I want to become a Kamen Rider

"Minister, Minister, your lighter is so cool, the pattern is amazing."

Tina Hiiragi, who was helping to skewer vegetables nearby, was immediately drawn to the attention.

Fan Kang glanced at the lighter in his hand; its silver-gray metal surface was etched with intricate and mysterious spiral patterns, reflecting a cold luster in the sunlight. He lit the charcoal with a "click," his movements practiced.

"Isn't it cool? Not only is it waterproof, fireproof, and electrical-proof, but it also has a built-in signal repeater and precision time module."

"Hiss, is this lighter really something you, Minister, can afford? You wouldn't...?"

I don't know when, but his image as a penniless wretch has become deeply ingrained in people's minds. Today, when he said he would treat everyone to barbecue, this rude guy even came up to him, stood on tiptoe, and touched his forehead, worried that he might have a fever.

"What kind of image do I have in your eyes, anyway?"

"You poor wretch."

His answer was so confident and assertive that Fan Kangqi laughed in exasperation:

"...Put your head over here."

"I won't stretch it out!"

"Mizutani Migen is still the most obedient."

"Here."

He casually remarked, and the guy leaned closer. Women have such a strange competitive spirit! But he couldn't really hold a grudge against Tina Hiiragi over something like this. He simply pointed to the lighter in his hand and explained calmly:

"This is a trophy."

Strictly speaking, Fan Kang had experienced countless battles and naturally captured countless items, from high-tech equipment to ordinary property, but he never kept a single penny for himself.

Those items, whether from Deep Sea Shocker or other dark organizations, mostly originated from the blood and tears of innocent people, and he insisted on returning them to their rightful owners—even if the process was tedious. Otherwise, there wouldn't be any image of a pauper; if he had simply intercepted a few gold bars during the battle, he probably would have been rich long ago.

To be fair, there was nothing wrong with such a move, and it could indeed make things much easier for future actions. But once a door is opened, it's hard to stop people from doing the same thing.

Today, for convenience, we can intercept spoils of war; tomorrow, for convenience, can we demand treatment befitting our heroic status? The day after tomorrow, for convenience, can we justifiably demand command of the incompetent Japanese police? And finally, can we simply say, "I won't eat beef anymore"?

Having experienced countless battles and overcome numerous difficulties, these are not what Fan Kang is truly proud of. Anyone with equal strength could have done the same. The true treasure he has gained over the long years is self-control.

Otherwise, what difference would there be between being ruled by Shocker and being ruled by the Masked Monster Kuuga?

However, there are occasional exceptions. For example, this lighter is clearly a personal item. Who should it be returned to? There might be some risks or hidden dangers associated with this kind of thing, so I can only keep it myself.

Listening to the eternal roar of the waves crashing against the cliffs below, he gestured to Tina Hiiragi, who was curious about the origin of the lighter, and said:

"At that time, I fought my way into the core of Shocker's base in the Deep Sea, which was surprisingly empty. I fought my way through the obstacles and finally saw the end of my journey on an obsidian throne. That was the boss. I had already collected most of the cards for the Alien Rider Driver halfway through. At that time, I was wondering if I would get even more powerful cards if I defeated the boss."

At this point, Fan Kang shrugged.

"As a result, I lost a lighter."

The leader of the Crysis Empire at least lost a broken military knife, which could be repaired and used. The leader of the Black Satan lost a robe, but when it came to the Deep Sea Shocker, he lost a lighter.

Hiiragi Tina imagined the scene and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Sakuta Azusagawa, who was cutting meat nearby, also looked up, a smile playing on his lips. He seemed to be in good spirits today. A little further away, Saki Kawasaki was silently skewering vegetables, her movements clean and efficient. Miyuki Mizutani was meticulously setting out the cutlery, her hair falling loose, and perhaps lured by the aroma, a rare hint of gentleness appeared on her usually cool face.

The aroma of the roasted meat grew stronger, and the sizzling sound of the fat dripping onto the charcoal fire filled the air, while wisps of smoke rose into the air.

The meat skewers were turned over in Fan Kang's hands, gradually turning an enticing caramel color. Rare laughter echoed on the stone platform, mingling with the sounds of the wind and waves, diluting the usual somber atmosphere of the place.

Looking at Fan Kang's profile as he focused on flipping the grill, Tina Hiiragi hesitated for a moment before asking softly, "I feel like... the captain has been smiling a lot more lately. Has something good happened?"

"Good news? Hmm, great news. After the largest nest of the Deep Sea Shocker was completely wiped out, there are fewer traces of activity on the land and islands. The remnants have probably all hidden in deeper burrows like frightened mice."

He handed a perfectly grilled skewer of meat to Tina Hiiragi, "At least, before the real storm I anticipated arrives, I can catch my breath a little."

"Shouldn't we be saying we can finally take a breather?"

"Because you need to train hard."

Fan Kang spoke with conviction.

He wouldn't treat people to a meal for no reason. This barbecue was to celebrate Azusagawa Sakuta breaking through the suppression of one-tenth of Kalis's power in just one week and barely touching the threshold of three-tenths of his power.

This is the result of hard work and perseverance, and deserves a hearty reward.

……

……

In the afternoon, at the desert training ground.

Having eaten barbecue in the morning, the battle continues in the afternoon. Interspersed in the fate of Kamen Rider are occasional moments of warmth and relief, but battle and suffering are the norm.

Perhaps, only when everything is over and the dust has settled can we truly usher in a permanent rest.

Standing here like Kalis, with fine, hot, golden sand beneath my feet, the sea breeze whipping up dust that forms a hazy band of light in the sunlight.

"Come on, let's begin today's training?"

"This is not training; it's clearly a one-sided beating."

Azusagawa Sakuta complained.

"Being beaten on the training ground is better than dying in actual combat."

"But you really went all out, senior."

"start!"

Without giving Azusagawa Sakuta a chance to continue his slander, Fan Kang drew his bow and went out.

The heat distorted the air. Two figures moved and collided at high speed in the sea of ​​sand, stirring up clouds of dust.

"Zheng——!"

A clear, resonant bow note tore through the air.

Clad in bright red armor, the figure held the bow firmly in his left arm, while his right arm drew the string like a full moon. Arrows of energy shot out of the bow with lightning speed, and Kamen Rider Caesar dodged and rolled around, struggling to stay afloat.

Even if it can be healed afterward without leaving a single scar, the pain of being shot will still penetrate to the core.

Sakuta Azusagawa, fighting in the form of Caesar, rolled sideways in a disheveled state on the soft sand, as energy arrows grazed his shoulder armor and entered the sand dune behind him.

"boom!"

The sandstorm shot into the sky like a small explosion, instantly forming a murky sand curtain that obscured the view.

"Cough...cough!"

Caesar coughed amidst the sandstorm, but his movements were swift. He seized the moment when Kalis was briefly blocked by the sand curtain and slammed his foot into the ground!

"Wow!"

He deliberately whipped up a large wave of sand, aiming it at Kalis and trying to disrupt his aim. This was a clever tactic he had developed through practical experience.

However, the red figure slid out from the edge of the sand curtain like a ghost, and the bow drew a sharp arc, the bow arm slamming heavily into his waist and abdomen. In his haste, he only had time to raise the bladed spear on his right arm to block.

"boom!"

With a dull thud, Caesar felt a tremendous force, and his entire body was thrown backward uncontrollably, crashing heavily into a weathered stone wall behind him.

"Boom!"

The rock face trembled violently, sending rubble and dust raining down. Caesar grunted, the armor screeching against the rock.

"Knowing how to utilize the terrain in combat is a strength and a reflection of your combat intelligence." The senior's voice came through the visor, as always, revealing no emotion. "But your basic skills are still lacking, and who told you that archers can't engage in close combat?"

His figure followed closely, closing in instantly.

Caesar gritted his teeth and, before Kalis's next attack could arrive, stomped off the stone wall behind him for leverage. His body shot out diagonally like an arrow, his bladed spear slashing towards Kalis's left shoulder—just as the man before him had said, this was a counterattack using the environment!

But Kalis merely turned slightly to the side, and the energy bowstring of the Awakening Bow sprang out like a venomous snake, precisely wrapping around Caesar's wrist, and then with a flick and a pull.

"Pfft!"

Caesar was once again slammed into the scorching sand, sending up a cloud of yellow sand.

The harsh rebuke lashed at Sakuta Azusagawa's ears like a whip:

"The evasion route is too limited; retreating in a straight line is suicidal."

"A bladed spear isn't a stick; parrying requires deflecting the force, not just taking the hit head-on. Do you want your wrist to break?"

"If the energy blast condenses too slowly, will the enemy stand still and wait for you to finish the move? In actual combat, half a second of hesitation can mean life or death!"

"You've been squatting in the horse stance for nothing? Your center of gravity is floating like sand, your lower body is unstable, where does your strength come from?"

"Where are your eyes looking? Staring at my weapon won't help. Anticipate my movements! Watch my shoulders! Watch my center of gravity!"

"Can you feel the energy dissipating? Focus, the armor joints are glowing faintly. Do you want your armor to disintegrate and you to be beaten naked?"

Every sentence was meaningful, but they weren't very pleasant to hear.

The kind and gentle senior was like a demon on the battlefield—no, how could a demon be compared to him?

"Hu...hu...hu..."

He collapsed onto the scorching sand, the core of the armor on his chest flashing rapidly, his inner lining already soaked with sweat.

He gazed up at the red figure standing atop the sand dune, its back to the scorching sunset. The afterglow of the setting sun cast Kalis's shadow long and imposing, like an insurmountable crimson monument in the sea of ​​sand, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression. And this was only... thirty percent of his power.

"I knew it……"

The heatwave was intense, the distant roar of the waves continued, and that demonic figure stood atop the sand dunes.

"Don't be afraid, Sakuta."

He slightly raised the bow, the tip pointing at himself once again.

"stand up."

"Facing my awakened bow..."

"Charge!"

Chapter 53 Hachiman Hikigaya's Melancholy [4/6]

There are only two people in the Service Department activity room today.

Hikigaya Hachiman and Fan Kang.

Hachiman Hikigaya, like a wet, listless cat, slumped in the chair by the window. His back was slightly hunched, and his signature dead fish eyes looked even more lifeless as he stared blankly at the rain-blurred world outside.

The classroom was quiet, with only the sound of rain echoing inside.

"I hate gentle girls."

"Just a single word or a greeting is enough to make you pay attention. A few emails exchanged are enough to make your heart race. And if she calls one day, just looking at the call log will bring a smile to your face. But I know it's only because she's gentle."

"People who are good to me are also good to others. I almost forgot that."

"If the truth is cruel, then the lie must be gentle."

Therefore, gentleness is a lie.

"I always had expectations, but I always misunderstood. I don't know when it started, but I gave up hope. A seasoned loner won't make the same mistake twice. I am a battle-hardened warrior, and I am the best at admitting defeat."

"Therefore, I will always hate... gentle girls."

Rain was falling by the window, and everyone left the campus with their umbrellas. The reason these two men stayed behind was surprisingly simple.

Hachiman Hikigaya didn't have an umbrella, nor did Fan Kang.

After the long monologue ended, Fan Kang began to summarize:

"To sum it up, it's that you, Hachiman, habitually and awkwardly reject other people's kindness, and reiterate your aloofness?"

"As expected, you, Second Minister, cannot understand me."

"Here comes that classic phrase, 'You just can't understand me!' Seriously, if you think I can't understand you, why say it to my face?!"

"I don't know either. Even though we're not that close, I always find myself talking more when I'm around the Second Minister."

"Perhaps it's because we were friends in a past life."

"Eh, so disgusting."

"I just don't want you to say that to me."

The rain wasn't torrential, but rather a fine, persistent drizzle, enveloping Soubu High School in a hazy, misty atmosphere. The cold raindrops pattered against the large glass windows of the Service Department's activity room, the winding streaks like silent tears blurring the view outside.

The two chatted casually to pass the time. The high school boy with dead fish eyes looked at the drizzling raindrops by the window and asked a question casually.

"Second Minister, do you think what I did was right...?"