Ash watched Nono Hana's face turn from red to white as her tiny nose twitched and an indescribable, bizarre stench—enough to make anyone recoil in horror—flooded her nostrils.
"D-Dr. Ash... what is this?"
"Ash's special blend. I could tell just by looking at you, without even reading the report, how weak your body was. So aside from surgery, you need to recuperate, avoid overexertion, and stay out of harm's way."
"Then this is..." Hana started sweating.
"Medicinal broth. Or rather, a nutritional tonic. I prepared it to strengthen your body. As for the cost, don't worry. Your balance is just enough to cover it until you recover."
"No, what I mean is..."
"All right, drink up. This is your destiny."
Ash held the bubbling purple-brown concoction before Hana. As she smelled the steaming broth, that ominous stench kept pouring into her nose... Hana nearly threw up on the spot and swallowed hard.
"Um, I think—mmph!" Before she could finish, Ash reached out, pried open her jaw, and poured the medicine straight into Nono Hana's mouth.
The bitter broth flowed into her mouth and down her throat. Every cell in her body rejected it. Nausea, revulsion, the urge to vomit—every awful feeling converged at once. At that moment, the medicine was more terrifying to Hana than a billion Raging Enders... far more terrifying!!
I don't want to drink it! I don't want to drink it! Mom, Dad, Kotori, save me! Homare, Saya, Emiru, save me! Rider, save me!
Unfortunately, Hana called out everyone from family and friends to the Kamen Rider on television, yet no one came to save her.
"I-I'm dying! I'm dying!" Hana's eyes rolled back, and Ash revived her by pinching the spot beneath her nose.
"Hawthorn Berry, Royal Jelly, Cistanche, Maianthemum, Grapefruit Juice, ginger, Eel Powder, Scorpionfish Eyes, Dried Plum, celery, Yam Flour, salamander, Grilled Viper, Agaricus, Cordyceps, Kombucha, Softshell Turtle, and Seal Essence. They're all good for the human body. You won't die."
He had gotten this recipe from a purple-haired guy who piloted robots back in the day. After hands-on testing by heroes from countless worlds, its effects had proven exceptionally good.
After draining the bowl, Hana barely managed to stay upright. Her tongue no longer felt like it belonged to her. Rather than an organ, it felt like a piece of ginger soaked in bitter water for ten years.
"Open your mouth." The bitterness had turned her brain to mush. Hana mechanically opened her mouth at the instruction, and something else was placed inside.
"More medicine—so sweet!"
The taste, completely opposite from the bitterness, jolted her hazy mind awake. The first thing she did after recovering from the numbness was devour the sweet thing in her mouth, even licking the spoon clean.
When Ash pulled the spoon out of Hana's mouth, it drew out a thin strand of saliva.
"Once a day. Take your medicine on time. If you find it bitter, do what I just did: eat a spoonful of sugar after drinking it. The sugar and medicine have both been packed up for you over at the examination room."
Without even wiping it off, Ash tossed the spoon onto the operating table and pointed the newly recovered Hana toward where she could collect her medicine.
"Oh, right. Your parents called earlier, so I answered for you. They'll help me make sure you take your medicine every day."
"Oh..."
"Whaaat?!"
Realizing she would have to endure that soul-shaking bitterness every day for some time to come, Nono Hana stopped thinking.
Side Story Case File 10: Good Medicine Tastes Bitter
"Um, do we really have to do this?"
Faced with the sight before her, Nono Hana anxiously pressed her two index fingers together.
"Do you have any other options? Be good. As long as you agree, there won't be any problems afterward, and I won't bother you anymore."
"But... this kind of thing is..."
"No buts. You don't want Dr. Ash to..."
"I-I—"
"Then drink up, sis. This is the beastman—ah, pfft, this is your destiny."
Nono Kotori wore an impish smile as she pushed the medicinal broth toward Nono Hana. Resting her chin on the handle of the spoon, she stared at her sweating elder sister, who kept glancing anxiously from side to side.
Inside the pitch-black bowl was an equally black medicinal broth that looked extremely ominous. Even the hot steam rising from it seemed black.
Um, I'm Nono Hana.
My mind has been a complete mess these past few days. First, my internal organs ruptured and I almost died. If it hadn't been for Dr. Ash, I'd probably be lining up at the Sanzu River by now.
Thankfully, Ash-sensei saved me. Though I nearly got exposed when he gave me a full-body examination without permission, and then he directly forced that unbelievably awful medicinal broth down my throat.
That taste, that indescribable taste—it was so disgusting it could make your tongue fall out! I never want to drink it a second time in my life!
Even so, I'm still deeply grateful to him for saving my life.
Until now.
"...Um, Kotori, where's the sugar?"
"My, sis, you're already such a big girl. How can you still ask your little sister for candy?" Nono Kotori said with a "how adorable" smile, delivering words vicious enough to make Hana's heart stop.
"Wha, what?! No! Without sugar, this stuff will make your big sister die from bitterness!"
"But if it weren't for Dr. Ash, you'd already be dead right now!"
Nono Kotori's smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression. She showed no sign of relenting and merely pushed the bowl of medicine even closer to Hana.
"Th-this..."
Knowing she was in the wrong, Hana could only lower her head timidly, not daring to meet her little sister's eyes.
After all, it was true.
After learning about her condition from Dr. Ash, Mom, Dad, and Kotori had all been terrified when they heard that her internal organs had ruptured. They had given her a serious scolding...
"Then... I have no choice..."
I know. After all, it really is for my own good.
Whether it was fortune or misfortune, misfortune couldn't be avoided. Better to get it over with sooner rather than later.
Hana swallowed deeply, wore the expression of a martyr, and lifted the bowl of medicinal broth that filled her with terror.
Under Nono Kotori's expectant gaze, Hana brought her lips close to the rim of the bowl.
"!"
One second before drinking, Hana suddenly froze.
That feeling is... a Doomsday Monster.
And this reaction—it's dangerous!
The Tomorrow Energy inside her body was stirring restlessly. The Dark Energy reaction was larger than any before, and even the Heart Light Transformation Phone in Hana's pocket was becoming scorching hot.
There's no time. I have to go!
Without hesitation, Hana downed the medicinal broth in one gulp. Before the bitterness could flood her brain, the woman wearing a mask of agony hurriedly grabbed the ice water beside her and chugged it to suppress the bitterness in her mouth. Then Hana shoved her chair aside, rose to her feet, and dashed for the entrance.
"Hey! Sis! What are you—?" Kotori had seen Hana go from utterly unwilling to suddenly wearing a determined expression as she gulped down the medicine. Watching her sister rush out the door, Nono Kotori was completely bewildered.
"What was that about?... Forget it. Sis has always been like this." Pouting, Nono Kotori turned her gaze toward the little bit of medicine remaining in the bowl.
"Still, is this stuff really that bitter?"
Overwhelmed by curiosity, Nono Kotori dipped her index finger into the residue and sucked on it.
It's not that bad. It's just a little spicy...
"OOOHOOOOOOOOWAAAAAAAHH—!"
Amid a miserable scream, Nono Kotori—withered!
If it's the energy reaction... this way!
After rushing out of the house, Hana followed the usual guidance of the Tomorrow Energy within her and sprinted toward the source of the darkness.
That direction seems to be—Dr. Ash's clinic. How could it be?!
Usually directionally challenged, Hana remembered that someone important to her was in that direction. Her body unconsciously summoned even more strength as she accelerated.
A pink whirlwind swept through the streets.
My body feels so light, and it doesn't feel exhausting at all. Before this, if I didn't transform, I'd be gasping after just a few steps!
And after drinking that medicine, it feels like I have endless strength!
Power! My blood is boiling!—Cough, cough, it wasn't that exaggerated, but close enough.
The rare two peaceful days had nearly made Hana overlook the changes in her body. But now, as the scenery flew past and her body regained its vitality, she finally realized just how effective the medicine and treatment of the past few days had been.
Dr. Ash is amazing!
Her body was faster and stronger than ever. Even at her former peak, her physical condition had never been this good. If she fought a Doomsday Monster now, forget touching the hem of her clothes—Hana could make it unable to see even her shadow for the entire battle.
Spotting an alley ahead on the right, Hana braked sharply against the ground, turned, and kicked off with her right foot to shoot inside.
"Mirai Crystal! Sparkling Heart!"
Pink light flashed. Cure Yell soared into the sky and landed atop a distant building. Then she burst forward in great strides, leaping from rooftop to rooftop.
Wait for me! Stay alive!
While Yell was hurrying there, at the location of the massive darkness she was worried about—
The Crimson Warrior and the Steel Tyrant charged forward, the earthshaking roar of a giant dragon making the surrounding buildings tremble in terror.
The godlike steel beast smashed the enormous Doomsday Monster before it to the ground with a single blow. It turned, raised its massive tail, and brought it down with a piercing crash onto the monster's body. The pitch-black form warped under the heavy lashing.
"I'm finished, Enders!"
The Doomsday Monster howled, but no one would show mercy to such a creature—least of all a gigantic tyrannosaur made of steel.
"Roar—"
Super AI had given V-REX a mind unlike before, but it did nothing to diminish its savagery in battle.
Its opened, razor-sharp teeth generated high-speed vibrations through a special technique, enough to cut through special metals or energy shields. At this moment, there was almost nothing the mechanical dinosaur could not bite through. Just as it did now, its metal jaws clamped down on the Doomsday Monster's body. Amid a cry that was impossible to tell whether it was pain or rage, it bit down! Pitch-black Rampage Energy instantly erupted from the wound.
[Dark Echo, absorbing...]
"It won't be too late to eat later."
A crimson figure descended from atop the giant dragon's head.
"Seriously, at a time like this? Let's finish this quickly."
I was lying peacefully in my little clinic, just about to take a nap, when a monster suddenly sprang out from the roadside. It nearly stomped my clinic out of business.
Ash could not help clicking his tongue. So these Doomsday Monsters really did grow out of the ground.
"DV Conversion, Final Mode."
Icy blue light shone from the sword of the descending figure. At the instant it swung down, the light seemed to steal every gaze in the world.
Time FIRE swung the Guardian Sword at the targeted Doomsday Monster.
"DV Re-Freezer!!!"
The leaking energy became propulsion for the descending strike, making it land faster and more fiercely. The sword plunged deeply into the Doomsday Monster's head, then swept up from another angle, carving a perfect V-shaped trajectory across it.
Pulling out the Guardian Sword, he leaped backward. At the same time, two more blue sword lights flashed out. He turned and holstered the DV Defender, which had reverted to Vulcan Cannon Mode. An explosion and a burst of light followed, and another Doomsday Monster marched toward death, leaving behind only black fragments like wreckage.
"Press Freeze Complete."
"That's another one taken care of. Not very interesting."
Without resting, Ash drew the Vulcan Gun again and pulled the trigger in another direction.
"Tap, tap—"
Amid the burning hiss of special light, Nono Hana stopped in her tracks.
Side Story Case File 11: Second Contact
"One down. One more."
He could not rest until they had been completely dealt with. Ash turned the DV Defender in his hand toward another location and pulled the trigger.
The light bullet did not hit a Doomsday Monster, but a pile of collapsed high-rise rubble.
Beneath the ruins, another equally massive Doomsday Monster was pinned under the debris, unable to get up.
Before you continue