Chapter 406

Chapter 141 – Nothing Out of the Ordinary Today

Hanazaki Lei’s grandmother, Hanazaki Kuriko, who once served as CureFlower (Flower Angel) has been retired from her role with the Pretty Cure for many years now. Yet today, she experienced an unusual nightmare.

A gigantic scarlet spider,带着浓重的恶意，露出了凶恶的獠牙，目标是地球上的一切，经过之处都散发着燃烧后的尘埃气息。

The conspiracy web of the spider descended from the heavens with destruction, causing every natural life on Earth and every human’s heart flower to wilt in despair.

Even the four Pretty Cures came forward, but they still fell before such great evil. The black shadow mocked the helplessness of the girls watching everything perish after their defeat. Watching her beloved granddaughter helplessly, she saw the once brilliant blue planet completely covered in darkness. The helpless girl, holding the powerless sprite in her arms amidst endless darkness, wept bitterly.

“Lei… Is this… a nightmare?”

Though proficient in maintaining health and vitality, Kuriko, even in her older age, gently touched her forehead after awakening from the dream, the fear and sadness clinging to her like a shadow.

“If only it were just a nightmare.”

But once being a Pretty Cure herself, she knew that, since the moment they used the power of the Heart Tree to transform, their lives became linked in some way to the planet. This connection gave them a glimpse into the future in some capacity.

That’s why she couldn’t dismiss this incident as merely a dream.

She sensed something was amiss, but could not pinpoint the exact issue.

Speaking of Lei now, what is she doing? And what about her friends? Are they all well?

“Lei isn’t a child anymore… Should I trust today’s young people?”

Yet, her worries always linger.

On this day off, the four Pretty Cures gathered not at Nasta Café as usual, but chose instead to meet at her grandmother’s botanical garden.

“Ahhh~~ Kopo’s chest is so comfortable~!”

Except for Lily, the other three girls lay in Kopo’s fluffy fur. A long-lived companion of former Pretty Cures, the broad and tall Kopo can comfortably fit more than just the three of them, unlike small and cute Cifrey.

“Mmm~ It really feels good here,” Erika said as she buried her face in Kopo’s chest, feeling the soft fur brush against her cheeks. Her expression almost melted away, yet she pouted with rosy lips at that moment.

“We were going to enjoy ourselves together, but after that, that store manager vanished without a word! We had so much fun!”

Erika’s unhappy expression almost solidified her grudge, “He only left a note saying ‘I’m exploring new possibilities, so this place will be closed temporarily,’ no explanation at all. Now we can’t even find him. That selfish bastard!”

“Considering the store manager, he’s probably freer than the wind itself,” Wuki tried to explain for Ash, whose whereabouts they didn’t know, but from Wuki’s expression, one could tell she agreed with Erika too.

“We shouldn’t blame the manager alone—look at how last time, he even transformed into a Kamen Rider and fought by our side!” Lei explained genuinely for Ash regarding past events, “He might have serious matters to attend to now. Perhaps when we see him again, it will be in an unexpected location, greeting us and asking if we’ve been good Pretty Cures…”

———At this moment, Ash———

“So for your happiness, my strength is necessary. Just believe in me—Ah, yeah, right there, a bit lower! Fu~ it’s so comfortable~”

Following Ash’s instructions, the Dark Pretty Cure slid her hands down his strong body.

“Hmph, I believe you. You did it. So, what will you do next?”

“What comes next…?” Ash’s face shifted from enjoyment to a grim expression. “Now it’s others turn—Aroooowwl! Arooaaaooo~~!”

With the Dark Pretty Cure’s hands moving up and down and a crisp cracking sound, Ash let out a scream, like Tom the cat getting its tail stepped on!

“It hurts, it hurts—though I’m not dead, it feels like I’ll die of pain…”

Watching Ash roll around in bed, the Dark Pretty Cure tilted her head, expressionless.

Didn’t you say your back hurts? I was massaging your back for rehabilitation. I already held back. Can human bones be this fragile?

“Just endure it… Yes, is it here that aches?”

“Kabaaa—“

“Ooh————My Back!”

——Back at the Botanical Garden——

“That’s outrageous, but if it were him, he might actually do this!” With her right hand on her chin, Wuki nodded, picturing Lei’s vision.

“But I’m worried….” Lei said with concern holding Cifrey. “If everyone isn’t around, who will take care of Qijiera?”

Thinking of the lively swaying leaves when watering flowers, Lei felt genuinely joyful. If the flowers withered due to neglect, Lei would likely be very sad too.

“Lei truly loves flowers. Even though Ash said Qijera’s pollen is poisonous and so must be kept in jars.”

“The flowers themselves are innocent… huh?”

While arguing with Wuki beside about Sunflowers, Lei noticed a disquieting air coming from someone, and looking over, spotted Tsukikage Lily, who appeared distant, spinning a teacup in her hands.

Everyone in the cheerful botanical garden was having fun, yet the usually vibrant Lily had a somber look, why?

“Lily?” Lei’s voice made Lily’s hand on the cup pause. “What happened… Is it the store manager?”

“No…”

Her eyes dimmed as if hidden behind her reflective glasses, Lily shook her head gently. “Nothing’s wrong… with the store manager. He must be doing exactly as you said.”

“Is that so?”

Despite Lily seeming normal, Lei sensed something amiss; Lily was likely hiding something… something sorrowful.

“Hmm, nothing happened… Ah.”

Automatically pulling her fingers out of the warm tea, Lei found that her mood-swayed fingers had slipped into the tea, leaving red marks.

And Lily’s heart felt as turbulent as the surface of her tea.