I decided to make this a Hibiki x Oc fanfic, given how the story is progressing and how I'm writing Hajime to be. Of course, there will be more pairings among other characters so the other girls will get their time too. Not harem.

Chapter 6
Battle Wounds

A lone girl sat on her small place in the middle of a part on top of a blanket, waiting for the time for the meteor shower to start. Wherever she looked, everyone enjoyed the scene and celebrated with their friends. No one was alone. Except her.

Miku stared down at the home screen of her phone with the message last sent by Hibiki after she called her a dozen times.

"Sorry! Someone got hurt and it's really bad! We had to take them to the hospital!"

With a sigh, the girl put the phone away. She couldn't be mad a Hibiki. Ever since they were young, she showed great interest in helping those in need, so helping someone who just got hurt wasn't out of character for her. But still, she wished her friend would be here with her today. That was the wish she made as she gently closed her eyes.

"A beautiful night, isn't it?"

She perked up at the voice of a male and turned to the source. A young man of medium height and slender complexion stood beside her with one hand on his hip. He had hot pink eyes, and his blonde hair was in an undercut style which was pushed back. He had a gold earring on his left earlobe and a burnt mark on the left side of his face, above his left eye and going down his cheek. He was wearing loose black-colored pants and a navy blue jacket, which he wore over a black jacket lined with white fur on its hood. He also wore black sneakers with laces and white soles.

"It is," Miku admitted with a nod, entranced by the young man in question. For some reason, he felt familiar to her.

"Ah, my apologies. I was just thinking aloud." He quickly gave her a respectful bow."I was just walking around and I noticed you were all by yourself. Don't get me wrong. I'm not here to pick up girls or anything as some people would think. But I am quite intrigued to see another person like me here."

"Like you?" Miku quirked a brow at his phrasing."Aren't you here with your friends?"

"Friends." The young man in question chuckles at that."I'm sorry for being rude and not introducing myself first. My name is Hazuki Kaburagi. But feel free to call me Haz."

"Haz-kun." Miku tried out the name a couple of times."My name is Miku Kohinata, but you can call me Miku."

"Miku-chan it is." He offered a kind smile."A pleasure to meet you. So, Miku-chan. If you don't mind me asking, why so lonely on a night like this?"

"Well...my friend got caught up in a mess, you see. Someone got hurt at her job and she offered to help. So most likely she won't make it."

"I see." Hazuki nodded in understanding."Your friend sounds like a wonderful person. It's not easy to put others, particularly strangers, before you. I hope you don't think any less of that friend of yours for that."

"I could never." Miku shook her head fondly."That's just the way Hibiki is. I couldn't force her to change for my sake. And what about you, Haz-kun? Why are you by yourself?"

"That's an easy one." Hazuki glanced at the sky with a small smile."I don't have anyone to be here with. No friends, no family no nothing."

"No friends...and no family?" Miku frowned at that."What do you mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like." Hazuki sighed, fidgeting on his feet."I don't mean to bore you with my life story or anything like that, but I am an orphan. And well...most kids my age don't take kindly to others without a family. They think we're less than them for that. Well...I kind of see their point."

"But that's wrong." Miku said, causing him to flinch."You are a person like everyone else. No one deserves to be treated that way for something they couldn't control. You are special in your own way."

"Perhaps." Hazuki muttered, slightly moved by her words."Anyway, sorry about that. I didn't mean to vent. If you don't mind, would it be okay if I stay here for a bit? At least until your friend shows up."

"Sure." Miku said with a warm smile."You can sit next to me."

"I appreciate it, Miku-chan." Hazuki gladly took up on the offer, taking a seat on the blanket as both teens stared at the sky."It's refreshing to meet someone who doesn't know me."

"Are you some sort of celebrity?" Miku inquired, curious.

"In a way." Hazuki chuckled in amusement."I was in a few ads for soda commercials. But I am trying to kick it off as a male idol. It's a little hard due to my background, but they do say my looks could potentially compensate."

"Oh, you want to become an idol?" Miku's face brightened, becoming almost blinding for the young man."That's so exciting. I would love to hear you sing. I know. Maybe we could do a collaboration?"

"Collaboration? Do you sing too, Miku-chan?"

"I do, but I mostly focus on playing the piano."

Hazuki considered her offer for a bit before nodding."Sounds great. But we'll have to see though because my songs tend to be a bit...lacking in energy, for lack of a better word. I don't know if a girl like you would be into them."

As Miku opened her mouth to reply, the meteor shower began to unfold, catching their attention. Everyone marbled at the scene and some took pictures or videos to commemorate the moment.

Hazuki found himself closing his eyes, making a wish."This is a wonderful world we live in."

"It is." Miku made a wish of her own."It's the only one we have, after all. And the people around us make it better, don't they?"

"I wonder about that." Hazuki raised his hand, attempting to reach one of the meteors in his head."I think the world isn't perfect just yet. It's missing something."

"Something?"

"Never mind. I'm just rambling." Hazuki dismissed the thought. They continued enjoying the show, enjoying each other's company.

Back at HQ, in the hospital ward, everyone had gathered to await for news about Tsubasa's condition. Yosuke stood outside the waiting room, patiently waiting for the Commander to relay the news. Goro stood by the doorframe, his nows darting to Hibiki and Hajime who were inside the small waiting room, silent as statues.

"Yosuke-senpai, I-"

"I'm such a damn disappointment." Yosuke rubbed the edge of his nose."I can't believe this is happening...because I wasn't able to react to the situation accordingly."

"We did all we could." Goro insisted, his voice low."The enemy proved to be tough. Tougher than we thought. And I...I didn't even fight..."

"Right." Yosuke scoffed with a cruel smile."You not only failed to deliver our surprise attack but you begged him for your life instead of fighting. You even called for...for...Akira?!"

"I know! And I'm deeply sorry for-"

"You're lucky he even gave you the opportunity for Ryu-kid to save you." Yosuke continued, his blood boiling and his emotions running wild."Why is it that when we need you the most, you don't come through? Don't give me the excuse of your deck being the "weakest" as you say. The deck doesn't matter. The person does. And the fact that you never made any progress is just what-" Yosuke stopped himself, shaking like a leaf.

Goro lowered his head in shame, his self-esteem plummeting with each word.

"Why is it that you never got better? That you're stuck at rock bottom? Even Ryu-kid is getting ahead of you and he's brand new!" Yosuke rose his voice, alerting Genjuro who was nearby."Akira counted on me and now he's gone! Dead! Why can't I count on you the same way?!"

"That's enough." Genjuro quickly intervened, grabbing Yosuke's arm. Hibiki and Hajime sighed in relief, peaking out the door to see what was going on."Calm down, Yosuke. He's not the one to blame for this."

"But Tsuba-"

"Tsubasa will recover." Genjuro finally released his arm. His words earned a sigh of relief from everyone, Yosuke included."She's strong. And so are the 2 of you. Come, take a walk with me to cool off."

Yosuke, still in shock over the words, was pulled along by Genjuro.

"You went too far with Goro." Genjuro began, and Yosuke had calmed down enough to agree."From what you told me, a new Rider showed up and made quick work of you 3. He has abilities that none of you does."

"Right. He has Shoot Vents and his Advent Monster is insanely powerful." Yosuke begrudgingly admitted."I know it's not Goro's fault...that I'm just looking for someone to blame because I...I don't want to accept not being up to standard. Akira's standard."

Both males stopped in front of an elevator, pressing the button to call it to their floor."Commander...why did you appoint me as the Rider Unit leader? I don't have what it takes to be a leader. Look at me, my knees gave up on me when Zolda pulled out that Final Vent. I thought it was the end...but that boy." He recalled Ryuki knocking Magnugiga down with his own Final Vent.

"Like hell, we'll give up!" Ryuki declared, prepared to keep on fighting. And for that split second, Yosuke could have sworn that Akira was in front of him. His confidence, his unyielding determination, and his ability to stand up regardless of the circumstances.

"He reminded me of Akira...Akira would have done the very same if he were here instead."

"Honestly, he kind of reminds me of him when he was a little younger, right after he joined." Genjure reminisced of the past with a longing smile."He was stubborn as hell but always willing to stand up for what he believed. Same as Hajiime-kun. That's why he stood up to you and Tsubasa for Hibiki-kun. Though I'm against his current attitude, I believe he will grow and improve as a person over time. He is just 15 after all, freshly turned too. But I think he did that because he looks up to you. They both do."

"Both...?"

The elevator finally opened, and they both walked inside."Goro tries his hardest and Hajime does what he can. They're both rough around the edges, but that's why they need a guide like yourself. Akira taught you everything he knew. They need a leader, a capable one. One that can assure they survive and get back home safely. But for them to listen to you, you have to give them the respect that you want to receive."

"I understand respecting Goro, but Ryu-kid?" Yosuke sneered at his name."He thinks of this as just a stupid game. Like we're not putting our lives on the line every day. And now with the rogue Riders popping everywhere, we're in even greater danger. He will never change. He's just a selfish kid with a sense of grandeur."

"Yosuke, remember how I said I looked into his background?" Genjuro eyed the teen."It's not my place to tell you this, but I need you to understand where he's coming from."

Genjuro proceeded to speak and each sentence made Yosuke's eyes widen and his jaw dropped.

Back in the waiting room, Hibiki and Hajime sat in silence. The night they just went through too much for them to process.

"You guys fought another Rider, right?" Hibiki asked, her gaze on the floor.

"Yeah." Hajime idly responded.

"How...how did you do it?" Hibiki met his gaze, frowning."How did you fight another human like that?"

"Same way you and Tsubasa did, I imagine." Hajime responded, his expression not changing in the slightest."I don't want to die. Plus, he attacked me."

"That girl attacked us too. And she said she was after me." Hibiki hugged herself, trembling."It's my fault Tsubasa-san is in critical condition. If only...I had the same guts as you to fight...maybe I could have helped her. But instead...I got captured by the Noise and she..."

"You're not like me." Hajime sat closer to her, setting both feet on the coffee table in front of them."And that's good. I don't want anyone to be like me. I just fight on instinct. It wasn't my first time fighting a person, you know? Like I said before, I've always been a problematic kid. Got into tons of fights because of my own, dumb pride. And now? Now when I'm part of fights that actually matter? I'm still just a kid. I don't like Yagami, but he's the more skilled out of all of us next to Tsubasa. I...I hate myself because it makes my blood boil with excitement. That fight with Zolda...and my fight with Kazanari-san and Yagami...I can't help but want to fight. I'm not a good person."

"No, you're wrong." Hibiki quickly interjected."I know you are."

"I'm not." Hajime's expression morphed into a small smile thanks to her compliment."I'm not doing this out for some righteous reason. I'm not like you, who wants to protect every person you come across. I want to protect my grandmother and my sister. And I want my boring life to have some spice in it. That's far from what a hero of justice should have as a motivation. It's selfish. Maybe Yagami is right. Maybe I'm the last person who should have this power. But not you."

Hajime stood up, walking in front of Hibiki and kneeling in front of her to her level."You deserve that power because your intentions are pure. And you mean what you say. Honestly, I never met a more selfless person in my life."

"But it's because of that that I couldn't help Tsubasa-san." Hibiki shook her head."Maybe you were right...maybe one day my own kindness will get me in deep trouble..."

Hajime opened his mouth to retort, but he didn't know what to say. He had run out of things to say and frankly, he didn't feel like he was the one qualified enough to give pep talks. So he sat next to her, folding his arms and looking off to the side.

A newcomer entered the room, a young man in a suit that was all too familiar to them.

"Ogawa-san?" Hibiki stared at the man's back as he proceeded to buy something from the vending machine."What do you guys want to drink? My treat."

"Water is fine," Hibiki said.

"You got any iced tea?" Hajime gave his preference and Ogawa got them what they ordered. Once everyone had their drinks, Ogawa sat in the opposite seat of them.

"I apologize for eavesdropping." Ogawa began, offering a sympathetic smile."But I wanted to hear your guys' opinion on the matter. And now that I know how you feel, I'm ready to tell you why you're wrong."

Screams of pain echoed through the mansion that served as housing for Chris and Takeru. The bull-themed Rider practically ran from his room over to the dining area where he knew Chris had gone.

'No matter what you do, don't come here.' Chris had told him when they came back after their failed mission. Thanks to that Symphogear's Superb Song, she was in the rough state as was he due to the shockwave of the attack reaching him when he came to her aid.'Fine wants to talk to me alone.'

"You can't be serious. You know she doesn't merely want to talk." Takeru had insisted, worried about her."I was also part of that mission and I failed to kill a single Rider. This is my fault as much as it is yours. Let me go instead."

"Takeru, for fuck's sake! Listen to me!" Chris grabbed him by the shoulders. Due to the height difference, she reached up to his chest and had to get on her tippy toes."Just listen! And stay in your room! I was the one who was supposed to capture that girl. I was the one who failed the main objective. So stop being so damn annoying and stay out of this! We can't screw this chance we have!"

"I'm sorry, Chrissy." Takeru bit his lower lip so hard he managed to draw blood. He took out his Zolda Deck, transforming immediately."But I can't hear you suffer anymore!"

Once he reached the dining hall, he kicked the door open with all his might, nearly breaking the doors down. His eyes landed on Chris, who was wearing an outfit that belonged revealed too much for any woman to wear. She was strung to a machine that had been electrocuting her for God knows how long. And in front of her, massaging her face, was Fine.

"Takeru." Fine's cold voice reached his ears. The woman glanced over her shoulder, her eyes not showing any sort of shock or surprise by him barging in."I thought you were asked to stay in your room."

"What the fuck are you doing to her, you crazy bitch?!" Zolda pulled out his visor, aiming at her head.

"Takeru, don't!" Chris exclaimed despite the pain she was in."You dumbass! I told you to stay back!"

"Punish me instead!" Zolda sneered, his arms shaking at the glare Fine gave him."I told you I was the one who fucked up! Chris did nothing wrong! We didn't know that suicidal broad would try to kill herself!"

"And yet, I am punishing you, Takeru. You just don't realize it yet." Fine finally faced him, and despite being bare, Takeru didn't grow flustered. He continued aiming at her, ready to shoot at any moment."Look what your failure is making me do. Had you only accomplished even one of your objectives, this wouldn't be happening. I believe I was more than clear when I said failure comes at a price."

"But...but...we're loyal to you!" Zolda argued."Chris has complete faith in you!"

"Why are you making such a fuss now?" Fine's words caused his heart to nearly stop."This has happened countless times before. You just weren't aware. Chris kept quiet, isn't that right, dear? Pain is what truly connects human hearts. That's why both of you are so close to each other. Because you felt the same pain. And will continue to suffer for it."

Chris hung her head, not wanting for Takeru to see her in that state.

"Stand down, Takeru. Be a good boy and put that gun down." Fine smiled cruelly."You both are important to me. Way more than you think."

"You...you fucking bastard!" Zolda took a step forward, prepared to throw everything away by ending this now.

"TAKERU, STOP!"

Sword Vent: Venomsaber
ATK: 3000

Zolda failed to see the attack coming and was struck across the chest by a blade. The culprit was a figure dressed in a pitch-black bodysuit and purple armor and a helmet in the shape of a cobra.

"W-what the..." Zolda was taken back, grabbing his chest in pain at the surprise attack.

"Sorry. You walked straight into my sword." The masked man shook his head, tapping his sword.

"Who...is that?" Chris couldn't believe her eyes. There was another Kamen Rider and she hadn't even seen him in the room at all. Where had he come from?

"That's Kamen Rider Ouja." Fine supplied, one hand resting on her hip."I knew you would fail your mission, so I hired him, an assassin, for extra help. He'll be lending you a hand from now on."

"An assassin?" Chris echoed, her worries growing when she saw him get closer to Zolda."Wait, what is he-"

"They say pain is the best teacher." Ouja drawled, stomping on Zolda's leg, earning a scream."Let's see how true that is." Ouja began to violently assault Zolda, striking him with his sword as if he were a child breaking a toy in his hand. With every strike came a new agonizing scream from Takeru, who was unable to respond to the attack.

"No, stop!" Chris cried, trying to fruitlessly break from her binds."Stop him, Fine!"

Fine didn't acknowledge her and continued staring with a sadistic smile as Ouja continued with his assault. He switched from kicking to using his sword now and then and even kicked Zolda's head a few times.

"PLEASE! LEAVE HIM ALONE! PLEASE!" Chris continued begging, watching her friend get beat into a bloody pulp. He had stopped moving, and his body was being thrown around like a ragdoll."TAKERU! TAKERU!"

"You would never leave my side, would you, Chris?" Fine addressed her."You will both continue to serve me? No questions asked? You belong here. Where else but here would you be able to go? The world rejected you and you have no place to call home but here. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, I understand! We will never leave your side! We won't run and we'll do what you say! Just please stop him!"

"Okay. That's a good girl." Fine shifted her gaze to Ouja."That's enough."

Ouja halted, the point of his sword stopping mere inches from impaling Zolda's stomach."I was wondering if you'd tell me to stop. You did say I was to teach him a lesson, not kill him."

"You seemed to be enjoying yourself." Fine reasoned, chuckling."I couldn't take that away from you. I am paying you a hefty amount plus housing, after all. This is no small task."

"And yet, it's significantly harder to avoid killing, giving my profession." Ouja dematerialized his sword, watching as Zolda's armor vanished, revealing a bloody and beat-up Takeru. Smirking at his work, Ouja inspected him and took note of the broken arm he had given him, twisted unnaturally to the point one could almost see bone-breaking the skin."You should probably have him checked out. I did kick his head a few times. He'll probably get a concussion or at worse, brain damage. Or die"

"Very well. Your punishment is up, Chris my dear." Fine grabbed a remote, pressing a few buttons as Chris' binds became undone. The poor girl stumbled over to Takeru, not caring how she was dressed and the presence of the perpetrator nearby, eyeing her like a snake would eye its prey."Take him to the infirmary. And be quick about it. Ouja is indeed with us, but he wants his wish granted. If Takeru dies, I lose that chance."

"Yes, ma'am..." Chris obeyed, helping Takeru, who appeared to be delirious, and escorted him out of the room."Please...please don't die, Takeru...don't leave me all alone..."

Ouja took the opportunity that they were gone to undo his transformation. Under his Rider form, he was a tall man with a slim complex and fair skin. He had jet black hair slicked back and was wearing black pants, brown combat boots, and a white shirt underneath a brown leather jacket that he kept opened up along with a pair of black gloves. His visor, the Venovisor, had turned into a black cane that he used to walk.

"Very astute of you. To not only inflict physical pain but also mental. To make sure they stay loyal to you. Since you have that girl wrapped around your finger, that guy stays because he's emotionally invested in the girl. You are a one-of-a-kind client, I'll give you that."

"I appreciate the compliment from the great assassin Code Cypher." Fine walked over to her dining table, grabbed her coat, and put it on."But this is nothing compared to what they have been through. If anything, I am being nice."

"You can drop the act around me." Cypher scoffed, shifting his feet so he could face her. His face was rather child-like and a bit feminine but his eyes were completely empty as if he had no soul despite the smile he had on his face."I heard this little "I'm doing the greater good by exploiting the weak" speech so really often that I tone it down. Every leader or tyrannical figure or cult leader I met all think they're doing things for a righteous reason. All of them have a set idea of how they want the world to be. But unfortunately, no one has shown the resolve for it."

"What do you mean by resolve?" Fine took a seat in front of the dining table."By the way, feel free to help yourself. Chris and Takeru won't be joining me for lunch but you can."

"I get food as well? You are a very kind client." Cypher mused, humoring her by sitting across the table in opposite direction."Back to what I was saying. What are one's actions without resolve? And what's a resolve without emotion? You see, I was raised to be a killer since I was a child. A cold killer ready to ruin a life and those around them without remorse. Without emotion. A hollow puppet for the highest bidder."

"But unlike a puppet, you don't have a particular puppeteer stringing you along." Fine pointed out."In fact, to me, it seems that you purposely do it. And I take it that's not for financial reasons, is it?"

"You have a good intellect." Cypher leaned back on his seat, hands behind his back."I take any kind of job, even ones that make me go undercover. I've worked as a doctor assistant, bookstore clerk, fast food, and janitor. The list goes on and on. I thought that maybe I would find something that would light my heart. Make me feel something. But no matter what I tried, I always felt nothing. Empty. While those around me lived. Even those blissfully unaware of their soon-to-be killer being nearby."

Kamen Rider Ouja took out his deck, playing around with it in his hand."I don't even feel anything when I kill."

"So you wish to feel emotion?" Fine inquired, intrigued by his story."Is that why you're in the Rider War? To wish to feel human emotion?"

"Ah. That would be too boring. Too simple." He argued, shaking his head."I want to experience raw, unattended human emotions by myself. See what makes people who they are."

"For an assassin, you're quite an open book. I always thought assassins were cold-blooded killers who never spoke about themselves." Fine remarked."Why is human emotion so important to you? I would figure it's a hindrance, wouldn't you agree?"

"That's the stereotype I grew up with." Cypher groaned upon recalling his early childhood."My mentor was that kind of guy. Never allowed unnecessary talk. Never allow me to express how I felt. Now I want to try something new. Try what I've been missing all those years. That's why human emotion is important. I want to explore it and one day feel it. Because to me, anyone is capable of existing. But not everyone is capable of living. A true alive human is one with emotions and a purpose. And seeing as how I feel no emotion, I'm no different than a corpse. I'm dead in life."

"So that's why you meant by resolve." Fine began connecting the dots, a smile forming on her lips."Someone with the resolve to pursue their goals, motivated by nothing but emotion."

"That's correct." Cypher confirmed."I'll have to see in which spectrum you lie. But for now, I yearn to see the day when I can see the strongest emotion for the strongest desire, aimed directly at the strongest goal. Oh, and you're wrong about what you said earlier?"

Fine quirked a brow, curious to know what he meant.

"Pain doesn't foster understanding." He took out a card from his deck, showing his Final Vent."True human understanding is impossible. Mere human illusion. Humans only know violence. And that's all we'll ever know."

Ogawa finished telling the story of Tsubasa and Yosuke's past traumas after their battle at Zwei Wing's final concert. Hibiki was the first one to burst into tears, guilty of having declared she would replace Kanade. Hajime crossed his arms, turning his head away to avoid his face being seen.

"So that's how it is." Hajime covered his mouth, sniffling."That's why they act the way that they do. They're trying...to cope with that sorrow, right?"

"And here we are, trying to replace their lost friends." Hibiki cried silently."We're so cruel..."

"I don't think you are." Ogawa soothed, feeling guilty for making them cry."No one expects you to replace Kanade and Akira. No one believes so and you shouldn't either. You 2 are your own person separate from them. What you should focus on is becoming part of the group in your own way. That way-"

"I always knew it was getting to him, but I kept pushing his buttons." Hajime hung his head, grabbing it with his hands."Every time I recklessly went into danger, he probably thought of Akira dying again. But when I disobeyed him, he would come back to his senses. And Tsubasa-san...I made her mad and fought her, knowing full well I was wrong. I've been in their shoes."

"Hajime-kun?"

"My dad ditched us when my sister, Setsuna, was born. Ever since then, it was just us and our grandmother. We lived happily together and they provided all the love they could to both of us. Mom...she worked tirelessly to provide for us. But years later, sickness took our mom away just like that. I grew so upset and blamed the world. Everybody. I grew distant and short-fused. I drove everyone close to me away because I couldn't accept her being dead. My grandma and sister were the only people who never gave up on me and pulled me out of that dark hole. I started going to a psychologist and got medication prescribed to help me suppress those painful memories and emotions. But the damage was done."

Hajime wept, unable to contain his tears any longer."And despite that, I tried to blame it all on Kazanari-san and Yagami. Saying that they had no right to snap at people that way just because they were grieving. But all I was doing was projecting myself onto them as if I was telling myself from the past to not make that mistake. But...no matter what I do, that will never go away. This is why I told you, Hibiki-san, I'm not a good person. I'm...I'm just like my fucking dad. Ignoring all my responsibilities and thinking only of myself. I-"

Before another word escaped his mouth, Hibiki engulfed him in a big hug. His eyes widened at the affection, but a hand running through his hair soothed him, calming his nerves.

"It's okay. You're perfect just the way you are." Hibiki uttered words of encouragement."You aren't a bad person to me."

"You both are young. You still have plenty ahead of you." Ogawa said."We don't have to let our bad traits define us, Hajime-kun. I don't believe you're in this just because of the thrill, right? You have a wish. That's why you're a Kamen Rider. People like you, Tsubasa, Goro, and Yosuke can understand each other more than the rest of us. Because you carry that heavy responsibility on your shoulders. But you don't have to carry that alone."

Hajime's arms rubbed Hibiki's back, reciprocating the action."Yeah...We're all in this together, right? We'll do it. We'll help Yagami and Kazanari-san. I'll try not to be much of a pain anymore."

"That's plenty." Ogawa smiled, trusting that their relationship with their seniors would get better."I have to go talk to Goro. It's been a tough day for him too."

"Please tell him if he needs to talk, we're here for him," Hibiki told him, earning a thumbs up from Ogawa before he disappeared.

Hibiki and Hajime pulled back, fidgeting awkwardly after realizing what they had done.

"Thanks. I needed that." Hajime rubbed the back of his neck."Don't have many friends other than one, so this is new to me."

"It's okay. Anyone can use a hug." Hibiki chuckled."I...understand how you feel. About your dad. I also have an absent father, so I can relate to you that way. My dad...ran away after I survived the Zwei Wing concert attack. I guess the pressure got to him. I survived that day. The only person. People blamed me for that, saying that I should have died with the rest and that all that government money was a waste on someone like me. It was a difficult time for my family. My dad...I don't even want to call him that. It feels weird. He ran away when we needed him the most."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Hajime placed a hand over hers, gently rubbing it."I guess compared to you, my being an outcast is a joke. I was just an angry kid. But you were glared upon because of something out of your control. And to think your dad left you for that."

Hibiki flipped her hand, squeezing Hajime's."Do you...hate your dad?"

"Yeah." Hajime didn't miss a beat, his face showing no emotion."Maybe if he was there...we could have done something about my mom. Maybe he could have taken care of her or gotten the money we needed for her treatment. Wherever he is, I hope he's miserable and one day rots in the depths of hell."

Hajime frowned, his eyes narrowing as he stared into space."Sorry...You've been hearing me say a lot of mean things lately. I hope you don't think I'm...you know."

"No, I understand where you're coming from." She gently reassured him."I wouldn't say I hate my dad per se. I just...I don't know how to feel. But I'd rather not see him."

The raven-haired teen snorted, ruffling his hair. He reached for his iced tea and held it in front of Hibiki."A toast for those in the deadbeat dad club."

Holding her giggles, Hibiki grabbed her water bottle as they tossed."Oh, gosh! I just remembered! It's pretty late."

"Almost 12." Hajime clarified, tapping on his phone."Mind if I walk you to your dorm? Good thing you live like right here."

"But what about you?" Hibiki asked in concern."The trains stop working at this hour."

"Meh, it's fine. I need to clear my head a bit anyway and I live about 10 minutes away from here walking." Hajime dismissed the thought. They both headed outside the facility, receiving a message from Genjuro, wishing them good night and telling them to come tomorrow after school for a debriefing.

"Probably want to know more information about Zolda." Hajime deduced."As well as what we'll be doing now since Kazanari-san is in no condition to fight."

"And that girl too. The one with the Neshutan Armor. She was controlling all the Noise."

"Don't take it personally, but I made a promise to a friend." Hajime recited Zolda's words from their battle with him, receiving a confused look from Hibiki."And unless you die and I get closer to my wish, she'll suffer for the rest of her life. That's what Zolda said. And if that girl you fought is in cahoots with him, I wonder..."

"Do you think she's his friend?" Hibiki furrowed her brow."Do you think she's the one that's suffering? What could that mean? She looked...the opposite of suffering. As if she enjoyed feeling the power she wielded."

"It's too soon to tell. But Zolda, like the rest of us, is in this fight for the wish. And he wants to save his friend. I...I wonder if we could talk him out of this."

"I hope so." Hibiki hoped to stop unnecessary violence."We're human beings. We should be able to understand each other if we talked. We're not Noise."

"Yeah, but you have to remember that everyone's got a reason to fight." Hajime glanced at her."Maybe it doesn't make sense to us, but to him, it's the most important thing in the world."

"Speaking of which, what do you want to wish for?" Hibiki asked before realizing how personal that question was."I-I-I mean you don't have to tell m-"

"I don't know." Hajime gave her a lopsided smile."At first, I thought I wanted my life to be different, full of action and stuff. But now? I don't know. I don't know if I want anything."

"I think you want something. But perhaps you just don't know it yet." Hibiki helpfully suggested."It could be that maybe you want to protect your family or something. It's all up to you."

"Yeah...You might be on to something." Hajime nodded."Thanks, Hibiki-san. You have a way with words, you know?"

"I'm just happy to help my friends." Hibiki chuckled, rubbing her arm sheepishly.

"Hibiki?"

The pair stopped in their tracks once they came into view of an opposite pair. Miku and a young man they never met before stood under a post light.

"Miku!" Hibiki beamed, overjoyed to see her friend.

"What are you doing out here so late with Hajime-san?" Miku asked, tilting her head."Did you just come from the hospital? Is that injured person okay?"

"Right." Hajime stepped in, catching on to the lie that Hibiki must have told her."She was...badly injured. An accident at work. But she'll be perfectly fine in a month or so. She's a tough one. I was escorting Hibiki to her doorm."

"I'm glad to hear that." Miku sighed in relief."I hope nothing bad happens to either of you at work."

"I'm sorry, Miku." Hibiki walked up to her friend, clasping her hands."I couldn't be there with you to watch the meteor shower..."

"It's okay. I understand." Miku shook her head, glancing back at Hazuki."This gentleman kept me accompanied. He goes to the same school Hajime-san goes to."

"I apologize for the late introduction." Hazuki bowed to them."My name is Hazuki Kaburagi. But please, feel free to call me Haz. I was also by myself at the park before I stumbled upon Miku-chan."

"Oh! Thank you so much for that, Haz-kun!" Hibiki returned the bow."I'm Hibiki Tachibana but you can just call me Hibiki!"

"Pleasured to make your acquaintance." Hazuki gave her a polite smile before his eyes drifted over to Hajime. The 2 stared at each other for a second before the amber-eyed young man introduced himself.

"Yo. I'm Hajime Adachi. Just Hajime is fine, no need for formalities with me either." Hajime rose his arm in a form of greeting.

"I heard about you. You go to Kaiser Academy as well."

"Uh...all good things I hope.

"Well..." Hazuki coughed in his hand."It's not the worse, I suppose. Anyway, we should get going. Tomorrow is a school day and it's late as it is. But perhaps we can all meet together one day to get to know each other better. I gave Miku-san my contact info."

"That sounds like a great idea." Hibiki nodded enthusiastically, turning to Hajime."Right? Spending time with friends is great."

"It sure is." Hajime shrugged, yawning. After saying goodbyes, Hajime and Hazuki made their way to the school gate.

"You look familiar." Hajime broke their awkward silence."I feel like I've seen you before."

"I sure hope so. I'm a raising idol. Or trying to be, at least. I've sung a few times in assemblies at the auditorium."

"Huh? Really?" Hajime crossed his arms."You want to be an idol? I think I vaguely remember listening to one of your songs."

"Geez, thanks for the support." Hazuki groaned, receiving a laugh from Hajime."But I want to get better. One day, I want to sing on the same stage as great idols such as Tsubasa and Maria."

"Tsubasa? I don't know. Maria, hell yes."

"You're a Maria fan? I couldn't tell." Hazuki was perplexed by the information.

"Yes sir! I'm a huge fan! She's dropping her new album in a few days and I'm going to camp outside the store to be the first one to buy it! It'll come with tons of bonus material!"

Once they reached the gate, they stood in front of the crossroad."My house is to the left."

"And mine to the right." Hazuki pointed with his thumb."I'll see you around at school, Hajime-kun."

"We will, Haz-san." With that, the teens proceeded to walk in opposite directions to their homes under the moonlight.

Current known Kamen Riders:

Ryuki: Hajime Adachi

Knight: Yosuke Yagami

Scissors: Goro Tanaka

Zolda: Takeru Sakamoto

Gai: Kuwana(First name unknown)

Ouja: Code Cypher (Real name unknown)

Odin: ?