Episode 4: Awaken My True Voice!

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The day after they witnessed Hikoboshi's flagrant cheating without regard for the previous conversation...

Orihime
Waaah...! Waaah...!!

Priestess 1
Lady Orihime, please stop crying.

Orihime
S-Sniff...! It doesn't matter, I don't matter...!!

Priestess 1
... She's been like this ever since she came back. She seemed in good spirits for that one day, but now, she just keeps crying...

Luka
I understand, thank you. We'd like to talk with her -- would you mind bringing some seats out for us?

Priestess 1
Yes, just a moment.

Luka
Sigh... I feel bad for filling Orihime with such unpleasant thoughts. I guess my plan has backfired.

Yuuki
1. "It's not your fault, Luka."

Nanaka
Right, right, there's nothing we could've done about it, right? Luka sis, don't worry about it -- your solution just didn't pan out.

Stechepalme
Yeah. That just means we'll have to go about it another way! Luka, what are you planning next?

Luka
... What do you all think? I feel like I'm not quite cut out for handling this problem.

Luka
I feel like, if I do something wrong, I might just break things even further. If you've got any ideas of your own, I'd like to hear them.

Nanaka
I see! Then, just leave it to me, the magical girl of justice!

Stechepalme
Yeah! With our powers, solving this problem will be no challenge at all! Heh heh heh, it seems that at last, it is time to unleash my full powers...!

Luka
... I'm glad to hear you say it, but are you sure that's right?

Nanaka
Of course! Just give us a moment to hash it all out!

Nanaka
Just to make sure, you don't have any ideas at all, right?

Stechepalme
Naturally. But I couldn't just say that, seeing the look on Luka's face.

Nanaka
I feel the same way, I really wanna help her! But what should we do....

Stechepalme
... I'm not confident or anything, but I do have one idea.

Nanaka
Ooh, for real!?

Stechepalme
It appears that Orihime has the same... qualities that I do. Even in the weakest people, there reside hidden powers.

Stechepalme
So, Nanaka, if I can successfully persuade her, whisper whisper...

Nanaka
Mm-hmm, so that's what you mean. Okay! Luka sis, we've got it all figured out, so just leave it to us!

Luka
What exactly are you planning?

Stechepalme
Heh, it's simple. I just have to burst into Orihime's room and persuade her!

Luka
... I feel like you're the last person I'd want to persuade anyone of anything -- are you sure about this?

Stechepalme
Worry not, just believe in me! Now then, I'm off!

Later.

Orihime
Sniff, sniff...! Waaaah... pshhh!!

Stechepalme
This is no time to be crying, Orihime!

Orihime
Eek!? U-um... Lady Anna... B-But all I can do now... is cry...

Orihime
Even I understand... that I can never be strong like Luka... sniff...!

Stechepalme
... You've misunderstood something. What exactly are you crying for?

Orihime
Huh? I-It's because... Hikoboshi was cheating on me... Isn't it obvious why I'd be sad about that...?

Stechepalme
That's only what you've been telling yourself. How long will you lie to yourself like this?

Orihime
What do you mean? I haven't been lying...

Stechepalme
That's not what I mean. Can't you hear it? The voice of your true self, the ego that slumbers within you!

Stechepalme
These tears aren't born of sadness. They are your true ego, crying out in frustration!!

Orihime
Frustration...? Within me...?

Stechepalme
That's right, the frustration of Hikoboshi cheating on you. The frustration of loving him so. The fighting spirit within you is taking shape, and calling out!

Stechepalme
So, stand up. You alone can respond to the call of your ego!

Orihime
But I'm... too weak to take part in any sort of fight...

Stechepalme
... At first, I was also scared of challenge, overcome with such thoughts as well. My previous incarnations were also the same way, so I can understand your feelings.

Stechepalme
That's why you must draw upon the ego of your previous lives as well! That way, the powers within you will manifest!

Orihime
Manifest...? B-But this body of mine already resides in this world. What more could possibly manifest?

Stechepalme
You're thinking too small!!

Orihime
E-Eep!?

Stechepalme
Do not be deceived by what your eyes can see! Your true qualities lie not with your physical form, but with your spirit!!

Orihime
My true qualities lie within my spirit... I-I see! You might just be right.

Stechepalme
That's right, that's right. All of those thousands of years you spent living among the stars were surely not spent idly.

Stechepalme
Now, with that spirit, sharpened by all of those years, let your true ego manifest!

Luka
Orihime is something like a goddess of the stars, isn't she? I wonder if it's all right to be saying all this.

Nanaka
It's fine, it's fine! Just trust in Anna!

Orihime
... Y-You are quite wise, Lady Anna! But I don't know if I can do such a thing myself...

Stechepalme
Heh, then there's no choice. Allow me to demonstrate for you!

Stechepalme
I am Hecate of the Gale, Annerose von Stechepalme! People know me as the captain of The Order of Gehenna Immortals!

Orihime
H-How cool...!

Stechepalme
Hah, exactly! By the way, I definitely recommend using that kind of tone when you're talking to the rest of the world.

Stechepalme
Next is your turn. Just follow my example!

Orihime
Just like you did... U-Um, how do I give my name in such a cool way...?

Stechepalme
Hmm, coming up with a speech is important. Very well! I'll come up with one for you in an instant!!

Orihime
I am Orihime. She who follows the Milchstraße, Asteria of the Zodiac!^[1]

Stechepalme
Oooh, we've come up with something great! I'll let you join the Order of Gehenna Immortals if you want!

Orihime
You will!? I never thought that I had such qualities within me...!

Stechepalme
But you have those very qualities after all. I wasn't seeing things after all! How do you feel now, after discovering your true voice?

Orihime
It feels exceptional... As you said, I truly was frustrated! I never wish to see Hikoboshi with that attitude again!

Stechepalme
Lady Anna. Thanks to your words, I am prepared. Now, let us depart for the site of the final battle!

Luka
Orihime! I'm glad you've stopped crying. Do you feel better?

Orihime
Yes, Lady Luka. After hearing the words of Lady Anna, the Hecate of the Gale, I was able to discover that which I must do.

Luka
... Um, I'm glad you feel better. Though you're speaking a little strangely...

Orihime
There is one thing I must ask you. Have you heard of the concept of an inner voice, one that releases one's true ego?

Luka
Huh? What do you mean...

Nanaka
Of course, Orihime! I mean, I hear it all the time. You've gotta listen to your inner voice!

Orihime
I see. You must be a kindred spirit of Lady Anna's as well.

Stechepalme
By the way, what did you mean by that just now?

Nanaka
What I meant was, when I come across a nice find, I just can't resist!

Orihime
Please excuse my pathetic appearance earlier. But thanks to your words, I have been awakened.

Orihime
I cannot allow things to end like this. We shall resolve the issues with Hikoboshi and make this Tanabata a success! I swear this as she who follows the Milchstraße, Asteria of the Zodiac!!

Stechepalme
Ha ha, ncie, nice! That's the spirit! As Hecate of the Gale, I won't fall behind!

Nanaka
Man, things have sure gotten interesting around here! So, Luka, aren't you glad you trusted us?

Luka
... Yes, I am.

Luka
Maybe I've been thinking too much of Anna and Nanaka as children. In truth, I wasn't completely sure that they'd manage.

Yuuki
1. "I think it's important to rely on others."

Luka
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses... How humiliating to have forgotten such an obvious thing.

Luka
It seems like this uproar would be best left to them. And I'll do whatever I can do for them, as well.

Together with Orihime, who had recovered due to Anna's efforts, Yuuki and the group went forth once more to resolve this problem.