A Question of Identity

"Ok what is up with people calling me other names besides Vesper?" I asked, my voice a little louder than I intended, breaking the peaceful silence of the clearing. Osby's eyes snapped open, and Bakugo turned to me with a confused expression. "What's wrong, Izuku?" Bakugo asked, his brow furrowed. "It's just...everyone keeps calling me Izuku," I said, my voice tinged with frustration. "Or Midoriya, even. But no one ever calls me Vesper. It's like, I know I'm a hero and all, but can't they just use the name I prefer?" Osby sat up, rubbing his eyes. "I think it's just because those are your public names, Izuku. You're a well-known hero, after all. People are going to use the names they're familiar with." But I shook my head. "That's not it. It's just...Vesper feels like me. You know? Like, it's my name. Not just some public persona or alias." Bakugo raised an eyebrow. "You're saying you prefer Vesper over Izuku?" I hesitated, unsure of how to explain. "I don't know...I just feel like Izuku is the hero, you know? The public image. But Vesper...that's me. The real me." Osby leaned forward, his eyes locked on mine. "I think I understand what you're saying, Izuku. But maybe it's not about what other people call you. Maybe it's about what you call yourself." I frowned, unsure of what he meant. "You've been through a lot, Izuku," Osby said gently. "You've been a hero, you've fought villains, you've saved people. But at the end of the day, who are you? Are you Izuku, the hero? Or are you Vesper, the person?" I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of introspection wash over me. Maybe Osby was right. Maybe it wasn't about what other people called me, but about how I saw myself. As I sat there, lost in thought, Bakugo spoke up. "You know, Izuku...or Vesper, or whatever you want to be called...we're here for you, no matter what." I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards my friends. "Thanks, guys. Just...let's try to use Vesper from now on, okay?" Osby and Bakugo exchanged a look, and then nodded in unison. "Deal," they said, smiling. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the clearing in a warm, golden light, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to reconcile my public persona with my true self. And maybe, just maybe, I could learn to answer to the name that truly felt like mine.