As expected.
The next day.
Even while still on the school bus, the lizard monster that appeared on the Williamsburg Bridge yesterday has become today's hot news.
No exceptions.
"Hey guys, did you see this morning's news?"
"I saw it. Good thing my house is in Queens, not Brooklyn or Manhattan, because I can't afford a house in either of those places."
"I think we should move away from New York City after graduation."
"Why?"
"Look, a few years ago it was Hulk and Abomination, then last year it was that tech expo, aliens came this year, and the year isn't even over yet, now there's a lizard monster."
"Hiss."
"Yeah, what's up with New York City these years."
"Ever since September 2001, nothing's been right."
"By the way, am I the only one curious about how Spider-Man shoots webs?"
"..."
Sitting in the last row by the window, Hawk heard a weak voice echo on the bus and raised an eyebrow, instinctively looking at Peter sitting next to him.
See.
I'm not the only one curious.
Peter felt the tease in Hawk's look and tugged at his lips: "I don't want to discuss this topic."
Hawk shrugged, not bothered, smoothly changed the topic, and glanced at the last row where he and Peter were sitting alone.
"Where's Harry? He didn't ride the bus with you today."
"He's running late. He went to Osborn Biotechnology this morning, said Osborn was invaded last night."
Peter spoke, scanned the bus interior, then whispered: "I asked around, Dr. Curt Connors' lab was robbed. They say the Lizard People took all the equipment."
Hawk nodded.
"They say? Wasn't New Yorker's friendly neighbor on the scene?"
"New Yorker's friendly neighbor was sleeping."
Peter tugged at his lips.
He was immensely glad he put together a Spider Battle Armor to cover his face.
See.
The only person who knows his true identity, who's also not very chatty like him at school, teases him like this.
What if it was someone else?
The crucial point is, he is indeed upholding justice, Uncle Ben would surely be comforted seeing him now.
With great power comes great responsibility, right?
But...
Even with great power, he needs to sleep, even real spiders need rest every day.
Besides, he isn't a real spider. He can't be on call 24/7.
Thinking about last night's unresolved topic, Peter lowered his voice.
"Why do you think Dr. Connors is doing this?"
"I don't know, don't care, doesn't matter."
Hawk shook his head, a swift trilogy.
Peter watched Hawk, who returned to his usual brevity after speaking, looking at the scenery outside the window, opened his mouth but said nothing more.
He didn't plan to invite Hawk to join him as a volunteer police officer.
After all, what he likes, others may not, and one shouldn't force others to like what they do.
Peter understood that much.
Arriving at school.
The buzz about the lizard monster not only hadn't diminished, but as students from various grades gathered, it was escalating rapidly.
Various rumors.
Various gossips.
Flying everywhere among the fifteen-sixteen-seventeen-year-olds, overflowing with hormones, in the teenage crowd.
Around noon.
Having ordered his usual burger and cola, Hawk was engrossed in eating, when Gwen, who had a later class, arrived with her tray, and sat across from him.
"Just got news, I won't need to go to Osborn Biotechnology for now, Dr. Connors' lab was robbed by the Lizard People, and Dr. Connors is missing."
"Uh..."
Hawk looked up, pondered, then lowered his voice to Gwen: "It wasn't the Lizard People who stole it, it was Dr. Connors."
He originally planned to tell Gwen this after meeting her at school this morning.
But in the morning, gossip girl Mary was also at Gwen's side, so Hawk decided not to say it then.
Now is just as good a time.
It doesn't change anything.
Gwen was initially stunned by Hawk's words, then her expression quickly shifted to shock, her chest visibly heaving.
But soon.
She realized they were in a restaurant, not a place to shout, she stared wide-eyed at Hawk who continued eating his burger.
"What, Dr. Connors is... really?"
"Ninety-nine percent chance, Spider-Man says the Lizard People had a hint of my scent, though faint."
"Spider-Man?"
"Yeah."
Hawk nodded naturally.
Gwen was stunned again.
If her eyes weren't already wide open, she felt she might be able to widen them further.
"You know Spider-Man?"
"Yes."
"Who is he?"
"Can't say."
Hawk shook his head, choosing not to disclose to Gwen that Peter was the Spider Spirit.
Revealing Dr. Lizard's identity was because he might harm Gwen.
That's not good.
But Peter is different.
Especially since this version of Peter is the First Generation Spider Spirit, the one who even when possessed by venom, his greatest evil thought was just to buy a discounted suit, give the newspaper boss a raise, and toss ash into the eyes of the people he disliked – New Yorker's friendly neighbor.
Peter never broadcasted his powers with a big horn everywhere.
Naturally, he wouldn't mention Peter being Spider Spirit to others.
Hawk continued, welcoming Gwen's gaze with a laugh: "Even if you look at me like that, I won't say a word."
Gwen then retracted her gaze.
No need to tell, I'll find out myself.
As mentioned.
No one knows Hawk better than her, Hawk's social circle is simple, almost everyone Hawk knows, she knows too.
So...
If Hawk knows Spider-Man, then she most likely knows Spider-Man too.
She was quite confident.
As Gwen rapidly sorted through the people she and Hawk both knew, she lowered her voice.
"So, how did Dr. Connors become yesterday's Lizard People?"
"Don't know."
Hawk shook his head: "Probably only God knows. Last time I called Dr. Connors, he said his Regenerative Potion worked on a tailless mouse."
It was only because Gwen asked, that he thought about it a little.
With Peter, he wouldn't bother to think this hard.
Even if Dr. Lizard wrecked New York City, it wouldn't fall to him; others would be more anxious.
Hawk thought then watched Gwen widen her eyes again.
...