Haruka strolled through the school's bustling corridors, his mind still processing the events of the previous night. As he turned the corner, he spotted Kara, her bright smile immediately catching his attention.
"Hey, Haruka!" she greeted, her enthusiasm palpable. "Did you hear the news this morning?"
Haruka shook his head, his brow furrowed. "No, what happened?"
"The Kamen Rider - you know, that new vigilante everyone's been talking about?" Kara's eyes sparkled with excitement. "He stopped a criminal hideout and rescued a group of kidnapped women last night!"
Haruka listens quietly as Kara excitedly describes the Kamen Rider's latest exploits. Inwardly, he feels a twinge of unease, knowing that he was the one who carried out those actions as Kamen Rider. He tries to keep his expression neutral, nodding along as Kara recounts the details.
"Apparently, the Rider stormed the building, taking down the criminals and freeing the hostages," Kara says, her hands moving animatedly. "The media is calling him a hero!"
Haruka asked, "How did they know it was the Kamen Rider?"
Kara's eyes widened with enthusiasm. "Apparently, the kidnapped women all testified that they saw the Rider in action, taking down the criminals. And one of the police officers on the scene said the Rider called him directly to report the situation."
Haruka nodded, his mind racing. He knew the truth - that he, as Kamen Rider, had been the one to intervene. But hearing Kara describe the events from an outside perspective made him feel uneasy. He couldn't help but wonder how the public would react if they knew the Kamen Rider's true identity.
Haruka listened as Kara continued to gush about the Kamen Rider, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. "Sounds like you're quite the fan," he teased lightly.
Kara's cheeks flushed a delicate pink. "Well, I just... I think it's amazing, you know?" she stammered. "I mean, to have someone out there fighting for justice, protecting people - it's so inspiring." Her eyes shone with a wistful longing.
Haruka couldn't help but notice the way Kara's expression shifted, the admiration for the Kamen Rider so evident. "You know, if you wanted to, I bet you could be a superhero too," he said, nudging her playfully.
Kara's blush deepened, and she ducked her head shyly. "I don't know about that," she murmured. "I'm just a normal girl. But it would be incredible to make a difference like that."
Haruka and Kara walked together toward their next class, their conversation continuing. Kara's eyes shone with curiosity as she turned to Haruka.
"Do you think the Kamen Rider could be someone we know?" she asked, her voice lowered conspiratorially. "I mean, the way he was able to respond so quickly and take down those criminals - it's almost like he has inside information or special training."
Haruka felt a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. He knew the truth, but the idea of Kara discovering his secret identity as Kamen Rider filled him with a sense of unease. He chose his words carefully, trying to maintain his composure.
"I'm not sure," Haruka replied, his tone measured. "The Kamen Rider seems to be a skilled fighter, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's someone we know."
Haruka chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Maybe the Kamen Rider is just some billionaire who has too much time on his hands."
Kara's laughter rang out, the sound music to Haruka's ears. "Can you imagine? Some rich guy playing superhero in his spare time?" She shook her head in amusement.
The two friends continued their walk, their steps lighter, the tension from the earlier discussion dissipating. Haruka felt a sense of relief, grateful that Kara had not pressed the issue further. As they approached the classroom, Haruka knew he would have to be more careful in the future, lest his secret identity as Kamen Rider be revealed.
For now, he was content to enjoy the moment, sharing a laugh with Kara. The weight of his responsibilities as a Kamen Rider momentarily faded into the background, replaced by the simple joy of camaraderie. Haruka knew that these fleeting moments of normalcy were precious, a respite from the extraordinary circumstances that had become his reality.
In a dimly lit room deep within National City's underbelly, a man in a sharp red suit sits at an ornate desk, his eyes narrowed as he scans the newspaper before him. Snake Head, the ruthless leader of the Black Cobra gang, grits his teeth in displeasure as he reads the bold headline: "Kamen Rider Foils Criminal Hideout."
The Black Cobra is a criminal organization that has long held a stranglehold over the city's underworld, dealing in drugs, human trafficking, extortion, and the illegal arms trade. Its members are known for their ruthlessness and unwavering loyalty to Snake Head, a charismatic but calculating individual who demands absolute obedience.
Crumpling the newspaper in his gloved hand, Snake Head leans back in his chair, the dim light casting shadows across his face, which is adorned with intricate snake scale tattoos that seem to slither across his skin. His green eyes flash with a mixture of anger and determination.
"So, the Kamen Rider thinks he can interfere with my operations," he murmurs, his voice low and dangerous. "We'll see about that."
Snake Head presses a button on his desk, summoning one of his lieutenants, a burly man with a scarred face.
Snake Head leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the lieutenant. "I want the Kamen Rider gone," he said, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "Put a bounty of one million dollars on his head. I want him taken care of within a week."
The lieutenant's eyes widened slightly at the magnitude of the bounty, but he quickly recovered, bowing his head in acknowledgment. "It will be done, Boss," he said, turning to leave.
As the lieutenant made his way out of the room, Snake Head's lips curled into a sinister smile. "No one interferes with my operations and gets away with it," he murmured, his fingers drumming against the polished surface of his desk.
The lieutenant hurried through the dimly lit corridors of the Black Cobra's hideout, his mind racing with the implications of Snake Head's orders. A million-dollar bounty was no small sum, and it would undoubtedly attract the attention of every mercenary and assassin in the city. He knew that failure was not an option, not when it came to displeasing the Boss.
Reaching the main gathering area, the lieutenant quickly assembled the gang's top enforcers, their eyes gleaming with anticipation as he relayed Snake Head's instructions. The men were eager to prove their worth, and the prospect of such a lucrative reward only fueled their determination.
"Find the Kamen Rider and bring him to me," the lieutenant commanded, his voice authoritative. "Alive, if possible, but dead is acceptable. I want this done within a week, or else you'll answer to the Boss himself."
The enforcers nodded, their expressions hardening as they set out to carry out their mission. They knew that failure was not an option, for the consequences of disappointing Snake Head were too dire to contemplate.
The men dispersed, each one eager to get their hands on the lucrative bounty placed on the Kamen Rider's head. Word of the million-dollar reward quickly spread through the criminal underworld of National City, drawing the attention of the most ruthless and ambitious individuals.
In the seedy back-alleys and dimly lit bars, the news traveled like wildfire. Mercenaries, assassins, and seasoned gang members all perked up at the mention of the Kamen Rider, their eyes gleaming with the promise of a hefty payday.
One by one, they began to gather, sharing information and devising strategies to track down and capture the elusive vigilante. Rumors circulated about his abilities, his weaknesses, and the best ways to ambush him. The criminals were determined to be the ones to claim the prize.
In a darkened corner of a rundown bar, a group of hardened mercenaries huddled together, their voices hushed as they plotted their approach. They had faced many challenges in their line of work, but the prospect of taking down a Kamen Rider was both exhilarating and daunting.
"We need to be careful," one of the mercenaries warned, his eyes narrowed. "This Rider is no ordinary criminal. He's got some serious power behind him."
Another mercenary, a woman with a scar across her face, scoffed. "That's why the bounty is so high. We can't let this opportunity slip through our fingers."
The group nodded in agreement, their resolve hardening as they continued to discuss their plan of attack. They would need to work quickly and efficiently if they hoped to beat out the competition and claim the prize.
Across the city, in the dimly lit corridors of the Black Cobra's hideout, Snake Head's lieutenants were also spreading the word, their voices carrying a sense of urgency and anticipation. They knew that the Kamen Rider's downfall was crucial to maintaining the gang's grip on the city's underworld, and they were determined to ensure that their boss's orders were carried out to the letter.
The stage was set, and the hunt for the Kamen Rider had begun.
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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.