Kamen Rider is the Villain in Pretty Cure

"Look, isn't it because of her psychological issues that her healthy leg can't stand?" Ash explained to Hana as he tapped the chainsaw's guard, producing a crisp sound. "I'm a doctor, but not a psychologist. If psychological reasons are hard to cure, why not just ignore them, bypass the psychological factors, and replace her flesh leg with a prosthetic leg that directly obeys nerve connections?"

Wouldn't it be wonderful if, even if she didn't want to move, she could still move as long as the electronic signals were aligned?

Actually, Ash had no reason to be so concerned about Homare. They weren't even close... But it was because her previous flattery had made him happy, wasn't it? Moreover, he had boasted that there would be "absolutely no problem." If he gave up here...

Wouldn't that be too embarrassing? He was the kind of guy who would rather die cool than live embarrassingly!

"Th-this, this, this!" Hana's anger erupted again. "How can a prosthetic limb possibly compare to a human's own body!"

"No, it can, and in fact, it would be even better than the original."

After all, it was modification technology that even Kamen Rider praised. With it, she could jump one floor high if she wanted to.

"...No!" Hana finally shook her head resolutely. "Homare has just been hit hard. She might actually agree with you in a daze, so—no!"

"Besides, Homare's legs themselves have no problem. When it comes to physical matters, shouldn't it be her own body that matters, rather than a replacement!"

"Really, so troublesome," Ash clicked his tongue and unceremoniously put the chainsaw away where Hana couldn't see it. "If you can do it, then tell me what we should do!"

"I think if it's a psychological problem, then we should support Homare!"

"I've already said this method won't work because of her inherent weakness, it's not that simple—" Ash, under Hana's intense gaze, sighed and was about to say more when he suddenly seemed to remember something. He glanced at the dejected Homare in the distance, then turned back to Hana, leaning his face closer and closer to her.

"Wh-what's wrong?" Hana, feeling a bit intimidated, began to back away. Then, the man's outstretched hands grabbed both sides of her face, rendering her unable to move.

"The friendship and bonds between comrades might just trigger miracles that change reality, is that what you're trying to say?"

"Pr-probably something like that?" Now even Hana was confused about Ash's intentions.

"Well, I do have an idea," Ash grinned. "If you're serious, then you can do this... First, let me confirm, you are good friends, very good friends, right?"

"Y-yes!" Unable to retreat, and not wanting to, Hana simply shouted loudly without shame. "I, Saya, Homare, and Emiru have been best friends who felt like we'd known each other forever since the day we met, what's wrong?!"

"Is that so? Then are you good enough to..." The man's lips curved upwards, his smile turning devilish as he chuckled.

"To the extent that you would sacrifice your own life to help each other?"

[Extra] Case File 33: Hana's Encouragement

Homare, who had been spurred by Time Fire to resist, mustered the courage to stand up on her own, but was unable to do so. Her feelings were like someone standing on the edge of a cliff, her wavering heart ready to fall into an abyss at any moment from a gust of wind.

And when she desperately hoped for the savior she saw in her vision, Ash, to help her, Ash "sarcastically" delivered the final blow, kicking her while she was down.

Homare's heart plunged into the abyss.

"Homare?"

Hana's voice reached her ears, and Homare's infinitely dejected expression gradually came back to her. Her hunched back straightened, and her lowered head slowly lifted towards Hana's direction.

"Homare, it's me, it's me!"

Hana's energetic voice seemed to give Homare a little bit of life back from the blow that she might never stand again.

"Hana..." Seeing the energetic Hana before her, Homare's face, filled with low pressure, gradually formed a wry smile. "I'm sorry for showing you such an incompetent and embarrassing side of myself, I really am..."

"Honestly, Homare, what are you talking about!" Hana covered Homare's hand with her own, which had slight calluses, transferring her warmth. "Everyone has times when they can't do something! Like me, aren't I always making mistakes, big and small, and didn't I just go bankrupt from a failed investment recently?"

"It's impossible not to make mistakes or fall. The important thing is how you make amends for your mistakes, and how you strive to brush yourself off and move forward after getting hurt and falling. That's the secret to my ability to live happily all the time!"

Look at me, no matter what difficulties I encounter, didn't Time Fire suddenly appear and save my life that time I almost died? If even someone like me, who can't do anything besides my main job as a Pretty Cure, can overcome such difficulties, then Homare definitely can too!

"I'm sorry, Hana," Homare remembered Ash's words and couldn't help but shake her head. "I just don't know how to stand up... Didn't that very capable doctor say the same thing?"

"Honestly, saying that again!"

Silently complaining about Ash, Hana then remembered the strange method he proposed after hearing her affirmative answer.

'Look, don't they often have these scenes on TV? When facing someone in trouble or a friend, the protagonist can break free from the constraints of reality with their own fervent heart, rejoining the battle, and even achieving a new form if the atmosphere is right!'

'Since you say your relationship is that good, then Hana, you should put on a show of being in danger in front of her, and perhaps this blond guy can help her stand up with the power of sheer will?'

'Look, like this.'

Saying that, Ash suddenly squatted down, grabbed Hana's ankle, and before she could react, he lifted her upside down, shaking her back and forth. The upside-down Hana in Ash's hands let out an embarrassing "Aiyaiyai—" scream like a little chick.

Thinking about this made Hana genuinely feel a headache and blush.

Honestly, he's a doctor, yet he believes in such vague principles. At the time, Hana had shaken her head the moment she heard him say that, and even now, she couldn't agree.

From a practical standpoint, Hana felt this method was far from perfect, but after much thought, there seemed to be no other better solution.

"At times like this, Homare should show that cool spirit she used to have, let Ash see it, and let him witness the miracle of a condition he can't solve being cured by people's hearts!"

At this moment, Hana's conflicted heart was like a scale's pendulum, swaying between affirmation and uncertainty.

"Why are you trying so hard? This is my business!" Homare's sudden outburst cut off Hana's next words and her wavering thoughts, making her heart tremble.

You must be disappointed in me, Hana, that's why you've come to encourage me like this, right? It was like this before too. Compared to Saya, a famous actress, me, an air hostess, and Emiru, a renowned pianist, you were the one who had the hardest time, yet you always comforted us with your own cheerfulness, it's really...

Aren't you overdoing it, Hana?

"I'm not like Cure Yell, who protected the world for 8 years and is incredibly powerful," the moment Homare said this in a low voice, Hana's shoulders visibly trembled, though neither Homare nor the peeking Ash noticed.

"I'm not as strong as her, I'm not as great as her, able to defeat enemies and step forward naturally... I can't do it!"

So please, stop caring about someone like me!

Hana, your life has only recently become a little happier, so just continue to live happily!

Don't come near me like this anymore, it makes me feel inferior... It might even cause you to be tainted by misfortune!

"Clang—"

A clear bell sound rang out from Hana's heart, gradually resonating throughout the scale.

Her wavering heart, at this moment, slid into the left pan, pressing down with its weight.

"That's not it," Homare's calm voice sounded from beside her ear, slowly pulling her up from the abyss of endless inferiority. "That Cure Yell wasn't necessarily that strong from the very beginning."

"She must have been hurt countless times, shed tears, felt wronged and in pain, and even wanted to give up."

With a certain calm yet firm conviction, Hana began to tell Homare "her" story.

"But something always happened that made her want to wipe away her tears, stand up again, and keep fighting, which allowed her to stand up again and fight, fight, fight until today."

"It must have been like that, and I believe Homare also has a heart that can rise to help others. At least in that regard, she and Homare are no different."

How do you know that? Even without saying it, Homare's expression revealed everything she wanted to say.

She didn't say it in the end, only because Hana, standing before her with immense energy and encouragement, showed her an incredibly pure smile.

"This has nothing to do with whether Pretty Cure can do it, it's just because I, as your friend, like Homare! So I want to help you, I want to see the smile Homare shows when she stands up again, that's all!"

After a speech that couldn't really be called a grand principle, and was even a bit nonsensical, Homare couldn't help but open her mouth wide, looking at Hana before her as if she had a thousand words but couldn't utter a single one.

[Extra]Case File 34 Now, it's Fantasy Time

"Hahaha, sorry, I got carried away and said some pretty amazing things, didn't I?"

It was precisely because Homare brought up Pretty Cure that Hana's heart, stirred by the other's unintentional complaint when she was feeling down, realized she had said a lot of impressive things, as if she were Pretty Cure herself.

Although it was true... she couldn't let others know about this! She had kept it a secret for eight years.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lecture Homare with big talk. I really want to be Precure with Homare... I really want to help Homare!"

She had almost blurted out everything about Precure, even though in this world, only she could become Precure. In the past, whenever she was severely injured, she felt deeply grateful for this.

Although Precure's appearance was beautiful and glamorous, and it seemed like a happy family story of easily defeating monsters and going home, Nono Hana knew very well that every battle Precure fought carried the risk of actual injury, or even death on the battlefield.

The responsibility of gaining power capable of shattering mountains and splitting rocks meant fighting equally world-destroying evil monsters. The thought of this made Nono Hana prefer to bear all the risks alone rather than let others be harmed because of it.

That was her original thought, until—that person, that flame called "TIME" that appeared in a world without light, illuminating the world and burning herself, ignited a hidden thought and wavering within her heart.

Sometimes, like when mentioning this now, she would enter fantasy time, imagining that perhaps in some world, Homare had also become a Precure saving others like her, fighting side by side?

Yes, if that were the case, Homare in that world would surely be a tall and handsome beauty, a golden Precure like a star. Fighting alongside such a Homare would be enough to make her happy just thinking about it!

Since Homare was like that, then Saya, who was decisive and kind-hearted, and the cute Emiru too! Saya would surely be a beautiful blue Precure with fluffy hair, wearing a nurse's uniform. Emiru would be a red Precure singing for everyone in a cute idol outfit!

Hahaha, but with a team like this, it feels like another Precure would need to join. Who would she be? Would she be a beautiful purple figure?

If such a world really existed, it would be... so delightful.

"Indeed, to suddenly spout some protagonist-like speeches, it's... quite interesting!"

She's not just a scatterbrain who carelessly damages her own body. Did I underestimate you and misjudge you?

Ash, who had heard everything from the corner of the Kagayaki house, couldn't help but show a smile of finding something interesting as he looked at Nono Hana, who was entering fantasy time while grinning and scratching the back of her head to ease her awkwardness.

"—"

With a flick of his wrist, a small bronze object was tossed high into the air, caught firmly with a flick of his wrist, and then tossed up again, repeating this process.

Ash had always stated matter-of-factly that he had no interest in ordinary people, bore no malice, and wouldn't show excessive kindness. However, it was precisely ordinary people who occasionally displayed astonishing "sparkle" before him, earning a surprised smile from Ash.

"Well then, even if it's just a gambit, continue to be even more 'amazing,' perhaps even I will be moved to cast my gaze upon you? Oh, of course, this is absolutely not an 'infidelity' of my love for heroes! I, Ash, guarantee it with my personal taste!"

"Hana..."

Having completely made up her mind, Hana, filled with her own resolve, slipped behind Homare and grabbed the pushing handle.

The sudden jolt from beneath her made Homare snap out of her astonishment. Hana was already pushing her towards the door from behind.

"Hana, where are you—where are you going?"

"Let's just go outside and get some sun for now. Maybe there will be a reason for Homare to stand up again!"

Alright! This time, I'll try it. If it's to help Homare, I can bet my life on it!

Peeking out from the base of the wall behind them, Ash couldn't help but let out a diagonal smile as he watched the two figures. "They seem to be trying very hard. Interesting. In that case, I must respond."

Upon closer inspection, the object in mid-air was a kind of mechanical device with gears constantly running inside. It was tossed and dropped from the man's hand, then caught accurately and thrown forcefully to the ground.

"Let's try it with something I just found."

The mechanical gears meshed and began to rotate, then, in a way that defied the laws of physics, they folded and unfolded, growing larger, finally transforming into yellow, one-eyed mechanical soldiers in a futuristic style, wielding gun-like sabers.

These combatants, manufactured by the Money Laundering Gang, a criminal organization from the 30th century and enemies of the Time Force, possessed very good performance. Although their mechanical rigidity couldn't be easily changed, their accurate execution of commands and their individual combat power, capable of matching a tank, was more than enough.

"Go," Ash flicked his finger, and the dozen or so Genets before him immediately lined up and marched in unison, their exaggerated high steps moving in perfect coordination towards another direction.

"Go provide her with an opportunity to achieve her goal, see if you can lure out Cure Yell, and add more fun to this party."

"How are you feeling, Homare? Better?"

As Hana pushed Homare through one street after another, she waited at the road for the traffic light and asked Homare with concern.

"Thank you." Perhaps it was due to the sun, but Homare's expression had indeed improved. "I thought you would leave me alone to cool down after I said something like that."

"Sometimes, the more someone says they refuse, the more they actually crave to be saved!" Hana said, standing beside Homare and giving a small, determined wave of her fist in front of her chest. "I know it can be discouraging to tell someone who's already trying their best to 'keep it up,' but right now... Go, go! Homare!"

"Go, go! Homare!"

And so, Hana began her specialty right there on the street: cheering people on.

"Homare," looking at her pink-haired friend who was enthusiastically encouraging her, Homare suddenly ignored the stares of those around them and reached out, pulling Hana's small pink head into her embrace.

"Homare... Homare?" Hana, not quite registering what was happening, instinctively tried to pull away. But Homare, not wanting her to see her current expression, held her even tighter.

"This is great..." With a warm body temperature, soft pink hair brushed gently through Homare's fingers. At that moment, her happy yet sorrowful heart's voice reached Hana's ears.

"Even though I've lost my dream, becoming friends with someone like you might be the world's best compensation for me."

[Extra] Case File 35: A Meaningless Battle

When Homare finally let go, Hana's cheeks had turned a cute, rosy red.

While it was normal for girls to touch each other... being hugged still made her shy, and that was that!

No, no, I need to get back to business. The top priority now is to let Homare witness my crisis and step in to help. Maybe that will get her excited enough to stand up, at least that's what Dr. Ash said.

But even if that's what he said, how am I supposed to do it? If I have to put myself in danger, faking a fall... that's not enough, is it? If there's the road right next to us... No, no! That's too dangerous, it might hurt Homare!

As Hana was caught in a whirlwind of confusion and worry, a sudden burst of screams erupted from the intersection nearby. Many pedestrians, faces filled with terror, were fleeing from the opposite direction towards them.

"Excuse me, please, what's happening over there?" Without thinking too much, Hana stopped a passerby. However, the answer she received was shockingly absurd.

"It's bad! Time Fire has gone berserk! He's bringing robots and causing chaos in the streets!"

"What!?"

"Hey, Precure—you there?" Leading the Genet mechanical soldiers behind him, Ash walked at the very front, bored, watching as the Genets behind him fired into the sky, scaring away the pedestrians.