"No problem!" Ryuuto nodded casually, flashing that half-smirk that made everything look effortless.
"Oye! You're too kind!" Gwen grinned, standing on her tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. Her blush made her glow even more, the halo of shyness making her utterly charming.
Hand in hand, they strolled toward the cinema like a couple lost in their own world, laughing and teasing, the city around them buzzing but irrelevant. New York had been restored to its usual frenzy—thanks in part to President Obama and his top brass orchestrating an orderly cleanup—but Ryuuto didn't bother with the politics.
Inside the cinema, couples milled about, the air filled with the aroma of popcorn and soft chatter.
"Come on! A flower for you! Do you like it?"
Ryuuto, never one to miss a moment, whipped out a few hundred dollars and bought a dazzling bouquet for Gwen.
"Hey, 490huan! As long as it's from you, it's perfect!" Gwen beamed, pressing close to him, wishing time could freeze like this forever.
"Well… I guess we need snacks for the movie!" Ryuuto said, tossing a few large bills to the concession stand.
"Two buckets of popcorn and two sodas, please," he ordered casually, his arm still wrapped around Gwen.
"That's enough, haha!" Gwen replied, nestling against him.
As the snacks were handed over, a flicker of recognition crossed Ryuuto's mind. A familiar scent—someone who could change appearances at will—brushed past him. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, letting Gwen lead him into the theater.
Once inside, the lights dimmed, chatter faded, and everyone's attention turned to the massive screen. Ryuuto and Gwen settled in, sharing popcorn and soda, the movie wrapping them in a rare, peaceful bubble.
"Jiang Li… do you think the couple in the movie are really happy?" Gwen asked softly.
"Hm? Of course," Ryuuto said, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "They're happy… but not nearly as perfect as us."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Simple. That guy isn't as handsome as me, and she's not as beautiful as you. Their chemistry? Acting. They can't hold a candle to us!"
Gwen giggled, heart brimming with joy, letting all her worries drift away.
But then—a presence.
Ryuuto's sharp eyes caught a burly figure slipping into the seat beside them. A smirk curled across his lips as he tightened his arm around Gwen.
"Why aren't you selling outside anymore? Can't handle the profits today?" he teased, voice low enough for only the intruder to hear.
"Mister Jiang Li… don't joke. I knew from the start I couldn't hide it from you," Mystique said, her voice calm, almost casual, as if she were discussing groceries instead of sitting next to the world's most dangerous heroes.
"Oh? The idiot you're talking about… Magneto, right?" Ryuuto shook his head, laughing lightly.
"No. This is serious. Extremely serious. So please, pay attention."
"Serious, huh? Go on, then."
"Is Quicksilver in your hands?" Mystique's eyes locked on him, piercing straight through his relaxed facade.
"You don't need to lie," she continued. "Magneto already knows, Jiang Li. No matter what, Quicksilver is his son. You understand what that means."
Ryuuto's expression darkened slightly, his tone calm but edged with steel. "I've got a rough idea."
Silence stretched for a moment, thick with tension. Then he finally asked, deliberate and measured:
"So… what's the situation? Magneto got impatient and sent you to retrieve someone?"
Mystique remained still, her gaze unflinching, the air around her charged with quiet menace. The movie, the popcorn, the laughs—they all faded into the background. Now, only strategy, danger, and calculation remained.