Work Text:
2021
Kakogawa-San,
I cannot get this to you myself but please know we are doing well. Ohma Zi-O knows nothing.
I’m hearing word of resistance in this area, is that you? I think it worries him. It certainly worries me, but I can’t risk my little brother…
Don’t die. Escaping the cage took us a lot of work, and if you want to fight him, please be smart…
A woman in a golden tower of Ohma Tokyo laughs, suddenly. And then she cries.
This is Myokoin, the head intelligence officer for Ohma Zi-O.
A spy.
Oh, who am I kidding? You’re not capable of being careful.
—Second Wind
2025
Kakogawa-San,
Policy has changed again. Do not send in spies as refugees unless they have a plan and run zero risk of exposure. Entire groups will be killed if a spy is found, now.
I can only do so much to cover it up without risking my position.
They’re moving a food shipment from New Ohma City, next week. We have enough here - it’s in prep for another refugee admittance.
I know how you feel about Ohma Zi-O’s cities. I’m not saying he’s doing the right thing, but could you try not to take everything?
2026
“This is your third recapture this year,” Myokoin says. “At some point, he will start suspecting that I help you.”
“Then come with me,” Hiryuu says, huffing as she picks the lock and he blasts through the cage. He’s getting stronger, he thinks. An echo of the power that should be his, the power that ruined his life, and the power that went to one man formerly known as Tokiwa Sougo instead.
Myokoin glares.
“My brother will die.”
“I know,” Hiryuu says. It’s an old argument. “I don’t even know why Ohma Zi-O keeps us around.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Myokoin says. “He considers us friends.”
“He’s delusional,” Hiryuu says. “You say you never even met him before he ended the world?”
“Well…”
“Well?”
“You know how you keep saying you remember those Heisei Riders Ohma Zi-O makes statues of?” Myokoin asks, “but few else seems to?”
“…Yes,” Hiryuu says. “Why?”
“The green and black one… seems familiar,” Myokoin says. “Maybe I just forgot meeting the Tokiwa Sougo you hate so much.”
Hiryuu grabs her collar.
“If you’re thinking of betraying me—”
“Not a chance,” Myokoin says. “I just think… do you think he was always a monster?”
Hiryuu slowly let’s go of her, looking away.
“I don’t,” he says.
If anything, he feels like the one who belongs with a title like that.
2034
I’ve looked into the past - don’t worry, I have all your details to try and kill him on page two.
Don’t do it. You will die.
The Kasshin are based off…
There’s a boy in old photos of him. I can’t get any info on his existence - I know you’ve mentioned your affair with him. Did he have anyone else?
…I don’t expect you to answer this.
Please, Hiryuu… don’t die.
Hiryuu tosses the letter across his tent.
“I don’t care about his feelings, Myokoin,” he says. “Him losing everything isn’t an excuse to end the world.”
2046
My brother’s wife is pregnant. Every moment of care she gets, I think of the people Ohma Zi-O isn’t protecting. And then I think about the control in the cities.
Just because I’m curious doesn’t mean I think he’s right. You know that, right?
But really, Hiryuu. Do you think you’ll ever win?
2051
“Don’t bother,” Hiryuu says, when Myokoin starts to get her lockpick out. “I’m ending this.”
She stares at him. Time hasn’t been kind to wait her of them, but all she has is lines on her face. Hiryuu has silver and white hair and scars from fights, and he doesn’t hold it against her.
Just him .
“Alright,” Myokoin says, arms crossed. “What’s your terrible plan this time?”
“You were right,” Hiryuu tells her. It burns to say. “He did this because he was alone. I’m going to remind him.”
Myokoin’s eyes widens, and she steps toward his cage. Hiryuu raises a hand.
“Don’t,” he says. “Just get me a knife, and if you can, get your family out of here soon.”
“The resistance—”
“Can do without me, now,” Hiryuu says. “But with any luck, won’t be needed by tomorrow.”
Whether or not he wins, it ends for him, this time.
Myokoin sighs.
“Will you ever get tired of fighting?” She asks.
“Not for this,” Hiryuu says, simply.
2052
No one quite remembers who started the resistance anymore. How strange.