A Secret Kept // Rewritten

A Summer Sleepover

"It's finally summer!" Akane exclaims.

"Yay!" Miyuki cheers. "What are we going to do?"

"...How about going to the beach?" Yayoi suggests.

"That's a great idea." Reika agrees. "Everyone has to let everyone know when they're free."

"Okay!"

At the beach, the girls and I plan to visit the stalls. However, Akane and Nao have been asked to help out their families. Seeing this as an opportunity to play games, I encourage the others to do so while I take photos.

"What kind of photos are you taking?" Reika asks.

"Oh, just some scenery and candid shots," I reply.

"Can we see?!" Miyuki and Yayoi exclaim.

"Everyone can look at the photos later." I laugh.

"Aw!"

"Girls! Time to come and have some lunch!" Akane's Mum calls.

"Okay!"

After a long day at the beach, we all head separately. As Yayoi and I walk home together, I give her a glimpse of some of the photos.

"These photos are amazing!" Yayoi compliments.

"Thanks, Yayoi."

"I've got an idea." Yayoi lights up. "How about we make a scrapbook for everyone about our summer holidays together?"

"That's a great idea!" I agree. "Let's do it!"

"Great!" Yayoi claps. "Let's head to the store and we can make them at my place."

As we put the most recent photos of us at the beach together in, I look over at the clock and make my way over to the phone when I see how late it is.

"Hey, Mum." I greet. "Sorry, I didn't call you earlier."

"..."

"I know, I know, I'm sorry." I sigh, apologising.

"..."

"Yes, I will be," I answer. "Is this alright with you?"

"..."

"Thank you, Mum." I smile. "I will see you tomorrow, bye."

"Was that your Mum?" Yayoi asks. I nod. "What did she say?"

"She said I could stay the night."

"Neat."

"Now, where were we?"

As Yayoi and I continue working, we grab some sweets and start pecking at them.

"Do you want a drink?" I ask.

"Thank you." Yayoi smiles. "...Cho?"

"Yes?"

"May I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Why have you been distant lately?" Yayoi asks. "With everything that happened today, I thought I may be overreacting. However, you seem to have drawn back again tonight. Why is that? If it's personal, I understand. I'm worried about you, that's all."

"Thank you for worrying about me, Yayoi. I appreciate it." I smile. "What I am going through right now is personal and is sensitive to talk about."

"I understand." Yayoi nods. "If you ever feel up to talking about what you are going through, I am here to lend a listening ear."

"Thanks, Yayoi."

"Anytime." Yayoi smiles. "That's what friends are for."

As we continue with our project, I feel my stomach tightening. There is a Dark Zone somewhere and we needed to join the others.

"Cho, where are you going?!" exclaims Yayoi.

"There is a Dark Zone and we need to get there immediately."

"Right." Yayoi stammers.

When Yayoi and I arrive, the others are already engaging the Akanbe.

"About time!" Sunny exclaims.

"Akanbe!"

"Transform and join us!"

"Right!"

"Precure! Smile Charge!"

"Sparkling, glittering, rock-paper-scissors! Cure Peace!"

"With overflowing feelings, they run free! Cure Emotion!"

"Akanbe!"

"Woah!"

"Is this Akanbe weakened?" I ask.

"Pretty close."

"Alrighty then."

"Akanbe?"

"Precure! Emotion Bomb!"

"Akan...be!"

The next day, as Yayoi and I packed up our sleepover, I started to wonder if it would be possible to let her know what I was doing. I wasn't sure if she would accept it or not.

"Cho, is everything alright?" Yayoi asks.

"I...I have something to confess."

As I come clean to Yayoi, she is silent. I'm not sure what to do or say. I plan to tell the others about this, but not quite yet.

"I...don't know what to say."

"You don't have to if you don't want to, I just wanted to get this off my chest." I sigh. "Promise not to tell the others?"

"Do the others know about this?"

"Not yet," I say. "I plan on telling them soon."

"Okay."

"Let's go on a shopping trip before I go home, how does that sound?"

"It sounds good."

"Great, let's go."