Chapter 1: A New Start For Them
"This is it baby, our new life"
Opening the door towards their new house, Midoriya Inko smiled towards her daughter and gestured her to enter. Its fortunate that housing cost way lesser here in Namimori, a quiet town pretty far away from Tokyo, than Musutafu, a big town and the center of all hero activity in Japan. Their apartment could be replaced into a house in a quaint neighborhood in Namimori.
The house in nothing grand. A two bedroom two story house with a backyard where Izuka could plant some of her flowers.
Colorful hues of potted plants used to perched on top of their windowsill as well as their small veranda. The girl had taken a great care of it, often surprising Inko with how attentive she is. She knows that Izuka always wanted to have a garden of her own, something that they can't afford in their apartment, thankfully now that wish could came true. Ever since elementary school, the girl had always use plants as a coping mechanism to distract herself from all the bullying. She had once said that unlike people, plants at least won't started to said bad things about her, or started to hit her.
Inko heart breaks a bit at that.
Her sweet sweet daughter. Her daughter that is too smart and too kind for her own good. Her daughter that is quirkless and other people refused to see her beyond that.
She had known about the bullying ever since Izuka went home with burnt marks and scraped knee during her second year of elementary school. At that time, her little girl had offered her a shaky smile and said that she had fell during recess. Inko knows better though, especially the burnt marks littering around her small hands. She knows that her best friend son, Katsuki, had developed explosion as a quirk. A quirk that sure could become useful for hero works but also could be dangerous on an unsupervised child.
Recalling the boy attitude and hot temper - so similar to his mother - towards her daughter, its not hard to connect the two dots.
Talking its with Bakugou Mitsuki had proven to be useless. The older Bakugou had only laughed, that carefree laugh of hers that Inko had gotten used to, and said that let kids be kids, that its nothing to worry about. Inko beg to differ when she remembered the wound Izuka has every time she went back from school.
Red marks that she afraid would leave scars travelled across Izuka's hands. She needs to contain her tears every time Izuka put on her brave face and hide those wounds from her. Giving the boy a warning also seems to be a futile attempt, Katsuki would only brushed it off or downright ignored her.
Talking to the principal is more of a futile attempt than talking with the Bakugou matriarch and her son. The man had the audacity to laugh at her and said that there's nothing to do. Children scuffle all the time and if Katsuki really do assault Izuka, she have nothing to prove that claim.
For the first time in her life, Inko wished that her quirk had been stronger so she could throw that man out of the window.
Years passed and Inko watched helplessly at the growing number of wounds littered across her daughter body. There's no other primary school near their house so she can't take Izuka out of there, and Inko can't afford a homeschool tutor or move somewhere in town with what she earned as a nurse. The only thing she could do is the words of encouragement that she could give and her boundless affection towards her daughter. She wished that she could take all of Izuka's pain, or maybe her love could lessen the pain a bit.
The final straw for her is during the last year of elementary and Izuka went home with the tips of her hair burnt as well as her bag and hand.
She never feared something so severe until her gaze fell towards the shaking form of her daughter. Even with those wounds on her, even with the pain she must have gone through, she still gave her a shaky smile, saying that she's okay and heroes won't go down with wounds this small.
Despite other people mockery, her daughter had always wanted to be a hero. What Izuka doesn't know is that she had always been Inko's hero.
It was not long after that that Inko requested a transfer towards a partner Hospital, namely Namimori hospital. Its a town that needs an hour trip with train from Musutafu. A small town far away from the hero center that is Musutafu that boast their quiet and strict authority figure. Inko couldn't find better place to start their new life. Without telling anyone but her parents, she begin to pack their bag before moving without looking back.
So here they are, new place and new beginnings.
She found out that yes, Namimori is a quiet town, a far cry from the bustling of Musutafu. Inko herself was charmed by the serenity that the place seems to offer. Izuka too, seems to be excited with the place with the look on her face when they arrived at their nee house.
Izuka looks almost shy as he stepped into the house hesitantly. Her big green eyes wandered around the place in wonder as if everything is an alien to her. Inko doesn't blame her, this is the first time both of them are in an unfamiliar environment after all. She herself grew up in Musutafu all her life, and never once leaving the town.
That's why moving here is such a big decision for her.
Leaving everything in that town and started anew in a new one should terrified her. After all, everything she has is in Musutafu, her parents, her friends-
Izuka looked back, a huge smile on her lips as she stared at the yard in front of her.
"Mama! I can plant my flowers here!" She exclaimed, eyes glimmered in excitement. Ah, its been a long time since she saw anything other than sadness in those eyes of her.
Unknowingly, a smile started to stretched across Inko's face too.
If its for Izuka, Inko's willing to do anything.
Midoriya Izuka was excited.
Their new house has a yard! She can plant all of her flowers and plants without worrying about dirtying the livingroom now. Her room is also considerably bigger, she could put all of her allmight figures without it looking like an unkept mess. The walls are also spacious enough for all of her hero posters without any of it ended up rolled inside a box.
Although, in her opinion the best thing is the lack of presence of a blond red eyed boy that always taunted her.
She and Bakugou Katsuki had been childhood friends, what with both of their moms being best friends from diapers. Once upon a time, both of them are genuinely friends, where they used to run around, playing heroes and things alike. Kacchan, the nickname he called him, was her best friend. Izuka remembered the rosy cheeks and the sparkling eyes the boy seems to possessed every time both of them are talking about heroes.
Those beautiful red eyes full of childhood innocence soon was replaced by cold ones, eyes that only stared at her in cold fury or ridicule.
Izuka would like to say that she didn't know what changed him or when did their friendship turned to be so toxic and unhealthy. She would like to say that maybe its just a misunderstanding between them that grew them apart. She too would like to say that maybe, maybe they can rekindle their friendship. The truth is, she would be lying if she said any of those.
Despite her wishes, she knew exactly when did Kacchan changed.
It was during their playtime back in kindergarten, when Kacchan, who was too excited playing hide and seek with her and other children accidentally let out a spark on his palm and exploded the stick he was holding. At that time, she cried out for the teacher, in fear of something happened towards the boy. Turns out, Kacchan quirk finally appeared.
The quirk explosion, a powerful quirk that let Kacchan sweats nitroglycerin, resulting in his ability to produce explosion. Its a perfect quirk for a hero, something that Kacchan prided in. Izuka has to agree, the quirk certainly strong enough for a hero work, now Kacchan dream to be a hero is one step closer.
While Izuka still rooted in the same spot.
"When will your quirk appear?" Asked Kacchan one day.
Izuka stilled on her spot. Her birthday had long pass and she's still waiting for her quirk. She had thought that maybe her quirk needs a condition to be met, but whatever things she tried nothing had come out.
She had grown restless and begged her mother to take her to a quirk specialist. Her mother had promised her that if another of her birthday had passed and her quirk still yet to appear, she will bring her to one.
"I- i don't know Kacchan" she mumbled quietly. "Maybe i'm a late bloomer.."
The boy hummed quietly at her answer. "Well you're just a useless Deku after all!" Deku, it was a new name for her. That was the first time Kacchan had used the nickname that still haunts her until now.
Another of her birthday passed quietly when her mother finally took her to a quirk specialist. Of course, its like all of Kacchan taunts about her being a deku came true and she was proclaimed quirkless. She cried, cried like there's no tomorrow. Her favorite clip of allmight saving civilians keeps playing in the background as she can't stopped herself from watching it. Izuka could see the worry on her mother eyes but she can't help it. The percentage of a quirkless person to be a hero is zero, its better for her to forget about the childish dream she has.
But she can't help it.
She wants to be a hero.
After the news of her 'condition' spread, the whole school distanced themselves from her. The very few friends she had other than Kacchan decided to act like she didn't exist. Even the teachers started to ignore her or act like she was a bug. Kacchan, Kacchan was the worse. The taunts started to grow worse and worse. She didn't have to worry about physical assault before, but now, she wishes she had a pair of eyes at the back of her head in fear of a bully appearing behind her.
Kacchan decided that bullying her is a fun past time and now, burnt marks littered her arms almost daily.
Izuka could just ignore the taunts and remarks about her, but the physical damage she sustain is impossible to ignore. She herself does not mind of the pain, heroes got worse than this, if she wants to be a hero surely this is nothing. The thing that she can't stand is the look her mother got every time she comes home. No matter how wide her smile is, or how many times she assured that this is nothing, Midoriya Inko will always worry for her. Understandable as she is her daughter.
One day, she had broken down in front of her mother. Maybe that day the taunts had become too much or maybe Kacchan had accidentally gave her a much more severe wound, she can't remember, but the only thing she remembered is that she broke down in front of her mother. "Maybe i am really just useless" she cried out, hands clutching on the fabric of her mother apron. "Maybe its best that i-"
"Izuka" her mother cut her off.
Her mouth clamped shut.
Inko's hands travelled towards her cheek, cupping it softly. "I don't care what other people told you" She said softly. Two similar green hues met each other. "But to me Izuka, you're the most precious thing in the world, nothing, and there's absolutely nothing that could convince me otherwise" It was simple and maybe used often, what makes it different to her is the warmth she could feel from her mother tone, to Izuka at that time, it was everything she needs.
Years passed and finally, finally both of them escape this hell like prison.
Izuka never felt so much relief when her mother broke down the news. She had imagined a life away from here. Her, living quietly in a normal school with friends alongside with her mom. Escaping this town used to be her dream alongside becoming a hero, though she never said it out loud, knowing that her mom can't possibly afford moving somewhere else.
Namimori is a quiet town and Izuka loves it. Its far from the hustle and bustle of Musutafu and Izuka likes the peace the town seems to offer. Their neighbor are nice, greeting them when they saw them moving. One lady even gave her a cookie! She likes them already.
She at first was doubtful that her mother could actually afford their new house. Inko had reassured her that the cost for a house here is much lower than Musutafu so that they could afford an actual house now. She beamed before giving the older woman a hug before out exploring the house.
Izuka loves her new start already.
Going to Namimori middle is a nerve wracking experience.
The green haired girl can't stop fiddling the new red ribbon her uniform now provided. Its really cute in her opinion, red ribbons as well as dark vest and short dark skirt now adorned her. Izuka is not used to vain herself, but she can't help but adore her figure in her new uniform now.
"Are you ready for the first time of school?" Greeted Inko with a beaming smile as she went downstairs. The smell of freshly baked toast and other assortments waved through the air. Flashing her mother an unsure smile, she immediately went towards the kitchen. A fresh breakfast was served in front of her as she took a seat.
"I- i think so?" Replied Izuka unsurely as she took a bite of the toast. "I'm not sure.. if anyone will want to be my friend after all"
"Of course there will be someone who wants to be your friend!" Said Inko enthusiastically.
Izuka too would also like to believe that. But there's a small part on her mind that reminded her of the constant bullying and the constant torment that doubt the statement. With her luck, she just know that she's going to messed up her first day somehow.
Inko gave her one last reassuring hug as good luck charm as she said before quietly closing the door behind her. Its a sleepy town, she thought as she can't see anyone else but one or two people having their morning run silently.
Leaving her house and walking towards the school was proven to be easy. Magically, her long running streaks of bad luck didn't seems to affect her this morning, something that she thank the god upon. Turns out, from what the teacher that greeted her when she first arrived, Namimori middle is a school that valued academics more than anything. Izuka let out a relieved breath she didn't know she was holding when hearing that.
She too learned that because Namimori is a small town, there's only two middle school here, Namimori high and Midori middle school, a private school strictly for girls. That's why most of the people knows each other well already. Her, being just moved here and missed the first day of school will mostly be regarded as transfer student even though this is just the start of the school year.
After some explanation about technical stuff like her schedules and some ground rule, Her new teacher guided her to a girl with long hair pulled back into a single ponytail who was waiting patiently outside the teacher lounge. She looks serious, she thought. With her uniform being perfect without any single imperfection and the way her brow pulled together into a tight furrow gave her an impression of a serious person.
"Hello" the girl greeted with a smile upon noticing them. Izuka was caught off guard for a moment. No one ever greeted her that nice before, especially in school. "My name is Tsunatori Maya, the student council president" she outstretched her hand for a handshake.
Izuka nodded her head nervously before clumsily shook the other girl hand. Tsunatori seems to think her as amusing because she let out a slight chuckle at her demeanor. The first year violently suppressed the growing blush. After that, the older girl started to guide her through the school, showing the classes and club rooms while making small talks here and there.
Namimori middle seems to be a little old, but Izuka found herself to be charmed by it.
The school tour concluded and now both of them are standing in front of Izuka's new class. "So, do you have any question of the school?" Asked Tsunatori.
She needs a few moment to think before finally found a question that had been plaguing her mind. "I- uh.. this may seems to be rude.. but what's the school opinion of the.. quirkless?" Will it be the same from her last school? With their move here and their determination to start a new life be useless?
Tsunotori raised an eyebrow at that. "The quirkless?" She echoed back.
"Ye- yes!" She yelped. Gulping down a lump on her throat, she tried to elaborate her question. "I mean in my old school t- they didn't take the quirkless.. that good.." she trailed off at the end of sentence.
Izuka could felt nervousness started to creep down her stomach. Why did she ask that? That's a completely stupid question! Of course no one would like a quirkless person. Shutting her eyes tightly, she braced herself towards the incoming cold remarks and insults. What she didn't expect is for a new weight to be added on her lightly. A warm hand landed on her shoulder. "You may not know this because you just moved here Midoriya san" she said, "but more than half of Namimori population is quirkless"
"H-huh?" More than half of the people here quirkless?
"Yes, that's why we didn't discriminate those who have a quirk and those who doesn't" said the older girl. "After all, all of them are still normal intelligent human beings no?"
Izuka heart was warmed at that. Did her mother know about that fact? That's why they moved here? Maybe, moving here was the right choice after all. "Okay.. thank you Tsunatori san" she gave the older girl a slight bow.
Tsunatori chuckled. "No worries, its my job as the president of the student council.. oh and by the way," her eyes flickered towards her ribbon that is now crooked. "If i were you i would fix that, our disciplinary committee is really terrifying" her finger flicked towards her riboon.
The green haired girl flushed before she hastily fix the ribbon, "y- yes!"
With a chuckle, Tsunatori said goodbye as she left Izuka, saying that they should hang out together later. Izuka smiled warmly at the thought.