Chapter 14

Kaede's Charm

A/N: Based on Yuru Yuri San Hai episode 9

Mizuho watches the children play outside one morning, especially Hatoko, Mari, Kaede and Vivio. They are playing tag together and are running from the open field down to the large pavement. Vivio is trying to catch up to the three girls when she accidentally trips and falls flat on her face. Hatoko stops as she hears the loud thud and quickly runs to her aid.

"Vivio-chan!" She cries. "Are you okay!?"

The small blonde lifts her head, whimpering as her eyes fill with tears. Kaede and Mari come running towards the two.

"Hey, are you alright?" Mari asks.

"I think Vivio-chan is hurt," Hatoko replies, looking at her two friends with a worried look.

Kaede take a few steps forward. "Leave it to me!"

"Eh? What can you do?" Hatoko asks.

Vivio sniffles as she looks up at the blue haired girl. "K-Kaede...chan?"

"I know a magic charm that will make the pain go away," Kaede says, kneeling at the blonde's level.

"You do?"

"Sure! Just watch!" The small blue haired girl waves both hands in a circular motion three times. "Pain, pain..." She then throws her hands up in the air. "FLY AWAY!"

However, Vivio is still in tears, making Kaede tilt her head in confusion.

"Huh? I thought it would work," she says. "It worked on Mari-chan."

"Maybe try again?" Hatoko suggests.

Kaede waves her arms again. "Pain, pain...FLY AWAY!"

Still nothing. Hatoko, Mari and Kaede scratch their heads.

"This is hard..." the blue haired girl groans. "My charm won't work on her!"

It is then that an idea pops in Hatoko's head. "Wait a minute!" She says, snapping her fingers. "We're the Three Little Toddlers right? So, let's try and use Kaede-chan's charm together!"

"You really think that would work on Vivio-chan?" Mari asks.

"It doesn't hurt to try," Kaede says. "I'm in."

Mari smiles and nods. "Okay! Let's go with Hatoko-chan's idea!"

The three of them put both of their hands out in front of Vivio and wave their arms in a circular motion.

"Pain, pain..." they say in unison and then they raise their hands in the air. "FLY AWAY!"

As the three of them look down at Vivio, they could've sworn they saw her smile a little. Hatoko brightens and turns toward Kaede and Mari.

"Again!" She shouts with a fist pumped.

The three of them wave their arms again. "Pain, pain...FLY AWAY~! Pain, pain...FLY AWAY~! Pain, pain...FLY AWAY~!"

It is then they hear soft giggling from Vivio. Then, she starts laughing. Hatoko, Kaede and Mari smile as they look at the laughing blonde. But...why did it take the three of them to make the charm work?

"Thank you!" Vivio says as she tries to stifle her laughter. "I-I feel much better now that three of you did it!"

"Y-you mean this was your plan?" Kaede asks with her head tilted.

"Maybe~" Vivio teases as she sticks her tongue out.

Hatoko pouts with her cheeks puffed out and crosses her arms. "Mou~! Vivio-chan! You had us worried sick!"

"But...Vivio-chan taught us the importance of teamwork, right?" Mari says.

Kaede nods in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. Y'know, she's usually very shy and timid, but actually...she's pretty smart, too."

Hatoko turns and puts out her hand towards the small blonde. "Are you okay now, Vivio-chan?"

"Yes. Thank you," Vivio takes Hatoko's hand and the purple haired girl helps her up.

Kaede clasps her hands together. "Well then! Now that everything is back to normal, what shall we do now?"

The four of them rub their chins in thought. It is then that Vivio comes over and wraps her arms around the three girls.

"What are you doing?" Hatoko asks. She can't help but smile.

"Hugging..." Vivio says, sighing happily.

Kaede and Mari exchange looks and decide to return the embrace, along with Hatoko.

"This feels...really nice," Hatoko says.

"Yes, it does," Kaede agrees.

"It's really warm, too." Mari says.

"Mm-hmm," Vivio says as she closes her eyes.

While the four little girls are hugging, Mizuho just smiles. She is really happy that the four of them are getting along so well. It's just another wonderful day, just watching the children play, but enjoy watching Hatoko, Kaede, Mari and Vivio get along.