Gwen's Two Younger Brothers

Manhattan, Goreen Apartments!

Helen Stacy, who had been a devoted wife and mother since marrying George Stacy, was preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Nine-year-old Howard Stacy and eight-year-old Simon Stacy, Gwen's two younger brothers, were glued to the television in the living room, racing against time.

Yes.

Racing against time, because as soon as Helen was free, she would make them study.

In Helen's words, their sister Gwen studied so well, and they all came from the same womb, so their studies should be good too.

But in reality, Howard and Simon's grades couldn't be called bad; they were just hovering around the passing line, and sometimes they'd slip below with the slightest mistake.

And so it was.

Howard and Simon had flunked their year-end exams, and as a result, Helen had cut their hour of entertainment time each day.

Just then.

The doorbell rang.

"Howard, Simon, you should go back to your rooms and study."

"...Okay."

Helen, emerging from the kitchen, glanced at Howard and Simon sitting on the sofa and said calmly. As she watched Howard and Simon obediently head upstairs to their rooms, she walked to the door and opened it.

Hawk, standing at the door, saw Helen open it. His first impression was that she was a very gentle person. He smiled and greeted her, "Good evening, Mrs. Stacy."

Helen, opening the door, was first taken aback, then enthusiastically invited Hawk in, "Good evening, Hawk, come in."

Hawk thanked her and was then pulled inside by Gwen.

This was Hawk's first time visiting someone's home in this life.

Gwen's apartment was also on the top floor, and it was a duplex with two levels. The space wasn't huge, but everywhere you looked, it exuded a feeling of warmth and tidiness.

Hearing the commotion downstairs, George Stacy, who was in the study on the second floor, came down the stairs with a serious expression.

Gwen, who was downstairs getting Hawk acquainted with her mom, heard the footsteps and saw George coming down. "Dad."

Upon seeing George, Hawk politely greeted him, "Mr. Stacy."

George's expression was serious and meticulous, much like a stern, unsmiling high-ranking official.

But this time was much better than yesterday.

George at least grunted in response and then walked silently towards the dining table.

Helen looked at her husband's demeanor and found it somewhat amusing, shaking her head slightly. She then said to Hawk, "Hawk, please sit down, dinner is ready."

Hawk thanked her again and, led by Gwen, sat down opposite George, smiling and nodding at him once more.

Helen then called out towards the second floor.

"Howard, Simon, come down for dinner."

"Coming!"

Howard and Simon, who had been waiting for this moment with their books in their rooms, scrambled down from the second floor. They paused slightly upon seeing a stranger in the dining room and continued to stare intently at Hawk even after sitting down.

Hawk noticed and extended his right hand to Howard.

"Hello, Howard, my name is Hawk."

"I'm Howard."

"I'm Simon."

Eight-year-old Simon, standing up from his seat, shook Hawk's hand and then looked at Hawk, blinking. "Are you my sister's boyfriend?"

Hawk instinctively glanced at George, who was sitting opposite him.

As expected.

George's face was as black as a darkie's.

Very dark.

But...

He didn't object.

Hawk smiled slightly and nodded at Simon, who had blonde hair just like Gwen, "Yes."

As soon as he said that.

George's face darkened even further.

Gwen, meanwhile, smiled and gently ruffled her younger brother Simon's hair.

Well done, little bro.

She decided she would give her brother ten dollars before bed tonight as a reward.

As for Howard, he got nothing.

Unlike the communal style of dinner in the East, Gwen's family had a very clear and typically American plated meal service.

Of course.

This could also be George Stacy's intention.

Regardless, Hawk is an outsider. Unless they've known each other since childhood or have visited many times, most people wouldn't use a communal dining style for a first visit.

Hawk could understand that.

But even if they ate separately, the dinner was indeed good.

In this lifetime, this was the first proper dinner Hawk had eaten.

The school meals were out of the question.

As for when he was alone, Hawk didn't pursue taste or aroma; filling his stomach was enough, because just living was already difficult.

At the dinner table.

George ate his dinner silently, like the patriarch of a family.

Helen, like a gentle matriarch, occasionally asked Hawk if the food suited his taste and asked simple, non-intrusive questions.

Gwen, on the side, acted as a mediator between her boyfriend and her mother, while also serving as a lookout, wary of her father George suddenly losing his temper.

Nine-year-old Howard and eight-year-old Simon ate their meals contentedly.

They ate with great joy.

Just then.

George, grabbing the whiskey placed beside him, took a sip and cleared his throat.

The next second.

Helen and Gwen's gazes instantly fell on George.

Here it comes.

Hawk thought to himself and shifted his gaze to George, who sat opposite him and had been watching Hawk's every move out of the corner of his eye.

Just as George was about to speak, Helen, meeting Gwen's pleading eyes, inwardly chuckled but spoke first.

"Oh, George, tell us about your work. That Spider-Man, did you catch him?"

"..."

George glanced at Helen, then looked at Gwen with a half-smile, and finally settled his gaze on Hawk. "Not yet, but we will. After all, he's an outsider and has left us many clues."

After speaking.

George didn't give Helen and Gwen a chance to interrupt. He smiled and looked at Hawk. "By the way, Hawk, what do you think of this recently emerged Spider-Man? Do you also think he's a so-called vigilante?"

Gwen lightly squeezed Hawk's thigh under the table with her left hand.

Receiving Gwen's subtle reminder, Hawk chuckled and shook his head.

"Sir, I've been in Maryland these past few days and only returned yesterday. Today, I spent the entire day at the library studying."

"To be frank."

"I'm still a student, so right now, I'm only concerned about whether I can get a scholarship from New York University and whether the bank will approve my loan application."

"As for that Spider-Man, I don't care if he's a vigilante or some attention-seeking hippie criminal."

"..."