The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the city. Izuku had spent most of the day skating, his mind drifting between thoughts of hero training and his growing friendships with Kaito and the crew. Now, as night fell, the group decided it was time to let loose.
"Let's hit up the corner store and grab some drinks," Kaito suggested, his grin wide and infectious. The rest of the crew—Mako, Haru, and Jin—nodded in agreement, excited about the idea of a night filled with laughter and fun.
Izuku didn't think much of it. He was still getting used to the camaraderie of his new friends. He didn't have to pretend to be someone else around them. Just as they were about to head out, Izuku grabbed his skateboard and joined the group, feeling a flicker of anticipation he hadn't felt in a while.
---
The corner store was dimly lit, stocked with everything from snacks to alcohol. As they wandered the aisles, Kaito led the way, grabbing a few bottles of beer and some cheap liquor. The rest of the crew followed suit, each picking their poison.
Izuku hesitated, watching his friends with a mixture of curiosity and caution. He had never been one for drinking, but the thrill of the night, the camaraderie, and the urge to fit in pushed him to grab a bottle as well.
"Come on, Midoriya! Live a little!" Haru urged, slinging an arm around Izuku's shoulders. "We're just having fun!"
"Yeah, man, it's just one night," Mako chimed in, holding up his drink as if to toast the air.
With a resigned nod, Izuku decided to go along with it. The group made their purchases and headed back to the skate park, where they found a secluded spot under the dim glow of streetlights.
---
As the night progressed, laughter filled the air. The alcohol loosened their inhibitions, and they began to share stories—some funny, some ridiculous. Izuku, usually the quiet observer, found himself laughing along, even joining in on some of the stories.
After a few rounds, Kaito pulled out his phone, an idea forming in his mind. "Let's post this to the gram! A little drunken skate session!"
The crew cheered in agreement, their excitement palpable. They set up the camera and began recording their antics. Izuku stood off to the side, still sipping his drink, but the energy around him was infectious.
As Kaito filmed, he turned the camera toward Izuku, who was leaning against a wall, looking slightly out of place but intrigued. "Yo, Midoriya! Show us your moves!"
With a push from Haru, Izuku found himself gliding on his skateboard, pulling off a few tricks despite the alcohol in his system. The crew cheered him on, and he felt a rush of exhilaration. This was his world now, a place where he could just be himself.
---
Later that night, they ended the video with a group toast, all holding their drinks up to the camera, laughing and shouting silly phrases. The video was a chaotic mix of fun, blurred faces, and wild moments—a testament to their carefree night.
Kaito uploaded it to Instagram, tagging everyone in the crew, including Izuku. "Drunk skating with the homies! #SkateFam #GoodVibesOnly."
---
The next morning, as Izuku groggily woke up and checked his phone, he was met with a flood of notifications. His heart sank as he opened Instagram. There it was—Kaito's video, already blowing up with likes and comments.
At first, Izuku felt a rush of anxiety. He wasn't used to being in the spotlight, especially not like this. He scrolled through the comments, half of them praising his skating skills while others were just plain wild. But then he saw it—students from U.A. had commented too.
"Is that Midoriya?! What's he doing?"
"Wait, did he just do a kickflip while drunk? No way!"
"What a legend! 😂"
Izuku's heart raced. His classmates were seeing this, and he felt a mix of embarrassment and disbelief. He hadn't intended for anyone from U.A. to find out about his skateboarding—or the fact that he was getting drunk with friends.
Before he could process it, his phone buzzed again. It was a message from Ochako.
"Did I just see you in a video getting drunk at the skate park? 😂"
Izuku sighed, his nonchalant facade faltering for a moment. "Yeah... it's just a video."
She responded almost immediately, "You were really good though! I didn't know you could skate like that!"
He couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, but he also felt the weight of expectations. "Thanks, but it was just a fun night. Doesn't mean anything."
There was a brief pause before she replied. "You should hang out with us more! We'd love to see more of that side of you!"
Izuku chewed on his lip, conflicted. He appreciated her support, but he didn't want to deal with the attention. "I'll think about it," he typed back, keeping it vague.
---
As he prepared for another day at U.A., Izuku couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The video was supposed to be a moment of freedom, but now it felt like a spotlight was on him. He wasn't ready for the scrutiny of being a student at U.A. while also being seen as a skater.
But then again, he realized, maybe this was just another part of who he was. He was still Izuku Midoriya—the quiet, nonchalant guy who skated. And if his classmates wanted to know him, they would have to accept all the sides of him, even the parts he kept hidden.
As he walked through the halls of U.A., he held his head high, ready to face whatever came next, whether it be skateboarding videos or hero training. He wouldn't let anyone box him in.
