A week later, on a crisp morning, Voss stood outside a small bookstore on Fifth Avenue, sneaking glances through the glass window.
"Still no one buying it…" he sighed, disappointed.
Two hours had passed since the shop opened, yet his book, Reborn in WWII: Fighting Side by Side with Captain America, sat untouched in the "New Releases" section.
At his feet, Tom nudged his calf with a paw, reminding him not to get too worked up.
"I know, I know. New books take time to catch on," Voss muttered. "Osk said the same thing—sales build slowly."
Jerry poked his head out of Voss's pocket, pointing inside the store, as if to say, Why don't we just go in and look?
"No way. That'd be too obvious," Voss shook his head. "What if the owner recognizes me?"
Aqua, bored, kicked a pebble across the sidewalk. "What's there to worry about? Nobody's going to recognize some newbie author."
"…Aqua, nobody would think you're mute if you just kept quiet," Voss rolled his eyes. Her sharp tongue always cut him down.
"This goddess is not mute!" she declared proudly, puffing out her chest.
Just then, a high school kid with a backpack walked up to the store. He looked sixteen, maybe seventeen—glasses, skinny frame, classic bookworm type.
"Someone's coming," Voss whispered, instantly perking up. "Maybe he'll buy my book!"
The bell above the door jingled as the boy stepped inside.
"Peter, you're here!"
The shop owner, Jack Jameson, lowered his newspaper and greeted him warmly. Jack was in his fifties, with kind eyes behind reading glasses.
Voss's eyes widened. Peter? As in Peter Parker?
"Uncle Jack, got any good recommendations today?" Peter adjusted his glasses as he walked up to the counter.
"Plenty. In fact, a very interesting novel just came in," Jack said, heading toward the new releases.
Voss's palms broke into a sweat. Peter Parker—the future Spider-Man. Right now just a regular high schooler, but one day… a hero.
"Transmigration story, set during World War II," Jack explained, picking up the book. "It's called Reborn in WWII: Fighting Side by Side with Captain America. Author's pen name is Cat-Mouse Man."
"Captain America?" Peter's eyes lit up. "He's my favorite!"
Outside, Voss nearly jumped for joy. Yes! Spider-Man likes Cap—this is the perfect target audience!
"I thought you'd be interested," Jack chuckled, handing him the book. "The main character wakes up in 1942 and becomes Steve Rogers' comrade-in-arms."
Peter opened it and started reading.
My name is John Smith, an ordinary military enthusiast. If someone had told me I'd wake up in 1942 America, turned into a mutant, and end up as Captain America's comrade, I'd have thought they were crazy…
The very first lines hooked him.
"Mind if I read for a while here, Uncle Jack?" Peter asked.
"Of course. Make yourself at home," Jack replied, returning to his counter.
Peter found a quiet corner, already absorbed.
Outside, Voss could hardly contain himself. He wanted to run in and ask what Peter thought.
"He's really into it," Aqua noted, peeking through the glass. "Look how focused he is."
Tom nodded—Peter was so engrossed he didn't even notice the traffic noise outside.
Minute after minute passed. Peter's pace quickened as he flipped through the pages, completely immersed.
He connected with John Smith's journey—an ordinary person thrust into an unfamiliar world, struggling with responsibility. As a bookworm who was bullied and powerless, Peter understood that yearning for strength better than anyone.
Steve was still that scrawny little guy, but his eyes held an unshakable sense of justice. I knew this man was destined to become a legend…
Peter smiled. The description nailed Steve Rogers perfectly.
"John, do you believe in fate?" Steve asked.
"I believe in choices, Steve," John replied. "Fate gives us opportunities, but it's our choices that define us."
That line struck Peter hard. Responsibility. Choice. Courage. Ideas he wrestled with every day.
"Why does his expression keep changing?" Aqua fidgeted impatiently. "Does he like it or not?"
"He does," Voss said confidently. "Look—he's past halfway already."
Jerry pointed at the book in Peter's hands. The pages had flown by—proof he wasn't skimming.
By the time Peter closed the book, he let out a long breath, visibly moved.
"How was it?" Uncle Jack asked.
"It was amazing!" Peter said, eyes shining. "This is the best transmigration novel I've ever read! The way it shows Captain America… it's perfect. And the protagonist's story is so compelling."
Outside, Voss nearly burst into cheers. Spider-Man likes my book!
"Want to buy a copy?" Jack asked.
Peter hesitated, patting his pockets. "…I don't have enough money right now."
His family wasn't well-off. Aunt May and Uncle Ben already stretched their budget for him—eighteen dollars was steep.
Jack smiled kindly. "Take it with you. Pay me later."
"Really?" Peter's face lit up.
"Of course. You're a regular, and I trust you."
"Thank you, Uncle Jack!" Peter hugged the book to his chest. "I'll pay you back, I promise!"
He left the store grinning, clutching the novel like treasure.
Voss watched him disappear down the street, emotions swirling. Joy that his story had found its first true reader. Sympathy for the young man who would one day carry such a heavy burden.
"My first reader is Peter Parker," Voss whispered, smiling faintly. "That has to be a good sign."
"That boy's kind," Aqua admitted. "And very polite."
Tom and Jerry nodded in agreement—they could feel Peter's genuine warmth.
"Come on, let's head home," Voss said, taking one last look at the bookstore. "Knowing someone enjoyed it… that's enough for me."
The four of them walked away in high spirits. Only one book had been sold, but the significance of that single copy was immeasurable.
The future Spider-Man had just become Voss's very first reader.
And that felt like destiny.