Kamen Rider from the ancient times

PolePole café is very lively.

The shop manager of Shiyu sat at a coffee table in the lobby, chatting with Hikari Natsumi about a handmade book that looked like a magazine. When he heard the wind chimes, he just casually greeted her. Regular customers were used to him doing this.

Although it's not mealtime yet.

But the food preparation area behind the curtain was quite busy.

Today, Wakaba Nursery School is closed, so Minoru Godai, who rarely comes to help out, is preparing ingredients for dinner, while Tsukasa Kadoya is frowning as he tastes the pot of curry he just made.

As for the quality of this curry, Tsukasa Kadoya's expression already gave the answer.

It might be delicious enough, but it certainly wasn't quite what he wanted.

"We failed."

As Tsukasa Kadoya was agonizing over what he hadn't done well, a voice that seemed to whisper like a demon rang in his ear, sending shivers down his spine.

He turned his head sharply and saw Kawahara squeezing into the already narrow reception area with a mocking smile.

"What?! Don't come here and mess things up!" Tsukasa Kadoya immediately said, annoyed.

"Don't take your frustrations out on others if you can't do it yourself."

"Ok?"

The jewelry shop manager, who was chatting enthusiastically with Hikari Natsumi, turned around when he heard the familiar noise. He paused for a moment and said, "Ahara, you're back."

"Long time no see, store manager. Sorry to bother you."

Kawahara greeted him with a smile and reached out to take his coffee cup from the cabinet.

Seeing this, the jewelry shop manager said, "Do you need my help? By the way, didn't Yusuke come back with you?"

"No, I don't know where he went. He probably won't be back for a while." Kawahara said, waving his hand to indicate that it wasn't necessary.

Unless the world is on the verge of destruction, Yusuke Godai is unlikely to spawn.

However, the shop manager of the jade ornaments shop was used to it.

After all, Yusuke Godai's personality is quite similar to his father's; he has never been one to stay put in one place, and adventure is exactly what he wants to do most.

They never intended to stop it.

At that moment, Minoru Godai peeked out from behind the kitchen curtain, beaming, and said, "Mr. Kawahara, welcome back!"

"Well, I'm back."

Kawahara smiled and nodded, then, under Tsukasa Kadoya's incredulous gaze, he made himself a cup of coffee using the coffee machine at the front desk and took it out.

At that moment, Hikari Natsumi picked up the craft book and shouted at Tsukasa Kadoya, "Tsukasa, you can't make it like that! The manager said you have to read this before you can make real golden curry!"

Tsukasa Kadoya looked at the scrapbook of newspaper clippings in her hand.

The homemade cover says "Kuuga".

Shopkeeper Shikimaki was generous in sharing his recipes with others, but even after trying, Tsukasa Kadoya still couldn't recreate the unforgettable taste that the shopkeeper had given him.

Although Tsukasa Kadoya can accept that there are people in the world who are more capable than himself, he is unwilling to accept that he himself cannot even learn to be like them!

What's so special about that thing?

Tsukasa Kadoya put down his cooking spoon and sat down next to Hikari Natsumi with a casual expression, glancing at what she had been talking about with the shop manager.

"This is something I've always treasured!" the jade shop owner said with considerable pride.

“The store manager collected newspaper clippings from a few years ago about ‘unidentified life forms’ and Kamen Rider Kuuga’s battles. It looked really dangerous back then!” Hikari Natsumi said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Tsukasa Kadoya subconsciously glanced at Kawahara, who was sitting next to him drinking coffee. Kawahara raised an eyebrow at him.

At that time, there were reports about "unidentified life forms" everywhere. The shopkeeper of Shiki-tama cut out newspapers that featured images of "Kuuga". As the battles increased, they gradually turned into this unique handmade book.

Later, in order to protect Yusuke Godai's identity, Minister Matsukura began to seal off information about "Number 2" and "Number 4", making it difficult to find previous reports.

Therefore, the shop owner really liked that handmade book.

Whenever he has free time, he praises new customers and shows off to regular customers.

Turning to the first page, what immediately catches the eye is a blurry white image of a newly born Kuuga, who is fighting against the first spider.

This is also the first reported case of an unconfirmed life form.

Then, the jade shop manager pointed confidently at the empty space above and said, "This is when number 2 turns white!"

"..."

Tsukasa Kadoya looked on without saying a word.

Kawahara didn't say anything either.

No, this is when number 4 turns white.

However, at that time, it was the first time that humans had encountered an unidentified life form, and they did not know that "Kuuga" could change color, so they called the white initial form "No. 2" and the red omnipotent form that appeared later "No. 4".

Later, the Nagano Prefectural Police Department discovered a second stone coffin in the ruins. Because it had been sealed for too long, it had degenerated into a white form and was temporarily referred to as "Life Form No. 2" after it first appeared in the Science and Police Research Institute.

After the Metropolitan Police Department clarified the identity of the unidentified life form, they did not renumber it but continued to use the "number 2" that had been assigned to it earlier.

News reporters and some members of the public are not quite aware of the difference, but apart from a few people who pay special attention to these matters, they have learned to distinguish the two Kuga by the color of their belts.

Although Tsukasa Kadoya hadn’t experienced those things, he could tell at a glance that the white Kuuga in this scene was definitely not the guy next to him!
However, out of a learning attitude, Tsukasa Kadoya did not refute the shopkeeper's point of view.

Fortunately, the next report was about the red-clad number 4, and the shop manager, Shiki, didn't mistake anyone again. Kadoya Tsukasa listened attentively to the shop manager's rambling and Hikari Natsumi's timely supplements.

Even though Xia Mikan only arrived at the store a little earlier than him, she acted like she was a long-time customer!

Suddenly, the jade shop manager turned another page, and then he and Guang Xia Hai both fell silent.

Tsukasa Kadoya glanced at it, then his gaze drifted subtly to the side.

Kawahara, who was reading the latest news newspaper, noticed something was wrong, turned to look at them in confusion, and then focused his gaze on the handmade book.

—【The Aokigahara Explosion Incident】.

Okay, that's enough. The real Black Number 2 has been announced, and what follows is all negative reviews.

Kawahara slammed his hand on the handmade notebook in the middle of the table, leaned over and stared at Tsukasa Kadoya, saying, "The curry rice the manager made was imbued with his hopes for 'Kamen Rider Kuuga,' so you don't need to look at this stuff at all; it's useless to you anyway!"

"That's not necessarily the case!"

Tsukasa Kadoya slapped the other side of the notebook with his hand, then raised his chin and said, "I also greatly admire Kamen Rider!"

When Tsukasa Kadoya utters these words that express his feelings without any hesitation, it means that he is ready to unleash his power.

It possesses a powerful verbal ability.

"expect?"

"worship?"

Sitting in the middle, the shop manager of the ornament shop and Hikari Natsumi looked back and forth at the two people struggling on the left and right, watching the fragile handmade notebook being pressured under their palms, and then trembling as it rubbed back and forth on the table.

The jade shop owner was mild-mannered. He watched the two pulling back and forth, wondering what Kawahara meant by the "gratitude" he had just mentioned.

He felt he had only gotten inspiration for curry dishes from the craft book. Looking at Tsukasa Kadoya, who was starting to act recklessly, Hikari Natsumi had reservations about his so-called "admiration." She was more worried about the craft book they were fighting over being in danger of being lost.

At that moment, it seemed as if sparks flew across the table, and the atmosphere in the café rose steadily, as if a storm was brewing outside...

stab-

A tearing sound faintly reached her ears. Although the handmade book, which was being held down by two hands on each side, had not yet been dismembered, Hikari Natsumi's eyebrows twitched wildly.

How did reading a newspaper turn into this?
Seeing that the two were completely unwilling to give in, Guang Xiahai suddenly stood up and slapped the middle of the book spine hard!

tie!
"You two, that's enough!"

The coffee cups on the table shook violently.

Hikari Natsumi glared at the two of them: "This is the manager's hard work! It's because of the manager's gratitude to Kamen Rider that he was able to make such delicious curry. No matter what, you shouldn't use this as a basis for your competition!"

"Piece of blood?"

"gratitude?"

The shop manager of the jade ornaments looked over in confusion.

Kawahara withdrew his hand and silently picked up his coffee cup.

Tsukasa Kadoya reluctantly withdrew his hand, but he still insisted, "I didn't mean to, it's just because this guy keeps saying these things, so..."

Before he could finish speaking, Guang Xiahai glared angrily and gave him a thumbs up, then with lightning speed—

stamp!
Guang Family Secret Technique - Laughing Point Finger!

Caught off guard, Tsukasa Kadoya was startled.

Then he was forced to burst into laughter: "Hahahaha... Natsumi Kan... you hahahaha... why is it only me hahahahahaha..."

Tsukasa Kadoya laughed so hard he could barely breathe, leaning on the table for support. The shopkeeper, who was drawn by his laughter, also smiled with satisfaction.

"Oh? This young man is quite outgoing!"

"Hahahahahaha no..."

"However, if you approach it with this passion, you're sure to be able to create your own unique curry dishes!"

"Hahahahahaha..."

Laughter is indeed contagious.

Hikari Natsumi stood beside him, hands on her hips, looking annoyed. Seeing Tsukasa Kadoya forced to laugh like that, she found it somewhat amusing and her anger subsided.

Kawahara was right to remain silent.

Laughing like that is so unladylike!
The slightly awkward atmosphere was instantly dispelled by laughter. The shop manager continued flipping through the handmade book that Hikari Natsumi had saved, and reminisced about the past with a touch of emotion.

"At that time, although everyone was very scared by the threat posed by the unidentified life forms, we were protected because of Number 2 and Number 4!"

The jade shop manager said slowly, "Although everyone still doesn't understand why they, who are also unconfirmed life forms, would protect us."

Hikari Natsumi laughed upon hearing this, "Because they're Kamen Riders!"

"Kamen Rider?...Huh?"

Upon hearing this, the shop manager of Shidama suddenly remembered something. He closed the handmade book and looked at the title and emblem drawn by Godai Yusuke on the cover.

This is the Kamen Rider Crest of Kamen Rider Kuuga.

The shop manager of the jewelry store then said, "Speaking of which, there was a time when Yusuke often mentioned something like 'Kamen Rider.' Is that the name of some kind of club you're in?"

Hikari Natsumi paused: "It shouldn't be... a club, right?"

Her hesitant gaze drifted toward Kawahara.

Surprisingly, the shop manager didn't know about this, even though two Kamen Riders were already staying at his place.

Then the shop manager suddenly said, "Ah, I remember now! Yusuke gave the names 'Kamen Rider' to No. 2 and No. 4. At the time, he stayed in Tokyo for a long time, which was very unusual. I almost thought that Yusuke was the Unidentified Life Form No. 4, but now that I think about it, how could that be, haha!"

Hikari Natsumi remained silent: "..."

This time, Tsukasa Kadoya really laughed: "Ha..."

Kawahara: "Gulu..."

The coffee I had just brought to my lips bubbled up.

He looked up and exchanged an indescribable glance with Minoru Godai, who walked out from behind the counter. The latter shrugged and smiled helplessly.

Surprisingly, the store manager still doesn't know.

Moreover, Godai Yusuke has never intentionally concealed his identity, but as long as it is not stated directly, it is difficult for the shopkeeper, Shikidama, with his slow-paced and unpredictable nature, to realize the truth.

"Alright, alright, everyone, let's have some afternoon tea. This is freshly cut fruit!" Minoru Godai placed the tray on the table.

Since the shopkeeper of the jewelry store was still unaware, Godai Minoru had no intention of going to the trouble of telling him the truth, which would also ease his worries.

For the others, black tea and juice were prepared. Kawahara spat out a mouthful of coffee, and Godai Minoru brewed him another cup.

“Mr. Kawahara, thank you for taking care of my brother all this time,” Godai Minoru said softly.

"Yes, Godai is in pretty good shape right now, so you don't need to worry too much." Kawahara smiled.

Minoru Godai was aware of the dangerous state of the "fierce warrior".

Although he didn't give Yusuke Godai the chance to evolve into Ultimate Darkness at first, after the emergence of the "Amazing All-Powerful" form, with the iteration of battles and power, the warrior will get closer and closer to Ultimate Darkness.

So, one reason why Yusuke Godai embarked on another adventure was to calm his mind again.

However, after experiencing Yusuke Godai's condition several times, Kawahara was no longer worried about it.

That guy has always been reliable.

Godai Minoru pursed his lips and smiled slightly, giving a thumbs-up with certainty in his eyes, and said with a smile, "Yes, I believe in you, brother!"

They are a very optimistic and cheerful brother and sister.

Hikari Natsumi was somewhat envious of Godai Minoru's open-minded nature. At that moment, she noticed Kadoya Tsukasa, who was panting beside her, and suddenly asked curiously, "Tsukasa, do you know where Saya is now?"

"The other day someone said they encountered a group of red, yellow, and blue guys..."

Tsukasa Kadoya had stopped laughing and was taking deep breaths to ease the tightness in his chest from laughing so hard.

Guangxia nodded thoughtfully.

After Sayo Kadoya said she was going to muster up the courage to travel alone, she rarely contacted them anymore. However, since she and Tsukasa Kadoya were the only siblings, the latter would occasionally receive some news from them.

Judging from this, the siblings seem to get along very casually!
As Kawahara listened to the conversation between Hikari Natsumi and Tsukasa Kadoya, and the three primary colors of red, yellow, and blue were popping into his mind, he suddenly noticed that several large light bulbs were approaching the PolePole café.

Then the door was pushed open forcefully by Tsugami Shoichi.

"We're here! Sorry to bother you!"

...(End of chapter)