The Inspiring Spider-Hope
Issue 6: The Unluckiest Way
That night, a very special night, Spider-Hope was exhausted.
Naegi Makoto decided to have an evening patrol so he could spend the afternoon with his friends for a study session.
Leon, Mondo, Sayaka (to catch up with her studies because of her Idol work) and Asahina needed some help with some homework. Taka was more than glad to preside over the study session. Makoto and Fujisaki helped since the Moral Compass' loud voice and personality could make the two male teenagers who needed help walk away from studying.
What Naegi didn't expect was how much help the group needed, and even himself at some point. And because of that he left for patrol later than usual and with an already tired mind.
On top of that, the patrol was surprisingly busy that evening instead of the usual couple of street robbers or shady deals. This time it was a bank robbery! And right after that it was some street fights between drunk people!
After crawling through the special passageway between the walls of the academy, Spider-Hope reached his room and just flopped down onto his bed before taking off his mask.
Naegi let out a huge sigh, he was more than ready to sleep immediately, he'll clean the room later. He'll put all those paper, pencil and brushes away later. And it looks like he also forgot to turn off the water before he left.
… wait.
No he didn't!
And those art supplies weren't his!
"Alright, water is ready for some paint- Oh! Naegi-dono!" Yamada exclaimed as he walked out of the bathroom, "I didn't hear you come in."
Did he enter the wrong room? No it was his! So what was he doing here?!
" Y-Yamada-kun?! What are you-?"
"Did you forget? We planned to talk about Spider Hope tonight! So I could have some of your insight!"
That's riiiight! He promised that! How could he forget this?! But that's not the only problem!
"But how-?"
"You forgot to lock your room, you must be more careful, Naegi-dono!" Yamada explained.
Naegi hung his head low, what an idiot! He really needs to correct this default of his. He asked the artist if he snooped around his stuff but thankfully, Yamada made it clear that he was 'too much of a gentleman' to do such things. If it was anyone but Naegi, they wouldn't believe him.
"Can we now talk about… the suit?" the large Ultimate asked.
The suit…?
Oh. My. God.
THE SUIT! HE STILL HAD THE SUIT ON! What can he do to explain this? What should he do?!
Come on brain, think!
How about knocking him out and-
No! Bad brain, too tired to think straight.
"It's incredibly well made! I didn't know you were into cosplay!" Yamada said with excitement.
"U-Uh?"
"Was there a small event nearby? Is that why you forgot about our meeting?"
At that moment, Naegi's tired brain only had one answer it could conjure to have this 'event' end quickly and go to sleep. So he said:
"...Yes."
But it might have had the opposite effect than expected as the Fanfic Creator was visibly getting more excited with each passing seconds as he started to barrage Naegi with questions.
"Did you make it yourself?"
"Yes…"
"Can I see it up close?"
"Yes…"
"Wow… This is such impressive work! The details are perfect!"
"Yes…"
"And even the web shooters! Can I try?"
"Ye- Wait no!"
But too late, Yamada pressed the button and a web shot out of the gadget, sticking itself on the wall facing them.
There was an awkward silence for almost one minute before the artist slowly turned to face his friend and asked.
"You're the real Spider-Hope, aren't you?"
"...Yes…"
After a surprisingly short confession about his secret identity, Yamada was standing in deep thought.
"A-Are you okay?" Naegi asked.
"Me? I'm perfectly fine! I'm even ecstatic inside! You are Spider Hope! My classmate and friend! A superhero! This is so exciting!" the Ultimate Fanfic Creator squealed, "I had so many questions but you just answered them! And it also explains how someone who looks so plain- no offense."
"None taken."
"-Is so talented physically! Like during the first day with Oowada-dono! Or during PE!"
Now Naegi was blushing in embarrassment from all that praise. While he knew that it was mostly due to his powers, he still worked hard to control them and use them well for his everyday life.
"But you mustn't tell anyone about this, Yamada-kun…" Naegi warned.
In return, the large student let out a loud gasp as if he just insulted his favorite anime.
"What do you take me for!? Of course I won't tell a soul! I've read many, many comics! I know what happens if I make such a rookie mistake! I don't want to be tortured by a super villain so they can know Spider Hope's identity!"
"W-Well, that's good. But I don't have a super villain enemy… And I hope I won't ever." Naegi said with an amused smile.
"It will come, I assure you!" Yamada said proudly with both hands on his side.
"Ehehe… In any case! Thank you very much for promising to not tell." Naegi bowed, "C-Can I ask you something?"
"Of course!"
"Would you like to… Maybe help me? During my patrols?" The young hero asked.
Yamada blinked in confusion. He didn't mean…
"You mean like… 'The guy in the chair'?"
"Yeah!"
"No thank you!" The big fan exclaimed with his arms crossed as an X in front of him.
"Wh-What?! I thought you'd love that role."
"That would just make me a big target! Plus, I'm not that good with computers! Mostly for drawing, streaming and pirati- I mean, watch anime!" Yamada corrected himself, "I think someone like Fujisaki-dono is better suited for the job!" he continued.
"Yeah… True… But I'm not going to reveal my identity to her for that!" Naegi said.
"Of course not! That would be silly! But I know another way I can help." Yamada added with a big smile.
"Really? How?"
"I can be your suit repair man! When your suit gets damaged from your Hero activities, I'll be more than glad to repair it."
"A-Are you sure? That would be very helpful!" Naegi beamed, "I have been doing the repairs myself and it's… not great." He added before taking off his hoodie, exposing the many crudely repaired spots that have been torn open by bullets or knives from thugs, "It's a good thing I have many hoodies to cover them up."
"Yikes, indeed. If it's ok with you, we could talk about the materials and so I can order them and do the repair as soon as I receive them!" Yamada suggested.
"Of course! But how muc-"
"Nonsense! I'll do this free of charge! Anything for a Hero who's already working very hard to keep the city safe from villainous scum!" Yamada exclaimed while taking a dramatic pose.
"Thank you so much! That is a huge financial weight off my shoulders there…"
"By the way, I could also finish your suit!"
"Finish it?"
"Why yes, it's not done, right? I mean the sweatpants…" Yamada pointed at them as he said that.
He analyzed good.
Indeed, the Spider Hope suit wasn't completely finished for the sole reason that Naegi couldn't afford the pants! The full suit was crazy expensive. He's still surprised how he managed to get everything else. At the beginning of his Hero gig, he was pretty embarrassed that he had to 'complete' the suit with a pair of black sweatpants… But after a couple of months…
"Thank you Yamada-kun, but no thanks. I've… I've gotten used to considering this to be what Spider Hope is." he pointed at himself, "I can't quite describe the feeling of seeing kids having barely any difficulty to replicate the suit and play 'Spider Hope' with their friends. But I'm glad that my bad luck with money allowed for my costume to be easily 'cosplayed'..." Naegi said with a serene smile.
"Sniff…"
"Y-Yamada-kun?"
"P-Please never mind me! I'm just happy to hear a Hero say that!" The Fanfic creator sobbed, but quickly calmed down, "Alright then! No pants then! I'll be leaving for the night! And my what a fantastic night this will be! So much excitement! So much inspiration for new art! Sleep is for the weak! I need to sketch those ideas before they vanish in thin air!" Yamada exclaimed as he was picking up his stuff and walking towards the exit of Naegi's room.
But just as the large Ultimate was about to grab the door's handle, he froze and started to panic.
"O-Oh my Goodness! You're Spider Hope, I know that, and you saw my Fanarts!"
Naegi couldn't help but let out a chuckle at that.
"I sure did and I love them! Can't wait to see more!" He winked and lifted a thumbs up at him, "But for now I need a shower and sleep. I'll lock the door after you."
"O-Of course! Good night, Naegi-dono." Yamada nodded before leaving the room.
From the lack of reactions… It was crystal clear that Naegi hadn't seen any of his more extreme fanarts… And he really, really hoped it stays that way.
To be Continued…
Baka's notes: I know that some of you wanted the continuation of the Cracked Diamond case but it will come in two chapters! Because next one of this is a special crossover with Sakura Spider (from the Deadpool Samurai manga)
But until then, next update from me will be of a new story I just have been inspired to write (yay me qwq) from Limbus Company, it will be called 'Rewriting Fate', a Yuri Lives AU.
And after that it will be Zombi Mari