Compared to Natasha, the other Black Widow sisters, and Yelena, Reze was truly all alone.
None of the children who underwent experiments with her were still alive.
However... Reze's thoughts shifted slightly as she felt that warm presence deep within her consciousness.
"I'm not exactly alone anymore, am I?" she thought silently to herself.
"Of course not," Sumire's voice rang out in her mind, tinged with a smile. "I'll always be with you, just as you'll always be with me."
The corners of Reze's mouth curled up slightly.
This was probably what people called reflecting on past bitterness to appreciate present sweetness.
Even though her past was pitch black, at least now, she was experiencing the happiness she had dreamed of.
As for the third wheel Perona, who was currently floating in the air with puffed-out cheeks and pouting because Reze was selectively ignoring her... well, she could be overlooked for now... The meal continued until the restaurant closed and they were asked to leave, forcing the two to end their strange meeting.
Standing under a streetlight, Natasha pulled an old-fashioned cell phone from her pocket and handed it to Reze.
There were only two numbers inside: one for S.H.I.E.L.D. and one for her private line.
"Take it. If you run into trouble in New York... or just want someone to grab a meal with, you can call me."
Reze took the phone and nodded obediently. "Thank you, Auntie."
Natasha's brow twitched. She sighed helplessly, reached out to gently tidy Reze's wind-blown hair, and said seriously, "Change how you address me from now on."
"Eh?"
"Just call me Natasha," Natasha said.
Reze didn't care much for the details of titles. Since the other party requested it, she followed suit and gave a brilliant smile. "Okay, Natasha!"
That crisp "Natasha" softened Natasha's expression, as if the relationship between the two had grown a step closer.
Afterward, she stood on the street corner, watching the terrifying yet pitiable Bomb Devil carry two large bags of takeout food, blending into the night with a light step—that was a late-night snack for the "pets" at home.
Natasha stood there for a long time, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
By the time she returned home, the night was deep.
Reze placed the two large bags of takeout on the dining table.
Although they were hearty dishes from a high-end Russian restaurant, they had gone cold because of that somewhat heavy conversation.
After a simple reheating, the aroma of food once again filled the entire room.
There was no touching display of politeness; the atmosphere at the dinner table was eerily polarized.
On one side was Perona.
The Ghost Princess, who had been ignored all evening, was now converting her resentment into an appetite. She held a fork and was attacking the beef in front of her like a woman possessed.
She chewed vigorously while staring at the opposite side with resentful eyes.
Her cheeks were puffed out, as if every bite wasn't beef, but the conscience of a certain bad woman.
On the other side was the private World of Reze and Sumire.
"Here, Sumire-chan, have another piece of this meatloaf."
Reze smilingly picked up a piece of meat and put it into Sumire's bowl, her tone unnervingly gentle. "Eat more, put on some weight."
Sumire looked at the mountain of food in her bowl, a bit dazed.
"I'm full... and why do I need to put on weight?"
Reze rested her chin on one hand while using the other to lightly gesture at Sumire's waist, her eyes dancing with playfulness.
"That won't do. You're too thin; it's uncomfortable to hold you when you're all skin and bones."
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