Sitting in the passenger seat, Peter silently took everything in. Watching Harry fall into that cold, resentful expression once again, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Finn, what if Harry moves in with you?" Peter asked helplessly.
".. I see, that's fine then." As long as it didn't require him to move, Finn certainly didn't care.
Harry, in the back seat, suddenly turned his head, his expression of shock identical to Finn's just now: "?"
—Is this.. enough?
Shouldering a Heavy Responsibility · Peter: ".."
What would you two brothers do without me!
————————
Regarding the subsequent plot: You'll know from the Misery Value progress.. there will still be suffering, I won't deny that. But overall, I consider it to be a sweet story; once the young couple officially starts dating, it will be incredibly sweet. Because Peter can hear Finn's inner thoughts, he won't take the initiative to confess and interfere with Finn's mission; there will be an interesting and grand twist that drives them together, haha.
Chapter 53: Illness ° Hospital
Harry Osborn moved into Finn's home at top speed the next morning.
And Noah really did just drag him straight from Finn's house the next morning to go to his studio for work.
".." Andrew felt that the conflict between the two brothers had moved directly from behind the scenes onto the stage.
Finn was also completely caught between Noah and Harry.
On one hand, he was being watched by Noah to design an exclusive IP image for "METAL" in his studio, while also working part-time as Noah's model; on the other hand, whenever Harry had an important meeting or public appearance, he would inevitably have Finn accompany him.
Not to mention, Finn himself had a busy schedule with a show called "Rat Rise: Human Challenge." Under immense pressure, Anthony called almost every day, begging Finn to accompany him at the venue, repeatedly complained that he had [run off to Antarctica to play with penguins, completely forgetting him and the cute hamsters]. Despite feeling guilty, Finn tried his best to make as much time as possible to visit Anthony.
Besides that, Finn also had to squeeze in time to rehearse the hamster dancing MV, his schedule was packed tight.
Andrew, wearing a secretary badge, also instantly felt the meaning of being a [Secretary].
—Busy, he was truly too busy.
Not only was Finn's long-held desire to go out and play with his friends during his hospitalization unfulfilled, but even the Halloween party that Finn had been looking forward to so much, he no longer had time to attend to.
There were only a few days left until the Halloween party. Fortunately, Steve Montgomery was a very serious, enthusiastic, capable, highly responsible high school student. During the period when Finn had lied about being far away in Antarctica and disappeared due to hospitalization, Steve Montgomery did not complain at all; instead, he poured all of his time and energy into actively preparing for this extremely grand Halloween party.
To be honest, Steve Montgomery even felt somewhat relieved that Finn was in Antarctica.
Because Finn had too many ideas, every time Finn met Steve Montgomery or made new friends, the Halloween program had to undergo massive revisions. At first, Steve Montgomery would proactively report to Finn with great enthusiasm, but later, he began to avoid him entirely. Steve Montgomery had gradually come to understand Party B's psychology; as long as Party A didn't open his mouth to speak, it was Party B's most peaceful moment.
"Is Steve Montgomery doing okay?" Finn couldn't help but ask Andrew.
"What?" Andrew was stunned for a moment, unable to process what he meant.
"He won't develop a mental illness from too much pressure, will he?" Finn asked with concern.
Although Finn had originally asked Andrew to plan the Halloween party, it had somehow later turned into Montgomery being fully in charge. Finn hadn't originally intended to place such immense pressure on a high school student, but he couldn't help it because Montgomery was simply too driven.
It's not that bad.." Andrew thought about Steve Montgomery's recent state; his temper was indeed a bit more irritable than before, but overall he remained very proactive and optimistic. "Steve Montgomery treasures an opportunity like this. It's practically common knowledge throughout our school; he is currently the most high-profile celebrity in school. If the Halloween party gets a good response, I think he'll be bragging about this for at least ten years.
Especially since Finn Osborn had made such a grand impression at the Osborn Group press conference, the fact that Montgomery had been personally selected by Finn to be the event planner had already made everyone feel that Montgomery was truly remarkable. As for Montgomery himself, he was someone with pride and a sense of mission in his bones; the more he was in the spotlight, the more he exerted all his strength to make this party absolutely perfect.
With Steve Montgomery working so hard, Young Master Finn also thought about his grand finale.
Finn specifically asked Karen, the leader of the [Pulse Lab] dance troupe, to teach Max how to breakdance.
"Why did you suddenly think of Antarctica?" Karen was somewhat puzzled by Finn's sudden disappearance to Antarctica after the press conference; he had originally thought Finn would be eager to find him to practice his Rat Dance.
"Because.. I have a birthday wish to see an Emperor Penguin," Finn said with a sigh.
Both Peter and Andrew couldn't help but laugh.
Karen: ".." Young Master Osborn's birthday wishes are truly unique.
By the way, let me introduce Max to you." Of course, everything up until today, the focus leading up to Halloween, had been for Max's grand finale appearance on the Halloween stage. "He is my ace at the party.
"A breakdance by a suit-clad thug?" The bodyguard in a formal suit certainly looked impressive, but there were plenty of people like that; Karen had several in her own dance troupe. Hearing Finn say that Max was a beginner made Karen somewhat confused as to why he called Max his Halloween party's ace.
It's Electro-man's breakdancing!" Finn was incredibly excited. "Max, show Karen!
Before Karen could even react, she saw Max cleanly unbutton his suit and take it off.
Underneath the suit, there was something like.. a bulletproof vest? A black vest like that, but it looked much more complex.
And when Max even took off that vest, Karen's pupils suddenly contracted, she was so shocked that she couldn't speak for a long time—
The man's skin began to glow with a faint blue light at a speed visible to the naked eye, crackling currents instantly swirled around his body.
Even the color of his eyes had turned into a deep, electric blue.
A jolting sensation of electricity surged toward her, startling Karen so much that she nearly held her breath.
Isn't it a brilliant idea to use his external conditions for breakdancing?" Finn Osborn said excitedly, not caring if Max's identity as Electro-man would be exposed because of it. After all, the Osborn Group was so skilled in scientific research that everyone would simply think it was a stage effect specifically designed by him. "I'm already prepared to build a stage for Max that's similar to a glass house, you know that feeling of static electricity, right? It's like, as he dances, the flowing electricity will flash wildly inside the glass dome. I can't even imagine how explosive such a stage will be!
Hearing Finn's vision, Max stood tall as well, his face beaming with pride.
Karen stared blankly at Finn: "First, tell me, where did you find this.. Electro-man?"
—And would a normal person even think of making Electro-man dance!?
"This is.. a trade secret." Finn thought for a moment, not daring to tell Karen that he had found it in the morgue.
Karen's vision went pitch black and then blue—
Trade secret?
I didn't expect your Osborn Group's business to have expanded into the mutant field!?
"I even specially prepared a set of insulated clothes for you, to prevent you from being electrocuted," Finn said very thoughtfully; after all, he was also afraid that Karen might accidentally be electrocuted by Max, so the Young Master Osborn took the initiative to help Karen put on the suit.
Karen looked at Peter and Andrew in silence: ".." Excuse me, is this right?
—Does my teaching service include the risk of high voltage while teaching an Electro-man how to breakdance? Is this even right!?
Andrew: ←. ←
Karen: O-O
Spider-Man: →.→
Andrew and Peter both avoided Karen's gaze with a sense of guilt.
“Don't worry! Although I am a beginner, I will definitely be the best learner.” Max thought Karen was worried about not being able to teach him, “I will never let Young Master Finn down, I will definitely present the most perfect stage!”
Max's electricity crackled and surged through his body in excitement, the blue light becoming increasingly blinding.
I'll leave the dance studio to you. Peter and I still have to go practice the hamsters' dance, time is already very tight," Finn said with a smile, his voice carrying an abundant, high-spirited, highly infectious confidence and encouragement. "It's not just Halloween; the greatest stage of this year absolutely belongs to you! It's going to be absolutely explosive!
Left behind in the dance studio, Karen watched the electricity dancing all around Max, feeling like she wanted to cry but had no tears.
"Mr. Karen, it is my honor to meet you." Max, on the contrary, looked solemn and polite, a particularly sincere smile spreading across his deep blue face, revealing two rows of even teeth.
It's just a matter of when it blows up. Karen: ".." Meeting you two is my blessing.
As a student, Finn naturally had great confidence in Karen's teaching ability; after all, [Pulse Lab] was an internationally renowned stage, as the leader, Karen had won many major awards. While Karen taught Max breakdancing every day, Finn and Peter practiced the Advancing Hamsters dance together at home, they also had to rehearse for the MV.
Right after being discharged from the hospital, Finn suddenly became so busy that he felt overwhelmed. However, after getting used to this level of intensity, everything went relatively smoothly, Finn once again found time to squeeze in some moments to ponder about other important matters.
For example, going to see that Scholar with Seven Doctorates in New York.
Scholar with Seven Doctorates: It is not very convenient lately.
Scholar with Seven Doctorates: The research is currently progressing quite smoothly. If necessary, I can provide you with a potion that can temporarily delay the progression of the illness.
Seven Major Sicknesses: Of course!
Scholar with Seven Doctorates: Does your body show any signs of the illness?
Seven Major Sicknesses: No, based on my brother's situation, I probably won't develop symptoms for another two years.
Seven Major Sicknesses: By then, I will be a person with eight major sicknesses.
Scholar with Seven Doctorates: You don't want to be cured? Why?
Finn certainly did not want to be cured; hereditary diseases were also a trump card in his Misery Plan. However, the onset was two years later, which seemed a bit too late.
Seven Major Sicknesses: Because.. I have a mental illness, I have a hobby of collecting symptoms.
Finn also gave up, blaming all the questions he couldn't answer on mental illness.
The dialog box fell into silence again, this time, the silence lasted longer than ever before.
Scholar with Seven Doctorates: I will arrange some time to meet with you in the near future.
Seven Major Sicknesses: Weren't you unavailable recently?
Scholar with Seven Doctorates: I have recently developed a hobby of researching mental illnesses.
Seven Major Sicknesses..
Finn didn't know if he would become a Seven Major Sicknesses later, but he was a little afraid that this ambitious Doctor, after studying him, might successfully obtain another doctorate in psychology and become a Scholar with Eight Doctorates.
When it came to the matter of mental illness, Finn still felt that—
His mental state was perfectly fine; he didn't look like he had any mental illness at all.
The self-harming behavior in the bedroom was like simply triggering some kind of debuff mechanism, increasing his Misery Value.
If that were the case, Finn could not rule out the possibility of suddenly triggering the same behavior again in the future.
Moreover, regarding mental illness, Finn had actually been saying for a while that he wanted to go to mental hospitals for an inspection; after all, the ending he had originally envisioned for himself was being locked away in a mental hospital. Therefore, under the guise of investment, he had previously contacted several of the best mental hospitals in New York, planning to go on a field inspection after his birthday. At that time, those directors had all politely agreed.
After the Osborn Group press conference, the directors of these mental hospitals saw Finn's value within the Osborn Group, since Finn's hospitalization, they had been very proactive and eager to inquire about exactly when Finn would come for his inspection.
Finn came out of the "Rat Venue" quite early today. Andrew happened to be attending a secretary training course, Peter and Karen had not yet reached their scheduled meeting time. Having a bit of free time, Finn simply contacted his favorite "Eden Mental Hospital" to ask if they had time to see him. Naturally, Young Master Osborn's call received the most attentive response immediately.
Max drove Young Master Finn to the mental hospital, as the man naturally assumed it was merely a field trip.
"Host, hasn't the plotline already changed? Why do you still need to go to the mental hospital?" System PP's electronic voice rang in Finn's mind.
Finn: ".. Maybe? Since I have this Mental Illness debuff on me, it's possible that I'll have to stay in a mental hospital later on. Besides, if my plotline changes back in the future, there's no harm in being prepared in advance."
And you know—" Deep down, Finn actually harbored a curiosity about the mysterious life in a mental hospital. "After I finished dealing with those bad guys with my dear Host, at least half of them were kicked into a mental hospital to fend for themselves. Then I successfully escaped, I have no idea what kind of life those bad guys are actually living in the mental hospital.
But when Young Master Finn actually stepped through the gates of Eden Mental Hospital, he was still stunned by the sight before him—
What a wonderful life this is!
A spacious and bright hall! A temperature and humidity-controlled environment! And exquisite art statues!