Chapter 18: Chapter 18:The Dawn of Izuku Midorya's Tales
As night surrendered to morning, the day unfurled, bathed in sunlight that poured through the windows, casting an orange-golden glow across the room. At this moment, Izuku Midoriya lay asleep, seeking solace in dreams after a challenging conversation with his mother the day before. She cherished him deeply, but he had hoped for her unwavering support in his ambitious dream of becoming a hero. Instead, she offered sympathy, embracing him with tears glistening in her eyes. Now, only his father remained, a figure set to return the following day after an absence of two long years. The mystery of his father's endeavors during this time lingered in Izuku's mind.
The sun's rays gently nudged his face, enticing his eyes open with their sudden brightness. Slowly, he blinked awake, gazing at the rising sun, a symbol of new beginnings. Though reluctant to leave the comfort of his bed, he was drawn to the window by the captivating scene outside. Despite his young mind not fully grasping the beauty before him, Izuku deeply appreciated the picturesque view. Summoning the will to resist his morning lethargy, he cast aside his blanket and approached the window to savor the crisp morning air that beckoned invitingly. As he flung the window open, he drew a deep breath, observing the bustling morning life below, where people hailed taxis and hurried to start their day. Shielding his eyes from the sun with his hand, he was reminded of his mother's words: "The brighter the light, the darker the shadow it casts."
While basking in the sunlight that illuminated his youthful face, Inko entered the room in her nightgown. Not finding her son on the couch, she peeked into the room and found Izuku, captivated by the morning light. Moved by the endearing sight, Inko approached, gently placing a hand on his shoulder and kneeling to meet his gaze.
"Mom, it's beautiful, look at the sun," Izuku exclaimed, his eyes sparkling and his freckles shimmering like dewdrops in the sunlight. Inko pointed to her son's heart, offering words of encouragement.
"Izuku, never let the light within your heart fade," she urged, pausing to smile warmly. Izuku looked at her finger, which rested gently over his heart.
"This sun tells you that you have the power to achieve anything you desire. With dreams in your heart, you can reach your goals, whether alone or with your friends," Izuku found himself momentarily bewildered. Just the day before, his mother had expressed her sorrow, yet now she conveyed her belief in him and his aspirations. It signaled to Izuku that not all hope was lost. However, he knew that reality was often more daunting than the comforting tales told at bedtime.
"Izuku, come help me with breakfast, and then we'll head to kindergarten to play with your friends," suggested Inko. The morning's buoyant mood was infectious, and Izuku eagerly decided to assist his mother. He saw her as the first person he wanted to help, considering it the initial step on his path as a hero—a sentiment that made Inko proud, knowing her son valued such simple acts of kindness.
"Yes, Mom, onward to adventure!" shouted the four-year-old, dashing into the bathroom. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he washed his face and brushed his teeth until they gleamed. He then made his way to the kitchen, where he was greeted by the sight of his mother diligently preparing breakfast. The enticing aroma of eggs cooked in soy sauce filled the air, capturing his attention.
"Izuku, could you help set the table, please?" Inko asked while tending to the eggs.
"Yes, Mom, right away," Izuku replied, retrieving plates and utensils. He arranged everything neatly and sat down, eagerly anticipating the meal.
Inko served three dark-brown eggs on a plate. Despite their unusual hue, they looked incredibly appetizing. She added cooked rice and a serving of salmon garnished with greens. The sight of such a feast made Izuku's mouth water, but he waited patiently for his mother to join him at the table.
"Itadakimasu!" Izuku exclaimed, breaking apart his chopsticks before diving into his meal. As he tasted the food, his palate was delighted by the unique flavors of his mother's cooking. While chewing, he observed Inko, who was both amused by her son's hearty appetite and pleased that he appreciated her culinary skills.
"Mom, that was delicious, I want more!" Izuku said, extending his plate for seconds.
"Izuku, my dear, I have some wonderful news for you," Inko announced, capturing Izuku's full attention.
"Oh, what is it? A new All Might figurine?" he asked, clearing his plate from the table.
"No, my silly boy, your father is finally coming home tomorrow, and he promised to bring you the gift you've been waiting for," Inko revealed. Izuku was momentarily speechless, his smile widening with excitement. His admiration for his father was immense; he often mimicked his habits and mannerisms. Although he hadn't seen him for a long time, he fondly remembered his father's care and love, dedicating all his free time to him. His respect for his father grew when Inko explained that they lived well thanks to his hard work and dedication.
"Hooray! Dad is coming, and we can play together. I'll introduce him to my best friend Nejire; he'll like her, you'll see, Mom," Izuku exclaimed, helping his mother clear the tableware.
Inko, satisfied with her son's joyful reaction, placed the dishes in the dishwasher and headed to Izuku's room to dress him for kindergarten. Once he was dressed in his uniform, they stepped out of the house, observing the patrolling heroes and residents with their unique quirks. The sun continued to illuminate the streets, albeit not as brightly as at dawn, signifying the hope that would accompany the young hero on his journey toward fulfilling his dreams, despite the shadows cast by society and those who doubted him.
Upon reaching the kindergarten, Inko looked at her son with a smile, boosting his confidence and desire to join his friends. Entering the building, they were greeted by a young security guard who resembled a teenager but whose build spoke of maturity.
"Please come in, Midoriya-san. Ayame-san has been waiting for you, so please proceed," the young man said, allowing them entry. Inside, the kindergarten exuded a sense of childlike joy, adorned with drawings, colorful play areas, and toys scattered throughout. Children played together, either sharing toys or enjoying the playgrounds.
"Look who's here, our very own 'jōnetsuka,' known throughout the establishment. Izuku, please change and join your friends," the teacher announced. Holding his mother's hand, he let go, hurriedly changing into clothes suitable for play. He was eager to share his thoughts on his favorite heroes with his friends, who shared his interest in the feats of heroes.
[Jōnetsuka=enthusiast on kanji]
Once changed into his beige play outfit, he ran outside, catching a glimpse of his mother, who waved him off with a warm smile. He dashed toward his friends, who had already occupied the playground.
"Kacchan, I'm here!" Izuku called out, waving to the three boys who had been waiting for him.
"Oh, finally, our jōnetsuka has arrived! We've been waiting for you, join us. We're pretending to be All Might and another hero, saving people from a fire," Katsuki Bakugo said, currently a friend who had not yet succumbed to the arrogance of his quirk.
Playing with them, Izuku felt a genuine sense of friendship, believing in its everlasting nature. They had promised to remain friends no matter what. Yet, like fragile glass, their vow could shatter. One might grow to resent the other for seeking pity while clinging to an unattainable dream. Meanwhile, the other might curse his own existence, yearning for friends, only to be shunned and looked upon with disdain, as if he were incomplete. He would desperately attempt to reconcile with his old friend, only to be met with rejection.
After playing to their hearts' content, the teacher Ayame gathered the children, asking them to introduce themselves and showcase their abilities. With everyone having turned four, not all were familiar with each other's quirks, and they were discouraged from using them for safety reasons. Izuku watched as the first child stepped onto the stage, demonstrating his ability to fly with wings sprouting from his back.
"Children, let's give him a round of applause," Ayame encouraged. The line moved swiftly, with each child receiving applause, until one of Izuku's friends posed a question that struck at the heart of his insecurities.
"Hey, Izuku, what's your quirk?"
To be continued...
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I hope this version meets your expectations! If there's anything else you'd like adjusted, feel free to let me know.