Izuku's life had turned into a whirlwind after the viral video. While he had hoped to enjoy his newfound skateboarding and rap lifestyle, the attention had come with unexpected scrutiny. The whispers and smirks at U.A. felt like a spotlight he couldn't escape.
At lunch, the cafeteria buzzed with conversation. Students cast glances in Izuku's direction, and he could hear snippets of chatter about the latest memes making fun of him. It stung more than he cared to admit, but he kept his expression nonchalant, focusing on his meal.
"Hey, Midoriya!" Kacchan's voice cut through the chatter. He marched over, his brow furrowed. "You think you're so cool now? Skating and smoking?"
Izuku shrugged, maintaining his composure. "It's just a video, Bakugo. You know me."
"Yeah, but it's all anyone's talking about!" Kacchan shot back, clearly annoyed. "You've got to do something about this."
"Like what? Apologize for having fun?" Izuku replied, feigning indifference.
Kacchan huffed, clearly frustrated. "Just be careful, damn it. You think it's all fun and games, but people will start to expect things from you."
Izuku rolled his eyes. "Whatever, Bakugo. I'm not worried about what they think."
---
Later that day, after classes, Izuku made his way to the skate park. He needed a break from the pressure of U.A. He hopped on his board, feeling the familiar sense of freedom wash over him. The moment the wheels hit the pavement, he felt lighter, his worries fading away.
As he skated, he spotted Kaito and his friends, who waved him over. They were chatting and laughing, the camaraderie bringing a smile to his face.
"Yo, Midoriya! Come join us!" Kaito called out, gesturing for him to come over.
Izuku joined them, and they began to skate together, sharing tricks and laughing at the occasional wipeouts. For the first time in days, he felt genuinely relaxed.
"Let's film some tricks for the 'Gram," Kaito suggested, pulling out his phone. "We need to show them how it's really done!"
"Sure," Izuku agreed, eager to capture the moment.
They set up the camera, and Izuku went all out, performing some of his best tricks. The adrenaline pumped through him, and he even attempted a trick he had been working on for weeks. He landed it flawlessly, and cheers erupted from his friends.
"Dude, that was sick!" Kaito exclaimed. "We've got to post that!"
---
Later that night, the video went up online, and it instantly gained traction. Izuku felt a rush of excitement as likes and comments poured in. Maybe this time, it would show everyone the real him.
As the night wore on, Izuku and his friends decided to celebrate with a little fun of their own. They grabbed some drinks, joking and laughing, and in the spirit of the moment, they decided to film themselves having a good time.
"Let's do something crazy," Kaito suggested.
Izuku, feeling emboldened, raised his drink. "Why not? Let's show them we're just living life!"
They recorded snippets of their fun, cheers ringing out as they joked and danced. When they finished, Kaito posted the video to Instagram, and it quickly spread like wildfire.
---
The next day at U.A., the atmosphere was charged. Whispers floated through the hallways, and Izuku could feel the weight of their gazes.
"Did you see the latest video?" one student said, barely keeping their voice down. "He was just partying like it was no big deal!"
Izuku tried to focus on his studies, but the noise was distracting.
During lunch, Uraraka spotted him sitting alone. She hurried over, concern etched on her face. "Izuku, are you okay? I saw the video from last night."
"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, shrugging it off. "Just having fun."
"But it's not just fun anymore," she insisted. "It's getting out of hand. People are talking, and it feels like you're becoming a joke."
"I don't care what they think," Izuku said, his voice steady. "I'm still going to be a hero, no matter what."
Uraraka hesitated, her expression softening. "But you don't have to do it alone. We're all here for you."
Izuku looked at her, taking in her words. "I appreciate it, but I'm just trying to live my life. I won't let anyone change who I am."
---
That evening, as Izuku skated through the park, he felt invigorated. The wind whipped through his hair as he practiced new tricks, pushing himself harder than ever. Each kick and push of the board felt like reclaiming his identity.
Kaito and the crew cheered him on, their energy infectious. As he landed another trick, the rush of adrenaline flooded through him, empowering him.
"Let's film something new!" Kaito shouted, pulling out his phone again.
"Alright, but let's make it epic this time!" Izuku grinned, feeling alive and confident.
They skated through the night, capturing moments that felt true to who they were. No gimmicks, just real fun.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Izuku realized he didn't need to change for anyone. He was carving his own path, one trick at a time.
