Chapter 118: I Wish…… Part 3

The sky outside the window was still faintly lit.
On the bed.

A towel blanket draped over my bare body… and when I glanced to the side, I saw Peter’s sleeping face.
On the desk sat an empty box of condoms.

The smell of sweat hung in the air.
And along with it, a faintly unique scent.

…It was amazing.

I never would have imagined this side of Peter.
There was a certain masculinity about him, strong yet gentle at the same time.

Just thinking back on it makes my face heat up.

It was the first time for both Peter and me, but I’ve always had a high tolerance for pain… and both of us have bodies that hardly tire.

…So, yes, it was amazing.

Right in front of me, Peter lay there, still covered in sweat, sleeping peacefully.

“…Peter?”

I whispered softly.

…No response.
He was deep asleep.

I reached out and brushed my hand along his back.
With neither of us wearing clothes, our bare skin touched directly.

His back was hard, rugged… and bore several old scars.
Those must have been wounds he got while helping people.
Even though Peter is practically a superhuman, his healing ability isn’t as strong as ours, those of us born with a healing factor.

And then—

I suddenly noticed a large scar on his side.
…Something I didn’t remember at first glance.
But deep down, I knew.

It was a wound I had given Peter.

“…Peter…”

I wanted him to wake up, but at the same time, I didn’t want to wake him.
Conflicting emotions slipped out as a small voice.

I wrapped my arms around Peter’s back, holding him from behind.
My bare skin pressed against his—the warmth of his shoulders, his stomach, my chest… everything.

I could feel him.

He was warm.

I breathed in deeply, then let the air out slowly.

I don’t think of myself as worthless anymore.
Everyone had been telling me that for so long… but I finally, truly realized it now.

That someone could love me this much.
That someone could want me this much.

The person I love, my friend, someone I deeply respect—
He told me that it’s okay for me to exist.

If that’s true… then I’ll be okay.

“…Thank you.”

I held onto the man I loved—the man I still love.

I’m happy.
Because I’m this loved.
Because I’m this wanted.

“…Really… thank you.”

I whispered my gratitude over and over, pressing my cheek gently against his back.
And then, leaning into his small yet broad frame, I let sleep take me too.

That night, once again, I didn’t dream.

---

Suddenly, I woke up.
When I glanced outside, it was already bright.

“…Huh? Wha…?”

I had the feeling I’d been dreaming something really, really happy.
Or rather, something… directly tied to desire.

Am I… that frustrated?

I let out a small sigh at myself and tried to lift my arm—

Only to feel something soft.

“…”

I turned my head and saw Michelle, naked under the blanket.

It wasn’t a dream.
It was real.

My breath caught when I saw her pale white skin, faintly tinged with pink… and yet, my rational side immediately reminded me: we’d done something even wilder than this last night.

I tried tracing my memory back but stopped midway—I felt like I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed if I kept going.

And just then, maybe sensing my movement—

“…Mm… ha… ah…”

Michelle let out a small, cute yawn as she rubbed her eyes.
The towel blanket slipped down from her shoulders—

I averted my gaze instantly.
It’s not like we were doing anything wrong, but still.

Then Michelle spoke.

“…Morning, Peter.”

She whispered my name gently, sweetly.
It sent a shiver right down my spine.

“Y-yeah. Morning, Michelle.”

I barely managed to return the greeting, and Michelle smiled softly.
That smile made my heart skip a beat.

It’s a smile I’ve always seen.
A smile I’ve grown used to.

But somehow, this felt… different.
Even though we were on the same bed, like always.

The situation was different—and I could feel my face heating up.

She’s beautiful.

I fell for her all over again.

I’ve always cared about her deeply, but now… now she felt even more precious to me.
No, that’s not right—I’ve always loved her.

It’s just… somehow, I love her even more now.

…Does that make me simple-minded?
Or is this just… the instinct of a guy?

As those thoughts circled in my head, Michelle slipped on her slippers and stood up from the bed.

“Peter, mind if I use the shower first?”

“Ah—yeah, of course. Go ahead.”

“…Hehe, thanks.”

Michelle walked over to the chair where her clothes were draped, picked them up, and headed toward the shower room.
Whether she wasn’t embarrassed at all, or she was deliberately teasing me, she didn’t bother covering herself as she opened the bathroom door.

The moment she stepped inside, I collapsed backward onto the bed and let out a deep breath.

“…We really… did it. Yesterday.”

I rested my hand against my chin.
I never imagined the day would come when those old condoms I’d bought “just in case” would actually be used.

…Did I do okay?
I wasn’t sure.

But… Michelle seemed happy, at least.

“Ah.”

I pulled back the towel blanket.
The bedsheets were a total mess—stained with sweat, blood, and… other things.

And yeah… they smelled a bit.

“…Maybe it’s a good time to just buy a new set.”

Next time, I’ll get ones that are easier to wash and don’t show stains so easily.
Thinking ahead… to the next time.

…The next time?

“…Will there… be a next time?”

Yesterday was… a kind of remedy.
I wanted to ease Michelle’s low self-esteem, to show her—no, to prove to her—that I loved her.
Not just with words, but with actions.

But then again… if someone asked me whether I wanted her, I’d have to answer yes.

Still… with no stable job, no financial security, what right do I have to hold her like that…?

I ruffled my hair, lost in thought.

“……”

No matter how I tried to rationalize it, I couldn’t deny it—
I was happy.

That was the truth… and I was completely captivated by her.

Even though I told myself it was for her sake, the reality was… I enjoyed it too.

“…Yeah.”

I wanted to hold her, so I did.
That’s all there is to it.

Pushing all the responsibility onto her would be unfair.

Then, the sound of the shower stopped.

I stood up from the bed and began stripping off the towel blanket and the messy sheets.
The pillows too.

…Even though I was still completely naked, I suddenly felt embarrassed and quickly slipped on my underwear.

Just as I did, the bathroom door opened.
Michelle stepped out, her hair still slightly damp, dressed in her usual clothes.

“Thanks for letting me shower first.”

“H-ha… n-no problem?”

I answered awkwardly, and Michelle gave me a small, amused smile.
Flustered, I turned my gaze away slightly.

She stepped closer—

And softly pressed her lips against mine.

It wasn’t like the kisses from last night.
This was her usual gentle kiss.

“Thank you, Peter.”

“…Eh?”

I couldn’t understand why she was thanking me and ended up blurting out a confused sound.

“For accepting me.”

“Uh, well… you’re the one who accepted me, Michelle—”

I cut myself off, realizing midway how suggestive that sounded, and grimaced at myself.
Michelle let out a soft chuckle at my reaction.

Then she said—

“I think I’ll try to like myself a little more.”

She smiled warmly.

And when I saw that smile… I genuinely felt relieved, deep down.

“…So, thank you, Peter.”

I was really glad.
It seemed like my feelings had reached her.
If I had done anything—even just a little—that helped her, that made me happy.

Before I realized it, I was smiling too.

“I should be the one thanking you.”

Whenever I was with her, my heart pounded like crazy, she felt so precious to me, and I was overwhelmed with happiness—

“…Because it felt good?”

“Ghhhk—cough! Cough!”

I choked, tearing up as I tried to defend myself.

“N-no! That’s not what I meant, I, uh—”

“So… it didn’t feel good?”

“Eh, n-no, I mean… it did feel good, but—”

“…Mm. Then that’s fine.”

Michelle smiled softly, and I let out a small, awkward laugh in return.

It hit me then—I’d been the only one feeling embarrassed about everything, while she clearly didn’t want things to turn awkward between us.
That must have been why she made a joke like that.

While I was still flustered, Michelle spoke up again.

“Peter.”

“Y-yeah?”

“It’s okay. I get it.”

“…You do?”

“Mm-hm.”

“…Oh. Right.”

Sunlight streaming through the window lit up Michelle’s face.
She smiled brightly, gently, radiating happiness.

It wasn’t like yesterday—the forced, strained smiles she’d been putting on.

This one was natural, cheerful… a smile born from self-acceptance.
Seeing her smile like that made me smile, too.

“Michelle, what are you doing today? I think you said you had the day off—”

“I do, but… I need to apologize to a few people I caused trouble for yesterday.”

“Trouble?”

“Captain. And Natasha, too.”

I nodded in understanding.

Right, yesterday she’d had a full-day schedule at Avengers Tower.
Someone—mainly those two, probably—must have helped rearrange everything for her.

“I’m heading home first to change clothes, though…”

“Got it. I’ll walk you back.”

I started to stand up, but—

“No, it’s fine. You’re about to take a shower, right?”

“…Well, yeah.”

After all the sweat… and everything else, a shower sounded like a very good idea.

“I’ll head back while you’re in there. But… thanks.”

“...Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you back?”

Outside, it was already daytime… early morning, really.
There shouldn’t be any danger.

Not that there’s anyone out there who could actually hurt Michelle, of course…
But still, I couldn’t help worrying.

…And honestly, I also just wanted to be with her a little longer.
Yeah, that was probably the real reason.

“I’ll be fine.”

Michelle nodded with a gentle smile.
…It’d probably be rude to insist on going along, I thought—

“…Alright, if you’re sure.”

I gave in.

Still, at the very least, I decided to walk her to the door.
I followed her quietly, trailing behind as she made her way out.

The moment I opened the door, though, I suddenly realized I was half-naked…
and stepped back in embarrassment.

“See you later, Peter.”

“Yeah… I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

“Mm.”

Michelle smiled, waved lightly, and left the apartment.

…After I closed the door, I glanced back into my room.

“…Guess I should clean up first.”

The mess was impossible to ignore.
Dirty sheets, my clothes scattered on the floor… I let out a small, wry laugh.

---

I walked through Queens, still wrapped in this warm, lingering bliss.

I was in a really, really good mood.

Happy.

Happier than I’d ever felt before.
…No, actually—
Maybe it was about the same as the day Peter and I first became a couple.

To put it bluntly, I was floating.
And I knew it.

But… I wanted to stay like this, basking in this heat.

“…I should head home first.”

I glanced at my phone—battery at 30%.
It was still early morning.

Students on their way to school, office workers heading to their jobs…
a few people dotted the sidewalks.

Just a little sparse now, but soon there would be crowds.

The trains would get packed, too.
Better to get home before that happened if possible.

I’d go back, change clothes, maybe shower again…
I’d probably reach Avengers Tower just before noon.

I should probably call ahead first, just to let them know—

…That’s when I saw it.

A familiar figure entered my field of vision.

Peter.
Walking alongside a red-haired woman I didn’t recognize.

Their fingers… entwined, lovingly.

“……”

My eyes narrowed.

Peter should still be back in his apartment right now.

And besides, he wouldn’t…
No, I believe he wouldn’t do something like that.

So the feeling welling up inside me wasn’t sadness.
It was confusion.

Who is that?
What is that?

This was the same as before.
I’d seen this once already.

“…!”

I turned on my heel and started following them.

If it was just someone who happened to look exactly like him, that was fine.

But I doubted it.

And if it wasn’t…
Then Peter might be in danger.

With that thought, I—

—recklessly—

Started tailing them from behind.

They didn’t seem to notice me at all, continuing forward without hesitation.
I adjusted my pace, careful not to look suspicious, and followed at a steady distance.

…But the two of them seemed completely lost in their own little world.
They didn’t look at anyone else.
Not once.

I focused on their movements, keeping up with them as discreetly as I could.

Step by step, street by street—

Then they turned a corner.

I hurried after them—

But when I rounded the corner,

They were gone.

“…?”

Vanished.
Completely.

And before I realized it—

I was no longer on the main street.

I’d wandered into a quiet, deserted alley.

"…………"

I spun around sharply.
I had the unsettling feeling that someone was watching me.

A cold shiver ran down my spine, like an icy hand brushing my skin.
A sticky, unshakable gaze clung to me.

But… no one was there.

The same sensation I'd felt a few days ago, when I was out on a date with Peter—someone was there, watching.

And finally, I realized… I had been lured out.

I needed to get back to the main street.
I turned on my heel, ready to leave—

"Nice to meet you, young lady."

I didn't even look. My fist shot out on reflex.

Careless.
I’d let my guard down.
I’d been too caught up in my happiness to notice.

Whoever this was… they’d slipped past the heightened senses granted by the serum and gotten right behind me.

That alone made it clear—this person could be a threat.

I had to strike first—

…but there was no impact.

My fist cut through empty air, and when I looked—no one was there.

"Quite violent, aren’t we? A far cry from how you looked just a moment ago."

A whisper brushed against my ear.

Behind me.

Certain of it, I drove my elbow back and twisted around—
Another miss.

"So, you’re the type whose hands move before your mouth? The exact opposite of me."

The voice again.

"…Who are you?"

Talkative bastard. I forced my mind to switch gears.
There was no doubt about it now—this person meant me harm.

No knife.
No gun.
No suit.

But even without them, I—

"Wait, wait, wait. Hold on. I don’t intend to hurt you. I only came to talk."

Not "I won’t fight you"—
but "I don’t intend to hurt you."

The implication was obvious: he considered himself above me.

…And he might be right.

I raised my guard even higher.

"…I don’t talk to people who won’t even show their face."

"Hm. Fair enough. You’re right about that."

A swirl of black mist blossomed in the air, and space itself seemed to split open.
From that rift, a foot stepped out, then a torso—until finally, a man emerged.

A deep green coat.
Golden, scale-like chainmail beneath it.
Pitch-black trousers.

Slick, raven-dark hair and sharp features framed by emerald-green eyes—
a handsome man, undeniably.

But what drew my focus most…

…was the golden circlet on his forehead, from which sprouted two slender golden horns.

Then, he spoke, his beautiful lips curling into a smirk.

"I am Loki of Asgard—"

"Loki."

The name escaped my lips before I realized it.

The infamous villain.

One of the Avengers’ "Big Three" enemies…
The trickster god.
Thor’s half-brother.
A master of deception and illusion.

Loki—the god of mischief, cunning, and chaos.

"That’s right, Loki. You know me well. I’ll take that as a compliment."

He laughed, clearly amused… though to me, his expression was nothing but suspicious.

I narrowed my eyes.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I could win this.

Superhuman physique, magic, manipulation—
he had far too many weapons at his disposal.

"…Someone like you. What do you want with me?"

I decided to butter him up, just a little.
If I could avoid a fight, I would.

"As I said—I came to talk."

He strolled past me casually, circling as though we were sharing a dance.

"Just to talk? You went so far as to use illusions to lure me here."

I’d already figured it out.

The Peter I’d seen earlier—and the one I’d seen before that—
were both illusions conjured by him.

He’d tried to create distrust between me and Peter, isolate me.

A manipulation tactic.
Classic Loki.

"Oho, guilty as charged. I do apologize.
But in the end, didn’t it work out in your favor?
Your relationship progressed, didn’t it?
You should be thanking me, really."

A wave of disgust rolled through me.
Any thought of playing nice evaporated instantly.

"…Peeping Tom?"

"No, no, relax. I haven’t fallen so low as to secretly watch other people’s… intimate affairs."

He denied it so smoothly, but the fact that he knew about it at all meant he had been watching, at least up to a point.

I swallowed my irritation, forcing myself to face him fully.
He smiled faintly, unbothered, and opened his mouth again.

"Now then… back to the point. I told you I came to talk."

"…I have nothing to say to you."

"Ah, but this… this is something that would benefit you greatly."

My shoulder was touched by a hand. I stepped back and shook it off.

"Fumu, so cold."

Without showing the slightest sign of shock, he brushed his thumb with his index finger.

Snap.

A sharp sound—and suddenly, I found myself seated on a chair. In some unknown room, a round wooden table stood between us… and Loki sat across from me, one leg casually crossed.

…What just happened?

Trying not to let him sense my unease, I attempted to glance around, but Loki smiled at me instead.

"No gentleman neglects his preparations when hosting tea with a lady."

"…Gentleman?"

Who, exactly, was he talking about? I narrowed my eyes, and Loki smugly raised a staff I hadn’t even noticed in his hand.

"What do you think this is?"

I’d never seen it before. But I knew.

…That was the staff known as the 『Scepter』.

At its tip was—

"…I don’t know. First time I’ve seen it."

"No, you should know it. Even if you’ve never seen it before."

Loki caressed the tip of the staff. The blue light shifted into gold, revealing a small, thumb-sized gem at its center.

It was beautiful. But knowing its true nature, my face stiffened.

…I could feel it—an immense power far beyond anything I could comprehend.

Noticing my reaction, Loki’s lips curled into a pleased smile.

"The 『Mind Stone』. A special gem that governs the mind. You know it, don’t you?"

…Of course I did.

One of the six stones that, when gathered, grant omnipotent power—the 『Infinity Stones』. That was one of them.

"………"

"I’ll take your silence as confirmation."

Why does Loki have it? Where are the other Infinity Stones?

I didn’t know. But my assessment shifted—from “I don’t know if I can win” to “I absolutely cannot win.”

"You walked here on your own feet. And… just moments ago, you broke free of this stone’s control."

The 『Mind Stone』 had the power to manipulate hearts. A single one could twist the very fabric of the world itself.

I wasn’t equipped to handle that.

"Do you understand? I could’ve left you under its control and forced you to obey."

"………"

"But that would be dishonorable toward a potential ally, wouldn’t it? That’s why I’m here to ask you properly."

The blue crystal closed around the Mind Stone once more, sealing it back into the Scepter. Loki crossed his legs and rested his hand thoughtfully on his chin.

"Will you cooperate with me?"

At that—

"I refuse."

I answered instantly.

At my response, Loki frowned slightly, troubled.

"Fumu. And why is that?"

"…I have no intention of working with someone like you… no, with a god like you."

Loki was a cunning villain. Just speaking with him was dangerous; this entire conversation could be a trap.

…Yet I was cornered. I didn’t know where I was, and even in a fight, my chances of victory were uncertain. To make matters worse, there was the Mind Stone.

I couldn’t match him physically. I couldn’t match him mentally, either.

"I see. Then allow me to indulge in a bit of small talk."

Loki began speaking as if making casual conversation, while I quietly schemed—searching for an opening to seize the Mind Stone… the Scepter.

"Do you know why I’m asking for your cooperation?"

"………"

It was because of the memories I carried—

"Your eye."

"…Eye?"

The unexpected word slipped past my defenses, and I asked without thinking.

"Yes. I want to borrow the eye within you."

"…What are you talking about?"

"My eye?"

It was true that the Super Soldier Serum had enhanced my vision, but I had no special abilities.

There was no way it was something Loki would want.

"…So, they haven’t told you? How cruel. Those so-called heroes."

I didn’t fully understand what he meant. But I did understand one thing—he was mocking the people I respected.

I frowned.

Loki saw my expression and let out a sharp, derisive laugh.

"Fuh… And yet, you still believe them? Even though they couldn’t bother telling you the single most important thing?"

"…What are you trying to say? What do you know?"

The words slipped out before I could stop myself. I had intended to avoid conversation, to not walk into his trap… and yet, I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

Loki laughed again.

"Fufufu… very well. Very well indeed. If they won’t tell you, then I shall. I’ll tell you your secret."

"…My… secret?"

"That’s right. The secret you yourself don’t even know."

My mouth went dry. I forgot to blink, staring straight at his face.

He wasn’t sneering. He wasn’t mocking me.

He was just… smiling. Naturally.

"Watcher."

"…Watcher?"

"Yes. The observer of this planet Earth—the Watcher, Uatu."

"………"

Uatu… One of the Watchers, a high-order race that observes the entire world—no, the entire universe.

They were beings who only watched, never interfered… or so it was believed.

"He was killed almost twenty years ago."

"…Eh?"

My mind reeled.

A Watcher… killed? Impossible.

They were a high-order race, far superior to humanity both physically and intellectually. Their purpose was to endlessly observe this planet, recording every great shift in history.

And yet, one of them—Uatu—was dead? Murdered?

"…T-That’s impossible."

"And yet, it happened. This planet has already slipped beyond the Watchers’ gaze."

I was speechless.

What did that even mean?

The revelation was too shocking. But then—

"…And what does that… have to do with me?"

Loki folded his hands in front of him, leaning back with a calm, unnerving smile.

"There’s no need to panic. Just listen until the end."

"………"

I glared at him, brows furrowed. He ignored my stare and continued.

"Uatu’s corpse was found with its eyes gouged out."

Loki tapped the corner of his own eye with a finger.

"…Its eyes?"

Confusion tangled my thoughts. What possible purpose could that serve—

No. Wait.

The Watcher’s eyes?

Those eyes could perceive every corner of reality, even into alternate dimensions… and they had been stolen?

And Loki said this… had something to do with me.

No way—

"…One of those eyes lies dormant within you."

The impact was like a blunt weapon slamming into my skull. My thoughts scattered.

I remembered Tinkerer’s words… and my brother’s warnings. The thing the Ancient One had feared—the “something” within me, tied to dangerous memories.

…Could it be… the true nature of that “something”… was the 『Watcher’s Eye』?

I was drowning in confusion, my thoughts spiraling out of control, while Loki went on.

"In other words, you’re like a telescope—one capable of observing other universes."

"………"

I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t form words.

I hadn’t realized it.

No… I hadn’t let myself realize it. But the pieces were all there, buried in my memories:

My brother’s account of my past. The Ancient One’s cryptic warnings. The calamity my very existence could one day summon.

"…B-But… the Ancient One… she sealed it away—"

"But even that seal is meaningless against the 『Watcher’s Eye』. You’ve sensed it yourself, haven’t you?"

…He was right.

Even after the sealing ritual, I’d been able to draw out memories from other worlds.

Even the information about Loki, standing right before me now—that came from somewhere else.

The seal… it had already—

"—Already been broken. And now, you’re drawing threats to this world like a beacon."

"…N-No…"

So… I was the one placing this world in danger?

I had known. Deep down, I’d always known.

But I pretended not to.

I’d buried the thought, locked it away, convinced myself it wasn’t true.

And yet, here it was—laid bare before me.

"Your power is a lure. Countless threats will be drawn to Earth because of it."

"…Th-That’s… that’s not—"

"You think it’s impossible? No. What’s truly impossible… is for it not to happen."

Loki’s smile twisted, his brows lowering with an expression that almost… pitied me.

No… stop.

Don’t look at me like that.

"…Michelle Jane Watson. You are—"

Loki’s voice softened, his gaze fixed on me with something close to sorrow.

"—A living time bomb. A walking catastrophe… one that endangers the entire world simply by existing."

I…

I touched my chest.

Right over the place…

Where the “bomb” supposedly lay.

Without realizing it, my hand was trembling.