Spider-man : Shattered Webs

Spider Close to home: Act 2

The next day dawned bright and clear, with the morning sun casting a warm glow over the city. Shinji felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness as he prepared for the day. He had arranged for a group outing with Aunt May, Asuka, Rei, MJ, and Ned—a chance for everyone to meet and enjoy some time together outside of their usual routines. It was supposed to be a normal day, but considering the unique personalities involved, he wasn't entirely sure how it would go.

As the time approached, Shinji found himself pacing in the living room. Aunt May noticed his restlessness and gave him a reassuring smile. "Relax, Shinji. It's just a casual get-together. Everyone's going to have a great time."

Shinji nodded, trying to take her words to heart, but the thought of managing Asuka and Rei, especially around MJ and Ned, kept his anxiety simmering. Soon enough, it was time to head out, and they made their way to the meeting spot—a quaint park near the city center, where they had all agreed to gather.

When they arrived, MJ and Ned were already waiting, both waving enthusiastically as they spotted Shinji and Aunt May. Shinji waved back, feeling a bit more at ease seeing his friends.

"Hey, guys!" MJ called out as they approached. "Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Shinji replied, smiling. He then turned to introduce the others. "MJ, Ned, this is Asuka and Rei. They're my... um, internship partners."

Asuka gave a curt nod, her usual confidence radiating from her stance. "Nice to meet you," she said, though her tone carried a hint of superiority.

Rei, on the other hand, offered a simple, "Hello," her voice soft and almost emotionless, as was typical for her.

Ned grinned, always eager to meet new people. "Internship, huh? Sounds cool! What kind of stuff do you guys work on?"

Before Shinji could respond, MJ stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she sized up Asuka. "So, you're the one who thinks she's all that, huh? Shinji mentioned you're pretty skilled."

Asuka smirked, crossing her arms. "I'm not just skilled—I'm the best at what I do. But I'm sure you already knew that."

MJ's expression hardened, clearly not one to back down from a challenge. "Confidence is one thing, but being full of yourself is another. Just don't get in over your head."

The tension between them was immediate, and Shinji felt a wave of panic rise up. He quickly stepped between them, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "Hey, let's not start anything, okay? We're all here to have a good time."

Both MJ and Asuka shot him sharp looks, their voices overlapping as they snapped, "Shut up, Shinji!"

He winced, backing off slightly. Aunt May chuckled softly, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "They'll be fine. Just give them some time to get used to each other."

Eventually, the initial tension subsided, and they all decided to head to a nearby restaurant for lunch. The place was cozy and had a menu that catered to a variety of tastes, which Shinji hoped would keep everyone happy.

As they settled in at the table, the waitress came by to take their orders. Rei, true to her reserved nature, ordered a simple salad. Ned, being Ned, eagerly asked for a burger, while Aunt May opted for a pizza, her eyes lighting up as she described the toppings. MJ, not one to shy away from a hearty meal, ordered a steak, her competitive spirit still simmering beneath the surface. Asuka, ever the one to maintain her "classy" image, chose a balsamic-glazed steak roll, her voice carrying an air of sophistication as she placed her order. Finally, Shinji decided on noodles, something familiar and comforting amidst the chaos.