Let's dive...Into Madness! (UA War Game)

I slipped into the bathroom, letting the door close softly behind me. The noise from the classroom faded, leaving me alone with the hum of the fluorescent lights. I moved to the sink and looked up, meeting my reflection head-on.

Wild green curls, wide eyes, a freckled face that looked innocent enough. I looked like the same Midoriya Izuku everyone knew.

I looked normal.

I looked harmless.

Perfect.

I gripped the sides of the sink, fingers tightening until my knuckles turned white. I leaned in, my face just inches from the mirror, and for a moment, my smile dropped. My eyes turned cold, calculating.

I could feel the power buzzing under my skin, electric and alive, like a second heartbeat. One for All.

I let my fingers flex, feeling the energy surge through them. I could break the sink in a second if I wanted to. I could tear the door off its hinges, punch a hole through the wall. I could destroy this whole building if I really wanted to.

But I wouldn't.

Because heroes don't do that.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. The power settled, humming quietly beneath my skin. I had to control it. I had to control myself.

I couldn't let it slip. Not even for a second.

I opened my eyes again, my expression blank. I looked at my reflection, studying the face that stared back at me. To everyone else, I was just happy, cheerful Deku. A bit clumsy, a bit awkward, but always smiling, always trying his best.

I had to be.

I had to be perfect.

I couldn't let her down.

I couldn't disappoint my mom.

She was so happy when I got into U.A., so proud. She cried when she found out I had a quirk, when she found out I was going to be a hero. She believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself.

She still did.

I had to live up to that. I had to be the hero she always dreamed I would be. I had to be the hero All Might believed I could be.

I had to keep smiling, no matter what. I had to be the cheerful, happy kid they all expected me to be. Even if I was surrounded by idiots.

I let out a dry laugh, my smile turning bitter. They were all so clueless. Even the teachers, so wrapped up in their own ideas of heroism. They couldn't see it, couldn't see me.

That was fine. It meant my mask was working.

I let the power hum under my skin for a moment longer before letting it fade. One for All was mine now. All Might trusted me with it, believed I could carry his legacy.

I had to be perfect. For him. For my mom.

I leaned in closer to the mirror, my nose almost touching the glass. "You can do this," I whispered, my voice low and steady. "You're Midoriya Izuku. Cheerful, happy, little Deku."

I let my shoulders relax, forcing the tension out of them. When I looked up again, my eyes were bright and cheerful. My smile was back, wide and genuine. Or at least, it looked that way.

I had to be perfect. Happy, smiling, always eager to help. They could never see the cracks, never get a glimpse of what was underneath.

Not yet. Not until I was ready.

I was going to be a hero. The best hero there ever was. I was going to prove them all wrong, prove that I could do it. That I was worthy of this power.

That I was worthy of being All Might's successor.

I was going to be the hero my mom always believed I could be.

I had to be.

I turned away from the mirror, my smile never faltering. I could feel the weight of the mask, pressing down on me, suffocating me. But I kept it up, kept it perfect.

Because I didn't have a choice.

Because she was counting on me.

Because All Might was counting on me.

Because I was going to be the best.

No matter what it took.

I left the bathroom, the door swinging shut behind me. As I walked back to the classroom, I could hear the laughter of my classmates, their voices loud and carefree.

I let my smile grow wider, letting out a cheerful laugh as I joined them. "Hey guys! Did you really think I was that scary?"

They all laughed, joking and teasing me like always. They never noticed a thing.