Sparkling and Shining! Dream Precure

Who was she, Akiko?

Fun fact #5: The reason why Ryu's last name is Shiro, which means white, is because it was supposed to be a connection to Akiko, since she originally had white as her theme colour instead of yellow.

~Minako's P.O.V~

When we got back to the inn with Saitou-san, the teachers were extremely relieved but also started asking questions about where she had been. Hana, Akiko and I told them where we had found her, while Saitou-san said she didn't remember much after lunch yesterday. Since Hana, Akiko and I knew that she had been there because of Shinka and the Kiraida, we occasionally said small details to make the others come to that conclusion too, because if we had straight out told them that she had been used as Kiraida fuel, they'd become suspicious and ask how we knew that.
As soon as the news of Saitou-san's return spread, Kozuki-san immediately went to her and – uncharacteristically – engulfed her in a hug, telling her how she had worried her. Underneath the cold and complacent attitude, I guess Kozuki-san also has a softer side for the people she cares about.
It was after lunchtime now, and we were getting ready to get on the buses to go back to Tsukimori Academy. I was with the group I had shared a room with since we had left together.
-I guess we go to our own classes now? Matsuki-san stated with question.
-Yeah, I think so, Kishiba-san said.
-Then, I just want to say that I think that it was a lot of fun to share a room with you all, Hitomi-san smiled.
-Aww! I feel the same! I'm glad I didn't get stuck with 7 snobby and self-absorbed people! Well, Kozuki-san is already heading that way, Yamamoto-san said.
-Excuse me?! Kozuki-san yelled, offended, while the rest of us just laughed – with the exception of Ishiya-san, who just smiled lightly.
-Well, we're headed this way, so I guess we'll see you around back at campus, Matsuki-san said and slung an arm over Ishiya-san's shoulder.
Odoroki-san, Yamamoto-san, a few others and I waved goodbye as the night-and-day pair walked towards where class 2-A were gathering.
-I'm going this way. Bye, Kozuki-san said shortly and started walking away, only to find herself walking alongside Kishiba-san and Hitomi-san.
-Why are you following me? She asked with an annoyed tone, making the other two sweatdrop.
-We're in the same class, Kozuki-san.., Kishiba-san explained, and Hitomi-san waved back at the rest of us, to which we waved back.
-I can see Akiyama-sensei over there, so we're heading that way, I said to Odoroki-san and Yamamoto-san, and pointed in the direction of our homeroom teacher.
-Oh yeah, you're right. Let's go, Yamamoto-san said.
Pretty much the majority of the class were already there. Odoroki-san, Yamamoto-san and I told Akiyama-sensei that we were here so she could check us off her list. I spotted Akiko a bit away and was just about to go to her when I realised that she was talking to Shiro-san. It was so obvious that they liked each other, especially after today's events, so I didn't want to bother them. Therefore, I kept standing here, not really knowing what to do.
Akiko's eyes wandered across the crowd and her gaze landed on me, which made her face light up even more than it was before, – if that even was possible. She was like a living ball of sunshine, but I guess she's Cure Light for a reason – and she started gesturing for me to come over.
With a bit of hesitation at first, I went over to her.
-I'm not interrupting anything, am I? I asked to make sure.
-Of course not! I wouldn't have called you over if that were the case. Plus, I can't let you stand there looking like a lost puppy, Minarin! She responded and put her hands on her hips.
-"Minarin"? You've given her a nickname now too? I know you've been friends for a while and all, but it's like you got closer really suddenly, Shiro-san commented.
-I noticed that too, Masashi-san chimed in, who had been standing close by talking to Tachibana-san.
-Well, we felt it was time to drop the formalities, you know? And we recently discovered a mutual interest that made us grow closer! Akiko answered, the "mutual interest" probably referring to Precure.
-Mutual interest? Shiro-san rose his eyebrows in question. Akiko suddenly clutched onto my arm and held her other hand up towards her lips, placing her index finger close to them.
-It's a secret for girls only!
-Well, if you say so, Shiro-san sighed as if he was expecting that sort of answer, but then turned around to face Masashi-san.
-Also, shouldn't you be getting back to your class, Yukine?
Masashi-san got a look of realisation and took a glance to the right.
-Oh, yeah, it also seems that more people have gathered. I'll see you later! He waved a goodbye before leaving.
-Later, Yukine! Akiko enthusiastically waved back. Looking at the afternoon sky, realisation hit me.
-Oh no!! I forgot to take a picture of Miura for Nozomi! I exclaimed, then grabbed Akiko's wrist.
-Uwah!
-Akiko, please come with me! I said and dragged her out of the crowd.
-Wait, Nozomi? So, your sister? Ohh wait you mean Cure Dre—
I immediately stopped walking and slapped my hand over her mouth.
-SHHHH!!!
I pulled away my hand and she realised what she had almost blurted out.
-O-Oh, y-yeah! She laughed nervously and scratched the back of her head.
-That was close, you need to be more careful! I whispered.
-I'm sorry, I'm sorry! She apologised. I took out my phone from the pocket in my skirt and opened the camera.
-Let's take a picture together then. The ocean will be in the background, I said and motioned for her to stand next to me.
-Sure! But didn't your sister want a picture of the scenery or something? Akiko said and stepped next to me.
-She didn't specify, but this way I'll be able to show her what you look like, our newest "addition", I smiled at her.