Lovin' Hospital Pretty Cure

Episode 3: A Helping Hand on the Street!

"Weh... I don't feel so well..."

As people crossed the street and went into shops around her, Yawara sat at a bench on a busy Chiyukoe street. She had decided today that she would take a chance at going somewhere alone, without Amai's help. Naturally, she'd taken Dai and Kirai with her in case anything cure related happened, and they currently sat inside her usual pink backpack that she clutched to her chest. However, other than that, she was alone - and perhaps struggling just a little bit. 

Feeling incredibly nervous, Yawara glanced up around her as people weaved in and out. This area was busier than she'd thought, and she was not at all used to being surrounded by this many others. By instinct, she continually wrung her hands and dug her nails into her skin, which eventually caused Dai to poke his head up to check on her. 

"Are you okay, Yawara-san?"

A small smile flittered across her face, and she nodded. "I'll be okay. There's just... a lot of people."

As she spoke, she lifted her head just a bit to look down the street. There was a small clothing shop just a block down that didn't seem to be very busy, so perhaps she would try and head that way when she had the courage. As she watched, this caused her to look over at the person sitting next to her. 

Thankfully, there was no one else on this bench except one other person who didn't seem to be paying attention to her. A girl who seemed around Yawara's age with long black hair, dressed in a simple blouse and skirt. Far from paying attention, it seemed as if she was asleep - her eyes were closed, and her head was resting on her shoulder. Notably, her hand was loosely wrapped around a plain black walking cane. 

Strangely, Yawara felt a sense of connection with this girl. Aside from them being of similar age, she seemed by her cane to be disabled in some way, and Yawara didn't often see other people who were chronically ill or disabled like herself out in public. Even if she herself didn't use an aid, the severe pain in her joints and muscles had been one of the many contributors to her becoming a shut-in. 

Suddenly, it occurred to Yawara that she was staring. As such, she whipped her gaze back to the ground and chewed on her lip. Whether or not the other was asleep, she didn't want to look weird or invasive. Thus, she put her focus back on trying to get herself to stand up and keep walking. 

Clatter.

After a few moments of thought, Yawara was startled by the sharp sound of metal against the pavement. After looking around for the source, she saw it - the girl next to her had dropped her cane in her sleep. It had crashed to the ground and fallen under the bench. 

"A-Ah!"

Yawara let out a noise and looked around frantically. Would it be invasive to pick it up? But she didn't want the other girl to wonder where it was. After wringing her hands in anxiety, she made her decision - she scooted over and reached under the bench, taking the cane and putting it back up into a standing position. 

In response, the other girl finally stirred. After sitting up her head and yawning, she blinked the residual sleep from her eyes and turned to see Yawara holding her cane. 

"...Oh..."

Her voice was very quiet, and seemed rather confused. Immediately, Yawara began stumbling over herself and trying to explain.

"Ah! I'm sorry! I wasn't - I was trying to - I mean, you were sleeping, and I - your cane fell and I didn't want you to lose it! Here it is! I'm sorry!" With that, she bowed in apology and held out the girl's cane to her. 

After a moment of silence, Yawara looked up in confusion, and saw the girl's expression seemed to have not changed, except for the tiniest of smiles having crossed her face. After a moment, she spoke.