Kamen Rider Plays the Villain in Pretty Cure: Identity Exposed

Side Story Case File 81: Identity Exposed

"Big sis, brother-in-law, this is bad! Something huge happened! You're on the news!"

"Brother-in-law... Well, if you like calling me that, go ahead?"

Though Ash was a little surprised once he caught on, he did not dwell on it. He leaned in with Hana toward the phone Kotori handed over, their eyes scrolling through the report together.

The photograph at the very top of the front page was especially striking. It showed Ash standing on the chest of the V rex robot, his back to the sun as he removed his helmet, then pulled Nono Hana into his arms and kissed her deeply. Framed by the light and the exquisite composition, it looked like a "masterpiece of the century."

"Hah, I look pretty handsome." Comparing himself to the frozen image, Ash nodded smugly and proudly, without a trace of surprise or dissatisfaction.

Naturally, Miss Nono Hana beside him was nowhere near as calm.

"Pff—cough, cough, cough!" Seeing such a clear, complete picture, one even imbued with a certain artistic atmosphere, was far too stimulating for Hana, who was still terribly shy about romance. She nearly choked on her fried egg.

"Th-this is...!"

"Ah, when that Mirai Crystal drove away all the darkness, the human media must have arrived too. It isn't surprising that they got a picture like this." Ash genuinely did not see anything wrong with it. Hana, meanwhile, was clutching her sister's hand so tightly that it had begun to tremble, utterly unable to accept it as easily as he had.

"Wait, then doesn't that mean everyone already knows Ash is Time Fire?!"

"Yeah. What's so surprising about that?"

Ash was not worried in the slightest about his identity being exposed. The people of this world were simply too decent; there was no chance of the kind of persecution that happened to human hosts in other worlds. At worst, some haters might complain about him on anonymous forums. What was there to worry about?

"You mean your identity crisis? I don't think you need to worry. From this angle, your face is completely blocked by me, so you're fine."

"Wait!" Hana suddenly came to her senses, exited the picture, and launched into another intense search of her own name. Sure enough, the Time Fire and Cure Yell pairing had instantly gone from a crack ship to the official couple, with worldwide popularity reaching over a hundred million.

Which meant that her and Ash's exchanged first kiss...

"I-I! Our—our kiss!"

The girl's brain buzzed from the shock, and even her tongue tied itself in knots. The healthy blush of embarrassment shot from her neck all the way to her ears, while the steam bursting from her forehead looked strong enough to lift a pot lid—and it only kept getting hotter.

"Yeah, probably everyone in the world has seen our first kiss by now." Completely unfazed by Nono Hana's dramatic color changes, the man smiled at the various search terms on his phone. "That confession was worldwide too. This really is a first, huh? Hana, maybe the two of us will end up in textbooks."

"Thud!"

"Ah!" Kotori hurriedly caught Hana as she shut her eyes, kicked her legs out, and fell backward. "Big sis fainted!"

"Hah..." Ash crouched before her, amused and exasperated as her eyes turned into spirals. He curled a finger and lightly scraped it twice over Hana's nose bridge. "You're already down for the count? Come on, Pretty Cure lady."

"So, is it really okay?"

"Honestly, I have no idea why you're this worried." Ash was changing clothes as he spoke. He did not really understand Hana's fear of exposing her identity after hiding it for eight years. "You said the people in your world are pretty decent too. It's not like revealing a human host means ignorant citizens will start yelling to drive out the dangerous person or capture them for photorejuvenation treatments. So what are you scared of?"

In fact, judging from the information on Ash's phone, Hana had spent years racing around saving the world and had accumulated unimaginable prestige among people all across Earth. Even if she held a press conference, plainly declared, "I am Pretty Cure!" and then ran for United Nations Prime Minister, she would absolutely win every vote without a single abstention.

"So what are you afraid of?"

"I just really don't want Mom, Dad, Kotori, and everyone else to worry..." It was such a simple, sincere wish. Turning around, Hana saw Kotori behind the corner giving her a thumbs-up and silently mouthing, "You can do it!" The warmth of it brought a smile back to Hana's face. "Though it looks like they had already guessed, more or less."

"They're your family, after all."

"Yeah." Hana happily answered Ash, then paused. Somewhat bashfully, she rubbed the hem of her pink dress between her fingers. "And also... I don't like the feeling of strangers crowding around me. I-I'm shy around people. You won't laugh at me, will you?"

Ash thought of the bullying she had endured in elementary school. He nodded, not finding it strange at all.

"That's true. If a bunch of random people crowd around us when we go out later, I'd be pretty troubled too."

After all, he only wanted to enjoy the precious time ahead with the two of them together.

"Maybe I will laugh, because I think it's cute." His casual words lifted Hana's mood again. The man reached around her shoulders from behind and pulled her close. "Since you're scared, just stick a little closer to me. I'll protect you, and then you won't be afraid."

Hana looked up at the confidence on his face. After lightly nodding, she truly leaned into him.

"Ash, what are we going to do when we go out this time?"

Standing before the open door, Hana—who was always shy about things between men and women—took the initiative to hold Ash's hand instead, as if afraid he might disappear the moment they stepped outside.

Right now, she did not feel safe anywhere except by his side.

"We don't necessarily have to do anything." Feeling the tension in her palm, Ash gently squeezed her soft hand, urging her to relax. "Isn't a date just about happily passing the time together?"

"Besides, it's perfectly reasonable for heroes who saved the world to give themselves a break. So, Miss Hana, would you like to go on a date with me?"

"I would!"

Hana answered without hesitation, tightly hugging the man's arm as she stepped into the bright world beyond the door, no longer afraid.

Side Story Case File 82: Date (1)

"Um, Ash, is this really okay?"

Nono Hana had naturally been overjoyed at the thought of going on a date with Ash and spending unforgettable time together.

But to keep outsiders from bothering her in her currently high-profile state, Ash said they should disguise themselves. Hana had obviously agreed with both hands raised—but when she saw the result...

Hana wished she had two extra hands to cover her eyes. Someone, please save my man's fashion sense! Who taught him this?! Seriously!

"What's wrong with it? I think it looks cool!"

Nono Hana's almost tearful expression did not dampen Ash's soaring spirits at all. He slipped on the last sleeveless vest and put on a pair of tiny glasses matching those worn by some erhu player.

The neat tank top and jeans underneath, paired with the sleeveless vest that seemed to bear the signature of some popular band, then finished with those little glasses, made Ash look like some kind of rock singer.

If you want to disguise yourself, then disguise yourself! Wear sunglasses and a suit or something! Hana thinks that would definitely look handsome... Are you dressed like this because you're about to rock and roll? What boyfriend dresses like this to go on a date with his girlfriend?!

"Now, witness the miracle!"

As he spoke, Ash's facial muscles twisted into an extraordinarily strange grin. If any fans of The Mask had been present, their cries of "Jim Carrey lives!" might have blown through the clothing store's ceiling. Yet that was not all. Under the astonished gazes of everyone in the store, Ash's normal hairstyle miraculously changed.

The sharp spikes stood upright and spread outward from the center.

It was an extremely authentic hedgehog hairstyle!

"A Saiyan! It's a Saiyan!!!" a customer shouted.

And it was Super Saiyan 2 Vegeta style!

For some reason, the increasingly feverish atmosphere in the shop gave Nono Hana a terrible feeling. She tugged at Ash's clothes, and he thoughtfully responded.

He pulled her into his arms, then slung Rumi E—who had originally just happened to run into them but was now staring blankly—over his shoulder like a sack. He bolted from the clothing store at top speed—without forgetting to pay by card first.

"Ash... weren't we here to disguise ourselves?" Nono Hana looked at her smug, showy lover with tearful eyes, the one not covered by her hair.

"Yeah, disguise ourselves. Do you think anyone can recognize me?" The man lied with his eyes wide open.

"As long as they think I'm cosplaying, no one will suspect I'm Time Fire."

"But you don't even look like a Saiyan." The stunned Rumi E finally came to her senses. "You look like some edgy punk. Standing beside Hana, you look like a blond delinquent with bad intentions."

After saying that, she hurriedly broke free from Ash's child-trafficker-like hold and jumped to the ground, brushing off her clothes with disgust.

"So Time Fire's real self is this hyperactive, huh? Hana, are you sure you can handle him?"

"I-I can handle him... probably...!" Hana thought about it, then nodded with flaming cheeks. Her voice was tiny as a gadfly. Rumi E's choice of verb reminded her of certain overly stimulating things from last night, and just remembering them made her lower belly feel hot again.

But don't underestimate me! Hana was amazing last night too. At least I didn't lose to him!

"There's no question of whether she can handle me or not." Ash shrugged. "If Hana wants to pin me down, I'd be happy to tie dozens of pounds of iron onto myself. That should be enough to match my weight."

"Dozens of pounds of iron... isn't that a little exaggerated?"

"It's fine. That way, you'll be able to pin me down."

"I-I never wanted to pin Ash down... Though, when you pinned me down, Ash, you—!"

You bastard! You were so gentle with me at first, I was completely fooled! You bastard, is this how you treat your lover? It really was my first time!

"I was happy, though. Hana, you were so cute then."

"C-cute is too much, I-I was always..." Nono Hana instinctively began to say something self-deprecating from being flustered, but Ash stopped her with a finger over her lips.

"We won't talk about the past. Just think about the future."

Ash's sudden direct attack struck Nono Hana right at her weak point. The head hiding beneath her straw hat began to emit wisps of steam. Only after Ash removed the finger blocking her lips did he produce an ice cream like colorful parfait by magic and bring it to Nono Hana's mouth.

"Mmm! This is so sweet." The sweet chill in her mouth helped cool the girl's brain effectively. Throwing everything from moments ago out of her head, Nono Hana leaned against Ash's arm and happily enjoyed the ice cream like a little squirrel.

"Is this how you two usually get along?" Rumi E looked at Ash as her mouth felt like it was making cracking sounds while she watched Nono Hana lick the ice cream.

Ah, it really is too sweet. Does anyone have coffee? Preferably a bitter Americano~

"What's strange about it? If your lover is upset or discouraged, it's perfectly normal to cheer her up and make her smile through her tears." Ash smiled. "Oh, right, Rumi E. One small question—do you still have time before your concert?"

"The concert—ahhh! I'm going to be late! What do I do, what do I do?!" At Ash's reminder, she remembered she was not simply out shopping. She still had to prepare for the concert. While unleashing a high-pitched scream and flailing helplessly, kind Ash gave her another reminder.

"If you can't use V-rex to get there, call a taxi."

"Right, right, a taxi, a taxi!!" Realizing that, Rumi E immediately rushed toward the main road faster than she ever had in her life. She nearly had an intimate collision with a taxi from charging too hard, then yanked open the door, fastened her seat belt, gave the driver her destination, and ignored his shock at seeing an idol as she sincerely asked him to drive as fast as possible.

Every step was flawless, except for one thing.

She forgot to bring Ash and Nono Hana with her.

Ash took a deep breath of air carrying the dust kicked up by the rapidly departing taxi, then turned toward Hana, who was still immersed in her ice cream.

"Hana."

I remember you said you wanted to see your friend's concert today.

"Hm? What is it, Ash?" Nono Hana raised her head and looked at Ash in confusion. Combined with the ice cream smeared at the corner of her mouth, she looked even more adorably clueless.

"Hold on tight in a moment." Ash used a finger to wipe away the cream at Nono Hana's lips. His unexplained words only deepened her confusion, but by the time she looked around and realized Rumi E was gone, it was already too late.

Her perspective violently shifted, and when she came back to herself, Ash was carrying her in a princess hold.

"We're going to sprint."

"Huh? What? Ash, wait!"

After licking the milky cream from his other thumb, the man grinned mischievously at his successful prank. With leg strength more than three times that of an ordinary person, he took off in rapid leaps amid the girl's cries.

Ash was free and happy now.

Side Story Case File 83: Date (2)

"Everyone, thank you for coming to hear me perform!"

To soothe the hearts of people who had only just emerged from the shadow of losing their future, today's concert had not been canceled and went ahead as scheduled. Sure enough, every seat was filled. On the specially built stage in the center of Nursery City Plaza, the popular genius pianist Emiru greeted the audience below.

When the properly dressed girl onstage saw Nono Hana take her seat as promised, she excitedly waved in her direction again and again. But Ash beside her was dressed so outrageously that she did not recognize him at first, and only after realizing who he was did she get thoroughly shocked.

Though the identity represented by that face had been exposed and he had become a national-level "superstar," no one had recognized him along the way. His disguise had truly been perfect... or perhaps too perfect. The ticket inspector at the entrance had nearly thought he was a metalhead from next door here to cause trouble. If not for his VIP ticket, the man might have thrown him out.

"Isn't this a little too over-the-top?"

"No, I think it's just right." Hana was probably worrying about other people's looks because of him. Thinking so, Ash tapped the glasses on his nose bridge and flashed a smug grin that somehow inspired confidence. "My handsomeness is simply a fact. It doesn't need additional proof!"

"No, that isn't what I meant..." Hana weakly complained, yet she was also pleased by the reassuring sense of trust he gave her. "Forget it. As long as you're happy."

If anything, Ash attracted far more attention than I did along the way. People kept coming up to ask for his contact information, and he turned them all down. Come to think of it, Ash really does have the right to praise himself.

After appearing before the entire world, Ash had effectively become a "superstar." Whenever Nono Hana went online on her phone, she could casually find countless fan posts "confessing" their love for Ash in comment sections and forums. Some of the more extreme remarks left Hana feeling rather complicated, and she occasionally stole glances at the person beside her.

Her furtive gaze swept over Ash, who seemed completely unaware of all this. The worry and slight inferiority that had just risen in her heart shattered the instant she saw the charming smile on his profile. Instead, a satisfied feeling of pride and possessiveness welled up inside her. Her heart felt so full that she could not help smiling foolishly and hugging his arm.

I belong to Ash, and Ash belongs to me... He promised me that last night. Now, I have someone who can share a future with me!

"Ash is mine now~"

Though he had no idea what the woman suddenly clinging to him was imagining this time, Ash still grinned wickedly and ruffled her hair into a complete mess in response.

For now, just rely on me as much as you want.

"The next performance..." Emiru sat down at the piano with her microphone, then discreetly glanced at Ash and Hana once more. "I want to dedicate it to our world's two heroes!"

"Wooooo—!" Emiru's words drew an enthusiastic response from the audience. After all, the voices calling out love to the entire world that day had pushed the pair's reputation to its peak. A couple who had truly saved both the world and each other—who could not be moved by such a dreamy, romantic tale?

"See?" While fixing her messy hair again, Hana nudged the man beside her with her elbow. "They're calling you a hero too~ Hehe, how does it feel? You've always pursued the ideal of a hero, but becoming one yourself doesn't feel bad either, right?"

"They mean both of us."

Seeing the finger reaching toward her, Hana thought Ash was about to mess with her again and hurriedly raised her hands to protect her hair. Instead, his thumb stopped before her eyes, then gently swept aside the bangs covering one side of her face, allowing her right eye—long hidden behind her gloomy heart—to see the light of day again.

"Though your gloomy, dejected look is pretty fun as play, especially because the sounds you make are amusing." Once both of her eyes were revealed and her face had gone red, the part of her that had always felt out of place to Ash disappeared. "But I still think you'd look better if you were a little brighter and more cheerful, Hana."

You look happier this way.