Chapter 88

Extra Case File 88 Happiness I Wish to Share with You

“Have you done it?”

“Are you telling me you actually did it?”

“For sure! Whatever had to be done, was definitely done!”

With her right hand caressing her still warm stomach, Wild Flower, lounging lazily, heard her friends whispering nearby. Her face flushed even more brightly red from embarrassment and health.

Damn Ash… How could he still have the strength? Are all men monsters? Ugh, I am Cure Yell after all! I wouldn’t be afraid to arm wrestle a three-story-high Final Monster, yet ended up losing again? So embarrassing!

“But who would’ve thought that the one who betrays our friendship first is none other than little Flower, who was always so inconspicuous.” Yu sighed deeply, looking over at the flower, now warm against their face, in an envious tone. “So this is how having a boyfriend looks like, it’s quite something…”

“I heard what you were saying.”

“Hahaha! Run away quickly!”

Seeing her friends laughingly scatter, Wild Flower maintains her overflowing grin filled with happiness. She isn’t ready to transform back just yet.

Her vision of the future is no longer bleak or unchangeable. Now, though she still lives burdened with responsibility and fate, she is no longer overwhelmed by pain. Instead, she has found hope strong enough to sustain her.

After all, since her girlhood, she never ceased fighting until she became an independent woman. The hardships and pains of reality she has experienced countless times. This, over time, grants her the right to embrace happiness.

She sincerely hopes so too.

“Ash…”

“Yo.” The man with the phone already arrived behind her. “What’s this? Not only you, but it seems everyone has become happier?”

“Yeah, on that day, everyone’s energy for tomorrow awakened!” Flower described, speaking about the miracle that awakened the world when Ash recovered Love. “I believe we all saw hope for the future!”

“It’s not just that, Flower.”

Joining her fingers to push up her pink bangs, then softly touching her lover’s smooth forehead.

“You didn’t just save the world as Cure Yell, but your identity as Wild Flower supports your friends. In other words, you also saved them.”

“Hehe, really?”

Flower scratched her cheek, feeling a bit embarrassed. She hadn’t realized she had such an impact on her friends, finding his words hard to comprehend.

“Yu can return to work once she stands up, but she wants to try skating again from scratch, saying she should be like me and take the first steps towards her interests.”

“Himizuki had a great time that day, so she wants to form a band like that time and surprise her family!”

“Saya said she wants to temporarily step away from show business to find what she truly desires… Although it will be a tough journey, I believe she will find it because, well, she is Saya!”

Wild Flower rambled on about her friends’ recent goals. Honestly, these goals don’t seem like the best options to Ash, but so what? These are choices they made themselves. Is there ever a perfect middle ground for choices?

“Even if not entirely correct, everyone has found their own changes and happiness… Just like me, Am I right, Ash?”

“Ha ha, you could think of it that way, Flower.”

Without further explanation, the amused man gently extended his hand, the warmth and softness of her pink hair giving him immediate comfort. Enjoying the same soft touch, the flower, no longer as easily agitated, closed her eyes like a cat, sensing Ash’s concern and care. Together, they made the scene peaceful and serene.

“Umm… Ash. I can… trust that I’ll be able to be happy with you forever, right?”

All along, Flower felt everything was so surreal. Even though she had embraced him many times, her lack of security led her to continuously seek reassurance from Ash.

But this time, she didn’t get the usual response. After a moment of silence, she looked up, meeting the deep worry in his eyes and said:

“I want to protect the peace between us and the world. Even if my life is lost, I would burn everything for it!”

“Don’t say anymore.”

The man cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

“I will love and protect you.”

I will guard all you love until my last breath.

“Ash?”

Feeling his arms around her shoulders yet not letting go, even Flower emitted a slight puzzled sound.

Ash, do you…have something troubling you?

“Don’t speak. Not now…”

Not now… Let me cherish more moments with you…

——————-

“Hey, you’re here!”

Seeing Ash entering the midnight bar, the old man who was arranging beans on the counter waved and greeted him warmly.

Hearing the voice, Ash raised an eyebrow. This grand old character, dressed in tailcoat and top hat, who acted so flamboyantly, was exactly the “Dr. Traum,” the self-proclaimed mad ex-husband teacher who had earlier contacted him during the final battle to provide intelligence.

“Hmph.”

Thinking about the parting warning to choose only one, sitting next to him, Ash snorted disdainfully.

“Looks like the future isn’t doomed like you said. I’ve saved both the world and Hana without losing much else.”

“Yes, the future truly can change…” Without accepting the provocation, Traum shook his head and poured himself a whiskey. “But destiny had already marked the price for everything, you just need to gather the resolve to follow through.”

“My apologies, I happen to excel at bargaining.” Ash’s clenched fist tightened inward. “If necessary, I’ll seize it… After all, I’m bad guy.”

I’ve prepared myself for death, but that doesn’t mean I have to really die. After all…

She, will surely grieve.

“So, I wish you good luck.”

Traum raised his glass, saluting him like a brave warrior, downing it in one go.