This Is Not Up To You

A-Train whispered an almost inaudible "I'm sorry," after which Ashley cheered and led the applause.

"What is responsibility?"

"This is it."

"Although A-Train didn't have to come all this way, his sense of responsibility as a superhero brought him here to personally apologize to the victim's family."

"Our company will also provide the family with humanitarian compensation."

"Our lawyers will deliver it shortly, so that's all for today."

"If anyone has further questions, you can visit Seven Tower, where we will..."

Just then, someone interrupted Ashley's words: "Please wait!"

Ashley frowned almost imperceptibly, then quickly put on a smiling face and looked at Hughie.

"Is there something else, sir?"

Hughie looked somewhat embarrassed, his expression tense under the media's gaze, but he still stepped forward and said, "Did anyone just hear A-Train's apology?"

"I certainly didn't."

"Look, he didn't even take off his glasses, he wouldn't even look me in the eye."

"I don't think this is an apology, it feels more like a perfunctory gesture!"

Hughie's dad looked at his son in surprise.

In his memory.

Hughie had always been timid and passive, much like himself.

But today, right now!

He actually dared to stand up and say such things.

His courage was commendable!

A-Train shook his head, took off his glasses, and looked at Hughie, whispering, "That's enough, man."

At this moment.

He didn't know what he saw, his eyes changed slightly.

Hughie remembered his girlfriend's hands.

Robin had been smashed to pieces.

Now, the only thing that could be buried in that coffin in the cemetery were those hands!

This made him furious, and his anger gave him boundless courage.

"Apologize!"

"Please look at me and apologize loudly!"

"Please apologize to the deceased Robin!"

Ashley was about to intercede, but suddenly froze, then stopped.

The media, the reporters.

They all raised their cameras, the flashes going off incessantly, as if to record this special moment.

At this moment, Hughie felt like a warrior.

Engaged in a sacred war!

Then.

A hint of red caught his eye.

Followed by a glimpse of the Stars and Stripes.

Then a hand filled with infinite power gently pressed on his shoulder, and Hughie heard someone behind him say in a deep voice.

"He's right."

"A-Train."

"Whether you're a normal person or a superhero."

"If you do something wrong, you have to apologize."

"That's the most basic character."

Homelander!

Hughie turned his head and saw the blond, blue-eyed, handsome and sunny Homelander standing right behind him.

Becoming his powerful support!

And.

Homelander agreed with what he said!

This made Hughie's eyes well up with emotion.

A-Train closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Then he looked up at Hughie.

"I am very sorry."

"Mr. Hughie."

"I apologize."

"For what I've done, for everything."

"I apologize!"

Clap clap clap.

Azu started applauding.

"Well said, A-Train."

"I'm proud to have a companion like you."

A-Train nodded, finally feeling a sense of relief.

At this moment.

Hughie asked, "I accept his apology, but is that all there is to it?"

"Doesn't he have to face legal consequences?"

A-Train's head shot up, and he glared at Hughie, whispering through gritted teeth, "Hey, bookworm, don't push your luck."

The media cameras all turned to Homelander.

Ashley quickly said, "Regarding the prosecution of A-Train, our legal department is currently handling it. Perhaps you media friends could accompany us to Seven Tower, where our legal counsel will provide a satisfactory answer."

"He absolutely must face consequences."

A voice cut in.

interrupting Ashley.

In an instant.

Ashley felt the urge to resign.

After all, working for Homelander, a boss who never shied away from trouble, no matter how capable she was, she couldn't keep up.

Yes.

That line, 'face consequences,' was spoken by Azu.

A-Train thought he misheard and looked up at Azu, then took two steps forward and whispered, "Homelander, are you joking?"

Azu smiled at the cameras, gently patted A-Train's shoulder, and replied in a low voice, "I'm serious."

Then he said loudly.

"I know many people are concerned about the lack of oversight for superheroes."

"I can assure you all here."

"Superheroes must also abide by the law."

"They must adhere to the code of conduct for citizens."

"They must take responsibility for their actions."

"So, yes."

"A-Train will undergo an investigation, but as for what kind of punishment he will receive."

Azu looked at Hughie and shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, that's for the judge to decide. I'm not a judge."

"But I will ensure he sees a judge."

"Is that so?"

"My friend."

The last sentence was directed at A-Train.

A-Train whispered, "Homelander, this isn't fun."

Azu replied with a smile, "As I said, I'm serious."

A-Train said quickly, "If I go to jail, what about my endorsements? I have a new movie about to start filming."

"The breach of contract fees alone will be a considerable sum."

"The company won't let anything happen to me!"

Azu chuckled lightly. "You might not know."

"This morning, I just finalized terms with Edgar."

"From now on, I call the shots for The Seven."

"So if I say you have to see a judge, you have to see a judge."

"Did you understand?"

A-Train shook his head. "No, no, I'm not going to prison. I absolutely refuse to go to prison!"

Azu's smile remained unchanged. "That's not up to you."

A-Train looked up, gazing at the handsome man's sunny smile, yet seeing no warmth in his eyes.

Just then.

Azu turned his head to look at Hughie. "I'll personally escort A-Train to the police station."

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the sound of wind arose.

Ashley's hair was lifted by the wind, fluttering in the air.

When it fell back down, tiny specks of red, warm liquid landed on her face.

She maintained her smile, but heard screams echo in her ears, one after another.

She looked towards the media, and the smile on her face slowly disappeared.

She saw blood, shattered bones, organs, and torn clothing.

They were all mixed together.

Then smeared across the road, staining the clothes of the reporters.

Where the dense crowd of media had stood, a path now appeared.

The ground in that path was covered in blood.

"A-Train disregarded the law, attempted to evade judicial punishment, and did not hesitate to kill to escape."

Homelander's voice made Ashley turn her head.

She saw the man in the star-spangled cape slowly lift off the ground.

He declared with righteous indignation.

"From this moment on, A-Train is no longer a member of The Seven."

"I will personally bring him to justice!"

With that said.

Homelander shot into the sky.

He paused briefly in mid-air, then flew away at high speed.

Only then.

Did Ashley react, finally understanding what had happened.

Thinking about the consequences this would bring.

Ashley couldn't help but scratch her hair, pulling out a few strands of golden hair.