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She’s late again.
Chris Tachibana looked at the clock, as the hour hand was a little past twelve.
She should be used to this by this point, but she isn’t. Haruka was having a sleepover with Hana, so the house felt much quieter than usual. A lot lonelier.
Even in her warm sleepwear, it felt quite chilly in the house.
She heard the door open. Only one person would make their entrance without knocking or ringing the doorbell. Chris sighed as she stood up to greet them.
Rui Tachibana walked into the house, bags under her eyes in her custom tailored SONG uniform. Her prosthetic jaw kept its polished sheen, being kept in good condition ever since she first got it over a month ago. Slipping off her shoes, she walked up to Chris, though she didn’t smile.
“I’m home.”
“Welcome back.”
“...I’m gonna take a shower.”
Rui walked past Chris, who looked back to see her leave. Sighing, Chris went to wait for her in the bedroom. Sitting down on their bed, she reflected on Rui’s current state.
It had been over a month since Rui had received the prosthetic jaw in the accident that cost it. Several parts of the bone had been completely pulverized, her lower teeth shattered, with the skin shredded, unable to be healed or replaced, no matter what SONG had tried. It was a miracle she at least kept her tongue. Naturally, a prosthetic jaw with similar properties to her Elekleid was made, which ended up being quite compatible with her.
Ever since it happened, Rui was putting her all into finding the people responsible for her loss. She was working herself to the bone, maybe even more than Tsubasa.
Whenever she was talking to the others, she was putting on her usual aloof front, but it was clear to everyone that she was exhausted. But every time the others tried talking to her, Rui seemingly didn’t hear them. Either she was purposely ignoring them, or was too tired to hear them, it was unclear.
Nonetheless, Chris had a job to do, and tonight she was going to do it.
She was so deep in thought, she didn’t hear the water stop running, as Rui had come back in. Her hair was still a bit wet, but she was now dressed in a simple black t-shirt and shorts.
“Anything happen while I was out?” Rui asked, tossing aside the towel she used to dry her hair. “Is Haruka already in bed?”
“Haruka’s at Hibiki’s, remember?” Chris asked. “I sent you a text earlier today.”
“Must’ve missed it.” Rui said. “Been busy today.”
“I can imagine…” Chris muttered, as Rui sat down.
The two were sitting in silence, not saying a word. Chris already had a good idea of what to do to help, but she wasn’t sure if it would work.
Ah well, it wouldn't hurt to try.
“Do you want to destress?” Chris asked.
“...why?” Rui asked.
Chris raised a brow. “What do you mean “why?” You clearly need it.”
“...yeah, I do.” Rui looked at her hand, seeing it was shaking. “But I don’t want to put you through that.”
“Put me through what?”
Rui tapped her prosthetic jaw, making a small metallic ping every time she did.
“This thing is just gonna get in the way. I don’t want to do it if you won’t enjoy it.” Rui said.
She was about to get up, but Chris put an arm on her shoulder and pulled her back down.
“Hey, what are you-?”
Chris gently placed a hand on the side of Rui’s face. A few fingers touched her skin, while the others met metal. Chris was gently rubbing her hand back and forth.
Rui thought that her jaw would never be able to feel Chris’s warmth again.
But she did.
“Is that really all that was bothering you?” Chris asked.
Rui reached up, putting her hand over Chris’s, trying to feel as much of her warmth as possible.
“You know that’s not gonna bother me.” Chris gently chided. “I didn’t marry you only for you to still act like this.”
Rui looked down. “Sorry. Old habits.”
Chris let out a small laugh. “Rui, you know you don’t have to shoulder this kind of thing all the time, you know? We’re all here for you.”
With that, she leaned up and kissed her. It admittedly tasted a bit metallic, but she could stomach it since Rui probably tasted the same thing every day. Rui made a soft smile, leaning down as Chris pulled her into a gentle hug. The arms around her made her feel safe.
“Break that bad habit, alright?” Chris said, patting Rui on the back. “I don’t want Haruka picking it up.”
“Ha ha, yeah…” Rui sat up.
“So, you ready to destress now?” Chris asked her.
“...give me a minute. I need to make a quick call.”
Rui stepped out of the bedroom, grabbing her phone off the table. She scrolled down her contacts to a certain name, before calling.
“Is that you, Rui?”
“Yeah. Sorry for calling this late, Commander. But I was wondering if-”
“Elfnein had already prepared it ahead of time. I’ll send it along.” Genjuro said.
“Heh. Thanks, old man.”
Haruka was holding Hibiki’s hand as they walked over to the house. Hana was slightly lagging behind the two, only occasionally glancing at the house, as well as Hibiki’s prosthetic arm. It looked normal enough, but it was painfully obvious it wasn’t real.
“Thanks for letting me stay over, Aunt Hibiki.” Haruka smiled.
“Ah, it’s not a problem.” Hibiki grinned. “But I bet your Moms missed you all night though.”
Hibiki pressed the doorbell, before hearing the footsteps behind the door. After a click, Chris opened it up.
“Hibiki.” She greeted, looking down to see her daughter. “Haruka!”
Haruka gave her mother a big hug, grinning. “Hi Mommy!”
“Here to drop her off?” Chris asked Hibiki.
“Well, I thought it would be a good chance to check up on Oneesan.” Hibiki said. “She was pretty tired last night.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that.” Chris smiled. “She’s doing fine. Come on in.”
Hibiki stepped into the house with Hana, while Chris patted Haruka on the head. As they all entered the living room, they could smell the bacon and eggs that Rui was likely preparing.
“Oi, Chris.” Rui’s voice called. “You like your eggs over-easy, right?”
“You know I like it over-well! Burned to the pan on the bottom and chewy on top!” Chris called back.
“Sunny side up for me, Mom!” Haruka called
“Oh, you’re back, Haruka?” Rui asked.
Rui walked into the room, and nearly everyone gasped. Chris hid a small chuckle.
She was dressed in simple home clothes, wearing a pair of track pants and a Kamen Rider t-shirt (of course). But what stood out was her jaw.
No longer was it the mechanical slab of steel that resembled the Elekleid. It resembled how she used to look, seemingly flesh and all. If you looked closely, you could see the lines on the side of her face where the metal met skin, but with how thin the lines were, you could barely tell.
Haruka was the first to react, running at her Mom and jumping into her arms. Rui caught her, as Haruka wrapped her arms around her neck.
“Mom… your face…” Haruka said softly.
“Yeah.” Rui patted her daughter on the back. “I asked SONG to get me the more “normal” looking one.”
“I’m so happy…” Haruka tightened her arms.
Rui smiled, gently lowering her daughter down. Chris took Haruka to the kitchen, to manage the food in Rui’s place.
It was Hibiki’s turn next to talk, as stepped up to her sister, pulling her into a hug.
“So you finally got it, huh?” Hibiki asked.
“Yeah.” Rui said. “Decided that I’m gonna keep this one for home.”
“But you’re gonna use the other one outside out of home, yeah.” Hibiki asked.
“...yeah.” Rui admitted.
“Well, it’s a step at least.” Hibiki said. “Ooh, I should call everyone!”
Rui sighed. “Fine. Call everyone over. They should all see this, at least.”
“You should probably prepare some snacks for a few more people then.” Chris chuckled, poking her head in.
“Why am I always the one cooking?” Rui asked.
“Because you’re a fantastic cook?” Haruka said, poking her head out too.
Rui rubbed the back of her head. “Fair enough.”
Hibiki went to join Chris and Haruka in the kitchen. This left Rui and Hana in the living room by themselves.
Rui looked down towards her niece, who was struggling to say anything. Kneeling down, Rui gently rubbed her on the head.
“It’s fine, Hana. You didn’t do anything wrong.” Rui reassured her.
“But I…”
“And even if it was your fault, which it isn’t, I’ve already forgiven you.” Rui promised. “So you don’t have to be sad around me anymore, alright? I don’t think anyone would want that.”
Hana put her arms around Rui tightly. “Thank you… I’m so glad, Aunt Rui.”
Rui returned the hug. “Yeah… me too. Now, let’s get some breakfast, alright?”
Hana nodded. Her bright smile seemed to be returning.
The bright smile that Rui had told her to protect.