"I know you," one of the students growls, ruby red eyes glaring straight to her soul. "How the hell did you beat me at the practical exam, huh?!"
Rin blinked, caught off guard by the sudden hostility. Her mind raced, but her response came out dry and automatic, before she had time to think. "... by participating?" she said, her tone casual, though her face flushed slightly from the unexpected attention.
Her gaze drifted from Iida Iida, who was watching the scene with concern, to the blond boy in front of her—Katsuki Bakugou. It wasn't a hard guess. She had seen the sheet posted outside the classroom earlier, the one that listed their student rankings. Katsuki Bakugou was first overall… but she had beaten him in the practical exam by a couple of points.
And apparently, that was the wrong thing to say.
Bakugou's glare intensified, his fists clenching at his sides, knuckles white. The crackling sound of his quirk sparking faintly filled the air.
"Participating?" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you can just waltz in here, beat me byfourpoints, and act like it's nothing?!"
Rin stood her ground. She hadn't expected her response to set him off like this, but now she could see it—his pride, his rage at being beaten, especially by someone who wasn't even trying to make a big deal out of it.Great,it was her first day and she's already made someone mad at her.
"Look, I didn't mean—" Rin started, but Bakugou wasn't listening.
"Don't act so casual!" Bakugou snarled, his voice rising as the other students started to watch the confrontation unfold. "You think you're better than me, huh? I'm gonna show you exactly where you stand,Kirigaya."
The intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down Rin's spine, but she squared her shoulders, refusing to back down. "I'm not trying to start anything," Rin said calmly, though her heart pounded in her chest. "I just did what everyone else did."
"Tch," he said grumpily. He sits back down to his chair in one big motion, arms folded.
Rin stood at the front of the classroom, awkward and uncomfortable under the weight of so many eyes from Bakugou's yelling. Her eyes slowly drifted across the room, taking in the faces of her classmates—some curious, some amused, seemingly entertained by the unfolding drama.
And then, to her horror, she made eye contact with someone—a boy with messy green hair and even greener eyes. He wasn't scrutinizing her, exactly, but there was something about the way he looked at her that made her stomach flip. It wasn't judgmental, but it was intense, as if he could see right through her, as if he were staring straight into her soul.
Orsomething.
Oh god, she saw the nameTodorokiwritten on the class sheet. Was he here too? Right now? Endeavor's, the Top 2 Hero of Japan's, son?
Rin wanted to melt into the floor.
Great,she thought, suppressing the urge to sigh.This is just perfect.
Despite the situation, Rin kept her expression as neutral as possible. She wasn't about to let Bakugo see that she was nervous.
"Kirigaya," Iida called out. "You realized there was something more in the exam, didn't you?"
Rin frowned, she walked towards her seat,13, trying to roll off Bakugou's outburst. "What?" she asked curiously.
"You must be very perceptive," Iida continued. "As a student, you are far by more superior than me."
Rin's eyebrows shut up by surprise. "I think you're selling yourself short," she says. "We hardly know each other, it's only the first day."
"If you're just here to make friends then you can pack up your stuff now."
Rin's mouth snapped shut, similarly, Iida rushes back to his seat.
"Welcome to Yueei's hero course."
Rin's head snapped toward the front of the classroom. There, standing with an imposing yet calm presence, was…their teacher? In a sleeping bag? His tired eyes scanned the room, his expression unreadable, but his voice carried weight. The students immediately fell silent, a mix of excitement and anxiety settling over them.
"Aizawa Shota,Eraserhead," the boy next to Rin murmured, his voice low but animated. "Quirk: Erasure. He can nullify other people's quirks just by looking at them. No wonder he's an underground hero—he doesn't have to rely on flashy powers. I'm surprised he teaches at Yueei..." His voice continued in an excited murmur, clearly lost in his own thoughts as he spoke.
Rin blinked, realizing she had been staring at him during his entire spiel.Er...she thought, suddenly feeling awkward.
Oh no.
The boy suddenly noticed her gaze and stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened slightly, as if only now realizing that he had been talking out loud, and he quickly clammed up, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.
"Uh… Hi?" He says, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
Rin's eyes widened. "Hi," she said quickly, waving her hands slightly to dismiss the awkwardness. "You don't have to stop–" she stammered out, "I didn't mind, I just—uh, you seemed really into it. Talking. I mean. It was interesting."
He blinked, clearly caught off guard by her response. "Oh… uh, thanks."
"Midoriya! Kirigaya! Quit talking to each other!" Aizawa called out.
Both students froze, then immediately straightened up in their seats, their backs rigid as if an invisible force had pulled them upright. Rin's face flushed with embarrassment.
Aizawa's gaze lingered on them for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly before he continued addressing the class. "If you're here to socialize, you're in the wrong course. You've got enough challenges ahead without distractions."
Rin swallowed, glancing quickly at Midoriya before fixing her eyes back on the front of the room. Midoriya, too, looked straight ahead, his expression determined, though she could see the faint trace of nerves still lingering on his face.
"Everyone, come up here and grab your gym uniform."
As Rin grabbed her new uniform in awe, she couldn't help but wonder; were they in the sleeping bag with him?...
Turns out they weren't heading to orientation like most students on their first day. Instead, Aizawa led them outside and straight to the gymnasium, where they were greeted by an open field and an array of equipment laid out ominously. Rin exchanged a confused glance with Ochako, her curiosity piqued but nervousness creeping in.
Aizawa stopped in front of them, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Forget orientation," he said flatly. "You're here to become heroes, so we're skipping the formalities. Today, we're doing a quirk assessment test."
The class collectively tensed at his words, the weight of what that might mean settling in.
"A quirk assessment test?" Rin whispered under her breath.
Aizawa continued, holding up a device that resembled a stopwatch. "You've been using your quirks all your lives, but today, I'm going to see how well you can use them under pressure. You'll be tested on various activities—throwing, running, endurance—and you'll be using your quirks for each task- eight tasks in total."
"And what happens if we fail?" someone in the class asked.
Aizawa's eyes narrowed. "Whoever comes in last…" His voice dropped, cold and calculated. "Will be expelled."
What the fuuuuuuuu–
"Bakugou!" Aizawa calls out, "you managed to get the most points in the entrance exam. What was your farthest distance throw with a softball when you were in Junior High?"
"Sixty-seven meters, I think."
Aizawa nodded thoughtfully, his eyes calculating. "Right," he said, tossing a softball to Bakugou. "Try doing it with your quirk this time."
The class watched as Bakugou caught the ball easily, the smirk on his face widening. The prospect of showing off his quirk in front of everyone, especially in a challenge, clearly made him very excited.
He walked over to the marked circle where the test would take place, flexing his fingers as tiny sparks of explosions crackled from his palms. Bakugou tossed the ball up a few times, rolling his shoulders, the anticipation growing.
"Stand inside the circle and don't step out of it," Aizawa instructed, watching him closely. "Use everything you've got."
The rest of the class, including Rin, leaned forward slightly, watching intently. Bakugou's confidence was impossible to miss. Bakugou positioned himself, his eyes narrowing as he prepared. Then, in a single swift motion, he hurled the ball into the sky with a fierce explosion from his palm, sending it soaring into the distance with a loudboom.The force of the blast left a trail of smoke, and the ball shot far beyond the boundaries of what anyone expected.
The class stared in awe as the ball disappeared into the horizon.
Damn.
The class collectively gasped at the distance, but it was Rin's voice that cut through the moment. "Damn," she said out loud, unable to hide her astonishment.
A few heads turned her way, and Bakugou's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the reaction. "Yeah, that's what happens when you're the best," he said, his tone dripping with smugness.
Aizawa, however, remained unaffected by the spectacle. He turned his attention back to the rest of the students. "Next," he called out, his voice sharp and focused.
She needed to use her quirk to her advantage. But how?
Slowly, the rest of the students began to step forward and do their throws. Iida used his engine-powered legs to launch his throw with incredible speed, sending the ball flying with precision, though not as far as Bakugou's explosive distance. Uraraka's turn was met with quiet awe—her quirk, which could make anything defy gravity, sent the softball floating endlessly into the sky, effectively giving her an infinite score. Yet, Aizawa remained indifferent, simply taking note of her quirk's unique capabilities.
Some students with quirks less suited for long-range attacks struggled, like Kaminari, who tried to channel electricity into his throw but only ended up with an awkward mid-range result. Others, like Todoroki (holy shit he's so cute?), made their marks silently but impressively, his ice quirk adding an intense elemental force to his throw.
All the while, Rin watched closely, trying to gauge where she might fit into the mix. It would come down to how she applied her quirk under pressure.
Finally, Aizawa glanced in her direction and threw the ball towards her. "Kirigaya, you're up."
Rin took a deep breath and stepped forward, her nerves buzzing. All eyes were on her now. She glanced at the softball in her hand as she walked into the circle. She wasn't exactly a bad pitch, but she had to incorporate her quirk into it somehow. But did she?
Now wasn't the time for indecisiveness. Biting her lip, she threw the ball out with her dominant hand, putting all her weight into it. As it sailed through the air, Rin's quirk activated subtly—a pulse of purple energy flared briefly from her hand, bonding the molecules in the air around the ball to create a subtle, solid disc beneath it, boosting the throw slightly.
The ball flew farther than she had anticipated. She could see it disappear into the distance, and her heart raced with a mix of anticipation and relief. She honestly thought she was gonna slice the thing into pieces.
Aizawa glanced at the reading on the device in his hand, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. "One hundred seventy meters," he said, his tone neutral.
Rin exhaled, relieved. It wasn't anything near Bakugou's impressive seven hundred-range, but it was more than what her middle school 49m throw.
"Midoriya Izuku," Aizawa's voice rang out, the full use of his name making the class turn their heads toward the green-haired boy.
Izuku, Rin thought. What a pretty name.
But something else tugged at Rin's thoughts as she watched Midoriya step into the circle. She had recognized his name earlier. There were only two slots open for recommendation students per class, and Izuku Midoriya had taken one of them.
The other? Todoroki Shouto.
Rin glanced briefly at Todoroki, who stood silently off to the side, composed and distant as ever. Everyone knew Todoroki's name—he was practically famous in hero circles. But Midoriya? She had never heard of him until today. No rumors, no stories about his quirk, no connection to any prominent hero families.
How did he get in on recommendation?The question nagged at her. In a world where connections and power were everything, Midoriya had somehow slipped through without anyone noticing.
And yet, here he was, standing in front of everyone. Rin's curiosity deepened as she watched closely, waiting to see what kind of power had earned Midoriya one of the coveted recommendation slots.
But as the seconds ticked by, Midoriya's hesitation became more obvious. He gripped the softball tightly, his expression torn between anxiety and determination. Rin's earlier question remained unanswered, and now she was left wondering if Midoriya was hiding something—or if he was about to fail spectacularly.
Aizawa's sharp gaze flickered toward Midoriya, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Any time now," Aizawa called out, his tone calm but laced with the subtle warning that there would be no more leniency.
Rin watched as Midoriya took a deep breath, and in that instant, it was like something inside him shifted. The nervousness that had plagued him moments before seemed to evaporate, and his entire demeanor changed. His posture straightened, his shoulders squared, and his once-soft green eyes hardened into sharp, laser-like focus.
It was like watching a completely different person.
Rin felt her breath catch in her throat.What just happened?The transformation was almost unnerving—like all the fear, anxiety, and self-doubt had been burned away, leaving only pure determination in its wake.
Midoriya's grip on the softball tightened for just a moment longer, and then, without a word, he pulled his arm back, sparks of green lightning swirling around him, and hurled the ball with everything he had.
For a split second, there was silence.
And then—
BOOM.
The ground around Midoriya shook, a massive burst of energy erupting from his fingertips just as he let the ball fly. The force sent shockwaves through the air, and the ball shot off into the distance with an incredible velocity, tearing through the sky like a bullet.
Gasps erupted from the class, and Rin's eyes widened in shock.Where did that come from?
Aizawa checked his device, his expression neutral. "Eight hundred five meters."
The class went completely still.
Eight hundred five meters—a full hundred meters farther than Bakugou's throw.
"Tch."
Midoriya breathed heavily, lightly flicking his hand as if it pained him, but the fire in his eyes remained. He had done it.
From their peers, Rin hears the words, "stupid," and "thief," – her eyes instinctively went to the source, but she couldn't pinpoint who said it. Most importantly, she couldn't figure outwhythey said it.
But it didn't matter, Rin thought. Midoriya had just proven something, shifted something, though it was still unclear what. Rin didn't know if she liked it or not.
The next set of tests weren't any less difficult.
The next one was a quick dash. Rin's quirk allowed her to create molecular structures, but speed wasn't exactly her strength. She did her best to generate small platforms to propel herself forward, but it wasn't as smooth or fast as she had hoped. She crossed the finish line breathless, her mind racing with ways to improve her technique.
Next came the grip strength test, where students were expected to show raw physical power. Quirks came into play again—Kirishima's hardening quirk gave him an edge, while Mina's acid quirk allowed her to melt through the obstacles easily. Bakugou's explosive grip crushed the competition, and his smirk only grew with each passing victory. This time, Rin couldn't think of a way to get around her as each task grew harder, the weight of that reality bore down on her and her classmates.
One of them– or maybe even more– were about to get kicked out.
By the time they reached the final test, the students were drenched in sweat, their muscles burning from the relentless exercises. The atmosphere was tense—each student now fully aware of what was at stake.
With a sigh of relief, Rin allowed herself to relax upon seeing that she placed 12th.
"You worked hard today, but…" Aizawa paused, scanning their faces. "The whole 'expulsion' thing? It was a bluff."
The room went silent for a beat. The tension that had been sitting in everyone's chest, the fear of failing and being sent home on their very first day, evaporated in an instant. The silence quickly gave way to a flurry of reactions—shocked gasps, groans, and a few sighs of relief.
"Seriously?!" someone shouted from the back, clearly frustrated at having been put through the emotional wringer.
"That's not fair!" Kaminari complained, throwing his hands in the air, while others, like Ochako, let out small giggles of nervous relief.
Rin's shoulders sagged as she released the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She exchanged a look with Ochako, who was practically glowing with relief.
Aizawa, unaffected by the chorus of reactions, raised a hand for silence. "This was a test of your resolve. If the threat of expulsion is enough to break you, then you don't belong here."
The class fell silent again, absorbing his words.
"You're all still here because you showed me something today," Aizawa continued, his tone firm. "But don't think for a second that it'll get easier. This was just the beginning."
Aizawa's gaze narrowed, as though daring anyone to challenge him. "Some of you will be tempted to slack off now that you've made it past the initial test," he continued. "Don't. If you think surviving one day at Yueei means you're ready for the world outside these walls, you're mistaken."
Rin felt a flicker of anxiety rise in her chest. She had done enough to stay, to avoid being expelled. But was it really enough? The uncertainty clawed at her, mingling with the fatigue that gnawed at her bones.
Aizawa's voice softened, just slightly, but it carried a weight that none of them could ignore. "You're here to become heroes. The path ahead isn't easy, and it won't be forgiving. The world doesn't care about your quirks, your dreams, or how hard you're willing to work. You'll have to prove yourself every single day, and for some of you, that might not be enough."
Silence followed his words, and for a moment, Rin thought she saw something almost like regret flicker in his eyes. It passed quickly, his usual stoic demeanor snapping back into place.
"But if you can't handle that," Aizawa finished, "you're free to leave anytime."
Rin clenched her fists, the purple light briefly flaring at her knuckles. She wouldn't back down. Not now.
The ceremonial bell rang, its sharp chime echoing through the room, signaling the end of the period. Around her, Rin heard a wave of simultaneous sighs of relief from her classmates. The tension that had been hanging in the air since Aizawa's speech seemed to lift, if only for a moment.
"Man, that was intense," Ochako murmured from beside her, rubbing her temples. "I thought I was going to pass out during that last exercise."
"Yeah," Rin replied quietly. "But we made it through, right?"
She felt the subtle thrum of energy in her fingers again, the purple hue flickering briefly before she clenched her hands into fists. She had made it this far. But that was all it was—just the first step. She had been so happy about getting into Yueei, but now that she was here, she needed to get it together. She needed to remember her goal, her dreams of becoming a loved hero.
"You okay, Rin?" Ochako's voice broke through her thoughts, concern lacing her words.
Rin forced a small smile, shaking off the heaviness in her chest. "Yeah. Just... a lot to take in."
Ochako smiled warmly. "I know what you mean. But hey, we're here. That counts for something, right?"
"You're free to go to your next class," Aizawa mentions. "I believe you have english next."
English. Right. She hadn't even realized how much time had passed. Around her, the other students began to pack up, some with sluggish movements, others chatting quietly as they filed out of the room.
"English class with Present Mic… That'll be interesting, right?"
Ochako grinned. "At least we'll get a break from all the intensity. I could use something more… lighthearted."
Rin nodded. She stood, shouldering her bag, and followed the others to their next class. The halls were bustling with students moving from one class to the next, the air thick with the excitement and exhaustion of their first day.
As they walked, Rin found herself falling into step with Ochako. Present Mic was sure to bring a different kind of energy to the class, but Rin couldn't shake the heaviness that had settled over her after the earlier session. Aizawa's words echoed in her mind—this was just the beginning.
"Hey," Ochako said, pulling Rin out of her thoughts. "You think Present Mic will make us do anything wild today?"
"I'm hoping it's just a regular lesson. I don't think I can handle anything too crazy after Aizawa-sensei's class." Rin gave a small smile, trying to push the lingering doubts away.
As they approached the classroom, the muffled sound of Present Mic's booming voice reached them through the door. Rin exchanged a glance with Ochako. It seemed like the next period was going to be anything but quiet.
"All right!" Present Mic's voice could be heard loud and clear as they entered the room. "Who's ready to learn some English?! LET'S GOOOO!"
Rin sighed, but this time, it was almost in relief. At least Present Mic's enthusiasm would keep her mind off the intensity of the earlier class, even if only for a little while.
She sat next to Midoriya-san, well, more like deflated into her chair. They shared a look, and he grimaced, nodding.I'm tired too, he seems to say.
Rin couldn't help but chuckle softly, the shared exhaustion between them easing some of the tension from earlier. It was oddly comforting to know she wasn't the only one feeling like they'd been through the wringer today. Between the intensity of Aizawa's training and the overwhelming pressure of their first day at Yueei, it was no wonder they were all running on fumes.
Present Mic, of course, didn't seem to notice or care about the collective exhaustion in the room. He was practically bouncing at the front of the class, his grin as wide and loud as ever.
"Alright, listeners!" Present Mic shouted, clapping his hands together. "I know you've all had a tough morning, but it's time to switch gears! We're diving into the wonderful world of ENGLISH!"
A few groans rose from the class, but Present Mic powered through, undeterred. "Now, who's ready to practice their pronunciation?!"
"How much energy does this man have?" Rin muttered.
"What was that, Kirigaya?" he asked curiously, his voice carrying across the room with his usual enthusiasm.
Rin blinked, startled out of her thoughts by Present Mic's sudden attention. Rin hadn't even realized she'd muttered anything under her breath, but before she could respond, Present Mic raised his hands and began signing in Japanese Sign Language (JSL) along with his words, "Oh, by the way, listeners, my quirk's given me some tough side effects. If you want me to hear you in class, you better speak up."
Rin froze for a moment, processing what he said. She hadn't known about the side effects of his quirk. It made sense, though—someone with a voice as powerful as Present Mic's probably had to deal with the consequences of such a loud quirk. She quickly straightened in her seat, feeling a little flustered by the attention yet again.
"I'm sorry, Present Mic-sensei," she said and signed in tandem, louder this time, giving him a polite nod. "I was just, uh, thinking about something else."
Present Mic gave her a wide, wide, grin, his hands still moving in tandem with his speech. "No worries, Kirigaya! Just make sure to stay with us! English can be tricky, but it's all about keeping up the energy—right, class?"
The room filled with a mix of half-hearted agreements, the fatigue from earlier still lingering in the air, but Present Mic's energy didn't wane in the slightest. He continued his lesson making sure everyone was engaged.
Midoriya poked her gently with his pencil, pulling Rin's attention away from Present Mic's energetic lesson.
"Hm?" Rin blinked, looking over at him.
"You know JSL?" he asked, his voice low enough not to disturb the rest of the class but filled with curiosity.
Rin nodded, keeping her voice just as quiet. "Yeah. The orphanage makes us learn a secondary language to be a 'better pick' for adoption." She paused for a moment, her gaze briefly dropping before continuing, "I figured if I wanted to be a hero, I might as well learn something of service."
Midoriya's eyes widened slightly, impressed by her thoughtfulness. "That's really cool, Rin. I think… that's a great idea."
Rin offered him a small smile, though her words carried a hint of bitterness. "Thanks. It's not like it worked or anything. But at least I got something useful out of it." She glanced back toward the front of the classroom, watching as Present Mic continued signing with effortless ease while delivering his lesson.
Midoriya's expression softened as he studied her for a moment, clearly wanting to say something more but unsure of how. Instead, he just nodded, offering quiet support as they turned their attention back to the class.
Rin appreciated his silence. She didn't need pity or reassurances—she'd learned long ago that the world didn't hand out happy endings easily. But she had found a way to channel her experiences into something that might make a difference. If learning JSL helped even one person, it was worth it.
"Can you teach me?" Midoriya asked quietly, his voice soft but sincere as he glanced at Rin.
Rin blinked, a bit surprised by the request. She hadn't expected that. But looking at Midoriya's eager face, the familiar spark of determination in his eyes, she could tell he genuinely wanted to learn.
A small smile tugged at the corner of Rin's lips. "Sure," she replied, her voice gentle. "I can teach you the basics. It's not too hard once you get the hang of it."
Midoriya's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you!" he whispered, "I really want to be able to help everyone, you know? And this could be another way to do that."
Rin nodded, appreciating his genuine desire to learn something new for the sake of others. "It'll take time, but I think it'll be worth it. We can start during lunch if you want."
Midoriya beamed, nodding, the excitement already returning to his tired eyes.
Soon enough, English too came to an end, the final bell of the period ringing through the classroom. Present Mic's enthusiasm didn't wane, though; he gave them all an exaggerated salute as the students began packing up their things.
"Alright, listeners! That's all for today! Keep practicing, and remember—communication is key, both in Englishandas heroes!" Present Mic called out, flashing the class a bright smile as they filed out of the room.
Rin stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder as she stretched her stiff muscles. The soreness from earlier still lingered, but the change of pace from English class had helped ease the tension in her mind, if not her body.
Next to her, Midoriya was packing up his notebook with the same speed and focus as always, though he shot her a quick grin. "Lunch next, right? Maybe we can start that JSL lesson?"
Rin chuckled lightly, nodding. "Yeah, we can start with the basics."
As they made their way out of the classroom, Ochako caught up with them, her face bright despite the long day. "Are you two planning something fun for lunch?" she asked, clearly curious. "Hi, by the way, I'm Uraraka Ochako."
"Rin's going to teach me some Japanese Sign Language," Midoriya explained, smiling. "I'm Midoriya Izuku, it's nice to meet you.."
Ochako's eyes widened with interest. "Oh, that's so cool! Can I join in, too? I've always wanted to learn another language!"
Rin smiled at their enthusiasm. "Sure, the more the merrier."
As they walked toward the cafeteria, Rin felt a little more at ease. Despite the weight of everything they had gone through today—Aizawa's intense speech, the pressure of being at U.A., the constant push to prove herself—there was something comforting in the simplicity of this moment. Teaching something, sharing knowledge, felt like a small step forward.
Rin snorted into her bento as she watched Midoriya mirror her sign for "hello" with the straightest, most expressionless face she had ever seen. His hands were precise, but his blank expression made it all the more amusing.
"Try smiling," she said, half-teasing, half-helpful.
Midoriya blinked, his serious facade faltering for a moment. He quickly attempted a smile, though it came out as more of an awkward grimace. Rin would have laughed, however, as she observed him, a thought crept into her mind. Now that she really thought about it, she hadn't seen him genuinely smile or look excited throughout the entire day. And it was theirfirstday of school at Yueei!
Then again, Midoriya did get in by recommendation, Rin reminded herself. Maybe that was weighing on him—knowing that others had fought their way in through the entrance exam, while his acceptance came through another path. Or maybe it was something else.
"Er…" Midoriya's eyes widened as he looked at her, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and worry. "Is there something on my face? Am I smiling wrong?"
"What?" Rin blinked, suddenly realizing she'd been lost in thought while staring at him. "No, no. I was just—"
"Staring?" Ochako quipped.
Rin's face flushed a little, caught off guard. "I wasn't staring!" she protested, though the heat rising to her cheeks suggested otherwise. "I was just... thinking."
"About Midoriya's face?" Ochako teased again, raising an eyebrow.
Rin groaned, rubbing her temples as Midoriya's face turned red as well, clearly embarrassed by the exchange. "It wasn't about his face. I was just... never mind!" She quickly waved her hand, trying to push the topic away.
Ochako giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "I'm just kidding, Rin!"
Midoriya let out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "I-It's fine. Really. I was just worried I might've done something weird."
"No, no. I was just—" Rin shook her head quickly, trying to find the right words. "You're a recommendation student, right, Midoriya? How did you get in?" Her eyes widened almost immediately after the words left her mouth. "Wait, that was too forward. I'm just curious! Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
Midoriya's eyes blinked in surprise, and for a second, there was an awkward silence between them. Rin mentally kicked herself for bringing it up. She hadn't meant to sound intrusive—just genuinely curious about him.
But Midoriya smiled, though it was a bit sheepish. "No, it's okay. Actually... yes. I did get in through the recommendation exam." he admitted quietly, scratching the back of his head.
"Oooh– no wonder you were able to beat Bakugou's score earlier!" Ochako said.
Rin waited for a moment, wondering if Midoriya would say more about his journey into Yueei but when he didn't continue, she decided to let the conversation drop. She could tell he wasn't comfortable delving too deeply into it, at least not right now.
With a small smile, she shifted back to the task at hand. "Alright, let's get back to the JSL lesson," she said, her voice light and encouraging. "We left off at 'hello,' but now I'll show you how to sign 'thank you.' It's pretty simple."
Midoriya and Ochako both leaned forward, watching her closely, "This is 'thank you,'" Rin explained, demonstrating the motion.
Ochako immediately tried to follow along, copying the sign with a determined expression. "Thank you," she repeated, her hands moving carefully.
"Perfect!" Rin smiled, feeling a little more at ease now that the focus was back on teaching.
Midoriya tried the sign next, his face still a bit serious but clearly focused. "Like this?"
Rin nodded. "Exactly."
They practiced for a few more minutes, with Rin showing them more basic signs, like "please" and "goodbye." The lighthearted mood returned as they laughed over their mistakes and shared in the small triumphs of getting the signs right.
Half the class stared in awe, their eyes wide as the towering figure entered the room. Dressed in his iconic Silver Age costume, with its vibrant red, white, and blue colors gleaming under the fluorescent lights, stood none other thanAll Might, Japan's Number One Hero.
Rin had to bite her lip to refrain from raising her hand to ask a multitude of questions. Rin could only imagine the time it'll take to grade papers and kick villain's asses on a regular basis. She's sure he's got it figured out.
"I teach Hero Basic Training," All Might began, his voice booming with confidence and energy. "It's where you will train in different ways to learn the basics of being a hero. From rescue operations to combat situations, you'll be put through scenarios designed to push you to your limits and beyond!"
The room seemed to brighten with his words, an infectious hope spreading through the class– including Rin. She couldn't stop the wide grin spreading through her face even if she tried.
"Today's training will pull no punches!" All Might announced, his voice booming with excitement and energy as he stood before Class 1-A. "Today, we will be doing COMBAT TRAINING!"
Rin's eyes immediately flew to her hands, a determined expression setting on her face.Combat training,she thought, her mind racing.
The weight of what she could do with her quirk pressed on her. She could manipulate atoms, shift them into protective shields and solid structures. But combat againstpeoplewas different—she had to be faster, more precise and aware of her surroundings. Mistakes weren't just errors in judgment—they could cost her the fight– especially with the migraines that came with her power.
By the way, she really needed to do something about that.
All Might's grin widened, and he added, "But remember, one of the keys to being a real hero... islooking goodwhile you do it!"
There was a beat of silence, and then the entire class erupted in confusion.
"Wait, what?" Rin muttered under her breath, glancing down at her current attire, still in her standard U.A. uniform. Next to her, Midoriya had a similar look of bewilderment on his face.
All Might's laugh rang out. "That's right! Your hero costume!" He motioned to a large wall on the side of the training room, which slid open to reveal row after row of sleek, custom-designed hero suits, each one labeled with a student's name.
"During real hero work, your costume becomes part of your identity," All Might explained. "It represents who you are, what your quirk can do, and the image you project to the public. A hero needs to be ready for anything, and their costume is the first step in being prepared!"
The students' faces lit up with excitement. Each of them had submitted designs for their hero costumes before starting at U.A., and now, they were about to see them for the first time. Rin felt her pulse quicken as she approached the rack, her hand brushing over the suitcase that contained her suit. She had spent hours working on it, thinking through every detail to accommodate hermanileculequirk.
"Looking good is part of the job, but remember," All Might continued, his tone shifting to something more serious, "functionality is key. Your costume should enhance your abilities, not just make you look cool. In today's training, you'll get to put them to the test. Now, head over to change to your hero costumes before going to Ground Beta!"
Giddy, the students of Class 1A hurried over to the lockers to change to their hero gear. Rin practically rips the suitcase open and threw the suit on, eyes shining upon seeing the familiar violet hue of her quirk sewed into the hems.
The suit was basically a tracksuit, sleek and flexible to allow for maximum mobility. Dark purple accents ran along the edges, a reminder of hermanileculequirk and the way it glowed whenever she used her abilities. The fabric was reinforced with lightweight but durable materials, designed to withstand the strain of her quirk without holding her back.
She flexed her fingers, watching the faint purple energy spark along her gloves. The suit felt like an extension of herself—comfortable, familiar, and ready for action. She took a deep breath, feeling a surge of confidence as she zipped it up.
Ground Beta looked like an abandoned city—a sprawling, desolate landscape filled with crumbling buildings, empty streets, and debris scattered across every corner. The structures towered over the students, their windows shattered, and walls cracked, giving the entire area an eerie, post-apocalyptic feel. It was the perfect training ground for hero work.
Rin stood at the edge of the field, taking it all in. She glanced at the other students around her, each one equally focused, their hero costumes gleaming in the muted (artificial) sunlight.
All Might's voice echoed across the field. "Ground Beta is designed to simulate real-world urban combat scenarios! Here, you'll face obstacles, ambushes, and unexpected attacks. Your mission is simple—heroes must rescue civilians and neutralize the villains. Villains, your job is to protect your base and stop the heroes from succeeding. It's all about strategy and teamwork."
All Might began calling out names, pairing students together. "First up! Team: A Midoriya and Kirigaya as heroes versus Team D: Iida and Bakugou as villains!"
Rin's eyes widened slightly as she processed the match-up.Midoriya and me against Iida and Bakugo?She quickly glanced over at her partner, Midoriya, who looked equally shocked, his eyes darting between their opponents. Iida's precision and Bakugo's raw power would be a tough combination to face.
Midoriya gave her a nervous but determined smile. "Looks like we're up first."
Rin nodded, pushing aside any lingering hesitation. "Yeah, and we're going to have to be smart about it. Bakugo's going to come at us hard, and Iida's fast."
Midoriya glanced over at Bakugo, who was already grinning like he couldn't wait to blow something up. "Kacchan won't hold back," Midoriya muttered.
Rin frowned, "Kacchan?"
"Bakugou," Midoriya elaborated.
It was a classic rescue scenario: the heroes had to stop the villains before they could complete their objective, which in this case, was setting off a large-scale explosion. Both teams began in different areas, Rin soon found herself alone with Midoriya, walking into the unknown.
"We need to play smart," Rin muttered, her eyes scanning the empty hallway. "Bakugou's going to come at us head-on. Iida will probably try to flank us and head straight for planting the bomb."
"We need to separate them. If we let them team up, we'll be overwhelmed."
Rin bit her lip, "my quirk is mostly defensive. I can make shields–"
"How about other objects?" He asked, "Can you make anything else, like Momo?"
Rin hesitated, her brow furrowing as she considered his question. "It's… not like her quirk," she explained, her hands flexing as a faint purple glow started to form. "I think I can manipulate molecules to create things, but I've only ever practiced making solid structures—shields, barriers, stuff like that. I haven't really tried making other things in combat, keeping the objects up for too long gives me migraines."
Midoriya's mind was already racing. "If you can manipulate molecules, that's huge! Even if it's not like Momo's quirk, you could still create more than just shields. What about obstacles? Things to trip them up, like walls or platforms? It doesn't have to be complicated, just enough to throw Iida off balance."
Rin's heart raced as she realized the potential of what he was saying. She had always used her quirk for defense, but if she could create physical objects to manipulate the battlefield, she could use it offensively, even if indirectly. It was risky, though. Overextending herself always led to migraines, and if she pushed too hard, she might not be able to keep up with any type of relentless attacks.
Which is why she needed to head straight to the bomb and 'diffuse' it.
There was no time to second-guess. "I can try. It's not something I've done much in a real fight, but… yeah. I'll make it work."
"There you are–"
"There you are–"
Kacchan hasn't spotted Kirigaya yet.
That, and Izuku is sure that Kacchan's sole focus was on him. Kirigiya met his eyes and nodded, catching on quickly. Without a word, she turned and moved in the opposite direction– and what a fascinating quirk she has.
It was more than just defensive barriers; Rin was already using her quirk to enhance her mobility. As she stepped forward, thin purple disks appeared midair beneath her feet, allowing her to move swiftly and quietly down the corridor, each step lighter than it would have been had she run. She was practically gliding, using the disks as stepping stones to stay off the ground, making her movements almost completely silent.
Rin would need to get to Iida first to try to defuse the bomb, but ultimately Izuku knew that her quirk was too defensive, and it wasn't the best match against Iida's speedy calves.Not Good.She would most likely need help getting through Iida, but for that, Izuku needed to be there. Dammit! That means he needs to defeat Kacchan first.
"Kacchan," says Izuku in lieu of greeting.
"I gotta admit, you got a lotta nerve being here, Deku." Kacchan growled. "Face it– with a quirk like yours, you're either a thief or quirkless."
"I haven't stolen any quirks," Izuku tried to explain, tense. "It's not like thatat all."
"And you expect me to believe that? After that show you put on during the quirk assessment test?" the blond scoffed, "You better give that quirk back to whoever it belongs to, you bastard!"
Kacchan charges, his quirk flaring to life.
Izuku braced himself, his mind racing as he calculated the trajectory of Kacchan's charge. Just as the blast was about to hit, Izuku sidestepped with a quick burst of movement, narrowly avoiding the explosion. His instincts kicked in, moving him with the kind of precision that came from years of studying how to fight and adapt. The blast hit the ground where he had been standing, sending a shockwave through the air.
Silently, he prays that Kirigiya was heading close to Iida's location.
Fuck, Rin had no idea where Iida was.
Bakugou was enough of a handful, but without knowing where Iida was, things could get out of hand quickly. Iida's speed could allow him to plant the bomb before they had a chance to stop him, and they couldn't afford to be blindsided. Rin glanced at Izuku, who was focused on Bakugou, trying to keep him occupied. But she knew it was only a matter of time before Iida made his move.
Her mind raced.Think, Rin. Iida was methodical, strategic. He wouldn't just rush in blindly—he was likely hanging back, waiting for the right moment to strike. But where?
She was outside, now, hiding behind a pile of debris. Her eyes scanned over the crumbling buildings and debris around them. It was hard to tell with all the chaos, but then it hit her: Iida would prioritize speed, which meant he'd need open space to get a clear run at the bomb. He was probably positioning himself near a clear pathway, somewhere he could reach the objective with minimal obstacles.
Behind her, she hears a flurry of explosions and Bakugou screaming, "DEKU!"
Rin winced.
– There!
Rin's eyes caught the sudden flurry of wind—a blur of motion speeding through the simulated city.Iida.He was fast, faster than anyone else in the class, and before she could even react, she saw him running with the bomb in hand.
Her heart raced. Iida's objective, as the "villain," was to plant the bomb in a strategic location—just like an actual villain would in a real scenario. The exercise was scored based on how well the "villains" defended the bomb and how effectively the "heroes" neutralized the threat.
Rin's first instinct was to stop him, to rush in and try to intercept him before he planted the bomb. But then she paused, her mind racing with a different idea. If she attacked now, Iida might still have the upper hand. His speed gave him an advantage, and chasing him down might force her into a situation where she'd have to go on the defensive. But if she waited… if she let Iida plant the bomb, he'd be forced to switch tactics. He'd have to defend the area, meaning he couldn't just rely on his speed anymore.
I can use this,Rin thought, her grip on her quirk tightening. If she knew where the bomb was, she could play a different game—turn the tables and force Iida into a defensive position while she went on the offensive. It was risky, and her quirk was no use for it, but it might be her best chance.
Rin took a deep breath and stayed hidden, watching Iida as he darted through the ruins, scanning the area for a suitable spot to plant the bomb. She knew that as soon as he placed it, the real battle would begin. Her purple disks glowed faintly in the air around her as she prepared to move, her mind calculating the best possible way to close the distance once he committed.
Wait for it... just a little longer,she told herself, her eyes never leaving Iida. She could feel the tension building, her pulse quickening as the moment approached.
And then, just as expected, Iida slowed down, finding a spot near the center of the ruins. He crouched down, placing the bomb carefully where an actual villain might try to plant it. Rin could see the precision in his actions—he wasn't taking any chances, making sure the location was well-defended.
Now.
With a burst of energy, Rin moved, her quirk flaring to life as she launched herself toward him, purple disks appearing in rapid succession beneath her feet. Iida's eyes widened in surprise as he realized she had been watching him the whole time.
"Kirigaya!" he exclaimed. "It's too late– I've planted the bomb, you have 10 minutes before it detonates and everything around you will be gone!"
Jeez, he definitely was taking this seriously.
Rin stopped running, hovering a few feet above the air and a handful of meters away from Iida. They stood in a standstill as they surveyed each other.
"I see," Iida began, "Midoriya had you go disarm the bomb as he distracts Bakugou, given my partner's obvious animosity towards him. However, you made a mistake. Your quirk is defensive and is no match against my speed! I will just have to catch you before you get to disarm our bomb!"
With that, Iida runs straight towards her and lunges to a standing long-jump.
Rin jumps down from her disk, rolling on the ground. Mildly frustrated, Rin yells at him, "why are you monologuing?"
Iida just laughs in response. "I'm only being a true villain, of course!"
Any other time, Rin might have found his commitment to the role endearing. But right now, with the pressure of stopping him and disarming the bomb, his theatrics were nothing short of annoying.
What if she breaks the bomb? Maybe she could slice it in half? No– she could end up setting it off from cutting up the wrong wire.
The bomb was likely designed with enough complexity to make sure brute force couldn't solve the problem. One wrong move could trigger it, and she couldn't take that chance.
She needs to get close to and disarm it.
She needs to out run a speedster.
Rin quickly summoned her quirk again, forming a series of disks in front of her, spaced erratically in the air. Instead of using them for defense, she used them as stepping stones, allowing her to move in unpredictable patterns through the air. If Iida wanted to chase her, he'd have to follow her chaotic movements, forcing him to slow down and adjust his speed.
Iida's eyes narrowed as he watched her. "You think you can get away like that, Kirigaya? You can't run forever!"
"I'm not trying to run," Rin shot back, leaping from one disk to the next, zigzagging through the air. Taking a deep breath and bracing herself low, she allowed the disk she was on to glide fast towards the bomb. With one final leap, Rin landed just in front of the bomb, her purple disks fading into the air.
"Kirigaya!" Iida shouted, charging toward her. His engines roared as he prepared for a final attack– a really fast (an undoubtedly strong) kick.
Shit.
She wasn't fast enough in setting up a shield. Iida's kick lands directly on her torso, the kick powerful enough to knock her away from the bomb. Not to mention it was painful as fuck!? Rin rolled around the ground, groaning in pain. She raises her head to see Iida's determined face staring back at her.
She was at least the same distance as before she ran straight for it. Their plan didn't work. Iida was too fast.
She needed Midoriya.
"DEKU!"
Izuku's heart pounded in his chest as he narrowly dodged another explosion, the heat from the blast grazing his skin.Kacchan was going to kill him.He could feel the raw power in each attack, and the sheer destruction Kacchan left in his wake was terrifying. The wall behind him crumbled to dust as another explosion hit, and Izuku realized that, at this point, Kacchanwasthe bomb. Iida didn't even need to plant it; Kacchan was blowing everything to pieces without a second thought.
"Midoriya!"Rin's voice crackled through the earpiece, pulling him out of his spiral of panic."I can't get through Iida's defense. Do you have any ideas?"
Izuku ducked behind a half-destroyed pillar, panting, his mind racing as he dodged another blast. He needed to think. Iida's defense was nearly impenetrable, and Rin was holding her own, but she needed help to break through. Meanwhile, Bakugou was relentless, and it was only a matter of time before Izuku got hit if he didn't do something.
Neither of them could handle both Bakugou and Iida alone. He had to play to their strengths and outmaneuver them.Think, Izuku. You've faced worse odds.
"K-Kirigaya!" Izuku stammered, peeking out from his cover to assess Bakugou's movements. His mind was racing through possible strategies. "Iida's speed is his main advantage, but he can't change directions as fast, right?"
"Right," Rin replied, her voice tense but focused. "He's fast in a straight line, but it takes him a moment to adjust when he turns."
"Okay," Izuku said, the beginnings of a plan forming. "I'm on my way. Try to distract Iida for as long as you can."
"I'll try," Rin responded, her voice determined. "But what about you? Bakugou—"
"DEKU!" Kacchan's voice interrupted, closer this time, his blasts shaking the ground around them.
Izuku gritted his teeth. "I'm bringing Kacchan to the bomb," he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
Rin's response was immediate."What?"
f Kacchan was going to act like a bomb, then Izuku would have to treat him like one—unpredictable and explosive, but still manageable if he played his cards right.
"Kirigaya, I have a plan! You have to trust me."
Another explosion rang out, blasting the building open. Izuku barely managed to roll out of the way, the shockwave rattling his bones. But he kept moving, jumping out to open space. He couldn't afford to stop now.
"Okay,"Kirigaya's voice crackled through Izuku's earpiece as he caught a glimpse of her and Iida locked in combat."I trust you."
Izuku felt a surge of determination. He had to make this work—not just for himself, but for Kirigaya and their team. She was counting on him. And right now, Bakugou was charging at him with terrifying speed, his explosions ripping through the air.
— And, just like he anticipated, one of his blasts hits a generator, setting up a sequence of events;
The rest of the lights black out.
Izuku activates One For All.
Kirigaya set up a barrier that prevented Iida from running towards him.
Izukuruns.
Kacchanscreams,"GET BACK HERE YOU DEKU!"
Running faster than he's ever had, feeling the power of One For All strain on his bones, Izuku went straight to the bomb and grabbed it. They had exactlyfive seconds left–
"Kirigaya! SHIELD IT!" He yells, throwing it up to her.
The moment Rin's protective bubble encased the bomb, there was a sudden, softpop, and the bomb dissolved into a harmless cloud of smoke, signaling the end of the exercise. The violet hue of her shield flickered for a moment before fading away as the smoke drifted into the air.
The sound of the smoke bomb was almost anticlimactic after all the chaos of the battle, but it was a clear signal: the heroes had won.
They– they won.
"Well done, everyone!" All Might's voice boomed as the students re-entered the control room, the atmosphere still buzzing with the energy of the battle. His usual exuberance was slightly tempered, though, as he addressed the group, casting a quick glance at the destruction caused during the exercise. "That was—well—quitea fight!"
He paused, wincing slightly as if the next words were difficult to say. "Heroes, you managed to successfully isolate and secure the bomb. However…" He hesitated for a moment, his expression growing more serious. "Due to the considerable amount of damage done by the villains—especially Bakugou—I declare this fight… atie!"
Midoriya's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" He blurted out, unable to hide his shock. He had been sure their team had won, especially after Kirigaya got the bomb.
Bakugou, who was still fuming from his near defeat, let out a frustrated growl. "A tie?!" His eyes blazed with anger.
All Might nodded, his face stern as he explained. "Midoriya, Kirigaya, you both did an excellent job as heroes, but the amount of destruction caused by the 'villains' would have made the area too dangerous for civilians in a real-life scenario. Heroes aren't just responsible for stopping the threat; they also have to ensure the safety of those around them. The amount of damage done here could have put innocent lives at risk."
Midoriya, still reeling from the decision, slowly nodded in understanding, there was an odd look on his face. "I-I see," he muttered, glancing down at the ground. "It's not just about stopping the villains... it's about protecting everyone."
"That's exactly right," All Might said, his voice softer now as he addressed the class. "In the field, heroes have to think about the big picture. You may win the battle, but if the cost is too high, it's not a true victory. Also,
Kirigaya's quirk may have shielded the bomb, but substantial damage to her shields could hurt her," His usual grin was replaced by a more serious expression as he addressed her directly. "Kirigaya, how do you think you would have fared if it were a real bomb?"
Rin's breath caught in her throat for a moment. The adrenaline from the exercise was still coursing through her veins, but All Might's question brought a harsh reality into focus. She took a deep breath, considering her response carefully.
"I… probably wouldn't have fared as well," Rin admitted, wiping the sweat from her brow. "My quirk is mostly defensive, but if the bomb had been real, and if my shields had taken heavy damage, I probably would have gotten an aneurysm or something."
She felt Midoriya stiffen beside her.
She glanced at her hands, the faint glow of her quirk still lingering. "If I use my quirk too much or try to shield against too strong of an attack, it gives me terrible migraines. In a real scenario, that could be dangerous. I wouldn't just be fighting the enemy—I'd be fighting my own limitations."
The rest of the class seemed solemn after her declaration.
Tokoyami, his dark eyes contemplative, nodded. "The strength of a quirk comes with its own costs. The balance between power and endurance is something we all must face."
Izuku, still standing next to Rin, glanced at her again, clearly worried. He understood what she meant more than anyone. Quirks could be dangerous, not just for their opponents, but for themselves as well. He himself had experienced the cost of pushingOne For Allbeyond his limits, and now hearing Rin talk about the strain her quirk placed on her mind and body hit close to home.
But that didn't seem right, using their birth-quirks weren't supposed to hurt. It didn't make sense, at least not in the way nature intended. Quirks were a natural part of them, something that had evolved through generations to help humanity survive and thrive.
Kirigaya, however, squared her shoulders and gave a small, determined smile. "But that's why I'm here. To learn how to manage it better. I know I've got weaknesses, but I'll keep pushing until I can overcome them."
Her words seemed to break the tension slightly, a ripple of determination running through the group as they realized they all had something to work on, something to improve.
All Might, who had been observing quietly, stepped forward, his expression both proud and serious. "Young Kirigaya is right. Each of you has strengths, but you also have weaknesses—limitations you must acknowledge and learn to work around. That's what being a hero is about. You don't have to be perfect, but you must understand yourself and your quirk fully."
Izuku arrived home, back in Mustafu, his footsteps slow and hesitant as he walked closer to the front door. The familiar scent of katsudon—his favorite—immediately hit him, filling the small space with warmth and nostalgia. For a moment, he paused in the entryway, breathing it in, trying to hold onto the comforting smell that reminded him of better days, before everything had changed.
It happened when Izuku was ten years old.
His papa was gone—dead. Murdered by avillain.
Hisashi Midoriya, a man Izuku had looked up to for as long as he could remember, had been caught in the crossfire between the Symbol of Peace, All Might, and a villain—All For One.
The news hit like a tidal wave, crashing down and leaving everything in its wake shattered. Izuku remembered the day all too clearly. He had been at school when it happened, sitting at his desk, doodling All Might in his hero notebook. His teacher had been explaining something—probably about quirks or math, but Izuku wasn't paying attention. He was lost in his usual daydreams, imagining a future where he was just like All Might, a hero who could save everyone– even with a quirk like Polarize.
Then, his mother came to pick him up early. Her face had been pale, her hands trembling as she clutched her purse. The moment Izuku saw her, he knew something was wrong.
"Mama?" he had asked, voice small, his heart pounding in his chest.
Inko didn't answer right away. She just knelt down, pulled him into a tight hug, and whispered, "We need to go home, Izuku."
Izuku's mind raced with questions on the way back to their home. He kept asking what was going on, but his mother remained silent, her eyes filled with something he couldn't quite understand. It wasn't until they were home, sitting on the couch, that Inko finally told him.
"Papa isn't coming home," she said, her voice cracking. "There was... a fight. A terrible fight between All Might and a villain. And... your papa… Your papa was there, he didn't make it."
At first, Izuku didn't believe it. How could his father be gone? Hisashi had always been there, always promising to take care of them.Always and Forever, he had said. It didn't make sense.
The shock soon gave way to grief, and that grief buried itself deep inside Izuku's chest. Tears blurred his vision as he clung to his mother, her own sobs mingling with his.
The world felt darker after that. Even though All Might had won the battle, even though the villain had been defeated, it didn't matter to Izuku. His father wasn't coming back.
That same day, people arrived at their house, moving quickly and efficiently, packing up their furniture and belongings into boxes. It was a strange sight—watching strangers dismantle the life he and his mother had shared with his father. Each piece of furniture they took away felt like another piece of his father disappearing. Izuku sat there, feeling small and helpless, his heart heavy as he tried to process everything.
Another person, a man in a dark suit, jotted notes down on a notepad, his face serious as he asked Izuku questions like–What's your papa like? Was he kind? What was his quirk?
Izuku flinched at the question. His father's quirk? Hisashi never really talked about it much. He wasn't a hero, just an ordinary business man who worked hard to support their family. But Izuku remembered the small things his papa could do—lighting candles with a whisper, warming up Izuku with a rumble in his chest and a puff of smoke from his lips.
"His quirk was… breathing fire," Izuku mumbled. "He could breathe small bursts of fire."
(True)
What'syourquirk?
Izuku looked up at the man with wide, green eyes. "Polarize," young Izuku answered. "I could- I could borrow, take, and give quirks away."
The rest of the day passed in a blur. The movers continued packing up their things, and by the time the sun had set, it was clear that this house—this home—was no longer theirs. Izuku stood in the now-empty living room, clutching his mother's hand as they watched the last few boxes being carried out the door.
That night, they left for Tokyo.
Izuku didn't understand why they had to leave, why they couldn't stay in their home. But the heroes told his mother it was for their safety. That there were things happening—bigger things—that Izuku couldn't know about yet.
What did he not know?Whycould he not know?
But he didn't think it mattered. Heroes weregood, and they have reasons why they do what they do.
And so, they moved. To Tokyo of all places. The bustling city felt like a different world, far removed from the quiet life they'd once known. Everything was louder, busier, and it felt like they were running away from the past.
As time went on, Izuku's dream of becoming a hero didn't fade, it changed. No longer was it just about saving people like All Might did. Now, it was personal. Now, it was about making sure that no one else had to lose someone they loved to villains like All For One– the villain whose plans got his papa caught in the crossfire. It was about making the world a safer place, no matter how much it hurt to carry that burden.
He wouldn't let his father's death be in vain.
"Izuku, is that you?" He had twisted the door handle open without thinking, stuck in a haze. His mother's voice called from the kitchen, gentle and full of love. "Izuku?"
Meeting All Might, learning how the villain had left the number one hero in a great state of weakness, only motivated him even more.
"Izuku?" his mother's voice cut through his thoughts again, this time tinged with worry.
Izuku snapped back to the present, realizing he had been standing in the doorway, lost in thought. He quickly shook his head, forcing a small smile as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
"Y-Yeah, it's me, Mom," he called out, trying to steady his voice. She had been through enough, losing Hisashi, and now she had to watch her only son step into a world of danger. She's been so supportive, so trusting. The least he could do was pretend to be okay.
He was good at that, pretending. Like how he pretended he didn't have a villainous quirk.
He walked toward the kitchen, the comforting smell of katsudon filling the air. Inko stood at the stove, her back turned as she stirred the pot. "Dinner will be ready soon. How was your first day?" she asked again, glancing over her shoulder with a smile, though he could see the concern lingering in her eyes. "Did anyone–"
"No," Izuku immediately answers, wanting to get rid of her worry. "No one found out. They think I have an enhancement quirk. Everything went by fine."
"HA HA HA—OF COURSE EVERYTHING WENT FINE, YOUNG MIDORIYA!" All Might's laughter seemed to shake the walls, and Izuku winced at the sound, though it didn't stop the grin– a real smile -– from spreading across his face.
"All Might!" Izuku exclaimed, turning toward the larger-than-life figure who had somehow squeezed into their tiny kitchen. Despite his weakened state, All Might's presence always managed to bring a sense of reassurance and joy to Izuku, no matter how overwhelming everything else seemed.
Meeting the man was a wish that came true.
"Your teachers, most importantly Principal Nedzu, have your safety in mind," All Might continued, his voice lowering slightly, though it still carried that powerful energy. "You're in good hands, my boy! Yueei is more than equipped to handle any challenges that come your way."
Izuku nodded eagerly, his earlier doubts momentarily fading in the face of his idol's unwavering confidence. If All Might believed in him—ifhethought Izuku could handle this—then maybe he could. Maybe the weight of his secrets, keeping his real quirk from his peers, keeping One for All from his mom, wouldn't be too much after all.
Inko, still holding the wooden spoon she had been using to stir the katsudon, turned around with wide eyes. "Toshinori-san, you're here?" she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and concern.
With apoof,All Might, in his more deflated form, gave her a warm smile, his hand coming up in a reassuring gesture. "I wanted to check in on Young Midoriya after his first day and make sure he was doing alright."
Inko's shoulders relaxed slightly, though her motherly instincts were still on high alert. "Thank you for looking after him," she said quietly, her gaze softening as she looked at Izuku. "It's a lot for him to handle, all of this."
Izuku felt a pang of guilt at the worry in his mother's voice, but before he could say anything, All Might stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You have a strong son. He's already proven he has what it takes to handle the responsibility. And with a heart like his, I have no doubt he'll rise to the challenge."
"Alright," Inko said after a pause, turning back to the stove with a small, fond smile. "Dinner's almost ready. Why don't you two get the table ready and sit down. I'll bring the food over soon."
The duo nodded, quickly following over her instructions. As they worked, Izuku watched Yagi carefully. He didn't look significantly weaker since he last saw the hero, but he couldn't help but worry about any lasting effects ever since he took One For All.
Yagi met his eyes and gave him a warm smile. "How was your first day of school, my boy?"
Izuku felt his tense shoulders relax, the knot of anxiety that had been building since morning slowly uncoiling. He smiled back at the older man, the warmth in Yagi's expression reminding him of why he was doing all of this.
"Good," Izuku replied, his voice soft but genuine. "It was a lot—more than I expected—but good." He couldn't help but think back on the intense training with Aizawa, the pressure to keep up with his classmates, and the overwhelming realization that he was really here, at Yueei, walking the path to becoming a hero.
Yagi nodded, his eyes twinkling with pride. "That's what I expected. Yueei is no easy journey, but you handled it well, young Midoriya. You've already shown great resilience."
Izuku looked down for a moment, his smile turning a little shy as the praise settled in. Coming from All Might, those words meant everything. "Thank you, All Might. I'm trying to do my best... for everyone."
Yagi's expression softened even further, his eyes reflecting a depth of understanding that went beyond words. "You don't have to carry it all alone, you know. Remember, you have your classmates, your teachers, and me. You'll get stronger with time, but don't forget to lean on those around you. We're all here to support you."
Mulling over his words, Izuku nodded. Though he wondered why the hero was really here. Were they going to train again?
Yagi laughed (and wasn't it odd, hearing All Might's laugh in this form?), and shook his head. Izuku grimaced, not realizing he had asked his question out loud.
"No, Young Midoriya. I just wanted to check up on you."
And wasn't that nice?
As they settled with katsudon down on the table, Yagi and his mother made light conversation, the house settling into easy companionship. Izuku couldn't help but feel content. He was at the top hero school in Japan, he was doing his best to learn how to wield One For All with all the support from everyone, and he hasn't felt his actual quirk Polarize make any big complaints.
Still, as he ate, he couldn't help but flicker his eyes to the empty fourth seat by the table.
If only his father didn't have to die for him to get here.