"Thank you for treating me to dinner. You really are a good person!"
Kou smiled and thanked the S-Class Hero named Ren Kanzaki, then immediately began shoveling curry rice into his mouth. It was absolutely delicious.
Although he had given himself the name Kamen Rider Kabuto, he felt that using the full name outside of hero work sounded strange, so he preferred others to call him Kou.
Perhaps it was because "Kou" was another reading associated with armor.
Ren looked at Kou's innocent expression and could not help feeling that the person before him resembled an amnesiac Omega more than Kamen Rider Kabuto.
It seemed he had been away from his original world for far too long. He had transmigrated after only around ten episodes had aired. He had no idea whether the series had remained mediocre after its weak beginning or eventually developed into a masterpiece.
For a moment, he found himself lost in thought.
He unexpectedly remembered his former self, the person who had stayed shut inside his home, accomplished nothing, and spent his time watching anime, tokusatsu shows, and reading novels.
He seemed to remember sitting beside his bed, watching the heroes in tokusatsu shows punish evil and uphold justice, while the protagonists in stories arrived in time to save others from tragedy.
Ren shook his head and cast those inexplicable memories aside. Maintaining his usual smile, he said, "There's no need to thank me. Since you have amnesia, you must face many difficulties in daily life. As a fellow hero, helping you is only natural."
After finishing the rice in his bowl, Kou looked up at the smiling Ren, scratched his head, and asked, "Are you unhappy with your life?"
"...Why would you suddenly ask that?"
The smile on Ren's face stiffened slightly.
"I just feel like your smile is a little forced, as though you have many things weighing on your mind... I heard that people feel much better after talking about the things troubling them. Would you like to tell me about them?"
"You already know I have amnesia, so there are many things I don't understand. But I can still keep your secrets!"
Kou wore a bright smile. Although it made him look somewhat foolish, its purity caused others to lower their guard without realizing it.
"How could that be possible? What could I possibly be unhappy about? I am an S-Class Hero. I can save countless people and change many things. So many people admire and respect me. How could I possibly be unhappy?"
"Is that so? You're really impressive. But no matter how much someone accomplishes, they're still human, aren't they? People cry, laugh, feel pressure, and go through difficult moments."
"I think even heroes sometimes feel sad or unhappy and want someone to talk to. Take me, for example. All the money I earn from hero work goes toward food. Sometimes I even have to eat less just so I can buy some nice clothes or a toy I want!"
Kou's smile was pure and sincere.
Looking at that smile, Ren suddenly felt that the "perfect" smile he had once taken pride in, the smile that had charmed countless women and easily won over his previous wives, now seemed unbearably false.
"...Kou, have you ever wondered what kind of person you were in the past?"
"Of course. Over the past few days, I've constantly wondered what kind of person I used to be. The people from the Hero Association told me that I might have been kidnapped by an evil organization or a scientist and modified into what I am now."
"The Association hasn't found any records of my past. But while the past is important, the present and future are just as important. I can eat well, stay warm, and help others whenever I have the strength to do so. I'm already quite satisfied with my life!"
"Then have you thought about what kind of person you want to become in the future?"
"Naturally, I want to be a hero. I don't know why I woke up with that dream after losing my memories, but I think it's a good one. At the very least, the smiles of the people I've saved are real!"
"Have you ever considered that your desire to become a hero might have been forcibly implanted by the evil organization or scientist who created you? They may have done it to use you for some hidden purpose."
"Hmm, maybe. After all, waking up with such a mysterious goal despite having no memories does make it possible that someone is influencing me."
"But at least I'm not doing anything wrong right now, am I?"
As Kou spoke, he pointed toward a nearby television.
It was broadcasting the latest report from the Hero Association, covering the recent accomplishments of Kamen Rider Kabuto, the current A-Class Rank 10 Hero.
Citizens who had been rescued by Kamen Rider Kabuto were expressing their gratitude on television.
Although the broadcast was part of the Hero Association's efforts to demonstrate its value and promote its heroes, the gratitude of the rescued civilians was completely sincere.
Thanks to Kamen Rider Kabuto's fighting style, he rarely caused widespread destruction like many other heroes.
His response speed was also exceptionally fast. Once a monster's location was confirmed, he would arrive almost immediately and defeat it decisively while causing minimal collateral damage.
Compared to the destruction left behind by other heroes during battle, he caused far fewer problems for the Hero Association.
As a result, the Association had begun heavily promoting him, intending to make Kamen Rider Kabuto one of its public faces.
After all, even outside his transformed state, Kou was quite handsome.
Kou's communicator suddenly rang.
The moment he received the alert, he transformed and vanished as a crimson blur, clearly heading off to deal with another monster.
Ren remained seated, staring in the direction Kou had disappeared. He pursed his lips as a powerful sense of disgust rose within him.
He could not tell whom that disgust was directed toward.
Was it the fake Kamen Rider who behaved so foolishly and earnestly in front of him?
Or was it himself?
"My mental state is still far too unstable. Once I'm finished with this world, I need to find a way to improve it. I can't keep falling into random memories and thinking about all this pointless nonsense!"
The smile vanished from Ren's face, replaced by a slightly twisted expression.
He took a deep breath and called the waiter over to pay the bill.
Of course, Kyōka Suigetsu continued to affect everyone present. Even Kou had been under its influence earlier.
As a result, none of the customers in the restaurant saw the ugly expression that had just appeared on the S-Class Hero's face.
Meanwhile, several blocks away, Kou had just kicked a snake-like monster to death and canceled his transformation.
Just as he was about to take out his phone and message Ren, an unfamiliar voice reached his ears.
"You must be Kamen Rider Kabuto, the new A-Class Hero who has been so active lately. Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Sweet Mask, A-Class Rank 1."
A strikingly handsome young man stepped forward with a smile, causing countless nearby women to scream excitedly. He extended his hand toward Kou.
Kou smiled and reached out to shake it.
As he looked at the top-ranked A-Class Hero, he felt that the smile on Sweet Mask's face was just like Ren's.
It was as though both men were wearing masks.
(To be continued.)
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)