At this moment, Finn is truly shining.
That paradise, which only exists in one's imagination, must be the place that every child longs for.
Even the two of them, as adults, found it incredibly attractive.
“This is just a very preliminary idea; there's a lot to take care of next.” Finn had too many ideas racing through his mind and was eager to put them into action. He looked at Peter with an apologetic gaze. "I'm sorry, I won't be able to go on a trip with you for the time being. Once summer vacation comes and you've graduated, I'll definitely clear an entire month to spend with you properly, okay?"
Peter met his sincere gaze and was momentarily stunned.
That's not right. He had originally suggested going on a trip just to make Finn, who was suffering from depression, happy.
How did it turn into..
At eighteen years old, he was shamelessly clinging to the Osborn Group Vice President, acting as if he insisted that the man abandon all his business duties just to go out and play with him?
And besides, the way Finn spoke just now, it was almost as if he was trying to coax him instead??
And besides, you've been quite slack lately too," Finn said seriously again. "Is your career as Spider-Man actually progressing well?
Peter: "?? Who am I doing this for? Isn't it because you're so sick that I can't leave your side?"
That's for the best." Noah felt relieved as he watched Finn finally cheer up again; being busy was always better than being mired in one's emotions. He reached out to pat Peter's shoulder and teased him intentionally, "You'll have plenty of time to play later. Peter, stop pestering Finn for now. After all, your boyfriend is the Osborn Group Vice President; he's very busy and can't always wander around playing with a high schooler like you.
Eighteen-year-old Peter Parker: ".." You've said everything already, so what am I supposed to say?
As soon as Finn recovered his condition, he seemed to have completely returned to his former self. No longer looking wilted like before, he went to work every day full of energy. Peter also knew that the project pressure on Finn's shoulders was terrifyingly high; anyone else would probably break down the moment they opened their eyes every day, but Finn actually enjoyed it. He threw himself entirely into his career, as if the amusement park projects truly provided him with extraordinary motivation.
The incredibly wealthy Harry didn't care at all how much money was being invested; after all, Finn was visibly getting better—and that made everything worthwhile.
News that the Osborn Group intended to build a large-scale amusement park soon leaked out.
Finn also felt that he was short-handed and began to call for help through his versatile social circle. His close friends all teased him, saying that the Young Master Osborn intended to hire everyone around him into the Osborn Group, giving each person a job.
Even the most complex Avengers authorization was successfully secured by Finn.
"How did you do it?" Peter found it hard to believe.
All the heroes have agreed, so naturally, S. H. I. E. L. D, the government have no reason to object. Of course, the specific terms and conditions are still quite complex, but the Osborn Group's mecha project already has a long-term strategic partnership with the military, so communication has been quite smooth," Finn explained with a smile. "New York has just experienced the disaster of an alien invasion; Earth needs the Avengers to provide a sense of security to the people.
"Building an Avengers Museum is, in itself, the best kind of positive publicity. Our goals are already aligned, this power can extend into the theme park as well. It's not just for the public, but especially for the children of the new era, so that from a young age, they can believe in heroes, believe in doing the right thing, believe that justice will surely crush the darkness," Finn continued earnestly, a layer of firm warmth welling up in his green eyes, carrying an eager expectation that seemed as if it could infect others.
Peter only now realized that Finn seemed to particularly enjoy pouring his passion into these.. youth-related endeavors.
"Iron Man even said he wants to invest." Finn smiled with a hint of pride.
"How did you get Mr. Stark to agree to the authorization?" Peter also asked curiously.
"Because I'm mentally ill, I guess," Finn said righteously.
Peter: ".."
Actually, I promised that, in addition to the Avengers Museum, I would build a separate Iron Man Museum," Finn Osborn couldn't help but say with a laugh. He was, of course, very well-prepared before visiting Tony Stark. "I also brought a proposal for a very novel amusement park attraction from Iron Man's perspective, I saw that Mr. Stark was quite satisfied with it.
After having a good discussion with Finn about the amusement park, Peter mysteriously took out something he had prepared. "Finn, I have a gift for you."
"What?" Finn opened the box, only to find a tiny, round little robot.
“A robot?” Finn asked curiously, then held it in both hands, examining it closely with curiosity.
Yes, it's a little robot. I've installed an intelligent AI system in it, it can also serve as a remote communication device, meaning I can video call and talk to you through this machine." Peter nodded with a smile; he had been preparing this gift for a while, wanting to tinker together a special little gadget to accompany Finn. "It has small rollers on the bottom so it can move around freely, but it can't go up or down stairs.
"So amazing, is it like Iron Man's system? Jarvis?" Finn liked it more and more the more he looked at it.
The face of this egg-shaped robot is an oval display screen, capable of changing into all sorts of interesting expressions.
Although it had no feet, it had two small hands that looked like matchsticks.
It actually looked quite cute.
"Does it have a name?" Finn asked curiously.
Yes, I gave him a name," Peter said with some hesitation. "It's called—PP.
Hearing the name "PP," Finn was suddenly stunned.
Because my name is Peter Parker?" Peter explained, somewhat self-deceivingly. He had obviously chosen this name specifically because he knew Finn's System was called PP, but he could only say vaguely, "It's an abbreviation for Peter Parker. If you don't like it, you can change it anytime.
Luckily, that system is called System PP, otherwise, I wouldn't even know how to explain it.
No need to change it." Finn curled his lips into a smile and shook his head. "I think it's quite good this way.
"What a coincidence, this little robot is actually also called PP," Finn communicated with his System in his mind as well.
System PP looked at the little robot with some thought: [Host, is it possible that PP could connect to this robot's system?]
Finn: "?" Is that even possible?
System PP: [PP can give it a try.]
"I'll go grab some fruit." To make it easier for System PP to communicate with Finn, Peter went downstairs to get some fruit himself. By the time Peter returned upstairs, he saw that the little robot was already rolling around the bedroom in an excited frenzy.
Ever since System PP was able to transmit brainwaves to him, Peter had been wondering if System PP's abilities could be even greater—for instance, connecting to a host when there was a sufficient signal source. Now that this speculation had been confirmed, even Peter was thinking that it really could be done this way.
System PP was also thinking excitedly that he wouldn't have to be blocked in the future, that he could completely play by himself in the living room.
Finn's expression, however, was not very happy; instead, his numb expression darkened bit by bit.
"What on earth did I miss in these hundred worlds!!" Finn covered his face in agony, a belated realization piercing his heart.
Peter suppressed a laugh as he listened to Finn's inner thoughts, feeling once again that his boyfriend always carried a certain kind of clear and amusing heartache.
"Do you like this gift?" Peter smiled as he popped a plump grape into Finn's mouth. He actually had a selfish motive; he thought that even if System PP were to disappear one day in the future, a little robot named PP could stay by Finn's side forever.
I do." Finn smiled and nodded vigorously, then commanded the robot running around the floor, "PP, come here, give me a high five.
The little egg-shaped robot rolled over very smoothly and immediately.
Then, it laboriously raised its tiny, matchstick-like hands.
Finn crouched down, smiling as he pressed his palm against it.
[System PP gave you a high five.]
Chapter 95: Accusation and Crusade
Looking at Finn's sleeping face, Peter carefully and quietly slipped out of the bedroom.
The living room was quiet, the little Spider-Man quickly found the egg-shaped robot he had given to Finn.
Every single night, Peter would place the robot and the kitten together in the living room, letting them chase each other for fun.
"How did it get so scuffed up?" Peter held the robot in his palm, observing it closely.
System PP, still shaken: [..] That was quite the flurry of cat-paw punches.
But actually, System PP was quite enjoying it; after all, with the robot shell, he didn't have to be locked in the Little White Room and could play with Emily in the living room instead. Watching Peter come downstairs, System PP thought it was a bit strange that your evening activities ended so early today.
Peter looked hesitantly at the round egg robot in his palm, then stealthily checked the living room to see if there was anyone else or any noise. Everyone in the house should have been asleep, so the young man lowered his voice and asked in a tiny, tentative whisper, "PP, is there something you want to tell me?"
System PP: 【！】
System PP: 【??】
Even at this moment, the usually unflinching System PP was somewhat frozen. Although he had previously sent brainwaves to Peter Parker to give him a heads-up, he had never imagined that the eighteen-year-old Peter Parker of this world would actually, truly speculate about his existence.
Actually, Peter himself was also somewhat uncertain, but he still wanted to try and see if he could communicate directly with System PP.
Peter continued to hold the robot in his hands, gazing at the blinking electronic eyes on the screen.
Noah said some things to me before, I actually took them to heart." Peter saw that the robot remained silent, so he continued, "I'm not sure what Finn's past life was really like. Finn's current condition seems to have recovered, but he seems.. he really is afraid of something. Do you know what he is actually afraid of?
Peter also wanted to find an opportunity to discuss things with System PP, after all, System PP should be the one who knows Finn best.
But after a long time, the robot remained silent.
"Is it.. unable to talk to me?" Peter suddenly thought, perhaps there were restrictions within the System rules.
Peter put the robot back on the ground with a hint of regret, but in the next second, the round egg suddenly rolled forward and lightly bumped against his ankle.
Immediately following, a youthful, electronic voice rang out clearly:
Curiosity killed the Spider.
Peter froze, staring blankly down at the tiny robot.
What do you mean?" Peter held the robot up again. "Don't leave me hanging!
To say that [curiosity killed the spider]—this phrase directly piqued the little Spider-Man's curiosity.
Even as Peter shook the robot, it no longer made a sound, leaving only the electronic eyes on the screen blinking innocently.
—Why are you being so stubborn?
—Then just don't say anything. What do you mean by saying only half a sentence?
——Speak! Don't think I don't know you and Finn have plenty of fun chatting together every day!
“Peter?” Just then, Max, acting as a bodyguard, heard a noise from outside and walked out of the room. He looked toward Peter, who was in the dim living room in the middle of the night shaking a robot, stared at him with a face full of confusion.
I.. I'm looking for Emily." Peter was instantly embarrassed; he felt that the scene of him hijacking a robot for conversation in the middle of the night instead of sleeping was quite bizarre. He hurriedly made an excuse, "I saw that Emily hadn't returned to her room to sleep yet, so I came to look for her.
Max helped Peter find the kitten and escorted it all the way back to the room.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the kitten's feet touched the ground, it vanished into a gap and ran downstairs to play with its robot companions.
"Never mind then, let Emily go." Seeing Max about to chase after her again, Peter hurriedly spoke.
When he returned to the bed, Finn, who had been sleeping soundly, seemed to sense the warmth beside him. In a daze, he shrank closer into Peter's embrace, leaning his entire body against him.
"Where did you go?" Finn's voice was lazy and raspy, still thick with sleep.
"I went to the living room to find Emily." Peter explained, just as before.
Let it sleep wherever it wants," Finn chuckled. "Are you really insisting on holding Emily while you sleep?
"It's enough for me to hold you while I sleep." Peter said with a smile, tightening his arms and steadily pulling Finn into his embrace.
—Snuggle up with me, my beloved Young Master.
By the next day, Peter only then realized with some concern whether System PP would discuss the matter of him catching it for questioning last night with Finn, but it seemed it wouldn't. Later, Peter caught System PP a few more times in the middle of the night; even though the AI program he had made himself could hold a conversation, System PP simply pretended not to know how to speak. No matter how he tried to probe, it remained indifferent, so Peter eventually gave up.
Meanwhile, Finn became increasingly busy, working non-stop without a moment's rest. However, what relieved everyone was that the young man's mental state indeed appeared to have completely recovered. Although the weather in New York remained cold, Finn seemed to no longer fear the cold. He was radiant every day, like a shining, enthusiastic little sun, his entire aura had become vivid and bright as a result.
Not long after, the Osborn Group released a full set of promotional strikes worthy of top-tier status, officially announcing the Osborn Group's three brand-new business sectors all at once—the trendy toy-focused [Summerverse], the research-oriented [Frontier Academy], the grandly planned large-scale theme park [Summer Neverland].