Chapter 20: I Want to Return to Krypton

"Once we're out, don't talk, don't run around, stay close to me. Follow me wherever I go, understand? Nod if you do."

Shen You stared into Kara's eyes, seeking confirmation.

Kara had been on Earth for two days. Since she needed to settle down, basic necessities were essential—things like toothbrushes, towels, and changes of clothes. For now, she only had clothes borrowed from a neighbor.

Her Kryptonian dress was indeed beautiful, and Shen You estimated it might even have bulletproof capabilities, with a material that was advanced by Earth's standards. However, the style was too conspicuous for Earth, not to mention the prominent "S" on the chest, making it unsuitable for wearing in public.

Kryptonian civilian materials were remarkably advanced. The original story mentioned that Supergirl's uniform was actually her prom dress, yet it was impervious to Earth weapons and even nuclear blasts couldn't damage it. This illustrates that Krypton was not only advanced in military technology but also far ahead of Earth in all aspects of daily life.

Unlike her cousin Superman, who grew up on Earth and didn't feel much of a difference, Kara, having lived in Kryptonian society from childhood, felt as if she had traveled back in time thousands of years. It was like a modern person accustomed to smartphones and computers suddenly having to adapt to a primitive tribal lifestyle, which naturally made her feel much more isolated.

However, she had been very obedient these past two days, doing whatever Shen You told her, rarely speaking and hardly ever talking back.

Kara nodded seriously, using her small hand to make a zipper motion across her lips, indicating she would be perfectly silent and not say a single extra word.

Of course, she only spoke Kryptonian and didn't understand any of Earth's languages. Even if she wanted to talk, she had no one else to converse with besides Shen You.

Oh, and the old wizard at home.

Shazam, being a nine-thousand-year-old wizard, naturally had no trouble with language barriers. Although the borrowed clothes weren't a perfect fit, they couldn't hide her natural beauty. With her fair, clear skin and bright, expressive eyes, she looked like a very cute Earth girl after a bit of dressing up.

The old wizard sat in the shop, watching as Shen You led the young alien girl away, stroking his long white beard with a grandfatherly smile of satisfaction.

"Meow~"

Stretchy brought an empty cat bowl to the wizard, looking pitiful with wide eyes. It was as if the wizard were a retired old man, spending his days at home with the cat and the dog while his descendants were out.

The old wizard glanced at the cat and asked with a smile, "Hungry?"

Stretchy nodded repeatedly, meowing endearingly.

The old wizard smiled and said, "Hold it in."

Stretchy: "???"

Shen You held Kara's hand as they stood on the sidewalk waiting for the traffic light. Cars roared past on the street, and Shen You could feel her small hand tightening around his, her whole body instinctively shrinking behind him, cautiously looking around like a highly alert kitten.

"Don't worry, these are cars, transportation tools, kind of like the spaceship you came in, just a lot lower-tech. Hmm, come to think of it, Krypton should have something similar, right?"

Kara blinked her large eyes, staring at him blankly. Her little golden head's single strand of hair stood up again.

Shen You: "?"

After a moment, he suddenly realized.

Oh, because she can't talk.

Shen You chuckled. She was actually so obedient, not saying a word just because he told her not to.

"It's okay. You can talk when I allow it."

On second thought, he felt it was a bit domineering.

He added, "Actually, you don't have to say it out loud. Just think about what you want to tell me, focus on conveying it to me in your mind."

Telepathic communication was a basic skill for Ultramen, showcased in various TV series. However, it only worked for communication and couldn't read minds; the other party needed to actively communicate for the telepathic link to work.

In other words, it was like a team voice chat.

Kara was surprised. She closed her eyes, her face showing a very serious and concentrated expression. After a moment, Shen You heard her voice in his ear.

"Can you hear me?"

"Of course, I can."

The little girl opened her eyes, amazed, and looked at Shen You with even more admiration.

"You're so amazing!"

"Just average, moderately amazing." Shen You tried to be humble.

"We have similar tools on Krypton. But…"

Kara tilted her head, puzzled, as she looked at the speeding vehicles in the street.

"Why don't they fly? The sky is so spacious."

Shen You: "..."

Hmm, she had a point. Why don't they fly?

It had the same vibe as "If they don't have bread, why don't they eat cake?"

Like the young Batman. Young Bruce Wayne once couldn't understand why people were homeless, thinking they could just live in their own homes.

And when he learned that ordinary people had to buy their own houses, his worldview was shattered, leaving him doubting life.

A moment later, Kara finally understood that it wasn't that people didn't want to fly, but that they couldn't.

The little Kryptonian girl was again incredulous. "Isn't it dangerous for everyone to crowd on the ground?"

"Actually, it's usually safe. Traffic accidents are rare occurrences..."

Bang.

A black sedan rear-ended another car right in front of them, smashing into the other car's trunk, deforming its rear.

Kara turned her head to look at Shen You again, her expression asking, "Is this the safety you mentioned?"

Shen You: "..."

In a place as rough as Gotham, living day-to-day meant minor incidents were often magnified. The two drivers got out, shouting at each other. One accused the other of not paying attention while driving, and the other retorted that he was driving too slowly.

With a series of insults flying, it escalated into a physical altercation.

Shen You watched with growing embarrassment.

Well, maybe he had spoken too soon.

It should be generally safe to say most of the time.

But in Gotham, nothing is ever truly safe.

Kara quietly watched the two men argue and push each other and the onlookers who seemed unfazed by the situation, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

Kara: °(﹏)°

Earth is scary.

I want to go back to Krypton.