Souji (Kyoryuger)/Kotoha (Shinkenger): Chance To Protect A Future

Chances are something I chose to ignore before. But now that I have a battle to face, a chance to protect a future with you is what I need to grasp... — Florence Joyce

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Souji could only heave several deep breaths right after finishing off the last of the monsters that suddenly spawned off from the sewers. It was just supposed to be an ordinary day that he was planning to spend alone as he tried to think of a way to finally implement his plan.

But then, this happened.

Was there something going on that he was not aware of at the moment?

"Souji-kun!"

Even when he wasn't looking, he already knew who called him. Inwardly, he smiled as his face sometimes struggled to actually show what he intended to let the other person know. But of course, it wasn't all the time that he could do that, considering that the person who just called him happened to be someone he was rather fond of.

At the moment, however, he was doing his best not to show anything as they were both fighting enemies. It also looked like she was done fighting enemies on her side if he was to base it on the fact that Kotoha wasn't donning her Shinkenger suit when she started approaching him.

"Are you alright, Kotoha-san?" he asked as soon as she stopped in front of him.

She nodded. At that moment, he disintegrated his own Kyoryuger outfit before heaving a heavy sigh once more. This was not what he had in mind when he decided to invite her for a day two days ago. Then again, peace would never be eternal.

Which was why there were several generations of heroes like the two of them showing up to ensure that the majority of the time, people were safe from these monsters. Ayakashi or Deboss Army alike.

"I guess this date is ruined now that this has happened," Kotoha suddenly said, which snapped Souji out of his musings.

Of course, he wasn't expecting that one word to come out of her mouth. Maybe that was why he couldn't speak at first.

"I wonder what happened, though. I haven't heard anything from the others about possible enemies appearing like this," she continued as she looked around, as if looking for something.

Even Souji couldn't believe that such an attack happened almost all of a sudden. There wasn't any mention of it in his last meeting with his teammates. Just what the heck was going on?

While thinking of that, Souji once again looked at the woman in front of him still looking around. She could still be trying to sense any incoming enemy attacks.

"Let's get out of here for now. I think the others will be able to catch up with us soon."

Though hesitant, Kotoha smiled soon after and nodded. But along the way, there were no words that pierced the silence hovering between them at the moment. Even so, it didn't stop him from continuing to look at Kotoha as he matched her pace.

To be honest, he didn't know why he was doing this. But he never tried to stop himself from continuing to look at her, ever since they first met. Of course, all this time, he tried his best to hide it from everyone.

Especially from her.

"You're not hurt, are you?"

That question laced with a worried tone pulled him out of his reverie. He shook his head as an answer before smiling. "They didn't get to hurt me. So don't worry."

"Even so... Those Ayakashi from earlier were unusual. I don't recall ever fighting an Ayakashi like that before."

He could say the same to the Debo Monster that he saw attacking earlier and the one Kotoha fought earlier as Shinken Yellow. Just what in the world was going on?

"Souji-kun, are you sure you're alright? You've been spacing out again."

Crap! She noticed. Souji only smiled and just continued walking beside her. "Sorry. I couldn't help thinking about what happened today."

"Don't worry. You're not the only one."

As Kotoha smiled at him after saying that, he found himself looking at her once again. He still couldn't understand why he kept doing that, though.

Then again, was there even something wrong with that?

The problem at hand wasn't over yet. At least, he knew that much. But in a way, he could feel it in him — the burning reason why he couldn't (and shouldn't) stop fighting for peace. At the moment, no one around him pointed it out. And he wouldn't let anyone do so.

For now, perhaps it was enough to let this day go on — and to protect more days like this with her.