"What's your name?"
"I-I'm I-Izumi...I-Izumi Midoriya...and you?"
"I'm Katsuki Bakugo, do you like heroes?"
"Yes! Who's your favorite?"
"All Might of course!"
"He's the best!"
"Yeah he is! Do you want to play heroes!"
"Of course!"
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"You're quirk is so amazing Kacchan, I hope mine will be as amazing."
"I doubt it! Nothing will be better then mine! Oh watch out-"
*SMACK!*
"ow! Owowowowowowow."
"How'd you not see that branch?"
"I wasn't paying attention…"
"Huh...you're so accident prone and useless...a useless person...Ha! You're a Deku!"
"Kacchan! Why do you have to be so mean!"
"No nk! Don't cry! I dont like seeing you upset! Here, wanna play with my all might action figure?"
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"And I can heal people so long as I have enough energy! The doctor says I might be able to heal myself as well!"
"What a lame power, you'll never be a hero."
"I-i could still be a hero! R-recovery girl is a hero and she heals!"
"Yeah, but she never got to number one, you'll be lucky to even make the top 50."
"Oh…"
"...but if you join my agency then you'll at least be in the limelight. Now come on, i wanna go to the arcade."
"Okay kacchan…"
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Izumi slowly walked through Aldera Junior High, writing in a journal as she muttered about Mt. Lady and Kamui Woods.
"Hey Deku."
Izumi looked up quickly, putting her journal behind her back "h-hi Kacchan."
Bakugo Katsuki, her oldest friend and current boyfriend, he was flanked by his usual groupies as he walked up to her, "what were you writing in?" He asked. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh! Um...just some notes for class," she said quickly, going to put the journal up. "I wanted to get a head start on our English homework and-" she stopped as Katsuki quickly snatched the notebook from her hands.
"Hero notes for the future." He muttered as he read the cover, "i thought we talked about this Deku-"
"-i-i know my quirk only covers healing, but that means I could be a support hero! And help during crisis and-" she stopped as Katsuki spun her until her back was against the lockers, his hand slamming the notebook into the cold metal beside her head, making her flinch.
"You use your own energy to heal, last time you tried you were unconscious for three hours! Besides you're too klutzy to be a hero; You'll just end up getting yourself and others hurt Deku!" He waved the notebook at her, "this is garbage Izumi, and belongs there." He let out a sigh when Izumi looked down, tears collecting in her eyes, He tossed the notebook into the trash as the bell rang, he lifted her chin to look into her tear filled eyes, "come on, you know i hate seeing you cry so stop it."
"Sorry Kacchan." She mumbled as she wiped her eyes, bakugo rolled his eyes and slowly took her hand, "come on Deku, i'll walk you to class."
"T-thats alright." She said, softly pulling her hand away, "I need a moment by myself."
Bakugo looked doubtful but nodded as he went back to his friends, "you know i love you right?" He asked her, his eyes not leaving hers.
"I know." She said giving him a watery smile, "i love you too, ill see you in class."
He just nodded and continued to walk off his friends snickering.
"Can't believe she thought she could rank as a hero."
"Yeah, what a deku."
"Shut up!" Bakugo snapped at His friends, "don't talk about her like that!"
"But you were saying the same thing!"
"She's my girlfriend, so only I get to say anything about her! Good or bad!"
Izumi let her head fall, it had been like this for years now, the odd way that Bakugo would both defend her and belittle her. She wondered what it would have been like had she been just a little stronger. With a sigh she pulled the book out of the trash and back into her bag, "ill be a hero...someday." she mumbled to herself as she walked to her first class.
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Izumi walked alone down the sidewalk, her book bag in her arms, "im glad Kacchan actually went with his friends." She mumbled, "I didn't really want to see him…" she felt guilt prick at her mind, but shook it away as she continued walking aimlessly; not really paying attention to where she was until she stopped in front of an old building, walls covered in posters and graffiti; only the sign was untouched, a simple white piece of wood with the words "Stone Fist gym" written in black, Izumi felt excitement bubble up as she realized who's gym this was; Without even thinking she went inside, looking around at the dusty equipment and pictures on most of the walls, save for the wall made up of floor to ceiling, rows of heavy bags and speed bags sat in front of the mirrors. And in the center, likewise covered in dust and with junk piled atop its canvas mat was a boxing ring, she slowly walked forward and picked up a framed picture; brushing the dust away to reveal a picture of the gym in its prime, with a large black haired man posing in front of the camera, hands wrapped for fighting and grin seemingly cocky and arrogant.
"The gym of the former number one hero Stone Fist…" she whispered in reverence, she hadn't heard about the man in years, his last public appearance was when she was six and that was when he announced his retirement and handed the number one position to All Might. No one had seen him since, not even in passing.
"What are you doing here?" An old voice growled, making Izumi jump as she whirled around, eyes going to a small office she hadn't seen when she first entered, the light was now on in there, showing an old man with long gray hair and beard lounging in a rolling chair with his booted feet up on the desk as he glared at her with ice cold blue eyes.
"I-Im sorry sir" she spluttered out as she gave him a respectful bow, "i-i noticed the s-sign a-and recognized the name andiwantedtoseewhatwasinsidebecauseiveheardallaboutstonefistandwhatheusedtodobutiveneverfoundanymerchforhimorevenbooksonwhohewassoijusthadtocomeinhereandseehisgymand-" she stopped as the man began to laugh. She shrank slightly in embarrassment.
"I can barely understand you under all that muttering!" He chuckled as he stood and exited the office, showing his old blue jeans and clean white shirt that was being stretched to its limits by his impressive muscles. "Let's start from the beginning, you saw the sign?"
She nodded, "i've heard about this gym but no one was ever able to share an exact location…" she mumbled, looking down, "so when I walked by and saw it...i-i just had to come in!'
"Hmm...well this gym is technically closed." He said, crossing his arms, "I only ever come in here to use the office."
"I assumed." She sighed, looking around the gym, "he was the last of the second generation of heroes...it's not surprising he's no longer alive…"
Again the man laughed, making Izumi jump and flinch away from him, "i'm not dead yet girly! Feels like it some days but I've still got quite a bit of mileage left in this old engine!" He proclaimed, hitting his chest with his fist. And showing off the calluses on his knuckles.
"Are...are you Stone Fist!?" She exclaimed, shaking in excitement.
"The one and only!" He said proudly, crossing his arms, "though I mostly go by Abe Kentaro nowadays." He looked down at her with a broad smile and twinkling eyes, "so, who are you? Little mouse."
Izumi squeaked as she bowed once again "I-Im Izumi Midoriya sir!" She exclaimed, "it's an honor to meet you!"
"Im assuming its the same for me." He rumbled, uncrossing his arms and resting his hands on his hips, "now, what's a little mouse like you doing scurrying around this part of town? It's not a place for children you know."
"I-i was just...walking." she mumbled as she straightened back up, "i didn't really pay attention to where I was going…um...Mr. Abe, can I ask you a question?"
"By all means."
"Do...you think I can be a hero?" She asks, looking up into his eyes, "most everyone thinks I'm too weak to be a hero...a-and my quirk takes up a lot of my energy to work...but I've always wanted to be a hero…"
"Hmm...follow me." He said, walking towards a door, a little ways off to the side, Izumi scampers after him as he opens the door and flicks the light on, revealing an old locker room, a warped wooden bench sat in front of a group of twelve lockers, which sat across the room from a simple bathroom like you'd see at school, "here." He said, handing her a small gold key that he fished out of his pocket, "go open up locker number one."
"W-why?" She asked nervously.
"Just do it." He said gently, pushing her towards the row of lockers. Izumi shakily walked over the locker he had said, and carefully undid the lock on it, opening the door to a fairly spartan locker; the workout uniform was clean and folded, boxing gloves were hung up on a hook, and headgear rested atop the uniform. The only thing out of place was a picture of a scrawny blond haired boy who was crying.
"Who do you think that lad is?" He asks, leaning against the door frame.
"I...don't know, one of your former students?" She asks.
Stone fist laughs, "you're mostly right, that there is a picture of All-Might when he first joined my gym, over thirty years ago."
Izumi gasped, "no way! You taught him!?"
"For a time," he said with a shrug, "helped him get the basics down before another hero took him under their wing a few months before he aced the entrance exam." He walked forward, carefully pulling the picture off the wall, "this, crying, scrawny, toothpick of a boy became the number one hero after me."
"But...All Might's quirk is made for heroing…"
"Ha! You think that boy had control of his quirk then? No, until UA I thought the boy was quirkless! Imagine my surprise when little Yagi became the top scoring student."
"But how did he...from this...to...well you know!"
"Hard work." He said firmly, "he was in this gym every day for two years-got a late start on the prep-and went through all of my workouts, by the time I was done with him, he was eating lightning, and crapping thunder! And replaced me twenty years later as the number one pro-hero! I couldn't have been more proud!" He gave a fond sigh, "boy still comes to see me every now and again."
"Wow…" she whispered.
"Heh...kid, I'm going to be honest with you." Abe began, taking a seat on the wooden bench, leaning forward as he stared at the girl, "a lot of people think its the quirk that makes the hero, and sometimes they're right, there's some heroes whose success was given to them because their quirk was powerful; a sort of Might is Right mentality that's shut the door on many a person who wanted to be a hero but had a subpar quirk. But the truth of the matter is; if you put the work and effort into becoming a hero, then a hero you will be. but you can't treat training lightly, you'd have to pour your mind, body and soul into your training to achieve your dream! I BELIEVE you can be a hero;But the true question is,do you want to be a hero?"
"Y-yes sir." She mumbled meekly.
"No, you don't, not with that attitude!" He grunted as he stood once more, towering over her as he put his hands on his hips, "I said, DO YOU WANT TO BE A HERO!" He shouted, making Izumi jump.
"Y-Yes sir!" She called, standing up straight.
"I can't hear you little mouse! DO YOU WANT TO BE A HERO!"
"YES SIR!" she shouted as loudly as she could.
"I STILL CAN'T HEAR YOU! WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE!?"
"I WANT TO BE A HERO!" she exclaimed, fists clenched at her sidE.
"ONE MORE TIME WITH FEELING KID! WITH FEELING!"
"I WANT TO BE A HERO!" she screamed, breathing heavily as she stared at Abe, who was grinning with a glowing light in his eyes that wasn't there before.
"Excellent." He breathed out, "then we had better get this place cleaned up then, shouldn't we?"
"Cleaned up? But you said this place is closed." she said in confusion.
"And it is! To the general public at least." He said, leading them back out into the main room, "but, if you want to be a hero then you'll need a place to train, as well as a trainer who knows what he's doing." He turned to her, "follow my plans and workout routine and you'll be ready for UA, I guarantee it."
"I...you'll help me?" She asked, tears pricking at her eyes.
He grinned, so much like yagi. "Yeah kid I will, it sounds fun and I haven't been able to do much since retirement. So it's a win win, what do you say?"
She sniffled and quickly wiped her tears away, "I won't let you down!" She said with a determined gleam in her eye.
"Then let's get this place cleaned up!" He exclaimed, "this is your first workout! Grab a broom and a mop and clean this place as fast as you can!"
"Yes sir!"
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Izumi trudged into her room with a satisfied smile, her uniform was covered in dust and cleaning solution, and her arms, leg and back ached from the heavy lifting and cleaning that she did, but she felt accomplished and giddy at the idea of starting training with THE Stone Fist! She just couldn't believe it!
She had told her mother everything she could about her day, including meeting Stone Fist and his offer, she was ecstatic for her daughter and had readily approved her learning under his tutelage. And had even decided to join her in some of the home workouts he had assigned!
Now she was gathering her night wear so she could get cleaned up and get to bed, as Stone Fist was starting their training at five in the morning. Before she went into the bathroom she checked her phone, her smile falling a little at seeing a text Kacchan had sent her.
K: Hey Deku, tomorrow we're going to dinner, be ready by five.
Her excitement died and was replaced by anxiety and slight fear as she realized she would have to cancel, and explain why. She had never canceled a date that Kacchan had planned (mostly because she didn't really have a choice in the matter) and if she told him that she was training to be a hero then he'd blow a fuse!
With a sigh she decided to treat this as one would a bandaid.
I: sorry Kacchan, but I can't, I've joined a gym to prepare for UA, and will be at workout until 8, maybe we can meet up at 9?
She sent the text then put her phone on her bed before entering the bathroom, "i really hope he doesn't get mad." She mumbled.
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Katsuki looked at Deku's text with mixed emotions.
On the one hand he couldn't be more proud that she had joined a gym for UA, but on the other HE was supposed to be the only one in their school to become a hero, and he had told her such several times since childhood.
She knows his dreams, his aspirations, so why was she trying to sabotage them? Did she think she was better than him?
With shaky hands, katsuki furiously began typing out his response.
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Izumi stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed, now clad in a gray All-Might shirt and a pair of sweatpants, she padded into her room and checked her phone, cringing at the response Kacchan had given.
K: You're not joining that gym, you know you can't be a hero Deku so why are you trying?
Izumi felt her heart ache at the way he casually dismissed her dreams, and contemplated calling Abe to cancel.
Then she remembered Abes words, how he hyped her up and told her he believed she could be a hero. And she felt anger well up inside her as she began to type her response.
I: i'm not changing my mind Kacchan, I'm going to train to be a hero, and you won't stop me. If you can't deal with that-
Izumi paused here, hesitating over what she was going to type next before steeling herself.
-then maybe we don't need to be seeing each other.
She sent the text before her nerves failed her, taking deep calming breaths as she laid down on her bed, looking up at the ceiling.
Thirty minutes later her phone pinged with a text notification, she took a deep breath as she opened the text.
K: we WILL talk about this Monday, and you will NOT be going to that gym.
Izumi clenched her phone as she laid back down. She knew texting anymore on the subject wouldn't do anything but anger Kacchan more and drive her anxiety up. So she turned off her phone and rolled over, simply trying to go to sleep.
With Katsuki, he waited an hour for her to reply, thinking she would just roll over and submit like she always did when he told her to do something. When no such text came he angrily threw his phone onto his bed and stalked to the kitchen to get a drink before bed.
Why was she being so difficult?
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The next morning Izumi was up and out the door before five AM, dressed in a pair of old gray sweats and her red high top shoes, she took off at a steady jog down the sidewalk, keeping pace as she heads into town, an hour later she's slowing down in front of Stone Fists gym, Kentaro was waiting on a wooden chair outside, dressed in simple shorts and a muscle shirt, "next time call me before you start running." he said as he stood up, turning to unlock the door, "i'll meet you halfway...this area isn't exactly the best to be running around unsupervised, understand?"
"Yes sir." Izumi huffed out, she was soaked in sweat from the run, and completely out of breath.
"Come on, get inside and get a drink of water, we have a lot of work to do."
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Forty-five minutes later.
Izumi collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath as Kentaro lightly stretched, "Well that was a good warm up." he boomed, helping Izumi to her feet.
"That was a warm up!?" she spluttered.
"Of course it was! Gotta loosen up your muscles before you start any kind of work out! Now, we're going to do a basic boxing workout, first, it's gonna be three minutes on the heavy bags, then, it'll be push-ups, as many as you can do in three minutes, then sit ups, same thing, then you'll go to the mirror and shadow-box for three minutes, after that you'll head to the speed bag another three minutes, you'll be doing this four times before we move to the mitts and a bit of sparring."
"O-okay." she said, quickly moving to the heavy bag, bringing her arms up.
"STOP!" Kentaro shouted, making her flinch.
"What?" Izumi asked, quickly spinning around in fright."
"Your stance is all wrong!" he said, walking forward, "are you left handed or right handed?"
"Right handed?" she said slowly.
"Good, that's easy for me now, if you're right handed then your left foot will be forward, pointing towards the bag, your right foot will be shoulder length away from your left, perpendicular, arms will be up level with your head, forearms perpendicular to the ground!" he got into the position and she slowly mirrored him, "now, you will jab with your left." his left shot out, hitting the bag with a loud Bang! Making Izumi jump, "you want to piston it out! No rearing back. Now, when you throw your right, I want you to pivot that back foot and turn your hips, all the power comes from the hips! Do you understand?"
"Y-yes sir!" Izumi sounded off.
"Good! Now your time starts!"
It went like this for the rest of the day, with Izumi doing what workouts Kentaro would tell her to do and him giving tips and corrections while she did them. She dutifully did everything he said until they finished at 7:30, Kentaro was still standing, stretching his muscles while looking down at Izumi, who was curled up on the ground unable to move.
"You did good today kid!" He boomed out a laugh, "i'm actually surprised you stuck it out!"
"I can't move my legs." She whimpered.
"Stand up mouse." He said, helping her to her feet. "You stay lying there then you won't be moving for a bit! Walk around, get the feeling in your legs."
Slowly, Izumi began moving around.
"For the school weeks, I want you here first thing after classes." He began to instruct, "i'll meet you at the old Shrine Bridge and we'll both run over here. I'll vary the workouts to keep you loose and from overworking any one muscle group...hmmm...I'm forgetting something...oh yeah!" He suddenly took off into the supply closet, making Izumi watch after him in confusion until he came back with thick blue wristbands and an under shirt. "Wear these at all times!"
He placed the articles in her hand and almost instantly she buckled under the weight.
"This is heavy!" She huffed as she adjusted to the weight.
"Yep, that tunic is sixty pounds, and those wrist bands are twenty each.
"You want me to wear these all the time!" She cried, tears trailing down her cheeks, "why would you be so mean!"
Kentaro laughed as he raised a camera and took her picture, "I promise you fangirl, you'll be thanking me by the time UA rolls around!"