(It seems bullies are a universal constant in schools. While dealing with them is easy, not controlling my strength could lead to unnecessary trouble, and the aftermath would be…)
"Hey, kid."
Seeing that Saiki Kusuo didn't beg for mercy or show any fear, the menacing bully grabbed his collar, getting even closer.
"Are you listening? If you don't hand over your money, I'll shove your head into the toilet."
(I'd also love to shove your head into the toilet.)
(But unfortunately, it won't be me who takes care of you.)
Just as he thought that, a loud bang echoed as the door of one of the stalls was kicked open, and Peter Parker emerged.
"Stop that!"
Peter Parker wore a serious expression on his youthful, fair face, seemingly trying to intimidate the bullies. However, he forgot that he wasn't the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man who ruled Queens, but a seemingly easy-to-bully high school student.
(At least put on your street flower costume before coming out.)
Peter Parker, realizing the same thing, had a fleeting look of annoyance, an expression of annoyance, on his face. He reined in his aggressive expression and gave the bullies a harmless smile.
"Um, bullying classmates is wrong."
Bully: "Huh?"
The bully, scratching his ear, acted as if he'd heard the most ridiculous joke.
Then, Bully A's lackey, Bully B, lifted Peter Parker up like a chick.
"You have one second to disappear from my sight, Parker. Otherwise, I'll deal with you too."
Peter Parker looked surprised. "Wow, you guys actually know my name? Am I that famous at school?"
Saiki Kusuo: "…"
Bullies: "…"
Bully C: "Idiot, at least remember the names of your own classmates!"
(I was thinking the exact same thing.)
"Oh, so you're classmates," Peter Parker said, seemingly enlightened.
"Then, in the name of being classmates, can you let him go?"
The bullies responded with a snort, and the one holding his collar tightened his grip.
"Fine, Parker. You've successfully pissed me off. Now I'm going to beat up both you and this weak-looking kid."
"I told you to let us go for the sake of being classmates. Of course, if you refuse, then I'll…"
Peter Parker's face darkened again.
(Huh? This guy is planning to…)
Before Saiki Kusuo could react to what he realized the other was about to do, Peter Parker suddenly headbutted Bully B's chin. Bully B, in pain, let go, and Peter Parker then flipped in the air and kicked him.
Bang.
Bully B was kicked into the stall, his head buried in the toilet, his body slumping down, clearly unconscious.
(Surprisingly precise. You did what I wanted to do, street flower.)
"Peter Parker!"
The other bullies, seeing this, gritted their teeth and shouted, rushing at Peter Parker.
Peter Parker deftly dodged the attack, grabbed Saiki Kusuo, and ran out.
"Damn it, Peter Parker! Get them!"
Being dragged through the hallway, Saiki Kusuo deeply regretted attracting this natural enemy.
"Just going to the classroom would have been fine, why are we running outside the school? This is so embarrassing, street flower."
"Andrew and the others won't let this go easily, and the teachers can't do anything about them. If we get caught, we'll be beaten up badly."
Seemingly recalling the unpleasant memories of his pre-Spider-Man days, Peter Parker vengefully squeezed Saiki Kusuo's hand.
(Hey, don't get lost in your memories. And isn't it disgusting for two guys to be holding hands in broad daylight?)
"Anyway, we need to run before Andrew catches up."
Saiki Kusuo, still being held by Peter Parker, was eventually brought outside the school. As a model student who had never skipped class in his life, except for weekends and holidays, this was his first experience wandering the streets during school hours.
The culprit, Peter Parker, calmed down and seemed to realize that skipping class without permission was inappropriate. He thanked Saiki Kusuo.
"Sorry, Sai… uh, classmate."
(Can you please say my name correctly? Seriously, if I had known all this trouble would happen, I would have just dealt with those guys myself. If I go to school tomorrow, those bullies will probably ambush me in the restroom again. Whatever, I'll just go home. I've already skipped class. If Mom asks, I'll just say I didn't have any afternoon classes, so I came home early.)
Having made up his mind, Saiki Kusuo turned to leave, but Peter Parker stopped him.
"Wait."
(So annoying. Can't you just be quiet?)
"You! You just…!!" Peter Parker looked shocked.
(So what are you going to say?)
"Did you just call me street flower?" Peter Parker, realizing he might have blown his cover, was flustered.
Saiki Kusuo: "…"
(Should I say this guy has a long reaction time, or should I praise his good memory? Either way, the situation isn't looking good for me.)
After a few seconds of silence, Saiki Kusuo averted his gaze.
"You must have misheard."
Unexpectedly, Peter Parker pointed at himself with another shocked expression.
"I knew it! Last time I… uh, you really don't move your mouth when you talk! Where is the sound coming from? Ventriloquism? Or some even more amazing power?"
(Just keep your own secret identity under wraps, idiot.)
Indeed, Peter Parker was his natural enemy. This guy was even more troublesome than his own brother.
Losing his patience, Saiki Kusuo decided to hypnotize Peter Parker into thinking a lamppost was him, to fight to the death with and use teleportation to return home. However, just as he turned around, he bumped into his mother, who had just bought groceries and was heading home.
"Oh, Kusuo, why are you here?"
Saiki Kurumi, holding a shopping basket, tilted her head in confusion. When her gaze shifted to the flustered Peter Parker, she froze.
(This is bad.)
Even without looking at the Affection Meter, he knew his mother's affection for the street flower had already maxed out.
"Um, is this a new friend of Kusuo's?"
(No, Mom, please don't use the word "friend" so casually.)
Peter Parker, unfamiliar with Japanese customs, seemed a bit flustered. He'd had little contact with women other than his aunt since childhood, so seeing such a young, gentle, and enthusiastic Asian woman made him blush shyly.
(If you dare have any other thoughts, I'll make sure you're impotent.)
"I… I…" Peter Parker hesitated for a few seconds. Under Saiki Kurumi's eager gaze, he mustered his courage.
"Yes, I'm Kusuo's friend."
As he spoke, he put his arm around Saiki Kusuo in a brotherly gesture.
(If I remember correctly, you couldn't even say my name correctly a few minutes ago. Are you throwing away your dignity at the sight of a beautiful woman?)
Saiki Kusuo, rejecting their relationship in his mind, outwardly endured Peter Parker's arm around him because his mother was present, not wanting to shake it off.
"I was worried that Kusuo wouldn't make any friends at school because of his personality, but it seems he's made such a wonderful friend. That's great."
Saiki Kurumi's affection had already surpassed 100. Then, just as Saiki Kusuo sensed something was amiss, she issued an invitation.
"Well then, Kusuo's friend, would you like to come to our house?"
Being looked at by a pair of eyes that even Saiki Kusuo couldn't resist, Peter Parker couldn't utter a word of refusal and found himself, in a daze, at Saiki Kusuo's home.
Although he claimed to be Saiki Kusuo's friend, their actual relationship was merely that of nodding acquaintances. Visiting someone's house like this was far too presumptuous.
Being treated with such enthusiasm by a woman who mistakenly believed he was her son's good friend made Peter Parker feel strangely guilty.
(Have you finally realized it? Then hurry up and get out of…)
"Kusuo."
Saiki Kusuo's internal rant was interrupted by Saiki Kurumi. He turned his head and saw his mother wearing a terrifying expression that could make a child cry.
"Even if he's a friend, you mustn't be rude. Go and pour some tea."
"I really should let the street flower see your current expression, Mom. I guarantee he'd never dare step foot in our house again."
"Well, if you mess up, Mom will be very angry."
Warned by Saiki Kurumi, Saiki Kusuo resigned himself to pouring tea for Peter Parker.
"Please have some."
"Oh, th-thank you. Kusuo."
(Call me Saiki, thank you. Our relationship isn't close enough to call each other by our first names.)
Then, Saiki Kusuo sat down opposite Peter Parker. They sat in silence, the atmosphere becoming strangely awkward.
(People with no common ground, with completely different personalities and interests, forced together is a disaster.)
Seemingly realizing the awkwardness, Peter Parker felt that he couldn't let the silence continue. So he raised his head and gave a shy smile.
"Um… is that Kusuo's older sister? She's very pretty."
Saiki Kusuo: "…"
Peter Parker: "…"
[Ahhhh, what am I saying? What if he misunderstands and thinks I'm interested in his sister?]
(Heh, you've got some nerve. It seems you really want to be impotent and become a true street flower.)
Saiki Kurumi, who was carrying a tray of sweets into the living room, happened to overhear Peter Parker's words. Even though she was deeply in love with her husband, being complimented by another man still made her shy. Saiki Kurumi covered her mouth, embarrassed.
"Peter, you're such a flatterer. I'm Kusuo's mother."
"Oh, you're his aunt? I'm so sorry."
(What's with that lovestruck-then-suddenly-heartbroken expression? It's disgusting. If I have to eat dinner facing that expression, I'll lose my appetite. No, I have to get him out of here.)
"But, I envy Kusuo. Having such a loving mother. Although my aunt and uncle love me very much, but… I really envy this kind of life."
Saiki Kusuo's plan to kick Peter Parker out was interrupted. He, who could read minds, naturally knew that Peter Parker's parents had died when he was young and that he had been raised by his aunt and uncle.
A boy who had grown up with both parents alive and well, surrounded by love, couldn't understand the regret and loneliness in the other's heart.
(Fine, I'll let you be willful for a little while longer. I'll kick you out after dinner.)