Author's Note: Tsukikage Yuri's birthday special (for someone who doesn't know, it's 19/5, in Hong Kong time zone, it's still not pass this day yet)! This is gonna be a long chapter, I'd estimate it's about 1500 words… *IMPORTANT: Yuri's fans out there, I'm not trying to deface her, just read till the end and you'll see, I'm a huge fan of her after all! Just look at my Author's name. And Chapter 2 hasn't happen yet.

Chapter 6

Title: Looking Back, Moving On

Season: Heartcatch

Main Characters: Yuri T.

Bold: emphasize

Bold+italics: flashback

Italics: thoughts

CAP LOCK: SHOUT

Yuri's POV

Finally, we've defeated Dune, now we can relax a bit I guess.

I lay on my bed, having those thoughts in mind. But even so, I just can't help myself remembering everything that has happened.

Since Tsubomi became Cure Blossom, so much has happened to me, so many changes. I've made friends now, I've overcome the trauma of losing Cologne now, it's all thanks the three kind friends I have now… was I a good friend I wonder?

Do you know what geraniums mean in flower language?

I could've easily tell them the answer and allow them not to waste any moment. I knew there was a chance that they don't know the answer and I hoped that it would happen, just to prove that I was not the only one being defeated by Dark Precure, to prove I'm not the only 'weakling'.

(During all stars DX3)

I wasn't being a great senpai. If the Prism Flower was destroyed, Shypre, Coffret, Potpourri and the other fairies cannot come to our world anymore. Even though I knew best how much being forced to part with your partner hurts, some part of me still wished it'd be destroyed.

'This is not fair! I lost Cologne long ago, with even less chance to see him than they might in the future.' I thought of that, even if I didn't take action with that bitter thought in mind, I was being inconsiderate to everyone else.

(Back to the series: ep32)

After we all witness the violent power of the Dark Bracelet, the girls wanted to become stronger. I suggested them to go to the Precure Palace to obtain the Heartcatch Mirage, I wasn't considering what if Dark Precure and Sabaku show up again, and that could put them in grave danger too, and I didn't remind myself of that until the Heart Tree showed up.

And at that time, Cologne said I've learned the importance of friendship, but have I? Just to see him again, I abandoned Blossom and the others, didn't I? Even though they told me to go, even though they said they could manage and I knew they couldn't, I still left them, didn't I? Half of my Precure seed remained, which means my duty as Precure remained, but I abandoned that as well to fulfill my own wish. What kind of friend was I?

Not to mention how cold and rude I've been to Tsubomi, Erika and Itsuki before and after being able to transform again, and even so they were still kind to me and supported me.

Which part of me deserved to be their comrade and fight with them?

Which act of mine can be compared to their kindness?

All three of them has been such great friends, did I do anything to repay them? No!

I can't stop myself from shedding tears after thinking that much. I couldn't make friends after I lost Cologne, perhaps wasn't because of the trauma and the wilt of my heart flower, perhaps it was because of my attitude.

How much do I owe those three, especially Tsubomi?

Haruna: (knock) Yuri-chan? Your friends came over, come out. Oh, and I'll be going out, you have to manage your dinner by yourself. Have fun with your friends! (Giggles)

Me: Got it, I'll come out shortly.

So, I spent a few minutes to dry my tears, tidy up my look and pretend nothing had happened.

I walk into the living room, but the lights aren't even on.

…: SURPRISE!

Then the lights are all on suddenly; I can see not only Tsubomi, Erika and Itsuki, unexpectedly, Momoka and Hayato-kun(ep42) are here too.

Momoka: Happy birthday, Yuri!

I shot a glance at the calendar on the wall. Oh, it's 19th May, my birthday, how could I forget?

Tsubomi: We've prepared this party just for the occasion, and we've 'reserved' you and your apartment for dinner tonight, of course, the main chefs would be us.

Erika: Yeah, we'll try our best at least, he-heh. (Super quietly but still hearable) I have zero confidence in my cooking...

Come to think of it, this might have been my very first birthday party since… well, forever.

Itsuki: We thought we'd do something for you and suddenly remembered this day, and decided to throw you a party.

I wish that at this moment my face can burst into a smile, but I can't, remembering what I was thinking of just now.

Me: Thank you, everyone, I appreciate this but… um, I need some air. (Run away)

Hayato: Wait! Yuri-nee-chan! Where are you going?!

I run and run, not knowing exactly where I'm running to.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm, I turned and see Coupe-sama in his human form.

Me: Let go of me! Please!

…: Where do you think you are going with those teary eyes?

I turn around again to see Kaoruko-san in front of me, and I found myself just a few steps away from her botanical garden.

Kaoruko: Tsubomi said they are going to throw you a birthday, I was about to hurry there too, but why would a birthday girl be crying in the streets? What has happened?

In the botanical garden

In times like this, a cup camomile can really calm you down. After explaining myself…

Kaoruko: Yuri-chan, you are criticizing yourself too much, you are setting up too many standards for yourself.

Yuri: But that is the truth, I really do not deserve such great allies. I can only describe them as kind, generous, loyal; and I can only describe myself as cold, arrogant, intolerant… Any normal people should hate me sooner or later.

Kaoruko: What you said was the total opposite of everything Tsubomi has told me, and every single bit of memory I myself have about you. Remind yourself of every time they smiled at you, thanked you, have you not done anything worthy of that? Tsubomi always tells me how you protected them, guide them, comforted them; and how she loves you as a friend and an ally. And why did you think they threw you this party? All of them said they wanted to do something for you, and the three of them especially, wanted to cheer you up from the shock and tell you that they'll be there for you no matter what. Besides…

Tsubomi: (interrupted) (rush in) GRANDMA! (Exhales) Have you seen… AH! Yuri-san!

And so, we're walking back to my place, Tsubomi insisted we must continue the party.

Tsubomi: So… if you don't mind me asking, why did you run away from us?

But before I have a chance to answer…

Erika: (suddenly came running) YURI-SAN! Everyone's lookin' for ya, you know?

Momoka: We were so worried!

Itsuki: And we thought that we might have said something sensitive.

Hayato: That's why…

All(except Yuri): We're sorry!

Me: No… it's not you guys who need to apologize. I should be the ones who is saying sorry, for always being cold and arrogant in short, too many to count in fact, I am so so sorry.

I can feel tears building up inside my eyes. Oh no, now?

Erika: What are ya talking about?

Itsuki: We never thought of you that way, who told you that?

Tsubomi: (smile) Yuri-san, all of us who came here today simply wants to make you happy, because your beautiful smile have always and will always bring us much more joy than you can think of. So, for the sake of all of us and all who cares for you, (quietly, though it's not a sensitive topic anymore) please don't let your heart flower wilt so easily, okay?

My tears still did rolled down from my eyes, yet, I know just what kind of tears are these.

Me: Thank you, everyone. (Smile)

Erika: (burst into laughter) You looks weird, crying and smiling at the same time!

Momoka: Erika! You're rude! (Cover Erika's mouth) Come, we have to get back to your birthday celebration.

Hayato: Right! It's still your birthday, we need to get back.

All(except Yuri): LET'S GO!

Cologne, father, if you can somehow see this now, I'd like to rid you of your worries about me, after all, I've got a sun, sufficient water and a kind florist for my heart flower. As long as my friends are here, I will not lose to anyone. If we'll ever meet again, you'll see my heart flower blooming at its full glory.

I wish, my birthday wish, is to see Cologne and father again, Dark Precure too.

End of Chapter 6