Seventy-Third Chapter: The Qualification of a Hero
“Uwoah!”
Ruby’s tears continued to flow uncontrollably as this selfish beast was getting closer and closer to her.
“Don’t come any closer to me!”
Who will come? Who will save me!
Just as she thought this, a figure appeared in front of her on schedule.
“Hold it right there!”
Although she had said very harsh words to herself, that person was still her friend. Furthermore, she was a Pretty Cure; no matter what situation she could not ignore her!
“Ugly perm-haired! Come chase me!”
“Your hair isn’t permed, it’s a cigarette burn! Arrogant self!”
The selfish beast, incited by these words, turned its attack towards the fleeing Akuri.
“Akuri…”
“Grr, what’s with this brat?”
Officer Levi, the thin one, was quite displeased as he bit his handkerchief. Originally, the plan was going well until that red-haired elementary school student interrupted it.
“Heh, so what, just let the selfish beast throw her away.”
The obese officer Gura laughed disdainfully and pulled down a steel beam from the rooftop, stuffing it into his saw-toothed mouth and chewing it down.
“Yeah, selfish beast, toss this brat away!”
“Arrogant self!”
Akuri, trying desperately to escape, was being chased up and down. She couldn’t lead it towards populated areas and had to try running down quiet alleys. Yet, the surroundings seemed as flimsy as Lego blocks in front of the selfish beast, acting temporarily as obstacles but quickly pushed aside, which terrified Akuri, forcing her to protect her head while continuing to run for her life.
It’s not like she wasn’t scared. Since she couldn’t transform anymore, her frail elementary school body would crumble if even brushed or hit by environmental attacks.
But…
Once a Pretty Cure, forever a Pretty Cure!
Looking back at Ruby, Akuri strengthened her resolve.
“Now, my way of fighting is—”
Running for her life!
On the other side, Asuka had finally calmed down from the initial fear. Her back hadn’t been injured due to protective gear, but pain still seared through her nonetheless.
With the chaos caused by the selfish beast, passersby had long scattered, leaving no trace behind. Now, she was able to think clearly, remembering how embarrassing it was to fail. Yet, the one who saved her was none other than Akuri, with whom they were on bad terms.
“It’s my fault…”
A huge sense of guilt and regret flooded through the young girl. She bitterly regretted her arrogance, thinking that if she had listened and ran earlier, Akuri wouldn’t need to divert the monster away for her.
“Ms. Akuri—I’m the one in the wrong!”
What if something happened to Akuri… what should I do then?
The girl knelt on the ground, biting her lips as tears rolled into the dust while clutching the orb, her fingers turning pale from exertion.
Why, why did this happen? Even though I have power, why can’t I defeat that monster?
I want the power to protect Akuri!
“Yes! The desire for more power!”
An unheard voice echoed in her ears, but when she looked around, no one was there.
Is it an illusion?
“You don’t want power? Then, yearn for it more! With power, you can do anything!”
Power…. If only I had stronger power, I could defeat that monster!
Guided by the peculiar voice, dark mists seeped out from the glass orb she held, starting to envelop her. Ruby’s once bright eyes started to dull.
“That’s right, only power!”
“Power, just enough for yourself!”
Under the dual influence of words and spirit, more dark mists infected Ruby. The two officers, the fat and the thin, snickered slyly.
“Yes, exactly! This Spirit Heart that was once radiant but now gradually darkens is wonderful! Let it all go, your inner darkness—Who is there!”
While their scheme was about to reach its critical phase, the footsteps of someone emerged from a nearby alley.
Who dares interrupt my perfect plan!
The wind brushed past the man’s black leather jacket, sending shivers through him. Attached to his pants were tiny chains that chimed whenever they clashed together, and he walked casually to Ruby’s side despite his gloved hands only showing half his fingers.
It was none other than Ash. He stared at the kneeling girl and added,
“Indeed, if ordinary people obtain power, most of them use it for themselves.”
“But—” Ash changed his gaze toward Ruby, displaying a look of contempt. “If you call yourself a Pretty Cure, it won’t do.”
“You lack the courage to fight and the resolve to face powerful enemies. Even if you had immense strength, you wouldn’t qualify as a fighter.”
Though they often talked about these girls lacking maturity, they still possessed the resolve to fight, get hurt, and become true warriors by taking that first step.
But this little girl certainly couldn’t do it.
“I… I can’t?”
“No.”
“Wah…”
The shock of denial almost knocked her down. Seeing her emotional state worsen, Ash continued,
“So, what defines a hero to you?”
“Huh… hero, is the Pretty Cure not the hero?”
Ruby stopped crying and answered, wiping away her tears, but hesitated.
“It’s not inaccurate, but not entirely correct, heroes aren’t always those who directly defeat evil. For example, to you, isn’t your father your hero?”
Indeed, wherever there was a courageous eye to seek, heroes were everywhere.
“What matters is, what do you want and what can you do about it?”
“What… can I do?”
Thinking about it, Ruby recalled Akuri, who, despite being another elementary schooler, bravely rushed to protect her and scolded the misbehaving students.
She could still stand up and do it again! Akuri is her hero too!
In a flash, Ruby regained her clarity and charged out of the dark fog, clutching the orb firmly, running towards where Akuri had gone.
“Hey you—!”
Behind her came the sounds of two heavy thuds, indeed the officers, enraged, were closing in.
Ash noticed the burning anger in their eyes, wanting to devour him, yet he merely greeted them politely,
“Ah, hello, I hope you enjoy the welcoming gift.”
