Chapter 6 : Up in the Air
The walk to school was nothing new—same cracked sidewalks, same hum of Musutafu waking up. I hit Aldera Elementary's gates right on time, the bell still a few minutes off. Day two of the new me, I thought, adjusting my backpack. Let's see if they notice anything different. I stepped into the classroom, the usual buzz of chatter hitting me like static. Kids were sprawled at their desks—Hana Tanaka doodling in her notebook, Kenji Mori kicking his chair leg, Aiko Sato whispering to her friend Miki Yamada. Same faces, same routine. And same as always, they ignored me. Eyes slid past like I was a ghost. Figures, I thought, smirking to myself. Old Izuku was invisible. Fine by me—makes the surprise sweeter.
I slid into my seat near the back, dropping my bag with a soft thud. Just wait, I mused, leaning back. One spark, one floating pencil, and they'll all be staring. The room filled up, shoes scuffing the floor, until the door banged open louder than it needed to. Katsuki Bakugo stormed in, his spiky blond hair practically bristling, trailed by his two shadows—Taro Nakamura and Riku Ito. Here we go, I thought, my pulse kicking up a notch. The king and his clowns.
Bakugo's eyes locked on me, narrowing like he'd spotted a target. He stomped over, slamming a hand on my desk hard enough to rattle it. "Oi, Deku!" he shouted, voice cutting through the chatter. "Where the hell were you yesterday? Skipping out like some coward?"
I met his glare, keeping my face blank. Same old song, I thought. Loud, dumb, and predictable. Bet he practiced that sneer in the mirror. Before I could answer, Taro piped up from Bakugo's left, his lanky frame leaning in with a snicker. "Maybe he was crying to his mommy again, huh, Katsuki? 'Oh, I'm so weak, save me!'"
Riku, shorter and stockier, chimed in with a hyena laugh. "Yeah, or hiding under his bed! What a loser—probably scared of his own shadow!"
Bakugo smirked, crossing his arms as his lackeys cackled behind him. "Pathetic," he spat, leaning closer. "So what was it, huh? Spill it, Deku."
The room went quiet, eyes flicking our way—Hana pausing her doodle, Kenji's foot stilling. They're laughing now, I thought, a slow grin creeping up inside me. Keep it up, Bakugo. You're begging for a front-row seat to the new show.
Bakugo's glare burned into me, his fists twitching like he was itching to swing. Same loudmouth, same target, I thought, fingers curling under my desk. No fire today—too messy, too much heat on me. Telekinesis, though? That's my ace. I locked eyes with him, a spark firing up inside. Let's see how he likes being the little guy for once.
I focused, that familiar tug blooming in my chest, and wrapped my Quirk around him gentle but firm, like grabbing a doll. His feet left the floor, slow and steady, lifting him a good meter up. He flailed, arms pinwheeling, eyes bugging out. "What the...?!" he yelped, voice cracking as he dangled there.
I stood, strolling over casual as anything, hands in my pockets. Time to twist the knife, I thought, smirking up at him. "What's wrong, Bakugo? You look kinda light up there guess you're not so big after all, huh?" My voice was smooth, loud enough for the room to hear. Eat it, jerk.
Bakugo's face went red, veins popping as he thrashed midair. "Deku, you freak—what is this?! How'd you get a Quirk?!" he shouted, his growl bouncing off the walls. Oh, he's mad, I thought, grin widening. Good. Let him squirm.
The class went electric—Aiko Sato gasped, hands flying to her cheeks. "He's floating him!" she hissed to Miki Yamada, who gaped like she'd seen a ghost. Kenji Mori leaned forward, muttering, "Deku's got a Quirk now? No way…" Hana Tanaka's pencil clattered to her desk, her jaw dropping. Whispers zipped around—"Since when?!" "He's lifting Bakugo like it's nothing!"
Taro and Riku just stood there, frozen, mouths half-open like statues. No help from the peanut gallery, I thought, flicking my eyes their way. Guess they're out of laughs now. Then it hit—Miki snorted, loud and sharp. "Bakugo's a helium balloon!" she crowed, and Kenji cackled, banging his fist. "King Katsuki, up where he belongs—nowhere!" Hana giggled, pointing as Bakugo kicked uselessly.
The laughter spread fast—Aiko chimed in, "Look at him wiggle!" Some kid near the back yelled, "Nice airtime, tough guy!" Hana shot me a thumbs up, grinning wide, and Kenji flashed a double thumbs up, still chuckling. There's the spotlight, I thought, soaking it in. One lift, and I'm the star—he's the punchline.
I waved a hand, easing Bakugo back down—feet hitting the floor with a soft thud. He stumbled, catching himself, still fuming. I turned, strolling back to my seat like it was nothing, and dropped into it, legs crossed. First round's mine, I thought, leaning back. Let's see him top that.