"That name… it sounds familiar…"
(Maybe it's just a well-known studio.)
(Maybe I saw it when I was watching a movie.)
Without thinking, Arthur dialed the number, and a man answered the phone.
"Hello, is this Fisk Universal Pictures?"
"Yes, you must be Mr. Morgan, I suppose.
We sincerely want to cooperate with you. I'd like to know if you're free to come to our company for a more detailed discussion.
We might as well have lunch while we talk."
It was because of the other party's reminder that Arthur realized it was almost noon.
"Sorry, I don't have time right now."
"I understand. Now is a good time for lunch."
"No, it's because it's my nap time."
Arthur felt that the voice on the other end paused for a moment and then continued,
"Understood. A writer like Mr. Morgan needs to get enough sleep to replenish his imagination."
"No, that's just a personal habit."
Click!
There was a grinding of teeth on the other end of the line.
Arthur had nothing to say.
Why is he in such a hurry?
(For a businessman, this guy gets angry very easily.)
"In that case, let's make an appointment for the afternoon."
"Okay, 3 o'clock in the afternoon."
Arthur chatted for a while, discussed other details, and then hung up the phone.
Just before hanging up, he heard a loud noise.
It was obvious that the other party had thrown the phone to the ground with force.
Arthur shook his head calmly.
(This guy has a bad temper.)
(If the afternoon meeting doesn't work out, I'll have to go to another studio.)
"Ahh, I'm going to make something to eat…
Then take a nap."
After stretching in the chair, Arthur yawned and walked toward the kitchen.
On the roof
Gwen woke up and continued staring at the water in the glass.
At that moment, a light breeze blew.
Refreshing Gwen, the breeze also caused ripples on the water's surface.
In an instant, a light flashed in Gwen's mind.
"I see!
Arthur wants me to treat everything with a calm mind, just like this glass of water.
Just like this water, I need to adapt and change according to the environment.
Just as water takes the shape of a cup when placed in one, or a bowl when placed in that,
the only constant is that it will always remain water."
Thinking about this, Gwen's thoughts became clearer.
"Receiving these powers is like the breeze that passed over this glass.
I shouldn't be so desperate. I have to learn to adapt to this situation.
Become familiar with these powers and then control them.
And then use them to do more things."
Gwen's eyes gradually grew firmer.
After this realization, she no longer felt confused like she did when she arrived at Arthur's house.
"By the way, where did Arthur go?"
Looking to the side, Gwen didn't see him in the other chair.
At that moment, she smelled something coming from inside Arthur's house.
"What a good smell!"
Following the scent, Gwen walked to the kitchen and saw Arthur preparing something.
"Oh? You're awake."
"Yes, are you making something to eat?" Gwen asked.
She swore she had never smelled anything so good.
"It's lunch. Come, I made a portion for you too.
Sit down first; the food will be ready in a moment."
"Hmm!"
Gwen nodded excitedly and obediently sat down at the table.
Soon, Arthur appeared with two plates of fried rice.
Gwen looked at the fried rice in front of her.
The colors of the side dishes complemented the golden rice beautifully.
This didn't look like a simple fried rice dish—it looked like a work of art.
"Go ahead, eat."
"Then, excuse me."
Gwen couldn't wait any longer. She picked up the spoon and took a bite.
Hmm!!!
The moment the food touched her taste buds, Gwen's eyes seemed to shine.
"Arthur, this is delicious!
I've never eaten anything so tasty."
Arthur nodded at the compliment.
The [Culinary Skills - Rare] rating couldn't be summed up in a simple sentence.
"If it tastes good, eat more; there's still more in the pan.
After you finish, help yourself over there."
"Okay~" Gwen said happily.
While eating, she didn't forget to keep saying,
"Arthur, I understand the meaning of that glass of water."
"Hmm?"
Arthur froze.
(What was there to understand?)
"You mean my friend has to keep a calm mind like water and accept her own changes like water.
Am I right?"
"Yes, you understand very well!"
(But I didn't understand anything!
And was there even anything to understand?)
Arthur didn't say what he was thinking.
He gave full marks for Gwen's understanding.
Just a glass of water had made her realize this life philosophy.
With Arthur's praise, Gwen felt the rice in her mouth was even more delicious.
She couldn't help but take a few more spoonfuls of the fried rice.
Lunch passed happily like that.
"Arthur, thank you for your hospitality.
I still have a band rehearsal in the afternoon, so I need to leave soon."
Without realizing it, Gwen had grown very close to Arthur.
Seeing that he didn't mind, she also smiled inwardly.
It was only then that Arthur remembered that Gwen—Spider-Woman—wasn't as quiet as the Gwen from the main Marvel universe.
She was a rock lover.
And the drummer in a band.
"Okay, I'm leaving in the afternoon too. I'm going to meet people at a studio.
I'm going to talk to them about adapting one of my books."
"Really? Your books are going to be adapted into films?"
Arthur nodded and continued,
"It's not decided yet. We'll find out after our discussion this afternoon."
"As your number one fan, you have my support.
I'm really looking forward to the day your books are on the big screen.
So… can I invite you to watch the film with me when it's released?"
"Oh?"
Gwen couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Was Arthur asking her to go see a movie?
"O-of course… no problem."
Seeing Gwen's reaction, Arthur suddenly asked something that had been on his mind:
"Gwen, have you never been in a relationship?"
"My father is an overprotective man, you know? So…"
The meaning was quite obvious—she had never been in a relationship!
With Gwen's looks and age, this was even rarer than an endangered species in social terms.
(Your father has earned my respect!)
Arthur gave George a big thumbs up in his heart.
(End of chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."