A few days later, the Hoshino family moved to another house. Ai was allowed to wait a few weeks before appearing on stage again, while the children stayed at home, still traumatized by the kidnapping.
The more time passed in the house, the more Ai thought about quitting her Idol career. She didn't want what had happened to her children to happen again.
She was currently lying in Ryuga's arms in their double bed. They had taken advantage of the move to finally live in a single room, with the children in separate bedrooms.
The couple had talked at length after the kidnapping. She knew practically everything there was to know about Rider's abilities, the Desire Grand Prix and her family history.
But something worried her. Even if their Kidnapper had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, he'd mentioned a boss.
Who could it be? Was it Hikaru?
The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Hikaru still hadn't been found by the police, and some people even thought he'd fled the country and continued his career elsewhere. What if he was hiding before... before he tried again to attack her family?
"Ai, are you all right?" Ryuga asked.
"No... I'm afraid it's going to happen again..." Ai said, starting to sob. "I'm afraid someone's going to hurt you and the kids."
"I won't let that happen." Ryuga assured, tightening his embrace. "I promise."
This reassured Ai, who stopped her sobbing before looking into her boyfriend's eyes.
"I love you so much... you and the children. I'm so happy to have you." She said before kissing him.
13 years later, the Hoshino family was at its best.
Aqua and Ruby had left for their high school interviews, leaving their parent alone in the house.
Ai had left B-Komachi a month after the kidnapping to devote most of his time to his family. As for Ryuga, he continued to work for Strawberry Productions, but as Ai's agent, much to Ichigo's chagrin.
It wasn't because she left the group that she stopped singing. When her children were at school and Ryuga was at work, she was a youtuber making mostly songs. Her fame helped her to acquire success quickly. And since she was no longer Idol, she no longer had to hide the fact that she was in a relationship and had children.
It was certainly frowned upon, but she didn't care. As long as they weren't named and she didn't give details about them in her streams, their lives were fearless.
Ryuga was currently sitting on a café terrace with two men who looked to be over 50. One of them had long graying hair and the other had short hair.
"Got anything new?" Ryuga asked.
"No, nothing. On our side, since Ace killed Suel, the DGP staff have never shown up in our world. And after your girlfriend's kidnapping, there's been no such activity, so I'm pretty skeptical they'll be back." Replied the long-haired man.
"It's still worrying. We all know they're persistent, so why stop after facing you?" Said the short-haired man.
"Yeah. What are they looking for..." Ryuga growled, thinking he was going crazy looking for signs of the DGP.
"If I were you, I wouldn't pay any more attention. It's been over 13 years." Said the short-haired man.
"Maybe you're right, Keiwa." Says Ryuga, looking down at his drink. "But I'm afraid it'll happen again. I've lost my parents, my adoptive father... If I lose my family... I don't know if I'll be able to stay sane."
"We know how it feels, Ryuga." Keiwa said, placing a hand on his friend's. "If you ever end up going too far, we'll be there to bring you back to your senses."
"I hope you do." Ryuga said, before changing the subject. "Otherwise, how's Auntie Neon?"
"As usual. Keiwa smiled. "She's still trying to persuade Sara to offer her a position in her agency."
"She wants to stay close to her daughter, that's understandable. You should have seen how Ai was with the kids after the concert where they did the dance. She pampered them so much I had to insist she let them sleep." Ryuga said, making the long-haired man laugh. "What about you, Michinaga? Have you been seeing anyone?"
"Not really." Answered the long-haired man. "I don't have much time with all the construction sites to manage."
"It's just that nobody wants a cow like you." Keiwa joked.
"A buffalo!" Michinaga retorted, making Keiwa and Ryuga laugh. "Some things never change."
Soon after, Ryuga returned home where he was greeted by Ai in a... bunny girl outfit?
" Hi darling." She said with a bubbly smile of which she has the secret.
" Hello honey..." Said Ryuga, rather perturbed by Ai's outfit.
"Hm Looks like my outfit is having an effect on you." she commented with a suggestive smile.
"Let's just say I wasn't expecting this... what would you have done if it had been Aqua and Ruby at the door instead of me?"
"I would have told them I want to convince you to make them a little brother or sister." Ai replied, causing Ryuga to stumble as he removed his shoes.
He clearly hadn't expected this answer. He looked up, his face as red as a tomato, at which Ai couldn't help but laugh.
"You... you're serious?" Ryuga asked with a look that Ai couldn't discern if it was surprise or happiness.
She nodded, laughing at his reaction.
"Uh..." Ryuga said, scratching the back of his neck. "Did you get the idea for the bunny girl outfit or did someone recommend it to you?"
"It was Takamine, who advised me." Ai confessed, looking to the side in embarrassment. "Why, don't you like it?"
By way of reply, Ryuga approached her and whispered in her ear.
"Room, now."
This made Ai smile as Ryuga lifted her, making her laugh, and led her into the bedroom.
Luckily for the couple, Aqua and Ruby were busy tonight, Ruby was talking with Miyako at Strawberry Production, and Aqua was with Taishi.
A few days later, Aqua and Ruby's results came in, and they were both admitted to high school in their respective streams.
To celebrate, Ryuga cooked a feast made up largely of the twins' favorite dishes.
"Oh, it's so good!" Ruby exclaimed, savoring her dish. "Thank you, Daddy.
"I thought about it, but we didn't really ask you how your interviews went." Said Ai, resting her index finger on her chin. "How was it, then?"
"On the whole, it was a classic question-and-answer after they'd seen our exam results. And then when we were chatting, we bumped into Loli-senpai." Ruby replied.
"Loli-senpai?" Said Ai, wondering who her daughter was talking about.
"She's talking about Kana Arima." Aqua replied, taking a butcher from her dish.
"Kana... Kana..." Ryuga pondered, "Ah yes, that's the girl Aqua was with on your first shoot."
"Really?!" Said Ai before a teasing smile appeared on her face. "Maybe you two will get to know each other better."
"I don't think so." Aqua retorted.
"I don't agree with him. Having her as a sister-in-law would be an ordeal." Ruby added.
The twins' reaction made their parent laugh.
After dinner, the couple washed the dishes until they heard Aqua and Ruby arguing. They went to the place where the argument was taking place, then took them aside and had a chat with them. Ai was with Ruby and Ryuga was with Aqua.
"Why were you bickering?" Ryuga asked sternly.
"This is Ruby... She always wants to be an Idol..." Aqua replied, looking away.
"So what's the problem?" Ryuga asked, beginning to understand the situation.
"Well... after what happened..." Aqua replied before being interrupted by her father.
"Are you afraid the same thing will happen as with your mother 13 years ago?"
Aqua nodded.
Ryuga sighed and led his adopted son into the couple's bedroom to take out the box where all his rider's gear was hidden, except for the X-Geats, which he kept in his jacket at all times, in case he ever needed them during the day.
He pulled out a yellow box with an exclamation mark, and removed the lid, revealing a Desire Driver and a red Rider Core ID with a white helmet symbol similar to that of X-Geats.
"Were they your biological father's?" Aqua asked.
"The Desire Driver, yes. The Core ID was intended... for my sister." Ryuga revealed, surprising his son. "She died at the same time as my parents, so it was never given to her. But I think you're fit to take on the role of Kamen Rider if further danger threatens. Even if I'm there to answer them, a little help isn't a luxury."
"Do you really think I can be one?" Aqua asked, uncertain.
"You want to protect your family. To me, that's proof enough that you have the potential. Besides, I've been training you a bit these past few years." Ryuga smiled. "And to be honest, I'll be more serene if you have what it takes to defend yourself and his sister if Hikaru reappears."
Aqua didn't know how to react to this. So he simply thanked his adoptive father and went to hide the Rider System he'd received in his room, until he could figure out how to carry it with him at all times.
The next day, Ryuga was with Miyako in his office facing a kneeling Ruby with a puppy dog look to convince them to let her recreate B-Komachi.
"Listen, Ryuga. It's always been her dream. I think it's a bad idea considering what happened 13 years ago. But it's up to you. She's your daughter after all." Miyako said, absolving herself of any responsibility for the final decision.
"Well... personally, I don't see any harm in her starting a band." Says Ryuga.
"Thanks Dad!" Ruby cried, hugging her father tightly.
"However." He added. "I want to be the group's agent."
This took both women by surprise.
"What?!" Miyako shouted. "But, you're Ai's."
"I can be the agent for an Idol group and a streamer, it's not that time-consuming considering how little I had to deal with Ai. And Ai is quite responsive to her community." Ryuga retorted, "And this will allow me to be 100% sure that the group won't be linked to shady or ill-intentioned people."
"Well..." Miyako sighed. "I guess that's okay, then."
"YES!" Ruby shouted, jumping for joy.
A few hours later, Ai and Ryuga were hugging as a remake of the movie she and Aqua starred in played on TV.
"It's a shame they made a new version." Ai complained, pouting.
"Yeah, it is. But you could have had other roles. Who knows, maybe you could play in the next season of Kamen Rider in the future." Ryuga joked.
"I've got Kamen Rider for a husband, that's more than enough for me." Ai chuckled, looking down at her hand where her wedding ring had been.
Indeed, in the 13 years since the couple had married, Ryuga had taken his wife's name, which surprised those close to the couple.
"Maybe, but it would be funny." Ryuga smiled. "Has Ruby told you the news yet?"
"Yes. She's really excited about reviving B-Komachi. And with you as her agent, I'm sure she won't have to deal with the wrong people." Said Ai, turning to hug her husband. "You know, when she finds people to form the band with, maybe we could give them this song as the band's first single."
Ai's suggestion made Ryuga think for a few seconds.
"Do you think it's a good idea?"
"Of course I do. At the time, we didn't release it because we felt that, with what had happened, the haters would go wild. Now with the time that's gone by, and if it's the new generation that's done it, it'll serve more of a message." Says Ai.
"Maybe... we'll see with her when she's formed her group." Ryuga suggested.
"Sounds good to me." Says Ai with a victorious smile.
