First-person view:

Standing in front of the mirror, I tugged at the collar of my UA male school uniform. It fit me well, though I wasn't used to seeing myself in something like this—a clean white shirt, the blazer adorned with the school's logo, green pants, a red tie neatly hanging. Honestly, it felt a bit surreal, almost like I was trying on someone else's dream, a dream I'd once had, back when life was simpler.

But now... now everything was different.

I sighed as I looked at my reflection, the dark circles under my eyes refusing to be concealed, no matter how hard I tried to mask them. Four years. Four years of running, surviving, changing. Four years since I had vanished from their lives.

Nemuri:You okay, Izuku?

Nemuri's voice came from behind me. She stepped closer, her gentle hands adjusting my collar and tie, her touch both comforting and grounding. Her eyes, full of care, searched mine.

I nodded, though a knot of anxiety twisted in my chest.

Izuku:Yeah… I mean, this is UA. I never thought I'd actually set foot in this place as a student.

Nemuri chuckled softly, smoothing the fabric of my blazer.

Nemuri:Funny how life works, huh? You always dreamed of coming here.

She paused, meeting my eyes with a soft smile.

Nemuri:And now, you're here. You earned it, Izuku. Sure, it was rough... extremely rough. But you made it.

I tried to hold back the overwhelming emotions rising in my chest. For so long, I'd dreamed of this moment, but not under these circumstances. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure.

Izuku:I guess... somehow destiny has a way of surprising us, doesn't it?

Her smile grew, though I saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Nemuri:you're happy, right?

It took me a moment, but I managed a smile, small and faint, yet real.

Izuku:Yeah... I guess I am.

Her face brightened as she blushed.

Nemuri:See? You look handsome when you smile.

She leaned in and kissed me softly. I didn't hesitate this time. It was still new, this affection, this love. Something I thought I'd lost forever, yet Nemuri had given it to me freely. It was something I wasn't sure I deserved, but I accepted it

Nemuri:and Izuku…

She paused, her voice quieter now, more serious.

Nemuri:Please be careful.

I knew what she meant. She didn't have to say it. Today, I was going to face them my sister, Izumi, and the people who once called themselves my friends. They were here, and I couldn't avoid them forever.

"I'll be fine," I said, trying to reassure her, though deep down, the uncertainty gnawed at me.

Nemuri:I hope so…

Nemuri's arms wrapped around me in a tight hug. Her warmth, her affection—it was overwhelming in the best way.

Nemuri:i'm so happy for you.

For a brief moment, I let myself melt into her embrace. It felt... incredible. Being hugged by someone who loved me, someone who saw me and cared. After everything, it felt like a dream. A part of me was still scared it could be ripped away at any moment, but for now, I held onto it.

After what felt like an eternity, I stepped back, taking a deep breath.

Izuku:Time to face the day.

Third-person view:

Izuku made his way through the corridors of UA, the weight of his past pressing heavily on his shoulders. His steps were slow, deliberate, as he neared the classroom. Anxiety swirled in his chest, something he hadn't felt this intensely in years. He had faced much worse torture, experimentation, isolation—but this... seeing them again after so long... it was a different kind of challenge.

He opened the door and stepped inside.

The moment his foot crossed the threshold, the room fell silent. All eyes turned to him. And there, sitting with her feet propped arrogantly on the desk, was Katsuki. Across from her was her twin, Katsumi, their eyes sharp, full of attitude.

"Take your feet off the desk,"

a voice demanded.

"It is disrespectful, not just to you, but to the school and to those who came before you."

It was Tenya Iida, standing tall, his posture rigid and formal. His tone was firm, though there was a tremor of nerves behind his words.

Katsumi:SHUT THE HELL UP, FOUR-EYES! YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT'S COMPLAINING!

Katsumi shot back immediately, her fiery temper flaring. She hadn't changed, not really. The same cocky, explosive attitude she'd always had. But her voice faltered slightly when her eyes landed on him.

Izuku.

The room seemed to freeze for a moment as their gazes locked. Four years. Four years since they had last seen him. Katsumi's mouth fell slightly open in shock, while Katsuki's hardened expression softened into something almost unrecognizable guilt, perhaps?

All the therapy seemed to almost on the edge of jumping out the window

"Calm down izuku"

He thought to himself he felt like as if he was in a panic attack

Izuku clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms. Memories, sharp and painful, flooded his mind. The constant bullying, the taunts, the laughter at his expense. All of it revolving around them
Katsuki, Katsumi, Izumi, Shoto, and Shiori. Their faces, once familiar, now filled him with an overwhelming mix of emotions. Rage, sorrow, fear… everything.

"I... Izuku...?"

Katsuki's voice broke the silence. It wasn't loud or harsh like it used to be. It was soft, uncertain. She stared at him as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. His once bright green hair now appeared darker, nearly black, and there were faint scars on his fingers, signs of the hell he had been through. The dark circles under his eyes told a story of sleepless nights, of battles fought alone.

Izumi stood in the back, her eyes wide, struggling to keep herself together. Beside her, Shoto and Shiori remained silent, though their eyes betrayed their surprise.

Izuku glanced at all of them briefly before lowering his gaze. He didn't want to acknowledge them. He couldn't. Not after everything.

Lida:Sorry for not introducing myself earlier

a voice broke the tension. It was Tenya Iida again, standing directly in front of Izuku.

Lida:My name is Tenya Iida, from Somei Academy. And you are?

Izuku blinked at him, a little taken aback. Another boy, his age, actually willing to speak to him. There was something about the way Iida stood, the way he carried himself izuku wasn't sure whether to trust him or be suspicious.

Izuku:My name is... Izuku

he finally responded, his voice quiet.

Izuku:Izuku is my name. I don't have a surname.

Izumi, standing not far away, bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. Her little brother the brother she had once cherished was standing in front of her, refusing to even acknowledge their shared name. It hurt more than she could bear, but she quickly wiped the tears away before anyone noticed.

Lida:I didn't see you in the entrance exams

Iida continued, his tone curious.

Lida:Were you part of the special recommendation tests?

Izuku shook his head slightly.

Izuku:No... I was recommended by the Public Safety Commission.

Lida:Oh my... you must be very strong, then

Iida replied, clearly impressed.

Izuku shrugged, not really wanting to continue the conversation. "I guess so."

"AHEM."

The room turned toward the figure standing at the door. It was Shota Aizawa, dressed in his usual disheveled attire, his tired eyes scanning the room.

Aizawa:It seems everyone is here. Let me introduce myself. My name is Shota Aizawa, or the hero known as Eraserhead, and I'll be your homeroom teacher.

The class remained silent, the tension thick in the air.

Aizawa:We're going to be doing some exercises

Aizawa continued, his voice cold and emotionless.

Aizawa:Head to the locker room and come to the field wearing your gym uniform.

With that, the first day at UA had officially begun.

As I stood in the locker room, staring at the gym uniform in my hands, I couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me. The uniform was simple, just like I'd imagined it back then. It was a dark blue, almost navy, with white stripes running down the sides and arms, forming a sharp 'U' shape on the chest that stood for UA. It was functional, designed for maximum flexibility and endurance. Wearing it now felt surreal, like I was stepping into a world I once thought would be impossible for me to reach.

But this was no dream. I was actually here, standing in a place I once would have given anything to be in. Now... it felt different. It wasn't filled with the same excitement, the same joy I'd once had. That dream had died a long time ago, but here I was, forced to live it anyway.

As I started to change into the uniform, I heard a voice behind me.

"Hey there."

I turned to see a guy with spiky red hair, smiling wide. His sharp teeth caught the light, making him look more beast than human, but there was an undeniable friendliness to him.

Kirishima:Names Kirishima...

he started before his eyes bulged wide. "OH SHIT!"

All the boys in the locker room turned to look at him, confusion written on their faces. But then their eyes landed on me, and I understood why Kirishima had reacted like that.

Their eyes widened even more as they took in the sight of my body. Sure, I had trained myself to the brink of death—my body was lean, but muscles had formed over the years, becoming defined through the hell I'd gone through. But that wasn't what drew their shock. It was the scars. My skin was a tapestry of gruesome reminders, long jagged lines running across my midsection, arms, back, and legs. Each one was a story of pain, torture, and survival. The scars near my midsection, in particular, were the worst. They were deep, discolored, and looked as if I had been sliced open repeatedly, almost as if someone had been trying to carve out parts of me Even if I regenerate those scars would still be there

"Hey... dude," Kirishima stammered, breaking the heavy silence.

Kirishima:You're, uh, body looks manly, no homo... but what the hell happened to you? Are you okay, bro?

I turned my gaze toward him. His concern seemed genuine, but I wasn't in the mood to explain every single thing I had endured. So I gave him the simplest lie I could.

Izuku :had an accident with my quirk

I said, pulling the shirt over my head.

Izuku:Don't worry about it.

The second I finished speaking, I heard another voice. One I hadn't heard in years, and yet it still made my blood boil.

Katsuki:DEKU, what the hell?!

It was Katsuki. Bakugo Katsuki. He stood frozen, staring at me, his face contorted into something that looked like a mix of horror and disbelief. He couldn't stop his eyes from roving over the scars on my body.

I could almost see the gears turning in his head. He had no idea what I'd been through. How could he? The last time we saw each other, I was nothing more than a quirkless kid, a nobody who clung desperately to dreams that were never meant for me. Now, the sight of me must've shattered whatever image he had of the "Deku" he once knew.

"Is that... what he meant?"

Bakugo mumbled under his breath, barely audible, as his mind wandered back to what Principal Nezu had told him.

"Compared to what he's been through, huh?"

His voice faltered, and I could see it. I could see the confusion in his eyes, the shock, and the faintest trace of fear. But I wasn't about to let that slide. Not after everything.

Izuku:Don't you dare call me Deku, Katsuki

I growled, my voice low and dripping with venom.

The entire locker room went silent. The boys who had been staring at my scars now shifted uncomfortably, sensing the tension rising in the air. Even Kirishima took a step back, unsure of what was about to happen.

I took a step toward Bakugo, and the moment I did, I let the full force of my unrestrained bloodlust seep into my words. My eyes locked onto his, and I could see the way his body tensed, sweat starting to form on his forehead.

For the first time in his life, Katsuki Bakugo was scared of me.

"Wh-what the hell..."

he muttered, taking a small step back, his eyes wide, his hands trembling at his sides.

"Why am I suddenly scared of this damn nerd?"

I smirked. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on me. The boy who had bullied me for years, the one who always looked down on me, now stood in front of me, trembling like a scared child. And the satisfaction that brought me was intoxicating.

Before he could say anything else, Tenya Iida suddenly stepped between us. His presence was as commanding as ever, and he raised his hands to separate the two of us, his voice full of authority.

Lida:Both of you, please

Iida said, his voice calm yet firm.

Lida:This is only the first day. Let's calmly go to the field as instructed by our teacher. Judging from the tension between you two, it's clear that you have a history together. But this isn't the time or place to let past grievances take over.

I stared at Iida for a moment. His words were level-headed, diplomatic, like he was trying to keep the peace. But the problem was that there was no peace to keep not between me and Bakugo. There hadn't been for a long time.

Still, I sighed and relented, taking a step back. I could feel the eyes of the others still on me, waiting for something to happen. But I wasn't here to start a fight at least, not yet. I was here for a reason, and I wasn't about to let Bakugo or anyone else ruin that.

But before I walked away, I leaned in close to him, my voice barely above a whisper, so only he could hear me.

Izuku:I hope you know what you're doing, Katsuki

I whispered coldly, my breath brushing against his ear.

Izuku:Because I'm not the same Izuku you used to bully. Try anything, and I swear to God forget about being a hero. Let's just hope you don't end up dead before the end of this month. Same goes for the rest of them.

I straightened up, walking away from him as I left the locker room. No one else heard what I said, but they could see the look in Bakugo's eyes. He was shaken, more than he'd ever admit.

As we all stood in the field, the tension was palpable. The first day of training at UA, and it already felt like everything was riding on this. Aizawa-sensei stood in front of us, his tired eyes scanning the group as if measuring each of us up.

Aizawa:Ten minutes, huh?

he began, his voice dry but filled with authority.

Aizawa:Time waits for no one in the world of heroism. A mere ten minutes could be the difference between saving a life or losing one. I hope you all know that.

I didn't need him to tell me that. Every second counts in a real fight, and I've seen firsthand what happens when heroes don't make it in time. The world isn't as kind as people think it is. Not to me, not to anyone.

Standing next to me was a girl with short auburn hair, her eyes bright and full of life, matching the warm tone of her hair. Her expression was the complete opposite of how I felt inside.

"Hi there!" she chirped, her voice light and cheerful.

Ochaco:My name's Ochaco Uraraka! What's yours?

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her bubbly nature. There wasn't an ounce of distrust in her voice, no hidden agenda, no malice. She seemed completely genuine, a rarity in my experience. I didn't know how to respond to her kindness—it felt foreign, like something from another lifetime.

Izuku:My name is Izuku...

I began hesitantly.

"Oh! I know!" She interrupted before I could finish.

Ochaco:You look a lot like Izumi. Are you two related?

I felt my heart stop for a second. Izumi. My twin. The one who shared the same face, the same features... but not the same life. I could feel the stares of some of the others nearby, waiting for my answer. I didn't want to deal with their questions, their judgment.

"No," I lied, keeping my voice steady.

Izuku:We aren't related. The dark green in my hair is artificial, and... I'm an orphan.

I could see her face fall immediately, regret flashing in her eyes.

Ochaco:Oh, I'm so, so sorry for asking!

she said, her voice full of genuine concern.

Ochaco: I didn't mean to—

"Damn it," I cursed inwardly.

"I shouldn't have said anything. Now she feels guilty."

"It's fine," I said flatly, turning my focus back to Aizawa. It wasn't fine, but I wasn't in the mood to deal with her sympathy.

Aizawa clapped his hands to get our attention again.

Aizawa:Okay, class. We're going to start with a simple exercise.

He looked directly at me, and I felt a knot form in my stomach. Why was he singling me out?

"Izuku," he said, tossing me a ball.

Aizawa:Take this and head to the circle.

I caught the ball, nodding. There were murmurs from some of the students as I stepped forward, all eyes on me. I could feel the weight of their curiosity, especially from Katsumi. She was staring hard at me, her fists clenched. It was like she was waiting for something. Waiting to see if what Principal Nezu told her was true that I had a quirk.

I stood in the circle and glanced up at Aizawa, gripping the ball tightly in my hands.

Izuku:What's the objective, sensei?

I asked.

He gave me a calm, almost bored look.

Aizawa:I want you to throw the ball as hard as you can, using your quirk.

I looked down at the bracelet strapped to my wrist. It regulated my power, making sure I didn't go overboard and cause another incident like before. It limited me to only using 15% of One Above All, the artificial quirk that had been forced onto me. I'd never tried to push it to its max at such low output before, but there was no better time than now.

"Alright,"

I thought to myself.

"Let's see what I can do."

I clenched my fist, feeling the familiar surge of energy rushing through my veins. Dark green energy began swirling around my hand, glowing brighter and brighter until it enveloped the ball. I could feel it pulsing beneath my skin, an overwhelming force that threatened to consume me if I wasn't careful.

The ball in my hand glowed intensely, a deep green aura shimmering around it as I prepared to launch it.

BOOM!

The sound was deafening. As I released the ball, a shockwave erupted from my hand, sending it soaring into the air. The ball shot forward with blinding speed, a trail of green energy left in its wake as it ripped through the sky. The air around it seemed to shimmer, the sheer force of the throw causing the particles in the atmosphere to vibrate violently. The ball moved so fast it was hard to track, disappearing from sight almost instantly.

Everyone around me stood frozen in place, watching as the glowing streak disappeared into the horizon. Aizawa checked his phone, his expression impassive as he read the score.

"1,270 meters,"

he said, his voice neutral, though I could tell even he was somewhat impressed.

Aizawa:That's... impressive.

"To think this is just 15% of his quirk"

There was a stunned silence before the murmurs started. The students around me began whispering to each other, clearly shocked by what they'd just seen.

"Holy crap," someone muttered from the back.

"Did you see that?" another said in disbelief.

"He just launched that thing like it was nothing!"

A boy with blonde hair and a streak of lightning bolt said

Kirishima:that's manly and... cool

Kirishima mumbled from beside me, his wide eyes still fixed on the sky where the ball had disappeared.

I raised an eyebrow at the comment.

Izuku:Cool?

I thought. I wasn't trying to impress anyone here.

Aizawa snorted. "Cool, huh?"

His voice cut through the chatter, drawing everyone's attention back to him.

Aizawa:Well, let me tell you something that's even cooler.

He paused for effect, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the class.

Aizawa:Whoever comes in last during this test... is expelled.

There was an immediate uproar.

"Wait, what?!"

a student shouted.

"Isn't that too cruel?"

Another spoke up,

"But we've only just started!"

Aizawa shrugged, his face completely indifferent.

Aizawa:Life isn't fair, and neither is this test. I've expelled entire classes on their first day before.

"But that's just abuse of power!" someone else cried out.

Aizawa's expression didn't change.

Aizawa:In other schools, maybe. But this is UA. You want to cry about it? Fine, go cry. You'll just be doing it somewhere else. You have eight tests ahead of you. Do poorly, and kiss your future as a hero goodbye.

I stood there, stunned for a moment like the rest of them. But as the initial shock wore off, I found myself shrugging. It didn't matter to me. I wasn't here to make friends or even to prove myself to these people. I was here for one reason, and one reason alone. Failure wasn't an option, not for me.

I made my way back to the group, where Uraraka stood waiting. Her eyes were wide with amazement, her earlier cheerfulness replaced with awe.

Ochaco:That was soooo cooool!

she gushed, practically bouncing on her toes.

Ochaco:What's your quirk? That energy thing you did was amazing!

I hesitated for a moment. I wasn't used to people asking about my quirk with genuine curiosity. Most of the time, people were either terrified of it or envious. But she didn't seem like either.

"Uh, well," I began, glancing at the green orb of energy that flickered to life in my palm. It swirled lazily, emitting a soft hum.

Izuku:I can generate energy inside my body and use it to enhance my physical abilities. And, uh... also do this.

The orb glowed brighter for a moment before slowly fading away. Even those standing near me were stunned by the display.

"Damn," I heard someone mutter nearby.