Everyone Has Sin

"Although I was inevitably confused about where I came from, this was undoubtedly my home."

Hearing David's words, Clark fell silent for a moment. His tone was more serious than ever, as if he were speaking not only to David, but also to himself. "I'm certain of that, David. You, Dad, and Mom are my family."

"That will never change."

After nearly losing things he had once taken for granted today, Clark suddenly realized that he should do everything possible to cherish and protect them—things like family bonds, things like family...

"Thank you for today, little brother."

"Don't think a few nice words will stop me from telling Mom what you've been doing with this thing all day."

Clark, who had always been somewhat reserved, had expressed his feelings so directly that David was momentarily unaccustomed to it. He looked into the distance.

"This astronomical telescope was made to help humanity observe the lofty, vast stars of the Universe.

"Not for someone to spy on his crush so he could have material for his dreams."

"David, I absolutely didn't have that kind of thought."

Clark hurriedly tried to explain. He really had not been thinking that.

"I know, I know."

But David, whose single remark had thrown him into such a panic, gave him no chance to explain. Leaving behind an obviously perfunctory response, he turned and walked away.

Clark's anxiety +7, embarrassment +4...

Today had been unlike any other. So many things had happened in succession, and the Kent couple and Clark had all experienced intense emotional fluctuations. David had gained quite a few Emotion Points as a result, and his fusion rate had advanced again.

Template fusion rate: 81% → 83%

The further the template fusion progressed, the harder it became to raise the fusion rate. At the same time, each point of fusion granted more power than a point had before.

The morning breeze swept through Smallville High School.

Pairs of sneakers moved briskly back and forth. Girls whispered among themselves, occasionally letting out shy giggles, while boys raised their chins and bragged to their friends.

Unlike their usual school days, the students' faces were filled with excitement and anticipation.

Tonight was the Spring Dance.

"You didn't take the school bus with David again today, Clark."

Pete asked Clark what had happened.

"Something came up. I saved someone, and he gave me a gift, but I couldn't accept it." Clark explained, "This morning, I went to return it."

That morning, without a word of complaint, he obediently followed his father's instructions and went to Lex Mansion. After exchanging a few polite words with Lex Luthor, he returned the pickup truck.

"What gift?"

Pete was interested and about to press further.

"That necklace is very important to me."

A faint voice carried over. Not far away, Lana wore a hurt and unpleasant expression.

Beside her, Whitney had a bandage wrapped around his bruised nose, while the corner of his forehead was red and swollen. He kept comforting his girlfriend as he explained.

"What happened to Whitney's face?"

Pete was puzzled.

"Maybe he got drunk and fell down?" Clark explained awkwardly, glancing at David, who looked unconcerned.

"That necklace was carved from a meteorite left behind after my parents died in the meteor shower when I was little. My aunt gave it to me so I could remember them, but you lost it."

"At the bar, s-someone got drunk and deliberately started trouble. We got into a fight with them, and after it was over, the necklace was gone.

"Lana, I promise I'll find it."

Clark's extraordinary hearing allowed him to hear their conversation. He frowned at Whitney's lie to deceive Lana.

Then, hearing about the necklace's origins, he hesitated before gritting his teeth and looking at David with pleading eyes. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

"You're really kind, Clark."

David sounded slightly helpless. He had already guessed what Clark wanted to say and turned to leave.

Although the Super Hearing granted by the Thanos Physique was far inferior to that of a Kryptonian, this distance posed no problem for him.

Needless to say, although Clark was reluctant to lose the chance to talk freely with the girl of his dreams,

he still decided to return the necklace to Lana.

Even if returning it would immediately heal the rift in Lana and Whitney's relationship, helping Whitney and costing Clark his own chance.

"Too kind. Just as expected of the future Superman."

That was all David could say about it.

Before the dance that evening.

Clark kept pestering David, trying to get the necklace from him.

David brushed him off.

Why would he return the Kryptonite he had just gotten his hands on?

Besides, as Clark kept pleading, Emotion Points kept coming in.

At the dance.

Chloe, who had not been invited by a dance partner, could only pair up with Pete to avoid embarrassment.

As for David and Clark, neither of them cared about such things.

Amid the melodious music, in the brightly lit center of the dance floor,

pairs of young men and women dressed in formal wear exchanged glances, their faces full of smiles as they danced slowly like birds.

Beside a long dining table.

David casually picked up a pastry and tasted it.

"Look over there. Your dream girl is dancing with another man's arm around her waist."

He lightly laughed at Clark, who had been pleading nonstop beside him, and pointed his fork toward the most eye-catching pair in the center.

"Even so, you still want to return the necklace?"

Clark looked toward the center of the dance floor, his heart sour as if he had eaten a lemon.

Although she was somewhat angry, Lana did not know the truth. Under Whitney's reassurance—built upon his lies and his complete evasion of responsibility—she had not turned down his dance invitation at the last minute.

Under everyone's envious gazes, the two looked deeply into each other's eyes and danced slowly, the most dazzling pair in the center of the floor.

The person he liked had dressed up for the dance, but not for him.

He could only stand at the edge of the dance, an inconspicuous invisible man.

"That necklace belongs to Lana, David."

Clark's tone could not hide his disappointment, but he still said it.

David was somewhat impressed by Clark, and he did not want to make things worse for him when he was already so pitiful.

"Fine. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

"Anyway, even if you have no chance, Lana isn't right for you."

Joy appeared on Clark's face, but upon hearing that, he was about to ask why David said so.

Suddenly, the fire alarm above the school auditorium was triggered, and water from the pipes poured down like a torrential rain.

"Ah!"

"Where did this water come from?"

"The fire alarm went off! Where's the fire?!"

Amid scream after scream, everyone in the auditorium was caught off guard and turned into drowned rats. Their exquisite makeup ran, their waxed hairstyles collapsed, and everyone looked bedraggled and panicked.

The pastry in his hand was soaked through. David glanced at his drenched clothes, and his expression darkened.

"Was it an accident?"

Clark quickly searched the area with his eyes, but he saw no fire, not even a trace of smoke.

"Did the fire alarm malfunction?"

Or had the main control outside been triggered?

Bang!

At that moment, the auditorium doors were suddenly kicked open.

Clear footsteps rang out one after another.

Crackle!

"God said that every person is born with original sin."

As the entire hall fell silent and looked in his direction, a lean figure in a hood walked inside. He raised his head, revealing a cold face. Dazzling electric currents like silver snakes leaped from his hand, and the smell of scorching filled the air.

"Although you are not all my targets this time, still..."

Under everyone's terrified and bewildered gazes, he paused. Then his hand, carrying a powerful current capable of melting steel, slammed down onto a patch of wet floor.

"I don't mind helping you wash away your sins ahead of time!"

Sorry the update was a little late. I wrote a bit extra to make up for the half chapter owed from yesterday.