Najicablitz
patreon
DC X Rider Ch 105
🕑 Added 2025-02-09 14:45:12 +0000 UTCA few days have passed, and when Kara talked to the holographic projection of her mother, Alura. Though this was not her true mother, the AI contained all of Alura's memories, and Kara was determined to learn as much as she could about her estranged aunt, Astra.
Haruka was in the middle of checking in a guest at the Kojima Hotel when his phone suddenly buzzed. Glancing down, he saw it was his father, Matsu, calling. Excusing himself from the front desk, Haruka stepped aside and answered the call.
"Dad? What's wrong?" Haruka asked, concern lacing his voice.
"Nothing's wrong, son. I actually have something I wanted to discuss with you. Lex Corp is hosting a party in a few days, and I'd like you to join me in attending."
"A party? Do I really have to go?"
Matsu chuckled. "Yes, Haruka. As the future heir to Kojima Hotels, you'll need to start getting used to attending events like these. It's important for building connections and networking."
Haruka sighed, knowing his father had a point. "Alright, I'll go. When and where is this party?"
"It's this Saturday at the Lex Corp tower in the city." Matsu reassured.
"Alright, I guess I'll join you," Haruka replied, still not entirely thrilled about the prospect of attending.
"That's my boy. I know you'll do great. Just be sure to mingle and make a good impression, alright?" Matsu said encouragingly before ending the call.
Haruka pocketed his phone, his mind already drifting to how he could potentially get out of this party. But he knew his father was right - as the future head of the family business, he needed to start getting comfortable in these kinds of social settings. With a resigned sigh, Haruka returned to the front desk, ready to finish his shift.
(Haruka POV)
I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting my navy blue suit jacket. My mother fusses over me, straightening the lapels and brushing away invisible lint.
"My, don't you look so handsome," she says, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Dad and I are so proud of you, Haruka."
I feel a faint blush creep across my cheeks at her compliment. "Thanks, Mom. I still don't know why I have to go to this Lex Corp party, though."
Mom tuts and reaches up to fix my tie. "It's important for your future, dear. Your father wants you to make a good impression and network with the right people."
I sigh, knowing there's no point in arguing. "I'll do my best, I guess."
"That's my boy." Mom steps back, admiring her handiwork. "There, all perfect. You're going to wow them, Haruka."
She gives my arm a gentle squeeze, her eyes shining with pride. I offer her a small smile, still feeling a bit uneasy about this whole situation. But with my mother's encouragement, I know I can't let her down.
"Alright, I'm off," I say, grabbing my car keys. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck, dear," Mom calls out as I head towards the door. "And have fun!"
I nod and head out, hoping this party won't be as painful as I'm anticipating.
I step out of the house, the warm evening air greeting me. My father is waiting by his car, a patient smile on his face.
"Ready to go, Haruka?" he asks, gesturing towards the vehicle.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I reply, sliding into the passenger seat.
As we pull out of the driveway, Dad glances over at me. "You seem a bit uneasy. Is everything alright?"
"I don't know, Dad. I just have this... feeling about this Lex Corp party. I'm not sure I'm comfortable being there."
Dad nods, his expression understanding. "I know it might not be your idea of a good time, but this is an important opportunity for you."
He reaches over and gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Your mother and I want you to succeed, Haruka. And making connections at a place like Lex Corp could open doors for your future."
I sigh, knowing he's right. "I just can't shake this nagging feeling, that's all. What if Lex Corp isn't as... noble as they seem?"
Dad chuckles. "Always the skeptic, aren't you? I'm sure it'll be fine. Just try to keep an open mind, okay?"
I nod, still not fully convinced, but I don't want to argue further. The rest of the drive is spent in comfortable silence, and soon we're pulling up to the towering Lex Corp building.
As we approach the entrance, I can't help but feel a bit out of place. The crowd is filled with well-dressed, affluent individuals, all of whom seem to exude an air of confidence and self-importance.
Dad places a hand on my back, guiding me forward. "Remember, just be yourself. These people are here to network, not judge."
I take a deep breath and follow him inside, doing my best to ignore the unsettling feeling that's been gnawing at me.
As we step into the grand Lex Corp party hall, I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of people gathered here. All around me, I see well-dressed individuals engaged in animated conversations, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
My dad gives my shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Come on, Haruka. Let me introduce you to some of my business partners."
I nod, steeling myself as he leads me through the crowd. I try to keep my expression neutral, not wanting to come across as uncomfortable or out of place.
We approach a small group of men, all of whom greet my dad warmly. "Matsu, good to see you! And this must be your son, Haruka."
"Yes, indeed," Dad says, gesturing towards me. "Haruka, this is Mr. Jameson, the CEO of Jameson Enterprises."
Mr. Jameson extends his hand, and I shake it firmly. "Nice to meet you, Haruka. Your father has told us a lot about you."
I offer him a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, sir."
"Matsu tells me you're studying business in college," Mr. Jameson continues. "That's wonderful. We could always use more young, ambitious minds in this industry."
"Thank you, sir," I reply, unsure of how to respond.
Dad chimes in, "Haruka's been doing exceptionally well in his classes. We're very proud of him."
"As you should be!" Mr. Jameson exclaims, clapping me on the back. "Say, Matsu, have you introduced Haruka to the Luthors yet?"
My dad shakes his head. "No, not yet. I was hoping to do that a bit later."
"Well, why don't we go find them now?" Mr. Jameson suggests. "I'm sure Lena would love to meet the young man."
Dad nods and turns to me. "Shall we, Haruka?"
I swallow hard, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling that's been building in the pit of my stomach. "Sure, Dad. Lead the way."
As we navigate through the crowd, I can't help but feel like all eyes are on me. I know my dad is trying to help me make connections, but the thought of meeting the Luthors makes me incredibly anxious.
We finally reach a small group, and I instantly recognize the woman at the center – Lena Luthor, the sister of the infamous Lex Luthor. She's stunning, with her dark hair and piercing green eyes, and she greets us with a warm smile.
"Matsu, it's so good to see you," she says, her voice smooth and confident.
"Lena, dear, it's a pleasure," my dad replies. "I'd like you to meet my son, Haruka."
Lena turns her gaze to me, and I feel my heart skip a beat. "Haruka, right? It's wonderful to meet you. Your father has told me so much about you."
I swallow hard, suddenly feeling very small under her intense scrutiny. "It's nice to meet you too, Ms. Luthor."
"Please, call me Lena. I insist."
I nod, unsure of how to respond. As Lena and my dad engage in conversation, I can't help but feel like I'm being watched, and the uneasy feeling from earlier only grows stronger.
I wander through the crowded Lex Corp party, feeling a bit out of place. As I navigate the sea of well-dressed guests, I suddenly spot a familiar face – Kara Danvers.
"Kara?" I call out, my face lighting up with surprise and relief.
Kara turns, her eyes widening as she recognizes me. "Haruka! What are you doing here?"
I make my way over to her, grateful to see a friendly face. "My dad wanted me to come and make some connections. You know, for the family business and all that."
"Ah, I see. Well, at least you have a friendly face to talk to."
"Speaking of which, what are you doing here?" I ask, genuinely curious. "I didn't expect to see you at a Lex Corp event."
Kara glances around, lowering her voice. "I'm here as a reporter for CatCo. Cat wanted me to keep an eye on things, see if I could dig up anything about Lena Luthor."
"Wow, that's pretty exciting. I guess you're not just a regular intern anymore, huh?"
"Yeah, it's a big opportunity for me," Kara says, glancing around the room.
"Are you here by yourself then?"
"No, actually, Cat is around here somewhere," Kara replies, her eyes scanning the crowd.
I spot Cat Grant approaching Kara.
"Kara, there you are. You should be interviewing as many people as possible. Not standing around like a statue," Cat says.
"Who's this young man?" Cat asks, eyeing me.
"Ms. Grant, this is my friend Haruka," Kara introduces me, a slight nervousness in her voice.
I extend my hand politely. "Hello, Ms. Grant. It's nice to meet you."
Cat Grant's piercing gaze meets mine, and I can't help but feel like she's sizing me up. "I know who you are. You're Haruka Kojima. Son of the great Matsu Kojima."
I blink, surprised that she knows who I am. "You know my dad?"
"I would be a fool to not know the owner of the biggest hotel chain in the county," Cat says, a hint of amusement in her voice.
I'm not sure how to respond, so I simply nod. The fact that Cat Grant, the renowned media mogul, knows who I am is both flattering and a little unnerving.
"So, Haruka," Cat continues, her gaze never wavering, "what brings you to this little Lex Corp soirée?"
I clear my throat, trying to sound confident. "My father wanted me to come and make some connections, you know, for the family business."
"I see. Well, I'm sure you'll do just fine. You Kojimas are a force to be reckoned with, after all."
I can't help but feel a little proud at her words, but there's still a nagging feeling of unease in the pit of my stomach. "Thank you, Ms. Grant. I'll do my best to make a good impression."
"I'm sure you will," Cat says, her eyes darting to Kara. "Now, Kara, don't you have some work to do?"
Kara straightened up, her cheeks turning a little red. "Oh, right! Yeah, sure thing, Ms. Grant. I should, uh, get going. Catch you later, Haruka." Kara headed off.
Cat nods, her gaze returning to me. "And you, Haruka, should do the same. Networking is an art, and I'm sure you'll be a natural at it."
"I'll do my best, Ms. Grant."
"See that you do," Cat says, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do as well."
With a swish of her designer dress, Cat Grant turns and disappears into the crowd, leaving me alone once more.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Wow, she's...intense."
I scan the crowd, taking in the sea of well-dressed individuals. "Guess I better start 'networking' or whatever." I shrug. "How hard can it be?"
I tried talking to a bunch of folks, but it just didn't click, you know? They'd smile at me, but it felt forced, and the whole thing got super awkward. And then there were others who came up to me, but I could tell they were up to no good just by looking at them. Didn't take a genius to figure that one out.
I stood in a corner of the room, leaning against the wall, exhausted. I never thought networking was this exhausting mentally. I would rather fight villains than do this.
I let out a heavy sigh, my gaze sweeping across the crowded room. That's when I noticed Kara heading my way, a concerned look on her face. She stood by me, leaning against the wall, too.
"Hey, how did it go for you? Did you manage to get any good interviews or information?" I asked.
"Not really. I've been trying to talk to people, but it's just been awkward small talk. Nothing substantial."
I nod sympathetically. "Yeah, I know the feeling. This whole networking thing is a lot harder than I thought."
"Tell me about it. I'm starting to think I'm just not cut out for this kind of thing."
"Hey, don't be so down, Kara," I say, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm not exactly knocking it out of the park either. This whole networking thing is new to me too."
I glance around the room, feeling a bit lost. "But you know what they say, baby steps, right? We'll get the hang of it eventually."
Kara nods, her expression lightening a bit. "I guess you're right. Thanks for being here, Haruka?"
"Hey, what are friends for."
(Haruka's POV)
Kara and I continued chatting, commiserating over the awkwardness of this whole networking experience. I was starting to feel a bit more at ease knowing I wasn't the only one struggling.
Just then, the room fell silent as a woman stepped up onto the stage. I instantly recognized her as Lena Luthor, the CEO of Lex Corp.
"Welcome, everyone, and thank you all for being here tonight," Lena began, her voice carrying an air of confidence. "As you know, we're here to celebrate the grand opening of our new Lex Corp headquarters in National City."
I felt Kara tense up beside me, and I couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in her expression. I gently nudged her, giving her a questioning look, but she just shook her head slightly.
Lena continued, "This new facility represents our commitment to innovation, progress, and most importantly, making the world a better place." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. "With the resources and technology of Lex Corp at our disposal, we plan to tackle some of the world's most pressing issues, from climate change to global health crises."
I couldn't help but feel a twinge of skepticism at her words. After all, the Luthor name was not exactly synonymous with altruism. But I kept my thoughts to myself, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention.
Kara shifted beside me, her brow furrowed in concentration. I opened my mouth to ask her what was wrong, but Lena's voice cut me off.
"So please, enjoy the evening, mingle, and let's work together to build a brighter future for all." Lena smiled warmly, and the crowd erupted into polite applause.
I glanced at Kara, wondering what was going through her mind. But before I could say anything, Lena stepped down from the stage, and the guests resumed their conversations.
"Kara, what's wrong? You seem a bit tense after Lena's speech." I asked
"It's nothing, Haruka. I don't trust Lena Luthor, that's all. You can't trust a Luthor. They're all the same." she said.
"Why do you say that?" I was a bit skeptical about where this distrust came from.
Kara replies, "It's nothing, really. It's just that my cousin doesn't have a good relationship with the Luthors, so I'm a bit wary of them too."
I get it. Superman and Lex Luthor have been at each other's throats for ages. Lex also doesn't seem to like aliens, especially Superman. No wonder Kara's got beef with him too.
"I see. That makes sense. I'll keep that in mind as I interact with Lena."
I turn to Kara, lowering my voice. "Hey, since you're here as a reporter, why don't you try to get an interview with Lena? I could help you get closer to her, introduce you or something."
Kara's eyes light up. "Really? You'd do that for me?"
I nod. "Of course. I know you're not a fan of the Luthors, but this could be a great opportunity for you."
"Okay, let's do it!" Kara says, determination clear in her voice.
We make our way over to where Lena is chatting with my dad.
"Ah, Haruka, there you are," my dad says, giving me a warm smile. "I was just talking to Lena about the new Lex Corp expansion."
"Hello, Haruka," Lena greets me, her gaze shifting to Kara. "And who's your friend?"
"This is Kara Danvers," I introduce her. "She's a reporter for CatCo and would love the chance to interview you, if that's alright."
Lena's lips curve into a smile. "Well, hello Kara. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'd be more than happy to give you an interview."
Kara beams. "Thank you so much, Ms. Luthor. I really appreciate this opportunity."
My dad turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "So, Haruka, have you been making the most of this evening? Meeting some new people?"
I try to hide my discomfort as I reply, "Uh, yeah, it's been going alright. I've been, you know, networking and stuff."
My dad chuckles. "That's my boy. I'm glad to hear it."
I stand beside Kara, observing the subtle exchange between her and Lena. The air is thick with tension as they probe each other, both trying to uncover the other's true motives.
"So, Ms. Luthor, what brings you to National City instead of Metropolis?" Kara asks, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.
Lena's lips curve into a measured smile. "Well, Ms. Danvers, I'm looking to branch out and make a name for myself, separate from my brother's legacy. And as it happens, the opportunity to open a new Lex Corp facility here was too good to pass up."
Kara's brow furrows slightly. "How... convenient. I heard Supergirl is quite active in National City. Surely that's just a coincidence?"
Lena's expression remains cool and composed. "I assure you. My reasons for being here have nothing to do with her."
I can't help but notice the subtle shift in Lena's demeanor as she mentions Supergirl. There's something she's not telling us, and I can't help but wonder what it is.
"What exactly do you mean by that, Ms. Luthor?" Kara presses, her voice low and guarded.
Lena's eyes narrow ever so slightly. "That, Ms. Danvers, is confidential information. And please call me Lena."
Lena checks her watch and sees the time. "Do you have any other questions for me, Ms. Danvers?"
Kara hesitates for a moment, then shakes her head. "No, that's all I had. Thank you for your time, Ms. Luthor."
Lena nods, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Well, then, if you'll excuse me, I should continue mingling with the other guests. It was a pleasure speaking with you."
I watch as Lena leaves, her presence lingering in the air. Kara shifts beside me, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Kara, are you okay?" I ask, sensing her unease.
Kara turns to me, her expression troubled. "I don't know, Haruka. There's just something about Lena that I can't quite put my finger on. I just have this feeling in my gut that she's not being completely honest."
I place a hand on Kara's shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. "Hey, I get it, you have your doubts about Lena. But without any real evidence, I think we should just drop it for now, okay?"
Kara bites her lips in frustration but she know she has no choice. "Alright, but if she does anything suspicious, I'll be right on her tail."
Just as Kara and I were about to return to the party, a sudden explosion rocks the building. The guests let out startled cries as they scramble for cover. Kara and I exchange a worried glance, both of us wondering what could have caused such a disturbance.
"What was that?" I ask, my heart pounding.
Kara furrows her brow, her reporter instincts kicking in. "I'm not sure, but we should probably—"
The hall's walls explode, revealing a figure in a golden, metallic exosuit. His chest is emblazoned with a glowing reactor core, pulsing with energy. Jagged black designs trace his limbs and helmet, giving him a menacing, almost insectoid appearance. Fiery red eyes peer out from behind a silver mouthguard, and I can feel the raw power radiating from him.
I stare in shock, unsure of what to make of this new threat. "What is that thing?" I ask Kara, my voice laced with apprehension.
Suddenly, the metallic figure steps forward, his glowing red eyes fixed on Lena Luthor. "I am Reactron, the living reactor! And I have come for you, Lena Luthor!"
Reactron reaches out and grabs Lena by the throat, lifting her off the ground with ease. Lena struggles in his grasp, her eyes wide with fear. "What do you want from me?" she gasps.
Reactron tightens his hold on Lena. "Your life."
I can't just stand here and watch as Lena gets choked by that creep Reactron. But if I transform, everyone will know my secret. Still, I can't let Lena die. Just as I'm about to jump in, a blur zooms by and snatches Lena right out of Reactron's grip.
I blink in surprise as I see a young man, dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, holding Lena protectively. He has a muscular build and jet-black hair, with a determined expression on his face.
Reactron glares at the newcomer, his fiery red eyes narrowing. "Who the hell are you?"
The young man stands tall, his gaze unwavering. "I'm Superboy, and I'm here to stop you."
Superboy's voice is calm and authoritative, betraying no hint of fear. He gently sets Lena down, keeping himself between her and Reactron.
Reactron lets out a menacing chuckle. "Superboy, huh? Well, let's see what you've got, boy." He raises his hand, a crackling ball of energy forming in his palm.
Without hesitation, Superboy leaps into the air, his movements a blur as he dodges Reactron's attack. He lands a powerful punch to Reactron's chest, causing the villain to stagger back. Reactron roars in anger, firing a barrage of energy blasts at Superboy, who weaves through them effortlessly.
I watch, transfixed, as the two clash. Superboy's speed and strength are truly remarkable, and he manages to land several devastating blows on Reactron.
As I watch Superboy and Reactron clash, I'm stunned by the sheer power on display. The way Superboy fires those laser beams from his eyes - it's gotta be a Kryptonian thing, just like Supergirl. And that S symbol on his chest is a dead giveaway.
I turn to glance at Kara, and I can see the surprise written all over her face. She's just as taken aback by this newcomer as I am. I wonder if she knows anything about him.
Superboy lands a few more blows, finally taking Reactron down. The crowd erupts in cheers, amazed by the young hero's display of strength. I can't help but join in, clapping along with the others.
But as the excitement dies down, I find myself wondering - who is this Superboy? Where did he come from? And if my hunch is right, and he is another Kryptonian, what does that mean for National City? Things just keep getting weirder and weirder around here.
