The battle in the woods of Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park continued.
Kuchisake-onna looked at the Kamen Rider in front of her, a rampant smile seemingly visible on her twisted face.
"With you unable to stand like this? Even if you can transform again? You can't even attack, what are you still holding on for?"
"Something like you, which isn't even a living creature, wouldn't understand! It is precisely because of emotions that this world exists!"
Current surged through Rikuo's entire body; the side effects of forced transformation made him feel even more immobile, already injured as he was. Looking at the Blay Rouzer, which only had 2500 AP, half of its normal state, he couldn't even use Jack of Spades casually anymore. Once he used it, he would lose his last means of finishing the fight.
"Riku, how are you?"
Anon saw Rikuo, injured, pull Tomori and jog over. Realizing that scattering and running would only burden Rikuo, she chose to entrust everything to him.
"Rikuo-kun, actually, we can also use cards to help you fight."
Tomori reminded him anxiously from the side, her two small hands clasped timidly in front of her. Although her body was trembling, she still wanted to help him.
How could Rikuo not have thought of that? Not to mention the side effects of the cards, the efficiency of ordinary people using cards was limited. Moreover, the opponent was an Anomaly known for its speed; attacks that couldn't hit were useless, no matter how many times they were tried.
"Because it's a Rider System made of resolve, my body is now deeply rooted and flourishing!"
Rikuo forced himself to stand up, wanting to show that he could still fight, but the strong current made him hunch his back. Seeing Rikuo's disheveled appearance, Kuchisake-onna's laughter grew even more sinister.
"Just with you looking like this?"
Mutsumi, who had been held by Soyo earlier, only now came to her senses. She took out a card from her small satchel, jogged to Rikuo, and handed it to him with both hands.
"Rikuo, this."
"Mutsumi-chan means that she saw you use a card just now. She remembered seeing a card lying on the ground when she was watering the cucumbers earlier. She wants to give this to you now, hoping it helps."
Soyo explained from the side for Mutsumi, as she had also been present when the card was found.
"What are you mumbling about? I'll just finish off this green-haired brat first! If you don't surrender, I'll keep killing!"
"You're dreaming! 2400 AP? That's enough!"
Rikuo squinted and saw: 6 of Spades - Thunder Deer (ability: Supplements the next attack with electricity; AP cost: 1200), but he didn't pick it up. Instead, he placed the 6 of Clubs - Blizzard Polar (ability: Supplements the next attack with ice; AP cost: 1200) on Mutsumi's hand.
Rikuo threw away the Blay Rouzer and fell to the side, blocking Kuchisake-onna's attack with his body. However, as Kuchisake-onna charged, he grabbed her body.
"At this distance, you can't dodge, can you!"
"With you unable to even stand up now? Even if I can't dodge, can you still throw a punch?"
"Even if I don't have the strength to throw a punch! But I'm not fighting alone now!"
Rikuo endured the attacks from Kuchisake-onna's serrated mouth and hair spikes, but Kuchisake-onna had already lost both arms and couldn't break free from Rikuo's restraint. Rikuo struggled to turn over, pinning Kuchisake-onna beneath him and shouting loudly.
"Mutsumi, you saw how I used the cards just now, right? Help me slot in the 6 of Spades and the 6 of Clubs, then throw the Blay Rouzer to me!"
Mutsumi knew the situation was urgent and there was no time for her to answer. She picked up the Blay Rouzer that had fallen nearby and slotted in the cards.
[Blizzard!]
[Thunder!]
As two clear, mechanical sounds rang out, the Blay Rouzer was imbued with both ice and lightning elements. Mutsumi didn't hesitate and threw the Blay Rouzer directly. Rikuo reached out a hand and caught it.
"The law of victory is already determined. This is the passionate combination technique of me and Mutsumi! Taste the flavor of the superconductive reaction!"
Rikuo used all his strength to stab the Blay Rouzer into Kuchisake-onna's chest. Due to the superconductivity reducing physical resistance, it easily pierced through her.
"Joker! What if you kill me? The world will eventually cycle! In less than 10 years, I will reappear in the new world!"
"Don't worry! There will be no new world, and there will be no more Anomalies like you, who steal the power of others. This fate will be cut short by me!"
As the cold and electric currents raged, Kuchisake-onna let out a heart-wrenching scream. Her form gradually became ethereal. Rikuo had Mutsumi help him take out a blank card from the storage box and sealed the opponent's power.
"The 9 of Spades - Mach Jaguar (ability: Enhances speed; AP cost: 1600)? No wonder it ran so fast. It's finally over..."
However, Kuchisake-onna's screams attracted many onlookers. Witnessing the vanished evil spirit and the Kamen Rider who collapsed after fighting, the worldview of those present completely crumbled.
"Was that Kuchisake-onna? And? Kamen Rider?"
"Is the Kamen Rider injured? Do we need to call 119? (Japanese ambulances and fire trucks are both 119)"
Rikuo watched as more and more people gathered, sighing in his heart.
"Although the government will probably keep it a secret, it's still troublesome..."
As the armor dissipated, Rikuo was completely exhausted after the battle, along with the accompanying side effects. He felt his vision gradually blur and then fell into a coma.
Soyo watched Rikuo fall unconscious. Mutsumi and Tomori stood frozen due to the crowd's appearance, while Anon was still supporting Rikuo, not having considered the consequences of Rikuo's identity being discovered.
"Oh my, everyone is really careless!"
Soyo took out the sunglasses and mask she had used for stalking from her bag and put them on Rikuo. She and Anon helped Rikuo leave. Anyone who tried to follow was dissuaded by Soyo, who claimed it was a top-secret government operation and not to be revealed casually.
...
After circling around Haneoka for nearly an hour, they arrived at the train waiting room.
"It seems no one is following us anymore."
By then, Mutsumi and Tomori were supporting Rikuo, while Anon and Soyo observed the surroundings. Hearing Anon's words, Mutsumi and Tomori placed Rikuo on a bench in the waiting room.
During their detour, they had already visited a trustworthy private clinic. The doctor said Rikuo had only fainted from exhaustion, which relieved the four girls.
Sitting side by side on the bench next to Rikuo, their foreheads were now covered in fine beads of sweat, not just from physical exhaustion, but also from emotional tension. In short, they seemed to be nearing their limits too.
"Everyone, although we can rest for a while. It seems we've overlooked a problem."
The meticulous Soyo discovered a blind spot. Seeing the three girls look at her, she began to explain.
"It seems none of us know Rikuo-kun's address, do we?"
Although Tomori had the best relationship with Rikuo, they had only known each other for two days. Anon, Mutsumi, and Soyo, needless to say, knew even less.
"Well, it seems there's only one way?"
Seeing that no one was answering, Soyo could only voice the idea she had.
"The first time I met Rikuo-kun, he said that when he encountered difficulties at home, Saki-chan helped him. So Saki-chan must know Rikuo-kun's address. Mutsumi-chan, can I ask you? Don't worry, I absolutely don't want you to help me find Saki-chan again!"
Soyo looked at Mutsumi with her beautiful blue eyes, her expression filled with seriousness. More serious than when the band was about to end.
"Okay, I believe, Soyo."
After these few short hours, Mutsumi had come to understand the Soyo in front of her. She was gentler and more sincere than before. She then took out her phone from her small satchel. Because the matter was serious and urgent, she didn't choose to send a LINE, but directly dialed Sakiko's number. The call connected after one ring.
Sakiko was truly worthy of having been a customer service representative; she answered the phone quickly!
"Hello, Mutsumi? Is something wrong?"
"Saki, Rikuo, injured."
"Is Rikuo-kun injured? Can you explain the situation in more detail? Umm, Mutsumi, is there anyone else nearby who can help answer the phone?"
Sakiko understood Mutsumi's answer but felt it was too difficult for Mutsumi to explain the specific situation.
"Saki, yes."
"Okay, let them answer."
Mutsumi looked at Tomori, Anon, and Soyo in front of her. For a moment, she didn't know who to give the phone to.
"Let me do it. Don't worry, Mutsumi-chan, I won't ask unnecessary questions."
"Mm, I believe, the current, Soyo."
Soyo also didn't want to make Mutsumi uncomfortable on both sides. But Tomori and Mutsumi's communication levels were equally poor, and Anon was neither familiar with Sakiko nor did she want her impulsive personality to blurt out something inappropriate. So, she could only choose to communicate with Sakiko herself.
Taking the phone, Soyo was silent for a few seconds. After all, the person on the other end was a friend she hadn't talked to for a month.
"Hello, is anyone there on the phone?"
"Mm, there's someone. Saki-chan, it's Soyo..."
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