Episode 5: The Genius Magical Girl Gets Serious

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Yuuki and the others were planning their strategy with Orihime...

Luka
This may be in the past, but did Hikoboshi used to be the kind of person who would do this?

Orihime
He had never behaved this way before this year's Tanabata. I feel as though something about him has changed.

Nanaka
... Ah, could it have something to do with that thing? That weird star might've done something to Hikoboshi!

Stechepalme
That star seemed to be talking through him, so it's possible. Asteria, do you know anything about this?

Orihime
There are thousands, if not millions, of legends concerning stars that haunt people. But I have never witnessed one with my own eyes, so I cannot say.

Orihime
However, I may have an idea as to why you were able to perceive this star. I fear it may be due to the influence of my wish.

Luka
What do you mean, your wish?

Orihime
Originally, it was impossible for the people of this world to see the stars that resided in the Milky Way. However, it became possible due to the "Apostles of Wishes," who were chosen by Hikoboshi and myself.

Orihime
I believe the power of my wish to resolve this problem resided within these individuals.

Nanaka
Ah, like those people who that old man said could "commune with the stars!" That's got to have something to do with it.

Stechepalme
But why weren't we able to see the star until Nanaka used her magical attack?

Orihime
I suspect they hide themselves by some means so that they cannot be discovered normally. When you used your attack, you disrupted that for a moment.

Nanaka
Hmmm, so if we zap him again, will we be able to learn more?

Orihime
I can't allow you to unnecessarily attack my beloved, understand?

Nanaka
Ooh, she looks really serious... Okay, got it! Then, maybe we can look for some books where we can read about these legends.

Luka
In that case, we should try asking the villagers for any material that might be helpful. It should be better than grasping around in the dark.

Nanaka
Okay, that sounds good! Then, let's split up...

Luka
Actually, I'd like to ask you a favor. You two go ahead to the library and start the search first.

Stechepalme
Are you sure you want to send us off on our own, Luka?

Luka
I'm not great at these kinds of investigations. I think you two would be better off handling this part.

Nanaka
Whoa, whoa, she's saying something nice about us! If you say so, then we'll just have to do our best, Luka sis!

Stechepalme
Heh heh, just leave it all to us. We shall discover the true identity of that star posthaste!

Luka
Yuuki, could you come with me? It might be a little much for me to ask around town alone.

Yuuki
1. "Of course."

Luka
Thanks, I appreciate it. Now then, I'm heading out. I'm counting on you all.

Stechepalme & Nanaka
Got it!

Later.

Nanaka
Hmmm. There are way too many stories about Tanabata here, don't you think?

Stechepalme
U-Ughh... The writing style in these books is so hard to read...

Orihime
You must not give up, you two. We must rise to face these challenges!

Stechepalme
... You truly have become dependable, Asteria. As your mentor, it would be unbecoming of me to complain!

Nanaka
Ooh, you've become so dependable, Anna! ... In that case, I'll just take a quick break...

Stechepalme
Hey, Nanaka, what are you saying!? Take this more seriously!

Luka
All right, here are some more books. You must be tired of all this reading, so I think a short break would be in order.

Nanaka
Yeah, yeah, just as Luka sis said! When you're tired, there's nothing better than a nice, comfy picture book... Huh?

Nanaka
Huh!? Hey, Anna! Isn't this it!? "The Pink Star who Plays with People's Feelings" -- this one!

Stechepalme
What!? ... You're right, it definitely looks similar! Asteria, do you recognize this?

Orihime
The pink star who plays with people's feelings... That's right, the Uwakiboshi!^[1] This must be the work of Uwakiboshi!

Luka
What exactly is this Uwakiboshi?

Orihime
It is a star that charms and possesses the hearts of those who feel lonely. If this truly is the case, then it would explain Hikoboshi's actions.

Nanaka
I'd thought that guy had been having some strange mood swings, but that makes sense!^[2] The mystery has been solved!!

Luka
When Uwakiboshi's influence is weaker, the real Hikoboshi is able to speak. But now, it appears that he's fallen completely under the Uwakiboshi's influence.

Stechepalme
If that's it, then we've got to hurry back to Hikoboshi and take care of...

Orihime
Lady Anna, unfortunately, we cannot. Ultimately, this Hikoboshi and I are only illusions who have descended on this world for the time being.

Orihime
I fear that Uwakiboshi has possessed the real Hikoboshi, who resides in the Milky Way. To drive Uwakiboshi out, we will have to travel to the Milky Way.

Luka
You should be capable of going to the Milky Way, right? Is there any way you could bring us all along?

Orihime
I cannot transport anyone aside from myself alone. I know not of a way in which all of you could travel there...

Nanaka
Then, allow the genius magical girl to step in! All we need is a way for all of us to go to the Milky Way, right?

Nanaka
We've still got time before Tanabata, so I'll find a way to do just that! I swear it on my name!

Stechepalme
Hmm. I know you're good at inventing new spells, but we don't have anywhere near enough info for this. Shouldn't we try to think of another way?

Nanaka
The books we've got here should be enough to figure it out. Just trust me to figure something out before Tanabata!

Nanaka spent several days researching a way to go to the Milky Way, up until the day before Tanabata...

Nanaka
It's tomorrow! Crap! No, wait, calm down... Count some prime numbers and calm down...

Yuuki
1. "Is it that bad?"

Nanaka
Umm... I wouldn't say we're totally screwed, but it's pretty bad. I'd say that I'm about 90% of the way there... Like, I've made some real progress. For real.

Nanaka
But I just can't figure out the right magic to use for the last 10%! If I just had that, then we'd be completely good to go...

Stechepalme
What do we do now, Nanaka... We won't be able to make it to the Milky Way like this!

Luka
You two, how's the magic coming along?

Orihime
Tomorrow is Tanabata at last. The hour of decision is at hand, and the thought makes my heart race...!

Stechepalme
W-Well, the thing is...

Nanaka
Actually, we're in perfect shape! Why don't we try it out tonight?

Luka
My, I see. If the trial goes well, then our battle will be tomorrow.

Orihime
Yes. I anticipate no problems with the rite of battle, so I am quite at ease. Then, Lady Luka, let us prepare ourselves for tomorrow.

Stechepalme
Hey, what'd you say it was perfect!? Isn't the magic still unfinished!?

Nanaka
Just calm down and think about it, Anna. I said 90%, right? If you round it up, that's 100%!

Stechepalme
What are you gonna do if you go for it and it fails!?

Nanaka
... I'll ad-lib for the last 10%. No, now that we've come this far, I have to. I don't want to let Luka sis and Orihime down!

Yuuki
1. "I'll help."

Nanaka
Yeah, if you're there, then that'll be a boost to my power level! I'm counting on you!

Later.

Nanaka
... I'm all ready. Once I activate this magic circle, we should be able to go to the Milky Way. Leave it to me!

Luka
Oh, Nanaka, are you doing it by yourself? I thought you and Anna would do this together.

Nanaka
This magic is pretty tricky to control. It'd be easy to mess it up with both of us, so I'm going solo this time!

Nanaka
Now, then, can you power me up?

Yuuki
1. Power up Nanaka.

Nanaka
All right, let's do it! ... It'll be fine. If I put together everything I've learned, then I should be able to figure out the last 10%...!

Nanaka
Strongest Rod, Star Rise! Twinkle Charge!

Luka
... What's she saying?

Stechepalme
Nanaka is always like this when she casts a ritual spell like this. According to her, it's her magical girl nature coming out.

Orihime
Striking such a pose and saying such words without a hint of embarrassment... I could expect nothing less of one of Lady Anna's comrades.

Nanaka
Oh light, connect us with the realms of heaven, and become a path of dreams and emotions! Guiding hand of Asteria, I call upon thee!

Nanaka
Doors to the heavens, open! Milky Way Star Road!

Luka
... Is it over? It doesn't seem like anything happened...

Nanaka
H-Huh? That's strange. ... Maybe I rushed it...

Stechepalme
Huh!?

Luka
That pillar of light...!

Orihime
This is... There is no doubt, this is my power! To think that your transportation spell truly worked...!

Nanaka
Crazy... Seriously crazy... Somehow pulling that one out of nowhere, you really are a genius magical girl, Nanaka... Crazy... I guess it was thanks to Yuuki powering me up, but still...

Luka
Excellent work, Nanaka!

Nanaka
A-Ahaha! I know, right!?

Luka
We should all be able to go to the Milky Way this way. But, Orihime, how exactly do we drive Uwakiboshi out?

Orihime
It would be difficult to exorcise him through our attacks. However, Uwakiboshi is a being who thrives off loneliness. If he feels a strong source of it from someone else, he should attempt to possess that person instead.

Stechepalme
Huh, so we have to make him want to possess someone else. The problem is finding a tempting target...

Nanaka
... Ah! I've got a good idea! Whisper, whisper, whisper...

Stechepalme
A-Are you serious!? So the swimsuit wasn't enough, and now you have to humiliate me even further!?

Luka
I'm not sure why you think this is likely to succeed, but... It does seem rather embarrassing...

Nanaka
It's fine -- if it's embarrassing, then I'll just have to turn up my persuasive powers even more! It'll be fine, no doubt about it!

Orihime
Then, it's decided. The operation will be tomorrow night. Everyone, don your swimsuits and report here.

Luka
Hmm? Do we have to wear our swimsuits? I thought we were going to the Milky Way.

Orihime
The Milky Way is something like what people would call an ocean. Normal clothes would only become soaked, so I believe that this would be better.

Luka
I see, understood. Then, let's settle this tomorrow!

By Nanaka's power, all of the preparations were complete, and Yuuki and the others were ready to put their plan into action at the Milky Way.