Good eats, come, come.
Pretty girls, too.
Niang Niang,
Meow, meow.
Ni hao meow.
Gorgeous, Delicious, Deculture!
It's delicious, meow!
She's Cinderella, without a doubt.
That which has stricken the Hydras was a very sudden plague.
Whoa there,
Do I detect thorns in your voice?
Oh my, what ever do you mean?
However, our countermeasures are functioning well,
Oh my, what ever do you mean?
and the ecological balance is returning to stability.
When the midnight bell eventually rings,
As for the cause of this epidemic, we are currently making progress with the investigation,
the magic will wear off.
at the very least, the judgement has been made that this probably cannot infect humans.
You're wrong.
She's found the glass slipper.
I would like all citizens to rest assured.
I'm sure of it.
The one you couldn't wear?
Not that I couldn't wear; that I didn't wear.
Also, regarding the string of confrontations with the Vajra, as well as the current expulsion of hydras,
and the downturn of the environmental balance caused upon by the hunting of herbivores by those hydras,
Why Gallia IV?
over several weeks, the government will...
If you just want to send a survey team,
it seems like there would be more promising systems.
According to information from a certain source,
that planet warrants extreme caution.
Mr. Birla?
I wonder.
I will have my first concert soon.
Everyone please come.
Please give me a chance.
Thank you so much, everyone.
Next is the magazine interview.
Hurry up now.
Yes.
To Alto-kun
Ever since that movie opened,
every day somehow seems like a dream.
This must be what they mean when they say, "my head's spinning."
I have my hands full with accomplishing the tasks before me like my manager tells me.
Look, Ranka-chan.
It's won't be long now.
You'll be there...
Yeah, I can't believe it...
My first concert in the same place as Sheryl-san...
Oh yeah, Alto-kun, your birthday's next week?
I heard from Nana-chan.
Are you going to have a party?
I'll get a day off that day and be there for sure.
Of course, with a present in hand.
Ranka-chan, here we go.
Ah, yes.
What?
She hasn't contacted you at all either, Saotome-kun?
Why would she contact me?
I wrote to her about your birthday in my text.
Birthday?
Oh my goodness, Alto, it's your birthday?
Pretty much.
Ohh...
So I thought for sure Ranka-san would have said something to Saotome-kun at least...
I'm sure some word will come.
She's just really busy right now since her first concert got arranged.
And this is the most fun time also.
Because every day is full of new things.
Is that how it is?
I speak from experience.
I hear the "experienced one" has a lot of free time these days.
See you in school quite a lot...
With all my experience, I'm good at arrranging my time!
Listen to me, it's not that I'm getting less wor-
That's considerate of you.
Unlike a certain someone.
But in all seriousness, aren't you pushing yourself quite a bit?
Our program is pretty hard in it's own way.
It's a good way to blow off steam.
And starting next week, I intend to be out for a while.
Work?
Yup.
A bit of an unusual one.
A morale-raising concert on Gallia IV?
Sheryl-san is?
Yeah.
I got tapped to see if I could put someone on a guard detail for it.
Did you accept?
Nope.
After all, the New U.N. military unit stationed there...
...is the notorious 33rd Marine Battalion.
What? You don't mean the mostly Zentraedi...
Yup.
That unit.
Strange, the movements of the government lately.
The hydra epidemic...
...this case...
Even concerning that mysterious Valkyrie, they're staying tight-lipped.
I'll try investigating a bit.
I was concerned about certain things, too.
Countin' on ya.
Speaking of concern, have you seen it? The movie?
No.
Aw. Ranka-san's finally getting her fifteen minutes and-
Shutup!
No matter what anyone says, I'll never watch it!
A tasteless movie like that!!!
Ohh...
So there's an atmosphere... on Gallia IV.
Yes.
Gallia I is a red giant,
and since IV's axial rotation and orbital periods are the same, it always has the same side facing Gallia I.
Because of that, the temperature difference between the day and night sides is extreme,
and it's completely unsuited to colonization,
but a breathable atmosphere has definitely been confirmed.
I see...
An atmoshpere...
From here, it would take nearly a day subjectively and almost a week objectively.
Does that mean...
There's a large fold fault.
It's because of that.
But it's unusual to have a morale-raising concert.
Is it the second part of that documentary from the other day?
Who knows.
Ah, that was a shocker, wasn't it?
Alto-senpai and others appeared throughout,
and I was on quite a bit.
My older and younger brothers were so jealous of me.
What're you bragging about?
Your big brothers are always in the financial magazines,
Mr. Pampered Son of L.A.I., the mega-corporation of everything from micromachines to fold devices.
Don't say Pampered Son, please.
Alto-san.
Big Brother...
Big Brother?
I saw the program of that young lady, Sheryl.
You seem to be doing well.
I guess.
Also, this...
I was very happy.
You still haven't forgotten about acting.
It was just a stunt.
...that I did 'cause I had no choice.
But acting is acting.
Saotome Yasaburou...
A Kabuki actor of the Saotome school,
and, it looks like, senior student to our senpai.
Not his real brother?
Correct.
However,
he's become the leading candidate to succeed the name of Ranzou because Alto-senpai left home.
Did you come all this way to tell me your feelings about the movie?
Master Ranzou has taken ill.
Fortunately, his life is not in danger, and we were able to keep it hidden from the media,
but it seems his overwork has cursed him, and he is in bed at his home even now.
It's got nothing to do with me.
Do you really believe that?
It will be your birthday soon.
What about it?
I have something to give you.
Here you go, Ranka-chan.
The arena ticket you asked me for.
Thank you so much, Boss.
But why go to the trouble?
I could just arrange passes for you friends and family on my end.
There's someone she wants to give it to in person.
To you, the new star of anticipation.
Thank you.
This is all thanks to you and...
...Alto?
That's a birthday present, isn't it?
I think just this by itself might be a little... you know,
so I am planning something else, too...
I see.
I'm sure that lump will love it.
Ah... she calls him "that lump"...
Uh, Sheryl-san...
Sheryl-san?!
Sorry, I suddenly felt dizzy.
Are you all right?
Of course.
Health maintenance is the first step in this business.
Right?
That's why I told you not to push yourself...
Your fever's up, too, you know.
This is nothing...
This was a bad idea, after all.
Shouldn't we cancel the concert...
I'm going.
Is this because of that rumor?
That there might be survivors of Galaxy on Gallia IV?
I shouldn't have told you...
It can't be guaranteed safe...
Don't make me repeat myself.
I'm going!
Then I need you to drink your medicine properly.
I'll cure myself with willpower ... I'll show you.
The handover of the item seems to have been completed without problems.
The specs are just like the design schematics.
L.A.I.'s tech research group was enraptured by it.
What about Faerie?
Apparently, going to Gallia IV, as planned.
I received confirmation moments ago.
We must be grateful for her going such a long way.
If only there weren't a fold fault, we could jump that distance in an instant...
The 33rd Marine Battalion?
Why do you ask such a thing?
It so happens that a morale-raising concert is going to be held there.
I thought you might know some details, Lieutenant.
Morale-raising, huh?
Yeah, those bastards just might think up something like that.
Meaning?
Nene and I are descendants of the Zentraedi who were first to join Humanity's side in the First Interstellar War.
But on the other side, there were some who had no choice but to submit to Humanity after the war's end.
Those two factions have always been at each others' throats, and they don't function as a unit.
They're a nuisance to the New U.N. military.
That's the 33rd Marine Battalion.
I'd heard rumors of them, but are they that bad?
Most likely, they griped and moaned.
"If you don't provide recreation, we'll abandon the mission," or some such nonsense.
God.
They're the shame of the Zentraedi.
Thanks for the recipe.
I should be able to go home tonight, so I'll try it out right away.
More importantly, Ranka-san...
Have you gotten in contact with Saotome-kun?
What? Not yet, but...
I may be worrying needlessly, but...
Lately, Saotome-kun and Sheryl-san are... how should I put it...
...really close, or like...
Do you think... they're going out... after all?
That's not possible.
I mean, that shouldn't be the case yet.
But Ranka-san, if you keep waiting around, you'll lose him.
Is that all right with you?
All right or not, it isn't up to me.
I mean, Alto-kun is...
Ranka-chan!
Are you ready?
Yes!
Okay, work is about to start, so talk to you soon, Nana-chan.
Ah! Ranka-san?
Nana-chan... it's too sudden.
I think Alto-kun...
I'm sure that lump will love it.
Not yet?
Everyone's waiting.
Ah, okay. Um, just wait one minute please.
Oh, um, Alto-kun...
This is Alto.
I can't answer the phone.
If you've got business with me, leave a message.
This is Ranka.
Sorry I haven't been able to see you much lately.
Oh, why am I apologizing...
You're the one who decides if not seeing me is unfortunate, right?
That was dumb of me...
So anyway, um...
I-I heard about your birthday... from Nana-chan.
So if it's all right...
I want to give you a present.
On your birthday, on that hill...
would you wait for me on that hill in Griffith Park?
I'll be there for sure.
So...
I have something to give you.
I persuaded the Master to make a promise.
If you show up at the Master's home on your birthday,
he will rescind your disinheritance.
Your goodwill's misplaced!
I became a pilot of my own desire.
After all this time-
Stop lying!
After seeing that program... seeing that film, I was certain...
You cannot stop acting.
That's not true!
Really?
Even though you still continue to act now...
...in the role of a young man who rebels against his parent to become a pilot?
You're wrong!
I...
Behold.
Even now, you are intoxicated...
...with that trite role.
Stop pretending now.
No matter how much I devote myself, you have that which I can never attain... blood.
The curse-like blood of an actor...
I...
Sor-ry-for-the-wait.
What'd you do that for all of a sudden?!
What's got you down? Your face is gloomier than ever.
And what's with that lame outfit?
Listen you,
you think you're one to talk about others' outfits?
Salesmanship, boy. Salesmanship.
Unlike your chest, mine gives the people hope and dreams.
Geez.
How does a person become so full of herself...
It's only natural.
I'm Sheryl, after all.
So? What does Sheryl-sama want with me... calling me out to a place like this?
I was thinking of giving you a present.
Hey Alto, wouldn't you like to fly in a sky?
A real sky that goes on forever!
If you show up at the Master's home on your birthday,
he will rescind your disinheritance.
On your birthday, on that hill...
would you wait for me on that hill in Griffith Park?
I'll be there for sure.
So...
Hey Alto, wouldn't you like to fly in a sky?
A real sky that goes on forever!
I guess I have no choice.
Two hours, that's it.
Alto-kun...
Alto-kun!
Oh, Ranka-chan.
Sorry I'm not Alto.
He asked me to come.
Damn Alto... by now, he's...
Fold booster, all connections check.
All green.
Good luck, Skull-4.
Not good enough, imbecile!
Yasaburou,
you show him how it's done.
Yes, sir.
By the way, you needed to speak to me about the name succession matter?
What is it?
No, it was nothing.
Do people have dreams because they cannot come true?
Are they dreams because they do not come true?
Okay, it's going to be a long ride.
Stick close, Alto.
Don't you lag behind me!
Thanks for coming with me.
Huh? You say something?
Nothing.
Superb.
So far, all has gone according to your script.
The situation from here on will progress as planned.
I will be expecting success.
Yeah.
I'll contact you later on.
You...
He says Alto-kun took off.
With Sheryl-san.
Are you cheering me up?
You're so kind.
Want some?
It was my first time, so I couldn't make them very well, but...
Alto-kun...
Happy Birthday.
Bitter!
Alto and Sheryl departed for Gallia IV.
What awaited them there was an unthinkable trap.
Next time, Fastest Delivery.
Song of Departure, echo throughout the Galaxy.