Chapter 295

Second Four Twenty-Four If Hope Was Never Given…

“I finally did it, I finally have a body too!”

At this moment, Kayin had a proud smile on his face, constantly boasting about his new body, with his little tail spinning like a propeller almost about to fly up; he couldn’t be any happier.

After all, compared to the likes of Kiff, Shinkiro could possess someone to swap bodies, and Bell could come out to fight directly, most of the lower demons at least got a monstrous body after a contract. Yet, with Kayin, not even a formless entity existed, and he could only exist as an emblem, symbolically serving as a mascot inside the Driver, making someone die of jealousy. It was hard for such a small demon to feel anything but depression.

Now that he finally got what he wished for, although his appearance lacked the imposing aura, being able to move around was still something he cherished deeply. How could he not be delighted?

“Thank you, Angel of Moonlight!”

“Why does it sound like this?”

Seeing Kayin in a black-and-white striped version, much like the dumb-looking elf beside him, just repainted in different colors… Aya’s expression and mood became a bit awkward. Though cute, who didn’t wish their inner demon was fierce and grand? At the very least, it would be nice to have a mode to transform into a vehicle.

Calling upon the System panel, it was at least produced by the System itself, so he figured they would take care of any after-sales needs.

“This Sin Emblem was produced by you, right?”

Fortunately, the Lupins’ masks came with visual confusion abilities and could alter voices, so the voice coming from Aya which resembled snake-talking did not scare nearby Lily who might recognize him.

[I am responsible.]

“So, how is this happening? I mean, aside from that…… what was it? In short, this human-shaped demon of hell jokes, usually the other Kiffs have at least monstrous forms, so what’s with this soft exterior?”

“Boss, I think it’s fine too!”

“Little ones mustn’t interrupt adults talking!”

“Ugh…”

In response to Aya, who was unexpectedly in his demonic form, the hovering System spat out some dots and typed:

[I know, the items I produce aren’t real originals but perfect recreations based on information derived from your memories and experiences, without performance differences.]

“Exactly, so what then?”

[I created these Sin Emblems; do you think I’m a Kiff?]

“No.”

[Then you should understand now.]

“Oh.”

Wait, there’s more to this story…

The voice from below caught the attention of one person and one demon, alerting the anomaly of Tsukikage Lily.

The Cure uniforms could withstand harm until they completely faded out; however, the Kamen Rider armor was not so forgiving. Defeated and forced out of her transformation, Tsukikage Lily was suffering greatly.

But what she saw could momentarily alleviate the physical pain.

With an unbelievable look, she fixed her eyes on the “elf” flying before her.

Tsukikage Lily would not mistake it.

She wouldn’t!

That man placed a strange emblem on her, making her sense something splitting off from within her. Even despite the color changing from light purple to pitch-black, she would never mistake it!

It was her sacrificed partner, one of her most important “people” — Kuron, wasn’t it?

“Kuron!”

Even though her lungs felt scorched and her throat tasted like rust, she insisted to stretch her trembling hands and call out again and again.

“Kuron, Kuron!”

“Are you Kuron? Did you return?!”

Her eyes, not even showing dramatic reaction to death, were trembling wildly now.

“Huh?”

Kayin’s eyes widened, seeing Tsukikage Lily reaching out to him. Her gaze conveyed deep nostalgia and longing.

“Tsk, why now?”

Aya couldn’t help covering his face, sighing deeply. He remembered what happened; at the café, Lily once confided in him that she used to have a fairy partner named Kuron who sacrificed himself to protect her.

At the mention of that name, a fleeting sorrow crossed her face, caught by Aya’s discerning eye.

Was he stirring up old wounds now?

He originally brought Little Dark out hoping she’d develop more cautiousness about the outside world, but it developed into this.

“In the end, plans are merely references; reality seldom allows us to follow through straightforwardly.”

“Let’s go.”

Pinching the back of Kayin’s neck to leave, uncertain consequences except for further heartache, Aya headed out first as a priority.

“Hold on!”

Desperate as a drowning person clutching at straws, Tsukikage Lily grabbed Aya’s ankle with all her strength, unwilling to let him go.

“What’s going on?! Where are you taking Kuron?!”

With Kuron returning, Lily could no longer maintain her usual composure, becoming extremely agitated. What she feared most was having Kuron taken away from her.

She didn’t want to watch it happen again!

“Don’t take Kuron away from me!”

As Aya thought of what to say, Kayin spoke first, preemptively.

“Boss, let me handle it.”

Lily raised her head, hearing the familiar “fairy,” speaking with a known voice yet delivering unfamiliar words.

“I’m sorry, I’m not the person you are looking for. I am not a fairy.”

“I am a demon.”

The second those words reached Lily’s ears, Tsukikage Lily let her hand fall away.

Ah…

Why look so similar if you’re not the one?

Why give me false hope?

“Lily!”

With the departure of the dark fairies, they eventually freed themselves from restraints, and worriedly supported an kneeling Tsukikage Lily.

The Cure girls felt their hearts tighten seeing the inexplicable sorrow on Lily’s face; they instinctively turned angry glares toward the leaving masked man Aya.

“Why, what did you do to Lily?!”

“What an unreasonable girl; clearly…” Aya shook his head, facing the stares and gave an answer.

“Perhaps I gave her illusions that shouldn’t be. No, maybe more than one.”

The Cure girls couldn’t grasp his logic—yet.

Sensing the lost gaze on Lily, Aya knew action was necessary.

Unfortunately, Timons couldn’t help her. However, thankfully, his initial preparations were for times like this.

This seems the time for another identity’s debut.

***

Chapter Twenty-Five Psychological Talk By Aya·Part One

The three girls at Nestar Café were enveloped in an indescribable melancholy.

Tsukikage Lily rested her face buried in her hands, hiding her current state. Rei and Erika glanced at each other, holding the same listlessly spirits, their fairies with half-spirited appearances reflected their mood.

“Rei, we… are useless.” Erika lowered her head, pouting her thin lips, her fingers stroking Kurofura’s hair, but even in tandem, neither the girl nor fairy had recovered their usual vigor.

“We are supposed to be the Pretty Cures, protecting everyone and particularly Lily, but we were defeated easily…”

Rei understood, without Tsukikage Lily forcibly delaying the battle and distracting Dark Pretty Cures with Timons’ words, they wouldn’t have escaped unscathed.

Just like Rei leaned her face against the cold counter, spreading her hand open over Cijiera’s glass jar containing green plants, which appeared to extend a sprout to comfort the girl taking care of her.

Recalling the fear of death, Rei felt a shameful aftertaste in her heart, wanting to hold Sifuri tightly.

“It’s okay, Rei. No matter where, be it heaven or hell, we are here with Precure!”

“Yes, thank you.”

Through hazy vision, Rei mumbled incoherently.

Perhaps their past victories over desert beasts made them content too quickly.

Thinking of Timons and the Dark Pretty Cure girls, they earnestly wanted to become stronger for the first time.

Thereafter, none said a word. The atmosphere in Nestar Cafe grew increasingly heavy and sorrowful.

Both thought of the person, truly the owner of the cafe, the cool yet eccentric barista manager.

This is precisely when you should step up, why aren’t you here?

“Mr. Aya…”

“The Lolicon manager…”

I miss you so much…

Come quick, I can’t hold myself back!

“Heaven calls me, earth calls me, the cute maid calls me to soothe the troubled hearts of the girls!”

With a well-known, dramatic voice commanding attention, Aya pressed his hat low and entered his loyal coffee shop, performing Michael Jackson’s moonwalk step to create a sense of gravity.

Upon hearing Aya was back, and unable to speak due to an inexplicable emotion, Lily shifted her body behind the counter, hiding from view.

“You’re not the younger side, huh.”

As if the cafe was missing something, it received a replacement. Erika seldom showed a relaxed, playful smile again.

“So, who bullied my adorable shop assistant?”

“I, my home…”

“Whose home are you referring to!”

Erika’s waving arm blocked Rei’s blushing face, but soon after the girl slumped back, deflating like a punctured balloon.

“Who else could it be, Ohrore Desert Apostle…”

“Mr. Aya, do you think we… as Pretty Cure are really useless?”

If possible, Rei wanted to show off victory before the revered shopkeeper, but alas, they fell twice under Timons and once under Dark Pretty Cures.

Recalling the embarrassing results and the reputation of “the weakest Pretty Cure” in history, tears were about to flow.

The shopkeeper, Mr. Aya, once said he admired and treated them gently, considering the café as a secret base for them.

Now, Mr. Aya must be disappointed in them…

“Are you referring to this?” Aya rubbed his chin, seeming to ponder seriously. After some thought, he replied honestly. “Sure, it does seem so, it is indeed quite embarrassing.”

“Hold on, when Rei has been struggling with this, can’t you say anything better?”

Seeing her friend’s tears streaming down, Erika panicked.

“Rei, don’t cry!”

“However, I find it quite good to worry.”

“Eh?” Hearing this, Rei paused her tears and stared blankly.

“Because you’re still young. Very young.”

Aya placed rough hands on Rei’s head, gently smoothing her silky pink hair while watching her relax like a cat.

Having shed the impatience and resistance from the last world, he found himself with many choices, such as these comforting words, echoing like those remembered from the “Captain” characters.

“Use this time to worry more. You’re not that blue-haired dimwit next to you.”

Ignoring Erika’s loud protest, Aya continued.

“You have the ability to sort out worries and discover the right answers you should believe in.”

After all, not many heroes he had met had experienced such struggles, none of whom emerged from their hardships without getting stronger.

Therefore, he believes you can too.

“Just keep marching forward on the path you believe in, towards where you think Pretty Cure should go, until you consider yourself strong enough.”

“Shopkeeper… I believe in me, Mr. Aya…” Rei tugged on Aya’s sleeve, fixing her newly confident cherry eyes on him.

“Do you believe in me, believing changes?”

This struck a crucial point. Indeed, Hanazaki Rei, before becoming a Pretty Cure, moved to the city with the determination to change. Change oneself, others’ unfortunate situations, even… the fate of Pretty Cure!

“Not if or not, but surely you will change, I believe in such you.”

Yes, I believe; I yearn… I believe in you and your strength! The entire arrangement for Pretty Cure is for your growth.

Like in the last world, let me see the miracle caused by Pretty Cure and the change it makes to me again!

“Yes!”

The shopkeeper surely acknowledges my desire to change! With that, there’s no reason to shrink back!

Sadness completely faded from Rei’s face, replaced by a bright, vibrant smile.

“I’ll work hard!”

Seeing Rei being encouraged and revitalized, Erika glanced at Aya and pointed at herself.

“Well… about me too…”

Mine?

“Dodos don’t require encouragement to be motivated.”

A moment of silence followed, and Erika, sobbing, punched Aya’s stomach lightly.

“That’s discrimination, and who’s the dodoboss? I’ll punch you!”

“Did you just punch?”

Pushing Erika’s face aside, Aya’s finger popped her forehead gently, making the blue-haired girl land back on the couch with a yelp.

“Alright, you need to work hard too.”

“Feels a bit rushed.”

Bypassing the huffing and puffing Erika, Aya approached with a genuine smile.

“Alright, lastly…”

“Who’s the one hiding?”

“This ugly face certainly can’t be a good role model!”