Afterword - A Doki Doki Precure Story

7 - The Deception

"Morning, Mana!" Chirped Regina as she carefully set down two bowls of oatmeal.
"I know you didn't really eat yesterday so I'm making sure you eat today." She added.

Mana sat up, rubbing her eyes, and smiled at her adorable blonde girlfriend.
'She's always so thoughtful of me... I love her so much.'
Mana carefully took the warm bowl of oatmeal and dug in. She could immediately tell Regina had put in some syrup to make it sweeter and taste better. She knew her so well.

Regina plopped herself on the floor in front of the TV.
"We haven't got school today. What should we watch?"

Mana climbed down from her bed and sat herself next to her girlfriend.
"Hmm... up to you, sweet."
"Okie-dokie!"
Regina flicked through some channels and went onto Netflix. She scrolled down and saw a show under the name 'Stranger Things'. The trailer depicted a group of young teenagers going against a monster called 'The Mind Flayer'. Among the group was a girl that had the ability to use telekinesis and her name was Eleven.

The trailer alone piqued the girl's interests.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Enter!" Mana replied.

The door opened and Makoto, Alice and Aguri entered Mana's bedroom before taking a seat behind them.

"Hey girls, I didn't think you were coming over today."

"We were gonna ask if you wanted to head to the park for a day out, but I guess this is fine." Aguri mumbled.
Alice smiled at Regina and Mana warmly, and glanced at the TV.

"Is that Stranger Things?" Asked Makoto, suddenly looking very interested in what was on the screen.
"Regina put it on. By the way where's Rikka?"

"She told us she had a throbbing headache from the other day, so we didn't want to bother her."

"Oh. I see."

Regina looked at the girls a little unsure. She was still uneasy after facing that creature from the other day.

"I've been dying to watch season four! Stranger Things is so good!"

Everyone laughed at Makoto's enthusiasm.
"Well watch it with me then! But don't spoil it." Mana stated with a giggle.

———

There was a quiet knock on the door, causing Rikka to awaken from her slumber.
"Who is it...?" She said with a yawn as she sat herself up. Her head still throbbed.
Rikka quickly leaned over to her bedside drawers and took a swig of water from a bottle before letting out a groan. Even her throat was tight.

"Are you hungry?" Asked Charles, Rikka's pixie.
Rikka shook her head.

The door slowly opened.

———

Regina entered her bedroom and sat down next to Makoto. It quickly occurred to her Mana was absent from the room.
"Where's Mana?" She asked, facing the TV. Stranger Things was still playing.
Makoto turned to her. "She said she's gone for a run. Can't blame her to be honest. I fancy a run, but I also really want to continue watching this, plus it's one of my few days off."

"Have you told Mana?" Alice questioned. Makoto looked at her, having remembered something important.
"Oh! No... I haven't yet."

"What's up?" Asked their blonde friend.
"I'll be headed to America next week. I have a few big concerts over there. I should be back just in time for Christmas!" Makoto explained. Regina noticed Makoto seemed saddened by the fact she wouldn't see her best friends for a while, but also excited to see what America has in store.