Consultation room.
"Understood, I'll give you a gift on your birthday."
Sakiko sent an OK emoji and looked back at the safe.
After entering 060610, the safe indeed opened, revealing an Undead Card and a letter from Rikuo, which contained two sheets of paper.
Sakiko picked up the first sheet of paper and read its contents.
"To my son, Rikuo:
By the time you read this letter, I will probably have already left. Don't be sad, this is the fate passed down by the Joker..." Sakiko stopped reading here and put the letter away.
'If I read it here, the Officer might also learn Rikuo's secret.'
Sakiko thought for a moment, then picked up a damaged book from the lost and found items nearby.
"Officer, I found the lost item. Thank you, I'll be leaving now."
Sakiko bowed slightly, indicating her departure.
The Officer didn't pay much attention; it was just a book, a card, and a letter. It couldn't possibly be a clue to billions in inheritance, could it?
He chuckled self-deprecatingly and waved at Sakiko.
"Alright, if you found it, then leave. Don't delay your studies."
...
Inside a public restroom stall.
Sakiko chose not to return to the apartment because Togawa Kiyotsugu's work hours were unstable recently, and it would be inconvenient if he were home.
"Speaking of which, Father and Rikuo's relationship has been getting better recently. I'm almost a little envious."
Sakiko first glanced at the Undead Card. It had a clover on it, and the suit was 7 of Spades.
"Presumably, it's an attribute that strengthens defense or something similar? After all, the safe didn't even leave a trace in the explosion. So, is it time for this now?"
Sakiko took out the will again and checked its contents:
"To my son, Rikuo:
By the time you read this letter, I will probably have already left.
Don't be sad, this is the fate passed down by the Joker. It is also my voluntary sacrifice for the survival of the world. Originally, you would probably also have such a day, but now everything has changed.
However, you probably don't know the truth of the world yet, do you? At the origin of this world, 52 races will engage in the Battle Fight, and only the victorious race will survive. And, every 500 years, the world will cycle, starting a new round of Battle Fight... The Joker wished for the birth of another Joker, so that the existence of the world and the continuation of races could be forever guaranteed. But the Creator also cursed the Joker at that moment, causing him to lose his abilities and no longer be immortal. In fact, whenever there is a next generation, the Joker's identity will be stripped away. This has continued for 4.57 billion years."
After reading the first letter, Sakiko's eyes were slightly red, empathizing with the Joker's plight.
"Rikuo's family has been silently enduring all this? Will Rikuo also... if he has children with me in the future?"
Sakiko thought of this, a blush appearing on her cheeks. She put down the will and patted her face.
'What am I thinking? I haven't even started dating Rikuo yet! And I'm already thinking about things after marriage. How shameless!'
"There's still one more part of the will, probably about the other Joker? That's the crucial part! Stop thinking about all those random things, Togawa Sakiko. You came here because you wanted to help Rikuo."
Sakiko turned to the second sheet of paper and continued to read its contents:
"Unexpected events happen. The other Joker died unexpectedly, without having had time to leave behind children.
Then, the world will reset ten years after his death, which will be a catastrophic disaster for civilization! Therefore, I chose to forcibly release the Joker's power, hoping to produce another Joker during the war!
Although the Undead Card might bring disaster to innocent people, this is my only option. For the continuation of civilization, sacrifices must be made.
Rikuo, although I released all the Undead Cards, 2 of Hearts is like a dear friend to our family, and the King of Spades recognizes the Joker's will, so they will definitely stay to help you.
Although you may not be able to use the King of Spades's power yet and need to further awaken the power within you, 2 of Hearts, as the ancestor of humanity, can definitely bring you great help.
And this 7 of Spades is what I left for you with the last bit of my life's power. Because I forcibly used my power, I must have looked very disheveled at that time, right? The power of 7 of Spades is metallization, enhancing attack and defense capabilities. It can also be considered a fallback plan I left for you as a father.
Rikuo, although leaving everything to you alone is very irresponsible, try your best to seal all the Undead Cards and win one Battle Fight! Let the world give birth to the next Joker! If you can't do it, then restart with the world until you succeed. Perhaps this fate is too heavy, but you are the only one we can rely on. (This was Rikuo's father's original plan; he didn't know Rikuo would become Kamen Rider Blade before, so there are differences from Chapter 23)"
Sakiko put away the letter and let out a long sigh.
"Before today, I thought Rikuo's burden was already heavy, that he fought for all those in danger. It turns out, I understood nothing. Rikuo is fighting with the world on his back. No wonder he tries so hard. No wonder every Anomaly doesn't mean to kill him and even calls him Joker."
Sakiko stood up. Her legs were a little numb from sitting on the toilet seat for a long time. She adjusted her skirt, stretched her thighs, and walked out of the restroom stall.
"Unfortunately, I still couldn't find the location of the other Joker's relic. After all, Jokers cannot meet, but this investigation has greatly strengthened my resolve to help Rikuo. The next target is Kichijoji."
...
Asukayama Park.
"Where's the Anomaly, damn it! You're not even in Asukayama Park!"
Rikuo went to Asukayama Park before band practice, wanting to deal with the Ushi-oni he left yesterday.
Rikuo looked at the corrosive traces left by the Ushi-oni, clearly sensing its anger from yesterday.
"Run away if you can't win? Only know how to sneak attack and gank? Don't dare to have a real man's battle in the top lane?"
Rikuo searched the entire Asukayama Park but still didn't sense any Anomaly's aura.
"Sigh, never mind, coward. Let me first ask Sakiko how things are on her end."
Rikuo took out his phone and found Sakiko's avatar. Hmm, it was a doll.
"Sakiko-sensei, I haven't seen you for another day. What's the situation with Wakaba Takafumi?"
Sakiko replied instantly.
"I miss you too, Rikuo. The client said they weren't too happy with the price and want to discuss it in detail during the next visit."
Sakiko also sent a selfie with a peace sign. Her blue hair, illuminated by the setting sun, looked very luminous, and she had a faint smile on her face.
"My wife is so cute! If you're done, come back early. I'll ask Kiyotsugu to cook. Wait, can Kiyotsugu cook?"
"I'll probably be back at the apartment around 8 PM. As for whether Father can cook... I don't know either, Rikuo."
Rikuo thought about it. Everything had to be tried. He didn't believe Kiyotsugu could be more exaggerated than picking people up on a bicycle before.
"Kiyotsugu, please make dinner tonight. Sakiko and I will be home around 8."
Rikuo sent the message, and Togawa Kiyotsugu also replied instantly, sending an emoji that conveyed, "Leave it to me."
"I feel even less reassured."
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