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.
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