Episode Twenty-Seven: My Heart is a Tempest! Full-Powered Genbu!
Kyoukai had been rocked by the recent events at Mirai Academy. Sure, many people in Kyoukai had known of Pretty Cure for over a decade now, and it was growing increasingly difficult to rationalize away the monster attacks that occasionally plagued the city. But there were the hazy memories of Pretty Cure and their battles that so many people in Kyoukai shared between them, and then there was actually seeing Pretty Cure in action. And at this point, people all over the globe had seen them.
The excitement over Pretty Cure's existence had risen to a fever pitch in the days since Mirai's culture festival. It was all anyone on campus seemed to want to talk about. People were furiously speculating over where the Cures would show up next and wondering if it'd be possible to meet them. Numerous people had created fanart or cobbled together fan videos from the fight footage they had. Even Teruko had gotten in on the action, texting Hiroko with a set of handmade Pretty Cure dolls.
bet these will do numbers at our gift shop. lmk if you want one hirocchi!
Hiroko felt a little strange about owning a Seiryuu doll. She had still sent away for one. It wasn't every day that people made fan merchandise of you, especially something so lovingly crafted.
But while Pretty Cure's newfound celebrity was certainly flattering, if a bit overwhelming, the six of them couldn't rest on their laurels, not after the fallout of their last battle, and especially not after they had gone back to check the Seiryuu stone. While some of the spirit power they had infused into it was still there, so much of it had been drained away. Their worst fears were beginning to seem more and more likely.
And that was what had brought the team, plus Keiko, to the Suzaku stone, which lay in the center of a small plaza located a short walk away from Kyoukai Dreamworld, this morning.
The atmosphere around the sealing stone restoration ritual had completely changed. It had gone from a proud accomplishment to a necessary evil to… something that only served to buy the group a little bit of time. If the Shade King was using Pretty Cure's drive to protect the people of Kyoukai to destroy the barrier, then that was really all they could do at the moment.
Or rather, if King Hinyu was. That had been one more upsetting revelation to add to the pile, courtesy of Tobi's latest letter to Keiko. Kagemera had shuffled off the mortal coil and Hinyu had seized the throne. Already, the man was making the power-hungry tyrant he had unseated ("and let's be honest, probably murdered", quoth P. Tobi) look reasonable in comparison. That was just more incentive to keep fighting.
This time, it was Haruki's turn to help Kichu restore the sealing stone's power. He dutifully accepted Kichu from Jun before approaching the sealing stone. Keiko tilted her head in confusion as Kichu pressed his paws to the phoenix carving on the stone, and the others stepped away from it.
"Wait, should I-?"
And then the phoenix carving began to glow with red light, red sparks began to dance and swirl around the area, and the air began to hum with power. Keiko squeaked in alarm and staggered backward, nearly crashing into Shun, as the Lux Temple came into focus around the group. This time, the imagery was perfectly stable and only somewhat translucent. It almost felt like they were in the Wellspring again.
Keiko was picking her jaw up off the ground. "Is this normal for you people?"
Yasu expressionlessly adjusted her glasses. "You get used to it."
Sol was there to greet the seven of them. He looked like Pretty Cure had caught him in the middle of something, but then, every spirit in the Lux Temple looked like they were in the middle of something. The temple was abuzz with activity, and everyone was conducting themselves with a sense of urgency.
"Ah! There's my lovely daughter - and her mighty comrades!" Sol was as cheerful as usual, but nobody could miss the dark circles under his eyes or the strain in his voice. "I see you brought some new additions along too!" He indicated Shun and Keiko. "Are you two the rumored Shade Kingdom allies?"
"Well, my powers - and half my bloodline - are from there." Shun said. "I grew up on Earth, though." She dropped into a hasty bow. "Erm, anyway! Shun Siegel, also known as Cure Kirin. Nice to meet you, sir."
Keiko struck a pose. "And I'm her ultra-cute little sister, and one of the world's greatest magical geniuses, Keiko Ninomiya!" Her smile faltered. "It feels strange to have you Wellspring people want to talk to us."
"I don't blame you." Sol said. "We haven't been good neighbors for a long time. But things will have to change if we intend to create a better future. Even the head priest has recognized that."
"Iris-sama said it'd take a miracle to revive the powers of the Shade Kingdom Cures." Jun said. "And now Shunyan has her powers - and the Umbra Carillon and we've already combined our powers once before. That's one new advantage we have, thanks to our Shade Kingdom friends."
"And we'll probably need every advantage we can get." Haruki added. "I feel like we're approaching the final set of quests before the last dungeon opens up."
"We don't entirely understand the situation at the moment." Hiroko said. "But we think our enemies are using us to destroy the barrier."
Sol listened attentively as Hiroko explained the situation to the best of her ability, as her teammates occasionally jumped in to help. The strange Nikuina, its possible connections to Keiko's estranged sister and the old magic that slept in the Umbra Temple, how their victory had protected the people of Kyoukai but had apparently served the enemy's plans at the same time.
"I feel like we're on a timer." Izumi said. "Not like we can just sit there and twiddle our thumbs while a Nikuina's wrecking everything." She clenched a fist. "And that bastard knows it."
"That's the kind of stuff Hinyu does." Keiko said bitterly. "The kind of stuff he's forcing Shiori to help him with." She pointed defiantly at Sol. "Listen, you! These six are trying to become heroes Shiori can believe in - so you people had better do your part too! I won't forgive you if you don't!"
Sol didn't seem at all bothered by Keiko's tone. "We're doing what we can, I promise." he assured her. "We're trying to establish communications with the Shade Kingdom rebellion at the moment. And many of our best warriors have been training non-stop, myself included."
Jun looked more than a bit concerned. "Papa, you can't be planning to-!"
"I want to be prepared for the worst." Sol said. "We can't sit back and leave everything to Pretty Cure, especially a problem that's been left to fester this long. But I won't risk myself needlessly, I promise."
"Chu chuu!" huffed Kichu, who was perched on Haruki's shoulder, as he crossed his little arms.
Shun patted Jun on the shoulder as she added "The rebellion's planning on taking back the Shade Palace from the sound of it. If you guys can find a way to back them up, it'd be a load off everyone's mind." She grimaced a bit "I guess we're kind of stuck holding the line until Mom's ready."
"And when that day does come, we'll all make it home." Jun gave Haruki's hand a firm squeeze as she spoke. "We won't have any more sacrifices, and we won't repeat our old mistakes."
Haruki nodded firmly. "We'll earn the one hundred percent completion golden ending, and we'll all do it together."
Izumi punched her fists together. "And if we've gotta kick a ton of ass to get to it, so be it!, I'm ready for anything that smug asshole could throw at us."
"It doesn't matter how scary and uncertain the future is." Hiroko said. "If we combine our strengths, we can create a better tomorrow. We have to try and keep trying."
" Trying is all well and good." Keiko huffed. "But as far as I'm concerned, we'll do it or we won't do it. And since you have me on your side, we'll definitely do it! Ohohoho! Hinyu won't know what hit him!"
Kichu caught the tone and imitated Keiko's noblewoman's laugh, pose and all. "Chuhuhuhu~"
Sol smiled fondly. "You're all such splendid young people." he said. "You're in the top percentage of all heroes, just as my daughter is in the top percentage of all daughters! No wonder she was drawn to you! My little Muse has always had a keen eye, you know!"
And now Jun was tomato red again. "Papa…"
"Let me fuss over my little girl while I can!" Sol insisted. "You have such a strong sense of resolve, Muse - just like your mother." His eyes were watering a bit. "You really don't know how mu-"
And the Lux Temple blinked out of existence again, before Sol could finish the sentence.
"It's okay." Jun assured Haruki, who was regarding her worriedly. "I know what Papa was going to say." She pressed a hand to her heart. "And it meant a lot to me too. Just like it must mean a lot to Mama."
The seven teens and one mouse spent a moment in solemn silence… and then Izumi swore under her breath as she checked her phone.
"Ugh, sorry to derail, but we've gotta get back to the Yoshimoto estate like, right now." she told Shun and Keiko. "My folks are coming over today, remember?"
Yasu regarded Izumi worriedly. "Will you be alright?"
"Of course I will!" Izumi insisted. "What's a couple of stubborn, selfish adults compared to the potential end of the world? Besides, it's not like either of them are gonna fight to keep me, not when Granny Hayate's won them over."
Shun didn't share Izumi's enthusiasm. "I'm glad things seem to be working out. But this is still a big decision you're making."
"Yeah, but consider this, Sieg-kun - my parents suck, I don't want them, and they don't want me." Izumi said. "This is like, a win-win all around. Now c'mon - they'll get all snarly if we're late!"
Izumi took off at a speed that could easily put Shun to shame, as her girlfriend hurried after her. Poor Keiko was left trailing behind the pair, even if she was no slouch in the running department herself.
"Hey!" she snapped as she hurried after them. "Not all of us are track star types, you know!"
Hiroko frowned as she watched her friends hurry off. She didn't know what was going through Izumi's head right now. She couldn't, not when her parents had always been there for her in a way that Izumi's clearly never had. But she couldn't help but worry about her fellow Cure a bit.
"Izumi… please don't force yourself."
The Shade Kingdom was not in good shape and had not been in good shape for a good twenty-five years. But what had been a long and slow deterioration under King Kagemera had turned into a sudden and sharp decline under King Hinyu. Shahei had no way of observing the extent of the damage, not when she was confined to her chambers, but she had extrapolated more than enough from the tiny snatches of gossip shared between passing servants and the shifting atmosphere in the Shade Palace.
Hinyu was, in a sense, the hound that had caught the cart - he wanted the power that came with being Shade King but had neither interest in nor talent for governing. No, he was content to let his kingdom continue going to seed while he doggedly pursued his vendetta against Soyokaze and her army.
This was the sort of thing that peasant uprisings were made of. Even Shahei could understand that. But then, the monarchs in those situations didn't have something like the Tree of Wrath at their command. And they certainly didn't have a wicked witch lending them power.
"In their eyes, you're the same as me." A dry laugh, a shake of the head "No, to them, you're far worse. I think you'd best keep that in mind, Shahei."
He had told her that last time had led her out to the Umbra Temple and caught her glancing in the direction of where she had once lived. She had nothing to say to that. She couldn't say anything to that.
Her hatred for Hinyu only built by the day. But she couldn't act on it - fear aside, something told her the crown wouldn't let her. And on paper, she had nobody else, unless you counted Tamakushi, who kept her at an emotional arm's length every time they did interact, or the palace servants, who had been ordered under harsh penalties not to engage with her beyond the bare minimum. On paper, anyway.
Because Shahei did have someone else now. She had Kazu.
Shahei wasn't sure what she made of Kazu. On one hand, he was clearly an adult, and she did not trust adults on principle. On the other, he couldn't do anything to harm her, as far as Shahei knew. And on top of that, Kazu couldn't communicate with anyone else outside the Tree any more than Shahei really could. They shared a connection nobody else here had.
He was no Kae, but he would have to do.
In hindsight, she shouldn't have been shocked when she learned who he really was. Everyone in the Shade Kingdom knew of the traitor prince sacrificed to the Tree of Wrath. But she had still been thrown for a loop when she mentioned the recent demise of King Kagemera, and Kazu had gone dead silent.
"Kazu-san? Is something wrong?"
"I knew this day would come. He was dying for a long time. I saw it all over his face when he brought me back to the palace." Kazu sounded like he might cry. "But I still wasn't prepared to hear this."
Shahei, who was leaning up against the wall of her chamber as usual, bristled, as the gears in her head began to turn. "Were you close?"
"Were you close?"
"He was my father." Kazu said. And before Shahei could ask, he confirmed what she had already suspected. "I was once known as Prince Tsukimera. But I renounced that name and title long ago."
An unreadable expression crossed Shahei's face. So she was right. Somehow, against all odds, Kagemera's traitorous son had lived on after being sacrificed to the Tree of Wrath. An enemy of everything Kagemera stood for had become a part of Hinyu's greatest asset. The wicked witch sealed in the chamber and the traitor prince sealed in the tree - what would come of this sort of alliance?
"I see." Even Shahei's mental voice sounded dulled to her. "This must be hard on you."
"It is." Kazu said. "It shouldn't be. I was dead to him the moment I sided with his enemies. We weren't in any way close even before that. But I suppose there's a part of me that mourns for what could have been. What will never be, now that he's dead." He went dead silent for a moment, then "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be dumping all of this on a child."
Shahei shook her head. "My age isn't relevant."
"It's relevant to me." Kazu retorted. "You don't exist to dry the tears of adults."
Shahei didn't know what to say to that. It felt so… alien after dealing with Hinyu, who treated her as an emotional crutch as often as he did a verbal punching bag.
"Would it be easier to mourn alone, then?" Shahei didn't want Kazu to leave her alone. It didn't matter.
"I'm not exactly alone where I am." Kazu said. "I do think that would be for the best, though." Another pause, then "But I'll be here when you need me, Witch-san. I can't help but worry about you."
"Shiori Futaba." Shahei replied. "That's my name."
Shahei felt Kazu's confusion as if it were her own. "That's an oddly human name, Futaba-san."
"As is yours, Kazu-san. We're quite similar."
Kazu laughed sheepishly. "You've got me there. I won't pry any harder, I swear." He hesitated for a moment, and then "Like I said, whenever you need me. Please stay safe Futaba-san."
And then, his presence was gone. Shahei slowly exhaled before slowly sinking to the ground. Her eyes were wet with tears, she noted as she pressed her gloved fingertips to the corners of one. Ah.
"You too, Kazu-san." she whispered to the empty air.
Izumi was beginning to get butterflies in her stomach as the hour of her parents' scheduled visit to the Yoshimoto estate drew near. She had no idea why, not really. It wasn't like there was anything to worry about. The difficult stuff had already been taken care of. They were just finalizing things now.
Izumi had made her plans for the future abundantly clear to her parents during the video call they had arranged. She was not going to Luminous Town or America. She was going to remain in Kyoukai and continue to study at Mirai, even if it meant cutting ties with them.
"Granny Hayate has already offered to let me live with her." she had told Umi and Riku. "She can cover my financial expenses too. Hell, I'll get a job myself, if that's what it takes."
Her father and her mother had tried to sway her. But in the end, both of them had relented. Izumi wasn't a little child anymore, after all. She was almost old enough to live on her own. And living with a respectable wealthy family might smooth out those rough manners of hers. Neither of them got the daughter-shaped trophy they had been fighting bitterly over for years, but they didn't have to deal with her anymore.
And that was fine! Because Izumi didn't have to deal with them . No more futilely jockeying for their approval, no more repeated disappointments, no more irritation. It would be smooth sailing at the Yoshimoto estate from now on.
So why did she feel so uneasy?
"C'mon, what's wrong with you?" she told her reflection in the guest bedroom mirror as she gave her hair one last once-over. "This is the start of your future! Your ideal future! Get hyped, Izumi!"
Maybe she was just nervous about having to face Umi and Riku one last time. And that time soon arrived, right on the dot. For once, her father and mother showed up somewhere at the same time. And they both looked so very… well-adjusted, Izumi mused as she furtively peered around a corner, watching Hayate greet her parents as they stepped through the threshold. Better than they had in years.
Maybe it was because they had finalized their divorce. Maybe it was because they were finally cutting her, the last reminder of their ill-fated marriage, loose. Maybe it was both. Not like she really cared .
"Are those your parents?" Keiko, who had really gotten herself spruced up in her best dress and hair ribbon, as if she was the one meeting with family, was hovering behind Izumi - and speaking just a half-step too loudly. "You look similar physically , but their vibes are totally off."
Izumi shushed Keiko. "Lower your volume!" she hissed, also a bit too loudly.
And now Riku and Umi were looking straight at the pair. Izumi swallowed her frustration and reluctantly emerged from her hiding spot as Keiko followed after her.
"Mom. Dad. Hello." Izumi's delivery would have to loosen up to be called "stiff". "I hope you found this place alright."
"Oh, don't worry about that. It was pretty difficult to miss." Riku sounded a bit absent himself. "You're looking well, Izumi. This place is already having a good influence on you."
"And what a well-dressed little lady you brought along!" Umi added. "You must be one of Hayate-san's precious grandchildren."
"That's right." Keiko dropped into a formal curtsy. "Keiko Ninomiya. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
Keiko was really laying it on thick. And Umi had clearly bought right into it. She and Riku looked utterly taken with Keiko. Izumi had to suppress the urge to laugh. If only they knew what Keiko was really like.
"Keiko is a darling girl." Hayate affectionately ruffled Keiko's hair. "And so is Izumi, of course." she added, ruffling hers as well. "She's been fine and full of energy as always."
"Is that so?" Umi made no move to hug or even touch Izumi. Neither did her ex-husband. "I hope Izumi hasn't given you too much trouble. That energy of hers can be a bit much."
Izumi swallowed the fireball that rose in her chest. Umi could talk about her like she was an annoying puppy as much as she wanted. It wouldn't matter at all soon enough. She had to keep reminding herself of that.
The living room of the Yoshimoto estate was pleasantly roomy, with subtly elegant and delicately colorful floral decor, which caught the sunlight streaming in through a large set of windows. Said windows afforded a perfect view of the estate's garden and neighboring teahouse. The group sat on cushions around the polished mahogany table at the center. Hayate had poured tea and prepared handmade mochi for everyone.
Kimiko would not be joining the group - her illness had left her mostly bed-bound for today. Shun would be a bit late, as she was seeing to Kimiko first. So that left Izumi and Keiko, for now.
At first, everything went well. Umi and Riku only had pleasant small talk to offer, but even that was welcome. They asked her about her school life, about her friends, about her plans for the future. They were also quite interested in Keiko. It was almost impressive how well she played the part of a well-behaved princess.
"I'm not letting them take one of my rivals away from me." she had told Izumi while they got ready. "So I'll make sure to be extra-normal for them. Ohohoho! I'll blow them away with how normal I am!
Well, Keiko was succeeding. And Izumi was actually feeling pretty positive about the whole thing. Despite everything, maybe she would be able to part with her family on a pleasant note. And then, Umi ruined that.
"Keiko-chan is such a fine young lady." Umi told Hayate between sips of tea. "I'm glad Izumi will be living with such a positive influence. I was worried that girl would keep dragging her down."
An awkward pall fell over the table as Izumi and Keiko exchanged tense glances. She couldn't mean-
"Hm? Who are you referring to, if I could ask?" Hayate said.
"Oh, it's this high-school girl she was obsessed with." Umi said disdainfully. "Some motorbike-riding… well, you know. It's all fine and good in junior high. But every girl has to grow out of that phase eventually." She took another sip of her tea. "I know I did."
Izumi bristled. "Shun isn't-!"
Umi regarded Izumi quizzically. "Who is Shun, Izumi?"
Izumi's stomach dropped. She had told her parents about Shun multiple times, just like she had told them about so many other important things in her life. And they hadn't paid attention at all. They had fixated on the bit about her being too close to a girl and tuned out everything else.
And then Shun had chosen that time to enter the living room.
"Sorry I'm late." She dropped into a bow of apology. "I wanted to make sure Kimi was fully looked after." And then, to Umi and Riku. "Ah, you must be Izumi's parents. I'm-"
Her words dried up as she noticed Izumi's look of anguish. And then-
"Ah, this must be Shun!" Riku said. "So, you've finally found yourself a boyfriend. Is that it, Izumi? He seems like a well-mannered young man."
Shun's smile faded. " Young woman ." Izumi didn't miss the sharp note of annoyance in her girlfriend's voice as she took her seat beside her. "Izumi and I have known each other for two years now. And I know she's talked a lot about me. We don't keep much from each other."
Izumi felt Shun lay a hand over hers. It was clear that her girlfriend was holding herself back, just like Izumi was. And that spoke volumes, considering how slow to anger Shun typically was.
"People make assumptions about Shun-chan." Hayate said. "But she's a wonderful young lady, much like my other granddaughters. Just like your Izumi-chan."
"Oh, I see." Either Umi hadn't drawn a line between Shun and the girl she had been decrying a moment ago, or she was choosing not to. "Well, keep being a good older sister to Izumi, won't you? She needs one."
At least the discussion had carried on without much incident after that. Her parents had talked about finances, living arrangements, and Izumi's future with Hayate, as Izumi struggled to swallow the fireball brewing in her stomach. She and Shun did not let go of each other's hand the entire time. Not as the discussion over tea carried on and not afterward, as Hayate led the group on a tour of the Yoshimoto estate.
They really didn't care about Izumi at all. They never had. They had never listened to her once, and if they had, they only heard what they wanted to hear. And because neither of them could keep her as a trophy, she was officially useless to them. No wonder this was going so well.
They'll move on. a bitter part of her sneered. They'll marry other people. They'll have children they actually care about. They'll forget all about you.
And? That's nothing to be upset about. she told that part of herself. Hell, that's a reason to party!
So, why was her stomach churning so hard? Why was she trembling all over and gripping Shun's hand so tightly? Why did she feel so uneasy? Why did she want to beg them to stay? What was wrong with her?!
After what seemed like a small eternity, it all came to an end. Finally, Umi and Riku Hamasaki were, as far as Izumi knew, ready to walk out of her life for good. She was there to see them off as they prepared to depart the Yoshimoto estate. It had been a bland set of goodbyes, coupled with rote promises to keep up her studies and stay in touch, promises that Izumi really didn't plan to follow through on.
Her parents moved to leave. And then something in Izumi broke. She hurried out of the front entrance after them without thinking.
"Wait!" Her parents stopped in their tracks. "I have a major gymnastics meet coming up in a couple of days. They'll be holding it at the Kyoukai Athletics Center. It'd mean a lot to me if you came and watched."
One last chance. One last peace offering. One last cry for attention. Why was she even bothering?
"I'm sorry, but that won't be possible." Umi said. "My schedule is already full, Izumi."
"Unfortunately, I'm booked solid myself." Riku said. "I'll try and make some time for the next one, okay?"
"You always say that." Izumi whispered to herself as she watched her parents walk away. She balled her hands into fists as she trembled with anger. "Why should I believe you?"
Izumi felt a hand on her shoulder - Shun, who was looking at her with concern. Keiko had come along too.
"They're finally gone, huh." Keiko said. At Izumi's shaky nod, she burst out laughing. "Well, good riddance! Ugh, those two were totally insufferable! I'm glad they're finally out of your life, Izumi. It's what you deserve." She threw in an arrogant hair flip. "Even I, your sworn rival, understand that!"
Shun looked a bit tense. "I'm not fond of them either. And I'm glad this is settled." she said. "But-"
Izumi shook her head. "Nah, there's no 'but' about it, Sieg-kun." She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders… and let out a relieved laugh of her own. "Man! I can't believe I'm finally free!" She pumped her fist into the air. "No more of their bullshit, ever! And I get to live here, with you guys! This rocks!"
"We should celebrate this occasion." Keiko said. "Right now!" She grabbed Shun's hands. "Dear sister! Let's have a party at Western Paradise!"
"Oh, that's a great idea!" Izumi said. "I'm totally game for that if you are, Sieg-kun."
Shun looked a bit taken aback. "Well, I guess I'm a little hungry." She hummed thoughtfully. "We could grab some stuff for your room too - my treat." She smiled. "I feel like spoiling you a little."
"Sieg-kun!" Izumi pulled Shun into a tight hug, causing her girlfriend to go tomato red. "Thank you so much!" Before Shun could recover, she turned around and pulled a very taken aback Keiko into a hug as well. "You too, Keiko! The future is gonna rule all!"
"H-hey!" Keiko huffed indignantly as Izumi released her from the hug. "We're still rivals, you know! Don't get too chummy, you!"
" Whatever you say , Keiko-chan." Izumi said teasingly, causing Keiko to go hot pink. "Man, you're super cute when you're flustered like this."
Keiko went even pinker before lunging after Izumi. She easily dashed away from Keiko, prompting the younger girl to indignantly order Shun to pick her up and give chase. And then the three were off in the direction of Western Paradise, laughing amongst themselves the entire way.
Sure, Izumi's body still felt heavy. Her stomach still felt sour. She still felt this horrible sense of loss. But she'd definitely get over all of these things very soon. There was no logical reason for her to be upset, after all. Now was the first day of the rest of her life, and things would only get better from here!
Unfortunately, Izumi was wrong. That awful feeling didn't go away.
On the surface, everything was going perfectly well for her. Her new room in the Yoshimoto estate was already being decorated with the furnishings Shun had bought for her. Within a few months, she would be ready to move her things out of her dorm and into her new living space. She would finally be a part of the residence, just as she had wanted for a while now.
And she was acting like the same hot-blooded and energetic Izumi she had always been. She threw herself into practicing for the annual citywide gymnastics meet with gusto, she happily fooled around with her friends, she treated herself to food like she hadn't eaten in months, and she keenly planned for the Shade Kingdom's next move with her fellow Cures. All should have been well, if not better than well.
Except… Izumi felt like something inside of her had broken. Like she was a toy with a spring that had suddenly popped out of place. And that feeling didn't go away, no matter how hard she ignored it.
She didn't understand. Her feelings had always made sense to her before. But now… now, she was at a complete loss. Why did she feel like she'd lost something important? It didn't make any sense at all!
Umi and Riku didn't respect her. They had never once been there when she needed them, not when she accomplished anything, not when she was sick or injured, not when she was in need of comfort. They didn't respect her beloved girlfriend at all, or her friends, or Izumi herself.
How would Shun feel, if she knew Izumi missed the people who had disrespected her like that? How would her friends feel, knowing she regretted cutting Umi and Riku out of her life? It would hurt them, wouldn't it? It made Izumi seem like an ungrateful and selfish person, didn't it? Maybe she was.
She had to swallow these feelings down until they went away. She couldn't talk about them. She couldn't!
But those feelings didn't go away. They remained where they were, festering deep inside her, even as she continued to carry on like nothing was amiss. Like some awful part of her didn't regret turning her back on her parents. Like she hadn't had to force herself to refrain from calling them, multiple times. Like she hadn't stayed up re-reading text messages from her parents, ones she still couldn't bear to delete.
(Those text messages had stepped up after Umi and Riku had announced their divorce. They had dried up after Izumi made it clear she was staying with Hayate. That should have helped and yet, and yet-!)
And those feelings must have been affecting Izumi more than she cared to admit, even to herself, because Mieko had pulled her aside after this latest gymnastics practice session.
"Is everything alright, Shiroka-sensei?" Izumi asked. It wasn't like Mieko to get on her case about her performance, not when she was one of the top members of the team.
"That's my line, Hamasaki-san." Mieko frowned a bit. "Your performance has been off lately, and I'm becoming concerned. If something has been troubling you, we need to address that."
Izumi's stomach dropped. Was it that bad? "You're scared I'll hurt myself, aren't you?"
Mieko nodded. "Gymnastics requires a focused mind as much as a focused body. If you go to the mat with your mind elsewhere, it could cost you dearly. I need you to remember that."
Mieko was speaking from personal experience. Everyone on the team knew that. Their coach had been a star gymnast herself once, in her adolescence, until a catastrophic knee injury suffered mid-competition had forced her early retirement. All it took was one thing going wrong, and all that could take was one lapse in concentration. Mieko had constantly drilled that into her students.
But Izumi couldn't tell Mieko what was going on either. So, she just forced a smile she didn't feel.
"I will." Izumi flashed Mieko a peace sign. "And I promise - I'll be two hundred percent for our meet!"
Because she would be. She had to be. What choice did she have?
Izumi hadn't gone back to the dorms right away. She had headed off-campus and swung by a nearby convenience store to grab a snack - or well, several, before plonking herself on a bench and chowing down on her purchases, starting with a jumbo-sized red bean bun. Practice always made her hungry, especially practice for important competitions like this, and food always soothed her nerves.
A little girl with hair the same sandy blond as Izumi ran past before taking a hard spill on the ground and bursting into tears. Izumi winced in sympathy as her parents hurried after her.
Kayo's mother waved her hands over her knee. "Pain, pain, go away!" Kayo hadn't quite calmed down. "Oh dear! I'll need your help, Papa!"
"Of course, Mama." Kayo's father said, before following suit. "Pain, pain, go away!" This finally got Kayo to calm down. "There's our strong girl!" he told his daughter as he boosted her up on her shoulders. "What should we have for dinner tonight?"
"Pizza!" Kayo chirped. "At Western Paradise!"
Izumi's red bean bun gradually lost its taste in her mouth as she watched the family leave, happily chatting about all the things they would order at Western Paradise. A little girl with two parents who loved her. Parents who would help her if she was hurt. Parents who actually wanted to make her happy.
She never had that. She would never, ever have that. That door had closed to her forever.
The corners of her eyes were stinging. She took one last tentative bite of her red bean bun before chucking it in a nearby trash can. It didn't taste like anything anymore. She stared down at her hands.
"I'll be okay. I have to be."
Then why did her heart hurt? Why was her vision beginning to blur? Why had she lost her appetite?
"I don't need them. Not anymore. I have Granny Hayate. I have Kimi and Shun and Keiko and… and…"
And yet, Izumi suddenly felt too gutted to speak. Gutted and terribly cold. She hugged her arms to her chest, as the world carried on around her, oblivious to the girl with a tempest brewing in her heart.
What was wrong with her?
Izumi was feeling a lot better by the time Kyoukai's citywide gymnastics meet rolled around, at least. Or maybe she just had other, more pressing things to focus on, between this competition and yet another suspicious lull on the Shade Kingdom's end. With their luck, Hinyu would choose today to target another sealing stone. It was likely, especially given the steadily grimmer note that Tobi's letters were taking.
At least she could punch her way out of those problems, Izumi mused as she waited in the stadium tunnel with her team and nervously cycled through stretches. Just like she could move her way through this one.
The Kyoukai Athletics Center was a positively massive domed building located in Kyoukai's downtown area, and its state of the art indoor stadium would serve as the stage for the citywide gymnastics meet. The bleachers were absolutely packed with onlookers, and the air was alight with excitement and anticipation. Even from here, Izumi could hear everyone getting pumped up.
Izumi took a deep breath and steeled herself. Shun was cheering for her from the bleachers, just as she always had. All of her precious friends were counting on her to blow the competition away. Hayate had promised to treat her, no matter how things turned out today. And boy, did she plan to deliver.
The booming voice of the announcer ushered Mirai's rhythmic gymnastics team into the stadium. Izumi took a deep breath as her grip tightened on the handle of her ribbon. It was time.
"Alright!" Izumi pumped her fist into the air. "Let's get out there and rule all!"
Her fellow gymnasts exchanged looks… before catching the tone and throwing in fist-pumps of their own.
"Yeah!" another girl said. "Let's show everyone what Mirai is made of!"
The members of Pretty Cure, along with Keiko and Hayate, watched as Mirai Academy's rhythmic gymnastics team, resplendent in shimmering white and gold leotards, took the field. Hayate had made sure the group had excellent seating, giving them a clear view of Izumi and vice-versa.
"Izunyan is sparkling so brightly." said Jun, who was holding one side of the banner the team had made - a colorful piece that announced 'Go for it, Izumi!' in bold lettering. It was decorated with colorful sequins and glitter and sported cute drawings of the team's respective animals. "I can't wait to see her in action!"
"Our gymnastics team has always been really skilled. And Izumi's one of its star members." said Haruki, who was holding the other side of the banner. "You're really going to enjoy this, Jun."
"Anywhere I go with Harunyan is enjoyable." Jun replied, as Kichu eagerly bobbed his head in agreement. Haruki, who had gone beet red, had no comment to offer in return.
Hiroko, meanwhile, couldn't help but notice how tense Shun looked. "Shun? Is everything alright?"
"I'm not sure." Shun said quietly. "I've been to every competition Izumi's had, and I've never felt nervous on her behalf. But now…" She shook her head. "I feel like she might spin out any second."
Yasu frowned. "She keeps telling us nothing is wrong. But if you say that…"
"Then something has to be off dear sister." Keiko told Shun. "You usually have nothing but faith in her."
The rest of the group had caught the tone. Shun was probably right to be worried, looking back on it. Izumi hadn't been avoiding them or refusing to talk about her feelings for fear of burdening them, not like before. But she really had been a bit off lately, even as she talked about how happy she was about finally getting to cut off her parents and eagerly made lans for the future with everyone.
Hiroko's stomach dropped. "She really has been forcing herself, hasn't she?"
Hayate said nothing. But she was just as concerned about Izumi. It was written all over her face.
And then Mirai's group routine started. Hot blooded-music filled the stadium as Izumi and her fellow rhythmic gymnasts threw themselves into their performance. Pretty Cure and their allies found their worries over their friend melting away as they were quickly caught up in the resulting excitement.
"Go for it, Izunyan!" Jun cheered as she and Haruki boosted their banner higher.
"You're number one in Japan!" Haruki cheered.
Izumi and her teammates made everything look easy, from the way they moved in perfect sync to the music to their finely-honed acrobatic moves to their tight control over their rainbow-colored ribbons. But nothing about this routine was effortless. This performance was the culmination of weeks of practice and volumes of blood, sweat and tears. Mirai Academy's gymnastics team had fought for its stellar reputation.
And Izumi was shining brighter than every other gymnast here. She couldn't stand out too much, not when this was a team effort. But her passion shined through all the same, and it only seemed to grow hotter and brighter as the excitement of the crowd built to a dramatic fever pitch.
Shun was completely fired up now. "Izumi!" Her eyes blazed like twin flames as she excitedly jumped up from her seat, her earlier anxiety apparently completely forgotten. "You're on fire! Go for victory, Izumi!"
"Yeah!" Keiko jumped up onto her seat, in an effort to match Shun's height. "What she said!"
Izumi couldn't hear her friends' cheers clearly, not with the crowd roaring and the music blaring in her ears. But she could sense their enthusiasm for her as she and her team moved into the final and most complicated phase of their routine, a high-intensity demonstration of their acrobatic talents, complete with balletic high jumps and mid-air twists. One tiny mistake during this section could cost them dearly.
But Izumi wasn't going to mess up. Izumi was on a roll now. There had never been any need to worry. Not when her friends had her back! Not when she was surrounded by people who loved her!
I'll be okay from now on! Because I have people dear to me!
Her body seemed to move on its own. Every maneuver, no matter how complicated, felt as simple and instinctual as breathing. This was shaping up to be the best performance she'd ever done!
I don't need those two! I never did! I haven't lost anything at all!
Izumi did a running leap into the air, after two of her fellow gymnastics. Her body flipped and twisted with perfectly controlled acrobatic grace as her ribbon traveled in an elegant arc behind her… right as those awful, unwanted feelings suddenly shot back to the surface and hit her like a sharp punch to the gut.
Izumi's entire body tensed up. No! Please no! Why now?!
Time seemed to grind to a halt, and the color seemed to wash out of the surroundings. For a moment, all was frozen - the crowd, Izumi's fellow gymnasts, and Izumi herself. She was suspended in the air, her ribbon frozen around her, as the corners of her eyes began to sting with unwelcome heat.
So why… why do I…?
And then time abruptly started again. Izumi came down from her jump. But she didn't stick the landing.
A sudden, sharp pop rang through Izumi's skull as her right knee went the wrong way. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks as she felt herself collapse onto the mat. She didn't scream or yell or even whimper. She couldn't, not when she felt as if the air been knocked right out of her.
The music ground to a halt. So did the performance. Izumi could feel hundreds of eyes boring into her, the stupid, selfish, broken girl who had ruined the meet and likely cost Mirai its chance to win.
But nobody's reaction hurt as much as her friends' did. Izumi could clearly see them from here, even lying on the mat like this. They all looked absolutely horrified - especially Shun. Izumi had never seen her girlfriend look so utterly crushed. She had done that. And after she'd been trying to avoid hurting her.
Mieko was yelling for someone to get a wheelchair, as Izumi's teammates flew to her aid. She could hardly make out what they were saying, between the pain and adrenaline flooding her system and the feeling of crushing shame settling on her chest. She was drowning on dry land yet again.
Izumi let the water close over her head. She didn't know what else to do. Not anymore.
"...this… help any?"
The pain flooding Izumi's system gradually faded from a sharp, burning agony to a dull ache as Jun's face slowly came into focus before her. Her friend's hands were gently glowing with golden light as she pressed them to Izumi's injured knee, which was now tightly wrapped with a bandage.
"Does this help any, Izunyan?" Jun asked again.
Izumi nodded absently as she gradually regained her bearings. She was in one of the stadium's warmly decorated and carpeted changing rooms, from the look of it, seated on one of its cushioned benches, with her leg popped up. A wheelchair was folded nearby, and an opened bottle of water was near her. Shun was sitting next to her and holding her hand, and the rest of her teammates were standing around her.
Everything that had come before this was a blur. Izumi vaguely remembered being taken here. She remembered Mieko saying she'd send for a doctor and offering to remain with her until then.
Izumi had turned her down. The gymnastics meet wasn't over. It was bad enough that she had likely cost Mirai's team what should have been a sure win. She couldn't ask Mieko to stay like this, especially after Mieko had warned her of this exact thing. If she thought Izumi was an idiot for this, well, Izumi wouldn't blame her at all.
And then her friends came asking after her. Izumi vaguely recalled asking them to stay. She wasn't sure why. It wasn't like she deserved to be in their presence, after everything.
"Shiroka-sensei thinks I sprained my ACL." Izumi said numbly. "It'll heal, eventually. But I won't be able to compete for a while. I'm sorry, everyone."
"Izumi, you haven't done anything wrong." Shun said firmly. There's no need for you to apologize."
"That's not true!"
Shun looked jarred by Izumi's sudden outburst. Her other friends were staring at her in shock. Even Kichu looked rattled. There was no point in holding back anymore. Not after she had screwed up so utterly.
"You've done so much for me, Sieg-kun. You and your sisters and Granny Hayate." Izumi couldn't meet anyone's eyes. "All of you… you're always here for me when I need you. I know you don't think of me as a burden. Not like they did." Her voice began to crack. "So why can't I be grateful for that, huh?"
"Izumi… is this about your parents?" Hiroko asked worriedly.
"They let go of me so easily. They never wanted me at all." Izumi's tears were flowing freely now. "So why do I miss them? Why do I feel like I made a mistake?! "
She was a horrible person. A selfish, ungrateful person. A broken person who insisted on pining after people who had failed her repeatedly. And yet, she still found herself pulled into a hug by her girlfriend. Her girlfriend, who was crying. Because of her. She really had caused so much trouble for Shun.
"You've done so much for me. And I still feel lonely without them. Even after they said that awful stuff about you." Izumi sniffled miserably. "I'm sorry, Sieg-kun."
Shun shook her head. "That's not why I'm upset, Izumi." she said as she released her from the hug. "I'm angrier at myself. I should've realized how hard this would be on you."
"Same." Keiko agreed. "I don't like my mom either. But she was never actually there . It's not the same thing." She looked aside. "No wonder it was so easy to run my mouth."
"I don't know what it must be like for you, Izumi." Yasu said. "But I know what it's like to lose a parent. And I know what it's like to grieve that loss."
Izumi's hand went to her chest. "I'm… grieving?"
Her mind went back to Kayo and her loving parents. That was the dream she had clung to for years. Because she loved her parents. She loved them from the bottom of her heart, even when it hurt her to do so. Because children wanted love from their parents. And parents were supposed to love them back.
And now Umi and Riku had walked out of her life. Izumi would be better for that. But she still loved them, even now. And a part of her still insisted on clinging to a dream that would never, ever come true.
"You've been hurting for fifteen years, Izunyan." Jun said gently. "Nobody would expect you to get over it overnight. It's a process." She smiled sadly. "I understand that more than anybody."
Kichu gently nuzzled Jun's face - before leaping towards Izumi, clambering up her shoulder, and nuzzling her face as well. "Chu…"
"I know how much you wanted it to be different." Hiroko said gently. "We all did. None of this was your fault, Izumi. And you're not a bad person for missing them either."
Izumi nodded tearfully as she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She had wanted it to be different. Maybe that was who she was grieving. Not the real Umi. Not the real Riku. The mother and father she had wanted to have. The ones she believed she could bring into existence, if only she tried hard enough.
But that Umi and that Riku had never been real. They had died with the rest of that futile dream of hers. And if it was okay to mourn their loss, then…
"Then… it's okay to feel like this?" Izumi wasn't sure what to do with this, not right now. Not after her fear of giving voice to her feelings had led to this. Not when she felt as guilty for fearing her friends' reaction as they likely did for missing the depth of her turmoil. "I'm not broken?"
"Not at all." Shun gave Izumi's hand a reassuring squeeze as she met her eyes. "And I'll ride this out with you, no matter how long this road is. Because I love you, Izumi. Everyone here does."
Izumi's eyes welled with tears again, as she looked around the room. Love. She was surrounded by love. And that hadn't changed, even now.
"Everyone…"
And then Kichu began squeaking frantically.
The walls and floor of the locker room shook violently, forcing the seven teens to brace against each other for support. Frantic screaming could heard outside the locker room as Mieko burst inside.
"Hamasaki-san! Everyone! There's-" Mieko swallowed hard. "Please follow me! It's not safe here!"
Izumi could hear the thundering footsteps of people fleeing en masse… along with the distant roaring of a Nikuina. So she was right. Hinyu had picked this time to send another one their way.
Izumi leapt to her feet… and bit back the sudden, sharp pain that went shooting through her right leg as she put weight on her knee. She had to try and bear it, she told herself as she hurried past Mieko, who had moved to get her chair set up. It wasn't like she could afford to sit this out!
Mieko looked alarmed. "Hamasaki-san, what are you-?!"
Shun immediately scooped Izumi up in her arms. "Please excuse us." she said politely as she burst out of the locker room with her girlfriend in her arms.
Haruki offered Mieko a quick, apologetic bow as he followed suit. "Um! We'll be right back, okay?"
Mieko was completely caught off guard. She could only stare as every single teenager in the room hurried past her… in the opposite direction of the fleeing crowds. What in the world was going on?
Kyoukai Public High School's gymnastics team had just launched into their performance when something rang out through the air. It was an awful grinding noise, one that sounded like stone against stone, which was easily loud enough to override the music pumping through the stadium speakers.
And then the floor and walls of the stadium began to shake… right as something resembling a gigantic whirling violet buzzsaw ripped through the domed roof of the stadium Screams tore through the air as those in the bleachers and those on the court were forced to dodge the resulting shower of debris. People stampeded towards the exits, but only a portion of the crowd managed to make it out.
The "buzzsaw" let out an earth-shaking roar as it came to a stop, high above the panicked crowds. It was an immense sea turtle with a crystalline dark violet body, malevolent red eyes, and a crystalline dark violet serpent wound around its body. The serpent unhinged its jaw, spitting violet globs of liquid at the crowd.
Everything the liquid touched was frozen solid on contact. The panic in the stadium only built as the people of Kyoukai frantically tried to escape before they were frozen solid. Many of them ended up slipping and falling on patches of ice - and those who made it to the exits found them frozen shut.
They were all sitting ducks for the Nikuina, which prepared to take them all out at once. And then a dark blast of high pressure water blasted it aside.
"Everyone!" Hayate pointedly gestured to the damaged stadium rafters. "Look who's come to save us!"
Colorful flower petals swirled through the air as the six members of Pretty Cure, plus Kae, gracefully touched down from their perch atop one of the intact stadium rafters, one by one. Only a careful observer would have noticed how Genbu was favoring her left leg.
The panic and fear in the stadium immediately gave way to relief and excitement. The people of Kyoukai stared in awe at their seven saviors.
"It's the Pretty Cure!"
"I knew they'd come to rescue us!"
"Oh, thank god! We're saved!"
"Everyone, please focus on getting to safety!" Cure Seiryuu told the crowd. "We'll cover you!"
The Nikuina had fully recovered. It let out another roar as it began spinning again and hurtled towards the crowd. Cure Byakko leapt forth and intercepted it with her shield. It bounced away from Byakko, allowing Cure Seiryuu, Cure Suzaku, and Cure Ouryuu to hit it from all sides and send it flying backwards.
Normally, Cure Genbu would have been taking point right with them. But while her injured leg didn't bother her as much as a Cure, it was still going to be a liability. So she hung back and helped Cure Kirin cover the exits as Kae flung several paper charms at the frozen stadium doors. Said doors glowed violet as the ice melted away, allowing the people of Kyoukai to beat a swift but orderly retreat through the exits.
"You're doing amazing, Keiko-chan." Hayate told Kae as she departed with the others. "You all are."
Kae had nothing coherent to say to that. She simply went hot pink as she nodded stiffly.
The Nikuina began to spin like a buzzsaw again as it rebounded along the bleachers and towards Pretty Cure. The frozen portions of the bleachers shattered like glass as it ripped through them and towards its opponents, who were met with a rapid-fire salvo of freezing liquid blasted from its serpent mouth.
Cure Byakko managed to intercept much of the Nikuina's freezing salvo, as Seiryuu, Suzaku, and Ouryuu mounted a counterattack. While Cure Suzaku managed to avoid getting hit, Cure Seiryuu and Cure Ouryuu were not so lucky. Both were frozen solid on contact, leaving them plummeting to the ground.
Suzaku just managed to catch Ouryuu and Byakko just managed to catch Seiryuu before they could suffer a hard fall… right as the Nikuina froze them as well. It was now free to go whirling towards the fleeing crowds, which had almost entirely evacuated the stadium at this point.
It was immediately answered with an electrified teal barrier, courtesy of Cure Kirin, as Cure Genbu and Kae ensured that the last of Kyoukai's citizens had escaped to safety. The Nikuina responded by increasing its speed and shredding Kirin's barrier. She was left temporarily stunned by the impact-
-and Kae shoved Kirin out of the way as the Nikuina spat freezing liquid at her. Kae was instantly frozen in a solid block of ice - and the Nikuina was faced with a very angry Cure Kirin. In a flash, she had summoned her Verdant Greaves and blasted the Nikuina into the air with a powered-up kick.
The Nikuina quickly steadied itself in mid-air - but instead of going after Cure Kirin, it went even higher, straight towards the hole it had blown in the stadium roof.
"Like hell you will!"
Cure Genbu furiously charged after the Nikuina at full speed. All thoughts of minding her injury had fallen to the wayside, and the adrenaline in her system made it difficult to even notice the pain in her right leg. All that mattered was getting to this thing before it went after all of Kyoukai!
Genbu's body glowed with dark violet spirit power as she kicked up off the ground with her good leg and shot into the air. She let out a shout of fury as she lashed her Black Ribbon towards the Nikuina. It struck true, wrapping tightly around the Nikuina's serpent head. The serpent head broke off and shattered into crystalline pieces as Genbu yanked the Nikuina away from the hole in the roof and towards her.
"Hurting my friends… attacking Kyoukai…"
Cure Genbu summoned an enormous whorling ball of high-pressure water and boosted it over her head.
"You have truly CROSSED THE LINE!"
The Nikuina was sent careening into the bleachers, courtesy of the enormous sphere of spirit power Genbu had lobbed at it. Genbu touched down on the ground, intent on finishing the Nikuina off. Unfortunately, she landed on her injured leg.
"Damn it-!"
The corners of her eyes stung as her injured knee buckled underneath her. The Nikuina had already recovered and was spinning straight towards her. And most of her teammates were frozen solid. They wouldn't be able to help Genbu in time.
"Don't you dare!"
But Cure Kirin could. She zipped towards Genbu quickly enough to leave an afterimage, scooped her up in her arms, and gracefully bore her to safety. The Nikuina was left to buzzsaw itself into the ground.
"Are you okay, Genbu?" Kirin asked.
"I'm in one piece." Genbu said. "But my leg…"
"I know." Cure Kirin gingerly let Cure Genbu down. She did not let go of her hand. "It'll take time to heal. Just like any injury does." She gave Genbu's hand a firm squeeze. "And until then, I'll support you through it." She met Genbu's eyes. "You've always bailed me out of trouble, Izumi. Now it's my turn to help you."
Genbu's eyes welled with tears as she met Kirin's gaze. "Sieg-kun… thank you so much!"
The Nikuina was wobbling a bit as it pulled itself out of the ground.. Neither Cure Genbu nor Cure Kirin were going to wait to see what it did next. The pair went charging after it hand in hand, at top speed. Kirin took point, allowing Genbu to make up for her knee injury.
Genbu blasted the Nikuina with dark violet water, leaving it soaking wet. Cure Kirin followed up with a brilliant blast of teal lightning, electrocuting the Nikuina. It was left helpless to do anything but twitch erratically before Genbu and Kirin blasted it high into the sky with a dual uppercut.
"Are you ready, Genbu?" Kirin asked her girlfriend.
Genbu grinned. "I was born ready!"
Cure Kirin's body glowed with teal spirit power as she boosted Cure Genbu over her head before throwing her full-force towards the Nikuina. Genbu's heart began to shine with dark violet light, and her eyes glinted with resolve as she flew towards the Nikuina like a shooting star.
The pain in my heart… that will take even longer to heal. But you guys will help me bear it, right?
Cure Genbu's form flared powerfully with dark violet spirit power. A mighty tempest of violet hyacinth petals and water orbs whirled around her as she summoned and readied her Black Ribbon.
So I won't run from it. I'll let myself cry. I'll allow myself to miss them. I'll embrace this pain.
Because you're here. Because you understand. Because you guys love me, no matter what!
"Pretty Cure! Black Maelstrom…"
The Black Ribbon blazed with dark violet spirit power as Genbu lashed it towards the Nikuina. An immense spiraling serpent made of tumultuous dark violet water leapt forth from the Black Ribbon and ferociously tore towards the Nikuina before tightly coiling around every inch of its form.
"...Full Charge!"
The Nikuina was engulfed in a massive sphere of water. Cure Kirin caught Cure Genbu in her arms as she went diving to the ground. The pair struck a victory pose together as the Nikuina exploded into a massive heart-shaped burst of radiant dark violet light and a tempest of hyacinth petals behind them.
Violet petals gently rained down upon the area as the damage to the stadium began to reverse itself, and the rest of the team was freed from their icy prisons. So did yet another burnt scrap of spell paper. And while Genbu couldn't sense it herself, she felt the way Kirin bristled a bit as still more of the barrier faded away because of what they had done. This victory hadn't come without cost either.
But they had protected everyone. Genbu could at least let herself have that, she mused, as she released her transformation… and felt another wave of emotion immediately hit her like a speeding truck.
This time, Izumi let it all out as she sobbed against Shun's chest. She wept for everything she should have had, for the ideal versions of her parents she would have to bury in her heart, for the childhood dreams that would never be. And there would likely be many more tears where this came from.
But it was okay. Because Shun was holding her close and gently reassuring her as she ran a hand through her hair. And Hiroko was there to embrace her as well, as was Yasu, and Haruki, and Jun, and Kichu. Even Keiko joined in, after hesitating for a moment.
Even if this pain felt like it'd take an eternity to truly recover from, even if it would be a struggle to face it head-on, Izumi knew she would get through it, thanks to her friends. She couldn't thank them for that, not now, when coherent speech was beyond her. But that was fine. Right now, there was no need for words.
Izumi had been taken straight to the hospital after all was said and done. The gymnastics meet had been utterly derailed, and everyone was too hung up on Pretty Cure's latest fight to worry about anything else, including who had actually won. But even then, Mieko would not let an injured gymnast slip through the cracks. She had offered to bring Izumi to the hospital herself before Hayate stepped in.
"Izumi-chan is in my care now." Hayate had told Mieko. "I'll make sure she's attended to."
This wasn't the first time Izumi had been injured. And this wasn't the first time she ended up having to see a doctor for it. But it was the first time an adult in her life had reacted with genuine care and concern, as opposed to bitter annoyance. No wonder she had caught herself apologizing on the ride to the hospital.
"You don't need to apologize for needing help, Izumi-chan." Hayate told her. "That's what I'm here for."
The dissonance was striking. And the idea of having a guardian who wanted to attend to her needs was alien, after years of Umi and Riku reacting to those needs with apathy at best and resentment at worst. It would definitely take some getting used to. But that was fine. It would be a process. She had to keep telling herself that.
Izumi came out of it with a brace for her knee, crutches, and a signed card from Mieko and her teammates. It had all set off another cascade of tears. But that was also alright
She ended up spending the final moments before her evening curfew on the Yoshimoto estate's veranda-like engawa, which overlooked its gardens. The estate gardens looked especially beautiful in the setting sun, Izumi mused as she rested her head on Shun's lap, and Shun ran her fingers through her hair. Like one of Yasu's paintings. Izumi would have to bring this place to her attention.
Izumi and Shun had spent some time together in peaceful silence, before Izumi suddenly spoke up.
"Hey, Sieg-kun. Do you want kids?"
Shun looked utterly taken aback by the question. Izumi didn't blame her. It was a hell of a thing to ask your sixteen-year-old girlfriend out of the blue.
"I've never really thought about it." Shun finally said. "I mean, I like being around them, but… I can't really see myself as a parent."
"That's fine. Neither can I." Izumi said. "It'd be fun to spoil our friends' kids, though."
"If they have any, then yes, absolutely." Shun agreed. "We can be their cool sports aunts."
Izumi's eyes lit up at the very idea. She could see it now. Izumi Hamasaki, the Olympic gold medalist, and Shun Siegel, the number one racer in Japan. They'd be the envy of all the other aunts out there!
"We'll be the coolest sports aunts ever ." she agreed. "And we'll always look out for them, right? If they need anything, or they just want someone to talk to, or just wanna hang, we'll be there, won't we?" The corners of her eyes were stinging now. "We won't ever let them feel like they're alone."
Shun smiled. "Of course we won't. And I know they'll love you for that, Izumi."
"They'll love both of us." Izumi said, before stifling a yawn. "And that'll… just… rule all."
Slowly, Izumi began to drift off, knowing that she would wake up in her dorm bed. She would fight her hardest for that future too, she told herself as she sank into a peaceful slumber. Just like she would fight for this other, more immediate one. She wasn't done growing up herself, after all.
In her dream, she was on the beach, chasing futilely after her parents. It was a dream she had often. Umi and Riku always remained out of her reach, no matter how hard she ran. They never once looked back at her, no matter how loudly she called out to them. She always ended up waking up in tears.
But this time, Izumi was able to stop herself. It ached to watch her parents walk away and vanish from her sight. It was an effort to keep herself from trying to run after them again. But she did it.
And then she turned and headed in the opposite direction, towards the people waiting for her on the other side of the beach. She could see them in the distance. And she knew they would wait for her.
When she woke up, she was smiling.