Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume1 Chapter1 1 (section)

===<noinclude>Monday of Uneasiness. </noinclude>Part 1===

"Wait."

It was 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 it was imagined. 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.

When 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 to face the person 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 with "Gokigenyou."

"&mdash;"

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 was dedicated to conducting 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 Yumi 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?" Yumi asked with disbelief in her voice, somehow managing to thaw herself.

Of course, Yumi had already confirmed that she was the only one in direct eyesight, 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.

The young woman 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 were no prior chances 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.

(Ah&mdash;!)

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 began to flow back into Yumi's head, and she started to register what just happened.

There was no doubt about who that was.

Second-year Pine class Ogasawara Sachiko-sama. 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 elder sister she aspired to be like 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.

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