"...So, you're actually still in school? Could you perhaps tell us where you're studying?" Big Beard Star Scout Bob asked as he bit into a taco.
"That's out of the question." Spider Man on the other side objected. He said, "If my teachers, classmates, or parents found out that I'm doing this in my spare time, I won't be able to leave the house."
"It seems like your household is pretty strict. When I was in high school, I went out to parties and stayed out all night each day and nobody at home cared." Bob said cheerfully, then he asked, "Though I know this question might be a bit off-topic, how are your academic grades? Which college do you plan to attend?"
"Oh, I'm doing pretty well in school. There are several professors and PhDs who are willing to write me recommendation letters, but I don't want to go too far from home. I feel like New York University or Columbia is nice…"
Bob widened his eyes at this. He could tell from Spider Man's casual tone that studying at New York University or Columbia would be no big deal for him. He said, quite surprised, "It seems like your grades are truly excellent."
"In fact, the mentor at the laboratory where I'm currently interning wants to recommend me for Harvard. This winter, I may go to work in the Harvard lab, or possibly to Los Angeles, depending on our experimental progress…"
After this, he talked about his life at the lab. Bob understood that the audience wouldn't want to hear about this, so he moved to a more gossip-like question: "And, do you have a girlfriend?"
Even with him wearing the mask, Bob could still see Spider Man blushing. Peter nodded and then said, "Actually, I'm about to meet her. Thank God I left early, or else I might be late."
"Oh, seems like I've interrupted your date. I apologize, considering I harbor ill feelings towards all sweet love in the world... because... I don't have a girlfriend!" Bob purposely pulled a strange crying face, and both of them laughed.
"Does your girlfriend support you doing this type of thing? Does she know about your identity?"
At this, Peter sighed and then said, "Actually, before, I always kept it from her because I was embarrassed. Or perhaps, I was worried that she'd think I was immature. You know, girls like boys who are wild at parties. If I acted too earnest, she might find me boring."
"But…" Peter paused, then said, "Later, I slowly changed my mind because I felt that she wasn't that shallow a person. My worry now is that she might find what I do a bit dangerous, I'm afraid she'll live in terror for me…"
"Indeed." Bob acknowledged this, saying, "I encountered a peculiar middle-aged person before whose life was filled with love and joy. He hadn't revealed his identity to his family, because he knew his wife would surely be extremely worried for him..."
Peter continued, "Maybe it was a spur of the moment decision, but in the end, I did tell her. I'm grateful she didn't blame me for keeping it from her for so long. Honestly, our relationship became even better after I opened up about it…"
Perhaps the reason why the interview remained mild-mannered could be attributed to the consistently stable viewership of this local New York TV channel. They didn't have to use sensationalism; Bob's questions were quite gentle, focusing mainly on Spider Man's life and family situation. Sometimes, he'd also provide some advice as an elder. The interview gave a very good impression to viewers and Shiller didn't understand why Peter would have such a complex expression when watching it.
Soon, Bob on TV changed the topic. He asked, "Some civilians in New York saw you hanging out with Iron Man. Are you guys friends?"
"Hmm, yes."
"Both of you must have gotten acquainted due to your superhero careers, right? Can you tell us how it happened?"
Peter confirmed this. But he wasn't stupid: He knew that a conversation regarding Iron Man could invite more controversies for Stark. Even if the star scout didn't ask that question with malice, his answer might be quoted out of context by people with ulterior motives as a way to attack Stark.
Hence, Peter just gave a courteous response. He mentioned that they both were inspired by justice, which led them to become friends. He didn't dwell on it too much and instead, shifted the topic to his other superhero friends.
"I am closer to another superhero than Iron Man. You guys must have heard of him too. He is Night Devil, active in Hell's Kitchen. I consider him as my guide and mentor…"
"The public security situation has improved substantially ever since he got involved in Hell's Kitchen. I won't be stingy in praising him, this has nothing to do with personal preference."
"He is a highly noble person, strong, brave, and firm, and incredibly patient…"
Just then, they heard a loud "boom". Both Bob and Peter turned their heads, and saw a car being flown high above the skyline of Hell's Kitchen and subsequently smashed to the ground.
The horizon in the distance seemed to boil as two black specks jumped between the buildings. Very soon, the black spot leading the chase got closer. Peter saw it was Venom sprinting at high speed."
With a wide jaw and big teeth, Venom sprinted on the rooftop of the high buildings in Hell's Kitchen with Daredevil Matt chasing close behind.
Even from the distance, Peter could hear Daredevil Matt's deafening roar:
"Venom!!!! You dare to block my toilet!!! I'm going to kill you!!!"
Peter was shocked. Even with his mask on, you could see his facial expression. He turned to the camera with a somewhat frantic expression and said, "Hmm... Hell's Kitchen is like that. The sewage system here isn't the best, it can really piss a person off, can't really blame the Daredevil…"
Just then, a rainbow shimmer flashed across the sky and a woman dressed like a Valkyrie landed on the top of a building in Hell's Kitchen. Sif's mouth emitted a phantom sound:
"Venom! You better clearly explain to me about the matters on Sakaar, or we're not done!!""
With a flash, a bolt of lightning also struck the top of the building. Thor stepped forward, trying to defuse the situation and said to Sif, "Sif, don't be like this. If you're still mad at Loki, I'll apologize on his behalf. I've already confined him in seclusion for 1300 years…"
Peter watched as the two of them argued on the rooftop. He explained, "Uh, they're mutants, possessing teleportation abilities. Might be a couple having an argument. Yeah, couple arguing…"
With a "whoosh", a brilliant magic light flashed and Loki appeared behind Thor. He was holding a stack of parchment, and muttered as he read,
"Thor, I'm really starting to question your intelligence. Just look at your own decree. Where on Earth did we get a 305th fleet from?"
"Come back with me at once, your official duties since your coronation pile up to 200 years' worth. You make mistakes in two decrees every single day. When will we finally be able to finish revamping the fleet's defensive network?"
With a "slurp", a portal appeared in mid-air, and the Supreme Magician Strange poked out half of his body, shouting at Loki:
"Do you have any idea how long you've been absent? Do you even remember that you're a shareholder of The Sanctum? Are you trying to work me to death?!!"
"You and Shiller kill without tidying up after yourselves, leaving all the work of The Sanctum to me. Hurry back and work now!!"
Spider Man on the other side of the camera pondered a moment, then said:"They're part of some secret magic society. You know, those who study... um... things like magic arrays..."
With a "boom", a pile of cars was thrown up from the horizon, followed by sky-piercing spikes and chaotic swirling shadows, plus golden lightning. A combined force of symbionts and mutant students descended in front of Venom. Blue Spirit opened her mouth, her voice resonating with power.
"Venom! You've violated 1,118 rules of the Cosmic Symbiote Parasitism Law within the past three days! Come back with us to face trial !!!"
"Dream on!" Venom sneered, grinning widely, "You want to catch me? Maybe in your next life!"
With that said, he jumped straight onto a nearby tall building. Matt, who was chasing after him, was powerless to follow. However, Sif and the other symbiotes who could fly immediately caught up.
Sif charged out in anger. Thor, fearing that she'd actually make a move on Earth, had no choice but to follow. Once Thor left, Loki would naturally follow. Once Loki left, Strange assumed he was trying to skip work again, so he immediately flew out of the portal to chase him.
Like in a race, this group ran several laps along the skyline of New York's Hell's Kitchen, causing a lot of chaos. Then, an intermingled gold and red meteor streaked across the horizon, and Stark's voice came from the battlefield:
"Stop! This is New York! If you want to fight, go to outer space!"
But Stark didn't come alone. He had just paused in mid-air when - "whoosh" - a shield was thrown at his head. Captain America, standing on the rooftop behind him, said: "We're not finished fighting yet. Where are you running off to? Are you planning on deserting in the face of battle?!"
"Shut up! Don't you see I'm maintaining order?!"
Stark dived downwards, and the two became entangled again. Peter gestured with his hands and then said: "Actually... uh, they are practicing a flanking strategy. It's an emerging tactic, so it seems a bit... unusual..."
Bob narrowed his eyes, looking at Captain America and Iron Man, he said: "Why do I feel like they're just brawling?"
"Impossible!" Peter insisted with a straight face: "We are partners united for justice, we wouldn't... we wouldn't..."
Inside the TV screen, Spider Man in front of the camera was making hand gestures and constantly explaining, while in the background, all kinds of demons and ghosts were causing chaos along the New York skyline.
"Venom, get back to unclog the toilet!"
"Sif, cool down, let's talk it out when we get back to Asgard..."
"Please, Thor, can you take your job seriously?!"
"Loki! You actually have the nerve to tell someone to take their job seriously! Have you done your work? Hurry back to The Sanctum!!"
"Your combat skills are as old-fashioned as you are! Absolutely terrible!"
"If you dare, fight me without the battlesuit!"
"Who's the one who struck me with lightning?! Thor, why did you strike me?!"
"It wasn't me! It was that Symbiote!"
"Who let Venom hide behind you? Kick him out!"
"Bang! Boom! Sizzle... Target locked..."
"Oh! My new clothes!"
"My wrist! My back!!!"
Shiller picked up the remote controller in a panic, and with a "click", he turned off the TV screen before covering his ears, which were ringing from the noise.
He and Peter stared at each other, both giving a sigh.