"Ahhhhhhh——!!!"
Only the girl's cries reached the sad moon.
Chapter 141 Nothing is happening today
Hanasaki Rei's grandma Hanasaki Kaoruko, who used to be a Cure Flower (flower angel), has now retired from her identity as Pretty Cure for many years, but she had an unusual nightmare today.
The huge Scarlet Spider carries strong malice, and its vicious fangs are aimed at everything on the earth. Wherever it passes, it carries the smell of dust left after it is burned out.
The spider's web of conspiracy is like destruction falling from the sky, causing all natural life and human Heart Flower on the earth to fall into despair after withering.
Even though the four Pretty Cure stepped forward, they still failed in the face of the huge evil. The black shadow laughed at the powerlessness of the girls who could only watch everything die after the defeat. His most beloved granddaughter just watched the blue planet completely covered in darkness. The helpless girl hugged the elf who had lost its power in the endless darkness and shed tears.
"Lei... is this a nightmare...?"
Although she is proficient in health preservation and remains as strong as she was in her prime, Kuniko, who has already entered the category of an elderly person in actual age, still gently holds her forehead that feels groggy after waking up, and the feeling of fearful sadness is always a lingering shadow.
"It would be nice if it was really just a nightmare."
But she, who was once Pretty Cure, knew very well that from the moment they used the power of Heart Tree to transform, their lives were linked to this planet to some extent, and they were also given the ability to see Mirai to some extent.
Because of this, she couldn't simply summarize all of this as a dream.
She felt something, but couldn't find the key to the problem.
Speaking of which, what is Lei doing now? Where are her friends? Are they all okay now?
"Lei is no longer a child... so should I trust today's young people?"
But that feeling of worry and sadness still lingers in my heart.
It was another day off, but the four Pretty Cures did not gather in Nasta Café as usual. This time the place they chose was grandma Kuniko's botanical garden.
"Ah~~Kopé-sama's chest is so comfortable~!"
The three girls except Yuri lay together in the fluffy fluff of Kuniko's partner Elf Kopp. As the former partner of Pretty Cure, Kopp who has lived for a long time compared to the small and cute Shiffre and the others. Their bodies are wide and tall enough to lie down for two or three more people without any problem.
"Hmm~ It's really comfortable here~" Erika buried her face in Kopp's chest and turned around, feeling the fluff brushing against her cheeks. The expression on her face almost melted, but at this moment she also pouted her red lips in dissatisfaction.
"I obviously wanted to have fun with everyone today, but the store manager disappeared without a word after that day! He obviously had a great time."
Erika's resentment, with a dissatisfied expression written all over his face, was about to turn from an idea into a reality. "I just left a note on the door saying, 'I'm going to explore new possibilities, so I'm temporarily closing the store.' I didn't leave any explanation for us. Now I can't even find anyone. This egocentric bastard..."
"After all, that store manager is a person who is freer than Fengdu?" Itsuki seemed to be explaining for Ash who didn't know where he was, but it could be seen from her vague expression that she actually agreed with Erika's statement.
"Don't blame all the problems on the store manager. You see, although it is a limited episode, last time he even transformed into Kamen Rider to fight alongside us!" Looking at the past, Lei really explained to Ash sincerely. "The store manager may really have something important to do now. Maybe later he will appear in an unexpected place to say hello to us, and then ask us if we have been a good Pretty Cure... like this?"
————Ash at this time————
"So for your happiness, your strength is also necessary. Just trust me - ah~ yes, that's right there, point downward! Fu~ it's very comfortable~"
Following Ash's instructions, Dark Precure slid down the hands holding Ash's strong body.
"Oh, I believe you, because you really do it. So what are you going to do next?"
"The next words..." As he spoke, Ash's expression of enjoyment turned gloomy. "It's time to talk about other people - ow! ow! ow! ow!"
With Dark Precure's hands moving up and down and the crisp sound of bones crunching, Ash suddenly let out a scream like a Tom cat whose tail was stepped on!
"It hurts, it hurts - although I'm not dead yet, I'm going to die from pain here..."
Looking at Ash lying on the bed in front of him, Dark Precure tilted his head expressionlessly.
It's obviously you who said you have back pain. Let me help you massage and rebuild your back... You've obviously relaxed your strength. Are human bones so fragile?
"Bear with it... well, does it hurt here?"
"Click-"
"Oh————My back!"
————Back to the Botanical Garden————
"Although it's outrageous, it seems like this would really happen if it were him." Itsuki, with his right hand on his chin, thought about the scene in Lei's mouth and nodded intuitively.
"But I'm a little worried..." Lei, who was holding Shiffre, said and looked a little worried. "If everyone is gone, who will take care of Gijera?"
Thinking of the vitality of Kotori swaying branches and leaves "as if" waving at her every time she watered, Lei would feel sincerely happy. If the flowers withered due to lack of moisture, Lei would probably be very sad.
"Lei really likes flowers. Apparently Ash also said that Gijera's pollen is poisonous, so it was put in the jar."
"But there's nothing wrong with the flowers themselves, they're just just right... huh?"
While arguing with Itsuki who was admiring the sunflowers, Lei noticed something unharmonious. Looking in that direction, she saw Tsukikage Yuri sitting on a chair far away, lowering his head and spinning the tea cup in his hand.
Everyone was having fun in the cheerful botanical garden, but Yuri-nee, who had obviously regained his smile with the help of the store manager, became dull again for some reason?
"Yuri-nee?" Lei's voice caused Yuri to stop moving his hand as it slid along the cup wall. "What happened... is it the store manager's fault?"
"No..." The light in his eyes was blocked by the reflective glasses, and Yuri shook his head gently. "Nothing, store manager... the store manager must be doing what you said now."
"Is that so?"
Although there was nothing wrong with Yuri's performance when he said this, Lei, who had a keen mind, noticed that Yuri-nee seemed to be hiding something... Hiding something sad?
"Well, nothing happened... ah."
He took out his fingers that were soaked in the warm tea like a spontaneous act. The fingers that had changed shape due to his mood slipped into the tea and were covered with a reddish mark.
And Yuri's heart at this moment was as turbulent as the surface of the tea.
Chapter 142 The goal is to strengthen the props
"Huh... you are right, I am too weak now..."
Ash, who turned around and disappeared that day, didn't say anything, so Yuri, who actually understood, didn't say anything either.
Although the resentment in her heart for being deceived made her want to confess to everyone so that Lei and the others could see the true ugly face of Ash, but thinking of the "feelings" in these girls' hearts for him, the tenderness in Yuri's chest stopped her from doing so.
If Ash is going to leave like this, then at least let the identity of "store manager" remain a respectable existence in the hearts of Lei and the others. Otherwise... is it too cruel to destroy the simple and beautiful longings in the hearts of these girls?
"Haha~" He raised his low head again, and Yuri's expression had changed back to the same gentle smile as in the past. "Nothing, I just thought it would be nice to get together in a place like the Botanical Garden occasionally."
"It shouldn't be that it's nothing, but that whatever is there is nothing!" Erika, who also noticed something, chose to use another carefree way to solve Yuri's problems. "Lei and Itsuki are working hard, and I am working harder Rider. What's more, Yuri-nee, who can defeat a hundred people, has also successfully transformed and joined us. No matter what despicable methods those Desert Apostles use, as long as we work together, there is no enemy that we cannot defeat!"
"Erika obviously didn't contribute much in the recent battle, but now he is saying such grand words here. It's so proud and complacent!"
"Coffret What do you know? What I call the margin of the strong is self-confidence!"
Looking at Erika who was having a fight with his elf, and the expressions on other people's faces that showed no sense of crisis at all, Yuri slowly picked up the tea cup in his hand and mechanically brought the tea to his lips.
Although all he saw were beautiful smiling faces, for some reason, Yuri felt extremely anxious in his heart.
"Is it really... like this?"
Something terrible is obviously happening...
'There is only one thing I have been looking forward to from the beginning, and that is————'
'Your strength. '
Ash's words echoed in Yuri's mind, making him unable to feel calm for a long time.
"You said that what you have been pursuing is our strength... but..."
Yuri was halfway through her soliloquy when some inspiration flashed through her mind and she stood up suddenly.
"Hundred...Yuri-nee?"
Yes, if Ash really comes into contact with us with some evil intentions, as Pretty Cure who often comes into close contact with him, it is impossible for our light power not to be able to sense his evil thoughts.
He seemed to have suddenly changed his gender this time. Could it be that...Ash was actually controlled by people from Desert Apostles for some reason?!
That's why he would say weird things like "we are the target" during the battle.
The moment this idea appeared in Yuri's mind, it was like a transmission line was connected. From her perspective, it became more and more reasonable.
"That's true. If you want to help Ash, Pretty Cure must have stronger power..."
"Yuri-nee, what's wrong?" Everyone approached Tsukikage Yuri who suddenly stood up with worried eyes, and then were startled by her intense gaze.
"Everyone, don't you think we need stronger power now?"
"Eh?" Lei couldn't turn her head around and felt confused by Yuri's sudden change of topic. "Yes... that's right. When fighting Desert Apostles, the stronger we are, the better. But why do you say this suddenly?"
"This..." Yuri was stunned, thinking, and then gave them an answer with a gradually gentler expression. "If anything, just think of it as working hard for the Ash store manager you long for."
Does Yuri-nee mean...Ash Does the store manager's departure actually have something to do with this incident?
"Although, although I don't quite understand, but since this is what the store manager expects...!" He raised his hands in fists in front of his chest, and even Lei, who was usually timid, mustered up his courage. "I will work hard!"
"Since Lei said so, of course I can't be left behind. Erika What about you?"
"Isn't this of course? Not only with everyone, but also by giving Ash a big surprise when he comes back!"
After hearing the topic of Yuri, several other people also joined in and finally agreed with Yuri's approach.
"I still remember that the power-up item named 'Heart-Shaking Phantom Mirror' was placed in Pretty Cure's palace. Pretty Cure who passed the palace trial can get its power."
Recalling the past, Yuri recounted the information. At that time, he was blocked by Dark Precure and Shaback on the way to the trial, and the result was a disastrous defeat. If he could have obtained this power earlier, the outcome might have been different.
"I have the impression of what Yuri said. Heartbreak Mirage Mirror can Mugen increase the power of Pretty Cure to a Mugen degree, triggering all the potential!"
"Yes, Cure Flower once gained very powerful power through it!" The two elves explained the remaining fragments one by one. Only the newly born Popuri knew nothing about it.
"Wait a minute, there is such a powerful prop, why didn't you take it out and use it earlier!"
If it's so powerful, just strengthen Pretty Cure to the size of a planet in one go. Wouldn't all Desert Apostles be blown away at once?
"Because this is not that simple, Pretty Cure of all ages put it in the palace and set the rules for the trial." Hanasaki Kaoruko came from behind and placed the baked snacks in front of everyone. "Although Heartbreak Mirage Mirror can indeed increase strength by Mugen, as Pretty Cure, a human body has its limits."
Fifty years ago, in order to fight the incoming Desert King "Duen", she once used Heartbreak Mirage Mirror to enhance herself to a power beyond the limit. Although she finally succeeded in repelling Duen and sealed it in the depths of the universe, she also lost the ability to transform.
"Although I thought not long ago that this kind of thing was too early for you now..." Seeing the determination in the four people's eyes, Kuniko also showed a happy smile.
"What is needed to pass the trial is the determination to fight steadfastly no matter what happens and a strong mind to protect everything, and it will inevitably be accompanied by difficulties Mirai. Do you have the determination to overcome these?"
"Grandma, you once encouraged me, no matter what I do, it will be over once I give up!" Standing together with everyone, Lei felt more courage pouring out of her body. "Please let us challenge this opportunity no matter what. At least I don't want to leave any regrets!"
"In that case..." Kuniko, who took a glowing seed from Popuri and foresaw the dream, finally decided to let them go further. "Get ready to go to Pretty Cure's palace."
Chapter 143: The storm is about to come and the wind fills the building
"This is Heartbreak Mirage Mirror..."
After entering the Pretty Cure palace on the inside of the earth, Lei and the others saw the statues of Pretty Cure and elves of all generations standing here, and also understood that the goal of the previous trials was to defeat the Pretty Cure of the previous generation.
Although many things happened during the trial, such as appearing as an opponent and letting Lei know that the mysterious handsome guy who had saved them several times turned out to be the transformation of grandma's partner Elf Science, and the image of that handsome guy actually came from his grandfather or something...
In short, although the malice of "someone" was almost overflowing, the training bonus brought to the girls was genuine. After they finally passed the trial set by Hanasaki Kaoruko himself, they successfully obtained the legendary power-up item "Heartbreak Mirage Mirror".
"Yes, the power of Heartbreak Mirage Mirror is now in your hands, the current Pretty Cure."
Now it is Heart Tree itself that uses the statue in front of them to make sounds.
"Please use this power to protect the creatures and people of this world Heart Flower, and..." After a pause, Heart Tree's originally noble voice actually had a hint of sadness. "Please use your love to save the heart of darkness that is walking alone towards dryness and dryness."
"Yes?"
Now Lei and the others still don't understand what Heart Tree's last sentence means.
Holding the luxurious dressing mirror in front of her, Lei could feel a steady stream of warm power flowing into her body just by holding it in her hand.
"In this way, we can better protect everyone's Heart Flower!" Of course, in addition to such a simple heart, Lei also hides some small selfishness.
When the store manager comes back, how will he praise us when he knows that we have done so many great things? ah! Obviously... I must have the courage to show my feelings to the store manager, but I still feel so shy just thinking about it~!
It's decided, Lei, next time you must overcome your shyness and express your feelings openly! I want to change and show everyone the change!
"The Phantom mirror can not only give you Mugen great power." Kuniko reminded him with a smile, seeing his granddaughter's secretly pregnant look. "You can also see everyone's Heart Flower."
"That's it." He pointed the mirror in his hand at his companion, and the flowers hidden in people's hearts were indeed reflected on the mirror. "Mine is [cherry blossom], Erika's is [White Cyclamen], the flower language is purity, Itsuki is [peony], the flower language is the king's style, nobility and shyness."
"Hey~" Hearing the comment from Lei, the little expert on flower knowledge, Erika poked Itsuki with his elbow with a happy smile. "Obviously the representative flower is a sunflower, but Heart Flower is a peony~ But it really matches it~"