What's Done is Done
(Marvel, DC, images, manhuas, and every anime that will be mentioned and used in this story are not mine. They all belong to their respective owners. The main character "Karito Josue Valdez" and the story are mine)
No Pov
At a lightning pace, Spider-Man web swings through the city, finally arriving at their destination with Takina securely on his back. Gently, he sets her down on the ground as they enter the hospital. Takina quickly scans the rooms, while Spider-Man moves purposefully down the hall in a straight line.
(Takina) "Karito, I need you too-"
"Mission Save Chisato and Takina from Dark Himegama and Dark Electro"
"Rewards"
"15 level ups"
"Extra rewards for both confirmed kills"
"2 skills"
(Spider-Man) "Duck."
(Takina) "What?"
As they move down the hall, Spider-Man instinctively pushes Takina to the end of the corridor, just in time to avoid a barrage of electrifying streaks that obliterate the door and propel the hero into the room next door.
(Dark Electro) "You should've known that bringing someone is just a distraction right?"
(Spider-Man) Rubs the back of his head "I know, but she isn't going to be here for long."
As Spider-Man caught sight of Electro, he noticed a woman standing behind him, surrounded by a dark aura and covered in a symbiote. The hero couldn't help but let out a sigh of annoyance at the troublesome situation before him.
(Spider-Man) "She had an upgrade too? For fucks sake." Sees her transform into the same symbiote that Black Cat possessed within the game Web Of Shadows
(Dark Himegama) "I'll make you pay for last time, Spider!"
Spider-Man's heightened senses kicked in, alerting him to the danger as he swiftly dodged four electric shots fired by Electro, causing explosions to erupt in the room. Reacting quickly, the hero propelled himself off the wall and lunged at Electro, taking him down to the ground and delivering a barrage of punches to subdue the electric villain.
(Takina) "KARITO! SHE'S COMING FOR ME!"
As the hero's senses honed in on Takina's voice, he spotted the female symbiote advancing rapidly towards her. Reacting swiftly, Spider-Man shot a web towards the symbiote and pulled Takina back to him, narrowly saving her from a dangerous tendril that extended from the symbiote's hair.
Meanwhile, his senses alerted him to Electro glowing with power. Recognizing the imminent threat, Spider-Man activated his hyper sense and rapidly shot a multitude of webs to shield both Chisato and Takina, ensuring they were protected from Electro's attack.
(Dark Electro) "HAHAHAHA!!"
Amidst Electro's maniacal laughter, a powerful surge of energy exploded from him, causing significant damage to the facility and sending Spider-Man flying out of the clinic.
Himegama emerged from the flames of the explosion, enveloped in an electric aura, and rocketed towards Spider-Man, courtesy of Electro's protection. The symbiote confronted the hero in mid-air, attempting to slash him with her claws. However, Spider-Man skillfully utilized his lateral repulsion ability, spinning rapidly and delivering a back-flipping kick to Himegama's jaw, sending her spiraling through the air. He then used his webs to catch her leg and slammed her into a nearby car.
As Spider-Man's senses tingled, he narrowly dodged a barrage of electricity from Electro. The villain, undeterred by his failed attack, tackled the hero into a bus and unleashed a torrent of dark electricity, causing the hero immense pain. He managed to stand up, only to find Electro lifting and hurling metal parts from various cars in his direction.
Aware of the bystanders nearby, Spider-Man activated his hyper sense to deftly dodge and web up most of the flying metal debris, protecting the innocent people. While some parts grazed and cut his suit, he avoided any fatal injuries.
Before he could apprehend Electro, Spider-Man was caught off guard by a white tendril erupting from beneath the ground, causing him to trip and fall prey to the female symbiote. She seized an entire car and slammed it down upon the hero. Recoiling, she let Electro attack the car, triggering a massive explosion.
Despite the dizziness from the assault, Spider-Man regained his focus and saw Electro and Himegama approaching him, while Electro continued to destroy nearby vehicles, setting off a chain of explosions.
(Spider-Man) "That dark electricity is such a pain in the ass." Stands up
(Dark Electro) "You seem to be holding back, Spider-Man. Are you making fun of us by holding back?!"
(Dark Himegama) "The civilians nearby are either dead or gone. I'm pretty sure that's what's been making you hold back. Now, I would much rather you make this fight easy but Orders are orders."
(Spider-Man) "Kara..."
"Yes, player?"
(Spider-Man) "No one is near, right? Like she said."
"No one is near, Player. And Takina has successfully saved Chisato and escaped."
(Spider-Man) Smirks devilishly
(Dark Electro) "Oh shi-"
In a swift move, Spider-Man utilized his lateral repulsion, propelling himself towards the two villains. Himegama reacted first, creating a sword from her hair and slashing at Spider-Man. To her surprise, the hero appeared to be cut in half, but it turned out to be a clever decoy.
Electro was taken aback, trying to comprehend how the Spider vanished before his eyes in an instant. When did he employ the accelerated decoy?
The next moment, both villains noticed a colossal shadow cast beneath them. Instinctively, they attempted to evade the impending attack, but to their dismay, their legs were ensnared by an intricate webbing, rendering them immobile.
(Dark Electro) "When did he..."
(Dark Himegama) "Ah, shit..."
(Spider-Man) "NGHHAAAA!!!! EAT THIS YOU FUCKS!!!" Slams an entire truck on them.
The hero maintained his composure, patiently observing the situation. His wait paid off when Himegama was flung by Electro. Reacting swiftly, he caught her in mid-air and deftly executed a judo throw, sending her crashing into a nearby restaurant.
But his focus quickly shifted back to Electro, who had already launched a blitz towards him. The two engaged in a fierce clash of electrifying fists. Despite Spider-Man's best efforts, he was at a disadvantage as the Dark Electricity continuously took a toll on him.
Seizing the opportunity, Electro exploited the hero's momentary stagger and harnessed his powers to disrupt the electrical impulses in Spider-Man's brain.
(Spider-Man) "ARGH!!!!" Holds his head in pain as he falls to his knees
(Dark Electro) "Oops, that must've hurt."
Electro skillfully sidestepped as Himegama's tendril wrapped around Spider-Man's stomach, slamming him through a nearby building. The hero's body went into a temporary state of shutdown due to the powerful attack from Electro.
As the two villains approached the fallen hero, expecting him to be unconscious, they were surprised when Spider-Man swiftly grabbed a pillar from the wreckage and used it to send them both flying through the air, crashing outside. Recovering quickly, Spider-Man shot a web at Electro's chest and pulled him towards himself. His heightened senses warned him of an impending attack from Himegama, but the hero cleverly spun Electro in circles and threw him towards her, causing a collision between the two villains.
Seizing the moment, Spider-Man charged a venom blast, unleashing a powerful attack that engulfed both villains and destroyed the entire street. He then quickly moved towards Electro's last known location, noticing that the villain was protecting Himegama due to her symbiote's weakness to electricity.
Using his webs, Spider-Man restrained both villains and threw them into a nearby building. He pursued Electro relentlessly, tackling him through walls, even enduring the villain's attempts to fry him from within. Unfazed, the resilient hero continued his assault.
The fierce battle spilled back outside, with both fighters exchanging punches and electric shocks. Despite the hard-hitting blows and the challenging terrain, they kept getting back up, continuing their intense fight. Spider-Man utilized his hyper sense to catch Electro off guard, delivering a powerful tackle that sent them crashing through a window.
(Spider-Man) Thoughts "Hit him! Forget the pain! Just beat the absolute shit out of him! Don't even look at that hazy electromagnetic aura that only makes your head hurt anyway! JUST HIT HIM UNTIL HE'S DEAD!"
Electro fell to the ground but recovered as he started cackling in excitement.
(Dark Electro) "Awww. You little punk! I'm going to burn your face off for this! I'm going to charge every atom in this room and leave you looking like an overcooked stake!"
(Spider-Man) "I dare you mother fucker! In fact, I double dare you!"
(Dark Electro) "YOU ASKED FOR IT!"
Electro started to overload every atom inside the building their currently fighting in... but he saw that Spider-Man just enveloped himself in webs.
(Spider-Man) "Dumbass."
(Dark Electro) "What was that!" Reads a sign right beside Spider-Man "...Gas..."
The entire building exploded, causing a small tremor in the surrounding area. Spider-Man emerged from the cocoon that protected him during the blast, quickly scanning the area for any sign of Electro. As he focused on his search, he was unexpectedly attacked from behind by Himegama. Reacting swiftly, he sensed her incoming attack and managed to block it with his forearms. Though he was pushed back a few feet, he remained unharmed, feeling only a slight sting from the force of her strike.
Himegama swiftly closed the distance between them, attempting to slash at Spider-Man, but he skillfully blocked her attack and countered with a well-aimed liver strike that elicited a pained grunt from the symbiote. Undeterred, Himegama utilized her hair as a tendril to stab at Spider-Man, but he deftly evaded each strike with his incredible acrobatics.
In a bold move, Spider-Man seized one of the tendrils and pulled Himegama towards him, channeling his venom powers into a fully charged karate chop that struck her squarely on the head. The impact created a massive explosion of destructive force, sending shockwaves through the area.
As the hero scanned the area for Electro, he noticed Himegama lying on the ground at the base of the building. Letting out a sigh, he knew he needed to focus on finding Electro, who was his top priority to neutralize. However, his search was abruptly interrupted when Vulture appeared out of nowhere, moving at an astonishing speed. Before Spider-Man could react, Vulture tackled him forcefully, sending them crashing through a nearby building, shattering glass and tables in their wake.
Despite the impact, Spider-Man and Vulture engaged in a fierce exchange of punches. Vulture proved relentless, grinding the hero's face against the floor with such force that it broke through the floor, causing intense pain to surge through Spider-Man's body. In a desperate move, Spider-Man managed to throw Vulture through a window, giving himself some space to recover.
Regaining his composure in mid-air, Spider-Man quickly utilized his lateral repulsion to launch himself at Vulture, delivering a devastating combo in an attempt to gain the upper hand in the battle.
As Vulture regained his composure, he swiftly launched multiple sword-like feathers towards Spider-Man. The agile hero managed to dodge the deadly projectiles, but Vulture wasn't done yet. With a burst of newfound strength, he skillfully untied the feathers and combined them to form a powerful shock wave.
The shock wave struck Spider-Man with immense force, sending him hurtling through the air for miles. The impact caused destruction in its wake, crashing through buildings, demolishing cars, and shattering multiple walls as the hero struggled to regain control and find a safe landing spot amidst the chaos.
(Dark Vulture) "He's getting a little bit too dangerous for our liking. I can't believe that he actually gets stronger with each fight... and to this level too. If it wasn't because I got my symbiote with me I would've been heavily damaged like Electro and Himegama. Speaking of which, I need to get them quick and return back to HQ before the Spider comes back more pissed off than hurt."
As the dust settled from the intense battle, Vulture wasted no time. He swiftly flew to Electro's last known location and expertly scooped up both Electro and Himegama in his powerful talons. With a malevolent glint in his eye, he conjured a portal to the Dark Multiverse and vanished from the scene, leaving behind only the aftermath of their destructive clash.
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Karito Pov
Ngh... That fucking bastard... Just wait until I get Toxin. I will destroy each and every one of you damn FUCKS!
I pushed away some debris that was on me and got up, looking at myself and my heavily damaged state but still kicking.
"Mission successful"
"15 level ups"
"Extra rewards, failed..."
Tch... this is the second time they get away from me. This is getting very frustrating. I was so close too, now I have to deal with them when they get even more upgrades in the future. It's so annoying...
I should get back to the others. This much destruction probably worried them and the fact that I'm pretty beaten up would give Takina and Chisato a heart attack.
I look in the direction I was sent flying from and saw multiple cars destroyed and houses with holes in them... I probably should leave before the public starts suing me for property damage.
Doing so I used lateral repulsion to rocket myself in the air and web swing toward Chisato and Takina's location.
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Chisato Pov
Where... Where am I?
I feel like I'm floating. Am I bellow water?
It's so calm...
Suddenly, I felt a hand gently caressing my cheek as I turn into a child, gasping in surprise.
Oh... this is a memory.
(Shinji) "It's all right."
Reality
I slowly open my eyes and looked to the side. Seeing Takina, Mizuki, Kurumi, and Teacher...
(Chisato) Weakly "You're all here..."
Why is everything around here so hectic? I see debris everywhere... What happened to the hospital?
Suddenly, Dr. Yamahishi entered the almost-destroyed room and started inspecting me
(Dr. Yamahishi) "You might feel a bit lethargic for a while because of the sedative."
I'm feeling... very weird. Like... something is severely weakened.
(Chisato) Touches her chest to where the heart is located "What did they do to me Doctor Yamagishi?"
(Dr. Yamahishi) "That wench... I hope Spider-Man got rid of her and her partner..."
(Chisato) "Spider-Man? He was fighting?"
(Dr. Yamahishi) "Yeah, I was scared because of the level of destruction a fight between superhumans occurred in the Hospital, just a few attacks managed to destroy half the building. I even noticed that Spider-Man was holding himself back but because there were people nearby he received a lot of damage. A special alarm was made just for these cases, whenever Spider-Man gets into a fight with a superhuman, everyone is obligated to get out of the area immediately... But the last time I saw him, he wasn't looking too good."
Wait, wasn't looking too good? But... he's Spider-Man. He's not dead? Right? N-No, there's no way. He's the strongest person I know... I've seen him survive unbelievable things. Y-Yeah, he's fine... there's no way he's gonna be put down.
I calmed myself. Trusting that Karito is fine.
(Chisato) Sighs "Spider-Man will be fine. I'm sure. He wouldn't be doing this job if he didn't have anything up his sleeve."
(Dr. Yamahishi) "That is true. Anyways, I should explain to you what those villains did to your heart." Starts explaining "A sudden high voltage overcharged the battery, and the hardware can't be accessed anymore. We won't be able to recharge it ever again. It's simple but effective, and the best method to destroy it."
(Chisato) Lowers her head "...Seriously? How much longer will it last?"
(Dr. Yamahishi) "Fortunately we just recharged it. So two months at best."
(Takina) "...Two months?"
(Dr. Yamahishi) "If you don't move around too much, it'll last a bit longer."
(Takina) "What's two months?!"
(Mika) "...Left to live."
(Takina) "Huh?"
(Mika) "That's how long Chisato has left to live."
(Takina) "N-No way..." Starts to panic "You can replace the broken parts a-and..."
(Dr. Yamahishi) "We can't... I hate to say this, but with our current knowledge and technology, there's nothing we can do."
(Takina) In shock
(Mika) "There is no replacement for Chisato's artificial heart."
(Takina) Starts to run toward the exit
(Chisato) "Where are you going?"
(Takina) Stops "To confirm if Spider-Man got rid of that nurse and her partner!"
(Chisato) "It's fine."
(Takina) "It's not fine!"
(Chisato) "It's fine."
(Takina) "Huh...?"
(Chisato)" I didn't have that much left, to begin with."
(Takina) "To begin with?"
A tense silence enveloped the scene. Not a single person dared to break the quietude. Spider-Man had stealthily arrived at the hospital, but instead of making his presence known, he chose to remain hidden for the time being.
(Chisato) "Killing her won't change anything."
(Spider-Man) Thoughts "That's where you're wrong, Chisato. It changes everything in this world."
(Chisato) "Come on, let's go home." Thoughts "I know, Karito will be waiting there... I want to see him..."
As they stepped out of the room, the group left Dr. Yamahishi alone. They made their way outside the ruined hospital, heading back to the café. Suddenly, a thud echoed behind them, and they turned to see Spider-Man landing with an audible impact. Gasps escaped their lips as they noticed the state of their friend, but it was Chisato who seemed most deeply concerned about him.
(Chisato) "Oh my god! Karito! What happened to you?" Looks at his injuries
(Karito) "I'm fine. You should've seen the other guys... even tho they unfortunately escaped." Unequipped his Spider-Man suit into the inventory and replaced it with casual clothes
(Kurumi) "How did you..."
(Karito) "Don't ask."
(Kurumi) "Ok..."
(Chisato) Hugs him "I'm glad you're alright..."
(Karito) Pets her "Of course, hamster."
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No pov
It was a rather uneventful day at Café LycoReco, with only a few customers coming in. One of the last customers to arrive requested the famous parfait, but unfortunately, it was no longer available. The staff explained that Takina felt embarrassed about it, but the real reason behind the change was Chisato's current situation, which had left her feeling down.
As the day came to a close, Mr. Abe, the final client, also hoped to enjoy the beloved parfait. However, he received the same response as everyone else, leaving him disappointed as well.
(Mr. Abe) "I didn't even get to try it..."
(Chisato) Smirks "I have a new order!"
Chisato begged Karito to make the parfait one last time, much to his annoyance.
(Mizuki) "There you go again. Takina's gonna get mad."
(Chisato) "I'll be okay. Customers come first!"
Suddenly, Takina appeared in the kitchen, and Chisato immediately tensed up, anticipating a scolding. However, to her surprise, Takina walked right past her without saying a word. Instead, she stopped in front of Karito, her expression serious and contemplative.
(Takina) "Karito?"
(Karito) "Hm? What's wrong Takina?"
(Takina) "Whenever you're available... can we talk..."
(Karito) Confused "Uhh... Okay?"
(Takina) "Thanks..."
After Takina left the kitchen, Mizuki and Chisato exchanged confused glances, but Karito could only respond with a simple shrug.
As they pondered the odd encounter, the café phone started ringing, and Karito instructed Chisato to answer it. Without hesitation, she picked up the phone and greeted the caller.
(Chisato) "Yes, LycoReco's poster girl here!"
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...
As they drove on the highway, Mizuki, Chisato, and Karito sat in the car together. Karito seemed a bit puzzled, wondering why he was even present on this trip, while Chisato appeared to be different from her usual self. Sensing the tension, Mizuki took it upon herself to break the ice.
(Mizuki) "I'm surprised you actually want to go to DA."
(Chisato) "I don't want to, though. Ms. Kusunoki keeps pestering me that she has something to give me."
(Karito) "Why am I here again?"
(Chisato) "Because I want you to be with me."
(Karito) "Bruh..."
A yellow sports car that was behind them started honking at them.
(Mizuki) "Is it money?"
(Karito) "Spoken like a true gold digger."
(Mizuki) "Are we doing this again?"
(Karito) "Do you want to?"
(Mizuki) "...No."
(Karito) "Alright, bet."
(Chisato) Snorts a little "...This whole thing is really getting to Takina, huh?"
(Mizuki) "Of course, it would. What I'm mostly surprised by is Karito."
(Karito) "Huh?"
(Chisato) "I'm surprised too. I thought you would be freaking out or something but... your unexpectedly calm..." Insecure
(Karito) "What? Are you assuming that I don't care?"
(Chisato) "I was just overthinking things... You aren't that mean."
(Karito) "The reason I'm calm is because I know you'll be fine."
(Chisato) "Huh? What do you mean?"
(Mizuki) "Karito... she only has 2 months and pushing for a few more if she doesn't overextend herself."
(Karito) "She'll be fine."
(Chisato) "How..."
(Karito) "Just leave it to me..."
(Mizuki) "Karito I don't think you-"
(Karito) "I said to leave it to me."
The impatient car behind them started to speed up and drive beside them. The two idiots started screaming at the trio.
(Idiot #1) "Hey, you!"
(Idiot #2) "Don't be going so damn slow!"
(Mizuki) "Ugh, these damn brats." Sees that Karito had grabbed Chisato's gun and lowered the window "HOLD ON!"
Karito's frustration boiled over, and he began to unleash a stream of Spanish curses while firing shots at the two individuals in the yellow car. The reckless driving of these two individuals nearly resulted in a collision, leaving them shaken and fearing for their lives. This experience left an indelible mark on them, they now known not to piss off a Latino.
(Mizuki) Sighs and presses a button for the car windows to go up "You really need some self-control, Karito."
(Karito) "...Fuck them, kids..."
Small time skip
Location, DA Headquarters
Kusunoki's office
(Kusunoki) "You seem rather energetic for someone who will die soon."
(Chisato) "You sure heard about it fast. So what is it?"
(Karito) Thoughts "Why am I here?"
(Kusunoki) "Return to DA. And I want Karito to be part of us as well"
(Chisato) Fake coughs "I'm going to die, so my physical condition isn't so..."
(Karito) Snorts
(Kusunoki) "I heard that Majima came by... and he has a major upgrade." Looks at Karito "Did your friend, Spider-Man kill him?"
(Karito) "Nope, he got away. In thin air just like that."
(Kusunoki) "You know, those villains escaped twice from you and your teammate."
(Karito) "You say it like it's easy to take them down. Did you fail to notice that an entire city block and buildings were leveled in just one fight?"
(Kusunoki) "You should also refrain from destroying so much property."
(Karito) "That logic is like telling a nuke not to explode while it falls from the sky..."
(Chisato) "What will we even gain from joining?" Smug
In that instant, Kusunoki placed an antiquated camera on the table, eliciting a surprised reaction from Chisato. Karito, on the other hand, wore a puzzled expression. Chisato reached for the camera and examined it closely, her curiosity piqued.
(Chisato) "Why do you have this, Ms. Kusunoki?"
(Kusunoki) "I had retrieved it to prevent information leakage."
(Chisato) "I was looking for it this whole time! You thief!"
(Kusunoki) "We will commence a large-scale operation to suppress Majima and his group soon. You both should join us."
(Chisato) Giggles "That's a harsh joke."
(Karito) "I'm going to be part of the battle anyways."
(Kusunoki) "Many people worked tirelessly to turn you into an excellent Lycoris. But you're going to die before you can properly play your part. And you, what do you mean by already part of it?"
(Chisato) "I'll start first... What I imagine my part to be is different from yours."
(Karito) "And as for me... well, I'm one of their high-value targets. And Spider-Man and I are the only ones who can match them in power."
Both Chisato and Karito stood up from the sofa and started to walk towards the exit.
(Kusunoki) "I'm not done yet. Sit down."
(Karito) "You ain't my boss. I'm going on ahead." Leaves
(Chisato) Slightly turns around "Let Takina come back here. then I might think about it!" Opens the office doors "Oh, thanks for this!" waves with the camera
A few minutes later
(Chisato) "Thanks for waiting." Enters Mizuki's car
(Karito) Passed out in the back "ZzzzZzzzz..."
(Mizuki) "So, how did it go?"
(Chisato) "The thief confessed."
(Mizuki) "What the hell does that mean?"
(Chisato) "And also..." Looks at Karito
(Mizuki) "Hm?"
(Chisato) "...Nothing..."
(Mizuki) "Uh... Ok?" Starts driving
(Chisato) Looks back and stares at Karito for a bit "..." Thoughts "Karito... what is going to happen? I feel like you know what's going on but... you keep holding the entire world on your back... And that... concerns me so much... I'm so worried about you..."
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No Pov
Location LycoReco
The café appeared quite empty again that day, with the staff taking a moment to relax until customers walked in, prompting them to spring into action. Within a few minutes, the entrance swung open to reveal two Lycoris, Sakura and Fuki. The younger Lycoris didn't hesitate to express their desire for sweets as soon as they entered.
(Sakura) Looks at Mika "A parfait, please! I don't care what! Something you can whip up in an instant!"
(Mika) Chuckles "You want one too, Fuki?"
(Fuki) Blushes "No we're not staying for too long."
(Sakura) "WHAT?! Hurry, hurry!
(Fuki) Looks at Takina who was just looking at them and gives her a paper "Reply by tomorrow."
(Takina) Looks at it "What's this?"
(Fuki) "Likely and order for you to return."
(Takina) Gasp
(Fuki) "We found Majima's hideout. We need more manpower to rush it."
(Sakura) "Good for you, huh? But honestly, they should've just asked Karito. I'm sure he could take the entire place down."
(Fuki) "Come on, we're going back. The operation is in three days." Starts dragging Sakura away
(Sakura) "Huh? Wait, Fuki..."
(Fuki) "Excuse us, sir." Speaking to Mika
(Mika) "Leaving already?"
(Karito) Appears from absolutely nowhere "I have your parfait to go, Sakura." Gives it to her while she's being dragged away
(Sakura) "...Can I be your girlfriend?"
(Karito) "No." Walks away
(Sakura) Heartbroken "I'm gonna stress eat..."
Sakura gets dragged away while emotionally hurt by karito.
Kurumi who was in the Kitchen walks towards Takina to congratulate her.
(Kurumi) "You did it, Takina!"
(Takina) "..." Doesn't answer
(Karito)Taps her shoulder gently "You are not happy about it, huh?"
(Takina) "...No..."
(Karito) "You've been wanting this for so long and now you changed your mind?" Smirks
(Takina) "It's just..."
(Karito) "You feel like you belong."
(Takina) "Yeah... I feel like this is my home..."
(Karito) "You know that no matter where you go, this place will always be the home you can return to."
(Takina) Smiles a bit "Thank you, Karito."
(Karito) "No worries, sweet cheeks." Pets her
Small times skip
Karito had taken it upon himself to handle all the missions that Takina and Chisato were assigned. His motive was to ensure Chisato's longevity, to grant him time to find a way to cure her, even though he was already privy to the solution. Yet, he waited for the opportune moment to act.
In an empty alley, the hero stood surrounded by three subdued thugs, their forms secured to the walls with his webbing. A sigh escaped him as he ruminated on the impending war he was inevitably going to confront.
The weight of the world's salvation pressing down on one's shoulders was a sensation he had grown accustomed to. He knew this feeling well: the incessant thoughts that plagued his mind, the constant concern for the safety of his loved ones, devising strategies to counter the villains, and minimizing civilian casualties. Preparation was paramount for a global-scale conflict, for if he failed to safeguard this country, the tides of darkness would surge forth, consuming the world in its wake.
Lately, the arachnid-themed hero had been experiencing visions. These visions mirrored those he had encountered when he found himself in the realm of the movie "Headshot." Insights into forbidden knowledge began infiltrating his consciousness—past iterations of this world, its inevitable demise.
He surmised that these visions were an extension of his role as a Guardian, a privilege of foresight. While this deduction wasn't entirely inaccurate, neither was it wholly true. These glimpses were accessible to him due to his connection with the realm of fiction.
To decipher the implications of his visions and his current state of unease, a succinct explanation is in order. The prior incursions of the Dark forces were confined to the alternate dimensions of the anime "Lycoris Recoil." The genuine dimension of the anime remained unscathed—until now. The past intrusions pertained to "fanfic" versions of the anime, the concise renditions of this realm. However, anything intertwined with the original "Lycoris Recoil" was now ensnared by the Dark forces. Karito's visions were revelations of the deceased in another dimension that was, in essence, the same as his own.
Presently, after years of dormancy, the Darks had commenced their invasion of the genuine "Lycoris Recoil" dimension. Their success had been foiled earlier by a twist of fate—the advent of a Guardian into the narrative. This Guardian, unlike his predecessor, stood in their path, a resolute force to be reckoned with. The Guardians, long believed to be extinct, had a final strategy in reserve.
The Darks remained oblivious to his identity or origins, save for the Guardian himself. All they knew was that he was an obstacle that needed elimination—before their dreaded apprehension transpired.
(Spider-Man) Presses his earpiece "I'm done with the cleanup in this sector."
(Mizuki) On coms "If you're done, hurry up and get back here! We're really busy."
(Spider-Man) "Seriously, you guys are a mess when the chef is gone."
(Takina) On Coms "Karito, there's so-"
Before her sentence could find its conclusion, Spider-Man had reacted swiftly, firing a web-shoot that adhered to the escaping thug, pinning him to the wall.
(Spider-Man) "I know..."
(Takina) On coms "Um... Karito?"
(Spider-Man) "Hm?"
(Takina) On coms "Can we have that talk... now?"
(Spider-Man) "... Sure go ahead."
(Takina) On coms "I know you have been keeping something from us. I've seen the restless look on your face recently. You are preparing for something so big that I can't even begin to fathom what your preparations are for... but all I ask for when the time comes... is please take care of yourself. You're reckless which makes you do things that end up you hurting yourself just to ensure you win... I... am worried about you."
(Spider-Man) "Look... I know... I haven't been as cheerful as before and if I am I'm just putting up a front. It's just... having the weight of the world by myself is suffocating. A war is coming and I'm the only one who can do something about it because if someone other than me doesn't they'll just die and turn into my enemies and that is something I don't want for any of you. I already have enough mental scars to last me for a lifetime. I already lost very good friends. It's just a debate of whether I should do everything myself or ask for help but keep you all away to ensure you all won't be attacked. And... all the possibilities of this war... I've seen and analyzed... I cannot let you guys suffer because of my problems..."
(Takina) On coms "Karito... I've told you before that I would help you with whatever you need but I need you to let me in. You took me with you to save Chisato and I left as you did everything else because I know I'm just going to be a burden for you. I don't care if I don't have to be beside you on the battlefield, I can also help you from afar. We all can... because Karito, you are the strongest person I know but sometimes the strongest need help sometimes, there's only so much you can do alone."
The hero remained there, deep in thought over Takina's words. She had a point – he had faced numerous challenges alone before. The idea of his friends suffering the way they did in The Age Of Ultron sent shivers down his spine. It terrified him, yet he realized that he couldn't bear the weight alone forever. He had learned from the likes of Tony Stark, and those lessons wouldn't go to waste. He was determined to succeed, not in isolation, but alongside his team.
(Spider-Man) "How's Chisato doing?"
(Takina) On coms "She's missing you already. Doesn't stop asking when you'll come back."
(Spider-Man) "That girl, I swear." Chuckles
(Takina) On coms "When will you two finally start dating?"
(Spider-Man) "... I was thinking after the symbiotes have been dealt with..."
(Takina) On coms "Karito, you do know about the situation about her heart. Why don't you just..."
(Spider-Man) "She's not going to die. I will ensure that."
(Takina) On coms "How can you be so sure? Everyone said that there was nothing that could fix her condition."
(Spider-Man) "I have a "someone" that can fix her really easily. But I gotta wait a bit more. Don't worry about it, I won't let her die. Not on my watch."
(Takina) On coms "...Okay... I believe you. If anyone can I'm sure it's you..."
(Spider-Man) "Thanks, Takina."
(Takina) Smiles "No problem." Disconnects from coms
Small time skip
Inside LycoReco, Mika sat in a contemplative posture, lost in thought. There was an obvious unease about him, his mind seemingly preoccupied. The intensity of his thoughts had driven him to light up a cigarette. His mental reverie was abruptly broken as two individuals approached and addressed him.
(Kurumi) "You smoke?"
(Karito) Places a cup of coffee right beside Mika "Of course, people are on edge on a rainy day..."
(Mika) Sigh "When I feel guilty, it makes me want to smoke. It's just the right amount for hurting myself."
(Karito) "Then what's the point of smoking it if you aren't going to enjoy it?"
(Kurumi) "Exactly. Just don't."
(Mika) Chuckles
(Kurumi) "Karito and I looked stuff up. You should have consulted me earlier."
(Mika) "What did the great Walnut and Amazing Spider-Man figure out?"
(Kurumi) "As for me, nothing for now. I'm sure Karito is almost done with his."
(Karito) "The Alan Institute... Shinji Yoshimatsu. Finding anything suspicious on them around the internet is seemingly impossible, they've been scrubbed clean."
(Mika) "Figures."
(Kurumi) "Tell him the rest Karito."
(Karito) "But there is something that I know for a fact about them."
(Mika) "And that is?"
(Karito) "The Alan Institute is 100% involved with the symbiotes, they are connected to Majima and their "terrorist" attack. They are mass-producing symbiotes at an incredible rate. At this point, the end of the world is near."
(Mika) "W-What?"
(Kurumi) "It's hard to understand. I was the same."
(Karito) "I've tried to infiltrate them a few times but the amount of energy that resides inside that place weakens me and I cannot afford to be weakened in the enemy's nest. But I was able to confirm the number of enemies that have fallen to them..."
(Mika) "...How much is it?"
(Karito) "If I'm not wrong the population of Japan is around 127.7 million. If I made my calculations right... about 70% of the population have been turned into a symbiote..."
(Kurumi) "...About 89.39 million people have been turned..."
(Mika) "How is that possible?!"
(Karito) "I'm not even surprised they've been able to turn that many people indiscreetly."
(Mika) "Karito, how in God's name are you going to fight 89 million people? Let's not forget that it might even increase by the time this war starts."
(Karito) "Don't worry, I have a plan. Kurumi will help me with it."
Without them knowing, Takina was quietly looking at them from the entrance.
(Kurumi) "I'm still feeling uneasy about this plan Karito. It... just sounds like suicide."
(Mika) "Karito... what are you thinking of doing?"
(Takina) Silently listening
(Karito) "...I made a device that will affect all of Japan. I made it so only the symbiotes inside them can be forcefully removed. A shock wave will hit everything and will cleanse everyone... but I have to take it at the highest place I can find... while fighting 89 million symbiotes... or perhaps 125 million by then... while also fighting the villains that give me a lot of trouble..."
(Mika) "Are you insa-!" Calms down "Karito, I know you are superhuman but this is just absolutely mad."
(Karito) "...I'm the only one who can... Because of them... Silent Jin, the woman that ruined Chisato's heart... It all happened because of Yoshimatsu. Because he welcomes my enemies into this world. Everything this world used to know peace for is now shattered because he welcomed evil forces that are hell-bent on destruction and consumption. I have been chosen to kill them... and that's what I will do. I will try to avoid killing as many civilians as possible but I can't promise that by the time I'm done... I will have my hands clean. Call me mad or insane, I'm just doing everything I can to ensure this world's safety because if I fall... this planet will die..."
The two who listened to Karito just remained speechless. They couldn't argue with what he said because it has already been proven futile to fight alongside him... they will just be a burden. Everything... is in the hands of a "17-year-old boy".
It just doesn't make sense to them. Logic has been broken since he appeared and everything they thought to be false was proven true by this mysterious boy who is now putting himself on the line to save the planet.
He's going to be alone.
Fighting on the battlefield.
Blood will shower him as his battle cries reverb across everything.
And them? They will just see this one boy, who is doing a man's job in a safe space.
They will help him with just one device. That's it.
The hard part will fall into the hands of Karito.
What an unfortunate soul he is...
And the girl who listened from afar silently whimpers for her friend. She knew what was gonna eventually happen was going to be catastrophic but she never knew the rest of the details her dear friend was keeping.
Just why him? She asks herself. Why such an unholy amount of pressure on her friend? Why can't she also take a bit of his burden as well? It's like she's not allowed to, a force so inexplicable is pushing her away like she was an insignificant side character.
How unfair...
(Karito) "That's about it... I'm going to check on Chisato."
(Mika) "...Ok..."
As the boy leaves the café on a rainy day. The listeners of the conversation all share one thing in common.
"I feel sorry for you, Karito..."
...
...
...
The rain gently cascaded down, dampening Karito's hair. Yet, the wetness didn't faze him; his concerns were far weightier than nature's somber tears. His search was resolute, for he sought the linchpin of this anime's tale—the protagonist. Amid the rain-drenched and deserted streets, a red-clad figure caught his eye.
As if the elements themselves had directed him, he stood before Chisato Nishikigi, the very core of the anime's narrative. Her back leaned against a fence, her gaze fixed on the camera's contents, a gift from Kusunoki. The sight before her seemed to bring forth a genuine smile, one that radiated happiness amidst the rain-soaked backdrop.
(Chisato) "It really is Mr. Yoshi..."
(Karito) "Hey."
(Chisato) Follows the voice "Karito! I'm so glad it's you." Quickly hugs him
(Karito) "..."
(Chisato) "Why aren't you hugging me?"
(Karito) "It's just..."
(Chisato) "Is something wrong?"
(Karito) "Well, no... I'm just worried."
(Chisato) "Worried about what?"
(Karito) "About you... and it's not about your heart."
(Chisato) "Then?"
(Karito) "It worries me how you still think Mr. Yoshi is a good guy."
(Chisato) "Karito we've talked about this don't..."
(Karito) "How are you the strongest Lycoris when it's about fighting but the blindest when it's about the heart? I love that you hope for the best in people but Chisato that hope can backfire on you. I've told you again and again but you won't listen."
(Chisato) "Karito don't..."
(Karito) "I know..."
(Chisato) "Huh?"
(Karito) "I know how you're life has been. The reason why you changed. When you were small all you did was fight. You were ruthless. Impressing everyone with your talents... You were perfect... Amazing... but because of me and my fight with that symbiote 10 years ago your heart was severely damaged, and you weren't going to live for long. And that's when Mr. Yoshi came in with his artificial heart. Do you think he cared about you? That he cared about anything other than your well-being? NO! He doesn't give a shit! All he cared about was your talent and what you can do for society with that talent. The only reason he gave a shit was because he needed you alive."
(Chisato) "I don't believe you..."
(Karito) "And you still remain ignorant... I... I can't bear to see this..."
(Chisato) "Why are you being like this? You're talking like you're trying to make amends. What is wrong Karito? What won't you tell me? I've been so patient with you but as time passes you get worse and worse! Do you think I haven't noticed how two-faced you've been recently? You weren't like that a few months ago but then suddenly you changed! What changed you... Karito... Please... I'm begging you... Each time I try to reach out you push me away... The one time I thought I reached you... it was just a moment that didn't even last. You just look so... hopelessly dead inside..."
(Karito) "..."
Suddenly, a vision came into Karito's mind. Like a past memory.
Memory
10 years ago
Inside a hotel room, Mr. Yoshi occupied a seat on the bed, draped in a white coat. His gaze remained fixated on a screen showcasing the training sessions of a young Chisato, a spark of hope lighting up his features. Suddenly, the bathroom door swung open, and another figure emerged, clad in an identical white coat. This second man was Mika, his cautious steps punctuated by a cane, a visible testament to his injured leg, as he approached Mr. Yoshi's side.
(Mika) "Are you watching that again?"
With a quick motion, Mr. Yoshi divided the screen with a video of Spider-Man and Chisato.
(Shinji) "Mika, are you good at taking care of children?"
(Mika) "I'm terrible at it."
(Shinji) "Despite always being surrounded by children?"
(Mika) "It's my job. I wouldn't be doing it if it weren't for this leg."
(Shinji) "Hey, Mika. I want you to help this girl after the surgery so she can make use of her talent."
(Mika) "Of course. DA will take responsibility and raise her."
(Shinji) "I'm asking you specifically. She's our daughter already, isn't she? Is that a no?"
(Mika) Looks away "I've never had a mission like this before."
(Shinji) "It's not a mission. It's a promise between you and me. Also... has there been any new's about that Superhero child?"
(Mika) "Nothing, he disappeared."
(Shinji) Mumbles "What a shame... his talent is immeasurable... he would've been a good dark."
(Mika) "What was that?"
(Shinji) "It's unfortunate. He would've contributed so much to this world."
The realization struck Karito like a bolt of lightning. The pieces fell into place, explaining Takina's staunch stance whenever Mr. Yoshi was mentioned. Her bond with Mika and Shinji was evident, especially the prominent role Mika played in raising her. Karito decided against debating this issue further, recognizing that pressing the matter could irreversibly alter their dynamic.
He murmured to himself, an internal acknowledgment of the difficult decisions he knew he would soon have to make. "I'm sorry for what I'm gonna do in the future... but I have no choice."
The vision shifted, transporting him to a time before Chisato's operation. She sat in an electric wheelchair, a joyful smile adorning her face, as she navigated a corridor. Amidst this scene, he heard the soothing voice of Mika, compelling him to listen further.
(Mika) "That's how I started my "Make Believe family" with Chisato.
The cheerful young girl continued down the hallway until she reached a junction, where she paused. Her gaze shifted to the right, and she spotted Shinji engrossed in his phone. Unperturbed, she casually made her way to stand in front of Shinji, successfully capturing his attention. A slightly worn-out Mika trailed behind her, attempting to catch up but falling short. He came to a stop a few paces behind the little girl and Shinji.
(Little Chisato) Happy "It's you, isn't it? The person who's going to help me!"
(Shinji) Chuckles "You have the wrong person. I'm just a staff member here."
(Little Chisato) "Liar! Nobody here wears a fashionable suit like that."
(Shinji) Laughs "Thank you."
(Little Chisato) "No, I'm the one who should be thanking you. How can I show you my gratitude?"
(Shinji) Turns serious "You have a grand mission. Please fulfill it. In order for you to do so, I became..." Sighs "A savior for the time being."
(Little Chisato) "A savior, huh?" Gasp
The little girl stands up from the chair and quickly gives Shinji a hug full of gratitude.
(Little Chisato) "Thank you. I'll become one, too. A savior!"
With those words... Shinji gently pushes Chisato away and stands up. He walks past Mika who silently apologizes for the inconvenience.
(Little Chisato) "Mr. Savior, say cheese!" Takes a picture and smiles
The scene then changes to an operating table. Many machines were surrounding the little girl. The heart monitor shows she is afraid but she still decided to tell her teacher.
(Little Chisato) "Teach, I'm scared."
(Mika) "Don't worry. This will make you better. Thanks to whatever the Scarlet hero did make you last longer than anticipated. You're lucky for such a savior."
(Little Chisato) "Will... I ever see the Scarlet hero again?"
(Shinji) "I'm sure you will. Everything will be alright." Gently pets her
(Little Chisato) "Mr. Savior."
Then the little Lycoris was put to sleep, and the operation started.
A few hours later...
The operation has been completed without any issues. Little Chisato rested on her bed with nothing much to do until a present was given to her.
(Little Chisato) "A present?"
The box contained a gun and the owl necklace.
(Little Chisato) "From who?"
(Mika) "The savior."
(Little Chisato) "Then, it's a gun for helping people."
(Mika) "Shinji had disappeared ever since. I hadn't seen him since, either. Guardian, I share this memory with you. Please use it carefully and plan for the incoming battle. I hope this helped you understand the situation with us 3."
(Karito) "It did... thank you Mika's variant... I now understand his obsession with me I only needed a few details to understand... the obsession with Chisato... why he does what he does... the darks changed him... and now I need to put him down...for good."
Reality
(Chisato) "Karito, are you even listening to me?"
(Karito) "Sorry, I spaced out for a bit..." Starts walking away
(Chisato) Concern "Karito? Where are you going?"
(Karito) "I have to do something."
(Chisato) "Can I he-"
(Karito) "No, just... go back to the café. I'll be fine."
And with that, the Lycoris watched her crush leap into the air, swinging away on his webs. The sight pained her more than she had anticipated. The feeling of being pushed away by someone she cared so deeply for cut deep.
She's been trying her best, but it seems insufficient. Was it really the right choice for them to know his secret? It feels like things were more manageable before he revealed himself... and since then, everything seems to have taken a disastrous turn. He's no longer the cheerful person he used to be; he's reverted to the same demeanor he had when they first met.
His eyes tell a story of survival. They hold the weight of having witnessed death, having endured wars... and somewhere in those eyes, she sees something darker. The eyes of someone who's taken lives, the eyes of a killer.
(Chisato) "...This is wrong..."
...
...
...
Karito made his way back to the café and noticed Kurumi, Mika, Mizuki, and Takina deeply engaged in a conversation. It seemed quite serious, so he opted to quietly join and listen in.
(Kurumi) "Since we can't trace his footsteps, it's faster to track him via Majima's bold moves. Being able to participate in a DA operation is a great opportunity."
(Takina) "I had intended on declining..."
(Kurumi) "Why? You were eager to be reinstated, right?"
(Mizuki) Makes himself known "These will be Chisato's last two months, after all."
(Karito) "No, it won't, how many times do I have to repeat myself?"
(Mizuki) "Karito, you are a genius that's for sure but how are you able to make an artificial heart?"
(Karito) "Who said anything about making an artificial heart?"
(Mizuki) "You're messing with me, right?"
(Karito) "No, I'm not, it's simple for a symbiote to do something like that."
(Mizuki) "Wait... you said those were evil. Why are you suddenly thinking of using something that the enemy uses?"
(Karito) "Not their symbiotes. Mine."
(Mika) "You have a symbiote?"
(Karito) "Yes, and he's my partner. He's not evil."
(Kurumi) "And how is a symbiote supposed to make a heart for Chisato?"
(Karito) "They can cure cancer. A heart will be a piece of cake."
(Kurumi) "Wait... seriously?!"
(Karito) "Yeah, but I'm not going to do it right now because my symbiote needs to focus on healing."
(Mizuki) "Why not now?"
(Karito) "..."
(Takina) "Why can't you do it now, Karito?!"
(Karito) "..."
Inside Karito's head
In alternate timelines, various scenarios have unfolded, each resulting in different outcomes.
In one version, everyone faced grim fates as they succumbed to the onslaught of the symbiotes.
In another scenario, a valiant last stand was made by Takina and Chisato, each wielding their own symbiotes. Astonishingly, they quickly adapted to their newfound powers, but the sheer overwhelming number of symbiotes proved insurmountable.
This is the very reason Karito refrains from healing Chisato now. He holds back because if a situation arises—whether deliberately or unintentionally—where Chisato finds herself on the battlefield, he has a contingency plan in place. He would call upon Toxin to possess Chisato, taking her away before she could gain control over him.
You could label it as plot armor, the peculiar natural affinity Chisato and Takina exhibit for symbiotes. However, this narrative safeguard imposes an extra layer of caution, as it demands a more meticulous approach whenever plans shift.
But when it comes to Darks, plot armor loses its significance; they disregard such conventions, unburdened by the limitations that shield fictional characters. Moreover, the fact that neither Chisato nor Takina are Guardians—a status that Karito holds—complicates the situation further.
To make any meaningful impact against a Dark entity, they require the influence of a Guardian, which often hinges on the Party system or possession of a Guardian's weapon. Armed with such tools, fictional characters gain the ability to "hurt" the anomalies inhabiting their narratives, albeit within certain boundaries.
However, true erasure of a Dark anomaly from a story's fabric falls within the jurisdiction of the Guardians themselves, anomalies in their own right. Unlike the Darks, who function as infections in the realm of fiction, the Guardians stand as defenders, akin to specialized white blood cells summoned to restore the integrity of a manipulated story.
Back to reality
(Karito) "I can't say."
(Takina) "Karito this is not the time to be so stubborn about what you're keeping from us!"
(Karito) "It's not that I'm being stubborn, it's just that I can't because if I do... I will fail to save you all."
(Kurumi) "What the hell are you even talking about?"
(Karito) "..."
(Takina) "Tch... fine! I'm still returning to DA."
(Karito) "No, you're not."
(Takina) "What?!"
(Mika) "Karito it's her choice."
(Karito) "Look at me in the eye and tell me that again."
(Mika) Does so "It's her choice."
(Karito) "I don't give a fuck about her choice. She's staying away from here just like all of you are. I was planning on using DA as a distraction and I won't be able to do so if Takina is amongst them!"
(Mizuki) "H-How can you..."
(Karito) "What? Use them as bait? There are just going to be turned to symbiotes, they'll live after I'm done."
(Mika) "Karito, people's lives are not toys."
(Karito) "I'm going to refrain from giving you the biggest dis in your life out of respect but don't you ever use that statement against me."
(Takina) "You don't control me, Karito! I will do what I must!"
(Karito) "...Fine, do whatever you want."
(Takina) "Huh?" Surprised
(Kurumi) "...You gave up... surprisingly easy..."
(Karito) "..." Thoughts "I have a plan anyways..."
(Takina) "I'll tell Chisato. Please give me some time."
(Karito) "Sure..."
Takina found herself in a state of unease, grappling with the abrupt shift in Karito's demeanor. His behavior had become an enigma she couldn't decipher. After a long stretch of familiarity, he now seemed unpredictable, and the patterns she had come to recognize had dissolved into ambiguity. A newfound aggressiveness radiated from him, a readiness to obliterate anyone who dared to provoke him.
This transformation left her grappling with heightened anxiety for her friend, a gnawing worry that continued to intensify.
...
...
...
Location
Robota's secret base
No Pov
Entering his home, the hacker lugged a collection of bags loaded with food, fully prepared to honor his end of the deal. His readiness, however, was met with astonishment when his gaze settled on an imposing, ebony figure lounging in his chair, its sheer mass nearly crushing the furniture. Though a fleeting suspicion that this could be his boss Venom crossed his mind, closer inspection revealed distinctions, leading him to identify the entity as Majima merged with his symbiote.
(Robota) "When did you get here?"
(Dark Majima) "How is the progress going? The symbiotes and all that."
(Robota) "Well, the overtaking has been going rather quickly. It's now around 90% of Japan's population have been turned into symbiotes so far."
(Dark Majima) "Damn, that's quick. What about... "That"?"
(Robota) "Well, Lord Venom did most of that part and... brought that monstrosity on a S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier."
(Dark Majima) "How did he..."
(Robota) "It's not here in this dimension yet... He said that it's a last resort just in case."
(Dark Majima) "Is it because of the Guardian?"
(Robota) "Yeah, he's being... awfully proactive. He's literally been all over Japan for some reason..."
(Dark Majima) "He must be setting the entire country up for the incoming war."
(Robota) "That's what I thought as well. We can't tell what he's doing because whenever he's in the camera it just turns into a black screen and when it turns on he's nowhere to be found."
(Dark Majima) "That Guardian..." Angry
(Robota) "Were you able to get stronger?"
(Dark Majima) "It's actually very easy..."
(Robota) "...I can literally see that... I don't even know why I asked... You.. literally became a monster..."
(Dark Majima) Stands up facing Robota "This is nothing..."
(Robota) Gulps "..."
...
...
...
Location
Café LycoReco
It was another uneventful day in the café, with Chisato's restlessness beginning to verge on the side of annoyance.
(Chisato) Starts clapping "Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! Hey, welcome! I say, welcome!"
(Karito) "Chisato... shut the fuck up..." Continues typing down his computer
(Chisato) "Oh... Um... sorry..." Thoughts "...That kind of hurt my feeling the way he said it..." Ignores it and continues to speak "Man, I'm so bored..."
The café's entrance swung open, eliciting a flicker of excitement in Chisato. However, as her gaze fell upon the newcomer, her enthusiasm deflated like a balloon. It was Takina, clad in the clothes that Karito had purchased for her a few months ago: a gray shirt paired with a white skirt adorned with blue lines along the sides.
(Chisato) "Welcome back?"
(Takina) Walks towards Chisato "I have to talk to you."
(Chisato) "Huh? Oh."
Takina shot Karito a sidelong glance, a gesture that didn't escape his notice. She then pivoted away, striding purposefully toward a vacant table. Chisato promptly followed suit, taking a seat beside her.
(Chisato) "What game is this?"
(Takina) "Huh?"
(Chisato) "Huh?"
(Takina) Places a book with the title "Guidebook for fun day-off Program Created by Takina Inoue" "Let's head out."
Chisato's face suddenly lit up; she glanced at her teacher and received a nod of approval. With that, she hurried off to change into her outfit. Meanwhile, Takina came to a halt in front of Karito.
(Takina) "What are you waiting for? Let's go?"
(Karito) Stops typing "Wait, me too?"
(Takina) "Despite you being an asshole recently I still want you to be with us. The trio isn't the same without you. Take a break... please do this for me and Chisato... can you not be Spider-Man for one day and be yourself?"
Karito momentarily stopped, his thoughts catching up to Takina's words. He recognized that he was slipping back into old habits – that inadvertent surge of anger and his previous attitude. He had hoped to have moved past that, but the scars of past experiences still lingered, shaping his reactions without his conscious awareness.
He realized he was unintentionally portraying the same harsh demeanor that Takina accused him of, a reflection he hadn't seen until now. It hit him hard; he was treating these girls unfairly, letting his unresolved issues dictate his behavior.
He needed to regain his composure, to prevent subjecting them to this side of him. He needed to find a way to ease the tension and frustration he carried, even if just for a brief respite. After all, they didn't deserve to be at the receiving end of his emotional baggage.
Perhaps he should take a step back, loosen the grip on his grim reality, even if just for a day. Was that permissible? Could he let go of the ever-present weight he carried?
With a deep breath, he shed his superhero facade and stood before Takina.
(Karito) "Alright, I'll get ready."
...
...
...
The trio strolled along the bustling streets of Japan, blending in with the crowd in their casual attire. The two girls, Takina and Chisato, appeared excited and determined to have a good time during their outing.
However, a persistent unease gnawed at Karito, his heightened spider senses keeping him perpetually on edge. While Takina and Chisato were immersed in their plans, Karito's instincts were firing alerts, detecting something amiss in the atmosphere.
There was a strange undercurrent to the surroundings. Around them, approximately 80 individuals with an air of deception cloaked their sinister intentions. Disguised as regular humans, these beings were in reality symbiotes using human flesh to masquerade. What puzzled Karito was their facade – they were behaving almost normally, like they were awaiting some hidden signal to unleash chaos.
Caught between the desire to spend quality time with his friends and the nagging instinct to remain vigilant, Karito wrestled with the decision. He knew that maintaining his constant state of vigilance could hinder his ability to fully enjoy their outing. He weighed the options, contemplating how best to navigate this dilemma.
As they continued their walk, the trio unknowingly reached their first destination.
(Chisato) "This is our first stop, huh?" Looks at Takina "Wait, aren't you cold in that?"
(Karito) "She's probably one of those people who can even walk baked during Winter."
(Takina) "Well, this is what Karito picked for me."
(Karito) "That's not what she's saying. Don't you have any winter clothes? The ones I picked for you by then were because it was summer by then... it's winter now..."
(Takina) "I don't got anything else." Continues walking
(Karito) "Bruh..."
(Chisato) "Bruh..."
(Karito) Looks at Chisato "???"
(Chisato) Stickers her tongue out and follows Takina
(Karito) Follows behind "We should get something for Winter Version Takina. How does that sound?"
(Chisato) "That's a great idea, Karito!"
The trio enthusiastically embraced Karito's suggestion, and they soon found themselves inside a bustling clothing store. As Chisato prepared to peruse the selection of clothes, Karito took the initiative, already selecting an outfit for her. His knack for fashion surprised her; it seemed he had an innate sense for choosing the right pieces.
Chisato admired the ensemble he had picked out – a vibrant red beret paired with a cozy, warm gray long-sleeved top. To complement the look, he added a stylish brown jacket, its earthy tones harmonizing with the overall aesthetic. The ensemble was completed with a flowing, knee-length skirt and snug warm pants, perfectly suited for the season. Light brown shoes finished off the look, tying it all together into a coordinated and fashionable outfit.
(Chisato) "Seriously, Karito. How do you do it? Tell me you're secret!"
(Karito) "What secret?"
(Chisato) "You just know how to pick clothes and it actually fits them. Look at Takina! She looks like a really good model!"
(Karito) "I guess that's what happens when you have a lot of female friends. You just know."
(Chisato) Jealous "Oh? How many of these "female" friends do you have?"
(Karito) "You don't have to get jealous, you hamster." Gently pinches her cheek
(Chisato) "Owwoowowowowo! No that hurts~!" Thoughts "...This... can you be like this for the rest of the day? so I can remember the reason why I fell for you..."
(Takina) An alarm on her phone starts to ring "It's time. We should move on." Grabs Karito and Chisato's hands and starts to drag them away "Let's go you love birds!"
(Chisato) Blushes "W-Wai! We haven't bought you a coa-"
(Karito) "Forget about it! It looks like we are on a schedule so let's keep going, ok?"
(Takina) "What Karito said is true. We need to hurry, so let's go!"
Their adventure continued with a visit to an arcade. Karito's familiarity with the arcade was evident as he led the trio from one game to another. His mastery of the games was so pronounced that his name graced the top of the leaderboard for nearly every machine. Chisato enthusiastically attempted to best his records, but Karito's scores remained unassailable, seemingly unbreakable.
Amid the fun and games, an alarm sounded on Takina's device, marking the need to move on. They departed the arcade and shifted their attention to a cosmetics store, where Karito's unexpected knowledge of makeup garnered the girls' surprise. He attributed his expertise to a barber course he had taken and his attendance at "The San Juan Beauty Show," where he absorbed various presentations on beauty and makeup techniques. With Karito's guidance, they selected a few products, a task executed without hesitation. As their excitement grew, Takina's alarm once again interrupted their outing, signaling the need to proceed.
Deciding to take a brief food break, the trio found themselves at an eatery. The girls placed orders for their preferred sweets, while Karito, ravenous from their activities, boldly ordered an extensive variety from the menu. Unfortunately, before his colossal order could fully arrive, Takina's alarm rang anew, dashing Karito's hopes as he watched his anticipated meal being unceremoniously cleared away. Amidst this scene, Chisato, undeterred, managed to devour two pancakes in a way that amusingly resembled a hamster collecting its stash.
(Chisato) Mouthfull "Why arh whe wunnim awoun insh suf ah huwy?"
(Karito) Dead inside "Why are we running around in such a hurry..."
(Takina) "Thanks for the translation Karito. But to answer your question, that's a secret." Gasp as she saw the aquarium was closed
Karito looked at the sign, saying "Notice of temporary closure".
(Chisato) Gulps "Life doesn't go as planned, huh?"
(Karito) "It really doesn't."
(Chisato) "All right you two, follow me."
Chisato took the two of them to a nearby pond in which you can fish in it.
(Chisato) "It's my style to enjoy times of trouble."
(Takina) "Nothing's biting..."
(Karito) "Should I use my electric powers?"
(Chisato) "Do you wanna kill everyone that's fishing right now?"
(Karito) "...Point taken."
(Takina) "Are you two... having fun?"
(Chisato) "Yes, I am." Giggles
(Karito) "I needed this so... yeah, I am."
(Chisato) Places her head on Karito's shoulder "I'm glad you're fine even if it's temporary."
(Takina) Does the same "Yeah..."
(Karito) Smiles
A serene silence enveloped the trio as they gazed out at the tranquil pond. Several minutes drifted by in this peaceful atmosphere before the interruption of Takina's alarm disrupted the stillness.
(Chisato) "Oh, it's time."
Takina guided her companions toward the train station, where they patiently awaited the arrival of their train. Once it pulled in, Takina led the way inside, followed closely by the other two. Karito took a seat while the two girls stood beside him.
(Karito) "We're going pretty far. Where are we headed now? Or is that another secret?"
(Takina) "It's a secret."
(Karito) Snorts "Figured."
Nighttime
Location
A Park
(Takina) Sneezes
(Chisato) "That's why you should've brought a coat."
(Karito) "Come here." He hugs Takina and activates his Kaine's skill warming her up
(Takina) Snuggles
(Chisato) Jealous "Hey! That's not fair! I'm cold too!" Pouts
(Karito) "Hey, I have two arms." Smirks
(Chisato) "Hmph! Dummy..." Clings towards him
Both girls gazed out at the view before them, a panoramic scene of the city adorned with shimmering lights, creating a serene and soothing sight.
(Chisato) "Are we waiting for something?"
(Takina) "Snow... At nine o'clock."
(Karito) "Ah, fuck..."
(Takina) "What's wrong? You don't like snow?"
(Karito) "I don't actually but because you two are here I will stay."
(Chisato) "Why do you hate it?" Snickers
(Karito) "Because when I was in New York a snowflake fell into my eye and right after that happened I continuously slipped to the floor. My eyes were itchy for the rest of the night..."
(Chisato) Laughs loudly "Aww~ poor Karito! The strongest man on this planet was harmed by a piece of snow~." Laughs
(Takina) "It is funny when you put it that way." Giggles
(Karito) Embarrassed "H-Hey! Give me a break okay?! That was the first time I saw snow!"
The two girls laugh a bit at the boy's embarrassment. After a while silence befell them once again.
(Takina) "I wished my schedule worked..."
(Chisato) "God is pretty whimsical."
(Takina) Clings towards Karito "I wish He wasn't today..."
(Karito) "Why's that?"
(Takina) "Because..." Was going to talk about the fact that Karito might possibly die but was interrupted
(Karito) "..."
(Chisato) "Perhaps you're returning to DA?"
(Takina) Gasp but is also one of the things she was eventually gonna bring up
(Chisato) "I knew it. You did it! When will it be?"
(Takina) "Tomorrow..."
(Chisato) "Aren't you happy?"
(Takina) "I... I don't know..."
(Chisato) "I see. Indeed, it would have been nice if it snowed."
(Takina) "Indeed."
Karito stood in between the two girls as he listened to their desires.
(Karito) Thoughts "This is gonna take a bit... Hacking..."
While Karito focuses on his hacking skill without the two girls noticing, Takina had stood up.
(Takina) "Everything is so irrational. Don't you think so?"
(Chisato) "There's no use worrying about things that you can't resolve on your own. Accept them with everything you've got! When I do, generally good things happen. Besides, your plan was a huge success today. I had tons of fun today! Not bad!" Smiles
Chisato puts her hand up forming a fist, asking Takina for a fist bump. She obliges and both girls bumped their fists... but then they turned to the boy who was very silent for a good few minutes.
(Takina) "Karito? Um... what about you?"
(Chisato) "Karito?"
(Karito) "Hold on... I'll answer in a sec..." Continues keeping his eyes closed
(Takina) "I should contact DA by the end of the day..."
(Karito) "Hold on, I promise it will be worth it..."
The two girls continued to wait for whatever the boy was doing.
A minute has passed with nothing going on...
(Takina) "Karito? I should probably..."
(Karito) "Sorry, it took so long. It was very hard to do this if I didn't concentrate."
(Chisato) "What do you..." Gasps
Karito made it snow...
The two girls looked at Karito in shock but that shock quickly changed to happiness as Takina's wish came true thanks to her friend.
Takina quickly hugged her friend before leaving.
(Takina) "Thank you, Karito... you were like the big brother I never had..." Tightened the hug
(Karito) Pets her "And you are like the little sister I never had..."
Both of them remained embracing each other for a few more seconds until Takina decided to break it. She went down the steps of stairs and looked back at Karito and Chisato who were standing beside each other, she smiles one last time before leaving the two of them alone.
(Karito) Holds out his hand "Shall we go?"
(Chisato) Blushes and grabs Karito's hand "Yeah..." Smiles
The two of them walked away while interlocking hands. The girl had a huge blushing smile on her... while the boy... had a face full of regret...
(Karito) Thoughts "I'm sorry... for what I'm going to do in the future... Takina... Chisato... Please don't hate me for this..."
To be continued...