Kamen Rider is a Villain in Pretty Cure

"Cough, hack—!"

The man on the other side let out a pained cry, drawing Hana's instinctual attention, as she could no longer think straight.

"Damn it, does such a terrible story even count as an ending..."

The V-Commander on his arm let out a burst of smoke and sparks, and the combat suit he was wearing automatically deactivated. The man, slumped on the ground, propped himself up with his hands on his knees and looked towards where the Pretty Cure had fallen.

At the same time, Nono Hana's gaze also shifted to Ash.

At this moment, without any cover, they saw each other's faces, covered in dust and blood, panting in a disheveled state.

At this moment, there were no more misunderstandings or veils.

It wasn't a disguise, nor was it fake.

In their hearts, they had already told themselves the answer represented by that incredibly familiar face.

"..."

"..."

"Hana?"

Ash's pitch-black eyes reflected the image of the girl stained with blood. His mouth, wide open in disbelief, couldn't close for a long time.

"Ash?"

Hana's bright pink eyes took in the sight of the man with a sword stuck in his chest, covered in dust. Her pearly white teeth, like arranged seashells, chattered uncontrollably as she trembled.

Loved.

Trusted.

The person who would never hurt her.

Remembering it was like the mellow aroma of coffee, a sense of peace like the gentle moonlight.

But this is also...

"Why?"

[Extra] Case File 63: About a Man's Utter Exhaustion

What would you think if one day you found out that the hero you've been "paying attention to" all along was actually the most inconspicuous, muddled little guy around you?

Suddenly feel like your ideals are shattered, like the sky and earth are collapsing, right?

No, the drastic difference between the appearance before and after transforming makes it hard to recognize. In situations like this, where people don't recognize each other behind masks, it's not bragging to say I've experienced it before.

But, my incredibly inconspicuous, useless patient "Nono Hana"? And the incredibly resilient, incredibly powerful superhero "Cure Yell" who shouldered the entire world alone for eight years? If someone had told Ash that they were the same person before today, Ash would have decided it was time to perform cranial surgery to check their brain.

It's not a small problem like the voice, face, or build not matching, but the overall feeling they gave off was just too different!?

Even though I had sufficient psychological preparation for the fact that the hero's true identity likely wouldn't align with my ideals, to be honest, when I saw the light on Yell fade, leaving only Nono Hana standing there.

Even Ash, who presented himself as a big-hearted, detached amusement-seeker.

He truly felt his heart stop for a few seconds. This had nothing to do with the sword stuck in his chest.

The bigger question now is, what emotions are lingering in my chest?

Shock, anger, annoyance, sadness, bitterness, discomfort, realization. His opening and closing mouth, other than the blood spurting with each movement, made no other sound. However, at this moment, the most overwhelming feeling was that unbearable sense of shame.

At the same time, it wasn't just the surprise that Nono Hana's previous words to him weren't a joke but the truth that came to mind. For some reason, along with that "fondness," Ash also felt a trace of admiration for this seemingly soft and squishy person.

It was not only respect for a warrior who had fought alone for eight years, but also appreciation for Nono Hana herself. Recalling Nono Hana's abnormal condition and strange reactions at the clinic back then, along with the result report, this admiration and respect grew even stronger.

This is truly... well done.

This wasn't praise, but his highest evaluation, a genuine one from Ash, that she could persist to this extent while also deceiving him.

His cold hands and feet regained some warmth. The wound, severe enough to tear a normal person apart, didn't hurt as much. At least he didn't have to worry about dying inexplicably on the spot, leaving Hana with lifelong regret and a blood debt.

This was also the credit of Dark Echo. In fact, until he collected this darkness to its limit and it began to erode his soul and memories, the increase in Dark Echo only made his power stronger.

Hmph, first give you a sweet taste, then collect the priced cost in the end. This is truly the style of darkness.

He didn't know who he was mocking in his heart, perhaps himself. Ash, using this self-deceiving distraction, supported his body with a sword still stuck in his chest and walked step by step towards the ruins where she was.

However, the closer he got to that person, the more Ash's gaze flickered, and the more he dared not meet her gaze.

Seriously, Ash, when the hell did you become this kind of coward? It's come to this point, with no cover or objective left. Is it too late to escape now?!

What are you doing!? Weren't you having fun playing the "you stab me, I stab you" game with her earlier? Where did your manliness go? She's just Nono Hana—

Just... Hana...

The more he thought about topics that would bolster his confidence, the more his incredibly complex heart made Ash unable to bear looking at her current miserable state.

Perhaps, he really didn't want to see her expression right now. No matter what, he didn't want to see her right now.

Seriously, can a man's psychology be this complicated?

The faint, pained gasps beside him drew Ash's attention. Standing beside the blue-haired woman, who radiated a deep dark light, as this "violent energy" transformed into Dark Echo and swirled into Ash's body like a vortex, both of their expressions visibly improved.

To distract himself, doing something is always the best method. Moreover, if she couldn't do it now, then it was his turn to handle this farce they were co-starring in.

With this thought, he lifted the plank, kicked away the debris, and the sleeping beauty, half-buried under the ruins, appeared before Ash. However, this sleeping beauty didn't look beautiful at all. Her tattered clothes, her body covered in wounds, and her face obscured by dust made Saya look more like a matchstick girl.

"Still alive."

To have become such a huge monster, taken a heavy blow, and even had the battle fought over its very body, yet still survive... But seeing her friend become a Pretty Cure, was it this emotion that allowed her to break free from being turned into a Doomsday Monster? If this was a miracle, then...

A few thoughts flowed through Ash's mind, but he shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He wasn't in the mood to contemplate such things right now.

Bending down, he picked up the semi-unfamiliar woman. Her body, not particularly heavy, was nonetheless quite a burden for Ash at this moment. Forcing himself to walk with heavy, slow steps, Ash carried Saya towards the woman still kneeling on the ground in the distance.

Fortunately, the woman who was presumably Saya's mother saw Ash. Her running towards him shortened his journey considerably. Ash watched her bow repeatedly, her mouth opening and closing, uttering countless "I'm sorrys" like a tragedy, and then she cried over Saya in his arms.

For some reason, even though he had done a good deed, seeing her grieve for her daughter only filled Ash with a vexing annoyance.

"Take her away, and..." Ash caught his breath for a moment, slightly calming the burning pain in his lungs. His remaining strength sustained his battered body.

With a sword stuck in his chest, Ash couldn't use his powers properly. Every word he spoke felt like his lungs, in a state of "burning," were tearing apart.

"Don't say anything,"

Normally, Ash would have used a mix of threats and persuasion to ensure her silence. But now, looking down from his position, Ash only managed to utter this hoarse voice before turning to leave.

It was a feeling he hadn't experienced before, neither physically nor mentally, not even when he had nearly drowned upon first arriving in this world.

He was too tired.

[Extra] Case File 64: The Unbearable Pain of Women

Ash remained silent. If he opened his mouth again, his throat would spew blood. So, he could only stare intently at the elegantly dressed middle-aged woman with his eyes.

At the same time, he could feel that familiar, earth-shattering sensation approaching from afar. It was likely close.

"I won't say anything, Mr. Fire, I swear on my honor." Fortunately, Yakushiji Reiro, a seasoned veteran of the entertainment industry, nodded and unhesitatingly gave her assurance to the man's weak threat.

As long as Saya... my daughter can be saved, nothing else matters. This simple and pure sentiment was exactly what Ash needed.

Then, she picked up her unconscious daughter and walked away – she had already called for an ambulance.

Having received her promise, Ash's strained body finally gave out. He stumbled two steps and collapsed backward softly, only to bump into cold metal.

V-REX had arrived. It came on its own, following the optimal route without being summoned. Equipped with its Super AI circuits, it possessed self-thinking capabilities beyond ordinary machines, even without explicitly expressing its will through language.

The giant mechanical dinosaur exhaled two puffs of heat from its nostrils, intending to pick up Ash's clothes and place him in a prepared slot on its back. But the man patted its nose, signaling it to stop.

That sword had indeed pierced her, but it hadn't hit a vital spot. With something as miraculous as Tomorrow Energy, akin to Ultraman's light power, there was no danger to her life.

But... how was she doing?

The thought gnawed at Ash's chest like ants, even consuming the nascent weakness and indecision deep within his heart.

Ash finally turned his head, meeting the gaze of Nono Hana, who was still kneeling on the ground, looking disheveled.

Disbelief, inability to accept, her pale face simultaneously revealed how much turmoil her heart and soul were in.

"Why..."

Meeting the man's tired and confused eyes, her pupils, once as brilliant as pink diamonds but now devoid of their sparkle, were covered by her closed eyelids. Tears, falling straight down, blurred her vision. Hana, regardless of the dirt on her hands, covered her forehead and shook her head violently, as if trying to escape, her frenzied movements perhaps an attempt to deny the entire world.

Why, why did it have to be this kind of thing!

Why did I have to kill my best friend, the one I least wanted to lose!

Why does my beloved Ash, who brings me both love and pain, have to be that incomprehensible Time Fire!

Why... why does it have to be me who bears this pain!

Why! Why, why, why! Why can't anyone give me an answer!

If "God" is the one who decides all this, who dictates the course of fate... then why give me the Tomorrow Energy, the power that represents the "future"? Why me, why become a Pretty Cure, why have I fought until now?

If all of this leads to... only more pain, isn't that too cruel?!

If this is the future... then I'd rather not have a tomorrow that promises pain...

The Tomorrow Energy within Nono Hana, no longer active, gradually became coated in a layer of black.

Ash wanted to get closer, even just to comfort her, but at this moment, Ash truly couldn't take another step, neither physically nor mentally.

"Step."

Yet, he still took that step.

"Mmm..."

Sensing Ash approaching, Hana let out a small, beast-like whimper from beneath her distressed expression.

Her current emotional state was the same as Ash's... no, as a woman, her emotions were several times more complex than Ash's at this moment! But one thing was certain...

Nono Hana, who had fought as Cure Yell until now, was also, just like Ash who had fought as Time Fire until now, unsure of how to face him.

This wasn't a matter that could be resolved by simply talking things out and then embracing each other with laughter. Both her grown-up heart and Ash's seemingly childlike heart were too complicated.

"Step."

Ash, with staggering steps, moved closer and closer, making Hana's trembling back shake even more violently.

"Don't come any closer!" Hana's voice was laced with a trembling sob. "Please, don't come any closer to me!"

"Step."

The man's steps, without any pause, continued to approach.

"No—" Looking down at the shattered cement floor beneath her feet, Hana almost covered her face with her hands. "Don't look at me like that!"

"——"

A dusty wind, tinged with the smell of blood, blew past, and Ash finally stopped.

"Screeech—!"

It was a bone-chilling sound, like a blade cutting through flesh. Hana finally raised her head and saw Ash pull out the Melody Holy Sword that had been plunged into his chest, with the nearly dried blood gushing out. The sword came out with a piercing shriek, along with the blood splattered on Hana's face. Ash remained silent.

"Clang!"

Ash thrust the weapon belonging to Pretty Cure in front of Nono Hana.

Then, clutching his chest, which looked like it was about to split him in two vertically, he walked past Hana and left the scene, limping even more.

"Ash..."

Hana, realizing what had happened too late, wiped the blood from her face and quickly turned her head, but could only see Ash's retreating figure.

"Ash!"

She reached out, wanting to follow him, but as soon as she stood up, she tripped over the rubble at her feet and fell heavily again.

She could hear the sound of an ambulance in the distance, but that was no longer Hana's concern.

"Ash—!"

She screamed, almost crying out, her strength gone but still shouting, desperately reaching out her hand, trying to catch even a flicker of his receding form.

However, Ash disappeared into the distant horizon under the sun without looking back.