Beyond Responsibility

Chapter 8: Web of decisions

"If you don't know where you're going, any path will take you there." -Lewis Carroll.

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Peter didn't have lunch that day. Rather, he lied in bed, unable to restfully sleep, but still making himself groggy and slumped in the process.

Eventually, he picked himself up. Finished delaying the inevitable, he went to his computer to deliver the bad news to Aunt May.

It was then that Setsuna came to his door for the second time that afternoon.

Only this time she kicked it open.

"I can't believe you!"

"Huh? Did something happen?" Peter asked bewildered.

"Don't play dumb with me. I'm talking about this!" She thrust her phone out in front of her for Peter to see.

"Your... phone?" he asked. It was the only answer the flummoxed young man could conjure.

"Ugh!" She exclaimed in disgust. "Still going on with this charade, Peter? Think it's funny to play with people's emotions? Why didn't you tell me! And what was with that whole sob story anyway? Were those all just crocodile tears?" I bet this is why he's sneaking out and getting himself beat up! Probably thinks his training is too good for me! "I can't believe I felt bad enough to hug you. You're such a prick!"

"Woah, woah, woah, back up. I honestly have no idea what you're talking about. Just tell me what's wrong, I'll make up for it, I swear!"

Setsuna let out another repulsed cry.

Wrong thing to say! Peter winced.

"You're insufferable!" She swung her arms down to her sides to emphasize the point, clenching her fists and grinding her teeth. And considering the fangs she was bearing in the process, it was quite the intimidating sight.

The hand holding her phone detached and flew up into Peter's face so he could make out the screen: no. 1 Peter Parker Villian: 42 Hero: 70

"So? Do you have anything to say for yourself, Peter?" Peter, for his part, was still stunned at the situation, and Setsuna did not take his silence kindly. "A record breaking score in the entrance exam? Why didn't you tell me you were planning on applying for the hero course! Did you think I would have made fun of you or something? You lied to me! I was so worried about you, and you lied to me!"

She was in his face now, and Peter could see her eyes were glistening. While still perplexed, it still broke his heart to see his first and only friend in the whole country (and one of his only friends in the world for that matter) look so betrayed, and he couldn't even understand why.

Of course, Peter could only be sent reeling at the accusations for so long before her words registered. The jarring realization hit him so hard, he only managed to sputter in confoundment. "Wait, what? But- but that's not possible! I told you already, I didn't even take the entrance exam."

"Oh no, you're not squirming your way out of this one. My uncle's a teacher, remember? He gets this stuff before anyone else does. Look! There's even a highlight reel. That's you, isn't it? Fighting robots like some kinda Kung Fu master. Where did all that come from?"

"Wait, that's the entrance exam!?" Peter exclaimed at seeing the footage. "I thought that was a villain attack!" His confusion and astonishment quickly transforming into indignation at the implications.

Suddenly, Peter's attention was far away from the upset girl before him. "Excuse me, Setsuna-chan. I promise I'll explain everything later. But right now I have something I need to set straight." He brushed right past her and towards the door, a determined grimace quickly forming on his face.