As Aizawa and Nezu left the room, it was just me and Nemuri. She was quiet for a moment, her eyes searching mine before she leaned in closer, her voice soft and full of affection.
Nemuri:I'm really proud of you, Izuku
she said, her tone gentle and sincere.
"Thanks...," I replied, my voice wavering slightly.
Izuku:Saying all those things out loud... it took a lot out of me.
Nemuri smiled softly and kissed my forehead, a gesture that was both comforting and reassuring.
Nemuri:I get it, Izuku. Just take it one step at a time, and remember, I'm here for you.
I gave her a small, tired smile in return.
Izuku:I know. Thank you.
After a moment, I left the room and made my way to my quarters. But before I could reach my door, I found someone waiting for me-a figure I wasn't expecting.
"Hey, Izuku," the man said, his voice low and almost hesitant. It was All Might, but not in his powerful, heroic form. This was Toshinori Yagi, the man behind the Symbol of Peace, sitting there in his shrunken, weakened form.
I clenched my fist instinctively, but I sighed and let it go.
Toshinori:You got a minute?
he asked, his voice almost pleading.
I nodded, gesturing for him to enter. He sat on a chair across from me while I settled onto my bed, the tension in the room palpable.
Izuku:So, you'll be teaching at UA
I said, my tone even, almost casual, though there was an edge to my words.
He nodded, but his face was troubled.
Toshinori:Izuku... I wanted to apologize for everything. For being the hero that failed you. For not saving you... I, I, I'm so sorry.
I looked at him, my eyes cold, the anger simmering just below the surface.
Izuku:I honestly don't car
I said bluntly, watching as he flinched at my words.
"My deal is," I continued, my voice growing sharper,
Izuku:why did you give One For All to Izumi? My sister, who made it her life mission to make sure I knew m place as quirkless. Who even told me to unalive myself and hope I got a quirk in my next life?
Toshinori eyes looked utterly shattered, his eyes wide with shock and despair.
Toshinori:Izuku, I-
"No," I interrupted, my voice a low growl.
Izuku:You don't get it. You saw what you wanted to see. The bright, talented, quirked kid who could follow in your footsteps, and you didn't give a damn about the rest. About the quirkless boy who was trying so hard to be like you, to be a hero, even when the whole world was telling him he couldn't.
Toshinori's head dropped, and for the first time, I saw him not as the invincible hero, but as a broken man-a man who had realized his errors too late.
"Izuku," he said softly,
Toshinori: I made a terrible mistake. I was blinded by my own ideals, by what I thought a hero should be. And in doing so, I failed you. I failed to see the hero you already were, quirk or no quirk.
I let his words hang in the air, unmoved by his regret.
Izuku:So, what now?
I asked, my voice cold.
Izuku:Are you here to ask for my forgiveness? To ask me to understand why you made the choices you did? Because if that's what you're hoping for, you're wasting your time.
"No, Izuku," All Might said, shaking his head slowly.
All might:I'm not here for that. I'm here because I wanted you to know the truth. I wanted you to know that I see my mistakes now. That I understand the pain I caused you, and for what it's worth... I am truly sorry. But I don't expect you to forgive me. I don't even deserve it.
I looked at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was a broken man, genuinely remorseful.
Izuku:I don't know what you want from me
I said, my voice quieter now, the anger beginning to fade.
Izuku:You made your choice, and I've made mine. I've spent years trying to figure out who I am, what I want. And now... now I think I'm finally starting to understand. I don't want to be the Symbol of Peace, or the next All Might. I just want to be me. Whoever that is.
Toshinori nodded slowly, his eyes filled with a deep sadness.
Toshinori:And you deserve that, Izuku
he said softly.
Toshinori:You deserve to be who you are, not who anyone else wants you to be. I can't change the past, but I can support you in whatever path you choose to take. Even if it means stepping aside, if that's what you need.
I didn't respond immediately, letting his words sink in.
Izuku:Thank you
I finally said, my voice barely audible.
Izuku:But I need time. Time to figure things out. And I don't know what that means for us, for... whatever relationship we have. But I need to do this on my own terms.
Toshinori nodded again, his expression one of understanding.
Toshinori:I'll be here, Izuku. Whenever you're ready. And if you need anything, anything at all, you can always come to me. Not as All Might, but as Toshinori Yagi. As someone who cares about you.
I looked at him, seeing at him, seeing the genuine sorrow and regret in his eyes. It was a far cry from the larger-than-life hero I had idolized as a child. This was just a man, flawed and broken, trying to make amends for the mistakes he had made.
But those mistakes had cost me so much. They had cost me my innocence, my hope, and nearly my life. Forgiveness wasn't something I could just hand out, not after everything I had been through. Yet, for some reason, I didn't feel the same burning anger that I once did. Maybe it was exhaustion, or maybe I was finally coming to terms with the fact that everyone, even the greatest heroes, could fail.
Izuku:can't promise you anything
I said quietly, my voice still tinged with the remnants of anger and pain.
Izuku:I can't promise that I'll ever forgive you, or that things will ever go back to how they were. But... maybe one day, I can let go of the hate. Maybe one day, I can see you as just Toshinori, and not the man who gave up on me.
All Might-or rather, Toshinori-nodded, accepting my words without argument.
Toshinori:That's more than I deserve, Izuku. And I'm grateful for it. Take all the time you need. I'll be here, whenever you're ready.
I looked away, my eyes drifting to the floor.
Izuku:I don't know how long it'll take. Or if I'll ever be ready. But... I'll try.
He gave a small, sad smile, standing up slowly from the chair.
Toshinori:That's all I can ask for. Thank you, Izuku. For giving me this chance, even if it's just a small one.
I didn't respond, just gave a brief nod, still not able to look him in the eye. He hesitated for a moment, as if he wanted to say more, but then thought better of it. With a final glance, he turned and walked out of my quarters, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating. I felt a strange mix of emotions-anger, sadness, confusion-all swirling together in a tangled mess. I didn't know what to do with them, how to process what had just happened. All I knew was that something had changed. Maybe it wasn't forgiveness, but it was something.
I sat there for what felt like hours, just staring at the door, replaying the conversation over and over in my mind. Eventually, I forced myself to stand up, moving slowly to the window.
But now, maybe... maybe I could find a new way forward. Maybe I could start to heal, not just for myself, but for the people who still believed in me. For Nemuri, for Aizawa, for Nezu... and maybe, one day, even for Toshinori.
I wasn't there yet, not by a long shot. But I had taken a step. A small, hesitant step toward something better. Toward a future that was still uncertain, but no longer completely out of reach.
With a deep breath, I turned away from the window and headed to bed. I didn't know what tomorrow would bring, or how I would face it. But for now, I could rest. And maybe, just maybe, I could start to dream of a future where I wasn't defined by my past, but by the person I could become.
Meanwhile
After izuku has left principal nezu's office
Izumi Midoriya stood quietly in the waiting room at UA High School, her fingers fidgeting nervously with the hem of her blazer. She could feel the tension in the air, a heavy weight pressing down on her shoulders. She glanced over at Katsuki and Katsumi Bakugo, both of whom were uncharacteristically silent. Gone were the fiery eyes and confident grins that used to define them; instead, they looked as unsure and tense as she felt. Shoto and Shiori Todoroki were also present, standing a bit apart, their expressions carefully neutral. The years had not been kind to their group, and the past hung over them like a dark cloud.
"Izumi," Katsumi said softly, breaking the silence.
Izumi turned to her, surprised by the gentleness in her tone. "Yes?"
Katsumi hesitated, as if searching for the right words.
Katsumi:I... I never got the chance to... I mean, we never...
Her voice trailed off, her eyes dropping to the floor.
Izumi nodded, understanding what Katsumi was trying to say. They had all changed, grown up in the shadow of their mistakes.
Izumi:yeah, I know
she replied quietly.
Before any more could be said, the door to the waiting room opened, and Aizawa, known as Eraserhead, stepped in. His face was set in a stern expression, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes-something that looked like disgust. It vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual stoic demeanor.
"Follow me," he said in a cold tone, turning sharply and heading down the corridor without waiting for a response.
The group exchanged uneasy glances but complied, trailing after Aizawa through the labyrinthine halls of UA. The silence between them was thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. Finally, they reached the principal's office, and Aizawa pushed open the door, ushering them inside.
Principal Nezu was waiting for them behind his desk, his small frame dwarfed by the oversized chair he sat in. His expression was unreadable, his eyes sharp as they swept over the group.
Nezu:Hello there, Izumi Midoriya, Katsuki and Katsumi Bakugo, Shoto and Shiori Todoroki
Nezu greeted them. His tone was polite, but there was a certain edge to it that put everyone on alert. No one responded; they just stood there, unsure of what to expect.
Nezu continued,
Nezu:alright then, let's get down to business. You all possess exceptionally powerful quirks-Izumi, your Shockwave; Shoto, your Half-Hot, Half-Cold; Shiori, your Frostfire; Katsuki and Katsumi, your Explosion and Flame Ignition. Such gifts... and yet, in the wrong hands, such potential for harm.
Katsuki's jaw tightened, and he crossed his arms defensively.
Katsuki:excuse me?
he said in an annoyed tone.
Nezu didn't flinch at Katsuki's interruption. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing.
Nezu:Does the name Izuku Midoriya ring a bell?
The room fell into a heavy silence. The mention of Izuku's name was like a punch to the gut, each of them flinching in their own way. Memories came rushing back-memories they had all tried to bury.
Nezu watched them carefully, gauging their reactions.
Nezu:I've read through all your files
he said calmly.
Nezu:I know what you did to him. The damage you caused because of your quirk discrimination. And yet, you all still want to be heroes?
Izumi opened her mouth to speak, her voice trembling.
Izumi:We only did it because we wanted to-
Nezu:Please be quiet
Nezu interrupted sharply.
Nezu:I wasn't finished.
Izumi fell silent, her face pale. She could feel the weight of her guilt pressing down on her chest.
Nezu continued,
Nezu:Your actions were not only morally reprehensible but also illegal. You attended Aldera Junior High School, yes?
Shiori:Yeah, what about it?
Shiori asked defensively, her eyes narrowing.
Nezu's lips curled into a small, cold smile.
Nezu:The school has been shut down. Some of the teachers have been arrested. And many of the students, well, let's just say they won't be accepted into any hero schools-or even normal high schools-for a very long time.
"WHAT?!" they all yelled out in unison, their eyes widening in shock.
Nezu nodded, his expression unyielding.
Nezu:That would have been your fate as well. But due to your family connections, your quirks, and your performance on the entrance tests, you're still being allowed to attend UA.
Izumi's head was spinning. This was too much information, too fast. She was trying to process everything when Nezu's next words nearly knocked her off her feet.
Nezu:And yes, about Izuku... He'll be joining you.
"WAIT, WHAT?"
Katsumi blurted out, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Izumi:My brother... he's alive?
Izumi whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. She had dreamed of this moment, hoped against hope that it was true, but hearing it now was almost too much to bear.
Shoto's eyes widened in surprise, and even Katsuki seemed momentarily stunned. Shiori and Katsumi were visibly emotional, their expressions a mix of relief and guilt.
Shiori:Is he okay?
Shiori asked, her voice cracking with emotion.
Nezu's expression softened, just a fraction.
Nezu:He is... alive. But he has been through a great deal. He has faced extreme mental health challenges, and the trauma he endured because of you, among other factors, has left deep scars.
A heavy silence settled over the room as Nezu's words sank in. Izumi felt her heart break at the thought of what her brother had been through-what they had all put him through.
Nezu:You should also know
Nezu continued, his voice growing colder
Nezu:that there will be consequences if any of you step out of line. UA will not tolerate any behavior that jeopardizes the safety or well-being of our students.
Katsuki:Consequences?
Katsuki muttered, his brows furrowing.
"Yes," Nezu replied sharply.
Nezu:You will be on probation. Any misconduct, any signs of your previous behavior, and you will be expelled. Permanently and never to even think of going to any other hero school in the country. You'll also be subject to strict monitoring to ensure you don't cause any more harm.
Izumi could feel the blood drain from her face. This was serious. More serious than anything they had ever faced before.
Izumi:We know what we did was wrong
she said quietly, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Izumi:But isn't this too harsh?
Nezu snorted softly.
Nezu:Compared to what Izuku has been through, this is lenient.
Izumi felt tears spill over her cheeks, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. The others looked equally devastated, their expressions a mix of shame and fear.
Shiori:We're sorry,
Shiori said softly, her voice breaking.
Shiori:We never wanted to... we didn't think...
Nezu:That much is clear
Nezu replied curtly.
Nezu:But what's done is done. Now, you have to live with the consequences. All of you.
Izumi wiped her eyes, her heart heavy with guilt. She had wanted to protect Izuku, to be a hero who could make a difference. Instead, she had been the villain in his story, the one who had driven him away.
Katsumi reached out, her hand brushing Izumi's arm gently.
Katsumi:izumi... we'll make this right. Somehow. We have to.
Izumi nodded, her throat too tight to speak. She didn't know how they could ever make up for what they had done, but she knew they had to try. For Izuku. For themselves.
Nezu watched them for a moment, then sighed softly.
Nezu:You all have a lot to think about
he said quietly.
Nezu: suggest you start now. You'll be meeting Izuku soon, and I expect you to treat him with the respect he deserves. Understood?
They all nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. As they filed out of the office, Izumi felt a strange mix of dread and hope. Dread for the confrontation with her brother that was surely coming, and hope that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make amends.
For Izuku's sake. And for their own.