The first incident was in Qingqin City, China, with news of the birth of a miraculous child who radiated light. Shortly thereafter, similar phenomena popped up all over the world. The tigger for these newfound powers was never determined, but as time progressed, what was once extraordinary became ordinary. Dreams became reality. Of the planet's population, around 80% have developed unique abilities, or 'Quirks'. We have entered a new age, a society of superhuman. In this world whirling in chaos, a certain profession that used to exist only in daydreams has stepped into the limelight. That of the Hero.
I could tell my parents were always tired from their faces, and that was hard on me. My parents own a construction company, you see, and we haven't got much work lately, so we're flat broke. As long as I can remember, we've been poor, and they've been unhappy, though they tried to pretend everything was all right for me.
The first time I ever saw a hero in action, what caught my eye even more than the hero was the expressions on the crowd's faces. I loved seeing people's happy faces. That's why, for me, helping people who were in trouble was always just a given. No matter how much trouble they were in.
But my priority was to help them, you see. And when I was only four years old, I told them that I would help them after we learned about my quirk. My quirk's called Zero Gravity. It lets me float anything I touch with all five fingers - or more accurately, nullify it's gravitational pull. I can reverse it by touching my hands together. And knowing that, I though 'Perfect! That's how I'll help them. That's how I'll make them smile. I can float all the heavy lifting equipment, make everything cheap.'
But when I told daddy what I wanted…
"You want to work for us?"
"Yeah! When I grow up, all big and strong, I'll help you and mommy out anyway that I can!"
Daddy smiled at me and put his hand on my head.
"I appreciate the thought, Ochako. But as your dad, I'd be happier if you achieved your own dream. That's the way to make us happy. And once you've done that, you can take us on a vacation to Hawaii, if you like."
He and mommy then smiled at me. What would make them happy, he'd assured me, would be if I made my own dream come true. We didn't get any less poor, these last ten years. Things have mostly only gotten worse. But now I know what I want to do.
My own dream is to become a hero. To sign with a great pro-agency, make plenty of money, and pay my parents back. I'm going to give them the easy life they deserve to have, for all their hard work and toil.
My name is Ochako Uraraka, and I'm going to UA High.