Hello, it's SAYkokoro. It has been far too long, but I've been pretty busy and haven't had to chance to work on this, but I'm back with a new episode that I hope you all enjoy. I can't believe I've been writing this story for 4 years, one day I'll finish it, one day. Thank you all for your continuous support from Cold-heart-Angel23, MonoTheMonochrome, Amai Momoyama, and Guest.
I hope this episode was worth the wait :3
*Please forgive and ignore any spelling or grammar errors
OP: Your Story Fairytale Pretty Cure! – written by SAYkokoro
ED: DREAM! DREAM! DREAM! ~Waking Up Your Future~
Episode 33: |How Did Imari Get into Minwa Academy?! Part 2! |
"I think that'll be it for today. I'll see you all in our next meeting before the Morning Assembly on Monday."
"See ya, prez!"
The Student Council members start filing out of the council room. Normally, they would have left on the last bell of the day like every other student, but today was a bit different. Starting next week was going to be the last week of classes before the break and the start of the new school year.
This didn't concern Masato. It would be the same old, same old. Go to class, go home, do homework, pass the said classes and repeat over and over again for three years until he graduates to repeat the same thing in college. The same old boring routine and, in all honesty, he couldn't care less.
That's why he didn't even notice the Student Council President had called his name until he felt a hand on his shoulder before he walked out the door. "Hold up, Kashima. Can I talk to you for a minute? It's important."
Masato pushes up his glasses in surprise. "Uh, yeah, sure, Nagatsuka-senpai. Whatever you need."
Masato says this half-hearted, hoping it's nothing too strenuous, but the tone in the president's voice bums him out.
Hayate Nagatsuka has been the Student Council President since he started in his first-year, which Masato always admired. It was rare for a first-year to take charge like that, especially when the Student Council members were so scarce. Who would want all that pressure and responsibility? But, Hayate came to Minwa Academy and quickly caught people's attention as class representative and popularity. He was always extremely charismatic and ambitious. Also something Masato greatly admired.
Hayate wasn't royalty, but he has the qualities of a prince, the girls in school even dubbed him the "Ocean Blue Beauty" for his sense of elegance and grace—the guys at school too because, if Masato was honest, with his shoulder-length dark blue hair and bold sense of style, he could be mistaken for a girl. Regardless, Hayate stood taller than any other student and was one of few people Masato respected and listened to.
It wasn't until Masato walked back into the council room when he realized that it wasn't just him and Hayate. There was the Student Council Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All wore lavender-coloured bows; they were all third-year students. They would all be graduating this year which means they will all have to be replaced next year by second-years that will become third-years. This kind of confused Masato, especially when he saw Tomoka was with him too, but he didn't dwell on it. He hardly ever lets things trouble him. Couldn't care enough to let them.
The Vice President, Nozomi Chigusa, gave Masato a kind wave. Her violet-red bob bouncing in sync with her excitement. "That's right, Mashishi~! Get on back here. We're not done with you yet, luv!"
Masato cringed at the dumb nickname. Nozomi is half-British, spent the majority of her life living in England before moving to Japan during her final year of school and joined the Student Council purely for fun and became the Vice President because literally, no one else wanted to.
Masato kept his mouth shut because he really couldn't be bothered.
Nozomi gave Tomoka a big hug. "You're so cute, Fukoko~!"
Others would think Tomoka was giving Nozomi an icy glare, but Masato knew when Tomoka was surprised and embarrassed.
Nozomi let her go, but was still very close to her. She looks down. "Oh, mad! You're only a first-year and your chest is almost as big as mine!"
Tomoka's face turns bright red.
The Student Council Secretary, Kaoru Momouchi, steps in between. "Okay, that's enough of that, Chigusa-san. You're going to scare her off."
Nozomi smirks. "Oh, Momoru~. You don't have to be jealous." She pats her friend on her flat chest. "You still have time for those puppies to grow."
Kaoru slaps Nozomi's hand away and guards her chest. "You perv!"
Kaoru was actually a very beautiful girl, probably the prettiest girl in school with her fair skin and long light brown hair in finely curled pigtails and pink-and-blue coloured eyes. Her flat chest was the only negative.
Nozomi and the Student Council Treasurer, Makoto Togashi, exchange a laugh. Those two are practically best friends. Masato guessed they probably became friends in the first place for their same twisted sense of humour. Tomoka had told Masato once before that she thought their friendship was kind of curious. With Nozomi being raised in England and Makoto's buzz cut and almost rockstar-persona—both of his parents being famous, world-travelling rockstars—that they were complete opposites, but they both click together really well. Tomoka was actually surprised to learn that they weren't dating. Masato didn't care either way.
Two other members were also with Masato and Tomoka. Masato, of course, recognized them as members, but had never had a conversation with either of them or could even say with certainty what their names were. Not that he really cared to know or find out.
Tomoka hid behind Masato and whispered to him, "Um, why are we here, Kashima?"
"I don't know," he confessed, but turning to speak to Hayate directly. "What do you need from us, Nagatsuka-senpai?"
Hayate gave Masato a warm smile. "Actually," he starts as he leans up against his desk. "We wanted to talk to each of you about the new positions of the Student Council after we graduate."
Nozomi places a hand on her chest proudly. "I'd like Fukoko to become the new Vice Prez after I leave! And Hayaya—"
Hayate grins up at Masato. "I'd like you, Kashima, to be Student Council President."
Masato glasses nearly fall off his face.
WHAT?!
"The upperclassmen are graduating today, are you sure you're saying no?" asks Tomoka as Masato walks her to her car parked in the front of the school.
"Of course I'm not changing my mind," snorts Masato. "Come on, Fukumoto-san, I am not Student Council President material. I couldn't lead a horse to water, let alone keep charge of the Student Council."
"I don't know about that."
"What about you?"
There is no hesitation in her shaking her head. "I'm not doing it if you're not there. Besides, who would want the Ice Witch as Student Council President?"
Masato frowns. "You're not an Ice Witch. Who's been saying that?"
Tomoka offers a small smile. "I don't know. I heard a group of girls murmur it to themselves when I was walking by."
"Maybe it wasn't you."
She shakes her head again. "They were looking right at me. Glaring more like it. But it's funny, I don't think I've ever talked to any of them so I don't know why they'd give me weird looks."
Masato rolls his eyes. "Go figure. Hating people is such a waste of time and energy. Just ignore them, Fukumoto-san. I'm sure it'll all blow over during the break."
"I sure hope so," murmurs Tomoka as she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear.
"You should really cut your bangs," says Masato offhandedly, reaching out and tugging at one of Tomoka's thick curls that fall in front of her shoulders. "And what are you trying to do with these curls? They're completely uneven."
Tomoka's face turns bright red and she jerks away to Masato's surprise. "I'm trying something new! I thought they'd be cute!"
Masato frowns. "You don't need to worry about being cute, Fukumoto-san."
Tomoka starts playing with one of her long strands of hair as she looks down at the ground. "Do you...d-do you not like cute girls, Kashima?"
Masato hums, a bit caught off guard by the odd question. "Cute girls are fine, I guess. But, I think it's more important to be beautiful inside and out. In that sense, you're beautiful, Fukumoto-san. So, don't worry about trying to be cute, okay?"
"Okay," Tomoka whispers. Masato is disheartened though that she carries on staring down at the ground and her face remains reddened.
They walk the rest of the way in silence until they make it to Tomoka's limousine and Masato politely opens the door for his friend.
But before Tomoka steps inside, she finally looks up from her feet. "You know, I don't think you give yourself enough credit, Kashima. I think you'd be a great Student Council President."
Masato shrugs his shoulders half-heartedly. "I'll see you at home."
Tomoka nods her head and climbs into the car with Masato shutting the door behind her.
Masato watches her go until it's out of sight. Quickly, he swings his book bag over his shoulder and is about to start walking home when he spots Hayate leaving the Kendo clubroom with the rest of his friends.
Masato tightens his grip on his strap, turning his knuckles white. Without thinking, he races to catch up to his upperclassman. "Nagatsuka-senpai!"
Hayate stops and turns around, a bit surprised to see him. "Kashima?"
Masato races over so fast that he lost control of his breathing but manages to gasps out. "Can I talk to you for a second, Nagatsuka-senpai?"
Hayate turns to his friends. "Let him join us, yeah? He'll be in our place next year."
His friends nod their heads and lead Hayate and Masato along towards the drama theatre in a separate building that all the students in Minwa use. It's the smallest building on the property, but it houses all the theatre props and stage for Morning Assembly.
Masato follows behind Hayate in confusion. "Why are we going here?"
Hayate turns and gives Masato a warm smile. "Me and the rest of the third-years are leaving our marks behind. It's something all the third-years do at the end of the year. Next year, you'll lead everyone else to do the same."
Hayate can see Masato's puzzled expression remains on his face, so he ushers him inside the drama theatre. Masato follows and the rest of the students lead Masato behind the curtains, behind the stage to the door to the basement where they keep all the props. They all go farther than that and guide Masato into the corner of the props room to another door. This one unkempt and it takes two bigger male students to jerk it open. Everyone steps inside with Hayate leading the way.
"This is a room that was supposed to have been turned into a dressing room, but the plans got ditch when building the school," says Hayate as Masato takes in the small room. Only half the room had smooth cement walls while the other half was exposed to rocks and water pipes.
But the thing that catches Masato's eye was the room was surrounded in lavender ribbons, names written on each one.
Hayate unties his purple third-year necktie. "We use this room to leave our mark behind. Every third-year writes their name on their bows and ties them up on the pipes in the room."
Kaoru walks up to stand beside him. "It might sound silly, but, at least for me, it feels like 'I made it', y'know? Like we all just finished a huge milestone in our lives and we want to remember and be remembered forever and come back to this room someday."
Masato looks on in wonder as each student, one by one, takes off their neckties, grabs a marker from Hayate, signs their names on them, and wraps them up on an empty spot in the room.
As they do, Masato looks around the room at all the other lavender-coloured ribbons—all the students that came before them. Masato's heart raced when he spots Tomoka's family ribbons. Moriki, Kana, Toshihiro, and Tomokazu. His heart tightens when he sees his father's name right beside Moriki Fukumoto's. Satoshi Kashima.
Masato reaches out and lets his father's necktie wrap around his fingers.
The Student Council is the last to sign their bows and tie them somewhere in the room.
Kaoru finishes tying her bow before she kisses Hayate on the cheek. "I'll meet you at the car. Don't take too long."
Hayate blissful smiles at her. "Wouldn't dream of it."
"You're such a sap," she laughs.
With that, Kaoru and the rest of the Student Council left the room.
"I swear, I'm gonna marry that girl one day," chuckles Hayate. "She really changed my life, you know. I felt like I always saw everything in grey. Meeting her brought colour into my life. It made it sparkle like I never knew it could. Tell you what, Kashima, I'll invite you to the wedding if you promise me to invite me to yours and Tomoka-chan's."
Masato's eyebrows furrow. "Me and Tomoka's?"
Hayate starts walking Masato out of the theatre. "You know, I'm really going to miss this school. It's not perfect, no place is, but it is filled with amazing people. Don't you agree?"
Masato looks away to find something else to focus on. "Why did you want me to be Student Council President? Why me? There are far better people suited for the job. Someone better to fill your shoes when you're gone."
"I disagree," Hayate says like it's the simplest thing in the world. "You are going to be the only third-year student in the Student Council next year, but it's more than that. Believe it or not, I see a lot of myself in you. When I started high school, I didn't care about any of this. Clubs, friends, all that."
Masato scoff at this, unable to look up from his feet. "I don't believe that."
"It's true," chuckles Hayate. "Kaoru-chan actually roped me into joining and before it knew it, I became the Student Council President, and it made me realize how important it was to not have any regrets. I realized that I was running out of time and that I couldn't just sit around, I had to run and give my life my all."
"I...I don't understand," admits Masato.
Hayate just smiles simply at him. "Don't worry, you will." He reaches out and pats Masato on the head. "I get it, you know. You feel like you don't have any control over anything so why even bother caring, right? But, trust me, if you go on not caring about anything, you'll look back and feel nothing but regrets. And I don't want that. You're better than that."
Hayate starts racing over to Kaoru and the rest of their friends but stops halfway and wave goodbye to Masato with a bright smile. "You have so much potential, Masato-kun. Don't waste it, alright?"
"A-alright," hollers back Masato unsurely, giving back a weak wave.
Hayate kisses Kaoru on the forehead and the two of them hop into the car and drive away.
And that was it, the Ocean Blue Beauty was gone.
"What a weird guy," Masato huffs to himself as he starts his walk home to Tomoka's house.
How long has it been? Three—four years since his father's company went bankrupt. His father, Satoshi Kashima, was a great man, but a not-so-great businessman. And it wasn't like his mother, Asami, could help much since she was the one who married into the wealth and didn't have a penny to her name. Luckily, the Fukumoto Family didn't forget their loyalty to the Kashima Family throughout the years and they took Masato's family in. But, as payment for their generous hearts, Masato has been working as Tomoka's personal butler for four years now while his parents live in a small house, quietly working in one of the Fukumoto companies to rebuild what they lost.
Unfortunately, over the last four years, all Satoshi has gained was a divorce from Asami.
Masato still remembers Tomoka asking him. "Are you going with her?"
Tomoka's eyes were wide and scared. Scared of his answer, but when Masato firmly said, "no", Tomoka's whole body washed over with relief and she shyly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
Last Masato heard, his mother was somewhere in America.
Shoving his hands in his pant pockets, Masato angrily kicks at a pebble on the ground, it hits a tree trunk. The small rock falls beside a book bag and a pair of penny loafers.
Masato narrows his eyes. "What the?"
Masato looks up a sees a girl climbing up the branches of the cherry blossom tree. What uniform was that? Monogatari Middle School?
"Kyah!"
The girl's stockings slip and she loses her footing. She falls out of the tree and lands right on top of Masato who lets out a yelp of surprise.
"Ow," moans Masato through grass shoved in his mouth.
"Oh! That was surprisingly soft."
Yeah! 'Cause you landed on me, idiot!
"Ouch, ouch, ouch...you're heavier than you look. Could you please get off of me?"
"Eep!" the girl squeaks and quickly hurries to her feet. "Omigosh! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," huffs Masato as he stands up and brushes the dirt off his uniform. "Girls fall out of tree and land on me all the time. It's whatever."
Masato straightens his tie and fixes his glasses.
"Omigosh! I just disfigured a Minwa Academy student! Oh dear god! He's going to sue me and my family for breaking all his bones in his body! I'm doomed!"
At that moment, Masato took in the girl. She was a short girl with fair skin and short fluffy toffee brown hair that comes down just before her shoulders. Her overgrown bangs covered parts of her face and couldn't see her face very well.
She was...different.
At least, different than all the perfect, rich girls in all of his classes with their fake noses, hair extension, without a single hair or curled eyelash out of place. This girl seemed clumsy and unrefined, but a what-you-see-is-what-you-get aura about her.
She was...breathtakingly beautiful.
For some reason, Masato feels his face heat up and his mouth goes dry. "What do you mean 'disfigured'? I've always looked like this!"
Then she smiles and Masato loses track of his own heartbeat. Through the curtains of her bangs, her eyes squint with laughter and her grin is witty yet charmed. At that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world. All she sees is Masato and all he sees is her.
"Were you trying to create a knight-in-shining-armour moment with me?"
Masato is pulled out of the moment. "A-a what?"
The girl spins around in a grandiose motion. "A grand, romantic moment between a boy and girl~! The moment where the boy comes in like a knight in shining armour to save the beautiful girl from certain peril~!"
Is it just more, or does this remind me too much of Tomoka's shoujo manga rants?
"But, you didn't quite manage the knight-in-shining-armour moment," the girl giggles grabbing her sighs and bursting into loud laughter. "But instead—ha-ha—I fell right on top of you like a pillow—ha-ha!"
Masato feels his face heat up again. "S-shut up! I-I wasn't expecting to see some girl up in a tree! What were you even doing up there anyways! You part monkey or something?!"
Did I just call this girl a monkey? What the heck are you thinking, Masato?! You can't stand here and call a girl a monkey!
If this was one of Masato's classmates like Tsubaki, their eyes would turn red and grow devil horns before destroying him.
To Masato's surprise, the girl embarrassingly scratches the back of her head. "Yeah—ha-ha—you see, a baby bird fell out of the tree. I was just trying to get him back to his mommy."
What?
"You risked breaking your arm or neck to save one bird...that's stupid."
"What was that?" the girl frowns, angrily putting her hands on her hips. "It is not stupid, you toad!"
Did. She. Just. Call. Me. A. Toad.
"T-toad?"
"Hey, you called me a monkey. So I'm calling you a toad!"
Masato's face burns. "Do you realize who you're talking to?!"
His heart twists as he shouts this.
Oh yeah. That's what I use to say to get out of going work or trouble or...anything. I'd say 'Do you know who you're talking to? Masato Kashima. Thee Kashima!' And that would be it. No more work or trouble or...anything.
But now I'm just Masato Kashima. Thee bankrupt, penniless Kashima. Now, my name means nothing. If I'm nothing, why even bother doing...anything.
The girl's voice pierced through Masato's thoughts. "I know exactly who I'm talking to! And that's why I'm putting you in your place! If you think saving another life is 'stupid' then how are you supposed to be the future?!"
At that moment, Hayate's word echo in Masato's mind.
"She changed my life...I always saw everything in grey...Meeting her brought colour into my life...It made it sparkle like I never knew it could..."
At that moment, Masato's world had never been more vivid. The bright blue sky, the soft grass, the delicate pink cherry blossom petals dancing around them. The grey melts away and Masato's world was full of colour. It...sparkled.
Masato struggles to find words. "Th-the future?"
The girl hears the doubt in his voice. "Well...yeah. I mean...Minwa Academy is the future. All of you are. With your talents, with your power, with your riches, you're creating the future for this generation and preparing the next one. That actually makes me kind of jealous. I wish I was that important. I wish my life impacted the future like all of you."
Masato was taken aback by how sad the girl sounded. No one this beautiful should be sad. He...he wants her to smile again, more than anything.
As if she could sense how he was feeling, the girl's eyes filled with determination as she looks up at Masato. "That's why you have to care about everyone's life. The big ones and even the small ones like that little bird. Because you are our future and we need you to care about all of our lives. You got that!"
Masato blushes. Wait. Since when do I blush? What is with this girl?! What is she doing to me?!
He awkwardly tries to get rid of it with a laugh. Say something! She just poured her heart and soul out to you! Form an intelligent sentence, you idiot!
"Okay, okay. I promise I will. But, you have to promise me something in return."
What did I just say! This isn't a business contract, Masato!
The girl nods her head. "Okay. Promise you what?"
She AGREED to it!
Masato fixes his glasses, trying to think of something cool to say. He looks up at the cherry blossom tree where the mommy bird is blissfully feeding her crying babies. "It's...it's important to think about other people or other things—like a baby bird—but it's also important to think about yourself. If you can't care for and protect yourself, how are you supposed to protect others?"
Please let that make any form of sense.
"I...I never thought about it like that before," whispers the girl. A sparkle of a tear escapes her eye.
Why is she crying? If only I could see her eyes. What colour are they? Maybe purple. No. I bet they're pink. Pink as the cherry blossom petals waltzing around them.
"Thank you," breathes the girl.
"Uh—I—wha—for what?"
"Oh!" the girl touches her cheek, realizing that she's crying and quickly wipes them away in embarrassment. "Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you just now. What you said helps me out a lot. I'm kinda in a pinch. But, I know what I have to do now."
The girl races past Masato and his eyes follow her. She spins around and waves to him. "Thank you, Four-Eyed Academy Toad~!"
Masato finds himself smiling. "So long, Tree Monkey Girl."
As Masato watches her go, he's heart and brain freeze. Wait...what was her name.
...
Omigod, you idiot! You forgot to ask for her name! NO! You moron!
Just then, a piece of black fabric falls out of one of the tree branches and floats down in front of Masato's feet. Puzzled, he reaches down and quickly picks it up. His eyes widen. "W-wait! You forgot your neckerchief!"
It was too late. She was gone.
Masato carefully folds up her neckerchief and puts it in his jacket pocket.
"Kashima!"
Masato spins around in surprise to see Tomoka's limo drive up to the curb.
Tomoka jumps out in a hurry out of the car and races towards him.
"Fukumoto?" blinks Masato in confusion. "What are you—?"
"Let's do it!" exclaims Tomoka as she runs to him. She stops in front of him out of breath and takes a moment to catch it. Her face bright red in embarrassment as she gasps for a breath.
Masato reaches out still puzzled. "Are you okay—"
"I believe in you!" cries Tomoka, finding her voice. She regains her composure and looks up at her friend. "I think we can do it. Being President and Vice President of the Student Council. I think we can do it if we're together!"
Tomoka blushes, probably from racing over to him, Masato thinks. "I...I can do it if...if I'm by your side and...and I believe in you! I think you would be a great Student Council President! So...so let's do it! Me and you, Kashima!"
Masato feels the weight of the neckerchief in his pocket and the girl's words burning in his mind. "Okay."
Tomoka's eyes sparkle with joy.
"Okay. Let's do it. Together."
After that, Masato looked everywhere for the girl. Judging by her uniform, he knew she went to Monogatari Middle School. He went the school several times, but he never saw her. He tried to talk to some of the students, but all he could recall about her was her short brown hair, an appearance that the majority of the girls look like. They all tried to help, but Masato never did find her.
Eventually, Masato lost hope that he was ever going to find her again. The same day, the monsters first started attacking the school. The day she appeared.
On the sidelines with Tsubaki and the PreCure Fan Club, Masato stares out in wonder as the girl in the pink miniskirt and blonde pigtails face the terrifying monster.
"These are tears of joy. Even though Cure Mythical isn't fighting alongside me, that doesn't mean I'm fighting alone. They still believe in me. So I'm not going to give up either!"
"Pretty Cure...Dreamy Joie De Vivre!" In a storm of pink-coloured sparkles, Cure Fable looks on with unwavering bright pink eyes and a smile full of bravery and determined and defeated the monster. Masato remembered that smile. The same breathtaking smile of that girl.
"Amazing," gasps Masato.
"Huh?" says Tsubaki. "Did you say something, Masato-kun?"
"N-no! I was just yawning!"
"Sure you were."
But, there was no doubt in Masato's mind. Cure Fable and the girl were the same person. So, if he could find out who Cure Fable was, he will find out who the girl is and...
...
And what?
If he ever meets the girl again, what would he say?
He would give her back her neckerchief and then what?
What was it he had to tell her?
It feels like every since Masato met the girl, she turned his whole world upside-down. Monsters attacked the school, being turned into one of those monsters, being saved by magical girls, Tomoka being one of the said magical girls, Imari finding out his secret—all while trying to pretend that everything is normal. There's nothing normal about anything now! Especially knowing full well that these monsters want to destroy the world and everyone is completely oblivious to how in danger they all are! Having to keep all these secrets and fears inside is breaking Masato. But, he has to be the steadfast Student Council President. He has to be okay.
As Masato is polishing the silverware in the morning, Moriki Fukumoto approaches him out of the blue. "Masato, can I speak with you in my office for a moment?"
"Um, s-sure—of course, sir," stammers Masato in surprise as he finishes his work and finds Moriki later in his office.
"Close the door, please," says Moriki.
Masato flinches in shock. Since when does Moriki-san say please? "Y-yes, sir."
Moriki chuckles to himself. "That's right. I always made you call me sir. No need for formalities anymore. Moriki is fine, son."
Masato frowns. What is going on? "Sir—ah—Moriki-san, are you...okay?"
Moriki smiles softly. "Yes. Better than I've been in a long time." He gives his head a shake. "Sorry, I shouldn't keep you long. But, I wanted to tell you that your serves will no longer be needed, Masato."
Masato's blood goes cold. "You're...you're firing me? Sir, please, I can do better! Please—"
Moriki lets out a laugh. "No, no. Not like that, Masato. Not like that. I'm not firing you I'm...you don't have to be forced to work for us anymore."
Moriki opens a drawer and pulls out an opened letter. "I'll support you and your father, but you don't have to be Tomoka's butler anymore. You're free, Masato."
All at once, the weight on Masato's chest disappears.
"I'm...sorry, Masato," murmurs Moriki. "I hope you don't look ill on me for forcing you to be a servant to my family. I should have helped your father from the goodness of my heart from the very beginning."
Masato shakes his head. "No, thank you, sir—Moriki-san. The fact that you help me and my family at all has always meant the world to me."
Moriki nods his head. "You're a good kid, Masato. So much like your father. You can get changed and leave your uniform with the rest. I already called your father and he's going to come to pick you up."
Masato bows his head. "Thank you, sir! Thank you!"
Faster than Masato had ever moved before, he hurries into the closest bathroom and changes out of his black suit and into his own clothes. Having to wear a suit at school just to come over to Tomoka and put on another, Masato is so sick of suits.
Out of respect, Masato neatly folds his uniform and puts it away in the right closet and hurries out of the house and towards the front gates.
As the gates open, a long white limousine pulls up in front of the mansion.
"Dad!" beams Masato as he races over and opens the door. "It's so good to see—?"
"Mashi-kun!"
A woman dressed in diamond earrings and a pearl necklace with wavy greyish purple-coloured in a low swirl over her left shoulder and silver-coloured eyes hops out of the limo and ambushes Masato with a tight hug. "My Mashi-kun~! My baby boy~!"
Masato steps back in surprise. "M-Mom? Wh-what are you doing here?"
Asami claps her hands together. "I have great news, honey. I'm getting remarried~!"
Masato's heart falters. "Wh-what?"
"Oh, he's a lovely man, Mashi-kun," Asami beams grabbing Masato hands into hers. "And loaded too! He treats me like a queen~! We're moving to Italy and getting married! The three of us! Isn't that exciting, Mashi-kun~!"
"Uh—we—um—I-Italy?" stammers Masato. "The three of us?"
"Yes!" chimes Asami. "We're going to be a perfect family~. Let's get going, Mashi-kun~!"
Masato nearly slides off his nose. "Wh—now!"
"Of course~," coos Asami.
"But, wh—what about dad?" asks Masato helplessly.
Asami tips her head to the side. "What about him, honey? He's a sinking ship, sweetie. We aren't getting dragged down with him."
The limo hanks and Asami's fiancé pokes his head out. "Darling, we gotta get going. We'll miss our flight."
"I know, luv," says Asami as she reaches out and cups her son's cheek. "Let's go, Mashi-kun. Together. We can leave him and leave the perfect life."
Masato hands tighten into fists. "I...I..."
"Asami!"
Masato jumps back from his mom as he sees a larger man in a suit with black hair and mustache, grey-coloured eyes, glasses, and freckles rush towards the two of them.
"Dad!" gasps Masato as he pulls away from his mom.
"Satoshi," says Asami, no love left in her voice.
"Where are you taking my son?" demands Satoshi, interjecting himself in-between his son and his ex-wife.
"We're leaving," says Asami, crossing her arms over her chest.
"No, you're leaving," states Satoshi as he puts a hand on Masato's shoulder. "But, Masato is staying here with me. You can't force him."
"Nobody is forcing anybody," snaps Asami. "Mashi-kun wants to come with me. Right, Mashi-kun?"
"I-I...I can't," stammers Masato, losing control of his breathing.
"Give him time, Asami, please," insists Satoshi. "Give him time to think it over and, if he wants to come to live with you, I promise I won't fight it. I'll even pay for his flight."
Asami snorts. "With what?"
With that, she storms back into the car, straps herself in and her fiancé drive them away, leaving Masato and Satoshi abandoned on the side of the road.
Satoshi squeezes Masato's shoulder. "Don't worry, son. Let's go get something to eat. I know I great place. I'll help you take your mind off it, okay?"
All Masato can manage is a weak, "Okay."
Satoshi helps his son into his car just across the street and starts it up, slowly pulling out and driving towards the heart of the city where the local market and cafés are. "I've been going to this little café when I was a young man. Its family-run, would you believe? Yeah, the son took over after his mom retired I heard."
Masato just quietly nodded his head.
Satoshi parks the car and turns off the ignition. "Welp, here we are."
He climbs out of the car and Masato follows suit. As they step inside Masato catches a glimpse of its name in the window display.
Bell-Bell Café.
"Hi, I'm Izumi," welcomes a little girl with dark brown hair in cute pigtails and dark pink eyes. "Welcome to Bell-Bell Café."
"Nice to meet you, Izumi," Satoshi grins. "Table for two please."
"Inside or outside?" she asks politely as she picks up two menus.
"Inside should be fine," says Satoshi.
"Right this way then!" beams the girl and takes them to a small booth on the right side of the room.
"It's this place cozy, Masato," smiles Satoshi as the little girl hands them each a menu. "They have the best strawberry shortcake in town."
Izumi beams. "That so nice of you to say. My older sister does all the baking. She'd be thrilled to hear that."
Masato nods his head. "We'll take two then."
"Awesome!" says Izumi as she spins around to address the kitchen. "Imari-oneechan, two strawberry shortcakes! Please!"
Masato nearly chokes on his tongue. "I-Imari?"
"Coming right up, Izumi!" chimes Imari as she hops out of the kitchen with two cakes in her hands. "Hey, I can show you how to cut up the strawberries to look like flowers—?"
Imari stops in her tracks when her eyes fall on Masato. Her strawberry-coloured eyes. "Masato?"
Satoshi's eyes glide over to his son. "An underclassman of yours?"
Masato squirms out of his seat. "Um, y-yes...yes. Uh, good morning, Suzukawa-kōhai."
Imari laughs. "I hold you, Masato, you can just call me Imari."
"Um, r-right," staggers Masato. "I-Imari."
Imari beams. "There you go! Was that so hard."
Masato's ears burn and looks away. "Sh-shut up."
Satoshi stands up beside his son. "Now, is that any way to treat a lady, Masato?" He gives Imari a warm smile. "I'm Satoshi Kashima, Masato's father. It's very nice to meet you, young miss."
"Oh!" says Imari, quickly bowing her head. "The pleasure is all mine, Kashima-san!"
Satoshi chuckles. "Just call me Satoshi. I'm not a very formal man, y'know."
"Imari!" calls her mom. "I'm sorry, dear. Do you think you can make a delivery for us? It's for Mimura-san. Her son's out of town and can't pick it up for her."
Imari nods her head. "Sure, Mom. No problem. Let me get my coat."
Imari hurries out of the café. Masato watches her leave and come back with a light pink coat. She sure loves her pink.
"You remember where she lives, hun?" asks her mom.
"Just by the park, right?" says Imari.
Satoshi puts an arm around his son's shoulder. "Why don't you accompany the young miss, Masato?"
Masato's eyes widen, looking back and forth between him and Imari. "Oh, come on, Dad. I don't—"
"It's okay, Masato," smiles Imari. "I don't want to trouble you."
Satoshi pats Masato on his back. "Come on, my boy. You can be her private escort." He gives him a wink. "I gotta get going. Clear out a room for you at my place. You go have a fun time, okay?"
Imari changes out of her apron and zips up her jacket. She grabs the order from her mom and starts heading for the door. She opens the door and the bell sounds, a small breeze wafts into the small café and makes her miniskirt flutter.
Masato sighs. "Imari, wait. Will you let me come with you?"
Imari turns around and blinks at him in surprise. It quickly changes into a smile. "Of course! Let's get going then, Masato."
Satoshi gives him a supportive shove forward. "Go get her, tiger."
Masato huffs. "Don't eat my cake, alright?"
His dad lets out a soft chuckle and puts a hand to his heart. "You have my word."
Imari leads Masato to the park on the other side of the fence dotted with small houses. A small retirement home that was built to look like charming cottages. They almost look like a page straight out of Little Red Riding Hood with the houses all tucked away in maple trees and small flowerbeds. Imari drops off the package to Mimura who gives her an appreciated smile. She starts droning on about her son and his new job in another city called Oogai Town. Masato was starting to lose his patience, but Imari stood there quietly, nodding her head along to the stories and giving the old woman a bright smile.
"Anyway, thank you again, Imari-chan," grins the old woman. "Such a nice girl. I hope this wasn't any trouble"
"Not at all, ma'am," says Imari. "Happy to help. And I wish your son luck at his new job too."
The old woman beams. "So thoughtful. You better be careful, Imari-chan. With charm like that, boys will be falling for you left, right, and center." She looks past Imari and smiles at Masato. "Seems like you already do, my dear."
Masato feels his face heat up and quickly turns away.
"Have good rest of your day, Mimura-san," says Imari politely as the old woman closes the door.
Imari walks past Masato and gazes out towards the park. She looks up at the sky and lets out a long breath, seeing her white breath swirl up into the air before disappearing. "It's starting to get cold, huh?"
"I guess," shrugs Masato, suddenly feeling awkward standing beside her.
"I'm sorry you had to tag along," says Imari. "I hope this wasn't too boring for you."
"No...no. Not at all," says Masato. "Mimura-san was very...talkative."
Imari giggles. "Not much for conservation, I take it?"
"No," says Masato, fidgeting with his hands restlessly. "I...I'm not good with that kind of stuff."
Imari sighs. "Me neither. I can never think of what to say. I end up just listening. At least I'm good at that."
Masato nods his head, but nearly jumps in surprise when Imari races towards the park fence and climbs up and over. "Wh-wha—what are you doing?"
"Do you want to cut through the park?" asks Imari, staring at him through the fence. "Come on, Masato. Live a little."
Masato sighs. "Fine."
Imari steps back as Masato leaps at the fence and climbs over it and lands hard on the other side. "I give that dismount a seven out of ten."
Masato catches himself letting out a chuckle under his breath.
Imari starts walking through the park and turns back to look at Masato. "You coming?"
Masato hurries to catch up and the two start heading down the park. Walking in silence past the pond and the ducks before hiding a thing of stairs and heading up them. Masato had never been to this side of town before, but could tell Imari had a handless of times but the confidence in her walk. She didn't say where they were going, but Masato could tell she knew.
The two of them walk under a gate that opens up to the last field dotted with thin stones with names written down the front. Masato suddenly realizes that they're tombstones. Imari led them to a graveyard.
The door's bell from Bell-Bell Café rings and Mari pops her head out to the front. "Oh, Imari, back so soon?" Her mom blinks in surprise. "Oh? Tomoka and Nijiko too?"
"Of course," Nijiko grins, crossing her arms over her chest. "You know I can't resist your guys' carrot cake."
Tomoka tips her head to the side. "Why? Is there a problem?"
"Oh no, no," says Mari. "No problem. I just thought that Masato would still be with you, Imari."
Nijiko frowns. "Kashima?"
Mari reflects her expression. "Yes, didn't you girls part ways with him just a moment ago? Imari and that young man were out making a delivery for me. Very nice boy."
"But, we've been Imari all day. We didn't see—"
Tomoka silences Nijiko with a nudge in the shoulder. "Yes, of course. As I matter a fact, he's just waiting outside for us. We shouldn't keep him waiting. Ha-ha."
Tomoka shoves Nijiko and Imari towards the door.
"Wait, don't you want that carrot cake?" hollers Mari after them.
"Yes!" cries Nijiko.
"That's okay, Suzukawa-san," laughs Tomoka a bit too loud. "We'll come back for it later. Don't worry about it. Ha-ha-ha!"
The group speeds off, leaving Mari looking at in confusion, but brushes it off with a small chuckle.
"What the heck, Tomoka!" barks Nijiko with a pout. "I'm hungry! My stomach is craving carrot cake!"
"Shut up~buku!" snaps Bukku, popping out from inside Tomoka's book bag. "Didn't you just hear what Imari's mom said~buku?!"
Kuiru appears beside Nijiko, sharing the same level of concern. "Apparently, Cure Fable was here already with Masato Kashima and went to make a delivery of sorts~kuru."
"Exactly," nods Tomoka. "But, we've been with Imari all day! We haven't even seen Masato!"
Nijiko crosses her arms. "That is kinda weird."
"How about super weird~buku!"
"Masato Kashima is in great danger~kuru," states Kuiru.
"B-But, Masato has already been turned into an Endingu," points out Tomoka. "So—so doesn't that mean he's safe?"
Kuiru shakes his head. "That doesn't matter~kuru. He can be turned into one again~kuru. If anything, since already been turned into an Endingu, he can become even more powerful if he turns into another one again~kuru."
"Well, we can't let that happen!" gasps Tomoka.
"We won't," says Nijiko as she pulls out her PreHeartBook. "Kuiru!"
"Already on it~kuru!"
The group looks around to make sure no one can seem them. When the coast is clear, the fairy prince floats down to the ground and murmurs an incantation. His diamond-shaped crest on his forehead glows a deep sapphire blue and magic streams out. Immediately, a path of glowing blue footprints appears, dotting the ground and leading out of the market and heading up a path into a flock of trees.
"That's his footstep~kuru," Kuiru tells the others.
"He's heading to the park," says Nijiko as she takes off running after the glowing footprints. "Let's go!"
"Come on, Imari!" calls Tomoka as she races after her friend.
Imari doesn't follow, not right away. As she watches them run away, a wicked smile spreads across her face. "It's almost too easy."
"Imari!"
"Coming!"
"We...we should probably leave," says Masato in a hushed voice.
Imari is quietly for a long moment. "I just... can I stay for one minute?" She looks to Masato and he's taken aback by the vulnerability in her eyes. He'd never seen that expression before. "Please?"
"Of—of course," stammers Masato. "Take your time."
Imari nods her head and starts heading through the graveyard with Masato tailing behind. She leads them to the center of the graveyard where she stops and crouches down by a bigger tombstone decorated with sunflowers and other yellow-coloured flowers.
Masato reads the name on the stone along with a description below.
小
鳥
田
ひ
な
A smile as bright as the sun
that will live in our hearts forever
"Hina Kotorida?"
Imari nods her head. "She was my best friend. Before I came to Minwa Academy." She smiles softly as she reaches out and touches the cold, smooth stone. "I wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for her."
Masato was at a loss for words. "What...what happened to her."
Imari shrugs her shoulders. "An accident. Out of anyone's control. It's just...happened."
"Oh."
"There...there have been a lot of times when I wanted to talk to her. When I needed her. Really needed her, but...she's gone." Imari stands up, but doesn't take her eyes off her friends. "Though she still lives on in my memories, in my heart. When I need her, she's there. I would ask her, what would she do if she was in my position? I know." Imari pokes her fingers at the corners of her mouth and pulls them up into a smile. "She would smile. No matter what. She would smile and never give up."
"Sounds like you," says Masato.
"Is it me?" asks Imari as she looks up at Masato. "Or am I just Hina's shadow? A wannabe? Who is...Imari Suzukawa?"
Masato is silent.
Imari laughs to herself. "I don't think I even know."
Masato swallows a breath. "I don't...I never knew your friend. But, you can't be anybody but yourself. She might have inspired you, but you decide who you are and who you want to become. Not one else but you."
Imari gazes up at the sunset over their heads. Masato can see the unshed tears sparkling in her eyes. Her soft caramel-coloured hair blowing gently in the last of the summer air. The tips of her nose, ears, and lips reddened by the new cold of autumn. At that moment, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Thank you," breathes Imari, looking Masato in the eyes. "I didn't realize how much I need to hear that."
"Why did you tell me this?" Masato couldn't help but ask. "Why did you open up to me? Why not Shiraishi-san? Or Tomoka? Or Ōmitsu-san?"
"I guess because...if anybody knew what it was like, it was you," says Imari. "To be labelled. Being a Kashima...the Student Council President...Captain of the Kendo Club...Tomoka's best friend...a butler. Always someone's something, but never just you. Never 'just Masato'."
Imari gives Masato a stunning smile, making his heart lurch. "But you know what? I happen to like 'just Masato'."
Masato desperately grabs at his shirt like it could somehow reach inside his heart. If it could, he would've ripped it out and yelled at it.
What are you doing?! Why are you racing like that?!
You were fine a minute ago! So why—?
Then, he saw it and all of his questions were answered in that single moment.
A strong breeze swept through the quiet park, sending bits of bright green leaves and flower petals to rush out from behind Masato, the sudden wing almost making him fall over. He looks up at Imari in front of him as the wind dances around her, enveloping her in the blissful beauty that surrounds them. Her skirt twirls around her legs as she tucks locks of hair behind her ear as the breeze makes her fluffy brown hair flutter like pulling back the curtains to see her imperfect smile. It was surprised, embarrassed, and awkward, but had a hidden giggle underneath like she was laughing at herself as she joins in with the wind, spinning around with it like she and the wind were dancing together.
It was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
At that moment, his mind finally knew what was in his heart, the realization coming out in a soft, "Oh."
He lets go of his heart.
"So, that's what it is. I'm in love with—"
"Kashima!"
The moment was shattered when Masato spins around to see Tomoka and Nijiko racing towards them out of breath with two floating...stuffed animals?
"Tomoka? Ōmitsu-san? What are you guys doing here?"
"Get back, Masato!" cries Tomoka. "Get away from her!"
"Wh-what?" stammers Masato, looking back and forth between them and Imari. "Wh-why? What's going on?"
Imari shares Masato's confusion. "Tomoka? Nijiko? Bukku? Kuiru? What's going on?"
She tries to step towards them but the two girls pull out these blue and green books and she stops. "It's okay, guys. It's just me."
"Kashima, stay back," orders Nijiko, ignoring Imari as...
Masato blinks in confusion as another Imari steps out from behind Tomoka and Nijiko. This Imari reaches her hand out to him. "Kashima, I know this is confusing, but you have to trust us and step away from that...thing."
This other Imari offers Masato a smile.
He takes a step back.
This Imari's eyes were empty and her smile was hollow.
"No," Masato says. "You're not my Imari."
Instantly, this fake Imari's smile vanishes.
"Wh-what are you talking about, Masato," gasps Tomoka. "S-step away from her right now!"
The real Imari steps up beside Masato and, without thinking, reaches out and grabs her hands. Imari doesn't pull away. She interweaves her fingers together with his.
"Imari puts heart into every smile," says Masato, his heartbeat like fireworks in his chest. "Your words are hollow and the real Imari never ever calls me by my last name. Never. So...who are you really, Fake Imari?"
Behind the Fake Imari, all the colour from Tomoka and Nijiko's faces washed away as they both reach for their PreHeartBooks.
The Fake Imari smiles her wicked smile. "Not quick enough, Pretty Cure."
She snaps her fingers and the two girls and two prince fairies crumble to the ground. They try to pick them up, but they can't. The Fake Imari kicks both PreHeartBooks away from their reach.
"You're too cute, you know that?"
The Fake Imari transforms in front of Masato's eyes. Her real form. A tall, woman with lavender skin and long elf ears dressed in a long blue dress with a slit, revealing misshapen eyeballs dotting out every which way. Imari's short brown hair grows down to her waist and turns a rich ruby red and her eyes turn blood red with a purple star mark underneath her left eye.
"I might not be able to put a spell on your PreHeartBooks, but that doesn't mean I can't put a spell on you."
"Linda," hisses Kuiru like her name was a curse.
"You witch~buku!" barks Bukku, trying to lift his head to no avail.
"I used a single gravity spell," coos Linda, licking her lips victoriously. "You can try and try, but the more you try, the heavier you'll get."
Linda crotches down at pats Kuiru on the head, dragging her long nails harshly over his forehead crest. "You disappoint me, Young Prince. I thought you of all beings could've detected my dark magic. Maybe you're not as powerful as you thought you were."
"Sh-shut up~buku!" snaps Bukku. "Don't you dare insult my brother~buku!You ugly hag~buku!"
Linda's once amused expression turns into the deepest rage another of the group had ever seen from her as she kicks Bukku's golden crows off his head and presses her heel down onto his head. "HOW DARE YOU, YOU PATHETIC WHELP! DO YOU NOT REALIZE WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO?! I AM THE QUEEN OF THE NEW WORLD OF DARKNESS! I AM PURE PERFECTION! FLOWERS SHOULD DIE IN MY PRESENTS! NOTHING COMPARES TO THE BEAUTY THAT THE GREAT KUROIZADO-SAMA GIFTED ME! YOU ARE ALL WORMS BENEATH MY FEET!"
To everyone's dismay, her enraged face melted into a wicked smile as she pulls out three needles, ones you would stab into a voodoo doll, an Endingu Voodoo Doll. "My power is limitless. I can turn the purest of hearts into Endingu. Even...Pretty Cure."
Linda's scarlet red eyes meet Imari's. "It wouldn't be the first time. Right, Cure Fable?"
Without warning, Linda plunges the needles into the center of Kuiru, Tomoka, and Nijiko's foreheads.
"Cure Mythical! Cure Enchant!" cries out Bukku. "Brother!"
"Masato, stand back!" gasps Imari as she puts herself in-between him and Linda as a burst of darkness explodes over the park.
"Unfortunately," Linda sighs. "I have strict orders to bring you to Kuroizado-sama unharmed, Your Highness. But, don't worry, I can do whatever I wish for the rest of you."
Through the storm of dark magic, three pairs of eyes shine through and let out a soft murmur in unison. "Endingu..."
Out of the darkness come giant dolls of Cure Mythical, Cure Enchant, and Prince Kuiru with bright red eyes and sharp fangs and teeth, ready to destroy everything in their path. Including Imari and Masato.
"Masato, you have to run," says Imari.
"Wh-what about you?"
Imari doesn't stay another as she stands up and faces the Endingu.
Masato's eyes widen in dismay. "No...no, no, no. Imari—what are you doing to do?!"
"I'll try to hold them off as best I can," she says simply.
"Are you crazy?" claims Masato, trying to grab at her arm. "Imari, you can't fight these monsters!"
"I know," she murmurs. "But, someone has to try and I'm the only who can."
"No way!" snaps Masato, grabbing her hand. "We are running away. That's the only thing we can do!"
"But—"
"We'll be useless to them if we die!"
That was enough to get Imari to lose her nerve and Masato takes the chance as picks up the stuffed anime-thingy and he throws her over his shoulders. "Huh? Wh-what are you doing? Put me down!"
"Not a chance," he tells her as books it out of the park.
Linda blinks after them. "Huh? Running away. That's a first." She smiles as she snaps her fingers. "Okay then, boy. Let's play your cat and mouse game."
"ENDINGU!"
"I'll be a pack of lions."
As they get onto the main road, Imari starts hitting Masato on the back. "Let me go, Masato! You don't understand!"
"Our friends just turned into monsters and you plan to fight them all by yourself! I think I understand perfectly!"
"Let us go, you idiot~buku!" Bukku shouts. "We can take 'em~buku!"
"No chance, stuffed animal."
"It's Prince Bukku De La Hope Wish Von Dream Star, I'll have you know~buku!" Bukku fires back. "You four-eyed loser~buku!"
"How do you know this thing again?" asks Masato.
"He's my partner," replies Imari.
"Oh, sure, that makes all the sense in the world!" shouts back Masato as he feels his lungs started to burn. "Jeez, you're heavier than you look."
Imari yanks on his ear. "Call me heavy one more time, I dare you."
"Ow, ow, ow, ow!"
The sound of loud footsteps behind them made all of them freeze. They all look behind them and see the pack of Endingu charging towards them with Linda flying overhead.
"Found you, boy," laughs Linda. "Now, hand me over the prince and I might let you live."
"RUN, YOU IDIOT~BUKU!" yells Bukku as he grabs both of his ears and yanks himself forward. Masato takes off running once again.
Linda puts. "Oh well, guess we're going this the hard way." She smiles deliciously. "My favourite~."
"What the plan~buku?" asks Bukku.
"The heck is I know!" says Masato.
"I wasn't talking to you, moron~buku."
"Would you quit calling me a moron, stuffed animal!"
"Then stop calling me a stuffed animal!"
"Would you two stop arguing for two seconds!" snaps Imari. "We have to go back and save the others!"
"How?" asks Masato.
"Their hearts are being controlled by dark magic," explains Imari. "Just like what happened to you, but if we can break the chains of dark magic, we can free them and the Endingu will be powerless."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?! What...how do you even know all of this?!"
"She tried to~buku! But, you picked us up and ran away, you idiot~buku!" barks Bukku.
With the Endingu gaining on them, Masato looks around for an opening to escape, even just for a minute. On the opposite of the market was a bunch of empty warehouses and buildings that use to be owned by his family, but have been vacant since they all went bankrupt. He slides down the hill and dashes into the maze of abandoned buildings, hoping to lose them.
Masato pins himself and the others behind one of the metal walls and the Endingu blindly rush past them.
"Ooooh, sneaky, sneaky, boy," sings Linda. "But, don't worry, I'll find you."
Linda follows the three Endingu and they disappear around another warehouse. Masato lets himself take a breath.
"Um, Masato?" says Imari. "Can you put me down now?"
"O-oh! S-sorry," he stammers as he carefully places Imari back on her feet.
"Thank you," she sighs as she straightens her shirt and fixes her skirt.
"Okay~buku. What's the plan, Imari?" asks Bukku, jumping from Masato's shoulder to Imari's.
Imari peeks out through a window without glass. "Linda will find us soon. We have to take this chance and get back to the park and free the others." She quickly looks around and finds small piles of forgotten pieces of pipes and metal. She digs around in them and pulls out the longest pile she could find, even though it's cracked and bent on the end.
"What are you doing?" asks Masato.
"We gotta arm ourselves with something," says Imari as she tosses him another pipe. "We can pretend it's a kendo sword, you know. Plus, we can use them to break the dark magic chains."
"Okay," says Masato as he takes it from her and gives it a few swings for practice. He looks over at the fairy prince. "And what can he do."
"I can give moral support, doofus~buku," says Bukku.
"Good to know."
"Alright! Let's go!" beams Imari as she strikes the pose of a warrior.
"SHHH!" hisses Masato. "Be quiet!"
"Yeah, you idiot~buku!"
"I guess now we're both idiots, Masato," Imari grins as she looks outside one more time before racing out alongside Masato with Bukku sitting atop her head.
"Let's go," murmurs Masato. "Follow me. I know the way back to the park."
Imari quickly nods her head as they sneak out of the empty warehouse and make it back to the park. The whole park is covered in a lake of dark magic and in the center of the park are Tomoka, Nijiko, and Kuiru. All of them are unconscious and tied up by thick chains of dark magic.
"So predictable."
Imari and Masato look up to see Linda sitting on top of a gravestone.
She walks across one at a time. "You think I've forgotten why Cure Mythical broke you out when we first met," she lulls. "When I turned into an Endingu."
Linda stops at Hina's gravestone and sits down on top of it, dangling her long legs over it. "But, this time is different, isn't it? There's no more Pretty Cure.
She glides her long nails over Hina's name.
"DON'T TOUCH IT!" screams Imari as she races towards her with the pipe in hand.
With a snap of her fingers, the pipe in Imari's and Masato's hands turn into huge worms. Masato curses and throws it away as Imari lets out a squeal of surprise as the goopy worm slides out of her hands and slumps to the ground.
Linda runs her tongue over her red lips. "What are you going to do, huh?"
Imari tries to stand strong against her, but as the Dark Charm Knight leader makes a long claw mark across Hina's tombstone, her eyes hesitate.
Linda smiles at this. "You can't do anything to stop me, girl."
Imari feels tears burning in the corner of her eyes, but she doesn't let them pore over.
"That's right," hums Linda. "You're not special anymore, girl. Now, you're just a boring, normal human—"
"SHUT UP~BUKU!"
Imari's eyes widen as Bukku hops down from her head and faces Linda. "B-Bukku?"
"You don't know what you're talking about~buku!" says Bukku with fire in his eyes. "Imari is anything but boring or ordinary~buku! She's annoyingly special, even when I first met her~buku!"
"Uh, annoying?" says Imari with a sweat drop on the side of her head. But, blinks in surprise when she sees tears falling to the ground. "Bukku?"
Tears are streaming down Bukku's cheeks and he burst out his heartfelt words. "She puts her heart into everything she does, even if she fails, she gets up and keeps trying~buku! She always tries to make everyone smile, putting their feelings over her own every single time because she just wants everyone to be happy~buku! Even me~buku! Even Masato! And enemies like you~buku!"
Linda yawns. "Are you finished yet, Your Highness?"
"I don't need my words to reach you, you ugly hag~buku!" barks Bukku. "I'm just telling you right now, Imari will defeat you every time~buku! You can use all the dark magic in the world and she will fight it all back because her heart is full of the bright light I've ever seen~buku!"
"Alright, I'm done with this," grunts Linda as she jumps down and reaches her hand out to grab the prince.
"Don't touch him!" cries Imari as she jumps in front of Linda and Bukku.
"Just die already!" screams Linda as she unleashes a blast of dark magic.
"IMARI!"
Bukku's star-shaped forehead crest lights up golden yellow as he cries her name.
Linda hisses out in pain as she jumps back while Imari can only look on in amazement as Bukku transforms into a golden key. But, Imari blinks in surprise when her chest starts to glow the same colour and beams out around the two of them.
The golden key is heart-shaped with Bukku's face on the key with a gold crown on top. A silver bow connects the stem to the other half of the key with a heart-shaped bit. In the heart-shaped bow are four heart-shaped jewels with the pink one on top, blue and green side-by-side, and the purple one in the center of the bow.
Imari cups her hands as the shimmering light envelopes her as something pours out of her heart and into her hands. Imari looks down to see a music box in her hands. It's cylinder in shape and all in light pink with gold trimming and ivory-coloured filigree dotting around rainbow-coloured gemstones. Imari tries to open it, but it's locked shut with a keyhole in the center of the music box.
"B-Bukku," gasps Imari. "You—you turned into a key!"
"Yes, yes, and we can freak out about it later~buku," says Bukku as he hold himself out to her as the heart key. "But, right now, we need you—I need you...Cure Fable!"
"Wh-what?" stammers Masato with wide eyes.
"Bukku," breathes Imari as she reaches out for Bukku, but pulls back. "But, I...I can't. Maybe...maybe I was never meant to be a Pretty Cure. What if I lose my abilities again? What if—"
"Since when are you the one asking all the 'what ifs', huh~buku?" snorts Bukku, bopping her on the head. "That's not like you at all~buku. Because, no matter what will happen, you never give up~buku." He puts a paw on either side of his mouth and pulls it up into a wide smile. "Bring back your supreme smile power~buku!"
Imari finally lets her tear fall down her face as she takes the heart key. "Thank you, Bukku."
Bukku smirks. "Enough thanking me and transform~buku!"
Imari shakes off her tears with a brave smile as she puts Bukku into the keyhole. The right words stream out of her lips as she turns the key.
"Pretty Cure...Happy Ending Melody!"
The music box opens and Imari is consumed by rainbow-coloured light as her hair turns blonde and grows down to her waist in pigtails in pink bows, golden bells, and white wings. With her star earrings, the magic dresses her in her pale pink puffed shirt with her red-and-yellow sailor collar, pink bow on her chest, and pink miniskirt. Finished with her long white leggings cover in stars, and short pink heel-boots.
"My New Story of Dreams...Cure Fable!"
Around her, the world seems to freeze as she is overcome by a blinding white light and she squeezes her eyes shut as she feels the light magic waltz around her. The horizon is fogged.
Suddenly, everything is dead quiet. Cure Fable takes the chance and slowly opens her eyes. Bukku is gone, Masato is gone, Linda, the Endingu. Cure Fable is standing in an empty white space.
Then, she isn't alone anymore.
"Hey, you copied my pigtails, Riri-chan. I'm honoured."
Cure Fable looks up with moon-wide eyes as an old friend steps out from the blind white mist.
In her Monogatari school uniform, Hina Kotorida welcomes her friend with her shining smile.
"H-Hina-chan? B-but how?"
"Oh, so cool~," chirps Hina as she spins around. "It feels like we're in a room full of fluffy white clouds! Dontcha think?" Hina stops and smiles at her friend again. "Now, what's with that expression? If I were you, my smile would be wider than a rainbow~! It's really amazing, y'know. You're a Pretty Cure!"
Cure Fable looks down at the ground. "But, it should have been you, Hina-chan." Cure Fable grips into her arm with darkened eyes. "You should have been the one who got to go to Minwa Academy. You should have been the one to meet Bukku, and Tomoka, and Nijiko. You should have been—"
Hina flicks Cure Fable in the nose. "Ow!"
"Don't give me that, Riri-chan," says Hina with a pout. "If you spend too much time thinking about the 'what-if's' and the 'should-have's', it'll eat you alive. If you ask me, you should focus on the 'oh-wells', y'know?"
"The...the 'oh-wells'?" echoes Cure Fable.
Hina grins. "Yeah, like, I didn't get to go to Minwa Academy. Oh well. You got called the Club Flunk. Oh well. You lost your ability to transform. Oh well. But, at least with an 'oh-well', you can keep moving forward. Much better than a 'what-if', for sure."
"I...I—"
Hina presses her finger to Cure Fable's lips.
"Let me ask you something," says Hina. "Minwa Academy was my dream. But, what is Minwa Academy to you, Riri-chan? Has it helped you find your dream?"
Cure Fable looks her friend in the eyes. "Well...I...uh..." She fidgets with a lock of her hair between her fingers. "Our school...our school isn't anything special. I mean, we're not known for any particular classes or unique teachings. We're...average. Ordinary. Like a dull rock. But, Minwa Academy is...so much more. It's a gem. Not just for being a school full of rich kids, but...for all their talents and exclusive clubs.
"We always admired that about the school, didn't we? All our classmates too. We always wished to be unique too, and stand out just like all of them. I guess...I guess that's why I wanted to fulfill your last request and go to Minwa Academy as an exchange student. Not because I wanted to abandon Kanon-chan or our classmates for more elite friends, but because I wanted to learn as much as I could about all the things that make Minwa Academy shine.
"I wanted to take some of that back with me. Their special and unique light. I wanted to share it with all my classmates. And, bit by bit, start to transform our school and everyone in it from ordinary to extraordinary. I thought I could share it with everyone."
Hina grins. "That's such a 'you' thing to say, Riri-chan. So selfish."
"H-How is that selfish!" protests Cure Fable.
Hina crosses her arms over her chest. "You're just putting your dreams onto other people's shoulders."
Cure Fable blinks.
Hina twirls her finger. "You say the 'school' is dull and ordinary...that you want the 'school' to become amazing like Minwa Academy, but I don't think you really mean the 'school'. I think you're talking about yourself. Am I right?"
Cure Fable opens her mouth, but no words come out.
"Tell me if this makes more sense?" hums Hina. "I'm not anything special. I'm not known for any particular talents. I'm average. Ordinary. Like a dull rock...but I want to be a gem. I wish I could be unique too. I wish I could stand out. I want to learn as much as I can about myself. I want to shine. I want to be a special and unique light. Bit by bit, I want to transform myself from ordinary to extraordinary. I want that for myself."
Hina winks. "Does that paint the picture better?"
Fresh tears fill Cure Fable's eyes. She tries to wipe them away at first, but new ones would replace them.
"You don't have to hold it in anymore, Riri-chan," murmurs Hina with a soft smile. "It's okay to be selfish. It's okay to let yourself have your own dreams."
Cure Fable finally lets herself sob. She cries into her hands and when she feels her friend wrap her arms around her in a hug, she quietly weeps into her shoulder.
"You're not dull, Riri-chan," says Hina and, although she can't see it, Cure Fable knew her friend was still smiling. "You're not ordinary either. To me, you are a gem. One-of-a-kind. And I know I'm not the only one who thinks that. So do your new friends too and your family."
Hina holds Cure Fable's face between her hands and playfully stretches her reddened cheeks. "We all believe in you, Riri-chan. It's about time, you believe in yourself too~!"
"Hina-chan," whimpers Cure Fable.
Her friend lets go and gives her a bright smile. "Well, my times almost up. I gotta get going now. And you do too, Cure Fable."
Cure Fable desperately shakes her head. "I don't want to! I'm not ready to say goodbye!"
Hina closes her eyes, but her smile remains. "Then, we won't."
Hina walks past Cure Fable, but she reaches out and grabs her hand. Hina smiles back at her. "You have to let go, Riri-chan." She squeezes back. "This isn't a 'goodbye'. This is a 'see ya later'."
Cure Fable swallows a sob.
"Oh, and say hi to Kanon-chan for me. I wanna know how she's doing in Pikarigaoka."
Cure Fable silently nods her head.
"See ya later, Riri-chan."
Cure Fable lets go.
Hina Kotorida is gone.
No.
She's not gone.
She is alive.
Inside Imari's heart.
There, she will find Hina every time.
Next time on Fairytale Pretty Cure!
Imari: Cure Fable is back, but the fight's not over yet.
I still have to save my friends.
But, now, with Bukku by my side and Hina-chan inside my heart, I know I can do it!
I believe in myself, not matter what!
My New Story! Cure Fable Returns!