Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume33 Chapter4 1 (section)

===<noinclude>The Problem of Adding "-San". </noinclude>Part 1.===

The graduation ceremony was proceeding solemnly inside the gymnasium, just as Youko had hoped.



"Take your seats."

The voice of the vice-principal, who was leading the ceremony, was carried through the microphone and resounded throughout the auditorium.

With the singing of the Japanese national anthem just completed, everyone sat down in their seats as directed. Other than the rustling of clothes, there was also the sound of paper rubbing together, or being used as a fan but no hint of whispering. Print-outs that contained the words of the hymns to be sung during the middle section of proceedings had been placed on the guests seats prior to the commencement of the ceremony.

They were called hymns, but they weren't particularly difficult. They had chosen famous songs that even those not well versed in Christianity would have heard before. So when they heard the introduction, they would remember the melody and be able to sing along by looking at the lyrics.

In amongst that rustling were her parents, Rei thought as she sat down.

Not just her parents, but Yoshino's parents too. Rei's uncle had taken a day of paid vacation just so he could watch his niece's graduation ceremony. – Ahh, why would you do that?

(Normally it's just your parents that come, right?)

However, the Hasekura and Shimazu families were like one family living under two roofs, so what general society considered 'normal' didn't really apply to them. 

(Four seats for the relatives of one graduating student.)

But then again, she had heard that last year her onee-sama, Torii Eriko-sama, had six people from her family there (and one person was detained outside the gymnasium and gave up on the idea of going inside) so she wasn't as bad as that. 

(And that's not considering Mr and Mrs Torii, who came to see Yoshino.)

So this was okay. Rei set aside the issue of her aunt and uncle.

(More importantly.)

Rei moved on to thinking about what had happened with Chisato-chan. The usually meek and sunny Chisato-chan had suddenly sprouted fangs. How could that be explained?

(She said 'Rei-chan you idiot?' – Ahh)

It was certainly devastating to be called an idiot by someone other than Yoshino. Back then Chisato-chan had nonchalantly followed that up with, 'Excuse me' and had been smiling as she quickly departed, leaving behind Rei who was still frozen from the shock. Even now, Rei was still dumbfounded by it. And so, even though some time had passed, she kept coming back to it.

(Just what kind of an idiot am I?)

Of course, it had been impossible for the 'idiot Rei-chan' to ask why she had been called an 'idiot.'

And immediately before that, Chisato-chan had pinned the flower to her chest. The mood had started out gentle enough, with Chisato-chan expressing her gratitude.

(Then...)

Rei had absolutely no idea what had happened in the following one or two minutes. She thought Chisato-chan had said something about Yoshino, but – .

(It's no good.)

Unfortunately, Rei couldn't remember anything more due to the shock of being called an idiot.

(Ahhh.)

Was this okay for the graduation ceremony?

Despite having a leading role, she just couldn't concentrate.

Then again.

Maybe it was okay for there to be one student like this, from the graduating class of about 230 people.