I'm working on Marvel's Spider-Man in American comics.

Chapter 171 Surprisingly, we were actually able to have a proper meal.

Why didn't you change your clothes? That's how it's always done in movies.

Looking at Peter who had simply taken off his suit (which was actually Venom), Venom was confused. According to the movie, Peter Parker should have tidied himself up properly, prepared a decent set of clothes, and even sprayed some cologne. But after hearing this, Peter had only one feeling: speechless.

"I'm just here for a meal, not for a date."

[Two people of different sexes eating together? Your claim is baseless.]

"Let's keep quiet. We still need to go see what Craven is planning to do tonight."

Ignoring the Venom gossip, Peter simply tidied his hair and pushed open the restaurant door. Surprisingly, just like her last visit to the coffee shop, Mary Jane didn't choose an expensive Western restaurant this time; instead, she opted for a pizzeria.

"Pizze time."

After muttering a Spider-Man meme that probably no one would understand, Peter opened the door to the pizzeria. Mary Jane was sitting by the window, looking at the menu while waiting for him. Peter sat down, somewhat surprised, and greeted her.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." Peter pulled out a chair and sat down. "Haven't you ordered yet?"

“Actually, I just arrived myself.” Mary Jane smiled and pushed the menu toward Peter. “And I’m not entirely sure if you have any dietary restrictions.”

“Besides eggplant, there’s also durian. I’m not a picky eater, thank goodness no one in America would put these two things on a pizza.” Peter said while looking at the menu. Although American pizza is much more elaborate than Italian pizza, it’s still too simple compared to the creativity of Dongda University. He just ordered a standard Hawaiian pizza and handed the menu to Mary Jane, then sat down and took a deep breath.

You're nervous.

“You seem a little nervous,” Mary Jane said, glancing at Peter who was staring out the window after ordering. “Is something wrong?”

"It's nothing, just a little worried. We had dinner together last time, and then a rhinoceros appeared, rampaging through the whole street, and a car came crashing right into us. Sorry, I shouldn't be saying this now."

Peter was worried about this. This was the Marvel Universe, and he was a superhero—or even if he wasn't, who knew when some random bastards would suddenly appear and mess everything up? Although his spider-sensor hadn't reacted yet, Peter was still on guard around his surroundings.

Rather, it's more accurate to say they've become more vigilant.

Peter's battle with Anansi in the wasteland made him unable to fully trust his spider-sense anymore. Anansi had directly turned off his spider-sense, so Peter couldn't even sense in time whether he was about to be attacked when fighting him.

Therefore, he must fully utilize his five senses to be vigilant about everything around him.

“Aren’t you being a little too sensitive? I admit, our lives have changed since these…superheroes came along.” Mary Jane paused, then suddenly changed the subject: “Do you know Phil Sheldon? The Daily Bugle’s best photographer?”

Peter vaguely remembered hearing the name somewhere, but couldn't remember where. Was it some obscure Marvel hero or villain?

"He started photographing these superpowered individuals from the moment the Fantastic Four defeated the Mole Man—the X-Men, the Punisher, and the Avengers. He photographed them all. After the Avengers appeared, he said he wanted to write a book about these superpowered individuals, a biography of these 'amazing people'?"

Peter remembered that this person was the protagonist of Marvel's masterpiece "The Amazing World," but he wasn't a superhuman; he was just an ordinary human photographer.

“I remember now, I often saw his name in the corner of the photos in the Daily Bugle. So, did he say something?”

“We live in this era, in this world, where some people hate the Extraordinary Ones, believing they changed our world; some choose to deny their existence, viewing the Battle of New York as a conspiracy theory. Of course, many people are excited; more than one person enjoys waiting in the café in front of Grand Central Station to see the Avengers emerge from Avengers Tower.” After this preamble, Mary Jane finally delivered her message to Peter: “But regardless, we live in this world, and the Extraordinary Ones are a part of it.”

"This... seems to be different from what I was worried about."

"It's different, but acknowledging and adapting to the new world, and learning how to survive safely in such a world, instead of complaining about the inconveniences they bring to our lives, is perhaps more important."

Peter looked at Mary Jane's smile and nodded subconsciously. Mary Jane then changed the subject: "So, let's talk about something lighter, how are things between you and Gwen?"

?

"What...how is it?"

"Aren't you... a couple?"

Seeing Mary Jane's matter-of-fact answer, Peter paused for a moment, then asked, "Wait, is that what you think, or is that what everyone thinks?"

"I don't know what others think, but you two seem to have a good relationship."

"Yes, we were classmates in junior high school and were neighbors for three years, but we are not a couple, at least not now."

Mary Jane nodded after listening, without saying anything more. The two chatted for a while longer before ending their dinner. Peter paid for the meal and called a taxi for Mary Jane. Before she got in the taxi, she asked Peter one last question.

"If I need your help taking photos again next time, would you agree?"

"No problem, as long as I'm free."

Mary Jane smiled sweetly: "If you shoot well enough, I'll invite you to dinner."

After watching Mary Jane leave, Peter breathed a sigh of relief. He had already told Uncle Ben and Aunt May that he would be home late, and he would take this opportunity to investigate the Kravinov Estate and clear any obstacles in advance.

As luck would have it, Venom started chatting again.

Nothing happened today.

"Yeah, nothing happened at all, that's good. What's wrong?"

Peter asked the question while finding an empty alley and starting to climb the wall, and Venom gave his answer.

I think this is what dating is all about.

"...Whatever you want, buddy."

(End of this chapter)