Chapter Text
"Now onto our biggest piece of news today: The Return of Deku! Numerous pictures and videos surfaced today of the formerly retired hero re-debuting with numerous other heroes to help with a landslide at Warstar road! Eagle-eyed viewers even pointed out that the group of heroes present were all alumni of U.A's famous golden batch!"
"Indeed! However, the question remains. What motivated this sudden leap back into action? Especially when he must balance a teaching job at U.A, and perform hero work after having seemingly lost his quirk? We're live now with our on-field correspondent, ready to ask the hard hitting questions!"
Izuku Midoriya stared awkwardly at the massive camera shoved into his face as a reporter looked at him with all the enthusiasm of a kid at a candy store. How she'd even gotten up the hill was beyond him, considering the calamity that'd just happened. He was lucky she was the only one here though.
"That's right, I'm here on the scene of the landslide, where numerous heroes can be seen helping evacuation efforts and cleaning up the mess! Deku, if I could have just a moment of your time?" she spoke confidently into her mic. She technically asked him a question, but he knew he couldn't really say no at this point.
"Uh, sure..."
"Right! 8 years ago you were involved in the climactic battle against All For One and Tomura Shigaraki! And since then, after graduating from U.A, you announced your retirement shortly after! What prompted this sudden change of heart? We were led to believe you were permanently joining the ranks of U.A's esteemed faculty, following in the footsteps of All Might?"
"Well, it's more complicated than that. I still do plan to teach at U.A, it's just that... I was given the opportunity to resume hero work once again." Izuku explained. "I'm still without any quirk at the moment, but a lot of people worked on this suit as a gift for me. I'm really thankful and appreciative of their efforts, so I hope you all will look forward to seeing me in action!"
"So, if we have this correct, you're currently operating quirkless? Is that not quite dangerous?"
Deku chuckled. "Oh, it's fine. This new costume is a lot more advanced than it looks. And... Well I personally don't care what happens to me. As long as I get to save more people."
"There he goes again, talking about how he wants to neglect himself for the greater good." a gruff voice sounded out from behind him as Katsuki Bakugo smacked Deku upside the head. It was meant to be playful. Or at least what Bakugo considered to be 'playful'. "Damn suit's strong enough to withstand my attacks a thousand times over, if you find a way to get injured wearing it I'll kill you."
Izuku smiled, rubbing his head as he looked down at the costume. "Yeah... It definitely feels that way. There are so many unique features and design elements that I didn't even expect to be implemented. All of the previous quirks of One For All have been seamlessly implemented, some even greater than how they were before! I was especially intrigued after seeing how the plates can shift around to best suit my attack pattern, functioning as a pseudo Fa Jin, and-"
"Well, that's about all there'll be from me, back to you Takamura!"
The reporter immediately wrapped up the shoot mid-explanation as Deku was too caught up in recounting his suit's features to notice.
"Tch. Damn press." Bakugo scoffed.
"Oh. She left. I wanted to tell her about the ingenious way Blackwhip was implemented..." Deku lamented as he looked down at his gauntlets.
"When that Hatsume woman handed me the instruction manual I did a damn double take. The book is thicker than most novels." Katsuki remarked. "I bet you got through it in a night though, didn't you?"
"It wasn't that long. Plus, I still have to finish my detailed notes on what I can do with it. Muscle memory's taken me a bit of the way, so I can still use the quirks I'm familiar with, but others... Not so much."
"Honestly, they packed too much shit in there." Dynamight muttered. "Still, glad you're finally back. Was itching for some competition."
"Competition? Last time I checked, you weren't even the number one guy from our own class Bakugo!" Eijiro Kirishima put his arms around both of them, grinning ear-to-ear. "Todoroki's got ya beat!"
Most of the other heroes were working with the emergency response crew, Shoto chief among them, as he helped freeze the loose mud.
"Not for long. Damn bastard is only above me 'cuz he plays nice with his weirdo fans. Y'know what one asked me the other day? To be at their snot-nosed brat's birthday party!"
"Oh, I get those all the time. It's fun!" Red Riot grinned.
"You still ended up going, right Kacchan?"
"Not like I wanted to. Damn agency forced me to go for the 'publicity points'. Eugh." Katuski shuddered. "Still, not like I hated it or anything. It was surprisingly bearable."
"I bet you made that boy's day." Deku smiled.
"Yeah." Bakugo nodded, a small grin creeping across his face. "Makes me sound all sappy, but that kid was cool."
"Looks like traffic's loosening up." Izuku noticed.
"Probably our cue to get out of here then. You two free for some drinks this week? It'll be on Mina and I!" Kirishima grinned.
"I've got shit to do." Bakugo nonchalantly brushed the invite off. "You know how it is."
"C'monnnn! It's been ages since we all met up for drinks!" Eijiro complained.
"Yeah, 'cuz we're heroes dammit! As if twenty one of us can just drop what we're doing and get drunk off our asses!"
"I've heard this year has had a record low in crime numbers though." Izuku pointed out. "Maybe it's just my inexperience talking, but surely you can afford a few hours of your time, right Kacchan?"
Bakugo groaned. "Whatever, fine. I'll text you." He looked at Kirishima. "Just means I'll have to work extra hard for the rest of the week."
As Bakugo flew off, a few more members of the class dispersed for their own reasons. They were all heroes. With a schedule to match. Yet... He still felt off. Like something was different now.
He didn't feel like he belonged.
It had been six years since he graduated. Since then he never even tried to go on patrols or get involved in the business. After all, what was someone like him to do? He'd only be a hindrance. While he considered joining the police, it was All Might who recommended the teaching post. It took a few years for him to get the necessary qualifications, but he never once stopped to think about his career choice.
Was he doing the right thing? Was he wrong for not trying to do more? For not trying harder to be a hero without a quirk like he once wanted to?
His thoughts were quashed as Tenko's smile flew through his mind. He was a hero. He may not have been a professional until now, but he knew that if someone ever needed help with anything, he'd be there for them. He was making a difference.
He needed to stop being selfish.
He felt a tap on his shoulder as he was lost in thought.
"Yo!"
He smiled as he was met by Denki Kaminari's grinning visage. Mineta and Sero stood beside him, both elated to see him, it looked like.
"Took ya long enough to join us, huh Midoriya?" Sero smirked, giving Deku a pat on the back. "Yeesh, that suit feels super tough too."
"It's not as heavy as you think..." Deku sheepishly smiled.
"Yeah right. I bet it's just 'cuz you're still shredded under there." Mineta teased.
"Oh, for sure. You moved like a natural today Midoriya!" Denki gave him a thumbs up.
"Thank you. All of you. Both for your compliments and... well, for this."
"Eh, don't sweat it." Denki laughed. "It was the least we could do for the guy who saved the world."
"More importantly, it was the least we could do for our buddy." Sero crossed his arms. "Bakugo knows a lot more than we do about all the effort it took but... Took a ton of time to get right."
"You guys could've told me... I should've at least contributed to it." Deku offered.
"No way." Mineta waved him off. "Since it was twenty of us we didn't need to pay that much each. But in total it would've been crazy!"
"As embarrassing as it is to say, not all of paid the same either. Bakugo contributed a ton. So did Todoroki. And... I think the one who contributed the most was..."
The four looked over at Uraraka, who seemed to be having an animated conversation with Iida, Yaoyorozu, Jiro and Asui. The other group noticed them, as they came over to speak to Deku.
"Midoriya!" Iida took of his helmet and vigorously shook Deku's hand. "Glad to finally meet on the field eh?"
"Yeah!"
"You haven't lost a step, kero." Tsuyu smiled warmly as Momo joined in.
"I'll be honest, I was surprised when I saw the blueprints of your suit from Ms. Hatsume, it seemed quite impractical." she explained. "However, it really came together quite well!"
"Thanks you two."
"It's only a matter of time before he overtakes us all huh?" Kaminari laughed.
"He'll overtake you in no time, I think." Jiro chuckled.
"Hey!"
As the group laughed, Deku's and Uraraka's eyes made contact.
"Uraraka?" Deku looked at her. "Wanna talk?"
She smiled softly, and nodded. The rest of the group looked at the two.
"Heh. You two are the same as ever." Sero remarked. "C'mon guys, let's give them their space."
"I need to be elsewhere regardless." Iida put his helmet back on. "But it was a pleasure to meet you again Midoriya! We shall reconvene at Kirishima's party!" he yelled as he ran off.
Tsuyu gave Ochaco's arm a small squeeze, before leaving. As the rest of the group gave them some distance, the two made their way to a cliff overlooking the road. They stood in silence, not really sure what to say to each other to break the air. It had been some time since they'd met up in person. And as much as they'd text each other, it never dipped much into... What their relationship was.
Deku never quite knew how to express himself to Uraraka. He cherished her, and appreciated her more than she'd ever know but... Love was a difficult word to say for him. As close as they got, he got the feeling he'd be burdening her. He never really felt confident enough to say it, and he never really found the right time either. There was always something else to talk about. Some other event taking place. Some other feelings in the way.
Besides, she had bigger things to worry about than him. He needed to stop being selfi-
"I'm sorry."
He did a double take. Did she just apologize?
"Sorry? What for?"
"...For not being there." she looked to the ground despondently. "I don't want to use work as an excuse. I know we promised we'd meet often."
"That's fine. My schedule was also pretty packed. There were times where I cancelled on meet ups too."
"Not as much as I did." she spoke, with a sad look on her face. "I'm happy you're back, Deku. I... I-"
"Hey. It's okay." Deku reassured her. "You were doing far more important work. I saw everything Uraraka. How hard you worked. How kind you were. And especially the strides you made with Quirk Counselling. You're an excellent hero, don't ever forget that. As for me... I'm happy. And now that I get to work as a hero again, even if it's part-time, I'm looking forward to talking more."
She smiled. "You're still the same. Always praising me over the smallest things."
"Your new costume is really nice too."
She blushed. "Stop it..." she sighed. "I'm looking forward to it too. To working with you."
He smiled in return, but his phone buzzed. "Ah! I have a meeting with Hawks scheduled at 12! Sorry Uraraka-!"
"Don't be!" she smiled. "Being a hero involves way too much paperwork. So you'll have to get used it!"
"...Yeah."
---
It was the beginning of a new week for Deku's career as a teacher. But even more than that, it was the first week of his new life. Now he was just like the rest of the staff. Part-time hero, part-time teacher.
The second he entered class, he was immediately flooded with questions from his class.
"Deku-sensei!"
"Why didn't you tell us about your comeback sensei?!"
"Are you in the rankings right now?"
"How much did that suit cost?"
"Guys!" Izumi Kota piped up. "Don't crowd sensei!"
"Right, right, haha..." Deku motioned for the class to settle down. He was blessed with a good class, full of responsible kids. Having Kota be there to start with was fortuitous, but over the short time he'd known them, he'd grown to like them all. Each for their unique attitudes towards hero work, a lot different than how his batch used to be. "I will explain everything, as long as you all ask one-by-one."
Kota raised his hand. "In that case, Deku-sensei, are you still going to be our homeroom teacher? 'Cuz All Might didn't teach any class's homeroom when he first joined U.A right?"
"Of course! I'll still be here every morning for homeroom! It's just that now I probably won't be in the staff room when I'm not teaching." Deku explained.
"Sensei!" Another hand went up. It was the boy with stitches all over his cheeks. His classmates called him Joki-Joki, which he'd embraced, even if it was a rather morbid name. "Are you on the Hero Billboard chart now?"
"Why yes! Hawks didn't tell me my exact spot aside from being somewhere in the thousands, but I am now a pro-hero. Truth be told I always had a hero license,
just that I never really had the chance to use it."
"What all can your suit do?"
"Well, I'm sure you know what One For All was able to do right?"
The class all nodded vigorously.
"It can still replicate those original seven abilities, but also has a few extra ones. I can fly permanently now with the air-jets they installed, and nano-tech installed also allows me to devise countermeasures to other attacks. I can make rudimentary devices like explosives and weapons with it."
"Whoa! Cool!"
"I could go into more detail, but we'd be here until the bell rings. Anything else?"
"Are you going to start your own agency?"
He paused at that. He'd never really thought of starting an agency. Most teachers at U.A also didn't have one, but it was never a hard rule that U.A teachers couldn't have an agency, just that most preferred not to. After all, maintaining one while also holding a teaching post was difficult.
Still, he'd always dreamt of having one, and a lot of his friends had one. Shoto inherited his father's agency and transformed it into his own image. As did Iida. Kaminari and Jiro had recently started theirs next to each other. He knew Kirishima, Bakugo and Yaoyorozu had pretty successful ones. He was already part of an agency himself, he'd joined it soon after he'd gotten the suit. As much as he liked the environment, he didn't love being a sidekick.
Then again, it didn't matter what he wanted. What he wanted was secondary to what would be beneficial. And he couldn't leave his students high and dry while he pursued his own dreams.
"I don't know. Maybe if time permits." Izuku said thoughtfully, before the bell rang. "Oh, that's the bell! I'll see you all tomorrow!"
---
Izuku set the last of the robbers down near the police, each of them tied up using his suit's replication of Blackwhip. As he dusted off his hands and the criminals were taken away, he felt a hard pat on his back, as Mirio Togata beamed at him.
"Awesome work Midoriya!" he grinned. "You even showed me up!"
The number one hero looked at the people all crowding around the scene, as law enforcement tried to keep them at bay. Much to Deku's surprise, they seemed a lot more interested in him than the one at the top of the Hero Billboard chart.
"...Wow... I didn't know I'd be this popular after so long."
"It only makes sense." Mirio chuckled. "I mean, most young adults today were kids when you saved the world. So they grew up idolizing you y'know?"
"It couldn't have been just me..."
"True. But you were the only one who retired right? Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Lemillion explained.
The two made their way back to the Lemillion Agency, both sitting at the edge of the roof of the building, enjoying snacks together. The two had always remained close, and there were many times that the two would meet up with Eri at her school, just to check on her, as embarrassing as she found it.
"Honestly, it's only a matter of time before you surpass me, Deku." Mirio admitted, munching on some melon bread.
"Don't say that!"
"It's frue." he shrugged, his mouth full. He continued, gulping down his piece. "Honestly, I was surprised when you came up to me and asked to join my agency. You've been a huge help but, let's be honest. Being a sidekick is not where you should be."
Izuku remained silent. "I... I'm not worthy of being number one hero. Not after I've spent so long doing nothing."
"Teaching U.A's finest is not 'nothing'. It is because of you that our country will be safe long after all of us retire." Mirio noted. "I... I get it Izuku. More than you think. I lost my quirk too, y'know?"
Deku nodded listlessly.
"It was only for a few months. Temporary. It's almost unfair that I was able to keep it and you weren't, when you made such a big sacrifice." Mirio looked at his fist.
"That's not true! You were born with that quirk! I wasn't born with One for All. It was a power I inherited." Deku sighed. "And... I was happy with giving it away. Because I'd completed it."
"Heh. I guess that's true. Still, when I didn't have my quirk, I felt a lot of the same things. I saw Amajiki and Hado risking their lives every day, continuing to work their butts off, yet all I could do was watch and encourage them. Aizawa-sensei talked to me during that time. And, I almost went down the same path you did. I wanted to become a teacher."
"...You did?"
"Yeah. I mean, I was already helping out Eri with her education, bit by bit. Lemillion was almost going to be someone who could teach a million people, rather than save them, haha." he joked. "But...Things went differently. Maybe I was selfish for using Eri's power for my own benefit, as much as she'll get on my case for saying that."
"I don't think it was selfish. The world needed you."
"And they need you too Midoriya." Mirio looked at his junior. "Now more than ever. A lull in criminal activity is always short-term. Even if it's all glitz and glamour now, society isn't perfect. No matter how hard we try, people will slip through the cracks. That's a fact of life. We can do our best to cover those cracks, to make sure everyone is treated the same, but the system is imperfect. There are a lot of parts of Japan, no, the world, where the environments that created All For One and Tomura Shigaraki still exist."
"...It's definitely a hard pill to swallow."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is... You don't decide whether you want to be Number One or not. The people do. Which is why I'll be the first one to tell you." the blond looked at Izuku, offering a fist bump. "You'd better surpass me."
"I'll do my best." Izuku returned the fist bump.
"Oh and... Create your own agency while you're at it. I'm fine with being overtaken by you, but I'd at least like to keep my own agency." Mirio grinned.
"I'd like to but, it'd be hard to find the time to manage one and, then there'd be the problem of actually hiring and managing other heroes. Not to mention all the logistics that would be involved in the location and the vetting process and also if anyone would even join-"
"Calm down!" Mirio ruffled Deku's hair. "You can always work with someone else to establish a joint agency."
"True... But I don't know who I'd start one with..."
"Whoever you choose, I'll be rooting for you. Let me know when you make a decision, I'll get all the paperwork done. But for now..." Mirio got to his feet. "You're my junior. For a wee bit longer."
---
The end of that week was Kirishima's reunion party. Surprisingly, this was the most members of 1-A that had ever gathered together in one place since they all started working, but there were still a few notable absences. Sero, Shinso, Asui, Hagakure, Ojiro, Koda and most surprising of all: Uraraka, couldn't make it. Regardless, they were having a good time, all of them catching up with Izuku after years of minimal contact.
"So, who's the new prodigy at U.A huh? The next big thing?" Mina asked, curious about the happenings at her old school.
"Well, there is a lot of competition, surprisingly."
"Good. Wouldn't want the new generation of brats to go soft." Bakugo took a sip of beer.
"You sure you should be drinking so much?" Kaminari asked cautiously.
"Tch. I can handle some alcohol Dunce-face."
"Been a while since you've called me that." Denki smirked. "Is a some bubbly too much for wittle Kacchan?"
"Shut up."
"Well, I'd say it's even more competitive than it used to be."
"I'll say!" Kirishima exclaimed. "I'm hyped for the Sports Festival! Like, hiring interns for my agency's going to be so cool! Really comes full circle."
"Who d'ya think's gonna win it all?" Kaminari asked.
"That kid that punched Midoriya in the nuts!" Mineta interjected, eliciting a laugh from everyone present.
"Well, Kota is performing really well in Hero Studies. I've heard he's an ace in most other departments too."
"His quirk's real good, so that makes sense." Mina nodded. "Kinda similar to mine."
"Thinking of hiring him?" Kirishima asked with a grin.
"If you'll humour me." Mina responded flirtatiously, giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Pfft. As if he'll choose you two cronies. He's gonna pick my agency." Katsuki pointed to himself.
"You'll probably need to be escorted out in handcuffs again like last time if he chooses Todoroki over you." Jiro snickered as she earned a glare from Bakugo.
"I don't know if I'd be able to handle interns." Todoroki munched on some soba. "I have my hands full as it is."
"I'd love to show some youngsters the ropes personally." Iida adjusted his glasses, drinking orange juice instead of beer, out of principle. "I believe a strong foundation for the future should be secured by us. Midoriya is already working on it, so we should contribute too."
"I see..." Shoto contemplated. "Maybe if someone catches my eye."
"That's the spirit!" Eijiro patted him on the back with vigour. "Still, being a teacher sounds like a headache."
"Yeah, I can feel my brain short-circuit just by thinking about it." Kaminari groaned.
"You sure that isn't the beer?" Kyoka smirked.
"Hey!" He paused. "Okay, maybe it is."
"If anything..." Mezo Shoji joined in. "I believe a lot of them will choose you, Midoriya. If you're starting your own agency, that is."
The entire group seemed to arrive at a collective understanding.
"Yeah, that'd probably add up." Mina concurred. "After all, they already know you as their teacher."
"Can teachers even take interns?" Rikido Sato inquired.
"Forget that, can teachers even have hero agencies?" Jiro wondered. "I don't remember any of our teachers making offers after the Sports Festival."
"It's unheard of but... It's not impossible." Deku explained.
"So you wish to start an agency then?" Yaoyorozu asked. "Would it not be difficult?"
"Only if he does so alone." Iida pointed out. "You could always start a joint agency like Ashido and Kirishima did."
"Well, you gotta find someone willing first. I mean, a lot of us aren't interested in them. Like Tokoyami, you don't have one right?"
Fumikage nodded. "The organizational style does not suit me. Hawks often pestered me about inheriting his, but I had to turn him down."
"Do you know who did inherit it?" Shoji asked.
"It was conglomerated with the Lurkers' Agency on Edgeshot's request." Tokoyami explained. "Truth be told, it was a miracle the economy survived so many simultaneous retirements."
"Well, we did have a lot of foreign heroes operating here for the first few years. Togata-senpai and his batch also did a lot of work in helping maintain order before we graduated." Deku explained.
"...You didn't answer the question, Midoriya." Shoto pointed out.
"Huh?"
"Do you plan to start your own agency?"
The room's pressure suddenly felt directed entirely on Izuku's shoulders.
"You'd better." Bakugo scoffed.
"Don't pressure him everyone, it's his choice." Iida tried to mitigate the situation, but Izuku waved him off.
"Truth be told... I would. But... If I wanted it to be as good as I think it could... I would have to compromise my job as a teacher."
"Well... I wouldn't like to say these kinds of things when they aren't here but..." Momo trailed off. "I believe you could join up with Uraraka."
Iida looked at her, then sighed. There seemed to be a kind of quiet acknowledgement between the two. The others missed it, but Deku fixated on that. Why were they looking each other like that? Was something wrong?
The moment was quickly overtaken by overlapping voices, cracking jokes and laughing over the proposal.
"That'd be so cute! I want that to happen now." Mina nodded in approval.
"Whoever it is." Bakugo gave him a small nod. "Make it happen."
"...I'll do my best!"
As the night went on, more and more people left, either to go home or to continue their patrols. Izuku waved goodbye to the remaining people as he prepared to head home. He had to be up early tomorrow for a few interviews, as well as some work at Mirio's agency. As he walked away from the bar however, he heard Tenya call his name.
"Iida?"
"Midoriya." The bespectacled man walked closer to him. He hadn't seen Iida with stubble before, he pulled it off pretty well. "...We should talk."
"Oh, sure. About what?"
"...A few things." He said, pointing to a bench for the two to sit on.
"You seem serious. Did something happen? How's your family doing?"
"Mine? Oh, they're doing great. I... Well I reached number 12 on the Hero Billboard chart the other day."
"Yeah, I saw the rankings update."
"Mm. Turns out, it's the highest rank anyone from my family has ever achieved. The chart works a lot differently now, so it isn't exactly the same, but my family was very proud nonetheless." Iida smiled. "My parents and older brother threw a party for me. It was... bittersweet."
"How come?"
"Well, I'd always wanted to become a hero. It just... would've been nice to work with my brother. I think he could've achieved a higher rank given time."
"I'm sorry..."
"No, don't be." Iida smiled warmly. "Both of us know that's not the direction fate took. And he'd be angry if I continued to wallow in sadness over it. I'm more than happy he's still here. He, and the rest of my family, are the reason I keep going."
Midoriya nodded, covering his mouth with his fist. "A lot of my students look up to you Iida. I think it's only up from here."
"Right. But that's not why I wanted to talk to you Midoriya. Yaoyorozu... She proposed Uraraka as someone you should start an agency with."
"She did, but that's alright. It's just a suggestion, if Uraraka's not interested I'll find a way to make it work."
"Not that... Well, the two of us have been around her the most since we graduated."
Izuku's posture stiffened. "What happened?"
"Nothing new. We're just... worried." Iida ran his finger over the scar on his forearm. "She's not been the same since..."
Deku paused. "Wait... I thought she..."
"Got over it? I did too. That night on the hill, where you two talked about it, I thought that was the end of it. I continued to check in on her afterwards. I know you did too."
"She seemed fine. Happy, even."
"For a time she was, I imagine." Iida looked off into the distance. "Once we all started working, and she started campaigning for better quirk counseling, I think things slowly began to change. Even though we were doing great work..."
"Did anything happen in particular?"
"Not to my knowledge. But I wasn't there for everything." Iida sighed. "I wish I could do more for her as a friend. I imagine Tsu and Yaoyorozu do too, because she is struggling. It's not as clear as it was before, maybe it's something entirely different... I don't know."
"...I see." Deku clenched his fists. "I...It's been so long since we talked properly... I'm not sure if we can..."
"Pick up where you left off?"
"Mm." Izuku shuffled uncomfortably. "I...I don't know what she thinks about me."
Iida let out a small exhale. "I think she treasures you, Midoriya. You two wouldn't be so close if she didn't. As for the specifics... I've never been the best at picking up on such things."
"I enjoy being around her too. She's always been one of my closest friends. It's just... I get this feeling in my throat when I think about her. Like a knot." He clutched his trousers. "I want to say something to her, but... Every time I feel that knot, my brain tells me she wouldn't want to hear what I want to say. I don't want to be selfish."
Iida pondered this answer. "I don't think you would be selfish if you told her how you feel. But, I don't really know. Honestly, you'd be better off asking someone with experience in such things." he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"Maybe. But... Thank you Iida. For telling me about all this." Deku got up. "I... Have some things to think about."
"No problem." Iida waved. "Looking forward to working you more often."
The two said their goodbyes, as Midoriya left to the U.A Teacher dorms. It was certainly a shock for him, the first day he'd instinctively wandered into his old student dorm and gotten swarmed by the first years. The dorms for the teacher's were far quieter, not to mention, the rooms were far bigger. As he headed to his room, he met up with All Might.
"Young Midoriya. How was the party?" The retired hero asked with a smile.
"It was fun. We talked about a lot of things."
"You seem to have something on your mind."
"Well, the question's come up a lot over the past few days. About starting a hero agency." Deku explained.
"Ah. Well, that's a smart business move. Someone as big as you starting an agency would allow for a whole boatload of brand deals and merchandise. Soon, young children might be asking you to sign their Deku cards." The old man chortled.
"Heh. But... Wouldn't it be hard? With my life as a teacher?"
"I'm not exactly the right man to ask, young boy. When I joined U.A I still had my agency active." Toshinori explained. "Admittedly, by that point I was barely involved in the happenings at Might Tower."
"Oh, right. I was surprised that it was still running even after your retired."
"My name carries a strong brand." Yagi rubbed his chin. "All Might is more than just one man now."
"Do you not visit there anymore? I don't recall you ever going there in your final years."
"I spent less and less time there over time. Now I don't feel like I belong there at all!" he smirked. "But enough about me, if you want to succeed in the business it's a good idea to have one. No number one hero in history has been independent."
"I still want to teach at U.A though. My friends told me to open it with someone who could bear the load..."
"And I imagine you have this person in mind?"
"It's... complicated."
All Might put his hands on Izuku's shoulders. "Take it from someone who's made these mistakes before, Young Midoriya. It's only complicated if you make it complicated. Be upfront, be honest."
"But I don't want to come off as selfish."
"I know. You are the most selfless person I've ever known. But throwing all regard for your own safety aside doesn't help. You know that, right? I think your class got that through to you clear enough."
"Yeah..."
"Be selfish, boy. After so many years sacrificing yourself for others, you've definitely earned it." Toshinori smiled warmly. "And... Sometimes being selfish can save others too. Remember that. Before it's too late."
The green-haired hero walked back to his room, sitting on his bed as he looked at his phone. His hand hovered over Ochaco's number.
He needed to be selfish. But...
That could wait.