Kamen Riders Shin & J: Zero Horizon

4 - Here's Your Warning

Early 2020. Several months before the catastrophic event Aruto had experienced and presumably caused. The main catalyst seemed to be at this period of time according to him. However, he did not want to change it. Instead, what he explained was, "I wish to just see what happened... to know why everything went wrong..."

Jiro nodded. "In any case, I shall stay back to prevent suspicion arousing due to such a large group of unusually dressed people gathered in one area."

Kouji looked through the HUD to the world at large. "I think I should be the one to go. You guys can relax for now. Especially you. You need it." He directed the last statements at Aruto.

Shin nodded. "I'll keep watch of them. We'll wait for you to come back."

Kouji's stomach growled, then he nodded in response to Shin's comment. "Well, I'll see you all later. Hopefully with a new passenger and something to eat." He then jumped out of the Time Mazine and landed on the ground. Dressed as he was, he did seem a little dated for the period but still blended in quite well with the general populous. He thought to himself how much more advanced this time period was compared to his own. Feeling drawn to a certain direction, Kouji decided to go and follow it, sensing it may be similar to how he and Shin had their encounter back in their present time. With his instinct not having yet failed him, especially with his enhanced senses, he moved along. After breaking out of his thoughts, his senses took him to a French restaurant, by the name of Bistrot Jurer. Entering, he was gladly welcomed to the cozy atmosphere presented.

A waitress with brown hair in yellow clothes greeted Kouji. "Hi hi! Welcome to our establishment! We're full at the moment, but we can put you on the waitlist. If you wanna, of course."

Kouji sensed something from the waitress and thought to himself. "It was only a matter of time before women became Riders as well, but did it really take over twenty-five years to happen?" Snapping out of his internal thoughts again, he shook his head. "Ah, no thanks. I want something to go, if you please."

The waitress handed a menu to Kouji. "Please take consideration of the options and I'll get back to you, 'kay?" She went over to the back door and called out. "Kairi! We're almost backed up over here! Can you bring some orders over to the tables?"

A man with curly blonde hair dressed in red walked out with a very relaxed but slightly annoyed disposition. "Yeah, yeah. Coming." His gaze crossed Kouji's and it seemed he sensed something.

Kouji sensed something from this man as well and could tell that it was reciprocated. He continued to observe them. "Could it be that multiple Riders are working under one establishment?" He kept his thoughts to himself, as nobody else seemed to sense anything was up. He decided to take a look at the menu.

Kairi didn't yet act on his hunch and took orders casually. Once he was sure nobody else was watching him, he used the short window of opportunity to throw a card, headed right towards Kouji's face.

Kouji was still looking down at the menu and caught the card swiftly with two fingers. He kept looking at the menu and looked at the contents written on the card through the corner of his eye. "What does this man want with me at the back of the restaurant for? If he could do what I thought he did... I might have to take him up on it." He waved over the waitress. "I'm ready to order, ma'am."

"M-ma'am? I'm hardly old enough to have that title used for me..." She brushed behind her hair. "You know, I think it'd be more appropriate to use 'Ms.' with me and-"

"Umika, that's enough. Take his order, will ya?" Kairi shifted back to taking orders of customers who had been waiting for a bit.

Umika cleared her throat. "Okay sir, what would you like to order?" She took out her notepad and pen.