"Riiing!"
The bell signaling the end of class pulled Li Ge from his thoughts. He said a quick word to Peter, who sat beside him, and prepared to head out for some fresh air.
"Li, are you okay?"
"You've seemed a little distracted ever since you came into the classroom. Is something bothering you? You can tell me. Maybe I can help."
Peter followed him, speaking to Li Ge with a sincere expression.
"Peter's right, Li. If something's going on, you can tell us. We're friends, aren't we?"
Harry came over as well.
"Thank you, Peter and Harry. You've always been my best friends. If there's anything I can tell you, I definitely won't keep it bottled up."
"I'm just feeling a little wistful. This country's attitude toward Mutants is far too hostile. Why should a few bad Mutants implicate the entire Mutant population?"
Li Ge did not reveal that he was a Mutant. He still needed to build up his reserves. Although the godhead he had designed possessed all sorts of powerful abilities, he could never use them to their full potential without enough energy.
He wasn't afraid of anyone being able to hurt him at present. Gunfire and bombs would only speed up his energy accumulation, but why go looking for trouble when he could take it easy?
He still needed to lie low for now.
Once he had accumulated enough energy, he could materialize the dimension bit by bit. By then, energy would be a matter of just one or two pieces of redstone.
If he connected the redstone directly to the source of the universe, just like the Infinity Stones, wouldn't that give him infinite energy?
"Buddy, you're right. I don't think what they're doing is very good either, but what can we do? We're just students."
"Peter's right, Li. Don't let what they say bother you. That's not something we can control."
Peter and Harry both tried to reassure him.
"Guys, you're right. Let's stop talking about those depressing things and talk about something fun!"
"Peter, have you thought about what I told you last time?"
Peter looked embarrassed, his face flushing as he spoke hesitantly.
"Li, are you sure? Would that really work?"
"Huh? Are you two talking about some secret plan? Why don't I understand any of this?"
Harry stood beside us, listening to my conversation with Peter with a baffled expression.
"Haha, you didn't know, Harry? Peter likes Gwen Stacy, but he's too embarrassed to confess. All he dares to do is secretly watch her every day."
"I really couldn't stand how sneaky he was being, so I gave him an idea: gradually build up Gwen Stacy's affection for him through their everyday interactions."
Li Ge deliberately gave Peter a teasing look as he explained to Harry. Sure enough, Peter's expression grew even more embarrassed.
At that, Harry's expression turned teasing as well, and his smile grew even brighter.
"Oh! Then I'll have to help you work this out so you can win Gwen Stacy over."
"N-no... there's no need, is there? I think things are fine the way they are. I don't necessarily have to confess, do I?"
Peter even began stumbling over his words, his expression full of resistance.
"Peter, that won't do. Girls like the feeling of being pursued. If you don't do anything, are you just going to watch someone else win Gwen Stacy over?"
"You know, Gwen Stacy is an outstanding girl. Plenty of guys want to pursue her. Don't regret it when the time comes!"
"Then what should I do? Would Gwen Stacy like a nerd like me?"
"Don't all the girls at school like football players like Flash Thompson?"
"Does Gwen Stacy like guys like that too?"
Harry's words left Peter at a loss, and his speech grew anxious and uncertain.
"Then tell us, are you going to pursue Gwen Stacy or not? Harry and I will help you come up with ideas."
Without realizing it, they had reached the sports field and were walking slowly along the track.
Li Ge walked beside Peter and Harry, enjoying the sunlight. An endless stream of energy flowed into his godhead. Since he only absorbed the energy from sunlight shining directly on him, Harry and Peter noticed nothing amiss.
Suddenly, Li Ge signaled Harry with his eyes while discreetly slowing his pace.
Harry followed Li Ge's gaze and glanced behind them. His smile turned a little odd, and he followed suit, slowing down while subtly using his body to partially block Peter's view.
"I... I... of course I'm going to pursue Gwen Stacy! Li, Harry, you have to help me!"
After all the brainwashing from Li Ge and Harry, Peter's head was a jumble. Without even thinking, he unwittingly blurted out his true feelings.
"Hahahaha! Peter, of course we'll help you. Isn't that right, Harry?"
"Hehe! That's right! Li and I are your best friends. How could we not help you?"
Peter was baffled by their sudden laughter, but he was still happy to have his friends' support. Having openly admitted that he wanted to pursue Gwen Stacy left him both shy and expectant.
"Hi! Peter, Li, Harry, hello! Did I just hear someone say he wanted to pursue me?"
The moment Peter heard the speaker's voice, his expression began to change. When he saw who it was, his face turned so red it looked ready to give off steam. His whole body seemed to stiffen, and his head swam.
Is this your idea of helping, Li and Harry? You really are my best friends!
Peter's mind was in turmoil. At last, he understood why his two friends had been smiling so strangely.
Gwen Stacy had been taking a walk around the sports field when she happened to see Li Ge and the others discussing something together. She already had a somewhat favorable impression of Peter, a good student, and had wanted to come over and say hello. She hadn't expected to hear those words from Peter the moment she approached.
Gwen Stacy's eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were a little flushed. Someone liked her and wanted to pursue her. Even though she was a girl who dared to love and hate openly, she couldn't help feeling a little shy, her heart fluttering.
She already had some affection for Peter. If he could pursue her openly, Gwen Stacy wouldn't mind giving him a chance.
She watched Peter expectantly, her unwavering gaze leaving him completely at a loss.
"Gwen Stacy, w-when did you get here? Did you hear everything?"
Gwen Stacy said nothing and simply kept looking at Peter.