My name is Shinsou Hitoshi, and I was bitten by a radioactive spider

Filler Chapter

"Hitoshi, we’re going to the zoo.”

The kitchen stool teetered as the coffee mug slipped out of Hitoshi’s hands. He just barely managed to catch the porcelain with his webbing. Making sure that the webbing was concealed behind the counter, Hitoshi set the mug down and tried to regain his posture.

His gaze drifted toward the ceiling, expecting a hidden camera. Any second now, Dad could jump in through the doorway and proclaim that everything was an elaborate prank. Instead, when he leaned over the window, he spotted rummaging in the passenger seat of his convertible to throw away all of his discarded candy wrappers.

Mouth agape, Hitoshi gave Uncle Shouta a double take. Could there be a chance that he’d fallen victim to a possession quirk? Yet considering how Uncle Shouta’s glare was paradoxical as ever – both cold and comforting all at once – Hitoshi decided that scenario was unlikely.

“Wait, you want to go outside willingly?”

Capture weapon resting over his Uncle Shouta shrugged as if he hadn’t just turned Hitoshi’s entire world upside down. “Hizashi got the day off – might as well make the most of it.”

“From all of his jobs?”

Uncle Shouta stepped forward to pat Hitoshi on the head. The usual pout Hitoshi would have given over someone messing with his styled hair melted away. “You aren’t going to be a kid forever, so he insisted on making some time for family bonding.”

Hitoshi raised a skeptical brow at the softness in Uncle Shouta’s voice. “Sure, it wasn’t your idea?”

“Yes.”

Hands in pocket, Hitoshi trailed after his uncle as they left the apartment behind and headed for Dad’s car. Uncle Shouta was without a doubt a shoddy liar. But save for the occasional quip, half-truths usually went unacknowledged in their household. Hitoshi hoped that the same trend would extend to his growing web of lies. Because he knew if his parents ever suspected that he was the one behind the Cosplayer’s mask, the sanctuary of the apartment would vanish.

As Hitoshi settled in the convertible’s back seat, Uncle Shouta clutched his abdomen at the spot where Stain’s blade had pierced through it. Drawing his eyebrows together Dad leaned in from the driver’s side.

“You know you don’t have to go, you homebody,” Dad sighed.

“Can’t let these constant stabbings get the best of me.”

“Guess you’re right,” Dad chuckled as he gripped the steering wheel. “Though with how much you’ve been getting injured lately, I’m wondering if you move to the hospital full time.”

“No thank you.” Uncle Shouta pulled out his yellow sleeping bag, curled up inside it, and pulled the zipper over his face. “Their disgusting pudding and Jell-O pales in comparison to gel pouches.”

“Hmm, really? I kinda like their green Jell-O. It has a nice tangy taste to it.”

“You’re delusional.” Uncle Shouta slumped against the passenger seat while in his sleeping bag. “That’s the worst flavor of all. Taste like Advil.”

“Can you two cut out the talk about hospital food?” Hitoshi groaned.

“Aren’t you a grumpy one, little listener? Seem to take after Shouta more and more by the day.”

“Don’t I know it,” Uncle Shouta said.

With a full-bellied laugh, Dad threw his hair back and stepped on the gas. Uncle Shouta’s snoring was soon carried by the wind. Heartburn clawing his throat, Hitoshi twitched uncomfortably in the backseat. Talk of the constant hospital visits cemented how Hitoshi wasn’t good enough. Didn’t matter that he’d done his best to spare his uncle from his canon event. No, Hitoshi should have gone beyond his limits. Plus ultra style. Leaning against the car door, Hitoshi let the engine’s hum lull him into a sleepy haze. Hitoshi should have been the one experiencing serious injury after serious injury. After all, Hitoshi should take the fall for the spider bite, not Uncle Shouta.