- .My Hero Academia: 180 degrees. -
32. Where Izuku is interviewed about his reasons for wanting to be a hero.
Izuku arrived at the site where the entrance exam would take place, his heart pounding in his chest. Although he had studied the map several times, the terrain he stood on was completely different from the UA campus. It was vast, filled with tall structures and open areas that seemed specifically designed for physical and tactical tests. But what truly caught his attention was the sheer number of young people gathered there—dozens of applicants like him, all with the same look of excitement and nervousness.
Many were carrying gear, small parts of what were likely to become their future hero costumes if they passed the exam. Midoriya, notebook in hand, observed everyone with curiosity, trying to capture interesting details.
He also scanned the crowd, hoping to spot a familiar face. However, the multitude was overwhelming, and he couldn't find anyone he recognized. It was as if, suddenly, he was alone in the middle of the crowd. But it wasn't that strange—after all, there were too many candidates this year, and it was natural that not everyone would be in the same place at the same time.
—Please form orderly lines in front of the interview tables —announced the loudspeakers, cutting through the constant hum of nervous conversations.
What followed was immediate chaos. The young applicants pushed their way toward the tables, trying to be the first in line. The tension was palpable, and the atmosphere became overwhelming in a matter of seconds. Izuku felt like he was being crushed from all sides, but he also tried to push through the crowd, fighting for air as his heart raced even faster.
—¡Stop, applicants! —a powerful voice boomed over the tumult—. ¡¿Is this the behavior you deem appropriate for future UA students?! ¡The most prestigious hero school!
The shout hit like thunder, and everyone froze in place. The crowd, which had been a chaotic mass of bodies and shouting just moments ago, now murmured awkwardly. Midoriya, relieved not to be crushed anymore and curious about who had raised their voice, turned to see a tall, firm-looking young man with glasses that gleamed in the sunlight.
—¡Consider that we might already be under evaluation to see if we're worthy candidates for admission! —the young man continued with an authority one wouldn't expect from someone so young—. ¡The loudspeaker specifically said to form orderly lines! ¡So let's make sure we follow the instructions!
Though some murmured and even rolled their eyes at the young man's lecturing tone, most of the applicants began to comply. The lines started to form more orderly, and little by little, the chaos turned into calm.
Midoriya, still a bit shaken, felt a wave of relief as he was no longer being crushed. Finally, he could breathe more easily as the crowd settled down. But before he could fully relax, he heard someone call out:
—¡You there! ¡The one in green! —came the voice of the same young man.
Midoriya tensed immediately, knowing the comment was directed at him. He stood up straight, almost as a reflex, as the bespectacled boy fixed his gaze on him.
—¡You'd better have filled out the necessary paperwork to bring those gadgets with you! —he said sternly.
—Yes! I filled it out last week! —Midoriya responded quickly, remembering how he had completed all the forms to bring his support tools.
The boy nodded seriously.
—Then there's no issue. Move forward and get in line!
As he passed by him, Midoriya couldn't help but think that the boy was a bit intimidating, but also very dedicated. Even though his tone was strict, it was clear that he cared about following the rules and ensuring everyone did the right thing. At least now the process would proceed more smoothly.
Meanwhile, Tenya Iida—the young man who had called everyone to order—couldn't help but notice something about Midoriya's gadgets. Something about their design seemed vaguely familiar, as if he had seen them somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place where.
Before he could think more about it, a deep voice spoke behind him:
—Hey, kid. We're the ones in charge of organizing this. Do yourself a favor and get in line, too.
Iida was startled to see that the person speaking to him was none other than Principal Aizawa himself. The bespectacled young man, who had been so in control of the situation moments earlier, visibly tensed and quickly responded.
—Yes, I apologize, sir! —Iida replied swiftly, bowing his head before joining the others in line.
...
Izuku stood in line, feeling the nerves race through his body as he slowly moved forward toward the interview table. The line was long, but from his position, he could see Present Mic, one of UA's most flamboyant teachers, handling interviews with his usual fast-paced and energetic style. It seemed like the students who went through his table were approved almost immediately, after just a couple of quick questions.
Next to him, another line moved much more slowly. Principal Aizawa himself was conducting those interviews, taking his time with each candidate, asking detailed questions and observing them closely. Izuku silently thanked his luck for not being in that line.
—Looks like we got lucky with this line —commented a voice behind Izuku, echoing his thoughts.
Turning his head, Izuku found himself face-to-face with a young man with purple hair and a tired expression. He had a distant air about him, but there was something friendly in his demeanor.
—Yeah —Izuku replied with a nervous smile.
—I'm Shinso —the young man introduced himself, extending his hand.
—I... Izuku Midoriya —Izuku responded, shaking his hand somewhat awkwardly.
Shinso looked him over for a moment, his gaze settling on the gadgets and gear Izuku was carrying.
—Just making conversation while we wait —Shinso said, crossing his arms—. What's your quirk? Seems like you need a lot of equipment to use it.
Izuku felt a brief pang of hesitation at the question, but he decided to trust him, at least a little.
—Actually... I don't have a quirk.
Shinso stared at him for a moment, clearly surprised. But instead of laughing or mocking him, his expression became more serious.
—Looks like we're both in for a tough time.
—Wait, you don't have a quirk either? —Izuku asked, intrigued.
—I do —Shinso admitted—. But I have to admit, my physical abilities aren't very well-developed. —He scratched the back of his neck, as if it eased the weight of his confession—. Honestly, I'm preparing myself for the possibility of ending up in the general studies course and maybe working my way up to the hero track later.
Izuku, ever the optimist, tried to encourage him:
—Let's give it our all!
However, Shinso simply looked away, lost in thought. The conversation fell into an awkward silence for a moment, until Shinso decided to pick it back up.
—So... one of your parents didn't have a quirk and passed that on to you. I guess you must hold some resentment toward them now that you want to be a hero.
Izuku blinked in surprise at the comment.
—Actually, my mom can make small objects float, and my dad could breathe fire —he explained.
For a moment, Shinso's bored expression shifted slightly, as if something had intrigued him, but he quickly returned to his neutral demeanor.
—That doesn't make any sense.
—The doctor said it was rare, but...
—No —Shinso interrupted sharply—. Do you know that physical traits are determined by genetic inheritance?
Izuku nodded, recalling some explanations from his teachers and what he had read in books.
—Recent studies have shown that, just like a man with a cleft chin will pass that feature onto his male children, parents with fire quirks will pass that quirk onto their sons. Unless the mother has an opposing quirk, like water or ice.
—But... I have a friend with both quirks, ice and fire —Izuku said, thinking of Todoroki.
Shinso pondered for a moment.
—If he has siblings, he's probably the only one with dual quirks. Although that's not too strange. It happens in one out of four cases.
Izuku remembered a photo on the shelf at Todoroki's house, where he thought he'd seen that all of Todoroki's siblings had white hair, like their mother. It made him realize that Shinso might actually know what he was talking about.
—Your case, however, would be unprecedented —Shinso continued—. I think it's more likely you were adopted, or the man with the fire quirk you mentioned isn't your real father.
Shinso's words hit Izuku like a cold bucket of water. His first reaction was pure shock, his mind spinning in a whirlwind of thoughts. Adopted? That was impossible! He had always thought he looked too much like his mom in so many ways...
Was that man not his real father? Is that why he left? Did he find out Izuku wasn't his biological son? Was it not just because he didn't have a quirk...? Could his mother have...? Was that why she had apologized? He spiraled into these thoughts, overwhelmed by uncertainty, lost in a dark, lonely space without clear answers.
Shaking his head, Midoriya tried to push those ideas away. He couldn't afford to lose focus now, not when he was about to face the exam.
—Shinso —Izuku suddenly spoke, his voice firmer than he had expected—, You're not telling me all this just to distract me and gain some advantage during the exam, are you?
Shinso, surprised by the accusation, only averted his gaze seriously.
—Believe what you want —he replied with a steady voice—. I wouldn't blame you for thinking that. Because of my quirk, people often say I'd make a good villain, but that's not who I am. That's what I'm trying to prove by being here.
Izuku didn't know what to think. The unease between them grew. He didn't fully understand Shinso yet, but there was something about his tone that felt genuine, though distant.
Finally, Izuku straightened up, noticing that it was almost his turn for the interview.
—Next —Present Mic called from the table.
Midoriya took a step forward. It was his moment to take the next step toward his dream of becoming a hero, and nothing—not even doubts about his past—would stop him now.
...
—Please, have a seat —the hero instructed, his signature deep and enthusiastic voice filling the space.
Izuku's admiration for Present Mic, the radio hero, couldn't be contained. His inner fanboy surged with unexpected strength.
—Sir! It's such an honor to meet you! I listen to your radio show every day! I loved your analysis of the fight between All Might and Endeavor! —he exclaimed, leaning forward with a mix of respect and youthful excitement.
Present Mic let out a hearty laugh, clearly enjoying Izuku's enthusiasm.
—That's awesome! Anyone who listens to my show daily is automatically on the right track! —he said, as if he were about to pass Izuku through the interview without hesitation. However, his demeanor quickly changed when he caught the disapproving, serious gaze of Eraser Head from the table next to him, his sharp eyes calmly watching everything.
—But of course... let's go through the routine questions —Mic added, flipping through Izuku's file— It says here that you want to be a hero to save everyone with a smile —he raised an eyebrow—. Like All Might?
Izuku felt the weight of that question, but he was prepared. He clenched his fists with determination.
—No, sir. Like myself! —he tried to say with confidence.
Present Mic let out a small chuckle and made a note on his sheet.
—Finally, someone who's not just another fan of that guy —he said, somewhat amused—. In terms of skills, I see you've trained with a wide range of support tools: capture tape, swing and grip cables, smoke bombs. Wow, you've trained well.
Izuku nodded quickly.
—Yes, I've had a lot of help.
Present Mic glanced up, curious.
—From your father?
Izuku hesitated for a second.
—Actually… from...
—But I don't see any mention of your quirk, kid —Present Mic suddenly interrupted, scanning the file more closely.
Izuku's stomach sank. He knew this moment was coming. He felt a bead of sweat slide down the side of his forehead, but he forced himself to stay composed.
—I was born without a quirk, but I can give you a hundred reasons why I'm… perfect for UA! Starting with...! —he tried to continue, his voice as steady as possible.
Present Mic cut him off, though his tone had lost its earlier enthusiasm.
—I'm sorry, kid —he said, with a hint of apology in his voice. Izuku felt his heart stop for a moment—. Principal Aizawa requested to personally interview any quirkless applicants.
Mic gestured toward where Principal Aizawa was sitting, just as a girl with a mushroom-shaped hairstyle stood up from the chair in front of him. It was Izuku's turn. The nerves began to swirl inside him as he gathered his application from the table, preparing for what would be the most important interview of his life.
But just as he was about to take a step, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Present Mic, gently pulling him aside to whisper something.
—Don't be fooled by that cold stare. It's just a front. But show him you're worth it —he said quietly.
Those words struck a chord deep within Izuku. He nodded with determination and walked toward the table where Principal Aizawa was waiting, knowing that this was his chance to prove, not just to the principal, but to himself, that his worth went far beyond any quirk.
...
Izuku sat stiffly in the chair, feeling the weight of Eraserhead's gaze on him. The contrast with Present Mic's energy was stark; while the latter radiated enthusiasm, Eraserhead, on the other hand, maintained an analytical coldness that unsettled him. When Aizawa finally looked up from the file, the silence became suffocating.
—What does your mother think about this? —he asked, without preamble or softness.
Izuku swallowed, trying to keep calm. This was a question he had anticipated.
—She's worried... but she supports me —he replied, keeping his voice steady despite the nerves gnawing at him.
Aizawa studied him carefully, as if analyzing each word that left his mouth, weighing the truth behind them. His next question came straight, without sugarcoating.
—And who would take care of her if you die in the line of duty?
The impact of the question hit like a punch to the gut. Izuku blanked out for a second but quickly recalled the conversations with his mother, the worry in her eyes whenever they talked about the future, and how she had chosen to support him regardless.
—We've talked about it —he answered with a seriousness that reflected the gravity of his words—. She doesn't want me to give up on my dream for her. No matter what.
Eraserhead didn't show any emotion at his response, but Izuku could feel how carefully each word was being weighed.
—How about working for the police? —Aizawa suggested, abruptly shifting the topic.
Izuku remembered the police academy test he had taken.
—I considered that option for months... I even passed the entrance exam —he said, raising his voice slightly—, but I still want to be a hero.
Aizawa let out a tired sigh and rubbed the side of his forehead, as if the conversation was draining him. But Izuku saw in that gesture a small opportunity, an opening to show his determination.
—I don't have a quirk —Izuku began, with urgency and fervor building in his chest—, but I can give you a hundred reasons why I'm...!
Before he could continue, Eraserhead cut him off, leaving no room for grand speeches.
—Do you think I have that much time? —his tone was sharp, almost impatient.
Izuku's breath caught for a moment, his mind racing. The chance to impress Principal Aizawa was there, but there was no margin for mistakes or long-winded explanations.
—Tell me, in one clear sentence, what entering UA means to you —Eraserhead demanded, his voice firm and unyielding.
Izuku closed his eyes for a brief moment, recalling all the months of effort and what this dream truly meant to him. His mind flooded with memories: his mother's tears, Mr. Yagi's encouraging words, the friends he had made—Todoroki, Kacchan, Uraraka—the exhausting training sessions, and, above all, the vision of a future where he could save others, just as he had always dreamed.
He opened his eyes, determination radiating from them.
—Entering UA... —his voice was steady, clear— is the only way I can become the person I've always wanted to be: someone who saves everyone and inspires hope, no matter how tough the situation is. And I'm willing to give it my all, if necessary.
Eraserhead observed him in silence for a few seconds that felt like an eternity. Izuku couldn't read his expression.
—I'm sorry... —Aizawa finally said, his tone unwavering— but you haven't convinced me.
Izuku's brows furrowed, his heart sinking in his chest. Aizawa's words hit him with unexpected brutality.
—You seem like the type who would risk everything without thinking about the consequences for yourself —Aizawa continued—. That's not what going beyond means. Many have misunderstood that idea... and they've died because of it. And even though it might not seem like it, I don't want to bear the guilt of another death, even indirectly. I can't accept someone without a quirk acting that way.
Desperation wrapped around Izuku like a vice. Aizawa raised his pen towards the file, and it seemed like he was about to reject his application. That's when Izuku's body moved on its own.
Present Mic and Shinso stood up at the nearby table, and several people in line craned their necks to see what was happening. Izuku himself could barely believe what he had done: in the blink of an eye, he had thrown his capture tape, wrapping it around Aizawa's hand before he could sign.
—This kid! —Aizawa thought, his eyes widening in surprise.
Though confused, Izuku tried to justify his action.
—I'm sorry... but I can't let my dream end like this! —he exclaimed, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions— Not like this, without being given a chance to prove my worth, just because I don't have a quirk! Earlier, I said I was willing to give it my all, but that didn't mean I was ready to throw my life or my safety away! I have so many reasons to live, and I'm very aware that I can't hurt myself because I don't want to worry the people I love!
The way Midoriya held the capture tape, with his arm bent upward, somehow reminded Aizawa of his old friend Shirakumo, encouraging him to go for something.
Aizawa sighed, trying to hide the small smile that threatened to appear.
—Alright, I'll let you try, but let go of me already —Aizawa said in a neutral tone—. Let's see if your actions match your words, and if you can do this without breaking any bones.
—Of course! —Izuku exclaimed, his voice strong and filled with confidence.
Author's Notes. -
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