SUP Chapter 40: Cousin! That’s Against Ethics!

Kara knew little about Gotham.

Only that Arkham Asylum was infamous, housing many mentally unstable metahumans. It was both prison and hospital, perfect for Ian’s mental state, where he should stay a few days.

“Hm? Cousin’s got ties with Arkham?” Ian frowned, suspecting Kara wanted to use him to boost her performance and snag a kickback from Gotham’s Batman.

“I just want you to act normal!” Kara caught Ian’s suspicious look, slapping her forehead, her expression beyond words.

“I’m very normal and law-abiding. I’d bet 80% of Americans don’t respect the law like I do,” Ian said, brimming with confident conviction.

He knew he spoke the truth.

“No, you stole a criminal’s car and sold it illegally to a gang… you know that’s a crime, right?” Kara’s voice shot up an octave, incredulous at Ian’s confidence. Even in a hundred years, she couldn’t fathom such a move.

Breaking multiple laws.

With no one gaining anything.

What was the point?!

“I didn’t steal. I drove off the robber’s car, how’s that not emergency evasion?” Ian blinked innocently, channeling a pure white lotus.

“It’s still a crime!” Kara sighed weakly.

“Oh, it’s a crime? I’m just a kid, what do I know?” Ian scratched his non-itchy head, flashing a sunny boy smile.

That look made Kara want to punch him.

“You clearly knew it was wrong!” Though sometimes naive, she could tell Ian wasn’t being honest.

To his cousin’s ruthless callout, Ian just spread his hands, his smile even brighter.

“Don’t worry, no jury would agree. Plus… I’ve got a doctor’s note,” he said, waving the crumpled diagnosis sheet.

A true trump card.

The confident boy believed no Metropolis psych ward could hold him.

“You… you…” Kara’s face flushed red, speechless.

Damn it!

Why was Clark’s kid like this?

Could it be she never truly knew Clark’s character? Ian’s repeated stumping made her question Clark’s integrity.

A kid like this?

Kara didn’t believe Clark was blameless.

“Come in…” Kara dropped the argument, fearing Kryptonian hypertension if she didn’t pretend she never heard Ian’s story.

Click~

Kara opened her door, stepping inside. Warm white lights flicked on, and Ian followed, catching a faint lavender detergent scent.

A typical single apartment layout. As an assistant secretary, Kara’s modest salary afforded a decent place like this.

The open kitchen counter gleamed, a stainless steel kettle beside two upside-down mugs. Two potted pothos swayed gently in the balcony breeze.

The small living room was tidy. A beige fabric sofa held a neatly folded gray blanket. Simple landscape paintings hung on the walls. A small photo frame on the TV stand showed Kara in casual clothes, flashing a peace sign at some Earth landmark.

The sofa was a bit messy, the coffee table littered with a remote and fashion magazines.

But in the last blink, Ian clearly saw women’s underwear and panties on the table. Next blink, they vanished, leaving only his young cousin’s awkward smile.

“…” Ian felt humiliated by his relative, her Kryptonian super-speed bullying his intelligence, acting like he wouldn’t notice.

“Cousin still likes pink lions?” Ian’s eyes caught details faster than most, so despite Kara’s lightning speed, he vividly recalled what he saw in that “frame” of a blink.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Kara deflected, trying to frown in confusion, but Ian’s silent stare made her eyes betray guilt, so she looked toward the balcony.

“Disney merch does sell well. It’s inspired me… my novel’s gonna be huge, and I’ll sell merch too,” Ian mused, seeing a path to wealth.

“You write novels?” Kara looked at Ian, surprised.

She’d never seen a 14- or 15-year-old with writerly dreams put into action. Regardless of quality, she found the hobby worth encouraging.

“Yeah, about my Superman dad,” Ian answered honestly, though not fully.

“Your dad’s okay with you writing his story?” Kara was shocked, knowing how strictly Clark separated his Superman and civilian lives.

“My therapist recommended it for self-healing. I think Dad supports my writing—he gets all red-faced and excited seeing my drafts,” Ian said, sneakily twisting the truth.

Naive Kara didn’t doubt him.

“Sounds like you’re pretty good,” she said, curious about his novel.

“Yeah, cousin, buy a few copies when it’s out. I sent it to a publisher on the way here. I’m not worried about it getting published or blowing up,” Ian said confidently.

“No problem,” Kara agreed without hesitation.

She even added, “If your story’s not done, you could include me… but don’t reveal my real identity.”

“Just write about Supergirl and Superman’s interactions,” she pitched, eager for a cameo in Ian’s novel.

What a great cousin.

Willing to support Ian’s writing career. Ian appreciated her discernment but, after a moment’s thought, declined.

“That’s not great,” Ian sighed regretfully.

“Hm? Think Supergirl’s fame can’t match your dad’s to draw readers?” Kara flopped onto the sofa, tone dripping with displeasure.

“Nope,” Ian shook his head.

“My story’s style is unique, so… adding you might cross ethical lines. I’m afraid it won’t pass review and slow my earnings,” he answered earnestly, genuinely regretful.

“?????”

Kara froze, then jolted as if struck by lightning, eyes nearly popping out.

No!

Superbrain!

Don’t process this! Don’t think!

Supergirl, at this moment, didn’t dare speak or even think.

[NEXT CHAPTER]