Chapter 284

Thirteenth with Capitalist Ash

After a period of adjustment, the Pretty Cures indeed regarded this place as their default meeting point. The shop was quiet enough due to poor business, making it unlikely for any secrets to be leaked out. And Ash had also promised to keep their secret safe. Tsukikage Lily, as a high school student, was also reliably helping them solve some trouble, such as tutoring them with their studies.

Even though the cafe manager sometimes seemed unreliable, almost causing Lei to lose hope.

However, today Lei bravely proposed her suggestion to the manager.

“Manager, what do you think about this proposal?”

Facing Lei, who mustered up the courage to talk to him, Ash put down his “Kamen Rider Kuuga” manga.

“Proposal, you mean you girls also want to work at Nasta?”

“Yes!” Lei, wearing round glasses, nodded. Erika beside her also nodded in agreement. After a few days of rest, she could sit properly but was still constantly fidgeting.

During this time, Ash took the role of an active supporter to the Pretty Cures. Lei and Erika, seeing this, felt grateful, although from his personal standpoint, he mentioned that he lacked the power necessary to fight alongside them. However, having a place where they could quietly meet and eat free, delicious pastries after school or battles became a great comfort. Sometimes, he could provide them with adult advice from another perspective, which they were already very appreciative of.

The Girls didn’t feel right simply taking these benefits, so after talking with Erika, the two decided to help out at Nasta, just like their seniors did.

Lei couldn’t help but fantasize about herself in neat uniform working at Nasta Cafe, elegantly serving guests a cup of delicious coffee. Although it might not be perfect, the scene would definitely be stunning!

“Guest, please enjoy.”

Sakura-colored eyes stood out after Lei removed her glasses. With a proper smile, Lei placed the coffee on the guest’s table, subtly capturing the guest’s heart with a wink.

“So cute… No, so handsome! I want to become her—”

“Miss, could you give me your contact details?”

Facing the request from the school idol, Lei refused with a smile.

“Not possible, a lady’s contact information isn’t given out casually.”

“Then, will you become my girlfriend!”

“Thank you, but no, because…”

Upon hearing the heartbreaking voice, Lei chuckled, holding the tray as she turned to look behind her. The handsome boss sitting at the counter also put down his “Shakespeare,” giving her a warm smile only for her.

“Yo, Lei.”

“Hmm, Manager.”

The smiles of both conveyed all meanings without words.

——Curedream cut scene for Lei——

“Ah, this, I can’t stand it anymore!”

“What’s wrong?” Facing Ash’s question, Erika pulled a lollipop from behind the counter, unwrapped it, and threw it into her mouth before shaking her head. “Who knows, maybe she is daydreaming.”

If Lei knew what happened next, she would probably regret it, but for them now, this was a romantic dream worth looking forward to.

“Alright.” Ash easily agreed, even if his store needed no extra staff since its weekly traffic was less than a hundred people.

After all, Ash always remained indifferent.

“Really? Oh great!” Erika cheered too, but her happiness was from something else.

She had heard from Tsukikage Lily that the hourly wage here was 2200 yen!

“With this, I can buy imported high-grade fabrics!” Erika’s eyes filled with desire, wiping her saliva. “And get my own sewing machine! As well as the Paris fashion weekly!”

“This… then!” After saying this, Lei started to look forward too. “I want those rare seed sets…”

“No.”

Ash shattered their fantasies with a simple “no,” leaving the girls speechless.

“If I really paid you, I would break the law by hiring child labor and end up in prison. So, no—wage.”

Ash put away his “Kamen Rider Kuuga” manga, knocking the white, disillusioned girls into sorrow.

“Ayda, ayda, ayda, ayda! I don’t want this! Ash, you’re a capitalist who exploits little girls—”

Unladylike, Erika rolled on the floor in tantrum. Ash ignored her and put on his black jacket and helmet, leaving the room.

“Oh yeah, I almost forgot.”

Ash turned back to the front desk, picking up a pot containing a golden flower wrapped in a transparent container and placing it on the counter.

In the midst of red between golden petals, the flower instantly drew Lei’s attention, a girl who loved flowers staring intently at it, her heart filled with genuine admiration.

“Lei, can you water her when I’m not around?”

“I… This… ” Blinking, Lei realized she didn’t know the name of this flower. Love for and curiosity about it grew stronger.” Manager, what’s her name?”

None seen in books, TV, or even grandma’s garden! This flower was as beautiful and rare as queen among flowers!

“Her name?”

Ash laughed mysteriously upon hearing Lei’s question.

“It’s Qijiera.”

“Right, don’t remove her protective cover.”

“Huh, why? Flowers are pitiful without direct air and sunlight.”

“Not the flower, it’s the girls who’ll be harmed.”

The pollen of this flower, is toxic.

Thinking of Lei being startled, Ash laughed and took out his new phone, plugging his robotic tank toy into it and throwing it away.

“[Buildchange]!”

The phone violated physical laws, transforming into a vehicle with gears inlaid in its head, letting Ash ride it.

“Pity my Diego died… But this one is fine too.”

He had many motorcycles anyway; let that petty thief yearn to death!

Twisting the throttle, pressing the clutch at the same time, within the roar of a mechanical creator, Ash took out the silver mask he borrowed from Lupin Sentai, preparing to meet his other friends.

Since he wasn’t as combative as before, it was better to find some fun in interpersonal relationships.

Having good relations with Pretty Cures and building rapport with the Desert Apostles; all for a healthy balance.