Professor Kagawa's hands shake as he dials his wife's cellphone. When she finally answers he asks uncertainly after their son. She says he's fine and with her. Then she hesitantly thinks of telling him about the monster attack earlier, then decides he'll think she's crazy or something, and tells him nothing's wrong. When he hangs up the phone, he finds Toujou staring at him with measuring eyes. He confirms that yes, he's checked on his family but no, he is still firmly dedicated. Later we hear that if they're going to get close to Yui Kanzaki, they're going to need to find another helper now that Nakamura is dead.

A very tall, willowy guard with enormous eyes parks a rich man's car, and is slipped a ton of money to clean the windowshield.

Kitaoka is praising the delicious lunch Goro gave him when there is a pounding on their door. Goro answers it to find Asakura standing out there. He gets ready to fight, but Kitaoka tells him to stand down. Asakura has lost interest in Kitaoka. He wants to know where Toujou the Tiger is. Kitaoka has no idea. He loses his lunch to the hungry Asakura, who even eats the shell on the plate while the other two men gape at him, then leaves. Kitaoka takes it in stride and asks Goro to please make him another lunch.

Shinji arrives at the office to find that everyone (except Reiko, who isn't there right then) is very excited over the photo Shimada had taken. Okubo had gotten it confirmed. The image of a strange being in the glass is real. The being is INSIDE the glass, and no reflection. When Shinji only stares numbly at it, Okubo starts to get suspicious and our boy pulls himself together to ooh and aah over the picture. About then the door opens and the girls gape. Shinji just stares. Okubo doesn't recognize the man at first but when he finally does all three of them go into hysterics, fighting for the phone to call the police. Asakura ignores them all and asks Shinji to come with him. Outside, he asks how to find Toujou, but Shinji refuses to tell him even though, as he admits, he strongly dislikes the other man. Delightfully, the rest of the staff arrive shortly armored with brooms, sheilded by buckets on their heads and ready to save Shinji from the bemused Asakura, who just leaves.

The willowy young man arrives at Atori, proves to be Kamen Rider Impaler (though I knew that) and hands out his business cards to Ren and Shinji. His name is Sano. He is like a wriggly puppy, wants to be their friend, thinks they are just SO cool and they would be such great seniors. Shinji's soft heart melts, but Ren is icy and wise. He grabs Sano by the shirt and tosses him out. Sano pouts at him and leaves.

Reiko comes to confront Kitaoka with the photo and the fact that it's real, and with the image printed from the video tape of Kanzaki in the mirror. Kitaoka plays it down and tries to convince her she's making up excuses to see him because she likes him. When she stomps out in a rage, he races after her to apologize leaving his lunch behind, which a patient Goro covers with saran wrap to keep it fresh. Kitaoka ends up chauffering Reiko and she makes him take her to Seimeiin University. She is headed for room #401, but Professor Kagawa and Toujou prevent her from getting in. Kitaoka eyes Toujou with a nagging suspicion. After, they sit outside on a bench, talking. But then Kitaoka notices Toujou watching them from inside the building. The boy closes the blinds and then there is a Mirror-breach. Tiger bursts out of the nearby window and comes at Reiko. Kitaoka throws her down to avoid the attack, and she hits her head and loses consciousness. This allows him to safely haul out his deck to change, but when he holds the deck up to the window, the blinds open and he finds Toujou inside, with his deck. The two Riders change and enter the window on opposite sides (which is pretty funny to watch).

They are battling when Ren and Yui pass by and see the fight. Kitaoka goes for final vent, but Toujou uses Freeze Vent. This totally works and then Toujou calls for Final Vent, and the Tiger grabs Kitaoka and starts dragging him to its Rider. Fortunately, Ren chooses this moment to put in an appearance and chases off Toujou. He gets out into the real world and finds Kitaoka, just out of the window and in bad shape. Thankfully for their secrets, Reiko is long gone. "He was too strong," Kitaoka says feverishly. "And I'm getting weaker." Startled, Ren starts to form a question but doesn't get a chance to ask it. Kitaoka topples over, unconscious.

He regains consiousness in a hospital bed, to find Ren nearby. And to find the other Rider knows, now. Ren being a frequent visitor at this hospital, and the doctors are used to telling him what's going on, it had never occurred to them not to answer when he asked.

Episode 42

The two come out of the mirrors in Lab 401. Their armor flitters away as they pant wearily. Behind them a too-cheerful voice says, "So sorry for your trouble! But what did you think? Aren't I good?" The bright-eyed boy is there, and he goes to a mirror to fuss with his hair. Toujou doesn't take his eyes off him, hunter regarding prey. Professor Kagawa glances his way. Sano continues saying how he isn't really very smart, straightening up from the mirror. Toujou takes a menacing step towards him. "You mean you contacted Kido before you contacted us?" "Oh, yeah. I did." "And what did they say?" Toujou asks, eyes deadly in their focus on the taller boy's face. Sano looks unhappy, lowering his gaze. I'm not sure if he says the truth or not, but he's on his own.

Later, he's back at work. He sits in his chair near the exit from the parking lot admiring his deck. When an expensive car passes him, he leaps quickly up to call to the driver salutations and please come again and bows deeply to the departing vehicle. This puts his face right down in the invisible gas fumes and he coughs for a time as he gets back in his chair. Back to dreaming of the riches he will get if he wins.

Kitaoka has been discharged from the hospital, and Goro is there to take him home. Opening the car door for his boss, he then goes to the driver's seat. He asks worriedly if Kitaoka is really all right. Kitaoka reassures him with a pleasant smile, however to me he looks too pale, dark circles around his eyes. His thoughts go back to the battle with Tiger. He had almost died. Thinking about it, he stares out the window and asks Goro if he thinks he's weak as a Rider. Goro hesitates, confused by the question and worried. Tentatively he starts "That's - " but Kitaoka cuts him off to clarify, "Not because I'm ill. It's just... I don't think I'm getting stronger." He sounds lorn and Goro snaps firly, "That's not true." There is a moment, when Kitaoka looks at him with eyes a bit lost. Keeping his eyes on the road Goro says quietly, "You are strong." He meets Kitaoka's gaze. "You're a strong person." The seriousness gets to be too much for Kitaoka and he grins, slaps Goro's arm playfully and looks away. Goro can't help but chuckle, too.

Atori Tea House. Yui is serving customers, it's a busy lunch. The door slams open to admit someone and she moves to greet the new customer. She doesn't know him, but it is Sano, looking around with innocent curiosity. "Welcome," Yui tells him. "Table for one?" He turns his gaze to her and his eyes go wide with appreciation. Somewhat shrilly he replies, "Yes!" His tone attracts Shinji's attention. Seeing Sano, he leaps into action and grabs the boy, asking Yui to go worry about the other customers. He drags Sano off, while the gangly young man twists to smile widely at the rather confused Yui.

"Man, she is just the prettiest thing! Is she your girlfriend?" he turns eagerly to Shinji once they're in a back corner. Shinji is slightly exasperated, "No, no she's not. But you know those riders you met yesterday? Kagawa and Toujou, they..." he comes in close and whispers into the boy's shirt, "They're trying to murder Yui." Sano's face goes still and thoughtful, but when Shinji looks up he is all innocent smiles. "Oh, is that what you guys are up to?" Shinji hushes him urgently. He stutters on more softly about that's what he could fight for (I think protecting Yui is the implication). Shinji's lips go thin and he says, "But you - " and slams his hand firmly on Sano's shoulder "fight for regular reasons." "Eh?" logically replies Sano. "But I've contracted a monster!" Hmm. Maybe Shinji said he mustn't fight. Shinji is trying anxiously to explain that this is not a game and the boy is all excited. For once the shoe is on the other foot. With a sigh of exasperation Shinji asks him wryly why he became a Rider. Sano grins back at him, then starts to look troubled and sits down. He talks about fighting, about girls (and we are shown Yui washing dishes while he says that) and mentions that Kanzaki had made him a Rider. Shinji worriedly sits down next to him, trying to find out more, asking questions that Sano answers with a shaken yes. "I want to be cool, like you guys." Shinji shakes his head and pats Sano's shoulder again. "I want to do it correctly, like you guys." Shinji has closed his eyes and nods his head, hand still firmly on Sano's shoulder. But when the boy anxiously says he can be just as good as them, Shinji tries to reassure him both and scold, saying there's nothing to be done. Whatever Shinji says eventually shocks the heck out of Sano, who to Shinji's confused reaction, grabs his hands and thanks him firmly. Shinji doesn't notice Sano's frustrated exasperation. I'm thinking Sano was asking about monetary compensation.

In Lab 401 that night, under skies full of rolling thunder, Sano comes to the others. "So, I hear you want to kill that girl Yui. That sounds pretty interesting, eh?" Toujou quietly closes the door to the lab so no one can hear. Kagawa explains that it's a matter of one life versus many. Which is better? And I believe the offer of immortality is brought up. Sano gets terribly excited, twisting around to look innocently up at Toujou, who is trying to loom over him. Kagawa accepts his offer of power, but then the boy brings up the matter of payment and this makes Kagawa chuckle.

Under a bridge by the river is our feral Asakura. He has a hot fire going, breaks some more sticks to put on it. He's got a salamander on a stick he's been roasting, and it's ready to eat. With a ruffled sound, he bites in. I guess it tastes better than he expected. He takes the next bite with greater relish. And then the sound of a mirror-breach rolls over him sharply. He simply listens for a moment, then shakes his head slightly. "It's you." He turns and looks back over his shoulder without surprise. It is indeed Kanzaki standing behind him. Understanding Asakura as he does, he gets straight to the point. "Alternative Zero is Hideyuki Kagawa. Kamen Rider Tiger is Satoru Toujou. I'll tell you where they are. Fight." There is no hesitation, just a calm acceptance. "Oh. Thank you." He glances at his salamander, some shade of courtesy in him makes him tilt it towards Kanzaki. "Want some?" When Kanzaki only stares at him, he lets it down and says musedly, "No, no way you would." And he goes back to eating while Kanzaki watches.

Kitaoka is delighted to be able to usher Reiko into his home. He takes her coat. Goro bows in greeting and trails behind them as they move down the stairs into the area he usually works in. Kitaoka is welcoming her, but as usual she is here on business. She wants to know what happened the other day. She even asks him gently. "What are you talking about?" he says, troubled and not looking directly at her. Exasperated she reminds him that something happened when they were sitting together.

She remembers clearly how he'd been looking to his right, then back at her. Gaze slipped beyond her and then he'd called her name in alarm and grabbed her, throwing her to the ground. She remembers a sense of something large suddenly passing them, she'd cried out and hit her head. Momentarily stunned, she heard him calling her name, felt his anxious hand on hers. Then he was gone and she opened her eyes. There was no one, no one anywhere. She was alone.

"All there was near us were those huge, glass windows," she points out now. "There has to be a relationship - " Then Kitaoka slams his palms flat on his table, startling her into looking at him, wide-eyed. Goro, bringing tea or something, watches the scene in some surprise. "That's quite enough of this, Reiko-san!" There is earnest panic in Kitaoka's gaze as he confronts her, lays his hands on her shoulders and stares determinedly into her eyes. He grasps at straws to tell her sternly that a journalist shouldn't get caught up in weird dreams. He tells her to wake up. She stares back at him.

Reiko leaves, marching down the road with angry steps. A baseball lands and rolls against her foot. She stops, turns to stare at one of those netted batting practice fields. "Stories about dreams!!" she snarls as she hits balls towards the target. "My work?!" She is furious, and it lends strength and accuracy. Possibly she's imagining Kitaoka's face as the target she's hitting the balls at. And she's pretty darned accurate, too.

"Is this all right, Sensei?" Goro asks uncertainly. Kitaoka leans miserably against the windows. He straightens up after a moment. "I don't want her getting too close to the Riders. She'll be in danger." Goro smiles and almost chuckles. "I like you. What you said." Kitaoka can't take the teasing and asks him to stop, fretting that he's weak. But it's not over yet. He snatches up his coat with determination.

Shinji and Ren are cleaning up at Atori. And Ren is asking about what Shinji's been doing. Well, he's told young Sano about what's up, and it'll be good to have another friend. Ren shakes his head in exasperation and comes over to him. "Why do you think he'll be that? How do you know?" Shinji doesn't let himself be shaken by the asking. He says he thinks the boy is a really nice kid. Finally furious, Ren throws his mop down and stalks at Shinji, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and calling him a fool. He's worried about Yui, but now he leaves and a worried Shinji races after him. Ren leaps onto his bike, helmet in place and Shinji manages to slow him down enough to ask "Where are you going?" Well, he's going to where Kagawa and Toujou are. It's time this was settled.

The doors to Room 401 slam open. The room is black and empty. The man standing in the doorway is tall, body-language ready to attack. He walks in, wanders over and tuns on the light, grinning. It is Asakura, but we knew that. Then he looks dismayed. The room is empty save for a few mirrors. Looks like they got out of here in a hurry. Asakura rushes forward and gazes all around, hoping against hope for something tangible. Finally he gets furious and screams.

Toujou is driving, Kagawa in the passenger seat. They are not fools. Kagawa says they'd stayed there too long. And Toujou asks so what are they going to do now?

Askakura has snatched up a heavy metal bar and is relieving his fury by smashing things with it. He totally shatters one mirror. He keeps going until he slips and falls, landing on his back. Still snarling, he slams his bar against the offending floor and leaps up again to continue his campaign against anything still upright in the room. A voice cuts firmly into his fury. "So this is their base." (That's a very iffy translation there) It is Kitaoka, arrived and standing calmly in the doorway. He closes the doors behind him. Asakura's gaze narrows. "You," he starts forward. Kitaoka simply says, "So you're still after Toujou." Asakura's voice goes deep with fury, "Anyone will do." "Yeah, I know. But your main dish?" and he adds something else. Snarling, Asakura grabs a chair and throws it vaguely in his direction. Kitaoka swallows slightly, then walks forwards. Asakura steps to meet him, asking with curiosity, "So what are you going to do this time? Are you going to call the police again?" He swings his heavy metal bar and holds it across his shoulders, circling Kitaoka who behaves as if it doesn't matter. But Kitaoka replies something to the effect that he isn't, because Asakura isn't human, and the police can only hold a human. Their conversation probably gets very interesting, for something Kitaoka says makes Asakura laugh mockingly. He starts back around him when the doors swing open wide. "Oh," Asakura says in half-surprise, half-greeting. For it is Ren and Shinji, and Ren utters a startled, "You guys!" Kitaoka says, "Well, four of us are here. How unusual."

Lunchtime. Kagawa and Toujou sit side-byside. They are in a nice restaurant, there with Kagawa's wife and little boy. Mrs. Kagawa asks Toujou about America, talks of how impressed with their work she is. Toujou glances down. Once it would have been shyly, but I think it is more in contemplation, now. Kagawa says affectionately to his wife, "That may be saying a little too much, dear." Embarrassed at invading the boy's personal space, she sheepishly apologizes. Then she turns to her son. "Yuuta dear. You have a present for your father?" The boy confirms happily. His mother helps him unroll the picture he made. It is a drawing of his father, and Kagawa grins, the weight of work lifting from his shoulders at this. He takes the picture and studies it, then asks with interest what the leaflike pale things on his shoulders are. "Those are my hands!" Yuuta cheerfully replies. His mother laughs with delight and says "You're giving him a piggy-back ride! He always loves being with you so much." At that the smile wavers slightly. Kagawa is worried about his family. He leans over to whisper to Toujou. He is worried, too, about Toujou lately and his dedication to protecting people. Toujou's eyes light coldly on Yuuta, and his hand strays towards his fork. But he bumps it against another utensile and the sharp resulting sound breaks him from his anger. They all look at him in surprise and he blinks back.

In Lab 401, Asakura is still stalking. His attention focuses briefly on the silent Ren. He says three people are all right. "It'll be fun." Shinji doesn't like him saying that and reacts to it. But Kitaoka cuts him off, asking about what he's thinking. He knows now that Kagawa intends to close the Mirror World, Shinji and Ren must have been sharing information in this room. "Isn't that what you want?" he asks curiously. Shinji stiffens and looks away. "Aren't you just like them?" Offended at the suggestion Shinji growls that he's not. He ducks behind Kitaoka to whisper to Ren to please tell them it's not true. He's no murderer. Ren's eyes spark slightly, then he leans forward. "Well, a bad person," Ren starts. "A bad person," echoes Shinji. "Is just like him." "WHAT?!" squawks Shinji, leaping to his feet. Furious, he leaps to swing wildly at Ren but Kitaoka stands up and grabs him, pulling him across the room. Asakura has sat down in a chair and seems to be ignoring them all, his back turned. Kitaoka heads back to the chair he was sitting in and says, "Everyone who thinks Shinji Kido is a bad person, raise your hand." He sits and raises his right hand high. Ren calmly raises his left hand. Shinji hisses in indignation. Then he sees to his surprise that Asakura hasn't moved. He is grateful, and says his name with relief. "You..?" he starts but Asakura cuts him off with an amused snort. "This is stupid. I don't give a damn." Hurt again, Shinji can't think what to say. Kitaoka stands up again. "All right then. Who thinks Shinji Kido is a fool?" Poor Shinji nearly bites his own tongue. "Raise your hand." Kitaoka raises his. Ren puts his right hand up this time, as far above his head as he can reach. Now this part interests Asakura and he turns around to look at the shaking Shinji. He considers the boy, smiles a bit and nods slightly, which makes the uncertain Shinji sigh with relief, then ever so slowly, raises his hand. Poor Shinji is utterly crushed. He falls to his knees, sniffling. This game over, Asakura stands up and says to the other two men, "Let's go." They file out, chuckling, leaving Shinji behind.

Driving his scooter somewhere, Shinji is muttering to himself over and over about that. He is deeply unhappy. He doesn't hear at first someone far above calling "Senior!" Sano is racing down a pedestrian overpass, trying to get Shinji's attention. Finally it works. They walk together, Shinji pushing his scooter. He asks Sano tentatively, "Do you think I'm a bad person?" Startled to be asked Sano says, "Oh no! Why, you're a very nice guy." Shinji is only partly relieved. Then he asks more tentatively, "Do you, you don't think I'm... um, uh, just a little... stupid?" Sano laughs at that and says no way, he seems pretty smart. But then a distant sound catches his attention. The relieved Shinji is so absorbed in his own misery he doesn't notice Sano run off. "You're the only person to say that." But then he realizes he's talking to himself and looks around in surprise.

Yui is walking home with the groceries when a Mirror-breach catches her attention. She looks around to find some half a dozen gazelle-types in the nearest reflecting surface, clearly heading for her. With a gasp, she drops her groceries and starts to run. Shinji makes it to the top of the pass just in time to hear her scream. A gazelle has her arm and is dragging the struggling girl into the glass. Shinji arrives and quickly changes into his armor. He heads into the glass.

The gazelle has brough Yui to a lookout point where its Rider waits. It throws her to the cement and she cries out in pain and fright. "You're sure pretty," comments the Rider. Yui whirls and stares at him in shock. "But this is business." And he pulls out a card and puts it in. "Spin Vent," announces his visor. The two-pronged weapon appears in his hand and Yui gasps in horror, knowing it's meant for her. But when he moves to strike, Ryuuki is there with his blade to stop him, and in a fury. "You! Why? I thought you were on our side!" Straining against him, Impaler replies, "There's a condition to my alliance!" and manages to shove him away. "I have to make a living!" They fight furiously, Ryuuki is the better and manages to pin Impaler back against a barrier. But Alternative Zero comes to help, knocking him away. Tiger is there, too, attacking cruelly. Ryuuki is trapped at the center of the three men's attack. Yui watches in horror as Zero slices his back. They put in their Advent cards and send their monsters after Yui. She backs arway and ducks behind a pillar as the Gazelles leap and grab for her. Ryuuki can't break loose to help, and they corner her against a door. Three Gazelle's and Alternative's Psycho Rogue. They close on her to tear her apart. And then....

Yui's eyes go black and cold. The four monsters freeze as though they've come up against a barrier. The strange activity catches Alternative's eye and he turns. The monsters seem afraid. And then a determined finger can be seen approaching them. They back away, both afraid to move and afraid to be touched by it. Yui has them at bay, and the Riders stare in surprise, distracted for a brief moment from their fight. She walks stiffly from the shelter, and she is glowing golden from within her body. She turns slowly towards the four men, her pointing finger the focus of the monsters' attention until they follow it to where it points. Alternative is the only one free enough to really understand that something is happening, and he takes a few steps forward while the others fight. And the monsters are suddenly attacking their Riders. Only Ryuuki stands unmolested. The attack by his own confuses Impaler, but Alternative beats back his monster. "What is going ON?" wonders Ryuuki.

Yui stands, aglow. Her body shifts and shimmers like two halves of a reflection melding and blurring. In another level of mental existence she stands under falling feathers. In a world of grey where those feathers seem black. Her voice echoes, saying the names of the monsters. And in the Mirror World she still stands motionless, only her finger pointing at the struggling Riders. Alternative gets loose from the battle. "You monster!" he snarls, and he leaps at Yui. She doesn't even react. She is looking straight at him, but I don't think she even sees him. He gets ready to strike her down. "Sensei?" says Toujou from behind him. He turns in surprise. And then Toujou attacks, throwing him down a level. "Toujou, why?" Tiger stares down at him, and then answers as he approaches the injured man. "Sensei, I don't WANT the Mirror World to be closed. I want to fight the Rider fight, to live forever." And he puts in his Final Vent. His Tiger comes and drags Alernative to him. His claws pierce deep. The deck Kagawa had made is destroyed. And more... he utters a strangled noise of agony, on his knees now. "I used to think you were more important than anything, Sensei. But now... now I want to live forever." Toujou carries Kagawa's corpse from the Miror World. Or in the Mirror World, but he's out of his armor so I'm not certain. And he weeps. "I'm sorry, Sensei," as his teacher's body disintegrates. "I'm really sorry." But he also smiles sickly. It's hard to be sure. And then the body is finally gone and he just stands there.

Yui still stands motionless. Ryuuki has his hands onher shoulders and tries to get her to respond. He doesn't know what to do. She is still glowing from within. And inside she stands in the gray world, feathers falling on her naked body.

Next week: Oja has caught Tiger and is literally cutting him to pieces, too furious to go for a quick kill. Shinji has gone in a panic to Ren, for Yui is still in the Mirror World and they have to find her. Zolda wants to live forever. Tiger looks like he's at bay, possibly gotten away from Oja only to find himself attacked by Zolda. Ren will go with Shinji to find Yui in the Mirror World. Toujou is caught against a rock wall, water everywhere, too badly injured to get up. It may be that Oja is about to add another Rider to his belt, for his is the last voice we hear.

She stands. The inner light no longer radiates from her. She is expressionless and motionless. Her hand has fallen to her side. "Yui-chan..? Yui-chan!" Ryuuki is there, trying desperately to get a response from her. He takes her shoulders and gives her a slight shake. And then the strange groaning noises of the monsters catch his ears. He turns protectively in front of Yui. They are approaching the pair, menacing and slow. Yui seems to see them but does not react, unless reacting is what she's doing when she suddenly closes her eyes. At that very moment, the monsters attack Ryuuki. One stands in front of Yui, then slowly turns to join the battle. All five are trying to tackle him and not quite getting in each other's way. In the meantime, Yui turns. Her eyes are still closed and remain so as she walks away. Pinned and struggling with the monsters, Ryuuki screams her name.

Shinji arrives at Atori in a panic. A girl, short haired and bearing a resemblance to Yui, is sipping coffee when he rushes in and accosts her, then is dismayed to find out she's not Yui. She is more than slightly startled to have a strange young man grab her shoulder. Ren watches in surprise as Shinji accosts another short-haired woman from behind. Exasperated, he stands up. "What are you doing?" he grumbles. Impatient with Shinji, he grabs him and starts dragging him towards the back of the shop. Shinji struggles and makes little sense to anyone as he babbles, "But Yui, Yui is... where did she go?!" Ren is getting ready to bodily throw him through the doorway to the upstairs when Aunt Sanako comes out saying half frantically, "Hey, you boys, part of my household, hey today I really, really need help in the shop!" She's seen them fight before and basically ignores it. But Ren gets himself and Shinji past her, dragging the boy up to their quarters. "Now what's this about Yui?" he demands. Shinji automatically straightens his clothes as he answers nearly out of breath, "I'm not wrong. I saw it with my own eyes! I know you're not gonna believe it, but Yui controlled the monsters, and I don't understand, but there's some kind of relationship between her and the Mirror World - " Ren avoids his gaze, cheekbones sharp " - and I couldn't get her back. She's still there, in the Mirror World!" Ren immediately starts moving, losing the black apron he'd been wearing and snatching up his jacket. "Hey, where are you going?!" protests Shinji. Ren looks firmly at him and says something about there being nothing to do about what's going on here, so he's going to go search for Yui in the Mirror World.

Atori has suddenly become full of a dozen or so customers eating, talking in almost a roar. Something must have been up today. Sanako is practically in a panic as these folks place orders, take photos, finger goods. She can't make sense of what people want. As Ren and Shinji hurry past her she calls to them hopefully but they don't even notice. They are gone and she is alone to deal with this madness. And she can't. Finally she slams herself down to sit cross-legged on the floor, startling her customers who fall silent and stare at her in surprise. "That's IT!" she growls. "I quit this business!"

Toujou walks alone along a sidewalk. The day is bright. Past swans in a lake, towards a street. There is someone watching for him. A tall drink of water who bounds out from behind a pedestrian shelter to greet him and blissfully ignores his silent stare. It is Sano, and he goes on happily about the deal made with Kagawa-sensei and how it falls to Toujou. He's impressed that the other man killed Professor Kagawa. "What do you say?" he asks the silent Toujou. When there is no answer, he goes on about the deal they'd made. Finally Toujou responds, "You're not needed anymore." He starts to walk away, but Sano quickly leaps to cut him off, they make a zigzagging pair as Toujou keeps trying to just walk around the other man, until finally they stop under signs showing that they are at the intersection of highway 1 and highway 404. Toujou stares icily at Sano. "I'm going to be a hero. I'm going to fight, on my own, with MY power, as a Rider." After a moment he says strongly, "I don't need you." A bit taken aback, Sano goes still then says coolly, looking away from him, "Well, nothing to be done I guess. Whatever's okay, then. But you know, your eyes look dead." Toujou seems a bit strained for a moment. The taller Sano finally walks away without looking back.

And Ryuuki runs around in the empty mirror world, crying Yui's name. On streets, down staircases. He searches frantically. Still, silent world. He does not see her standing above him, just watching him. Her expression is still and cold. He runs on.

Sano is at work, earning his few extra dollars by polishing a rich businessman's car. He greets the rturning customer who basically tunes out the youngster's welcoming babble praising his car. He takes out his wallet, pulls out a few bills and drops them over his shoulder to the boy he considers a lesser life-form. Sano thanks him profusely, dropping to his hands and knees to gather up the fallen bills. The man drives his car away, nearly running over Sano's hand as the boy is reaching for a bill which had fallen behind the tire. Sano straightens up, watches the vehicle go with awe or perhaps something harder. He sighs when it is gone and grumbles, "Man, I hate this life." He gathers up bills and polish. "I want to go home," he says wistfully. "But I can't. So what should I do now? Ah! That!"

Atori, later in the day. A weary Shinji returns and hopefully isn't going to find out he and Ren have been tossed out on their ears. He opens the dorr and takes a few heavy steps inside when the sound of dishes clattering attracts his ear. Looking up he finds a most unwelcome visitor. "Oh, senior! Welcome back!" Sano, on his feet, eager to be friends. He is all ready to offer some snacks to Shinji, when our boy lunges at him, bashing the dish aside and grabbing the taller boy. The dish shatters on the floor as Shinji pins Sano on the island, only more furious at the boy's frightened whimper. "Stop, please, senior! I just want to talk to you!" But Shinji has had enough of talking, and then finding himself betrayed. His trusting nature has taken a pummeling at Sano's hands. He babbles back in a fury about Yui and hits Sano with a vicious right cross before tossing him out the door in a fury. Poor Sano is practically hysterical, stumbling out Atori's gates in tears, with Shinji in hot pursuit. A man up the road walking his dog turns in surprise at the commotion, but decides a wise man minds his own business. Sano stumbles briefly to a halt and turns to face the furious Shinji. "I'm sorry!" he cries and runs a little farther before turning to call those words again. Then he is gone. Shinji watches a moment longer, fists clenching and unclenching, breathing hard.

Kitaoka's home. Sweet music plays in the background. His visitor slides a business card across his table. Yes, it is young Sano, come looking for new company. Kitaoka won't even look at him, seems to be agreeing that it's hard for the newest Rider to be all alone. "So, what do you want?" Sano is gaping about at the huge house, the rich trappings of a man who can afford to indulge in superb taste. He is awed and hopeful. Kitaoka practically rolls his eyes as the boy babbles. Goro arrives to set out tea for them. Sano continues on about wanting to be like Kitaoka who is so fantastic and successful, offering his strength to the older man. As Goro holds out some snacks for the boy Kitaoka waves him away. "No, no, Goro-chan. This fellow's leaving right soon." Sano, reaching for the proferred treat, is dismayed as it is silently taken away. "Eh? You're saying no?!" he protests, placing startled hands on the table. Kitaoka sighs, tells the boy he's alone, and being alone is good for him. And then the anxious Sano asks for a letter of introduction to give to other riders. For the first time Kitaoka looks at him, this time a bit strangely and with some amusement. Finally the boy trots off with his letter. Goro firmly closes the door behind him. Kitaoka sits on the small chair next to the door, sipping tea and looking rather bemused. "And THAT'S a Rider..? What'd you think, Goro?" Goro turns, folding his arms, and says nothing. Kitaoka comments mildly, "Someone that new and young has NO idea what he's in for." "Completely," agrees Goro, putting his hands behind his back.

Evening. A Ramen cart sits in the damp streets. Someone is eating there. Someone else approaches. As the clothes come into view we know we are seeing Asakura, who strides confidently towards the cart. And who should be at the cart but Toujou, sipping from his ramen bowl. Asakura comes up on his right, stares him in the eye as he stops moving. "Been looking for you," our snake whispers. Then reaches out and takes Toujou's ramen bowl, sips long before setting it aside with a pleased noise and wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "Come," he says firmly, and heads off. Toujou stands to follow. "It's good to fight after a full meal," Asakura says. "Oh yeah, fun," replies Toujou. And he follows his challenger into the night.

A walkway under the streets, filled with night mists. Mirrors to let people coming opposite ways know if there's someone else in the tunnel. The two Riders stand tall, their decks out in challenge showing each other, belts already materialized around their waists. They turn now to the mirrors themselves to call in their armor. The world glows brightly as it forms around them. Perhaps they were already in the Mirror World, for they do not change. Or even they are fighting in the real world. Tiger's claws are already on his hands. Oja's blade is already in his hands. Tiger lunges, Oja accepts the attack and beats him back down the halls. Tiger is severely outclassed, and it doesn't take Oja long to rip his claws from his hands. Knocked down, he quickly puts his Advent Card in. Destwilder comes, but Oja knows this tactic and simply spins out of its way. He puts in one of his own Advent Cards, and Metalgelas answers quickly, fighting the slightly larger Destwilder, throwing it back against a wall. Oja smugly goes after Tiger again. Though Destwilder manages some good strikes, Tiger is not doing as well against Oja. He can't even hit the lightning fast man. He spends most of his time ducking and taking wild swings.

Attracted by the sounds of the battle, Impaler has arrived in the Mirror World and watches the struggle reflected in the mirror from around a corner where he can't be seen. "Oh. There they are." Oja kicks Tiger back and puts in a Final Vent card. His staggering opponent frantically puts in one, too. Freeze Vent. Thank heavens for him that is just in time to stop Veno Snaker. But it doesn't stop Oja. For he has yet another Final Vent card. Tiger startles and whirls as Evildiver arrives on the scene. He is knocked tumbling and scrambles tiredly back to his feet. When Oja jumps aboard Evildiver and hurtles towards him, he leaps high trying to avoid the strike. This only puts him right in the path of the attack. Oja catches him and throws him hard against the wall. Impaler, still watching, goes "Wow. He's strong." Tiger is in bad shape. He tries to pull himself up as Oja