Afterword - A Doki Doki Precure Story

24 - The Beach

Rikka's funeral came and went in what felt like minutes, and all people could do is try and resume their normal lives.
The only real changes was a statue that had been erected in the city square to honour her sacrifices, and the lack of Rikka general.

Mana tried to bury her grief as much as possible. She would only cry whenever she knew she was alone, and her usual bubbly attitude had all but faded.
She really tried to move on and become herself once again, but she would get depressed at even the smallest things that reminded her of her dearly departed friend.

She felt trapped. She felt like she was suffocating within her own body. It was a horrible feeling to have, yet it was a feeling that bothered her constantly.

Her mother had taken her shopping. Regina had taken her to buy coffee. Her father made his signature omurice dish. Makoto sang her favourite song in front of her.

But none of it seemed to help. If anything, it overwhelmed the pinkette. She didn't want to be smothered with affection.
She hated it.

"Mana!"

Mana looked up from her plate full of food.

Regina was looking at her with concern.

Of course. Regina had brought Mana out to dinner, thinking her girlfriend may be more willing to open up and vent about her feelings if they were alone on a date.
That certainly wasn't the case however.

The moment Mana's fork pierced a pork sausage smothered in gravy, she stopped.
She stared at her plate, not moving. Not even blinking.
Regina had called her name seven times before finally yelling at her.

"I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean to zone out like that." Mana apologised, playing with her food.

Regina looked at her sympathetically and leaned over the table to kiss her forehead.
"Mana, I know you're stubborn and all but... you can talk to me. I'm your girlfriend for goodness sake."

Mana nodded slowly, not really taking her words into account.

"You better be listening to me young lady or I'll get grumpy." Regina teased.
That caused the faintest of smiles to form on Mana's lips.

Finally, Mana took a bite of her food, and began to eat.

//

Regina had finished her meal when an idea suddenly hit her in the head like a boulder.
She remembered of a place Mana's father had spoken about a couple of years ago.
It was also the place Regina was brainwashed by King Selfish.

The beach.

"Hey, how about we go to the beach?" Regina suggested nonchalantly.
The sudden question, as simple as it was, still threw Mana off, and she gave a look as if to say 'the beach?'

"Let's go to the beach," she stated once again, "just me and you."

Mana thought about it for a moment.
'I suppose going to the beach wouldn't be such a bad thing...'
After a short while, Mana responded.
"Sure, let's go to the beach."

A beaming smile made its way across Regina's lips. One so contagious it made Mana herself smile in turn.

//

After Mana had finished her meal, Regina took her to the bus station, where they both got tickets for the beach.

The sun was shining high in the sky, causing the distant sea to glimmer and glitter.

The couple's eyes lit up as they saw the beautiful glimmering sea. The vast blueness that stretched into the horizon only drew closer and closer.

After roughly twenty-five minutes, the bus stopped at the side of the road, allowing Mana and Regina to step off of the bus, both girls making sure to thank the driver as they stepped off.

They were by no means prepared for the beach - specifically Mana, who was donning a black T-shirt and black leggings.
Regina on the other hand fit in - if she was there to not go anywhere near the water.
She wore a white crop-top with white denim shorts, a perfect contrast to her pink-haired girlfriend's attire.

The couple took in their surroundings, enjoying the beautiful secluded beach, hidden between snow-capped mountains.
What's more, the entire beach was empty. There was not a single person in sight.

Mana began to reminisce. She remembered the times she would visit this beach with her family, with her friends - with Rikka.
She remembered the exact day she lost Regina for the first time.

It had shattered her heart and broke her will to fight after seeing the woman she loved go through... that.
Being brainwashed, being tortured, then being forced to fight those who cared.

Regina gently set herself down onto the silky soft sand, looking out into the blue sea that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Mana slowly sat herself down next to her, and also looked out into the sea.

No words were spoken. No words needed to be said.
There was only the sound of the waves crashing against the couple's feet, accompanied by their soft, content breathing.
Both girls secretly longed for this. A moment of tranquility and silence between them. Not having to worry about their surroundings.
It truly was peaceful.

They sat there for seemingly hours, as they were suddenly aware of their surroundings upon realising they were now staring at the setting sun, casting an orange glimmer across the sea, and perfectly encapsulating the lone couple in its warm light.

Regina suddenly pressed her lips against Mana's.

Mana kissed back with just as much enthusiasm.
"I love you... I love you so much. I never ever want to lose you ever," Mana whispered against Regina's gentle lips.

"I won't let you lose me," teased Regina with a smile, "we're in this together. And I love you too."

The couple stayed in that position for a while, holding onto each other, as if protecting one another from the elements.
Eventually Regina deepened the kiss, and held Mana by the hem of her shirt.

Mana couldn't help but giggle at the intimacy of the moment, and they were at a beach of all places.
Yet somehow she felt bold and brave.

//

As the sun set, and as the moon began to rise high into the sky, the young couple finally stepped onto the last bus of the day that headed back into the city.

The couple were silent, but they were both filled with elation.
An intense blush crept onto Mana's pale face as she recalled the... intimate events of what had transpired forty-five minutes earlier.

//

"Where the hell have you two been?! I've been worried sick that you both got hurt!" Mana's mother cried as her daughter and her girlfriend entered the house.

"I took Mana to the beach. I think we needed some quality time together," said Regina with a smile as she made her way upstairs.

Mana's mother only raised an eyebrow as the couple headed to their room.

(A/N: A shorter chapter, but that's primarily because this chapter is purely some much needed fluff after the events of the previous two chapters.)