Chapter 1: The Unlikely Encounter

The streets of Musutafu were always bustling with life, but on this particular day, they seemed to be moving at a slower pace. The sun was high up in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city. Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, was walking home from a particularly grueling training session with his friends. His muscles ached, and his lungs burned, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had finally managed to get his One For All quirk under control, and it was only a matter of time before he could catch up to his peers. As he turned a corner, he noticed a figure standing out among the crowd. The person was tall, with a messy shock of orange hair that seemed to be sticking up in every direction. Deku's eyes widened as he realized who it was - Katsuki Bakugo, his classmate and rival. But what was he doing here? Deku and Bakugo weren't exactly on the best of terms, considering their complicated history and constant rivalry. Bakugo was leaning against a streetlamp, his eyes fixed on his phone as he scrolled through something. He looked up as Deku approached, a hint of a scowl on his face. "What do you want, Midoriya?" he asked gruffly, not bothering to hide his disdain. Deku was taken aback by the sudden confrontation, but he tried to remain calm. "I was just... walking home from training," he explained, trying to sound nonchalant. Bakugo raised an eyebrow. "Training? With who? I didn't see you with anyone." He seemed to be studying Deku's face, searching for something. Deku shrugged. "Just me and some friends. We were working on some drills." Bakugo snorted. "Drills? You think drills are going to help you keep up with us? You're still lagging behind, Midoriya." Deku felt a surge of frustration, but he bit back his retort. He knew that Bakugo was just trying to get under his skin. "I'm doing fine," he said, trying to sound confident. Bakugo looked at him skeptically, but then his expression changed. For a moment, Deku thought he saw a glimmer of something else in his eyes - a hint of curiosity, maybe, or even concern. But it was quickly replaced by Bakugo's usual bravado. "Whatever," Bakugo said, pushing off from the streetlamp. "I'm on my way to meet up with some people. Want to come with?" Deku was taken aback by the invitation. He and Bakugo rarely spent time together, and he wasn't sure what to make of this sudden offer. But something about Bakugo's expression made him hesitate. Maybe it was the hint of vulnerability he had seen earlier, or maybe it was just his curiosity getting the better of him. "Okay," Deku said finally, making a split-second decision. "I'll come." Bakugo raised an eyebrow, but a small smile played on his lips. "Alright, Midoriya. Let's go." And with that, Deku found himself following Bakugo into the unknown, unsure of what lay ahead, but eager to find out. Your turn. What happens next?