Inside the bioship, Aqualad's conditions becomes stable with drip inserting into his arms. Artemis and Kid Flash are waiting for others to arrive suddenly they heard the voice inside their head.
"I am coming with Superboy."
"Megan is that you." Artemis said with relaxed expression.
Aqualad woke up from the voice and said in panic expression.
"What are you? Why are you inside my head and who are you guys?"
"Don't worry we are not going to hurt you. We are your friends." Artemis said with a smile.
"Megan, you need to come back quickly and make him remember everything." Kid Flash said.
After sometimes, Megan and Superboy arrived at the bioship. Robin and Ryotaro also started to arrive and they tried to go back to the Justice Headquarter. Kid Flash said with a smile.
"This is fun but I am never going to desert again. Also we got the sphere to keep for this mission."
~~~~ Two days Later ~~~~
The evening sun spilled soft gold through the windows of the Danvers' guest room, casting long shadows across Ryotaro's desk. His textbooks were stacked neatly in a corner, notes spread like a battlefield map across the surface.
For once, there were no missions, no emergencies, no Cobra cultists wielding strange Gaia Memories. Just the simple, daunting challenge of the upcoming exams.
Ryotaro tapped the end of his pen against his notebook. "English composition, math formulas, world history…" he muttered under his breath. "Compared to fighting monsters, this might be scarier."
A soft chuckle escaped him. His school life and his life as a fighter were so different, sometimes it felt like he lived in two worlds.
Kara's voice floated from the hallway. "Ryotaro, dinner will be ready soon!"
"Got it!" he called back.
Studying with the Danvers had brought an odd sense of stability. Kara was cheerful and warm, though sometimes a little too curious about Earth culture for someone pretending to be a normal girl. Alex was sharper, practical, and often teased him about his study habits. Together, they made the house feel lively, almost like a family.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. Exams first… then summer vacation.
Summer. For most students, it meant beaches, festivals, or simple rest. For Ryotaro, it was something more complicated.
Where should he go?
Back to Japan, to his family's estate, where tradition and wealth weighed heavily on his shoulders? Or should he stay in America, close to the people he had grown closer to—the Danvers, the Young Justice team?
The thought of returning to Japan filled him with both nostalgia and unease. His family was rich, respected, tied to old traditions. He knew they expected him to choose a proper career, something fitting of the Nogami name. Yet deep inside, he still clung to his dream: becoming a private detective.
He could almost hear his uncle's voice: "A detective doesn't just solve mysteries, Ryotaro. He finds the truth people are afraid to see."
Ryotaro smiled faintly. That was the future he wanted. Exams were just one step along that path.
After dinner, he sat outside on the porch with Kara. Fireflies blinked faintly in the twilight, and the warm breeze carried the faint scent of flowers.
"You're really serious about your exams," Kara said, sipping from a glass of juice. "Most students would be complaining non-stop by now."
Ryotaro shrugged. "I don't mind studying. It gives me a goal to focus on… something normal. Besides, my family expects me to do well."
"Your family back in Japan, right?" Kara tilted her head curiously. "What are they like?"
Ryotaro paused. "…Strict. Traditional. They want me to inherit the family businesses someday. But I don't think I'm suited for that."
"What do you want to do then?"
He hesitated, then answered honestly. "I want to be a private detective."
Kara's eyes widened, then lit up with excitement. "That's so cool! Like… solving mysteries and catching criminals?"
Ryotaro chuckled. "Something like that. Though it's not as glamorous as it sounds. Most of the time it's about finding missing pets or exposing scams."
"But still—it's about helping people, right? That sounds perfect for you." Kara smiled warmly, and Ryotaro felt a strange warmth spread in his chest.
They sat in silence for a while, watching the fireflies dance.
Then Kara leaned closer. "So… where are you planning to go this summer? Back to Japan?"
"I haven't decided yet." Ryotaro looked up at the stars. "Japan feels like home, but… here, I feel like I can be myself without all those expectations. Maybe… I'll split my time. A few weeks in Japan, a few weeks here."
Kara grinned. "If you stay, we should totally go to the beach! Or a summer festival! I've read about those in books, but I've never been to one."
Her excitement was contagious, and Ryotaro laughed. "A festival, huh? Maybe we can even wear yukata. I'll show you how."
"That sounds amazing!" Kara's eyes sparkled like a child's.
Later that night, Ryotaro returned to his desk. The fireflies outside blinked faintly, and the house had grown quiet. He pulled out another notebook—not for studying, but for planning.
On the first page, he wrote: Summer Vacation Plans
Visit family estate in Japan.
Train at the dojo.
Help uncle with small detective cases.
Spend time with Kara and Alex.
Maybe… a beach trip with the team?
He stared at the list for a long moment. It wasn't about choosing one life or the other—it was about finding balance between both. Between the boy expected to inherit his family's wealth and the boy who wanted to chase mysteries and protect people.
Between the fighter who wielded memories as weapons and the student studying for exams under a quiet lamp.
He closed the notebook and smiled. "Yeah… this summer will be good."
The next morning, Uncle caught him scribbling notes during breakfast.
"Planning world domination already?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.
Ryotaro flushed slightly. "Just… figuring out what to do in summer."
Uncle leaned over, trying to peek. "Ooh, let me see."
He quickly snapped the notebook shut, earning a playful smile from his uncle.
"Private detective and secret planner, huh? You're full of surprises," Uncle remarked, sipping his coffee.
Ryotaro only smiled faintly. "Maybe. But for now, I just need to pass my exams."
That night, as he drifted to sleep, his dreams were filled not with monsters or battles, but with simpler things—festivals lit by lanterns, the laughter of friends, and the faint sound of cicadas in the summer night.
For once, the future didn't seem so heavy. It felt… possible.
And Ryotaro Nogami slept peacefully, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.
*********
Leave the comments and review for this chapter.
Thank you for reading my book.
If you like this book, you can vote and support me with some power stones.