Yumiko: The most important feature of Lillian has to be the soeur system. An older girl will take a younger one to be her petite soeur (“little sister”), if the younger one agrees. It isn’t mandatory, but most girls choose to become soeurs.

The grande soeur (“big sister”) is like a mentor to her petite soeur: guiding her, teaching her…

Yumi (1st year) – Petite soeur to Sachiko. Next year she will take on a petite soeur of her own.

Sachiko (2nd year) – Grande soeur to Yumi. Her own grande soeur is a 3rd year.

Yumiko: …and protecting her.

Sachiko: {Kindly take your hands off my soeur.}