This is for the best, right Dad?
I believe in Shouichi. Yeah, I believe in him.
I don’t care if he has memories of that incident or if he transformed into that gold creature.
I’ll believe in the Shouichi that I know.
I’ve been watching over him ever since he moved into Uncle’s house.
He’s good at cooking, he’s kind, he’s thoughtful, he’s always smiling, he’s always making dumb puns, and he loves everyone.
There’s no way he could be a bad person.
If Shouichi really was there at that incident, I’m sure he would’ve thrown himself in front of everyone to protect them.
Yeah, I’m sure of that.
That’s the kind of person Shouichi is. That’s why everyone loves him, including me…
I mean, it’s not like he’s special or anything…
Someone like Ashihara or Hikawa is way more attractive.
…Ashihara was about to kill Shouichi for my sake…
Why would he go so far for me…
We never talked much when we were together, so I wouldn’t know…
But I want to be by Ashihara’s side.
Is this love?
Ahh… I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been in a relationship before, after all…
Maybe I should ask Hikawa about it again.
I’m really grateful to Hikawa.
He saved me from the incident, he listens to my troubles, and he comes to my place every once in a while to check up on me.
He’s really cool and reliable.
He’s like my ideal big brother.
………
How am I going to interact with Shouichi from here on out…?
Do I just act like nothing ever happened?
I don’t know if I could…
Mana showed up among the small groups of students trickling out of the school gate as the end-of-school bell rang.
Her school bag hung in front of her thighs and a blue ribbon swayed on the chest of her summer uniform.
The first clear sky of the summer after the rainy season ended was a blinding blue as Mana heard the cicadas cry for the first time this year.
Today was Mana’s 17th birthday.
She was going to have a birthday party when she got home.
That was the promise Misugi and Shouichi made with her a few days ago.
But Mana’s expression was clouded as she walked back home.
Shouichi hadn’t been back ever since he left the house yesterday.
Mana remembered the sight of Shouichi with his head hung down in resignation in front of Ryou.
If she hadn’t stopped Ryou, Shouichi would have probably died right then and there.
She suddenly thought about what would happen if he didn’t come home today.
She had a bad feeling about this.
No, it’ll be all right.
She quickly shook the feeling away.
Shouichi would never break a promise.
He said he would celebrate my birthday with a party.
Maybe he’s cooking at home right now.
He might be making a feast for me.
Mana began skipping awkwardly.
She was trying to forcefully cheer up her mood.
I wonder what’ll be on the menu.
Roast beef would sound nice. A whole roast chicken would be great, too.
Maybe Shouichi’s making sushi with a headband on.
I could definitely see him doing that. In that case, I’ll stuff myself with some fatty tuna.
“Shouichi!”
Once she got home, she immediately went into the kitchen calling out his name.
Shouichi was nowhere to be seen.
“Shouichi!”
Not in the living room, not in the bathroom, either.
Mana once again ran outside.
Oh, I know, he’s probably out shopping right now.
I’ll join him, then. Mana went around looking for Shouichi.
She went to the grocery store, the fish market, the butcher’s shop.
Excuse me, has Shouichi been here at all?
No, I haven’t seen him today.
Restaurants, residential areas, parks, alleys.
Shouichi… Where did you go…?
Tell me where you are, please…!
Shouichi!
But Shouichi was nowhere to be found.
Her feet began to totter. She had been long out of breath.
She was half-jogging at this point but she still continued to search for Shouichi.
Shouichi… Shouichi… Shouichi… Shouichi… Shouichi…
She continued to call out his name in her heart.
“Mana!”
She heard Shouichi’s familiar voice from behind her.
Mana’s face filled with joy as she turned around.
“Watch out!”
Shouichi suddenly shouted out as he pushed her aside.
“Urgh…!”
Shouichi gripped at his chest and let out a groan.
A single silver needle stuck out of his chest.
“Shouichi!”
Mana quickly got up and ran to Shouichi who was now on his knees.
The Hedgehog Lord Unknown was watching over them from behind an abandoned building.
It had shot out its sharp needle-like hair growing from its head towards Mana.
“Run, Mana!”
Shouichi got in front of Mana while grasping his chest and glaring at the approaching Hedgehog Lord.
“But…!”
“I’ll be fine!”
“But…”
“Just run! Hurry!”
Mana turned around in confusion and ran.
Shouichi manifested his belt and shouted out.
“Henshin!”
The light flowing out of the buckle enveloped Shouichi as he turned into Agito.
The Hedgehog Lord swung down the sword it had pulled out from its halo.
Agito skillfully dodged its attacks and landed a fist into its stomach.
Now that it had lost its balance, he moved on to throwing out more fists.
His gold horns expanded into six and the emblem of a dragon appeared on the ground as the power of the earth gathered in his foot for the finishing attack.
However…
“Urgh!”
Agito staggered in pain.
He grasped at his chest that took a needle before he transformed.
The Hedgehog Lord let out the sound of a deep and disturbing laugh.
It thrust forward the tip of its sword. The very next moment, it had deeply stabbed its way through Agito’s stomach.
“Shouichi!!”
Mana let out a scream from behind a tree.
With his stomach impaled, Agito’s back fell onto the ground.
His transformation as Agito reverted back to his form as Shouichi.
The once blue sky was now filled with clouds.
Shouichi slowly closed his eyes.
Kamen Rider Novel Translations 