Chapter 146

Chapter Forty: A Past No Longer Meaningful

“Something feels off.”

Pausing the TV with the remote in hand, he stopped the footage at the moment after Blade’s card box shattered and the giant crab Vesey chewed on its own contractor.

Fiddling with Longya’s card box, Ash began to search his memories for that heavily pixelated scene which had become endlessly blurred over time.

After countless loops and multiple trips through time, the Tokusatsu series he watched as a kid on TV had long been erased by the mists of time. Add to that the experiences he hadn’t lived himself, he bought BD discs from this world hoping to refresh his memory but found no match.

This can’t be right; the progression in the television show didn’t align with his memories at all.

Ash clearly recalled the situation: Takeshi, transformed into Dragon Knight, fought here against Blade, and Dragon Knight, having noticed something was wrong, prevented Vesey from destroying everything, saving the policeman’s life just in time.

Though different from the TV’s account, since the corrupt policeman survived yet reentered the war for vengeance before being killed by a crab-like Mirror Beast, this was also a form of retribution.

Ash naturally recognized the discrepancies between the reality presented and the TV episodes. In the Tokusatsu show *Masked Rider Dragon Knight*, there wasn’t an appearance of someone called Ash.

“What’s the point of referencing it then?”

Losing interest, Ash decided against further viewing. Indeed, the story line diverged drastically from his own experiences. There were too many discrepancies, making this a completely different narrative.

Except for recalling a few names, it offered little help.

“Regardless, there wasn’t much chance of meeting anyway, so what’s the point of watching?”

The System never had a way back once it chose a path, except for the Masked Riders and other characters who possessed their own abilities to travel through time. Everyone else he met was a final goodbye.

When he mentioned not seeing that passing rider in a while, he wondered if another woman had stabbed him in the back figuratively.

“Ash, what are you up to?”

As he caught Regina jumping towards him, he casually rose to extract the disc with a blank expression.

“Nothing much, just watching some boring TV.”

From now on, I should avoid this stuff. It never feels right watching ambiguous plots like these.

“What TV… hero stuff, something for kids? Ha, are you still enjoying this as an adult, Ash?”

Picking up the BD case by the side, Regina burst out laughing seeing the pose of the suit actor on it. “You’re grown-ups yet enjoy this childish garbage?”

To Regina, children’s hero shows were clearly made for kids, thus the amusement she felt at Ash also watching them.

Yet, unknowingly to her, the rating on the flipside was far from child-appropriate…

“No, your Highness, do you know what ‘children’s oriented’ truly means?” Ash joked.

“In fact, children-oriented content should be appealing to both adults and children equally, teaching life lessons.”

However, such quality was indeed rare, no matter the category.

“Is that so? These points escape me.” After pondering, Regina lost interest again, “I’m going to visit Mana tomorrow, would you like to join us, Ash?”

“Sure.”

Ash had a newfound interesting discovery—the daughter of the King of Selfishness had seemingly learned the art of sharing.

“How intriguing.”

The famous western-style restaurant in Otone City, ‘Tail Tail Inn,’ opened its gates for business. Owned by Ai’s parents, the serene atmosphere was quite popular among guests.

Likewise, it was always the first place they would gather, becoming somewhat of a base for the Pretty Cures.

“Wait, when did you all get so close with Mr. Ash?!”

In their daily chatter about recent events, once they touched on Pretty Cures, the theme would inevitably shift to Ash.

Ai suddenly realized that while she wasn’t aware, Makoto and Rikka had seemingly developed some connection with Ash.

They even got his address! Rikka, you clever thing!

While I took the initiative to be friends with him, while I’m happy to see Makoto and Rikka get along well with Mr. Ash, why does it feel so strange…?

An atmosphere where I seem to be excluded.

“That’s incorrect, Mana,” Arisu raised her hand indifferently. “Not only you but neither am I familiar with Mr. Ash.”

“Grr, Arisu, you’re always the best!”

Seeing this, Ai spontaneously gave Arisu a big bear hug, smiling back at Ai.

“You two look very close.” Feeling a bit annoyed, Makoto pushed her pocketed Spade J deeper inside.

“How could we get Mr. Ash to join us?”

Everyone rejected Ai’s proposal unanimously.

“It won’t work.”

“Absolutely impossible.”

“Why so negative?”

At that moment, a man in a pale purple coat entered through the door of Tail Tail Inn.

“Pardon me.”

“Sir, what would you like?” Ai’s father, chef Kentaro Aida, hurried over to take the order.

“I’ll go with the specialty dish, I suppose.”

“Really? We’re glad the Egg Roll Rice has a fan in you! It’s one of our hallmarks.”

“I can’t wait.”

This appeared like any regular order-taking process, yet because of that familiar voice, they all turned around—no surprise to see Ash sitting near the window with his elbow on his chin, ungraciously resting his leg.

“A—” Realizing the volume, Ai quickly covered her mouth and rushed to the man, followed by the anxious girls.

“Why is Mr. Ash here?”

“Isn’t it obvious why I’m here?” Ash saw the concern in their eyes, replying with a rhetorical question.

He had simply wandered onto the street and spotted the girls in the shop, feeling rather hungry.

“As for the identity worry, I wouldn’t divulge that, for it’s pointless.”

Some villains might seek out heroes’ dual identities, but Ash wouldn’t involve himself in that. It was not only beneath him but also dull.

“What’s it then?”

“Could it be…” They pointed at themselves. Clearly, aside from being the Heartbeat Pretty Cures, nothing else explained Ash’s unexpected attention toward them.

“Could be anything. I’m here for food, aren’t ghosts expected to starve on air?”

Ignoring his answer, he continued gazing outside the window, allowing them to let out a sigh of relief. They had feared being discovered but were relieved upon learning it wasn’t about their identities.

Avoiding the risk of their loved ones knowing the truth, they could prevent the Heartbeat Pretty Cure group from disbanding then.

He’s reasonable after all!

“Ash!”

Ai, wanting to continue her conversation, was interrupted by Ash.

“Ai.”

“Hmm?”

Looking puzzled at the sudden name call, Ai’s face reddened from the blush.

“Not you, just mentioning the name.”

Her resentful gaze softened as Ash explained.

“Your real name is Aida Mana, but everyone calls you Mana instead of Ai.”

How peculiar.

At first everyone expected Ash to have a prank up his sleeve, but his earnest words caused laughter instead.

So, you cared about such things!

“Wait, who decided Mana sounded unusual?”

One of the childhood sweethearts, Rikka, instantly took offense at Ash’s remark concerning Ai’s name.

Ignoring complaints, Ash said, “Would it be more fitting to call you Love since I once called someone Luck?”

“No, please call me Mana!”

Ai waved her hands. She was used to being called Mana and was uncomfortable about a change.

“Oh, so we’ve become so close we use first names?”

“What?!”

This surprising remark made Ai consider their relationship anew, noticing the mischievous grin on Ash’s face, her cheeks flushing.

“It’s fine…”

Just then, Kentaro arrived with a plate.

“Here’s your egg roll rice.”

Kentaro noticed the hesitation from his reluctant daughter and the college-aged boy talking casually, sensing a potential friendship developing.

“Mana, you know the guest?”

“Ah…”

Ai laughed awkwardly. Yes, they were acquainted, but how could she say it? Would she mention the man who beat her and saved him?

“Of course, we’re acquainted.”

Ash paused, not eager to eat.

“I’ve been coaching them.”

Emphasizing the word, he glanced at the changing expressions on the girls. Kentaro, however, remained oblivious to the underlying meaning.

“Are Mana and the others learning under you?”

“You could put it that way.”

Though uncertain what skills they were learning, Kentaro saw it as beneficial and wished to compliment the instructor.

“I’ll leave my girl under you then!”

“It’s no trouble, really.”

Witnessing her father chatting pleasantly with Ash, Ai grimaced, tempted to cover her face.

Dad, don’t trust him!