"Look, her healthy legs couldn't stand because of psychological issues, right?" Ash explained to Hana step by step as he tapped the chainsaw guard, making a crisp sound. "I'm a doctor, not a psychiatrist. Since psychological causes are difficult to treat, just ignore them. Bypass the psychological factor and replace her flesh-and-blood legs with prosthetic ones that respond directly to neural signals."
That way, even if she didn't want to move, as long as the electronic signals matched up, she could still move. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Actually, Ash had no reason to care so much about Homare's affairs. They weren't even that familiar with each other... But her earlier flattery had made him rather happy. Besides, he had boasted that there was "absolutely no problem." If he gave up here...
Wouldn't that be way too embarrassing? He was the kind of guy who would rather die stylishly than live in disgrace!
"Th-That, that!" Hana's anger erupted once again. "How could prosthetic limbs possibly compare to a human's own body?!"
"No, they can. In fact, they'd probably be even better than the originals."
After all, it was modification technology that even Kamen Riders approved of. When the time came, she could jump an entire floor in a single leap if she wanted to.
"...No!" In the end, Hana still shook her head firmly. "Homare was just dealt a huge blow. She might really agree to your suggestion in a muddleheaded state, so—no!"
"Homare's legs themselves aren't damaged. When it comes to the body, it's better to keep what's your own instead of replacing it!"
"Seriously, what a pain." Ash clicked his tongue and irritably put the chainsaw somewhere Hana could not see. "Fine, then tell me what we should do?!"
"I think that since it's a psychological issue, we should support Homare!"
"I already told you, because of her own weakness, this isn't something so simple—" While being stared at by Nono Hana's shining eyes, Ash sighed and was about to say more. Then he seemed to think of something. After glancing at the dejected Homare in the distance, he turned back to stare at Hana and gradually brought his face closer to hers.
"W-What are you doing?" Frightened, Hana started backing away, only for the man to reach out and grip both sides of her face, making it impossible for her to move.
"The friendship and bonds between companions might bring about a miracle that changes reality. Is that what you mean?"
"M-More or less?" Now even Hana could not figure out what Ash meant.
"Then I have an idea." Ash grinned. "If you're serious, then we can do this... First, let me confirm something. You're good friends, very good friends, right?"
"Y-Yeah!" Unable to back down and unwilling to do so, Hana simply shouted without caring about embarrassment. "Saya, Homare, Emiru, and I all felt like we'd known each other forever from the day we met. We're best friends! What about it?!"
"Is that so? Then are you close enough that..." The corners of the man's mouth rose, his smile curving like that of a demon.
"...you would sacrifice your own life to help one another?"
Case File 33: Hana's Encouragement
Originally, Time Fire had stirred up Homare's desire to resist. She had gathered the courage to stand on her own, yet she still could not do it. Her heart was like that of someone standing at the edge of a cliff, wavering and ready to be blown by the slightest gust into a bottomless abyss.
And when she desperately hoped that Ash, the savior who had appeared before her, could help her, Ash instead gave her a final kick while she was down with his "sarcastic taunts."
Homare's heart now fell into the abyss.
"Homare?"
Hana's voice by her ear gradually pulled Homare out of her endless despondency. Her bent back straightened once more, and her lowered head slowly lifted toward Hana.
"Homare, it's me! It's me!"
Hana's energetic voice seemed to restore a little life to Homare, who had been devastated by the possibility that she might never stand again.
"Hana..." Seeing the lively Hana before her, Homare gradually forced out a bitter smile through her low-spirited expression. "Sorry you had to see me like this, so clumsy and pathetic. I really am..."
"Honestly, Homare, what are you talking about?!" Hana placed her palm, roughened with faint calluses, over the back of Homare's hand, letting her warmth pass to her. "Everyone has times when they can't do something! Look at me—I'm always making one careless mistake after another. Didn't I even go bankrupt after a failed investment a while back?"
"It's impossible for a person never to make mistakes or fall down. What matters is how you make up for your mistakes, how you dust yourself off after being hurt or falling, and keep moving forward. That's the secret to how I can always live happily!"
Look at me. No matter what kind of hardship I faced, even when I nearly died that day, didn't Time Fire suddenly appear and save my life? If someone like me, who can't do anything right besides being Pretty Cure, can overcome something like that, then Homare can definitely do it too!
"Sorry, Hana." Remembering Ash's words, Homare could not help shaking her head. "I just don't know how to stand up again... Didn't that amazing doctor say the same thing?"
"Seriously, stop saying things like that!"
Unable to help mentally complaining about Ash again, Hana remembered the strange method he had suggested after hearing her affirmative answer.
"Don't TV shows often have scenes like this? When someone or a friend falls into trouble, the protagonist can break free of reality's restraints through nothing but their burning feelings and rejoin the battle. If the mood is right, they might even make a breakthrough on the spot and gain a new form or something!"
"Since you say your relationship is that close, Hana, try acting like you're in danger in front of her. Maybe this blondie will stand up through the power of belief?"
"Look, like this."
As he said that, Ash had suddenly crouched down and grabbed Hana by the ankle. Before she could even react, he had lifted her upside down and dangled her in the air. Nono Hana swayed from side to side like a little chick in Ash's hand, letting out an embarrassing "Eeeek—!" scream.
Whenever Hana thought of that, she felt a sincere headache coming on, along with a blush.
Seriously, he was a doctor, yet he believed in such vague nonsense. Hana had shaken her head the moment she heard him say it, and even now she could not agree with it.
Practically speaking, Hana did not think this method could be called foolproof. But after thinking it over, there did not seem to be any better options.
"This is when Homare should show the cool spirit she used to have and let Ash see it! Let him witness a miracle where an illness that even he cannot deal with is healed by the human heart itself!"
Hana's conflicted heart was like a weight suspended in the middle of a balance scale, wavering constantly and liable at any moment to fall onto either the affirmative left side or the uncertain right.
"Why are you trying so hard? This is supposed to be my problem!" Homare suddenly shouted, cutting off Hana's next words and her uncertainty, making Hana's heart tremble.
You must be disappointed in me, Hana. That's why you're encouraging me like this, right? It was the same before. Compared to famous actress Saya, me as a flight attendant, and celebrity pianist Emiru, you had the hardest life among us. Yet every time, you were the one using your energy to comfort us. It really is...
You've gone too far, haven't you, Hana?
"I'm not like that Pretty Cure who protected the world for eight years, the incredibly amazing Cure Yell." The instant those words left Homare's low voice, Hana's shoulders visibly trembled, though neither Homare beside her nor the peeking Ash noticed.
"I'm not as strong as her. I can't defeat enemies as naturally as she can, nor can I step forward with that same greatness... I can't do it!"
So stop worrying about someone like me!
Hana, your life has only recently started becoming happier, so you should just keep living happily!
Don't keep getting close to me like this. It makes me feel inferior... Maybe I'll even infect you with my misfortune!
"Clang—"
A clear bell rang out from within Hana's heart, gradually echoing through the entire balance.
Her wavering heart slid into the left pan at that moment, pressing it down with its weight.
"That's not true." Nono Hana's calm voice sounded by Homare's ear, beginning to slowly pull her up from the abyss of inferiority where she had sunk endlessly. "That Cure Yell was not necessarily that strong from the beginning, either."
"She must have been hurt countless times. She must have cried, felt wronged and pained, and wanted to give up."
With a certain calm yet unwavering confidence, Hana began telling Homare the story of "her."
"It was only because there were always things before her that made her want to wipe away her tears, stand up again, and keep fighting that she could rise again and continue fighting all the way until now."
"It must have been like that. And I believe Homare also has the heart to rise up in order to help others. At least in that respect, she and Homare are no different at all."
How do you know that? Though she did not say it aloud, Homare's expression laid bare everything she wanted to ask.
In the end, she said nothing, because Hana stood before her now, encouraging her with boundless energy and showing her an utterly pure smile.
"This has nothing to do with whether Pretty Cure can do it or not. It's just because I, as your friend, like you, Homare! So I want to help you. I want to see the smile on Homare's face when she stands up again. That's all!"
After that speech, which could not be called any great philosophy and was even a little disjointed, Homare could not help opening her mouth. She seemed to have countless things to say as she looked at Hana, yet she could not utter a single word.
Case File 34: Now, It's Fantasy Time
"Hahaha, sorry. I got carried away and ended up saying something pretty amazing."
It was precisely because Homare had mentioned Pretty Cure, and because Hana's heart had been stirred by that unintentional complaint during Homare's low point, that Hana realized she had just said a whole lot of impressive things, as if she herself were Pretty Cure.
Though that really was the case... Other people could not find out! She had kept it secret for eight whole years, after all.
"Sorry, I wasn't trying to lecture you with big words, Homare. I really wanted to be Pre... I really wanted to help you!"
I almost blurted out the whole Pretty Cure thing. In this world, I'm the only one who can become Pretty Cure. Whenever I was seriously hurt in the past, I always sincerely thought that was... such a good thing.
Although Pretty Cure looked glamorous and beautiful, making it seem like a cheerful story where they easily defeated monsters and went home, Nono Hana knew very well that every Pretty Cure battle carried the real risk of injury and even dying on the battlefield.
The responsibility that came with gaining strength capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks was having to fight evil monsters equally capable of destroying the world. Whenever Nono Hana thought of that, she would rather bear every risk alone than allow anyone else to suffer possible harm because of it.
That was what she had always thought, until—the appearance of that person, that flame called "TIME" which had appeared in a future without light, capable of illuminating the world and burning herself as well. It ignited a certain thought and hesitation that had always been hidden in her heart.
Sometimes, like now when this subject came up, she would enter fantasy time and imagine that perhaps in some world, Homare had also become a Pretty Cure who saved others, fighting shoulder to shoulder with her.
Mm, in that case, the Homare of that world would definitely be a tall, cool beauty—a golden Pretty Cure shining like a star. Just imagining fighting alongside a Homare like that makes me happy!
And if Homare was one, then decisive, gentle, and intelligent Saya, as well as cute Emiru, would be too! Saya would definitely be a beautiful blue Pretty Cure with fluffy hair, dressed in a nurse uniform. Emiru would be a red Pretty Cure in adorable idol clothes, singing for everyone!
Hahaha, but with a team like that, it feels like they would need another Pretty Cure to join them. What kind of person would she be? A beautiful purple one?
If such a world really existed, it would be... so wonderful.
"Yeah, suddenly spouting protagonist-like lines and all. That's... kind of interesting!"
So she isn't merely a scatterbrained idiot who mistreats her own body. Did I underestimate her and misjudge her?
Having heard everything from behind the corner of the Kagayaki Residence wall, Ash watched Nono Hana scratch the back of her head with an ingratiating smile to ease her embarrassment while drifting into fantasy time. The corners of his mouth unconsciously curled into a smile, as though he had found something good.
"—"
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed a small bronze trinket high into the air, then caught it firmly with another flick before tossing it again, repeating the motion over and over.
Ash had always naturally claimed to have no interest in ordinary people. He bore them no malice, but neither did he show excessive kindness. Yet ordinary people would occasionally reveal astonishing "flashes" before him, earning a surprised smile from Ash.
Perfect. It might only be an idle move, but keep becoming even more "amazing." Maybe even I will be unable to resist turning my eyes toward you. Oh, of course, this absolutely is not "cheating" on my love for heroes! I, Ash, guarantee it on my personal taste and character!
"Hana..."
Having completely made up her mind, Hana slipped behind Homare with all her determination and grasped the handles of her wheelchair.
The sudden jolt beneath her made Homare snap out of her astonishment. Hana was already pushing her from behind toward the exit.
"Hana, what are you—where are we going?"
"Let's go outside and get some sun first. Maybe we'll find something that gives Homare a reason to stand again!"
All right! This time, I'll give it a try. If it helps Homare, I can stake my life on it!
Ash poked his head out from behind the wall and watched the two women's backs. A crooked smile finally appeared on his face. "Looks like she's really giving it her all. Interesting. If that's the case, then I have to respond to her."
Upon closer inspection, the object in midair was some sort of metal gear, a mechanical device continuously operating inside. Ash tossed it from his hand, let it fall, caught it with perfect accuracy, and then slammed it hard onto the ground.
"Let's try out something I just found."
The mechanical gears meshed and began turning. Then, in a manner that defied physics, they folded and unfolded, enlarged, and finally transformed into yellow, futuristic one-eyed mechanical soldiers armed with gun-shaped scimitars.
These combatants had been created by the Money Laundering Gang, a criminal organization from the thirtieth-century future and enemies of the Time Rangers. Though their mechanical rigidity made them difficult to adapt, their ability to execute orders flawlessly and their combat power, enough for a single unit to match a tank, were more than enough.
"Go." Ash tapped a finger, and the dozen or so Zenitts immediately obeyed. They formed ranks and marched in formation in another direction, raising their legs exaggeratedly high in perfect unison.
"Go give her an opportunity to achieve her goal. Let's see if we can draw out Cure Yell and add some more fun to this party."
"How is it, Homare? Feeling any better?"
Hana pushed Homare through one intersection after another. As they waited at a traffic light by the road, she asked after Homare with concern.
"Thank you." Perhaps because of the sunlight, Homare's expression truly had improved considerably. "I thought that after I said those things, you would leave me alone to calm down."
"Because sometimes, the more someone says they reject help, the more desperately they actually want to be saved inside!" Hana walked beside Homare and seriously pumped a small fist before her chest. "I know telling someone who has already worked hard to keep going can be discouraging, but right now... You can do it, you can do it! Homare!"
"You can do it, you can do it! Homare!"
Just like that, Hana began doing what she was best at out in the middle of the street: cheering others on.
"Hana." Looking at her pink-haired friend who was constantly cheering her up, Homare suddenly ignored the gazes around them and reached out, pulling Hana's little pink head into her arms.
"Homare... Homare?" Hana instinctively tried to struggle free, still not quite processing what was happening. But Homare, not wanting Hana to see her expression right now, hugged her even tighter.
"This is wonderful..." Her warm body temperature and soft pink hair brushed lightly across Homare's fingers. At that moment, Homare's happy and sorrowful voice also reached Hana's ears.
"Although I lost my own dream, perhaps becoming friends with someone like you is the best compensation the world could have given me."
Case File 35: A Meaningless Battle
By the time Homare released her, Hana's cheeks had turned adorably red.
Physical contact between girls was normal... But being hugged was still embarrassing when it happened!
No, no, get back to business. Right now, the urgent task is to let Homare see me in danger and then step forward. Maybe it will move her enough to stand up. At least, that's what Dr. Ash said.
But saying that is one thing. What am I supposed to do? If I have to put myself in danger, maybe pretend to fall down... That probably isn't enough, right? There's a road right beside us... No, no! That's too dangerous. Homare might get hurt!
Just as Hana was feeling incomparably conflicted and troubled, countless screams suddenly erupted from the nearby intersection. Many pedestrians fled toward them from the opposite direction, their faces filled with terror.
"Excuse me, what happened over there?" Without time to think, Hana stopped a passerby, only to receive an astonishingly absurd answer.
"This is bad! Time Fire has gone crazy! He brought robots to cause trouble in the streets!"
"What?!"
"Hey, Pretty Cure—are you here?" Ash led the Zenitt mechanical soldiers behind him as he boredly walked at the front, allowing the Zenitts behind him to fire into the sky and frighten the pedestrians away.
Before you continue