Emperor Akira Yukishiro/Bond Story

*The Galactic Empire was formed, and thus the stars were ruled by the "Emperor". Still...they rebelled. Not even an absolute ruler could stop them from singing of freedom and standing on the stage. From "Performance Festival" Play - Act 5.*

*(Part 1 and Part 2 of Arcana Arcadia Stage Girl bond stories are viewable in the Gallery under Arcana Arcadia - Intermission.)*

* Part 1
* Part 2
* Bond Level 15 Talk
* Bond Level 30 Talk

Throwing Away the Crown Part 1

 **Akira:**So that's Yachiyo's stage...

 **Akira:**...Michiru, do you have a moment?

 **Michiru:**Huh...?

 **Michiru:**Wh-Where do you think you're going?! It's the middle of a Revue!

 **Akira:**Once the curtains rise, the actors lead the play. They're all superb performers.

 **Michiru:**That's true, but still... Where are you going?

 **Akira:**Thank you, Michiru.

 **Michiru:**Hm?

 **Akira:**Thanks to you, I've been able to perform on many stages and given numerous lead roles.

 **Michiru:**Akira...?

 **Akira:**That's why—

 **Akira:**The fire of life may last but a moment, but pure platinum will shine forever.

 **Akira:**The stage of men may last but a moment, but the stage of the king lasts forever.

 **Akira:**Frau Platin—Akira Yukishiro! The king shines his light on the hollow stage!

 **Michiru:**A-Akira?!

 **Akira:**Thanks to you, I've been able to perform on many stages and given numerous lead roles.

 **Akira:**And yet, there is one stage that I haven't stood on. Boiling blood, clashing passion...

 **Akira:**Michiru Otori—I haven't fought YOU on stage yet. You haven't shown me your everything!

 **Michiru:**...!?

 **Akira:**Let's start OUR Revue!

 **Michiru:**Wh-Why?! Why do we have to fight?!

 **Akira:**I already told you why.

 **Michiru:**That's not a reason!

 **Michiru:**You can't just start something without accounting for someone else's feelings... Always the stage-crazy!

 **Akira:**You're too wise, Michiru.

 **Michiru:**Huh...?

 **Akira:**You let it slip out of your mouth...that you don't like it when I'm perceptive...

 **Akira:**I've always been grateful, but at the same time it rubbed me the wrong way. You're intelligent, wise, and perceptive... You always have been.

 **Akira:**And yet you dropped your cloak and let Shiori win. "I'm not standing on stage", you said...

 **Michiru:**...!

 **Akira:**Shiori confided in me and I remembered.

 **Akira:**I remembered how many sacrifices you made to guide me to the leading role.

 **Akira:**I can't even count all the things I made you give up so that I could become the 'king'. And I didn't even realize you weren't standing on your stage...

 **Michiru:**I haven't given up anything... Nothing at all.

 **Michiru:**I'm here to make you into the 'king', after all. If everyone watching your stage of the king is captivated, then I have no reason to stand there... That's why—

 **Akira:**"I wish you'd 'dedicate' yourself to your own stage." ...Isn't this what you told Fumi?

 **Michiru:**What...!?

 **Akira:**She...contacted me after a long time.

 **Akira:**"I wish you'd 'dedicate' yourself to your own stage. I don't want you to be like me...and use someone else as an excuse to not put your all into your own stage."

 **Akira:**This is what you told her, isn't it.

 **Michiru:**...!

 **Akira:**She told me she was grateful for your advice. She finally realized why she felt lost. And yet, she also told me...

 **Akira:**"Michiru is tied to her role as grand chancellor, and bound to her role of making you into the lead... I'm afraid she isn't standing on her own stage."

 **Michiru:**...Talk about both sisters flapping their mouths. It was not their place to tell you.

 **Akira:**Thanks to your effort, I'm standing here on the throne as Frau Platin. However...

 **Akira:**If your promise to make me into the king has led you to give up everything, then...

 **Michiru:**I said I haven't given up anything...!

 **Akira:**You're the 'king's advisor'... The most talented grand chancellor that a king could ask for.

 **Akira:**And that role can only be achieved by someone that has as much power as the king.

 **Akira:**Yes, Michiru. I've known you for a long time. You have the quality of a king too.

 **Michiru:**...!?

 **Akira:**You could have fought against me for the title of Frau Platin. You could have become 'king'!

 **Michiru:**Ngh...! I'm happy to be praised, but you could have said that in kinder words...

 **Akira:**Mmph... That attitude. That's exactly what I'm talking about.

 **Akira:**...You lack passion.

 **Michiru:**Huh...?

 **Akira:**I will create an unprecedented and unexplored "Elysion". It will be the last stage as the greatest Frau Platin.

 **Akira:**And you—your passion isn't enough to fuel its creation.

 **Michiru:**Ngh...!

 **Akira:**Yachiyo and Mei Fan have broken out of their roles as knights, and Shiori has started walking on her own two legs.

 **Akira:**But that's not enough to create an "Elysion" that has never been seen before.

 **Akira:**What I need now is for you—Frau Saphir, Michiru Otori—to clash with me!

 **Akira:**If I am to write history, I need you to come at me with all your passion!

 **Akira:**And that can only be done by two kings.

 **Michiru:**Two...'kings'?!

 **Akira:**If we are to create an "Elysion" that has never been seen before and completely burn all our passion...

 **Akira:**We HAVE TO expose ourselves, and clash with each other with all we have!

 **Akira:**We NEED you—Frau Saphir—to give us your all, Michiru Otori!

 **Michiru:**My all, my all...! I'm always giving it my all!

 **Michiru:**I'm always striving to make you into the most shining 'king'!

 **Michiru:**If you captivate the audience, then it's our victory! If you shine the most on stage, I don't mind being a supporting role. I don't even need to stand on stage!

 **Akira:**'Our' victory...? You're wrong, Michiru. I'm the one making YOUR dream come true in your stead.

 **Akira:**You must want it—your lead role, your stage.

 **Akira:**It's something you must seek—a stage only for you! A stage only you can stand on!

 **Michiru:**Only...me?! I told you I don't need it!

 **Michiru:**Besides, no one would even want to watch—

 **Akira:**I would.

 **Michiru:**Huh?

 **Akira:**Stage Girl Michiru Otori—I for one would watch your stage!

Throwing Away the Crown Part 2

 **Akira:**I've...looked up to you.

 **Akira:**You know how to instantly grasp a situation, control what people think, and predict what's going to happen... You know how to steer people's wishes and deliver the performance people desire.

 **Akira:**Yet I wonder if only you'd pour all that talent into creating a role, instead of using it for my sake...how great of a performer you'd be?

 **Akira:**I want to see you realize your potential!

 **Akira:**I want to know what stages you'd create if were you the king!

 **Michiru:**Me, the king? Never going to happen!

 **Michiru:**Besides, clashing with you? I've never thought about it, nor am I going to think about it now!

 **Akira:**...You've never thought about it?

 **Michiru:**Of course I haven't! Do you have any idea how hard it is to make you the king? I've been using all my skills and all my time in order to achieve it!

 **Michiru:**That's why, it's not going to happen. There's no way I'd clash with you or become the king.

 **Michiru:**I haven't given up—I've just pruned that possibility, that's all. It was a choice I consciously made so that I'd get to my goal in the shortest time possible.

 **Akira:**How can you even say it's not going to happen?!

 **Michiru:**I've given it plenty of time, and thought about it with a clear head, that's how!

 **Akira:**So what's the reason then?!

 **Michiru:**...The reason is in my head!

 **Akira:**I see... You're not going to tell me why you won't fight me or clash against me with all you have, huh.

 **Michiru:**...Yeah.

 **Michiru:**...Well, I thought it was a good opportunity—join Troupe A and learn how to be a stagehand.

 **Akira:**Hm...

 **Michiru:**I always had a dream of creating a troupe around you, after all. That's why—

 **Akira:**I see. In that case...

 **Akira:**Vice-president of the student council and Frau Saphir, Michiru Otori, you're fired!

 **Michiru:**WHAT?! Why??

 **Akira:**I already told you why. If you won't clash with me with all you have, you can't create the greatest "Elysion".

 **Akira:**"Elysion" will be killed by your cleverness!

 **Michiru:**What...What do you even mean? Are you threatening me with "Elysion"? Is that how the 'Emperor' does things?

 **Akira:**Mmph... I'll do whatever it takes to make you serious.

 **Akira:**We're not gods. Our whole lives, our plays are nothing but a flame that burns bright for a few moments.

 **Akira:**So instead of thinking over plans, and making a sophisticated play...I'd rather go out with a bang and create an intensely bright stage that no one has ever seen before.

 **Akira:**Look at Karen Aijo, Aruru Otsuki, Fumi and Shiori.

 **Akira:**Shattering preconceived conventions is what leads to unexpected stories.

 **Akira:**No matter how wise or devout you may be, you're nothing but a human being, 'Hierophant'!

 **Michiru:**Ngh...!

 **Akira:**Now choose, Michiru! Step up your game and recreate history with me, or hide your true feelings and stain your reputation forever!

 **Michiru:**First you intimidate me, and now you threaten me?!

 **Akira:**I told you—I'll do anything it takes to make you show your true self! If you so wish, I'll give you anything!

 **Michiru:**The "Emperor" Arcana...its reverse position means 'immaturity', 'overestimation', 'despotism'!

 **Michiru:**You're behaving exactly like your role right now!

 **Akira:**If you're going to overthink things and have doubts, just go crazy and jump on the stage—selfishly, arrogantly and greedily!

 **Akira:**Any miracle is possible on the stage! You can become anyone you want to! So why don't you become your true self, Michiru!

 **Akira:**This is the stage, Michiru Otori!

 **Michiru:**Ngh... Will you just stop trying to have it your own way?

 **Michiru:**You have no idea what I've been through...!

 **Michiru:**..."If you so wish, I'll give you anything."?

 **Akira:**Hm...?

 **Michiru:**That's what you said.

 **Akira:**I stand by my words!

 **Michiru:**......

 **Michiru:**...Enough!

 **Michiru:**Y-You can't even do anything without me!

 **Akira:**...!?

 **Michiru:**I've been hiding this feeling all along, and you just had to try and get it out of me, didn't you!

 **Michiru:**Why won't I challenge you head on? That's plain to see...!

 **Michiru:**That time, I started admiring you! I knew I couldn't win!

 **Michiru:**I knew I had lost... That's why I became who I am! Don't make me say it, Akira!

 **Akira:**Michiru...?!

 **Michiru:**You'll do anything it takes to make me show my true self? You'll give me anything?

 **Michiru:**Then give me your height, Akira! 4 inches—no, 8 inches even!

 **Akira:**What?!

 **Michiru:**Give me your baritone that shakes the stage, and your soprano that pierces even the ceiling!

 **Michiru:**Or even your stage presence that alone can charm the entire audience! Give me all of it!

 **Michiru:**If only... If only I had what you have, I too, would have dreamed of becoming a star!

 **Akira:**Becoming...a star...?!

 **Michiru:**A perfect body, a piercing gaze—you were blessed with the qualities of a star since birth.

 **Michiru:**I don't have any of those... I've used all my strengths to make you into the 'king'! I've given my everything to achieve it!

 **Michiru:**That's why I was able to raise her into who you are now—into an Akira Yukishiro with the perfect qualities of a star. It was what I wanted to become!

 **Michiru:**I know all too well that what I told Fumi would eventually come back to haunt me!

 **Michiru:**And that's also why I forcefully pulled Shiori into a Revue knowing I would let her win!

 **Michiru:**So give me all the qualities of star now! I'll show you what a star Michiru Otori can be!

 **Akira:**Michiru...

 **Akira:**...I see. So that's why Fumi messaged me.

 **Akira:**I'm the only one who can release you. I'm the only one who can destroy the shackles that bind you.

 **Akira:**...Michiru.

 **Akira:**YOU'RE FIRED!

 **Michiru:**Wha—! You told me you'd do anything! Give me your height, your beautiful voice, your stage presence!

 **Akira:**Not one ounce!

 **Michiru:**I knew it! I knew you'd take back your words!

 **Michiru:**You can't do anything without me, and now...you're going to cut me out?!

 **Akira:**Correct.

 **Akira:**Use all your talent for yourself from now on—for your stage, your own stage.

 **Michiru:**Huh...?

 **Akira:**I've become the 'king'. My knights have left the castle, and my grand chancellor has achieved their role. You don't have to take care of me anymore.

 **Akira:**I want you to use your resourcefulness for yourself and your stage...and show me all you have for the final "Elysion".

 **Michiru:**Akira...

 **Akira:**Your duties as grand chancellor have ended. Your contract came to completion the day I became the 'king'.

 **Akira:**Let's go back to the time when we used to innocently play pretend and perform "Elysion". Let's go back, Micchi...

 **Michiru:**...!?

 **Akira:**We used to know nothing... We just loved the stage and performing. I want to clash with you like we used to...

 **Akira:**Yes, this...this is the end of the contract. You're no longer the grand chancellor to a dying king... You're a 'king' facing the 'king' during his final stage.

 **Akira:**It'll be a new contract... One where you fight against me as a 'rival' on the same level.

 **Akira:**A brand new contract between us...

 **Michiru:**...!

 **Akira:**Micchi, fight me as a 'king' and a 'rival', place all your days in Siegfeld on the line.

 **Michiru:**...How long has it been since you called me by that name, Akki...

 **Michiru:**...You want me to use all my time for myself, is that it?

 **Akira:**Exactly.

 **Michiru:**You don't need my help anymore...?

 **Akira:**Correct.

 **Michiru:**Not even the scheduling for the student council?

 **Akira:**...N-Not even that.

 **Michiru:**...And the ordering of Super Spicy Snacks at the school store?

 **Akira:**Ngh...

 **Michiru:**You're really telling me you'll be able to do it all by yourself?

 **Akira:**...I-I'll make the best of it! Let's create an unprecedented and unexplored "Elysion".

 **Akira:**A stage where we'll clash as two 'kings'.

 **Michiru:**And...let's burn together?

 **Akira:**Yes. We can think of what comes next after that.

 **Michiru:**It's reckless.

 **Akira:**Yes, but we can do it. The upright position of the "Emperor" means 'execution', 'leadership', 'decisiveness', after all.

 **Michiru:**Heh heh... Hahaha! You're such a stage-crazy!

 **Akira:**Mmph... Thank you.

 **Michiru:**You can be whoever you want on stage. Any miracle can happen...

 **Michiru:**A stage only for me where I can give my all...

 **Michiru:**Stepping out of the Emperor's shadow and walking as a 'king' on my own two feet...!

 **Michiru:**A perfectly cute star with a round face and a tiny body...!

 **Akira:**Ngh!

 **Michiru:**No matter what you'll say—I won't be looking after you anymore!

 **Akira:**...Exactly!

 **Michiru:**I won't cover up for your mistakes in front of the junior students, got it?

 **Akira:**Bring it on!

 **Michiru:**I don't care if you'll regret it when I'll show you all I've got!

 **Akira:**Gladly, Michiru!

 **Michiru:**Here I come, Akira! Haaaaah!

 **Akira:**Yeeeaaahh!

 **Akira:**...!

 **Michiru:**...!

 **Akira:**...Mmph. A tie.

 **Akira:**I told you you had the qualities of a 'king'.

 **Michiru:**Heh heh... You better start watching your back, Akira. I won't protect you anymore.

 **Akira:**Yes, that's it, Michiru.

 **Akira:**...Shall we go then—to the final stage as two 'kings'?

 **Michiru:**It won't be the last. Let's clash with each other and improve. The final "Elysion" will be the foundation of our "Timeless Play".

 **Akira:**That will be...our new promise to each other.

**Akira & Michiru:**I'll...'re-sign the contract'.

**Akira & Michiru:**Hehe...!

 **Akira:**The fire of life may last but a moment, but our passion will shine forever.

 **Michiru:**Hence my blue flame and pure-white light will shine eternal path of the king.

 **Akira:**Frau Platin—Akira Yukishiro!

 **Michiru:**Frau Saphir—Michiru Otori!

**Akira & Michiru:**The kings shine their light on the hollow stage!

 **Akira:**I am not afraid, no matter what role I may be given. I only have to exceed the expectations of my role as "Emperor".

 **Akira:** I was happy to hear I'm a perfect match for the "Emperor" role. However, sometimes the image of a role can end up hindering the performer.

 **Akira:**I was just thinking, I wonder what it'd be like if I played Shiori's "Chariot" or Saijo's "Lovers"?

 **Akira:**In order to perform my very own "Emperor"... Hm, perhaps I'll do an etude with Hoshimi's "High Priestess".