Linky's Fics

In Due Time

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The beaker exploded with a massive cloud of smoke, and an ungodly sulfuric smell overtaking the air. Hotaro and Rinne were coughing furiously as they fanned away at the smoke.

Whenever they had the chance to, Rinne took Hotaro aside to help him study the practice of alchemy. Since he didn't get to learn much during their time in the academy. Even with this beaker exploding, thankfully for this session they were deep in a forest and far away from everything. And it didn't look like the glass hit either of them. While this wasn't a traditional or even ideal place to practice, being outdoors worked in their favor this time.

Rinne created a small gust of wind with a flick of her wrist, and moved her hand as her ring glowed. Man... she was so cool! Being able to do all these incredible things with alchemy. This whole world of science that almost felt as if it was magic was just so amazing and captivating to Hotaro, the fact he was now a part of such an amazing world was something he was grateful for.

But unlike her, he'd still had a long way to go to hone his skills.

Hotaro slouched, letting out a big sigh with his head in his hands. "I thought I'd be able to get it right this time!" He wasn't as good at alchemy as the others yet. When the academy was still a thing, he didn't really get much of a chance to actually learn anything while collecting chemys. When you sat back and actually thought about it: Minato-sensei didn't really do much of any actual teaching back when he was on their side.

Rinne recently brought up the fact that her and the others were left on their own for a while. He would go over the basics... But Minato-sensei had a lot more lab periods than actual lectures on the basics and properties of alchemy. When the chemys were unsealed and brought into the world of the common folk, there was no more time for labs.

They learned a lot on their own, practicing and reading so many books. Rinne could still smell the distinct smells they each had. Compared to Ichinose, they just had a lot more practice and put more time into it. That was the only difference between them. But with time and dedication, this can change. Even if the process had many bumps ahead.

But the lack of much of a real education still confused the heck out of Hotaro. How could Minato-sensei be a teacher without really teaching? Granted, Rinne, Renge, and Sabimaru also shared that confusion alongside him. It was something that was on their own minds a lot when their time at the academy began. But they resigned to the reality of how things worked there a long time ago.

Having guessed that there was something behind this, "quirk" of the academy (to put it in much kinder terms) that they were not privy to.

But Rinne promised to help Hotaro learn. This was her friend, her best friend, and she wanted to help however she could.

Noticing how bummed he looked from another failed attempt, Rinne put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Ichinose. You're doing the best you can with what you have right now." Comforting other people was something she was still trying to figure out, but doing this felt right.

Sighing again, looking down at the ground. "I know... But I wish I could do what you and the others can do!"

"That will still take some time, just like it did for us."

That was the most annoying part about learning to Hotaro. He wanted to be able to do all the amazing things his friends were able to do right now! It wasn't a great feeling to feel behind like this. He might have been a Kamen Rider, but at times he didn't feel he was much of an alchemist compared to the others.

While understanding his frustrations, it pained Rinne to see Ichinose be so blue like this. Normally he was so cheery, always having a smile on his face and a pep in his step. But he was only human, and she could only imagine the internal struggles he must have faced over not having much of a chance to actually learn with the others in the academy during all this time.

Especially after Minato's betrayal, which especially got to him the most out of the whole group.

Rinne looked up to the sky for a moment, reflecting. As time went on since their first meeting, he'd brought connection and joy in her life that she didn't even know she needed— or wanted. His desire to make connections and friends rubbed off onto her a bit. Making her want to reach out to others like Atropos.

He broke through walls that she thought were impenetrable. Ichinose was the first person to truly be there for her since her father left. To instill the hope within her that she might be able to see him again, that he wasn't dead after all. And that hope was correct. Meeting once more, and even him giving Rinne the power to fight as a Kamen Rider herself.

She often reflected on their talk in that cave... Hotaro made Rinne begin to actually want something in life. And over time, helped begin to carve the path to her realizing she wanted to make her own rules. That she had the power to do that.

Their friendship had done so much to help her move forwards. And she wanted to do whatever she could to help him too.

Rinne had a small smile. "Hey. You made your Gotchaigniter on your own right? That's really impressive. I mean it. And you did that without a textbook or lecture."

Hotaro looked up to Rinne, who could see light beginning to sparkle within his eyes. "That's true..." He could feel a fire of determination begin to swell up inside him, going ablaze. And after a moment of thinking to himself he spoke up again. "Thank you, Kudo. I know I'm gonna become a great alchemist like you one day!"

Rinne smiled. His kind words touched her, and she was so relieved to see his typical demeanor having been restored. Flexing her hand, her ring glowed once more as the glass shards began to float in the air. "Now let's clean this up before we continue with anything."

In due time, Rinne knew that he could become a great alchemist. Traditional education be damned.

...Though finding a place with better equipment would be nice. She'd have to ask Kyoka if she had any space to spare later.

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End Notes: Done for the prompt Any, Any + Any, best friends forever for the Lonely Prompts day today in the comment_fic DW comm.

A comment fic that was meant to be shorter, but I got deep into it. As how things are sometimes. Thank you so much for reading!

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