[voice]

[sunbloom]

Ugh, I'm so tired... It's been a while since the cultural festival, and I still don't feel like I'm back to normal. I can't tell if I need more sleep, or if I'm sick, or... I don't know what to do. We've been so busy cleaning up, and getting ready for the winter, and keeping the town safe has been getting harder for a while now...

[There's a soft sound and a dull thud.]

I can't keep going like this. Either I need to reduce my workload, or I need to get stronger. Or maybe I need to find a way to create more hours in my day, and spend them sleeping. Anyone have any thoughts on things I can do to sleep more? I'm dying over here, and working myself to the bone like this is just going to exhaust me even more. It's been weeks since I asked about it last, but I feel like I haven't slept more than a few hours a night since then.

[A pause. Then, like a dawning solution:] Maybe the solution... is more power. Maybe I just need to talk to Kaoruko, or Yuri... maybe they'll know something.

Comments

[deliver_my_feelings]

You know, there was a team that worked themselves right into the hospital once.

[sunbloom]

[A long pause.]

Please don't say that. I feel like it might happen, and then Erika will laugh at me and Tsubomi won't ever leave.

[deliver_my_feelings]

Oh dear. That bad huh?

[sunbloom]

Yeah... even now that I should have free time, it just feels like I'm getting caught up in homework, or some school function, or having to fight something or other... It's not working, Ayumi, and I'm not sure what to do.

[deliver_my_feelings]

You know... I hate to say this knowing your future and all but... eventually, my Itsuki dropped being the president of the student council. Not for overwhelming reasons, but for the fact that she felt she could trust the successor that was chosen. Although he had to prove himself first.

[sunbloom]

One step ahead of you. I already had a feeling I wouldn't be able to keep up, but... I've already committed to this. I can't just back out in the middle of the year, right? Even if I'm so tired I can barely move... it's my duty.

[deliver_my_feelings]

Mmm yeah. You need a rest, quite honestly. Maybe a vacation too, in another world where time doesn't move quite as quickly.

[sunbloom]

Did that, a little bit before the cultural festival. Aqua even did some of my work for me. Still exhausted. Maybe I'll go visit Haya... no, they're gearing up for war, can't go there. Ugh, this is a pain. Maybe I'll ask my mother about sleeping pills or something.

[deliver_my_feelings]

Well I don't say this often but try taking a melatonin before bed. You don't have any blood pressure issues and you're not pregnant so it should help. It'll increase sleep-generated hormones so you'll have a more restful if deeper sleep.

[sunbloom]

Hmm... I'll have to think about that, then. I'm not exactly excited about the idea, but... there's nothing for it, I think. I really need that vacation, though.

Thanks, Ayumi... sorry, I'm not really good for conversation right now, I guess.

[deliver_my_feelings]

It's okay, you look really tired. And melatonin is safe to try for a couple of days when you really need the rest. Try just laying down earlier in the day too.

Not a problem. Just take care of yourself.

[sunbloom]

Mm. I'll hunt some down. Hopefully it'll help... I don't know what I'll do if I go to bed early and still don't feel any better. Maybe I'll have to abandon the student council. I think they'd understand, but... it's not something I want to think about if I don't need to.

[She snorts faintly.]

Take care of myself, huh? That's getting harder with every passing day... I'll be happy when some of this crazy stuff is over.

[deliver_my_feelings]

The party never ends I suppose but any extra help you can get would be a good idea. Being exhausted all the time would really hurt your day.

[sunbloom]

Right. I'm going to keep an eye on all this, and I'll come to a decision. I can't keep being tired all the time, though, or I won't be able to protect anyone when it matters. And then I'll just be a failure at my most important job. I think that'd be the day I'd turn in my Perfume.

[deliver_my_feelings]

Mmm, I know the feeling. Stay safe and get some sleep.

[fightbymoonlight]

I've been thinking about that myself lately. Getting more power, I mean. Especially after that incident with Kaitou and all those monsters.

...Kaitou shot me with his Driver and it transformed me into a more powerful form. [wow, you know, when she puts it like that it almost sounds a little weird.]

[sunbloom]

Mm. We can't keep going like this, or-

[A long pause.]

He did what and you what?

[fightbymoonlight]

Yes, apparently that's a thing he can do. And I thought the whole 'summoning past Riders'-thing was weird. That almost seems normal now.

It was quite a power boost, though. If we could find a way to access that kind of power ourselves, things would go a lot smoother.

[sunbloom]

Yes... if there were a way we could increase our power further, we might have an easier time of things. And maybe I could finally get a good night's sleep.

Do you think Tsubomi's grandmother knows anything? She had information every other time we've needed it, so she seems like a good place to start for this. She knew about the Heartcatch Mirage, too.

[fightbymoonlight]

I'm certain she does. Back when she was a Precure, she used the Heartcatch Mirage herself to defeat the Desert Apostles. So if anyone knows how to unlock its powers, it's her.

Hopefully it won't involve getting shot. Harmless as that may have been, I don't recommend the experience.