Maria Watches Over Us

At Lillian Girls’ Academy, the poised and admired Sachiko Ogasawara maintains an impeccable image—one that masks a more complicated side of her personality. With the school play approaching, she’s especially distressed by the expectation of partnering with a male student, and she asks the Yamayuri Council to let her step away from the role.

As an alternative, Sachiko offers to demonstrate her commitment by taking on a petite sœur, an underclassman who would become her protégé as her grande sœur. She selects first-year Yumi Fukuzawa, only for Yumi to refuse, leaving the school stunned. Spurred on by a challenge from council member Sei Satou—win Yumi’s acceptance and she can withdraw—Sachiko sets out to bridge the distance between them, even as forming connections doesn’t come easily to her.