Chapter 44: Brand-New Power - part 3

Two weeks later.

The first day of the summer trip… and the day Gwen comes back.

I was nervously waiting at the gates of Midtown High.

I looked around anxiously, but there was no sign of Gwen.

Peter and Ned had already gone ahead to the bus.

Today, we were gathering in the morning and all moving together in a chartered school bus.

…Apparently, those two were saving us good seats.

There hadn’t been any messages from Gwen, but I did hear from her dad, George.

It seemed she’d be arriving just as planned.

Gwen apparently didn’t even have a smartphone, and George said he got the message from the hospital where she’d been staying—or something like that.

…The phone was apparently broken in all the mess with the Green Goblin.

So now, I was holding onto the phone George had entrusted to me.

It was a new phone he bought and set up a contract for.

It was Gwen’s new phone, a gift from George to celebrate her leaving the hospital.

I had been given the honor of delivering it to her.

With less than five minutes left until the scheduled time… a pitch-black luxury car pulled up in front of the school gates.

The windows were tinted one-way mirrors, so I couldn’t see inside.

…Could that be Gwen?

I thought so, but I didn’t want to embarrass myself if I was wrong… so I calmly walked over, trying not to show how anxious I felt.

Click—with that sound, the car door opened.

The car must have had soundproofing, because the moment the door opened… I could hear voices.

A man’s voice, and a familiar woman’s voice.

It was…

“Gwen…”

I found myself running toward her as she started to step out of the car.

…She looked just like she had before the incident—healthy and vibrant.

No cane, no wheelchair.

“Gwen!”

I accidentally called out to her in a loud voice.

And when I realized just how loud it had been, I felt a little embarrassed.

I went to hug her just like that—

“Ah… Michelle! It’s been so long!”

“Whup—!”

Suddenly, everything went dark.

It was only after she let go that I realized Gwen had been the one hugging me.

She was wearing a turtleneck shirt, even though it was summer.

She had a black headband on her head.

The rest of her outfit was light—shorts and a summer-friendly look—so the shirt covering her whole neck felt a bit off.

“L-Long time no see…”

“Michelle~! I really missed you!”

She started roughly ruffling my hair.

“Ugh—ggh—mm!”

My head was swaying side to side, and I couldn’t even talk properly.

…Somehow.

Maybe it was because she’d been away so long, but she seemed even more physically affectionate than before.

I mean, even from the start—

“G-Gwen?”

“What? What’s wrong?”

Still holding my head, Gwen tilted her own.

“Your legs… are they okay…?”

“Huh? …Oh, that? Yeah, they’re fine. Totally fine.”

She flashed a peace sign with her fingers right in front of me.

…That really shocked me.

Because I’d seen Gwen’s medical chart too.

Spinal cord damage resulting in impaired mobility… that’s not something you can recover from in just a month or so.

In fact, they didn’t even know if it was treatable at all.

And now she’s completely recovered in just a month?

…And it’s not like she has a healing factor like I do.

Did she maybe get treated with some kind of hero-grade medical care?

There are quite a few heroes with healing powers…

I had a million questions.

But even so—

“You’re healed… that’s great.”

Still, I was happy.

Happy that Gwen could smile and walk again.

…So happy my eyes were getting a little misty.

“Thanks. But… it’s not like I’m healed, actually.”

“…Huh?”

The tears immediately retreated, and my face went blank.

“The nerves are still damaged, and at the root, I’m not really healed. I just… had something done so I could walk.”

I tilted my head.

“W-What do you mean?”

“Hmm? The injury isn’t fixed, but I had something done to my body—”

“Miss Gwen.”

Just then, a man’s voice called out from inside the car.

…Gwen quickly clapped a hand over her mouth with a look like “oh no!”

When I peeked inside the car, I saw a man in a suit. He gave me a polite nod.

Uh… hi? Uh, thanks…?

“Well, yeah, that’s the gist. I can do everything like normal, so you don’t have to worry, Michelle!”

“U-Um?”

“If we’re late, we won’t be able to go on the trip! Come on, let’s go!”

She casually popped open the trunk and pulled out her bag.

Since she was just out of the hospital, I reached out to carry it for her, but Gwen grabbed it before I could.

…She’s taller than me, so I couldn’t reach.

Still not sure what to make of everything, I followed behind her.

Once the trunk was closed, the man driving the car stuck his head out of the window.

“Take care, Gwen.”

“Oh, yes, yes! Thanks, Coulson.”

“Of course. Goodbye.”

Once Gwen bowed her head, the luxury car quietly pulled away.

The engine was nearly silent.

It didn’t feel like a flashy status symbol, but more like a high-end vehicle built for functionality too.

That’s the impression I got.

“…Who was that guy?”

When I asked Gwen, she hesitated for a moment.

“Hm? Oh, that guy? Coulson.”

Coulson?

“…What does he do?”

That wasn’t really an answer.

Neatly styled brown hair, black suit.

He wore the suit so naturally, it gave off a sense of discipline and formality.

…He definitely didn’t seem ordinary.

At the very least, he didn’t look like someone in the medical field.

“Um, he’s a staff member from the hospital where I was staying?”

…No way. I’m pretty sure he’s not medical staff.

If she told me he was in the mafia or something, I’d believe it more easily.

But, well…

“I see.”

I decided not to press her. I figured asking too much would just put Gwen in an awkward spot.

…Honestly, I didn’t even understand why she suddenly changed hospitals and was cut off from visitors.

And the fact that she can walk again after just a month makes no sense either.

But the outcome is good. Maybe that’s all that matters.

Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Gwen was keeping something from me, and that left me with mixed feelings.

I pulled the phone from my bag and handed it to Gwen.

When I told her it was a gift from George to celebrate her leaving the hospital, she lit up with happiness.

Seeing that, I smiled and nodded with satisfaction.

I was happy too—happy just to see Gwen smiling again.

…Speaking of which.

“That headband’s really cute.”

“Huh? You think so? Really?”

Gwen had on a black headband.

A new look… maybe?

“This? Oh, yeah… I’ve still got a little scar on my head, so it’s perfect for covering it up.”

“Huh? Ah… s-sorry.”

Her sudden comment caught me off guard, and I apologized instinctively.

I regretted it—it wasn’t the kind of thing I should’ve commented on so casually.

“Don’t worry about it! Seriously, Michelle.”

Gwen gave my head a firm pat.

Ugh, whoa, my head’s wobbling again.

“I don’t let it bother me anymore! A proper lady’s gotta be positive, and also… positive!”

She smiled.

There wasn’t a trace of that gloomy aura from when she was in the hospital.

And it didn’t feel like she was hiding pain behind a brave face either.

She was as lively as she’d been before the whole ordeal.

I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Come on, cheer up too, Michelle! …Oh yeah.”

Gwen rummaged through her bag and pulled out a plastic pouch.

…What’s that?

“…Chocolate?”

“Yup! Want some chocolate?”

She pulled out a few individually wrapped pieces from the pouch and offered one to me.

…And me, who can’t resist sweets—I instinctively reached out for it—

Only for her to casually yank it out of reach.

"G-Gwen...?"

Right in front of me, Gwen pulled the chocolate away, and I couldn't help but look at her face.

I never thought she’d do something so mean.

It’s just... not like her.

“Eh? Ah, no no, you’ve got it wrong! This isn’t what it looks like! L-look—”

She said that while bringing the chocolate closer again.

Ah, I see.

So it was just a playful prank.

I reached out for the chocolate again.

My hand swiped through empty air.

“Th-That’s so mean...!”

Tearing up a little, I protested to Gwen.

She quickly waved her hand, flustered.

“Ah, w-wait a sec...”

Turning her back to me, Gwen pulled out her phone and pressed it to her ear.

She started whispering something quietly into it.

...Huh? That phone—I just gave it to her, so the only people she could possibly have in her contacts would be George or me.

...Wait, now that I think about it.

Isn’t it kind of weird that Gwen even has chocolate?

And not just any chocolate—it’s a pretty big bag.

Like, one of those value-sized ones.

But Gwen’s not really into sweets, as far as I know.

Did her tastes change?

Or maybe... she bought it for me?

...But she came straight from the hospital to school. Did she even have time to stop anywhere?

Especially when she was with that serious-looking guy, Coulson?

While I was tilting my head in confusion, Gwen turned back to me.

“Alright. Here you go.”

This time, she actually placed the chocolate in my hand.

...There were still a lot of unanswered questions.

But if she looked happy... well, maybe that’s all that matters.

Thinking that, I popped the chocolate into my mouth.

...The cacao flavor was strong—slightly bitter.

---

““Huh?””

Ned and I were both stunned when Gwen came walking up beside Michelle like it was the most normal thing in the world.

...Ned even dropped the bag he was holding.

“Yo, nerds! Been doing good?”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Y-Yes...”

Caught off guard, we both automatically slipped into polite speech.

I mean, come on... what?

Wasn’t she seriously injured?

Ned looked just as confused.

He had been so fired up about helping Gwen with anything she needed.

But, well... I guess it’s a good thing she’s doing well.

“You two look down... Oh, hey, Peter—come with me for a sec.”

Gwen called out to me and pulled me behind the bus.

...Meanwhile, Ned was asking Michelle something—probably about Gwen.

But Michelle was tilting her head in confusion too.

“Wh-What’s going on?”

“I was just wondering how things are going with you and Michelle.”

“What do you mean?”

I tilted my head, not understanding what she was getting at.

“...Wait. You mean, nothing happened between you two after a whole month?”

That’s when I finally got what Gwen meant.

She was cheering on my love life.

...Or more accurately, she was cheering for Michelle to get herself a boyfriend.

Apparently, it didn’t have to be me.

“...No way. Seriously? After all this time...?”

Gwen looked at me in disbelief, clearly put off.

I couldn’t help but frown.

“B-But, with this trip, maybe things will...”

“You think just getting swept up in the summer vibes is enough to make something happen, when you haven’t done anything until now?”

“Guh... Ugh...”

I was at a total loss for words.

“…Wow. I’m seriously disappointed in you. You're such a hopeless nerd. A total failure. A piece-of-crap geek. …Maybe I should go with Harry instead?”

“Wait—why’s Harry even coming into this!?”

“Hmm? Oh, I dunno. He’s tall, handsome, smart, rich, athletic, and has excellent social skills. He’s a high-spec guy. Compared to you? It’s honestly insulting to even draw a comparison.”

“Ugh…”

Once again, I couldn’t say a single word back.

The more she talked, the more it felt like my mental health was taking a hit.

“Michelle’s got low self-esteem, right? I thought maybe if she got a boyfriend who really liked her, she’d start thinking more positively about herself... But, sigh~ maybe that was just too much for Peter to handle.”

She narrowed her eyes and let out a snort.

So annoying... and yet she hit the nail on the head, so I couldn’t argue.

“I—I could do it too…!”

“Oh yeah? Then why don’t you actually prove it? …Fine. I’ll judge you during this trip. Whether or not you're someone worth my support.”

Then Gwen smacked me on the head.

Who does she think she is!?

But... she’s basically my only female friend. I didn’t really have a choice but to go along with it.

“For now... let’s talk about bus seating. Peter, you’re sitting next to Michelle.”

“Wha—wait, next to her!? But weren’t you going to sit next to Michelle!?”

“Dummy. Of course I want to, but if I’m always glued to her side, nothing’s ever gonna change, right? This is your chance to be brave, okay?”

“O-Okay.”

I nodded firmly.

Seeing that, Gwen gave me a smug grin.

“Alright, let’s head back. I’ll sit next to Ned.”

When Gwen and I returned to the front of the bus, Michelle and Ned had just finished talking.

We loaded our bags into the lower compartment and got on board.

…There was a seat with LEGO minifigs—tiny little toy figures—sitting on it.

Ned picked them up and tucked them into his bag.

Seeing that, Gwen narrowed her eyes and poked at him.

“…Hey, what are those?”

“Eh…? Boba Fett and Emperor Palpatine?”

“No, not that—did you seriously use those to save your seat?”

“Yeah, I did.”

Gwen opened her mouth to say something... then closed it again. She looked away with an exasperated expression.

...Yeah, I mean, I kind of get it.

Bringing LEGO on a trip does seem a little strange.

“Oh, Michelle. Got a sec?”

“…What is it?”

“I want the window seat, so I’ll sit next to Ned, okay?”

“Mm, sure.”

Gwen casually took the window seat, and Ned sat down beside her.

Thinking about it, that wasn’t a valid reason not to sit next to Michelle... but in moments like this, confidence is key.

Speaking as if it’s the most natural thing in the world lets you avoid unnecessary questions and just get things done... well, I doubt it was that calculated, but still.

“So then, is it okay if I sit next to Peter?”

And just like that, by process of elimination, Michelle ended up next to me.

Pumping my fist internally, I tried not to let my grin show and gave a dignified nod.

Everyone boarded the bus... and we departed.

Our destination: New York Airport.

From there, we’d fly to Miami International Airport... then take another bus to the hotel.

That was today’s itinerary.

By the time we arrived at the hotel, it would be evening—so we wouldn’t have time to go anywhere today.

Free time would officially start tomorrow.

Just like Gwen told me, I was about to try striking up a conversation with Michelle when—thunk—something heavy leaned against me.

It was the back of a head.

A head of pale blonde hair.

“Eh—?”

Realizing it was Michelle’s head, my heart started pounding like crazy.

…Wh-Why!?

I leaned forward to peek at her face—

And found Michelle sleeping, her mouth slightly open.

Ah, yeah. That makes sense.

We gathered pretty early today.

And got up early, too.

Can’t blame her.

Heh.

…Haaah.

I decided to sit quietly so I wouldn’t wake her.

…Her hair had the faint scent of women’s shampoo, and it made my head spin.

From the seat in front, Gwen peeked back at me and looked at my face.

Then she glanced at Michelle, sighed, and turned away.

And that’s how my summer trip began—

With absolutely no promising signs.