ARROGANCE CHAPTER PART 3: NORMALCY

When Shinichi awoke, he found himself staring up at the ceiling in the medical ward under the Irie Clinic. The lights were too bright, causing him to squint both his eyes. "Damn it…" he groaned.

"Are you feeling alright?" Dr. Magi asked Shinichi.

"Doc Magi?" Shinichi recognised the former GIN-SHOCKER scientist. "What are you doing here?"

"Helping," Dr, Magi answered. Having worked on the NUMBERS project, Magi had an understanding of each of the NUMBERS' inner workings and abilities. He asked again, "So, are you alright?"

"I think so, Doc," Shinichi answered. "What happened?"

"Chiaki found you and brought you here," Dr. Magi explained. Chiaki had gone to investigate a noise in the forest when he saw Shinichi lying on the ground, wounded.

"Remind me to thank him later," said Shinichi as he sat up.

"Care to tell me what happened?" Dr. Magi asked.

"I…got beaten," Shinichi answered hesitantly, "I got beaten bad…" He recalled what Nagazawa/DionaeaBorg had done to him and gritted his teeth, "Kuso…" He's gotten cocky and arrogant, and had paid the price for it.

"Well, I've examined you and aside from a few scratched and bruises, you seem fine. However…" Dr. Magi paused, unsure if Shinichi wanted to hear the rest.

"However?" Shinichi prompted. Dr. Magi was holding a device in his hand. It'd been built by ARMOR and used to scan the NEO-NUMBERS for any anomalies. "Doc, what's the matter?"

"I've examined you and it seems that your belt's been damaged and…you've lost your powers," Dr. Magi answered.

Shinichi's eyes widened in shock. "W-what?"

"You've lost your powers," Dr. Magi repeated.

"I heard you the first time...I just can't believe it..."

Dr. Magi's expression became stern as he asked, "Shinichi, who defeated you?"

"General Nagazawa," Shinichi answered.

Dr. Magi's eyes widened. "That explains it."

"What do you mean?" Shinichi asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Nagazawa's special ability allows him to absorb energy from his victims. He must've done it to you and stolen your powers."

"No…No!" Shinichi denied. He tried to call on his power. Even his belt was enough. However, he couldn't do it. "No, not again!" He got out of the bed.

"Wait, Shinichi!" Magi called.

"I still have my powers!" Shinichi shouted. He grabbed a glass and smashed it to the ground. Focusing, he held his hand over the shards, hoping to restore the glass back to normal. "No…" Shinichi shuddered and his arms hung at his sides in defeat. "No…"

"I'm sorry, Shinichi, but it looks like your powers are gone," said Dr. Magi. "I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing, Doc," Shinichi said to the man evenly. He let out a sigh. "I gotta go home and do some thinking. Good night."

"So, he's been humbled," said Virgilia as she sipped her tea. "It was bound to happed. He got cocky after saving the world. He paid for it in the end. After all, pride is a sin and sins always carry dire consequences."

"Don't count him out yet," said Warren confidently. "Eventually, he's going to stand back up from this."

"You sound so sure," said Lambdadelta, "That he can create another miracle."

"I know how these things work," said Warren.

"Indeed, Balance Guardian," said Topper, "Someone I've invested in cannot lose his will so easily."

"Oh? Then let's see," said Lambdadelta, smirking.

Shinichi returned home, late. He didn't go to sleep. Instead, he lay in bed and faced the ceiling with his hands behind the back of his head.

"What do I do now?" he mused aloud. He had no powers and he couldn't summon his belt to summon his armor either. "What do I do now?" he repeated.

For as long as he could remember he'd always had his powers and armor. Now, he had neither and it was all because of Nagazawa. Shinichi had no one else to blame but himself. He'd underestimated Nagazawa and had his powers stripped. It was only because of luck that he was still alive.

"Guess I should continue living," said Shinichi, "Living normally…" He closed his eyes and murmured, "Become normal."

As usual, Shinichi woke up to deliver newspaper and then went back home to catch a few more hours of sleep before school. Again, as usual, Rena came to the house to pick him up for school.

Rika, Hanyuu and Shinichi walked out of the house and Rena greeted with a bright smile, "Ohayo, Shin-kun!"

"Ohayo, Rena-chan," said Shinichi, smiling slightly. Rena blinked. She could sense something was off about her boyfriend but she wasn't sure what it was.

"Shin-kun, are you okay?" Rena asked.

"I'm fine, Rena-chan," lied Shinichi. He'd slept over the issue and had made his decision. He was going to tell the Gaming Club about it after school but during lunch he was going to their base to talK with the NEO-NUMBERS and then deal with something between himself and Warren.

Rika and Hanyuu both stared at him. The latter looked at him with worry as the former gazed at him critically. They could sense something was different about Shinichi.

Along the way they met up with their friends and while Shinichi was talking animatedly with them on their way to school he was still thinking of how to break the news to them.

At lunch, Shinichi was headed to the door. "Shinichi, where are you going?"

"I have something important to do," Shinichi told them. "I'll be back before lunch ends, trust me." He exited the classroom and went on his way.

"Rika, is something wrong with Shinichi-san?" asked Satoko.

"I think so, but he isn't saying anything," said Rika. "He's hiding something and he's struggling with himself whether to tell us or not."

"Do you think it's important?" Mion asked.

"This is Shin-chan we're talking about, Onee. Ever since he joined ARMOR he's been pretty busy. Maybe Warren-san has him on a secret mission and he can't tell us," said Shion.

"But we're his friends," Mion frowned. "And I'm club leader."

"And ARMOR is a top secret organization," Keiichi countered, "With Warren-san as Director. There are just some things Shinichi can't discuss with us, I guess. I mean it took him a long time to tell us about his secret."

"Only because he started to trust us," stated Satoshi, "And even if we are his friends there are things he can't tell us."

Rena was silent as she looked at the door. "Shin-kun…?"

Shinichi had assembled the NEO-NUMBERS in their base under the Irie Clinic. He had a grave expression on his face.

"OK, Shinichi, why did you call us?" asked Daichi impatiently.

"Last night I fought with General Nagazawa," he began his explanation. They all stared at him in shock, "He defeated me and Chiaki brought me here to the clinic." All eyes were on Chiaki.

"That's true. I heard a noise and when I went to see what was happening I found Shinichi and brought him here," answered Chiaki.

"Shinichi, is something wrong?" asked Hana. She may not show it but she really cared about the former BLACK 13.

"Guys, Nagazawa took my powers," said Shinichi.

Silence…

"Alright, joke's over, Shinichi," said Yokoshima. Nobody was laughing.

"I'm not joking, Yokoshima," said Shinichi as he frowned. "I can't transform or use my powers anymore. That's why I called you here." His eyes went towards the Wasp Rider in their group. "Shogo, from now on you're in charge of the team," Shinichi said. "Congratulations." Shinichi had just promoted Shogo.

"Shinichi…" said Shogo, surprised.

"Just accept," said Shinichi, "I don't know anyone else who's more deserving." He smiled.

"Thank you."

"So, you're just going to leave?" Daichi questioned angrily. "You're just going to give up?"

"Look, Daichi. I know you want to finish things between us, but I'm just a powerless human now. Besides, you guys still have your powers and Rider armor. I can leave everything to you all from now on," said Shinichi with a sad smile.

"Shinichi…" whispered Michiru.

"Damn it, Shinichi!" Daichi cussed at the former Rider, but he'd already walked out the door. "Don't you run away!" Chiaki grabbed his arm. "Let me go, Chiaki!"

"Let him be," said Chiaki. "He needs to think things through."

Shinichi's next stop was the terminal. He'd called the ChronoLiner and the train immediately took him to his destination. He had something to deliver to Warren.

Shinichi walked into Warren's office after knocking the door and saw Warren looking over some paperwork. "Warren-san?" Shinichi asked.

"Oh, hey, Shinichi," said Warren. "What brings you here?" Shinichi walked over to his superior's desk. "Shinichi?"

"Doctor Magi must've already told you already," said Shinichi.

"He did," Warren nodded. Shinichi put down his letter of resignation on Warren's desk. Warren looked down at the letter and then at Shinichi. "What is this?"

"My letter of resignation, Warren-san," Shinichi answered without missing a beat.

"Is this a joke?" Warren frowned.

"No joke, sir," Shinichi answered. "From this day forth I am no longer a member of ARMOR. You don't need a powerless deadweight." After bowing, Shinichi turned and walked out. Warren picked up the letter and furrowed his eyebrows.

"Damn, we don't need this."

Dr. Hasuma entered and said, "Director-san, I just saw Shinichi storm out of your office. Is something the matter?"

"Ryuki, we have a problem," said Warren, holding up the letter of resignation.

As Shinichi rode the ChronoLiner back home, he looked out the window. In front of him was a cup of coffee Andie, the maid and stewardess, had made for him. He hadn't touched it. Right now he was having a conversation with himself.

'Is this really what you want? What you desire?' the dark voice of BLACK 13 asked.

"I'm not talking to you," Shinichi retorted. While Rika's charm worked and blocked out BLACK 13's influence, there were times that Shinichi purposely didn't carry the charm so he and his dark side could have a private chat.

'Well, then listen. Do you really think you can have a normal life?'

"Why shouldn't I? I deserve to have a normal life, don't I?"

'You're so naïve. You may not have any powers anymore but that doesn't make you normal.'

"I don't care what you think. I'm going to live a normal life from now on."

'How can you be so selfish?'

"You're one to talk."

'Listen to yourself. You want a normal life so much that you're forgetting the most important thing.'

"And what's that?"

'GIN-SHOCKER still exists.'

Shinichi became silent. That was true.

'GIN-SHOCKER still exists and will not rest until they've taken over this world. You were an obstacle to their plans which forced them to focus most of their power and resources into destroying you. Now with you out of the way, they can continue their plans.'

"Are you forgetting about the others? Shogo, Daichi, Chiaki, Michiru, Hana and Yokoshima can fight against them. ARMOR has the power and resources to fight them. They don't need me anymore."

'And what about your friends in the Hinamizawa Gaming Club? If GIN-SHOCKER's plans succeeds what will happen to them?'

"I'll protect them."

'How? Without any powers you're as much as a sitting duck as they are.'

"I'm not alone anymore."

'Didn't seem like it when you decided to face Nagazawa alone.'

"Shut up."

'You got cocky and paid for it.'

"I said shut up!"

'Fine, whatever. Go and enjoy your normal life. Just don't come crawling to me when you feel discontent.'

The train reached its stop and as the door opened Shinichi jumped out. Checking his watch and resetting it, he spoke, "I can still make it in time for lunch."

It was after school and everyone but the Gaming Club had returned home. Before Mion could announce the start of one of their daily club meetings, Shinichi spoke up.

"Guys, I have an important announcement to make!" Shinichi announced, "I've quit ARMOR!" All eyes were on him and all of a sudden a barrage of questions hit him rapidly.

"What!"

"Why would you do that!"

"How could you quit like that!"

"What could've possessed you to do that!"

Shinichi took in the questions calmly and when the barrage finally ceased he answered, "I'm not a Rider anymore. I've lost my powers."

Lambdadelta laughed, "What a loser! What a quitter! And he's supposed to be a hero? What a laugh." She was kicking her legs up and down and holding her stomach as she laughed hard.

Bernkastel spoke, "It seems your faith is misplaced.

Warren stated, "There's a hero in him. Just watch on and you'll see."

Several days had past since his confession and life returned to normal. Shinichi no longer went on nightly patrols or fought any monsters. He just continued on with his life as normally as he could. He'd told his mother and after some questioning from her end she'd accepted his decision, even if quite reluctantly. Her son the hero was now powerless and choosing to live as a normal human.

It was quite a surprise to her. He'd saved the world but now he'd lost the powers he'd used to save the world. It saddened her to see him lose a part of himself like that. She worried for him but it was also comforting to have him home. She no longer had to worry about him whenever he went on patrols at night.

He could have a normal life. It was something they'd discussed, but she always thought it would be after he'd defeated GIN-SHOCKER. It appeared that GIN-SHOCKER had other plans. They'd stripped her son of his abilities and thus removing him as a threat.

It just wasn't fair in her opinion.

Shinichi's friends in the Hinamizawa Gaming Club were worried about him. It wasn't that he was acting depressed or anything. It was the opposite. Despite losing his powers, he was acting quite jovially. He played games with his friends, conversed cheerfully, and even hung out with them more. However, there seemed to be something missing.

Rena confronted him about it with Mion.

"Shin-chan, what do you think you're doing?" Mion asked her friend. Shinichi was sweeping the floor.

"Sweeping the floor," Shinichi asked. It was his turn to help sweep the floor in the classroom. Mion snatched the broom out of his hands. "Hey, I was using that!"

Bonk!

"Itai!" Shinichi cried out, holding his head. "Mion!"

"Shin-chan, you know that's not what I meant!" Mion snapped. "You're not being yourself!"

"That's right!" added Rena. "Shin-kun isn't being Shin-kun at all."

Shinichi sighed and answered calmly, "Look, guys. A normal life is all I've ever wanted. I think what Nagazawa did was the answer to all my prayers. I never wanted to be a Rider in the first place. That was all forced upon me when Gebok turned me into a weapon and I just thought that I could find a purpose with my powers. Now, I'm free of that burden. What Nagazawa did was a blessing in disguise. I get to lead a normal life now with you guys."

"What about GIN-SHOCKER, the Darklings and the Darkloids?" Mion asked.

"Shogo and the others can handle them," Shinichi answered. "What can someone as powerless as me do anyway?"

"Shin-kun…" said Rena worriedly as Mion scratched her head in annoyance.

"Baka, you don't need powers to be a hero!" Mion snapped.

"Easy for you to say," he responded sullenly, "You haven't had them for most of your life."

"Shinichi, not many people would want to give up powers like yours," said Satoshi and he regretted those words soon after as Shinichi fixed him with the coldest glare possible.

"My powers? You mean the powers given to me by a madman, the same madman that tried to plunge the world into madness and blood not too long ago?" Shinichi said coldly.

"Satoshi didn't mean it like that, Shin-chan," said Shion. "It's just…"

"GIN-SHOCKER and Gebok took my life away from me. I can't remember the life I had before they took me. I don't have any memories of my father. I didn't even get a chance to experience my childhood. I finally have a chance to lead the normal life I've always wanted. I thought you guys, being my friends, would be more supportive," Shinichi lectured harshly. "I'm leaving," said Shinichi abruptly. "I'm going where I can be normal and be appreciated for it." He picked up his backpack and exited with a stern, "Ja ne!"

The door slammed behind him, leaving everyone speechless.

"Maybe we should lay off him about his powers from now on?" suggested Keiichi.

"Sounds like a good idea," agreed Hanyuu.

Rena returned home with a sad sigh. Her Shinichi was definitely depressed but he was hiding it behind a mask. It wasn't like the mask he wore as a Kamen Rider. This was the mask he wore to hide his pain. It was the same mask she wore everyday herself. There were really two sides to her, like there were two sides of Shinichi.

When her phone rang, she immediately went to answer. She held up to her ear and answered, "Hello?"

"Ano…Rena-chan?" That was Shinichi. "I'm sorry I stormed out of school just now."

"That's alright, Shin-kun. You were upset," replied Rena. She understood him.

"Anyway, are you free tomorrow? I wanna take you on a date in Shishibone," said Shinichi.

Rena beamed. Maybe going on a date together would help Shinichi regain his spirits. "OK!"

"Great, I'll pick you up tomorrow at 10! Love you!"

"I love you too!"

The following day, Shinichi arrived in front of Rena's house as promised and on time.

"Ready for our date?" asked Shinichi as he stood in front of her door with a bouquet of flowers. He was dressed nicely and even brought along a cute little teddy bear for her.

"Yes, I am," Rena answered with a cute smile. He handed her the gifts and she took a whiff of the flowers. "Let me put these away and then I'll come back, OK?"

"OK," said Shinichi, smiling. He planned to take her to Shishibone City for their date. He knew this really nice restaurant and there was a teen dance club there too.

Rena exited and put on her shoes before looping her arm around Shinichi's. "Your chariot awaits, fine maiden," he said to her and she giggled before he led her towards his bike, the Showa-Racer. She thought that he would've given it up but maybe there was hope yet.

Their first stop was the zoo. Rena wanted to see all the cute animals in there. Fortunately, the zoo didn't keep the animals in cages but in specialised habitats with high fences to keep the more dangerous animals like lions and tigers separated from the visitors.

"It's so cute!" Rena gushed as she saw a panda with its cub eating bamboo. "Omochikaeri!" She really wanted to take the panda cup home with her and she would've too if Shinichi hadn't stopped her.

"I'll get you a stuffed panda at the gift shop," he said to her. However, considering Rena's love for cute things he was going to be buying a lot of stuffed animals for her to stop her from kidnapping any of the cute animals.

They looked at all the animals. A clown was giving away balloons and Shinichi got one for Rena. She gave her a kiss as well. Shinichi also took pictures of Rena with the animals. They would soon fill up his album. These were very precious memories.

They bumped into the Smiths who were visiting the zoo as well. He recognised Warren, Rachel, baby Alan who was in the carriage, Lucy, Naruto and Shinji, but there were two children that were a year younger than Shinji with them. One was a girl with purple hair in pigtails with a white streak running through it and the boy had white hair with a purple streak in it.

"Oh, Warren-san," said Shinichi. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"Well, I wanted to take the family to the zoo," said Warren. "You know everyone, except for the twins."

"Twins?" Shinichi blinked.

"I'm Tessa!" the purple-haired little girl introduced herself.

"I'm Alex!" the white-haired little boy introduced himself.

"It's nice to meet you!" the twins chimed in unison.

Shinichi heard heavy breathing and he turned to look at Rena whose eyes were shadowed by her bangs. Her eyes began to shine and he gulped, eyes wide.

"Oh…crap!" Shinichi yelled.

"OMOCHIKAERI!" Rena grabbed the twins, holding them under her arms and darted away at full speed.

Shinichi palmed his face.

"What the heck!" Naruto yelled out.

"Rena has a tendency to grab anything cute and run off with it," Shinichi explained.

Warren ordered, "Lucy, Naruto, retrieve the twins. Shinichi, retrieve your girlfriend."

"Gotcha, Dad!" Naruto obeyed.

"Alright, Papa!" Lucy obeyed.

"Yes, Warren-san!" Shinichi obeyed as well.

The three teens gave chase after Rena. Fortunately, she didn't go far. She and the twins were having candied apples on a bench. The little girl and boy didn't seem panicked even after the kidnapping attempt. Lucy and Naruto were not happy.

"Lucy!" Tessa smiled. "You want a candied apple?"

"Later," Lucy said as she took Tessa's hand and Naruto took Alex's hand.

Shinichi sighed and looked towards Rena who smiled sheepishly. "Rena-chan, again?"

"They were cute," she remarked, "I couldn't help myself."

"Learn to control your girlfriend better," Lucy frowned.

"I'll try," Shinichi nodded.

"Rena will never change," Bernkastel commented.

"But that what makes her so fun," added Lambdadelta.

"Rena-chan, remember that time we talked about your little problem with cute things?" said Shinichi as neutrally as possible.

Rena and Shinichi had left the zoo and going back to the parking lot. Rena was wearing a cute cap with bear ears and was hugging a stuffed panda bear.

"Sorry, but they were so cute," Rena pouted.

"I know, but you can't kidnap children right in front of their parents in broad daylight. Honestly, Rena-chan. Lucy would've hurt you if you did anything to the twins."

"Gomen, Shin-kun."

"Well, at least you apologized and nobody got hurt," said Shinichi, smiling. "Now, you want to go see that movie you wanted to see?"

Rena beamed, "OK!"

Shinichi sat with Rena in the dark theatre. The movie they'd chosen was a romantic animated movie. It was up Rena's alley. She loved cute movies and Shinichi occasionally indulged in such movies. They'd bought a bucket of popcorn to share and a couple of sodas.

As they watched, Shinichi gazed upon Rena whose eyes were locked onto the movie screen. 'She really looks lovely,' he thought. He was glad for some normalcy for once in his life and now he could have this forever. There was no reason for him to fight or be the hero. He was just a teenage boy in love and dating a lovely girl.

His hand went around her shoulders, holding her close. Rena blushed at the sudden contact but leaned against him as they continued to watch the movie, popping pieces of popcorn into their mouths.

Rena and Shinichi were in a clothing store. Rena wanted to try out some clothes. Shinichi just sat in front of the changing room, waiting for her to get changed when he saw a couple of familiar faces.

"Yoko-kun, does this look good on me?"

"Asmo-chan, you are a vision of loveliness!"

Shinichi groaned mentally, 'Of all the people I could've seen here, why those two?'

Asmodeus was posing in an outfit for Yokoshima who showered the Stake of Lust with compliments.

Yokoshima and Asmodeus' relationship had to be the weirdest relationship in history. The way they met had been through a life or death game where her and her sisters had been pitted against the NEO-NUMBERS. The NEO-NUMBERS had won and Yokoshima actually got a prize which was a date with Asmodeus. It soon evolved into a relationship where the two enjoyed being together.

One was a Kamen Rider and former agent of GIN-SHOCKER while another was a demonic and murderous girl who represented one of the 7 Deadly Sins. Sure, she was cute with a nice figure but she was still as deadly as her sisters. Fortunately, the other NEO-NUMBERS did not know about Asmodeus as they'd fought the Stakes separately. Only Shinichi had the honour of fighting all seven of them.

"Shin-kun, does this look good on me?" asked Rena. She was wearing a pink long-sleeved blouse with a skirt that went down mid thigh. She was also wearing a ribbon in her hair that was tied into a bow at the side.

"It makes you look cute," he said honestly.

Shinichi and Rena sat on a bench that was on the department store's rooftop. Shinichi was drinking from a can of orange juice and Rena herself was having grape juice.

"Today was fun," she said.

"Yeah, it was," admitted Shinichi. Being normal wasn't a bad thing. He may have missed his life as a Rider but that life was long gone. Right now, he was content.

"Shin-kun?" Rena asked as she pointed towards a random direction. "What's that?"

Shinichi saw a tower of smoke and a sudden compulsion forced him to go see what was happening. "Rena-chan, I have to go check something out!" he told her before he rushed off to see what was happening.

"Shin-kun!" She got up and chased after him. He reached the ground floor before Rena and exited the department store. Following his instincts he quickly got on his bike and drove off, leaving Rena. "Shin-kun!" she called out to him.

"Sorry Rena-chan, but I just can't ignore this."

When Shinichi reached the scene, he saw what it was. A crowd was standing around a house that was on fire. Fire fighters were trying to put out the fire. Among the crowd was a sooty woman who was screaming hysterically, "My son is still in there!" The fire fighters restrained her. "Please! Save my baby!"

Shinichi's fists clenched at the sight of the fire. However, when he heard the scream of a little kid any self-control he had just flew out the window. Shinichi grabbed a bucket filled with water and then poured the water all over himself; drenching himself. Despite the yells of protest he heard, he ran towards the fire and ran inside the house.

Rena had taken a taxi and gone after Shinichi. When she arrived she saw him run into the burning house.

"Shin-kun!" Rena cried out. Fire fighters stopped the girl from advancing further. "No, I have to help Shin-kun! Let me go! Shin-kun! SHIN-KUN!"

Inside the blazing inferno, Shinichi had his scarf wrapped around the lower half of his face, covering his nose and mouth. He looked around, trying to spot the kid, but then heard the screams coming from an apartment. 'Jackpot!' He rushed upstairs and managed to find a little boy stuck under debris.

The boy, who didn't look any older than 6, looked up to see Shinichi. "Don't worry, kid! I'll get you out!" Shinichi assured the boy but his voice was muffled behind his scarf. He began to grab the heavier debris that was trapping the boy and tossed it away. Shinichi then grabbed the boy's hands and pulled him out.

'Now I just got to get us out of this inferno,' Shinichi thought. He grabbed the kid and began to move to the stairs but stopped in his tracks as the stairs finally collapse and all that was waiting for them bellowed was a fiery pit. 'Damn!'

"Time for Plan B," Shinichi muttered as he turned around and headed into one of the bedrooms. He jumped out the window and did a duck and roll when he hit the ground, making sure the boy was protected from the harsh landing. As he landed face up, with the boy on top of him, Shinichi let out a sigh. Paramedics and fire fighters quickly went towards the two.

"What you did was stupid and reckless," one of the fire fighters scolded. Shinichi was being treated for burns. His clothes smelled of soot.

"Tell me something I don't know," Shinichi said jokingly.

"Shin-kun!"

Shinichi looked up to see his girlfriend running towards him.

"Shin-kun, are you okay?" Rena asked. "You're not hurt, are you?"

"Relax," said Shinichi. "I'm alive, see?"

"Baka, didn't you know how worried I was?" Rena asked, wiping tears from her face.

"Gomen, Rena-chan."

A news crew was approaching. A reporter shoved her microphone in front of Shinichi's face. He blinked, surprised.

"What was running through your mind as you jumped in to save the child?" asked the female reporter.

"I…don't know. I just couldn't ignore this feeling I had. I just had to go inside," said Shinichi.

"Do you realise that you've become a hero?" the reporter asked.

Shinichi frowned, denying, "I'm no hero."

"I beg to differ," said Warren as he suddenly made his presence known.

"Excuse me, sir, but who are you?" the reporter asked.

"Just someone proud of this kid right here," said Warren. "I mean he's not a Kamen Rider and he doesn't have superpowers, but he still he risked his life to save a child from a burning building. That took a lot of guts and selflessness. That's what I call a true hero."

"But…but all I did was…" Shinichi stuttered.

The mother of the boy he'd saved approached him. "Are you the one that saved my little boy?" the woman asked. Shinichi nodded. She grabbed his hands and shook them gratefully, "Thank you! Thank you!"

The little boy he'd saved smiled at him and Shinichi couldn't help but smile back at him.

Kamen Rider Chrome: Looks like he still has a hero in him after all. Wonder what else will happen to our dear Shinichi? Stay tune for more.