Kamen Rider is the Villain in Pretty Cure

"Don't you find it unusual?"

"I'm just more accustomed to being alone."

Ash stopped shaking the wine glass in his hand, turned, and walked towards the balcony, away from the lively crowd behind him. Seeing Hana like this, he casually picked up a wine glass and followed her unhurriedly.

"Isn't that too lonely?"

"You just need to learn to be friends with loneliness."

Following Ash's footsteps, Hana watched the man leaning against the railing, holding his champagne. She set aside the paper crown on her head, and with a smile, naturally moved closer to Ash, their shoulders touching, closing the distance between them to zero.

"That's easy for you to say. Is it because we're by your side now?"

"It's just you."

"Huh? Ah..."

Hana, who didn't understand the meaning at first, instinctively froze before realizing this was even more mushy than his confession. Her pretty face instantly turned bright red.

Indeed, the only person who could lean so casually beside the clearly troubled Ash now was Nono Hana.

Feeling the heavy emotions and love hidden within Ash's calm words, Hana, already quite shy, rubbed her burning cheeks, hoping the physical sensation would soothe the itchiness in her heart.

"So, um, thanks?"

"It's only a natural outcome."

Unable to help herself, Hana cupped her overly hot cheeks. All Hana could hear now was her own rapidly beating heart.

What do I do? My heart feels so hot, it won't stop! My face feels like something's crawling on it, and it won't stop either!

Why did he suddenly say something like that and make me so happy! Oh no~ I must look so strange right now!

Even though they had done this and that, or rather, he had done this and that to her, perhaps it was precisely because of this that the "pure heart" that had always existed in her heart, and was becoming clearer, made her still care about her image in his eyes like a little girl.

Stealing a few glances, Hana felt relieved when she saw Ash wasn't looking her way, but then she couldn't help but feel sad about her own immaturity.

Honestly, if only I'm the one getting shy, won't I look like an idiot!

I need to be mature~! Yes! I need to be mature and steady. My actual age might even be older than Ash's, I need to unleash my mature big sister talent now!

"But Hana, it's not that I don't understand that feeling of loneliness."

Mimicking Ash's movements, Hana gently swirled the juice in her glass, almost spilling the orange juice. She seemed to grasp some of the subtle emotions, squinting her eyes and nodding with a confident look that suggested understanding, though she didn't understand at all.

"After all, during those days without you, wanting to avoid worrying my friends and family, I endured and got through it."

"Then, Nono Hana can also call herself a lone hero~"

"Hahaha~" Hana laughed happily, amused by Ash's teasing. "Hana isn't as amazing as the title 'hero' suggests. I just did what only I could do at that time."

"What only I can do is what I should do, isn't it?"

"You're being too humble, Hana." Hearing this, Ash turned around somewhat emotionally and leaned against the railing, facing Hana, the comforting sunlight shining on his face. "If someone who can do such a thing isn't a hero, then no other word would fit them."

You too, and them too. The people I've met are always so self-effacing. They've done such incredible things yet don't think much of it... Hmm, perhaps it's precisely because they don't consider it a great achievement that they deserve the title of hero.

At least, that's what I think.

"Do you need me to remind you how hard the path you've walked so far has been? In exchange, this is naturally what you deserve." Ash playfully flicked Hana's forehead after tucking away her pink bangs, chuckling as she let out a "Waaah!" sound. "You deserve such an amazing title, so accept it with peace of mind, Hana."

"Is that so..."

Even though Ash was praising her, Hana couldn't feel happy at all right now.

If becoming a hero means inevitably losing happiness and bearing so much pain, then I wish there were no heroes in the world.

I just want to be Nono Hana.

Rather than becoming a universally admired figure, I'd rather be with the people who love me and the people I love, living an ordinary yet warm life. That's all I want.

"But, this feeling is no longer necessary now, is it?"

I wanted to pour out my pain, I wanted someone to lend me a shoulder to lean on... Thankfully, I've waited for them~

"Who knows."

Ash didn't respond directly, just shook his head. Despite standing in such bright sunlight, a lingering gloom surrounded him, simultaneously drawing Hana in.

His short black hair was casually blown across his forehead by the breeze, obscuring his eyes, which held an unclear mood.

Hana, unable to look away, saw a hint of worldly weariness on his face that didn't match his youthful appearance. In her eyes, it painted a picture of a melancholic handsome man, weathered by hardship but unbroken.

"Gulp~"

Hana, who had been staring intently at Ash's rare display of a different demeanor, could clearly hear herself swallow.

"So..."

Finally snapping out of her daze, Ash turned his head and felt her incredibly intense gaze.

"What's wrong?"

What's "so"? So what? What's so good?

"So amazing!"

"?"

Ash tilted his head, not understanding.

That feeling of melancholy mixed with a persistent sense of decadence, and that lost yet never-giving-up look in his eyes! It made one want to hug him, gently stroke his hair, and whisper in his ear, "It's okay now, I'm here, you don't have to try so hard anymore~" — Ah! Crap! I really want to heal his darkness~!

"Oho~"

Miss Nono Hana, who was over 23 and aimed for mature women, once again let out a mortifying sound like a little girl struck by Cupid's arrow, right in front of the man she loved.

[Extra]Case File 98 Information on Time Travel

Ash, with his melancholic handsome aura... Ah, no! I really can't handle this!

Yabai yabai, super yabai—Ash, how did you know this is exactly my type, hehehe~

"Hehehe~"

Seeing Nono Hana beside him giggling like a pervert, drool almost dripping from the corner of her mouth, even Ash felt his own lips twitch uncontrollably.

She likes it that much?

Should I be careful about protecting myself?

"No wonder your true identity wasn't really hidden, yet it's never been exposed."

It's like saying the true identity of Gotham's Batman is actually a playboy rich second-generation—no one would believe it if you said it.

The difference is just too big. No wonder I didn't see through it at the time.

"After all, she's a woman..."

"Wo—Of course I'm a woman!" Hana, finally realizing her gaffe, hastily wiped the drool from her lips. "Besides, what's wrong with being a woman? If you like something, you like it!"

"And speaking of which, Ash, aren't you just as lecherous as a man! Whenever it gets to that point, you stare at my chest... and you like to bully me!"

"I like it too," Ash replied cheerfully, mimicking Hana's tone.

"Even if you like it, you can't just go around kissing me!"

"Then who was it that said 'don't stop me' back then?"

Compared to "Weakling Hana," who could only keep up with my speed for the first part and then became increasingly useless, saying whatever she wanted, I'm confident I wouldn't lose to anyone, even on our first time~

"Wait a minute—" Hana, her secrets exposed by his preemptive strike, blushed furiously, wishing she could just disappear into a crack in the ground. "How could you say that stuff in front of everyone—that's so demoralizing!"

"Aiya, isn't it just the two of us~"

Pretending not to notice the neat row of peeking eyes from the corner of the wall, Ash finally found release from the inability to integrate into the party's joy by focusing on Hana.

"Or perhaps, you want to get revenge on me?"

"Who—Who's afraid of who! I'll show you—"

When Hana, her passion ignited, started shouting without regard for volume and then had her mouth covered, the poor girl finally realized that Ash's taunt had hit its mark as she looked at his smiling, shushing face.

"Show me what? Oh my, you're so bold to say such things even in broad daylight~ Poor me, Ash, all alone today, is going to be~~ So H, Hana?"

"So demoralizing!"

"Heh~ What's this, is this Cure Yell's catchphrase?"

"It's Nono Hana's catchphrase!"

Ash, with a half-smile, met Hana's indignant, puffed-up face. Their intense staring contest continued until, finally unable to hold back, they both burst into laughter, breaking the heavy atmosphere that had surrounded Ash.

"Isn't this quite fun?"

Hana could certainly feel Ash's heavy burden, but Ash's intention was also clear: even if he was pretending to be deep, he didn't want Hana to know the secrets behind it.

Though the more he acted like this, the more worried she became... but since Ash really didn't want to say it.

Then I won't force you.

Because, no matter what.

I will be by your side... to share it with you.

Everything.

"Indeed." Ash, no longer dwelling on bothersome thoughts after smiling, finally picked up his champagne. "Today, I'm very happy."

"Wait a moment."

Just as he was about to drain his glass, Hana suddenly spoke, leaning closer and swirling her glass in front of Ash.

A gentle breeze blew between the two standing opposite each other, lifting strands of black and pink hair, and stirring ripples in their hearts.

"Want to join?"

Hearing Hana's slightly shy voice, how could Ash refuse?

"Happy birthday, Ash."

Their crystal glasses clinked, a crisp sound echoing. Ash and Hana linked arms, letting the shimmering liquid in their glasses pass before each other's faces. Smelling the alluring aroma, they both raised their glasses to their lips, smiling as they savored the mellow taste together.

"Happy birthday, Nono Hana."

Yeah, it really tasted much better than drinking alone.

"Well then, I'll go get some cake."

"Okay." Hana, who was preparing to enjoy the special one-on-one time the others had left for them, brought over the table. The moment she let go, she was startled. Without any warning, a swirling vortex-like hole, completely unsupported, appeared out of nowhere in front of Hana.

But that wasn't what surprised Hana the most. The real reason she was startled was that she could sense the aura of "Tomorrow Energy" from this gradually expanding vortex.

But how could this be?! Ash had voluntarily given up Tomorrow Energy back then, and I was sure that I was the only Pretty Cure in the entire world right now! So how could there be someone else's Tomorrow Energy, unless—

Unless it wasn't now?

When the vortex finally expanded to a certain extent, a golden color emerged from it. It seemed this action had a significant impact on the vortex as a whole, not only pushing the flower pot on the balcony down but also pushing Hana, who had put her hands in front of her face, backward a distance.

"Uwah—"

Nono Hana and the golden figure exclaimed in surprise at the same time. When the two sounds overlapped, they were indistinguishably similar, making it impossible to tell them apart.

"What's wrong...?"

Hana, finally looking up, watched the scene before her with disbelief. She saw a girl emerge from the rift in time, a golden-haired girl dressed similarly to herself after transforming, a girl who was both a stranger and familiar.

"You are..."

As she met the gaze of those ruby-like eyes, Hana, despite it being their first meeting, saw familiar nostalgia and countless signs of hardship in them. Just as she was about to say something, the girl spoke first.

"Am I late? What day is it today?"

"It is today." Caught off guard, Hana didn't have much time to react and simply answered instinctively. "Today is my birthday?"

"Oh no, I'm late!" Upon receiving the answer, the golden-haired girl's face instantly showed an expression of immense regret and pain. As she regretfully swung her wrist, the black and red bracelet particularly caught Nono Hana's attention.

It felt so familiar... like it belonged to Ash?