Chapter 565

Chapter 77: On How Pretty Cure Girls Can Also Be Bullied

In ancient Greek mythology, there was a story about Sisyphus committing an offense against the gods. As punishment, he was made to push a large boulder up a hill, but because it was too heavy, it always rolled down before reaching the top, rendering all his efforts futile.

This punishment forced him to endlessly repeat this painful task. The current situation facing Naoko Mikutagawa is similarly agonizing. She repeatedly calls out her friends’ names, yet receives only coldness and even disgust in response.

“Why is this happening! Akane, Rihua! What is wrong with everyone?”

Panic, fear, sorrow, sadness, and distress—imagine so much negative emotion coming from someone as straightforward as Naoko Mikutagawa.

A terrible thought began to form in her mind, one she did not wish to believe.

Some people are naturally solitary, making it hard for them to make friends. Others can charm others into being their friends. Some cherish and value everything they receive.

Naoko Mikutagawa is one such person. As someone who cherishes friendship and family deeply, the rejection on Meiuki and Rihua’s faces stings more than any physical pain.

The other Pretty Cure girls walked past her without a word. They remained smiling and in each other’s company, but without her.

“Lihua!” Her legs, once quick on the field, now raced toward Rihua. Grasping her shoulders with force. “Wait, you won’t forget me, right? We’re friends since childhood!”

“Let go, that hurts!”

“Ah!” Upon seeing Rihua’s frowning face, Naoko released her grip. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so rough.”

As soon as she let go, Naoko fell to the ground.

“Childhood’s over, isn’t it? Is there any reason for me to be your friend when you are so rude?”

Always polite, even to the contrary Ash, was stern and annoyed. But never had she spoken so harshly to a friend. The girl, still on the ground, stared blankly, her mouth agape, at the scorn and contempt visible in Rihua’s eyes.

“You are too annoying, Miss Mikutagawa.”

The title, Miss Mikutagawa… why do they call me this?

“Oh, it’s Mr. Ash!”

Meiyuki’s voice caused the other girls to turn. Seeing the man returning from where the Clown Monster vanished, they shifted from indifference to joy almost instantly. This change hit Naoko like a hammer.

Do they really hate me so much?

“Lord is safe? That’s good news!”

“Yeah, that damn Clown Monster attacked us. Next time, we must catch it!”

“Speaking of which, we need to find the fifth Pretty Cure, right?”

Meiuki’s sudden suggestion alarmed Naoko.

“Wait, aren’t all five here?” Reaching out towards them, Naoko felt heartbroken.

“Sugar said there are only five transformation cases, so…”

Does it mean… me?

“Yayoi and Akane regained their powers quickly, but Green hasn’t.”

Ignoring the meaning behind the words, they continued discussing the girl.

“Without powers, Green just slows us down.” The rest agreed. “And unlike Sugar, she can’t provide us with any boosts. No use.”

“No, it’s not true!” Naoko shouted, regardless if they were listening. “Give me time! I’ll regain my powers! Please don’t leave me behind!”

“Even if Green regains her powers, it won’t help.” The group ignored her. “Miss Mikutagawa isn’t the smart one, and she overlaps with the strong Akane. Akane has become stronger and can’t boost morale like Meiuki or be as cute as Yayoi.”

Naoko’s mouth hung open, words caught in her throat. Unable to defend herself despite her trembling lips.

The four Pretty Cure girls chatting happily looked adorable to outsiders, but to Naoko, their shadows stretched unnaturally, distorting their figures into monstrous forms.

A cruelty unseen before seemed to pour into reality, and Naoko widened her eyes as if meeting them for the first time.

“Crack…” Her teeth seemed ready to shatter.

Her fists turned pale from clenching tightly, and her throat vibrated with small, animalistic growls. Keeping her head low, her attempts to stop tears from falling showed the despair etched on her face.

“Why… say such things…”

Even if I’m useless and unworthy of being Pretty Cure, I still want to be friends with you all. To say otherwise would be too cruel!

The sight of Naoko crying alone went unnoticed except by Ash.

“So let’s hurry up and find the fifth Pretty Cure, I think Mr. Ash would be fitting.”

“Frustrating…” Ash, who had been silent the whole time, hit Meiyuki’s head with a heavy fist, adding to her already complex emotions.

“You’re supposed to be Pretty Cure, your enemy hasn’t gone far. Shouldn’t we chase them?”

“Oh, right! Let’s go. If anything happens, tell us!”

Approaching the kneeling Naoko, Ash squatted beside her but did not offer a hand to help.

“Can you take it anymore?”

Facing Naoko still trembling, Ash’s expression remained calm, though his heart seethed with turmoil.

“That’s why I told you not to be Pretty Cure.”

Don’t you wonder why Dark Sword’s prophecy bothered me so much?

Maybe then, I wouldn’t feel so weighed down.