Chapter 7: Consequential Awakening
"That was very stressful… Hot damn…" Izuku groaned as he had his weary gaze on the closed door of their apartment, where the two officers had left after finishing their questioning.
True to Gran Torino's and his mother's words, two officers did come to their place to question him. They arrived around 7, when his mind was still in a foggy haze. Though he wasn't surprised, it didn't change the fact that he was mentally exhausted. And being questioned by the police didn't help his mental state either. Well, whether he liked it or not (which he didn't), he had to face it like a man. Besides, this was the consequence of recklessly running off into danger. In a way, it was his punishment for making his mother and his mentor worry about him.
The two officers were none other than the cat-headed officer and his partner from the previous day, when he had rescued that girl. Suffice it to say, they were not really pleased to see him again so soon, and they were especially unhappy with his stunts, particularly the second officer, who had already told him that it was dangerous to be there and that he should go home. He was mad at him, reprimanding him for his foolish behavior. And while the first officer was not as harsh as his partner, he still did not approve of what he did. He acknowledged that, although his actions were brave and heroic, it was still very reckless to run headfirst into a battlefield. Long apologies and promises were made to both officers, as well as his reasoning and explanations about what happened.
Of course, he did not tell them what exactly happened. He just told them that he was trying to help Gran Torino defeat the villain, only to fail miserably and have his arm completely broken. He also told them that the old man accidentally fired a powerful Quirk blast that made the building collapse. While he felt guilty for lying to them like that, he couldn't just tell them the truth. After all, who would believe that he defeated a high-ranking villain with one punch? Plus, he doesn't want to worsen his situation even further.
Thankfully, the officers believed his story and let it go after that. And he is even more thankful that all he got was a heavy slap to his wrist and a stern warning never to do something so foolish ever again. As fortune would have it, he doesn't have to face any legal consequences for his actions. Because, in the eyes of the law, he used his destructive Quirk (albeit unknowingly how to properly use it) to cause such destruction. So, if he is prosecuted for it, he will be charged with unauthorized Quirk use, which is a very serious offense. Again, despite being a minor, Japanese laws have undergone numerous changes throughout the years to accommodate the emergence of Quirks. As long as you use your Quirk in public, one way or another, you are breaking the law. So, he is very, VERY lucky that the two officers believed his story and decided to let it go.
He owes Gran Torino big time for covering up for him.
After the questioning ended, the cat-headed officer gave his mother a small smile and told her that everything was fine and that her son was not in any trouble. As long as he doesn't repeat his actions, then everything will be just fine. She was obviously very relieved by that, and she thanked them profusely for their understanding. The second officer apologized for his harsh treatment earlier but explained that his concern stemmed from the fact that he was still a teenager, not yet a licensed hero, and was already putting himself in extreme danger. After a bit of back-and-forth discussion between his mother and the two officers, the police finally left. And once the door closes, Izuku can finally let out the breath that he has been holding the entire time.
That was a stressful event for him. And it was literally the first thing that happened on his Thursday.
"Jeez. What a great start to the day, huh?" He sighs as he slumps on the couch tiredly, "Well, it could be worse. Imagine if one of them recognized me from the Sludge Villain Incident months ago. Heh. That would be so awkward to explain; I don't even know how that would go. Good thing they didn't, I guess."
The greenette lets out another long sigh as he leans back on the couch, trying to calm his beating heart and soothe his still-frantic mind. That almost 2-hour ordeal took quite a toll on his body, and he really needs some rest now.
"Izuku?" Inko calls out to him as she comes to the living room.
Blinking away from his thoughts, the greenette turns his head towards the archway that leads to the kitchen. There, he can see his mother standing there, staring at him with a worried frown.
"Everything is fine, Mom." He says to her reassuringly; he already knows what she's thinking, "Just a… uhm… heavy scolding and all that."
"Oh. Well, that's… That's good, at least." She smiles slightly before approaching him and taking a seat on the couch, "Well now, I hope you learn your lesson about carelessly endangering your own life like that, young man."
"O-Of course. Of course. I promise I won't do it again. So please, no more worrying about me, okay?" He gives her a sheepish smile.
Inko only huffs in response, "Don't expect me to stop worrying about you. That's my job as your mother. And as your mother, I will always be worried about you, no matter what. So, stop that."
He chuckles lightly before nodding his head, "Okay, okay. I understand."
"Good. Now, come. Let's eat breakfast." She smiles at him as she pats his knee, "And just for today, I baked you a mint chocolate sponge cake to cheer you up."
"R-Really? Cake after breakfast?" He asks with an excited grin.
"Of course! But only in a small portion. And it is just for today." She says as she gets up from the couch with that loving smile of hers, "After all, it is not good to have too many sweets in the morning. You might get a stomachache later."
"I know, I know. I'll eat it in moderation." The young boy chuckles lightly as he follows her into the kitchen.
The smell of breakfast has already permeated the room, and his mouth waters at the sight of delicious food. A traditional morning meal with a modern Western twist is set on the dining table, ready to be eaten.
"So, how was school yesterday?" She asks as she sits herself down on one of the chairs, "You didn't get yourself into any trouble, did you? W-Well, other than… the incident?"
"Meh. Same-old, same-old, I guess." He shrugs as he makes his way to the other chair, "Though I have a hunch that Kacchan and his goons will amp up their bullying towards me."
"That's good to hear, I suppose." She replies with a small smile as she serves herself some of the food, "Well, I hope you'll enjoy your day off. And just to remind you, I won't let you train until Saturday."
"I understand." He sighs tiredly as he pulls the chair from the table and sits down.
Nodding in satisfaction, Inko momentarily claps her hands in front of her and begins silently praying; Izuku follows not soon after. Once the prayer ends, both of them begin eating.
The silence between them is rather peaceful and comfortable. No words are spoken as they eat their breakfast. Well, with the occasional little talk here and there, but nothing major. It's just a normal breakfast between mother and son. And one that is filled with warmth and love.
As he continues to eat his mother's delicious breakfast, his green eyes idly wander around the kitchen. He takes in the sight of the modern interior and appliances, the stainless steel sink, and the tiled floor. And then he turns his attention towards his mother, who is happily eating her breakfast.
"I wonder if the limited space in our kitchen has bothered her in the slightest. After all, she can't fully enjoy herself in her cooking if she can't properly move around." He thinks to himself as he takes a sip of his glass of orange juice, "We also have fewer utensils than she wants to use. With the limited space, there isn't enough room for all of her cooking utensils, preventing her from doing what she loves most. That new microwave she bought two months ago is now hogging precious counter space, making it even more challenging for her to cook freely."
His gaze then moves to the aforementioned microwave, which is positioned in a corner, taking up a significant amount of the already limited counter space. It is rather fancy-looking, with its sleek design and fancy silver color. It's definitely more expensive than a simple microwave. And it is also modern, with its integrated digital display and touch-sensitive buttons. It was a gift to herself, something to make her life easier in the kitchen, but it also contributed to the clutter.
Oh, well. He guesses they'll just have to deal with it.
With a small sigh, he shakes his head and continues to eat.
Izuku knows that he's basically being grounded by his mother. And he deserves it, but still. He is very bored right now.
Blowing out a childish raspberry, he lazily stares up at the ceiling of his bedroom. The greenette is lying on his bed with nothing to do. His mother has left for work, and he is stuck in his room without any of his usual activities. And his usual activities are more or less training and studying. While he can study (since his mother doesn't explicitly forbid him from doing that), he doesn't have the motivation to do so. After all, he is still mentally exhausted from the whole questioning thing. Plus, if he's being honest, training and exercising are the only things that really help him relieve stress and calm down. But now he cannot do either of those.
So, what's he supposed to do?
He sighs again as he closes his eyes. He has tried sleeping, but it didn't work. He has tried reading, but the words seem to just slip through his head. He has tried playing some video games, but he lost interest quickly. He has tried watching some TV, but there isn't anything interesting to watch. He has tried almost everything, yet he can't find any way to entertain himself.
He lets out another sigh as he continues to lie there.
"Jeez, this is so boring. I'm so bored." He inwardly groans in frustration.
Lazily shifting his position to lie on his side, he looks around his room. His comically All Might-themed bedroom is just as bright and colorful as ever, and it still looks as childish as it has been. His gaze then falls upon his desk, which is filled with notebooks, pens, and other school supplies.
"I wonder how's that girl doing?" He muses to himself as he idly stares at the books on his desk, "I hope she's okay. What happened yesterday was no doubt very traumatic. Poor girl."
He recalls the time when he found her. She was terrified, scared out of her mind. And it was very understandable. Her legs were broken, she was in a lot of pain, and she was a mere breath away from God's door. She thought that she was going to die.
But he saved her.
A smile appears on his face as he remembers how he carried her out of the danger zone. A sense of accomplishment swells within his chest as he relives the memory of him carrying her out of there. He remembers how she clung to him tightly as tears of fear, gratitude, and joy streamed down her face. He remembers how her silvery eyes looked at him with such amazement and adoration. He remembers how she thanked him again and again for saving her life. It is a wonderful feeling that he has never felt before.
A feeling of pride and happiness.
"Never thought I would have my first rescue, and I am not even a hero yet." He mentally noted with a soft chuckle, "I'm happy that I managed to save her. I really hope she is doing fine now and that she is recovering well."
Rolling once again onto his back, he stares up at the ceiling, thinking about yesterday's events. It wasn't just about saving the girl; it was also about what happened afterward. He recalls bringing her to safety, where the paramedics quickly yet carefully took over, loading her onto a stretcher and then into an ambulance. Then, he rushed back to the battlefield to help (well, wanting to help) Gran Torino stop that magma villain.
And during that intense battle, he managed to activate One For All again. But that time, it was no longer an unconscious activation and a fleeting moment. It was an intentional activation and a steady presence within him. And it was the most satisfying feeling he had ever felt.
After all, he managed to use his Quirk!
But there're still two itsy-bitsy problems: 1) The Quirk is still unstable. It's unstable as heck. Using it felt like his muscles were about to rip apart from the sheer exertion and power. The pain was intense, and the exhaustion was draining. The cramps he was about to have were horrific. 2) He doesn't know how to use it. Well, he kind of knows how to use it, but he still needs more time to fully grasp it. Plus, it was in the heat of the moment, so he didn't have time to really analyze how he was able to use it.
All he knew was that he tapped into a well of energy within him and channeled it into his legs to help him move faster and dodge most of the villain's attacks. It worked, but it left him with aching legs. The ghostly feeling of pain and exhaustion lingers within his legs. And then, if he remembers it right, he channeled that same power—only more potent—into his arm to throw a strong punch to the villain's face. It worked, but he broke his arm because of it. Gran Torino said that it's a side effect of the excessive usage of One For All while his body is not yet ready to handle its full power.
Still, he did it. He used his Quirk, albeit unknowingly how, during that intense fight. He managed to fight that villain and even land some good hits on him. And it's a huge step forward for him.
So why does he feel… disappointed?
"That's because I wish I had managed to use One For All properly." He answers himself with a frown as he raises his right hand in front of him, "I know I already unlocked it; the problem is figuring out exactly how to call it out. Seriously, how did I even manage to tap into it when I was fighting that villain?"
He tries to remember the trigger that caused One For All to be activated. He was just trying to lift that huge debris off that girl, and nothing else. And then, without warning, the Quirk just woke up within him. It gave him the additional strength he needed to lift the debris off her. He was so surprised at the sudden appearance of the Quirk. It just awakened within him.
Then, during his battle with the magma villain, the Quirk continued to flow through his veins. It burned, but it felt good. It felt right. It felt empowering. But the power of One For All was still too much for him to handle, and his body was still not ready to handle its power at such a high level, let alone the full potential of the power of One For All. So he didn't manage to use it properly.
And it hurts.
A lot.
But that still doesn't change the fact that he managed to use it way longer than before. And it didn't disappear once he stopped using it. No. It stayed within him. Like a sleeping dragon, it was just waiting for the right moment to be awakened again. Unlike when he was punching Katsuki, where the Quirk came out without him intending it to and vanished after a few seconds, One For All stayed within him. It is still within him.
It's still there.
It's just that he can't tap on it whenever he wants. He has to somehow find the switch in order to access it. And even if he found the switch, he's still not sure how to control it. He's not sure how to utilize the power of One For All without breaking his bones or destroying anything near him.
That is a problem he must solve soon.
The Quirk is already here, so now he needs to remember how to use it precisely. How to draw it out and use its power. How to bring that sleeping dragon in his mind back to life and use it to help others and protect them.
The greenette closes his eyes as he tries to calm his rumbling mind. As usual, his thoughts keep going on and on without ever reaching their end, always leading to another question, another thought, another problem. It's a never-ending cycle of chaos in his mind. And he knows it is very bad for him.
He sighs tiredly as he rubs his face.
"One For All is a very complex Quirk. Just activating it is already complicated. But using it? Ugh, that's even more difficult to understand." He inwardly sighs in frustration, "How did All Might do it? He seems to use it so easily and effortlessly."
The more he thinks about it, the more his head hurts. He lets out another frustrated sigh as he opens his eyes and sits up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Why is this so difficult?" He mumbles out loud with a pout, "It shouldn't be that hard, should it? I mean, all I have to do is activate it, right? Why can't I do that?"
He brings out his right hand again and stares at his palm. He curls and uncurls his fingers as he tries to imagine the power flowing through his veins. He imagines the fire burning within him. He imagines the power surging through his body.
Nothing happens.
(That's expected, anyway, as it sounds far more ridiculous than it does in his head.)
Pursing his lips, he clenches his hand into a fist and focuses on trying to summon One For All. He tries to reach out to that familiar power. He tries to find that well of energy within him.
Again, nothing happens.
He feels nothing.
Sighing in defeat, he lets go of his clenched fist and lies down on the bed once more. His legs were lazily dangling from the edge of the bed. He stares up at the ceiling for a few seconds before letting out a long and loud groan.
"Screw it. I'll think of it later." He groans as he rolls over onto his side and closes his eyes.
His mind is still spinning with questions and theories, but he decides to ignore them. It's not helping him at all, anyway. So, the best thing to do is to try and take a nap. That will probably help clear his mind and relax his tense nerves. It is high noon, after all. He can take a nap for an hour or two and then eat lunch after that. That way, he'll be able to kill time without dying from boredom.
"I sounded like a college student who has to deal with every day's stress." He snorts at his own lame joke.
Closing his eyes, he forces himself to sleep. Really, with him grounded by his mother and him having to spend the rest of the week doing nothing productive, he really doesn't have much else to do.
And so, with a deep sigh, he slowly falls into a restless sleep.
When he slowly and groggily opens his eyes, the greenette finds himself once again standing in that strange black void. The 'clouds' are floating around him in their chaotic patterns, filling the space with their presence. The dark abyss above him still holds no stars or any other forms of light, only leaving him in the darkness. The air feels empty, but it still allows him to breathe comfortably. Still, the vibe that this place is giving off is so unnerving; it feels like he is standing in the middle of a graveyard or something.
He blinks several times to get rid of the fog in his mind and looks around him. Everything is exactly the same as the last time he was here. The watery surface beneath him, the 'clouds' above him, and the dark abyss around him—everything is the same. And the traditional Japanese clothing he wore last time is still there.
"This is strange." He mumbles as he looks around him with a perplexed frown, "What even is this place?"
He once heard that a person's dreams have meanings. Well, if that were the case, then what the heck does this dream mean? He sees nothing but an endless void, a dark abyss. Nothingness.
Besides, he isn't sure if this is even a dream since it feels… alienly real to him. It's almost as if he is not dreaming at all, but actually in some kind of lucid state of mind. Like he's consciously aware of everything. But at the same time, he is not. It is hard to explain. It feels like he is sleeping, but at the same time, he is not. It's like his consciousness is here, but not entirely. It's a weird sensation, to be honest.
With pursed lips, he looks down at his feet and stares at the murky water underneath him. Just like before, his reflection is nowhere to be seen. The… 'water' is just too murky for him to see anything. He lets out a frustrated sigh as he kneels down and splashes the murky water with his palm. It feels like water, but it is not cold like it. And when he looks at his hand, there is no wetness on it. He scoops up some of the murky water and examines it, and then he pours it back into the 'water' from where it came from. It feels like water, but… it isn't.
"Well, that's confusing." He comments idly as he stands up again, "Where am I, anyway?"
His gaze slowly moves from left to right, looking at his surroundings. Other than the floating clouds above him, there is nothing else here. No landmarks or scenery. There's nothing but an endless void of darkness. Aside from that floating green orb that is hovering a little bit far away from him, there is nothing else that is worth looking at.
"…Wait." He snaps his head towards the floating green sphere, "Eh?"
He doesn't realize that there's another thing here in this void other than himself. Though, to be fair, the orb is relatively far away from him, so he doesn't immediately notice it.
But now that he's aware of it, he can't help but wonder what it is. Although he has a hunch of what it may be.
With careful and cautious steps, he walks towards the floating sphere. His steps create ripples in the murky water, creating a small yet ethereal melody. The closer he gets to the sphere, the truer his hunch becomes. It is the green orb from last time. The same burning green fireball emerged from the dark abyss. It once again shows itself to him.
But why?
The distance between him and this mysterious orb shortens with every step he takes. His emerald eyes never leave the green fireball, as if he's afraid that it will disappear if he looks away for even a second.
Soon, he's standing right in front of it. His gaze is focused solely on it as he tries to study it. He can feel the warmth emanating from it, but it doesn't burn him. Like before, the sphere is floating a few inches above the murky water, gently bobbing up and down like a balloon. The burning flames are flickering with energy, giving off an ethereal glow. But despite the bright light it emits, it doesn't hurt his eyes. It is just a soothing glow to him.
And he really hopes that it won't burst into a blinding flash of light like the last time he touched it.
With a curious and caution frown, he slowly lifts his right hand towards the burning orb. The orb stops bobbing for a moment, as if it's waiting for him to touch it. He hesitates, of course, since the last time he did that, it exploded and blinded him. But he keeps being (a little bit) positive that this is not going to hurt him.
"What is this?" He asks no one in particular as he gingerly touches the green sphere with his fingertips, "What are you?"
Thankfully, the moment his fingers come into contact with the burning orb, the sphere doesn't explode into a flash of blinding light. Instead, it only responds to his touch by pulsating with energy. Small sparks of green electricity flow through its body, giving off a gentle hum of electricity.
His heart skips a beat at the strange sensation, but he ignores it and keeps his fingers on the sphere. The warmth that the sphere emanates is soothing to him, like a gentle summer breeze. The energy that flows through its body feels like a flowing river. It's a very strange feeling. But he likes it. He likes it a lot.
"Hmmmmm…" He puffs his cheeks slightly in curiosity as he gingerly touches the green sphere, "Well, whatever you are, you are pretty cool."
He slowly moves his hand away from the green sphere and observes it. The green orb continues to float there, still bobbing up and down and occasionally pulsating with energy. There are no signs of aggression or hostility coming from it, so he assumes that it is safe to touch. Still, with what happened the last time he touched this orb, he remains cautious of it. Plus, this strange landscape—whether it is a dream or not—is making him a bit on edge, so he prefers to be careful.
"What do you want from me?" He asks the orb as he tilts his head to the side, "What's your purpose?"
Of course, he feels a little bit silly talking to a ball of fire. But that's the best thing he can do to deal with this situation. After all, this is all happening in his own mind, so he can do whatever he wants.
He continues to stare at the green sphere, wondering what it could possibly be. The burning orb continues to float in the air, occasionally pulsating with energy and humming softly with electricity. It is a strange sight to see. But he doesn't find it weird or anything. He finds it rather fascinating.
"Are you… sentient?" He questions the green sphere as he brings his hand closer to it again, "Having your own consciousness, maybe?"
The sphere only continues to float there, not doing anything. Well, it is a ball of fire, so of course it wouldn't do anything. But he still has a feeling that this orb is more than meets the eye. It's almost like it's alive.
"What are you?" He asks it again as he gingerly touches the burning sphere with his fingers, "What are you here for?"
The orb continues to hover in the air, still bobbing up and down. It continues to emit a comforting warmth, but it doesn't burn him. He continues to gently touch the orb with his fingers, feeling its warmth. The sphere continues to hum softly with electricity and occasionally pulses with energy.
"You're pretty strange, aren't you?" He chuckles as he keeps touching the burning sphere, "Well, I don't mind. I like strange things."
He smiles as he continues to touch the orb, feeling its warmth. It's a very calming sensation. He feels his muscles relaxing, his shoulders dropping, and his heart slowing down. It's a very peaceful feeling. He doesn't know why he's feeling like this, but he doesn't mind it at all.
The young teen continues to feel the warmth of the burning orb. The orb continues to hover there, gently bobbing up and down. The flames are flickering with energy, giving off an ethereal glow. It is a beautiful sight. He likes it. And whatever caution he felt before is completely gone now. He feels calm and relaxed now, almost as if he's in some sort of trance. He can feel his worries and concerns fade away, leaving him in a tranquil state of mind. It's a very relaxing experience, and he loves it.
But, after a while, something extraordinary happens.
His right hand begins emitting a strange, green aura.
He retracts his hand in surprise when he sees that his palm is covered by this strange green energy, which is slowly enveloping his entire form. It looks like a green fog, only less cloudy. It's more like a soft mist, though it's still translucent and somewhat eerie-looking. The green fog is pulsing with energy, almost like it is alive. And the weirdest thing is that he can feel it. He can feel the energy flowing through his body. It feels like he's being surrounded by a gentle yet powerful aura.
"W-What the…?" He mumbles in surprise as he stares at his right hand, "What is this…?"
He looks down at the rest of his body and sees that his entire body is being encased in this strange green energy. It is flowing through his veins, pulsating with power. It's like he's surrounded by a blanket of green mist. It is both abundant with energy and calming.
"What is this…?" He mumbles out loud again as he looks around him, "What's happening?"
The void then slowly distorts and changes, warping into something even more obscured and alien than before. The dark abyss above him turns into a strange, swirling mass of green energy. The dark clouds that hover in the sky are replaced by a nebula of green stars and glowing cosmic dust. And the murky water below him becomes a flowing sea of emerald liquid.
"Woah…" He breathes out as he looks around him in awe.
Everything is now engulfed by a strange, green aura. It is as if he's surrounded by an ocean of pure energy. It is a stunning sight to behold. He has never seen anything like it before. He can't even describe what he is seeing right now. It's so surreal, so otherworldly, that he doesn't know what to say. Even with the Age of Quirks, where the impossible is possible and the strange is normal, this is something entirely different.
It's simply amazing.
With wide eyes, he stares at his hands again, examining this strange green energy that covers his entire body. The green aura is pulsing with power, almost as if it were alive. He can feel the energy flowing through his veins. It feels like he's surrounded by an ocean of pure power. He feels strong, powerful, and energized.
"This is… strange." He mumbles to himself as he stares at his right hand, "What is this?"
The flaming sphere answers his question by emitting a gentle hum. It is almost as if it is responding to him. It is a rather bizarre feeling, to be honest, but he doesn't mind it. He just finds it all very fascinating.
And then, without warning, the burning sphere slowly disappears into the green mist. The green mist then quickly starts to swirl around him, enveloping him in its warm embrace. It is a rather strange sensation, but he doesn't mind it at all. He actually enjoys it, despite how weird it is. The green mist flows through his entire body, filling him with energy. It feels like he's being charged with power, with strength, with determination.
"I don't know what the heck is happening, but, uhhhhhh… I think I like it?" He comments in bewilderment as he looks around him, "Yep. Definitely like it."
The swirling green mist continues to swirl around him, blanketing him in a warm glow. He doesn't know what's going on, but he doesn't care. He just enjoys the sensations he is feeling right now. The energy that is flowing through his veins feels… liberating. It's like he's being filled with a newfound purpose, a new sense of power. And it's an amazing feeling.
A feeling of power surges through his veins, burning like fire. He feels like he can take on the whole world, like he can do anything. It's a powerful sensation, and he loves every second of it. He closes his eyes and basks in the energy that fills him. He feels alive. He feels powerful. He feels invincible.
"This feeling… is warm…" He whispers as he opens his eyes again and looks at his right hand, "It's… comforting."
The gentle green aura continues to swirl around him, engulfing him in its warmth. It is a very soothing feeling, and he doesn't want it to end. He wants to stay like this forever, surrounded by this strange green aura. It is a wonderful sensation, and he is not willing to let it go.
But unfortunately, this peaceful moment ends quickly when a sudden wave of exhaustion hits him. The green energy that was covering his body is suddenly gone, leaving him feeling cold and empty.
And then, deep darkness returns once more.
Soft groans escape his lips as he slowly opens his eyes, finding himself back in his room. The All Might posters and figurines are still decorating his room, which is rather excessive, and his comically All Might-themed bedsheets are still there. Everything is still the same.
He lets out another groan as he brings his right hand to rub his eyes, trying to wake himself up. His mind is filled with fog, making it hard for him to think clearly. His body feels heavy and tired. And his head is pounding with pain. It is almost as if he just woke up from a very intense dream, which is the case. Well, if it was a dream to begin with.
"What happened?" He mumbles as he sits up and rubs his eyes, "Ugh. Is this what a hangover feels like? My head is killing me."
The greenette shakes his head slowly as he tries to gather his thoughts. His mind is still a bit dazed by the sudden change in his surroundings. It's a weird feeling, but he ignores it and continues to rub his eyes.
"Oh, man." He grunts as he rubs his face with his hand, "What a weird feeling."
He blinks several times, trying to clear his vision. He looks around his room for a moment, checking to see if everything is alright. Thankfully, nothing has changed. And then he looks at himself to see if anything unusual happened to him while he was sleeping. To his relief, he's still the same. Nothing has changed with him.
"Well, I'm glad that nothing freaky happened to me." He sighs as he lays back down on the bed, "I swear to Lady Amaterasu that this is the strangest dream I've ever had in my entire life."
He yawns widely and rubs his eyes again. He needs to wake up. He doesn't want to go back to sleep right now. He feels like he has been sleeping for days. And when he glances at his alarm clock, he has a good reason to not go back to sleep.
"Oh, crap. Twenty-two past five already? Damn, that was a long nap." He mumbles as he sits up again, "Wow. I swear it felt shorter than that."
He groans as he rubs his face with his hand. He didn't mean to nap for so long, but he guesses that he was more mentally tired than he thought. Between what happened yesterday and the police questioning him about the whole incident, it was quite a hectic event. So, he can't really blame himself for falling asleep for so long. Still, he should have woken up sooner. After all, he needs to be productive while he's grounded.
He lets out another tired groan as he gets off the bed and stretches his body. His joints are a bit stiff from sleeping too much, but he quickly loosens them up by doing some simple exercises.
Smacking his dried lips, he is about to walk up to his desk to grab his notebook when the sound of his rumbling stomach interrupts him.
"…O-Oh. Right. I missed lunch." He mumbles to himself as he looks at the clock on his nightstand, "Oh, well. I guess I better eat something."
He walks over to the door and opens it. He then leaves the room, closing the door behind him, and walks downstairs to the kitchen.
These days have been hectic, to say the least. But it's alright. His life has been forged with challenges, so he's used to it. Although that doesn't make it any less frustrating for him. But he'll get through it, like he always does.
And whatever… that 'dream' was about, he's not going to think about it.
It was just a dream, after all.
Just a dream with no significant meaning.
It will probably fade from his mind in a few days.
Probably.
Chapter 8: The Hero in the Mirror
Izuku concludes that being grounded sucks.
Like, very much.
A lot.
For the whole two days, he was forbidden to leave the household. On Thursday, this isn't an issue since he slept through almost the entire day, thanks to the previous evening's events and the fatigue of getting questioned by the police. But on Friday was when his boredom almost drove him to insanity. The greenette, while allowed to use his laptop, his phone, and the TV, could not go out and enjoy the outside world. So, he was stuck in the house, doing nothing productive.
Well, he did have some homework to do, which he completed on time. But that was all he managed to accomplish. Everything else was just a big, fat zero. It was so boring for him. No training, no eating and/or drinking at his favorite places, and no hero-related activities. Just sitting around, doing nothing, and wishing the time would pass faster. He had nothing to do other than study, write down notes, and watch something on the electrical devices. Basically, those two days were filled with pure boredom. Not to mention that his mother stayed at home the entire Friday to make sure he didn't leave the house.
That was torture.
And so, he is glad that today is the last day of his grounding. Well, it is not entirely over, per se, but he is glad that he is allowed to go outside. And thankfully, this Saturday is a bright and sunny day, with no sign of rain in the sky. It is the perfect weather to start the weekend on a good note.
Which is exactly what he is going to do.
He's going to train his body.
Again.
In a lighter tone, though, courtesy of her mother's order.
Heavy grunts are heard as he does a light exercise in the form of throwing punches and kicks in steady and rhythmically paced movements. He is in a simple long-sleeved forest green hoodie that has two surf stripes going down the length of its sleeves. This was followed by a pair of black, loose-fitting three-quarter jogging pants with a white waistband that has two drawstrings and two vertical white lines running along the length of both legs. And his signature red shoes finished his look.
He is currently in Takoba Municipal Beach Park, training his body in the morning sun. His mind is calm and focused as he practices his punches and kicks. The Karate lessons that both All Might and Gran Torino taught him are forever ingrained in his mind, so he doesn't need to worry about forgetting them. From the very basics to the novice-level techniques, he remembers every single one of them. And the training they gave him has also helped him improve his fighting skills. He still has a lot to learn, but he's making progress. And that's all that matters.
It is just him right now. He's alone at this place. There is no one else around. Which is not a bad thing for him. He prefers to be alone. He likes having his own personal space. And this beach is a great place to practice his overall skills. It's near his home, and it's quiet, which makes it perfect for him.
Actually, other than offering a great and ideal training ground, this beach also holds a very special memory for him. This beach park is where the arc of his life started to take a dramatic turn for the better. This is where he started his journey to become the hero he deeply wished to be. And this is where he achieved his first milestone towards becoming a hero. This is the place that kickstarted his growth as a person, both physically and mentally.
This is where he started his road to becoming a hero.
With one last right roundhouse kick, he ends his practice routine. The young teen stands up straight and takes a deep breath before looking around at the serene sight of the beach park. The morning sun is shining brightly overhead, bathing everything in its warm glow. The clear blue sky is dotted with fluffy white clouds, giving the atmosphere a pleasant feeling. The gentle sea breeze blows through the park, carrying the scent of the ocean with it. The sounds of the waves crashing against the shore and the seagulls flying overhead provide a peaceful ambiance.
And the beach itself is a beautiful sight to behold. The golden sand stretches out for meters, glistening in the morning sun. The waves gently lap against the shore, creating a soothing rhythm. The crystal-clear water sparkles in the sunlight, giving off an ethereal glow. It is a very relaxing sight to see.
Overall, this is a perfect place to start the day.
"It's hard to imagine that this place was once an ugly dumping ground." He comments idly as he looks around with a smile, "Thankfully, it was cleaned up and returned to its beautiful form, just as it is supposed to be."
And it all thanks to him.
The greenette sighs contentedly as he begins to do some light stretches to loosen up his muscles. His emerald eyes roam around the clean and peaceful beach, taking in the scenery. The beach is still pretty empty, save for a few people who are enjoying the morning sun. It's a very relaxing atmosphere, and he enjoys it.
As he stretches his body, his mind wanders to One For All, which, despite having already awakened from its slumber, is still difficult to access. Even now, it is still a very tricky Quirk to use. While he managed to access it three times (the first two times being completely unconsciously, and the third time being by sheer luck during the whole magma villain fiasco), he has yet to call upon it intentionally. That is one of the biggest problems he must solve, since he needs to use One For All in order to pass the U.A. entrance exam. Without it, he cannot use the Quirk, let alone pass the exam.
He needs to master it, and fast.
"Too bad All Might was too busy to train me these last few days." He frowns as he stretches his legs, "And Gran Torino wouldn't even answer my call, likely still very upset about what happened. Oh, well. I'll just have to make do with what I've got. And I'm pretty sure that I can figure this out on my own. Hopefully, anyway. Besides, All Might will be back today! So it won't be long enough for him to teach me how to properly harness its power. So I need to be patient for a moment."
After finishing his light stretching, he hops on his heels several times before taking off in a jog towards the nearby staircase, which will lead him up to the main road above. Once there, he will continue his jog around the city (but not too far from home), secreting healthy sweats and burning calories.
And who knows?
Maybe doing his daily jogging will help him solve the One For All problem.
He can only hope for that.
Izuku has very mixed feelings towards the city in which he was born and lived his entire life.
While Musutafu has a lot of awesome and fun things, like many shopping centers, a wide variety of restaurants, a bunch of public parks, and other entertainment centers, there are a few things that bother him about this place. For one, the crime rate here is higher than in other cities. Okay, maybe that was a bit exaggerated, but still. He feels that Musutafu, despite being considered a prosperous and well-developed city in Shizuoka, has a dark underbelly. Sure, there are Pro Heroes here and there, but still, the crime rate is a bit high. Especially when it comes to villain attacks.
Well, he guesses that's just part of living in a metropolis.
And another thing that bothers him is the general attitude towards Quirks. Everyone knows the general rules of thumb when it comes to Quirks in society, no matter how hard many would deny it. If someone possesses a strong and flashy Quirk, everyone will adore and praise them. They will treat them like celebrities and role models, often worshipping them as if they're gods. But if someone has a weak and/or useless Quirk, well, the answer is very obvious: they will be the pariahs of society, being treated like trash and being looked down upon. At moderate, the victims will be bullied, mocked, and discriminated against. At worst, the victims will be beaten up and left in the dirt. And when someone has a 'villainous' Quirk, a label that says 'Villain' will forever be attached to them, and their lives will be the worst. Their lives will be a living hell. They will be shunned and shamed by society and the law, often being labeled as criminals before even committing a crime. Those who have a 'villainous' Quirk are living a life that they don't deserve. Those people are often forced to live their lives in the shadows, away from the spotlight and away from the judgmental gazes of society.
And then there's the Quirkless one…
…Yeah. No more explanation is needed.
Anyway, those are his primary concerns regarding not only Musutafu's social environment but Japan's entire social environment. The alarmingly increased rate of villainous activities and blatant Quirkist behaviors are particularly troubling. The latter has the potential to influence the morals and behavior of children. If left unchecked, it will surely cause a lot of trouble in the future.
Well, that's something for future him to solve. For now, he will just focus on his current goal of becoming a hero. But before that, he needs to find a way to harness One For All. That is the most important thing he needs to do right now. Everything else can wait.
Speaking of which, no matter how bad it may seem, he will always cherish his home city. Despite its flaws and problems, it has still been his home for 15 years. It holds many memories for him, both good and bad, and he won't have it any other way.
Plus, the people are nice, despite their prejudices.
Anyway, he continues his jog around the city, taking in the sights and sounds. He passes by many familiar places, like the local library, the park, the shopping mall, and the movie theater. He also passes by many unfamiliar places, like the local schools, the businesses, and the residential areas. It is a pleasant experience for him, to say the least.
He takes in the fresh air and enjoys the calm atmosphere as he jogs through the streets. The street is not yet crowded with people, but it is not empty either. There are a few people that are already going about their day, whether it be walking their dogs, doing their morning exercises, or just simply enjoying the morning sun. It's a very peaceful sight to see.
The greenette continues his jog, making sure to keep a steady pace. He does not want to overexert himself. After all, his mother will be upset with him if she finds out that he pushed himself too hard (again). And that's the last thing he wants. She will ground him for a week straight if that happens. And he does not want that. So, he jogs at a steady pace, taking in the scenery as he goes.
After another few minutes of jogging, he decides to slow down to take a little break. His steps are gradually losing their momentum, slowly grinding to a stop. He places his hands on his hips and breathes out heavily, feeling the sweat rolling down his forehead. His chest rises and falls rapidly as he tries to catch his breath, and his legs are burning a bit from all that nonstop running. He checks the time on his phone and sees that he's jogging for only 45 minutes, a rather sufficient amount of time to do his morning jog.
The sweaty, green-haired teen takes a deep breath to steady himself before putting his phone back in his pocket and stretching his body. His muscles ache slightly from all that intense running, but they don't feel too painful. Shaking his head, Izuku wipes away the sweat from his forehead and stretches his legs a bit before continuing his jog. This time, his pace is a bit slower and a bit more relaxed. He wants to make sure that he doesn't overexert himself.
Feeling the wind on his skin, his mind wanders to the dreams he has had for the past few days. Well, he only had them for, like, 2 days only, but they still left a rather strange aftertaste in his mind. And he still has no clue what the heck they are all about, so they continue to plague him. Well, 'plague' is not exactly the right term he's searching for, but the impact still stands. Those enigmatic dreams still linger in his mind like mist, never vanishing.
There's only one thing he's sure of: his life is going to get a little weirder.
"The Universe really loves making my life complicated, hm?" He mutters to himself with a soft sigh, "Oh, well. It's not like I have an easy life, anyway. Whatever it is, I'll face it head-on, like always."
With those final words, he continues his jog, both enjoying the morning sun and contemplating his future. Maybe he should focus more on the former and let the latter solve itself. It is a Saturday, after all.
He can just think about his problems later.
For now, he just wants to enjoy the day.
He ignores how he is basically skipping school today, but that's not important. And he's definitely ignoring the fact that Monday will be Hell for him since Katsuki will likely try to blow his face off (again) after what happened that day and decide to 'hide his face from him' for three days.
But that's something he will deal with later.
Right now, he's going to enjoy the day as best he can.
After another around two hours of jogging, the greenette makes another stop to take a small break. The street starts to get more crowded with people, and the noises are starting to grow louder as well. While not entirely packed with people, it is a sign that the city is starting to wake up from its slumber. He wipes the sweat off his forehead with a satisfied smile, feeling the heat and fatigue flowing through his body. It feels nice to work out, especially when the weather is so nice and sunny.
"Haaah. Nothing beats a good workout in the morning." He smiles as he catches his breath and takes in the morning sun.
While the sounds of city life are growing louder, it still feels peaceful for him. He takes a deep breath of fresh air and sighs happily, feeling his muscles relax a little bit. He stretches his legs slightly as he looks around the street, taking in the sight of the city coming to life. It's always interesting to see the way people interact with each other and the different dynamics they have as they go about their daily lives. You can see some people rushing to get to work, while others are taking their time and leisurely chatting with their friends as they walk down the street. You can also see the kids playing around and laughing, and the old folks chatting about the good old days. It's a very welcoming and vibrant atmosphere, one that he enjoys immensely.
This ambience is one million times better than the typical rudeness and prejudice one that is everywhere in public. At least here, people just mind their own business and live their own lives (most of the time, anyway).
But, still, he wishes that the people here and anywhere else, especially those who are around his age and older, can learn to become more tolerant, be more humane, and stop with their prejudices and biases. Completely eradicate any and all forms of discrimination. And he wishes that more than just Quirks. Especially with…
He blinks his eyes several times, halting his train of thought. He takes a deep breath and shakes his head, not wanting to think about it any further. Negative thinking doesn't help him at all. It will only drive him insane. And he already has enough problems on his plate as it is.
So, the only thing he needs to do right now is continue training his body and keep learning more about One For All.
That's all he needs to do right now.
(He ignores how that simple thought is already an enormous undertaking.)
Smacking his lips, he is about to resume his jog when his stomach lets out a pathetic rumble.
"…What? I already have breakfast. What gives?" He asks his stomach in a rather comedic and cute manner, placing a hand on it.
But his stomach only rumbles even more, getting it to show its rebellion. This prompts the green-haired teen to give out an exasperated sigh.
"Fiiiiiiiine. I guess a hearty meal won't hurt." He chuckles at his own internal antics, "Jeez, you really want to be fed, huh?"
His stomach responds with a louder, yet cuter, growl.
"All right, all right. I get the message, big boy. You can stop your little protest now." He rolls his eyes good-naturally with a grin, "Good grief, I'll go eat something right now. Satisfied?"
Another rumble from his stomach makes him sigh again.
"Jeez, you're a needy one, aren't you?" He smiles at his stomach as he rubs it in a playful manner, "Fine. Let's find a good place to eat."
The teen decides that his stomach is more important right now. It has been working hard all morning, so it deserves a reward, even though he has already enjoyed his mother's delicious cooking. So he makes his way through the crowded street in search of a place to eat. His stomach growls at him impatiently, wanting to be fed as soon as possible. He pats it in a comforting manner as he continues to search for a place. He looks around, trying to find a place that will satisfy his hunger. But as he continues his search, his emerald eyes eventually fall on a familiar place.
"Oh! Burger King may be good enough." He grins at his own discovery as he jogs towards the place.
Fast foods may not be his go-to meals, but he cannot deny their delicious and unique tastes. It's not a healthy choice, he knows, but once in a while, he likes to indulge himself in some grease.
What can he say? He is just a teenage boy who can't say no to tasty food. Besides, he can work out more to burn the calories off.
The greenette slows down when he arrives at the entrance of the place. The establishment had just opened, meaning there weren't many customers inside. He walks through the automatic door and makes his way towards one of the counters.
A young woman, who is cleaning the surface of the counter, lifts her gaze to meet his as he walks forward. The smile on her face turns into a dazzling smile. She halts at what she is doing and greets him.
"Hello, and welcome to Burger King!" She greets him with a cheerful and professional voice.
"Good morning!" Izuku replies back with a smile, as he is now standing in front of the counter.
"What can I get for you today?" She asks, ready to take his order with her fingers above the computer screen.
Izuku puts his finger on his chin as he scans the menu above him. He is not fully hungry—his stomach just wants to be fed for some reason—so a light meal will be fine for him. A small pat on his abdomen and an affirmative rumble informs him that this is the perfect time for a light meal.
"Uhm… I like to order one Big Chicken Fillet, eeehhhh, 3 Hash Browns, and, uhhhhhh, an Oolong Tea—Medium. Please." He ends his order with a grin and a polite gesture.
The young woman nods at his orders before her fingers touch the computer screen to input his order with a small hum.
"All right. Is that all, sir?" She asks him with a friendly smile.
The greenette rubs his chin for a moment, contemplating his choices right now. He doesn't feel like eating a lot today. And he's pretty sure his stomach will be happy with a light meal. So he decides to just end his order there.
"Yeah. That is all." He nods with a polite smile, "Thank you."
"Very well, then. Would you like to eat here, or would you like to have your order to go?" The young woman asks him.
He ponders the question for a moment, tapping his chin with his index finger. His stomach's growl suggests that he should eat here, but the feeling of being productive today tells him otherwise.
"Uuuuummm… I want to take it to go, please." He replies with a soft nod, ignoring how his stomach growls in disapproval.
The young woman nods as she inputs his order into the computer.
"All right. Now, that would be 1,290.00 yen, please." She says as she looks at him.
Izuku nods as he reaches into his pants pocket to get his phone. He does not bring his wallet with him since he didn't expect to buy anything, so his digital wallet will do the job instead.
He taps the screen of his phone several times before looking up at the woman with a smile.
"Will PayPay be fine?" He asks her as he holds up his phone.
She smiles and nods in return.
"Yes, of course. Hold for a moment, please." She replies as she reaches for something under the counter.
A few moments later, she brings out a small rectangular device with a screen and a chip reader. She places the device on the counter in front of him and taps the screen a few times before looking back at him.
"Now, please scan the QR code." She says, pointing at the screen of the device.
With a curt nod, he brings his phone closer to the screen and scans the QR code on the screen. A small ding can be heard from the device, indicating that the payment has been successful. Several seconds later, a receipt is printed from the machine.
"Here you go, sir." The woman says as she hands over the receipt to him.
Izuku nods at her with a smile as he takes the receipt from her.
"Thank you!" He beams at her before he proceeds to walk away from the counter.
He sits on one of the vacant chairs and waits patiently for his order. He rolls the receipt and carefully puts it inside his pocket. While waiting for his order, he idly scrolls through his phone to check for anything interesting. The Musutafu News website shows him the latest news about a series of events that have happened in the last week. One of which is the event regarding the magma villain, something that makes him extremely anxious.
Reluctantly, he clicks on the article and begins to read it.
There are a few details about what happened that day, mostly what was reported by the media and a few statements from the Pro Heroes that were involved in the incident. It was reported that a total of 19 lives—heroes and innocent civilians alike—were lost in the whole ordeal. It was also reported that several other heroes were seriously injured, some of them suffering life-threatening injuries. Thankfully, none of the casualties was someone that he personally knew, but it still pains him to hear that many people had lost their lives because of a villain.
Swallowing the fury and grief down his throat, he scrolls down to see the article's ending. The article then continues to report that an old, veteran hero by the name of 'Gran Torino' had taken the villain down in the end. Of course, that is a made-up story that was created to cover up the fact that a teen with an unstable, overpowered Quirk was responsible for the whole ordeal.
Still, that doesn't change the fact that 19 people died, including some of the heroes who were supposed to protect everyone. And that fact alone makes him feel very heartbroken and rageful.
"I'm so sorry." He mutters as he closes his eyes and bows his head in respect.
After several moments of silence, he lets out a sigh and opens his eyes. He looks back at his phone and continues to read the article. He reads each and every word with a stoic expression. Thankfully, there's no mention of a teen being directly involved in the incident. At least his name and face were kept out of the public eye, meaning his identity is still safe.
The greenette sighs as he closes the article, putting the phone back into his pocket. Damn, what a fantastic way of souring his mood.
"Many smiles have been robbed away that day." He grimly murmured to himself as he looked up at the ceiling.
He shakes his head and lets out a soft sigh. There is nothing he can do about it. The best he can do right now is to keep moving forward and to never forget those who have lost their lives. That's the only thing he can do right now.
"If I become the next Number 1 Hero, I swear I will make this country a better place." He silently vows to himself, "A place where everyone can live in peace and without fear. A place where everyone can be happy."
Yes. He has made an oath to himself that, if the crown of Japan's Number 1 Hero lands on his head, he will do his best to create a country that is more peaceful and more friendly towards everyone, no matter what they are. Those with 'villainous' Quirk, Mutant-Type Quirk, and the people who are Quirkless (if there's a slim chance that they are still around) are going to live in a society of peace and harmony with one another. He will make sure that they can live their lives without having to worry about being discriminated against and ostracized. He will make sure that everyone can be happy and live their lives to the fullest. He promises that everyone will smile with happiness.
That is what a Number 1 Hero should do, right?
His emerald orbs flicker as he contemplates his own resolve before he lets out another sigh.
"Yeah. That's what a true hero should do." He nods to himself with a determined smile, "I won't fail you, All Might. I promise that I'll do my best."
While he is still not entirely sure if he can handle the weight of the crown that is placed upon him, he will try his damn best to not let All Might down. And he will never let anyone down, no matter what happens.
His inner monologue is interrupted when the young woman walks towards him with his order. She smiles at him as she hands him the paper bag with his order.
"Here you go, sir. Thank you for ordering at Burger King. Please enjoy your meal and have a great day!" She smiles warmly and friendly.
Izuku returns the smile and takes the paper bag from her, "Thank you! Have a great day too!"
With one last polite bow from both of them for a goodbye, the greenette headed towards the exit. The automatic door opens as he walks through it, and he steps out onto the sidewalk. The sunlight washes over him, warm and comforting. He closes his eyes and basks in the sun's warmth, letting his body relax for a moment.
He brings the paper bag closer to his face and peers into it, seeing the food. All orders are neatly and compactly placed within, fitting just perfectly into the bag. He smiles as he examines the food. It all looks so appetizing and delicious.
And his stomach agrees with him.
Once again, a series of adorable rumbles can be heard from his stomach, demanding to be fed.
"Okay, okay, I get the message already." He chuckles as he pats his belly, "But I cannot eat here. Once we get home, I'll eat. Deal?"
Another adorable, yet powerful, growl from his tummy tells him that the deal is set. He chuckles to himself as he securely holds the paper bag in his arms.
"All right. Let's go." He says as he starts walking again, "Hopefully, Mom doesn't mind me buying this. I know how… uhm, strongly opposed she is to fast food, but I just can't say no. After all, a few hundred calories more won't kill you, right?"
His answer is another adorable and funny growl.
"Heh. Yeah, that's what I-Oof!"
Izuku stumbles forward when someone suddenly runs into him, causing him to almost drop the bag. Thankfully, he manages to regain his balance and keep the food from falling. The person who bumped into him only looks over their shoulder and mutters a quick apology before making a sharp line towards the alleyway that is next to the fast food place.
The greenette blinks several times before frowning as he slowly and carefully walks towards the alleyway, where the person just practically dove in.
"What was that all about?" He mutters as he peers inside.
There, leaning against the wall, is a figure who possesses a lean and athletic physique, with a build that suggests agility and strength. Muscles are well-defined but not overly bulky, indicative of regular physical training. He's wearing a dark brown hoodie, paired with some black jeans and sneakers. The hood is pulled up over their head, obscuring their face from view. But the thing that caught his attention is the fact that they are holding their side, where a red stain can be seen on their hoodie.
Izuku stares at the figure before him, his eyes widening slightly before concern washes over his features as his heroic instinct kicks in. The figure clutches their wounded side with trembling hands, and his heart refuses to let him turn away from someone in pain. His mind agrees completely—there's no way he can ignore someone in need, especially when they're visibly bleeding. Without a second thought, he carefully and slowly steps into the alleyway, approaching the wounded figure.
"A-Are you okay?" He calls out in worry, walking towards the person.
The figure tenses up as he approaches, turning their head towards the greenette.
"Uh, h-hey there." Izuku waves his right hand at the figure with a nervous, assuring smile, "I, uhm, it's okay. I won't-"
"S-Stop, please. Do not come any closer." The figure, speaking in a hoarse and breathless male voice, stammers and raises his hand in a halting manner, "If you do… th-they will find me."
"'They'?" Izuku frowns in confusion, "Who are you-?"
"Damn it, where did he go!?"
"Find him! Don't let him get away! That monster needs to learn his place!"
Just then, a group of college-age boys run around the corner, looking rather pissed for some reason. Izuku walks out of the alleyway, distancing himself from the figure, and looks at them with a frown. They look like thugs, with ordinary yet shady-looking clothes. And from the tone of their voice, it sounds like they are searching for something—or someone.
And their appearance just screams 'bullies'.
Izuku already dislikes them.
Their eyes lock onto the greenette, who's quickly assuming a defensive posture. The figure quickly, but painfully, retreats deeper into the alley, making sure to hide in the shadows. Izuku's eyes flickered at him for a moment before focusing back on the newcomers. Whoever they are, the figure is their target. And he will be able to see their intentions toward the wounded figure. But he can already tell that it won't be anything good.
"Hey, you! Have you seen a villain running this way?" One of the guys calls out to him as they stop in front of him, "He's wearing a brown hoodie and looking all shady and freaky. Acts one too."
Yup. Izuku already doesn't like them.
"…Villain?" Izuku replies with a heavy tone, keeping a safe distance away from the guys, "If I may, what makes you think that the person you are after is a villain?"
The guy on the left growls in anger, "Does it really matter!? The asshole has a Quirk that suits him to be a villain, so he must be one!"
"Ah. Another Quirkist." He mentally sighs in disappointment and anger.
Of course, there are people like these guys around. People who judge others based solely on their Quirks, regardless of the circumstances or background. They don't care about an individual's character; it is all Quirk this, Quirk that. Quirks are always the defining factor when it comes to their lives. And the social status of an individual will always depend on the Quirk they have. It's something that's basically built-in society, no matter how hard many have denied it or how much it is offensive. Heck, discrimination, bullying, harassment, everything in-between, is even rooted in it.
It's one of the things that he strongly wishes to change if he ever becomes Japan's next Number 1 Hero. He cannot afford to have those in his ranks. It just makes them immoral and unprofessional heroes.
"Well!?" Another guy—one with a long black tail that has a blade at the end of it, covered in blood—demands in an angry tone, "Have you seen the villain or not!?"
Izuku secretly looks at the wounded figure, who is hiding in the shadows, before he looks back at the guys and frowns heavily.
"Yes, I have." Izuku answers with a low, seething tone, his eyes glinting with cold fury.
The college-age boys perk up in wicked interest and sickening joy, "Good! Where did he go? We'll the teach the asshole a lesson or two!"
The greenette points in the opposite direction of where they come from, "He ran that way."
The figure in the shadow is shocked by the deception the greenette pulled at them. He pointlessly hoped that he wouldn't give up his position to those hooligans, but he didn't expect him to just send them on a wild goose chase. But still, he can't help but feel grateful for this.
"Thanks, man!" The 'leader' of the group says as he slaps the teen's shoulder with a big grin, "We'll get that bastard for sure!"
"Mh." Izuku nods, feeling his blood boiling from the contact.
And with a last pat, he and his gang bolted in the direction that he pointed out. Izuku turns his gaze at the group with a cold look in his eyes, watching as they run off to find the 'vengeful' villain.
"Jerks." He mutters under his breath before he turns his head back to the figure, his expression taking a turn to a concerned one.
He walks towards the figure, making sure not to step on any of the trash that is lying around. His steps are careful and light; he does not want to spook the person. He holds his paper bag of food with one hand, while the other is held out in front of him in a non-threatening manner.
"Hey. Sir, are you…? H-How bad are you injured?" He asks in a soft, gentle tone as he slowly approaches the figure.
"…Why?" He asks in a pained voice.
Izuku blinks in confusion, "What?"
"Why are you helping me?" The figure asks again as he slowly pulls down his hood, showing Izuku his face.
The figure is someone who is roughly the same age as him. He possesses dark yellow hair, which is short and slightly messy with a natural tousled look. The hair is thick, with a few longer strands that fall over his forehead. His eyes are light brown and almond-shaped. His complexion is a light brown with a smooth, even tone that has a healthy glow. And there's a small diagonal scar that's running across his nose bridge. Also, his lips are scarred and slightly chapped. Overall, he looks like a man who has gone through a lot of things in his life, and he has paid a heavy price for it.
Something that Izuku can relate to immensely.
"What do you mean?" He furrows his brows in confusion.
"Why are you willing to just let me go? Why are you willing to cover my tracks?" The teen asks, his voice filled with disbelief and suspicion.
Due to him opening his mouth, Izuku can see that his canine teeth are slightly pointed, akin to those of a wild predator. But it's not an aggressive or vicious look; rather, it gives him a wild and feral look.
The greenette lets out a sigh and shrugs, "Look, I don't know why you're being chased by those guys, but it's pretty clear that they want to hurt you. Verybadly. So, I want to help you not get beaten up unjustly."
"Even when I might be a criminal?" The teen asks with a frown.
"…All right. I know this is very quick of me to lay on my judgment, so why don't we hear your side of the story first?" Izuku asks him with a small smile as he puts the paper bag down and kneels in front of him, "Before I do that, how bad are your injuries?"
The yellow-haired teen lets out a grunt as he shows him the wound on his side, "It's not too bad. The bastard with the knife tail only grazed me. I'll live. But it still hurts like a bitch."
Izuku nods as he looks at the injury. Judging by the size of the red stain and the length of the wound, it's not a big deal, but it is not something to take lightly either. It looks like it could use some first aid, at least until the teen can get himself treated at the hospital.
"Heh. Don't give me that look, brother. This ain't nothing. I've been through worse." He chuckles, noticing the look of concern on the other teen's face.
"Still, it looks like it hurts a lot." Izuku says as he stands up, "Come on. Let's get you to a hospital and-"
"No, it's cool." The teen interrupts him, shaking his head.
"What?" The greenette blinks in surprise, "But you need-"
"Trust me, friend. A help will arrive for me very soon." He reassured him with a grin, "And this help is one million times better than what the hospital can ever provide."
Izuku's expression remains doubtful, "You sure?"
The yellow-haired teen nods, "Yup. So don't give me that look, brother. I ain't dying by just a little cut."
"'Little cut' my foot."
The greenette sighs but gives him a nod. If he insists that he doesn't need any help, then he won't push the subject further.
"If you say so." He relents as he kneels back down to pick up his bag, "Anyway, now that that's settled, why don't you tell me your side of the story? Why were those guys after you? What did you do to earn their ire?"
The teen releases a long sigh of exasperation, "Even if I tell you, will you believe in everything I say? How can you tell whether I am telling the truth or lying?"
"Well, that's the neat part: I can't." He answers bluntly with a shrug, "Of course, I won't instantly buy your words, but I'm willing to listen to you. And I'll try my best to understand you."
The yellow-haired teen scoffs, "Why even bother telling you if you have doubts?"
"Well, it's better to have doubts about the entire story than to only know half of it, making it very hard for me to see the entire picture, right?" He retorts with a firm yet still kind tone.
The two teens stare at each other, not breaking eye contact for a moment. The yellow-haired teen frowns as he searches the greenette's eyes for any sign of deceit. But he can only find genuine curiosity and kindness. No lies. No trick. Just pure curiosity and kindness.
But he still can't actually believe that the greenette in front of him is being sincere. He is practically a stranger to him. A total stranger. And he can be one of those 'good Samaritan' types who only want to help him out and expect something in return. And those types of people can be pretty dangerous if he's not careful. He's not about to take that risk.
Izuku notices his hesitation, but he understands where it comes from. So he tries to ease him into it.
"Look, I know it is a huge stretch of trust to give, especially since you don't know me, but I just want to help." He says in a soft and gentle voice, "And if you feel uncomfortable with me, then that's fine. I will leave and let you be if you want me to. But, please, let me help you. Even if it's just a little bit."
"…But… why? Why do you want to waste your time helping someone you just met?" The yellow-haired teen asks, still very confused.
The greenette lets out a sigh, "Well, there are a lot of reasons, but here's the most important one: It's the right thing to do."
"…"
"Listen. I am aware that you might actually be a bad guy and that you did some bad things, and I shouldn't help you because of that. But how will I know that? I don't. The only way to find out is to listen to the other half of the picture from your side. But even if you're a criminal, it's still not fair for you to be chased around like some rabid animal." He states as his expression is taking on a more serious one, "It's glaringly clear that those jerks want to hurt you instead of, you know, bringing you to the police or something. And that is wrong. They have no right to make that decision. Even if you're a villain or whatever, they can't just chase you down and lay out their judgments on you. That's wrong. That's very wrong. And that kind of thinking is just toxic and, frankly, very troubling."
The yellow-haired teen stares at him wordlessly, his eyes filled with disbelief and confusion. He didn't expect such passionate words from him.
"So, before I can judge whether you're a good guy or a bad guy, I will at least listen to your story." He continues with a firm, yet kind voice, "At the very least, you deserve the chance to explain your side. And if you decide to tell me everything, then that's great! But if you don't, well, I still helped you nonetheless, and I'll be satisfied with that."
The two teens stare at each other for another moment before the yellow-haired teen lets out a longer sigh that is both amusing and baffled. He cannot believe this boy in front of him.
"You really are something else, aren't ya, brother?" He comments with an incredulous grin, "I never met someone like you."
"What can I say? I am unique in many ways." Izuku chuckles lightly, "So? Will you let me help you?"
The yellow-haired teen closes his eyes and lets out another long sigh. Truth be told, he is very conflicted in many ways. On one hand, he doesn't want to trust a complete stranger since it could end badly for him. And on the other hand, he has a very gut feeling that he can trust this green-haired teen. His instincts are never wrong when it comes to judging people's character. But still, he's very hesitant.
In the end, he lets out a groan, "I'm hungry, aight? I haven't eaten for, like, 2 days now. The place I'm staying at has no food—at least, none that can make my stomach happy. And even that is not much."
The greenette blinks in surprise before nodding in understanding. He motions for him to continue with his story.
"All right. So. I left to buy something to make it stop bitching, which, honestly, was more like an empty wish since I have shit in my pocket. Anyway, I left and looked around when I stopped in front of a bakery. They were cheap, but I could only buy a few—2, at most. But it was better than nothing at all." He shrugs as he recalls the memory before groaning in pain while clutching his side, "But before I could even step a fucking foot into the place, those pricks jumped on me and tried to beat the shit outta me. I tried to reason with them, but they're not having any of it. So, I did what I had to do: I ran away from them. But one of them managed to hurt me. And here I am now."
Izuku takes his words in with a heavy frown; his gut tells him that this isn't just simple bullies picking a fight over some arbitrary stuff. Nope. This is clearly a serious case here. And if the group's aggressive mannerisms are anything to go by, then, well, things may be a lot worse than they seem.
"Do you know, by chance, why they are coming after you like that?" He asks after several minutes of silence, "Did you do or say something that aggravated them?"
"No, of course not. All I want is to buy something to eat. And I don't know exactly what happened when they wanted beef with me. They just… jumped on me out of the blue. Though… I have a strong hunch of why it is." He replies, his tone carrying the defeat and acceptance of a broken individual, "I dare say that it's the only fucking thing those jackasses can hate about me."
"…Let me guess: Your Quirk." Izuku immediately assumes as that itching feeling in his chest starts to make itself more known.
"…Yes." The teen answers with a dry scoff.
"And your Quirk is… 'villainous' to them." He air-quotes the word with a dark grimace of distaste.
"You got it." The yellow-haired teen mumbles dryly, his brown eyes staring emptily at the floor, "What else is fucking new?"
Izuku lets out a sound akin to a mixture between a deep sigh and a disgruntled growl as he looks at his side, feeling that itching sensation in his chest getting stronger and stronger.
"Unbelievable…" He mutters in profound contempt.
A Quirk. It all starts and ends with that. It's always been those damn stupid Quirks, the physical representations of people's DNA. The key to understanding an individual. The driving factors in many aspects of someone's life, good or bad. They're a pretty big deal nowadays. Actually, they are now treated like some type of godlike blessing and trophy. Something to be marveled at, worshipped, and feared.
Forget an individual's backgrounds, personalities and characters, or whatever was used to define people in the old days.
As long as there's Quirk, those 'old' definitions no longer mean anything anymore. In the eyes of society, as long as an individual possesses a 'heroic' and 'cool' Quirk, or any kind of flashy and powerful Quirks, their status would skyrocket through the stars, and they would be treated like kings or queens. However, those who have a Quirk that is 'dangerous', 'weird', 'useless', or anything negative, on the other hand, well, they would be shunned and discriminated against the moment society set eyes on them. After all, in a country where Quirks have ruled every facets of a person's life and are essentially the single defining factor in every social circles, being seen as lesser or inferior to them would be devastating. No one, be it a child, teenager or adult, wants to be looked down upon by others.
Indeed, society has fallen into that stupid, screwed-up cycle of bullying that would then lead to more bullying, resulting in people ostracizing other people based on their Quirks and qualities. It's almost sickeningly revolting. And that is the situation and fate the majority of people in society will have, especially those who don't meet the certain standard society has set.
This kind of messed-up mindset has caused people to lash out, and sometimes, out of desperation or frustration, they commit crimes just to avoid starvation. Well, those are the worst ones. And, well, 'healing' criminals is way easier said than done. And some are simply beyond the reach.
If only people were taught to treat others with respect and not judge and look down on someone just because their Quirk doesn't meet a certain standard, then things might change. For the better.
"Another reason why I must become the next Japan's Number 1 Hero." He mentally vows to himself, "I will not let anyone suffer because of something as stupid as Quirks. No more."
The sound of humorless small chuckles pulls him out of his thoughts. He turns his head to look at the yellow-haired teen, who is staring at the floor with an empty smile.
"Well, now you have it. You have the entire picture now." He says dryly as he continues to stare at the floor, "So, now what? What are you going to do? Do you even believe everything I just said? Or do you think that all of it is just a bunch of bullshit?"
The greenette stares at him wordlessly before he hands him his paper bag.
"Here. You can have my take-out." He offers in a gentle and kind voice.
"…What?" The yellow-haired teen utters in surprised, looking up at the green-haired teen in confusion.
"You're still hungry, aren't you? Well, here. You can have my take-out." He repeats his offer, pushing the paper bag closer to the teen.
"B-But… But you-"
"Please. You need it more than I do." Izuku interrupts him, pushing the bag closer to the teen, "And you don't need to worry about me. I can eat something else when I get back home. So, please, take it."
The yellow-haired teen stares at the greenette in shock, unable to say anything. His mouth opens and closes several times, but no words come out. He is speechless.
"And, yes. I do believe you." He adds with a kind smile as he puts the bag down, "The look in your eyes and the tone of your voice tell me that you are telling the truth. And that is enough for me. So, please, you can have it."
The yellow-haired teen stares at him, his brown eyes filled with shock and disbelief. A complete and utter stranger had just offered him food after hearing his story and without any further questions. He doesn't ask for more details or interrogate him. He just accepts the fact that he is telling the truth. Just like that!
This is completely new to him.
This is beyond his comprehension. It is beyond what he is used to.
It is beyond what he is worthy of.
"And you owe me nothing. I don't need or want anything in return." He assures him with a gentle smile, "I just want to help you. So, please. Take it."
The yellow-haired teen continues to stare at the greenette for a long moment; his eyes are wide and his jaw is slack. He is having a hard time processing everything. He is not used to this kind of treatment.
The greenette smiles at him warmly. He slowly reaches out to grab the yellow-haired teen's hand and places the paper bag into his palm before closing the other teen's fingers around it.
"I know it's not much, but I hope it's enough to satisfy you." He says gently as he lets go of the yellow-haired teen's hand, "Please take care of yourself, okay? And whatever this help you were talking about, I hope they come sooner."
With those final words, he stands up, gives him a curt bow, and makes his way out of the alley.
The yellow-haired teen stares at the retreating figure of the green-haired teen. The paper bag is held firmly in his hand as he continues to stare at him with wide, unblinking eyes. The teen's mind is racing as he tries to process everything that just happened.
He is at a loss. He has no idea what to think or how to feel about this whole thing. He doesn't know whether to feel grateful or suspicious. He doesn't know whether he should trust him or not. He doesn't know anything.
He is lost.
He doesn't notice that his eyes start to glisten as he continues to stare at the green-haired teen, who is walking away from him. His grip on the paper bag tightens as his eyes begin to sting. Something warm starts to spread in his chest as the greenette stops before giving him a big grin of reassurance.
Then he vanishes around the corner.
He tries to call out to him, but nothing comes out. He opens his mouth, but no sound escapes him. He wants to say something. Ask him for his name and the true reason for his kindness. But he can't. He can't bring himself to say anything. He can't bring himself to do anything. He is frozen in place.
All he can do is sit there in that cold, dark alley and stare at where the green-haired teen had just been. His chest feels tight as he stares at the empty space in front of him. He can't believe what just happened. He can't believe that someone has just given him a helping hand.
He doesn't know what to make of it.
Fruitlessly blinking away that moistness, he looks down at the paper bag in his hand. Slowly, he opens it and peers inside to see the food. His eyes widen as he sees the contents: a Big Chicken Fillet, three Hash Browns, and a medium Oolong Tea. His stomach growls in hunger as he continues to look at the food. He reaches into the bag and takes out the Big Chicken Fillet. He unwraps the wrapping and takes a small bite out of it.
Instantly, his tears stream down his face as he tastes the delicious taste of the burger. He closes his eyes and savors the almost-heavenly taste. It's been a while since he last ate something this good. It's been so long since he last felt like this.
A soft smile appears on his face as he continues to eat the burger, tears still streaming down his cheeks. He doesn't know what to make of this. He doesn't know how to feel about this.
But he knows one thing for sure.
Contrary to what the stranger has said, he owes him a lot.
He owes him more than he will ever know.
And he will find a way to repay him, no matter what it takes.
And, hopefully, he can see that green-haired teen again.
"I will forever remember this, brother."
As he continues to eat his burger, he notices a crow with purple eyes flying towards him. He watches as it lands on the ground near him. It flaps its wings several times before settling down on the ground. It tilts its head slightly as it watches him eat his food.
"Heh. Took you long enough." He chuckles at the bird, wiping the tears off his face with the sleeve of his hoodie.
"Kemono?" Though the crow doesn't open its beak, a female voice can be heard from it, "What happened? And- *Gasp!* Oh my God, you're bleeding! Wh-Who did this to you!?"
The yellow-haired teen, Kemono, chuckles, "Don't worry. I'm fine, Kurohane. A bit rough around the edges, but I'll live. Nothing new here, right?"
The bird flaps its wings, "Are you serious!? Don't joke about that! You are not in very good shape! Goodness, come on! I'll transport you back home right now! We need to treat those wounds as soon as possible!"
Kemono chuckles again, "Okay, okay. No need to be so frantic, Kurohane."
The crow lets out an annoyed huff before it flaps its wings and flies up, landing on the teen's shoulder. But before whoever is controlling the bird can transport him, the crow looks at the yellow-haired teen again.
"Are you sure you're okay, Kemono?" Kurohane asks with a concerned tone, "You were crying just now. And, more glaringly, how on earth were you able to buy those foods? I thought you didn't have any money?"
The teen looks down at the paper bag in his hand; his eyes soften as a small smile appears on his face, "A hero gave me this."
Though not visible, a confused frown appears on the bird's face, "What do you mean by that?"
"I'll tell you later." He replies as he puts the chicken burger back into the paper bag.
The crow lets out an exasperated sigh, "Ugh… Fine. But we'll talk about it later."
Kemono chuckles, "Sure thing."
And with that, the bird lets out a caw, enveloping both of them in a purple mist. Soon, the two of them disappear from the alley, leaving behind no trace that they had even been there.
Back at Izuku, the greenette is walking down the street with a content smile on his face. He rubs his stomach, which lets out a small rumble, but it is more of a satisfied sound than a hungry one.
"Heh. Glad you are satisfied, little guy." He smiles down at his stomach as he continues to rub it gently, "Don't worry. When we get home, we'll eat some more. Mom left us enough food for a whole day, so I'll have a big feast for myself. Just hold on a little longer, okay?"
His stomach rumbles in delight at his promise, making him smile even more. With one last pat, he puts his hand back into his pocket and continues to walk down the street. He takes a deep breath of the fresh air and looks up at the beautiful blue sky. It is almost noon now. The sun is shining brightly in the sky, and the clouds are scattered across the sky, forming various shapes and patterns. It is truly a beautiful day.
"I wish that every day was like this: all sunny and bright." He thinks to himself as he continues to look up at the sky.
The image of that yellow-haired teen enters his mind as he continues to stare at the sky. His smile then slowly drops as his expression turns serious.
"He is another victim of this blasted system. He is someone who is being hurt because he is considered a 'villain' to society due to his Quirk. I don't know exactly what his Quirk is, but judging by the heartless way those guys treated him, it must be a pretty 'bad' Quirk. But that doesn't mean he deserves to be treated that way." His frown deepens as he clenches his fist tightly, "This has been going on for far too long. If this keeps up, Japan will fall into ruin. Discrimination and prejudice will grow even worse than they already are, and society will start to crumble down."
His grip tightens even more as a deep frown appears on his face. He can see it happening. He can see Japan's falling apart. It's just a matter of time.
"I swear, I will climb my way to the top of Japan's hero rank. I will do everything in my power to create a better country, so people will not suffer this kind of discrimination anymore. I want them to have hope. I want them to smile in happiness." He vows to himself again, his eyes glowing with bright emerald flames, "I will make everyone smile in happiness. I promise."
The path ahead of him will no doubt be very difficult and grueling. It will be very long and challenging for him to reach his goals. But if he wants things to be better, he cannot back down. He cannot sit back and hope that things will change. Actions must be taken. And he will be there, fighting for a brighter future and a better society, on the front lines, with him wielding the blade of change.
All for everyone to smile.
He smiles widely again as he continues his walk home.
"I will definitely make a change." He vows once again, his smile growing wider and brighter, "I promise."