"Ah." I muttered as I woke up in a place with a familiar ceiling. I felt what was under me was something that I had grown accustomed to resting on whenever I got too hurt. That's right! A hospital bed! C-Could it be?! Could that nightmare have been all just a dream?! Could All Might still be alive and we-
"Oh good, you're awake. Mr. Izuku Midoriya, how are you feeling right now?" The voice of someone unfamiliar went through my ears as I was able to see that it came from a young woman dressed in scrubs. She must be one of the new nurses. That makes sense after all the devastation that occurred in Japan that they would need all hands-on deck to administer relief for the injured.
"I'm feeling ok. But where's Al- I spoke only to bite my tongue as the hospital bed next to me was vacant. It was then that I was reminded of the scene from that horrible day that I'll never forget. A dark room that was only being lit by the moon outside, and a fist protruding from All Might's back soaked in the latter's blood as all I could do was watch pathetically as my hero succumbed to de-
"Midoriya-San?! A-Are you really ok?!" The nurse yelled out as I was brought back to reality. Once again, I was just trying to fool myself. I didn't want to believe a world like that could come to pass. But I'm not stupid. It was all too real to just be a dream. But even still I had to know the truth. Just where am I now?
"I-I'll be alright. Just please… please answer me this. Where am I?" I asked with a serious expression on my face as I prepared myself for what I was about to hear. The nurse's eyes went wide but she quickly regained her composure seeing the look on my face. She then gulped before resuming talking.
"This is Advanced Nurturing High School." The nurse replied as everything became crystal clear. Such a school did not exist in my world that much I would have been aware of because I was made aware of all the schools that did not have the 'Hero Course' where students are taught to become the world's next heroes. Not only that-
'U.A.? I've never heard of it. I assume it must be some new high school?' But that girl was not aware of the existence of U.A. High School, something that anyone who lived in Japan would more or less be aware of. This and the fact that she hadn't even heard of All Might, a name that is renowned throughout the entire world. Combining these facts could only lead to one possible answer…
… I'm not in my world anymore. I'm in another world. A world without any heroes to speak of.
"That's right. I remember now. My mind was a bit foggy, but I remember everything clearly now. Thank you for everything." I spoke as I stood up from the hospital bed and bowed toward the nurse who was taken aback by my actions.
"I-It's no trouble at all! If you don't mind waiting, I'll call the Head Doctor back here. He left only a few minutes ago to take his scheduled afternoon lunch break but I'm sure it won't trouble him. That way he would be able to- The nurse spoke but I cut her off before she could finish.
"Sorry, but I'll be leaving now. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be just fine." I replied as I began walked toward the door and was about to leave the hospital room behind but before I could-
"Wait just a moment! Take these." The nurse spoke as I glanced back at her to see her holding some papers.
"And these are?" I asked as I had no clue why she would be giving me some papers. Perhaps I had to sign some stuff?
"This is the homework for your class. One of the girls in your class brought them here. She seemed pretty worried about you. Oh, and she told me to tell you to make sure to come to class tomorrow." The nurse spoke as she handed me the homework assignments. I nodded before grasping them and leaving the room without so much as another word.
I aimlessly walked down the streets as I left the school behind. Only then did I realize that this school wasn't located in any of the cities of Japan that I had come to know. Advanced Nurturing High School was on an island that was several miles away from one of the cities of Japan, perhaps Tokyo if I were to guess. Instead, this school along with many buildings where you can buy food and apartment buildings where you can sleep, was effectively a mini city. That would have impressed me back in the day but now, it just makes me feel even more isolated from everything else. Maybe a city like Musutafu exists in this Japan? I can literally see my home country and yet…
… It's so far away.
I kept moving forward as I approached one of the several apartment buildings. In the pack of papers that I was given by the nurse that I had assumed was just homework assignments at first turned out to include the specific apartment building that I'm being allowed to stay at as well as the room number. It didn't take me much longer to secure a key by the man at the front desk. He too was concerned about my well-being upon giving me the key. Why? Why does everyone seem to care about me here? I don't even belong here or anywhere else anymore.
'Click.' I opened the door to my apartment room after traversing the steel stairs that led to my new home. Except, that I doubt I'll ever think of this place as 'home.' No. It's just as that person within the world that used to contain the predecessors of One For All said-
'Izuku Midoriya… behold! In a matter of moments, you will come face to face with your own personal hell! For everything that you and those despicable heroes have done, consider this my revenge! Hahaha!' This is truly my personal hell.
'Knock. Knock.' Someone knocked on my door. I didn't know who and wasn't aware of what time it was or what day it was as I lay on my bed. That knocking occurred a few more times with what seemed like the passing of each day until it eventually stopped. Good. I don't want to hear anything anymore. I don't want to talk anymore. I don't want to eat anymore. I don't want to do anything anymore. I just want everything to end already.
'Beep.' The sound of a notification that could have only come from my phone made me want to pick it up and smash it to the ground but upon accidentally touching its screen I noticed that it was a text that came from 'Tsubasa.' Out of boredom or perhaps a hint of curiosity I checked the text and noticed that there was something for me to download. I downloaded whatever that person sent me only to be surprised beyond my wildest imaginations.
'HAHAHAHAHA!' That laughter that I heard countless times from the world's greatest hero made my eyes shoot wide open upon hearing it. I must have seen that video well over a thousand times, that's why I recognized instantly as 'that' video.
'He's laughing!' Someone among the crowd said as All Might stood on top of a bunch of debris carrying several people on his back and arms under a red sky full of smoke. But even among all the devastation and chaos, he was smiling.
'It's fine now. Why?' All Might spoke as I knew what words he would say next-
'… Because I'm here.' All Might finished with what would become his signature catchphrase as tears slid down my cheeks. Not tears of joy like I had shed many times in the past upon viewing this video that made me All Might's number one fan overnight, but tears of pain, anguish, and regret. Because even when I was at my lowest point possible and about to be killed by a massive villain…
… All Might was there to save me.
As a result, it cost him his life. He had risked everything to save me and ensure that I would continue being a hero only for it to end exactly the same way it would have been if he didn't intervene. My future and his were both irreversibly destroyed. It was all for nothing. If only he hadn't intervened, then All Might would still be alive…
'That's why no matter what happens to you, I'll be there to help fight fate!' That's what I told All Might upon learning of his future. What a sick joke. I couldn't save All Might even after I promised to fight Fate with him. That's why…
… It's all my fault. A Quirkless nobody like me robbed the world's true greatest hero of his life. I don't deserve to live. I was the one who should have died. If only I stood back up and fought, then maybe that monster would have killed me in an act of defending itself. That would have been a better future for everyone involved. At least then All Might wouldn't have died for nothing. Why the hell am I even still al-
'Grumble.' My stomach made sure to let me know that it needed food after not receiving any for days. So what? Why should I even ea-
'There is pork chop in it. That should replenish your strength.' The words of All Might resonated with me from one of my darkest days. It was his words that kept me going and now-
"… Guess I'll eat some food." I muttered quietly as I stood up for the first time in a while as I left my room behind. But upon leaving, I noticed a stack of papers, I didn't bat an eye as I tossed them into my apartment. But upon doing so something else landed on the floor.
"Huh?" But there ended up being something inside the stack of papers as I noticed a student id with my name and face on it. I was smiling. I couldn't dare to look at someone who seemed so utterly unrecognizable. In response I closed my eyes and left the apartment. After that, I ended up buying a small bento at a convenience store. Not because I was hungry but because I didn't want to disappoint All Might any more than I already have. I was then as I walked past a vending machine as the dark night sky lay above me that my fate changed once more.
"Suzune. I didn't expect you to follow me here." The voice of someone I didn't recognize went through my eardrums as I stopped dead in my tracks.
'Who's that?' I thought to myself as I peered behind a wall and noticed a male student that appeared to be a year or two older than me talking with a female student. Wait… that girl! She's the one from-
'If you're trying to be funny, don't bother. I could care less about your shallow attempts at humor. If you want to joke around with someone, go talk to anyone but me, do you understand?' Her cold words resonated with me as it was none other than the same one from the bus. I quietly sighed as she would probably be bothered if she saw me again so I should just go home. But before I could-
"Brother… I'm not the failure I was back then. I came here to catch up with you." The girl protested in a voice that was unlike anything I had heard from her before. It wasn't the confident almost robotic voice that I had listened to before but one that was anxious to prove something. I instinctively decided to see how this would play out. But if he's her brother then maybe I shouldn't be watching this-
"Catch up? You still haven't even realized your own shortcomings. You were a fool to choose this school." The girl's brother declared as he adjusted his glasses as the former could only stare at the latter with a pained look on her face.
"I'll reach Class A soon! When I do…" But even still that same girl tried to prove to her brother that she could catch up to him. But before she could finish-
"Impossible." The brother declared once more as I found his stern refusal of his sister's wishes agonizing to watch as I unknowingly balled up my fists as the girl's hopes and dreams were crushed by the person she called 'brother.'
"I will… make it there." In spite of that she spoke her wishes once more with a sorrowful expression on her face as I realized who this really was. All this girl wanted was to be alongside the person she admired most. In that respect, we are the same.
"What an unreasonable sister you are…" Her brother said before pushing his sister against the wall.
"Ah!" The girl groaned in pain as she was definitely hurt by her brother's aggressive behavior. I then gritted my teeth as I looked for someone to stop this guy but there was no one in view. It would take a few minutes for me to get back to the convenience store and then get back here! Damn it!
"My little sister assigned to Class D… and I'm the one who bears the shame of it. Leave this school right now." The older brother demanded with a voice as cold as ice.
"Brother… I…" The younger sister tried to give out one last rebuttal, but it was no use.
"You have neither the right nor the ability to aim for something higher." The brother declared as he glared daggers at his younger sister. There's no time! I just have to find somebody to save he-
"You must learn…" The older brother spoke once more as he clenched his fist while his sister could only close her eyes as it became clear that this wasn't the first time he laid his hands on her. That realization was my last thought until before I knew it, I was gripping that bastard's hand with my own.
"Huh? Y-You are- The girl spoke with a look of genuine surprise on her face as she did not see this coming. Even her brother was equally surprised as he could not have seen this happening in a million years.
"That's enough! Get your hands off her right now!" I declared with a shout as I grasped the brother's hand as hard as I could without breaking it. I could certainly break it right now and who knows? It might even make me feel good. But it wouldn't make her feel good. Not in the slightest. That's why I held back for that reason alone. But soon her surprise dwindled and was replaced by-
"S-Stop it… please.' The girl muttered quietly with a pained expression. Her words and the look on her face made me lose my grip as I questioned myself if I made the right decision. But before I knew it-
'Whooosh!' The older brother had attempted to punch me! I narrowly dodged his attack! But then came a kick that I also just barely dodged!
'Tch. Guess I got rusty with however long I had been in this world for.' I thought internally as I began analyzing the opponent in front of me. He's about thirteen centimeters taller than me. His attacks are pretty quick for someone who doesn't have a quirk. He seems to be adapted to martial arts. Perhaps judo or karate. He's certainly at the top of the totem pole when it comes to fighters in this school. If I was born here, then I'd probably lose against him. I analyzed the situation in milliseconds, my opponent realized this as he blinked his eyes in surprise before resuming his fighting stance. He attempted to land a blow onto me once more but before he could-
'WHOOOOOOSH!' My left hand met his outstretched arm before he could graze me and even quicker than he could react! As for my right hand-
"SMASH!" I instinctively shouted the name of All Might's signature attack at the top of my lungs as my fist hit my opponent right in his chest!
"Tch." My opponent clicked his tongue as I thought I had landed a solid blow, but I only grazed him. I stared down at him with daggers in my eyes as I wished for nothing more for this guy to get what he deserves, a knuckle sandwich. But it was then that I heard something-
'Do you wish to obliterate him?' A voice that sounded like it came from an older man who had gone through his own share of hardships asked me as my eyes blinked in surprise.
"Obliterate?" I muttered to myself out of confusion as I looked around me to see if anyone was nearby but there wasn't a single soul around me besides my opponent and the girl. At least not one that I could see. I was completely caught off guard by the voice that the man had leaped several meters away from me and back toward the girl who had an utterly dumbfounded expression on her face.
"If you touch her, I'll- I spoke but I was cut off by the man before I could finish speaking.
"Just where in the hell did you learn to move like that?" The man questioned me as he was just as surprised as his sister that I managed to land a blow onto him.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I replied as I glared daggers at him as I found it revolting that an older brother would lay his hands on his younger sister. He seemed to pick up on that fact as he smirked.
"Before I go, I got to say you interest me…" The older brother spoke as he resumed his stoic expression that he had before as he waited for me to fill in the blank.
"Izuku Midoriya." I replied as I told him about my name without a care in the world.
"Izuku Midoriya. I won't be forgetting that name anytime soon, I can assure you of that." The older brother spoke as he began walking away from the scene. But to my surprise he stopped in his tracks.
"Leave now or else." I threatened him as I instinctively rushed to his younger sister's side and stood in front of her.
"Suzune. I'm genuinely surprised to see you made a friend. Or perhaps… you've replaced me as your hero with Midoriya-San." The older brother spoke as he adjusted his glasses.
"H-Hero?! H-He's just a classmate!" The younger sister refuted her brother's claims with a look of shock on her face.
"As usual you've mistaken isolation for independence. Suzune. If you want to ascend to a higher class, struggle with every ounce of strength you have." The older brother finished as he walked away and vanished into the darkness of the night.
'Ascend to a higher class? Just what is this school?' I thought internally with what was surely a dumbfounded look on my face. But then…
"I-I don't understand. Why did you stand up for me?" The girl asked with a look of regret on her face as if she didn't deserve to be saved. It was then that everything became clear once more. This girl and I really were similar.
"Because giving help when you don't need to…" I spoke but paused for a second as I closed my eyes. That's right. How could I be so stupid? That's why All Might saved me. Not because he wanted to die, but because protecting people is what makes a hero who they are. It was just like that day when I fought against the sludge villain without a quirk. I instinctively protected this girl I don't even know because it's the right thing to do. No. Because it's what a-
"… Is the essence of being a hero." I replied with a bright smile on my face. How long has it been since I last genuinely smiled? Since I genuinely felt like living again? Man, it's felt like a long time.
"H-Hero? What a joke. If that's your attempt at a pickup line, you should just get out of here before I make you regret it." The girl replied as she held up a pen as she was certainly contemplating stabbing (Poking) me with it once more.
"Wait! I-I'm not kidding! Y-You got to believe me!" I yelled out as I kneeled down toward the girl and bowed toward her with my head on the concrete.
"A-Are you for real?! J-Jeez. Get up already." The girl replied in a surprised tone of voice as she extended her hand forward. I blinked my eyes in surprise as I grasped it and she pulled me back up. We stood like that for a few seconds until she realized we were still holding hands and she pulled her hand away.
"Crap! Sorry! I-I didn't meant to hold onto your ha- I spoke but before I could finish speaking-
"Suzune Horikita." The girl replied.
"… Huh?" I spoke with a confused expression as I tilted my head and blinked a few times.
"That's my name. Don't forget it… Midoriya-san." The girl named Suzune replied with a stoic look on her face that resembled her brother's expression. Huh. I guess the siblings have similar tendencies.
"You better not have forgotten about the homework I've given you. And don't you dare miss another day of class or you'll probably be expelled for missing more than five days of class." Suzune spoke as I realized that she must have been the girl who left that homework assignment at the nurse's office. Wait a second…
'Oh crap! I missed an entire week of class?!' I thought internally as my eyes bulged out while my jaw dropped to ground.
"So… make sure to come to class tomorrow, ok?" Suzune asked me as she faced the other direction.
"Haha." I chuckled to myself.
"W-What?" Suzune replied, still facing the opposite direction.
"… You really are a good person." I replied with a smile on my face.
"Hmph. Being a good person won't get you anywhere in this school. Be ready to face some vultures who will be ready to rip you in two for being a 'good person.'" Suzune replied as she swept her bangs behind her ear.
'Holy crap! There are vultures here?! Where?!' I thought internally as I looked around with what was surely a look of freight.
"Oh, one more thing…" Suzune continued as I looked at her. She stopped speaking for a few seconds until-
"… Thanks for saving me. I appreciate it." Suzune finished as she walked away and vanished from view. I stood there for just a little bit longer as I marveled at her. This world might not have heroes. But there are still good people like her. But on the flipside, there are bad people like her brother. It really is just like my world…
… So, you know what? … I'm going to be a hero here. Yeah. I've already decided. This world just like any other has people in it who need to be protected at all costs. That's why I'm going to be a hero in a world where there are no heroes. I smiled to myself as I made that solemn vow that I will fulfill no matter what happens. But one last thing-
"… Thank you All Might." I muttered to myself as in that moment I was truly glad All Might protected me to the bitter end. I might not have been able to save him in the end. But I can protect the people here from whatever threats lie here. After all…
… That's what being a hero is.
Chapter 1: Izuku Midoriya: Restart
But unbeknownst to me at the time, there was someone watching me. No. It was another one of those monsters called 'Nomu.' A flying variant to be exact and everything it was seeing was being shown to someone else. The villain that has made sure to disguise himself as someone from this world. When in fact…
… He's someone from my world.
"Hmm. Impressive. That kid knows how to bounce back real quick, doesn't he? Haah. He's always been that way. Ever since I told him that he was Quirkless and never had a shot at becoming a hero, he still had hope that he would become one. And even now with the death of his beloved mentor, he still has that heroic spirit of his. Hahaha." A man within the shadows laughed quietly after speaking to no one in particular.
"… Oh… I'm so going to love destroying that heroic spirit of yours, Izuku Midoriya." The man finished as his face was briefly visible as he could be seen wearing goggles with a thick mustache on his face as well as clothing belonging to a doctor. Midoriya hadn't seen this man since he was a kid, but the doctor had known of him for quite some time as All Might's successor. How could a Quirkless kid have become the Ninth User of One For All and the man who brought an end to both Shigaraki and All For One? He didn't know. But he knew this…
… He was going to avenge the only person he thought of as a friend by destroying the man who ended his friend's life. That was the wish of the man, no. The monster named Kyudai Garaki. It was then that several events were set in motion that would change the Fate of this world the two outsiders have found themselves in as well as the Fates of everyone involved. This was the beginning of that story. Meanwhile…
"… Izuku… Midoriya…." Another person muttered as they were obscured by shadows while their voice contained subtle intrigue in it after hearing the words of the doctor. Who is this person? Only time will tell. But they will undoubtedly play a role within this story. But the time for them to appear was not yet at hand as things had only just begun.
To Be Continued…
Next chapter: Smashing into Advanced Nurturing High School!
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!