Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume17 Prologue

Prologue

"Gokigenyou."

"Gokigenyou."

This clear morning greeting resounds through the serene blue sky.

Even today, maidens with pure, angelic faces assemble here in Maria-sama's garden, and pass through a tall gate.

Their innocent hearts and bodies wrapped in dark uniforms.

Etiquette demands that they walk slowly here, so as to not disturb their skirt pleats or set their white sailor collar aflutter. Naturally, one would never expect to see something shameful such as a student running because she is late.

Lillian Private Academy for Women.

Founded in Meiji 34, this academy was originally for the raising of daughters of noble families, a Catholic school for princesses.

In the capital of Tokyo — in this prefecture where even today many traces of Musashino's greenery remain, watched over by God — is a garden where maidens can be protected under a single school, from kindergarten through college.

These days in the Heisei era, three era-names removed from Meiji, young ladies are produced after 18 years of attending this precious school of sheltered upbringing. Such a place still exists within this campus.

Field Trip: A trip where school faculty take children or students to experience the nature and culture of places outside their everyday life. It is a school event characteristic of our country. (Definition from Kojien Japanese Dictionary)

So there you have it.

How we came to this extraordinary land.

But even here, one must walk slowly and ladylike, to avoid setting one's sailor collar aflutter.

Because Maria-sama, who watches over us always and everywhere, can be felt even closer in this land.

Clutching a red passport, it is our first time traveling abroad.

Ciao, Italia!

We start our week in an unknown country.