Rebellious Clark

Kent Farm.

The atmosphere at dinner tonight was somewhat heavy.

"Miss Dajardin called. No students were seriously hurt, but a few inhaled a lot of water while unconscious and still need to remain in the hospital for observation."

Jonathan said as he stirred the mashed potatoes.

As he spoke, his gaze drifted deliberately—or perhaps inadvertently—toward Eric and Clark.

"That should be the best possible outcome under the circumstances."

Martha affectionately poured Clark a glass of milk and patted the hand he had resting on the table. "The two brothers shouldn't blame themselves over this."

Jonathan's stern gaze did not leave them.

"Clark, were you the one who pulled the school bus out of the river?"

"Yes. I wanted to do it, but I couldn't."

Clark told the truth. "So I asked Eric to help me."

"Eric?"

Jonathan shifted his gaze to Eric, who had been silently eating the beef and potato stew.

Compared to hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, and pizza, he preferred this beef and potato stew, which was closer to the food of his homeland.

It suited his eating habits better.

"Sorry, Dad. I didn't want to get involved at first. But Clark convinced me in his own way."

Eric put down his knife and fork and answered calmly.

Yes, he had not had the slightest intention of helping at first.

After all, he had never aspired to be a superhero. What did other people's lives or deaths have to do with him?

Since his template was "Homelander," the system clearly considered him a complete bastard too.

Wasn't it perfectly normal for a "bad guy" to stand by and watch?

If those high school students who had insulted Jonathan and Martha had not been hospitalized, he would have found another opportunity to teach them a lesson.

It was only because he had been an orphan in his previous life, and had felt long-lost familial warmth in this home, that he had developed feelings for Jonathan and Martha.

Otherwise, no matter what method Clark used, he would never have been able to threaten him.

"Ah!"

Hearing Eric's answer, Jonathan let out a heavy sigh. He clasped his hands together and supported his faintly aching forehead.

He did not know how to begin.

The personalities of the two sons before him stood in stark contrast.

Clark was simple and kind, eager to help others. He longed to use his powers, believing he could both help people and fulfill his own worth.

Jonathan knew Clark did not fit in at school and was not as noticeable at home as his younger brother. That was why he craved recognition from others and wanted to freely use his extraordinary powers without restraint.

Eric, on the other hand, was the opposite of Clark.

Calm, intelligent, low-key, patient, restrained. He saw the rules governing society clearly, but lacked sympathy and empathy for others. He never displayed his powers in front of outsiders.

At times, he even reached the point of watching people die without helping, even seeming cold-blooded.

Just like with the school bus incident.

He did not approve of Clark exposing himself to save people, because he wanted both sons to live ordinary lives.

But neither did he approve of Eric standing by, because he did not want his son to become someone without sympathy or empathy.

And so, his heart was now full of contradictions.

If only their personalities could balance each other out.

At that moment, such a thought suddenly flashed through Jonathan's mind.

He raised his head and shook the absurd thought from his mind.

He believed Eric would understand his intentions, so he did not plan to explain anything to him.

Instead, he turned directly to Clark. "Accidents will always happen in life. We can't stop them. But Clark, sometimes, you must learn to hide yourself."

Clark, who had remained silent until then, suddenly felt his rebelliousness surge up. He shot back at his father, "Stand by like Eric and do nothing? Dad, I was saving people!"

He did not mention that Eric had been the one responsible for the school bus losing control, so Jonathan did not know Eric had been the one who started it all.

"Of course, Clark. We know you were saving people. But just as we agreed, you need to keep your secret hidden."

Jonathan tried his best to make his words sound non-confrontational.

"Then what was I supposed to do? Watch them drown?"

Clark's tone gradually grew heavier.

He did not understand why his father was gradually becoming just like Eric.

"Clark, there are things in this world more important than your own life, things more important than your family and friends."

Jonathan's voice was heavy. "If people discover that you and Eric have superpowers, then this world will be turned upside down. Our beliefs, our—"

Jonathan paused for a moment before continuing, "People's views, everything will be overturned."

He looked at his wife, smiled, and patted Martha's hand to show that he was fine. Then he asked Clark, "Clark, do you remember the first time Eric showed his abilities? The Fordham family was terrified! People are not ready yet to welcome someone who could change the world."

"So God made Eric and me this way?"

Clark did not understand his father's words. He pressed his lips together and stared stubbornly at him.

Then he glanced at Eric, who sat silently nearby, before rising to his feet in disappointment.

"I've had enough of what you keep saying. Don't act rashly, hide your abilities—"

Clark's voice grew harsher.

He was not hysterical, but the suppression beneath that disappointment was what revealed the depth of his anger.

"I just don't want to be a 'Luthor' at school. I don't want people looking down on me! But every day, you tell me to be normal, like this—"

He angrily picked up his knife and fork. With only a little force, he snapped the fork in two.

"Is this what you call normal?"

He slammed the fork down on the table and turned away.

"I'd do anything to be normal, but I'm not normal!"

"Clark!"

Seeing her son leave, Martha wanted to go after him, but Jonathan stopped her.

"Martha, if he wants some time alone, don't follow him."

Martha looked at Clark as he stormed out the door, then at her husband's gloomy expression. In the end, she sighed and sat back down.

"Don't worry, Dad. Clark will understand your intentions someday."

Eric finally finished the beef and mashed potatoes in front of him and comforted his father.

"What about you, Eric? You possess powers even greater than Clark's. Are you willing to be an ordinary person?"

Jonathan suddenly asked Eric directly.

Compared with his eldest son's sudden rebellion, he was even more worried about the younger son before him.

Because as his father, he had never been able to see through him.

"I..."

A faint smile appeared on Eric's lips. He took hold of his mother's slightly cool hand beside him. "I'm not willing to be an ordinary person, but Father, Mother, I have always seen myself as someone from Smallville, Kansas, as your son. I have never been confused about who I am."

Jonathan fell silent for a moment, then raised his head and sighed. "This day was bound to come eventually. Perhaps... it's time to tell you, Eric."

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