Chapter Text
A week had passed by when Midoriya returned to school. He could now walk around, albeit using crutches.
“Hey nerd, what happened to you? Did someone beat you up? About time.” A male classmate snickers as another joins him. The two were Bakugou's friends.
“Did no one ever teach you manners? To not prey on the weak and injured?” Midoriya retorts. The boy looks around as his face flushes as students hear and start to whisper to each other.
Midoriya starts to head to class. The boy, furious, lengthens his leg to trip Midoriya. Midoriya falls on his face with a thump!
The two boys laugh and they leave. The crowd scatters, not wanting to be associated with the quirkless kid. Midoriya groans, struggling to get back on his feet.
He gets to class with great difficulty. He takes his seat and the whole class quiets down then as everyone starts to whisper. Midoriya slouches, feeling small as the intense stares judge him.
Bakugou slams the door open and shuffles inside. Everyone quiets down. He stumbles to his seat in front of Midoriya and sits down. 'Kacchan is here today?’
Class goes by as the teacher drones on. Midoriya couldn't care less as his mind drifted to one important thing. School entrance exams.
He was graduating soon and he really wanted to get into a hero academy. Problem was, he was injured. Scratch that. Even if he wasn't injured, what kind of hero school accepts quirkless students?
Midoriya sighs and bumps his head on the table which catches the teacher's attention. “I know you don't like my class but the least you can do is not disrupt it.” His classmates snicker as Midoriya shamefully mumbles, ‘Sorry sir.’
The teacher tuts and continues on. Midoriya starts planning for his 3 month training for the school entrance exams.
During lunch break, Midoriya stays in the classroom as the other students head down to the cafeteria. He opens his bento box and salivates at his mom's homemade katsudon.
Before digging in, he notices Bakugou hasn't moved from his seat. Midoriya leans forward and tries to sneak a peek. To his surprise, Bakugou was fast asleep, snoring peacefully. He blinks at the sight and eats.
Class starts and Bakugou is woken up by his friend who looks at him strangely. The teacher was starting the class. However, his vision started to blur as he heard a loud, blaring ring. He saw flashes of fire, and a scream.
“Yo, it looks like he's waking up!” A boy calls. Bakugou’s eyes blink open to white, bright lights and his two friends. “You fell down and also got a fever, what’s going on?” The other boy adds. “Yeah, even Deku’s acting weird. Well, weirder than usual.”
Bakugou doesn’t answer, just sitting up and flinching. He looks around frantically in silence. The two boys look at each other questioningly and the other just shrugs dismissively.
The boy with long, gray hair squats down near Bakugou. “What are you looking for? The nurse isn’t in right now but she says she’ll be back soon.” Bakugou only responds through a glare as though asking them to leave him alone.
“Come on, let’s just go. It looks like he doesn’t want us here. We need to get back to class anyway.” The boy with black hair points out the door. The other boy stands up with a frustrated sigh and walks out.
Bakugou’s two friends return from the infirmary just as the bell rings for recess. Midoriya gets up and stumbles on his way to ask them, “Is Kacchan okay? Has he woken up? How-”
“Oh my Quirks, stop your blabbering! If you’re so concerned, go check up on him yourself!” The boy with black hair shouts. “Oh. Right, sorry.” Midoriya mutters, slowly walking to the infirmary.
Mitsuki, Bakugou’s mother, was talking with the nurse. The nurse informs her concerningly as Mitsuki’s brows furrow. Cursing under her breath, she goes over to Bakugou to berate him.
“Oh hi, what are you here for?” The nurse asks. Midoriya looks around for Bakugou. “My friend, has he gone home?” He asks. The nurse was about to speak up when Mitsuki was wheeling Bakugou out on a wheelchair.
“Izuku! You’re back to school already?” Mitsuki exclaims. “Oh, um. Yes I am.” Midoriya nervously replies. “That’s great. Though be careful, you’re still sick so take care of yourself okay?” She smiles.
“Of course, thank you so much.” Midoriya bows deeply, despite the jolt of pain. Bakugou watches the exchange with a scowl, glaring at Midoriya. Midoriya flinches and looks away, sweating bullets.
“Alright, thank you. We’ll get going now.” Mitsuki waves and pushes Bakugou out. “You should probably get back. Class is starting soon.” The nurse remarks.
Midoriya snaps out of his stupor, adjusting his crutches. “Do you need help with that?” She asks. “No thank you, I’ll be going now!” Midoriya heads out.
Class ends and Midoriya walks home. He passes by a beach and remembers a distant memory.
‘That was so long ago. What’s the use of remembering that now?’ Midoriya asks himself, kicking a rock when he recognizes a man gazing at the shore.
“Katsudon-san right?” Midoriya asks, standing beside the man. “Bikkuri shimashita!” The man jumps, his heart beating out of his chest. “Ahaha sorry…” Midoriya apologizes.
“No worries shonen, I just didn't notice you.” The yellow haired man and Midoriya look at each other in awkward silence. Then Midoriya lights up, suddenly remembering something and digs through his pocket.
He takes out his wallet and counts some yen to give to the man. “What's this for?” The stranger asks, looking at the money. “It's for the katsudon you bought me.” Midoriya states.
“Oh. No need for that, it's the least I can do.” The lanky man declines. Midoriya insists, giving it to him with a bow as the man denies. The two go in a back and forth with this silent exchange when the wind blows the bills out of Midoriya's hand.
Midoriya panics and tries to reach for it. The man barely catches it and hands it back. “You need this way more than I do.” He smiles widely and gives him a thumbs up as he leaves. That smile reminded him of someone, a man known for his iconic, wide-toothed grin. Midoriya shakes his head. ‘No way that man could be All Might.’
“So what's your game plan?” The homeroom teacher asks. “I want to be the no.1 hero.” Bakugou states nonchalantly. “Wow, that's impressive! So, what schools are you planning on attending?” The teacher checks the form.
“Yuuei High obviously.” Bakugou crosses his arms. “And any other backup school just in case you don't get in?” The teacher asks patiently. “No, cause I'm going to get in no matter what. Even if it means trying again next year.”
“I see, very ambitious of you! Alright, you may go. Next!” The teacher calls. 'Finally.' Bakugou mutters under his breath. He bumps into Midoriya as he's coming in. Bakugou looks at him blankly. Midoriya looks away, sweat beading on his brow.
It has been weeks since he was sent home that day but it felt like he still hasn't fully recovered. Bakugou could move his limbs but his voice and his quirk…They weren't back to normal. He felt weak.
“So… what's your plan after graduation?” The teacher asks. “I'm planning on applying for Yuuei.” Midoriya answers, fidgeting in his seat. “I see, are you going for the General Education Program?” The teacher asks, squinting at the form.
“I'm trying to get in the Hero Course Program actually.” Midoriya answers. The teacher processes the information for a second before bursting out laughing.
Midoriya is surprised but laughs along nervously. The teacher wipes the tears from his eyes. “Sorry, I haven't laughed like that in a long time. The Hero Course? You? Are you serious?” The teacher humorously asks.
Midoriya looks down at his feet answering, “Yes I do.” The teacher pauses, realizing he isn't joking and sighs. “Listen kid, quirkless people like us have no reason to get into the Hero Business. You're only setting yourself up for disappointment so I suggest having a different game plan all together.”
Midoriya looks at him heartbroken, despite expecting the response. He bows and leaves.
“So you still want to become a pro-hero?” Bakugou asks him. Midoriya jumps, surprised by Bakugou's question. “Uh.” He thinks about the earlier conversation. He rubs his arm with his hand. “I don't know.” He admits.
“I thought you promised me.” Bakugou states, squeezing Midoriya’s shoulder. Midoriya is frozen in place, not knowing how to react. “Promise you what?” He asks.
“That you'd become the no. 1 hero with me.” Midoriya's mouth hangs wide open. But he recovers, “So what?” He shrugs off casually. Bakugou pushes Midoriya and walks off, muttering under his breath.
'What was that about?’ Midoriya wondered. 'Why is he acting so strangely? Did I do something to upset him?’ He inhales and exhales. ‘Maybe take a swan dive off the roof. You might get a quirk in your next life!’
Midoriya runs a hand through his face, feeling defeated.
Final exams were done and Midoriya finally graduated. He looks at his mother as tears roll down her face. She tackles him in a hug as he awkwardly pats her on the back. “I can't believe my little boy's all grown up.” She sniffles, pulling away from him.
He rubs his neck, embarrassed as he looks around to see if anyone noticed. There are a few students looking but Midoriya decides to ignore them. He finally had a diploma in his hand.
He looks at his batchmates, his face blank. ‘I'm just glad it's over.’ It was the end of a chapter.
‘Finally.’ Midoriya breathes a sigh of relief.
The sun was rising when Midoriya was on the beach. There were plenty of appliances and garbage on the shore. ‘The waves must've swept these here.’ Midoriya pondered as he filled his garbage bag.
“Shonen! It's nice to see you here!” The man waves. He was wearing an Endeavour tracksuit. “Whoa! Katsudon-san!” Midoriya waves back. The man stops in front of Midoriya to catch his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow.
“I didn't expect to see you again here.” The man heaves. “I was planning to clean all of this by the end of the summer so I thought I'd start early.” Midoriya admits.
The man looks at Midoriya in disbelief. “Really? All of this? Can you do that in such a short amount of time?” Midoriya shrugs, “I still have to prepare for upcoming exams but this can count as training.”
He resumes, continuing to pick up used cans and plastic. “Training? What kind of training?” The man asks. “I plan on trying to go to school to become a hero. I've always wanted to.” Midoriya explains.
“Wow, and which school do you plan on going to?” The man picks up a garbage bag and helps Midoriya. Midoriya notices and thanks him.
“The plan has always been Yuuei. But if I don't get in there's always other schools. And if that doesn't work, I suppose I might have to settle with being a dispatcher. Or maybe, I'll just give up on any ounce of hope of being in the hero industry.”
The man gives him a pat on the shoulder. “Don't give up so easily. It's your dream, isn't it?” Midoriya agrees though his body stiffens.
He looked at the hand on his shoulder as the man smiled at him. Midoriya looks away, feeling uncomfortable under the man's gaze. “We've talked this much but we still don't know each other's names.” The man says, removing the hand from Midoriya’s shoulder.
“I'm Toshinori Yagi.” Toshinori introduces himself. Reaching his hand out for a shake, Midoriya hesitates to take it.
“I'm Midoriya Izuku.” He says, shaking Toshinori’s hand. Toshinori checks his Hawks watch and says his farewell.
“I'm going to be late for work if I don't leave now, so I'll see you soon!” Toshinori waves goodbye. Midoriya begrudgingly waves back.
Once Toshinori is out of sight, Midoriya sighs in relief. 'Wait. Did he say soon? Does that mean-?!’
Midoriya was right with his assumption, much to his dismay. Toshinori came back. The two were currently stacking electric appliances to recycle.
“I'm surprised there's still these old appliances in this day and age.” Midoriya says.
“The older generations have an easier time using them than the Hologram devices we use today. They last much longer though not by much.”
Midoriya couldn’t help but shift his feet as he carried a microwave. He wasn't used to having someone to talk to that wasn't his mother.
He’s used to being quirkless. Starting from childhood all the way now, he’s used to it.
But after being shunned for so long, he doesn't know how to talk to people normally.
“Shonen, do you have a quirk?” Midoriya faces Toshinori with a confused stare. 'What kind of question even is that?!’
“No, I don't.” Midoriya says coldly. “Would you want one?” Toshinori continues. Midoriya's eye twitches.
“Who wouldn’t?” He asks. Realizing what he said, he panics. Toshinori laughs. ‘Oh thank Quirks.’ Midoriya laughs alongside him.
“I was like that too when I was your age. I wanted to have a quirk as well. And one day, that wish came true. Someone gave me a powerful quirk.”
“Isn’t that a bit too far-fetched? Sounds too good to be true if you ask me.” Midoriya asks, to no response.
Midoriya turns to look at Toshinori, “ALL MIGHT?!” He shouts in surprise.
Toshinori was no longer a lanky man. He was now All Might. The no.1 hero, the source of everyone's inspiration. A tall muscular man with two strands of hair sticking up. His tracksuit was no longer baggy, his body now fitting it just right. And his most striking feature, his smiling, pearly white teeth.
Midoriya gaped like a fish. “A-all Might? Oh my Quirks I’ve been talking to All Might all this time… ” He muttered to himself.
He quickly looks for his hero notebook and opens it to a blank page. He fishes for a pen and hands the notebook in a bow. “Please sign here!”
All Might takes the pen and notebook, pondering. ‘Most youngsters use a digital pad and pen these days. Why is he using this?’ After signing, All Might flips through the other pages.
They were sketches and notes about various heroes. From Edge Shot, to Kamui Woods and someone named Bakugou Katsuki.
“AHHH!!!! Why are you reading those?!” Midoriya snatches the notebook from All Might's hands.
“Ah, sorry..” All Might rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Why did you reveal your identity to me anyway?” Midoriya looks at the signature in the notebook.
“Well,” He plucks a strand of hair. “If you ingest this, you can be powerful like me.” He states.
Midoriya takes a minute to process.
“So that story you told me was true?!” Midoriya shouts in surprise. “Was it that unbelievable?” All Might nervously laughs. Midoriya frantically nods in agreement.
“My hero passed on this quirk to me and now I pass it on to you.” All Might hands out the strand of hair.
Midoriya stares at it in contemplation. He could be everything he wanted to be if he took it. But ultimately, he declines. And he runs, hair swaying in the wind as he runs back home.
All of a sudden, heavy rain pours down drenching Midoriya head to toe.
Midoriya opens the door as a strong wind blows and he closes the door behind him. He leans his body on the door, tired. ‘Mom’s still at work it seems.’
Going into his room, he goes to shower. His arms and legs throbbed but all he could think about was, ‘My hero passed on this quirk to me and now I pass it on to you.’
‘What does that even mean?’ Midoriya ponders, getting out of the shower. He opens his holophone and a screen projects out of thin air. He starts searching for what All Might’s quirk is.
After a few minutes of research, he comes up with nothing. ‘Could All Might be telling the truth?’ Even so, one thing still bugged Midoriya’s mind. ‘Why me?’
Surely there are plenty more deserving people than him. More powerful, stronger than him. People like Bakugou.