By the time Gwen returned to her room, it was already 3:10 AM.
She quietly closed the window, took off her suit and hung it in the wardrobe, then collapsed onto the bed, sprawling there like a puddle of mud.
The "pigeon" on the ceiling was still there; a piece of peeling wall paint cast a small shadow in the moonlight.
Gwen stared at it for three seconds before closing her eyes.
Exhausted.
She was just too exhausted.
Although her fight with Silk didn't last long, it had consumed more physical and mental energy than her battle with Murakami. That woman was too familiar with her fighting style; every move felt like it had been predicted in advance, crushing her until she could barely breathe.
If Captain America hadn't suddenly appeared—
Gwen thought of that figure holding the shield, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart.
Samantha Wilson.
The Captain America of this World.
She buried her face in her pillow and let out a muffled groan.
I'll think about it tomorrow.
For now, sleep.
At 3:10 AM, Gwen fell into a deep sleep.
At 7:00 AM, the alarm went off.
Gwen reached out, precisely turned off the alarm, and continued sleeping.
At 7:10 AM, the alarm went off again.
Gwen turned it off again.
At 7:15 AM, Helen's voice came from outside the door.
"Gwen? Time to get up! You're going to be late!"
Gwen's eyes snapped open.
She sat up, feeling as if she had been run over by a truck, her whole body aching. Her eyelids felt heavy as lead, and her head was groggy, her brain refusing to function.
But she still struggled out of bed, got dressed, and walked out of the room.
"Good morning, Mom and Dad!"
Her voice was an octave higher than usual, an attempt to use volume to mask her condition.
But Helen saw through it instantly.
"What's going on with you, child?" She looked her daughter up and down. "Why haven't those dark circles under your eyes faded yet?"
Gwen let out a yawn.
"Um... maybe I just didn't sleep well."
She thought to herself: I slept for less than three hours; it'd be a miracle if they faded.
George was sitting at the dining table, watching TV. Hearing her voice, he turned his head, and his gaze lingered on Gwen's face for a moment.
That look was one Gwen was becoming increasingly familiar with—scrutinizing, observing, and thoughtful.
But she was far too tired to think much of it.
On the TV, the morning news was playing.
"...Last night, Captain America teamed up with the mysterious vigilante 'Spider-Man' to engage in a fierce battle with a female villain in Lower Manhattan..."
Gwen froze for a moment and looked at the TV.
The screen showed blurry cell phone footage—two figures fighting on a rooftop under the moonlight. There was the red and blue Spider-Man, the red, white, and blue Captain America, and that black figure.
The footage flashed by quickly, but one could clearly see the black figure being forced back by Captain America's shield before finally disappearing into the night.
"...According to witnesses, the female villain is suspected to be linked to several recent supernatural cases. The police are currently conducting a further investigation..."
Gwen bit into her toast while watching the news.
That was a first.
It was rare to have a day where J. Jonah Jameson didn't come out to smear her.
It was probably because—
The screen switched to another channel where a reporter was interviewing a passerby.
"What do you think of the collaboration between Captain America and Spider-Man last night?"
A middle-aged woman's eyes lit up. "Captain America! She's our hero! Anyone acting alongside her must be a good person too!"
Gwen almost choked on her toast.
Riding coattails.
She was totally riding Captain America's coattails.
As expected, people who wear the national flag on their backs are just different.
Gwen glanced at the red, white, and blue figure on the TV and silently added in her mind:
Uh... woman.
George's voice suddenly rang out.
"Gwen."
Gwen snapped out of it. "Yeah?"
George looked at her and put down the newspaper in his hand.
"You should take the day off today."
Gwen was stunned.
"Huh?"
"In your current state," George said, "how could you possibly focus on your studies?"
Helen also nodded. "Sweetie, your father is right. Finish your breakfast and go back to your room to sleep. I'll have your father call in sick for you."
Gwen opened her mouth to say "No need," but her body was more honest than her words—she let out another yawn.
"...Okay."
After finishing breakfast, Gwen groggily returned to her room and collapsed onto the bed.
This time, she didn't even bother changing her clothes.
The sunlight streaming through the curtains felt warm and cozy. She rolled over, buried her face in the pillow, and fell asleep almost instantly.
When she woke up again, it was already 3:00 PM.
Gwen opened her eyes and stared at the "pigeon" on the ceiling for several seconds before slowly remembering who she was, where she was, and what had happened today.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
That was a truly comfortable sleep.
Although she still felt a bit tired, it was much better than it had been in the morning.
She picked up her phone to check the time and froze.
The screen was densely packed with message notifications.
Mary Jane: Gwen, why didn't you come today? Are you sick?
Mary Jane: Reply to me when you see this!!!
Betty: Gwen, are you okay? I heard you took the day off?
Betty: Do you need us to come visit you?
Glory: Get some good rest. There's no rush with the band stuff.
Glory: If you have a fever, remember to drink plenty of water.
And then there was Peter.
Gwen swiped to Peter's chat box and almost laughed out loud when she saw the sea of red unread markers.
Over 20 messages.
All sent by Peter.
Peter: Gwen, why didn't you come today?
Peter: Are you sick?
Peter: Or did you get hurt last night???
Peter: Answer your phone!!!
Peter: I saw the news. Was that female villain you and Captain America fought Silk?
Peter: Are you hurt? Is it serious?
Peter: Why aren't you answering your phone???
Peter: Gwen!!!
Peter: I'm worried sick!!!
Peter: If you don't reply soon, I'm going to climb through your window to check on you!!!
...
There were over a dozen more after that, each more urgent than the last, with the final few changing to "I'm coming over after school."
Looking at these messages, a wave of warmth welled up in Gwen's heart.
She began to reply to them one by one.
First to Mary Jane: I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well, so Dad let me take a day off to rest.
Then to Betty: No need to come over, I'll be back tomorrow.
To Glory: Thanks, I'm already feeling better.
Finally, she opened Peter's chat box.
She thought about it and sent a smiley face first.
Then she typed: I'm fine. I was too tired last night, so Dad let me take the day off to sleep. I just woke up.
Sent.
He replied almost instantly.
Peter: You finally replied!!!!
Peter: You scared me to death!!!!
Peter: I thought you were hurt!!!!
Peter: How are you now? Are you really okay?
Peter: Did that Silk hurt you?
Peter: What did Captain America say to you afterward?
Peter:...
It was another round of information bombardment.
Gwen couldn't help but laugh as she watched the messages keep popping up.
She typed: Let me answer one first.
The other side went quiet for a second.
Then a pouting emoji was sent: Oh.
Gwen laughed even harder.
She replied point by point: I'm really fine. Not hurt. Captain America said I did a good job. Silk escaped. I slept all day, and I'm feeling very energetic now.
Peter's side went quiet for a few more seconds.
Then a message came through: That's good then.
Looking at those three words, Gwen could suddenly imagine the expression on his face—letting out a huge sigh of relief while trying to act all calm.
She put down her phone with a smile and went to wash her face.
The afternoon sun was lovely, making the entire room bright and airy.
Gwen stood by the window, looking at the street outside.
It was time for school to let out.
She saw students walking from the direction of the school in small groups, laughing and chatting. Some stopped at the dessert shop on the corner, while others waited for the bus by the roadside.
Everything seemed so normal.
As if she were just an ordinary high school student who had taken a day off to rest at home.
But Gwen knew she wasn't ordinary.
Last night, she and Captain America had teamed up to drive back a villain who wanted to "recycle" her powers.
Tonight, or tomorrow night, she would have to go out again.
To keep fighting.
The sunlight outside the window gradually began to slant westward.
Gwen was just about to go downstairs to find something to eat when she suddenly heard a soft tapping on the window.
She turned her head and saw Peter leaning against the windowsill.
Gwen was stunned.
"Peter, how did you—"
Before she could finish, Peter had already climbed inside.
Then she was pulled into a tight embrace.
Gwen's entire body stiffened.
Peter's grip was strong, and he held her so tightly that she could feel his heartbeat—it was fast and frantic, as if he had just finished running a marathon.
"You didn't answer your phone," his voice came muffled from her shoulder, "and you didn't reply to my messages. I thought you were seriously injured."
Gwen froze for a few seconds before slowly raising her hands to hug him back.
"I'm fine," she said softly, "I'm really okay."
Peter didn't let go.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck and took a deep breath.
The movement was very light, but Gwen felt it.
Her face began to heat up slightly.
"Um..." she tried to ease the atmosphere, "I only slept for less than three hours yesterday, I was just really exhausted. Dad let me take a day off, so I've been sleeping until now."
Peter still didn't let go.
"The way you smell," he murmured, "it's so nice."
Gwen's face turned bright red instantly.
"Wha— what are you talking about..."
Peter finally loosened his grip a little and looked up at her.
His eyes were bright, filled with something Gwen couldn't quite understand.
"Really," he said, "you smell good."
Gwen glared at him, not knowing what to say.
But the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve up slightly.
The two of them just stared at each other for a few seconds.
Then Peter suddenly remembered something and quickly let go, taking a step back.
"I— I didn't mean to—" His ears turned red again. "I was just so worried—you weren't replying to any messages—I thought—"
Watching his flustered attempt to explain himself, Gwen couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Alright, alright," she said, "I know."
Peter looked at her and smiled too.
The smile was a bit silly, but it was very warm.
Gwen walked to the edge of the bed and sat down, patting the spot next to her.
"Come on, sit down and tell me."
Peter sat down, and the two of them sat side by side, shoulders touching.
The setting sun shone through the window, painting the entire room in a warm orange hue.
Gwen recounted everything from last night from beginning to end—how Silk had shown up, what she had said, how they had started fighting, how Captain America had appeared, and what was said at the end.
Peter listened with a deep frown.
"Cindy Moon," he said, "S.I.L.K.—she was in S.H.I.E.L.D. and even built her own organization?"
Gwen nodded.
"She said she wanted to 'recycle' my power. She probably wants to capture me and continue her research."
Peter's hand clenched into a fist.
"She wouldn't dare."
Looking at him, a wave of warmth welled up in Gwen's heart.
"Don't worry," she said, "I won't let her have her way."
Peter was silent for a few seconds.
"That Captain America," he suddenly asked, "did she really say the material of your suit 'is a bit lacking'?"
Gwen was taken aback for a moment, then she laughed.
"Why is that what you're focusing on?"
Peter said seriously, "Because I made it. If she says the material is lacking, it means I can still improve it."
Looking at his serious expression, Gwen suddenly found this side of Peter particularly cute.
"She said the design concept was very good," she added. "She even asked me who made it."
Peter's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"Really."
Peter smiled, a hint of pride in his expression.
Then he frowned again.
"That Silk—Cindy Moon—the things she said sound very obsessive."
Gwen nodded.
"Just because a spider didn't bite her, she's been holding a grudge until now?"
Peter thought for a moment.
"It's not just about the spider," he said. "She probably felt she was meant to be someone'special' from a young age. But she lost her chance and could only rely on her own efforts later on. Then she sees you—a test subject 'manufactured' by her—possessing the power she was supposed to have."
He paused.
"That kind of psychology is very complex. Jealousy, resentment, and a grudge against fate."
Listening to his analysis, Gwen suddenly felt that Peter was truly intelligent.
"What about the things she said about humanity?" she asked. "That morality is a joke, and kindness depends on the state of the World—those words sounded very familiar."
Peter thought for a moment.
"The Joker?"
Gwen laughed.
"Exactly, that's what I said too."
Peter laughed as well.
"Maybe all villains end up saying more or less the same things," he said. "Because they think they've seen through the essence of the World. But in reality—"
He paused.
"They are just trapped by their own biases."
Looking at him, Gwen suddenly felt a warmth in her heart.
This boy, despite having no superpowers, was always able to see the essence of things clearly.
"Peter."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
Gwen didn't answer.
She just leaned over and rested her head gently on his shoulder.
Peter stiffened for a moment, then slowly relaxed.
The two of them just sat there, watching the sunset outside the window slowly sink.
After a long time, Peter spoke softly.
"Gwen."
"Yeah?"
"Don't go out today."
Gwen raised her head to look at him.
Peter looked back at her, his eyes full of seriousness.
"You didn't sleep well yesterday, and although you've caught up on some sleep today, your condition definitely hasn't fully recovered yet," he said. "Silk was just driven off by you, so she shouldn't be back for a while. The Hand has also been severely weakened. Tonight—"
He paused.
"Tonight, you should rest."
Gwen looked at him and suddenly smiled.
"Okay."
Peter was taken aback for a moment, clearly not expecting her to agree so readily.
"Really?"
"Really," Gwen said. "I also feel a bit tired. I won't go out tonight."
Peter smiled.
That smile was warmer than the sunset outside the window.
He hugged her again.
Very gently, very carefully.
"Then I'll head back," he said, letting go and standing up. "See you at school tomorrow."
Gwen nodded.
Peter walked to the window and suddenly turned back.
"By the way, about Captain America—"
"Yeah?"
"Next time you see her," Peter said seriously, "could you ask if I can get an autograph?"
Gwen was stunned.
"What?"
"An autograph," Peter said. "Captain America's autograph. I really want one."
Gwen looked at him, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"Are you serious?"
"Dead serious," Peter nodded. "She's a Super Soldier, and a woman—this version is so rare. It has high collectible value."
Gwen opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
In the end, she laughed.
"Fine, next time I see her, I'll ask for you."
Peter nodded with satisfaction, climbed out of the window, and disappeared into the house next door.
Gwen stood by the window, watching his retreating figure and couldn't help but shake her head.
Asking for Captain America's autograph?
This guy really is—
She tried to think of a suitable word, but couldn't.
In the end, she just smiled.
Outside the window, night was gradually falling.
Gwen lay back down on the bed and stared at the "pigeon" on the ceiling.
I'm not going out tonight.
I'll just have a good night's rest.
Tomorrow, the fight continues.
She closed her eyes, a smile still playing on her lips.