I wrote this about a year back, don't really have any intentions of continuing it, but posting it here for posterity.
The Dynamight Deku agency, a co-venture of the two rivals-turned-friends stood proudly in the centre of the city, within shouting distance of the heroes hometown. The building boasted a modern and sophisticated design, with smooth curves and towering windows that let in plenty of natural light and offered a panoramic view of the cityscape.The agency's logo, a stylized DD with both Deku and Dynamight standing in the negative space, was displayed on a large sign above the front entrance and on the easily accessible roof. Dynamight and Deku often preferred to leave work via the sky rather than the roads, enjoying the freedom and thrill of soaring through the air.
It had been a long day of work for Deku, the co-number one hero. Dynamight, his competitive nature apparent in his every move, had forced the pair of them into a constant rubberbanding of switching between first and second place ever since their graduation three years ago. Eventually, the hero ranking commission, (in no small part edged on by a dismantling and re-interpretation of the entire system), had opted to focus heavier on ranked teams rather than solo ventures.
The goal was to promote a culture of collaboration instead of competition among the heroes and as a result, the current top 10 in the ranking was filled by 18 different heroes who worked in pairs or groups. Dynamight was furious about this change, but he eventually settled for an internal scoreboard at their agency, where he kept track of their individual arrest and rescue records. Dynamight was currently in the lead.
Deku had never been too fond of competition since he graduated from U.A., but he saw the positive side of Dynamight's challenge. It was a good way to motivate themselves to do their best and to improve their skills as heroes, treating it as a friendly match and putting his heart and soul into his work on the streets.
Today he had helped assistant commissioner Tsukauchi bust a drug smuggling ring that had been operating for months under the radar, thwarted an armoured truck robbery, stopped six muggings, two hostage situations, three car-jackings and rescued a cat out of a tree. The last one was a little ironic, because Deku was the one who accidentally scared the cat up the tree when he was chasing a mugger.
All this to say, he was tired.
The sun was nearing the end of its slow descent behind the skyline, painting a warm, orange glow across the front of the agency. Ordinarily Deku would have taken his customary route via the rooftop, but today, fatigue weighed heavily on him, forcing him to opt for the front door instead. The day's arduous heroics bore down on his shoulders, and with a tired sigh, he pulled his bunny-eared hood off his head and ran a hand through his hair. Which stuck up awkwardly. Gross, he was going to have to grab a shower.
Within the agency's lobby, a subtle buzz of activity still lingered, sidekicks and other assistants moving to and fro carting boxes, organising notes, and other general important tasks. It was a scene that had become customary on these occasions, and as was his tradition, Deku greeted each worker he passed with a friendly wave, making a genuine effort to remember every individual's name. Dynamight was never going to, so it fell upon Deku to be the accessible and approachable boss.
Wearily entering the elevator, he pressed the button for the top floor and leaned against the large mirror covering the back wall. Lifting an arm he felt his shoulder click, and he massaged out the kink. Just as the doors were about to close, a young green-skinned woman darted in clutching a stack of papers and wearing a dishevelled look. She had the unmistakable aura of a new intern, including all the nervous energy that came with the role. The agency's head of operations was a friendly guy, but he had a habit of putting new blood through their paces the first week or so, so it wasn't an uncommon sight.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed, leaning against the mirror next to him. He nodded in greeting, expecting what would come next. As the intern's eyes widened with recognition, it was a rare sight for him to witness a genuine double-take. Her lips parted slightly, and she struggled to find her words.
A gentle smile curved onto his face. Over the years, he had honed the ability to spot fans, in part because he remained an ardent fanboy himself. During team-up missions, he often got into trouble for asking villains about how their quirks worked, and even offering suggestions on how they could be utilised in rescue scenarios. One thing he knew for certain, reflecting on his own days as a young boy idolising local heroes, is that sometimes it can be daunting to be the first one to speak up.
"Hey there," he said, his voice warm and friendly. "Shiho, right?"
The intern nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm getting the best of her. "Yes, that's me! It's truly an honour to work here, Mr. Midoriya, alongside such an incredible hero like you!" Her words rushed out in a high-pitched and quivering tone, and her excitement caused her to bow rapidly, nearly losing her glasses in the process.
Deku raised his hands, trying to soothe her and prevent her from launching into orbit. "Hey, we're absolutely thrilled to have you on board! And you can call me Izuku. After all, we're all part of the same team here."
Shiho's eyes widened, clearly taken aback. "Oh, goodness, no! I couldn't do that, Mr. Midoriya! An intern addressing her boss by his first name? That would be completely inappropriate!" She clung tightly to the stack of papers, and Deku noticed her tapping her middle finger against them anxiously. It seemed she was getting more and more worked up. Hemayneed to help calm her down a little.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Just call me whatever you're comfortable with, even if it's just Deku. The choice is yours, and there's absolutely no pressure," he reassured her with one of his well-practised 'please-don't-have-a-heart-attack' Deku smiles.
"R-right, whatever you say, Mr. Midoriya!" Shiho responded, still with a touch of uncertainty.
"I'm sorry, but I have to ask because it's been driving me insane," Deku blurted out suddenly, turning to face the intern with an excited expression. "Is your green skin directly connected to your quirk, or is it an unrelated side effect? You see, my friend Mina, uh, I mean Alien Queen, has pink skin, but her quirk is acid production. Apparently, the acid in her body changes the pigmentation of her skin. So, I'm guessing you have something like a chlorophyll-related quirk, right?"
The intern's mouth hung open in astonishment as she listened to the number one hero ramble on. She had heard from other coworkers that Mr. Midoriya could get quite passionate when it came to discussing quirks, but experiencing it firsthand was a whole new level.
"Heh, sorry," Deku apologised, rubbing the back of his head. "I swear I'm usually much more charming in person. I guess I'm feeling a bit loopy today."
"Oh! No, don't worry, it's okay. I don't mind at all!" Shiho politely reassured him. "My quirk is actually photosynthesis."
"Photosynthesis! That's absolutely incredible! So you can actually convert sunlight into energy? Do you also need water and carbon dioxide for the process?" Deku's eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity, eager to learn more.
"Just sunlight and water, I store it throughout the day." She was still a little taken aback by being in a lift with Deku, but the shock was more by how much of a quirkfanboyhe is.
Deku hit himself softly on the forehead, as if he had just successfully solved a difficult puzzle. "Of course!" he exclaimed. "That's why you work nights, that makes sense! You must have so much excess energy in the summer."
An excited nod followed, as Shiho's face lit up with a sense of validation. "Exactly! Most people assume I have insomnia, but the truth is, I don't really need to sleep when the sun is shining bright. By the time I start feeling tired, the sun is already rising, and I begin recharging again."
Deku's concern for the well-being of his employees began to show through upon hearing this. "Really? That must still be quite a strain on you. If we're ever pushing you too hard or if you ever feel overwhelmed, please promise me you'll let me know, okay?"
In response, she shut her eyes and shook her head in protest, "Oh no, no need to worry!" she reassured him. "I've found ways to cope. Sleeping in hot seasons has always been a struggle, but I use meditation instead."
Deku nodded in understanding, "Ahh, I see," he acknowledged. "I've heard that it can be really helpful for people with energy stockpile quirks like yours."
"Mhmm!" she said, her smile widening. "My quirk counsellor had a similar quirk to mine, but she worked more like a solar panel," she revealed, the memories of her past experiences resurfacing. "Before I met her, I stayed awake for weeks…" She paused, rolling her eyes at the memory. "It drove my parents nuts."
"Well, I'm glad you were able to find the help you needed," Deku expressed.
Shiho let out a sigh, her disappointment evident in her tone. "You know, it's just frustrating to see that the help available is so limited. My friend's little brother has this quirk that makes his hands emit bright light, but he hasn't gained control over it yet. Most of the time, it's blindingly bright for him, and he can't even see properly."
She glanced at Deku with a concerned expression, and he attentively focused on her, clearly taking her words seriously. "They tried to get him some support through a counsellor, but the Children's Quirk Helpline brushed them off, saying he wasn't considered an 'urgent case'." If she wasn't holding a stack of papers, she would have added sarcastic air quotes for emphasis.
Deku furrowed his brow in confusion. "How can they possibly say that? A child struggling with their quirk to the point of impaired vision sounds pretty urgent to me!"
"Do you want to know what they did instead?" she asked, a hint of frustration in her voice.
"What?" he inquired, bracing himself for a disappointing response.
"They sent a pair of woollen gloves. That's all they bothered to provide..."
"You've got to be kidding me," Deku replied in evident disbelief. "They just sent a pair of gloves? That's their solution?"
Shiho nodded. "Exactly! It's ridiculous, right? How are gloves supposed to help him control his quirk or deal with the brightness issue? It's like they're not even taking it seriously."
A quiet anger simmered within Izuku as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. How could he, the supposed number one hero in the country, be unaware of such a major issue affecting the nation's youth? It was completely unacceptable, both for him and for the Children's Quirk Helpline. With a serious expression, he turned to Shiho and spoke sincerely, "I can't apologise enough for how your friend's little brother was treated. That kind of response is utterly unacceptable, especially when it comes to young children. Everyone deserves proper support and guidance, and I'm personally going to ensure he receives it."
Shiho's eyes widened with surprise and concern. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mr. Midoriya! I didn't mean to burden you with this! It just felt relevant, I didn't want to impose any extra work on you!"
"No, please, I genuinely want to help," Deku reassured her. "I understand firsthand what it's like to struggle with a quirk that you can't fully control. Pass along his details to my secretary as soon as you can. I'm personally going to make sure that he gains access to a specialist who can provide the support he needs." And to Shiho's astonishment, the number one hero bowed to her in a gesture of sincere apology.
"Th- Thank you, Mr Midoriya. I will." Shiho replied, her voice filled with gratitude.
"Anyway, I think I've kept you long enough! Good luck with the rest of your internship," Izuku said smiling, gesturing toward the open door of the lift, which had been waiting patiently.
Shiho realised she had reached her floor and looked surprised. "Oh, yes! Thank you so much again!" She hurriedly exited the lift, still clutching the stack of papers.
The rest of the journey to the top floor gave Izuku a lot to consider.
—
"Kacchan? You still around, buddy?" Izuku called out, his voice echoing through the quiet top floor office. He glanced around corners, but there was no sign of his explosive-tempered childhood friend. "Guess he's still on patrol," he mused to himself with a shrug.
Turning his attention to the agency scoreboard hanging on the wall, Izuku popped open a marker pen and started marking down tally points corresponding to his recent arrest and rescue records for the day. "I'm only ahead by four points now. If Bakugo is still out there patrolling, it could mean either one extra point for him or a thousand..."
Now that the important work was taken care of, Izuku knew it was time to dive into the dreaded paperwork. The best part of every hero's day!
Considering the size of the agency, the paperwork load was somewhat manageable. They had a dedicated team of two dozen employees whose sole responsibility was handling arrest records, property damage assessments, witness testimonials, and media redirection. However, there was one catch - every single document required either Izuku's or Katsuki's signature and personal statement related to the case. Izuku couldn't bring himself to let anyone else mimic his writing, as he believed in the importance of sincerity and taking personal responsibility for his actions. Bakugo didn't care much about that, so Izuku usually ended up writing his too.
With a resigned sigh, he dropped a pile of documents onto his desk and started sorting through them. He couldn't help but think that maybe, someday, he would learn not to do this work right next to his computer. It was a recipe for distraction, as he inevitably started mindlessly scrolling the internet in between signing and filling out forms. The allure of interesting articles, hero news, and fan forums always managed to pull him away from the mundane task at hand.
Drumming his fingers on the desk for a moment, he furrowed his brow and typed "Children's quirk helpline criticism" into the search engine.
A Failed Promise - The Children's Quirk Helpline
By Anonymous
In a world brimming with extraordinary abilities, the Children's Quirk Helpline (CQH) emerged as a promising sanctuary for young individuals navigating the intricate complexities of their quirks. With a purported mission to provide solace and professional guidance, CQH aimed to be a beacon of support. However, a comprehensive investigation undertaken by our team has revealed a disheartening truth: far from fulfilling their noble purpose, the CQH has been inflicting more harm than good upon those who seek their assistance.
During our investigation, we had the opportunity to speak with several former clients of the CQH, who shared their experiences with us. Disturbingly, their accounts echoed a common theme, illustrating a disturbing pattern of mistreatment, neglect, and even exploitation at the hands of the very counsellors entrusted with their well-being. These young individuals found themselves caught in a situation where counsellors seemed more intent on imposing their own ideologies and agendas surrounding quirks, rather than offering genuine guidance and support to the children seeking their help.
Many of the CQH's clients were grappling with quirk-related trauma, anxiety, or depression, and turned to the helpline in search of a safe haven to receive expert advice and empathetic understanding. Sadly, what they encountered was indifference and incompetence.
One such client, 12, told us: "I called the CQH because I couldn't control my ice quirk, I kept freezing things accidentally and I thought they could give me some advice. The counsellor told me I should just be happy that my quirk looks pretty and that I should show it off more. He didn't listen to me at all."
Another, age 14, had a similar story to tell: "My quirk lets me control electricity, but I kept accidentally shocking my friends. I asked the CQH for help and they told me I was being ungrateful, and that my quirk was a 'gift from nature' and that if I become a hero it won't matter if I shock anyone. When I told them I didn't want to be a hero, and that I wanted to be a reporter, they told me to read more hero magazines and to stop wasting their time."
We recently reached out to the CQH under the guise of concerned parents seeking assistance. What transpired during our interaction was nothing short of disheartening, as it quickly became apparent that the CQH was woefully ill-equipped and lacked the necessary expertise and empathy to address the intricacies of quirk-related challenges.
Rather than offering genuine solace and guidance, the helpline seemed to perpetuate feelings of isolation and despair among callers. The advice given was painfully generic, failing to acknowledge the profound emotional toll of living with these unique abilities.
To compound matters, evidence has emerged suggesting potential financial exploitation within the CQH's operations. Vulnerable families, seeking assistance in their time of need, were coerced into making substantial monetary contributions under false pretences. They were led to believe that these financial contributions would improve the quality of assistance provided.
The Children's Quirk Helpline, initially established with the noble intention of offering guidance and support to young individuals grappling with the challenges of their quirks, has tragically fallen short of its mission. Incompetence, a startling lack of empathy, and potential financial exploitation have irreparably tarnished the organisation's image and compromised the well-being of those it claims to assist. Countless children and their families have been left feeling abandoned and disillusioned, their hopes for understanding and guidance shattered by a company that has failed them at every turn.
The revelations surrounding the CQH serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for-
….
He blinked his eyes a few times, trying to understand where this issue stemmed from. Surely there were other counselling opportunities available? He typed into the search bar "Musutafu quirk counsellors"
Quirk Crisis in Musutafu: Shortage of Quirk Counsellors Leaves Children Struggling
Monopolistic Quirk Helpline Blamed for Lack of Counsellors in Musutafu
Exclusive Control: Children's Quirk Helpline Shuts Out Competition
Quirk Crisis, Monopoly Woes, CQH Dominance,Stranglehold, Desperate Parents,
Izuku couldn't bear to read another word. The pages in front of him only fueled his disappointment, frustration, and an intense anger at his own failure. He naively believed that everything had improved since the war, since crime rates had returned to their normal levels. People seemed content, but was he just being complacent?
Regardless, something was rotten in the state of Musutafu, and he was determined to get to the bottom of it. Glancing at the clock on the computer's taskbar he saw it was already 11:38pm, he was supposed to be on patrol in 7 hours time. Sleep first, then patrol, then paperwork,thenhe can get work saving the nation's youth. …This may be more difficult than he anticipated.
—
The next morning, Izuku's patrol was surprisingly tranquil. There weren't many disturbances to deal with, which made for a pleasant change of pace. However, as he walked the streets, his presence didn't go unnoticed. People would recognise him instantly and start to gather, excited and eager to see their favourite hero out and about. Part of Deku's goal as a hero was to bridge that gap between himself and the citizens, avoiding the enigmatic and mysterious persona his predecessor had. He was going to be approachable and relatable, someone whom people could connect with. So whenever someone approached him, he made an effort to engage in conversation.
"Hey, it's Deku!" A voice called out from across the street, and in an instant, a swarm of enthusiastic townsfolk surrounded him. Deku flashed his most heroic smile, sincerely grateful for the support he received from the people.
This was the part of the hero work that Deku truly cherished. Seeing the joy on people's faces, talking to them and listening to their stories brought him immense happiness. A small part of him wondered if it was selfish to enjoy this aspect so much, but he quickly dismissed that thought. He had worked hard and made plenty of sacrifices to become this person, so he deserved to find enjoyment in his work. With patience and genuine interest, he greeted everyone, shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for pictures
Just as Deku was posing with four young children clinging to his arms, his hero communicator buzzed urgently. An incoming call demanded his attention, but the message was brief and lacked details.
"Heroes needed south of Toshei Avenue. Disruptive quirk in use."
Deku typically received two types of calls: those specifically meant for him, usually from Tsukauchi, and general assistance requests for any heroes in the area. For a moment, he hesitated, contemplating whether he could let other heroes handle the situation. However, before he could make a decision, a deafening explosion reverberated in the distance, shattering any doubt in his mind.
With a gentle motion he lowered the kids to the ground, expressing his thanks for their support. Then, with a burst of energy combining One For All and Float, he rocketed towards the source of the noise.
It didn't take long to see where the event was taking place, a litany of upturned vehicles and smashed roads pinpointed the location. Deku landed gracefully near some young heroes trying to keep their distance, who must have been present nearby when the chaos started.
"What's the situation?" He asked them, concerned.
A woman wearing a fishbowl helmet and fins piped up first, "There's someone barricaded inside that abandoned building. Every time we try to approach, these crazy tentacle things shoot up from the floor and stop us dead in our tracks. We can't even get close."
Deku nodded, understanding the situation. There were quite a few local heroes already present, and most of them were experienced, so it had to be a seriously powerful quirk user causing all this mayhem. "Any casualties?" he asked, bracing himself for the worst after hearing the explosion.
Another hero, sporting biker gear and a spiked helmet, shook his head. "Luckily, just a few bumps and bruises. A police car blew up when it flipped, but nobody was nearby when it happened."
"I'm going to try getting closer," Deku declared firmly. "For now, everyone should hang back."
"Hey, man, are you sure about this?!" protested the young hero, but the number one's reassuring smile and nod halted his objections.
"Don't worry about it," he replied calmly. He'd been in plenty of tough situations before, and his Danger Sense quirk gave him an advantage at times like this. If anyone could anticipate those tentacles' attacks, it was him.
He cautiously began edging his way closer to the building. So far, so good. Maybe he lucked out, and the danger had passed? He picked up his pace a little, still moving with utmost care. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until, out of nowhere, a massive, inky black tentacle shot up from the ground and sent him hurtling across the street, crashing into a wall. Deku crumpled onto the pavement, a bewildered expression on his face. His danger sense hadn't detected a thing.
This wasn't a hostile action.
"...They're protecting someone."
"Hey buddy, are you okay?!" Two nearby heroes rushed over to offer their assistance, but Deku swiftly brushed off the debris from his shoulders and darted back toward the building.
As he sprinted, he turned and shouted over his shoulder, "They're protecting someone!"
"What do you mean?! You're gonna get yourself killed!"
More tentacles erupted from the Earth, now forming a formidable barrier around the abandoned structure. Deku shifted his focus to the building and yelled, "HEY! WE'RE NOT HERE TO HURT YOU!"
For the briefest of moments, the thrashing tentacles ceased their wild movements, as if his words had reached their intended recipient. In that fleeting instant, he almost broke through to them. But alas, the attacks resumed once again.
"I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE," he continued to shout, "TO HAVE A QUIRK YOU CAN'T CONTROL." He cautiously approached the building once more, sensing the tentacles easing up on their attacks. A hero behind him brandished a water-gun like weapon, but Deku waved them off, signalling them to step aside. With his hands raised in surrender, he removed the bunny hood from his head and pulled down his mask, "IT'S POWERFUL, AND THAT CAN BE SCARY," he took a few more tentative steps closer. "BUT I'M GOING TO DO MY BEST TO HELP YOU."
The tentacles slowed down significantly, until they transformed into mere puddles of inky black ooze on the ground encircling the building. Carefully, he stepped over one of the puddles and gently pushed open the broken door. "You don't have to worry, because I am here."
As the door swung open, revealing the dim interior, Deku scanned his surroundings for any signs of life. There, amidst the shadows, he spotted her. A young girl, she couldn't have been any older than six, huddled in a corner. The fear on her face was heartbreaking.
He approached her cautiously, and spoke in a soothing voice. "Hey there, it's alright. I'm here to help you."
The girl blinked, her gaze unfocused through the tears. She whispered softly, her voice quivering, "Did… Did I hurt someone?"
Deku's heart ached at the words, realising the trauma she must have endured. He kneeled down to her level, maintaining a gentle distance, and replied, "No, you didn't. I'm a hero, I'm here to keep you safe."
She regarded him carefully, a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. "I…Couldn't control it, it scared me, and I didn't want to hurt anyone…"
His expression softened, he understood this predicament all too well. Reaching out a hand, he held his palm upwards, and offered her reassurance. "I know what it's like. Sometimes, quirks can be overwhelming, especially when we're young. But you don't have to be afraid anymore. I'm here to help you."
She was hesitant, but desperate for some semblance of guidance and a kind face. The girl extended her hand, trembling fingers finding their place in Izukus. "Promise?"
Deku smiled, "Promise." With newfound trust between them, Deku was able to gently lift the girl off the floor and pull her into a comforting embrace. "Now, let's get you out of here, alright?"
She nodded, burying her face in his shoulder. Together, he carried her out of the building, the remnants of black puddles dissipating into nothingness. The heroes who had watched from a distance approached cautiously, surprised to see the small girl in Deku's care.
As he walked away from the scene, the girl spoke, just loud enough for him to hear. "Thank you for saving me."
Deku found himself momentarily lost in his thoughts, reflecting on events. Yesterday, he had delved deep into his research on the Children's Quirk Helpline. He recalled the tale of a child who desperately needed help but didn't receive it, the testimonials from those who had been failed by the very institutions that had been put in place to help them. It was like a light bulb suddenly lit up in his mind. What was the use of all his flashy heroics if society's most vulnerable, the children, were left to fend for themselves?
They needed guidance, care, and support that they weren't getting. Had it always been this way? How many villains could have taken a different path if only they had an adult who would listen? He had a decision to make, he knew that now. But whatever he chose to do, he had made up his mind to help.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he replied,"Thank you, for saving me."
—
In his office, Deku sat surrounded by papers, contemplating his thoughts. Was he seriously considering this? Before he could delve any deeper into his musings, the booming sound of his heroics partner's landing on the balcony interrupted him.
Bakugo forcefully slid open the glass door and entered the room, leaving behind muddy footprints and stray bits of nature clinging to his hair. "What's up, you shitty nerd?" he casually remarked, heading towards the scoreboard to make some marks. Izuku simply greeted him with a small wave, reclining in his chair and rubbing his eyes wearily.
"Kacchan, do you think we're making enough of a difference?"
Bakugo squinted his eyes., "What the hell are you talking about, Deku? I'm doing more than enough!"
Deku shook his head. "I mean, really creating lasting change."
"You thinking of going into politics now?"
Leaning forward and spinning around to face his friend, Izuku replied, "No, quirk counselling. I think I want to pursue it."
Bakugo abruptly halted, his face displaying a mix of surprise and disbelief. "What? Are you serious? You're going to give up being a hero and play therapist for some brats?!"
He shook his head again, "No, not exactly, at least not yet… I don't know!" He rubbed his eyes again, trying to understand his own thought process. "Being a hero isn't just physical strength. It's about making a difference, and right now there's a glaring gap in support for young children with powerful quirks. I want to change that! Can you understand where I'm coming from?"
Bakugo's initial resistance softened, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "You stupid nerd, Deku… You really think you can make a difference? God, what even brought this on?!"
Izuku let out a sigh. "I helped this six-year-old girl today. She was terrified, completelypetrifiedof her own quirk. It was incredible though - she could summon these tentacles out of the ground and control them allindependently! Strong enough to flip cars! Her mother told me that they were gardening at home when her quirk spiralled out of control, something frightened her and the tentacles smashed a fence. She never hurt a soul, but her fear drove her to run away. When I asked about her previous counselling, her mother said she had never received any. They always considered her a 'low priority' because they assumed she had control…"
Bakugo stayed silent, engrossed in Izuku's words.
"These kids deserve a chance to understand and embrace their quirks without fear. And damn it, I'm not going to stop until they get the support they need."
A scowl formed on Bakugo's face as he crossed his arms. "...Fine. Do whatever the hell you want, Deku. But don't think for a second I'll let you slack off! You better become damn good at it!"
A grateful smile curled up on Izuku's lips. "Trust me, Kacchan. I won't rest until I've become the best quirk counsellor out there."
"Good, because if you're not, I'll kick your ass again!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way, buddy."
Just as they were engrossed in their conversation, an unexpected voice crackled through the intercom on Izuku's desk. "Excuse me, Mr. Midoriya? Shiho passed along the information you requested."
A spark of excitement ignited within Izuku. "Oh, fantastic! Please send it over right away!" This was the information he had been waiting for, regarding the young boy with the light emitter quirk. If he could successfully help resolve this issue, it would be a great start to his new path.
Even Bakugo couldn't help but notice the renewed interest Izuku had in this particular case. He grabbed a drink from the fridge and headed back to the balcony to resume his patrol. At least Izuku wouldn't have to worry about there being a shortage of heroes out there fighting crime if he decided to pursue his new career.
The email containing the information Izuku needed was already sitting in his inbox waiting to be perused. Eagerly, he clicked open the message and scanned its contents. Almost immediately, he knew exactly who to reach out to for assistance. He quickly dialled the number and impatiently waited for the other person to pick up.
"Hello?" came the voice on the other end of the line.
"Toru, hi! It's Izuku," he greeted, excitement evident in his voice.
"Izuku?! Oh my god, how are you?!" Hagakure exclaimed.
"I'm doing good, thanks! How are things on your end?"
"Oh you know, same old same old." she replied. "Life's been pretty quiet down by the shore, not like your big city life. You should come hang out with us some time!"
A smile formed on Izuku's face as he continued the conversation,"It's actually funny you should say that, because I need some help with something."
Toru's curiosity piqued. "Ooh, a case?"
He laughed, "Something like that, yeah. There's a woman I work with, and her friend has a little brother who has been facing some serious challenges with his quirk,"
"Oh no! That sounds tough," she empathised in return.
"It really is," Izuku agreed. "His quirk is light emission, but he can't control the intensity, and it's having a significant impact on his daily life. So, I started thinking to myself, who do I know who's an expert in redirecting and manipulating light?"
"Izuku, you just tell me where to go and I'll be there. I'll do everything I can to help."
A sense of relief washed over him upon hearing her support. "That's the lucky thing, he actually lives in your town! If I send you the address, is there a chance you could go talk with him and lend him a hand?"
"Absolutely! Consider it done," the invisible hero responded without hesitation.
Izuku's gratitude shone through in his voice as he replied, "Thank you so much, Toru. I knew I could count on you. I'll send you all the details right away."
The two of them kept on talking for a while longer, and Izuku found himself telling her all about his grand plans for the future. Luckily, she was completely supportive and promised to keep it quiet for the time being. Izuku knew this journey he was about to embark on wouldn't be a walk in the park. Balancing his hero duties, studying, and diving headfirst into a whole new career was going to be tough, but he was willing to put the work in.
But above all, he just hoped Toshinori would be okay with it.
—
The next day greeted Izuku with a beaming sun, casting a soothing aura over both himself and the bustling city. He took a sip of the steaming black coffee sitting before him, a habit he had picked up back in high school thanks to the persuasive powers of Mei Hatsume and Hitoshi Shinso. Nowadays, he couldn't function properly without a good dose of caffeine in his system. Public coffeeshops weren't exactly his thing, but he deliberately chose this spot because it held a special significance - it was close to where All Might had first entrusted him with One For All.
A few years had passed since the unforgettable events in Kamino Ward. The weight of All Might's legacy hadn't faded entirely, but people were starting to call him Mr. Yagi more often than All Might, a change that the older man greatly appreciated. It was a relief for him to be able to visit public places without being swarmed by the press. Perhaps it was due to the local support he received as a frontline aid worker during the post-war reconstruction efforts. He ordered himself his usual cup of hot water, a drink he became oddly accustomed to during the worst of his illness, and joined Izuku at the table.
"It's so good to see you, my boy." Yagi smiled warmly, even in his skeletal form the man's smile held some magical calming property.
Standing from his chair, Izuku forced his mentor into a lingering hug. "It's been far too long, Toshinori."
"Gran's funeral," he confirmed, a hint of sadness in his voice.. "I'm sorry I couldn't come down here sooner. The moment I got your message, I dropped everything in Tokyo."
"I'm sorry too, I should call more often," Izuku started, but Toshinori stopped him with a cough-like laugh.
"I'd say being the number one hero is a good enough reason!" he exclaimed.
"Co-number one," Izuku politely corrected. "But that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about." Leaning over to his side, he picked up a folder of papers that Toshinori hadn't noticed and placed them on the table.
Toshinori grew concerned. "This seems serious, is everything alright my boy?"
"Are you familiar with CQH? The Children's Quirk Helpline?" Izuku asked.
"Only by name. Personally I haven't had much involvement with them. Why do you ask?"
Izuku gave a wry smile, "I'm shutting them down." Toshinori's confused face prompted Izuku to pass with a collection of printouts, newspaper articles, and forum posts that exposed the neglectful practices of the CQH.
As he flipped through the pages, Toshinori's concern grew more visible, "How far back do these testimonials go?"
"At least since my time at UA, and some even before. I never had a quirk counsellor myself for… Obvious reasons, so I never realised the extent of their negligence."
"It's troubling," The retired hero agreed. "What do you plan to do?"
"This," Izuku declared, pulling out a stack of stapled papers from his folder, bearing the title 'Hosu University - Quirk Counselling Course (Part Time)'
Toshinori read through the information while Izuku provided context. "It's a two-year course held in the evenings and weekends, and I'll have to move to Hosu for the duration. But I've done my research, and they're the best option."
His mentor furrowed his brow, with a slight hint of concern. "The best option?"
"For me to retrain and get my degree. I fulfil the prerequisite admission requirements, and within five years I'll be able to open my own practice. Once I shut down the CQH, I plan to fill the void with an organisation of my own." Izuku handed over more pages, outlining his comprehensive five year plan, from graduation to acquiring a property and hiring additional staff.
"How long have you been considering this? You've put in a lot of work," Toshinori asked, still studying the papers before him.
"Two days." Izuku answered with a serious expression. "This is the right path for me, Toshinori. I truly believe that. But I can't pursue it in good conscience without your blessing."
After a moment of silence, Toshinori neatly stacked the papers on the table and looked up at Izuku. He could see the fire in his eyes, the same fire that drove him to become a hero when they first met.
"Izuku, you know I'll always be proud of you. You've done amazing things as a hero, and you've inspired so many people. I'm honoured to have passed on One For All to you." Toshinori said, his voice cracking slightly. Izuku could feel his eyes filling with tears again, damn Midoriya curse. "So you should know that I'll always support you, no matter what you decide to do. If this is what you truly want, then I'll give you my blessing and support you in any way I can." Toshinori finished, smiling warmly.
Izuku wiped the tears away from his eyes, gave a little embarrassed laugh and simply said "Thank you."
The beginnings of the path ahead were laid out before him, but he still had a few months of preparation before he could truly dive in.
Plenty of time to dismantle a corrupt company.
It was time for Izuku to give Principal Nezu a call