I’m Not Becoming Spider-Man - Chapter 54: The Rise of Ghost! (Patreon)

Knock, knock!

Quentina opened the door. Peter lifted the bag in his hand. “Brought you some fruit.”

“Oh, you really didn't have to...” she said, but the small smile curling her lips gave away how delighted she was to receive something from him.

Peter stepped inside and found the apartment much tidier than he'd expected. She must have cleaned. The floor had been mopped, everything looked spotless, and even the bed was made.

Wait. What was that little black triangle of fabric doing there?

Quentina snatched it up with lightning speed and stuffed it into her pocket.

“Ahem! Come on, Peter, sit over here!” she said brightly.

He took a seat, and she switched on her computer. The screen started out completely black before a dark bat emblem appeared.

It was a Batman video, created from the comic Peter had been publishing in the school newspaper.

Quentina watched him focus on the screen and quietly celebrated. She'd worked so hard on this! She'd even cleaned the entire apartment, taken a shower, put on fresh clothes, and sprayed herself with perfume in preparation for his visit.

“Wow, Quentina! You made this?” Peter exclaimed.

The effects were excellent. The opening few minutes looked fantastic, and considering she'd produced the whole thing alone, her work was nothing short of brilliant.

“Of course I did. All by myself!” Quentina held her head high, plainly hoping he'd compliment her some more.

“It's amazing. It looks like a real movie! You're a genius, Quentina.”

His praise had her positively glowing. After all, she'd gone to all this trouble because she wanted to hear those very words from Peter.

Those bloated production executives and demanding clients were never genuinely impressed by anything. They only cared about squeezing every last bit of value out of her. None of them had ever truly wanted to praise her.

Only someone like Peter would say what he sincerely felt!

Quentina loved receiving compliments, especially when they came straight from the heart.

“What are you planning to do with the video?” Peter asked.

“Oh... I was thinking I could include it in my portfolio. Is... is that okay?”

“Of course. I don't mind at all, especially when you've made something this good.”

“Great! And thank you, Peter,” Quentina said excitedly.

If she hadn't met Peter, she might have ended up eating concrete in that car. Everything had started to change the day they met outside this building.

“Um... Peter?” She gently poked his shoulder.

“What is it, Quentina?”

“Could you give me a hug?”

“Sure.” Peter saw no reason to refuse and gave her a hug.

Leaning against his shoulder, Quentina felt so comfortable that she could almost melt.

“See? You're really talented, Quentina. Tomorrow will be even better,” Peter told her. “I should head back now. Would you like the next few issues of Batman?”

“Yes! I'd love them!”

“I'll bring them tomorrow, then. And when you land a job, how about we celebrate together?”

“Mm-hmm!”

By the time Peter finished encouraging her, Quentina was grinning from ear to ear. As he left, he added, “Oh, Quentina? I actually think you'd be better off without the perfume. Have a little confidence in yourself.”

“Ah... I... I will!”

When the door shut, Quentina rolled around on her bed a couple of times. “Hehehe... Peter's so sweet... Okay! Time to keep working on my projects and looking for a job!”

...

With any luck, she won't become Mysterio now, right? Peter wondered as he went upstairs.

He'd been taking Quentina's mental health seriously. He'd helped her recover after losing her job and encouraged her every time they met. He intended to keep checking on her, too. If she ever looked ready to go down a dangerous path, he'd try to pull her back again.

Then there was Harley to worry about. Gwen had already begun turning into a spider-themed superhero. Who knew whether Harley might suddenly awaken some villainous Osborn instinct and end up fighting her?

The Osborn family had never been known for being harmless.

He needed to keep an eye on Gwen as well. An accident now would be a disaster.

By comparison, Mary Jane was beginning to look like the easiest person in his life to deal with.

“Hm... Am I forgetting something? Oh, whatever. I just hope everything gets back on track.”

After returning upstairs, Peter stepped onto the balcony and looked out at the glittering city at night.

...

A few days later.

“There. The suit's finally ready.” Gwen examined the tight black-and-white outfit she was wearing, then looked down at the concealed web-shooter attached to her wrist.

She'd put enormous effort into making it. The project had drained her allowance completely and even forced her to borrow a considerable sum from Peter.

Working out the design hadn't been too difficult. Synthesizing the material was another matter, and the supplies were ridiculously expensive. Just a handful of cartridges had cost several thousand dollars. It was like burning gold!

But she'd come this far. She couldn't quit halfway through now.

That windy night, she stood on the apartment building's rooftop, gazing at the distant lights and feeling the pulse of the city beneath her.

Gwen drew a deep breath.

“Okay... Let's start by... WAAAAH!”

She lost her footing and plunged off the roof.

...

“Here it comes! Take my heavy punch! I've got you this time, Peter!”

Harley mashed the buttons on her controller. Onscreen, her fighter had driven Peter's character against the edge of the arena. One more combo, and she'd win!

“WAAAAH!”

A scream sounded from the balcony, distracting Harley. Peter immediately seized the opening and finished her character off.

“What's wrong, Harley? Why'd you space out? You weren't deliberately giving me a chance, were you?”

“Uh... I thought I heard something.” Harley scratched her head and looked toward the window again.

A shadow flashed past. She jumped.

“Whoa!”

“Everything okay, Harley?” Peter asked.

“Yeah... I just thought something flew past outside.” Her voice sounded uncertain.

“Hmm. Maybe it was a ghost,” Peter said with a smile.

“As if ghosts were real! Come on, another round. I'm definitely beating you next time!”

...

“WOOO!”

Gwen swung on her web, wind rushing past her ears and exhilaration filling her chest.

The webbing worked even better than she'd expected!

Her graceful silhouette swept across the night sky, flashing between the towers.

Only Peter knew that the curtain had already risen on a new chapter of the city's story.