While the group chatted leisurely, the class bell rang.
"Ugh, it's completely over!"
Rikuo sighed.
Yes, he was so busy chatting that he hadn't done his homework at all.
It was fine, though; he was only talked to by the homeroom teacher, who asked about his family situation and said some kind words before letting him return to class. It wasn't like the wall lamp teacher from his previous life, who only knew how to paint murals.
'Sigh, the teacher is a good teacher. Next time, I should just let Anon help me write it. I've helped the helpless dragon so much, isn't it fair to get some feedback?'
...
RiNG
"Narita-san, could I get a cappuccino? Tomorrow I'm going to turn my remaining 200,000 into 37,000,000! Give me a buff first."
"...Kamiyama-kun, my name is Matsugi Ririko. Oh, never mind, I know you call me that on purpose, don't you? Has Kamiyama-kun encountered something good?"
Because Taki and the rest of the band were training, Rikuo sat in the lobby waiting, so taking orders was naturally Matsugi Ririko's responsibility. Although Rikuo didn't play an instrument, he visited RiNG quite frequently and knew Taki, so Ririko naturally knew Rikuo.
"I've encountered quite a few good things recently: Black Hole Tomori, Two-in-One Soyo, Guitar Master Anon, Crychic Veteran Return, Light Saki Descends! It feels even warmer than Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945!"
"It seems you've really encountered a lot of good things. Although the later analogy is a bit... Anyway, it's good that you're happy."
Ririko showed a pleasant expression with her eyes closed in a slight smile.
'Damn, Narita's pleasant expression! Too bad the King of Pleasantries has been monopolized by the Ave Mujica worldview. Hmm, isn't Ririko also part of the MyGO worldview?'
"Kamiyama-kun, you've helped so many girls, can you also help Taki-chan? Taki-chan is a very strong-willed child. If it's not someone special to her, she won't listen. Taki-chan is your friend too, isn't she?"
"Hmm, actually, I came today to help her. Ririko-senpai really cares about Taki. I'm so envious."
"Haha, Taki-chan is such a cute child, of course I care about her. Actually, Taki-chan values her companions a lot, she just isn't good at expressing it. Aren't many girls also concerned about Kamiyama-kun?"
"Then I really need to pay attention. I am wholeheartedly devoted to Sakiko-sensei!"
Rikuo thought about it and realized he had indeed helped many members of MyGO. Anon and Tomori also had a very close relationship with him.
"It's good that Kamiyama-kun realizes that. You can't be a scumbag!"
Matsugi Ririko returned to the bar and continued her work.
...
The band practice ended, and Taki walked over to Rikuo.
"I heard you were looking for me?"
"Grandpa?"
"?"
Taki, who had her arms crossed and an arrogant expression, heard Rikuo's strange reply and her mind went blank, her expression full of questions.
"Huh? What are you talking about again?"
"Well, well, Rikki. Riku is just like that, he just wants to make you happy."
Anon walked out, pulling Tomori. From the change in Anon's address for Taki, it seemed she had also tried to comfort Taki and deepen their relationship.
"Hmph, of course I know. It's not like I met this guy yesterday. And don't call me that!"
"But, Riku, and Tomorin, Soyorin all agreed, so isn't Rikki being isolated?"
"I don't care about that kind of isolation!"
"Anyway, Rikki, Riku has something to discuss with you. Tomorin and I are heading back first."
Anon felt that words of comfort and encouragement were better said in private.
Anon secretly approached Rikuo, slipped the 2 of Hearts into his hand, then pulled Tomori's hand and walked away, turning back to give Rikuo a shushing gesture.
"Taki-chan, Anon-chan and I are going back first. You should have a good talk with Rikuo-kun."
Tomori also echoed Anon's words.
"Even Tomori... Alright."
Taki saw that even her trusted teammates were saying this, so she could only accept it.
"An interesting man! Hmm, warm yet distant at the same time?"
"Raana-chan, don't disturb Rikuo-kun!"
Soyo pulled back Raana, who was about to go observe Rikuo. This wasn't the first time Raana had met Rikuo, but coincidentally, Raana and Rikuo seemed to have a displacement reaction. Every time Raana arrived, Rikuo was usually about to leave.
"Rikuo-kun, Taki-chan, I'll take Raana-chan and leave now too."
Everyone from the band left, leaving only Rikuo and Taki.
"Let's talk as we walk, hmm, how about Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park?"
"I can, but why?"
"Because I think that place is a fixed spawning ground for Anomalies. Maybe we'll even encounter an Undead Card there."
"Huh?"
Taki gradually got used to Rikuo's rhythm and no longer complained. Of course, she was forced to get used to it.
...
Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park.
"I always feel like the path here is more familiar than the way home. After all, I only went home normally twice; it seems I either flew or couldn't go back at all."
"So, can we talk about serious matters now?"
The two sat at opposite ends of a long bench, like strangers sharing a seat.
"I always feel the atmosphere is a bit strange, but never mind, actually, I am a Kamen Rider."
"Hmm, I believe you."
"?"
This time it was Rikuo's turn to be puzzled.
"Taki didn't believe it at all last time, did she?"
"I saw the news photos. Although it was only a back view, I could see Tomori, Anon, and them were all there. That was the time I didn't go, right?"
"Taki, why didn't you tell everyone you found out?"
"Because I felt I didn't trust you then. Everyone else trusted you, but I didn't trust the band's judgment. Am I not integrated enough with them?"
Seeing Taki's rare melancholic expression, Rikuo felt a pang in his heart.
'No wonder Narita cares so much about Taki; Taki looks really cute when she softens up.'
"Actually, it's not what you imagine. Everyone wanted to explain to you. It's just that you've been composing recently, and seeing you look sleep-deprived, we're all very concerned about you."
"But, someone like me... I speak so harshly, I don't trust my friends, and I have such an excellent older sister to compare myself to..."
"Who was your older sister again?"
"My older sister is Shiina Maki, she's very amazing."
"But I only know Shiina Taki. She works very hard, only believes in ability, is straightforward in personality, but dares to admit mistakes. She doesn't dwell on the past; Crychic, you were the first to move on, weren't you? But, knowing Sakiko's predicament, you still apologize and worry for her. The Shiina Taki I know is such a cute person. As for Shiina Maki, I really don't know her."
"Hmph, you talk as if you know me so well."
Taki's cheeks were slightly red, and she unconsciously crossed her legs, her arms crossed, but this time it was clearly just to hide her shyness.
"Anyway, Taki doesn't need my help with emotional matters, does she? With just a little time, you can handle it yourself. This 2 of Hearts is for you to use as a focus cheat. With it, you won't have to stay up all night composing."
"Anyway, Kamiyama-san, thank you."
"Just call me Rikuo."
"Then, Rikuo. By the way, Anon used this, and that's why her guitar skills improved, right?"
"You found out."
"Of course. No one can make such rapid progress just by adjusting a guitar."
Taki looked at Rikuo's smiling face and understood why everyone was so close to him.
'Rikuo is very gentle to everyone, and he respects everyone's feelings, doesn't he? Although he always tells strange jokes, perhaps that makes it more interesting?'
"It really is an Anomaly spawn point, isn't it? Taki, hide behind me, we have work to do."
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