The next morning, Kouga stirred awake on the living room couch. The faint metallic hum of his support units filled the air. He stepped outside and froze for a moment.
Every Kamen Rider support robot stood silent and vigilant, their armor drenched in dried blood. Not a single zombie corpse remained in sight—just crimson stains painting the streets.
"…Efficient," Kouga muttered, though a chill ran down his spine at the sheer thoroughness of their work.
Shaking it off, he went back inside. Today would demand a clear head. First thing first—he needed a bath.
Steam rose from the bathroom as he finished washing. With a towel draped over his shoulders, Kouga was in the middle of drying his hair when he heard hurried footsteps outside.
The doorknob turned.
"Wait—!" Kouga started, but the door swung open.
Mei stood there, breathing hard, sweat on her brow as though she'd been searching frantically. But the instant her eyes landed on Kouga—bare-chested, water still clinging to his skin—she froze. Her face flushed crimson, her mouth parting but no words forming.
Before Kouga could react, another set of footsteps pounded down the hall.
"Mei-senpai, did you—" Kiana's voice cut in as she skidded to a stop beside Mei. Her eyes flicked up… and widened.
A beat of silence.
Kouga's brain stalled. Mei's face burned hotter with every second. Kiana tilted her head, utterly shameless.
"…Huh. Y'know, I never saw your front body before," Kiana remarked casually. "Not gonna lie, senpai—you've got a nice build."
Kouga's towel nearly slipped as he spluttered, "Wha—?! Don't just—"
Before he could finish, Mei let out a strangled yelp, slammed the door shut with both hands, and stumbled back, covering her face.
"S-sorry!" she shouted, her voice muffled but sharp with embarrassment.
Kouga stood frozen inside, towel clutched tight, his mind still rebooting from the chaos.
Kouga headed into the kitchen to find Mei already at work, her sleeves rolled up as she carefully prepared breakfast. Kiana sat at the counter, watching with almost childlike excitement, her foot tapping against the floor in impatience.
Mei's cheeks were still faintly red, and every time Kouga moved closer to help her, she quickly averted her eyes, pretending to focus on the food.
"…You're still flustered," Kouga muttered under his breath, sliding in beside her to chop vegetables. Mei didn't answer, though the corner of her lip twitched as if she wanted to.
The creak of the front door snapped all three of them to attention. Kouga's hand went instinctively to the counter knife, while Kiana sprang up with her revolver already drawn.
But the intruders were no zombies.
The support robots shuffled in, their little bodies still smeared with dried blood. Without a sound, they marched straight to the bathroom. A few moments later, the sink ran, and the sound of scrubbing and clinking echoed from inside.
When they emerged, freshly cleaned, the bots floated over and lined up neatly along the dining table.
Kiana blinked, lowering her weapon. "…Okay, that's creepy and adorable at the same time."
Curiosity got the better of her. She reached out and poked at the Garuda Plamonster's tiny wing, giggling as it flapped in response.
"Senpai, what are these things?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"My support units," Kouga replied, setting down a plate of eggs. "I send them out whenever I need something scouted—or someone protected."
"That's so cute!" Kiana squealed, immediately scooping up the Garuda like it was a stuffed animal. The little creature flapped and chirped indignantly but didn't resist.
Mei, a little hesitant at first, reached for one of the Foodroids—the Burgermeal. Its lettuce bun-eyes blinked up at her, and to her surprise, it gave a soft mechanical hum, nuzzling into her hands.
Mei's expression softened, her blush returning, though this time from warmth rather than embarrassment. "…They're… actually kind of sweet."
Kouga couldn't help but smile faintly at the sight of the two girls cuddling his battle-hardened support units like pets.
After breakfast, the trio stood outside the house, the morning air heavy with silence. Kouga crouched near the porch, methodically going through their supplies one last time—canned food stacked neatly, weapons checked, ammunition secured.
"Canned food, check. Ammo, check. Sidearms, check…" He muttered under his breath, finishing his mental list. "…Alright. We're set. We leave the city today."
Kiana, still holding the Garuda Plamonster against her chest like a pet bird, suddenly piped up."…I don't think we should leave yet."
Kouga froze mid-motion, slowly turning his head toward her with the kind of look reserved for someone who had just sprouted a second head.
"…What?"
Kiana raised both hands defensively, though her grin didn't falter. "Hear me out, Senpai! Think about it—there have to be other survivors. Not many people are immune to the Honkai, but that doesn't mean no one made it. They could be trapped somewhere, waiting for help!"
Mei blinked at her words, visibly conflicted. Kouga, however, just crossed his arms, his expression unreadable.
"I don't mind running around the city," he said flatly. "But my priority is your safety. Both of you. Chasing survivors through a warzone doesn't exactly scream 'safe.'"
Kiana jabbed her thumb at herself with a cheeky smile. "Then leave it to me! As long as I'm around, Mei-senpai will be safe too."
Mei looked between them, her lips parting as if to speak, but she stayed silent, her hand resting gently over Kiana's arm.
Kouga stared at Kiana for a long moment, and in her stubborn blue eyes he saw something painfully familiar. That same fire. That same recklessness. That same him from long ago.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "…Fine. We'll try. But the support units are sticking close at all times. Understood?"
"Understood!" Kiana cheered immediately, hugging Mei tight like a victory squeeze. Mei gave a small gasp, then smiled softly, returning the embrace.
Kouga shook his head, half amused, half resigned. I've seen this before… and it never ends quietly.
The city was chaos.
Everywhere they went, the streets groaned under the weight of countless zombies. Their moans echoed between crumbling buildings, filling the air with a ceaseless drone.
Kiana was in her element—twin pistols blazing as she carved a path forward. Each shot was clean, precise, and full of bravado. She spun, ducked, and fired without hesitation, a grin plastered across her face.
Beside her, Mei moved more cautiously, katana slicing in sharp arcs, each swing measured and deliberate. Sweat clung to her brow, her movements efficient but already slowing from fatigue.
And then there was Kouga.
Clad in the heavy blue armor of Kamen Rider G3-X, he shouldered the GX-05 Kerberos—a metallic briefcase that unfolded into a roaring minigun. The sound of spinning barrels drowned out the moans of the undead as streams of gunfire shredded through hordes with mechanical precision. Limbs and torsos burst apart into heaps of ash and blood, leaving the ground painted in crimson.
When the gun barrels finally cooled, the street was eerily silent.
Kiana lowered her pistols, spinning them lazily around her fingers before holstering them. She shot Kouga a grin."Geez, Senpai… are we trapped here with the zombies, or are the zombies trapped here with you?"
Kouga gave her a deadpan look beneath the helmet. "…Cute."
But his gaze shifted quickly to Mei. She was still gripping her katana, but her breaths were uneven, and her hands trembled ever so slightly. Her eyes hardened the moment he looked her way."I'm fine," she said firmly, though the pale strain in her face betrayed the lie.
Kouga sighed. Of course she'd say that.
"Rest," he told her simply.
Mei shook her head immediately. "No. If I stop now, I'll just slow you both down. I… I don't want to hold you back."
Kiana frowned, about to argue, but Kouga held up a hand. His voice softened, though it carried no room for debate."Then we'll stop together."
Before Mei could protest, Kouga scanned their surroundings. His eyes landed on a nearby office building still intact enough to serve as shelter."That'll do."
In a blur, his armor shifted into Kamen Rider Drive Type Speed. The sleek red suit glimmered against the fading sunlight before he bolted forward.
Within seconds, Kouga became a streak of motion, darting in and out of every doorway, hallway, and stairwell. His speed carried him through every corner of the building—clearing rooms, kicking down doors, checking even the shadows for movement. Dust swirled in his wake, but no groans, no scratching, no signs of life—or unlife—remained.
He returned to the front entrance in less than a minute, armor steaming slightly from the rapid exertion."All clear," he said, reverting back to his human form with a small exhale.
Kiana clapped him on the back with a grin. "Showoff."
But Kouga ignored her, turning his attention to Mei. "Come on. Let's rest. We'll need our strength for tomorrow."
Mei hesitated, gripping her katana tighter… then finally relented with a faint nod.
The trio slipped inside, blocking the doors behind them. For the first time that day, the world outside went quiet.
Night came quietly over the ruined city.
Inside the abandoned building, Kouga and Mei worked together in the dusty kitchen space. They managed to piece together a simple meal from canned goods and whatever they had left in storage. Kouga looked over his shoulder at Kiana and gave her a small warning:
"It won't taste like the meals back home. Just don't complain."
But Kiana only laughed, her face bright despite the day's battles. "As long as Kouga-senpai and Mei-senpai made it, I'll eat like a queen."
Kouga rolled his eyes, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips.
After the meal, Kiana leaned forward curiously."Senpai… what exactly are your powers?"
"Kiana-chan, that's rude," Mei scolded softly, but her eyes betrayed her own curiosity. "But… I'd like to know too."
Kouga blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected either of them to ask. After a pause, he set his utensils down."…Alright. I'll explain."
He started with Super Sentai."They're a colorful team of heroes. Most of the time, the leader wears red… though occasionally white. They fight as a unit, each with their own specialty. And they have mecha—giant robots to aid them in battle."
Kiana's eyes widened. She threw up her hands."Wait, wait, wait—Senpai, did you just say you can summon giant mecha?!"
Mei's composure cracked, her mouth slightly agape.
Kouga shook his head. "Yes, but there's a reason I don't summon them. I'll explain after."
He moved on to Kamen Riders."They began as heroes who use the same or similar powers as their enemies to fight against evil. The older Riders relied on skill, technique, and grit. The newer ones… some of them can shift forms with powers that affect the entire universe, if they wish."
Both girls stared at him, dumbfounded.
He added quietly, "Of course, there are evil Sentai and dark Riders too. But that's not important."
Kiana tilted her head. "So why the limitations then?"
Kouga's expression darkened slightly."Because… whenever I enter a new world, my body resets. If I summon mecha, or use Rider forms beyond the base… my body reacts violently. Sometimes I bleed from my eyes. The pain…" He gave a short, bitter laugh. "Let's just say it's not something I'd recommend."
When he looked up again, both Kiana and Mei were staring at him in horror.
"Kouga!" Mei moved before she even thought, clapping both hands gently to his face. Her voice was firm, trembling with emotion. "Then don't you dare use those forms unless your body is ready."
Kiana grabbed a pillow and blanket, practically shoving them into his arms. "That's it! Bed. Right now. No arguing."
Kouga blinked, baffled, as the two girls fussed over him until he was lying down. With no way out, he simply sighed and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
Hours later, the building was quiet. Kiana was snoring softly, curled up under her blanket. But Mei… was missing.
Kouga rose silently and searched. He found her on the rooftop, sitting near the door, gazing up at the night sky.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked gently.
Mei jumped slightly, surprised to see him. "Kouga… you're awake?"
He sat beside her. "What's bothering you?"
She bit her lip, then finally admitted, "I'm worried. About both of you. I agreed to search for survivors, but… honestly, I only agreed because I care for you and Kiana. And I know there'll come a time when you will have to use your stronger forms. You wouldn't have them otherwise. I just…" Her voice trembled. "…I just hope you'll wait until you're ready."
Kouga looked at her steadily. Then, without hesitation, he promised, "I won't use them unless I'm ready. You have my word."
Mei smiled faintly at that, relief washing over her.
Just then, Kiana's muffled voice echoed from below. "Mei-senpai! Kouga-senpai! Where are you?"
Kouga stood, opening the rooftop door for Mei. She chuckled softly."What a gentleman."
Back downstairs, Kiana immediately latched onto Mei, hugging her like a child. "Don't disappear like that again!" she mumbled sleepily.
Kouga settled into his blanket nearby, shaking his head with a quiet chuckle.
The next morning
Kouga stirred awake… only to realize he couldn't move. His eyes opened to find both Mei and Kiana sprawled across him, one on each side. Mei's head rested against his shoulder, her hair tickling his cheek, while Kiana had practically thrown a leg across his stomach in her sleep.
Pinned under the two of them, Kouga froze.…Great. If I move, I'll wake them. If I don't… I'm stuck.
The once-fearless Rider could only lie there, helpless, as the morning sun crept into the room.