Chapter 1: Going back in time (part 1)

Time Machine

In the same floor where the buster machines were resting, Youko and Usada had just finished doing Youko's science project. They were supposed to return to their respective rooms, until Youko found herself staring at the time ranger's machine. The Special Missions had borrowed it from the Gokaigers (for the time being) to gather more data and thus create machines with the same time-transcending capability. Youko and Usada went inside to have a look.

"kireii (it's beautiful)" Youko said while looking at the controls inside the said machine.

Youko was looking at the controls intently. Usada warned, "Youko-chan, don't touch anything or—"

Youko accidentally sat on the lever. She and Usada were transported back in time.

Year 2008

"it's the year 2008" Usada said while reading from an ad nearby, "come on Youko, let's go back to the time machine—"

Youko pointed to a figure a few meters away, "that one looks familiar".

She was pointing to a 17 year old boy who was dressed in a high school uniform.

"Hiromu!" Youko and Usada said together and then covered their mouth in hope that the 17 year old Hiromu didn't hear them.

"Ureshii na (this is strange)" Youko said, scratching her temples. She decided to follow Hiromu in discreet, thinking that it wouldn't harm her anyway. Usada contested that if Hiromu saw him, he would suspect that they were from the Special Missions. So he contended to stay inside the time ranger machine in search of ways to go back to year 2013.

Apparently, Hiromu was about to go to school. Youko was cautious while following him inside the premises. Since Hiromu was a fast walker, Youko had to walk in the same pace too. When he vanished from the hallway, Youko groaned for having lost him.

A hand reached her shoulder. Youko froze in panic. She sighed in relief for wearing a cardigan. It did its job in hiding her morphin brace.

"why are you following me?"

Youko turned to see Hiromu, whose hands were at his sides. They're the same! Youko said to herself.

"are you a stalker?" Hiromu asked, with a hint of coldness in his voice. Youko was quite surprised (she'd deny she was hurt) at Hiromu's aloofness.

"n—no I'm not!" Youko said. She was stammering while looking for the right excuses when Hiromu's sensei got in the way. Sensei smiled at Youko and led her to the faculty.

Physical Education Class

It seemed that Youko was mistaken as an exchange student from the city. Apparently, Hiromu's section was expecting an exchange student. She was even asked to change to red sweater and jogging pants for the physical education class. In her way to the school gym, she was hoping that Usada would call her soon so that they could go back together to the present time.

But her dread was changed when she found out that Hiromu's section would be doing martial arts. She wondered why Hiromu was not participating. It seemed that he'd rather read a book than to spar with his classmates.

Youko heard from a tattle-tale that Hiromu was always the winner in martial arts. So it was Hiromu's decision not to participate anymore. Hiromu's sensei asked politely if there are contenders against their current champion. When no one volunteered, Hiromu said aloud, "sensei, I'd rather study than spar with those who aren't in the same level as I do".

Youko thought of his remark as too straightforward. It was very different from Hiromu in 2013—probably because the present Hiromu was now more immersed with people.

She didn't know that she remarked aloud, "pretty cocky, aren't you?"

Hiromu dropped his book and returned her gaze with a cold expression. He approached her and said, "I have more important plans to be concerned about". Youko thought he was implying about his burden as redbuster.

Even if Youko understood what Hiromu was implying about, her moodiness got in the way. She said, "then let's see how good you are for that important plan you're talking about, Hiromu"

The people in the gym gave an oooh.

Hiromu and Youko looked at each other with unyielding stares.