Chapter Text
My name is Enkidu. Once I wanted to be a hero, but now, all I want to do is to live my life out in peace. Ever since my father died, my dreams as a hero died with him. Even so, that never stopped the people around me from waxing poetic about how I would be an “amazing” hero because of my oh-so-strong quirk.
There are two aspects to my quirk. The first being the ability to summon chains and the second being random dreams of the future. No one knew of the second. For some indiscernible reason, I was never able to tell others about what I see in the dreams. Whenever I try to, words would fail me. I tried to write them down but the words would become something else.
Since my father’s death, none of my dreams were as vivid. Where with my father, I saw the complete set of events leading up to his death, now all I see are small glimpses. A person screaming that they’ve been robbed, a building being burnt down, a villain crashing into a building, but never another death.
Usually, I would just leave these dreams behind, but sometimes I would go out. A couple of times, I saw someone bleeding out in an alleyway. A person being held at knifepoint. A child being down by someone.
I would go to where my dreams take place. Sometimes when I arrive, I can only stand there hidden by the shadows. My quirk bound me in place, unyielding and unwilling to let me change the future. Other times, I respond to the assailants, and my chains would come forth and knock them out. Sometimes the people I save would thank me profusely, other times they would scoff and at me and, I quote, to mind my own damn business.
One thing was always in common, they would call me a hero. Some with awe, others with disdain. I would always respond the same way. I am not a hero nor do I want to be one. Then I would leave.
Technically speaking, I am breaking the law. Using my quirks in public against villains is by definition the act of vigilantism. Even though I never hid my face on these journeys, I was also never caught. The police never showed up at my house to arrest me. The media never reported someone that could summon chains defeating villains. It was as if, for all intents and purposes, that I did not exist.
Life would go on as normal. Sometimes I lived my everyday life going to school, coming home, and hanging out with my friends. Other times, I would wander the streets to where my dreams take me. Like all things, junior high came to an end.
At my mother’s insistence, I enlisted for UA high and was accepted into the general education department in class 1-C. All that I ask for now is to live my high school in peace, go to university in the future, and get a job as a simple office worker.
So tell me (now that I waxed poetic about my entire life story), why the hell am I here sitting in front of Principal Nezu?! He’s sitting there with this cheery — totally not manipulative — smile on his face. “Am I a dog, a mouse, or a bear? I am the principal!”
It was all I could do to suppress a groan. It was so, so very tempting to slam my head against the desk in front of me. Honestly, I don’t know what I did. This is the second day. The second day of school!
“I am sure” Nezu continued, ignoring my visible annoyance, “that with a quirk like yours, you have been told by many that you would be a great hero. May I ask why you didn’t consider taking the entrance exam?”
I took a deep breath and just stared at Nezu. This continued for a solid minute as he continued to cheerily sip at his tea. I replied in a slow tone emphasizing every syllable “That’s simple Principal, it’s because I do not want to be a hero.”
Nezu tilts his head curiously as his beady, black eyes stare at me. It felt as if he was trying to dissect everything about my very being. It sent a slight chill down my back but I ignored it in favor of staring back at him.
“Hmm, you say that yet you still work as a vigilante on the side. Quite an amazing record you have there starting from the age of 7. I daresay there are heroes who took down fewer villains than you!”
I raised my eyebrows curiously at that. Interesting. I always thought that the reason the police hadn't arrested me was because of my quirk. So why was Nezu able to confront me …. Wait a minute. Don’t tell me that my quirk wants to put me in the hero course. Hell no! The bastard of a thing showed me my father’s death and forced me to sit back and do nothing.
I sat up straight and narrowed my eyes at Nezu. It was probably futile, but I needed to plan my next words carefully else I’ll be thrown into the hero course. With perhaps slightly more malice than I should, I replied in a low tone “What is it that you are trying to say, Principal?”
Nezu clapped his paws delighted. “You see, both you and I know that vigilantism in the eyes of the law is quite illegal. With your track record though it would be such a waste not to nurture your potential!”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I would have no choice but to notify the proper authorities on the matter. In accordance with the law, you will be expelled from UA and sent to a juvenile correction facility. Your mother would of course also be notified of the matter.”
“So basically, you’re blackmailing me into being in the hero course” I responded blandly. Looks like I don’t really have a choice. Fate was quite the bitch.
“Blackmail is such a strong word. I prefer to call it acting in both our best interests. Of course, heroism isn’t quite the field for those unwilling, but I do ask that you give it a try at least for at least a year. Call it a trial period if you will.”
I sighed at that. Still in the hero course, but at least I don’t have to stay here forever. “Fine, I accept your proposal.”
Nezu smiled back at me quite pleasantly as if this entire conversation had gone the way he planned. My eyes twitched. I think I’m going to start putting mouse traps around campus.
Nezu clapped his paws once more and whipped out some papers “Excellent! You can join class 1-A tomorrow. They will be having a field trip to the USJ for rescue training. Here are the forms to complete the transfer. I look forward to seeing what you would do in the hero course!”
I snatched the forms and signed them.
Fuck. My. Life.