Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume9 Chapter9 4 (section)

===<noinclude>Behind the Scenes of The Maria Ceremony Inquisition. </noinclude>Part 4.===

"To all first-year students, let me begin by congratulating you on entering high school."

With this greeting from Sachiko-sama, the welcoming ceremony began.

Since she was standing in the background, Yumi couldn't see Sachiko-sama's gallant face directly, but she was eminently satisfied by the awed reaction of the first-years.

Thinking, "This is how wonderful my onee-sama is."

It may just have been "petit soeur foolishness," but that was fine. She'd be a fool for her onee-sama. Since that was the correct stance for the petit soeur.

Yumi turned her attention to the first-year camellia class and quickly spotted Nijou Noriko. She was looking beyond Sachiko-sama, her gaze lingering in the area around Yumi. Her pleading gaze was startling, but naturally it wasn't Yumi she was looking for, but Rosa Gigantea who was standing beside her.

She must have wanted to inform Shimako-san about the missing juzu. But Shimako-san was probably thinking about the program of events and didn't notice Nijou Noriko's gaze. Even if she had noticed, there was nothing she could do about it at this point.

Yumi also spotted Touko-chan seated behind her classmate, Nijou Noriko. She was calm and composed, and grinned when her eyes met Yumi's.

"We'll start with the presentation of commemorative medallions."

Sachiko-sama ended with those words, handing the microphone to Rei-sama.

Hearing the keyword, "medallion," Yumi quickly returned to her senses. The event unique to the first-years welcoming ceremony was about to start. Then the plan was to have "that" happen in the middle of the presentation of medallions.

(So stressful, so stressful.)

She picked up the closest of the six cardboard boxes, the one labeled with the name "plum," from the table beside her. Yoshino picked up the "wisteria" box next to it, and Mami-san the "chrysanthemum" one, then they went and stood beside the Roses.

"Yumi-san, you were supposed to take the tag off the box."

Mami-san pointed this out to her.

"Ah, oh right."

Yumi put the tag back on the table then moved to Sachiko-sama's left-hand side. Oh boy. Even the ring-in assistant was more composed than her.

While all this was going on, the classes that Rei-sama had called out – plum, wisteria and chrysanthemum – lined up in the aisle that ran between the rows of pews.

"May the Virgin Mary bless you and watch over you." 

Inside the boxes that the assistants held was the precise number of medallions required for each class, neatly lined up so that their chains didn't get tangled. The Roses took the medallions one at a time and placed them around the necks of the first-year students.

It didn't take long to empty the 30 or so medallions from the boxes.

"Would peach class, pine class and camellia class step forward now."

Rei-sama's voice came through the mic.

Camellia class. The time had finally arrived.

Yumi trembled with excitement as she picked up the box for peach class.

There wasn't really anything the boutons had to do for this scene. But she was nervous just watching. She couldn't help but think back to one year before when she'd been a part of first-year peach class and received a medallion from the former Rosa Chinensis. Like a tired person counting sheep but still remaining wide awake.

"Calm down."

Sachiko-sama said quietly. But her voice contained a touch of excitement.

About half the medallions were remaining in her box. All the classes were moving at about the same pace, so there would probably be about half the medallions remaining in the box that Mami-san was holding too.

Yumi snuck a glance to the side.

There were only three more girls to go until Nijou Noriko received her medallion.

"May the Virgin Mary bless you and watch over you."

Strangely, Yumi could hear Shimako-san's voice clearly.

Thump, thump.

Her heart beat like a TV drama sound-effect.

Just one more.

Sachiko-sama's hand stopped moving.

She saw Touko-chan take a step out of line.

Then, just as Nijou Noriko stepped in front of Shimako-san.

"Stop right there!"

A voice rang out with impeccable timing.

"That girl doesn't qualify to receive a medallion from Rosa Gigantea."

With her voice echoing around the chapel, Touko-chan took center stage. She was able to keep her breathing steady, perhaps a result of her training.

"Touko-san!"

Naturally, "that girl," Nijou Noriko called out her classmate's name in surprise.

"Esteemed Roses, please forgive me for interrupting this sacred ceremony."

Touko-chan glanced at Nijou Noriko, then turned to the three Roses and bowed quickly.

"What is the meaning of this. Umm … Touko-san?"

Sachiko-sama was paying attention to her acting. Intentionally using the honorific "-san" when addressing Touko-chan.

"Please listen, Rosa Chinensis. Touko can't stay silent any longer."

Just what you'd expect from an actress, self-styled or not. Pleading for attention with cloudy eyes. As though she was the real victim.

"Just now, you said something about Noriko-san not meeting the qualifications to receive a medallion from Rosa Gigantea?"

"That's right, Rosa Foetida."

At that point, the color suddenly drained from Shimako-san's face. She'd finally realized what Touko-chan held in her left hand.

A few seconds later, Nijou Noriko's expression stiffened. With her expression still frozen, she grabbed for the juzu, but the moment she did Touko-chan lifted it high overhead.

"This is more fitting for you!"

With Touko-chan's excessively loud laughter as background music, the dazzling light coming through the stained glass windows caught the crystal juzu, making it shine brilliantly like a halo.