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!
IV
To Be Greater
"Yo, Izumi… Izumi?… Wake up, Izumi!"
After feeling a light shake on his shoulder, Izumi grumbled and strenuously lifted his head.
He let out a long yawn, then blinked repeatedly to adjust his wonky senses.
Profound grogginess still plagued him.
Normally, the idea of sleeping in class wouldn't have even crossed his mind.
But last night's escapade began taking its toll. He couldn't rest for more than two hours upon returning home.
Things were changing. He was changing.
And his best friend naturally noticed.
When his vision cleared, Izumi firstly encountered Inuzuka sitting in the desk before his own.
"Are you alright?" Inuzuka asked, concern shadowed his face. "I can't believe you actually fell asleep in class."
"I couldn't sleep last night…" rubbing his right eye, Izumi answered with a low, hoarse voice.
"Yeah, I can tell. You look as if someone had dumped you in the trash."
"H-How did you find out!?" getting up from his chair, Izumi unexpectedly exclaimed. The eerily-accurate comment inevitably activated his inner alarms.
"How did I find out what!?" startled, Inuzuka raised his hands as if he was pleading innocence.
Subsequently, Izumi quieted.
It wasn't until he glanced at his surroundings, that he saw his classmates giving him weird stares.
However, he became most worried about nearly revealing his secret.
"Um… N-Nevermind, sorry," Izumi slowly sat down again, growing self-conscious. "It's just… there's been a lot in my mind lately…"
Momently, Inuzuka looked away pensively, pursing his lips.
"Are you still thinking about what happened at the bowling alley?"
"Partly, yeah…"
"Dude, I get that it was awkward, but I promise you, nobody will remember it in a few days. It's not worth stressing over it so much."
"You really think so?"
"Of course! Honestly, weirder things have happened to you. Like that time a truck crashed against your house."
A soft chuckle escaped Izumi's lips. He treasured these occasions greatly. The times where he could just shrug off his problems and laugh alongside those dear to him.
That brought him some much-needed comfort, especially following his sudden metamorphosis into a human spider.
"See? That's the spirit!" Inuzuka beamed. "Now, why don't we grab something to eat? Some food will help you stay awake for the next cla-"
"Guuuys!"
A thunderous call rumbled throughout the classroom.
Immediately, everyone's sight fell upon the overly-energetic Nekozaki rushing in, with an unenthusiastic Hachimitsu slowly treading on her heels.
"Have you seen this yet?" the loud girl approached Izumi and Inuzuka, who simply gave her a puzzled expression. "You gotta' watch this!"
She rose her phone, playing a video on full screen.
The device showed some silent, grainy footage from, apparently, a CCTV camera. It depicted the interior of a convenience store, populated by exactly three people.
A person behind the counter, and two hooded men facing each other. A tall, dark-dressed figure against a much shorter one wearing lighter clothes.
Cold-sweat swiftly formed on Izumi's forehead. The images seemed… oddly familiar, though he didn't know for sure what was happening.
"What is this supposed to be?" cocking his brow, Inuzuka turned to Nekozaki.
"Shhh! Watch!"
Both boys obeyed the command without questioning.
At that instant, an extraordinary event manifested.
The black-cloaked man suddenly revealed a gun. An abrupt flash illuminated the picture, and the next individual dodged the shot so quickly that the camera barely caught it.
Later, another lightning-fast movement occurred, when the smaller person punched the armed character.
Consequently, the dark-robed man was catapulted off the ground, breaking through the doors of the store in a sequence which resembled an action movie.
"Whoah! What the hell?" Inuzuka said disbelieving.
"I know, right?" Nekozaki added. "Pretty crazy."
Whereas Izumi only trembled, speaking no words. He gulped while the video came to an end, with his hurried escape from the scene.
He couldn't question it afterwards.
His adventure was recorded for posterity.
Fortunately, his back remained turned throughout the entire footage. Perhaps, his secret, and his identity, would persist as an internet mystery.
Assuming there weren't more videos being shared…
"No way this is real," Inuzuka spoke anew. "No way."
"I told her the same thing." Hachimitsu chimed in once she rejoined the group.
"Did it ever occur to you that it could be a publicity stunt for, I dunno', maybe a movie?"
"Dude, I swear, it's real!" Nekozaki retorted. "It even appeared on the news. Check this out!"
She tapped on her phone again. The image shifted to a different video.
Izumi's eyes went wide.
The old man from the convenience store appeared in the frame.
"The robber walked up to the counter," he talked into a microphone hovering near him. "He pulled out a gun, and told me to open the cash register. I just stood there. I couldn't move because I was very scared. The robber yelled at me again, I thought he was going to shoot me. But then, this teenager approached and told the robber 'I will not let you rob this store!'
The robber shot him at point blank, but the boy just dodged the bullet. It was crazy! Then, the boy punched the robber so hard, that he went right through the automatic door. There was broken glass everywhere. After that, he looked at me, and then ran out of the store. I tried to stop him but he was very fast. That's when I called the police, and told them what happened."
"Is there something you would like to say to this anonymous hero?" a woman outside the picture questioned.
The old man's wizened features softened. He looked at the camera before resuming.
"Thank you… After I called the police, I called my wife. I don't think I would be here, if it wasn't for that boy. He looked very young, I have a grandson that must be around the same age. It's good to see that young people still care about helping others. My father told me once, that the world could aways use more heroes…"
The picture changed to show an elegant news anchor addressing the audience.
"So far, the anonymous hero hasn't been identified yet," she said solemnly. "But the robber has been confirmed to be a member of the 'Tarantulas' gang. The police began an investigation to find the mysterious hero, as they fear that this incident might inspire a surge of vigilantism in the city, in response to the increasing crime rates within the urban area. In other news, there have been reports about a strange object, from outer space, impacting the shores of the 'Sakhalin Island' in Russia-"
"Yeah, still seems fishy to me." Inuzuka commented, interrupting the video.
"I find your lack of faith disturbing, bleh," Nekozaki stuck out her tongue in a mocking manner. "What do you think, Izumi? … Izumi?"
There was no response.
Izumi unwittingly dismissed the call, growing oblivious to his immediate environment.
Instead, he glanced at the broad window beside his desk.
His attention drifted far across the distance. His silent, longing gaze navigated through the pristine, cerulean firmament, the green mountain range over the horizon, and the numerous buildings encompassed by it.
He thought about those that worked in such places.
The realization seemed rather… humbling…
How the world kept moving even when he stopped. The endless amount of people merely doing their best, living alongside him during a precious, yet chaotic age, where pretty much anything could happen to anyone.
Nonetheless, despite being so small, insignificant, he still made an impact.
He prevented a crime. He saved an innocent man.
His new powers brought light into this city, which slowly sank into darkness.
Izumi understood then. He had to share his gift with others.
With the living, the dead, and everyone needing help.
But he couldn't.
Izumi Yuuki just couldn't become a savior.
He would have to be greater than a simple highschooler.
"Izumi?" on the spur of the moment, his friends beckoned him again.
"S-Sorry, what?" taken off guard, he shook his head, setting his mind in the current events.
"Are you alright?" Nekozaki questioned him, arching an eyebrow. "You seem distracted. I mean, more than usual."
"I-I'm fine," Izumi replied. "It's just… Has anyone seen Shikimori?"
"Uh… I think she went to the bathroom?" Inuzuka said, seemingly confused. "But what does that have to do with-"
"Excuse me!" by surprise, Izumi stood up from his chair. "I have to go! I'll talk to you guys later!"
"Later? Izumi, wait-!"
The plea fell on deaf ears, since Izumi rapidly dashed forth, leaving the classroom.
He had a revelation. He needed guidance, an example to follow.
And he only knew of one subject where he could find the necessary blueprints for his marvelous journey.
The next day after school, Izumi, alongside his girlfriend, went on a special shopping trip.
To a place he always passed by when going home, but never actually visited.
A small store, unlike any other in town.
He didn't know a lot about American comics, and his English communication skills weren't stellar either.
Nevertheless, despite the significant language barrier, he felt quite welcome inside the shop.
Several colorful, bombastic covers plastered the bookshelves surrounding him. Every single book remained within a protective cellophane bag. Even so, he could appreciate the art easily.
Anywhere he looked, his sight found striking superhero memorabilia.
Big posters, stylized action figures, t-shirts with heroic designs, plus a few banners hanging from the ceiling.
The store definitely had a unique charm.
Izumi kept admiring the fantastic scenery while he waited before the counter.
"I didn't know you liked superheroes, Izumi." Shikimori said, glancing around the shop curiously.
"Eh… I uh…" Izumi stammered nervously.
At the beginning, he wanted to visit the store alone, because his secret would jeopardize otherwise.
Yet, he just couldn't refuse his cute girlfriend offering her company.
Regardless, the situation demanded cunning and dissimulation, lest sensitive information about his arachnid abilities may surface.
"I-I just saw a movie that got me interested!" Izumi blurted out, turning, forcing a smirk. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to visit this store, heh…"
Bereft of speech, Shikimori only gave him a confused stare.
In response, he merely widened his false grin, whereas his inner self instantly succumbed to panic.
'She's giving me that look again! I think she might be getting suspicious. What do I do!? I have to say something.'
"W-Well, you see-"
A loud 'thum' noise unexpectedly interrupted his idea.
Like clockwork, Izumi spun again, encountering a box full of comics upon the counter, as well as the store owner who brought it.
An elderly man with silver hair, and a bushy moustache that matched. He sported lightly-tinted glasses, which Izumi considered odd since they were indoors. However, the senior also had a calid, contagious smile on his amicable, albeit shriveled face.
Meanwhile, the large cardboard box between them possessed a weather-beaten semblance too. Torn over the edges, not to mention very dusty.
The contents didn't fare much better. Numerous books filled the worn container, though their colors seemed washed-out. The printed paper was creased, ripped.
All these volumes saw better days than the present.
"Don't judge these comic books by their cover," the store owner said. The enthusiasm in his voice starkly contrasted against his apparent age. "This box has some of the greatest stories ever published by the big two. The paper is not in the best shape, but I promise you, every issue is worth the money. Ain't that right, Steve?"
He gestured to a secluded corner of the shop, where another old man simply contemplated the transaction in silence.
"It's the objective truth." the newcomer answered, shrugging and pursing his lips.
"Uh…" puzzled by the strange interaction, Izumi focused anew on the counter. "S-So, how much is it for one of these comics, mister 'Lee'?"
"Hmm…" the store owner brushed his chin pensively. "How about this? Give me 2,000 yen and you can take everything in the box. Deal?"
"W-Wait, really?" Izumi questioned, blinking with disbelief.
"Absolutely! So, what do you say?"
There should've been at least a hundred individual comics inside that box. Despite their deteriorated state, for such a low price, the offer sounded greatly appealing.
"I'll take it!"
Without hesitation, Izumi happily reached for his wallet, being trilled about the deal he got.
He searched his right pocket, then the left one, and then those on his rear side, ultimately finding nothing…
"E-Eh… Eh!?" yelping, he quickly checked afresh, hoping that, somehow, his money would magically materialize. "Oh, no, not again…"
The mishap struck him mightily, because losing a pair of wallets during the same week surely shattered his spirit.
"What's wrong, Izumi?" Shikimori asked concerned, approaching from behind.
"I-… I lost my wallet again…" Izumi replied, pouting.
"What? Again? How?"
The explanation swiftly came to him, once his hand unwittingly went through a hole in the fabric of his pants.
"S-Sorry, Izumi," Shikimori continued, despondency shadowed her expression. "If I had money to spare, I would pay for them, but-"
"That's alright…" Izumi gazed forth with a defeated stare. "T-Thank you for your time, mister…"
Growing crestfallen, he stepped back from the counter and swiveled, preparing to leave the shop.
His girlfriend, walking beside him, placed her hand on his shoulder, giving him what little comfort she could.
'Powers or not, I guess fortune is still a fickle mistress…'
"Wait!"
Instantaneously, both teenagers froze, spinning.
"Why don't you just take the box?" the store owner said impassively.
"W-What?" Izumi blinked, perking up.
"Take the box, it's alright."
"N-No. I can't…"
"Please, I insist," the store owner faintly pushed the box in his direction. "These comics should be in someone's collection, not collecting dust at the back of the store."
Izumi gulped nervously. "Are you sure?"
"You can come back later and pay for them if you want."
Ensuing that, Izumi and Shikimori exchanged joyful glances, prior to bowing their heads simultaneously.
"T-Thank you, mister Lee!" Izumi suddenly exclaimed, nearing the counter again, grabbing the box.
"No problem, kiddo'! Oh, and by the way, just call me 'Stan'."
"Thank you, mister 'Stan'…"
"Take care, both of you. Excelsior!" the store owner waved goodbye at them one last time as they spun.
A little bell jingled after Shikimori, having taken the lead, opened the door for Izumi.
When they exited the shop, the evening sun welcomed them to a mostly-empty avenue. Purplish clouds traversed the golden skies, and a soothing wind blew across the town.
"Do you need help with that, Izumi?" Shikimori inquired, unconsciously letting her over-protective personality surface.
"It's okay, I got it!" Izumi answered.
"You sure?"
"Did you forget who carried you on his back when we went to see the fireworks?"
"Fair point. But if you get tired just let me know, okay?"
"I will. Thanks, Shikimori."
Thus, the couple kept marching on, following their usual route home.
"You know," Shikimori spoke. "The owner of that store looked very familiar. I feel like I have seen him somewhere else."
"Yeah, I thought so too," Izumi added. "I'll try to have a closer look the next time I visit the store to pay him."
"Be sure to keep an eye on your wallet when you do."
Izumi frowned a bit. "I might have to strap it to my arm…"
His response elicited a soft giggle from Shikimori.
Friendly banter filled their tranquil voyage. The two highschoolers found great delight in each other's company, and uplifting reassurance in the fact that some people still could see beyond fleeting monetary gain.
The pragmatic owner of that comic book store certainly proved it.
Not all heroes wear capes.
The rest of the week was a rather solitary period for Izumi.
Everyday, as soon as he got home from school, he hopped onto his bed and read the comic book backlog generously given to him.
He carefully studied each issue, more than once.
The characters. The storylines. The artwork.
Even if English wasn't his biggest talent, he learned plenty about heroism.
The heroes drawn in those pages were brave, exceptional, yet selfless, kind-hearted people.
Beneath the flamboyant powers, the hyperbolic writing, and the universal-scale stakes, they were human.
Flawed, doubtful, with limits, but still defenders of the defenseless, creating hope where none remained, prevailing against the most despairing odds.
Such valor greatly motivated Izumi.
Therefore, he got to work.
In the very same evening, he went on another shopping trip.
He bought a full-body, royal-blue spandex suit. Essentially, a long underwear, so keeping it secret below his school uniform wouldn't be a hard task.
When choosing the distinctive color, he instinctively remembered Shikimori's eyes, since he considered them his lucky charms.
Later, he purchased a cheap utility belt at a hardware store. Its pouches served well for storing a diverse inventory, like first-aid supplies, small snacks, or pocket money.
Some fashion sense influenced the next steps.
Upon returning to his room, Izumi took an old, purple sweatshirt from his closet, then tore off its sleeves, turning it into a hooded vest.
Despite his drawing skills being near non-existent, he designed his own symbol, inspired by the amazing creature bestowing him magnificent abilities.
He knew the consequences his decision could bring. He knew the fear that the Tarantulas incited, and their arachnid icon appearing during their felonious activities.
The police inevitably would create an association with those criminals.
However, Izumi didn't let that deter him.
Hence, he sewed a tiny emblem onto his sweatshirt.
A little, amicable-looking spider, because that was who he wanted to become.
Hino's friendly neighborhood.
His excitement made him oblivious to the numerous times he accidentally stabbed his fingertips.
Lastly, he grabbed a pair of scissors, and separated the head-covering part from the spandex suit. After that, he cut two holes for his eyes on the mask.
To fill the gaps, he used the white-tinted lenses of his snowboard goggles, which also concealed his identity, should the worst ever pass.
'I can always buy another pair, and I won't be needing them to go skiing anytime soon…'
It had been done.
Izumi brought his heroic persona to life.
His makeshift outfit, while practical, probably wouldn't protect him from deadly weapons.
Regardless, he could make due with his enhanced reflexes.
Now, he only needed a name.
All heroes possessed a short, memorable, and awe-inspiring name that perfectly embodied their best traits.
Enlightenment didn't take long to reach him.
Though the world may mock Izumi Yuuki, the meek, unlucky teenager, it would soon marvel at the incredible might of-
"Spider-Man…"
In the past, he prayed for a hero to rescue him.
But what if he could become that hero himself?
Thank you so much for reading, true believers!
Apologies for the uneventful chapter, but it was a necessary step to set up the rest of story. Buckle up because, from now on, only action and drama will follow!
Don't be afraid to leave a comment with your thoughts about the story, every bit of feedback is greatly appreciated around here.
I will see y'all again when the time is right.
Excelsior!
