Chapter 104

Case File: Last Forever Full My Love

“Vrex!”

In the midst of Hananoka’s scream, Vrexrobo, having transformed from mechanical form to humanoid form, used his body as a shield above her head, with the armor on his back, along with the cannon barrels, being hit by multiple powerful beams from heavy machines, exploding into fierce blasts.

The relentless explosions sent countless parts and armor fragments flying from the robot’s back, but even as he was turned into a target for bombardment, he trembled yet stubbornly supported his entire mechanical structure, enduring in a series of ear-shattering metal grinding roars, protecting Hananoka.

‘If I’m not here, you must protect her for me.’

It’s just an order…. No, not an order.

It’s a promise.

So, I will protect her. Until—until the mechanical construction that sustains me, until this super-AI sparks out.

When Hananoka finally escaped and looked back wide-eyed, she saw the super robot kneeling on the ground, with its steel face broken to reveal its electronic structures, and its glowing green eyes finally extinguishing.

The invincible Vrex, fell.

“Vrex!!!”

Her trembling fists clenched in anger, Hananoka, who had contained her sorrow, now had another goal before her.

I’ve led them far enough….. Where is Ash?

Where is Ash? I want to return to his side!!!

Then, more humanoid monsters appeared before her path. The black wolf beast with a single horn wielding a crescent scimitar, a pure white alien swordsman pulling out a long blade, a lion-like wild fury battle knight, and an octopus monster covered in ice fringes lifting their cowboy hat in greeting.

These monsters were unknown to Hananoka, but that did not stop her from doing what she needed.

“Haha, coming? You guys who hinder others’ romances.”

Tearing off the torn fur bracelet on her arm, despite her body already suffering from myriad injuries, her eyes burned with steadfast determination without pause, standing like a female Valkyrie against the wind, her clothes billowing without any wind, Cureyell moved on without stopping.

“Come to fight, then let’s fight!”

—

(BGM: Dearest)

Holding the blood-red wound on her waist, the woman who transformed from Cureyell to Hananoka walked through a deserted hospital area, calling out to the man’s name.

“Ash!”

Upon finding him again, there was no blood, no wounds—all that remained was a man peacefully lying on the ground with open eyes.

“Ash!!!”

He successfully realized his intended plan, fully absorbing the violent energy and merging with it.

“Why—”

Hugging the man on the ground tightly, Hananoka wanted to cry out loud, but her face was already covered in tears.

“I tried so hard….”

“There’s no helping it,”

Gently stroking Hananoka’s back, Ash looked at the enemies surrounding him.

“You’ve done well, Hananoka.”

To “Brelando,” the ax-wielding “Bloody Slaughter,” the cruel first strongest cosmic villain “Damara,” and even the dark emperor “Jade” clapping and enjoying the scene.

After complete assimilation, the violent energy turned completely fierce, pulling these heavyweight enemies from my memory, trying to utterly defeat me.

Truly quite dramatic.

Fate has always been bloody. Now, I have no intention of avoiding it.

“It’s all right, Ash.” Despite sensing the power of their enemies, she understood that they probably couldn’t go back and still showed Ash a beautiful yet sad smile. “Maybe as you said, things you can’t help are just unchangeable—but isn’t the process as important as the end?”

“If we can’t return, then we should fight together until the end.”

Though sorry to Mom, Dad, and the birds, if I could die with you, I wouldn’t have any regrets.

“No, it’s you I can’t let happen!” Under the watchful gaze of countless heavy-hitter villains, Ash suddenly hugged the slightly panicking Hananoka, kissed her cherry lips one last time, conveying a message.

As their lips briefly touched, Hananoka, wide-eyed, was shocked by Ash’s intentions.

“I… I!”

Indeed, recently, I occasionally feel a bit queasy, even sick.

But you mean…

Am I…?

“Yes,” After reluctantly releasing her lips, Ash smiled contentedly. “I can tell; there are two lives inside you now.”

“Now, I am the happiest person in the world.”

So, you’re saying…

“So, you need to live.”

Coming to her senses, realizing she needed to grab her Phote Heart to transform, Hananoka found herself empty-handed; Ash had already taken it away.

“Me—” Grasping her head, Hananoka struggled with conflicting pain and joy. “No, no, no—I won’t let Ash do this!”

The girl once again threw herself at him, hugging the warrior whom she saw as Time Fire turning around with his weapon drawn, standing back to back.

“I don’t want you to be alone…”

If this is a dream.

“Don’t leave me!!!”

Then don’t wake me up, don’t disrupt me!

This was the most difficult action Ash had ever undertaken since arriving in this world.

He grasped Hananoka’s arm with extreme difficulty but unwavering determination, gradually pulling himself away from the tenderness.

“Vrex—!!!”

From the corner, a damaged mechanical dinosaur, shedding parts as it ran, witnessed Ash hurl Hananoka away.

“Take her to safety, protect her!!!”

The mechanical dinosaur with fractured teeth grabbed the back of Hananoka’s clothing, exchanging one last glance with Ash on the ground, speaking for the first time.

“[RO——GA——]”

Then, changing direction, he carried Hananoka towards another direction.

“Let me go—let me go, Ash! Ash!!!”

Tears streamed down in mid-air, watching the figure blur away until it vanished into the distance, she desperately reached towards the destined flame.

“My—Ash…..!”

“Sorry I kept you waiting.”

Even though they were just illusions made from memories, these big bosses approached Ash, greeting him as they remembered.

Drawing their weapons, they approached Ash step by step.

“But, do you think I’m here to stay back and leave some regret, only to die?”

Facing the advancing enemy, Ash cheerfully raised his V-Commander in front of him.

“No—No! That’s completely wrong!!!”

I just changed my mind!

“Do you think beating me off like this would work?! Do you know who’s standing before you now?!”

The villains similarly smiled, raising their weapons, darkness gathering at their ends.

“I’m the hero of Hananoka, the future team ranger—”

“Time Ranger — TimeFire !!!”

So, here I go.

Rays of light and bombs exploded past Ash, setting him ablaze with violent explosions, the red flames burning fiercely, lighting up the man’s face as he fought for something.

“Time —”

The clock cycle circled around Ash, starting with the hour hand’s flame before it rapidly spread to his whole body.

“Fire —!”

And when the blazing eruption exploded fully, there was no Ash, only the crimson warrior standing amidst the explosion — [TimeFire].

“I’ll never die—!”

The warrior ran, drawing his sword and charging fearlessly into all enemies under the welcome of the explosions’ fireworks.

Holding the DV Sword, ignited by the burning flames of courage and love, he charged recklessly forward.

“I’ll defeat you and survive, to meet Hananoka again!”

This was—

Ash’s final, shining moment as a hero.

[END]