A year passed with Nobubaki living with Light Ray and Haruto, yet his memories remained frustratingly elusive. One afternoon, Light Ray's voice boomed from downstairs, "Nobubaki, can you come up to my office for a minute?"
Nobubaki glanced at Haruto, who was sprawled on the living room floor engrossed in a comic book. "Sure, Dad," Nobubaki mumbled without looking up.
Nobukabi climbed the stairs, a familiar knot of apprehension forming in his stomach whenever Light Ray requested a meeting in his home office. The room was typically reserved for serious matters. He pushed open the door to find Light Ray seated behind his desk, a stern expression etched on his face. Saburota sat in a chair opposite him, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Nobubaki, come in and have a seat," Light Ray said, gesturing towards a chair across from him.
Nobubaki entered the room, his posture stiff, and sat down cautiously.
"How are you feeling today, Nobubaki?" Saburota asked gently.
Nobubaki hesitated. "Physically, I'm fine. But…" he trailed off, unsure how to articulate the frustration gnawing at him. "My memories… still nothing."
Light Ray leaned forward, his golden eyes filled with empathy. "We know it's difficult, Nobubaki. A year is a long time with no progress."
Saburota added, "But we haven't given up hope. We're continuing to investigate everything we can about your past."
"Is there anything new?" Nobubaki asked, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest.
Saburota shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. The trail is cold. There are no records of anyone matching your description, no missing person reports that line up…" His voice trailed off, his frustration mirroring Nobubaki's own.
A heavy silence descended upon the room, broken only by the faint hum of the computer on Light Ray's desk. Nobubaki stared out the window, watching a lone bird flitting between the branches of a tree. He felt a surge of despair. Would he ever remember who he was? What kind of life had he led before waking up in that sterile white room?
Sensing his despair, Light Ray placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't give up, Nobubaki. We'll keep searching. And in the meantime, you're a part of this family. We're here for you, no matter what."
Nobubaki looked at Light Ray, his eyes filled with gratitude. He may not have his memories, but he had found a home, a sense of belonging. He squeezed Light Ray's hand, a silent vow to keep fighting, to keep searching for the truth of his past alongside the family who had taken him in.
The shrill, pulsing alarm of Light Ray's watch shattered the somber mood. He snatched it up, his face grim as a synthesized female voice filled the room. "Sir, urgent alert! A villain attack is in progress at Teck City. Repeat, villain attack in progress at Teck City."
Without hesitation, Light Ray shot up from his chair. His body crackled with energy as golden light began to emanate from beneath his clothes. In a blink, his regular attire vanished, replaced by a sleek, metallic suit that shimmered with power.
"Saburota," Light Ray boomed, his voice laced with urgency, "take care of the kids! I need to head out."
Before Saburota could respond, Haruto, who had been silently listening at the doorway, burst into the room. His eyes, wide with excitement and a hint of fear, darted between Light Ray and Nobubaki.
"Dad's transforming!" he exclaimed, grabbing Nobubaki's hand and dragging him towards the living room. "Come on, Nobubaki! We gotta see this!"
Nobubaki stumbled slightly, caught off guard by Haruto's sudden enthusiasm. A year of living with Light Ray had made him well aware of the hero's duty, but he'd never actually witnessed a transformation or a live battle.
By the time they reached the living room, Light Ray was already gone. The television screen, however, had come alive, displaying a live feed of the chaos unfolding in Teck City. Smoke billowed from towering skyscrapers. In the center of the destruction stood a menacing figure radiating dark energy – the villain.
Haruto bounced on the balls of his feet, his eyes glued to the screen. "That's Megasonic!" he exclaimed, pointing at the villain. "He's really bad news!"
Nobubaki stared at the scene, a mixture of awe and trepidation settling in his gut. The world he inhabited with Light Ray and Haruto suddenly felt fragile, threatened by the unseen dangers lurking in the shadows.
"This is what Dad does, right?" Nobubaki asked, his voice laced with a hint of hero worship. "He goes and fights the bad guys?"
Nobubaki nodded, his throat tightening. He stole a glance at Saburota, who stood calmly behind them, his gaze fixed on the news report. Despite the outward composure, Nobubaki sensed a flicker of worry in the older man's eyes.
As the live feed continued, showing Light Ray entering the fray, a new wave of emotions washed over Nobubaki. There was fear for Light Ray's safety, a gnawing curiosity about the hero's powers, and a spark of something else – a yearning for a purpose, a desire to be a part of something bigger than himself.