Episode 3: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger?
To create the opportunity for Orihime and Hikoboshi to speak, Yuuki and the others split up to bring the two of them along...
Luka
I'm sorry for coming to see you on such short notice, Orihime. If you're busy, I can come back another day...
Orihime
No, it's okay. In any case, Lady Luka, what business do you have today...?
Luka
It's quite sudden, but I'd like you to come with us. So that you can talk to Hikoboshi.
Orihime
Huh!? To talk to him about what...!?
Luka
It must be painful to know that Hikoboshi has been unfaithful to you, right? It would be best for you to say that to him directly.
Orihime
B-But there's... no way... I'd never be able...
Yuuki
1. "You'll only go on suffering if things stay like this."
Luka
That's right. If you don't speak up, you'll have to go on enduring Hikoboshi's behavior forever.
Luka
You must hate the thought of that, for it to move you to such tears. Am I wrong?
Orihime
That's...
Luka
Relax, it won't just be you two. We'll be there to act as mediators, and we can follow along with you if you need it.
Luka
So, please, come with us. How about it?
Orihime
... I understand. I'm a little scared, but... I'll try my best!
Luka
A great answer. Then, come with us to the village.
Luka
Once we're there, we'll just have to wait and see how the others have done.
Later.
Nanaka
... This plan should definitely be able to draw him out. Anna, are you ready?
Stechepalme
O-Ooh... I don't have a choice, do I? I we don't do this, we won't be able to get the Bamboo of Wishes...
Nanaka
Exactly. Then, mission start!
Nanaka
Mister Hikoboshiii! A couple beautiful girls are here to see you!
Hikoboshi
Oh, you're the young ladies from earlier! You just couldn't resist the thought of coming to play with me, could you?
Nanaka
That's right! Sooo, we came to ask you on a date!
Stechepalme
O-Oooh. Ahhhh. Hikoboshi, please come this waaaay.
Nanaka
Anna, your acting isn't good enough! You've gotta be more charming! C'mon, show some appeal!
Stechepalme
E-Even more!? ... C-Come over here for a gooood tiiiime!
Hikoboshi
Ohooo! Well, then, don't mind if I do!
Nanaka
Over here, come and catch meee!
Stechepalme
Hee hee hoo hoo! C'mon, over heeere!
Hikoboshi
All right, got you...!
Nanaka
Anti-harassment spark!!
Hikoboshi
Gyaaaah!?
Nanaka
A 10,000-volt spark for the impatient Hikoboshi!
Hikoboshi
T-This kind of play can only mean one thing... Heh heh...
Stechepalme
... There really is some kind of strange star inside of Hikoboshi's head.
Nanaka
Yeah, I could see it super clearly. It talks at the same time that Hikoboshi talks, right? What does this mean?
Hikoboshi
All right, I'm gonna come after you for real now!
Nanaka
Ahh, this isn't the time to be talking leisurely. All riiight, hurry over here now!
Later.
Nanaka
Ah, you're here! Thanks for waiting, Luka sis!
Luka
Nice work, you're right on time. This means both of them are here now.
Orihime
Hikoboshi...
Orihime
Wha... Orihime!? Why are you here...
Luka
I think Orihime has something she'd like to say to you. That was why we set this whole thing up.
Stechepalme
Of course, we had no plans at all to go on a date with you! Too bad!!
Luka
Now, Orihime. Let him know what you think about all of this.
Orihime
I... I love you, Hikoboshi. No matter how far apart we are, my feelings are always with you.
Orihime
But you've been... enjoying yourself with other women, haven't you? I've seen you doing it...
Hikoboshi
That's...
Orihime
Do you dislike me now? I've been worrying and worrying about this, feeling so helpless...
Orihime
Sniff... If you hate me now... Then I'd rather you just tell me you don't want to see me anymore...!
Hikoboshi
That's not true! The one I love the most in the world is you, Orihime!
Hikoboshi
I'm sorry for not having considered your feelings, Orihime... For having caused you such anguish with my thoughtless actions.
Luka
Perhaps you understand, Hikoboshi. Then, isn't there something you should do?
Hikoboshi
Yes. I'll never cause you such worry again. I'll change my ways from now on!
Orihime
Do... Do you mean that!?
Hikoboshi
Of course. I'm sorry for hurting you... So please, don't cry anymore.
Orihime
Yes... yes...! I'm so happy, Hikoboshi...!
Nanaka
Whew, looks like it's all taken care of! They can live happily ever after now!
Luka
If only they'd done this from the start. They would've been able to manage even without us, if they had.
The day after Orihime and Hikoboshi's conversation...
Luka
Are you sure it's okay for us to go? If your intention is to bring Hikoboshi a home-cooked meal, then we might just get in the way.
Orihime
Ehehe... The truth is, I made enough for all of you, as well. I'd like us all to enjoy a meal together with Hikoboshi.
Orihime
I wanted to do something to thank you for helping me. I only wish I could've prepared something fancier...
Luka
You didn't have to go that far. We weren't in it for a reward, after all.
Stechepalme
Heh, just as Luka says. Besides, on the day of Tanabata, we'll -- mmmphh!
Nanaka
Being able to enjoy the Tanabata festival is enough of a reward for us!
Luka
That's right. But since you've invited us, I wouldn't mind sampling some of your cooking, Orihime.
Yuuki
1. "I'm looking forward to finding out how delicious it is."
Orihime
Ha ha, thank you. I made it all myself, so I think you'll find it satisfying.
Later.
Orihime
Excuse me, is Hikoboshi here? I've brought some home cooking for him, so I'd like to see him.
Priestess 2
Eh, Lady Orihime!? ... Um, did you schedule this ahead of time with Lord Hikoboshi?
Orihime
No, I kept it secret in the hopes of surprising him. Is he absent?
Priestess 2
No, that's not it, but...
Orihime
What a relief. Then, please excuse me.
Later.
Hikoboshi
Ahaha! Looking beautiful today, too!
Priestess 3
L-Lord Hikoboshi! Please stop this!
Orihime
Eh...?
Hikoboshi
Tell me to stop all you'd like, but it's your fault for being so beautiful...
Priestess 4
Enough! What can I say to make you understand, Lord Hikoboshi!? Do you think that Lady Orihime will forgive this behavior!?
Hikoboshi
Ha ha, for you to be so concerned about me... Is this what they call a tsundere? Worry not, for I understand!
Orihime
Hikoboshi... Why...?
Luka
Hold it, you! What are you doing!?
Hikoboshi
Ooh, it's that cool young lady!? Isn't it plain to see? I'm having a good time with these girls!
Stechepalme
That's not what we're asking about! You said yesterday that you weren't going to worry Orihime anymore!
Hikoboshi
I certainly did say that. Which is why I'll just have to have a good time in secret!!
Nanaka
This hopeless scoundrel!
Luka
You are... the worst!!
Hikoboshi
Ouch! Heh heh... But it's so nice to be punished by a beautiful lady...
Orihime
This can't be... I thought... I thought you loved me...!
Luka
This is no time for tears, Orihime! Now is your chance to let him have a piece of your mind!
Luka
This guy was just saying what you wanted to hear. You should slap some sense into him!
Orihime
I... I...
Orihime
... I can't be as strong as you are, Lady Luka...!
Stechepalme
Wait, Orihime!?
Hikoboshi
Oh, my... Well, whatever, why don't we just...
Nanaka
Shut up! Anti-harassment spark!!
Hikoboshi
I haven't done anything yet, though!?
Luka
Ugh... Why did things end up this way...!?
As they tried to track down Orihime, who had run off, Yuuki and the others were left thinking about the broken relationship between the two of them.