[Third Person Pov]
When everyone was finally called down to eat, Clark stepped out of Komi's room with the now–empty drink tray balanced neatly in his hands. The hallway was warm with the soft glow of afternoon light, when he ended up running straight into her brother.
Shousuke had been coming down the hallway as well, and the moment their eyes met, both young men paused. For a brief second, Clark could've sworn a soft shimmer floated between the two Komi siblings—almost like sparkles clinging to their hair and features.
'Is everyone in this family just stupidly attractive or something?' Clark wondered in strange amusement.
"Shousuke," Komi's brother said simply, his voice calm, flat, and efficient—wasting no excess breath on pleasantries.
Clark immediately understood. This was the type of person who believed words should be rationed, not scattered. Honestly, Clark respected that. "Clark," he replied with equal simplicity, offering a brief nod and a polite handshake.
Shousuke accepted it, their greeting clean and quick. Without another word, he reached out, took the drink tray directly from Clark's hands, and turned on his heel to head down the stairs. Clark blinked once, then twice, before letting out a small amused exhale and trailing after him with Shouko close beside him.
Downstairs, the comforting scent of home-cooked food grew stronger with every step—warm rice, simmering miso, grilled fish, and subtle hints of ginger and soy. Shousuke carried the tray straight to the sink, while Shuuko approached Clark with a bright welcoming smile.
"Come now, sit," she said as she pulled out a chair for him.
"Thank you," Clark replied, dipping his head politely as he sat beside Shouko. His eyes widened slightly at the sheer spread before him—a vibrant feast of traditional Japanese dishes laid out with care. It was the kind of dinner that demanded appreciation before even being touched.
Masayoshi sat at the head of the table, posture dignified but gentle, while Shuuko and Shousuke settled beside one another. Once everyone had their chopsticks in hand, they pressed their palms together and chorused a warm, harmonious "Itadakimasu." Clark followed the gesture, breaking his chopsticks and easing into the family rhythm as everyone began serving themselves.
"So, Clark," Shuuko began with her eyes practically sparkling, "care to share how it was that you and Shouko became friends? She wouldn't tell me no matter how many times I asked."
Shouko froze mid-bite, shoulders stiffening as a silent no, no, no, please no scream flared behind her eyes. She shot a panicked look at Clark as though begging him to spare her from imminent doom. Clark watched her for a moment, his gaze soft, then slowly smirked.
The color drained from Shouko's face. 'He's going to say it… I'm going to die right here at this table…'
"I'm sorry," Clark said smoothly, "but seeing how uncomfortable Komi seems about sharing the tale, I'll refrain until she's ready."
Shouko blinked, stunned. She stared up at him with wide, disbelieving eyes, and Clark—without even fully turning his head—glanced her way and gave her a quick, secret wink before resuming his meal.
If this had been a shoujo manga, radiant glittering lights would've burst behind him in a dramatic slow-motion profile shot.
"Boo," Shuuko pouted, puffing her cheeks in disappointment. But after taking in Shouko's almost entrance expression as she stared at Clark, she backed off without pressing further.
Masayoshi observed the interaction quietly, but the shift in his impression was clear—Clark's respect for Shouko's comfort had earned him a silent nod of approval.
"You know, Clark," Shuuko said thoughtfully, "we're all named Komi here. So isn't it about time you start addressing Shouko by her first name? It'll save us all a bit of confusion."
"Ah," Clark murmured, realization dawning. "That's… actually a very good point."
He turned toward Shouko, who was still recovering emotionally from the earlier scare. "Would it be alright with you," he asked gently, "if I addressed you by your first name?"
Shouko's cheeks warmed instantly. She nodded quickly, stuffing another bite into her mouth in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment.
"Alright then… Shouko," Clark said, testing the name with a soft tone that somehow made everything worse for her. If she could have melted into her chair and disappeared completely, she would have done so without hesitation.
'Japanese culture truly is fascinating,' Clark thought with an inward chuckle. 'They put so much weight on given names. Took me a good while to adjust at first… still not sure I fully have.'
Masayoshi, who had been quietly studying Clark ever since the conversation began flowing more naturally, gathered a bit of courage. He straightened his posture slightly, cleared his throat, and asked, "You seem like you train. Do you play any sports?"
Clark finished chewing, dabbed his mouth lightly with a napkin, and answered with his usual calm clarity. "I do train, but not for sport. It's more of a personal choice—to stay fit and healthy. Training feels less like obligation and more like a hobby I genuinely enjoy."
Masayoshi nodded with growing admiration. Clark didn't need enhanced senses to read what the man was thinking: Kids these days rarely care about their health… It's refreshing to see someone young still making the effort.
Clark smiled faintly. "I noticed you're in great shape too. I take it you train as well?"
Masayoshi's cheeks tinted with a rare pink hue. He looked down at his plate, suddenly shy. "…I try. Whenever I have the time or the energy," he mumbled, embarrassed but oddly pleased by the compliment.
From there, the tension that had lingered from earlier melted away. Their conversations started flowing with a comfortable rhythm—Clark asking follow-up questions, Shuuko excitedly rambling with boundless warmth, Masayoshi chiming in with quiet sincerity, and even Shousuke offering the occasional nod or sound of acknowledgement. The more Clark engaged, the more the entire family visibly warmed to him.
It felt as though the Komi household itself softened and brightened with every passing minute.
"…And what about your parents?" Shuuko asked casually as the conversation shifted again. It was a simple question—one asked without malice or suspicion—but the moment the words left her lips, Clark's chopsticks paused mid-air.
Only for a heartbeat.
He lowered them, resumed eating, and answered calmly, "Oh, both of my parents are actually dead."
Shuuko gasped softly, hands flying to her mouth. Across the table, Masayoshi, Shousuke, and Shouko all froze—each one of them lowering their chopsticks almost simultaneously as the atmosphere thickened with sudden heaviness.
"I—I'm so sorry to hear that," Shuuko whispered, looking stricken with guilt.
Clark lifted his gaze and offered her a reassuring, gentle smile. "It's alright. It's not a painful subject for me. I was only a few months old at the time, so I don't have any memories of them. And I was extremely fortunate to be adopted by my grandmother. I owe her everything."
Shouko turned toward him, eyes wide with shock. Her expression wordlessly asked, So you and Momo… aren't actually related?
Clark caught the glance, and without missing a beat answered her silent question. "No. Momo and I don't share any blood. We were raised together in my grandmother's temple as siblings, but we aren't biologically related."
The tension around the table loosened slightly, the heaviness fading.
"Oh! Your grandmother is a priestess then?" Shuuko asked, her curiosity reigniting with a soft spark.
"Yes," Clark replied. "She oversees the temple over at—"
He gave them the location, but halfway through his sentence he realized the entire Komi family had stopped eating again. This time, their faces weren't heavy—they were confused.
And Shouko looked downright panicked.
Clark blinked. "…What?"
Shuuko leaned forward, eyes wide. "Clark, that temple is over an hour from your school. And from here it's even farther—closer to two hours. Are you telling me that every day you walk Shouko home from school… you then make a two-hour commute back?"
Clark stared blankly for a moment. "Huh? Is it?" He tilted his head. "I never really noticed."
Of course he didn't—when one travels at super speed, distance is little more than a vague suggestion.
Shouko, mortified and panicking, waved her arms furiously. Her expression screamed: You don't have to walk me home anymore! I'm fine on my own! Please don't trouble yourself!
Clark only chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't mind. Really—it's no trouble at all." He turned to her and smiled warmly. "I like walking with you after school."
Then, with a subtle, playful glint in his eye, he made an inside joke to himself, he added, "Besides… I like the view. Makes the journey worth it."
Shouko nearly combusted on the spot.
Masayoshi and Shuuko exchanged a look—one filled with dawning respect.
Their daughter… safely escorted home every single day by a boy who willingly walked two hours afterward?
A boy who was polite, thoughtful, protective, considerate of her boundaries, and attentive without being overbearing?
They both knew, in that moment, that Clark was someone special. Someone they were glad—relieved, even—for Shouko to have in her life.
Shouko had her hands folded tightly in her lap. Her fingers curled inward, her fists trembling as she thought about all the times she had unknowingly troubled Clark—how much he had done for her, how much distance he traveled, how much patience he always showed. The more she thought, the more guilt pooled in her stomach.
Before her thoughts could spiral any further, she felt a warm weight settle gently atop her head. She blinked and looked up to see Clark beside her, his fingers ruffling her hair with casual yet sincere comfort. He wore a relaxed, lopsided grin as he said, "I said it's fine, didn't I? So stop overthinking it. I like walking you home. You're not troubling me in the slightest. Have you ever seen me complain about it?"
Shouko slowly shook her head, her eyes downcast.
Clark nodded firmly. "Exactly. So if you don't see me complaining, it means it's no big deal. Alright?"
After another moment of hesitation, Shouko nodded—small, timid, but trusting. Clark gave her hair one last pat before removing his hand.
When everyone finally finished eating, Clark placed his chopsticks neatly across his plate, clasped his hands together, and bowed gracefully toward Shuuko. "Thank you for the meal, and for having me over. The food was delicious, and you've all been such wonderful hosts."
Shuuko practically sparkled with delight. "Hehehe, you're so polite! Think nothing of it. In fact, we should be the ones thanking you for everything you've done for Shouko. Truly… thank you."
Both she and Masayoshi bowed in gratitude. Clark felt something twist awkwardly in his stomach—he'd never been great at being shown appreciation, but he was slowly getting used to it—outwardly, he returned their courtesy with poise.
…
A few minutes later, Clark was heading down the stairs with his bag slung over his shoulder, Shouko quietly escorting him to the door.
'Man… being polite for so long is exhausting,' he thought, fighting the urge to sigh dramatically. 'I'm gonna have to be extra rude for at least an entire week straight to recharge.'
As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Clark glanced back at Shouko and leaned in slightly, wearing that familiar teasing smirk.
"See? I can be polite when I want to. I'm not all snarling and growling. So don't look so surprised next time, got it?"
Shouko giggled softly behind her hand, nodding. Her expression silently saying : I understand… I'll remember.
Clark smiled, shaking his head. "Anyway, I should head out. Thank your parents again for having me over. I had more fun than I expected. See you at school, Komi."
She waved back, sharing the same warm sentiment. But as she watched him walk away—step by step—something in her chest tightened.
She glanced down at her phone… then back at Clark's steadily retreating figure. Shame prickled at her heart. No matter how much Clark told her she was already trying, she couldn't help but feel inadequate. Compared to everything he had done… what had she offered back?
Her breath hitched. And then—before she could talk herself out of it—Shouko suddenly rushed forward, her feet carrying her out to the center of the sidewalk.
Two hands hovered each end of her mouth as she called out, "C–Clark!"
Clark paused mid-step, looking back with a raised brow, the strap of his bag still in his hand. "Hm?"
Shouko stood rigid, her face glowing red. One hand still hovered near her mouth, trembling, while the other stretched out toward him. She rotated her wrist in a tiny, timid side-to-side wave.
"B–Bye–Bye…" she pushed herself and stammered with all her might.
Before she could suffer another second of embarrassment, she spun on her heel and darted back inside the house, practically slamming the door behind her.
She stood leaning against the door feeling completely flustered, but despite the redness on her cheeks her features radiated with immense pride, she had done it, she had finally taken the initiative.
Clark meanwhile didn't move. Not even an inch.
He remained frozen on the sidewalk, staring at the spot where she'd just been standing.
Several seconds passed. Then—
"Kal-El," Sol's voice echoed in his ear, "your heart rate is currently reaching an abnormal level of elevation. Are you experiencing cardiac discomfor—"
Clark slowly crouched down, lowering himself as if gravity had suddenly doubled. His entire face flushed a deep, burning red, the heat crawling all the way up to the tips of his ears.
He covered his face with both hands as his shoulders shook. "Sol…" he whispered, voice trembling like an overwhelmed teenager rather than a Kryptonian powerhouse.
"That… was the cutest shit I've ever seen. I don't think I can take it…"
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