Yuri Halation

Chapter 1

"Y-you want me to be the Student Council President?!"

Honoka Kousaka had not felt this startled since Umi Sonoda reacted with a sharp shocking slap in response to Honoka appearing to quit on the rest of Muse. While that occasion was certainly more painful than the current one, it also was easier for Honoka to pick sense out of after the fact.

"…But you're a much better Student Council President than I could ever be!" Honoka exclaimed in reply to Eri Ayase, who had suggested the idea to Honoka in the relative privacy of Honoka's bedroom.

Eri blushed and smiled bashfully over Honoka's considerably complimentary comparison, but Eri's eyebrows also arched in such a fashion as to express much doubt over that comparison.

"Really?" Eri asked in a sincerely skeptical tone, "Which of us was right about Muse, and which of us was wrong? Which of us had the most to do with saving the school?"

Honoka blinked twice, as Eri's words continued to be brilliantly bafflingly to Honoka. And yet…

"Muse made its final big push after you and Nozomi joined" Honoka stated, "You had just as much to do with saving the school as anyone else in Muse did."

Again Eri appeared charmed by Honoka's words, albeit unpersuaded.

"I'm flattered that you think that way, Honoka, but we both know that saving the school through the popularity of school idols was your idea." Eri stated, "And there's nothing more valuable in a Student Council President than having and executing good ideas that benefit the school."

"Maybe that's true, but…" Honoka began in hesitant reply, after a brief pause.

"…But I'm just not smart enough to be a Student Council President!" Honoka loudly protested, "Student Council Presidents should have good grades and be top students, shouldn't they? They should be smart and popular like you are."

"…You're going to embarrass me if you keep talking about me like that." Eri said in blushing reply, starting to feel overwhelmed a bit by Honoka's compliments, even if they were just Honoka's way of avoiding taking up a mantle that seemed quite daunting to her.

"Sorry" replied Honoka, "But still, it's true. I'm just not smart enough to be Student Council President. I mean, I rely a lot on Umi and Kotori for help with regular school work!"

"It's not like I don't rely on other people" stated Eri, "Nozomi is a huge help to me. I'd be lost without her. So I'm sure with Umi supporting you in the same way…"

"You really do think I should be the Student Council President, don't you?" asked Honoka.

"Of course." Eri answered, after taking a sip of the tea Honoka had prepared for her, "This isn't something I'd joke about."

There was then a short but tense pause.

"Just think about it, Ok?" Eri asked, "You don't have to decide right away. You have a few days, at least, to make a decision."

"Ok" replied Honoka, "If it's this important to you, I'll give it some more thought."

"Thanks" responded Eri with a serene smile, "So… do you have any other plans for the rest of today?"

"Not really. Umi is practicing her archery and Kotori is trying out some new costume designs, so I'm kinda free for today." Honoka answered, "Why do you ask?"

"Why don't we go shopping together then?" Eri asked with a bright smile and a renewed enthusiasm.

"Ok, sure." Honoka replied with a shy smile, "Now would be a good time to pick out some new bathing suits for the summer!"

-a

Given the seasonally warm weather on this summer day, Eri was wearing a black tank top and blue jean shorts along with a pair of sleek sandy sandals. Honoka was wearing a simple pink t-shirt with white trim and a layered white skirt, along with a pair of flat-sole white sneakers.

The two teenagers had a lot of fun window shopping, and gazing at all sorts of attractions in the nearby commercial area. Many chuckles were had while they made dramatic idol-esque poses while trying on different pieces of swim wear together at a small clothing store.

"You really seem to like frilly and girly bikinis, Honoka." Eri noted as Honoka just finished trying on the third straight bikini that fitted that description.

"Well, I'm not a supermodel, so I don't think it would be smart for me to let it just all hang out there in a tiny basic two-piece." Honoka stated with an open yet shy smile.

Then there was a brief pose while Honoka's eyes went wide at the sight of Eri in a very sleek black two-piece bikini that was tied off at the sides.

"But they certainly look good on you!" Honoka exclaimed, in awe of Eri's natural beauty.

"Are you saying I'm a supermodel then?" Eri asked with a playful smirk and a raised eyebrow, successfully managing to force embarrassment to the side in order to try to be "cool" and "witty".

"W-well, you certainly look like one right now!" Honoka answered honestly and nervously, unable to think of a smoother way to handle Eri's question.

"You really need to stop doing that you know." Eri said.

"Doing what?" Honoka asked, genuinely puzzled.

"Putting me on a pedestal." Eri answered, "Most supermodels have a lot more confidence than I do…"

Honoka felt a bit crestfallen and guilty over Eri's words.

"I never meant to say anything that would make you feel bad." Honoka stated, "I guess I can be kind of clumsy at times!"

"No, it's not your fault." Eri replied, "You obviously meant well, and I shouldn't be taking my insecurities out on you. Here, let's each pick up our four favorite bikinis, pay for them, and then go get some ice cream."

"Sounds cool to me!" Honoka cheerfully responded.

-b

Shortly thereafter, Honoka and Eri each enjoyed a big crêpe sundae at a nearby ice cream parlor. While Honoka and Eri sat opposite to each other at one of the table's there, Honoka caught sight of a gigantic overhanging TV, advertising various commercials, TV shows, and upcoming movies. What was currently on display while she finished off her crêpe was particularly noticeable to Honoka.

Five youthful and passionate-looking teenage girls stood alongside of each other, all carrying a confident and stoic appearance that would move a grizzled veteran soldier. With excellent choreography and precision, they all simultaneously activated their Soul Gem Sparkle Streams in order to transform into…

"Pretty Cure Holy Quintet…" Honoka Kousaka said breathlessly, at the sight of five wondrous magical girls and their two magical companions taking center stage, about to face down the forces of depression and nightmares.

Eri's eyes went back and forth between looking at the giant TV screen, and looking at Honoka's reaction to it.

"You are no match for me, silly children!" shouted a purplish blob with a menacingly munching maw.

"Think again, Death Master!" exclaimed the short blue-haired magical girl, striking a dramatic pose, "I know that magical mentor Mighty Mami will be more than enough to handle you!"

"But let's do this altogether, everyone!" exclaimed the drill-haired team leader that had just been referenced, while she twisted about as the blonde bombshell ballerina of the group.

Her looks weren't the only thing that was explosive…

"~Quintet Finale~!" the entire Quintet shouted in unison, as their group attack struck decisively against Death Master.

'See the Holy Quintet this coming Fall in a brand spanking new movie adventure, wrote by the magical pen of "Genie" Urobuchi himself!' was the flashy multi-colored text that exploded on screen following the animated explosion that came before it.

"Wow…" exclaimed Honoka, completely in awe of what she had just watched, "Mami is so cool!"

"So you're into that sort of thing as well, Honoka?" Eri asked with a slight grin, while wiping off her face.

"Um, well… ha ha ha…" Honoka replied nervously, while scratching the back of her head, fearing that Eri might find it weird for a girl her age to still be into magical girl shows.

"It's fine." Eri quickly interjected, "I sometimes like watching those kind of shows myself."

"Oh yeah?" Honoka asked, in excited surprise.

"Yeah" Eri answered, "Besides, this one has a fresh and more mature take on Pretty Cure, with there being a lot more variety amongst the costumes of the five girls. They also all use real weapons, like muskets and swords and spears."

"Right!" Honoka enthusiastically agreed, "I really love the huge multi-musket attack of the leader Mami. She's amazing…"

Eri then smiled a bit seductively, and narrowed her eyes, as a thought she found very pleasant crossed her mind.

"Tell me, Honoka…" Eri stated, "Do you have a thing for blonde girls?"

And it was with that bold question that a bold new chapter would begin in the relationship between two Student Council Presidents…