Chapter 237

Chapter 136: Sixth-Grader Ash

“Ash!”

“Don’t yell so loud, we’re not that close.”

As the only one present with combat ability, Ash stepped forward alone to shield these fairies, ready for any battle at any moment.

Facing Matthew’s raging anger, Ash tilted his head.

“Do you know what terrible things you’ve done?!”

“I don’t know, because I don’t even know you.” Ash shrugged indifferently, recalling that Bellulu seemed to recognize the King of the Forgotten Ones, so he looked at her with an inquiring gaze.

“Because of what you did to Mana, it’s natural for him to be angry at you.”

Tsk, when I did this before, it wasn’t too much, right? At worst, I’d just get beaten by awakened heroes to a half-dead state.

In fact, after knowing what Ash had done, if not for his recent retribution, even Bellulu was barely holding back the urge to attack.

“Yes, you actually put unnecessary suffering on Mana for your own disgusting desire!” Matthew’s shoulders trembled slightly as he struggled to restrain his desire to attack Ash, his eyes burning with fury almost through his mask.

“You’re the last person I would acknowledge!”

“Why do you all keep asking about things related to her? Do you know each other?”

Putting aside his grudge against Ash for now, what puzzled Ash was another matter. Bellulu had extensively discussed Ai Aida’s merits and flaws, even the leader of the enemies, Matthew, was angry about Ash’s actions due to Ai Aida’s experiences.

Although Ash had once remarked on how extensive Ai’s circle of friends was, he felt the need to say it again, emphasizing it doubly.

“You should know she’s a girl who’s easy to like.”

“Hmph, thinking I’ll tell you everything?”

Wow, everyone is acting like they are speaking in riddles?

“Then, villainous Mr. High-and-Mighty, aren’t you worried about being blown away by the wind atop your moral pedestal?” Ash provoked Matthew, provoking further rage. “You get angry over the plight of little girls yet haven’t done anything heroic to help. Frankly, I believe I’m doing better at keeping people from dreaming than you.”

“Hmph, then watch this!”

Matthew pressed a button next to him, the film reel spinning and projecting onto the screen the picture of the Pretty Cures.

“Mana!”

“Rikka!”

“Arisu, can you hear us?”

The fairies hiding behind peeked out and kept calling their partners’ names, but through the screen, no one could hear them.

Everyone was immersed in a past free of sorrow and pain, filled only with joy.

Makoto Kanzaki became the new Pretty Cure of the Poker Kingdom, and the respected Princess herself awarded her the medal.

Yotsuba Arisu was with her father, a president often away for work, who today, surprisingly, returned home to kiss his family, understanding no amount of money surpasses the worth of the loved ones.

Rikka’s parents attended her public performance in the school’s grand hall; as soon as her piano recital ended, thunderous applause erupted throughout the audience, seeing their parents clap and smile approvingly, Rikka felt she was the happiest person in the world.

As for Ai… the love regained, can cloud judgment in those who truly mattered in the past.

“What’s wrong? Such a spoiled child.”

“Woof!”

Ai hugged both Mallo and her grandmother, reluctant to let go, fearing she might wake up from the small bed and lose everything she cherished.

“People encounter painful inevitabilities as they grow. Because you made them face these trials faster, you amplified their pain. Don’t you see? I am different from you!”

Emotionally charged, Matthew turned around to point at the girls on the screen, all of them laughing happily.

“See? Aren’t their faces happy?”

“Yes, I see.”

Ash isn’t blind; he could obviously distinguish between genuine happiness and false.

But Ash felt neither regret nor joy for this—remaining impartial.

“Forget the pain of reality, live forever in memories.”

“There can’t be any happier thing.”

“What you want to say, is just that?”

Ash’s calm voice sank Matthew’s fervent preaching.

“What?”

“Honestly, I don’t care about future pains or past joys. Whether they are happy or sad is their concern, not mine.”

Step. Step—

The sound of Ash’s shoes echoed on metal within the room.

Without retreating, Ash walked up to Matthew, gazing directly into his eyes through the obstruction.

“And more importantly, they still owe me an answer.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what response they will give. Their infinite possibilities cannot be taken by anyone else.

“Living solely for yourself, thinking only about yourself—”

“It wasn’t your place to speak for them. You have no right to deny them their chance to respond.”

“Moreover, whether it’s happiness or hardship, only they can define such experiences. Since this is the case—”

Ash suddenly attacked, pushing Matthew aside and releasing hidden fairies, a swift kick forming a whirlwind, shooting them towards the memories of their partners.

“You!”

Ash believed absolutely that past happiness couldn’t trap the present for them.

“Let them answer for themselves!”

Furious, Matthew immediately dispatched his subordinates into the memories to intercept. If interception failed, he intended to defeat all the Pretty Cures except for Ai to prevent complications.

Seeing his plans disrupted by Ash multiple times, Matthew lost all patience, launching a beam at him.

“It sounds so good, immerse yourself in your memories too!”

“Come on.”

After tossing Bellulu aside, Ash stood firm, taking the light beam head-on. Only when Ash was fully transformed into the lying film roll did Matthew struggle to believe his chief adversary had been so easily overcome.

“Hmph, no matter what tricks you still have, dwelling on the past means accomplishing nothing.”

While this was said, for safety, Matthew picked up Ash’s film roll, placing it on a projector like the others, to investigate further.

Ash’s consciousness seemed to sink into a void of death, but only briefly; an immense force pulled him elsewhere.

“Ash—”

Who was being called?

“Ash!”

Ash? Who is Ash; is that me? Are they calling me? Am I named Ash?

“Heh, old teacher is calling you!”

A classmate’s arm woke Ash up.

On the table, Ash adjusted his glasses, revealing the elementary school sixth-grade math textbook with his name.

The book looked brand new, like it hadn’t ever been touched.

“That’s right, I fell asleep…”

It’s rare for anyone to sleep during a class, especially not while the teacher is present.

The refraction from his glasses hid his expression from the entire class, but Ash saw the chalk coming straight at him.

“Smack.”

With two fingers, Ash grabbed the chalk just inches above his forehead and spun it, sending it back.

“Smack.”

Listening to the sound of the chalk falling into the box, the teacher’s face darkened further.