A New Semester, New Classmates!

After Hawk finished speaking, he could clearly feel his thigh tighten again.

He had actually received Gwen's hint.

It was obvious.

George's question was a trap.

Who was Captain George Stacy?

He was the Sheriff of the 19th Precinct of the NYPD.

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

So Gwen's reminder was for him not to fall into the trap by answering based on George's identity.

But…

If he answered that way, he would truly fall into George's trap.

If Hawk described Spider-Man as a criminal, George would probably think he was just a sycophant.

Therefore, this question, while seemingly a question, was actually a no-win situation.

Hawk chose "or" between A and B.

He jumped out.

He was just a student now; he didn't care if Spider-Man was a criminal or a vigilante. He only cared if he could get a scholarship to New York University.

That was all.

If someone else had answered like this, it probably wouldn't have worked. They might have left George with the impression of being slippery.

But Hawk's answer was just right.

In a single sentence.

Hawk didn't believe George hadn't investigated him thoroughly.

He wasn't afraid of George investigating him either.

Because that's what he said, and that's what he had always done.

Action and belief in one.

Nothing more.

At most, he had never left New York City before, and after saving money, he had suddenly left New York City for Maryland this year.

But that could be easily explained.

He was still young, after all. Besides, going out for a trip wasn't doing anything bad.

Well.

At the very least, he really hadn't done anything bad while diligently cultivating in Maryland.

Furthermore, the federal government governed the states. What did the bad things he did in Washington D.C. have to do with him now in New York City?

As he answered, Captain George Stacy's eyes showed initial surprise, then seemed to realize something, and he nodded, almost signaling the end of dinner.

Nine o'clock in the evening.

Gwen walked Hawk downstairs.

She had also realized it by then and looked at Hawk, "You're very quick-witted, Hawk. I didn't even realize Dad's question was a trap."

Hawk chuckled, "Because that's exactly what I thought."

Gwen nodded, "Okay, then go back early. It's a shame I can't walk you home."

Because she had a curfew.

It wasn't George, but Helen. This was Helen's punishment for Gwen, who dared to run off to Maryland without telling anyone.

Normally, Gwen could return freely before 10 PM. But yesterday, Helen had reset the curfew, moving it from 10 PM to 9 PM.

"It's okay, I can get to the subway quickly."

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

Hawk nodded and watched Gwen return to the apartment building before turning and walking towards the nearby subway station.

If the subway in New York City during the day was a chaotic mess.

Then the subway at night could be described as a zombie convention.

You couldn't expect much strictness from a subway management that could easily allow fare evasion.

So, usually, New Yorkers would only choose to take the subway at night if absolutely necessary.

But Hawk was fine.

On his way back to his apartment by subway, he only knocked out one drug addict and chased away two half-dreadlocked kids who came up to him singing and dancing. He made it home safely, with only minor scares.

As for why he said "two and a half" kids, it was simple.

There was one with a small Adam's apple that was huge, but whose chest was equally massive.

So…

Two and a half, makes perfect sense.

Back home, Hawk saw the message Gwen had sent, replied, and then went to bed.

School started tomorrow.

Go to bed early, and he could wake up early tomorrow to take the free school bus back to report to school.

When he left Gwen's house after dinner, Gwen had mentioned she could give him a ride to school tomorrow.

But he refused.

Because doing so always gave Hawk the illusion that he had chosen to date Gwen just so he could get a ride from her for the new semester.

Even though he knew he hadn't.

But others might not think so. He didn't care what others thought of him, but he had to consider how others would view Gwen.

As Hawk thought about this, he suddenly understood why, once a person has power, even if they don't want to get married and have children, the country will help them find a wife.

Although Gwen wasn't his wife, the principle was the same.

The next day.

Hawk woke up early and arrived at the nearby bus stop just as the school bus was pulling up, and he got on.

The driver was still Holt, who looked fierce on the outside but was gentle on the inside.

"Good morning, Holt."

"Good morning, Hawk. Ready for your final semester?"

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

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

"Okay, thank you, Holt."

"You're welcome."

After a brief chat with Holt, Hawk walked to his usual seat and sat down.

The school bus followed its scheduled route. Every time it stopped, one or two students would get on. When the bus reached the Forest Hills stop, this time, a familiar face boarded.

As soon as he got on, Peter Parker, under his spider-sense, immediately focused his gaze on Hawk, who was sitting alone by the window in the last row.

The moment Peter boarded, Hawk also shifted his gaze from him to Peter standing at the entrance and… the man beside Peter, who exuded a somewhat melancholic aura.

Is this…

Harry Osborn?

And it's the Harry Osborn of the first-generation Spider-Man version, the Harry Osborn who beat Peter to Mary Jane.

Peter had already said hello to his friend Harry, who had transferred to Midtown High School this year after studying in the UK, and then led Harry towards Hawk's seat.

"Hawk."

"Peter."

"Hawk, this is Harry. He was studying in the UK before and transferred to our school this year. He's in twelfth grade, just like us."

"Harry, this is Hawk."

Peter greeted Hawk as he walked over and then introduced Harry beside him.

Harry, who hadn't yet become the Green Goblin and was wearing a casual suit, smiled and extended his right hand to Hawk.

"Hello, Hawk."

"Hello, Harry."

"…"