Chapter 524

**Chapter 35: Ash, Who is Quite Skilled at Making Girls Cry**

“Yo.”

Ash expressionlessly raised two fingers and flicked them forward, greeting the girl in front of him with a unique style.

As Ash’s gesture occurred, Yayoi’s cheeks gradually shifted from a pale sheen to a deep red, almost as if she were drunk. Her originally stiff smile turned shy, and beads of sweat began to form on her forehead.

So close…

His face was too near, it felt like he was going to kiss me—he’s so close to my face!!!

“Eeeh—!”

Holding her picture book tightly, Yayoi’s face burned with embarrassment as she sprang up from the bench and practically fell backwards to escape the male face nearly pressed against hers.

“Oh dear!” Quick as a flash, Ash caught her collar. “That was careless; you almost fell, didn’t you?”

“N-No!” Seeing her collar almost pulled open and her fair skin about to be exposed, she couldn’t help but think of the inappropriate developments in comics. Yayoi felt on the verge of crying out. “Don’t touch me, let go!”

“?” Ash shrugged, bewildered, and, as she wished, released his grip, watching her land on the ground with a thud.

“Honestly.” Even Ash couldn’t help but find her pained, timid expression amusing. “I’m not a ferocious monster… More importantly, let me see.”

“Wait, this is mine, give it back!”

What I drew this time is… bad, very bad! I can’t let him see this! If this arrogant guy sees it, he will definitely bully me hard!

Despite her thoughts, Yayoi’s feeble strength was virtually nonexistent against Ash, who had no obstacles as he took the picture book from her, flipping it open to the new drawing.

As he carefully examined the contents of the page before him, under Yayoi’s fearful gaze, Ash expressed no dissatisfaction; instead, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly in amusement.

“This world is 2012, the same year as Fourze and the Special Task Force.”

So, on this blank page, with Yayoi’s pencil strokes, she created a dynamic and cool character: a Kamen Rider in space suit-like armor with a rocket head and big, expressive eyes—Kamen Rider Fourze.

Of course, Yayoi didn’t just draw Fourze; there was another Kamen Rider depicted… him.

Specifically, Yayoi illustrated a scene where Fourze used the rocket switch to launch an attack on Calibur. The vivid, action-packed presentation in her succinct style resembled a page from a JUMP manga, prompting even Ash to consider complimenting her talent, which was likely only surpassed by a few of his artist friends.

With this thought, Ash looked over at her with a sincere smile, causing the already-crouched Yayoi to lower her head even further.

Yayoi didn’t think very highly of Ash.

After all, when this jerk first appeared, he had a dark and profound demeanor, looking very much like a villain in a tokusatsu series who belittled others. Even if he was now “redeemed,” he still had that spoiled, nose-in-the-air attitude, and would surely bully me!

What made her more anxious was now he had caught her red-handed, using her comic to secretly imagine dissing him. The thought of what she would encounter next made Yayoi’s inner turmoil escalate into panic.

“I… uh…”

Ash leaned closer, trying to listen to her quiet whimpers.

“Ugh… don’t… I hate this…”

Initially, Ash had no strange thoughts, but upon seeing Yayoi’s timid, trapped demeanor, a peculiar and innocent curiosity surged within him—similar to the urge to flood an anthill with water—causing Ash to feel an uncontrollable desire to tease her more.

“You really don’t need to be afraid~” The hot breath that brushed against Yayoi’s back made her shiver. The smiling “smiling tiger” had now focused his attention on her. “I’m not a good person, you know~”

Ash’s tone was deliberately gentle but laced with coldness, as if planting a seed in Yayoi’s heart.

“N-No, don’t eat me…!”

A handsome yet darkly styled man approached an unsuspecting cute girl… This scene felt so familiar that even if he turned into a monster the next second, it wouldn’t be surprising. Although her heart screamed for her to escape, Yayoi couldn’t even move her legs.

“No, no, no, I’m neither a giant ant super beast nor an Amazons, how could you falsely accuse me of eating people? Besides, a little cutie like you isn’t even enough to get stuck in my teeth.”

“Please, forgive me…!” With her voice choked from tears, Yayoi was terrified by how mercilessly the man before her teased her. She just wanted to vent her grievances alone. Why did this have to happen to her!

“I just… draw some silly things alone. I didn’t mean to… ugh, I hate this—!”

Feeling upset, disgusted, and suffocated, she, as a victim bullied and sealed of her powers, was now being teased by this guy. The unspeakable grievances turned into raw emotion, and despite her efforts to hold them back, she could no longer endure. Clear tears began to drip down her cheeks.

“Hey, hey, hey, is this for real?” Upon seeing the shimmering tears sliding down Yayoi’s chin, as though she was on the brink of breaking down, Ash became a bit flustered. “You’re really crying?”

No, I was just messing with you! You’re way too much of a crybaby!

“Alright, alright, it’s my fault. I’ll stop; I shouldn’t have teased you.” With no other option, Ash sighed and raised his hands in surrender. Seeing Yayoi’s pitiful, tear-soaked face, he handed her the handkerchief Wuki had given him.

“Your comic is seriously drawn, right? That’s not silly at all; I mean it, you draw really well.”

Ash’s final affirming words worked like a switch, making Yayoi stop her tearful sobbing.

“R-Really?”

This person actually thinks my comic is well drawn? Could this be just the beginning of a prank to laugh at me?

Reluctantly, Yayoi carefully accepted the handkerchief. As she wiped her tears, she noticed the sunflower pattern embroidered on it, which gave her a slight sense of reassurance.

“I only lie when I need to. Otherwise, I don’t just disdain weak little lies.”

Having just upset her to tears, Ash’s oddly profound statement somehow struck Yayoi’s funny bone, nearly making her laugh out loud.

“Pfft, what’s that? It’s completely nonsensical…”

What is this person…?

For the first time, Yayoi found herself verbally sparring with Ash, gradually becoming aware that this man in front of her, who looked like he was having a hard time, wasn’t quite the same as the villainous roles often portrayed on TV, whether overtly evil or comically bad.