A talk? Did he think he could smooth things over with a simple talk? If he did, then he was an absolute imbecile, unlikely since he'd been shown to be keen and intelligent. Either way, even in my anger, I had to admit I was curious to know what he had to say. That, and openly hating the number one hero wouldn't do me any favors online.

Putting on a big smile, I turned to look at the number one hero. "What's it been All Might? Nine months? Ten? I'll have to let Powerloader Sensei know, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Giving me a smile in return, he waved his hand. "Don't worry, I've already gotten permission, but still, we shouldn't wait around too long."

Leading me along, there were plenty of looks and whispering from the students. Between All Mights status as the number one hero and my own newfound popularity, it had to look a bit strange.

Still smiling, I was the first to step into the teachers lounge.

"I'll admit, not bad. Of course, you'd think a teachers lounge at U.A. would at least have a vending machine." I joked, the door closing and my smile falling. Finally.

"Gotta say, I wasn't sure you'd agree to meet after last time." All Might spoke, his voice different, like it had been once before.

"Skinny now, are you?" I asked him, heading for the window to close the blinds. Everyman had their secrets, and I planned to defeat All Might without resorting to exposing him.

"Yes, I am. This is my true form. When I'm not using my quirk, this is what I look like."

"Great. This is what I look like when I'm not using my quirk." I replied sarcasticly, taking a seat and deciding this time to hear out the hero.

Clearing his throat, he seemed a little uncomfortable. Normally, I wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. This time, however, I was enjoying it.

"I, well, yes, I suppose so." He sputtered, taking a handkerchief out of his pocket and coughing blood into it.

He had my curiosity, and now he had my interest.

As I watched, it was strange how unfeeling I could be for another human being.

"That's new. I don't remember that happening last time we spoke." I told him as I helped myself to the tin of cookies on the table. My diet, while counted to every calorie, left me hungry all the time. It wouldn't hurt to cheat on it a bit.

"No. The conversation ended much quicker than anticipated." All Might agreed, and I put the tin down, a few cookies left out for me.

"So is this business or pleasure? Either way, I'd like to hurry this up." I told him, looking like I'd hurt him as I ate, a slight bump coming from the door.

"I was wrong. You should know that. Your spirit rivals that of the best heroes." He told me, unable to meet my eyes like the coward he was.

"Maybe it did, but you broke my spirit. What was left was turned to spite for you and the pain you've caused me. I lost my hopes at heroism, and when you ruined my chances at getting into a prestigious music school, I had to sell out. Now you bring up old pains? I had hoped you of all people would bury the past, but to my shock, you continue digging at the gaping hole that held my dearest dreams. What a cruel man you are." I replied as my anger built, and I could feel it build into hurt, tears overflowing.

"It would seem that no matter what I intended, you were hurt in the process. For that, I am truly sorry, boy."

"Somehow -" and I faltered, trying not to sob from the anger. "Somehow, your sorry doesn't account for not saving me when I needed you." I told him, my voice cracking as I stood and moved to the door, opening it to find a few of the more bold students eavesdropping on our conversation before I walked past them, spotting a phone in one of their hands.

Well, I wasn't going to expose him, but if someone else did, what did I care? I couldn't buy the kind of publicity that would make me shine and smear him as this would.

Of course, I just needed to keep crying a bit longer, and then I could wipe my tears in a bathroom and come out with a big smile, pretend I hadn't until whatever they recorded went viral.

Once I was back in class, I apologized to Powerloader and quickly fell in line for the workshop tour. Of course, being U.A., it was even more impressive than the one they provided for our exams.

"When can we start working?" Hatsume asked Powerloader, the hero looking at her for a moment before gesturing towards the machinery.

"You may work in here as long as you have a staff member present. Luckily, most of the staff here hardly sleep or go home anyway. You'll find plenty who'll sleep or do paperwork while you create the gear of tomorrow. And since it's the first day, I'll allow you to get used to the space and figure out where everything is. If you find time to work, more power to you." Our teacher told us, and like children let loose in a candy store, most of my class ran off.

For my part, I had plenty of designs in my notebook, some of them practical, some of them I wanted to bring to life just to see what would happen. But today was a good day to show up tiny hands, so I got to work on something practical.

A staff that would help focus the energy of electrical based quirks since many people couldn't control where their electricity went. Able to channel and direct the electricity in precise bolts, the staff would also come equipped an adjustable length, able to be used in two pieces as escrima sticks, and finally, a focusing mechanism that would make aiming at targets easier. Of course, I had to put a piece of myself into into, engraving a small green star at the bottom of the staff.

Anyone who used this would have plenty of options, even if they'd need to practice extensively to use it effectively, but it would prove to be a good weapon for offensive and defensive purposes.

It took all day, but I had the time to work. Our normal classes would start tomorrow, but for now, I was content to spend the time just building and chatting with Hatsume.

"Adding more heat resistant materials would help with the overheating issue you're having. I recommend silocon carbide or alumina, but an exhaust port may also help." I told her, handing her a small wrench that was only a bit bigger than my pinky.

"See, this is why I'm gonna keep you around. You give me the simple solutions I forget about." Hatsume told me, and as much as I wanted her to be joking, she'd proven to not mince words or joke.

"Right. I'd hate for you to miss an easy solution."

Once lunch rolled around, I was covered in grease, already down to just my undershirt and a pair of sweatpants. There was no need to destroy all of my good clothes.

"You look like crap." I heard, turning to find Jiro and a tall girl with long black hair waiting in line, a guy with red spiky hair in-between us.

"You shouldn't say things like that." The tall girl told her while I let the guy go in front of me.

Giving a smile, I offered my hand out to the girl. "Hello, I'm Midoriya Izuku, class 1-H."

The girl took my hand and introduced herself. "Yaoyorozu Momo."

For a moment, i was silent, not sure of what to say. I hadn't had to meet any of Jiro's other friends before.

"Come on, say something, Rockstar. Otherwise, she'll think you're some kind of basket case." Jiro whispered loudly, getting two sets of eyes rolled at her.

"But I am a basket case." I replied, grinning while a pink girl came over, interrupting the moment. Oh boy, was every fangirl going to look at me like i was a puppy?

"You're Midoriya, right?" She asked, meaning her hearing was either amazing or she recognized me.

"Absolutely I am. What can i do you for, love? Picture, autograph, or both?" I questioned, switching personalities on the fly. It was like acting was just part of music.

"Yes." She replied quietly, and I moved to the left side of her, my right hand held out in a peace sign, my left on my hip.

"Cool. Now, it's picture time." I told her, and after a second, she pulled her phone out and snapped a selfie.

"Perfect. Thanks for wanting a picture, I'm always happy to meet fans." I told her, moving back over to my friends.

Jiro just looked at me, an eyebrow raised, but she didn't say anything.

"Sorry about that, where were we?" I asked before remembering. "Oh yes, labels. I'm a basket case with issues, Jiro is a living Walkman, and... well, I'm not sure about you, Yaoyorozu, but you're radiating "generational wealth" vibes." I told them as the three of us finally got to the front of the line.

"Well, my parents are heroes, so I suppose my family is a bit more comfortable than most."

"How'd you guess that from just a glance?" Jiro asked, getting a laugh from me.

"Okay, I'll admit I've seen Yaoyorozu here at the studio before, taking a tour with Masumi Seo." I told her, laughing again before I got my food.

"You guessed her parents' wealth from spotting her on a tour of the studio? That's impressive."

"It's not a very risky guess. I mean, if you can afford to hang out with an international pop star, you might be well off."

Finding a place to sit, I listened to Jiro describe her day, a grueling challenge where the person who came in last would lose? Who could be so heartless? Then again, it was U.A.

"Hmm, well, U.A. does tend to play fast and loose with rules and students. Just try not to get hurt." I advised, getting poked in the side with a jack.

"Someone might think you care." She teased, and I shrugged in return.

"We both know I do." I replied, taking a sip of my drink.

"You're supposed to deny it."

"Why?"

"It's more fun if you do."

Was it? I didn't know about her, but for me, it just wasn't.

"This isn't some slow-burn fanfiction written by some chronically online weirdos. I couldn't deny caring about you even if it meant the end of the world."

The words left me before I could even think, and I found myself uncaring even when I could think.

"Oh." I heard before the bell rang, and I got up and took my dishes, heading back to class to spend the rest of my day testing gear and bouncing ideas off of Hatsume.

The end of the day was welcome, making sure my tools and gear were put away before going to go meet with Jiro at her classroom since it was significantly closer to the front than my own. A minor perk of the hero course, I suppose, or mayne it was just how it was put together when they built the school years ago.

"Hey, you ready?" I called with a wave and a smile.

She looked up from her phone, just as a text notification hit mine.

"You gonna get that?" She asked.

"Why? What is it?"

"Just check."

Rolling my eyes, I checked the text, just seeing her ask where I was.

"I don't know. Where are any of us?" I replied, putting my hands in my pockets.

"You're stupid." She told me, but I heard the mirth in her words.

"Yeah."

Once we said our goodbyes at her stop, I took the train towards the studio. Man, at this point, I should just get an apartment somewhere between both and live there while I go to school.

Walking down the streets of Tokyo, I was having a nice walk. Sure, I had to stop and take a picture here and there, but for the most part, I had no problems getting through the crowds.

"Hey, could I get a picture?" Someone with a raspy voice asked from an alley, just standing there with his hood up and blue hair covering his face.

"Uh, yeah, sure." I told him, getting close and getting a hand put on my neck. Must be a gag photo.

"If I put all five fingers on your neck, you'll turn to dust before you cam scream. Act natural." The commanded, and I assumed now from their voice it was a man.

"Y-Yeah." I stuttered as he led me into the alley until it seemed like seems separated the alley from the inside of what looked like a bar, a portal closing.

"Midoriya Izuku." I heard, chills going up my spine as a screen came on, and a face in the darkness spoke.

"I'd like to make you an offer."