"Wow, didn't think that man could actually use these kinds of gauntlets to unleash that much impact of shockwaves. The materials required to make them look like they can be made with simple things if you're smart enough to build them."
Sekinin was inspecting the parts of the Shocker's gauntlet and was amazed by the parts. He was even inspecting the piece of the Shocker's suit as he had an idea to protect himself from shockwaves should there ever be someone who could use shockwaves as the Shocker did. It is better to be prepared in advance than just trying to tank it the best you can.
"I wonder if I could make something with these parts… But I need to get better at programming and such before I can do something. Perhaps a similar wave attack, but less damaging to anything."
He then took out a notebook and opened it to a page where he was sketching a few ideas along with new suit models. He looked at the one with the title "Tools," as he had already sketched something that could act similarly to how he shot his webs out of his wrists. He called them Web-Shooters.
At first, he didn't know why he made a model of it, besides the fact that his wrists were shooting webs from them. But then another idea formed as he could make a model to use tools that can help him when fighting crime. And after seeing the parts in front of him, he already has an idea.
But he needs to at least self-learn how to make the tool he already thought up in his mind. As well as something to be able to use while wearing the suit. Perhaps once he does some trial tests, he'll figure something out.
["The mastermind behind the attack on Minato's live house has been arrested earlier tonight. Shokkā Schultz, aka the Shocker, that witnesses have heard him say, made an attempt to stop a concert featuring B-Komachi. Spider-Man was able to subdue the Shocker, which sadly cost the ruin of the live house. While some blame the Spider-Man for the damage, the witnesses all claim to see the Shocker destroying the live house before Spider-Man shows up."]
A radio was speaking about the event that happened an hour ago, perhaps nearly two or three hours ago. The moment Sekinin and Nijika came home after that whole event, they were immediately treated as babies by their families. Honestly, it was understandable, but the two didn't mind as one. Nijika was happy to be back home safely, and Sekinin was glad that Shocker didn't harm anyone, including Nijika.
But that didn't stop everyone from checking to find any injuries, and such just shows how much they care for them. So after more hugging and a tense dinner, everyone headed off to bed. Everyone would have been asleep hadn't Sekinin stayed up, climbing out the window, and entering the basement through a window he had left unlocked.
And that is where this exact moment is, what he is doing right now, writing in his notebook.
"Yeah, I think the suit comes first just to have extra protection. I just need to figure out how to add this kind of layer to my suit. Perhaps make a fabric out of it from scratch?"
While sketching Sekinin's eyes move to the piece of paper that he placed there. The very piece of paper that has that very idol's phone number. A blush appeared once again on his face. A part of him wanted to either text or call the number on that paper, but the other part wondered if that was a prank of some sort.
There isn't a shortage of people telling others fake numbers just to either leave them alone or just laugh if they explain why they were given a fake number. But… The curiosity within him was growing each second.
And honestly… Would even the famous idol herself still be awake at this hour? Just calling right now would be seen as weird. Then again, it was nearly 11 o'clock. Hmm…
"Ah, what the heck!"
With determination, Sekinin decided to open his phone, press the numbers, and hit the call button. It began ringing for a few seconds… Each ring began to fill Sekinin's stomach with anxiety. But then the call went through. For a second, it was silent… Until…
"Spidey?"
Sekinin immediately recognized the voice, even if that conversation back where the live house once stood, he could somehow recognize the tone of the voice. Sekinin didn't know what to say at first, but then thought of something to say.
"Is this the girl I saved twice? Cuz it seems like you're the safest citizen so far."
A chuckle was heard through the phone as Sekinin smiled lightly. He couldn't help but smirk a little. So many would have actually killed to not just get Ai Hoshino's personal phone number, but to actually get to be in a call with her. Still, Sekinin was surprised he was even talking to her right now.
"It's not like I'm out there facing the danger where you do the moment anyone out there is doing the crime."
So throughout the whole conversation, they talked just about the events that happened, and how they felt about them. Sekinin, for the most part, was deeply surprised to have his first-ever super villain, but thinking about the Shocker made Sekinin realize the reason he was there in the first place.
"Hoshino-tan, do you happen to at least have a theory or at least an idea why Shocker decided to crash your concert, although it looked like it was nearly over?"
He could hear her humming as well as imagining her putting a finger on her cheek while doing a thinking pose. She then gave her answer.
"I'm honestly not sure why that strange man even decided to crash the concert. When his face was revealed, no one, including me, even recognized him. As if he were just a stranger who had just gotten his hands on those gauntlets."
Sekinin was a bit surprised to hear that, because the surname Schultz made him recall the man Herman Schultz, who tried to kill Seika a month ago. To think another person with the same surname made Sekinin wonder if the two of them being criminals is part of the family.
Then again, when the attack nearly happened in that month, it didn't make the news, so that's why Hoshino-tan didn't recognize the surname, just Sekinin himself.
"I see…"
Now Sekinin was a bit hesitant to ask Hoshino-tan about Kamiki. Mainly because he didn't know if the scum had managed to worm his way into Hoshino-tan's life. Sekinin didn't know why, but he felt that Hoshino-tan would rather not want to talk about a known killer or something. But then again, how would he be able to figure out something about him?
He took a deep breath and prepared to ask the very question that was on his mind.
"Hoshino-tan, if you don't mind me asking, but… Did you happen to know Hikaru Kamiki before he became a wanted criminal?"
The call immediately went silent for a moment. Sekinin felt that he had asked the wrong question and wondered if she was okay. But then he heard a sigh from the other side of the call.
"I… Did. Well, we did meet at the Lala Lai Theatrical Company, and we worked together on a film that got recognized by many fans and viewers. It was the first day on the set where we first met. I found him so charming and handsome to get along with, and I felt that we both may be connected in a way that no one could or ever understands.
"And the reasons why… Well, it's my secret that I'm willing to keep~ but still, it was surprising how well we got along with each other. Too well. But during our time in the company, I felt that something wasn't right with him. Something that would be even more different than anyone would ever expect. But I did know he had a rough childhood even before he became an adult.
"And after hearing what he did, what he has done so far. I was glad that I decided not to get as close to him as he wanted us to be. I may be an airhead on a lot of things, but I know that he was trying to get too close to me, even trying to get me to hang out with him more. I can't help but wonder if his getting along persona with me was all just a ploy to murder me.
"I was not sure who his biological parents were or what they did to him to cause him to be who he is now, but I did meet two people who looked after him before they died… Actually, have you heard of the names Airi Himekawa and Seijuro Uehara?"
Sekinin thought for a moment, Airi Himekawa, and Seijuro Uehara. Why did those two names sound so familiar?
"I think you can search them up on your own, Spidey, because I believe that I may not be much help, as I only know that she sexually assaulted Kamiki and carried his child. And that she was murdered by her own husband."
Suddenly Sekinin remembered where he had heard the two names! Airi Himekawa is a once-famous actress known throughout Japan. So well known that many people envy her husband for marrying such a beauty. Until two years ago, she was found dead in a cottage home alongside her husband, who apparently killed himself after he killed his wife.
It was also the day when everyone in the entire country learned of her affairs with many men. An unfaithful woman who sleeps with any man she comes across, and it was rumored that the child they showed five years ago belongs to one of the men she slept with. A note left behind stating her actions, the reason why her husband murdered her, and himself.
"Wait, you said she was carrying…!"
The scum was assaulted by the very actress who cheated on her husband. Out of anyone she could have carried the child with, it was Kamiki!
"Even when he was still a teenager, he was still unstable. I piece together that the child of Airi Himekawa wasn't her husband. But someone she took advantage of. And apparently she didn't start when he was a teenager."
"You mean…!"
"Yes… That woman assaulted him as a child, too. A disgusting woman who slept with a child."
Her tone filled with venom, she was truly disgusted by what the actress did. But Sekinin was thinking about something else, the information he had just learned.
Two years ago, the two mentioned names were murdered, two years ago! That was the beginning of idols being murdered. It can't be that much of a coincidence, right? That meant the scum must have planned for the actress to get killed, possibly even told her husband about her affairs.
Perhaps the news of the actress's death must have awoken something in Kamiki, especially when he could have intentionally sent his assaulter to die by informing her husband. To murder not by his own hands but for someone else to do the murder, to not be discovered as the source of why they died.
This led him to kill more than 50 idols within those two years. And those girls must have died at the hands of those who Kamiki uses as scapegoats to prevent any trace being led back to him. But that didn't mean he didn't have blood on his hands. Arawareru Ijichi's blood was one of the people the scum killed by his own hands.
"And what about the child… What happened to the child?"
He then recalls the child of the actress and murderer, despite him being five years old at the time. What happened after?
"...Last I've heard what happened to him. He was sent to the orphanage. And was adopted by someone who is a member of the founding of the company. Kamiki… Did he kill someone important to you, Spider-Man? The man he shot in cold blood. The man that the news didn't reveal?"
"..."
The moment she asked, it reminded him of the very answer. Just recalling that day haunted him. It pledges him every time he is reminded by either those who still have a father, all the times he saved someone, seeing his second family, Nijika, Seika, and Senatsu. Sekinin is reminded of the very father figure he had failed to save.
"I'm going to find him. I'm going to make him pay for taking away my father. I won't stop until he can no longer hide. I'm sorry… But I have to end the call here."
With no hesitation, Sekinin ended the call as he put away his phone. Once he did, he noticed how his fists were tightly gripped. He never felt more determined to find the murderer. And right now, he didn't want to waste any more time. He wanted to search every alley, every hidden area, anywhere that the notes kept on revealing.
He has to be in Tokyo somewhere. Anywhere! Nothing is going to stop him.
With no hesitation, he took off his civilian clothing, which had his suit hidden underneath, put on the mask, and exited through the basement window. He didn't care if he lost sleep; he didn't care if it took him all day and night. HE MUST FIND HIKARU KAMIKI!
"..."
Sekinin stopped on top of the streetlight for a moment. He felt someone was watching him. He turned, turned to a police car parked right in front of his home. A figure was inside and was in the driver's seat. Coldness suddenly went all over him; his breathing became heavy.
He silently cursed himself for acting so recklessly at that moment. Had he not acted like that and just quickly exited through his basement window while checking if the coast was clear, then he would have noticed the police car.
Sekinin watched as the door to the driver's seat opened as an officer came out of the car. It was dark, and the light's range didn't reach the car, so Sekinin didn't know who the officer was or what they were doing out here in his neighborhood.
He was thinking how to get out of this situation, should he lie his way out? Should he threaten the cop? How, how could he even escape from this problem that he made for himself? The cop approached the light as Sekinin was preparing to deal with whoever he had to deal with. But the moment the light revealed who it was, Sekinin immediately felt more conflicted than ever.
Because right below him was Yuri. And right now, he has a stern face. Depending on whether this was for Sekinin or himself, it is obvious that this moment was something neither of them had ever expected. Sekinin saw Yuri opening his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't get the words he wanted to say. It was like he was sure what he should even say.
But that didn't stop Sekinin from opening his own mouth.
"I saw him the day before he killed him! I don't care who I pick a fight with; I don't care if I have to deal with bullets being shot by either your co-workers or criminals. Nothing is going to stop me from finding him. Don't try to stop me, Yuri!"
Without giving him the chance of saying anything, Sekinin was long gone. Gone by a whip of a swing. Into the streets of Tokyo and anywhere, and right now, to his next location, with the information he got. The location is in the territory of one of the yakuza throughout Japan.
But halfway through, he thought of something, and it was something that made him realize that it would be best if he didn't show up as Spider-Man. So with a quick stop to where he had left behind one of his old backpacks that contained a black sweater and a blond wig. A slight smile was shown on Sekinin's face as he put on a design and continued on his way to his destination.
—
Within the quiet night, somewhere in the Minato ward, in one of the alleyways. Two people in an attire that would make many believe they were unique delinquents, but are actually members of the yakuza in Minato, Tokyo. One of them seems tired, while the other just seems relaxed.
"This night seems pretty boring compared to last night."
"Oh, tell me about it, you would think some lunatics would rather cause trouble here, especially when they should know which area they are in. Heck, the only person who would even go by here is Spider-Man. I doubt even one of us could attack him."
The first guy scoffed when the name Spider-Man was mentioned.
"A kid who does anything like a spider can do. You would think there would just be that weirdo, but look what happened hours ago. A guy with weird gauntlets damaged a nearby live house, calling himself Shocker or whatever the rumors said."
"...Do you think he was there too?"
"...He could have been there too. Especially after what he did to… Hypocrites, those cops are. We told them who the culprit was, and none of them believed us. And yet after a year, they are suddenly trying to find him!"
The second guy clenched his fists hard. As if he is reminded of something painful.
"So… You know him."
A voice spoke as it got the two guys to be on guard. They notice a guy in a black sweater with a bit of blond hair visible. They could feel the soulless atmosphere coming from the person, a person who looked like… The second guy growls in frustration.
"You…! Get everyone! The scum dared to show his face back here!"
But before the first guy could even do anything, a web shot hit the first guy to prevent him from moving. The two gang members looked on as they saw the person removing the wig and putting it on the ground. A mask covered his face with sunglasses to prevent his identity from being revealed.
"I honestly didn't think that I was able to convince you I was that murderer. I'm guessing one of your members was an idol. I'm convinced enough that you have some information about him."
The two gang members watch in complete shock, then the second guy laughs as if fate was suddenly giving him a chance.
"So even the Sensational Spider-Man is looking for that scum."
"I am… I need to be told of everything to know, anything that could lead me to more clues."
The two gang members look at each other, thinking about whether they should invite Spider-Man in. The second guy decided to give the first guy a nod as he went to get someone. This time Sekinin didn't stop him and just let him off.
"So, Spider-Man, how much have you gathered about that scum?"
"...Anything I manage to learn about, and need to get a lot more within the two years."
Soon Sekinin was led inside the territory of this yakuza; he could feel the gazes and curious looks from anyone who looked like they would cause trouble for the public. He was then introduced to a man with brown hair and blue eyes. He wore clothing that screams like he is the leader of the yakuza.
Then there was someone next to him, a young girl who looked like she was the same age as Sekinin himself had the spider not bitten him. Brown hair with matching blue eyes, the girl must be the man's daughter. And for some reason, he felt that her hair might be actually good if it were light blue, perhaps cyan.
"Are you sure this boy is Spider-Man?"
The yakuza leader asks with some doubt and suspicion. Before anyone could say anything, Sekinin shot a web line to the ceiling, hung upside down, and just acted like being upside down looked normal to him.
The father and daughter watch in pure shock. Well, the man was truly shocked that a superhero was actually within his territory, while the girl looked stunned that the superhero she came to admire was actually here in front of her.
"Spider-Man, I've been told that you are searching for… Hikaru Kamiki."
The moment the leader mentions the name with venom, Sekinin senses that everyone here looks murderous at even the slightest mention of the murderer. Sekinin nodded as he started the conversation about what he had gathered so far. The leader nods at what seems like he, too, has been gathering information, perhaps having much more than what Sekinin had right now.
He even noticed how uncomfortable the girl was when she listened to all of this. Thankfully, the father noticed this.
"Momo, if this is too much for you, you can leave. I do not wish for you to be reminded of what happened to your god-sister."
This got Sekinin to take a mental note of. So one of the idols was actually from the yakuza. But the girl named Momo spoke up.
"No! I want to help Spider-Man! I want him to find the scum who murdered her! He's still out there, and no one can find him. And the cops aren't doing anything right, just injustice to those who needed true justice!"
As much as Sekinin wanted to defend Yuri, he could see what Momo was saying. The cops are being unreliable as of late. Even before either Sekinin became Spider-Man, or Yuri became the captain of the police.
Even during the month that he heard the cops had been improving, but only slightly so far, Sekinin can see that Yuri can truly make the cops better, better for what the people needed. He just needs to continue what he's doing and make the people believe that the cops can still be relied on.
"Miss Momo, I can understand your frustration. I, too, wish to find him, but I need to know everything about the victim that he killed."
Momo became quiet, as if she didn't know or even was struggling with what to say. But her father began talking.
"Aoi Aka was a precious member of the yakuza. Not only was she kind to everyone, but she was also eager to help us in any way possible. She even asked for my permission to become an idol, not to gain popularity but to gain income for us, to repay us for our hospitality, as well as to show us her support."
Sekinin began to hear sniffs, as if someone or perhaps more already had tears welling up.
"I gave her permission, and within half a year, she became a successful idol. It was going well for her… Until she met him. She brought him back to our territory, acting like he was a fine man with none of us knowing any better. And within a few weeks, infights emerged, loyalty was shaken, and dishonor suddenly kept showing. And before we found out what the true cause was, it was too late."
Cries were now being heard completely.
"He gathered a group of our own members, gang up on her, and murdered her coldly while he watched. We arrived too late, we punished and killed the traitors who followed him, but he escaped, framing us as he contacted the police before they killed her. Making us the scapegoats for her murder, a long, hard conflict emerged between us and the police, but everyone believed that we killed her. No matter how much evidence we show them. None of them wanted to investigate a case that they thought was already solved at first glance."
Sekinin heard the scream of the second guy as he slammed his hand to the ground. He could tell that Aoi Aka was so important to him. Perhaps even had feelings for her. Sekinin pondered if this was why the murderer was hiding so well, because not only did he have the police after him, but also one of the yakuza. Then again, from what he gathered, the scum barely even shows his face around, so why would he risk himself to be recognized by a gang member? A member who would rather kill him on the spot and be arrested if it meant getting revenge and avenging their fallen idol.
"Spider-Man, if you wish, we can form an alliance, we can gather information whenever it involves the scum or the idols. But in return, we ask for you not to bother us, we may be yakuza, but unlike others who are more dangerous and such, we would rather cause problems if those who decide to mess with us. You wouldn't believe how many idiots decided to act like they could take us on."
Sekinin could hear Momo scoff as if she remembered how many weirdos would act tough and wouldn't expect her to fight back. At least that is what he imagines.
"So, do we have a deal, Spider-Man?"
The leader offered a hand to seal the agreement. Sekinin looks at it, wondering and thinking of the pros and cons. But in the end, Sekinin gives his own, and as the two of them shake hands, sealing the agreement.
"So, what do you need to be informed of?"
"...Have you got information about Airi Himekawa and Seijuro Uehara?"