Carl: "I never intended to travel through time."
There was no need for time travel this time.
Natsumi Tachibana had fallen into a coma because her life energy had been absorbed by the Dual-Sided Energy Mirror.
As long as that mirror was recovered, she could be saved.
But Hokama Yukio didn't know that. He looked anxious.
Hokama Yukio: "But... Natsumi, she's!"
Carl: "Relax. That thing you're holding can save her."
Hokama Yukio: "This... thing?"
He immediately looked down at the object in his hands.
It was a metallic device, familiar, but hard to place.
Hokama Yukio: "What is this?"
Carl: "The Dual-Sided Energy Mirror. It absorbs life energy."
Carl: "Not long ago, Apollogeist used it to drain Natsumi's life force."
Carl: "But if it can take life, then it can give it back."
Carl: "Use it on her, and she'll recover."
Hokama Yukio's eyes widened in realization.
Hokama Yukio (thinking): This is the thing Apollogeist used... So that's what it was.
He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought as he stared at the mirror.
Then, determined, he lifted the device and aimed it at himself.
He was ready to drain his own life force and transfer it to Natsumi.
After all, she was his comrade.
But just as he was about to activate the device, Carl stepped forward and stopped him.
Hokama Yukio: "Carl-dono?"
Now that Carl had returned with the mirror, Hokama Yukio's tone was noticeably more respectful.
It was rare for him, he was naturally a bit tsundere, not someone who addressed others as "-dono" lightly.
But what did Carl mean by stopping him?
Carl pointed to the two unconscious bodies on the ground.
Carl: "You've got two perfectly good sources of life energy right there. Use them."
He couldn't help but feel a little speechless.
Carl (thinking): What's wrong with Tsukasa? Is he not thinking straight...?
Why use his own energy to revive Natsumi? Wasn't her own life force already stolen by Apollogeist?
All they had to do was take it back.
That's why Carl had knocked Apollogeist unconscious and dragged him here.
Just in case, he'd even thrown in a Gijinka Demon for good measure.
He blinked and looked down at the two bodies on the floor.
Hokama Yukio: "B-But… wouldn't that be kind of wrong, Carl-dono?"
Carl: "What's wrong about it?"
Carl: "That life energy belonged to Natsumi to begin with."
Carl: "If he hadn't stolen it, she wouldn't be in this state."
Carl: "So? What's the problem with taking it back?"
Hokama Yukio thought it over… and realized Carl was right.
Without hesitation, he turned the Dual-Sided Energy Mirror toward Apollogeist.
Glowing red streams of life energy flowed out of Apollogeist's body and into the mirror.
Then, gently, Hokama Yukio pressed the device against Natsumi's cheek and activated the transfer.
As the energy flowed back into her,
Natsumi, pale and pained just moments ago, stirred slightly.
Her eyes fluttered open.
Hokama Yukio and Yusuke lit up.
Natsumi Tachibana: "Tsukasa...? Yusuke...?" Original content can be found at Nove1Fire.net
Still dazed, she sat up slowly.
Hokama Yukio exhaled in relief.
He didn't say anything, he never did in moments .
But Yusuke rushed over, full of concern.
Yusuke Onodera: "Natsumi! Are you okay?"
Natsumi Tachibana: "I'm fine…"
Yusuke Onodera: "Really? How do you feel?"
Natsumi Tachibana: "Still okay."
He held up three fingers.
Yusuke Onodera: "How many fingers am I holding up?"
Natsumi Tachibana: "Three."
Yusuke Onodera: "Great! That's great!!"
Yusuke was overwhelmed with joy.
Hokama Yukio remained silent, but the smile on his face said everything.
Natsumi looked at him. She didn't quite understand what had happened, but she instinctively smiled back.
For a moment, the air in the room was warm and peaceful.
Then Hokama Yukio remembered something.
Hokama Yukio: "Natsumi, there's someone I want you to meet."
Hokama Yukio: "His name is Carl. Or you can call him Superman."
Hokama Yukio: "He's the one who saved your life today."
He gestured toward where Carl had just been.
Yusuke Onodera: "That's right! All thanks to Superman!"
Yusuke Onodera: "Yes, the Superman from the movies and comics, that Superman!"
But Natsumi looked confused.
She followed the direction of Hokama Yukio's hand... then frowned.
Natsumi Tachibana: "Superman? Carl?"
Natsumi Tachibana: "Tsukasa, Yusuke, what are you even talking about?"
Natsumi Tachibana: "There's no one here except you two, and those enemies on the floor."
Hokama Yukio: "What are you saying?"
He turned and pointed to where Carl had just been…
Only to find the space completely empty.
Hokama Yukio: "W-What the… Where'd he go?"
Yusuke Onodera: "Where's Superman?"
Natsumi Tachibana: "You guys, stop messing around!"
Natsumi Tachibana: "What Superman? You think I'm a kid?"
Yusuke Onodera (muttering): "He was literally right here a second ago…"
Then he turned serious.
Yusuke Onodera: "I'm telling the truth, Natsumi. It really was Superman."
Yusuke Onodera: "He brought back Apollogeist."
Yusuke Onodera: "And he even killed Narutaki!"
Afraid she wouldn't believe him, he added,
Yusuke Onodera: "He's Tsukasa's friend. Right, Tsukasa?"
Hokama Yukio: "Uh... yeah."
Hokama Yukio: "Hold on. I'll go ask Carl-dono where he went."
He stepped out of the room and found a quiet corner.
Then, his consciousness entered the group chat.
📱 Group Chat – Dimensional Travelers Association
『Passing Kamen Rider』: @Carl-dono, where'd you go?
『Blade King of Heaven』: (?????) Whoa, the main man himself appears!
『What If My Little Sister Is Chuunibyou』: Lurking 👀
『Passing Kamen Rider』: You disappeared so fast!
『God Among Men』: I've already returned to my own world.
『God Among Men』: You all looked like you were having a moment. I didn't want to interrupt.
『Passing Kamen Rider』: Oh… I was hoping to introduce you to Natsumi!
『God Among Men』: Maybe next time.
『Passing Kamen Rider』: Alright, then I'll treat you to a meal next time, something I cook myself!
『Passing Kamen Rider』: Thanks again for everything, Carl-dono.
『Passing Kamen Rider』: If you ever need anything from me, just say the word.
『God Among Men』: No need for thanks. I already received my reward.
『God Among Men』: Besides, this group encourages mutual support.
『Passing Kamen Rider』: Still, I appreciate it.
『Passing Kamen Rider』: I've got some things to deal with now. We'll chat again soon.
『Passing Kamen Rider』: Take care, Carl-dono.
『God Among Men』: See you next time.
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