"What the hell?!" Ryuuen yelled out as he couldn't comprehend what had just happened! In less than a second, the hand that he was about to use against Suzune had just found itself right back onto the table! Who could have done something like that?! It was then that Ryuuen's eyes shot wide open upon seeing the young man named Izuku Midoriya was the one who had performed such an outrageous action!

"Didn't you hear a damn word I said?! Just who the hell do you think you ar- Ryuuen yelled out with a menacing look on his face. But he didn't scare me. Not. One. Bit. That's why I cut him off before he could finish-

"My name is Izuku Midoriya! And I could say the same about you! Did you hear a single word I said?! Clearly not! So, allow me to repeat myself! …" I yelled out before pausing for a second as I closed my eyes and recalled the horrible things he said to me. And then…

"Get the hell out of here right now before I make you regret it!" I snapped back as I dug my fingers into his hand! I could definitely shatter the bones in his hand if I desired to. But I won't. I'm just going to…

… MAKE HIM FEEL PAIN!

"Tch." Ryuuen clicked his tongue in response as he certainly felt pain coming from his hand. Pain that he hadn't felt in a long time. Pain that made him want to beat the shit out of the guy who's causing it. And that pain…

… Utterly enraged him.

You think I'm going to just let you have your way!? Think again!" Ryuuen yelled out as he extended his hand toward me and attempted to grab my face. But the way he was performing that action it was just like-

'You think you can save everyone. But you're just one person. I'll show you the true meaning of despair.' That monster who almost killed my friends. Just remembering his name made me sick to my stomach. I pitied him but I would never forgive him for his crimes. But just thinking about him, it was like a switch went off in my mind as everything went blank until-

"Fuck man! Are you trying to break my hand?!" Ryuuen yelled out as before I knew it, I realized that I was gripping his hand a bit harder. It wasn't anywhere close to how much damage I could really cause, but even then, I was shocked. I wasn't even using all that much power. Maybe like two or three percent at most! Am I seriously close to actually breaking the bones in his hand?! C-Crap! I got to let go! I thought internally before letting go of Ryuuen's hand. He then immediately gripped the collar of my school uniform. And then…

"What the hell are you doing just standing there, Albert?!" Ryuuen shouted with immense rage in his voice that matched the look on his face as he barked orders to his lackey who was taken aback at the fight that was about to break out. Even Suzune was dumbfounded as she didn't know what to do. But before she could come to a decision-

"On it!" Albert yelled out as he put me into a chokehold. I could have avoided this with ease. But I accepted this as punishment for using too much of my power. I knew what was coming and I braced myself for it.

"You bastard! I'll make damn sure that you regret th- Ryuuen yelled out but before he could finish and land a blow onto me-

"That's enough. You wouldn't want to get suspended for hitting some nobody. Or are you that simply that foolish, you utter barbarian?" The voice of someone that I had heard before made me shoot my eyes wide open. So, did Ryuuen as he was just as surprised to see this unexpected visitor. It was none other than-

"Now, what do you think you're doing on my turf, Sakayanagi?" Ryuuen asked as he glared daggers at the white-haired girl with a beret on her head named Arisu Sakayanagi. I didn't know her all that much since I had only briefly met her this morning. All I knew about her was that she was in Class A, the same name of the class that I used to be part of back in 'my world.' But why was she here now?

"Your 'turf.' My, my. You really do speak like some barbarian. Only a barbarian would use such archaic words like 'turf.' And for the record the chairman who runs this center of academic excellence is my father. Or did you not know that? If you didn't you are an absolute dullard." Sakayanagi spoke in a condescending tone of voice with words that clashed with her childlike appearance. I had originally thought of her as someone who was kind and gentle like Eri with a bit of a mischievous side. But now…

… I don't even know what to think of the girl named Arisu Sakayanagi anymore.

"You bitch. Your dead meat for speaking to me that way. Albert." Ryuuen threatened as he turned his attention away from Sakayanagi mid-sentence and focused onto the man giving me a headlock. He then tilted his head upward as Albert nodded in response. Not even as second later he released me from the chokehold as he rapidly approached Arisu!

"Sakayanagi! Get out of here!" I yelled out as I wouldn't be able to move my body in time to save her! But it was only then that it hit me. Sakayanagi can't run. She has a cane after all.

'Crap! She's done for!' I thought internally as even if I leaped toward the man named Albert and tackled him into the floor, it would only result in Sakayanagi getting sandwiched by us! But even still! I got to do something! But before I could-

"Your arm. If you even move a muscle… I'll break it." The bald-headed man named Katsuragi spoke as he emanated with hostile intent as he gripped Albert's arm with enough pressure that he would easily be able to snap it like a twig!

"…" Albert was utterly speechless as he remained in place like a stone statue in order to not get his arm broken. All he could think about was how useless he was to his 'master.'

"Checkmate. Looks like our pawns decided the outcome of the fight for us. Now if you would be so kind to stand down, I'll let you go and not report your utter insolence to my father. That's IF you know what's good for you, barbarian." Sakayanagi declared with a smug smile on her face as she had just once this metaphorical game of chess with a single move.

"Tch. This isn't over. Mark my words, I'll be back to knock you off that high horse of yours and onto the ground like the rest of these pathetic wastes of space." Ryuuen spoke as he made a declaration of his own while getting out of the booth and walking past Sakayanagi.

"Oooh. I'm so scared. But if you think that you can knock me off my horse then that means you must be on the ground with the rest of these imbeciles. Hahaha." Sakayanagi giggled like a child while mocking Ryuuen as if she were completely and utterly untouchable.

"Come on, Albert. I can't wait to knock some sense into you after your pathetic attempt of making yourself useful." Ryuuen commented out loud as he walked past Albert. In response Katsuragi released his grip on his arm, allowing him to leave.

"Y-Yes, Master." Albert replied as he followed after his 'Master' and vanished with him from the scene. That's when Sakayanagi turned her attention to me and walked slowly to the booth I was at before taking a seat in front of me.

"Well, well. Looks like you owe me another favor, Izuku Midoriya." Sakayanagi declared with a smug grin on her face as I felt a chill go down my spine over hearing those words. She acted completely differently from this morning! No! It was as if she was a completely different person! Just who is this girl!? And why am I being reminded of-

'Next… it's your turn.' The most evil and diabolical villain I had ever met?!

"Sakayanagi?! How did you- Horikita yelled out before she was cut off before she could finish by the small girl in front of me.

"It's only natural that I know my name because we just happened to cross paths this morning while walking to this prestigious academy. And even if it wasn't for that coincidence, we would have met each other eventually, don't you agree, Muddykita?" Sakayanagi asked with an innocent smile on her face that betrayed her true intentions. Not only that but she was insulting Horikita now! Just what did do to deserve that treatment!?

"My, my. You really don't know a thing about this girl or her dear brother, do you?" Sakayanagi asked as she regained her smug smile. I was caught off guard by the question as I didn't know what to say in response as all I could think about was-

'You have neither the right nor the ability to aim for something higher.' Just what the hell does that guy have to do with this?!

"Oh wow. You really don't know. For the record, I don't mean that as an insult. I'm just genuinely surprised that you don't know what position Suzune's brother, the esteemed Manabu Horikita holds within this wonderful place of learning." Sakayanagi continued as her grin grew wider and more wicked with the passing of each second.

"Position? Which means he's not just some student here, right?" I asked as I attempted to regain my composure but just thinking about the man named Manabu Horitkita made me feel very angry.

"Bingo. He's the Student Council President. A role that I intend to take from him after he graduates. With that power he has great authority over all of the students within this academy. I doubt a single one of these imbeciles is out of reach from his control. If I were to compare him to something, I'd say he's most similar to a spider. A spider makes sure to trap its prey into its web before eating them whole. If you think about it that way, it's the same thing." Sakayanagi explained as my eyes shot wide open as she was right on the money. I had no clue just how much power this man holds, and I still don't know the full extent of it. But what she said gave me an inkling of the authority that Horikita's brother holds. Which means…

… I really have to be cautious around that person unless he figures out the truth of who the person named 'Izuku Midoriya' is and where he's really from.

"Oh my. You don't need to be scared. If you do as he says and don't cause any trouble, then you're fine. It's not like he holds complete control over this academy. That 'privilege' belongs to my father. You've got a good head on your shoulders since you know when to back down and stay quiet like a good little puppy. But if I'm wrong and you truly don't know when to quit…" Sakayanagi continued as I genuinely didn't know if she was trying to mock or complement me. But she paused for a second to extend her head forward. And then…

"… Well prepare to get eaten then." Sakayanagi finished as my eyes shot wide open upon hearing her words. I was wrong. So very wrong. I assumed that she was like Eri, a sweet precious child, because they looked similar…

… I was dead wrong. This feeling of dread that is emanating from her… it's comparable to All For One. I feel like I'm running circles in the palm of her hand, just like I did with AFO not so long ago.

"That's really all you need to know… for now. As for the payment of the debt you owe me. Hmm… I'll let it slide for now. But I'll be back to collect in due time, so you won't have to wait much longer. And who knows, maybe I'll give you a reward so that you can keep owing me forever and ever. Wouldn't you like that Izuku Midoriya?" Sakayanagi asked with a wicked smile on her face as I couldn't think of anything to say in response to that. All I could feel was a sickness in my stomach as my appetite completely vanished. That sickness is a feeling that humans feel at one point or another. It's called 'fear.'

"Oh… how very cute." Sakayanagi spoke as she knew exactly what I was feeling with a delighted tone of voice. Sakayanagi compared Horikita's brother to a spider. But I disagree. In comparison, she is much more like a spider. It was as if I have been trapped in her web for a while now with no hope of breaking out anytime soon, if ever. That's what it felt like whenever the girl named Arisu Sakayanagi looks at me now.

"My, my. I'm quite parched. I should eat something about now. I do wonder what's on the menu." Sakayanagi spoke with noticeable excitement as she continued to look at me like how I assumed AFO would be looking at me if he had eyes to do so.

"Madam, it appears they are serving Kaiseki Ryori." Katsuragi spoke as he peered at the menu from where he was standing.

"Perfect. That's my favorite thing to eat. I'd be able to eat it any day of the week. Hmm… I hope you enjoy your helping of it. Or at least what's left of it. See you soon, Izuku Midoriya." Sakayanagi spoke as she got out of the booth and walked away ever so slowly as Katsuragi followed behind her. I then looked back at my plate of Kaiseki Ryori which had been ruined after Ryuuen smooshed it with my face. And even if it wasn't…

… I don't even feel hungry anymore.

"Midoriya. Are you alright?" Suzune asked with a look of worry on her face.

"…I'm fi- I spoke as I tried to regain my smile and reassure Horikita that everything was going to be alright but before I could finish-

"Oh, Ichinose-San. What a pleasant surprise. I didn't notice you were here with you being so quiet and all. That's a good kitty cat." Sakayanagi spoke as she passed Ichinose by as I completely forgot about her with everything going on. It was then that I saw her bright smile had been replaced by a frown. If she was standing there that whole time, then that means…

… She saw everything. She saw Ryuuen smoosh my face onto the plate of food. The same delicious food that she spent her hard-earned points on me after I had carelessly bumped into her. And she saw how weak and pathetic I must have looked when Sakayanagi taunted me. But it wasn't just Ichinose who was watching. Horikita was right there next to me, and she still is. They saw a side of 'me' that I wished they hadn't seen. The Quirkless kid that was constantly punished again and again for being so useless-

'Hey Deku! Don't think a Quirkless kid like you will amount to anything! Much less a hero as awesome as All Might! You don't have a chance in hell of ever coming close! So, why not just jump off a roof and end your pathetic existence already? Hahaha!' That's right. Kacchan said something like that didn't he? He called me 'Deku' which can be read as 'useless person.' And he was right. I was so incredibly useless back then that I couldn't amount to anything.

But ironically enough that was the day that everything changed for me. I met All Might in person for the very first time. At first, he told me that I couldn't cut it as a hero without a quirk. He was right after all. In a superhuman society such as 'my world' you couldn't be a hero without a Quirk. That was the harsh lesson ever since the age of four and time and time again. I had been a little kid up to the point that I didn't know anything about how the world really worked.

However, by a stroke of luck, I managed to change All Might's mind-

'Young boy… you too can become a hero.' I remember everything so vividly. The setting sun behind All Might as he declared those words that I'll never forget for as long as I live. The relief in my chest that I'll finally be able to amount to something worthwhile. The tears running down my flushed cheeks as all I could do was scream, not out of fear, but a sense of happiness that I finally heard those words from the person that I wanted to hear them from the most. That's why ever since that day I can't be the worthless Deku who ends up as a punching bag for others. Instead…

… I must be the Deku who always does his best.

'Slap!' I slapped my cheeks together as I finally regained my resolve.

"M-Midoriya? Why did you do that?" Horikita spoke with a tone of voice that still seemed pretty worried about me and a face that matched it. To her it must have looked like I only ended up hurting myself when I slapped my cheeks together. But she was wrong.

"I'm fine, really. I just do that whenever I forget what needs to be done." I replied with a smile on my face.

"Well, don't. Do you want someone to think you are a masochist or something?" Suzune replied bluntly as I almost jumped out of my skin upon hearing her words.

"NO! I... assure you that I don't like getting hurt." I almost yelled out of surprise but stopped myself from doing so for Horikita (And everyone else for that matter) with a nervous smile on my face.

"Thank you for listening." Suzune replied as I nodded before muttering a 'I-I'm sorry.' With what was surely a look of embarrassment.

"I told you that don't have to do that." Horikita spoke with a hint of annoyance in her voice as I realized that I instinctively apologized out of a force of habit only after the fact. That's right. Now that I think about it, a lot of my old habits have been returning. Lack of confidence, getting embarrassed easily, constantly apologizing, ext. That last part made me recall her words from earlier-

'Enough with saying sorry. Instead say thank you.' Why didn't I say that? Was it because I was so nervous around all of these new people? Yeah, that was probably it. Not to mention it's my first day here officially as a student of Advanced Nurturing High School. I should make a effort to be better. (Especially since I don't want Horikita to think I'm a weirdo) So, instead, I should be saying-

"You're right. Thanks for being here." I replied with a smile on my face.

"You know, you don't have to thank me for doing something so trivial. But you're welcome." Suzune replied before taking a bite of the food she bought. Oh, that reminds me! It's lunchtime! I need to eat! But it was then that I heard footsteps walking in the opposite direction from the booth that me and Horikita were sitting at. And then…

"Guess I'll be going then." I heard a faint whisper just barely, but I was able to tell that it came from the same person who bought me such a delicious meal.

"Hey, Ichinose! Say about we eat together?" I asked as the girl named Honami Ichinose completely froze in her tracks. And unbeknownst to me-

'Thump.' Her heart throbbed. But not out of fear. Instead, it was a different emotion. I couldn't tell what that emotion was. After all, she was Honami Ichinose, and I was Izuku Midoriya. We were two completely different people from two completely different worlds. So, it's only natural that I couldn't know what she was feeling. But even still…

… If only somehow against all odds I was able to figure out what she was feeling then maybe… just maybe… things could have been different between us…

… Before it was too late.

"You sure? I wouldn't want to intrude." Ichinose replied while maintaining that frown on her face. She still hadn't regained her smile. 'I'm going to help her get it back.' That's what I swore to myself before saying what I said next.

"Of course! You're fine with Ichinose eating with us, right Horikita?" I asked with a smile on my face as I turned my attention from the girl with strawberry blonde hair to the girl with dark black hair.

"I guess… but shouldn't you be eating? There's not much time left before next period starts." Suzune spoke before taking another bite of her food. Gah! She's right! I really got to be eating soon! But before that-

"See? I told you it's fine. So, let's eat together." I replied while maintaining my smile to reassure Ichinose. She stood in place for a moment before making her way to the booth and taking a seat. It was then that she realized-

"I-I forgot to buy some food! I-I'll be right ba- Ichinose yelled out with a look of worry on her face but before she could finish-

"You already bought some food." I spoke while looking at her as I pointed to the Kaiseki Ryori on the table. The same one that she had bought me when she didn't need to. The same one that I considered ruined not too long ago. But now that I think about…

… I don't think it's ruined at all. Because I just know it will still be delicious!

"H-Hey! Y-You don't need to- Ichinose spoke but I could her off once more before she could finish as I took a piece of the fish along with some of the rice with the chopsticks in my hand into my mouth. It was then that I realized that I was right.

"… I knew it." I muttered to myself after taking a bite of the food only to realize that it was still undoubtably delicious. That's why I knew she would like it too.

"Want to share? There's plenty for two, don't you agree?" I asked before taking another bite of the delicious food she bought for me. That's right. Ichinose used up twenty-five thousand points of her points on this. The least I can do is share it with her.

"I-I shouldn't. I-I really don't need it. I- Ichinose spoke as she made up excuses before her stomach made a 'rumble' sound that went against her words. Her cheeks then became bright red out of noticeable embarrassment.

"Y-You really don't mind?" Ichinose asked with a nervous look on her face.

"I don't mind. After all, eating delicious food with other people is one of life's greatest pleasures!" I replied with the brightest smile I could give as I closed my eyes. But even with my eyes closed I was able to hear her giggle a bit. And then…

"Yeah. I agree." Ichinose replied with a smile on her face before taking a bite of the Kaiseki Ryori.

"You know, Ichinose…" I spoke but paused for a second as Ichinose heard my words and looked at me. After that I-

"… A smile really does suit you." I finished with what was surely a smile on my face as I was truly glad that I was able to help her regain her beautiful smile. She then paused for a second as her cheeks became red.

"Y-You really think so?" Ichinose spoke before taking one bite after another as she avoided eye contact with me. Oh no! Did I make her mad?! Did I end up taking something that she wanted to eat?! Wait a second-

'Now that I think about it, there really is a lot of food. Thirteen dishes of food. Sure, they are really small dishes. But that's still a lot!' I thought internally upon looking at how much food was left. I should ask Horikita if she wants some!

"Hey Horikita. You can eat some too if you'd like." I asked as I looked at Horikita who was in the middle of eating her food. She paused for a second while swallowing the piece of bread in her mouth. And then…

"No offense. But I'd rather not eat food that was on your face." Suzune replied before nibbling on her bread. My eyes then shot wide open as I realized that I screwed up! Not only was I letting Ichinose eat food that was previously on my face, but I was also definitely pressuring her to do so! Darn it! I'm such an idiot!

"I'm really sorry. Y-You don't have to eat that." I replied as I struggled to make eye contact with her out of embarrassment after making Ichinose eat something that she probably didn't want to eat. But to my utmost surprise-

"It's ok. In fact… it's really yummy! Thanks, Midoriya-San." Ichinose replied with a bright smile of her own as all my fears were dashed away upon seeing her beautiful smile once more.

'Phew! That was way too close! For a second, I thought I was making her feel uncomfortable.' I thought internally as unbeknownst to me, sweat was dripping profusely from my forehead.

"M-Midoriya?! How did you get so sweaty?!" Ichinose yelled out with a worried look on her face.

"Ah! I am?!" I replied as I felt put a hand to my forehead and realized that fact.

"Use this to wipe that sweat off your face." Suzune spoke as she handed me a napkin.

"Thanks, Horikita." I replied as I grabbed the napkin and used to do exactly what Horikita told me to do with it.

'Huh. How did that happen? Maybe… I was a bit more nervous than I thought I was that I wouldn't be able to get 'this' back. This feeling that everything was going to be alright in the end.' I thought internally as I briefly looked at Horikita and Ichinose who were undoubtably enjoying themselves.

"… Yeah… that sounds about right." I muttered to myself with a smile on my face.

"Midoriya. You're muttering again. Please don't do that. It's creepy." Horikita bluntly commented as I felt her words pierce me like an arrow to the gut once more. But upon hearing her say my name again along with Ichinose saying the same thing earlier, I had a realization. There was still one more thing I had to do.

"Hey this is just a request, so you don't have to do this if you don't want to, I mean I wouldn't blame you because it's kind of a strange re- I spoke but before I could finish, Horikita interrupted me.

"Just spit it out already." Horikita replied bluntly as usual. I then took a deep breath before continuing.

"… Mind if the both of you call me Deku?" I asked with a nervous smile on my face. I couldn't help but ask because it's what my precious friends used to call me back in 'my world.' But I was also nervous because they were probably going to think-

"D-Deku? Doesn't that mean 'useless person?'" Ichinose asked with a confused look on her face.

"Well yeah but- I spoke but I was interrupted before I could finish by the girl to the right of me.

"I knew it. You really are a masochist. Stay away from me." Suzune commented while scooting away from me with a disgusted look on her face.

"I-I swear to god I'm not." I replied with a bit of a stutter as I really didn't want Horikita to get the wrong idea. I then took another deep breath to calm myself.

"The truth is I knew a guy who used to call me 'Deku.' He meant it as an insult since you're right. 'Deku' can translate to 'useless person.' Honestly, I used to hate being called that but then one of my best friends taught me that it sounds like 'Dekiru' which means 'you can do it.' That's when I learned to appreciate the name and I grew to love it. She and everyone else called me that when we were all together." I admitted as I reflected on my past back in 'my world.'

"S-S-She?! I-Is that girl your g-g-girlfriend?!" Ichinose yelled out a face that was bright red.

"No. We were just friends." I replied with a smile on my face as I recalled my memories of Uraraka. But upon thinking about her, I had a sudden realization.

'But now that I think about it. I did have feelings for Uraraka. I would have confessed to her after everything had ended… but I can't do that now. I honestly don't know if I'll ever see her again. After all, I'm in a completely different world now. That's why I must stop thinking of that world as 'my world.' This place… is 'my world' now whether I like it or not. I just have to accept that for the time being. Perhaps one day I'll make it back to my 'old world.' Perhaps not. I don't know what the future holds in store for me. But even still I will never forget my precious friends.' I thought internally before continuing.

"But that's in the past. I moved away from them after I enrolled in this school. But even still, I don't want to forget about them. So, if you don't mind, I'd really appreciate it if you both call me 'Deku.'" I finished as I looked at both Horikita and Ichinose to gauge their reactions. They are probably going to think I'm weird and refuse-

"Sure! I don't mind that, Deku!" Ichinose replied with an enthusiastic look on her face and a voice that matched it. Wait, seriously!?

"Wow really?! Thanks Ichinose!" I replied with a smile on my face before turning my attention to Horikita. She paused for a second to finish chewing her bread. After that she-

"… I'll consider it." Horikita replied before taking another bite into her mouth.

"Thanks… I really appreciate it." I replied with a smile on my face before taking another bite of the delicious Kaiseki Ryori. That's right. That 'different name' I was referring to not too long ago was 'Deku.' This was when people began to call me 'Deku' without realizing what I was hiding from them by what I did as the hero 'Deku.' I had hoped to keep my true identity a secret throughout my enrollment at AN.

However, I would fail to keep things a secret for much longer. One day, when everyone learned who I really was… it was going to change things between all of us forever. That day wasn't soon but it wasn't all too far away either. I honestly did not know what was going to happen when my secret was eventually revealed but it would only light the fuse that would eventually culminate in an event that would be world changing.

Thankfully, I had time to spend with my friends and even more friends that I would gain soon enough. But I had the sinking feeling that things weren't going to remain peaceful for much longer…

… And it would only be a few weeks later, in the beginning of May when I got a taste of what was in store for me in the inevitable future.

Chapter 5: The Meaning Behind Deku

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Reality Check

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!