Chapter 175

Sixty-Ninth: Would You Like Some Cake?

Ash has completely confirmed her identity.

“But I didn’t expect that Mana’s senior would be an elementary school student.”

Despite being a senior, she was the youngest character. Hmm…Had he seen this setting somewhere before?

“Why, do you look down on elementary school students?”

“No, it’s not surprising for elementary school students to save the world.”

There have been plenty of young male heroes too, like those who mastered Oni techniques at a young age or those who rode烈车and fought the dark path with elementary school students. There was even someone younger than she was who transformed into an Ultraman to save the world.

“But I’m rather curious, as a senior, what do you think of the Curehearts?”

Feeling curious, Ash specifically asked this question.

It seemed that Akuri heard some praise in Ash’s words, and her expression improved quite a bit, much better than the initial scowls and calling him perverse.

“As for the current Curehearts…”

Akuri clasped her hands under her chin, but in deep thought, she seemed less mature than some sunglasses-wearing, chin-sticking guy. Ash found her trying too hard to seem mature, quite comical and cute, barely restraining laughter.

Because she was lost in thought, Akuri didn’t notice Ash’s trembling shoulders, trying hard not to laugh. She recalled several battles.

Fighting against the Selfish Beasts was fine; every time they thwarted them successfully. But facing this guy! Against Kamen Rider Ryuga, the Pretty Cures never won!

So she shook her head very seriously.

“No, absolutely—no! They are far too immature.”

“Oh ho.”

Being called immature by an elementary schooler, Mana and the others are really… I feel embarrassed for them.

“Combat-wise, they’re okay-ish, but they haven’t won a single fight against Kamen Rider Ryuga. Against such an enemy they couldn’t bring themselves to truly defeat them; they’re too immature!”

“Sorry, I am Kamen Rider Ryuga.”

Hearing this, Ash felt a bit uncomfortable too. While everyone gets upset when criticized, hearing criticism directly was oddly admirable.

Little Madoka sure is strict.

“Is it okay to say others this way?”

“You think I only compliment without addressing real issues?” Misunderstanding Ash, Akuri glared and took out her water bottle from her small backpack.

“If I could still transform, I’d have done so!”

“I’m actually looking forward to that,”

But what would it be like if Pretty Cures were transformed by elementary schoolers? Would they be kids-sized like Den-O?

“Hmph, this is just part of the problem; there are other things I haven’t said yet.”

Taking a deep breath, Akuri decided to highlight one of them, thinking hard, she chose the most notable pink Pretty Cure—Cure Heart!

“Cure Heart has been rash and unpredictable several times. She must be a stubborn fool! Just like this!”

“Actually, you guessed right,”

In Ash’s eyes, Akuri’s description of Ai Aida matched, and upon confirmation, her tone became sharper.

“Especially her excessive kindness towards enemies, always wanting to become friends. Does she not understand speaking can wait until after defeating enemies?”

“It’s especially with you!” Akuri suddenly switched focus, directing her words back at Ash.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think it could be anyone else? I’ve seen the battle, she ignores distance, always wanting to get close, almost hugging. That’s not how a fighter should behave. Being with such a Pretty Cure makes winning impossible!”

Akuri returned to her seat, slightly out of breath, while Ash maintained a mysterious smile.

“Humph, interesting.”

“You find me and them interesting?”

“Yes, you all are interesting.”

Though everything said was spot-on, why did he feel annoyed? Maybe he had changed since arriving here?

Has he gotten weaker because of the Pretty Cures?

“But I’m a bit curious.”

Ash tapped the table, calling over a server to order dessert, flipping through the menu’s contents.

Lavishly crafted, adorable sweets failed to draw Ash’s interest, especially a black forest cake gleaming like jewelry. Recalling the “colorful” coarse snacks and spicy curry from “Dinosaur Curry House” made Ash reminiscent instead.

“Why are you so hard on them?”

“Is this considered harsh?”

“Of course,” Ash pulled out his card set, tapping it on the table against Akuri’s view. “I don’t think you believe I haven’t seen the owner of this thing. To be frank, what you think is harsh is something many Kamen Riders and Renegades warriors couldn’t achieve.”

“Not interacting with enemies and fighting fearlessly, unaffected by anything—probably only robots can do that.” Pondering his purple and blue-red robot friends, Ash massaged his temples. “But even robots can’t achieve such perfection.”

Rather, among the robots he had met, there existed ones with hotter hearts than humans.

“…”

At Ash’s words, Akuri looked down in silence for a moment, then murmured with slight hurt.

“But, during battle, I was alone; if I fell, no one would fight the Selfish Organization.”

Madoka, you worry about failing and not having anyone to protect humans?

This kid might be closer to a hero than thought.

“They too hope to be stronger to avoid falling like me…”

“Hey, waiter!”

Seeing Ash call for the waiter nonchalantly, Akuri felt a sense of unappreciated effort, tears welling in her eyes.

What’s with this? Was all this for…

“Sir, may I assist you…? Sorry, the signature cake requires reservations.”

“Is that so… Little Madoka, wait for me, I’ll be right back.”

“Who is waiting for you!”

Glancing at the signature cake on the sweet shop counter, Ash left without caring about Akuri.

Angered further, Akuri turned away, intending to walk off and report. Instead, seeing Ash staring at the cake, she remained patient in her seat out of instinct.

Soon, Ash returned with the same signature cake from the shop counter.

“He expected you to order it? No way—”

Akuri hurriedly checked to ensure the cake was safe.

But why, where did this cake come from?

Before she could ask, she saw the man close his eyes, pushing a fragrantly, sweet-smelling cake to her side.

“This is…for me?”

Akuri swallowed involuntarily.

“Well, see it as your reward for protecting the world on your own.”

“……I refuse to eat anything from the Selfish Organization!”

“Then if it’s not from the Selfish Organization, just a person named Ash asking you to eat it?”

Hearing this, Akuri glanced between the cake and Ash, finally unable to resist carefully picking up the fork.

“Then…here goes!”

”