Chapter 23: Bonds of Mortality - Part 2

“Harry Osborn?”

Osborn.
…Norman Osborn.

Ah, I know him.
I remember.

The son of Green Goblin, Norman Osborn.
Harry Osborn.

“…Do you know Norman Osborn?”

Of course I do.

A few months ago, the villain who tore through New York, scattering bombs indiscriminately—Green Goblin.
His true identity was none other than Norman Osborn, the CEO of the weapons manufacturing company Oscorp.

“I know.”

“I see… No, I’m sorry. I didn’t approach you out of any ill intent or ulterior motive. …Please believe that, at least.”

Harry looked so… pained, his eyes full of sadness.

I see.

His father, Norman—a respected CEO admired by everyone—
was arrested as a wicked mass murderer.

Of course his heart wouldn’t be at peace.

And surely, with a father labeled a psycho killer, people must have hurled cruel words at him too.

But that’s just… incredibly sad.

“…It’s okay. I believe you.”

“R-Really? Thank you.”

Harry smiled with relief as he said that.

“…Sorry. For hiding it.”

He looked genuinely apologetic.
Harry’s a good person—through and through.

I can’t say I fully understand how he must be feeling right now.

But still—

“Is it wrong to keep something secret?”

“…Huh?”

“Everyone has things they don’t want to talk about. Not being able to say them… choosing not to say them… I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”

…That’s something I picked up from Peter, a long time ago.

Besides, so what if he’s the son of a villain?
I’m a villain myself, you know?

If anyone deserves blame, it’s not you.
It’s me.

“…I see. Thank you.”

Harry bowed his head as if finally at ease.
His eyes were faintly glistening with tears.

“…Now I find myself wanting to know more about you.”

…Maybe I gave a bit too much advice. Or maybe I just talked too much.

He spoke such corny lines with genuine feeling.

Even someone who’s not a delicate, innocent girl… would blush at that.
I could feel my cheeks heating up.

“…U-Um, today… well…”

Peter’s waiting for me.
That’s what I tried to imply, without saying it outright.

“Ah, sorry! I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. …Well then, if you’re willing, I’d love for you to come to a dinner party Oscorp is hosting soon.”

“Uh, um…”

Harry’s sudden enthusiasm made me falter a bit.

“There’ll be lots of the cakes we didn’t get to eat today, too.”

“I’ll go.”

I’m going.
Absolutely going.
Totally going.
If anything, please let me go.

I’m the type of girl who falls for sweets. Easily.

“If you don’t mind, could we exchange numbers? Here’s my phone number.”

Saying that, he pulled a notepad from his breast pocket and quickly jotted down his number with a fountain pen.

“…Okay. Thanks. You even prepared cake and all.”

“My pleasure. Really, I mean it… Meeting you today made me very happy.”

Saying yet another line that made my teeth itch, Harry walked away.

Even his back looked cool.
I found myself thinking, Good-looking people can get away with anything, huh.

This is bad!

I quickly changed out of my Spider-Suit and into a jacket.

It was technically my party outfit, but—
I checked the time on my wristwatch.

5 PM!?

I’m already past the time for the sweets fest we promised to go to!

It’s not a matter of whether I’ll make it or not—I just need to hurry.

I took off at top speed, sprinting through the streets of New York.

This all started with what I overheard earlier today.
I shouldn’t have been listening in on police radio chatter through my earpiece.

Rhino.
He’s an ex-mercenary turned supervillain… and there’s just no way the police could handle him alone.

I’ve already fought him a few times, but he keeps breaking out of prison to come after me again and again.

Did it have to be today!?
Why today, of all days—the day I promised to meet Michelle!?

I swallowed the shout that had risen to my throat.

“Haa… haa… somehow…”

I made it.

Out of breath, I quickly straightened my appearance.

Michelle had probably gone into the venue already.
It’s not like she would be waiting for me outside the whole time.

…I need to apologize—like, really apologize.
Will she forgive me?

She’d been looking forward to it so much… and I…

My stomach twisted with guilt.

Then, the entrance came into view.

There she was.
Michelle.

I was just about to call out to her—
But then I saw a man talking to her.

Startled, I quickly ducked behind a pillar.

Wh-Who’s that?
Could it be… some guy hitting on her?

If so, then I’ll—

…No, it didn’t seem like the guy was hitting on Michelle or anything.
They were just having a friendly conversation.

…Michelle was smiling too… she didn’t look troubled at all.

For some reason, my chest tightened.
Like it was being squeezed… hard to breathe.

The guy waved goodbye with a smile and walked off.

Seeing that, I headed toward Michelle.

“…Michelle!”

“Ah, Peter. You’re late.”

Michelle glared at me with a pouty face.

“I’m sorry… really.”

“I waited this whole time, you know.”

…Wait, what?

“…You didn’t go inside?”

“I texted you saying I’d wait.”

Yeah, I saw that message… but still.

“I’m sorry, Michelle.”

I bowed my head.

To think I left Michelle out here all this time…
She didn’t even go into the sweets fest she’d been looking forward to—just waited for me?

That’s just… I’m awful.

Imagining her standing here all alone, waiting, the guilt gnawed at me.

While I kept my head down, Michelle remained silent.

And then—

“…Sigh. Peter, I’m not mad anymore.”

“…Huh?”

When I lifted my head… Michelle gave me a faint smile.

“I don’t believe you’d break a promise without a reason. Something happened, right?”

“Well…”

It’s true.
I was fighting to protect the city as Spider-Man.

But that doesn’t change the fact that I broke our promise.

And this reason… I can’t tell Michelle.
If she knew who Spider-Man really was, she’d be dragged into all of it.

“That’s why I’m not mad. Besides—”

Michelle lifted the white box she was holding and brought it in front of me.

“A kind person inside gave me some cake.”

“…I see.”

It was probably that guy from earlier.

That tight feeling in my chest returned.

“So, Peter—let’s go home and eat it together, okay?”

Michelle said that with an intentionally cheerful smile.
It was just a bit more forced than usual.

She was probably trying not to make me feel worse.
Trying to put on a smile for my sake.

…I felt pathetic.

“I’m sorry, Michelle.”

“Peter, no.”

Michelle poked me in the cheek.

“At times like this, you’re supposed to say ‘thank you.’”

“Ah… thank you, Michelle.”

“Yup.”

Michelle nodded, satisfied.

Still, today’s Michelle… she was dressed much cuter than usual…

“…You’re really cute.”

“Peter, did you say something?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Suddenly, Gwen’s words echoed in my head.

“Make sure you compliment Michelle’s outfit properly.”
“And say it out loud, okay?”

Ah—

“Um, I thought you looked really cute today, Michelle…”

“…Really? Thanks, Peter.”

Michelle smiled softly as she said that.

That peaceful, genuinely happy expression drew me in—
and I felt my face flush.

Ah… I get it now.

I think I really like seeing Michelle look that happy.

…That probably means…

…that I like Michelle.

I can’t say for sure just yet, but—

Walking side by side with Michelle, who held the cake box carefully in her arms, we headed home together.

Rattle, rattle—the transport vehicle shook.

We were driving down an unpaved road, moving away from the city.

I—Norman Osborn—was currently restrained and being transferred.

Armed officers were stationed to my left, right, and in front of me.

…A high-security setup.
Even though there’s no need for such caution.
‘I’ have no intention of doing anything.

I glanced briefly at the officer in front of me.

“Mr. Patrick, may I ask where I’m being taken?”

I’d heard his name earlier while he was speaking with the other officers.
Though I was in transport, they hadn’t told me the exact destination.

“…Silence, Norman. No talking.”

Officer Patrick frowned and cut me off sharply.

His gaze carried clear hostility.

I suppose it’s no surprise.

‘I’ have killed dozens in the past.

The only reason I haven’t received the death penalty is because of my “uniqueness.”

There exists a drug referred to as a “muscle enhancement serum.”
It boosts physical strength—and even cognitive functions.
A miracle drug that could turn anyone into a superhuman.

But when I actually took it, I was met with an unexpected side effect:
an uncontrollable surge in violent impulses.

‘I’ murdered everyone who got in my way.
Slaughtered civilians.
And then was ultimately defeated by Spider-Man… and arrested.

Now, in this rattling prison transport, I’m plagued by regret.

I lost the military contract competition with Quest Corporation—
No, to be accurate, they beat Oscorp through bribery…
But in the end, I lost.
Desperate, I experimented on myself.

True, my physical abilities were dramatically enhanced.

But in exchange, my violent tendencies and aggression were also magnified.
My personality split in two.

There was the “me” known as Norman Osborn—
And the “other me” known as Green Goblin.

‘He’ has remained dormant ever since Spider-Man defeated him.
But I don’t know when he might return.

Inside my heart, I harbor an uncontrollable green demon.

Suddenly, a loud explosion rang out.

The vehicle lurched—violently.

The transport van flipped and rolled over.

My ears rang.

The sudden shock made me nauseous.

I could hear screams in the distance.

Shouts. Gunfire.

And the grinding of metal.

Then, the ringing in my ears stopped.

Right in front of me was a police officer, collapsed and covered in blood.
I was lying face down on the road.

“…Ah… Aaah!?”

I staggered to my feet in confusion and looked around.

The transport van was engulfed in flames.

Officer Patrick… he was still breathing, but… he didn’t look like he could move.

Click, clack—
Footsteps echoed, and I turned toward the sound.

A man in a black tuxedo approached.

In the midst of smoke, fire, and spilled blood, he stood there—utterly out of place, like something out of a dream.

“Nice to meet you… Mr. Osborn.”

The man gave a courteous bow.
His face was disturbingly plain—so unremarkable it left no impression at all.

“You… you did this? What’s your goal?”

“Oh, no need to panic… There’s nothing here that will harm you.”

The man smiled with almost childlike amusement.

“W-What’s your objective?”

“Objective? Well, if I had to say… I wanted to help you. I want to aid you in your revenge.”

“Revenge…?”

I was confused.

I had no reason to seek revenge—
…No, wait.
There was one face that floated to the front of my mind.

Spider-Man, huh?

“Yes. Him. I hate him too. What do you say? Shall we work together?”

“You’re wrong. I am nothing like you!”

I shouted at him with all my might.

This man was clearly trouble.
He’d probably read the headlines, heard the media slander, and assumed I was Green Goblin incarnate.

But he was wrong.

That thing was not me.

I will never acknowledge that as myself.

“…Well, suit yourself.”

He smiled with the expression of someone who had given up—
or perhaps, someone who never expected agreement to begin with.

“By the way, did you know where you were being taken?”

“Where? I was told to a higher-security prison, but…?”

“No, not quite. A prison? That would be far too kind.”

The man spoke with a look of exasperation.

“You’re headed for Ravencroft Institute for the Criminally Insane. A high-security psychiatric facility—once you’re in, there’s no coming out. A place designed to seal away mad demons forever. You’ll never see your son again.”

Son.

Harry’s face flashed through my mind.

“Your willingness to accept your crimes is admirable. But the justice system… is your enemy, Norman. So then—you must know what it is you need to do now.”

With that, the man stepped backward—
and vanished, leaving behind a swirl of green mist.

“…Was that… real?”

I looked around.

The heat of the fire.
The smell of blood.

Proof that this was reality.

“Ugh…”

I stared at the groaning officer. I was about to call for help—

But I stopped.

Get away.

If I left now, I could escape.

I wanted to see my son.

Overwhelmed by that emotion, I turned my back on the officers… and ran.

Fortunately, it was the dead of night.

I realized—without meaning to—my lips had curled into a grin.