Momo Yaoyorozu, a tall and elegant girl with black hair styled into a spiky ponytail, stood frozen, her wide eyes locked onto City center B. Her onyx-coloured eyes, wide with awe at the fake city below.
Down below in the middle of the city, the Zero Pointer had been reduced to molten wreckage, obliterated by an intense wave of heat. The sight was mesmerizing, but what struck her most was the one responsible for it.
Her father, Hiroto Yaoyorozu, had insisted on attending the U.A. Entrance Exam to observe someone who had apparently saved his life-someone he had described as "strange." Momo hadn't expected much from the boy, her mind preoccupied with the possibility of catching a glimpse of Shoto Todoroki.
The son of the No. 2 hero, Endeavor. Todoroki's cool, composed demeanor and incredible power fascinated her, and if she were honest, she found herself swooning a little whenever he was around.
He was handsome, after all, and there most promising U.A student that would grace there halls. She had hoped that during the exam, they might grow closer, or perhaps exchange numbers.
To her disappointment, Todoroki had remained distant, even turning down her offer to exchange contact information with a blunt "No." The rejection had stung more than she cared to admit. But even though she couldn't help but want to get closer to him he was like their boys in her novels, aloof with and a prodigy.
Shifting her attention to the boy her father had spoken of-Midoriya-she found her expectations low.
He seemed so plain, timid even, and she couldn't fathom how he could have done anything impressive enough to save her father. Yet, as the exam progressed, those assumptions were quickly shattered.
Midoriya, whom her father had pointed out, unleashed devastating sonic blasts that tore through the robots like paper. His performance was nothing short of incredible. Each wave of destruction sent shockwaves through the testing grounds, his movements precise and determined. Momo's heart skipped a beat-this wasn't the timid boy she had first thought. He was something much more.
As the massive Zero Pointer appeared, she watched in stunned silence. The force of a shockwave sent Midoriya crashing into a building, and in an instant.
"He let his guard down. Judging by his smaller stature, he must have taken considerable damage," she remarked, her analytical mind kicking in despite the growing tension.
But what happened next left her speechless. Green lightning crackled around Midoriya as he stood, his eyes fierce with resolve. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the colossal robot, the thing was over 20 stories and he was heading straight towards like a bolt of lighting.
"Wait, I thought his quirk was transformation into that small sonic form," she murmured, perplexed.
Her father's eyes narrowed, intrigued. "It seems he has multiple abilities."
Momo's breath caught in her throat. "Multiple abilities? But... only dual quirk users can do that. Is he like Todoroki?"
Before she could process the thought, Midoriya slammed his wristwatch, transforming again-this time into a being of molten magma and fire. In seconds, he melted the Zero Pointer's massive arm as if it were nothing.
"That's... impossible," Momo whispered, her heart racing as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing. "He can wield fire too? But his previous forms were based on sonic waves and... something like cloning. How can one person have such a range of abilities?"
Her father, ever the scholar, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Momo, this boy's quirk may be more versatile than even yours."
But watching Midoriya switch between such vastly different forms left her in awe. She had never seen anything like it. She then watched in awe and incredulously as he began battling with the 20 stories metal machine. It was baffling and terrfying watching the flaming form of Izuku Midoriya facing against a gigantic zero pointer.
"Why would he do this during an exam? He's wasting valuable time on an opponent that doesn't even offer points," Momo pointed out, her voice still laced with confusion.
Her father gestured toward the scene below."Look over there."
Momo followed his gaze to a group of students, including a brunette and a frog-like girl, clearly in need of help. "He's trying to save them."
Her brow furrowed. "But... U.A. wouldn't put students in real danger. He's risking his performance just to rescue them."
Her father smiled slightly. "Perhaps that's what he intends to show-to go beyond the points. A true hero saves others, even when it doesn't benefit them."
Momo fell silent, her heart thudding in her chest as she watched Midoriya transform once more.
This time he turned to Heatblast he ignited his arm in a burst of flames, delivering a cataclysmic punch that sent a blinding light across the battlefield. The upper half of the Zero Pointer melted into a pool of slag, its massive form collapsing with a resounding crash.
Momo's pulse quickened as she watched him, unable to tear her gaze away. The raw power, left her breathless. She had thought Todoroki's power was unmatched, but now she found herself equally captivated by Midoriya.
"Incredible..." she whispered, her voice soft, a mix of awe and something else-a stirring she hadn't expected.
Momo's gaze followed Heatblast as he hovered in the air, her eyes gleaming with awe. For a brief moment, the sheer spectacle of his power captivated her, but that admiration quickly turned to alarm when, in a sudden red flash, he transformed back into his human form and began plummeting toward the ground.
Both Momo and her father widened their eyes in surprise as the boy hurtled uncontrollably toward the Earth. Momo gasped, bringing both hands to her mouth, her heart racing. Thankfully, the brown-haired girl and the frog-like girl intervened just in time, using their quirks to save him from a disastrous fall. Momo let out a relieved breath, her tension easing as the exam finally came to a halt.
"An intriguing young man," her father observed calmly. "Smart, resourceful."
Momo, however, was more measured in her assessment, her brow furrowed slightly. "In a word, reckless. He seems to lack full control over his abilities-just look at his shock when he transformed back. He ended up needing to be rescued by the very people he was supposed to save. And beyond that, he squandered precious time and energy fighting the Zero Pointer. It would have been far more efficient to simply carry those girls to safety, rather than engaging in a futile battle."
She paused, her tone tinged with disapproval. "His final attack, while undeniably powerful, was excessive. The scale of it could have easily endangered other examinees. He should have exercised more restraint-an attack of that magnitude is not something to be used lightly."
Despite her critique, Momo's expression softened as her gaze lingered on Midoriya, now walking alongside Recovery Girl. "That said, his decision to sacrifice his points in order to save them was... noble, in its own way. His initial strategy was sound-he used his clone form effectively to take down as many robots as possible. There's a certain brilliance to his approach, even if it's somewhat chaotic."
Her father nodded thoughtfully. "True. He has much to learn, but the foundation is there."
...
"I feel fine. Really, I do,"
Izuku insisted, his hands fidgeting in his lap as he sat in a wooden chair in Recovery Girl's office. He had just completed the entrance exam and was still processing everything that had happened. He knew he'd done well-at least, he thought so-but going after the zero-pointer had cost him all his points. The adrenaline rush was still wearing off, leaving him more exhausted than he wanted to admit.
"Nonsense," Recovery Girl huffed, raising a finger. "Unless you've earned a medical degree and a hero license in the last five minutes, you'll listen to the professional here, young man. Now, we're just waiting on Edward."
"Edward?" Izuku blinked in confusion, furrowing his brow as he shifted in his seat. "Who's Edward?"
"Nezu brought in some new staff for reasons he hasn't fully explained," Recovery Girl said with a shrug. "Edward-well, White-is my new assistant."
"Edward White?" Izuku repeated, the name ringing a faint bell in his memory. "That name sounds familiar..."
Just then, the door creaked open, and a tall man with light hair and glasses walked in, a ring of keys jingling softly at his waist. He had an air of calm authority about him, though his warm smile immediately put Izuku at ease. Recognition hit like a bolt of lightning.
"P-Principle White?!"
"Hello, Midoriya," the man greeted kindly, bowing slightly in respect. "It's been a while, hasn't it? You've grown so much. The last time I saw you, you were just this small." He held his hand a few feet off the ground, reminiscing.
Izuku's face lit up, and a wave of nostalgia washed over him. "Yeah... back in elementary school."
"And now look at you," White continued, beaming with pride. "Heading off to U.A. High, one of the most prestigious schools in the country."
'Principal White was always so kind back in elementary school,' Izuku said, a fond smile creeping across his face as he remembered.
"He always stood up for me. When students tried to bully me, he made sure they were punished. Kacchan never liked him... especially when he called me 'Deku.' Principal White made sure Kacchan got detention every time for that. The vice principal didn't think Kacchan should be punished because he was 'obviously going to be a great hero,' but Principal White wouldn't hear any of it."
Izuku chuckled softly, warmth spreading through his chest as old memories surfaced.
White chuckled as well, shaking his head. "I just did what I thought was right. Bullying's unacceptable, no matter who the student is."
"So... what are you doing here? And as a nurse's assistant?" Izuku asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Well," White replied, adjusting his glasses with a grin. "Nezu's an old friend of mine. He asked me to come back, and I thought, why not? Plus, it's a chance to work with Chiyo again."
"Chiyo?" Izuku blinked, glancing toward Recovery Girl.
She smiled knowingly. "His quirk complements mine perfectly."
"It does?" Izuku asked, surprised.
White stepped forward and placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder. Almost instantly, a surge of energy pulsed through him. His exhaustion lifted, and he felt like he'd just woken up from the most refreshing nap of his life.
"Woah!" Izuku gasped, sitting up straighter in his chair. "I get it now! When you heal someone, their stamina can still be drained, but White can replenish that! It's like... an endless cycle of healing and recovery!"
White nodded with a grin. "Exactly. It's not limitless, though. Using it too much can drain me instead."
Quirk Name: Revitalize
Present Mic: "This quirk allows the user to store energy within their body and transfer it to others by touch. The recipient instantly regains stamina and banishes fatigue. However, it's not infinite! Using it on too many people will cause the user to collapse from exhaustion!"
"Wow," Izuku said, his eyes wide with admiration. "You two are like the ultimate power couple when it comes to healing!"
"Thank you," Recovery Girl and White said in unison, both smiling.
"So... am I free to go?" Izuku asked, looking between them hopefully.
"Ed might've restored your stamina," Recovery Girl said, her tone softening slightly, "but you're still recovering. I recommend you stay for a few more minutes. You've been through a lot today, and your body needs the rest."
Before Izuku could protest, a rapid knock came from the door. It swung open, and Present Mic poked his head in, his usual energy barely contained. "Yo, Recovery Girl! Oh, and Midoriya! Sorry to barge in, but we've got another one!"
"Another one?" Izuku echoed, blinking in confusion.
"Transforming kid," a familiar voice rang from behind Present Mic. Izuku's eyes lit up as the figure stepped into view, her earphone jacks twirling playfully in her fingers.
"Jirou!" Izuku exclaimed, his exhaustion forgotten as he broke into a wide smile.
"Hey, Midoriya," Kyoka Jirou greeted, her lips quirking up in a small smile as she took a seat beside him. She leaned back in the chair, casually spinning her jacks before letting them rest.
...
Midoriya immediately noticed that one of her iconic earlobes was bruised and bleeding.
"Oh, what happened, deary?"
She twirled her good jack around her finger and responded, "I stuck my jack in one of the bots, but I couldn't get it out. When it fell down, it landed on my jack."
"Oh, you poor thing," Her lips stretched to the girl before placing a kiss on her cheek. A green aura enveloped her and her earlobe visibly healed.
"Oh, thank you." The girl gave a small bow.
"Of course, you're both free to go,"
Midoriya nodded, grabbed his backpack, and began to leave with the earphone jack. Recovery Girl, however, looked over some of the tests she did on Midoriya."Hmm. I should warn All Might and the boy, but I can't confirm it."
...
"It's been a while, green bean," Jirou said, her usual smirk tugging at her lips.
"Yeah... Oh, and thanks for standing up for me back there," Izuku replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "That guy was pretty intimidating."
"You?" Jirou raised an eyebrow. "You fought a giant weather kaiju that had All Might sweating, and you're scared of some buff nerd?" She let out a snicker as Izuku blushed.
"T-That's different," Izuku stammered, his cheeks still red.
"Oh, right," Jirou said with obvious sarcasm. "Because compared to a kaiju that could squish us like bugs, a random guy with a bad attitude was truly terrifying." She couldn't help but laugh, patting his back. "Come on, Midoriya. You can't let guys like that get to you. Though, I have to admit, you being a scaredy-cat is kinda hilarious."
"I wasn't scared! He just caught me off guard," Izuku muttered, sinking into himself.
"Sure, sure," Jirou teased, crossing her arms with a grin. "Because you totally didn't look like you were gonna wet yourself." When she saw him shrink even more, she softened. "Relax, I'm just messing with you."
"Still, that guy needed to be taken down a peg," she added, her tone a little more serious. "And hey, if anyone else tries anything, I've got your back, okay?" There was a slight blush on her cheeks as she said it.
Izuku blinked, a little surprised. It was rare for someone to tease him like this without any malice behind it. He found himself staring at Jirou, realizing how much fun it was-her sarcasm and bluntness didn't sting, they actually made him feel... lighter.
Noticing his gaze, Jirou's face suddenly turned red. She quickly looked away.
" "So, uh... how was the exam for you?" Jirou asked, awkwardly rubbing the back of her head. Her usual confidence seemed to falter for a moment as she glanced away.
Izuku flinched slightly but then realized something-if she took the exam, it meant she was on the hero track. His face brightened. "Oh, right! So, does that mean you finally told your parents you want to be a hero?"
Jirou hesitated for a second before giving a small smile. "Yeah... and you were right." Her expression softened, but then she gave him a wider, brighter smile that almost caught him off guard.
It wasn't often that she looked this happy, and it made Izuku smile feeling his heart flutter a little. "They actually support me. I can never thank you enough for pushing me to talk to them."
Izuku was taken aback for a moment, not used to seeing her like this. But then Jirou's eyes flickered down, her usual teasing persona fading as she clenched her fists.
"I know it's a long shot," she started, her voice quieter, "but I'm aiming for U.A. I want to be a hero-a hero who can bring smiles to people's faces."
As she said that, her bravado slipped for a moment, and she glanced at Izuku, her cheeks faintly red. "It's kinda embarrassing to say it out loud, but I figured I should be honest... right?" She laughed nervously.
"Though knowing you you probably dominated the entrance exam I kinda felt the heat from city centre and only can produce that much fire power."Jirou said with a smirk Izuku flinched again looking away.
"Though knowing you, you probably dominated the entrance exam," Jirou said with a smirk. "I could feel the heat from the city center, and I can barely generate that much firepower."
Izuku flinched at the comment, rubbing the back of his neck as he avoided her gaze. "I-I didn't do much... But I know you're getting in." He smiled shyly. "I'm really happy you're giving the hero course a try."
Jirou raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Huh? You barely know me. Heck, you don't even know my first name, and somehow, you think I'm getting into U.A. and that I'll be some great hero?" She crossed her arms and leaned in slightly, her face closer to his.
Izuku stammered, caught off guard by her bluntness. "Because..." He looked straight into her eyes, startled by how intense her gaze was. "When we first met, I overheard some guys talking about how you stood up for a quirkless kid." He glanced away, nervous. "And I know what happens when you defend someone everyone else sees as worthless-"
Before he could finish, Jirou's earphone jacks shot forward, stopping just inches from his face. He froze, his eyes wide as he gulped.
"Hey," she warned, her jacks hovering near his nose. "We're cool, but anyone who thinks someone's worthless just because they don't have a quirk is automatically an asshole. Even if it's you." Her eyes were sharp, but there was a protective look beneath the surface.
Izuku gulped, his heart pounding. "S-Sorry... I didn't mean it like that." He tried to gather himself, looking more serious. "I just... A hero, to me, is someone who stands up for what they believe in... even when it's hard." His voice softened. "And when I heard what you did, standing up for that kid... it made me think you've got what it takes to be a great hero."
Jirou blinked, her earphone jacks retracting as she stared at him, her heart racing unexpectedly. Her face started to flush as his words sank in. "I... I just told some jerks off," she muttered, turning away quickly. "It wasn't that big a deal. Just saw some idiot picking on a kid and gave them an earful, nothing heroic."
Izuku smiled softly, watching her try to brush it off. "Still... it says a lot about who you are."
Izuku's mind wandered to the friend who had always protected him from bullies. A constant presence in his life, someone who had always been there when he needed them most. But now, that friend was gone, leaving a void that Aldera seemed so much lonelier without.
Jirou's face grew even redder as she awkwardly rubbed her arm. "S-Shut up," she mumbled, her voice quieter as she tried to hide her embarrassment. "You're making it sound cooler than it was."
...
Izuku smiled at Jirou, trying to push away his lingering thoughts.
"Though with how the exam's structured, jerks like that are bound to fill the classroom," Jirou muttered, slumping in her stance.
Izuku's mind briefly flashed to Bakugou, imagining his usual maniacal grin. "If I failed... maybe I wouldn't have to see him again." The thought was oddly comforting, but he quickly shook it off.
"But..." Jirou's voice brought him back. "If we're in the same class, I guess I could bear having a few assholes around." She blushed slightly as she said it, and Izuku blinked, his own face heating up a bit.
Before he could respond, Jirou's face went crimson, and she quickly waved her hands in front of her. "N-Not that I meant I want you in my class or anything! Don't get the wrong idea!" Her words came out rushed, and she looked away, clearly flustered.
"Uh... right..." Izuku replied, still unsure how to take her sudden shift.
Jirou, feeling her heart pound like a drum in her chest, resorted to her usual defense mechanism-jokes. "I-I just mean... y-you'd make a great human shield!"
Izuku tilted his head in confusion, blinking. "Huh?"
Internally, Jirou groaned. Seriously? That's what you came up with? "W-With that overpowered quirk of yours, I'm pretty sure any jerk would think twice before messing with you. And with your... uh... Diamondhead form or whatever, you'd be like, amazing protection. Plus, with all your other crazy forms, you'd totally make them piss themselves..." She nervously twirled her earphone jacks, her face still bright red.
"Point is..." She mumbled, looking at him shyly before turning away. "It would be kinda cool if we were in the same class..." The first part came out clear, but her voice trailed off into a whisper by the end.
Izuku blushed, his heart doing flips at her words, unsure what to say.
The silence hung awkwardly for a moment before Izuku's shoulders suddenly slumped. His expression shifted, and his heart seemed to race with anxiety.
Jirou's earphone jacks twitched, picking up on his sudden change in heartbeat. She frowned, leaning closer. "Whoa, what's up? You look like you think you bombed the exam." She chuckled lightly, the idea of him failing sounding absurd.
But then, when Izuku turned away, avoiding her eyes, her smile faltered. "W-Wait... don't tell me you actually failed?! How?!"
"I-I fought the Zero Pointer..." Izuku mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jirou's eyes widened. "You what?! Why would you fight that thing? You know it doesn't give you points! Why would you do something so stupid?"
Izuku rubbed his neck, embarrassed. "Some of the examinees were trapped under rubble, and... I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. So, without thinking, I took it on."
Jirou stared at him, her heart skipping a beat. "W-Wait... so you gave up your shot at U.A., your dream school, just to help some random people you don't even know?"
Izuku nodded, looking down. "Y-Yeah."
Jirou was speechless for a moment, her face heating up again. "A-And you still think you failed?"
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Y-Yeah? I mean, Present Mic said the Zero Pointer didn't give any points..."
Jirou let out an exaggerated sigh, leaning in closer, a teasing grin on her face. "You really are hopeless, aren't you? Only you would pull off something that heroic and still find a way to beat yourself up over it." She poked his chest lightly, her smirk widening. "Seriously, do you ever stop being a dork?"
Izuku blushed, looking away. "I-I just did what I thought was right..."
"Yeah, yeah." Jirou rolled her eyes playfully, crossing her arms. "If we end up in the same class, I'm totally gonna make fun of you for this. I mean, come on, you saved people, fought a giant robot, and still think you bombed? You're like... a walking contradiction."
Izuku flinched, his blush deepening. "I-It's not like that..."
Jirou's teasing smile softened just a bit. "Relax, you did good, hero." She lightly punched his arm. "Just don't start crying when I get a better score than you."
Izuku chuckled nervously. "I'll try not to..."
The girl could see he was still feeling down before an idea seemed to come to her. "Hey, Cabbage Patch, pass me your phone."
Izuku blinked. "Are all your nicknames going to have something to do with vegetables?"
"Yes."
Izuku gave a heavy sigh of acceptance before handing over his phone. The girl used her own phone and tapped it against his. Izuku heard a ding before Jirou handed back his phone. He looked at the screen and saw a new contact in his phone. Izuku widened his eyes, his face turning tomato-red from having another girl's number.
"Anywho, how did you do it?" Jirou asked.
Izuku, stunned, turned even redder from the embarrassment of having another girl's number in his phone.
"S-So how did you do it?" Jirou asked again.
"H-Huh?! W-What do you mean?" Izuku stammered.
The girl gave him a deadpan expression. "How did you beat the Zero Pointer?"
Izuku shook off his blush. "Oh! That!" He said, cupping his chin. "I wasn't really thinking when I saw Uraraka and Tsuyu in trouble; I kinda just rushed in. I was mostly dodging for the first few seconds and got swatted like a bug into a couple of buildings." He said, making the girl stifle a few chuckles.
"You're the first guy I know who can casually get thrown into buildings and talk about it like it's nothing-like shrugging off a stubbed toe," Jirou said, her shoulders shaking slightly.
"Though it still hurt. After that, I focused my power into my arm." Izuku looked at his hand in pride. "And I managed to take it down, melting half of it in one punch!"
Jirou looked surprised. "So that sudden heatwave was you!"
"W-Wait, you felt that?!" Izuku said in surprise.
"Dude, everyone has been talking about it! It was like there was a furnace!" Jirou said as they reached their gate.
"Oh, I gotta go! See you around, and you better text me!" Jirou said, running off in the opposite direction.
"I-I will!" Izuku called after her, looking back at the girl.
Midoriya stared at the phone number before a small blush crept onto his face. "Her phone number? I got another girl's number! I need to text her immediately! Wait, no! That's too creepy. Should I wait three days? Ah, man, why are girls so complicated?! Maybe there's a manual on this?"
Few Minutes Later
Izuku was walking down the street, clutching his backpack straps tightly. His stomach was still in knots, anxiety over his performance eating away at him.
"Dekiru!"
A panting Uraraka came running toward him, huffing and breathing heavily. She stopped in front of him, hands on her knees as she caught her breath.
"Uraraka?" Izuku blinked in surprise.
"I'm sorry! Because of me, you... You..." Uraraka stammered, her voice shaking. "I'm sorry... If I hadn't been stuck under that debris, or if I had lifted it off that girl's foot, then you wouldn't have-"
"It's fine," Izuku interrupted, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's not your fault, and you saved me when I fell, so thanks."
"B-But, Dekiru... I... I'm terrible... I..." Uraraka looked down, her guilt evident.
"Uraraka, it's okay. I don't blame you," Izuku said softly. "You needed help, and I would've done it no matter what. Plus, I'm kind of hoping that I somehow passed. The giant heatwave was pretty big, so maybe I took out some bots along the way." He crossed his fingers, giving a strained smile.
"I'm sorry... I even tried giving you my points-" Ochako began, but Izuku's eyes widened in alarm.
"Uraraka, are you crazy?! You can't give me your points!" Izuku yelled, grabbing her shoulders in a light panic.
"Even if you could give me your points, that would be totally cheating! That's like me giving you the answers during an exam!" He shook his head, making Uraraka's eyes swirl slightly from his urgency.
"They didn't agree to it anyway..." Ochako muttered, her head spinning as Izuku finally sighed in relief.
"Remember why you became a hero-to help your parents. Don't risk that," Izuku reminded her gently.
"Dekiru..." Uraraka whispered, looking up at him. Her heart pounded in her chest, every beat growing louder.
"Look, I may have failed, but you passed! And it's not the end of the world for me. I can always go for the General Course and make it to the Hero Course eventually. I won't give up! I can do it! I'll make it to the Hero Course, so don't you dare give up your dream for me! Please, don't give up your points for me," Izuku said, his voice full of determination.
Uraraka's heartbeat quickened at his words, her pulse thudding against her ribs. Aoyama's earlier comment about Izuku echoed in her mind, and she felt a tremble rise from within. The close contact, his hands still resting on her shoulders-it was all too much. Her heart raced faster, her thoughts spinning, and without thinking, she placed her own hands on his shoulders.
Standing on her tiptoes, she leaned in, eyes fluttering shut, intending to place a quick, thankful kiss on his cheek. But as her lips closed in, the warmth of his face suddenly shifted, and her lips didn't land where she expected.
Instead, they met his.
The soft, unexpected connection made her heart stop. Uraraka's lips lingered on Izuku's for a second longer than they should have, the brief touch sending a spark through her body. She didn't even have time to react-her breath caught in her throat as the realization hit.
Izuku's eyes shot wide open, frozen in place as her lips pressed gently against his. The world around him seemed to slow down, the warmth of her lips melting into his, creating a brief yet intense moment of pure, overwhelming surprise.
Before either of them could process what had happened, Uraraka pulled away abruptly, her face turning a fiery shade of red. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, her gaze glued to the ground as she stammered, "Th-Thanks for being my hero... Now I-I-I gotta go!" Her voice was barely above a whisper, trembling with embarrassment before she spun around and sprinted off, leaving Izuku standing there, completely stunned.
'I-I-I kissed a girl. And it wasn't my mom! Okay, that sounds really pathetic now that I say it out loud," he mumbled to himself, rubbing the back of his neck in disbelief. "Sure, she probably meant to kiss me on the cheek, but... She was just trying to thank me for saving her. It doesn't mean anything, right? I mean, she doesn't feel that way... She can't, right? What's there to like about me anyway? Yeah, she's just a good friend. I shouldn't be thinking like this...'
Meanwhile, Uraraka was running as fast as her legs could carry her, her hands pressing against her burning cheeks. Her heart pounded louder than ever, her mind spinning in a frenzy.
"I just meant to kiss him on the cheek! You idiot! You took my first kiss!" she scolded herself, her face somehow growing even redder. "I-I-I was supposed to save that for someone I liked... No, no, no! I don't have a crush on him! I don't! I don't have a crush on Dekiru! He's just a friend! Just a friend! That's all! Nothing more!"
But the more she tried to convince herself, the faster her heart raced, and with each thud, her mind screamed,
"I can't have a crush,"
Izuku walking felt like he was at the top of the moon he's heart racing, as he began walking touching his own lips with a blush."I-I can't believe I kissed U-Uraraka best day ever!" Izuku said before he felt a pair of eyes bore into him. He looked at a corner where he could've sworn a peak of black hair.
He turned but from the corner of her eyes he caught the glimpse of a young girl with shoulder length bob shaped hair side-swept to her right, with shorter hanging above her eyes. Izuku turned around quickly the girl quickly suddenly sped off, leaving a beliwedered Izuku.
"Huh?"
Izuku was on the beach, focusing intently as he threw punches and kicks, the green electricity of One For All crackling around him with each movement. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his breath coming out in labored pants.
It had been a week-a blur of training sessions filled with both stress and frustration as he tried to balance mastering One For All and using the Omnitrix.
Despite his efforts, he still struggled to call on One For All in his alien forms, unable to perform a full cowl in any of them. Something felt off, like he was missing a crucial piece.
"All Might hasn't contacted me... He hasn't answered any of my texts or calls," Izuku muttered to himself, anxiety beginning to knot his stomach. The uncertainty weighed heavily on him.
"Hey, Midoriya!" Itsuka's voice suddenly called out, breaking his thoughts.
Izuku turned just in time to see Itsuka jogging toward him, her shoes already in her hand as she kicked them off onto the sand.
"Kendo?" Izuku blinked in surprise as she approached, her usual cheerful smile lighting up her face.
"It's still morning," she said, stretching her arms above her head. "Wanna get in a light sparring session before we have to head to class?"
"Sparring?" Izuku repeated, slightly taken aback.
"Yeah, it could be fun, and maybe help release some of that stress you're carrying," Itsuka said with a grin, already shifting into a fighting stance.
Izuku hesitated for a second before matching her stance, excitement bubbling up. "Quirks or no quirks?"
"No quirks," Itsuka responded with a smirk. "It's just a light spar, after all."
With a nod, they bowed to each other out of respect before launching into the sparring match. Kendo was the first to strike, sending a high kick aimed at Izuku's head. He dodged swiftly, leaping back before countering with a punch aimed at her side. Kendo effortlessly caught his fist and, in one smooth motion, flipped him onto the sand, quickly following it with a punch to his chest.
Izuku grunted as he hit the ground, but the smile on Kendo's face was infectious. He jumped back up, and the two continued their match-punches and kicks exchanged with speed and precision, each blocking and dodging the other's strikes. Izuku unleashed a flurry of punches, but Kendo dodged with practiced ease, her eyes sharp and focused.
After ten minutes of intense sparring, the two finally collapsed onto the sand, both panting heavily. Sweat dripped from their faces, their chests heaving with exhaustion as they lay side by side, catching their breath.
"You've really improved, Midoriya," Itsuka said, turning her head slightly to smile at him, her face flushed from the workout.
"Y-You think so?" Izuku panted, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I still can't beat you, though."
"Maybe not," she chuckled softly, "but you're definitely stronger and faster than the last time we sparred. I didn't even realize how much you've physically improved until now." She blushed slightly, her smile growing warmer as she glanced over at him.
Izuku's heart swelled a little at her words, the knots of anxiety loosening just a bit. "Thanks, Kendo. I guess... I just needed to hear that."
Izuku's phone rang before looking at the time."Gah! I need to get to school!"
"O-Oh,"Itsuka said as the boy left running she waved goodbye before clutching her chest a blush creeping to her face.
...
Izuku wasn't thrilled to get to school, sure he wasn't being insulted and majority of students just left him alone probably afraid that now he had a quirk would attack them when given the chance.
Izuku entered his class to the usual brand if terrible. Katsuki Bakugou was bragging about the test and how easy it was, having scored seventy villain points. Izuku made him feel a bit uneasy he knew had gotten more points by a large margin. On the one hand if the 0 pointer was a ruse that means he earned at a minimum 4 times more then Bakugou knowing him he wouldn't take it well. And the U.A. results for those were passed often publicised.
However a few students glanced at him as scribbled in his notebook, they seem to be curious on how he did. They knew he had a quirk but they weren't exactly friends plus with how they treated no one really knew how to bring it up.
"Hey Midoriya how you do in the exam?" A girl with orange hair asked
Izuku raised an eyebrow the girl had ignored him for most of the year and usually would laugh with everyone when he was made fun off.
"Uh..."Izuku began,'Hm weird I thought I'd be completely a flustered doofus right now.'
"Not sure it's no way near the score Bakugou got." Izuku said trying end the conversation.
Bakugou scoffed."Please that damn nerd probably ended up shitting himself! Ha!" Bakugou said but to his surprise no one laughed alongside him, there was an awkward cough. It's not like no one didn't tell him Izuku had quirk but the blonde was unapproachable, mention Midoriya he would get visibly annoyed and began threatening them and with the fact he wouldn't believe it.
...
A week later, Izuku was still a bundle of nerves, struggling to shake the pit in his stomach. His broken limbs had healed, but the sting of his failure at the U.A. entrance exam still burned in his mind. Even during dinner, he found himself staring at the fish on his plate, barely eating, which made his mother, Inko, start to worry. He tried, but his appetite was completely gone, replaced by the weight of his thoughts.
That evening, he sat on the couch, lazily curling a dumbbell in one hand. He couldn't stop replaying the events of the exam over and over, scrutinizing every second.
'If I had to guess, I think I did fine on the written test,' he thought bitterly. "But with the zero pointer, none of that will matter. And All Might hasn't said anything since. He's probably ashamed that I blew it after all that training. Maybe I should just give One For All back... if that's even possible.'
His mother's voice broke his train of thought. "The results from your test should be in today or tomorrow, right?"
"I guess," Izuku muttered, staring off into space.
Inko, sensing his anxiety, tried to be positive. "Even if you don't pass, I still think it's amazing that you tried! A lot of people wouldn't have had the courage to go that far."
"Yeah..." Izuku sighed. The weight of the secret he carried-the burden of All Might's quirk-was only making everything feel worse.
His phone buzzed, pulling him back into reality. Izuku glanced down at the screen and saw a message from Itsuka.
{Kendo: Midoriya, I got my letter!}
Izuku's heart skipped a beat, his anxiety spiking. Before he could react, another message popped up.
{Kendo: Did you get yours yet?}
His hands trembled, unable to type a response. Before he could figure out what to say, his phone buzzed again. It was Ochako this time.
{Mochi Girl: Dekiru! I got my letter, I'm totally freaking out! My parents want me to open it, but I'm scared. Did you get yours yet?}
Izuku's stomach churned. Still no response from him. His phone buzzed yet again.
{Rock Goddess: Green, did you get your letter? I got mine. I'm kinda nervous about opening it.}
More messages buzzed in. His nerves were on edge, and just as he tried to focus, his phone rang. Without thinking, he answered the call.
"H-Hello?" Izuku stammered, his voice shaky.
"Did you get your letter yet?" Itsuka's voice came through, but she sounded just as nervous as he was.
"N-"He was cut off by his phone ringing again. "Hold on..." he mumbled, quickly switching to the other call.
"Dekiru! Did you get your letter yet?" Ochako asked, her voice full of anxious energy.
Before he could even answer, Jirou called. Izuku felt his head spinning-handling three conversations at once was too much for him.
After fumbling with his phone for a moment, he quickly set up a group chat, merging all the calls together.
"H-Hey guys, no, I haven't gotten my letter yet," Izuku said, his voice tight with nerves. "I didn't expect to get bombarded by all of you at once," he added, forcing a laugh, though it came out shaky.
"You're not the only one feeling anxious," Jirou remarked, trying to sound casual. "I almost fainted when mine showed up."
"Don't worry, Izuku," Ochako chimed in. "You'll probably get it any second now!"
Izuku tried to breathe deeply, but it didn't help much. "Yeah, maybe..."
Just as he was about to say more, his mother's frantic voice echoed through the house.
"I-I-Izuku!"
Izuku jumped to his feet, spinning around just as Inko came rushing into the living room, her face flushed with excitement. In her trembling hands was an envelope, the U.A. stamp clearly visible on the front.
"It's here!" she exclaimed, nearly out of breath. Izuku felt all the air leave his lungs as he stared at the letter, his stomach twisting painfully.
On the other end of the phone, the girls all gasped, their excitement palpable through the group chat. Izuku could hear their hearts practically pounding in sync with his own.
Izuku reached out, his hand shaking as he took the envelope from his mother.
"G-Guys I'll call you-
"N-No, wait!" Kendo's voice came through the phone, causing Izuku to pause, his fingers trembling just above the envelope.
He blinked in confusion, his nerves fraying even more. "Why not?"
"Why not open it together? At the same time?" Kendo suggested, her voice holding a mix of excitement and fear. "I mean, we've all been through this... it might feel better if we did it together."
Izuku hesitated, staring at the envelope. His heart raced, the thought of delaying the inevitable making him both anxious and relieved. "T-Together?"
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea," Ochako added, her usual bubbly cracked slightly with her own nerves. "If it's bad news, at least we won't be alone. If it's good news... we can all celebrate."
"I... don't know if I can do this," Izuku admitted softly, his hand shaking. "What if... what if I failed?"
"Shut up. You're getting in fact... You open yours first" Jirou said feeling very nervous.
"If you failed that means the rest of us failed if someone like you ended up failing then...You get my point."
Izuku swallowed hard. His mouth was dry, his heartbeat thudding in his ears. He wasn't ready.
But as he looked at the envelope.
"A-All right," he whispered. "Let's open them together."
...
Izuku grabbed the envelope and hurried into his room, closing the door behind him. His heart pounded as he placed the envelope on his desk, his mind racing. Outside, he could hear his mother pacing anxiously, which only made his own nerves worse. With shaky hands, he put the phone on speaker and glanced at it nervously.
"O-Okay, ready?" Izuku's voice wavered as he spoke into the phone.
From the other side, he heard the girls respond, a mix of excitement and tension filling the air.
With a gulp, Izuku grabbed the envelope, harshly ripping it open. Instead of a letter, a small metal disk clattered onto the desk. Before he could even question it, the disk activated.
"I AM HERE AS A PROJECTION!"
Izuku yelped as a hologram of All Might was projected onto the wall. His jaw dropped in disbelief. "Wh-what the-All Might?! Wait, this is from U.A., right? Huh?"
"No way!" Ochako gasped in shock over the phone.
"All Might's in your results?!" Kendo's voice was filled with disbelief.
"Seriously? They got All Might to do this?" Jirou muttered, clearly impressed.
"Sorry, kiddo! I had a lot of work to do, so I couldn't get in touch with you!" All Might's projection continued as the hero took a dramatic bow. "But it's all good! We'll be seeing more of each other since I'll be starting a teaching job at U.A.!"
The girls on the phone fell into stunned silence.
"N-No way..." Ochako repeated, still processing the news.
"Wow. Can't believe they actually got All Might to settle down and teach," Jirou said, her voice still full of surprise.
Izuku's brain struggled to keep up with what was happening. He was about to ask a question when All Might seemed to get distracted by someone off-screen.
"What? Speed it up? But I've gotta tell him a few things, though... Push everything else back? How many more of these do I have to do? Jeez, alright, I got it."
All Might cleared his throat and then spoke the words that made Izuku's heart nearly stop. "You passed the written exam with flying colors! Now, let's get to your villain points! HAHAHA! But first... the zero pointer."
Izuku's stomach clenched as the knot of anxiety tightened. He could almost feel the tension through the phone, Ochako biting her nails, and Jirou quietly waiting.
"However, you fought the zero-pointer, which caused you to lose all your points..."
Izuku's breath hitched. His vision blurred with the threat of tears. All of his work, all of his training-it had all been for nothing.
"I-Is what I would say if that wasn't a ruse!"
"Huh?!" Izuku gasped, his head snapping toward the hologram.
"Eh?!" The girls echoed in confusion.
"That's right! We weren't going to deduct points for the zero-pointer, but we did give you an opportunity..." All Might said, his tone suddenly mischievous.
Izuku blinked, completely confused, as All Might gestured to a video screen behind him. "Observe, young man!"
...
With a click of a button from All Might, the side screen suddenly expanded, filling up a quarter of the projection.
On the screen, Izuku could see Ochako, Tenya, a girl with frog-like features, and Itsuka entering what looked like the teacher's lounge.
"Wait, what are they doing here?" Izuku wondered aloud, suddenly recalling that Ochako had mentioned wanting to give him her points. His eyes widened in realization.
"Um... excuse me," Ochako said, standing in front of Present Mic as the group approached the teachers.
"These four came straight to the staff room. Why did they come? Well, let's find out!" Present Mic's voice narrated, excitement in his tone.
"Umm, do you remember the curly-haired boy with freckles?" Ochako asked, her voice slightly hesitant but determined.
"Kinda plain looking? Had a strange device-I think it was a support item," Present Mic responded, trying to jog his memory.
"Indeed! We want to talk about the student who wore a green tracksuit and took on the 0-point faux villain at Battle Site B!" Tenya declared, his arm chopping through the air with intense conviction.
"If it helps, his name is Izuku Midoriya," Itsuka chimed in, her voice calm but purposeful.
"Yeah, him!" Ochako continued, her expression growing fiercer. "Would it be possible to give him my points?!"
Izuku blinked, completely taken aback. His chest tightened, realizing what they were trying to do for him.
"Dekiru is the strongest person I know! He earned a lot of points! He had the highest chance of getting in! But he willingly gave them up to save people-people he didn't even know! He saved my life!" Ochako's voice quivered with passion, her determination for Izuku clear.
It was here that Tenya stepped forward. "Take my points as well! Don't take all of hers; take some of mine to supplement it! I had the power to help and prevent him from losing his points and his chance of getting in, but I did nothing! His selflessness and courage inspired me, and I cannot live with the thought of my inaction costing him his dream!"
Izuku could feel his throat tighten as tears welled up in his eyes. His mind replayed painful memories of the past.
"You'll never be able to hang with the best, like me!"
Suddenly, the frog-like girl spoke up. "Honestly, I knew the teachers wouldn't let us get hurt, but Midoriya didn't care about that. He took on the 0-pointer anyway! He knew what would happen if he didn't earn points, but he still chose to save everyone. I've never met anyone so admirable! Please, give him some of my points!" Her voice was soft yet filled with admiration.
"There was absolutely no reason for you to run like that!" Present Mic's narration continued, playing over scenes of Izuku's heroic actions.
"He saved us!"
"He had nothing to gain!" "
"He worked so hard to earn those points!"
Izuku was overwhelmed by emotion. He was touched beyond words, struggling to contain the tears threatening to spill over. Even Present Mic, in the video, looked like he was holding back, wanting to blurt out that the whole thing had been a ruse from the start, but he kept his cool.
"And you?" Present Mic finally asked Itsuka.
Kendo took a deep breath before answering. "Midoriya... for the short time I've known him, he's always been selfless. He works hard, he pushes himself beyond his limits, and he would feel guilty if he got in at the expense of our chances. But if we split the points among the four of us, then he gets in without any of us sacrificing everything."
Present Mic smiled as he watched the four students standing together, their loyalty and respect for Izuku undeniable. The video faded to black.
Back in his room, Izuku sat in stunned silence, the weight of his friends' words crashing down on him.
On the other end of the phone, Ochako and Kendo were blushing furiously in embarrassment.
"Y-Yeah... sorry about that," Ochako mumbled, flustered.
"I-I didn't think they'd show that part!" Kendo added, her voice sheepish.
Izuku, however, couldn't speak. He was too overwhelmed with gratitude, his heart swelling with the realization of just how much his friends believed in him.
How could the Hero Course reject someone who is committed to saving others, no matter the cost to themselves? After all, that is what makes a true hero. And that's what my alma mater is all about-training those who would risk their lives for the greater good," All Might said, his voice filled with admiration. His tone then shifted, growing more animated. "So we have rescue points! For your selfless actions, our panel of judges has awarded you... well, we'll get to that later!" he added with a playful grin. "Congratulations, Young Midoriya! You passed!"
Izuku's breath hitched as tears welled up in his eyes. Over the phone, he could hear the girls collective sigh of relief.
"But... I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't told you your total score yet," All Might said, his grin widening. "There's a reason for that!"
Izuku's confusion deepened as All Might gestured behind him, where a large red curtain was suddenly revealed.
"You see, for the last 40 years, I've held the highest score in the U.A. entrance exam," All Might said, nostalgia creeping into his voice. "I set that record in my very first year. Back then, I didn't think anyone could ever beat it. In fact, no one ever has... until now."
Izuku's heart skipped a beat, and his hands began to shake. "W-Wait... what do you mean?"
All Might chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "When I took the exam, I racked up an impressive 200 points. Villain points and rescue points combined. It was the highest score in U.A.'s history, a record that stood untouched for decades."
Izuku's breath caught in his throat. "Two hundred points...?"
"But this year," All Might continued, "there was a student who did more than just break that record. This student went far beyond it." With a dramatic flair, All Might grabbed the edges of the curtain. "Now, let's see the results!"
The curtain dropped, revealing a leaderboard with Izuku's name at the top. His eyes widened, frantically scanning the board.
...
"No way..." a boy with black hair muttered in disbelief, his eyes glued to the screen.
...
"That's... impossible," a blonde boy gasped, his voice shaking with shock.
...
Katsuki Bakugou's face twisted in fury as his fists clenched tighter, his whole body trembling with rage. "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" he roared, eyes locked onto the leaderboard.
...
All Might beamed with pride. "And now, Midoriya, it gives me great pleasure to announce your score!" He paused for dramatic effect, the entire room holding its breath. "You, Young Midoriya, have not only broken my record... You've completely Detroit Smashed it!"
Izuku's heart pounded in his chest as he stared at All Might, waiting for the number to be revealed.
"IZUKU MIDORIYA!" All Might's voice boomed. "WITH AN INCREDIBLE 450 VILLAIN POINTS... AND 150 RESCUE POINTS... YOU'VE ACHIEVED A TOTAL SCORE OF 600 POINTS!"
Izuku's legs wobbled, his mind reeling. "S-Six hundred points...?" he stammered.
"That's right!" All Might's grin grew wider. "You've not only broken my record-you've destroyed it! My score of 200 points has been blown out of the water, thanks to your heroism!"
Izuku's eyes filled with tears. He could barely believe what he was hearing. Everything-the training, the struggles, the bone breaking-it had all led to this moment. He had passed. Not only that, but he had done the impossible.
Over the phone, Ochako cried with her parents as they celebrated her passing, tears of joy streaming down her face. Jirou smiled, wiping away her own tears as the relief of passing washed over her. Kendo, meanwhile, stood confidently, a smile on her face, clenching her fist as tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.
All Might, holding back tears of his own, smiled warmly. "WELCOME TO YOUR HERO ACADEMIA, YOUNG MIDORIYA . AND AS YOU WOULD SAY... IT'S HERO TIME!"
Izuku couldn't help but let his tears out as he clutched his chest.
[Bakugou Residence.]
"What the hell is this?!" Bakugou shouted, his voice a mixture of disbelief and rage as he stared at the leaderboard. His fists clenched tightly at his sides, crackling explosions danced around his palms, a physical manifestation of his fury.
1. Izuku Midoriya [600 points] 450 Villain Points and 150 Rescue Points NEW RECORD!
Bakugou's blood boiled, his face contorting in a mixture of anger and confusion as he took in the shocking results. Behind him, Mitsuki and Masura stood wide-eyed, equally stunned by the revelation.
"Inko's kid got the top spot?" Mitsuki said, her voice filled with disbelief.
"And those point values? So many? And new record?" Masura added, his brows furrowing as he tried to process the implications.
Bakugou's teeth gritted as he processed the leaderboard, his heart racing with indignation. "Second place?! I'm in second?! That fuckin' nerd is number one? He-he must have cheated! How can a quirkless-" His voice faltered as a memory struck him; Yubi had mentioned something about Deku having a quirk. His eyes widened, fury igniting anew.
"Maybe this will teach some humility," Mitsuki suggested, but Bakugou shook his head vehemently, his body tense and coiled like a spring ready to explode.
"No way in hell that worthless nerd passed, let alone beat me! He must have cheated!" he snapped, his voice harsh and filled with venom.
Mitsuki raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "You think the most prestigious school wouldn't catch something like cheating?"
Bakugou threw his hands up in frustration, his palms still sparking. "Th-Then they must have bribed the judges!"
"Inko doesn't have the money to bribe someone like U.A.," Masura said, watching Bakugou's anger flare. The boy's shoulders were tight, muscles rigid with indignation.
"But he's quirkless! No way he got so many points!" Bakugou shouted, his fists trembling at his sides, ready to lash out.
Both Masura and Mitsuki exchanged puzzled glances. "Didn't Izuku tell you?" Masura asked, a hint of disbelief in his tone.
"Tell me what?!" Bakugou barked, his body leaning forward, eager to pounce on any hint of information.
"I know you two aren't friends anymore, but I at least thought you would have known?" Mitsuki said, a touch of exasperation creeping into her voice.
"Yeah, when Inko told us we couldn't believe it, but when we saw him training in his room, we couldn't deny it," Mitsuki continued, her tone calm despite Bakugou's rising agitation.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TWO TALKING ABOUT?!" he yelled, his voice echoing off the walls as he took a step back, his hands clenched into tight fists.
"WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE, BRAT!" Mitsuki shot back, her patience wearing thin.
"SHUT UP, HAG!" Bakugou retorted, his face flushed with anger, eyes blazing.
Masura took a deep breath, trying to mediate the escalating conflict. "Apparently, Izuku has a quirk," he said, attempting to defuse the situation.
Bakugou's eyes widened in disbelief, but the scowl returned almost immediately. "Bullshit! Quirks appear at four!" he growled, disbelief dripping from his words.
"He's a late bloomer, I guess," Masura replied, shrugging slightly.
Instead of arguing further, Bakugou stormed out of the house, his heart pounding with a mix of frustration and determination. He needed answers, and he was headed straight for the Midoriyas.
Mitsuki quickly grabbed his arm, her grip firm. "It's late now! Get back in here and let them have their moment of celebration! Don't ruin their day because you got second. You are not entitled to an explanation. Now get back inside! If you want one, get it later or tomorrow."
Bakugou struggled against her hold, muscles tensed and ready to fight. "Let me go! I need answers!" he yelled, his voice raw with frustration.
"Enough!" she commanded, pulling him back into the house with surprising strength. He glared at her, fists still crackling with sparks, every part of him seething with anger.
Two Days had passed.
Izuku lay back on his couch, a wide smile spreading across his face as he savored the reality that he had made it into U.A. High. The leaderboard flashed in his mind, reminding him that Uraraka, Kendo, Jirou, and Pony had all managed to get in too. Even Iida had passed; he wanted to thank him, but he had no way of reaching out.
"All those months of hard work, all the time spent studying and figuring out the Omnitrix and its aliens... it all paid off!" he thought, a wave of satisfaction washing over him. "And to think I beat All Might's record. I hope he isn't mad about that."
Izuku's mind drifted to the idea of celebrating with his friends. A joyful grin broke across his face. "I could get together with the girls to celebrate! I actually have friends now!"
But then reality hit him. "Wait, Uraraka's with her parents in Mie." He sighed, laying back against the couch, the smile fading slightly. "Hmm, I wonder how long it would take to get to Mie Prefecture from here... probably around eighteen minutes." He cupped his chin thoughtfully. "Though I can't even use my aliens right now," he added, disappointment creeping in. "Things would be so much easier."
Just as he settled back into his thoughts, a loud voice pierced through the tranquility.
"WHERE IS HE?! WHERE IS THAT INSIGNIFICANT, HIGH SCORE-STEALING SON OF A BITCH?!"
Izuku's heart sank, and dread washed over him as he recognized the voice. He peered out the door to see Bakugou, eyes blazing with fury.
"DEKU! HOW THE FUC-" Bakugou screamed, but Izuku, panicking, quickly slammed the door shut, locking it tight. He hurriedly dialed a number on his phone, his hands shaking.
"Hello?" Kendo answered, her voice calm and friendly.
"Kendo, are you busy right now?" Izuku asked, trying to keep his tone steady.
Kendo hesitated, a hint of pink creeping into her cheeks. "N-No, not really. Just kind of bored around-"
Her voice was abruptly cut off by Bakugou's thunderous shout from outside. "DEKU! GET OUT HERE AND GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION!"
Kendo's curiosity piqued. "Huh? Who's that?"
Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, anxiety gnawing at him. "Look, I really don't want to deal with him right now. Do you mind if we hang out instead?"
"Sure! We can meet at the dojo or the burger shack. I think Jirou wouldn't mind joining us. I kind of want to get to know her; she seems cool," Kendo replied, her excitement evident.
Bakugou's voice boomed again, more furious than ever. "IF YOU DON'T STEP OUT, I'M GONNA BLOW UP THE DOOR!"
Kendo raised an eyebrow, her tone inquisitive. "How are you planning on escaping?"
Izuku glanced down at the Omnitrix strapped to his wrist, a determined spark igniting in his eyes. "Don't worry, I have an idea. Thanks so much, Kendo! Bye!" he said, hanging up before she could respond.
He pressed the button on the Omnitrix, the faceplate popping open with a bright green glow. A holographic figure of Echo Echo materialized before him, but Izuku quickly scrolled through the selections, his heart racing as he caught the scent of caramel-Bakugou was ready to blow.
Finally, he settled on a ghostly figure, bringing his hand down decisively on the Omnitrix.
Outside, Bakugou was bombarding the door with shouts, demanding an answer. Izuku felt a thrill of fear and excitement as he transformed. The moment the green flash erupted from the door, Bakugou paused, confusion crossing his face. He felt a sudden chill sweep through him, making him shiver involuntarily.
"Sorry, Kacchan, but..." Ghostfreak's invisible form thought, blending seamlessly into the shadows.
As Ghostfreak prepared to leave, a surge of overwhelming bloodlust coursed through he felt bloodlust, anger and rage.
He felt an instinctual urge to attack, his claw hovering dangerously close to Bakugou's throat, his invisible form rendering him unaware of the deadly proximity.
The sharp edge of his claw broke the skin, a thin trickle of blood sliding down Bakugou's neck.
In that moment, Ghostfreak's eye glowed an eerie purple. But just as suddenly, clarity returned, and he pulled back, dissipating into the shadows with a shudder.
He flew away, confused and shaken. "What the hell was that?" he thought, bewildered by the sudden shift in his instincts.
Bakugou, still feeling the chill of the ghostly presence, sat on the floor, fists clenched in frustration. "IF YOU THINK I'LL JUST GO AWAY, YOU'RE DEAD WRONG!"
"Katsuki?"
Bakugou turned sharply at the sound of Inko's voice. She stood in the doorway, her brow furrowed with concern. But to his surprise, the nerd wasn't there-he had managed to escape once again.
All Bakugou could do was scream, overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions swirling inside him. The rage and humiliation of being second to Deku, of all people, felt like a suffocating weight. He didn't know what to do with the anger, and it boiled over, leaving him frustrated.
A few hours later.
Izuku sat at Burger Shack with Jirou and Kendo, enjoying a burger and some fries, though his mind was clearly distracted.
"Thanks for coming, guys," Izuku said, offering them a small, appreciative smile.
Kendo frowned a little, picking at her chili fries. "So, why are you hiding from this guy again?"
Izuku flinched at her direct question, clearly uncomfortable. "Uh, well..."
"I mean, seriously, what's his deal?" Jirou added, sipping her drink and glancing at him with curiosity.
Izuku sighed, feeling the tension rise in his shoulders. "Knowing him, he probably won't be happy that I scored higher than him. S-So I just don't want to be anywhere near him."
Kendo's irritation bubbled up. Honestly, she thought Izuku was amazing. When he wasn't wrapped up in his own insecurities, or overthinking every little thing, he had this quiet strength that she couldn't help but admire. In those moments, he made her feel something deep inside, a flutter in her chest that she couldn't ignore.
Just watching him when he wasn't like this-when he wasn't being so unsure of himself-made her heart race. But now, seeing him back down like this? It frustrated her. She didn't like this version of him, the one that seemed to shrink away in Bakugou's shadow.
"So, you're just going to avoid him?" Jirou asked, raising an eyebrow. "From what you're saying, he sounds kind of unstable."
"Yeah, I guess," Izuku mumbled, his voice lowering. "Every time I score better than him, he takes it personally. And I-"
Before he could finish, Kendo slammed her hands on the table, making both Izuku and Jirou jump. Her eyes were fixed on her food, but there was no mistaking the anger in her voice. "You need to stand up to him, Midoriya!"
"H-Huh?" Izuku blinked, taken aback by her sudden outburst.
"You can't just keep running away because he scares you," Kendo said, her voice rising. "You need to stand your ground!"
"I don't want to fight him. And he's always yelling, so trying to have a reasonable conversation with him-" Izuku tried to explain, his fear of Bakugou evident in his voice.
"Then tell him off!" Kendo snapped, her frustration spilling over. "You can't just back down because he's intimidating! You got first place-you earned it. Don't let some jerk make you feel like you didn't."
Izuku's shoulders slumped, his gaze dropping to the table as doubt weighed him down.
"Eventually, you're going to have to face him, you know that, right?" Kendo's voice softened slightly, but her resolve didn't waver. "Don't let him walk all over you."
Her own heart was pounding now, but not from anger. She glanced at him, her face softening as she blushed despite herself. He was amazing, and seeing him doubt himself like this made her want to shake him-make him realize how strong he truly was. "One of the things I really admire about you," she began quietly, her voice almost trembling, "is that you never give up. You always stand your ground... just like when we first met."
Kendo's cheeks turned red, and she quickly looked away, embarrassed by how flustered she had gotten.
Watching him when he was confident made her heart race, but seeing him doubt himself hurt more than she expected. She just wanted him to see what she saw. That beneath that layer of self doubt held this amazing hero, this amazing person just... She couldn't help but begin to fall for...
...
Izuku stood in the principal's office at Aldrea Middle School, the heavy tension in the air weighing him down. He was next to Bakugou, his tormentor, while the principal sat across from them, addressing him directly. He couldn't but think of Kendo the whole time what she told him to do.
"Uh, Midoriya?" the principal said, snapping Izuku out of his thoughts.
"Huh?" Izuku mumbled, his mind quickly returning to the moment.
"I was just saying how we had you all wrong, Midoriya. Breaking All Might's record? That's quite the achievement. Congratulations!" the principal said, his voice dripping with a fake sincerity.
Izuku felt Bakugou's seething gaze boring into him, his body instinctively trembling. The principal, however, seemed oblivious to the tension as he muttered under his breath, "Clearly, we bet on the wrong horse."
"And from the rumors, you've got a stellar quirk too," the principal continued, sweating slightly as he extended his hand. "Just... remember us, okay?"
Izuku reluctantly shook the man's hand, feeling a wave of disgust wash over him. The principal had ignored so many of Bakugou's actions in the past, yet now, after hearing about his success, the same man was practically kissing up to him. It felt hollow.
As they left the office, Bakugou simmered with barely contained rage. Izuku could feel it, the pressure mounting in the air as they walked out into the hallway. Bakugou's glare was burning a hole in his back, and Izuku gripped the straps of his bag tightly, hating himself for not standing up to the boy sooner. His thoughts raced.
'Come on, Izuku. You can't be scared of Bakugou. You've fought villains, stood in actual life-and-death arenas, and faced down giant weather kaiju. Don't be scared of Kacchan.' Izuku swallowed hard, trying to steel his nerves.
"Deku." Bakugou's venomous voice hissed from behind him, freezing Izuku in place. He gulped, feeling the old familiar fear claw at his insides as he turned to face him.
Classmates of Aldrea glanced around nervously, keeping their distance as they watched the brewing confrontation with bated breath.
Izuku's instinct was to run-years of bullying had conditioned him to want to flee at the mere sight of Bakugou. But he remembered Kendo's words. He remembered Ochako's reassuring voice, calling him Dekiru because she believed in him.
He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and faced the blonde head-on. Bakugou's face was twisted with hate, his hands emitting faint plumes of smoke, a clear show of intimidation. But Izuku didn't back down.
"How did you do it?" Bakugou growled, barely keeping his rage contained as his eyes blazed with fury.
"E-Excuse me?" Izuku stammered, not fully understanding the question.
"How did you cheat?" Bakugou snarled, his voice a low, dangerous whisper.
Izuku blinked, stunned. "I-I didn't cheat," he said, his voice shaking slightly.
"That's bullshit," Bakugou spat, his anger flaring. "There's no way in hell you-you-could beat All Might's record without cheating."
"I-I didn't!" Izuku insisted, stepping back slightly.
"Now tell me how you did it! Admit you cheated!" Bakugou roared, his fury spilling over. "There's no way someone as useless, worthless, and pathetic as you could ever beat me! You fucking cheated, Deku!"
"I didn't cheat!" Izuku yelled, but Bakugou was beyond reasoning. He grabbed Izuku by the collar, shoving him violently against the gate fence.
"Don't lie to me!" Bakugou shouted, his face inches from Izuku's, seething with rage. "I'm supposed to be the best, the only one from this shitty school to get into U.A., but you... you ruined that! You bribed someone, didn't you? You had to!"
Before Bakugou could finish his tirade, a fist collided with his face, sending him tumbling to the ground. Blood dripped from his lip as he wiped his mouth, looking up in stunned disbelief.
Kendo stood between them now, her orange hair swaying slightly as she glared down at Bakugou with a fierce, unyielding expression. Her hands were clenched into tight fists, and her body was tense, ready for whatever Bakugou might try next.
Bakugou's eyes darkened with pure rage as he slowly stood up, his glare murderous. "You...," he growled, the fury in his voice unmistakable as he locked eyes with Kendo.
"Stay away from him, you jerk!" Kendo snapped, her voice sharp and unwavering as she stepped between Izuku and Bakugou.
Bakugou growled low in his throat, eyes narrowing. "K-Kendo? What are you doing here?" Izuku stammered, confused by her sudden intervention.
Kendo didn't respond right away. Her focus remained on Bakugou, who had picked himself up, hands crackling with faint explosions. She cracked her knuckles, preparing for what might come.
"Back off," Kendo warned, her voice firm, unyielding.
"Not until this cheater admits he fucking cheated in the exams!" Bakugou bellowed, his fury blazing in his eyes. "Stay out of this, you orange-haired bitch!"
Izuku's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the scene unfold. His mind raced, flashing back to the last five years-always in the same position, always someone else standing between him and Bakugou's wrath. But something was different this time. His fists tightened around his bag straps as Bakugou marched forward, ready to strike.
As Bakugou swung his fist, aiming straight for Kendo, Izuku moved without thinking. His hand shot up, grabbing Bakugou's wrist mid-swing. The impact sent a shock through his arm, but Izuku held firm. His head was down, but when he looked up, the candle he desperately so damn hard to snuff out was now blaze!
"Kacchan... I got into U.A. I got first place. I beat All Might's record. I applied to U.A., and I beat you." His voice rose, each word brimming with conviction. "I beat All Might's score, and nothing is going to change that!"
Bakugou's face twisted in rage, his whole body trembling with fury. But Izuku didn't back down. He tightened his grip on Bakugou's arm, refusing to let go.
"Someone told me I could be a hero," Izuku continued, his voice shaking, but steady. "That's why I applied. That's why I'm going. Whether you like it or not, you came in second. You can't change the fact like the I am going to U.A.!"
The crowd of students watching from the sidelines felt a ripple of awe at Izuku's defiance, a flicker of inspiration lighting their faces. Bakugou's eyes went wide, disbelief etched across his features. How? How could this useless, quirkless Deku stand here like this?
For years, Bakugou had made it his mission to crush Izuku, to grind him down every day until he was nothing. He was certain that he had that damn fucking candle! So why? Why was Izuku's flame burning brighter now, brighter than ever? When the fuck had it become a blaze?!
Kendo stood nearby, her heart racing as she watched Izuku stand his ground. She felt like a spark coursing through her, her body rising in temperaturethrough her that she couldn't ignore. The pounding in her chest intensified with every moment, each beat resonating like a drum.
She felt a flush creep into her cheeks, and she instinctively tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against her skin.
She could still see he was a bit scared but despite that he was facing the way he just didn't seem to back down just wanted to stand alongside him.
Izuku's heart was beating out of his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was scared, terrified even. But his grip on Bakugou's arm didn't waver. He refused to break eye contact, his stare defiant. He's emerald bore into Bakugou's red.
'I'm not afraid of you anymore,' Izuku thought, his resolve hardening.
'I'm not going to be your punching bag anymore!'
Bakugou's face contorted in rage, his teeth gritted as he ripped his arm free from Izuku's grasp. He swung at Izuku with all his might, his fist crackling with energy. But Izuku, reacting with surprising speed, dodged the blow, feeling the whoosh of air as it passed by his face. In an instant, Izuku countered, slamming his foot into Bakugou's face with a sharp kick. The force of the impact sent Bakugou's head snapping back violently, his body stumbling as he tried to recover.
Izuku's heart raced as he followed through with a fluid backflip, landing nimbly on his feet. Bakugou, dazed, wiped at the blood trickling from his mouth, his face a mask of rage and shock. The crowd gasped at the display of agility.
"That's enough!" a woman's voice rang out, slicing through the tension. Izuku turned to see a fairly built woman with a slim figure, her striking blue skin contrasting with her short, ruffled hair. She wore a skintight crop top paired with a high white collar, instantly recognizable as the pro hero Bubble Girl.
Bakugou glanced at her and quickly looked away, his anger still simmering. He shot Izuku one last glare, wiping the blood from his chin with a scowl.
"Deku," he sneered, "I see your worthless ass anywhere at U.A. I'll kill you." With that, he turned and stormed off, leaving the air thick with unresolved tension. As everyone dispersed.
"All Might!" Izuku shouted as he landed on Dagobah's freshly cleaned beach.
Blood trickled between Toshinori's teeth.
"Wait All Might?!"
A couple who had come to admire the waves beneath a large beach canopy began to panic at the sight of his Hero form. "Repeat after me: Just my eyes playing tricks!"
Izuku stiffened and shouted, "Sorry! It was just a mirage!"
The couple sighed in relief, turning away, albeit disappointed. Toshinori grinned and raised his hand for a high-five.
"Good job, kid! You performed exceptionally well! You even beat my old high score! Now that's going Plus Ultra!"
"I-I just tried my best! Honestly, I thought I had failed."
"But you made me proud."
Midoriya beamed before glancing at the Omnitrix, a surge of confidence washing over him.
"All Might..." Izuku began. "I managed to use One For All and the Omnitrix. There was no backlash with the forms, and I didn't break anything. I know I was pushing my limits.'
Toshinori cupped his chin, intrigued. "Really? Interesting. That makes sense. You can't access it fully because of your body, but your forms are more resilient and have better physiques, allowing them to pool a larger percentage of power."
Izuku nodded eagerly. "Though I still haven't figured out Full Cowl with my forms. I need to learn quickly so I can make you proud!"
All Might smiled, placing a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "With the way you're progressing, I have no doubt you can do it." He looked up at the starry night sky.
"My score was considered impossible to beat, but you did it! You think you won't be as great as me? I wholeheartedly disagree! I believe you will surpass me! If you bring that same drive you had this past year just to enter the school, you will become a hero the world has never seen before!"
Tears welled in Midoriya's eyes. "All Might..."
"What did I say about crying?" All Might scolded playfully.
"Sorry! That was just so motivational!" he said, quickly wiping his tears away.
"Now, young Midoriya, I must stress this: under no circumstances should you use One For All at 100% on your full body while in alien form," All Might warned.
"Huh?"
"During the exam, you were able to use One For All as Heatblast, correct? You're starting to understand your powers, but I need you to exercise restraint. The consequences could be severe-not just for you, but for those around you. For example, Heatblast can already go Supernova; mixing that with One For All could be catastrophic."
"I... understand."
"The power you hold has no limitations, but with great power comes the need for control! Train your body to endure the strain of One For All!" Toshinori said, crushing a can in his transformed hand before reverting to his Hero form.
"Then it's yours to command. You will wield unparalleled power!" All Might declared, and Izuku looked at him in awe before adopting a serious expression.
"Hey, look! It's All Might!"
"No way! Where did he come from?!" The same couple that had been on their date spotted All Might in his Hero form, and the #1 hero began to sweat at his mistake.
"Right, now we run!" All Might exclaimed, taking off to escape the excited couple.
"Y-Yes, sir!" Izuku shouted, sprinting after him.
As they ran, All Might glanced back at Izuku, deep in thought.
'The torch I have passed on to you is but a small flame right now. But in time, it will be kindled into a raging inferno! The more powerful you become, the more you'll outshine me. Eventually, I'll retire, knowing my job is complete. Whoo, deep stuff, All Might,' he mused as they continued to flee.