"Must we be kept waiting before we see Her Majesty the Queen?" "the Queen isn't ready yet." "Please wait just a little longer." "what should we do?" "That Prince seems so scary." "And his eyes!" "we're very sorry." "we were delayed!" "Is Queen Mashiro inside already?" "actually..." "Mashiro has disappeared?" "!" "we'll be in big trouble." "Zipang is a country that takes protocol very seriously." "They had a delegation come three days ago to check things out." "According to their tradition anyone who causes embarrassment to a leader has to slit their own stomach." "they'd die!" "That's the point." "They repent by taking their own life." "And so will we if this situation continues." "we?" "Really." "So what should we do?" "we must do something." "How about a replacement?" "If that's possible." "Don't be silly." "How could we find someone as stuck-up as Queen Mashiro?" "who could possibly be as angelic and pure as her?" "what is it?" "754)\3cHD90AF9}Mas{\3cHC50039}querade?" "for all those times I teased you." "But I did that just to get your attention." "Nagi." "Nagi Dai Artai would die for you!" "In that case..." "Nagi?" "!" "More!" "Come on." "where am I?" "Mikoto?" "you're finally awake." "Do you feel hurt anywhere?" "not really." "Certainly sounds like you're okay." "Come out." "we apologize for the wait." "shall see you now." "I'm definitely Mashiro." "Make yourself comfortable." "I sincerely thank you for welcoming us on such short notice." "I say." "I am Tokiha Takumi no Kami Tadayori." "Pardon me." "Is something wrong?" "I heard that's the proper way to greet people here." "Make yourself comfortable." "Divine Prince Takumi." "I'm the Otome serving Queen Mashiro." "My name is Arika Yumemiya." "what?" "!" "an Otome." "I've heard about them." "Do you attend Garderobe Academy?" "I'm a student there." "That's excellent." "One of the main reasons for our trip is to see that academy." "It's an honor to have the Queen and her Otome show us around." "Things are becoming very interesting." "Sorry to have you make the trip out here." "Aoi." "I'll come to help you any time." "Come on." "You know very well..." "Chie." "where is this place?" "Sorry." "I just arrived here from another country." "But I know we're in wind City." "wind City?" "!" "No way!" "My country has no dirty places like this." "That's my castle. which means this place must be..." "Don't make such a gloomy face." "The people here are all very kind." "Aren't you eating?" "It's really good." "I have no appetite." "You can have it." "How can you waste food like that?" "!" "Huh?" "I recognize you from somewhere." "You're mistaken!" "I just arrived here from another country!" "Another country?" "You too?" "I'm visiting from Artai." "I haven't asked your name yet." "I'm... um..." "Akira." "Akira Okuzaki." "And you?" "Me?" "I am Artai's..." "I'm Nina." "Nina wang." "I must get going now." "Farewell." "So how do I get up there from here?" "Impersonating Mashiro is impossible." "It's too late now." "And why did you have to introduce yourself as Arika?" "Because even if it is an act I would never want Nina wang to be Queen Mashiro's Otome." "was it?" "Considering the fact you've already made a contract with Queen Mashiro." "How do you know that?" "!" "I wonder." "I beg you don't let anyone know." "I made a promise to Mashiro." "All right." "But in return..." "Forget everything that happened on our way here." "Then for this day only I will serve as your Otome." "Thank you." "You're a lifesaver." "This really is a messed up birthday." "You got that right." "You sure you're okay on your own?" "Don't you worry." "this place is like my backyard." "But didn't you say you just arrived from a foreign country?" "That was a lie." "I shall tell only you what my true identity is." "Come with me." "Look at that portrait!" "Be surprised to know that I'm none other than... what portrait?" "But why?" "Today is my birthday." "it's your birthday?" "That's right." "That's why... wait for me here." "Still haven't found him?" "Unfortunately not." "How dare he sneak in with the first delegation." "His medication will run out soon." "He's too damn nice to everyone." "He could be mixed up with some strange people." "I also fear for his health." "we must find him quickly." "Yes." "Here." "You're giving me this?" "Happy Birthday." "You have the nerve to give me a single flower and call it a present?" "Sorry." "I spent the last of my money buying the flower." "You spent it on me?" "You're crazy to be that nice to someone." "Sorry." "I just remembered something." "I was always scolded for being too nice a person." "But isn't it a happy thing?" "Having someone to celebrate with." "I should get going." "wait." "then I don't mind having you take me home." "Now is everyone clear?" "The situation is as I explained." "Let's make sure we greet him properly." "ma'am!" "Thank you for coming here." "I am Headmistess Natsuki Kruger." "welcome." "Please allow us to take you on a tour of the academy." "I'm much obliged." "Is something the matter?" "so please come this way." "Thank you." "what are you doing here?" "It's part of the job." "I had to meet the Prince in person." "But I didn't expect to see you as Queen." "Be quiet." "I bet you're thinking this dress doesn't suit me." "it's quite becoming." "Actually that dress makes you look prettier." "I heard from Nina." "Antsy." "Coming from you that doesn't make me happy one bit." "I almost forgot how wonderful it is to play and not care about others watching you." "You're right." "I haven't had this much fun in a long time." "you said you came from another nation..." "Darn it." "That was the last one." "Is something wrong with you?" "I'm fine." "what is the purpose of your trip here?" "I..." "I came here to find someone." "Although I already know that I won't find her here." "But I want to find out for myself what she saw in this city and how she felt being here." "who is she?" "The person who scolded me for being too nice." "My older sister." "She's my older sister." "It's the Prince." "He seems naive." "It should be easy to trick him." "with your skill he'd pick you as his Otome without you resorting to tricks." "Give me a break." "Staying pure forever and protecting some country with my life is not my thing." "rich guy and live a comfortable life." "That's my life plan." "a rich guy like the heir of Cardair would be the perfect candidate." "what?" "!" "No!" "Don't touch Kazu!" "I'm kidding." "don't be careless or you might lose your privilege to become an Otome." "huh?" "does it?" "what a handsome guy!" "what if I catch his fancy?" "It would be great if we could get that nation on our side." "You're right." "The current situation calls for it." "But there's something about that prince." "what's wrong?" "It's nothing." "Miss Mashiro." "Give me a break." "haven't they found Mashiro yet?" "but nothing yet." "Akira." "where has the Prince gone?" "He's gotten us all worried." "And he's forced me to take on the burden of this role." "but..." "He was always so close to his sister." "I always... lori?" "Nothing." "I will go and talk with the people outside." "I suggest you relax in a nice hot bath." "what a pain." "like I suspected." "who's there?" "but you can't fool my eyes." "Let go of me." "I won't." "Not before you tell me why you're impersonating Prince Takumi." "Excuse me..." "I've come to invite you to dinner." "Miss Shizuru?" "we're giving chase." "not the real Takumi." "Materialize!" "They discovered me." "I have information." "The prince was seen with some strange girl." "I'm not letting you get away." "I'll handle things here!" "Thanks." "I think we should go back now." "Just a bit longer." "Isn't there somewhere else we can go for a little while?" "but I imagine everyone's looking for me." "I'm satisfied with how much of this nation and this city I got to see." "I see." "right?" "Nina." "my real name is..." "But my main thoughts are of the Queen." "She's celebrating her birthday and having her castle rebuilt when there are more important things for her to do." "think of that place where you woke up." "About the lives of the people there." "That's their own fault for not working!" "They can't work." "They can't find jobs." "They're not sure if they'll have bread tomorrow." "So some kids resort to stealing." "If they don't have any bread..." "Then they can eat candy!" "I can see." "You don't understand anything about me." "I have to understand." "You do?" "Found you!" "Are you an Otome?" "Don't group me with those things." "I'm..." "Prince!" "what are you doing to the Prince?" "!" "Nina!" "Mashiro!" "You're late!" "I say!" "who do you think he is?" "!" "He's the eldest son of the Shogun of Zipang!" "Tokiha Takumi no Kami Tadayori!" "I deeply apologize." "You are the Divine Prince Takumi?" "Takumi!" "Are you okay?" "where's your medicine?" "Are you all out?" "Hang in there." "Akira." "You stupid fool." "You had me so worried." "Akira." "I'm sorry." "You fool." "You fool." "aren't they?" "That's also a form of love." "The Prince has a congenital stomach disease." "what's going on?" "what is going on?" "!" "The Otomes are even greater than rumored." "I am honored to receive such a compliment." "I also have some concerns." "Concerns about?" "Even though it is to guarantee safety I'm uneasy with the idea of burdening girls with the tremendous technology of the past and the fate of a nation." "it's because of the existence of the Otomes that peace is maintained." "That is a fact." "everyone wants an Otome." "And the Otomes who must answer to these demands will suffer." "That cannot be helped." "But that is why we have a strict selection process." "And the Fire Stirring Ruby?" "How do you explain her circumstances?" "She was torn between love and her dreams and everyone thought she was strong." "Yet..." "Your Highness... what is the Fire Stirring Ruby?" "The reason I've come here isn't to find an Otome or to have an arranged marriage." "Zipang will not intervene in matters concerning the western nations." "I have come here to tell you that." "Does that mean other nations have sent envoys to you?" "but I will say there were many." "I see." "Headmistress." "It's all right." "You're very fortunate." "Dancing gracefully in the sky" "On pure and innocent wings" "Burdening the blessed child" "I've been told Queen Mashiro isn't feeling well." "So she won't be coming to see you off." "I see." "I feel terrible for the things I said to her." "Please tell her I had a good time and I hope she becomes a wonderful Queen." "Sure." "are you Mai's..." "Goodbye!" "See you again!" "That's right." "I may come here again." "762)\3cHD90AF9}In {\3cHC50039}the Crimson Sky..." "Thank goodness we got to appear too." "I'm not satisfied!" "why must I serve you?" "!" "what's wrong with that?" "The important thing is that I'm always yours." "You idiot!" "as always?" "Akane?" "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 let's keep moving forward chiisana ippo fumidaseba horane" "Take one small step and you will see atarashii watashi" "A brand new me Yuuki ga negai kanaeru noyo" "Courage makes your wishes come true" "DO YOUR BEST" "Do your best" "Makenai youni susumi mashou 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 line" "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 wa nai 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"