Male Idol V13c90

Volume 13 Chapter 90 Hongou Hiroko, My Driver

---

Edited by: Kanaa-senpai

---

 Finally, this day has come.

 I, who serve as the director of Masked Driver, Heavens Sword, am about to broadcast its final episode.

 I concentrate on the screen in front of me, having darkened the room.

 ’Ugh…’

 Tachibana, played by Mayuzumi-kun, who got caught in Sister Mi Lane’s trap, is protecting Kenzaki, played by Aqua-kun, who is struggling alone against the dark power.

 Kenzaki’s heart is tormented by the happy memories of his foster mother, Kohina Yukari-san, who played Hagure (outcast) Chijou.

 Why did his mother abandon him and disappear from his sight? That’s the only thing that’s been bothering Kenzaki’s heart.

 ’Mother…’

 Kenzaki knows the truth, too.

 As a human, Kenzaki can’t survive in Chijo’s world.

 Moreover, it’s impossible for 2 people, Chijo and human, to live together, hiding from both sides’ powers.

 That’s why his foster parent, Hagure Chijou, sent Kenzaki back to the human world.

 How can they be together again? Can they end this conflict?

 Kenzaki thought deeply about this while living in the human world.

 He wants to create a peaceful world where humans and Chijo can coexist.

 That’s why he thought he could be with his mother again someday.

 Kenzaki is kinder to Chijo than anyone else, and that’s why he became Heavens Sword.

 ’Ugh…’

 Kenzaki stands up, whipping his battered body.

 The scene changes, showing the members of OJYO, a new organization that aims to eradicate Chijo, fighting against them.

 Mass-produced Drivers.

 OJYO, which successfully developed them, has become a specialized force to protect citizens, gaining immense support from the people.

 One person from OJYO’s team is highlighted.

 It’s Night Shadow Misa, played by Kobayakawa Yuki-san.

 The Night Shadow Team, pulled out from SYUKUJYO, had been feeding information to Kagami Natsuki, played by Toa-chan, who had just become the top of SYUKUJYO.

 ’Why are you getting in the way! Tachibana Zanki!!’

 The commander of OJYO glared at Tachibana with a fierce gaze.

 Tachibana, who had been saved by Kenzaki, was fighting a lonely battle as a resistance against OJYO.

 ’This is just a massacre! I… want to find a future where I can live with Tsukiko!!’

 When Tsukiko died, the bulletin board and social media went wild.

 Some people even sent me death threats.

 I knew that would happen, and I asked the scriptwriters to make it that way.

 The farewell with Tsukiko made Tachibana Zanki strong, and through him, Mayuzumi Shintaro, a young boy, grew as a human being.

 Kenzaki is exceptional. That’s also true for Aqua-kun in BERYL.

 That’s why I thought it was necessary for Tachibana Zanki, who is weak at heart, and Mayuzumi Shintaro, who is like a normal boy, to grow.

 ’Coexistence with Chijo? Are you kidding me? Where should I take this hatred then!!’

 ’How can you not realize that this cycle of hatred is giving birth to a new Chijo and that you are tormenting yourself with endless hatred?!’

 Really… really, he’s become a great actor.

 From a boy who used to stumble over his lines, he’s now confidently playing Tachibana Zanki.

 Appearing in Driver is like a stepping stone for young actors.

 So I wanted everyone to grow through this work, to become a representative actor of Japan.

 ’Tachibana-san… Everyone, let’s move out now!!’

 Kagami, who had rushed to the scene, prioritized guiding civilians to safety over fighting himself.

 It’s because Kagami inherited Commander Tajima’s will and continues to uphold the ideals of SYUKUJYO, which was organized to protect the citizens. That’s why OJYO and SYUKUJYO can never coexist.

 ’Night Shadow Misa! What are you doing? Hurry up and take down that guy!!’

 ’What are you talking about?! Tachibana is not a Chijo, but a human!!’

 ’Anyone who sides with Chijo is an enemy! Are you going to side with Chijo too!?’

 ’Grr… Henshin!’

 Night Shadow, who transformed into a Bicorn Beetle, faces off against Tachibana.

 With the existence of SYUKUJYO as an organization being held hostage, Night Shadow has no choice but to fight.

 ’Sorry, Tachibana.’

 ’I think I understand your position. So don’t worry about it.’

 The 2 of them pretend to hold back while fighting seriously, trying to outmaneuver each other.

 Meanwhile, OJYO’s mass-produced Driver closes in on Chijo.

 However, one Driver blocks its path.

 ’Poison Chalice! Is that Kamishiro Hajime!!’

 Kamishiro, played by Tenga-kun, ignores OJYO’s orders.

 Having left the Minami Coffee Shop where he was taken care of, Kamishiro now faces Chijo alone.

 After fighting alongside Kenzaki and letting go of Caliburn, Kamishiro is finally free from the curse of the Kamishiro family and his hatred towards Chijo.

 ’I’ve kept you waiting. Now, I’ll take care of you.’

 Poison Chalice, transformed into Hyper Form, shoots an arrow through Chijo’s heart.

 Chijo falls back in slow motion, and Poison Chalice, accelerated by Overclock, catches the body before it hits the ground.

 ’Thank… you…’

 Chijo is enveloped in a gentle light and slowly disappears.

 Kamishiro’s back, now freed from his transformation, overlaps with Aqua-kun’s.

 BERYL’s oldest member, Tenga-kun. He has become a reliable and kind senpai, especially after getting married.

 I feel that Kamishiro’s sharp edges have been rounded off.

 It’s interesting to see how this change in Kamishiro matches the changes in the story.

 ’Damn it!! Kenzaki and his friends are always getting in our way!’

 The commander of OJYO slams her fist against the wall.

 She’s probably furious because Tachibana got in her way and Kamishiro stole the spotlight.

 The commander’s face twists in frustration, and then she breaks into a confident smirk.

 ’Heh, but this long, drawn-out battle is finally coming to an end. You think so too, don’t you? Chijo, who has the power to move between worlds, Bocchi the World.’

 The commander speaks to Chijo, who’s trapped in a large test tube.

 And there, standing beside her, was Kenzaki’s foster mother.

 ’Just wait, Seijo Midara (Lewd Saint). I’ll destroy your world, Chijo!!’

 Kenzaki’s foster mother, Bocchi the World, had been keeping an eye on Kenzaki from the shadows, worried sick, even after she sent him back to the human world.

 But then, she got caught by the commander of OJYO.

 ’This is ridiculous!’

 Night Shadow rips off the OJYO team jacket she’s wearing and slams it against the wall.

 Heh, looking at her now, I think Kobayakawa-san has really grown up.

 Until now, Kobayakawa-san mostly played the role of a cool, strong woman, but Night Shadow is a strong, cool, and passionate woman with a vulnerable side. That’s what brings out Kobayakawa-san’s charm, I think.

 As the Night Shadow Team walks out of the locker room and into the hallway, they happen to overhear the commander and her subordinates talking.

 ’We can’t let everyone know…!’

 Realizing she has no reason to stay, Night Shadow decides to escape from OJYO headquarters and tells Tachibana, Kamishiro, Kagami, and former commander Tamashima about OJYO’s final plan.

 ’Damn it, where did Kenzaki go at a time like this?!’

 Night Shadow desperately searches for Kenzaki, but Kenzaki, whose dark powers have grown too strong, has isolated himself and continues to fight alone.

 Tachibana, who thinks it’s his fault, clenches his fists so hard that he bleeds.

 Among everyone’s despairing expressions, only one person was looking straight ahead.

 ’…Even if Kenzaki’s not here, we can do something about it ourselves.’

 Kagami, the new commander of SYUKUJYO, played by Toa-chan, stood tall.

 Toa-chan had said in an interview that meeting Driver and the 3 of them had saved me.

 Heh heh, just thinking about it makes me smile.

 I’m glad that my creation, no, our creation, is thought of in that way.

 ’Ah…!’

 ’Got it!’

 ’Let’s do it, everyone!’

 ’Kagami, you’ve gotten stronger! I’ll go too!’

 Kagami, Kamishiro, Tachibana, Night Shadow, and Tamashima, the former commander, exchanged glances and nodded at each other.

 The SYUKUJYO members who had been listening to their conversation rushed over.

 ’We’ll fight together too!!’

 ’Leave the evacuation of the citizens to us!’

 ’We’ll definitely protect everyone in the city!’

 The kids playing the SYUKUJYO members also had great faces.

 At first, they were extras, but since they could keep up with the guys, I ended up using them until the very end. I hope they’ll become famous actors in this world after this work is over.

 ’Now’s the time! This is the final battle!!’

 The OJYO commander finally took their last action.

 This is the final battle, whether we cry or laugh. For the people who appear in this work, and for me too…

 I wipe away my tears with my fingers.

 ’System, check, all clear!’

 ’Energy charging start!!’

 ’5 seconds until gate opening… 3, 2, 1, gate opening!!’

 ’Gate opening confirmed! Displaying the image!’

 The gate opened with a burst of light in the dark sky.

 Viewers will probably remember this scene.

 It’s the same as the gate that opened at the end of the 1st ROUND.

 So, back then, it was none other than the OJYO commander who opened the gate.

 They were experimenting with opening the gate while trying to destroy the troublesome SYUKUJYO.

 This is the story where the mastermind behind the scenes is revealed.

 ’No enemy in sight!…Wait, there is!! Zoom in on the image!!’

 Countless Chijo troops are coming through the gate into the world.

 ’What’s that?!’

 ’It’s Chijo!!’

 ’Kyaa!!’

 ’Run away!!’

 People are fleeing in all directions, as if the end of the world has come.

 ’Seijo Midara’s figure has been confirmed among Chijo’s army!!’

 ’Display it on the monitor!!’

 ’Yes!’

 Emily-chan’s Seijo Midara figure appears on screen.

 Sorry, Emily-chan. The sister outfit with a slit on the side is really embarrassing.

 I thought it was okay to wear such an extreme outfit from morning, but I guess Midara needs a design that’s this extreme.

 ’Mass-produced Driver, deploy!! Where’s Night Shadow when we need her?!’

 The mass-produced Drivers face off against Chijo.

 The number of enemies is beyond what expected. At first, OJYO’s momentum was good, but it’s starting to falter.

 The fleeing civilians. The SYUKUJYO team members rush to help them.

 ’Everyone, over here!’

 ’Don’t panic!! Please move slowly!!’

 ’It’s okay, we have Drivers to protect us!!’

 ’Come this way, please!’

 At first, the kids didn’t seem reliable, but each one of them starts thinking for themselves and guides the civilians to safety.

 The countless Chijo troops are closing in.

 However, the 4 Drivers block their path.

 ’Let’s protect everyone!’

 ’Yeah!’

 ’Got it!’

 ’Leave it to us!’

 Kagami’s words receive nods from the other 3.

 I think the 4 of them look cool in their SYUKUJYO jackets.

 ’Henshin!’

 ’Hen… Shin!’

 ’Hen, shin!’

 ’Hennshin…!’

 This is the last transformation for the 4 of them.

 The Poison Chalice, Lightning Hopper, Butterfly Mask, and Bicorn Beetle stand in a row.

 Ah, no. I’m already feeling like crying at this point.

 ’It’s okay to relax now.’

 The Butterfly Mask used his whirlwind blades to gently pull out the thorns tangled in Chijo’s sick heart.

 Kagami… no, it’s a kind attack, just like Toa-chan.

 Chijo and the others, freed from their painful memories, disappeared one by one with gentle smiles.

 ’It wasn’t all bad, was it? Remember the happy times!!’

 Bicorn Beetle tried to rouse Chijo’s heart with her clenched fist, strongly pounding her own chest.

 It was a persuasive method, just like Night Shadow, no, Kobayakawa-san.

 Chijo, who had regained a little of its human memories, was saved and disappeared.

 ’You’re okay, you’re not alone anymore.’

 Lightning Hopper accurately shot down the chains binding Chijo’s heart.

 The figures of Tachibana, who had overcome his separation from Tsukiko, and Mayuzumi-kun, who had grown stronger by overcoming his own weaknesses, overlapped.

 Chijo and the others, freed from their heart-binding chains, disappeared with refreshed faces.

 ’I’ll take that sin and punishment.’

 Poison Chalice pulled the dark power consuming Chijo’s heart towards himself.

 The figures of Kamishiro, who had accepted his contradictions and current situation, and Tenga-kun, who supported BERYL with his large vessel, overlapped.

 Chijo and the others, freed from the dark power, returned to their human forms and disappeared.

 ’What?’

 The 4 Drivers, who had overcome everything and grown stronger, displayed their overwhelming strength, causing OJYO’s commander to retreat.

 Then, Tamashima, the former commander, played by Abe Akiko-san, appeared alone, wearing a powered suit.

 Wow, even at the age of 60 next year, her body is still so toned! She’s incredibly cool!!

 I’m impressed by her professional physique and respect her as a woman!!

 ’Don’t be discouraged. It’s time to pay the year’s dues.’

 ’Damn it!’

 OJYO’s commander made a last-ditch effort, releasing the Gate’s device.

 As the water drained from the test tube, Chijo and Bocchi the World, who were inside, were released into the outside world.

 The Gate was now unusable.

 ’What are you doing?!’

 ’You’re telling me?! You think you can understand how I feel after Chijo took my family away from me?!’

 Bam!

 A dry, cracking sound echoed through the air.

 Tamashima, the former commander, had slapped OJYO’s commander’s cheek.

 ’I do understand! I, too, was a member of SYUKUJYO, and now, those people fighting over there, we’ve all had something precious taken away by Chijo!! I lost my family, and my respected senpais and dear colleagues were killed by Chijo!! I’ve had my share of hatred, too!! But, but… that’s no good!! That’s why I came to stop you, not Chijo!!’

 ’Me…?’

 Tamashima, the former commander, nodded strongly.

 ’It’s because the darkness in people’s hearts created Chijo. So, don’t get pulled to that side. Come back!!’

 ’A…a…a…’

 OJYO’s commander, drained of energy, collapsed to the ground.

 ’I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’

 ’It’s okay. You were trying to live desperately, too, weren’t you? But now, there’s still time. Let’s do something about that gate!’

 ’But, the gate’s opening device is already…’

 The 2 of them gazed at Seijo Midara, who was standing in front of the gate device shown on the monitor.

 Just then, a man arrived on a motorcycle.

 ’Haa…haa…’

 Kenzaki, who had fallen off the motorcycle, was crawling on the ground.

 Some viewers might not want to see Kenzaki, who was once so strong, in this state.

 But, no matter how strong a man is, he’s still human when he’s struggling, and that’s what I wanted to convey to all the viewers through Heaven’s Sword.

 If not, we’d definitely end up relying too much on Kenzaki… or Aqua-kun.

 ’Heaven’s Sword… no, Kenzaki Souji, it seems you’re suffering from the dark power of Sister Mi Lane.’

 ’Seijo Midara… damn it!’

 Kenzaki clutched at his chest.

 But it wasn’t Seijo Midara who stood before the battered Kenzaki.

 ’M-mother?’

 Bocchi the World, who had been released from the gate-opening device, faced Kenzaki.

 ’Ugaaaah!’

 ’Mother! It’s me! I’m Souji!!’

 Bocchi the World, who has lost her mind, turns her blade on Kenzaki.

 This was also due to the influence of the device, which amplified the dark power within Bocchi the World.

 Kenzaki dodged Bocchi the World’s attacks while trying to reason with it multiple times.

 ’Damn it! I can’t get close to it!!’

 Four Drivers came to help Kenzaki, but they were blocked by countless Chijo and couldn’t move forward.

 ’Kenzaki! Fight!!’

 Tachibana’s voice grew loud as he saw Kenzaki getting battered.

 ’Fight, Kenzaki!!’

 Kamishiro also raised his voice!!

 ’Souji, fight!!’

 Toa-chan’s desperate cry echoed across the battlefield.

 ’It’s no use I… I can’t fight my mother!!’

 Kenzaki fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

 Aqua-kun was really good, after all.

 It wasn’t just cool; his acting skills were amazing, making me realize only now that he was capable of portraying such weakness.

 ’I’m actually a weak person…’

 ’Ah, I knew that!!’

 Tachibana’s voice grew loud.

 Tachibana had noticed that Kenzaki looked sad every time he fought Chijo, so he knew that Kenzaki was struggling too.

 ’You’ve always been fighting with that weak self! That’s why I can also find the strength to fight!!’

 Tachibana’s voice shook Kenzaki’s heart.

 ’But… I’m scared.’

 ’I was scared too. But because of you, I was able to overcome that fear. It’s okay, if you reach out your hand, we’ll always be by your side!!’

 This was a line that only Toa-chan could come up with.

 Mayuzumi-kun’s line earlier was similar, but here, everyone came up with words to encourage Kenzaki.

 Since everyone had been acting out their characters throughout the story, I was able to entrust this line to them with confidence.

 ’I…’

 ’Don’t move, Kenzaki. Just stay there. I’ll take care of everything.’

 Poison Chalice tried to break through on his own.

 ’It’s because you taught me that even if it’s tough, even if it’s painful, there’s meaning in getting back up. That’s why I’m fighting!! But… are you okay with that, Kenzaki? What do you want to do?’

 It was good that Tenga-kun was replaced by Kamishiro.

 I think it’s because Kamishiro, who has been competing with Kenzaki for a long time, could say this line.

 And I think it’s because Tenga Akira could say this line naturally.

 ’Kenzaki, it’s okay to be weak, isn’t it?’

 The last one to call out was Night Shadow.

 ’Accept your weakness! You’re the one who taught me that, aren’t you!! If it’s tough, ask everyone for help! If you want to cry, don’t cry alone! In difficult times, lean on us!! Because we’re friends, right!!’

 It’s amazing that Night Shadow, who had been acting alone and pretending to be strong, said this line in the end.

 Kobayakawa-san, you’re so mean. I couldn’t help but smile with joy at this.

 ’Kenzaki…’

 ’Heavens Sword…’

 From here, Extras from all over the country, who were chosen and projected onto the sky, reached out to Kenzaki’s image.

 From Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, Heavens Sword fans from all 47 prefectures sent their power to Kenzaki.

 ’I…’

 Kenzaki slowly got up.

 ’My mom said… fighting isn’t about using violence to hurt your opponent.’

 Actually, this famous line was ad-libbed by Aqua-kun himself.

 And it was Kohina Yukari-san who taught me the origin of this line.

 ’Fighting means never giving up, no matter the situation, standing up to difficulties, resisting the unreasonable, and protecting what’s important!!’

 I have to thank the producer of Yuu-onii.

 It’s because they cast Aqua-kun and Kohina Yukari-san that this scene was born.

 I recall the scene where I held back tears while filming this.

 ’So, I’ll keep fighting till the end… mom.’

 Kenzaki grasps the Kabutomushi in his hand.

 ’Hen…shin…!’

 I love transformation scenes the most.

 Because, when I saw this scene as a kid, I thought the hero came to save me.

 ’Mom, thank you…’

 Kenzaki places his hand on the rhinoceros beetle’s horn attached to his belt.

 ’Driver… Kick!’

 Bocchi the World lets out a loud cry and charges forward.

 Kenzaki, bearing all the pain and hardship, unleashes the most sorrowful and kind Driver Kick in the series’ history.

 ’Souji…’

 ’Mom?’

 In the end, Bocchi the World regains consciousness and returns to her human form.

 ’You’ve become strong…’

 Heaven’s Sword stretches out his hand towards the sky.

 At that time, Aqua-kun was really crying inside the hidden mask.

 It’s hard to believe, but just 5 seconds before this scene, Kohina Yukari-san and Aqua-kun were fighting over a rice cracker, and no one would believe that story.

 Something falls from the disappearing Bocchi the World into Heaven’s Sword’s palm.

 ’What is this power…?’

 It’s the power to close the Gate that Bocchi the World possessed.

 With her last remaining strength, the mother left behind the power of the Gate, which could only be used once, to her son Souji.

 ’Everyone, lend me your power!! Close the Gate and send Chijo back to the other world!’

 ’Yeah!’

 ’Ah!’

 ’Oh!’

 ’Got it!’

 The power of the 5 Drivers combines.

 The reopened Gate absorbs countless Chijo with its strong power.

 ’Thank you, everyone.’

 ’Don’t mention it.’

 Kamishiro laughs.

 While looking at the Gate floating in the air, Kenzaki speaks to everyone.

 ’I have a request for all of you.’

 ’What is it?’

 Kagami tilts her head.

 ’Protect this world.’

 ’I was going to do that anyway.’

 Night Shadow smiles.

 ’Tachibana-san… I’ll leave the rest to you.’

 ’…Kenzaki?’

 Here, Tachibana noticed Kenzaki’s unease and reached out his hand.

 However, before his hand could reach, Kenzaki jumped high into the air.

 ’Overclock’

 Accelerating, Kenzaki headed towards the gate floating in the air.

 ’Kenzaki Souji, what are you doing?’

 Seijo Midara, who had approached, looked surprised as she gazed at the Heaven’s Sword.

 ’Seijo Midara, how much time have you spent alone in that dark darkness, unable to see anything?’

 Looking at Seijo Midara, who didn’t attack during the previous battle, Kenzaki was convinced.

 Seijo Midara wasn’t the mastermind behind Chijou.

 She was the one who isolated the Chijou that she couldn’t save with her own power.

 ’That’s my duty… that’s why.’

 ’Is that your duty? Why do you have to suffer alone?’

 Seijo Midara was at a loss for words at Kenzaki’s question.

 ’Someone has to do it.’

 ’So… then I’ll be with you from today onwards.’

 Seijo Midara shook her head left and right.

 ’No. You can still turn back now! Don’t come!’

 ’No way! I… I won’t let anyone be lonely again!!’

 Kenzaki grasped Seijo Midara’s hand, floating in mid-air.

 ’So from now on, we’ll be together forever. Don’t worry. I’ll absolutely save you. If you’re the hero who’s been protecting the world without anyone knowing, then I’ll be your hero’

 ’Ah, ah, ah…’

 Seijo Midara shed tears.

 For an eternity, she was the one who was more lonely than anyone else.

 Misunderstood as the mastermind behind Chijou, she bore the world’s malice alone, yet she continued to fight to protect humanity. It’s not just the Driver who’s a hero, after all!!

 No one could have predicted this!! I clenched my fist tightly.

 I imagined the faces of people shocked by this astonishing truth, thinking “I did it!”

 ””Kenzaki.””

 Kenzaki turned around with a smile at the voices of 4 people.

 ’Thank you, everyone. I’ll leave this world to you for a while.’

 Kenzaki turned to face Seijo Midara once again, and they exchanged smiles.

 The final ED song played, and the credits rolled. I watched, tears streaming down my face.

 But it wasn’t over yet.

 After the ED credits, a large message appeared on screen.

 [Special Report!]

 The scene showed 4 Drivers walking through the wilderness.

 In the world after Kenzaki’s story ended, they were searching for a way to coexist with the remaining Chijo on the ground.

 But it wasn’t a simple story that could be solved with just ideals.

 A new enemy lurked, threatening the 4, and a mysterious organization operated in the shadows. The screen displayed a large message once more.

 [Theatrical Version: Masked Driver, Heaven’s Sword!]

 After writing this ending, I wanted to create a sequel.

 Since Heaven’s Sword had saved Seijo Midara, now it was my turn to save Kenzaki with Heaven’s Sword.

 [I made you wait]

 Kenzaki’s voice echoed, and Heaven’s Sword’s back appeared on screen.

 [Let’s go welcome him to the theater, everyone The roadshow starts on July 21st at theaters nationwide!! ]

 I clapped my hands towards the TV.

 It’s over. Well, not exactly, since there’s still a movie and a special drama in the works.

 But the main drama has finally ended.

 The newsflash reported that the viewership rating had broken 100%.

 The reason it exceeded 100% was because the usual viewership ratings were already high to begin with.

 It’s like a dark secret of the TV station, but for some reason, it didn’t spark outrage online.

 ”Hmm…”

 I stretched out my hand and let out a big sigh.

 ”Today, I’m done with work And since it’s a special occasion, let’s start drinking from morning!”

 I enjoyed my drink, savoring the aftertaste, and relished the online reactions.

---

Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!

Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.