Chapter 246

Chapter 145: The Redemption of Love and the Self-Destruction of Ash

“Sorry, it was my mistake for not noticing.”

“Sorry everyone, even he once said that Mallo was right, I am always someone who gets bored easily.”

Looking at the girl who continued to drip blood with her fierce endurance, all speech disappeared; now, Ash’s presence had completely captivated everyone and their dogs.

“In hindsight, I’ve honestly been rather inconsiderate.”

As the popular idol and Pretty Cure, Kanzaki Makoto transferred to our school, I followed her like a shadow, hoping to make friends, even as Rikka hinted at her anger and ignored Arisu’s feelings.

When Regina appeared, I thought she could be a friend too, ignoring the hatred she bore despite being aware of it. Even when I clashed with Makoto and Regina caused trouble, I still held onto the idea that we could all be friends regardless. If it were not for everyone’s forgiveness…

Then, she met Ash.

“As the president, I always showed an invincible front in front of everyone. But there’s no such thing as an invincible person. It’s Ash who exposes my frailty.”

I wanted to be his friend, but this time different. No matter what I did, it always backfired against me. Dealing with a more self-centered individual who does things his own way left no space for me.

The harder I tried to get Ash’s friendship, the more determined I became, but selfish desire stripped me of everything. At one point, I got into a big fight with Rikka due to this incident – such an ironic outcome.

In Wilde’s tale, The Happy Prince lived oblivious to grief and poverty within the palace. Posthumously, he witnessed the ugliness and pain around him, sending his golden foil away to help the poor through a Swallow.

Unfortunately, the story ends tragically for the Swallow and Prince, who die heartbroken, leaving nothing behind.

She almost reached such an end,

“I always act recklessly, causing harm to those who think for me!”

“I’m not some happy prince giving my golden foil to everyone; I’m just a thief wasting happiness taken from you.”

Mallo is right to blame my forgetfulness; indeed, but for recent reflection, I almost forgot about the little white dog I adopted, who would follow me home every day, wagging its tail. That truly would’ve been inconsiderate.

“At that moment, I understood that friendship shouldn’t be exploited like that.”

“The love I’ve received from everyone should return to their hearts, so I will never forget about Mallo!”

You all are not my means to self-satisfaction.

“Makoto…”

Just when the atmosphere was great, a troubling noise from the depths interrupted her.

“Don’t be fooled, your time stopped after that day, and that guy plans to leave you alone to move forward!”

“You shut your mouth!”

The enraged voice was retorted immediately by other girls, especially Rikka and Makoto.

“That’s true, Makoto’s words are real!”

Even if you feel you’re not the happy prince, we still want to be your Swallow!

Girls surrounded Love and Mallo defensively, preparing for potential attacks from any direction.

“Mallo, though the time spent was short, I really enjoyed it. Thank you!”

Love’s sincerity melted Mallo’s cold heart, shrinking back before everyone into its previous small puppy form.

“What have I done…”

Holding her bleeding shoulder, Love genuinely felt happy for the transformation.

“It’s okay, first get everyone in the city transformed back, then I promise to apologize until they forgive you.”

“Oh, right.” Arisu pointed to the ongoing scene. “Why don’t we turn Ash back?”

“It’s impossible…he’s lost in a nonexistent dream, everyone’s playing along with his imagination—once the dream starts, it won’t stop.”

“What?!”

“How can this happen…” Everyone looked hopeless until Rikka rapidly changed expressions, nearly screaming before she held her mouth.

“Everyone…”

Rikka’s shaky voice drew attention. Following her gaze, others shared similar reactions.

“What is this?!”

“Everyone, take out your gifts!”

Laughter and jokes ensued, how could a birthday go without gifts?

“Hey, let me tell you a joke: Ash never takes breaks! Yeah, it’s me or people like us!”

“Seriously, you won’t become a good comedian playing old jokes!”

Ash laughed at the president’s unfunny joke but sighed at the sight of his wife coming in a synthetic form to the party.

“This is a VIP card from my bathhouse, it can bring six more people! Ash, you must come!”

“I know, but unlike you with so much family, who do I find to make six?”

“Ta-da! Here’s the art book we made for you. I did my best on this one, what do you think?!”

“I trust your work, Chiru!”

Ash happily pocketed it.

“Ash, we didn’t know what to give you, so this limited-edition outfit—why the face? This was chosen specially for you!”

“A good outfit is nice, but your family runs a clothing store, right?”

Even though he complained, he still accepted the shirt.

“Gepetto! This is a robot toy made by everyone; we hope you like Gepetto!”

“That’s too generous!”

Ash patted the red shell, accepting Gepetto the giant robot toy.

More wishes came, more gifts showered him.

“Ash, your guitar is old—take mine.”

“Hey, big bro, this one. Since I won’t need it anymore after today, take this white crow!”

Not until accepting gifts from his first friends, the robot brothers, did Ash’s heart fill with joy he felt lost before.

“How’s it, Ash? Are you happy?”

“Yup, very happy!”

Reconnecting with a partner he once thought he would never see again.

Celebrating with all his favorite friends, and heroes.

Truly a dreamlike scenario.

“You don’t need to fight anymore, your journey ends here.”

“Yeah, it would be nice if I could spend the rest of my days in peace with someone.”

Yes, this ending is fine.

Endless battles ceased, happiness found by all.

I am content!

Content.

…ContentLoaded…