Legacy Elements
Cast:
Cure Flower, Hanasaki Kaoruko - age 68
December, 2010
Fusion Group has registered Cure Flower as Pretty Cure.
The placard on the door reads [Ryuudou Ayumi, Director]. The woman behind the desk is perhaps in her mid-twenties, a brunette with bright golden eyes.
A single chair has been placed on the visitor side of the desk. Lavishly upholstered, with a high back, and crowned with a garland of fresh-cut flowers, it is unsuited to Hanasaki Kaoruko in both stature and demeanor. With the composure of old age, she sits anyway.
"Ms. Hanasaki, Cure Flower, I am honored to make your acquaintance. To be honest, I wasn't sure that you would come."
"To be honest, I do not understand what this meeting is about. I had the impression that this thing you call 'Pretty Cure' was a program for the benefit of young women."
"Normally it is, but there are circumstances to consider. Nearly all of this year's Pretty Cure look to you as a role model, for one thing. It is also something of an homage to one of my predecessors. If we had begun creating Pretty Cure in the first year when the idea was conceived of, you were to have been one of the candidates."
"I have not been a young woman for some years."
"That was half a century ago. And again, I feel that it is appropriate, given your service as a role model for the current year of Pretty Cures."
"Interesting that you should say that. In my opinion, you seem to have been a bad influence."
"You're referring to Dark PreCure's fashion choices and antagonism toward her sister?" Ayumi shakes her head. "I believe that much of that would have happened anyway. We have a considerable record of success with our Pretty Cures."
Kaoruko waits.
"Of course, I can back this up with evidence. Cure Black and Cure White have each married, and are presently enrolled in college, where they are showing acceptable and exemplary results, respectively. Shiny Luminous is doing well in high school, with high marks in several subjects. We have even received word that she may be a scholarship candidate.
"Cure Bloom, Cure Egret, Cure Mint, and Cure Aqua are also about to graduate, with most of them going on to college. Cure Mint is engaged to be married and already a published author. Cure Bloom is also engaged and has plans to eventually take over her family's bakery. None of the younger PreCures, Dark PreCure included, are presently having trouble in school, and they're starting to form connections that will stand them in good stead as adults."
"You seem to have thought this through."
"Their actions do reflect on us, whether they choose to associate themselves with us or not. We've seen you help this year's group to reflect well on us, and..." the director paused, smiling. "Even if you disapprove, Cure Flower does represent a source of income that you can pass on to your daughter or granddaughter. There really are no strings attached."