Chapter 50

Extra Case File 50 Hope With You

“I’m not alone, am I? There’s one companion who shares my suffering right in front of me. How can loneliness be possible?”

Not deliberately set lines, Ash genuinely spoke these deep words from his heart to Hana, clearly unaware of the “flower” truly blossoming brightly on her face.

After speaking and laughing, Ash felt a burden hidden deep within him instantly ease up.

“Hold on, I seem to have let slip some incredibly profound words due to the atmosphere.” When this thought crossed his mind, he only then realized what exactly he had said.

Originally, he approached with mere curiosity and interest. But when he saw the photo of a sobbing Hana as a child, coupled with her mentioning the bullying she endured throughout her oppressive elementary school days, an emotion—empathy, rarely felt by Ash—was triggered by her wretchedly pitiable appearance.

Thinking of Hana’s situation made Ash angry… no, very angry!

Though it was someone else’s issue, he, who prided himself as a lone wolf and never empathized with ordinary people, felt incensed simply by hearing about Hana’s ordeal.

What does it mean to step up for the bullied, only to end up isolating them along with the bullies and classmates?

If it were me, I’d definitely flush any traitor, anyone who doesn’t recognize their own power, and all bystanders straight into a toilet! Until they cry for mercy! XBZZ has never seen such black-heartedness, right!?

Sigh, why did I get carried away again?

It’s this indescribable empathy that made Ash, without realizing it, pour out stories similar to his own experiences, including the divorce of his parents, just like finding an outlet to unleash pent-up emotions.

This is too strange, isn’t it? These are things I didn’t want to easily talk about as a child!

But why would I share so much with this woman…no, with her? It was just to repay a favor, since she was my patient after all? Although flirting with her cute mannerisms is quite fun, when did our relationship become so close?

“Oh, this.” Preparing to explain, Ash felt a sense of shame wash over him from his feet to his head, enough for him to dig an apartment complex with his toes. Surprisingly embarrassed, Ash found it hard to look at her face. “Anyway, I said some weird things, so just take it as a joke.”

Well, I probably don’t care…mostly.

“No, how could you!” Ash faintly sensed that Hana’s slightly depressed tone wasn’t due to her usual gloominess, but rather due to a heavy weight pressing down on her words. What is it?

“Ash… Ash…Dr. Ash.”

“Ah—Hmm?”

With an unexpected forcefulness, Hana actively interlocked her fingers with Ash’s hand, unwilling to let go, warm energy also transmitting through their touching bodies.

“Thank you! Hearing you say those words, I really, really!”

Leaning closer, staring into those dark pupils, something within her chest stirred strongly, almost ready to burst from her chest!

“I’m happy.”

If, if there were someone like Ash back then, helping me…

In a daze, she seemed to return to that elementary school classroom, crying out in anguish alone under their indifferent gazes. A boy with a dark silhouette rushed forward, waving his fists.

“You all—what did you do, apologize to her!” The boy stood before her, shouting loudly while swinging his fists at all of them.

If there were someone like Ash back then, my part as Pretty Cure might not have any flaws, right?

“I…” Gazing into those expressive eyes, his right hand suspended behind her palm clenched tightly, pulling the pink-haired beauty into his embrace.

“If anyone bullies you, tell me and I’ll help you beat them!”

I can make that kind of promise even without Timefire’s powers.

Maybe, you are special to me.

As Ash moved, the curled pink bangs covering Hana’s right eye blew up, revealing the樱粉色（cherry blossom pink） irises that unknowingly captivated him, now captured by the overflow of love in his chest.

Time and again, Hana blushed and felt a fluttering heartbeat due to Ash’s casual actions, but none were as intense as today; her face was gradually not reddened out of shame or distress, but with springtime radiance.

“Yes!” Tears from the corner of her eyes revealed emotions long bottled up inside, only now able to be vented.

“Ash, we’re not alone.”

Hana’s face mirrored Ash’s smile.

“If you don’t hold on tight, others will snatch you away.”

The bird’s words seemed still echoing in her ears, causing her to clench her fist firmly.

Dr. Ash…

Do you think we’re companions… probably. I have a peculiar feeling that, even though you hide something, someone enduring dual identities is perhaps not keeping up with your sadness.

Yet even so, if I could ease your burden slightly, I want to carry at least a part of it for you.

I’m truly grateful to you, even if you’re a very odd person. You indeed saved me and cared about me, despite being such an excellent person who never looked down on me.

If it’s Ash, he would surely understand me, right?

“Ash, Dr. Ash, I have something to tell you.”

“In fact… actually!”

Finally mustering the courage, Hana, whether referring to her past bullied self from middle school or the adult, still unaccomplished self at 22,

as the legendary warrior with a mission, for the first time in eight years, she decided to reveal her secret, originally meant to be buried until her tomb, to someone else.

“I…”

Holding the frame, even Ash became attentive to Hana’s utterly serious expression.

“The truth is, I’m that Cure Yell, Precure!”

“—”

Like pausing a video, with Hana raising her fists, summoning her courage, opening her mouth, and shouting audibly, both she and Ash froze from the weight of these information-packed words.

“—”

“—”

Silence—

Ultimately, the sound of Ash putting down the mirror frame broke this silence, a man unfazed by it all, lifting his hand to pat Hana shoulder, who had hoped for a singular answer.

“Not bad, keep going.”

—