The familiar rush of interdimensional travel subsides. Ace stumbles, catching himself against a brick wall. He looks around. Grimy dumpsters overflow with trash. Graffiti tags every surface. This isn't a world he recognizes.
"Where are we?" Ace asks.
Narutaki scans the surroundings. "Honestly? I have no idea. It seems this is my first time here, too."
Ace's eyebrows furrow. "You don't know?"
"Every world is different, Ace. I do not know them all."
Narutaki turns to leave.
"Wait, you're just going?" Ace asks, surprised.
"I have other matters to attend to."
"But, I don't even know where I am." Worry edges into Ace's voice.
"You'll be fine. I trust you."
[Rumble]
A new Aurora Curtain shimmers into existence, bathing the alleyway in an ethereal glow. The sleek form of the Trychaser 2000 roars through, tires screeching on the cracked pavement.
"I have also brought your bike over to this world," Narutaki remarks, glancing at the bike.
Narutaki adjusts his hat. "We will meet again, Kamen Rider."
He steps into the Aurora Curtain, and with a final shimmer, the portal vanishes, leaving Ace alone in the unknown alleyway with only his bike and a sense of unease.
Ace pushes the Trychaser out of the alleyway, the tires bumping roughly over the uneven ground. He emerges onto a bustling street, the sounds of the city washing over him. Skyscrapers tower above, their glass facades reflecting the afternoon sun. The signs plastered across the buildings are a jumble of kanji and katakana. Japanese.
At least I know what country I'm in... or what looks like it. Ace thought.
The people hurrying past are all Japanese, too, dressed in a mix of casual and business attire. There are several school children wearing their uniforms. A wave of relief washes over him. It's not New York, but it's familiar enough.
He pushes the bike onto the sidewalk, trying not to block pedestrian traffic. Cars whiz by, a symphony of honking and engine roars filling the air.
Okay, now what? Ace thinks, Narutaki really left me high and dry.
He scans the crowd, looking for anyone who might be able to offer some help or direction.
A young woman with bright pink hair catches his eye. She's wearing a school uniform and chatting animatedly on her phone, gesturing wildly with her free hand.
Okay, deep breath. I just need to ask for directions. Ace thought.
He pushes the Trychaser closer, trying to catch her attention without startling her. "Excuse me?" he says, his voice a little louder than he intended.
The girl jumps, nearly dropping her phone. She stares at Ace with wide, curious eyes. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't see you there."
"No worries," Ace says, trying to smile reassuringly. "I'm a little lost. Do you know where… uh…" He pauses, realizing he doesn't even know what city he's in. "Where are we?"
The girl blinks, tilting her head slightly. "You don't know? This is Musutafu."
Musutafu. The name rings no bells. "Right, Musutafu," Ace repeats, pretending to recognize the name. It sounds kind of familiar. "I'm not from around here. Is this still Japan?"
"Of course, it is! Where did you think you were?"
"Just making sure," Ace replies. He is relieved to learn this world is not completely alien. "Is there anything that I should know about this city? Something that a newcomer would not be aware of?"
The girl laughs. "Well, besides being home to U.A. High, not really."
"U.A. High?"
Where have I heard of that before?
Ace frowns, racking his brain trying to remember where he heard U.A. High.
Something streaks past, a blur of black and white. Ace whips his head around, eyes widening. A guy in a striped jumpsuit and a mask with gaping holes for eyes and mouth is swinging through the air, limbs stretching like rubber bands. He clutches a bulging sack with a giant dollar sign on the side. A comical robber straight out of a cartoon.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!"
A voice booms, authoritative and laced with theatricality. Ace spots the source: a figure clad in light brown, bark-like armor, branches sprouting from his outstretched arms. The guy looks like a walking tree puppet.
"It's Kamui Woods!" the schoolgirl beside Ace squeals, clapping her hands together. "He's so cool!"
Ace blinks, utterly bewildered. Kamui Woods? The name triggers a faint flicker of recognition, like a half-remembered dream. Where had he heard that before?
The rubbery robber laughs, stretching an arm impossibly long to snag a street sign. "You'll never catch me, tree-man!"
Kamui Woods, undeterred, propels himself forward with a burst of wooden branches, swinging after the fleeing villain with surprising speed. The schoolgirl jumps up and down, phone clutched in her hand, filming the chase.
"Who is Kamui Woods?" Ace asks, turning back to the girl.
"Are you serious? He's only like, one of the top heroes in Japan!"
Hero? Ace thinks, confusion swirling. Heroes, Quirks, U.A. High... The pieces are starting to click into place.
"Lacquered Chain Prison!" Kamui Woods shouts, his wooden limbs extending rapidly, forming a cage of branches around the robber. The robber tries to stretch out of the way, but the branches move faster, ensnaring him in a tangled web.
Kamui Woods strikes a pose as his "Lacquered Chain Prison" takes hold, the robber secured in a wooden cage. "Another villain apprehended! Justice prevails!" he booms, puffing out his chest. The crowd erupts in cheers, a wave of adoration washing over the tree-like hero. Kamui Woods laps it up, basking in the spotlight.
Ace watches the scene unfold, a slow dawning of realization spreading across his face. He notices a child in the crowd clutching a plastic action figure, a hulking figure in red, white, and blue. The figure's signature golden hair is unmistakable. It's All Might.
All Might? Ace thought. Of course! That's why this world felt so familiar.
Everything snaps into focus. U.A. High, Quirks, Heroes…
I'm in My Hero Academia.
A world where superpowers are commonplace, where heroes and villains clash in spectacular battles, where heroism is a profession and a celebrity status. A world he only knew through the pages of manga and streaming on his phone. A world of Quirks.
The crowd disperses, and Ace is left standing on the sidewalk, the Trychaser rumbling quietly beside him. Okay, new world, Ace thinks, time to figure things out. He knows he's in My Hero Academia, but that doesn't solve his immediate problem: he needs a place to stay and a way to earn money.
This must be the hard part, he muses, glancing at the bike. It's not like he's been reborn into a resident of this world with a home and a job waiting for him. He is still just Ace.
He reaches into his pocket, fingering the wad of cash he managed to bring with him. Tens of thousands of dollars—worthless here. The currency in Marvel means nothing in this world. He sighs, pushing the bike down the street, scanning the buildings. He spots a small café with a HELP WANTED sign in the window. That's a start, he thinks.
Ace parks the Trychaser on the sidewalk, its sleek design drawing a few curious glances. He takes a deep breath and heads towards the café. The sign reads 'Starry' in a whimsical font, and a small telescope is set up near the entrance, pointed towards the sky. The windows are decorated with glowing star decals. Interesting theme, Ace thinks, stepping inside.
The bell above the door CHIMES softly as Ace enters. The café is small, but cozy. Muted blues and purples dominate the color scheme, and strings of fairy lights twinkle like constellations across the ceiling. Small tables are arranged neatly, each adorned with a tiny replica of a different planet. The air smells of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet, like cinnamon rolls.
Behind the counter stands a woman with a gentle smile. Her medium-length black hair is neatly styled, and her brown eyes hold a warmth that instantly puts Ace at ease. She wears a simple, pastel-colored dress that fits the café's soft aesthetic. Ace gauges her to be in her mid-twenties. The woman looks up as Ace enters, a serene expression on her face.
"Oh, hello!" she says, her voice soft and welcoming. "Sorry, we're not open yet. I'm still setting up."
"Actually," Ace replies, "I saw the 'Help Wanted' sign outside. I was hoping to apply for the job."
Ami's eyes widen slightly. "Oh! Really? That's... that's wonderful! I just put that sign up about half an hour ago. I'm glad someone responded so quickly."
She gestures towards a small table near the window. "Please, have a seat. Let's have a little interview, shall we?"
Ami and Ace settle at a small table. "I'm Hoshizora Ami, by the way," she says, extending a hand.
"Ace," he replies, shaking her hand. Her grip is surprisingly firm, despite her gentle demeanor.
"So, Ace," Ami begins, clasping her hands together. "Tell me a bit about yourself. Have you worked in a café before?"
"Yeah, I've done some barista work back where I come from," Ace replies, trying to sound casual. "Made coffee, served customers, the usual."
"Excellent!" Ami beams. "And where do you live?"
Ace hesitates. "I'm... a bit of a traveller," he says, choosing his words carefully. "Just passing through, looking for work. Haven't really settled down anywhere yet."
Ami's expression softens with sympathy. "Oh, I see. A wanderer, huh?"
"Something like that." Ace shrugs, trying to play it cool.
"And do you have a Quirk, Ace?"
Ace pauses, considering his answer. Well, I'm not from this world, so technically... "No, I don't," he admits. "I'm Quirkless."
Ami's eyes widen slightly, but she quickly recovers. "I see," she says, her tone still kind. "Well, that's not a problem at all. A good work ethic and a willingness to learn are far more important than any Quirk."
Easy for you to say, Ace thinks, but keeps the thought to himself.
Ami studies Ace for a moment, a thoughtful look on her face. "You know, Ace," she says softly, "I have a spare room here at the café. It's not much, but it's better than nothing. If you're willing to work hard, I'd be happy to offer you the job and the room."
Ace is taken aback. "Really? That's... that's incredibly generous of you, Hoshizora-san."
"Please, call me Ami," she says, waving a hand dismissively. "And don't worry about it. I know what it's like to be down on your luck. Besides," she adds with a wink, "it gets lonely here sometimes."
"But... wouldn't that be an imposition? You live here too, right?" Ace asks, trying to wrap his head around it.
"Oh, it's no trouble at all!" Ami assures him, her smile widening. "There's plenty of space. Besides, I could use the company. Welcome to Starry, Ace!"
Ace can't help but smile back. "Thank you, Ami. I really appreciate it."
"Great!" Ami claps her hands together, her energy returning. "Now, let's get you started. I'll show you around the café, teach you how to make our signature coffees, and introduce you to the cleaning schedule."
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz