There are balloons and cakes for those who have just found their quirks. An approving pat on the head from father, a hug from mother, other kids saying, "Cool, can I see?" and "What is it?" My first memory was when I got my quirk at five years old. My hands heated up til they turned red, and then cooled til they were blue. It tingled and buzzed, but didn't hurt like brother said it did, it felt new and exciting.
I ran over to my mother, tugging on the end of her light blue skirt, "Mommy, mommy, I got my quirk, look!"
She got on one knee to come eye level with me, shifting the baby to her other arm, "Oh, what a big girl you are now," she smiled but even as a five year old, I could see the pain she hid behind her smile.
"Are you ok mommy?"
She gave a small laugh, "Of course. Now, what is your quirk? Let me guess, you can jump so high you touch the stars."
"No," I laughed showing her my hands. She hugged me and the baby started to fuss in her arms, pulling at her hair.
"Congratulations sweetie!" The door slid open and my older brother Touya came storming into the room, his clothes half burned off him, a flame still flickering on his shoulder, hot, angry tears rushing down his face. My mother wordlessly handed me the baby, rushing up to Touya, sending a flurry of snow over his shoulder to quench the flames, "Oh, I asked you to be careful. Be more careful! Where does it hurt?"
My father walked up to the open door, arms crossed and scowlings, "Touya-"
"Mother says I have to be more careful! I need a break, our you'll have to take me to the emergency room again, and then I won't be able to train for weeks and that will set my progress back again."
"You interrupted me. I thought I've taught you better manners." The baby started to cry, and I rocked him, all excitement about my quirk long gone.
Touya looked down at the ground, "I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again." A hint of sarcasm escaped through the forced apology and my father took a step towards Touya, who hid behind my mother.
She stood up, "Please Enji, he needs rest or you'll hurt him. Please let him rest for just a little while."
He took a step closer and mother backed, eyes widening, "Fuyumi has her quirk, why don't you show your father your quirk sweetie?" My mother scooped the baby out of my arms pushing me towards my father.
He growled, "I'm not done with you two," before focusing on me. I held out my hands, and they turned blue than red, "Does it go out of your hands, or just stay uselessly in them."
"I don't know."
"Come with me." He lead me to the gym, where for the next half hour he tried to get me to hit punching bags long distance with my quirk, but as much as I tried the hot and cold stayed firmly on my hands. Finally, cheeks flushed and sweaty, arms sore and heart pounding, I sat down on the floor and started crying.
"I can't do it, I can't do it."
My father snapped, sending a volley of flames at the nearest punching bag til it was nothing but ash. Turning on me he yelled, "Get out of my sight!" I ran all the way to my room, flopping on my mat, and sobbing into my pillow until night. No cake, no balloons, and most importantly no approving pat on the head. Only a wet mat the next day.