Kamen Rider Halo: My name is Asahina Mitsuko, and this is how things turned out for the worse for me.
Growing up, I lived in a pristine environment and had every privilege a girl had while growing up. Both of my parents were highly praised movie actors, so I did not get to see them very much. Without them around, I was free in my own house to do whatever I wanted, or so I thought. It was very lonely at my house; I had everything I wanted but I wasn't satisfied with anything I had. For most of my life I felt… empty.
Because I had nothing going on in life, I decided to go to my closest university. I had excellent grades because it was the only thing I had to do in my house, so I got in it pretty easily. I wanted to make new friends at the university as well, because most of my classmates avoided me because of my parents' status. So, I hid my last name from my peers and went to go socialize with my new classmates. Turns out that I was a novice when it came to making friends, because I had no social skills whatsoever. Pretty soon, my excitement for making new friends started to wear out. Before I knew it, I was back to my lifestyle of being a shut-in.
One day as I was heading to class, a rude male student decided that I would be his next target for his cheesy and boring pickup lines. I tried walking away as fast as I could, but he wouldn't stop pestering me and even tried to grab me. I ran away, but he was in hot pursuit. Suddenly, another man intervened in my assailant's path and shoved him over.
"Mind your own damn business if you know what's good for ya!" My assailant got back up from being knocked down by the stranger. "You know, I could say the same to you. Why are you bothering someone who wants no part in your shenanigans?" "Why, you…" With that being said, my assailant tried to tackle the stranger, but with a few swift and quick moves, the stranger pinned my assailant to the ground. "Now, get out of here, before I have to pin you again." My assailant scrambled away, cursing under his breath.
I turned to my hero after my attacker fled from the scene. He looked to be around my age, but that where our similarities end. He had a strong build and had a handsome face. High cheekbones, and a strong jaw with a little bit of stubble covered his chin. He stood with an air of authority to him, but his outfit defined him as a mere college student. And although his attitude seemed cocky and stoic, I could sense kindness but darkness in his expression.
"Are you alright, miss? He didn't do anything bad to you, did he?" The man looked at me with a concerned expression. He really likes showing his emotions through his face. "I am fine, thank you. What is your name, so I may properly thank you for your act of bravery?" The man then looked at me with a humorous expression. "What are you, a princess? I didn't save you from that dude because I wanted something from you. There are still people in the world that do good deeds because it's the right thing to do. What a sad world we live in if someone as pretty as yourself is offering payment right off the bat."
I was taken aback from his words. I didn't mean to sound like I was throwing money away for such a nice gesture. But when he put it like that, I couldn't see the words that I said to him seen any other way. "I-I'm sorry for putting it that way. Please excuse me." I felt my cheeks blushing from furious embarrassment and started walking swiftly away. However, the man that saved me intercepted me before I could go anywhere. "Hey, there's no need to be embarrassed! I've seen you around campus, and it looks like you just don't know what to say. How about this? Later today, I'll take you out on a lunch date. I'll teach you how to be as sociable as I am, and I'm pretty popular with everyone here. Deal?"
I was stunned. I was never approached like this to go anywhere with anyone. In fact, I was never invited to anywhere by anyone in the first place. The status of my parents prevented me from having any actual friends back in grade school. And now, I was being asked out on a date by a man whom I didn't know the name of! "Alright, fine. What's your name again? I never got to hear it." The man smiled at me and told me this, "Yamiyo Gengetsu, at your service."
After my classes, I called him to see where he was going to take me. "Don't worry, it'll be a fun surprise," he told me before abruptly hanging up. "Here's hoping that I won't get drugged in some dark alleyway." I quickly went back to my dorm and got dressed for the date. I was wearing a long yellow summer dress with matching flats. I also put my long black hair into a complex braid. When I walked outside of my dorm building, I was surprised to see him already standing there. I guess his "spying" led him to find out where I rest for the night. "You're really creepy, you know that?" "It may seem like it, but I would call it 'unwanted supervision'. Uh, you know what, scratch that. Let's just go." Yamiyo quickly turned away from me and hurriedly walked in the direction of the university café. I would have thought that he would have taken me somewhere more… distinguished. Then I remember that not everyone is as lucky to be born into wealth as I was. I ran after him to catch up and then headed to the café.
"You're probably wondering, 'Why is he taking me to a place like this? I deserve much more than this,' or 'I don't know what to order here! I've only been to 5-star restaurants!'" I got angry at his assumptions. "If you're going to assume things about me, I might as well just leave you here and go back to my dorm. I'm finding these things to be very hurtful." I started heading back, waiting for a response. It came. "I'm sorry for assuming things about you, Asahina. I know I'm not the best person in the world when it comes to social interactions. For some reason, I just had to talk to you. I know it sounds weird, but don't you feel it too?" The moment he said that, I realize that it's the same for me too. Ever since I encountered him when he saved me from my assailant, I felt a strange connection to him. Like I was supposed to meet him in my life, and that goal has been completed. I just don't know what to do now that goal is fulfilled.
"Yeah, I feel it too," I say timidly. "But now that I've met you, what now? Why does it feel like I had to meet you? What happens next?" I waited eagerly for his answer, but what he told me was not what I was expecting. "I don't know what will happen next, but what I do know is that I like you already."
I felt my cheeks instantly blushing and turned the opposite way, so I didn't have to look at him. I may not be an expert in love, but I'm pretty sure that you just don't go saying that to people that you just met on the first day! "W-what are you talking about? We've just met and now you're telling me this?" I looked at him in exasperation, but his face was on the verge of crying and laughing. "Y-you think… that I s-said that I l-love you?" With that last word, he fell to the ground laughing. "I-I ONLY MEANT LIKE A-AS I HAD A-AN INTEREST IN YOU! HAHAHAHAHA!" It took Yamiyo at least 3 minutes to recover from the ground. During those 3 minutes I ran back to my dorm and slammed the door shut. That's when I sat on the ground and cried.
A few days passed since the run-in with Yamiyo. During those few days I've cried at least 20 times. I can still feel the embarrassment and anger from that incident. I never wanted to see him again, so I became more of a shut-in. I only went out for my classes and for groceries. I avoided talking to people at all costs. I just didn't want to see him again after how he insulted my ignorance with his inappropriate reactions.
Around a week later, I heard a knock on my door. I wasn't expecting anyone, but I had a sinking suspicion on who might be outside my door. Sure enough, when I looked through the peeping hole on my door, there stood a hesitant Yamiyo. His expression today was one that looked apologetic, scared, downcast. On instinct, I opened the door, although I wished I hadn't.
"What do you want? Are you here to humiliate me again? Or are you here because you get a high off of making people feel bad?" I know what I said was hurtful and mean, but I didn't care at the moment. "I just wanted to say that truly sorry. The truth is, I'm not good with people either. Sure, I have friends, but I'm the funny one. The one who makes fun of the group and humiliates them for laughs. The one who jokes around in the most inappropriate of times and relieves the group of any stress. I'm the funny one because I'm scared to show who I really am inside. How much sorrow and hardship I've had to endure when I was little and how little compassion I was shown. I know this shouldn't be an excuse for my actions, and I'm not expecting you to forgive me either. I just wanted to let you know why I acted like that. I'll be on my way."
He started to walk out the door and almost got away. But my stupid self wanted to know more about him. About his stupid self. I wanted to comfort him from all of that emotion that Yamiyo has been building up inside of him. No one should face those hardships alone and yet he's been holding it for who knows how long.
"Wait." Yamiyo turned around and looked at me. His expression was now one of hope and expectancy. "Maybe we can still work things out. Hi, my name is Asahina Mitsuko. Nice to meet you."
I would never see someone smile that large ever again.
I met with Yamiyo every weekend after that, either going to the university cafe or going off campus to eat or just to have fun. He helped me break out of my social cocoon, and soon enough I started making more friends at the university. But I always made time for him. He told me his secrets and I told him mine. We did barely legal things at night, and we studied in the library the next day. I knew it was inevitable, but I fell for him every day that I saw him; more and more until my heart fluttered at the thought of him.
"Hey, Asahina?" I looked at Yamiyo while hanging out in his dorm room one day. I was allowed in there as long as the sun was out, and it was early afternoon. "What's up? Are we going to go somewhere?" "Do you want to be… official? Like boyfriend and girlfriend official?" "Hmm, let me think about it." I got off of the couch that I was laying and circled the armchair that Yamiyo was sitting in. Suddenly, I hugged him from behind and whispered, "Of course I do."
I lied about earlier. Somehow Yamiyo smiled a bigger smile from when I gave him a second chance. But this time, his smile made me smile just as wide.
A few months passed and soon, the first year of university had ended. I couldn't be happier. Not because of all the work I had to for my perfect grades again, but so that I could see Yamiyo every day. After a few days after graduation, I took him straight to my house and introduced him to my parents. I had told them to come home to meet the love of my life. When we got to my house, everything was going smoothly between Yamiyo and my parents. He shook my father's and mother's hands and showed the utmost respect to them and displayed the best manners. I was glad that he remembered everything that I taught him about being civil.
Suddenly, my father called Yamiyo to the other room. I gave him an apologetic look while his face showed mock fear. When I was left alone with my mother, she suddenly went to hug me. "M-Mother! What's all this about?" She pulled away and looked at me with a look of pure happiness and pride. "Asahina, I'm so happy and proud of you. I'm sorry that your father and I couldn't be there for most of your life. We were scared of how you were going to turn out as an adult. After all, we didn't prepare you for the real world. But when you applied for university, we were secretly hoping for an opportunity like this to happen. And, lo and behold, you found yourself such a charming young man. I wish you both eternal happiness."
I blush from Mother's heartfelt speech. "Oh, come on, Mother. It's not like I'm going to get married to him. I've only been with him for a few months. Although… I wouldn't mind."
What was I thinking?! I can't be thinking about marriage after just a few months of dating. But the more I thought about it, the giddier I got.
Mother looked at me with a surprised expression at first, but then her face shifted to an expression of pure joy. "As long as you feel like he's the one, I could care less about how long you two have been together. When Yamiyo stepped foot into the house, I was sure that this young man was treating you right and you were happy with him. I'm so happy for you, Hinahina." I was immediately transported back to when I was 4 years old, when Mother sang me to sleep calmed me down with that nickname. I quickly rushed back into her arms and hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Mother. For everything."
The next few years of my life were amazing. Yamiyo and I continued to go out on dates and our love grew with each kiss and hug. Then, on the four-year anniversary of the day that we met, he finally asked me the big question.
"Asahina Mitsuko, you have made me so happy these last four years. I want to continue that happiness for the rest of our lives." He then got down on one knee and pulled out a tiny velvet box and opened it. "Will you marry me?" I did as any girl would in that situation. Jump, scream, cry, hug my lover, etc. "Yes! Yes, I will!"
A few months later, I became the wife of Yamiyo Gengetsu, and at the age of 23 I couldn't be happier.
However, all good things must come to an end.
One day as Yamiyo and I went out on a date in the evening, the setting was perfect. Not too warm or too chilly, and we went to a quieter side of Tokyo. We had a splendid time together. As we were walking back, however, the ambient sounds of the bustling city were interrupted by the loud roar of a car engine.
Suddenly, a car appeared from around the corner and drove on the sidewalk that Yamiyo and I were walking on. The driver and his companion appeared drunk, but that didn't matter. What did matter was what Yamiyo did to save my life. He pushed me out of the way before facing the headlights head on. "YAMIYO!" I cried. He turned to look at me one last time and gave me an apologetic smile before getting hit with the car.
Nine hours later, Yamiyo Gengetsu was pronounced dead.
For the next few weeks, I couldn't think straight. I fell into a dark hole that I couldn't crawl out. I called his name deliriously, tried to reach for an image that wasn't really there. I cried myself to sleep every night. I threw up everything I ate. I didn't want to think anymore. I didn't want to think. I didn't want to be here. I wanted to see Yamiyo again. Please, just let me see him again.
I wanted to see him again.
Eventually, I got better. But I was never the same after Yamiyo's death. I went back to my introverted self. I talked with people, but I never made any more friends. The friends I already had gave me condolences, but I grew distant from them. I even grew distant from my own parents and caretakers, only contacting them when it was the holidays or needed favors from them. I knew I couldn't keep living like this, so I went to search for any occupations. Soon, I acquired a job as a caretaker myself at a children's daycare.
Being around children gave me a purpose in life again. I helped the kids learn lots of things and they always looked so excited to learn. It always put a smile on my face to see the beaming faces of all the children whose lives I've helped shape. It was like having my own family, and I treated each child as if they were my own. Although, I would have liked a child myself before Yamiyo had to go.
One day, I took the kids on their monthly field trip. One child, Mitsuo, was always wandering around where he wasn't supposed to. This time, Mitsuo wandered to a construction site where workers were installing lights inside of a new building. He went straight into the construction site and started running around. "Mitsuo! Come back here at once!" I ran after him after I left the other kids with the other caretaker.
Mitsuo ran underneath the fluorescent lights like he was the quarterback of an American football team. Those lights looked heavy, with two fluorescent light bars beside each other and each light encased in a metal brace. "Mitsuo! Please come back here!" Suddenly, one of the lights flickered off and started to shower sparks. That light was located right above Mitsuo's head and he just stood there in awe at the sparks falling around him. "Move!" I yell before I shove him out of the way as the light gives out and falls down onto my back. The fluorescent bar that was next to the light that fell also started to give way before crashing down onto me, placing me underneath even more weight and causing me even more pain. The first light was still hot from being on, so its burning surface burned me as well. I felt my back blister and bleed from the heavy light that fell on me. When the second light fell, it fell directly on my head and I heard a sickening crunch.
"G-go. G-get help." I tell Mitsuo weakly. He ran as fast as he could to the rest of the group. As I laid there, my vision started to get darker and darker. I wasn't going to make it. At least I could see Yamiyo again…
"Y-Yamiyo. I'm coming f-for you."
"So, you are in need of salvation, is that correct?" I opened my eyes and looked up weakly. In front of me stood a figure that seemed to be made out of pure light. The figure looked humanoid, but it was definitely not a human. The worst part about the figure is that there was no face for me to read.
"What are y-you?" "If you so desire, I shall grant you another chance at life. However, your new life will come at a cost. Serve me, and I shall save your life. You have deemed yourself worthy enough to become my warrior after saving someone else's life." I nodded weakly to the figure before my eyes only saw black.
My eyes fly open as I sit up in my bed. I'm back in my bedroom and the sky outside was dark with a bright moon. The clock on my nightstand read a little after midnight. I shouldn't be here, I thought to myself. I should be dead. The last memory I had was me slowly dying from being crushed underneath fluorescent lights. "My head, ugh. What happened?" I then remember the figure made out of light and telling me that it could save me. Suddenly, that same light that appeared in front of me appeared right beside me until the light turned into that humanoid figure again.
"I saved your life, now your life serves me." it said. I was at a loss for words, but quickly regained my composure. "If you saved me, how am I supposed to serve you?" "Straight to the point, I see. I find that trait admirable. But in order to understand what you have to do; I can only show you. Are you ready?" I wasn't ready, but I nodded my head anyways. The pillar of light shot a beam to my forehead, and everything became clear to me. How I was part of a duo that ruled the earth and space, and how that power was jeopardized by fire and water.
"You will not work for free. If you are successful in you endeavors, you will be granted a wish of any of your desires. This wish has no boundaries except that you cannot ask for more wishes." I could wish for anything? Anything at all? My mind raced to when I was the happiest. I was smiling, laughing, sociable, loving. But it was all thanks to Yamiyo that I was like that. I wanted to see him again. I have the chance to do just that.
"I get what you're going for here. You can't fight the other elements yourself, so you're having a human fight for you. I'll do it, if it means I get that chance to wish." When I finished speaking, a second pillar of light appeared and disappeared just as quickly, leaving behind a strange device and a card. The card had a picture of a prancing unicorn and in the corners where there would be a symbol for a playing card spelled the word "JOKER". The device beside the card looked like a belt buckle. It looked like a Kamen Rider belt, from the television that plays for the kids at the daycare. "So, I'm supposed to become a Kamen Rider."
"Good, you know what that is. From now on, your alias will be Kamen Rider Halo. In a few days' time, you will meet up with your partner to protect the status of the order of the true elements. That partner will be the Rider of Darkness." Sounds scary, but then again, I'm supposed to be dead. The name didn't bother me that much. "Alright, I get the gist of it. Protect the status of the ruling elements. They'll be four other elements that will be after that status. The Rider of Darkness and I will be there to fight and kill them before that happens. Is that right?" "Good, you understand. I'll leave you be, then. By the way, my name is Lucia"
Sure enough, Lucia kept its word and I met with the Rider of Darkness a few days later. The time between the meeting with Lucia and the meeting with the Rider of Darkness I had already taught myself how to transform with the belt and use the JOKER card to an acceptable potential. My armor was white with accents of gold and black. The chest plate was molded to look like feathers, and I had a long white cape, also with gold accents. The helmet gave me white crystalline bug eyes that were accented with 3 gold lines that ran across said eyes, like a visor. A spear/rapier hybrid weapon hung by my side when I was in my transformed state.
When I met the Rider of Darkness, I could see that he lived up to his title. His suit was similar to mine, except his was black with gold and white accents. His cape was in tatters and his chest plate was molded to look like the crying souls of the damned. His weapon was a crown that on top of his helmet that also doubled as a shield when he took it off and flattened it. "It is nice to meet you, Rider of Light. I am the Rider of Darkness, Kamen Rider Nero. Let us do our best to crush the others beneath our feet." His tone was murderous and empty, but his voice was elegant for someone who was the Rider of Darkness. If I was going to kill, I had to sound like I meant business as well.
"A pleasure to meet you, Kamen Rider Nero. Now, shall we start our hunt?"
Asahina: Alright, Nero. It's your turn. Better hurry up before those boys come back.
Kamen Rider Nero: I know, I know. I must admit, I'm a little curious. I wish I knew what you spoke.
Asahina: You know what we agreed on. Now, hurry up. We don't have much time left. I went to my limit down to the last minute. I expect you to do the same.
Kamen Rider Nero: Guess I'm up. Prepare yourself, listeners. I will bare my true side to you.