Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Postscript

2008-06-21T11:02:07Z

91.165.184.156: /* 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 be 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 hope, 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

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter6 2

2008-06-21T10:58:49Z

91.165.184.156: /* 2. */

==2.==

The blaze stretched out to the heavens with a crackling sound.

Prepared solely for today, and with their roles fulfilled, wooden planks and paper were gathered, and turned into a blaze of memories.

With the grounds empty after the guests returned home, a firestorm was underway, with the students stoking its fires.

"Be very careful of the fire."

They said, but as this year's post-festival night event had no wind, the teachers also relaxed and watched. Many students brought left-over fireworks from the summer and lit them together.

Yumi's class' "Road of the Cross" was to be kept by the school as an art and caption set, so they gathered their rough drafts and sign posters and tossed them into the fire.

The producers of the Cinderella costumes and props and settings took their respective bits back with them, so Yumi tossed her script book, with its two weeks of memories, into the fire. Now, nothing was left. She thought, because there was nothing left, memories would be vividly burnt into her heart.

Eventually, a number of students gathered with instruments and began playing, one after another. First, the mandolin club performed the rhythmical Oklahoma Mixer. Then, naturally, a number of rings of students gathered around the bonfire. Girls took each other's hands and joined into rings, and so a folk dance flower bloomed.

Rather than joining a ring, Yumi climbed the moderate embankment outside the track, alone. Like the audience seating for an amphitheater, this was prime seating to look over the grounds.

Following the rock band's tempestuous Jenka was the brass band's wonderful Mayim-Mayim. Her heart felt like it had a hole poked through it, while she watched the dancing.

Everything ended today.

The dream-like days that began two weeks ago with a bent scarf.

With the Cinderella play over, she would no longer have reason to visit the Rose Mansion. After cleaning and returning the brazier she borrowed, her link to Sachiko-sama would evaporate. Because the bet was over, Sachiko-sama no longer had reason to bother with Yumi, either.

Girls blessed with good fortune are often called Cinderella Girls, and Yumi felt precisely like one. She was just an ordinary girl with no real talents, but she was allowed to accompany the school's most adored girls, and was able to come away with plenty of memories.

Even though her ordinary days would resume again tomorrow, she felt it was going to be different from two weeks ago. It was hard to explain just how, but she felt she had changed for the better. So even though she felt a bit lonely now, she knew it was going to be alright.

"I found you."

She turned around when a hand tapped her shoulder, and saw Sachiko-sama. The person she longed to see most had magically appeared.

"Are you free?"

"Ah, … yes."

Yumi stood up from her crouched position. Apparently she had been soaking in her grief for longer than she expected, as her calf throbbed.

The two of them walked for some time, looking for a quiet place to talk.

"It was so chaotic after the curtain fell, I was unable to settle down and speak with Yumi."

Sachiko-sama's hand held two packs of apple juice, in paper packaging, from the Milk Hall vending machine. She stuck a straw in one, and handed it to Yumi.

"Congratulations on a successful play."

A toast, in front of Maria-sama, and after they touched the sides of their paper packs together, they sipped at their straws. The folk dance had at some point transformed into a Bon Festival dance, and the Tokyo marching song played by the string quartet in the distance seemed like a national anthem for some exotic country.

"It was fun."

Sachiko-sama exhaled, after sipping.

It was not a gloomy sigh, like before. Rather, it was more like the exuberant exhalation after swigging a can of beer, like in the beer commercials.

After that satisfied sigh, Sachiko-sama suddenly began giggling.

"What is it?"

"Did you notice? During the dance, I stepped on Suguru-san's foot three times."

"Ah…"

"He's showy, so he'll never admit it, but it must have hurt. Because I was wearing high-heels."

When she imagined it, it seemed so absurd, that Yumi, too, began laughed outloud.

Sachiko-sama struck back with physical retribution, as Kashiwagi-san couldn't understand the pain of others. It was not enough to counteract her feelings, but it must have at least made her feel better.

"Thank you."

Sachiko-sama returned to a serious face.

"It's because of Yumi that I can be laughing like this."

Surprised, she looked at Sachiko-sama's serious face. That unbelievable statement had indeed been spoken from the lips of the beautiful face in front of her.

"But, I, didn't."

"You did. Maybe you don't know, but you did. So-."

She placed her juice-box on the ground so that it wouldn't spill, then reached into her pocket.

"May I, hang this over Yumi's neck?"

That was Sachiko-sama's rosary, that she had seen several times.

"But, yesterday you said you-."

As Yumi began speaking, Sachiko-sama cut her off, "Of course?"

"If you were to accept, desiring to swap Cinderella roles with me, I wouldn't be happy."

"Eh, then…"

"Sympathy, bets, this has nothing to do with any of that. This is a sacred ritual, after all."

She thought about whether she was worthy of accepting that rosary that had already been spread into a loop. But, Sachiko-sama had chosen Yumi, and to think herself unworthy would be to distrust Sachiko-sama's choice of people.

Yesterday, she chased Sachiko-sama. Remember your feeling then, she told herself. That the person to chase Sachiko-sama had to be her. Even if she was inexperienced, she simply needed to work harder to overcome that.

Go for it. Yumi ordered herself.

"I accept."

"Thank you."

Sachiko-sama softly placed the rosary over her neck. A launching firework for residential use exploded in the air, as if blessing the two. Then, the music changed.

"Ah."

Both of them simultaneously spoke. The accordion, pianica, and harmonica played a nostalgic melody.

"Maria-sama's Soul."

What they had heard some time ago must have been practice for today.

"Three quarters…, no, six eighths, I think."

One, two, three, four, five, six. One, two, three, four, five, six.

That means-.

"You can dance to it with a waltz!"
"Right!"

The two clasped each others' hands.

Joining the leading ensemble, the students had begun singing. They danced a waltz to the background of the soft, angelic singing voices.

The cold air was delicious, and it felt wonderful to the skin.

She felt she could dance forever under the moonlight.

The night Yumi became the petite sœur for Rosa Chinensis en bouton.

The moon, and Maria-sama, was watching them.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Postscript|Postscript]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter1 3

2008-06-21T09:32:28Z

91.165.184.156: /* 3. */

==3.==

"Yumi-san,Yumi-san."

Yumi was called upon after school, just as she had finished her cleaning duties and had walked out of the music room.

"Ah, Tsutako-san (蔦子). Have you already finished cleaning the classroom?"

"Yes, and that's why I hurried here, to ensure we wouldn't walk past each other. Yumi-san seemed to have taken her bag to cleaning duty, after all."

Because the first-year classrooms were distant from the music room, first-years always took their bags with them. As the entrance and the club houses were close by, it was convenient for going home or for going to club activities.

"You were looking for me?"

"I wanted to discuss something."

"Discuss?"

This prompted Tsutako-san to raise her frame-less glasses by the nose-bridge with a finger, nod, and say "yes."

"Yumi-san. We have club activities to get to, so we'll excuse ourselves now. Oh, I'll return the cleaning journal to the staff room on the way, too."

The three students whom were helping with cleaning duty smiled with pure eyes.

"Why… thank you."

"No, no. Think nothing of it. Gokigenyou."

"Gokigenyou."

The uniforms, with the color of damp crows' wings, leniently flowed down the hallway. Tsutako-san and Yumi saw them off together.

"You are, I think, aware that I belong to the photography club?"

Tsutako-san turned back toward Yumi and asked, abruptly.

"Y, … yes."

Because she's notorious.

Aside from class time, she rarely lets go of her camera. Yumi vaguely remembered hearing her mourn, at one point, about how chagrined she was whenever she missed a shutter chance, and that feeling of regret was the reason why she had no choice but to hang onto her camera at all times. Since the beginning of high school, this had been the first time Yumi ended up in the same class as Tsutako-san, but already she'd been shown two or three photos that she never realized had been taken. Though she couldn't really tell how 'good' Tsutako-san was, she had to admit that even her ordinary self looked at least 30% cuter in the photos.

"You know how the school festival is close by? Well, because of that, I've been coming to school early to take photos from early morning."

She only used people as her photo subjects. Well, specifically, "female high-school students." Honestly, there was no problem in that, but she claimed "good photos can't be taken when the subjects even subconsciously pose," so she had a tendency to take secret photos.

"Tsutako-san, don't you think it might be better to stop taking photos as if you were a peeping tom?"

"Why should I throw away the privilege I have, being an active Lillian Girls' Academy student? I just want to seal away beauty as beautifully as they come, within these frames. We'll all age, eventually, but it's possible to preserve 'now' in all its glittering glory. I just think that's my God-given duty, having been chosen by the camera."

With that, she raised a clenched fist.

"Even so."

"Not to worry. I've gotten permission from every one of my subjects. I burn everything, including the negatives, for rejected pictures. And before I present them, I always, always make sure the people involved are willing."

"Permission?"

"Like this."

[[Image:MM_v01_01.jpg|thumb]]
Tsutako-san presented two photographs to Yumi.

"What?"

Three, two, one.

It required three seconds to realize what the photos were of.

"Ehh!"

As Yumi had raised her voice far beyond what was generally accepted of a Lillian student, Tsutako-san covered her mouth.

"Th, this."

Ahh, and what it was.

The morning scene, that same scene she wished could be erased from her memory. A two-shot photo of Ogasawara Sachiko-sama and Yumi.

Even so, it was definitely worthy of the photography club's ace. She had not let the shutter chance go by. Both of Sachiko-sama's hands were firmly gripping Yumi's scarf. You could imagine hearing the sound of the knot being squeezed.

Even while struggling to hold onto her bag, Yumi stared, absorbing everything in the photo.

As always, Sachiko-sama was lovely. And as a direct result of her presence, Yumi, standing to her side, looked like an angel.

"The first one was taken with a long-range shutter, the close-up. But this one, the one where your whole body is photographed, has more of a 'forbidden' mood to it, making it look better, don't you think?"

By the way the title is "Training," Tsutako-san said, and Yumi could do naught but agree.

"Can I have this?"

As Yumi asked, Tsutako-san laughed and took back the photos. She looked as if Yumi had just been snagged hook, line and sinker.

"I don't mind, but on two conditions."

"Conditions?"

"Condition one: that you allow me to use this photo in a panel for the photography-club exhibit during the school festival."

"Eh…"

Exhibit? Panel? Was she out of her mind?

How reckless, to line up someone like Yumi, with an extremely average academic, height, weight and figure, to someone who's perfect in every regard, like Ogasawara Sachiko-sama, in front of every student.

"Tsutako-san. You must be kidding."

"Why would I be kidding? I've been confident, ever since I snapped the photo, that it was my best work this whole year. That's why I developed the film at the cost of lunch break."

As she said that, Tsutako-san's stomach let out a decidedly un-lady-like growl. Ah, her lunch lay untouched in her bag. Hobbies take precedence even over the nurturing appetite.

"But, a panel…"

Yumi looked down.

"You don't want the photo?"

Tsutako-san plucked the two photos and waved them in front of Yumi's face.

"I know. You've always admired Ogasawara Sachiko-sama in secret. Yet, ignoring the remote possibility of a two-shot, I know you don't even have a close-up photo of her head. When the field trip photos were put up outside the staff room, you were vexed that you couldn't request copies, because you were of a different grade, am I right? And as you aren't part of any club, you had no 2nd-year student to request for a copy. The only photo you have is one from the athletics meet. That's the picture where Sachiko-sama, waiting in line for the relay, happened to be in the background and, well, I won't say a rice grain, but she is really just a speck."

"Excuse me. She was at least the size of a pencil. And even so, it's a treasure to me."

Tsutako-san could pursue a career as a private detective if she so desired.

"I wonder if that pencil will satisfy you, after today's events."

The lens of her glasses shined like a camera flash.

"… You're evil."

Of course there was no way she'd be satisfied, having seen such a good photo.

"But, isn't there a chance Sachiko-sama refuses?"

"That's why."

Tsutako-san put up her index finger and laughed, triumphantly.

"The other condition is that you receive permission from Rosa Chinensis en bouton."

"Ehh!? That's impossible, absolutely impossible."

Again, she says something so stunning so smoothly.

"Why?"

Tsutako-san widened her eyes in surprise.

"You two look so intimate. Like sœurs."

"I wish!"

Yumi explained. This morning, while heading to school, she'd been suddenly called out, and when she wondered what was going on, she'd been cautioned about her appearance.

"Well. And she fixed your tie while at it, too. If your classmates found out they'd be envious."

"As if they would say, 'Oh, I'm so envious?'"

Just remembering the incident made her want to blush.

"Sachiko-sama probably thought, what a slovenly student."

It wasn't supposed to be like that.

In reality, meeting onee-sama in the near future was supposed to be a more beautiful situation.

For example, like a scene in a movie. A scene that would make you blush just remembering it, even after graduating. Even if it were just an instant. Like picking up and returning Sachiko-sama's handkerchief after it got blown away by wind, or something trivial like that.

But, a bent tie. On top of that, she panicked so much she couldn't even greet or thank her. She'd fallen to the status an impolite underclassman.

"A slovenly student, isn't that fine? After all, it let you get close to your lovely onee-sama."

"Err…"

There was no retort to that. Had her tie not been bent, it would have been likely she would have never been called to, in her entire life.

"Tsutako-san, why don't you negotiate in person? You do that all the time, after all."

"Even Tsutako-san, brave and fearless as she is, is intimidated by the Yamayurikai council."

The Yamayurikai was the student council of the Lillian Girls' Academy High School. The council, called the White, Red and Yellow Roses were, despite being students, on a different social standing than the regular students, like court officials. Sachiko-sama was the petite sœur to Rosa Chinensis.

"Also, Yumi-san, I decided that it would be profitable to use you for negotiations."

"W, Why."

"Because you caught the attention of Sachiko-sama."

"That's because of my tie-"

"If a bent tie were all that were needed to get the attention of Sachiko-sama, every Lillian student would walk around with bent ties."

That was Tsutako-san's retort.

"No way."

"Quite frankly, I've seen such calculating first-year students."

First-years that undertook a bold deed the likes of walking in front of Sachiko-sama with a bent tie, all for the sake of catching her attention for one moment. Tsutako-san spoke of this in a serenading tone, as if she were a leading actress, standing at the middle of the stage, basking in the spotlight.

"Especially Sachiko-sama, she's considered one of the most compulsive about cleanliness in the school. She's famous for disdaining slovenly appearances, so there might have been more than one person who foolishly attempted such a stunt."
To carry a proper soul, one must first tend to their person appearance-. For roughly 11 years since kindergarten, that had been a repeated mantra, and breaking that schooling in order to get the attention of their beloved senior simply awarded them one, icy glance from Sachiko-sama. And then complete disregard.

Even worse, sometimes that student's onee-sama was called out for a discussion about personal appearance.

"Sachiko-sama, … is scary."

"Did you just find out? Ogasawara Sachiko-sama is scary. Of course, this is only with matters that she disapproves of."

"And you're telling me to face that scary Sachiko-sama…?"

Frankly, she thought Tsutako-san was just as scary.

Already Yumi was getting ready to run. The toes of her indoor shoes were already facing the entrance.

"You don't understand, Yumi-san. Sachiko-sama is no demon. She's an angel. Archangel Michael."

"A, Archangel Michael…?"

What is she saying, does she even understand what she's saying? Tsutako-san's eyes were focused on something far away.

"She is, in reality, sublime and tolerant. However, everything that opposes her aesthetic sense is absolutely unforgivable. She is, after all, a born princess. She has her own peculiar sense of rules."

Tsutako-san was swimming away alone. Yumi could not help but raise her hand, say "Um," and request.

"Tsutako-san, I only get mid-marks for language class."

"Yes?"

"Can you lower the level and explain, please?"

"Lower the level?"

"Umm, in other words, can you explain more clearly, please?"

Tsutako-san folded her arms and went deep in thought. It was hard to explain to someone else a theory you had already completed yourself.

"To put it simply, Sachiko-sama is never irrationally angry, so it's alright. When she's angry, there's always reason in her words."

"So?"

"So don't worry and get persuading."

"Why me?"

"Seems to be a fit. You and Sachiko-sama."

Sheesh, I can't understand Tsutako-san's thought process.

"And what basis do you have for that?"

"Basis? I have no basis. These things are all about instinct. Intuition."

Sachiko-sama, who never bothered with the ties of underclassmen, spontaneously decided this morning to call out to her, chastise her, and then re-tie Yumi's scarf with her own hands. Tsutako-san seemed emphatic that this was a brilliant achievement, one that couldn't have happened with pure luck.

"Even if the person is not aware of it, I think like-minded people subconsciously step closer to one another."

"And again you're being irrational."

Essentially, it seemed like she was simply pushing something she didn't want to do on Yumi.

"If you're regretful of being thought of as a slovenly student, then replace that image. If you politely thank her, 'Thank you for warning me this morning,' you'll turn out to be a polite lady."

"Ugh, Tsutako-san, you're persuasive."

"Why, thank you. I have been invited by the debate club once."

Her triumphant laugh was so masterful that it felt she could be invited by the theatrics club, too.

Ten minutes later, Yumi stood in front of the door for the Yamayurikai headquarters, the "Rose Mansion."

In the end, Tsutako's killer blow of "You don't want the photo?" had pushed Yumi into accepting the job of negotiating with Sachiko-sama.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_2|Part 2]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_4|Part 4]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter1 2

2008-06-21T09:30:32Z

91.165.184.156: /* 2. */

==2.==

"Ooh, so that's what happened."

Katsura-san (桂), who sat in front of her, just laughed when she heard the story.

"You were so gloomy when you showed up to class, I was wondering if you ran into a molester in the train or something."

"A molester might have been better."

"Why?"

"It doesn't stick with you."

"Yumi-san, it seems you haven't run into a molester."

"I commute by bus."

Students of Lillian Girls' Academy generally took a circulation bus from M Train Station's North Exit at JR town to get to school. Both of them were the same in this regard, but Katsura-san took a crowded train to get to M Station, whereas Yumi took a bus to M Station South Exit, resulting in the difference in pleasantry (or unpleasantry).

"Wasn't there talk about a Lillian rail car, though?"

"There is one, but you know, it's more like the Yamayurikai council gathered everyone together so that Lillian students all crowd into the second car from the back. But because of day duties and club activities and the likes, if you leave too early there aren't enough students, so it's kind of pointless."

Apparently, though, because rumours circulated, female students from schools other than Lillian had begun using that car, making it pretty effective against molesters. Of course, there was no real method of squeezing out males, but apparently the number of gentlemen with the courage to step into a car full of young women was not very high. Plus, there was hardly any opportunity to make any suspicious moves, anyways.

The Lillian uniform used a non-lustrous black cloth that seems like it had a drop of green, and was very refined throughout. The ivory sailor collar with a single black line was tied up as is into a tie. During this season, the one-piece, low-waist plaited skirts were knee-high. Combine all this as a set with the threefold white socks and the ballet-style leather shoes and you get a very traditional outfit, one that had a firmly-rooted popularity with ordinary people as well as, of course, the uniform maniacs.

This attractive outfit advertised a lady's upper-class stature. And sailor uniforms attracted unwanted attention as it were, too.

"Trains are crowded, so I always check how I look beforehand."

Saying that, Katsura-san, using Yumi as a mirror, acted out how she fixed up her forelocks and re-tied her tie. Like this, she meant.

"I see, I was so careless."

Yumi bent over her desk. Then, Katsura-san pat her head, as if saying "there there."

"Pretty much. But people that can sit elegantly as they ride to school wouldn't think of these things. Don't worry about it, it's not a big deal."

"It is a big deal."

"As long as we forget, it's fine isn't it?"

"Why?"

"Because she's the star of Lillian Girls' Academy. Stars don't worry about each and every amateur."

Stars and amateurs.

Even though it was the truth, or rather, because it was the truth, it hurt. Katsura-san's consolation was a bit of an extreme treatment.

Incidentally, Katsura was a name and not a surname. At Lillian, nicknames generally did not exist. The custom was to speak to those of the same grade as "–san". When speaking to an upperclassman, "-sama."

"There's no helping withering away when you're called upon. The only first-year in our class that can handle being spoken to by a 'Yamayurikai' council member is her."

And with that, Katsura-san shot a glance behind her. Following her line of sight, Yumi saw Toudou Shimako just step into the room.

"Gokigenyou, Katsura-san. Gokigenyou, Yumi-san."

As she greeted the two, Shimako-san elegantly advanced to her seat.

"Go- Gokigenyou."

Yumi and Katsura-san looked at each other, as if they wanted to ask, "What're you so embarrassed about?"

Even though they're the same age, the discrepancy was enormous. Although completely unlike Sachiko-sama, Shimako-san was also stunningly beautiful.

Looking at her depressed you, making you think, beautiful people are beautiful even from when they were young. Any hope of becoming as beautiful as Sachiko-sama just by becoming a second-year high-school student was snuffed out, just like that.

"Did you hear?"

Katsura-san began whispering, so Yumi also lowered her voice.

"That Shimako-san became Rosa Gigantea en bouton? Even skipping over the 2nd-years."

It was famous. The story about Shimako-san exchanging sisterly vows with Rosa Gigantea despite being a 1st year student.

"Not that."

"Not that?"

Implying that it was the latest scoop, Katsura-san put her index finger over her lip and said "Onee-sama told me." Her Sœur was a tennis-club senior, who was in the same class as Sachiko-sama.

"Shimako-san, not only did Rosa Gigantea propose, but apparently so did Sachiko-sama."

"Ehh-!!"

"Yumi-san, you're being loud."

The two of them scrunched up over a single desk. It was a spectacle very un-befitting of ladies, but the two of them had not noticed. –Maria-sama, please forgive them, no matter what generation it is, women love rumors about other people.

The Lillian Girls' Academy's Sœur system was said to have been borne out of the school's attitude of respecting the autonomy of its students in High School. As students graduated from compulsory education, in which they lived under the management of teachers and Sisters, they were expected to lead an ordered life with their own power. The Sœur system was adopted so that elder sisters could guide their little sisters through this rather overwhelming time. As that system became completely immersed throughout the school, it became such that even without any strict school regulations, the pure and righteous school life was passed down from generation to generation.

Sœur meant sisters, in French. Presumably in order to prevent confusion with Sisters, they avoided using English. Originally every senior and underclassman was called sœur, but eventually it became a way of designating two tightly bond girls. No one was sure when the ritual of vowing to become Sœurs through a give-and-receive of a rosary began.

"According to the stories, Sachiko-sama proposed first, but she accepted Rosa Gigantea's hand, even though it came later."

Katsura-san seemed a bit disdainful, but she was definitely getting excited by the rumor-mongering.

"I wonder if she just preferred white over crimson."

"That's not the point. Sheesh… Yumi-san, you're a bit weird. See? When you're in Shimako-san's class of people, you can even have your pick between two roses."

"Your pick, that's such a despicable wording."

"But, truth be told, Sachiko-sama was rejected."

"Mmm."

What a wasteful thing to do, thought Yumi.

"What do you mean 'mmm,' don't you think it's horrible?"

"Why? If you can't have two onee-sama, you do have to pick one."

"And you pick the one that came later?"

"But it's not a race."

"Yes it is!"

And thus did Katsura-san conclude the discussion, heaving a sigh. Come to think of it, she had exchanged Sœur vows the day she joined the tennis club.

"Speaking of which, what about Rosa Foetida?"

"Rosa Foetida is peaceful and secured with a 3rd-year, 2nd-year and 1st-year."

"I see."

For Yumi, as opposed to Rosa Gigantea and Rosa Chinensis en bouton fighting over Shimako-san, the fact that neither of them had younger sisters was more surprising.

"Either way, the reality is, Sachiko-sama proposed to her, and she didn't immediately accept."

As she said that, Katsura-san looked at the clock.

The bell would ring for the morning prayers.

Then, a hymnal would sound from the school broadcast system. Aside from the once-a-week morning prayer at the Sanctuary, everyone prayed in their classroom. Everyone sang the hymn, listened to the principal speak, then calmed their spirits and offered prayer to God.

Please allow me to live righteously today.

However, on this day, despite praying, she had the feeling that she was about to be jarred from her peaceful daily life.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_1|Part 1]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_3|Part 3]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter1 1

2008-06-21T09:27:45Z

91.165.184.156: /* 1. */

==1.==

"Wait right there."

It was a Monday.

Down the rows of Gingko trees is a fork in the road, and it was here that Yumi was called upon from behind to wait.

It was a cold, piercing voice, strong enough to seem like an illusion. Furthermore, because this happened right in front of Maria-sama's figure, for an instant she thought that perhaps it was Maria-sama telling her to hold still.

Having been spoken to, you must first stop and answer "yes," then turn your entire body. Even if it was unexpected, you must not act rushed. Suffice it to say; simply "turning your face" is definitively unladylike conduct.

As elegant as possible, as well as beautifully. All in order to get even one step closer to being like the elder sisters.

That is why as soon as you turn about and stand facing your company, you must smile and say gokigenyou-.

Unfortunately, Yumi was unable to answer "gokigenyou."

"---"

It was because recognizing who had called out to her struck her speechless.

The reason why she had not immediately jumped up is because she had dedicated herself to conduct herself the way a student at Lillian Girls' Academy should, and her restraint at this moment was show of progress toward this goal ... at least, that is how she wished it would have been. Rather, her astonishment was so great that her actions lagged far behind her racing mind, leaving her frozen in time.

"Um... would you be speaking to me?"

Somehow managing to thaw herself, Yumi managed to ask, incredulously. Of course, Yumi had already confirmed that she was the only one in direct eye-sight, and she was the only one that could possibly be spoken to. Even so, it was difficult for Yumi to believe.

"You are not mistaken. I am the one who spoke, and you were the one to whom I spoke."

Not mistaken, she had said. Yet, Yumi desperately felt like responding, of course there was a mistake, and then running away. Having no idea why she would be called upon, her mind was in a state of near-panic.

She floated a thin smile and walked straight toward Yumi, not knowing what sort of state she was in.

Because they were in different grades, there had been no prior chance to see her face from this close. This was even the first time Yumi had heard her voice this clearly.

Her waist-length straight hair shined so brightly that it begged you to ask what shampoo brand she used. It was so well-kept that it was hard to imagine there was a single strand of ill-conditioned hair.

"Hold this."

She held out her bag. When Yumi, still puzzled, took the bag, she reached out behind Yumi's neck with both of her empty hands.

(Kya-!!)

Not knowing what was happening, Yumi shut her eyes, lowered her chin and stiffened.

"Your tie, it was crooked."

"What?"

When she opened her eyes, that beautiful face was still in front of her. Apparently, she was fixing Yumi's tie.

"You should always be aware of your personal appearance. Maria-sama is watching, after all."

And with that, the person took back her bag from Yumi, said "gokigenyou," and walked ahead to the school building.

(That... that was...)

Standing there, left behind, blood slowly flowed back into Yumi's head, and she began registering what just happened.

There was no doubt about who that was.

Second-year pine-class Ogasawara Sachiko-sama (小笠原祥子). Incidentally, her name was 7th on the attendance sheet. She was known as "Rosa Chinensis en bouton."

She was such the object of the school's affections that you could not help but wonder if it was okay to say her name, for someone of such lower stature to even mention her.

(That's...)

Yumi was just about to boil in embarrassment.

(That's not fair!)

She stood dumbfounded for a few moments.

She had exchanged words with the onee-sama she aspired to for the first time. Yet, it was a horrifically embarrassing episode. It was too cruel.

Maria-sama is mean!

When she looked up out of spite at Maria-sama, the latter maintained her ever-present chaste smile and stood, silently, in the middle of the small, green garden.

<noinclude>
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; padding: 0.2em; border-collapse: collapse;"
|-
| Return to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru|Main Page]]
| Back to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Prologue|Prologue]]
| Forward to [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_2|Part 2]]
|-
|}
</noinclude>

Maria-sama ga Miteru

2008-06-17T20:28:27Z

91.165.184.156: /* Updates */

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

== 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 new first-year student admitted to 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 ==
=== Format Standards ===
*[[Format_guideline|General Format/Style Guideline]]
*[[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Format|Maria-sama ga Miteru specific formatting]]

== Updates ==
*June 15, 2008
**Volume 3 Prologue added.
*June 14, 2008
**Volume 2 complete!!
*June 12, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 5 Part 4 added.
*June 9, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 5 Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 added.
*June 3, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 4 Part 5 added. I'm home! Finally settled for at least a couple months! I hope my pace picks back up now, sorry for the slow and inconsistent updates the past two months, things have been absurd and hectic -_-
*May 26, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 4 Part 4 added.
*May 25, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 4 Part 3 added.
*May 23, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 4 Part 2 added.
*May 22, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 4 Part 1 added.
*May 21, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 3 Part 5 added.
*May 19, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 3 Part 4 added.
*May 17, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 3 Part 3 added.
*May 16, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 3 Part 2 added.
*May 15, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 2 Part 3 and Chapter 3 Part 1 added.
*May 3, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 2 Part 2 added.
*May 2, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 2 Part 1 added.
*April 30, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 4 added. Sorry for the wait!
*April 17, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 3 added.
*April 9, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 2 added.
*April 8, 2008
**Volume 2 Chapter 1 Part 1 added.
*April 7, 2008
**Volume 2 Prologue added.

[[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 - Unupdated)]]===
[[Image:MM_v01_cover.jpg|thumb]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Monday of Uneasiness
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_3|Part 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_4|Part 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter1_5|Part 5]]
* Tuesday of Storms
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter2_3|Part 3]]
* Anxious Wednesday, Friday of Battle
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3_3|Part 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3_4|Part 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter3_5|Part 5]]
* Spicy and Bitter Weekend
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter4_3|Part 3]]
* The Hot Second Week
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5_3|Part 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter5_4|Part 4]]
* Waltz-like Sunday
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Chapter6_2|Part 2]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume1_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 2 - The Yellow Rose Revolution/黄薔薇革命 ===
[[Image:MM_v02_cover.jpg|thumb]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Best Sœur
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1_3|Part 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter1_4|Part 4]]
* The Returned Rosary
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter2_3|Part 3]]
* Unexpected Consequences
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3_3|Part 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3_4|Part 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter3_5|Part 5]]
* Just what is going on?
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4_3|Part 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4_4|Part 4]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter4_5|Part 5]]
* Fighting Maidens
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5_2|Part 2]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5_3|Part 3]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter5_4|Part 4]]
* As long as it ends well
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter6_1|Part 1]]
** [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Chapter6_2|Part 2]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume2_Postscript|Postscript]]

=== Volume 3 - Forest of Thorns/いばらの森 ===
[[Image:MM_v03_cover.jpg|thumb]]
* [[Maria-sama_ga_Miteru:Volume3_Prologue|Prologue]]
* Forest of Thorns
* The semester exam and the paperback
* Who's Suga Sei?
* If I could meet Eve
* The White Flower Petal
* Springtime Buds
* Summer Greenhouse
* Autumn Love
* The last flower of winter, and then
* Postscript

=== Volume 4 - Rosa Canina/ロサ・カニーナ ===

=== Volume 5 - Valentine Gift - Part 1/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（前編） ===

=== Volume 6 - Valentine Gift - Part 2/ウァレンティーヌスの贈り物（後編） ===

=== Volume 7 - Beloved Times - Part 1/いとしき歳月（前編） ===

=== Volume 8 - Beloved Times - Part 2/いとしき歳月（後編） ===

=== Volume 9 - Cherry Blossom (Sakura)/チェリーブロッサム ===

=== Volume 10 - Rainy Blue/レイニーブルー ===

=== Volume 11 - Holding a Parasol/パラソルをさして ===

=== Volume 12 - Vacation of the Lambs/子羊たちの休暇 ===

=== Volume 13 - One Page of Midsummer/真夏の一ページ ===

=== Volume 14 - Cool Breeze/涼風さつさつ ===

=== Volume 15 - Lady, GO!/レディ、GO！ ===

=== Volume 16 - Variety Gifts/バラエティギフト ===

=== Volume 17 - Ciào Sorella!/チャオソレッラ！ ===

=== Volume 18 - 特別でないただの一日 ===

=== Volume 19 - In Library/インライブラリー ===

=== Volume 20 - Sister Audition/妹オーディション ===

=== Volume 21 - Rose Mille-Feuille/薔薇のミルフィーユ ===

=== Volume 22 - Blank Map of the Future/未来の白地図 ===

=== Volume 23 - Other Side of the Frosted Glass/くもりガラスの向こう側 ===

=== Volume 24 - Masked Actress/仮面のアクトレス ===

=== Volume 25 - Big Door, Small Key/大きな扉　小さな鍵 ===

=== Volume 26 - Crisscross/クリスクロス ===

=== Volume 27 - In Search for You/あなたを探しに ===

=== Volume 28 - Frame of Mind/フレーム　オブ　マインド ===

=== Volume 29 - Crown of Roses/薔薇の花かんむり ===

=== Volume 30 - Twinkle, Twinkle, Twirl/キラキラまわる ===

== Project Staff ==

*Project Administrator: ''None Designated''
*Project Supervisor: [[User:Seki|Seki]]

=== Translators ===
'''ACTIVE'''
* [[User:Seki|Seki]]

Incidentally, I'm not really looking for another translator, at least not for the time being. Call it selfish, or arrogant, or whatever, but I'm relatively confident at this point that I can power through all of MariMite by myself, which would keep the style the same, throughout.

'''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).

=== Editors ===

== 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)