Volume 3 Chapter 7 (2/2)
”-What”
I didn't understand what Youko was saying
”She's going to become a sister”
I felt likedrained
”Lies”
”Why would I lie? Just to make a friend hate me?”
”But…”
I'd never heard that, not once shi+ori was a devout Christian, but not all devout Christians had to becoht it was the perfect fit for shi+ori After all, I'd first sought for help from her
”… I need to ask shi+ori”
Youko touched ed to nod
I needed to go to shi+ori as soon as possible
I don't remember where and how I ran But I realized I'd made it to the sanctuary, where we planned to meet
shi+ori wasn't here Usually thisinside
This time, that simply spurred my irritation Usually I felt awed by her chastity, but now, that faith si my beloved away
”shi+ori”
Entering, I harshly called her name shi+ori was in the same seat as she e first met, and she slowly stood up and turned around
Noticing , and she asked, ”What happened?”
”When you graduate high school, you're beco a sister?”
Grabbing both of shi+ori's shoulders, I asked for the truth
I wanted her to deny it Even if it was a lie, I wanted shi+ori to say that rong, I wanted her to becory at the people who spread such a ruize to me
But the reality was harsh
”Yes”
shi+ori looked straight at me and answered
”It was decided upon before I entered this school”
”Then why did you hide it from me!?”
”I wasn't hiding it I just didn't knohen to say it And there was nothing we could do about it”
”Nothing we could do about it-”
I didn't knohat else to say No, I never had the right to intercede on it, from the start shi+ori didn't tell me because it neverthat
”I loved shi+ori, but you didn't?”
”I never-”
”You were just coraduated?”
Without knowing this all, I felt stupid, having seriously pondered over our future
”I love Sei You may not believe me anymore, but I'd never loved someone like this before, ever”
”Then why?”
Why are you going to soo away from me like this
”I love Sei”
shi+ori said again
”But…, I' you”
InI didn't think I was that fragile But I realized that shi+ori's tears were enough to wound uessed
”You have to become a sister, no matter what!?”
With lingering affection, I persisted
”If you love me, tell me you won't Don't disappear from me”
”Sei…”
I was unsightly But no ive up
”You're picking God over me? There are others that'll beco to abandon me!?”
”It was my wish to become a sister I decided it when my parents died”
I wasn't a good enough person to rejoice in a friend who found what she wanted to do It was different from a friend ent to study overseas, because there was hope that she would coh the convent gates, determined to present her life to God She would never come back to me
”Please, don't criticize me like that”
shi+ori looked away
”Tell me you'll stop”
I sidestepped back in front of her
”I already decided”
”Then why can't you look in my eyes and say it? Isn't it because you're still thinking!?”
”No-”
I began hating shi+ori for sliding back, so I chased her and grabbed her
”shi+ori”
I love you, I said, and I kissed her
”… Stop”
As we touched, a sharp pain ran throughshi+ori
”Maria-sa…!”
Right behind shi+ori was a statue of Maria-sa a benevolent smile upon us
”Is that your answer…?”
shi+ori didn't say anything But she looked straight atdeeply
”Alright”
I nodded and turned away from shi+ori
Suddenly, I understood everything I lost to Maria-sama
The Maria-sahost
To a constructed statue Me
It was so absurd I couldn't even cry
Deep down, I hoped shi+ori would stop me, but I sloalked away from the sanctuary
I never heard shi+ori's voice
And I never turned around