Chapter 19: Madozono Mima's Perspective: ~The Thing That Maria Sees~

I wonder if this is a bit too long...?

The different perspective will continue for quite a while.

Thank you for your understanding (^∀^;)

Chapter 19: Madozono Mima's Perspective: ~The Thing That Maria Sees~

Due to the intense magical energy depletion from manipulating magical light and the extreme strain on her young body, Maria fainted.

Mima was ashamed of her own ignorance.

She should have immediately and strictly ordered Maria to stop manipulating the magical light, but she had been captivated by Maria's extraordinary talent.

This fact made Mima acutely aware of her own immaturity as a parent and as a teacher.

Feeling guilty about this, Mima had to sternly warn Maria about the dangers of manipulating magical power and convince her otherwise.

With Tomoe and the Igodome Mother and Daughters also present, Mima lectured Maria at length about the dangers of handling magic.

Her emotions were so heightened that she ended up shedding tears during the lecture.

However, perhaps due to her passionate scolding, Maria has since taken her magic light manipulation training seriously, following Mima's guidance and diligently practicing the fundamentals without overexerting herself.

Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, another problem arose.

Tomoe began to fall behind Maria's level of proficiency in magic training.

Tomoe's magic light manipulation ability is by no means low.

Considering that until very recently Tomoe was diagnosed with "Magic Manipulation Inability" and unable to manipulate magic at all, she can be considered to posses a high level of aptitude.

However, compared to Maria's extraordinary abilities, it inevitably pales in comparison.

Or rather, Maria is simply exceptionally gifted for a child her age.

It wasn't just magic training that was causing Tomoe to fall behind Maria.

In all the studies and lessons she was doing with Maria, even in the short span of just six months, a clear gap was already beginning to emerge.

"Tomoe-ojou-sama is working hard, and her enthusiasm is evident, and she is indeed excellent, but..... I think it would be better for her to study separately from Maria-ojou-sama."

All the specialized tutors, looking awkward, unanimously told Mima this.

As Tomoe's mother, Mima couldn't help but feel conflicted.

It was gratifying that the next head of the Madozono family possessed such outstanding talent in everything.

But when she learned that her own daughter, Tomoe, was being compared to Maria's talent, and that the gap between them was causing concern, a tiny bit of jealousy would inevitably arise.

At the same time, she found herself harboring a lament that a mother shouldn't feel: why isn't Maria her own daughter?

(No—I decided I would become a good mother.)

Shaking her head, Mima pondered the future educational approach for Tomoe.

For Tomoe's own sake, it would be better to separate her from Maria and teach her everything separately.

Even though Tomoe now innocently looks at Maria with longing, she might one day develop feelings of sadness over the difference between herself and Maria.

★

One morning, Mima sighed bitterly as she headed to the living room.

Then, Maria's voice could be heard from that direction.

Apparently, Maria and Tomoe had finished breakfast and were sitting side-by-side on the sofa, and seemed to be talking about something.

"It's such a waste. Tomoe-chan has such lovely eyes. If you lift your bangs up like this, so that your forehead is visible, you can see more clearly, and you'll look even cuter."

Saying this, Maria gently pushed Tomoe's bangs back with both hands and peered into her face.

"I knew it! Tomoe-chan is so cute! Don't you think so too, Kanaho and Kanaya?"

Turning to the maid sisters standing nearby, Maria smiled, seeking their agreement.

"Yes. I think you're right, Maria-ojou-sama."

"Yes, Tomoe-ojou-sama's very cute."

The maid sisters watched Maria and Tomoe's exchange with smiles, and both of them
returned with cheerful nods.

(Ah, something similar happened long ago....)

Mima saw her former self and her Onee-sama, Mami, superimposed on Maria and Tomoe.

Her Onee-sama was far superior than her.

Mima couldn't say for sure that she had never felt anything like envy towards her sister.

But she could say with pride that she was proud of her Onee-sama and loved her more than anyone else in the world.

(That's right.

I must believe in my daughter.

Before, I had given up on even believing in her, and had given up on my daughter.)

Seeing Maria and Tomoe make Mima realize this, she couldn't help but tear up.

"If you wear a headband like this, it'll definitely suit you."

Tomoe nodded vigorously in response to Maria's bright smile.

"In that case, let's all go shopping together!"

Wiping away her tears, Mima interrupted the two little girls' conversation.

"Okaa-sama?!"

Tomoe was surprised by her mother's sudden words and froze slightly.

It had been a long time since Mima had suggested going shopping.

"Tomoe. You want a headband, don't you?"

"Uh... ah, yes. I... want one."

"Alright. Then, we'll skip today training and go shopping. Outside, all of us."

As she said this, Mima remembered that it had been a long time since she'd spent a proper holiday with her daughter.

She realized that she hadn't given Maria any time to relax or unwind either.

If it were simply a matter of buying a headband, she could just call a professional to the mansion.

However, that would be uninteresting and wouldn't be a change of pace, Mima thought.

She decided to cancel all her plans and dedicate the entire day to her children.

She'd also like to have lunch out.

(How long had it been since we had eaten out as a family...?)

As she had the head maid, Sougi, cancel and adjust today's schedule, Mima realized her own heart was fluttering with excitement.

Seeing Maria and Tomoe excitedly jump for joy at the mention of going shopping, Mima couldn't help but smile even more.

★

So, she took Maria and Tomoe, accompanied by Sougi and the maid sisters, and set off for a high-end department store in a large, luxurious limousine.

She had arranged for advance notice, knowing that a sudden visit from a prominent family like the Madozono family would cause a great commotion in the department store's personal sales department.

Even so, it seemed they had still thrown the department store into a panic.

When Mima and the others were ushered into the personal sales department's salon, the department store president came to greet them, looking quite nervous.

Seeing this as a good opportunity to teach Maria, who had grown up in a commoner's household, just how prestigious the Madozono family was, Mima decided to act somewhat haughtily.

"My daughter wants a headband. Could you show me something that looks good?"

"Your daughter! Is that so...? I'll bring them right away. Please wait a moment...!"

After hearing Mima's words, the department store president gave a fawning smile, and quickly glanced at his subordinates.

The employees, in response, bowed deeply and began to move.

Drinks were placed in front of Mima and the others, and a mobile magazine rack filled with photobooks, art books, and children's picture books was presented to pass the time while they waited for their items.

"I believe your daughter will be enrolling in the elementary school dividaughte Kikuchigami Academy next year, is that correct?"

"Yes, that's the plan."

"We have a wide variety of school uniforms and designated school supplies available. If you need anything when she enrolls, please don't hesitate to ask us."

"Yes, I'll ask you if anything comes up."

Lightly brushing off the president who was clearly trying to flatter her, Mima though about Maria and Tomoe's enrollment in the academy.

Kikuchigami Academy.

A prestigious school with integrated elementary, middle, and high school education, attended by the children of distinguished families, and also a training institution for Exorcists.

It was also the alma mater of Mima and her Onee-sama, Mami.

While it was natural for members of the Madozono family to enroll in Kikuchigami Academy, the fact that her own daughter and her sister's daughter were attending the same school was deeply moving.

"Maria-ojou-sama, this book has lots of pictures of penguins in it."

"Oh, look, Tomoe-chan. Aren't they cute? This picture is of the 'Penguin Highway.' The road the penguins take from the sea to their homes on land is called the Penguin Highway.'"

"'Highway'? What's that, Onee-sama?"

"Well, let's see, 'Highway' in English, it's a road where you can travel straight and fast.... is that right, Kanaho?"

"Yes, that's exactly what it meant, Ojou-sama."

"Perhaps it's because the penguin looked like it was hurrying home, and that's how it got its name."

"I see! You're so knowledgeable, Onee-sama!"

"I just happened to know that. I must have seen it on a TV show or something."

Seeing Maria and Tomoe laughing together with the maid sisters, Mima's face softened into a smile.

In just about six months, their closeness was as if they had always been that close.

They were like real sisters.

Watching them choose headbands that they thought suited each other warmed Mima's heart as a parent.

It was then that Mima remembered that the daughters of Renbadera and Hashiguro were in the same grade as the two girls, and a bitter feeling welled up inside her.

Of course, seeing her daughters enjoying themselves, she didn't show it on her face.

The integrated elementary, middle, and high school system of Kikuchigami Academy was also a breeding ground for factional formation within the world of Exorcists.

To put it bluntly, it was a microcosm of power struggles.

All three leading families of the Exorcist world, and their future heads, entered the school in the same year.

There was no doubt that school life in this era would be turbulent.

Before meeting Maria, she would have felt intense frustration that Tomoe, who had been diagnosed with "Magic Manipulation Inability," and the heirs of the two families, who were practically rivals, were attending the same school.

But now, Tomoe's magic problem was resolved, and above all, there was Maria, the extraordinary orphaned child of her sister.

No matter how much potential the daughters of both families possessed as Exorcists, they couldn't possibly reach Maria's level.

And even Tomoe's abilities, now free from magical restraints, were, compared to other children her age, quite outstanding.

Tomoe was introverted and often timid, but Mima predicted that as long as she was with Maria, there wouldn't be any problems.

Ultimately, the hierarchy among Exorcists is determined by strength.

Before Maria's overwhelming magical power, not only the daughters of the Madozono family faction, but also those from families who were waiting to see which faction to side with, would undoubtedly bow down before her.

While it would be necessary to pay attention to the movements of the factions led by the daughters of Renbadera and Hashiguro, Maria and Tomoe would surely not tarnish the name of the Madozono family during their school life.

Watching the two young children laughing together, Mima was certain of this.

Soon, a variety of children's headbands were neatly arranged before Mima and the others.

All were brand-name items, ranging from simple designs to elaborate ones, a diverse selection was available.

"Please choose the headband for me, Onee-sama!"

After looking at the merchandise, Tomoe pleaded with Maria to make the choice.

Mima sensed that this wasn't because Tomoe hadn't found anything that appealed to her, but rather because she wanted to wear something chosen by her older sister, Maria.

"Hmm... I think something like this would suit Tomoe-chan's hair color."

Maria chose a simple headband, a yellow topaz-colored one.

Its sheen was subtle, and it could easily be mistaken for a plain, ready-made item that young children might shy away from.

Mima, just to try it out, combed and straightened Tomoe's hair herself, and put the headband Maria had chosen on her.

"How is it, Okaa-sama...?"

"....Cute. Yes, it suits you very well... You're cute, Tomoe."

Tomoe's face lit up at Mima's reply.

"What about you, Onee-sama!? What do you think? Does it suit me?"

"It suits you, Tomoe-chan. You're really cute."

Maria replied with a smile, and Tomoe blushed, looking shy.

Mima watched the two of them with a smile, but inwardly, she was more than a little shaken by the sight of Tomoe wearing the headband.

(It suited her too well.)

The hairstyle Maria suggested and the headband Maria chose—the combination showed such high affinity that it was as if it were meant to be.

(How much could Maria see?)

Mima couldn't help but feel astonishment and awe at Maria, who showed glimpses of her "saintly" nature even in her everyday actions.

AN:

Along with the differences in perspective, some setting information is scattered here and there...

Whether the setting is usable is a mystery

(＾ω＾;)