Chapter 20

Haruka stepped through the grand entryway of the Kojima mansion, his body weary from the confrontation with Hellhound. The Amazon Driver had drained his reserves, leaving him ravenous.

On the way home, he had stopped to scarf down a few burgers, but the gnawing hunger in his gut remained. As he made his way to the kitchen, the aroma of his mother's cooking wafted through the air, stirring his appetite.

Haruka opened the refrigerator, his eyes scanning the shelves for something substantial. A container of leftover stir-fry caught his eye, and he eagerly pulled it out. Without even bothering to heat it up, he grabbed a fork and began shoveling the food into his mouth.

The flavors exploded on his tongue, and Haruka let out a contented sigh as the meal began to satiate his hunger. He leaned against the kitchen counter, savoring each bite and relishing the comfort of his mother's cooking.

As he ate, Haruka's thoughts drifted to the events of the evening. The confrontation with Hellhound had been a harrowing experience, testing the limits of his Amazon Omega powers. The mercenary's skill and ferocity had caught him off guard, and Haruka knew he would need to hone his abilities further if he hoped to defeat such formidable foes.

Haruka paused, his fork halfway to his mouth, as he recalled the primal hunger that had consumed him during the battle. The Amazon's instincts had taken over, driving him to assert his dominance over Hellhound. The memory of his savage roar and the way he had threatened the mercenary made Haruka feel a twinge of unease.

Haruka paused, fork midway to his mouth, as a thought occurred to him. "Ada, what exactly happened to me out there with Hellhound? I felt like I was losing control, like the Amazon Driver was taking over."

The blue interface flickered to life, and Ada's voice responded, "The Amazon Driver and other transformation belts are imbued with the knowledge and abilities of their previous owners. When you use the Driver, you gain access to those fighting techniques and skills."

Haruka furrowed his brow, setting the container of stir-fry down on the counter. "So, does that mean I'm going to start taking on the personality of the Amazon Driver's former owner as well?"

"That's a valid concern," Ada acknowledged. "The previous owner's personality traits can occasionally influence the user, but it won't be a permanent change. Once you stop using the Amazon Driver, you'll return to your normal self."

Haruka let out a relieved sigh, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Good, I was worried I might start acting like some savage beast every time I transform." He paused, taking another bite of the stir-fry. "But the enhanced abilities are helpful, even if they come with a few quirks."

"Precisely," Ada confirmed. "The knowledge and skills you gain from the Driver will make you a more formidable fighter, which is crucial for the battles ahead. Just be mindful of the influence it can have on your behavior, and don't let it consume you."

Haruka nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "I'll keep that in mind. The last thing I want is to turn into some uncontrollable monster." He shuddered at the thought, picturing himself rampaging through the city as a mindless beast.

"You have the strength of character to maintain control," Ada reassured him. "The Amazon Driver's power is a tool, not a curse. Use it wisely, and it will serve you well."

Haruka felt a sense of relief wash over him. The idea of losing himself to the Amazon Driver's influence had been a concerning one, but Ada's explanation put his mind at ease. He knew he would need to be vigilant, but with the AI's guidance, he was confident he could harness the Driver's power without succumbing to its darker aspects.

As Haruka finished the last bite of his stir-fry, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of purpose. The battles ahead would be challenging, but with the Amazon Driver's abilities and Ada's support, he was ready to face whatever threats came his way.

Haruka was in the middle of his late-night snack when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He turned to see his mother, Hana, entering the kitchen, a concerned look on her face.

"Haruka, you're home late," she said, her brow furrowed. "I was worried you might be getting into trouble."

Haruka set down his fork and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "No, Mom, it's not like that," he said quickly. "I was just out doing some karaoke, that's all."

Hana's expression softened slightly, but the worry was still evident in her eyes. "Karaoke, huh?" she said, moving closer to Haruka. "You know, you had me worried there for a moment. I thought maybe you were getting involved in something illegal."

Haruka shook his head emphatically. "No, no, nothing like that, I promise," he said. "I've just been enjoying the nightlife, that's all. It helps me clear my head after everything that's been going on."

Hana nodded, her gaze searching Haruka's face. "I understand," she said, reaching out to gently touch his arm. "I know this has all been a lot for you to adjust to. But I just want you to be safe, you know?"

Haruka felt a pang of guilt at the worry in his mother's voice. "I know, Mom," he said, his tone softening. "I'm sorry I worried you. I'll try to be more mindful of the time, I promise."

Hana smiled and pulled Haruka into a warm embrace. "I'm just glad you're alright," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."

Haruka returned the hug, feeling a sense of comfort and security in his mother's arms. He knew that his late-night excursions as the Kamen Rider were a source of concern for Hana, and he couldn't help but feel guilty for keeping her in the dark.

As they pulled apart, Hana's gaze fell on the empty container of stir-fry on the counter. "Looks like you worked up quite an appetite," she said with a chuckle. "Why don't you let me fix you something more substantial?"

Haruka's eyes lit up at the prospect of his mother's home-cooked meal. "That would be amazing, Mom," he said, his earlier worries momentarily forgotten.

Hana moved around the kitchen, gathering ingredients and humming softly to herself. Haruka watched her, a sense of warmth and comfort washing over him. Despite the challenges he faced as the Kamen Rider, he was grateful to have the unwavering support of his family.

As Hana began to prepare the meal, Haruka couldn't help but wonder how long he would be able to keep his secret identity hidden from his loved ones. He knew that the battles ahead would only become more intense, and the thought of his mother and father worrying about him was a constant source of guilt.

But for now, Haruka pushed those concerns aside, focusing instead on the soothing presence of his mother and the promise of a delicious home-cooked meal. In this moment, he could allow himself to simply be Haruka, the son, rather than the Kamen Rider, who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Haruka thanked his mom for the delicious meal, the warmth of her home-cooked food filling him with a sense of comfort. "This is amazing, Mom. You really know how to hit the spot."

Hana beamed, her eyes crinkling with joy. "I'm so glad you're enjoying it, sweetheart. Now finish up and get some rest. You've had a long day."

Haruka nodded, savoring the last few bites before placing his plate in the sink. As he made his way upstairs to his room, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his responsibilities as the Kamen Rider weighing heavily on him.

Once inside, Haruka closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a long sigh. His mind raced with thoughts of the confrontation with Hellhound and the bounty that had been placed on his head. He knew he needed to act quickly if he wanted to stop the Black Cobra gang and their leader, Snake Head, before they slipped through his fingers.

Haruka moves to his desk, pulling out a map of the city on his phone. He studies the area Hellhound mentioned as the gang's base, his brow furrowed in concentration. He needs to strike hard and fast, catching them off guard and minimizing the risk of innocent bystanders getting caught in the crossfire.

With a renewed sense of purpose, Haruka begins to formulate a plan of attack. He'll need to move quickly, using his enhanced abilities as Amazon Omega to his advantage. The element of surprise will be crucial, and he can't afford to hold back.

Haruka's eyes narrow as he traces the layout of the docks where the Black Cobra gang's hideout is located. He'll need to be careful, but he's determined to put an end to their criminal activities once and for all.

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Give Power Stones so I can continue to write this story. If it does not gain any interest, I will drop it.

Advance chapters on my P@tE0N Najicablitz, which is also the best way to support me.