KOTONOHA'S RESOLVE

"Kotonoha, why haven't you packed yet?" asked Mr. Katsura as he saw his daughter standing before them with a serious expression.

"Otousan, Okaasan, I love you both," said Kotonoha, "But…"

"You're not coming with us, are you?" Manami asked her eldest daughter. They were all packed to leave since the entire city was being evacuated.

Kotonoha shook her head. "I'm sorry, Okaasan and Otousan, but this is something I must do," said Kotonoha to her mother and father.

"But you could get killed!" argued Manami. "Kotonoha-chan, you have to come with us!"

"I'm sorry, but I can't abandon the others. They need my power!" Kotonoha shot back. "Okaasan, forgive me for raising my voice and being defiant, but I have to do this." She clenched her fists.

"I can't agree to this," said Manami. "What sort of mother would allow her child to go to war? This is too dangerous."

"I too agree with your mother," said Mr. Katsura. "You're my little girl."

"Otousan, I've grown up," said Kotonoha. "I'm not the same as I used to be."

Mr. Katsura knew what this was about. "You're doing this for that boy, Ryuji, aren't you?"

"That's right," nodded Kotonoha. "He has risked his life to protect this world ever since he became a Rider and I want to fight alongside him."

"He's strong enough, isn't he?" Manami questioned, "And there are other Riders too. You don't have to do this."

"But I want to do this. Before I became a Rider I had to watch Ryuji-kun get himself hurt fighting all alone." Kotonoha recalled all the injuries he'd accumulated fighting the threats to this world. First the Imagin, and then the Nytemares and Horrors. Sauron had also caused him great injury as well. "But he isn't alone anymore because he has me. I want to protect him just like how he's always protected me."

Kotonoha's parents could not believe how their daughter had changed from the soft-spoken little girl they had raised to this strong and determined young woman before them.

"I'm not happy about this," said Manami, "But if this is the path you've chosen then I'll support you."

"Okaasan…"

"I'll give my support to you as well, Kotonoha," said Mr. Katsura, "And I'm proud of you."

Otousan…"

Kotonoha hugged both her parents and swore, "Don't you both worry. Everything will be alright. I promise."