Chapter 3

I can't believe this. Kato and Saito were right about Izuku. He's just a weakling and now quirkless. He is absolutely beneath me. Based on the fact I have a quirk, it means he'll never be my equal. I am superior. But something about this feels wrong. It's then I just realized. What about our promise? That's when something inside felt like it broke, and I was reminded I indeed was alone.

While I sat under the tree at recess, I kept wondering about the news. Can I still be friends with Izuku? Or do I have to give that up? Even if he's below me, does that mean we can't play together? When hanging with Kato and Saito the other day, it felt like something was missing. It wasn't until I started to look for Izuku that I realized what was missing.

But now, as I sit, I feel so lonely. I also feel upset. It's not like we can't keep the promise. Maybe there's a way we can still be heroes together, regardless of whether one of us doesn't have a quirk. Just as I was lost in thought, I faintly saw something coming my way. I blinked a few times and saw that it was Kato, Saito, and IZUKU! Seeing him reminded me of another promise I made him. Now I really can't not be friends with him. He needs me.

As I led us across the stream, I lost my footing on the tree bridge and fell into the stream. Thankfully it wasn't that long of a fall, and I landed in the cool water. Kato and Saito shouted down to me, asking if I was ok. But before I could respond, I watched as Deku walked over to me. "Are you ok, Kacchan?"

When did he get down here? Why is he trying to help me? I'm not as weak as him. At that moment, I could only feel rage, and I slapped his hand away. "I didn't ask for your help?" I can't let anyone know that I need help.

…

After that day, I noticed Kacchan seemed to become more distant. I wondered if something was wrong with him, and he didn't want to tell me. After all, weren't we supposed to be friends? Even more so, all I wanted was to make sure he was ok. But does he hate me now? I tried to shake that thought away. Kacchan could never hate me.

As I walked home from my first day of kindergarten, I saw that Kacchan had punched a kid from our class. I quickly ran over and tried to get in between them and Kacchan. "What the hell are you doing, Deku? Get out of the way." Kacchan smiled as he punched a fist into his other hand. Which displayed that he has gotten better with his quirk. But that didn't stop me from at least trying.

Kacchan has never bullied anyone before. So, why was he doing this? This isn't the Kacchan I know. "Just stop it, Kacchan!" That's when I noticed that Kato and Saito were behind him. At that, I felt a mix of anger and sadness. It's probably their fault for my Kacchan to be acting strange.

It was Kato who took the first punch at me. And then Saito kicked me. But I still got right back up and tried to hold my ground. This wasn't right. It especially made me angry how they got Kacchan to be just as mean as them. Kacchan grabbed my shirt before punching me in the face and then my stomach. After 2 more hits, he finally pushed me to the ground. "And stay down." I still got up. "Oh, just stop it. You'll never be a hero."

Even with tears sliding down my face, I held my ground. I can't let anyone near the other kid. I don't care if I get beaten in the process. "I'll never give up." Eventually, those 3 walked away while laughing. But I noticed how Kacchan looked back at me for just a moment.

When I got home, I was surprised. Mom, for once, was there instead of working. As I took my sneakers off, she kept asking if I was ok. "Izuku! What happened to your face? Did you get into another fight again?" I just ignored her as I ran to my room. There was no point in telling her. She would just cry and say how worried I made her feel. And the way she spoke always made me feel like it was always my fault.

Just like the night I caught my mom binge eating in the kitchen. All the while, she cried and mumbled. Sometimes I would catch her saying my name. When she does, she cries harder. A few times, she would say how she wished my dad didn't leave. Or how she wished she didn't have to take care of me. Making me feel like my very existence caused her pain. So, are her smiles fake?

While I sat in my room, I held onto my All Might doll. Mom always would get me All Might collectibles when I asked. Even though she complains there isn't ever any money. What am I supposed to do? Will I ever truly make her happy? Could I make anyone happy?

As I stare at the poster that Kacchan gave me for my birthday, I start to wonder. Why does All Might always smile? Does he ever cry? Has any hero felt the way I do? I then remember the promise me and Kacchan made. I even recall how hurt he would be behind closed doors. It just makes my chest hurt so much. And when I told him about my situation, he did his best to comfort me.

That's it! I can still be a hero, even without a quirk. If I can help people, isn't that enough? After finishing my homework, I turned on the computer in my room. Since learning I was quirkless, mom allowed the computer to be in my room. While the computer loaded, I grabbed an empty notebook and a nearby pen. I started to watch the first movie All Might was in. While it ran, I studied carefully his every action. I will learn to be a hero, one way or another.

…

I still was in disbelief that Deku stood against us. Why does he always do that? Even though he knows he's weaker than all of us. But that idiot still tries to be a hero. He's so pathetic and should learn his place. Yet at the same time, I can't tell if he's brave or just stupid.

While walking along with Kato and Saito, I'm lost in wonder. All four of us went to the same daycare and now elementary school. Even back then, Kato and Saito were considered the cool kids. Especially since they got their quirk before the rest of the daycare. But the moment I got my quirk is when they really started playing with me. Just more proof that I was amazing.

With them, I was able to let off some steam by beating up those weaker than us. After all, only the strong are better than everyone else. Only the strong become heroes. Soon Kato and Saito were off their way as I stepped in front of my house. Hopefully, dad was home, and I wouldn't have to deal with mom. "I'm home!" It was silent.

After removing my sneakers, I walked over to the kitchen. To no surprise, neither mom nor dad was home. I spotted the note on the fridge and took it off before throwing it away. Knowing dad, he probably said they would have a long day today. So, I opened the fridge door and saw a bento box waiting for me. I guess another night of eating alone. I do get tired of these nights.

Sometimes I wish my parents weren't so busy. Maybe then we would spend more time together. Or mom wouldn't be so stressed over her deadlines. Once I finished my dinner, I cleaned up my dishes and headed to my room. Stepping in, I spotted my All Might doll. I wonder what Deku was thinking when he stood in front of me. Was he trying to be a hero? He's always trying to save people.

As I hugged my All Might doll, I sat on my bed. I didn't bother turning on the lights as I mumbled in the dark. As thoughts rushed through my mind, I could feel the tears running down my face. It feels like I'm doing something wrong, but I don't know what it was. The thoughts on how Deku could keep getting up just plague my mind. He has absolutely nothing, but he still keeps pushing. I just don't understand it.

All while, I'm constantly being reminded how perfect I am. The grown-ups only comment on how smart I am. Or they mention how strong my quirk is. But the moment I make one little mistake, everybody turns on me. How dare I get anything lower than an A plus in all my classes? How dare I not practice using my quirk? How dare I do anything outside of what's expected of me?

I'm so smart and have a strong quirk. I have to become a hero, but at what cost? I just cried harder as the thoughts just kept going. Each one was more painful than the last. A constant reminder there is no escape. All I can do is be the absolute greatest, no matter what I feel. That night I fell asleep with my whole body in pain and burning tears. But I tried to remind myself how I just have to be ok tomorrow.

While I walked to school, I was completely alone. Or so I thought. I felt eyes were on me and looked to see if anyone was following me. To no one's surprise, it was Deku. I know he lives near me, but this is ridiculous. Maybe I should confront him today. I should make sure he learns his place.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Kato and Saito heading in my direction. Which got me thinking I should handle Deku on my own. I don't want anyone getting in the way. This was something that was just between me and him. I just have to wait for my chance and take it.

…

I had just finished washing my hands in the bathroom when I suddenly was face to face with… "Kacchan." He grabbed the collar of my uniform and covered my mouth. He then pushed me into one of the stalls. What was going on?

"You need to mind your own business, Deku." He removed his hand from my mouth but kept me pinned to the stall wall. "Don't you dare do that again." As he spoke, I couldn't help but notice the dark marks under his eyes. He only gets those when he has been crying for a long time. Oh no. What could have happened?

Before he let me go, I grabbed his wrist. "Is everything ok, Kacchan?" Kacchan growled before punching the wall next to my head. All while letting out a small explosion. As I looked continued looking at his face, all I could see was pain. Something happened, but he's refusing to tell me. I couldn't help but cry as I tried to speak. "I just want to help, Kacchan. Please. What happened?"

That's when he punched my face. "Mind your damn business! You're so annoying!" And just like that, Kacchan left the bathroom. I stood there and just cried. He's hurting, and he won't tell me. Why am I so useless?

While sitting alone again at lunch, I couldn't help but stare at my food. What was the point of eating? I looked up and tried to see if I could see where Kacchan was. When I found him, I was saddened to see him eating alone. Everything in me wanted to go sit with him. But would he want that? And without meaning to, I started to cry again. Doing so, all eyes were on me. But the only eyes I cared for were the person that locked eyes with mine. Kacchan!

…

After ensuring the hallway was clear, I entered the bathroom where I saw Deku enter. To no surprise, he was just finishing washing his hands. As I waited for him to turn around, the thoughts from last night popped into my head. The most annoying question. Why doesn't he just give up?

"Kacchan." I quickly covered his mouth and dragged him to the stall at the far end. I needed to make sure nobody could hear us. Once inside, I kicked the stall close and used the same foot to lock it. I pinned Deku to the wall, and at that moment, it was getting hard to breathe. Not to mention that I just realized this was the first time in a long time that we were alone. And as I looked into Deku's eyes, my face began to burn.

I tried to calm down while my heart felt like it would beat out my chest. It didn't help that I became a little too aware that Deku's lips were touching the palm of the hand that held them. "You need to mind your own business, Deku." It felt like a relief when I finally removed my hand from his face. But I kept the other hand holding his uniform. I didn't feel ready to leave yet. Everything in me screamed to stay close to him. It has always been that way, and it was a battle I still struggle with. "Don't you dare do it again."

It took everything in me to finally let him go, but he quickly grabbed my wrist. My heart felt like it jumped into my throat when I felt his hand. "Is everything ok, Kacchan?" Damn it! How does he always know? "What happened?" I can't! I'll never be able to tell you! At those thoughts, I couldn't control myself and punched Deku in the face.

I may have overdone it, seeing how blood came down from his nose. Damn it! I could feel the tears trying to make themselves known. But I couldn't let Deku see me like this. "Mind your own business! You're so annoying!" With that, I ran out of the bathroom. I needed to get as far away as possible. I ran all the way to the bathroom that was on the other side of the school. Thankfully nobody was inside, and I went to the stall at the end. From there, I just sat as I cried silently.

This was ridiculous! I started to touch the spot Deku held recently and cried hard. So many childhood dreams were ruined that day. Dreams became pointless because they were impossible to reach. It hurt even more, knowing that nothing good would come if we tried to keep our promise. Especially when it's not just the becoming a hero dream that was broken that day.

During lunch, I sat alone. It has always been this way. At that, Kato and Saito ate with the other kids or left school for lunch. But what do I care? This is just the way things are supposed to be. I just stared at my tray and debated whether I would eat. Most times, I just threw the food away and went to study in the classroom.

Before I got up, I noticed how people were whispering. Some were even staring in a certain direction. When I followed everyone's eyes, I was met with a set of green. Oh, no. No! Deku, stop crying. Guilt just washed over me as I watched everyone laugh at him. At that moment, all I wanted to do was comfort him. But I can't do that. Everyone would think I was weak. And not like he would want me, of all people, to comfort him. Please, Deku, stop crying.