Nature Shift! Precure

Chapter 5

Kaori was playing volleyball with her friends. It felt nice to finally be able to unwind after the craziness of what happened over the last couple of days.

'Precure, huh?'

Kaori jumped into the air and spiked the ball over the net, earning her team a point. Then in an instant, it seemed like it was over. Her team started celebrating their victory.

"We won!"

"...Huh, is the game over already?!" Kaori looked around.. People were already starting to clean up and fold the net.

A brunette teammate sighed. "Natsumi. You've been really spacey lately.."

The strawberry blonde laughed nervously. "Hehe.. I'm always spacey though, Yu-chan.."

"Not THAT spacey..-"

Yu freezed up, feeling an intimidating figure behind her.

"S-S-Suzuki-sensei!?"

Kaori turned around to see her homeroom teacher.

"Suzu-sensei? What are you doing here..?"

"I need to speak with you in private, Natsumi-san." Suzuki-sensei ushered Kaori outside the gym. Kaori followed closely behind, a pit growing in her stomach. Somehow she sort of knew what was coming.

Suzuki held up a few test papers with very.. colorful grades.

"Natsumi-san, these are some of the worst grades I've ever seen. It has only been a few weeks, and it's only going to get harder from here. So.. until you improve.. You'll be temporarily suspended from the volleyball club,"

The strawberry blonde's eyes widened. "What?! How do I get unsuspended?!"

"There will be a makeup test covering English, Math, Japanese, History, & Science. You'll take it on Friday. If there is a significant improvement, you'll be 'unsuspended',"

"Okay! I understand, sensei,"

Kaori was lying.
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Ayame entered the classroom, then noticed something unusual..

Kaori had her head on her desk, seemingly brooding or maybe she was sleeping. Ayame couldn't tell.

The pinkette pulled out her chair and took a seat next to Etsu.

"Is.. Is Kaori okay?" Ayame asked, a little concerned.

"Hmm.. I don't know. Let's ask her,"

Etsu and Ayame walked up to Kaori's desk.

"Hey, Kaori-" Etsu started, but was interrupted by Kaori.

"PLEASE HELP ME, ETSU! I'M GONNA BE KICKED OUT OF VOLLEYBALL CLUB, I HAVE TO TAKE A MAKE UP TEST, AND I'LL NEVER INHERIT NATSUMI♡PASTRY-"

Etsu held her hands up. "Slow down Kaori! Now, what did you want my help with?"

Kaori hung her head in shame. "..I have to take a makeup test next Tuesday.. If I fail it, I'm gonna be banned from volleyball.. So- since you're very smart, I uh- could you tutor me please!"

"Of course I can," Etsu said, smiling a bit. "I'm free tomorrow. Is it okay with you if we do it at The Boba Oasis?"

Kaori nodded quickly. "Yeah- yeah, that's okay!"

The word 'boba' caught Ayame's attention. "I've been meaning to go there!- I mean, I'll help too.."

"Great, it's a date!"