For Shirase Haruto's question, the system instead turned to Takanashi Rikka and asked directly, "Are you out with a friend today?"
Takanashi Rikka's spirit instantly ignited.
"You really are impressive—not only did you easily detect my highly advanced tracking technique, you even realized I wasn't alone."
Then she smirked with great satisfaction, humming under her breath.
"As a companion of a Kamen Rider, no matter how low-key I try to be, I still end up being noticed. The one following me today is the woman who long ago discovered the extraordinary power that sets me apart from ordinary people."
This time, the system didn't answer. Instead, in a rare moment of initiative, it asked Shirase:
[The system suspects that the tokusatsu fangirl you're interested in may have something wrong with her head. Are you sure you still want to associate with her?]
"You literally just said something that sounded just as brain-damaged," Shirase replied honestly.
[That's because the system detected that you previously wanted to talk with her. But after reviewing its judgment, the system concluded the target may already be beyond saving—terminal case.]
While Shirase and the system bickered, the silhouette the system had warned him about finally turned the corner and came jogging toward them, panting heavily.
"Rikka, you ran way too fast! I almost went the wrong way—eh? Who's this boy? He's kinda cute."
A soft, sweet voice accompanied the uneven breaths. A short-haired girl in a clean white long dress appeared before Shirase.
A small black bag hung from her shoulder; she braced her hands on her knees, her slender waist bending slightly as she gasped for air—clearly she'd been sprinting.
But the moment her gaze landed on Shirase's face, that cute little face froze in open surprise.
And Shirase, too, was shocked. Isn't this the crazy senior from the meme zone—the one who kept twisting her hips like a maniac?
Takanashi Rikka turned back toward her and said sternly, "You were too slow. If you keep that pace when danger strikes, you could be in serious trouble."
"I know, I know. I'll go faster next time." The girl—Tsuyuri-senpai, his brain supplied—answered with a dazzling smile, voice still soft and sweet.
Then she looked toward Shirase.
"Is this boy someone you know, Rikka?"
Shirase stiffened. He was still under Hosting; hopefully the damned system wouldn't decide now was a great time to give itself a dramatic self-introduction.
"Indeed!" Rikka raised her chin proudly, her expression glowing with excitement. "He's the partner I often speak of—the one who truly grasps the essence of Kamen Rider!"
She jabbed a finger at Shirase in triumph. "Only he is worthy of my Wicked Eye's recognition!"
So that eye of yours is still called the Wicked Eye, huh. Shirase thought dryly.
"I see." The girl beamed, her eyes sparkling as though she'd just discovered something fun.
"I'm Tsuyuri Kumin, second-year at Private Ginkgo Academy. Nice to meet you."
"Shirase. First-year."
The system answered flatly.
The smile in Tsuyuri's eyes deepened.
"I thought Rikka was the only one good at this kind of thing, but it seems I was wrong. Shirase-kun, you're quite skilled too, aren't you?"
No, I'm not skilled at all, Shirase denied inwardly.
[Host, you're lying.]
"Shut up."
[Does the host wish to conceal his words again?]
Tsuyuri turned to Rikka beside her. "So the reason you suddenly dashed off just now… was because you saw Shirase-kun?"
Rikka nodded furiously, her single ahoge bouncing in rhythm.
"Eh, I see…" Tsuyuri's gaze drifted back to Shirase, her tone bright with curiosity. "Then what's Shirase-kun good at? Could you show me?"
She widened her stance a little, raised her pale, delicate arms, and in a soft, lilting voice recited, "The Wicked Eye is the strongest of all… mm, that's what Rikka usually says. I think she's adorable."
"It's not 'adorable,' it's majestic," Rikka corrected seriously beside her.
"I'm not good at anything." The system's voice stayed cool and mechanical—clearly not interested in sticking around.
Tsuyuri took that at face value.
"Really? Then maybe you're still in the learning phase under Rikka? We could form a small team!"
Shirase was just about to tell the damned system to bail when his vision suddenly swung to the right.
[Criminal element detected.]
"Criminal?" Shirase scanned the area quickly. His eyes landed on a few girls waiting in line outside a nearby smoothie shop.
Maybe because the place was popular, the girls were laughing and chatting together, completely unaware of the man in a mask and cap behind them slowly slipping his hand into one of their purses.
"A pickpocket, huh." Shirase wasn't surprised. There were always people like that—no matter the era.
[System initiating justice execution.]
At the sound of the prompt, before Rikka and Tsuyuri could even react, "Shirase" suddenly lunged forward, accelerating like a starving leopard that had just spotted prey.
The pickpocket heard the pounding footsteps behind him. When he turned and saw Shirase sprinting straight at him, his face went pale.
He snatched the wallet and bolted.
But the thief completely underestimated the system's sense of "justice." He'd barely run two meters when Shirase, under system control, leapt into the air—body twisting into a perfectly dramatic flying-kick pose—and shot forward.
Thud!
A dull, solid impact rang out, followed by the thief's miserable scream.
He and the stolen wallet both went flying, dirt scattering in all directions.
Around them, pedestrians stared in stunned silence.
The system walked up to the thief curled on the ground and said coldly, "You have committed a crime. Turn yourself in."
The thief froze in despair. What—did I just mess with a taekwondo master or something?
Ignoring him, the system turned toward the girls, picked up the wallet, and tossed it over.
"He stole your wallet."
"What?" The group gasped, instinctively catching it and opening it to check.
The surrounding crowd quickly pieced together what had happened.
Not far away, Rikka clenched her fists under her chin, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"That just now—that was the Rider Kick! It was so cool!"
Tsuyuri stood beside her, mouth slightly open in awe.
"So Rikka's friend is that amazing…?"
After calling the police with Shirase's phone, the system waited as the girls came over to bow in thanks.
The one whose wallet had been stolen even asked for Shirase's contact information.
But the system only answered, voice cold and absolute, "A Kamen Rider never seeks reward for his deeds."
The girls froze. Their expressions collectively became:
(⊙_⊙)