Ep 19. The Family's Amazing Bond

Sora finds herself competing in a special challenge with her fellow Kaleido Stage performers - a relay race. But this relay race isn't just any ordinary one - it's a three-legged race! Partnered up with Rosetta, Sora is determined to help her team come out on top, but things quickly start to go wrong. Her makeshift three-legged contraption falls apart mid-race, and Rosetta twists her ankle.

As the race comes to a close, Sora's team is noticeably behind everyone else. But with just a few moments left, Sora refuses to give up. She decides to dedicate the race to Rosetta, using her own strength to carry both of them across the finish line.

After the race, Sora and her friends celebrate with a barbecue, where they're joined by the people they consider their families at Kaleido Stage. Amidst the festivities, Sora reflects on the meaning of family. She's always considered her parents and her late grandmother to be her family, but spending time with her Kaleido Stage friends has made her realize that family can be so much more than just blood relations.

But while Sora's reflecting on the bonds that exist between her and her friends, a dark cloud is looming in the distance. A rival troupe, Fantasista, is set to perform their own rendition of Swan Lake at Kaleido Stage, and their director is determined to shut down Kaleido Stage for good.

Sora's friends try to cheer her up by reminding her that she and Kaleido Stage have overcome obstacles before - her first performance, her first time living away from home, and so much more. But Sora can't shake the feeling that there's more at stake than ever before. She's not just competing now - she's fighting for her family.

As the date of Fantasista's performance approaches, tensions rise at Kaleido Stage. Sora spends countless sleepless nights practicing, driven by her love for her friends and her desire to protect the one place that's ever truly felt like home. And finally, the big day arrives.

Sora and the rest of Kaleido Stage watch as Fantasista takes the stage, their performance beautiful but cold. Sora feels a sense of dread wash over her, convinced that they won't be able to match - let alone surpass - such a technically impressive production.

But as Sora takes the stage with her own troupe, something magical happens. Her passion and love for the art of performance shines through in every move she makes, captivating the audience and drawing tears from many of the viewers. Despite the technical prowess of Fantasista's performers, there's no denying the warmth and heart behind Kaleido Stage's Swan Lake.

In the end, it's clear that Sora's dedication and love for her friends and her craft have paid off. Kaleido Stage emerges triumphant, solidifying the bond between its performers and their families. And for Sora, it's a lesson she'll never forget - that love and family can be found in the most unexpected of places.