Izuku's Diary — March 4I'm starting today. I'll train seriously.Even without a Quirk, I'm going to become a hero.
—
Izuku kept that promise.
He started with what he could manage. Early mornings, empty streets, a slow jog that gradually found a steady rhythm. There was nothing remarkable about it at first, but he didn't stop.
School was another matter.
Katsuki still picked fights. Izuku still lost them.
He learned how to endure—how to protect his head, how to curl in and wait it out without making things worse. It wasn't something he accepted, but it was something he learned to get through.
And the next day, he showed up again.
—
"Kacchan."
Katsuki didn't turn. "What."
"…Are you going on that field trip tomorrow?"
"So?"
Izuku hesitated, then pushed himself to finish. "Can I come too?"
Katsuki glanced back, unimpressed. "Do whatever you want. Just don't get in the way."
It wasn't an invitation.
But it was enough.
—
When Izuku got home, his clothes were worn and his arms marked with fresh scrapes, but there was a lightness in his step.
Inko noticed as she cleaned his wounds. "You seem happy today."
"I'm going on a field trip tomorrow," Izuku said, unable to hide his excitement.
"With your classmates?"
"With Kacchan."
She paused, just briefly, before her expression softened. "Then I'll make you something nice to take."
She tapped his forehead gently. "Just be careful, alright?"
"I will."
—
The next morning, Izuku arrived early, a small backpack slung over his shoulders.
Two classmates were already there, each holding insect cages.
"Oh… are we catching bugs today?" Izuku asked.
"You didn't know?" one of them replied. "That's the plan."
Before Izuku could respond, Katsuki walked up, hands in his pockets.
"He's not with us," Katsuki said, nodding toward Izuku. "He can carry the extra stuff."
One of the boys laughed. "Yeah, that works. He'd just slow us down anyway."
Izuku adjusted the strap on his shoulder and gave a small nod. "Okay."
The group set off soon after, with Katsuki leading the way.
At the front, small bursts from his palms cleared branches and brush without hesitation. His movements were sharp and confident, naturally taking control of the path ahead.
From the back, Izuku watched quietly.
Kacchan really is amazing.
—
Time passed.
—
Izuku's days settled into a routine.
Five in the morning. Wake up. Run. Stretch. Repeat.
By the time the sun rose, he was already moving along the riverside, his breathing steady, his steps measured. His frame was still slim, but there was more control now—less hesitation in how he moved.
On the way back, he pushed himself further.
He chose a point ahead and sprinted, focusing on maintaining his pace. Not chasing speed for its own sake, but trying to improve little by little.
As he neared Katsuki's street, his pace faltered for a fraction of a second.
Then he kept going.
Eyes forward.
—
"I'm back," Izuku called as he stepped inside.
"Welcome home," Inko replied, glancing at the clock. "Six forty-five. You're getting faster."
Izuku smiled. "Yeah."
After a quick shower, he joined her at the table.
Inko watched him as he ate. He had grown—still gentle, still thoughtful, but steadier than before. There was a quiet determination in him now that hadn't been there when he was younger.
"Mom?" Izuku looked up. "Why are you smiling?"
"I'm not," she said quickly, looking down at her plate.
Izuku didn't question it.
"Can I have another bowl?"
"Of course."
She stood and refilled it. "Walking to school again?"
"Yeah."
"Be careful."
"I will."
—
Before leaving, Izuku picked up his backpack.
It looked ordinary at a glance, but it wasn't.
The weight inside had been adjusted carefully—balanced so it wouldn't pull unevenly. Every step carried resistance, forcing his body to work a little harder.
He tightened the straps, checking the fit out of habit.
"I'm heading out."
"Have a good day," Inko said.
—
On the way to school, Izuku walked with a notebook in hand.
"…If it's a binding-type Quirk, blocking their vision could help…"
He sketched as he walked, noting down ideas as they came.
Up ahead, the atmosphere shifted. Voices rose, gathering into a crowd.
"There's a villain!"
"Are any heroes here yet?"
Izuku looked up immediately.
He moved toward the commotion, slipping between people until the scene came into view.
A man with a Quirk lashed out wildly, causing damage without control.
And standing against him—
"That's Kamui Woods," Izuku murmured, recognition flashing across his face.
The pro hero moved with precision. Wooden limbs extended and snapped into place, restraining the target with clean, practiced timing.
Izuku leaned forward slightly, watching closely.
"His capture timing…"
"You're such a hero nerd," someone nearby said.
Izuku stiffened. "I—I just…"
He trailed off, already turning his attention back.
His notebook was open again, pencil moving quickly.