Chapter 13: A Day in the Big Apple
The morning sun blazed over Brooklyn, casting long shadows across 7th Avenue as Izuku, Inko, and Hisashi Midoriya stepped out of the apartment building, ready for a day of New York sightseeing. It was their second day in the city, jet lag mostly shaken off, and the air hummed with humidity and promise. Izuku adjusted his black cap, tugging his white All Might T-shirt straight, while Inko fussed with her straw hat, her floral blouse fluttering in the faint breeze. Hisashi, sharp in a casual polo and slacks no suit today led the way, a subway map tucked under his arm. "First stop, Times Square," he announced, grinning. "Can't miss the heart of it all!"
"Sounds exciting!" Inko said, clutching her purse as they descended into the subway. "All those lights I've seen it in pictures, but in person? Oh, I can't wait!"
Izuku nodded, keeping pace. "Yeah, it's like the hero hub of New York gotta see what's up." Maybe spot some action, he thought, imagining himself in that chaos someday Quirk flashing, crowds cheering. The train rattled them into Manhattan, a packed car of commuters and tourists, and Hisashi pointed out the window as skyscrapers loomed closer. "Almost there," he said. "Get ready for the madness."
Times Square hit them like a wave blinding billboards, honking cabs, a sea of people surging past giant screens flashing ads for Broadway shows and soda. Izuku's eyes darted everywhere Coca-Cola in neon red, a Spider-Man musical poster, street vendors hawking pretzels. "Whoa," he breathed, turning in a slow circle. "This is nuts."
"Isn't it wild?" Hisashi laughed, steering them through the crowd. "Lived here years, and it still gets me. Let's grab something street food's the move here." He led them to a cart, the air thick with salt and yeast, and ordered three soft pretzels warm, doughy twists dusted with salt. Inko tore into hers, giggling as crumbs fell. "So good!" she said, licking her fingers. "Better than I imagined!"
Izuku bit into his, the chew satisfying. "Yeah, solid start," he said, scanning the chaos. Fuel for the day, hero's gotta eat. Then, a ripple cut through the crowd gasps, phones snapping up. He turned just as a figure streaked overhead a woman in a sleek purple-and-gold costume, cape billowing, soaring like a comet. Her blonde hair trailed behind, and she banked sharp, waving at the gawking masses below before vanishing around a skyscraper. Cameras clicked, kids cheered, and Izuku's jaw dropped.
"Who's that?" he asked, craning his neck. Flying hero, smooth moves.
Hisashi grinned, swallowing a bite of pretzel. "That's Queen T she's a local hero around these parts. Flight, super strength. She's a big deal in Manhattan. Patrols Times Square a lot, keeps the pickpockets and crazies in check."
"Queen T?" Inko said, eyes wide as she clutched her hat. "She's amazing! So graceful oh, I wish I'd gotten a picture!"
"Plenty of chances," Hisashi said, wiping his hands. "She's around a lot here. New York's got heroes like Japan's got vending machines. C'mon, more to see!" Izuku nodded, filing it away. Queen T, huh? Flashy, strong U.A. better watch out for me. They finished their pretzels, brushing off crumbs, and plunged back into the day.
Next up was Central Park, a short subway hop north. The urban roar faded as they stepped into green trees stretching wide, paths winding past ponds and horse-drawn carriages. Hisashi rented bikes from a stand three sturdy ones with baskets and they pedaled off, tires humming on asphalt. "This is the lungs of the city," Hisashi said, coasting ahead. "Hundreds of acres crazy it's right in the middle of all that concrete."
"It's beautiful!" Inko called, wobbling a bit as she pedaled. "So peaceful I could ride here all day!" Her hat flopped with each bump, and she laughed, steadying it.
Izuku kept pace, legs pumping strong his training showing. "Yeah, it's cool," he said, dodging a jogger. "Big space and good for moving around." Could test some telekinesis here, he thought, eyeing a stray stick. Maybe later too many eyes now. They stopped at a food truck near the Bethesda Fountain stone angel gleaming over the water and grabbed hot dogs: mustard and ketchup for Izuku, sauerkraut for Inko, onions for Hisashi. They sat on a bench, munching as squirrels darted nearby.
"These are huge!" Inko said, wrestling her hot dog with a napkin. "Tasty, though messy but worth it!"
"Classic New York," Hisashi said, wiping his mouth. "Better than plane food, right, kid?"
"Way better," Izuku agreed, licking mustard off his thumb. "Beats katsu by a mile." Street food's the vibe heroes probably eat like this on patrol.
After biking, they returned the rentals and cabbed to the Staten Island Ferry free, Hisashi bragged, and the best way to see the Statue of Liberty. The boat rocked gently as it pulled from the dock, Manhattan shrinking behind them. They stood at the rail, wind tugging Inko's hat as Lady Liberty loomed closer green and stoic, torch high. "There she is!" Inko said, snapping photos. "So tall I can't believe we're here!"
"Iconic," Hisashi said, arm around her. "Bet you'll frame that shot, huh?"
"Definitely!" she said, zooming in. "Izuku, smile for one!" He grinned, cap tilted, the statue a perfect backdrop. Tourist stuff, but cool, he thought. Gotta show the guys back home proof I'm global now. They grabbed ice cream from a vendor on deck vanilla for Inko, chocolate for Izuku, strawberry for Hisashi licking it fast as it melted in the July sun.
Last stop was the Empire State Building, a towering slab of steel piercing the skyline. Hisashi had tickets, and they rode the elevator to the 86th-floor observatory ears popping, city sprawling below like a map come alive. "Look at that!" Hisashi said, pointing east. "Brooklyn's that way see the bridge? And there's Manhattan, all lit up already."
"It's breathtaking," Inko whispered, gripping the railing. "So high I feel like we're flying!"
Izuku pressed against the glass, eyes tracing the grid of lights. "Crazy view," he said. "You can see everything kinda like a hero's perch." Queen T probably scopes it from up here, he thought. I could too telekinesis up high? Unbeatable. They lingered, snapping pics, then grabbed a quick bite downstairs pizza slices from a kiosk: cheese for Inko, pepperoni for Izuku and Hisashi, greasy and folded in hand.
"Best pizza yet," Hisashi said, chewing as they cabbed back. "Day's worth it just for this."
"I agree," Izuku said, wiping his mouth. "Food's a win and sights too." New York's got game, he thought. Gotta bring that energy to U.A.
Dusk settled as they reached the Brooklyn apartment, the two-bedroom haven a welcome sight after hours out. Hisashi unlocked the door, kicking off his shoes. "Home base," he said, dropping onto the couch. "Good day, huh?"
"Amazing!" Inko said, setting her hat down, cheeks pink from sun. "I'm exhausted, but I'm so happy thank you, Hisashi!"
"Anytime," he said, grinning. "Kid, you holding up?"
"Yeah," Izuku said, tossing his cap on the coffee table. "A little tired, but it's worth it. New York's wild." Step one of the big leagues, he thought, stretching. More to come.
They collapsed into the living room, bags of souvenirs postcards, a tiny Statue replica spilling out, the day's buzz lingering as the city hummed outside.