Chapter 570

The Eighty-second Is this enough?

This was Naoko’s second choice to trust her friends, and also her second time suffering a heavy blow.

“How could this happen…”

Naoko couldn’t help but kneel, allowing the shadow cast from behind to cover her, clearly indicating she had entered a state of doubt and difficulty accepting the situation.

But even so, Ash did not see her shed any tears.

Withdrawing his hand from the trash bin, Ash turned the photo over in front of him, ensuring no smiles were tainted.

In the photo, they stood together, excited and happy, with each smile evident. The joy of the Pretty Cures for their mission and friends were clearly visible, yet this beautiful scene contrasted sharply with the heartless reality.

Ash could stop and discipline these girls who easily betrayed their friendship, but… was there really a need to do that? He didn’t want to be someone’s babysitter.

After all, he wasn’t a saint who couldn’t tolerate anything bad. If he wanted them to do something, they should show him their sparkling hearts.

But…

Why am I saying but?

“Here.”

Naoko quickly took the photo, carefully wiping it with her clothes before cautiously looking around with a dazed expression.

The once-warm atmosphere of the magical library had turned into an empty space devoid of soul after the move.

As others packed up and left, taking away traces of their lives here, those past stories seemed like nothing more than a delusion.

“Who would accept this!”

Naoko held the photo uneasily as she paced the unfamiliar small cabin.

“After the tragedy kingdom flipped everyone’s affection, love turned into hate…”

“But, the bond we shared when laughing and fighting together—clearly existed!”

Did we just become strangers so easily?!

We—were well-tested good friends, the best team called [SmilePrecure].

“[BookGate]! OpenTheGate!”

The sound of tools made Naoko snap back to reality. Seeing Ash pull out a brown fantasy book, he used it to turn a bookshelf in the不可思议图书馆 into an open door.

The man about to leave made the girl panic. She hastily called out, forgetting even the politeness.

“Ash—what’s this?”

“Theoretically, this book can’t be used without support from the magical world,” Ash explained while explaining the principles. “But, the fairy tale kingdom you girls are in seems similar to magical power. So, I accessed your teleport system.”

Pretty Cures could open the gate to the “magical library” by arranging books on the shelves in a specific order, meaning the library could go anywhere with bookshelves. Ash adjusted the “Book Gate” to achieve this.

He had been working overtime to locate the tragedy kingdom and adjust this thing. Damn, compared to the Showa era, the effect of the Kamen Rider motorcycle is getting lower and lower.

“I’ll check on them.” Before excited Naoko could react, Ash pointed at her. “Stay here and don’t tail me.”

“I haven’t said anything, and why can’t I come along if it’s a common issue?”

“Do you think they’ll speak nicely if they see you now?”

Moreover, I have to carefully observe where your choices will lead.

“Wait—”

Before she could calm down, Ash decisively closed the door, hearing a dull thud as the bookshelf reverted. The girl lowered her hand and leaned against the pillar.

Yes, I would only cause trouble, and I can’t do anything else. They’ve forgotten me, right?

Is it true that I have to just wait obediently here for them to defeat the clown monster?

Am I—once again alone?

Startled by the girl, Ash found nearby Akane Hino.

“So, you want to ask about Naoko Green?”

“Green…” It surprised Ash how quickly relationships could cool off, making Akane, usually so enthusiastic, address her by full name directly.

“She used to bounce between us and argue; we weren’t related to her or anything.”

“However, it’s none of my business.”

I don’t like her… more accurately, I dislike her.

“Oh, Mr. Ash, you came unannounced—I guess—are you here specifically to see me?”

Frightened by Aoki Rihua’s sudden hug, Ash felt they might be missing a couple scenes in their story. This quick progression was not typical.

She was standing at the forefront back then. Could the influence affect her so much that she now likes me, reversing her dislike?

“If I had some harem system… but I can’t fight, so what use is it?”

Ash was distracted and moved the conversation along.

“I came to ask about Naoko.”

“She mustn’t be mentioned.”

Rihua’s face changed instantly from a gentle spring to a cold winter. Her attitude became icy.

“As a woman of the Aoki family, I must walk the correct path. I don’t want such straightforward companionship as that lady has.”

“What person…”

The man walked away, feeling disappointed.

It’s not just a problem of reversal; you have problems too. You have quite a pretty face.

“You know, Miyuki, is this really appropriate for a hero’s identity?”

Not finding Yayoi, Ash sat next to Miyuki, holding Sugar, discussing casually. Miyuki still values opinions she respects.

“Although Miss Green seems distressed.”

The girl responded softly, adding a playful ghost face.

“But what Ash says is happening, we haven’t forgotten our sense of justice, nor have we changed our mission to defeat the tragedy kingdom.”

“So, what difference does it make?”

“Yes.”

What difference does it make? Ash found Miyuki’s seemingly naive words compelling, not opposing them on principle. He needs heroes to act actively, while ordinary people’s stories hold little interest.

Just,

Why do my fists unconsciously clench?