The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the quiet streets as I jogged toward the park. My backpack bounced lightly with each step, filled with gloves, a water bottle, and a few bandages—just in case. Kaito always said I worried too much, but I preferred to be prepared.

As I rounded the corner, I spotted him first. Kaito was perched on the back of a bench, his long legs dangling as he laughed at something one of the others had said. His messy black hair caught the sunlight, and his trademark toothy grin was already plastered across his face. He spotted me immediately, raising a hand in a lazy wave.

Kaito: "Oi, Izuku! Took you long enough!"

I skidded to a stop in front of them, panting lightly.

Me: "Sorry! Mom and I were going over some stuff for school. You know how it is."

Kaito jumped down from the bench, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

Kaito: "You're here now, so let's get started!"

The rest of the group—Miki, Haru, and Yui—greeted me with casual nods and smiles. Miki adjusted the straps on her elbow pads, her sharp eyes already scanning the park for their first obstacle. Haru stretched lazily, his bright orange hoodie standing out like a beacon, while Yui tied her hair back into a high ponytail.

Haru: "We hitting the warehouse after this, or sticking to the park?"

Kaito smirked, tilting his head toward the nearby jungle gym.

Kaito: "Let's warm up here first. Gotta make sure Izuku doesn't embarrass himself in front of everyone."

Me: "Hey!"

The group burst into laughter, and even I couldn't help but crack a smile. It was just how Kaito was—loud, teasing, and endlessly encouraging in his own way.

We started with the basics, hopping between the concrete blocks that lined the edges of the park. It felt good to move, to let my muscles work and my mind focus on nothing but the next jump.

Kaito: "C'mon, Izuku! You can go faster than that!"

I rolled my eyes but pushed myself to keep up. Kaito was already halfway up the climbing wall, his movements fluid and confident. Miki followed close behind, her movements sharper but just as efficient.

Me: "I'm going, I'm going!"

Yui stood beside me, watching the others with a calm smile.

Yui: "You're doing great, Izuku. Just don't overthink it.... you seem lost in thoughts today!"

Easier said than done. My mind was already running through every possibility—what if I slipped? What if I didn't jump far enough?

Haru: "Stop thinking and just move, man!"

His shout snapped me out of it, and I took a deep breath. The next block was only a few feet away. 

I could make it. 

I would make it.

By the time we reached the warehouse, I was covered in a thin layer of sweat, but I felt good. The old building stood tall and weathered, its windows shattered and walls covered in faded graffiti. It had been abandoned for years, but for us, it was a playground.

Kaito pushed open the heavy metal door with a loud creak, and we slipped inside one by one. The air was cooler here, filled with the faint smell of rust and concrete.

Kaito: "Alright, let's see what you've got today. Haru, set up the run."

Haru nodded, darting off to rearrange a few crates and barrels into an impromptu course. The rest of us stretched, our footsteps echoing softly in the empty space.

Miki: "You've been practicing, right, Izuku?"

Me: "Yeah. A little. Mostly at the park recently, though."

She nodded approvingly, tossing me a pair of gloves.

Miki: "Good. You'll need these."

Kaito clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention.

Kaito: "Alright, first run goes to Yui. Show us how it's done!"

Yui grinned and stepped up to the starting line. As soon as Kaito shouted "Go," she was off, leaping over barrels and swinging from beams with practiced ease.

Watching my friends was always inspiring. Kaito's sheer power and precision. Miki's technical skill. Yui's grace and agility. Haru's creativity in finding paths no one else saw.

When it was my turn, my heart pounded in my chest, but I pushed the nerves aside. This wasn't about being the best. It was about pushing myself, one step at a time.

Me: "Alright, here goes!"

I ran toward the first obstacle—a stack of crates—and vaulted over them. My landing wasn't perfect, but I kept going, weaving through the course as fast as I could.

Kaito: "That's it! Keep moving!"

Their cheers pushed me forward, and by the time I reached the end, I was out of breath but grinning.

Me: "How'd I do?"

Kaito gave me a thumbs-up, his grin as wide as ever.

Kaito: "Not bad, Deku. Not bad at all."

The nickname made me laugh. It had started as a joke—a way for Kaito to tease me about my clumsy beginnings. But over time, it had become something more. A reminder that I could keep going, no matter how many times I fell.

As the sun set and the warehouse grew darker, we packed up and headed home. My legs ached, and my hands were sore, but I couldn't stop smiling. These moments—these friends—they reminded me why I kept pushing forward.

No matter how tough things got, I wasn't alone.