"Wow, Ryuuto-nii! You really hit the jackpot in New York! What did you bring back? Smells amazing—lemme try first!"
Before Ryuuto could even reply, a faint shimmer passed straight through the wall—Guy phased in like a mischievous ghost, eyes sparkling like twin stars. Her small hands dove straight into the takeaway bags in Ryuuto's arms, rummaging like a hungry kitten.
"Hehe~ Guy's still the best," Ryuuto said with a grin, rubbing her head.
The door creaked open behind them. Susan walked out, pouting and sticking out her tongue at him.
"Why're you feeding her first and not me?" she asked, crossing her arms with exaggerated indignation.
"First come, first served," Ryuuto teased, giving her a lazy smirk. "If you'd opened the door faster, you'd be eating first too. Don't sulk—there's plenty for everyone. Though…" his tone dropped to a mischievous whisper, "if you behave, I might let you have something Guy can't."
Susan flushed pink instantly.
"P-pervert," she muttered under her breath.
Ryuuto burst out laughing, slinging an arm around her shoulder as the three of them moved inside.
The leather sofa sank under their weight as they sat down, surrounded by the smell of warm food and laughter. For once, life felt normal—just three people sharing dinner instead of chaos.
"By the way," Susan said between bites, "why'd you drop by all of a sudden? Where's Natasha? She usually tags along."
"You're one to talk," Ryuuto replied, cracking a shrimp shell open with his fingers. "You sound jealous already. Anyway, I was training Gwen. Girl's got the spider gene now—she's gonna make a killer superhero once she learns to stop crashing into walls."
Guy stuck her tongue out. "You just like training pretty girls!"
Ryuuto shot her a mock glare. "Hey, talent deserves recognition!"
Before Susan could roast him further, a loud clang echoed through the room. The front door burst open—Tony Stark, in full armor, strode in with a grim face.
Ryuuto blinked. "Iron Man? What, did you miss me already? Don't tell me you came to finally settle that spar we never finished."
Tony didn't smile. "Not today, Red Mirage. We've got a problem."
That tone alone made Ryuuto drop the jokes.
Tony's gaze flicked across Susan and Guy, but he pressed on. "It's the Ten Rings. They're active again—trying to strong-arm me into building them new weapons. Worse, they've started infiltrating New York in batches. Something big's coming."
Ryuuto's expression turned sharp. "The Ten Rings… as in, the Mandarin's crew?"
Tony nodded heavily. "Exactly. Fanatics, killers, mercenaries—take your pick. They're desperate enough to burn the world just to prove a point. And now they've teamed up with Obadiah Stane." He hesitated, then added, "And there are whispers about mutant involvement. Dangerous ones."
The air turned heavy.
Figures, Ryuuto thought grimly. Can't go a week without some world-ending gang showing up.
He set down his food, stood up, and looked Tony dead in the eye. "All right. What do you need from me?"
Tony blinked, surprised. "You're agreeing that easily?"
"Of course," Ryuuto said with a smirk. "You're my friend. Besides, it's been a while since I stretched my legs. If someone's looking for a fight, I'll give 'em one worth remembering."
Tony's mechanical hand gripped his firmly. "Then I, Iron Man, owe you one."
He stepped back, voice steely. "We've got Hulk stationed at the Pentagon, and S.H.I.E.L.D. units across the city. But I need someone fast and unpredictable—someone who doesn't play by the book—to infiltrate and pull their leaders out. Before this spreads."
"Fast and unpredictable?" Ryuuto grinned. "Buddy, you just described me perfectly."
From behind them, Susan stood abruptly. "Wait! You two can't handle that alone—it's too dangerous!"
Guy clenched her tiny fists, phasing halfway through the wall in excitement. "Yeah! Take me too, Ryuuto-nii! I'm not a kid anymore! I'm Shadowcat now—I can phase through anything! I won't drag you down!"
Ryuuto paused, looking at her soft, determined eyes. For a second, he almost said yes.
Then he shook his head, serious this time. "No. It's too risky. Stay here and keep watch. If things go south in the city, you'll need to protect this place."
He turned to Susan. "She's sixteen, still not in full control of her powers. Keep her close. That's your mission."
Susan's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. "...Got it. Just come back alive, idiot."
Ryuuto grinned, slinging his jacket over his shoulder. "Relax. I'm the Red Mirage. They'll see me coming—then wish they hadn't."
And with that, he and Tony walked out, the metallic hum of repulsors fading into the night as New York's skyline gleamed beneath the storm.
A quiet tension filled the room after they left. Susan sighed and squeezed Guy's hand.
"He always runs off like that…"
Guy smiled faintly. "Yeah… but he always comes back."
...
Read up to 100 chapters ahead and access exclusive novels by joining my Patreon!
patreon.com/Zyxxar