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“You can become a hero.” That sentence played over and over again like scratched CD in Izuku’s head. On his journey home, he couldn’t help but have a giddy grin plastered onto his face. He was walking slightly faster than usual, with a pep in his step. Before he knew it, he was at the front door of his home.
“I’m home!” Izuku called to his mother, who was in the kitchen, monitoring a pot filled with sizzling sauce.
“Oh! Just in time, dinner is almost done.” Izuku smiled in thanks, dropped his backpack to the floor, and tread over to his mother. Hearing his footsteps, she turned to face him, and gave a questioning look, seeing the giddy look on her son’s face.
“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Instead of answering, Izuku stepped forward, and pulled Inko in for a hug, holding her tightly. She laughed lightly and returned the embrace.
“I’m never against you being in a good mood, but did something happen today? You’re awfully chipper.”
“Nothing in particular. Today was just a good day, and I’m happy to see you.” This made his mother smile. After a few moments, she pulled back from the hug.
“Well, whether you’re having a good day or not, you’re about at your limit for today. Go change out of your binder, and put it in the laundry. I’ll wash it for you.”
“Thanks, mom.” With that, Izuku retrieved his bag, and retreated to his room, leaving Inko behind him. Inko let out a happy sigh. Izuku hadn’t had the easiest time lately, partly due to his quirklessness, and partly due to his transition. However, it was days like these that Inko would treasure; days where she could see a smile on Izuku’s face when he comes home.
Izuku, meanwhile, was both nervous and excited for what All might will have in store for him in the future of being his student. He quickly changed and rejoined his mother for a nice, home cooked meal.
-
“Pick up the pace, young Midoriya! Take it to the truck!”
The already existing discomfort and tightness encapturing Izuku’s chest just kept getting worse. He did not think that after just a few days of All Might’s training plan that his binder would affect him this much. It looks like he underestimated the toll that exercising in his binder would take on his ability to breathe. The car tire rim in his grasp was steadily growing heavier as his breathing became more and more erratic. He readjusted the rim and forced himself to keep going. The white pickup truck was only a few yards away when Izuku’s legs began to give out, and his arms all but went slack, his breathing growing faster and harder as the constriction on his chest felt like a vice, not allowing enough air to reach Izuku’s lungs. Suddenly, his grip slipped, and the rim was tossed to the side as Izuku pitched forward, collapsing onto the sand. He lay there, gasping for air. I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! He thought as he heard a distant, booming voice and a pair of legs bolting toward him. He faintly registered hands hooking around his shoulders and sitting him upright. He was then situated to lean against a kneeling All Might, powered up in his muscle form.
“Young Midoriya! Can you hear me? Midoriya!” Izuku tried to respond only to let out a breathy gasp. In a frantic yet exhausted motion, and reached a hand under his shirt, to the velcro section of his binder situated underneath his other arm, and ripped the two pieces of velcro apart, loosening his binder greatly, and relieving most of the pressure. He leaned back against All Might and began taking long, deep breaths until he was able to breath normally again. All Might kept his hands on his shoulders the whole time, gently rubbing comfortingly and encouraging his breaths.
“That’s it, slow down. Take it easy. Just in… and out again. That’s it, my boy.” All Might would say in a low and steady voice.
Once Izuku had gotten his breathing under control, he suddenly became terrified. He had hidden the nature of his gender identity from All Might. All Might revealed his biggest secret to Izuku after just moments of them interacting, and Izuku had hidden this until now. Tears built up in his eyes, and his face pointed at the ground, while his hands grabbed his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest. He refused to meet his mentor’s eyes.
All Might, meanwhile, had an idea of what was going on. Izuku’s situation was not as uncommon as one might think in the United States. In Japan, however, it was more rare and unaccepting. He must feel humiliated All Might thought to himself.
“Midoriya.” Izuku flinched, turning his head down farther, and curling his arms tighter around his chest. All Might let out a deep sigh. Not that easy, huh?
“Izuku. Look at me.” Izuku snapped his head up, and looked All Might in the eyes, startled by the use of of his first name. Izuku looked with curiosity and fear as he saw the look on All Might’s face.
“Izuku, are you okay? Do your ribs hurt?” All Might asked gently.
“H-huh?”
“Izuku, are you hurt?” All Might asked, again, slightly urgent this time.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine.” All Might let out a sigh of relief.
“You startled me back there. I’m glad that-”
“I’m sorry, A-All Might. I have to go. S-something came up.” Izuku interrupted averting his gaze from his mentor. All Might’s mouth spread into a thin line.
“I understand. I’ll expect you here tomorrow, young Midoriya.” As soon as All Might had finished his sentence, izuku had started rushing over to his belongings that were set aside for his training. He quickly threw his sweatshirt back on, and zipped it up fully, grabbed his phone, and speedily left the beach park. All Might simply watched in sympathy as he saw the retreating back of his student’s tense shoulders. He knew that wherever Izuku was going, he was going alone.
-
As soon as Izuku got home, he immediately hurried straight to his room, not giving his mother the chance to interact with him. He couldn’t handle being around anyone right now. He rushed through the doorway to his room, and quickly closed the door.
He quickly removed his sweatshirt and shirt to take off his binder, and took a couple of long, deep breaths, relishing in the feeling of the remaining pressure being lifted. He threw on a clean shirt, and stood there.
Finally alone, Izuku let his emotions catch up to him. With a choked sob, he leaned back against his bed, and slid to the ground. Knees bent, he rested his head on top of them. He held his binder in his hands in a tight grip. His shoulders quivered as he let himself cry while still trying to be quiet enough to not let his mother hear him.
Will All Might take back what he told me? Did he change his mind about me? Am I not worthy of his power anymore? All of these thoughts swirled around in Izuku’s head. Izuku closed his eyes and tried not to think about facing All Might the following morning.
-
“Good morning, young Midoriya.” All Might began awkwardly.
“Good morning.” Izuku replied, timidly. All Might cleared his throat, and reached a hand into the pocket and pulled out a package wrapped in blue and yellow wrapping paper.
“Before we begin today, I have something for you.” He held out the package to Izuku, and watched as the boy hesitantly grasped it. He examines the package, confused, and looked back to All Might.
“Open it.” All Might commanded gently. Izuku ripped the corner of the package, and carefully pulled the wrapping off. What was left in Izuku’s hands was a package of plain black sports bras. A gasp left Izuku, and looked back to All Might to find a serious expression on his face.
“I am not angry at you. I have absolutely no problem with being yourself. However, I am a bit disappointed that you did not inform me of your situation. I do not have a problem with you binding your chest during everyday activities, but, as you should have already known, wearing a chest binder while exercising is dangerous. It brings great risk to your lungs and ribs. These bras are designed for use during strenuous activities, and will not bring any damage to your body. From now on, during these workouts, you will wear these at all times. Am I understood?” Izuku stared at All Might, and then back at the package, then down at the ground, in guilt.
“Yes, sir.” All Might frowned.
“I understand that this may seem taking away from who you are, but I simply wish for your safety. This process will be hard enough on your body-” All Might cut off his own sentence at the sight of tears in Izuku’s eyes.
“Young Midoriya-?”
“You aren’t mad? That your successor is like this?” Izuku cut him off, with a self-depreciating smile, tears running in steady tracks down his cheeks. All Might stood before his student, shocked, before shifting his face into a determined look.
“Listen to me, Midoriya Izuku,” He planted his arms on the teenager’s hunched shoulders, and kept a firm grip as he stared Izuku dead in the eyes. The latter, quivering slightly, stared back and listened.
“I chose you to receive my power because you have the heart of a hero. Because you have the spirit and passion required to be able to save someone. I chose you because of your potential. What happened yesterday did not change my mind.” At those words, tears began flowing rapidly from those green eyes.
“I said it before, but I’ll say it once more.” All Might gave the boy a look of hopefulness, and continued. “You can become a hero.”
That finally pushed Izuku over the edge, as he began sobbing in pure relief. He felt so light, like the weight of the criticism he expected to receive just vanished. It was an amazing feeling which Izuku could only compare to when his mother welcomed his transition to “Izuku” with open arms.
“So the waterworks weren’t removed for take-two?” All Might teased, lightly resting a hand on the boy’s shoulder blades, causing Izuku to smile through his tears, and give a light laugh.
“I can’t help it, I’m just so happy.” All Might could see a clear difference between the tears showing today and the previous day. He could practically feel the waves of relief radiating from his successor. Izuku, wiped his eyes on his sleeve, and shot an eager glance at the pro hero, and held up the package.
“I’ll go change so we can start.” Izuku informed, then jogged over to the bathroom by the entrance to the beach park.
All Might watched as he retreated, seeing the determined way that Izuku carried himself, and decided. There was no doubt in his mind anymore that he had made the right choice. Take-two had revealed more about the main character of this story, and the challenges he faces everyday. It may have taken two tries, but this second attempt left both of them with more confidence in the future.