Maria-sama Ga Miteru:Volume17 Chapter 2 3

Everyone's Farewell Presents

It was after 10 pm when Noriko phoned.

"Gomennasai. Sorry for calling at such a late hour.」

"Daijoubu. It's fine. We have all sorts of folks visiting us, so we're night owls."

"But, Shimako-san."

"Yes?"

"You're not 'early to bed, early to rise'?"

During school, Noriko called Shimako "Onee-sama". But outside of that, she called her "Shimako-san". At first, after they first became soeurs, she was a bit shaky switching between the two names. She'd hesitate and it did not go smoothly. But she's settled into it now. She knew that Yoshino-san called Rei-sama "Rei-chan" in private, so the switch was possible. Even among third parties, she can easily switch between "Shimako-sama" and "Shimako-san" as appropriate.

"I already checked over tomorrow's baggage one more time."

She started preparing little by little a week ago, so she was mostly done already. Although, I wonder if she's the kind of person who keeps a list of her belongings in her guidebook, so that she can check it again to make sure nothing is left behind.

"I see. Because of where you're going, you can't go back to pick up anything."

"The sell things there, but would it be easy to shop?"

But it would be a problem to forget something you needed like a uniform or a passport. Because you wear your uniform, it would be impossible to forget it. As long as you carry your passport, you can borrow from friends or procure items locally without interrupting the trip. Whether that's comfortable or not.

"Me too."

Noriko said.

"I'm also the type to worry about forgetting things."

"I see."

"As you say. I forgot to say something at school, I'd gotten a little flustered, so, sure enough, I ended up calling. Shimako-san."

"What is it?"

"Itterashai. Have a good trip. Take care. And, because it's you, Shimako-san, I won't worry about things like such as getting out of hand."

"Yes."

"I'll be here waiting. Waiting for you to come back."

"Noriko."

She had a way of speaking that was just like flying. She thought, here in this place she had a person waiting for her return.

This isn't a birdcage that locks you up, it is a cherished nest.

Without noticing, Lillian Academy for Women had become a place to return to.

"Thank you."

Shimako savored the meaning of that word.

A place that precious chicks could depend on.