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!

V

The Friendly Neighborhood


"Yo, Izumi! We're going to the mall, wanna' come with us?"

"Thanks, but I have to go home early today. I'll talk to y'all tomorrow in class, alright?"

Once the bell rang, Izumi left alone.

Remorse manifested quickly, because he refused Shikimori's proposal to walk home with him.

Although, such neglect wasn't originated from malice.

In this day, he would make his debut as a real-life superhero.

Rushing through the vacant avenue, he sought a discreet place along the way.

Soon, he located a secluded alley between two stores.

Without wasting time, Izumi entered the narrow passage. He looked at both directions, double-checking that no prying eyes were upon him.

'No one's around. Good.'

Later, he went behind a nearby dumpster, then lowered his backpack.

Afterwards, he began taking off his uniform, unveiling his blue spandex suit.

He reached for his school bag again, pulling out the rest of his costume. He buckled his utility belt, put on his hooded vest, and the final touch.

His mask.

Thus, 'Spider-Man' appeared.

When the 'transformation' was complete, Izumi lifted his vision.

Fiery-orange clouds drifted aimlessly across a purple firmament. Broad shadows stretched over the surrounding street.

His attentiveness found the top of the building before him.

Crawling up there like a true arachnid probably wouldn't be a big deal.

But he wanted to try something different.

'I wonder if I can get there with a jump…'

In his mind, it made perfect sense. His enhanced condition also included superior strength, which already let him accomplish amazing feats.

Not a mystery some practice couldn't solve.

Making his decision, Izumi saved his normal clothes inside his backpack, and hid it underneath an abandoned newspaper.

Consequently, he returned to his previous spot.

Gazing skyward anew, he silently calculated his path.

Inhaling deeply, he squatted lightly. His thighs instantly tightened.

Following a moment of mental preparation, Izumi jumped.

Everything became blurry. A raging wind swiftly enveloped him, plus the gentle heat from the evening sun.

However, he didn't just leap above the building.

He ascended even higher…

"Whoah!" bewildered, he unconsciously waved his arms and legs, mimicking a swimming motion as he remained airborne.

'I didn't think I could jump this high!'

For a few seconds, Izumi saw the entire city unfurling ahead.

The various houses populating the terrain. The numerous cars navigating the interconnected roads, in addition to the people wandering alongside them.

All beneath the ever-spreading solar beams.

The panoramic view awed him immensely. Watching his neighborhood, the citizens, each living a unique, albeit humble life that kept the town functioning.

Nonetheless, his flight of fancy abruptly ended, since he started losing impulse…

Izumi's pupils dilated, signaling his growing dread.

Instinctually, he glanced down.

Luckily, miraculously, the distance between himself and the store below wasn't too pronounced.

Confidence filled him afresh. Yet, he remembered what cockiness might cause. The last thing he needed now was a trip to the hospital.

Stilling his heartbeat, he tensed his muscles. While gravity steadily brought him earthwards, he maintained his heels together.

Eventually, his feet encountered the solid surface. Huffing, Izumi crouched after landing on that roof.

And he felt… fine…

There weren't any broken bones or painful bruises. Heck, the strain in his calves was almost non-existent.

"T-That was… amazing…" he mumbled upon realizing how little he actually understood about his powers.

He cleared a vertical height of approximately four stories, then alighted without issues.

The enthusiasm surged once more.

"Alright… Let's go, Spider-Man!"

Izumi continued jumping throughout the buildings, merely exploring, testing his own capabilities while he got accustomed to his suit.

He simply roamed around for a couple of hours, checking if someone needed help.

Surely enough, in due course, he spotted a wailing soul requiring assistance.

Though it wasn't what he expected.

Amidst an isolated street, a lonely, weeping girl stood.

'I think she might be lost…'

Immediately, Izumi descended onto the lane, and cautiously approached the crying kid.

"H-Hey there!" he said softly, nearing her side. "Are you lost? Where are your parents?"

Sniffling, the girl wiped the tears off her cheeks, turning towards him. A brief silence ensued as she inspected him, remaining poker-faced.

"You're… a 'Power Ranger'?" she asked innocently.

'P-Power Ranger!?' taken off guard, Izumi blinked under his mask. Quickly, he began doubting his choice of attire. 'Maybe I should have added a cape…'

"He-he, I'm not a Power Ranger," chuckling, he kneeled beside the little girl. "I'm 'Spider-Man'. Why are you crying?"

She released a hiccup before answering. "My cat is stuck in that tree. It's too tall and I can't get there…"

Izumi's vision followed her direction. Slightly awestruck, he contemplated the gigantic pine in front of them. Its height easily dwarfed the adjacent houses, and even managed to block the sun.

Narrowing his eyes, he located a dark spot amongst the upper boughs.

It was a black cat with white paws, curled on the tallest branch.

Pursing his lips, he frowned, genuinely wondering how such a tiny creature got up that high so casually, nevermind the reason.

But he understood what the situation entailed.

Seeing a pet endangered wasn't unlike watching a family member be jeopardized. He knew it better than anyone since his home, too, fostered a precious feline friend.

He also comprehended the significance of aiding a stranger.

Because a similar scenario connected his life to Shikimori's.

Months ago, when a foul wind took away his test ticket, she retrieved it, driven by mere kindness and asking for nothing in return.

Now, he could do the same.

He could become someone else's hero.

Thusly, Izumi rose determined.

"Don't worry," he said, sounding amicable, albeit confident. "I will rescue your cat. Stay here."

With that, he headed to the pine.

Once there, he took a deep breath, and gently placed his palms over the tree bark.

He firmly pressed his fingertips upon the rugged surface, feeling the adherence on his skin, which granted him further reassurance.

Hence, Izumi started sliding both hands upwards, ascending the voluminous trunk like he did the first night he snuck out.

"B-Be careful, mister!" he heard the girl's squeaky voice as he kept climbing.

In no time, he reached the canopy.

"There you are," glancing at his right flank, Izumi immediately found the timid feline clinging to the branch. "Here, kitty, kitty…"

The cat meowed quietly while he slowly approached.

"Please don't attack me, please don't attack me, I just want to help you!"

Anxiety consumed him, although he didn't fear the precarious position. He suspected that his augmented capabilities would help him withstand a hypothetical fall.

Accidentally dropping the cat worried him more.

Nevertheless, Izumi discovered that the small creature was being oddly cooperative.

A rare stroke of good luck.

"Poor thing must be really scared," ever-so carefully, he lifted the cat from the branch. "It's alright, I'll get you down now…"

Using one arm, he cuddled the shivering feline against his chest, and with his free hand, he 'shot' a web onto another robust branch above.

He glanced down afresh. The pronounced altitude wasn't very intimidating. Rather, he focused on finishing the rescue properly.

Steeling his nerves, Izumi left the branch. The silky rope in his grasp tensed a bit.

However, he later started descending.

He maintained the 'sign of the horns' gesture during the process, ensuring that the webbing continued flowing through his wrist, resembling an elevator mechanism.

Steadily, the ground grew nearer, plus the girl's impressed expression became clearer.

Thereby, he safely touched the soil again.

"Here you go," severing the silk rope, Izumi handed the little cat back to the little girl. "Safe and sound."

"Felicia!" she exclaimed happily, taking the tiny feline in her hands.

Such scene made the hassle worth it. The reunion certainly stirred Izumi's heartstrings.

"Please keep a closer eye on your cat," he unexpectedly spoke, crouching anew to level with the girl, earning her attention. "Cats are naturally curious, and they like to climb up to high places, but sometimes they can't climb down by themselves."

"I-I will!" she said, still smiling widely. "Thank you so much, 'Ultraman'!"

Izumi only chuckled silently. After that, he placed his hand on the girl's head, so he could ruffle her hair affectionately, eliciting a short giggle from her.

Then, she spun and sprinted towards one of the neighboring houses, leaving the area.

Meanwhile, Izumi lingered.

His sight aligned with the horizon as a tender breeze enveloped him.

Words simply escaped him. He failed to pinpoint what he currently experienced.

He sensed a great calm, but also overwhelming exhilaration. He perceived a pleasant satisfaction, yet he kept longing for the mysterious warmth spreading throughout his body.

At that moment, clarity arrived…

The corners of his mouth quirked up.

He felt happiness.

Helping brought him immeasurable happiness. And the excitement just increased with the prospect of being able to share his gift with others in the future.

Alas, the sunset loomed upon him.

'I-Is it so late already!? How long have I been just wandering around!? I completely lost track of time!'

Izumi instantly remembered his pending assignments, not to mention his uniform waiting amidst the trash.

Consequently, he rose and began his hurried homecoming.

Though the unintentional neglect of his responsibilities didn't make him forget what he accomplished today.

In his debut, 'The Amazing Spider-Man' rescued a cat from a tree.


A few days later, 'Spider-Man' became the talk of the town.

Newspapers reported about a masked acrobat roaming the city.

Pictures and videos were shared in social media, depicting a mysterious, cloaked figure jumping and swinging through the buildings, occasionally interacting with the locals.

From helping old people cross the street, to assisting lost children so their parents could find them.

No problem was too big or too small.

If someone called for help, he answered the call.

Little by little, the tale of 'the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man' spread like wildfire, despite his deeds involving more community service, rather than actual crime-fighting.

That would change on the day he ventured outside at night time.

Izumi discovered it soon. Evildoers favored the secrecy which nocturnality granted.

The realization became clear once he caught some goons during the act.

Standing atop a tranquil house, he observed them. Mimicking a gargoyle, he looked over a silent, desolate street, where three men gathered around a car.

One was prying the door open with a crowbar, while the other two kept watch.

Izumi recognized their attire immediately. They sported combinations of jeans, vests, jackets, hoodies and ski masks, painted black as the shadows enveloping them.

Yet, the white spider symbol stamped across their backs gave it away.

Those bandits were 'Tarantulas'.

He had been waiting for this moment.

Inhaling, he licked his lips. He sensed the adrenaline filling his veins, and his heart going into overdrive.

"Okay… Here we go…"

Shortly after, Izumi hopped down onto the street. It wasn't a hard landing, his knees withstood the fall without issues. His arrival also elicited no noise, because the goons remained unaware of his presence.

Bringing his hand upwards, near his covered mouth, he cleared his throat before shouting.

"Hey!"

Subsequently, the criminals stopped moving, and slowly spun, giving him a bewildered stare.

Izumi froze under their glare. Even when he eagerly awaited the opportunity to prevent a real felony, he wasn't quite prepared now that the chance presented itself.

Therefore, he followed his arachnid instinct.

With little forethought, he yelled anew at the bandits.

"Leave that car alone!"

The goons, however, persisted unresponsive, unimpressed. They exchanged questioning glances ahead of addressing him.

"Look at this clown, guys," the criminal holding the crowbar suddenly said. "The circus is on the next avenue, freak!"

"Yeah!" another added, keeping the same venomous tone. "Why don't you get lost before something bad happens to you!? Fucking weirdo…"

"Leave it be, man," the third bandit commented, surprisingly sounding less hostile. "The guy must be high."

Whereas Izumi only scowled beneath his mask.

It seemed very easy in the comic books he read. Disregarding allegiance or motive, the villains always showed deference for the heroes.

Meanwhile, these goons openly mocked Spider-Man.

They mocked him.

The world didn't take Izumi Yuuki seriously, and such treatment apparently extended to his 'heroic' persona.

"No, wait…" one of the criminals unexpectedly announced, earning everyone's attention. "I know this guy! I've seen him on the internet. He's some kind of vigilante!"

Izumi instinctively perked up at that, loosening his stiff posture. The resentment boiling within him vanished instantly. He also felt slight glee by his good deeds being recognized.

'C-Could it be…? Am I finally making a difference?'

"He's… He's…" the thug continued. "He's the 'Ant-Man'!"

And his hopes deflated like a punctured balloon.

'Well… It's a start, at least…'

"Holy shit… You're right! My brother saw him building a nest on top of the local temple."

"Whatever," the bandit wielding the crowbar, presumably the leader, resumed. "Is this your car, 'Mosquito-Man'!?"

"I-It's not my car." Izumi responded startled, not really thinking his answer.

"Then why the fuck do you care!?" the criminal bellowed. "Piss off before we really hurt you!"

The threat made Izumi blink, made his legs wobble with hesitation.

Yet, it helped him comprehend.

He wasn't facing cartoonish bad guys, no. He was confronting amoral individuals who knew well the wickedness behind their actions.

He needed to take action, against those who would do wrong and wouldn't yield nor repent.

Steadying his gaze, Izumi straightened his posture, and replied solemnly.

"… I care because… Someone probably worked really hard to afford that car, and you don't have the right to just take it…"

He stepped forth, lifting his coiled fists, assuming a boxing stance.

"I won't let you steal that car…"

Additional seconds passed until the leader spoke afresh.

"You hear that, boys? Motherfucker is asking for it…"

The bandits started surrounding him, akin to vultures encircling a fresh corpse.

"Get him!"

Izumi's enhanced senses went off again. It wasn't mere instinct warning him, for his spatial awareness increased exponentially.

He simultaneously felt everything in the vicinity. The wind blowing through the street, the nearby buildings, plus the motions of the criminals cornering him.

Nothing escaped his notice.

The rest occurred abruptly. A goon rapidly swung an arm towards him.

Although, for Izumi, the attack was quite slow. He thought about watching a video at half the speed.

Unconsciously, he turned his head, effortlessly dodging the punch that dashed before his nose.

He had extra time during the maneuver, which let him spot a second bandit approaching.

Calmly, he moved sidewise, making the two criminals bump onto each other, and gracelessly fall later.

Momently, genuine remorse reached Izumi.

It couldn't be fair. His enemies were steadfast, vicious, but he simply avoided them without sweating.

Natheless, pain swiftly came.

His nape began burning, then it cooled, so the ache soon disappeared.

On cue, Izumi swiveled, finding the third goon ahead him.

Shock ensued, upon looking at the slightly-bent crowbar held by the astonished leader.

He just received a clean hit with a blunt weapon and remained standing…

That shouldn't have been more painful than a slap. Izumi clearly remembered different occasions where mundane projectiles caused him greater injuries.

As such, despite these criminals outnumbering him, he still possessed the advantage.

Henceforth, he needed to use his strength responsibly, because he dreaded sending someone else flying through an automatic door anew.

Delivering a counterattack, he quickly brought his fist upwards. A loud crunch sounded when his knuckles met the bandit's jaw.

Releasing the crowbar, the criminal fell, landing supine, on the ground, stone-cold.

Alas, Izumi didn't even have the chance to regret his actions, once he perceived another strike coming from behind.

He ducked underneath the blow. It seemed like his body already knew and merely waited for his brain to realize.

Retracing a few steps, he straightened up, facing the goon who attempted the surprise attack.

Shouting fiercely, the criminal lunged again, unleashing a fast combination of consecutive blows.

Right jab, left jab, right roundhouse, left haymaker.

Not a single one connected.

Izumi only pivoted and twisted through the assault, barely trying to dodge.

While the bandit kept swinging madly against him, he sought an opening.

In the brief instant between strikes, he found his opportunity, then rapidly punched the criminal's gut.

Groaning noisily, the thug ceased his offense and wrapped both arms around his stomach.

The sight unnerved Izumi a bit. He wasn't applying any real force to his punches, yet it overwhelmed these toughened criminals.

The bandit eventually kneeled, sinking to the ground, apparently knocked out.

Whereas Izumi stood immobile, silently processing the havoc that followed the battle.

Two men, left unconscious by his hand.

The encounter truly hammered the point home for him. He had to be very careful with his powers.

Lawbreakers or otherwise, they were people.

Inflicting unnecessary pain on evildoers wouldn't fix anything.

Concerned, Izumi crouched to inspect the beaten men.

Fortunately, they continued drawing low breaths, even if their squirming halted.

Amply relieved, he sighed.

'I'm glad I didn't hit them too hard. Hopefully these two will learn their lesson… Wait… Two?'

His eyes peeled brusquely. Panicking, he immediately sprang to his feet.

"W-Where's the other one!?" spinning repeatedly, Izumi took hasty, desperate glances at his surroundings. "There were three of them, I'm sure!"

Ultimately, he spotted no one but himself and his shadow on the isolated street, plus the fainted thugs he defeated.

His palms traveled to the back of his head, signaling his rising trepidation.

"Great, now I've done it! I've really done it this time! How could I let one of the criminals escape!? I need to be more alert! I need to find-"

A sudden, albeit distant sound interrupted his self-loathing litany.

An augmented hearing sense wasn't required to recognize the siren of a police car.

Izumi turned on his heel, instantly confirming his worst fears.

Around the corner, he saw bright white and red lights steadily entering the secluded avenue, while the strident horn got louder, nearer.

His mind began conspiring against him, elevating various, worrisome scenarios to the forefront of his thoughts.

They were going to ask for his name. They were going to unmask him.

The world would discover Spider-Man's true identity…

Izumi couldn't let that happen.

Retrieving his lucidity, he made a light squat and jumped towards the roof of a nearby house.

From there on, he kept parkouring across the rooftops, hastily abandoning the crime scene.

As he headed home, the night grew ever darker, just like the obscurity filling the alleyways below.

A new day would hide the truth, and Izumi intended to do the same by wearing his school uniform afresh.

Assuming he could get enough sleep to meditate it further.


His third heroic deed featured a less flamboyant feat, yet it ran deeper.

He protected the person that was most precious to him…

During the usual schedule, a bright, clear day was unexpectedly turned dark and gloomy. Voluminous clouds appeared with the specific purpose of birthing a thick downpour that swept over the city.

Thankfully, by the time school finished, the rain had passed, leaving only its aftermath.

The streets were flooded. Numerous puddles formed on the concrete, pooling near the sidewalks. The atmosphere grew cooler, tarnished, letting the occasional droplet plummet onto the Earth.

So, despite the omnipresent humidity, the calm weather didn't call for the use of umbrellas.

Which allowed Izumi and Shikimori to enjoy a relaxing trip together.

Since the cold climate made people remain indoors, the swooning couple journeyed through an empty avenue, save for the few cars sailing across the inundated roads.

Soft plops sounded as the two teenagers walked in silent company.

Normally, such situation would keep Izumi wary.

But his thoughts were drawn elsewhere. He just wasn't the same man that his girlfriend knew, no matter how much he wanted to convince himself of the contrary.

He had changed.

And his beloved Shikimori surely noticed.

"It's been a while since we could spend some time together like this." she said unexpectedly.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. You're right," Izumi responded lowly, being caught off guard. "Sorry about that, I've been very busy at home lately."

"You don't have to apologize for that. I understand," she gave him a light pout and a faint frown. "We're together now, that's what matters."

Feeling warmth building up within, Izumi smiled.

He still lamented maintaining his second life secret from Shikimori. Sometimes he considered telling her the truth.

Nevertheless, he couldn't make that decision without careful deliberation.

There were simply too many variables to bear in mind.

'What if she hates spiders or is afraid of them? What would she think about me taking justice into my own hands? Would she make me stop being Spider-Man? Could I still be a hero if it went against her wishes?'

His questions unveiled an interesting perspective.

Knowing Shikimori's opinion concerning the arachnid vigilante would help him choose.

Plus, it would start a fun conversation for the voyage home.

"H-Hey," Izumi squeaked. "Have you seen the videos of the masked vigilante?"

"How could I not?" Shikimori chuckled in reply. "He's all over the internet. Nekozaki seems rather infatuated with him."

"Oh, really? What did she say?"

"I don't remember exactly," looking up pensively, she tapped her chin with her index finger. "But it was something along the lines of 'he has those tights and that tight little'-"

"Okay, okay, I get it!" Izumi swiftly cut her off, sensing an unpleasant heat seize his whole face. "You don't have to be so specific…"

He glanced away sheepishly after that. Becoming that kind of idol for the townsfolk, and especially for a close friend, might be a rather nightmarish scenario.

Irregardless, his unsuspecting girlfriend giggled at his reaction, adding to Izumi's increasing dismay.

"But it's crazy, you know?" Shikimori continued, sounding more reflexive. "That such a person really exists."

Izumi didn't answer immediately. He merely stared at her quietly, as if trying to predict what she could say, while he planned his next inquiry cautiously.

Gulping, he inhaled and fired his shot.

"And what do you think?"

"Hmm?" Shikimori turned to him, slightly tilting her head.

"A-About the 'Spider-Man'," Izumi questioned anew with a shaky voice. "Do you think he's a bad person?"

Staying mute, Shikimori glanced heavenward again, pursing her lips before responding.

"Someone who risks himself that much to help others can't be a bad person in my eyes."

Her words caused Izumi's eyes to widen in awe. His blush manifested mightily, though this time it originated from equal amounts of relief, joy, and gratitude.

'T-Thank you, Shikimori! You're really the coolest!'

Perhaps he wouldn't have to conceal his identity forever.

"Wait! I forgot to tell you," Shikimori merrily added, changing the topic. "A new ice cream store just opened at the mall. I was wondering if you'd like to go after-"

Her sentences attenuated once they left her mouth.

And Izumi's senses suddenly sharpened…

The environment decreased its pace to that of a glacial. He perceived every single droplet inside his personal bubble.

The wind's velocity revealed itself for him, carrying the aching twinge on his scalp that invigorated his focus.

He instinctually scanned the surroundings. His vision rapidly located a heavy truck coming down the street.

Then, his gaze shifted to the broad puddle of rainwater which laid right ahead.

The foreshadowed outcome seemed obvious, harmless, yet highly unpleasant.

Apparently, Shikimori sensed the same chain of events kicking into action, because she was quick to step forward.

"Izumi, watch-!"

But Izumi was even quicker, as he used his arachnid blessings.

He dashed forth and wrapped his arms around his girlfriend, swiveling so his back was facing the road.

A broad wave rose from the ground when the truck swiftly passed through. Shortly later, the splash covered the couple, then crashed onto the sidewalk.

Stillness ensued. Neither of them moved.

Both teenagers just lingered there, embracing one another.

From the top of his head, all the way down to his ankles, Izumi felt an icy wetness soaking his clothes. The chilling breeze made it worse, thus he began shivering.

"Izumi?…" Shikimori spoke first.

He loosened the embrace and let his gaze meet hers.

"H-Hi…" he stammered, not really thinking about what to say or how to say it. "Are you a-alright?"

Shikimori merely nodded, continuing speechless.

There, the boy got a clear picture of her expression.

Her gaze was filled with wonder, as if she was looking at him in a new light. Her slightly-parted lips only enhanced such impression.

'S-She's so cute!'

"Izumi…" Shikimori called quietly, remaining straight-faced. "Did you… Did you just get taller?"

"E-Eh?" he withdrew a bit, blinking.

He couldn't really prove her right or wrong about that.

Granted, it wouldn't be the most radical change having occurred to him in recent memory.

"I-I uh… I'm not sure. Maybe I did, but-"

Surprisingly, Shikimori pulled him back into the embrace.

Without restraint, she nuzzled his chest.

"That was spectacular, Izumi," she mumbled against his shirt, tightening the hug. "Let the world have 'Spider-Man'. I am happy being by your side. My hero…"

Her declaration effortlessly shattered Izumi's defenses.

He just returned the gesture, moving his palms ever-so slowly, resting his chin atop her head.

Deep down, he treasured his girlfriend's preoccupation. The immense affection she showered him with touched him profoundly.

Hence, the worries he often made her suffer naturally caused him unfathomable guilt.

Although, now change laid within his grasp.

'Spider-Man' and all its gifts had given him the power to make true change, become a beacon for the lost.

If he could share that with those dear to him… nothing would make him happier…

He could be a strong man, driven by courage and determination, unbothered by the random twists of fate.

He could finally be the boyfriend that Shikimori deserved.

Miraculously, he contained the tears threatening to escape him.

Meanwhile, Shikimori abruptly tensed and gazed up.

"I-Izumi!" she exclaimed. "I'm so sorry! Let's get home quickly so you can change out of those wet clothes! Here-"

Ending the hug, she took off her sweater and placed it over Izumi's shoulders.

"B-But what about you, Shikimori?"

"I'll be fine, don't worry! You're the one who's shivering. I don't want you to catch a cold again."

In response, Izumi just let out a weak laugh.

Before he could say anything else, she grabbed his hand and started escorting him.

The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

'Even when I have superpowers, she's still taking care of me…'

And Izumi was okay with that.

While the tarnished sky above still sprayed tender rainfall over the city, the two teenagers traversed the puddled avenue, remaining wary of the cars that traveled alongside them.


Later, at Tokyo's outskirts, an old, abandoned warehouse hosted a nefarious reunion.

During a dark, stormy night, a frightened man prepared to meet his fate.

Hunched, crestfallen, and with both hands tied behind his back, Romita walked towards the assembly point, escorted by a pair of his gangster comrades.

They entered the decayed building quickly. Flickering shop lights above them dimly lit the broad passage ahead.

Soon, the trio reached the destination. The exact center of the warehouse, where they waited anxiously.

"The boss wasn't very happy about the news," one bandit unexpectedly said, shrugging. "I hope you know what you're doing…"

"Yeah…" suddenly, a grave, raspy voice rumbled across the vicinity, startling the group. "I hope you know what you're doing, Romita…"

Frightened, the three goons glanced at their surroundings, encountering nothing but darkness around them.

However, a tall, robust figure partially came out of the shadows, then stood before the terrified delinquents.

Bowing his head, Romita dropped to his knees.

"S-Sir, 'Black Tarantula', sir…" he stuttered, maintaining his sight on the ground. "W-We couldn't get the car. I'm so-"

"That I already know, Romita," the mysterious newcomer spoke. "What I want to know is the reason. What could have possibly possessed you to fail, and then bring your problems to me."

"I-I-"

"Take off his mask. I want to see his face while he explains himself."

Not being allowed to even question the decision, Romita felt a brusque grip atop his head. Afterwards, his ski mask was forcibly removed from his face.

He shivered once the nocturnal cold touched his skin.

"Much better…" he who was called 'The Black Tarantula' responded. "Now, tell me what compelled you to return empty-handed, after DeFalco and Raimi were captured by the police, but you somehow weren't…"

"I just got lucky!" Romita blurted out. "We were doing exactly what you ordered! It was all Raimi's fault. I told him we should've looked somewhere else! But he insisted that nothing would-"

"You're starting to bore me…" his boss interrupted him.

Subsequently, the Black Tarantula's eyes began to glow.

A blinding, incandescent, blood-red shine swiftly lightened the entire warehouse. A shining fury foreshadowing a painful end.

"W-Wait, wait!" Romita begged, sweat instantly formed on his brow. "It wasn't the police! It was the 'Spider-Man'! The vigilante from Hino that appears on the internet!"

Unfortunately, his words only met deaf ears, as his boss' glare became brighter, whereas the other Tarantulas merely watched.

For Romita, the experience eerily resembled the act of staring directly into the morning sun, which made him clamp his eyelids shut.

Sensing the growing heat, he bellowed anew, a final effort to save his own neck.

"He-… He has powers too!"

Utter quietude followed the desperate plea.

Flabbergasted by the fact that he still drew breath, Romita slowly opened his eyes.

Much for his increasing disbelief, obscurity had seized the warehouse anew.

Immediately, his gaze encountered his boss'. Miraculously, he encountered the gaze of a normal man.

"What did you say?" the Black Tarantula questioned him sternly.

Romita's jaw trembled with trepidation. He couldn't answer right away, even if he intended to do so. The knot tying his tongue was just too crippling.

Nonetheless, ensuing a long, nerve-cracking moment, he finally replied.

"H-He has powers too… Just like you, sir…"

Remaining silent, The Black Tarantula took one step, approaching Romita, who simply looked expectantly at his master.

One order.

He received one order.

"Keep talking…"


Thank you so much for reading, true believers!

Apologies for the delay in the update, I will try to get the next chapter sooner, which is going to include a formal introduction of the villain!

In the meantime, I invite you to leave a comment with your thoughts! I'd love to know what you think about the story so far.

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

Excelsior!