Chapter 20: Chapter 4
The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting soft rays onto my face as I slowly woke up. Today was the day—my training session with my father, Hizashi. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and rubbed sleep from my eyes, my heart pounding with excitement and the usual nerves.
As I stepped out of my room, I caught sight of my little brother, Izuku, struggling to fasten his hero costume. He had that determined look on his face, even if his hands trembled slightly. I paused, a grin spreading across my face. "Need a hand, bro?"
He jumped at the sound of my voice, his green eyes widening. "Oh, Anos! Um, yeah, I could use some help." I stepped over, adjusting the straps of his costume to fit better. "Thanks," he mumbled, a soft blush creeping up his cheeks. It always amazed me how my little brother could go from being insecure to channeling so much raw power all at once—especially with the weight of One for All on his shoulders.
Once we were both dressed, we headed to the kitchen. The delectable smell of breakfast hit me before I even set foot inside. My mother, Inko, was fluttering around the counter, flipping pancakes and pouring what I assumed was yet another batch of sizzling fried eggs. Hizashi was already seated at the table, coffee in hand, looking every bit the stern but loving father.
"Good morning," I chimed, taking my seat.
"Good morning, Anos," Mom replied, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. Her eyes twinkled with a knowing smile. "Ready for today?"
"As always," I said, looking at the spread of food before me—bacon, eggs, and a stack of fluffy pancakes that could challenge the Tower of Babel. My stomach rumbled, reminding me of the energy I'd need for the rigorous training ahead.
Izuku plopped down beside me, his gaze nervously flicking to our father, who had a steady gaze glued to both of us. Hizashi's eyes were piercing, yet there was something behind them—a depth of understanding I could only fathom now that I was getting older.
"Izuku," Hizashi began, his voice a blend of firmness and encouragement. "Remember what we talked about. Control is key. You're not just handling your own power but the collective strength of those before you."
"I know, Dad." Izuku pushed a piece of toast around his plate like it held the answers to the universe's greatest mysteries. It pained me to see that unease in him, a constant reminder of how heavy his legacy was—not just a Quirk but a history intertwined with the sacrifices of countless heroes.
I reached over and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You've got this, little bro. You're stronger than you think." I flashed him a grin that felt just right. Somehow, my words managed to ease some of his tension, even if only a little.
Breakfast felt heavy with the gravity of expectations, a mix of small talk and silence hanging in the air like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury. As we polished off the last bites of food, the nervous energy twisting in my stomach amplified. We gathered our gear and shuffled out to the backyard, the training ground awaiting us.
The last rays of sunlight illuminated what my father had set up: a homemade obstacle course filled with weighted hurdles, targets, and training droids. Each item seemed designed specifically to push our limits, test our resolve.
"Today," Hizashi said, his voice booming across the yard, "we're going to focus on channeling your powers efficiently. Anos, I want you to work on increasing your output—don't let it overwhelm you. Izuku, your task is to harness One for All's power without losing control."
The gravity of his words weighed on me, and I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yes, sir."
We set to work, each brother diving into the routine laid out before us. I felt the shifting energies around me as I focused on my abilities, trying to push past my boundaries. I could hear Izuku's grunts as he attempted to find that balance between power and control, each attempt cracking air as if he were pulling a thunderstorm from the heavens.
The sun hung high, and the hours melted away like the remaining breakfast on our plates. Bit by bit, the anxious tension morphed into sheer determination, sweat mixing with the sun-drenched energy bouncing between us.
"Great job!" Hizashi shouted after one particularly successful run where I had managed to leap further than before without losing my footing. In that moment, my heart filled with a sense of pride, not just for myself but for Izuku too, who had landed his own breakthrough—a spark of inspiration flickering in his eyes.
Finally, as the training session descended into twilight, we all collapsed onto the grass, panting and laughing. The fear and pressure that had weighed on us earlier melted into the camaraderie that only brothers could share.
"This is just the beginning," I said, looking at Izuku, who was now more relaxed, a smile breaking the somber shadows lingering on his face.
"Yeah," he replied, "and together, we'll figure it out."
In that moment, surrounded by my family, I felt the weight of our legacy shift from a burden to a beacon—guiding us forward, together.