Fuwa Power☆Pretty Cure!

1: Living My Dream! I Am Cure Reverie!

"Oh dear, are you okay?"

In an aisle full of colorful books, Yumeno Eiko found a child. She was a skinny young thing; With well-worn sandals and a rosy dress that swamped her tiny frame. Her cheeks were wet with tears, as if she had been crying for some time.

The girl was startled at Eiko's voice. She looked up from the floor and met the kind woman's ruby eyes, momentarily mesmerized.

"Your eyes are pretty." She whispered through tiny sobs.

Eiko chuckled at that. She supposed her eyes were unique, though this little one surely had more important things to worry about than a pair of irises. Lowering herself as gracefully as she could, Eiko met the child at eye level.

Her soft words came out slowly. "I could say the same of your dress, darling. Tell me, what's a sweet thing like you doing here by yourself?"

That seemed to have been the wrong thing to say, as the girl once again found fat tears streaming down her cheeks. "I was with my dad, a-and I saw the coolest book! I came here to look at it, but then da-daddy was gone," she cried.

A thin hand reached out to the child. Eiko lifted herself and gave the small girl a grin; Her smile widening when a soft grip connected with hers.

"Worry not, dear! Let's find a helper and have them call for your father, yes? I'm Ms. Yumeno." She waved at a nearby employee, looking at the small body now cuddled against her leg. Her tears seemed to have dried by now. The girl gazed at her with wonder in her large green eyes.

Eiko patted her head, proud of the child for composing herself so quickly. "Now, little one, can you tell me your name? Your father must be worried about his darling girl."

Her little companion nodded, bouncing in place slightly. The scowl she wore seconds ago now replaced with a small grin.

"I'm Maika! Mochizuki Maika!"

~☆~

"Mom! I need to go in!" An auburn-haired girl whined, trapped in her mother's embrace. The thirteen-year-old's voice held little hostility, and despite her verbal protests, she made no effort to escape the hug.

The tall woman holding her daughter in her arms chuckled and stepped back, reluctantly pulling away. "I know, Maika. It's just difficult to see my baby moving out. I thought it would be 6 more years at least! You're absolutely sure you want to stay in the dormitory? We'll be quite the drive away." Although Mochizuki Aina desperately wanted her child to stay at home, both her and her husband, Kazue, knew their daughter needed to expand her social circle. One can only make so many friends while attached to their parent's side.

"Don't worry, I'm going to do great!" With determination and a hint of anxiety, Maika pushed up the round wire glasses resting on her nose. "It's now or never! I've got to unpack! I don't want the room to be a mess when my roommate gets here!"

A deep voice sounded from behind her. "Mai-Mai, your roommate is starting the semester a few days late. That's plenty of time to tidy up your dorm." The proud father said, chuckling at his daughter's spirit. He came to his wife's side, putting a hand around her waist. The couple gazed proudly at their little girl.

Three loud chimes came from a nearby clock tower, signifying the end of student dorm drop-offs. Maika looked down at her overstuffed backpack, then back to her parents. "Is this the last bag I have to bring up?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

Kazue nodded and gave his child a warm smile. The family of three embraced tightly, savoring the short time they had before parents were asked to say their farewells.