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!

III

An Amazing Power


Kneeling on his bed, Izumi stared vacantly at the window in his room.

He rested his elbows upon the frame while he quietly contemplated the nocturnal scenery outside.

The sky was clear, full of brilliant stars reflecting their glow over the ivory moon crowning the firmament. The light from the neighboring houses couldn't eclipse their sublime shining.

His attentiveness easily found the second brightest celestial body above.

"The north star…" Izumi mumbled.

Its presence often comforted him during unfortunate times. He could always see it, even when troublesome weather made it impossible.

He thought about the vastness, the majesty of the universe, and all the possibilities that laid across the great beyond.

"Possibilities…"

After his sudden… 'transformation', endless, unthinkable possibilities were becoming available options.

Regardless, he still lacked the necessary information.

What was happening to him? How far would the changes go? Who had chosen this fate for him?

Could he stop it?

Izumi let out a heavy sigh. His sight continued scouring the constellations, as if the answers were hidden somewhere amidst the cosmos.

Unexpectedly, a loud buzzing reached his ears, startling him.

"G-Gah!" instantly, his eyes broadened, his muscles tensed, and his survival instinct took over.

Izumi unconsciously jumped. In a flash, he bounced off his bed, bumping onto the wall, his hands pressing against the concrete.

A moment later, his exalted nerves steadied, so did his hastened respiration.

When tranquility settled anew, Izumi recognized the mysterious sound.

His phone receiving a call.

Calmly, he turned to look at the ringing device.

Then, Izumi realized what actually happened, once he saw his phone on the mattress below him.

Following that, he spotted the lightbulb of his room, being quite near.

Izumi understood immediately. He wasn't clinging to the wall

He was clinging to the ceiling, like scared cats would do in cartoons.

Puzzled, he gazed down over himself. Somehow, his bare hands and feet remained firmly glued to the smooth surface, effortlessly supporting his entire weight.

Consequently, Izumi remembered the incident at the school library earlier that day. The book mysteriously getting stuck within his grasp.

As if it was welded to his skin.

However, even considering the oddity from such event, the current scenario significantly surpassed it.

This wasn't his doing, nor the cause of a strange, hypothetical substance covering the walls.

Whatever afflicted him only kept worsening.

'How in the world-'

Unexpectedly, his phone buzzed a second time, surprising him further.

And, much to his usual misfortune, Izumi felt his grip on the ceiling loosening.

Slowly, the adherence of his fingertips vanished, foreshadowing an unpleasant, painful outcome.

"Oh no… Please, no, no, no-!"

Thus, Izumi eventually fell onto his bed with a thunderous 'crack'.

Ensuing a graceless descend, he slightly sank into the mattress.

"Ugh…"

Dread consumed him afterwards, upon noticing that his maneuver had broken a wooden slat underneath.

'The-The bed! Dad absolutely won't be happy about this…'

But the incessant beeping of his phone recaptured his attention. So he quickly grabbed it, and tapped the 'answer' button on the screen.

"H-Hello?"

"Izumi?" came Shikimori's tender voice through the speaker.

"H-Hey, Shikimori," Izumi replied nervously. "Is everything alright?"

"I wanted to ask you just that. I thought you were sleeping already."

"I was just getting ready for bed." unwittingly, Izumi glanced towards the wall clock hanging at the other side of his room.

"I see…"

An uncomfortable silence engulfed both teenagers. Yet, before long, Shikimori rekindled the conversation.

"Izumi… I'm worried about you…"

"Are you? W-Why?"

"You've been acting very strange lately. You avoided us all day at school. Is it because of what happened at the bowling alley yesterday?"

That made Izumi wince. Recalling the humiliation from said stunt wasn't enjoyable in the slightest.

"Shikimori…" ensuing a heavy breath, he responded. "Can I ask you something?"

"Uh… Sure!"

"If I were to… suddenly change…" Izumi looked to the window once more. Gently, he placed his free palm over the glass, joining hands with his own reflection. "W-would you still want to be with me?"

"Um… What do you mean by 'change'?"

"Like," pausing momently, he carefully chose the right words, ensuring that his unusual condition stayed secret. "I don't know, if something in me changed overnight, like the color of my hair, or my height… Would you still… l-like me?"

"Of course I would still like you, dummy!" Shikimori answered swiftly, enthusiastically. "You are much more than your appearance. I like you because of your kindness and your honesty and your tenacity. And nothing in this world will ever change that!"

Her response left Izumi speechless. Out of the blue, his face grew hotter, and his heartbeat hastened.

His girlfriend's praises never failed to make him feel butterflies in his belly.

"O-Oh…" he squeaked weakly. "I see… T-Thank you, Shikimori. I think I needed to hear that."

"Don't worry about it," Shikimori replied nonchalantly. "But now, can I ask you a question?"

"Yes, of course! What is it?"

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Taken aback, Izumi blinked, tensing a bit.

Despite not sharing the same physical space, she read him like an open book.

It would be impressive if it wasn't so unnerving.

"Hiding!? W-What do you mean!?"

"It's just-… If there's something bothering you, I wanna' help you. I don't want you to suffer alone because you are not alone. I'm here, with you. A-And when you hide things from me, it makes me feel like-… like you don't actually trust me…"

He was relieved about not seeing his girlfriend now. Merely imagining her worried expression provoked him a profound sense of guilt.

The guilt which assaulted him whenever his unlucky shenanigans inconvenienced her.

"Shikimori…" Izumi turned away from the window. Then, using his other arm, he hugged his legs against his chest. "I trust you, with all my heart, and I would never hide anything from you."

"… Alright… I believe you. Thanks for being honest with me, Izumi."

"Anytime, Shikimori," his tone became quieter, melancholic. "Anytime…"

Shortly later, he heard a faint yawn.

"Listen," Shikimori resumed, sounding rather tired. "I think it's getting late. Promise not to cheat at bowling again?"

Izumi chuckled softly. "I promise."

"See you tomorrow then, Izumi. Good night."

"Good night, Shikimori…"

And the line went silent.

Huffing, Izumi let himself drop onto the bed.

As he laid on his back over the mattress, he absentmindedly stared at the ceiling.

He still couldn't fathom it.

Just moments ago, he was hanging upside down, disrespecting the very concept of gravity.

"And all of it because a spider bit me…"

With curiosity possessing him anew, he moved his hand in front of his face.

He stretched and curled his fingers repeatedly, as if testing his body.

After that, his focus returned to the window.

A wild idea crossed his thoughts.

Perhaps he couldn't stop the transformation occurring inside him.

But maybe, he could test his new abilities.

The azure blue of the sky silently invited him, beckoned him.

'I can't really sneak out, can I?'

Izumi never had interest in the risky, delinquent-ish activities that some people around his age were so enchanted by.

'I don't want my parents to get the wrong idea if they find out…'

He didn't plan to commit a crime. He only wanted answers about his powers.

There was nothing wrong with that, right?

Upon considering it further, and running some simulations in his head, Izumi made his decision.

"I'll do it!"

Scowling, he got off his bed. Subsequently, he headed towards his closet. He put on a hoodie, a pair of old sneakers, a face mask, and grabbed his wallet, just in case.

Before his common sense dissuaded him, he hopped onto his mattress again.

Taking a deep breath, Izumi slowly opened the window.

'I'm going to get in so much trouble…'

Instantaneously, he received the coldness of the night, as he slid his hand across the wall outside.

He sensed a light tingling, static, between his palm and the surface.

By some inscrutable means, his digits kept sticking…

"No way…" Izumi whispered, his eyes widening in sheer awe.

That gave him confidence.

Thusly, he moved his other palm upwards, which also adhered.

So he continued climbing, literally crawling up his house, until he pulled himself over the roof.

When he stood on top of his home, Izumi seized the opportunity to contemplate the magnificent view.

Even with the darkness blanketing the city, he saw the mountain range in the distance, encircling the tall, sparkling buildings populating the area. Long, meandering rivers of light traversed the streets, formed by the cars swiftly traversing them.

The neighborhood he had known for all his life offered a new image.

"Amazing…" he mumbled anew.

Next, he approached the edge of his roof, and cautiously peered down into the empty alleys below.

The sight turned his knees to jelly.

Such altitude could definitely cause grave injuries during a hypothetical fall, with death being within the realm of possibilities.

Gulping, he gazed forward.

A vast series of rooftops sprawled out ahead, their height similar to his own house.

The adjacent building wasn't far. Just a small gap away, easily traversable with a well-calculated jump.

"You can do this," he said lowly while inhaling and exhaling. "You can do this…"

He silently studied the terrain, mentally traced his route across the neighborhood.

Later on, he retraced a few steps, gaining some ground.

"Alright… Let's go!"

Then, abandoning any notion of self-preservation, Izumi dashed forth, rapidly crossing his roof.

Prior to reaching the edge, he clamped his eyelids tightly shut, gritted his teeth, and took a literal leap of faith.

Amidst the obscurity, Izumi felt the nightly breeze swirling around him, in a fleeting moment that lasted centuries.

Though little time passed until his feet met firm soil once more.

Still clenching his jaw, Izumi steadily opened his eyes, wondering if he had survived the bold, albeit reckless stunt.

"D-Did I do it?"

Looking down over himself, he began palpating his body, to ensure every part of his anatomy remained in its rightful place.

Nothing broke. Nothing hurt.

Furthermore, as he scoured the surroundings, he comprehended…

He was now standing on his neighbor's home, completely unscathed.

"I did it… I actually did it… I did it!"

Izumi shouted, throwing his arms to the air in sign of triumph.

Adrenaline quickly rushed through his system.

Weirdly enough, he acquired an immense appreciation for his powers.

'This is not a curse. It's a gift!'

Smiling widely, Izumi spun.

And without hesitation, he started leaping from one rooftop to the next.

Each consequent jump granted him additional valor. He navigated the entire city of Hino faster than any bus or taxi, laughing at his heart's content.

Therefore, his newfound ambition made him ignore the space that was too broad to simply leap through.

Nevertheless, he realized while in mid-flight, while he lost impulse, and sank earthwards.

"Oh no! No, no, no!"

Everything unexplainably became slower.

During his final instants airborne, he unconsciously glanced at the streets beneath, at the asphalt getting increasingly, dangerously nearer.

Crippling trepidation replaced his childish excitement. His unfounded arrogance would put him in the emergency room.

Assuming he could live to tell the tale…

'This is going to hurt!'

But suddenly, in a flash of muscle memory, Izumi extended his arm, curling his middle and ring fingers into his palm.

His shock grew exponentially, when a lengthened tendril of pristine webbing emerged from his wrist, with that familiar 'thwipp!' sound.

He held onto it strongly, desperately.

And against the insurmountable odds, he didn't fall.

Instead, Izumi felt the silky strand tensing within his grasp. His aerial dive turned into a steady ascension, mimicking a pendulum.

The world blurred into motley smudges as he kept swinging.

'The web must have anchored itself to another building.'

Izumi gazed above. However, he couldn't see the upper anchor point, for the silver rope transporting him faded in the dark of the night.

Irregardless, his test flight ended shortly after, with the web-line losing its momentum upon reaching the highest point of its arc.

Panicking again, Izumi instinctively looked down, fortunately finding solid ground underneath.

This time, he played his cards safely and released the strand, which allowed him to gracefully alight onto the roof below.

Retrieving his foothold, he scanned the vicinity, also recovering his breath.

Izumi quickly recognized his current location, thanks to the giant bowling pin peeking over the facade of the building where he stood.

"The 'Sakano Amusement Plaza'…"

A place he knew very well, just not from this perspective.

Frankly, it resembled a dream.

For the first time in his life, confidence filled him aplenty. He had finally experienced true freedom, and he enjoyed it quite a lot.

Remaining wonderstruck, he gazed heavenward, into the infinite, stellated veil of the universe.

It differed greatly from seeing it through the window of his room.

The celestial vault seemed more vivid. The endless stars inside it were brighter, clearer. He even spotted a long-tailed, multi-colored comet sailing across the distant firmament.

Soon, his sight found the all-too familiar, 'w-shaped' constellation floating near the north star.

"Cassiopeia…"

Here, atop the plaza, Izumi believed himself closer to the skies than ever before.

Slowly, he raised one hand, feeling like the very cosmos was within his reach.

A faint smile stretched his lips.

"This is so crazy," he whispered, lowering his palm and staring at it contemplatively. "I really am like a spider now…"

He wanted to tell someone about this. He wanted to share this gift with the world.

Fortuitous misfortune would shackle him no longer.

With these capabilities, he would become the master of his own fate.

A better tomorrow awaited him, and his loved ones.

Things could only improve henceforth.

Or so Izumi thought…

The nocturnal wind unexpectedly blew in his direction, startling him slightly.

Yet, the real surprise came when a fast-flying blur spontaneously crashed onto his face.

Although he sensed no pain from the abrupt attack, his vision was totally obscured, and he couldn't breathe.

"Mmphh!" getting fretful, Izumi grumbled against the mysterious covering.

The constant wrinkling sounds revealed the secret. An errant newspaper must have navigated the breeze, making its arduous journey towards him.

Right away, he removed the sheet, inhaling profoundly once he did.

Nonetheless, despite having regained the ability to see, he couldn't anticipate the following mishap.

While stumbling aimlessly in fright, Izumi accidentally took a wrong step.

Where there was no ground…

"Whoah-Whoah-Whoah!"

And he fell from the roof.

As he swiftly plunged onto the streets, he frantically clawed at the air, praying for a lifeline to magically appear.

But it wouldn't.

Thereby, his fall concluded rather rapidly.

He brusquely landed on his back with a loud 'thud'. Agony manifested later.

"Ugh… Ouch…"

Still, the ache seemed strangely… minimal.

Puzzled, Izumi lifted his head, moving around a bit, additional crinkling noises ensued.

It immediately became evident, after he noticed the plastic bags beneath, and a stomach-churning stench burning his nostrils.

His prayers were answered.

In the form of an open dumpster cushioning his crash landing.

Grimacing, he stayed motionless, being immensely grateful for the little mask shielding his nose.


Once again, Izumi found himself staring blankly at his own reflection.

More specifically, at the drinks behind the glass of the walk-in cooler before him.

Following his marvelous journey through the rooftops, and his consequent downfall, he chose to return home like a normal person.

Along the way, he came across a small convenience store.

The strenuous parkour session of earlier left him quite exhausted.

A fresh juice or a sweet yogurt surely would suffice until the next morning.

His gaze silently went across the numerous options. Luckily, he was the only customer, so his rancid smell wouldn't bother other people.

Instinctually, he reached for his wallet, wanting to know his budget.

Alas, he couldn't find it…

Izumi's eyes broadened, panic seized him soon after.

"Oh, no…"

He quickly checked his pockets anew, all of them, repeatedly.

Nothing…

"Not again…" he huffed. "I must have lost it while jumping through the roofs, or maybe in that dumpster."

Sighing, Izumi let his shoulders drop in defeat.

Thus far, this whole experience wasn't shaping into the triumphant awakening he previously thought.

Perhaps losing his money was his divine punishment for sneaking out.

As he lamented such unfavorable fate, he heard the bell of the front door sliding open.

Then, he felt that dreadful sensation taking over.

His blood chilling inside his veins, and the tiny hairs on his nape rising.

He sensed danger.

"Open the cash register!"

Izumi spun instantly, encountering a frightening scene.

A tall, burly man stood in front of the counter, pointing a gun at a short elder, who simply held his hands up in the air.

The newcomer wore completely black clothes. He sported a dark hoodie that resembled his, which had a huge, white-tinted spider stamped on the back. Obscure jeans and combat boots matched the full attire.

The ominous symbol made it abundantly clear.

He was a member of the 'Tarantulas' gang.

While the fretful store worker, a wizened, grey-haired senior, reminded him of his father.

A thousand questions filled his thoughts. He couldn't think clearly. Any wrong move would cause a tragedy.

He remained rooted to the spot, merely watching as he silently meditated an appropriate course of action.

'Should I call the police? Can they get here before something bad happens? B-But I didn't bring my phone with me! What can I do? Maybe I could go out and get help! How long would that take!? Can I even do it without the robber noticing!? What if-'

"Do it, old man!" the thug suddenly shouted. "Or I'll put two bullets between your eyes, and then I'll open it myself…"

Shivering, the store worker eventually complied. With unsteady motions, he swiveled towards the cash register and started pressing some buttons.

Whereas Izumi still didn't react.

He just lingered there. His jaw hanging in shock. His arms and legs frozen, disconnected from his brain, even while it fiercely screamed.

'I can't just stay put! I have to do something!'

That's when he remembered.

Maybe he could do something…

No longer was he a simple, scrawny kid pursued by bad luck.

His new abilities could make the difference.

Izumi wanted to share his gift with the world.

Now, he had a chance to do so.

Gnashing his teeth, he clenched his fists until both got numb.

His mind commanded his body afresh, and his limbs finally obeyed.

The enormous trepidation shackling him vanished instantaneously.

Because he knew very well.

Doing nothing was the worst.

Hence, Izumi walked forward, nearing the counter.

And with the firmest voice he could muster, he called out the robber.

"S-Stop right there!"

An unnerving quietude filled the store later.

Unhurriedly, the thug lowered his weapon, turning to face Izumi.

"What did you just say?" he said, sounding disbelieving.

Izumi noticed then, a blackened ski mask and sunglasses concealed the criminal's identity. This man definitely dressed as someone hiding from the law.

Fear paralyzed him. His knees trembled, almost buckled under his own weight.

He refused, however, to show hesitation.

"You will not rob this store," Izumi exclaimed, strengthening his scowl. "I-I won't allow it!"

"Huh, really?" the robber replied with a laugh.

Unexpectedly, he stepped before Izumi, lifting his pistol once more.

"And what are you going to do about it, tough guy?"

Izumi's eyes peeled. He unconsciously retraced a step. The gleaming gun barrel hovered right in front of his nose.

In that moment, his enhanced senses activated again.

It felt as if he was swimming at the bottom of a deep pool.

The next events played like a pre-recorded movie.

The robber's finger pressing the trigger. A fiery burst illuminating the surroundings, and the bullet propelling outwards from the cannon.

A sequence which might have lasted two seconds at most.

But for Izumi, such fleeting instant resembled hours.

He had plenty of time to dodge the projectile, moving with utmost certainty.

The bullet harmlessly impacted some groceries at the back.

Ensuing that, things became normal anew.

The absolute silence returned. Izumi and the thug exchanged puzzled looks.

"What the hell?…" the robber whispered. "H-How did you-… You have no idea… who you're messing wit-!"

Perceiving an opportunity, instinct drove Izumi to throw a punch that solidly landed on the thug's chest.

A noisy crunch echoed as the criminal groaned in pain, and was torn off the floor by the sheer force of the strike.

Amazingly, the hit brusquely sent him flying through the sliding doors behind him, akin to a wrecking ball.

The thick crystals shattered into a million pieces upon the impact, not unlike cheap porcelain.

Bits of broken glass upholstered the ground, and Izumi just lingered there, completely unmoving, utterly aghast with his… inhuman feat.

'I-… I really didn't punch him that hard, did I?'

Awestruck, he gazed at the menacing thug, being reduced to a weeping mess, writhing on the sidewalk outside the store.

Then, he glanced to the old man on the other side of the counter, who was staring at him like he had a third eye, without uttering a single word.

Lastly, his vision fell over his open, trembling palms.

His fears manifested again sevenfold. He was confused, horrified by his own actions.

By his own power…

The power that made him feel so liberated earlier, now terrified him to no end…

His breathing hastened until it reached hyperventilation.

Feeling immense dread and regret, Izumi bolted out of the store.

"W-Wait!"

He ignored the call during his frantic run across the shadowy avenue.

His main concern was to put as much distance between himself, and the havoc he left behind, as possible.

He prayed with all his heart that he could leave this in the past.

This night would be buried. He would keep his arachnid abilities secret, forever buried.

It wasn't a gift. It was a curse, befitting his unfortunate existence.

Izumi's lean, silent figure slowly faded in the gathering darkness, at last aware that, in this world, with great power also comes great responsibility.


Thank you so much for reading!

Feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts, your feedback and support is greatly appreciated.

Until then, stay awesome y'all!

I'll see you again when the time is right.

Excelsior!