Temptation of a Tropical Night - Episode 3
Lance: These three were all classmates during their time at the Academy.
Noah: Oh, really? I didn’t know that.
Shizuru: Yeah, we were in the second generation. Our Leader and I were in the same class, but Koki… that’s his name now, was in a different one.
He’s always been like that, pushing people away and only saying extreme stuff when he does speak.
Well, he definitely stood out in his own way.
Noah: …I can totally imagine that.
Shizuru: Since we were both aiming to become Riders, we were basically equals. It really got to me that there was a weird gap between us, even though we were supposed to be on the same page.
Even then, I couldn’t close that gap... Then a joint class camping trip came up.
I almost got lost in the forest and thought, “Oh no, I’m gonna die,” when suddenly he popped up from the bushes.
Right there, he hunted a wild boar and shared it with me. That’s how he saved my life.
Noah: A wild boar...! Koki-san is really amazing!
Shizuru: Right? He’s basically my lifesaver, after all.
He’s quiet and his behavior can be a bit odd, but ever since that incident, I haven’t felt that strange gap between us anymore.
Noah: Oh….
Shizuru:I ran into him while I was slacking off in a quiet spot, and we started talkin’…
After everything, when I kept chattin’ with him, he actually started responding. I’d say I’m probably the one he’s talked to the most out of his classmates.
Noah: You were close, then. So why does it feel so awkward between you two now…?
Shizuru: Well, there's many reasons why....
Lance: Maybe you should talk it out? You’ve got quite a few awkward relationships to sort out.
Shizuru: You’re right... I’ve definitely pushed a lot of people away, and that’s the harsh truth.
Lance: You should tell Noah, especially in case there'll be any future joint class investigations or similar situations.
Noah: Lance is aware of it too.
Lance: Yeah. When Shizuru and Rui were still active as Chaosism executives, it seems that Soun and Koki had already formed Wisdom Thinks.
Later, thanks to the previous generation, Shizuru and the others had their brainwashing lifted, but Slam Days hadn’t been formed yet… [1]
Shizuru: In short, we were just hangin’ around, not really belongin’ to or forming any classes.
Lance: That’s when Shizuru was approached by Soun to recruit him.
Noah: Huh? To Wisdom Thinks?
Shizuru: Yeah.
I’m not sure if it’s true, but I heard that Koki recommended me, saying I’d be good for business involving women.
Noah: (I guess he is right about that...)
Shizuru: When Soun heard that, he reached out to me...
Noah: And you turned him down?
Shizuru: Yeah, that’s…right.
Noah: That's why it must have been awkward.
Shizuru: If he really did recommend me, then turning it down would feel like I’d be humiliating him… y’know?
Rui: ...What a pain. Stop dwelling on it and get over it already.
Shizuru: Nah, it's normal to care about it.
Noah: So, has it been that way since then? Do you think an apology... might clear things up?
Shizuru: Even if I were to apologize, the whole thing ‘bout Koki recommending me is just somethin’ I heard from Soun.
I wasn’t directly invited and turned it down, and time just went by without me findin’ the right moment to bring it up.
We sometimes run into each other when we’re out drinking, and when we do, we end up having a drink together…
If it’s something he’s already moved on from, I’m not sure it’d be a good idea to bring it up now, so I haven’t mentioned it.
Noah: I see…
Lance: So, you put on a brave face and try to act all cheerful, but that lingering guilt still seeps through, making things awkward.
Shizuru: Ugh... Hearing it so straightforwardly is tough.
Lance: Shizuru’s natural empathy and kindness are what make him so good at understanding others’ feelings...
Since we live in the same city and…both work as Kamen Riders, we’re bound to cross paths again.
If it’s bothering you that much, maybe you should have a proper talk about it.
Shizuru: Hmm... well, that’s true, but...
Rui: ...You don’t need to keep dwelling on it. Stop acting so apologetic every time you bump into those Wisdom guys.
Shizuru: Isn't that a bit harsh?
Noah: I hope it gets resolved soon. If there’s anything I can do as an agent, just let me know.
Shizuru: Hahaha… I understand.
Translation Note:
[1] 先代の means Predecessor or Previous Generation which is Noah’s late father.
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