Maria-sama ga Miteru:Volume8 Chapter6 4

Towards the Light. Part 4

Click.

The happy sound of the shutter whirred.

Just for that moment, they were gathered in the frame. To confirm that, indeed, these friends of mine had existed here.

In truth, there was no need for it, but who could tell what tomorrow would bring.

A confirmation of the present, kept on file.

Besides the one with everyone gathered around Maria-sama, there were a number of other photos taken. Of the three graduating seniors, and of the various Rose families.

Everyone was in high spirits. Like something out of a dream.

"I'll send you copies of the photos."

Hearing Tsutako-chan's words, Eriko looked up. The dream was nearing its end.

"Thank-you. I'll look forward to it."

"Umm, I'll send you a copy of the Lillian Kawaraban graduation edition too."

Ms Tsukiyama Minako barged into the conversation. She'd been restraining herself, but apparently there were limits to how long she could stay on the periphery.

"… We'll look forward to that in a different sense."

Youko smiled genuinely.

"Lady Roses. Um, I'm sorry for all the trouble that I've caused you. But I'm absolutely delighted that I was able to go through high-school at the same time as you."

As she spoke, ragged tears fell from the eyes of Ms Minako.

"Oh? Ah? What am I doing?"

Noticing her tears she started to panic.

"Ahh, I'm sorry."

– The end result being that she ran away.

"What was that?"

Sei watched, head tilted in confusion, as the pony-tailed figure ran off into the distance, skirt in disarray. An unintended see off.

"I'm so very sorry. Right at the end too."

Miss Mami, Minako's petit soeur and up-and-coming writer for the newspaper, apologized for her onee-sama with a composure impossible for most first-years.

"I know you're all worried, with our editor-in-chief like that, but all of us in the newspaper club will work together to create a good farewell edition for you. Please forgive her for today."

"–"

Nobody said anything, but they were all surely thinking it.

"Who's going to worry, when there's such a good successor to the newspaper club president?"

"Later."

With that, their trio split up.

At the fork in the path that Maria-sama watches over.

Youko and Sei headed towards the front gate, Eriko towards the back gate.

"Later."

They had no plans for their next meeting. But even without them, they knew it would be okay.

Their adorable juniors remained at the fork, watching them leave.

Nobody said, "Good-bye."

There were undoubtedly still many things that were left unsaid. But that's because it's not possible to say everything.

Like the song, "Hotaru no Hikari," they had only one wish.

Of happiness.

Of happiness, happiness for all.

They were so very glad that they were able to meet each other through this school.