Chapter 1: Awakenings
Izuku sighed. Life was always like this. It was bland. Not in a garbage way, but in a not interesting and boring way. Well. That was a lie. Life was indeed shit for him. He is just 13 years old, and he is working a part-time job to pay the bills. On top of that, he is still in school. Life was stressful all the time, but he had to push through. There was no other choice.
His full name was Izuku Midoriya. He is 13 years old and has always wanted to be a hero. He looked outside at the moon, watching a few heroes on patrol. He was quirkless. As far as he knew, anyway. The only thing that made him stand out was a purple star on his upper left shoulder. It never did anything but was like a tattoo, and it apparently had been there since he was born. He must have gotten it from one of his parents. Whoever they were. He wasn't even sure if that star on his shoulder was part of his quirk or not. It didn't matter.
He was dropped off at an orphanage a little over 13 years ago when he was a few days old. He didn't know why it happened, but the adults at the orphanage said it was because his parents didn't want me. It said so on the note that was left with him in that basket, which was left outside that door.
Izuku sat there, eyes fixed on the night sky. It was midnight, and most nights he had to take the evening shift. He wondered, as he always did, if there was more to life than what he knew. The constant grind of school, work, and the empty silence of his room after the day's long hours, nothing ever seemed to change. It was as if the world was constantly moving forward while he was stuck in place.
He sighed again, feeling the weight of it all press down on him. 13 years old and already shouldering so much responsibility. The orphanage, while kind, had never been the home he imagined. The caretakers, though well-meaning, were overwhelmed with the other kids, and Izuku had always been an outcast. When you are the only quirkless child at the orphanage, you are forgotten after a bit. The parents saw him as someone who wasn't worthy of being chosen. He moved out of there a few months ago, around his 13th birthday, and he has been running it solo ever since.
Despite the circumstances, Izuku held on to his dream of becoming a hero. Every day, he worked hard, kept his head down, and did what was expected of him. His job at the local convenience store was grueling. Stocking shelves, cleaning up after customers, ringing up items—it wasn't glamorous by any means, but it was the only way he could pay for the basics. His classmates didn't know about his part-time job, though, and he liked it that way. He didn't want to be seen as different, though in his heart, he knew he was. Not just because he was orphaned or because he worked a job like an adult, but because of the constant reminder of his quirkless status.
The bell rang at the front of the store, and Izuku stood up straight. Something that was weird about him being 13 was that he was 6 feet tall. Not unusual, but it is weird for someone who is quirkless anyway. He had a somewhat solid frame, but not super muscular. He had nice green hair flowing from his head. Sometimes people thought he was older, and funny enough helped him get this job, but the owner knew his real age. "Welcome to Toki's. Let me know if you need any help," he said with a gentle smile.
A man shuffled in, hunched with age, his graying hair a contrast to the fresh evening air. He wore a worn-out coat, the kind that looked like it had seen better days, and his steps were slow, deliberate, as though he were savoring the last moments of warmth before stepping back into the cold. Izuku instinctively straightened up, offering the man a warm, if slightly weary, smile.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to Toki's. Let me know if you need any help," Izuku said, his voice gentle.
The old man nodded but didn't immediately respond. He moved slowly through the aisles, his hands lightly brushing against the shelves, searching for something with careful deliberation. It wasn't unusual for people to come in and wander about, but this man seemed different, as if he had a purpose beyond just picking up a few snacks or supplies.
Izuku returned to his task of stocking the shelves, but his mind wandered. There were times when he felt like he was invisible, like he was just another cog in the machine that kept the world turning. But there were also moments when someone would look at him, really look at him, and for a brief second, he could almost convince himself that he mattered. Tonight, the old man seemed to be one of those rare moments.
He caught sight of the old man again as he moved toward the back of the store. His gait was slower now, and he appeared to be struggling, though not in a way that would immediately demand help. Izuku hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with the thought of whether to intervene. The man had already made his way this far on his own—maybe he was just fine, maybe this was just the way he walked.
But before he could think too long on it, the old man suddenly stopped. He stood still for a moment, a puzzled expression crossing his face as he stared at the shelves, the options seemingly overwhelming him.
Izuku saw his chance to be helpful. Setting down the box of canned goods in his hand, he walked toward the man, his steps light but purposeful. "Excuse me, sir. Can I help you find something?"
The old man turned to face him, his eyes squinting slightly, as though trying to see more clearly. "Ah, yes," the man rasped, his voice rough with age. "I'm looking for some tea. Not just any tea, mind you. The special kind—the one that helps me sleep at night."
Izuku nodded immediately, recognizing the type of tea the man meant. He had seen it on the top shelf, a soothing blend of chamomile and lavender that was known to calm the mind and aid in sleep. It was one of the store's more expensive items, but it was popular with the elderly.
"Right this way," Izuku said, gesturing toward the back corner of the store. He led the man carefully, guiding him around the aisles, making sure to give him enough space to move freely.
As they reached the shelf with the tea, the old man slowly extended his hand, but his eyes seemed distant, unsure. He reached for a box, his hand trembling slightly, and it was then that Izuku noticed something else. The old man's fingers were worn, calloused, and a few of them had a slight tremor, as though age, or something else, was catching up with him.
Izuku carefully took the box from the man's hand before he could drop it. "Here you go," he said gently, offering it with both hands. "I'll ring it up for you at the front."
The old man looked at him for a long moment, his face softening. "Thank you, young man," he said, his voice low but filled with appreciation. "I don't get help from people often, not anymore. Used to be a time when I was the one doing the helping."
Izuku smiled, though it felt bittersweet. He could relate, in a way. He, too, had spent much of his life trying to be strong, trying to get by on his own. But it didn't always work that way, and sometimes, it felt like the weight of the world was just a little too much for one person to carry alone.
"I understand," Izuku replied quietly. "But it's no trouble. I'm happy to help."
The old man nodded, his eyes softening further. "You've got a good heart, kid. That's rare these days. Don't lose it."
As they made their way to the front of the store, Izuku carefully scanned the box of tea, bagging it up as the man reached for his wallet. The exchange was quiet, and Izuku made sure to count the change slowly, ensuring that the man didn't rush through the process.
"Here's your change, sir," Izuku said, handing him the coins.
The old man took the change with a nod, then lingered for a moment, as if unsure of whether to say anything more. Finally, he spoke again. "You remind me of myself, back when I was younger. I had dreams, too. Big ones. But the world... it doesn't always let us follow them, does it?"
Izuku paused, his heart tightening at the words. He wanted to say something encouraging, something that might lift the man's spirits. But the truth was, he didn't have all the answers. He was still searching for them himself.
"No," Izuku said softly. "It doesn't always. But that doesn't mean we give up, right?"
The old man chuckled, a raspy but genuine sound. "Right. You've got the right idea, kid."
With a final nod, the old man turned and shuffled out of the store, the doorbell ringing softly behind him. Izuku stood there for a moment, staring at the door, his mind swirling with thoughts. He wasn't sure if the old man had given him advice or just shared a piece of his past, but it didn't matter. There was something comforting about the interaction, something that made Izuku feel like maybe, just maybe, he wasn't alone in this world.
"Hey, kid," Toki said, his gravelly voice breaking through the quiet as he walked in from the back room. The man was in his mid-40s, tall and broad-shouldered, with a rugged look that matched his tough exterior. His quirk had left him with four horns protruding from his head, each one like a jagged reminder of the mutation that marked him in a world where quirks were everything. Despite the quirks, though, Toki was one of the few who had taken to the grueling life of a storeowner, never asking for pity or sympathy.
Izuku straightened up, turning to face him with a polite smile. "Oh, hey, Toki. You're early tonight."
Toki chuckled, his rough voice resonating as he shifted his weight onto the counter. "Not much else to do around here, kid. And you're still working hard, huh? You're a trooper."
Izuku nodded, not wanting to dwell on it too much. "I've got to keep at it. The bills don't pay themselves." He tried to make it sound casual, though deep down, the weight of it all always felt a little heavier each day. He looked over at Toki, who was eyeing him with a knowing expression.
Toki rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then added, "You know, you don't have to do all this alone. You're young, you should be focusing on school and, well, your future, not just paying bills."
Izuku shifted uncomfortably at the comment. "It's fine. I've got it under control."
"Well, alright, kid," he said, looking at the clock. "It is 3:52 A.M., so why don't you go home and rest for a bit before you got to go to school in a few hours, and oh…" he said, walking over with his paycheck for the week. "Here is your money and a little extra for the overtime and hard work," he said, setting it in his hand.
Izuku looked down at the paycheck in his hand, the weight of it feeling more like a reminder of how much he had to push himself to get by than a reward for his hard work. He could feel the exhaustion in his bones, the way his muscles ached from standing for hours and moving heavy boxes. But he didn't want to admit it to anyone, not even to Toki, who probably understood more than he let on.
"Thanks, Toki," Izuku said, tucking the paycheck into his jacket pocket. He didn't need the extra attention, and though he appreciated the gesture, it felt strange to be singled out for doing something he had to do. "I'll take the rest when I finish my shift tonight."
Toki raised an eyebrow. "Izuku, you've been working nonstop for weeks. Go home, get some sleep. You can't keep running on fumes forever."
Izuku nodded but didn't argue. "I'll be fine," he said, his voice tinged with fatigue. "I'm used to it. Thank you, though, sir."
"No problem, kid, now get out of here and chill out for a bit," he said, shooing him away.
Izuku hesitated for a moment, still standing behind the counter, looking at the clock. It was 3:55 A.M. His eyes wandered over to the window, where the faint light of the early morning began to creep in. He had a few hours before school started, but that never seemed like enough time to rest properly. Still, Toki was right—he had been pushing himself too hard lately, and even though it felt wrong to leave early, he knew his body needed the break.
With a reluctant sigh, he pulled his jacket tighter around himself and nodded toward Toki. "Alright, I'll head out. Thanks again, Toki."
The store owner just gave him a casual wave, his horns shifting slightly with the motion. "Anytime, kid. Take care of yourself, alright?"
Izuku gave a small smile, grateful for the concern, though he didn't voice the overwhelming exhaustion he felt. He grabbed his things and headed out of the store, the cool night air hitting him as soon as he stepped outside. The streets were quiet, the city still deep in slumber as the sun was only beginning to rise. It was a peaceful sight, but for Izuku, it felt as though the world was always moving faster than he could keep up with.
He started walking home, his footsteps echoing in the empty streets. The walk was long, but it gave him time to think. He didn't have a home that felt like a true home. The orphanage, even after he had left it, still lingered in his mind. It was like a faded photograph of a place he could never truly return to, not that he wanted to. He had left because there wasn't much for him there, but he still couldn't shake the feeling of isolation that followed him like a shadow.
His thoughts drifted back to the old man at the store. The man's words about dreams and the world not letting them come true… Izuku couldn't help but feel a pang of truth in those words. He had dreams, too, ones that seemed impossible to achieve. Becoming a hero, like all the ones he watched on patrol, felt like something that was beyond his grasp. He was quirkless, just a regular kid with nothing extraordinary about him. There were times when he didn't know how much longer he could hold onto that dream, especially when he was forced to work so hard just to survive.
As he passed a dark alleyway, Izuku's eyes caught a glimpse of something shiny, a reflection from a piece of glass. He stepped closer, instinctively reaching out to touch it. When he did, his fingers brushed against something cold and smooth, and he looked down to find a broken pocket watch lying on the ground. He bent down to pick it up, examining the intricate design on the back. It seemed old, much older than anything he'd seen before.
Izuku turned the watch over in his hands, trying to find a clue about who it belonged to, but there was nothing, just a faded engraving he couldn't quite make out. He stared at it for a moment, wondering what kind of person would leave something like this behind. Maybe it was a sign. Maybe the universe was telling him that there was still something out there for him. That he wasn't truly alone, even if he sometimes felt like it.
He slipped the watch into his jacket pocket, deciding to take it with him. It might not have meant anything, but the small gesture of finding something that wasn't his reminded him that there were still mysteries in the world. And maybe, just maybe, there was still something waiting for him.
By the time Izuku reached his small apartment, the sky was turning a pale blue, signaling the coming dawn. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, greeted by the silence of his empty room. It wasn't much, just a small bed in the corner, a desk cluttered with books and papers, and a single chair by the window. It was all he needed, though, and that was enough for now. It might have been small, and the paint was cracking around the walls of the place, but it was cheap and it was good.
He threw his bag onto the floor and went to the bathroom to wash his face. The cold water helped wake him up, though he still felt the weight of exhaustion pulling at his eyelids. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror and saw the dark circles under his eyes, a reminder of how little sleep he'd been getting. But he couldn't afford to think about that now. He had to get to school, and then after that, he would go back to the store to work. He still got 6 hours of sleep a day, but that wasn't good by any means. but he was a fighter, and he would push.
4 HOURS LATER
Izuku walked into the classroom, his tired eyes scanning the desks for an empty seat. He didn't even have the energy to be annoyed when he saw Bakugo already sitting near the back, his usual scowl plastered on his face. Izuku gave a small sigh, knowing it was just a matter of time before the inevitable would happen.
He shuffled to an empty desk by the window and sat down, pulling out his textbook and trying to focus on the lesson that would be starting soon. His head was pounding, his eyelids heavy as he tried to push through the fog of exhaustion. He didn't have the luxury of falling asleep in class, not with the kind of work he had ahead of him.
"Oi, Deku," Bakugo's voice rang out, sharper than usual. Izuku didn't even flinch, already knowing what was coming. "What, are you too tired to even sit up straight today?" Bakugo's tone was always loud, but today it had an edge to it, like he was looking for a fight.
Izuku didn't respond immediately, keeping his eyes on his book. He didn't need this right now. He'd barely gotten any sleep, and his head was still spinning from the restless night. Bakugo had always found ways to push his buttons, but today, it felt like everything was getting to him all at once.
"Are you ignoring me now, you damn nerd?" Bakugo growled from the back of the room.
"I'm not ignoring you," Izuku said quietly, his voice tired but calm. "Why do you have to be like this anyway?"
"Tch alright fine I'll be nice for a bit," he said grumpily.
It was always like this ever since they were kids, anyway. He told him he wanted to be a hero without a quirk, and then it's like…boom. Sometimes literally with Bakugo and his explosions and it's like he has been a pain in the ass ever since. He would ignore him most of the time, and he would stop, but it never did for a long time. It always looked weird, too, because he is 6 feet tall while Bakugo was a lot shorter. It looked like a Great Dane being barked at by a chihuahua.
Izuku stared at his textbook, trying to focus on the lesson despite the fatigue clouding his thoughts. The classroom was dim, and the drone of the teacher's voice felt like a distant hum in the background. His eyes were heavy, the exhaustion weighing him down, but he forced himself to pay attention. The test coming up was going to be brutal, and he couldn't afford to fall behind. Not again.
"Oi, Deku," Bakugo's voice rang out once more, this time a little more subdued, but still carrying the same sharp edge. Izuku didn't flinch this time. He was too tired for it.
"Yeah?" Izuku responded quietly, not looking up from his book. He didn't have the energy to engage in another round of Bakugo's teasing or insults. If anything, he was trying to hold it together. Just another few hours until he could escape to work and focus on something that would help him get by.
"You're really gonna just sit there all class like some zombie?" Bakugo's voice came again, a little softer, but still tinged with something that could have been concern, maybe even frustration. It was a strange sound from Bakugo, one that Izuku wasn't quite sure how to process.
"I'm fine," Izuku mumbled, rubbing his eyes in a futile attempt to stave off the growing fatigue. "I just need to make it through the day."
Bakugo scoffed but said nothing more, clearly not believing it. Instead, he fell silent, his usual scowl returning as he leaned back in his seat, probably bored and annoyed by the lack of a reaction.
As the lesson droned on, Izuku tried his best to keep up, jotting down notes even though they made no sense to him in his current state. He could feel the heaviness in his limbs, the dull ache in his head that was like a constant presence, and the gnawing hunger in his stomach that had been building ever since he left the store this morning. There was nothing left to give. But that's what kept him going, didn't it? The idea that there was no choice but to keep moving, no matter how much his body screamed for rest.
The bell eventually rang, signaling the end of the class, and Izuku was on autopilot as he gathered his things. He didn't say goodbye to anyone, not even to Bakugo, who was already out of his seat and heading toward the door. Izuku didn't care. He just needed to get to home. He had no time to think about anything else.
Hours later, Izuku stepped into the dimly lit convenience store, the familiar scent of cleaning products and cheap coffee filling his nose. It was a small, quiet place, tucked away on the outskirts of town, and the night shift had always been the easiest for him. Toki was already behind the counter, sorting through the small stack of delivery boxes that had arrived earlier in the day.
"Hey, Izuku!" Toki called out as he spotted him entering. Toki had always been the cheerful one of the two, his broad smile and easygoing nature helping to lighten the long, dreary hours they spent working at the store. "How was school? You look like you could use some sleep."
"Don't worry, sir, I got six and a half hours of sleep today, so I'm good for now," he said.
Toki raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the half-hearted joke. "Six and a half hours, huh?" He leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms as he gave Izuku a skeptical look. "Well, you're definitely looking a little rough. I don't know how you manage to keep going on that little sleep. I'd be a mess by now."
Izuku smiled weakly, brushing a hand through his messy hair. "I've gotten used to it, I guess. I just need to push through the day." His voice was quiet, and despite his attempt at brushing it off, Toki could see the strain in his eyes.
"Mm, well, just don't burn yourself out. I've seen how you work yourself to the bone. You're no good to anyone if you collapse from exhaustion, right?" Toki's tone was gentle, but there was an underlying concern there, one Izuku could feel.
Izuku nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He appreciated Toki's concern, really, but it wasn't like he had much of a choice. Bills didn't pay themselves, and the dream of becoming a hero without a quirk was something he couldn't give up on. So, for now, he would push through, because there wasn't another way.
He grabbed his work shirt from the hook behind the counter and quickly changed. As he was pulling on the familiar uniform, he glanced at the clock. The shift would likely be a slow one, but that didn't mean it would be easy. The night shift always had its own challenges, most of which were mental. The silence of the store, the hours dragging by slowly, and the constant hum of the refrigerators in the back could all make it harder to keep focused.
Izuku took a deep breath and walked over to the counter where Toki was now scanning a few items from the boxes.
"Anything to do tonight?" Izuku asked, trying to sound more upbeat than he felt.
Toki shrugged. "Same old stuff. Stocking shelves, cleaning, maybe a few customers. Just the usual. But hey, you've been through worse, right?"
Izuku gave a small smile at Toki's attempt to lighten the mood. "Yeah, worse... not that I can remember it right now. It's only 11:48 right now, so we should be fine," he said, shrugging.
"Yeah. How was school today?" he asked, scratching one of his horns.
"Honestly good. Just a bit annoying with my classmates, but hey, that is life. I always like learning, though," he said shortly after adjusting his shirt.
"Good! You can put that brain of yours to use with those hero journals you have," Toki said, chuckling. "All the strengths and weaknesses you've got on every hero. You're like a walking encyclopedia of heroes."
Izuku let out a small laugh, but it was faint, tired. "I'll get there someday," he replied, his voice filled with quiet determination.
Toki gave him a knowing look, clearly understanding the passion that burned in Izuku's eyes. "You've got the drive, that's for sure. I believe in you, kid. You're gonna make it."
There was a brief silence before Izuku asked, "How's your wife doing? She's still sick, right?"
Toki sighed and leaned against the counter, looking tired himself. "Yeah, she's still not feeling great. But she should be in tomorrow. Hopefully, she's better by then." He gave Izuku a half-smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "She's a tough one, though. She'll push through."
Izuku gave a small nod of sympathy. "Tell her I hope she feels better soon."
"Thanks, I will," Toki said, his tone sincere, as he returned to scanning the new deliveries.
The sudden chime of the bell at the front of the store made both of them glance up in surprise. Toki raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "Who the heck is at the counter this late anyway?" he muttered as he stood up straight.
Izuku turned toward the front, and his curiosity piqued. "I don't know, but sometimes people do wander late..." He trailed off, eyeing the door as a figure appeared in the dimly lit entrance.
"Yeah, but it's so late. Who needs something from a convenience store at this hour?" Toki mumbled, but then added more to himself, "Then again, sometimes this happens."
Izuku walked to the front, his steps quiet as he prepared to greet the late-night customer. Izuku turned the corner with a smile. "How can I help you today?" he asked the woman calmly.
Izuku's greeting died in his throat when he saw the woman standing in front of the counter. She looked to be in her late 20s, dressed in a casual but stylish outfit soft, loose sweater paired with jeans and boots, her dark hair pulled into a messy ponytail. Her eyes were a deep shade of brown, and she held a small, nervous smile on her face.
"I, uh… need help finding something," she said, her voice a little quieter than expected. She hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, "Condoms."
Izuku's eyes went wide, and his face immediately turned bright red. His heart raced, and he felt a heat rising to his cheeks that he couldn't stop. For a second, his mind blanked entirely. He had been prepared to help with anything...canned goods, snacks, drinks, but this was not on the list of things he had anticipated.
"Con… cond...?" Izuku stammered, his voice trembling as he struggled to form words. He cleared his throat, trying to steady himself, but it didn't help. I mean, he's 13, you can't blame him. "C-Can you say that again?"
The woman gave him a small, apologetic smile, clearly noticing his discomfort. "I need to find some condoms… Do you know where they are?" she asked, her voice softening just a little. "I'm kind of in a hurry…"
Izuku nodded quickly, his face burning, trying his best not to show just how flustered he was. "R-right, of course!" He quickly pointed toward the back corner of the store, his hand shaking slightly. "Aisle three. It's near the health section."
The woman smiled again, though it was a bit more amused this time, as if she could sense his discomfort. "Thanks so much," she said, her voice laced with humor that made Izuku blush even harder.
"I-I'll, uh, I'll just wait here," Izuku mumbled, trying to act professional although his entire body was burning with embarrassment. His heart was still pounding in his chest, and he had to take a deep breath to calm himself before he could manage to walk back to the counter.
As the woman walked off toward the aisle, Izuku turned back to Toki, who was standing at the counter with a big grin on his face.
"What's going on there, Izuku? You look like you just saw a ghost!" Toki teased, barely holding back a chuckle. His eyes twinkled with mischief, clearly enjoying the moment far too much.
"Nothing, sir," he said, rounding around the corner. "I just…forget from time to time that people buy for late-night activities is all," he said, reorganizing one of the shelves in front.
Izuku tried his best to focus on the shelf in front of him, but his mind kept wandering back to the awkward interaction. He could still feel his face burning from the encounter, and he silently wished that time would speed up so he could just forget it. The hum of the refrigerator behind him was the only sound that filled the space as he tried to distract himself by adjusting a box of snacks.
A few moments later, the woman returned, holding a small box of condoms in one hand and a few other items in her other. Izuku stood up straight, trying to compose himself as he turned toward the counter. He cleared his throat again, doing his best to regain his professionalism.
The woman approached the counter with a smile that made Izuku's stomach do a flip. It was an amused smile, one that hinted she was still enjoying his flustered state.
"I'm sorry about earlier," she said, her tone light. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Izuku, still trying to act composed, managed a small smile. "It's okay… It's just, um… not something I'm used to, that's all," he said, his voice shaky but steadying as he spoke.
The woman giggled softly, clearly not bothered by his discomfort. "You were really cute, though, getting all flustered. I hope you weren't too embarrassed." She placed the box of condoms and the other items on the counter.
Izuku's cheeks flushed even deeper, and he quickly glanced at Toki for some sort of relief, but Toki was leaning against the counter, barely able to hide his grin. His eyes sparkled with amusement, clearly enjoying every second of Izuku's discomfort.
"Well, it's not every day I get asked for something like that," Izuku said, trying to sound casual, but failing miserably. He was still trying to keep his composure, but he could feel himself slipping.
The woman smiled gently, though there was still a playful glint in her eyes. "I can imagine. Anyway, I think I'm ready to check out now," she said, placing the items down one by one. "I'm actually kind of in a rush. My fiancé… well, he wanted these for tonight."
Izuku blinked, his mind trying to catch up with what she was saying. Fiancé? The words didn't quite register at first. His thoughts were still stuck on the word tonight and what she had said just moments ago.
"I… Oh, um…" Izuku stammered, clearly caught off guard. His thoughts were still tangled, and it took him a moment to pull himself together. "Yeah, of course. Toki can…uh…check it out for you."
Toki laughs heartily. "Don't worry, lady, he is 13, so he will be shy," he says, still chuckling.
The woman smiled again, clearly amused at Toki's teasing but not offended. "That's okay," she said, glancing back at Izuku. "He's just doing his job. Thanks again for your help." She handed the items over to Toki with a friendly smile, and he nodded, his grin still wide.
"Of course, no problem," Toki said, taking the items and scanning them with a little extra flair, all the while keeping an eye on Izuku's flushed face. "That'll be $23.50. Are you paying with a card or cash?"
"I'll use the card," she replied, handing it over.
Izuku tried to focus on something else in the store, anything other than the situation in front of him. His face was still burning with embarrassment, and he could feel the heat on his cheeks, but he did his best to look casual. It was a challenge, to say the least.
As Toki processed the payment, the woman smiled again at Izuku. "By the way, I hope you don't mind that I embarrassed you a little. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," she said, her voice surprisingly warm despite the situation.
"No, no, it's fine! Really!" Izuku responded quickly, his voice slightly higher than usual. He quickly cleared his throat again. "It's just… something new to me, that's all."
She chuckled softly, seeming to appreciate his honest discomfort. "It's alright, you were sweet."
Izuku's body jerked in surprise as the bell rang again, the sound momentarily piercing through the tension that had built up in the store. His heart skipped a beat, but before he could react, something entirely unexpected happened.
A, one in the black trench coat, suddenly raised both his hands in a strange, yet purposeful way. At first, Izuku thought it was just another odd gesture, maybe some sort of casual movement. But then, a shockwave of realization hit him like a ton of bricks as he saw the man's fingers...he wasn't holding a weapon. His fingers were weapons.
With a swift motion, the man fired what looked like gunshots from his hands, right at Izuku. The blast of air, followed by a loud popping sound, sent a sharp pain through Izuku's left forearm. He screamed out as the force of the shot knocked him off his feet, and he slammed into the floor with a heavy thud, the breath knocked out of him for a moment.
He lay there, dazed, struggling to make sense of what had just happened. His forearm burned with the sting of the shot, and the world around him felt dizzy and distant. He was slowly bleeding from his arm. But before he could process it any further, he heard the unmistakable sound of the man's finger guns again.
"No—!" Izuku gasped as he tried to push himself up from the floor, but the man was faster. He landed an elbow to Izuku's temple, and that is when he felt his world go black. He heard the woman and Toki screaming. He knew one thing. The heroes will be here soon. There was a button under the counter, and if there was an emergency, it was already hit. It would have to be 5 minutes before some hero would come.
Izuku's world was a blur, the edges of his consciousness slipping in and out as the pain from the blow to his temple rang through his head. His body felt heavy, and every muscle in his limbs felt like lead. He could barely keep his eyes closed, the darkness swirling in a disorienting mess. It felt like an eternity before he was able to crack open one eyelid.
The first thing that hit him was the stifling weight pressing down on his chest. He blinked rapidly; his vision was still hazy as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. His left arm burned with the aftermath of the shot, and the dull throb in his head didn't help his already muddled thoughts.
A figure loomed above him, and as his vision cleared, he realized the man in the black trench coat was standing over him, one boot planted firmly on Izuku's stomach. Izuku's breath caught in his throat, panic rising as he recognized the dangerous aura surrounding the man. The man's finger guns were pointed directly at him, the metal barrel glinting ominously under the dim store lighting.
The man was talking with Toki about his plan. Thankfully, he didn't notice Izuku was awake.
Izuku's mind was racing, each breath he took feeling as though it weighed a hundred times more than it should. The stinging pain in his left arm, still raw from the gunshot, throbbed painfully, but he dared not move, trying to stay as still as possible. His vision was still blurry, and the ringing in his ears made it almost impossible to focus on anything clearly. But through the haze, he could hear the conversation between the man in the trench coat and Toki.
"So, what now?" Toki asked, his voice unnervingly calm despite the situation. Izuku could hear the tension in the air, the weight of the man's threat hanging over them like an invisible storm.
The man shifted slightly, his boot pressing harder against Izuku's chest, a calculated reminder of who was in control. "Now, we wait. I've got a call to make, but I'll be damned if I'm not going to enjoy watching you two squirm while I do," the man said, his voice low and menacing. He moved his hand, casually inspecting his fingers like they were the most ordinary of tools, and Izuku's heart pounded with fear. The man's fingers weren't just weapons, they were his power, his means of control.
"You've got what you want, right?" Toki asked, clearly trying to keep the situation from escalating. "Money, ransoms, all that? What else do you need?"
The man gave a low chuckle, a sound that made Izuku's stomach turn. "What else do I need? I need time, kid. I'm not an amateur. You don't get to just waltz in and take hostages like it's some game." He bent slightly, his face coming closer to Toki's, his expression as cold as ice. "I'm making a deal, not just shaking you down. And when I'm done here, you're going to wish you never crossed paths with me. I am going to make the most of the money I am going to get."
Izuku needed to do something. Who gave a shit if he was quirkless. He needed to stop this man. He needed to protect Toki and this lady. This guy doesn't know he was awake, and he could only open one eye right now anyway. His left eye started to swell, and he needed to do something. Anything.
He felt a pulling feeling come to his body. If he had his upper body exposed. You would be able to see that his purple star tattoo on his left shoulder was glowing brightly. Izuku nearly gasped when he heard a voice from the back of his head.
"Izuku, my dear boy."
Izuku didn't know what to do when that happened, but when that happened, it was as if the world slowed around him.
"Izuku. I know you can hear me, and no one else can, but listen to me. My name is Johnathon Joestar. I must say it is very gentlemanly of you to be heroic right now, but listen to this," he said to him softly.
Izuku just stared at the man and his surroundings, seeing that nothing much had changed other than Toki standing in front of the woman now.
"There is a power that I will transfer to you right now, and I will do so to help you defeat this foe and I understand that you are given so little information, but we can explain later. All I want you to do is breathe quietly so that this man doesn't hear you. Just inhale and exhale slowly, and a power will come to you. I can handle the rest."
Izuku noticed the man's foot had gone to Izuku's leg, meaning that he was letting his guard down, and he wouldn't notice him breathing. Izuku kept his one eye as he listened to this Johnathon guy.
Izuku's breath hitched in his chest as he tried to keep his movements imperceptible. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion. Johnathon Joestar? The name echoed in his head, foreign and familiar at the same time. He couldn't make sense of it. All he could focus on was the pain in his arm and the pressure of the man's boot on his chest. He had to survive this. He had to protect Toki and the woman, no matter what.