Chapter 198

Chapter Ninety-Five: Yotsuba Arisue Gets Dazed

“I object!”

Levi loudly voiced his objection. For this “brave” colleague, who knew well about Ash’s nature in their bullied workplace environment, he was given a passage and gazed at him with a pitying look as Ash walked through it side by side.

Look, another fearless one, just like we were in the past.

“Sure.”

Ash’s fingers idly caressed Arisue’s little face. He slightly squinted his eyes, seeming to enjoy the soft sensation on his fingertips. With his other hand, he pointed at Another Ryuga’s watch face, challengingly provoking Levi without a care.

“If you object then, what are you still waiting for?”

“Damn!”

[Levi goes up!]

[Levi has a big advantage!]

[Levi is cornered!]

[Levi feels victory is within reach!]

[Levi submits.]

[Ash yawns.]

“Boring.”

Ash flicked his finger after shaking the watch face, creating ripples on the full-length mirror nearby. Two human-shaped monsters stepped out of it and stood by Ash’s side. These were the monsters that should only exist in the Rider series’ mirror world: [Lightning Cavalry]!

“Go, toss him out!”

Following Ash’s orders, the two Lightning Cavalries hoisted up the beaten-up Levi, dragging him towards the door under the more pitying looks from the others.

With the strange power from Another Ryuga’s watch face, Ash could now create mirror monsters within the mirror world inside the Pretty Cure universe.

The happiest about this was the Another Black Dual-Dragon. Once starved, it suddenly found its contractor became wealthy, eating nine meals a day; one eaten, one played with, and one tossed away, enjoying the mirror world immensely.

“Is anyone else opposing?”

When Ash’s gaze landed on himself, Ira and Mama glanced at each other and quickly went down on their knees before Ash. It seemed they might have kissed his shoes if not for Ash lifting his leg.

“Long live Ash-sama!”

“In my heart, there is only one sun, Ash-sama!”

What did they say again? The wise adapts as times change.

A man can bend and stretch, this fellow is so perverted, supposedly even tamed the Selfish King; what’s wrong with us surrendering?

“Hahahaha, sure, go back!”

He had been a follower all along, but being the leader this time around felt surprisingly great.

Ash found he quite enjoyed this feeling of being adored.

Seeing Arisue still feigning sleep, he slid his fingers gently down her chin as if stroking a carefully preserved vase, occasionally tapping on her chin with affectionate cat-like touches, his fingertips dancing around the rounded part of her collarbone.

Until the increased warmth spread from their physical contact, making her cheeks redden visibly, he gently rubbed her burning earlobe with his fingers and leaned close to whisper into her ear.

“Still want to sleep? Or do you want me to wake you up like Sleeping Beauty?”

“Mmm!”

Upon hearing this, Arisue finally opened her eyes, covering her ears with her hands, looking at the man who continually smiled mischievously, making her feel irritated.

“How terrible, Mr. Ash!”

Both before and now, it was unacceptable!

To intentionally provoke me and take pleasure from my reactions, this is worse than ever!

“Hahaha, interesting expression, will you pledge your loyalty like the others?”

“If Mr. Ash fights for love in this world like the Pretty Cures, I wouldn’t mind doing something like that.”

“Feh, troublesome woman.”

Ash pouted.

……

……

Their eyes mirrored each other’s expressions, both falling into an inexplicable silence, until Ash broke it.

“You’re comfortable lying there, huh?”

“Aah—!”

Even a lady of good upbringing who did not show emotions directly would not ignore Ash’s harassment. Blushing furiously, she nearly leaped off him like a rabbit, sitting restlessly for a moment before settling opposite Ash.

“Mr. Ash… What did you bring me here for?”

“Since I’ve taken you as a prize, this seems more interesting, what specifically to do with you, I haven’t quite thought about.”

“Why don’t you tell me?”

“Mmm—” In response to Ash’s teasing words, Arisue actually began to think. “Would you let me go back?”

“Sure—do you think I’d say that?”

Ash curled the corners of his lips. It pleased him to watch her emotional highs and lows; manipulating her brought him fulfillment beyond just fighting.

“It won’t work. You’re mine now. Can’t take back what I’ve grabbed. You must obey me.”

“To arbitrarily decide someone else’s affairs…”

Arisue was somewhat angry but didn’t dare to explode. She feared provoking the current furious Ash might lead to bad outcomes.

“How is it? Already feeling lonely?” Ash changed his posture, even more aggressive.

“Don’t worry if it’s loneliness; soon enough, your friends will come to keep you company.”

“Way too confident…”

Indeed, she was incredibly furious at this current Ash! He was more twisted than she had been before!

“Is Mr. Ash planning to confine me here?”

After all, Yotsuba Arisue was the daughter of a major family in Daizensei City. If she went missing, chaos would ensue, not to mention it would be illegal!

“I was jailed often myself, had stints in Light Country’s prison, shared a cell even with a Babar alien who was actually quite amusing.”

“Mr. Ash, this isn’t something to brag about…”

Though in non-combat situations Ash was quieter, the outcome seems to be even more childish?

“As long as it’s not SPD or the Space Patrol Corps, I don’t care.”

Nothing can stop me!

Arisue grew uneasy, her fingers fiddling with her stocking, clearly growing impatient.

I can bear what he does to me, but if he doesn’t let me go, Mana, Sebastian, and even Father will worry, and the Pretty Cure secret might come to light!

Thinking this, Arisue wanted to run away, yet the gaze fixed on her made her reconsider.

Until a statement from Ash gave her hope.

“But if you wish, I can grant you normal school days and home visits. Of course, the rest of the time you must stay here.”

“Then, when is the chance?”

Seeing Arisue fall for the bait, Ash smiled.

“You must stay distant from Mana and the others, no communication allowed. After all, following the rules, you’re now ours. Oh, don’t rush to refuse.”

“I’ll offer you terms you can’t refuse.”