Archive of Our Own ^beta

Dear Izu-chan

IT’S YOUR FIRST DAY OF U.A!
Wow, exciting right? I won’t be with you - obviously, I’ve never been hero material – but I’m sure your analytical skills will make you a great choice for any agency. I’m really proud of you for continuing to follow your dream, I know it’s been difficult. It’s amazing how far you’ve come and how much effort you put in to get here: all the daily physical training and late-night study sessions. although I was only with you for the latter. I can’t wait to support you, Midoriya Izuku, as you go on to show the world that being Quirkless doesn’t define anyone or make than less qualified as a hero or otherwise. Your willpower and personal drivel are things I really admire about you going to shock the world once they see you in action.

As I’ve already said, I won’t be with you. I didn’t even make it into the General Studies department, although you already know that. You also know that I’m not really let down about the school so much as missing getting to hang out with you and Kaa-chan but that’s not important right now. So, I thought up some hopefully useful points to get you through the first day (or just give you a laugh or act as a task list if necessary):

• Loud and Proud – Not necessarily shouting or making a scene but you’re an amazing person and you don’t have anything to be ashamed of. Keep your shoulders squared and your head held high; you got into UA and are riding your own train to success. You should be proud of your accomplishments. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to tell you differently.
• Make A Friend – this is a new school and (while it is so much easier) you can’t sit alone at lunch break doing your homework all the time. I’ll always be a text message away but it’s still a good idea to Just go up to somebody who looks friendly and introduce yourself or let some crazy outgoing person adopt you into their social circle so that you can follow them around for the next couple of weeks (or until you meet somebody you get along with).
• Teacher Is King – no, seriously, this one is important. We don’t have quirks to rely on when our peers get rowdy, so we have to do a little sucking up; it’s the only way to even the playing field. Always arrive on time to class, get seated before the teacher even thinks of asking and prepare for every lesson. I know that some people dislike the teacher’s pet but it’s the only advantage we have in this environment.
• PPP – Paper, Pencil, Pen. You probably have this one covered, but I’ll remind you to bring these three beauties with you everywhere so that you can take notes or occupy yourself when boredom hits. It’s also just a good idea to have a spare in case something happens seeing as I can’t lend you mine.
  Also I slid a notebook and All Might stationary set into your bag for good luck before we separated at the station. I know it’s kind of silly but I figured if you had something small to remind you of your favourite hero than maybe you’d feel a little more confident or at least self-motivated in attending – although you’re going to be having class with him so maybe it was just an impulse buy a silly idea.
• Fight Back – Katsuki is always going to be Katsuki and I won’t be there to grab your notebook and run so… punch him in the face. I know, I know, it’s bad advice but sometimes he can be kind of idiotic and you need to stand up for yourself. Don’t let anyone walk over you just because you’re Quirkless.

You probably want to focus yourself before entering the building, so I’ll end it here. I hope this letter helps you, even if it’s just a little. I’ll be routing for you all the way. Even though if the first day feels a little overwhelming, remember that you’re already a hero in my eyes.
Plus Ultra!

P.S. Did I use that right? I never really understood the school’s motto… maybe it’s best you just forget about this part of the letter. I think the stress of the first day is getting to both of us.

I’ve been reading books of old, the legends and the myths
Achilles and his gold, Hercules and his gifts
Spiderman’s control and Batman with his fists
And clearly, I don’t see myself upon that list

But she said, “Where’d you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I’m not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts.
Some superhero, some fairy-tale bliss
Just something I can turn to, somebody I can kiss
I want something just like this.”

Hey Izu-chan

So, you were asleep when I arrived but that’s cool. Your mom said you were exhausted from a practical lesson, although I didn’t really understand the finer details; I don’t think she did either though so you may have to explain it to both of us when you’re feeling better. I’m glad to see you putting in so much effort to follow your dreams so please don’t feel bad about missing out on any of our hang out time, I understand that UA is a top school and that you’re going to push yourself to be your best. Plus Ultra, right? It’s actually kind of exciting; my best friend is a hero in training. You’re going to be way cooler than as cool as All Might one day.
It’s only been a week since we started but I think things are looking up. It’s honestly quite relieving. I’ve made friends although they’re a little… different. Not in a bad way, it’s just that some of their ideas don’t match our societies. Aren’t we all just people trying to live out our lives and have a good time? Why does life HAVE to be more than that and why are heroes only noticed and acknowledged if they’re flashing and making a big show of it? People can get arrested for standing up to a criminal because it’s an ‘unlawful’ use of their quirk but, the alternative, is getting seriously hurt by somebody who too is acting unlawfully. They don’t mind that I’m Quirkless (actually, I think that’s why they let me hang out with them) and I was wondering if, maybe, once you’re feeling better, you wanted to meet them.

Seeing as you are asleep your mom and I made dinner before baking (and decorating you should know that the flavoured icing abominations are my handwork) cupcakes. She’s super proud of you too; she almost brought out the baby photos and went on a ‘this was Izu-chan as a toddler playing heroes’ rant, but I talked her out of it. I am in a fair amount of those pictures, so it feels like blackmail material against me as well.

Speaking of memories, do you remember how I forced Kaa-chan to trade numbers with me before Junior High ended? We’ve been speaking and he asked me to meet him in the park the other day. Honestly, I think the stress of UA is getting to him too because he was saying some of the weirdest things. No, really you won’t believe this He said stuff like ‘Deku has a Quirk’ and was demanding I tell him what I knew about it and if I was helping you hide it. Obviously, I told him he was crazy and reminded him that we were both Quirkless. He exploded part of the tree he was leaning on didn’t really like my answer and ranted all the way to the arcade about your supposed ‘Quirk’ and how you ‘hid’ it from both of us. He’s clearly delusional. If you had a Quirk or developed one later in life, you’d tell me… at least, I’m pretty sure you would.
Anyway, it wasn’t so bad once we got to the arcade. Between the two of us we didn’t get enough tickets for anything fancy mostly because I’m only good at two or three games and he sat teaching me the rest while calling me an idiot but we settled on a packet of bomb shaped Sherbet and two little water guns. There was a claw machine on the way out that had teddies and, while Katsuki insisted that he could win one first try, it would have been way too weird if he did it.  Could you imagine him with a stuffed teddy on his bed?

Anyway, I’m just ranting now. I’ll see you tomorrow, we can bounce study notes between each other and eat my icing abominations. At least I hope we can… calculus should be the same across schools if nothing else.

P.S. I got invited to my first partly tonight, but I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. I know this kind of thing isn’t really what you’re into but if this one goes well, and you’re not completely exhausted, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come with next time? I don’t really know what to wear to these kind of events… I’ll text one of the people I traded numbers with from my homeroom class, maybe she can help. I hope I have the ‘right’ kind of clothing in my cupboard… Should I send you a picture? I’m just getting distracted now.

Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo,
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Oh, I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

Oh, I want something just like this
I want something just like this

Izuku

They’re kicking people out of the waiting room and I think your mom deserves my chair more. Obviously, she deserves my chair more, she’s your mom. I’m just panicking and writing stupid things. She rushed over as soon as she heard so you should brace yourself for a lot of hugs and tears. She’ll always support you but maybe, I think, this time you probably will need to offer her a comforting shoulder too. It- We both just- I don’t know what- We saw your homeroom teacher covered in bandages and I think it just made us panic a little. They rushed him through but as far as I understand he’s going to be fine; he just needs a lot little medical help and then he’ll be confined to bed rest. I’m really scared Izu, what if you hurt yourself more and Recovery Girl couldn’t He’s a pro hero so I’m sure he’ll be back to teaching and taking down criminals in no time. Obviously, you’re going to make a full recovery as well, so I know there’s nothing for either your mom or I to be worrying about but I’m a little silly when it comes to these things. You ARE my best friend after all.

I got to meet a few of your classmates from this at least. There were a lot of unfamiliar faces and everyone was really shaken up but a few of them did stand out. That or maybe they just liked the fact that I was handing out chocolates and thanking everyone for their hard work until Katsuki practically ordered me to stop because they’re ‘heroes in training and not babies’. He, of course, took a chocolate bar for himself before it went any further while your mom, Mitsuki and I split the rest.

• Ura-chan (I don’t really know where the nickname came from, but she insisted it was okay) seems fun. You told me about her but putting a face to the name is helpful nice fun cool useful a great way to make a new friend. We talked for a little bit in the waiting room and just hit it off, although I’m pretty sure she could befriend anyone with her personality. I didn’t really understand what you meant when you were talking about her but now it’s clear that she’s just so bubbly that it’s hard not to enjoy being around her. Not that I didn’t want to be there, but I felt a little bad laughing in a hospital waiting room.
• There was another girl I talked music with. She was kind of awesome and it was really reassuring when we ended up liking some of the same bands; she even plays guitar and offered to give me some tips if I was ever interested in learning. I am a but I don’t think I’ll be very good at it. I never got her name…
• Kirishima called me ‘manly’ or something before Katsuki went off at him. We – that’s the red-head and I – shared a laugh as we watching him – that’s Kaa-chan – spike up lie a porcupine but he had to leave,.I got his number so that means I made a new friend, right?

Anyway, I just wanted to say that you were really awesome today. I don’t know all the details and the few I do I got out of eavesdropping on other people’s conversations which I know isn’t very hero-like but it wasn’t completely intentional and I was kind of desperate but you and the class fought villains and came out on top. It’s kind of like the Sludge Incident all over again, just this time you were the rescuers – although, a few of the teachers would probably disagree with me.

Get well soon, Izu-chan.

P.S. Katsuki’s mom is insisting on taking me home so I’m going to stop writing now. I’ve said this before, but they really are a lot alike. They both are glaring holes into the paper because I’m taking too long to finish up. I’ve probably said this already but I’m really really glad that you are okay. Mitsuki – and is it only me who still finds it awkward addressing their childhood friend’s mom so casually? – offered to let me stay for dinner and I think that I’m going to accept; I don’t really want to be alone and my parents are working late again. Remember to text me when you’re out of hospital, okay?

I’ve been reading books of old, the legends and the myths
The testament they told, the moon and its eclipse
And Superman unrolls a suit before he lifts
But I’m not the kind of person that it fits

She said, “Where’d you wanna go?
How much you wanna risk?
I’m not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts.
Some superhero, some fairy-tale bliss
Just something I can turn to, somebody I can kiss
I want something just like this.
I want something just like this.”

Hey Izu-chan

I saw you in the Sports Festival and… honestly it was a little crazy. I mean, I know UA pushes people and it’s intense when you’re going against people like Katsuki but…it was a little excessive, don’t you think? I mean, you seriously injured yourself against that duel-haired boy and your mom told me that your fingers are never going to of course I want you to move towards your dream but aren’t you being a little reckless? I know that you’re trying to reinvent yourself and become a hero that the world recognises but shouldn’t there be limits? The Sports Festival is broadcasted on television, what do you think you’re putting your mother through when she sees you half killing yourself for a victory? What do you think you’re teaching children who are watching it to see what being a hero means? How do you think I feel watching you like that? Please try to be more careful in the future, there’s a lot of people who care about you watching.
I’m… a little disheartened by the school to be honest. I feel like the teacher’s should have put a stop to the match before it got out of hand and I can’t believe they chained Katsuki to a post like he was some sort of dog. UA is meant to be a hero school, but they enforced their will upon somebody just because he didn’t want to accept something, he didn’t feel he deserved. Maybe they were right in saying that heroes and villains are just a disease upon society. He almost threw out the medal but, between his mom and I, we managed to get him to keep it. Honestly, seeing both of you, it didn’t feel like either of you had changed all that much. I could se how strong you both have gotten but Kaa-chan is still a genius hot-head and you’re still-

On a lighter note, my school will be job shadowing soon so I’ve been looking into places that I can learn from. What do you think of me following around a chef for a day? I know it’s not as flashy as a hero or trailing behind a journalist or even as a secretary at an agency, but I’ve always enjoyed the simpler things in life. I talked to some of the friends I made about it, but they told me the hours would be long, especially if I wanted to go for fine dining or something like that. I hadn’t even thought of going to such a wealthy place but maybe, if they think I can do it, I’ll try. They think a bakery would be better fit for me (or offered that I come with them, although they were being a little secretive about it so I’m not sure if I’ll take them up on that).

Izuku do you think we’re drifting apart? I know you’ve been busy preparing for this event, and that UA requires a lot of your attention, but we haven’t even been studying together recently. We live so close, but I don’t think we’ve ever been further apart. I route for you and I silently cheer you on, but I worry that I don’t know you anymore. I don’t want you to become the next All Might. Of course, I want you to follow your dreams and become a hero – I’m cheering you on the whole way – but I want the person I support to be my friend, not some idealistic champion of the people that I can’t talk to..
We should talk properly when you’re feeling better and have more time on your hands. I’m not sure when that will be, but I can be patient. We’ve been best friends since forever so you probably won’t replace me now… maybe… at least, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t. Actually, I’m worried that I’m going to look back on this someday and regret not having said anything.

P.S. I’m not saying you did badly in the Sports Festival, in fact you showed your skills well. You analysed the minefield quickly or maybe it was just desperation to catch up at that point. I don’t think I can tell the difference with you anymore and made it pass the robots with an amazing show of skill. It’s still surreal to think that you have a Quirk now, but I can’t exactly ignore it when it’s being broadcasted across the nation. You chose a good team although somebody should have offered you a handkerchief…
P.P.S. I’ve attached a handkerchief

Oh I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo,
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Oh, I want something just like this
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo
Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo

Where’d you wanna go? How much you wanna risk?
I’m not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts.
Some superhero, some fairy-tale bliss
Just something I can turn to, somebody I can kiss
I want something just like this.”

Izuku

This may be the last letter I write to you. That came out a little intensely but maybe that’s what I need. Katsuki is sitting with me as I write this; apparently, he’s gotten tired of me stumbling around the topic. I don’t know what to say, it’s really difficult to write genuine feelings when I feel like I’m under scrutinization from one of the most volatile people I know (he just let out another explosion which isn’t helping his argument to say he isn't) but maybe this is what I need right now. I’m not crossing out on this letter. This is an honest confession from my heart, and I can’t do that when I’m worrying about what to say or what you’ll think if I say it. I’ve always done that though whether in letters or talking because I’ve always thought that you would leave if I didn’t. With Katsuki I freely punch him if he was being an asshole, but I’ve always defended you, even from myself… I guess it makes sense that you don’t need me anymore, with you being a hero-in-training.

The truth is we’re not close… at all. We’ve replaced each other with new, or maybe just other, people and I’ve gotten really tired of trying to fight for you when you don’t even see me. We were best friends for years and I never wanted to risk that but there’s nothing left to fear now because I already know you’re going to reject me. I’ve accepted that and I’m oddly okay with it. This letter, for once, isn’t about you. In fact, you could say that this letter is to inspire me. I’m writing, selfishly, so that when I say, “I’m over you” I can follow it with “I tried my best”.
I’ve just written it, but I probably need to say it more directly so: I like you. I admire and I look up to you and I wish you’d let me support you properly and be apart of your life as more than a friend. I want to be more than even a best friend. I like you in a going out to dinner alone kind of way; in a sharing ice-cream along the beach kind of way; in a ‘I’d like to go on a date with you some time’ kind of way. I already know you’ve never even noticed me like that so don’t bother trying to make yourself seem to be the victim… this thing has been enough of a let-down already.

There’s nothing else to say. There’s a lot I could say but none of it is what this is about. I’m not even angry and that’s the worst part because I wish I could be. I know you probably won’t even notice this until weeks from today and, even when you do, there won’t be tears shed over the Quirkless friend you once had although a part of me hopes this hurts you just a little. Tears are better than apathy but that’s all I fear I’ll get from you. This letter will just be another one that you push aside for when you have more time but that’s not how it works. You’re meant to make time for the things that are important to you, and you do, I’m just not one of them.

I will always wish you the best. I hope you become a hero that you can be proud of, but I won’t be cheering you on from the side-lines anymore.

Oh, I want something just like this
Oh, I want something just like this
Oh, I want something just like this

Meet me at the arcade. Don’t dress up. Don’t be late.
I’ll fucking find you and drag you out of your shitty house if you are.

P.S. I’m beating the claw machine and reminding you that I’m number one so be prepared to carry a shitty plush around for hours.

Song: Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers And Coldplay