Chapter 157

Chapter Fifty-One: The Truant Worker

“This is the Forest Sculpture Museum that gathers famous sculptures from around the world.”

Looking up at the museum’s interior, one could see many exquisite carvings showcasing the sculptor’s masterful touch. Of course, there were also some quirky sculptures placed in corners for visitors to enjoy.

The reason Pretty Cure came here was mainly due to Makoto providing information; she knew the Princess loved sculptures, and if she were in this world, she would surely leave clues in such places.

There was no other way; Ash handed over the information about the Princess: one clue pointed to Jo’s gift shop, another to an ordinary residence, and the third made no sense. With no useful results, Makoto could only search on her own.

Though it was embarrassing and frustrating to bring up her father for help, she felt even more shameful to let others know, which led her to swallow hard and pretend not knowing anything.

Thus, the girls headed towards the biggest museum in Daibei City to look for any traces of Princess Cards’ location.

The Princess temporarily sealed the Selfish King in the Card Kingdom, saving Earth from immediate invasion. The girls believed finding her could greatly help defeat enemies, especially since she was an important member among them.

Despite searching for the Princess of the Card Kingdom, amidst joyful banter, it felt more like a field trip along the way.

“Speaking of Arisu, why are you wearing a band-aid? Did you get injured?”

“This,” Arisu touched her nose bandage and calmly replied to Rikka, “I just overdid it a bit. But it’s worth it.”

“Does that mean Arisu worked hard in places we couldn’t see? That’s amazing! No wonder you’re part of Pretty Cure! I’ll work hard too!”

Seeing Ai getting excited, Rikka looked at Arisu helplessly, who returned with a reassuring smile.

“Let’s all search the museum today.”

“Alright~”

Just as Ai’s enthusiasm rose, a familiar voice sounded like ice water, dousing her fiery zeal.

High-heeled footsteps echoed as Regina approached happily. Seeing this daughter of the Selfish King, the girls had mixed reactions.

Last time, she had directed Ash to summon Great Adventure to chase and trample them. If not for some mysterious intervention card that suddenly appeared, they might have ended up in a life-or-death struggle.

But this time, Regina didn’t seem to be causing trouble. Her jumping bow bobbed along with her moves, reflecting her current mood. She grabbed Ai’s hand and looked at them with innocent eyes.

“Sorry for what I did last time. I won’t do it again. Let’s play together!”

Perhaps Ai’s previous words about true friendship made her reflect. Maybe influenced by Ash’s constant guidance. Regina didn’t immediately lash out today but chose a softer approach instead.

“Hold on, don’t you think about what you did last time, Regina? Aren’t you planning to do something selfish and hurt us again?”

Rikka remained vigilant, being a victim herself.

“What does ‘thinking’ even mean?”

Regina’s puzzled expression made everyone sigh in despair.

“I will teach you what ‘thinking’ means, Regina. Don’t just be friends with me. It would be even better if you became friends with everyone together, right?”

“Be friends with everyone?”

Hearing this, the girls were surprised by Ai’s suggestion. Regina looked conflicted, unsure whether she could decide.

“Just like how you and Ash are, right? If Regina can become friends with Mr. Ash, then doing this with us should be easy too.”

“Oh, Ash is my knight, so he belongs to me!”

Regina instantly understood when Ai said this.

“So you all want to belong to me… Fine, I specially permit it.”

“Ash’s belongings…”

Makoto couldn’t help twitching her lips. Though she wasn’t as resistant to Regina thanks to Ash and Ai’s influence, she still didn’t get along with her.

“Makoto, this explanation makes everything even more confusing!”

“No, it’s not like that!” Under Mana’s fervent gaze, Ai hurriedly waved her arms and started explaining the friendship rules again to Regina.

“Overall, five people being friends is certainly more fun than two. Sharing and caring for each other, isn’t that better?”

“Sharing and caring….”

Regina remembered Ash’s teachings. True friends are “someone you can trust fully, someone you’d die for.” She took note of these words.

Can I be good friends with them? Would Father get mad… Well, no matter what, I’ll give it a try!

“I’ll do my best!”

The girls unexpectedly felt Regina was being sincere. Something seemed different, changed. Could it be because of someone?

“Yes! Success lies in those who strive. Go, go, Regina!”

“Wow, I’ll do my best!”

As a result, the previously hostile Regina seamlessly joined Pretty Cure’s small squad, masking their true mission to find Princess Card leads. Instead, they roamed the museum with Regina.

Yet, apart from admiring beauty, they mostly engaged in play. Regina suddenly darted between sculptures and started playing hide-and-seek.

While causing trouble, she wasn’t as malicious as before, showing real change.

Worryingly, Ai searched left and right but found no sign of “him.” Even the girls wondered if he had “gone fishing” and skipped work.

Ai came up with an excuse and asked Regina:

“Regina, how did you come here today?”

“Ah, Ash drove me here. Why?”

Gotcha!

But where is he?

Suspecting, Ai walked to a large statue nearby. The well-crafted muscular chest and smug posing with eyes resembling light eggs and a timer carved meticulously, more detailed than the finest work.

“Hey, is this an Ultraman sculpture? Hehe, Ash would love this…”

Ai exclaimed, spotting someone under the ultraman shadow. It couldn’t be anyone else but Ash.

With headphones on, Ash glanced up from his phone and looked back.

“Wait, I’m talking to you!”

“Uh-huh.”

Frustrated by the dismissal, Ai approached Ash. Curious, she tried asking to share headphones. Ash handed her one.

“Want together?”

“Really?”

Amazed by the tiny wireless earphone:

“Wow, blue light warriors of GINGA!”

It was…

Sitting by Ash, Ai leaned close to hear what Ash listened to; the battle scene of light giants made her thoughtful.

“Although it isn’t valuable to me.”

“It’s fine as a piece of art,” Ash commented.

—

This continues the original story faithfully translated into English, adhering to your instruction of avoiding commentary.