Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

"That guy shouldn't be stupid. He should know how powerful Zi-O's side is. Besides, the Super Time Jackers I'm familiar with shouldn't have the ability to summon monsters... Where did he learn this skill from?"

"Stop grumbling, or we'll take the rest of the ice cream cones with us!"

"What an annoying brat."

Swartz snorted and snatched the last ice cream cone from the windowsill with even greater speed than Ul.

Buzz—time resumed its flow.

"What flavors would you like to choose...wait, where are you all?"

The shopkeeper was just about to ask a customer when he realized there was no one there, and...

"How did my freshly made ice cream disappear?!"

No matter how hard he searched, he couldn't find them, because the three ice cream cones were now in the hands of the three Time Tribulationers.

Unable to come up with a solution no matter how hard he tried, Swartz simply continued licking his ice cream cone.

"Forget it, anyway, that guy's business doesn't involve us... We need to carry out our plan as soon as possible."

"Huh? Didn't you say you weren't planning to take action against this world? Why do you have a plan?"

"Just do as I say."

With a single sentence delivered in a slightly authoritative tone, Swartz directly suppressed the questions of the two Time Jackers.

"Next, I don't need you to attack Zi-O. Once it's done, we'll leave immediately. It's that simple."

"And the plan... is for you to take action against two guys you both know."

"Someone we all know...?"

Ur and Aura were a little confused for a moment.

After finishing his ice cream cone, Swartz grinned wickedly.

"Ah, of course it's Gates and Woz."

"For us, those two are absolutely essential material."

----------------------

It was evening by then.

At Mitakihara High School, junior high students get out of school quite early, usually a little after noon... and the time after school is when students have free time.

But for Homura Akemi, this kind of life, which is very ordinary compared to others, is something she can hardly attain.

"Wow~ I'm so happy! What a great day!"

After school ended around 4 p.m., the three of them went to the arcade outside for a short while, strolled around the streets, and each bought some nice things.

Although Homura Akemi didn't really want to buy anything, she still went with Madoka and Sayaka to buy some clothes.

"I'm never this happy in class, so why am I so happy today? Haha!"

"Perhaps it's because Homura was with us?"

Both Madoka and Sayaka have a big smile on their faces right now.

Although we've seen them make that kind of expression before, this time the reason they're smiling like that is because of their own reasons.

Having always been in a hostile standoff with them, Homura Akemi had almost never imagined such a scene.

How long ago was the last time I lived in harmony with them like this?

"Xiao Yan...Xiao Yan! Are you alright?"

"Ah...it's okay, Madoka, sorry, I was just a little distracted..."

"You seem tired too, transfer student. But I didn't expect you to be so good at arcade games. Let's have a match again next time!"

After quickly tidying up her things, Sayaka waved to the two of them.

"Sorry! I have some things to take care of today, so I need to get home as soon as possible!"

"That's true... It's almost five o'clock already, so let's—"

"See you tomorrow then, bye-bye!"

Ah—Madoka looked at Sayaka, who was leaving just like that, with some surprise.

"I feel like Sayaka is acting a little strange today... she seems even more excited than usual?"

"Perhaps there really is something waiting for her that can make her very happy."

The two girls said this in unison.

When they realized this together, they couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Oh my... Xiaoyan, this is the first time I've ever heard you say something like that! You seem like a completely different person!"

"Is that so..."

Homura Akemi chuckled softly, feeling incredibly relaxed and happy.

"Perhaps it's because I used to be too neurotic, or maybe I was too focused on certain things... Now I don't need to think about so much anymore, so I can relax a bit."

"So, Xiaoyan, what are you focusing on? I'm a little curious!"

"Ah...this, this..."

"Could it be something related to magical girls? If so... well, maybe I'd better not ask?"

…Thank goodness. Homura Akemi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. If Madoka had pressed her about this matter now…that would have been terrible.

"Anyway, I really like Homura like this today! She's more energetic than usual, and I'm sure Sayaka is also more energetic because of her!"

The sky gradually darkened.

"Then...see you tomorrow?"

See you tomorrow.

"Okay~ If anything comes up, we can just call each other!"

The two waved to each other and said goodbye in this warm atmosphere.

Even after Madoka had completely left, Homura Akemi's smile remained.

How wonderful... On a day like this, I don't need to think about magical girls, I don't need to worry about sudden dangers, and I don't need to worry about the future where I might mutate into a monster out of despair.

Homura Akemi is probably just like any other normal girl now...

hum-

Suddenly, my phone vibrated.

"A call...?"

Homura Akemi was shocked because—very few people would call her.

Aside from Xiaoyuan, Sayaka, and Yanming, whom I just added, there's basically no one else in my contacts. The calls I get are mostly just spam calls...

and many more.

When Homura Akemi took out her phone and saw the caller ID,

I couldn't help but hold my breath.

"Mother?"

“…Little Flame”.

It was a somewhat tired voice.

"It's been a month since you transferred to the school in Mitakihara, hasn't it?"

"…Um."

Homura Akemi's heart trembled—she hadn't heard such a voice in a very long time.

That's right, her time has been in a loop, and during this time... she has never seen her parents.

Homura Akemi's parents didn't go abroad or anything; they stayed in Mitakihara, just like her, except...

To pay for the exorbitant medical expenses, they have to work day and night.

He simply didn't have time to see Homura Akemi, and even when she was hospitalized, it was difficult for him to visit her, all because of his heart problems.

The girl couldn't help but bite her lip.

“I met some really nice people here, and I also met some classmates… Everyone has taken good care of me.”

"…Really?"

"I went shopping with my classmates today, Mom... when will you and Dad...?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

"How's your heart problem?"

"I…"

The words I wanted to say could only remain on my lips.

How should I put it... that I became a magical girl, and therefore my heart disease was cured?

"But it's better to hear you say that."

The voice, which had sounded very tired, seemed to have become much more relaxed.

"What your dad and I are most worried about is your health, and... whether you will be bullied at school."

"But it doesn't matter now, Homura. I can tell... that you're genuinely happy right now."

"…Um."

Perhaps even Homura Akemi herself didn't notice.

Her eyes were glistening with faint tears, yet her face held a smile... a truly contradictory expression.

only…

"We'll be coming to see you soon."

"Eh...?"

"It should be in a few more days. We finally finished our last business deal. It must be lonely living alone in your apartment, right? Mom and Dad will come to see you, at least..."

"But, but...!"

What would happen if they saw me like this?

Homura Akemi dared not imagine this.

Are you faking illness? Or are you even going to change your hairstyle back to its old one? And, and—

Considering her current relationship with Sayaka Madoka, and... her interactions with that man named Tokiwa Enmei to date.

Should we tell our parents about these things too?

Despite being a time-traveling individual who has reincarnated countless times, he displays a completely childlike panic when faced with this kind of problem.

"It's settled then. We'll be here in about three days... Let's live together for a while then, Homura."

"Ah... um... well, goodbye then."

After hanging up the phone, Homura Akemi felt... panicked.

What should I do...?

If he doesn't tell his parents about these things, will they be angry?

If I tell them, will they believe me? How will they react if they see me become a magical girl?

Will they be happy to know that they have new friends now?

And... how will they view that man's situation?

"Wait... why should I even consider something like this...?"

For a moment, she was somewhat confused by her own thoughts, and even her pretty face flushed slightly.

No...don't think about strange things!

The girl shook her head, quickly packed up her things, and immediately decided to leave and go back to her apartment.