Chapter 11

After going through reading the requirements for what I needed for UA, I decided to go for a walk. I was grateful that mom was sleeping at the time. So I didn't have to go through the whole talking with her. As I walked, I couldn't stop smiling. I was still in disbelief that I even got into UA. Or how I got to meet All Might and be given a quirk.

In my excitement, I made my way to the pawnshop. I was even happy at the fact I didn't cross paths with anyone from school. And when I got to the shop, I saw the owner sitting behind the counter. He was reading his paper and had a hot cup nearby. Most likely his afternoon coffee. I tried to keep my excitement down when I reached the counter. That's when the owner looked up. "How's it going, kid?"

"Oh, hi, Uncle." I couldn't stop smiling as I leaned on the counter. "I got into UA."

He folded his paper and placed it down on the counter. "Congrats, kid." I then watched as he headed to the back room. Before long, he returned with a yellow book bag and placed it before me. "Think of this as a gift for getting into that high school."

My smile grew as I grabbed the bag. "Thank you, Uncle."

"Look inside." When I opened the bag, I saw that there were new school supplies. Even a wallet and a key chain. "That key is to a storage locker near UA. And in the wallet is a new station yearly pass. Even gave you a few folding skateboards."

I closed the book bag and threw it over my shoulders as I put it on. "Thanks so much, Uncle." I bowed before him.

"You're welcome, kid. If you study for your driver's license, I could pull a few strings and get that bike you wanted."

"You really mean it?" He nodded before sitting back behind the counter.

"You should probably talk to the twins. I'm sure they got something for you. After all," He took a sip of his coffee. "Don't you need a hero suit for this school?" I quickly nodded and said my goodbyes. With that, I went around to the back ally. There, past a few stairways, was the hidden tattoo shop. Taking a few deep breaths, I stepped inside.

When opening the door, I was greeted by loud, heavy English rock music. And at the far end was Micky, seeming to work on one of his clients. Which meant that his twin, Sydney, was in the back making calls. That was until she stepped out of the back room and spotted me. [ENG] "Yo, Splits! Wha' ya doin' here?"

That's when Micky looked up and waved me over. [ENG] "Splits! Miss ya, homeboy." I couldn't help but shake my head as I approached the twins. Thanks to them, I learned some English to watch the American All Might movies. When I reached the twins, Sydney pulled out one of the nearby chairs. Which I happily sat down in.

Even though they knew Japanese, I was grateful they agreed to only speak English with me. [ENG] "I got in."

[ENG] "Wo! Grats man. So, did the old man give ya the stuff?" I pointed to my bookbag. "Nice." Then I watched as Micky's client got up. Guess even he was going to take a break. "Wait. Ain't it the school that requires a hero get up?" I quirky nodded.

I then watched as Sydney went back to her office. While she was back there, Micky went about asking me what hero name I was thinking about. Even went about if I decided to take him up on his job offer. [ENG] "I'm not too sure about that job. I would have said yes if I didn't get into UA. But I'll still think about it. Maybe after I graduate. Since it sounds amazing. And I don't know what hero name I want yet."

Just then, Sydney came back with a suitcase. [ENG] "Had my guys work on those lame drawings ya had. But no luck, fanboy." She then opened the case and took out what seemed like one of her cyberpunk masks. "They least gave ya the ears. And it only does emojis."

[ENG] "Ain't bad for last-minute work either." I looked at Micky, and he was snickering. "Especially when we had to dumb down everythin."

"What do you mean?" I looked back to Sydney, and she gave me a notebook. As I skimmed through it, I saw how these were plans for a high-tech suit. "Wait! Ya two were planning on giving me something like this?"

Now Sydney was the one chuckling. "Well, ya always helpin' us, and ya wanna be a hero. So, we were gonna help ya out another way if ya ain't get into UA." I couldn't help hugging the notebook, and I smiled at them. "So, when ya start?"

"In a week." The look that went between them was strange, but I ignored it. "Don't worry. I'll still be doing deliveries on my off time." They smiled again.

"Just don't work too hard. And come back when ya ready for the, you know." Micky winked at me before getting back to work. With that, I thanked them again before taking the case and heading home.

…

As I stepped into the school office, I was surprised to see Deku. What was he doing here? While we sat and waited, I couldn't help but notice he was writing in his notebook. But before I could say anything, the principal stepped in. At that, he was clapping while smiling.

"Congratulations to both of you." He then walked over to Deku. "I'm shocked you even got in, Midoriya. But here we are." What! I then watched as the vice principal hand over a few papers to Deku and then myself. "These are a copy of your transcripts. For your personal records."

The vice principal then approached me and had a second set of papers. "We already sent a copy to UA. But here's your copy of your honor rolls documents." He then had a grumpy look as he side-eye towards Deku. "I do hope they kick that nobody out once they realize he's a fraud." With that, he gave me a smile and walked away.

After the principal sent Deku off, his smile went away. "And here I thought it was difficult to get into that school. What a shame." He then looked over at me. "Even if you are the best this school has to offer, you're also a nobody. I wouldn't be surprised if you got kicked out once they realized how much of a punk you are. Now, be gone, you brat."

As I walked these halls for the last time, the words the principal told me rang in my head. So even he doesn't like me? Why should I even care about that? Why should I be worrying about his approval? It doesn't matter! I got into UA with my own strength, and nobody can take that from me!

When I reached the school entrance, I saw how Deku was leaning against the wall. Why was he still here? And just looking at him reminded me he also got into UA. So I stormed over to him and dragged him to the back of the building. He didn't even put up a fight as I threw him into the wall. "What the fuck, nerd?"

He just stood sitting on the ground and not looking at me. "Congratulations to your too, Kacchan." I picked him up by the collar and pinned him to the wall. It was then that I noticed that his face was all red.

"Nerd!" That's when he looked at me. "I was supposed to be the only one from this dump to get into UA! So, how the fuck!" As I held him, it became harder to breathe. It didn't help when I felt something wet burning down my face. "Damn it!" I dropped Deku and started to turn around.

"What's the matter, Kacchan?" I looked back, and the look Deku held made me so confused. But I simply turned back to him. When I did, I was not expecting him to wipe the tears away from my face. "Did the principal say something after I left?" How did he know? How does he always know these things? I nodded my head.

That's when I saw the sweet face Deku always had changed. It almost took me aback when I heard him lightly growl. I snapped my fingers in his face, and he blinked a few times. Which then had him have his typical sad face. I pinched his cheek. "I'll be fine. He doesn't know what he was talking about."

Deku's smile returned, but not in his eyes. "That's right! Because Kacchan is amazing, and he earned his spot at UA." Then his frown returned. "What did he say?"

"It doesn't matter." The nerd started to walk away. "And where you think you're going? I'm not done talking with you, nerd."

"Nobody speaks badly about Kacchan." He then looked over his shoulder at me. "I don't care about what people say or do to me. But you shouldn't have to deal with that." I quickly rushed over to Deku and threw him against the wall.

"You stop that! He's the past now. We are going to start a new school and never deal with that extra again. So, get out whatever is going through your head." I then took a quick look around the corner before standing before Deku. "Let's go make a wish at the fountain to celebrate our future at UA." With that, Deku's face lit up, and we started to walk to the park.

As we walked, I couldn't get the image of the face Deku held moments ago. I had never seen him like that before. Then again, have I ever seen him that angry? And here I thought I'd seen all the faces that nerd could make. But maybe I was wrong. I have seen him angry before, but never like that. At that, I never heard him growl before. I have seen when he fakes his smiles, which worries me. Yet, I can't do anything because then people would think I'm weak.

When we got to the park's center fountain, I took a deep breath. I looked at Deku and saw him whispering to the yen in his hand. So, I took out my last yen and also whispered my wish. "I wish Deku finds better friends than me." With that, we both seemed to toss our wishes simultaneously.

As we continued walking through the park, we spotted our favorite snack cart. I kept walking, but I heard mumbling behind me. I looked back and saw how Deku had two fish snacks. He then held one out to me while looking away. I took it from him without a word, and we started walking again. The walk was quiet until we reached the corner between our homes. "Thank you, Kacchan."

I looked back at Deku. "What for?" The way the setting sun made him glow was breathtaking. It didn't help with that smile of his.

"Even though I don't get or understand what happened between us over the years. I am so grateful that we could have moments like this." His smile faded to a frown, and tears ran down his face. "Thank you for giving me hope." Before I could say anything, Deku ran towards his home. I was just stunned at what he just said. I gave him hope? That can't be true.