Chapter 300

The Thirty-First Lesson Begins with Ash

“Ash,” said Rei.

“What’s wrong, Erika? Why have you stopped?”

The blue Pretty Cure suddenly halted, causing Rei, who was behind her, to nearly crash into her back. Based on past experience, if they didn’t move away quickly, Timons would catch up and give them a beating.

“No, look at this, Rei!”

Erika pointed towards the direction they had come from; there was no one there now.

“We planned to draw Timons away from school before our battle, but the problem is… that guy!”

He didn’t follow us at all!

“Could it be our strategy was seen through…?” Rei suddenly recalled something she had overlooked in her memory. Just before she left, she had glanced back and seen a familiar figure, which seemed like Go-miki. The student council president!

That means they left the school president alone with the terrifying Timons!

Both girls looked at each other, seeing panic in each other’s eyes.

“Oh no!!!”

— At the school—

Although physical confrontations might involve touching sensitive parts, this masked man’s fighting style is too dirty! With techniques he seems to have absorbed somehow, he had completely locked Miki’s body in an armbend. Even though she fought back as hard as she could, she couldn’t move, and gradually her strength drained from her limbs.

“Fine, surrender.”

“Not yet… uh!”

Ash reached out and slammed his hand onto her golden hair, cutting off her unfinished sentence.

“If this were a formal fight, you’ve already lost.”

“Do you have any other hidden tricks?”

“Uh…”

Miki hung her head in defeat. As he said, without any means to counterattack, she had indeed lost, just not wanting to admit it.

I… lost.

After being released, Miki stumbled backward. It took a while for the blush to fade from her face after distancing herself from Ash, then she bowed to him with frustration.

“I bow to your superior skills.”

However, her frustration wasn’t directed at him but was more towards herself.

Strange, before she disliked this person, believing he was part of an evil group. But after this fight, she felt the opposite—like he wasn’t so bad.

Perhaps when experiencing his fighting intention, Miki felt his sincere emotions, despite his fierce approach. He wasn’t malicious, making him appear stronger.

Even if one says otherwise, their actions speak the truth.

“Mmm~ That’s right.”

Ash seemed to enjoy praise… well, not seeming, he genuinely enjoyed it.

“Do you know why I reject the perfection in your martial arts?”

“Please teach me!”

Miki bent deeper this time. Though Ash originally planned to be polite, he felt awkward yet couldn’t brush her off.

Though I’m not good with words, I can lie in cafes, but not as a big brother.

“Your style is called Meidouin-ryu, yes? It’s truly a proper way of martial arts. Techniques like Lingshou might be counterproductive for you…”

Ash rubbed his chin, feeling Miki’s intense gaze.

Looks like I have to use Jikakuryu’s principles. Fortunately, I learned some, thanks to my genius.

“Extend your hand.”

Miki followed Ash’s instruction obediently. Ash grabbed her hand, which had been toughened to perfection by hard training, and applied pressure with his thumb.

“This callus shows your long practice, right? It must be hard work every day.”

“Yes.” She was embarrassed, but it wasn’t relevant. “I practice punching a thousand times each day.”

“But.”

Ash laid down her hand and shook his fingers disapprovingly.

“Willpower’s not enough.”

“…”

It hurt to have effort dismissed. Even polite Miki was angry.

“What’s wrong with willpower? Your beast-style fists, aren’t they reliant on willpower as well?”

“Sorry, I’m a genius. Shouldn’t this be expected?”

He tapped her forehead lightly, hearing a groan, Ash chuckled heartily.

Since I’m a fickle person, I’m not used to talking about perseverance.

Hearing this, Miki felt even more dejected. Ash’s statement suggested innate talent trumps effort, and she couldn’t refute as she hadn’t even seen the tap.

“Why do you always follow my lead in a fight? Experience. Have you ever faced off where only the winner survives?”

To Ash, Miki’s skillful Meidouin-ryu techniques were impressive but not practical.

“Mei… Meidouin isn’t a martial art meant to harm…”

Mr. Timons implying he’s killed someone?

The mere thought left Miki shaken.

“You will understand in due time.”

Not everyone has such thoughts about dirtying their hands. I don’t want to repeat that.

Enough digression, here’s my question—

“In martial arts, what’s the most important for you? Heart or sense?”

“It’s unwavering determination!”

Despite Ash previously dismissing willpower, Miki stuck to her belief.

She remembered her grandfather, as head of the Meidouin family, said that martial practice is not only physical but spiritual. For her as a woman, it was a challenge. If unable to bear it, better not start.

She proved, women can achieve this. Her persistence stemmed from wanting to help her brother and preserve the family tradition.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I refer to something simpler.”

Ash’s words silenced Miki.

“Do you love practicing Meidouin-rhythm?”

“Of course, I—” Miki started reflexively, only to be sharply interrupted by Ash’s loud voice.

“Let me ask again, do you really love your martial arts?”

“I…”