Izuku and the others were waiting patiently as the principal typed away on his computer when Aizawa chided, "Just barely into the Hero Course and you're already trying to save someone, problem child."
"Someone who doesn't really deserve it in my opinion," Hitoshi commented with a huff, letting his friends hand go now that the drama was done. "Or would even thank you for being so forgiving."
"Perhaps not," Inko chimed in then shot a proud smile to her son. "But then again Izuku always has been one to act the Hero without a care of getting any thanks for it anyway."
A scheming looks spread across Hitoshi's face. Izuku looked at him in concerned confusion as his friend added, "Such as when he cleaned that beach up without taking credit?"
"Exactly," Inko replied with a wink as Izuku blushed at being called out like that.
"Beach?" Nezu questioned, eyes full of curiosity. "What beach?"
The mentor turned to his student who appeared to be doing his impression of a strawberry while trying to hide. The mother had a warm smile on her face while the friend was smirking. Yamada also had a confused expression on his face while Aizawa had a knowing one.
"W-well," Izuku stuttered out. "There was a messy beach near where I live and, um, someone cleaned it up?"
His attempts to sidestep credit failed miserably thanks to a perpetually tired man.
"Don't try to deny it, problem child," Aizawa said with his creepy grin. "I myself saw the article in your apartment, remember?"
The principal meanwhile was typing into the computer, with the Voice Hero looking over his shoulder in interest, finding an article on the beach. The same exact one that was hung up in the entrance hallway back home.
"Is this the beach you speak of?" Nezu inquired as he turned the monitor. "Dagobah Municipal Beach Park?"
"It certainly is," the proud mother confirmed with a smile. She reached into her purse and took out her phone. Upon going through her photos and finding the one she sought, she stood up and passed the device over to show to Nezu. "I have a clipping framed at home with this picture. We took it the day he finished."
The chimera studied the photo of a disheveled Izuku sporting a tired but proud smile and giving a peace sign to the camera. An equally proud smile formed on his furry face at learning his personal student had already done such a Heroic act before even attending his school.
"Would I be able to have a copy of this picture, Midoriya-san?" Nezu requested, causing Izuku to turn even redder if that was possible.
The younger greenette was trying to hide behind his arms while his friend started cackling next to him. The mother and principal exchange contact information while the blushing boy shoved his friend in protest. Yamada and Aizawa also exchanged information with the mother, wanting the photo for sentimental and blackmail purposes respectively. By that time, the pair of teenagers were play fighting where they sat.
"Alright, boys, that's enough," Inko called out with an amused looked. The two broke it off though Izuku snuck in one last shove. The taller one moved to retaliated but was forced to stop upon hearing a stern but friendly, "Hitoshi, I said enough."
"Yes, Inko," Hitoshi huffed, sending a glare at Izuku who stuck his tongue out at him smugly.
"It's wonderful to learn that you've had altruistic aspirations even before attending UA, Midoriya-kun," Nezu said as Inko took her seat. "It would be perfect for PR in regards to having you transferring…"
"No," Izuku said once again with a determined look.
And once again, Nezu questioned, "No?"
"I don't want to take credit for the beach," the teen insisted. "I never did nor do I need it. I did it because I wanted to. To train while giving back to the community. To help. But not for the credit."
Black eyes studied him while Yamada looked surprised at the declaration. Though, as a Day Time Hero, he was accustomed to getting credit for his deeds. While Aizawa stood there understanding the lack of need for recognition. As an Underground Hero, he rarely ever got any for his efforts. But he too didn't do his job for the credit. Only to save people and stop the spread of evil. Plus any media coverage could actually be a hinderance in his work.
"How long did this venture take you, Midoirya-kun?" the principal asked.
"Approximately ten months give or take," the greenette replied.
"Were you alone in your efforts?" Nezu inquired further. "Or did you have help?"
"My friend, Mei-chan, helped me a little near the end," Izuku answered. "Though she did it more to try out her Support Items on the bigger stuff left over. But other than that, just me."
"Hmm…and how did you go about implementing a plan to tackle such a feat?" the chimera asked.
"When I first started, I developed a crude grid system to section off the area," the teen explained. "Breaking the project into smaller tasks so I wouldn't get overwhelmed. Unintentionally, I also started noting what I had found in each section. Not for any reason other than to notate what I found."
"You put all this effort into such a selfless act and desire no credit for it," Nezu summed up with a contemplative look before smiling. "You certainly are an interesting individual, Midoriya-kun. Most who walk these halls want at least some kind of recognition for their deeds."
"I have always loved Heroes and wanted to become one myself," Izuku said resolutely. "But it was never because of popularity or money or fame or ranking. I've always wanted to be a Hero for the one thing a Hero is supposed to do. Help people."
Another proud smile spread across the principal's furry face as he said, "That is very benevolent of you, Midoriya-kun."
"Yeah, little listener," Yamada chimed in with a grin and a thumbs up. "That's a top-of-the-charts attitude to have."
The blonde gave him a wink which caused Izuku to smile shyly.
"Th-thanks," the greenette said rubbing the back of his head bashfully.
"Well, aren't you the little Hero," Hitoshi teased as he ruffled his friend's hair.
Izuku swatted his hand away while an image popped up in the back of his mind of another person who addressed him as 'Little Hero'. If only the Heroes in this room, his friend, his mother, knew who had first believed in his dream and helped guide him to the path that led to all this. That a Villain had become his inspiration after the Number One Hero himself, his idol, had told him 'no' like everyone else. How would they all react to that? The Quirkless boy hoped to never find out.
"Now then, that is all I had set to discuss in regards to this meeting," Nezu said as he had wrapped up his own agenda. "Are there any questions or other topics you would like to discuss or bring up?"
Hitoshi shook his head showing he had none while Izuku raised his hand.
"Yes, Midoriya-kun?" the princicpal addressed, gesturing for him to speak.
"I have two things to ask or talk about if that's alright?" Izuku inquired, his nerves coming back ever so slightly.
Nezu gave a nod in affirmation.
"First, um, when can I get my goggles back?" the greenette asked, gesturing towards the green pair still on the principal's desk. "I gave my goggles to Aizawa-sensei to get the recording off of them. I was wondering if you were done with them yet?"
The chimera picked up the goggles on his desk and, rather than hand them back to the teen, instead he handed them over to Aizawa who took them and hid them back in his Capture Weapon. A disappointed look flashed on his personal student's face as he did so.
"Unfortunately, I still have need for your goggles, Midoriya-kun," Nezu said and the teen nodded somewhat solemnly in understanding. "Once I am done, I will have them returned to your Support box. Maijima-san is at this moment going through what remains of your other Support Items to find anything salvageable."
"R-really?" Izuku gasped, green eyes wide in surprise. "He doesn't have t-to do that!"
"But he wanted to," the mammal insisted with a warm smile. "Maijima-san is your Support teacher. He cares about your Support needs. As such he felt it necessary to check the, ah, 'left overs' so you wouldn't have to. Which I agree is for the best so you don't have to go through seeing the destruction a second time. Which actually reminds me of another topic I had wanted to bring up at some point in the near future."
"Oh?" the greenette let out with a curious expression. Beside him, Inko also was looking at the principal inquisitively.
"After having such a traumatic event occur in an already stressful situation," Nezu explained. "I believe it would be best for Midoriya-kun to have some more counseling sessions with our guidance counselor, Inui-san. As an extra precaution to ensure his health and safety. Would that be acceptable?"
Inko gave an approving nod as she said, "I think that's a wonderful idea. How about you, Izuku?"
"I'm fine with that," her son answered with his own nod. "Talking with Inui-sensei really helped last time after the USJ, uh, incident."
A concerned grimace formed on the mother's face. Seeing this, the son grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze to remind her he was there beside her and safe. Inko looked up at her son seeing his assuring smile and smiled back at him with a nod of thanks.
"Very well, I will schedule those and will inform you on when they are come Tuesday," Nezu said, typing into his computer.
"Midoriya," Aizawa called out from behind the chimera, grabbing everyone's attention. "You said you had two things to 'ask or talk about'." The man used finger quotes when he quoted Izuku's own phrasing. "What was the second?"
"O-oh…right, um, well…" the boy muttered.
"Just spit it out, problem child," the tired man sighed.
"I, uh, wanted to bring up something regarding another student," Izuku said, earning a quirked brow from Aizawa and a gesture to continue from Nezu. "I noticed some concerning behavior with a boy acting inappropriate with the girls. I don't really know him but he's short with purple balls on his head. His name is Mineta-kun I think."
The bored expression on Aizawa's face morphed into a glare as he demanded, "What did he do now?"
Izuku knew the 1-A teacher had kicked the pervert out of his class for trying to peep on the girls in the changing rooms. Knew that he had him moved to General Studies even though he told his students the boy had been expelled. You know, for the drama. But he also knew that the tired man was not going to like what he had to say.
"During the Obstacle Course," Izuku started, fidgeting with his fingers. "Mineta-kun said something about showing how strong he was to 'all the girls' so they would all 'flock' to him."
He used finger quotes when he relayed what the boy had said verbatim.
"Then at the end after the mine field, he attached himself to Yaoyorozu-san's back. Slowing her down significantly while giving himself a ride. Which I understand is allowed as there are no rules against sabotaging others like that. But it didn't sit right with me so I made him let go."
"How did you do that?" Yamada piped up.
"By hitting him where it 'hertz'," Hitoshi quipped with a smirk.
"I was just keeping my 'ion' him," Izuku joked back, but upon seeing the 'get on with it' expression from Aizawa he got back to the topic at hand. Looking at Yamada, he answered, "I used one of my electric escrima rods as a sort of taser to get him off. Which was also allowed since, as Aizawa-sensei said during the event, there are no rules against sabotaging or helping other students."
Again, the Erasure Hero hid a proud smile in his capture weapon, but Izuku still saw it all the same even despite the bandages. It made him beam with pride himself before his expression turned serious as he mental prepared to bring up his next point.
"My main concern with Mineta-kun is in regards to something that happened at lunch," Izuku said. Another nod from Nezu prompted him to continue. "I found Mineta-kun trying to convince Yaoyorozu-san and Jirou-san that the girls of 1-A were 'required' to participate in a 'cheer competition' in the afternoon and wear the same uniforms as the visiting cheerleaders from the US."
Aizawa's expression darkened at hearing that. Izuku knew that what he said next would not make the tired man any happier.
"Yaoyorozu-san and I both questioned that," the greenette said. "She hadn't heard anything and I never saw anything like that happen in past Sports Festivals. Mineta-kun said that he 'heard' it from Aizawa-sensei himself."
The Erasure Hero became so mad at that, his Quirk activated on instinct. Red glowing eyes and black floating hair paired with the deepest angriest scowl Izuku had ever seen on the man. Able to be seen through the bandages out of sheer intensity. Yamada place a grounding hand on his shoulder making the other breath to steady himself and shut off Erasure.
"He said for me to 'butt out' but I brought up the point why would you tell him instead of Yaoyorozu-san who is a class rep. He said some excuse about you being in a hurry. I asked where the uniforms were if it was true and he said they 'ran out' and that Yaoyorozu-san would have to 'make some with her Quirk'. Which makes no sense at all if it was 'required' for them to participate but didn't provide enough uniforms."
Nezu was searching one of his drawers as Izuku spoke, seeming to be looking for something specific. But the mammal nodded to his student to show he was listening.
"I also thought it was weird," Hitoshi interjected, earning a grateful smile from his friend.
"Yeah, Hitoshi-kun and Shouto-kun were there too," Izuku confirmed. "Shouto-kun suggested we ask Aizawa-sensei himself to confirm. Mineta-kun became really nervous and said it was a misunderstanding before running away."
"Hmm…this is not the first time we've had complaints about Mineta-kun," Nezu said, looking at his computer as he had brought of the student's file. "It was reported that he had tried to look into the girls' changing room on the very first day."
"Yes, Ochako-chan told me about that before we got on the bus for the USJ," Izuku stated, giving his mom's hand a comforting squeeze at the further mention of the event. "I don't know what you want to do with this, but I wanted to let you know what happened. It just didn't sit well with me that he would try to take advantage of the girls like that."
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Midoriya-kun," the principal said, pulling out some paperwork having found what he had been looking for. He straightened out the forms as he continued, "I am not one to give third chances. Second chances yes when they are warranted, but not thirds. However, I will speak with Mineta-kun and if he shows no remorse for his actions, I feel he is not the right fit for remaining at UA. As for the potential paperwork for expulsion, I'll leave that in your experienced hands, Aizawa-san."
The chimera held the papers out to the teacher with the highest expulsion rate with an amused grin. Aizawa rolled his eyes as he snatched them out of the prinicipal's paw hoping the mammal got a papercut. He hated paperwork though perhaps this one could be mildly satisfying.
"Is there anything else to be discussed?" Nezu asked, received various responses of 'no'. "Very well. Before you leave, I have a few forms for Midoriya-san to sign in regards to Midoriya-kun's transfer to the Hero Course. Giving permission for him to attend as well as granting legal custody to the UA staff in case of emergency."
The mother was handed a prepared clipboard and a pen. As she signed, Izuku beamed as it seemed more official that his transfer was really going to happen. That he was really going to learn to be a Hero at his dream school. He turned to look at his friend expecting to see him as excited as he was. But he wasn't. Hitoshi looked worried.
"Um," the brainwasher spoke up hesitantly. "Do I need to have those forms signed too?"
"No, Shinsou-kun," Nezu replied, that knowing look was back in his eye but still gave no hint as to what exactly. "Your permission forms have already been taken care of. From when you applied to the Hero Practical."
Oh, that's right. Before the entrance exam, you had to send a request in for which courses you wanted to apply for. Then they send you the required forms in case of acceptance.
Izuku hadn't even bothered with the Hero Practical because of obvious reasons. Only going for Support which had different forms granting access to the studio and its various dangerous gadgets and chemicals. But Hitoshi had applied to the Hero Course as well as General Studies so would have already filled in the paperwork.
Well, that's good Hitoshi-kun doesn't have to worry about that, Izuku thought as his friend let out a sigh of relief. Though I wonder why he was so concerned about it when he thought he did need to.
The younger greenette filed that worry away for later on top of the others he had about his friend's homelife. He grew more and more concerned that he doesn't know anything about it. Nor had Hitoshi ever talks about it. Even started acting strange just recently when the topic came up. Izuku felt compelled to ask him about it later.
"Perfect!" the chimera chirped as Inko handed him the finished forms. "I will submit these to the school board for final approval. Which, paired with my reputation as well as Midoriya-kun's arguments, they will no doubt accept my decision. In preparation, I'd like you two to fill out these forms in regards to your Hero costume design to be submitted on Tuesday."
The principal offered them two papers which the students took with awe as it served as another sign they were really in the Hero Course. Nezu then stood up and the others followed suit as the mammal led the way to the door. The two teens followed feeling a tiny bit nervous of the school board possibly refusing, but Nezu appeared very confident on the matter. The remaining three adults followed as well. The mother to join her son and his friend and the two Heroes to escort them off campus.
The door opened on its own accord as they approached like it did when they had arrived. The principal stopped by the door and turned to address the group.
"Midoriya-kun, Shinsou-kun, once again congratulations and welcome to the Hero Course," Nezu said with a smile. "On Tuesday, please arrive early and meet Aizawa-san at the teachers' room before homeroom. He will inform you of any last-minute details before you join your new classmates."
"Thank you so much, Nezu-sensei," Izuku said with a bow.
Hitoshi bowed too and said, "Yes, sir, thank you for this opportunity."
"I must thank you again as well, Nezu-san," Inko said with her own bow. "For taking care of my son and being open to what he has to say. To be willing to support him in a way he's never had before UA."
"You are very welcome but it is really no trouble," Nezu insisted with a return bow of his own. "I am merely acting as a proper administrator should. I assure you I will handle the issue regarding Midoriya-kun's past schools with absolute care."
He's still on about that?
"Nezu-sensei, no," Izuku protested.
"You cannot stop me, Midoriya-kun," the chimera insisted with a gleam in his eye.
Izuku let out a sigh knowing he was right. "Fine…well, I'll see you next week, Nezu-sensei."
"Of course," Nezu replied, gesturing them to go. "Thank you so much for coming and please enjoy the rest of your weekend."
With one last goodbye to the principal, the group of two students, one mother, and two Heroes left. The walk to the front gate didn't take long and soon the mother and two students were thanking the teachers for their time. Before they left, Aizawa took Izuku aside.
"Midoriya," his new homeroom teacher called out.
The greenette walked up to him and said, "Yes, Aizawa-sensei."
"Before you said the Hiro disguise was to hide from Bakugou until the Sports Festival, correct?" the tired man asked.
"Yes, sir," Izuku answered with a tilt of his head.
"Which means the disguise has served its purpose," Aizawa pressed earning a nod from his student. "Do we have your permission to reveal Hiro was you?"
"Oh! Well, um, sure, I guess," Izuku replied. "I mean, I don't really have a need for it now anyway."
"Very well," Aizawa said with a nod before shooing the boy off.
The younger greenette bowed to him before joining his mother and friend to head for home. As they left, the two teachers returned to the main building to prepare for the second meeting planned for that day. It was sure to be explosive in one way or another. What with Bakugou involved. Aizawa was already feeling tired.
...
Nezu watched the group walk down the hall until they were out of sight before turning back to the room letting the door close behind him. The chimera made his way back to his desk and started the necessary paperwork in regards to the transfer of not just one, but two students into the Hero Course.
It had been quite a lovely surprise for the General Studies student and his personal student in the Support Course to place in the top two. Placing in the top sixteen was an impressive feat in and of itself. Though, Nezu expected nothing less from his student who showed such a strong desire to be a Hero, putting every possible effort towards that goal. An attitude that was apparently infectious as Shinsou had followed his lead and fought hard to make it to the top as well.
The two had looked so proud standing on the podiums and the people seemed to accept the odd pair. Found entertainment in the fact that the two had beaten all other students, reigning supreme even over the Hero Course students. Showing that if you had enough tenacity you could climb your way to the top even without a 'strong, Heroic' Quirk.
Nezu had remained unbiased as promised despite being the Quirkless boy's personal teacher. But after the Sports Festival, he could confidently say he saw that Midoriya, along with Shinsou, had the potential to be a Hero. Had the strength of mind and cunning to work his way around any obstacle placed in front of him. That he had not let the fact that he had no Quirk limit him and went beyond, Plus Ultra, by creating artificial ones instead. The crowd had seemed to enjoy his antics with his Support Items.
Until they had turned on him.
Cheers had changed to cries of protest like the flip of a switch. Just because the boy had the genetic proclivity to be born without a Quirk in the current world of fantastical natural born superpowers. Awakening the ever-smoldering embers of anger residing in the Quirked animal.
It hurt to see Midoriya's proud smile be wiped off his face by the crowd starting to jeer at him. To be judged on something out of his control. Nezu felt a connection with the boy for he too had been judged for such a thing. For being an animal in a society of humans despite having a Quirk that made the mouse-bear-dog hybrid smarter than most humans. He had been tortured and tested on. Subjected to experiment upon experiment. All the while having the cognitive functionality of a human as he was tested on by humans.
Nezu had to fight with tooth and nail to get to where he was today. At times literally. A small conniving reminiscing smirk flashed on his face at the thought that there probably were some of the scientists who still bore marks from the chimera. Both mentally and physically.
It had been a long hard effort to find liberation and then recognition both legally and societally as the individual that he was. Prove that despite being labeled an animal, he was a participant in the game known as life as much as any human. Because of his past experience of the world fighting against him, Nezu could empathize with the boy. Something the chimera isn't usually able to do with most humans.
Perhaps I will have to hold a press conference in regards to this situation.
A possibility he was prepared for of course. Press conferences are at times an occupational hazard when you're the principal of UA. Which Nezu proudly was. He had a feeling something like this would happen. Openly welcoming any and all students with Quirks or not. Knowing that a Quirkless child wished to compete in hopes of transferring into the Hero Course. That student using his analysis and expertly made Support Items to compete in the prestigious UA Sports Festival. Then said student standing on the top podium as the first Quirkless winner.
It would make history if Midoriya were to become the first Quirkless Hero. Bringing change to the established 'natural order' of things. Upsetting the balance of power and proving that it is not so balanced as one would think. Such an occurrence was bound to cause a ripple effect in the social norms built over generations. To which many in this society would protest and fight to keep things as they are. Because people don't like change. Especially when they are in the majority.
So, yes, a press conference seemed warranted. A necessary step to defend his student's right to the same opportunities as any other child. Using the Quirkless boy's own arguments to justify his decision, of course. Izuku had brought up many good points in regards to the school's policies so perhaps finally something could be done to fix the outdated ones. Then once he was secure in the Hero Course and Nezu made the people accept him even if reluctantly, the chimera could turn his focus onto those that had pushed the boy down before coming to UA.
First, I will protect Izuku's future, Nezu thought as his mind already started planning his statement to the media. Then I will address his past.
...
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Notes extension: post/647100364813942784/chapter-63-resolute