AlSymphoGotchard : Kamen Rider Gotchard X Symphogear

by sentobestmatch

A crossover story between Kamen Rider Gotchard X Symphogear with a twist and change that you may have never experienced or read before. A story full of imagination. For now, this would be just a one-shot story or chapter and no guarantee for long longevity but have a fun time reading this pilot chapter if any reader stumbles into this story.

6. S6 EP2 Part 1

MASSIVE DISCLAIMER & SPOILER!

READ THIS FIRST BEFORE PROCCEEDING INTO THE STORY!

This was the continuation of the bonus chapter that I published last time. Since that chapter can be considered as the first episode of the 6th season, you can consider this as the second chapter and continuation of that chapter. There would be some explanation on why I decided to continue the bonus chapter or story rather than continuing the second chapter of the pilot chapter in S1. However, that would be on a separate digression chapter as per usual but this chapter wouldn't have the digression chapter just yet because this chapter is also divided into two parts too.

The second part is still on progress but I don't want to give some high hopes for those who read the stories. I still can't guarantee the completion of the chapter but let's hope the time when I can finish it later. Hopefully, despite the jumbled and jumping chapters that I made, all of you readers out there would be able to enjoy the story nonetheless. A little warning here that you might prepare your heart or some box of tissues because if you know the plot of the chapters of season 6 as of now, you know that you need to prepare your emotion here. Without further ado, hope you all enjoy the story!

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S6 EP 2 : Be Dyed In Despair (絶望に染まれ; Zetsubō ni somare)

---

The rain poured relentlessly, its cold droplets mingling with the warmth of Rinne's tears as she sprinted down the dimly lit streets. Her hair clung to her face, her clothing soaked through and heavy against her trembling body. Each step splashed into the puddles pooling on the uneven pavement, but she didn't slow down. She couldn't.

She could still hear Kirika's desperate voice calling her name, the sound cutting through the rain like a knife. But Rinne's heart twisted with every syllable, and her legs pushed her further away. Kirika's voice was a tether, a plea for her to come back, but Rinne couldn't face them—not after what had happened to Shirabe.

Images of Shirabe's battered body, broken and charred, flashed in her mind. Rinne could still see the moment Gigist's black flames engulfed her friend—the screams, the light fading from Shirabe's eyes. It had all been for her. Shirabe had saved her, had thrown herself in the path of that monster's attack without hesitation.

And what had Rinne done? She had stood there, frozen by her own envy and self-doubt. She had hesitated, plagued by thoughts she didn't even want to acknowledge.

"Why did I freeze? Why didn't I fight?"

Deep down, Rinne knew the answer. The thought clawed at her, tearing through her heart with every step she took. It wasn't the first time she'd felt that ugly jealousy. She had seen how close Shirabe had grown to Houtaro, the way they exchanged smiles and words of warmth. Earlier that day, watching Shirabe care for Houtaro while he lay sick had sent a pang through Rinne's chest. She hated herself for it, but she couldn't stop the bitterness that surged within her.

"For a moment, I wanted her gone."

Now, Shirabe might never wake up, and it was her fault. The realization burned deeper than the rain chilling her body to the bone.

Her knees weakened as her heart wrenched painfully. She stumbled, her foot catching on the curb, and she crashed into the cold, flooded ground. The impact sent a sharp ache through her palms, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her chest.

"I'm sorry," she whispered to the empty street, her voice swallowed by the rain. "I'm sorry, Shirabe. I'm sorry, Houtaro, Kirika… I'm so sorry."

The rain concealed her tears as she pressed her forehead against the pavement, the weight of her guilt pinning her down. However, she still stood back up before continuing running away amidst the downpour to keep her distance from the approaching Kirika in the distant.

The sound of a door swinging open and the faint jingle of a bell barely registered in Rinne's ears. She hadn't noticed the convenience store until she collided with someone stepping out, their umbrella clattering to the ground.

Rinne collided with the person, the impact knocking her off balance. Her legs gave out, and she crashed into the cold, flooded ground. The water soaked through her clothes, and the sharp sting of her scraped palms barely registered over the storm of emotions raging within her.

"Whoa, hey—are you okay?"

Her heart froze at the familiar voice. She looked up to see Ryo Kajiki, his expression shifting from concern to recognition as he realized who she was.

"Rinne?" Kajiki knelt down, grabbing her arm and pulling her upright. He frowned as he noticed her soaked and battered state. "What happened? Why are you out here in this weather without an umbrella?"

Rinne averted her gaze, pulling her arm free as her chest tightened. "It's… it's nothing. I just… slipped," she said, her voice wavering as she tried to brush him off. "Leave me alone."

Kajiki wasn't convinced. His sharp eyes scanned her appearance, taking in the torn fabric of her clothing, the bruises faintly visible on her face. "That's not just from slipping," he said, his tone firm but concerned.

"It's nothing," Rinne said, pulling away from his grip. She hugged herself tightly, her eyes fixed on the ground. "I just… slipped. That's all."

Kajiki raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "That's a pretty bad fall if you ended up like this. Come on, let's get out of the rain first."

Before Rinne could protest, Kajiki placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her toward the overhang outside the convenience store. She tried to resist, but her weakened state made it futile.

Under the shelter, Kajiki handed her a towel he had bought inside. Rinne took it reluctantly, dabbing at her rain-soaked face. Her trembling hands betrayed her inner turmoil, but she refused to look at him.

"So," Kajiki began, his tone light but probing. "Care to tell me what's really going on? You don't look like you just slipped on the sidewalk. And why are you running out here without an umbrella? It's pouring!"

Rinne hesitated, her mind racing to piece together a plausible explanation. She couldn't tell him about Chemies, the Dark King, or the battle that had left Shirabe in her condition. Instead, she crafted a careful lie.

"I was…" she began hesitantly, her voice shaking. "I was at Shirabe's place. She caught Houtaro's fever earlier today, and I…"

Her words faltered as she glanced at Kajiki, who was listening intently. His expression softened slightly, and she seized the opportunity to continue her lie.

"Houtaro collapsed again while we were there," she said, her voice steadier now. "He wasn't fully recovered, but he insisted on checking on Shirabe. I… I was trying to get back to Café Ichinose to tell Mr. Ichinose, but…" She gestured vaguely at her soaked clothes and injuries.

Kajiki's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her words. He sighed, shaking his head. "That's just like Houtaro, pushing himself too hard. I told him this morning to rest, but does he ever listen?"

Rinne blinked at him, momentarily taken aback. "You… told him?"

"Yeah," Kajiki said, leaning back against the wall. "I stopped by Café Ichinose earlier to check on him. Mr. Ichinose said he was sick, so I figured I'd nag him about staying in bed."

Rinne's chest tightened at the revelation. So Kajiki was the one who had tipped them off about Houtaro's condition. Another piece of the day's events fell into place, adding to the weight she carried.

Kajiki raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "And the bruises? You're telling me you fell that many times on your way here?"

Rinne's grip tightened on the towel, her gaze falling to the ground. "It's… complicated," she murmured. "Just forget about it, okay?"

Kajiki sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "Fine. But at least let me help. You shouldn't be running around like this. You'll get sick too. Why don't you get some dry clothes or a raincoat in the store? I'll even walk you back to the café."

"No!" Rinne said sharply, startling him. She quickly softened her tone, shaking her head. "I mean… you don't have to. I'm fine. Really."

Kajiki opened his mouth to argue, but a distant voice interrupted him.

"Rinne!"

Rinne's heart sank. She glanced toward the sound, then back at Kajiki, panic flaring in her chest. "Please, Kajiki" she whispered urgently, grabbing his arm. "Don't tell her I'm here. Just… please help me hide."

Kajiki blinked in confusion. "Hide? From Kirika? Why would you—"

"Please!" Rinne's voice cracked, tears brimming in her eyes. "Just do it!"

Kajiki hesitated, but the look in her eyes silenced his questions. He nodded reluctantly and guided her behind a stack of crates near the overhang. "Stay here," he said quietly. "I'll handle this."

As Kajiki stepped out to intercept Kirika, Rinne crouched behind the crates, her breath shallow. Her fingers clutched at the towel, her heart pounding as she heard Kirika's voice draw closer.

"Kajiki!" Kirika's voice was tinged with worry. "Have you seen Rinne? She ran off, and I've been looking everywhere for her, Dess."

Kajiki hesitated, glancing toward Rinne's hiding spot. His lips pressed into a thin line before he shook his head. "No, I haven't seen her. But you should get out of the rain. You'll catch a cold like this."

Kirika laughed lightly, though it sounded forced. "I'll be fine, Dess. I just need to find her. She must be feeling awful after everything that happened, Dess."

Rinne's chest tightened, tears pooling in her eyes as she listened to Kirika's words. She wanted to leap out, to tell Kirika she was sorry, to beg for forgiveness. But her body refused to move, weighed down by the guilt and shame crushing her.

As Kirika's voice faded into the distance, Kajiki returned to her hiding spot. "She's gone," he said softly. "But, Rinne… you can't keep running like this. Whatever's going on, you need to talk to someone."

Rinne looked up at him, her tear-streaked face filled with anguish. "I can't," she whispered. "Not after what I've done."

Kajiki frowned, his concern deepening. "What do you mean?"

Before she could answer, her vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness washed over her. The fever from the rain finally overtook her, and she collapsed into Kajiki's arms.

Panic surged through Kajiki as he caught her unconscious body. "Rinne!" he shouted, shaking her lightly. She didn't respond.

His mind raced. He couldn't carry her all the way back to the café alone, but there was one person nearby who might help. He looked back toward the store, determination settling in his chest.

"Hold on, Rinne," he murmured. "I'll get help."

With that, he rushed inside, searching for the familiar face of the part-time worker who lived nearby.

---

Houtaro Ichinose floated in a void of pitch-black nothingness, his thoughts tangled in a storm of emotions. The weight of the day's events hung heavy in his chest, their details vivid even in unconsciousness. His last memory before he blacked out replayed vividly—the sight of Shirabe's pale motionless body, Rinne's retreating figure amidst the pouring rain, and Kirika's desperate cries. The pain, grief, and helplessness spiraled into a haze that dragged him deep into unconsciousness.

Time had no meaning in the void. Houtaro couldn't tell how long he'd been suspended in the silence. The world felt cold, empty, and unrelenting, as if he were stranded in a place even light refused to reach.

In the silence, a faint light appeared, flickering in the distance. It pierced the darkness like a star struggling to shine through a storm. Drawn to its faint glow, Houtaro willed himself to move, though he had no body to command. He drifted closer, the light growing brighter until it consumed him entirely.

When his vision cleared, he was no longer in the void. Instead, he found himself standing in a burning forest, the flames licking hungrily at the trees and filling the air with thick, choking smoke. The heat was oppressive, and the acrid smell of charred wood stung his nostrils. He staggered backward, shielding his face with his arms as embers rained down around him.

"What… where am I?" Houtaro's voice trembled, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the chaos around him.

Amidst the inferno, something caught his eye—shapes lying on the scorched ground ahead. His heart sank as he recognized the first figure.

"Shirabe?"

She lay unconscious, her small body cradling Hopper1 protectively against her chest. But this Shirabe was not the one he'd last seen. Her long flowing hair was vibrant and black, not the stark white it had become. She looked much younger, her delicate frame clad in shrine priestess robes now smudged with ash but otherwise intact.

"What's going on?" Houtaro's voice cracked with panic as he took a step toward her, only to freeze when he noticed another figure.

A boy lay beside her, small and battered, his clothing torn and stained with blood. Houtaro's breath hitched as realization struck him, his voice faltering.

"That's… me…"

The realization hit him like a tidal wave. He was staring at his younger self, grievously injured and clinging to life. His younger self, no older than Shirabe appeared, lay motionless, his breaths shallow and labored. The boy's face was twisted in pain even in unconsciousness, his tiny hands clutching at the ground as though trying to hold on.

"No, no, no…" Houtaro moved instinctively toward the boy, but his legs refused to cooperate. Panic surged through him as he realized he couldn't move—or even speak loud enough to be heard. He was a spectator, bound and powerless, forced to watch as the scene unfolded.

He tried to calm himself, to make sense of the surreal vision before him. This had to be a memory. But how? Why was he here now?

---

As the fire crackled around him, Houtaro's mind raced, fragments of long-buried memories surfacing like bubbles rising from the depths of a forgotten ocean.

His childhood. The Tsuki Shrine. Shirabe.

It began with the Tsuki Shrine, nestled deep within the lush green forests of Saitama. The shrine stood as a serene and ancient guardian of the area, its weathered stone steps and towering torii gate a pathway into a world steeped in tradition. It was there, amidst this quiet haven, that Houtaro's life had been forever changed.

The shrine was Shirabe's home. Her grandparents, a revered priest and priestess, had been training Shirabe to inherit their role. Despite the weight of her responsibilities, Shirabe always carried herself with a determined glint in her eye. She was lively, spirited, and fiercely independent—traits that had initially intimidated the timid young Houtaro when his family moved to the area.

Their first meeting was unexpected. Houtaro had been trailing behind his mother on one of her errands to the shrine, his small frame weighed down by a basket of ingredients she had insisted on delivering. As his mother exchanged pleasantries with Shirabe's grandmother, Houtaro wandered toward the courtyard, where the sound of hurried scribbling caught his attention.

There, crouched under the shade of a cherry tree, was Shirabe. A small sketchbook rested on her knees, and she held a pencil that moved furiously across the page. Houtaro hesitated, unsure whether to interrupt.

"You're staring," Shirabe said without looking up, her voice matter-of-fact.

"S-Sorry!" Houtaro stammered, taking a step back.

Shirabe finally looked at him, her sharp eyes assessing. "What's with the basket?"

"My mom made me carry it," Houtaro mumbled. "It's for the shrine…"

Shirabe tilted her head, then grinned. "So you like cooking, huh?"

Houtaro blinked, surprised. "Well… yeah. I help my mom in the kitchen a lot."

"Ugh, lucky you," Shirabe said with a dramatic sigh, flipping her sketchbook closed. "I hate cooking. Grandma makes me do it all the time, but it's so boring. I'd rather be drawing. Thankfully Grandpa is always kind to give me some slack and free time to do what I love."

At that, Houtaro couldn't help but glance at the sketchbook in her lap. "You're good at it?"

"I think so," Shirabe said proudly, holding up the book. On the page was a rough but charming drawing of the shrine courtyard, the lines and details bursting with life. Houtaro's eyes widened.

"Wow," he said softly. "That's amazing."

Shirabe blushed faintly but shrugged. "It's just practice. Grandma says I need to focus on my priestess training, not 'childish hobbies.'" Her expression darkened slightly. "I wish I could just draw all day."

Houtaro shuffled awkwardly. "My mom signed me up for a drawing competition," he admitted. "But I don't think I'm good enough…"

Shirabe looked at him sharply, her interest piqued. "Really? What are you drawing for it?"

"Uh… I don't know yet."

"You don't know? And you're entering a contest?" Shirabe laughed. "You're weird."

"I didn't want to do it!" Houtaro protested, his cheeks turning red. "My mom made me."

Shirabe studied him for a moment, then smiled. "You should try anyway. Drawing's fun, even if you're not good at it." She hesitated before adding, "If you promise to do your best, I'll… I'll try to like cooking. How about that?"

Houtaro blinked, stunned by her earnest offer. "Really?"

"Yeah," Shirabe said, her voice firm. "If you can make an effort, I can too. Deal?"

Houtaro hesitated, then nodded. "Deal. Oh yeah, may I know your name?"

"My name is Tsukinomiya Shirabe. You?" Shirabe replied with a gentle smile after getting along with little Houtaro after a few skirmishes.

Houtaro replied back with the same gentle and excited face he always has. "I'm Ichinose Houtaro. Nice to meet you, Shirabe!"

Their shared promise became the foundation of their friendship. Houtaro found himself looking forward to their meetings at the shrine, where Shirabe would eagerly show him her latest sketches while teasing him about his progress in drawing. True to her word, Shirabe threw herself into cooking, often presenting Houtaro with dishes she'd made—most of which were barely edible.

"It's not that bad!" Shirabe insisted one day, glaring at Houtaro as he poked at a lumpy stew.

"It's crunchy," he said flatly.

"It's supposed to be!"

Despite the disasters, Houtaro appreciated her effort, just as Shirabe encouraged his own artistic attempts. Slowly, he began to see the joy in drawing, inspired by her passion and support.

"I'm going to win that competition," he told her one day, holding up a finished sketch of the Tsuki Shrine. "And I'm going to show you how good I've gotten, Shirabe!"

Shirabe grinned. "Good. I'm looking forward to it, Houtaro."

Their adventures expanded beyond the shrine when they stumbled upon the entrance to the Ouroboros World. Hidden deep within the forest, the gateway shimmered like liquid silver, beckoning them into a realm of endless wonder.

Inside, they encountered the Chemies—small, sentient beings imbued with alchemical magic. Hopper1 was the first to approach them, the tiny grasshopper Chemy leaping onto Houtaro's shoulder and chirping excitedly.

"Hoppa!, Hoppa!" Hopper1 chirped happily with its first encounter with Houtaro and Shirabe.

"You're so tiny!" Shirabe said, laughing as Hopper1 hopped between her and Houtaro. "What is it saying?"

Houtaro tilted his head, his bond with the Chemy allowing him to understand its intent. "I think… it wants to be friends."

Their explorations soon drew the attention of X-Wizard, the guardian of the Ouroboros World. She loomed over them, her dark purple cloak billowing as she scolded them for trespassing.

"This world is not a playground," she snapped, her voice stern. "It's dangerous!"

"We're sorry!" Houtaro said quickly, clutching Hopper1 protectively.

Shirabe glared up at the imposing figure. "We didn't mean any harm!"

X-Wizard sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. But if you're staying, I'm watching you. Got it?"

Under her watchful eye, Houtaro and Shirabe explored the magical world, forging bonds with other Chemies and marveling at its beauty. X-Wizard, despite her initial annoyance, grew fond of the children, acting as a stern but caring older sister figure.

But the peace of the Ouroboros World was shattered one fateful day. The sky darkened, and the ground trembled as an unknown force attacked. Flames consumed the vibrant landscape, and Chemies scattered in panic.

"Run!" X-Wizard shouted, ushering them toward the gateway.

Houtaro grabbed Shirabe's hand, his heart pounding as they dodged falling debris. Hopper1 clung to his shoulder, chirping urgently.

"We're almost there!" Houtaro shouted, his voice breaking with fear.

But just as they reached the gateway, an explosion erupted behind them. Houtaro turned instinctively, his body moving on its own as he shielded Shirabe and Hopper1 with his small frame.

"Shirabe, Hopper1!" he screamed, his voice drowned out by the roar of the blast as he shielded and hugged the two friends he had.

The last thing he remembered was the searing heat and the blinding light before everything went dark.

Tears streamed down Houtaro's face as he watched the memory play out before him. "Why?" he whispered. "Why didn't I remember this before?"

The answer came unbidden, a revelation that struck him like a lightning bolt.

His mother. Tamami Ichinose, or more correctly, Fine.

She had erased his memories, locking away the pain and danger of those days to protect him. She had even hidden the existence of the Ouroboros World, closing its gates at Tsuki Shrine.

Houtaro clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. He had confronted her during the Symphogear incident, furious at her deception. But even then, he couldn't deny that she had acted out of love, shielding him from a truth she believed he wasn't ready to face.

And yet, standing here now, Houtaro couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story—secrets his mother had never revealed.

---

Houtaro, or at least the version of him trapped as a mere observer, could do nothing but watch as his younger self groaned weakly on the scorched ground. The pitiful sound snapped him out of his dazed thoughts, and his focus shifted sharply back to the scene in front of him. His younger self stirred, struggling to open his eyes, his face contorted in pain.

Houtaro's chest tightened as he watched the small, frail version of himself slowly lift his head. The little boy stirred, his face scrunched in pain as he struggled to open his eyes. Each motion was agonizing, his tiny frame trembling under the weight of injuries that were far too severe for someone so young. The boy gasped weakly, his head lolling to the side as his broken voice croaked out.

"Shirabe… Hopper1…"

The sound was enough to stir the two figures lying beside him. Little Shirabe groaned faintly, her eyelids fluttering open as she clutched Hopper1 closer to her chest. Her small hands trembled as she instinctively shielded the tiny Chemy from the lingering embers and scattered debris.

"Hoppa… ho… Hop, hop!"

Hopper1 shuddered before shaking off the ash that clung to its green body, its antennas twitching weakly. It chirped, its voice small and unsteady.

"Houtaro?" Shirabe's voice was soft, trembling with confusion. She blinked slowly, her gaze falling on her childhood friend's battered form. The sight sent a jolt of panic through her.

When she took in the full extent of his injuries—his tattered clothes, the blood pooling beneath him, and the labored rise and fall of his chest—her shock erupted into raw panic.

"Houtaro!" she cried, her voice cracking as she scrambled toward him. Her hands hovered over his broken form, hesitating as she frantically searched for a place to touch without worsening his pain. "Houtaro, say something! Please!"

Hopper1 chirped frantically, leaping onto his chest and nudging him desperately. "Ho! Hoppa! Hop, hoppa!"

Despite the grim reality of his condition, Houtaro managed a weak smile. "You're both… okay," he rasped, his words barely audible over the crackling flames. "That's all… that matters…"

"No, it's not!" Shirabe shouted, her voice breaking. Tears spilled down her soot-streaked cheeks as she gripped his shoulders. "Stop saying that! You're hurt—really hurt! X-Wizard and Auntie will be here any second, so you just have to hold on, okay? Just hold on!"

Houtaro's eyes softened at her desperate plea, but his fading strength made it harder to keep his gaze on her. His body was slipping away from him, and each breath felt like a struggle against an inevitable tide.

Hopper1 let out another distressed cry. "Hoppa… Ho! Hop, hop!" It nudged at Houtaro's cheek again, as if its movement alone could somehow transfer life back into him.

Houtaro's breaths grew shallower, his small chest rising and falling erratically. His head lolled to the side, and his heavy-lidded eyes locked onto Shirabe's tearful face. "Hey… don't cry, Shirabe," he murmured, his voice trembling but gentle. "I'll be fine. I… promise."

"Stop lying!" Shirabe sobbed, shaking her head violently. "You're not fine, Houtaro! You're not!"

Houtaro's lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. "Tomorrow's… the drawing competition… remember? I still need to show you my work."

Shirabe's chest heaved as her sobs deepened. "You promised me, Houtaro! You said you'd show me your drawing! You said you'd bring me good news, so you have to stay awake! You have to!"

"I know… I know," Houtaro whispered. His gaze flickered to Hopper1, his expression softening. "You too, Hopper1. Don't look so sad. We'll play together again… all of us… with X-Wizard…"

His voice trailed off, and he coughed violently, blood staining his lips. Shirabe's panic surged. "Stop talking! Don't—don't waste your strength! You just need to stay awake, okay?"

Houtaro's vision blurred, and he struggled to keep focus. He knew. He knew he wouldn't last much longer. He swallowed painfully before mustering his last reserves of strength.

"Shirabe…" he said softly, "you need to find Mom and X-Wizard. Go… before it's too late."

Shirabe's grip on him tightened. "No! I won't leave you!"

"Please…" Houtaro's voice weakened. "Take care of Mom… and Dad too… Tell then I… I love them… Please, Shirabe…"

Shirabe furiously shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "No! If you have something to say to them, then you have to say it yourself! So don't talk like this is the end!"

Houtaro lifted a trembling hand, gently brushing away the tears streaming down her face. "You'll be okay… even without me…"

"No, I won't!" Shirabe sobbed. "I won't be okay without you, Houtaro! I was alone before I met you! After my parents died… after my grandparents told me I had to take over the shrine… I had no one. I felt so empty! Every day was the same, and all I could do was draw to distract myself!"

Hopper1 let out a sorrowful cry. "Hop… hoppa… ho…"

"You… you changed everything, Houtaro," Shirabe continued between sobs. "You shared your drawings with me, and I shared mine with you. You made me love cooking, even though I used to hate it! Auntie taught me how to cook because of you! Uncle treated me like I was his own daughter because of you!"

Houtaro's hand slipped from her cheek, and his eyelids grew heavier.

"Please… don't leave me too…" Shirabe begged. "Everyone I love keeps leaving… I can't lose you too!"

Houtaro's fingers twitched before weakly curling. With what little strength he had left, he lifted his pinky toward her.

"Remember… our promise?" Houtaro's voice was barely a whisper, his breath ragged and weak. His trembling pinky lifted ever so slightly, reaching toward Shirabe. It was a simple gesture, but it carried the weight of everything—their friendship, their memories, their future. The promise they had made together, under the warmth of the sun, with Hopper1 nestled between them. The promise to always be together, no matter what.

Shirabe gasped, her tear-streaked face contorted in raw emotion as she recognized the gesture. Her hands trembled violently as she reached out, desperate to link her pinky with his. Hopper1, chirping frantically, hopped closer, stretching out one tiny antenna, as if it too wanted to reaffirm their bond.

But before their fingers could touch—before that sacred promise could be sealed once more—Houtaro's hand slipped from the air and fell limply to the ground.

Shirabe froze.

A sickening stillness settled over the ruined landscape.

"Houtaro?"

There was no answer.

"Houtaro!?"

Her voice cracked, rising in pitch as she grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "No! No, no, no! This isn't funny! You can't just—wake up! Please, Houtaro!"

"Hoppa! Ho… Hoppa! Hop, hop!" Hopper1 let out a string of frantic cries, leaping onto Houtaro's chest, nudging at him desperately. Its tiny body trembled as it tried, with all its might, to stir him back to life.

Shirabe pressed her ear against his chest, her entire body quaking. She strained to listen, to hear anything—just one heartbeat. Even the faintest rhythm.

There was nothing.

Her hands fumbled to his wrist, her fingers searching desperately for a pulse, pressing down harder and harder as if sheer will alone could force life back into him. But still, there was nothing.

A strangled sob ripped from her throat. "Houtaro…" Her fingers dug into the fabric of his torn, bloodied shirt, gripping him as if anchoring him to the world. "No… No, this isn't right… You said…"

"No!" Shirabe cried, grabbing his hand. "Wake up, Houtaro! Please open your eyes, say something! You promised, Houtaro! You promised we'd… we'd…"

"Hoppa! Hoppa, hoppa!" Hopper1's chirps turned into a frantic, sorrowful cacophony as it hopped onto Houtaro's chest, nudging him again and again. But no matter how much they cried or pleaded, Houtaro didn't respond.

Shirabe pressed her ear against his chest, hoping for even the faintest heartbeat. Nothing. Her fingers fumbled against his wrist, searching desperately for a pulse. There was none.

"Houtaro…" Shirabe whispered, her words caught in her throat as fresh tears poured down her face.

"You said we'd play together tomorrow. You said you'd show me your drawing. I… I promised I'd cook for you." Her sobs deepened, her small body wracked with grief. "I've been practicing so hard… because I wanted to make something you'd actually like."

She gripped his shirt tightly, her knuckles turning white. "I—I even practiced making your favorite tamagoyaki with Auntie! I wanted to surprise you when you came back tomorrow! It was supposed to be a surprise," she continued, her words spilling out in a desperate rush. "I-I wanted to make you something amazing, something to thank you for helping me, for believing in me… and now you're… you're…"

Her words dissolved into sobs as she buried her face against his chest. "You're a liar, Houtaro!" she screamed. "You said you wouldn't leave! You said we'd be together! You're a liar, Houtaro! A liar!"

Her sobs tore through the smoky air as she collapsed against him, her small frame trembling with despair.

"Hoppa… Hoppa, ho… Hoppa…"

Hopper1 nestled against Houtaro's chest, its tiny body quivering as it chirped softly, mourning the loss of its friend.

As Houtaro—the version watching from the void—stood frozen, an overwhelming sense of helplessness consumed him. He could do nothing but bear witness to Shirabe's pain, her cries echoing in his mind like an endless refrain. He wanted to reach out, to call her name, to wipe away her tears. But no matter how much he screamed, his voice never reached her. He could only watch as Shirabe clung to his lifeless body, sobbing until her voice broke.

Then, an eerie sense of familiarity struck him. This was just like when he had cradled Shirabe's unconscious body after their battle with Gigist. He remembered cradling her lifeless body, begging her to wake up, to stay with him. Only now, the roles were reversed, and it was Shirabe crying over him.

"Shirabe…" he whispered, his voice trembling with guilt and sorrow. "I'm so sorry."

The helplessness was unbearable. He wanted to reach out, to reassure her, but he remained trapped, a silent observer. His heart ached as he screamed internally, his voice lost in the void.

Under the scorching, smoke-filled sky, Shirabe's cries pierced through the suffocating heat, raw and desperate. Her small body trembled violently as she clung to Houtaro's limp form, her fingers curled tightly into his bloodstained shirt as if sheer force alone could anchor him to the world.

Tears streamed down her soot-covered face, mixing with the grime and ash. Her voice cracked as she sobbed his name over and over, refusing to accept the horrifying reality before her.

"Houtaro! Please, wake up!" she wailed, shaking his shoulders weakly. "Open your eyes! You promised! You said we'd play together tomorrow again and showed us the result of your competition!"

Beside her, Hopper1 trembled, its tiny body quivering as it nudged against Houtaro's unmoving chest. "Hoppa! Hop! Ho… Ho!" The little Chemy's voice broke in a sorrowful plea, its antenna drooping as it tried, in vain, to stir its friend.

Shirabe sobbed harder, burying her face into Houtaro's chest. "Please don't leave us! Please!"

Suddenly, hurried footsteps pounded through the burning landscape, accompanied by frantic voices.

"Shirabe! Houtaro! Hopper1!"

Two figures burst through the wall of smoke—X-Wizard and Fine, their expressions stricken with urgency. The moment their eyes landed on the scene before them, their breaths hitched.

Fine's heart clenched at the sight of Shirabe's tear-streaked face and Hopper1's desperate cries. Panic surged through her veins, but she forced herself to stay composed. She rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside Shirabe, while X-Wizard quickly assessed the situation.

"Shirabe, sweetheart, tell me what happened," Fine urged gently, her voice trembling despite her efforts to stay calm. She placed her hands on the young girl's shoulders, feeling the way Shirabe's body shook beneath her touch.

But Shirabe was inconsolable. She barely registered Fine's presence, her entire world consumed by the grief in her chest. "Auntie…" she whimpered, her voice barely a whisper. "Houtaro… Houtaro is…" Her words caught in her throat, and fresh sobs wracked her small frame. She couldn't say it. She couldn't bear to speak the truth.

Fine's heart pounded wildly in her chest as a terrible, suffocating dread wrapped around her. Swallowing hard, she turned her attention to her son's body—and her blood ran cold.

Houtaro lay motionless, his small frame battered and bloodied, his face eerily still. His once vibrant eyes were closed, his lips slightly parted as if caught mid-breath.

Fine reached out with trembling hands, pressing them against his cheeks.

Cold.

Ice cold.

"No…" she whispered, shaking her head in denial. Her fingers trailed to his wrist, searching—praying—for a pulse. But there was none.

X-Wizard hovered her gloved hand over Houtaro's chest, her magic weaving into him, desperately scanning for any flicker of life. Nothing. The realization struck her like a hammer to the chest. Her voice was unsteady as she turned to Fine, her eyes dark with grief.

"Fine… Houtaro… he's gone."

"No." Fine's breath hitched sharply, her entire body recoiling from the words. "No, he's not! He can't be!"

She grabbed Houtaro's shoulders and shook him violently, her hands trembling. "Houtaro, baby, wake up! Please, my love, wake up!" Her voice cracked, thick with desperation. "You still have the drawing competition tomorrow! You were so excited! We even planned a party afterward with Shirabe's family tomorrow—" Her voice broke into a sob as she clutched him tighter.

X-Wizard tried to steady her own emotions as she reached out, her voice softer but no less pained. "Fine… we tried everything. We—"

"No!" Fine barked, her tears falling freely now. "There has to be something! There has to be a way!"

She turned to X-Wizard, her eyes pleading. "You have magic! Use it! Fix this! Bring him back!"

Shirabe, who had been staring blankly at the lifeless boy in her arms, suddenly looked up, her eyes wide and frantic. She turned to X-Wizard, her tiny hands clenching at the her older sister figure's sleeves.

"This isn't real, right?" Shirabe's voice was barely above a whisper, fragile and breaking. "This is a nightmare, right? Houtaro's just asleep, right? He's not… he's not…"

X-Wizard's lips pressed into a thin line, her own heart shattering as she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Shirabe. Houtaro is… truly gone."

Shirabe's breath caught in her throat. And then, she screamed.

A raw, agonized wail ripped from her small body as she collapsed against Houtaro, shaking her head violently. "No! No, no, no! That's not true! It's not true!" Her fingers dug into his shirt as she sobbed. "I wanted to spend more time with him! I—he was supposed to be with me! He was supposed to be here!"

Hopper1 chirped wildly, jumping onto Houtaro's chest, pressing its tiny body against him as if its warmth could reignite the spark of life within him. "Hoppa! Hoppa! Hooo! Hop!"

X-Wizard, unable to bear Shirabe's devastation any longer, gently pulled the hysterical girl into her arms. Shirabe thrashed weakly against her hold, her voice breaking as she screamed Houtaro's name over and over. Hopper1, too, was trembling, pressing against X-Wizard's chest as she cradled them both.

Fine, meanwhile, remained frozen in place, cradling her son's body as sobs wracked her frame. Her lips trembled as she murmured brokenly, "Call me 'Mom' again, Houtaro… please… just one more time…"

Tears streamed down her face as she rocked him gently. "You're my treasure, my light… I named you Houtaro because you were meant to shine…" Her voice cracked. "But now you're gone, and I—"

Her hands clenched into fists, pressing against her son's unmoving chest. "How am I supposed to tell your father? How am I supposed to tell him that his precious son is…" She swallowed a sob. "He loves you so much, Houtaro. This will break him."

Fine rocked Houtaro gently, her trembling fingers running through his tousled hair. His weight in her arms felt wrong—too light, too lifeless. The warmth that had once radiated from him, the warmth she had cradled since the day he was born, was gone.

Her breath hitched as she clutched him tighter, her nails digging into the fabric of his torn and bloodstained clothes. "Please open your eyes, my son… Me and your father… Our life wouldn't be the same without you…" she whispered, her voice cracking, each word a struggle against the lump in her throat. "We want to spend more times with you, Houtaro… But now you're gone…" Her throat closed, unable to finish.

This wasn't supposed to happen. Not to him.

For centuries, she had believed that lineage and power were everything, that bloodlines were merely tools to extend her influence. She had lived lifetimes without truly understanding the warmth of a real family.

And then… she met him, her current husband, Mr. Ichinose. He had turned her world upside down, his unwavering kindness breaking through barriers she hadn't even realized she had built. He showed her that family wasn't about obligation—it was about love.

And when she held Houtaro for the first time, she finally understood.

He had been so small, so fragile, yet full of life and laughter. He had clung to her finger with his tiny hands, trusting her completely. For the first time in all her long years, Fine felt like she had something worth protecting, something truly irreplaceable. But now, that treasure—the heart of their little family—was being ripped away from her.

How was she supposed to tell him?

Her husband adored their son more than anything. Houtaro had been the center of their warmth, their home. He had been the first to lift him when he stumbled, the first to ruffle his hair when he succeeded, the first to tell him he was proud. This would destroy him. It was destroying her.

Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, "Please… don't take him from me." But the world remained silent.

She pressed her forehead against Houtaro's, rocking him as if that alone could bring him back. "Just open your eyes, sweetheart… Call me 'Mom' again… Just once… please…" But little Houtaro didn't move. His body remained limp, his lips slightly parted as if he had merely fallen asleep.

And then, a flicker of light.

X-Wizard's eyes snapped toward it, widening when she spotted the glowing blue egg with vibrant orange-rainbow patterns lying among the rubble. She moved swiftly, grabbing the object, and the moment her fingers brushed against it, she felt its power surge through her.

"That is… The Philosopher's Stone…" she murmured, holding it up as realization struck.

Fine barely registered her words, too lost in her grief, but when X-Wizard turned toward her with urgency, her tear-streaked face lifted. Her eyes, once drowning in sorrow, now flickered with desperate hope.

"Can it…?" she whispered, barely daring to believe.

X-Wizard hesitated. "It's possible. But there's a cost. If we do this… Shirabe and Hopper1's memories of Houtaro will have to be erased. Even Houtaro's own memories will be altered. He won't remember this day… he won't remember her."

Fine's grip on Houtaro tightened. If she did this, he wouldn't be the same Houtaro anymore. The memories that had shaped him, the friendships he had built—everything would be rewritten. But if she didn't… he would never wake up again.

She sucked in a shuddering breath, forcing herself to make peace with the choice she was about to make. If there was even the smallest chance—just one chance to hear her son's voice again—she would take it.

"If that's the price," Fine murmured, "then so be it."

X-Wizard turned to Shirabe, who was still clinging desperately to Houtaro's hand. "Shirabe… I need you to sleep now… For now, just forget about this day and about Houtaro, okay?"

Shirabe's head snapped up, her tear-filled eyes wide with horror. "No! I don't want to forget about Houtaro! I won't forget him! I can't!" She gripped Houtaro's lifeless hand tighter, as if the mere thought of forgetting him was worse than losing him. "Please… don't take him away from me!"

X-Wizard's expression softened, but the spell had already begun weaving through the air. Glowing threads of magic wrapped gently around Shirabe and the trembling Hopper1 in her arms. She thrashed weakly, her small frame quivering under the weight of exhaustion and heartbreak.

Her gaze locked onto Houtaro's face, his peaceful, sleeping face, and something inside her whispered that this wasn't the end.

"Please… Don't leave me alone…" she murmured, her voice barely above a breath as the spell took hold.

The memories started slipping away, fragmenting like pieces of glass. She clung to them desperately, trying to hold onto the sound of his laughter, the warmth of his hand in hers, the way he had promised they would always be together. But it was like trying to grasp sand—the harder she held on, the faster it slipped through her fingers.

She saw flashes—Houtaro smiling, Hopper1 hopping onto his shoulder, his excited rambling about his next drawing, the way he had called her name so fondly—

And then, nothing.

A single tear slid down her cheek as her vision darkened, her lips parting one last time in a whisper.

"Houtaro…"

With Shirabe and Hopper1 out of the commission, Fine then exhaled shakily, her hands trembling as she brought the egg closer to Houtaro's chest. She leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss against his forehead, her lips warm against his cold skin.

"You are my heart, my treasure," she whispered, her voice raw but filled with unwavering love. "And I will bring you back."

The air around them shimmered as the ritual began, light enveloping Houtaro's small frame. Fine held him close, her tears mingling with the glow that surrounded them.

"Come back to us, my love. " she murmured, her voice steady even as the weight of everything crushed down on her. "

The world around Houtaro—the observer—blurred as the spell took effect. Fine's voice echoed faintly in his ears.

"I'm sorry for everything, but… Please come back to us, Houtaro… to the family that loves you..."

The observer Houtaro watched helplessly as the scene blurred and faded, the light consuming everything. Fine's tearful face was the last thing he saw before the void reclaimed him.

As he slipped back into unconsciousness, a single thought echoed in his mind: Why did they hide this from me?

---

A low groan escaped Houtaro's lips as his consciousness began to stir. The familiar weight of his body returned, dragging him out of the dark void and into the waking world. His eyes fluttered open, squinting against the soft, pale light above him.

A white ceiling filled his vision. It took him a moment to process where he was, his body still heavy with exhaustion. He shifted slightly, the sterile scent of antiseptic and faint beeping sounds reaching his ears.

He was lying in a hospital bed.

Houtaro pushed himself up weakly, his muscles protesting with every movement. His fever from the previous night was gone, leaving only the dull ache of fatigue. His gaze wandered, taking in his surroundings. The room was small but bathed in sunlight filtering through the window, indicating it was morning—or perhaps closer to noon. Beside him was another bed, its occupant obscured by a drawn curtain that divided the room.

Closer to his side, Houtaro noticed Daiki slumped in a chair, his posture rigid even in sleep. A little further away, Tsubasa and Chris leaned against the wall, their heads drooping as they dozed. Chris's head rested against Tsubasa's shoulder, the latter's arms crossed tightly as though even in sleep, she couldn't fully relax.

"Suzu-nii… Tsuba-nee… Chris-san…" Houtaro muttered under his breath.

It didn't take long for the faint sound of his voice to stir Daiki from his slumber. Daiki's head snapped up, his eyes widening as he saw Houtaro awake.

"Houtaro! You're up!" Daiki exclaimed, leaning forward in his chair. His sudden movement startled Tsubasa and Chris, who both blinked groggily before rushing over to Houtaro's bedside.

"Houtaro, are you okay?" Chris asked sharply, her voice betraying a rare hint of worry. "How do you feel?"

"Does anything hurt, Ichinose?" Tsubasa added, her usual calmness replaced by a softer tone.

"I'm… fine," Houtaro replied, though his voice was still weak. "My fever's gone, but… I feel like I got hit by a truck." He managed a faint chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.

Daiki gave him a wry smile. "You've been out for nearly half a day. It's just past nine in the morning."

Houtaro nodded slowly, the events of the previous night coming back to him in fragments. He remembered the relentless rain, Rinne's desperate flight, and most vividly, Shirabe's lifeless form in his arms. A pang of anguish struck his chest, and his hand clenched the hospital blanket tightly.

Then there was the dream—or was it a memory? The vivid images of his younger self, Shirabe, and Hopper1 flashed in his mind. It felt too real to dismiss as a mere dream, yet too distant to feel entirely his own.

"I…" Houtaro began hesitantly, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I had this weird dream while I was out…"

Before he could elaborate, the door creaked open, drawing everyone's attention.

Kirika staggered into the room, her body swaying slightly as though held up by sheer willpower. Her soaked clothes clung to her frame, her usually cheerful demeanor dimmed by exhaustion. Yet, despite her weary state, she managed a weak smile.

"Good morning, everyone," Kirika said, her voice faint and strained.

Her attempt at cheerfulness was betrayed by her trembling legs, and she barely made it a few steps before Tsubasa and Chris rushed to her side.

"Akatsuki! Where have you been?" Tsubasa demanded, her voice filled with concern as she steadied the other girl. "You look terrible!"

"I'm fine…" Kirika said with a weak laugh, though the way her knees buckled suggested otherwise.

"Fine? You're soaked to the bone and look like you haven't slept in days!" Chris snapped, grabbing a towel from a nearby rack and tossing it over Kirika's shoulders.

"I… I was looking for Rinne," Kirika admitted, her voice breaking slightly. "All night, Dess"

Houtaro's heart sank as her words struck him. Memories of Rinne running into the storm flashed through his mind. "Did you…?"

Kirika shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Houtaro… I couldn't find her… I tried, but… I failed." Her voice cracked, and she looked down, ashamed. "I couldn't even help my best friend, Dess"

Chris's frustration boiled over. "You idiot!" she snapped. "Do you even care about yourself? Look at you! You're a mess, and now you're sick on top of it!"

As if to punctuate her point, Kirika sneezed violently, clutching the towel around her shoulders tighter.

"She's burning up," Tsubasa said softly, placing a hand on Kirika's forehead. "Akatsuki, you need to rest."

Kirika shook her head stubbornly, though her trembling body betrayed her resolve. "I… I don't care, Dess. I'm just glad Houtaro's okay…" Her voice wavered as she looked at him. "And… and Shirabe…"

The mention of Shirabe's name hit Houtaro like a thunderclap. He had been so caught up in everything else that he'd momentarily forgotten the gravest concern of all.

"Shirabe…" he whispered, his voice trembling. He grabbed Daiki's arm, his panic rising. "Where is she? How is she?"

Daiki hesitated, his expression grim as he exchanged a glance with Tsubasa and Chris.

"Tell me!" Houtaro demanded, his desperation growing.

Kirika's own panic mirrored his. "Please! Is Shirabe okay? What happened to her?"

Daiki sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. But… don't panic, okay?"

He stood and walked over to the curtain dividing the room. Slowly, he pulled it aside, revealing the bed on the other side.

Houtaro and Kirika's hearts sank.

There lay Shirabe, her small frame almost swallowed by the array of medical equipment surrounding her. Her hair, once vibrant, remained the same ghastly white that it had turned the night before. Despite the steady beeping of the monitors, her motionless form sent a chill through the room.

"Shirabe…" Houtaro whispered, his voice barely audible.

Without hesitation, both he and Kirika rushed to her side. Daiki tried to stop him, but Houtaro shoved his arm away, stumbling as he climbed out of bed. His legs felt weak, but his need to reach Shirabe overpowered any sense of his own condition.

Kirika, equally heedless of her own state, collapsed beside Shirabe's bed, clutching her limp hand. "Shirabe!" she cried, her voice breaking as tears streamed down her face. "Please… wake up! Please, Dess!"

Houtaro clasped Shirabe's other hand tightly, his own tears blurring his vision. "Shirabe… you have to wake up," he begged. "I need to talk to you. I… I need to tell you something…"

But their desperate pleas were met with silence. Shirabe remained still, her chest rising and falling softly, as if she were simply sleeping.

"Her vitals are stable," Daiki said quietly, his voice heavy with regret. "But… she hasn't woken up. We don't know if…" He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

"No!" Kirika shouted, shaking her head vehemently. "Gigist was lying! He had to be, Dess!"

Houtaro gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "There has to be something we can do," he said, his voice filled with determination.

Daiki sighed. "We're trying. That's why… I contacted someone who might be able to help."

He nodded at Tsubasa, who retrieved an iPad from her bag and held it out to the group. "This," Daiki said, "might explain more about our predicament."

Tsubasa nodded firmly and tapped on the Isaac iPad, bringing up a communication app. The screen flickered briefly before two familiar faces appeared. It was the Tsuruhara brothers, Kenichi and Sabimaru, their expressions reflecting a mix of warmth and gravity.

Houtaro's eyes widened at the sight, his earlier gloom lifting slightly. "Kenichi-san! Sabimaru-senpai!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with genuine surprise.

Sabimaru's lips didn't move, but his Isaac Ipad emitted a smooth, clear voice, its tone infused with warmth. "Houtaro, it's been a while! I'm glad to see you're awake, though I'm sorry it's under such circumstances."

The sound of Sabimaru's voice coming through the tablet was comforting, even if a little uncanny. Houtaro chuckled lightly. "You're still relying on that thing, huh? Some things never change."

Sabimaru's head dipped slightly, a bashful gesture, before the tablet responded for him. "Some habits are hard to break. Besides, it saves me from tripping over my words."

Sabimaru responded with a sheepish grin on his screen while Kenichi greeted the group more directly. "It's good to see you all again, though I wish this was a less dire occasion." His tone carried a weight of seriousness, a stark contrast to his brother's lighthearted energy.

Sabimaru's gaze shifted on the screen, and his table started to vocalize his thoughts again, "Houtaro, I heard what happened to Shirabe. I'm so sorry. She doesn't deserve this."

The mention of Shirabe brought a pang of sorrow back to Houtaro's chest. His expression darkened as memories of her lifeless body flooded his mind once more. ""Yeah… Thanks, Sabimaru-senpai…" His voice was quiet, tinged with guilt. "None of this should've happened."

Sensing the tension, Kenichi cleared his throat. "Daiki contacted us as soon as he brought you and Shirabe to the hospital. He explained some of what happened—Gigist's attack, his claims about your physiology, and, of course, Shirabe's condition. We've been working through the night to make sense of it all."

Tsubasa, ever cautious, interjected. "Did you inform Kanade and Maria about this?"

Kenichi shook his head firmly. "No. Not yet. They're still busy with their concerts, and we didn't want to distract them or add unnecessary stress. Shirabe's condition would hit Maria particularly hard."

A flicker of relief crossed Tsubasa's face, though it was quickly replaced by guilt. "I see. I appreciate your discretion… though I hate keeping them in the dark."

Kenichi shifted the topic, his voice steady. "Let's start with Gigist. From everything we've seen and analyzed, his powers stem directly from the Philosopher's Stone. The black flames, forbidden alchemies, and his ability to transmute Shirabe into a Malgam—these all point to the Philosopher's Stone as the source of his power. That much is undeniable."

Houtaro's brow furrowed. "The Philosopher's Stone again… it's always at the center of these nightmares."

Kenichi nodded grimly. "Exactly. But what makes this worse is that we're dealing with an enemy who's mastered it completely. Even with Daiki as Volcard and the combined efforts of Tsubasa and Chris, he overpowered you all without much effort."

Chris crossed her arms and leaned back against the wall, her lips pressed into a thin line. "You don't have to rub it in," she muttered.

Ignoring the comment, Kenichi continued. "Even if we gathered everyone—Rinne, Supana, Kanade, Maria, and even their sisters along with us—it might still not be enough... The Philosopher's Stone isn't just powerful—it's unpredictable. We're only scratching the surface of what Gigist can do with it, and he may have tricks we haven't even seen yet."

The room fell silent as the gravity of Kenichi's words settled in. Even Daiki, who rarely showed vulnerability, let out a weary sigh.

Houtaro broke the silence. "And what about me? Gigist… he said something about the Philosopher's Stone being inside me. Was he telling the truth?"

Kenichi exchanged a glance with his brother, who nodded solemnly. "Sabimaru," Kenichi prompted, "this part is yours to explain."

At this, Sabimaru's tablet voice chimed in. "Houtaro, we need to talk about your condition. I analyzed the CT scan Daiki sent us after you were brought here. There's something we need to show you."

Tsubasa tilted the Isaac Ipad to face Houtaro more directly as Sabimaru brought up an image—a detailed scan of Houtaro's chest.

"What am I looking at?" Houtaro asked, leaning closer.

Sabimaru gestured toward the screen as the tablet explained. "See this shape near your chest? That's the Philosopher's Egg."

"The… what?"

Sabimaru's tablet voice softened, almost hesitant. "It's embedded near your heart. It's the source of your life force, sustaining you. Without it… you wouldn't be alive."

Houtaro's breath caught as his hand instinctively went to his chest. "So… it's true. Gigist wasn't lying. I'm only alive because of this thing…"

Sabimaru's tablet hesitated before continuing. "Yes. The Egg has essentially become your heart. It's also why you've been able to transform into Kamen Rider Gotchard so effortlessly. It's amplifying your connection to alchemy in ways we're still trying to understand."

The room grew even quieter. Kirika sat frozen, her usually vibrant energy replaced with a somber stillness. Even Chris, usually quick with a sarcastic quip, said nothing, her gaze fixed on the floor. Houtaro's heart sank further, and he lowered his gaze. The weight of the truth pressed heavily on his chest.

Houtaro clenched his fists, his mind racing. "So… I've been walking around alive, but not really alive? Just some… vessel for this thing?"

Sabimaru's voice, filtered through the tablet, was filled with regret. "Houtaro, I'm sorry. I know this isn't easy to hear. But you're still you. This doesn't change that."

Kenichi tried to soften the blow. "Houtaro, this isn't your fault. It's not something you chose. If anything, it's a testament to how much you're loved—that someone went to such lengths to save you."

Daiki stepped forward, placing a hand on Houtaro's shoulder. "And you're here now. That's what matters. Don't let Gigist twist this into something it's not."

After a long silence, Houtaro looked up. "I think… I know how the Philosopher's Egg got inside me."

The room fell still. All eyes turned toward him, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Daiki stepped closer. "What do you mean? Did Gigist's words trigger something? Did you remember something?"

Houtaro nodded slowly, his hands clenching the bed sheets. "While I was unconscious… I had a dream. No, not just a dream—it felt real. A memory. Something I'd forgotten… or maybe something that was taken from me."

Kirika leaned forward, her eyes wide. "A memory? Of what, Dess?"

Houtaro inhaled deeply, steadying himself as he began. "It started with me as a kid… I was in a forest, and everything was on fire. The flames, the smoke—it was everywhere. And I saw… myself. A younger version of me. I was lying on the ground, barely breathing, covered in injuries."

Chris narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. "Wait, you saw yourself? Like, in third person?"

"Yeah," Houtaro replied, his voice cracking slightly. "It was surreal. I couldn't move or speak, but I could see everything happening as if I wasn't really there. And then… I saw Shirabe. She was there too—only, it was her as a kid. She was crying, trying to wake me up. Hopper1 was with her, chirping and nudging me."

Kirika gasped softly, tears brimming in her eyes. "Shirabe… she was with you? Even back then, Dess?"

"She was," Houtaro said, his voice thick with emotion. "But that's not all. My mom… Fine… she was there too. She and X-Wizard came rushing in after Shirabe started screaming for help."

Tsubasa's brow furrowed. "Fine was there? In the Ouroboros World?"

Houtaro nodded again. "She was. And I remember… the look on her face. She was terrified. She saw me lying there, and she… she broke down. She held me, begged me to stay alive, and… and I could feel her love, her desperation. I'd never seen her like that before."

Sabimaru's voice came through the iPad, gentle yet urging. "What happened next, Houtaro?"

Houtaro's hands trembled as he continued. "Everything was chaos. My mom and Shirabe were dealing with their grief, and then… X-Wizard suggested it. She told my mom about the Philosopher's Egg. She said it could save me, but…"

His voice cracked. "It would come at a cost and it was to remove my childhood memories with Shirabe. That explains why I barely remember her when we met again…"

Chris's eyes narrowed further. "And that's when they put the Egg in you?"

"Yeah," Houtaro said hoarsely. "They were both crying, but they made the choice. They implanted the Egg into my body to save me. And the last thing I remember…" He swallowed hard. "Was seeing my mom, holding me and saying she loved me, before everything went dark."

The room fell silent, the weight of Houtaro's words settling heavily over everyone.

Kirika wiped at her tears. "Houtaro… you really were… gone?"

Houtaro looked down at his hands. "Yeah. I did. And they brought me back using the Egg… at the cost of everything."

Houtaro turned his attention to the desk, where X-Wizard's Chemy Card rested. His movements were deliberate, almost trembling, as he picked it up. He held the card in both hands, staring at it with a mix of desperation and anger.

"X-Wizard," he said, his voice quivering. "Was that memory real? Did that really happen?"

There was a moment of hesitation before X-Wizard's voice emerged from the card, soft and guarded. "Houtaro… you've already been through so much. Maybe you don't need to—"

"Don't dodge the question!" Houtaro snapped, his voice rising. "Tell me the truth! Was it real or not?"

X-Wizard sighed heavily, her voice trembling. "Yes, Houtaro. It was real. Every word of it. Your mother and I… we couldn't bear to lose you. So, we did what we had to."

Houtaro's grip on the card tightened, his knuckles turning white. "Why didn't you tell me? Why keep this from me all these years?!"

"Because we loved you," X-Wizard replied, her voice breaking. "You were just a child, Houtaro. How could we burden you with something so… so heavy? And maybe… we were selfish. We just wanted to protect you, even from the truth. From the pain."

"That wasn't your decision to make!" Houtaro shouted, his anger spilling over. "You think hiding this from me protected me? Look where it's gotten us! Shirabe is—" His voice cracked. "Shirabe is like this because of me. Because of this Egg! If I'd known sooner, maybe I could've stopped this!"

"Stopped what?" X-Wizard countered sharply. "Gigist? The Dark King? Houtaro, you're not invincible. You couldn't have changed this. And your mother… your mother sacrificed everything to give you a chance at life. How dare you throw that back at her!"

Houtaro froze, her words cutting deep. Tears welled in his eyes as he struggled to speak. "I'm not… I wasn't trying to—"

X-Wizard's voice softened, tinged with sorrow. "Your mother loved you more than anything, Houtaro. That's why she made the choice she did. She gave up her dreams, her power, even her life, to ensure you could live. Can you imagine her explaining your death to your father and how they would cope with it? Don't ever question her love!"

Houtaro's grip on the card loosened, and it slipped from his trembling hands onto the bed. He buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking as he broke down.

Daiki stepped forward, picking up the card carefully. He looked at X-Wizard's face within the card and spoke firmly. "That's enough for now. He's overwhelmed, and honestly, we all are. Let's take a step back before we say anything we'll regret."

X-Wizard sighed audibly. "You're right. I'm sorry, Houtaro. I didn't mean to hurt you… but you deserve to know the truth. For what it's worth… I'm proud of you. And so is your mother."

Houtaro lowered his hands, his face streaked with tears. His voice was barely above a whisper. "I just… I just want to fix this. I want to make things right. For Shirabe. For everyone."

The room was filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the distant hum of medical equipment. Each person wrestled with their thoughts, their emotions raw and unresolved.

Kenichi took a deep breath, his voice cutting through the tension. "We need to move on to the last topic. It's about Shirabe's condition… and the two Chemies, Neminemoon and Yoacerberus."

His words drew everyone's attention instantly, the weight of the moment palpable. Houtaro, still sitting beside Shirabe's bed, looked up, his hands trembling as he clasped hers tightly. "Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "Tell me there's a way to save her—and them. There has to be something you can do!"

Daiki stepped between Houtaro and the iPad, holding up a hand. "Calm down, Houtaro. Let them explain everything first. Rushing them won't help Shirabe."

Sabimaru nodded, his face displayed on the iPad screen as he began to speak. His voice, transmitted through the device, carried a solemn tone. "We analyzed the data Daiki provided about Neminemoon and Yoacerberus last night. Their situation is…" He hesitated, glancing at Kenichi as if seeking reassurance.

Kenichi nodded firmly, signaling him to continue.

Sabimaru sighed before his tablet speaking again. "Their life force was completely extracted to form the Moon Cerberus Malgam. Gigist didn't just encase Shirabe with their Chemy Factor, like how Malgams are typically created. Instead, he fused every part of them—Shirabe, Neminemoon, and Yoacerberus—into a singular entity, sustained by their collective life force. When you defeated the Malgam and reversed the transformation…" His voice faltered. "That life force unraveled completely, leaving them in their current comatose state."

The room fell silent as the grim reality sank in. Houtaro's grip on Shirabe's hand tightened. "So… when I destroyed the Malgam…" His voice wavered, his words barely above a whisper. "I did this to her? I killed her?"

Daiki immediately placed a hand on Houtaro's shoulder, firm yet comforting. "No, Houtaro. You didn't have a choice. If you hadn't stopped her, Rinne would've—"

"But it was me!" Houtaro shouted, his voice breaking. "I—" He paused, his mind flashing back to the moment he hesitated as Platina Gotchard. "I knew something was wrong. I could feel it, but I didn't stop! I—"

"Your instincts were warning you," X-Wizard's voice interrupted from the card in Daiki's hand. Her tone was calm but filled with sorrow. "That sensation you felt, Houtaro… it was the Philosopher's Egg inside you, resonating with what Gigist had done. You couldn't have known the full extent of his alchemy."

Houtaro lowered his head, guilt tearing at his chest. Kirika, beside him, placed a trembling hand on his arm. "We were all powerless, Houtaro. Please don't shoulder this alone…"

Sabimaru's voice cut in again, gentle but heavy with regret. "I've been researching every angle, every alchemical technique I know, to find a way to restore them. But the damage… it's unlike anything I've ever seen. With their life force stripped away, Shirabe's life might also be…" His voice faltered again, and he paused before finishing.

Seeing his brother's hesitation, Kenichi cleared his throat before assuring himself that he needed to bring the truth to all of them. "In short, it's nearly impossible to save Shirabe..."

The words hung in the air like a death knell.

"That… I can't accept it! I don't want to accept that Shirabe is gone, Dess…" Kirika let out a broken sob, burying her face in Shirabe's blanket.

"No! That can't be true! Shirabe is… Shirabe… She can't be gone…" Houtaro's breathing grew ragged as he fought to keep himself together.

Kenichi continued on, his voice blunt. "I know it's hard to hear, but we don't have a solution yet. We're out of options for now."

"Kenichi!" Daiki snapped, glaring at him. "Could you be any more heartless? Do you think this is what they need to hear right now?"

Kenichi crossed his arms, his expression firm. "Sugarcoating the truth won't help anyone. If we don't face this reality, we'll waste time clinging to false hope instead of searching for real answers."

"Real answers?" Chris spat, glaring at the screen. "You think saying it's 'impossible' is going to magically help us come up with one?!"

"Enough!" Tsubasa's voice cut through sharply, silencing the argument. She turned to Houtaro and Kirika, her expression softening. "We'll find a way. Somehow. I know we will. But we need to stay composed—for Tsukuyomi."

Houtaro's voice trembled as he spoke. "There has to be something. Anything. Even if it's risky…" He looked to X-Wizard, desperation in his eyes. "You and my mom—Fine—you saved me. You used the Philosopher's Egg. Can't we do the same for Shirabe?"

X-Wizard's voice wavered. "Houtaro, it's not that simple. The ritual we performed to save you… it was a miracle. It took nearly all of your mother's power and my own expertise in alchemy. Without her…"

"Then use mine!" Houtaro's voice rose. "Take the Egg out of me and give it to her!"

"No!" Daiki and Kirika shouted in unison.

"Houtaro, stop this!" Kirika pleaded, clutching his arm. "We've already lost Shirabe—we can't lose you too, Dess!"

Tsubasa stepped forward. "Think about Tsukuyomi, Ichinose. If you sacrificed yourself to save her, how would she feel waking up to find you gone?"

"I don't care!" Houtaro cried, tears streaming down his face. "She's in this state because of me—because of this Egg. If giving it to her will bring her back, then—"

"You don't understand!" X-Wizard's voice rang out, trembling with frustration and sorrow. "The Egg isn't something we can just move around. It's become a part of you, Houtaro—integrated with your very being. Removing it would destroy you, and there's no guarantee it would even save Shirabe!"

"But—"

"Enough, Houtaro!" X-Wizard's voice cracked. "Do you think your mother would have wanted this? Do you think she gave everything for you to throw your life away so recklessly?"

Houtaro's voice quivered as he turned his gaze back to X-Wizard, his eyes glistening with desperation. "X-Wizard… are you absolutely sure? There's really no other way?" His hands tightened around Shirabe's limp ones as if clinging to the last threads of hope. "With all your knowledge, everything you and my mom were capable of… there has to be something you can do."

X-Wizard remained silent for a long moment, her card trembling faintly in Daiki's grasp. Her voice finally emerged, heavy with sorrow.

"I'm sorry, Houtaro." X-Wizard continued, her voice breaking. "I wish I could tell you there's a way, but I can't. Not like this. Not without her. All we can do… is keep searching for another miracle."

The finality of her words crushed Houtaro's spirit. "No…" he whispered, shaking his head vehemently. "No, there has to be something! Anything! Please, X-Wizard, please don't tell me it's over!"

"I'm so sorry, Houtaro." X-Wizard's voice cracked with emotion. "I wish I could give you the answers you need… but this is beyond anything I've ever faced. I… I failed you."

Her apology felt like a dagger through his heart. Houtaro's grip loosened, and his body collapsed forward, his forehead resting against Shirabe's unmoving hand. Tears flowed freely down his face as his voice broke into anguished sobs.

"Shirabe… please," he whispered hoarsely. "Please wake up… I can't do this without you. I need you here. We all do." His voice cracked further as his cries grew louder, echoing through the room. "You're the one who always believed in me! You always saw the best in me… don't leave me now, Shirabe! Please!"

Beside him, Kirika fell to her knees, her tears soaking the bed's sheets as she clutched the edge tightly. "Shirabe, you can't just leave us like this, Dess!" she cried, her voice trembling with grief. "I… I still need to tell you everything! About Rinne… about all the things we've been through. You can't leave her either—she needs you too, Dess!"

Kirika's sobs grew more desperate, her words pouring out like a flood. "You always stood by us! You kept us together! And now… now we need you more than ever. Please, Shirabe! Say something, Dess!"

The silence that followed their pleas was deafening. Shirabe's chest rose and fell steadily, her vitals unwavering, yet her lifeless stillness offered no solace. It was as though the very air had been stolen from the room, leaving only the sound of broken cries.

Houtaro's sobs turned into wails as he clutched Shirabe's hands even tighter. "You promised we'd keep fighting together! You said we'd make it through anything! How am I supposed to do this without you?" His voice cracked into a heart-wrenching scream, raw with anguish.

Kirika leaned against the bed, her head buried in her arms as she cried openly. "Shirabe… we need you… I need you, Dess. Please… just come back to us."

The sight of the two crumbling in their grief weighed heavily on everyone in the room. Daiki, his expression pained, knelt down beside Houtaro, placing a firm yet gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Houtaro…" he began, his voice low and steady. "I know this feels like the end. Like there's nothing left. But we're not giving up. We'll find a way. We'll do whatever it takes—but you can't give in to despair now."

Houtaro's trembling body stilled slightly under Daiki's touch, though his sobs continued to shake his frame. Daiki tightened his grip reassuringly. "Shirabe wouldn't want this. She wouldn't want you to lose yourself. She fought for you—for all of us. Now it's our turn to fight for her."

On the other side of the bed, Tsubasa knelt down beside Kirika, pulling the sobbing girl into a tight embrace. Kirika clung to her desperately, her cries muffled against Tsubasa's shoulder. "We'll figure this out, Akatsuki," Tsubasa whispered, her voice firm but tender. "We won't let this be the end for Tsukuyomi. I promise you."

Chris knelt as well, placing a comforting hand on Kirika's head. "You're not alone in this," she said softly, her usual brashness replaced with an unexpected gentleness. "We're all in this together. We'll find a way, no matter what."

Kirika's sobs slowly quieted, though tears still streamed down her face. She nodded weakly, her fingers gripping Tsubasa's sleeve like a lifeline.

Sabimaru's voice came through the iPad again, filled with quiet determination. "We'll keep working, Houtaro. I swear it. For Shirabe, and for all of you."

Kenichi took a deep breath, his voice steady as he broke the tense silence in the room. "If we're going to find any way to save Shirabe and the Chemies, we have to start with Gigist. He's the key to all of this."

He paused, glancing at everyone in the room, before continuing. "If his Philosopher's Stone was used to bring Shirabe to this state, defeating him might give us the leverage we need to reverse it. If we can subdue him, we might even extract the Philosopher's Stone or force him to reveal how to undo what he's done."

The idea sent a wave of cautious hope through the group. Houtaro straightened slightly, his tear-streaked face filled with a glimmer of determination. "So… if we can stop Gigist, there's still a chance?" His voice cracked with both longing and disbelief.

"It's a theory," Sabimaru's voice chimed in through the Isaac Ipad, tinged with nervous optimism. "But it's more than what we had before."

Chris folded her arms, her eyes narrowing with resolve. "Then we'll make it happen. We've faced impossible odds before, and we're still standing. Gigist might think he's untouchable, but we'll prove him wrong."

Houtaro and Kirika exchanged looks, their grief momentarily overshadowed by the faint spark of hope. However, before anyone could elaborate further, the air in the room grew heavy, an unsettling chill creeping along their skin. A swirling black portal materialized against the far wall, and from it emerged the unmistakable form of Dark King Gigist.

The Dark King stepped out with a casual arrogance, his presence immediately suffocating the atmosphere. He leaned lazily against the wall, an unsettling grin playing across his face. "Ah, how delightful," he mused, his voice dripping with malice. "The sweet sound of fleeting hope. Such a fragile thing, isn't it?"

Everyone froze in place, their breaths caught in their throats. Daiki immediately stepped in front of Houtaro, his stance protective. Chris was at his side, her hands already clenched into fists. Tsubasa moved closer to Kirika and Shirabe, shielding them instinctively.

"What do you want, Gigist?" Daiki's voice was firm but laced with tension.

Gigist let out a low chuckle, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, relax. I'm not here to fight. Not yet, anyway. I simply couldn't resist dropping by to bask in the despair I've so carefully crafted. It's… intoxicating."

Kirika's trembling hands curled into fists, her eyes blazing with anger. "You… monster! How dare you come here after what you've done to Shirabe, Dess! You don't even have the decency to finish the job—just leave her like this to torment us, Dess!"

Gigist tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Oh, but where's the fun in that? Killing her outright would've been so… boring. No, no. This way, I get to savor every moment of your anguish. Every tear, every cry for help—it's delicious."

"Shut up!" Houtaro snapped, his voice shaking with fury. He tried to lunge forward, but Daiki held him back firmly. "You think her life is some kind of game? She's not a toy for you to break!"

The Dark King's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Oh, Ichinose Houtaro, sweet naive Houtaro. You still don't get it, do you? Life, death, despair—they're all just tools for me. And Shirabe's suffering… well, that's the masterpiece."

Daiki's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding. "If you're not here to fight, then leave. Your sick games end here."

Gigist smirked, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder. "Ah, but where's the harm in a little conversation? I couldn't help but overhear your delightful little theory about defeating me to save Shirabe." He let out a mocking laugh. "Such a quaint idea."

"Don't underestimate us!" Chris shot back, her voice fiery. "We've faced worse than you, and we'll take you down if it means saving her!"

Gigist laughed again, a hollow, chilling sound. "Oh, my dear girl, even if you could defeat me—which, let's be honest, you can't—it wouldn't change a thing. Shirabe's transformation was a one-way process. Irreversible. Not even I could undo it, even if I wanted to."

The weight of his words struck like a hammer. Houtaro and Kirika's expressions crumbled, despair flooding back into their eyes.

"Liar!" Kirika shouted, her voice trembling. "There has to be a way! There has to be, Dess!"

Gigist's gaze flicked to her, amused by her desperation. "Believe what you like, little one. But the sooner you accept the truth, the easier this will be for all of you. She's gone. Accept it and it was all because of your other precious friend who isn't present here, Rinne.."

Houtaro's fists trembled as he clutched Gigist's collar, his eyes blazing with anger and tears. "Take back what you said about Shirabe and Rinne!" he demanded, his voice cracking under the weight of his rage. "And give Shirabe back to us—bring her back to normal! Give her back! Give her back, you bastard!"

Gigist, unfazed, merely smirked. His voice dripped with mockery as he responded, "Oh, poor Houtaro. I already told you—what's broken cannot be mended. Not even I, with all my power, can bring her back. And Rinne?"

He scoffed, his expression turning cold. "That selfish girl doesn't deserve your care. It was her choice to abandon you, to leave Shirabe to this fate. Why waste your energy on someone who betrayed you?"

Houtaro's grip tightened, his anger overflowing. "Shut up! You don't know anything about her!" His voice cracked again as his tears streamed freely. "Don't talk like their lives don't matter!"

Gigist's smile only widened, as if he was feeding off Houtaro's anguish. Then, with a flick of his wrist, a dark shockwave surged from his body, slamming Houtaro back. He would have hit the ground hard, but Tsubasa and Kirika rushed forward, catching him before he fell.

"Ichinose, stop! He's trying to provoke you!" Tsubasa hissed, her arms steadying him.

Kirika, trembling with both fear and anger, looked up at Gigist. "How can you be so cruel, Dess? Shirabe's life isn't a game to us!"

Gigist casually adjusted his collar, his expression one of bored amusement. "Oh, but it is to me. Watching your despair is the finest entertainment I've had in centuries." He raised a hand, a black flame igniting at his fingertip. "And since you seem to care so much about her, let me offer you a thought: what if I ended her suffering now?"

"What?!" Houtaro and Kirika exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with panic.

Gigist's smirk grew darker as he conjured a swirling black fireball in his palm. "Imagine it—your precious Shirabe, consumed in a single moment. No more pain, no more hope. Just… ashes." With that, he hurled the fireball straight toward the comatose Shirabe.

"NO!" Houtaro and Kirika screamed, their voices raw with desperation.

The fireball raced toward Shirabe's bed, its heat palpable even from a distance. For a moment, it seemed like the worst was inevitable—until a flash of light erupted from Daiki's grasp. The X-Wizard card tore free from his hands, soaring through the air to intercept the dark fireball.

A shimmering barrier materialized in front of Shirabe, the flames colliding with it in a dazzling display of sparks and light. X-Wizard's voice rang out, faint but resolute. "Not… while I'm here."

Everyone froze, stunned by X-Wizard's sudden intervention. Relief washed over the group as the fireball dissipated harmlessly, leaving Shirabe unharmed.

Gigist, however, wasn't pleased. His smirk twisted into a scowl as he reached out with a clawed hand. "You're quite the nuisance, X-Wizard," he growled, his dark energy lashing out and enveloping the card.

"No, X-Wizard!" Houtaro cried, his voice breaking as he reached out for the card.

X-Wizard's voice trembled as she murmured, "Houtaro… forgive me." Before she could say more, Gigist's power silenced her, the card falling limp in his grasp.

The Dark King held up the card with an air of triumph. "A feisty one, but she'll make a fine addition to my collection." He tucked the card into his cloak, ignoring Houtaro's frantic cries.

"Give her back!" Houtaro screamed, struggling against Tsubasa and Kirika's grip. "You've taken enough from us—give my sister back!"

Gigist chuckled darkly. "You called this pest as your sister? How funny. Why would you want someone who's been lying to you from the start? X-Wizard kept secrets from you, Houtaro. Secrets about your past, about your very existence. She's hardly the ally you think she is."

"You don't know anything!" Houtaro shot back, his voice hoarse with desperation.

Kirika stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "How dare you, Dess! Haven't you done enough already? You took Shirabe from us, you drove Rinne away, and now you're trying to take X-Wizard too? Why, Dess?! Why do you keep doing this to us?"

Gigist's response was a chilling laugh. "Because despair is such a beautiful thing. Watching you break, piece by piece—it's art."

He paused, his smirk returning as he added, "But if you must know, it's not just for my amusement. I have a goal, after all. That Philosopher's Egg inside Houtaro's body? I want it. But it seems the little trinket won't come willingly."

His eyes gleamed with malice. "So, I thought I'd help things along. Push you into the depths of despair, make you lose control. Once you're a Malgam, Houtaro, extracting the Egg will be… effortless."

Houtaro's eyes widened in shock, his mind reeling. "All of this… just for the Egg?"

Gigist spread his arms theatrically. "Everything—the suffering of Shirabe, the rift with Rinne, even X-Wizard's capture—all for one simple, precious Egg. Poetic, isn't it?"

Kirika's voice broke as she screamed, "You're a monster! Shirabe, Rinne, the Chemies—they all meant something to us, Dess! And you… you've destroyed it all for your sick games, Dess!"

Gigist ignored her, his gaze fixed on the X-Wizard card in his hand. "Now then, who should I use as my next puppet? Choices, choices…"

"Enough!" Houtaro's voice rang out, filled with fury and pain. He shoved past Daiki, grabbing his Gotchardriver from the desk.

"Houtaro, don't!" Daiki called out, but Houtaro ignored him.

Kirika joined him, pulling her pendant from her pocket. "If you're going, I'm going too," she declared, her voice trembling with determination.

"Ichinose! Akatsuki!" Tsubasa shouted, her voice tinged with alarm. "Don't transform here—it's too dangerous!"

But the two weren't listening. Houtaro attached the Gotchardriver to his waist, pulling out Crosshopper and Tenliner cards. The Chemies hesitated, their concern for Houtaro evident, but he inserted them into the Driver without hesitation.

"Crosshopper! Tenliner! Gotchanko! Gotcha! Gotcha! Gotcha! Platina Gotchard!"

In a flash of light, Houtaro transformed into Platina Gotchard. At the same time, Kirika furiously chanted her transformation song.

"Zeios Igalima raizen tron! DESS!"

Her Symphogear armor materialized, its energy crackling around her.

With twin screams of rage, they charged at Gigist. The Dark King sighed theatrically. "Honestly, you heroes are so predictable. I didn't come here to have a fight but, oh well…"

Before the two could reach him, Gigist waved his hand, summoning a swirling portal. The three vanished in an instant, leaving the room eerily quiet.

Daiki clenched his fists. "We have to find them—now."

Tsubasa nodded, her face set with determination before looking at her Ipad for one final time. "Agreed. Tsuruhara, we have to end the call now. We have to quickly search for Ichinose and Akatsuki. We'll contact you again once we've settled this."

Sabimaru and Kenichi who had seen all the events transpiring could only make a grim but hopeful expression. "Yes. Don't let both Houtaro and Kirika do something foolish or reckless. You all know better they put too much emotions into their sleeves." Kenichi made a little warning here.

"I hope you all the good luck. We'll do everything we can here and, hopefully, we will find anything that could save Shirabe. See you later." Sabimaru made a hopeful parting words before ending the call in the Ipad.

Chris added, "We can't let Gigist have his way. Not this time. Let's go!"

The three quickly prepared to leave, their resolve unwavering as they set out to save their friends—and to bring the fight to Gigist, no matter the cost.

---

The fight began before Gigist could properly orient himself in their new surroundings. He had teleported them to a desolate park outside the hospital, the morning sun painted a stark contrast to the dark aura enveloping the scene. Platina Gotchard and Kirika wasted no time; their fury ignited as they charged at the Dark King.

Gigist barely had a chance to steady himself before Gotchard's shoulder rammed into him with full force, slamming the Dark King into the grassy earth.

"You've taken enough from us!" Gotchard bellowed, his voice raw and filled with pain. "You destroyed Shirabe's future, hurt Rinne, and now X-Wizard—" His voice broke as his fists began pummeling the Dark King's body repeatedly.

Kirika joined in without hesitation. With a guttural scream, she brought her scythe down in a wide arc, slicing against Gigist's unyielding armor. "This is for Shirabe, DESS!"

Kirika, in her Igalima Symphogear, joined without missing a beat. With a furious cry, she brought her scythe down in a crescent arc, the blades whistling as they tore through the air. "This is for Shirabe!" she screamed, landing a series of rapid strikes with her scythe before throwing it aside to join Houtaro in raining punches on Gigist.

The two vented their grief and rage with every blow, their attacks a flurry of raw emotion and desperation. Their fists collided with Gigist's armored body, each strike ringing out in metallic echoes. But Gigist didn't budge. His expression, at first amused, turned into mild irritation.

"Is this your grand plan?" Gigist sneered, his voice calm despite the relentless assault. "Pitiful."

Gotchard ignored the taunt and delivered another earth-shaking punch to Gigist's jaw. "Shut up!"

"Shut up?!" Gigist laughed, as if genuinely amused. "Oh, the audacity of ants trying to lecture a god."

The punches and kicks were relentless, but it was as though Gigist was immune to their fury. Finally, with an almost casual gesture, he flexed his arms, sending both fighters flying backward with a burst of dark energy.

Houtaro landed on his feet, skidding to a stop, while Kirika flipped in midair, landing gracefully and retrieving her scythe.

"Why won't you fight back?!" Kirika demanded, holding her scythe in a combat-ready stance.

Gigist dusted off his shoulders nonchalantly. "Because this little tantrum of yours is more entertaining than anything I could do right now. Though I must admit," he added with a smirk, "your resolve is amusingly stubborn."

"Then let's see if this is stubborn enough!" Kirika screamed, spinning her scythe above her head before unleashing Calamity Ring: Tinkerbell. The blades generated a glowing ring of energy that expanded outward, aimed directly at Gigist.

Gigist tilted his head, watching the ring close in before raising a single hand. The ring disintegrated on contact with his dark aura, leaving not even a flicker of light.

"Pathetic," Gigist sneered.

Kirika's Symphogear glowed faintly as she activated Twin Cutter: Cinderella, her dual scythes forming a cross-shaped pattern as they tore through the air. The energy from her attack created a fiery explosion around Gigist, sending smoke and debris billowing outward.

When the dust settled, Gigist stood, brushing off his armor. "That tickled," he mused before raising a hand.

A dark energy wave emanated from his palm, sending both fighters skidding across the park. Kirika flipped midair, landing with precision, while Gotchard braced himself against a tree, the bark splintering from the impact.

Kirika wiped sweat from her brow, her grip tightening around her scythe. "Don't let up, Houtaro!"

Gotchard's grip on his Gotchartornado intensified as he activated the device's spinning blades. "I'm not stopping!" He dashed forward, his weapon cutting through the air in a golden streak.

The two coordinated their attack with precision. Gotchard charged head-on, his spinning weapon slashing at Gigist's defenses, while Kirika attacked from above, her scythe delivering swift and calculated strikes.

Kirika leaped in with her scythe poised before performing another attack, Kill Juliet, slashing in an intricate dance of sharp crescents, each strike following the rhythm of her movements.

The combined assault pushed Gigist a step back, his dark aura flickering under the unrelenting barrage.

"Finally…" Houtaro muttered, tightening his grip on the Gotchartornado. "Maybe we can—"

But Gigist's laughter cut him off. The Dark King's aura flared violently, sending both fighters sprawling. "Is this your best?" he mocked, his voice booming. "I expected more."

"Take this, Dess!" Kirika shouted, flipping midair to deliver a powerful kick imbued with energy, Wicked Leg: Gulliver. The attack sent shockwaves through the ground as it collided with Gigist, forcing him to take a step back.

Gotchard seized the moment, summoning the Ex-Gotchalibur. The golden blade gleamed in the sunlight as he swung it with all his might, aiming directly at Gigist's core.

Kirika, meanwhile, grabbed another scythe from her back activating Opposite Scythe: Rapunzel, splitting her scythe into dual blades and rushing forward in tandem with Houtaro. She tried to attack Gigist with additional cutlasses while she was still kicking the Dark King with her previous attack.

All the blades connected, unleashing a radiant explosion of energy that momentarily obscured Gigist from view. Gotchard and Kirika paused, panting, their hearts racing with a faint glimmer of hope.

But as the smoke cleared, Gigist emerged unscathed, his armor shimmering with dark energy. "Adorable," he mocked, shaking his head. "I suppose it's my turn now."

In an instant, Gigist retaliated. A wave of dark energy surged outward, knocking both fighters off their feet. Gigist raised both arms, summoning twin pillars of black flames that knocked them back with devastating force. Kirika crashed into a nearby bench, her Symphogear sparking from the strain, while Gotchard rolled across the ground, his armor cracking in places.

Gigist strode forward, his presence suffocating. "You two truly thought you could challenge me? How laughable."

He raised the X-Wizard card, its glow pulsating with malevolence. Tendrils of dark energy shot out, ensnaring Kirika before she could react. Her scythe clattered to the ground as the tendrils hoisted her into the air.

"Kirika!" Gotchard yelled, scrambling to his feet. He charged at Gigist, only to be repelled by a barrier of dark flames.

Kirika struggled against the tendrils, her Symphogear emitting faint sparks. "Let me go!"

Gigist smirked, his fingers tracing the edges of the X-Wizard card. "Let's see how this one fares as my next Malgam."

"No!" Gotchard slammed his fists against the barrier. "Get your hands off from Kirika!"

Kirika's voice wavered, a hint of fear creeping into her defiance. "Houtaro… help me… dess…"

Just as Gigist began channeling his power into the card, a streak of silver light sliced through the barrier.

"Get away from her!" Tsubasa's commanding voice rang out as her blade cut through the tendrils, freeing Kirika.

Chris followed with a flurry of explosive rounds, forcing Gigist to retreat a step. Daiki—now as Volcard—barreled in, his flaming fists colliding with Gigist's aura.

Gigist's eyes narrowed. "So predictable," he muttered, slipping the X-Wizard card back into his cloak. "You win this round."

He summoned a swirling portal behind him, his gaze lingering on Gotchard. "But don't get too comfortable. This is only the beginning of your despair." With a chilling laugh, he stepped into the portal, vanishing from sight.

The group reconvened, the park eerily silent in the aftermath. The two Riders undid their transformations before Houtaro quickly rush to the injured Kirika. He knelt beside her, his fists trembling. "Kirika…"

"I'm fine, Houtaro…" she whispered, though her voice was weak.

Daiki rested his hand on Houtaro's shoulder. "We stopped him for now, but this isn't over."

Houtaro's fists clenched. "It's my fault. All of it. Shirabe, Rinne, X-Wizard, Kirika—they're suffering because of me."

"That's not true, Dess!" Kirika protested, struggling to sit up.

Houtaro shook his head, his voice heavy with anguish. "I shouldn't be here. My existence only brings pain to everyone."

He stood abruptly, brushing off Daiki's attempts to stop him. "I'm leaving. It's better for everyone if I'm gone."

"Houtaro, no!" Kirika's voice broke as she reached for him, but her legs buckled.

Tsubasa caught her, concern etched across her face. "You're not thinking clearly, Ichinose."

"Yeah, don't listen to that creep's words! He's just playing your emotions like fiddle!" Chris joined in and protested Houtaro's sudden decision to leave them.

But Houtaro didn't turn back. Just when he was about to leave, he saw Hopper1 frantically chirped and jumped in front of him.

"Hoppa! Hoppa, ho! Hop, hop, hoppa!"

Hopper1 chirped desperately, hopping toward him to block his path.

"Hopper1," Houtaro said coldly, "I'm sorry, go back. The Houtaro you knew died that day."

As Houtaro disappeared into the distance, Kirika's strength finally gave out. She collapsed into Tsubasa's arms, her fever and exhaustion taking hold.

"Kirika!" Chris cried, rushing to her side.

The group stood in somber silence, the weight of Gigist's taunts and Houtaro's departure heavy in the air.

---

The tension in the Tsuruhara brothers' office was palpable. Sabimaru leaned back in his chair, his Isaac Ipad resting on the desk. Its faint hum filled the silence, the only sign of life in the room as he stared blankly at the screen. Kenichi paced back and forth, his usual composed demeanor unraveling as he struggled to find solace amidst the weight of their responsibilities.

The Ipad crackled to life, Sabimaru's voice spilling from it in an uncharacteristically sharp tone. "We need to talk, Kenichi. You were too blunt with Houtaro earlier. You saw how much he's breaking under this. Were you really okay saying that to them, especially to Houtaro?"

Kenichi stopped pacing, turning toward his brother with a weary expression. ""Of course, I'm not okay, Sabimaru. But what do you want me to do? Lie to them? Tell them Shirabe will magically wake up when we know that's not the case? Houtaro deserves the truth, even if it's hard to hear."

"You didn't just give him the truth; you gave him despair. " Sabimaru's voice emerged, calm yet cutting. "Houtaro is already carrying the world's weight on his shoulders but you practically told him Shirabe is beyond saving. How is that supposed to help him?"

Kenichi sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Because we don't know how to save her! You think I don't hate this? That I don't feel powerless too? But we're not miracle workers, Sabimaru. Someone has to keep things grounded before this crushes all of us."

The Ipad dimmed briefly, as if Sabimaru himself were pausing to collect his thoughts. When it spoke again, the voice was softer, laced with concern. "I just keep thinking about Houtaro. The way he begged us—begged us—to help Shirabe. And all we could say was, 'We don't know.' He's carrying so much, and we're not helping."

Kenichi sighed, leaning forward. "You think I don't know that? I get it. Houtaro's at his breaking point. But we can't afford to coddle him or anyone else right now. If we're going to fight Gigist, we have to face the facts, no matter how harsh they are."

Sabimaru hesitated, his fingers hovering over the Ipad. "…I know you're right. But that doesn't make it any easier."

Kenichi's gaze softened as he glanced at his brother. "It doesn't. And trust me, I hate this just as much as you do."

He paused, running a hand through his hair. "If I could, I'd be on the next flight to Japan. But that would mean leaving Kanade and Maria in the dark, and you know how they'd take it if they found out we've been keeping secrets from them."

"I do want to return to Japan as fast as possible too because I'm worried about Houtaro too. But we can't exactly explain all of this to Kanade and Maria, not when they were preparing for forthcoming concerts in the next days." Sabimaru trailed using his tablet before making a sigh.

Kenichi grimaced. "Exactly. Maria would blow a gasket if she found out about Shirabe like this."

As if on cue, the door creaked open, and familiar voices filled the room. The door burst open, breaking the brothers' tense exchange.

"Yo! Kenichi! Sabimaru! Why's it so gloomy in here?" Kanade's lively voice rang out as she strolled in, her fiery red hair catching the morning light.

Behind her, Maria entered with her sharp gaze already locked onto the brothers. "You two look awful," she remarked bluntly. "Something's wrong."

Trailing them were Serena and Minami, locked in a heated argument as they stumbled into the room.

"My sister, Maria, is undeniably the best one in that rehearsal!" Serena huffed, her hands on her hips.

"No! My sister, Kanade, was better there. I saw Maria was spacing out too much during the practice!" Minami shot back, glaring.

"How dare you say that to Maria?! She always takes her rehearsal serious. You—"

"Enough!" Maria snapped, stepping between the two girls. "Can you two go five minutes without fighting?"

Kanade laughed, throwing an arm around Minami's shoulder. "Let it go, Maria. They're just fine-tuning their 'friendly rivalry.'"

Serena stuck out her tongue at Minami, who retaliated in kind.

Kenichi forced a smile as he greeted them. "Didn't expect to see you all so early. How was rehearsal?"

"Pretty great!" Kanade beamed. "Although seems like my partner seemed to have a lot in her minds," she teased, while glancing back at Maria who seemed to be quite tense and watching Kenichi who kept averting his gaze.

Serena gasped, pointing an accusatory finger. "I can't believe you said that too, Kanade! I'm pretty sure Maria is—"

"Enough," Maria interrupted again, her tone firm as she turned her sharp gaze back to Kenichi. "Kenichi, we need to talk. Do you have something in minds?"

Kenichi froze, blinking. "Huh, what do you mean, Maria?"

"Ever since last night, I saw you and Sabimaru look like you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. That look of yours made me hardly concentrated during my practice. Something's going on, isn't it?"

Kenichi quickly waved off her concern. ""It's nothing. Just some logistics for the next concert. Late nights, you know how it is. We're fine."

Maria's eyes narrowed. "Are you? Because you don't look fine, Kenichi. You look stressed."

"Come on, Maria," Kanade chimed in, leaning casually against the desk. "Maybe they're just tired. Let's not make mountains out of molehills."

But Maria wasn't convinced. "If something happened to our friends in Japan, you'd tell us, right?"

Kenichi opened his mouth to respond, but Sabimaru's Ipad interrupted. "Of course, Maria. Everything's fine."

Maria's lips pressed into a thin line. "Fine? Then why won't you look me in the eye, Kenichi?"

Kenichi's gaze darted away, betraying his discomfort.

"Something is wrong," Maria pressed, her voice rising. "Tell me!"

"Maria, I told you—" Kenichi began, but Kanade cut him off with a sudden, nonchalant question. "It's about Shirabe, isn't it?"

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Sabimaru's Ipad stuttered. "How… How did you know?"

Maria's eyes widened in alarm. "Wait. What?!" She rounded on Kenichi, her voice trembling. "What happened to Shirabe?!"

Kenichi cursed under his breath, glaring at Sabimaru. "Sabimaru!"

"I didn't mean… How did you know, Kanade?" Sabimaru's Ipad stammered, but it was too late.

Kanade realized she hit a jackpot could only make a wry reply as she scratched her face, "Oh, was I right? I just said Shirabe's name by chance and I didn't expect to hit the right spot there."

Kanade's coincidental quip aside, Maria grabbed Kenichi's collar, shaking him violently. "Tell me! What happened to Shirabe?! Why won't you tell me?!"

"Maria, calm down!" Serena cried, rushing to her sister's side to pull her away.

Minami grabbed Maria's arm, struggling to pry her fingers off Kenichi's collar. "You're going to kill him at this rate, Maria!"

"Let me go!" Maria shouted, tears streaming down her face. "Tell me what happened to Shirabe!"

Kenichi sighed, his shoulders sagging. "Alright. Fine. But you have to promise not to lose it."

Maria froze, her grip loosening as her voice dropped to a whisper. "Just tell me."

Kenichi took a deep breath. "Shirabe's in a coma. Gigist turned her into a Malgam, and while Houtaro and the others managed to stop it… she hasn't woken up."

The air seemed to leave the room. Maria stumbled back, her face pale. Serena caught her, steadying her sister as tears began to flow.

"No… No, that can't be true," Maria whispered.

Kanade's usual brightness dimmed, replaced by a grim determination. "How bad is it?"

Sabimaru's Ipad crackled. "She's alive, but… we don't know if she'll ever wake up." Sabimaru's Ipad hesitated before speaking again. "This has been hardest on Houtaro. He… He blames himself. He thinks it's all his fault."

Maria's sobs quieted, her face stricken. "Houtaro?"

Kenichi nodded. "He's falling apart. He thinks he failed her."

Maria's knees buckled, and Serena and Minami lowered her gently to a chair. "Why… Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Maria sobbed.

Kenichi averted his gaze, his guilt plain. "We didn't want to distract you. You have enough on your plate with the concerts—""

"Screw the concerts!" Maria cried, her voice breaking. "Shirabe matters! Houtaro matters!"

Kanade placed a hand on Maria's shoulder, her own expression somber. "She's right, Kenichi. We should've known."

Kanade clenched her fists, her voice firm. "We're going back. Now."

Kenichi hesitated. "Maria, Kanade—"

"No arguments," Maria interrupted, "We're going back to help them. End of story."

Kenichi sighed. "I'll cancel the concerts. But you need to know—fighting Gigist won't be like anything you've faced before. Be prepared."

Maria wiped her eyes, her resolve hardening. "I don't care. Shirabe needs us. Houtaro needs us. We're going back."

Kenichi exchanged a glance with Sabimaru, then nodded. "Alright. Let's make it count."

He opened a nearby case, revealing their Symphogear pendants alongside their Maximum Driver and several Maximum Cards that had been on their maintenance. Those cards being Super GotchaKing Lord of Imagination used by Houtaro previously, Chemicalizing Phoenix used by Daiki, AbyssBeast Deeplass and AbyssKing Neptuns used by Minato, and lastly Voltsteel KameBazoodon used by the Tsuruharas.

"You'll need these. And everything we've got." Kenichi grabbed the two divas' personal Symphogear pendants from the briefcase before throwing them to the girls beside him.

Maria and Kanade each grabbed their pendants, their determination burning brightly.

"Gigist won't know what hit him." Kanade declared, a fierce smile on her face.

---

The morning sunlight filtered through the cracks in the blinds, casting a dull glow on the run-down apartment room. Rinne stirred weakly, her body still heavy from the fever that had plagued her through the night. The musty scent of old furniture mixed with a faint trace of antiseptic, reminding her she wasn't at home—or anywhere familiar.

Slowly, she blinked, her surroundings coming into focus—a cluttered table, a small kitchen in the corner, and a couch that looked older than time itself. Blinking away the fog in her mind, she saw Kajiki sitting beside her with a soft smile, holding a glass of water.

"Morning," he said gently. "You look a bit better."

Rinne tried to sit up, grimacing as a dull ache throbbed in her head. "Where…?" Her voice was hoarse.

"You're at Elsa and Vanessa's place," Kajiki replied, gesturing toward the kitchen where Elsa, with her pinkish hair under a hat and ever-present scowl, crossed her arms and looking pointedly away from them. Vanessa leaned against the wall nearby, her piercing green eyes fixed on Rinne with a blank expression.

"You two!" Rinne croaked, her voice cracking.

Rinne's breath hitched at the sight of them. Memories of their enmity flooded back—of battles fought, harsh words exchanged, and of Milaarc's ultimate sacrifice to save her and the others. Seeing them now, offering shelter and care, felt surreal and wrong.

"You brought me… here?" Rinne's tone was laced with disbelief as she turned back to Kajiki.

He nodded, his voice calm but tinged with concern. "You collapsed in the rain last night. I didn't know what to do, so I asked Elsa for help. She's been a good friend of mine for a while now and that she coincidentally works at that convenience store last night."

Elsa snorted, still looking away. "I was on shift, and you were panicking. Well, if it's you, Kajiki-kun… I didn't exactly have a choice."

Vanessa arched a brow but didn't contradict her. Kajiki seemed oblivious to the tension, offering Rinne the water with an encouraging smile. "Drink. You've been out cold for hours."

Rinne accepted the glass hesitantly, her gaze darting between the two former villains. Their presence was suffocating, and she couldn't understand why they'd agree to help her, given their history. Her thoughts raced, forming questions she wasn't sure she wanted the answers to.

"Kajiki," Rinne said softly, her voice steadying. "Could you… grab me another glass of water from the kitchen? This one's too warm."

Kajiki blinked but nodded. "Of course. One sec."

As Kajiki stepped away, Rinne turned her attention to Vanessa and Elsa. The shift in atmosphere was immediate. Vanessa's casual posture became rigid, and Elsa finally turned her icy glare on Rinne.

"What's your game?" Elsa asked coldly, her voice low enough that Kajiki couldn't hear.

Rinne frowned. "I don't understand. Why would you—"

"Help you?" Vanessa finished, her tone clipped. "We wouldn't. Not willingly. The only reason you're here is because Kajiki begged us. If it weren't for him, we'd have left you in the street."

Elsa leaned closer, her expression twisting into a sneer. "Do you have any idea how much we hate you? After everything you and your little hero gang did? After what happened to Milaarc?"

Rinne flinched at the name. Milaarc had sacrificed herself during Glion's incident to save Rinne and the others from the Golden Venom. The memory was bitter and raw, but hearing Elsa invoke her name brought a pang of gratitude mixed with guilt.

Rinne flinched at the name. She knew all too well the weight it carried. "I—"

"Save it," Vanessa interrupted, her voice sharp but not raised. "If you're looking for gratitude, you won't find it here. Milaarc's death is on you. On all of you."

Rinne's stomach churned with guilt, but she forced herself to speak. "Then why…? Why agree to help?"

"Because Kajiki doesn't know. He doesn't know about us, about you, or about the blood on all our hands. He's a decent person, and for some reason, he sees you as one too. That's the only reason you're breathing right now." Vanessa's expression hardened further as she and Elsa remembered the event last night.

---

Rain lashed against the streets, the cold seeping through Kajiki's clothes as he carried Rinne in his arms. Her fevered muttering barely registered as he pushed open the door to a brightly lit convenience store, the smell of instant noodles and cheap coffee hitting him like a wall.

"Elsa!" he called, his voice urgent.

Behind the counter, Elsa looked up from her phone, her expression annoyed. "Kajiki-kun? What the hell—"

"I need your help," he interrupted, his voice shaking. "It's Rinne. She's sick. I don't know where else to go."

Elsa's eyes narrowed as she stepped out from behind the counter, her gaze falling on Rinne. "Kudo… Rinne?" she echoed, her tone venomous. "You brought her here?"

"She needs help," Kajiki pleaded. "Please."

"I guess I can't reject your request if it's you, Kajiki," she grumbled. "Bring her to my place. Vanessa's not gonna like it, though."

Vanessa hadn't liked it at all. When Kajiki and Elsa arrived at her apartment just beside the convenience store, drenched and cradling an unconscious Rinne, Vanessa crossed her arms and raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Elsa-chan, why did you bring Kajiki and… that girl here?"

"That can come later, Vanessa," Elsa had said, while pleading for her partner to understand the situation despite their animosity. "This girl…needs our help and Kajiki-kun begged me to help her."

Vanessa's eyes narrowed. "You've got to be kidding."

"Please," Kajiki joined in, his desperation cutting through the tension. "Rinne's burning up. I can't take her home, and I don't know who else to turn to."

The two girls exchanged a long, silent look before Vanessa sighed heavily before fetching a blanket. "Well, I can't say no if it's a request from my dear Elsa-chan and her dear friend, Kajiki."

---

The tension in the room was suffocating, and Rinne struggled to find words. Before she could respond, Kajiki returned with a fresh glass of water, the oblivious smile still on his face. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Rinne murmured, taking the glass and avoiding his gaze.

Kajiki's presence was a balm against the tension in the room, but Rinne could still feel Vanessa and Elsa's hostility simmering beneath the surface. After a moment of silence, Kajiki broke the quiet.

"Rinne, what happened?" he asked softly. "Why were you out in the rain like that? Why did you hide from Kirika too? You know she was desperately searching for you in the rain, right?"

Rinne hesitated, gripping the glass tightly. "I… I had a fight. With Kirika and the others."

Kajiki frowned. "A fight? About what?"

Rinne stared at the floor, the words spilling out before she could stop them. "Shirabe got sick. I… I warned her not to get too close to Houtaro when he had a fever, but she didn't listen. She ended up catching it, and Houtaro blamed himself. Even though he was still sick, he tried to take care of her, and I told him he was being reckless. He wouldn't listen, and Kirika took his side. I… I couldn't handle it anymore."

Kajiki's expression softened with understanding. "So you left."

"I left," Rinne confirmed, her voice trembling. "The last thing I saw was Houtaro collapsing from exhaustion."

Kajiki placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Rinne, you care about them. That's why it hurts so much. If something's wrong, you should talk to Kirika and Houtaro. They care about you."

Rinne looked away, guilt tightening her chest. "I can't," she whispered. "It's not that simple."

"It never is," Kajiki said, his tone firm but kind. "But you're stronger than you think. I know you can do it."

His words stung, but Rinne forced a nod, knowing he meant well.

Vanessa and Elsa exchanged a glance. They could tell Rinne wasn't being entirely honest. Vanessa cleared her throat, her tone firm. "Kajiki, why don't you give her some space? We'll make sure she rests."

Kajiki hesitated, glancing between Rinne and the two women. "Are you sure? I don't mind staying."

"We're sure," Elsa said, her tone brooking no argument. "Go tell Ichinose-kun she's here."

Kajiki looked at Rinne one last time. "Promise me you'll think about what I said?"

Rinne nodded weakly. "I will."

With a small smile, Kajiki grabbed his jacket and left, the door creaking shut behind him.

Vanessa's gaze sharpened as she turned back to Rinne. "Alright. Spill."

Elsa smirked. "No more half-truths, princess. What's really going on?"

Rinne's grip on her mug tightened. "It's… complicated."

Vanessa crossed her arms. "We've got time."

Vanessa sat cross-legged on the creaking couch, her green eyes locked on Rinne with an unyielding glare. Across the dimly lit apartment, Elsa leaned against the kitchen counter, her expression sharp but guarded. The oppressive silence pressed down on Rinne, who sat hunched over on the fraying armchair, her hands clutching her knees as though bracing for a storm of emotions.

"Well?" Vanessa's voice was a whip crack in the quiet. "Kajiki's gone. No more excuses. Start talking."

Rinne hesitated, her lips parting but no sound escaping. She shifted uneasily, her gaze darting between Vanessa's piercing stare and Elsa's wary glance.

"Don't bother playing the quiet card," Elsa chimed in, her tone cutting. "You've already ruined our day. If we're going to help you, we deserve the truth."

Rinne flinched, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her skirt. "I don't even know where to start," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Just tell us the summary from the beginning until you passed out in Kajiki's arms." Vanessa shot back, leaning forward with an edge of venom. "Let's cut to the part where you explain why you're even here."

Rinne froze, her breath hitching. The rawness of Vanessa's words pierced her like daggers. She opened her mouth to respond but faltered again, her mind swirling with fragmented images: Shirabe's battered and comatose state, Houtaro's anguished cries, Gigist's haunting laughter.

"Talk," Vanessa ordered, her tone dropping to a chilling calm. "Or I'll throw you back out into the street."

Rinne inhaled shakily, her voice trembling as she began. "I was waiting for Shirabe last evening after we…got into a little fight..."

"Go on," Elsa pressed, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

"When I felt she was taking too long, I decided to peek around to find her," Rinne continued, her voice breaking slightly. "That was when… I saw it. Shirabe was fighting her hardest against Dark King Gigist despite the odds stacking on her. I heard that Gigist was actually targeting Houtaro but Shirabe wasn't willing to pave the way for him so that clash was unavoidable..."

"You mean the Abyssal Dark King that bastard Glion mentioned before? Now that was unexpected…" Vanessa scoffed, her lip curling. "However, I must commend your little friend, Shirabe, here. She was brave to stand on that Dark King's way for Houtaro's sake like that."

Rinne winced at the venom in Vanessa's tone but pushed on. "She fought him—she fought so hard. I tried to help, but…" Her voice faltered, shame washing over her. "I couldn't move and I just stand there...watching Shirabe being helplessly beaten by Gigist..."

Elsa snorted, her smirk cruel. "What!? You just stand there watching your friend on the mercy of the Dark King!? I know that we're the bad guys here but you did such an unthinkable thing that even I felt disgusted."

Vanessa shot Elsa a glance but didn't argue. "And? What happened to Shirabe?"

Rinne's throat tightened as the memory surged to the forefront. "Gigist turned his attack on me. Shirabe… she shielded me."

Vanessa's eyes narrowed. "She what?"

"She—she jumped in front of his attack," Rinne stammered, tears welling in her eyes. "It was meant for me, but she took it instead. It… it nearly killed her."

Vanessa's expression darkened, but she said nothing. Elsa, however, let out a bitter laugh. "Unbelievable. That's Shirabe for you. Always playing the martyr."

Rinne ignored the barb, her voice trembling as she continued. "It didn't end there. Gigist—he turned her into a Malgam. She fought us, but it wasn't her. It was that thing he made her into."

"And let me guess," Vanessa interjected coldly, "you just stood there."

Rinne's tears spilled over, her voice cracking. "No! I—We tried to fight and reach her but the situation went worse with each passing seconds. I was also hesitant to attack Shirabe due to that guilt and I was on the brink of that Malgam's mercy until… Houtaro—he was the one who…" She trailed off, the image of Houtaro's pained expression flashing in her mind. "He was the one who defeated her."

Silence fell over the room, heavy and suffocating.

Elsa raised an eyebrow, her tone mocking. "So let me get this straight. You couldn't even handle that? Houtaro had to do it all and saved your ass after what you had done!?"

"Stop it, Elsa," Vanessa snapped, her tone sharp. "Let her finish."

Rinne wiped at her eyes, her voice barely audible. "When the Malgam was defeated, Shirabe… she didn't wake up. She's been unconscious ever since." She clenched her fists, the next words tumbling out in a choked sob. "And it's truly my fault."

Vanessa leaned back, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Your fault? Oh, this I've got to hear."

Rinne hesitated, her tears falling freely now. "I—I was actually jealous of her," she admitted, the words tumbling out like poison. "She and Houtaro were always so close. It hurt me when I saw how deeply caring and kind Shirabe was when she treated the sick Houtaro yesterday. She's everything I'm not—kind, selfless, strong. And I hated it. I hated how natural it was for them. Deep down, I thought… I thought things would be easier if she wasn't there."

Vanessa and Elsa exchanged a glance, their expressions hardening.

"I didn't want this," Rinne whispered, her voice breaking. "But now she's gone, and Houtaro and Kirika—everyone begged her to wake up, and she didn't. And it's all because of me."

The room was silent save for Rinne's quiet sobs. Vanessa stood abruptly, her expression thunderous. "So let me get this straight," she began, her voice cold and cutting. "You were jealous of her, and now she's lying in a hospital bed because of you?"

"I didn't mean for this to happen!" Rinne cried, her voice desperate. "I never wanted—"

"Save it," Vanessa snapped, her eyes blazing. "You don't get to play the victim here."

Elsa sneered, her arms still crossed. "You're pathetic. I thought you heroes were supposed to be better than this."

Rinne crumpled in on herself, her sobs growing louder as the weight of their words crushed her.

Vanessa's fists clenched at her sides. "You think we'd ever forgive you for this? Shirabe was shielding you from the Dark King without any consent. And now look at her." She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"You're not even worth the sacrifice she made. You are nothing but a disgustingly selfish girl. Now your friends, Shirabe and Houtaro, have to suffer because of your actions!" Vanessa glared at Rinne's sobbing state, raising her voice with deep condemn in each of her words.

"Stop!" Rinne cried, burying her face in her hands. "I know! I know I'm worthless! I wish—" Her voice broke. "I wish she hadn't saved me."

Vanessa froze, her eyes narrowing further. "What did you just say?"

"I wish… Milaarc hadn't saved me either," Rinne whispered, her voice trembling. "I wish she'd let me die back then. Maybe then Shirabe wouldn't be in this mess and she would be much happier with Houtaro without me."

The room fell silent, the weight of her words dropping like a hammer. Vanessa's expression darkened instantly, her eyes blazing with fury. She stepped forward abruptly, her boots thudding against the worn floorboards.

"Don't you dare," Vanessa hissed, her voice a low, venomous growl. "Don't you dare say her name like that."

Rinne flinched, but Vanessa wasn't done. She grabbed Rinne's arm, yanking her up from her seat. "You have no right to talk about Milaarc like that. She gave her life for you! For all of you!" Vanessa's voice cracked, and her grip tightened. "And you sit here saying she shouldn't have? That she wasted it on you?"

"I—" Rinne stammered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I didn't mean—"

"You meant every word," Vanessa spat, shoving her back into the chair. "You think you can just wallow in your self-pity and tarnish her memory? Lick those words back right now, or so help me—"

"Vanessa," Elsa interjected quietly, though her tone carried weight. Vanessa glared at her but stepped back, her body still trembling with anger.

Rinne crumbled under the intensity, her hands gripping her hair as she sobbed, "She shouldn't have saved me! I didn't deserve it. She should have lived instead!"

Vanessa sneered. "Of course, you didn't deserve it! None of you did!" She pointed a shaking finger at Rinne. "But that's what she chose. And you? You can't even respect that choice. You're pathetic."

The word echoed in Rinne's mind, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Memories surged forth, unbidden, dragging her back to that fateful day.

---

The battlefield was chaos, golden venom oozing through the air like malevolent fog. Glion towered above them, a monstrous smirk on his face as his tainted venom seeped into the veins of every fighter who dared oppose him. Houtaro as Gotchard was the only still standing and struggling against his fight with Glion because he was immune to the venom. Rinne could barely stand, her body wracked with pain as the poison coursed through her and she watched all of her fallen comrades writhing in pain along with her.

Milaarc, battered but defiant, stepped forward, her fangs glinting in the dim light. Her orange eyes locked onto Rinne and the others, then back at her comrades, Vanessa and Elsa, who shouted at her to stop.

"Don't you dare, Milaarc!" Vanessa screamed, desperation coloring her voice. "This isn't your fight anymore!"

"Shut it," Milaarc barked back, her grin sharp but weary. "If these idiots don't win, that lunatic destroys everything. I'm not doing this for them." She glanced briefly at Rinne, her eyes hardening. "Especially not for her."

Vanessa and Elsa tried to move, to stop her, but Milaarc's vampiric speed was too much. She darted to each fallen fighter—Daiki, Kirika, Shirabe, Tsubasa, Chris and Supana—and drew the venom from their bodies with by absorbing the poison into herself. Her skin began to pale, her movements growing sluggish.

By the time Milaarc reached Rinne, her body was trembling violently. Rinne tried to resist, her voice weak as she protested, "Why are you doing this? You hate us. You hate me."

Milaarc knelt before her, smirking faintly. "Don't get it twisted, kid. I'm not some noble martyr. I'm doing this because I want you to kick that bastard Glion's ass. And maybe, just maybe, you'll finally prove you're worth something."

With that, Milaarc's fangs pierced Rinne's neck, drawing out the venom. Rinne's vision blurred, but she could hear Milaarc's faint whisper as the vampire faltered.

"Don't waste your life," Milaarc murmured, her voice tinged with pain. "If you die so easily, I'll haunt you forever, Kudo Rinne."

As Milaarc collapsed, her last breaths slipping away, Vanessa and Elsa screamed in anguish, rushing to their fallen comrade.

---

Rinne snapped back to the present, her body trembling as she gasped for air. Vanessa's glare burned into her.

"You're alive because of her," Vanessa said, her voice cold and sharp. "And you have the audacity to sit here and wish she hadn't done it? You make me sick."

"I—" Rinne stuttered, but Vanessa cut her off.

"You think you're the only one who's ever been jealous? The only one who's ever been weak?" Vanessa's voice cracked, but she quickly composed herself. "You're not special, Rinne. But you are alive. So start acting like it."

The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. Then Elsa sighed heavily, stepping forward. "Alright, enough," she muttered. "Vanessa, let me handle this."

Vanessa shot her a glare but relented, stepping back. Elsa crouched before Rinne, her wolf-like ears twitching beneath her cap as she studied the broken girl. She slowly uncapped her hat before revealing her wolf ears on top of her pink hair.

"You're not the only one who's screwed up," Elsa said quietly, her voice surprisingly gentle. "I know what it's like to ruin everything for the person you care about."

Rinne looked up at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

Elsa sighed, removing her cap to reveal her wolf ears fully. "You remember the Malgam incident in Kyoto trip? The one with Kajiki-kun?"

Rinne nodded slowly, her brow furrowing.

"That was my fault," Elsa admitted, her voice heavy with regret. "I was jealous. Jealous of how happy he was with that girl, Hijiri. So, I did something stupid. I turned her into a Malgam."

Rinne's eyes widened. "You…?"

"Yeah," Elsa said bitterly. "Houtaro and the others saved her, of course. But not before MIA had to erase their memories. Kajiki and Hijiri don't even remember their 'fated meeting' because of me."

Vanessa's gaze softened slightly, but she stayed silent.

Elsa leaned closer, her voice firm. "I ruined the person I loved most because of my own weakness. Don't make the same mistake."

Rinne's tears welled again, her heart aching as Elsa's words sank in.

"You still have a chance," Elsa continued, gripping Rinne's shoulders. "A chance to fix things. To tell Houtaro and Shirabe the truth. To make things right."

"But—" Rinne started, but Elsa cut her off.

"No buts," Elsa snapped. "You're not a monster like me or Vanessa. You're still a human. You can still do what we can't."

Vanessa sighed, finally speaking. "Elsa-chan's right. You've got a shot. Don't waste it."

Rinne sat in silence for a long moment before nodding slowly. "I'll… I'll try."

"Good," Elsa said, standing and slipping her cap back on. "Because if you screw this up, I'll personally drag you back here."

Vanessa smirked faintly. "Go on, then. Get out of here before we change our minds."

Rinne managed a weak smile, standing shakily. "Thank you," she said softly. "For everything."

As Rinne left, Vanessa and Elsa exchanged a glance.

"You think she'll make it?" Elsa asked.

Vanessa shrugged. "Who knows. But if she doesn't, it's on her."

Elsa chuckled bitterly. "We're way too nice to our former enemies."

Vanessa's smirk softened. "Maybe. We've really come so far from our wretched relationship with those people."

---

Houtaro's steps echoed hollowly as he wandered aimlessly through the streets, his head hung low. The sunlight filtering through the trees did little to brighten his mood; instead, it seemed to mock him, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold despair gripping his heart. His mind was a cacophony of guilt, anger, and sorrow, swirling relentlessly. Every memory of recent events stabbed at him like daggers.

Shirabe. Rinne. X-Wizard. Kirika. His father. His friends.

And himself.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible as it cracked under the pressure of his emotions. "I'm so, so sorry. I ruin everything."

He stopped in the middle of the road, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. His mind replayed the scene of Shirabe's lifeless body cradled in his arms, her unconscious state a consequence of his actions. Rinne's disappearance gnawed at his heart, the echo of her footsteps fading into the night when she left them behind. X-Wizard's pained murmur haunted his thoughts, and the image of Gigist sneering as he held her card ignited a fury he could barely contain.

But the final blow—the thought that Kirika could have met the same fate as Shirabe if Tsubasa hadn't intervened—was unbearable.

"Why am I even here?" he murmured, his voice cracking. "I shouldn't exist... not like this."

He didn't know where his feet were taking him, but eventually, they stopped. Lifting his head, Houtaro found himself standing before Café Ichinose—his home. The sight of the familiar façade sent a pang through his chest. This place, once a sanctuary, now felt like a forbidden haven. He didn't deserve to be here, not after all he'd done.

But a small, aching part of him longed for one last moment with his father. He didn't have the strength to say goodbye outright, but perhaps, just perhaps, he could see his father one last time.

Swallowing his turmoil, Houtaro pushed the door open, the faint chime of the bell breaking the café's stillness.

The café was empty, the usual hum of chatter and clinking cups replaced by an eerie stillness. Houtaro's gaze landed on his father, Mr. Ichinose, busying himself in the kitchen despite the absence of customers. Hearing the door creak, his father turned, expecting a customer. His face lit up in surprise upon seeing his son.

"Hou-chan?" Mr. Ichinose called, stepping out from behind the counter. "You're home?"

Houtaro gave a weak, awkward smile, his hands fidgeting as he struggled to find words. "Yeah... hey, Dad."

Relief flooded Mr. Ichinose's face as he stepped out from behind the counter, closing the distance between them. "What are you doing here? Dai-chan said you and Tsu-chan were hospitalized last night. Are you okay? Your fever—"

"It's fine," Houtaro cut him off, his tone more curt than he intended. He sank into a chair near the counter, slumping forward. "I'm fine now."

"Fine?" Mr. Ichinose frowned, crouching beside his son to check his forehead despite Houtaro's protests. "You don't look fine. You're pale. Are you eating properly?"

Houtaro flinched at his father's genuine worry, guilt gnawing at his insides. He wanted to leave, to sever ties before he caused more harm, but the earnestness in his father's eyes made his throat tighten.

"I should've known you'd pull something like this," Mr. Ichinose chided gently, standing back up. "You should've called me the moment you woke up. Do Dai-chan and the others know you're here? He hasn't called to tell me anything yet."

Houtaro's gaze dropped to the table, and he muttered, "I didn't want to bother anyone."

The response only deepened Mr. Ichinose's frown. He pulled a chair closer, sitting across from his son. "Hou-chan, what's wrong? You've been acting strange since you walked in."

Houtaro tensed, his fingers gripping the edges of the table. He couldn't meet his father's gaze, the truth clawing at the edges of his mind. Before he could muster a response, his father's expression shifted.

"Wait," Mr. Ichinose said, his voice quieter now. "What about Tsu-chan? Is she okay? If you're better, then—"

Houtaro flinched at the mention of Shirabe's name, his eyes darting away. "Don't ask about her," he mumbled.

Mr. Ichinose frowned, sitting across from his son. "Hou-chan you're worrying me. What's going on? Is Tsu-chan okay? If you're better, then surely—"

"She's not waking up," Houtaro interrupted, his voice cracking. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he finally met his father's gaze. "She's... she's gone. She's never waking up."

The words hung in the air, a heavy silence enveloping them. Mr. Ichinose stared at his son, his face pale with shock.

"Never waking up?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Hou-chan, what are you saying? Is her fever that bad?"

"It's not just a fever!" Houtaro snapped, tears spilling over. "She's gone, Dad. Gone because of me."

Mr. Ichinose reached out, his hand landing gently on Houtaro's shoulder. "Hou-chan... no. Don't say that. It's not your fault. It can't be."

"It's my fault!" Houtaro's voice broke, the dam of emotions he'd been holding back bursting forth. Tears streamed down his face as he gripped his hair. "It's all my fault! I couldn't save her... I made things worse... I always make things worse!"

Mr. Ichinose immediately moved to his son's side, kneeling beside him. He placed a steady hand on Houtaro's shoulder. "Hou-chan, no. Don't do this to yourself. I'm sure there's something we can do. Tsu-chan—"

"There's nothing we can do!" Houtaro shouted, his voice raw with despair. "She's gone, Dad. She's not coming back. And it's because of me."

Mr. Ichinose was at a loss, his heart breaking at the sight of his son unraveling. He reached for the strawberry milk he had prepared earlier, hoping to offer some small comfort. "Here, have this. You love—"

Houtaro slapped the cup away, the glass shattering on the floor. "I don't want it! I don't want anything!"

"Hou-chan!" Mr. Ichinose exclaimed, startled by his son's outburst. He quickly cleaned the mess before retrieving something from behind the counter: a drawing set. "Look at this," he said, placing it on the table.

Houtaro glanced at the set, recognition flickering in his eyes.

"I found this in the trash outside the café yesterday," Mr. Ichinose explained, his voice tinged with hope. "It's in perfect condition, so I thought maybe you could use it. Drawing always helps you feel better, right?"

"I can't," Houtaro muttered, pushing the set away.

Despite this, Mr. Ichinose still gently placed it in front of Houtaro. "You always loved drawing when you were upset. Why not draw something for Tsu-chan? Maybe it'll help—"

"I can't do it now, Dad!" Houtaro shouted again, pushing the drawing set away.

"Yes, you can, son. Look at how good your drawings on that Kamen Rider that has been shown in the news and TV." Mr. Ichinose insisted gently, flipping through Houtaro's sketchbook. He paused on a drawing of Platina Gotchard, the intricate details capturing his son's passion for art.

But the sight of Platina Gotchard was too much for Houtaro. The image of himself in that form, the very form that had delivered the final blow to Shirabe's Malgam form, sent him spiraling.

"No!" he shouted, snatching a crayon and furiously defacing the drawing.

"Hou-chan, stop!" Mr. Ichinose pleaded, grabbing his son's arm. "What's gotten into you?"

"I don't deserve this!" Houtaro screamed, jerking away from his father's grasp. "I don't deserve to be here! I don't deserve to be your son!"

The words hit Mr. Ichinose like a physical blow. He released Houtaro, staring at him with wide eyes. "What are you talking about? Of course, you're my son. Hou-chan, you're my son. Mine and your mother's. Why would you say something like that?"

Houtaro shook his head violently, tears spilling freely. He wanted to confess everything—the Philosopher's Egg, his mother's true nature, his own borrowed life—but he couldn't. The words caught in his throat, choking him. He couldn't spit out the truth. Not to his father.

Mr. Ichinose reached for him, panic rising. "Hou-chan, wait! What about Rin-chan? She's always been good at calming you down. Maybe she can help—"

"She's gone too," Houtaro said, his voice hollow. "She left us. She's never coming back."

Mr. Ichinose's heart sank further. Shirabe's supposed condition, Rinne's departure—it was all too much.

"No," Mr. Ichinose said firmly, grabbing his son's wrist. "You're not going anywhere. You're tired, upset, and blaming yourself for things you can't control. Let me help you—"

"Let me go!" Houtaro yelled, shoving his father hard. Mr. Ichinose stumbled, crashing into a table and chair, a pained gasp escaping his lips.

Horrified, Houtaro froze, staring at his father writhing on the floor. "Dad, I—"

Before he could finish, he turned and bolted out the door, his father's pained calls echoing behind him. As he disappeared into the distance, Mr. Ichinose slowly sat up, clutching his side. His gaze lingered on the empty street where his son had vanished.

"Hou-chan..." he whispered, his voice trembling. "What happened to you?"

At that moment, Hopper1 fluttered into view, its chirps frantic and worried. Turning, he saw Hopper1 fluttering toward him, its movements sluggish and erratic.

"Hoppa… Hoppa…" Hopper1 chirped anxiously as it saw Houtaro ran away just as it managed to catchup with him.

"Oh, you are Hou-chan's 'Hopper Type Pet Robot', right?" Mr. Ichinose murmured, cradling the little Chemy. "You're worried about him too, aren't you?"

"Hoppa, ho… Hoppa..."

Hopper1 chirped weakly in response, nuzzling against his chest.

Mr. Ichinose stroked the Chemy's head, his mind racing. "At times like this, Tama-san always knew what to do," he muttered. "She'd cook Hou-chan's favorite food—Tamagoyaki. It always made him smile."

Resolving to do something, anything, to bring his son back, Mr. Ichinose carried Hopper1 to the kitchen. "We'll make it together," he said, his determination firm. "And we'll bring him home."

"Hoppa, hoppa!"

With Hopper1 chirping its agreement, the two set to work, the faint glimmer of hope guiding them forward. Despite not being an expert in cooking himself, Mr. Ichinose was determined to do what he could to bring his son back home and cheer him up again.

---

Chris trudged through the quiet streets, her hands stuffed in her jacket pockets, her mind a storm of conflicting emotions. The sunlight warmed her pale skin, but it failed to pierce the chill she felt within. She was exhausted—not just physically from the fight against Gigist, but mentally from the weight of their failures.

Shirabe comatose. Houtaro gone. Rinne vanished. Kirika bedridden.

She remembered clearly her previous moments in the hospital just after Houtaro had left them and before her leaving the rest to Daiki and Tsubasa.

---

The sterile scent of antiseptics filled the hospital air, a stark contrast to the storm of emotions brewing inside Chris. She stood just outside the dimly lit room where Daiki and Tsubasa tended to their fallen comrades. Through the slightly ajar door, she could see Shirabe lying motionless on the hospital bed, her chest barely rising with each shallow breath. Kirika lay on the adjacent bed, her fevered body covered in a sheen of sweat, her face pale and drained from her ordeal.

Chris clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She hated this. She hated feeling so powerless, watching the people she'd fought beside reduced to such a fragile state. Her gaze darted to Daiki, who meticulously adjusted Kirika's IV, his face a mixture of worry and exhaustion. Tsubasa was sitting beside Shirabe, her hand gently clasping the younger girl's, her lips moving in silent prayers.

Chris wanted to stay, to do something, anything, but deep down, she knew she'd only be in the way.

Tsubasa looked up, her usually stoic face softening slightly as she noticed Chris. "You should go home and rest, Yukine," she said gently. "You've been through a lot too."

Chris shook her head. "Rest? While Shirabe's like this? While Kirika's burning up? While that dummy Houtaro and smartass Rinne are gone?" Her voice cracked, betraying the emotions she was trying to suppress.

Daiki glanced up from his work, his calm tone a contrast to Chris's anguish. "We'll take care of them. Right now, we need you to be in good shape, especially if something happens."

"But—" Chris started to argue, but Tsubasa cut her off with a look.

"We're counting on you," Tsubasa said, her tone firm. "Please, Yukine."

Chris bit her lip, her frustration bubbling under the surface. She hated feeling like a third wheel, like she wasn't contributing enough. But she couldn't argue with Tsubasa's logic. With a reluctant nod, she turned to leave, casting one last glance at Shirabe and Kirika.

As she walked out of the hospital, the weight of everything hit her like a tidal wave. Shirabe comatose after being turned into a Malgam by Gigist. Rinne fleeing in guilt, unable to face what had happened. Houtaro crushed by the burden of it all, walking away from them in despair. And Kirika, the ever-determined fighter, succumbing to illness after spending the night searching for Rinne in the rain.

It was too much.

---

Even though part of her wanted to stay to help Daiki and Tsubasa, Chris knew she'd only be in the way. It frustrated her. She wasn't close to Houtaro or the others like Shirabe and Kirika were, but this despair wasn't something she could easily shrug off.

Her boots scraped against the pavement as her frustration bubbled to the surface. "Damn it all," she muttered, ruffling her hair roughly. "Why do I always feel so useless?"

Her thoughts turned to Supana.

"That coward..." she hissed through gritted teeth. Supana had refused to help them face Gigist, his fear of the Dark King overriding any sense of duty or camaraderie. A small part of her understood—Gigist was beyond terrifying, a nightmare given form. But the logical part of her couldn't excuse his inaction. Shirabe's state haunted her, and even Kenichi's words hadn't lessened her anger.

"Would it have made a difference if he'd been there?" she wondered aloud, her tone bitter.

Before she could spiral further, her home, Garage Yukine, came into view. The sight of the familiar building brought a brief wave of comfort. She pushed the door open, the familiar clatter of tools greeting her ears. Stephan was hunched over a motorcycle, his hands deftly tightening bolts, while Supana worked on a car engine, his back to the entrance.

"I'm home," she announced, her voice weary.

Stephan immediately paused his work, his face lighting up with a mixture of relief and concern. "Chris! You're back!" He rushed over, his eyes scanning her for injuries. "What happened? Are you okay? You're covered in bandages!"

Chris waved him off with a tired smile. "I'm fine. Just some scratches. Nothing to worry about."

Supana, without turning around, spoke up in his usual nonchalant tone. "Well, you look like hell. Did you guys even accomplish anything, or was it as pointless as I thought?"

Chris froze, her eyes narrowing at his flippant question. "Are you seriously asking that?" she said, her voice laced with venom.

Stephan winced, sensing the brewing tension. "Aniki, maybe—"

Chris's jaw tightened, her fists curling at her sides. "You want to know what happened, Supana? Fine." She stalked closer to him, her voice rising with every word. "Shirabe is in a coma because Gigist turned her into a Malgam, and we had to stop her. Rinne ran away because she couldn't handle her guilt over Shirabe's condition. Houtaro left because the weight of everything crushed him. And Kirika collapsed from exhaustion after searching for Rinne all night in the rain."

Her words made Stephan's face pale. "Shirabe's... in a coma?" he repeated, horrified.

Chris nodded, her voice trembling. "She's barely holding on. And the rest of us? We're falling apart."

Supana paused for a moment, his hands hovering over his tools, but he didn't turn around. "Huh. Tough break," he muttered before resuming his work.

Chris's patience snapped. "That's all you have to say?!"

For a moment, Chris thought he might actually show some sympathy. Instead, he shrugged. "Sounds like a mess. Good thing you're still standing, at least."

The flippant remark was the last straw.

She stormed over, grabbing Supana by the collar and yanking him away from the car. Before he could protest, she shoved him against the wall, her eyes blazing with fury.

"You selfish, heartless bastard!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the garage. "How can you be so damn cold about this? Shirabe is dying! Houtaro's broken! Rinne's gone! And Kirika—Kirika's sick in bed because of everything we've been through! And you—you couldn't even bother to show up!"

Stephan stepped forward, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Chris, calm down—"

"No!" Chris barked, cutting him off. Her gaze burned into Supana's. "You weren't there. You didn't see Shirabe like that. You didn't see Houtaro's face when he realized what he had to do. You didn't see how much guild ridden Rinne was. You didn't see Kirika collapse after pushing herself to the brink. You weren't there, and you didn't care."

Supana remained calm, his gaze avoiding hers. "Are you done?" he asked flatly.

"No!" Chris barked, tightening her grip on his collar. "How can you be so indifferent? We've lost so much already—our parents, Sonya, Carol, Elfnein, Cagliostro—and now Shirabe might be gone too forever. And you just stand there acting like it's nothing!"

Supana finally met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Even if I'd been there, would it have made a difference? Gigist is unstoppable. Shirabe's fate was sealed the moment he turned her into a Malgam. Nothing I could've done would've changed that."

Chris's lip trembled with rage. "So, what, we just give up? Write Shirabe off as dead and move on? Is that what you're saying?!"

Supana shrugged. "It's reality. Maybe it's time Houtaro and the others learned that not everything can be solved with optimism and heroics. Loss happens. It's life."

Chris reeled back as if struck. Tears welled in her eyes, but they burned with anger. "How can you say that?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Supana averted his gaze again, his nonchalant mask slipping slightly. "I'm saying you can't save everyone, Yukine. Not me. Not anyone. Just accept it."

Chris's hand flew before she could stop herself, aiming to slap Supana across the face. But he caught her wrist effortlessly, holding it in place.

"If it were me," she whispered, her voice trembling, "if I were in Shirabe's place... would you still act like this?"

"Do you really think I wouldn't care if it were you in Shirabe's position?" he asked softly, his tone devoid of its usual apathy.

His words disarmed her, and she slumped against him, her anger dissolving into sobs. "I hate you," she whispered, though there was no venom behind the words. "I hate how you pretend not to care. I hate how you act like nothing matters."

Supana let her go, adjusting his collar. "Feel better now?"

In a flash, Chris slapped him for real, the sound echoing through the garage. Supana didn't react, his face impassive as he turned toward the door. "I need air," he said simply. "Stephan, take care of your sister here."

He left without another word, leaving Chris to crumble to the floor.

Stephan rushed to her side, kneeling beside her and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He cares, Chris," he said softly. "Aniki just doesn't know how to show it."

Chris shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I know he does," she admitted. "But sometimes, I wish he hated me. At least then I'd know he felt something."

Stephan stayed by her side, his quiet presence a small comfort as she let out all the emotions she'd been holding back. Outside, Supana leaned against the wall of the garage, eavesdropping Chris's trembling words before leaving the place. His eyes were shadowed, his thoughts turbulent, but he didn't let it show.

"What a ridiculous joke…"

---

The noon sunlight filtered through the café's large windows, casting a soft glow on the otherwise messy interior of Café Ichinose. Despite the stillness of the place, the kitchen was alive with chaotic energy. Ingredients were strewn across the counters, mixing bowls piled high in the sink, and an unmistakable smell of burnt eggs wafted in the air.

Standing amidst the culinary battlefield was Mr. Ichinose, sleeves rolled up and determination etched on his face. He flipped another batch of Tamagoyaki onto a plate, its uneven texture and blackened edges a testament to his struggles. Beside him, Hopper1 flitted about, chirping anxiously and pointing to ingredients as if trying to steer him in the right direction.

"Hoppa… Hop, hop, hop… Hoppa!"

Mr. Ichinose sighed, his lips curving into a wry smile. "You're quite the demanding little robot, aren't you? Still, I appreciate the help." He placed the Tamagoyaki on the counter and offered it to Hopper1. "Here, taste test number... what is it now? Eleven?"

"Hoppa? Hoppa!" Hopper1 cautiously nibbled on the edge before spitting it out with a flurry of indignant chirps, shaking its head vehemently.

Mr. Ichinose groaned. "Alright, alright. Back to the drawing board."

The door to the café creaked open, and Rinne hesitantly stepped inside. She froze, taking in the mess before her—spilled flour, egg cartons, and various utensils scattered about. The sight was far removed from the pristine and welcoming atmosphere she remembered.

Her gaze shifted to the kitchen, where she saw Mr. Ichinose, hair slightly disheveled, holding a spatula with an expression of sheer determination. Hopper1 hovered nearby, its tiny frame radiating exasperation. The scene was so absurd it almost made her laugh, but her heart felt too heavy for such levity.

"Excuse me," Rinne said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she stepped further inside.

Mr. Ichinose looked up, surprise flashing across his face before it softened into relief. "Rin-chan! Thank goodness you're here!" He hurried toward her, Hopper1 chirping in tow. "Hoppa, ho!"

Rinne offered a tentative smile. "Hello, Mr. Ichinose. It's... been a while."

"I'll say!" he exclaimed, his eyes scanning her closely. "What happened to you? You look exhausted—and are those scratches? Did something happen?"

Rinne hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "It's... complicated," she admitted.

Mr. Ichinose frowned but didn't press further. Instead, he offered her a reassuring smile. "Well, at least you're here now. We've all been worried sick about you. Hou-chan mentioned you left after Tsu-chan fell ill."

At the mention of Houtaro, Rinne's chest tightened. "Houtaro... is he here?" she asked quickly, her voice tinged with hope.

Mr. Ichinose's expression dimmed slightly, and he scratched the back of his neck. "He was here earlier, but... he left again."

Rinne's shoulders slumped, and her heart sank. "He left? Why?"

Mr. Ichinose sighed, his brow furrowing. "We... had a bit of a disagreement. He wasn't himself, Rin-chan. He was acting so out of character, blaming himself for Tsu-chan's condition and saying things that... didn't make sense."

Rinne could only avert her gaze from Mr. Ichinose because she truly knew the context of why Houtaro acted that, especially having to cope with the undeniable fact that they might lose Shirabe forever and it was partially her fault too.

"Look at this, Rin-chan. Hou-chan even scraps his lovely drawings of the Kamen Rider in the news and TV that he often loves to draw in his book. I even needed to stop him from ruining his own art that he loves to make." Mr. Ichinose shows the scrapped drawing of Platina Gotchard inside Houtaro's sketchbook that was scribbled by crayons previously.

Seeing that Houtaro himself was so out-of-character to the point that he was willing to ruin his own drawings in a fit of emotional baggage, Rinne felt a tremendous guilt filling her heart once again, "Yes… That's so unlike the Houtaro I know…"

He paused, his gaze growing distant. "He even said Tsu-chan might never wake up. I didn't understand what he meant, but he was so emotional about it. I tried to comfort him, but..." He gestured toward a broken table and chair near the seating area. "Things got... heated."

Rinne stared at the shattered furniture, guilt washing over her. She clenched her fists, her mind racing with memories of her own failures, her own jealousy that had set these events into motion.

"Mr. Ichinose," she said, her voice trembling. "This is all my fault. If I hadn't..."

But he held up a hand, cutting her off. "Don't go blaming yourself now. Whatever happened, it's clear Hou-chan is going through something difficult. But he'll be back—I know he will. And when he does, I'll have something ready to cheer him up."

He turned back toward the kitchen, picking up a slightly battered recipe book. "I've been trying to make Tamagoyaki. It's his favorite, you know. I thought maybe, if I made it just like his mother used to, it might lift his spirits."

Rinne's gaze fell on the drawing set resting on the counter. Her stomach twisted as she recognized it—the very gift she had bought for Houtaro but discarded in a jealous fit. "Where did you get that?" she asked quietly.

"Hm? Oh, I found it in the trash bin outside yesterday," Mr. Ichinose replied nonchalantly. "It looked perfectly fine, so I saved it. Thought it might cheer him up, but he barely looked at it."

Rinne's heart ached as she stared at the set, the weight of her actions pressing down on her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Let me help you," she said, her voice firmer now.

Mr. Ichinose blinked. "Help me? Rin-chan, you look like you're about to collapse. You should rest."

"No," she insisted. "I need to do this. For Houtaro. I might not be as excellent at cooking like Shirabe, but I can still help. Please, let me help."

After a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "Alright. Let's do this together."

Together, they tackled the chaotic kitchen. Rinne took charge, carefully following the recipe as she whisked eggs, added dashi, and poured the mixture into the pan. Mr. Ichinose hovered nearby, assisting where he could but mostly marveling at how smoothly she worked compared to his own clumsy attempts.

"Hoppa! Hoppa! Hoppa, hoppa!"

Hopper1 chirped encouragingly, occasionally pointing out mistakes or suggesting adjustments. Slowly but surely, the Tamagoyaki began to take shape, golden and fluffy.

When they finally finished, Mr. Ichinose presented a piece to Hopper1, who nibbled it cautiously. After a tense moment, the little Chemy chirped happily, spinning in the air in approval. "Hoppa! Hoppaaaa!"

They both let out relieved laughs, the weight in their chests lifting, if only slightly. "We did it," Mr. Ichinose said, his voice tinged with pride.

But as the adrenaline faded, Rinne's exhaustion caught up to her. Her knees buckled, and she swayed on the spot. Mr. Ichinose caught her just in time, guiding her to a chair. "You've done enough," he said gently. "Rest now."

As she sat, her gaze fell once more on the broken furniture. "Mr. Ichinose... what else did Houtaro say before he left?"

His face darkened. "He said he didn't belong here anymore. That he wasn't worthy to be called my son." His voice cracked slightly, but he forced a smile. "But I know that's just the stress talking. He'll come back. He always does and I believe him because he's my and Tama-san's son."

Hearing and seeing Mr. Ichinose's tender kindness and confidence, this gave Rinne some resolve to speak openly with Mr. Ichinose. Thanks to some harsh but needed words from Vanessa and Elsa, she knew that she needed to take a step forward and face her own problems and emotions

She had thought she could sort out her feelings if she could meet with someone at Café Ichinose because she honestly didn't know where to go previously. Thankfully, meeting with Houtaro's father was something that she didn't expect she would need currently to sort out her feelings.

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. "Mr. Ichinose, there's something…" she called softly, gaining his attention once again.

He turned to her with a gentle smile. "What is it, Rin-chan? Do you have something to talk about? You can talk it out here rather than just bottling up for yourself, kiddo."

While Rinne couldn't share all the details about what had transpired with Gigist or Shirabe's true condition, she needed to untangle her emotions and lay bare some of her burdens.

She hesitated, fingers tightening around the drawing set. "I... I need to ask you something, and it might be... awkward."

His brow furrowed in curiosity, but he nodded, setting the basket down. "Go ahead. Ask me anything."

Rinne bit her lip, her cheeks coloring faintly. "Have you ever... felt jealous? I mean, specifically about Tamami-san—if she ever showed interest in someone else, how would you feel?"

The question seemed to catch Mr. Ichinose completely off guard. His eyes widened, and his face turned an uncharacteristic shade of pink. "W-Well, that's... that's a sudden question," he stammered, scratching the back of his head.

"I'm sorry," Rinne quickly said, her voice trembling. "I know it's a strange thing to ask. If it's too personal, you don't have to answer—"

"No, no," he interrupted, raising a hand to reassure her. "It's just... I've never really thought about it like that."

He leaned against the counter, his expression softening as he considered the question. "If Tama-san ever showed interest in someone else... I guess I'd feel jealous. Probably a bit hurt, too. She's my wife, after all. But," he added, his tone firm, "I trust her completely. Tama-san isn't the kind of person to let her heart stray. She's too kind, too devoted."

Rinne nodded, though the words struck her with a bittersweet pang. If only he knew the truth about Tamami's past as Fine, about her obsession with Enki and the impossible choices and sacrifices she had made during the last incident.

"But," Mr. Ichinose continued, "if, for some reason, she did fall for someone else, I think I'd want to know why. What about me wasn't enough? What could I do better? I'd fight for her, of course, but if the other person made her happier, then... maybe I'd have to step aside. Loving someone means wanting the best for them, even if it hurts you."

His words carried a quiet strength, an unshakable love for his family that made Rinne's heart ache.

"You're a good man, Mr. Ichinose," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

He chuckled lightly, though there was a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "I don't know about that. I'm just doing my best. Sometimes, I wonder if it's enough. I see how much Tama-san has done for us, how much Hou-chan has grown, and I feel... small. But I love them, Rinne. That's the one thing I'm sure of."

Rinne's chest tightened. Her admiration for Houtaro's father deepened, and the weight of her guilt began to lift, just a little.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "I needed to hear that."

Mr. Ichinose tilted his head in curiosity, but he didn't press her. Instead, he moved to sit across from her, his gaze steady. "You've got something on your mind, don't you?"

Rinne nodded, her fingers trembling as she gripped the drawing set. "It's about... yesterday. And Shirabe. And Houtaro."

Rinne glanced down at the drawing set in her lap, her fingers tracing its edges as she built the courage to speak. She looked up at Mr. Ichinose, whose patient gaze was fixed on her, offering quiet encouragement.

Taking a deep breath, she began, her voice trembling. "Yesterday... when Kirika and I came to visit Houtaro, I—I saw Shirabe taking care of him." She paused, her words catching in her throat.

Mr. Ichinose nodded gently, silently urging her to continue.

"She was... so kind, so caring," Rinne said, her voice breaking slightly. "Feeding him, making sure he was okay. She looked so natural, like they'd always been that way. And it hurt." She placed her hand over her heart, her fingers clenching the fabric of her shirt. "It hurt so much to watch them. I felt like an outsider, like I didn't belong there. Like... there was no place for me."

Mr. Ichinose's expression softened, his brow furrowing with concern. "Rin-chan..."

"I know it's selfish," she interrupted, her voice growing more pained. "I know Shirabe is Houtaro's childhood friend, and they've been through so much together. But seeing them like that... it felt like my heart was being crushed. I've been friends with Houtaro for so long, but I've never seen him like that with me. Not like he is with her."

She hesitated, then held up the drawing set. "I bought this for him yesterday. I thought... maybe it would cheer him up, help him feel better. But when I saw them together, I felt like it didn't matter. That I didn't matter." Her hands trembled as she clutched the set tighter. "So, I threw it away."

Mr. Ichinose remained silent, his face reflecting a mixture of understanding and sadness.

"And then," Rinne continued, tears welling in her eyes, "Shirabe got sick. She ended up in the hospital, just like Houtaro. And I... I couldn't stop thinking..." She bit her lip, her voice faltering.

"Rin-chan," Mr. Ichinose said softly, leaning forward, "you can tell me."

She shook her head, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "I wished for it," she whispered. "Deep down, I wanted her to be out of the picture. I was so jealous that I wished for something bad to happen to her. And then it did."

Her voice broke entirely as she buried her face in her hands. "It's my fault. I'm the reason she's like this. I wished for it, and it happened. How could I be so horrible?"

"Rin-chan," Mr. Ichinose said firmly, standing and moving to her side. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch warm and steady.

She flinched at his kindness, shaking her head. "Don't comfort me. I don't deserve it. I ruined everything. Houtaro's tantrum, Shirabe's condition—it all started because of me."

"You're wrong," he said gently. "This isn't your fault."

"But it is!" she cried, looking up at him with red, tear-streaked eyes. "If I hadn't been so selfish, so jealous—"

"Rin-chan," he interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "You're human. Feeling jealous, feeling hurt—that doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you real. It shows how much you care."

She shook her head, unable to accept his words. "I wished for her to get hurt. How can you say I care?"

"Because you do," he said simply. "If you didn't care, you wouldn't be here right now. You wouldn't feel this guilt. You love Tsu-chan. You love Hou-chan. That's why this hurts so much."

Rinne's breath hitched, fresh tears streaming down her face. "I do," she whispered. "I love them both so much. And I hurt them."

Mr. Ichinose pulled her into a comforting hug, his arms steady and reassuring. Hopper1 chirped softly, nuzzling against her arm.

"Hoppaa…"

"You made a mistake," Mr. Ichinose said gently. "But mistakes don't define who you are. What matters is what you do now. Talk to them, Rin-chan. Be honest. Tell them how you feel."

"I'm scared," she admitted, her voice muffled against his chest. "What if they hate me? What if they don't forgive me?"

He pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, his expression kind but firm. "They won't. Hou-chan, Tsu-chan—they care about you just as much as you care about them. Trust them, Rin-chan. Trust yourself."

She nodded slowly, her resolve growing stronger. "Thank you," she whispered.

To lighten up the mood, Mr. Ichinose leaned back in his chair, his smile turning into a mischievous grin. "You know, Rin-chan," he began, his tone light and teasing, "if you're this worked up over Hou-chan, maybe it's time you just confessed to him."

Rinne froze, her face instantly heating up as the words registered. "Wha—confess?!" she sputtered, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson as she clutched Hopper1 a little tighter as if the little Chemy could shield her from the embarrassment. "Wh-what are you even talking about?!"

Mr. Ichinose chuckled at her reaction, clearly enjoying himself. "Come on, it's obvious," he said with a wink. "You wouldn't be this jealous over Tsu-chan if you didn't have feelings for the boy."

"That's not—I mean—" Rinne stammered, waving her hands frantically in front of her as if trying to push the idea away. "I don't—It's not like that!"

"Sure, sure," Mr. Ichinose teased, leaning forward with a knowing smile. "It's not exactly like that. But you've got to admit, you care about him more than just as a friend, don't you?"

Rinne's protests faltered, and she fell silent for a moment, clutching Hopper1 in her lap as she avoided Mr. Ichinose's gaze. "...Maybe," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I wouldn't call it love—not yet, at least—but... I do care about Houtaro. I've grown really fond of him since we met."

Mr. Ichinose smiled knowingly, his tone softening. "That's all it takes, you know. Love doesn't have to come with a big declaration or a grand moment. Sometimes, it's just about realizing how much someone means to you."

Rinne's blush deepened as she fidgeted with the hem of her jacket. "It's not like I'm ready to admit it's love," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "But… I guess… maybe I do like him. A lot."

"Ah, there it is," Mr. Ichinose said triumphantly, clapping his hands together.

Rinne frowned, her pout deepening as she crossed her arms. "You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Of course I am," he admitted with a hearty laugh. "It's not every day I get to tease my son's closest friends. Besides, it's nice to see someone care about Hou-chan as much as you do."

Rinne sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as her blush refused to fade. "It's not just about caring... I guess I've always seen him as someone important. Ever since we first met, there was something about him that made me want to be close to him. But now, seeing how close he is with Shirabe, it's..." She trailed off, struggling to find the words.

"Painful?" Mr. Ichinose offered gently.

She nodded, her expression softening. "Yeah. Painful."

Mr. Ichinose reached over and ruffled her hair again, drawing a small groan of protest from her. "Well, I think you're doing just fine. And for what it's worth, I wouldn't mind having you as a daughter-in-law someday."

"D-Daughter-in-law?!" Rinne nearly dropped Hopper1 in her flustered state, the Chemy chirping in confusion as it flapped its wings to steady itself. "Hoppa?!"

"We're way too young for that! And besides, Houtaro—he's still… I mean…" She trailed off, her words dissolving into incoherent sputters.

Mr. Ichinose laughed again, clearly enjoying her reaction. "Alright, alright, I won't push it. But I'm happy to see Hou-chan surrounded by good friends like you, Tsu-chan, and Kiri-chan. Whoever he ends up with, I'll welcome her with open arms."

Rinne pouted, her lips pressing into a thin line. "You're thinking way too far ahead," she muttered. "Houtaro's still so immature..."

"That's my boy for you," Mr. Ichinose said with a proud grin. "A little immature, maybe, but his heart's always in the right place."

He leaned back again, his expression softening. "And Rin-chan, I really think you should tell him how you feel. Not just about your jealousy or your guilt, but about everything. If anyone can reach him, it's you."

Rinne looked down at Hopper1, who chirped quietly as if echoing Mr. Ichinose's sentiments. Slowly, she nodded. "I'll try," she said, her voice filled with determination. "When I see him again, I'll try to tell him."

Mr. Ichinose smiled warmly, ruffling Rinne's hair with a fatherly tenderness. "That's the spirit, kiddo. Now, let's find Hou-chan and make things right."

Rinne couldn't help but smile—a small, genuine expression she hadn't felt capable of for days. She leaned slightly into the comforting gesture, closing her eyes for a moment to absorb the warmth it brought. "I... I miss this," she admitted softly, her voice tinged with both melancholy and gratitude.

"Miss what?" Mr. Ichinose asked, his hand pausing mid-ruffle as he leaned slightly forward.

"Being treated like this," Rinne replied, her smile faltering just a bit. "Like someone's daughter."

Her words hung heavy in the air, and Mr. Ichinose's cheerful expression faded into one of quiet understanding. He had known bits and pieces about Rinne's past, but this reminder hit differently in the moment.

"Rin-chan..." he began carefully, sitting across from her and folding his hands on the table. "Your dad... he left you when you were young, didn't he?"

She nodded, her eyes fixed on Hopper1, who chirped quietly in her lap, as though sensing the somber mood. "I never knew my mom," she admitted. "She died giving birth to me. And my dad..." She hesitated, her hands gripping the edge of the table. "He left when I was little. I always heard from his colleagues that he did it for some... noble reason. Something about not wanting to drag me into whatever he was involved in. But he never came back. Not even once."

Mr. Ichinose frowned deeply, the thought of a father abandoning his daughter stirring a protective anger within him. "That's no excuse," he said firmly. I'll be honest with you, Rin-chan. I don't think there's any excuse good enough for abandoning your child. No 'noble reason' makes up for leaving your family behind. If your dad truly cared, he should've found a way to stay in your life."

"It's okay," Rinne replied, shaking her head. "I know my dad had his reasons. I've come to terms with it… mostly." She paused, her fingers tightening slightly around Hopper1. "But seeing you and Houtaro… it's nice. It's… what I wish I could've had."

"I get it," Mr. Ichinose said gently, his tone softening. "I'm not trying to dismiss how you feel about him. But if I ever meet the guy, I'd still want to give him a piece of my mind."

That drew a weak chuckle from Rinne. "You would, wouldn't you?"

"Absolutely," he replied with conviction. "It's a miracle you've grown up into such a kind, thoughtful girl despite everything. You've been carrying so much, and you deserve better than to be left behind like that." He leaned back, letting out a sigh. "No one should ever have to feel that kind of loneliness."

Her smile returned, faint but genuine. "Thank you," she said quietly.

"Don't thank me," he said, waving her off with a sheepish grin. "I'm just telling the truth. And for what it's worth, Tama-san—my wife—used to leave for long stretches when Hou-chan was younger, too. But she always came back. Always made sure we knew how much she loved us. That's how it should be."

Rinne didn't reply immediately, but her grip on Hopper1 tightened just slightly.

Mr. Ichinose sighed, pulling her into a gentle hug. "Well, if you ever need a stand-in dad, you've got me, okay? And Hou-chan's lucky to have you."

Rinne blinked back the tears threatening to spill over and nodded against his shoulder. "Thank you… Mr. Ichinose."

After releasing Rinne from his gentle hug, Mr. Ichinose clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough of that. Let's get moving. We've got a Hou-chan to find and a Tsu-chan to visit."

Rinne hesitated. "I don't even know where to start. The hospital... I don't even know which one they took Shirabe to."

"Dai-chan told me last night," Mr. Ichinose said reassuringly, grabbing a small notepad from the counter and scribbling down an address. "He said not to worry or go, but that was before Hou-chan ran off again. So, now's as good a time as any to head there."

He reached for the drawing set and handed it to Rinne. "Here. You should give this to Hou-chan. For real this time."

Rinne stared at it, her fingers brushing lightly over the box. "Do you really think... he'll accept it? That he won't just... hate me?"

Mr. Ichinose placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hou-chan could never hate you, Rinne. Trust me on that. He'll love it, especially if it's from you."

She nodded, clutching the set tightly. "Alright. I'll give it to him."

With the Tamagoyaki carefully packed into a basket, the two of them prepared to leave. As Mr. Ichinose locked up the café, he looked at Rinne and Hopper1, a determined glint in his eye. "Let's make this right, Rinne. One step at a time."

"Hoppa, hoppa!"

Rinne cradled Hopper1 in her arms, the little Chemy chirping happily as if in agreement. Together, they began their journey to the hospital, their steps filled with renewed hope.

---

That's the end of the first part of this chapter for now. Again, there won't be a digression chapter just yet because the story of this chapter hasn't been completed just yet. Obviously, there were some snippets here and there along with some plot implications that I might want to touch on but that's for another time and story. For now, just enjoy the story as it is. Because the chapter was already this long, hopefully you guys enjoy reading the story despite its length and hope to see you again whenever that might be!