Editing Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume9 Chapter5 3

===<noinclude>The Maria Ceremony Inquisition. </noinclude>Part 3.===

The ceremony began without any teachers or nuns present.

Lillian's Girls Academy respected the independence of its high-school students, so it was customary that the adults wouldn't intervene in the school council's events.

There were about two hundred first-years assembled in the chapel, seated by class in six blocks. 

Six older students with corsages pinned to their chests, apparently members of the school council,  were standing in the area where the priest had been not that long ago. It went without saying that the three in the middle had red, yellow and white roses befitting their titles. The three hanging back had pink rose corsages.

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

The student holding the mic and stepping forward looked incredibly striking. There was no need to check the color of the rose pinned to her chest, it was the senior that had brazenly appraised Noriko – Rosa Chinensis.

"Lillian's Girls Academy's high-school student council is called the Yamayurikai, after the mountain lily associated with Maria-sama's soul. Because of this, every year we hold a welcoming event for the first-years on the day of the Maria Ceremony."

Rose, lily, whatever. Fine, have a speech, but can't she wrap it up quickly?

However, it seemed Noriko was the only thinking that. The classmates around her were listening to Rosa Chinensis' words with rapt attention. For some reason, they seemed ten times more serious than when they'd been listening to the priest's sermon.

(… Shimako-san.)

Standing diagonally behind Rosa Chinensis, Shimako-san wasn't looking around restlessly like Noriko was. Since she didn't know what had happened, she stood there calm and composed.

(Shimako-sa~n. Something terrible has happened. What should I do?)

Even when Shimako-san did finally look her way, the distance was too far for her to do anything.

"As older students we happily welcome our new younger sisters. Together, let us enjoy our time at school in a manner that Maria-sama will approve of. We've been planning and practicing for what's happening next, so we hope you enjoy it."

Even if they hoped she'd enjoy it, Noriko wasn't really interested in hearing the council members sing or put on a talent show. But if it was Shimako-san playing the piano, then she might listen.

(– but it doesn't look like they're doing that.)

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

The mic had been handed over to the tall, short-haired girl – Rosa Foetida.

"When your class is called, line up in single file."

First-year plum class was lined up in front of Rosa Chinensis, wisteria class in front of Rosa Foetida and chrysanthemum class in front of Rosa Gigantea. 

Incidentally, Noriko was in camellia class and it looked as though they'd be called last, to line up in front of Rosa Gigantea when chrysanthemum class was done.

From a distance, the medallion looked something like a pendant. It hung from a chain around the neck, like a medal.

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

Three people for six classes. But it didn't take as long as expected, because all they were doing was handing out the medals. Each Rose would take a medallion from the basket held by their pink-rose wearing assistant and skillfully place it around the neck of a first-year.

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

While the announcement was still being made, Noriko sluggishly got to her feet. She wasn't interested in receiving a medallion, but there would be an outcry if she refused. She was worried about the juzu, so wanted this ceremony to be over as soon as possible.

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

Shimako-san said to each girl in turn as she placed a medallion around their neck. There were two more people in line ahead of Noriko.

(Perhaps someone's returning the juzu to my bag right at this moment.)

Noriko idly thought as she waited in line. However, all her classmates were currently in the chapel with her.

(One more.)

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

(Next.)

When the student in front of Noriko received her medallion and walked away, Rosa Gigantea appeared and smiled when she saw it was Noriko.

"May th– "

Shimako-san started to speak but was interrupted.

"Stop right there!"

The voice came from behind Noriko.

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

The owner of the voice stepped forward, pushing her way through the murmuring students.

"Touko-san!"

Noriko shouted when she saw her face.

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

Touko-san glanced at Noriko, then turned to the three Roses and bowed quickly. Her trademark ringlets bounced like springs.

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

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

There it was.

The certain kill, her watery eyes technique.

(Just what the heck is she going to say?)

A single bead of sweat broke out on Noriko's forehead.

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

"That's right, Rosa Foetida."

In her usual manner, Touko-san had succeeded in capturing the attention of the Red and Yellow Roses.

At that moment, the color of Rosa Gigantea's face changed.

(Shimako-san … ?)

Shimako-san's eyes were focused on a single point. Noriko followed her gaze and arrived at Touko-san's left hand.

(What's going on?)

Looking closer, Noriko let out an, "Erk." What Touko-san was tightly grasping would indeed have the power to change Shimako-san's complexion.

(I-I've got to get that back somehow.)

Noriko reached out for it, but Touko-san had obviously been expecting this and lifted her arm high in the air.

"This is more fitting for you."

With Touko-san's 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.

– Amen.