Cursed Child

Chapter 4: Motivations

Arc 1: Fresh Faced Fools

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Monoma collapsed onto the mat, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his hair disheveled, and beads of sweat rolling down his face. He wore only a pair of black shorts and a white t-shirt, having chosen this attire to avoid dirtying his usual clothes. A few feet in front of him stood Itsuka, dressed in a blue shirt and matching sweatpants. Though she was a bit sweaty, she appeared to be in far better shape than Monoma.

With a smile, Itsuka looked at him and asked, "You know, I'm glad you want to improve your hand-to-hand combat skills, but I have to ask, why?"

Monoma took a moment to catch his breath before replying, "I have to be better," He replied. "I need to make sure that the next time I face Midoriya, I win,"

Itsuka rolled her eyes playfully. "Why are you so obsessed with beating Midoriya all of a sudden? Did he really hurt your pride that much?" she teased.

Shaking his head, Monoma's expression turned serious. "It's not about my pride, Kendo," he told her. "It's about what he represents and what I failed to achieve," he said, his voice tinged with sadness.

Itsuka frowned, confused. "Huh? What do you mean?" she asked.

Monoma sighed deeply. "Kendo, do you remember what people used to say about me in middle school?" he asked, his voice quieter now.

Itsuka nodded slowly, her expression somber. "Yeah, I remember," she replied softly, the weight of old memories hanging in the air between them.

Monoma nodded a hint of bitterness in his voice. "Everyone said someone like me, someone whose Quirk relies on the power of others, could never become a hero," he began. "They said I'd never achieve what those with truly powerful Quirks could, their words got to me, Kendo, they made me feel powerless, less than what I knew I could be... I failed in staying strong,"

Itsuka's expression turned glum as she listened. "Monoma, you can't blame yourself for letting their words get to you," She said. "We all let the opinions of others affect us at some point,"

Monoma looked up at her, frustration and sadness mingling in his eyes. "Then why does he smile so brightly?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Who?" Itsuka asked, curiosity piqued.

"Midoriya," Monoma replied, his tone laden with frustration. "He was born without a Quirk, born without power, and yet he seems unfazed by it. Unfazed by the words of those who called him useless, called him weak... He stayed strong, even when there was no one to believe in him. And I hate that about him."

Itsuka furrowed her brow in confusion. "Why?"

"Because I want to know how," Monoma admitted, his voice growing more intense. "How did someone like him do what I couldn't? How could someone like him continue to fight and smile despite no one having his back?"

Itsuka's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on her. "He represents what you wish you could be, doesn't he?"

Monoma slowly nodded, the weight of his envy evident. "Yes," he confessed. "I wish I was like him. I understand that he probably suffered from others' words, maybe even more than just words, possibly physical pain too. He might have felt completely alone in this world. But instead of letting it all hold him back, he pushed forward with that damn smile I saw him wearing on the first day... and I can't help but hate him for it."

Itsuka let out a long sigh, her expression softening with empathy. "I'm sure there are things holding Izuku back, just like there are things that hold everyone back," she said gently. "Everyone's got a curse, Monoma,"