Chapter 523

Chapter Thirty-Four: Lonely Yayoi

Just like Miyuki, the other Pretty Cures had difficulty accepting Ash.

Apart from the outstanding Aoki Rihua and simple-minded Hoshizora Miyuki, Ash similarly did not acknowledge the other three members.

“To be honest, if you can’t even do this much, then it’s better to not be a Pretty Cure at all, considering the dangers you might face in battle,” he said, his gaze sweeping over the three with a subtle expression. After reverting back to his smug and self-satisfied demeanor, he added, “Wouldn’t it be better not to be a Pretty Cure?”

“You — are you belittling us?! We are acknowledged fighters too!”

“No, I’m just saying, compared to the dangers you might encounter due to weak power, at least now your loved ones and friends don’t need to worry about you,” explained Ash, shrugging offhandedly.

People of this age should naturally understand that acquiring such power comes with corresponding responsibilities.

“….Damn it!” The fists of the three girls clenched tightly, but they conceded under Ash’s last statement.

It couldn’t be denied that at their current state, without their transformation energy, they lacked the resolve and courage that Ash spoke of.

They once protected their companions by taking on the tragic kingdom’s villains as humans, thus earning recognition as Pretty Cures.

But when facing such situations again, could they still muster the courage to make the same choice, now that they have reverted to ordinary humans, losing the initial zeal?

At least at this moment, questioned by Ash, they couldn’t provide an answer.

“Hmm.” Adjusting his imaginary glasses on his nose, Ash felt no remorse for the impact he caused them. “What future did you think I foresaw that led me to seal the transformation devices?”

He had said it many times before.

With just the heart, what can truly be protected?

The worst-performing Yellow is understandable, but immature Orange with solely firepower, and Green who is often troubled by various concerns… While Ash encountered several people similar to them during his travels, he wasn’t their father and, given the past situations in two worlds, didn’t want to get entangled with any new, unnecessary relationships.

“Why bother being some guiding figure?” Ash declared. “I don’t care anymore! Even if the tragedy kingdom defeats me, I’ll let them handle it!”

“Sugar, I don’t like this tense atmosphere…”

As simple-minded as Miyuki, Sugar, despite struggling to trust Ash, didn’t fathom why others would argue with him so fiercely. She only found the team dynamics deteriorated after joining Ash.

Was Miyuki’s original decision to invite him a mistake?

“After all, he probably lives in a different world from ours.”

Rihua sighed, holding Sugar as she watched everything unfold.

“We haven’t found a way to reach an understanding with him yet.”

Her instinct told her these awkward moments would continue even more in future interactions.

The battle ended in dissatisfaction due to Ash’s manipulations.

“If it were before, I wouldn’t mind treating you to ice cream, but now…”

Ash didn’t return with them, but noticed keenly that, unlike him, the little girl resembling a yellow mushroom also left them after separating.

“Whatever, it’s irrelevant…”

[Ash, it was your fault last time, so I’ll follow this time.]

“Ugh—” Ash sighed deeply. “Why me? I hate trouble.”

Despite his words, internal hesitation caused by the System made him reluctantly follow.

Perhaps it was because he sensed a discordant aura, contrary to his smiles.

Before becoming a Pretty Cure and befriending Miyuki, Yayoi was a solitary child.

Being a petite and cute-looking girl, yet fond of boyish interests like huge robots and heroes from TV specials and animated shows, and having hobbies like drawing comics which were stereotypically male activities, meant Yayoi didn’t share common interests with other girls, and was equally unable to mingle with boys, since those at her age considered playing with girls shameful.

Such isolation defined her until becoming a Pretty Cure allowed her to connect with pure Miyuki, straightforward Naoko, passionate Akane, and tender Rihua, gradually opening up her once lonely heart and revealing the warmth underneath her timid exterior.

This warmth, however, vanished when that man took it away, leaving her bereft of courage, reverting to solitude.

While disliking that man, sometimes Yayoi wondered if he was right — perhaps the hero role never fit her timid nature, and maybe being a Pretty Cure was just a dream to her.

“Are there no others around here?”

After bidding farewell to her comrades, Yayoi, feeling incredibly burdened, carried her empty sketchbook to a quiet park bench. Her pencil delicately sketched on paper, creating beautiful lines.

This was a habit she developed to dispel loneliness and worry. Yayoi immersed herself in this solitary creative act, letting her emotions flow onto the paper.

With such an intense focus, she missed the person approaching from behind, unnoticed until the heat on her neck made her realize someone was watching.

“Phew.” Time flies when focused. Smiling contentedly, Yayoi admired her finished artwork. “Alright, it’s done!”

“Indeed, it looks great. It could actually be published.”

A genuine male voice from behind complimented her work, making her giggle lightly.

“Hehe, it’s just for fun, I’m not that good—” Until the recognition triggered a memory, familiar and unwanted.

The warm breath on her neck made her stiffen, and turning slowly, she faced Ash’s indifferent expression.