The next day, class seemed to go by quicker than usual. Feeling well rested, Toshinori managed to get to class on time. Ten minutes early to be exact. This was not lost with Ms. Shimura, who once again pulled him aside after class.
"Toshinori, glad you could make it on time today." She said this with a reassuring tone.
"Ms. Shimura, please forgive my tardiness as of lately." Toshinori bowed his head in regret. "I-" He tried to explain himself, but Ms. Shimura interrupted. "I know why you've been tardy this week. No need to explain. I hold a lot of respect for you Mr. Yagi." Surprised to hear this, he looked up at his teacher. She continued, "You know, I was thinking. Why don't we take a stroll?"
Following Ms. Shimura's lead, they walked down the halls of UA, out into the courtyard. She leaned over the railing of the balcony, the silhouette of the city laid out before her. "I asked you yesterday, what drives you to be a hero." She said, not taking her eyes off of the city. "You said you wanted to be the people's hope." A brief pause of silence, Toshinori unsure of what to say. She continued, "At first, I thought you were crazy but now," a confident chuckle leaves her, "I see what you mean." She turned to face Toshinori, who was standing in her shadow. The orange sunset created a picturesque background behind her. She looked like a symbol of hope, Toshinori thought.
"Toshinori Yagi, you've done well." She reaches up and pulls a single strand of hair from her head, holding it out for him to take. He stands before her, puzzled. "My quirk is called One For All. It has been passed down from hero to hero, and now it is my turn to pass it on. I wasn't really looking for a successor yet, but you have inspired me. Toshinori, I see the spirit that lies within you, and it cannot be broken. I want you to become the next One For All." These words shook him and he felt as if this was a dream. Falling to his knees before his teacher, a single tear escaped his eye. "You want to give me a quirk?" He barely manages to speak, taken completely aback in shock. "Yes, I believe you will make a fine hero. But without a quirk, it is hopeless. If you eat this piece of hair, which contains my DNA, you too will have a quirk and you can become a hero." Eat her hair? Now was not the time to question her though. He bows at her feet, thanking her over and over again. "It's now or never, Mr. Yagi." He stands up, carefully takes the single strand of hair and eats it.
"Now, One For All is not any ordinary quirk as you've probably already guessed. You are far behind your classmates, but with training you will be able to control this quirk." She reaches out and puts a hand on his shoulder. "You have already trained yourself to handle close quarters combat, but this will be different. You must learn to control One For All." He nods, never breaking eye contact. "I will be your mentor, Toshinori. I will oversee your training and help to ensure your success." Her hand falls from his shoulder, back down to her side. She turns her back to him, facing the city. The sun has set, and the city lights illuminate the buildings. "This world has no hope right now, but if you believe that you can be their hope, then I will make sure you become the symbol of peace. Everyone will know your name and they will look to you, Toshinori."
Toshinori knew that his training over the last six months had capped out. He had become the strongest version of his quirkless self. But now, with One For All, he was right back at where he started all those months ago. He was aware of this, and he was at peace with it.
"Do you really believe in yourself, Toshinori Yagi?" Ms. Shimura asks. He immediately responds, "Yes, Ms. Shimura. I do." He holds himself high, hands on his waist, as he looks out among the city. "I will be the people's hope."
After this conversation, he heads home. During his walk home, the question rings like a bell in his head. "Do you really believe in yourself?" He doesn't know why the question bothers him so much. Or why it hasn't left his brain. Of course he believes in himself, he would be a fool not to. But even still, he's not sure if he answered correctly. Doubting his answer makes him doubt his belief. He thinks, if he is unsure of his ability to believe in himself, then he's going to have to prove it. Prove his belief. Not to Ms. Shimura, or any of his peers. But himself.