Chapter One: You Don't Know Me Like That

No one person is born equal. That's the reality that a young man by the name of Izuku Midoriya had come to live at quite an early age. People are born with special powers called quirks, and unfortunately for him… He was the rare 20% of the population that was quirkless. This put an apparent target on his back for most of his youth, and even made him begin dreading going to school.

These days being quirkless can even be seen as a disability to some, many see it as being less than human. Not only that, but with the social outcasting that comes along with it many find themselves turning away from society, but Izuku Midoriya was not one of them. He had determination and ambitions much unlike the other quirkless percentile. With the rise of quirks came the profession of heroism, a profession that our green haired boy was most interested in. Heroism ran through his veins, and being a fanboy was what defined him for much of his adolescence.

"Oh yeah, Midoriya you're applying to U.A. too, right?" His teacher calls out, breaking Midoriya's train of thought, he was focusing on his notebook idly and making sure to keep to himself, but of course his teacher had to make him the center of attention. Today was the day that these middle school students would submit career forms and make the first step towards adulthood. The greenette looked around the room to see that everyone had frozen and turned to look at him, some with shocked expressions and others holding in their laughter.

'Oh great… Here it comes.' He thought flinching as he prepared himself for what was to come. It was inevitable at this point, you just couldn't get past the criticism and mockery. 'It just had to happen today…'

There was a pause as everyone processed what the teacher had just announced before the class erupts in laughter. Insults were slung at him and the constant berating went ignored by the teacher once again. Of course they just left him to suffer with it, everyone had a quirk- a mere chance to make it into the hero courses of highschools. Everyone except him, poor old quirkless Izuku Midoriya.

A purple haired girl stares at him and frowns but ultimately gets back to her classwork, what power could she have to help him anyways? Day after day she could only sit and watch as this boy was tormented and ridiculed, and she… She did nothing. She didn't have the gall to stand up for someone who so apparently needed just one person to stand up for him, to make a difference in his life. It sucked, because just like Izuku she wanted to be a hero too. But she feared she didn't have what it took, and this? It only proved it further.

Class ended soon thereafter and Izuku was still charting away in his notebook before a hand slammed onto his desk, the smell of caramel wafting into his nose. It was sweet, but he knew why that was and hated the smell with a passion. There's only one person who would do that, only one person who would go out of their way to make the constant mockery even worse. "Oi, Deku. What do you think you're doing applying to U.A.!?"

Katsuki Bakugou. Midoriya's "childhood friend/bully" shouted out in frustration at Izuku. Katsuki Bakugou has been a normal tormentor for the quirkless boy since childhood, a constant reminder of his own lack of a quirk. Of how useless he was, and how his dreams were hopeless endeavors.

Everyday he had to remind Izuku that without a quirk he couldn't be a hero. He couldn't be useful to anyone; he was weak. That was what his nickname meant, a useless wooden doll. That's all he'd ever been known as, no one would even call him by his name anymore. It was like he didn't even deserve the respect of a name anymore and it often led him to dark places.

"I'm the only one who's gonna pass that exam and get in, got that!? Quirkless idiots like you stand no chance! You shouldn't have even applied, there's a reason for those rules." He states, while snatching Izuku Midoriya's "Hero Notes For The Future™" volume 13 at that! He reaches for it, but couldn't snatch it back in time. Again, he was the blonds tool of entertainment and mockery. He didn't need Bakugou telling him that he couldn't make it in, he knew all too well himself that it was pointless, but he could still hope.

"K-Kacchan they got rid of that rule! I might-" Izuku starts, before being cut off by one of Bakugou's ugly goons. These buffoons only hung out with him because they feared his raw power. They only wanted to be on his good side. Izuku could remember the days when he was at Bakugou's side… It made all this hurt that much more.

"What is that? His diary?" One of Bakugou's lackeys interrupted, inspecting the journal in Bakugou's hand. The blonde only furrows his brow and narrowed his eyes into a glare as he read the title. It was as if what he was holding was somehow even more disgusting after he found out what it was.

"Who cares?" Bakugou responds before clapping his hands together and blowing it up, much to Izuku's horror. He then tosses it out the window. That does it. Izuku snapped, losing any sort of reasoning that he had left and slowly turned, glaring over his shoulder. This was something only Bakugou had seen, there was a beast inside of that boy but without a quirk there was nothing he could do to defend himself.

He had enough of this. If Bakugou couldn't learn to have an inch of regret for what he had done and what he's doing to the boy right now then he had no choice but to put him in his place. If he wasn't going to get basic human respect then he'd just have to get it by force, and his animosity could be felt by everyone around him. The rage within the greenette had flowed outward and his animosity could be felt within those around him.

"...Kacchan." He called, glaring daggers at the blonde hot-head. Bakugou simply matches his glare and causes small crackles in his palm. Izuku's eyes moved down to the sparks, yet he wasn't intimidated in the slightest, but the lackeys beside him began to shiver in a cold sweat. This kid's bloodlust was on par with the blonde before them, but he knew he was outmatched, not only that but if he tried anything those goons of his may just jump in and leave Izuku in the mud.

"Huuuhhh?" He responds with a threatening tone. Izuku immediately backs off, realizing his mistake and slumps his shoulders. Why would he even think he could fight Bakugou like that? There's no way he could even make a plan to win against his brute force. Against his quirk, Izuku had no chance, Katsuki Bakugou was a natural talent incarnate and Izuku had been a witness to that since the day they met.

"Y'know Deku, there is a way for you to get a quirk…" He said, grabbing Midoriya's attention. He looked over at the blond with a scowl, confused on what he was referring to. But he knew the answer could only be something horrid. "Jump off the highest roof and hope for one in the next life!"

The purple haired girl from earlier turned her head towards the ruckus, she was shocked at what Bakugou had just said to him. It was utterly disgusting behavior in her eyes, but she then noticed the blondie's red eyes glance in her direction and she swiftly turned her head to avoid his gaze. It was embarrassing that she hid away from him like that, but everyone knew just how scary he could be. It wouldn't end well even if she used her quirk, Earphone Jack.

Bakugou and his pawns then exit while laughing at Izuku. He really just told him to kill himself. The greenette could feel his heart shatter, and any remaining emotions he had left had flown out of him. He truly felt nothing, in that moment he was numb. The sullen expression on his face truly struck a chord with the girl packing her things only a few feet away from him. She watched as he slowly lifted his yellow backpack over his shoulder and stepped out of the classroom with a blank expression on his face. No… It wasn't blank, he was defeated.

Izuku had simply decided to just pack up his things and go look for his hero notebook before heading home. He couldn't believe what Bakugou had just said to him. Someone he admired and even looked up to at one point just told him to kill himself. What a world. What a cruel world that had taunted him with his fate time and time again… He just couldn't take it anymore. He truly considered if doing what Bakugou had said would bring him some peace… But then he thought of his mother and pushed the thoughts away to the back of his mind.

The greenette would search around the open window near his desk, after making it outside eventually making his way through the shrubbery near the side of the school, hoping eventually he could find his notebook, but it was getting late. He wondered if it was fruitless, 'Maybe I should just go home…'

While searching through some bushes he hears someone clear their throat. Midoriya swiftly turned around to see a beautiful petite girl with short dark violet hair and onyx eyes. She stared at him with a blank expression on her face, but in her eyes he could see deep emotion. It was a look no one had bothered to give him aside from his mother. Worry. She also had quite the interesting quirk, noticing her earlobes dangling with aux jacks at the end of each lobe. He'd have to jot them down in his notebook when the opportunity arose.

He recognized her as someone in his class, she seemed to be really into music from what he could remember. Though that just made her another stranger… Another critic of his life perhaps? He couldn't say. But he knew he couldn't handle someone else that would laugh at him as if his existence was merely a joke. Though he shouldn't be rude, maybe she had something to say.

"C-Can I help you?" He asks shakily as a girl is actually (well not really) talking to him. Being a quirkless man in this era labels you as forever alone unless you're attractive. Not to say Midoriya wasn't, but he definitely had a bit of growing to do. Regardless of that, he wasn't in the best state at the moment after searching through shrubs with exhaustion riddling his body. He was covered in mud and tears, he knew for a fact he looked broken… And that was because he was.

She twirled her earlobe around her finger in anxiousness. She wasn't expecting this. When she had finally resolved herself to come back to the school and help him she didn't know what to expect. But just approaching this guy might was a lot harder than she expected, he looked so… Dead. It pained her to see someone like this, and to know she could've stopped it had she had the guts in the moment. "You uh… Do you need a hand? I kinda saw what that blonde jerk did earlier, and I… I'm sorry for not saying something."

Izuku was obviously at a loss. Someone was actually offering to help him? And a girl at that? Though that just makes him saddened that he can only get it when someone is feeling pity for him. He turns back around and goes back to searching. She doesn't move, of course she wouldn't take the hint.

"Y-You don't have to. I know it's just out of pity for a quirkless guy like me anyways." He replied somberly. Seldom did Midoriya allow himself to be pitied. That's more of an insult than those that actually insult him. He sighed and continued the search for his notebook, content with searching alone.

A hand was held out in front of him, he turned his head to see the girl standing above him, expecting a handshake. Offering her hand to him in an act of kindness and apology. She had watched from the sidelines for too long, and the least she could do now was at least try to help him. He didn't deserve being the subject to so much torment.

"I-I'm Kyoka Jiro. I'm sorry, again, for not helping you when you needed it, that's not a very heroic thing to do. Please let me make it up to you and help you find your notebook!" She says, bowing her head at her final sentence. Midoriya blushes and gulps before shaking her hand gently. She seemed sincere enough, maybe she truly wasn't as bad as everyone else in his class, but time would tell.

"I'd a-appreciate it, Jiro. I-I'm Izuku Midoriya, but you.. You probably knew that." He replies while she crouches down next to him and they start looking together. How does one make conversation with someone? And a girl at that? Maybe he should ask her about her interests and-

"S-So… W-What's your quirk, Jirou?" Midoriya blurted out, before suddenly realizing how forward that might come off as. Out of all things he had to ask about her quirk. This guy can't help but always be labeled as an awkward mess! She probably thinks he's super creepy! "S-Sorry, that was probably a bit-"

"Well I have these, and I can channel my heartbeat through them. They can also extend up to uh.. Ten meters I think? I got it from my mom." She replied casually, speaking over him before he could start stammering out an apology. She looks at him and he looks like he has stars in his eyes.

"We need to find my notebook so I can write that down!" He shouts rushing around even more than before. Kyoka watched in amazement as a light of determination shined through his eyes. It seemed life had found itself back into the greenette… It brought a smile to her face. She might have actually helped someone today.

'Holy crap..' Jiro says in her head. She then turns back to the fountain where she sees his journal floating right there in the water. Finally!

"Ah!" She shouts out, "I found it, Midoriya!" Jiro grabs the notebook and pulls it out of the water, shaking it off as she does so. Upon closer inspection it was seared, though luckily it was extinguished due to the fountain. Izuku made his way over and Kyoka held it out to the greenette.

"Damn that bastard really messed this thing up…" She starts before Izuku takes the notebook and stares at it. He smiled somberly and exhaled from his nose. 'At least it's still in one piece.. Maybe you're right Kacchan..'

"Thank you, Jiro, for all your help. I'm gonna head home now." He said before bowing and walking off. He was feeling too many emotions at once and just needed to be alone. Jiro wanted to follow after him, but decided to give him his space, he seems to need it. Bakugou had tormented this boy for years, and truly now more than anything he needed help. She found how good it felt to help him in that moment, but doubts began to flood her mind once more. Perhaps she could help him more and figure out if being a hero was really what she wanted to do.

'Maybe I could get him a new journal! That might lift his spirits a little.' Jiro thinks as she notices a supply store on her trek back home. She looks around for a few minutes, searching for the type of notebook he had before.

'Ah! Perfect! Maybe with this he won't be so down in the dumps. Though I don't want him to think it's out of pity..' She thinks before heading over to the register to pay but up on the tv by the register she sees a villain attack on the news that the cashier is watching. A slime villain at a standstill with a few of the nearby heroes.

She then notices Bakugou trapped in the villain and she froze. What was that blond doing getting attacked like that!? What happened there, isn't there anyone that's going to save him!? (Though honestly she couldn't help but feel that this was a little bit of karma). What the hell was he doing getting attacked like that!?

"The attack has been going on for the past few minutes and no pros have any idea what to do to save the young middle schooler identified as Katsuki Bakugou! Is there anyone out there that can save him!?" The news reporter questions, worry laced in his tone. Jiro then notices a tuft of green hair run in and throws his yellow backpack at the villain, nailing it in the eye.

"MIDORIYA!?" Jiro screams out, scaring the cashier. She then shoots the man an apologetic glance, but tunes right back into the program on the television. Jiro watched as the greenette she had been talking to only moments prior rushed into danger in an attempt to save the same boy who had tormented him for years. 'What is that idiot doing!?'

Izuku is then seen clawing at the thing and giving Bakugou some air. Even after everything Bakugou had done to him, Midoriya still went in to save him. He knew that the blond didn't deserve to be saved, but Izuku feels that everyone deserves to be given the freedom of the breath of life. Even after everything, no one deserves to lose their life due to villainy. Not even the villains. Izuku couldn't just let him die, even after everything he did to him over the years. Jiro was at a loss, Izuku had more than what it took to be a hero. Jiro felt something inside of her, something she couldn't really identify. No, not love, but maybe inspiration? This was someone who had nothing from the start, but still went out of his way to help someone who was nothing but cruel to him.

Just then the sludge villain raises a tendril to strike Midoriya down and Jiro freezes in fear, even halting her breathing. The boy was about to face the consequences of being a powerless hero, but despite all of that she could see a glimpse of a smile. As long as Izuku could risk his life saving others, he would smile. He would be content with saving at least a single life. The greenette was just about to face the consequences of trying to be a powerless hero.

And then…

All Might appeared on the scene and beat the villain in a single punch. Saving both Bakugou and Midoriya. Now this scene becomes a very turning point for Jiro that finalizes her decision to become a hero. Izuku is what heroes should be. People who make others smile with one of their own, people who can strive to save just one life. People who help without wanting in return. She had been on the fence for quite a while but seeing Midoriya risk his life for the sake of someone who would probably never do the same. She'd have to talk to her parents about this decision, she needed to become a hero now. Izuku had given her the inspiration she needed for her decision. She had found her resolve. She too could and would become a hero!

After buying the notebook and heading home Jiro sat in her room just looking back on today's events. That green haired boy really was something else, she'd have to get to know him now. She then makes it a point to get to know him tomorrow.

"Kyoka! Dinner's ready!" Her mother would call, signifying that she should come down to eat with her family.

She discussed her plans for the future with them that night.

Midoriya sighed. He was making his way home after just dealing with Bakugou concerning what had just transpired. While he was scolded, Bakugou was praised. Of course he'd be praised, the universe would be against him no matter what...

'Such is life I guess…' He thinks to himself, sighing as he continued his trek back home. Hopefully his mom wouldn't be too upset about him being late. 'Guess things will go back to normal after all this.'

All Might then jumps out in front of him in his muscle form. "I AM HER-" He says before coughing out blood and returning to his skinny form. Midoriya, being scared shitless, falls onto the floor. "Here. You alright, kid?"

"A-A-ALL MIGHT!?" The number one hero was here, right in front of him once again! What was the man doing here!?

"I-If this is about your secret, I-I-I will keep it until I die y-you don't have to worry!" Midoriya said, frantically waving his arms around. I mean what else could he want with a quirkless nobody like him?

Boy was he surprised.

All Might began to explain his quirk to Midoriya, each passing moment the boy growing more speechless. All Might had a quirk that could be passed down and made him so powerful and nobody in the world would even be able to believe this.

I mean genetic inheritance being passed down like this? It was unthinkable. Impossible even, how could he believe this!? Impossible even, but here was the opportunity. Right in front of him.

"And now, I choose you to inherit my power. So that you too can become a hero." He said. "What do you say? Do you think you can handle the responsibility and be my successor?" All Might held out a hand to the boy who was on the ground in tears.

His role model had just told him he could be a hero, and his successor at that! Midoriya couldn't hold it in and just started balling his eyes out.

"Y-Yes..." Was all Midoriya could utter in his emotional state. How could he turn this down? It was his one chance to be the hero that he always dreamed of being! "I won't let you down!"

Midoriya hadn't cried this hard since he was told he was quirkless. Izuku Midoriya now had a chance to gain a quirk and become a hero, and it's all thanks to the number one hero, the symbol of peace! Midoriya then looked to his burnt notebook where All Might had signed. He was then reminded of Jiro. 'She helped me quite a bit today... I have to thank her for today! Maybe I'll get her something before I get to school tomorrow… She likes Deep Dope, right? Maybe I should look into some of their music so we have some more things to talk about..'

"Maybe I can even call her a friend... No, that's just wishful thinking." He says aloud before stepping inside his home with a sigh. As he removed his red high-tops his mother peeked out from the kitchen with a smile until she noticed her son's tattered state.

"Oh! Izuku, welcome home-" His mother, Inko, starts, "Izuku have you been crying? Are you getting bullied!?" She said checking all over him for bruises or anything of the like. Besides a few dirt smudges and tear stains he seemed just fine.

"O-Oh, no mom! I actually had probably one of the best days of my life today! I might've even made a new friend." He replied, holding the back of his neck. His mother had always worried about his well-being at school ever since he was diagnosed as quirkless. Of course, Midoriya had always put up a facade with his mother so that she wouldn't worry too much about him, but today was definitely on the up-side. He then looked at his mother and smiled. A genuine smile was enough to calm his mother.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that, Izuku. How about you come sit down for dinner? I made your favorite!" She said, smiling back to her son.

"Katsudon!? Yes!"