"Peter! Peter!"
An excited voice came from behind him.
Peter had just reached the school gate and was about to go in when the voice stopped him. He turned around and saw a black luxury car slowly pulling over to the curb.
The car door opened, and Harry Osborn jumped out.
He was wearing a light blue shirt paired with dark casual trousers today, and he looked refreshed. It was completely different from the gloomy look he had a few days ago.
"Harry?" Peter paused, "How did you—"
Harry had already rushed over.
He grabbed Peter in a tight hug.
Peter was a bit bewildered by the hug.
"Ha—Harry?"
"Peter!" Harry released him, placed both hands on his shoulders, and said excitedly, "My friend!"
Peter looked at him, his heart skipping a beat.
Could it be that Spider-Man's blood wasn't a match? Was there an adverse reaction?
He recalled the various problems that could arise in medical cases—allergies, rejection, or even more serious consequences. Gwen's blood had been drawn from the symbiote suit; could there be an issue with that?
"What's wrong?" His voice was a bit tight, "Is it your father—"
"No, no!" Harry waved his hands quickly, an irrepressible smile on his face, "My father has fully recovered!"
Peter was stunned.
"Recovered?"
"Yes!" Harry nodded vigorously, "The Doctor came for a check-up this morning, and all the indicators are normal! The necrotic cells are repairing, and the issues at the genetic level have stabilized! The Doctor said it's a miracle!"
Peter looked at him and slowly smiled.
"That's great, Harry."
"I was just too excited," Harry scratched his head sheepishly, "I ran over to find you as soon as I got excited."
Peter patted his shoulder.
"It's understandable. I'd be excited too if it were me."
Harry took a deep breath to calm his emotions.
Then he looked at Peter earnestly.
"Peter, can you ask Spider-Man to come again? My father wants to thank her properly."
Peter's expression stiffened slightly.
Come again?
He remembered the script he had agreed upon with Gwen earlier.
"Uh…" He cleared his throat, trying hard to make his expression look natural, "Harry, actually, there's something I haven't told you."
Harry blinked.
"What is it?"
Peter took a deep breath.
"Spider-Man is actually an Agent."
Harry was stunned.
"An Agent?"
"Yes." Peter nodded solemnly, "She is an Agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
Harry's mouth opened slightly.
"The what division?"
"The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division." Peter repeated, "It's affiliated with the World Security Council and is responsible for handling supernatural events and global crises."
Harry looked bewildered.
"That name… is way too long, isn't it?"
Peter held back a laugh.
"It's abbreviated as S.H.I.E.L.D."
Harry nodded, thoughtful.
"So… she's with the government?"
"Yes," Peter said, "Vigilantism is just her part-time job. She has her own missions and can't just meet people whenever."
Harry was silent for a few seconds.
Then he sighed.
"Alright," he said, "then never mind. But—"
He suddenly wrapped his arm around Peter's neck and leaned in close.
"Since we can't invite her, let's invite you instead!"
Peter paused.
"Me?"
"Yes!" Harry nodded vigorously, "Without you, we wouldn't be able to contact Spider-Man. You're the bridge between me and Spider-Man!"
Peter felt a bit helpless with his neck being held like that.
"Harry…"
"This Sunday!" Harry interrupted him, "Come to my house for dinner! You can bring Gwen along too."
Peter opened his mouth, wanting to refuse.
But seeing Harry's sincere eyes, he swallowed the words back down.
"…Alright."
Harry smiled and patted his shoulder hard.
"Great! It's a deal!"
He released Peter and walked toward the luxury car.
When he reached the car door, he suddenly turned back.
"By the way, where's Gwen?"
Peter pointed in the direction of the school.
"She was dragged away by Mary Jane and the others just as she arrived at the school gate."
Harry nodded, waved at him, and hopped into the car.
The luxury car slowly drove away.
Peter stood there, watching the car disappear around the corner, and let out a long breath.
An Agent?
He thought about how solemnly he had been spouting nonsense just now and couldn't help but laugh.
If Gwen knew what he had said, she would probably laugh too.
But—
At least he managed to handle it.
Peter shook his head and turned to walk toward the school.
In the music room, Gwen was being held down in a chair by Mary Jane.
"Gwen!" Mary Jane put her hands on her hips, looking serious, "Tell the truth, did you go on a date with Peter yesterday?"
Gwen blinked.
"Yesterday? No."
"Liar!" Betty leaned in, "Someone saw you two in Central Park yesterday!"
Gwen: "…"
Glory pushed up her glasses and added leisurely.
"And holding hands."
Gwen's face heated up slightly.
"That… we were just walking around…"
"Just walking around?" Mary Jane narrowed her eyes, "Just walking around in Central Park, while holding hands?"
Gwen wanted to explain, but she didn't know what to explain.
Because what they said was all true.
She had indeed gone to Central Park with Peter.
And they had indeed held hands.
Mary Jane looked at her blushing face and couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore." She patted Gwen's shoulder, "We're here to practice the new song today; we can talk about other things later."
Gwen breathed a sigh of relief.
The four of them got into position, and the music started.
When Gwen hit the first drum beat, she felt herself relax completely.
The sound of the drums filled the room, as well as the messy thoughts in her head.
Once the song ended, Mary Jane nodded with satisfaction.
"Not bad! You're in great form today!"
Betty put down her bass and leaned in.
"By the way, have you heard? That Spider-Man has a new look again."
Gwen's hand paused.
Glory nodded.
"The black one. Someone filmed it near the Osborn Estate last night."
Mary Jane's eyes lit up.
"Black? Is it cool?"
Glory thought for a moment.
"It's pretty cool. The spider emblem on the chest is sharper than before, making it look more aggressive."
Betty leaned in.
"Why does she keep changing her look? Is she doing some kind of brand upgrade?"
Gwen lowered her head, pretending to organize her drumsticks.
Brand upgrade?
That's a fresh term.
"Maybe the suit got damaged?" Mary Jane analyzed, "Look at that white and pink one she had before; she wore it for a long time."
Glory shook her head.
"Doesn't look like it. That white one has appeared a few times, and it was in good condition."
Betty blinked.
"Then it must be—she wants to change her style?"
The three of them looked at Gwen simultaneously.
"Gwen, what do you think?"
Gwen looked up, appearing innocent.
"Huh? I think… it looks pretty good?"
Mary Jane looked at her, always feeling that her reaction was a bit strange.
But she didn't think much of it.
"Alright, alright, let's continue practicing!"
The music started again.
During the afternoon classes, Gwen didn't hear a single word.
She sat in her seat, resting her chin on her hand, staring at the blackboard, but her mind was on other things.
The matter of Harry's father.
That 20cc of blood drawn out.
And Norman Osborn's promise.
"I swear on the honor of the Osborn family."
She didn't know how much the Osborn family's honor was worth in this World. But judging by Harry's behavior, it should be useful.
At least, Norman wouldn't use her blood for other things.
And that symbiote.
Venom.
When she wore it to the Osborn Estate last night, it was very quiet. It didn't try to control her, didn't amplify her emotions; it was just like an ordinary suit.
But Gwen knew it wasn't ordinary.
It had its own consciousness.
It was observing her.
"Gwen."
Peter's voice came from the back row.
Gwen snapped out of her thoughts and turned her head slightly.
Peter pointed forward with his pen.
Gwen looked up, just in time to meet Mrs. Winterhalter's gaze.
The old lady was looking at her over her glasses.
"Gwen, why don't you answer this question."
Gwen stood up and answered the question fluently.
Mrs. Winterhalter nodded, signaling her to sit down.
Gwen secretly turned back and mouthed to Peter: Thank you.
Peter nodded slightly, his ears turning red again.
The bell rang, and the classroom instantly became lively.
Gwen packed her things to leave, but Peter called her.
"Gwen."
She turned around.
Peter walked over and lowered his voice.
"Harry came to find me today."
Gwen blinked.
"What did he say?"
Peter recounted what happened in the morning.
When he reached the part about being an "Agent," Gwen couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"S.H.I.E.L.D.? You made that up?"
Peter looked innocent.
"What else could I do? I couldn't exactly say you were in high school, right?"
Gwen shook her head with a smile.
"And then? What did he say?"
"He invited us to his house for dinner on Sunday," Peter said, "You, me."
Gwen paused.
"Sunday?"
"Yeah," Peter nodded, "Norman wants to thank us. Of course, mainly to thank you—but they don't know it's you."
Gwen was silent for a few seconds.
Sunday.
Osborn Estate again.
"What do you think?" Peter asked.
Gwen thought about it.
"Let's go," she said, "You can't run from fate forever."
Peter nodded.
"Then I'll go reply to him."
Gwen looked at him, suddenly remembering something.
"By the way, that symbiote—"
Peter's expression became serious.
"What is it?"
"When I wore it last night, it was very quiet," Gwen said, "But I feel like it's observing me."
Peter frowned.
"Observing?"
"Yeah," Gwen nodded, "Like… it's adapting to me."
Peter was silent for a few seconds.
"You need to be careful."
Gwen smiled.
"I know."
After school, Gwen and Peter went home together.
Walking to that familiar street corner, Peter suddenly stopped.
"Gwen."
"Hmm?"
Peter looked at her, hesitating to speak.
Gwen waited for him to speak.
After a few seconds, Peter finally spoke.
"On Sunday, I'll go with you."
Gwen smiled.
"I know."
Peter smiled too.
The two continued walking forward.
The setting Sun stretched their shadows long, overlapping each other, like a painting.
Back home, Gwen pushed open the door and found that George had already returned.
He was sitting in the living room, holding a document, his brows furrowed.
"Dad?"
George looked up, saw her, and his brows relaxed slightly.
"You're back?"
Gwen nodded and walked over to sit beside him.
"What are you looking at?"
George handed the document to her.
Gwen took it and saw it was an investigation report.
About Silk.
About S.H.I.E.L.D.
And about—the symbiote.
"You found it?" she asked.
George nodded.
"Silk, originally named Cindy Moon, was once a researcher at S.H.I.E.L.D. Three years ago, she left S.H.I.E.L.D. and formed her own organization called S.I.L.K."
Gwen looked at the words, her heart racing.
"As for that symbiote—" George paused, "There are some records in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files. It's an extraterrestrial organism that can attach to a host, greatly enhancing the host's abilities. But there are side effects."
Gwen looked up.
"What side effects?"
George looked at her, his eyes filled with a hint of worry.
"It amplifies the host's negative emotions. Anger, hatred, fear—all are amplified. If the host's will is not firm, they may be controlled by it."
Gwen was silent for a few seconds.
"I know," she said softly.
George was stunned.
"You know?"
Gwen nodded.
"I've worn it," she said, "It gave me power, but it also made me almost—almost kill someone."
George's hand clenched slightly.
But he didn't say anything.
He just looked at her, silent for a long time.
Then he reached out and gently patted her head.
"Gwen."
"Hmm?"
"No matter what that symbiote wants to do," he said, "you are the Master. Remember that."
Gwen looked at him, her eyes stinging a little.
"I know."
George withdrew his hand and stood up.
"Let's eat. Your mom made your favorite."
He walked toward the kitchen.
Gwen sat on the sofa, watching his back, a warmth welling up in her heart.
No matter what difficulties she encountered, with Dad around, it didn't seem so scary anymore.
That night, Gwen lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
The peeling wallpaper was still there, still shaped like a chubby pigeon.
She remembered what George said.
"You are the Master."
She gently touched her chest.
The black suit hung quietly in the closet, motionless.
"Venom," she said softly, "will you be obedient?"
There was no response.
But Gwen felt a strange—emotion?
Like… grievance?
Gwen smiled.
"Alright," she said, "as long as you're obedient, we can be friends."
The suit fluctuated slightly.
Gwen didn't know what that meant.
But she was willing to believe it meant something good.
Outside the window, the moonlight shone quietly.
In the distant night sky, something was glowing faintly.
That was tomorrow's Sun.