Chapter 155

Chapter 49: Him from the Past, Her in the Present

Arisu had come to understand one thing.

She could no longer continue to indulge him.

This man named Ash always had a way of saying things that caused trouble for everyone, whether they made sense or not, with even the man himself probably unable to clarify his intentions.

This man was a capricious individual, as described by the Pretty Cure team, who would cause trouble just because he felt like it and help out when he didn’t feel like it either.

Perhaps this man is the true embodiment of self-centeredness?

As someone fighting against the Selfish Organization, Arisu couldn’t help but think such thoughts sometimes.

To change him, she realized, one must not continue to go along with his whims!

In moments of fierce combat, through the exchanges of blows, Yotsuba Arisu faintly perceived the truth concealed within this man’s heart.

Since you claim to enjoy battles, I will force you to reveal your answers through combat!

“Hahahaha! You say you want to protect me!”

Ash burst into laughter at Arisu’s declaration.

Was it naive innocence, or genuine kindness?

“Hey, hey, I’m your enemy right now, so don’t interfere too much. This is sheer sentimentality.”

“I was originally a woman!”

Facing Arisu’s upright statements, Ash was momentarily speechless; well, he indeed had no rebuttal to that.

“We believe that even enemies can become friends. That’s what we, all the Heart Catch Pretty Cure members, think.”

And this must be before he commits an unforgivable act!

Good-hearted justice partners always do unnecessary things—it’s something he has experienced firsthand.

“Yotsuba Arisu, I hope you realize this.”

Ash raised a finger.

“Unconditional kindness is merely weakness and nagging. And this could become a key factor leading to your defeat and dragging down your comrades.”

“Do you want this to happen?”

Arisu shook her head.

“What? You clearly have no idea.”

If you understood, then why are you still stubbornly competing with me?

“I don’t indiscriminately show kindness to anyone.” She continued to stare at his masked eyes, which seemed to lack understanding of love. “I persist because it is you, Mr. Ash!”

“…”

The girl gazed at her golden eyes, which seemed to shimmer with a different power.

This woman was serious.

What should he say at this moment?

Ash suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

“Why?”

The cracked dragon sword in his hand fell, and Ash stood there, asking the girl.

“Do you believe in the power of love?”

This question left Ash speechless. Indeed, during his endless travels, he had genuinely felt stories of love saving the world, but he hadn’t truly experienced them himself, hence failing to empathize.

“I don’t know.”

In the end, he could only reply this way.

“I trust you, Mr. Ash, because I sensed that you also harbor the presence of love.”

Love—whom do you mean? Me?

How did I not notice this myself?

“What do you know about these things!”

Arisu pounded her chest vigorously. A bright yellow love pendant sparkled where her heart was, radiating the light of love.

“If you don’t understand, the warrior who awakens new strength with love is right here!”

“That’s me, CureRosetta!”

One cannot protect anything with mere intention alone; without actions, nothing can be preserved.

But if intentions could manifest into tangible, visible power?

Pure love alone cannot save the world.

However, if love can transform into such power, the world can be saved.

Denying improbable possibilities can be understood, but denying factual occurrences is simply foolish.

It’s that simple.

“Cut! If you say such things, then prove it!”

“If you don’t believe me, attack me!”

You little brat!

Being confronted again with these thoughts made by Arisu that stir strange emotions, Ash finally erupted after being unable to fight and accumulating anger.

Since you say this, I’ll make your wish come true!

Running to Beast King Gorilla’s side, Ash snatched a giant golden cube structure from behind him, pulled back the handle on top to reveal the square barrel.

“Yamato, lend me this!”

Aiming at Arisu, Ash pulled the trigger.

From the transformation cannon came an enormous spherical energy cube. With unrivaled strength qualifying it as king, the impact distorted space itself. Even in her enhanced state, Arisu might not be able to block this blow.

Let’s see what tricks you, the Pretty Cure, have hidden up your sleeve!

Facing such a terrifying attack, what did Arisu do?

She did nothing. Facing the square cannon aimed at her, Arisu calmly stretched her arms in a cross, choosing to endure the impact with a martyr’s expression, closing her eyes quietly.

What are you doing?!

Ash didn’t have time to think, instinctively flipping through his inventory rapidly, ultimately inserting the last card from the deck into the Dark Blue Dragon summoning machine at lightning speed.

[Advent] (Contract Descent)

Just as the newly summoned Black Dragon Double received Ash’s order, it rushed towards Arisu, sending the girl flying. As it stuck out its tongue in anticipation of its meal, it was struck again by the square cannon, rolling back to the Mirror World in billowing smoke within two seconds.

Arisu, caught in the debris created by the Black Dragon Double, could no longer bear it. Unending fatigue surged from deep within her body, and her battle attire disintegrated into basic light particles.

Even Ash found it difficult to imagine what might happen if she bore that strike in her current condition.

“Pretty Cures are all fools…hey, Yamato—”

Just turning his head, a massive fist struck him directly, instantly knocking him down and landing next to Arisu.

Dazed, Ash slowly rose from the ground, removed his card box to deactivate his transformation, and glanced at the red warrior he had summoned silently.

“Yamato, are you angry?”

A familiar voice came from somewhere akin to an animal researcher.

“Don’t underestimate the heart of concern!”

With that, the warrior looked once more at the lying Ash on the ground, his red form vanishing into thin air.

“Really.”

Holding tightly onto gear number 40, Ash lay back down on the ground, dejected, and noticed Yotsuba Arisu, unconscious beside him.

Even though she was defeated, the girl’s face did not betray any sign of defeat or resentment.

“Did I overdo it?”

For the first time in this world, Ash began reflecting on himself.