Chapter 197

Ninety-Four Rise to Be the Master

“It’s the end of today’s game.”

Holding tightly onto his “trophies,” Ash thought back to when he used to play “Gikiru” with the Gurongi in the Kamen Rider world. Back then, inexperienced as he was, he wore a G4 armor and thought it was amusing to ruin their game rules with superior skills. Little did he know, he would be on the receiving end this time.

Thus, rather mischievously, he said to the redhead girl in an unfamiliar language:

“KyugaZazaDo, GiboDizoJisoDeDeBuSe.” (Gurongi language: Ai Aida, you got another chance at life.)

“—!”

The other girls gradually regained consciousness. They were naturally both shocked and angry at Ash’s actions, but having no energy to stop him despite their painful bodies.

“ASH! Why would you do such a cruel thing! We were together before, wasn’t that all a lie?”

“NO, NO, NO.” Ash wagged his finger, slightly shaking his head.

“Even if bad people do good deeds, they remain bad people. I hope you understand this sooner.”

“Hold on…”

Though unable to comprehend his words, Ai guessed their meaning. She pushed herself up with her knees, now broken on the sand, and with an overwhelmingly sad appearance, she looked like a distressed rabbit in a hunter’s hand seeking mercy.

“Please, don’t take Arisu away!”

“Not possible.”

Ash coldly rejected Ai’s plea, even with pleading puppy eyes. He wouldn’t budge from his stance anymore.

“Rules are rules. You have no right to set conditions now.”

“How can you…?”

Ash’s harsh words shattered Ai’s heart defenses. Despite being a fearless Cure Heart and student council president, she struggled to endure the betrayal and loss of a dear friend.

“If you want her back, beat me in the next match. With the new ones added, you still have three lives left. That’s your chance.”

“I enjoyed the game this time; look forward to my next interesting game.”

Ai collapsed on the ground, reaching out for Ash’s shadow but found nothing.

“Don’t… Arisu!! Ash!!!”

“Ash!!!”

After the battle, Regina finally had the chance to come out. Seeing the continuous tears in Ai’s eyes and seeing who seemed to be an entirely different Ash, Regina couldn’t help but open her mouth, speechless.

“Hey, Regina~”

To Regina, Ash’s tone became unexpectedly lighthearted, almost cheerful. He waved at her as if saying goodbye.

“Feel free to come play at my place next time too.”

Entering through an opened mirror, Ash watched the ripples expand, causing Ai unbearable pain. As friends helped pull her up, her usually tough demeanor cracked, wailing loudly with dust-streaked cheeks, crying hard enough to dampen her collar.

“No… wahhhh!!”

“Mana,…”

Amidst everyone’s attempts to console Ai, a seriously grim-looking ACE approached her front. He could feel that the girl in front of him was about to lose her will.

“Do you think crying will bring them back to you?”

“He has formally declared war against the Pretty Cures. No one knows when this next game might start. Now’s not the time to hesitate!”

“Hold on!” Although grateful for ACE’s intervention, his unwavering, almost forcing tone annoyed Ai’s friends.

“You don’t know anything!” Makoto cupped her cheek, barely holding back for Ai. “How much does Ai care about Arisu and Ash?”

“Two friends lost—ugh..” Holding her arm, pain nearly made it impossible to lift her hand, Rikka stuttered. “Do you know how deeply Ai grieves?”

“Regardless of who you are, we cannot ignore Ai’s feelings!”

Expecting such reactions, she knew she was here to play the villain.

Comfort alone won’t help them overcome their struggles. Only by stirring up their strength could fallen Pretty Cures rise once more!

“The Five Promises of the Pretty Cures!”

Under the stunned gazes of the girls, ACE loudly recited vows adapted from the movie “Ultraman Returns,”

“First, as a Pretty Cure, always move forward!”

“Like you, I’ve met Ash and promised a fight with him.”

“If he turns against the Pretty Cures, I’ll defeat him without hesitation!”

Akuri’s words struck the girls like thunderbolts, creating an ominous realization.

“A…CureAce?” With indescribable expectation, Ai lifted her head again, tears still wet, hoping for an answer.

“Did Ash foresee this?”

“I don’t know.” ACE honestly answered. “But I’ll keep our promise!”

“If CureHeart can’t get stronger, I’ll defeat him instead.”

“No—no way!”

Beside her, her friends were surprised by Ai’s instinctive rebuttal.

“I…I!”

“How can I fight him!”

“Cursed—!”

On the other side, base located in the bowling alley, the selfish organization presented a similar somber scene.

They had gone to the Poker Kingdom to seek commands from the Selfish King over a failed human plan.

Trapped, the Selfish King’s responses disappeared like a broken connection; his eyes flickered uncertainly, and even his dark intentions lessened.

“You say… could it be that the Selfish King…”

Faced with Ira and Mamu fearing one human, Levi responded with defiance.

“No way! You fools, think! Could a single human…”

“What’s so special about a human like me?”

With a kick, the door burst open. All three turned to the entrance and the wind-ruffled coat behind Ash as he walked in, carrying someone.

“You!”

Recalling the grudge from his partner being tricked, he glared furiously at Ash, noticing he held someone else.

“You brought the Pretty Cure here?!”

“This prize is mine.”

Looking down at Arisu in his arms, whose unsteady breaths revealed she was feigning sleep, Ash let her be. Patting the soft cheeks of the girl, he walked confidently to the central sofa.

“From now on, I’m the leader of the Selfish Organization.”

“Who supports or opposes me?”