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Ready, ready, ready, stand up, lady!
The lights flashed to life, and in the center of the stage, Maria stood alone, dressed in a luxurious dress with a microphone to her face, vibrant pink hair flowing gracefully as she prepared to give a show for the ages. She looked intently at Tsubasa, as though the sight of her dear friend was what kept her grounded, all in service to show her that there was more to life than what she already believed.
Watch me, Tsubasa. I'll reach you with my feelings!
Guitars and drums rang through the space behind her, as though the sheer will of her emotions were what truly brought out the music. With a wide-eyed, earnest smile, Maria began to sing her heart out, reaching out in front of herself with her arm as though inviting everyone before her to join in and feel the music, to
feel as they pleased without shame or reservation.
Hi, good morning!
Putting on lipstick and winking in the mirror makes me feel a bit stronger!
Stand up, lady!
Walkin' in high heels through strong wind is no problem for me!
Maria did not consider herself a strong person. In fact, she believed she was the very definition of weak, who could not exist without other people. An ugly co-dependence that had no purpose on her own. A year had passed since she'd met Tsubasa and the other Gear users, a whole year since it felt like she had truly found a new family, and though she had not yet fulfilled her path to recovery, Maria made sure to keep moving no matter what, one step at a time.
No person was an island. It was natural, after all, to crave intimacy with others. No, the folly was in thinking that people exclusively existed to help her,
or that she was obligated to exclusively try and save everyone around her. Life and love were two way streets. There was no shame in depending on others, but there was also no shame in letting others depend on her as well. As long as she believed in herself, believed in the others around her, and believed in the people who believed in her, she could only hope that things would turn out okay in the end.
That was why she sang. So she could reach others. A people without borders, beyond country, beyond worlds.
With confidence, the world begins to change one at a time!
I just gotta choose a direction!
There is only a good way to do things!
Hey, lady, ready go!
That was the path she had decided for herself.
As it was, humans could hardly understand each other. That was the curse of Balal. The tragedy that befell human in its hubris before the Tower of Babel came tumbling down before their eyes. But even so, even if humans were destined to never truly understand each other, Maria would never stop trying to connect them together, to forge bonds between the people of the world. With her music, she would truly create a new world with a light that not even God knew.
No matter what things I choose to do, I can do them all!
Even operating a lever is a job I love!
The people I follow look out for me!
Could I possibly love without feeling weak?
Where, where, where did love come from?
As Maria sang, she gave a wink and her outstretched arm curled until she was pointing her index finger straight at Tsubasa, as though the lyrics were for her and her alone, out of the entire audience in the cosmos.
It was a subtle gesture, but a pointed one that intended to let Tsubasa know that this was the power of her feeling. Even if she was not a Gear user, even if she was just a normal girl in this abnormal world, this was the power of her emotions.
What's up? Baby!
You can't imitate someone by looking out for them!
I'm only one!
What matters is being true to yourself!
Maria was raised without love. She struggled to truly know for a long time how to define it, and then how to feel it. She wondered if she could ever love again after Serena had died, after Mom had come and gone, and if the pain would be that which her fragile heart would be able to bear. But before she knew it, her friends slipped under the cracks of her heart and wormed their way in.
Not just Shirabe and Kirika, who had suffered through the thick of their training together, but also Tsubasa, Chris, and Hibiki, who showed her that while the world didn't need an entire miracle to turn, the heart of her music certainly wouldn't hurt.
What's the definition of a good lady?
It's how one should look!
I wanna look at myself from the ground up
And start being a lady!
Yes, just as long as one person was saved by the power of music, her music, Maria would never stop reaching out. She just had to make sure to never forget herself.
There was only one Maria Cadenzavna Eve in this world, so she'd have to make her shots count.
I should be accustomed to being the ideal type of lady
But I guess having my arms folded all the time is too much?
There are days I laugh so much that my face turns red
Is it strange being in love?
Where, where, where did love come from?
She was more than a victim of her past. She was more than just an idol. She was more than just a Gear user.
Anyone can be strong no matter their size!
I don't care if I'm the only person!
If anyone is missing!
I'll do my best to make progress!
So I can laugh with everyone as we sing this song!
She was Maria Cadenzavna Eve, and with this power of the Symphogear that defied even God, she would make sure everyone knew it!
There are two characters left for that important person to say!
I wonder if the meaning is to know how to live a little better?
The people I follow look out for me!
Could I possibly love without feeling weak?
Where, where, where did love come from?
I want to be able to convey my love from here!
And with that, the song wound to an end, the instruments echoing and resonating as though shaking from the sheer influence of Maria's voice.
With bated breath as the song had wound her up more than any training program at S.O.N.G. possibly could, Maria gave a bow before looking up again, smiling earnestly at the audience before her.
"Thank you so much for listening to my song! I can only hope that it reached you just as my friends have reached me! Thank you all again!" She said, and with that, gave a wave before departing the stage.
