Compared to Natasha, the other Black Widow sisters, and Yelena, Reze was truly all alone.
None of the children who underwent experiments with her were still alive.
However... Reze's thoughts shifted slightly as she felt that warm presence deep within her consciousness.
"I'm not exactly alone anymore, am I?" she thought silently to herself.
"Of course not," Su Modie's voice rang out in her mind, tinged with a smile. "I'll always be with you, just as you'll always be with me."
The corners of Reze's mouth curled up slightly.
This was probably what people called reflecting on past bitterness to appreciate present sweetness.
Even though her past was pitch black, at least now, she was experiencing the happiness she had dreamed of.
As for the third wheel Perona, who was currently floating in the air with puffed-out cheeks and pouting because Reze was selectively ignoring her... well, she could be overlooked for now... The meal continued until the restaurant closed and they were asked to leave, forcing the two to end their strange meeting.
Standing under a streetlight, Natasha pulled an old-fashioned cell phone from her pocket and handed it to Reze.
There were only two numbers inside: one for S.H.I.E.L.D. and one for her private line.
"Take it. If you run into trouble in New York... or just want someone to grab a meal with, you can call me."
Reze took the phone and nodded obediently. "Thank you, Auntie."
Natasha's brow twitched. She sighed helplessly, reached out to gently tidy Reze's wind-blown hair, and said seriously, "Change how you address me from now on."
"Eh?"
"Just call me Natasha," Natasha said.
Reze didn't care much for the details of titles. Since the other party requested it, she followed suit and gave a brilliant smile. "Okay, Natasha!"
That crisp "Natasha" softened Natasha's expression, as if the relationship between the two had grown a step closer.
Afterward, she stood on the street corner, watching the terrifying yet pitiable bomb demon carry two large bags of takeout food, blending into the night with a light step—that was a late-night snack for the "pets" at home.
Natasha stood there for a long time, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
By the time she returned home, the night was deep.
Reze placed the two large bags of takeout on the dining table.
Although they were hearty dishes from a high-end Russian restaurant, they had gone cold because of that somewhat heavy conversation.
After a simple reheating, the aroma of food once again filled the entire room.
There was no touching display of politeness; the atmosphere at the dinner table was eerily polarized.
On one side was Perona.
The Ghost Princess, who had been ignored all evening, was now converting her resentment into an appetite. She held a fork and was attacking the beef in front of her like a woman possessed.
She chewed vigorously while staring at the opposite side with resentful eyes.
Her cheeks were puffed out, as if every bite wasn't beef, but the conscience of a certain bad woman.
On the other side was the private World of Reze and Su Modie.
"Here, Modie-chan, have another piece of this meatloaf."
Reze smilingly picked up a piece of meat and put it into Su Modie's bowl, her tone unnervingly gentle. "Eat more, put on some weight."
Su Modie looked at the mountain of food in her bowl, a bit dazed.
"I'm full... and why do I need to put on weight?"
Reze rested her chin on one hand while using the other to lightly gesture at Su Modie's waist, her eyes dancing with playfulness.
"That won't do. You're too thin; it's uncomfortable to hold you when you're all skin and bones."
"Cough, cough!" Su Modie almost choked on her soup. Her cheeks instantly flushed red as she asked back in embarrassment, "Who... who said you could hold me?!"
"Oh?"
Reze narrowed her emerald-green eyes slightly, leaned forward toward Su Modie, and a mischievous smile played on her lips.
"Is someone trying to back out so soon? Was it not the promise you made yourself just now when you asked me to go downstairs and take out the trash? You said—as long as you take out the trash, I'll be your body pillow tonight."
Su Modie's memory immediately came flooding back.
That was a few hours ago. To escape the chore of taking out the trash, she had... indeed... let that slip.
The encounter with Natasha that followed had made her almost forget the promise.
"Did... did that happen?" Su Modie's eyes darted around as she tried to play dumb. "How come I don't remember? Did you remember it wrong?"
"Is that so?" Reze wasn't annoyed. She just watched her quietly, those eyes seemingly able to see through all lies, her face written with—
"I'll just quietly watch you make things up."
Under that teasing gaze, Su Modie lasted less than three seconds before surrendering.
"Fi... fine! Honestly..." Su Modie buried her head in her rice in resignation, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "I'll honor the bet, alright..."
"Hehe, that's a good girl." Reze reached out contentedly and stroked Su Modie's head like she was smoothing fur.
Su Modie batted her hand away. "Do you really think I'm a pet?! You've got some nerve!"
Reze giggled as she watched Su Modie bristle.
Beside them, Perona watched this scene, the fork in her hand nearly bending under her grip.
"Dammit! This unfaithful woman... actually monopolizing the main body right in front of me..."
She was extremely displeased. Her chewing grew faster, and she even intentionally made loud noises to protest, but those two had clearly entered their own World, completely blocking out external noise... Late at night, in the bedroom.
After washing up, Su Modie and Reze lay down early.
Only a dim, warm bedside lamp was left on in the room.
Reze turned on her side, her arm naturally sliding under the back of Su Modie's neck while her other hand gently circled her slender waist. She buried her head in the crook of Su Modie's neck and let out a satisfied sigh.
Su Modie's body stiffened for a moment, but feeling the body heat and steady breathing coming from behind, she slowly relaxed and let the other hold her.
Meanwhile, in the air of the bedroom.
Perona was floating beneath the ceiling, watching the two sleeping in each other's arms, her eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and hate.
"Hmph, what's so great about it..."
she muttered, but her voice betrayed an unmistakable sense of loss.
This feeling of being an outsider made her heart feel sour.
Perona took one last look at the two on the bed, then floated out of the bedroom in a huff, entering the dark living room.
In the corner, the zombie doll Kumashi was standing blankly.
Seeing Perona float out, Kumashi quickly turned around.
"Pe... Perona-sama? Do you have any orders?"
Perona instinctively wanted to scold it for making such an unpleasant sound, but the words died in her throat.
"Nothing."
She waved her hand listlessly, looking exceptionally dejected.
Kumashi stood there, not knowing what to do.
Perona stared at Kumashi's massive body for a while. Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, her previously dull eyes lit up again.
She didn't speak, but floated directly toward Kumashi—and then, she passed straight into Kumashi's body!
*Zzzzt—*
That was the sound of a zipper being opened.
It sounded exceptionally clear in the silent living room.
The zipper on Kumashi's back slowly slid open, and a pair of legs wearing black and white striped stockings stepped out first.
Then came the red skirt, and finally, that petite figure with pink twin tails.
Yes, except for certain necessary times, Perona's main body had always been hidden inside Kumashi's body.
Perona climbed out of Kumashi, stretched, and moved her somewhat stiff joints.
"Hmph, who says only that violent woman can hold her?"
She lifted her chin, and that signature tsundere smile appeared on her face. Her previous dejection vanished instantly.
Perona walked barefoot on the floor, quietly making her way back to the bedroom.
By the faint light, she looked at the two sleeping soundly on the bed. Su Modie's back was to Reze, held tightly in her arms, while Su Modie's front—the other side of the bed—still had a large empty space.
"We're all the same person anyway. If you, Reze, have a body pillow, then why can't I, Perona, have one too?"
With that thought, Perona crawled in.
It was warm under the covers.
She turned on her side to face Su Modie, reached out both hands, and like an octopus, possessively and clingily hugged Su Modie..
Perona became happy. She nuzzled against Su Modie's chest, found a comfortable position, and closed her eyes contentedly.
In her sleep, Su Modie only felt a bit of difficulty breathing.
Sandwiched in the middle, although it was a bit cramped, it was unexpectedly filled with a sense of security.
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