After parting with Hiratsuka Shizuka and Yukinoshita Yukino, Shirase returned directly home.
Checking the time, since Kojima Kana had gone out to dinner with Kirisu Mafuyu, the two teachers—having just gotten acquainted—would surely have plenty to talk about. He estimated she'd return quite late.
That meant he could relax and activate [Free Hosting].
Before starting, Shirase made preparations similar to last time.
For example, he'd put his dirty clothes into the plastic bucket beside the washing machine, though the laundry detergent and liquid were nearly gone.
With Kojima Kana not home, he would obviously have to handle the chores, so he prepared the cleaning tools in advance.
[Welcome back, Host, to [Free Hosting]. Your body will now be fully controlled by the system. Please remain calm…]
The familiar prompt sounded, and Shirase lost control of his body.
The hosting duration this time was again 60 minutes.
[Ding-dong. Dirt detected in the living room and bedroom. System has decided to initiate a thorough cleaning.]
Unsurprisingly, the dumb system began working exactly as Shirase had planned.
He completely relaxed.
As expected, my idea was correct. As long as I prepare chores beforehand, the dumb system won't be bored enough to go perform acts of heroism.
Under Shirase's supervision, the system demonstrated efficiency far beyond ordinary human capability.
Just fifteen minutes later, not only was the living room sparkling clean, but even the bedroom and balcony had been tidied thoroughly.
[Dirty clothes detected. System has decided to do laundry first.]
[Laundry detergent detected as critically low.]
[System contemplating…]
"You even need to think about something like this?" Shirase retorted silently.
[Each contemplation by the system aims to provide the host with a more considerate service.]
Shirase's expression turned blank. Do you seriously expect me to believe that?
[Contemplation complete. System has decided to purchase laundry detergent.]
The system grabbed the wallet and keys Shirase had placed on the table beforehand and headed out the door.
At first, the route was correct, everything unfolding according to Shirase's previous plan.
Until Shirase passed that familiar vacant lot once again.
Once more, he spotted that familiar figure.
An eyepatch still covering her right eye, her petite figure barely filling out the uniform—she looked like a middle-schooler who'd sneaked out to play.
Takanashi Rikka. She's out here again, huh, Shirase muttered internally.
But unlike last time, Takanashi Rikka didn't have the group of lively children with her. She stood alone, muttering words to herself.
The pedestrians out for evening strolls carefully kept their distance, perhaps to avoid being infected by her chuunibyou attitude.
As Shirase passed by the lot, he clearly heard Takanashi Rikka's crisp voice: "It's you—the man who spied on Kamen Rider's companions last time!"
The dumb system suddenly stopped.
Shirase's heart skipped a beat, sensing danger.
[Host has been spoken to.]
[System contemplating…]
"You don't have to think about something like this! She's just a chuunibyou girl—I can't communicate normally with her," Shirase urgently reminded it.
The system did not respond.
Seeing Shirase remain silent, Takanashi Rikka tightened her adorable face, striving to appear serious: "Why aren't you speaking? Is it because you fear I'll sense the evil within your heart? Or are you actually an enemy of Kamen Rider?"
No, I'm not!
I'm actually a big tokusatsu fan!
Shirase denied vehemently in his mind.
At that exact moment, the system responded.
[Tokusatsu fan status detected. System has decided to respond.]
Shirase: "…"
"Why are you here alone?" The system spoke up, its voice as emotionless as always.
Takanashi Rikka covered her right eye, proudly raising her head, her ahoge bouncing energetically. She snorted softly, "I am the woman destined to become friends with all Kamen Riders. Naturally, I won't mingle with ordinary mortals. Now, speak—tell me your true identity… or rather, recount your sins!"
So, she's being ostracized or disliked by her classmates, which is why she's always alone every day?
Shirase clearly understood.
If, last time, he'd only guessed she'd been deeply influenced by tokusatsu series, this time he could confirm it for certain.
"I see." The dumb system finally spoke again. "I now fully comprehend your intentions."
"What about yours?" Takanashi Rikka asked curiously.
"Mine?"
Under Shirase's conflicted gaze, his own body slowly assumed an intensely familiar pose. "As for me… I don't want to see anyone shed tears anymore. My wish has never changed—I want to protect everyone's smiles. And that is precisely why… I must become the Ultimate Darkness!"
Shirase instantly noticed Takanashi Rikka's ahoge shaking with excitement.
Within the girl's eyes, surprise and delight bloomed at a visibly rapid pace.
Then Shirase saw himself giving a thumbs-up: "Remember to watch Kuuga!"
"Understood!" Takanashi Rikka enthusiastically nodded her little head.
Great job, dumb system—you're really a dumb system through and through, Shirase had lost all strength to complain.
Of course, he remembered many classic Kamen Rider quotes. That was precisely why the dumb system could recite them so smoothly.
But remembering and liking them was one thing; openly exchanging chuunibyou dialogues with another similarly afflicted girl on the street was entirely different.
The last time he'd exchanged chuunibyou banter with Hikigaya Hachiman, there hadn't been anyone around.
Yet today, several passersby nearby were now staring at them.
Those looks seemed both amazed and deeply shocked.
"Y-You're also a comrade of Kamen Rider?"
Takanashi Rikka's excitement was palpable—her eyelashes trembled, her ahoge trembled, and even her voice shook.
Her expression suggested she wanted nothing more than to immediately shake hands and affirm their partnership.
Before the system could reply this time, a cool, emotionless voice sounded behind them:
"As expected, you came here alone again…"
That voice sounds a bit familiar?
Shirase froze for a moment.
Meanwhile, Takanashi Rikka's face turned completely pale, and she murmured quietly, "Oh no… the end of Kamen Rider has come!"
Under her panicked and anxious gaze, a tall woman who bore about an eighty-percent resemblance to her approached.
This woman wore a simple black short-sleeve top paired with loose, pale-blue jeans. The curves of her chest were prominently displayed, as if flaunting her pride as a mature woman.
Takanashi Touka.
The name surfaced in Shirase's mind.
However, her expression right now was unreadable. Those beautiful eyes slowly swept over Shirase and Takanashi Rikka before finally resting on Shirase. "Is this your friend?"
"No, we are comrades." The system abruptly raised a hand into an attack pose. "We are both companions of Kamen Rider."
Takanashi Rikka froze briefly, then immediately ignited with passion again: "Exactly! We are—Ow!"
Before she could finish, Takanashi Touka, fully aware of her younger sister's character, decisively extended her hand and flicked Rikka firmly on the head. The latter immediately crouched down defensively, eyes tearing up pitifully.