Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned here.

This story was made with the sole purpose of entertainment and is not intended to be taken seriously in any social, political or religious context under any circumstances.

As such, the actions and/or viewpoints expressed by the characters in this story do not automatically reflect the opinions of the author.

This purely fictional tale is not meant to neither educate nor serve as any kind of moral example to follow by whomever consumes this type of content willingly.

"Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie" and its characters created by Keigo Maki.

"Spider-Man" and its characters belong to "Marvel Comics".

Izumi Is Not Just A Spider!

I

The Fantastic And The Bizarre

I am Uatu, 'The Watcher'.

It is my eternal duty to observe all the alternate realities across the multiverse.

From my observatory on Earth's moon, I've witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations.

Since times immemorial, my unblinking, unwavering eyes have seen countless possibilities.

There are worlds within worlds. Entire universes that exist close to one another, separated merely by the thin fabrics of cosmic order.

And only I possess windows into these parallel realms.

Today, I look upon the young highschooler who became a hero after a fateful accident.

But not the one you may know.

It began in the land of the rising sun. With a normal boy living his normal life, an unforeseen twist of fortune, and the bite of a spider…

"Not again, not again!"

Panting, Izumi frantically sprinted across the avenue.

After his alarm clock mysteriously ran out of battery during the night, he was left without a reminder to wake up early. Were it not for his mother's call, he would have missed the entire school day.

He couldn't afford such luxury, especially since there was someone waiting for him.

Thus, he kept matching onwards, like he always did in the face of misfortune.

The morning sun lightened the city with gentle warmth. A delicate wind flowed through the labyrinthine streets, guiding the cars traversing the nearby road.

Luckily, few people roamed the sidewalk, so Izumi sprinted freely, carelessly towards his destination.

'If I keep this pace, I may be able to make it in time!'

However, that changed when he reached the intersection.

Hastily, he turned right, but then he started decreasing his speed, ultimately stopping before a surreal sight.

Rooted to the spot, Izumi stared astounded at the scene of an accident.

Not far from his position, he saw a white van smashed against a concrete lamp-post. Its front had become an unrecognizable steel entanglement. Oil pooled under the dented machinery. A thousand bits of crystal littered the asphalt.

An ambulance, as well as a police car, were parked in the vicinity. Yellow tapes with the legend 'DO NOT CROSS' encircled the area, while paramedics and bystanders surrounded the wreckage.

Gulping, Izumi wrapped one palm around his throat. Though he didn't see any wounded victims, the picture ahead still caused him great discomfort.

'I-… I hope my bad luck didn't cause this… I also hope no one was gravely injured.'

Slowly, he continued walking, his gaze fixed upon the sudden havoc that unfolded.

In that moment, something about the ravaged van piqued his interest.

He read it quietly, the logo stamped over the panel of its bodywork.

"Oscorp…?"

"Look out!"

"Eh?" despite not recognizing the voice, Izumi heeded the desperate call.

After that, he heard the reverberating screeching of tires, and the deafening roar of a mighty engine.

"Eh!?" he spun again, quickly finding where the ruckus came from.

His eyes peeled sharply, the blood within his veins froze, and he rapidly paled as he encountered a wide, black car speeding in his direction.

'I stopped looking for just one second! How did I end up in the middle of the road!?'

Izumi's heart accelerated beneath his chest, adrenaline surging inside him. He knew exactly what he should do.

'I have to move, I have to move, I have to move!'

Alas, he couldn't.

The thought manifested clearly in his head, but he simply wasn't able to move a muscle. Fear paralyzed him completely, whereas the car only kept advancing at full pelt…

'Is this the end? Is this how I go?'

"Izumi!"

Miraculously, his demise wouldn't arrive yet…

For he felt an abrupt force pushing him off harm's way, brusquely tackling him to the ground.

He landed on his back with a 'thud', pain began seizing him.

Nevertheless, by that point, the black car had gone past the track of asphalt where he formerly stood. A raging breeze ensued, and the vehicle immediately vanished in the distance.

Meanwhile, Izumi remained in a supine posture over the sidewalk, hissing while the profound ache traveled across his whole being.

"Are you alright!?"

Wincing, he blinked to adjust his blurred vision, so he could uncover the identity of his unknown savior.

Once his wonky sight settled, the air in his lungs unexpectedly abandoned him.

Because he was looking at his guardian angel. The pink-haired, blue-eyed and fair-skinned beauty that mesmerized him every day, pinning him against the soil, shielding him from all danger.

"Shikimori?…" Izumi mumbled, wondering if he actually died and had seen a glimpse of the afterlife.

Promptly, Shikimori withdrew, kneeling by his side. The immense concern never left her expression.

Izumi raised his torso, sitting on the concrete, taking the opportunity to breathe calmly.

'She saved me, like she always does…'

"I'm okay, Shikimori," he said lowly, a faint smile curved his lips. "Thank you…"

In response, she pinched his cheek between her index finger and thumb.

She pinched him hard.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!"

"What were you doing in the middle of the road!?" Shikimori exclaimed, giving him a reprimanding stare. "You need to be more aware of your surroundings."

Then, she mercifully released him.

"I-I uh…" unable to reply, Izumi only gazed absentmindedly at his girlfriend.

She was right. He should've been more cautious. He shouldn't have been so distracted by a passing accident that had no relation with him.

'That's what being nosy gets you, I suppose…'

Guilt struck him later. A different twist of the fates could have gotten them both hurt, or killed!

And it would've been his fault…

"Hey kids!"

On cue, the two teenagers turned towards whomever beckoned them, who resulted to be a police officer hastily approaching them.

"Are you hurt?" he asked upon reaching their side.

"We're fine, officer." Shikimori answered solemnly, standing up from the ground, wiping off some dust from her clothes.

Subsequently, she spun, offering her open palm to Izumi.

Remaining aghast, the unlucky boy stared at the girl's hand for a few seconds before he took it in his own.

Ensuing that, she pulled him back up to his feet with a swift, firm tug.

"Alright, then," the officer continued. "You need to be more alert. Those 'Tarantulas' cause trouble anywhere they go."

"Tarantulas?" Izumi tilted his head like a confused puppy.

"Yeah, only those criminals drive American muscle cars around here. They have no respect for anyone's life. Not even their own… But if you don't require medical assistance, I advise you to get going. This place is dangerous, and one accident is more than enough for the day."

"Of course," Shikimori bowed her head, and Izumi soon mimicked the gesture. "Thank you, officer."

The police officer nodded silently and swiveled, then headed for the wreckage of the white van.

Therefore, the young couple was left alone.

Opposing his better judgment, Izumi chose this moment to sort out his gnawing guilt.

"S-Sorry, Shikimori," he spoke, becoming crestfallen. "You almost got hurt because of me…"

"Don't…"

"Eh?"

"Don't apologize," Shikimori said, stepping in front of him with a hardened expression. "None of this was your fault, and I've told you many times that I will protect you, no matter what."

"B-But-"

"No 'if's or 'but's about it!" suddenly, she pressed one finger onto Izumi's lips, effectively shushing him. "Now, let's get going, we're running very late for school."

"O-Okay…" he mumbled against her digit. A deep shade of crimson overtook his whole face.

Giggling, Shikimori turned, grabbing Izumi's hand once again. And this time, she walked on the side of the road.

Quietude settled afterwards, as both teenagers journeyed together, away from the ruckus.

'My girlfriend is so cool… and cute…'

So it was just him, his cute girlfriend, and the tiny spider clinging to his backpack…

Despite arriving with a significant delay, Izumi and Shikimori reached their destination safely.

The first hours elapsed without novelties, so the group had the chance to enjoy a relaxing lunch break at the rooftop of their school.

The bluest sky encompassed the firmament. Few clouds sailed across the fresh, northern winds, and a luminous sun crowned the peak of the empyrean.

The ambient was calm, jovial. They chatted merrily, unworriedly.

Everyone could take pleasure in such a tranquil, majestic moment.

Everyone but Izumi, who couldn't stand beneath the solar heat, lest the painful burns which might leave him bedridden for days.

So he sat amidst the protective shadow of the rooftop entrance.

Yet, it didn't trouble him that much. His friends were still there and, like usual, Shikimori was sitting beside him under the cool shade.

"A car accident, huh?" Nekozaki asked, crossing her arms while she leaned against the chain link fence on the roof.

"I'm surprised you didn't get run over." Hachimitsu chimed in, remaining stoic as ever.

"Don't be so tactless, Hachimitsu!" and Inuzuka verbally jumped to the rescue of his best friend.

"W-Well, um-…" Izumi stammered weakly, growing unnerved by the accuracy of Hachimitsu's comment. "I actually-"

But before he could finish that idea, a gentle warmth encompassed his left hand.

With a blush and a quickening heartbeat, Izumi turned his head, instantly meeting Shikimori's gaze. She had his palm in hers. Her eyebrows were lightly arched, and her sapphire irises glinted with innocent cheekiness.

She spoke clearly, even through her sealed lips.

'She's-! She's so cute!'

Thus, Izumi maintained silence.

In retrospect, maybe the others didn't need to know what happened earlier in the morning. That they almost got run over because he wasn't paying attention.

Nekozaki wouldn't let him forget it for a couple of weeks, at least.

Such lack of awareness made him oblivious to the next fortuitous event.

It could have been anyone. It probably should've been another.

But Izumi was the chosen one.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp sting atop his right hand, like a hot needle digging into his skin.

"Gah!" he yelped loudly in pain, startling those around him, and even hopping lightly in his position.

Instinctively, Izumi shook his hand, trying to get rid of whatever provoked him the immense ache.

"Izumi!" subsequently, Shikimori leaned over to see what troubled him. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

He gave her no answer.

Instead, his attention centered on the small, eight-legged creature that fell off his hand.

It was a spider. One with oddly-bright colors tinting its abdomen. Its exoskeleton shone with shimmering reds and blues below the environmental lighting.

Soon after, the arachnid crawled out of sight, vanishing within a crack on the floor.

"Was that a spider?" approaching from behind, Shikimori inquired anew.

"Pfft! What!?" Nekozaki cackled, a broad smile quickly appeared on her face. "No way a spider just bit you now!"

"Where did it even come from?" frowning, Inuzuka scratched the back of his head. "Typical Izumi luck…"

"At this rate," Hachimitsu added. "A plane might end up dropping on you."

"Again with those comments, Hachimitsu!?"

However, Izumi paid no mind to his friends' bickering.

On its stead, he looked upon the bite on his hand.

His skin had acquired a reddish coloration, not unlike a sunburn. A noticeable swelling manifested, and he could clearly see the marks that the fangs caused.

Pouting, he stared silently at his wound, lamenting his random misfortune.

'This is going to be one of those days, huh?'

With the end of school for the day, the calm walk home followed.

Violets and oranges tinted the horizon. Golden sunbeams cascaded from the clouded sky, submerging the city under a warm, sepia aura.

As they accustomed, Izumi and Shikimori made pilgrimage together.

The fresh, evening breeze blew gently across the empty streets. No cars traversed the road, while just a couple of pedestrians populated the sidewalk.

It was quiet. Very quiet…

Izumi preferred it that way, given his current, ailing condition.

'Walk… Home… Rest…'

Sluggishly, he dragged his feet onwards. A deep sense of lethargy shackled his motions. He felt sorely light-headed, his backpack felt too heavy, and his vision grew blurry throughout the tranquil stroll.

Those strange sensations began during his final classes, but everything had gotten significantly worse since then.

At this point, he was reduced to a barely-conscious state of existence.

"̵I̵z̴u̶m̶i ? "̵

Over the corner of his unfocused sight, he spotted Shikimori's worried, albeit distorted expression.

Her voice became even more unrecognizable, for his ears only received unintelligible echoes.

"̶A̷r̵e̶ y o̴u̵ a̷l̴r̷i̶g̶h̵t ?̴"̵ she spoke again. And again, her words transformed into an unfathomable riddle for him.

"I-…" Izumi uttered absentmindedly. "I don't feel so good…"

Suddenly, his knees buckled, gave in, so he fell…

"̵I̵z̴u̶m̶i!?"̵

His palms met the ground first. And soon, he found himself on all fours upon the asphalt.

"̶P̴l̷e̴a s̴e̶ g̶e̴t̶ ̷u̴p̴!̷ ̷C̶a n ̴y̵o̴u̴ h̶e a̶r̵ m̴e̴!̷?̷"̵

Weakly, he turned to his flank. Despite the fuzzy smudges clouding his gaze, he could see Shikimori crouched beside him.

'Shikimori… My girlfriend is… Shikimori…'

Even his very thoughts lacked clarity.

"̴H̷e̷r̶e̴,̷ ̷t̴a̶k̵e̴ ̵m̶y h̶a̵n̷d .̵"̴ without warning, Shikimori took his hand. Then, she swung his right arm around her nape.

Afterwards, she firmly placed her free palm on his hip, securing her grip.

"̷O̶n ̷t̴h̴r̴e̷e̴!̴ ̴O̵n̶e̴!̵ T̶w o̵-̶!̴"

Swiftly, Shikimori rose from the asphalt, bringing Izumi up with her. He was back on his feet, though his posture left much to be desired.

"̷D̵o̷n̴'̷t̷ ̶w o̶r̵r̵y̷,̶ I̵z̷u̴m̷i̶. ̵I '̴l̵l̴ ̶g̷e̴t̴ ̵y o̵u̶ ̵h̴o̵m̷e̴ s a̷f̵e̴l y̶, I̷ ̴p̴r o m̷i̷s e …̵"

Her sentences remained far beyond his understanding, but the unlucky boy still attained precious comfort from her soothing voice.

Shikimori took one step forward, and Izumi followed suit. He kept moving by sheer instinct. His demeanor resembled that of a puppet, while his girlfriend held the strings.

'My girlfriend is the coolest… the cutest… the coolest…'

When reality and illusion became one inside his head, Izumi merely surrendered himself to the flow of fate.

He just hoped to survive until their journey home eventually concluded…

Against all odds, Izumi reached his room safely.

He couldn't remember how he got there. He couldn't even remember if his parents welcomed him back from school, or if he said farewell to Shikimori.

Everything before he went up the stairs resembled a distant, fuzzy memory.

It was like retaining consciousness in the middle of a fever dream.

Only one thought persisted within his mind. A single, clear goal that he pursued with what little lucidity he had left.

'Bed… Rest… Sleep…'

The seemingly-trivial trip from the door to his bed became a voyage of its own.

Steadily, he took one step, and then another. The floor brusquely tilted from side to side, he barely could keep his balance while advancing.

His sight had been seized by a motley amalgam of blurry smudges. Blinking, blinding lights sent waves of disorientating pain to his head. And immeasurable tiredness overtook every muscle of his body.

The simple action of remaining standing was nothing short of a miracle.

'Bed… Sleep… Sleep…'

His mouth unexpectedly went dry. He was so close, yet so far…

Defying coherence altogether, his room appeared to be expanding, making itself longer, forever maintaining his destination out of reach.

Regardless, he kept going, akin to a drunken man, tumbling across his maze-like habitation.

But shortly later, his knees collided with the edge of his mattress, and he gracelessly fell, face-first, onto his bed.

'Finally…'

Upon lingering prone for a few seconds, Izumi slowly spun, clutching the sheets beneath, pulling them over himself.

With half-lidded eyes, he stared at the waving ceiling. Even while laying completely motionless, the world around him shook uncontrollably.

His face grew hotter out of the sudden. Sweat quickly damped his forehead, and his chest began feeling tight, leaving him gasping for air.

If this was a cold, it could very well be the worst he's ever had.

'What is happening to me…?'

Ultimately, the panic growing within him was quelled by the sickness.

Though behind his eyelids, ethereal visions seized his thoughts.

He was falling, into a bottomless pit. In the distance, the horizon meandered around him with aqueous blues, purples, and blackened spots.

Then, his sinking ceased. He landed on a thin, stretchy sheet. A wide, silky gossamer that resembled the fluttering threads of an arachnid's hideout.

He tried to rise, break free. Nonetheless, the gooey, pristine webbing firmly kept him in place.

Suddenly, a living shadow appeared above.

A giant spider steadily descended upon him. In each of its eyes, he saw familiar faces reflecting back to him.

His mother. His father. Shikimori. Inuzuka. Hachimitsu. Nekozaki.

They were smiling. They were happy. And they were fading, leaving without him.

"Wait!" Izumi called for them. However, his voice made no sound.

He could only hear a deafening screeching. A warning.

The spider grew closer and closer until they were face to face. It spoke, though its words were unrecognizable for his ears.

Merely a single phrase from its unfathomable speech reached him.

"A great power."

'Power…'

Izumi would like power.

To change his luck. To protect his loved ones.

And it would be his.

But he didn't want it.

He just wanted to wake up.

Darkness ensued. A dreamless sleep followed.

And so, a legend is born.

Greatness comes from small beginnings. A new name joins the roster of the very few with the strength to fight against the darkest evil.

There are worlds within worlds, where history and myths assume distinct shapes.

And it is my eternal duty to observe all the alternate realities across the multiverse.

For I am Uatu, The Watcher…

Greetings, true believers!

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this new, random project of mine. For a long time, I've been itching to do something related to Spider-Man, and just recently I watched Shikimori's Not Just A Cutie (you should too, btw, it's neat), so weaving them together was killing two birds with one stone, ha!

Join my private discord server! Find me there as Knightly-Aedo#2939. Feel free to DM me and I'll send you an invite link! You'll feel at home if you like to hang out, write and/or share fanfiction and enjoy the occasional dankness.

But in any case, thanks again for giving this story a chance! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to speak up with a comment.

Until we meet again.

Excelsior!