A Summer Apart
Cast:
Cure Dream, Yumehara Nozomi - age 17
Cure Rouge, Natsuki Rin - age 17
Cure Lemonage, Kasugano Urara - age 17
Cure Mint, Akimoto Komachi - age 19
Cure Aqua, Minazuki Karen - age 19
Milky Rose, Mimino Kurumi - age 18
Coco, Kokoda Kouji - age 24
Nuts, Kokoda Natsu - age 22
August, 2010
Nuts House is closed for the week while the proprietor is on vacation. In past years, this has been an occasion for himself, Coco, and the several Pretty Cures whom they are friends with to all enjoy a trip to the beach together. This year, things are different. As Komachi relaxes in the outdoor bath, she thinks back over the circumstances that led her to be here...
"I'm sorry. I just can't spare the time right now."
As Karen apologizes over the phone, Komachi imagines that she can hear the other girl shaking her head. Is she wearing her school uniform as she studies, dutifully preparing for her college entrance exams? Perhaps one of her nicer, everyday dresses? Or possibly, that most forbidden outfit for a classy young lady: a comfy tracksuit?
Komachi dismisses the fantasy and responds properly.
"I understand. Maybe next year."
"Yeah, between training camp and the national tournament, the Debate Club has my summer pretty much locked down."
Kurumi explains her situation between homework problems in the early days of summer break. At that time, she had come to Nuts House to study. A few days later, Kurumi had all but disappeared.
"Hello, Saga! Are you having fun out there? That was 'Extraordinary! Door of Courage' I'm sure a lot of you already know, but it was one of my first big songs. This next one is another: 'Twin Tail Magic - Fling Open The Door'!"
By the time it is played on the television in the back area of Nuts House, Urara's concert is already a recording. By that time, her tour has moved on, possibly at venues to the north or the east, or perhaps southward to places like Okinawa and Guam. Her schedule is probably written down somewhere, but nobody has bothered to memorize it, perhaps not even Urara herself.
They have tickets to see her, of course, but that is for the last night of the tour, when she will return to Tokyo at the end of the month.
"Nozomi, there you are!"
Coco had been sitting at the same table where Nozomi is sitting with several open textbooks. He now stands on the opposite side of the room as if by teleportation. Perhaps it is because Nozomi is dressed so casually while studying, in a short skirt and tank top? -Rin has nothing to say about that, nor does she even seem to notice that Coco is present.
Instead, she opens a binder and splashes papers over the top of the table, superseding Nozomi's homework with a heavily marked-up array of ledgers.
"Did you think you could just skip out and leave the paperwork to me? I may be student council secretary, but you're still the president!"
"It's not like that, Rin! We can work on the budget tomorrow! Right now, I have real homework that I need real help with!"
Rin raises an eyebrow. "You need a middle school teacher to help you with your high school homework."
"A teaching degree is a teaching degree! I learn better when Coco teaches me!"
"He's reviewing stuff he hasn't needed to know for years just for your sake!"
"Is not!" Nozomi wavers, glancing at Kouji. "Right?"
"I don't want to believe that I've forgotten so much," he says, failing to meet her gaze.
Defeated, Nozomi drops her head to the table. Then lifts it back up, along with the ledger it was resting on. "Rin, what is this? Is the Chemistry Club planning to make explosives?"
Rin's eyes widen. "They wouldn't- ...no, if it's those girls they definitely would."
Serious now, Nozomi gathers up the ledgers and heads for the door. "Come on, Rin. If those crazy science princesses think they can get past us, they had better prepare themselves!"
Komachi smiles as she relaxes in the water. It has only been a couple of years since Nozomi discovered her interest in teaching. She still relies on Rin and the others to help her stay organized, but in such a short time, she has become so responsible and driven...
Not that Komachi is going to lose to her in drive. After all, she hasn't come to this hot springs inn by herself. Having sold her first story, she invited Nuts to vacation with her for an entire week.
Nuts is perfectly aware of the meaning behind such an invitation. He has been aware of her feelings for some time now. For the first time, he allows himself to reciprocate, setting only one condition...
Komachi must continue to pursue her dreams.