LRAB Chapter 90: 90 Gazing at the Stars Together [40 PS]
Chapter 90: 90 Gazing at the Stars Together [40 PS]
Chapter 90: 90 Gazing at the Stars Together [40 PS]
The journey from Los Angeles to the small town Natasha Romanoff had mentioned was a long one—over a thousand kilometers.
Despite the wide, sparsely populated wilderness of the American West, where the car could easily reach speeds of over 100 km/h, rushing would defeat the purpose of a "trip."
So, Tony Stark planned the trip to stretch over two days, allowing plenty of time for everyone to enjoy the mesmerizing landscapes and the rustic atmosphere along the way.
That night, the group stopped at a small tavern on the side of the road to rest.
The tavern was quiet—so quiet, in fact, that the only patrons were Tony Stark, Kagura, and their companions.
The owner was friendly, greeting every passing traveler with a smile and offering the best food he could provide.
"You're Iron Man, aren't you?" the owner asked mysteriously, leaning toward Tony as he served their dinner.
"Sometimes, yes," Tony replied without missing a beat. "You've got a good eye."
"Wow, you're the real Tony Stark!" The owner sat down beside them and started chatting.
"It's no wonder. You're always surrounded by beautiful women, and you really look the part. I'm a huge Iron Man fan."
"Really?" Tony said with a grin. "I'm honored to meet a fan here."
"No, it's an honor for me to host Iron Man and his family in my tavern," the owner replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark. You've brought peace and stability to the world. People should appreciate you, immortalize your name on monuments, and spray-paint your image on street corners."
"Well... that might be a little too much," Tony chuckled. "I'm a pretty humble guy."
"Humble, of course," the owner said, rubbing his hands together with excitement like a child meeting their idol.
"I'm truly honored, Mr. Stark. Could I ask for an autograph?"
"Of course, no problem." Tony turned to Kagura.
"Hey, do you have a pen?"
"Oh, let me check." Kagura rummaged through her bag and pulled out a marker.
"How about this one?"
"As long as it writes, it's good enough," Tony said, then turned back to the owner.
"Where would you like me to sign?"
"Right here!" The owner lifted up his chef's apron.
"If I could get your autograph on this apron, I'd consider it a lifetime achievement!"
"Sure thing." Tony smiled and quickly scribbled his signature on the apron.
"It's no trouble at all."
"Yeah." Kagura smiled, her eyes shining.
"Look, those magnificent stars stretch across the distant universe. Countless stars are burning, creating and destroying, and across millions of light years, civilizations rise and fall. Somewhere behind this silent canvas, in places we'll never know, there might be countless legends unfolding right now."
"When I was little, whenever I looked at the stars, I used to wonder, 'Are we alone in the universe?'"
Tony Stark gazed at the stars and sighed. "Or are we just one of many civilizations, destined to join the cosmic family eventually?"
"But as I grew older, when I looked at the stars, I began to feel more concerned."
"Concerned?"
"Yeah," Tony said with a sigh.
"If we can manage the petty conflicts among ourselves, maintain stability in our society, then what about the threats from outer space?"
"When you look at the galaxy, you'll never know how many eyes are watching you, Hitomi."
He gently ran his fingers through her silver hair.
"It might not sound romantic or beautiful, but to me, there could be countless worlds in that sky that could pose a threat to humanity."
"I see..." Kagura murmured softly. "When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back at you."
"Of course, until they appear, the stars are still beautiful, the view still mesmerizing."
Tony shifted the mood with a smile. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, as long as Iron Man's here."
"No, Mr. Stark..." Kagura shifted closer and lightly leaned her head on Tony's shoulder.
"You've got me, Mr. Stark. Whatever threat comes, I'll face it with you."
"Thank you for the sentiment, Hitomi," Tony said.
"But I have to say, you're the one I want to protect, not the one I'm planning to fight alongside."
"Heh, I know." Kagura smiled. "But I can help, Mr. Stark. I've had military training!"
"Maybe I should make you your own suit of armor."
"No, before that, you should make one for Pepper."
"Hmm... that's a good idea."
"Right?"
"Yeah. Then every time she gets mad at me, I can have her wear the suit, and we can settle things with our fists. It's much more convenient, and definitely fits Iron Man's style."
"Pfft, careful, you might end up getting a beating from her."
"Really? Do all you girls get so violent?"
"Who knows? I'm just a charming, easy-going kid."