Midtown High School.
Peter Parker ignored the classmates trying to pick on him.
Eugene picked up the basketball, then walked over to Peter with a smug grin, raising the ball as though he was about to throw it again.
Peter instinctively raised his hands to block.
『Eugene』: "Hahaha!"
He never threw it—only laughed mockingly before strutting off with his two friends.
『Peter』: "..."
Peter said nothing. After pinning up his photo, he quietly left.
He knew perfectly well how to deal with people like that.
The one who had tossed the ball earlier was Eugene Thompson, a school team player whose blistering speed had earned him the nickname "Flash."
Flash loved that nickname.
When Peter had greeted him earlier, he'd deliberately called him by it.
But Peter also knew there was no point in arguing.
Sure, he was smart—a genius even. His skateboarding also gave him decent physical strength.
But compared to a varsity athlete? He was still outmatched.
Not to mention, Peter had never really fought anyone before. Against Eugene, he wouldn't stand a chance.
So he chose to walk away. He knew it was the wisest choice.
Still, running into that sort of trouble first thing in the morning left him more than a little frustrated.
Then
『???』: "Hey! You're Peter, right?"
Peter turned at the voice.
A girl in a pink camisole top stood there, looking at him with a smile.
She had long, silky hair. Not a movie-star beauty, perhaps, but among ordinary people, she was definitely attractive.
In fact—she was beautiful.
Peter blinked, then nodded.
『Peter』: "Uh, yeah, that's me."
The girl smiled brighter.
『Girl』: "I really like your photos."
Peter's heart lifted.
『Peter』: "Oh—thank you, thank you."
As a reporter for the school paper, hearing someone praise his photography was always nice.
And coming from a pretty girl? Even better.
『Girl』: "So… I was wondering. Are you free Friday night?"
『Peter』: "Uh…"
For a moment Peter froze.
Until now, he hadn't thought much of their exchange.
He was a rational, top-of-the-class student. All she'd said was that she liked his photos. Normal enough.
But then she asked if he was free on Friday.
!!!
Peter's heart thudded.
This was it. The scene was clear as day—she was asking him out.
An admirer, inviting him for Friday night.
What else could it be if not a date?
Still single, Peter couldn't help but feel excited.
In a situation like this—even if he already had plans Friday, he'd cancel them.
Because, after all, he was still a high schooler, secretly yearning for a little romance.
And with a girl this pretty?
It was perfect.
He shook his head quickly, trying to look casual.
『Peter』: "Nope, I'm free Friday."
The girl clapped her hands.
『Girl』: "Great! Could you take some photos of my boyfriend's car?"
『Peter』: "???"
The flame in Peter's chest was doused instantly.
Just seconds ago, he had thought love had arrived—brought by a gorgeous girl.
But no.
She already had a boyfriend.
And she had only sought him out… to ask for photos of the guy's car.
『Girl』: "You know, I just want to pick a good shot, frame it, and give it to him as a birthday gift."
Peter forced a polite smile.
『Peter』: "You're really thoughtful… that's a nice idea."
If not for his decent manners, he would've walked away on the spot.
After a moment, he sighed.
『Peter』: "Alright… I'll check my schedule."
『Girl』: "Thanks!"
Peter hopped back on his skateboard and left in a hurry.
It was far too awkward.
He'd thought love had finally come knocking… but no.
Yet he had barely gone a few meters when he stepped off his board.
Because ahead of him stood an old man in a suit—his teacher.
『Teacher』: "Parker!"
『Peter』: "Yes, sir?"
The man eyed his skateboard.
『Teacher』: "You still want to keep that thing?"
『Peter』: "Of course."
『Teacher』: "Then wheels up."
『Peter』: "Got it."
Clutching his skateboard, Peter jogged off, grabbed his textbooks from his locker, and headed for class.
On his way out of the building, he caught sight of a blonde girl sitting on a bench, reading.
Peter knew her.
Gwen Stacy.
His classmate—and his secret crush.
But they had never spoken. Not a single word.
So Peter didn't dare approach. Instead, he discreetly snapped a photo.
『Crowd』: "Eat it! Eat it!"
Suddenly, shouts erupted nearby.
Peter turned instinctively.
Ahead, a crowd of students had gathered—right along his path to class.
Curious, Peter walked over.
Pushing through the throng, he saw Eugene holding another student upside down, pressing his head into a tray of cafeteria food.
『Eugene』: "Eat it, Gordon! Eat it!"
The onlookers only cheered, none stepping forward to help.
Their chants only fueled Eugene's excitement.
Why did he bully others?
Because it made him feel strong.
Because it won him attention.
For a boy like Eugene, there was nothing sweeter.
The louder the cheers, the prouder he became—his grip tightening with smug delight.
This, to him, was glory.
As he basked in the attention, he suddenly spotted Peter in the crowd.
『Eugene』: "Hey, Parker! Take a picture!"
He was in high spirits. And Peter, as a school reporter, had the perfect skills to capture his "moment of triumph."
But—
『Peter』: "No."
For once, Peter flatly refused.
He shook his head.
『Peter』: "I'm not taking a picture of that."
Then, with quiet urgency, he added:
『Peter』: "Let him go, man. Please."
Peter was, at his core, a kind soul.
He couldn't just stand by and watch someone else suffer.
Turning to the boy being held, he called out:
『Peter』: "Don't eat it, Gordon! Don't!"
With so many witnesses, if Gordon gave in now, he'd never live it down.
End of chapter...
WORLDWIDE SUPERMAN STRENGTH
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