Tale Of Origin

PART TWO

I quickly hurried to the coin parking lot.

Once upon a time, there was a house where a boy named Emu used to live.

As I approached the coin parking lot, I took out my Buggle Driver II and attached it to my waist. I could do it with the Gamer Driver, so I’m sure I could do it with this…

“Mighty Novel X! Event Start!”

Just as I had expected. I heard the system voice announcing the event.

I’ll definitely save Emu.

Eventually, the scene around me distorted into a mosaic, and I accessed the special space of Mighty Novel X. The special space was the same as when Emu and I first came here together.

The three-bedroom house where Emu lived.

The wooden furniture in the living room. A clean space without a speck of dust.

It was the second time I had seen this scene, but something suddenly caught my attention. I don’t know what it was. As I looked around the living room, it wasn’t like anything had changed since the first time. I just felt that something was a little strange.

Oops, I guess now is not the time to worry about that.

There is one place I need to go.

I headed straight for the stairs leading to the second floor without looking at anything else.

At the top of the stairs, I opened the door at the front and found Emu’s childhood bedroom.

There was still Emu as a child at his study desk, writing fan letters. He was in the exact same position as the first time I came here, still happily talking about the game ideas he had come up with.

I see. It seems that if I try the event again, I’ll have to start over from the exact same situation.

I had the same conversation with Emu-kun as the first time, and continued the story until I arrived at the turning point in the game.

Emu-kun said in a casual tone, like a child strumming the keys of a piano at random.

“Hey. My future dream. What do you think it is?”

Emu-kun stopped moving, like a music box that had stopped playing.

A holographic monitor appeared in front of me, displaying three choices.

It’s going to be okay. There’s only one possible answer.

《Doctor》 《Pro Gamer》 《Other》

My answer is…

“Pro gamer… right?”

That’s when Emu-kun’s eyes, which hadn’t moved, popped open and looked at me.

Please. Please tell me I’m right.

Maybe not even a second had passed, but I was so nervous that my heart was about to burst. I couldn’t stand the silence, so I spoke up.

“You sent the fan letter because you wanted Genm Corp to make a more interesting game, didn’t you!? You wanted to play that game yourself! You wanted it to come true! You wanted to fulfill your dream of completing that game as a player!”

At that moment, Emu-kun smiled innocently.

“That’s right! That’s why I put the game idea in the fan letter!”

I knew it. I was relieved. My idea had been right.

The sound system of the game could be heard throughout the room.

“Game Clear!”

At that moment, I heard a familiar laughter coming from outside the window of the room. I looked out the window and saw Kurotopi standing in the yard. I transformed my body into data and instantly moved to the garden to meet Kurotopi.

“You’re good. You used the memories of Dan Sakurako in your body as a clue. That’s a strategy only you can pull off.”

“Please give Emu back!”

“You think you’ve conquered Mighty Novel X just by completing one event? This game is just the beginning. Don’t think you can clear it so easily.”

Just then, I heard someone else’s footsteps.

To my surprise, it was the adult Emu, coming from the shadows of the outer wall of the house.

I don’t know if it was my imagination, but he seemed to be glaring at me. The strangeness of it all made me forget to be glad that Emu was okay.

“Emu…?”

“Poppy. I won’t let you try to conquer this game any longer.”

When he said that, Emu put the Gamer Driver on his waist.

“Won’t let me conquer… What do you mean? Why do you say that!?”

There is no way Emu would say such a thing. So he must have been brainwashed. Just like I was brainwashed by Lovelica when Kamen Rider Chronicle started.

Perhaps noticing my suspicion, Kurotopi began to speak.

“His thought process has been altered by the Mighty Novel X program after the game over. Hojo Emu has been reborn. As an enemy character who sabotages the player.”

I knew it. Emu has been brainwashed.

“He is now the guardian of his own truth.”

Emu held up the gashat he was clutching. The gashat was adorned with an Ex-Aid-kun doll (that’s what I personally call it, but it’s a small Ex-Aid Level 2 object).

Emu pressed the activation switch of the Maximum Mighty X gashat.

“Maximum Mighty X!”

Behind Emu, the game start screen appeared with the really cool title logo “MAXIMUM MIGHTY X”. There’s also a graphic of Mighty riding a big robot-like Maximum Gamer.

Emu muttered in a deep bass voice that I had never heard before.

“…Max Dai Henshin.”

Emu inserted Maximum Mighty X into the slot of the Gamer Driver and pulled the lever.

“The largest, most powerful body! Dariragan! Dagozuban!”

I don’t think this is the time to think about it, but I’ve been wondering about it for a while.

What does dariragan dagozuban mean? Is it just something that sounds strong or something like that?

The select screen for the various Kamen Riders began to rotate around Emu, and Emu stuck out his right hand and selected Ex-Aid.

As soon as he transformed into Ex-Aid Action Gamer Level 2, Maximum Gamer appeared above Ex-Aid’s head.

Ex-Aid tapped his fist on the armor ride switch with the Ex-Aid-kun doll on it.

“Maximum Power X!”

That switch has the ability to transfer the enhanced armor to any location, and by pressing the switch, the materialized enhanced armor is attached to the person transforming.

As Ex-Aid jumped up above his head, Maximum Gamer ate Ex-Aid with a pipupepopapunch!

Large limbs and the head of Ex-Aid sprouted from Maximum Gamer, transforming him into Ex-Aid Maximum Gamer Level 99.

“Emu! Wake up!”

I knew there was no point in shouting such a thing. I knew it, but I couldn’t help but scream.

Because. If possible… I didn’t want to fight Emu.

“Poppy. You’ve never had a serious fight with Hojo Emu before. Enjoy it to your heart’s content. The power of Genius Gamer M.”

I had no choice but to do it.

I took out my Tokimeki Crisis gashat, took a deep breath, and pressed the activation switch.

“Tokimeki Crisis!”

Behind me, the cute title logo “TOKIMEKI CRISIS” came up on the game start screen behind me. It had a lovely, cute graphic of the main character with her pink hair fluttering in the wind.

I know I can’t beat him in a simple power battle, but I don’t have to fight Emu as long as I take away his Gamer Driver.

“Henshin!”

Insert the gashat into the slot of the Buggle Driver II and turn it on.

“Dreaming girl! A simulation of love! A maiden’s heart is always in a Tokimeki Crisis!”

I transformed myself into Kamen Rider Poppy Tokimeki Crisis Gamer Level X to the accompaniment of lovely girly music.

Immediately, Ex-Aid lunged at me and punched me with his big fist!

I lowered my stance and dodged it just in time.

Argh, why is he so fast when his body is so big!?

I removed the Gashacon Bugvisor II from the Buggle Driver II attached to my waist and tried to fire a warning shot at Ex-Aid in beam gun mode. But Ex-Aid’s reinforced armor made it easy for him to absorb the shock.

Oh no… he’s too strong!

Ex-Aid took out his Gashacon Key Slasher and slashed at me.

No, I can’t avoid it!

I don’t know how many times he hit me, but I was slashed so many times that I fell to the ground.

Kurotopi, who was watching the fight, came up to me and looked down.

“Poppy. It’s time to withdraw. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Absolutely not!”

“…You don’t know anything. In Mighty Novel X lies a story that Hojo Emu has never told anyone about, a story that brings us closer to a truth that even he himself does not know.”

“The truth that Emu doesn’t know…?”

“Yes. It is the darkness in Hojo Emu’s heart that he wants to keep hidden. Are you ready to shatter his feelings and get to the truth about him?”

“I don’t know what kind of story there is… but whatever the truth is, I’ll accept it! I’ll accept any Emu! Because Emu is important to me!”

I got up with all my strength. To be honest, my whole body hurt and my knees were shaking. If I fought any longer, I might not be safe. But I had to save Emu!

“Then enjoy it to your heart’s content. The story of the day when Hojo Emu’s fate changed!”

Having said those words, Kurotopi disappeared.

The story of the day when Emu’s fate changed…? Could it be…

While I was caught off guard for a moment, Ex-Aid rushed towards me. He swung his big fist at me.

I can’t avoid it… I’m going to get hit!

Just as I turned my head away, I heard a strong impact.

…Huh? I don’t feel any pain at all?

When I looked up, I saw two Kamen Riders in front of me, guarding me and withstanding Ex-Aid’s punches. They were Brave Legacy Gamer Level 100 and Lazer Turbo Bike Gamer Level 0.

“No more emergency care for you, Poppy Pipopapo.”

“I told you not to be so reckless on your own. You got a little carried away, didn’t you?”

“Hiiro… Kiriya… be careful! Emu is being controlled as an enemy character!”

“Well. I can guess what happened. Anyway, Poppy. You take off first.”

“…Got it. Leave it to me to clear Mighty Novel X!”

“Wait! How do you plan to continue the game without a strategy!” Brave exclaimed.

“I have an idea!”

What Kurotopi said as he was leaving.

If I’m right, there’s a Mighty Novel X novel spot over there.

I put up a front against Kurotopi earlier, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.

What is it that Emu has never told us? What is the truth that even Emu doesn’t know? What is the darkness in Emu’s heart that he wants to keep hidden?

I wasn’t sure if I should tell Hiiro and Kiriya about this, but in the end I didn’t. Because I didn’t know what the truth was.

I didn’t want everyone’s relationship to be strained by knowing the truth.

It’s okay if I’m the only one who knows.

Because I can accept everything. No matter what the truth about Emu is.

I released my transformation and removed the Buggle Driver II from my waist.

Having lost my condition to participate in the game, I left the special space.

The real world. A coin parking lot.

When I returned to my original location, I took out my super-decorated cell phone and made a call.

The person on the other end of the line was Hinata Kyotaro, Deputy Director General of the Minister’s Secretariat of the Ministry of Health.

“Deputy Director Hinata! It’s me, Poppy!”

I heard a very stern voice over the phone.

“Poppy Pipopapo? What’s wrong?”

“Uh, it’s an emergency and I need to ask you something about Emu!”

“Did something happen to Emu?”

“We don’t have time for details! Hey, where did Emu get into a traffic accident!?”

“When he was eight years old! You saved Emu in an operation!”

“Traffic accident?”

Deputy Director General Hinata immediately told me the location of the accident site, perhaps because he had guessed the situation.

The location was not far from where I was now.

I thought so. I knew it must be close to Emu’s parents’ house.

I thanked Deputy Director Hinata and hung up the phone, then walked up the hill in front of the coin parking lot to a busy street. I walked along the road for about five minutes and arrived at the place. The roadway was surrounded by lush green trees and grass.

I put the Bugle Driver II on my waist and got ready.

That day. That time. If he hadn’t had the accident, Emu probably wouldn’t have thought about becoming a doctor. His dream was to be a pro gamer, but his fate changed on the day of the accident.

This place must be where Emu’s precious story lies.

I held my chest with both hands as my heart began to pound. I slowly stepped forward with slightly trembling legs and approached the place of fate.

“Mighty Novel X! Event Start!”

The system voice announcing the start of the game’s event sounded out of nowhere.

I knew it. My prediction was pipupepoperfect.

There was no way I could fail.

No matter what kind of story awaits you, don’t panic, be careful and think carefully.

I’ll make the right choices and clear the game.

The scene around me distorted into a mosaic.

I accessed the special space of Mighty Novel X.

When I came to my senses, I saw the same scene in front of me as before.

The only difference was that it was raining.

The rain was cold, as if foreshadowing the tragedy to come. The raindrops were hitting the ground in an irregular rhythm.

In addition, the sound of cars driving down the road added an unpleasant accent, creating an indescribably ominous cacophony.

I looked back and saw a child with a bright yellow umbrella walking toward me at the end of the sidewalk along the road where I had just run. He was wearing a yellow T-shirt, dark blue shorts and blue boots. I immediately ran out and approached the child.

“Emu-kun. Nice to see you again.”

Emu-kun, who was about as tall as my chest, raised his umbrella and looked up at me. He was probably on his way to school, and was carrying a black school bag on his back. I hadn’t noticed when I saw him sitting at the study desk in Emu’s house, but he was so small…

Of course he is. He’s only eight years old.

“Don’t you have an umbrella?”

Emu-kun was worried about me being drenched by the rain.

You’ve always been kind, haven’t you? Emu.

“Are you going to school now?”

“…Yeah.”

He seemed to be in low spirits.

He was like a different person from when he was writing fan letters and happily talking about game ideas.

“Can you let me under just for a moment?”

“…Yes.”

Emu-kun lifted the umbrella high. I bent down a little and let him take me inside the umbrella. When I was at the same eye level as him, I continued our conversation.

“I hate rain.”

“Yeah?”

“You don’t hate it?”

“I don’t hate it. I wish it would rain more.”

“Why?”

“Because when there’s a typhoon, school’s closed.”

“Are you happy when school’s closed?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“….”

There was a slight pause for Emu-kun to respond.

I looked at him and waited patiently, not wanting to force him to answer.

“…I’m having trouble fitting into class.”

Emu-kun is eight years old, so he is in the third grade of elementary school. Even if there was a class change, many of his classmates would have known each other since the first grade. If he couldn’t fit in with the class, there must be a reason…

It was then that the scene of the living room of Emu’s house popped into my head.

The second time I went there, I felt something was wrong. Yes, that living room was a clean space, without a speck of dust. No matter how clean a family is, it’s just too unusual.

But every family has a little time when they can live in such a clean space.

That is… when you have just moved in.

“…You just moved to this town,” I muttered.

“…Yeah.”

“I see. That’s why you don’t really fit in with the rest of the class.”

“…Yeah.”

“But don’t worry. You’ll make friends soon.”

“No, I won’t. I’ll move away soon anyway.”

“Uh, what do you mean?”

“My dad is very busy with his work. He gets transferred a lot.”

He gets transferred a lot. That means, of course, you have to move…

I see. Even if you finally get to know everyone in your class, you’ll soon move out again…

It’s hard to make friends when things like that keep happening. Poor Emu-kun.

“You know. I’m sorry if I misunderstood you, but in the game idea you came up with, there were orange and green heroes, right?”

“Yes.”

“I think one of them is Emu-kun. And the other one is your friend, right?”

“Huh…”

Emu-kun looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, “How did you know?”

“I wanted to have a friend… to play games with.”

Emu-kun turned his face down. Then a drop of water ran down his clear white cheek.

I thought for a moment that he was crying.

But I noticed that Emu-kun was getting wet from the rain because he was holding out his umbrella so that I wouldn’t get wet.

I couldn’t tell if it was rain or tears that were running down his cheeks.

I grasped Emu-kun’s small hand holding the umbrella with both of mine. I pushed the umbrella back a little so that Emu-kun would not get wet.

That was it, wasn’t it?

Because he didn’t have any friends, he wanted to have someone to play with.

It was from this desire of Emu’s that Parad was born.

“…I have to go to school.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

I took a step back and got out of the umbrella.

Emu-kun walked past me with the umbrella still in his hand and continued on to the end of the road.

Don’t go. That’s what I wanted to shout from the bottom of my heart.

Because after this, Emu-kun…

This is just a story in a game. It’s not real. That’s what I told myself.

Even so. Even if it wasn’t real. I couldn’t stand to look at it.

When I turned away, I could hear Emu-kun in pain. He must be suffering from game disease, with the stress of not having any friends and being all alone.

Emu-kun, holding a bright yellow umbrella, stepped out into the roadway.

A passenger car approached with a loud horn blaring.

I couldn’t help but feel scared. I gripped the hem of my skirt tightly.

I heard a strong crash.

A passerby nearby noticed and shouted, “Ambulance!”

I couldn’t stand still and rushed over to Emu-kun, who was lying on the street.

Blood was flowing from his small head. His eyes were unfocused.

My eyes were burning and a drop of water ran down my cheek. It had been raining for a long time, but these were not raindrops.

I hugged Emu’s small body tightly.

If it was a real accident, I would never have moved a critically ill patient without life-saving knowledge, but this was not real.

I couldn’t help but hug Emu.

Emu’s body was trembling weakly.

“…Was my fate meant to be like this?”

“…Huh?”

“Did I get a game over because I’m an unwanted person?”

At that moment, Emu’s trembling body came to a halt. It stopped moving like a music box that had stopped playing.

I realized that I had reached a turning point in Mighty Novel X.

A holographic monitor appeared in front of me, displaying three choices.

《Yes》 《No》 《Others》

It’s cruel. It’s too cruel. A story like this…

I don’t need to think about it…

My answer is…

“No.”

I hugged Emu as hard as I could, who remained motionless.

“It’s not true… Emu is not an unwanted person… it’s all that man’s fault.”

Kuroto saw Emu’s fan letter. He was jealous of Emu’s talent. In return for the fan letter, he sent him a game. A game in which the bugster virus was incubating.

By playing that game, Emu got infected.

Otherwise, Emu wouldn’t have had the accident. If he didn’t suffer from game disease, he wouldn’t have run out into the street.

It’s all Kuroto’s fault.

It’s not Emu’s fault.

It’s all Kuroto’s fault.

Emu is not an unwanted person.

I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes.

At that moment, the system voice rang out, telling me how the game was going.

“Game Over.”

I was at a loss for words as the merciless voice rang in my ears.

I had no idea where I had gone wrong.

All I could do was put the facts into words.

The next thing I knew, Emu-kun, who I had been holding in my arms, was gone.

The cacophony of rain that had been pounding in my ears disappeared.

I was standing in the dark, alone.

Could this be a trap set by the malicious Kuroto?

Was Mighty Novel X a false story made up by Kuroto?

All sorts of thoughts raced through my head, but I had no way to be sure.

The next moment, my consciousness vanished.

⇦ TALE OF ORIGIN (PART ONE) | CHAPTER INDEX | BROKEN INNOCENCE (HIIRO) ⇨