Chapter 22: Back to Normal..

Deku ran through a dense, shadowed forest, his sword glinting in the dim light as he sprinted forward. His mind races: I have to catch him—before he gets to- He bursts out of the trees and into a clearing, locking eyes with a hooded, masked man who stands waiting. The man swings his blade, forcing Deku to skid to a halt. His sinister laughter fills the air as he pushes Deku back.

But instead of pressing the attack, the man suddenly threw two knives-not at Deku, but toward a couple tied to a nearby tree. Deku's eyes widened in horror as one of the blades struck the young man bound there. Manual. His mind barely processed the shock before he turned his gaze to the girl beside him—and his heart stopped. The second knife had pierced her side. His heart pounds as he recognizes her face. Melissa.

Her eyes meet his, tears streaking down her face. "Why-why didn't you save me?" she whispers, her voice barely audible before her head falls forward, lifeless. Rage overtakes Deku as he lunges forward, driving his blade through the masked man's chest.

But as the man looks up, his mask vanishes, dissolving like mist. Deku stumbles back, eyes widening in shock as he realizes who he's just struck.

Present Mic. The familiar face stares up at him, devoid of warmth. "You're no hero," Mic says coldly. "You could never be a hero... useless."

Deku jolted awake, gasping, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He clawed at his bedsheets, gripping them tightly as if they were the only thing anchoring him to reality. His breath came in shallow, ragged bursts, his mind reeling from the vivid images still lingering in his mind—Melissa's lifeless eyes, Present Mic's cold condemnation. He could feel the weight of it all pressing down on him, choking him, until he forced himself to focus on his surroundings. It was only another nightmare… Just a dream.

Slowly, his breathing began to steady, but the feeling of helplessness clung to him, refusing to fade. Deku looked around his room, hoping the familiarity would calm him, but it only underscored how much everything had changed. Gone were the walls covered in All Might posters and hero memorabilia. All of it had been taken down, carefully put away, leaving only a few faded posters of heroes he once admired. The once vibrant room now felt stripped, as if the innocence of his old life had been packed away with his decorations.

On his bookshelf, though, sat his cherished hero analysis notebooks, each spine worn from years of dedication and study. They were reminders of his dreams before everything, and he wasn't quite ready to let go of them. His gaze fell to his nightstand, where a picture of him and Asuna in their school uniforms stood in a simple frame. The sight of it grounded him, a glimmer of light in the darkness. Slowly, he started to regain his grip, the nightmare loosening its hold, though the ache it left lingered.

Izuku stepped out of his bedroom, taking a deep breath before making his way to the kitchen. The familiar scent of breakfast welcomed him, a quiet reminder of all the mornings he had once taken for granted. As he walked in, he saw his mother at the stove, carefully tending to a pan, her movements gentle but tinged with a faint edge of tension.

Inko turned, her face lighting up as she saw him. "Good morning, Izuku."

"Good morning, Mom," he replied, settling into his seat at the table. The small kitchen felt warm and familiar, but there was a heaviness in the air, something unspoken lingering between them.

Inko placed a plate of food in front of him and sat down across the table, studying him for a moment. "Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice soft but cautious.

Izuku nodded, but his response was hesitant. "Yeah… just, uh, the usual dreams, I guess."

Inko's face softened, and she reached out to touch his hand gently. "If there's ever anything you want to talk about… I'm here for you, Izuku."

He managed a small nod, but he could see the worry in her eyes—the lines around them seemed deeper now, etched by long days and restless nights. He knew how hard it must've been for her, waiting and hoping, fearing he'd never return. The thought made his chest tighten, and he clenched his hand under the table, fighting back the weight of guilt.

Forcing himself to keep his gaze steady, he offered her a reassuring smile. "I'm okay now, Mom. I promise. I'm not going to leave you again."

Inko's eyes filled with tears, and she quickly dabbed them away, her smile warm but tinged with sadness. "I know, Izuku. I know."

After a moment, Inko composed herself, taking a steady breath. "So, how's your training going?" She hesitated for a second before asking, "Are you… training with those swords again?"

Izuku offered her a reassuring smile. "We only use bamboo swords, Mom. No real blades," he replied gently, hoping to ease her worry. "And yeah, training's been going well. The hero that usually helps us out isn't stopping by the school today, so no training this afternoon."

"Good," she said, her face brightening a little as she relaxed back in her chair. "Would you mind picking up a few groceries, then? Just some things we're running low on."

Izuku nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Yup, sure can."

After finishing his breakfast, Izuku got ready for school, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he made his way to the door. Just as he was about to step outside, Inko leaned around the corner, calling out, "Have a good day, Izuku! Oh, and tell Asuna I said hello!"

Izuku blushed, feeling his face heat up. "I will, Mom," he replied, waving as he slipped out the door, Inko's chuckling echoing softly behind him.

Stepping onto the sidewalk, he turned in the direction of his school, taking a steadying breath. But as he looked up, he caught sight of Bakugou standing at the corner, staring at him with an unreadable expression. The second Bakugou noticed Izuku's gaze, he turned sharply and strode away without a word, leaving Izuku to wonder.

Since coming out of SAO, Bakugou hadn't said a single thing to him—no mocking, no insults, nothing. Izuku wasn't sure if it was simply the distance of being at different schools or if something unspoken lay between them now. It felt strange, almost unsettling, to have Bakugou's silence hanging there.

As Izuku approached the school gates, he spotted Asuna waiting by the entrance, her eyes scanning the crowd. The moment she noticed him, her face brightened, and she waved him over with a cheerful smile. Izuku couldn't help but smile back, feeling the last remnants of the morning's tension lift away.

"Good morning," she greeted as he reached her.

"Morning, Asuna," he replied, his cheeks flushing just slightly.

They started walking into the school together, falling into an easy rhythm. "You look a little tired," she noted, giving him a concerned sideways glance.

Izuku scratched the back of his neck, chuckling softly. "Yeah, I guess I didn't sleep as well as I thought I did."

Asuna hummed sympathetically, then gave him a playful look, tilting her head up just slightly. "You know, it's so unfair," she complained. "You're somehow magically taller than me now that we're back in the real world! I swear, it was the one advantage I had over you in SAO."

Izuku blinked, caught off guard, and then chuckled, rubbing his neck with a sheepish smile. "I guess I had a bit of a growth spurt while we were away," he admitted. "But I think you were still faster than me most of the time!"

"Maybe," Asuna replied with a grin, "but still, it's strange looking up at you now. I was pretty attached to being the taller one." She looked away, huffing a little in mock disappointment, but a hint of a smile played on her lips.

Izuku couldn't help but laugh softly. "I'll try not to lord it over you," he promised.

"You better not!" she teased, nudging him as they continued walking through the courtyard of the school, side by side, settling into a familiar comfort.

As Izuku and Asuna approached the front doors, they spotted Klein and Silica waiting, chatting casually with each other. Klein caught sight of them first, raising a hand in greeting.

"Oi, Dek—uh, I mean, Midoriya!" Klein, or rather Tsuboi, corrected himself with a smirk, though the old habit nearly slipped out. He'd only recently started using Midoriya's real name in respect to his friend's wish for normalcy outside of Aincrad. "Guess it's only fair, then, if you call me Tsuboi."

Izuku gave him a small smile, nodding. "Fair enough, Tsuboi."

Silica smiled brightly, waving at them. "It still feels strange calling you Midoriya! I got so used to 'Deku' in the game."

A brief pause settled as they all exchanged glances, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They each remembered the weight of those names and the memories attached, especially "Deku," known to many as "The Black Swordsman." Those who had fought on the front lines knew him as the hero who had finally ended Kayaba's death game, but they respected his wish to stay out of the spotlight. The press might celebrate the mysterious hero of Aincrad, but to Izuku, it was a title he'd rather leave in the game.

He scratched his head, slightly embarrassed. "It's better this way. I didn't finish all 80 floors alone. We got through it together."

Klein nodded, the brief look of respect in his eyes hidden under his usual grin. "Spoken like a true hero, Midoriya."

Izuku's smile faded slightly, his gaze dropping for a moment. "I don't know about that," he murmured, almost too quiet for anyone to hear. "I just… did my job."

Klein raised an eyebrow but didn't press, the unspoken weight of their shared memories filling the silence.

The group walked through the bustling hallway together, catching up on little things—classes, hobbies, and adjusting to life outside the game. Klein was in the middle of explaining how he'd discovered a new ramen place when Silica paused, noticing Midoriya scribbling furiously in a notebook, his eyes intently focused.

"Midoriya, whatcha doin'?" Silica asked curiously, noticing his distant gaze. When he didn't respond, she frowned, a mischievous smile crossing her face. "Alright, Pina, give him a nudge!" At her command, the small, sentient dragon perched on her shoulder fluttered over to Midoriya, nudging his cheek gently with its snout.

Izuku blinked, jolting back to reality. "Oh! S-Silica, sorry, I didn't hear you," he stammered, reaching out to gently pat Pina's head. "Thanks for the reminder, Pina." He looked back at Silica, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "Didn't mean to zone out like that."

Asuna chuckled, clearly amused as she watched him start muttering his apology. "I should've warned you, Silica—he zones out like that when he gets an idea."

Izuku cleared his throat, lifting the notebook. "This is my hero analysis notebook," he began, more confidently. "I keep track of quirks, tactics, techniques, and even ideas for support gear and possible upgrades. I started these notes a while back… originally for hero work." He paused, tracing his fingers over the familiar scrawls on the pages. "Now, I guess it's more of a hobby. But maybe it can help someone down the line."

Silica's eyes lit up, a cheerful grin spreading across her face. "That's so cool, Midoriya! You're like, building up a guidebook for future heroes," she said, practically bouncing on her toes. "And who knows? Maybe one day, these notes will be famous!"

Izuku felt his face warm up, scratching the back of his head. "I don't know about that… It's just something I like doing."

Klein chuckled, giving him a nudge. "Might not wear a cape, but you've got the brains for it."

Izuku smiled faintly, his eyes glancing down. Even though everyone else saw these as notes for heroics, to him, they were just pages filled with observations—nothing more, nothing less.

As they reached a hallway intersection, Silica gave them a cheerful wave. "See you all later!" she called, heading off toward her own classroom.

Izuku, Asuna, and Klein continued down the hall, their footsteps echoing softly. After a moment, Asuna turned to Klein. "So, how'd your appointment with the quirk doctor go the other day?"

Klein sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with a forced smile. "Doc says my quirk's still completely dormant… like it's just gone." He laughed lightly, though the frustration was clear in his eyes. "Guess it'll take more than a couple check-ups to bring it back, huh?"

Asuna gave him a sympathetic nod, sensing the effort he put into staying upbeat. "Have they mentioned any ways to help?"

He shrugged, still holding onto that casual tone. "Nothing yet. Just a whole lot of waiting and hoping it kicks back in."

Then, he looked back at her, his tone shifting to genuine curiosity. "What about you? Had your check-up yet?"

Asuna nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "They said my quirk's slowly recovering from the suppression. Might take a bit more time before I'm back to full strength, but they've cleared me to start using it again." She brightened, glancing at Izuku. "Just in time too, since the UA recommendation exam's coming up."

Izuku smiled back at Asuna as Klein gave her a congratulatory nod on her progress. After a quick farewell, Klein headed toward his classroom, leaving Izuku and Asuna to continue on their own. Asuna leaned against his shoulder as they walked, enjoying a quiet moment together before reaching their classroom.

When they stepped inside, they saw Mito—Tozawa Misumi—already at her desk, her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. She turned to them with an exaggerated sigh.

"Well, you two sure took your sweet time getting here," she teased.

Izuku gave a tired groan, fighting off a yawn. "Mito, it's too early for this…" He yawned again, adding, "Can you scold us later when I'm actually awake?"

Mito let out an exasperated "Ehh," her eyebrow twitching in mock annoyance, which only made Asuna giggle, clearly amused by their constant banter.

As the three settled into their seats, Izuku and Mito continued their playful back-and-forth, the familiar rhythm lifting everyone's spirits and lightening the mood.

"Honestly, Mito," Izuku said with a smirk, "I think you just like finding things to complain about."

"Oh, don't flatter yourself, Midoriya," Mito shot back, rolling her eyes. "I just want to see you actually try for once. You're not gonna stand a chance at the UA entrance exam if you keep coasting."

Izuku shrugged, brushing it off casually. "We'll see," he murmured, his voice neutral.

Mito accepted his response, moving on to another topic, but Asuna's eyes lingered on him a moment longer. She noticed something in the way he responded—a hint of reluctance, maybe even doubt. There was something more going on under the surface. But anytime she's brought up UA recently, she's noticed Izuku shut down a little.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Their teacher was about to call roll when the door flew open. Mei Hatsume burst in, panting and leaning against the doorframe, trying to catch her breath.

"Sorry I'm late!" she managed between gasps.

The teacher sighed, shaking her head in disappointment. "Hatsume, this is the third time this week."

Mei grinned sheepishly. "I know, I know! But my babies needed just a little more work this morning!" She finally made her way over and plopped down near Izuku, Asuna, and Mito, stifling a giggle.

Izuku leaned over to Mito with a smirk. "Well, at least we weren't that late."

Mito chuckled, and Mei immediately perked up, catching the remark. "Hey! My babies needed extra care, you know! It's not easy being a parent," she defended with a proud smile, clearly referring to her inventions.

Izuku, Asuna, and Mito laughed together, but their laughter soon died down when they noticed the rest of the class, along with their teacher, staring at them. Flushing, the four of them quickly bowed in apology.

With that, the teacher shook their head and began the lesson.

The fourth-period bell rang, echoing through the classroom. As the students began gathering their things, Izuku gave Asuna a quick wave. "I'll meet up with you at lunch," he said, already turning to walk in the opposite direction alongside Hatsume.

Mito furrowed her brows, about to call out to him for going the wrong way, but Asuna gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "He switched a couple of his elective classes," Asuna explained, her gaze following Izuku as he disappeared down the hall with Hatsume. "He told me the other day that he's always had an interest in support gear, especially with all those hero analysis notebooks of his. I guess he thought he'd give it a try."

Mito watched him walk away, a mix of curiosity and concern flickering in her eyes. "I mean, it makes sense," she said slowly, her voice thoughtful. "But… I don't know. Back in SAO, he was always the first to jump in, no hesitation—sometimes even recklessly." She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Now, he seems, I don't know, a little… off, somehow."

Asuna nodded, letting out a small, contemplative hum. She couldn't deny that she'd noticed it, too.

Asuna's expression softened as she thought about Izuku. "He's been through a lot. Honestly, he doesn't like to talk about it much, but I think he's still trying to settle back into the real world. In SAO, he was the infamous Black Swordsman. Now he's just… trying to be Izuku Midoriya again. If I had to guess, he probably feels a little left out."

"Left out?" Mito asked, glancing at her with a hint of confusion. "What do you mean?"

Asuna took a deep breath. "Most of us came back out to the real world and are just trying to go back to normal. A lot of the SAO survivors would rather forget what happened in the game, move on, and get back to their lives. And that's fine for everyone else. But Izuku's everyday life has never been the same as ours. For him, it's always been… harder. All he's known is constant bullying and being belittled just because he's quirkless."

Mito's gaze dropped to the ground, the realization sinking in. "I hadn't thought of that. I guess I just assumed he'd be prepping for UA like the rest of us. If any of us deserve to go there, it's him."

Asuna agreed softly, "Absolutely." But then, with a bright, cheerful tone, she added, "And hey, there's still ten months before the entrance exams. Plus, he's already training with Mr. Narusaka, so if he ever changes his mind then he'll definitely be ready."

With a shared smile, the two continued down the hall, heading toward their next class.

In the Tech class, Midoriya listened intently as the support teacher went over workshop protocols. The teacher's gaze lingered on Hatsume, re-emphasizing certain safety instructions with a look of barely concealed annoyance, as if this wasn't the first time Hatsume had needed reminding.

When the instructions were over, Midoriya and Hatsume headed to their own workbenches, each lost in thought. Midoriya scanned the room, taking in the various projects his classmates were working on. He couldn't help but marvel at some of their concepts. His mind, ever analytical, began picking apart potential flaws, already envisioning ways they could be improved.

Hatsume noticed Midoriya's hesitation and bounded over, calling out with her usual enthusiasm. "Slacking off, De—!" She caught herself as Midoriya's eyes widened, and quickly clamped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry, Midoriya!" she whispered, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment.

Midoriya waved it off, giving a reassuring smile. "Really, Liz, it's fine I swear.. just try to keep it down," he said. "And I'm not slacking off; it's just…I don't really know where to start." He rubbed the back of his neck, laughing sheepishly. "I've always seen support gear and thought of ways to improve it. But coming up with something from scratch… that's a bit different."

Liz raised an eyebrow, clearly a bit surprised. "Honestly, I was a little shocked when you asked if I could put in a good word with Sensei for you to transfer."

Midoriya gave her a slight grin. "Yeah, well…after seeing how he was with you at the start of class, I'm not so sure that was really a 'favor".

Liz playfully punched his shoulder, smirking. "You're tougher than you look, Midoriya. But still, it's weird. I mean, you were THE guy from the front lines." Her words trailed off, a hint of admiration in her voice.

Izuku's smile softened, a hint of something wistful in his eyes. "Well, I'm not that guy anymore… I mean, we're not in SAO, so…I figured it's time to try new things." His tone was casual, but Liz could see a glimmer of something.

She hummed thoughtfully, glancing at him for a moment before shaking off her musings. "Alright, fine, newbie. Come over here," she said, gesturing him to follow as she moved to her workstation, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "Let's get you started."

Liz plopped a belt onto the workbench in front of them with an enthusiastic grin. "Ta-daaa! Feast your eyes on this beauty!" she exclaimed.

Midoriya tilted his head, slightly confused as he examined the belt with cables attached to the sides. "And…what exactly is it?"

Liz's face fell, looking almost offended. "Come on, really? You can't figure it out?" She sighed dramatically before launching into her explanation. "So, you're used to designing gear specifically for heroes with particular quirks, right?"

Izuku nodded, intrigued. "Yeah, that's usually how I've looked at things."

"Well, here's the thing," Liz continued, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I don't just think about heroes with very specific quirks. I think about the big picture. What can I make that'll help tons of people? And more importantly…what'll make me a boatload of money?" She grinned, tapping the belt.

Izuku looked thoughtful as he glanced back at the belt, starting to piece things together. "Oh, I get it now! These cables…they're meant to shoot out and anchor somewhere, pulling the user toward it to improve mobility. It's perfect for heroes whose quirks don't give them a movement advantage."

Liz's grin grew wider, nodding approvingly. "Exactly! But there's still a catch. I haven't quite worked out a few…kinks in the design," she admitted, scratching the back of her head. "It's not perfect yet—the range isn't stable, and the cables have trouble retracting smoothly. Think you can take a crack at that?"

Midoriya's eyes lit up at the challenge. "I'll give it my best shot!"

"Great! If you manage to fix it, go out to the testing area and give it a whirl," Liz encouraged, patting him on the back. "Can't wait to see what you come up with, Midoriya!"

Izuku examined the belt closely, noting how it was powered by compressed gas. As he turned it over in his hands, he started to wonder if the primary issue lay in the gas's output and intake—especially during the rapid extension and retraction of the cables. It dawned on him that, depending on the distance the cables needed to cover, they would require varying amounts of gas. A single, fixed setting for gas output wasn't going to cut it.

He pondered a solution, envisioning a way to regulate the gas based on the range needed. His mind racing with possibilities, he began grabbing tools from the nearby shelves, ready to dive in.

Just as he was about to start, the bell rang. Liz came over, waving him off with a grin. "Don't worry about it, Midoriya," she said. "We still have next period to work on our projects, so just leave it on your bench for now."

Izuku nodded, setting the belt down carefully. "Ohh, okay. Thanks Liz."

Izuku and Liz left the workshop together, heading down the hall toward the cafeteria. As they walked, their conversation picked up with easy banter.

"So," Liz began with a grin, "not regretting the transfer yet, right?"

Izuku laughed, shaking his head. "Not at all. Besides, it's been good to try something new. And I gotta admit, your 'babies' are pretty impressive."

Liz's eyes lit up with excitement. "Right? And now that I can work on more complicated stuff, I just can't stop! I've got so many ideas, it's like they're multiplying in my head." She threw her hands up, mimicking an explosion, which made Izuku laugh.

"Well, at least you're settling back in alright," he said. "Honestly, I don't know how you do it, keeping up with all these ideas."

"What can I say?" Liz shrugged playfully. "I've got a lot to make up for after two and a half years of nothing but swords and shields."

They laughed together, sharing that quiet understanding that only other SAO survivors could. Before long, they reached the cafeteria, spotting Asuna waiting near the doors with a couple of lunch sacks in hand.

She smiled as they approached. "Hey, Izuku! I brought some lunch. Want to eat outside today?"

"Sounds perfect," he replied, returning her smile.

Liz sighed dramatically. "As fun as that sounds, I think I'd rather not be a third wheel." She threw them a mischievous grin, adding with a chuckle, "And remember, we're at school, you two."

Asuna and Izuku both blushed, exchanging embarrassed glances. But before either of them could respond, Liz had already disappeared down the hall, waving goodbye over her shoulder.

They looked at each other, a little flustered, then shared a quiet chuckle. Together, they pushed open the doors and headed to the benches outside, where they could enjoy their lunch in the fresh air.

Izuku's eyes widened as he gazed at the lunch Asuna had prepared, a bit of drool slipping from the corner of his mouth. Asuna chuckled, nudging the lunch toward him. "Go on, dig in. You've been eyeing it for long enough."

They laughed as they started eating, and their conversation shifted to his day so far. Asuna was curious about his new class, and he shared a few moments from his support course, talking about the tools and inventions he'd seen, and about Liz's latest "babies." The mood was light and easy until Asuna's expression softened, a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Izuku," she began gently, "you've seemed a little off lately. Are you sure you're handling everything okay?" She watched him closely, worry etched on her face.

Izuku looked away, uncertain how to respond. After a long pause, he glanced back at her, then sighed, feeling the weight of his thoughts. "I guess I'm just…trying to find my stride still," he admitted. "Before, my dream was to go to UA and become a hero. Nothing else mattered. But now…" He trailed off, feeling the words stick in his throat before he forced himself to continue. "I don't know. I already got to live my hero dream as Deku, and I'm fine with that. I don't think I could go back to that life now."

But there was more he kept inside, the unspoken thought lingering painfully in his mind: I don't deserve to.

Asuna seemed to understand, leaning her head onto his shoulder, a small comfort that still startled him. His face grew warm as he looked around to see if anyone was watching, but Asuna noticed his tension and whispered, "We barely get to see each other outside of school because of my mom, and there's nobody else out here."

He nodded, relaxing as they sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the quiet settling around them. Finally, Asuna broke the silence in a soft, steady voice.

"Izuku, I know I'll never truly understand everything you went through before. All those horrible things that happened to you just because you're quirkless. But I want you to know…" She paused, gathering her words. "If you ever change your mind, there's no one I believe deserves the title of hero more than you."

Izuku was taken aback, her words sinking in deeper than he'd expected. He looked down at Asuna, meeting her steady gaze, and for a second, he felt the weight of his doubts lift. Taking a breath, he gently moved to hold her hand, a small but sincere smile on his face. "Thanks, Asuna… You always seem to take a load off my mind. Knowing you always have faith in me, it—it really helps."

Asuna's hand tightened around his as she leaned her head back against his shoulder, whispering softly, "Always."

After lunch, Izuku and Asuna parted ways with a quick, warm smile. Izuku made his way back to the support class, his mind refocusing as he stepped into the workshop. The familiar sounds of clinking metal and the hum of machinery filled the air, and he walked straight over to his workbench, where the prototype mobility belt still lay.

He picked it up carefully, turning it over in his hands. His mind went over what he'd observed earlier, especially the reliance on compressed gas. He leaned down to examine the intake and output mechanisms, noticing how the gear released the gas in bursts to propel the cables. Izuku's mind began to churn, analyzing how a stronger and more precise control over the gas flow could allow for smoother movement.

As he began making adjustments, he experimented by tweaking the intake valves, adjusting them to allow the gas flow to change based on the distance the cables needed to travel. He jotted down quick notes as he went, ideas flowing naturally as he thought of ways to improve the device's efficiency. With a careful hand, he replaced some of the fittings and started fine-tuning the regulator.

Lost in his work, he barely noticed Liz approaching until she leaned over his shoulder, watching him with a curious grin. "So, how's it going over here newbie?"

Izuku chuckled, putting down his tools and turning to her. "Well, I noticed the device was using too much compressed gas on shorter distances. I thought if I could adjust the intake valves to let in only what's needed based on the range, it might give the user better control and extend the device's lifespan. By keeping the pressure low for short distances, they wouldn't waste as much gas, and the cable's retraction wouldn't be as intense."

Liz's eyes sparkled as she listened, nodding with excitement. "Not bad, Midoriya! That's actually a really smart modification. So you're thinking of a way to control the gas flow, kinda like a…gas regulator that adjusts automatically?"

Izuku nodded. "Exactly. If I can set up a trigger mechanism that reacts based on the tension in the cables, it should be able to manage the gas intake on its own."

Liz gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Well, aren't you full of surprises? You're practically a natural at this!"

As Izuku examined his modifications, he looked up and asked, "So, have you come up with a name for this gear yet?"

Liz grinned, glancing up thoughtfully as if recalling a list. "Well, I thought about calling it 'Zippy Cables.' Or maybe 'Anchor Grabbers.' Oh! 'Launch Belt Deluxe!'"

Izuku raised an eyebrow, fighting back a chuckle. "Those…are certainly creative," he managed diplomatically.

She shrugged with a laugh. "Alright, fine, maybe they aren't the best names. But if you get them up and running, I'll let you name them yourself. Fair?"

He nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "How about 'Omni-Directional Mobility'? Or ODM Gear for short?"

Liz blinked, then grinned broadly. "Now that sounds cool! I like it. But you'd better take it for a test run before the end of the day. Wouldn't want the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear getting its name without proving it works, right?"

With that encouragement, Izuku dove back into his adjustments, working diligently as the day progressed. Finally, by the end of the day, he was ready. Taking the ODM gear out to the testing area, he secured it around his waist and took a deep breath. The compressed gas hissed quietly as he activated the gear, and he aimed one of the cables at a nearby wall. With a determined press of the trigger, the cable shot out and latched onto the wall, yanking him off his feet and launching him toward it.

Unfortunately, instead of landing as gracefully as he'd imagined, he misjudged the timing, and with a less-than-dignified yelp, he slammed face-first into the wall. Groaning, he pulled himself off and tried again, but the result was much the same. Time after time, he found himself ricocheting into walls or launching in unexpected directions.

After a few attempts and a series of bruising impacts, Izuku paused, catching his breath. "What am I doing wrong…?" he muttered, analyzing each failed attempt. He realized he needed to adjust the timing between the cable's retraction and the gas intake. As he pondered, he jotted down a few ideas for improvements: perhaps a manual control for precision movements, and a lighter touch on the retraction to avoid the sudden jerks.

With a small smile, he strapped the gear back on, ready for another go—determined to perfect the ODM gear, one wall collision at a time.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Izuku packed away his things, a sense of pride warming him. He'd made decent headway with the ODM gear, though he knew there was still plenty left to work on. He turned to Liz, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "Hey, are we allowed to take our support items home to work on them?"

She raised an eyebrow with a mischievous smirk. "Oh, sure, as long as you don't even think about testing it at home."

Izuku stammered, waving his hands. "I-I wouldn't! I just wanted to take it home so I could, you know, jot down some notes over the weekend."

Liz chuckled, shaking her head. "Man, you used to be better at picking up jokes, Midoriya. Lighten up a little!" She nudged him playfully, and he gave an awkward laugh, doing his best to shrug it off.

As they stepped into the hallway after packing up, Izuku and Liz spotted Asuna and Mito waiting near the front doors, chatting with Klein and Silica, who must have joined them as they walked out.

Liz waved enthusiastically as they approached. "Hey, everyone! Ready for the weekend?"

"Absolutely," Asuna said with a smile, her gaze settling on Izuku. "So, how'd the rest of the day go with your gear?"

Izuku rubbed his neck, grinning. "I made some progress, but it's got a long way to go before it's ready. Hopefully, after a few more tweaks, it'll be stable enough for actual use."

Mito laughed. "I've got to see this gear in action one day. Just don't go launching yourself into a wall!"

Izuku chuckled, rolling his eyes. "I think I've done enough wall-colliding for a lifetime today, trust me."

As they all walked together, the conversation flowed easily. Mito stretched her arms above her head. "I've got kendo practice tonight, then I'm meeting some friends to study. We're cramming for midterms. Fun, right?"

"Sounds intense," Liz said with a grin. "I'm working on a new project this weekend, so I'll probably be locked in my workshop until Monday. Got a whole list of 'babies' to build."

Klein smirked, hands in his pockets. "I'll actually be taking it easy for once. Family's coming over for the weekend, so I'll be keeping things low-key."

Silica chimed in, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "And I'm planning on binge-watching all the shows I missed while we were stuck in SAO. Gotta catch up on two years of episodes!"

Asuna smiled, shaking her head at Liz's enthusiasm and Klein and Silica's weekend plans. "Of course you all have things lined up. I'll be doing more training myself—my mom's arranged sessions with a few pro heroes to make sure I'm ready for the recommendation exams. She's been pretty intense about it."

"That's awesome, though," Mito said, nudging her. "You've got this, Asuna."

Izuku gave her an encouraging nod. "Definitely."

As they reached the front doors, Mito, Klein, Liz, and Silica waved goodbye and headed off in different directions. "Catch you all on Monday!" Mito called back with a grin.

"See you!" Liz added with a wave. Izuku and Asuna watched them go, then glanced at each other.

"Guess it's just us," Asuna said, smiling as they stepped outside together.

"Guess so" he responded with a smile.

As they continued to walk, Izuku asked, "So, are you being picked up today?"

Asuna shook her head. "No, I'll just walk. My training's at the local hero agency nearby, so it's not too far."

Izuku nodded, smiling. "I'm heading that way too to grab my mom some groceries, so I'll walk with you."

As they strolled along, Izuku's curiosity got the better of him. "So, what kind of training are they having you do? I mean, since your quirk hasn't fully recovered yet, they must have some kind of plan."

Asuna sighed. "Yeah, something like that. They keep talking about building my quirk's strength, though I don't really know what they mean. I guess I'll find out soon enough."

Izuku immediately launched into one of his muttering sprees, brainstorming possible training regimens, listing off techniques, exercises, and even diet plans. "Maybe they'll start with focused activation drills, or maybe they'll have you—"

He stopped mid-sentence as he felt Asuna's arms wrap around his, her gentle laugh interrupting his mutterings. "Izuku," she chuckled, "old habits, huh?"

Izuku blinked, then sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "My bad. I didn't even realize I was doing it."

Asuna smiled, her gaze soft. "I actually find it kind of cute when you start muttering like that. It's… well, it's very you."

Izuku's face turned a light shade of pink, and he stammered, "Th-thanks, Asuna." They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for her presence by his side, her acceptance of all his weird quirks and habits.

Asuna stopped at the entrance of the hero agency, turning back to give Izuku a soft smile before leaning in for a quick, sweet goodbye kiss. They pulled apart, and he watched her disappear into the building, her presence lingering warmly in his mind. Of all the things I've been through, she always has this way of making it feel like everything's going to be okay, he thought, smiling as he turned and continued down the street.

His thoughts drifted to the ODM gear, mentally running through adjustments and possible support items that might complement it. As he turned down a tunnel on his way to the store, he muttered ideas aloud, barely noticing his surroundings. "Maybe if I adjust the intake valves, or add a secondary harness…" Just then, a loud clang echoed through the tunnel as a manhole cover flew open, and a thick, slimy sludge erupted from the sewer below.

"Perfect!" the sludge villain sneered, his voice echoing in the confined space. "A nice, fit body to take over! Just what I need to make it out of this city undetected!" Izuku's eyes widened as the sludge surged toward him, engulfing him in seconds. He struggled, arms thrashing as the sludge oozed into his mouth and nose, cutting off his air.

Is this it? he thought, panic flaring as he fought against the thick, suffocating mass. Dammit. It's the same as before. I can't do anything. His vision started to blur, and he could feel his strength waning. Images of his friends, Asuna, and even Present Mic flashed through his mind. I guess… I'll be joining you soon, Mic…

Just as darkness started to close in, a booming voice echoed through the tunnel, commanding and unwavering. "Don't worry, young man! WHY? Because I AM HERE!"

The sludge villain froze, looking over his shoulder to see the towering figure of All Might standing at the tunnel entrance, his smile bright and unwavering. "Damn it!" the villain cursed, reaching for the sewer cover to hurl it at the hero. But All Might caught it effortlessly with one hand and, with a powerful swing of his other fist, unleashed a gust of air so strong it blasted the sludge off Izuku, sending the villain flying down the tunnel in pieces.

Izuku's body collapsed onto the ground, his mind already slipping into unconsciousness as he heard All Might's voice calling to him from the distance.

As Izuku drifted in unconsciousness, images flashed relentlessly through his mind—a haunting sequence of memories. He saw the UA students, reaching out but slipping beyond his grasp. He saw the Laughing Coffin members he'd taken down, each one etched into his memory. Kuradeel's twisted grin as he fell, Heathcliff's calm, calculating eyes… and finally, Melissa, her face softening as her life ebbed away in his arms. Izuku's heart pounded painfully, the weight of each memory pressing down on him.

Suddenly, his eyes shot open, and he screamed, "Nooo, don't di-!" His voice was hoarse, frantic, startling All Might, who jumped back in surprise.

All Might leaned forward, his face a mix of concern and calm. "Easy there, young man. Are you all right?" he asked gently, watching as Izuku gasped for air, his breaths uneven and panicked. The world slowly came into focus as Izuku realized who was standing before him.

All Might… here? He's actually talking to me… Izuku's thoughts were a tangle of awe and anxiety. Okay, breathe, breathe… don't panic. All Might, sensing the boy's lingering fear, knelt beside him, offering a steadying presence. "I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner," All Might said, his voice soft. "The sewers are a bit of a maze."

Izuku's gaze shifted down, relieved that he hadn't cried out Melissa's name—he didn't need All Might asking questions he wasn't ready to answer. Forcing himself to focus, he nodded, giving a small, composed smile. "Thank you, All Might," he said quietly, his voice steadier now. "I… I'm fine, really."

All Might's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Izuku. Something about the boy's demeanor struck him—the panic, the way he'd screamed, not in fear for himself, but as though he'd been reaching out for someone.

Izuku scrambled to his feet, sheepishly avoiding All Might's concerned gaze. "You really don't need to worry about me, All Might. I'm sorry for… getting in the way," he mumbled, gathering his things in a hurry. He gave a quick, awkward bow. "Thank you!" he called, already moving toward the tunnel's exit, not stopping to hear any response.

All Might reached out, a hand half-raised to stop the boy. He wanted to make sure this young man was truly all right. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, a sharp cough escaped him, and he wiped away a small streak of blood with the back of his hand. Damn, he thought, frustration flashing in his eyes as he watched Izuku disappear out of sight.

With a sigh, All Might let his hand fall, glancing at the unconscious sludge villain he still needed to secure. "Would've liked to make sure that kid was okay," he muttered to himself, shaking his head, "but duty calls." Gathering the remnants of the villain, he prepared to deliver him to the authorities, his thoughts lingering on the strange, frantic young man who had just run out of his life.

With the sludge villain now securely sealed in a couple of bottles, All Might leapt from rooftop to rooftop, his mind drifted back to the boy he'd just met. He could still feel the weight of that notebook, so worn yet meticulously cared for. In a quiet moment on the scene, All Might had quickly thumbed through it, astonished by the level of detail. Every page was filled with insights, strategies, and observations about heroes, quirks, and the challenges they faced. The cover had read, "Hero Analysis for the Future, Volume 10."

Ten volumes… All Might thought, stunned. This kid's already made nine more? He couldn't help but smile slightly, admiring the passion and dedication it took to study heroes so thoroughly.

As he continued on his way from rooftop to rooftop, each jump strained him further, and a rough cough wracked his chest, signaling he'd reached his limit. "Dammit," he muttered, feeling the transformation slipping. "I can't hold out any longer."

Before his next landing, a puff of smoke erupted, and when he emerged on the rooftop, his small, frail form tumbled forward, rolling ungracefully until he hit the ground with a groan, clutching the back of his head in pain.

Looking up, he noticed a young kid staring at him, wide-eyed and utterly confused. "Where'd you come from, old man?"

Caught off guard, All Might forced a laugh, scratching his head awkwardly. "Oh! Well, you see… uh… I was just… inspecting the rooftops! Making sure they're… sturdy!" he managed, offering a weak thumbs-up.

The kid tilted his head, still unsure but too curious to question further. With an apologetic smile, All Might hastily excused himself, straightening his coat as he shuffled off.

As All Might made his way out of the building, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, Phew, that kid didn't catch me transforming. Lucky break.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in town, Bakugo was storming down an alley, clearly agitated. His friends, Tsubasa and a couple of his other buddies, trailed behind, casting each other confused glances as they tried to keep up with his irritated pace.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a bottle dropped from the sky, smacking Bakugo on the head. He whipped around, shouting and cursing, "Who the hell—?!"

As his friends tried to calm him down, Bakugo angrily kicked the bottle, sending it skidding across the pavement. The lid flew off, and an oozing green liquid started seeping out, swirling on the ground.

Just then, an eerie voice echoed from behind them. "One of you brats will work just as well as that green-haired one," the voice sneered.

Bakugo and his friends spun around, eyes wide, to see the sludge villain looming out of the shadows, ready to strike.

Izuku walked out of the grocery store, his mind still spinning from his encounter with All Might. Should I have told him about Melissa? The thought gnawed at him, but he shook his head. No… what good would that do him? She's already gone. He gripped his grocery bag a little tighter, the weight of it grounding him as he tried to push the memories down. The Number One Hero doesn't need that burden.

Just then, a loud explosion thundered from a few blocks away, and smoke curled into the sky. Izuku's instincts kicked in before his mind caught up, his legs already carrying him toward the chaos. A villain attack? He tried to reason with himself, but he couldn't shake the feeling drawing him closer. When he arrived, he froze, heart pounding as he took in the scene.

The sludge villain. Again??

What happened to All Might? Panic rose in his chest, but he forced himself to look around, assessing the situation. Heroes were everywhere, but none could get close enough to reach the victim. Deatharms yelled to anyone who could help, Backdraft struggled to contain the flames licking up the nearby buildings, Kamui Woods warned that his wood couldn't get too close to the fire, and Mount Lady sighed in frustration, muttering that the street was too narrow for her to maneuver.

Izuku's gaze drifted to the victim and froze. Ba-Bakugo?

Meanwhile, at the edge of the crowd, All Might, in his small form, watched helplessly. Sweat beaded on his forehead, frustration evident in his eyes. He clenched his fist, cursing himself inwardly. Pathetic… I'm supposed to be the Number One Hero, and here I am, powerless to help. He could only watch, his heart heavy with regret as the heroes struggled to find a way to save the boy.

Just then, a figure sprinted through the crowd, breaking into the open space in front of the villain. All Might's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the same young man from earlier. What's he doing?! he thought, a mix of fear and awe stirring within him.

Izuku barely registered the yells around him, urging him to stop. Deatharms lunged forward, reaching out to grab the boy and pull him back to safety, but before he could even touch him, Izuku's cables shot out, sending him soaring forward and out of reach. Anchored to the far building, Izuku's body flew through the air with focused determination, his heart pounding as he propelled himself toward the villain with his ODM gear.

I didn't plan this out! Panic swelled, but he forced himself to breathe, steadying his mind and briefly closing his eyes. A memory flickered, a familiar resolve igniting within him. His eyes snapped open, now glowing a fierce golden yellow. With newfound focus, he retracted the cables, letting them snap back as he continued flying forward, unwavering and aimed directly at his target.

As he approached the villain, he twisted mid-air to gain control. One cable shot through the sludge villain's eye and attached to the opposite wall, while the other anchored him to the ground, abruptly halting his momentum. The sludge villain roared in pain, momentarily loosening his grip on Bakugo. Izuku retracted his cables, holding tightly to the creature as he descended, steadying himself as he prepared to free Bakugo.

When Izuku reached the ground, he immediately began clawing at the sludge around Bakugo's face, desperately trying to free him. Bakugo, eyes wide with disbelief, finally realized who was there. "What're you doing, you nerd? Get out of here!" he spat, but his voice was laced with shock rather than anger.

Izuku, his eyes back to their usual emerald green, looked up at Bakugo, his own panic growing as he recognized the sheer futility of his efforts. I'm not going to be fast enough.

Before he could move again, the sludge villain's massive arm swung down toward him. A wave of fear washed over the crowd, who screamed in alarm as the giant limb bore down on Izuku. Just as it was about to crush him, the attack suddenly halted.

Izuku glanced up, stunned to see All Might standing before him, holding back the villain's arm with sheer strength. The Number One Hero grunted, his voice firm. "Sorry, young man. Seems I'm always a step too slow, even as the Number One Hero." All Might's eyes narrowed with determination. "But now… it's time to pull my own weight!"

With his free arm, he grabbed Bakugo, pulling him clear of the sludge villain's grasp. Then, rearing back his other fist, All Might roared, "Texas Smash!"

He delivered a powerful upward punch, blasting the villain apart and sending him flying. The force of the blow was so intense that the clouds above began to shift, darkening as rain began to pour.

The crowd erupted in cheers and disbelief, murmuring in awe, "Did he… just change the weather?" Their amazement turned to celebration as they realized the villain had been defeated, applauding All Might's heroic feat.

After the chaos had settled, Izuku found himself on the receiving end of scolding from the pro heroes at the scene. They lectured him about the dangers of rushing in, the recklessness of his actions, and how close he'd come to getting himself and others seriously hurt. As the heroes berated him, All Might was nearby, answering questions from a swarm of reporters, smiling and giving his usual charismatic responses.

When everything was finally over, Izuku started on his way home, head slightly lowered as he processed the day's events. He was almost lost in thought when he heard a familiar voice call out from behind him.

"You damn nerd!" Bakugo's voice, sharp as ever, cut through the quiet street. Izuku turned to see Bakugo approaching, a scowl on his face. "I didn't need you to come in and save me," he spat, his eyes drifting away as if the admission pained him. "It's stupid shit like that that always has Auntie Inko worrying about you." With a scoff, he turned away, muttering under his breath, "Fucking idiot."

Izuku watched Bakugo stomp off, a faint smile creeping onto his face. Well… I guess that could've gone worse, considering it's the first time we've talked in over two years. As he took a breath and turned back around, he nearly jumped out of his skin—there, right in front of him, was All Might once again.

"Young Midoriya!" All Might boomed, his tone both grand and serious, catching Izuku completely off guard.

Izuku stood there, completely stunned and at a loss for words, until something clicked in his mind. Wait… I never told you my name. How did you know who I was? He looked at All Might in confusion.

All Might chuckled lightly before explaining, "Ah, well, before I left the scene, I went over to the other heroes to find out who you were."

Izuku's face dropped as he muttered, "Oh… so you're here to scold me, too."

All Might shook his head. "No, young man. I didn't come to scold you. I saw what you did back there. Truth is, I… I was in the back of the crowd… recovering from an injury, one that I thought had taken away my strength when the other hero's needed it most. I didn't think I'd be able to help. But then… I saw you." Izuku's expression was one of shock and confusion, but he listened intently.

All Might continued, his gaze unwavering. "You—a middle school boy—ran into danger without a second thought for yourself. While everyone else stood by, you acted. That courage, that instinct to help… it pushed me to dig deeper, to find the strength to fight." He looked down at Izuku, his eyes sincere. "Young Midoriya, I believe you have what it takes to be a hero. And I'd like to offer you—"

But before he could finish, Izuku cut him off. "Thank you, sir… but you're wrong. So whatever you were about to offer me, my answer is no."

All Might blinked in surprise, not expecting that response. Izuku's voice softened, and his eyes cast downward. "If you knew me… if you really knew me, you'd understand that I can't be a hero. But thank you, anyway." Without another word, Izuku turned and walked toward his apartment complex, leaving All Might momentarily speechless.

As Izuku reached the entrance, All Might could barely make out the faint words Izuku whispered to himself, "I don't deserve to be a hero." All Might stood there, watching the boy's figure disappear through the doors, puzzled and a little heartbroken.

He felt the familiar tightness in his chest, reminding him his time was almost up. Coughing, he ducked into a nearby alleyway, making sure no one was around, and transformed back into his small form. Leaning against the wall to catch his breath, he looked back at the building where Izuku had just gone.

He felt something deep inside—a pull he hadn't felt in a long time, as though One for All was reaching out, whispering to him about that boy. That kid… there's something special about him.. he felt something else calling out to him about that boy, almost as if he did already know him somehow. But even with those feeling, he also couldn't ignore the way Izuku's demeanor had shifted—from panicked and shy earlier in the day to calm and focused in the heat of the fight. He had timed those cables flawlessly, using them for both movement and attack with incredible precision.

But why did he look so defeated, so burdened? It was clear the boy had been through something, something heavy that left scars no one could see. And though All Might didn't know what it was, he knew one thing for certain: One for All was telling him that Izuku Midoriya was someone truly unique.

All Might watched the building Izuku had disappeared into, his heart heavy with concern. There was something about that boy—an undeniable spark, a resilience he'd rarely seen. He wouldn't force One for All on anyone, but the weight of it all felt different with Izuku. The boy's courage, his willingness to act despite his fears, it all spoke to a future All Might desperately wanted to believe in.

He sighed, clenching his fists. If I can reach him, if I can help him see his own potential, then maybe…I've found my successor.

AUTHOR NOTES: So I thought about just starting this chapter straight at UA and then as each arc went on give some flashbacks from Pre-UA. However I ended up changing my mind and have decided to at least write this chapter in order to give at least some context first. So I get that Izuku's regression back might feel repetitive but I do truly believe this fits. Before UA and All Might Izuku didn't have any confidence and he got that confidence while training with All Might. Although he's accomplished a lot in the game, that's all it was, a game. And now trying to readjust back into the real world he's dealing with some PTSD and his rock, Asuna, isn't with him every moment of the day anymore. At the same time he's watching all him friends readjusting much easier since most of them have their quirks back. And now he's back to being quirkless Izuku again. But even with all that Izuku still can't help but jump into help someone in need. Also I was trying to think of a way to help Izuku fight while he doesn't have much for powers and thought of Hatume's cables she used in the obstacle course, then though, hell might as well just make it ODM gear from AOT for fun. Also considering doing a chapter where we follow Asuna around the entire time instead. Let me know if that's something y'all would like to see. As always have a good one! :)