Chapter 24
Ever since Haruka's car accident and the subsequent amnesia, Hana had noticed a change in her son. He had become more confident, more outgoing, and was frequently leaving the house late at night. Hana couldn't help but worry about what he was doing during those nocturnal excursions. Sometimes, when he returned home, he would be slightly injured, and his appetite seemed insatiable.
Hana longed to know the truth, to understand what was happening in her son's life. But she also recognized the delicate nature of his situation. Haruka had lost his memories, and she didn't want to overwhelm him with too many questions. She hoped that, in time, he would feel comfortable opening up to her and Matsu about his activities.
As the news continued to unfold, Hana's gaze drifted away from the screen. Her thoughts were consumed by the image of her son, the boy she had raised with so much love and care. She remembered the quiet, reserved Haruka who had once been content to stay within the confines of their home. Now, he seemed to be navigating a world that Hana couldn't fully comprehend.
Hana sighed deeply, her maternal instincts urging her to protect Haruka, to shield him from any harm. She knew, however, that he was no longer a child. He was a young man, and he had to find his own path in life. Hana could only hope that she and Matsu had instilled in him the values and strength to make the right choices.
The sound of the front door opening startled Hana, and she turned to see Haruka stepping into the house. Her heart swelled with relief, and she rose from the couch, ready to embrace her son. But as she approached him, she noticed the slight weariness in his expression, the faint traces of bruises on his skin.
"Haruka, dear, you're home," Hana said, her voice laced with concern. "I was starting to worry. Are you alright?"
Hana watched as Haruka offered a small smile, his eyes reflecting a sense of contentment that had been absent in recent days. "I'm alright, mom," he assured her, his voice carrying a newfound confidence.
Hana's brow furrowed slightly, her motherly instincts still detecting a hint of weariness in his demeanor. "Well, I'm glad to hear that," she said, her tone warm and reassuring. "Is there something good that happened today?"
Haruka's lips curled into a faint smile. "I guess you could say that," he replied, his gaze meeting hers briefly before he glanced away.
Hana felt a surge of relief, her heart swelling with joy at the sight of her son's happiness. "That's wonderful, Haruka," she said, reaching out to gently squeeze his arm. "Come, your dinner is waiting for you on the table. I'm sure you must be hungry."
Without further prompting, Hana led Haruka into the dining room, where a warm, home-cooked meal awaited them. As they sat down together, Hana couldn't help but observe the subtle changes in her son's demeanor. There was a newfound sense of purpose and confidence that she hadn't seen before, and it filled her with hope that perhaps, despite the challenges he had faced, Haruka was finding his way.
Kara hurries home, her mind racing with the events she witnessed at the docks. As she enters the house, Jeremiah and Eliza greet her, their faces etched with concern.
Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers have been Kara's adoptive parents ever since her Kryptonian pod landed on Earth. Like her cousin Superman, Kara's true identity as an alien is known to this loving family. When Kara arrived, a young Kal-El had already established himself as a hero, and he entrusted Kara's care to the Danvers, who welcomed her with open arms.
"Kara, where have you been?" Jeremiah asks, his brow furrowed. "We were worried when you didn't come home on time."
Kara takes a deep breath, her excitement palpable. "I was down at the docks, dad. The police arrested the Black Cobra gang - the ones behind all those robberies and kidnappings."
Eliza's eyes widen. "The Black Cobra gang? That's quite a dangerous situation. Were you safe?"
"I was, mom," Kara reassures her. "And I even caught a glimpse of the Kamen Rider before he left. He was the one who stopped them, not the police."
Jeremiah's brows rise in surprise. "The Kamen Rider? That vigilante everyone's been talking about?"
Kara nods, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Yeah, the Kamen Rider was so cool!"
Kara listened as Eliza joked about her admiration for the Kamen Rider. "Sounds like someone has a new superhero crush," Eliza teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
Kara felt her cheeks warm at the playful remark. "Well, he was pretty impressive, saving all those people from the gang." She paused, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Do you think... could I be a superhero too? I mean, I am Kryptonian, after all."
Eliza's smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. "Kara, you know it's dangerous for you to expose yourself like that."
Kara's gaze dropped to the floor, her enthusiasm dampened by her mother's words. "I know, but I just want to help people. I hate feeling like I have to hide who I am."
Jeremiah placed a reassuring hand on Kara's shoulder. "We understand, honey. But the risks are too high. Your safety is our priority."
Kara nodded reluctantly, her heart sinking. She had always dreamed of using her powers to make a difference, to be a beacon of hope like the Kamen Rider. But her parents' concerns were valid, and she knew they only wanted to protect her.
Kara trudged up the stairs to her room, her mind whirring with the events of the evening. She sat down on her bed, her fingers instinctively reaching for her phone. As she unlocked the screen, the latest news headlines flashed before her eyes.
"BLACK COBRA GANG LEADER SNAKE HEAD APPREHENDED BY MYSTERIOUS VIGILANTE"
Kara's heart raced as she read the details, her gaze fixed on the blurry image of the Kamen Rider disappearing into the night. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy - this masked hero had accomplished what she had only dreamed of.
Kara had always admired her cousin Superman's bravery and selflessness, but she had never felt empowered to follow in his footsteps. The weight of her Kryptonian heritage and her parents' constant reminders of the dangers she faced had always held her back. Yet, seeing the Kamen Rider in action had ignited a spark within her.
She thought of the people the Rider had saved, the lives he had changed. Kara longed to have that kind of impact, to be a beacon of hope for those in need. Her fingers tightened around her phone as she contemplated the possibilities. If the Kamen Rider could do it, why couldn't she?
Kara's eyes drifted to the framed photograph on her nightstand, an image of her, Jeremiah, and Eliza. Their warm smiles and loving embrace reminded her of the family she had found on Earth, the ones who had taken her in and cared for her. She knew their concerns were valid, but a part of her yearned to prove herself, to show that she could be a hero too.
Kara stood before the mirror, her eyes narrowing as she examined her reflection. Tentatively, she reached for the vibrant red blanket draped over her bed and wrapped it around her neck, letting the fabric billow behind her.
Turning to face the mirror, Kara struck a heroic pose, her chin lifted and her shoulders squared. She envisioned herself soaring through the sky, cape fluttering in the wind as she swooped down to rescue those in need. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she played out the fantasy in her mind.
Kara moved closer to the mirror, adjusting the makeshift cape and studying her appearance. She could see the potential, the power that lay dormant within her. All she needed was the courage to unleash it.
Kara's eyes narrowed as she stared into the mirror, her expression hardening with resolve. "If the Kamen Rider can do it, then so can I," she murmured, her fingers tightening around the vibrant red blanket draped over her arm.
The image of the masked hero flashed in her mind, a symbol of the justice and heroism Kara longed to embody. She had always admired her cousin Superman's bravery and selflessness, but until now, she had never felt empowered to follow in his footsteps.
Kara wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, letting the fabric billow behind her as she struck a heroic pose. She envisioned herself soaring through the sky, cape fluttering in the wind as she swooped down to rescue those in need. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she played out the fantasy in her mind.
Glancing back at the mirror, Kara could see the potential, the power that lay dormant within her. All she needed was the courage to unleash it. The Kamen Rider had shown her that it was possible, that one person could make a difference. Now, Kara was determined to do the same, to be a beacon of hope for those in need.
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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.