THAT "MASKED RIDER"

They were right on time, not a minute to spare.

Yuuki's bike slowed to a crawl as it rolled into the driveway, the boy shutting off its engine and lowering the kickstand. He reached down and took his helmet off Junpei's head, letting it rest on one of the handles.

Junpei hopped happily off the bike, holding tight onto his spoils—the bag was simply bursting with toys and other desirables.

Oblivious to his brother's racing heart, Junpei skipped up the stone steps and was about to reach up to the doorbell.

Yet, the very moment he stuck his finger out, the door swung wide open.

It was Masahi.

"Junpei?" Masahi stares down at the boy, puzzled by his abundance of gifts. The boy's eyes trail up, laying upon a seated Yuuki, who remains on his bike. "… Yuuki?"

He's been rehearsing for days what he was going to tell Yuuki. How irresponsible he was, how inconsiderate...

"Where were you…? Why does Junpei have all this... stuff?" The boy choked out, overwhelmed by countless emotions. Rage? Worry? Relief?

Yuuki stepped off his bike, walking up to Junpei. He gave the little boy a pat on the back, beckoning him to go inside.

He did as he was told, and Yuuki pushed his brother Masahi off to the side as he entered the house. Yuuki spoke not a single word, waltzing over to the living room table. He set down all those various bags, each brimming with boons and treasure from his day out.

Masahi slammed the door shut as Junpei raced upstairs, blissfully unaware of the rising tensions.

The angry boy rolled up his sleeves and marched towards Yuuki. The shaggy-haired boy feigned ignorance up until Masahi grabbed Yuuki by the collar of his jacket, throttling his brother in a fury.

"WHERE WERE YOU?! YOU IRRESPONSIBLE…" Masahi barked, his eyes clouded with oncoming tears. Hikari stood by the doorway to the kitchen, peeping to follow the unfolding scene.

Yuuki remained silent, averting his eyes from Masahi's, with the brother continuing to chew him out.

"Do you have any IDEA how much stress you put Hikari under? Little Junpei? If mom found out-" Yuuki grabbed ahold of Masahi's hand as he heard those words.

"You didn't tell mom, did you?" Yuuki locked eyes with Masahi. His words were quiet.

Masahi was caught off guard. The bright green emanating from Yuuki's eyes bothered the boy, but he loosened his grip on his collar. "No, of course not. If she found out, she'd probably have a heart attack in the hospital…"

Yuuki sighed, pushing Masahi's hand away from his collar. "Good, last thing I need is to worry her…"

At once, Hikari rushed in and gave her brother a loving hug.

"All that matters is that you're home safe, right?" Hikari affirmed, directing her words more to Masahi than the subject of her ever-famous bearhugs.

She buried her face in his chest, her hime cut fraying as she held close.

Masahi ran his hand through his short hair, clicking his tongue while Yuuki spoke up.

"Look, I'll tell you some other time... But I'm fine. I'm okay." He parted the hug and extended a hand towards Masahi. The boy relented, shaking it.

Up. Down. Fist bump.

"It's good to have you back, I guess." Masahi cracked a sly smile, Yuuki's eyes widening at that comment.

"What do you mean, 'I guess'?" Yuuki gasped, offended.

Masahi only snickered at his brother's gawking face, taking a seat on the couch. Hikari crashes onto the armchair, kicking her legs up. Yuuki sits next to Masahi.

Before they knew it, little Junpei came racing down the stairs, almost tripping over on the last step. He had the Kagami Rider mask proudly drawn over his face and waved the brand new plush of the titular hero.

He jumped over from behind the couch and landed in-between Yuuki and Masahi, with Hikari breaking out into a fit of laughter at this sight.

Masahi helped the child sit back up and inspected the toys he brought with him. These were new…

"Yuuki…" The younger brother glared accusingly at Yuuki, the eldest, cracking an innocent smile. "Please don't tell me he skipped class."

"Oh, he skipped class." Yuuki nodded, handing the TV remote to an excited Junpei.

"It was awesome!" cried the little boy, pumping his arms in the air. One of his fists almost nailed Masahi across the nose.

Hikari was struggling to breathe from just how hard she was laughing.

Masahi frowned, tempted to continue chewing his brother out. But, one look at Junpei's excited mannerisms eased the boy, and he simply sighed.

"You're helping him with his homework later tonight, got it?" He demanded, to which Yuuki only nodded.

"I've brought you all gifts too, I'll deal them out later. Consider that an apology." Yuuki leaned back on the couch, enjoying its warmth and familiar smell. It felt like he's been gone for ages.

Was it really that long ago?

Was five days really that long?

It certainly felt like it.

Regardless, he was glad to be home. Whatever happened to him is behind him now. He can forget...

Yuuki felt restless.

Junpei pressed the power button on the remote, the old CRT set buzzing to life through the crackle of built-up static electricity. It was broadcast on Channel 5, of course, by Rokudou Public Broadcasting.

The commercial break ended. It was 2:30 PM. Time for the show.

.

.

.

A crystal moth fluttered into view, dancing around the screen before shattering into thousands of glass shards. Scenes of action, drama, and everything in between could be seen in each piece.

A logo flashed across the screen, a voice beginning to narrate as the music built up…

"With a country in turmoil, tormented by the rise of reprehensible beasts, there is only one who can be our light…

KAGAMI RIDER!"

The famous hero burst into frame on his motorcycle, shining like a mirror. The opening showed various different scenes interspersed with footage of Kagami doing bike stunts. Scenes of drama, love, action, etc.

.

.

.

"The Fragmented Blur! That's his bike!" Junpei tugged at both Yuuki and Masahi's sleeves, pointing excitedly at the screen. "Isn't it awesome?! Our bike should look like that!"

Masahi nodded, trying to understand what Junpei was saying.

It often felt like he was the old man of the house…

Yuuki continued to watch, nodding along to whatever Junpei was saying. Normally he would be at least somewhat interested in what he was watching-after all, he grew up on action shows such as these.

His ears rang. It was dull, but it was annoying.

"Y'know, Yuuki…" Hikari tilted her head towards him, "There was news about a recent attack. For a second, I thought you got caught in that…"

The episode continued, with Kagami Rider battling a vicious costumed foe. Unlike its competitors, this show had a budget. The editing, in Yuuki's mind, was leagues better than whatever shows he watched as a kid.

Yet, something felt off about it… Kagami Rider wasn't a character. He was a real hero. Why was he floundering about in this production? Perhaps...

"Thankfully, it looks like that was just me worrying for nothing like usual, huh?" Hikari finished stretching. She tried to stifle a yawn.

Yuuki sank further into the seat, growing awfully silent. The attack. His fingers trembled, clutching at his pants to remain still. He felt himself digging into his legs.

His waist felt hot, as if a surge of flame were spreading from that point all through his veins.

He feigned a smile, nodding.

"Hah, yeah. Consider myself lucky, honestly…"

A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.

Hikari carried on, however. "Y'know… There's been rumors of some weird monster roaming the city." She sat up, readjusting herself. "Two people are hospitalized."

" 'Crimson eyes' is what the media is saying- others are calling it a 'Masked Rider'. Some strange creature bearing harsh red eyes stalks the alleyways." He groaned, running his hand through his hair once more.

Yuuki looked down, his heart racing. The ringing was getting louder.

Junpei continued to watch happily, Kagami Rider flipping forward and delivering a devastating flying kick at the costumed villain. It exploded in a spectacular show of multicolored fireworks.

"I hope something is done soon… It's been years like this." Masahi crossed his legs, leaning against his hand. "Just how long are politicians gonna flounder about? Send in the army, deal with those beasts. Anything."

"I don't think it's that simple, Ma-kun. They'd have tried that. Only Kagami Rider can deal with those things." Hikari noted, to which Masahi scoffed.

"I know, I know… still, I wish he would set a better example for the kids. All those stunts? Dangerous, I tell you."

"But they're so cool!" Junpei protested, striking a flashy pose that almost nailed Masahi in the nose again.

Hikari laughed.

Yuuki, though, remained silent, his family oblivious to his discomfort.

"Still, I hope that thing with the red eyes doesn't become an issue…" Masahi smacked his lips, holding back a yawn. "Maybe that show-off can deal with him."

Junpei's ears perked up at the mention of this "red eyed monster". He turned to Yuuki, mask still covering his face.

"Yuuki onii-chan, did all the monster talk scare you?" Junpei leaned over, poking his brother in the cheek.

Yuuki fumbled over his words, denying his baby brother's assertion.

"Don't worry, Kagami will beat that bad guy! He won't scare you anymore!" Junpei beamed, raising his hands in the air as he struck another pose.

Yuuki was speechless.

His eyes squinted as he gazed out the window, trying to clear his mind.

That ringing was getting louder…

He could hear voices. They were distant yet omnipresent.

It was in a foreign tongue, but Yuuki felt like he could understand it clearly…

A hunt…?

The TV continued to play back the episode. Junpei cheered as Kagami rescued the civilians, Masahi watched along and asked questions about this and that, all while Hikari curled up to take a nap.

Yuuki stood up and rushed to the door. The three jolted from their positions, with Junpei leaning against the back of the couch.

"Yuuki onii-chan, where are you going?" He pleaded, "The show's still going!"

Yuuki opened the door, stopping with one foot out of the house. Masahi glared at him.

"I'll be back in a bit, I'm not feeling too good…" Yuuki coughed, pretending to be unwell. "I need some fresh air."

Yuuki left, shutting the door behind him. He frantically got on his motorcycle and slipped on his helmet, kicking it into motion.

The bike revved, its motor screaming into action. He spun it around, leaving behind tire marks as he sped off.

Those voices were getting louder.

Louder.

LOUDER.

Hunting ground.

School.

Prey.

Feast.

Something bad was going to happen. He could feel.

He just hoped he wasn't too late.