A KISS FOR A GIFT

By: Escarlata

Precure belongs to Toei, plot is mine

~o~o~o~o~o~

"Happy Birthday, Misumi!"

That was the third time she heard those same words from the same voice. His nice voice. But this time Nagisa didn't smile with happiness, not like the two last years when he did the same thing. This time, his words came out with a friendly smile on his face and a girl by his side and hand to hand. Her girlfriend. Fujimura's girlfriend.

Honoka knew nothing about the girl. Finding her childhood friend with an unexpected girlfriend was also a surprise for her, not just for Nagisa. A glance at her partner and Honoka already knew she was about to break from inside and escape. Her best idea was taking her away before the poor Nagisa made an awkward scene.

"Do you two have plans for her birthday, Honoka?" asked Fujimura with the same nice smile, not letting go the other girl's hand.

Honoka did the same and held Nagisa's hand, the latter didn't even put attention to the action, the girl was busy drowning in sadness. Still, for mere instinct her hand squeezed Honoka's hand. "We're going to the Mall, there's a new Café and we want to try it. It's on me today, she's the birthday girl after all."

Honoka was trying really hard to get out of that mess with their dignity in one piece, she must took Nagisa off and save her.

"I see. Have fun," the young man said his goodbyes with his free hand and his girlfriend slightly bowed and congratulated Nagisa too for her birthday.

Honoka helped Nagisa to come back to her senses with a small and playful bump. "Ready, Nagisa?" Asked the girl and her friend snapped and smiled as hard as she could.

"Yes. And thanks senpai," she nodded to Fujimura and his companion. The heartbroken girl was losing the battle to herself and she only could cling onto Honoka's hand. "We must go, so…"

"See you later, have fun!"

The lovely pair left and the two friends sighed. Nagisa almost fainted but Honoka took her by her arm and made her walk by force. She didn't want her to fall down, she cannot let her fall into sadness, not on her birthday. It could become a sad memory for the future and Honoka didn't want to see sadness in her most important person in the world.

"Honoka, I… I can't…" Nagisa's weak voice couldn't be heard that easily. She really felt weaker every second.

"Cry if you must, Nagisa, I won't let you alone."

The girls ended their escape at a lonely alley near the main street. People passed by in front of them and didn't pay attention because of the hurry. Honoka hugged her sad friend with both arms, the poor thing clinged onto Honoka' sweater with both hands and finally cried her broken heart out. Nagisa really couldn't believe that her first love ended in that cold way. She really wanted to confess to him that day and her birthday present was his 'yes', even a 'let's go out and try' would be enough. She took all that months gathering her courage and then her plans ended too fast.

Honoka knew about everything: her plans, her dreams, her fantasies and her big love for him. Because of that, Honoka felt sad too and hugged her harder, caressing her back and hair. Honoka loved Nagisa too much to confess her love to her and made her uncomfortable when she was already in love with someone else.

Now things worsened and Honoka only could think about Nagisa's well-being. She wanted to save her birthday and she would do it.

Twenty minutes later, Nagisa sighed and Honoka weakly smiled.

"Here," Honoka handed her a handkerchief and let Nagisa wipe her tears and nose. She knew Nagisa was ashamed and still sad and she didn't face her until Nagisa was ready to stand up by herself.

"Thanks," Nagisa cleaned her face and sighed.

The hug was warm.

The girl sighed again and weakly smiled as she returned to Honoka's comfort embrace. Honoka was warm, her chest was soft, she could sense her nice perfume. "I…"

"Take your time," Honoka said to her with her soft voice.

"I have all the time just now," Nagisa answered and properly hugged her back. "I… I only wanted one thing for today."

"Can I ask about that?"

"Yes."

"What do you wanted?" From him. Honoka closed her eyes and smiled, she could feel Nagisa more relaxed.

"My perfect Birthday present," Nagisa sighed. "I… I wanted to… hear he loved me and then I'll ask for a kiss and a 'Happy Birthday' at the end as he looked me at my eyes…"

Honoka smiled. "Those are three things."

And Nagisa bursted out in a laugh, she wasn't able to keep her whimpering. Honoka never failed to make her feel better. "Oh, come on!"

Honoka laughed too and held her tighter. "Sorry."

Nagisa sighed and put her chin on Honoka's right shoulder. "By the way…"

"Huh?"

"It was true?"

"What?"

"You talked about a new Café at the Mall."

Honoka smiled. "Yes, it's true." Truth to be said, Honoka was there only for moral support until Nagisa confessed her feelings to him, then left them alone after telling them about the Café, the perfect place for a nice date, right? It was funny that she ended up going on there with Nagisa to heal her broken heart.

"Is it on you, right?"

This time Honoka laughed hard, "yes, you're the birthday girl after all."

"Cool!"

"Let 's go."

Nagisa wasn't ready to show her face so she allowed herself to be led by Honoka to the Mall. Honoka respected her friend's wish, held her hand and walked in front to lead the way to the promised Café.

~ o ~

Honoka was smiling, Nagisa was eating her third slice of chocolate cake and her second big All-Flavours parfait. Food and sweets always made her feel better, good food and good companions were the best medicine for a broken hearted girl. One hour after the incident, Nagisa's humor improved for good.

"This is delicious! Can I have more?" Nagisa asked Honoka and her friend nodded. "Thank you, Honoka! You're the best!" The birthday girl raised her hand and called the waitress again.

"This is your day, you can have everything you want," said Honoka as she drank her black tea. Luckily, she had a debit card that her parents gave her on her last birthday and she was using it for her savings. Honoka had enough money and she didn't mind use it on her dear friend.

Mentally Honoka repeated her own words and lowered her head.

"Sorry, I…"

"It's fine," Nagisa smiled. She still looked down but better. "I must thank you for this, Honoka, you really saved me back there."

"I'm your partner, you're my best friend. Of course I'll save you every time you need it," Honoka answered and sipped her tea. "And don't even dare to say anything, you've saved me plenty times before, there is no need to get even for this, got it?"

"As you say," Nagisa laughed. "But… I'm dead serious right now," Nagisa sighed and took Honoka's hand over the table. "I really owe you for this time, you really saved me."

"Nagisa…"

"You saved my day. If I can do anything for you, tell me."

"I'll do." Honoka laced her fingers with Nagisa's and warmly smiled.

"Great," Nagisa sighed again and let her friend's hand go. She still needed to eat some more in order to feel even better. "Are you sure you don't want something else? You just have a cup of tea! Without sugar!"

"It's enough, believe me." Honoka smiled. She really felt full every time she watched Nagisa eating that much. Her friend still surprised her with her huge appetite.

But Nagisa wasn't convinced and took a bite of her parfait with her spoon to offer it to her. "Here, just a little bite, please? It's delicious." Nagisa begged and her puppy eyes were enough to weaken her friend.

"Ok, you win," Honoka ate it. She was aware that Nagisa was using the same spoon to eat and she blushed. In the other hand, being fed in the mouth was somehow… Embarrassing. Still, the flavor of the dessert made her smile. "You're right, it's delicious!"

"Told you," Nagisa smiled and ate the rest of her dessert.

Thirty minutes later, both girls left the Café. Nagisa knew that her family was preparing a surprise party for her, she still had some time before going back home and eating again. They were walking side by side and Honoka glanced at her friend. Nagisa looked better, but she still was finishing her day without the present she really wanted. The girl closed her eyes, she didn't want to be a problem for Nagisa, but… Her heart was saying something else.

They're walking along the river to make some time before sunset. She really wanted to give her friend the gift that she really dreamed of for her day. But she couldn't find any chance to make her move. And then Nagisa sighed and talked her heart out.

"Honoka, is something wrong with me?"

"What? Why do you say that?" Honoka stopped and Nagisa stopped too.

Nagisa faced her, the pain came back to her eyes. "I mean… Why does no one find me cute or beautiful to ask me to go out?"

Honoka opened her mouth to say something, but Nagisa kept talking.

"Hasekura doesn't count, that guy was weird," Nagisa quickly pointed. "I… Just… This is not fun, I want to enjoy this time like everyone else. Even Shiho and Rina got boyfriends and they're dating right now! No one likes me in the way I want. I love my friends, I love my family, I love you because you're my best friend. But I-" The girl sighed. "I'm not a pretty girl like you or Hikari, my hair looks weird, I don't have good grades and playing lacrosse doesn't make me stylish and beautiful like Yuka senpai," Nagisa laughed bitterly. "I just want someone to…"

The painful rant was enough for Honoka, she didn't want to hear her friend talking so bad and low about herself. Nagisa was great! She still didn't understand why she couldn't see it. Honoka took a deep breath and frowned.

"I just…"

"Nagisa you idiot!" Honoka snapped at her and took her by her cheeks with both hands, then she faced her and closed the distance. Their noses almost touched.

"W-What? Why do you-?" Nagisa didn't have time to say anything back or even get mad, Honoka was too close. She felt her cheeks burning.

"You're cute, you're beautiful!" Honoka's face softened and she finally smiled, her voice lowered too. "You're fantastic, your eyes are like honey, your hair is perfect, your smile is warm and feels like the sun. Your body is nice too, you're in perfect fit and you're strong."

"Honoka?" Now, Nagisa's face was burning too.

"Your heart is also beautiful, you protect the ones you love, you're a great friend, you're cheerful and you really make people smile with your smile. Can't you see it?" Honoka sighed.

"You… Do you really think that?"

"I do. I do think that since the first time we transformed into Pretty Cure and when we became friends," Honoka said with a serious tone in her voice.

"Then… Then why-?" Nagisa couldn't finish her question, Honoka got closer and pressed her foreheads together. "Honoka?"

"Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Just close your eyes, please."

Nagisa obeyed.

Honoka sighed. She caressed Nagisa's cheeks with her fingertips and her right hand moved to the back of Nagisa's head, her left hand took her by her cheek. This time their noses touched.

"I love you," Honoka said with a soft and deep voice, just for Nagisa's ears.

Then she kissed her.

Nagisa almost fainted.

There was no Fujipi inside her head, no unexpected girlfriend, no broken hearts, only her best friend saying that she loved her (surely not like friends) and kissing her NOT like friends. Then she awakened, it felt like a being punched on the head, on her heart. Her whole body felt warm, hot, she was trembling! She couldn't believe it! The feelings, the emotion was too much and she found something solid to hold onto with both hands: Honoka's shoulders.

Nagisa grabbed her by her sweater, almost pulling the cloth in the heat of the moment.

And then she kissed her back.

They kissed with soft touches, caressing their partner's lips with their own lips and closing the distance of their bodies. They hugged each other and kissed for about a minute.

The kiss ended and their faces made some distance.

Nagisa opened her eyes and everything fell in the right places when she saw Honoka looking at her eyes.

The perfect birthday present.

Her gift.

"Happy Birthday."

Honoka was trembling too, this time she held onto Nagisa to keep on her feet.

She did it.

She really did it.

And Nagisa kissed her back. Honoka was really happy, she could cry in happiness right now but… No, she only wanted to smile and kiss her even more. But she needed her vocal answer first. An answer for an unmade question.

"I can't believe this..." Nagisa gulped and nervously smiled at her. "This is what I wanted."

"Did you like it?" Honoka asked, her whole face blushing.

"Yes!" Nagisa almost screamed her answer. "Sorry… I… Can I have more? But without the 'happy birthday' part the next time."

Honoka laughed, Nagisa laughed too and they made a full distance, only to hold her partner's hands. "Of course, all you want, Nagisa."

"Great!" Nagisa cleared her throat and sighed. Then looked at her friend and smiled with a big smile and tiny tears in her eyes. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me, Nagisa. I love you," then she kissed Nagisa's hands, making her jump and blush even more.

"But…" Nagisa took a deep breath. "I must thank you and... I'm sorry if I didn't notice this before, I just…"

"Don't worry about that, I understand."

"Geez! You're too good to me, Honoka."

"It's because I love you," she repeated the words and laughed when Nagisa screamed in embarrassment.

"Aaah! This is not fair! You can say it so easily!"

Nagisa took a moment to be calm and Honoka gave her the time she needed, but they didn't let their hands go. Some minutes later, Nagisa was ready to walk again, Honoka too. They were ready to go back home and they did it hand to hand. Nagisa sighed.

"Thanks for the gift and the food, Honoka."

"You're welcome," said Honoka with a small and happy smile.

"Can we go again to that Café, I like it!"

"Of course! Whenever you want."

"Just let me earn some more money with Akane, I don't want you to pay for all the food again."

"Ok, meanwhile we can survive with takoyaki, right?"

Both girls laughed.

The moment when they separated their ways, they said their goodbyes with a smile and a small kiss.

A good way to finish Nagisa's birthday.

FIN