gigantea opened the brown door in front of her. That seemed to be the washroom. It seemed like it wasn't designed just for one person, so Rosa Gigantea came in, too.

A rich person's house seemed to be on a different scale from a regular house in every way. It was like a miniature version of the washroom at the high-class hotel I went to, when my cousin married last month. The floor used a fluffy carpet material, there were powder room corners separate from the washing counter, and hand towels were neatly folded in a cute basket, imploring you to use them. The lighting utensils were shaped like flowers, and it was just lovely.

There were three individual rooms. And each bathroom was around twice as large as the western-style toilets. Apparently this was the visitors' restroom, and there were other, employee-use restrooms and family-use restrooms fitted around the house. Sachiko-sama's room came with a bathroom and toilet, so this house was definitely like a hotel.

"After we graduate, you should just come over to visit every now and then."

When I was washing my hands, Rosa Gigantea began speaking to my reflection on the mirror.

"What?"

"Probably when her uncles and father aren't home, like today."

"I don't follow?"

When I asked, she said, "Wait a second," washed her hands, and dried her hands using the dry parts of the hand towel I used, before turning to me.

"Today, the Ogasawara men are with their other women."

"Eh!?"

"I told you about this before, didn't I? The men in this household are unique, they have other houses. On New Year's Day they have an exquisite party with their main household, right? And then on the second and third, they call it a vacation and let their housekeepers go home. And then the men go to the number twos. Actually maybe it's the other way around. Because the men aren't home, the housekeepers can take a break. Not that it matters."

"Then, the third is with their number threes, and the fourth is…"

I wasn't really trying to joke, but Rosa Gigantea laughed, anyways.

"I don't think I hear the term 'number three' used much. Anyways, I'm sure the men of this household have that many. Actually I hear they have a meal party with the executives from their company on the fourth, so they come home by then."

"You're pretty knowledgeable."

"Jealous?"

"… A bit."

When I grumbled, Rosa Gigantea grinned.

"People have their roles. She can't really show her weaknesses to you, because you're her little sister, you know? Likewise, I don't show any weaknesses to Sachiko, either."

"Then, why?"

"Sachiko's onee-sama is my friend."

"Rosa Chinensis…!"

Of course, Sachiko-sama was like Rosa Gigantea's little sister. Then she would talk to Rosa Gigantea whenever she was in a bind-

"Right, she told me. And Sachiko knows about that, so it's alright."

"Ah."

"In the end, it just means Rosa Chinensis trusts me. And by doing so, she's able to use me. And as a result, I'm just doing as she wants me to do."

"Umm."

Now she was losing me.

"In other words, the goal was to bring Yumi-chan and brighten the place. It's lonesome to sit here alone with her mother, while the men are off with other women. So we come in, brighten the place, and make everyone happy."

"Ah… oh, I get it."

So I don't need to wonder about any ulterior motives for buying temple food, eating them here, sipping tea, and playing card games all day.

"There was an unexpected person, but hey, everything's worked out, so who cares."

"I'm sorry."

Yuuki was probably the unexpected person. Of course, Kashiwagi-san was the one who brought him, but as his elder sister, I ended up feeling a bit responsible.

"No, Kashiwagi probably thought the same thing when he brought him."

"Brightening the day?"

"Yup. And Yumi-chan's brother is just like you, fitting in well and all. As expected of cousins, I guess? He knew what kind of person Sachiko-sama might be comfortable with."

"Ah."

I got a slightly better opinion of him, but I think I'll never able to like Kashiwagi-san. Rosa Gigantea opened the door to the hallway and crinkled her nose as she grinned.

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</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter7 2

2008-08-05T10:31:32Z

Molenir: /* The hatsumoude on the second. Part 2. */

==The hatsumoude on the second. Part 2.==

Rosa Gigantea, under the guide of a "date," took me to the temple by the school.

"Wow, Rosa Gigantea! Are you an ESPer!?"

"What are you saying?"
We got off of the circulation bus and walked under the shrine archway. As I expected, festival carts lined up either side of the shrine pathway. The burning smell of soy sauce drifted in the air.

"Squid? Or corn?"

"We can do that later, let's go pull our fortunes."

Rosa Gigantea was very far from being able to be called deeply religious, so it was surprising, until I realized at least part of her reasoning was for "checking out the goods." Because she went in line for the prettiest shrine maiden, despite it being the longest line.

"So we really did go on a two-person date."

I mumbled, as we lined up for the fortunes. For a moment I still had a sliver of hope that Yoshino-san and Rei-sama would be waiting for us here.

Shi.

Shimazu Yoshino.

"Yoshino-chan and Rei are in Hakone for New Year's."

"Hakone?"

"With their families. It was Yoshino-chan's wish, because she's healthy."

"Hakone?"

It was odd. Hakone was famous for hot springs, but wasn't it known more as a tourist spot for the elderly, than high-school girls?

"Umm, are you sure you don't mean Karuizawa?"

"Do they do horseracing in Karuizawa?"

"---"

I'd forgotten. Yoshino-san loved sports. So Shimazu and Hasekura went to Hakone to let Yoshino-san see a horse race live. It seemed like Yoshino-san's go-go-go personality was a result of her environment. Not just Rei-sama, but their parents were also soft on Yoshino-san.

"Rosa Chinensis is studying during the break. And Rosa Foetida is at her villa in Hawaii. She goes every year."

"And Shimako-san?"

"Shimako?"

Rosa Gigantea thought about it, and then raised an eyebrow and she answered.

"Shimako."

To.

Toudou Shimako.
"I didn't invite her."

"Why?"

"Lots of reasons. Shimako's household gets a lot of visitors, so on New Year's and the likes, she has to help out a lot. And plus, do you think that devout Christian Shimako would come to a hatsumoude at a shrine? You shouldn't try to sway her beliefs like that."

"Um, Rosa Gigantea? … If you're going to say that…"

"Yup. Once we go there, it's over. You shouldn't be inviting any Lillian student to a hatsumoude."

Rosa Gigantea cackled.

"Then, why me?"

After all, I'm an actual student at Lillian Girls' Academy, you know. Plus, though not really something to brag about, I was raised in the greenhouse since kindergarten.

"Your smell."

Rosa Gigantea sniffed, as she crept closer.

"Yumi-chan, your household covers the million gods, Buddha, and Maria-sama, all together, friendly-like, right?"

"Eh, how!?"

What kind of smell is that? I ended up sniffing around my coat, but Rosa Gigantea, even though she said it first, doubled over in laughter.

"You're really funny. Did you think you had the smell of sacred wine, incense, and holy bread and wine or something? Smell was a metaphor. A metaphor, understand?"

"Erk."

"-Which of course means Yumi-chan's house is a mixture, after all."

"Yes."

Indeed.

We had no prayer shelf, but we had shrine charms pasted around the house.

We had no Buddhist altar, but Yuuki's room, as a Hanadera student, was filled with Buddhist goods. And the Lillian Girls' Academy I attend is a Catholic school.

And my household accepted it all, without a second thought.

"Come to think of it, how unchaste."

"Oh don't fret, my house is the same. So I can tell if someone's a comrade by their smell. Plus, that's Japanese culture. And this is how the Yamayurikai members are, so don't worry. If they didn't have plans, I'm sure Yoshino-chan and Rei would have joined us."

"But Shimako-san is different?"

"Shimako is special."

She seemed to have reminisced about Shimako-san, as she softly narrowed her eyes.

Oh, Rosa Gigantea. You always seem to leave her alone, but you care so deeply about Shimako-san. Well, she is your proud sister, after all.

"Hey, Rosa Gigantea."

I'm finally trying to get a better opinion of you, so stop checking out the shrine maidens like that.

It was finally their turn to get their fortunes, so I turned over a box with a single hole and rattled it. Then, when I looked to my side, Rosa Gigantea, who had lined up in front of me and thus was already long done, was holding the shrine maiden's hand. –Gosh, you can never let your guard down with her.

"Slightly good luck."

Rosa Gigantea said.

"Uncertain luck."

I followed after.

We'd moved a bit away from where you receive the fortunes, and were standing near the plum trees, with beautiful blossoms of white fortunes sprouting along their branches. The real flowers, of course, were still some time away from blooming.

"It would have been more interesting if we got great luck and horrible luck, you know? Speaking of which, what's better, slightly good luck or uncertain luck?"

"I think slightly good luck is just a hair better. … Is there even horrible luck?"

"Well if there's a great luck, I'm sure there is?"

But I'd never heard of a slightly bad luck or an uncertainly bad luck.

"You won't lose anything, and your wishes will come true, despite some difficulty, or something? Gosh, how dicey."

Rosa Gigantea folded up her fortune and tied it to a plum tree.

"Ah, hold on a second."

The fortunes were written in an archaic-like way, so it was difficult to read. Rosa Gigantea's ability to read them in a heartbeat was an exception. It seemed like she wasn't just good at English.

"Lemme see."

"Ah."

Rosa Gigantea took the fortune from Yumi's hands.

"Mmm. You might marry or move this year, it says. Also, you won't have many children. Hmm, an influence of the declining birth rates."

Moving aside, I think "marriage" and "children" are completely irrelevant to a sixteen-year old high-school girl.

"It says your wishes will come true as long as you work hard. Daily diligence, so to speak."

Here, she said, as she handed the fortune back, so following in Rosa Gigantea's footsteps, I folded it and tied it to a branch. Another fortune flower had blossomed.

Your wishes will come true as long as you work hard. But what am I wishing for the most?

I thought about it as I looked at the various charms, like the "arrow to ward away demons."

Family stability. Good health. Warding off disaster. Safe birth prayer. Traffic safety.

People in this world have many things to pray to God for. And everyone lives with a myriad of worries.

The votive pictures were filled with "let me get into OO university." With this many wishes, I wondered how God could possibly fulfill them all.

"Thanks for waiting."

I was praying, so Rosa Gigantea left me behind to check out the festival carts, and now she returned, almost skipping with joy. Umm, she said it was a hatsumoude, but she wasn't really visiting the temple, so what did she come here to do? I was getting the feeling she'd come just for the fortunes.

"Umm, Rosa Gigantea…? What's that?"

My jaw dropped at seeing her carrying a vinyl bag in both hands.

"This bag has ikayaki and grilled corn. And this bag has okonomiyaki and takoyaki and yakisoba. I bought a lot, so they put it in bags for me."

Apricot candy might be impossible, but we could carry cotton candy home, she said. Rosa Gigantea had designs to keep buying, so I felt a bit nauseous.

"Umm. What I'm asking isn't what's in the bags, but what you intend to do with so much food."

"Of course, eating."

"Wh, who?"

"Us. Alright, let's start with takoyaki, Yumi-chan, that's easy to eat."

And Rosa Gigantea took out a pack of takoyaki from one of the bags. Wow. I only got a glimpse, but she bought three packs of each.

[[Image:MM_v04_06.jpg|thumb]]
"Here, ahhh."

Rosa Gigantea picked up a takoyaki and lifted it.

"Ahhh."

How dreadful, I opened my mouth. But fresh-made takoyaki is warm and delicious. And the tako was big and juicy.

"Alright, let's eat while it's still hot. Oh, we're in the way of passer-bys, so let's go to the back. Yumi-chan, hold one bag."

Just doing what I was told, I picked up the bag with takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and yakisoba in one hand, and carried a paper bag with a box of cakes in the other, and followed Rosa Gigantea to the back of the shrine, into the grove of mixed trees, using the trail. I was still carrying a big shoulder-bag, so I may have looked quite absurd. Some might even think I've run away from home.

Rosa Gigantea still had a hand open, so every now and then she'd feed me takoyaki, and so we ended up splitting a pack of eight four-four.

"What are you thinking, Rosa Gigantea?"

"What? Have you become anxious, because I'm leading you to a place with no people?"

"Not that."

I stared at Rosa Gigantea, who was still playing around.

"You know as well as I do that the two of us aren't going to be able to eat all this."

"Hmm."

Rosa Gigantea placed a rubberband around the emptied plastic pack, and carefully placed it back in the vinyl bag so it wouldn't spill. All of a sudden they'd come to a place where knee-high stone statues lined the path. This was leading out of the shrine area, it seemed. It was like a back road, and at the side of the small pavement, a number of cars were parked.

"Someone else is coming, right?"

"I don't know if I would answer right or wrong to that."

Rosa Gigantea grinned, and she fished around her pocket.

"Ah, I have candy here."

My hands were occupied, so I pointed my hip at her.

"No, no."

Rosa Gigantea took out a key of some sort. Of some sort? It was definitely not a house nor bicycle key. It was probably, not, it was definitely a car key.

"Umm-"

Without giving me time to gather myself, Rosa Gigantea kept walking, and when she got next to a yellow car, she used her key.

"Now now, come in."

She placed the bag with squid and corn in the backseat, got in, and reached over to open the passenger seat.

"Uhh, umm, Rosa Gigantea…?"

Where's the driver, I wanted to ask, but my luggage was taken, and then I myself was pushed into the car.

"Are you…"

And what I was afraid of happened. Rosa Gigantea got into the driver's seat. And she turned on the engine and put on her seat belt. Apparently, Rosa Gigantea had driven here herself, left her car behind the shrine because the station parking spaces were filled, and gone to M Station to pick me up by bus.

"Don't worry, I have a license."

She showed me her card, and it was indeed just like my father's one. The picture definitely belonged to Rosa Gigantea, and the name read "Satou Sei." And she'd turned 18 on the 25th of the previous month, so she was of the right age to legally drive.

"It's all good."

Rosa Gigantea laughed, as she courteously fastened my seatbelt.

"Take offfff!"

"Ehhhhhhhh!?"

Ignoring my anxiety, the yellow car driven by Rosa Gigantea began moving. But then, the moment we got to the stoplight in front of the bus route, the engine stalled. I began trembling. In a way, it was scarier than a jet coaster or haunted house.

"How long have you been driving?"

I was very afraid of asking. But I didn't have the confidence I could sit quietly without asking. I just noticed, but that "thing" stuck to the front glass. Isn't that the "new driver" mark?

"How long?"

Turning on her left turn lights, Rosa Gigantea asked back. Uhh, wasn't that light late?

"I am asking, how long you have been driving since you received your license."

"How long? Today's the first time I drove outside of the practice range."

"Eek."

"It's all good, I was safely able to drive here from home."

"It'll be horrible if you get into an accident."

I might have been shrieking. But this may be curtains to my life of sixteen years, so I think that's a normal reaction.

"Hahahahahah."

Gripping the steering wheel, Rosa Gigantea laughed, pleased.

"Le, let me off, please."

"You won't die. After all, both of our fortunes were for 'good' luck. Oops."

"Kya!"

Even though she was a newbie, she attempted a clumsy passing. I don't know where we're going, but please, don't hurry. Please don't try anything, please, just get on a straightforward road.

"Oh, wonderful adulthood-!"

I started praying to Maria-sama.

"Hahahah. Yumi-chan, you're funny."

Screeeeech, screech screech screech!

"Gyaaa. Save me, Maria-sama!"

And thus, strapped to a car like it was a mental and physical torture chair, I completely forgot to ask a very crucial question, so overwhelmed with panic I was. –Or rather, there was no way I was going to compose myself enough to ask.

Where are we headed?

I think it would have been very nice to know.

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| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter8_1|Chapter 8 Part 1]]
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</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter7 1

2008-08-05T10:29:11Z

Molenir: /* The hatsumoude on the second. Part 1. */

==The hatsumoude on the second. Part 1.==

They say the population of Tokyo is going down, but I think overcrowding is a bigger problem in some areas than others, because there're tons of people in some places and almost no one in others.

Really, if you go to place that's just a housing district, it's quiet, like the world just ended, so despite walking almost seven minutes to the bus stop, the only living being I crossed paths with was a stray cat.

Maybe most people don't think about going to hatsumoude on the noon of the second. Speaking of which, the postal services are probably on break, too, so the New Year's cards wouldn't be sent out today.

The bus routes that were so clogged with traffic during work days only had a few household cars passing by, and even those cars were sparse, so the streets were quiet. Even the air felt like it was trying to vanish.

Only I was waiting at the bus stop.

I looked right, at the direction the bus was supposed to come from. Nothing.

I lowered the shoulder-bag that hung over my right shoulder on the bench, and then sat down. The timetable for New Year's was a sheet of dyer paper pasted over the usual plastic timetable, but I didn't bother looking at it. This bus route went between JR Station and the private railway tracks, and because it went through a number of big crossings and picked up and dropped off people from schools, apartments and hospitals, it rarely matched up with the schedules.

(I wonder if father and mother have gotten to Yamanashi by now.)

I cradled the box of pastry on my thighs. Last night, mother went out and bought it. Because I was intruding in on someone else's property. So she bought three boxes of the same pastry, giving one to me and one to Yuuki, and then departed. These days, the number of department stores open on New Year's Day had increased.

Yuuki departed one step ahead and was lightly packed. I think all he took was a paper bag with the box of pastry. Men have it easy.

(Oh yeah, Yuuki said he was staying at Kobayashi-kun's house?)

He's a lively, nice kid. Well, we're the same age, but I nodded approvingly, in nee-san mode, and that reminded me of the New Year's card, the one with the familiar name.

However.

(Huh…?)

Because it was after a night's sleep, I couldn't remember anything about the name, much less what kanji it may have been made up with.

(Hmm. I guess I'll start from "A.")

Aikawa, Aizawa, Aida. … Oh jeez this'll take forever.

Just as I thought it probably wouldn't have started with an A, the bus came. Fitting the New Year's mood, it had a Japanese flag plate on its front end.

It was more crowded than I expected, but lots of people got off at that stop, so I was able to find a seat.

(Iida, Ikeuchi, Itakura-)

The roads were empty, so the bus went smoothly, like a monorail at an amusement park.

(Ueki, Usami, Uchida, Umezu-)

The temple you could see from the bus was surrounded by paper shides hanging from stretched-out, thin ropes, and you could even see the temple festival carts.

The temple you passed by when riding on the circulation bus that left M Station and went to Lillian Girls' Academy, I wondered if that one was also like this on New Year's. Temples dressed up on New Year's quite a bit, so it was a bit like Maria-sama being dressed up during the Maria festival.

(Etou, Enatsu, Enoki, Endou-)

While I did that, the bus reached the north exit of M Station. It usually took twenty minutes, but it only took at most half that today, so it was shocking. When I got off the bus and looked around, I noticed there were still a lot of people wearing kimono, because it was still the first three days of the new year.

(Oikawa, Ooki, Okano…)

-Ogasawara.

My heart skipped. Maybe I could see her today, I thought, and even my legs trembled with excitement at the thought, as I tried to climb the stairs.
(O is Ogasawara's O.)

-Ogasawara. Ogasawara Sachiko.

It'd been a quick three months since we'd performed the sœur ritual. Yet, I still didn't feel "calm" around Sachiko-sama. Having my sailor scarf tied had become more of a daily ritual, so I was getting used to that. But Sachiko-sama would always do the unexpected, and that would subsequently leave me scrambling to figure out how to respond.

Walking while holding my hand, untying one of the ribbons in my hair.

Sachiko-sama might not realize how I become petrified when she does something like that.

There were many people in front of the convenience store I was told to wait at, but no one I recognized.

(Did I arrive too early?)

There were more than twenty minutes left until the time I was told. Because someone else might come, in the meantime, I stood in front of the convenience store instead of waiting inside. I wanted to see someone I recognize quickly. I wanted to welcome everyone.

(Okuyaam, Osada, Oda, Onizuka.)

[[Image:MM_v04_05.jpg|thumb]]
I was bored, so I resumed the name-finding quiz.

(-Onda.)

But my memory wasn't even slightly stirred. It probably was from the A-line. Just as I was about to start down the K's, the automatic door behind me whizzed open. I tried to instinctively turn around, but the person who the person who came out of the convenience store was way too fast, as that person embraced me.

"Gyauh!"

"… You sound like the child of a monster."

Sounding exasperated, the "degenerate" loosed her arms that had been wrapped around me from behind.

"After all, you are a Lillian student, so you should at least tone that down to 'Kya.'"

She didn't even need to look. That voice, and the feel of those arms.

"Rosa Gigantea-!"

When I spun around and knocked Rosa Gigantea's arms off, I felt like jumping, so elated I was to see her. It'd just been a week, but it felt so nostalgic.

"Alright! Happy New Year's!"

Rosa Gigantea opened a bag of candy mix, which screamed "I was just bought at this convenience store," with its logo'd tape, then reached in, grabbed a handful and stuffed it into my pocket.

"Ah, gochisousama."

I bowed.

"Eat it whenever you feel like it."

"But how about everyone else's share?"

A handful of candy might have been over half of the bag.

"Oh don't worry about it, I bought it for Yumi, the sweets-lover."

Rosa Gigantea unwrapped a maccha candy, tossed it into her mouth, and then rolled up the considerably emptied bag and smartly stuffed it into her own pocket. I wondered if she'd bought the candy, and then didn't feel like holding onto it, leading to the sharing. After all, she only had a small handbag, so there was nowhere for her to put it.

"What-?"

Rosa Gigantea glared back lightly, like she was scolding me, for my ill-mannered stare at her.

"Ah, sorry, it's the first time I've seen Rosa Gigantea in casual clothes, so it feels like it's something really fresh."

"Mmm."

Maybe she took care of the hair ends today, because her features looked especially sharp. She wore dark brown boots to go with her caramel-colored long coat. And she casually wrapped a condensed-milk-like white muffler, resulting in her looking really like an adult… or maybe more like a gentleman from outside the country. It was cool.

"Yumi-chan, you look cute, your navy duffle coat suits you well."

"Eh, oh, hardly, I'm nothing compared to Rosa Gigantea's expensive coat."

What was I hurriedly returning a compliment for? And who uses such a cheap term like "expensive" in such a situation, anyways? -As I depressed myself, I flicked my own forehead. In this sort of situation, Sachiko-sama would just smile and say, "Thank you."

But this was Rosa Gigantea.
"Yup, it was expensive. It's cashmere. Last year, no, maybe the year before that, I begged my parents to buy it for me. A combined Christmas and birthday present. And maybe my New Year's gift, too."

Rosa Gigantea was just as cheap. I felt like I was with an associate.

"But, dang, Yumi-chan's bag is stuffed. Do you have your pajama and change of clothes in there?"

She sniffed. Gosh, she's totally like a perverted old man.

"… Yes, I do."

Plus, my bath towel, my tooth brushing set, and other things like that. Personally, I thought Rosa Gigantea's setup was the bigger question. Because we were sleeping over, and not at a hotel, but at a home, right?

"But you came early, Rosa Gigantea, you came by train, right?"

I asked, while distancing my bag from Rosa Gigantea.

"Nope, I came by vroom vroom."

(…)

Vroom vroom, would be the kindergartener's way of saying "car." Gosh, an old man, or a baby, Rosa Gigantea really needed to pick.

"But there's no bus from M Station to Rosa Gigantea's house, right? Wow, you got driven by your parents? How wonderful."

"What, Yumi-chan, you want to ride a car?"

(… No, that's not it…)

I think Rosa Gigantea's wrong, here. But if I were to try to correct her, I'd end up confused, so I decided against it.

Sa.

Sa is Satou's as.

Satou Sei. –Also known as Rosa Gigantea.

"Okay, let's get going, then."

When I reached into my pocket for a peach-yogurt flavored candy, Rosa Gigantea said that, despite it being before the meeting time.

"Eh, what, but…"

I was about to ask about the other people, but she dragged me to the north gate.

"Did I ever say anyone else was coming?"

"Huh?"

"All I said was, let's go on a date."

"Eh!?"

"Fufufu. Gotcha, Yumi-chan."

Rosa Gigantea made a slurping sound and terrified me.

"B, but, didn't you say lodging…?"

I asked, frightened.

"One stick is still called a carrot. Two people is still lodging."

(Eek…)

"G, good bye."

I turned around.

"Oh dear. Do you think I'd actually let go prey that easily?"

Rosa Gigantea grinned, as she dragged me back.

"Yumi-chan, you're sooooo cuuuuuuute. There there, let's go somewhere nice, with onee-san.'

"Please have mercy!"

Usually this would be when Sachiko-sama showed up. … However.

"Searching for Sachiko is futile. She's at home right nooow."

"Then, seriously?"

"Yumi-chan is all mine. How shall I cook you tonight?"

"Stooooop."

I squirmed, as Rosa Gigantea whispered into my ear, and she responded by hugging me like a doll.

"Hey! Didn't Sachiko teach you? When you act like that, it just serves to please me."

(… She might seriously be sadistic, Rosa Gigantea.)

And I'm masochistic because I enjoyed being scolded by Sachiko-sama, so we were a perfect fit. –Wait, what am I thinking?

"-Anyways, leaving sexual harassment at this…."

After touching me all over on her own accord, Rosa Gigantea either became satisfied or got bored, let go completely, like there was some sort of time trigger.

"Let's get going."

(…)

I feel like I heard her say that just a moment ago. I hope this person doesn't intend to repeat every action since then.

"Come on, let's go."

Rosa Gigantea went down the steps, first.

(…)

"Yumi-chan, hurry up."

(Ahhh!)

That's when I realized. The time between the first "let's get going" and the second "let's get going," Rosa Gigantea intended to act innocently, like nothing ever happened.

"Rosa Gigantea, you're sneaky!"

I caught up to Rosa Gigantea and lightly whacked her arm. The candy was swaying in my pocket.

I won't be deceived by this!

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|-
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| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6_2|Chapter 6 Part 2]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7_2|Part 2]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter6 2

2008-08-05T04:49:08Z

Molenir: /* The first of January. Part 2. */

==The first of January. Part 2.==

I was up until one on New Year's Day, but I was still awakened a seven o'clock by my mother.

But, this was customary in the Fukuzawa household on New Year's Day, so I had to get up, rubbing my eyes.

Well no, actually, stumbling down while rubbing my eyes wasn't allowed. First I had to brush my teeth, wash my face, and of course I had to change out of my pajamas. When I finally finished dressing myself, we were to gather in the only Japanese-style room in the house.

After all, we have to prepare ourselves for the upcoming year on New Year's Day.

When we became middle-schoolers, the ban on watching Kouhaku Utagassen[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#gantan] was lifted, so ever since then it became customary to exchange "Happy New Years!" greetings deep in the night. Even so, we still maintained our tradition of waking up in the morning and once again exchanging greetings before eating our ojuu. Then we received a sip of otoso, and opened our ojuu.

"Alright, I'll be taking mochi orders."

When everyone placed their chopsticks on the ojuu food, Yuuki stood up and began taking note of how much mochi everyone wanted. At the same time, father stood up and walked to the kitchen. In our household, it was customary that grilling mochi and boiling soba was done by the men, so mother and I didn't move. That said, it wasn't like we were supposed to happily eat while waiting. In the meantime, we'd prepare the ozouni for the mochi, and set up oshouyu and nori.

"But his unusual obstinacy is such a bother."

Whispered mother. Usually you could just toast mochi in a microwave, but mochi is better when it's grilled on an iron, my father said, and so we did it the old way. As a result, the one who washed the irons with carbonized mochi was his assistant. Poor Yuuki, he was destined to become the victim of father's obstinacy on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The living room had a television, like it was from a completely different era, and it showed things like the first sunrise of the year, a shouchikubai, or an announcer wearing a kimono. The morning newspaper that was placed in the sideboard after father had finished reading it was thicker than usual, being the New Year's edition. And from those small differences from the normal day, you could feel that New Year's Day was a relatively special occasion, I think.

And while we dug ourselves into the horigotatsu while eating mochi and osechi, and sipping tea, the New Year's Cards would be distributed. Usually the postman would be riding around in a bike at this time of day, but during New Year's, the job is instead taking by university part-time workers. So even if a stack of postcards were placed in the mailbox, sometimes you never heard them coming, and you'd only realize it later.

It was the job of children to retrieve the New Year's Cards. –Or rather, more like a hobby. It was like trying to get a magazine you were waiting eagerly for. It was a pain to write them, but receiving them was a joyful occasion. Who sent me a post card? I wanna see! And so Yuuki and I alternated peeking out of the house and checked the mailbox every ten minutes.

After a number of whiffs, I coincidentally opened the door and saw the onii-san placing the stacks in our mailbox. Well, I say onii-san, but he didn't look like he was that much older than me.

"Thank you for your troubles."

We greeted each other, and he handed me to postcards directly. There were two stacks. The part-time nii-san, before moving on to the next house, stopped by the mailbox a few steps down, and placed a stack into my father's office's mailbox. It was ten forty in the morning.

Me first, we probably looked like, as we scrambled into the house and began dividing the cards.

To father, to mother, to me, to Yuuki, and then to father's office, they were all mixed together. Oh, and a few that had been accidentally mixed in, that were supposed to be sent elsewhere. As a result, the postcards were split into six mountains, and piled up before each respective person.

"Yumi, read your cards later."

Yuuki cautioned, not stopping. But even so, when you saw the name of who wrote you the card, wasn't it normal to want to flip to the back?

"Father, father, Yuuki, me, father, mother, father, father."

When she resumed working, to catch up, this time she was warned, "Quiet."

"Think it in your head, it's distracting."

"Yuuki's like a mother-in-law."

"Anyone would complain like this if their son had a wife like Yumi."

Giving up, I started saying, "father, father, mother, Yuuki," in my head.

(Huh…?)

But when she split a card to Yuuki, she felt like the name on the card was familiar. And it stuck her mind because the card was to Yuuki. Yumi thought, most high-school cards were from classmates or club-mates, but it wasn't a name she'd heard from Yuuki's mouth-.

(Who was it?)

But she couldn't double-check, because Yuuki stacked more cards on top of it.

She could have asked Yuuki, can I see who that was? But it would have been wasted effort if she'd been wrong, so she forgot about it. There're plenty of people with similar names, after all. And if Yuuki asked her about a card sent to her, she wouldn't feel too comfortable, either. Privacy is important.

Of course, almost half of the cards sent to our household were to father. And if you counted the cards sent to his office, how many is he receiving? It was overwhelming. Because, if you're receiving cards, it also means you're sending around that many, too, right? Becoming an adult is dreadful. Even our mother, a housewife, received far more than we did.

Having finished splitting the cards, Yuuki and I took our shares, split up a bit, and sat down on the sofa. It wasn't like "whoever has more cards is more popular," but it did put a bit of pressure on the other person. Luckily, we were about the same, judging from the thickness of our stacks. I was happy that the number of cards I received went up along with my New Year's gift when I became a high-schooler. Even though I wasn't a part of any club.

Instead of reading them in order, I looked for one name.
Ogasawara Sachiko.

The person I love the most at school.

Silently apologizing to Yoshino-san and Tsutako-san, I skipped past their cards, and as I began to worry, "Maybe she didn't send me one?" I found it.

"B, brushwork…"

Would it be called India-ink painting? It was a relatively simple postcard, with a plum flower painted using faint hues, and on top of it, with black India ink, "Happy New Year's," and "Best regards for the year," and then the year, and then "New Year's Day." The little stamp pressed to the side was Sachiko-sama's "Sachiko," in a brilliant scarlet accent.

"How refined…"

When I remembered the card I'd sent out, my face felt like it was on fire. It was bad enough that I hurriedly wrote it because I'd forgotten about it until the second-semester closing ceremony, but the New Year's card that I'd begged father to let me print off of his computer was rather scrambled and noisy. I should have just used a template that came with the word processor software, but I ended up adding a bunch of things, and in retrospect that was a bad idea. The letters were extremely fancy, and I used way too many colors.

Your personally showed in your New Year's cards. I carved that into my brain.

The first phone call we received for the new year came when mother was hurrying me about my Yamanashi decision.

"It's from grandmother."

Wait right there, she scolded, before she picked up the receiver.

"Happy New Years. It's Fukuzawa."
Her voice was an octave high. Oh, mother, her voice was in New Year's mode, too.

"Ah, yes. No, not at all. Thank you for looking after her all the time. Has she been bothering you much?"

Wait right there, I'd been told, so I couldn't return to my room. Plus, I'd finally finished writing the thank you cards, and had stumbled down the stairs to go to the bathroom, so the air conditioner in my room was still on.

(I hope it's not a long phone call.)

I tried to reason out who the caller might be, by concentrating on the receiver. From the speech mannerism, I could tell it wasn't grandmother. And it was someone "looking after" someone other than mother.

"I see. Please guide her in the future, too. … Please wait a second. I'll switch to her."

Still holding onto the receiver, mother bowed toward the phone, pressed the hold button, and turned to me, "Yumi-chan."

"Me?"

She wouldn’t say "please guide in the future" to a friend of mine. But I couldn't imagine my homeroom teacher calling-.

(C, could it be…)

"It's Rosa Gigantea."

"Eh?"

"Rosa Gigantea, right? Satou-san. My, the Roses are so polite have such a proper way of speaking."

"---"

I forgot to mention that mother was a graduate of Lillian Girls' academy. She was a regular student who never dealt with the Roses, but her admiration of the Yamayurikai staff was extraordinary. She would probably be shocked beyond belief if she were to see how the real Rosa Gigantea acted, so I didn’t deny it, simply agreeing, "Yes, she's so wonderful."

"Hello, it's me."

"Ah, Yumi-chan? Did you hope for a moment it was Sachiko?"

"… No. Happy New Year's."

"Happy New Year! Kingashinnen![http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#kingeashinnen] Bonne année! Boy, how joyous, how auspicious!"

"…"

Even in the new year, Rosa Gigantea's old-fashioned methods were still in good health.

"Did something happen?"

"I wanted to hear Yumi-chan's voice."

"Huh?"

"- Is a lie hohoho-"

"Did you call me to be the first to tease me?"

Rosa Gigantea might do it, seriously.

"Of course not. Getting right to the point, do you have any plans tomorrow and the day after?"

"What do you want?"

"I'm bored. Wanna go on a date?"

"Date?"

"Other people call it a hatsumoude[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#hatsumoude]."

"I'll go!"

I immediately OK'd it. This invitation was my wish. A hatsumoude with the Yamayurikai members.

And maybe I'd be able to see Sachiko-sama in a kimono.

"So, will it be the second or the third?"

"Are you open on both? Because it's a one-night two-day lodging course?"

"Lodging?"

"- Though by lodging I mean at a friend's house, so it's free. But, it's a sleep-over, so make sure you have your parents permission."

"Friend's house?"

"It's a big house, but their family is out for the second and the third. So, we're going to barge in and help out with house-keeping, kind of. You know, if the young people are happily partying the night away, it'll ward robbers away."

"W, wait a second."

An unexpected development.

And it was far, far more enticing than staying at home or going to Yamanashi.

"Mother."

I turned to mother, who was listening not two meters away.

"Can I go to the Yamayurikai lodging?"

"Lodging, on New Year's?"

Mother looked dubious, at first, but I implored her enough that she finally reluctantly allowed me to go.

She'd allowed her son to go, so she probably felt guilty if she didn't let her daughter go, too. After all, our household is based on the fundamental of "boys and girls are equal."

Plus, Rosa Gigantea seemed like such a lady, that adults adore her. And so with a senpai like that, she doesn't have to worry as much about me. Of course, if she knew how Rosa Gigantea really is, maybe she would worry.

Finally, the kicker was that I was already hesitant on going to Yamanashi. She was probably worried about the prospect of leaving me at home alone anyways, on a level totally different from "boys and girls are equal." So me going to a friend's house put her at ease. Either way, I'm the kind of daughter that'd go anyways, even if they were to tell me, "Don't go," so I'm sure that just added to her worries.

"Rosa Gigantea, she's given me permission. I'll participate."

I jumped back on the receiver, panting.

"Roger. See you, then, we're meeting at M Station tomorrow at two. In front of the convenience store before the ticket gates, you know what I mean?"

"Roger-"

She quickly took a mental note.

"Give mother my blessings. I'll be taking care of her tomorrow, like that."

"Yes. Then, tomorrow."

After hanging up, I remembered I forgot to ask who else was coming. It seemed like I was definitely excited. I felt a bit inconsiderate, as she might have wanted me to call the other people and spread the word.

(I hope onee-sama's with us.)

Ahh, and as I thought such a thing, my heart really went into Happy New Year mode.

My brain was so filled with rapture that, even though Yuuki and I usually did rock-scissors-paper to see who put the thank you cards in the mailbox, this time I went ahead and did it on my own accord.

I felt bad for grandmother, but I thanked her for coming back from Narita.

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|-
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| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter7_1|Chapter 7 Part 1]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter6 1

2008-08-05T01:04:29Z

Molenir: /* The first of January. Part 1. */

==The first of January. Part 1.==

"We're thinking of going to Yamanashi."

Everything started when my parents said that.

"Yamanashi?"

My brother, Yuuki, and I of course responded, as their children, "When?" "Why?" –etc. Placing a slight feeling of surprise into those questions.

Because that "We're thinking of going to Yamanashi" proposal was given right when the countdown finally ended on the year's end TV show, after my father pasted this amulet on the wall, one we got from some temple somewhere and were told we had to hang it up right as the year turned its page, and then we all said "Happy New Years!" That's when he said it.

So, of course we were filled with question marks, because it was such a contextually out-of-place statement. We hadn't even received our New Year's gifts.

"Grandmother's alone, apparently, this New Year's."

Mother said, sighing. –Well, when they mentioned Yamanashi it was obvious it was related to my aunt.

"But, aunt Taeko?"

Yamanashi's grandmother was my mother's mother, and she turned down offers to live with her children after grandfather died, stubbornly choosing to live alone. Luckily, mother's sister, aunt Taeko, lived about 500 meters away, so she went to check on her a lot, and they spent Christmas and New Year's, among other holidays, together, so they were able to breath easy.

"She won a trip to Hawaii through the year's end lottery."

"A trip to Hawaii?"

The children sat up on the sofa. What? What? This is the first time we're hearing this.

"Right. An invitation for a family of four. And aunt Taeko's is a family of three, right? So they were supposed to take grandmother along, but she suddenly refused to go, and went home alone."

"From where?"

"Narita."

"… What a waste."

I mumbled. After all, I'd never gone outside the country. But Yuuki, sitting next to me, poked my head.

"Idiot. Think about grandmother's welfare, first."

"Ow. Mother and father are going to Yamanashi because she got home safely, right?"

"Well, true."

Yuuki kept muttering. As kind as ever.

The considerateness that I forgot in mother's stomach had been secured by my brother when he was born. Not just his share, but what was supposed to be my share, too. So, sometimes he covers for me to the point of irritation. Like he's still trying to deliver lost goods from fifteen years ago. Even though he was a premature baby, his height and maturity was far past mine, and it was vexing to have to admit it.

But I'm glad Yuuki is a guy. If we both had to go to a girls' school, I'd always be compared to him. And since we're both the same age, it would be horrible.

"And so aunt Taeko called us about grandmother from the airport. We don't have to go the first three days of January, but she wanted us to check in on grandmother at some point. But father says we should go soon."

Of course, in this case, father was not the grandfather that had passed away, but rather my father, who was drinking beer right at the start of the new year.

"Because the elderly are worrisome."

He was deftly removing the peanuts from the pile of kakipi[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#kakipi] on his paper plate. Father was fond of mother's mother. Because his parents died relatively early.

When he wanted to have filial piety, he had no parents.

You can't put a blanket over a tombstone.

That's father's saying. It made sense, but it was hard to appreciate, because both parents were quite lively.

"Then go."

Yuuki said, as he put all of the kaki seeds father had left onto his own plate. Even if they had different tastes, they still behaved similarly. As such, at the Fukuzawa household, kakipi was eradicated without any remnants.

"So, when're you going?"

"Today… well, the first day is busy, so probably the morning of the 2nd. The U-turn rush is brutal, though, so we'll stay one night and come back on the 3rd."

"How about you two?"

"Oh, I'll pass. I'm staying over at a friend's house the second."

Yuuki said, without any hesitation.
"Eh-!?"

"What do you mean, eh-. Yumi has no right to complain. Father and mother consented long ago."

"What."

"Nee-chan, you can just forget about me and go."

"… Right."

But going to a place like Yamanashi for one night was just going for the sake of getting tired. She would have preferred to stay home with Yuuki, but since he was going out, it was a different story altogether. It was too scary to be left alone in this gigantic, three-story house.

"How about Yumi-chan?"

"Ugh-"

They were probably going by car, so it wouldn't bother them if she came along. And she didn't see any other option. And it's a bit impolite to say it so, but she could also check on grandmother's health.

(But…)

She was perplexed when she thought about the possibility of the Roses inviting her while she was gone. Could there be an invitation? Of course, it was just a personal wish, but if that "maybe" became real, and she wasn't around for it, she would definitely regret it.

"Can you wait on that?"

She pleaded her mother.

"Sure? But tell us by evening today, because we have to pack."

"Okay."

"Oh, Yumi-chan has plans, too?"

Father looked a bit lonely, "I guess once you become a high-schooler you find friends to hang out with," so instead of answering "I don't know," Yumi simply giggled, "Eheheh" and poured him more beer.

Father happily chugged the cheer his daughter poured, reached into the pockets of his cardigan and handed and small pouch to Yuuki and I.

"Good luck, this year."

We said, "Okay," with our brightest, liveliest voices of the year, and accepted the pouches.

When I dashed to the kitchen, as if I was helping mother, and checked the contents, I noticed the New Year's gift sum had risen a bit from last year.

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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5_3|Chapter 5 Part 3]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6_2|Part 2]]
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</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter5 3

2008-08-04T22:14:52Z

Molenir: /* A modest secret. Part 3. */

==A modest secret. Part 3.==

Rosa Gigantea took a few steps, then reached into the thickets by the gingko trees, grabbed the uniform collar and dragged the peeping tom out.

"Hey. Peeping is bad."

"I'm sorry, I was just passing by, and-"

Yumi, caught, desperately tried to explain herself.

[[Image:MM_v04_04.jpg|thumb]]
Right after the results were posted, Yumi noticed Rosa Gigantea at the edge of the crowd of students. But Rosa Gigantea, after a quick glance at the imitation paper on which the names and number of votes were written, quickly left, so Yumi, after being cut off from Sachiko-sama and others, squeezed out of the crowd and followed after. The three boutons, having safely won their elections, were swept up in a storm of blessings, so they didn't seem like they could get out any time soon.

So, when she followed Rosa Gigantea, there was an unexpected preceding visitor, so she was immediately taken aback. And she hurriedly hurled herself into the hedge. Because it was a special atmosphere. Rosa Gigantea and Shizuka-sama.

"Well, I didn't mind being seen."

As they walked back to the sanctuary, Rosa Gigantea prodded Yumi's head and laughed.

"I won't tell Shimako-san."

"You can tell, I don't mind."

"I won't tell."

"You're persistent."

"Of course."

If Sachiko-sama kissed someone, even if it was just on the cheek, she wouldn't like it, at all. –Yumi thought. So she couldn't tell Shimako-san. No matter what.

In Shimako-san's stead, Yumi dragged Rosa Gigantea to the sanctuary by the hand, but in by pinching her hand a bit. She needed to feel a bit of pain.

The sanctuary had actually been somewhat vacated by the time they returned. They became extremely excited, and then the wildfire had been blown out. Everyone left in threes and fives. It was a Saturday afternoon. As the main event had ended, they had other plans to attend to.

And in the middle of a few remaining people were Sachiko-sama, Rei-sama and Shimako-san.

"Well, first of all, congratulations."

Rosa Gigantea cackled, as she walked to them. The "first of all" was so unnecessary.

"Thank you very much."

The three of them bowed.

"Looked like an easy victory."

"Not entirely."

Shimako-san shook her head and smiled.

For someone who wasn't as famous, Rosa Canina put up quite the fight. Of course, the results weren't especially close, but she had certainly been up to the task. You could say that much.

If Lillian didn't have a system of sœur, and the four candidates had been lined up at the same start line, Shizuka-sama may have beaten Shimako-san to become one of the Roses. Of course, that was an "if." No one could complain about Shimako-san winning the election, and becoming a Rose in her second year was a brilliant achievement.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

She had no idea when Yoshino-san had gone round-trip, as she showed up carrying two peoples' coats and bags. And Rei-sama, upon seeing her, hurried over like a magnet, and took hers.

"Well, apologies for leaving early, but we have plans."

Rei-sama and Yoshino-san lined up like ohina-sama[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#ohinasama] and bid their farewells.

"How enviable. Hasekura + Shimazu double celebration?"

Sachiko-sama said.

"Yes."

Yoshino-san looked happy. She was constantly smiling, as if she herself had won.

"Well, see you all next week."

"Gokigenyou."

After watching the two of them walk down the gingko pathway, hands together, Sachiko-sama grabbed Yumi's hand. "Come."
"Onee-sama?"

"Let's have Rosa Gigantea do something onee-sama-like, for once."

She whispered, and pulled Yumi away. When they blended into the crowd of students and looked back, Shimako-san was surprisingly crying, and just as rare of a scene was Rosa Gigantea embracing her closely.

"It might be meddlesome, but sometimes you have to be over-considerate with them. She looks strong, but Shimako is just a first-year, like Yumi."

She's been so tense for so long, she has to be given space, sometimes, Sachiko-sama said.

"How about onee-sama?"

Yumi asked. If Shimako-san was just a first-year, Sachiko-sama was just a year older, herself.

"Me?"

She tilted her head to the side, thinking.

"Really, I may have been too tense, too. Then I shall have Yumi make me relax."

"Okay!"

Yumi excitedly answered, like a puppy.

"I'll do anything, go on."

Not a lie, not an exaggeration, she thought she was capable of anything, right now. If onee-sama desired, she would bungee jump or go on a standing jet coaster, that's how excited she was.

But Sachiko-sama was far more grounded, and made an extremely simple request.

"First of all, pour me hot tea at the Rose Mansion. And then let's eat the remainder of our lunch together."

"Huh…? Lunch, remainder?"

"Let me confess that I only ate half, too. I just wanted to look strong, in front of you."

Ducking her shoulders, Sachiko-sama said, "So let's eat together."

"You made me regain my appetite."

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| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5_2|Part 2]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter6_1|Chapter 6 Part 1]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter5 2

2008-08-04T22:10:41Z

Molenir: /* A modest secret. Part 2. */

==A modest secret. Part 2.==

The voices of the students felt far away.

Could the Maria-sama statue hear them, too, surrounded by her little forest? In the midst of the green, she silently clasped her hands together.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Rosa Gigantea said to the person in front of the Maria-sama statue.

"No problem."

I wasn't waiting that long anyways, that person replied. But no one knows how long she actually waited.

"I thought I would definitely get here earlier. … So I'm actually more than a bit surprised?"

"I'm the one who requested this."

Rosa Canina smiled.

"Regardless of whether you win or lose the election-. You did say that on Wednesday, but I didn't think you meant it this much."

Rosa Gigantea looked at the election results and hurried here. So if Rosa Canina had come here even earlier, it meant there was no way she'd seen the results.

"I could always ask Rosa Gigantea about the results, if I wished."

"Wanna hear?"

No, Rosa Canina shook her head.

"It's that important? The reason why you called me here."

"Yes. To me, more than anything else."

Looked at with serious eyes, for just a moment, the smile vanished from Rosa Gigantea's face.

And then silence.

Rosa Gigantea flipped her hair, exhaled, and then began speaking again.

"Can I ask one thing? Was the election just a lead-in?"

"In the beginning. But then I began thinking it wouldn't be such a bad thing to do Yamayurikai work, either."

"Why?"

"I don't know… Maybe it was because I became a bit close to Yumi-san, and it became oddly fun. Plus, I was able to become engrossed in something together with my classmates. I'd actually never taken part in an uproar like this. My life has always been about singing, and so I placed a great deal of effort into my club activities during the school festival, too. So I'm happy I was able to take part in regular school life, completely unrelated to singing."

"I don't think the student president election is really 'regular school life,' though, don't you think?"

"Oh, my, that's true."
"Right?"

Rosa Canina giggled at Rosa Gigantea's remark, and Rosa Gigantea was also lead to laugh.

"… I think there are many paths toward the future. So, maybe I could live a completely different life by taking a rounded path. For a moment, I thought, maybe that could be nice."

"No matter how many paths there are, you can only walk one."

Rosa Gigantea pointed out. Rosa Canina seemed to understand everything, though, as she simply said, "Yes," smiled, and nodded.

"Testing my luck, I suppose? I believe Sachiko-san took part in a gamble during the school festival, correct? I simply mimicked it. I didn't want to leave without doing anything."

After a breath, Rosa Canina said:

"I'm going to Italy."

"Italy?"

The topic suddenly went overseas. Even Rosa Gigantea had to struggle to keep up. But Rosa Canina's tone wasn't that of a "quick overseas trip."

"To study music. In truth, I was supposed to fly there the moment I finished middle school… but I delayed it by two years."

"Why?"

"Because you were here."

Rosa Gigantea's eyes opened at Rosa Canina's immediate response.

With completely different expressions, they stood, looking at each other.

"I'm so happy… Rosa Gigantea, just for a moment, I wanted to see my reflection in your eyes, like this."

"What…"

"Because you never did notice me. I even grew my hair because your hair was always long."

Her hand, hovering near her shoulder, motioned nostalgically about her old hair length. She probably didn't cut her hair a year ago, at the same time as Rosa Gigantea, out of obstinacy. Because her hair was unrelated to Shiori-san.

"I'm sorry, I never noticed. Your hair was long?"

Rosa Canina crumpled with laughter at Rosa Gigantea's blunt words.

"I loved even that part of you."

She looked at the white sky, above the gingko trees.

If you focused enough, you could see the thick, heavy clouds slowly but certainly drifting.

"If you won, what were you going to do?"

Rosa Gigantea asked.

"Of course, I intended to remain. It would just be delaying my departure by a year. … But let's stop with the "if," please? Toudou Shimako-san will be a wonderful Rosa Gigantea."

One step.

Rosa Gigantea closed the distance between them.

"You're fascinating, Rosa Canina. If we'd met earlier, we may have become good friends."

"But you wouldn't have made me your sister?"

"Did you want to?"

But Rosa Canina clearly shook her head.

"I'm not Shimako-san."

"… Rosa Canina."

Another step.

They were close enough that their breaths landed on each other.

"Will you call me Shizuka?"

"Shizuka."

Rosa Gigantea lifted Shizuka-sama's chin with her hand and kissed her cheek. Extremely close to the lips. In front of Maria-sama.

"A farewell gift."

Leaving those words, Rosa Gigantea walked away. Shizuka-sama, left alone, was looking the other way, so she didn't know what sort of expression she had, but even Yumi could hear her soft whisper, "Thank you."

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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter5_3|Part 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter3 4

2008-08-04T19:52:05Z

Molenir: /* What do you think? Part 4. */

==What do you think? Part 4.==

By contrast, Rosa Canina's camp was extremely gaudy. She, or rather, the second-year wisteria classmates of hers, backed her up with extraordinary unity.

According to Yoshino-san, who went to observe them, it wasn't quite the level of a mass election prayer, but it was somewhat close. The classroom had posters reading, "O days until the election," and it was like an election office.

Apparently, only a few students actually participated at first, but because it began feeling like "you're not a classmate unless you support her," everyone ended up having to help. Of course, it was a bother to everyone who'd been a fan of Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama from the start, as it left them in a dilemma.

But despite everyone around her becoming excited, Rosa Canina, the protagonist, hardly did anything.

Yumi hadn't gone to the library since that day, because it felt uncomfortable, so she'd not seen Shizuka-sama. She did get a peek of her once, though, as she walked through the hallway, surrounded by her SP-esque classmates.

She wanted to interject, what kind of danger could possibly lurk in school, but she could sympathize with their desire to be part of the election.

What kind of person is Kanina Shizuka-sama-.

One day, after school.

After finishing her cleaning duties, as she pondered that, Yumi ran into the person herself in the hallway. And for once, she was alone. Not even the scary-faced librarian was with her.

"Gokigenyou."

Shizuka-sama, upon recognizing Yumi, smiled and greeted her first.

"Go, gokigenyou."

She hurried to respond. Even though they were standing on opposite ends of the battlefield, she couldn't simply ignore an upperclassman. Even now, Yumi couldn't help but think of Shizuka-sama as "Sachiko-sama's enemy."

Yoshino-san, upon realizing that the opponent was the person named Kanina Shizuka, basically inserted data into her mind: the person in front of you is an enemy. So she always looked at Shizuka-sama as a hostile. But Yumi was different, in that she met Shizuka-sama without knowing their standings. So the image of a kind upperclassman wasn't one to fade easily. –Even despite the fact that she'd lied about Rosa Canina being a black rose.

"Cleaning duty for the music room?"

"Oh, yes."

Seeing the music score in Shizuka-sama's hand, Yumi immediately grasped the situation, "Oh, that's right." She was heading to her club activity, which would take place in the music room.

And she understood why there were no classmates or colleagues with her.

"It's been a while."

Shizuka-sama didn't show signs of resuming her walk toward the music room. Speaking to Rosa Canina in the middle of the hallway leading to the music room. It was a situation screaming for misinterpretation.

But unfortunately, Yumi didn't have the courage to simply cut off their conversation and say "farewell" to an upperclassman.

"Um, you're quite early."

She didn't know what to say, as Shizuka-sama stared at her, so she simply blurted out something that could do no harm nor good.

"Yes. When we have a club meeting, I hurry here as soon as I'm finished cleaning. Because I love the empty music room."

"Oh, is that so."

When she answered, Shizuka-sama laughed bitterly, lowered her eyes, "I knew it."

"Yumi-san never took notice of me, after all."

"Eh?"

"When we met in the library, I thought, oh dear."

"Umm."

But did she mean? She tilted her head to the side. It sounded like they'd been relatively close friends in the past, or something.

"No, nothing special happened. But I remembered you quite well. Because I met Yumi-san several times as you cleaned the music room. We even exchanged greetings a few times."

"Eh, really!?"

It was a sort of discourtesy to have not realized at all. Yumi's surprised was so great that Rosa Canina seemed to sigh, despondent.

"I'm sorry."

"No problem. We'll call it even, after I told you a lie. The flower, Rosa Canina, you did see it, correct?"

"… Yes."

"That was a small retribution to Yumi-san for not remembering me."

Shizuka-sama giggled mischievously.

According to her, one of her classmates was knowledgeable about flowers, and upon hearing "Kanina," thought of Rosa Canina. And the student council election was why the nickname managed to stick, despite the deep-rooted tradition of calling each other by their names. The three candidates for the Roses each had their own names, as in Rosa Chinensis en bouton, Rosa Foetida en bouton, and Rosa Gigantea en bouton, so it was Shizuka-sama's supporters' way of responding to that. But Shizuka-sama herself wasn't too fond of it.

"A black rose would have been much cooler. Because pink in Japanese is "peach-colored," or "cherry-blossom colored," or else in some way needs to use the name of another plant, right? And I think that's impolite to roses."

"Oh, I see."

The red rose, white rose, and yellow rose sounded nice, but peach rose and cherry-blossom rose was strange. But light-crimson rose also sounds like a joke. Through it all, Yumi thought Shizuka-sama was quite playful, pondering about such a thing.

"If Yumi-san didn't remember me, either, I suppose that means I don't stand out."

Shizuka-sama looked away, out the window and at a withered branch high up on a tree.

"No, no. Everyone around me knew of Shizuka-sama. … I don't really have much data on other people… I only recently found out about the names of the Roses. And I found out that Rei-sama and Yoshino-san were relatives during the 'Yellow Rose Revolution.' … Oh, what am I saying."

She was flustered. She was trying to cheer Shizuka-sama up, but instead it turned into a confession of her embarrassing points.

"I see."

Shizuka-sama giggled. Then continued.

"But, in Yumi-san's case, Ogasawara Sachiko-san was special."

"… Well, yes."

"How enviable."

Yumi didn't understand yet why she was envious. But then, after a moment of thought, she realized, "Oh, maybe."

"Um… excuse me, Shizuka-sama do you have a sœur?"

"I'm single. There were many that proposed to me when I was a first-year, but I turned them all down. And I don't feel like I absolutely must have a little sister."

"…"

Come to think of it, she'd been spoken of as a candidate for becoming Rosa Gigantea's little sister, so at the very least, Shizuka-sama didn't have an onee-sama this time last year. And so she'd remained free, and without a sister.

"But it's nothing too unusual, is it? Toudou Shimako-san also turned down Sachiko-san's proposal, and Rosa Gigantea also didn't have a sister when she was a second-year."

"But."

Yumi couldn't believe someone this pretty would manage to remain alone this whole time.

People weren't entirely about their faces, but you couldn't just forget the face, either.

Katsura-san said, some time ago, that picking sisters was a race. Which would mean, when looking through the crowds of younger students whom you weren't familiar with, the face would be one of the most crucial, outstanding points. Even Rosa Gigantea mentioned she knew of people who "chose based on looks."

"Huh? Yumi-chan?"

As she thought of Rosa Gigantea, all of a sudden she had an auditory hallucination of Rosa Gigantea. But when she turned around, the real Rosa Gigantea stood not ten meters behind her, so she became doubly surprised.

"Well, I shall be going now."

Shizuka-sama tapped Yumi's shoulder in a "see you" way, and walked toward the music room. Perhaps she was pressured into leaving, now that someone as grand as Rosa Gigantea had appeared.

Well, Shizuka-sama was an enemy of the boutons right now, and Rosa Gigantea, the onee-sama of Shimako-san, would be included as an enemy, so it might have been the prudent course of action to call it a "near-miss" and escape. –Though she spoke to Yumi quite defenselessly.

"Was I a third wheel?"

Said Rosa Gigantea as she crept closer, and then she said something unbelievable.

"What a beautiful girl. Yumi-chan's friend?"

"Eh!?"

"My, what a voice. The student that was with you just now."

"… Is that a joke?"

It wasn't like she could say anything about other people, but Yumi thought it was strange she wouldn't remember the name of someone who was her sister's enemy.

"A joke?"

But Rosa Gigantea was serious. She was seriously pondering over why Yumi would wonder if it was a joke.
"Rosa Gigantea was a comrade."

Yumi slid into a relieved smile. Here was another person who didn't store data on other people. Right, not everyone in the world is perfect. Everyone has things they're weak at.

Yes, yes, she agreed with herself. Then the chorus members started gathering.

"Let's go somewhere else."

Yumi took Rosa Gigantea's hand and walked down the closest stairs. It wouldn't be proper to gossip about the enemy leader while standing next to their headquarters, the music room. Even if the enemy leader was amicable, her supporters were terrifying.

"What is it, Yumi-chan?"

"That was the rumored Rosa Canina."

After going down two flights of stairs and stopping in front of the science room, Yumi faithfully reported.

"Oh."

And then Rosa Gigantea added, "What's that?" Perhaps you begin to neglect the world around you when you're busy studying for exams? Although not knowing Shizuka-sama's face meant the problem was present long before the exams.

"Um… Rosa Gigantea? You don't recall hearing Kanina Shizuka-sama's name?"

"I feel like I've heard it somewhere, but I don't remember. Though I don't think I'd have left her unchecked if she was that beautiful. … Oh, I get it, the second-year that wanted to take part in the Yamayurikai audition, it's her?"

Combining Yumi's hasty departure from the music room and the remark about the current gossip, Rosa Gigantea seemed to have pieced the puzzle together.

"Well, yes."

But that's an election, not an audition.

"Mmm. She's pretty, so it's all good, right?"

After making sure the science room door was locked, Rosa Gigantea leaned against it.

"Wait a second, Rosa Gigantea, that's not how you're supposed to react!"

Rosa Gigantea's simple statement was screaming for complaints.

"How was I supposed to react?"

"You're supposed to cheer for your sister, Shimako-san!"

Isn't that obvious? Yumi puffed her chest.

"Maybe. But Shimako isn't announcing her candidacy, is she? So wouldn't it be better to let someone who wants to, do it?"

"No! I want Rosa Gigantea to persuade Shimako-san."

"Did Shimako say she wanted me to persuade her?"

"Of course she wouldn't."

Why would that Shimako-san complain to Yumi?

"Right? Then I won't talk to her about it."

"Why!?"

"Third-years are fundamentally supposed to stay out of the election process."
"Huh?"

"That's why the election takes place while the third-years are busy with exams. We don't even get to vote, why would we bother ourselves with it? Even I'm studying for exams, okay?"

Why would they bother themselves with it? Oh, Rosa Gigantea.

"Why are you so cold?"

When Yumi whined, Rosa Gigantea laughed.

"I can't help it. Every student titled a "Rose" at Lillian went through this period without depending on their onee-sama."

She said proudly, but of course, when they ran, they were the only ones up for election, so it wasn't right, comparing their situations equally.

"Think about it. Student presidents need to lead the students. And the election tests your ability to do that, right? You fail, if you need to rely on your onee-sama. Shimako is my sister, but I've never once thought she must become Rosa Gigantea after me. If she wants to, she can find a way to do it. If she doesn't, she doesn't have to run. It's simple."

"…"

Well, that was true. But it was hard to explain, that even if it didn't make logical sense, they were sisters, so they needed to support each other.

"So are you saying to just silently watch?"

Truth be told, she was disappointed. She was so disappointed she wanted to cry.

Because they were sisters, Yumi wanted to support Sachiko-sama. Onee-sama and little sister, they were on different sides of the relationship, but she believed Rosa Gigantea would feel the same way. So she had a bit of hope. That Rosa Gigantea would show the way.

But she was wrong. Rosa Gigantea was completely unreliable.

"I never said you have to just watch."

Like she was talking to a child, Rosa Gigantea peered into Yumi's eyes, rubbing her head.

"I'm just saying, I'm not going to do anything. So if Yumi-chan wants to stick her head into things, that's Yumi-chan's prerogative."

"What?"
"See you."

Abruptly cutting the conversation off, Rosa Gigantea stopped leaning against the science room door and stood up.

"See you? Rosa Gigantea, didn't you have something-"

Yumi called out to Rosa Gigantea, who'd quickly begun walking away. Come to think of it, she'd never asked why Rosa Gigantea was in school, and near the music room, which was on the far, far end of the school, during such a busy time.

"I was looking for Yumi-chan because I wanted to ask some questions, but I've gotten the general gist of what was going on, so it's alright."

Bye bye, waved Rosa Gigantea as she turned the corner in the hallway and vanished.

"What was that?"

She couldn't figure out what people close to her were thinking.

For some reason, Yumi felt like she was thinking that almost all the time lately.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_3|Part 3]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_5|Part 5]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter3 3

2008-08-04T19:39:29Z

Molenir: /* What do you think? Part 3. */

==What do you think? Part 3.==

Onee-sama sighed.

Secretly.

Staring at something in the air.

"Onee-sama, would you like another cup of tea?"

"I've had enough."

But she'd been rubbing her finger along the edge of the empty cup for some time.

"Shall I massage your shoulders?"

"No need, they're not stiff."

Nevertheless, she was massaging her own shoulders.

Sachiko-sama had been strange as of late. She didn't know how she was during class, but when Sachiko-sama sat in the Rose Mansion, she was always spaced out. Like she wasn't being responsible for her own words or actions.

Her mind was wandering. –That phrase fit this Sachiko-sama perfectly.

Ten more days until the election. Right after registering candidacy, she'd made the election posters and submitted them to the election management committee, answered interviews for the newspaper club, and did other things in her packed schedule, so she might have been finally showing her exhaustion. At least, that's what Yumi assumed, at first, but when this continued for four or five days, it was clearly more troubling than just exhaustion.

"If you have anything you want."

Unlike a government seat, or a mayoral election, street, or school speech presentations were forbidden. Which meant once you finished everything you needed to do, the candidate and her supporters were all left with simple boredom. The submitted posters would be put up by the election management committee, and the flyers with candidate public commitments were created and distributed by the election management committee. Of course, the candidate registration deadline hadn't passed yet, so they didn't seem to be in any hurry, yet.

As a result, the only thing Sachiko-sama could do with regard to the election was to write a draft for her election speech. But, what a heavy sigh. Her draft seemed to be progressing well, but in the blank spaces, it was like she'd been doodling while speaking on a phone, with random spirals and flowers having been drawn.

"Do you have any concerns?"

Despairing, Yumi asked. Yoshino-san and Rei-sama were still in the midst of creating their posters, so they were off in their own little word, shoulders hunched together. Shimako-san had still not come.

"It would be of no use telling it to you."

Sliced in two with one swing.

On top of admitting that she had something bothering her, Sachiko-sama said Yumi wasn't worth discussing it with.

Of course, she had no confidence whatsoever she could help out with that concern, but she thought she could at least be a listener, so it was a shock.

"Shimako's pretty late."

Rei-sama mumbled, looking at the clock.

"She doesn't feel comfortable being with us. Every time she sees our face, she feels like she's being pressured to register for candidacy."

Sachiko-sama expressed a little bit of interest in that topic.

"Yumi. How's Shimako in class?"

"She didn't seem to look any different."

"Sachiko-sama sighed heavily, this time to Yumi's answer.

"I see. I wonder what she's thinking."

And then everyone went silent.

Yumi didn't know what Sachiko-sama was thinking, either.

At least she might have been able to help with making the posters, but Sachiko-sama finished it all at home.

Sachiko-sama's mechanical pencil made meaningless motions on top of the draft page. What was she thinking?

Was she thinking about Rosa Canina, or something else?

With nothing to do, Yumi spun her cup around. They hadn't moved from their seats, but Sachiko-sama seemed further and further away.

Loneliness from not seeing each other, and loneliness by sitting next to each other.

What you can see, and the mind you can't see.

Yumi might be more heavy-hearted at seeing Sachiko-sama than Shimako-san.

<noinclude>
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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_2|Part 2]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_4|Part 4]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter3 2

2008-08-04T19:37:40Z

Molenir: /* What do you think? Part 2. */

==What do you think? Part 2.==

Indeed, Yumi had no idea what Rosa Canina looked like.

Tsutako-san had brought a photo, but it was a complete hidden picture, as there were obstacles in the way, on top of the crazy posture Tsutako-san had to place herself in, so it was a surprisingly blurred picture. And she wasn't able to get close enough to take other pictures, so there was no photo that could confirm her face. Rosa Canina's supporters were tightly guarding her, was one of Tsutako-san's biggest problems right now.

"I saw a photo of her at the school festival, but it was a distant shot, and she was wearing make-up, and her hair was long, and the lighting was awkward so I couldn't see how she looked."

So that "no idea what she looked like" was more like she'd never seen Rosa Canina in person. Well, no, she'd seen her in person, but she didn't know that was Kanina Shizuka-sama.

"Mmm."

Yoshino-san nodded, well things happen. She seemed to understand that Yumi simply saw her as a kind, librarian upperclassman.

But, really.

She couldn't believe that kind person was Rosa Canina.

Because Rosa Canina was an enemy of Sachiko-sama, Rei-sama and Shimako-san. Yumi wished Rosa Canina would have been simple to spot, like a villainous pro-wrestler. Like Tsukiyama Minako-sama, from the newspaper club, cackling, "ohohohoho," that sort of upperclassman. Of course, then that image is completely different from a songstress.

(I see.)

Everything started fitting together. That student wasn't angry at her colleague for leaving her spot, but was instead showing animosity at Yumi. If the sister of Rosa Chinensis en bouton was happily standing by Rosa Canina's side, things weren't as amusing.

She glanced at the counter. That student was definitely still standing vigilant. Of course, she'd probably noticed Yoshino-san, too, so two of the sisters of bouton sitting in the reading room was suspicious.

"Yumi-san, how about looking at the encyclopedia, while we're here?"

Lunch break would end soon. Yoshino-san placed her books back on the shelf.

"If you miss this chance, it could be difficult coming back to the library until after the election."

"You're right."

Nodding at Yoshino-san's pertinent advice, Yumi took the first book in hand. As she flipped through, her fingers stopped at one page.

(What?)

A tag was placed on one page, so that you couldn't see it if you closed the book. But that page was loaded with pictures of roses.

"Did she really?"

Incredulously, she removed the tag, and under it was a bright red rose, one that also was in the encyclopedia at home. To its side, read: "Koushinbara / Technical name – Rosa Chinensis."

(Rosa Chinensis was a Koushinbara…)

This time Yumi looked straight at the counter. This had to be a message to Yumi by the person who placed the tag there. And if that was the case, it had to be Kanina Shizuka-sama. After all, she mentioned she was looking up roses, and said she couldn't even find Rosa Chinensis in her book at home.

(Shizuka-sama, was it you?)

But she wasn't at the counter anymore, so she couldn't ask.

(But, why?)

Relying solely on the tags, she flipped to the next page. As she expected, there was a tag in each of the three books she was given, right on the page with Rosa Chinensis.

"Yumi-san, still?"

"Hold on."

Right before the third book completed its chapter on roses, for the first time, there were two tags in one book. And Rosa Chinensis had already been mentioned.

Then, what?

What was that tag pointing to?

Deep down, Yumi knew. It wasn't Rosa Gigantea nor Rosa Foetida. There was going to be a picture of Rosa Canina.

She carefully peeled the tag off. As she expected, in katakana, the caption under the tag read, "Rosa Canina (ロサ・カニーナ).

However, the photo.

"…"

It completely betrayed Yumi's expectations.

"Why?"

Confused, she looked at the page before and after. An inexplicable motion.

"What do you mean?"

But the person who could answer that question was gone.

Yumi calmed herself down and looked at the page again. And she confirmed the truth with her eyes.

"'It would trouble me if you thanked me. I'll feel even guiltier.'"

Her words sprang back to mind. And she finally understood what they meant.

"… I've been had."

Yumi, liked Yoshino-san a few minutes ago, felt exhausted. Now she really didn't know what kind of person Kanina Shizuka-sama was.

A beautiful, kind librarian.

An extravagant second-year who declared war on the rose boutons.

The chorus songstress, who sang Aria with a beautiful voice.

And one more. "Incredibly boastful," needed to be added to that list.

Rosa Canina wasn't a black rose.

It was a cute rose, with five beautiful, pink petals.

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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter3_3|Part 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter2 2

2008-08-04T19:24:48Z

Molenir: /* Rosa Canina? Part 2. */

==Rosa Canina? Part 2.==

"Did something happen with Sachiko-sama?"

She stood, holding the broom and staring into space, when Tsutako-san leaned in and peered into her face.

"Why?"

Yumi remembered to sweep the floor. Then, Tsutako-san went and brought a dustpan and placed it just beyond the pile of dust. They weren't in the same cleaning group, but she stood there anyways, like it was natural. Her cleaning group already finished, apparently.

It was cleaning time, after school.

"Yumi-san, you're in an unusually gloomy state. When that happens, the reason must be Sachiko-sama. Plus, you were almost late to the morning prayers today, too."

"Tsutako-san, I appreciate you helping with cleaning, but…"

"I know, I know, it's because of Rosa Canina, right?"

"How did you-"

"I read your mind. Who do you think I am?"

The photography club ace, Takeshima Tsutako-san.

"I heard the details from the newspaper club captain."

"… You were just eavesdropping."

Yumi interjected as she swept the dust onto the dustpan. The students in her cleaning group had begun running a moistened mop across the wooden floors, where she'd finishing sweeping.

"Oh don't be like that. Anyways, it sounds like Sachiko-sama's in a pinch."

"True."

She took the dustpan from Tsutako-san and bee-lined for the garbage bin. But the photography club's ace hounded her. Usually, she would just be getting in the way of cleaning, like this, but she was helping, so Yumi couldn't complain.

In the end, Yumi would have her uneasiness pried out of the shadows by Tsutako-san.

"So basically, Yumi-san is pondering over her raison d'etre."
"Raison d'etre?"
That's right, she would spontaneously pull out difficult words or phrases and make the conversation difficult. That's what Takeshima Tsutako-san did.

"Raison d'etre, or in other words, your personal charm point that no one else can hope to match. You are 'Fukuzawa Yumi' because of this, for instance. Of course, most people never figure out what makes them attractive."

"Attractive? My charming, baby raccoon face? Or being a natural airhead?"

When Yumi put away the broom and dustpan into the cleaning locker, looking exasperated, Tsutako-san looked extremely serious and said, "Not that kind of superficial thing."

"For example, Yumi-san is here. And with that, some people's lives have changed."

"Even if I don't do anything?"

"Of course."

Even if the pitcher throws the same ball, if the angle of the bat changes just a bit, it could end in either a home run or a foul, she said. Yumi didn't watch baseball much, but she still got the idea.

Even if it began from the same spot and went the same distance, with just a small turn the landing spot would change completely. Is what she was trying to say. Even the smallest of incidents could affect a person and change their life.

"Isn't that dreadful?"

"It is dreadful, life. But, that's what makes it fun. Perhaps Sachiko-sama thought, in a good way, that her life would change by choosing Yumi-san to be her sister?"

"Hmm."

"It's a good thing, is what I mean. Sachiko-sama didn't want a sister like her. You hear it a lot, that people seek people who have what they don't, you know?"

It sounded like she was generalizing quite a bit. She was no match for Tsutako-san when it came to a verbal discussion.

When they finished cleaning the rear-half, and then the front-half, they brought the desks back to their original positions. When Yumi dragged a desk to the right place, Tsutako-san took the chair that was placed upside-down on the desk, lowered it to the floor, and turned it around. The students that finished wiping the blackboard would then rinse their dust cloths and wipe the desks. And, when you finished all of that, cleaning would be finished. The painstaking waxing was done once every two weeks, so they didn't do that today.

"I… What should I do?"

"You have to think of that yourself."

Even though Yumi cordially listened to her, Tsutako-san simply left her alone when it came to a crucial topic.

"You're cold."

"Yup. Human relationships are different, person to person, you know? Sachiko-sama's sister is Yumi-san. I'm just Yumi-san's friend. So all I can do is divert the newspaper club's information to illegal channels."

Then, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her student notebook.

"Kanina Shizuka (蟹名静). Second-year wisteria class, attendance number ten. She's part of the chorus."

"What?"

"Rosa Canina's identity. You hadn't found that out yet, right?"

She'd taken a photo, too, but she hadn't developed it yet, so she'd bring it tomorrow. Said Tsutako-san, extremely proud of herself.

"Thank you, Tsutako-san!"

It's good to have friends. Plus, for all her cockiness, she did her share of work.

"How do you write Kanina?"

"Kani, from hair crab, and na, from name."

"What an unusual name."

"Well there's an Ebina (海老名 – Ebi = shrimp), so Kanina isn't that far off."

"Mmm."

Yumi took out her own student notebook and jotted it down. She would ask Yoshino-san later if she knew anything about "Kanina Shizuka-sama."

"Mmm, that's all?"

Tsutako-san looked let-down.

"Is that bad?"

"Come on, Yumi-san. Kanina becomes Rosa Canina. What are your thoughts, on such an embarrassingly straight nickname?"

"Oh, right, I didn't notice."

She found out this morning that Rosa Canina was a real rose, and that it was a black rose, so she ended up being satisfied. So her real name was more like simple memorization. All she really cared about was that it was a name she hadn't heard before. After all, no matter what that person's name was, she was still Sachiko-sama's opponent.

"Get a grip. How're you going to weather the storm like that?"

That hurt. That really hurt. Because she didn't need to be told it.

"However. Onee-sama's Yamayurikai staff election episode is quite a burden, but then you think about going through that, and living through your onee-sama's exam as well as her graduation, like Shimako-san, and now you've got problems, don't you think?"

"Oh, Rosa Gigantea is taking exams?"

How unbelievable, Yumi thought. Because she never looked like she was, and to start with, were people taking exams allowed to wander around in that manner?

"Maybe, apparently. At the very least, no one's heard her talk about a priority entry into Lillian's university or junior college. Right, Shimako-san?"

Seeing Shimako-san step into the room by chance, Tsutako-san forcibly dragged her over.

"Eh? What? Onee-sama's course?"

Shimako-san tilted her head.

For a moment, Yumi thought, "No way," but then she rejected the notion. After all, even with how "their" relationship was, even Shimako-san had to have heard about what Rosa Gigantea planned to do after graduating. After all, it was already in the countdown stages, being after New Year's.

But.

As Yumi and Tsutako-san held their breaths and watched, Shimako-san looked extremely serious and said.

"I wonder…?"

As expected of the my-pace Shimako-san. "Come to think of it, what does she plan to do?" said Shimako-san, as if she'd just now thought of it.

"… Hello, Shimako-san. Why don't you ask something that important directly?"

It was dead winter, but Tsutako-san still had a sweat drop.

"Indeed. But, it wasn't that I couldn't ask, but rather that I forgot to ask. But I understand, I'll try to remember asking the next time I see her."

Smiling like an angel, Shimako-san went to her seat and took out note-taking equipment from her bag. The water vapor on the glass windows reflected the sunlight and illuminated Shimako-san.

Shimako-san looked so white that it wouldn't have been a surprise if angelic wings sprouted behind her. Not so much the color of her skin, but her existence, as a whole. If Yumi could see people's auras, Shimako-san would no doubt be white. As expected of the white rose family.

When Yumi pointed that out, Tsutako-san snickered.

"Then Yumi-san is always blushing, so you're part of the crimson rose family."

One zabuton[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#zabuton] for Tsutako-san!

The pitiful part was that Yumi couldn't make a retort.

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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter2_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter2_3|Part 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume4 Chapter1 1

2008-08-04T18:53:42Z

Molenir: /* A lonesome warmth. Part 1. */

==A lonesome warmth. Part 1.==

The first day of the third semester.

Like other schools, Lillian Girls' Academy lifted the curtains to the new semester with an opening ceremony.

"Ugh, it's cold."

First-year peach-class attendance number 35, Fukuzawa Yumi shivered, like the swaying of a horse, the moment she stepped out to the hallway.

She wasn't fond of winter, having been born in the spring. Plus, the building she was in was structurally old, so it was absolutely miserable. Wind actually snuck into the hallways. She wanted to turn around immediately and huddle next to a stove, but part of the reason why school life was so harsh was because she couldn't. She needed to attend the opening ceremony at the sanctuary, as it was an obligation, and in a way, a privilege of being a student.

The bell that sounded just a moment earlier sounded especially crisp as it traveled through the cold air. Maybe it was because she hadn't heard it in a while.

Normally, as soon as the late bell sounded, the morning prayer would be broadcast. But that wasn't the case on ceremonial days like this. We'll just handle the morning prayers right before the opening ceremony! was the school's very logical reasoning.

Even the homeroom teacher simply popped in for a quick new year's greeting, and then rushed back to the staff room after giving an abridged homeroom session.

"Quickly form a line in the hallway and follow the other class to the sanctuary."

The students obediently answered, "Okay," to the teacher's directions.

Counting from the day they entered high school, it would be their fifth ceremony, combining the opening and closing ceremonies. At which point you ended up becoming used to it, so even if the teacher wasn't keeping an eye on you all the time, you handled it smoothly. Actually, maybe we ended up doing everything smoothly because the teacher wasn't here.

"The sanctuary is warm, probably."

Katsura-san smiled bitterly, she was born in the winter. She seemed to find the sight of classmates feverishly rubbing their hands against disposable hand warmers, like flies, absurd.

"Thanks for the pose!"

And that voice came accompanied with a flash.

Surprised, Yumi looked and saw Takeshima Tsutako, this time laughing and showing off a different camera than the one she had at the second-semester closing ceremony. Well, the other one was probably a Christmas present, and this one was probably bought using the New Year's gifts. How many did she need?

"Tsutako-san, they might not look kindly upon a camera at the ceremony."

Several classmates surrounded her, glared at her, and scolded her.

Actually, there's a reason for this. During the second-semester closing ceremony, she used her camera's flash, and apparently the teachers all ended up staring at her class. Fortunately, she put away her camera and sat quietly for the rest of the ceremony, but the girls around her were embarrassed to death.

"… Okay, I'll keep my camera in my case. So don't confiscate it!"

"Fine. As long as you promise."

The teachers had already left with the bag of valuable items, and if something were to happen to the camera by leaving it in the classroom, that would be a whole new set of problems, so the girls let her go. Cameras are expensive, after all. But when she put her camera in her pocket, the bulge in her plaited-skirt was quite visible and ugly.

"Have you lined up in attendance order? The chrysanthemum class has already gone in, so follow after them."

At the class president's directive, the peach class also split up into two lines and began walking down the cold, cold hallway. As they passed through the courtyard, she noticed ice needles in the shadows, holding up mounds of dirt, like a bunch of mushrooms had sprouted.

A cold day at school had begun.

We entered the sanctuary starting with the lowest grades. First, the plum class, then the wisteria class, then the chrysanthemum class. Followed by the peach, pine, and camellia classes. Once the first-years finished being seated, the second-years followed, and then the third-years. The first-year welcoming ceremony and graduation ceremonies were always lead by the spotlight grade, like third-years for graduation, but otherwise the young students always welcomed the elder statesmen into the room. That was how it'd always been.

After the second-years entered the sanctuary, while somewhat improper, Yumi spun around and searched for her onee-sama. Of course, if she were seen like this, she knew she'd be scolded, "Don't look around restlessly!" But that was the nature of little sisters, so she hoped she would be forgiven. It was like a child during parent visitation day at school. Other first-years were also doing the same.

(Well, other than Shimako-san.)

Shimako-san, sitting diagonally in front of her, didn't betray her expectations, sitting straight and looking ahead. Well, that sœur was special, so that's just how it was, with them.

(But Yoshino-san, with how glued to Rei-sama she is…)

But when Yumi glanced at the chrysanthemum class in front of her, she noticed Yoshino-san was just whispering with her classmate. Even though it was Rei-sama's entrance scene, she didn't even show signs of wanting to look.

"…"

Come to think of it.

Shimako-san was in more of a "not my responsibility" sisterly relationship, and Yoshino-san was always with Rei-sama anyways, so neither of them really needed to confirm anything. –Which meant, embarrassingly enough, Yumi was the only first-year in the Rose family that was restlessly looking about.

(Am I standing out…?)

She blushed. Just then, with good timing, the second-year pine-class students entered.

Onee-sama's name was Ogasawara Sachiko. Because you attendance numbers were ordered by name, being number seven, she was always near the front.

Her heart beat.

Even though she'd be scolded that it was unladylike, her eyes kept wandering in that direction.

One, two, three, four… Maybe some students were absent. Sachiko-sama showed up on number five. As she appeared, she must have noticed Yumi, as she made a scolding "hey!" face before taking a seat.

(W, w, wow…!)

Even though she'd just been scolded, she had to stop herself from smiling outright. If she could, she'd go by onee-sama's side and be scolded directly.

(Am I masochistic?)

Compared to when onee-sama was just an adored upperclassman, Yumi's "Sachiko-sama sickness" was definitely advancing.

"It's certainly not a good condition. I'll prescribe you some medicine, so make sure you take it every day."

She imagined Rosa Gigantea, dressed up as a doctor, show up and give her an evil grin. When Yumi snapped out of her illusion, the third-years were already coming in.

"Yumi-san, it's about to start, so you should wake up."

Katsura-san, sitting next to her, whispered the warning. –It seemed she'd been daydreaming for about five minutes.

Yumi stifled a yawn. It seemed she was a bit sleep deprived. Of course, the reason was onee-sama. When she thought about seeing onee-sama for the first time in a few days, she became too excited to sleep. She definitely had a serious case of "Sachiko-sama sickness."

(No, no.)

When she started spacing out, the illusion of Rosa Gigantea returned, trying to drag her into the kingdom of sleep. The sanctuary was warm, so her eyelids automatically began drooping.

She straightened her back and look straight ahead. When she locked eyes with Maria-sama, standing on the platform, she felt like her sleepiness had been whisked away.

It wasn't the white Maria-sama statue that stood at the fork among the gingko trees, but rather the full-color Maria-sama that was in the hallway of the visitor entrance, right before the offices. She embraced Jesus in her left arm and wore a fabulous crown on her head. Apparently she'd been brought to the sanctuary today, specially for the ceremony.

(Huh?)

A classmate who'd vanished after attendance was taken was on the platform, singing a hymn, wearing a white, apron-like clothing on top of her uniform.

(Oh, yeah.)

The third-years retired from the choir, she remembered. Until then, the first-years only did backstage work, even if they were part of the choir. Of course, you learnt the hymns while doing the backstage work. But today was the first-years' choir debut.

After the students all entered the sanctuary, Yumi looked around again. The third-year neighborhood looked especially lonesome. Even for the relaxed Lillian Girls' Academy, the third-years at this time of year must be busy.

Compared to the first-years and second-years, it felt like many third-years were absent.

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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Prologue|Prologue]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume4_Chapter1_2|Part 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume3 Chapter8 2

2008-08-01T23:01:54Z

Molenir: /* The last flower of winter, and then. Part 2. */

==The last flower of winter, and then. Part 2.==

When I got home, I called Shiori's dorm.
At first, my mother was too agitated and ranted insults at Shiori, but after a while she seemed to have finished venting and let me return to my room. I was too tired to care.

Shiori was not at the dorm. She'd requested a leave of absence two days ago, and hadn't returned since.

I then called the convent at Lillian. But they told me Shiori hadn't come. At that point, I had no idea where Shiori could be. I was at a dead end. I didn't know how to get in touch with her relatives in Nagasaki.

I just wanted to hear Shiori's bright voice. Even if she coldly hung up, if I could apologize for making her go through all this, I would have been satisfied.

I called the dorm every day, asking whether Shiori's returned, or if they knew where she went, but I couldn't even find out where she was, much less get in contact with her. And the closing ceremony in preparation for winter vacation came.

I expected it. My grades were considerably worse than they were during first semester. At Lillian, we were to have a Mass at noon, and the speaker was a guest Father from outside. It wasn't obligatory, so we were free to attend or not at our own accord, but I headed toward the sanctuary in the hopes of seeing Shiori. If she'd come to school, she'd definitely show up at Mass.

I was a lot more discrete than I thought I would be. The danger of bothering Shiori with anything I did suppressed my wildness.

As I expected, Shiori was at Mass. She sat near the front, with a serene look.

I took my distance and gazed at her. I was moved by her peaceful look. To me, Shiori looked closer to God than the Father.

Youko came to my class to invite me to the Rose Mansion. They were going to have a Christmas party.

"Rei-chan said she baked some cookies. That might be reason enough to stop by, I think."

"Yes…"

I'll go if I feel like it, I told her, and I left her.

"We'll be waiting."

Youko's voiced seemed to splatter against my back.

Still wearing my indoor shoes, I ran to the sanctuary. We'd made no promises or anything, but I felt like I would see Shiori there.

Shiori was waiting for me, leaning against the sanctuary.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Shiori looked up when I spoke, and she into my arms surprisingly naturally.

"Shiori?"

I was confused, feeling a mix of happiness and surprise, and I pulled her to the back of the sanctuary, where less people were to come.

And then we kissed, and I don't know if one of us lead the other. It was like we were communicating to each other our feelings, feelings that were too complex to describe with words.

"I kept thinking of you, when we were apart… even while I was praying, I kept thinking of you. I didn't know why it turned out like this… and I felt pathetic."

After calming down, Shiori began talking. About how she'd stayed at the principal's room in the convent during the break. About how she met with her uncle, who came to Tokyo, and how they spoke about the future.

"The principal figured out what was between us, and she was greatly worried. She was vehement about me not taking a misstep. I understood what she tried to say, and I thought I shouldn't be with you, and I promised with her, that I wouldn't see you again, but it was no good."

The dam broke the moment we saw each other. We were swept along by a great wave, not knowing where we would land. It took our all to hold onto each other's hand, so that we wouldn't lose sight of each other, no matter where we ended up.

"What's going to happen to us?"

"I don't know."

But we knew we'd be torn apart, at this rate. We became lonely all of a sudden, and embraced each other tightly. Feeling each other's warmth and heart beats, we calmed down, eased by knowing we weren't alone.

"Shiori, let's run away."

I must have thought about that, long ago. That we would have to throw away our current lifestyle and build ourselves a fresh home.

"… What?"

"Don't worry, we'll be okay, I know it. Let's live together, where no one can interfere."

"Live…?"

"Yes."

I asked Shiori if she didn't want to. If she didn't want to go with me.

"Of course I wouldn't. I'll go anywhere with you, Sei. But-"

I placed my index finger on Shiori's lips.

"We can."

There was no way of knowing if we can or can't without at least trying. I didn't want to give up before we tried.

"Bring the minimal amount of things you need. Let's go now."

I wanted to run away with Shiori right there and then. I knew deep down that if we took too long, our resolve would wither. Running away from home was something you had to do through momentum, I thought.

But reality came with its own set of problems, like needing to change out of our uniforms to stand out less, and we had to find out where to run, and how much money it would take. So I had to go home once, too, and grab my cash card.

Paying heed to being seen, we decided to leave the campus separately. And we'd meet up in the evening with our belongings.

"Okay."

Shiori and I split up behind the sanctuary.

"See you."

Shiori waved her hand slightly and watched me return to the campus.

See you.

I'll never forget that smile.

I whole-heartedly believed that I would see that smile again, a few hours later. I had no reason to doubt it.

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|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter8_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Chapter8_3|Part 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume3 Chapter5 2

2008-08-01T22:47:34Z

Molenir: /* Springtime Buds. Part 2. */

==Springtime Buds. Part 2.==

I'm more famous than I thought.

Shiori knew about me from the Yamayurikai-sponsored first-year welcoming ceremony. I do remember being forced by my onee-sama, Rosa Gigantea, to help out, but it wasn't fun, but I wasn't allowed to escape, so I also remember just sitting there.

If I'd paid attention, could I have found Shiori from the crowd?

The answer is yes, of course. No matter how many people there are, there was only one Shiori, and she would look unique, separate from the rest.

"Kubo Shiori?"

Mizuno Youko looked surprised.

"Wha, what?"

"… No, it's the first time you've ever said someone else's name, so I was surprised, that's all."

After school, I'd stopped by the Rose Mansion for the first time in forever, and this was the response I got. Youko, an honor student and a very caring person, finished reading some documents and then said, "So?"

"Nothing. I ran into a first-year named that this morning, that's all. I found out she's in the same class as your sœur, so I wondered if you'd heard any rumors or something."

"Sachiko's class…?"

She didn't seem to remember. I thought maybe there'd be information floating around, because of how strong of an impression she left, but that wasn't the case.

"If you don't know, whatever."

I'd begun to leave, when Youko grabbed my arm.

"Since you've come this way, just stay for a bit. I'd wanted to point out before that you don't seem to understand your position as a bouton."

But Youko's here, fully aware, so it shouldn't be a problem if I'm gone. Is what I thought, anyways.

"I didn't become a bouton because I wanted to."

"But you accepted it, by becoming Rosa Gigantea's sister, did you not?"

"She wasn't Rosa Gigantea then."

"What a quibble. My head hurts just thinking about next year."

Youko put a hand to her head and sighed.

Of course. Because other than herself, none of the bouton were dependable.

Rosa Foetida en bouton Eriko does what she's supposed to, but she always looks bored. And I happily skip. When the three of us lose the "en bouton" from our names, the Yamayurikai may seriously collapse.

But that's alright. Because my head hurts thinking about next year, too.

"Anyways, stay a bit, at least until someone else comes."

Youko wouldn't let go of my arm.

"Even if I get away, it's not your responsibility."

"But I still don't want to have let you get away, when I was by myself."

"Mmm."

I sat down in a chair. Not necessarily for Youko, but because just standing was getting tiresome. Either way, Youko said "thank you," and looked through documents again.

After about five minutes, I could hear the creaking sound of someone climbing the stairs.

"Oh wow, what a rarity."

My onee-sama, Rosa Gigantea, arrived with Youko's sister, Ogasawara Sachiko.

That was a rare combination, too. When she got to the door, onee-sama held out Sachiko like a newfound doll.

"We ran into each other in the hallway, so we came here together. Sachiko-chan's like a cute Japanese doll, so I can't help wanting to be with her."

As onee-sama said, Sachiko was undoubtedly beautiful. I knew about her from before high school, because she was a year under me. Of course, knowing about her simply meant I'd seen her once, as I'd never bothered to meet her.

In her case, she was a famous figure in school because of her appearance and her stature as a young woman of a rich family. When Youko made Sachiko her sister, I thought, why would she bother with such a pain-in-the-ass person? But it was obviously because if Youko didn't do it, no one else would have had the courage to do it.

"I'm sorry to show up with a Western face, onee-sama."

"Oh, are you sulking? Oh you fool, Sei's face is Sei's face, I picked you because of your face, after all."

"Sorry, and thanks."

I felt satisfied. I loved hearing "I picked you because of your face" from my onee-sama. People can't see who you are on the inside, so when they praise you on your outside, it's a lot more persuasive.

"Sit down."

As Sachiko sat down next to Youko, I moved myself to the seat next to onee-sama. I don't like an intimate atmosphere, but I didn't dislike the Rose Mansion. Maybe she knew it, because onee-sama never told me to show up at meetings or tea parties. In my case, I'd show up if I wanted, and I'd not show up if I didn't. So she knew it would be a waste of breath.

Yes. Onee-sama has always been good at handling me.

When I entered high school, I received a lot of sœur proposals, but I turned them all down. I just wanted to be left alone, but everyone kept clamoring, why don't you pick an onee-sama. When I began thinking that was becoming extremely annoying, Rosa Gigantea en bouton showed up.

She said she liked my face. I want to keep seeing your face, so be by my side. And with that, I decided to be her sister.

Having been told why I'd been liked, I felt a lot more at ease.

That's why sometimes I showed up at the Rose Mansion and sat down, for her sake. I didn't like meetings, but I just needed to sit there and pretend I was listening.

Using Youko and Sachiko and onee-sama's voices and giggles as a BGM, I silently sang "Maria-sama's soul." As for why I decided to sing that, it was because it's the first song that flowed through my head. As long as it was a song I knew, I wouldn't have minded a modern Japanese ballad, either.

I wasn't fond of conversing with girls my age. That's why I spent time during recess reading novels. I knew I was an enigma in my class.

Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida arrived, so the meeting began. "Maria-sama's soul" ended with nice timing, so I began thinking about the girl I met in the sanctuary that morning, instead.

Kubo Shiori.

As Youko said, I thought it was surprising I became interested in someone else.

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Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Postscript

2008-07-31T13:03:55Z

Molenir: /* Postscript */

==Postscript==

Because it's an all-girls' school, it's full of girls. Like a cake smorgasbord.

Hello, it's Konno.

Nice to meet you, people who bought the book because the illustration was nice, even though you didn't know who the author was.

I've entered with a campus story very unlike my usual genre of story-telling, so I wondered if regular readers of my book collection were a bit bewildered. I'm not so fond of sweet things, or something (laugh).

This story takes place roughly half a year before my short piece, "Maria-sama ga Miteru," that ran into the magazine some time ago. That's why Shimako is still a first-year, and Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida in the magazine are still the boutons, Sachiko and Rei (ah, so young, so young). So, this time I decided to shine the spotlight on Sachiko and her sœur.

The Imperial story takes place in "Yume no Miya," the Lillian Girls' Academy is in "Maria-sama ga Miteru." I hope that's clear enough.

Now, having written a story like this, I'd like to answer a few obvious and far-reaching questions.

First, I'd like to shout, emphatically. "I did not experience this!"

My high school did not have any sœur system like that of Lillian Girls' Academy. Of course, there were no students like the Roses, nor was it Catholic, and there were no Sisters walking about here or there.

The similarities would lie in that they were both all-girl schools and the scenery was based on the school I attended. A gingko pathway stretched out from the main gate, a small gymnasium was at the back of the school area, et cetera. However, my school apparently reconstructed a fair amount, so it probably looks quite different than when I attended. Oh yes, it was not a university escalation school, so it had a laid-back atmosphere, like Lillian Girls' Academy. Of course, mine was not a school for ladies.

However, I was not in a world completely foreign to Christianity, as my kindergarten was completely Christian. There was a giant sanctuary and cloister in the middle of my school, and most of my kindergarten teachers were Sisters. In the mornings, and on the way home, we put together our tiny hands and prayed. That's why Yumi's questions about "Maria-sama's Soul" are directly my own.

In the end, I mixed together many sources and ended up with Lillian Girls' Academy. It's a fictional academy, but when students that attend (or have attended) all-girl schools say, "yes, yes, it's like that," or when they compare it to their own, it makes me happy, and people in co-ed schools can say, "so that's how it is."

Now, there are many people I would like to thank this time around (two and a half pages left, I'm flying through them…)

First, my colleague and seniors, K-Kawa-sensei, S-Shima-sensei, T-Se-sensei (in syllabary order). I forcibly offer up this story to you three (please don't send it back, I won't listen to cooling-off). If you three hadn't been there for me, "Maria-sama ga Miteru" would never have been born. However, it might have become a much softer content than you all expected. Sorry. I guess reason stops my imagination from going berserk.

Next, Cobalt Publishing's U-san. Because you were a graduate of a Catholic-based school, I ended up asking a lot from you, sorry. But because of you, it ended up becoming a book. Thanks.

She's probably decorating this book with pretty pictures. I'll use this space to thank Hibiki Reine-san, my illustrator.

Anyways, the next issue should be around summer-time. I'll have some sort of palace dinner for an unspecified country prepared, so please, stop by. –By, this pavilion storekeeper.

Konno Oyuki

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Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter2 1

2008-07-31T11:25:20Z

Molenir: /* Tuesday of Storms. Part 1. */

==Tuesday of Storms. Part 1.==

Rumours circulate quickly.

By noon the next day, every high school student had learnt of the fact that Yumi had rejected Sachiko-sama.

"Tsutako-san, did you tell?"

"Of course not. These things are far more amusing watching than participating."
In that case, the Roses probably proactively spread the rumor, fueling the fire with their peculiar sense of humor. Of course, there was the possibility that Sachiko-sama was the originating source, too.

It wasn't that I wanted to track down who spread the rumor so I could complain, especially because we had made no mention of the topic being secret, but since this was an obstacle for my desire for a peaceful life, I think I at least had reason to complain.

First came the stares of classmates, who, upon meeting eyes with Yumi, must have thought, "as if," and then looked away. No one spoke directly to her.

"'There's a weird rumor circulating about you, but you shouldn't pay it any heed.'"

Katsura-san concluded during class.

The students in the same class already knew how Yumi looked, but because they didn't know the gap between truth and fiction, they settled into a pattern of being confused, and then gradually accepting that it was probably a baseless rumor.

However the reverberation among the students who didn't know Yumi (and granted, those people were far more common) was great.

A person of such magnificent traits that Sachiko-sama would shift gears after being rejected by Toudou Shimako-. The rumor took on a life of its own, and many people gathered in front of the first-year peach-class room during recesses.

"That they need someone to tell them who's the subject of the rumor is fortunate, but painful."

Tsutako-san mumbled as they put away their textbooks after the fourth-period class.

"Indeed. I feel conflicted."

Yumi laughed drily. As Tsutako-san said, Yumi was the perfect image of ordinary, so people who had come to see someone that stood out like Shimako-san had to be pointed in the right direction.

Her classmates, however, were being thoughtful, and so they constantly guarded her with "Yumi-san is not here right now." Because of this, she was able to walk out through everyone and even go to wash her hands.

"Alright, then I have some advice too. Don't be in the classroom during lunch."

Tsutako-san spoke quickly, while smiling peacefully and acting like she was simply having a normal conversation.

"Why?"

"I caught news that the newspaper club was intending to interview Yumi-san. The newspaper club is persistent. They have a lot of sensationalist, paparazzi drama-lovers."

"Fueh…"

She turned pale. Paparazzi would be like, those people that ask, "Did you really marry?" or "Did you really divorce?" or something out of the blue, right? Sachiko-sama is powerful in her own right, but the newspaper club seemed like something she preferred to be away from entirely.

"Understand? Okay, then, pick up your lunch."

Tsutako-san pulled out Yumi's boxed lunch from her bag, hanging from the side of her desk, and, forcing Yumi to grab ahold of it, began pushing her.

"Oh? Yumi-san where are you going?"

Katsura-san asked curiously, as they usually always ate together.

"I'm borrowing Yumi-san for a second."

Tsutako-san answered in Yumi's stead. Then, she swiped her own lunch and urgently whispered, "Hurry hurry." As if she were saying, "Hurry or the newspaper club'll arrive."

"Woah."

Just as they walked out in the hallway, three students whose appearances screamed "newspaper club!" were standing in wait.

"… Too late."

Tsutako-san's regretful voice only reached Yumi's ear.

Camera, tape recorder, memobook… Of course, despite calling them "paparazzi" earlier, they did not have a hand microphone or one of those shoulder cameras.

"Oh, gokingeyou, you were part of this class, too?"

The one in the lead noticed Tsutako-san and began speaking. Newspaper club and photography club, as expected, they'd had previous relationships.

"Gokigenyou, and what matter brings the newspaper club here today?"

Even though she knew everything, Tsutako-san smiled, feigning ignorance.

"We came to interview Fukuzawa Yumi-san. Delightful timing, would you mind calling her here?"

"Umm. Yumi-san, Yumi-san… is."

Acting senile, Tsutako-san looked back into the classroom without giving Yumi even a single glance. Her eyes scanned the peach-class room, beyond the door from whence they had come.

The classroom was in the midst of getting ready for lunch. Some clumped their desks together and laid down table-cloths, some distributed milk and bread and other such ordered food, students from other classes joined in... all in all, it was chaotic.

"Ah, I think she might be Yumi-san, over there?"

Tsutako-san acted like she was adjusting her classes and pointed to the furthest reaches of the class.

"I'll go call her, wait one second."

Just as Yumi was wondering what Tsutako-san intended to do, she took a step into the class, then stopped, abruptly, and turned around, as if remembering something.

"Natsume-san, you were in a hurry, correct? There is no need for me to keep you waiting, go on ahead."

"Huh? … Ah, yes."

As Tsutako-san had deliberately looked into Yumi's eyes and winked, she assumed that meant her.

"Then I will go on ahead."

Yumi gave Tsutako-san and the newspaper club members a quick bow and left the scene. As she walked down the hallway, she thought of Natsume Souseki -> Fukuzawa Yukichi -> Fukuzawa Yumi, and clasped her hands in realization. The connecting point was the figures on printed money.

Even so, she wondered what Tsutako-san was going to do. Because it was her, she might be able to weasel out by claiming, "I got the wrong person," but despite claiming things were more interesting as an observer than a participant, she was pretty caring.

As Tsutako-san was gone, she wondered where to go. As she walked down the stairs in such thought, a voice called out.

"Yumi-san. Over here."

When she looked down the handrail, she noticed a white hand beckoning. When she leaned out to look, Shimako-san's face popped out.

"Let's eat lunch together."

Yumi rhythmically skipped down the stairs, relieved to see that angelic face.

Shimako-san led Yumi to her personal seat.

"Do you eat here every day?"

Here was behind the auditorium. One cherry blossom tree stood among the gingko in an obscure place. There, the two opened their lunches and sat.

"Only seasonal. When the weather is nice during the spring and autumn."

"The summer?"

"This cherry blossom tree, it gathers a lot of caterpillars, and I am not too fond of that. But the gingko falls soon after, and that I do eagerly wait."

Shimako-san wistfully stared up at the gingko trees while plucking taro out of her varnished, square lunch box. It was slightly off balance from how she looked like a Western-style doll. The talking about gingko, the tasteful lunch box, oh and, incidentally, the boiled potato balls, too.

"… You are a bit odd, Shimako-san."

"Am I? But as long as they do not get squished, gingko do not smell too awful. And that is why the gingko pathway is a sight of misery."

"Shimako-san, does that mean you happen to take home uncrushed gingko nuts?"

"Precisely."

Shimako-san laughed happily, fufufu.

"Why do you like gingko?"

"Yumi-san, do you hate them?"

With the question turned, she thought. Hmm, she had no idea people actually ate them.

Until today, she thought it was like the shiso leaves for sashimi platters, or like the decoration placed on savory egg custard.

"I love things like gingko and lily and soya beans. My parents always say it is unlike a normal teenaged girl, but I think taste preference is affected by your environment, don't you? Because I was raised by them, I like bitter tastes, most likely."

When I asked, I learnt that Shimako-san's house is almost purely Japanese-style architecture, with no Western-style rooms. Image-wise, though, I would have guessed a great, chalk-white mansion complete with a grand piano. Also, a lunch of club sandwiches or fried chicken seemed to suit her looks better.

"Not what I look like?"

Shimako-san asked, staring intently at Yumi's face.

"Mm, a bit, but it's unexpectedly interesting anyways."

Told so honestly, Shimako-san giggled and responded, "Yumi-san, too."

"I am honestly glad we were able to become acquaintances."

The two of them looked at the sky.

The clouds slowly flowed across the clear sky.

Sky-blue and the white of clouds, and below that, the sun's rays shone through the yellow gingko trees, casting a golden sparkle upon the ground. If I were a painter, I would have been able to paint that scene into a giant canvas. Or if I were a poet, into a poem, or a song, if I were a musician, saving that scene for eternity.

"Shimako-san, why did you reject Sachiko-sama?"

When she spontaneously asked, Shimako-san responded, "Should I not return that question to you?"

"That's right, we both did the same thing."

Even so, it wasn't as though their affinity got closer. She felt that Shimako-san and her approach to Sachiko-sama was completely different.

"In my case."

Shimako-san looked up at an oblique angle, still in thought.

"I am not a fit for Sachiko-sama. Conversely, Sachiko-sama is not a fit for me, either."

"In what way?"

"I like Sachiko-sama, but we look for different things in our partners. Subsequently, what we can offer one another differs."

"… That sounds too complicated for me."

"Sachiko-sama said the same thing. She understood what I meant to say, but that it was too vague. Even I would have to admit that it is simply a vague feeling that I have."

What you can offer the companion and what you seek from a companion. Because it is a one-on-one relationship, it makes sense that a concurrence of that would be of the utmost importance, but-.

"If Shimako-san was no good, wouldn't that mean there is no one who could fit with Sachiko-sama?"

"I do not know. Of course, because such a person is so hard to find, she probably is still left with no petite sœur. But Rosa Chinensis and Sachiko-sama do face each other, as you saw. Compatibility is possible."

"I see…"

Then perhaps that would mean Shimako-san complemented Rosa Gigantea well, thought Yumi. After all, rather than two-timing, it was a decision borne out of taking a careful look at herself and her opponents.

"Well, shall we return?"

Shimako-san stood up. Fifth period would start in five minutes.

"The newspaper club also has class, so it should be safe."

As a consequence of the conversation earlier, Yumi took care not to step on gingko nuts.

She had never paid the ground much attention, but upon closer inspection, the fallen gingko nuts looked like ripe plums.

"In the case of Sachiko-sama, I think her shock was far greater when you rejected her than when I did."

"Why?"

"I believe she felt it coming, in my case. We acted as temporary sisters, so I am sure she had come to notice that we would not be perfect fits."

But in the case of Yumi, she had supreme confidence.

"But she didn't seem to have been that shocked?"

"She is a contrarian who absolutely despises losing. So when she is truly vexed, she refuses to show it."

The two of them lined up and walked up the empty stairs. They overtook the meticulous old teachers whom were entering their classrooms with a greeting, and the chime rang. They had arrived in front of the classroom with a minute to spare.

The newspaper club as well as other students had, as Shimako-san expected, already cleared out of the hallways.

Shimako-san spoke as she opened the rear door.

"Yumi-san and Sachiko-sama may be compatible fits."

Yumi mumbled, "What are you saying," as she stepped in and looked at the backs of the students who had arrived earlier.

How could Yumi be a fit and Shimako-san, who could even describe Sachiko-sama as a contrarian and sore-loser, not?

Sheesh, Shimako-san is definitely an odd-ball.

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Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter1 5

2008-07-31T11:15:59Z

Molenir: /* Monday of Uneasiness. Part 5. */

==Monday of Uneasiness. Part 5.==

"Please."

A white cup was filled about seven tenths to the brim with a red, steaming liquid and placed in front of me.

This is a liquid called 'black tea.'

"Would you like sugar or milk?"

A relatively short, pony-tailed girl offered a stick-shaped item from the basket. This girl was, if I remember correctly, also a first-year. I forget her class and surname, but she was the petite sœur for Hasekura Rei-sama, the Rosa Foetida en bouton, and I think her name was Yoshino-san.

"No, thank you."

I thought in a daze after refusing. Umm, what was milk again?

Ahh, I'm so confused.

The one who was the most surprised by Sachiko-sama's declaration was none other than Yumi herself. She was frozen in place, even oblivious to the uproar around her. How many times must Sachiko-sama petrify her in one day?

Let's settle down and talk about it. Is what happened, and thus everyone moved into the room, past the door with the "meeting" plate.

Sachiko-sama, who'd made the selfish declaration in the first place, left behind her sœur, Yumi, even if the declaration was a temporary loss of mind, and angrily shouldered her way into the room. Prepared for battle, would be the most suitable way to describe her state.

"… War, with Sachiko-sama."

In reality, if you went by image, the two of them probably were more suited to being in completely separate positions.

"Oh dear, what a helpless onee-sama, leaving her little sister behind."

When Rosa Gigantea embraced Yumi by the shoulders and walked into the room, Sachiko-sama seemed to have realized her clumsiness and so she stood up, pulled out the seat next to her, and beckoned, "sit here."

Then, when everyone sat down, black tea was distributed. And that was where we were.

This room had an atmosphere unlike any other school facility. Just like the stairs and the hallway, the floor and walls were of worn, wooden boarding. Aside from the one adjacent to the hallway, the other three walls each had a wooden-framed bay window, and the clean cotton curtains for each were opened and fastened with a thin ribbon. The size was about half that of a classroom, and there was an arrangement of flowers on the elliptical table in the middle of the room that could probably seat up to eight people. Rather than a student council headquarters, it felt more like an old, western-style dining room.

Of course, the three Roses were seated at the table, as were Sachiko-sama, Yumi, Shimako-san, and Tsutako-san, who was treated as a guest. Rei-sama and Yoshino-san pulled chairs over from around the washstand by the wall.

The electric pot was making a bubbling sound, having had fresh water recently added. I had never even imagined students elegantly sitting and drinking black tea after school in a school building. At some point, even cookies were placed on top of spread tissues.

I had no idea you were treated this well when you became a Yamayurikai staff member.

"Let me start off by saying, please do not misunderstand, we put in a lot of personal effort into keeping this a pleasant space to be."

As if reading Yumi's mind, Sachiko-sama, sitting right next to her, whispered. The Yamayurikai budget was not used for tea, she seemed to be want to say. Each member brought in tea themselves, and cookies tended to be donations from classes that had cooking class.

"If you prefer, we have coffee and cocoa. They are, however, instant, so their taste is not top-notch."

Rosa Chinensis smiled.

"So come and play any time you wish. As you are Sachiko's sœur, you are a valuable friend."

Lowering my guard and then nonchalantly firing off the main question. The Roses certainly were not a normal kind of people.

(That, that's right, the crucial matter was still left unanswered.)

Sachiko-sama's bombshell of a statement had left everyone staring at each other.

While certainly not having forgotten, Yumi honestly wished she could simply forget. She could not think of a reason. In fact, having ended up as a victim of an accident, she could not grasp why she was being made to sit in such a seat. It felt more like she was being summoned as a witness for a trial or a parliament.

"Oh, Rosa Chinensis, so you accept Sachiko's assertion?"

"But Rosa Foetida, if Sachiko has made the decision, we are not in the right to pursue the matter, am I wrong? Rosa Gigantea, do you have an opinion?"

"I think whether we accept it or not should be left for later. At the very least, not while one of the protagonists is looking like her eyes might pop out in surprise."

Immediately, everyone looked at Yumi.

(Pr, protagonist, does that mean me-!?)

"Poor thing, she's struggling to grasp the circumstances."

The Roses giggled. Yumi began thinking they were simply having fun at her expense.

(Of course, that has to be the case. It must.)

She could not think this gorgeous membership would have taken that earlier joke seriously. To begin with, regardless of what condition Sachiko-sama was in, there was too much impossibility in her making Yumi her little sister.

(Wait, wait.)

Maybe it's all a joke that Sachiko-sama is a part of. Of course, that must be it. Then it all makes sense. "We apologize, our joke might have gone too far." –if they were to say that now, I could laugh, return, "I knew it was weird," and squeeze out of this in one piece.

However.

"No matter what anyone says, Yumi is my little sister."

Sachiko-sama still refused to bend with her statement. What could she be thinking?

"Personally, I would like to ask Yumi-san too, not just Sachiko."

"M, me…!?"

Yumi flinched at the sudden shift of focus. As had been evident, Yumi had not been able to grasp the circumstances. It would be easy to say "I don't know," but she could surmise from the atmosphere that such a statement would simply corner Sachiko-sama into a further predicament.

"Umm-."

If possible, she wanted to be an ally for Sachiko-sama. However, how could you fight when you didn't know who was an ally and who was an enemy? She wished Sun Tzu could teach her the art of war right there.

"If I say so, it must be so, am I wrong? There is no need to confirm with Yumi."

She stands firm. Sachiko-sama looks unwilling to crumble her firm stance.

"Ah, umm…"

"Just be silent for the time being."

Zap! Even to her ally, Yumi, she was merciless.

Of course, had they really been sœurs, onee-sama's order would be absolute, so she would remain silent. But as that wasn't the case, Yumi felt Sachiko could have been a bit kinder.

"It seems you want to continue this conversation without Yumi-san, but I won't allow that."

Rosa Gigantea's eyes sparkled.

"Sachiko. You simply dragged a passer-by into this mess for the sole purpose of escaping from the job imposed on you, right?"

(Job imposed on her…?)

The moment Yumi tilted her neck to the side, a person sitting far away raised her hand and said "wait." That was Tsutako-san, who Yumi had forgotten existed.

"What is it, Takeshima Tsutako-san?"

"I am honoured that you know of me, Rosa Gigantea."

"Yumi-san notwithstanding, there is no student that knows not of you. You are notorious, after all."

I'm sorry I don't stand out – Yumi whispered, deep inside.

"I am grateful."

Tsutako-san continued after fixing the position of her glasses.

"I do not mind if you simply wish to consider me an outsider, but may I ask one thing, having been allowed to listen in on the conversation?"

"Of course?"

"I have no idea what is going on."

Why Sachiko-sama had to declare Yumi to be her sœur. What connection that has with this "imposed job." Tsutako-san seemed to be wanting to know.

"That is true, forgive us for not explaining."

Rosa Foetida nodded. Sachiko-sama urgently stood up.

"There is nothing to explain. I chose a sœur, that is all. The meeting is over."

"How selfish. If you wish to break up the meeting, you may return home by yourself. Of course, Yumi-san will stay here with us."

Sachiko-sama had no choice but to sit back down to Rosa Chinensis' words.

"To put it shortly, Sachiko decided to reject a job for the school festival she had previously accepted, today, after all this time."

"Because you changed your story."

Sachiko-sama complained, but Rosa Chinensis continued.

"The story did not change. Even if there was not enough information presented at the time, your own role remains unchanged."

"Umm, … what is Sachiko-sama's job?"

Now Yumi asked.

"Ahh, we were short on explaining once again. Actually, for this year's school festival we are planning to hold a play."

"The Yamayurikai staff will get together and perform."

It sounded extremely extravagant. Yumi wished greatly to be allowed to watch.

"Us three Roses, being part of the executive committee for the school festival, are busy every day. Of course, that means the boutons will have to be the central figures for the play."

Rosa Foetida added that they planned to borrow members from the dance club as extras.

"Dance club, what play are you expecting to perform?"

Tsutako-san eagerly asked, it seems her blood as a cameraman was beginning to catch fire.

"Cinderella. The dance ball scene."

Wow.

"And, and the lead role?"

Forgetting her situation entirely, Yumi also became excited. This one had her 'closet Sachiko-fan blood' catching fire.

"Of course, Sachiko."

Kyaaa.

Sachiko-sama, as Cinderella.

Then Rei must be the prince!? A splendid recital contest of two boutons.

It's beautiful just imagining. Too beautiful. It was getting into [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#Takarazuka Takarazuka] territory.

I have to secure a ticket, no matter what. I wonder if they hand out numbered tickets prior to the event, or something. It was something to look into before heading home.

Wait, hold on.

They did mention Sachiko-sama rejecting the job earlier. That means she wants to stop being the lead actress-.

"This year we intend to call upon a guest from Hanadera. Sachiko seems to object."

"Guest?"

"It's customary. As both schools neighbor each other on the same hill, Lillian and Hanadera Institute help each others' student councils during the school festivals. We helped out during their school festival last month, too."

It sounded like a neighborly relationship from the countryside. Funerals, weddings, fires, moving. No matter what, people are willing to take a break from work to help out, that sort of custom.

I had a culture shock when my grandfather died in Yamanashi, and his neighbor took a break from his bank, even though it was a busy time at the end of the term, to help take condolence calls. But to see the same thing carried out so close, and by high school students, at that.

"I have no objection to the inviting of a guest. But I see no reason why the Hanadera council leader has to be the prince."

Sachiko-sama muttered.

Ah, I see. Rei-sama is not the prince.

"Then what would you have him do? Cinderella? Will Sachiko do the prince, then?"

Yumi was probably not the only one who thought, 'that might be more interesting.'

"Why does it end up like that. I was just thinking, maybe back-stage work like carrying around props-."

"How could you even insinuate making a guest do menial labour? We were the judges for their main event. Even if it might have worked, they did not request us to pour tea. Although Sachiko might not have known this, having skipped out on the appointed day?"

"What I cannot stand is that we are changing role distribution now, two weeks before the school festival."

It was a verbal dispute between Sachiko-sama and Rosa Chinensis. A duel between sisters.

"And as I said, Hanadera's council leader was intended to be the prince from the start."

"That's a lie. Rei was saying the prince's lines all the way up to yesterday."

"I was told from the onset I was just a stand-in."

Rei-sama raised her hand to fan away the electric pot's vapours.

"See, look. Aside from Sachiko, everyone knew. If you are still in disbelief, you may speak to the handicrafts' club whom are working on the costumes. The princes' costume is being tailored to suit Hanadera's council leader."

"So you decided this while I was not in attendance."

Sachiko-sama grinded her teeth, frustrated at how her position was becoming disadvantageous.

"Oh, wake up, we have no need to call secret meetings. … Ah, however, come to think of it, Sachiko did skip out on a number of meetings. We might have decided upon this then. However, in that case you brought this upon yourself, did you not? You always fled when we had a meeting with Hanadera. This is what happens when you never deal with your dislike of men."

(Dislike of men?)

I got it! Yumi clapped her hands in her mind.

To combine everything so far, Sachiko-sama accepted the leading role for the play, as decreed by the Roses. Whether it was intended or whether it was an unfortunate communications miss, only Sachiko-sama missed out on the notice that Hanadera's council leader was to play the prince's part. Having found this out today, Sachiko-sama became as furious as the raging flames, and proclaimed that she was withdrawing from the leading role. The reason is, -well, because she hated men.

(But, hating men…)

She'd never thought about it, but Sachiko-sama and the description 'hating men' seemed to fit together perfectly. There were students in Yumi's class whom admitted to having arrhenphobia or simply hating men, and she did have the same sort of aura.

(I wonder if she dislikes her father, too…)

As she absent-mindedly had such thoughts, she felt as if she was being stared at, and when she looked up, she noticed Rosa Gigantea, jaw protruding and eyes narrowed, laughing at her.

"You're amusing."

"Huh?"

"You were going through life's many phases."

"Eh!?"

Yumi rushed to suppress her face. However, it was too late. She couldn't take back the 'life's many phases,' and a great wave of red attacked her face, like it was delivering a finishing blow.

"You have an unpredictable nature, you're pretty fun."

That.

Is almost definitely not praise. Even though my grade in Japanese is rather average, I can tell that much, Rosa Gigantea.

"Hmm. However, how does Sachiko-sama disapproving of the lead role tie into her making Yumi her little sister? The plate outside says 'in a meeting,' but does that mean you were discussing a role change?"

Tsutako-san continued her my-pace questioning. However, Rosa Foetida smiled bitterly and lowered her shoulders.

"Well it was meeting, in the beginning."

The staff members who packed into the Rose Mansion after school every day for school festival preparations. Presumably, they intended to discuss a number of problems that had arisen.

They began the meeting without waiting for Shimako-san, who was going to be late because of day duties. Plus, as she was just a bouton, her attendance was not mandatory.

To explain things a bit, the Yamayurikai is the student council, as it would be called in an ordinary school. The official staff members that would be called the "staff" were the three Roses, Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Foetida. These three filled the student president, vice president, secretary and accounting roles, as per the management structure passed down through generations.

No one really knows when the student council roles became synonymous with the Roses. Whether the chicken or the egg came first. Anyways, when someone mentions the Yamayurikai staff, they mean the red, white and yellow Roses.

However, beginning with the student council, they are also the School Festival Executive Committee, they organize the seasonal events such as the Freshmen Welcome Party and the Graduate Farewell Party, and though not as gaudy also are the Budget Committee and hold general student meetings, and perform a vast number of other small duties, certainly too much for the three to handle alone. As such, you could almost call them apprentices, but the Roses have their sœurs lend their hands as assistants. As long as there is no stunning upset, the Yamayurikai management tends to be passed down in such a way, so that the little sisters of the Roses are called boutons. Everyone accepts them as Roses waiting to blossom.

"Most of the agenda was easy to make decisions on, so the meeting was going smoothly."

"Then Sachiko began complaining about the play appointment."

"When we teased her to silence her, she exploded. Sachiko carries herself well outside, so she's popular, but she has a rather violent temperament, so it is extremely difficult to keep a handle on her."

The Roses said plainly.

"Tease!? That was not mere teasing, you were driving a stake into my heart!"

Sachiko-sama was agitated by the reminder.

"You said I have no right to speak, as I cannot even find a petite sœur."

"I did say that, but that did not mean 'Regardless of who it is, get a petite sœur.' To grab the first first-year you see upon stepping outside, how hasty, how simplistic. You are not warashibechouja[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#warashibechouja] after all."

(… Warashibechouja.)

A bead of sweat appeared on Yumi's forehead.

(So that would make me a straw.)

Well, thanks to their explanations, I can see what's going on, but this is becoming ridiculous.

"Warashibechouja, that is splendid. If I remember correctly, it had a happy ending, did it not?"

Sachiko-sama, now you're making no sense.

"So you intended to simply hold onto Yumi-san until you found a better person? I cannot accept such a relationship. As your grand sœur even my dignity would be in tatters."

Rosa Chinensis sighed, disgusted. However, Sachiko immediately responded, staring straight at onee-sama.

"I will take care of Yumi forever. I will train her and turn her into a magnificent Rose. There is no problem then, correct?"

Even if that was prompted by the way the conversation was going, was it wise to say such big talk? It would just magnify her shame when she would have to take it back.

"Stop saying things as you think of them, Sachiko."

"Why do you claim I am simply thinking as I speak?"

"You just met Yumi-san just now. How could you make such a promise?"

Invisible fireworks kept scattering.

However, it was three versus one. Plus, the three were the strongest third-years among the Lillian Girls' Academy High School students.

"If I am not mistaken, you did not even know Yumi-san's name until just earlier?"

"That…"

Sachiko-sama's tone fell. As if seizing the opportunity, Rosa Gigantea spoke softly.

"Isn't that enough? That's enough stubbornness."

That's right, Yumi thought. It was better to admit defeat in a dignified manner. If she did not want to be Cinderella, there would surely be other ways to resolve the matter. Little sisters are not there to be impulsively bought. She should think harder and find a more suitable partner.

Of course

If Sachiko-sama were to choose another first-year, it would be a shock. Even if it was arbitrary, Yumi was happy Sachiko-sama announced her to be a sœur.

"Please wait."

Just then, Shimako-san stood up.

"I think Sachiko-sama and Yumi-san did not just meet."

Until then, she had faded into the background like she didn't exist. Like Rosa Foetida en bouton and her petite sœur, it might be that boutons are supposed not supposed to intrude unless needed. Sachiko-sama seemed to be the exception.

"And why do you think so?"

Rosa Gigantea asked her own sœur.

"Because Yumi-san came to visit Sachiko-sama."

"Eh? I thought Shimako brought them here?"

Rosa Chinensis shifted her eyes between Yumi, Tsutako-san and Shimako-san.

"It seems we did forget to ask why Yumi-san and Tsutako-san came here."

Apparently everyone simply assumed that Shimako-san had brought her personal friends, or had brought students volunteering to help with the school festival, or wanted to bring up a problem with a club or the gymnasium usage, or something of the sort. Of course, there was no helping this, as Sachiko-sama's hysteria and the collision and the sœur declaration had left everyone in a confused state.

"Is this true?"

Rosa Gigantea directly asked Yumi, not Sachiko-sama.

"… yes."

Wrangling out an almost inaudible voice, Yumi answered. Even though she had nothing to be faulted for, she disliked these situations. It felt like when her mother was asking for her reasons after a sibling fight as a child.

"I have proof, too."

Tsutako-san took the opportunity to cut in. She handed something to Rosa Chinensis.

(Ah, the photo from the morning…!)

She only got a glimpse, but there was no doubt it was the two-shot photo.

But still. The situation seemed to be settling down, but the two classmates, whatever they were thinking, complicated everything again.

"I see, so the two had already met before. Excuse my discourtesy."

The snapshot made its rounds, and finally fell before Yumi and Sachiko-sama. In this way, Sachiko-sama learnt of the existence of the photo.

Yumi lay in wait, curious as to how Sachiko-sama would react.

When Sachiko-sama took ahold of the photo, first she tilted her head to the side the slightest bit, then slowly began to look at Yumi.

She's contorting her forehead. But it wasn't a look of displeasure.

(This-, this puzzled look-.)

Sachiko-sama whispered so that no one else could hear.

"I wonder when this happened."

I knew it.

She had completely forgotten.

Even though it had occurred just that morning, the fact that she had already forgotten meant that Yumi was too bland to remember. Either that or, for Sachiko-sama, it was too trivial to bother remembering.

Either way, Yumi was disappointed. If her face wasn't remembered, then there was no need to fix her reputation.

However, with that knowledge, Sachiko-sama's actions were nothing short of bold. In her mind, she had taken a first-year she'd never met and declared her to be her sœur.

She has no right to be angry at being called warashibechouja.

"As you can see, Yumi and I, as shown in the photo, have already established an intimate relationship."

Wait a second.

Now armed with a prop, Sachiko-sama seemed to relinquish her hysteria and adopt a more logical attack.

What fast regeneration. The whisper of "I wonder when this happened" must have dried at the rate of a gas-based drying machine, such was the speed at which she recovered.

Sachiko-sama persisted.

"Plus, I feel you have no right to intrude on who I choose to be my sœur?"

It seemed she was fully intent on keeping to her lie about Yumi to the bitter end.

No, that's not the case. Sachiko-sama probably wants to convert it from a random declaration to reality. It was hard to say, but probably to get out of being Cinderella.

"Indeed. Even if you came up with it on the spot, to have qualms about you proactively choosing a petite sœur or intending to tear you two apart is not within our rights. You are first and foremost a student in this academy."

Even so, Yumi felt they had to say something. –Lest this goes in a bad direction.

Sachiko-sama was still Rosa Chinensis en bouton, and was destined to become Rosa Chinensis in half of a year. For her to call this normal, average student her sœur, even for a moment, was synonymous with creating an uproar. There was no need to even test this.

[[Image:MM_v01_02.jpg|thumb|''Sachiko-sama slammed the table with enough force to overturn cups.'']]
In that case, Tsutako-san is unique enough to be a better fit. Even so, why did I have to be the one to run into Sachiko-sama.

"Okay, I approve."

Eventually, Rosa Chinensis said that, and Sachiko-sama's expression brightened. With just that, the atmosphere in the world transformed into a glittering space. Right, just like the scene where Cinderella has magic cast upon her.

"However-."

Rosa Chinesis continued, smiling.

"This does not mean you do not have to be Cinderella. Just remember that."

"The promise!?"

Sachiko-sama slammed the table with enough force to overturn cups. Cinderella after the magic had worn off.

"Promise?"

Rosa Chinensis laughed scornfully.

"You made that up yourself, did you not? I clearly said that people without a little sister have no right to speak. Therefore, feel free to speak, from now on."

"Then please remove me from the role."

"No."

"Why."

"Hating men does not fall under 'a critical reason for which the change of roles is the only solution.' In your case, it is not like you have an allergic reaction from seeing men, or you feel like vomiting, or anything, correct? Just because you say 'I do not want to' does not mean the world will conform to your wishes. We call that self-centered. I am sure you, as the next Rosa Chinensis, are aware of that fact?"

With that, Rosa Chinensis, put her hand to her cheek and exaggerated despair.

"I am sure this comes back to my inadequacy at teaching. But I had no idea you would not understand such a basic thing."

What a pity. Sachiko-sama had no retort.

Perhaps in this way, the Roses become stronger from generation to generation. It felt like I had just experienced a dreadful dressing room scene.

"I am leaving."

Sachiko-sama abruptly stood up.

"Wait."

Rosa Chinensis remained sitting, looking up at the sœur whom she had just crushed.

"Let me confirm one thing. What is Yumi-san to Sachiko?"

"Eh?"

"Do you still feel as though Yumi-san is your sœur?"

Rosa Chinensis is probably asking whether, now that the role of Cinderella is unrelated, Sachiko still asserts Yumi as her sœur.

"Of course-."

- I retract what I said before. Of course Sachiko-sama would say that.

After all, making Yumi her sœur was a big act to extricate herself from being Cinderella. With that no longer possible, there was no reason for her to keep Yumi, whom she didn't know the face nor name of, as her little sister.

However.

"Of course, Yumi is my little sister."

Sachiko-sama said something unexpected. Yumi sat up and apprehensively searched Sachiko-sama's face for clues.

She was hysteric until just recently, and she was confused, so maybe she messed up her use of Japanese. Surely she must have meant to say 'she is not my little sister.'

"Onee-sama, are you attempting to slight me? You make it sound as if I made Yumi my sœur for the purpose of using her."

Woah, woah, but wasn't that the case? However, because the opponent was Sachiko-sama, Yumi held back on her desire to interject.

Will someone please say something, in my stead?

"Splendid."

Rosa Chinensis nodded, satisfied.

"If you were to throw away Yumi-san now, I would have had to cut our sisterly ties."

Why do things have to become so outrageous?

There was no premonition of this when I woke up. When I stepped out of my house, when I walked through the school gates, nothing was different than usual.

Only, my sailor collar was bent. From something so trivial, I was sucked into such a big incident. I felt like a person in a vortex.

However, for someone stuck in a vortex, it kind of felt like I was in the outfield.

"Did you hand her your rosary?"

"Not yet. I would not mind performing the ceremony in front of everyone, if you so desire?"

"That sounds good."

Wait a second.

Is no one going to stop Sachiko-sama? At this rate, this average person is going to become the petite sœur of Rosa Chinensis en bouton. This isn't the time to be saying "that sounds good" while smiling and sipping cooled tea!

"What's wrong? She looks like she wants to say something."

Rosa Gigantea noticed Yumi's expression.

"I wonder if she has qualms about performing the ceremony here and now."

"Oh come now. Is there any student dissatisfied with receiving a rosary to become a formal sœur?"

Quipped Rosa Foetida, as matter-of-factly as if she were repeating an equation.

"But see, some people prefer to be alone."

"Well aren't you romantic."

That's not what I mean, that's not what I mean, but-. Yumi sat speechless, unable to find the timing to butt into the Roses' musings.

As for what Sachiko-sama was doing while Yumi stuttered, she had quickly reached into her breast pocket and retrieved her rosary.

(Are you serious!?)

Once you place that over an underclassman's neck, you can no longer take it back. It might seem over-the-top, but the sanctity of the give-and-receive of a rosary is like that of a marriage registration.

Or maybe I was the one being insane. This is all a dream. The typical pattern, where the alarm rings as the rosary is placed around my neck, waking me up.

(But do you feel pain while dreaming?)

When I hit my butt in the hallway, it actually hurt. I tested this by pinching my arm, and it did hurt.

"Stay still, Yumi."

Sachiko-sama orders. The rosary in her hand was on stand-by above Yumi's head, its lace opened wide for ease of placement.

If that hung around my neck, I would become the petite sœur of Sachiko-sama, whom I adored.

Botamochi[http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#botamochi] from the shelf. A top from the gourd.

No, more like a horse. A spinning top from a gourd is no surprise. But if you plucked a horse out it would be like 'are you serious?'

Ahh, this isn't the time to be thinking about that. There is only one thing to think about.

Is this okay?

Is it okay to just become a sœur like this?

"Um, umm…"

"Wait."

Yumi and Shimako-san simultaneously shouted.

"Sachiko-sama and the other onee-samas, everyone forgot the most important thing."

"Important thing?"

"Yumi-san's feelings."

"Yumi-san's feelings?"

The Roses scoffed.

"Do you think she would refuse the rosary?"

"I will not presume. However, I feel it is proper to hear her feelings."

Shimako-san said this firmly. While you might not expect it from how she looks, when it comes to it, she stands up for her opinions. As expected from Rosa Gigantea en bouton. Even so, as a fellow first-year, it was an envious trait.

Anyways, the ceremony was halted, so I was thankful of Shimako-san.

"Indeed. Even if it is an offer from Rosa Chinensis en bouton, there are those like Shimako who say 'I'm sorry.'"

Rosa Chinensis lightly threw a ball to [http://www.baka-tsuki.net/project/index.php?title=Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Notes#check check] Shimako-san. It seems that rumour was true.

"However, Yumi-san is Sachiko-sama's devotee. Of course she wouldn't refuse?"

Tsutako-san spoke to Shimako-san, almost like idle chatter.

"I agree. She… Yumi-san, just by observing her I could tell she was a Sachiko fan almost immediately."

Rosa Gigantea nodded. I see, she saw all of my facial expressions because she was observing.

If that's the case, maybe Sachiko-sama likewise figured out in an instant, and that would explain why she had no hesitation in dragging Yumi into the mess.

And by her side, Sachiko-sama was rolling the rosary in her hand, seemingly oblivious to the outcome of the discussion. It seemed she was supremely confident that Yumi would not refuse the rosary.

"Still. There is that chance. Shall we ask, then?"

Rosa Chinensis turned to Yumi and asked.

"Sachiko wants to make you her sœur. Have you the intent of accepting?"

Asked so directly, Yumi lost her words.

Become Sachiko-sama's petite sœur was a fairy tale, like marrying a Hollywood Star. But because it was an unattainable dream, you could continue to dream, and enjoy it.

And now, a ticket for an express train to that dream was in her grasp.

It would be a lie not to say 'yes.'

But deep down, she thought, 'is that okay?'

Everyone stared at the silent Yumi. Then, Yumi solidified her resolve and spoke.

"I apologize. I cannot become Sachiko-sama's sœur."

Everyone began murmuring.

"Now it's getting interesting."

Rosa Gigantea irresponsibly laughed, Rosa Chinensis rolled her eyes, and Rosa Foetida was petrified with jaws agape.

"Do I, have the right, to ask why?"

Sachiko-sama trembled a bit.

"I was certainly a fan of Sachiko-sama, but."

"What, did you become afraid after seeing her true self?"

Rosa Chinensis cut in and asked Yumi.

"Not at all."

Although it was slightly different from her selfish image of Sachiko-sama, she was glad she could see the human side – her sulking and her being angry. Because of that, she felt she couldn't attribute it to disliking Sachiko-sama's personality.

"It's hard to explain, but. Because I'm a fan, doesn't mean I would do anything to become her little sister…"

"Hmm."

"Because as a fan, I do have a bit of pride."

"It's disgraceful to be expected to follow orders, tail wagging and all."

"Not quite, but…"

I thought it was hard formulating how I felt into words.

"Well, either way, Sachiko got rejected again."

"Poor Sachiko, two consecutive upset losses."

"The first-years this year are really something."

The Roses surrounded Sachiko-sama. Although rather than consoling, they seemed to be having fun.

"If you think I'm pitiful, will you do something about Cinderella?"

Sachiko-sama forced a smile.

"Oh dear, Sachiko, who hates being pitied, is starting to beg."

"How rare."

"You say to do something, but do you have anything in mind?"

Even though they know.

If you were to step back and look at the whole scene, you would see an interesting image. Sachiko-sama had turned into a toy for the Roses.

"Drop either me or the Hanadera council leader from the leading roles."

"Oh what are you saying, just because you were rejected by Yumi does not mean we have to feel that much pity for you."

Of course, that sort of logic wouldn't fly. However, I began to think it was a bit cruel to force her to dance with a man like this.

She was so averse to co-starring with a man that she tried to make Yumi her little sister.

"Ah, um."

Yumi suddenly shouted out.

"You were still here?"

Perhaps because she was still stung by the rejection, Sachiko-sama sounded bitter. Even though, as they stood next to each other, she clearly would have known had she left, how uncute.

"Um, would it be possible to tell the Hanadera council leader to step aside this time?"

"Are you trying to back up Sachiko now?"

Rosa Chinensis swayed her jaw-length hair happily.

"It's not about backing her."

Yumi surprised herself, noticing that she was opining to Rosa Chinensis.

For whatever reason, she felt different from usual.

"We sent a formal commission to the Hanadera council leader, so that is impossible."

"Then how about swapping Sachiko-sama's role, at the very least?"

"Swapping roles?"

"For example, swapping with Shimako-san's role. Shimako-san is just as pretty as Sachiko-sama. Plus she is also Rosa Gigantea en bouton."

Shimako-san, at having been singled out, shot a look of "how could you say that!" Yumi put her hands together and apologized, in her mind. Even though it was a supposition, maybe it was a bad idea.

"Shimako, a first-year, for the lead role?"

"I think first-year second-year is inconsequential."

"That is true."

I thought, just one more push. Rosa Chinensis stared up at the ceiling in thought.

"Since it was a communication mishap, it seemed like everyone was laying the blame solely on Sachiko-sama. But everyone also-"

And then a voice cut in.

"Silence!"

Sachiko-sama, standing next to me, suddenly shouted.

"If you say any more, I will not forgive you."

"Sachiko-sama…"

Rather than the usual hysteria, this was a more weighted tone.

"I understand you are saying this for my sake. However, please do not trouble the onee-samas over me."

Sachiko-sama laid a soft hand on Yumi's shoulder, then snapped right and lowered her head to the Roses.

"I apologize. I will scold her later."

The shoulder she was touching felt sad. Even though I'd tried to help Sachiko-sama, it might have been a complete whiff.

"True."

Rosa Gigantea mumbled.

"What Yumi-san tried to say is true. As Sachiko did just find out today, and the responsibility for that lies at least partly within us. How about we think about the role a bit more."

The other Roses immediately began countering. No matter the reason, the costume and posters were already ordered, and as it was almost time for the dress rehearsals, role re-distribution was too tough, seemed to be the strongest argument.

"However, forcing her to dance with a man is wrong, too. For Sachiko's sake, as well as ours."

"I see. People who coerce their juniors into doing things are not fit for leading the student council. Plus, 'Cinderella' is going to be our banner production."

"But it's hard changing roles now."

Rosa Gigantea happily cut into Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida's worries.

"Basically, we just need to make Sachiko willing to play Cinderella."

"Even though we cannot change the Prince?"

"Yup. And without changing the cast."

Rosa Gigantea explained.

"Lets have a bet."

"Bet?"

"Unsparingly forcing her to do Cinderella is unfair. So we'll give Sachiko a chance, and if she loses, she has to undergo the penalty."

I see.

However, what is bothersome is how she seems confident that Sachiko-sama would lose.

Rosa Gigantea whispered into Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida's ears, already gaining their approval. It seemed like she was using Sachiko's numerical inferiority to her advantage.

"If I win?"

Sachiko-sama asked, unperturbed.

"I'll promise this time, once and for all, you can step out of Cinderella."

"I understand. I accept the bet."

"Sachiko-sama! You're accepting the bet even without asking what it is!?"

Even though it might have been meddlesome, even Yumi burst out out this.

"It hardly matters. It makes no difference if I lose."

Sachiko-sama's rather surprisingly a gambler. Even though she was fastidious, she didn't seem to disgust bets.

"Well, as per Yumi-san's request, I'll explain the rules of the bet."

Rosa Gigantea simply stated, suppressing a laugh.

"Whether Sachiko can make Yumi-san her sœur or not. Of course, Sachiko will be betting on 'yes.'"

"Eh!?"

The one that was surprised the most was, of course, Yumi.

(I thought I was done here!?)

"You were already refused once. Getting her to accept your rosary by the school festival is almost impossible. However, the moment it happens, you're immediately off the hook. In exchange, you will participate in dress rehearsals as normal until that time comes."

"I see. If I do not want to hold hands with Hanadera's council leader, I need to seduce Yumi as soon as possible, correct?"

"That's right. We will not interfere in any way. Winning or losing is entirely up to you. I think the terms are pretty fair, would you agree?"

"Sounds better than I expected."

Sachiko-sama already looked like she was confident of winning.

"Oh, and, one more thing."

Rosa Gigantea spun around to Yumi and spoke.

"No accepting the rosary simply to be useful to Sachiko. The moment you say okay and the Cinderella role becomes vacant, you're stepping in."

"Eh, why me?"

"What are you saying? When you accept the rosary, you become Sachiko's sœur. Of course it becomes your duty to fill the vacancy left by your onee-sama."

Are they insane?

"I, I, I can't replace Sachiko-sama! That, that's impossible!"

"No worries. You won't accept the rosary. As long as you stay true to that, Sachiko is guaranteed to lose."

And if it falls to Yumi, that would be amusing in itself, says Rosa Gigantea, a dreadful thing to suppose.

"Then, then rather than a bet between the Roses and Sachiko-sama, it becomes a match between Sachiko-sama and I-."

"You can look at it that way. … Well, if you're going to regret anything, regret that you the Buddhist heart that made you think, even for an instant, of helping Sachiko."

Rosa Foetida's word choice of "Buddhist heart" felt out of place at Lillian Girls' Academy.

*********************

"Unbelievable."

Tsutako-san muttered, as they walked along the gingko tree roadside.

"Why didn't you just say 'ok'? If Yumi-san became her little sister, it would have been so easy to negotiate."

The autumn sun was falling quickly, and when Yumi was freed from the Rose Mansion, you could already call it twilight.

"Then Tsutako-san, you were worried more about the photo than me, during that whole time?"

"Of course. Who do you think I am?"

The photography club ace, Takeshima Tsutako-san, I think.

"But it's getting interesting."

Tsutako-san said the same thing as Rosa Gigantea.

"Because it's someone else's business."

"I'm at ease because it's someone else. Ah, that's right, now it's Yumi-san's turn to finally collect land tax. It's disappointing that another precious sœur-less person leaves the world, but, well, if the opponent is Sachiko-sama, it's only a matter of time, I think? It would have been more amusing to designate a deadline date, in my opinion."

"Tsutako-san, you think Sachiko-sama is going to win?"

"Because Yumi-san seems so much less energetic about this."

"……"

To be honest, I was thinking the same thing. When attacked from head-on, I can't help but wonder if I would end up shaking my head vertically, crushed by sheer power.

"But. Cinderella is on the line, so I can't just lose."

When I raised my fist with resolve, Tsutako-san corrected, "That word choice makes you sound like you want to play it."

When we arrived at Maria-sama's statue, we stopped and put our hands together. This is customary. Heading to school and leaving from school, every day one time each. Actually, any time you passed by this statue, you always greet her.

(Maria-sama, today was a terrible day. If it's possible, please return me to my peaceful days as soon as you can.)

I opened my eyes and turned around, and then.

"Wait right there."

It was déjà vu. Just as in the morning, an icy voice that seems to have come from Maria-sama.

"Sachiko-sama…"

Whether she had come running, she was panting and standing roughly 10 meters behind Yumi.

"Remember this. I will absolutely become your sœur."

Even amidst the odorous fallen ginko nuts, the figure of Sachiko-sama standing straight and proclaiming the challenge was awesome.

"Gokigenyou. Do have a safe trip home."

Having said all she wanted, Sachiko-sama smiled and vanished off to the school buildings.

"She looked pretty cool."

Tsutako-san quipped, as we watched her off.

Even Yumi, that moment, felt her resolve teeter off its base.

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Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter1 4

2008-07-31T10:53:32Z

Molenir: /* Monday of Uneasiness. Part 4. */

==Monday of Uneasiness. Part 4.==

The Lillian Girls' Academy High School Student Council was named the Yamayurikai (Mountain Lily Council) in homage to Maria-sama's soul.

Maria-sama's soul was a blue sky, was an evergreen oak tree, was a Japanese nightingale, was a mountain lily, and was a sapphire. That was the song you were made to learn first, upon entering kindergarten.

(But why is it a sapphire…?)

She had wondered this as a child, and had dragged that bewilderment to the present. Blue sky, evergreen oak, nightingale, mountain lily, and then spontaneously a sapphire.

She could understand the comparison of Maria-sama's soul to such beautiful things, but a materialistic symbol such as a jewel, as opposed to natural beauties such as the sky and plants and animals had always felt out of place. Plus, a sapphire was an expensive possession, so while anyone could look up at the sky and bask in its beauty, only a select few could adorn themselves with sapphire.

(But a lady the stature of Sachiko-sama probably wouldn't find the sapphire out of place.)

And that was what went on in the mind of Yumi, who stood rather blankly in front of the Rose Mansion.

Lillian, being what would have to be considered a 'school for upper-class ladies', was filled with daughters of comparatively prosperous households. Yumi, who'd been attending the school since infancy, technically counted as a daughter of a company president, for her father was the president of a designing office.

While the exchange of their parents' occupations was not standard practice in the classroom, people nevertheless slipped out this sort of knowledge every so often during regular conversations, and from this you could hear of doctors, lawyers, company presidents of smaller enterprises, department heads of larger enterprises, university professors, and other such varying degrees of remarkable titles.

However, the Ogasawara Sachiko she was about to meet was on a different level from such ladies. She was the granddaughter of the president of the Ogasawara group, an extensive management over department stores and leisure parks, among other things, and her mother was reportedly of former nobility, making her a princess of perfect pedigree.

The Rose Mansion. It was called a mansion, but it was actually a small building, roughly half the size of a classroom, taking up floor space in the corner of the courtyard for high school buildings. However, being an independent building used solely by the student council and, with the aid of its wooden two-story appearance, you could surely see why it became known as a mansion.

"I wonder if Sachiko-sama is really in here."

Yumi-san said to Tsutako-san, temporarily lowering the fist she had raised for knocking.

"Well she wasn't in the classroom, and everyone says the Yamayurikai council have been gathering in the Rose Mansion after class every day to prepare for the school festival."

With that, Tsutako forced Yumi to look back at the door. Apparently she had tagged along purely as an escort. Yumi was the main dish. She wanted to complain, whose fault is it that she had come this far, but she had to restrain herself until she got a copy of the two-shot photo. Plus, as Tsutako-san mentioned, if things went well, she could undo the ruined reputation she might have garnered in the morning, and if things went really well, she could be on speaking terms.

"Yes. They come here every day…"

In other words, there was no turning back.

Yumi raised her fist again, but could not bring herself to knock on the wooden door.

(Ahh, how weak I am.)

However, for any normal first-year student, Yumi not-withstanding, it would have taken a considerable amount of courage to knock on this door. That was why Tsutako-san knowingly did not hurry her. If Tsutako-san were to ask, "can't you even knock?" Yumi was prepared to counter with "then you go ahead."

She felt sweat in her palm. That's odd, it's not a sweat-inducing temperature.

Her heart began throbbing more violently, and her legs began trembling.

The world beyond this door was too alien.

Just as she lowered her fist, giving up all hope, a voice called out from behind the two.

"Do you have business with the Yamayurikai?"

"Huh!?"

Yumi and Tsutako-san spun around like a spring-loaded mechanism.

"Oh dear, I apologize. I seem to have surprised you two."

Standing there was Toudou Shimako-san.

Yumi sighed heavily, relieved. If Sachiko-sama appeared when she hadn't yet steeled her resolve, she might have fainted. Well, even if fainting was an exaggeration, it was definite she would have disgraced herself even more than she had done in the morning.

"Shimako-san, too, why…"

And as Yumi began to speak, Tsutako-san, at her side, elbowed her lightly. "Idiot."

"Shimako-san is Rosa Gigantea en bouton, so she would obviously be here."

"Oh, yeah."

She was not a "regular first-year."

"Yumi-san and I wish to speak to Rosa Chinensis en bouton. Shimako-san, would you act as an agent for us?"

As if thinking, nice timing, Tsutako-san immediately began speaking to Shimako-san. Even though they were both en bouton, the difference of comfort between white and red was drastic.

"Oh, if that is the case, would you like to come inside? I believe Sachiko-sama is on the second floor."

Swaying her curls, Shimako-san opened the door and beckoned to the two, whom were rooted to the spot outside.

Not just beautiful, but kind and cute as well, Toudou Shimako-san. Yumi-san stood awestruck for a moment.

Because of this, it was easy to see why Sachiko-sama and Rosa Gigantea would scramble over her. She was, after all, the type of person you would love to stand next to and walk with. Pure white, with soft, brown, curly hair.

In contrast, even with the same colour of hair, Yumi simply had unruly hair. She had managed to subdue her jumpy bristles with ribbons by dividing them in two. –A wild animal part cotton-candy, part Savannah.

"Come in?"

Shimako-san spoke to them once more, holding open the door.

"Let's go, Yumi-san."

Gulping hard, Tsutako-san grabbed Yumi's arm. If all else failed, she was planning to drag Yumi down with her.

After taking one step, a mysterious space surrounded them.

"Uwah…"

Immediately inside was a blow-through floor. When you turned left, you were greeted by a steep staircase. Straight ahead as you reached the second floor was a stained-glass window the size of a door, and the evening sunlight stretched down like it had walked down the steps and to the lower floor.

There was no sign of life on the floor. To the right and above that were rooms, but as Shimako-san said, there didn't seem to be anyone on the first floor. Knowing this, it was apparent that even had Yumi knocked on the door, it was likely that no one would have noticed anyways, causing her to feel exhausted even before beginning the monumental task that lay ahead.

"This way."

Shimako-san deftly walked up the stairs, holding down the pleats of her dress so they wouldn't rub against the stairs. Yumi and Tsutako-san looked at each other, nodded to each other, and followed suit.

Roughly half of a year since becoming a high school student. For Yumi, the Rose Mansion was as forbidden a space as a Sister's residential ward.

"Um…, Shimako-san?"

Yumi suddenly felt anxious.

"Yes?"

"Is it alright for you to bring in an outsider this easily?"

Shimako-san stopped and turned around at the highest step, briefly looking surprised before saying "Oh dear."

"Why do you consider yourself an outsider? This building is being used as the Yamayurikai headquarters, so the staff members maintain it, but each and every student is a member of the Yamayurikai. We more than happily welcome people who wish to speak to us. Of course, if a hundred students all pushed in at once the floor might collapse?"

Lowering her shoulders a bit, Shimako-san laughed.

As she said, this old wooden building probably could only fit fifty people at once.

Yumi wondered, during what era was this built? The Lillian high school buildings were definitely not new by any account, but even their stairs did not squeak like these.

After climbing the stairs, a biscuit-shaped door appeared on their right. When they followed Shimako-san toward the door, they suddenly heard an earsplitting voice.

"Even so, why do I have to do it?"

It was a loud enough voice to have traveled through the door. When Yumi thought about how such a loud voice didn't seem befitting of the Rose Mansion, that same voice yelled once more.

"This is tyranny! The onee-sama are being mean!"

The word "mean" and the plate hanging from the doorknob reading "Please be quiet, as we are in the middle of a meeting" felt strangely unbalanced.

Incredible. A student capable of saying "mean" in the presence of seniors.

This was, after all, the Rose Mansion. There was no doubt that, inside, beginning with the Roses, distinguished members sat, almost enshrined.

A normal student couldn't attend this meeting and say "the onee-samas are being mean."

"Oh, good. Sachiko-sama seems to be present."

Shimako-san turned the doorknob.

"Eh!?"

"Then that voice was Sachiko-sama's…"

Yumi was, honestly, stunned. That Sachiko-sama would raise her voice in such a way, would use a word like mean and sound so cross while at it. It seemed like Tsutako-san was just as stunned.

On the other hand Shimako-san just smiled, saying "It's always like this," and opened the door without knocking.

And that exact moment.

"I understand, then. If that's what is being demanded, then I just need to bring her here! Yes, I will bring her here at once!"

And with what could be taken as a sharp parting remark, one student shot out of the room. It was an unfortunate accident that arose because she had been leaning on the doorknob just as the door was opened from outside.

"Ah!"

"Uwah!"

As soon as she thought a person had flown out, Yumi felt a light impact on the front of her body. Then, her sight tilted, the ceiling spun, and she felt a sharp pain at her rear.

Ignoring Shimako-san, who had used the door as a shield, and Tsutako-san, who had held back to be last in line, the direct hit almost seemed like the person had aimed directly at Yumi, who was second in line.

That's why the "ah!" was the person who flew out, and "uwah!" was Yumi's voice.

"Are you alright?"

She heard Shimako-san and Tsutako-san's voices.

"Hnn… nn."

It had become a confusing situation, and she didn't know what was happening. Only her buttocks had hit something, but a soft pressing feeling remained around her stomach and breast. Plus, because someone else's hair was covering her face, even though she knew she was supposed to be facing upwards, she had no idea where she was and she had lost directional senses.

"Ow…"

Murmuring that, the person lying on top carefully raised herself. When Yumi's vision cleared, the first thing she saw was none other than Rosa Chinensis en bouton, Ogasawara Sachiko-sama. She, too, had not yet realized what had happened, and simply sat, slowly shaking her head.

The straight, long, black hair swayed like the hair for models in commercials and, gradually, returned to their native positions. The difference with TV was that a floral scent accompanied this hair.

"Aww. That was a flashy fall."

"Eh, she got crushed by Sachiko's 50kg? How miserable-!"

"Heeey. Victim, are you alive?"

The students whom were in the room slowly crept out, having noticed the crash. It was a line-up you could only see in a Yamayuri general meeting. Rosa Chinensis, Rosa Foetida, Rosa Gigantea. Next to Rosa Foetida were her bouton and her respective petit sœur.

"Eh, I crushed someone!? Are you alright!?"

Having finally realized what happened, Sachiko-sama hurriedly tried to raise Yumi.

"Sachiko. You shouldn't simply move them. If they hit their head it could be disastrous."

Rosa Foetida en bouton came forward from the crowd. Second-year chrysanthemum-class number 30, Hasekura Rei-sama. Being the daughter of a martial arts family, she had probably seen her fair share of people who had gotten concussions.

However, her sailor collar and low-waist plaited-skirt uniform made her seem even more like a handsome person in male attire – a sight that was a rarity in Lillian. A slender figure with very short hair. Even this uniform, that seemed like one that an antique doll would wear, was worn by her like a man's formal divided skirt.

"Ah, I'm alright, I only hit my back."

Yumi hurriedly stood up. Her butt still throbbed, but otherwise it seemed like it could turn into an uproar.

"Are you sure?"

Sachiko-sama leaned forward with a worried look.

Ahh, if you look at me at such short range, I feel like running away. Your beautiful eyes will get sullied.

"Yes, as you can see."

Unable to bear the atmosphere, Yumi stood up and hopped around like a phoenix bird. She disliked her clownish behavior, but the atmosphere felt like had she not done so, they would have called an ambulance.

"That is a relief."

Perhaps relieved, Sachiko-sama hugged Yumi tightly. The same feeling in her breast as before. Ahh, so that's what it was. It was Sachiko-sama's breasts. Because of the uniform's construction, it's difficult to tell the difference between different peoples' figures, but her breasts are along the lines of the abundant. … This wasn't the time to be thinking of this. Graciously, at the moment, Sachiko-sama was embracing her.

"By the way."

Still embraced, Sachiko-sama whispered in Yumi's ear.

"You are a first-year, are you not? Do you have someone to call onee-sama?"

"Huh?"

That moment, she thought of that first-year student who self-destructed by wearing a loose tie. In her stead, Sachiko-sama berated her onee-sama.

However.

Would she drag in a sœur over colliding? In this case, it was an accident, and Sachiko-sama had been the one that had crashed into the standing Yumi.

"Which is it?"

Sachiko-sama whispered urgently.

"I don't… why?"

Because it felt like a secretive conversation, Yumi also suppressed her voice as she answered. Then.

"Splendid."

"Um, what…"

"No worries. Just do as I say."

Extremely forceful. Without given any reason, she was dragged out in front of the extravagant members.

"I have a report for the onee-sama."

As opposed to the hysteric voice that cut through the door, Sachiko-sama had returned to the icy voice of norm.

"Oh my, I wonder what is starting?"

Rosa Chinensis inquired with an intellectual smile. As expected of Sachiko-sama's onee-sama. She had the composure and presence of someone who could make even Sachiko-sama dance on her fingertips.

"This girl-."

After leading with that, Sachiko-sama whispered toward Yumi and informed her, "Introduce yourself." She had just realized she had never asked Yumi for her name.

"Ah, first-year peach-class number 35. Fukuzawa Yumi."

When she tried to introduce herself to Sachiko-sama, she half-turned Yumi's body. Apparently, she had wanted her to introduce herself to the Roses.

"I see, Fukuzawa Yumi-san. How do you write that with kanji?"

"Fukuzawa from Fukuzawa Yukichi, you add 'right (右)' to a shimesu-hen (ネ) for Yu, and Mi from the year of the snake (巳)."

"A joyous, and good, name."

Rosa Gigantea smiled brilliantly.

"And?"

Finally, Rosa Foetida looked at Yumi from head to toe, as if appraising her.

"What with this Fukuzawa Yumi-san?"

All of a sudden, Yumi had been surrounded by the three Roses.

Maybe this is how it felt to be a frog hunted by a snake. Even though her name had "snake" in it, she wanted to be pardoned from this. If it weren't a snake, it was a briar forest. They say pretty roses have thorns, but she definitely realized the Roses weren't merely pretty onee-sama.

Even though she had only hit her buttocks, her head felt light from the invisible pressure. What was Sachiko-sama planning to do after capturing a frail first-year?

"Onee-sama. Would you please cease staring in that way? Look, Yumi is absolutely terrified."

(Yu, Yumi…!?)

Woah, woah.

She didn't even know her name until just now, and yet they were already on a first-name basis? Is, how Yumi would have liked to retort, but because it was Sachiko-sama, her mind simply went blank.

Yumi.

The standard at Lillian was to add –san to the end of every name, so first-name basis was limited to only extremely close relationships. Even her parents went by a "friend-like parental relationship," so she was called "Yumi-chan" by her parents. The only person to call her simply Yumi was her little brother, who'd become cheeky as of late.

However, it sounded good. To be called "Yumi" by Sachiko-sama.

Even though she didn't really know what was happening, it felt good, so she decided to play along with Sachiko-sama. Even she could come in useful to her. –That sort of feeling.

"That's true, it could have been unpleasant, we apologize, … umm, Fukuzawa Yumi-san."

Rosa Gigantea craned her neck for a slight bow. This person was Shimako-san's grande sœur. Her face was, in contrast to Shimako-san, more of an exotic look, but she was still far too beautiful to look at up close. Her graded semi-long hair flowed behind her hair like wind and looked pretty.

"However, we cannot help but be attentive to Sachiko's, as Rosa Chinensis en bouton, conduct. I hope you will understand?"

"… y, yes."

Yumi could understand why the Roses would be attentive of Sachiko-sama. But she could not comprehend why they would be staring so intently at her.

"Rosa Gigantea. I would appreciate if you did not speak to Yumi so off-handedly."

Sachiko-sama stepped in front of Yumi, as if shielding her.

"Oh, since when did Yumi-san become your personal possession?"

Rosa Gigantea raised an eyebrow and giggled. Having had her fault taken away, even Yumi, standing obliquely behind of Sachiko-sama, could tell she was beginning to contort her face in anger.

"Well, Rosa Gigantea. Let us hear what Sachiko has to say, first."

"Oh yes, that's right. She did say she had something to report."

As Rosa Chinensis and Rosa Foetida brought back order, Sachiko-sama seemed to cool down, lose her angered look, and then nod.

"I will have you carry out that promise from earlier."

"Promise?"

Rosa Chinensis asked back.

"As long as I choose now, everything is settled, correct? In that case, I am choosing Yumi."

Sachiko-sama grabbed Yumi's shoulders and pushed her out front. As if she was showing off a newly-bought toy.

"Um…"

Because Yumi had no idea what was said "earlier," she had no idea what was happening. Rather, she had been brought into a mess without knowing it.

She looked to Tsutako-san and Shimako-san for help, but they both shook their heads. They had both arrived at the same time as Yumi, so they, too, could not grasp the situation.

"Would 'earlier' mean the parting remark you cried out right before you walked out that door?"

The three Roses looked intently at Sachiko-sama.

"Of course."

Smiling triumphantly, Sachiko-sama flowed on, speaking the words that plucked the spirit out of the entire room:

I declare Fukuzawa Yumi to be my petite sœur.

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