Pastel*Rangers

Chapter 36 - Extra Training

"Hi-YAH!"

Eve swings her practice sword at a training dummy in the Hanasakigawa school gym. She is joined by Aya, who is in her full Pastel*Ranger outfit, aiming at a different practice dummy.

"Pastel*Arrow... Purify!" Aya fires an arrow that was charged up to rainbow colors. It strikes the dummy, causing no harm.

"Eve?" Aya asks.

"What is it, Aya?" Eve answers.

"Why aren't you practicing with your powers?"

"It is important to master the basics before moving on." Eve swings horizontally at the dummy while Aya charges up another arrow. Eve had asked Aya and Chisato to join her in practicing their combat skills. After feeling helpless against Maya's Inverse the previous day, Eve wanted to train in order to make sure that never happened again. Chisato, unfortunately, had to film a commercial. Hina and Maya were also busy, so Aya was the only one who was able to join Eve.

Aya fires off her arrow at the training dummy.

"It's no use..." Aya says, sounding defeated. "I can't shoot pastel colored arrows anymore."

"Is it because Chisato-san isn't here?" Eve wonders.

"Chisato?" Aya asks.

"She powered you up yesterday" Eve explains. "Did you not notice?"

"No, I didn't..." Aya sounds embarrassed.

"What about when we fought the Jammer? Chisato-san used her powers on Hina-san."

"So that's why she was faster!?"

"And yesterday, she made Hina-san and I faster too."

Aya gulps, embarrassed that she never noticed Chisato powering anyone up.

"So what does that have to do with us practicing today?" Aya asks.

"Lynn is able to move fast without anyone's help" Eve answers. "Her sword glows too, while I still need help to make mine glow. I was not able to do anything against Maya's shadow. I want to be able to protect everyone, so I have to get stronger!"

"Eve..." Aya begins to tear up.

"Henshin!"

[Cue Eve's transformation sequence]

Eve holds her sword in front of her and closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and focuses. Aya watches intently. Eve continues to focus. After a few moments, Eve swings at the practice dummy, her eyes still closed.

"I need more practice" Eve says to herself.

"Do you think we can ask Lynn about her special attack?" Aya suggests.

"Maya said Lynn was busy today" Eve says. "She said she was going to the Hello, Happy World! concert at CiRCLE today."

"We haven't gone to any concerts in a while" Aya realizes. "We don't have any performances coming up anytime soon, either. I wonder what Mana-san is thinking."

Eve continues to attempt to focus her power. She slashes at the training dummy, but it comes out as a regular attack.

"Eve?" Aya says. "I think we should stop for today."

"You are right" Eve says. "It is important to take breaks. That is the bushido way."

"Do you want to go to the Hello, Happy World! concert with me?" Aya asks. "We can always ask Lynn for help after the concert."

"Excellent idea!" Eve agrees. "Shall we invite everyone else?"

"Yeah!" Aya undoes her transformation and grabs her phone.

Aya: Eve and I are gonna go see Hello, Happy World! tonight. Who wants to join us?

Eve also undoes her transformation.

"Shall we get going?" Eve asks.

"We still need to get tickets. I hope they're not sold out yet."

Aya and Eve leave the school gym and make their way to CiRCLE. As they walk, they receive replies from the rest of Pastel*Palettes.

Chisato: Sorry, I still have more filming to do. It's taking longer than anticipated.

Hina: I'm with sis today!

Maya: I have an interview today. Sorry!

"Aww, I was hoping they could join us." Aya says, dejected.

"Look, it's Kanon-san!" Eve points at the café next to CiRCLE. Kanon paces back and forth.

"Kanon-chan! Over here!" Aya waves at her.

"Aya-chan! Eve-chan!" Kanon makes her way over to them.

"Why are you still in your school uniform?" Aya asks Kanon.

"I was supposed to go home and change before the concert, but I missed my bus and got lost" Kanon explains. "I ended up here and decided to stay, since we have our performance tonight."

"What about your stage outfit?" Eve asks.

"I have it here with me" Kanon answers. "Why are you two still in uniform?"

"We stayed at school practicing using our powers" Eve says.

"Speaking of powers, how are you doing after what happened at the aquarium?" Aya asks.

"Um... I've been ok, I think" Kanon answers. "I haven't seen anymore of those weird little monsters."

"Do you mean Negatives?" Eve asks.

"That's what that Lynn called them, right?" Kanon asks. "I haven't seen any since the aquarium."

"That's a relief" Aya says. "What about Kaoru-san? How is she doing?"

"She's been doing good" Kanon answers. "She's just as lively as ever."

"What about everyone else?" Asks Aya. "Have any Negatives been following them?"

"Thankfully, no" Kanon answers. "We've all been fine."

"I am glad to hear that!" Eve happily says.

"Me too" Aya agrees. "I'm glad we're able to keep everyone safe."

"Aya, shouldn't we be buying tickets?" Eve asks.

"Oh, right!" Aya agrees.

"Tickets?" Kanon asks. "Are you gonna see us tonight?"

"Yeah!" Eve answers.

"In that case, here" Kanon reaches in her purse and grabs a pair of tickets. "Marina-san gave these to me."

"Thank you!" Aya and Eve say in unison.

"Fufufu... Thank you for coming to see us" Kanon smiles warmly as she says that. "We have a few hours until I have to get ready. What should we do in the meantime?"

"We're already at a café, so why don't we just sit and relax?" Aya suggests.

"That sounds peaceful" Kanon answers.

"Let us order drinks!" Eve says.

All three girls enjoy the rest of their day at the outdoor café next to Live House CiRCLE. They kill time until Hagumi, Kaoru, and the rest of Hello, Happy World! arrive. They all go inside CiRCLE to prepare for their concert. Aya and Eve wave goodbye as Hello, Happy World! goes downstairs to the dressing rooms while Aya and Eve make their way towards the lobby. Once inside, they spend time chatting with Marina-san and New Staff-san until the show begins.