Could it be that because of my incompetence, because I couldn't save Poker Kingdom alone, I was afraid that if Mana became Regina's friend, she would stop helping me... that was why I reacted so strongly to this?
Was I also... afraid of having a friend taken away?
Did I... do something wrong?
I just wanted Ai to help me...
Seeing Makoto as she was now, Ash suddenly realized that he seemed to have messed up again, despite not feeling there was anything wrong with what he had said.
He had clearly wanted to comfort her. How had he made things even worse just by going along with the mood and saying a bunch of nonsense?
I only reminded her not to meddle in someone else's private affairs. Why was she acting like the sky had fallen? Did I use the wrong words?
Just as Ash was feeling troubled, he caught sight of a familiar figure approaching from the corner of his eye. He immediately took a step back, putting some distance between himself and Makoto.
This kind of job was better left to someone good at it. He really couldn't handle it.
"Don't bully MakotoP!"
Accompanied by the girl's forthright shout, Cure Heart descended from the sky. She landed in the spot Ash had just vacated in a superhero pose, spread her arms, and used her body to shield Makoto.
The girl's resolute eyes stared directly at Ash without yielding in the slightest.
"Heart... Mana!"
The moment Aida Mana stepped forward, Makoto's tears nearly spilled from her eyes.
"So this is where you were!" Rikka and Arisu, both transformed and carrying Ai-chan, appeared right behind Mana. DokiDoki! Pretty Cure had gathered once more.
"Everyone... why?"
"It was all thanks to Ai-chan. Her power suddenly appeared and guided us to