- .My Hero Academia: 180 degrees. -
26. Parallel Universe
(Segment marked with * due to suggestive IzuxOcha themes)
This couldn't be happening to him... he had to stay focused at all costs on his goal of mastering One for All.
Izuku placed a hand on his chest, right over his heart, feeling it race wildly, a growing tightness taking over him. The room was shrouded in darkness, with the curtains closed, creating a stifling atmosphere. The weight of his feelings overwhelmed him. Uraraka was his rival, and he couldn't afford to forget that...
This will always be the same.
It was a new day. Izuku gazed at the blue sky from the second floor of UA. As an autumn leaf fell from a nearby tree, following it with his eyes, his gaze ended up on the courtyard.
I won't be able to push away...
In the courtyard, he saw the girls from his class playing volleyball, partially using their quirks.
This thing that now lives within me.
His attention quickly focused on Uraraka, who was using her quirk, Float, Nana Shimura's quirk, to reach the ball, then increased its speed with a change in velocity.
It's a strange feeling...
Floating above the court, Uraraka noticed Izuku watching them from the window.
That I hide from you.
Uraraka smiled at him and waved.
Every time I see you here...
Izuku didn't return the wave, stepping away from the window to start cleaning the blackboard, as it was his turn to do so.
Where did my pride go? I want to know.
Uraraka didn't take it personally that he hadn't waved back and continued happily playing with the others.
What have you done to this heart that now...
Is different... and what will happen?
Day by day, thinking of you...
Izuku kept erasing the board, but after a moment, he froze, lost in thought.
I won't be able to ignore that special girl.
Another day, he was chatting, sitting in his seat, surrounded by his classmates.
Watching her in silence from here.
Through a gap between them, he glanced in Uraraka's direction. She seemed excited about something Tsuyu was telling her, given the wide smile on her face.
Feeling something unusual...
He watched her for just a second more before resuming the conversation with the guys around him.
Inside me, something that won't wait another minute.
Another day, as he left the classroom, he found Uraraka leaning against the wall, lost in thought. She didn't even notice him as he passed by.
A strange sensation, truly mysterious.
Another day, she was serious, or maybe sad, sitting alone in the courtyard with her arms resting on her knees, as if seeking an answer to something, while her hair blew in the wind.
My heart beats faster every time I see her.
Izuku's green eyes couldn't look away from her.
And each day, it grows stronger, but...
I'll succeed... I know I will...
Izuku squeezed the strap of his backpack.
And I won't lose against that person
In the end, he turned his back on her and walked in the opposite direction.
Chasing orage clouds,
On this journey...
Another day, during training, Izuku was using his Blackwhip to demonstrate how much he had improved after spending all winter break at Endeavor's agency.
Or across the blue sky.
All Might seemed very impressed by his demonstration.
Imagining a thousand things...
Izuku accepted All Might's praise with a serious attitude, continuing to walk and simply passing him by.
But no answer...
I find to my question.
Now, as a spectator with a notebook in hand, Izuku watched Uraraka's demonstration for the whole class.
Why are you now someone special to me?
Izuku was surprised to notice that the cables on Uraraka's costume were a clear reference to his Blackwhip
I want to know why it makes me...
Izuku's hand clenched the pen so hard it almost broke.
Feel this sensation...
Uraraka was jumping on the screen.
Floating without reason...
She used the cable from her suit to gather the robots and made them float as she passed them.
Being always close to you.
Uraraka released her power, and the robots were destroyed as they crashed down.
I won't be able to ignore that special girl.
Afterwards, Uraraka scratched the back of her neck, downplaying a compliment she seemed to have received from Ashido.
Her lovely eyes I can never truly gaze upon.
The two were startled when a robotic hand emerged from the debris and aimed at them. Izuku felt a chill run down his spine
Because I've found something that makes me tremble.
On the other side, Tsuyu appeared and quickly attacked with her tongue. Then Mina and Uraraka started laughing, while Deku sighed in relief, holding his chest.
And it won't let me speak a word.
Izuku kept watching the screen attentively as they laughed, until Aizawa-sensei arrived to call their attention.
A strange sensation, truly mysterious.
Next to Izuku, Bakugo arrived and started yelling something about the demonstration he had just done.
Something makes my heart beat faster.
On the other side, Todoroki arrived to contradict whatever Bakugo was saying.
But I'll have an idea so that...
Out of the corner of his eye, in the middle of his friends' argument, Izuku discreetly glanced again at the screen, which showed Uraraka's serious face breaking into a soft smile as Aizawa-sensei turned away.
So I can control...
It myself...
The screen turned off.
I won't lose against anyone.
A genuine smile appeared on Izuku's face, and from afar, All Might watched him, smiling too.
One Year Earlier
Izuku swung nimbly from one building to another, using his black whips to move through the city. Each time he extended his hand, the whip unraveled with precision, latching onto a ledge or nearby post. The night breeze tousled his hair slightly as his green eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any signs of movement. In his right ear, a high-end communication device glowed faintly under the streetlights, a constant reminder of the mission he was engaged in.
—I'm sorry for losing sight of All Might, Sir Nighteye —said Izuku, his voice transmitting clearly through the earpiece—. I got distracted by a lost child on the street. I stayed with him until we found his mother.
Nighteye's response was immediate, his tone stern but not entirely disapproving. —No need to apologize, Midoriya. Though I would have preferred you left it to another hero. Many are patrolling at this hour, and it's likely one of them would have found the boy soon enough. Remember, your mission is of great importance too.
Izuku nodded, even though he knew Nighteye couldn't see him. —You're right. I'll think more carefully next time, sir.
—Good. Now head southwest. You know All Might tends to...
—... grab snacks from convenience stores at this hour —Izuku quickly finished.
Nighteye's voice tensed, a mix of irritation and exasperation. —How many times do I have to tell you not to interrupt me when I'm speaking?! We're not playing trivia! And if we were, you know I'd crush you! No one knows more about All Might than I do!
—Yes! Sorry! —Izuku apologized again, his voice rising to a slightly higher pitch from embarrassment.
—And stop talking like that. If you really think you're going to become All Might's successor, you need to be a symbol of masculinity and charisma, not childishness!
Izuku sighed, disappointment weighing on him. —You're right, but...
In his mind, the image of All Might appeared clearly: an imposing figure, his broad and firm back glowing with a golden light, unreachable despite all the efforts Izuku had made to catch up to him.
—But every time I think about it, I wonder if I'm really the best choice to become his successor —Izuku admitted, doubt palpable in his voice—. So far, All Might hasn't shown much interest in seeing me demonstrate control over my quirks.
—That, I'm afraid —said Nighteye in a calmer tone—, is because of me and our broken relationship in the past. When I tried to convince him to retire to avoid a terrible future, he resisted, arguing that he couldn't leave the world without a new symbol of peace to give people hope. On the other hand, he knows you're my protégé, and that I've nurtured you with the express intention of becoming his successor. Maybe he thinks that after receiving his power, I'll continue to influence you. And though he's not entirely wrong, I'm absolutely certain you're the best option, both because of your powers and your quick, analytical mind.
—Thank you, sir, but... —Izuku hesitated for a moment, his thoughts turning to the information he had gathered—. Through his butler, I found out that before considering me, you had another boy in mind who is now a UA student named Mirio Togata. I researched him, and he certainly has a lot more charisma than I do, though I think I could easily beat him if I used all my power from the start.
—Don't be so presumptuous! —Nighteye replied firmly—. Just because you have four quirks and great control over them doesn't make you invincible! Mirio Togata has much more experience than you, and he's still a solid alternative to inherit what's left of One for All. And if All Might ends up choosing him, at least we'll know we lost to the second-best option. But if you're wondering why I bet on you instead of him, it's because, in every aspect, One for All must be a complete power, not a fragmented one.
—Complete? —Izuku frowned, trying to understand the implications of that word.
—Yes —Nighteye continued as Izuku kept swinging between buildings—. As you know, in that great battle All Might had against All for One four years ago, All for One tried to steal his power, and for some strange reason, One for All split into two parts, along with the respective consciousnesses of the previous holders.
Izuku's expression grew serious as he recalled those events. —It was that night when All for One... killed my mother while trying to protect me and kidnapped me with the intention of using my body as a temporary vessel.
—That's right —Nighteye nodded gravely—. Because you were born without a quirk, All for One thought you would be the perfect vessel to temporarily store One for All, and with the help of Dr. Kyudai Garaki, they intended to suppress the wills of the former holders and seize only the power. Although in the end, the transfer was only halfway successful, and All Might emerged victorious, defeating All for One once and for all.
—The One for All that All Might still possesses holds the consciousness of three former users, doesn't it? —Izuku asked, making sure he understood correctly.
—That's right —Nighteye confirmed—, and I firmly believe that all seven of them must remain together to continue cultivating their power and achieve the greatness that has inspired us all. One for All must remain a complete power passed down from generation to generation to maintain peace in the world and give hope.
Izuku nodded with renewed determination. —I see. So that's what you mean by a complete power.
—Exactly. And if we want to take advantage of an opportunity to get All Might's attention and convince him that this is the right way to proceed, it's now or never, before he starts teaching at UA. Otherwise, you'll be at a clear disadvantage as a first-year student and Togata as a third-year.
Izuku took a deep breath. —Understood, and I'm with you —he said finally, his voice firm and resolute.
—Good. Now, continue your search. Remember, Midoriya, this is your chance to prove you're worthy of One for All. Don't waste it.
Izuku quickened his pace, his movements more decisive and precise. With each leap and each flick of his whips, his confidence grew. He felt the wind on his face, his heart racing, and the certainty that he was one step closer to his destiny.
He eventually stopped on the roof of a building, observing the convenience store below. The lights shone, casting a soft glow on the empty sidewalk. The long-range visor he held up to his eyes allowed him to get a clearer view of the store's entrance.
As he remained in position, his green eyes scanned every movement. He saw a tall man, with the same build as All Might, approaching the store. From a distance, he seemed to fit the description: messy blonde hair, a flashy jacket, and that unmistakable walk. But when the man turned to open the door, Izuku noticed his face was entirely different.
—It's not him... —he muttered to himself, feeling a small sting of disappointment.
Suddenly, a voice echoed behind him, deep and familiar.
—Hey, were you looking for me?
Izuku spun around sharply, his heart skipping a beat. —Ah! All Might, sir! —he exclaimed, instinctively stepping back. There stood All Might, only a few meters away, watching him with a friendly smile.
—You can just call me All Might, no need for the 'sir' —said All Might in a jovial tone as he slowly approached Izuku—. I noticed right away that someone was following me and was expecting some sort of surprise attack, but when that didn't happen, I started thinking it might be something else —he paused, looking at him curiously—. Though I certainly didn't expect to run into Sir Nighteye's protege today. You were just talking to him, weren't you? Mind if I speak to him for a moment? Just want to say hello.
Izuku froze for a second, surprised by the request. His mind raced, wondering if he should or shouldn't do it. —Yes, but...
—Do it —Nighteye's voice came through the earpiece, firm and authoritative, breaking Izuku's hesitation.
With a slight nod, Izuku handed the earpiece to All Might, who took it with a warm smile that quickly shifted into a serious expression as he heard the voice of his former comrade.
—Hi, All Might.
—Hi... —All Might began softly, but his tone suddenly shifted to one of frustration and anger— WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?! YOU'RE STILL FILLING THIS POOR KID'S HEAD WITH GRAND IDEAS WHEN HE'S ALREADY BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH! JUST TO TURN HIM INTO A CARBON COPY OF ME AND PASS ON THIS BURDEN! YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR WITH THIS!
Izuku felt the tension in the air, his eyes darting between All Might and the earpiece, unsure if he should intervene. —Sir, if I may... —he started timidly— Sir Nighteye only has the best intentions and cares deeply about you.
—Ugh, that's the most dangerous part! —All Might grumbled, handing the earpiece back to Izuku with a frustrated gesture—. He always thinks he's doing the right thing and that he's the only one who knows best, but my opinion matters too!
—Of course, All Might, sir —Izuku agreed, still feeling the weight of the situation.
All Might looked him over from head to toe, his sharp blue eyes taking in every detail of the young hero-in-training. —You're pretty young to be out here using your powers like this.
Izuku felt a shiver run down his spine. —Yes, sir, but thanks to Sir Nighteye having his own agency, he was able to get me a provisional hero license with certain restrictions. Though, I had to go through quite a few tests in the registry.
All Might nodded, his expression softening. —So, you're not a student at a hero school yet, but you already have a provisional license. That's pretty unprecedented and quite impressive.
Izuku bowed deeply in front of him, respect and admiration shining in his eyes. —Thank you so much for saying that! It's a great honor to be recognized by someone with such an outstanding career!
All Might couldn't help but chuckle a bit. —You're a bit of a fan of mine, aren't you?
Izuku nodded enthusiastically. —Of course, I am!
All Might smiled even wider. —Now I see why you get along so well with my old friend —he said with a soft laugh.
—That's right, sir. After all, he was the one who kindly took me in after I lost my mother.
All Might's smile faded slightly, and he stepped forward, moving closer to Izuku. —I'll never stop apologizing for not getting there in time to save her.
Izuku shook his head vigorously, his eyes full of determination. —On the contrary. I'm eternally grateful to you for rescuing me from All for One's hands. As for my mother, I've come to understand that no matter how great a hero is, even the best can't be in more than one place at the same time. That's why having a Symbol of Peace is so important—to inspire other heroes to act when they doubt going further.
All Might patted him on the shoulder with an approving smile. —I couldn't have said it better myself. Sounds like you're aiming to join UA's hero course. My alma mater.
Izuku nodded eagerly. —Yes, sir. I can't imagine studying anywhere else!
All Might paused to look at Izuku more closely, noticing something in his expression. There was a seriousness on his face, an intense focus, but he hadn't seen him smile once.
—You know... —All Might began in a thoughtful tone— I'm starting to think that if you...
Izuku's eyes widened, feeling excitement rising within him. His heart pounded, and for a moment, it felt like the ground beneath him was shifting. But a second later, a sharp pain hit his head, and he snapped to attention, realizing that the ground was indeed shaking. A strong vibration rippled through the building, shaking everything around them.
—It's an earthquake! —Izuku shouted, trying to keep his balance.
All Might reacted quickly, reaching out to steady Izuku. —Stay alert! —he yelled, scanning the area to assess the situation.
The ground shook violently, and the windows rattled dangerously. The building trembled, and debris began to fall from the nearby ceilings.
—We have to get down and make sure everyone's safe! —Izuku said with determination, his mind quickly switching to hero mode.
All Might nodded. —Agreed. Make sure the nearby buildings are evacuated.
—Got it! —Izuku responded, using his blackwhip to propel himself to the next building. He moved swiftly and with agility, using Fa Jin to rescue people from the falling debris.
As All Might quickly descended to the street, his mind was racing. Despite the tension of the moment, he couldn't help but feel a spark of hope as he watched Izuku in action.
Maybe if he smiled more..., he thought, ...this young man really could have what it takes to be the next Symbol of Peace... Though there was also that young woman he had met a few days ago. She reminded him a lot of his mentor, Nana Shimura, in several ways...
( *)
Two years later
Izuku's door swung open suddenly.
—Midoriya! —Nighteye's firm voice echoed as he entered the room quickly. However, when he looked inside, he found it empty. The room was spotless; every detail meticulously in place. The All Might posters were perfectly aligned, and every action figure was arranged in exact chronological order. Nighteye adjusted his tie, as if that small gesture could hide the embarrassment of his unnecessary and unexpected intrusion. After taking one last look at the almost obsessive order of the room, he closed the door with a sigh.
Inside the closet, Izuku, shirtless and with disheveled hair, held Uraraka tightly against his chest. His hand gently covered her mouth, his fingers trembling slightly from the nervousness of the moment. Uraraka, without her blouse, breathed quickly and heavily, her eyes shining with a mix of excitement and fear. Izuku kept his face close to hers, fully focused on any sound coming from outside. He didn't dare relax his hold until he was certain the danger had passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Izuku let out a sigh of relief and lowered his hand. He smiled at Uraraka, his eyes warm and playful.
—Sorry about that. I didn't expect him to come home so soon—he whispered, slowly leaning toward her. His lips quickly found the lobe of Uraraka's ear, and he felt her shiver from the soft lick—. Although, I think I've finally mastered the secret to defeating his quirk. He won't be able to control me anymore.
—Izuku... —Uraraka murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
—Hm? —Izuku was now focused on holding her, his hands running along the bare skin of her back, brushing against the clasp of her bra, and burying his nose in her soft hair.
—Wouldn't it be better if we just told Sir Nighteye what's going on between us and stopped hiding? —she asked, her eyes searching his with genuine concern.
—It's not that easy... —Izuku replied softly, his lips grazing her neck between each short sentence—. He still thinks I should defeat you... and convince you to give me... the quirk you received from All Might... to complete One for All once and for all... and become the true successor of All Might.
—And you don't want that anymore? —Uraraka's voice trembled slightly as her body tensed with each kiss Izuku placed on her neck, slowly making his way down to her jawline.
—No... —Izuku answered gently, with an intensity that made Uraraka's heart race faster—. The only thing I want now is...
In a swift motion, Izuku opened the closet door and, lifting Uraraka, wrapped her legs around his waist as he gently carried her toward the bed. He laid her carefully on the sheets, looking into her eyes for several seconds. He sighed, feeling the moment charged with a sweet, aching tension.
Uraraka was completely flushed, her skirt slightly raised, revealing the soft skin of her thighs. Izuku swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest.
—Uraraka, I...
Suddenly, the door to Izuku's room burst open again. Izuku immediately used his smoke screen quirk, though all he could do afterward was tilt his head in resignation as they were caught in the act.
Nighteye gave them time to finish getting dressed, leaning his back against the wall outside the room.
—So, you thought you were cleverer than me, Midoriya —Nighteye said, arms crossed, his expression calm and unreadable—. But this just proves that the only one who ever managed to beat my foresight was the great All Might, and no one else.
Uraraka slipped out of the room with a slight bow as she passed Sir Nighteye, her presence quickly fading down the hallway as she left the house. Izuku, finishing the last button on the sleeve of his impeccably white shirt, stood in the doorway, looking at Nighteye with a mix of defiance and resignation.
—Why didn't you tell me, Midoriya? —Nighteye asked, turning slowly toward him. There was a note of disappointment in his voice—. I hate having to find out through my quirk.
—Because you've been telling me for two years that she's my rival and that I need to defeat her—Izuku admitted, a hint of resentment in his voice—. And that it's wrong to fraternize with the competition.
—That's true, I said that when I thought you were going soft, and that's why you weren't defeating her decisively —Nighteye explained, his voice now more thoughtful—. But if you've fallen for her, I won't stand in your way.
—You won't? —Izuku asked, surprised by the sudden understanding in Nighteye's tone.
—No. In fact, it might be the most acceptable resolution given the circumstances —Nighteye began walking down the hallway towards his study, his footsteps echoing in the quiet—. Sooner or later, and it seems more sooner than later, the two of you will have children, and maybe one of them will inherit all of One for All's original quirks. Then, perhaps, we'll finally have the true successor to All Might. Though... you should probably wait until you're at least of age, Midoriya.
Izuku smiled faintly, his surprise giving way to a slight embarrassment. The thought of such an unexpected future settled in his mind, but for now, he couldn't help but feel grateful that the battle against his rival for One for All could finally be set aside.
Author's Notes
This chapter serves as a sort of extra episode, providing closure to the training arc and introducing the main characters I've been trying to develop. I also thought it was fitting since Izuku mentioned parallel universes in the previous chapter. In the next one, we'll continue with the main story. There are 5 more chapters focused on Izuocha and secondary story details. By chapter 32, we'll reach the day of the exam.
Your comments are always welcome! Thank you so much for reading, following, and liking. Cheers!