According to the Japanese Wikipedia, "himehajime" can be interpreted in many ways, but all of them refer to different rites of passage which a girl might go through on New Year's: the first time she does housework, the first time she rides a horse, or (ahem) other "first times".
I think there's no question as to which of these Elza is thinking of. The final panel is almost certainly a fabrication though.
I always thought it was the 'scream' or 'cry' reading of hime used in himehajime, as in a screaming start. Would definitely erm...fit the context
If written in Kanji, it reads, "Hidden, blade tighten."O.K. Take care.I see! It's a custom that warns people from cutting down their own dreams by focusing and polishing themselves!Hey~ Isono~, let's play hanetsuki! Reference to Sazae-sanThere's a Japanese new years custom that's something else than playing. A custom called Himehajime!Why that pose!?We have a big problem, mistress!W-what, what happened!?A paddle, kite, top, karte, fukuwarai... I'm all set with New Years toys! I'm going to play till I drop today~.Don't be surprised when you hear this!Kyahoo!We're doing them all!Even modern day Japanese people don't play this shit! Only critters from endangered species play this stuff!To your wishesWho's Katsuo?Mistress, if you know the word, could you teach me?It's meaning is as follows, one must attach their dreams to their sword of warning to tighten their focus.Hanetsuki, kite-flying, top-spinning, fukuwarai, karte!Hell no I'm not!This is the mage's very desireBut I don't know its meaning.I'll blurt it out.Why do you know?*annoyed annoyed*She changed back over.Wow! Mistress sure knows a lot!Though, I'm still eating breakfast.I mean, Prof, you're getting poisoned too much by Japanese culture.Gya~~~*rub rub*Mufu~What are you saying? I was thrilled, waiting on new years to play with you!Finally, I'm done!Iyoou! Kabuki mie poseHmm...What... the...!Himehajime's hime is not princess. It symbolizes dreams people pursue, kept deep in their hearts.Okay then. I'm going to our next door neighbor's house.Oooh, you've grown a lot, haven't you? Taking enjoyment away... from your own mother and teacher.
If you're answering to me like that...I understand that Hime is princess, but beginning a princess... Is it a Kabuki rehearsal?Mifi interprets himehajime like this: hime>ヒメ>姫>princess; hajime>ハジメ>始め>beginInstead of thinking of Mifi by teaching her words/meanings, I was planning to play with Seren and the others... Could she? Did she look this word up on her own?That thing I gave you last year (from the previous comic)... How many times you came from it...