Light from Uncommon Stars

 Tamiko Grohl has become increasingly mentally unstable and obsessed with studying under Shizuka. On hearing that Shizuka has a new student, Tamiko arranges for Katrina to perform at the Classically Camellia Music Showcase; to ensure Shizuka can’t refuse, they hire Starrgate Donuts to serve at the venue.

Katrina doesn’t want to perform, and she confesses to Shizuka all the horrible abuse she has suffered throughout her life. Astrid serves up aubergines, and Katrina realizes that she unknowingly named her violin “Eggplant.” They all laugh. Markus is not happy about serving donuts at the music showcase, but Shirley convinces him it will be good for business. They still haven’t figured out why people are getting tired of their replicated donuts, but Aunty Floresta and Edwin are working on solving the mystery.

During a car drive, Shizuka finally asks Lan about the Endplague. Lan explains that when advanced civilizations stop progressing, they either fall apart in despair or destroy each other through violence. Her own Galactic Empire took the violent route. Shizuka takes her to Olive Garden, and Lan is excited about everything, especially the eggplant parmigiana. She tells Shizuka how she managed to flee from the Galactic Empire with her family by convincing the bureaucracy to give her a permit to build a stargate on Earth.