Just After Landing
"So this is your house?" Kacchan asked, glancing around as the trio arrived at Tekashi's home in the United States.
Izuku, Kacchan, and Tekashi had landed just a while ago, and it didn't take long for fans to recognize Izuku and Kacchan. Tekashi, on the other hand, remained under the radar, his career had always been cloaked in secrecy. Though currently unemployed, he longed to return to the hero world someday.
Tekashi never cared for the spotlight and certainly wasn't envious of Izuku or Kacchan. Izuku loved public attention, often posing for photos with fans whenever the opportunity arose. Kacchan, by contrast, preferred peace and quiet. While he didn't mind being recognized, he rarely acknowledged it - unless provoked.
"Yes, this is my house," Tekashi replied, opening the traditional wooden gate. "I've lived here for over eight years."
The house was a blend of Japanese tradition and American practicality. Wooden beams supported stone walls, and a tranquil garden stretched out behind the house. Tekashi had built it this way to stay connected to his roots - a piece of home in a foreign land.
Inside, Izuku and Kacchan were shown to the guest room. The space was simple: two beds, a small table, and a closet. It was cozy, if not luxurious.
"Which side do you want to sleep on, Kacchan?" Izuku asked, placing his bag on the floor.
Kacchan scanned the room and pointed to the bed farthest from the door, silently claiming it.
"But I wanted that side…" Izuku mumbled, frowning.
"THEN WHY DID YOU ASK, DUMB IZUKU?" Kacchan snapped.
"I thought you'd pick the other side!"
"STOP MAKING STUPID ASSUMPTIONS, YOU DAMN NERD!"
"SAYS THE BIGGEST NERD IN THE ROOM!"
From the hallway, Tekashi heard the rising volume of their voices and sighed. They hadn't changed much, still bickering like kids. He knocked on the doorframe, drawing their attention.
"Hey, settle down. This trip isn't a vacation, we have work to do. But for today, take a break. Go explore New York. There's a big Hero Expo going on right now, and it might give you both some ideas."
Izuku's eyes lit up immediately. Even Kacchan looked mildly interested.
"Hero Expo?" Izuku repeated with excitement. "Let's go!"
At the Hero Expo
New York's Hero Expo was a massive event, held annually and packed with heroes and fans from around the world. Traffic was a nightmare, but with their official hero licenses, Izuku and Kacchan used their quirks to bypass it.
"Wow... So this is the Hero Expo," Izuku said, as they arrived at the stadium-sized venue. "It's huge!"
"Look, Kacchan! It's Cow Lady!" Izuku pointed across the crowd and rushed over. "I follow all her patrol reports!"
He introduced himself and chatted briefly with the American pro hero, gushing over her latest rescue missions. Kacchan, uninterested in fanboying, slipped past the crowd and made his way into the expo hall.
After a few minutes, Izuku caught up with him, and the two began exploring the massive venue together. The hall was filled with displays, demonstrations, and test booths to try out quirks in safe conditions.
Kacchan stopped at a heat-output tester and smirked.
"Watch this."
He focused his explosion energy and let it rip. The machine beeped and displayed MAXIMUM OUTPUT.
"Full points!" he shouted at Izuku. "Try to beat that, Izuku!"
"I don't have an explosive quirk like yours," Izuku said, walking over to a different booth, a power strike tester.
"Let me show you what I can do."
He warmed up his right arm, then stepped into position.
"One For All… Florida SMASH!"
With a mighty punch, he shattered the target and maxed out the score.
Kacchan pushed him aside.
"Move. I'm not done."
He clenched his fist, charged up, and yelled:
"YOU STUPID WALL, DIE!"
BOOM!
Unfortunately, his blast was too strong. The entire test area was destroyed.
Izuku winced as a panicked staff member approached. Kacchan apologized and offered to pay for the damages.
Watching from a short distance, Izuku couldn't help but smile.
"He really has changed... a lot."
As they prepared to move on, a booming voice echoed across the expo hall:
"Have you ever wanted to fight a pro hero? Now's your chance! In the central arena, test your strength against a mystery challenger! Come if you dare, prizes await!"
The lights in the hall dimmed, a spotlight shining down on the central stage. The crowd roared with excitement.
Izuku and Kacchan exchanged a look, then grinned in unison.
"Let's go!" Izuku said.
They both dashed toward the arena, ready for the next challenge, unaware of what, or who, awaited them in the ring.