Afterword - A Doki Doki Precure Story

15 - Graduation

After the battle, the Precure gathered their evidence and presented it to the authorities, deeming Bel the murderer who took poor Kenji's life.
Kenji's family thanked the Precure profusely, saying it was nice to finally have some closure.

After the case was closed, the school reopened. Everything seemed to go as normal, but there was the now new news making it's away around the school.

The third years were graduating at the end of the month.
This meant Mana, Rikka and Makoto would be graduating.

Mana was particularly nervous about graduating. She had made so many fond memories at Oogai Middle School. She would really miss it.
Another thing that made her nervous was Regina's reaction. She was still unaware that she would no longer see her girlfriend in school.

She was unsure of how she would break the news, so she decided to keep quiet about it all.
But then Mana had a thought.
What would happen to the Precure?
They couldn't be superheroes forever. Rikka wants to become a doctor and work alongside her mother. Alice was going to inherit the Yotsuba company. Makoto was going to be travelling around the world, going to concerts to perform her songs. Mana herself wanted to become a lawyer.

Aguri was the only one that had decided to remain a Precure until the end of time.
As for the others, they were unsure.

Mana's heart sank at the possible inevitability that she was going to lose her friends. She would drift away from them and they'd all forget each other.

Having quickly caught on to Mana's depressed aura, Makoto decided to ask her.
"Is everything alright, Mana?"

Mana turned to the idol and flashed a fake smile before nodding.

Makoto set her lunch next to her and looked at her intensely.
"Mana, are you lying?"
Mana shook her head, even though she knew the idol could see right through her.
Sighing in defeat, she revealed what was troubling her. "What's going to happen in the future?" She started, "I mean, what will happen to us? As Precure?"

Rikka looked at Mana, her interest having spiked.
She was unsure.
Makoto was also unsure.

There was a heavy, toxic silence for a while, before Rikka broke the silence. "As much as I'd like to grow up and join my mom in being a doctor, I think we're all past the point of return. Besides... as hesitant as I was at first, I love helping people. Not as much as Mana, but I love the thrill of it all."

The other two smiled softly at that.
Makoto spoke up next. "I've been a Cure for longer than you guys. But without you I'd have never made friends. Without you, both of our worlds would be destroyed.
Also I'd have never been able to date Rikka, and that's a blessing in and of itself. I think I'll continue, for as long as I live."

Mana looked at her idol in awe before wrapping her in an embrace.

"So what will you choose?" Said a voice. The third year trio turned to face the origin of the voice and found Yuki approaching them, a smile on her lips.

Mana put a hand to her chest and smiled.
"I will continue to be a Precure. I will never stop fighting."

The group smiled widely and embraced the pink-haired leader.
Everybody could rely on Mana.

——————

Rikka threw her bag next to her bedside drawers and plopped herself onto her bed, exhaling deeply.

Raquel transformed into his human form and looked at his taller partner.
"Exhausting day, huh?" He asked.
Rikka only nodded before sitting up.
"I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do. I think what Mana said really made me adamant on what I want. I'd give my life for my friends."