byler "Web Romance"

New York never slept. By day, the city was filled with bustling streets, traffic jams, and crowds of people, but at night, the figure of a mysterious superhero flitted over the rooftops. Everyone knew Spider-Man, but no one knew who hid behind the mask.

Will Byers carefully guarded this secret. By day, he was a quiet guy who studied, drew, and tried to avoid attracting attention. But at night, he donned a suit and patrolled the streets, rescuing those in trouble.

One evening, Will spotted several robbers near a small ice cream shop. They surrounded the employee, who clearly had no intention of giving them money.

Will instantly descended from the roof on a web. Within seconds, the criminals were tied up, and the hero himself landed right in front of the terrified worker.

“Are you okay?” Will asked, holding out his hand.

"My head..." Mike muttered, rubbing the back of his head. "I think so now."

Will helped him up, but Mike suddenly staggered and ended up in his arms again.

• Hey, be careful.

"Sorry..." Mike was embarrassed. "And thanks for saving me."

• My pleasure.

— Listen, I work here. Come by sometime, I'll buy you some ice cream. Free.

• Then we have an agreement.

From that evening on, Will began popping into the shop occasionally—no longer wearing his mask or costume. Mike had no idea that the quiet guy in front of him and the mysterious Spider-Man were the same person.

"You know," Mike said one day, handing him an ice cream, "you remind me of him in some way."

• Whom?

• Spider-Man.

Will smiled nervously.

• What makes you think so?

— I don’t know. I just have some kind of strange feeling.

Mike shrugged and smiled at him. Will looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.

• Well... I hope you like him.

“Of course,” Mike answered calmly.

Will almost dropped his ice cream.