Chapter 8: Happy Birthday
Author: Geraint
(MC's POV)
It was April 1st today, and it was my birthday.
"Happy 8th Birthday, Ichika!"
All the children in the orphanage cheered joyfully, joined by the caretaker.
I stood in front of the cake and blew out the candle.
"Yay!!"
Clap!Clap!Clap!
Everyone clapped happily.
But... Rumi still wasn't here.
She told me she'd come.
While everyone started eating—
"Ichika-san!"
I turned around—it was Izuku and Bakugou.
"Oh, Deku! And..."
I grinned at Bakugou.
"Hehe... Kacchan~<3"
"Damn you, Ichika!" Bakugou barked.
"Hehe..." Izuku laughed awkwardly.
He handed me a gift.
"Happy birthday, Ichika-san! Here's my present."
"Thanks, Deku."
Feeling the weight and size, I could already guess what it was.
"Another All Might merch, huh?"
"Hehehe..." He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
I turned to Bakugou with a smug look.
"Kacchan<3~ Today's the day. Where's my gift? Hurry up!"
Bakugou trembled, gritting his teeth.
"You bastard! Here!"
He shoved the gift into my hands.
"Someday, I'm gonna beat your ass!" he shouted, pointing.
"Thank you, Kacchan<3! You can call me Onii-chan from now on."
"Never!"
"Hahaha! Just kidding, Bakugou. Why so serious?"
"Damn you!"
I immediately ran as he chased after me.
"Hahaha—Ugh!"
I suddenly bumped into someone.
"I'm so—wait, Rumi?"
She stood in her hero costume.
"Sorry I'm late, Ichika! Something came up on the way."
"It's fine! Just glad you came. Your presence is enough for me."
Smiling, I grabbed her hand and pulled her along.
I was kinda hoping for a gift... but I didn't see anything with her. A bit disappointing, but I was happy she made it.
I brought her to my room. In the kitchen, I prepped some food and we had a private meal.
Later, in the living room, we played a fighting game together.
"Haha! Take that, Rumi!"
"Hey! That was a cheap move!"
"Hehe... The weak should fear the strong!"
"What strong?! It's just a game!"
She wrapped her arm around my neck in a headlock.
"Oi!" I tapped her arm.
Ring!Ring!Ring!
It was Rumi's phone.
She answered.
"Hello! I'm busy here—Ugh!"
Murmur... Murmur...
"Okay, okay! I'm coming."
She hung up and looked at me apologetically.
"Sorry, Ichika. I have to go back."
"Okay..."
She walked to the window and opened it.
Just before jumping out, she turned to me.
"See ya next time."
"Yeah... Be careful."
She grinned and leapt out, vanishing quickly.
I closed the window.
"Huh?"
Something lay on the floor. I picked it up.
It was a small wrapped present. Turning it over, I read:
[Happy birthday, Ichika!]
"No way!"
I opened it.
Inside was a black wristband with a sleek, branded design.
I wore it on my left wrist.
It fit perfectly.
I smiled.
"Thanks, Rumi."
A year and a half later
I was in a forest, standing in front of a massive boulder, wearing a black tracksuit.
Looking at my right hand, I turned it into a fist and took a deep breath.
"Captain Falcon!"
I ignited in flames, transforming into my hero form. Bigger. Stronger.
Facing the boulder, I launched my signature move—a blazing punch surrounded by a flaming falcon.
"Falcon Punch!"
BOOM!!!
The boulder shattered from the impact.
After an hour of training—
PantPant
I sat under a tree, breathing heavily.
Sustaining that form for over 45 minutes was exhausting.
All for One had damaged me badly. I couldn't transform for months.
It took a full year to get back to 30 minutes. Now I can hold it for 45.
Still, I can't do bounty hunting or bodyguard jobs. I'm currently a NEET with no side hustle due to this body.
I can't meet clients like this—they'd never trust a child.
It's frustrating. Being stuck in a kid's body has so many downsides.
Rumi already graduated from her hero school in Hiroshima. She's on her way to becoming a full Pro Hero.
She's too busy to visit me now.
I hope she's doing okay.
After regaining some stamina, I stood up and headed home.
At the playground park, I sat on a swing with Izuku. Bakugou was lying on the ground, completely beaten.
"Bakugou... Aren't you tired of losing every time you fight me? You rely too much on your quirk."
"Ugh... I'll beat you someday, Ichika..."
He looked frustrated.
"Yeah, yeah... Here, have some homemade pudding."
I placed a pudding cup on top of his spiky head.
While we ate—
"Deku, how's your training going?"
"Great, thanks to your regimen!"
"Good. Stick to it, and you'll be rewarded."
...
"Ichika-san... Do you think I'll become a hero this way?"
"Actually... nope."
"Ehh?! Then why am I even doing this?!"
"But it's better than giving up, right?"
Izuku looked down, saddened.
...
"Look, Deku. Have you seen me use any quirk against Bakugou?"
"None!"
He nodded firmly.
"Yet, he's never beaten me."
"Damn you, Ichika! Don't use me as an example!"
Bakugou was furious but too tired to move.
"Truth is, I'm registered as Quirkless."
Izuku looked serious—like he already suspected. Bakugou was silent, likely already aware.
I never showed anyone my real quirk. The spoon-bending was just a trick.
"Quirkless, my ass! You totally have one! You just won't tell us!" Bakugou growled, sitting up.
"If I had to guess... Your quirk nullifies others by touch, right?" Izuku said.
"Close, Deku. You're observant."
"It's just a theory..."
"But you're right. My quirk lets me nullify quirks by touch. But that's not all—it erases any supernatural power. Anyone who fights me becomes just a normal person."
"Whoa! That's incredible!" Izuku said.
"But it has weaknesses."
"Still..."
"First, I'm weak against mutant-type quirks. I can't nullify things they were born with. Second, machines. Robots are science, not supernatural. Lastly..."
I raised my right hand.
"Huh?"
"I can only nullify with my right hand. If it's restrained, I'm powerless."
Izuku's eyes widened.
But in my Captain Falcon form, those weaknesses barely matter. My strength and speed are overwhelming.
"I told you both because I trust you. Don't tell anyone."
"Yes!"
I took a sip of juice.
"Oh yeah—Ichika-san! What's your quirk called?"
"'All for Nothing.' Turns your quirk into... well, nothing."
"More like 'You do nothing but flirt with older women,'" Bakugou muttered.
"You saw nothing!"
I stepped on his back.
"It hurts! Damn you, Ichika!"
(To be continued)
A/N: Main fanfic next. I'll fix my mistakes later.