Chapter Text
The day felt too chill to be real.
Maybe, after three years, he still wasn't adjusted to the difference between a busy city in Japan and a busy city in America, or at least the difference between Boston and Tokyo, where he had decided to live from then on.
Maybe it was the quiet before a storm that he still wasn't aware of. But he wanted to take advantage of every single quiet moment inside that blindspot.
He climbed the stairs that lead to the entrance of the company's headquarters. It wasn't as big as one would expect from the security around the facility, but it wasn't lacking status and modernity either, wherever it was that they got the sustenance to keep that image.
Every time he thought deeply about the company, he could only remember that growing desire inside of him; for anyone else, it would probably be nonsense or just very conceited stupidity. The people who thought that definitely didn't know the concept of dreaming big and projecting yourself towards the future. Neither did him up until three years ago.
His superior, Mikoshiba Shinichiro, stood by a railing on the second floor, with a perfect view of the operations being held by the workers down on the ground floor. Employees were too busy pacing here and there to notice that they were commonly being observed by him, anyways. Yamato approached discreetly to stand by his side, but he never managed to catch him off guard. At that point, he believed that the man had eyes on his back.
"Busy day, Shirai?" asked Mikoshiba, trying to spark up conversation.
"Less than expected, sir" responded Yamato, letting his gaze get lost on the ground floor as well.
"Then I'll assume you have time to speak about pointed matters."
To Yamato, the manager was like a friend or a very close mentor, instead of the boss he had to answer to, like in that moment. But he preferred to treat him as such inside the work environment, or little excuses and exceptions could cost both their reputation. It was a reality he'd been made clear of the first few days he spent at the company, when everyone saw them together for the first time.
Three years had already passed by before he could process, and there was no going back to how things were before he joined.
"They're considering you for a new job." Shinichiro announced, straight to the point.
"Do you know what it is?"
"Not by now."
"Can I tell you once I take it?"
"Not by now."
Yamato looked the man in the eyes, hoping to find something that hinted at him joking. When his manager wasn't notified about the task's nature, it meant something either very serious or very heavy. Just months in his new rank and position had taught them that lesson.
"They're waiting for you inside" finished the oldest before breathing heavily and walking away, probably to his office.
He wouldn't guide him all the way to the high-up's doors and wait for him either, another clue that there was something dissimilar about that situation.
Neither the years of experience nor keeping a cool head would ever take away the sheer terror he always felt once it was time to enter the company's senior office. Just walking through that hallway made him shiver so hard he had to walk faster to avoid it. It was Shinichiro's trust vote that made him relax slightly and keep pushing forward.
When he arrived at the exact floor, an unknown man was already standing in front of the doors, waiting to be granted access. He was tall, pale, with a long angular face and a strict expression that totally fitted that appearance. He was, in general, a leading type of person, someone that should inspire awe in him just with his presence. But, for some reason, he didn't quite give off the same vibes as the bosses he was about to see.
They gave each other a few curious glances before the doors were finally open, and they both entered side by side. They took positions on either opposite side of the room.
"Wakabayashi-san, it's a pleasure to have you here." Started speaking the company's CEO, Nijimura, with an atypical smile,
Wakabayashi. When he took another good look at the man that was now staring at his boss, he noticed the particular white coat with the Fenix engraving. What did Shiro Tsume have to do with Fenix at all?
"On the contrary, I'm glad that you considered our proposition" answered Wakabayashi.
"Well, let's not waste any more time. This is Shiro."
Yamato tensed his posture as he heard his code name. He still had no clue what he was doing there or what would an organization of such caliber need him for, but he couldn't wait to discover the mess. It was news for everyone that new Kamen Riders had arise with technology from Fenix, after the appearance of a monstrous, terrorist cell -who made themselves known as 'Deadmans'- that threatened humanity day by day; the reports on the newscasts were enough to understand they weren't easy to crack, let alone predict.
"Shiro, Wakabayashi-san will explain your mission."
"I'm sure you're aware about the current situation with the Deadmans and Kamen Rider Revice" spoke the commander, with some difficulty to say the heroes' name. Yamato nodded to let him continue. "Our workspace has been compromised ever since we started developing the weapons to fight the Deadmans. Their attacks against the organization have become more meticulous and diligent, all to equip themselves with the power we own."
Another detail he remembered about the Riders from the corporation. Apparently, they had a bunch of powers provided by Fenix, so that would definitely make them more dangerous.
"Director Akaishi along with some executives have made a drastic decision, to place another protection bareer around the Vistamps. We've talked about it with your superiors, and they have authorized your temporary transfer to out facilities for surveillance."
"Excuse me, sir" The black-haired spoke right after. "I don't want to sound rude, but, aren't your troops what you're most known for?"
"Of course, but no one is as capable for a protection job as we are" responded Director Nijimura, smiling and fake as always. "Besides, we need to give back to Fenix, they were the ones who provided the systems that we now use as the belts."
"You mean..."
"the one you're wearing, exactly. The same scientist who created the Revice Driver and Vistamps."
"A single person? The whole code?" questioned Yamato in disbelief, even if he barely knew anything about technology.
"Karizaki-san can be a very peculiar person, but he's not to be underrated" Wakabayashi admitted, apparently with some doubt about his own words.
He attentively listened to all the indications being given, but his mind started flying away as the seconds passed by.
Was it actually a good idea to be so close to the crossfire? Hanging around with the current Kamen Rider's team sounded at least risky, and no matter how many threats had he faced during past jobs, he'd never faced anything similar to the Deadmans. He breathed steadily a few times to keep his composure. The longer he analyzed the situation the worse it got, and yet, he wasn't willing to let this chance go.
"Final word?" finished the CEO, watching his subordinate with intrigue, almost as if he didn't trust him very much.
"... I'll take care of it."
He culminated with a deep bow as a sign of respect before leaving. Hoping they wouldn't remember any other details along the way, he quickly rushed off to go find Mikoshiba. He couldn't tell him about the new job, but he could offer hints and ask questions about information that he might need, and that his manager was obliged to take care of.
"What do you think?" mentioned the oldest while seeing the expression in Yamato's now pale face.
"Worse than I imagined."
What could he even ask about? Many of the things he wanted to discover were probably confidential, and it just felt like Shinichiro wasn't aware of the whole Fenix-Deadman situation because, being honest, not many people cared about the Kamen Riders' doings.
"Do you know the person who created the Creature System?" asked Yamato finally, believing it wouldn't be such a problem. But the look on his friend's face told him that this was indeed a problem. "You know him."
"Not personally. Thank God."
"Thank God?"
After a bit of hesitation, Shinichiro looked through his smart watch before projecting an image over the desk. In the picture was a very spacious and advanced lab with a variety of people working, and a man standing out in the middle. A big, brown-haired young man, wearing a light coat and teardrop sunglasses; he was focusing on a screen in front of him, which showed what seemed to be a prototype for a belt.
"George Karizaki. His father used to direct Fenix's research and inventions before the accident that took his life. And now his spawn is in charge."
"You seem to like him" murmured Yamato, full of sarcasm.
"Oh, no, I don't have any issues with him" Mikoshiba responded. "But you would think the same if you ever saw how he acts."
"Do they work with a demon or something? I'm regretting accepting more and more each time."
"Yamato."
"I'll do what I have to do. The rest is none of my business." It looked like an automatic response, since Shinichiro knew him enough to realize he was bothered.
But Shinichiro couldn't blame him, being the one to install such doubts into his vead. He respected that strong spirit, and also admired the way he regulated it to fulfill his duties correctly. It was that special trait he was looking for years ago, and he still hadn't regretted his decision.
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"What did you want to talk about?"
They met at some little cafe in Akihabara, Yamato had been staying around the area for a while and his plans to return to America were quite known. It was very visible that he wasn't in a good state, neither physically nor mentally; he had a lost gaze and a seriousness that didn't add up for someone so bright and sociable.
"I wanted to know how you were doing, I couldn't reach out before because you were doing your paperwork." After hearing Mikoshiba's first words, Yamato stirred his coffee a bit with his spoon.
"That's not the question you're looking for."
"... What happened to you, exactly?"
The youngest dropped the spoon on the cup and adjusted both arms over the table, like he was totally uncomfortable even if he was expecting that question. After a few momemts, he placed one of his hands over his abdomen.
"They're wounds. Not that serious, I've already been healing... but they're wounds, in the end." Yamato explained while looking at his cup, thinking that would be enough to calm his former superior's doubts. However, the man in front of him was still focused. "... Someone was getting robbed. I couldn't reduce him in time, he went straight for my stomach. I held long enough for the help to come."
"Why are you talking about this like it's the worst tragedy?" Shinichiro's words didn't wait to appear, straightforward and rough. "You should wear it with pride, since it already happened. Come back around with renewed determination."
"I couldn't even level myself to this kind of situation. How could I ever come back?"
Discouragement and pessimism, now, seemed to have a basis to be once Yamato broke down.
"You didn't see their faces, their voices, "we hope to see you again once you've recovered"... Is that what they say to everyone? It's the first time I've spoke to any of you in months" exclaimed the dark-haired, barely noticing the volume of his own voice when a nearby table started staring at them. "They saw my records, how many surgeries it took. They want nothing to do with me anymore. There won't be any re-evaluation."
The oldest, though at first shocked about the information, thought for a moment before chuckling and palming the table, almost as if he was relieved.
"I guessed so. That means I can talk to you about this."
"What?"
"Just listen. You don't need to say anything" asked Shinichiro, starting his explanation. "I've been on the talks with a high-security company that's taking its first steps. Veterans, people with tactical experience to conduct specific tasks. Basically a B2B from start to end."
Yamato's eyes widened a bit. What was this sudden conversation all about? And why would one of his former superiors talk to him with such freedom? It was true that Shinichiro had been away from the army for a while, even before his injuries happened, but...
"I'm planning on leaving to join the company, I've done almost all the separation already. I know people from inside and I've been secured a nice spot. It sounds risky, betting everything on a project that's still in formatiom, but I can give you my word that potential is there."
"And my part in all of this is...?"
"Even if they discharge you, here you still have a chance, if I advocate for you I'm sure they'll have you into consideration..."
"So I'm just a charity case, according to you?" argued Yamato, letting go of his cup again and crossing his arms over his chest.
"I understand how you might feel, and why you think it's better to have you guard up" Shinichiro responded, raising a hand to calm him down. "My intentiom was just offering the opportunity, it's on you to take it or not."
It was clear that the youngest wanted to say something else, but preferred to shut his mouth and think. Anyone would say that it was just a trap or some kind of fraud, to be acclaimed without a single merit in one's name, and being promised a better future albeit his current condition. Everything he went through, every failed training that he managed to pass in the end, every day of stupid efforts that didn't seem to go anywhere, that fire inside of him that kept him going no matter what...
But mainly, it was something about the way Yamato's eyes shined as he talked about his labor and how he wished the do important things for the world one day. That was exactly what sparked Shinichiro's interest in the first place: Seeing him so broken when everything he knew was that unstoppable passion. As his former instructor, he felt responsible for giving him those hopes back.
The dark-haired sighed, grabbing the cup again.
"You feel compassion very easily" mentioned Yamato, in what seemed to be a type of compliment.
"You'll have to go through a very strict process to be admitted into the company. Trust me, it's not compassionate" Mikoshiba smiled, prompting a little chuckle out of Yamato. "Is that a yes?"
"Yes, sir. It's a yes."
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The process was accompanied by many difficult decisions. Yamato had to leave his family to stay permanently in Japan, and it took him a whole year to get used to the company, though he wasn't fully attached to it yet. The wound wasn't completely healed as well, but he was used to wounds that never healed, even if they were emotional. They gave him even more determination, one that Shinichiro quite feared but supported nonetheless.
Shinichiro would've liked to define their relationship as that of brothers, but the concept was still a very sensitive topic for Yamato. Still, once concept remained the truth: If they couldn't trust anyone else, at least they had each other.
Who in their right mind decided a skybase was a good idea?
Certainly, such an important job would come with its respective requirements, but he thought he'd be on the ground base for now, and not that he was supposed to enter the most exclusive facility. It made a lot of sense, really, that they kept their most relevant weapons out of reach, as it was apparently an external attack on one of their ground labs which made them act. Probably a base in the sky would be safe enough.
What was he supposed to pack? For how long? He wasn't sure how long would he be there, as they said something about "some weeks and we'll see from then". Of course, he'd need the belt's suitcase for any time he didn't wear it, which were very few. That left him with a total of the suitcase, two big bags and a backpack. Travelling during his childhood and adolescence made him low maintenance and conscious about his luggage whenever it was time to move around.
"Last chance: are you totally sure about this?" interrogated Mikoshiba. Both were waiting on the designated port for pick-up.
"I'm about to board, there's no last chance anymore."
Since the headquarters were always actively floating, Fenix used transfer ships that were constantly moving back and forth, and one of them was already visible in the distance. Looking up, he could distinguish the skybase just underneath the clouds, miles and miles over the skyscrapers. Whatever was the technology they used to develop a sky cruise of those proportions, it was ominous enough to fear Fenix's capacities.
"I'm still wondering..." added Yamato, gaze lost suddenly. "They have their own troops, that's what Fenix is all about, why would they need external help? It's very strange for pretentious people like them."
"I don't think they can trust their own" The brown-haired answered with a sigh. Shinichiro wasn't afraid to express his opinions in front of the young man, feeling the need to warn him about every sign of danger. "There has to be something going on inside... and you're only being pushed into the issue."
"They only chose me because I lead the project that their scientist was responsible for. He made all those weapons and yet can't protect them...?"
Shinichiro laughed after watching the guard bite his lower lip and focus elsewhere, as if trying hard to keep his thoughts to himself and not run his mouth. Yamato liked keeping his composure and discretion, but couldn't help to let out his real feelings from time to time, specially around his friend and confident. Such an ironic and poisonous humor... He'd miss Yamato in general, as he did every time he was sent far.
The vehicle landed and a soldier with the organization's uniform descended from the passenger seat, a sign for Yamato to drain all the humor and go back to strictness. Once he entered his alert zone, it was difficult to talk to him expecting a nice answer, like he was just a guard dog.
"I'll see you in a few weeks" said Shinichiro with a parting bow towards the employees, turned around to leave. He looked over his shoulder for a moment. "Be careful."
Yamato watched his friend go back inside the building. He bowed at the soldier as well and accompanied him towards the vehicle, feeling his chest getting heavier. Shinichiro almost never asked him to take care with such severity.
The real deal didn't him him until they were just a few miles away from the skybase, as happened to him often when partaking on a mission; he was already very worried about the nature of this task and what was going through the mind of the people in charge, but only now had he processed that he'd be entering one of Japan's, if not the world's most important facilities.
He went over all the information he was able to get ever since he received the assignment. Fenix was crutial on the battle against the Deadmans, from which the government and scientists involved had never revealed too much information to the public. All they knew was that the only people who could face them were Fenix troops and the Kamen Riders. The weapons provided by this George Karizaki guy were a bunch of tacky looking stamps with animal genomes called Vistamps, and an advanced transformation called Revice Driver.
Kamen Rider Revice.
At first, he definitely thought that being close to them would mean a lot of disasters incoming, but at the same time it was a relief that they were around. Last time he was in front of one of those masked heroes, it turned into the worst episode of his life. But he knew that their objective was that to protect, and that's what he had always admired about them.
He wondered where those Riders would be today, but got distracted as they arrived.
"Wakabayashi-san awaits for you." The pilot announced without wasting any time, signaling that this was where their trip ended.
Yamato grabbed his belongings and greeted the workers goodbye as they opened the gate. He thought he could get down with a jump, but almost fell over his ankle and could only steady himself at the last second, looking up to find a figure barely a few feet away from him. He immediately recognized the man with the languid expression and impeccable image from weeks ago.
Wakabayashi started walking as soon as the young man stood up.
"Shit..." whispered Yamato, rushing behind him to keep up.
He wanted to keep his composure, he absolutely wanted to, but it was getting clear from the start that they wouldn't give him a break any time soon.
"There's a security check further ahead. On your left you'll find the stairs that lead towards the troop's quarters; that's where you'll be staying. On your right are the stairs that lead to the research area, offices and command room" explained the commander with an invariable voice. "Once you're settled in, head to the command room. So you can... get acquainted."
Wakabayashi nodded and disappeared, leaving him to discover the base on his own like it was some kind of videogame.
'Get acquainted'. Whatever did he need to get comfortable with just to do the job he came to do. Yamato sighed and resumed his steps. How could that man let loose a total stranger inside their headquarters? No matter how much trust Fenix had in Shiro Tsume, their alliance didn't inherently mean they had to be on good terms.
Another memory came to mind as he walked upstairs. Where could that scientist be?