The sizzling sound of meat cooking on the grill filled the air as Hitomi wiped her brow with the back of her hand. The scent of teriyaki, soy, and garlic blended together, making the small restaurant feel warm and inviting.
At just twenty years old, Hitomi had done the unthinkable—running her own restaurant, Shining Moon Diner. Every morning she rose early, gathering ingredients from the local market, and every evening she stayed late, cleaning every corner of the shop.
"Order up!" she called, placing a steaming bowl of ramen on the counter for a waiting customer.
A group of regulars clapped.
"Hitomi-chan, you're a miracle worker. No one cooks like you!" said Mr. Takahashi, the elderly man who came every day for miso soup.
Hitomi grinned, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. "Miracle worker, huh? I'm just someone who refuses to burn the soup, unlike certain people I know."
The customers laughed, and for a moment, the little shop buzzed with warmth and life.
But outside, beyond the safety of Shining Moon Diner's glowing lanterns, something sinister stirred.
---
The ground trembled. At first, Hitomi thought it was a truck passing by. Then came the sound—an ear-splitting roar that rattled the windows. The laughter in the diner died instantly.
"What was that?" a young woman whispered.
Hitomi's eyes darted to the street. Smoke curled in the distance. Car alarms blared, followed by screams.
She dropped the ladle in her hand. "Stay here. I'll check."
Pushing through the sliding door, Hitomi stepped into the cool night. What she saw made her blood run cold.
A towering creature with jagged armor plates lumbered down the street, smashing cars aside as if they were toys. Its head looked like a twisted mask, with glowing red eyes that pulsed like embers. Around its feet scuttled smaller minions, twisted beings with elongated arms and clawed hands.
They were headed straight for her restaurant.
"No…" Hitomi whispered, fists trembling. "Not here. Not my place. Not my home."
---
The minions surged forward, shrieking as they tore through shopfronts.
Hitomi grabbed a broom from the entrance. It was laughably small compared to the enemy before her, but she charged anyway.
"Stay away from my restaurant!" she screamed, swinging the broom across the head of a minion. It stumbled back but quickly retaliated, claws slashing across her arm. She cried out in pain, stumbling.
More came. They overwhelmed her, forcing her back toward the cracked pavement. Hitomi fought desperately, kicking, striking, swinging with all her strength. But it wasn't enough. One blow sent her sprawling, the broom snapping in half.
As the monsters closed in, she whispered hoarsely, "I… I can't lose… everything I worked for…"
---
A flash of silver light cut through the darkness. The minions shrieked as they were struck back.
From the smoke stepped a tall man cloaked in black, his face hidden beneath the shadow of his hood. His voice was calm, deep, and commanding.
"Stand, Hitomi."
She gasped. "Who… who are you?"
The man knelt beside her, pressing something into her trembling hands. It was a strange, metallic coin, shimmering with emerald and rose hues. Alongside it, he held a sleek belt—its centerpiece a hollow slot waiting for the coin.
"This is yours," he said firmly. "With it, you can fight. With it, you can protect."
Hitomi stared at the objects, her heart racing. "Me? But… I'm just a cook. I can't…"
The man placed a hand on her shoulder. In that instant, a vision flooded her mind. She saw herself standing tall, armored in gleaming colors, facing down the monster with power surging through her. She saw the belt glowing, the coin locking into place, light erupting around her.
She gasped as the vision faded.
"You already know how to use it," the man said, his eyes piercing beneath the hood. "The only question is… do you have the resolve?"
Hitomi's body shook—not with fear, but with determination. She clutched the coin tightly. "If it means saving everyone… then yes!"
---
She stood, strapping the belt around her waist. The coin pulsed as she lifted it.
"Here goes nothing…" she whispered.
The coin slid into the slot. Instantly, energy surged through her body. Emerald light burst outward, wrapping around her form.
"Henshin!"
The light solidified into sleek armor of turquoise and pink, her visor snapping shut like the eyes of a hawk. Blades extended from her arms, the symbol of the coin glowing on her chest. She felt strength unlike anything she had ever known.
Hitomi looked down at her armored hands, stunned.
"This… this power…"
The man's voice echoed behind her. "You are no longer just Hitomi. From this moment… you are a Rider."
---
The minions lunged again, but this time Hitomi moved like lightning. She struck one with a spinning kick, sending it crashing into a wall. Another swung its claws, but her armored arm blocked it effortlessly.
"Unbelievable… I'm faster, stronger…" She clenched her fist and struck forward, shattering the mask of another creature.
Then the towering monster roared, stepping toward her. Its claws slammed down, shaking the ground. Hitomi braced herself, gripping her belt. Energy surged into her legs.
"Time to end this!"
She leapt high, emerald light trailing behind her.
"Rider Kick!"
Her foot collided with the monster's chest, releasing an explosion of pink and green energy. The monster howled before disintegrating into ash.
The battlefield fell silent. The remaining minions scattered into the night.
---
Hitomi stood there, chest heaving inside her armor. Slowly, the light faded, and the armor dissolved. She dropped to her knees, exhausted, staring at her trembling hands.
"I… I really did it," she whispered.
The hooded man approached, his tone calm. "This is only the beginning, Hitomi. Darkness will rise again. And when it does… the world will need you."
Hitomi looked up at him, sweat glistening on her brow. "But… why me?"
"Because," the man said with a faint smile, "you have the heart to fight for more than yourself. And that is what makes a true warrior."
Hitomi lowered her gaze, determination hardening in her eyes.
"Then I'll fight. No matter what comes, I'll protect my home. My customers. Everyone."
The man turned to leave, fading back into the shadows. "Then, Rider… your journey begins now."
Hitomi stood, staring at the ruined street, the restaurant behind her still standing. She clenched her fist, her voice strong.
"My name is Hitomi. And I won't let this world fall."