"You shouldn't be doing this…" A broad-shouldered man looked at the still somewhat boyish young man before him, his voice low.
"Why not?" The youth gestured toward the people below and replied, "I saved them. I kept them from dying, gave them the chance to continue enjoying their lives. They pay me for that. It's a win-win, isn't it? So tell me—what exactly is wrong with it?"
Clark gazed at the boy before him. Though his words sounded reasonable, Clark felt uneasy. This wasn't the way justice should be carried out. Taking money… it left a bitter taste. To him, the act of helping others—an act of justice—was never something to be done for profit.
Below them, the crowd had already noticed the two extraordinary beings conversing in the sky.
"Two Supermen…" someone whispered in awe.
The burly Superman had been on Earth for quite some time, but the black-haired Superman had only recently appeared.
The black-haired one was just as powerful, but unlike the first, he charged for his help. To him, saving people was work—and work, naturally, required payment.
One asked for money, the other did not. In the eyes of the crowd, the difference was night and day.
"You don't deserve to be called Superman, Colin!!!" The name "Colin" belonged to the black-haired man.
"I never said I was Superman." Colin pointed to Clark. "That guy's Superman. Me? I'm just a human with super strength. Don't assume otherwise."
On the ground, a reporter was frantically snapping photos of the two figures in the sky.
Colin even flashed a big grin, making a peace sign toward the reporter. "Make sure you know—it's gonna cost you~."
The reporter froze in surprise, then nodded stiffly.
Colin turned back to Clark. "Honestly, I don't get you. You've got strength that's way beyond human, yet you choose to live as a measly little reporter."
"Money isn't everything," Clark replied calmly.
"That's true. Money isn't everything. But still—eh, whatever, do what you like. I'm plenty rich myself. Oh, right, did I mention? I've got an unlimited credit line~."
Something flickered across Clark's face at those words, though he said nothing.
Colin laughed with genuine delight. "Here in this world, all my expenses are covered by the people. I can do whatever I want. Of course, I'm a decent enough guy—I won't go around doing evil. But tell me, why is there such a gulf between us, when we both wield power beyond human limits?"
Clark remained silent.
Colin continued, "When I got that card, someone told me it was so I could keep an eye on you. I still remember that bootlicking grin of his—so over the top! Your justice shines that brightly, you know?"
But with Clark still silent, Colin lost interest. He waved a hand lightly. "Goodbye then, champion of justice."
And with that, he soared into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Clark followed suit, leaving as well.
At a restaurant.
Lois Lane spoke with some frustration. "That guy drained almost all my money."
She meant Colin. The reason she'd lost money was obvious—she'd been snapping photo after photo of him earlier, hoping she could earn something back later. Otherwise, by the end of the month, she might be eating scraps.
"I've still got a little left," Clark said gently. "Enough to get us by for a while."
Just then, a black sports car pulled up outside. From it stepped a young man with black hair, his face still boyish.
The roar of the car drew their attention. Lois muttered, "That's Colin—some rich tycoon from the East. They say he's even wealthier than Bruce Wayne. That car of his is worth a fortune."
She couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy. Still, in her heart, Clark held far more appeal. After all, Clark was Superman.
"Colin…" Clark murmured as he looked down at the black-haired youth. He knew Colin had many strange abilities. For example, he could alter people's perception—if Colin didn't want people to realize he was the black-haired Superman, then no one would. Only when he willed it would they recognize him for what he truly was.
A very convenient power indeed.
Before long, Colin walked into the restaurant, now accompanied by a strikingly beautiful woman.
Moments later, a staff member began asking patrons to leave, clearing the way so Colin and his date could dine privately.
The scene stirred outrage among the diners.
A white young man slammed the table and shouted, "You have no right to force us out!!!"
Colin simply nodded to the staffer. The next instant, the staff member pulled out a thick stack of cash and set it before the young man. "Consider it a token of friendship."
"…" The young man fell silent.
There must have been forty or fifty thousand dollars in that stack. Still, wasn't it humiliating to just take the money and leave?
The staffer pressed on. "Mr. Colin has little patience. If you waste any more time, he may just walk out himself. Then this pile of cash walks out with him. Are you really willing to give it up? Besides, everyone else will be leaving with money in hand—so don't think it's shameful."
The young man hesitated no longer. He took the cash and left. The others quickly followed.
Colin watched them leave with their pockets stuffed, not caring in the slightest. After all, this world's money belonged to him anyway. However he spent it, it was still just Earth's.
Lois stared at the money before her. Truthfully, she wanted it badly—but she didn't dare take it. She feared Clark would disapprove.
But then, to her surprise, Clark stood, picked up the cash, and gently led Lois outside.
Lois blinked in shock. Before she could say a word, Clark explained, "This is a transaction. We gave up our seats, and he gave us money. It's a win-win situation."
Lois was utterly stunned. Since when had Clark become… flexible?
Still bewildered, she heard him add with a faint smile, "That's something the other Superman taught me."
The corners of his mouth curled upward. Bet he never thought I'd actually do it.
At the same time
"…" Colin scratched his head. Wait a second. Shouldn't Clark have been furious? Shouldn't he have stood up and denounced him with righteous indignation? Instead, the man just walked away with the money. Where was his Superman pride?
The woman beside him leaned close, her voice dripping with honey. "Now it's just the two of us, Mr. Colin. You can have me do whatever you want~."
She was a woman he had beckoned over casually. Colin set another wad of cash on the table and said flatly, "Do a backflip."
"What!?" She froze. A backflip? That wasn't exactly her skill.
"Seriously? Even my cat can do a backflip." Colin scowled, annoyed.
And with that, he took back the money and walked away, leaving the stunned woman with nothing—not a single bill.