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*****
Just as the fight reached its peak...
"What are you kids doing!"
The sharp voice of the discipline director cut through the chaos. He stormed over, glaring at the group of brawling students and shouted, "All of you, to the office! And call your parents!"
The older kids immediately deflated. Gwen quickly grabbed the furious Luke and shot him a meaningful glance, then gently pushed the stunned Peter forward, clutching her own face as she sobbed softly, "Teacher, please help us..."
Luke chimed in with a sorrowful look. "Yeah, look what they did to Peter. He's one of the top students in our grade."
Peter's cheek was flushed and slightly swollen, and there was blood at the corner of his mouth.
The older kids stood frozen, confused.
Wait a second—weren't these two just fighting like wildcats? And didn't they barely get hit?
The teacher's expression darkened as he turned to the older students. "You! Into the office. Now!"
Then he faced Gwen and the others with a much gentler tone. "It's alright. Don't be afraid. When your parents get here, I'll make sure they apologize to you."
"No need. We'd like to go back to class," Gwen replied, shaking her head.
Luke nodded, and Peter quickly followed suit.
Seeing the three of them, the director's face softened again.
Such good kids. He was determined to make sure they got justice.
"Don't worry. Come with me," he said gently, motioning for them to follow while shooting a fierce glare at the older students before heading toward the office.
However, once he learned the full story, his face turned awkward—and he passed Gwen and the others off to the principal's office.
This… was above his pay grade.
…
When Mike got the call from the school, he drove over immediately. With him was Luke's mother, Lana.
As they reached the office door, a striking woman came hurrying over, nodded to them both, and went inside.
Mike and Lana followed.
The office was full.
Aside from the kids, the parents had already arrived.
"Dad," Gwen called softly when she saw Mike, then lowered her head.
Mike glanced at her. Seeing she wasn't visibly hurt, he let out a silent breath of relief.
Lana, beside him, did the same.
But the elegant woman—Aunt May—held Peter tightly and cried out, "Peter, what happened to your face?"
"Aunt May, I'm fine," Peter replied, forcing a smile.
May Parker turned angrily to the principal. "You owe me an explanation!"
The principal cleared his throat. "Since all the parents are here, let's begin."
He first addressed the fight.
The students who tried to steal the money not only got beaten up by Gwen and Luke but were also formally punished by the school. Their parents were shocked that two younger kids had overpowered their older children, but since the older ones started it, they had no choice but to apologize to Mike and the others.
After those students and their families left, the principal turned to Gwen and the trio. "Alright, now let's talk about the meat bun business you've been running on campus."
"Meat buns? What meat buns?" May Parker looked at Peter. When the boy lowered his head again, she turned to the principal in confusion.
The principal then turned to Mike. "Gwen's father, do you have anything to say about this?"
Mike cleared his throat. "I was aware of this. It was part of their social studies project."
"Social studies?" The principal looked skeptical.
Prompted by Mike, Gwen quickly added, "Yes, Principal. This was our social practice assignment. We just finished writing our report on it."
"Where's the report?"
"In the classroom! I'll go get it!"
The principal nodded for her to proceed.
A few moments later, Mike, Lana, and May left the office with the kids.
With Gwen's written report, the three students weren't punished—but they were strictly forbidden from selling lunches on school grounds again, and received a formal warning.
Gwen was fuming. Her business had just collapsed—and she had only just earned the title of "Queen of the Meat Buns."
Peter and Luke also looked downcast, clearly disappointed.
Seeing the expressions on the kids' faces, Mike, Lana, and May couldn't help but laugh.
"May Parker—Peter's aunt."
May Parker introduced herself and shook hands with Mike.
With the excuse of the social practice project, and given Peter's injuries, May didn't scold him much. Instead, she seemed very concerned about the state of his face.
Mike glanced at May, then at Peter.
Could this kid really become the future Spider-Man?
The thought flashed across his mind as he made his own introduction. The three parents exchanged a few words, said their goodbyes, and headed home with Gwen and Lana.
...
Meanwhile.
At the Daily Planet.
Clark sat at his desk, typing up today's interview article.
After some time spent learning and adapting, his performance had been steadily improving. Today, he even got the chance for a one-on-one interview. While it wasn't with anyone too important, it was still a good sign.
"Clark!"
Editor-in-Chief Perry White clapped him on the shoulder. "Come with me."
Clark responded and adjusted his black-frame glasses as he grabbed his notebook and pen from his desk before following Perry into his office.
The black-frame glasses were a suggestion from his father. Considering the kind of work Clark would eventually be doing, Mike had given him the glasses and advised him to use them as a disguise on his first day of work.
So, Clark wore the glasses casually. If he needed to act, he could use his smartwatch to alter his appearance slightly, then remove the glasses—transforming into someone else entirely.
Once inside the office, Clark's eyes quickly scanned over a woman sitting across the room. "Editor, is there something you need me to do?" he asked.
Perry nodded, then looked toward the woman in the business suit, exuding an air of competence and professionalism. "Lois, this is Clark Kent. He'll be joining you on the assignment to Monaco for the upcoming competition coverage."
Lois frowned. "Perry, do I really need to cover a fluff piece like this?"
"Lois!"
Perry, a round-faced man with a gray-and-white beard, furrowed his brows. "This is not just any small report. Wherever Tony Stark is involved, it's not insignificant."
He paused, then softened his tone, his face loosening a little.
"Besides, your injury has just healed. This will be an easy but important assignment to help you get back into the swing of things."
"And him?" Lois pointed at Clark, who had been silently observing her. "You want me to bring him along?"
"Clark's skills are solid, but he lacks experience. You'll be training him," Perry said quickly. When Lois seemed like she might argue, he added, "Alright, that's final. You'll be leaving tomorrow."
(End of Chapter)