Knights of the Digital World

Yesterday, Asuna Kano asked him to teach her how to become stronger as a Kamen Rider. Although he agreed at the time because of Kano's strong belief, now Emu is starting to have a headache about how to teach her.

There's no fixed formula for a knight's growth. It's not about simply following a given method to become stronger. Which knight hasn't grown through countless trials, setbacks, and blows?

Even Emu, didn't he also go through the devilish training of Darkmon and Bancho Mamemon?

However, if we must say, there is a way for a knight to become stronger. That is to hone their spirit. The strongest knights are those who hold unwavering beliefs and clearly understand what they must protect!

At this moment, the knight can often unleash incredible power. This is also known as—the power of willpower!

Emu could only try to guide Kana in that direction.

What else can we teach?

You can't teach someone to open their mouth and close their eyes!

Chapter Thirty-Two, An Unexpected Encounter

As Emu was deep in thought, a cheerful voice interrupted his train of thought:

"Sorry I'm late!"

When Emu looked up, she saw Asuna Kana, wearing a pale yellow top, a colorful long skirt, and a small hat, waving as she ran towards her.

"Good morning, Baosheng!"

Asuka Kano was still as energetic as ever.

Emu also raised his hand and waved, saying, "Good morning, Kana."

Asuna Kino had already reached Emu, her face still slightly flushed, perhaps from running there. She repeatedly apologized to Emu:

"I'm sorry, Baosheng. I'm late. You must have been waiting for a long time, right?"

The classic light romantic comedy dialogue made Emu raise an eyebrow. Asuna was indeed very beautiful, and her cheerful personality was a plus. But to be honest, Emu and she weren't that close. This was evident from the fact that they still addressed each other by their surnames.

"It's alright. Didn't you want to ask about ways to become stronger? Then let's go."

Emu steered the conversation directly to the main topic, turning to lead Asuna toward the park, saying as they walked:

"The power of Kamen Rider comes from many sources, but the strongest power comes from the Rider's desire to protect everything. Apart from that, one can only rely on hard training."

I will try my best to share my philosophy with you and give you some guidance. In addition, I will share my previous training methods with you. Of course, I will adjust the training volume accordingly… but ultimately, you need to persevere in your training to become stronger.

Just talking about it won't help; you won't have a direct visual impression. Let's go to the park, and I'll demonstrate it for you.

Asahi stared dumbfounded at Emu as she spoke eloquently, and involuntarily followed her for a distance before suddenly shouting:

"Wait a minute! Baosheng, didn't we agree to go for coffee? Why did we suddenly head to the park?!"

"Oh, this? I'm not really interested in coffee. It's too bitter. So let's skip it. Wouldn't it be better if we just went to cultivate?"

Emu spread his hands and asked in return.

"If you don't like coffee, you can drink something else! This is my apprenticeship gift, otherwise I'd be too embarrassed to learn from you!"

"That's perfectly reasonable," Mingri said confidently.

"Jia Ye, we haven't met more than a few times, have we? Why are you so persistent with me?"

Emu scratched his head, deciding to cut to the chase. He simply couldn't understand it. He hadn't even tried to flirt with Asuna, had he? While he was handsome enough, he wasn't so strikingly attractive that someone would willingly throw themselves at him. Why would Asuna go to such lengths?

It would be more like it was Ruhime instead.

Emu's direct question caused Asuna to fall silent for a moment before she finally responded:

"Because I feel we are the same kind of people!"

Seemingly having spoken her mind, Tomorrow no longer concealed her feelings and said loudly:

“My family is considered wealthy. But because of that, my father has always been busy with work. My mother passed away when I was young. I’ve always been lonely! I didn’t make many friends at school. I know that they secretly laugh at me for being stupid and even getting the time wrong.”

"After obtaining the system fragment and gaining Decade's power, I felt even more like an outsider. It's true that I was once terrified by Decade's appearance! At that time, I truly felt that I was the only person in the world who was alone!"

"But then you appeared! You're the same age as me, and you're good-looking too. Most importantly, you also have the power of Decade! If I'm an outcast, you're one of my kind! You're the only person I can stick with and find warmth in!"

Emu pursed his lips. He could sense the loneliness and excitement in Asuna's words. He could also tell that Asuna was trying very hard to create an atmosphere. This arrangement to meet at the station, along with her previous actions and words, all hinted at a lighthearted romance.

However, Emu didn't think Asuna's actions were the right choice. Neither he nor Asuna truly understood each other; Asuna's actions were merely driven by a thrill of "finding a kindred spirit," leading her to mistakenly believe she had fallen in love at first sight. Once the excitement subsided, today's events might become a dark chapter in her past that she wouldn't want to revisit.

Asuna herself hadn't realized this yet, but Emu was different. He knew this clearly and wasn't going to let the girl continue to immerse herself in this illusory emotion.

He said bluntly, "Fake Wild, that's just your own illusion. Knights are heroes who protect what everyone cherishes, they are definitely not some kind of outcast. You feel lonely simply because you haven't experienced enough and haven't met anyone who can resonate with you. But the world is so big, you'll eventually meet someone."

"As for me, I, who also wield the power of a knight, can indeed be considered your kind. But I feel more that we should be comrades-in-arms. Partners who fight together to protect everyone! Your current interest in me is merely a passing fad. We don't truly understand each other. So, let's leave it at that."

Asuna retorted indignantly, "How do you know I just had a whim? Getting to know someone is something that happens through spending time together! Hosei-kun... no, Emu-kun! I'll prove my resolve to you! So, this time you have to come with me!"

Yongmeng sighed and rubbed her forehead, feeling a bit of a headache.

He felt he had made himself perfectly clear, but Mingri was also stubborn and single-minded, with an air of not turning back until she hit a brick wall.

This was the first time Yongmeng had ever been pursued by a girl. Having been single for twenty years in her previous life, she had absolutely no experience dealing with this kind of situation.

Emu had considered running away, but judging from Asuna's attitude, if he ran away, Asuna might just rush over and cling to his leg. That would be too embarrassing.

I might as well go shopping with Asuna first, fulfill her wish, and then reiterate my own thoughts. Perhaps she'll be more accepting then.

Thinking of this, Yongmeng sighed and said, "Alright, you lead the way. I'll follow."

"yeah!"

Tomorrow, she made a victory sign and skipped and hopped ahead.

According to the scene that Asuna saw in the movie, they should be holding hands or arm in arm by now... but she felt that Emu would definitely not agree, so she gave up.

Although Asuna is somewhat careless, he has shown an unusually outstanding insight in this regard.

Led by Asuna, the two entered the shopping district of Nishi-Shinjuku. In addition to various shops, the restaurant industry was also very developed here.

Along the way, Emu and Asuna also chatted. To make it easier to talk, the two changed from walking one in front of the other to walking side by side, and they looked quite well-matched from behind.

"Emmu, tell me, what would you like to drink? I can recommend something for you~"

Asuna nudged Emu with her shoulder and said with a grin.

Emu felt a little uncomfortable being in contact with a girl like this and subtly shrank back. Just as he was contemplating what to drink, a familiar voice came from behind him:

"Emiya?"

Yongmeng reflexively turned around and saw a girl with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle, wearing headphones, and with reddish-brown to blonde hair looking at him in surprise.

An unexpected encounter.

Chapter 33, traveling together

"Ryuhime! What a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you. What brings you here?"

Seeing Ruki made Emu somewhat happy. He actually had a lot of affection for Ruki. Putting aside the added benefit of his past life memories, the fact that they had spent so much time together in this life and had even fought side by side was enough to make Ruki hold a different place in Emu's heart.

However, as a player who has been single for over thirty years, including both his past and present lives, Emu doesn't yet have the courage to confess his feelings.

But running into someone you like is a very happy thing.

"Oh, it's nothing. My mom needed me to come to her workplace. It's all taken care of now. But what are you doing here? Don't you usually like staying in the park?"

Ruki hung the headphones around her neck, teased Emu, and glanced at Asuna without making a sound.

"Good morning, Makino-kun. I asked Emu-kun to come out. We have a little private secret between us, but I won't tell you."

Before Emu could answer, Asuna stepped forward and answered Ruki's question. However, she phrased it ambiguously.

When Asuna was secretly observing last time, she also saw Ruki. However, she had no idea that Ruki and Emu were so close that they could even call each other by their first names. In Japan, this is a symbol of close relationships.

This made Asuna feel a sense of crisis. Therefore, Asuna chose to take the initiative.

She was determined to have Hosho Emu, who was like her!

Ruki's brow twitched slightly upon hearing Asuna's words. As mentioned earlier, calling someone by their first name is a sign of closeness in Japan. Even adding "classmate" after it doesn't change that.

When did Kino and Emu become so close? How come I didn't know?

Ruki was filled with doubt, but she remained outwardly calm and politely returned the greeting, "Good morning, Kano-san. You and Emu haven't seen each other much, have you? How can you have a little secret like that?"

"Oh dear, some people are just naturally compatible, Makino-kun."

Tomorrow's smile and response revealed the refinement of a young lady. At this moment, it was hard to believe she had such a carefree personality.

"It's not really a secret. It's just that Kino wanted to ask me how to get stronger. I've told you about my power before."

Emu is very direct and straightforward.

Although he was a bit of a straight man, he could tell that Asuna's words sounded somewhat ambiguous. Not wanting Ruki to misunderstand, he quickly explained.

When Ruki heard Emu still referring to Asuna as "Fake Nobita," she immediately relaxed. After hearing Emu's explanation, Ruki nodded in understanding.

She had witnessed Emu's transformation, and Emu had never concealed this fact. She also knew that Kano possessed the same power, and that this was precisely why she had come to the country; she had even asked her to secretly observe Kano.

It seems this is just one person's enthusiasm going unchecked.

Asuna never imagined that Emu and Ruki were so close that they could share such a secret. Wasn't he afraid that Ruki would think he was an oddball? Asuna had always worried about that, and never revealed his power to anyone.

This is why she felt exceptionally lonely and became unusually attached to Emu, her only kindred spirit.

Asuna could tell that Emu had more feelings for Ruki. But Asuna didn't care. As long as they hadn't officially started dating, she still had a chance!

Tomorrow, she is still confident in her own charm.

Of course, he wouldn't have the upper hand in a direct confrontation with Makino right now. He should avoid his sharp edge for now.

Thinking of this, Asuna said, "Emu-kun, it's getting late. Let's go! You don't like coffee, so let's go get some milk tea. After we finish, I'll have to ask you to teach me properly!"

"Um...actually, I don't have milk tea either...no, I don't. Just lead the way."

Yongmeng thought about it for a while, but still didn't say anything about going to training directly. Jianye had already shown her firm attitude, and she had agreed, so she shouldn't easily go back on her word.

"Well then, Makino-kun, farewell. Let's talk again next time we meet!"

Asahime gave a reserved and polite smile, eager to leave with Emu.

Ruki's relaxed heart tightened again. Although she didn't know what Tomorrow planned, she just felt uneasy.

Passive waiting has never been in Ruki's nature; taking action is the style of this "Digimon Queen".

Therefore, Ruki took the initiative and said, "Wait a minute, can I come with you? I don't have anything else to do anyway. Also, I'd like to ask Emu how to become stronger."

Jia Ye frowned, about to refuse. Why ask for advice now of all times? Your intentions are as clear as day!

Emu readily agreed, saying, "Sure. Ruki, come along too! The last extermination plan opened the door between the Digital World and the Real World, and there will probably be even stronger enemies than Tigermon coming in the future. You guys really need to get stronger. By the way, is Renamon alright?"