Chapter Text
Izuku Midoriya was a happy child. He had what most would think was a good life. He had friends at his preschool and a doting mother. His teachers all loved how sweet the boy was and how he would happily let any of his classmates play with him. Of course, the happy times only lasted so long for the boy. His mother was distant at home, though his father had been the most obsessed father for the first year of the boy's life until he died fighting some villains. When he turned four and his quirk didn’t appear, his mother took him to the quirk doctor. She believed he was just running a little late and that he would have a powerful telekinetic fire quirk, something that would make the loneliness bearable. However, that wasn’t the case. With one simple word, little Izuku’s life changed and it wasn’t for the better.
His mother became more distant, as months went on, she was home less and less. When she was home, she was always angry with him. He didn't really understand why she was acting like this. She stopped using his name and started calling him useless and a Dekunobou. At school things were even worse. His best friend Kaachan turned on him. He started using his quirk on him and the blonde's friends helped. Teachers didn't care, they just said he was fragile and making up stories. Everything got worse when middle school started. His mother locked up the food, and started attacking him with her quirk and other things. She told him no one would believe a useless brat like him.
Izuku didn’t even try to get help. If the teachers wouldn’t believe him or actively ignored when he was being beaten in the classroom, only telling him that class was over and to get out while he was left bruised and bleeding, why would any hero or cop believe him? He was just a quirkless Deku, after all. He couldn’t remember the last time someone actually used his name. His teachers didn’t even use his family name when they called on him. He just wanted the pain to stop, both from the physical blows and the hunger that never left. Still, he was determined to be a hero. Even if none of the gyms would let him in, there was the internet. His computer might be the same crappy one they had when he was a kid, but it worked. He slowly built up his flexibility and some strength while practicing what little he could of self defense and combat skills alone in his room. He might not be able to use them against his bullies, but that didn’t mean he was completely helpless.
He started going on runs in the morning before school, and he found a few of the local stores would throw out perfectly good food in the mornings, so he was able to find some food to keep him going. Sadly, his mother was becoming worse; she saw the difference in him and it enraged her one night. She carved into his back with a jagged knife and left him there. The pain had been unimaginable, all because he wasn't dying from her treatment. This, more than anything that had happened before, cemented his need to become a hero. He wanted to help people like him, he knew it wasn't going to be easy, he knew the rules about the quirkless but as he lay there bleeding and bruised a plan began to form in his head.
It was three days later when he snapped and decided he had had enough from Katsuki, no, he was no longer Kaachan, he hadn't been for a while now. Izuku was in so much pain, he thought the wounds were probably infected but he’d had trouble reaching back there to clean them properly. He was a little out of it and apparently ignored the blonde and that just seemed to piss him off more as Izuku got up and left the school grounds. He just, he was too tired to care right then, that was until a burning hand wrapped around his wrist to stop him.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going, Deku,” Thirteen year old Katsuki growled as he pulled Izuku into an alley and threw him to the ground. “You fucking ignore me all day like you think you’re better than me! Fuck you, asshole!”
Katsuki went to stomp on Izuku and, the boy, having absolutely no fucks left, grabbed the other’s ankle as he aimed for him and kicked up. The blonde fell to the ground, clutching his now pained dick. Izuku didn’t care that it was a cheap shot or what others would say was fighting dirty. He was tired, hungry, and in pain.
Izuku stood up leaning a bit against the wall of the alleyway. “Fuck you, Bakugou! I have never thought such a stupid fucking thing in my life. All I ever wanted was my fucking friend back, you fucker.” He moved and kicked Katsuki again hard in the ribs before the blonde could get up.
Katsuki let out a pained noise as his ribs were kicked. Izuku didn’t care. For once, he wasn’t the one being hurt. He took his ripped and duct taped backpack off his back and hit the other boy with it. He didn’t care if he would have to retape it. He didn’t care if he hurt the other at that moment. All he cared about was not being the one on the ground, not having to steal his mother’s sewing box to stitch up another uniform. Speaking of, he knew Katsuki was likely to get up at some point, so he dropped the bag on the boy’s head before taking his jacket off. At least that wouldn’t be destroyed if the blonde wanted to continue his pointless tantrum.
Katsuki growled as he got up from the ground “You fucker! You're just a useless nobody!” he growled and jumped at the green haired boy, his quirk firing as he attacked him. The two traded blows attacking the other. Katsuki grabbed Deku’s shirt and went to use it to throw the boy into the wall only for Izuku to slip out of it easily, his back now to Katsuki. Katsuki froze, his stomach rolling as he tried not to throw up because of what he saw. His eyes wide in horror. He didn't do that to him, so what the fuck was happening?!”
Izuku turned around, ready to continue this pointless fight, when he saw the look on the blonde’s face. He glared at him, “What now? Admiring your handiwork? You forget that your fucking quirk left scars all over me?” He didn’t think about the pain in his back. The scabbing over the words most likely having split open during the fight. Not to mention the other cuts that had yet to heal all the way.
“What the fuck! I never cut words into your back! I also never left marks like that on your chest. What the fuck is going on!?” His voice was shouting, but his words were weak, he was confused and a little bit afraid. First Deku had attacked him and fought back. Hard. And now he was seeing horrible marks on this other boy. “Why the fuck can I see your fucking ribs!?”
Izuku looked down and sighed, “Can you just give me back my shirt? It’s not like you actually care. You’ve been adding your own to my growing collection of scars since we were four.” He didn’t care at the moment that the other looked horrified. He just wanted to go find some food and hopefully sleep. Well, that was if his mother wasn’t home today. Kami, he hoped she wasn’t. He didn’t think he could handle another beating.
Katsuki frowned and gave the other’s shirt back. “Of course I fucking care!” He yelled at the other boy. “I didn't use my quirk on you when we were brats! I didn't start doing that shit untill I had to for fuck sakes. Now tell me who did this to you!” How could Izu think he was doing this on purpose? Hell, he never even used the full power of his quirk, but if he didn't do it the teachers would make it worse. He’d heard them talking about doing some horrible things to his friend.
Izuku rolled his eyes as he caught the shirt. He winced as he put it back on, feeling the wounds on his back pulling. “Oh, sorry. No, you didn’t start burning me until, what, you were ten? Sorry, my mistake. That didn’t stop you from leaving me. You bullied me. You hurt me. So, what the hell do you think gives you the right to demand answers from me? Huh? You’re just gonna go back to your normal life tomorrow and forget all about this. Meanwhile, I get to hope and pray to any deity out there that I can actually fall asleep tonight. Because, newsflash, hunger pains keep you awake. Your little friends have no problem making sure I can’t eat fucking lunch in that hellhole.”
Katsuki felt horrible but also angry. “Would you rather I fucking let them kill you? Or rape you like they keep planning to do if I back the fuck off? What about sell you to some rich fucker to be their fucking pet? Ever wonder where the random snacks come from in your bag? Or ever notice that the other fucking extras back off when I go after you? I had no fucking choice, I was told years ago if I defended you that's what they’d do.”
Izuku looked at the blonde for a second before he chuckled, “You know, for a minute there, I almost believed you. I won’t be tricked that easily, Bakugou . No one wants a quirkless Deku for a toy. We're too fragile and we break too easily, isn’t that what all the teachers have been saying? Isn’t that why I couldn’t do anything but color while you all were playing when we were in preschool? Nice try, though. Very creative.”
He growled. “That's the fucking reason they want you!! Because they can fucking break you so easily. But you were to fucking strong and smart and weren't breaking with what they fucking did. No one fucking believed me!!! They just said I had a weird imagination and I must have fucking heard them wrong! The one time I defended you I was held in detention afterwards and told I'd be black listed from every school and they would make sure I would be treated worse if I didn't join them.” He could feel tears filling his eyes. “The old hag also noticed something was wrong and I was getting more aggressive, found out my quirk was causing it and got me on meds, didn't you fucking notice? I try hard not to hurt you as bad anymore, I try to make it look worse than it is. What the fuck do I have to do to make you believe me, Zuzu?!”
Izuku looked the blonde up and down. He’d been on the receiving end of people pretending to care only to hurt him in school one too many times to believe right away. He didn’t want to fall prey to that again. He couldn’t give up, couldn’t kill himself like his mother told him to do every night she was home. “Swear on something. Swear on something that means more to you than anything, like your future hero career. Otherwise, fuck off. I won’t let anyone play me like this again.” He felt a bit of jealousy at hearing how his Auntie clearly loved her son, yet his mother only said nice things to him when he was lying on the floor bleeding. They were always about how pretty his corpse would be. Not really comforting thoughts.
Katsuki took a deep breath and didn't even hesitate. “If I'm lying, I will destroy Mr. Fluffybutt, and never apply to UA or any other hero school. I'll become a… burger flipper or something.” He said to the teen, his eyes wet with tears. He wanted to help his friend, but he couldn't change the way they acted. “The problem is if I dont keep this up, they’ll do something. I don't know what to do, Zuzu. I was hoping once we got into UA we could tell someone what was happening.”
Izuku looked at the boy and saw the sincerity in his eyes. “You’re serious.” He let his shoulders sag, “No one’ll care. Did you forget, I’m a drain on society. I’m a null that the world would rather forget. My mother would happily tell them anything we say was done for attention. You wanna know why you can see my ribs? Because she locked all the cupboards and the fridge. I have to eat food out of the garbage if I want to survive. You wanna know where the marks and the words on my back came from? Her. She gave me a lovely brand so I won’t forget what I am. I can’t even reach them fully so Kami knows it’s going to get infected to hell. Pretty sure the knife she used was one she used to make her dinner beforehand.”
His chest was tight as horror flowed through him. “There has to be someone who would believe us. Present Mic talks about discrimination all the time. What about that underground hero you mumble about? Come home with me, I can clean your back as best I can for you. Let me help you. I'll make you something to eat too.”
Izuku sighed, “We wouldn’t make it through the door once they see my shoes. Even if he talks about it, it doesn’t mean that his security would share the same thoughts. They likely say they're against discrimination, but would happily watch my mother hurt me. And Eraserhead is an underground hero. Do you realize how lucky I am to have the information I do? It’s from one grainy video and the one time I actually saw him fight. He doesn’t have a set patrol route like Mic or that flaming bastard do. I don’t know how to find him.” He thought about the offer of food. It sounded really, really nice. “Alright, I’ll go with you. Just know, if this is a trick, I’ll never trust you again. And I don’t know if my mother is coming back today or not so we need to hurry. If I’m not home before her, I’m pretty sure I won’t be in class tomorrow.”
Katsuki nodded and led his friend home. He helped patch him up the best he could. They talked together for over an hour before Izuku had to leave. They had a plan set up. They would keep up the act and Katsuki would hit him even less but Izuku would act worse. No one would notice, the extras were stupid after all.
The act worked well, Katsuki would feed and patch up izuku any chance he got for the rest of middle school. It was almost time for the entrance exams and both were excited, but also worried about it. That day Izuku was on edge, everything felt off and he didn't know why. He soon found out when he was attacked by a nasty sludge villain. He passed out from suffocation and then he was in the air when All Might tried to fly away. The fact the hero tried to kick him off mid air pissed Izuku off, but he needed to ask the man his question.
When All Might laughed at him and told him to be realistic before leaving him on a roof, the anger grew. Then Katsuki was being attacked and the heroes weren’t doing anything to help him. He was going to die.
Izuku hated each of those stupid heroes. There were a million different ways they could have used their quirks to save Katsuki. The only one he wasn't actively hating was Backdraft and that was because he was trying to keep the fire from spreading. Still, he could have diluted the Sludge villain with his water. But, at least he did something besides stand there with a thumb up his ass.
Izuku didn't care to pay attention as he was berated after doing their job. He was pissed that All Might had been in that crowd and had watched Katsuki suffocate. He didn't do anything! If Izuku wasn't so damn determined to be a hero, this would have been the start of his villain career. He would prove that smiling idiot wrong. He would be a hero whether All Might thought he could do it or not.
While the others were distracted Izuku slipped away, he’d wait in the alleyway for his friend to make sure he was okay before they headed to his apartment for the afternoon. He was waiting for the other when All Might showed up in front of him with an angry look on his face. Izuku rolled his eyes.
"Young man, do you see now? You cannot be a hero without a quirk. That promising future hero nearly died today and you made things worse by being a second hostage. Is that what you want, to be responsible for the deaths of others?" All Might said as he glared down at him, "Give up your foolish dream before it gets someone else killed."
“Ex-fucking-scuse me? Those heroes were standing around doing nothing. There were several ways they could have helped. Hell, you just stood there in the crowd and watched. If I hadn’t run in like that, Kaachan would have died. I gave him the chance to breathe.”
"And became a second hostage." All Might reiterated, "The others were at a disadvantage and you wasted the last of my time clinging onto my leg." He didn't care to mention the rope that had gotten looped around the boy's ankle or that it had been attached to him. "I wouldn't have lost the villain had you not clung to me like that to ask your foolish question."
“Bullshit. You broke several protocols when dealing with villain capture and victims of a villain. I'm not stupid. What the fuck were you thinking putting it in a plastic soda bottle? You’re a terrible hero. You don't deserve to be number one. Now fuck off I'm done listening to you yap.” He pushed past the man seeing Kacchan standing there looking pissed off.
“Nice sass nerd, let's get out of here.”
Izuku gave the other boy a small smile, but it was all he could muster after the day he'd had. He was tired and his lungs ached from the lack of oxygen he'd had. Not to mention, he was sure there was some sludge in there. His stomach felt like it had been filled with vile jello, something he would now be refusing to eat. "Thanks, Kaachan. I just hope that wasn't all televised. She'll be pissed if it was."
Sadly it had been and Izuku paid a horrible price. After that the two boys decided they needed to do something, so they contacted someone they didn't think would respond. Izuku emailed principal Nedzu
To Principal Nedzu
Subject: academic neglect
Hello sir, I know you’re super busy right now with the exams coming soon and running the school, as well as your undercover work. My name is Izuku Midoriya and I have applied to join your hero class this year. The issue is, I know my grades and records are not clear and i wont pass the stringent rules in place. Now I'm not trying to make excuses, I just want a fair chance here like everyone else. So I ask a favor, please go into my files and look at the actual tests and assignments, not the scores but the work itself and see that things aren't adding up.
Thank you for your time.
Izuku.
Izuku sat back in the chair and turned to Kaachan. “I don't know if this is going to do anything, he probably won't even look at the email."
Katsuki huffed, "Well, it's better to try. At least maybe we can get help this way. I still wish we could do something about that bitch." He hated Inko. She was no longer his Auntie after what she did to his friend. How could she do that to her own son?
He sighed and nodded, “I know, but we can't. You and auntie have been amazing though. I don't think I'd still be here if it wasn't for you guys.”
To: Izuku Midoriya
Re Academic neglect
Well hello Midoriya-kun, this email piqued my interest and I did as you asked and looked into your files. It is very intriguing to see such blatant down grading. I would enjoy talking to you more about this issue if you wouldn't mind coming and talking to me here in person. Please let me know when you are free.
Am I a mouse, a dog, or a bear?
I am Nedzu
Izuku stared at the screen in front of him. How did the mammal even get to it so damn fast. He read over the short email again and again to make sure he was seeing what was actually written. “K..Kaachan, you’re seeing this, right? Nedzu just emailed us back and he wants to talk to me. I’m not dreaming, am I?”
Katsuki rolled his eyes. “No nerd, you aren't imagining things. Not dreaming either, he really wants to see you. I told you this was worth a shot. Maybe he’ll be on your side, after all you said he was experimented on or some shit before. Maybe we can trust him?”
Izuku shook his head, “I don’t…I don’t know. It’s one thing to send this but it’s another to tell him about what’s happening. You know mother would find a way to say I’m faking it. And, if that happens, the school will find out and they’ll try to blacklist you or worse. I can’t risk it.”
Katsuki nodded, neither of them could risk it. Izuku’s life was on the line and Katsuki wouldn't let anything happen to his friend. “Alright nerd, we’ll be careful. You should still go meet him at least. You deserve to be in that school, and he should be able to help you with that.”
Izuku bit his lip as he nervously sent out another email.
To Principal Nedzu
RE Academic Neglect
Thank you for responding so quickly, sir. I would love to talk to you as well. I can be free Saturday if that works for you so you don’t have to worry about the other students at UA.
Thank you for your time
Izuku Midoriya.
He felt giddy as he hit send. He couldn’t believe that he might actually meet the smartest being on the planet! This had to be a dream.
Katsuki chuckled. “You better show him how smart you are, Zuzu, because this is your big chance.”
Izuku shoved his friend, “Yeah, yeah. I know this is my only chance to ever get into the school. That is, if I can make it past the entrance exam. Who knows if I’m even going to pass the practical.” He was still nervous about that. He hoped his brains would be enough to get him through the practical part of the exam.
He nodded, “Yeah, we already know it's a biased exam. But I'm sure we can figure something out. You've been working really hard and have gained a lot of muscle. You can do it, just gotta use that big ass brain of yours.”
To Izuku Midoriya
Re Academic Neglect
Saturday sounds wonderful. How about one o'clock? I can have a teacher meet you at the front gates, and I will have tea ready.
Nedzu
To Principal Nedzu
One o’clock sounds perfect. I’ll be there. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to humor me.
Izuku Midoriya
Izuku sighed, “Well, looks like I need to come up with an excuse for Saturday. I just hope that Inko isn’t home again this weekend. It would be so much easier if she stayed with her friends that don’t know about me again.”
Katsuki tilted his head “I wonder if the hag can find out if she's going to be home or not. She might be able to get her away for the weekend and you can stay here. Maybe have a quiet weekend.” His mom hated Inko, but she was willing to help her nephew in any way she could.
Izuku sighed, “I hate subjecting her to that. I feel so bad having to send her to keep Inko busy. The only way Auntie could keep her away for the weekend was to be with her. Do you really think she could stand being around her that long?”
Katsuki shrugged. “She might be able to, think she would accept a paid for spa trip? That would get her gone and then mom wouldn’t have to go with her. I don't think ma would mind at all, get you some freedom.”
“Inko would never turn down anything free.” Izuku said with an eye roll, “I’m sure Auntie could say they were going together and then get a ‘last minute call’ for a client or something so she wouldn’t have to stay the whole weekend with her.”
“That sounds like a good plan, I'll talk to ma about it when she gets home tonight. She'll jump at having you here all weekend, so she can smother you and all that stuff.”
Izuku chuckled, “Yeah, I’ve missed being smothered by someone. Auntie gives the best hugs anyways. You're always too stiff. It’s like hugging a grenade. Which, if I haven’t made it clear yet, you will not be having as part of your hero costume.”
Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Why the fuck not? They’re the perfect support weapons and you fucking know it, nerd.”
Izuku sighed, “Kaachan, think about it. One, having huge gauntlets will limit mobility. Two, the power from the explosions will more than likely shatter your wrists. Three, if you look like you’re a walking explosion, how are you going to be a marketable hero? I know you wanna go limelight, you need to think about how to market yourself. Now, if you do something smaller, that holds less sweat, and has proper braces, then we can talk about having them.”
He thought about it and sighed. He liked the idea of being a walking explosion. "Fine, maybe there'll be someone decent who can help me work on something different."
Izuku rolled his eyes, “Hey, be your explosive self, but tone it to be more civilian friendly. If you wanna be the number one hero, and not like that asshole, then you have to have at least some kind of marketability. Be a sleek explosion instead of one that can barely move his arms. Besides, how are you supposed to cross your arms to look down on idiots if the gauntlets get in the way.”
"Hmm, good point. I need to be able to do just that when I kick Ass Might's ass. I don't know how that idiot can even be a hero, him and the flaming trash can." He looked at the clock. "You better head home in case she shows up. Hide the snacks under the floorboards with your notebooks. I'll talk to ma about this weekend."
Izuku nodded. He didn’t want to go home, but he had to. The rest of the week went by like normal with Katsuki having to hurt him and him pretending to be hurt worse than he was. The real pain was being home. His mother had picked up drinking because she was stressed about…who knows what. He dodged more bottles at home than he did explosions during training with Katsuki. By the time Friday came, Izuku was vibrating in excitement. He got home after school and after the usual beating, his mother informed him she was leaving for a weekend trip. Izuku stayed on the ground where she’d left him until he heard the sound of the door slam shut. He waited five minutes for her to get to her car and take off before he sat up. It was time for him to get his bag for the weekend. He was excited to be able to use an actual blanket for the weekend.
Katsuki was pacing the hallway of the house waiting. He knew Izuku would be there soon; his ma had everything planned out and soon they would all be free to relax and just be normal teenagers, well as normal as they could be, after all Izuku was going to meet the principal of UA tomorrow, he was hoping Izuku wouldn't be to hurt when he arrived, he hated seeing his friend hurt like that.
Katsuki continued pacing before there was a knock at the door. Fast as he could, he ran to the door and ripped it open. He saw Izuku standing there, he looked beat to hell but he was standing. That’s what was important. “Zuzu, what the hell? Did she do anything that needs patched up or is it just bruising this time?”
“Lots of bruising. But I dont think I'm bleeding anywhere.” He said softly, talking hurt. Well, most things hurt right then.
Katsuki gently led Izuku inside the house. He helped his friend take off his shoes before he led him to the couch, “Hey, sit down and rest. You look like shit, Zuzu. I’ll get you something to drink first.”
He nodded slowly and sat down leaning back. Oh this was comfy, he liked this. He was just so tired after the week they’d had. He was glad it was the weekend and he could just rest and not worry about Inko. It was after the weekend he was really worried about. “Thanks Kaachan.”
“Anytime, nerd.” Katsuki said before he went to the kitchen to get the other boy something to drink. He didn’t want to think about the pain the other was in. He couldn’t stop the pain. They just had to wait until they got into UA and then he wouldn’t have to hurt Izuku anymore. The other boy could get away with saying he had to stay the night for group projects and whatnot. It was going to be better. It had to be, because if it wasn’t he may lose his brother. The two sat together and chatted for a while before they started playing some video games and watching movies. It had been an amazing night.
Now Izuku was on his way to the school. He had covered the bruises the best he could before leaving the house. Auntie drove him to the school and said she could pick him up later if he needed her to. He walked to the gate and looked around curious what hero would be there waiting for him.
“So, are you the kid I’m bringing to the rat?” A voice said from behind Izuku, startling him slightly, though he didn’t show it. Reacting to things gives others a chance to hurt you more. He wouldn’t let himself be hurt by anyone if he didn’t need to.
He turned and his eyes widened for just a second as he saw the man standing there, long black hair, tired eyes, and gray scarf. This was the Eraserhead! “Um, if the rat is Nedzu then yes sir, Eraserhead sir.”
He saw the brief surprise flash across the man’s eyes before he went back to his bored expression. “Alright, come with me. I’ll take you to him.” The man walked past Izuku and towards the building, his shoulders slouched.
Izuku wanted to ask the man questions so badly as he walked slightly behind him, with his head down. He knew better than to look at the man, he was a hero after all. He was so nervous yet so excited he was practically vibrating in his skin, he was trying really hard not to fidget as he walked. People didn't like when he fidgeted.
There was a sigh from the man in front of him, “Alright kid, what is it? I can feel the nerves rolling off of you. Is it about how you know who I am? Not many people would.”
Izuku flinched as attention was put on him. “N-no sir… just nervous… you-you’re my f-favoite hero… an-and Nedzu, he’s so smart and I don't want to offend him, or you in any way. I'm sorry I know who you are, I know that was probably really creepy… I won't mention it again, I promise.” And there was his babbling habit back with a vengeance. At least he didn't go into a mumble rant about how stupid his goggles were… Yup, he didn't realize he had said that out loud.
“Excuse me? My goggles aren’t stupid.” Eraserhead said, “If you must know, they were a gift from someone. I don’t care that you know who I am, I’m just curious. No one should really know who I am. I’m an underground hero, after all.” The man seemed a little defensive, if even pouty at the way Izuku called his goggles stupid.
He blushed and looked down again. “Well.. they don't protect your eyes at all, If.. if they had some sort of plexiglass or something, you wouldn't get particles in your eyes when fighting, and then if a wind user or during the cold, you'd be able to use your quirk better. Also you could probably add infrared to them and a way to mist your eyes so they don't dry out so much, you should also tie your hair back.. it's a dead giveaway… but if they were a gift, I'm sorry for insulting them. It's stupid I know… but I really like heroes and I'm in a bunch of forums for underground heroes and people mention you sometimes. There's also a really grainy video I found a few years ago; I also saw you fighting one night close to my school…” Oh hell, he was rambling now, and the hero was going to be angry with him and probably throw him out before he even got to meet the principal and it would be all his fault that he and Kaachan couldn't go to UA and become heroes together.
“Hmm, I suppose that’s true.” The hero said after a moment, “I’ll talk to someone about some upgrades. As for the hair, I have a sensitive scalp so tying my hair up and using my quirk pulls at it too much. If you wouldn’t mind, tell Nedzu about the video so we can have it taken down. There aren’t supposed to be any of me. Don’t be nervous, though. I’m sure the rat is already planning how to get you to take over the world with him.”
He tilted his head confused about the last part. He understood the sensitivity part as he was also sensitive to many things. “W-why would h-he do t-that?”
Eraserhead sighed, “Because he seemed interested and that’s never a good thing. Well, for the rest of the world. If he isn’t burning schools to the ground, figuratively, he only gets excited when he sees potential in someone. It isn’t a bad thing for you unless you have a strong dislike for world domination.”
He was still frowning. He was smart, he knew that, but he was also quirkless and he didn't think the principal would really have any interest in him after learning this. He had to try though, had to find a way to beat the system. “Well.. the world needs some changes. It's not very nice…” He said softly.
“No, no it’s not.” Eraserhead said with a sigh, “But, then again, when has anything ever been very nice or fair.” The two of them stopped in front of a door, “Well, here we are. Hope you like playing chess.”
“I've never played.” He said to the man, though the game did look interesting. The door opened and Izuku walked into the office and looked around. First he checked for all exits in case he needed to run, then he made his way to the seat before the desk where the principal sat.
The mammal smiled at Izuku, “Hello. Am I a rat, a dog, a bear? Who knows, I’m the principal. And you must be Izuku Midoriya. I am quite glad that you were able to join me today. Would you like some tea?”
“I always thought you were a chimera.. a mix of those three animals, which is why you ask that question. An answer within a question to throw people off.” He licked his lips and nodded, “Yes sir, I'd very much enjoy some tea.”
“Hm, you are close. Though I am a chimera, there is one particular base that you missed. But, most don’t even think that far.” Nedzu said happily as he began to pour the two of them some tea. “Before we begin about the email, is there anything you would like to ask or talk about? I would hate for this to be all business if you had something you wanted to talk about.”
Izuku blinked at the mammal's words. No one ever gave him permission to ask questions like this. He could see it was a test, but he wasn't sure what kind of test it was. At the same time he didn't really care, he had so many questions about the principal. “Well, I’ve always been curious about you and your quirk sir. Does it make it so you don't need sleep? If you do sleep, do you dream about being awake and figuring out the problems you were working on when awake? Does it help with multitasking? Or is it a bit more like ADHD where you just can't stop and have to keep going no matter what? Does it help you read and process everything faster than other people? Do you often get confused by some things people do because they aren't logical or thinking things through? Does caffeine make things easier or worse for you?”
Nedzu chuckled, “I do need to sleep, though I do not remember any of my dreams. It does help with multitasking, though I do quite enjoy keeping busy. Doing nothing is so dull, wouldn’t you agree. I can read quite quickly and I do not have the same emotions as humans. Tea is what helps me the most. I do not find I enjoy coffee like Eraserhead does. I’m sure, if that is something you prefer, he could give you tips on the best places to go to.”
Izuku shook his head, in awe the other had answered his questions, "Coffee makes me dizzy and shaky, I don't like it one bit. Also, I wouldn't want to bother Mister Eraserhead on such a thing."
“Oh, nonsense. If it were something that you had enjoyed, then he would be more than happy to talk to you about it. If you really want to get him talking, there is a lovely cat cafe that he thinks I don’t know he has spent most of this year at since he only has laws and ethics to teach. That man does love his feline friends.” Nedzu said with a wave of his paw.
Izuku was going to have to add that to his notebook as soon as he was home and away from prying eyes. "I don't think he’d like to talk to me…" People didn't like him, especially teachers, and he had rambled and insulted his goggles even if the man had been kind about it. "Could…could we talk about my file please.." he asked hesitantly.
“Of course, if that’s what you would like to talk about,” Nedzu said, his smile never leaving his muzzle. “So, about that file of yours. It was quite interesting looking at the differences. On your file, it shows a very disruptive child who is barely scraping by. However, looking at the test that they must put through the system, that is clearly not the case. Since you only asked me to look into that much, I have not gone through the rest of your file. Would you like to tell me why they would do this? I have some theories, but it is unwise to make assumptions.”
Izuku steeled himself with a deep breath, he had practiced this already so he wouldn't stutter like a fool. "Plain and simple sir, it's discrimination. I couldn’t possibly get better marks than the other children because I’m a waste of air. I'm quirkless sir. I know you know the statistics, I also know you fought to be allowed to admit quirkless students three years ago, but since then there hasn't been a single one admitted. Discrimination is still running rampant, even here"
"Please, do not use that term for yourself. No one is, as you put it, a waste of air. Discrimination does run rampant, though I have fought hard to stop it here. I have been trying to allow the quirkless in, even to gen ed, but the board has always found a reason against it. Most of it is the poor behavior and grades that is the direct result of quirkism. So, let me ask, what are you wanting from this meeting, Midoriya-kun? I have some ideas but I want to know what it is you want." Nedzu said, folding his paws.
He nodded."I want a fair chance. Even though I’ve been pushed down my entire life, I know I'm smart, I know I have worth even if no one else agrees. Well no one but two others, I want to prove myself but I don't want special treatment just a fair Kami honest chance, and I can't do that when my file and my ID have a big red Q all over them." He hadn't told Kaachan about this part of his plan, his friend wouldn't agree with it, but it was the only way.
Nedzu nodded, “Yes, that would put a damper on your application even if you managed to score a perfect on the written portion, something never done before, and got the most points on the practical. The board members would find some way to make it so you couldn’t get in. Would you like to hear a proposition I have for you?” Something Nedzu had begun thinking of the moment the boy said he was quirkless.
He was so glad Nedzu was living up to what he thought he would. He hadn't even batted an eye at his quirk status. "Yes sir, I would."
“I would like to create a new quirk registry and ID for you. One where you would have some kind of quirk, even a simple minor intelligence quirk or perhaps something else. It’s up to you. With my…talents, it would be a simple thing for me and you would have the ID by, let’s say, Tuesday at the latest. I wouldn’t want anyone to be able to tell it was a fake. That way, you may enter my school, take the test, and get into the hero course.” Nedzu said before taking a sip of his tea, “Does this sound reasonable to you?”
Izuku nodded with a small smile, "Yes sir, that's what I was thinking as well. There’s only one small issue." He said before looking down at his shoes, "Anyone who knows what to look for would easily see I'm lying."
“Is that all? That is an easier fix than creating a new ID.” Nedzu said with a dismissive wave. “So many people today believe that only the quirkless have the extra toe joint. While it is true that most do, I have seen a few reports of quirkless children without them. There are also those with avian mutations and the like. What I am saying is, the red shoe is a myth. It is only a brand because the government wanted a way to track the quirkless but did not take into account the cases I have mentioned. Leave me with your shoe size and an address you want them sent to.”
He felt tears well up in his eyes. He didn't know what to say. He was going to be free finally. Well, as free as he was able to be that is. He still had to deal with Inko but, if he got into UA, she’d have to be more careful with what she did. "Thank you sir. I appreciate this so very much. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like it to be an analysis quirk, please. Less people would think it creepy that way."
Nedzu nodded, “Of course. Though, if you wouldn’t mind, I would like to see more of your analysis ability. Would you happen to have anything on you or would you, perhaps, be willing to show me now. If not, that’s okay. I don’t take offense. Most others don’t like listening to those they deem as inferior or unworthy. However, I find that a quirkless person is the most worthy. They are forced to use only their brains and own skills to do the things that they do. If I must, I will wait to gain more of your trust before you divulge that brain of yours.”
Izuku thought about it for a while before slowly nodding. He pulled a battered looking notebook out of his bag and handed it to the principal. "It's-it's a little rumpled. I was going to work on transferring it to a new notebook this weekend, but it's still legible."
Nedzu gently took the notebook, "Thank you for trusting me with this." He gently opened it and began to look through the book. The mammal began to get visibly excited, though he turned the pages just as gently as before. When he reached the last page, he closed the notebook and held it out to the boy, "Well, that analysis quirk you want to use as your own will be more than easy to fake now. Let me ask, how did you find all of this out?"
He tilted his head; he wasn't angry or calling him a stalker. Okay, so maybe Kaachan had a point, but he wasn't going to admit it to the blonde. That would be a disaster. "A lot of it came from watching villain fights. I've always been fascinated by quirks, so I watched. When I wasn't sure about something I’d go to the library and do a bunch of research when I could. Some of it was harder than others to find of course, but I enjoy research so it was like a game. Other times I just theorized what I thought was happening or could happen. My friend Kaachan is a good sounding board even if he grumbles about it."
Nedzu chuckled, "Well, I have never seen anything like this come from anyone without an analysis quirk nor something even half this good from those same people at such a young age. Your brain is truly amazing. When the school year starts, I would enjoy it if you would come have tea with me once a week. We can fine tune your analysis ability and even code it so others cannot read it. Or, we could play some chess together. You are free to deny this request as it is simply that, a request. I will take no offense to it."
How the heck could Izuku not say yes to this? To be able to learn from the smartest being alive was like a dream come true! "I would very much like that sir. Though I have never played chess before I wouldn't mind learning."
"Excellent. I can teach you, do not fret. I believe you will be able to pick up on it easily. It will also help you analyze while doing something else, an important skill to perfect for a hero with or without a quirk. I will not bother to insult you by asking if you are sure you don't have a quirk. It would be insulting to the hard work you have put into that notebook and any others you have." Nedzu said before taking a sip of his tea. This was going to be an interesting year, he was sure about that.
Izuku smiled softly, a genuine smile. This was officially the best day of his life. "Thank you sir. I always wished I had a quirk, it would have made things a lot easier for me and Kaachan. But Ink- my mom had me tested this way and that. I'm very much quirkless. I really hope I can inspire others like me by becoming a hero, even if I go underground. Media isn’t something I like." Plus, Kaachan was going to be limelight and he would do the media side of things.
"There is more than one way to inspire others. While being an underground hero, you could also do something like Mic-kun. He has his radio show to voice his beliefs. I do not see you wanting to be the center of attention like that, so I would suggest you could do blogs or forums where you speak out. You could do it in a way that you show heroes you have found trustworthy, whether they were already pros or pros that you graduate with. It is amazing how something that simple can bring hope to a lost soul. Besides, letting those like you or the villainous quirked children know which heroes are safe, could save lives as well." Nedzu said happily. The boy showed promise.
He looked down and blushed. "I already do that a little. The quirkless forums are hidden but they are there, and I let people know if there’s a hero they need to steer clear of, like I did recently. They’re all cheering me on from afar."
"An excellent start," Nedzu said happily, "Once you get into the hero course, you will be able to see the new generation of heroes' true selves. So, how about we get the new ID and everything ready for you. Unless, is there something more you would like to tell me? You are under no obligation to tell me things you are not ready to."
He thought about it for a bit then shook his head. No, he couldn't tell him yet. He may seem like a good hero, but it was different, and Inko could turn it around on him and make things worse. "No, nothing else, sir."
Nedzu nodded, his expression not changing as he turned to his computer. He asked some questions to make the ID and quirk registry papers look real before sending Izuku on his way home with a promise of more meetings with tea and treats. He was very intrigued. As he typed away, he saw the black mass move back in the vent of his room. Shouta-kun could be so silly sometimes. Though he could probably teach the boy some new tricks. At least he wasn't going to have to break the boy's trust in telling the man when he passed the exam. Now all that was left was to look into the boy's life a bit more. He could tell there was something going on, his clothes seemed to hang off of him like when Shouta-kun first started at UA before the sports festival. Hm, perhaps it was time to implement that plan he'd been toying with.