Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

"…Understood!"

After hearing Zhuang Wu's words, Zamonas was filled with countless thoughts of shock.

However, since his boss was willing to give him a second chance, he absolutely could not let him down.

"We absolutely cannot let that guy get your watch... If he uses it to take another step closer to becoming Oma Zi-O, then we're completely finished."

That's why their timekeepers remotely detonated the Zamonas dial.

These powers are just the tip of the iceberg of Oma Zi-O's power. Once Yan Ming obtains the power of these Riders, it means that he will take another step towards becoming Oma Zi-O.

Oma Zi-O possesses the power of all Kamen Riders; if he collects them all and transforms into that form—

At that time, not only Tokiwa Sougo, but even the entire Timekeeper would be unable to do anything to him.

"Let's end the call here for now."

Zhuang Wu immediately cut off the communication.

He sat in his room at headquarters and sighed deeply.

"...Just who exactly is Shi Lun Yan Ming? Why would such a freak suddenly appear?"

A Zi-O II with even stronger time manipulation abilities than Tokiwa Sougo had demonstrated…

And, from beginning to end, there was a feeling that Tokiwa Sougo had a deep sense of dread.

He wasn't sure what this feeling was, but...

"It seems that if things don't go well, I'll have to deal with that guy myself."

Or rather, he had wanted to do this for a long time.

However… Zhuang Wu still dared not make any rash moves.

Whether it was Zamonas or Zongis, sending out these subordinates was merely a way to use them as bait and test the limits of what the other side could achieve.

Only after clearly understanding the enemy's level of skill would he dare to take action personally.

"Humph…"

The only thing that could pose a threat is the power of Zi-O himself.

The powers of the Heisei Kamen Riders... are utterly insignificant to him!

But... he still couldn't figure it out.

"Shilun Yanming, who exactly are you? Why is there such an unreasonable existence as you in this world?"

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Volume 5 of A Certain Magical Index: Chapter 153 Two People with Similar Pasts

It was evening.

The events of the day were merely a minor incident. Fortunately, Yan Ming resolved the situation in time, preventing any disturbance. Those who noticed it simply assumed it was a rare natural wonder.

Now, everyone is gathered together, having a meal in the hotel restaurant.

"Wow, this is delicious! Touma! Let's dig in!!"

With these words in mind, Index began to devour the delicious food before her in a truly astonishing manner.

…Although her current appearance is blue hair and earrings, it looks quite unsightly.

"Wow, Touma, your friend is really lively, and he can eat so much! I bet he's a very athletic person, right?"

"That's right, Touma-nii! Judging from this, Touma-nii, having a friend like that must mean your daily life is very healthy and positive!"

"Haha...yes, yes..."

Faced with the problems of his father and cousin, Touma Kamijou could only respond with a wry smile.

And... I can understand what my dad said, but why does my cousin have to look like that middle school student who can electrify people?!

Although his acquaintance with her was limited to one incident, he instinctively felt a sense of dread about the situation.

"However, although this Index is very powerful, this Yan Mingjun over here seems to be even more powerful."

"That's true, darling. Touma, you should learn from your friend. He's so young and already knows so much!"

The reason why things turned out this way can be traced back to before the meal.

Yan Ming met with the Kamijou couple again, and then Kamijou Touma's father, Kamijou Toya, insisted on giving him a souvenir.

It was a scarab beetle specimen bought from an Egyptian souvenir shop. Then, because he handed this to Yan Ming, Kamijou Touya started talking about various aspects of Egyptian history and culture.

Listening to the other party's somewhat rambling and lengthy speech, Yan Ming had only casually chimed in a few times, yet he was still labeled a top student by Kamijou Touya, something he himself hadn't expected.

I only know a little bit, so why would you think I'm very knowledgeable?

Coming to his senses, Yan Ming noticed that Kamijou Touma seemed somewhat at a loss with his parents, but dared not say anything.

Is it simply... a lack of skill in dealing with parents?

But Yan Ming saw in his eyes the kind of "sense of unfamiliarity" that only appears when dealing with strangers.

Why does Touma Kamijou feel like a stranger to his parents?

"Excuse me, Yan Mingjun."

After eating for about ten minutes, Touma Kamijou went to the restroom.

At this time, his father, Kamijou Touya, came to find Yan Ming instead.

Sitting next to Yan Ming, Kamijou Touya politely poured him a glass of cola.

"Excuse me, how long have you and Touma known each other?"

"It hasn't been long, we just met recently."

"I see. Well... he didn't cause you any trouble, did he? I mean, like, uh... making everyone think he brings misfortune to those around him or something—"

Unfortunately... The mere mention of this word reminded Yan Ming of the impression Touma Kamijou had given him.

When I first met this boy, he seemed to be labeled as "unfortunate".

He would cry and scream over a few broken discounted eggs, accidentally crush his phone when he got home, and then coincidentally, there was a power outage. It just so happened to be the hottest day of the entire summer, so the air conditioner wouldn't work, and because it was the hottest day, all the food in the refrigerator spoiled. And because the food was spoiled, he almost starved to death after not eating much all day…

He had never seen such an unfortunate person in any world.

However, although Touma Kamijou was unfortunate, he did not cause unfortunate people around him to suffer as well.

“I’ve never thought of it that way.”

So Yan Ming just told the truth.

Although his relationship with Touma Kamijou wasn't particularly close, and they had only met a few times by chance, that was the feeling this boy gave him, and he expressed his actual feelings.

"I see..."

However, it was just this simple sentence that seemed to immediately bring a very touched expression to Kamijou Touya's face.

“In the past, this child often faced discrimination from others because of his misfortune.”

"Discrimination against him...? Why? Just because he's unfortunate, you discriminate against him?"

The children all called him "the plague god."

In that instant, Yan Ming felt as if a certain spot in his heart had been struck.

"He didn't cause any trouble for the people around him, but he was still called a plague god because of his misfortune... It's ridiculous, isn't it? But there's nothing we can do about it."

Kamijou Touya shook his head helplessly.

"However, this kid is really a fool. Despite being seen as an oddball by so many people, he still tries to speak up for others... I don't know whether to call him kind or just too stupid."

This experience seemed to remind Yan Ming of something.

That's right.

It's just like my own childhood...

"Because he was discriminated against from a young age, this child has never had any friends... or rather, he has never had any friends."

"But your existence lets me know that even after Mata went to other cities, there are still people who are willing to be his friends."

At this moment, Touya Kamijou's tone when speaking to Yan Ming was no longer as simple as just saying thank you.

That was genuine gratitude.

He even considered this a very important matter, just because Yan Ming was willing to be friends with Kamijou Touma. He even started to thank Yan Ming with an extremely serious expression.

"I am truly grateful to you all, Yan Mingjun. Although someone as intelligent and capable as you might look down on Touma, could you please... grant me a request?"

"...What is it?"

"I hope you can continue to be Touma's friend."

The expression on the father's face was one of pleading.

“That child, he never said it, but I know very well... He is very tired, and he has always wanted to have an understanding friend, a friend who can be his partner, even just one.”

"So, I really hope you can grant me this request."

It might sound like a very simple request.

But Yan Ming knew that the person who said those words was genuinely asking him to do this.

She was discriminated against from a young age, and no one ever wanted to stay by her side.

This experience... seems to have resonated with him in some way.

"…I see."

So Yan Ming nodded directly.

This immediately brought a relieved smile to Kamijou Touya's face.

————————————————————

"Sorry, but my dad seems to have said something strange to you."

This time, Yan Ming left the restaurant and found Kamijou Touma in the corridor outside.

The two walked together to a nearby open-air corridor, bought two drinks from a vending machine, and sat down to chat.

Kamijou Touma pulled open the ring on the soda bottle and couldn't help but sigh.

"But to be honest, I really don't know how to face him."

"What does this mean? Isn't he your father?"

Could it be due to family discord? Or some other reason?

However, Touma Kamijou shook his head as if at a loss.

"I don't know if I should tell you this, but actually, I..."

"I don't know how I got along with my parents before, or rather..."

Following in Touma Kamijou's footsteps, Yan Ming continued his conversation.

"Or rather, you've lost your memory, right?"

Kamijou Touma looked at him in surprise, almost spilling the soda in his hand on the ground.

"...It seems you are really smart."

“It’s nothing. I noticed earlier that there seems to be a big difference in how you and your parents talk. It’s more like the unfamiliarity of talking to a stranger. But if they are your parents, they shouldn’t act like they are talking to a stranger.”

If it were simply a matter of having a bad relationship with one's parents, it wouldn't be possible to act as if one were speaking to them as if they were complete strangers. That kind of unfamiliarity and strangeness goes beyond what can be explained by a simple bad relationship.

It may sound like a complicated situation, but Yan Ming, who is well-versed in the various structural frameworks of psychology, can see it at a glance.

The only explanation for this situation is that he has absolutely no idea how to talk to his parents... which is to say, amnesia.

"When did it start? What do you still remember?"

"...I still remember things that happened not long ago, but before that, I've forgotten everything."

Even things that happened not long before he lost his memory, such as his own name and why he had lost his memory, were told to him by others.

Yan Ming didn't bother to ask what exactly caused Kamijou Touma to become like this.

"I...I just simply don't know how to face my parents."

The current Touma Kamijou is more like a bewildered child.