The sun was shining brightly as Hitomi, Aya, and Ren wandered through the city streets. For the first time in days, Hitomi wasn't sweeping rubble or battling exhaustion. She was simply herself again, laughing as Aya dragged them toward a street vendor selling skewers.
"Come on, Hitomi! You need to eat something that isn't made by your own hands for once," Aya teased.
Ren smirked. "She's not wrong. Besides, this is supposed to be a break for you. No restaurant repairs today."
Hitomi laughed, feeling her chest lighten for the first time since the attack. "Alright, alright. Let's make it a real day off."
The three of them strolled, joking and sharing food. For a moment, life felt normal.
But normal never lasted long anymore.
---
The ground shook suddenly, followed by screams. People scattered as two towering figures emerged from the shadows of an alley.
Unlike the usual minions, these creatures were human-sized, clad in jagged black-and-silver armor. Their monstrous visors glowed red, and each wielded a weapon—one carried a massive axe, the other a serrated spear.
Aya froze, dropping her food. "Wh-what are those things!?"
Ren grabbed her arm. "Monsters… just like the news reports."
Hitomi stepped forward, her chest tightening. She could feel their energy—it was stronger, sharper, more dangerous than anything she'd faced before.
The monsters turned their glowing eyes on the crowd. "So many humans to crush… which one first?" one snarled.
Hitomi clenched her fists. I can't let this happen. Not here. Not in front of them.
---
"Aya, Ren—run!" Hitomi shouted.
"Hitomi, wait—what are you doing!?" Aya cried.
But Hitomi had already strapped the belt around her waist, the coin glowing in her hand. She glanced back at her friends, her eyes filled with resolve.
"You deserve to know the truth."
She raised the coin.
"Henshin!"
Emerald and pink light burst forth, swirling around her as the armor snapped into place. Her helmet sealed with a sharp click, and in seconds, Kamen Rider Hitomi stood tall in front of her shocked friends.
Aya's mouth fell open. "H-Hitomi… you're…?"
Ren adjusted his glasses, stunned. "Unbelievable…"
Hitomi turned her gaze back to the monsters, gripping her sword as it materialized in her hand. "That's right. I'm Kamen Rider Hitomi. And I'll protect you both."
---
The two armored monsters charged at once. Their weapons clashed against her blade with brutal force, sending sparks flying. Hitomi staggered back under their combined strength.
"Too strong… both of them together…" she muttered, blocking a strike from the axe while barely dodging the spear thrust.
The monsters laughed. "Pathetic Rider! You can't stand against us!"
Aya covered her mouth, eyes wide. "She's going to get hurt…"
Ren clenched his fists. "No… she's fighting to protect us. We have to believe in her."
Hitomi dug her heels into the pavement, gritting her teeth as the axe smashed down against her sword. Her knees nearly buckled, but she pushed back with a fierce cry, kicking the axe-wielder away.
The spear monster lunged again, and she barely rolled aside. The weapon grazed her armor, sparks bursting across her side.
"Argh!" Hitomi hissed. If I don't focus… they'll overwhelm me.
---
The two monsters circled her, their weapons gleaming. "You can't win. Give up, Rider."
Hitomi tightened her grip on her sword, her breathing steadying. Her friends' voices rang in her heart.
I promised to protect them. I promised to fight.
"No…" she growled, emerald light sparking across her armor. "I'll never give up!"
With renewed strength, she charged forward. She slashed at the axe monster, sparks flying as she drove it back. She spun, countering the spear thrust with a clash of blades, forcing the monster off balance.
Her sword glowed with emerald energy as she unleashed a powerful slash across both enemies, sending them crashing back into the pavement.
---
The monsters staggered, growling in rage. "We… we will destroy you, Rider!"
Hitomi placed her hand on her belt, channeling energy into her leg. The air shimmered with emerald and pink flames.
She leapt into the air, her voice fierce and unshaken.
"Rider Kick!"
She smashed into the axe-wielder first, the explosion consuming it instantly. The shockwave carried into the spear monster, engulfing it as well. Both monsters screamed before disintegrating into shards of black ash that scattered into the night.
---
Silence followed. The crowd slowly returned, whispering in awe.
Aya and Ren rushed toward her. Hitomi's armor faded, leaving her exhausted but standing strong.
Aya grabbed her hands, eyes wide with tears. "Hitomi… all this time… you've been fighting them?"
Hitomi smiled faintly. "Yeah… I didn't want you to worry."
Ren looked at her seriously. "This is dangerous. But… if you're the only one who can do it, then… we'll stand by you."
Hitomi looked between her friends, her chest tightening with emotion. "Thank you. I'll keep fighting. No matter how hard it gets."
From the shadows, unseen by the three, Dargoth's voice whispered like venom on the wind:
"Impressive, Rider. But every victory brings you closer to despair…"
Hitomi straightened, the night wind brushing her hair. Her resolve had never burned brighter.