℘Chapter Three: One For All℘

End of Third Year of Middle School

The final bell. The whole class is waiting for it. The teacher shakes his head and shoves the stack of papers on his desk, into the bin. "Alright kids, just go home. No point in waiting around for the bell. It'll probably be late like it always is." I reach for my bag and toss my hair over my left shoulder. I hitch the straps over my shoulders and sprint out of the sliding door and down the hallway.

"Well, looks like Midoriya is eager to start the holidays."

My feet pound against the concrete and I can't shake off my grin. All Might's short figure soon comes into view and I race into his open arms. He stumbles but catches himself. I let go of him and we begin walking back to my house.

We're both silent as we walk. My happiness from finishing Middle school is waning as I think of a way to bring up the topic. I rub my sweaty hands along my skirt and fiddle with the hemline.

"A-All mi-" I begin, but I'm cut off with a wave of his hand.

"You know you can call me by my actual name, right?" I nod and look toward the ground.

"Toshinori, I've uh decided about the exam." His head whips around so fast I'm honestly scared his neck will snap.

"And?! What's your decision?" I pull at my sleeves and look up at his hopeful face. I feel tears well up in my eyes and blink them back. I don't want to disappoint him.

"I've... I've decided not to do the hero course exam. I'll only be taking the general studies exam. I've got the best grades out of every student in all levels of education I've completed so far, so it'll be easy to get in! But uhm, the reason why I've decided not to is because I'm not confident. I'm not confident in my ability to control my quirk. I know you've been training me for years now, but I'm scared." Toshinori holds up his hand and I close my mouth, turning to face the little children playing in the park.

"I understand where you're coming from, Izuku, I really do. But, you're stronger than you think. I've watched you develop over the past three or so years and I can assure you that you've nearly mastered your quirk. But, if you're certain of your choice, maybe there is one thing I can give you to make you change your mind." I turn back to him with questions filling my brain to the brim. I open my mouth to start asking, but we've reached my house.

Mum comes running out of the house, shoes hurriedly put on and she throws herself at us both, wrapping us in her arms in a warm hug.

"There's my big girl! I'm so proud of you honey! Oh, Yagi, why don't you stay for dinner? I've made a big feast since Izuku's graduated!" I look at Toshi and see he's smiling weakly. He's got other things to do, but he wants to, so I force him into the house. He grins back at me and we take a seat at the dining table.

"So, Izu, have you decided?" I look up at mum as she bustles around the kitchen, fetching plates and cutlery. I look back down at the table and chew nervously on my lip.

"Yeah, I'm gonna take the general studies exam." Everything is silent. Then there's the clang of cutlery as it smacks against the benchtop.

"Izuku! What do you mean?! General studies? But you've been working so hard to get into the hero course! Why on earth have you decided to change courses?" I look up at her. Mum's face is confused and filled with concern. This surprises me because she's been against me taking the hero exam since day one.

"I'm not ready. I'm not good enough with my quirk yet. I need to train more so I can become better!" She nods slowly and picks up the cutlery again, bringing everything over to the table. She passes out plates, knives and forks and then begins serving the food.

After dinner Toshinori leaves with no mention of our conversation earlier. I wonder if he meant what he said.

Before the Entrance Exam

The sunrise is pretty this morning. You can see it clearly at the beach since I cleared all the garbage away. It was hard work, but it payed off because I'm stronger now. I turn to Toshi and watch as he plucks out a long strand of blond hair. He turns to me and I fiddle with the fraying ends of my sweater sleeve.

"Izuku Midoriya, what I am about to offer you is sacred and not something to be taken lightly. Over the three years you have been training, I have been gauging your strength and I believe you're strong enough to take this." I cock my head in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"You know my quirk, One For All. Well, it was not mine to begin with. In fact, I was quirkless before receiving One For All. It is a quirk that has been cultivated by many before me and, if you will take it, will be passed down to you." I stare at Toshinori in shock. Quirkless? All Might? Passed down to me?

"W-what?" I can't wrap my head around it fast enough.

"You will have my quirk, if you want it. All you have to do is consume some of my DNA. This strand of hair will do fine. I know this is confusing, and I'm sorry I'm not very good at explaining things." I shake my head and reach out for the strand of hair.

"So if I, uh, eat this? I'll receive your quirk?" He nods his head and I frown slightly. Do I really deserve the power that he's offering me? I'm honoured that he's giving me the option, but should I take it?

"You should take it. This will help you become a hero, Izuku." I look down at the hair and close my eyes. I force the hair into my mouth, although my entire body is trying to reject it. I manage to swallow it down without water. I rub at the dried tears on my cheeks and wave goodbye to Toshi.

My eyes widen as the largest of the droids makes it way closer to the large group of exam participants. I hear a yell and my gaze narrows down onto the girl the saved me from falling over earlier this morning. Her face is filled with terror and I notice why. Half her body is stuck under a fallen piece of debris and the robot is getting closer. I rush forward, running as fast as I can and I make it in front of her as the robot's foot is coming down. I cover my face with my arms and try and cover the girl underneath me. As the droid's foot is a hairsbreadth away, everything stops and they all shutdown. I look up in confusion and slowly help the girl out from under the debris.

"A-are you okay?" She smiles gently at me and nods, not able to speak as she's holding back bile. I smile back and watch as she walks away.

My smile drops as I realize I didn't get any points whatsoever. I failed the exam.

We're allowed to leave after everyone has been accounted for and checked for injuries. I meet up with Toshi and he walks me home. I don't cry in front of him, I don't let myself. But, as soon as I'm in my room, away from mum and Toshinori, I cry. I hole myself up under my sheets and I cry loudly. I know mum wants to comfort me, but I honestly just need space, so I send her a text.

6:47 PM

Izuku

I love you but please leave me alone for now. I'm not hungry, so don't worry about dinner for me

I'm shocked. I honestly thought I could do it. I thought I could at least get one point! But I guess I'm useless after all.