Ugh, this chapter is horrible. Uh, reviews? Or lack there of? If you can just drop a small note of what you think, that would be noice! That was intentional. The noice? Uh, yeah. I'll shut up now.

XXX

It was freaking cold the next morning. Midoriyas blazer was folded and in his backpack as he opted for a hoody instead. It took him a while to get there, having not been to Kinoto for so long. He was still tired, only getting about three hours of sleep but the large cup of coffee in his hands would help. Hopefully.

Midoriya pulled his phone out, 6:28. Sitting on the bench, he regretting not bringing gloves. Well, to bring them you had to have them. Maybe he'd get some on the way home. He didn't bother keeping an eye out, knowing the chief would know who he was. It wasn't like there was anybody else in the park at this time either.

Exactly three minutes later, an old man slid in next to him with a groan. Without looking at him, he slid his phone into the hoody pocket.

"You're late."

"And you're young. Forgive an old man and his knees."

The teen scoffed, "Aren't you like, 57?"

The other grinned, honestly not looking a day past fourty. "Ah, you did your research."

Midoriya shrugged. "Mashio Kio. You've been with the force for almost forty years. Straight out of high school, just like your father. You have three kids, all with families. Wife died ten years ago. Your quirk lets you change into a cat. Quirks like that are rare, but it runs in your family."

The other only grinned again, pulling out a bag and offered it to the teen. He took it, not showing his hesitation and peered inside. Two donuts and a breakfast sandwich.

"The chocolate one is mine, if you don't mind. Figured you wouldn't have time to eat before school with the meeting."

Midoriyas lips quirked. "All is forgiven, Mashio-san."

The other waved, looking at the rather sad playground. "Kio, kid. Never one for formalities."

"That's why everyone is scared of you, eh?"

He tsked good naturedly. "They snitched, huh?"

Izuku wasn't sure what to think of the other, deciding to eat the breakfast instead. He refrained from moaning. The other laughed anyway.

"Joes. Best breakfast place within fifty miles."

Midoriya stayed quiet, nodding as he ate. It was really good. He'd have to find out where it was. Once the sandwich was gone, he grabbed his donut and handed the bag to the other. He'd eat his own on the walk to school.

"Confidence is good for a kid your age, you know. I'm glad you have it."

Midoriya leaned back, "If you're talking about my apparent fans, or whatever, I didn't know I had any. And I wasn't doing what I did for attention."

Kio held his arms up in surrender. "Confidence is different than an ego, Midoriya. I meant it in a good way."

"Sure you did."

Kio snorted, blowing on his hands before grabbing his donut. "Why did you do it? If you don't mind me asking? Why'd you start?"

Midoriya yawned, "I just want to help people."

Kios face showed his disbelief, but it was mild. "I'm sure there's more to it but I already know that's a part of it. Just surprised. Some quirkless kid with a tragic background steps up to save the day? Sounds like the old comics. Like Batman."

Midoriya turned, slightly surprised. "Except that nobody had quirks and I don't plan on being a dick."

Kio laughed, not saying anything for a moment. Midoriya checked the time.

"I grew up surrounded by police cases, kid. I remember playing in my dads office at the station in Tokyo. I was practically raised to deal with this kind of shit. I've seen just about everything you can imagine. The good, the bad, the ugly. You grow tired of it after a while."

Midoriya glanced at him before turning back. Hopefully the guy would get to the point.

"I've developed a soft spot for vigilanties. They used to annoy the hell out of me but I started to understand why they do what they do. Laws don't always work and people always fall through the cracks. At times it's hard to say it works at all."

Kio laughed, scratching his shortly cut beard. "But it's what we have. You have people at a front, the police and heroes, mainly. It's what I chose to do and I don't regret it. But recently it's not enough. It's hard with heroes like All Might, but things aren't looking too good. For any of us."

Midoriya waited for the other to continue but he didn't. He gave an inch. "Sounds pleasant."

Kio snorted dryly, shaking his head and ate the last bite of the donut.

"You don't know the half of it, kid. Or, you do. Working in the shade since you were young. Living as you have and doing what you do. Fighting for what you do. It's inspirational kid. You still have hope, but you aren't naïve. That's rare."

"And what do you think I fight for?"

Kio gave him a short, sly smile like he knew something he didn't. "So people don't have to live how you have. Tsubanis disgusting and medical breakthroughs can only happen once in a blue moon these days. Nothing happens unless people want it so bad they're willing to die for it. Not many can do that."

Midoriya agreed, nodding to show as much but didn't say anything. He was just waiting for the other to get to the point but he had to admit that he was getting absorbed. But only slightly.

It wasn't like he was getting interested, geeze.

"But the most amazing part of it is that you're quirkless. In this day and age, having a quirk is everything. Even if it's useless. I can turn into a damn cat. How is that useful?"

Midoriya laughed lightly. The other followed the action.

"Ah, but anyway, it may sound stupid – hell, it is stupid. But I think you can mean something to people. Something important. I don't know anybody who has the guts to go out in this world and face the horrors it has to face. But a fourteen year old did it. Hell, a ten year old kid from Tsubani did it to survive. All without the thing that this world values so much."

Midoriya shifted, starting to feel uncomfortable. "So, you want me to go back out, despite the laws that you stand for, because I'm defying the worlds expectations or some shit?"

Kio tsked, "When you say it like that, it sounds stupid. But can't I just have some hope and root for the kid who saved my daughter and grandson?"

Izukus face showed his confusion. "What?"

Kio smiled at him, softer than his previous ones. "The bank robbery. They were in there and you jumped right in front of the gun. It was my eleven year old grandson that it was aimed at. He always adored heroes, but you're his favorite. Got shot three times but easily saved three lives."

Midoriya sniffed, tugging on his beanie and looked away. He refrained from rubbing said shot wounds.

"I was an idiot and never should have gotten involved."

Kio tsked, pushing him gently on his shoulder. "Don't say that, kid. This is what I mean. You did what you do, what you did, and you don't regret a second of it. Saving people and always being willing to do it? Man, I think that's the essence of being a hero. And you have it kid."

Midoriya wiped his eyes semi-angrily.

"The thing that sucks the most, is that you're a kid. Though that's also one of the most important parts. Villains can get dragged into this shit when they're not even out of diapers. Hell, I've arrested some that have been born into it. Heroes aren't born with a birth certificate either. If anybody wants to help this godforsaken world, who am I to stop them?"

Midoriyas breath stilled, "That-that's it?"

Kio looked at him blankly before shrugging. "Of course that's not it. I meant what I was saying. You could mean a lot to people. You have the brain, the guts and the heart to be a hero. People can die any day. We can be attacked by villains any minute. People can die of sickness, of cancer, any minute. And they do. People die, every day. But if somebody wants to help, if you want to help, then I'm not going to stop you. I just want to make sure you do it safely."

Izuku wringed his hands for a minute. "Tsukauchi told me you wanted me off the streets. That you all do."

Kio bobbed his head. "This and that, kid. I did say that, and as much as I love Tsukauchi like a son, he can be naïve. Kids should experience a good childhood, but not everybody can. You sure didn't. I didn't. Some people just don't get that. Naomasa wants you to have memories. Good ones, while you still can.

"But kid, you're going to UA. If I'm being honest, with the League and Stain and countless other organizations that you don't even have to worry about yet, you may not get it. And that sucks, I know but I also know that you want to help people."

Midoriya groaned, wiping his eyes. The other continued, probably because they were running out of time.

"This will be dangerous kid, and a small part, the chief of police and the part of me that's dealt with politics my whole life, needs you to more than anything. Behind the façade of heroes and smiles, a lot of shit happens. And you've seen some of it from when you were younger. But this will be some really bad stuff.

"Politically, you'd be a very good piece to use. You have peoples attention and you have the desire to help people. You're quirkless and a kid, so if anything was to get uncovered, you would be an end of era goldmine."

Midoriya nodded, starting to get what he was saying even if he didn't like it. In fact, he really kinda hated it. But he knew what he was getting at.

"Other than that, it would actually help out a lot. If you were just to make an appearance every once in a while, we'd see more and more of these organizations and eventually, we'd be able to catch them all."

Izuku looked at him in surprise. "I'd be bait."

The other didn't look at him for a moment before nodding resigned. "Yes. Essentially, you'd be villain bait. But if you think about it this way, you'd also have the perfect cover. You're attending UA, the most prestigious hero school. How would you have time to be a vigilante?"

Midoriya straightened, internally kicking himself for not thinking of that himself. But on that topic…

"Yeah, uh, you know. UA is very, uh, top tier. And as much as I would love to continue doing this, I don't know if I can both stay in school and do this without failing classes."

Kio looked at him oddly, "Kid, you broke into the Government Heroics Center when you were, what, nine? You've been maintaining top marks since ever. You built your own equipment. I'm sure you can handle it. I'll also be talking with the principal so he knows what's going on."

Midoriya however, found himself frowning at that. "No! Uh, just-just wait, a second. Let me think."
Kio nodded, looking at him in soft surprise. Midoriya took a deep breath, tugging his beanie off and pulling on his hair.

This was insane.

Just like going to get the money for his moms present all those years ago and witnessing All Mights downfall of sorts.

Just like leaving the underground.

Just like starting a vigilante career.

Just like doing this.

It was insane.

He was insane.

"I'll do it but-don't- don't talk to the principal. Not yet."

"Er, ok. Why?"

Midoriya took another breath, pulling his beanie on and let his hands fall to his thighs with a clap.

"I already got into UA on a sketch scholarship. The least I can do is work my way through it. For as long as I can. And- and I only need to graduate. I don't need top marks or to be number one. I just need to graduate."

Kio looked at him somewhat oddly. "That's an interesting thought process kid."

He rose an eyebrow, some kind of hesitant tint to his eye. "Is it a bad one?"

To be honest, it kinda was. Lazy efforts to get the minimal you want. But technically, he'd be working as a hero anyway. So…it wasn't the worst.

Kio kind of thought the kid was underestimating himself. He wouldn't be the best, at least until things calmed down a bit, but he'd be far from the worst. Not with his entrance exam score and how smart he was.

"No, it's not. Do we have a deal?"

Midoriya refrained from agreeing. Thinking about how to phrase it, he slowly opened his mouth. "I need to talk to Aizawa first. I don't want to agree, knowing that he wouldn't want me to. I would like to do this with him on my side."

Kio allowed a small smirk, ruffling the others hair (beanie, whatever) he stood. "Let me drive you to school. The next train won't leave for another twenty minutes and then you'd be late."

Midoriya swallowed down the 'No, thank you.' That build up his throat.

He didn't want to be late on the second day of school.

"Right. Thanks, Kio."

The other made a move to ruffle his hair again and Midoriya found himself allowing the action. He followed the other wordlessly. He ended up having a normal car, or one that was always labeled as 'old person.' He snorted, getting in the front seat and waited.

The ride was fairly quiet, save for the soft jazz music that Kio was humming along too. Midoriya shook his head, waving a silent goodbye once they got to the school grounds. He glanced back when he heard the car leave and brought the now lukewarm coffee to his lips. It tasted disgusting but he could feel it slowly energize him.

He walked silently past the students that were rushing to class, the first bell already ringing. He made it to homeroom before the final bell, but Aizawa still sent him a slightly stern (mildly concerned) look. He shrugged, making eye contact with Bakugou for a moment, before he looked back out the window and grabbed his backpack off the desk next to him. Midoriyas lips twitched as he slid in.

"Alright class, since everybody is here now, we'll begin. First things first, we need to elect a class president."

The longer the silence fell, the more unimpressed Aizawa looked. Midoriya glanced around in confusion before the class erupted.

Izuku covered his ears with a wince, glancing at Aizawa and they (almost) shared a look of annoyance.

"Hey, I don't care how you do it, just tell me the results when it's over."

Midoriya tsked, watching as Aizawa sat down, pulling some papers out and left this completely to the class. Luckily, some of them seemed to have a plan. Which was good. He couldn't care less.

They ended up voting, which Midoriya thought was stupid. He could tell Bakugou wasn't that impressed either. In the end, Yaoyorozu ended up as class rep with Iida as second in command. Despite this being only the second day, Midoriya felt it seem to drag on. He was relieved when lunch hour came.

He wasn't particularly hungry, however, so he was planning on going up to the roof. He frowned upon seeing it locked again. He glanced around before kneeling so he could pick it but froze.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Midoriya glanced out the corner of his eye, Bakugou and- Red. He really needed to learn peoples names.

Instead of answering, he continued. He stood at the quiet click and stood, opening the door without pause. Predictably, Bakugou and Red followed. The blonde cursing the whole time. Midoriya sat along the edge with a yawn, pulling his beanie down and phone out.

"Don't-! What the fuck are you doing?"

Midoriya hummed, looking at the expanse of property that was UA. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
Midoriyas eyes sparkled with amusement when he looked back to the blonde. Said blonde cursed under his breath before sitting down, a couple feet away from the edge and began picking through his food.

"Hey, Denki!"

Both people sitting turned sharply at the red head who was on his phone. He wasn't looking at them so he couldn't see either of their glares. Midoriya held his breath, don't fucking say it, Red.

"We're on the roof! I know, but Midori picked the lock and- yeah, totally come up here!"

Kirishima finally turned, dropping his phone at the two glares pointed at him. He had no idea who's was worse. He shuffled uncertainly.

"Uh, hi?"

Izuku shook his head, turning away and back onto the fields. It was bright. Turning back to Bakugou, he saw him gritting his teeth as Red sat down a couple feet away from him. Green met red and Izuku bit his lip to keep from laughing, for whatever reason.

"It's not that funny, Shithead."

Midoriya shook his head, amused. "It kinda is, though."

Hearing a growl made him laugh quietly and Katuski tsk in annoyance. "Where the hell's your food?"

"Not hungry."

"You should still eat something, man."

Midoriya leaned further to the edge, past Katsuki to look at Red. "I have no food and I don't want to go back to the lunchroom. I'm fine."

Izuku wouldn't admit that he jumped when the roof door slammed open.

"Bakubro!"

Midoriya bit his thumb, glancing at the fuming blonde. This was funny.

"I told you not to fucking call me that!"

"You make friends fast."

Bakugou gave him an unimpressed look that had him smirking. He glanced back, seeing not one but two more people. Great.

"Dudes, what are you doing up here?"

"I don't know. I was following Bakubro, who was looking for Midori and here we are!"

Like that, the yellow head turned to Izuku.

"Oh, yeah! You said that you know Midorikari. You gotta tell me, man!"

Izuku looked back at the gates. "No, I never said that. You shouldn't assume."

"Nah, you can't lie! You've seen the monument, I know that. Why were you in Tsubani?"

Izuku rose a brow, glancing past a silent Katsuki. Red had moved to sit with the other two, Yellow and the tape guy. "I lived there?"

They were silent, wide eyed for a moment before they all began to question him. He agreed with Katsukis grunt of annoyance. Midoriya found himself remaining quiet, he came up here for a reason. To get away from people. That didn't seem to be working.

He leaned forward, seeing a bunch of cars roll up to the front gates. He frowned, "What the hell is the media doing here?"

Katsuki growled, "Probably All Might. I'm surprised it's taken this long for them to find out."

Midoriya gave the other some mental points but didn't think much on the matter. Though, he thought, it would probably be best to figure out how he felt about the hero.

He huffed, about to turn back to his phone when his eyes caught sight of something black. And fast. He leaned forward, closer to the edge and felt his body protest. He allowed Bakugou to pull him back but spoke before the blonde could chastise him.

"You see that?"

The blonde rose a brow, anger giving way somewhat. He turned back, "The media?"

Izuku shook his head, fingers tracing his phone, "No."

When he glanced back, seeing the other still waiting for more detail. "The hell did you see?"

Midoriya looked back to where he had seen it. Or, thought he did. It was probably nothing.

"Just my imagination."

Bakugou didn't seem to believe him but that was alright. Midoriya didn't either.

The day passed with no other problems and what many new students were starting to deem as normal. Midoriya stayed behind, a mix of avoiding people and waiting for Aizawa. With school no longer distracting him, even then, he found his thoughts turning to Kios words from this morning.

He slumped lower onto the floor and pulled his phone out. He looked at it blankly before flipping his head left and right to look down the hall. He flipped the phone in the air a few times and popped his mouth before opening it.

Aizawa had meetings until six and it was only a little after four now.

…Should he just head back home?

Aizawa only had a motorcycle so he didn't even know if he'd be able to fit. Or if he'd like the closeness to it.

"Get involved in the media, kid. You're gonna need it."

What did that even mean?

This may have been the first time he had a phone, but he didn't live under a rock. He had a laptop. He's been on Pinterest… kinda. He's YouTubed before. He knew about the blue bird and that one gymnastics thing. Flipper-wheeler-tumbler…whatever it was.

Sniffing with internal dignity, he pulled up the app store and typed in media. A small part of him thought this was all stupid, he didn't really see why he needed to get involved in any of this.

Facebook was the first thing to come up but he already knew that he wasn't going to go that route if he was to do any of this at all. Which he probably wouldn't but…

Pinterest wouldn't make any sense. Tumblr (oh, that's what it was) seemed too personal. And there were a lot of cat videos…

Twitter. Maybe? He didn't know. He already knew that Tsukauchi bugged his phone. So, if he was going to do this, he'd have to look into a way of going around it or just into a new one. Which would mean money. In some way.

He let out a breath and dropped his phone onto the floor with a clatter. It was only five.

Midoriya pulled his beanie off and frowned when he saw the fraying. He thumbed the worn material and blinked away the tears.

Hours crawled by in the hospital and the nurses had suggested that his mom find a hobby to keep her occupied.

Knitting.

Took her forever to figure it out and this was the only one that didn't fall apart. To be honest, he's surprised it lasted this long.

Midoriya sniffed, putting it back on his head with the normal rough treatment. He looked at the lockers that lined the walls for a minute. He took in a dramatic breath before pulling his backpack closer. May as well get a head start on his homework.