Chapter 401

Chapter 136: Calm Before the Storm

“What’s wrong? You look like something good happened.”

“Hehe, Manager, you don’t know. That guy Timons and the Dark Pretty Cure didn’t even have time to use their moves before we defeated them!”

Erika, standing with an arrogant smirk and hands on her hips, strutted into the store. Her nose was high in the air, as if she were trying to show off, “We also took away their evil item! Isn’t that cool? Best ever, right! Genius!”

“I don’t think you quite fit the bill of a genius,” Ash’s eyes darted behind her to see the seal held in Wuki’s hand.

Although she tried to cleanse the item with her Precure powers, it did not work. Wuki was now perplexed about how to handle the stolen seal.

“What should I do… Speaking of which, isn’t its red glow weaker?”

Shaking her freshly scratched fingers from an unexpected injury, Wuki sought advice from her senior Lily.

“I’m not sure either, we could ask that Flower Angel for guidance later.”

“Mm, that’s a good idea.”

The man’s squinted eyes confirmed that the wicked seal remained in working order. Ash’s expression suddenly brightened and he reached out his hand to pat the top of Wuki’s head.

“You’ve done well. As a reward, I’ll offer you free coffee for the rest of your life!”

“Wait, I’m not a child—” Wuki frantically tried to evade, but his large palm closed in on her. “And I don’t need that…”

While Ash continued to rub the confused Wuki’s head, Rei and Erika drew closer.

“Hiss—”

“Gul… ”

“Alright, here’s a reward for you too. Well done, very diligent!”

Seeing Eisha’s hands flatten her and Wuki’s soft faces into two light blue balls, Lily felt a bit embarrassed and turned away. Despite this, everything was observed by Ash.

“Lily, if you want to join in, it’s of course fine.”

“I… don’t need it…”

“Alright then, come here.”

Upon seeing Ash’s warm invitation, Lily’s rarely seen blush made her lose her usual stern aura during battle. She slowly approached and was gently pulled into Ash’s embrace.

“You’ve worked hard. Even though you’re girls, you still fight to protect the world.”

Ash’s tone softened as he looked at the Pretty Cure girls, treating them with utmost care, as the most precious treasures.

“Fine, what we’re doing now is exactly what we want.”

Bouncing her pigtails and returning the purest light through her glasses, Rei said, “Plus, having the happiness of friends, loved ones, the Heart Flowers protected through our efforts, makes us truly happy.”

“Is that so? But you all deserve a happier future too.”

Softly stepping back, Ash turned around to rummage in the front of the store, first placing a hefty envelope into Lily’s hands.

“What’s this…”

“This is your monthly pay for this month; consider the payday adjusted. That’s a fact!”

“Th-thank you…”

Though unsure why, Lily was delighted by the new changes.

“You guys, stop looking at me with envy.” Sensing three pairs of eyes staring at him from the side, Ash tapped lightly on each of them. “Otherwise, you’d be underage workers, which is illegal; we’d be having pork cutlet instead.”

“But let me tell you the truth: for the money you earned on weekends helping out, I’ve kept it safe for your parents, perhaps for when you get married.”

“M-marry… what?!”

Rei and Erika suddenly stuttered. However, Ash wasn’t deterred, and he continued taking items out from the countertop.

“However, I’ve exchanged your pay this month for gifts instead. Please take these with a grateful heart.”

“What’s this…!”

Erika expressed joy first, “This is the premium handwoven fabric I wanted, along with a personal sewing machine and Paris fashion weekly magazines!” Seeing the items, her mouth began to water. “It’s all I’ve always desired! Ah ha, I love you, Ash!”

“That’s it!” At the sight of the cute dress inside the bag, Wuki’s cheeks flushed. “He even knows about this! And this rare one is the Ultra Series Zeromu doll. Thank you—I love it!”

“And what I’ve always dreamed of—a rare seed set, including the special soil for cultivation!” Rei was completely entranced by the objects before her. Next to the pot, the flower Qi Jie La swayed happily, picking up on the girl’s blooming Heart Flower. “I only mentioned it casually in the shop, could it be… Manager…”

Where the eyes were focused, Ash was smiling gently.

“There was no other way. Since you’re my lovely Pretty Cure, and dear staff members, as long as you enjoy them, that’s good enough.”

“Manager, you’re the best!”

Watching the three juniors laughing and bouncing around Ash, Lily, lounging on a sofa stretching lazily, couldn’t help but show her true smile.

‘I hope, everything can stay like this.’

Lying in the moment, Tsukikage Lily might have had the unattainable wish for time to freeze in its softest form. On the balcony those afternoon teas should forever remain warm, the sunlight should always glow softly; the careless way the girls in the cafe, along with the man, live together should never change.

Tsukikage Lily should forever be the soft-spoken older sister who is quietly reading, yet more kind than anyone else.

And Eika should forever tease Rei playfully, only for shy Rei to push her over and tickle her playfully.

Wuki should forever be comparing the cute dolls in advertisements, hesitating indecisively about which one to buy.

Just as Ash came out from the kitchen, holding fresh cakes and little cookies, asking everyone what movie they wanted to watch on the coffee shop’s big screen TV.

Here, there was everything she liked.

“Hmm?”

Drowned in contentment, Lily sensed something… something she didn’t want to acknowledge.

She saw that Ash’s right hand seemed unnaturally stiff.