"What's that?"

"Oh, it's just my homework from last night."

"Eh... fifth graders are dealing with this stuff already? Man, I hate fractions."

"They're actually not that bad once you-"

Bakugo Katsuki suddenly slammed his hand on Midoriya's desk, palm smoking. "Ka- Kacchan!" The papers flew up in the air, falling onto the floor. The blond looked down at him with an irritated look in his eyes as Midoriya shrank back in fear. "Who the hell have you been muttering to this whole time? It's annoying."

"N- no one, just myself..."

"Well then knock it off, it's getting on my nerves!" He sauntered back to his desk as the bell rang, a glare remaining on his face. "What a bad personality. Who's that?" Gojo asked. "That's Kacchan. He's... he's my childhood friend." Midoriya spoke in a hushed tone as to not annoy Bakugo again. "That guy is your friend?"

"Well... we used to be friends. I think. Our relationship is complicated."

The teacher walked in, signaling the start of class. Midoriya collected the fallen papers into a neat pile. "You shouldn't let him push you around like that," Gojo said, floating above him. "I know, but-"

"Izuku-kun, do you have something you want to share with the rest of the class?" the teacher asked. Midoriya shot up, shaking his head. "I, uh... no, sir! Sorry..." The other students laughed as he sat back down with a tomato red face.

Midoriya sighed, hefting his backpack over his shoulder. Finally, school is over. Maybe I'll get some of that kifuku Gojo-san recommended.

"And then that's when I entered the room, completely-"

Gojo was cut off by a loud cry of protest, drawing both of their attention towards the side of the school building. "Huh? Why are you crying? I thought you wanted to become a hero! Heroes don't cry, you know." Midoriya paled. "That's Kacchan's voice." Are they bullying someone? I have to stop them... But what can I do? Kacchan is... he's so much stronger than me.

Gojo watched as Midoriya froze in place, like a deer in headlights. I'm curious to see what he'll do.

I want to help, but the fear... Midoriya swallowed. I can't help it. He began to run.

Not away, but towards the scene. "Kacchan!" he yelled as he skidded to a stop in front of them. Oh crap, there's three of them. Bakugo was holding a student by the collar, about to punch him in the face. Midoriya almost reeled at the sight of the poor boy's bruised and bloody face. He even had a few minor burn marks, definitely from Bakugo's quirk. Why did they go so far?

"What the hell do you want, Deku? Get out of here unless you want to become my punching bag too. And don't you dare say a word to the teachers."

"I- I can't do that! Why are you hurting him? He didn't do anything to you!"

"Heh, this brat thought that he could boss me around. He went up to me and said that I wasn't worthy of becoming a pro hero. Of course, as the future number one hero, it's my job to punish liars." Midoriya nervously frowned. That kid is totally right though.

"Oh, time's up. I gave you a chance, but it's too late now," he said as his two goons grabbed Izuku's arms from behind. "H- hey, what are you doing?" He was filled with an all-too-familiar fear as Bakugo approached him, hands smoking. "As promised..." Midoriya lost his ability to breathe for a moment as he suddenly received a punch to the gut.

"Hey, let me go at him too!"

"Look at this loser, he's already crying..."

That night, Midoriya got home an hour late. He lied to Inko and insured her that he'd just fallen down the stairs at school.

Sullenly, he dropped his backpack on the floor of his room and began to disinfect the wounds.

"So you sacrificed yourself to save that kid?"

"I wouldn't say sacrifice, but..." Midoriya applied the last bandage, eyes dark. "I'm just glad he got away."

"Why? He was a stranger."

"It doesn't matter who he was. But I know that he tried to tell Kacchan the right thing. He had more courage than I ever did."

"Hmm. And you're okay with this?"

"Of- of course I'm not! I want Kacchan to stop, I want him to use his power for good. But... I'm just not strong enough. Yet."

He plopped down on his bed. "I'm used to his antics. I know they're horrible. So one day, when I have enough courage, I'm going to make sure he never abuses his power again." Gojo gave him a hint of a smile.

Just when he thought the man was about to say something heartfelt, he said, "7 out of 10." Midoriya lost his posture. "Wh- why are you rating my response? And why is it so low?!" He laughed. "Not bad, Izuku. I'm just glad you stood up for that boy in the first place. It looks like you're better at that when it comes to other people rather than yourself." He leaned down. "You're strong, Izuku. Even without my power. You just need to realize that." Midoriya gave him a small smile. "Gojo-san..."

"Straighten up, my pupil! Starting tomorrow, you'll receive strict jujutsu training from me!" Midoriya stood up and saluted. "Yes, Gojo-sensei!" Satoru faltered for a moment at his response.

Right after, Midoriya was called down for dinner, leaving the man alone in his room.

"'Gojo... sensei,' huh?" He smiled, remembering those three. "That sure brings back memories."

Midoriya gaped at the mountains of trash. It seemed to stretch on forever from where he stood. "You want me to clear out this entire beach?!" Gojo nodded. "It'll serve as a decent warmup. After all, we have to train your body physically first in order to take on even half of my power." A decent warmup?! "But I teleported just fine yesterday!"

"You barely managed to teleport, which is impressive by itself for someone who just received that power. But it was only for a very short distance, and you almost threw up afterwards. You also almost fell asleep from exhaustion. Remember? That means your mental and physical states are too weak to handle even one of the easiest techniques." Midoriya sweatdropped. And I thought I was doing pretty well...

He gazed at the heaps of trash. "I mean... where do I even start?"

"Hmm, good idea. How about that fridge over there?"

"A fridge?!" I'm only ten years old! There's no way it'll budge!

Izuku spent the rest of his Saturday cleaning up piles of trash off the beach, preserving mostly because of the help (and threats) from Gojo.

"Welcome home, Izuku! Where were you all day, the gym?" Inko asked jokingly as her son took his sneakers off, drenched in sweat. He laughed nervously. "Uh, yeah- something like that. What's for dinner?"

"Curry rice!"

Ugh, I'm starving. I can't wait to take a shower and go to bed. I could collapse right here and fall asleep. He followed his mother to the dining room. Well, at least I have Sunday off- "Oh, and Izuku, we're going back tomorrow, 6:00 AM sharp. Every other weekend too."

"What?!"

Inko jumped. "Oh gosh, what's wrong, Izuku? You scared me half to death!" He held his hands up. "It- it's nothing! I just, uh... I stepped on something sharp! I'm fine though," he reassured her. "Oh... well make sure your foot is okay, it could've been glass."

As she went to prepare the curry, Midoriya sighed. "Gojo-sensei, what do you mean every weekend? I almost died just from today! I swear I saw the light on our way home! How will I survive if I have to do that every weekend?" he hissed. Gojo chuckled. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it. By next month, it'll be like a daily routine."

"I'll be dead by then!" I'll be a ghost like you! "Oh, stop fretting, you'll be fine. I picked you for a reason."

I picked you for a reason.

Midoriya flushed slightly, hesitating. "Well... if you really think so."

"Izuku honey, who are you talking to?"

"Ah- no one! Just myself!"

The following day, Midoriya left a note on the table, telling Inko that he was out for a morning jog.

"So... Gojo-sensei..." He almost dropped the broken microwave on his feet, grunting when it nearly slipped out of his gloved hands. "As a ghost, can you perform... paranormal activity?"

"Like making things float or changing the radio?"

"Yeah, exactly."

"Ha, unfortunately, I can't. Believe me, I've tried, but I might as well be plain old air." Satoru was quite bummed out because of that. He'd always thought that it would be fun to haunt random people and levitate their silverware or something.

With a huff, Midoriya took a break and placed the microwave down. "So you don't get hungry or have to use the bathroom or anything?"

"Nope."

That sounds like a boring life... "You're probably thinking, 'that sounds like a boring life,' right?" Geh- how did he know? Is he a psychic too? "I'm not a psychic, you're just pretty easy to read." He did it again! And... is that an insult? "But..." Gojo looked up at the bright morning sky, the same color as his eyes. After several days, Midoriya still wasn't quite used to them. "You're right. It does get boring. It feels like I don't exist." He laughed. "Which I don't, except to you."

Izuku gazed at him. That's right... I can't believe I didn't realize it before. Gojo-sensei has been wandering around dimensions for who knows how long, looking for the right successor. He's probably lonely beyond my imagination. I can't believe he hasn't gone insane.

"You're really strong, Gojo-sensei."

"Yeah, I know. But where'd that come from?"

"I just... never mind. I'm really glad I have you here to guide me."

Gojo paused before smiling. "You're weird. I like you, Izuku. You're like Yuuji, if he was more reserved."

"Who's Yuuji?"

"That's a story for another time."