[Third Person Pov]
Clark gently lowered Komi back onto the ground. She immediately took a few small steps away, one hand pressed to her chest as she tried to steady her breathing and calm the rapid pounding of her heart.
Clark couldn't help but smile at the expression on her face. The sense of wonder hadn't faded at all. After all, she had just been flying. Her body was still buzzing with adrenaline. "Pretty cool, right?"
Komi nodded rapidly, almost frantically, her eyes wide as she silently answered yes. The intensity of her reaction made Clark laugh. "Hahaha, alright, alright. Let's get you home. I don't think your mom would appreciate it if I brought you back late."
Even though a hint of disappointment showed, Komi nodded in agreement. It was getting dark, and she knew he was right. The two of them left the park and walked side by side the entire way, the quiet between them comfortable.
Clark glanced to the side after a moment, noticing the way Komi kept looking at him. There was a clear admiration in her gaze.
It was starting to fully sink in for her. The person walking next to her wasn't just Clark. He was a superhero. Someone who went out of his way to help people all over the world. Someone widely known, admired, even feared. A living symbol to most people. And yet, to her, he was still someone she knew personally.
Clark let out a small breath and scratched his chin. "You know… I'd appreciate it if you didn't start treating me differently or acting weird just because of who I am."
Komi's expression softened almost instantly. She shook her head, reining in her excitement, and spoke in a quiet voice that only he could really hear. "You don't have to worry. To me, you'll always be Clark Ayase. You being Superman doesn't change that… although it is a little cool."
Clark smirked and let out a quiet chuckle. He reached over and rested his hand gently on top of her head. "Thank you. And yeah… I guess it is a little cool."
Komi stiffened slightly, then placed her own hand over the top of her head after he pulled away, a bit embarrassed as she held onto the lingering warmth.
By the time they reached her house and started to say their goodbyes, Clark stopped her just before she could head inside. "Hold on, wait. Here, you can have this back." He extended the money she had given him earlier.
Komi blinked in confusion, but Clark scoffed lightly. "You seriously think I wouldn't realize this is your allowance for the week? I can't accept this, Shouko. You'll end up going hungry."
Her face immediately flushed red, caught off guard at being found out. It was exactly what she had given him. "I… didn't have anything else ready," she admitted quietly.
Clark gently took her hand and placed the money back into her palm. "Then how about this? You keep it, and later this week you can take me out to eat. That'll be your gift instead. My conscience wouldn't let me take this from you."
Komi considered it for a second before nodding. It was a much better alternative.
A teasing smirk crossed Clark's face. "Cool. It's a date, then."
Komi's brain completely short-circuited at that word. Her ears turned bright red as she quickly looked away, trying to process what he just said.
Clark covered his mouth as he laughed softly, clearly amused. He always found her reactions both interesting and adorable.
Their conversation caught Shuuko's attention, prompting her to step outside with her usual enthusiasm. "Clark-kun!"
"Hello," Clark replied, a bit stiff as always. He still wasn't fully used to her energy.
"Thank you for walking Shouko home," she said warmly. Then, with a bright smile, she opened her arms. "And I heard it's your birthday today, isn't it? Come here."
"Thank you…" Clark replied, a little bashful as he accepted the gesture, which made Komi quietly laugh off to the side.
He stayed and talked with them for a while longer before eventually taking his leave.
As he walked away and Komi and her mother headed inside, Clark spoke quietly under his breath. "Has she woken up yet?"
"She has not," Sol responded immediately. "It appears she is more psychologically affected by what occurred than we initially believed."
"So she's dealing with trauma, and it's slowing her recovery," Clark said, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"In simpler terms, yes. The Superman Robots have been monitoring her closely. Based on my estimations, she should regain consciousness within the next one to two hours."
Clark exhaled softly. "I guess I'll make a quick trip home. I don't know why, but I've got a feeling things are about to get busy."
He turned the corner, and in an instant, he was gone without a trace, not even a blur left behind.
…
"I'm back…" Clark called out as he stepped through the door.
"Clark! You're right on time!" Lala's voice rang out from the living room, immediately pulling his attention.
"You sure took your time," Momo added from where she sat cross-legged on the couch.
"Yeah, something important came up," Clark replied, a hint of exasperation in his voice.
Seiko was on the floor beside Krypto, happily ruffling his fur. She glanced up with a curious look. "Something Clark important, or something Superman important?"
"…Honestly, both," Clark admitted with a scoff, still a little amused by how unexpected his day had turned out.
The three of them looked at him expectantly, clearly waiting for an explanation, but Clark just shook his head and waved them off. "I'll tell you later. Right now I'm more interested in what Lala meant when she said I was right on time. On time for what?"
Lala perked up instantly, her excitement returning full force. "Now that it's just us, I can give you your present without worrying!"
Clark raised a brow as she pulled out her phone, which was linked to her dimensional storage.
With the press of a button, a dog collar materialized in her palm. "Ta-da!" she announced proudly, holding it out toward him.
"…"
"…I didn't know you were into that kind of roleplay, Lala. Maybe save it for when we're alone. It's a wonderful gift nonetheless," Clark said completely straight-faced.
"No, silly!" Lala exclaimed, her face turning bright red as she realized what he meant. "It's not for me!"
Momo burst out laughing, while Seiko snickered and looked away.
"It's not? Is it… for me?" Clark asked cautiously, his hand instinctively moving toward his neck as he glanced around. "I'm sorry, Lala. No judgment, but that's just not my thing."
Lala puffed out her cheeks. "Okay, now I know you're messing with me."
"Heh." Clark smirked, clearly pleased with himself.
"Just watch what it does. I'm sure you're going to love it," Lala said, still pouting slightly before turning her attention elsewhere. "Krypto, come here, boy."
Krypto trotted over, leaving Seiko—much to her disappointment—and sat obediently in front of Lala.
Lala crouched down and brought the collar close to his existing sunstone one. A tendril of red sand extended from it, pulling the new collar in and merging it seamlessly around Krypto's neck.
Krypto stood up and gave his body a shake, settling the collar into place.
Lala straightened up with a smile and held out her hand. "Alright, boy. Paw."
Krypto lifted his paw and placed it in her hand.
"Sit."
He sat.
"Roll over!"
Krypto rolled side to side without hesitation.
"Backflip!"
He sprang up and executed a clean backflip before landing neatly.
Clark watched, arms crossed, eyebrow slightly raised. 'Where is she going with this?'
"Speak!" Lala commanded.
"Speaking!" Krypto replied in a smooth, confident voice.
Clark froze, his eyes widening.
"Woah…" both Clark and Krypto said at the same time.
"Did you just speak!?" Clark asked, his voice filled with excitement and disbelief.
"I just spoke!" Krypto echoed, equally thrilled as he jumped up before dropping into a playful stance.
"Hahahaha!" Clark burst into laughter, pure, boyish joy on full display.
He grabbed Krypto's front paws and started spinning around with him, the two of them laughing and celebrating together.
Lala puffed out her chest proudly, clearly satisfied with her work, while Momo and Seiko leaned back, chuckling as they watched Clark act like an overexcited kid.
********************************************
+20 advance Chapters on: patreon.com/Shadow_D_Monarch3