[Third Person's PoV]
As Clark was preparing to walk out from school, he paused near the entrance to tie his shoes. Just as he finished adjusting them, he heard approaching footsteps. Looking up, he saw Lala and Momo walking side by side, hand in hands and chatting animatedly.
"Clark, why don't you join us?" Momo called out, her voice bright and hopeful.
"Join you where?" Clark asked, raising a brow with a hint of suspicion, still crouched as he tightened his shoelaces.
"We're taking Lala and Peke shopping," Momo explained enthusiastically, gesturing at Lala, who smiled cheerfully beside her. "Lala doesn't have many clothes yet, so we figured we'd take her out and help her pick some things. It'll be fun!"
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, clearly looking forward to the outing. However, her excitement dimmed slightly when she noticed Clark giving her a flat, expressionless stare.
Momo let out a small sigh, her shoulders slumping. "Why do I even bother... You big bore," she muttered with a playful pout.
Lala tilted her head, confused by the exchange, looking around for Clark.
"You know I've got things to do," Clark replied in his usual monotone, standing up and brushing off his pants. "Why even ask? Since when have I ever joined you for shopping?"
Momo clasped her fingers together in front of her chest, her lips forming a pout as she lowered her gaze. "I just thought... it might be something sweet we could do together," she murmured, her voice softening.
Clark paused for a moment, studying her disappointed expression. After a brief internal debate, he let out a resigned sigh and looked away.
"Fine," he muttered, shifting his backpack over his shoulders. "Call me after you're done, and I'll treat you guys to food. My treat."
Momo's face lit up instantly, her mood doing a complete 180. "Seriously?! No take backs! Promise me!"
"I promise, I promise," Clark grumbled, waving his hand as he started making his way off the school grounds.
But just before he could sneak away to handle his usual afterschool responsibilities, something caught his attention.
Up ahead, he spotted Komi walking quietly by herself along the sidewalk, her eyes glued to her phone. Whatever she was looking at had completely absorbed her attention. So much so, she didn't notice the street sign pole directly in her path.
Before disaster could strike, Clark casually stepped forward and positioned his hand between her and the sign. She bumped gently into his palm instead of smashing her face into cold metal.
Komi blinked, startled and a bit panicked as she looked up. Her wide eyes met Clark's, who raised an eyebrow at her, clearly unimpressed.
"You should really watch where you're going," he said, shaking his head, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
Flushed with embarrassment, Komi quickly raised her phone and typed: 'Sorry', showing it to him with a sheepish look.
Clark glanced at the screen and let out a faint chuckle. "Come on. I'll walk you home. Now I'm going to be worried you'll walk into traffic next."
Komi's eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink. She hesitated, then quickly typed again: 'I don't want to be a bother.'
"It's fine. You're not a bother," Clark said with a shake of his head. "Trust me—there are people in my life who are way more of a bother than you."
As soon as he said it, he froze, suddenly aware of how blunt it sounded. Komi wad walking beside and was staring up at him with those large, expressive eyes.
"Wait, I didn't mean it like that!" Clark said quickly, flustered. "I mean—you're not a bother at all. It's just… ugh, how do I even explain this…"
He awkwardly scratched the back of his head, clearly struggling with his words. Komi, meanwhile, simply covered her mouth with her hand and let out a soft giggle. Clark's usual stoic, unreadable demeanor made it rare to see him so awkward, and it genuinely amused her.
She typed another message and held it out: 'Don't worry. I understand. Thank you.'
Clark glanced at her message, then back at her warm, gentle smile. For a moment, he felt a flicker of embarrassment himself and cleared his throat to shift the attention.
"So... what were you looking at that had you so distracted you almost walked face-first into a sign?" he asked, trying to redirect the conversation.
Komi's face lit up as she quickly showed him her phone. Her contact list was open, and right beneath Clark's name was a new entry: Momo.
She typed excitedly: 'Since Lala just transferred, she didn't have a phone yet. Momo said they're getting her one today!'
Clark blinked at her, a little surprised. He was amazed—maybe even fascinated—by how much joy she seemed to get from something as simple as gaining a new contact.
"Wow," he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "It hasn't even been 24 hours and you've already added almost two new people. I'm sure once Lala gets her phone, Momo'll give her your number too."
Komi's smile grew even brighter as she eagerly nodded. Then she typed one final message and held it up with a look of sincere appreciation: 'And it's all thanks to you... Thank you, Clark.'
Clark looked at the message, then at her sincere expression. A wave of awkwardness hit him again. As Superman, receiving thanks was something he'd grown used to—it barely registered anymore. But as Clark, being thanked so personally made him feel… Strange to say the least.
He rubbed his neck, muttered something unintelligible under his breath, and continued walking with her, doing his best to keep his cool.
They soon arrived at Komi's home, standing just outside her front door, Komi hesitated a moment before pulling out her phone. With her usual shy grace, she turned the screen to Clark, displaying a freshly typed message:
'Thanks for walking me home. I've never walked home with a friend before… It was an enjoyable experience.'
Clark chuckled lightly, his expression softening as he shook his head. "Just next time, make sure not to run headfirst into any more street signs, alright?"
Komi blushed, her cheeks rosy with embarrassment. She quickly typed:
'I'll be more careful.'
"Good," Clark replied with a slight smile. "I'll see you at school, Komi."
Komi gave a small wave, her movements gentle and delicate, before disappearing inside her house. Once inside, she lingered behind the door, resting her back against it. Her gaze drifted to the floor, and slowly, a smile stretched warmly across her face — genuine and radiant.
Meanwhile, Clark rounded the next corner. With no one around to see him, he reached up and removed his glasses. As he did, the frames shimmered and disintegrated into particles of glowing red sand, which trickled along his fingers before disappearing entirely.
With a faint hum of power and a sudden whoosh, a blinding red-and-white streak rocketed into the sky, wind roaring in his wake. Both fists extended forward as he soared through the air, slicing through the clouds at super speed.
Superman was back on duty.
---
Later that evening, as the sun dipped lower beneath the horizon, casting golden rays along the streets, Momo and Lala walked side by side under a shaded underpass. The path ran along the edge of a grassy slope, and just beyond it, a tranquil river flowed steadily, the sound of rushing water creating a peaceful background hum.
Momo carried several shopping bags, her arms slightly sore from the day's spree, while Lala practically skipped beside her in excitement. She wore a stylish new outfit: a pastel skirt and matching top, complete with Peke as a badge displayed proudly over her chest like a logo.
"Thanks, Momo! I never knew Earthling clothes could be so beautiful," Lala beamed, spinning playfully. "I love them! Every outfit was so fun to try on."
Momo sighing as she looked over the bags in her hands. "You've got it so easy. That Peke of yours can just scan clothes and poof, you're instantly wearing them. No lines, no fitting rooms, no receipts. I'm seriously jealous."
Lala giggled, about to respond when—crack!—a loud impact echoed through the underpass.
A shadow dropped from above and landed heavily in front of them with a devastating boom, cracking the concrete beneath his feet. Dust kicked up around the landing zone. The figure slowly rose from a crouch, towering over the two girls.
He wore a suit of dark grey battle armor lined with silver accents, thick gauntlets on his arms, and a long cape that swayed in the wake of his landing. His face was sharp and stern, and his long blond hair rippled from the lingering shockwave of his descent.
Momo instinctively stepped in front of Lala, her stance protective. The cheerful atmosphere evaporated in an instant.
The man's eyes locked onto Lala with authority. "Princess… It's time for you to come home. His Majesty is waiting."
Lala froze, the smile fading from her lips. Her entire posture shifted—shoulders tense, eyes wary.
Momo dropped her shopping bags as she took a step forward and spread her arms protectively in front of Lala. Her tone was firm and unwavering.
"I don't know who you are," she said, glaring up at the armored warrior. "But Lala's not going anywhere. If you want her, you'll have to get through me first."
Lala hesitated, her gaze still locked on the man before them. "Momo… I think we should call Superman."
Momo blinked. "What? You don't think I can handle this guy?"
Lala winced. "It's not that... well... actually, yes. I don't think you can."
Momo looked offended. "Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence."
Lala bit her lip. "It's not your fault. Only someone like Superman stands a chance against him."
Momo glanced at the man again, her stance suddenly less confident. "Okay, who is this guy?"
Taking a deep breath, Lala answered in a more serious tone, "He's Commander Zastin of Planet Deviluke... Head of the Royal Guard and my father's most trusted warrior. If he's here, that means my father has officially ordered my return."
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