I want to become a Kamen Rider

"He wasn't there?"

The representative from the Ministry of Defense asked eagerly.

"No, he's not here. After the police asked him to investigate for the fifth time, citing the possibility of 'strange' activities in Beika Town, he unilaterally cut off our regular communication channels with him. This message came from the Blue Island Knights Council."

The responsibility of initiating the highest level of evacuation and refuge was too heavy, and officials who had previously argued for half a day over trivial matters instantly reached a consensus—the Prime Minister would make the decision, and they would only be responsible for relaying it.

The relevant documents and the warning from the Prime Minister were quickly delivered to him, who had already arrived at the lecture hall.

"The highest level of full evacuation...?"

Similar incidents have occurred many times before, but this is the first time the other party has requested the highest level of comprehensive evacuation, which shows how serious the situation is.

But the man standing in front of the lecture hall was still hesitating.

This is perfectly normal; Kamen Riders and politicians have never considered or faced the same issues.

The secretary leaned forward again, speaking in a voice barely audible to the Prime Minister, almost a whisper, calmly and realistically reminding him:

"Your Excellency, even if that thing is truly a threat, as long as Kuga responds promptly as usual, the risk is entirely manageable. However, if you were to order a large-scale evacuation of residents along the Tokyo Bay coast based on this vague information and speculation... panic would spread, transportation would be paralyzed, international capital would withdraw, and the economic losses would be incalculable. More importantly, this would leave voters with the impression of 'incompetence' and 'overreaction.' Time is running out before the next general election. This will have a very, very negative impact on your record and your prospects for re-election."

The Prime Minister's fingers, which were flipping through the documents, paused slightly.

He looked up and gazed once more at the terrifying torrent on the screen, which resembled the opening of the gates of hell.

The massive water column continued to rage, and a reddish, unidentified substance spread across the sea. However, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes vanished completely upon hearing his secretary's whispered words, "Re-election is possible."

"Continue to monitor, wait for news and detailed reports, and carry out limited evacuation."

He nodded almost imperceptibly, his gaze returning to the economic report in his hand, as if that was the real world, while what was on the screen was merely a "trouble" that needed to be temporarily put aside.

The Prime Minister's order has been issued.

Inside the venue, Yaguchi Randou's expression kept changing.

He looked at the screen, where the water column appeared even more ferocious and eerie in the twilight.

He glanced at his colleagues, their faces a mixture of doubt, evasion, and deep apprehension about the political consequences. Takuya Koriyama, the crisis management supervisor who also vaguely sensed the gravity of the situation, clenched his fists, his lips moving as if he wanted to shout, but ultimately, under the complex and heavy gazes of his colleagues, it turned into a barely audible sigh.

The golden window that could have saved all lives was completely exhausted by the red tape of the bureaucratic system, the political calculations of reelection, and the buck-passing and shirking of responsibility.

As night deepened over Tokyo Bay outside the window, the towering water column resembled an ancient behemoth awakening in the darkness, silently and irresistibly approaching the brightly lit shore.

When the Prime Minister calmly and confidently faced the camera and said, "Everything is under control," the countdown to disaster had already reached zero.

……

……

As dusk gently painted the bustling shopping street, neon lights began to illuminate the scene, and crowds thronged the area. The air was filled with the aroma of food and the lively sounds of people.

"I'm sorry, Saki, it's my precious day off, and I still have to ask you to come out with me to buy a gift."

"It's alright, anyway, I don't have much to do on my day off. It's nice to come out for a walk with you, Yuyan."

A simply dressed girl held her friend's hand and walked into the store.

It is said that Buddha relies on gold plating and people rely on clothing, but in fact, as long as you are good-looking enough, you can bring out the charm of your clothes.

Kawasaki Saki looked at her friend in front of her. Even though she was only dressed in white clothes and black pants, she was still as cool and aloof as the bright moon and as beautiful as a winter plum blossom.

Her simple attire accentuated her tall and slender figure, making her appear anything but plain; instead, it highlighted her pure and aloof气质 (qi zhi - inherent quality/temperament). Walking in the twilight, she was a striking sight in herself, even the surrounding noise seemed to be washed away by her cool and detached aura.

They merged into the crowd.

Kawasaki Saki was being pulled along by her friend as she walked happily through the shopping street, picking and choosing among items that looked very expensive. Saki couldn't help but feel a little worried.

"Um, do you have enough money?"

This statement shouldn't actually be made between contract knights.

Power and status are things that can easily be lost or rendered useless as circumstances change, but strength is different. Once one becomes extraordinary, even without deliberately abusing that strength, one can easily obtain a comfortable life.

The reason she asked Mizutani Migen was whether she had enough money was because she was that person's disciple and was naturally influenced by him.

"Don't worry, I've been saving up for a long, long time to prepare a birthday gift for my master for today."

"Yu Yan, how did you know Lord Kang's birthday?"

"I found out by secretly going to the hospital where my master stayed."

The girl turned around and smiled playfully. Her appearance was as aloof as an immortal. In terms of appearance alone, she was more suitable than anyone else to interpret the existence of a solitary knight, but she was far from being aloof.

Perhaps it's because of that person.

Kawasaki Saki's gaze swept across the girl's face, then fell upon the sky gradually tinged with twilight. As dusk settled, shops lit up with warm lights, and the streets teemed with people, bustling with activity. Seeing this vibrant atmosphere, she casually remarked:

“Sometimes I feel that the students at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University insist on earning their own money, and even when they temporarily withdraw money from others, they must sign an IOU. It’s a bit obsessive.”

"I also really like my obsessive master."

The girl's eyes sparkled as she said this, and then she started counting on her fingers.

"Whether it's a stubborn master, a master who complains incessantly, or a lazy and cunning one, well... it seems that the word 'master' doesn't really have anything to do with 'lazy'. Anyway, I like every aspect of him. To like someone is to like all of him."

"...Is this a good idea?"

"?"

"The disciple likes the master."

"Anyway, we're just master and disciple. My master and I are the same age and adults. Even if we're dating, it's just a normal relationship."

Kawasaki Saki rested her chin on her hand, watching the girl mutter to herself, pondering whether this shawl, that cape, or something else would suit her master, and felt a pang of envy.

"I really envy you, Yuyan, for living so frankly and expressing your feelings so openly."

"After all, being a Kamen Rider is a job where you can die at any time. If you can't properly convey your feelings, you'll regret it if something unexpected happens."

Although, even if I express my feelings, I will not receive a response.

"That kind of back-and-forth 'he likes me, he doesn't like me' kind of thing only happens to light novel authors and manga artists who need to make money by padding out chapters."

With a liveliness that belied her cool and aloof appearance, the girl put down the jewelry she was holding and pulled her into another shop.

"Saki, can you give me your opinion? Would this one look good on Master Dai's head, or is this one better? I only have enough money to buy one, it's really a dilemma."

"Then I'll also give a birthday present to Professor Kangda. He's been so kind to me all this time."

Kawasaki Saki picked up a gift that Mizutani Miyuki had put down—a simple, antique-style silver cufflink—and said casually.

As soon as she finished speaking, Mizutani Mikoto immediately gave her a wary, scrutinizing look, like a small animal guarding its food. She found it somewhat amusing.

"Why are you looking at me with such suspicion? I'm not going to take it from you."

"you swear."

"I……"

The sisters' playful banter abruptly stopped.

They both looked towards the harbor.

"I say, Mikoto, is something terrifying that has ascended here?"

"Seems to be."

Saki Kawasaki could hear her own voice becoming hoarse, and fear creeping into the voice of her fearless friend.

"Then let's quickly contact the headquarters on Azure Island, shall we?"

She was about to leave with her friend when her outstretched hand grasped nothing.

Her friend had somehow broken free of her hand and, instead of retreating, took a step forward. Her gaze didn't fall on the harbor, but instead slowly swept over the surroundings—couples strolled by arm in arm, children ran and laughed with balloons in hand, vendors' cries rose and fell, and the aroma of food wafted in the air—this was the everyday life of ordinary people.

"Mizutani, don't do anything foolish. That's definitely not something we're qualified to deal with."

The girl looked around, her cool face reflecting the surrounding noise.

She was out of place in this world, and the only person she cared about, liked, and longed for could not reciprocate her feelings, yet she still wanted to protect this world.

It was just a casual remark, said without thinking.

It broke through all calculations and considerations.

"They didn't seek refuge."

Chapter Ninety-Four: I Love My Teacher [5K]

The massive rotors churned the air, emitting a dull, continuous roar, while chaotic communications and emergency reports from the Tokyo Bay direction crackled intermittently through the encrypted channel. Eleanor Mondebelle leaned back in the luxurious leather seat of the attack helicopter, her blond hair slightly disheveled against her pale, weary face.

Not everyone can fight relentlessly like that person. More precisely, in this world at this moment, only that person can fight like that, is capable of fighting like that, and can fight like that. Humans have limits; they naturally experience fear, dread, and exhaustion. Even the girl, who arrogantly wanted to change the world, was no exception.

As the engine roared steadily, her tense nerves gradually relaxed, and her consciousness sank into a brief darkness.

She entered a dream.

She was transported back to many, many years ago. In her dream, the field of vision was lowered, and she had to look up slightly to see everything around her. This perspective... was that of her own childhood.

No longer is it the Azure Island Knights Council without Kuuga, but the Mondbell family's castle located at the foot of an ancient mountain. Within the heavy stone walls lies a luxury that has been accumulated over hundreds of years. Antique furniture, precious oil paintings, and jewel-encrusted silverware gleam under the soft light of the wall lamps.

At this moment, the seemingly uncontrollable "little Eleanor" sits gracefully on an exquisite piano bench, her slender fingers dancing nimbly across the black and white keys. There is no orchestral accompaniment, only a Steinway grand piano. The Chopin nocturne played by this child possesses an emotional delicacy and technical fluency far exceeding the level expected of someone her age.

As the last note faded, its lingering melody resonated. Guests who had been scattered throughout the salon, chatting quietly and sipping champagne, gathered around, showering the room with compliments.

"Oh my goodness, Miss Eleanor, your playing is absolutely mesmerizing! It's as if Chopin's soul has been revived at your fingertips!"

"It's not just music; I heard that even the coach feels a lot of pressure during your fencing lessons, Miss."

"Truly worthy of being the jewel of the Mondbell family, inheriting the finest bloodline."

"With Miss Eleanor around, the future of the Mondbell family will surely be even more glorious and brilliant."

People dressed in elegant evening gowns and sharp suits surrounded the small figure in the center, and eloquent words were applied to her like layers of icing.

However, even Eleanor herself, who is merely an observer attached to this memory at this moment, can clearly sense that the owner of this small body—her childhood self—is filled with no joy, but rather with an indescribable sense of alienation and…weariness.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

The small figure silently walked through the long, carpeted corridor back to her room, which was also decorated like a small museum. Waiting for her in a velvet armchair by the fireplace was a woman of exceptional elegance.

“My little star (Mon étoile), you look... not exactly enjoying the applause you just received?”

The woman's voice was gentle, yet possessed an all-knowing sharpness.

"Mother."

The child's voice calling her caused Eleanor's consciousness to tremble slightly in her dream. Her mother, Astrid Mondbell, even in this room filled with jewels, possessed an radiance that was never obscured by anything. Her beauty carried an innate majesty and composure, needing no deliberate display, just like a queen wielding power in a story.

Lady Astrid shed the sternness she displayed when facing outsiders. She rose from her chair, gracefully crouched down, and placed herself at eye level with little Eleanor, revealing a warm smile that she only showed to her daughter.

"Tell me, my dear, what is troubling you? While I won't just help you without reason, I will never ignore the difficulties you face."

The precocious girl hesitated for a moment, but then spoke frankly:

"...Mother, I'm very scared."

"Everyone experiences fear; that's perfectly normal. So what are you afraid of right now?"

"I... seem to be able to do anything. Before I knew it, nothing could stump me."

And that is indeed the case. Even many years later, she only ever lost to one person, the only one.

"Fencing? I only learned the basic footwork and a few standard movements, and the guards who were my sparring partners were already struggling to keep up. I know they didn't dare to go all out, but the feeling of 'holding back' was too obvious... Later, my father made me spar with a swordsmanship coach who was hired from outside and didn't know my identity. The result was the same, it was over in three moves. If everyone in the castle was going easy on me, that would be fine, but even if I only brought two guards and sneaked out, the thieves outside the castle were knocked down in one go, without any difficulty at all."

The voice of my past self was filled with confusion.

"Music is the same way. You can memorize a piece of music after seeing it once, and your fingers seem to know where to land naturally. It's not just the piano; the lyre, the harp... you can pick it up quickly with just a try. There's also equestrianism, court etiquette, multiple languages, game theory, and even the tedious analysis of family business reports... It seems like I'm already at the finish line before I've even really started 'trying.' The way people look at me is filled with envy mixed with jealousy, praise followed by alienation... Mother, should I... deliberately do things poorly? Pretend to be clumsy?"

However, faced with her daughter's almost "bragging" about her troubles, Lady Astrid did not offer the gentle comfort that Eleanor had expected in her dream. Instead, she paused slightly, then burst into a clear and hearty laugh, a sound quite different from her usual noble demeanor.

Laughter echoed in the warm room. Little Eleanor's cheeks flushed instantly, and she turned her face away angrily: "Mother, you said you wouldn't laugh at me!"

Mrs. Astrid finally managed to stop laughing. She reached out, gently yet with undeniable strength, and turned her daughter's face back, making her look directly into her eyes.

“Honey, I promised I wouldn’t ‘ignore’ you, but I never said I wouldn’t ‘laugh’.”

The light in her eyes was smiling, but then it settled and became incredibly serious. "Listen, Eleanor Mondebelle, you are undoubtedly a genius. That's beyond question."

Her tone was resolute, carrying the pride and certainty characteristic of the Mondbell family. Then, however, the tone abruptly shifted:

"But that's all."

"Eh?"

Eleanor was stunned.