Chapter One: Izu

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My alarm goes off with a vengeance, but I ignore it, staring down at the old, faded photo. I lean back against the cold counter, crossing my arms. We were all so little back then. Katsuki looked like a pissed-off thug and Izuku was shy as ever. From everything I've heard, they're... different now. I guess I am too, and the thought brings a bittersweet smile to my face, and I finally fully look at my old self; one arm wrapped around Katsuki's, the other slung around Izuku's shoulders to drag them closer, my face overtaken by a grin and my eyes bright and warm. So little time has passed... and yet we're all so different. Izuku developed a quirk. They both got into UA. Katsuki is... improving. And me? I can barely even remember what it was like being the girl in this photo.

    With a low sigh, I drop the letter onto the table, turning off the phone alarm, and navigating around the various moving boxes stacked in the small apartment. I pause for a minute at the door, breathing slowly and taking a quick personal survey. I don't think I'm leaving anything behind. I hope not anyway. The door shuts behind me with a soft click and I start rushing, trotting down the stairs and out into the street, blinking away the brightness as I hurry toward the cafe Izuku and I are going to meet up at.

    "Izu!" I squeal once I set my eyes on him, the shock of green hair clearly visible. He jumps but turns to face me, immediately smiling. I hurry to his side, pressing a hand to my chest as I catch my breath. "Sorry! I lost track of time," I tell him, only eliciting a soft laugh, I feign a look around. "I take it Kat didn't change his mind," I say, my voice thick with disappointment. Izuku shuffles his feet, a clear answer. I clap my hands sharply, "his loss!" I declare, making Izuku smile nervously. "Come on, let's get some coffee, I'm dying!" I add, looping my arm easily with his and pulling him inside and toward a small booth in the back. He sits down across from me.

    "In his defense, he had to stay late with Mr. Aizawa for some extra training. Since he tried to fight me, again," Izuku says, trailing off nervously at the end. I just smile warmly.

    "What even is Aizawa like? I know you did a bunch of research in those notebooks of yours. And what sort of training could he even put Kat through to try? I'm pretty sure it's impossible to change his bad attitude!" I exclaim perkily, making Izuku laugh. He still seems awkward...

    "Really strict! But he can also be really nice," he says quickly, taking a sip of his drink.

    "Hm... well, how have you been? I mean, to have gotten your quirk so late, and gotten into UA! It must be exciting. I saw the sports festival and pretty much everyone knows about that thing with the Shie Hassaikai, though very few details were made public," I tell him, watching him squirm. So there is more to that... "You were amazing though, who would've thought that I went to school with someone so powerful!" I tell him cheerily, and he smiles, though it's not particularly genuine. His mannerisms... they're practically the same as when we were in junior high. I give him a warm, pleasant smile, taking a sip of my own drink. "How are the other's at UA?" I ask, deciding at the last second to push just a bit futher. "You and that girl with the float quirk seem close," I add, smiling as he perks up a bit in relief.

    "Yeah, she's great. And her quirk is actually zero-gravity. It works by-" I tune him out, still used to these lengthy rants of his. A quick survey of the area tells me that more than a few people have been taking photos or are excitedly whispering. He really has made a name for himself...

    My phone buzzing against my hip snaps me out of it, and I set down my drink, Izuku's voice dying out. I hold up a finger and mouth 'sorry' before holding the phone to my ear.

    "Oi. Where are you and the shitty nerd?" surprisingly restrained for Katsuki.

    "We went to get coffee," I respond, and his annoyed grumble greets me.

    "Tell that moron that Aizawa wants to see him," he snaps, hanging up a second later. With a small sigh, I lower the phone, meeting Izuku's confused eyes.

    "Kat called. Still as angry as ever, huh?" we share a brief chuckle, "he did mention that Aizawa wanted to see you. So I should let you go, I don't wanna be getting you in trouble on my first day in town!" I exclaim perkily. He nods, quickly standing. We share a rushed goodbye before he practically runs toward UA.

    I turn toward my apartment, walking calmly back toward home. I carefully tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear as I set my sights on a hero. Very low level, the only thing really identifying them as a hero being the extravagant costume. Part of Endeavor's hero company, judging by the craftsmanship. The abundance of high-calorie food items at their belt and the chips of metal engraved in their skin, I'd guess a quirk that allowed them to turn calories into metal. Could be very useful with Endeavor's quirk, if utilized properly. So young... why, they must've graduated only a year or two ago. I wonder what hero school they went to?

    My breath hitches as they suddenly double over, gasping for air, falling to the ground. Even as I move, dropping to their side and adding to the panicked calling for a doctor, I know that they're all too late. They're dead. Eyes open and staring at nothing, heartbeat nothing but a distant memory.

    It only takes paramedics ten minutes to decide it was a heart attack and for all they bystanders to be released. No questioning. No identity checks. Nothing. Just waiting. I trudge home. It's late now, the sun just barely casting an orange glow over the streets, and the light quickly fading.

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⏰ Last updated: May 10, 2021 ⏰

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