My Hero Academia: Izuku Reloaded

Six hundred kilos. 

The numbers didn't seem real, even as the weights dragged at my limbs with crushing force. Early morning sunlight glinted off the ocean as I moved through basic forms, each motion a battle against gravity itself.

"Again!" Gramps barked from his observation point. "Your transitions are getting sloppy."

Of course they are.

My muscles screamed as I flowed from one stance to the next. Water Stream was about redirection, using an opponent's force against them. But with these weights, every movement felt like redirecting a freight train.

"Better." Gramps stroked his mustache. "Now show me that combination we worked on yesterday."

I gathered what remained of my strength. The world narrowed to breath, motion, and the burning in my muscles as I launched into the sequence. Block, slip, counter - each technique flowing into the next like...

Not water. Something else.

"Stop thinking!" Gramps's foot swept my legs out from under me. I hit the sand hard enough to drive the air from my lungs. "The forms are in your body now. Let them move naturally."

"Yes, sensei." I pushed myself up, ignoring the trembling in my arms.

"Ouch." Camie winced from where she and Mom were doing their own training. "That looked rough, fam."

"Eyes front!" Gramps called, though his tone carried none of the edge he used with me. "Focus on your own form."

I watched them for a moment as I caught my breath. Mom had transformed over these months of training, her movements growing more confident each day. Camie was a natural, her dancer's grace adapting easily to martial arts.

"Pay attention!" Gramps's fist brushed my hair as I barely dodged. "Your opponents won't wait for you to finish admiring the scenery."

We clashed again, his attacks coming from impossible angles. I let my body react without thought, feeling the weight of the training pull at my limbs. But something was different today. The crushing force felt... useful. Like it was teaching my muscles a new way to move.

"What are you grinning about?" Gramps's eyebrow rose as he studied my stance.

"Just figured something out." I shifted my weight, feeling how the extra mass affected my balance. "Mind if I try something?"

His mustache twitched. "By all means."

I moved. Not with Water Stream's fluid grace, but with something heavier. More grounded. 

Gramps's counter caught me in the ribs, but I rolled with the impact, using the momentum to power my next strike. His eyes widened slightly as he deflected my fist.

"Interesting." He stepped back, assuming a ready stance. "Again."

The next exchange was pure instinct. Water Stream's principles were there, but altered. Transformed into something new. Something uniquely mine.

"Strong Style," I muttered between breaths.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." I reset my stance. "Ready when you are, sensei."

His grin promised pain. "Always ready to humble cocky disciples."

The spar that followed pushed me to my absolute limit. Gramps's techniques flowed like water, while mine... mine crashed like waves against rocks. Each movement deliberate, powered by the very weight that should have held me down.

"Enough." He raised a hand after landing a particularly brutal combination. "You're about to collapse."

"I can keep going."

"Can you?" His foot tapped one of my leg weights. "Take those off first."

I looked down, suddenly aware of how badly I was shaking. "I..."

"Exactly." He turned toward where Mom and Camie were finishing their own training. "Ladies! Excellent work today. Inko, your footwork has improved tremendously."

Mom beamed at the praise, her face flushed from exertion. "Thank you, sensei. Though I still have much to learn."

"As do we all." His voice carried warmth I rarely heard during my training. "Camie, those combinations were particularly sharp. Keep practicing those counter-rhythms we discussed."

"Thanks, Gramps!" Camie bounced on her toes, apparently immune to fatigue. "Did you see when I mixed in that feint sequence?"

"Indeed. Very creative application." He nodded approvingly before turning back to me. "As for you..."

I braced myself.

"That new style needs work. Lots of work. But..." His mustache twitched. "There might be something there worth developing."

Coming from Gramps, that was practically a standing ovation.

"Now then." He clasped his hands behind his back. "I believe that's enough for today. Inko, would you mind making some of that excellent tea of yours? These old bones could use some warming up."

"Of course!" Mom's smile could have lit up the beach. "I just got a new blend I think you and that brother of yours will enjoy."

They started walking toward home, Gramps asking Mom about her recipe.

I watched them disappear up the beach path before collapsing onto the sand. Every muscle felt like molten lead.

"You good, fam?" Camie settled beside me.

"Just need a minute." 

She hummed, running her fingers through my hair. The touch sent pleasant shivers down my spine. "Your new style was lit though. All that power..." Her other hand traced the muscles of my arm. "Mad impressive."

I turned to face her, catching that familiar glint in her eyes. The one that usually led to interesting situations. "Camie..."

"What?" Pure innocence in her voice. "I'm just saying..." Her fingers danced across my shoulders. "My place isn't far. Could help work out those knots..."

"Last time you offered a massage, we didn't leave your bed for hours."

"That a complaint?" She leaned closer, lips brushing my ear.

"More like a fond memory." I caught her hand, bringing it to my lips. "Though I should probably shower first. I'm disgusting right now."

"I've got a shower too, you know." Her smile turned wicked. "Great water pressure..."

I laughed, pulling her into a proper kiss. "Alright, you've convinced me. Let's-"

Movement caught my eye. A familiar shock of ash-blonde hair.

Bakugo.

He stood at the edge of the beach, hands in his pockets, watching us with an unreadable expression.

Camie's grip on my hand tightened. "Izu..."

"It's fine." I squeezed her hand reassuringly, though her concern was warranted. 

"I don't like leaving you alone with him."

I pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "I got this. He helped save my life at USJ. We should... probably talk about that."

"If you're sure..." She glanced at Bakugo, who hadn't moved. "I'll be waiting at my place. Don't take too long?"

"Of course not."

She kissed me once more, pointedly enough to make a statement, before heading up the beach. I watched her go, admiring the view. Damn, I'm a lucky man.

"The fuck you want, dickhead?" 

"Tch." He kicked at the sand. "That how you greet someone who saved your ass?"

"That how you greet someone who saved yours?"

His eyes narrowed, but there was something different in his expression. Less rage, more... consideration? "You look like shit."

"Six hundred kilos of weights will do that." I gestured to the beach. "Want to sit? Or are we doing the whole macho standing thing?"

He snorted but dropped into a cross-legged position. I joined him, leaving enough space between us for comfort.

"Your girlfriend doesn't like me much."

"Can you blame her?"

Silence stretched between us, filled only by the sound of waves.

"I didn't mean it." The words came out barely above a whisper. "That day. On the roof."

I studied his profile. "Yes, you did. In that moment, you meant it."

"Yeah." His shoulders slumped slightly. "I did."

More silence for a few minutes. A seagull cried overhead.

"Why are you here, Katsuki?"

He started at the use of his given name. "The fuck should I know?" Fingers dug into the sand. "Saw you training. Thought maybe..." He growled in frustration. "Look, you saved my life, okay? And I saved yours. So maybe we're even now."

"Even?" I laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Is that what you want? To clear the ledger?"

"I want to kick your ass in the sports festival!" The words exploded out of him. "I want to prove I'm better! That I'll be the number one hero! But I can't... I can't do that if..."

"If what?"

"If you're still that scared little kid I told to jump." His voice dropped again. "Need you at your best. For a real fight. A real win."

I considered his words carefully. "You know that's kind of fucked up, right? Wanting to fight someone you spent years tormenting?"

"Everything about me is fucked up." He met my eyes finally. "But you're not that kid anymore. And I'm..." He struggled visibly. "I'm trying not to be that asshole anymore."

"Could've fooled me."

"Oi!"

"Just saying." I stood, brushing sand from my clothes. "You want a real fight? Fine. Sports festival, you'll get one. But Katsuki?" I lowered my voice. "You've got a lot of work to do before we're anything like friends again."

He nodded, expression serious. "Yeah. I know."

I started walking away, then paused. "By the way... you didn't call me Deku once this entire conversation."

"Fuck off, nerd."

I smiled slightly. Baby steps.

Leaving him on the beach, I headed for Camie's apartment. The weights still dragged at my limbs, but somehow they felt lighter. Not everything was fixed - maybe some things never would be. But it was a start.

And I had a beautiful girlfriend waiting for me.

The apartment was quiet save for humming from the bedroom.

"Babe?" I called out, already pulling off my training shirt.

"In here!" Her voice carried that particular tone that usually meant trouble. The fun kind of trouble.

I stepped into the bedroom, only to find her in a bra and green pants, scrolling through her phone. "Uh..."

"So like, don't be mad..." She glanced up with those puppy dog eyes that made saying no nearly impossible. "But Mina and Toru hit me up about this super lit thing at the mall later?"

Oh no.

"And I know we had plans..." Her smile turned apologetic. "But it's like forever since we all hung out outside of class, and they're bringing basically everyone..."

I collapsed face-first onto her bed with a groan. "You're killing me, you know that?"

"Aw, come on Izu!" She flopped beside me, poking my ribs. "It'll be fun! Plus like, we can always pick up where we left off after..."

"After spending hours walking around a mall?" I turned my head to eye her suspiciously. "You planned this, didn't you?"

"Me?" Pure innocence radiated from her expression. "I would never."

"Uh huh." I pushed myself up on my elbows. "So who all is going?"

"Well, from the girls we've got Mina, Toru, Yui..." She started counting off on her fingers. "Kyoka, Momo, Ochaco, Tsu... basically everyone except Hitomi. She's doing some family thing apparently."

"And the guys?"

Her smile turned sheepish. "That's where you come in, fam. They asked if you could help even out the numbers?"

I let my head fall back onto the mattress. "You realize I just did six hours of training with literal hundreds of kilos strapped to my body?"

"Which is why you're perfect for this!" She bounced slightly, making the bed shake. "You're already up and moving. May as well keep the momentum going, right?"

She leaned down to kiss my cheek. "Besides, you need more guy friends outside of school. And not just Bakugo's weird attempt at whatever that was on the beach."

I had to concede that point. Outside of training and class, my social circle was pretty limited. "When are they wanting to meet?"

"Two hours?" She at least had the grace to look apologetic. "Gives you time to shower and stuff..."

"You really aren't going to let me rest today, are you?"

Her grin turned wicked. "Oh, you'll rest plenty tonight. Promise."

I sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll make some calls. But you owe me."

"Don't I always pay my debts?" She winked, rolling off the bed. "Shower's all yours. I already got ready while you were talking to Bakugo."

"Of course you did." I sat up, mentally running through potential guys to invite. It needed to be an even split... "Any preferences on who I ask?"

"Nah, just..." She paused at the door. "Maybe not Mineta?"

"Yeah, definitely not him."