Tokusatsu musebox

I don't know how long it's supposed to take to get a Last One. I know it's different for everyone, and that something... something specific to each person, I think, has to push it that far. And then... then, if you're lucky, evolution.

Then, if I'm lucky, I can save Jirou.

I've used the switch a few times now, once just to try it out, and twice now with a purpose. Each time I use it I feel myself slipping more and more.

No, that's not it. Not really, I'm not slipping so much as adapting. Making myself ready to evolve.

Everything is gaining clarity.

I have to fix things. I have to make sure people understand. I have to show others how to be proper friends, that includes Gentarou and his merry band. You can't just... can't just say you're friends and then be friends. There's more to it than that.

You have to be willing to die. To kill. To go to the edge and back for them.

This school is full of fakes, and I'm going to fix them. I'm going to fix them until I find my perfect evolution. And then I'm going to save my friend.

Like a best friend would.

I visit Jirou.

This is normal. I visit him often. I bring new flowers for his bedside like always. I hold his hand in mine with my thumb brushing at his knuckles like always.

I speak to him softly. I promise him I'll save him. Like always.

My switch feels heavy. I can feel the shape of it inside my inner coat pocket.

I tell him I'm going to become Aries. For him.

But first I have to make sure Meteor is safe in good hands. I need to make sure I have an out if I go too far, even if that out is destruction.

I put the Meteor driver and switch in a case and give the case to Tomoko's mother for her. If anyone deserves to watch over a Kamen Rider, it's Tomoko. And I know she will. She'll do what's right.