Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

"His words seem to indicate that he has left this place."

"Leave? Where to?"

"He has left this world."

"...Huh?! Why? Why disappear at such a crucial moment?"

“We don’t know either, but it seems like he suddenly started talking to thin air, then said he needed to leave for a bit, and then he left.”

"Tsk, what kind of nonsense is this... Never mind!"

Upon hearing this news, Momotaros first sighed, then waved his hand dismissively.

"Anyway, something big is about to happen, right? No problem. Even if Yuto isn't here, it's fine. Ryotaro and I can easily beat that kid named Teito to a pulp!"

"Don't forget about us, senpai! It's because of us that Den-O is the Kamen Rider we are!"

"That's right~ I won't let that idiot Momotaros steal all the credit~!"

Den-O's Imagin were all in high spirits, their desire to fight was very strong.

"I'm leaving now."

After saying a brief goodbye to everyone, Yan Ming left.

"It's just a small matter. I'll come to you after this is over."

then.

Alone, he walked slowly in a certain direction through the dark city of Mitakihara.

Yan Ming was telling the truth, because what he was about to do was really just a small matter to everyone else.

…but for him and someone else, it was a very important thing.

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

The sky turned gloomy.

The weather forecast didn't report this situation at all, and it seems that it's not just in Mitakihara City; the weather in most parts of the world has become gloomy like this.

"The weather is really getting worse and worse..."

"What bad luck! I was planning to take Xiaoyan to the zoo or amusement park today, but it looks like it's going to rain."

"Honey, was the car we rented before okay? The seller said to try to avoid getting the car wet, but in this kind of weather, if it rains heavily, will it really be okay?"

"It should be fine, right? Even if it rains, it shouldn't completely flood the car."

"That's true... but how much rain would it have to rain then?"

A black-haired man and a black-haired woman, both appearing to be middle-aged, sat together in a relatively spacious living room.

"However, it really puts my mind at ease."

"Absolutely right."

The woman was overjoyed, while the man looked very pleased and relieved.

"I never expected that Xiaoyan... would actually recover."

Click.

At that moment, the door opened, and Homura Akemi walked in carrying a plate of cookies.

"Um... the cookies are cooled down. I'll go pour you some hot milk now..."

"It's okay, Xiaoyan~ Come on, let Mommy help you get it. Honey, did you put the cake I bought for you in the fridge beforehand?"

"Of course! After hearing so much good news today, I was actually planning to take my family out for a nice meal!"

"Ah, that's a real shame. It would have been even better if the weather had been nicer..."

The two people in front of him were his parents.

That's right... just as mentioned before, Homura Akemi has reunited with her parents.

They've been struggling to pay for her medical bills all this time, and now they've finally managed to find some time to visit her, but...

The actual situation was somewhat different from what I had imagined.

For example--

"Ah...this is wonderful, Homura..."

"...Huh?"

"You mustn't forget! Didn't the hospital say that if it weren't for that 'Soul Chaser of the Underworld' who treated you in time, your illness wouldn't have healed so quickly?"

"That's right... He was such a good person! It's just a pity that he left Mitakihara City like that... I was thinking of taking a good look at him."

"Ah...yes, yes! That's it..."

Standing to the side, Homura Akemi could only offer a wry smile in a gesture of compliance.

…The specific situation is as follows.

Homura Akemi's parents first came to her apartment and found her. Then, after discovering that her illness had miraculously improved, they took her to the hospital for a checkup, and the result—

The search results left even Homura Akemi speechless with shock.

The records show that... not long ago, an overseas doctor known as "The Soul Chaser of the Underworld" came to Mitakihara City.

After learning about Homura Akemi's condition, he made an exception and admitted her to the hospital, and... he even cured her nearsightedness.

The so-called "Soul Chaser of the Underworld" is a title that, according to the nurse, seems to be given because of the legend that this doctor can "cure any disease as long as the patient is not dead."

Moreover, this miracle doctor covered a large portion of Homura Akemi's medical expenses, so her parents only needed to pay less than one-tenth of the original cost.

At first, the parents naturally didn't quite believe this almost miraculous event, but the fact was right in front of them. After digesting and accepting the sudden good news, they immediately became incredibly joyful and moved.

Of course, Homura Akemi, as the person involved, knew the whole truth.

…There shouldn’t even be such a doctor. My illness was only cured because I became a magical girl.

It's obvious that all of this was orchestrated by Yan Ming for her.

Even if Homura Akemi racked her brains, she would never have imagined that he could come up with such a method.

The hospital records, the tone of the doctors and nurses... everything was perfect, and it was all accepted by the public.

It was so real that even Homura Akemi herself almost believed that she had really been cured in this way.

"That's really great... Homura, did you feel a lot of pain during the surgery?"

"Huh? No, no..."

"Of course you won't feel it, right? After all, anesthesia is definitely administered before surgery."

"That's true... Anyway, our precious daughter is alright! That's the best news!"

Although I don't know exactly how he did it, but...

That's fine.

She looked at her parents, whose faces were filled with emotion and joy, with peace of mind... She didn't say much, but simply smiled and enjoyed the sweetness after the hardship with them.

Having gone through countless cycles, the concept of the word "parents" has become blurred for me.

I've been so preoccupied with Xiaoyuan's affairs that I've even forgotten what my parents' voices sound like.

But... now... Homura Akemi finally has a feeling.

That is, I can finally let go of everything from the past and enjoy my family like other girls.

Before we knew it.

Even Homura Akemi's own expression became incredibly gentle and delicate.

"Oh my, Xiaoyan, the expression on your face right now is so cute!"

"It reminds me of what Mom looked like when she was young, Homura... Have you made any new friends at school?"

"Yes, Mom and Dad. I'll introduce them to you when I have the chance."

"Really? That's wonderful! Our Xiaoyan is usually quite introverted, but I never expected she'd make more than one friend!"

"Xiao Yan, is there anyone at school you particularly care about? Like a teacher or a male classmate?"

"How could this be... Dad..."

At that moment, Homura Akemi raised her head and glanced slightly towards the direction outside her window.

Yes... that's enough for Mom and Dad. They don't need to know anything more.

That's good...

...Huh?

Homura Akemi, her eyes slightly widened, looked out the window in disbelief.

"No way...?"

A figure was standing on a rooftop not far away.

That familiar young man who had repeatedly saved him was standing right there.

Volume Nine: The Demon King Appears: Chapter 427 Welcome to the Endless Nightmare

Why is he there?

Upon seeing the figure standing on the rooftop not far away through the window... that young man named Shirin Yanming, Homura Akemi's body involuntarily trembled.

"Oh... are you alright, Xiaoyan?"

The mother noticed her son's unusual behavior and couldn't help but ask him in a concerned tone.

"You seemed to tremble just now... What's wrong? Could you have caught a cold?"

"Huh? Is that so, Homura? You've only just recovered from your illness, and with this gloomy weather, wouldn't catching a cold be terrible?"

"Ah... no, Mom and Dad! I don't have a cold!"

After realizing what was happening, she immediately waved to her parents.

"I just thought of something."

"Huh? Is that so..."

"Little Flame, what were you thinking about just now?"

"Well, I was just wondering... how long are you guys going to stay with me this time?"

Homura Akemi's parents were both taken aback.

"In the past, my parents had to work hard in other places to save money for my medical treatment, right?"

What her parents may have been doing all along, is like something from the past for Homura Akemi.

It has been far too long since she has thought about anything related to her parents.

"So... my illness is cured. What are your plans now...?"

When Homura Akemi asked this question, she felt uneasy and slightly anxious.

At first glance, it seemed like a question she subconsciously used to brush off, but after asking it, Homura Akemi had all sorts of complicated thoughts in her mind.

"...That's true."

“We’ve always been wandering outside… Xiaoyan, you must resent us a lot.”

"How could that be... I know very well that you all went to such lengths for my sake, how could I possibly hold a grudge against you!"

"Oh, Xiaoyan... Mom and Dad are so sorry for making you wait for us for so long... We really are a terrible set of parents."

The two became more and more emotional as they talked. Homura Akemi's mother shed a few tears, while her father, like any other family, said some responsible words.

Although, all of this must make Homura Akemi very happy.

But the real problem that made her uneasy was something else entirely.

"It's alright, don't worry. Mom and Dad won't go anywhere else from now on. We'll definitely stay here with you!"

—Even my heartbeat paused for a moment.

Homura Akemi's expression remained unchanged, but her heart was beating faster and faster, and she even felt her palms getting damp.

Her parents' words meant that she would be living with them from now on.