She's some Cinderella, isn't she?
We feel deeply saddened over the plague that infected the Hydras,
Well, well. Someone seems to be a little upset.
My, whatever do you mean?
but our countermeasures have been effective and the ecosystem is stabilizing.
Her magic will wear off once the clock strikes twelve.
The cause of the plague is still under investigation, but researchers have announced that it is unlikely to infect humans.
No, it won't.
I'm certain she's found her glass slippers.
Therefore, fellow citizens, please rest assured.
The ones you couldn't wear?
It's not that I couldn't wear them. I chose not to.
With regards to the drop in the environmental balance due to the recent battles with the Vajra,
the extermination of the Hydras, and the wildlife that was killed by the Hydras,
the Government has decided that over the next few weeks...
Why Gallia 4?
There must be other, more promising, planets to investigate.
Someone informed us to take extra precautions with that planet.
Was it Mr. Birler?
I wonder.
I will be having my first concert soon. Please come and watch me.
Thank you, everyone!
Next on your schedule is an interview for a magazine.
Let's hurry.
Okay!
Dear Alto-kun, ever since the movie aired, my days are like a dream come true. Every day's been so busy,
this must be what it means to be as busy as a bee.
I barely have enough time to complete what my manager tells me to.
Look, Ranka-chan.
In just a few days, you'll be over there.
I can't believe that I'll be having my first concert at the same place that Sheryl-san recently held a concert at.
By the way, I heard from Nana-chan that it's your birthday next week.
Are you going to have a party?
If you are, I'll definitely take the day off and attend.
Of course, with a present in hand.
Ranka-chan,
let's go.
Okay.
She hasn't even called you?
Why would she be calling me?
I e-mailed her about your birthday.
Birthday?
So it's almost your birthday?
Pretty much.
That's why I thought that Ranka-san would definitely have called you...
I'm sure she will.
She's probably just busy because she has her first concert coming up.
It's also the most enjoyable point of her career,
because every day's filled with new things.
Is that so?
I speak from experience.
In comparison, Ms. Experienced seems to have a lot of free time.
I see you at school often enough.
I'm experienced enough to manage my time efficiently!
Don't get me wrong. It's not that my work load has dropped—
How kind of you.
Unlike someone else I know.
But seriously, aren't you working too hard?
Our department is tough in its own way.
It's a welcome break from work.
Besides, I won't be attending for a while starting next week.
Work?
Yes, a rare job.
A morale-boosting concert in Gallia 4? By Sheryl-san?
Yeah, they asked whether we can spare people for the convoy mission.
Did you accept?
Nope. The NUNS fleet that's based there is the famous 33rd Naval Fleet.
What? The one composed mainly of Zentradi?
Yup, that's the one.
The government's actions have been a little odd lately.
The plague affecting the Hydras, the convoy mission... they won't tell us anything about the unknown Valkyrie either.
I'll look into it.
I'm finding it pretty odd myself.
I'm counting on you.
Speaking of which, have you watched the movie yet?
Nope.
Why not? Ranka-san worked so hard in it.
Enough! No matter what anyone says, I'll never watch such a low-grade movie!
Oh? So Gallia 4 has an atmosphere.
Yes,
Gallia 1 is a red giant.
Since Gallia 4's rotation and orbital periods are the same, the same side always faces Gallia 1.
Therefore, there's a large temperature difference between its days and nights.
So the environment's not suitable for living, but the presence of a breathable atmosphere has been confirmed.
I see... an atmosphere...
From here to Gallia 4, you may experience a whole day of travel, but the actual time that's passed is a week.
Which means...
There's a large Fold fault inbetween.
That's the reason.
But a morale-boosting concert? That doesn't happen everyday.
Is that part two of that documentary she's doing?
Who knows?
Oh, that! That really surprised me.
Alto-senpai and the others appeared throughout the documentary and even I appeared in a few sections.
My brothers were so jealous of me.
What are they talking about? Your brothers are featured in financial magazines all the time.
The baby boy of LAI, the big company with the slogan: "From micromachines to Fold engines."
Don't call me baby boy.
Alto-san.
Brother...
Brother?
I saw the documentary on that young lady, Sheryl. It looks like you're doing well.
I guess so.
And also, this...
I'm so happy that you haven't forgotten how to act.
It was just a stunt job. I didn't have a choice.
But acting is acting.
Saotome Yasaburo. He's a kabuki actor of the Saotome clan, and Alto's senior.
So that's not his real brother?
No,
although after Alto-senpai left the clan, he seems to be the best candidate to succeed the title of "Ranzo."
Did you come all this way just to comment on the movie?
Instructor Ranzo has fallen ill.
Thankfully his life is not in danger, so we've been able to hide it from the media.
But it appears that he's overworked himself, so for now, he's still resting at home.
It's got nothing to do with me.
Do you really believe that?
It's almost your birthday, isn't it?
What about it?
I've got a present for you.
Here you go, Ranka-chan! The arena tickets you asked me for.
Thank you, Manager!
But why go through all that trouble? I could've arranged to send passes to all your family and friends.
There's a certain someone whom she wants to give the ticket to in person.
To the promising newcomer.
Thank you.
This is all thanks to Sheryl-san and...
...and Alto?
That's a birthday present, right?
I thought that this might not be enough, so I've thought of something else too...
I see.
I'm sure that guy will be happy.
So she calls him "that guy."
Um, Sheryl-san...
Sheryl-san?
Sorry.
I just felt a little dizzy.
Are you all right?
Of course. Keeping yourself healthy is a fundamental part of this job. Right?
That's why I've been telling you not to overwork yourself. Your fever's rising.
This is nothing.
I don't think you can do it. We should cancel the concert.
I'm going.
Because of the rumors that there may be survivors from the Galaxy on Gallia 4?
I shouldn't have told you.
Besides, there's no guarantee that it's safe...
Don't make me repeat myself.
I'm going.
Then at least take your medication.
I can get over this with sheer willpower.
We've transferred the item over without any problems.
The design specifications are exactly as you specified. The LAI technological group was extremely pleased.
And the fairy?
She will be going to Gallia 4 as planned.
We've just received confirmation.
My thanks to her then. If it weren't for the Fold faults, we could've warped there almost instantly.
The 33rd Naval Fleet? Why do you want to know about them?
There's going to be a morale-boosting concert there.
I thought you might know something.
Morale-boosting, huh?
I could see them requesting something like that.
Which means?
Nene and I are descendants of the Zentradi who were first to join humanity's side in the First Intergalactic War.
But on the other hand, there were those who had no choice but to submit to humanity after the war ended.
As a consequence, the two groups hate each other and thus don't function together as a fleet.
They're the NUNS's scab. That's the 33rd Naval Fleet for you.
I've heard the rumors, but I didn't think it was that bad.
They probably complained saying that they'll abandon their mission if no recreation was provided.
Honestly, they're such a disgrace to the Zentradi.
Thanks for the recipe. I think I can go home today, so I'll try it tonight.
That's good, but Ranka-san...
...have you contacted Saotome-kun?
Well, not yet...
I might be a bit over concerned, but Saotome-kun and Sheryl-san seem to be getting along really well lately.
Do you think they're going out?
That's not possible.
I mean, I don't think they're going out yet. But Ranka-san, if you keep on waiting around, she'll take him.
Are you okay with that?
It's not up to me to decide, Alto-kun is...
Ranka-chan?
Are you ready?
Yes!
Sorry, I've got to go to work. I'll talk to you later.
Ranka-san?
You're too sudden, Nana-chan. I... Alto-kun...
I'm sure that guy will be happy.
Hello? Are you ready?
Everyone's waiting!
Y-Yes! Please, just give me one more minute!
Um, Alto-kun...
It's Alto. I can't answer the phone right now.
If you have any business with me, please leave a message.
Um, this is Ranka.
I'm sorry I haven't been able to see you so much lately—
W-What am I saying?
Whether you miss me or not... it's up to you to decide, right?
How silly of me...
Anyway, umm... I-I heard about your birthday from Nana-chan.
If you want, I'd like you to accept my present.
On your birthday, will you wait for me at Griffith Park?
I'll definitely be there... so...
I've got a present for you.
I've persuaded Instructor Saotome to make a promise.
If you present yourself to him on your birthday, he will forgive you.
It's none of your business. I chose to become a pilot myself.
I don't intend to return now—
Please, stop lying!
After seeing that show and that movie, I'm convinced that you can't stop yourself from wanting to act.
That's not true!
Are you sure?
You're even acting right now.
Acting as a boy who rebels against his parents and dreams of becoming a pilot.
It's not like that, I—
See, you're still stuck in that stereotypical role.
Please, stop acting tough.
You've inherited the blood of an actor, something I can never attain no matter how much I practice.
An actor's blood which also resembles a curse.
I'm...
Thanks-for-waiting.
What's with that all of a sudden?!
What's wrong? You look gloomier than ever.
And what's with that lame outfit?
Hey! It's not like you're dressed any better.
It's called marketing, marketing.
Unlike your chest, mine gives people dreams and desires.
Jeez, how can you be so confident all the time?
It's only natural. I'm Sheryl.
And? What does Ms. Sheryl want from me?
Calling me all the way out here...
I just thought I'd give you a present.
Hey, Alto, don't you want to fly?
In a truly endless sky?
If you present yourself to him on your birthday, he will forgive you.
On your birthday, will you wait for me at Griffith Park?
I'll definitely be there... so...
Hey, Alto, don't you want to fly?
In a truly endless sky?
Guess I have no choice. Just for two hours, okay?
Alto-kun.
Alto-kun!
Oh, Ranka-chan.
Sorry, but I'm not Alto.
He asked me to come here in his place.
By now, he should be...
Fold booster, all connections confirmed: all green.
Good luck, Skull-4.
How many times do I have to teach you?!
Yasaburo, show him an example.
Understood.
Oh yes, didn't you say that you wanted to speak to me about the succession of the name?
What is it?
No, it's nothing.
Do people dream because it'll never come true?
Or are they dreams because they'll never come true?
It's going to be a long voyage now. Don't fall behind, Alto.
Same for you! Don't fall behind!
Thank you for coming...
Huh? Did you say something?
I didn't say anything.
Congratulations.
Everything is as you planned out so far.
From here on, the situation will continue to proceed as planned.
I hope to hear good news from you soon.
Sure.
I'll contact you again later.
It's you...
He said Alto-kun took off...
...with Sheryl-san.
Are you trying to cheer me up? How nice of you.
Would you like to eat this? It was my first attempt, so it didn't go very well...
Alto-kun...
Happy birthday.
It's bitter!
Alto and Sheryl departed for Gallia 4.
There, an unexpected trap awaited them.
Next time: Fastest Delivery.
Song of departure, ring out across the galaxy.