Chapter 24: Starting Line

Izuku stood outside Agil's bar, the cool evening breeze brushing past him as the neon sign flickered faintly above the door. The familiar weight pressed against his chest—a mix of anxiety, guilt, and hesitation that seemed to follow him wherever he went. He clenched his fists at his sides, willing himself to move, but his feet felt rooted to the spot.

The door was just a few feet away, yet it felt miles out of reach.

He inhaled deeply, trying to steady the storm in his head. This wasn't like facing a dungeon boss or a floor guardian in Aincrad—those moments had been life-or-death. This was something else entirely. This was stepping into the unknown, into vulnerability. And that, somehow, felt even harder.

Izuku's gaze fell to the ground, and his mind raced back to the countless moments he'd fought with everything he had to save others. Now, standing here, asking for help felt foreign—almost selfish. But he thought of Asuna, her gentle but firm insistence that he couldn't carry everything alone anymore. Her words had been the push he needed to get here.

With one last shaky breath, he stepped forward and pushed the door open.

The bar was warm and welcoming, the scent of wood polish and faint spices filling the air. Agil was behind the counter, a towel slung over his shoulder as he wiped down a glass. He looked up at the sound of the door and froze for a moment, surprise flashing across his face before a wide grin broke through.

"Well, well," Agil said, his deep voice carrying easily across the room. "If it isn't the Black Swordsman himself. Thought you might've forgotten about me, kid!"

Izuku froze, caught off guard by the warm greeting. He rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Uh… hey, Agil. I—sorry I didn't call first. I, uh… I hope I'm not bothering you or anything."

"Bothering me?" Agil laughed, shaking his head as he set the glass down. "Kid, this is a bar. You're supposed to drop by unannounced." He gestured toward the stools with a grin. "Come on, take a load off. Been a while since I've seen you."

Izuku hesitated but nodded, sliding onto one of the stools. He shifted nervously, his hands brushing against the edge of the counter. "It has been a while," he said softly, glancing around the room. "The place looks great, Agil. You and your wife must be proud."

Agil smiled warmly, crossing his arms as he leaned against the counter. "Thanks, kid. Yeah, it's been good having the old place up and running again. A lot of familiar faces coming through—feels like we're getting back to normal, you know?"

Izuku nodded, though the word normal made his chest tighten slightly. "That's… that's really great," he said, his voice wavering just enough to catch Agil's attention.

Agil tilted his head, watching him carefully but giving him space. "So, what brings you here today, Deku? Not that I'm complaining, of course. Always good to see you."

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze flickering to the countertop. "I guess I just… wanted to check in. It's been on my mind for a while."

Agil hummed thoughtfully, pulling out a clean glass and setting it in front of Izuku. "Well, you're here now. That's what matters. Want anything? Soda, water? Or are we going straight to the heart of things?"

Izuku managed a small smile at that. "Just water's fine."

Agil poured a glass and set it down, taking a seat on his side of the bar. "Alright. So, you've checked in. Now what's really going on? And don't tell me 'nothing.' You didn't wander all the way here just for small talk."

Izuku swallowed hard, his hands curling around the glass. "I… don't really know where to start," he admitted, his voice quiet.

"Then don't rush it," Agil said gently, his tone as steady as ever. "Take your time. We're in no hurry, kid."

Izuku let out a shaky breath, his hands tightening around the edge of the bar as he tried to organize his thoughts. "I still feel like I'm trapped in SAO," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know I'm here, in the real world. I know it in my head. But sometimes… it's like my heart doesn't believe it."

Agil tilted his head, watching Izuku closely. "What do you mean by that?"

"It's hard to explain," Izuku muttered, his green eyes clouded as he stared down at the countertop. "Every little thing reminds me of it. A loud noise, a crowd of people… even just walking down the street sometimes. It's like I'm back in a dungeon or a battle. My mind starts racing, analyzing everything. It's like I'm still there."

Agil nodded slowly, leaning forward. "Sounds like a part of you feels like it never left."

Izuku swallowed hard, his grip on the bar tightening. "Exactly. And… I don't know how to make it stop."

Agil asked, his voice calm and encouraging. "What makes you feel like part of you is still stuck there?"

Izuku hesitated, struggling to find the words. "I think… it's because I don't really know what to do now. Back in SAO, I had a purpose. I was fighting to survive, to protect everyone, to end it. For two and a half years, that was pretty much all I thought about. Every decision I made, every step I took, it all mattered so much." He paused, his voice wavering. "But now that it's over… I don't know who I'm supposed to be. Everyone was so happy to wake up, but for me… I just felt lost. It's like… I don't know if I even belong here."

Agil leaned back slightly, his expression thoughtful. "That's heavy, kid. And you're not wrong—SAO took a lot from all of us. But let me ask you this… it almost sounds like you're disappointed that you woke up?"

Izuku stiffened, his breath catching in his throat. "I…" He faltered, memories flashing through his mind. The final battle, the moment when everything went dark, the faces of his friends, and then… Kayaba's voice. He shuddered. "I don't know."

Agil waited patiently, giving him time to continue.

Izuku finally spoke, his voice trembling. "You and everyone else at the final battle… you all saw it. I died. And yet, somehow…" He paused, his voice breaking. "Somehow, I woke up. Alive in the real world. And I don't understand why."

Agil's expression softened as he leaned forward, resting his arms on the counter. "What makes you think you didn't deserve a second chance?"

Izuku flinched, the question cutting through his swirling thoughts like a blade. He tried to answer but found himself at a loss. "I… I don't know," he finally admitted. "I've made so many mistakes. Sure, to everyone else, I'm the Hero of Aincrad. But… more often than not, I failed at being a hero."

Agil raised an eyebrow. "Why do you think that?"

Izuku clenched his fists, his voice thick with emotion. "Because it never mattered how strong or fast I was. I still had to watch people die right in front of me. And worse… sometimes it was by my own hand."

His voice cracked as the faces of the Laughing Coffin members he'd killed flashed in his mind. "Everyone thinks I'm this great hero, but… I wonder what they'd think if they knew their so-called hero was just… a cold murderer."

Izuku's hands trembled as tears welled up in his eyes, his shoulders shaking as he tried to keep himself together. Agil sat silently, his expression serious as he listened intently, taking in everything Izuku was saying.

Finally, Agil spoke, his tone gentle but firm. "Look, I ain't gonna sugarcoat this. My friend, you've screwed up. But guess what? So have the rest of us. There isn't a single player who doesn't have at least one regret from SAO."

Izuku's gaze snapped up to meet Agil's, confusion and pain etched on his face. "But—"

"No buts," Agil interrupted, his voice steady. "For as long as I've known you, you've always had this drive to help people. Even back in your dark and gloomy phase." He chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "You dive straight in without a second thought, with only one goal in mind—help them."

Izuku frowned, still struggling to understand. "Okay, yeah, but what are you getting at?"

Agil leaned back, crossing his arms. "What I'm getting at is, you're human, Deku. Humans make mistakes, no matter what world we're in. And yeah, you've got regrets—big ones. But you know what else you've got? One of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. That's why you deserve this second chance."

Izuku blinked, tears slowly slipping down his cheeks as he listened.

"I can't take away all your bad memories," Agil continued, his tone softer now. "Lord knows I wish I could. But everything we've done, everything we've been through—it's part of us now. We can't forget it, but we can learn to live with it. And you, kid… you deserve to find your peace."

Izuku's lips quivered as more tears spilled over. Agil reached out, placing a firm but reassuring hand on his shoulder. "So if you let me, Deku… let me help you."

Izuku nodded, his voice barely audible. "Okay."

Agil smiled warmly, his hand still resting firmly on Izuku's shoulder. "Alright, kid. I want to see you at least once a week from now on. No excuses. We'll keep working through this together."

Izuku blinked, a flicker of hesitation in his expression. "Once a week? I-I mean, I guess I could…"

"You can, and you will," Agil said with a chuckle, his voice steady and encouraging. "We've got plenty of room here, and honestly, I think it'll do you good to keep talking."

Agil leaned back slightly, studying Izuku's face for a moment. "And listen, I think you should try coming down to one of our meetings with the other SAO survivors. It might help to hear from others who've been through the same kind of stuff."

Izuku's eyes widened, and he immediately shook his head. "I-I don't think I'm ready for that, Agil. I mean… talking to a group about everything? I can barely talk to you…"

Agil raised a calming hand. "Hey, no pressure. I get it. It's a big step, and I won't push you. But think about it, alright? If you ever decide to give it a shot, you know where to find us."

Izuku nodded slowly, his shoulders relaxing just a little. "Thanks… but I think this is all I can handle for now."

"Fair enough," Agil said with a grin. "Then consider me your sponsor. If you need anything, day or night, you call me. Whether it's just to talk or if you feel like you're drowning again—you reach out. Got it?"

Izuku swallowed hard, the sincerity in Agil's voice grounding him. "Got it. Thanks, Agil… for everything."

Agil gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before stepping back. "Good. Now go on, kid. Take a deep breath, head home, and try to get some rest tonight. And remember—one step at a time, but you're not taking them alone anymore."

Izuku managed a faint smile as he stood up, his chest feeling a little lighter for the first time in months. "I will. I'll see you next week."

"Looking forward to it," Agil said with a nod, watching as Izuku headed toward the door. Agil called out just before the door swung shut, his voice carrying warmth and encouragement. "Hey, Deku! Good luck with those entrance exams!" Izuku paused in the doorway, glancing back with a small, grateful smile and nod. With that, he stepped out into the evening air, the door closing softly behind him.

As the door closed behind Izuku, Agil let out a quiet sigh, his gaze lingering for a moment. "We'll get you through this, kid," he murmured to himself before returning to the bar.

Later, across town, Asuna and Mito sat on the edge of the mats, toweling off after their training session. Their breathing was heavy, and the faint scent of sweat hung in the air as they unwound from another rigorous day of preparation.

"You've been doing this every day since school started?" Mito asked incredulously, leaning back on her hands. "Seriously, Asuna, how in the hell have you survived this long?"

Asuna let out a small laugh, but it sounded strained. "It's not that bad," she said lightly, waving her hand as if to dismiss the concern. "My mom is just trying to… set up my future." Her voice faltered slightly, and she quickly turned her back to Mito, curling her hands into tight fists behind her body to keep her friend from noticing the tension.

Mito raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced but deciding to let it slide. Before she could press further, Asuna pivoted the conversation. "You know, Mito, I didn't think you were interested in becoming a hero."

Mito blinked in surprise before breaking into a small chuckle. "Honestly? I wasn't," she admitted, shaking her head. "All I wanted in life was to graduate, find some kind of job in the video game industry, and live quietly. But… well…" Her voice trailed off as her expression shifted, her eyes focused on a distant memory. "After SAO, that dream kind of fizzled out."

The unexpected honesty caused Asuna to chuckle softly as well, a shared understanding passing between them. "I can understand that," Asuna replied, her voice quieter.

"But why heroics?" she asked after a moment, tilting her head curiously.

Mito sat silently for a moment, her brows knitting together as she considered her words. "At first," she began slowly, "I thought maybe it was because being a hero would feel like the closest thing to SAO. You know, the constant fighting—it's all we've known for two and a half years."

Asuna nodded, her gaze softening. "I guess I can see that."

"So I started training like crazy after school, just like you," Mito continued, a wry smile crossing her face. "I didn't even think about it; I just… threw myself into it. At the time, I didn't even know why. I had this thing inside me, driving me to push myself to the absolute limit. It was like… I couldn't stop."

Mito leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she continued. "I kept training like that, either before school or after. At first, I was just going to the gym, but eventually, I wanted to work on my quirk too. So I started heading down to Taboka Beach—it's completely covered in trash, so I figured it'd be the perfect place to practice."

Asuna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Taboka Beach?"

Mito nodded. "Yeah, and one morning, I went there early to get a head start. But when I showed up, someone had already beaten me there."

"Wait… someone else?" Asuna asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Yep. It was Midoriya," Mito said with a grin, watching Asuna's expression shift slightly with surprise. "I know you said he's been training in the mornings because of his… you know… sleeping problems, but I wasn't expecting to run into him there."

Asuna's lips parted as if she wanted to respond, but she stayed quiet, letting Mito continue.

"So," Mito went on, "he was using the mountains of trash to practice with that… oh, what's it called again?"

"ODM Gear?" Asuna offered.

"Yes! That's it!" Mito exclaimed, snapping her fingers. "ODM Gear. Well, anyway, he was zipping around the entire place with it. Honestly, it was insane. He was moving so fast, and with so much precision, I could hardly believe he was controlling it so well." She paused, a chuckle bubbling up as she remembered. "That is… until his gear started smoking."

"Smoking?" Asuna asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Yep," Mito replied with a laugh. "And before I could even figure out what was going on, the whole thing short-circuited. Next thing I know, Midoriya goes flying straight into a wall. When I rushed over, there he was, sitting on his butt, looking dazed. I swear I couldn't stop myself—I started laughing. Just a little."

Asuna couldn't help but crack a smile at the mental image. "That… actually sounds about right."

Mito smirked, shaking her head fondly. "He looked so embarrassed, but you know what he said to me? 'Well, that's another adjustment to make.' Like crashing headfirst into a wall was just part of the process."

The scene played vividly in her mind, pulling her back to that morning on Taboka Beach.

Izuku winced as he stood up, brushing sand off his uniform pants. "Shut up, Mito. That hurt. It's not funny," he grumbled, though his eyes betrayed a spark of amusement. He glanced back at the wall where he'd left an unmistakable imprint of himself and let out a reluctant chuckle. "Okay, maybe it's a little funny."

Mito smirked, taking a seat across from him on the sand. "You sure you're alright, though?" she asked, tilting her head as she studied him. "That looked like it hurt."

He scratched the back of his head, giving her a sheepish grin. "I'll be fine. Took way harder crashes when I first started testing this stuff out."

Mito raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why are you out here so early, anyway? Surely you could've waited until school for some practice, right?"

Izuku hesitated for a moment, looking at the trashed ODM gear in his hands. "This… helps clear my head," he admitted quietly. "There's been—well, let's just say I've had a lot on my mind lately. But working on something that might help people? It makes me feel good. Like I'm doing something worthwhile."

Mito leaned back on her hands, eyeing him teasingly. "Hmm, makes sense, I guess," she said with a grin. "But it looked to me like you were doing more than just testing. That was some intense training back there."

Izuku tried to laugh it off, but his smile faltered slightly. "Well… it also reminds me of how I used to feel in SAO," he admitted, his voice quieter. "The speed, the agility… it's so weird only being a normal human again."

Mito watched him closely as he continued.

"I may not be able to fight anymore, but I can at least make something that'll help save people… or, I don't know, at least make them smile," he said, clutching the gear as if it were something far more precious.

Mito blinked, taking in his words. For a moment, she sat in silence, watching him. Even now, she thought, after everything he's been through, after all he's done… Deku still just wants to help. He never stops. He's always been like this. She felt a lump rise in her throat, her chest tightening with realization. This is why I should be a hero, she thought. Not because it reminds me of SAO, but because people like him deserve to live in a world where someone is always there to save them.

From a distance, hidden among the scattered junk that littered the beach, a scrawny, sickly-looking blond man observed the two with a faint smile. He leaned against a weathered piece of debris, his sharp eyes fixed on Izuku as he spoke. A quiet sigh escaped his lips, his expression unreadable as he lingered for a moment longer before disappearing into the shadows.

Mito continued, leaning back slightly as she recounted the story. "After he stopped laughing at himself, he asked me what I was doing there. I told him I was training for the entrance exams."

Asuna chuckled softly, already guessing what happened next. "Let me guess—he started rambling?"

Mito grinned. "Oh, you know it. He went full-on classic Deku, talking a mile a minute about different ways I could train and even throwing in some ideas about how I could use my quirk. I couldn't even keep up with half of it."

Laughing, Asuna asked, "Did he actually give you any good tips?"

"Yeah, he did," Mito admitted, her smile softening. "He thinks I might be able to use something similar to his ODM Gear for my quirk. Oh, and… he may or may not have been the one to convince me to start training with you."

Asuna blinked in surprise. "He what?!"

Mito raised a hand, waving off her shock. "Without going into too many details, he told me you'd been stressed lately. He asked if I'd be willing to train with you. Then he got all nervous and started mumbling about how rigorous it would be but how it could really help."

Asuna felt a pang in her chest, her mind drifting to Izuku's habit. She smiled to herself. That's just like him… always thinking about others.

Asuna tried to shrug it off, though her voice was quieter now. "I could've handled it myself… but I'm really glad you're here."

Mito's expression softened, and she placed a hand on Asuna's shoulder. "I already told you, Asuna. I wouldn't leave you again. I'm your ride or die—until the end."

They shared a brief smile, the warmth of their friendship palpable. But then Mito's expression shifted slightly, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips. "You know, you're pretty lucky."

Asuna tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"To have a guy like Midoryia," Mito said casually. "Even when he's dealing with his own stuff, he never stops looking out for you."

Asuna's cheeks flushed, though her smile faltered into a more thoughtful look. She faked a light chuckle. "It's not just for me. Izuku… he has one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen, even if he doesn't always show it directly."

Mito raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but how's he really doing? I mean, really?"

Asuna hesitated, her gaze dropping for a moment before she met Mito's eyes again. "It's been… hard for him. Adjusting back into the real world has been harder for him than it's been for most of us. There are times I can tell he's putting on a brave face, but I can feel how much he's still struggling."

Mito hummed thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing in thought.

Asuna frowned, tilting her head. "What is it? What are you thinking?"

Mito leaned back slightly, her brow furrowed as she thought about the morning she'd seen Izuku training with the ODM Gear. "Nothing, it's just, I can't stop thinking about how he used his ODM Gear…. Asuna, I'm serious. I don't know how he was doing it. The timing, the reaction speed to navigate through those mountains of trash… and to do it almost flawlessly. I wouldn't think that was possible without some kind of quirk."

Asuna smiled softly, pride evident in her expression. "Well, Izuku always seems to find a way to defy the odds."

Mito smirked, nodding in agreement before her expression turned contemplative. "You know… when I think about the kind of hero I want to become, I don't think of All Might or Endeavor. The two I think of… Present Mic and Deku. The way they helped and looked out for everyone in SAO, not just out in the field but making sure the people felt truly safe, even in a hell like that. That's the kind of hero I want to be. That's who I want to become."

Asuna stood up, brushing off her clothes, and reached a hand out to Mito with a teasing grin. "Ohhhhh, so my boyfriend is your hero, huh?"

Mito's face immediately turned red as she swatted Asuna's hand away, flustered. "What?! Ew, no! He's basically a brother to me." She shuddered dramatically before looking back at Asuna, her tone sharp but still laced with humor. "And if you ever tell him I said that, I'll beat you senseless."

Asuna held up her hands in mock surrender, trying and failing to hold back her laughter. "Okay, okay, I won't say a word. Promise."

The two stared at each other for a moment before they both burst out laughing, the tension of their earlier conversation melting away in the shared humor.

As their laughter died down, Mito grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. "So," she said, her tone a little more serious, "how are you feeling about the recommendation exams?"

Asuna tilted her head in thought. "I feel good, I think. I mean, the training's been brutal, but… it's all coming together. I just need to get through Friday."

Mito grinned. "You'll ace it. And I'll show everyone what I've got on Saturday. I'm ready to crush that practical exam."

The two exchanged a confident nod before Mito added, "I guess we'll see who gets the higher score."

Asuna smirked, narrowing her eyes playfully. "Oh, it's on."

The two said their goodbyes, walking in opposite directions, both feeling a renewed sense of purpose as the week's challenges loomed ahead.

Izuku stirred restlessly in bed, the morning light filtering through the curtains doing little to mask the clear evidence of another rough night. His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, opened slowly as he let out a quiet groan. Sitting up, he rubbed his face with his hands, trying to shake the remnants of restless dreams. He glanced at his desk, and his gaze locked onto a familiar stack of hero analysis notebooks, the edges of the pages frayed from years of use.

For a moment, he just stared at them, memories of his childhood flickering through his mind. Those notebooks were once his most prized possessions—symbols of his unwavering determination to become a hero, even without a quirk. His hand moved instinctively, reaching out to pick one up, but just as his fingers brushed the edge of the stack—

"Breakfast is ready!" his mom called from outside his door, the knock startling him.

Izuku jolted, snapping back to reality. "O-okay! I'm coming!" he called back, quickly pulling his hand away from the notebooks as if they'd burned him. Grabbing his backpack, he slung it over his shoulder and took one last look at the stack before heading out of his room.

In the kitchen, Inko was bustling around, setting plates down as Izuku walked in. "Good morning, sweetie. You look like you didn't sleep well," she said with a note of concern, setting a plate of toast and eggs in front of him.

Izuku gave her a tired smile as he sat down. "Yeah, I guess I was a little nervous about today," he admitted, taking a bite of toast.

"Well, that's to be expected," Inko said gently, sitting across from him. "But you've worked so hard, Izuku. I'm sure everything will work out."

"Thanks, Mom," Izuku replied, his voice soft. He quickly finished his breakfast, glancing at the clock. Standing up, he grabbed his bag and moved toward the door. "I'm meeting Mito and Klein at the train station. I don't want to be late."

Inko followed him to the door, her expression warm yet a little wistful. "Good luck today, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."

Izuku nodded, pausing for just a moment. "Thanks, Mom. I'll see you later." With that, he stepped outside, heading toward the station.

Izuku stood at the train station, shifting his bag nervously on his shoulder as he waited for Mito and Klein. He didn't have to wait long; Mito appeared first, giving him a nod of greeting, and Klein followed shortly after, waving as he jogged up to them.

Morning," Klein said cheerfully, though his own nerves were evident in his tight grip on his bag. "Big day, huh? Where's Liz? Figured she'd be here."

Izuku chuckled lightly. "Apparently, UA already accepted her. Once they saw all the gear she's made and her blueprints, they gave her an early acceptance. She said she's skipping the exam entirely."

"Of course she did," Klein said, laughing. "Liz. Always ahead of the game." He then glanced at the campus ahead and shrugged. "Not that I've got much room to talk. They already accepted me into the general course for second years, but they still want me to come in today to make sure I'm caught up on all the required info."

Mito smirked. "Guess that means we're not the only ones under the microscope today."

"Yeah, yeah," Klein said with a grin. "I'm just here to make sure they don't second-guess their decision. No pressure, right?"

"Oh, and Asuna passed her recommendation exam yesterday," Mito added with a grin. "She must've already told you, though."

Izuku nodded, a beaming smile spreading across his face, clearly showing how proud and happy he was for her. "Yeah, she did. She's been working so hard for it."

With that, the three boarded the train, the familiar hum of its engines filling the air as they found their seats. For a while, they sat in nervous silence, the weight of the day pressing down on all of them. Klein, sensing the tension, decided to break the ice.

"You know," he said with a grin, leaning back in his seat, "it's been a while since we were all heading somewhere important together. Kinda gives me the feeling like we're heading to a dungeon or boss room."

Mito smirked. "You're not wrong. All that's missing are our swords and a life bar hovering over our heads."

Izuku chuckled softly at the comparison, the tension in his shoulders easing a bit. "Let's just hope we don't have to split loot drops this time."

They laughed together, the camaraderie helping to soothe their nerves, at least for a moment. The train rumbled steadily along, and Izuku turned to Mito. "Are you ready for the practical?"

Mito nodded, adjusting the strap of her bag. "I think so. The extra training I've done with Asuna has really helped. It's too bad I wasn't able to get your support gear approved in time, though. That would've made things a lot easier. But either way, I'm feeling fairly confident."

Klein chimed in. "You'll be fine. When I did the practical at Shiketsu a few years back, it wasn't anything too crazy. They just had us do fitness tests but let us use our quirks to boost our scores. Honestly, it was more about showing control and creativity than anything else."

"Good to know," Mito said, nodding thoughtfully. "And you? How're you feeling about the written exam?"

Klein leaned back with a casual shrug. "Thanks to Midoriya here, I'm not too worried. All those study sessions paid off. Though, I'm a bit nervous since they didn't tell me if I'll be included in the interviews afterward."

Mito tilted her head thoughtfully. "Makes sense. The interviews are a new addition this year, and no one seems to know exactly how they're deciding who gets one. It's definitely a curveball."

Both of them turned to Izuku. "What about you?" Mito asked. "How do you feel about the interviews?"

But Izuku didn't respond. He was staring at the opposite end of the train, his green eyes fixed on something—or someone. His friends exchanged a look before Klein waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey, earth to Midoryia!"

Izuku blinked, snapping out of it. "Huh? Sorry. What were you saying?"

"What were you staring at?" Mito asked, her brow furrowed.

"I thought I saw someone I used to know," Izuku admitted, his voice quiet. Then, shaking his head, he added, "What did you ask me?"

"We were asking about the interviews," Klein reminded him.

"Oh," Izuku said, his tone uneasy. "I'm not sure how I feel about it. As long as I can just talk about my ODM Gear, I think I'll be okay…" He trailed off, muttering under his breath, "I think," as a bead of sweat rolled down his temple.

His friends exchanged an amused glance. "Well, just remember not to overthink it," Klein said. "You'll do fine."

As the train approached their destination, the nerves crept back in, but the trio managed to keep the mood light as they prepared for the challenge ahead.

The trio walked through the gates of UA, the sheer size and prestige of the academy looming ahead of them. Izuku, Mito, and Klein exchanged glances, their nerves clearly reflected in their expressions, though they pressed forward. The chatter of other examinees filled the air as students rushed past, each heading toward their assigned testing areas.

As they neared the main doors, a small commotion behind them caused all three to pause and turn around.

"What's going on back there?" Klein muttered, craning his neck to get a better view.

Across the courtyard, a brown-haired girl stood looking flustered, her hands clasped nervously in front of her as a blond boy floated a few feet off the ground. His expression was one of annoyance rather than awe.

"What the hell?!" the boy yelled, his voice sharp as he glared down at the girl.

"I'm so sorry!" the girl stammered, waving her hands in apology. "I just thought you were going to fall, so I—"

The boy landed with a thud, the effects of her quirk fading. He scoffed, brushing off his pants. "I didn't need your help," he snapped, turning on his heel and walking away without another word.

Mito scowled at the blond's attitude and immediately walked over to the girl. "Hey, don't worry about that guy," she said, crossing her arms. "He seems like a total dick."

The girl blinked in surprise before a small chuckle escaped her. "Oh, um, thank you. I didn't mean to bother him…"

"You didn't," Mito said firmly, offering a reassuring smile. "Anyway, I'm Tozawa Misumi, but most people just call me Mito."

The girl smiled back, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "Ochaco Uraraka. Nice to meet you."

"Uraraka, huh? Nice to meet you," Mito said with a friendly grin, earning a small chuckle from the girl. The two continued chatting, with Mito leading most of the conversation, her casual confidence gradually putting Uraraka at ease.

Meanwhile, Klein glanced at Izuku, noticing a strange look on his face. It was the same distant, troubled expression he'd worn on the train. Nudging him lightly, Klein asked, "Hey, everything alright?"

Izuku blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. "Yeah… I just…" He hesitated, his gaze drifting toward the blond boy disappearing into the crowd. "I went to the same school as that kid."

"Oh?" Klein raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"His name's Katsuki Bakugo," Izuku said quietly. "We were best friends growing up… well, sort of. He's got a really strong quirk. I bet he's a shoe-in for the hero course."

Klein tilted his head, studying Izuku's face. "Doesn't sound like you're all that thrilled about it."

Izuku, his eyes still fixed on the spot where Bakugo had been. "It's complicated". Before the conversation could continue, Klein glanced at his watch and his eyes widened.

"Crap! We're gonna be late!" he shouted, snapping Mito and Uraraka out of their conversation.

Mito turned to Uraraka, flashing her a quick smile. "Hey, it was nice meeting you. Good luck in the exam!"

"Thanks! You too!" Uraraka called after her as Mito hurried to rejoin the group.

The three friends rushed into the building, weaving through the crowd of examinees and making it to their assigned testing area just in time.

Inside the testing hall, rows of desks were lined up with precision, each equipped with a packet of papers and pencils. A steady hum of nervous energy filled the room as students shuffled to their assigned seats. Izuku, Mito, and Klein exchanged brief nods of encouragement before sitting down.

At the front of the room, a stern-looking proctor, clad in UA's distinctive staff uniform, stepped forward to address the examinees. She held a clipboard in one hand and tapped it lightly against the podium to call for attention.

"Welcome to the UA entrance exams," she began, her voice calm but authoritative. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her. "Here's how today's schedule will proceed."

She paused, letting the tension in the room build slightly before continuing. "You will all begin with the written exam, which will last for two hours. During this time, you are to remain silent and focus solely on your work. Cheating, talking, or any other disruptions will result in immediate disqualification." Her eyes swept the room, ensuring the weight of her words sank in.

"After the written exam, there will be a brief lunch break," she continued. "During that time, your exams will be graded. Those who fail the written portion will be sent home immediately."

A ripple of unease passed through the students, but the proctor pressed on.

"For those of you remaining: Hero course applicants will board buses and be transported to a different campus location for your practical exams. Applicants for the general studies, support, and business courses will be escorted to their respective interview locations. Hero course applicants will only be interviewed in the case of a tie-breaker scenario."

She paused again, scanning the room. "Are there any questions?"

The room remained silent, the collective anxiety of the students keeping them from speaking up.

"Very well," the proctor concluded. "You may begin."

A faint beep signaled the start of the exam as the proctor tapped a small device on the podium. The students picked up their pencils, and the sound of scribbling filled the room.

Izuku took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he looked down at the test. "Here we go", he murmured to himself.

The sound of pencils scratching against paper filled the room as Izuku focused on his exam. His trembling hands steadied as he worked through each question, methodically applying everything he'd studied. The minutes ticked by, and while the initial wave of nerves hadn't entirely subsided, he found himself gradually slipping into the rhythm of the test.

When the proctor announced the time was up, Izuku set his pencil down and exhaled deeply. Around him, students stretched and exchanged glances, their faces a mix of confidence and uncertainty. He gathered his things, his mind racing with thoughts about the questions he might have missed.

The cafeteria buzzed with subdued chatter as students trickled in, waiting anxiously for their results. Izuku, Mito, and Klein found a table near the corner and dropped into their seats, each of them looking utterly spent.

"I think my brain just gave up halfway through," Klein muttered, resting his head on the table. "How do they expect us to function after that? It was like a dungeon raid, but for your mind."

Mito smirked weakly, pushing her drink around in lazy circles. "At least in a dungeon raid, you can punch something to feel better. Here? Nothing but pure suffering."

Izuku managed a small laugh, though his gaze remained distant. "Well, at least it's over. For now."

The three lapsed into silence, savoring the brief moment of calm before the next hurdle. They each knew this pause was temporary; the stakes would only grow higher as the day progressed.

A chime echoed through the cafeteria, followed by an announcement over the loudspeakers: "Attention all examinees. Results from the written exam are now posted outside the testing hall. Those who did not pass, please proceed to the front desk for further instructions. Remaining examinees, report to your designated areas as instructed. Good luck."

Klein groaned as he pushed himself up. "Guess it's time to see if all that late-night cramming paid off."

Mito grinned as she stood. "Don't worry. If you failed, I'll make sure to laugh at you on the way out."

Izuku chuckled, shaking his head. "Come on, let's go check."

The trio weaved through the crowd, nerves building as they approached the posted results. Izuku's eyes scanned the list, his breath catching when he spotted his name.

"We did it," he said, relief washing over him. "All three of us."

Mito smirked, crossing her arms. "It's too early to start celebrating, boys. Written exams are just the first hurdle. We've still got the interviews and practicals to get through."

Klein groaned dramatically. "Way to keep us grounded, Mito."

She grinned. "Someone has to."

The trio exchanged quick goodbyes, each wishing the others luck as they prepared to head toward their designated areas. Just as they began to part ways, a staff member from UA approached Klein, clipboard in hand. "Tsuboi Ryoutarou?" the staff member asked.

Klein turned, blinking in surprise. "Uh, yeah, that's me."

"Please come with me," the staff member said with a polite nod. "We'll be taking you to your interview area now."

Klein shot a quick glance at Izuku and Mito, his usual grin returning. "Well, looks like it's my turn. Catch you guys later!"

"Good luck!" Izuku called after him, giving a small wave.

"You better not say anything stupid." Mito added with a smirk, folding her arms.

As Klein followed the staff member, Izuku felt the weight of anticipation settle in his chest again. He straightened his back, took a steadying breath, and pushed forward.

Izuku is taken to the building where his interview will take place. He looks around at the competition around him as well as the support gear they brought along. He thinks to himself that there's so many brilliant people here. Do I really have a chance?

Hours passed by and Izuku looks like he's about to fall asleep when he finally hears his name called from the far end of the hall. Izuku start his walk down the hall to the last door. His hand shivers slightly as he reaches for the door nob. He quickly takes a deep breath to compose himself and walks inside.

When he walks inside he's confused since there doesn't appear to be anyone in the room. When suddenly he hears a voice. Sorry for such the long wait young man. It's been an unbelievably long day, but we're finally at the main event!

Izuku still confused hearing the voice coming from behind the desk decides to check it out. Just to find, some kind of animal?

"That's right. It's me, Nezu, the one who could be a dog or a mouse or a bear, but more importantly... I'm the Principle"

Still visibly shocked, Izuku began muttering nervously, "Oh, no, the wait wasn't a problem at all! Actually, it gave me plenty of time to think about what I wanted to say, so… really, I should be thanking you!"

Inside, however, Izuku was spiraling into a full-blown internal meltdown. Wait, wait, wait—hold on! The principal?! The PRINCIPAL of UA is here?! He's the one doing my interview?! What does this mean? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Why didn't anyone warn me?! His thoughts raced a mile a minute, and he could almost feel his brain short-circuiting. Okay, calm down, Izuku! Stay cool! You've faced floor bosses and Kayaba himself—you can survive this… right?!

Nezu leaned back slightly, his paws resting on the edge of the desk, his tone as cheerful as ever. "I must sincerely apologize for the wait, young Midoriya. I wanted to ensure I was present for the practical exams, which unfortunately meant the students I hoped to interview personally had to wait until my schedule allowed it. For that, I truly am sorry." His grin widened, almost brimming with excitement. "But I can't tell you how delighted I am that we finally get to chat!"

Izuku hesitated for a moment, his thoughts racing. He shook his head quickly, forcing a polite smile. "It's no problem at all, sir," he replied, keeping his voice steady. After a brief pause, his curiosity got the better of him, and he cautiously asked, "If… if you don't mind me asking, why did you want to talk to me specifically?"

Nezu's eyes sparkled with mischief as he gestured toward the chair in front of him. "Please, have a seat," he said warmly, though there was something almost too casual in his tone. His grin sharpened ever so slightly. "Tea, perhaps? I find it helps calm the nerves."

Izuku hesitated, his mind split between overanalyzing every word and trying to calm the growing tension in his chest. Why does this feel like I'm about to face a raid boss disguised as a supervillain? Wait—is that actually happening? But as the thought passed, a familiar calm began to creep in. Okay, Deku, focus. You've faced worse odds before. Lock in.

He nodded politely, moving to the chair with measured steps, his movements precise and deliberate as if this were just another high-stakes moment in Aincrad. "Thank you, sir," he said, his voice now even, a reflection of his sharpened focus.

Nezu poured the tea with a practiced hand, his gaze never leaving Izuku as he continued. "Oh, there are a few reasons, of course," he said lightly, placing the teacup in front of Izuku. His grin widened just enough to be unsettling, as though he were enjoying a private joke. "But truly, who could pass up the opportunity to meet the Hero of Aincrad himself?"

Izuku's heart skipped a beat, but he refused to let his composure slip. Instead, he straightened in his seat, gripping the tea gently as he processed Nezu's words. The principal's eyes gleamed with a mix of curiosity and admiration as he added, "It's an honor to meet you, Deku—the Black Swordsman."

Though his chest tightened at Nezu's words, Izuku steadied himself, meeting the principal's sharp gaze. "How… how do you know all that?" he asked, his voice low but steady, tinged with both curiosity and unease.

Nezu leaned back slightly, his mischievous grin softening into something more thoughtful. "Ah, an excellent question. You see, long ago, Akihiko Kayaba and I were… acquaintances. Friends, even, in a certain sense. When I learned of his fall from grace, I tried to gather as much information on SAO as I could. Unfortunately, during the two and a half years the game was running, I wasn't able to keep up with much of the real-time events inside."

Nezu took a sip of tea before continuing, his voice steady and deliberate. "However, after you defeated Kayaba and set everyone free, I managed to recover data from the server hard drives before the system collapsed entirely. It was… enlightening, to say the least."

Izuku swallowed hard, understanding the implications immediately. He looked down for a moment, his hands gripping the edge of the chair. When he spoke again, his voice carried a weight of both resolve and pain. "If you know… everything, then please don't call me that. I'm not the Hero of Aincrad. I'm… I'm just a survivor."

Nezu studied Izuku closely, his sharp eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and warmth as he rested his small hands on the desk. "A survivor, you say," Nezu repeated, his voice soft but measured. "I imagine that's how you see yourself right now—and it's not a wrong assessment. But it's also not the whole truth, is it?"

Izuku tensed, the principal's calm yet piercing words making him feel as though every doubt he'd ever harbored was laid bare. His hands gripped the edge of his chair as he struggled to formulate a response.

Nezu continued, his voice taking on a gentler tone. "What fascinates me about you, Midoriya, is not just what you survived, but how you did it. The choices you made, the tools you used—your resilience wasn't just a product of your circumstances. It was a reflection of your ingenuity, your adaptability, and above all, your willingness to act when others might hesitate."

Izuku blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected praise. "I… I don't know if I'd say all that," he mumbled, his gaze dropping to his lap. "I just did what I had to do."

Nezu tilted his head, a thoughtful smile tugging at his lips. "Perhaps. But that instinct, that drive—it's rare. And it's what makes you someone worth investing in, no matter which path you choose to follow."

Izuku's eyes widened slightly, confusion flickering across his face. "Investing in?"

Nezu leaned back slightly, his small frame relaxing as he reached for his tea. "Yes. You see, I don't believe in overlooking potential simply because it doesn't fit into conventional molds. You've applied for General Studies, which is a fine place to start. But I suspect you have ambitions that extend far beyond the boundaries of any one course."

Izuku swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. He thought of the notebooks he still scribbled in late at night, filled with ideas for quirks, support gear, and strategies—things he told himself were just hobbies now, even though a part of him still clung to the dream of making a difference.

"I… I just want to learn," Izuku said hesitantly. "Whether it's about quirks, support tech, or how to help people… I just want to find a way to be useful."

Nezu's smile widened, a glint of approval in his eyes. "And that, Midoriya, is why you're here. Not because of what you've been through, though that's certainly noteworthy, but because of what you've chosen to do with it. Whether you realize it or not, you've already started down a path that could lead to something extraordinary."

Izuku's breath hitched, and he looked down at his hands. He thought of the wreckage of Aincrad, the battles he had fought, and the people he had lost. Could any of that really lead to something extraordinary?

Nezu leaned forward slightly, his tone growing lighter. "But I didn't bring you here just to reminisce or overwhelm you with expectations. Tell me, Midoriya, what do you hope to achieve here at UA? What drives you to sit in this chair today?"

Izuku hesitated, the question hanging heavy in the air. He thought of his friends, of the promise he'd made to himself after SAO, and of the lingering doubts that still gnawed at him. Finally, he looked Nezu in the eye and spoke with quiet determination.

"I don't know where this path will lead," Izuku admitted, "but I know I want to use what I've been through to help others. Whether it's building something that saves lives, figuring out strategies that protect people, or… or just someone who can comfort others. Even if it's just by giving them a smile. That's why I'm here."

Nezu's expression softened, and he gave a small nod of approval. "An admirable goal. And one, I think, that will serve you well, no matter where it takes you."

Nezu set his teacup down, folding his small hands on the desk with a warm smile. "Well then, Midoriya, I'm pleased to inform you that you've been officially accepted into UA."

Izuku froze, blinking in disbelief. "W-Wait, what? Really?!" he stammered, his voice pitching slightly higher than he intended.

"Indeed," Nezu said, the hint of a chuckle in his tone. "Congratulations."

Izuku leaned forward slightly, his emotions swirling between relief and excitement. "Thank you so much, Principal Nezu! I—" He stopped abruptly, a realization dawning on him. "Wait… we didn't even talk about my support gear or… or the other things I prepared for this interview."

Nezu's sharp ears perked up as he let out a small laugh, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Ah, yes. About that. Truthfully, young Midoriya, I'd already made the decision to accept you before this meeting."

Izuku's mouth fell open slightly. "What? But then… why—?"

"Because," Nezu interrupted gently, his tone calm but deliberate, "I wanted to see for myself if everything I'd learned about you was true. Your history, your drive, your adaptability—it's all incredibly impressive, but no amount of reports or data can compare to meeting someone face-to-face."

Izuku's shoulders relaxed slightly as he processed this, though his expression remained a mix of confusion and curiosity. "So… this was more of a confirmation?"

"Precisely," Nezu said with a nod. "And I must say, Midoriya, you exceeded my expectations. I'm confident you'll make the most of this opportunity."

A wave of gratitude washed over Izuku, and he bowed his head deeply. "Thank you, Principal Nezu. I promise I won't let you down."

Nezu smiled, his sharp gaze softening. "I'm sure you won't. You'll receive your official acceptance letter in the mail within a week, along with further instructions. For now, take a moment to enjoy this accomplishment—you've earned it."

Izuku stood, bowing once more before heading to the door. He paused briefly, turning back to Nezu with a grateful smile. "Thank you again," he said before stepping out of the room, the door clicking softly shut behind him.

As the room fell silent, Nezu leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting to one of contemplation. The sound of faint, shuffling footsteps grew louder outside the door, and a soft knock followed.

"You can come in, Toshinori," Nezu said without looking up, his tone light and inviting.

The door opened, and a thin, frail figure stepped inside, closing it quietly behind him. All Might, in his small form, adjusted the scarf around his neck and took a seat across from Nezu, his movements careful and deliberate. "So," he began, his voice raspier than usual, "that was him, huh? Midoriya Izuku?"

Nezu gave a small nod, his sharp eyes twinkling. "Yes. The young man you've been keeping an eye on. He just left."

Toshinori leaned back slightly, resting his hands on his knees. "I didn't want to risk being seen by him or anyone else, but… I had to hear your thoughts. What did you think?"

Nezu set his teacup down with a faint clink, his expression thoughtful. "He's everything the reports said and more. Intelligent, resourceful, determined—and deeply haunted by his past. He's carrying quite a lot for someone his age."

All Might's brows furrowed, his voice carrying a note of solemn respect. "After we met, I decided to dig a little deeper into Young Midoriya's background and found out he was one of the survivors of SAO. When I asked you about him, you told me he wasn't just any survivor—he was Deku: The Black Swordsman. That revelation led me to delve into the reports surrounding him. The battles, the horrors of Laughing Coffin, the relentless challenges… the sheer will it must've taken for him to keep moving forward. It's nothing short of extraordinary."

Nezu nodded, his gaze steady as he regarded the hero. "Indeed, his resilience is unmatched. But I suspect there's much about his experience that no report could ever capture. But despite his burdens, or perhaps because of them, he has the potential to accomplish great things. That boy doesn't just want to save people—he needs to. It's ingrained in his very being."

Toshinori sighed softly, his gaze falling to the floor for a moment. "That kind of drive… it's what makes someone a true hero. But it's also dangerous. If he doesn't learn to share that weight, to trust others, it could break him."

Nezu's smile was faint but knowing. "And that's why he'll need guidance—people who can help him find balance. Which brings us to you."

All Might blinked, sitting up a bit straighter. "Me?"

Nezu chuckled lightly. "You see so much of yourself in him, don't you? That's why you've been watching him from afar, why you've taken such an interest."

Toshinori hesitated before nodding. "I do. He reminds me of myself… before I had a proper mentor, before I truly understood what it meant to be a hero. I don't want him to make the same mistakes I did."

"Then perhaps it's time you stepped out of the shadows," Nezu suggested, his tone calm but firm. "Midoriya has already proven himself capable of extraordinary feats, but he still has much to learn. And who better to guide him than the Symbol of Peace himself?"

Toshinori sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's not that simple, Nezu. The boy… he doesn't think he deserves to be a hero. He's convinced he's just a survivor, nothing more."

Nezu's ears twitched as he leaned forward slightly. "And who better than you to show him otherwise? Toshinori, you've carried the weight of the world on your shoulders. You understand his struggles in ways no one else can. But more importantly, you know how to inspire hope."

All Might fell silent, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly in thought. After a moment, he let out a quiet chuckle. "You always know how to make a compelling argument, Nezu."

The principal's smile widened. "I've had practice. But ultimately, the choice is yours. For now, we'll let Midoriya take his first steps here at UA. He's been accepted into General Studies, but I suspect that won't be the end of his journey. With the right encouragement, I believe he'll find his way to where he truly belongs."

Toshinori nodded, his gaze lingering on the door, as though he could still feel Izuku's presence just beyond it. "He's got the heart of a hero. That much is clear." He paused, his hand brushing faintly over his chest, where the faint warmth of One for All stirred. It wasn't just admiration or respect—he could feel it again, the same pull he'd felt that day when he'd rushed in to save the kid from the sludge villain. One for All resonated, as if it were calling out for Midoriya. Reaching for him like it had already chosen.

His brows furrowed slightly as he murmured, "It's almost like it's calling him again."

Nezu's sharp eyes flickered with understanding, though his expression remained calm. "One for All works in mysterious ways, Toshinori. But remember, the path ahead must be his choice. Forcing it upon him would do more harm than good."

Toshinori let out a soft sigh, nodding. "I'll… give it some thought. He's already carrying so much. But that pull—it's hard to ignore."

Nezu leaned back in his chair, his serene demeanor unshaken. "Take your time. The boy's journey is just beginning, and the weight of what he carries must be handled delicately. When the time comes, I trust you'll know what to do."

Toshinori nodded again, though his mind lingered on the echoes of One for All within him. With that, the room fell into a contemplative silence, the faint hum of activity outside the office a quiet reminder of the challenges and possibilities that awaited them both.

As Izuku approached the gate, Mito pushed off the wall she had been leaning against, her hands on her hips. "About time! I've been waiting for over an hour." She narrowed her eyes at him, though there was a playful glint in her gaze. "Let me guess—you started rambling on and on about your freakin' support gear again, and they couldn't get you to stop?"

Izuku scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Actually… that's not exactly what happened."

Mito rolled her eyes. "Sure, it wasn't." She folded her arms but raised an eyebrow when she noticed his expression shift. "Okay, spill. How'd it go?"

"Well…" Izuku began hesitantly, still processing the surreal meeting himself. "I got in. Principal Nezu said I'll get my official acceptance letter next week."

Mito froze, her jaw dropping as she stared at him. "Wait—what? You already found out?!" She grabbed his shoulders, shaking him lightly. "Are you serious? You're telling me they told you your results in the interview? That's not how this is supposed to work!"

Izuku chuckled nervously. "Y-yeah, it's kind of unusual, I guess…"

Mito let go of him and threw her hands up in disbelief. "Of course it's unusual! What kind of—wait…" She paused, narrowing her eyes as the pieces started to come together. "Did you just say Principal Nezu?"

Izuku nodded, his expression sheepish. "Yeah…"

Her eyes widened, and her voice shot up an octave. "Wait, wait, wait. Nezu? The principal of UA? He's the one who interviewed you?!"

"Uh… yeah," Izuku admitted. "It was… unexpected."

"Unexpected?" Mito threw her arms in the air. "Midoriya, that's not just unexpected—that's insane! Nezu doesn't just interview random applicants! What did he even ask you? Wait—what does he even look like? Does he really look like a supervillain mastermind, or is that just a rumor?"

Izuku blinked at the rapid-fire questions, trying to decide which one to answer first. "Well… I guess he sort of has that vibe, but he was really polite."

Mito froze mid-step, her jaw slack as she processed what Izuku had just said. "Hold on a second." She raised a hand as if to stop him in his tracks. "Why would the principal of UA take time to interview someone for… general studies?"

Izuku hesitated, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. He knew there was no way to dodge the question without raising more suspicion. Finally, he sighed and met her gaze. "It's because… he knows. About me. About what I did in SAO."

Mito's eyes widened, and she stared at him in disbelief. "Wait, you're saying Nezu knows? Like, he knows you're Deku? The Black Swordsman?"

Izuku nodded slowly, his voice quiet. "Yeah… he knows. He said he gathered information after everything ended, and—" He paused, a faint shiver running down his spine as he recalled Nezu's sharp gaze. "He wanted to see for himself if the stories were true."

Mito blinked a few times, her arms dropping to her sides. "You're telling me the principal of UA went out of his way to dig up info on SAO and then decided to interview you because of it?" Her voice rose in disbelief. "Do you realize how insane that sounds?"

"I know," Izuku replied, his voice still soft. "But it's true. He even called me… the Hero of Aincrad."

Mito's expression softened as she caught the flicker of discomfort in his eyes. "And I'm guessing you hated hearing that."

Izuku gave a small, reluctant nod. "Yeah, I did. Look, can we just drop it?"

Mito frowned but nodded, sensing he wasn't ready to talk about it further. She crossed her arms and tilted her head. "Fine, we'll drop it. But for the record, Midoriya, it sounds like Nezu sees something in you. And if the principal of UA thinks you're worth betting on, then maybe you should start believing it too."

Izuku glanced at her, his lips twitching into a faint smile in thanks.

Mito smirked, jabbing a finger at his chest. "Seriously, though, Nezu? You got interviewed by the most secretive genius in Japan? That's… that's just wild."

Izuku chuckled softly, the tension in his shoulders easing a little. "Yeah, it kind of is. Still trying to wrap my head around it myself."

Mito grinned, her usual teasing energy returning. "Alright, now I really want to hear everything. But you're still buying me dinner first. I waited forever, and now you owe me."

Here's the revised section with Izuku's added enthusiasm about the practical exam:

Izuku chuckled, nodding. "Alright, dinner's on me. But don't expect anything fancy."

She shrugged, her smirk widening. "Deal. But you're not off the hook about the details."

Izuku's eyes lit up as they started walking. "Speaking of details, I want to hear all about the practical exam. How were the robots? Were they like the ones in the guidebooks? Did you find a good strategy for your quirk? How long did the test last? Did anyone get hurt?" He fired off the questions so quickly that Mito barely had a chance to process them.

Mito raised a hand, laughing as she interrupted. "Whoa, whoa, slow down, nerd! I'll tell you everything over dinner, but you're going to give me a headache if you keep talking that fast!"

Izuku rubbed the back of his neck, sheepishly grinning. "Sorry… I just really want to know."

"And you will," she said, rolling her eyes fondly. "But first, food. I'm starving."

As they started walking, Izuku suddenly paused. "Wait, what about Klein?"

Mito snickered. "Oh, he texted me earlier. Said he wrapped up his interview right after lunch and headed home. Lucky guy didn't have to sit around waiting like we did."

Izuku chuckled softly. "That sounds like him. At least he made it through without any surprises."

Asuna sat at her desk, her textbooks and notes spread out in front of her, though her focus had long since drifted. The soft buzz of her phone pulled her from her thoughts. Reaching for it, she unlocked the screen and saw a notification—a message from Izuku.

Curious, she opened it, and her breath hitched when she saw the attached picture. It was a selfie of Izuku and Mito, both smiling triumphantly, though Mito wore her usual mischievous smirk. Beneath the image, the caption read:

"So, are you going to make us lunches every day for school? I got in!"

Asuna blinked, her lips parting in surprise before a wide smile broke across her face. She let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as a warm wave of relief and pride washed over her.

Setting her phone down, she leaned back in her chair, her heart feeling a little lighter. "Of course you did," she murmured softly, her gaze lingering on the picture. "Congratulations, Izu."

For the first time that evening, her focus returned as she turned back to her notes, determination sparking in her eyes. Izuku had taken his next step forward, and now it was her turn to keep moving.

AUTHOR NOTES: Hey guys! Sorry for such the long wait. Before I get into my notes I'd like to talk about a couple things. First, I sincerely apologize for the horrible writing punctuation on chapter 1. I've had a friend recently point that out to me. I had no idea and when I went back to look at my word document it was completely fine so I'm not sure what happened. I've already gone back and fixed it now. Second, I've been having problems with my account. I don't believe my personal messages have been working for about the past 2 months now. For some reason it says I send the message on my phone and it won't show up on my computer and vise versa. I've also had others I know tell me personally my messages are going through. So to animeworld, if you're reading this, I am interested in your channel and would love to chat more about it. Please contact me on my discord, otakushift_55614. Now back to my author notes. I've probably rewrote this chapter about 5 or 6 different times. Though I kept a lot of what I wanted the same I found it really hard to convey each characters own issues and growth. I know a lot of you have had questions about All Might and I haven't been able to give you all a clear explanation without spoilers until now. All Might knows exactly how Izuku feels. He's carried the weight of overs for most of his life now. And even in canon, it always seems like if there needs to be a difficult conversation, he tends to ignore it. Examples: telling Izuku the full truth about OFA, telling him about Night Eye, telling him about the full information found on the previous wielders of OFA (their shorter life span). So with something that would add on to more of his problems I feel All Might would've gone to the smartest person he knew. Nezu. Also on that note. Let me clarify in case there was any confusion. Only Nezu knows everything that happened in SAO. All Might was only able to find out the details from the battle reports. Meaning, no one knows about Melissa or Present Michael but Nezu and those trapped inside. Izuku's journey is just begging. Finally for those who are probably upset I didn't write the practical exam. It will eventually be shown but there were a few things I wasn't really confident in so decided to either start the next chapter with the practical or at some point in these first days of UA I'll include it in a flashback. I want to make sure I get it right so I'd rather not write myself into a corner if I decide I don't like it later. Thanks for your patience with me everyone, hope y'all have a Merry Christmas and a happy holidays! Please let me know what you think of the direction and clarification with the new chapter. As always, have a good one! :)