Chapter 1: Delivery at Lillian's

Author's Note: Hello Everyone! Any fans of the Korean drama, Boys Over Flowers, will recognize the inspired storyline right away set in Maria-sama ga Miteru time! However I will make changes from the original story. To those who don't know what I'm talking about, just sit back, relax and enjoy your favorite characters with a new twist!


The Ogasawara Group, well known for its successful businesses in oil, produce, electricity, banks, airlines, car production, and home products, is reigning supreme among all other esteemed groups in Japan. Not only do they have control of all of Japan's wealth, they have also left the largest footprint in the international market. The original founder of the Ogasawara group was a woman who believed that women were the more dominant gender. Since her time as leader of the almighty group, Japanese culture transitioned into believing the same. Therefore, she thought it wise to leave behind a legacy of individuals capable of running her companies even after she dies. Due to the fact that she found all men incompetent and unworthy of holding Japan's future in their hands, she built a very special school.

Lillian Private Academy for Girls

Going from preschool to university, Lillian nurtures the most prestigious young girls in Japan in order to become capable ladies that lead the men into a most promising future.

Most, if not every single person in Japan make their daughters apply to Lillian because once accepted, that family is guaranteed a wealthy and powerful future. However, getting accepted is no easy feat. Families may have their daughters apply each school year, but only 1% of the population of young girls is accepted. In addition, this 1% consists of the wealthiest, most elite and intelligent daughters in already thriving families. Sadly to the common person, getting accepted to Lillian is like winning the lottery, it's a one in a million chance. While these circumstances may seem unfair, one can't help but marvel and admire the diligent students of Lillian, paving the road far ahead into Japan's bright future.

"Gokigenyou."

"Gokigenyou."

The elegant greetings that ring through Lillian's High School Private Academy evoke an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Trained to be the utmost perfect ladies since preschool, students make sure that their ivory sailor collars are adorned in a perfect knot and their long, black pleated skirts are never in a state of disarray. When one was late, one never ran in hopes to get to class on time. Walking slowly is preferred here.


A lovely spring day after the start of a new school year.

Her hands were trembling as they approached the opening of her shoe locker. She knows that there is a good chance that "it" might be inside. After all, the incident had happened last Friday, making today judgment day. Curious crowds slowly started to form around her, waiting in anticipation. Understanding that the wait was no longer necessary, she wrenched open the locker door and her eyes froze.

Gasps of shock echoed through the room and a wave of taunting came through the crowd.

Inside her locker was an ivory colored card imprinted with three elegant roses; one red, one white, and one yellow.

"Look, look! She got it! The Yamayurikai's card!"

"Hey, it's the death card!"

"Oh my, how horrible!"

Although nobody had ever told the students at Lillian's High School Academy what this card was, everybody in the school understood its meaning.

Slowly she closed her shoe locker and turned around in fear. Swarms of eyes around her narrowed to slits while she waited to see what was in store in her already inevitable fate…


"I'm going off now to make the delivery!"

"Alright take care, Yumi-chan!"

Fukuzawa Yumi, a 16-year-old brown haired girl with pigtails, dashed to her red bike with a handful of clothes that had evidently just been dry cleaned. Hanging the clothes on a stand that had been built in, she eagerly jumped on and rode happily towards her destination, Lillian's Private Academy for Girls.

Yumi had made previous deliveries to the prestigious academy, but every time she approached those tall gates in their ivory-coated glory, she couldn't help but gape in awe by its expanse and obvious elite qualities. Shrugging the overwhelming feeling aside, she rode onto campus in search of the person who owned the clothes currently hanging on her bike's stand.

Breathing in the tranquil qualities of the atmosphere as she passed through the long entrance path leading up to a statue of Maria-sama, Yumi dismounted her bicycle and leaned it against a nearby tree. Taking the clothes to be delivered in her hand, she decided to walk the rest of the way, as it seemed only proper.

It seemed as if the school day had finished, seeing that most students were out of class and seemed to make no move to head to class. Yumi walked towards the largest building to her left, knowing that it was the building where she could find the classroom that the girl she was looking for would be in. Looking at all the girls passing by her wearing their simple yet beautiful black, one-piece uniforms with ivory sailor collars, Yumi couldn't help but feel a little out of place with her dark, red sweatshirt and ordinary blue jeans.

Yumi sighed. I can't believe these types of people actually exist, like perfect angels…

Her thought was cut short when she heard a particularly loud voice echo through the school hall.

"Hey everybody, up on the roof! That's where that girl, Tomoyo, ran off to!"

Loud chatter and a few screams of delight mixed in with the rumbling sounds of students heading the same direction.

Yumi stood in her place stunned, eyes wide open. She had never witnessed such an unruly scene at this school ever since she set foot in it.

Haa

Slowly, curiosity and realization overtook her and she followed the rest of the girls up to the rooftop.

What in the world is going on? Did she just say Tomoyo?

Upon reaching the roof, her gaze was filled with a half-circle crowd of students cornering one dark-brown, waist-length haired girl to a wall.

"How dare you insult the Yamayurikai that way!"

"What do you have to say for a disgrace such as yourself!"

"You still think you're almighty? Pfft—Please."

Insults upon insults and accusations upon accusations were thrown at the girl in the middle. Soon after, a rain of splattered eggs and flour were thrown on the poor grey-eyed girl and the crowd eagerly started chanting:

"Die here or go home! Die here or go home!"

Yumi could only stand baffled at the situation until the ostracized girl slowly climbed the wall and stood on its edge. Now she was only inches away from a three-story fall to hard concrete and what would be an inevitable death.

"Haha, Tomoyo-san is choosing death! Can't face the world anymore, huh?"

After that repulsive remark, the girl named Tomoyo finally spoke with indignation.

"Isn't this what you all want? Well then here goes…"

Tomoyo slowly turned to face the death jump, hardening her resolve and clenching her fists. There's no way I can go back home now…its all over, she thought.

She bent her legs

…ready to spring to her dea—

"Wait!"

Yumi's high-pitched voice rang through the now-silent crowd.

"Wait! Are you Aoi Tomoyo?"

The girl on the wall turned only her head to look at the source of the voice that had stopped her.

"Yes," she answered solemnly.

Yumi ran up to her, with the clothes still in her hand.

"Delivery! These belong to you Aoi-san! That will be 1,200 yen."

Everyone stared at the short, pig-tailed girl with wide eyes before their roars of laughter erupted. Even Tomoyo was brought out of her distraught state only to come into one of complete exasperation at the enthusiastic statement.

"I'm sorry; I am quite busy at the moment. If you don't mind, contact my family and they will settle the payment for you."

"Ok, ok I get it. Just for you, I'll lower it to 1,000 yen. How's tha—" Yumi froze, being sometimes slow-minded person she was, she was only comprehending this Aoi-san's predicament now. Pointing at the dark-brown haired girl childishly with hazel eyes full of horror, she sputtered, "Y-You! You're not going to die, are you?"

During this whole exchange, the laughter only continued to grow louder.

"Yes, as you say, I am going to die. Now if you please excuse me—"

"Wait!"

Tomoyo couldn't help but twitch in irritation at the repeated yelp coming from the medium-brown haired girl in front of her.

"Wait! Why do you want to die? You go to an amazing school! You have an amazing future!"

"Lillian's an amazing school? Pfft—this school has that image, but in reality, it's rotting from the inside. This school is a prison that is worse than hell. Tell me, you've never heard of the Yamayurikai?"

"Yama—Yamayurikai? What's that?"

"When the Yamayurikai places their card in your locker, you become prey for the school."

"Prey? If that happened to my friends I would fight to protect them! Don't you have—"

"If what you are saying is true, then your friends are lucky people to have someone like you. You are fortunate enough to keep your innocence and naivety, so by all means keep away from this hell house."

With that, Tomoyo felt relieved to have warned an innocent bystander before the end of her despicable life, so she took the plunge.

"Nooooooo!"

Yumi's body reacted instinctively and the next thing she knew, her hands had grasped the edges of Tomoyo's collar as she jumped and fell. Yumi's arms dangled over the edge of the building with Tomoyo's life in her hands. With the adrenaline still pumping through her veins, Yumi was able to slowly pull Tomoyo back up onto the rooftop.

*Click! Click! Click! Click!*

The sound of a camera clicked away, taking snapshots of the astonishing occurrence that was playing out before a certain girl with glasses and a smirk on her face.


The next day…

The news of the events that occurred at Lillian's Private Academy for Girls spread like wildfire. By morning, all major channels were reporting on the story about a "Local Hero Girl" and how she had saved a student from an attempt at suicide. Despite the school's desperation in trying to cover up the truth, it was leaked that the student was driven to suicide because of corruption at the current Lillian High School. Therefore, Yumi's actions were seen as an act of heroism and the locals were beginning to call her the "Wonder Girl".

Soon Yumi's identity was found out and swamps of reporters and photographers sought her out at her part time job at a ramen shop to get a scoop on the new "Wonder Girl."

Ogasawara mansion: President's office

*SLAM!*

A magazine adorning a picture of a brown-hair pigtailed girl saving another girl and full page article was slammed ruthlessly onto the large desk that belonged to the middle-aged President of the Ogasawara Group. The President's sleek, long black hair was expertly tied into an exquisite bun with a couple strands hanging along the sides of her cheeks. Although now, her appearance was now ever-so-slightly disheveled with her dark blue eyes narrowed and a frown graced upon her lips.

"Absolutely unacceptable!"

A man with short, black hair and a black suit stood before the President.

"Please accept my most sincere apologies, Ms. President, but we are now getting a hand over the situation and—"

"Getting a hand? You call this getting a hand over the situation? As this family's personal assistant, I expected much more from you." Raising her voice a little more than she wished to, she regained her composure and spoke again. "The media is like a cancer to us. It spreads infectious disease throughout all of Japan and the people can't help but take it in. I hate to put it bluntly but the people are too stupid to distinguish between facts and fiction! As a result, crazy ideas and rumors are brought forth bringing about the possibility of the very downfall of this country! I will not allow my daughter's good name, the only heiress to the Ogasawara Group, to be tainted by a situation as preposterous as this!"

Tapping the picture of the "Local Hero Girl" on her desk with a finger, she thought of the best way to solve this unnerving issue. "Kazuki-san, please extend an invitation to this 'Local Hero Girl' to attend our school. What better place to extinguish the fire than where it started? And plus, I want this girl under our radar so she won't cause any more trouble."

"As you wish, Ms. President. I will get to work on it right away." With a quick bow, Kazuki turned and left the room.


In front of the Fukuzawa house.

Yumi had just ridden back home on her bicycle after her part-time job at the dry cleaner's and her other part-time job at the ramen shop. Locking her bike properly in place, she couldn't help but eye the black limousine that had parked itself in front of her family's small and ragged old house. It was an odd sight, seeing as most if not all residents in this area could never afford such a luxurious car.

Sigh…I know I'm going to be dead meat if another reporter or photographer hounds me at my house. My parents are going to be furious for sure…

Praying silently before turning the doorknob and walking into her home, Yumi was surprised to find her parents and younger brother animatedly entertaining a man in a luxurious black suit seated around their small dining table.

"Oh look! Here's our daughter now! Yumi come, come quick!"

With a bow, she greeted her parents. After which, her parents simultaneously started talking, their excitement was evident.

"Yumi-chan, this man is here to—" "You are being invited to—"

This is when the said man in the black suit slowly rose from his seat.

"Good evening, I am Honda Kazuki, a representative of the Ogasawara Group. You are Fukuzawa Yumi, I presume?"

"Y-Yes."

"I am here to formally invite you to attend Lillian's High School Private Academy for Girls through a special scholarship program that has been made recently. You have shown great potential through your academic marks and we hope to nurture you towards a future of great prosperity and success."

It was true; Yumi's marks at school and tests were off the normal charts. But for every year since middle school, she had convinced her parents not to waste their money on the Lillian's yearly application. She was practical and knew that even with her scores, she would never be considered because she was without any real status in society. And deep down, Yumi had fostered this rebellious feeling against Lillian's. After all, who would want to go to a school that made the best of the best kneel before them, begging to accept their children? But now, this untouchable school was inviting her?

Lost in her thoughts, Yumi could only reply with a dumbfounded, "Huh?"

"Mou, what are you saying Yumi-chan! Yes, yes! Of course she'll accept the invitation!"

Her mother's words were what brought Yumi out of her reverie and she finally registered the situation into her mind.

"No way! What the heck are you saying! I am NOT going to that school and you can't make me! Remember Okaa-san? You always told me how only arrogant, selfish and rich people attend that school. I never applied after middle school because you know how stupid the system is!"

"Yes, I know I said that once before, but I must admit it was out of jealousy and I never meant what I said! This is Lillian we're talking about! You know how hard it is to get in and how much the tuition costs!"

This is when her brother popped into the conversation with a snide and playful grin.

"Yumi, for once in my life, I am finally very proud to be your brother. Do your best at Lillian's, Onee-san." He emphasized the word "Onee-san" for sarcastic effect since he always called his sister by her first name due to the fact that they were only a few months apart.

"Yuuki! Okaa-san! Otou-san! What's wrong with you guys? There is NO WAY I am going to a school filled with a bunch of arrogant PIGS!"

With that, Yumi stormed off and slammed the door to her room, leaving behind her speechless family and black suited man to fend for themselves.

Kazuki turned to Yumi's mother and brought calm back into the atmosphere."Excuse me, Fukuzawa-sama, will you at least tell her to think about the offer?"

"Think about? There's nothing to think about! Yumi-chan is going to attend Lillian even if I have to bring over her unconscious body!"

"I see, well then I will send over the proper materials at once. For now, good evening to all of you." The Ogasawara personal assistant bowed and exited the Fukuzawa residence, forming an unseen satisfied curve on his lips.

Back in the house, Yumi's father and Yuuki were parading around the dining table like little boys carrying Yumi's new uniform and book bag chanting, "Li-li-an! Li-li-an! Li-li-an!" To the side, Yumi's mother stood with her arms folded across her chest with a smug smile of triumph. After hearing the visitor leave, Yumi strode out of her room purposefully to confront her family.

"Have all of you gone crazy? You can't make me go to that school!" Her hands were balled into fists and her face radiated exasperation and a red tint from every angle.

"Stop talking nonsense, Yumi-chan. This opportunity will bring our family wealth and success. Don't you want that for us?" Yumi's mother reasoned, hoping to pull a guilt card.

"I don't want that wealth and success when it is given to us undeservedly," Yumi shot back, pointing her nose away to the side.

"But they have a private karate instructor and dojo for their karate team. Isn't that what you've always wanted in a school but could never find?" Yumi froze in place. Her mother had hit a sensitive nerve. Of course her mother knew her weaknesses. It was true; Yumi had always dreamed of joining a karate team at school since she, herself, was quite talented at the sport. Although a proper dojo and instructor was hard to come by as a school activity.

"Okaa-san! Do you think I'm a child that can be persuaded because of a place where I can punch and kick things down? Really!" Yumi's face had contorted into one that seemed to project permanent anger and irritation with her narrow eyes and present frown. No longer wishing to fight over the ridiculous concept, Yumi began to take her leave, hoping to end on that note.

With a sly smile to her daughter, Yumi's mother spoke the final words that Yumi had prayed with all her heart she wouldn't have to hear. "No matter what you say, Yumi-chan, you are going to that school whether you like it or not and that is final."

Yumi's back stiffened at her mother's straight-forwardness and finality. She knew she had no choice but to comply with her mother's wishes. After all, there had never been a time where she could out-think her mother in terms of reasoning and excuses. She had always admired her mother's abilities and hoped to become as strong as her one day. Plus, Yumi simply did not want to disobey her mother's orders, especially when it came down to her family's welfare. With her back turned away, she grimaced and let the reluctant word slip past her lips.

"Fine."

After seeing her daughter return to her room, Yumi's mother couldn't help but feel pride for herself and her daughter. Her daughter had handled the situation outrageously at first, but ended up coming to terms with the situation and choosing the simplest and most direct path out of the unruly mess. After all, a woman is someone who uses their wits and knowledge in every situation, Yumi-chan. Become strong and you will be able to out-persuade all men and one day, even me. She thought that with a smile and then chuckled. And it doesn't help that we get a little more money along the way.


That's all for this chapter! Expect an update soon and stay tuned!

Next Chapter: Yumi meets the Yamayurikai! How will she fend in the elite school of Lillian?