Chapter 355

The Eighth Eighty-Eighth Apologize, Lei

“Do you mean I did something wrong?”

Upon hearing Erika’s words, Lei had expected Shopkeeper, who was known for his quirky remarks, to overlook his actions this time as well, but she hadn’t anticipated that Ash would actually start reflecting on himself.

Ash thought carefully, because he highly admired Precure as a hero, he yearned even more to witness miracles that others couldn’t achieve. Therefore, from time to time, he would provoke them and stimulate them with skills he had learned before. Without knowing why, seeing their embarrassed and shy appearance made him happy, which naturally made him want to get closer to them to see more of their expressions.

But if the embarrassment these actions brought instead distracted them too much, hindering their growth?

Not only them, but it seemed like he too was affected by this. Being attracted to them while being drawn to their “glow,” undoubtedly made him soft.

Now that he clearly saw the problem, there wasn’t anything else Ash had to worry about. The previous times when he tried to stop, he had been interrupted by them, but this time, he had to decisively make a change!

“Indeed, doing so wouldn’t be good for your growth.” Hearing Ash actually intend to mend his ways, Erika widened her eyes in disbelief. “Though no apology is needed, I won’t do it anymore…”

“No! That’s not what I meant!” Erika suddenly interrupted loudly, causing Ash to be surprised. Amidst the crimson blush on her cheeks, a sea of sapphire eyes reflected, staring at Ash’s pure and innocent eyes.

“I didn’t mean to say that—I, I am…”

“I… I!”

Ah, you’re not here to accuse me…

“You won’t be understood unless you speak up.”

Upon hearing Ash’s words, Erika finally snapped. She shouted at Ash with emotion,

“After you hugged me, I felt lonely even if it was me—Erika—and wanted to cling to you!”

“You, stupid shopkeeper!!!”

Finally, she said it.

“…”

Erika’s cheeks now blazed redder than a fresh apple or a baboon’s butt, and Ash stared, speechless, his mouth open wide in disbelief.

“What? After all that, you just want to depend on me?”

Even Ash was caught off guard by Erika’s behavior.

“You…”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, hold me!”

“I said…”

“Shut up! I want to be held, now, tightly!”

Ash sighed deeply, placing the vial aside.

“Fine, fine, I give up, how old are we.”

[You definitely didn’t act like this at her age, but I think the problem might not be with her.]

“Why are you saying that now?”

Opening his arms, Ash wrapped Erika’s small body around his back, marveling at how light she was, and gently lifted her.

“…”

Holding onto Ash, she initially thought she would faint due to proximity to males, but unexpectedly, the fluttery feeling started to settle down.

Why is that happening?

Yet, even without understanding why, it didn’t matter.

Her tiny body suddenly burst with a different kind of vigor. Looking up at Ash, her eyes sparkled like they could pull him in.

Erika attempted to show her usual smile but couldn’t hide the blush on her face.

Ash lowered his gaze to meet those ocean-like, gentle pupils, mesmerized by an expression he had never seen before.

Ash adjusted the arm that passed under Erika’s armpit.

“Am I too close? You don’t like my closeness… do you?”

Erika looked at the ground, her expression filled with melancholy. Regarding her clinginess, Ash shook his head helplessly.

“Hehe, I don’t mind, that’s great!”

Could Erika really make such an expression?

Trouble, what’s going on? Just one Erika, yet strangely, he found her somewhat endearing.

Seeing her smile, without reason, Ash felt a release, like some stubbornness he’d been carrying slipped away, bringing unprecedented relief.

“Huhuhuhu… hahaha!”

Resting her cheek against Ash’s chest, feeling his broad and strong embrace, Erika giggled.

“What’s so funny?”

“Haha, just the idea of us randomly holding each other, it’s absurdly silly!”

“Do you realize that? Really, who’s the fool here?”

“Not me!”

“Nor is it me.”

Erika laughed joyfully, completely free of her earlier gloom.

“Shopkeeper… Mr. Ash, Ash, have you hidden something from us?”

“What do you mean, which aspect?”

Hearing Erika’s smiling words, Ash’s temporarily relaxed defenses instantly tightened again.

When were they discovered? This seemingly clueless blue person turned out not to be as naive as portrayed?

Even if exposed directly, Ash hadn’t panicked before, but now he was visibly flustered.

“Oh, although it may seem so, I’m not as serious about studying as Lei and Wuki—you’re wrong, I’m smart!”

Despite the shock at the time, Ash undoubtedly had been hiding something from them.

“But can you tell me why? Even a reason would do.”

What reason… could there be?

“Must there be a reason? If I were to say anything, it’s that I hope you continue to shine and become stronger, such that Precure truly deserve their title.”

Hugging Ash, she spoke again, sending another shiver through his body.

“Liar.”

At this moment, looking up at Ash’s face showing restraint, Erika noticed he was shouldering something indescribable, a sensation her sharper mind could sense.

How could anyone resist offering to help upon seeing such a look?

“Haha, don’t look so surprised, I understand. Ash is grown-up, adults often have secrets. What you don’t want to say, Erika won’t argue over.”

“But carrying it all must be exhausting, right?”

Erika grabbed Ash tighter, as though trying to melt herself into him.

“Ash, it’s alright if you’re not as strong…”

“When the time comes, I’ll protect you!”

————-

“When the time comes, I’ll protect you!”

He had been told that before not once, but multiple times—by two, three friends he could no longer name.

This familiarity, this familiarity, transformed into an unprecedent shock, rattling the soft part beneath his iron heart.

“Erika…”

No longer the simple expression of placating or indulging, Ash’s earnest but confused face bent down to pick up Erika, smaller by a few heads.

“Erika, shopkeeper, I’m back!”

The sound of the door opening at the entrance shattered Ash’s surreal state. Both their gazes turned towards it.

In the middle, Lei opened the door.

“Whack—”

The paper bag with strawberry daifuku dropped, making a crisp noise.

Hanazaki Lei witnessed them hugging. Clutching it tightly, tears welled up in her eyes, hand trembling, her disbelief visible.

“Erika…?”

“Sho…shopkeeper…?”

“Wh…why?”

Why, why!?

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