Maria Watches Over Us

- Season 1

(2004)

A chance encounter draws unassuming high school student Yumi Fukuzawa to the Yamayuri Council, the student governing body of the Lillian Girls' Academy. This all-girls Catholic school has a unique system that pairs girls together to help one another through the years. This system has yielded many long-lasting friendships. But Yumi's unexpected proposition by the school's most popular student and soon-to-be council head, Sachiko Ogasawara, is unlike any in the school's long history. The only question remaining is if Yumi will accept Sachiko's offer.

Yumi continues to mull over the possibility of becoming Sachiko's soeur, but remains unnerved by the idea. She's further distraught by the realization that Sachiko may be merely using her to get out of having to honor a bet made with the Red Rose council head.

The dress rehearsals for Cinderella are beginning, and Suguru, the student body president of Lillian's brother school, is playing the part of the prince. Sachiko is distressed by the idea of having to practice with a man.

The Yellow Roses, Yoshino and Rei, aren't just soeurs, they're cousins who've been together since they were children. As Yoshino's health and Rei's overbearing attitude strain their relationship, the other girls at school start to question their own soeur relationships.

The Yellow Roses split up as Rei prepares for her kendo tournament and Yoshino gets ready to undergo heart surgery. Yumi does her best to act as an intermediary.

It's time to elect council leaders for the next school year, and while Sachiko, Rei, and Shimako are the most likely candidates for the posts, they're not guaranteed to win. With a new girl referring to herself as Rosa Canina starts angling for the White Rose position, Shimako must decide whether it's worth competing.

The Yamayuri Council organizes a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt that awards the winners a date with Sachiko, Rei, or Shimako. Neither Yumi nor Yoshino are happy about giving up their soeurs for even a day.

Sachiko accuses Yumi of avoiding her and tensions between them grow. As Valentine's Day approaches, Yumi decides on a gift for Sachiko.

Feeling that Yumi is unworthy of Sachiko's affections, a girl who has been harboring a crush on Sachiko tries to come between the soeurs by sabotaging the Valentine's Day scavenger hunt.

A popular romance novel has been making the rounds at school. When the students realize the plot resembles real-life events from last year, they try to find out who wrote it.

As Sei falls deeper into her relationship with Shiori, other members of the Yamayuri Council worry she's headed for heartbreak. Little does Sei know that Shiori is keeping a secret that could change their lives forever.

The winners of the Valentine's Day scavenger hunt finally get their dates, but they have to dodge reporters from the school newspaper who are hungry for a scoop. Sachiko relies on Yumi to take the lead during their date, while Shimako's time with Shizuka leads to an emotional discussion.

Yumi is relieved to find Sachiko hasn't ditched her and decides to help her try something new. Meanwhile, Shimako and Shizuka discuss the future and wonder what they'll do when Sei, Eriko, and Yoko leave for college.