Maria-sama ga Miteru's story revolves around the students of the Lillian Catholic school for girls, and can be considered character-driven, focusing on interactions between the characters rather than any sort of ongoing plot or goal to attain. At Lillian Girls' School, there is a tradition known as the sÅ&amp;ldquo;ur system (sÅ&amp;ldquo;ur being French for &quot;sister&quot; ) , in which a second, or third-year student, the grande sÅ&amp;ldquo;ur (&quot;big sister&quot; ) , will give her rosary to a junior student, the petite sÅ&amp;ldquo;ur (&quot;little sister&quot; ) , and promise to look after them and guide them.<br /> <br /> When the story begins, Yumi Fukuzawa, a new first-year student admitted to Lillian, is praying in front of the Virgin Mary statue near the school entrance when she is suddenly approached by a cold second-year student named Sachiko Ogasawara who straightens Yumi's uniform ribbon. This seemingly simple act of kindness stays with Yumi the rest of the day, an