Kamen Rider Plays the Villain in Pretty Cure

"Actually, I can manage on my own without Mana's help."

"..."

"And Mana, it was quite troubling how you always competed with everyone over Ash before. We only need to be the ones to soothe Ash's heart."

However, while Rikka was still rambling on, Mana had already walked over to her.

"So, how have things been between you and Ash lately?"

"Nothing's happened. More importantly, we... Ah!"

A sudden sense of weightlessness flipped the scene before Rikka's eyes amid her cry.

Her vision was entirely filled by the other girl, and in the blink of an eye, Rikka had been pinned down onto the bed.

"You're lying."

The words suddenly whispered by her close friend beside her ear made a prickling wave of goosebumps rise across Rikka's body.

"You're the kind of person who cares so much that you use cleaning as an excuse to visit his room whenever you can. So why do you always deny it?"

Even back in our world, Rikka was like this, wasn't she?

"I'm right, aren't I, Rikka?"

117

Rotten Love

"Why are you saying this to me?"

The word "lying," which Mana had spoken earlier, was now lodged deep in Rikka's heart like a thorn.

Rikka desperately wanted to refute her, wanted to say something to Mana.

"Rikka has always liked Ash, right?"

Yet every word that should have followed melted away beneath Mana's smile, so close to her face.

"I understand. Because we like the same person, I understand how Rikka feels."

She did not know how to refute it—or rather, she could not refute it... If you understand everything, then why are you asking me?

"Don't look away at a time like this."

"Mm...!"

As her gaze began to drift aside, her friend gently turned her face back until their eyes