Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume7 Chapter10 2 (section)

===<noinclude>Saturday. </noinclude>Part 2===

In the end, I had to attend the formal "Third-Years' Farewell Party" in my sweatpants and sweatshirt.

My uniform was hanging up in the Rose Mansion. It would probably be dry by the time I went home, but being the only person wearing their gym uniform in a sea of school uniforms was a huge mental blow.

"What happened?"

Other students insensitively asked, when they saw me in the auditorium. At first I tried to carefully explain, but that took too long and was kind of annoying, so after a while I simply answered with, "It's easier to move around in."

"Oh, my, you didn't wet yourself?"

As I listened to this frivolous drivel, I idly thought about the reason why this had happened.

Maria-sama, this is my penalty for pushing myself too hard, right?

I looked out the entrance of the auditorium and up at the sky, but there were clouds in the way, so the blue sky was too far away to be seen.



The party had been a great success.

The desire of the school clubs and other groups to do something for the seniors that they were indebted to shone through, the musical program went just as rehearsed and was magnificent, the displays that lined the auditorium entrance and lobby were all masterpieces.

Well, that was my opinion.

One of the goals of the "Third-Years' Farewell Party" was, obviously, to be entertaining, but a large part of it was also to reassure the graduating seniors.

We'll take good care of all that you've built. So you don't have to worry about us anymore. – That message came through loud and clear.

Having successfully organized this big event, the three boutons were already splendid Roses. I was still a small, green rose bud, and all I could do was keep going, but without overdoing it and melting down.

As I handed out roses to the graduating seniors, I glanced over at Shimako-san and Yoshino-san.

It'll probably be fine.

If I can avoid overestimating, or underestimating, my own worth, and if we can all rely on each other like now, then we'll surely see it through together.

''"There's nothing painful about filling in for someone you like."''

That's what Shimako-san had said when I apologized to her about making her pick up my slack.

''"You would have done the same for me, right Yumi-san?"''

That's right, Shimako-san.

I'd happily do the work of Shimako-san, or Yoshino-san, or Sachiko-sama, or Rei-sama, or any of the Roses, or Tsutako-san, or Katsura-san, … any of the people I loved. 

The roses, their stems cut short, were pinned to the third-years like corsages.

My eyes were dazzled by the brilliant, proud flowers.



The color of the chosen flowers was a mixture of red, white and yellow. 

I'd never considered it before now, but salmon pink had become my favorite color.