Archive of Our Own ^beta

A soft wind blew through the graveyard as Rinne looked at the graves. They were in a small graveyard by a shrine not too far off from Tokyo. Both girls had bouquets in their hands. Nayuta stood beside her, trying her best to keep a strong face. She had become good at hiding her sadness after all that she had been through.

Even so, Rinne knew her all too well by this point. This was hard. Being at her parent’s graves again, now being a cyborg.

It had been several months since Nayuta left. Fighting various foes all on her own. Forging her own path, and making sure what happened to her would never happen to anyone else. She truly had become a Kamen Rider in every sense of the title.

They’d begun dating a while after everything. Even with the distance of multiple seas that was between them. Keeping in touch often. Texting and writing to each other every week. Rinne had learned in great detail about all the battles Nayuta had done. All the people she had saved as Eins, and her various adventures across Japan.

One day she suddenly contacted Rinne through text while she was still in the United Kingdom. Wanting to meet up with her again in person. As well as offering to take her to her parent’s graves back in Japan. At this point, Nayuta had wanted her to meet them with how close they’d become.

Immediately Rinne flew back to Japan to meet her. It was a good thing university was on break too, but it if wasn’t that wouldn’t have deterred her. Rinne would move heaven and earth for Nayuta. That was certain. If Nayuta wanted to see her, she would make it happen.

When she offered to bring Rinne along to visit… She knew this would take an emotional toll on Nayuta. It would for anyone. Especially when bringing someone she had a special connection with to such a place.

Rinne took in the details written on the graves. Given the years that were written on them, they were killed only about a year ago.

She would never forgive Kronos for doing such a thing to her family.

Her relationship with her own family was a very fraught one. But in the end she still had her father, regardless of a rocky relationship. In the case of her mother, she was out there… Somewhere. Hopefully. As far as Rinne knew she was alive. Despite not having seen her in well over a decade, and not even sure if she’d ever see her again.

There was a part of her that wished she could. She had a lot to ask her too, as well as give her a piece of her mind as well like how she did with her father.

She couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose both of them. It was something she’d rather not think about.

So for Nayuta to deal with such a tragedy, it hurt Rinne’s heart.

“Mama. Papa.” Nayuta began, her voice was quiet. She took in a deep breath and composed herself. “This is Rinne. I’ve told you so much about her. I’m glad you all can finally get a chance to meet.”

Rinne could see how Nayuta clenched the stems of her bouquet as she spoke. Her eyes began to shake. No doubt she was flooded with so many emotions, visiting the graves of her parents once more after what happened.

Why wouldn’t she be?

Kronos had done horrific things to her. Taking away her humanity in a sick experiment, to create something all for her own twisted purposes. On top of killing both of her parents. Being one of The Hundred who knew what else she’d done. Not even just to Nayuta, but countless other girls. Rinne knew what atrocities they were capable of committing.

Not that Nayuta becoming a cyborg would ever drive Rinne away. She had known and grown close to multiple girls who weren’t human—girls who all deserved the same kindness that she’d show Nayuta without hesitation.

Rinne glanced down to her black and gold ring, before looking back to her girlfriend. As an alchemist, she had learned that all beings deserved a chance at life. Human or otherwise.

Even as a cyborg, Nayuta still deserved a full life. She deserved to live. To share the same air with her and everyone else in the world. To smile, to cry, to share experiences good and bad. To look up and see a beautiful blue sky. To be free.

No matter what, Nayuta deserved the full breadth of what life had to offer. Rinne would hold this belief forever, and never waver on it.

Human or not, Nayuta would have Rinne’s love forever.

“I’m not the same girl since we last met… I’m not even a human anymore.” Nayuta looked up to the sky above as she took in another breath. Birds flew past and landed in a nearby tree. Now watching the girls at the graves below. “I hope that’s okay.”

Tears began to form at the edge of her eyes and her hands began to tremble. As she began to sob, Rinne suddenly took one of Nayuta’s hands into hers.

She wouldn’t let her feel guilt over this.

Slowly stroking Nayuta’s hand, Rinne looked towards the graves. Imagining both of her parents standing in front of her, to the best of her ability. Nayuta did give her some descriptions beforehand. “Your daughter is a strong girl. One of the strongest I’ve ever encountered. She’s grown so much…” Rinne looked her in the eyes with a soft smile. “You both have a lot to be proud of.”

“Rinne…”

Nayuta hugged her, dropping the bouquet onto the ground in the process. Rinne could tell she was being extremely careful with her newfound strength. The hug was very firm, bordering on tight. Though nowhere near the vice grip it had been before. She truly was growing every single day. This was another way that growth was being showcased.

“I mean every word I say.” Rinne nodded, her smile grew wider. Feeling her heart flutter.

Once Nayuta let go she picked up the bouquet. Placing it in one of the slots meant for flowers. Before placing her own bouquet in the second one. “I’ll continue to watch over her.”

Nayuta smiled before raising her hand. Showcasing the ring Rinne made her before she had left to the graves. “Before I forget, Rinne made me this. Isn’t it pretty?”

Rinne’s smile continued to grow, and a slight blush made its way to her cheeks. “It was the least I could do.”

“It truly is beautiful though.” Nayuta softly touched it with her other hand. “It gives me strength to keep going when we’re apart.”

Rinne could only hug Nayuta herself upon hearing that.

Both of the girls continued to converse with the graves afterwards. Telling Nayuta’s parents all she had begun to do as Eins. What Rinne’s time up until Nayuta was like, when she became a Kamen Rider herself. Her very own journey of growth.

After an hour they paid their final respects and quietly left the graveyard that was by the shrine.

Nayuta took Rinne for a ride on her bike after, the two going off in the direction of the countryside. Enjoying all of the gorgeous sights on this ride. Having grown even closer together from this experience. Their bond was even stronger than ever.

Rinne held on tight to Nayuta as she drove the bike across roads made of stone and dirt. The wind pushed against both of their bodies. Trees making their way past, as well as countless rolling fields of grass. Onward to their next adventure together.

One day, Rinne would take Nayuta to meet her father in return. And perhaps—she’d figure out where her mother had been too by then.