Original subtitles

If this is what I have to suffer,

I will never yearn for another person again.

In the winter of my 16th year,

I experienced a painful parting that cut me to the quick.

Maria Watches Over Us

The White Petals

So Christmas is coming again.

The first time I met Shiori was on a spring day.

That morning, I had arrived at school far earlier than normal.

A second year student in high school,

I was sick and tired of absolutely everything.

Of this Academy that was like a pasture for angels.

And of the students who smiled so innocently.

This world was surely a righteous place.

In which case,

I am a wicked lamb, who is incapable of conforming to it.

Save me, such as I am.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Why must I laugh along with everyone else?

Why must I listen to stories that don't interest me?

That was why I lapsed into silence.

I didn't know what I should do,

nor even what I wanted to do.

No one touch me.

Just forget about me!

There is not an ounce of warmth within me.

In the vast, barren wilderness, I am utterly lost and alone.

She was so mature...

...and she seemed full of the warmth that I lacked.

Shiori Kubo?

What?

It's the first time I've heard you utter a person's name.

It's nothing.

I just met a first year student by that name this morning, that's all.

Something had begun to change within me.

If you don't know her, that's fine.

Wait.

Sei, you have far too little awareness of your position as a bouton.

Oh? We have a rare visitor.

Dear sister...

Sachiko is so pretty, like a Japanese doll,

I can't help but want to coddle her.

Pardon me for my outlandish looks.

Oh, are you pouting?

How silly of you. I like your face, Sei.

After all, I chose you for my little sister based on your face.

I'm much obliged.

She told me.

To stay by her side, because she wanted to see my face.

With just that,

I decided that I would be her little sister.

Because I found that simple and clear reason appealing.

That's right.

My dear sister was adept at handling me, right from the start.

I became assertive, to the point where I even surprised myself.

Is something the matter, Lady Sei?

Is Shiori Kubo absent today?

No, she is probably...

...at the chapel.

Shiori was there, as if she belonged there.

As a white, shining presence, loved by this world.

Good day, Rosa Gigantea en bouton.

I came to see you.

I wanted to see you.

Do you find my feelings bothersome?

I laid myself bare and threw myself on her mercy.

There was no turning back.

I've...

...wanted to see you, too.

For the fact that this Academy had brought Shiori into my life,

I was moved to thank God from the bottom of my heart.

We spent as much time alone as we could.

I became even more withdrawn from the Rose Mansion...

...and I lost myself in Shiori.

Maybe you should maintain a little more distance.

What are you talking about?

If you want to make her your little sister, that would be fine, too.

Formally present her your rosary and introduce her to everyone properly.

I'll think about it.

So, may I go?

You may. Make sure you think about it.

I had no intention of making Shiori my little sister.

In my heart, I scornfully laughed at the soeur ceremony...

...as something for people who needed symbols to reassure themselves.

What's wrong?

It's nothing important.

Both of the two hands that we were born with...

...were probably clasped in the hands of the same person,

and as a result, we completely excluded all else.

Did they say something to you?

I just want to be with you.

That's all I wanted, and yet...

Are you done with your supplementary swim lesson?

Yes.

Having lost her parents in an accident,

Shiori lived in the student dormitory.

That summer, instead of going home to her uncle's place in Nagasaki,

she remained at a convent in Tokyo.

I guess we'll have to wait out the rain here for a while.

It's so warm!

I'm fine, so why don't you dry your own hair?

All right.

Shiori, why were we born as separate individuals?

What are you doing?

Nothing.

You can sleep for a little longer.

I'll wake you up when the rain stops.

Okay.

That tickles.

O rain, don't stop.

If only time would just stop now.

I want to melt together with Shiori and disappear.

What is this feeling?

To need someone other than myself.

Where does that ultimately lead?

I will likely never find the answer to that question.

But that's fine.

The only things that are certain...

...are Shiori's heartbeat, her physical warmth, and her breath.

And that is all that I desire in this world.

Maria Watches Over Us

Shiori's place in my heart grew ever larger,

and I increasingly spent less time at the Rose Mansion.

Wait, Sei.

I'd like to have tea with you for once.

Dear sister?

What is it?

Why don't you sever your ties with me as your soeur...

...and find yourself a new little sister?

No.

But, I...

Please don't break your promise with me.

Stay by my side, where you're supposed to be, until I graduate.

You may not have a little sister,

but that can be taken care of in any number of ways.

Follow the path that you won't regret.

What do you want?

There's someone waiting for me.

Don't look at me like that.

You make it seem as though I'm a bringer of bad luck.

Another lecture?

Be a little bit more objective.

You don't know anything about us.

Then, what do you know of Shiori?

What do I know?

I think it'd be better if you didn't get too involved.

Why are you going to the trouble of saying this?

Because I don't want to see you hurt.

Me? Hurt?

What will you do when she goes away?

When Shiori... goes away?

She's told you nothing about this?

What do you mean?

Shiori is joining a convent once she graduates.

She's going to become a nun.

You're lying.

It's a lie! It's a lie! It's a lie!

It's true.

It was determined since before I came to this school.

Why did you keep it a secret from me until now?

I just never found the right time to tell you.

Telling you about it wasn't going to change anything...

I fell in love with you,

but was that not true for you?

That's not...

Just a relationship until I graduated!

Was it that casual for you?!

I do love you, Sei.

It's the first time I've ever fallen so in love with someone.

Then why are you going to become a nun?!

You're going to choose God over me?!

I have only you, you know.

You're going to abandon me?!

Don't condemn me like that.

It's my wish to become a nun.

Then why won't you look me in the eyes?!

Isn't it because you're wavering?!

No!

Shiori, I love you!

Don't !

Mother Maria is watching...

So that's your answer...?

I understand.

I had lost to Mother Maria...

My attitude in class grew worse...

...and on the day of the closing ceremonies, I received a summons.

It's not Shiori's fault.

For she and I have nothing to do with one another anymore.

Miss Sato,

that is what Shiori Kubo said as well.

That she was to blame herself.

Shiori was summoned here, too?

I would suggest that to lose yourself in just one thing...

...to the point where you cannot see what is around you is a Ionely thing.

Two days ago, Shiori gave notice that she would be spending nights away...

...and she could not be found at the dormitory or the convent.

Shiori, how can I see you?

Shiori...

On Christmas...

What?

We're having a party at the Rose Mansion.

Rei said she would bake some delicious cookies and bring them.

If I feel like it...

We'll be waiting for you.

Shiori, I want to see you!

I want to see you!

Shiori!

All the while we were apart, I thought of nothing else but you!

Even when I was praying,

I couldn't get your face out of my mind!

The Academy Director is very worried about us.

I even promised not to see you again,

but I couldn't do it!

Shiori, let's run away together!

What?

Let's go somewhere we don't know,

and live without anyone bothering us.

The two of us?

You don't want to?

How could I not want to?

If it's with you, I could go anywhere!

But...

We can do it.

Sei...

Pack your things and come.

I'll wait for you at the train station.

All right.

Then, I'll be waiting.

Okay, I'll see you later.

Shiori saw me off with a smile.

I will not forget that smile.

Never will I forget it.

The appointed time had passed 3 hours ago.

Shiori wasn't coming.

But I was unable to leave the train terminal,

because Shiori just might come down those stairs right then,

and I was unable to abandon that faint hope.

Even if it was in a dream...

I wanted to see Shiori...

Dear sister, why...

I came to get you, in Shiori's place.

Where's Shiori?

It seems Shiori is not going with you.

You're lying!

Shiori apparently came to this station once.

She watched you here in the train terminal from afar...

...and she says she realized she couldn't go, after all.

If she came, then why didn't she tell me in person?

Probably because if she saw you, her resolve would weaken.

Weaken?

She may seem mature, but she's still only a first-year high school student.

Of course she would waver.

Let's go home.

Is Shiori going somewhere?

Yes, she's apparently transferring far away.

Because of me...

It's an outcome that she's satisfied with.

But...

But...

If only she had never met me...

It was good that you met.

As long as you make your future one where you can be glad you met,

it's fine.

I'm sure a future like that will never come!

In time, all wounds heal.

And besides, you have me, remember?

I hope you don't seriously think that I only love your face, do you?

You don't ?

How insulting.

That was just an expedient lie, so I wouldn't be a burden on you.

I'm good at handling you, you know.

But... But you will be graduating!

I'm not the only one concerned about you.

Look.

I'm sorry for worrying you.

No kidding.

These are Rei's cookies.

It's so warm...

Let's go.

Where?

My house.

I called your mother earlier to let her know you would be sleeping over.

What?

No ifs, ands, or buts.

Starting tomorrow, it's our happy winter break.

So let's stay up late tonight and have a rousing little party.

The date has changed.

Happy birthday! Happy birthday!

With the end of Christmas Eve, I realized that I had turned 17.

Farewell, Shiori.

Rosa Gigantea.

Yumi.

Is everything ready?

Please help us out too, Rosa Gigantea.

Oh...

Who's that?

Ms. Seiko Kasuga... Um, it's Ms. Sei Suga.

I met her when we went to Cosmos' editorial department.

Oh, my!

I apologize for imposing upon you the other day.

Not at all.

I appreciate the various trouble you've gone to for our students.

And you are?

I'm Sei Sato.

I see, so you are the one.

Um, what brings you here today?

I came to see the Academy Director.

Oh, then I shall show you the way.

That's fine, I know my way.

Things haven't changed one bit around here.

Then, good day.

That lady...

It turns out, she was an alumna of Lillian.

And she said she found out that Kaori was alive, too.

She said she was going to see Kaori on Christmas Eve, but...

Then, does that mean Kaori is here?

Oh... maybe.

But she said she was going to see the Academy Director...

I see! So that's it!

The Academy Director is Kaori!

Thank goodness!

Then, they'll be reunited for the first time in decades!

Rosa Gigantea?

Come on, let's go.

The party's about to start.

R-Right.

Rosa Gigantea?

What?

Merry Christmas!

Do I hear one more?

Huh?

Tomorrow's my birthday.

My happy birthday!

Preview

From the troubling declaration of sisterhood,

we have finally come to this point!

At last, we will go on our first date, dear sister!

At last, we will go on our first date, dear sister!

I cannot think that a date with you will end without mishap.

I will keep you entertained to the end, dear sister!

I will keep you entertained to the end, dear sister! "The First Date Triangle"

This may be the beginning of the breakup. "The First Date Triangle"

You can't mean that! "The First Date Triangle"

"The First Date Triangle"