Marvel: Father of Superheroes

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The pattering rain gradually lessened, swayed by the wind like fine cowhair, drifting back and forth before landing on people, bringing a faint chill.

Howard's farewell ceremony had ended. The old man had been laid to rest in the cemetery.

From a distance, Mike watched. Only after most of the mourners had left did he finally raise his umbrella and slowly approach the tombstone.

Clearly, he wasn't the only one with this idea.

He nodded at Peggy Carter, who stood by the grave. Tony stood a short distance behind them, silent. Maria, overcome with grief, had already been sent home by Tony.

Peggy Carter gazed at Howard's tombstone. The once-resilient English rose could no longer hold back her emotions—her eyes turned red, and tears slipped down her cheeks.

He had been her last old friend.

A comrade who had fought Hydra by her side, co-founded S.H.I.E.L.D. with her, and shared decades of struggles. A confidant.

She gently wiped her tears and forced a smile at Mike. "Even now, I still feel like this is some cruel joke—that he'll suddenly jump out and mock me for crying so much."

Mike thought for a moment. Given Howard's personality, that wasn't entirely impossible.

Peggy curled her lips slightly, then looked at Mike. "You know, Howard and I always envied your life."

"You both carried too much weight," Mike replied.

Peggy nodded and sighed. "Perhaps. But it was our choice. We always felt we could do something for this world."

Mike looked at her and said sincerely, "I respect you both."

Perhaps most superheroes shared this mindset—a sense of responsibility that everyone possessed, but many ignored, abandoned, or simply never realized. Yet in superheroes, it was magnified.

"I'm retiring," Peggy suddenly announced.

Mike nodded.

"But I'll keep an eye on Tony and Maria until I'm certain their lives won't be disrupted. Only then will I leave S.H.I.E.L.D."

Hearing this, Mike raised an eyebrow. "If they run into trouble, they can come to me."

After all, he and that old man had been friends.

Peggy smiled. "Hearing you say that would put him at ease."

"By the way," she continued, changing the subject, "what do you think of Nick Fury?"

"Hmm?" Mike was momentarily stunned before his expression turned strange. "Don't ask me that—I don't know him well."

"I see."

"?"

See what?

Mike's mouth twitched but didn't press further, remembering the reason he had come today.

He placed a chrysanthemum among the flowers in front of the tombstone, then straightened up and said to Peggy, "Goodbye."

Peggy nodded but remained where she was, quietly standing by the grave.

She wanted to spend a little more time with her old friend.

As Mike walked toward his car, Tony suddenly blocked his path.

Mike frowned slightly and looked at Tony, who was clearly exhausted. "What is it?"

Tony hesitated, his lips moving, but the word 'uncle' refused to come out. Instead, he pulled out a file folder. "The old man left this for you—something he should have given you a long time ago."

Mike glanced at the folder and said, "I appreciate the sentiment, but I won't take it."

He already had a good idea of what was inside.

Tony pushed the folder forward again. "He entrusted me with this before he died. If I don't handle it properly, he'll come back to haunt me."

Mike's eye twitched.

What a unique way of persuading someone.

Mike glanced at the folder, then reached out to take it. Nodding at Tony, he said, "Take care of Maria."

"I know," Tony replied with a nod.

Mike opened the car door, got in, and rolled down the window. Just as Tony was about to turn away, Mike called out to him. When Tony looked back, he said, "Howard told me once that you were his pride."

Tony felt his heart tighten. Taking a deep breath, he replied with a slightly trembling voice, "Thank you."

Mike rolled up the window and watched as Tony quickly walked away. With a quiet sigh, he murmured, "An era is coming to an end."

The next era would belong to superheroes.

Superheroes, huh?

Thinking about the three at home, Mike's eyes filled with anticipation.

He couldn't help but wonder what roles those three kids would play in the future.

Heh.

The thought of what was to come made Mike chuckle.

It would be interesting, no doubt.

Lowering his gaze, he looked at the file in his hands, hesitated for a moment, then tore it open.

Just as he had expected, inside was a check with an absurdly large amount and a letter.

Slipping the check back into the folder, Mike shook his head with a smile and opened Howard's letter.

After glancing through it, he couldn't help but chuckle before sliding it back into the envelope.

Hah.

He never worked hard to make money, yet somehow, he had become a rich man.

Time always slips away when you least expect it, leaving behind only memories and distinct scents.

The Kent Household.

Sizzle!

The moment the meat touched the hot oil, an intense aroma filled the kitchen.

As Mike stirred the sizzling meat, he glanced at Clark, who was washing vegetables nearby. "Clark, is there something you want to tell me?"

Now eighteen, Clark didn't hesitate. "Nope."

Mike raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Clark fell silent, set the vegetables aside, then grabbed a freshly washed apple and bit into it. Carrying a plate of sliced apples, he mumbled, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Dad."

Mike chuckled. "I heard your school is holding a graduation dance. Found a dance partner yet?"

Silence.

No answer for a long time.

When Mike turned to look, Clark had already vanished from the kitchen.

"This kid…"

Mike laughed aloud.

Clark was already eighteen, yet he was still as pure as ever.

Yes—the kind that had never been in a relationship.

In this country, that was almost unbelievable.

As for Hope…

Despite staying close to Clark, their relationship had never developed into anything romantic. Instead, it was more like… a close friendship.

Maybe Clark had just kept too low a profile in school. Otherwise, with his looks, there was no way he'd still be single.

Look at Charles—

That little troublemaker changed girlfriends several times a year!

Even Erik had already been in two relationships.

Wait…

A sudden thought struck Mike.

Could it be that Clark was worried about… that?

Pouring the stir-fried dish onto a plate, Mike stroked his chin.

He needed to have a talk with Clark.

Carrying the freshly cooked dish, Mike joined his sons at the dinner table. As they ate, their conversation drifted from one amusing topic to another—until Mike smoothly steered it toward Clark's graduation dance.

Clark frowned. "I'm not going."

"That won't do!"

Before Mike could say anything, Charles immediately objected. "You have to go! High school graduation dances are important."

Erik nodded. "It's your last chance to enjoy yourself as a kid before stepping into adulthood. It's both an ending and a beginning. You should go!"

(End of Chapter)