MHA: Man Of Steel

The next day, Izuku woke up feeling unusually refreshed. Sunlight peeked through the curtains of his bedroom, casting a golden hue over the All Might poster above his bed. For the first time in a while, he didn't feel groggy or half-asleep. His body still ached from yesterday's attempt at working out, but it was a good kind of ache—the kind that meant he was doing something right.

He hopped out of bed, walked to the bathroom, and took a warm bath on his own. Afterward, he dried himself, brushed his teeth, and got dressed without a word. That's when his door creaked open behind him.

Inko stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock. Her son was not only awake before her, but was already dressed. His green shirt was neatly tucked into a pair of tiny jeans, and he was combing his damp hair in front of the mirror.

"Huh? You woke up earlier than me… You also bathed yourself and got dressed?" she asked slowly, narrowing her eyes. "Did someone swap you? Or wait—are you a clone?"

Izuku turned to her with a soft smile. "No. I just didn't want to burden you anymore."

That answer, paired with the honest look in his eyes, melted her doubt instantly. Her hand came up to her chest as her expression softened.

"Aww, baby… But I don't want you growing up that fast. At least save our bath time tradition," she said with a teasing pout.

"Ok, Mom," he replied, not wanting to break her heart just yet. He turned back to the mirror and studied himself.

His mop of green hair was still unruly, and his outfit was plain—but clean.

' I have no drip… but I at least look fashionable. Sure I'm a kid, but that's not an excuse to wear a trash fit. ' he thought, straightening his shirt one more time.

As he made his way downstairs, he was caught off guard by a sudden flash.

Inko had her phone out, camera pointed at him, a wide smile on her face.

"I'll save this one for when you're all grown up," she said sweetly before walking toward the kitchen.

Izuku blinked, then snorted.

' Bitcoin's already been created, it seems. From the looks of things, everything in this world besides the Quirk system is the same as mine… Meaning I should invest. '

He sat down to eat the breakfast his mom had prepared—steamed rice, grilled fish, and a single egg, just how he liked it.

Unfortunately, there was one small issue with his brilliant financial plan.

' I'm broke. I don't even have a bank account! Being a kid sucks balls. ' he grumbled internally, stuffing his mouth with rice.

After eating, he put on his little shoes, waved goodbye, and told his mom he'd be coming home alone. As he walked the familiar streets of Musutafu, backpack bouncing on his shoulders, he continued strategizing.

' Bitcoin doesn't really boom until 2013… That gives me about three years. I'll be seven by then. Maybe Inko could open a kids' savings account for me. Yeah… That could work. She's super trusting. If I make it seem like it's for a future education fund or something, she'll probably help. '

The plan wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

Halfway to school, he spotted a familiar figure up ahead. Bakugo Katsuki—Kacchan—was strutting toward him, hands jammed into his pockets and flanked by his two usual lackeys. All three of them wore smug expressions.

"Well, if it isn't Deku. Where were you yesterday when we were exploring the creek?" Bakugo asked, lips curling into a cocky smile.

Izuku didn't even slow down. He walked past them without a second glance. "I went home like everyone else."

The two goons froze in place.

"Did he just ignore us?"

"Yeah… I can't believe it."

"Kacchan's gonna be mad."

Bakugo stared at Izuku's small back as he walked further away, his jaw clenched tightly. The air around him practically crackled.

'Deku…' he thought, his red eyes narrowing.

....

Izuku arrived in class just as the morning bell rang. The classroom buzzed with childish chatter and squeaky laughter as kids ran to their seats. But unlike the Izuku of yesterday—or the Izuku they all thought they knew—he didn't join in on the noise.

He simply walked to his desk, pulled out a pencil, and sat in silence.

There were no desperate attempts to please the teacher, no awkward stuttering when someone asked him about Quirks, and certainly no goofy smiles aimed at Bakugo. He just… existed. Calm. Detached.

'I mean… I'm a freakin' adult in a kid's body. Why the hell would I want to entertain anyone in this daycare circus?' he thought, glancing lazily around at the other four-year-olds flinging crayons and drooling over glitter glue.

'Snot-nosed brats.'

The teacher noticed his quiet demeanor but said nothing, simply raising an eyebrow. Izuku met her gaze with a casual, emotionless stare. She looked away first.

—

Later, during break…

Most of the kids had rushed outside, yelling as they scattered across the playground. Izuku, however, had crawled into the shadowy space beneath the jungle gym, resting with his knees tucked and his back against one of the metal bars. The dim shelter gave him time to think—and more importantly—plot.

' I'm a kid, so I need to be sneaky about this afternoon's excursion. Don't want to attract any unnecessary attention. Can't have some random grown-up tailing me and asking why I'm lugging a rusty tire down the street. ' he thought.

He began organizing a mental list—when to slip out, what routes to take, what to bring. He could feel the excitement building in his chest. He was actually looking forward to this.

Suddenly, a pair of feet landed heavily in front of him. He looked up—and of course, it was him.

Bakugo crouched at the entrance of the jungle gym, his usual explosive energy wrapped in a scowl and a smirk.

"Deku," he said through gritted teeth, his voice laced with irritation.

Izuku raised a brow, unimpressed. "What's up?"

"You really have the nerve to ignore me of all people?" Bakugo sneered, stepping closer.

'Here we go…' Izuku thought, already bored. "Oh yeah, I was in a hurry, bro. No big deal."

Bakugo's eyes twitched. He'd expected fear. Flinching. Backtracking. But Izuku was sitting there like he didn't give a damn. Which, to be fair, he didn't.

' If it weren't for my assignment, I would've beat the brakes off this twerp already. ' he thought, keeping his tone casual.

Bakugo huffed, clicking his tongue. Then suddenly, his mood switched.

"Well, don't do it again. Now let's go play tag. You're it!" he declared, jabbing a finger at Izuku's chest.

Izuku didn't move. "Nah. I'm just gonna chill here. Not feeling like playing today."

Bakugo stared at him like he'd grown another head. "Why? You're always happy to be It."

"Just don't feel like it, bro. Let me sit back," Izuku replied, folding his hands behind his head and reclining like he owned the place.

For a moment, Bakugo didn't speak. He looked down at him—at the weirdly confident way he lay there, like a cool older brother lounging on a rooftop. It bugged him. But he couldn't deny it.

Izuku… looked cool.

"Tch," Bakugo grunted, turning on his heel and walking away without another word.

Izuku kept watching the clouds through the metal bars above him.

'This assignment better be worth it,' he thought.

Somewhere nearby, Bakugo stopped and glanced back briefly.

'What's up with him? Why… why does he look cool?' he thought, confused and just a little irritated by the shift

TO BE CONTINUED