As expected.
The next day.
While still on the school bus, the lizard monster that appeared on the Williamsburg Bridge yesterday had become today's hottest news.
Without a doubt.
"Hey, did you guys see the news this morning?"
"Yes, thank goodness my family lives in Queens, not Brooklyn, and not Manhattan, because we simply can't afford houses in those places."
"I think we should leave New York City after graduation."
"Why?"
"Look, a few years ago it was Hulk and Abomination, last year it was some kind of science museum, this year aliens have all come, and before this year is even over, here comes the lizard monster."
"Hiss."
"Yeah, what's wrong with New York City these past few years?"
"Anyway, it hasn't been good since September 2001."
"By the way, am I the only one curious about how Spider-Man shoots his webs?"
"..."
Sitting in the last row, by the window, Hawke heard a weak voice from inside the school bus, raised an eyebrow, and subconsciously looked at Peter sitting next to him.
See.
I'm not the only one curious.
Peter, feeling the teasing look in Hawke's eyes, twitched his lips. "I don't want to discuss this."
Hawke shrugged, unconcerned, and readily changed the subject, glancing at the last row where only he and Peter were sitting.
"Where's Harry? He didn't ride the school bus with you today."
"He's going later. He went to Osborn Bio-Industry this morning. They said Osborn was invaded last night."
Peter said, scanning the bus, then whispered, "I asked around a bit. It was Dr. Curtis Connors' lab that was robbed.
Apparently, the equipment and everything else was emptied by the Lizardmen."
Hawke nodded.
"Apparently? That 'good neighbor from New York' wasn't there?"
"That 'good neighbor from New York' was sleeping."
Peter's lips twitched.
He was now incredibly grateful he'd gotten himself a Spider-Man suit to cover his face.
Look.
The only person who knew his true identity, and someone as taciturn as him at school, was teasing him like this.
What if it were anyone else?
Most importantly, he is a chivalrous hero, that's true, and Uncle Ben would be very pleased to see him now.
With great power comes great responsibility.
But no matter how powerful, he still needs to sleep.
Even a real spider needs to rest every day.
Besides, he's not a real spider, so he can't be out there attacking 24/7.
Peter thought, remembering the unfinished topic from last night, and lowered his voice.
"What do you think Dr. Connors is trying to do?"
"Don't know, don't care, don't mind."
Hawke shook his head, giving a three-part reply.
Peter looked at Hawke, who, after saying that, returned to his usual taciturn self, gazing out the window at the scenery.
He opened his mouth, but didn't say anything more.
He hadn't considered inviting Hawke to join him as a vigilante.
After all, what you like, others may not like, and you shouldn't force others to like it.
Peter understood this principle.
At school,the buzz about the lizard monster hadn't subsided; on the contrary, with students from all grades gathering, it seemed to be escalating.
Various rumors were circulating.
Various gossips swirled among the fifteen-, sixteen-, and seventeen-year-old students, whose hormones were surging uncontrollably.
It was midday.
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Hawke, who had ordered a burger and cola as usual, was engrossed in his meal when Gwen, who had finished class later and arrived late, sat down opposite him with her tray.
"I just got word that I don't need to go to Osborn Bioindustry anymore. Dr. Connors' lab was robbed by lizardmen, and Dr. Connors has disappeared."
"Uh..."
Hawke looked up, thought for a moment, then looked at Gwen and lowered his voice, "It wasn't the lizardmen, it was Dr. Connors."
He had originally planned to tell Gwen this when he saw her at school that morning.
But that morning, gossipy Mary was with Gwen, and Hawke thought about it and decided not to say anything then.
But saying it now was the same.
It wouldn't delay anything.
Upon hearing Hawke's words, Gwen's expression first froze, then instantly turned to shock, her chest heaving visibly.
But quickly,she seemed to realize they were in a restaurant and shouldn't be loud, but she stared wide-eyed at Hawke, who continued eating his burger after saying that.
"What? Dr. Connors is... really?"
"Ninety-nine percent chance, Spider-Man said the Reptile has my scent, though it's weak."
"Spider-Man?"
"Yeah."
Hawke nodded naturally.
Gwen was stunned again.
If her eyes weren't already wide open, she felt they could have widened even more.
"You know Spider-Man?"
"Yes."
"Who is he?"
"I can't say."
Hawke shook his head, choosing not to tell Gwen that Peter was a spider demon.
He told Gwen about the Reptile's identity because there was a chance the Reptile would harm her.
That wouldn't be good.
But Peter was different.
Especially since this version of Peter was the original Spider-Man, the good neighbor of the New Yorker who, even possessed by Venom, only ever thought about buying a discounted suit, getting a raise from the newspaper boss, and getting a speck of dust on people's eyes.
And Peter didn't boast about his strength everywhere.
Naturally, he wouldn't tell anyone that Peter was a spider demon.
Hawke said this, then chuckled, meeting Gwen's unblinking gaze.
"Even if you look at me like that, I won't tell."
Gwen then looked away.
Fine, I'll find out myself. Like she said, no one knew Hawke better than her.
Hawke's network was simple; basically, everyone Hawke knew, she knew too.
So if Hawke knew Spider-Man, then she most likely knew Spider-Man as well.
She was confident.
Gwen quickly mentally selected people she and Hawke both knew, while lowering her voice.
"Wait, how did Dr. Connors become that lizard man from yesterday?"
"I don't know."
Hawke shook his head. "Only God knows. I spoke to Dr. Connors on the phone that time, and he said his regeneration serum had worked on a tailless mouse."
He only thought about it briefly because Gwen asked. If it were
Peter, he wouldn't bother.
Even if Dr. Lizard blew New York City apart, it wouldn't be his turn; someone else would be more anxious.
Hawke thought to himself, then saw Gwen's eyes widen again.
...
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