Chapter 432

One hundred and sixty-seventh Chapter – Confession

Even though the staff operating the Ferris wheel had fallen asleep, this posed no challenge to Ash. Here’s another chance for our little Diddy西瓜 to make an appearance!

With the hardworking little Watermelon robot at the bottom pulling the levers in the control room, the stopped Ferris wheel started rotating again.

“Well, this can also count as a rest.”

Sitting in the semicircular cabin of the Ferris wheel, Ash sat opposite Lei, helplessly spreading his hands in response.

“Mr. Ash, whether you’re good or bad, you must take care of your body! Otherwise, you won’t be able to do anything, right?”

“Yes, yes, Your Highness Pretty Cure. I understand your teachings.”

Facing Lei’s serious lecture, Ash, who was leaning back with his legs crossed, as usual responded nonchalantly, agreeing with everything she said.

“Mmm… Really…”

Lei was truly worried and exasperated, but seeing Ash being indifferent too, the girl deflated like a pufferfish.

Really, we worry too…

At this moment inside the cabin of the Ferris wheel, the two were sitting face-to-face.

Having finished eating the ice cream cone Ash bought for her, Lei subconsciously wanted to lick her sweetened fingers. Realizing someone was watching, she hurriedly blushed and wiped her hands with a handkerchief. On the other hand, Ash seemed overly relaxed, as if Don’s attacks and Qijiera’s issues were none of his business, even adjusting his legs casually.

In the silent space, the girl kept glancing at him, while the man’s gaze wandered aimlessly, finally settling on Qijiera through the window.

His slightly blurry eyes narrowed, Ash saw the bud atop Qijiera’s head start to stir, with the petals opening and closing slightly, almost ready to bloom.

Meanwhile, the girl’s focus remained on the man’s cheek, involuntarily making evaluations.

Looking closer, Mr. Ash is indeed very handsome. That’s why Erika said she was infatuated back then. But when I really started to fall for him, it was when he showed concern towards Lily.

“We’re nearly at the limit… Is it too late?”

Ash’s words interrupted Lei’s reverie—she naturally understood what he meant.

“I—”

Hearing Ash, Lei stood up abruptly; her clenched fist trembled from tension. Just as she was about to speak loudly, Ash placed his finger on her lips to silence her.

“Lei, I don’t know what you plan to tell me, but I think it’s better to come to me once you’re clear about what you want to say.”

Seeing Lei’s hesitation, Ash didn’t want her to blurt out her confession hastily, so he gave her a way out.

Lei didn’t respond, merely nodding silently.

The cabin, carrying the two, ascended silently amidst the mechanical sounds, nearly reaching the top. The girl broke the silence in the cabin.

“Ash understands us, but we know nothing about him… It’s so unfair.”

“Do you care about my matters?”

“Of course, there’s no way not to!”

Lei’s voice grew excited. “Sometimes comforting and encouraging us, sometimes showing blatant malice to bring us down, whether rough or gentle… Seems there is no gentleness. Regardless, all these contradictions are Ash, aren’t they? And what is Ash like in other worlds?”

“In other worlds?” Ash looked contemplative. “It’s quite the same. To make the story more exciting, I’ll play my game with my methods, allowing both villains and heroes to participate naturally.”

“Watching them shine in the darkness, feeling immense delight, then letting things unfold. Making friends with some, becoming mortal enemies with others… hmm.”

Thinking this way, I’m not only the perfect partner for the System but also leading a life with similar regularity.

“That’s how it is… Then, why did you choose to become the manager of the coffee shop this time?”

“To answer your question, one reason is I learned from that guy Evolto’s hero growth game.” Whispering to herself, Lei committed the name “Evolto” to memory should she encounter this corruptor in the future. “Another reason… This coffee truly took effort to learn.”

As he spoke, Ash’s face softened with a nostalgic smile.

“I am a genius.”

“No matter if it’s my father, the inventor of the parallel world gear technology, the scientist from the Blue clan, or the mad boss, they all call me a genius.”

“When it comes to technological and operational issues, I always solve them effortlessly, just by looking.”

“Even without understanding the principles, as long as I feel the operations, I can ‘solve’ the problems. Probably God helped me out.”

To put it simply, once I fully unleash my potential, creating excessive external aids isn’t a problem…

“But I don’t like that. I detest ‘genius’ abilities that require no effort. It feels like my choices are being made by others.”

This concept completely contradicts what I see in those special effects shows.

Thinking that I am now utilizing my ability to save a single tree, which is gradually changing me, Ash smiled wryly, clenching and swinging his fists in a mixed martial arts style.

“Fighting and other abilities were acquired through constant practice over time. Everything I have, I earned through hard work!”

“Even the Mars Coffee, which you never liked, I’m proud to have learned from that snake-like creature!”

Lei had been listening quietly, only occasionally nodding.

“I’ve already spoken so much. So, Lei, what’s your answer?”

The girl stood up, transforming into the Pretty Cure form amidst the cherry blossom glow. Her voice, filled with six months of emotion, echoed crisply and clearly in the small cabin despite its soft volume.

“Knowing Ash could say that, I am relieved. His heart has not twisted into a monster like the Desert Beast. I know for sure. You have always been human.”

“So, Ash.”

Since you are telling me, I also need to give you, and myself, the answer.

It is unclear whether it’s the sincerity or the setting sun casting light perfectly onto the girl’s face, but her unprecedentedly beautiful and radiant smile made Ash momentarily呆住.

“I like you.”

Her warm voice echoed in the cabin, and Ash widened his eyes until the sound slowly faded, leaving the cabin as quiet as if unoccupied.

As the cabin reached the top of the Ferris wheel, the System sent a command to the small Watermelon robot below to activate a switch, causing a bell-like sound to ring throughout the amusement park.

Without waiting for Ash to reply, Lei, smiling at Ash, opened the window beside her and stepped out, flying toward Qijiera against the pink trails.

Ash had envisioned many replies, but Lei’s “reply” was entirely unexpected.

Leaning out of the cabin, Ash watched Pretty Cure facing Qijiera, at a loss for what expression to wear.

“Lei!”

“Lei!”