Susan knew exactly what Natasha Romanoff meant, but her brain immediately jumped to that kind of thing — the kind that made her cheeks turn red and her heart race.
Her and Ryuuto were living together now, after all. Pretending nothing ever happened would be ridiculous… right?
But once the embarrassment faded, another thought crept in — a sharper one.
What if Ryuuto and Hela… also…
"Is she pretty?" Susan asked suddenly, her tone carefully neutral.
Before Natasha could even answer, Susan turned toward Katie Dee. "Katie, you're more honest than Natasha, right? Tell me the truth."
"T-That…" Katie stammered.
"Don't lie to me. I'm your sister."
"…Very pretty," Katie admitted under her breath. "At first she's cold, like some untouchable queen. But once you get used to her, she's… weirdly cute. Like a friend, just— otherworldly."
Susan's lips twitched. "High praise, huh…"
Seeing Susan's face freeze up, Natasha sighed and dragged her aside before Katie could make things worse.
"Susan," Natasha said softly, "listen. A great man… doesn't always end up with just one woman. Especially someone like Ryuuto. You knew what you were getting into when you fell for him."
"So you're saying your boyfriend should be shared too?" Susan asked flatly.
"Unless you think you're the most perfect woman alive, you can't expect to keep him to yourself."
"I already know I'm not perfect," Susan murmured, "but he's my boyfriend. Isn't it weird to share that with someone else?"
Then she glanced at Natasha suspiciously. "Wait. You're not planning on joining the competition too, are you?"
"W-What? No!" Natasha flushed. "I told you, Ryuuto and I are just friends. You really think I'd chase after a guy seventy years younger than me?"
"Could've fooled me," Susan muttered.
Natasha groaned. "Ugh, forget it. He's out with Hela right now anyway. Don't twist things."
"Fine. I'll just… work on some new cheese recipes."
With a sigh, Susan turned back toward the counter, muttering, "Maybe something sweet this time."
Meanwhile, Ryuuto and Hela had teleported straight into a crowded street in New York.
Hela's eyes were practically glowing. For someone who'd spent centuries ruling the underworld, everything about the human world seemed like a festival — loud, colorful, and alive.
Without warning, she darted into a toy shop, drawn by the glittering window display.
Ryuuto covered his face with one hand. "A goddess with Onee-san curves and loli-tier curiosity… what a dangerous combo."
Still, when Hela called out for him, he couldn't help but follow.
Inside, she was clutching an Iron Man figurine like a kid holding treasure.
"Ryuuto, does this one look good?"
"That's Mark II — not bad, but the Mark III has the best look. Mark IV's the best in performance, though," Ryuuto replied casually.
"I don't understand half of that," Hela said, pouting.
"Then just nod and pretend you do," he teased.
She giggled, then picked up a Hulk figure. "This one's adorable! Like a little green monster rolling in grass."
"That's the Hulk," Ryuuto said helplessly. "He's… actually my friend."
"Wow, you have so many friends."
"Not really. I just make sure the ones I have are real."
"I don't have any," she said simply, still smiling.
That one line hit him harder than expected.
Behind her calm grin, Ryuuto could feel centuries of isolation. A queen who ruled the dead, adored by none, feared by all. Maybe this whole "date" wasn't just curiosity — maybe she just wanted to feel alive again.
He sighed quietly.
Damn it. I was supposed to humor her for a day and move on… but now she's kinda… cute.
"Ryuuto!" Hela beamed. "Let's buy everything in this store!"
"…Everything?" He blinked. "How exactly are you planning to carry all that?"
"Of course I can! I'll take them back to decorate my Ice Palace!" she said, eyes gleaming. "I want it to be the warmest, happiest place in my realm — just like you make me feel!"
"…That's a weirdly good line for a death goddess," Ryuuto muttered, then turned to the trembling shop owner. "Alright, how much for the whole store?"
"N-No, no need," the shopkeeper stammered. "Just… take it. No charge."
"Why?" Ryuuto asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm a supporter of mutants, so—"
Ryuuto cut him off, seeing through the lie. The man's hands were shaking too hard to sell that excuse. Fear.
Yeah, he was scared of him.
Not that Ryuuto blamed him. His face was probably still plastered across a dozen "Most Dangerous Mutant" reports.
Still, he didn't owe anyone an apology.
"I don't care what you've heard," he said evenly. "Mutants are still human. Just… a little more interesting. So tell me the price — I'm not a thief."
After fumbling with his computer, the boss croaked, "A-all together… $100,000. But for you, $30,000 is fine!"
"Give me your account number."
Ryuuto called Tony on the spot. "Yo, Stark. Need a small favor. Hundred grand. Toy store."
There was a pause, then Tony's dry voice replied, "Do I even want to ask?"
"Nope."
"Fine, check your inbox."
Seconds later, the boss's phone buzzed. One hundred thousand U.S. dollars.
He almost cried. "Thank you! I thought you were going to rob me— I'm so sorry!"
"It's fine," Ryuuto said, shrugging. "If you believed the government's propaganda, I can't really blame you."
He turned to Hela, who was gleefully spinning a music box. "Alright, Your Majesty. Show me how you plan to move all this."