Shōkyū choked violently, spraying tea everywhere.
"Sister, are you insane?!" She shrieked, staring at Midnight in disbelief. "How can you bring another girl home to your husband?!"
Midnight tilted her head, scratching behind one ear thoughtfully.
"Well… according to the laws of nature, it's perfectly normal for a powerful male leader to have multiple mates."
Shōkyū gasped as if struck by lightning.
"Your worldview is deeply flawed! I must educate you properly, listen carefully!"
And so began the lecture.
From Garfield and Queenie's house all the way to Steve's neighborhood, Shōkyū never stopped talking.
She passionately promoted the virtues of monogamy, emotional responsibility, and proper relationship ethics, delivering her sermon with the fervor of a street preacher.
Midnight, however, barely listened.
Her attention was fixed on the nightscape of New York.
Under the global trade network of the High Claw Group, New York's economy had begun to recover.
Gang conflicts were sharply reduced, especially within the blocks acquired and managed by the Group.
In those areas, no reckless gang dared cause trouble.
The result was something rare. safe nights.
Residents walked the streets after sunset… strolling, chatting, enjoying the city.
Shops stayed open later, businesses flourished, and money began to circulate again.
What would one day become a notorious crime city now showed signs of a healthy, virtuous cycle.
The city's development momentum was undeniable.
As the heart of Midgard, those in power had no objections, especially the upper levels of city management.
Many were eager to lease storefronts in these districts, letting their families rebuild legitimate livelihoods.
Steve's family shop was one of the beneficiaries.
The clean streets and stable environment brought steady customers, and their financial situation had improved significantly.
Yet there was one sorrow that money could not erase.
Steve
All the misfortune that should have left Steve alone… hadn't.
Illness and accidents plagued the thin young man for seven long years.
But with the unwavering support of his best friend Bucky, the care of his family, and the occasional visits and mischief from Queenie, Baima, Lilith, and Vivian, Steve did not break.
His spirit did not collapse.
Instead, he grew stronger. In Steve's heart, there was a simple belief.
As long as I face it bravely, there is nothing I cannot overcome.
…
"Hey, don't look at me like that," Steve said weakly, forcing a smile from his bed.
"It's just a cold."
Bucky, broad-shouldered and strong enough to lift crates with one hand, stood beside the bed, tears streaming down his face.
Steve had never lived easily.
Every memory Bucky had of him was marked by sickness or accidents.
It hurt too much to watch.
"Steve," Bucky choked out, "What kind of cold lasts half a month?"
Steve sighed. "You know my body's always been weak. My parents have tried everything, training methods, medicines…"
"…and yeah, we ran into plenty of scammers."
Bucky wiped his eyes and shook his head. "I don't think all of them were frauds."
" That old man who touched your palm, he was strange. And that island dwarf knew something, too."
Steve recalled those encounters and couldn't help but smile bitterly. "The old man glanced at me twice and left without saying a word."
"The mysterious woman with the orange cat didn't seem connected to them."
"And those twin sisters… don't even remind me. Absolute chaos."
He paused, then added quietly, "As for the Japanese group, they examined me and said I didn't meet their requirements. Then they left."
"All that money my mother saved… gone."
Bucky thought for a long moment. Then he squeezed Steve's hand tightly.
"Steve… maybe all of this really is unreliable."
"Let's give it up. Live as ordinary people."
"I'll protect you."
Steve looked at Bucky's hand, warm and unwavering.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream