Disclaimer: I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me.
Mibojin stared at the sign in front of her. It had two arrows pointing in different directions.
Above one arrow, "Tokucon."
Above the other, "Shurikon."
People in a riot of costumes went in either direction, individuals in armor and spandex and other colorful and imaginative outfits going either way, though the ones going to the right looked more like ninja for the most part.
Unlike most conventions, the majority of these people were not, in fact, cosplayers.
"Last chance to change your mind," Shin said through the Buzzing.
"I won't," Mibojin replied.
"I know. It still had to be said," Shin replied.
"I really wish you weren't doing this, Mibojin," Ariel lamented. "The incredible danger of what you're about to do and the potential consequences aside, this won't be the same without you."
"Ariel, we both know that even if Shurikon weren't happening at the exact same time and place as Tokucon and even if the scroll with the Oonemuri Touch weren't in play I would have zero inclination to come unless explicitly ordered to, and even then I wouldn't be very happy about it," Mibojin pointed out.
Ariel sighed. "Yeah, I know."
"Mibojin. I still don't think this is the right thing. However, I know the only way I could keep you from doing this would be to force you to, and that is something I will never do," Apista said solemnly. "Call it weakness or cowardice if you must. It very well might be. However, I respect your autonomy too much to take your freedom away simply because you are taking a course of action I disagree with. I am not my sister. I simply hope that you will prove me wrong, and this will be worth it in the end."
"It will be," Mibojin assured her.
"Yeah, sensei and I have this handled!" Hood added enthusiastically. "Just you watch, Your Majesty, everyone! Today is the day we gain the power to destroy the Swarm forever and avenge everyone we've lost!"
"Very well. I will not demean either of you by wishing you luck or safety, especially since I know Mibojin would find it offensive," Apista said.
"I would," Mibojin agreed.
"Even so, all of us wish you well, even if we don't all agree with your endeavor," Apista said. "Succeed or fail, none of us will think less of you for your actions here."
The Queen did not lie. Could not lie.
Mibojin wasn't sure how she felt about that.
"Failure is not an option," she said finally. "We will return triumphant. No alternative is possible."
Manti chuckled. "Well said."
"Mibojin. One way or another, this war needs to end," Goro told her. "Do what you have to."
"I fully intend to."
"Mother, you've been staring at that sign for the last five minutes. Are we going to go to Shurikon already?" Kagami, who happened to be standing behind her mother, asked with the slightest hint of annoyance, unnoticeable to those who weren't intimately familiar with her.
"Yes, of course," Mibojin said aloud. "I was merely exchanging unnecessary pleasantries with the others which took far too much time."
"Gee, tells us what you really think," Shin grunted.
"I just did."
"That's not… Nevermind."
"Mibojin," Nushi said.
"Yes, Nushi?"
"… Be careful. The desire to make things right, by any means necessary… That doesn't always lead to a good end. Me killing Shang in cold blood, my rampage through the Vaults of Tartarus and committing deicide in ancient Egypt… I've gotten lucky so far, but things could very well have gone a lot worse due to my actions."
"I am a ninja," Mibojin said dismissively. "I'm used to that. Your concern is unnecessary."
"… All right," Nushi said reluctantly.
"Mother, you're doing it again," Kagami complained.
"Apologies, daughter," Mibojin said, blinking. "Shall we go?"
"Yes! Shurikon!" Hood cheered enthusiastically.
"Shurikon!" Scarabella and Mira, who Kagami had invited, also cheered.
Mibojin couldn't help frowning slightly. She was used to this being just her and Kagami, a mother-daughter event. Yes, often other ninjas from the mantis clan were in attendance, but it really had always boiled down to the two of them.
Things had changed.
She wasn't sure she liked it.
"Shurikon indeed," she said. "Come. We have much to do."
The small party went to the right. The remaining Bugrangers, who'd been standing apart from Mibojin, exchanged uncertain glances, then went to the left.
Neither of them noticed a balding middle-aged man with a long scraggly beard dressed in a purple ninja gi staring at the sign.
He swallowed and glanced from the sign to his hands, a ticket for either convention in each one. While he could, in theory, go to both, something deep down told him he would only attend one in the end.
This was his last chance. He could turn back now. He had promised his mother so many times that he would grow up and leave all this behind for good.
But he couldn't. No matter how hard he tried, it would never leave him alone. His desires never loosened their grip on him, no matter how many therapy sessions he attended, or how many times he got beaten up. There was something wrong with him, something that refused to be fixed, no matter how much he tried.
Whimpering, he crushed the tickets in his hands, squeezed his eyes shut, took a deep breath, then let go. He glanced down as the two pieces of paper drifted to the ground.
One hit the floor before the other, sealing his fate.
Hood looked around in awe as they entered the convention hall. "Wow! This is… Incredible!"
It was indeed. The convention floor was covered in booths and other structures done up to look like Edo-style classical Japanese architecture. Scrolls depicting famous ninja, both real, fictional, or otherwise, hung from the ceiling, some of them animated and even fighting each other. Hologram technology showed a pair of ninja dueling in the air on an endless loop. A couple of ninja castles had somehow been squeezed into the venue and dominated opposing walls. Huge statues of frogs, foxes, snakes, tanuki, dragons, and other animals rose from the ground here and there, and not all of them were statues. Paper lanterns with Shuriken designs drifted about, providing illumination. Several stands and carts selling curry, uden, sushi, pizza, souba, and a variety of other foods considered staples of the classic and modern ninja were all around, filling the air with intoxicating scents to accompany the amazing sights and sounds.
And everywhere they looked, there were ninjas.
They were big and small, human or animal or robot or alien or other, some wearing shoddy handmade costumes and other professional gear, others flashy and modern while more still were more simplistic and stayed closer to ancient tradition. Some even looked like toys.
There were also, Mibojin noted to her distaste, far too many people dressed in orange or other characters from a certain long-running anime and its sequel series for her liking.
"I know this is your first time, but attempt not to draw attention to yourself and make it obvious how green you are," Mibojin lectured the cicada. "You are my apprentice, and therefore represent the honor of the Mantis Clan. Try to behave with the dignity that comes with your position."
Hood straightened up. "Yes, sensei!"
Scarabella and Mira, who'd been taking a selfie with Kagami with some very silly filters, sheepishly straightened up and put their phones away. "Mother. Now that we are here, what should we do?" Kagami asked her mother.
"This is your first time as a VIP, Kagami. What would you like to do?" Mibojin asked her daughter.
"Well, now that I finally reached a VIP status, I would like to visit the VIP area, since I have never been permitted to go there before," Kagami said, though she looked hesitant. "Unfortunately, I cannot bring my girlfriends with me, so I am… Hesitant."
"Hey, it's okay, 'Gami," Mira assured her. "We don't want to hold you back!"
Scarabella nodded in agreement. "Yeah, there's plenty for us to do here. We can meet up afterwards and have a proper date of it before your big match begins."
"Mother, you will be able to attend, right?" Kagami asked with a hint of nervousness.
"I have no intention of missing," Mibojin assured her daughter. "I'm very much looking forward to seeing you trounce every other ninja in the tournament. I got first place when I was your age, you know."
"Yes mother, I know," Kagami deadpanned. "You've only told me several dozen times."
She paused, then leaned closer. "Since I'm going to the VIP area, should I-"
Mibojin shook her head. "Absolutely not."
"But mother, I could help-"
"Kagami, this should be a fun day for you and your loved ones. Spend it with them, and don't worry about what your mother is up to. In fact, the less you know, the better," Mibojin said firmly. "Considering my current status, there'll be a lot of eyes on you, more than usual. I don't want anything I do to throw suspicion on you and get you assassinated, or worse, barred from future Shurikons."
"Yes, mother," Kagami said, looking mildly disappointed. "But… You are my loved one too, you know."
Mibojin found her face stretching into a smile at this. "Do not worry, daughter. It's not like Shurikon is a one-day event. There will be plenty of time for us to engage in our usual bonding activities later. But for now, I do not wish to be a fourth wheel for your date. Go. Have fun with your friends. Make their first Shurikon one to remember."
"Yes mother." Turning to her girlfriends, Kagami managed a small smile. "Come. I have much to show you, and more than a few ideas of what you can do while I'm otherwise occupied…"
"I am glad you did not make your daughter an accomplice in this," Manti told her partner as the trio departed.
"I almost did," Mibojin confessed. "Her access to the VIP areas would make this mission a lot easier. And she really was willing to help. However… She still has her career ahead of her, and if things go wrong, I don't want her future to be ruined because of me."
"You still considered it," Manti pointed out.
"… Yes. I did."
The sense of disapproval she got from most of the Buzzing was very strong. She was irritated that it bothered her. It wouldn't have before.
"Sensei, why is everyone looking at us?" Hood asked. "And… Not necessarily in a friendly way?"
Mibojin blinked, focusing on her surroundings, chiding herself for getting distracted, even for a minute. Hood was right, there were a lot of ninjas looking at her. Some with curiosity, no doubt due to the fact that she was accompanied by an oversized cicada wearing a hood – which she thought rather hypocritical, it wasn't as if all of them were necessarily human or unspectacular either – others, especially the younger ninja, looking excited, no doubt recognizing her as a Bugranger…
And then there were the others. Those looking at her with outright hostility. Most of these were adults, her age or older, and while the majority of them were dressed more traditionally, not all were.
"You shouldn't be here."
Mibojin had expected somebody to say that. She was disgusted but unsurprised to see just to was. "Master Jigoku," Mibojin said, inclining her head slightly at and old man with white hair in a topknot and a long beard and mustache, wearing a black hakama with a gold peacock pattern. "I was invited here, so clearly someone disagrees."
"The World Ninja Council may have agreed to let you attend – by a far slimmer margin then I think you care to know – but I do not agree with their decision," the old man growled.
"You never have, where I'm concerned," Mibojin pointed out. "Every year you've lobbied for me to be excluded from this event, and every year you've failed."
"At the very least, you've been stripped of your VIP status," the old man said with cold, malicious glee. "And once you lose that, well, there's no going back, is there?"
"We'll see," Mibojin said neutrally.
He glared at her, a look of hatred etched on his aged features. "I'm going to be keeping my eye on you, Mibojin," he snarled. "One toe out of line, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure you're banned from Shurikon forever."
"Not much of a threat then, considering you aren't nearly as powerful as you think you are," Mibojin replied.
Jigoku clenched his teeth and reached for his blade –
And an iron hard grip grabbed his wrist.
Jigoku froze, staring into the glowing red eyes of a gray skinned ninja covered head to toe in black, one of about half a dozen surrounding him. Jigoku clenched his teeth, but bowed his head slightly. The Shadowkhan let go of him and promptly disappeared, along with its peers.
The ninja bystanders, looking very nervous, suddenly made excuses to be anywhere else but there.
"Are you certain I'm the one at risk of getting banned?" Mibojin asked with a hint of amusement.
Jigoku glared at her furiously. "Your Sentai status cannot protect you forever. One day, I will have my vengeance."
"You have said as much for almost 2 decades. I won't waste time worrying about it," she replied.
Jigoku scowled and started to turn away, only to hesitate. "By the way, I heard Kagami made it to VIP status. Convey my congratulations to her."
"You made it clear you want nothing to do with her years ago. I shall do no such thing," Mibojin replied.
Jigoku scoffed and disappeared into the crowd.
"… What was that all about?" Hood murmured.
"That was Master Jigoku, a high-ranking member of the Peacock Clan, an old rival of the Mantis Clan. He has a seat on the World Ninja Council like my mistress, though a minor one," Mibojin muttered, moving away from the entrance towards the numerous booths filling the floor. "He's had it out for me for years, and not simply because our clans have hated each other for years and he in particular has sought to destroy my mistress for decades."
"Why?"
"I killed his son."
Hood blinked. "Oh. Yeah, that would do it. Wait, his son… Oh! I remember now, he's Kagami's grandfather, right?"
Mibojin snorted. "Biologically, yes. Even if I had wanted him to have any role in her life after she was born, he disowned her for being born to the woman who killed his son."
"That's fair. I mean, not really, but understandable."
"And the wrong gender."
"That's not. Real piece of work, huh?" Hood muttered.
"I'd say you have no idea… But you can see my memories, so I rather think you do," Mibojin commented.
"Hey, Miss Cicada! Want some ninja gum?" Called a very young boy with messy blonde hair and glasses manning a booth with "NINJALA!" On a sign over it.
"Ooh, sure! What's ninja gum?" Hood asked, excited.
"It's gum that unlocks your hidden ninja potential!" The boy bragged.
"That sounds great! I'd love to-"
"You will do no such thing," Mibojin snapped. "First of all, there are no shortcuts to getting stronger. Second, have you managed to get rid of the side effect that sometimes permanently transforms those who chew your gum into children?"
The boy looked sheepish. "We've… Managed to refine it to where that only happens a tenth of the time…"
"We'll pass," Mibojin said flatly, guiding Hood away. "Take that as a lesson, Hood, always be careful what you eat at gatherings like this. While this is supposed to be neutral ground and there are enforcers to make sure everyone plays nice, like you saw earlier, it's less a matter of nobody trying to kill each other and more like nobody trying to get caught." "Just like we are going to break the rules and perform a small heist of our own."
"Right, I understand. Sorry, sensei."
"Don't be sorry, be better."
"Your killing his son is not the only reason Jigoku despises you," Manti commented as they stopped at a pizza stand operated by anthropomorphic turtles, which Mibojin determined would be safe for Hood to eat. "Nor why so many other ninjas here seem to be giving you a wide birth, or looking at you with hostility."
"It is not. As difficult as it might be to believe, I've never been the most popular ninja," Mibojin agreed after paying for their pizza and wishing the turtles' father – a rather high-ranking member of the World Ninja Council, as it turned out – well.
Hood, who'd been stuffing a slice under her titular accessory, gasped and nearly spat out some pepperoni. "What? No way!"
She was being completely serious. Mibojin found that oddly flattering, even as she could hear snickering from her so-called friends and a good deal of the Hive. "While I am very good at what I do, I've never been good at working well with others, and many find my personality offputting."
"What personality?" Shin joked. Mibojin ignored him.
"You seem to work well with the rest of the Bugrangers," Hood pointed out.
"Our minds are apparently permanently linked. I don't really have a choice in the matter," Mibojin said wearily.
"Come on, you know you love us!" Ariel teased.
"I tolerate you, and very reluctantly at that." "However, my becoming a Sentai has given many ninjas even more reason to dislike me," Mibojin continued.
"Why? You're helping to save the world! And lots of ninjas are Sentai or other heroes!" Hood pointed out. "That's a good thing, isn't it?"
"Yes," Mibojin conceded. "But many of the more traditional ninjas view the trend in the last 50 years or so of colorful, highly visible ninjas becoming more prominent in younger generations, forsaking our roots as assassins and spies for more generic superheroing, to be dishonoring our heritage."
She paused before a booth being assembled before her eyes with literal Legos by animated mini figures dressed as colorful ninja doing spinning moves surrounded by elemental energy.
"There is a rather sizable bloc in the World Ninja Council made up by such traditionalists who believe we should adhere more to the old ways," Mibojin continued, moving on, though Hood lingered a minute, watching the assemblage in awe. "While I did not necessarily agree with all the reasons to stick to tradition, the Mantis Clan has always believed ninja should remain shadowy killers influencing the world in secret, rather than being loud and bright and in your face like certain other ninjas I could name."
"Like Takaharu Igasaki?" Hood asked, catching up to her mentor.
"Do not speak or even think that name, but yes. I dearly hope we do not run into him here," Mibojin grumbled. "We don't need to hear another one of his stories about the time he turned into a toy to sneak into a school, or his yelling about being the 'New Last Ninja.' But anyway, like my clan – and, regrettably, Master Jigoku – I've never been particularly fond of ninja heroes."
"And now you are one," Manti pointed out.
"Much to my consternation, yes," Mibojin conceded. "And there are a lot of people who aren't exactly happy about that and view me as a hypocrite and are angry that my clan is not only not throwing me out but is fully supporting me in my endeavors. But of course, all that pales before the biggest and most salient reason for most of the people here to hate me."
"What's that?" Hood asked.
"I earned the rank of VIP, meaning I was privy to some of the greatest and most elusive secrets in all of ninjakind," Mibojin said wistfully. "And then I joined the Hive, and all of those secrets, which I had sworn never to reveal to anyone, even my daughter, are now common knowledge to a civilization whose population greatly outnumbers every human or other creature who has lived or died on this planet."
"… Oh, right, secrets are important to species who can't just share everything through a hive mind," Hood remembered. "I still have trouble understanding that. It's really that important to these people?"
"It really is," Mibojin confirmed. "There is a rather sizable contingent of the World Ninja Council which wants my head. The pro-hero factions have been able to keep them in check, but even they aren't unilaterally happy with my actions, especially since I shared quite a lot of their secrets as well. I suppose I'm fortunate VIP status was the only thing they decided to take from me."
"But… What were you supposed to do?" Hood protested. "Out of everyone on this planet, Manti chose you. What were you supposed to do, say no and hope she could find somebody else before the Swarm began their invasion?"
Mibojin sighed. "There are quite a lot of people who believe I should have. You must understand, Hood, my species and rationality are often not on speaking terms." She frowned and glanced at the cicada. "Wait, why am I telling you all this? You should know it already, you can read my mind."
"I like it when you tell me things," Hood said, enraptured.
"… Mibojin. Once more, I am sorry for the trouble I have caused you," Manti said sorrowfully. "I had not realized how much of your life would be upended by becoming my partner. Us bonding with outsiders and inducting them into the Hive, it's… Unprecedented. It never occurred to any of us how different things would be for you then if you were already members of the Hive."
Mibojin didn't tell her it was all right, because she was unable to lie. She did resent Manti, and Apista, and everyone else for the situation she found herself in. Unfortunately, in the end, there was nothing she could do about it, and feeling angry or bitter wouldn't help her or anyone else.
So instead she said, "What's done is done. All we can do is keep going forward. It is not as if I am a stranger to adversity." "Now steel yourselves, for we have an important mission, and being maudlin will only hinder us."
"Okay," Hood replied. "Hey, while we're here, do you think I could pick up some manga-"
"No."
"Awwwwwww."
As Mibojin and Hood headed deeper into the convention hall, a group of sinister hooded figures entered Shurikon as well.
Nobody paid them any attention. After all, there were dozens of sinister hooded figures attending the convention, there was no reason to believe these would be any different.
They were, of course, badly mistaken.
"Welcome to Tokucon!" Shin declared, spreading his arms to show off the splendor of the convention.
And what splendor it was!
Banners showing Takeshi Hongo, Tsuyoshi Kaijo, Ultraman, Gavan, and other legendary Toku heroes hung from the ceiling. Aisles upon aisles of booths with vendors selling fanart, memorabilia, and collectibles filled the hall, divided by genre. Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman, and Metal Heroes naturally dominated the floor, but there were plenty of lesser-known teams or heroes represented as well. A space had been cleared in the middle of the hall for tech demonstrations and sparring matches. Mecha on loan from retired teams were lined up against the walls, with visitors being allowed to tour them. Massive lines had already formed up before booths where industry vets were signing autographs.
And everywhere, everyone was wearing a costume, and while the big three – and Metal Heroes – got the most representation, plenty of other heroes and local teams got some love too, and there were quite a few magical girls present as well. While many costumes were predictably shoddy and handmade, others were so professional it was almost impossible to distinguish them from the actual heroes, many of whom who were taking advantage of everyone being in an outfit to freely mingle with their fans without revealing who they really were.
"This is amazing!" Nushi gushed, eyes sparkling.
Goro nodded, awestruck. "It's like military conferences I've been to, but so much more colorful and fantastic…" He paused, noticing a very long line of tables advertising for organizations such as CARAT, the Earth Defense Force, the Global Special Police Organization, Hiden Intelligence, the Kougami Foundation, the Sword of Logos, STORAGE, the SSSP, GUYS, and so on. "They still have recruiters, though."
"Well, I suppose it makes sense that organizations which support heroes are always looking for new hires," Nushi reasoned.
"Few of which actually get to be heroes, naturally," Shin observed. He sighed happily. "I've always loved coming here. People think I'm just a guy in a costume and not some hideous freak of nature."
"And this is the first time I've been officially invited!" Ariel cheered giddily. "I mean, of course I come every year, but I've never gotten to do it as an actual hero before! Well, except for that one brief stint I had as a magical girl which I don't like talking about."
"It was not a good look on you," Lepidoptera agreed.
"Nushi? A lot of people are staring at us," Coccinella observed.
Nushi frowned in concern, noticing that a great many people were looking at them in astonishment. Crap, were they going to get as bad a reception as Mibojin did? She didn't think they'd done anything bad, but…
And then, much to her surprise, everyone started cheering, and a banner fell from the ceiling reading WELCOME, BUGRANGERS!
Everyone started. "What?" Goro gasped.
"Oh gosh," Shin whispered, tearing up. "You'd think I'd be used to people actually being happy to see me by now, and yet…"
"Let it out, big guy, let it out," Caelifer said.
"I'm very used to it, and I'm still always happy when people are excited to see me!" Ariel chirped. "Still, this is a surprise."
"You can thank your mother for that, she insisted we do something special to welcome you and your friends to your first official Tokucon."
"Mom! Dad!" Ariel cheered, leaping forward and hugging her parents as they emerged from the crowd. "You're here! I shouldn't be surprised since you come every year, but I am anyway!"
Urara laughed and kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Well of course we're here, sweetie, we didn't want to miss your first official Tokucon! Or your panel!"
"We brought the whole family, for moral support!" Hikaru said warmly.
"And to make fun of me if we screw it up?" Ariel half-teased.
Her father smirked. "Naturally. What's family for?"
"Nushi! Over here!"
Nushi gasped in delight as Cleopatra made a very modest (for her) entrance, riding on a one-story pyramid-shaped platform pulled by Ushabti with only half a dozen dancing girls, fan bearers, and flautists and a single leashed Tiger. "Your Majesty! We weren't expecting to see you here!"
The immortal God-queen of Egypt and a good chunk of Africa and Europe laughed in amusement. "But of course! I come every year! Though technically this is my first year. I think. What with the time travel and all. It's all very confusing."
"It wasn't my fault!" Shin yelled. "… I think."
"I blame King Tokiwa," Caelifer said.
"May he reign forever," almost everyone else said reflexively.
"… That is still so freaky," Formic muttered.
"What is?" Goro asked.
The Divine Insect sighed. "Nevermind."
"Are the rest of the Egyptrangers here as well, your Majesty?" Ariel asked.
Cleopatra shook her head. "Regrettably, no, something came up back home and they had to stay behind. Still, at least I'll be able to see your panel! I'm quite looking forward to it."
Nushi laughed nervously. "Great… No pressure…"
"Don't worry, kid, I'm sure you'll do just fine."
Ariel shrieked, grabbed Nushi by the shirt, and started throttling her. "OH MY ARCH-SAINT IT'S CAPTAIN MARVELOUS."
"Whoa! What are you doing here?!" Shin asked in disbelief as the legendary pirate emerged from the crowd, people parting before him like water before a ship, a very apt metaphor. Some even bowed reverently and took pictures.
Marvelous rolled his eyes. "Gai throws a fit if we don't attend Tokucon every year… And every other major hero-related convention. Kind of annoying, but taking care of my crew is part of what a good captain does. Especially if it'll keep them from whining."
"But… Shouldn't you be in space? I thought the Swarm had blockaded the solar system!" Nushi protested.
Marvelous laughed. "Please, we're pirates, we've been running blockades worse than this for years!" He paused, then frowned. "Granted, not much worse."
"We would be honored if you attended our panel," Ariel said eagerly, various fantasies about her going on a date with Marvelous and possibly his entire crew flashing through her head, much to Nushi's amusement and mild dismay.
"I'll be there, but you better make it showy," Marvelous warned her, to her delight.
"I think I'll sit in as well."
"Captain!" Goro gasped, reflexively saluting Captain Yoshino Kazuta as he approached, the rest of the team quickly standing at attention. "I didn't know you would be here!"
"Well, Katsutoshi Squad are basically Toku heroes now," Kazuta said in amusement. "The brass wanted us here to man the recruiting booth, use our status to convince people to join the JSDF."
"And how's that going?" Goro asked.
Kazuta grimaced, glancing over to the recruiter area. "Well…"
Sergeant Kamiya, sitting behind a stand advertising the Japanese Self-Defense Force in his Victorider suit along with the rest of the squad, suddenly shot to his feet and started firing his minigun at the ceiling, shouting, "JOIN THE JSDF! JOIN THE JSDF! JOIN THE JSDF!"
He seemed genuinely perplexed as people ran screaming. Next to him, Fukiyami facepalmed while Takeshi groaned and Hebishima tried to look like he didn't know who the crazy man was.
"… Wow," Caelifer said as everyone stared.
"In his defense, that's the same tactic that convinced him to join up," Kazuta admitted, looking embarrassed. "I should probably do something about that…"
As he ran off, Shin loudly announced, "Wow! I wonder if anyone else we know will randomly happen to be here!"
"Hey, dad."
"Son!" Shin ecstatically hugged Shiin Kazamatsuri, who looked almost exactly like he did back when he was a Rider, but slightly less ugly and a different shade of green. "What a surprise!"
"But you invited me-"
"Shhh."
"… And he calls my acting bad?" Goro complained.
"It is," absolutely everyone in the entire Hive told him.
He sighed.
Hikaru chuckled. "My, I get the impression this is going to be a Tokucon to remember."
"Absolutely!" Urara agreed happily.
She didn't know how right she was.
After all, Princess Philia and her friends would be attending too!
Also, something else totally unrelated was going to happen, but it's far too early to discuss that.