Chapter 120: No-Normal - Part 1

"That's huge."

"Yeah, it's huge."

Thor muttered in an exasperated tone, and Cap nodded in agreement.

Before them loomed an enormous monster.
A grotesque creature — like someone mashed together a crocodile, a snake, a crab, and a squid without bothering to divide by four.

Thor raised his hand toward the sky, and his hammer sliced through the air as it came flying into his grasp.
He caught it firmly.

Cap raised his shield—

From behind came the roar of jet engines.
Iron Man had arrived.

The Avengers were assembled!

"Got any plans?"

Cap asked.

"Nope. You first."

Iron Man replied casually.

"We just charge straight in and smash it."

Thor said that without hesitation.

"Exactly."

…Wait.
Wasn’t it supposed to be just three of them?

No, there's someone else—someone incredible.

"Leave this to me first."

A blonde-haired woman soared freely through the air, her body glowing with raw power.
A red-and-navy suit marked with a star.
Yes — it was Captain Marvel.

Without slowing down, she fired an energy blast straight at the massive monster.

"Take this!"

The energy turned into a blazing bullet of light, piercing through the creature—

"Kamala, dinner's ready!"

—The light shot straight into a wall instead, smashing into the ruins of a collapsed building—

"Kamala?"

"W-Wait! Wait, Ammi!"

The story paused.
I tore my eyes away from the computer screen and glanced to the side.

The walls were covered in hero posters.
Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk… and, of course, Captain Marvel.

My favorite heroes.

My gaze drifted further, to the door—
There stood Ammi, my mom, looking slightly anxious and tense.

"Did you need something?"

"I'm about to hit a thousand readers on the fanfiction I uploaded!"

"I… don’t really get it, but are you saying that’s more important than eating together as a family?"

Ammi’s words made my shoulders sag a little.

"…No, not really."

I shook my head.

"Good. Then hurry down, okay?"

"…Fine, Ammi."

I slid down from my chair and turned off my computer monitor.

My name’s Kamala.
Kamala Khan.
Born and raised in New Jersey… second-generation Pakistani-American.

At the table, my dad, Abu, shot me a glance over the dishes laid out before us.

"You're late."

"Had a lot going on."

"A lot, huh?"

"Yeah. A lot."

As I sat down, Ammi took her seat too.
We offered a short prayer before starting dinner.

…If I’m gonna say it, now’s the time.
I turned to Abu.

"Hey, Abu."

"Hm?"

"Can I go on a trip next week?"

Abu gave me a look.

"What are you talking about?"

"There's an Avengers Con next week. In New York."

"Huh. Sounds fun. Who’re you going with?"

"Bruno."

"Alright. Be back by six."

Ugh. I knew it.

"But… Avengers Con actually starts at five, so…"

"Then that’s not happening."

Abu frowned, and I mirrored his frown, refusing to back down.

Ammi stepped in, of course.

"Absolutely not. It’s dangerous."

"Ammi, I’m sixteen now, okay? I’m basically an adult! I’m not gonna do anything stupid."

"Which is exactly why I’m worried."

Abu cut in firmly.
…Ugh. This family’s way too strict.

"Forget it this time."

This time?
More like every time.

Ammi suddenly had an idea.

"How about this—why don’t you invite Bruno over and work on homework together instead?"

"I’d rather die of boredom."

"People don’t die that easily."

"Could’ve fooled me."

I muttered under my breath and shoved food into my mouth.
Seriously… just seriously.

---

"…So yeah, they said no."

"For real? Well… I guess that figures."

In front of me, my best friend Bruno Carrelli crossed his arms and nodded.
We were in his room — just down the street from my house.

It was, of course, the middle of the day.
Gotta love strict curfews, right?

"Ugh, nothing good’s been happening lately."

I flopped back onto Bruno’s bed.

"Well, you did have that whole hospital incident."

"Not my fault! And thanks to that, Ammi’s gotten even more overprotective."

The memory replayed in my mind.
Last week, while walking near home, I’d inhaled some weird mist… and then blacked out.
They said it was some terrorist attack — a chemical gas leak or something.
Scary stuff.

And ever since then, something’s been… different with my body.
Not in a bad way. Actually, in a good way.

I stretched out my hand and grabbed a comic book from the shelf.

"…You know, maybe you should tell them."

"Tell who what?"

I tilted my head while flipping open the comic.

"Your powers. You should at least talk to your mom or dad about it."

The bookshelf was about two meters away from where I sat.
I didn’t move an inch… and yet the comic was already in my hand.

Why?
How?

"…I just… don’t wanna worry them."

Because my arm had stretched.
Like clay, like slime… my arm had stretched.

"Yeah, well, if they find out, they’re gonna be seriously freaked out."

Bruno scratched his cheek awkwardly.

Ever since breathing in that strange mist, I’d been able to reshape my body however I wanted.
I didn’t understand it at all.

If I extended my legs, I could sprint a hundred meters in ten seconds.
If I enlarged my hands, I could lift huge car tires without breaking a sweat.

I had superpowers.
Real ones.
A huge deal, right?

…Except not for me.
Because I’m me.

Guys with guns? Terrifying.
Being noticed? Even worse.

Do I want to be a hero?
Of course I do.

But I’m not that brave.
I’d just end up embarrassing myself.

If I keep my powers a secret, life stays the same.
I can keep my sweet, overprotective Ammi, my Abu, my lazy unemployed brother…
A happy little family.
Strict, yeah, but only because they care.

"I do wanna be someone more than I am, but that doesn’t mean I wanna give up the life I have."

"What is that, some new hip-hop lyric?"

"If you think so, maybe I’ve got a future in songwriting."

I kicked my legs, dangling them off Bruno’s bed.

"Anyway! Forget that — Avengers Con!"

"Whoa, you’re still hung up on that?"

"Of course I am! Come on, I have to go! I even wanna cosplay!"

I waved my arms dramatically.
I’d secretly made my very own Captain Marvel costume — my absolute favorite hero!
And now I couldn’t even wear it there.
Total injustice.

"But you can’t go, right? Your mom and dad won’t allow it. And if you sneak out, you’re toast."

"…That’s it! Bruno, that’s it!"

I clapped my hands together like I’d just unlocked the universe.

"Uh… what? What’s ‘it’?"

"We do sneak out! With my powers, I can get down from my second-floor window easy!"

"…Ugh."

Bruno grimaced hard.
I ignored it.

"Then what? What’s the plan?"

"We hop on a bus to New York! And you bring my cosplay costume."

"Wait, me? Why am I automatically the accomplice here?!"

Bruno looked completely done with me.

"Come on, Bruno, pleaseee. Let’s go together. Avengers Con, you and me!"

"…Ugh. I dunno, Kamala. I’d feel bad for your parents."

"Please? For me?"

"Nope."

"Pleeease?"

"……"

I clasped my hands, looking straight into his eyes.
Bruno hesitated, stared down… then sighed.

"Ugh, fine. I’ll help."

"Yesss! Thank you, Bruno! I love you!"

"…Yeah, yeah. I love me too."

Bruno sighed again.

He’s always been like this.
Ever since we were kids, he’s terrible at saying no.
Push him hard enough, and he caves.
Guess that’s what friendship does.

…Not that I’m ungrateful.
I do pay him back. Sometimes.

---

And then, the day of Avengers Con.

I told my parents I was going to bed early… total lie.
Went straight to my room, swapped pajamas for outdoor clothes… and slipped out the window.

Second floor.
Normally, that’s a sprained ankle waiting to happen.
But I stretched my legs and landed smoothly.

First superhero ever to use powers… for sneaking out of the house?
Yeah. That’s me.

"Kamala! Over here!"

"Doing good so far!"

I met up with Bruno at the signpost, just like we’d planned.
Then we hopped on the bus.

So far, everything was going perfectly.
It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.

I leaned toward Bruno in the seat next to me.

"You brought the costume, right?"

"Of course. It’s in my bag."

Goodbye, New Jersey.
Hello, New York.

We got off the bus and… wow.
The special Avengers Con venue was glowing like a festival of light.

"Whoa…"

"Yeah. This place is way bigger than I imagined."

It was like a traveling amusement park.
Each pavilion had its own hero-themed attraction.
A giant Hulk statue came into view.
Probably life-size.

"Come on, come on, Bruno! Let’s go!"

"Whoa, hold it. Aren’t you forgetting something important?"

Bruno’s tone was suddenly theatrical.
Guess he was getting excited too.

"Oh! The costume!"

"Go get changed. I’ll wait here."

"Thanks, Bruno!"

I grabbed my bag, giddy with excitement, and dashed into the changing room.
I stuffed my normal clothes into a locker and pulled out the suit.

A red-and-navy synthetic leather costume.
Captain Marvel’s costume.

There was even a mask — Bruno had added LED lights to the faux Mohawk, making it glow.

I turned to the mirror, striking a few poses from different angles.
Yes. Perfect.
Absolutely perfect—

…Whispers.
I caught faint voices in the changing room.

Two girls.
One of them, wearing a similar Captain Marvel costume, was pointing at me.
Blonde, probably my age.
Her friend stood next to her, giggling quietly.

Ugh.
I tried to ignore them… but I heard it anyway.

"The costume is nice, but, you know…"

"And your skin color’s different, too."

I almost stopped walking without thinking. But I forced myself to keep going and stepped out of the changing room.

I walked a little further, didn’t meet up with Bruno, and instead leaned against the wall before sliding down to sit. I pulled off my mask, exposing my bare face.

I felt awful.

I wasn’t sad, and I didn’t even really care, but my eyes still welled up. There’s no way I can let Bruno see me like this.

Calm down. Get it together, me.

…We don’t look alike?
I know that already.

Captain Marvel and I don’t look alike. Our skin, hair, and eye colors are all different. But it’s more than appearances. I’m not brave. I crumble easily.

Yeah, I got a bit of superpower recently… but nothing has really changed.

I’m just… no, I’m just a slightly daydreamy girl.

I hugged my knees. I came all the way to this fun place. I should be enjoying it.

But the more I told myself that, the more my body tensed up—

I was—

"Are you okay?"

A voice reached me. I looked up.

Standing there was a girl whose appearance was the exact opposite of mine—fair-skinned, with platinum blonde hair.

She wore short pants and knee-high socks. On top, she had on a cheap-looking T-shirt with Iron Man’s face printed huge across the front. The outfit looked totally mismatched.

I was so surprised by her appearance that my tears actually stopped.

This ridiculously pretty girl reached a hand out toward me.

"…Can you stand?"

"Y-yeah."

She pulled me up, and once I was on my feet, I noticed she was actually a little shorter than me. Maybe about my age, around sixteen?

For a moment, I wondered if she was a model from one of the pavilions, but then I noticed the paper bag she was holding in her other hand. Inside were brand-new Captain America and Iron Man figures.

I understood immediately.

She’s a fan too. Just like me—just another guest.

"Did something happen?"

"Huh? No, it’s not like that, really…"

There’s no way I could tell her the real reason I was upset. It’s too embarrassing.

But, as if the timing wasn’t bad enough already, those two girls walked past us just then. They gave me a mocking look and snickered. I clenched my fist before I realized it.

And from that alone, she seemed to figure it out.

"It’s okay. That suit looks good on you."

"…Are you just trying to make me feel better?"

"Partly, yeah. But I really mean it."

She smiled faintly. …I couldn’t help but stare for a moment.

But I shook my head.

"But I don’t look anything like Captain Marvel."

"…True, you might not look like Caro—uh, Captain Marvel."

See? I knew it. She’s just trying to be nice—

"But it suits you. You, yourself."

"…Me? Myself?"

I tilted my head without thinking.

"Yeah. You look really heroic."

"…I can’t be a hero."

Even though this girl, who I’d just met, was trying to comfort me, I denied her words. I felt so pathetic.

…And on top of that, what I said was pretty rude. I opened my mouth, about to take it back—

"Someone I admire once told me something."

"…Huh?"

"They said anyone can be a hero."

Her cobalt-blue eyes met mine. Even under the shifting red and blue lights, her gaze shone a pure, beautiful blue that didn’t lose to them at all.

Then she spoke again.

"Skin color, hair color… race, gender, age—it doesn’t matter. If you can save someone, even just one person, you’re already a hero to them."

Her words sank deep into the cracks of my heart, filling them. I couldn’t help but smile softly.

"…Who said that?"

"Cap—Captain America."

"Whoa, yeah, that sounds exactly like something he’d say."

I laughed before I realized it, and the girl in front of me smiled too.

She’s nice. And I think we’d get along.

"So, you’re okay now?"

"Yeah, I’m okay. Thank you."

"You’re welcome. Well then—"

She stepped back, as if to leave.

It was just a passing encounter, a tiny little moment.

And yet, without thinking, I—

"W-wait!"

I called out before I could stop myself. Even though I might’ve been bothering her.

The girl paused and turned back to face me.

"Um… what is it?"

"C-could we… um—"

I squeezed the hem of my costume, mustering the little bit of courage I had left.

"Would you… walk around with me? I-I mean, if you don’t mind."

My voice was so small it almost disappeared.

She blinked at me, looking a little surprised, then softened her expression and nodded.

"Yeah, sure. I’m on my own today, anyway."

"O-oh, um, thanks."

"You don’t have to thank me."

"Ah, um, then—"

And then I realized something.

I still didn’t know her name.

"Ah—right, your name! Can you tell me your name?"

When I asked, the platinum-blonde girl finally opened her mouth.

"Michelle Jane Watson… but just call me Michelle."

"Ah, um, nice to meet you! Michelle!"

I reached out my hand, and she shook it back. Her skin was soft and smooth.

So delicate it almost felt like it would break if I gripped too hard.

When I tore my gaze away from her hand and looked up at her face… she was giving me a puzzled look.

Flustered, I quickly let go.
Ugh, there it is again—my bad habit. When I focus on something, I lose sight of everything else.

While I was busy mentally kicking myself, Michelle spoke.

"So, what’s your name?"

"Me? I’m… Kamala. Kamala Khan."

The moment I said my name, Michelle froze. Her expression stiffened.

"…Huh? Kamala?"

"Y-yeah. Kamala. Why?"

"…I… see."

Michelle touched her face as if processing something. She looked… oddly shocked.

Did she not like my name or something?
No, I haven’t known her long, but she doesn’t seem like that kind of person.

Then Michelle narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Sorry for acting all high and mighty earlier."

"Huh? Wait, no! Don’t apologize! I wasn’t bothered at all—honestly, I was happy you said all that!"

I quickly shook my head, trying to reassure her.

She’s… a little strange. Or maybe just a bit absentminded sometimes.
Thinking about it that way, I realized… she might actually be a little like me. And that made me feel oddly closer to her.

But then, it hit me—

"Ah! Bruno!"

"Bruno?"

"My friend! I left him waiting!"

I panicked and Michelle followed after me as we hurried through the venue.

We finally made it back to where Bruno was. He looked a little tired, fiddling with his phone.

"Sorry! Bruno, I made you wait!"

"You did make me wait. Where’d you wander off to—"

Bruno’s eyes shifted toward Michelle. He blinked several times.

"Uh… who’s this?"

"I’m Michelle. Nice to meet you, Bruno."

"Uh… yeah? Nice to meet you too…?"

Bruno shook her hand, still completely lost.

"Kamala, what’s going on? Who is she?"

He turned to me, demanding an explanation.

"Ah, um, well, that’s…"

Then I remembered why I’d been upset earlier. And honestly, explaining it would only make Bruno feel worse too.

While I hesitated, Michelle jumped in for me.

"Kamala picked up something I dropped. We started talking, and we got along, so she invited me to look around together."

"Exactly! That’s what happened, Bruno!"

I quickly nodded along, relieved she covered for me.

"…Didn’t know Kamala had that kind of social skills."

Bruno said it with suspicion, and I hurried to defend myself.

"She’s a fellow geek, so it’s easy to be friends, okay? Right?"

"Mm. Friends."

I’d blurted out the word "friends," but Michelle didn’t seem bothered. She nodded without hesitation. That simple gesture… made me really happy.

"…Well, whatever. Good for you, Kamala."

Bruno still looked unconvinced, but at least he let it go. …Maybe he’s just glad I finally made a new friend, considering how few I have.

It left me feeling a little weird, but… well, I’ll take it.

Anyway—

Talking more with Michelle, I found out she’s actually a huge Avengers nerd too.

I asked her who her favorite hero was, and she answered—

"Sup—uh, Bucky… the Winter Soldier?"

Apparently, her reason was something like, "He helped me out once."

Wait, does that mean she actually met him? And he saved her??
I’m so jealous!

"My favorite’s definitely Captain Marvel."

"…Yeah. I know."

"Huh? How do you know?"

"Ah—well, uh… your cosplay kinda gives it away."

And just like that, we kept walking around AvengersCon, looking at displays and taking photos with life-size statues.

"Wait, you’re eighteen, Michelle? You’re older than me?"

"Yeah."

"You totally don’t look it, though…"

"…Huh?"

"Kamala, that’s rude."

Bruno stepped in to scold me, but Michelle didn’t seem bothered.

We continued touring the pavilions, growing closer as we talked. At the merch corner, I spent what little allowance I had on a poster and a tapestry—of course, Captain Marvel ones.

Apparently, all the AvengersCon merch is handled by Stark Industries. They manage sales and marketing as part of PR and fundraising.

So technically, by buying merch like this, I’m helping fund hero activities.
…That’s the official excuse, anyway. The real reason is simple: they’re selling official merch of my favorite hero, so of course I’m gonna buy it.

I carefully tucked the poster and tapestry into my tote bag.

"Oh, there’s a cosplay contest happening soon! Let’s go watch it!"

When I said that, Michelle tilted her head.

"You’re not entering, Kamala?"

"…Nah, I’ll pass."

Honestly, before coming here, I’d been planning to enter. But… I’d lost my confidence. Not that I had much to begin with.

"…I see."

Michelle didn’t question it or press for details. She just nodded gently. That was… really thoughtful of her.

Bruno, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to say something.

"What is it, Bruno?"

"…Nothing. I just thought… since you’re here anyway, you might as well enter."

"There are way better cosplayers than me. No thanks."

“…There’s no point comparing yourself to others, Kamala.”

“Isn’t that exactly what a contest’s about, though?”

“…That’s not really what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean, Bruno? You’re not making any sense.”

Bruno says weird things sometimes.
But… it’s not something I need to worry about.

For some reason, Michelle lightly tapped Bruno on the shoulder.
Like she was comforting him.
I wonder why.

In the end, without actually signing up, I walked all the way to the contest corner.

Wow… amazing.
Every single cosplay here looks like they cost so much money and effort.

Compared to that… my costume looks way too handmade.
Honestly, it doesn’t measure up.

One after another, hero cosplayers step onto the stage.

And among them—

There she was.
The blonde woman who mocked me earlier.
She was dressed as Captain Marvel.

My face almost tensed up on reflex—

“Kamala?”

Bruno called my name.

“H-huh? What is it, Bruno?”

“You okay? If you’re not feeling well, we can… uh, move somewhere else?”

“Ah… no, it’s fine. I wanna see the rest.”

I shook my head.

Frustrating as it was, the blonde woman really did look good.
She looked just like Captain Marvel.
…That thought left a bitter feeling swirling in my chest.

While I was stewing over it, Michelle leaned over from the side and pointed toward a food stand in the distance.

“Kamala, I’m gonna grab a drink. Want anything?”

“Eh? Oh, um… then… Iron Man Cherry Soda, please.”

Michelle nodded, then glanced over at Bruno.

“How about you, Bruno?”

“Ah, I’ll come with you. Carrying three drinks’ll be heavy, right?”

“I’m fine. I may not look it, but I’m pretty strong.”

Bruno tried to be considerate, but Michelle just shook her head.
In the end, she settled on getting a Captain America Blue Soda for herself.

…She was doing this for me.
She noticed I was feeling down and wanted me to relax, eat, drink, and cheer up a little.

Thinking about it that way…
I’d thought she didn’t seem very “mature,” but… yeah, maybe she really was.

…Ah, I forgot to give her money.
I’ll have to pay her back later.

While I was mentally scolding myself, Bruno chuckled.

“She’s nice, huh?”

“Yeah, I think so. I’m glad we came to Avengers Con.”

“You’re happier about making new friends than seeing the pavilion displays, aren’t you?”

“…How’d you know?”

“Childhood friend. Comes with the territory.”

Exploring Avengers Con together had been so much fun.
I didn’t want this meeting, this connection, to just… end here.

“I’ll ask to exchange contacts later… You think that’s okay? She won’t think I’m full of myself, right?”

“You’ll be fine. Honestly, you two seem to get along already.”

“R-right? Yeah… you’re right.”

I kept glancing toward the contest stage, hoping they’d come back soon.

…Then I heard something strange.
A creaking noise. Like… “kiri-kiri.”

“Hey, Bruno. You hear that?”

“Huh? Hear what?”

Bruno didn’t notice.
I glanced upward.

A giant balloon, shaped like Thor’s hammer “Mjölnir,” was floating overhead.
I thought the sound was coming from there—

SNAP!

This time, it was loud enough for everyone to hear.
The Mjölnir balloon swayed violently.

The rope holding the handle had snapped.

Before I could process it, the balloon swung like a massive pendulum—
and slammed right into the contest stage.

Screams erupted.

The blonde woman who mocked me earlier was hit.
The balloon flung her backward, sending her soaring nearly up to the ceiling.

The balloon itself wasn’t hard, so she probably wasn’t injured yet.
But if she fell from that height…
She’d definitely get hurt.
She could even die.

I—

…I might be able to save her.

But if anyone saw me use my powers… things would get complicated.
I could be separated from my family.

Besides… she was awful.
She made fun of me.

I didn’t owe her anything—
I had no reason to save her—

『Anyone can be a hero.』
『If you can save someone, then you’re already a hero to them.』

Someone just told me that earlier.

『It’s not that good people do good deeds.』
『It’s doing good deeds that makes someone good.』
『Action comes first. Those who help others are the ones who are blessed.』

Dad—Abu—told me that a long time ago.

…It’s fine.
I won’t hesitate anymore.

Ordinary people… can’t do this.
But I’m not ordinary anymore.

I dropped the bag I was holding in one hand.
Pulled the mask from under my arm and slipped it on.

Then I reached out.
Stretching my arm wide—

“Kyaaah!?”

At the end of my arm, which had stretched several meters,
my enlarged palm caught the falling woman.

She was safe. I’d absorbed the impact—no injuries.

Screams, shouts, chaos—
and then, silence.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward me.

“W-what the hell is that!?”

“…That’s… insane…”

All eyes were on me.
A mix of awe… and fear.

I glanced to the side, at Bruno.
He stood frozen, wide-eyed, completely stunned.

I didn’t regret it.
Not one bit.

But… yeah.
This was definitely going to cause trouble.

And then, immediately after—

Using my elongated arm, I grabbed Bruno.
With my extended legs, I bolted out of the venue—
fleeing the scene as fast as I could.