This had been decided decades ago when the Rider System project was first launched. At that time, Arata Kagami hadn't even been born yet.
However, the Gatack Zecter was still in the testing phase and required some waiting time. Moreover, being acknowledged by Gatack was not an easy feat.
Masato Mishima adjusted his glasses and said nothing more.
…
A few days later.
Kagami received orders from headquarters to convince a newly appeared Kamen Rider to join ZECT. This person was Daisuke Kazama, the suitable candidate for Drake.
Kagami, Tendo, and Daisuke had met previously at a matchmaking party. It turned out all the women at that party were Worms in disguise. It was through this incident that Kagami learned of the new Rider's appearance.
"ZECT?"
"Yes, it's a secret organization that fights the Worms. The Drake Zecter you use was developed by ZECT." Kagami arranged to meet Daisuke Kazama at a Western restaurant.
"But the Drake Zecter chose you, so are you willing to join us and become one of ZECT's Riders?"
"I'm not interested. I don't know anything about Drake, and I don't want that power," Daisuke said, dismissively. "If anything, I find it troublesome."
"It suddenly made me encounter a bunch of inexplicable things."
Seeing his attitude, Kagami insisted, "Troublesome? But the person chosen has an obligation to fight. An obligation to save others, don't they?"
"That's exactly what I mean by troublesome." Daisuke looked at the naive Kagami and continued speaking to himself. "I am a wisp of wind passing through a flower garden; no one can catch the wind."
With that, Daisuke stood up and left.
"Wait!" Kagami looked distressed. He walked up to him and bowed, pleading, "Please, I'm begging you, join ZECT."
If it weren't for the orders from headquarters, he wouldn't humble himself to beg anyone like this.
"You're really annoying." Daisuke was unmoved by Kagami's moralizing.
…
Elsewhere.
Misaki continued to run to Raven's café diligently every day. As soon as she entered the shop, she changed into the short-skirted, black-stockinged maid uniform.
Finally, she remembered the purpose of doing all this. She tossed the cleaning tool she was holding, strode over on her high heels, and stood in front of Raven, who was lying in a rocking chair reading a magazine, hands on her hips.
From this angle, Raven only needed a quick glance to catch a glimpse of the view beneath her skirt.
"Purple," he suddenly commented.
"You… that's enough! Do you have a definite answer or not? Are you joining ZECT?" Misaki took a small step back and shielded her lower body with her hand, looking down at Raven.
She had made such a sacrifice, coming here every day to appease Raven, yet he hadn't given her any commitment.
"Are you always this impatient?" Raven said flatly. "Besides, this was your voluntary choice. I didn't force you."
His gaze remained fixed on the lower half of Misaki Yuzuki. Her black-stockinged legs, exposed high up, were incredibly captivating, especially paired with those high heels. It was a look Beroba couldn't achieve due to her different body proportions. Well, that's what she gets for maintaining a loli appearance.
"But seeing how hard you've worked, I can step in and help you fight a few times when necessary," Raven added.
"That's not what we agreed on!" Misaki felt completely deceived. Raven never had any intention of joining ZECT from the start.
Coupled with the recent complicated tasks at ZECT, the pressure of working two jobs became too much. She decided to quit immediately. Fuming, she changed back into her clothes and left.
Beroba couldn't help but walk over to Raven and say, "You're just going to let her walk away like that?"
"What else?" Raven continued to look at his magazine.
The gravure model in the magazine had an explosive figure. Looking at the majestic "mountains," he was reminded of Akira Kazuraba. Her figure was still top-tier, even compared to these models.
However, since leaving the Kamen Rider Gaim world to focus on conquering other worlds, he had spent less time with her.
'I need to find some time to spend quality time with her.' Raven mused.
Beroba looked down at her own slightly flatter chest compared to the magazine content and felt a sense of inadequacy.
"Tch." With a quick glance, Beroba walked away sullenly.
Raven decided to take a short break. He had no intention of dealing with the outside world's affairs for the time being.
He specifically took a trip to Helheim Forest to spend time with his women. Akira Kazuraba was naturally the primary target.
…
Half a month quickly passed.
During this time, Hiyori tried to find Raven several times but found the café locked. Since she didn't have his contact information, she felt a little disappointed, thinking he might have left without saying goodbye.
"It seems a lot has happened in my absence." Raven returned to the area.
Using his divine power, he briefly checked on the recent events and roughly grasped the situation.
At the same time, he decided to formally begin the invasion of this world with the power of Helheim. Starting from uninhabited areas of the planet, the flora of Helheim Forest began to grow vigorously in remote, deserted places. The energy being absorbed also caused the Golden Fruit to start growing.
He returned to the restaurant and met Hiyori.
"I apologize, I had to leave Tokyo for a while on urgent business and only just returned." To show his apology, he personally cooked a meal.
The usually reserved Hiyori showed no visible emotion, but inwardly, she was happy about Raven's return.
Just then, two figures, an old man and a young man, walked in through the door.
"Huh… is this dirty room a storage closet?" The speaker had a very young face and was dressed in a white suit.
"No, this is a place where commoners eat," replied the respectful elderly man behind him. "The aroma we just smelled came from this shop, but I don't think the environment here is suitable for you, Young Master."
"Perfect. I've always wanted to try commoners' cuisine." The young man told his butler.
———————
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over here ——— pa-tre-on.c-om/AlexandrusTL [remove the hyphen for normal access]