For the first time in her life, Gwen Stacy found herself held so closely by a boy.
And yet—
She didn't resist.
No slap.
No struggle.
Under Peter's bold, almost domineering advance, under the sudden warmth of being pulled into his arms…
The girl who had waited so long for this moment—
Froze.
Her eyes were locked onto his face, so close that their cheeks brushed together. In her world, there was only him now.
The faint scent on him.
The strength of his arms.
That mischievous smile at the corner of his lips—
Everything about him drew her in completely.
"I… I'm willing…"
Before she could even finish the last syllable, Peter lowered his head and sealed her words away.
Their lips met.
And just like that—
They completely forgot the world around them, kissing as if no one else existed.
…
Meanwhile, the few students on the bleachers who had witnessed the entire scene…
Were utterly stunned.
"Holy—what the hell did I just watch?! That guy's insane… I respect him!"
"Wait… so THIS is how you get a girlfriend? Have I been single all these years because I'm not shameless enough?!"
"No. It's because you're not handsome."
"No! It must be my skin isn't thick enough! I need to be more shameless! Girls, I'm coming!"
Though there weren't many people around, the dozen or so students present had just witnessed the birth of Peter and Gwen's relationship—
And the emotional collapse of several single guys questioning their life choices.
One lunch break.
One girlfriend gained.
Even if this was a relationship that had long been destined, even if both of them had already harbored feelings for each other—
Peter still felt incredibly satisfied.
And that afternoon—
He received even better news.
…
At the debate club meeting, where Peter had originally just planned to slack off, the advisor suddenly made an announcement.
"Next week, there will be a National Level Debate Competition in Washington, D.C. We need to form a team. Anyone interested?"
"I'm in!"
Without hesitation, Peter raised his hand.
"Good, Peter—you're in. Anyone else? After the competition, there will be a school-funded trip around D.C. A rare opportunity!"
This time, many more hands shot up.
A competition alone wasn't that appealing—no prize money, just a trophy.
But a free trip?
Now that was different.
Several students glanced at Peter with admiration, thinking he had incredible foresight.
Meanwhile, Peter…
Was already deep into his own "Three Cleans Policy."
----
Washington, D.C.
The capital of the United States.
Its political and cultural center.
For a nation with only a few hundred years of history, it represented the deepest concentration of historical significance.
But what Peter cared about—
Wasn't history.
It was value.
"National museums? Sure, they've got collections… artifacts from around the world, even Native American relics…"
He shook his head internally.
"Not want I wanted."
"In this country, the truly valuable items are all in private collections. Museums only display what the wealthy don't want."
So what he had his eyes on—
Wasn't objects.
It was buildings.
…
The first target:
The White House.
If the Statue of Liberty symbolized freedom—
Then the White House symbolized the American political system itself.
Even though American kids didn't take ideological classes, they still received patriotic education.
And at the center of that education—
Was the White House.
It represented democracy.
Power.
And the idealized vision of governance.
Whether or not people actually experienced those ideals didn't matter.
What mattered—
Was belief.
And belief meant Wish Power.
Maybe it couldn't match the Statue of Liberty…
But it would absolutely surpass everything inside a museum combined.
…
And the White House wasn't the only one.
Washington, D.C. was filled with such targets.
The Lincoln Memorial.
The Jefferson Memorial.
Monuments dedicated to figures who shaped the nation.
Each one carried not just remembrance—
But the people's longing for the ideals those figures represented.
Take the Lincoln Memorial.
It symbolized emancipation.
Equality.
The end of slavery.
It was where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech.
That place—
Was overflowing with Wish Power.
To the altar…
It was nothing less than a feast.
-----
That very night, Peter discussed the trip with Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
As for Gwen—
He had already told her after school.
Of course, not before thoroughly "collecting interest" from her in a rather unapologetic manner.
Naturally, she wasn't happy.
They had just gotten together. Everything was still fresh, sweet, intoxicating.
And now—
They were going to be apart for days?
"How about I join too?" Gwen suggested, clearly unwilling to be separated.
"I'm not in the debate club, but if I want to participate, that shouldn't be a problem."
She wasn't joking.
Gwen Stacy was one of the most outstanding students in school—top grades, stunning looks, excellent reputation.
If she wanted in—
No teacher would refuse.
And so—
One week later—
Peter boarded the bus to Washington, D.C.
With his girlfriend right beside him.
At the same time—
A senator, who had just stepped out of the White House office, received a phone call.
And whatever was about to unfold—
Was far from ordinary.
--------------
T/N:
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