Author's Notes and Disclaimers:
So originally, I wasn't planning on posting this, but a few friends of mine have been discussing the idea on Discord for a while. I decided to release this and see what happens. If you're interested in seeing more, please let me know because I honestly gauge updates on interest.
Also, if you have any feedback, please let me know. I'd be happy to hear it.
This story is currently being cross-posted on AO3. While the intent is to promote that version mostly, and we would prefer and encourage you to vote over on AO3 to respect guidelines, feel free to do what makes you feel the most comfortable.
As an additional note, this story is rated Teen for a reason. Any references to the second person are purely stylistic preferences due to the original format of the original. They've also been severely limited. Please keep that in mind while reading. This allows you to get inside Kaz's head, not actually be Kaz.
Thank you.
It all began in China.
A baby was born radiating light.
The first of many Meta Abilities, now more commonly known as Quirks.
In the aftermath, more and more kids across the globe were discovered to have similar abilities.
Abilities that, at one point in time, were only found in comics or a child's imagination.
Nobody quite knows the cause. Some attribute it to a virus. Others evolution.
But what is clear to everyone is that the supernatural invaded reality and the world has never been the same.
As society began to collapse due to the outbreak of quirk-use for illicit activities and a massive increase in crime, vigilante groups arose to keep the peace. And slowly, the heroes once found solely in comic books sprung off the pages and became ordinary.
And after the chaos came law.
Quirk use became highly regulated, and governments worldwide began authorizing ex-vigilantes to work as a professional police force against criminal quirk users. And from this, the profession that everyone once dreamed of and admired came into the limelight.
Now, heroes have become modern-day celebrities, gaining renown among the masses for defending against evil.
Heroes have ads.
Heroes have brands.
Heroes have products.
And the villains keep coming out of the woodwork.
With the quirkless majority from the dawn of this era of heroism finding themselves the minority, a quickly dwindling 20% of the population, there is no question….
The society you were born into…
It was a superhuman one.
Orphan.
What does it mean to be an orphan?
You know first-hand.
After all, you're among many in an age of rampant crime.
It means thirty kids to a room.
It means you don't sleep well, fearing waking up with rats chewing on your fingers and toes.
It means you watch one of the babies die every winter because it's so cold.
And your only ticket out of this place is being born with a strong quirk.
This is your life.
And today is your fourth birthday.
It starts off like any other.
"Children! Time to wake up!"
You stir, hearing Aika's sweet voice. She's the closest thing you've had to a mother since the villain attack that took your family from you.
Luckily, the mice didn't get to you today. That's probably only because you wore socks to bed.
Seeing all the other kids slowly trickle out of the room, you stretch your arms.
As you get to your feet, putting on your slippers, you grab your prized possession: Mr. Fluffles.
The teddy bear was gifted to you by Aika when you first arrived here at the orphanage. Even though his white fur has turned to a shade between black and brown, and his arm was torn off by a bully, you can't resist carrying him around with you everywhere. He's your security blanket, after all.
Getting up, you trudge through the run-down apartment complex, heading to the bathroom. A lot of other kids are already finishing up with brushing their teeth.
None of them wish you a happy birthday. You wonder if they even learned it to begin with.
Looking in the mirror of the one unoccupied sink, its mirror previously cracked, you see yourself.
Decision Point: Who Do You See Looking Back?
A - Kazuya Chinen (Male)
B - Kazuha Chiba (Female)