Fight or Flight

Professor Kuruto Inumaru opened the door.

Coming back after a long day of work, he smiled as little Taiten picked up a small train and made cute little sounds while waving it around. When the boy saw his father standing in the doorway, Taiten delightfully got up and ran to give him a hug.

"Daddy!"

Just then, Maasa came into view. She was about to scold the boy for being loud, but her frown gave away to a smile when she saw the good professor putting away his coat on the hanger while rubbing Taiten's head with his hand.

She walked over to him and gave a nice little smooch on the lips.

"Hello dear!" she pulled away and brushed her hair, "How was work today?"

"Oh the usual." Kuruto stated, making the motion to sit down on the sofa. "The Committee's been breathing down my neck. We just lost a valuable subject related to the project and they're furious about it. Can't say too much more though."

"Right right, classified information." Maasa rolled her eyes, "Now come here, I got food prepared."

Now that was a wondrous prospect to Professor Inumaru. As she left to get the food, he grabbed the remote.

"I wonder what's on the news?" He turned on the television curiously.

The very first thing he saw nearly have him stroke.

"Around the city there's been talk of a masked vigilante sighted on the streets, and today it's been confirmed!"

A somewhat blurry video showed the aforementioned masked man dropping off a construction worker and swinging away from the scene even as the camera kept focus on him.

"As seen on the footage displayed, Spider-Man is making headlines as swinging around on his spider's web, saving this man from certain death-"

"Is there something wrong?"

Kuruto's attention disrupted, he turned to find Maasa handing the meal she prepared to him.

He took it while turning back to the TV.

"Nothing. I'm just… surprised." Kuruto took a bite of the meal, greatly appreciating his wife's cooking like he always does, "I can't believe there's a Spider-Man."

"I know, he seems kind of creepy doesn't he?" Maasa said, "I hope the police are able to track him down before he hurts anyone."

"Me too…" He inwardly cringed saying that, one of his hands clenching in thought.

He takes another bite on the meal.

"Some people have called him a hero, many others a menace to society-"

You see, he knows exactly who this Spider Man is.

And he's going to have a talk with a particular student once he gets to school tomorrow.

Kenichiro Yashida waited.

He waited because watching the news today made it clear that the problem he's facing won't be going away so soon.

The Spider-Man.

Oshiro's arrest made him think. Yashida had gone back and checked records from the last month or so, noticing a number of arrests on… "off the books operations"… he had been sending his men to perform. His informant on the police force even mentioned several instances of a web like substance involved in those arrests.

This meant that the Spider-Man had been interrupting his work for a month.

That simply cannot be allowed to go on.

Which is why Kenichiro Yashida waited along with two guards for a specific man he called upon earlier for his specialty.

A specialty demonstrated by two knives having been thrown right in the throats of said guards, killing them instantly as their bodies hit the floor.

"I'll pretend you didn't just kill the hired help."

In stepped in Kiyoshi Amachi. He wore a black trench coat, a black and red shirt underneath and black pants to go along with his frighteningly pale skin, brown hair and golden eyes.

The man was known mainly by his codename in the underworld, Vulture. He always had his sights set on the latest prey.

His methods disturbed everyone else, but to Yashida it meant getting his money's worth.

"Your call interrupted my daily nap. You could always hire more." Vulture stated crossing his arms together.

"They were competent men. Good men." Yashida kept a calm frown at all times, "You of all people should know about the finer points of quality. The only reason I'm willing to tolerate your behavior is because you are useful to me."

With that, Yashida placed a photograph on the table. "I want you to kill this target. He has been interrupting my affairs longer than I would have like."

Vulture took the photograph and inspected it. He dismissively snorted.

"You really have gotten pathetic. A clown is ruining your affairs? Why would this be worth my time?"

Yashida had anticipated this answer. He turned on the screen to his left and showed the footage from the news program. He had it prerecorded, and it currently showed the fight between the Spider and his employee.

"This target isn't just some random vigilante. As you can see here, he has enough incredible agility to dodge the shock blasts from the gloves and enough strength to knock out my men. The webs coming from his wrists are a particular annoyance, his cunning showing he knows how to use them in a fight. He is dangerous-"

He pointed from the screen back towards Vulture.

"-Which is why I called you here. I only use you when I deem it necessary."

That was when Kenichiro noticed it. The subtle gleam in Vulture's eyes as he watched the fight footage. They had not disappeared when he returned attention to Yashida.

"Well then, this might make for some nice prey after all."

He placed the photograph inside of his coat. "You of course, realize that I will need to be paid up front for my services?"

Yashida nodded. "100,000,000 yen upfront. You will have more when you're done."

With that, a pact was made.

Vulture turned around and was about to leave through the door… but then stopped.

He glanced at the dead bodies of the guards he killed.

Vulture took his steps toward them, grabbing his knives from their necks. To him, it made no sense to waste perfectly good ammo for the hunt.

He also looked at one guard's hand. He slowly took a hold of it…

CRUNCH!

and ripped it away from the body, taking a rather large bite out of it. His mouth dripped with blood as he savored the taste of flesh.

"Mmmmm… You always find the most delicious food for me, Mr. Yashida."

He then stepped out of the office.

Kenichiro shuddered at the display. The Vulture's animalistic attitude is to be feared. All the more reason to have him as a useful tool rather than a cumbersome enemy. As long as he kept focus on the job and not get arrogant…

He felt a tiny spark of pity for the Spider-Man. It was a spark that disappeared very quickly, for Yashida knew the pest would soon be faced with death at the hands of this ferocious freak.

Science class? More like silence class.

Shinji could only sigh as looked out the window. Anything would be better than dealing with the quietness that enveloped the room. They had been waiting for the teacher to arrive for about 10 minutes and so far it seemed like he wouldn't come. That's why everyone was on their laptops and communicating with each other.

His eyes moved towards Mayumi Yamagishi, who had her face buried in her book as usual. Honestly, Shinji thought she looked cute when she was focused on it like that. 'Wait, where did that come from?' he thought to himself, a blush on his cheeks formed.

The blush only increased when Mayumi turned to look at him. Her eyebrow raised, almost as if interrogating him.

Before he could apologize, the door opened.

Professor Inumaru had finally arrived.

"I apologize for making you wait, but now that I'm here you can open your textbook and turn to-"

After that point was a loop of being lost and confused.

Shinji struggled to pay attention as the professor went on to explain something about chemical charts. Truth be told, he was so bored falling asleep seemed like a good idea. Vague shadows formed around the edges of his eyes.

They disappeared when something tugging at his shoulder.

"Stay awake, he might get mad at you."

The concerned tone of Mayumi's voice brought him back to reality.

A muttered apology was all Shinji could say in response.

After some time, the bell rang.

Nobody even waited to get out of the class, they left quickly. However, a hand on the shoulder stopped Shinji in his tracks.

"Ikari, I need to discuss something with you. Stay."

Shinji turned to Inumaru, who had a frown gracing his face. He took a brief glance at Mayumi, who only nodded in understanding as she left.

With the two finally alone, the Professor stared right into Shinji's eyes.

"Do you know what I saw yesterday?"

Shinji blinked, "What do you mean?"

"Well I had just gotten out of work. Went home, kissed my wife, saw my son… I turn on the TV and guess what I saw? Some sort of 'Spider Man' swinging from a web to stop someone from falling."

Shinji didn't say anything.

"Now that was a pretty surprising- impressive even- sight I must say. If I didn't know any better I'd say it was some publicity stunt for a movie. Where did it come from? Then of course I remembered… there was someone who had previously been in the hospital for being bitten by a spider."

The professor readjusted his glasses.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

Shinji clutched his hand.

"I… I don't understand-"

SLAP!

Shinji felt a pain on his cheek.

"Don't give me that crap." Inumaru said moving his hand back into the pocket of his lab coat. "After you returned from the hospital you broke Kotei's hand, something you weren't capable of before, and a month later this Spider-Man shows up and seemingly displays abilities similar to his namesake? I only needed one guess to figure out who he could be."

The boy looked away from his professor's eyes, rubbing his hand over the pain.

"Why didn't you tell me the truth the first time, Ikari?"

The boy's hair covered his eyes.

"I… well, I guess I didn't know what you would say."

Inumaru frowned.

"What I would say? Well I would have told you many things, but for now let's start with you stopping this Spider-Man nonsense."

Shinji looked up at meet his gaze.

"Sir… I don't think I can do that."

Suddenly he felt tight grips on his shoulders as the professor glared right in his face.

"Yes you are and I will tell you why, boy. There are forces far greater you or me that have the technology and resources to track the both of us down. While they study you, kill you, or do whatever they want with your life, me and my family will probably be murdered and our records wiped out so nobody would even know we existed!"

Inumaru was violently shaking as he said all of this.

"Did you think I kept the spider in the lab cage without a reason? No, it was a crucial part of our project- MY project- and once these men realize what you are it's all over, you understand?!"

He suddenly felt grips on his wrists. The shaking stopped.

"What are you talking about?" Shinji said now staring right at him, "Who are they?"

A small pause.

"I can't tell you."

Then Shinji moved Inumaru's hands away from his shoulders.

"Why not?" the boy asked with a worried expression present on his face.

Professor Inumaru opened his lips… and nothing came out except a small sigh. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "It's classified information, I simply can't say. Your choices are either you stop now or they'll stop you. What are you going to do?"

At that, Shinji Ikari could only look away from his stare.

If he was honest with himself, this whole thing was something the professor never expected from this boy. A sullen look and a lonely island was all he was used to seeing in class. Jarring, it was.

"Why are you even doing it Ikari?" He felt obligated to ask. "Why are you even Spider-Man to begin with?"

The boy didn't say a word.

"Think long and hard about your answer." Inumaru turned his back away from the boy, "Now go."

Shinji's arms relaxed as his face contorted to a confused expression

"But-"

"Leave." Said the professor firmly as he wiped the things he wrote on the board.

The boy raised a hand for Inumaru… only for it to drop.

He decided walk out of the classroom. That left the professor to his thoughts.

The final bell rang, and classes were over once more.

'Why am I Spider-Man?' Shinji thought to himself as he walked alongside Mayumi on the way out of the school.

Sure, he was using his powers to protect people. After what happened that night, Shinji couldn't ignore others anymore. But he only gave himself a disguise so no one could recognize him when he went out during the nights. He didn't expect to be caught by the media. He didn't expect to make a colorful costume and give himself a name like he was some kind of superhero. He didn't expect anything like this to happen like it did.

Yet, all of it did happen, and Shinji wasn't sure what he wanted to do. What was he fighting for?

Deciding to leave those thoughts for later, he instead focused his attention on Mayumi.

It had only been three days, but Shinji felt somehow at ease with her. Maybe it was because the two were similar in a lot of ways; quiet, withdrawn, isolated in their hobby… this feeling wasn't something he was used to. They had only fully conversed once, that time when she showed him her book, Gliding through a Dream. It made him realize he wanted to talk to her again.

"So, um… do you live far?" Shinji hesitantly asked, casting the first stone.

Mayumi turned to him, "Actually I live around here, in an apartment complex." She pushed some hair from her glasses, "Do you live here?"

"Um, no," Shinji responded, "I, well, I take a train every morning to get to school. Sometimes, I don't want to be in the house… so I walk around here, listening to music on my S-DAT player."

"Oh really?" Mayumi tapped the book in her hands with her fingers. "I was thinking…"

"Hm?"

Mayumi stopped in her tracks, making sure to adjust her glasses. This caused Shinji to stop as well, wondering what she was going to say.

"There's this… nice café that my father takes me to sometimes. It's very quiet, not a lot of people come. It's a regular place. Maybe we could sit down there and… talk?" Mayumi said with a hopeful tone.

A perfect opportunity. Shinji didn't realize he was beaming until he felt his lips curl. He wanted to accept, so he opened his mouth-

A pair of cars passed the both of them.

Turning to see what happened, the pair realized it was a car chase. A police vehicle was chasing a runaway car. They heard gunshots

At that, he turned back to Mayumi, "Sorry, I can't go I have some stuff to do at home. Maybe tomorrow?"

Mayumi frowned, disappointment clearly evident on her face but nodded. "… alright. See you tomorrow then?"

Shinji couldn't help but show disappointment as well. He waved bye and ran off.

He didn't want to leave her like that. He honestly didn't.

But that car might hurt people if Spider-Man just let it drive away .

He swung around the nearby buildings trying to get to the runaway vehicle. Sure enough, he spotted it carrying a passenger shooting at the police leaning outside the window. 'This is getting crazy,' Shinji thought to himself, 'I need to stop this quick!'

Spider-Man let go of his web, attaching himself onto a wall, before making a direct jump at the car!

"Hey it's him! Shoot the Spidey guy!"

The two goons leaned out the window pointing their guns at Spider-Man, but it was the wall crawler who fired first with two webs reaching for the weapons. Ignoring the two for now, he crawled up ahead for the guy on the wheel. Said man turned to his left side, only for be met with a fist to the face, knocking him to unconsciousness as the hand grabbed the wheel.

'This is a problem!', Shinji thought. 'I don't even know how to steer this thing! Maybe if I just-'

His eyes widened when he saw a incoming bus was in front. Making a split decision moment, he turned the wheel to the left, facing a head on collision into an alleyway.

"Oomph!" was the sound Shinji made as the crash sent him to the ground.

As he recovered his senses, the four criminals that hijacked the car managed to break their way out of it. They spotted their would be attacker lying on the floor.

"Fuckin' bastard! We'll mess up real good!" yelled out one criminal, he and his partner running to kick the crap out of Spider-Man.

Shinji felt a ringing in his ears. Instinctively, he pushed himself upwards, narrowly avoiding the kicks. This instead allowed him to jump kick the two goons, using their faces to propell himself backwards to stick to the wall.

To avoid dealing with more than he could handle, Spider-Man shot webs to keep the attackers on the ground, while he jumped towards the other two left. The goon closes to Spider-Man tried to grab him in a bear hug, but Spider-Man was too quick, instead punching him in the gut, then going for an uppercut to the face, knocking that guy out.

His spider-sense alerted to further danger, and he responded with a swift kick around the goon behind him, pushing him to the ground.

RRRIIIIPPPP!

At that, Spider-Man turned around to see that the two goons he subdued before had ripped away the webs. They were getting ready to attack.

A distinct metallic sound ringed in their ears, their eyes bulging as they felt a sudden pain before they felt nothing. The knives had torn to their throats, killing the attackers instantly.

Shinji turned around and noticed those knives also tore through the criminal he had just knocked out. Right through the head. Shinji took a few steps back.

"What the- what the hell?!" He heard the last goon say. Shinji saw the criminal shaking wildly.

"It can't be! I gotta get outta here!" The criminal ran further into the alley, hoping to get away from whoever is behind these attacks.

He only got so far before… something suddenly dropped right on top of him.

"No… no NOOOOOOOOO!"

Paralyzed with absolute fear, Shinji could only watch as he heard this man's screams. Those screams would go on, before being canceled out by loud, crunchy munching noises…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

Dead silence filled the air as the figure stood up. A ripped apart cadaver was all that was left of the criminal left. He made a slow, deliberate walk away from the body, making his way towards the only other living soul in the alleyway. Each step marked the floor with blood as it dripped down.

The figure then held out its hand-

'Spider-Sense!' being alerted to trouble, Shinji's body moved to the left to dodge the throwing knife being tossed at him. It landed on the floor like a dud.

"Clever prey, clever. Your reflexes were enough to dodge my knife."

Sure enough, the Vulture has appeared. His mouth oozing blood. He moved a finger to wipe some of it away, then licked it with his tongue.

"This food tastes so good, you understand. Ever since I was seven, human flesh has a nice deliciousness that no other substance has been able to satisfy. It was because of that I called myself the vulture"

Shinji stood there completely frozen. 'What… what IS this guy?'

"I wonder how you'd taste, Spider-Man. I'm dying to find out."

At that, six knives were thrown in perfect arc motion.

"Let's see you dodge THESE!"

'Oh crap!' Spider-Man moved as fast as he could, making a small jump and moving to the right-

"NYGH!"

His chest and stomach had two knives punctured.

"You dodged all but two of my knives, impressive." the Vulture brought out two blades from his sleeves, "But you're still going end up EATEN!"

Vulture ran straight for the kill, making a slashing motion with his right hand. However, Spider-Man leaned back, then raised his own fist to punch Vulture's face. Suddenly, a spray of blood came from Spider-Man's chest. The Vulture's other hand managed to slash at Shinji's chest during the struggle, forcing him to back away while clutching the wound.

"What's wrong, little spider? A small cut managed to hurt you? How pathetic." The scarf may cover it, but Vulture had a fierce smirk on his lips. He moved his blades to connect with Spider-Man.

Shinji could only dodge the knife attacks. His Spidey Sense kept buzzing thus keeping him alert to possible death. but he knew it could only help for so long. He needed to get away.

THWIP!

He motioned his fingers, shooting a web at Vulture!

However, Vulture was quick. Quick enough to intercept the web but cutting it with his knife.

"Is that the best you can do?" Kiyoshi Amachi asked rhetorically. He prepared for another strike-

But Spider-Man had not intended to attack with the web. He jumped to the wall, moving behind The Vulture and kicked him straight on his back tossing him across the alley.

The Vulture was momentarily stunned. He didn't expect that attacked, but that feeling dissipated quick. He caught himself mid fall and turned to face his prey.

Only now he wasn't there.

He looked upwards to see Spider-Man disappearing to the side of the building.

"I need to get away!" Shinji spat out as he ran as fast as he could, "Vulture-!"

Vulture wasn't human. Couldn't be human. 'He killed them!' Shinji resisted the desire to throw up, 'He- he ate him!'

Was this what Inumaru was warning him about? A crazed lunatic coming after him like that?

He saw another building up ahead. Shinji didn't waste any time, he grabbed onto the ledge, his legs pushing him forward for a jump-

Then he felt pain all across his body.

His back, his arms, his legs- he felt sharp things in those places. Suddenly Shinji's eyes seeing black spots. In a few seconds, he fell into a sleep…

Mayumi Yamagishi sat alone.

The Joho Café was a small, but warm place. Few people came by, which made it an ideal spot for those who wanted to be alone. The customers would come with books, laptops or music players to do work or relax all the while they were served coffee and smaller foods for their convenience.

Mayumi liked the coffee. She had hoped to bring Shinji here. Honestly, she never really had many friends before coming to this school. Ever since that day in the library, where she shared her book with him, Shinji became her first real friend. That's why she wanted to take him to the café, to share in one of the small pleasures she had in her life.

Of course, he was busy. She understood, it was still disappointing. Mayumi took another sip from her coffee. The rather large window a little ways to the right of her only had people walking to their daily routines

CRASH!

Until something fell through that window, landing with a thud on the ground. Everybody stopped what they were doing and started panicking.

Understandably shocked, Mayumi got up from her seat in shock. She wanted to know what was happening, so she ran a bit to see what came through their way. When she got close enough she could see what it was.

Spider-Man with knives imbedded onto his back, bleeding on the floor.

"Ugghhh…" Mayumi could hear coming from him. He was still breathing, surprising Mayumi a great deal.

She was about to take a step to help, when the Vulture stepped in through the window.

"Step away, all of you. He is mine." Said Vulture in a nasty snarl, his mouth dripping with blood scaring all into submission. He took some steps to the weakened and downed wall crawler on the floor.

"It seems my employer was wrong, Spider-Man. He said you would be a major challenge." He sneered as he stood over the helpless boy. He brought a knife out on his left hand. "But in the end, you were nothing."

He raised the knife, ready to finish his prey off. "Now DIE!"

Then an object struck his head.

His eyes narrowed, tracking down the one who threw it. Vulture noticed a young girl with black hair and glasses standing there scared out of her wits.

Indeed, Mayumi was scared to hell. But she couldn't just let whoever this man was kill someone. She threw that cup in hopes of giving Spider-Man more time. However, the second those eyes found her she knew she was done for.

"You worm… I'll BITE YOUR FACE OFF AND EAT YOUR CORPSE FOR THAT!"

The Vulture lunged at Mayumi ready to fulfill his promise, his arms raised, knife in hand going for the kill.

Suddenly a knife stabbed through his arm.

"Get… away… from HER!"

Vulture could only do a quick glance as Spider-Man shoved him away from Mayumi, smashing him into another table.

'This can't be happening,' Amachi thought, 'There's no way he could still be standing!'

He was panicking now. Suddenly he didn't have the upper hand. Downed on the table, he threw his blade, having not once let it go during the alteraction, at Spider-Man. However, the web swinger did something unexpected: he caught it in midair with his left hand!

With his other hand, he shot a web at Vulture's face!

"Mmmhmhmhmhmh!" Amachi mumbled unintelligibly behind the webbing stuck to his face, trying everything possible to scratch it off.

Unfortunately for him-

POW!

A fist to the face was all it took to finally take him down.

Amachi had forgotten that vultures were not the only predators in the animal kingdom. Indeed, Spiders are also predators as well, a fact most certainly proven as Spider-Man stood triumphant over his defeated foe.

Still feeling pains, he slowly started taking out the knives from his body. Shinji thanked the heavens his powers included an ability to heal, as the wounds he received earlier started disappearing.

"Are you alright?"

Shinji found himself face to face with Mayumi. She looked very concerned.

"Ummm… yes I am." he responded. "Don't worry too much about it. Just, uh, call the police. Or something."

He looked away from her. He shot webs to cover the crazed lunatic on the floor. He made especially made sure the mouth was webbed up. No need to run the risk of him biting people.

"You know… you don't look so creepy in that."

Shinji stopped in his tracks. "What do you mean?"

"The costume," Mayumi stated. "You're not so creepy wearing that."

The boy blushed underneath the mask. He scratched the back of his neck.

"Uh, thanks." Spider-Man awkwardly said. He looked around to see other patrons staring at him warily. Not wanting to be stared at any longer, "I- I have to get going!"

That was his cue to make his way to the broken window he crashed through. Spider-Man shot a web line across a building. Before he jumped out though, he turned his head to Mayumi

"Thank you for saving me there. Bye!"

Then he swung away, leaving Mayumi and a whole lot of patrons wary… yet grateful.

Needless to say, Kenichiro Yashida was not pleased.

A dangerous assassin like Vulture should have been enough to take out the Spider-Man… but he was bested in the fight.

Now he was rots in a jail cell.

The result being his money wasted, two guards dead for no reason, and several witnesses on hand.

In spite of this, Yashida knew he couldn't afford a possible trace back to himself. Reluctantly, he concluded he would have to make an anonymous call to release Vulture from prison. Unlike Oshiro, he would not call Vulture again.

Sighing, he gently rubbed the thorns of his plant.

RIIIINNNG!

The crime leader picked up the phone and answered, "Yashida speaking… what do you mean a transport is on the way?… Very well, I make sure the arrangements are done… Yes sir."

The line cut off.

It was always the same with them. His contractors would give him requests he had to fulfill or else lose the money he made with the company. This was not a major concern for him. As far he was concerned, a few bodies and buildings were worth having power of the city.

Considering some of the things he had to fund however, Yashida had to wonder if the Spider-Man was one of the Committee's projects gone rogue. It is not like he will get an answer, but wouldn't put it past them.

The only thing he knew going forward was that things were going to get more complicated.

"Whoah you were there Yamagishi?!"

Tsuyoshi Kotei could not believe it! Just this morning the news reported Spider-Man fighting a dangerous assassin named Kiyoshi Amachi. Kotei and some other classmates had just learned right that Mayumi Yamagishi had been in the café where the fight too place. Now a crowd gathered around her waiting for the girl to say something on the subject.

For her part, she hated being the center of attention. It only made her extremely uncomfortable.

"I was… well-"

"C'mon man, at least tell us what Spider-Man was like!" Kotei argued, "He must've been so cool!"

Shinji overheard that as he walked into the classroom. Shinji only sighed when he heard that. 'He probably wouldn't think it was so cool if he was the one who got stabbed repeatedly.' He thought, before focusing his attention on Mayumi, who looked contemplative.

"He… seemed nice." She said with a slight blush, eyes trying to look away.

"Knock it off you guys, can't you see you're overwhelming her?" Rai Shiraishi finally stepped in, having had enough of the crowd. "Whatever happened down there must've obviously spooked Mayumi."

Before anyone could raise a further fuss, Professor Inumaru walked in. From there the class proceeded as normal. When it ended, the professor called on Ikari again.

"Excuse me Ikari? I need you here again, there are things we must still discuss."

Shinji nodded, but first, he turned to Mayumi to say something.

"Um… sorry about yesterday… could we go to the café later?

He needed to make up for leaving her behind.

This seemed to be the right choice, given that he got the privilege of seeing Mayumi smiling"S- sure! Well, maybe not today, but tomorrow?"

At that, Shinji also smiled. So what if he got nearly killed and stabbed? She was alright, so it was worth the pain.

Once she left the classroom, Shinji and Inumaru turned to face each other.

"So… you ignored what I said and went out anyway. I hope you're happy, I heard you were nearly killed last night." The professor wasted no time getting to the point. "You got lucky this time, but you see now what lengths they'll go to kill you? Why are you even still doing this?"

Shinji simply didn't answer.

"Well?" Inumaru grew impatient. It wasn't a matter of saving his own skin anymore, now he just had to know.

The boy scratched back of his hand.

"I don't know." Shinji responded. "A month ago all I did was exist. I didn't do anything for myself, only doing what I was told while not worrying about other things, convinced nobody cared. Then the spider bit me… It was like I wasn't just existing anymore. I had things I wanted to learn. I was even getting to really know my teacher for the first time. Then… he died. And it was my fault."

His fault? That wasn't right.

"Yamashiro was shot by a criminal who broke into your house." Inumaru questioned. "You didn't kill him."

"That's the thing, I knew that criminal! I let him get away just the day before. I could have stopped him then, but… I didn't. I was so focused on me and Yamashiro died… it was my fault Professor."

Shinji looked away from Inumaru, but the professor could tell a distraught tone when he heard one.

"Right after that, there was a woman in trouble… and I couldn't ignore it, professor. I couldn't. I got myself disguise to protect myself and started helping people. It was the only thing I could do."

The boy's hand clenched to a fist.

"I couldn't run away even if I wanted to, professor. I mustn't run away. Because… with these powers, I can do more than just exist as suffering happens. I can help people and be more than I am! That's why I can't just stop because you ask me to!"

Professor Inumaru went quiet at this student's declaration. To hear these words out of him, that determined expression… this was more than he had ever seen from the student before.

"That may explain things," Kuruto stated, "But that ridiculous costume, there is no reason for it."

Shinji turned his head back to the professor's view, a softer expression on his features, "People were saying I was creepy… as Spider-Man I won't be."

A long pause, seemingly stretched out for eternity, came about. Neither had anything to say to each other. They just simply looked at each other.

Then the professor cleared his throat. "Dammit… you're being so stupid. But I know I can't change your mind. However, I can't let you leave this classroom without telling you."

Confusion was on Shinji's face. "Telling me about what?"

Inumaru stared him down.

"About the spider that bit you…"