Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 9 - Part 2: The Exiled Knight

This story continues from Part 1: The Decline of Prestige

Part 2A

After another day at General Education, Rui thinks back at what Tamao said to her. That Tamao without the stage that everyone built together is merely Tamao, not the Stage Girl that Rui looked up to, and to spend time with Rui now just makes her feel guitly. As she continues thinking about Tamao, a girl from her class tries to get her attention. Finally after getting Rui's attention, the girl tries to invite Rui to go out with her group to a cafe near the station. Besides, as another girl said, there is a special jumbo pancake set there that everyone should absolutely try. They were absolutely enamoured by her height, her propriety and her beautiful voice and wanted to be friends with her. And without any input from Rui, the girls basically drag her along all the way to the cafe as Rui tries to call out for Tamao to help her.

Meanwhile at the cafe, things are not looking great. The cafe is closing down due to a general recession and a poorly thought-out summer menu item that has resulted in an operating loss. Apparently selling the jumbo pancake set for only 500 yen isn't a good idea as the management thought, even if it was popular with the customers. After a very cold joke that they have been eaten by the pancakes instead of eating the pancakes (Sind Sie das Essen? Nein, wir sind die Jäger!) the manager thanks Fumi for the hard work and assures her that she will still get her salary at the end of this month.

Fumi exits the cafe and wonders about the shops closing down at the shopping district. From bakeries to pizza shops and general eateries. No matter what they have been selling, whether gyudon, chicken cutlet, hamburgers, Italian, Mexican, Mongolian, all the places that have meals provided for their workers are closing down. Not just Theatre Performance, even her workplace is shutting down. Fumi wonders if she is fated to arrive at places that end up dying. Well, time to drown her sorrows with a ponzu party...

Or not, considering the ponzu is sold out. Fumi arrives at the shop to find out that her favourite brand of ponzu "Hanamaru brand natural yuzu ponzu" has not only sold out, it is possible that there may no longer be any more shipments of that brand of ponzu since the manufacturer went bankrupt.

She returns home, laughing at herself at the absurdity of what happened. Maybe she really does herald decline and ruin after all. From her workplace, to her ponzu, to Theatre Performance, which is now scattered. Looks like her hotpot will have to make do with bean sprouts, enoki mushrooms and eggplants in plain water only. What a sad state of affairs without any ponzu to liven up this hotpot. It makes her laugh, and cry at the same time. Just then, the door bell rings. Fumi wonders who it would be to ring the door bell so late at night. She invites the mystery visitor in only to find that it's Tamao. She is surprised at the turn of events, but Tamao leads with her knowing about Fumi's cafe closing down, and that Fumi's favourite brand of ponzu has sold out. Fumi impatiently asks if Tamao is just here for some schadenfreude, but Tamao counters that she is here to scout Fumi to be part of the main cast of a new production of the Rinmei Chronicles, and explains the history of the Rinmei Chronicles to Fumi. Fumi is surprised that she had never heard of such a storied production before, and Tamao continues, saying that she joined Rinmeikan to be part of the production of the Rinmei Chronicles. This is not a production for General Education; this has to be done by Theatre Performance. Tamao then asks if that particular brand of ponzu is so important for Fumi that she will die if she cannot get some, to which Fumi replies that it is not exactly the case. Tamao continues that with the closure of Theatre Performance she has come to realise that while she has been spending a carefree life there with her friends, she never quite performed like her life depended on it. With the production of the Rinmei Chronicles, this is a do or die moment. She will not accept Theatre Production closing down, not without having first performed the Rinmei Chronicles. That's why Tamao needs Fumi's help. Fumi asks why Tamao didn't ask the other girls first, especially considering Rui has always been so close to her, and Tamao replies that she doesn't want girls who just fawn over her, and Fumi is her only choice. Fumi asks if it's so that she will be doing the saikang unpleasant roles [1]. Tamao replies that since Fumi came from Siegfeld, she would have some level of performative rigour that comes with the level of prestige she came from. Fumi counters that doing so would be undermining Ukaji-sensei's authority, but Tamao replies and says that it is not a question of whether it can or cannot be done, but more a question of whether they want to do it.


Part 2B

Of course, this isn't just some vague platitude, Tamao continues, and she passes a small bottle to Fumi. Tamao asks her to open the bottle, and Fumi finds out that it is ponzu. Fumi, thinking that it is a setup, guesses that it is not just any random sort of ponzu. And yet, she still cannot resist its allure, even if she only recognises Hanamaru brand natural yuzu ponzu as the ponzu for her. Tamao understands Fumi's feelings, and asks Fumi to taste it if she still doesn't trust Tamao, and Fumi gives it a try.

With one taste, Fumi tastes the soy sauce, delicately fermented to perfection, the gradually expanding sourness of citrus, topped with the exquisiteness of katsuoboshi. This is some very good ponzu. Fumi quickly puts up her guard again as Tamao tells her not to worry about her. With this, Fumi acquiesces to Tamao's offer and adds it to her hotpot, which no doubt has been stewing for quite some time, and brings back life to her hotpot. Tamao is happy at seeing Fumi being brought back to life, and Fumi demands where Tamao got this from. Tamao replies that it is a special blend from "Tomoe Cuisine" [2], and it is a recipe that has been passed down generations of master chefs. It is said to be formulated with a breed of Jabara citrus from the historic Kinokuni region [3]. Fumi asks what the "Tomoe" name means, wondering if it is related to Tamao, to which Tamao replies that a vacancy has just opened up there. Tamao continues, telling Fumi about the meals provided, shift scheduling, and the hourly pay, leaving the offer on the table, while reiterating that this is neither a bribe, nor an attempt to win over Fumi. What she only needs out of this is Fumi's help as a professional cast member. With that, everything she has to say has been said. Fumi replies that since Tamao asked so nicely anyway, this is the least she could do. Yet, Fumi still harbours doubts, considering everything she touches apparently turns into dust. Tamao tells Fumi to perish that thought and bring back what is rightfully theirs, togther. Fumi notices the fire in Tamao's eyes, and knows that this is an Avengers' level threat Tamao really wants to do this. With that, Fumi agrees to be in Tamao's production, to bring back Tamao's passion for stage acting again, and the deal is done.

They go to the nearby park to begin practice for the new Rinmei Chronicles. It's not much, but it is still a start. Tamao knew that Fumi would return to the stage, to protect Starlight, and now, to bring back the Rinmei Chronicles, and thanks Fumi for agreeing to help out. Fumi refuses, saying that she should be the one thanking Tamao, and begins her story...

A long time ago, in a certain kingdom, there lived a knight. He was strong with the lance, and his rode far and wide on his horse. Not only was he adept in battle, he was also well-versed in poetry...

The knight was recognised for his talents by the King, and was bestowed the Jade as a recognition for his power. His future was smooth-sailing... and many people said that he could be the successor to the King.

With all this surrounding him, the knight grew haughty.

At the same time, the knight had a younger brother. No one pampered the brother more than the knight. The younger brother had a weak constitution, but he admired his older brother, and continuously trained. Many people thought that the younger brother might one day surpass the knight.

...This dismayed the knight to no end. The fear that he may lose his hard-earned status to his younger brother caused him to make mistake after mistake on the battlefield. Eventually he couldn't hold his lance nor ride his horse. The other knights he previously beat back with his pride now laughed at how hard he had fallen.

The now weakened knight had no one to save him, and it was all his own fault.  No one... except his brother. It was then, he made a prayer. That his own brother would be struck by an arrow.

"Is this how ugly I have become? Is this how weak I have become?" In despair, the knight exiled himself from the kingdom, throwing the Jade aside. He then crossed the seas to arrive at an ancient, but declining, kingdom. There he encountered a people who accepted him, and a pure-hearted lord. For this lord, he will serve with his life. The knight, now healed, returned his stride and became this lord's warrior.

The end

With that, Fumi ends her story, telling Tamao this is something she had seen before. Fumi ends off by saying that she likes Tamao, and how she carries herself on stage. That just maybe, with her, she can return to the stage. The stage that she ran away from. And because of this, she will help Tamao reclaim her status as a Stage Girl, and makes her proclamation:

『心を妬かれて　逃げ堕ちし身が
再びのぼるは　滅びの舞台
過ぎたあの日に　栞を挟み
新たなこの日を　果てなき舞台に
凛明館女学校演劇科　夢大路文
謳い上げます　命の夢を！！』

"From jealousy and flight
To a rebirth on a stage of ruin
From a mark [4] in the days past
To a stage that may not see another day
Rinmeikan Girls School Theatre Performance - Yumeoji Fumi
The dreams of life will be extolled!!"

With that, Fumi declares that she will help Tamao achieve her dreams, for the Rinmei Chronicles. Tamao thanks her for being such a loyal warrior, and Fumi returns the thanks. Tamao then gives a reminder to Fumi that tomorrow's job will start at 5, and she will be rewarded with lots of ponzu for lunch later on. For such an early start time, just ponzu is not enough, and Fumi would like to have some daikon skin as well for that, to which Tamao replies that this will be up for negotiation later. Anyway, she will help with producing the Rinmei Chronicles with Tamao as thanks for the new job and the ponzu anyway.


Continue on to Part 3: The Former Idol

[1] saikang: Hokkien for 屎工, literally "shit job". Means any unpleasant jobs or busywork.
[2] "Tomoe Cuisine" is stylised with a ゑ hiragana in place of an え as would be written in modern times.
[3] The Kinokuni region was a historic Japanese region that covers what is now most of Wakayama Prefecture and the southern part of Mie Prefecture.
[4] The word is the same word as that for Shiori's name: 栞

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 9 - Part 1: The Decline of Prestige

Part 1A

Tamao is faced with a sudden announcement that the Theatre Performance department is closing down. In front of her is Ukaji-sensei, who is explaining to her that due to reducing enrolment numbers, it has become very difficult for Theatre Performance to justify its continued existence. For this reason, the principal has announced that Theatre Performance will close down starting this academic year and all existing Theatre Performance track students will be transferred to the General Education track. Even though it was what Eru and the Fight Club Revue Stage has promised, in the end all that promise of keeping Theatre Performance alive in Rinmeikan has resulted in nought. The continued maintenance of the Theatre Performance department has started to become a drag on the budget of Rinmeikan, and the principal has decided that it was best to shut down the department. Furthermore, even though many students have signed up to enter Rinmeikan in general, given Rinmeikan's reputation among the high schools, the number of students who have expressed interest in joining Theatre Performance was zero.

Zero.

Given the declining trends in the previous years, the decision was painful, but necessary. It's not like the remaining students of Theatre Performance are going to reverse this by just putting up a play. To the school executive committee, there is no value in maintaining Theatre Performance. Since the decision is already set, the final directives from the exco are to notify the parents and to clear the Theatre Performance classroom by next week.

As Ukaji-sensei takes her leave, the members of Theatre Performance take stock of what happened. This is especially jarring for Fumi, who has just returned to stage acting only for the entire department to shut down. Ichie also takes this news very badly and she tries to ask everyone if there is something anyone can do. With Theatre Performance gone, everyone will be scattered. Ichie continues to be worked up, and she storms out of the door. With nothing left that they can do, the remaining students start to clean up the classroom.

The cleaning continues until sunset. As Rui helps with the cleaning, she gets worked up as well. Clearly Eru has betrayed them, by not holding up her end of the bargain. The deal which was if the Rinmeikan girls manage to stay on the Revue Stage their department will not shut down. To try to calm down the situation, Tamao tells everyone to stop work and return back to the hostel first. Rui's attempt to stay behind to help Tamao is rebuffed by Fumi, who knows that Tamao needs time to be alone in these trying times.

As they return to the hostel, Yuyuko asks Fumi what the General Education track is like, considering Fumi was in General Education for a short while before joining Theatre Performance. It's not a bad place, Fumi says. The teaching quality is high, and everyone had fun during the lesson with teachers who are passionate in teaching. Just as Yuyuko was about to ask Fumi how she did in General Education, they spot Ichie. Rui asks what they just saw and Fumi quickly brushes her off by saying that she left her water bottle in the classroom and tells everyone to return to the hostel first. Yuyuko notes that it is very rare for Fumi to just forget something in the classroom, but doesn't press the issue.

Meanwhile, Fumi tries to figure out what Ichie is doing on her own and decides to catch up to her. Ichie tells Fumi that maybe she is a bit too hasty by running away immediately after the announcement. If only she could help Tamao bring back Theatre Performance. Though Fumi understands the sentiment, it is still better to not pester Tamao about it. Sure, the mood might have lightened up again, bringing up the matter will only dampen moods again. Still, Ichie wants to wait for Tamao to return so that she can greet Tamao in her own way. "As long as it doesn't break any school rules," Fumi reminds Ichie. Ichie wonders if it's supposed to be some kind of snide comment and Fumi immediately tells her to just keep that in mind. Finally, before Fumi returns, Ichie tells Fumi that even Theatre Performance shuts down and everyone goes to General Education, they all will still be friends. Fumi pushes back on Ichie by asking what she mean by that, which immediately knocks Ichie off-base.

Part 1B

The sun has set, but back in the classroom, Tamao is still by herself, clearing the classroom. There aren't enough boxes for the things they need to bring out of the classroom, and Tamao takes note of that. As she stacks up the items, Tamao discovers the script to the Ghost Squad play. And from there the scripts to Yoshitsune, the Seven Lucky Gods, Onikurenai and Urashima Tarou. Producing all of them was fun, she thought. Everyone working together to write the script, produce the costumes, build the sets, to the final production on stage. As she reminisces on the plays that they have done, she feels agitation against Eru, who she viewed as breaking their promise. Was her, and her friends' participation in the Fight Club Revue Stage all based on a lie? Tamao demands an answer from Eru, and finds herself on the Revue Stage with Andrew, who has started to become annoyed at Tamao's griping. Tamao wonders what Andrew is. An oversized plush toy, or a costumed person, or snowman? Andrew corrects Tamao by saying that he is a cute mole. Eru catches up to Andrew and tells him off for running off on his own, and Andrew explains that he was getting annoyed with Tamao's griping and went there to figure things out himself.

With Eru on scene, Tamao tells Eru off for not holding her end of the bargain, but Andrew corrects her by reminding her that Eru's deal was only that if she gets the Top Star she can stand on any stage she wishes. And besides, it wasn't the Revue Stage's fault that Theatre Performance is shutting down. Eru builds on that by saying that a stage production is something that is started from zero to one. A manifestation of the Stage Girls' resolve and passion, not something that can be forced upon anyone. Therefore, even with Theatre Performance shutting down, Tamao should fight through the pain and shine, even off-stage. Andrew then continues by saying that all this talk of stopping the shutdown of Theatre Performance without really figuring out how to do so, just relying on others, would all just amount to that, idle talk. Eru tells Andrew to calm down and he apologises, saying that it just annoys him that someone would call Eru a liar. Eru finishes the meeting by saying that while merely appearing on stage isn't a condition to be a Stage Girl, it is not necessary to stand on stage to be a Stage Girl, and implores Tamao to figure out where she stands.

Tamao wakes up in the classroom, wondering what that earlier meeting meant.

The next day, during lunch break, Tamao prepares to have lunch. Modern Literature, Mathematics, Classical Literature, Japanese History... While she is getting a hand on all of this, the assignments are realling piling up over at General Education. Still, she is doing her best to get along in General Education. Rui runs to Tamao, just as she always does, wanting to have lunch with her. Tamao refuses, saying that since needs to do her revision for the later classes, she will be having lunch at the classroom. Rui is a bit disappointed at this, and Tamao tells her that maybe it is best for Rui to also focus on what she needs to do right now in General Education. Besides, Fumi, Ichie and Yuyuko are also busy doing what they need to do in General Education. Rui is shocked at this level of depression and asks what she means by that. Tamao answers that without any theatre productions to look forward to, taking up Rui's time just makes her feel guilty, which makes Rui very confused. Tamao continues that she's just an ordinary girl now. An ordinary girl who cannot stand on stage, or create a stage production. Whatever image of Tamao that Rui had all this while, is dead. This completely devastates Rui, but Tamao continues that she is sorry that she cannot continue the days when they shone on stage together. Rui, dejected, takes her leave, with complete formality[1]. After Rui leaves, a second year ballet club member asks Tamao if that was Rui. The ballet club member tells Tamao that she has her eye on Rui, considering that she is tall and has the physical capability for ballet. A basketball club member interjects by saying that Rui has quite a lot of fans despite being a freshman, and she should join basketball instead.

Tamao returns to the hostel, wondering if that's what she will need to get used to, everyday in General Education. Tamao realises that she will need to bring all these books back home. These records of Theatre Performances past: the sketches of the costumes made, the rough drawings of the background artwork. All these were brought in from Tamao's home. Most importantly, the script for "The Rinmei Chronicles".

The Paulownia tree has a lifespan of around 30 years. The Chronicles trace a life that starts together with a newly planted Paulownia, and its growth parallels a human life that grows and declines along with it. This is the stage production, steeped in tradition, that has become emblematic of Rinmeikan. A protagonist, fighting against the tides of change, and the like-minded compatriots that follow them. A tale of passion, sacrifice, and the beauty of ruin. In the end, even as the Paulownia dies, a new one sprouts, and the flapping of the butterfly's wings herald a new beginning as the curtains fall.

While the basic outline of the Rinmei Chronicles has remained unchanged, what the students of Theatre Production have done to fill the outline changed throughout the generations. "The sorrows and joys of the White Tiger ~The Rinmei Chronicles 1963~", "The Flames of Goryōkaku ~The Rinmei Chronicles 1971~", "The Tale of Gikei ~The Rinmei Chronicles 1985~", "The Mystery of Bakumatsu ~The Rinmei Chronicles 1995~" (They don't use the Imperial year notation? That's surprising). These were all performed in Rinmeikan's Grand Hall, a stage only for Rinmeikan. These were the tales that Tamao's mother and grandmother have regaled her with since young. The Rinmei Chronicles that have kept Tamao in wonderment. But recently, Rinmeikan has stopped performing the Rinmei Chronicles. Some time before Tamao was born, there was some pushback from the student community regarding The Rinmei Chronicles due to the fact that the basic outline is over a century old. Complaints that such an old theatre production is not up to the times and would only weigh down on Rinmeikan's future. A call to reinvent Rinmeikan by rejecting tradition (maybe call it a cultural revolution? >.> [2]). With that, they seal away the Rinmei Chronicles and tried to make a clean sheet production. Yet, while this new production aspired to look forward, they failed to capture what Rinmeikan represented, and with the continuing productions that rejected the traditions and history of Rinmeikan, the loss of this core aspect of Rinmeikan meant that prospective students gradually declined in number. What was once a top school, started its slow decline into oblivion.

"Surrender...? You're quite the character for saying that the person who was called the devil deputy, the person who visits doom on their enemies. If that day ever happens, I will never be able to face Isami-san and the General, who crossed the Sanzu River before me. If I shall live such a ungainly life, then I shall carve out a meaning of my own with these hands!"

That... was my grandmother, Tamao thought. Young, beautiful, and so radiant on stage. She remembered when that video played back then. "Look, Tamao... This is the Rinmei Chronicles... The stage that your grandmother staked her life on." Tamao wonders what it meant to stake her life for a stage production, and became sad. She couldn't protect the institution that her mother, grandmother, and seniors, have fought to preserve. Maybe Theatre Performance deserved to shut down, what with all their hopes that an outsider would save them. If only she had a stage where she could stake their lives on, to protect the institution of Rinmeikan. Then she could have protected Theatre Performance, her dreams, and maybe continued the tradition her seniors have set before her. And with that she cries (Again? After Frau Jade?). What will Rinmeikan become, without Theatre Performance?

"Youngster--are you really going to die here?"

Tamao jolts.

"Are you satisfied? Is this how your life is going to end? Have you truly fought? On that battlefield of life--?"

Tamao realises that is her grandmother returning to give some wisdom. No, it is not the end, she realises. It is not the end of her dreams, nor of the stage. Not until she produces the Rinmei Chronicles for this year. So much for telling Rui that the Tamao she looked up to was dead. No, she hasn't died yet. She is not yet satisfied, and her life as a Stage Girl isn't ending just like that, and she will fight for a proper resolution. She will bring everyone's power together, no, use everyone's power, to produce the Rinmei Chronicles of her own.


Continue on to Part 2: The Exiled Knight

[1] If you don't understand why I mentioned this, formal language is used in opposition to familiarity.
[2] Cultural Revolution. One aspect of the Cultural Revolution in China's history is the attempt to wipe away the cultural history that China had in favour of new ideas, whatever they may be.

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 8 - Part 6: Epilogue

This story continues from Part 5: The Chancellor's Sapphire.


Part 6A

They two walk to the end of the Northern ice fields - Valhalla. The King comes to terms with his death. He realises that during his reign he has forgotten the passion he had for his kingdom, the love he had for his subjects. Obsessed with tradition, he neglected the youth and rejected the knowledge of the learned. He ruled the kingdom with an iron fist, while taxing them heavily. This was why the revolt started, starting from the knights and the peasants. With the crown jewels retrieved, he remembered everything. That day when the throne was engulfed in fire; that day when he was stabbed. He laments his foolishness. Though he still feels nothing but gratitude for the people who have once again entrusted him with the crown jewels, it was too little, too late. The Chancellor consoles him, telling him that even so, he still came to his senses and retrieved the crown jewels. The King thanks the Chancellor for guiding him even in the beyond, and remembers the reason he was here in the first place.

With that, Akira remembers why she put up this play. Even though Seisho put up their ReLive with a changed ending, their ReLive remains unchanged from the original script. For this, Akira is determined to end this play as they have always done, in true Siegfeld tradition. With all the members of Edel assembled, Akira leads the charge and skewers the Chorus boss.

『ポジション・ゼロ！
神なき舞台に　王者の光を！』

"Position Zero!
The King's radiance, for the mortal Stage!"

The king arrives at the gates of Valhalla. It's time to bid goodbye to this world. Before he continues into Valhalla, he makes his final request to the Chancellor: to pass the crown, now complete, to the Knight. The Knight who killed him, not out of lust for the throne, but for righteousness. To end a tyranny and to seek salvation for the father he never knew. The King also tells the Chancellor to tell the Knight to seek out his own crown jewels; trusted advisors who will work with him to rule benevolently. And that the start of the reign is a curse that only turns into a blessing at the end. The Chancellor acknowledges the order, only for the King to reply that he is no longer the King, and is asking the Chancellor, no longer as a subordinate, but as Johann Saphir, his friend. The Chancellor returns this last moment of familiarity, no longer to the King, but to Franz Platin, his friend.

As Franz crosses into Valhalla, he reflects on how he can no longer bring his title nor his crown with him in death, and in death, he is but a man. With everything he has done complete, and his last requests fulfilled, he crosses into Valhalla, satisfied for he has met his King, as the curtains close on the Revue Stage.

"Today's performance has come to a close. Take care when leaving the theatre and ensure that you have not left anything behind. We hope to see you again." Eru delivers the closing speech.


Part 6B

Michiru welcomes everyone back, before correcting herself and congratulating everyone on a performance well done. Shiori thanks Akira and Michiru for saving them from the stage. Meifan wonders how they ended up trapped in the performance. Yachiyo also wonders, since it just felt like they have always been performing in that stage, to which Akira quips that it's just how being a Stage Girl is.

With the missing role revue complete and the Choruses defeated, Elysion is also saved from destruction. Meifan realises Eru was there, while Shiori is surprised by Andrew, thinking that Andrew is just a costume. Andrew tries to charm Shiori with his introduction, while Meifan asks Michiru where she has seen Andrew before [can we reserve an F for Andrew?], to which Michiru replies that he was in the shop that they always go to. Meifan then asks why Andrew is here in the Revue Stage, to which Michiru shrugs. Even she has no idea what Andrew is doing here. Akira then wonders if the Choruses absorbing all the stage plays is the same issue as what happened at Seisho, and if left unchecked, would also end up absorbing Elysion. Michiru becomes angry as she notes that the Choruses have nearly absorbed Elysion--Monarch as well. Akira then asks Eru if she has any idea why this is happening, to which Eru replies that she still cannot explain where the Choruses came from or why they are coming for the stage plays. Meifan scolds Eru for letting this happen, but unfortunately Eru is not a Stage Girl herself and cannot stand on stage. Therefore she needed to enlist the most radiant Stage Girls so that they can defeat the Choruses. Michiru wonders, considering Eru knows so much about the Revue Stage, to which Andrew interjects that even though Eru can't stand on stage, she does learn quickly anyway. This interruption irritates Michiru, who asks Andrew what he meant by "learning fast", and what kind of role he plays on the Revue Stage. Merely a store mascot, or purely for comic relief? Andrew replies with a non-answer by calling himself cute and immediately gets shot down by Meifan who critisises him for being dull, unsettling and having dead eyes. That level of impunity is picked up by Akira, who immediately chastises her for it, which Meifan apologises for. Andrew then critises the entire group for being stiff and not understanding what cute means in an attempt to reverse the sledgehammer blow Meifan gave him, which results in Michiru saying that she does know what cute means, mentioning Shiori as an example to Shiori's surprise. And besides, as Stage Girls they live for the stage and they don't need to focus that much on what is cute, to Yachiyo's agreement, and Andrew's irritation. It appears that he is still bearing a grudge after what that Kyoto girl did to him. Akira then reassures Andrew that it's not like she was going to refuse to help them, since if Elysion disappears, then Edel will too. As a member of Edel, this is their duty. Shiori confirms that any Stage Girl would help too, including her sister. Eru lets out a sigh, and thanks everyone. With that, Andrew then asks that if this happens again he will ask them for help too, to which Michiru tells Andrew that this is not the way to ask for help, and to remember to say "Please", which ticks off Andrew again. Andrew and Eru leave the stage.

As Yachiyo thanks Akira and Michiru for putting up this play, Akira replies that with their help, she was able to reflect on why Elysion is the King of Stages. Elysion is the product of the hopes of the entire school community, all distilled onto this stage of the four horsemen and their King, who gives the Stage its radiance. Therefore, as the King of their Stage, she has to embody the values of passion and mercy, while keeping in mind the endless possibilities of the Stage as she is grounded in the knowledge bestowed upon her. With this, the King will shine on the Stage, brighter than even the gods. Michiru agrees, but acts coy when she is pressed about it by Akira. Michiru then tells Akira that she will pass the mantle of Frau Platin when she reaches senior year next year, just as Michiru will have to pass the mantle of Frau Saphir. This means that they will no longer be playing Elysion--Monarch with the current Edel team, which also means that their performance of Elysion--Monarch earlier will be their only performance as the current Edel team. Yachiyo wonders who is the audience for their previous performance is, to which Meifan replies in alarm that maybe the Choruses were their audience [that would be awfully impolite of the Choruses, no?]. Michiru then reassures Meifan that it was just a thought she had in mind. Shiori also wonders who was their audience for their performance [what? Stage Hands need to sit back and watch sometimes.], to which Akira then figures that it would be very confusing if they thought it was an actual performance of Elysion--Monarch. After all, this performance was to save the rest of Edel anyway. This is when Akira declares that the next Frau Platin would have to step up her game to perform Elysion--Monarch perfectly, which no doubt puts a lot of pressure on Yachiyo, while motivating Shiori and Meifan to give their best performance in the revues to come. Akira then says that while she is looking forward to the next Elysion performance, she still wants to perform with the current team for a bit longer. With that, it's time for everyone to return, for the Student Council tasks aren't going to complete themselves.

『命の炎は一瞬なれど
煌めき絶えぬは　真白の白金（プラチナ）
人の舞台は一瞬なれど
永遠（とわ）に継がるは　王者の舞台
我ら、シークフェルト音楽学院！　
神なき舞台に　王者の光を！
エーデル・フォン・シークフェルト！
我らの全ては、王の舞台のために！』

"Though the fires of destiny burn fleetingly
The platinum's pure white shines unceasingly
Though the stage of men lasts momentarily
The stage of kings will continue successively
We, Siegfeld Institute of Music
The light of the king, for the mortal stage!
Edel von Siegfeld!
All of us, for the King of Stages!"


"Neither the crown nor the throne follows man in death. As he walks through the gates, leaving this world, he is merely but a man. With his responsibilities fulfilled, the story ends here. He... was the King."


End of Series 8.

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 8 - Part 5: The Chancellor's Sapphire

This story continues from Part 4: The Knight's Pearl. 

Part 5A

"I lied," the Chancellor laments. "Though I never lied on that day at the Valley of the Heavens, today I had to lie to my Lord. My Lord who I considered an old friend." Many years after that promise at that valley, and many days spent with the Monarch, the Chancellor finds himself in a small boat on a voyage to the ice fields. He feels the passion, the mercy, and the hope that the Monarch now possesses. But to get all that hinged on a lie that he made. The lie that will become undone in due time, once the Chancellor finds the Sapphire that he has hidden in the ice fields.

The timeline moves all the way to 8 years ago.

Michiru and Akira play at the fields. They are locked in an intense battle to see who is faster to the goal. When they finish, Michiru (who Akira calls "Micchi") calls out that she is first, but Akira (who Michiru calls "Akki") manages to close it down to a tie.

They later sit at the nearby swingset, where Michiru comments that the grand pas de chat that Akira did was very beautiful, and Akira replies that Michiru's (jeté) entrelacé was beautiful as well, and that was because they ran together. Akira expresses her enthusiasm for the continuing lessons, new ballet moves like the grande fête, and piano lessons, to which Michiru expresses enthusiasm for her singing lessons. So much to learn, so little time. And yet, if they don't learn quickly, they wouldn't be able to enter Siegfeld Institute of Music. Michiru then asks if Akira remembered the time when they watched Elysion together, which Akira never forgot. An epic, mysterious tale, but at some times tragic. It would almost make you cry with how beautiful it is. Michiru was especially impressed by how the entire school came together to do this one production. Since this year's production was "Era of the Monarchs", the next year's would be "Era of Rebirth", which Michiru promises that they will watch together. Akira then promises that she will stand on the stage, just as she watched Siegfeld's students stand on stage. Michiru then makes a solemn expression. Akira, concerned, asks Michiru what was going on. Michiru replies that she feels a bit afraid that since Siegfeld is a famous school after all, everyone from all over Japan would want to go there, and so even if Michiru works hard she may still not enter Siegfeld. Michiru assures Akira that she is already working hard, but it is still a bit scary trying to compete with everyone else. Akira then tells Michiru that she, too, is working hard herself because she wants to stand on the stage of Elysion with Michiru, so Michiru has to enter Siegfeld with her. Michiru is reassured by that, and Akira doesn't even want to entertain the possibility of Michiru not entering Siegfeld with her [ooooh that Main Character energy there].

Akira jumps off the swingset, to Michiru's surprise...


Part 5B

...and climbs to the top of the jungle gym, to Michiru's alarm. That's when Akira makes her declaration:

"It's over Michiru! I have the high ground!"
"I will enter Siegfeld Institute of Music, and stand on the 'King of Stages' --Elysion-- as 'Frau Platin'! Not 'want to', but 'will'!"

Akira then continues her entrance scene, no longer as a hopeful, but as Frau Platin:

『命の炎は一瞬なれど
煌めき絶えぬは　真白の白金プラチナ
人の舞台は一瞬なれど
永遠とわに継がるは　王者の舞台
「フラウ・プラティーン」　雪代晶！　
神なき舞台に　王者の光を！』

"Though the fires of destiny burn fleetingly
The platinum's pure white shines unceasingly
Though the stage of men lasts momentarily
The stage of kings will continue successively
--Frau Platin-- Yukishiro Akira!
The light of the king, for the mortal stage!"

Michiru, surprised, asks what Akira is doing. Akira expresses that this is her declaration, that she will enter Siegfeld, and asks Michiru what she is going to do. Michiru laughs and says that Akira is not just the Stage Idiot, but also the Siegfeld Idiot (this is new to Akira) for being so confident that she will enter Siegfeld that she already thought of her entrance scene as Frau Platin, but with that, Michiru knows what to do. First, starting with calling Akira properly, and asking Akira to call her properly as Michiru. Next, supporting Akira so that she will stand on the Stage of Kings as the headliner for Elysion. Even if Michiru won't be able to stand on the Stage with Akira, she will support Akira in her pursuit for Position Zero. Akira expresses surprise that Michiru would be satisfied even if she won't be able to stand with Akira in the end, but Michiru assures her that even if this happens, Akira will be the Monarch to everyone in Siegfeld. Michiru will put in all her effort so that Akira would be the Monarch; that is the stage which Michiru has chosen to be.

Michiru then makes her own declaration:

『煌めくゆえに　陰りを知らず
無垢なるゆえに　痛みを知らず
なれば照らさん　蒼き灯火
玉座の白金　王者の舞台を
「フラウ・ザフィーア」　凰ミチル
わが宿命は、王と共に！』

"For radiance knows not of darkness
For purity knows not of distress
The blue sparks illuminate the way
To the throne of platinum; to the Stage of Kings
--Frau Saphir-- Ootori Michiru
My destiny -- to serve alongside the King!"

Michiru then reiterates that if Akira was to become a King, then she would have to address Michiru properly. Akira asks again if Michiru is really fine with not being the main role of Elysion. If Akira can become the King, then Michiru is fine with it.

"It was at this moment that I lied. Even if... I didn't regret doing it. It wasn't as if I didn't want Position Zero as Frau Platin. But as I saw Akira climb up and call herself 'Frau Platin', I knew that more than just being the headliner for Elysion, I wanted to make Akira shine. Because of this, I lied. I knew, this is the stage we wanted to be connected by," Michiru reminisces.

Akira, after hearing Michiru, promises Michiru that she will become the Monarch of Siegfeld, and Michiru makes her promise at that. From her coronation, to her death, she will keep supporting Akira.

With the sapphire recovered, it was as if the Monarch saw that day in the Valley of the Heavens once again. He remembers the promise he made to the Chancellor. For the Chancellor to throw away his aspirations and serve the Monarch instead is selfless indeed.

The platinum crown, inlaid with the jewels of ruby, jade, pearl and sapphire, signifying the Monarch's throne, the General's passion, the Marquis's mercy, the Knight's hope, and the Chancellor's wisdom, is now complete. As the Monarch wears the crown, he tells the Chancellor that even if he can return to the capital, he has no de facto power, and yet he feels nothing but gratitude to the people who have handed him the crown jewels. His final task would be to return to the capital and pass the Crown to the Knight, for he will be the successor to the throne. Once it is all over, they will retire to the Valley of the Heavens.

That is the point where the Chancellor drops all pretense and delivers the mother of all bombshells. To ensure that the Monarch still has the motivation to recover the crown jewels, the Chancellor had to lie. When pressed about it, the Chancellor replies that on the day the revolt started, the Monarch was stabbed by the Knight's sword and died where he stood.

He was dead all along. Betrayed by the one person he anointed to be his successor.

[WTF??!!!????]

Continue on to Part 6: Epilogue.

Deleted scenes
Disclaimer: these series are not actually official, but rather from the mind of Moonstone. 

Chancellor: ...I'm sorry my Lord, I'm afraid this cannot happen...

Dying King: ...What?

Chancellor: My Lord... the truth is... I lied. I did so to keep your hopes up so that we could reclaim the crown jewels...

Dying King: What's there to lie about? My friend, what were you planning behind my back?

Chancellor: I'm afraid to say... my Lord, but on the day the revolt started...

Chancellor: You were stabbed in the heart by the Knight's sword... you died back then.

Dying King:

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 8 - Part 4: The Knight's Pearl

This story continues from Part 3: The Marquis's Jade. 

Part 4A

Before the Monarch ascended the throne, he never quite understood the idea that the start of the reign is a curse that only turns into a blessing at the end [1]. For this reason he ignored the warnings that there were factions plotting against him. And as he now stands at the path to death...

The Monarch collapses, and the Chancellor helps him up. They are running out of water, and they are nearing the end of the line. Yet, the Chancellor tells him their task is not done. Surely if the crown jewels were not found before the Monarch dies, the Crown will crumble, and with it the Kingdom.

They approach a Chorus attacking Yachiyo. With that, the Monarch draws his strength and slices the weird bird monster into tiny little shreds. That's when Akira remembers -- Tsuruhime Yachiyo.

The timeline moves to 2 months ago. Michiru reports a note she found to Akira. In the notebook it reads:

"After Yukishiro Akira became Frau Platin, the status quo has started to fall into place. As ordered by the Chairman, I have been tasked with not only keeping an eye on 'Edel', but also to infiltrate their operations. However, this task never seems to end.

...

What am I to do?"

Akira asks if this is all that was written, and Michiru replies that this fell out of Yachiyo's notebook, and given that Yachiyo came back to look for it, there is no doubt it was really Yachiyo's. Akira wonders how Michiru managed to recover the note without being detected, but Michiru asks Akira what is her next move. Akira has noticed that Yachiyo has stepped up with the weird behaviour, and wonders if this note Michiru found has any connection with that behaviour. Michiru wonders if there really is a spy in Edel working for an as-of-yet-unknown Internal Affairs department. Maybe that would be the reason why she is being so secretive. Akira tries to figure out what the student council needs an Internal Affairs department for and Michiru turns up a blank. Nevertheless, Akira decides to put a stop to this.

The next day, Yachiyo sums up the materials needed for the props (500 deci of leather, 4×50m bolts of cloth, 20 pieces of plywood, nails, glue gun and other consumables) and sends the report to Michiru. She leaves afterwards, and as she walks down the hallway she sums up the day's happenings:

"After lessons today, I continued my duties as the treasurer. No changes from yesterday. Everyone in the student council seems to be getting along well. Clearly with Yukishiro Akira at the helm the status quo has solidified..."

"My task to surveil Edel and infiltrate their operations is about to be coming to an uneventful end," 

Akira cuts in as the jazz music stops. She pushes Yachiyo to the wall and questions her on what she was doing. As Yachiyo tries to push the blame on Akira for peeking into her notes, Akira counters that she has already been noticing suspicious behaviour from Yachiyo, and she wants to know what is happening. Yachiyo then asks how she knew, considering it's not like Akira has been watching her every move, to which Akira replies that there is nothing that slips from the eyes of the Student Council Chairman --Frau Platin--. Knowing that she has been caught red-handed, Yachiyo spills the beans that everything she wrote in her notebook was...

"...all true," 

Akira completes the sentence, just as Yachiyo was about to say it was all out of her imagination.

What?

Akira continues that she has found out that Yachiyo has been sent from the Internal Affairs department to spy on Edel. Yachiyo is puzzled at this turn of events. Akira then continues that she has noticed that there has been quite the web of intrigue within Edel. At this point Yachiyo senses what is happening and compliments Akira on how she has managed to find out everything. Yachiyo then questions Akira if she knew about the "thirteenth basement stage". This is new to Akira, and she now knows she has an interesting source in her hands. Akira continues that she also knows the past that Yachiyo thought she has expunged long ago.

Being a spy for Internal Affairs was just a cover: the truth behind Yachiyo's activities was that Yachiyo is the sister of the 58th Student Council Chairman, who mysteriously disappeared, and Yachiyo has arrived to find the truth behind her sister's disappearance. Yachiyo confirms that she is the sister of Siegfeld's 58th Student Council Chairman, Tsuruhime Chitose. She infiltrated Siegfeld to find out the truth behind Chitose's disappearance during a performance of Elysion. Her infiltration into Internal Affairs was the way to enter the Student Council and gather information about the disappearance of her sister. Akira knows that Yachiyo knows too much and issues an ultimatum to Yachiyo: Either help Akira and double-cross Internal Affairs, or die for her crimes. Yachiyo mocks Akira for wanting to destroy Internal Affairs despite the trust they have for her, and if she were burned Akira may also see the same fate under Internal Affairs. Akira continues, saying that she has no worries about being burned, for only she knows what has happened, and the Student Council will surely continue as normal without Yachiyo. In this time of grave danger, Akira reiterates her ultimatum. Before she can give her answer...



Part 4B

...Michiru bursts in. She's had enough with these two girls. From Michiru's point of view, what was supposed to be a basic wellness check turned into an extended improv drama. Yachiyo confirms that was what happened, and Akira explains that she thought Yachiyo wanted a drama scene. Yachiyo continues that she basically got dragged further into it by Akira. Michiru wonders how long Yachiyo has been playing the role of a spy for Internal Affairs, and Akira expresses her admiration that Yachiyo was able to weave that role into her daily life, while Yachiyo returns the compliment by saying how Akira managed to make up such an intriguing thriller out of what is basically an improv. Michiru then explains that Akira does these kinds of improvs all the time, and deduced that whatever Yachiyo has written on her notebook was nothing but imagination from Yachiyo's overactive mind. Yachiyo then mentions that she has always had an active imagination from young, and always thinks up of scenarios where she is someone else, somewhere else. This has always met with puzzlement from the people around her. Basically, as Akira summarises, to Yachiyo, the entire world is a stage for her. Yachiyo wanted to see if she can play the role as a member of a shadowy faction without anyone noticing. Akira figures that playing this role can actually be quite thrilling, to which Yachiyo wholeheartedly agrees. Yachiyo thought she played her role well enough and wonders where she has left the cracks open. Akira explains that there is really an Internal Affairs department, and it is chaired by...

Michiru.

What?

Yachiyo, in her confusion, asks if Internal Affairs really exists, and if Michiru really chairs it. Michiru tries to play along, saying that discovering Yachiyo's notes has made her nervous. Michiru then scolds Akira for revealing it to Yachiyo. Yachiyo then asks what kind of organisation Internal Affairs is and what they do. Michiru replies and says that the head of the department is the school principal, Viktoria Siegfeld, and that is already written in the Student Handbook. It is also a large organisation composed of 108 students [Press X to doubt: that's already 16% of my high school's population. Stasi, one of the largest secret police departments by percentage of population, only comprised 1.6% of East Germany's population.]. Yachiyo then apologises for acting out her delusions right in front of the actual organisation. Akira then concludes that acting out different roles, whether real or imagined, is the essence of being a Stage Girl. The world of imagination and possibilities is the world that the Stage Girl lives for. As Shakespeare put it in As You Like It, "All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players." Clearly something Akira learnt from Junna over at Seisho. Therefore there is no shame in acting out any delusions that one holds over here in Siegfeld. This is met with relief by Yachiyo, who notes that this is the first time anyone understood what she was doing, or even tried to play along with the scenes she thinks of. It's something only the Stage Idiot can understand, as Michiru interjects to Akira's displeasure. Maybe she could be the successor to the role of Frau Platin, Akira thinks, to Yachiyo's surprise. Akira then continues with the possibilities Yachiyo can build up once she becomes Frau Platin, with Shiori and Meifan alongside her. When Yachiyo expresses her concern that Akira would no longer be Frau Platin if the helm passes to her, Akira replies that this is the essence of the quote, that the start of the reign is a curse that only turns into a blessing at the end. Akira then tells Yachiyo that until then, she shall fulfill her duties as Frau Perle.

『千代に八千代に　独演かさね
磨き上げたる　孤独の真珠
舞台の境界　芝居の彼岸
そこで光るは　真実の白金プラチナ
「フラウ・ペルレ」　鶴姫やちよ
この世は舞台　王すらも役者――ですよ？』

"A solitary performance spanning aeons
A lone pearl, continuously polishing
The platinum shines absolutely
From the frontiers of the stage, to the dramatic finish
--Frau Perle-- Tsuruhime Yachiyo
This world is the stage, and the King -- its actor."

As they walk home together, Akira comments that Michiru might have made the organisation a bit too large. Michiru complains that it was Akira's idea to suddenly drag Michiru into the improv and make her the Internal Affairs chairman, to which Akira replies that it's an improv after all. Michiru then comments that Yachiyo was impressive to play such different roles in her daily life, and Akira replies that this is the essence of a Stage Girl. This is the first time that Michiru has seen such a girl in real life [Maybe she hasn't seen chuunibyous before]. Akira concludes that this constant playing of such roles has had its results, which Michiru connects that this was why Yachiyo was chosen to be the Goddess of the Earth.

As the Monarch walks along after pearl is recovered, a spring overflows from the ground. The Chancellor figures that this is the guiding path of the pearl. The Monarch feels rejuvenated with the courage for the future. The courage for the future that the Knight holds. A perfect successor to the Crown. Such a sudden decision for the Monarch to make, but the Monarch continues, saying that the Knight isn't just some random person, but rather the product of a one night stand [?] between the Monarch and a girl he knew in his travels [??]. If he can find the last crown jewel, return to the capital and pass it to the Knight, there is still hope for the Kingdom.

The Chancellor is taken aback by this development, but remains cordial. They then set the course for the ice fields in the North, where the Sapphire lies.

[1]『生きる王の開演は呪縛なり・死せる王の終幕は祝福なり』

Continue on to Part 5: The Chancellor's Sapphire

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 8 - Part 3: The Marquis's Jade

This story continues from Part 2: The General's Ruby. 

Part 3A

As they continue on to where the jade lay, the monarch laments that he has not been an effective ruler. He laments that even though it seems like he did his best, he was unable to maintain his kingdom's stability and through this, he lost his allies and close friends in the ensuing civil war. As they pass through a forest, a cold wind blows. Though it sounds forboding, the monarch knew from there that the Marquis's Jade is close by, and it is down to him to reawaken the Marquis in their time of need. On the revue stage, they see Shiori attacked by another Chorus, and the monarch and his grand chancellor handily defeat them. That's when Akira remembers--Yumeoji Shiori.

The timeline moves back to 4 months ago, and they return to the student council room. Shiori has just finished compiling the documents for Michiru's approval. Shiori also tells Michiru that the documents for the meeting the next day are on Yachiyo's desk. After Shiori exits the room, Akira asks Michiru how Shiori has been handling the duties, to which Michiru replies that Shiori has been handling them very well, which Akira notes is not a comment Michiru gives out lightly. Yet, Akira still senses something off, and presses Michiru to explain what she meant by "general duties". Michiru replies that she has heard from the junior high section that Shiori hasn't been focusing in class these past few days. As Akira mulls over the situation, Michiru continues that even the teachers were starting to become worried about this, and it may be a bit too hasty to pull a junior high student to be part of the Edel team. Akira stands by her decision, as she believes that the role of Frau Jade remains best filled by Shiori, to which Michiru is starting to think that Akira may have set her expectations too high for Shiori to fill. Akira has already considered that the role may seem too heavy for Shiori, what with her not being physically strong to start with, but Michiru brings up another idea, which Akira immediately understood. It definitely has to be something to do with Fumi, Shiori's older sister who transferred out of Siegfeld under unknown circumstances.

At the music room, Shiori had finished playing a piano piece. Akira comes up to Shiori congratuating her on another great performance. Shiori stands up, to which Akira tells her to continue playing the piano. As Akira compliments her on another well played performance, Shiori tries to bring herself down by bringing up her sister, to which Akira reitierates that she was complimenting Shiori's performance, not Fumi's. Shiori then starts to cry, and tries to console herself that Fumi's transfer out of Siegfeld had nothing to do with her. It is obvious that Shiori has not gotten over Fumi's transfer out of Siegfeld. Akira encourages Shiori to talk about it, and so Shiori asks Akira why Fumi transferred out of Siegfeld, especially considering Fumi, like all Siegfeld students, have aspired to be part of Edel. Shiori remembered that day when Fumi transferred out, and she saw that Fumi had a pained look on her face. She wanted to know if it was because of her that Fumi transferred out. She also thinks that the role of Frau Jade might be too heavy on her, and yet she also wants to do her role of Frau Jade as best as she can, for her sister and also her seniors. If only her sister was in Siegfeld... Akira then asks Shiori if she is doubting Akira's judgement. Akira put Shiori up for the role of Frau Jade, not Fumi, and she expected Shiori to discharge her duties accordingly. To deny this role therefore would be to doubt Akira's judgement. Akira reminds Shiori that she is not Fumi, and tells Shiori to not be weighed down by what she thinks of her sister. After a bit of hemming and hawing, Shiori tells Akira that she wanted to be on the stage of Elysion with Fumi, but now Fumi has suddenly left Siegfeld. Shiori wanted to continue with her role of Frau Jade to prove herself to her sister, that she will succeed where her sister failed, and that's why she hasn't let go of the thought of Fumi suddenly leaving Siegfeld. [As Shiori cries, I cry for my ears as they get killed.]

Part 3B

They return to the student council room, where Akira pours Shiori a cup of houjicha (not English tea: they don't have it). Shiori then apologises for the scene which she had subjected Akira [and the translator] to. Akira then apologises for asking such probing questions previously. Akira continues mulling awkwardly over the situation, that Shiori's problems still come back to Fumi. Not a very usual thing for the usually steely-faced Akira, which makes Shiori laugh. Akira then continues and says that even as the student council chairman --Frau Platin-- that there are still some things that she is not the best at, which is why she always had to trouble Michiru. She also sensed this uncertainty when Fumi went to her to request the transfer out of Siegfeld. At the same time, Fumi transferring out meant that Akira lost a friend who was in the production of Elysion--Rebirth. It was definitely a problematic situation. Shiori then asks Akira if she was angry at Fumi leaving Siegfeld. Akira was, a slight bit, confirming Shiori's suspicions, but Akira reminds Shiori that Shiori's appointment to the role of Frau Jade had nothing to do with Fumi. Fumi left Siegfeld on her own accord, and it was Akira's incompetence that she was unable to convince Fumi to not leave. Were she able to watch over the student community more closely, she might have been able to help Fumi, or something, or maybe that was just asking too much of herself. Though, there is a small bit of reassurance. After Fumi left Siegfeld for Rinmeikan, she has gone back to stage acting. Even if Fumi wasn't able to stand on Siegfeld's stage, at least she hasn't given up on stage acting. Shiori then apologises for having troubled Akira with her family issues, to which Akira says that ultimately her goal is to make sure that Shiori doesn't leave her role as Frau Jade. Akira then continues that the calm atmosphere that Shiori brings with her, and showed during her piano performance, was what Edel needed. A calm demeanour, a wide view, yet having an eye for details: only Shiori possesses them all at once. Shiori's words have made Akira aware of how self-righteous and arrogant she was being. How she thought being so harsh on Meifan three months ago was the only way to go about doing things. After Akira finishes, Shiori suddenly stands up and shouts that Fumi was a massive idiot [RIP ears]. Akira, shocked, asks why, to which Shiori continues and asks why Fumi quit Siegfeld by herself, and why she never asked anyone about this. And because of this, everyone was so worried about her, and she never even talked to her own sister. Shiori shouts again, that Fumi was a massive idiot [RIP ears 2]. After all that shouting, Shiori has now lifted that weight off her heart, and tells Akira that she will not quit her duties as Frau Jade. After all, she did join Siegfeld so that she could stand on the stage of Elysion.

『守り包まる　つぼみを開きて
導かれたる　白金の道
涙に濡れたる想い文
秘めて歩み出したる　翡翠の夢路
「フラウ・ヤーデ」　夢大路栞
共に征きます　王の頂！』

"Protecting the buds until their bloom
Guiding the path of platinum
With memories filled with sorrow
To walk down a hidden jade path of dreams
--Frau Jade-- Yumeooji Shiori
To conquer together - The summit of Kings!"

After Shiori assures Akira that she will continue her duties in the student council, Akira expresses surprise that Shiori was capable of shouting this loud, and that has left quite the impression on Akira. And therefore, maybe she should do as Shiori did [oh god]. Akira takes a deep breath, then shouts that Fumi is a massive idiot [whyyyyyy RIP ears 3]. She then shouts and asks why Fumi left Siegfeld on her own, why she left her and Shiori behind. After that, Akira tells Shiori to never tell this to Michiru, for this would be very unbecoming of a monarch [yeah no shit Sherlock].

[I don't remember jade being this green]

Back at the Revue Stage, the monarch has found the jade. He reminiscences about how he learnt to be caring to his subjects from the Marquis. Even if the wind is strong, having a warm and caring heart is necessary to be an effective ruler. With that, they set off for the south, where the Knight's Pearl lies.

Continue on to Part 4: The Knight's Pearl. 

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 8 - Part 2: The General's Ruby

This story continues from Part 1: The lost ones.

Part 2A

The monarch continues on as he tells the grand chancellor the immense gravity of the situation they are in. They trudge on through the path as they walk towards the first landmark: the volcano where the Goddess of Fire resided. This is also the place where the ruby has flown to.

The ruby is the gemstone that represents military might, and was held by a legendary general. The ruby represents the power the monarch has over the military, and with the ruby in the crown jewels, the monarch can control his armies and achieve victory over his enemies.

They arrive at the volcano, where they find the ruby. On the Revue Stage, they find Liu Meifan being attacked by a Chorus. Michiru and Akira defeat the Chorus handily, and this is when Akira remembers Frau Rubin - Liu Meifan.

The scene goes back to 7 months ago, when the term just started, and Akira has just taken the mantle of Frau Platin.

The silence of the student council room is unceremoniously broken by loud knocking at the door. Shocked, Akira opens the door to see Meifan congratulating her on her new appointment as the new student council chairman. After an enthusiastic exchange of formalities (mostly from Meifan), Meifan tells the both of them about her background in Peking opera, and how she was so impressed by Akira's performance in Elysion--Rebirth the previous year that she learnt Japanese (wtf?) and applied to enter Siegfeld. With her entrance into Siegfeld secured, she wishes to be on the same stage as Akira as an Edel. When asked by Akira about what being on the Monarch of Stages means, Meifan answers that it means bringing the student community together to bring out the best in the Monarch of Stages, and that means serving the school community as the student councillors by supporting the student council chairman in their specific functions. This is immediately followed by Akira flatly rejecting Meifan for the running of the student council and Michiru showing her the door. 


Part 2B

The next day, Akira and Michiru continue on with the search for who will be the next student councillors. They arrive at the student council room to see Meifan cleaning the student council room windows. After another confirmation from Akira that Meifan is still not in consideration to be in the Edel team, Michiru shows Meifan the door.

The day after, Akira and Michiru look through the budget estimates and the to-do list for the student council. As Michiru teaches Akira on the finer aspects of behaving more king-like and enters the room, they see Meifan prostrating at the student council room. Meifan mentions that she has been doing that since 6 in the morning, in the hopes that she can star in the same stage as Akira. She continues that Akira was the reason that she left her hometown and applied to enter Siegfeld. Michiru counters that this was exactly the reason why the both of them rejected Meifan. The role of an Edel is not to single-mindedly serve the monarch, but to serve the student community with equal importance. Meifan's obsession with Akira meant that she lost sight of the need to serve the student community as a member of Edel, and therefore will not be considered for any of the vacant roles.

After Michiru shows Meifan the door (again), Akira thanks her for tanking the role as the bad news bearer, to which Michiru tells her that as the monarch of Edel she didn't need to really use words for that. Michiru looks closer at Meifan's profile and thinks about how out of all the foreign applicants to Siegfeld, Meifan was the only one who actually succeeded in entering Siegfeld. Nevertheless, Akira remains steadfast that regardless of performatory skill, to be accepted as a member of Edel it is important to have a mind to serve the student community as a whole and not just the monarch.

Just as they were about to begin their student council duties, they hear a loud clanging of a gong outside. That is when Akira remembers Meifan as Frau Rubin.

『万里を越えし　覇王の風に
巡り見つけた　己の舞台
胸に秘めたる　龍の紅玉
命をささぐは　貴き白金
「フラウ・ルビン紅玉の君」　リュウ柳・メイファン美帆！
燃ラン燒シャオ吧バー，激ジ情チィン烈レ焰イェン，王ワン道ダゥ擔ダン當ダン
（情熱の炎で、王道を作る！）』

"Crossing a thousand miles, through a warlord's wind
A stage of my own, for which I came across
From the dragon's ruby, to which I have kept hidden
To dedicate my life, to the nobility of the platinum
--Frau Rubin-- Liu Meifan!
The fires of passion burn, to light the royal path!"

[this is what I think Meifan was saying, but her pronunciation is so bad I can't be certain]

As Meifan continues, Michiru tells Akira that Meifan was exactly like how Akira was like back then. Akira reiterates her point that what she is looking for in a member of Edel is not a fan of her, but then she reconsiders. Meifan doesn't want to be a member of Edel because she is Akira's fan, but rather because of Akira's role of Frau Platin, who Meifan wants to support with her ability. With that, Michiru agrees, and asks Akira what kind of role she wants Meifan to fill, to which Akira thinks that since Meifan is good in kanji (wtf that's not how it works) she would fit in as the secretary.

Michiru and Akira return to the Elysion stage. With the ruby secured, the monarch now feels the passion that the ruby exudes, they exit the volcano towards the west, where the Marquis's Jade lies.

Continue on to Part 3: The Marquis's Jade.

Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight ReLive Main Story Series 8 - Part 1: The Lost Ones

Part 1A

The story starts with the background of Siegfeld's play: Elysion. The three acts of Elysion: "Era of the Gods", "Era of the Monarchs", "Era of Rebirth". Each of the three acts are played once a year and cycles back after the end of "Rebirth". This continues on to the explanation of how "Elysion" is the emblematic play of Siegfeld, and the cast of five who, as the main cast of this play, are also the members of the student council.

Turns out the what happened before Akira dreaming of standing on stage as part of the production of "Era of the Gods" introducing the play, even though their upcoming play is "Era of the Monarchs". Michiru wakes her up and they walk to school together, where Michiru points out a particular park that they went to and allegedly Akira made a promise to Michiru there, which Akira doesn't remember. Because Akira forgot whatever promise she made at that park Michiru becomes sad and stomps off. Any attempts by Akira to get Michiru to explain what has happened are rebuffed.

The student council session starts as usual, but the atmosphere remains tense, beginning with Michiru asking Akira to properly recite her starting lines before beginning the session. They start with taking stock of things that need to be done around Siegfeld, since the production of "Elysion--Monarch" means that most, if not the rest of the student population will be supporting them as backstage crew. Things like lesson room renovation budgets (approved), expansion of the library repertoire (in progress), and shower room timings (no answer) and the collation of the practice uniform sizes of the students.

More critically, the roles of Frau Rubin, Frau Jade and Frau Perle have not been selected, and no one appears to be signing up. Without this the next year's production "Elysion--Monarch" would be missing three critical roles.

When Akira accepted the role of Frau Platin, no new members came in, and the scouted students were all rejected, so Akira had to put up "Elysion--Gods" with Michiru only. Akira noted that the previous "Elysion--Gods" production was unprecedented in that they somehow managed to put up that production with only Akira and Michiru.

After realising what happened, Akira started to laugh at the absurdity of what they happened, which justifiably makes Michiru very concerned, but then Akira reminds Michiru that there is no way they could have made "Gods" with only two people.

Part 1B

If everyone's goal in entering Siegfeld was to be part of the five-man cast in Elysion, it would be impossible to not fill the roster for Elysion.

Her promise to Michiru at the park was to make a production of "Elysion--Gods" with all five people.
When Akira recited the lines of "Elysion--Gods" again (near-perfectly filling in the voices of the missing roles), she realised it was impossible to do this play with only two people.

That dream in the first part of the story... wasn't a dream.

It was a memory.

Word had already gotten around of Maya's disappearance from Seisho, and Akira deduced that this was happening to their group as well.

Their realisation of what has happened has caused the curtains to draw, and they find themselves in the Revue Stage.

As they find themselves on the Revue Stage, they meet Eru, who had a bit of a snag trying to summon Andrew.

Eru explains that the Choruses are imprisoning stage productions, and their only way to stop them from straight up destroying them was to put up these "missing role" revues.

Which Andrew wasn't thrilled to explain again after putting up with Kaoruko's verbal abuse in the previous chapter. Andrew then made a critical failure mentioning that to Michiru since Michiru remembered what Kaoruko nicknamed Andrew, which Akira very quickly picked up much to Andrew's chagrin.

RIP Andrew (you will not be missed)

To bring back the lost ones, Akira and Michiru now have to re-produce "Elysion--Monarch" on their own, on the field of honour Revue Stage.

Elysion--Monarch: ReLive

A dying king entrusts his grand chancellor with the task of succeeding him and recovering the lost crown jewels.

They had to escape the palace due to a surprise attack by antiroyalists.

Now the grand chancellor has to assemble the four horsemen, each representing a lost crown jewel, and take back their rightful place on the throne.

Continue on to Part 2: The General's Ruby.

Review: Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie - Over the Rainbow

I'm just going to say this once: if you are going to watch the movie for the story, you are in the wrong cinema. Think of this movie as an animated musical.

Given the expectations I have it's fine. Story is not as well structured as μ's, but this is due to the different direction Aqours is taking.

It is a bit difficult to give all 9 members equal amounts of screen time, so unfortunately some members fell by the wayside. Poor Hanamaru, being relegated into comic relief for the eating scenes. That being said, some others received a tremendous amount of character development. When the series started, I really didn't like Ruby, since she just gave an image of being a timid crybaby who's only there for comic relief, but as the series progressed (and indeed in the movie), while she is still as timid as she always was, she has shown that without the people helping her out all the time her she actually becomes a girl who spits straight fire while keeping Yohane in line and is able to actively contribute to Aqours as not just a performer but also as a support staff. Hats off to her for developing so much throughout the series.

The music was good and fit into the movie very well. A lot can be said about how the music segments were able to transition seamlessly from the classically animated segments into cel-shaded CGI and back smoothly. The songs are thematically linked with the story. Music list will appear below, with a short description on the scene that the songs appear in order of appearance. Spoiler alert since the music does frame some of the plot points in the movie.

1. 僕らの走ってきた道は Bokura no Hashittekita Michi wa: Performed at the start of the movie, canonically just after Wonderful Stories at S2E13.
2. 逃走迷走メビウスループ Tousou-meisou Möbius Loop: The third years performed this song as they escaped from the rest of Aqours to their safe house, after throwing a shirt to distract the Watanabe cousins.
3. Hop? Stop? Nonstop!: Aqours performed this at Piazza di Spagna to prove to Mrs Ohara that school idol activities are not an idle pursuit.
4. Believe Again: Saint Snow song. Watanabe Tsuki prepares a stream for them to make up for Saint Snow's inability to directly go up against Aqours in the finals due to early elimination.
5. Brightest Melody: Companion song to Believe Again. This is song Aqours came up with to compete with the earlier Saint Snow song.
6. キセキヒカル Kiseki Hikaru: Background music for the preparation of the town performance.
7. Next SPARKLING!!: End of movie, as Aqours prepares their performance for the town of Numazu

The main problem with the story that I have is that the entire movie is based on a premise that ignores the world that the Love Live series built.

During the start of Love Live Sunshine we get an exposition by our resident School Idol otakus the Kurosawa sisters that after μ's Love Live has become this sensation that swept not just throughout Japan, but around the world. Even within Japan we are looking at over 500 school idol groups, so Love Live isn't this niche thing that you have to explain to people just what it is so that people will understand, unlike that one time I had to explain the plot of the Love Live Sunshine series to a visiting Japanese university lecturer. So why did the Uranohoshi girls need to prove to others once again that school idol activities aren't some random activity that gets approved willy nilly by the previous school admin?

Another thing of note is that compared to the first movie, the people we are dealing with in the second movie are considerably shittier than the ones in the first movie, mostly because the problems μ's had to face were just in terms of performing and having continuing success even as they were planning to retire from being pop idols for good. In the second movie, the problems Aqours had to face were in terms of integrating with their new school and about the future of the third years.

Major spoilers ahead, so I'll go ahead and hide them.

Mari's mother (who I'll now thereafter call Mrs Ohara) is an interesting character to say the least. At least we now know where Mari gets her eccentric personality from. What's less forgivable is that Mrs Ohara manipulated the rest of Aqours into searching for the third years who were having their graduation trip in Italy so that she can bring Mari home to get her married off, even posting pictures of the third years around Rome to get people to find them. Good thing Mrs Ohara didn't have the presence of mind to write the posters in Italian (they were in Japanese) so to the Italians the posters might as well be "Look at these beautiful women".

It is worth noting that the rest of Aqours only knew of Mrs Ohara's fuckery because they were told so by the third years, who made them go on a detoured route around Firenze in total radio silence because of concerns Mrs Ohara may have tapped their phones. Didn't matter anyway since Mrs Ohara managed to find that random white feather that Yohane dropped from that mansion the third years were staying in.

The justification for Mrs Ohara marrying off Mari was because she felt that Mari was too rebellious starting from when she was a child and kept running away with Kanan and Dia, Mari unilaterally transferring from the high school in Italy back to Uranohoshi and becoming the school director (which Mrs Ohara only allowed because Mr Ohara insisted on letting the case rest), and Mari restarting Aqours. To this end, marrying Mari off was so that Mari has a husband to "control" her, which is a very shitty reason to marry someone off for and a recipe for what would be at best an unhappy marriage, and at worst an abusive marriage, neither of which I'm sure Mrs Ohara is enthusiastic about. Mrs Ohara, marrying your daughter off so that you can impose your will on her is the very definition of /r/JustNoMIL and you will not only be looked down upon by your daughter for your controlling behaviour, your future son-in-law would also hate your for being a nosy controlling bitch.

I shouldn't have to teach the Japanese how to embody Japanese values, but here goes. School mergers aren't anything new: my primary school was the result of the merger of two smaller schools near each other, and just recently there was this mass merger of junior college pairs over in my country. The most important thing to establish with the merger of the schools is to create a new shared identity while also respecting the identities and cultures of the constituent schools. This is even more important in Japan, where the concept of the in-group and out-group is very clearly demarcated.

Therefore, the new school decided to throw the former Uranohoshi students into a random run-down building in the middle of nowhere far away from the main school building. Right off the bat, the new school is sending a strong message to the former Uranohoshi students that they are not welcome in the new school at all, even though they have done their best to avoid the closure of their own school by creating a country- and even world-class school idol group. Apparently to the new school, it is not enough that the name of Uranohoshi should be forgotten from the memory of Numazu and Uchiura's people, the legacy of Uranohoshi has to be destroyed by putting the last students in a poorly maintained satellite to be forgotten as well. Bringing it closer to my home, it would be as if Pioneer Junior College decided to, instead of merging the student population of Jurong Junior College with it in the PJC grounds, kick the JJC students into the random blocks of classrooms just off my old home that are used as temporary classrooms when schools are being renovated. You don't do this without being eaten alive by literally everyone in the JJC community, parents, students and alumni alike. Instead, what really happened was that the junior colleges that were merged got a name that was the result of the combination of the two constituent junior colleges, even if the result would make absolutely no sense (Pioneer-Jurong Junior College is neither in Jurong nor in Pioneer, for example). Also, the student cultures of both junior colleges were fully combined and integrated with each other so as to ensure that a new shared identity can be created and it wasn't an annexation.

When it came to light that the segregation is because the parent support group of the new school decided that the Uranohoshi girls would not be able to participate in the club activities to the level that the existing club members are at, this really got me absolutely pissed. Club activities are extra-curricular activities. These should remain secondary to the main objective of the students, which is to study. And besides, every year the new school has to receive new students as the seniors graduate. That shouldn't be a problem they should be worrying about since they should have some sort of succession/acceptance system already in place. We are talking about increasing your student population by around 48 (since there were around 72 students before the seniors graduated), or 1 class per year equivalent if based on my high school class size. This should be a solved problem by now. My high school has a mid-term intake of around 2 classes and I don't see the club activities in my school crumbling either.

Given that this decision was opposed by the student community as a whole and was a decision undertaken only with the approval of the parents support group and the school administration, it is clear that the students understood that this decision is a completely boneheaded decision that would likely result in animosity towards the new students, especially considering that the students understood very well that the Uranohoshi girls have put in a lot of effort in helping to support a school idol group that, after all the competition that it had to go through, became the winner of the finals. And the administration, instead of being supportive towards the continuation of this spark of glory that Uranohoshi brought with them, cast them out into some forgotten corner, a "subsidiary school" to be left to wither to nothing. That's not how you treat the legacy of a school that has existed for decades (which we know it did because Chika's mother and sisters are Uranohoshi alumni). The school administration should consider themselves lucky that Aqours was willing to speak for Uranohoshi by holding performances with what's left of Aqours and the other former Uranohoshi students have not decided to turn this affair into a media showdown.

Final verdict: worse than the 1st Love Live movie, still pretty decent for the fluff. 5/10.

I'm running out of wall space though.