A few days passed quietly after the battle. The dorm had finally returned to something resembling peace.
In the common room, Theresa stood in front of the team with her arms folded.On a small table beside her were several crates filled with glowing shards and strange organic pieces from Chiyou's remains.
"We managed to salvage some leftover parts from Chiyou," she said, but she didn't forget to send a very pointed stare at Kouga."…What little was left, anyway."
Kouga looked away.Okay, maybe exploding the giant monster into confetti wasn't the most recovery-friendly finishing move…
Theresa continued:"We have already begun forging new anti-Honkai weapons from these materials. With them, we'll have a big advantage in future battles."
Everyone nodded, relieved.
But Himeko excused herself early, quietly slipping back to her room.Even though she hid it well, all of them could see she was still bothered—by losing the XuanYuan Sword and the stigmata trapped inside it.
That Night
When the dorm finally fell silent, Kouga stood in front of Himeko's door.
He hesitated.Then knocked.
"Who is it?" came her voice, muffled and tired.
"It's me."
The door opened.
Himeko stood there wearing only a loose white skirt, hair messy, and the unmistakable smell of beer drifting past her. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
"Kouga…? What's wrong?"
He cleared his throat."It's not something bad. There's just something I want to try. I promise—no side effects."
Himeko raised an eyebrow, amused.But she stepped aside and let him in.
Inside, Kouga lifted his hand. Light shimmered across his waist as a familiar silver belt materialized—the WizarDriver.On his hand, a ring formed, its stone glowing with a gentle pink radiance.
The Hope Ring.One of Kamen Rider Wizard's most powerful artifacts.
Kouga gently took Himeko's hand and slipped the ring onto her finger—not the marriage finger, thankfully.
Himeko blinked and smirked."Oh? Trying to seduce me? Planning to add me to your little harem with Mei and Kiana?"
Kouga almost dropped the belt."C-Can you not—?! "
He guided Himeko's hand to the WizarDriver.
For a moment, the Hope Ring glowed brilliantly.
Then the light faded away.
Nothing changed.
Kouga sighed."…Not good, huh?"
Himeko gently touched his arm, her voice soft."No need to look so down. The fact that you tried… it already means a lot to me."
Kouga nodded, thanked her quietly, and left the room.
Himeko watched him go… then crawled back onto her bed, exhaustion dragging her under almost immediately.
The Next Morning
Kouga and Mei were already in the kitchen, working together on breakfast.Bronya sat on the couch, hugging a Homu plush.Kiana was basically vibrating with hunger.
Everything felt normal.
Until a scream shook the entire dorm.
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
Everyone froze.
Footsteps pounded rapidly down the hall toward the kitchen.
Kouga and Mei instinctively shifted into defensive stances.Kiana grabbed a frying pan like a weapon.Bronya summon Project bunny.
The door slid open.
And a girl none of them recognized rushed in.
She was… gorgeous.About their age.Long red hair.Fiery orange eyes.Face smooth and youthful—too youthful.And she was wearing only a white skirt.
Kiana pointed the frying pan at her."W–Who are you?!"
Then Kouga's eyes widened as recognition hit him like a truck.
"Himeko…? Is that you?"
The girl froze.
Everyone else shouted in perfect unison—
"EEEEEEEEEH!?"
And that was how the Valkyries discovered that Himeko woke up in the body of her younger self.