Chapter 5: Step One
The alarm blared at 6:00 a.m., a shrill beep that yanked me out of a dream about fireballs and flashing cameras. I groaned, slapping it off, but then it hit me today was the day. No more sitting around, no more just thinking about being a hero. If I wanted the fame, the cash, the top spot, I had to start somewhere. Quirks are great, but a scrawny kid's not winning any endorsement deals, I thought, rolling out of bed. Time to tone this body up.
I dug through Izuku's closet my closet now and found a faded blue tracksuit, a little tight but workable. Guess the old me wasn't big on fashion either, I mused, tugging it on. The mirror showed a skinny kid with messy green hair, freckles dotting a face that looked too soft for the plans I had. That's changing today. I laced up some worn sneakers, grabbed a water bottle, and slipped out the front door before Inko could wake up and fuss.
The morning air was cool, the streets of Musutafu already humming with life. Joggers dotted the sidewalks old guys in sweatbands, a lady with a dog, some teenagers laughing as they ran. Good crowd, I thought, starting at a slow pace. No one's gonna notice one more kid. My legs felt wobbly at first, like they weren't sure what I was asking them to do, but I pushed on, keeping my breathing steady. One block, two blocks my chest burned a little, but it wasn't bad. This is step one. Heroes don't get winded crossing the street.
I hit the park after ten minutes, a wide stretch of grass and trees with a playground off to one side. Perfect. I veered to a quiet corner near some benches, away from the early risers stretching by the fountain. Push-ups next, I decided, dropping to my knees. If All Might can punch through walls, I can at least handle my own weight. I planted my hands on the dew-damp grass, straightened my body, and went for it.
One. Two. Three. Okay, not terrible, I thought, arms trembling slightly. Four. Five. And then... oh god. My elbows buckled, my chest hit the ground, and I wheezed like I'd just run from a villain. Five push-ups? Five?! I rolled onto my back, staring at the sky, my arms screaming. Safe to say the old Izuku never exercised a day in his life. I feel like I could pass on to my next transmigration right here. The grass was cold against my neck, my heart pounding way too hard for such a pathetic effort. This body's a disaster. How did he even survive Bakugo's crap like this?
I hauled myself up after a minute, slumping onto a nearby bench. My water bottle was half-empty already, and I chugged the rest, watching a jogger breeze past like it was nothing. I've got Quirks now, sure, I thought, wiping sweat off my forehead, but that's not enough. Telekinesis and fire won't carry me if I can't even carry myself. Gotta build this up—slow, steady, rich. I smirked at that last bit every ache was a step toward a paycheck with my name on it.
The walk home was slow, my legs protesting every step. The sun was higher now, painting the streets gold, and I slipped back into the house just as the clock hit 7:30. Inko was still quiet upstairs good. Day one done, I thought, kicking off my sneakers. Pathetic, but done.
The bathroom steamed up as I scrubbed off the morning's sweat, the hot water soothing muscles I didn't even know I had. Five push-ups shouldn't feel like a war, I thought, shaking my head as I stepped out and toweled off. Back in my room, I swapped the tracksuit for the school uniform grey pants, white shirt, a red tie that felt too tight around my neck. Izuku's old life, I mused, catching my reflection in the mirror. Same freckles, same green hair, but a whole new game now.
I shuffled down to the kitchen, the smell of rice and grilled fish pulling me in. Inko was already there, setting out plates with a hum. "Breakfast's ready, sweetie," she said, smiling as I slid into my chair. "Big day at school, huh?"
"Yeah," I said, scooping up some rice. "Guess so." My voice was casual, but my mind was spinning. School. Aldera Elementary or whatever this dump is called. The old Izuku's memories flickered up like a bad movie reel tripped in the halls, books "accidentally" knocked out of his hands, Bakugo's sneering face and those sparking palms. Unfortunate accidents, they'd called it. Teachers looking the other way, kids laughing like it was a sport. Weak little Deku, I thought, chewing slowly. That's what they saw.
But I wasn't him. Not anymore. I knew how this world worked, power ruled, and the weak got stepped on. They preyed on him because he let them, I thought, a smirk tugging at my lips. Quirkless, quiet, a perfect punching bag. Well, surprise, suckers I've got fire in my hands and a desk I can drop on your heads. The idea of it Bakugo's smug grin melting when I paid him back, the teachers stammering when they realized they'd picked the wrong kid to ignore it lit something up inside me. They dished it out for years. Time to return the favor.
Inko's voice snapped me out of it. "You're smiling, Izuku. Thinking about your Quirk?"
"Something like that," I said, finishing the last bite of fish. I stood, grabbing my backpack. "I'm off, Mom. See you later."
"Be good!" she called as I headed for the door.
"Always," I shot back, stepping outside. The morning air hit my face, crisp and sharp, as I started the walk to school. Let's see how they like the new me, I thought, that smile still plastered on my face.