Pastel*Rangers

Chapter 70 - Monday

T'was the day after Christmas, and all through the city, people went about their days, all feeling giddy. Everyone was happy, they all had a smile, and this feeling would linger for a really long while.

Not all had this cheer, like the one with pink hair. For at the current moment, she was having a nightmare.

It's the same one that was described back in chapter forty. I won't retype it here to keep this chapter short...y.

Aya gasps as she wakes up on her bed. She sighs, realizing she's safe and sound in her room. Just like last time, the nightmare quickly leaves Aya's mind, leaving her wondering why she gasped in the first place.

*Bzzt! Bzzt!*

Aya checks her phone and sees a message from Eve.

Merry Christmas, Aya-san! May all of your Christmas wishes come true!

Aya smiles as she types up a reply. She also sends everyone else in Pastel*Palettes a personalized Christmas message before getting out of bed. After getting dressed and enjoying a nice breakfast with her family, she steps outside. She had planned to go shopping with Eve while Maya received updates on Afterglow and Roselia's investigation.

"It feels kinda warm" Aya thinks to herself as she makes her way to the mall.

"Aya-san! You made it!" Eve cheerfully greets Aya as they meet up at the mall's entrance.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting" Aya says.

"Not at all!" Eve replies. "Shall we go inside?"

"We should" Aya answers. "I can't stand this heat."

Aya and Eve go inside the mall. They walk into one of the clothing shops and begin to look at the clothes.

"Oh, look!" Aya says, grabbing a dress. "This dress is so cute!"

"I think it would look good on you" Eve says. "Why not try it on?"

"Ok, I will!" Aya says. She grabs the dress and makes her way towards the fitting rooms.

"Hello, I'd like to use the fitting rooms, please" Aya tells the attendant.

"Of course!" The employee smiles. "Here's the key!"

Aya goes inside to try on the dress. She puts it on and shows it to Eve.

"It looks lovely on you, Aya-san" Eve compliments. After trying on various other dresses, eventually, Aya is ready to make a purchase.

"Thank you for shopping with us!" The cashier smiles as Aya and Eve leave the store.

"Hey, Eve?" Aya asks. "Is it just me, or were they super friendly?"

"What do you mean?" Eve asks.

"I mean, I know employees are supposed to be friendly, but those two felt... Unnaturally nice" Aya explains.

"It is Christmas Day" Eve says. "I think they are just extra cheerful because of that."

"I guess that's true" Aya says. "Let's just keep going."

"Yes! Let's go!" Eve agrees. They keep walking around and end up in another clothing shop. Just like the last store, the employees smiled through all of their sentences. Unsettled, Aya and Eve leave without buying anything.

"It happened again..." Aya says.

"I noticed it too" Eve agrees. They continue walking when they see a Negative standing behind a kid.

"Here? Now?" Aya says. Eve prepares to transform when Aya stops her.

"Hold on, look!" Aya points. The Negative pounces at the kid, but disintegrates before reaching them, leaving behind no trace of its existence.

"Why was it here?" Aya asks. "And why wasn't that person possessed?"

"I do not know" Eve answers. "We should stay alert in case anything happens."

"Aww, I was hoping to enjoy a nice, normal day at the mall..." Aya says.

"And, cut!"

A movie director claps his clapperboard. "You're all smiling too much" the director smiles. "This is supposed to be a dramatic scene.

"I'm sorry" one of the actresses on set smiles. "Let's try that again!"

"Ok everyone, once again, from the top!" The director smiles. All of the actors get into position.

"Hold on a second" another actress smiles. "Why not just make this a happy scene?"

"Excellent idea!" The director smiles and agrees. "Does anyone have any objections?"

"None at all!" Both actresses smile.

"I do."

Everyone turns to look at Chisato, who was the only person on set not smiling. "This is supposed to be a dramatic scene. Why are we changing the tone all of the sudden?"

"Wouldn't it be better if it were happier?" The director smiles.

"No, it throws off the tone of the whole film entirely" Chisato answers.

"I don't see anything wrong with wanting to make a scene much happier" the second actress smiles.

"You've all been acting strange today. What's going on?" Chisato asks.

"What do you mean?" The first actress smiles. "We're perfectly fine."

"What about you?" The director smiles. "Are you feeling well? Maybe you should take the rest of the day off. We can continue this another day."

"But we're behind schedule" Chisato says. "I chose to be here today to help us catch up."

"People will understand if the movie is a little late" the director smiles. "The extra wait will be worth it! This movie will bring smiles to everyone!"

Chisato stares at her director.

"I... I think I'll take the day off" Chisato finally says.

"We hope you feel better!" The actresses smile. Chisato doesn't say a word as she walks off set, confused.

"Why did the director speak exactly like Kokoro-chan...?"

"It should be somewhere around here..."

Hina wanders the downtown area on her own. Aya and Eve had invited her to go shopping with them, but Hina had told them she already had plans and refused to elaborate further.

"Ugh. This heat isn't helping at all. I need to focus some more."

Hina closes her eyes and concentrates. She turns towards a certain direction before opening her eyes. 

"Hm? Isn't that Eve's friend?" Hina wonders out loud before heading towards Takako-chan, who sits at an outdoor café.

"Oh, you're one of Eve-senpai's friends, right?" Takako tells Hina as Hina approaches. "What are you doing here?"

Hina doesn't answer. Instead, she closes her eyes and focuses. After a few seconds, she opens them again and says "I finally found you!"

"Huh?" Takako looks confused. "F-found me?"

"I've been sensing Light everywhere" Hina says. "Looks like everyone who's smiling is emitting Light. I sensed someone who wasn't and ended up finding you!"

"Light? Oh, those powers you guys have, right?" Takako asks. "Is that why everyone's acting so strange today?"

"Hmm... I don't know yet" Hina answers. "But if you're still acting normal, then I think I get it. I need to go look for someone else! Bye~"

Hina leaves quickly, not allowing Takako to properly say goodbye.