"What did they say to you?" Harry asked.
"They want me to transfer to their school."
"NAH! NO WAY I'M LETTING PETER LEAVE!" Gwen shouted angrily, though her Teto costume made her look kinda cute.
[Like hell I'm letting you get close to that professor! If he dissects your brain, he'll find me right away—I don't want another kid after Deadpool!]
'what do you mean another kid?'
"Haizz... Let's just head back to our spot and prep for the next challenge," I sighed, glancing toward the spectators.
But after a few steps, someone called out to me.
"Peter!"
"?" I turned around, eyes widening.
"Uncle Ben and Aunt May?! What are you two doing here?"
"Why wouldn't we be? If we miss watching our nephew at the sports festival, don't even call us uncle and aunt anymore!" Uncle Ben laughed, patting my shoulder.
"Are you hungry, dear? I brought food—call your friends over to eat too," Aunt May said gently.
"You two..." I scratched my cheek, embarrassed, then looked at Harry and Gwen.
Harry just smiled—he didn't seem to want to intrude.
Well, if Gwen feels the same, that'd be perfect...
"GET LOST!" Gwen kicked Harry away and slipped under Peter's arm.
"Hi Mom and Dad—okay, sorry, don't raise your fist at me!" Gwen covered her head, not wanting Peter to hit her.
"Oh, Gwen! Join us for food?" Aunt May walked over and grabbed Gwen's hand.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The two of them get along great, which is why Gwen always comes to my house and finds ways to sneak into my room.
"I was supposed to work today, but I couldn't miss watching you, so I had to ask my boss for the day off!" Uncle Ben smiled as we walked together.
"Is that the guy named... Jonah?"
"Yeah, he's a bit loud and talkative, but he's a good boss."
'I doubt that...'
I thought about what Jonah does in other universes—except the one where MJ and I have a kid, and Uncle Ben and Aunt May are still alive.
Honestly, that universe feels like a dream. Everything Peter needs just shows up—pretty sweet.
[But in exchange, that guy barely gets any spotlight even as Spider-Man.]
"Oh, and that idiot Eddie got into a fight with the cops just because they shot a Black guy. Sounds like justice, but social media doesn't think so—he's in the station now."
Wow, Eddie Brock in this universe is acting like a real hero. Wonder when Venom shows up?
Anyway, Uncle Ben talked about a lot—coworkers, politics.
He was especially passionate about superheroes.
"That Tony Stark guy—he's arrogant and acts like the whole world owes him money. Don't think having the government backing him means he can do whatever he wants."
'...Uncle Ben is a huge anti-Stan of Mr. Stark.'
"And Ghost Spider—she's been missing, so everyone's speculating like she's been murdered or something. I don't buy it; I have a feeling she's crazy enough to just... not die."
'Uh... she's right next to Aunt May, and yeah... I think she's a little insane too,' I thought to myself.
"This year's been weird. Ever since Tony Stark revealed his identity, heroes have been popping up left and right. Some good, some bad. Not sure if it's a good omen or bad..." Uncle Ben sighed, then looked at me.
"?"
"Peter... If you became a hero, what would you do?" Uncle Ben smiled.
I stopped walking and looked at him.
"...Why do you ask?"
"Just curious. I don't want you to become a hero, but if fate makes you one, what kind? A kind hero who always thinks of the people, or one who doesn't care about anyone and only acts for themselves?"
"I... I'm not sure. Maybe... somewhere in between?"
Uncle Ben chuckled softly.
"Peter, to be honest—no matter what you become, whether a kind hero or a selfish jerk, I'll always love you because you're my nephew."
"The greater the love, the greater the stupidity, you know? Hahaha!" Uncle Ben laughed, patting my shoulder.
I stood stunned for a few seconds, then smiled.
'If I ever become a hero... or even the bad one... I want to be someone like you.'
[Why do I feel like this is a massive death flag?]
'Shut.'
[Chill out.]
"Alright! Go back to your girlfriend and eat Aunt May's food! I'm gonna take some photos and write an article—this is called working while relaxing!"
"You're so optimistic, Uncle Ben. Be careful of robbers with guns—I don't want to hear you say 'with great power comes great responsibility.'"
"Heh, you little punk, trying to jinx me?" Uncle Ben laughed and walked off.
I really hope nothing happens to Uncle Ben. I mean it—I couldn't handle the pain and guilt.
[This universe's Uncle Ben has a different mindset. Lucky he didn't say that old cliché, or you'd become Spider-Man before he even dies.]
"..."
I don't know. Uncle Ben's words made me think. Does breaking someone's leg really make me—or society—better?
Pure good hero or shortcut-taking hero—which one fits me?
"Ugh... Is this what they call character development? So annoying..."
[Honestly, I think you should just do what you believe in. Uncle Ben said that to you, right?]
"...Yeah, you're right. Why are you suddenly so smart today?"
[The fuck??? What do you mean by that???]
So I started heading toward Aunt May and Gwen.
Well, I tried—if I hadn't spotted someone familiar.
"...Wait, that's—?"
A girl was at my class's stall, about to buy Costavos fried chicken.
And I'm sure I've met her before.
"Hawkeye?! What is she doing here??"
I rushed over before she could eat my class's fried chicken.
"いただきます" she said something in Japanese, about to take a bite when I grabbed her wrist.
"?"
"Girl! Don't eat that!"
"??"
"Hey! We're trying to sell here??" Gus Fried wasn't happy I stopped a sale.
"Dude! What if she sues us when she finds out what's in it?!"
"...You have a point."
"Ugh... What are you doing at my school?"
She looked confused, glanced me up and down, then recognized me.
"Oh, it's the femboy who wore a cardboard box on his head. Hi."
"THAT'S YOUR IMPRESSION OF ME???"
"I'm Lila Barton," she introduced herself.
"Lila? So you're mixed?"
"Yeah, my mom is Japanese."
Oh...
"So... what are you doing here?"
"I'm from the all-girls school. Came with the others to watch the sports festival."
"I see—"
"And with them too," she said, pointing somewhere.
"...Wait, don't tell me?!" I looked where she was pointing.
Bruce was drinking coffee, Moonie was fighting some thugs, and Mr. Stark was sitting on a stone bench being carried by a bunch of guys.
"..."
[The Avengers are pretty much all here, huh?] Nya said innocently.
'Shut up.'
Hope nothing crazy happens...