Chapter 62

Extra Case File 62 Unacceptable

… Truth

Blood flowed from Yano Hana and Ash Yuu, only to mix gradually in a vortex, blending together under gravity, staining the ground.

“Gah!”

“Ha!”

Their feet pinned by Melody Holy Sword to the Final Monster’s belly forced them to confront each other directly.

Gloomy roars erupted from deep within their throats, their battle intentions on high, yet holding opposite beliefs, both aiming to drive the other off this surface!

Ash tightly grasped Hana’s wrist with his left hand, while his right fist, aimed straight, was gripped by Hana’s palm, making a crackling sound.

Their foreheads pressed against each other, the tension reaching its peak. If either let go now, it would mean surrendering.

“If you believe the mistake isn’t with you but with Ai!”

Hands locked in an intense struggle in midair, a loud thud echoed, and Cure Yell and Timefire leaned back, then collided forcefully once more!

“Why does your body carry the scent of darkness? What are you craving within your heart?”

“Do you think I’m not supposed to know?” More suppressed anger flared in Hana’s eyes upon hearing Timefire’s words.

Tears finally streamed down her red-rimmed eyes,

She raised her leg to kick him in the side, pulled out the Melody Holy Sword, and swung it at the fleeing figure, light bullets enveloping Timefire entirely.

“You have power and freedom. You can act as you please. What do you understand!”

You’re Timefire; you wield freedom—whether for justice or evil! But Precure live only for others. As Yell, I can only be everyone’s hope, cheering for their happiness, which I, as Yano Hana, can never achieve except through Yell!

“I will thoroughly defeat you who stand on the dark side this time!”

Ignoring her torn flesh injuries, Yano Hana thrust her sword, targeting the figure in smoke; unmistakable killing intent surged forth in a charge.

Timefire, our entanglement ends here. I’ll knock you down today, right here!

“Is this a legend fighter’s duty, or merely your will?!”

Smoke parted, Timefire’s protective sword, lit by flames, turned blue with ice, dispelling the fire.

“It’s the voice of the world!”

Roaring amidst scattered light particles and drawn bloodlines, the energy inside Yano Hana was escalating, making her more volatile. The energy of tomorrow—a symbol of hope and future—became faint, fading away…

“Good. If Precure aims to take my life, your stubborn heart—”

In response to Yano Hana, Ash’s sky-blue sword swiped in a curve, aiming directly at her.

“I will sever your distortions along with this!”

If you are still muddled, let me be the one to send you off!

Covered in wounds and with terrifying gashes that stained his shredded battle suit, Ash’s torn hair was lifted by the wind. His disheveled red helmet had cracks, exposing the man’s lips beneath the broken silver mask, revealing his broken red suit and sparking core components.

Their distance closed instantly, 50 meters, then 30, 10! Then 5, down to 0—

“Guh!”

Blood sprayed from the man and woman’s backs.

They no longer had the strength to fight.

The man, struck in the chest, released his grip, kneeling and collapsing soundlessly onto the ground. The woman, staggered backward, looked at the sky covered in clouds as if weeping, then fell forward, head bent downward.

“Cough!” Hana coughed hard, blood pouring from her mouth. With the Holy Sword piercing her chest, she lacked the strength to stand. Painfully she pulled it out, tossed it aside, then gasped deeply.

No, just now, the blow grazed his heart—he’s not dead. I need to…

What am I supposed to do?

Hana blinked, slowly raising her bloody hand, incredulous color shaking her pink eyes.

What am I doing? Why do I want to kill him so badly? Who am I trying to kill?

Hana’s glow dispersed, returning to her vulnerable form. She coughed again due to loss of power. A familiar yet muddy voice echoed nearby.

“Hana… Hana?”

“Sayaka…?” Instinctively, Hana called out, staring at her friend, Sayaka Shirotori, lying in pain after the dark within the Final Monster dissipated.

So, inside the Final Monster was… Sayaka?

Just now, I almost killed my friend recklessly…

A string snapped in Hana’s mind.

“Guh!”

Meanwhile, the other man’s scream caught Hana’s attention.

“What kind of terrible ending is this…”

Sparks and smoke erupted from his forearm V-Commander, and his combat suit unfastened automatically. He slumped onto his knees, glancing towards where Precure had fallen.

Simultaneously, Yano Hana’s gaze met Ash’s.

They now saw each other in utter disarray, streaked with dust and blood, breathing heavily.

No more misunderstandings or barriers.

No disguises, no falsehoods.

Their hearts already knew the answer embodied in those faces.

“…”

“…”

“Hana?”

Ash’s black pupils mirrored the blood-streaked girl, mouth agape in shock.

“Ash?”

Hana’s pink eyes met the dust-covered man with the sword through his chest, her teeth chattered as they clattered with every tremor.

One whom she loved, trusted.

Someone who would never hurt her.

It felt like the aroma of coffee, like the soothing moonlight.

But then, why?

“Why?”

“Why must this happen?”