Chapter 174

Sixty-Eighth Chapter: Adults and Children

Ash never imagined that he had brushed past hero transformation items and weapons, brushed past critical accessories of mad scientists, and brushed past crucial props of the big villains, watching them fume in impotent rage.

But brushing past a person was indeed his first time.

So how did it end up like this?

The noisy elementary school student was placed on the ground and promptly ran to a phone booth, standing on tiptoe and dialing 110.

“What are you doing?”

“Calling the police, to get someone like you arrested! Hey, what are you doing!”

Ash pressed his finger on the hang-up button and sighed deeply.

“If you do such unnecessary things, I will be quite troubled.”

After all, even though the police in this world were useless when it came to dealing with monsters, they were always industrious with various daily tasks. Ash had seen the police help elderly women with their shopping multiple times and chase thieves for several blocks—such dedication, and he did not want to become a wanted criminal.

Currently, Ash could only keep an eye on this little guy.

“…”

“…”

At a sweets shop by the street, a black-haired man wearing a black leather jacket sat opposite a young girl still in her school uniform, appearing like a brother and sister out for a fun day out. However, the somber expressions on their faces made passersby wonder if they were fighting.

“Geez,好不容易带薪休假 (finally taking paid leave), I didn’t expect to waste it dealing with a brat like you.”

“Hmph, you deserved it! Fool!”

“Who are you calling a fool?”

“Calling someone a fool just makes you the fool!”

Recalling the previous events, Ash remembered starting to argue with the child, leading to the current situation.

“Geez, you’re so cute, but you’re not at all lovable.”

“Hmph, you don’t need to be lovable. Killing you is enough.”

“How dare you say that knowing I’m evil.”

Akuri slammed the table with both hands, glaring at Ash’s sinister expression.

“No matter how wicked, Pretty Cure will never give in! —Hey, what are you doing?!”

Breaking the serious mood, Ash ignored Akuri’s serious expression, pulling her face into a smile that was barely better than crying.

“Let go!”

Do you know 不授受不亲 (no intimacy between people of different sexes)?!

Ash, shocked to have his face touched, angrily pushed off the man’s hand, who simply whistled as if he hadn’t learned anything.

“A child shouldn’t look so serious, it doesn’t suit you ~”

“You — hmpft, I thought you were human but joined the Selfish Organization for some reason, but you’re just a pervert! A human rights abuser!”

“Such a venomous woman, but sorry, I’m not interested in ordinary folks. Only shining heroes catch my interest.”

“I am Pretty Cure, so you must be a pervert who preys on kids!”

This can’t be brushed off, geez, why should I, a villain, be forced to do good things? I guess I got what was coming!

“Hmph, can’t argue well so start making excuses? Typical kid stuff, I’ve sunk so low to debate with you.”

“It’s you who’s making excuses!”

Before Akuri could continue, Ash knocked on the table sharply to cut off the discussion.

“Mado Akuri… right? I’ll call you Mado then.”

“Don’t be so familiar, we hardly know each other, you perv!”

Ash was gradually becoming immune to Akuri’s anger, changing the subject.

“However, Mado, you constantly claim to be Pretty Cure, show me proof. Transform.” After hearing Ash’s words, Mado immediately looked uncomfortable. Seeing this, a satisfied Ash continued, “Others transform through their spirit companions, yet you seem to have no partner?”

“Do you not believe?”

“No, I do. Ordinary children wouldn’t be this troublesome, and your scent is familiar to me.”

“Familiar… scent?!”

Akuri immediately thought that Ash was trying some sort of O harassment, turning red with embarrassment as she crossed arms and turned away, sitting on the chair.

“Such a perv, did you harm any other kids?!”

“What are you thinking?” Seeing Ash’s disdainful gaze, Akuri felt like she was the bad one.

Also, I have no interest in handheld devices. Least of all, a child like you. Geez, what an egoist.

“You have the scent of a justice-idiot. Idiots can’t hide being idiots.”

“Says the one who’s an idiot!”

The girl could only retort weakly, taking a moment to explain her condition.

“In truth, I am the first Precure, I fought earlier and longer than CureHeart or CureSword, battling the Selfish Organization.”

Seeing Ash gesture for her to continue, Akuri proceeded.

“At that time, it was just me, battling the Selfish Organization’s advance troops alone. One selfish beast after another fell by my hands.”

“Ah, Mado, you’re impressive.”

“Don’t call me by such a familiar name! But, I cannot guarantee I won’t slip up during battle. Eventually, after a full-out fight where my partner and I were annihilated, I lost the ability to transform.”

Hearing an unexpectedly heavy story instead of something comedic, Ash looked at this small girl differently. She might be stronger than her appearance suggested.

“I have something to tell you too!”

“I?”

Caught off guard, Ash thought she was just sulking, but it seemed she genuinely wanted to speak with him.

“Yes, please immediately leave the Selfish Organization and stop fighting Pretty Cure! Your actions are dangerous!”

Even though this was an old lecture, receiving it from a child was a first.

“What if I refuse?”

“Then Pretty Cure will definitely defeat you, they’ll show no mercy even if you’re human.”

Hearing this, Ash fell silent for a while before suddenly laughing heartily, startling Akuri.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Ha-ha-ha — I didn’t expect you, a pretty cute child, to be the most awakened one among Pretty Cure.”

From now on, he would not view Akuri as just a kid, even if she couldn’t transform, he acknowledged her as the enemy she was.

“Well said, just as I wish. If I decide to stand entirely against you, just don’t hesitate to take me down.”

Hearing this, Akuri was stunned before feeling a strange sensation that made her laugh.

“Hmph, if that really happens, let us see the strength we kids possess!”