American Comics: Something's Wrong with This Superhero World

Chapter 14-Awakening

Living with Tomie is actually not bad, except for occasionally seeing Tomie's real form which makes me lose a bit of sanity. Especially since Tomie hasn't won over Xiao Xian yet, and her character is that of a reasonable girl who also takes the initiative to do housework.

At first, Xiao Xian was rather reserved, after all, the glimpses of her true form from time to time reminded him that this was not the beautiful girl she appeared to be, but a monster in human skin.

But after spending a long time together, Xiao Xian realized that since he was immortal, and especially since the piece of flesh in the drifting bottle had probably already drifted to Indonesia, and Tomie couldn't actually kill him even if she wanted to, Xiao Xian relaxed and treated it as if his family had gained a free and even paid nanny.

Now that he had the money, Xiao Xian was too lazy to pretend to be a gentleman. Besides, Tomie herself didn't seem to mind if Xiao Xian treated her badly.

Although it might seem like he's a bit of a jerk, it's not a big deal. Being a jerk is still better than being a simp or a nice guy.

"Xiao Xian, come shopping with me this afternoon," Tomie suggested, holding a mop, as she watched Xiao Xian enthusiastically interacting with someone online on his phone.

"Okay, but I have to use my money for business. If you want to buy things, you have to pay for them yourself." Xiao Xian thought for a moment and nodded. He took Tomie out for a walk, which seemed like it would attract a lot of hatred. And this was something he had agreed to from the beginning.

"Of course, if you like anything, I'll buy it for you." Tomie said with a smile. There was no man in this world she couldn't win over, and Xiao Xian was no exception.

He actually acted as if it were his due, making her do all the housework. Tomie gritted her teeth, thinking that she would soon win over Xiao Xian and make him pay double. At that time, not to mention housework, she would make Xiao Xian do everything he could, even changing socks and putting on shoes, like a servant.

However, her hard work and dedication to doing housework these past few days, and her act of being a virtuous wife, have not been without reward. According to Tomie's observation, Xiao Xian's attitude towards her has clearly changed from initial wariness and suspicion to current casualness and habit.

Although there's still a long way to go before she likes him, this is a significant breakthrough. Letting her guard down is the first step in Xiao Xian's fall for him!

"Are your clothes dry? I want to wear that black coat out," Xiao Xian asked casually, lying on the sofa with his legs up, his attention focused on his phone and engaged in a heated online argument. He figured it was perfectly normal for Tomie to pretend; he figured he could just let her pretend. It was a good opportunity to do laundry, as he didn't really enjoy housework like mopping the floor.

"It's dry. I even ironed it again," Tomie replied with a smile.

"Alright, bring me my clothes. We'll head out after I've verbally abused this guy until he's depressed." Xiao Xian didn't stand on ceremony and gave the order directly. He now understood why Deadpool was so unrestrained; realizing that he wasn't so easy to kill did give him a real sense of security.

"Okay~" Tomie smiled kindly, her eyes slightly narrowed, and walked to the balcony. She took out her phone, typed a message, and sent it. Then she picked up her coat and was about to go back to the living room when she heard a boy's voice coming from the neighbor's balcony.

"Hello~ Are you the new neighbor?" Peter looked at Tomie, ignoring the phone pressed against his ear, and stammered, "I... I thought you were a man."

"Yes, hello. You're our neighbor next door, right? You mean Xiao Xian? He did rent this apartment initially. We only started sharing it these past couple of days. Also, your phone is ringing, don't you need to answer it?"

Tomie looked at Peter, who was stammering, and a smile crept onto her face. Before meeting Xiao Xian, Tomie wouldn't have minded playing around with such an innocent young man if she had the time. But now, it was a crucial moment to hunt down Xiao Xian. Tomie had no interest in playing with Peter; otherwise, if Xiao Xian discovered it, all her efforts these past few days would be wasted.

These past few days, she's been spending time with Xiao Xian, and he not only shows no interest in her but even seems to dislike her, which has made her a little insecure. Peter's reaction, however, has greatly pleased her, proving that her charm is not the problem, but rather that Xiao Xian's will is too strong.

However, it is precisely this kind of strong will and challenge that makes things interesting; someone like Peter, who can be easily defeated with a snap of the fingers, is really just average.

"It's nothing, just a nuisance call, an annoying insurance company. By the way, my name is Peter, Peter Parker." Looking at Tomie's devastatingly beautiful face, Peter hung up the phone and introduced himself blankly.

"Kawakami Tomie, let's talk again sometime." Holding Xiao Xian's coat, Tomie saw Xiao Xian put away his phone in the living room and immediately went inside.

"Let's talk again sometime." Tomie went inside before she finished speaking. Peter stared blankly at the empty balcony next door for a long time until the phone rang again, bringing him back to reality.

The moment the call connected, it was Mary Jane's questioning voice.

"Peter? You just hung up on me?!"

"Sorry, Mary Jane, I had something to do." Years of habit made Peter apologize subconsciously, but then he suddenly felt that he was being too humble and shut his mouth. He was no longer the bookworm who was bullied, but Spider-Man—Peter Parker!

More importantly, before meeting Tomie, Mary Jane was Peter's one and only goddess, but now that he has seen Tomie, Peter suddenly feels that Mary Jane is just averagely pretty, and the real goddess is Tomie.

Every smile, every gesture, exudes a charm that no young girl like Mary Jane could match.

"Hmm? And then what? If you don't apologize properly, I'm not going to the mall with you today."

For the sake of the dress and shoes, Mary Jane offered Peter a way out, or at least that was the way out in her eyes. In the past, even if Peter begged her in a low voice, she would have ignored him for a few days before saying anything.

"Sorry? Wasn't it me who went to the mall to buy you a gift? Why are you talking to me like I'm giving you a handout?"

Once the disenchantment effect takes hold, there's no going back. In an instant, in Peter's mind, Mary Jane went from a goddess of dreams to "that woman." Without the halo of admiration, Peter immediately noticed the facts he had deliberately ignored, and then spoke in a questioning tone.

Being a "simp" doesn't necessarily mean deep love; it could simply be lust at first sight coupled with resentment.

Ultimately, Mary Jane and Peter never shared any pleasant memories together. Throughout the entire story, Peter was constantly groveling and fawning over Mary Jane, who barely gave him any attention. Under such circumstances, what kind of love could Peter possibly have for Mary Jane? Did he like her character or personality? Peter wasn't a McDonald's fan.

Mary Jane was Peter's dream before, but now compared to Tomie, Mary Jane is nothing, so Peter's dream has ended, and his new dream is Miss Tomie.

"What are you saying?" Mary Jane could hardly believe her ears. Was this Peter Parker talking to her? Was she sure it wasn't one of Peter's friends playing a prank on her with a cell phone and a voice changer?

"I'm saying, if you don't want to go, fine. Do you expect me to beg you to buy me a gift? Go or don't go, I can buy you a dress and shoes for the sake of our past relationship, but you can't treat me like that, Mary Jane."

Speaking bluntly into the phone, Peter suddenly felt as if he had finally stood up for himself, and all his years of hard work seemed like a joke now.

Of course, Mary Jane was willing to talk to him, and Peter was also willing, after all, she was his former crush. Besides, talking to Mary Jane wouldn't stop him from trying to pursue Tomie.

Even if they were to talk, Peter would absolutely not allow himself to be as humble as he had been before.

(End of this chapter)