hontou ni sou omou?

1. Spring is here Fate and Nanoha chat about how they’ve been busy with school and TSAB training since last Christmas. Wonderful lines from Nanoha about how she’s happy when she’s with Fate and from Fate about how her heart is strongly (something… happy?) when she’s with Nanoha.

2. Later with the Yagami Family Dr Ishida tells Hayate that she is making great progress in her rehabilitation. Signum and Shamal take their leave of Admiral Leti, they’ve been discussing the knights’ incorporation into the Armed Bureau. The former two gossip about a possible rival scene between Nanoha and Vita, Shamal teases Signum about the same with respect to Testarossa. Zafira in puppy mode is being fought over by girls squealing about how cute this mixed breed is while Vita gloats.

3. Cherry blossom viewing? Nanoha, Arisa and Suzuka explain to Fate what a hanami session is and plan a session for Saturday, inviting friends and family.

4. Spinning communication network Suzuka calls Hayate who is thrilled. Fate calls Chrono. Nanoha speaks to her sister to gather up. Not sure who (Chrono?) called Amy and Lindy. Lindy calls Leti and explains that hanami is something like a picnic. LOL Leti calls Signum (subject to our Mistress’ approval), Shamal, Vita. Shamal calls Dr Ishida. Amy chats to the male bridge operators. Fate talks to her adopted family. Nanoha chats to Yuuno and there’s lot of ‘I’m looking forward to the cherry blossom viewing session.’ TSAB contingent attendance confirmed.

5. Hayate and her knights, gifts and promises Shamal comes home and is shocked about Hayate’s seifuku. All the knights say how much it suits her. [It's hard to understand Signum because she speaks so formally and I hardly know any keigo. orz] There’s a heart to heart between Hayate and her knights, the latter present her with a gift [of what?] and remember Reinforce. It’s a bit sad but also very tender.

6. (Hayate character song) The sky you have given me Surprised that I didn’t notice this one before. Very nice, gentle vocals by Kana Ueda. While the strain shows when she has to up her volume in the anime, this song suits her ability to fill her voice with emotion, particularly loving kindess and wistfulness.

7. Cherry blossom viewing! Nanoha narrates how the weather is nice because of everyone’s prayers. Amy is the MC (with sound system). Lindy takes over, welcomes everyone and proposes a toast. Dr Ishida seems to be the only one who has not been briefed about the TSAB and the magical girls. Hayate and her knights go to greet Leti while Nanoha goes to greet the Armed Bureau members.

8. Fate’s song is… Arf gobbles the meat. When the guys protest, she replies: ‘I’m a wolf, I eat meat. You humans can stick to the vegs!’ Fate intervenes and ends up getting asked to sing karaoke. Very cute embarrassment as she tries to wiggle out of it. Signum rides to the rescue and asks the guys if they bullying a kid but she and Shamal also want to hear Fate sing and get Yuuno and Nanoha to request a song from her. She gives in and asks that they not laugh if her singing isn’t good.

9. (Fate character song) Flowers dancing in the wind Not quite Innocent Starter, Brave Phoenix or Take A Shot as it’s slower paced. Then again it’s more in character for Fate too.

10. Fate and Signum Lots of applause for Fate but still she feels embarrassed. Signum praises her singing first, followed by Shamal and Arf. Fate discusses her singing training and techniques with Signum. The others remarks how well Signum gets along with Fate, one of them even describes them as a mei-combi [sewn combination??].

11. Lindy and Leti converse Arisa has brought grape wine. Lindy and Leti are surprised that Arisa and Suzuka are not that shocked about Nanoha and Fate being magical girls. The girls are shocked at how the Admirals can drink, especially Leti. As the former get another bottle, the latter have a discussion. Absolutely hilarious how Leti says that how the Earth can’t be a bad place if it has such delicious alcoholic beverages. LOL It seems that the Asura crew are sticking around for Fate’s sake so that she can go to school here in Uminari. Arisa and Suzuka return with white, red and rose!

12. Arisa and Suzuka’s introduction (??) to Yuuno Suzuka hasn’t seen Yuuno’s human form before and prefers Yuuno’s ferret form. [So do all NxF fans. Mwahahaha!] Chrono handles the BBQ while Nanoha’s elder sister Miyuki talks to Yuuno as they prepare yaki soba. Elder Takamachi sis also says that she misses Yuuno’s ferret mode. Amy returns with more ingredients.

13. Following Chrono Nanoha talks to Yuuno about how she’s noticed Chrono’s kindness and how (when after the loss of his parents) he managed to smile again after he met Amy.

14. Chrono and Amy More flirty talk from Amy to Chrono. She dumps lots of stuff on the BBQ. ‘FIRE!’

15. Nanoha and Vita More tsundere from Vita. Nanoha looks forward to working with Vita who says that she’ll protect Nanoha, cuz she’s a Knight though she tells Nanoha: ‘Stop petting me!’ Only Hayate, Dr Ishid and [??] are allowed to do so. Nanoha laughs, saying that she’ll get proper permission next time.

16. Hayate and Dr Ishida Latter arrives late. Vita joins in and Hayate telepathically summons her other knights. As Vita goes off to get stuff, Hayate thanks Dr Ishida who also notes that Hayate has become more cheerful. Vita and the other knights arrive. Dr Ishida asks for tea. Vita offers Hayate ‘TSAB yakisoba’ LOL and the others tuck in. A very drunk Leti arrives and starts addressing the knights as the Volkenritter and Dr Ishida is puzzled by all the terms, including Leti being addressed as Admiral. Tart observation from Vita that Leti is a drunk. Lindy arrives with Fate to take Leti away.

17. Fate’s answer Lots of chat between Lindy, Amy, Chrono and Fate. Arf changes into puppy form. Fate asks to speak to everyone. She recalls the dream of the family of kind Precia, Linith and cute Alicia shown to her by the Book of Darkness. Alicia’s treatment of her as a younger sister made her feel, not like a mis-copy of Alicia, but as a real individual, Fate Testarossa. Fate says she wants to be part of the Harlaown family. Amy is a bit embarrassed to be included in this conversation and Chrono points out that she’s like an elder sister to Fate (little does he know he’ll soon be ensnared by her! LOL). Fate addresses Lindy as Kaasan and Chrono as Oniichan, a bit more hesitant with Amy as Oneechan. Chrono asks her to continue calling him Chrono. Fate acknowledges this and says that she’ll address him as Oniichan only once in a while. This time, Chrono’s only slightly unsettled, the power of Siscon no longer compels him!

18. Nanoha and Signum Nanoha notes that Signum is a good drinker. Nanoha recalls the collection of pages of the Book of Darkness and the capture of her and Fate’s linker core. Signum talks about their desire to save Hayate by completing the book but had committed crimes as a result. Nanoha notes that a sin is a sin but also acknowledges their good intentions. Signum looks forward to working with Takamachi Nanoha when she joins the Armed Bureau, more pressure! Nanoha’s not sure whether she’s suited to it but Signum assures her. Arisa and Suzuka join in and are sure that Nanoha will make a right decision. More drunk Leti antics and tries to get everyone to drink with her.

19. The feast has ended The big news from Mari of the Maintenance staff is that Hayate’s new device is ready for her to start working on.

20. In each family The groups disperse.

21. Drive Ignition Nanoha and Fate ask Hayate about her new device. The trio stand up their barrier jackets and activate their devices together for a training menu. Nanoha is already their trainer… she recounts the happenings of the past year and the three call drive ignition together.

22. (Nanoha character song) STARTing STARS - have never really been very keen on Yukari Tamura’s singing before Spica of the Starry Star but this song seems like a good link-in to StrikerS.

Usual disclaimers about inaccuracies in translation and summarization. Corrections and notes on omissions are also most welcome!