There are no classes today, on the day before the school festival.
To prepare for tomorrow's battle,
we, the student council, will make the final preparations!
The success or failure of the school festival
is riding on the work you do right now!
Masaya-senpai seems more excited than usual.
He seems to be really excited for the school festival,
but could there be something else?
Let's do this!
Now, for a word from the student council president!
We're at the final hurdle.
We'll thoroughly check to see
that everyone is ready to ensure a perfect festival and after party...
Itsuki-kun.
Sorry.
Vice president, you're slacking!
Allow me to apologize for him.
It's partly my fault for not letting Itsuki get any sleep last night.
How bold.
D-Do you mean...
Relations...
...of the sexual kind?
I-It's not like that!
We were preparing for the school festival!
Right, Aika?
Yes.
"Aika"?
When did you two get on a first-name basis?
Please don't read too much into it!
In any case, let's make the festival a success.
Yes, ma'am!
Quest 10 Vessel
They're gathering.
Let's throw a wrench in their plans.
It's already lunch. Where did they go?
Izumi-senpai.
Do you have a minute?
Can Ai-Ai come help us today?
Ai-Ai?
She means Suzuki-san.
Her name's Aika, so we call her Ai-Ai.
She didn't go to class?
Not yet today.
Lately she's been disappearing with Tachibana a lot.
I see.
I'll tell them to help with your class.
Thanks.
Senpai.
Where have you been? Lunch is almost over.
Sorry. I'll do it right away.
We were visiting our class.
There's work to be done there, too.
Really?
Your classmates were looking for you, Suzuki-san.
Understood.
I'll head back to class.
Um...
I don't need your excuses. Just finish your work, Tachibana-kun.
Okay.
The school festival is tomorrow. Let's do our best.
Okay.
Ai-Ai.
Try this on.
It was finished just this morning.
It's your costume for tomorrow.
We'll have to make some adjustments.
Is this right?
Look. I told you the ribbon would be cute.
We should have Ai-Ai in the center so she can be our poster girl.
Center poster?
In other words, you'll handle the floor and be our main fighting force.
I see.
In that case,
we must be using a crane wing or spindle formation.
M-Maybe, I guess.
The crêpe mix is here.
Thanks.
Hey, thanks.
Hey, Kayano. This is the waitress costume.
An angel has descended upon Seiga!
The perfect maid!
Looks like Ai-Ai should be the center.
Yeah.
I see. So this is my mission.
Suzuki-san...
Do you have a minute?
Tachibana-kun seems to be really tired lately.
That's my fault.
So you two are...
I'm sorry.
You don't need to apologize.
You're free to do what you want.
I believe I understand the two of you's circumstances.
Our circumstances?
Did Itsuki tell you?
He didn't have to. I can tell.
You're incredibly perceptive.
So, since when?
Last Saturday.
Saturday...
The day he skipped the meeting?
Did he skip to confess?
It was sudden.
Apparently Itsuki didn't realize it himself.
He's always secretly had feelings for Suzuki-san?
Itsuki is doing his best not to inconvenience others.
Sorry to say this, but I'd like you to keep your distance.
Suzuki-san.
He tends to try to handle things on his own.
Take good care of Tachibana-kun.
I know.
I will protect Itsuki with my life.
That wore me out.
I finished.
Tachibana
He's pushing himself too hard.
Itsuki, you there?
Are you asleep?
Itsuki.
Tachibana Itsuki-kun, I'm grateful for your help.
Sure. This is for the best, right?
Yes.
Given that you're a suitable vessel,
you wouldn't have been able to avoid fighting,
and by fighting, you'll be able to save other Earthlings.
Of course, the ARKS will also offer all the support we can.
But at this rate...
It's fine, Aika. I chose this.
The second wave will be coming soon.
I've called for backup.
Try to hold on until then.
A new boosted enemy?
I know.
I will protect Itsuki with my life.
What's wrong with me?
Why am I letting it bother me?
Itsuki!
Over here!
Sorry. I let my guard down.
Don't worry about it.
You're just doing what you're supposed to do.
Protecting you is my duty.
You should do your duty, too.
My duty?
They're coming.
Clarissa!
What was that?
That was close, Aika-chan.
You're the backup the commander mentioned...
Matoi-sama?
Just call me Matoi.
Matoi-sama?
She's special to all of us ARKS.
I'm not that important.
Anyway, are you okay?
What? Me?
I wonder why.
You seem accustomed to battle,
so why are you so unaccustomed to using Photon Arts?
I-I...
Don't push yourself too hard.
Let me handle this.
You two can retreat and rest.
[The Council of Six] The leaders, and possibly symbols, of Arks everywhere. Numbers 1, 3, and 5 form the "Legendary Three Heroes," whereas 2, 4, and 6 are called "The Even Numbers." Including number 0, the seven of them possess exceptional fighting strength. In the year A.P.240, more than half of them are on a special mission away from the fleet.
[Matoi] Was once consumed by the dark as the vessel for the Profound Darkness, but miraculously returned alive with the help of many people. Currently operates as a Guardian, one of the most special beings among ARKS. Wields the Genesis weapon Clarissa Gen. 3.
Tachibana-kun, today is the first day of the school festival.
You're the vice president.
You should have the spirit to show up before everyone else!
Masaya-senpai, your hype levels...
They're maxed out!
Behold this glorious weather!
Seiga Academy School Festival 2027
It's the perfect day for a school festival!
He's so hyper...
...it's repulsive.
Apparently someone Masaya-senpai admires is coming to the school festival today.
It's someone he met on PSO2.
Masayan
Finally going to meet my Cats-chan!!
Mika-san, have you been stalking Masaya-senpai on social media?
I had to. He was acting too creepy.
They've agreed to meet at the school festival.
So he's just...
...an idiot.
Wait a minute...
I have a friend who refuses to meet me IRL, no matter how much I invite them.
Could it be?
Either way,
you might be the reason Masaya-senpai is in such good spirits.
Yeah.
You should wait to say that until after it's over.
What? Don't get ahead of yourself.
Tachibana-kun.
Don't worry about us today.
You should help your class.
Okay.
Let us...
...handle the rest.
Thanks.
Itsuki, can you draw in customers and handle odd jobs?
We've already assigned all the jobs inside the café.
Got it.
Is something wrong?
I've been tasked with leading the vanguard in this costume.
What's she talking about?
Apparently it means she's been asked to handle the center of the store as floor chief.
I see.
The student council has an announcement for all students.
This year's Seiga Academy school festival will now begin.
Please head to your stations.
Today and tomorrow, let's do our very best to make this the best school festival possible.
Okay.
Welcome to Seiga Academy!
Please enjoy the festival.
We have wonderful cafés.
We have... have...
What?
Um, are you...
Are you Orga-Cats-chan?
No, I'm not.
Then are you—
Hitsugi-chan!
This must be some new way to hit on people.
Let's go.
Okay, okay. Excuse us.
Hey, didn't our company make this?
Only you can weld like that.
You're starting to understand.
Are you Orga-Cats-chan?
No, I'm not.
Gross!
We're grateful for the help from our sister school.
Thank you for inviting us today.
I bought some.
Have as much of whatever you'd like.
What did you get?
I'm glad you asked.
Okonomiyaki, modanyaki, takoyaki, waffles, and mini castella.
It's all starchy stuff.
More importantly, let's go look for Itsuki's class.
Welcome Back, Master ♥
Nice, nice.
Last Samurai-san.
We're here, Itsuki-kun.
Tachibana's friends?
Probably from PSO2.
Yeah, probably.
Welcome back, master.
M-Master.
Nice, nice. Your awkwardness is irresistible.
Um, Last Samurai-san...
Maybe we should try this at our inn.
But I guess my wife can't compare with real-life 17 year olds.
Darling...
Uppercut!
I'll have some tea.
He's exactly the high school student we imagined, isn't he?
How long are you going to keep being nervous, dude?
Did you skip breakfast?
I recommend vegetables. Organic ones.
Oh, yeah. The "Orga" in Orga-Cats is for organic.
See you later, master.
They're so bright.
It's too much. See you later.
Is something wrong?
Something just—
Itsuki. Sorry, but could you go throw out the trash?
Sure.
Aika-chan, how are you?
Tired?
I'm fine.
I see.
But the customers are starting to dwindle.
Why don't you take a break?
No, I'm fine.
Was it my imagination?
President, we're fine.
We'd like to take a look around now.
Besides, Kori seems to be at her limit.
I see. Excuse me, then.
Where do you want to go?
What's wrong?
Why now?
Ai-Ai?
What is it?
I'm going to go check it out.
Kayano, too?
Tachibana-kun, I'll help.
Senpai? Thanks.
How's your class doing?
Thankfully, we're doing well.
Really?
Well, you might as well enjoy yourself, too.
With Suzuki-san.
Please stop joking about that.
Aren't you dating?
Not you too!
I'm not dating Suzuki-san.
What? Really?
But she said she'd protect you.
What?
She was probably referring to how she's helping me out a lot in PSO2.
She tends to get tongue-tied and leave out crucial information.
R-Right. She does tend to do that.
Yeah.
The festival seems livelier than last year.
Yeah, it does.
This must be the kind of school festival you wanted to see.
What?
But there's still tomorrow.
It's still the school festival until the after party.
You're right.
It's because you and the rest of the student council worked so hard.
No, it's not like that.
There's no need to be modest.
What?
I'm the one who chose you.
Um...
Why did you choose me to be the vice president?
Because...
What is this?
Run away, Rina-senpai!
Tachibana-kun!
Run... quickly...
What's going on?
No!
Stop!
Rina-senpai?
What is this? What's going on?
Could it be?
Does Rina have an affinity for Photons, too?
This isn't good.
Senpai!
Aika-chan.
The Monomate girl?
Itsuki?
And Izumi-senpai?
What is this?
Rina-senpai!
No...
Next Episode
I'm satisfied.
We've visited all the shops now.
I don't think we had to do that.
But it's my job as a member of the Tensei Academy student council.
Really? Why don't you report on it, then?
Uh, um... The takoyaki were fluffy and delicious.
The crêpes were sweet and delicious, as well.
And the maid café's uniforms were impressively made.
Kori, why did you even come here?
To hang out with you, Hitsugi-chan.
Goodbye.
I'm kidding! I'm kidding, Hitsugi-chan!