Chapter 217

Chapter 114: Even a Diamond Heart Can Be Injured

If one were to say that there was much joy in winning the game for Ash,

Then there was much sorrow on the losing side for Ai.

“What could be wrong with the president?”

“I don’t know. She seems to be having constant mistakes at work lately, with an extremely low mood.”

“It looks like she had a falling out with students Ikezaki and Yotsumono.”

Recently, most of the students at Daibei Middle School have noticed the student president they once admired, who used to be perfect and charming, has become less “perfect” over time.

Such as her previous meticulous work ethic starting to take a dip, errors creeping into tasks she once excelled at, and under the seemingly unchanging smile, her inner heavy burden. There were even people who saw her sighing alone.

All these signs show that something must have happened to Ai Aida, their president.

“Could it be she’s sick? Could we have been relying too much on President Ai, exhausting her!?”

“That won’t do. We must help the president reduce her burden after this. We cannot depend solely on her anymore.”

Such students, realizing this truth and deciding to rely more on themselves, although with good intentions, still haven’t hit the mark.

“Mana!”

After school, Ai left ahead alone, and Rikka quickly ran up to stop Ai.

“It’s you, Six Flowers.”

Ai, who used to respond instantly, now turned around only after hesitating for some time. Seeing Rikka running towards her, the smile on Ai’s face seemed forced and far from attractive.

“What’s the matter? This gloomy look.”

“What about you, Mana? Isn’t your current state strange?”

Grabbing Ai by the arm, Rikka faced the estranged friend head-on.

“I know you want to save Arisu and Makoto. I am the same, but you should understand, this isn’t just your mistake. Worrying won’t help!”

“If we talk about it, me, you, and Akuri, this matter is the responsibility of all the Pretty Cures!”

Feeling pained deep inside but suppressing it, Ai saw through the issues the latter days.

“You can only torture yourself this way, what’s the point!”

Being the class president and the leader of the Heart Guardians, always able to maintain a smile amidst fierce battles, never giving up hope, no matter the enemy.

But now, as important friends like Makoto and Arisu were taken away one by one, the pillar supporting Ai’s “strength” was also removed.

She realized at that moment her own selfishness, wanting to spread love and make more friends but possessing such feelings was truly selfish.

So, robbed of her friends, she could not maintain her strong and flawless image.

To say to someone, watching an important person fall in love and then to try to accept that… No, she could not utter such words now.

“I can’t understand, I completely can’t understand. Has Ash turned into our enemy completely?”

According to Shaluru, unlike others who could easily detect goodness or evil merely by energy reactions, Ash possessed a chaotic darkness inside him, making him undiscernible.

At present, with Ash declaring war on them, Ai was unable to determine his true intentions. Was it due to the previous attack from the Selfish King, or did he truly intend this?

Was the bond of friendship unnecessary for Ash? Or was the previous bond with them part of the game?

“This incident, I… I!”

Even Ai herself wasn’t sure about trusting him anymore.

“Mana, stay calm, now we are the ones who need to be strong.”

Seeing her close friend Rikka, even though she knew Rikka was deeply worried, Ai felt a sudden surge of anger.

“Why can Six Flowers keep calm!”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by Ai’s sudden outburst, Rikka was momentarily stunned.

“Makoto, Arisu, they’re already with Ash. I can hardly think clearly at all!”

Unexpectedly, Ai was saying these harsh words.

“Are you not bothered, feeling troubled for them?”

“How can you say it so coldly, Mana!”

Now, even Rikka lost her composure, wanting to refute Ai but simply walking away in frustration.

Fine, I’ll let you cool down alone!

“Stupid Mana, I won’t help you anymore!”

Right after saying this with tears welling up, Rikka nearly leaving, bumping into someone’s chest at the next corner.

“Aah!”

Rikka fell heavily onto the ground. Hearing her friend’s frightened exclamation, Ai instinctively rushed over.

“Sorry, I didn’t see where I was going…”

Masa rubbing her bottom kept apologizing to the person she collided with, yet surprisingly, received no rebuke. Instead, a large hand wordlessly reached out to her.

“Thank you, you really are so kind—”

Just as he pulled her up, Rikka raised her head to thank him, but froze in shock upon seeing his familiar face. Her smile and voice halted, and her pores screamed in silence in horror.

Why is it you!

“Long time no see~”

“Not even a day…”

Unsurprisingly, Rikka easily slipped out of Ash’s grasp, surprising even herself.

“Will you come again?” Rikka cautiously asked.

Seeing Ash not attacking immediately, Rikka sensed he wasn’t here to confront them this time.

“Games require both sides to be prepared. Although I’m busy, I can spare some time for you to regroup.”

Ha, if it were only so simple… Rikka showed a strained smile. Offering rest time, it almost felt like real games, unless the defeated cost was too high.

“Six Flowers, what- Ash!”

Seeing Ash grabbing Six Flowers, Ai’s expression changed drastically.

However, absence of Ash’s move didn’t mean others wouldn’t react. Ai called out Shaluru, turning her phone into her warrior form and rushing toward Ash.

“Next time, I will notify you about the schedule……… oh, it seems some people disagree.”

At least, he won’t take Six Flowers this time!

“Hold on, Mana! At least call Ace out here!”

“We don’t have time for that! Ash, release Six Flowers!”

Witnessing Cure Heart transform before her eyes, Ash looked different too.

“Ash, return Makoto and the others!”

“Well done. If you decide to start the game again, I’ll naturally respond.”

Taking out Longya’s dial, due to the destruction of the Space Driver, he adopted a simpler transformation method.

“[Ryuga]!”

Pressing the dial made waves ripple on his body, and an unseen black aura rushed into the imbedded dial beneath.

Instantly transforming into Another Ryuga, he firmly caught Ai’s flying kick.

“Come on, let me get excited!”