Chapter 539

Fifty-First Chapter: Illusory Sprint

Only Pretty Cure could accomplish this. Other heroes rarely possessed special abilities to heal the world which were displayed at this moment. Light points from the smiling makeup box floated into the heavily damaged factory, and the factory unexpectedly began repairing itself as if time had reversed. The workers, who had been in despair for too long and had their tragedy energy drained, gradually awakened under this warm power.

Taking advantage of Yayoi’s rest, Ash, half of whose face was temporarily paralyzed by electricity, slowly approached the previous battlefield and picked up what was on the ground.

“Escaped?”

When the V Slash shattered the magic circle, the huge explosion caused by the reaction of two completely different energies completely enveloped Witch Lina. She had no chance of escaping.

But what was left at her original standing spot was only an extremely charred mark, along with a playing card that Ash was holding in his hand.

“Joker, the little king? Is it?”

This was just a normal playing card; however, it exposed who saved that female officer’s life. Ash remained composed, manipulating the card between his fingers with sleight of hand.

“If this were a novel, the readers would be complaining about how the enemy is forcibly allowed to escape and survive for the plot.”

The little king Joker was forcefully flicked up by Ash’s finger, turning into the big king when caught mid-air. It then happened to be pinched by Ash’s two fingers to block his paralyzed half-face from the electric strike.

“However, I welcome any challenge no matter how many times it comes.”

“Because justice’s allies are not afraid!”

Ash always held such an indifferent attitude towards challenges. He had confidence, especially now, when he considered himself as an ally of justice (doubtful) rather than a villain! And he wanted her to return with a little shock!

“Ash-san, what are you standing here for?”

“Waiting.” As Ash spoke, he leaned against the wall behind him comfortably. “She’s here.”

“—!”

Before the person arrived, the roaring sound of a motorcycle reached their ears. Fourze, riding the motorcycle, approached from afar, and surprisingly had someone else sitting behind him. Yayoi immediately recognized her father!

“Dad!” Yayoi happily called out to the newcomer. “And the knight!”

“Yayoi, your bag.” The man who came off the bike held the Ultraman book bag Yayoi had previously thrown in the control room. From the outside, it was clearly half burned.

“I’m sorry, it was already like this when I found it.”

“Mm, it’s fine!” For the father’s apologetic words, Yayoi shook her head before carelessly holding the dirty bag behind her back, and putting it back on her shoulder. “Thank you Dad, thank you for finding it!”

“But…” Looking back to bow in gratitude to Fourze who gave her a ride, Yuichi Huang-se’s eyes were filled with a sense of nostalgia. “Masked Riders have evolved into this form, so what will they become next?”

Hearing his father’s somewhat emotional statement, Yayoi subtly glanced at Ash.

Will there be knights who transform with books and swords next? Feels… so exciting!

“Ash.”

Seeing the knight raise a thumbs-up, Ash understood Fourze’s hint, nodding and stepping aside with the knight, leaving this increasingly foggy world to make way for father-daughter bonding.

Seeing her father coming over to her, he seemed to have much to say but eventually just gave Yayoi a gentle smile.

“Yayoi, do you remember childhood?” Unknowingly, though he stood right in front of her, Yayoi felt like her father, now revealing reminiscence in his eyes, was drifting further and further away from her. “I looked at your cute baby face when you were born and named you ‘Yayoi’.”

“Your mother ‘Senharu’ was as gentle as a thousand springs, right?” Chatting about these warm memories, the familiar, warm palm gently touched her head, the man’s eyes flashing with indescribable longing.

“Father hopes Yayoi can be as gentle as your mother, so I gave you the name ‘Yayoi,’ which also means ‘spring.'”

“But, it’s not just about spring, Yayoi, you’re stronger now than I ever imagined.” The man’s smile conveyed an extraordinary pride, yet he reluctantly took his hand away from his daughter’s head.

“Now, Yayoi has grown into not only being gentle but strong, she’s truly a remarkable hero.”

“Father!” Yayoi knew the truth but still couldn’t accept it, opening her arms wide to hug the father who kept stepping back.

Yayoi realized her father always knew about her, protecting her and witnessing her growth as he had always promised.

“No!”

She understood that he wouldn’t be by her side anymore, because she had indeed become a mature hero.

“But, I really miss you!”

The father had fulfilled his promise.

“I’ve always missed you.”

Next, it’s time for the grown daughter’s turn.

“But this is not where I belong.” Gently pushing away his daughter’s hands, the man climbed onto the knight’s motorcycle left on this world.

“Don’t… it was so hard to see you again…” Yayoi shook her head repeatedly, wanting even a moment to last longer.

“But I must go. Yayoi, please tell Mom I’m sorry.” Putting on the helmet on the motorcycle seat, the man covered his face Yayoi cherished so much.

“Why, where are you going, don’t leave! Father!”

“I’m sorry, I won’t be able to attend Yayoi’s wedding anymore.”

The man below the helmet saw Ash reappear, tilting his head in approval, before starting the motorcycle and driving into the deep silent darkness behind them.

“I’ll always love you and Mom, I’m happy I could see you one more time and hug you for the last time, Yayoi.”

Now, I have no regrets.

“Don’t—!!”

That father, that man, just like a Masked Rider, disappeared on the motorcycle into Yayoi’s world.

Yayoi Huang-se, alone again, could not bear it and turned into a crybaby. Her hands wiped the tears streaming down her face.

“It is said that the soul is made of plasma.” Remembering the accident she stopped, Ash casually explained with Kopo. “At that time, Witch Lina’s thunderstorm electrified the entire factory, plus the mystical force leaking from that book, perhaps, this coincidence woke up your father’s soul lying dormant here.”

“However, such things don’t matter anymore.” Ash’s eyes also showed a sense of relief. “Some things in the name of romance don’t need actual clear explanations—uh?”

Feeling warmth on his stomach, Ash looked down and saw Yayoi tightly hugging him, burying her little head in his chest, trying to alleviate a bit of sadness.

“Ash-san… Ash… sob sob!”

The girl sobbed intermittently, her shaking head rubbing against Ash in his arms. Soon, her tears soaked his shirt, while self-centered Ash didn’t blame her.

Recalling how she once blamed Ash for defiling her hero dad, Yayoi sunk her teary face even deeper into Ash’s embrace, feeling more bitter.

“I’m sorry… Ash-san, for saying such unreasonable things to you… my dad, he’s just an ordinary person after all.”

“No.”

While chatting, Ash secretly checked online and confirmed that Yayoi’s father was indeed an ordinary person who died in an accident.

“Your dad is a hero.”

But Ash gave him this evaluation.

Just because I haven’t experienced it, and seen so many opposite examples, I can believe this with certainty…

“It’s because of the love your dad gave you that you can treat others gently, including hateful people, showing the proof of love named ‘gentleness.’”

So you’ve grown into a soft but incredibly strong Pretty Cure.

“Your dad, he’s your hero.”

Ash gently patted the girl in his arms, her trembling back hunched.