what's wrong?
Aren't you going to say, "wow, it jiggles like Erstin's boobs."
Or something like that?
I don't have much of an appetite.
well this is big.
Arika has lost her appetite?
Is there snow in the forecast?
Is that?
what?
That's Big Sister Akane and Kazuya, the son of Cardair's Krau-xeku family.
Are you sure?
Maybe they just look like them. Here, try these.
well, whatever.
Pearl Number One, Big Sister Akane, won't make any mistakes.
what do you mean by "mistakes? "
Don't make me explain!
Meanie.
How dare you, Arika!
Sorry.
Hey! Stop right there!
Those two have been getting along recently.
Yeah.
Mitsuketano DREAM
I found a dream
doki doki ga tomaranai
I can't stop this thrilling feeling
MY STAR DREAM
My star dream
Umaretano takaramono
A new treasure is born
mune ippai ni
It's filling my heart
kirameki hajimeru
And it's beginning to shine brightly
doushite konnani fuan ni naruno kana
What is it that's making me so anxious?
Kakae kirenai omoi
Unable to control these feelings
namida koboreru kedo
My tears flow out
kitto itsuka tadori tsukeruyo
I'm sure that I'll get there one day
tsumazuitatte akiramenai
Even if I stumble I won't give up
yuuki dashite mae ni susumou
With courage, let's keep moving forward
chiisana ippo fumidaseba horane
Take one small step and you will see
atarashii watashi
A brand new me
In The Crimson Sky...
Kazu.
Akane, l...
Kazu?
Stop, stop.
No!
I'm sorry, Akane.
To do this to someone aspiring to be a Meister.
I should be the one apologizing.
I'm really sorry.
Akane.
Sorry. I'm really sorry.
Akane Soir.
were you listening to me?
You have a guest. Please go to the Headmistress's office.
Yes. Right away.
You want me to become a Meister?
You must be surprised at the sudden request.
King Charles' Meister, Rosalie Claudel...
...is getting married and therefore retiring from her position as Otome.
Big Sister Rosalie is getting married?
You have been selected by the royal family of Florince...
...to inherit the Pure Heart Malachite.
But I'm still a student.
This is not unprecedented.
we're making the exception for you because of your special abilities.
we already contacted the Soir Family and your parents were especially pleased.
Congratulations, Mademoiselle.
Or rather, Meister Akane Soir.
It's amazing! So amazing!
To be chosen as a Meister while still a student?
It's a first for this academy, isn't it?
I heard the Palace of Florince is magnificent.
Oh, how wonderful!
Erstin and lrina, you're on Big Sister Akane's room duty, right?
Have you heard anything else?
Ah, no.
we haven't seen her since hearing about this.
Because of Kazuya?
well yeah.
Cardair and Florince have never had a good relationship with each other.
- what do you mean? - It's not something you need to know.
All right.
Congratulations. You reached your dream before everyone else.
Let me give you my blessings.
Thank you, Chie.
But honestly, this still all seems too surreal.
what's up with you? If you want to brag, then go ahead and do it.
well, with all the problems we've had, like the survival test...
...it will be tough not having you around, Akane.
Don't worry! Once you're gone...
...I'll guide those students from the lower class properly!
what's this heavy feeling in my chest?
This is...
Arika, are you feeling any better?
That's mine!
Did you look?
Hey!
why am l...
Looks like you're awake.
why am I here?
You fainted. Remember?
It was a surprise. Nina suddenly burst in carrying you.
Nina did?
She said you were acting strangely.
It would be trouble if your nanomachines went haywire.
Something wrong?
what is it?
Um, Miss Yohko!
And that's how it is. Am I really sick?
Your nanomachines are fine, but you clearly are sick.
According to an old saying, it's a sickness not even God can cure.
Am I gonna die?
In some cases you may go through suffering worse than dying.
Grandma, l...
Hey, do you know the story of the Fire Stirring Ruby?
Let's see... Here it is!
which one?
Lives of Otomes, chapter 109. The legend of the "Fire Stirring Ruby."
Her sorrowful soul wandering around "The Sprites' Forest."
Is this story old enough to be a legend?
No, it's a story from just a few years ago.
During that time there was a very exceptional Otome.
Everyone had great hopes for her future.
when she graduated it was decided that she would inherit the Fire Stirring Ruby.
But she had fallen in love with a man.
It was already decided which Master she would serve when she first enrolled.
So she was torn between choosing love and choosing her dreams.
Then, our great predecessor decided she would become one of the Five Pillars.
The Five Pillars?
Like the Headmistress and Big Sister Shizuru, right?
Right.
They serve our predecessor and don't have an ordinary Master.
It's a renowned job that protects the existence of the Otomes.
But this decision was extremely hard for the Fire Stirring Ruby.
She had a hard time trying to decide which path she would choose.
So she went to the Sprites' Forest where the future-telling god resides.
She never did return from that forest.
People say her soul still wanders within that dark forest.
She was a fool. All because she fell in love with some man.
Tomoe.
Loving a man goes against the basic principles of being an Otome.
That's why Garderobe places so much emphasis on bonding with the Big Sisters.
Feelings of love can come from that.
we received information that Smith was seen near the Artai border.
Shizuru, can you go investigate?
If it's what you wish, Natsuki.
Please.
Although now more than ever I'd prefer to have you here.
The Fire Stirring Ruby.
But why did Miss Yohko tell me that story?
So, what are you going to do?
There's nothing I can do. I already knew this would happen some day.
If you leave, I'll be raised to the number three position.
That would be a big hassle.
I'm sorry, Nao.
I've always been told to become a Meister, so I did my best to achieve it.
Man, you're not following your heart.
Do what you want to do. Give up everything you've got.
That's impossible. Both Kazu and l...
well, I guess that's not your style.
A Trias?
what a pain.
Don't!
Arika?
Arika, have you ever fallen in love with someone?
No, I haven't.
Love is such a mysterious thing.
I couldn't have possibly known he even existed until I met him.
But now every word he speaks brings me such joy or sorrow.
Just thinking about him can make my heart feel so tight it's painful.
why...
...do we fall in love?
The song, the player and the protector?
Those seem to be the requirements for activating the Harmonium.
This looks interesting.
Seems like having you find the real princess was worth the price.
There's one more thing.
Thanks to the data we've gathered...
...about the lost technology on higher materialization...
...we can now create something very close to the original structure.
Stop flattering yourself. So, is it usable?
Of course it is, Your Highness.
You'll learn of its abilities very soon.
Thank you.
Akane!
Sorry for suddenly calling you out here like this.
I'm happy to see you.
Big Sister Shizuru.
I heard that you'd be leaving the academy for a while because of work.
So... I...
Time passes by so quickly. You'll become a Pearl soon, won't you?
Big Sister... I...
You remind me of myself from a long time ago.
That's why...
That's why I must tell you not to get distracted.
Keep your focus on what's ahead of you.
well, I should be going now.
Miss Shizuru!
I'm off to work now.
Then may I join you part of the way?
Yes.
Are you going out?
That's right.
what?
Sorry, Kazu.
You can't do that.
I love you Akane, and I thought you loved me too.
I do love you very much!
But I can't give up my country or my dreams.
Kazu, it's the same with you, right?
Don't you hope that one day you'll serve your country?
Isn't that why you study so hard?
won't you be late for work, coming with me for so far?
Um... Miss Shizuru. Have you ever fallen in love?
Miss Shizuru?
work hard, Arika.
wait! wait, Akane!
Akane, l...
Big Sister Akane!
what's that?
A Slave!
I'll take care of this. You two better leave quickly.
Kazu.
Now, hurry up!
Me too!
Please let me fight with you!
Do you know what it means for you to fight now?
Yes.
But I am an Otome.
Very well.
Materialize!
Akane!
I'll look for the Slave's owner and leave this to you.
There are too many people.
Akane!
I have to become an Otome.
I have to become a Meister.
That's what I wish for and that's what I worked so hard to achieve.
That's been my dream.
That's why...
Big Sister Akane.
Akane...
That's why...
It's coming.
That gemstone seems different from the ones before. Let me take a look at it.
I guess it's too late.
It appears you've been consumed by the stone.
In that case...
Kazu!
Goodbye, Kazu.
Big Sister Akane!
why aren't you stopping her? You love her, don't you?
I do love her!
But there are times when it's impossible.
But still!
That's enough.
Only they can decide what's most important for themselves.
Anything wrong?
But, it's just something.
well... I'm not sure myself.
Silence please.
we shall now begin the Meister inauguration ceremony.
Pure Heart Malachite Meister Akane Soir.
Yes.
If you pledge to accept this man, Charles Guinel Vlll...
...Roi de Florince as your master...
...and protect his life, and devote yourself entirely as an Otome...
...then grant him the contractual gemstone you have with you.
From now on I will take care of you tenderly, Akane.
This is what I wished for, so...
wait one moment!
what?!
That guy!
Kazu.
I still care for you! I love you!
For you, I'm willing to renounce everything!
My family, my country, everything!
And so... And so...
So that's why Akane!
who is that man?
I'm sorry, Your Highness.
I am not able to become your Otome.
Big Sister!
wow, that was cool!
Someone, stop those two!
That's right! Such rudeness cannot be tolerated!
Let's go!
Yes!
I'm so glad for Big Sister Akane.
wow.
That was something, hey, Nina?
To give up your dreams for love.
That's one way of living your life.
Are you a little envious?
No, I'm going to become a Meister Otome!
For certain.
Is that right?
Go for it, Nina.
Yes, Father.
How about you, Antsy?
Me?
well...
I gradually find myself thinking more and more about him...
...and every word he speaks brings me such joy or sorrow.
well, I guess it's too soon for you to be thinking about that.
Bye for now, growing girl, Antsy.
Just thinking of him can make my heart feel so tight it's painful.
Why do we fall in love?
No way!
Tell me it isn't so!
what can it be this late at night?
what?
we received a transmission from Shizuru using a heavy particle signal.
Along the Romulus and Remus border...
A battle is taking place between their Otomes?
Yuuki ga negai kanaeru noyo
Courage makes your wishes come true
DO YOUR BEST
Do your best
Makenai youni susumi mashou
Keep moving forward, so you don't lose
Hajimattayo watashi dake wo matsu
It has started and it's waiting right now
Monogatari ga ima
A story just for me
Nigedasu yori
Instead of running from it
tachimukaeba iine
I'm going to face it
sorega Otome no yuuki
Because that's the courage of Otome
Ganbatteruyo munega
I am doing great
kyun to samishikunaru
Even when I feel lonely
tokimo egaode
I smile
NO, NO, NO wa nai
No, there is no "no"
kanarazu anatano sekaino nakani
In the world you're living in
Tanoshii mirai ga aru mamotte agetaino
The future will be fun and I'll protect you
daijyoubuyo
Everything's going to be fine
Kireina omoi houseki yorimo hikaru
Pure thoughts are brighter than jewels
Hokori wo motte susumi mashou
Just keep moving forward with pride
Makenai youni susumi mashou
Just keep moving forward so you don't lose
Otome's S.O.S.
So if I fall in love then I can't become an Otome?
Actually, it's if you do stuff because you're in love.
what stuff?
Ers, you explain!
Let me demonstrate on you, lrina...
wait, Ers!