Chapter 105 An Unfit Story for a Youth-Oriented Show
“Found it!”
Rikka and Makoto stormed into the warehouse their producer had mentioned and sure enough, they saw a monster crouching on the ground doing something.
The monster’s design was totally different from the usual Selfish Beast, brimming with sharp spikes and devoid of the usual endearing but grotesque large eyes. Instead, its face was transformed into that of an insect head magnified several times with sharp features, resembling the monster from a horror movie.
“Ugh!”
For the first time seeing such a monster, Rikka covered her mouth, or else the discomfort in her stomach would have made her vomit what little was left undigested.
True to Rikka’s case, Makoto didn’t look much better, but with Arisu’s freedom and her own voice at stake, she gathered herself again, ready to fight.
“Rikka, are you okay?”
“Mmm… I’m fine! This Ash, makes such ugly monsters!”
The voice behind them caught the monster’s attention. Realizing someone was disturbing it, the monster roared inhumanly before lunging forward with mantis-like blade arms.
“Wisdom Light! CureDiamond!”
“Courage Blade! CureSword!”
The two, now seasoned through countless battles, separated and evaded the monster’s sneak attack. Turning swiftly, they prepared to deliver a front strike by lifting their pristine thighs to kick the monster’s waist.
“!!!”
Struck heavily, the monster cried out in agony as it was sent flying by the girls, landing weakly among a pile of wooden crates which then collapsed on top of it, burying it with its constant groans.
So weak! Rikka was pleasantly surprised.
This could be solved easily!
“Onward!”
Makoto echoed her, just about to finish off the downed opponent when she noticed something nearby where the monster had been crouching.
Could that be Tachibana Miku’s album?
“Hyaaah—!”
Ash and Ai clashed once more. The energy ball created from their collision blew both apart, Ai staggering back, shaking off her injured wrist. Transformed, Ash felt like he was playing a cat and mouse game, and Ai was the mouse.
No matter how hard she attacked, every strike was deflected and countered!
Ash wasn’t rushing; he was savoring this moment, “tasting” Ai.
“What were you saying just now?”
Ai hadn’t given up. If he wasn’t going all out, neither was she.
“I was talking about how good kids like you wouldn’t understand.”
Angered, Ai lunged again, and Ash held her fist while blocking with his other hand. Both remained entangled in place, a deadlock.
“You are heroes, and heroes rarely lie, so I trust you. But unlike humans, sometimes trusting can lead to failure.”
“What are you saying?!”
Ash’s words annoyed Ai immensely. Whether it’s heroes or knights, isn’t everyone human? Why separate them?!
Blaming him, her face turned red as she put more strength into it. Ash watched as a pink aura ignited behind Ai’s back. With a roar, she grabbed Ash’s hands and kicked him in the chest!
The armor of the Alien Ryuga crumpled under the impact of her shoes, the invisible burst launched into the air. Alien Ryuga was flung back, hit for what might be the first solid blow of this battle.
“That’s it…”
Any hero can power up in dire situations, except under special conditions.
Mid-air, Ash bit onto a utility pole with his dragon fangs, pulling himself up. Hands clasped, he stood tall with one foot on the pole, looking down at Ai.
“Wrong, CureHeart. Heroes, the moment they become heroes, are set apart.”
“I hate that statement. I choose to trust others, not lose that trust.”
Heroes are people too! Trusting allies and others forms the core of Cure’s power.
Unable to use abilities, Ai charged at Ash on the pole with a punch.
“Take that!”
A final combination strike from Rikka and Makoto struck the monster down. Surrounded by a full 360-degree assault from the Cure girls, the monster was left battered and broken, finally falling with an agonized groan.
“This plus selfish beast is weaker than a regular selfish beast.”
By this, Rikka was mocking Ash’s skills. Makoto, while finding the whole battle bizarre, soon shared in the victory’s joys.
“Thus, we win this game. My voice comes back—cough!”
Yet, midway through celebration, Makoto fell to her knees gasping, clearly feeling something being taken away from her.
“Makoto!”
Rikka was puzzled. Despite defeating the monster, something was wrong.
Voiceless nearly, Makoto turned towards the fallen monster—stunned. Only a pile of silver-gray coins lay there, similar to one grasped by their producer.
Ash and Ai exchanged blows, sparks bursting as they pushed each other away. Ai, still fighting fiercely, heard Lilulu:
“Mana, Rikka is calling!”
“A call, now?” Dumbfounded, she was in the midst of battling Ash. Could he really spare time?
“Could I, Ash-san, take a call first?”
“Sure.” He put aside his time drive and stepped aside.
“Huh? Actually agreed…”
Did the sun rise in the west?
“Gratefully. There’s no knight kinder than me.”
“Tha-Thank you…”
Though doubtful, Ai sincerely thanked him.
“Mana…”
Stunned, Ai always used ‘CureHeart’; now she suddenly switched to a familiar nickname.
“You said you trusted others. Don’t answer that call. Consider it advice.”
Lying to children about Santa Claus or denying the existence of Ultraman, Riders, and Super Sentai pains me…
But lying only eases the guilt, I’ve been flying high ever since the light hit me!
“Mana?!”
Conflicted, holding her phone, it was Lilulu’s worried voice that pulled her back.
Ai clenched her lips, glanced at the de-transforming Ash and made her decision.
“Lilulu, connect Rikka’s call!”
“Mana, bad news!” Urgency in Rikka’s tone made Ai worry.
“What happened, Rikka? Where’s Makoto?”
“Makoto—!” Turning, Rikka spotted Makoto kneeling amidst the silver-gray coins, reluctant tears falling.
“Makoto, she can barely speak anymore!”
“Wh-What?!”
“Whoever tricked us was not a selfish beast! We’ve been lied to!”
Tricked!
Ai’s eyes widened, the words echoing. As they suspected, the deceitful party was obvious.
“The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment. Reality is harsh.”
Dazed, Ai looked at Ash. With the truth exposed, her mind felt shattered, incoherent.
“As a hero, deceived by those protected… That’s harsh.”
“Why though?”
“Yet, remember one thing.”
He tapped his gold watch, hands ticking close to a straight line.
“There’s only fifteen minutes left until时限, you need to move faster.”
