A Good Person

The Penguin had once said:

James Gordon might be the only good person in Gotham City.

But sadly, Gotham had no room for even one good person.

From detective to commissioner, no one knew how many assassinations and attacks James Gordon had endured.

Though Commissioner Gordon was still a good person, he had undoubtedly become much more tactful. He was no longer as reckless as he'd been when he was young.

But his hatred of evil hadn't changed.

In an interview room at the Gotham Police Department, he sat alone across from Li Ang, taking his statement.

Once the statement was finished, James Gordon immediately asked, "Li Ang, you should tell me the truth."

During the interview, Li Ang had claimed to know nothing, no matter what Gordon asked.

"I know the Iceberg Lounge is one of the Penguin's criminal operations. This must have something to do with his illegal activities."

"If you'd just agree to become my informant..."

Before James Gordon could finish, Li Ang interrupted him.

"Commissioner Gordon, you're a good person."

James Gordon had heard those words from countless people over the years, so he immediately sensed trouble.

"When Kara and I first arrived in this city, you helped us."

"After working hard, we've finally managed to get by in Gotham City. It hasn't been easy."

"She's studying hard, and I'm working hard too. All I want is for her to grow up healthy and happy."

If this had happened when he was younger, James Gordon would have tried everything to make Li Ang help him, even threats or bribes.

But Commissioner Gordon now understood what Li Ang was saying.

He couldn't put Li Ang and Kara in danger.

That was what he'd learned by becoming more tactful.

Seeing James Gordon's expression soften, Li Ang smiled. "Of course, I'm a law-abiding citizen too. If anything happens, I'll call the police right away."

Taking the offered opening, James Gordon nodded. "You're free to go."

Li Ang stood and held out his hand. "Thank you, Commissioner Gordon."

James Gordon said nothing. He only looked at Li Ang, then finally reached out and shook his hand.

By the time Li Ang left the police station, it was already late at night.

He went to take a look at the Iceberg Lounge. It wasn't open today, and the place had been cleaned up as quickly as possible.

Since he wasn't going to work, he headed straight home.

The Diamond District was on high alert, so even this late at night, there wasn't a single mugger in sight.

Usually, Li Ang would have been stopped several times.

Of course, being as clever as he was, he wouldn't have gone out in the first place.

After all, a certain species had an astonishing talent for the dark. As long as they didn't bare their teeth, they could practically turn invisible.

It was a headache for anyone who ran into them.

"Thump, thump, thump."

With Li Ang's enhanced body and sharpened senses, he suddenly heard the sound of a cape flapping in the night.

He looked up and saw a black figure pass over the rooftop.

"Batman."

Li Ang didn't care much about him, but perhaps because of his job at the Iceberg Lounge, he instinctively tensed up and hurried home.

At night, Gotham belonged to freaks in skintight suits. He wore no skintight suit, and he wasn't a freak.

"Godfather!"

As soon as the door opened, Kara came out of her room.

Children were usually sleepy, but Kara was gifted. She only needed a little sleep to feel full of energy.

"Looks like you're all better."

Seeing Kara lively again made Li Ang incredibly happy.

Kara covered her ears with both hands, then said, "It went away with a pop, but I can try listening again."

"Ahem."

Li Ang hurried over and led Kara to the sofa.

"Kara, have you forgotten our agreement?"

Seeing how worried Li Ang was, Kara smiled. "Of course not. I won't use my powers without good reason."

Kara had already decided not to use her mind-reading ability unless she had to.

She'd been listening for so long and discovered that the world was noisy, and people's hearts were dark.

This was Gotham, after all...

Listening for so long had nearly made Kara depressed.

Almost everyone was thinking about how to scheme against the people around them or plotting some crime.

So once she'd gotten the hang of her ability, Kara immediately "blocked" out all that noise.

After Li Ang gently coaxed her, Kara told him all of this.

Li Ang was relieved that he hadn't been letting his mind wander back then. Otherwise, his good-guy act would have fallen apart in front of Kara.

"People carry the world's corruption in their hearts, so it's best not to try to learn what's inside someone else's."

Li Ang advised Kara.

The old saying "Judge people by their actions, not their hearts" made sense.

Everyone had a dark side.

Li Ang didn't say much more. Instead, he decided he'd set a good example himself.

He'd already gotten rid of many of his bad habits, except for the ones he really couldn't help. After all, food and sex were human nature.

The next day, Kara hurried off to Gotham Middle School.

The principal's threat hadn't been an empty one.

If Li Ang had money, he could have paid enough to keep Kara from having to attend class on time.

But he clearly didn't.

Li Ang stayed home and rested, not going anywhere.

That afternoon, Kara came home from school, and Li Ang made dinner for her.

Kara tossed her backpack onto a chair and said, "Godfather, the school is having an outdoor activity this weekend. The teacher asked if I want to go."

"Why wouldn't you?"

Li Ang asked as he followed a video tutorial for making egg fried rice.

He couldn't cook many dishes, but he knew how to make rice.

So after cooking some rice, he made a point of learning how to turn it into egg fried rice...

As for other dishes, he'd have to learn those another time.

Kara seemed to be enveloped by the old sofa. She deliberately played with its worn cushions as she said, "They're all so childish."

"Don't you have any friends?"

"No. We don't even have anything in common."

Kara answered without hesitation.

Compared to Kara, who had lived through the Destruction of Krypton and fled all the way to Earth, even the other kids in Gotham really were childish.

"Then this is perfect. The outdoor activity is a chance for you to make friends. You might find you have something in common after all."

Li Ang scooped the egg fried rice out of the pan.

He thought Kara was a lot like him.

Back when he was in school in his previous life, Li Ang had hated activities like camping and field trips.

But when he grew up, he realized it was important to take part in group activities now and then.

"Godfather, why do I get the feeling you're trying to get rid of me?"

Kara said suspiciously.

"Ahem."

Li Ang suspected that Kara had read his mind again.

But he couldn't let it show.

He knew a French girl who'd studied in China. She spoke Chinese fluently, and, most importantly, she was beautiful, with long, glossy black hair that made him feel a sense of familiarity. She also had long legs.

Naturally, Li Ang wanted to ask her out when Kara, his "little burden," wasn't around.

Kara didn't know Li Ang thought of her as a burden, but she recognized that expression.

The precocious little girl spoke earnestly. "You really should find me a godmother. Otherwise, people will think you're a lolicon."

"..."

Li Ang hurriedly brought over the egg fried rice and used it to shut her up.