He inserted the Lock On into the card slot above the Heart Arrow, originally meant for decorative charms. With the sound effect of [Lock On], the heart-shaped rings on both sides automatically unfolded into bow limbs.
"It... it actually works!" Sharuru's eyes nearly popped out at the sight. She simply could not understand how that thing had bypassed the restrictions and been used.
"Here, take it back." Ash casually tossed it back to Ai, who hurriedly caught it. He then instructed her to pour Pretty Cure-specific power into it and use that purification ability, which was especially effective against villains, to finish Bel off.
"Sorry, Ash-sensei, but I'm a little..."
Ai forced a smile. The hand gripping the bow was still trembling slightly. Because she had been injured earlier and had forced herself to fire an arrow, she truly could barely lift her arms now.
"I know. Come on." Realizing he had been asking too much, Ash walked over and stood behind Ai without hesitation, gripping her wrists with both hands and placing them on the bow.
"W-Wait, Ash-sensei!?" Everything had happened too suddenly, and Ai only reacted after a moment of stunned silence. Her pretty face flushed bright red as she stammered, "Why did you suddenly... suddenly hug me!?"
"Quit yapping and look ahead! I'm not your teacher, so stop making me remind you!"
Ash seemed completely unfazed by her reaction. Like a student called on by a teacher in class, Ai instinctively answered yes. Entering the zone at once, she tossed aside her scattered thoughts, steadied her breathing, aimed at Bel, and slowly drew the bow.
[Pretty Cure Lemon Energy ]
As the sound effect played, several juicy lemon-slice energy phantoms appeared before the bow. When Ai pulled the bow to its limit, the energy flowing through those