Musutafu Suburbs: Ostuka Residence

Deku laid on the floor for hours. Hours until he found the will to stand. He didn't want to leave, didn't want to stand, but he did. His stirring had been provoked by white and magenta. Kyubey. Its eyes remained glossy and unresponsive. Anger bloomed in his chest, but a wave of hopelessness snuffed it out. Kazane's grief seed was cold in his grasp. Dread weighed on his stomach.

"So, Kyubey, how long until I turn into a witch?"

He couldn't help but laugh at himself, laugh at how ironic it had all been.

"Well, I didn't foresee you surviving today and so any response would be inconclusive. Obviously, I've underestimated your resilience, Izuku Midoriya."

Leaning against a counter-top, his response was pained and shaky.

"Y-you, y-ou lied to me! Why d-didn't you tell me ab-bout what would happen if you knew K-kazane would... do that today."

Slamming his hand on the counter, a plate was sent shattering to the floor.

"When did I lie? Nothing I've told you was false. There is nothing besides death that can prevent a magical girl from eventually succumbing to despair and hatching into a witch. It's a cycle that not even I can control. If anything, I must thank you."

Spitting on the ground, he glanced away from the monster. Deku hated himself, hated how he didn't think ahead and hated how naive he had been. Most of all, he hated how he hadn't been there for Kazane. Deku fingered the grief seed, familiar with its dark signature. He didn't want to die, didn't want to know what it felt like to turn into a witch.

"Thank me? For w-what, killing k-kazane?"

He supposed that was the only silver lining. Deku had prevented that witch from harming other people. It didn't feel like a silver lining. It felt like the slightest shimmer of hope in an abyss of darkness. The only thing keeping him sane.

"Yes. You helped advance her progression into a witch. Her envy of you was clearly the tipping point that caused her curse to break free. I must thank you for that. She wouldn't have turned if not for your visit."

Kyubey swished its tail. Deku threw a splinter of wood at Kyubey and growled. It was taunting him. Deku knew that and yet he still fell for it. Even though it spoke in that chilly tone with an objective point of view, its mockery was clear. Seemingly unfazed, it stared back at him with a neutral expression. The magical boy seethed.

"Why are you thanking me? Actually- no, don't answer that. I don't trust a word from your mouth. G-get away from me, I don't want to look at you anymore."

Heart fluttering wildly, his face was surprisingly calm. Utterly broken. Holding back a torrent of tears, Deku wiped his runny nose. Taking a few deep breaths, he found that it did nothing. Frustrated, he let himself sob as he fled the apartment. Deku didn't care what Kazane's neighbors would think, it's not like he'd be returning.

Musutafu Suburbs:

Deku didn't walk home. He walked everywhere but. There was no way he could return to his mother who was overjoyed at his acceptance into U.A. Quite honestly, Deku didn't even care about that dumb school anymore. That school had been the reason he had contracted. It was the reason Kyubey had managed to trick him. It was clear now, what had happened. In hindsight, it had seemed awfully lucky that Kyubey had shown up while a witch-controlled villain attacked him. Now, he knew that it had been anything but. It had been the most unlucky moment of his life.

The setting sun and fresh air were enough to calm him down. It was enough to soothe his trembling upper-lip and shaking hands. He wasn't okay though. Kicking a rock down the sidewalk, he took a moment to savor how that felt. How it felt to breathe. Suddenly, he cherished everything he had previously taken for granted. Deku had been so stupid to hate his quirkless self, hate the condition he was born into. Right now, he wanted to be back in his bedroom watching clips of All-Might while not grieving over a lost friend. He didn't want to be a magical boy.

An uneasy thrumming began in his soul gem. Manifesting it in hand, he worriedly glanced at the pin-pricks of darkness spotting the pine green.

Deku took a deep breath.

He couldn't be dumb anymore, he couldn't rely on Kyubey for information now that it had lied to him once. Once was enough. Deku needed to figure this stuff out himself. Kazane had been distraught when her soul gem was completely black. Deku was distraught now if he was honest with himself, and there was black in his soul gem even if negligible. The link was clear. It explained why he felt better whenever he cleansed it with a grief seed. He couldn't be distraught. But he didn't know how, it was easier said than done. How couldn't he despair, when faced with the eventuality of turning into a witch? That thrumming resonated again. He changed his train of thought, changed it to the squirrel scurrying up a tree.

Forcing out a smile, he greeted the old woman who passed him by. It grounded him. The earth was still spinning, other people still lived, and he still had U.A tomorrow. He savored the feeling of being alive, he wanted to keep it. It's what Kazane would have wanted. Or would she? Ignoring her harsh words that flashed in his mind, he explained them away. That had been a result of her polluted soul gem- also his fault. Deku screwed his palm into his forehead. Did the chicken or the egg come first? It wouldn't matter, the end result was what mattered, and what he blamed himself for. It was hard to avoid this train of thought. It was like the cumulative effect of a snowball rolling down the mountain. One thought was enough to get his mind reeling. He couldn't let that happen. Deku didn't know if he'd be able to stop it next time. Instead, he focused on the setting sun. Making Inko worry about the location of her son was the last of Deku's priorities. He wouldn't cause anymore pain.

Musutafu Suburbs: Midoriya Residence

Deku should have expected this. He knew from the moment he entered the door and met Inko's face that she could tell something was up. Deku hated how easy he was to read, but quelled that thought. He couldn't afford to think that way anymore. Staring up into his mother's eyes, he couldn't let anything happen to himself. Deku couldn't bear to even imagine what grief would do to his mother's face.

"Izuku! What happened? Mama's here."

She grabbed his hands, he couldn't meet her eyes. The truth toiled on the tip of his tongue, but a lie paved it over.

"I- can't talk about it, I'm sorry mom."

She didn't let his hands go. Deku tugged at them. He didn't want to do this right now, he couldn't fight with his mom after all that had happened.

"Tell me. Is it something to do with Kazane? Did you two fight?"

Deku held back a laugh. It was morbidly funny how ironically true those words had been. In a way, it was eerie to Deku the intuitive sense his mother had. Many of his relatives believed him to take after his mother in that regard, he could understand that now.

"Yes, we did. I don't think I'll be seeing her anymore."

That deep concern on her face lightened somewhat, subconsciously. It was just a teenage heartbreak. Deku was fine with that, it conveyed the situation accurately enough. Accurate enough as to where he could talk to her without raising suspicion. With a deep sigh, she relented her grip and moved her hand to pat his shoulder. As always, her touch comforted him. For a brief moment, he felt okay, nothing else mattered. She inhaled before speaking with that soft maternal tone.

"Ah- breakups. I've been there, Izuku, it doesn't feel great. It feels like you'll be alone forever, and it's frightening I know. You feel like your life will never be the same, that you'll never love again, but that's not true. I've gone through plenty of this when I was your age, believe it or not, I was somewhat of a heartthrob. But I digress. Remember what I said, Izuku. Don't change, stay the same way I've known you before any of this new quirk stuff happened. This won't be forever."

Opening her arms for a hug, Deku obliged. Not to quell suspicion, but because he really did need a hug. He clung to his mother's embrace, savored the comforting closeness as he let out a few sobs. There was no use pretending to be fine when she already believed the cause. Crying was a reasonable and explainable response to a breakup, Deku didn't think she'd suspect anything. Swallowing the feeling that choked him up, Deku said.

"I really am a mess, mom. I feel exactly like you described. I'm so scared, I don't know if I'll ever feel that way again, I just don't know. I feel uncertain about my future, I don't know what's going to happen to me."

Deku was gushing, and so was that feeling in his soul gem. His eyes went wide and he inhaled sharply. With a deep breath, he brought everything back to mind. It was better for him to ignore those feelings, continue on as if fine. He couldn't even vent his feelings without that familiar dark feeling creeping and spreading inside his soul gem. Deku's small smile was forced, and he laughed before his mother could respond. Face-palming, he added.

"Can't believe I let it affect me so much. Just a dumb breakup, I shouldn't let it bother me."

The look that now replaced Inko's expression was exactly what Deku had hoped for. Instead of heartbreaking concern, her expression was upturned and somewhat relieved; happy. If he was happy, Inko would be happy. Deku wouldn't drag anybody else down with him.

"Ah! That's the hero I know, isn't it, Izuku?"

It was the hero she knew. Like a flood, her previous words of wisdom flooded his system.

Something I've learned in life is that no matter what happens, I have to keep moving forward and to never doubt my decisions once I make them.

And it's true. Deku has to move forward, there's nothing else for him if he stops. It's not just an inspirational quote. He can't look back and dwell or wallow, it'll only result in his demise. Kyubey would win, Deku wouldn't let it. That damn thing thought the cycle was unstoppable, Deku would prove it wrong. It probably took pleasure in it too. He knows that regret and anger will cause his undoing, from experience now, from Kazane.

More than ever, he could be a hero. No longer was he naive, he knew the stakes. This was no longer a fantasy, and Deku was fine with that. Taking a deep breath, courage invigorated him. U.A was just around the corner, and he has to force himself to run towards it. It hurts, but it's all he can do.

"Yes, mom, I'm ready to be a hero now."

Kazane gave herself to clean his soul, her grief seed saved him. Deku wouldn't let her down. Deku would become the hero she aspired to be. Deku would make her proud. A single tear slid down his cheek, he wiped it away with a genuine smile.

"That's perfect, dear. I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Do you have your tissues?"

Inko asked, fussing about and patting the wrinkles from her son's clothing.

"Yes mom, I do."

Deku wouldn't get frustrated at the fussing. He appreciated it now, appreciated what it meant. Somebody cared about him. He needed that right now.

"Oh and your handkerchief?"

Glancing over his shoulder, his hands rummaged through his school bag. The familiar green handkerchief was there, next to his tissues and sewing kit. His mother liked him to be prepared, and he couldn't fault her for that most of the time. Deku glanced at his watch. This was one of the times he did fault her for that.

"I have it. Mom, I'm going to be late. My bus isn't always reliable and I really don't want to walk all the way there myself."

Taking the hint, Inko backed off. Tears gathered in her eyes. Holding up her hands in defeat, she added.

"I just think you're so cool Izuku."

A sound of a camera shutter caught his attention. Inko now held her phone up, camera pointed directly at him. She didn't even try to hide it. Deku blushed and went out the door.

"Mom! See ya after school."

Musutafu City:

Nobody could see his soul gem, from what he gathered. He held it in hand on the bus, fiddled with it and stared into its green light. It had been an accident at first, the egg-shape taking form routinely as he worried over its pollution. At that moment he had completely forgotten that other people were present. Even as its glow was strong enough to reflect in the eyes of the person sitting across from him, they didn't glance down. The function was likely to be similar in effect to how people who don't have the potential to contract couldn't see Kyubey. It would make sense that nobody could see his soul gem.

Deku knew playing with it probably wasn't the greatest idea. He remembered what Kazane had told him, about how sometimes magical girls fought. What if there was a magical girl on the bus? Deku was doubtful, as they probably would have reacted by now, or at least glanced his way with suspicion. Still, it wasn't a comforting idea, and so he returned it to its ring form and crossed his arms. The bus lurched. They were there anyway, he couldn't distract himself any longer. Deku was the only one to disembark at the bus stop near U.A's gates. Now they were all looking at him, Deku wished he had his hood to do up. Did they think he was unworthy? Did they think he was a hero?

This was his second time visiting U.A, crossing through that ornate gate and walking up the concrete pathway. He glanced at the fountain, at the spot where he and Kazane spoke. Deku's expression neutralized, he couldn't linger on that thought. Instead, he loosened the strap on his bookbag and continued up the steps. Only a fraction of the people were here now. There was barely anybody left compared to the crowds who applied. Deku was one of the people who were still there. Like before, flower petals danced on the wind, a floral scent carried along with them. The flowers were in bloom, it was very pretty. People chatted by the fountain, but he forced himself to stay away from it. Nothing good would come from that, he knew the kind of memories it would trigger. He couldn't risk it.

Instead, he ran into the large red doors. The school had a distinct architectural style, it was modern and very clean.

Large panel windows passed along him as he ran towards his classroom. Deku was definitely late, but only by a few minutes. Crossing his fingers, he hoped that whatever teacher he had first period would be graceful. He counted the signs as he passed them, coming up to the one labeled 1-A.

Taking a deep breath, he gulped. Hopefully, that jerk wouldn't be here, nor Bakugou. Deku didn't want to deal with them today, didn't know how it'd affect his mood.

The jerk's voice was loud and clear, directed towards none other than Bakugou.

"Don't put your feet on your desk!"

The blonde boy smirked.

"Eh?"

Deku held back a flinch at Bakugou's response voice. That voice was enough to send him on edge.

"Don't you think it's disrespectful to the upper-classmen and the people who made this desk?"

As usual, the guy's voice was snotty and pretentious, as if Bakugou was the subject in his kingdom. Deku wasn't mad about that for once, his bully deserved that from the snob.

"Nope. What junior high did you go to, side character?"

Instead of interrupting and gaining everyone's attention, Deku stayed behind the semi-opened door. He was fine just watching for now. He still wasn't ready for conflict yet

The jerkwad was caught off guard, before steadying himself and placing an arm across his chest ceremoniously.

"I attended Somei Private Academy. My name is Tenya Iida."

Of course he did. Deku rolled his eyes. Iida took every chance he could to show off. It was easier to watch than to interrupt.

"Somei? So you're an elite, huh? Looks like I'll have fun crushin ya."

If Deku had to compliment Bakugou on anything, which would be unlikely, it'd have to be his brashness. He wasn't afraid to say what was on his mind and didn't beat around the bush.

Iida jumped back, the violent words sending him back.

"Crushing? That's cruel, do you truly aim to be a hero?"

Deku had thought that too, once, thought about how Bakugou was the least-heroic person in the world and had still been gifted a powerful quirk. He stopped thinking it. Bakugou was just lucky, he didn't deserve what he had. Deku paused, thinking about how that thought applied to himself as well. Shaking his head, he didn't let that trail of negativity continue. Deku wasn't lucky, and he knew that for sure.

Bakugou's eyes widened as they locked with Deku's. The magical boy didn't hesitate.

Walking into class, he pointedly ignored the stares of the people around him. He paused when Iida approached. What did he want now?

"Good morning! I am from Somei Academy. My name is-"

Deku stopped the introduction, trying his best to not reply with a sarcastic tone. Iida had treated him just like Bakugou, and so he wouldn't be deceived by the sudden change in attitude.

"I already know your name."

Deku was surprised Iida was talking to him in the first place, honestly. He didn't care if his response was curt and possibly rude, Iida wasn't someone to make small-talk with. But neither an enemy.

Iida paused, confused. The class snickered. Deku cleared his throat.

"I'm Midoriya. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Iida."

Iida reached out to shake his hand. Deku hesitated a bit too long before taking it. He wasn't sure if he should take it, but decided against being rude. He was here to be a hero, not participate in petty drama. Iida was in his class, but Deku would just distance himself. He didn't need people who treated others like that around. It wasn't a good look.

"Well, Midoriya. You realized there was something more to the practical exam, didn't you? I had no idea... I misjudged you! I hate to admit it, but you're better than me."

It was interesting, how Iida could meander around an apology without actually saying sorry. Its thoughtlessness angered Deku. Even while apologizing Iida still rubbed Deku the wrong way.

"Umm... No, I didn't realize anything. Someone was in danger and I helped them, that's why I'm here. I came to this school because it is the top for heroics courses available, not as a status symbol to show off while introducing myself. You did misjudge me, you thought yourself above me because of whatever elite identity you cling to. I didn't go to an elite junior high, and so it doesn't matter to me if I'm better than people I'm supposed to be friendly with as my peers."

Deku sucked in a gasp, surprised at his own words. Scratching his curly green locks, he stood awkwardly. The class had grown silent. Kazane had definitely rubbed off on him. He didn't want to have said that, but he couldn't take the words back.

Ida sounded off, almost dejected even. Deku hoped he'd grow more tolerable, and hoped that he didn't hurt his feelings too much.

"Midoriya... I..."

A girl's voice interrupted them, and Deku was glad. He knew that voice, the girl who had prevented him from falling.

"Oh, that curly hair! You're the plain looking one!"

While not the most flattering of compliments, he played with it in his mind. Did he really look that plain? Green hair probably wasn't all-too-common, but he supposed it was for the better. Turning around to face her, he listened to her ramble.

"You passed, just like Present Mic said! Of course you did, that punch was amazing! I loved the green colors, it was all so pretty."

Deku paused.

"What do you mean, like Present Mic said? I'm a bit confused, haha."

She tapped a finger on her chin, rocking forwards and back on the balls of her feet.

"Oh! I was so grateful for your help that I decided to give you a few of my points. You deserve it, really."

Deku blushed redder than a tomato. Despite all that he had gone through, a genuine compliment would still make him blush, especially from someone as nice as her. Bakugou growled from his seat, but Deku ignored him. The bully didn't matter right now.

"Thank you, I appreciate it very much... I was only doing what a hero should, it was really nothing."

Excitedly, she continued.

"I wonder if today's just the orientation and opening ceremony. Aren't you nervous?"

A grumbling male voice prevented Deku from responding to her.

"Go somewhere else if you want to play at being friends."

Harsh. Deku mentally prepared himself for a year of this teacher, his introduction was likely telling of what was to come. It wouldn't matter though, the teacher couldn't be that bad if he was employed at U.A. At most, the guy was strict. Deku could handle strict. He needed practice handling his emotions while getting yelled at anyway. It was good resilience training.

The source of the voice was a large yellow caterpillar. Deku glanced again. No, it was a yellow sleeping bag drawn up around the face of a very tired and scruffy looking man. Definitely eccentric.

"This is the hero course."

Unzipping himself from the inside, the strangely tired man sucked dry an applesauce packet, They all stared in confusion, unsure of his deadpan mumbling.

"Okay, it took eight seconds before you were quiet. Time is limited. You kids are not rational enough."

Deku knew better than to respond, he wasn't that kind of student. If this was their teacher, that meant he was also a pro-hero. A strange one at that. He looked barely lucid behind his thickly-wrapped grey scarf.

"I'm your homeroom teacher, Shouta Aizawa. Nice to meet you."

The class was stunned into silence. Deku stood still as if movement would draw all eyes to him.

Aizawa dug around his sleeping bag for something, eventually producing a track-suit of sorts.

"It's kind of sudden, but put this on and go out onto the field."

Deku gulped.

"A quirk assessment test?!" The class called out in unison, except Deku.

Standing off to the side, he fidgeted uncomfortably at the words. The magical boy froze, unsure of how to proceed. Aizawa had brought them all out onto the field and into a group. He stood in front of them, half-lidded as always. The last thing he wanted to do was show off his quirk in front of his class. Sure, Deku had thought of things to say, but not deeply enough to recite on the spot. A quiet groan slipped past his lips.

That same girl called out, and Deku worried she'd be scolded.

"What about the entrance ceremony, the orientation?"

Deku agreed with her, it was way too early for such an activity.

The response was deadpanned and monotone like always, abrasive too.

"If you're going to be a hero, you don't have time for such leisurely events."

Deku couldn't object to that, Aizawa wasn't wrong. Maybe a bit blunt, but not wrong. The girl shifted and held her sides.

"U.A's selling point is how unrestricted its school traditions are. That's also how the teachers run their classes."

Aizawa turned to the field.

"You kids have been doing these since junior high, too, right?"

He held up a list of sorts. Deku couldn't make out the words from where he was standing.

"Physical fitness tests where you weren't allowed to use your quirks."

Folding his arms together, Deku bit his lip. He didn't like where this was going.

"The country still uses averages taken from results from students not using their quirks. It's not rational."

In middle school, the prevention of quirk use was what allowed him to get good grades in gym class. Deku understood what the teacher was saying, but didn't agree. Quirkless people deserved better than to do horribly in physical education just because they lacked a quirk. It was just one of the many things people with quirks didn't understand, didn't understand from their point of privilege. Deku saved his grievances, he needed to come up with a plan.

"Well, the ministry of education is procrastinating."

He stepped back, looking towards Bakugou.

"Bakugou, you finished at the top of the practical exam, right? In junior high, what was the best result for the softball throw."

"Sixty-Seven meters."

"Then, try doing it with your quirk."

Definitely not a good activity for Deku. He needed to think fast. Aizawa instructed Bakugou into the circle, the blonde boy eagerly following the command. The bully wanted to show off, of course. No surprise there. Deku could use that to his advantage. All of the class was focused on Bakugou but now wasn't the time. Bakugou was still facing the crowd, and so, therefore, Deku too.

Bakugou stretched his arms, grumbling.

"Then, well."

Digging a foot into the ground, he got into a pose and went through the motions of throwing the ball. Deku trembled with anticipation. This would be his opening.

"I'll add a blast to the pitch."

Winding backward, Bakugou threw the ball and detonated an explosion at the same time.

"Die!" He yelled out, Deku's queue.

As all eyes were on Bakugou, Deku stepped back from sight. In a tightly-controlled glow of green light, Deku transformed into his outfit. Sweating from the concentration it had required to tighten his magic like that, he hoped the diminished light hadn't caught anyone's attention yet. The change of outfit eventually would, but the later, the better. The class awed at the explosion, Deku hid within his bunny hood.

Shock waves blasted the field from the explosion, rings of smoke following the ball as it rocketed quickly beyond sight.

"Know your own maximum first."

Aizawa said, clicking a knob on his phone. Turning to face the class, Deku braced himself.

"That is the most ratio-"

Deku locked eyes with his teacher, his expression caught in surprise. For once, their teacher's eyes were wide open.

"Midoriya. Explain to me why you thought it was appropriate to change out of your outfit and into cosplay. We do not tolerate juvenile behaviour at this school."

It certainly hadn't been the best reaction, but not completely terrible either. The class's attention had been drawn to him. The people next to him jumped back in surprise, not expecting his change in the slightest. Deku stilled. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Regardless, the attention made him blush under the shadow of his hood. The nice girl stared at his legs and high-rolled socks.

"It's required to use my quirk. If I were to have done it in front of class, I'd be exposing myself and I'm not comfortable with that. Modesty is not juvenile."

Deku almost slapped his hand over his mouth. That last bit had definitely counted as back-talk, and he definitely did not want a detention on the first day.

Aizawa's expression was unreadable.

Deku's classmates whispered among themselves, trying- but failing to avert their eyes from his green outfit. He knew it looked weird and knew it wasn't even the right kind of clothing for a boy, but there was nothing he could do about it besides drawing up into his hood.

"Good judgement. Let's move on class, stop gawking at his dress code breaching cosplay."

Now it was an amused expression. Deku was pointedly aware of it being called a cosplay twice. He was certain the second time had been on purpose, a direct response to Deku's subtle backtalk. He conceded by not responding, enough attention had been drawn to him. His peers stole glances at his magical boy outfit, and so he couldn't help but feel self-conscious.

Bakugou grumbled something too low for Deku to hear.

Approaching the class, Aizawa tapped his phone and showed it to the class. Impressed sounds followed, Deku squinted at the screen.

"Seven-hundred and fifty meters? Seriously?"

A blonde boy asked, incredulous.

Pleased with himself, Bakugou smirked and surveyed the class. Upon seeing Deku, his smile settled into a scowl. The magical boy remained still, choosing not to acknowledge his bully by reacting to the pointed change in expression.

A pink girl with antennae asked.

"What's this? It looks fun!"

A black-haired student cheered.

"We can use our quirks as much as we want! As expected from the hero course."

It was a bittersweet thing. They could use their quirks as much as they wanted but they didn't have to clean thei- Deku stopped that thought. It was useless envy. A low grumble caught Deku's ears.

"It looks fun, eh? You have three years to become a hero. Will you have an attitude like that the whole time?"

Aizawa smiled, Deku shivered.

"Alright. Whoever comes last place in the most tests will be judged to have no potential and will be punished with expulsion."

A collective gasp echoed out into the field. Deku held back, he was not so easily surprised. This was manageable, he was confident in his abilities. Deku didn't have to win, he just didn't have to come last.

"We're free to do what we want about the circumstances of our students."

Aizawa held his mop-like dark hair from his face, revealing a pair of amused eyes.

"Welcome to U.A's Hero course!"