Chapter 259

The One Hundred Fifty-Eighth Chapter: Plain and Simple is True

“Oh, you’re awake!”

When Ai saw Ash sitting on the bed looking at his palm, she immediately rushed to call the others.

But someone reacted even faster. Upon hearing that Ash had recovered, a black shadow directly flew and landed into Ash’s arms.

“Mmmph—”

Caught off guard and hit in the chest, Ash almost spat out what he ate last night. Once he finally caught his breath, he looked down to see a red ribbon fluttering on the other person’s head.

“Princess, how enthusiastic.”

Regina hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest and rolling around like a sloth, unwilling to let go.

“It’s your own fault!”

Reluctantly facing Ash, the little princess’s hazy eyes seemed to express her委屈 (anguish).

“The previous Ash went mad chasing after Mana and the others, even attacking me! After turning back, he did something stupid again!”

“Really! You promised to be my knight, I won’t allow you to leave me just like this!”

I’m the embodiment of selfishness; losing an important person? Not once!

“Alright, alright.” Ash’s big hand caressed Regina’s soft golden hair, and this time she only trembled slightly, not pulling away. “I promise, it won’t happen again.”

“I’m immortal; I won’t die so easily.”

“What do you mean by immortal? You nearly scared us to death earlier.” Rikka said sarcastically from the doorway. “After finally coming back, you suddenly collapsed. If Arisu hadn’t found your pulse, we would’ve thought… Really, Ash, you’re such a jerk!”

“Yes, yes, I’m an idiot,” Ash replied, patting the head of Regina, who was blushing and running off, then he lay comfortably on the bed, seemingly indifferent.

“Since I’ve been with an idiot for too long, I’ve become one too.”

“Won’t you say something nice?”

“Alright, alright, Rikka, Ash just woke up.”

Arisu, as always, covered for Ash. Knowing what kind of guy he was, Rikka didn’t push further until Ai walked over, beaming happily.

“Where are we?”

“This is Pigtail Inn!” Ai answered. “You’ve eaten here before, remember? It’s my home!”

“To think you brought a man home… you really are…”

Ash couldn’t be bothered to complain anymore about Ai.

But maybe正是因为 this, he ended up being saved by her this time.

“Not what you think, Ash is not some stranger.”

“What about your parents? Wouldn’t they care?”

“Isn’t an issue.” This time, it was Arisu explaining. “Ash passed out due to a major accident and was taken home by Mana, who was concerned about friends… It’s a good excuse.”

There can be such strategies? But Ash considered it; if Ai’s helpful nature continued, this could work well with adults.

“You, lecherous scoundrel, thinking what?” Makoto added, also scolding Ash. “With us as witnesses, your parents felt better.”

“Huh, so it’s like that, thanks then.”

Surrounded by the girls, Ash wasn’t embarrassed at all. He placed his hands behind his head and lay back comfortably.

“But… it’s good.”

Holding back tears, Ai, genuinely happy for Ash, showed her best smile.

“Good, what’s good?”

Seeing Ai’s smile, Ash didn’t quite understand what she meant.

“It’s good, isn’t it? Ash didn’t die like before.”

Ai clearly referred to the other world’s Ash ending.

“Indeed, we saved you. Thank you, Pretty Cure ladies.”

Ash’s movements on the bedding unconsciously intensified.

Seeing his hands moving, Ai sat by the bed and gently held his hand.

“Will you carry on?”

“What, haven’t I said I won’t bother you anymore?”

“No, not that.” Ai shook her head, denying his statement. “You said yourself, in other worlds, you keep repeating fights with enemies chosen by you. Until it ends.”

“But now doesn’t such repetition need continue? Ash, you’ve lost sight of that end.”

She was right.

“Yeah, probably.” Ash sighed deeply, recently sighing more often. “What awaits after the endless battles? There’s no such thing in this world as living solely through fighting.”

“As for how I’ll live afterward… who knows? I don’t even know where the universe ends, how can I know this?”

“Maybe you can’t change the way you survive, after all, it’s me.”

“Not true!” Ai’s head shook vigorously; she clutched his hand harder, boosting his spirits. “If anyone can change it, you can! You decide these things.”

“If not now, you can take your time, gradually changing.”

She was partly right. Without distractions, Ash had plenty, almost uncomfortable, time again.

“Such a pity, I believe in you more than myself, a mere Ai.”

Amused, Ash gently removed her hand. “Always have, where does this confidence come from then?”

“But indeed, now time is in excess.”

He began to wonder:

Was he too eager? Slowly should suffice.

“Well, enough talk!”

Ai clapped her hands, running off, then rushing back with a steaming plate of rice.

“Just woke up, must be hungry. This is special spicy rice from my household, energizing instantly!”

“It’s not…”

Ash rubbed his stomach, feeling the hunger.

Before, filling up wouldn’t matter… now, your emotions get the better of me.

Without much ado, Ash lifted the plate, scooping a spoonful of red, spicy rice into his mouth and chewing slowly.

Spicy! Rare stimulation, not only heart racing, lingering aftertaste, more distinct impression.

“Not bad.”

Watching sweat form on Ash’s forehead as he devoured one spoon after another, hands moving faster, others thought, “Ash would do this too.” Smiles unconsciously appeared.

“Whatever happens, I’d make it.”