A New Semester, New Classmates!

After saying that, Hawk could clearly feel his thigh tighten again.

He had actually caught Gwen's hint.

Obviously.

George's question had been a trap.

Who was George Stacy?

The captain of the New York Police Department's 19th Precinct.

If Hawk considered Spider-Man a vigilante, then in George's eyes, that would be no different from speaking up for criminals.

So Gwen's earlier reminder had been for him not to fall into the trap, but to answer in accordance with George's identity.

But...

If he had said that, he really would have fallen into George's trap.

If Hawk described Spider-Man as a criminal, then in George's eyes, he would probably become some sort of bootlicker.

So while this question looked like a question, in reality, no matter which choice he made, it would be the wrong answer.

Hawk chose "or" between A and B.

He stepped outside the trap.

He was a student now. He did not care whether Spider-Man was a criminal or a vigilante; he only cared whether he could get a scholarship from New York University.

That was all.

If someone else had answered like that, it probably would not have worked. George might have thought they were being slippery.

But Hawk's answer was just right.

In a word.

Hawk did not believe George had not investigated him thoroughly.

Nor was he afraid of being investigated.

Because that was what he said, and what he had always done.

His words and actions were one.

Nothing more.

At most, he had never left New York City before, yet this year, despite always living frugally, he had suddenly left the city and gone to Maryland.

But that was easy enough to explain.

He was still young, after all. Besides, traveling was not the same as going out to do something bad.

Well.

At the very least, while cultivating diligently in Maryland, he truly had not done anything bad.

Besides, each state in the Federation governed itself. What did the bad things he had done in Washington D.C. have to do with him being in New York City now?

After his answer, Captain George Stacy's expression first showed some surprise. Then, as though he had thought of something, he nodded and practically announced the end of dinner.

Nine o'clock that night.

Gwen walked Hawk downstairs.

She had realized it by then and looked at Hawk. "You reacted quickly, Hawk. I didn't even realize Dad's question was a trap."

Hawk laughed. "Because that really is what I think."

Gwen nodded. "All right. Get home early. Too bad I can't take you home."

Because she was under curfew.

It was not George, but Helen. This was Helen's punishment for Gwen daring to run off to Maryland alone without even telling her.

Previously, Gwen had been free to return before ten at night, but yesterday Helen had reset her curfew and moved it up from ten to nine.

"It's fine. The subway is quick too."

"All right. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah. See you tomorrow."

Hawk nodded. After watching Gwen return to the apartment building, he turned and headed toward the subway station nearby.

If New York City's daytime subway was a chaotic circus of demons.

Then the nighttime subway was more like a zombie convention.

You could not expect a subway system where people could easily hop the turnstiles to have particularly strict security.

So under normal circumstances, New Yorkers only chose to take the subway at night when they had no other choice.

But Hawk was fine.

On the way back to his apartment, he only knocked out one junkie and chased off two and a half Black guys with dirty dreadlocks who ran up to him singing and dancing. He made it home without incident.

As for why there were two and a half Black guys singing and dancing, that was simple.

One of them had an Adam's apple that big, but equally huge breasts.

So...

Two and a half. Nothing wrong with that.

After getting home, Hawk looked at the message Gwen had sent him, replied, and then went to bed.

School started tomorrow.

If he went to sleep early, he could get up early tomorrow and take the free school bus back to school to register.

After dinner at Gwen's house, Gwen had said she could pick him up on the way to school tomorrow.

But he had refused.

Because if he did that, Hawk would always have the illusion that he had chosen to date Gwen just so he could hitch a ride in her car for the new semester.

Even though he knew that was not the case.

Others might not see it that way. He could ignore what people thought of him, but he still had to consider what they might think of Gwen.

After thinking that, Hawk suddenly understood why, once someone became capable, even if they did not want to get married and have children, the country would help them find a wife.

Gwen was not his wife, but the principle was the same.

The next day.

Hawk got up early. When he rushed to the nearby stop, the school bus had just arrived, and he boarded it.

The driver was still the big-bearded Hall, who looked fierce but had a gentle heart.

"Good morning, Hall."

"Morning, Hawk. Ready to face your final semester?"

"I won't graduate until next year, Hall."

"Maybe you'll get an invitation from New York University this semester. I have faith in you."

"All right. Thanks, Hall."

"You're welcome."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with big-bearded Hall, Hawk headed to his usual seat and sat down.

The school bus followed its planned route. Each time it stopped, one or two students boarded. By the time it reached the Forest Hills stop, a familiar face got on.

The moment he boarded, Peter Parker, guided by his Spider-Sense, immediately turned his gaze toward Hawk, who was sitting alone in the window seat in the last row.

At the same moment Peter got on, Hawk withdrew his gaze and looked at Peter standing by the entrance, along with... the somewhat melancholy-looking young man beside him.

Was this...

Harry Osborn?

And the Harry Osborn from The original Spider-Man version too—the Harry Osborn who had beaten Peter to Mary Jane.

Peter had already said something to Harry, his friend who had returned from the United Kingdom this year and transferred to Midtown High School. Then he led Harry toward Hawk.

"Hawk."

"Peter."

"Hawk, this is Harry. He used to study in the United Kingdom, but he transferred to our school this year. Like us, he's in twelfth grade."

"Harry, this is Hawk."

After walking over, Peter greeted Hawk and introduced Harry beside him.

Harry, who had not yet become the Green Goblin and was dressed in a casual suit, smiled and extended his right hand to Hawk.

"Hello, Hawk."

"Hello, Harry."

"..."