Maria Watches Over Us

When Yumi Fukuzawa entered the Lillian Girls' Academy, a prestigious all-girls Catholic school in Tokyo, she never imagined she would catch the eye of beautiful and demure Sachiko Ogasawara, one of the school's most popular students. Now Sachiko has offered to be Yumi's soeur, her "sister" and guide for all her years at the academy. The whole idea has Yumi completely flustered—after all, they hardly know each other! The entire campus is abuzz with rumors about the two of them, but Yumi is conflicted over accepting Sachiko's offer. While she admires Sachiko, being her soeur would also mean constantly being at the center of the entire school's attention!

The spring term is beginning for the students at Lillian Girls' Academy. Friends are reunited, but for the Yamayuri Council, it's a bittersweet time. Yoko, Eriko, and Sei are busy preparing to depart Lillian while Sachiko, Rei, and Shimako are doing their best to ensure that their dear sisters receive a memorable commencement. Sei's departure will leave a sizable hole in the White Roses, and filling it won't be easy. But is there anyone who could appeal to Shimako enough to become the next Rosa Gigantea en bouton?

Summer has arrived at last, and with it comes the promise of summer break for the students of Lillian Girls’ Academy. Sachiko and Yumi retreat to the summer home of the Ogasawara family for a season of rest and relaxation, but their rosy trip soon sours when some old friends of Sachiko’s unexpectedly drop in. These wealthy snobs turn up their noses at Yumi and Sachiko’s relationship — and if Yumi isn’t careful, her blissful summer at Sachiko’s side could come to an abrupt and tearful end.

Life for the young women at Lillian Girls’ Academy couldn’t be more exciting! The Yamayuri Council is working on a theater production with the all-boys Hanadera Academy, and the school festival is quickly approaching. But Yumi’s duties pale in comparison to the task assigned to her by Sachiko: choosing someone as a petite soeur! Will she be able to handle the pressure of such a monumental decision, or will Yumi crumble under the weight of the Council’s — and Sachiko’s — expectations?