"I can't believe it! I actually can't believe it! My first experience going to an underground concert! Sekinin! I can't believe you managed to get us tickets to see B-Komachi! Thank you! Thank you!"
Nijika was hugging Sekinin like never before. Right now, both of them were in their empty classroom as the day was already over, and a few students remained on school grounds. Sekinin asks Nijika to remain in the classroom.
The moment he explained how he got tickets for both of them, Nijika immediately got so excited she could barely hold back her excitement. Nijika is a big Ai Hoshino fan, so it is obvious how much she wanted to see a concert of hers. Usagi is the same as Nijika, but unlike Nijika, she can also overreact when cheering.
Sekinin did indeed want to invite Sarina to at least let her get the chance to meet Ai Hoshino in person; he even went and spoke with Gorou about whether it was okay for Sarina to go with him. Sadly, as much as he hated to hear it, she wasn't able to do it; her body is becoming more and more frail every day.
The only areas she could go to were just the inside and outside of the hospital, and even Gorou looked frustrated about it.
So Sekinin hatefully didn't speak about the tickets he got, as he just accepted that inviting Nijika would be the best for her to progress her recovery since her father's death.
Speaking of the tickets, it was another week after Lass Sakura was murdered, and he went to pay his respects to her grave. He whispers his apologies for not saving her when she needed help the moment it mattered. He made a promise to her to make sure he would—will find that bastard.
The clues she spoke of did lead to something he didn't think he would find. One of them was that there were some items that were used for his crimes. Knives that were never found, bullets that were stuck on either trees or walls. Some areas had hidden yet hollow traces of dead bodies that were once there. Bodies where the murderer left for the authorities to find.
So many things the police didn't even find in those two years. Clues that led to more places, more notes to write, a huge conspiracy board that Sekinin had to create just to ensure everything he gathered was all connected to one thing. Sekinin's brain was so fried that his spider-sense literally got disabled for a minute as he got hurt by a falling wooden board.
Still, so many clues were recently discovered, and possibly more, as there was one that apparently had something about him. A note that was hidden in one of the areas where they found the idol's corpse, a note stating that Kamiki was unstable and was planning on getting help for him.
Obviously, whoever wrote that soon died before the scum would even get help. As if he would need it, considering his crimes so far. He was unstable enough.
Another mentioned that he was an orphan like Sekinin himself. Even though he still has his aunt and uncle and the female Ijichis, Kamiki has no relatives. No one to take him in after his own parents died, depending on how they died or what led to their deaths, Sekinin was not sure. Had things been different, perhaps he would have given him sympathy, but no, he doesn't deserve any. Not after what he did to his father-figure.
Apparently, all he got from Yuri was that Kamiki didn't speak about his parents in a positive light. Perhaps he had a harsh life growing up. Perhaps that was what caused his behavior to reach that kind of point. The point where murder was a thing for him.
So much to uncover about that scum. But he was not going to give up; either Sekinin Parker or Spider-Man would find this man and make him pay.
"How did you get these? Aren't they supposed to be hard to obtain, especially the VIPs?"
"Err… Let's say I know someone who manages to get their hands on these. But decided to give them to me as, in their words, he has been to every concert they've been to, so what's one skip day would do to them."
"Really, to skip out on the Ai Hoshino concert."
Sekinin was now realizing that Nijika and Sarina could get along so well with each other because of their love for Ai Hoshino. Perhaps, he could—
"Oh! It's tomorrow! Oh, thank god it's the weekend! I can't imagine giving all of my energy on a school day. What time does it start? 5 PM, hmm… Wait, where is it located?"
Nijika asked as she was looking at the tickets in Sekinin's hands.
"In the Minato ward, the concert is close to a live house, or it could be in a live house."
"I see, I see, is your uncle taking us there? If not, then I can ask my mom."
"I already asked Uncle Ben, and he said he'll take us to the concert. And before you ask, he also asks if she is okay with you coming with me to the concert."
Nijika nodded as she looked at the window. She was focused on something before turning back to Sekinin.
"Usagi is going to cry if she hears this. She really wants to go to that concert."
"I highly doubt it. One of those reasons is her mom."
Nijika nodded as she agreed. Usagi's mother is all but mean. Well, actually, she is harsh on Usagi depending on her grades being bad, which is often, and should she ever bring a test score that is way in F. Then both he and Nijika hope that she isn't grounded for more than a day.
But sadly, this week was a test week; yesterday was the actual test. And Usagi was preparing herself to be scolded by her mother again as she once again received a bad score.
So with a heavy heart, she said goodbye to the two of them before going home to her doom.
The moment she left their sight, they both swore they just heard her wail. Sekinin felt bad as he did his hardest in preparing Usagi for the test. And yet she failed her test.
"So yeah, you were the only friend I considered going to the concert with."
"So it seems. Still, thank you, Sekinin, this is something I'm actually excited about going."
Sekinin just nodded as the two of them began walking out of the classroom. He noticed Nijika was now in a better mood; it was good, the pain that remained inside of her was easing. Perhaps seeing the famous idol can make her feel less pain.
Things were finally looking good!
—
"Wow. I know some co-workers spoke about this famous idol, but never would I think I would see this many people waiting in line."
Uncle Ben spoke as he had just parked his car, which was a block away from the area where the concert was. He looked so surprised to see a line already reaching where he'd parked. Nijika had a knowing smile as she informed Uncle Ben of what she knew.
"Well, that's Ai Hoshino for you, Ben-san! She is considered to be the number one idol in all idols that came before her. It is without a doubt that so many people came to see her perform and give out their praises."
Uncle Ben just smiles at Nijika as he looks at her and his nephew.
"Are you sure you both have to wait in this line? The line looks like it is still piling up."
"Uncle Ben, it's alright. Our tickets are VIP passes, so we can get through the line easily and have the front row seats to see Ai Hoshino up close."
Sekinin reassured his uncle before he prepared to leave the car. But his uncle spoke up, stopping him from leaving.
"I've been meaning to ask Sekinin, but where exactly did you get those tickets? With this many people, I would have assumed that the tickets would already be sold out."
Sekinin felt a drop of sweat coming down on his head. He had just assumed his uncle was okay with him somehow getting tickets to an idol concert. Before he could make up an excuse, Nijika spoke up, making Sekinin have more sweat drops coming down.
"Sekinin mentioned to me that he knew someone who got their hands on the tickets but decided to give them to him."
Uncle Ben looked at Sekinin with a look, a look that made him wish he had said something different to Nijika when he got those tickets. But to his surprise, Uncle Ben smiled.
"I guess Yor must have been busy to prevent her from seeing an idol concert. Yuri did tell me that he gave you two tickets, as he said he already gave them to you."
Sekinin let out a breath of relief as he completely forgot that Yuri himself gave him the tickets when he came by to visit again. At first, Sekinin wanted to take the tickets as the recordings were for him. But after thinking about it more, it would seem suspicious if he took them before Yuri found them.
He would have linked it back to Sekinin and immediately assumed he was finding a way to find the killer. And he didn't want Yuri to worry about him, as he is, of course, a police officer, a captain at that.
Though he wondered if Yuri and Spider-Man (himself) could team up to find the murderer.
Before he could think about it more, Nijika was calling out to him, snapping him out of his thoughts. He realized she was waiting for him as he quickly said goodbye to his uncle and left the car. The two of them glance at the huge line before Sekinin was asked by Nijika what they should actually do.
Neither of them has actually been to a real idol concert, just band concerts in live houses, mainly in Starry. So Sekinin didn't exactly know if they should just wait in line and pray for luck on their side, or just find an alternate way to get through the line without waiting.
As he glanced around, he spotted something, another line that didn't have that many people, and he was given access to go in without waiting in line. One of the boys even looks at the line with a smug, arrogant face, which pisses off a huge majority of them.
Sekinin could even hear a few of them cursing those who have VIP passes. Sekinin realized where they both needed to go. With no hesitation, he grabbed Nijika by the arm as she blushed at his sudden action, and the two found themselves inside the live house.
The inside was like how they expected for an idol concert, a few people already in line to get merch. People preparing their glowsticks can see that it was all purple or pink. There were even a few different colors, but not that many. Sekinin wonders if they should get glowsticks just to not stick out. But to his surprise, Nijika pulled out four glowsticks and handed two to Sekinin.
"It's a good thing I brought these, I cannot imagine the cost of these should we need to buy them."
Sekinin smiled as the two walked to where their seats were, and they waited until the show started. Which won't be for another hour. So while the two of them were waiting, Sekinin took the time to open his phone and begin texting someone he hadn't been texting much.
[Sensational - Hey Ami, how is the research on the spider data I sent you a month ago. Sorry, I hadn't been messaging you much over the month.]
[Typing...]
[Mercury - Oh! Hi Sekinin, it's alright. I've been busy studying and going to cram school. So I also haven't been able to message you that often either. But the data you sent me is so interesting to research. It's been more interesting ever since Spider-Man appeared. I wish to one day meet him and ask him how his spider abilities work.]
Sekinin sweats at the comment of his fellow wallflower. He just sighs as he continues messaging her as time begins to go by. People were beginning to flow in as seats began to quickly fill with so many people. Whispers and such are filling the whole live house as it was mixed with excitement and joy.
So after time had passed, the lights began to die down as the glowsticks could be seen everywhere, and everyone went silent. No sound or anything, just awaiting to wave their arms beyond the limit of exhaustion.
Then suddenly, lights of different colors began to light up, revealing seven different girls. The first girl in an orange dress with a cat hairpin. The second girl in a blue dress with a dog hairpin. The third girl in a pink dress with a frog hairpin. The fourth girl in a purple dress with a hamster hairpin. The fifth girl in a yellow dress with a penguin hairpin. The sixth girl in a green dress with a panda hairpin.
And finally, the last girl, the very girl Sekinin had seen on the screen, displayed a few hours after he got his powers. The girl so many fans have spoken of, idolized, would hope to meet in a very close range. Ai Hoshino.
Just seeing her up close, while Sekinin himself got the privilege alongside Nijika, to see the very idol up close than anyone. He couldn't help but blush at the sight of her.
The red dress was fitting for her, the star eyes that looked like the stars he would look up at in the night sky. It was like he was seeing someone that no one could ever replace or live up to. It was all too sudden for Sekinin to feel.
And with no hesitation or any words, the seven idols began their songs. Songs and the whole performance will leave a lasting impression on Sekinin. For the next hour or so, music filled his ears. The harmony, the actions of the same movement, the determination and willpower to make everyone cheer at the end of each song. It was all so impactful.
Sekinin turned to see Nijika's reaction, and right there was the happiest smile that Sekinin had ever seen.
Once the next song was over, fans began to chant for an encore once again. It was like they couldn't get enough of the idols. And honestly, Sekinin wanted to hear at least one more, perhaps two more songs.
But before he could join with the chanting, he began to feel something in his head.
"My spider-sense is tingling!"
Sekinin whispers as his spider-sense begins to react. Everything stopped for a moment; all the excitement he felt vanished in an instant. The buzzing in his head was screaming at him to do something.
He tried to search, look around to find where his senses were telling him to find. Either the attacker was coming from or the target of the danger. Suddenly, it all pointed to the top of the stage!
A blast of air or perhaps a shockwave was shot through the room and struck the metal pole with the lights, causing a loud vibration. Screams were heard as cries were let out by many people. But before anyone could even do something, another blast was seen, nearly striking the green dress idol by a few inches, causing her to scream in panic.
A man in a strange-looking outfit of red and yellow with metal gauntlets showed himself as, at first glance, menacing. Sekinin watches with caution as he simply strolls through the room while taking down security with more shock waves. No one was brave enough to dare move or flee from this maniac.
Sekinin quickly saw where his other half was and realized he needed to swing a few blocks from here. He can't risk using his powers here, or use his special ability to vanish his other half, then have him appear here. But he needs to know who he is going up against.
Was this… His first-ever super villain?
"Man, these songs could match up to the sound of my gauntlets. Hehe, well, those idols for you, making loud and ringing sounds."
No one spoke up. Just all lock on to the mysterious man.
"No words? Heh, that's too much to expect. All were shocked by my sudden appearance. Well, allow me to introduce myself. I'm the Shocker! And listen here, either you end this concert here and now, or all of you will suffer more than a blast to the face!"
The gauntlets began to charge up as Sekinin's spider-sense began to warn him that what the Shocker said was true. The guy will actually harm everyone here unless the concert ends right now. But it was confusing to Sekinin. Why did the Shocker come here and make a threat, all because he wanted to see the concert ending?
Was there something more than an idol interruption?
Before the Shocker could make his threat show, a string of webs wrapped around his hands and arms, stopping the gauntlets' charging.
"Wow, I didn't expect to see another tight-wearing individual. Though I don't think red and yellow suits you."
Suddenly, a breath of hope and relief was heard from everyone, and they saw Spider-Man quickly come in and hang from the ceiling.
"You call yourself the Shocker? There's nothing too shocking about you other than the gauntlets you have."
"The freak."
With no warning, the Shocker immediately began to fire off blast fires at Spider-Man as he quickly dodged them. Not until he dodged a second too late and was struck by the blast, and was sent flying into the wall. His torso was hit, as a rip was visible on his suit.
"For the Amazing Spider-Freak, you don't seem as invincible as you seem."
"Ouch! What kind of gauntlets are those?"
Before Spider-Man could get himself up, he was lifted by the Shocker as he prepared a shockwave at his face. Fully preparing to kill Spider-Man right then and there.
"Got any last words, bug?"
"Yeah, it's arachnid!"
Spider-Man used both of his hands to cover Shocker's face, as he was too stunned, trying to get the webs off his face. But he was met with a dropkick as he fell to the ground, and Spider-Man webbed him up to prevent him from standing up.
"Everyone get out of here now!"
With Spider-Man's words, everyone manages to find the strength to get the heck out of there. Sekinin immediately led Nijika out of the situation; he did not want her to end up like her father had ended up. He gave a glance at Spider-Man, and with a single nod, the two left.
Seeing both of them leave, along with everyone else, even if a lot are still trying to leave, Spider-Man needs to get the gauntlets away from the Shocker. But his spider-sense began to react again, but this time, it was aiming at Ai Hoshino!
He turned to see that the metal pole that the Shocker hit began to crumble down as Ai Hoshino was helping her fellow idol, who was nearly struck by the shockwave, and fell to the ground. She didn't realize what was about to happen as Spider-Man quickly swung to them, grabbing them both and narrowly avoiding casualties.
The moment the two idols were out of danger, Spider-Man looked at both of them as he spoke with a calm down.
"Are both of you alright? You're not hurt anywhere?"
The idol in green shook her head as if she was saying she was fine. But for Ai Hoshino, she felt red on her face, as she couldn't help but mutter "Spidey." Spider-Man didn't quite hear what she said, so he asked again, this time directly to her. This time, she slowly nodded as she couldn't help but hug Spider-Man.
This stunned both Spider-Man and the green idol. Spider-Man was about to say something as he heard the whisper of the idol he just saved.
"You save me again. Thank you, Spidey."
This immediately confused Spider-Man; out of everybody he saved within that month, he never came across or even met Ai Hoshino. In fact, this was the first time he met an idol up close, well, the second time, should he include Lass Sakura? He didn't know anyone else with purple… Hair… Unless…
Before he could even speak a word, she let go of the hug as she gave him a wink before grabbing the other idol's arm as the two of them quickly ran to safety. Spider-Man was surprised by what had just happened, but before he could say anything, he quickly dodged another shockwave.
Shocker was able to rip through the webs that so many failed to do, or perhaps he was able to use his gauntlets to rip those webs. Spider-Man dodged rapid shockwaves as he was finding an opening to strike while launching web shots either on the gauntlets to bind them, or on Shocker's face just for a few seconds of distraction.
And that chance came whenever he was able to land a few strikes on Shocker. The fight took a whole, but then suddenly Shocker's own gauntlets were jammed. It was something that shocked both of them. But before Shocker could even do anything, he was grabbed by the neck and slammed towards the ground with a heavy impact that knocked him unconscious.
Spider-Man was gasping for breath before looking around the destruction that had been made here.
"I wish I could have done that the moment I showed up."
The live house, the once underground concert that had life in it, became a ruin because of the Shocker, but Spider-Man felt it was his fault, as he felt he should have stopped the Shocker sooner. But then again, Shocker first attacks by hitting the stage lights, which nearly causes two idols to be either hurt or killed.
Still, he couldn't help but imagine if this had been Starry. He couldn't imagine Seika's face to see the live house she worked so hard to manage fall to ruin.
Spider-Man webbed up the Shocker as he heard police sirens coming in the distance, and he quickly got himself out of there. Not before taking one of his gauntlets and a piece of his suit to see how this new foe was able to create such blasters while not harming himself. To think his first-ever supervillain would be a guy who uses shockwaves.
Spider-Man watched from the top of the building as cops were questioning the people here, what had happened, and who had caused that much destruction in the live house. He also watches Shocker, now with his face unmasked, being shoved into the police car and taken away.
He looked around, he couldn't help but wonder if that monster had come to this concert, the chances are possible, but he needed to be on the lookout just in case. Sadly, no one looked like him or had the exact clothing he wore. He thought he saw someone similar, but the guy had dark brown hair.
And he didn't have the same unsettling feeling he was giving out like how that monster had before or after Sekinin gained his spider-sense.
But something did catch his attention, Ai Hoshino; she was wearing her disguise, the same disguise that made Spider-Man realize that he did indeed save her. The very first person he saved as Spider-Man. She was standing alone, away from the crowd, and was on the rooftop that had a ladder that led her to the top of that roof.
He wondered if she was waiting for him, then again, she was searching everything, trying to find someone. He wasn't sure if she was looking for him, but he decided to make himself known in front of her. With a simple swing, he landed right behind her.
"Shouldn't a cute idol like yourself be with your remaining security, or your fellow idols?"
Ai jumped in surprise, but that quickly turned to happiness once she saw who it was. Once again, she hugged him, this time tighter.
"Wow, you really like hugs, huh?"
"Sorry… As I said, you saved me again, and I didn't get the chance to thank you before."
Her voice was calm and quiet, yet it was filled with gratitude. She soon let go as she thanked him again, thanking him for preventing those men from doing whatever they could have done to her, and to save her from the man with the strange gauntlets.
Spider-Man was a bit surprised that she had already forgotten the name Shocker had called himself. But he just said he was welcome, and he didn't want anyone getting hurt under his watch.
Ai blushed as she did something that even Spider-Man himself never thought she would do. She began to lift his mask, and Spider-Man quickly panicked.
"W-Wait!"
"Shhhh~"
She pressed her figure on what she believed was where his lips were. She lifted the mask as she stopped halfway, and with no hesitation, she pecked her lips with his right cheek. Her face became even redder as she put the mask back down, and she took a few steps back with a smile.
"I wish to learn love, how to feel it. It was why I became an idol, to learn what that word truly means. The moment after you saved me the first time, I felt something I didn't think I would ever feel. But I'm worried I won't be able to fully grasp it, so if you don't mind. I wish to get to know you more, Spidey~."
She then turned around and began to make her way to the ladder. Not before stopping one more time as she spoke softly.
"If you hadn't noticed yet, I put a piece of paper with my phone number right where I kiss your cheek. Call me~."
With that, she climbs down and disappears into the crowd. Spider-Man watches on as he can feel his face burning. And when he touched the spot where she kissed him, he now felt the paper she had placed there. How she managed to do so was beyond him.
He then began to swing away, unaware of the smile that remained on his face. It felt like he could stay away for the whole night. And honestly, it was amazing.
"Sekinin?"
"Hmm?"
"Why is your face red?"
Both Sekinin and Nijika were walking to the train station on the way home. Sure, both of them could have called their family member, but it all just happened way too fast. And neither of them wanted to worry them.
"Ai Hoshino."
Nijika watched in confusion as her best friend was happily skipping on their way back as if the whole disaster hadn't happened, not just the two of them, but for everyone else. Not only that, the moment she heard the tone of the idol's name coming from his mouth, Nijika couldn't help but feel something in her stomach.
Something disturbing.