Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Silence. 

It was completely silent.

It was the type of silence where you begin to hear static in your ears echo and tingle. 

Izuku slowly opened his eyes. A slight burning sensation running through his head for a split second before it numbed. 

Odd. 

A slight twitch from his fingers pulled him from his daze. He was confused. That doesn’t feel right. 

This feels wrong. 

... What happened? 

“...ey.”

“He...”

Huh?

“Hey kid!” 

All of a sudden all the tingling and static ringing from his ears vanished. It was almost like he was yanked from underwater by a strong pull. His eyes darted forward in confusion. 

“Hey kid. You okay?” 

His eyes land on the figure in front of him. 

... What the—

He screamed. 

Strong hands. Were they even hands? Would they even be considered hands? They had no flesh on them! No skin, no nails, no nothing! There’s only bones! Almost like-

“Ahh you like my bones? Pretty neat right?” A gentle but firm voice cut Izuku out of his mild panic. It chuckled. “Yeah well. Usually they are smoother and squeaky clean but unfortunately on my way here I came across a brawl and had to put a stop to it and well... I didn’t exactly come out unscathed.” 

Izuku’s eyes shook. His breathing coming out in heavy pants but it still felt like no oxygen was coming into his lungs. 

Even through Izuku’s heavy breathing and shaking the man continued talking as if this was a normal scenario he went through daily. 

Okay who is this man and why is he a skeleton. Why are his eyes completely black except where his pupil should be which is currently glowing gold. 

“-anyway enough of that. Well kid hate to break it to you but it’s better than beating around the bush so listen loud and clear.” 

He listened. 

“You died.” 

On second thought let me just process what this skeleton man just said. 

The man smiles down at him but where teeth should stay instead holds a black abyss.

 “Welcome to the land of the remembered.”

Chapter Text

“Watch it brat!” 

Izuku snapped up at the rude comment. “S-Sorry!” He quickly moves out of the way of the businessman who is obviously in a rush.

Wow Izuku. You can’t even watch where you’re going. Nice job. 

He sighed and continued to walk on the path home. He looked down at his hands. Well what was in his hands actually. 

A soaking wet with burn marks on his tethered notebook. 

Hero Analysis for The Future

“Geez Kacchan. I know you hate me but seriously? Not only do you blow up my notebook but you suicide bait me too?” Izuku mumbles to himself. “What would you do if I actually do it?” 

Izuku groaned to himself and continued to dodge everyone rushing past him. He was exhausted. His school's taunts and bullying had taken a toll on him this week for some reason. Usually he wasn’t as fazed by them already used to their torments. But he hasn’t been sleeping well lately for the past week and lack of good sleep plus bullying? He felt like yelling at the word to give him a break. 

He thought back to the night before. 

To be specific. His recurring nightmare. 

Pain. 

He feels pain. 

But yet he feels numb. 

A flash of white passed in front of him too fast to see. Then another. Then another. Suddenly that’s all he can see. Just flashes of white all over his range of vision. 

“Hello?” Izuku weakly called out. 

No response. 

“Where am I?” He mumbles to himself. 

“...amn...too young…”

“Poor...he isn’t ready...coming.”

“...be okay”. 

“Be careful-.... can’t do much… hope… upset.”

Izuku whirls around frantically. 

“What?” He couldn’t fully hear what the blues were saying to him. “Where am I I? What are you talking about?!” He couldn’t breathe. 

A heavy weight was on his chest. But there was nothing there. A pounding headache was erupting from his head. 

“Don’t worry kid. I’ll be here when you arrive.” 

Almost like a spell. His body was pushed. 

He woke up gasping for breath. He didn’t understand the nightmare at all or what the voices were trying to say.  Or trying to warn him about . It has been leaving him confused and emotionally exhausted. 

I just don’t get why it has to be the same nightmare over and over again. 

Izuku sighed and rubbed his hand against his forehead in frustration. 

He finally arrived at his apartment complex and opened the door. 

“Mom I’m home!” Izuku hollered out. He blandly slipped out his shoes and placed them down and walked into the living room. 

Inko, who had been on the couch sorting out their mail and bills, looked up and smiled at him. 

“Welcome home sweetie! How was your day?” Izuku in response groaned and flopped onto the couch. His mom winced and slipped on an awkward smile. “Awful huh?” 

He sighed. “No…” Well it was horrendous but obviously I won’t say that. “It’s just been rough this past week since I haven’t slept much. Just tired nowadays.” 

Inko snorted at his sons response. “Well maybe if you hadn’t stayed up watching all those hero videos you would be able to sleep more.” 

He blushed in embarrassment. “I-I wasn’t looking at hero videos!” She raised her eyebrow in doubt. He gawked at her. “I wasn’t! W-Well at least not this week. I’ve been too busy with school to do that.” 

“Oh please sweetheart. You and I both know school won’t stop you from spamming HeroTube.” Izuku groaned and covered his head with a couch pillow causing his mother to laugh. “Honestly I’m surprised you haven’t crashed the entire website yet.” 

He just waved her off. “Well sweetie I’m making Katsudon for dinner tonight since you haven’t been sleeping good. Hopefully that will help you sleep better.” 

He smiles and looks up. “That sounds great mom. Thanks!” His mother ruffles his hair before getting up and heading to the kitchen. 

Izuku watched her pull out the pots and pans and pull some ingredients out to prepare. He sighed and laid his head back down. He could surely use a nap. 

“He’s… be okay”

“Hope… suffers…” 

“...can’t do...except comfort…” 

Again with this nightmare… 

Why won’t they just leave him alone? 

Suddenly a white blur flew right past him missing his face only by a few millimeters. He gasped in shock and stumbled back before being pushed again by another white blur. 

They keep getting stronger… 

“Stop-“ but before he could finish, it felt like he was thrown back by a powerful force. 

“Don’t be scared.”

“Izuku!” 

He flew up gasping. 

Hands grab onto his shoulders and try to keep him from standing up which would have created a whiplash if it wasn’t for them. 

“Izuku! Sweetie! Calm down! It’s just me!” 

Suddenly all the pressure and weight on his shoulders vanished. He panted out heavily and tried to recollect his breathing. 

Hands rub his shoulders gently and soothingly. “Are you okay?” He looks up and catches his mother’s beyond concerned gaze. 

He relaxes. “Y-Yeah. I’m sorry. I just-I just had a nightmare. Don’t worry. I’m fine.” 

His words seem to have done nothing to console his mother as she just looked at him in even more concern. “Are you sur-“ 

He nods and cuts her off. “Yeah! I’m sure! Just took me by surprise. I’m okay.” He smiles at her to make it seem convincing.

It seems it worked because she sighed in relief and nodded. “Alright well. I was just trying to wake you up to tell you we’re out of eggs so I was gonna ask you if you could go to the nearest convenient store and pick some up but…” She dragged out her words, not really sure anymore. 

Izuku quickly nods. “Yeah! I’ll go!” His mom seems to go to say something but he simply shakes his head before she could. “Don’t worry, I’ll be quick! The nearest convenient store is only a bit over 20 minutes so I’ll probably just walk there. I need some fresh air anyway.” 

She seemed hesitant at first but slowly nodded. “Alright well, here’s some cash for the eggs, “ she pulled out some cash from her pockets and handed it to him. “and a bit of extra if you want to buy yourself something. Okay?” 

“Yup. Got it. I’ll be back.” He got up and walked over to the door. He slipped his shoes on and opened the door. “Love you!” 

“Make sure not to take too long! Be home quickly!” 

He walks out. 

Izuku breathed out slowly. He was upset. Not only had he gotten another nightmare with even more cryptic messages but he had caused his mom to worry. Which is the last thing he wants to happen.

God I can barely stop causing her to get worried over me every day I come back from school and now she knows how bad my nightmares are just by almost having a panic attack. 

“Well done Izuku.” He mumbled to himself sarcastically. “At this rate she’s never going to let me out the house without bubble wrap.” 

He looked up tiredly at the street across from. 

Well there’s the convenient store. Might as well hurry and buy the eggs and rush home. 

He entered the store and headed toward the dairy section. They always have the eggs next to the milk. 

Once he saw the pack of eggs he goes to pick them up when he heard- 

“Lately for the past week a new villain has quickly become known to roam across Mustafu.” He looked up and saw the tv at the corner of the ceiling. 

It displayed a picture of the villain which wasn’t much since it was always nearing sunset so you could only see his shadow and his hand which seemed to stretch? 

“He has been known to brutally suffocate his victims by his quirk which has been identified as some sort of mutant quirk which allows his hands to expand into a hard rubber elastic into the shape of a bubble. He would use his hands to grab the victims throat and  surround his victims' heads when he makes his hands stretch and expand around. Similar to a bubble formation.”

Izuku's eyes widened. 

He’s been suffocating people?! Why haven’t they captured the guy? He’s dangerous! 

“Police and Pro-Heroes are advising citizens to be cautious walking in the streets and to call authorities if you see this man who has now called himself by the name Anti-Circulation. He’s usually spotted at the times of six to seven pm. So please beware of these hours and be safe. On other news-“

Well at least it’s already nine pm. The villain shouldn’t be roaming around anymore so I think I’m okay. Better to head home fast though just in case. Better safe than sorry. 

Izuku grabbed the pack of eggs and headed to the cashier. Just quickly grabbing some chips he passed by for himself too. 

He quickly paid and thanked the worker who looked dead on his feet and seemed to glare at him just for breathing. 

Sheesh I’m going! 

Izuku practically flew down the street hurrying to get home. He was hungry, tired, and cold. The worst combination in history to be combined. 

Maybe it wasn’t a good idea walking here. Should have taken the bus at least. 

He quickly crossed the street and started heading toward the next corner of the street which was a couple of blocks away from his home. 

I should try out for the track team. Not only do I have experience running from Kacchan and his followers I  am pretty goo— 

Izuku was yanked. 

“W-What?—“

He was thrown against the wall of the alley he had just passed. Hard. 

His back slammed against the wall. He yelped in pain. His words and air were knocked out of him by the force. He fell down onto the hard concrete. 

He gasped and groaned. He tried to pick himself up only to get kicked down.

“Well well well. Look what we have here.”

He froze. A villain. 

“All alone at night. You were pretty much asking for me to get you huh?” 

Suddenly terror hit him. His eyes shook at the wall he was facing. Chills had fun up his spine and his heart froze. 

...It can’t be-

“I’ve been having a hard time trying to catch people off guard y’know? Ever since the news came out with my appearance. I haven’t been able to catch anyone alone. It’s getting me reaaaally annoyed and antsy.”

...There’s no way…

“But look at you here! All alone at night with absolutely no one around it’s like you were a gift all wrapped up and sent to me by the gods. I’m so lucky aren’t I!” 

Please no. 

“Well I feel like I deserve to savor my gift, no? After all… I’ve been really patient. ” 

But it is possible…

Because right in front of him stood the shadow of the man. Hands expanding and stretched out. Beginning to form a bubble shape. 

“I’m gonna enjoy watching you die. Watch you writhe in pain in my grasps with no way out. I get to watch you slowly suffocate and choke to death.” 

Adrenaline suddenly powered through him and he got up with such quick speed he was sure to be sore for days. But it seems like he won’t be having days because the villain, Anti-Circulation, was still able to grab him with his other free hand ,which has not formed a bubble, by the throat. 

The villain laughed-no cackled. At his weak attempt of an escape. “Where do you think you’re going kid!?” 

The villain yanked him into the air, free hand still wrapped around his throat. Izuku gasped for air and tried to rip the hand off him before it’s too late. He clawed and scratched as hard as he can.

“Don’t worry kid… You're gonna hate this really really bad!” 

But he still wasn’t fast enough. 

Still wasn’t strong enough.

It was too late. 

The villain's hand at his throat had begun to expand and encase his head. Just like a bubble. 

He watched with blind terror and panicking gasps as he saw the world slowly encase in black and all he could see was the abyss of the bubble. 

Nothing could get in. 

Nothing could get out. 

Meaning no oxygen. 

I don’t want to die… 

A hero wasn’t supposed to be scared...

But he is… 

He’s so scared….! 

I want to be a hero! 

Please! 

I wasn’t given the chance to help people yet! 

...Please...

...I never even got to say goodbye to mom…

As his lungs ran out of oxygen, his chest ached in pain desperately trying to get some air in them. But it was hopeless. No matter how much he breathed in. No oxygen came in. No matter how much he cried desperately to be let go. He wasn’t. 

He felt himself get weaker and weaker as the time went by. His struggles became less and less. He slowly stopped trying to gasp in oxygen. His shaking body slowly came to a stop. His heartbeat began to slow down.

Ba-dump

Ba-dump

Ba-dump 

Ba-dump

Ba-dump.

Ba-dump.

Nothing. 

Silence. 

It was completely silent.

It was the type of silence where you begin to hear static in your ears echo and tingle. 

Izuku slowly opened his eyes. A slight burning sensation running through his head for a split second before it numbed. 

Odd. 

A slight twitch from his fingers pulled him from his daze. He was confused. That doesn’t feel right. 

This feels wrong. 

... What happened? 

“...ey.”

“He...”

Huh?

“Hey kid!” 

All of a sudden all the tingling and static ringing from his ears vanished. It was almost like he was yanked from underwater by a strong pull. His eyes darted forward in confusion. 

“Hey kid. You okay?” 

His eyes land on the figure in front of him. 

... What the—

He screamed. 

Strong hands. Were they even hands? Would they even be considered hands? They had no flesh on them! No skin, no nails, no nothing! There’s only bones! Almost like-

“Ahh you like my bones? Pretty neat right?” A gentle but firm voice cut Izuku out of his mild panic. It chuckled. “Yeah well. Usually they are smoother and squeaky clean but unfortunately on my way here I came across a brawl and had to put a stop to it and well... I didn’t exactly come out unscathed.” 

Izuku’s eyes shook. His breathing coming out in heavy pants but it still felt like no oxygen was coming into his lungs. 

Even through Izuku’s heavy breathing and shaking the man continued talking as if this was a normal scenario he went through daily. 

Okay who is this man and why is he a skeleton. Why are his eyes completely black except where his pupil should be which is currently glowing gold. 

“-anyway enough of that. Well kid hate to break it to you but it’s better than beating around the bush so listen loud and clear.” 

He listened. 

“You died.” 

On second thought let me just process what this skeleton man just said. 

The man smiles down at him but where teeth should stay instead holds a black abyss.

 “Welcome to the land of the remembered.”

Chapter Text

There has always been times in Izuku’s life where he was left speechless. Once it was at the young age of four years old and he sat in the living room, watching All Might for the very first time save dozens effortlessly. He could almost remember the way his eyes had widened and shaken and left him breathless as he stared in awe as people cheered on his name. The audio was clear as day. He vowed to himself that he would one day follow the footsteps of his hero and save dozens. Millions. 

Today was not that day. 

Nor will it ever be. 

________

His chest was rising and falling faster than he could think.

Oh god, he can’t think. 

His hands stood still at his side and he could practically feel the sweat gathering into a puddle on the ground next to him.

His hands-his hands are bones. Can they even be considered hands anymore?

He kept watching the man in front of him open and close his mouth while gesturing everywhere and yet he heard nothing because the heartbeat in his ears was too loud. “Kid,” He can practically feel the bones on his body shake so violently that he’s surprised he hasn’t shattered them against the floor. His face was on fire with the way his blood had to be pumping through his veins. 

What blood? There’s no veins for the blood to run through- only bones. 

Izuku closed his eyes and covered his ears. 

It’s too much. I can’t think. I can’t breathe! I can’t- I can’t! 

A hand landed on his back and another wrapped around his head and pulled him close. “It’s okay,” the words echoed through his brain and he’s barely just able to catch it. “You’re gonna be okay.”

Huh? 

“Just follow my breathing alright? Can you do that?” Izuku shook his head, he can’t.

“Come on, you can do it.” His head was moved and placed against a chest.

“Alright just follow my lead kid. Breathe in. Breathe out. In and out.” The man repeated these words to him and almost exaggerated his breathing so Izuku could feel them and follow along. “There you go, in and out.” His face no longer felt like it was burning and he could finally start to think. He sucked in a breath and held it for a solid two seconds before letting go. He repeated this many times before he finally got the hang of it and wasn’t shaking anymore. 

“There you go, see? Told ya you could do it.” The man huffs out.

 Now that he’s able to breath and think properly, Izuku finally looked up at the man who helped him. The man was grinning at him. Still missing his teeth and his eyes were still an empty abyss with an unnatural glow in the center. Pearly white bones no flesh. No skin. 

Goosebumps ran up his spine- how he had no idea but the situation was making him uneasy. 

“Who are you?” 

The man grinned down at him and stepped backwards to give him space. “The name’s Banjo! I’m your tour guide.” Izuku just looked at him blinking for a solid second before responding. 

“My tour guide?” He croaked out. 

“Yep. That’s me!” he gestured his hands out pointing to himself. “I’m the one in charge of showing you around. Get you all safe and familiar with the city before sending you on your way.” 

Izuku just looked at him blandly. “Okay,” he shook his head and sucked in a breath before releasing it. “Okay so where are we exactly? What city?” 

Banjo smiled and turned around to face the bridge that leads to the city that was blasting sound, “We’re at the Land of The Living, kid. Where all the souls go once they pass. Well most of them but that’s not the point,” he clapped his hands together causing Izuku to flinch back. “Now that you’re all better, let’s get going. We’re already late as is.” 

Izuku confused asks, “Late for what exactly,” he never got a response as the man, Banjo, yanked him to his feet and began dragging him over the bridge and down the path leading to the city. 

“Hey! Wait, where are we going?” He got no response except for a sharp tug and a quick turn to the right nearly knocking him over before he managed to balance himself. “Slow down you’re going too fast!” But before he could continue to yell his breath left him as he gasped in shock. 

The buildings around him were so bright and colorful. The architecture giving each building it’s own uniqueness with the way they curved around one another complimenting each other, letting the light shine on them causing them to sparkle beautifully. The stone path he ran on glistened as he passed by dozens of stands selling merchandise. He caught the whiff of freshly baked bread from one particular stand where a mother stood with her son. They snacked on a piece and laughed at the workers joke. 

Before Izuku could think of anything his arm was tugged to the left sharply which he yelped at, he opened his mouth to tell the bastard off when the man cut him off. “Alright kid we finally arrived! Just on time too!” 

Izuku confused asked, “On time for what?” 

“Well your first welcome introduction session to the afterlife. It’s mandatory for all newcomers to attend and the perfect time for us to check you over and go through the sign in process and setting you up where you’re gonna be settled into, who’ll be you’re assigned caretaker for the next two years-well since you look like a minor your case might be different. But that’s for them to figure out.” Izuku felt his eyebrows furrow as he slowly processed the new information. 

Caretaker? 

“Banjo! Welcome back, this the kid you’re guiding for the month?” A woman’s voice called out from the center of the room. Izuku glanced over to her and he was tugged towards her, thankfully, more gently. The lady stood up from where she sat behind the counter and looked down at him and smiled softly. “What’s your name sweetheart?”

Izuku felt his face heat up, well if that was possible, and he sheepishly stepped behind Banjo. Banjo and the stranger both laughed at his sudden shyness before Banjo clasped his hand on his shoulder and pushed him forward.

“Come on kid. No need to be shy.” Izuku turned and glared at the overly aggressive man before turning back to face the woman. She in response smiled at him causing him to stutter before responding. 

“Midoriya. Izuku Midoriya.” 

The nice woman smiled widely, “Well hello Midoriya, would you prefer for me to call you by your first or last name?” 

Izuku opened his mouth but hesitated, “Midoriya is fine.” He lifted his mouth into a small smile trying to be polite. The woman smiled before nodding enthusiastically. 

“Great! Nice to meet you Midoriya. My name is Aiko Watanabe. My job is to help you get processed through the system for identification, housing, and caretaking.” 

Aiko pulls out some papers from a shelf and grabs a pen and proceeds to write down information. 

Most likely his name he thinks.

“How old are you sweetheart?” 

“Fourteen.” Izuku mutters lowly. 

Aiko nods, “Ah so definitely a minor, what’s your birth date?” 

“July 15th, 2XXX” 

“Alright,” She scribbles down some more before looking up. “Alright and how did you pass?” 

Izuku frowned at her. “What?” 

“How did you pass sweetheart? Was it through an accident? Or was it due to natural causes or did someone kill you,” She began counting the many ways I could’ve died as if it was normal to her. 

Izuku could feel himself get triggered by the pure nonchalant display before cutting her off. 

“I died! Why does it matter. I’m dead.” Aiko looks put off guard by his shout.

Banjo who is right by his side squeezes his shoulder with the hand that is still resided on it almost as if to calm him down. Instead it’s making him even more irritated at the sheer audacity. 

Aiko sighs and placed a hand on the counter in front of her. “Listen sweetheart, I know this must be hard for you but this is just standard procedure in order to find out what the best fit you need from a caretaker to help you.”

Izuku huffs angrily at her and looks to the side. “I don’t need help from a random stranger. Who doesn’t even know me.” 

“Yes you do, Midoriya. Based on you’re reaction to the question you suffer from sort of grief and anger and that’s why I’m trying to help you find someone suitable for your case. Now would you be able to answer my previous question?” Izuku could practically feel his non existent blood began to boil as his face screwed up. 

“Of course I’m angry! I was murdered before I could even do everything I wanted. Before I even could say goodbye to my mom! The bastard who killed me didn’t even give me a damn chance and here you are acting like it doesn’t even matter when my life was taken away from me.” He felt like a volcano that finally erupted and couldn’t stop from speaking his mind. Even if he could, he didn’t want to.

Banjo tried to squeeze him to stop him but he just shoved his hand off. “I don’t want a caretaker. What I want is my mom. I want my ex best friend who even though he abandoned me all because I’m quirkless, at least he spoke to me unlike everyone in my life who ignored me and pretended like I didn’t exist. What I want is a quirk so I could have been taken seriously when I said I wanted to become a hero to help people and at least then with a quirk I had a chance against the stupid villain who murdered me and took me away from the one person who cared about me even though I caused her so much trouble.” Izuku could feel his voice began to shake and clog up from screaming. The need to cry was so overwhelming he couldn’t control his breathing again. 

A hand was placed on his back, rubbing in circles trying to regulate his breathing. “Kid you need to calm down before you put yourself through another panic attack.” 

Izuku just shook his head and pushed the offending hand away. “No! It’s not fair! Why did I have to die huh? I never hurt anyone and all I ever tried to do was help and yet the world repays me by letting some stupid villain who couldn’t even come up with a more serious name than Anti-Circulation just kill me. The bastard just wanted to kill me cause I was just passing by, he didn’t even give me a good reason. Couldn’t he have at least let me talk to my mom one more time? Tell her how sorry and useless I was and how it’s not her fault and that she tried her best. That she was best mother I could have ever had and I love her so-,” he choked on his breath and let out a whine. “I love her so much and-and” he couldn’t breathe.

He barely even noticed the tears streaming down his face. His tears blurred his vision and didn’t let him focus on the two people surrounding him. Their voices telling him to calm down and just breathe. 

Why wouldn't they shut up. He can’t! He can’t breathe. He can’t- 

With a heavy gasp Izuku whipped around and ran out ignoring the startled shouts that echoed behind him trying to convince him to stop. Telling him not to leave but he didn’t listen. 

He can’t. 

____

The wind rushed past him as he ran and he could feel old tears drying only to be replaced with new ones. He bumped into countless people based on the startled shouts and yelps behind him as he shoved through them. Not even bothering to stop and apologize. He just couldn’t stop running. He had to get away. Away from everything that’s confusing him and hurting him all the same. 

He’s so useless. 

He couldn’t stand up to kacchan. 

He couldn’t fight back against the villain. 

He couldn’t even even do the most simplest thing like breathe. How would he have ever been a hero? UA would never accept a coward. A weakling who most likely left his mother to suffer and grieve over her now dead son? His mom who was most likely weeping in her bed, left alone now that her son was gone. 

He’s not a hero. 

If anything he’s a villain—

Izuku yelped as he hit someone in front of him knocking him back and slamming his back on the ground. The air was knocked out of him causing him to wheeze. His ears rang from the sudden impact as he tried to breathe in. 

What happened?

A voice suddenly spoke. “Oh my god, are you okay?” The question echoed through his head wildly as he tried to pull his thoughts together and gain his air back in his lungs. “Hey, are you alright? You fell down pretty hard.” With one final breath Izuku finally looked up and saw the man he crashed into. 

The man had about shoulder length white hair and wore a plain white shirt with dark slacks. His eyes were also filled with the empty pitch black abyss everyone here seems to share except his eyes didn’t glow gold like Banjo’s does. His were green. 

“Are you okay?” Izuku snapped out of his thoughts. 

“Huh?” 

The man smiled down at him. “Are you okay? You had a hard fall just now. Why were you running so fast anyway? Is someone chasing you?”

He got concerned and looked behind him and their surroundings with narrowed eyes trying to locate the non existent person. 

Izuku numbly shook his head. The man seeing this, sighed in relief before looking back at him with confusion.

“Why were you running then? You could’ve gotten hurt.” 

Izuku spoke before he could even speak, “how would I get hurt if I’m dead?” He slapped a hand over his mouth. 

Jeez I keep blabbering.

 A look of confusion and then realization grows on the man’s face before he nods in understanding.

“It’s your first day, isn’t it?” Izuku freezes and looks down at his hands. He anxiously twiddles with his fingers watching the pearly white bone shine against the light. He just nods. 

The man just sighs in understanding. “Rough way to wake up, I bet?” Izuku looks up. “Don’t worry, it happens to most of us. Not everyone is exactly expecting to wake up after they die so I could understand why you must be freaking out right now. Do you need help?”

Izuku continues to just stare at him, not saying anything. The man looks away almost as if searching for something. 

He’s probably making the man uncomfortable.

He’s probably trying to find an excuse to leave him. 

“Are you hungry?” Izuku snapped back to the man and looked confused. “I bet you’re hungry right now let’s get you something to eat.” The man gently grasps Izuku’s hand before helping him up. “There you go, come on!” He begins to lead him down the street as Izuku lets the man take him to a nearby food stand. 

Why is he helping me? 

The man points to the plates on display. “Alright they have a couple variety of yakitori’s here, which one would you like? They have chicken, steak, and pork?” The man looks back to him, waiting for an answer. Izuku just stared at him for a second whispering out pork. 

The man simply smiles and nods before looking at the worker. “Two pork Yakitori’s please?” The worker nods before grabbing a plate and placing the two skewers on them and hand it over to the man. The man then hands the worker a couple coins and thanks him before looking back to Izuku. “Here you go kid, eat up!”

Izuku looks down at the plate the man is holding out to him. He hesitates for a moment before grabbing the plate and looking back up at him. “ But I’m dead aren’t I? So I can’t eat?” 

The strange man just laughs at him and says, “ Who told you that?” Izuku looked confused before pointing at himself. The man just huffs before responding, “That’s not true kid. I mean, yes we technically don’t need to eat. It’s not like we’ll die by not eating, but it does benefit us. It helps us get more energy.” Izuku just stared blankly at him before the man just sighs. “Go ahead. Try it!” 

Izuku look down at the two steaming skewers and they looked delicious. Both covered in a sweet glaze and he could practically taste the flavor already. He grabs one before lifting it to his mouth and paused before taking a bite. His taste buds were immediately tingling at the amazing flavor enveloping his mouth and he chews more quickly. 

The man across from him laughs before speaking, “They’re pretty great, right?” Izuku nodded enthusiastically. The man just grins, “Yeah these are my always go to whenever I could go for a bite.” Izuku is mid chew on his third bite when he feels a weird tingling sensation start to occur over his body and he freezes.

What the hell is that? 

His eyes then pop open as he watches his hands and arms began to glow a light green before feeling a rush of energy flow through him. He whipped his head up at the man who just grinned and points at him.

“That’s what I mean by energize. Eating helps us feel or gain more energy even though we don’t necessarily need to eat. Plus it helps people who enjoy cooking and those who likes food feel better.”

Izuku looks back dow at his half finished skewer before inhaling the rest and start chowing down on the second one. The man just laughs at Izuku while smiling at him. By the time Izuku finishes and looks back up at him he sees the guy ordering another one. 

“Thanks.” 

The man whips his head towards him shocked before smiling. “Of course!” 

Izuku softly smiles before asking him, “My name is Izuku Midoriya. But just call me Midoriya. What’s your name?” The man just smiles at him before opening his mouth. 

“You can just call me Yoichi.” 

___