"How do you feel, Peter? Is there anything you're uncomfortable with?"
Otto was reviewing Peter's physical data. It had been three days since the last incident, and Peter had essentially recovered by the second day. Seeing this, Otto couldn't help but marvel at Peter's physical condition.
"No, Dr. Otto. Well… if I had to say something, I feel like I'm stronger than before."
Peter lay still on the scanner, dressed in black.
"The symbiote enhanced Peter's overall abilities, but it also caused his organs to begin failing," Otto said solemnly as he studied the data in front of him. "If we don't find a way to remove the Venom from Peter's body, his lifespan will be shortened if he continues to coexist with it."
Renzo looked at Peter. "The symbiote is most vulnerable to sound waves and fire. Maybe we can try ultrasonic waves—they might force the Venom out of Peter's body."
"I've already tried that, but it didn't work." Otto rubbed his temples. Staying up late was taking its toll; he had lost a lot of hair recently and was well on his way to a receding hairline. "Peter said it made him slightly uncomfortable, but it was completely tolerable."
Renzo lowered his head in thought. Could it be that black magic had compensated for the symbiote's weakness, making sound waves ineffective?
"What about fire? Have you tried that?"
"No," Otto replied. "Without proper safety measures, Peter could be seriously burned. We don't fully understand what's happening inside his body, so it's best not to act rashly."
"Hey, can I get up now? This thing isn't exactly comfortable to lie on."
Peter spoke cautiously to the two scientists. The last time he had asked that question, Renzo had scolded him and kept him there for an entire day like a lab subject.
"You can go." Renzo closed his eyes helplessly and waved his hand.
Peter was overjoyed. He had already had enough of staying cooped up. He jumped to his feet and rushed out excitedly. He hadn't seen Mary Jane in a while and missed her.
"It's time for me to leave. There's been no sign of that guy since that night. No idea where he's hiding," Renzo said, pressing a hand to his forehead, his tone laced with reluctance. "Like a rat in the sewers—disgusting, and impossible to deal with."
"New York's sewers don't just have rats. There might be alligators too…"
Renzo had no interest in continuing the conversation. Otto had a talent for delivering completely unfunny jokes with a straight face.
"Any news on Flint?"
"No. He seems to have disappeared since last time." Otto removed his glasses, looking unusually relaxed. "To be honest, I don't like him. He has a vicious face—doesn't look like a good person."
Renzo smiled faintly. "You two are the same. Neither of you looks like a good person."
"At least I look human."
"...That's a personal attack."
"You're not human anyway…"
...
Peter happily suited up as Spider-Man and swung high above the city.
The residents, who hadn't seen Spider-Man for several days, felt a wave of nostalgia when they spotted the familiar red-and-blue figure again.
"Hey! You all good?"
Peter greeted people enthusiastically, earning cheers from below.
Just as he was about to head home—Aunt May and Mary Jane both on his mind—his phone suddenly rang.
"Harry?" Peter was surprised. Why was Harry calling him? Had he already been discharged from the hospital?
"Hey, Peter!"
"Hey, Harry. I've been busy taking photos for the Daily Bugle lately. The boss had us working overtime, so I didn't get a chance to visit you. I'm sorry," Peter said apologetically.
"It's fine. Mary Jane's been bringing me food every day, so I haven't been lonely," Harry replied teasingly.
"How about we get together tonight to celebrate my discharge? We haven't seen each other in a few days. Let's invite Mary Jane—just the three of us."
"Okay!" Peter agreed immediately, touched that his friend was thinking of him.
"Alright, I'll let you get back to it."
Harry hung up without hesitation. His expression remained unusually calm—neither happy nor sad.
Peter, brimming with excitement, hurried home.
After a quick greeting with Aunt May, he grabbed Mary Jane and pulled her upstairs.
"Young people these days… no restraint at all…" Aunt May muttered as she watched Peter, shaking her head with a sigh. "I'm getting old… really old…"
"What are you doing?" Mary Jane asked shyly, nearly lifted off the ground as Peter pulled her along.
"Harry—Harry invited us over tonight," Peter said excitedly. It meant their relationship had finally begun to mend, even if Harry had lost his memory.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Mary Jane was genuinely happy for him. She knew their bond wasn't just friendship—it was something deeper.
She hadn't chosen to stay with Peter when they had separated before, but now that things were mending, she wanted to stand by his side and support him.
Peter looked at Mary Jane's beautiful face and found himself momentarily lost. "Jane… you're so beautiful."
Mary Jane froze for a second, then met his earnest gaze—and suddenly kissed him.
The two of them remained in the room for a long time, even in broad daylight…
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