Rikuo rode the Blue Spader towards Asukayama Park, his mind still replaying the events from not long ago.
Sakiko held Rikuo, sparks still subtly emanating from his armor. But neither of them intended to return, continuing towards the next Anomaly's location.
"Why are you in such a hurry to go today? Doesn't your Rider Armor have a limit?"
Sakiko hugged Rikuo tightly, her head resting on his back. Although separated by the Rider Armor and helmet, she felt as if she could still sense his warmth and heartbeat.
"I don't plan to fight. At least, I can see if anyone is hurt; save one person if I can."
Rikuo sensed Sakiko's concern but did not answer directly.
'Then, who will save you? If only I could help you, even just a little...'
As the Anomaly's influence receded, the humanoid dark clouds had turned into a downpour. But in the cold wind and rain, Sakiko could only feel Rikuo's warmth.
...
Asukayama Park.
"Soyo fought here! Oh, there won't be any fighting now. Or, should I say, it's my turn to fight?"
Rikuo looked at the park, devoid of trees, and recalled MyGO's most classic storyline. As for Sakiko, she certainly didn't enter the park, as she had no means to fight.
"What Anomaly is it this time? But it's good that no fool came to deliver themselves; presumably, those who sought attention during the day went back at night, avoiding the Ouma ga Toki?"
Rikuo wandered around the park, able to sense the Anomaly's aura, but the other party seemed hesitant to approach.
'Looks like a noob.'
"Come out! I see you!"
"As expected of the Joker! You actually..."
Rikuo had already taken out 5 of Spades - Kick Locust (Ability: Increases the power of flying side kicks; AP: 1000) and inserted it into his Blay Rouzer.
[Kick!]
"I knew you'd call me Joker first! Eat my Rider Kick!"
Rikuo leaped with a flying kick, striking the Anomaly whose form he hadn't even clearly seen.
The Anomaly was kicked dozens of meters away, crashing through the courtyard wall of Sakiko's former villa before stopping.
"5000 AP, not a single point more or less."
Rikuo approached for a closer look and found that the opponent was a rat-like Anomaly, already beginning to dissipate.
"Kamaitachi? That's indeed quite weak."
He drew a blank card and threw it at the opponent; the Anomaly's form twisted, and an Undead Card flew back into Rikuo's hand.
"2 of Spades - Slash Lizard (Ability: Increases the power of slashs; AP: 400) - a cheap and useful workhorse ability. Wait! If it was just a Kamaitachi, then what about the withered trees?"
Rikuo felt an even stronger Anomaly aura, right behind him! He rolled sideways, only to see that the ground where he had just stood was dissolved, the original permeable brick pavement now exposing the soil beneath.
"Do Anomalies also play feints? Did your companion just give up like that?"
"It's not worthy of being my companion; at most, it's just a subordinate."
Rikuo finally saw the opponent's form: its head was shaped like an ox, while its body resembled a giant spider or crab. It was precisely the Ushi-oni from Japanese mythology, an Anomaly skilled in using poison.
'Trouble, my AP is depleted.'
"I admit, you're stronger right now. But I still have my last ace."
Rikuo took out King of Spades; the Ushi-oni clearly showed great apprehension upon seeing it. But Rikuo didn't just take out one Undead Card; he also had the 9 of Clubs (Ability: Supplements the next attack with smoke) he had just obtained, placing it below the King of Spades.
"You have no strength left now, do you? How could you possibly use the power of a Category K?"
Watching Rikuo approach step by step, the Ushi-oni's eight legs slowly retreated. Rikuo had already summoned the Blue Spader; all he had to do now was stall for time.
"Do you dare to bet? I'm the Joker!"
When the Ushi-oni had no escape, Rikuo canceled his transformation, using himself to release the power of 9 of Clubs. A mist appeared, completely obscuring all surrounding vision.
"Goodbye!"
Rikuo fell backward directly onto the Blue Spader; Sakiko quickly embraced his body to prevent him from falling. The Blue Spader swiftly drove away from Asukayama Park.
"I'll leave you for one night! Don't thank me, see you tomorrow afternoon!"
Hearing Rikuo's shout, the Ushi-oni furiously cut through the gate of Sakiko's old home with its eight razor-like legs.
"Damn you, Joker!"
Alas, not having gone through nine years of compulsory education, its vocabulary was insufficient.
"Your insults sound like whining!"
Rikuo actually couldn't hear what the other party was saying; the side effects had already spread throughout his body. However, that didn't stop him from knowing that the other party was most likely cursing him.
'Maybe it would overheat and explode on its own, and I wouldn't have to wait until tomorrow.'
Although the Ushi-oni was furious, it wasn't to the point of self-destruction.
"I must leave here. Although I'll be harmed by the rules, after all, the park has no 'door.' I'll just lose my territory."
The Ushi-oni chose to seek refuge with the nearest Anomaly; after all, even Anomalies don't sit idly by when trouble arises.
...
Hotel.
"Didn't we agree not to fight? How did it all come to this!"
This was the first time Rikuo had seen Sakiko huff.
"It's fine, it's fine. If there hadn't been two Anomalies, I would have just finished them instantly."
"Even if there was only one Anomaly! What if your attack missed? What if it was immune to physical attacks like before? What if the opponent was strong enough to withstand it?"
Sakiko's eyes gradually reddened, and tears streamed down her face.
"But I'm fine, aren't I? At worst, I can still use attribute-based Undead Cards in human form. Although the damage would be reduced, with multi-attribute bonuses, there would still be a chance."
Because Rikuo was lying down, he couldn't see that Sakiko was crying; he just wanted to express that he had a backup plan and she shouldn't worry.
Sakiko suppressed her crying, looking at Rikuo's limp state, a look of unwillingness on her face.
"You have to go to school tomorrow. Should I ask for leave for you?"
"No, I'll be fine after one night. If I take leave, I'll just get nagged again. Besides, my homework is still with Anon, and Anon still needs 2 of Hearts to practice guitar."
"Is it always about other people's affairs?"
"Is Sakiko jealous? Didn't you say you still couldn't be sure if it was a friend's kind of liking?"
"Rikuo, I mean, can't you think more about yourself?"
Listening to Sakiko's loud words, Rikuo pondered for a moment.
"It's precisely because of my own thoughts that I want to help you all. I've always been self-centered."
"What an idiot..."
Sakiko listened to Rikuo's reply, her agitated emotions suddenly calming down. She took Rikuo's right hand.
"Yes, I am an idiot with an overinflated sense of self."
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