Chapter Text
Izuku was already in the classroom when everyone started to arrive. He had gone in early that morning with Shouta and Hizashi to avoid anyone who would linger outside. It doesn’t seem like anyone from the news stations are camping outside the gates at seven in the morning. While they handled their last minute daily preparations for the day, Izuku had morning tea with the principal. They talked about how they were planning to start their individual lessons since school had calmed down and…well, Izuku talked to him about how the media and public reacted to his win. It wasn’t that Shouta or Michi aren’t helpful, but Nezu makes his opinions feel validated and not because of their position as his guardian or therapist.
‘I remember there was a time when the people were unsure about an ‘animal’ being the principal of UA. I sure showed them! Hahaha!’
The results were mixed to say the least.
There were quite a few people who spoke about how cool it was for someone quirkless to win the Sports Festival. Complimented how smart he was when designing and using his gear. However, some of their words felt more like backhanded compliments that could be taken as insults. Of course there were people who weren’t happy about his victory.
I was there! It was awesome to see live!
Let the kid live his dream! (Whether he lives or dies)
This kid might go places, but we’ll see.
Even though he’s quirkless, he did well enough.
Kids have gone soft these days, should have just taken him out easily.
He was handed the first two matches of the third round. He didn’t have to try the whole time.
My kid thought he was cool, do I tell him that shouldn’t be who he looks up to? Also, what do his parents have to say?
Who wants to say UA rigged it? Trying to make us care about this random quirkless kid. They even got All Might involved.
Some people just didn’t care about him which is honestly nothing new. Izuku isn’t asking for everyone to like him; he’s just asking for those who don’t to at least either leave him alone or give him a chance. It didn't matter that he won the Sports Festival. He was still a second, third if it exists, class citizen to them. He knows he can only do that through his actions and keeping his head up high because unlike the principal, Izuku doesn’t think he’s that smart…or be backed by millions of dollars to make that happen.
“Hey! Midoriya!” Izuku is pulled out of his thoughts and looks up to see Denki coming toward him. “When did you get here?”
“Oh. I got here a little early with ya know.” Izuku said as he gestured to the front of the room where their teacher will eventually be.
“Oh!” Denki said as he put it together and snapped his fingers. “So I know the party was a bust, but once there’s a good time, it’s totally a go!”
“Are you sure that–”
“Don’t question it, my dude! None of us have actually hung out in forever anyway! Hero school really puts you through the work, huh?”
“I’d expect nothing less.” Izuku answered.
“Yeah, well, at least I have you to help me survive!”
“That’s what friends are for!” Izuku said with a smile.
Denki looks at Izuku and hopes he knows it goes both ways. Izuku told him and Katsuki that Shouta put a ban on any internet access all weekend to protect him from the stress unless it was to play games or something unrelated to the festival. He’d like to say his guardian was wrong in doing so, but he wasn’t. He read some of the nasty comments people were saying about his friend. As much as he wanted to, he listened to his parents’ and grandparents’ advice to not get involved because it could do more harm than good. If people found out they were connected, and they came after him, how would that make Izuku feel? Instead he decided that he’ll be there for him. His support will be the best defense.
“Me too, man.” Denki said. “So, do you know what we’re doing today?”
Izuku narrowed his eyes. “You always ask and it’s either I don’t know or can’t tell you.”
“So which is it this time?”
“I don’t know.” Izuku shrugged with a smile and small laugh. “Mr. Aizawa was gone practically all day on Friday and I barely saw him not working over the weekend. To be honest, the time off was kind of boring.”
“You should have said something man! We could have played online or hung out!” Denki whined. “Get your mind off things!”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind!” Izuku agreed. “I did however talk with Mei about adding a couple different items to my arsenal. A couple new attachments for my escrimas and a few new colors that will surely–”
“Bro, you make the rest of us look like chumps.” Denki cried dramatically. He didn’t think about anything related to school all weekend and Izuku probably thought about these the minute he walked off the podium.
“It’s because you suck, moron.” Katsuki said, butting into the conversation and sitting down in his chair. “Don’t you sit over there?”
“The bell hasn’t rang yet and our fearless leader doesn’t have an issue with it.” Denki said, ignoring the jab at him.
“As long as you go to your seat when the bell rings.” Izuku sighed.
Eventually the bell did ring and Denki scrambled to his seat. Izuku thinks it’s because he’s kind of afraid of Shouta which he can admit that the man can be intimidating when he wants to be. However, Izuku has seen the softer side of him because that might be because he lives with him. As he watches the man walk to the front, Izuku thinks about how it's almost been a year since they met. Give or take probably a few days or weeks. He isn’t exactly sure on the date, but wonders if Shouta knows. It would certainly be a humorous thing to make note about.
Izuku certainly didn’t think that his risky, impromptu plan to blackmail a pro hero would have worked out like this. He thought it would save his skin from getting expelled and then he’d survive until he left. Ultimately it would just bite him in the ass because Shouta teaches here, but he’d be here. He’s got more going for him in the past year than he’s had in the last decade. He couldn’t be more grateful for everyone around him.
“We have quite a bit to get through today.” Shouta said as he came in with a stack of papers that he sat on the podium. “We’ll be having a hero informatics class that’s important for next week. You’re choosing your hero names and looking into internships.”
“Yay!” Almost everyone cried out in excitement which made Shouta glare at them.
“Silence. While they might be temporary, you’ll need them for your upcoming internships. You’re going to be in the public eye for the first time as potential heroes. You’ll need to uphold what it means to be a hero and to attend this school. In a second you’ll each have your own list to choose from of what hero you’ll be interning with. Be wary that a pro can choose to rescind their offer or even possibly submit one at a later time. The following are offers to those you who received them. Those of you without any will have a separate list to choose from. This internship will last one week, starting next Monday until that Friday. Pick your top three and have your forms turned in by Thursday. You’ll be informed if you’ve been accepted on Friday.” Shouta explained as he clicked a button that showed the tally of offers on the board.
Shouto has the most followed by Katsuki. Those two having quite a few offers isn't a surprise considering that they placed second and third respectively. Silently noting the former is the son of the Number Two Hero. After a widening gap it's Fumikage, Tenya, and then Momo. A few others also received offers, but everyone noticed quickly that someone’s name didn’t appear at all.
Izuku grips his hands tightly, feeling his fingernails dig into his palms as he sees no one put in an offer for him. He had hoped someone would. That his name would be at least up there and at most, be near the top considering how well he did. He just sighs to himself as the little voice in his head that he can’t seem to get rid of tells him that’s being selfish. He knows he’s not in the way that’s negative, but he’s been trying to either silence it or make it change its tune.
When Shouta ran the numbers this morning to a current count, he had to take a minute to remember to be his teacher and how this might not be a bad thing. While there are still a couple more days to submit offers, it didn’t change the fact that if he didn’t get any at the start thus concluding he might not at all. There’s a chance Izuku could get an offer, but those were slimming. He honestly expected it to happen. He can’t expect the whole society to change their minds after one weekend. He had been hopeful that one pro hero out there would be able to see the potential in Izuku that he does and what he’s already shown. Perhaps this means he won’t worry about if Izuku is being treated fairly, used as a publicity stunt, or abused into quitting.
“It’s wild that Midoriya didn’t get any.”
“Seriously. He won the whole shebang. ”
Izuku is ignoring their failed attempts to whisper. They're sitting right near him and the classroom isn’t actually a giant lecture hall. He knows that Hanta and Eijirou mean well, but the former must have forgotten that he sits right next to him.
“It’s not.” Izuku answered as he sighed and he saw a few of them freeze up as they realized he heard them. “No one wants to work with the quirkless kid.”
Izuku knows his classmates are now awkwardly looking at each other, uncomfortable about what to say to him. They know there's nothing to say. It's not their fault. As Shouta, Michi, and Nezu have told him, people being uncomfortable about the way other people are treated, is a sign of growth. They’re realizing that it isn’t okay and hopefully they’ll choose to do something about it and no longer be complacent when they see the opportunity to stop it.
It was fine. There were agencies out there that were open to take anyone on since it was a requirement for UA. However, he doesn’t think they’ll be too pleased to find out they’re getting the quirkless student, even if he won, showing how capable he is. It's just like in primary or middle school when they picked teams. No one wanted him and there was fuss over who was stuck with him. He tried his best to be useful, but scoring goals in a meaningless game didn't count in his favor. He’s pulled out of his thoughts as a piece of paper is put in front of him and Shouta walks by to give one to Hitoshi.
Izuku looked down at his paper to see it’s the same internship form everyone else is getting, but there’s a sticky note attached to his.
You did get an offer. You'll be with me and Present Mic. Get a mix of daylight and night time heroics. That’s only if you want to. You can choose between the list given too. We can talk about it later after school.
As soon as he’s back in the front of the class, Izuku looks up at Shouta to see the man make eye contact with him and nod. He’s serious about taking him on and the idea isn’t terrible. While Izuku might have liked to have worked with someone he didn’t know, perhaps it’s for the best to stick to who he knows for now. At least if he goes with Shouta and Hizashi, then he’ll be promised a fair education and not to have to worry if they’re being genuine. He knows he needs to work on his paranoia, but that’s for another session with Michi.
Izuku does plan to be an independent hero like Shouta, but time in the spotlight will help further his overarching goal to make people more accepting of differences and he’ll be able to save people at any time of day. This isn't just about him being quirkless as he looks across the room at a few others he knows feel the same.
A shrill of a cell phone ringing interrupts whatever Shouta has to say next. The man glares at them before holding his finger up and then answers his phone. It's also a warning not to eavesdrop to the two students in their class who have increased hearing. This entire action completely surprises Izuku as Shouta is a stickler for not having their phones.
“Hello…this is him.” Shouta answered and the one-sided conversation got quiet for a moment. “Yes. Give me a moment to step out and get someone to watch my class. Class rep, you're in charge for the moment while I go get Midnight to start ahead of schedule.”
As Shouta stepped out, Izuku thought it odd he didn't address him by his name. Shouta never calls him ‘class rep’. It's either Midoriya, while at school, or Izuku, any other time. Was it about him or just trying to remain professional during a call? As far as he knew, Shouta wasn't working on any other cases.
“We can chat quietly for a bit. Let's not be too loud and be ready for Ms. Midnight when she comes in.” Izuku instructed. “We can even bounce ideas off each other about hero names or what might be the best places for people!”
“Good idea, Midoriya!” Momo agreed. “We should use this free moment wisely!”
It was like a flip of a switch as a few people turned to their neighbor or got up to be closer to their friends who didn’t sit exactly next to them. Some of them do as their class representatives suggested, but even they knew it would be a loss cause.
Izuku is fifty-fifty about his hero name. If he were being honest, he hadn’t thought about it too much in depth. He had a name that he used before, but the meaning behind it isn’t one people think kindly of. But it fits him. It fits what he represents and if he can do something despite that, then wouldn’t it give it a new meaning? He liked to think so.
Izuku liked to think that actions can show that words have different meanings.
“You good, dude?” Denki asked as he nudged him as he noticed Hitoshi looking glum.
“I guess. It's my grandma. She was so rushed to get out the door this morning. She wouldn’t tell any of us why, but seemed pretty serious about it. My parents are a little worried and hope there's just a sale on yarn or something.” Hitoshi answered.
“Dude, what's with all the old people today? My grandpa said they were closing the café until the afternoon. I asked if everything was okay, but he said he had more important matters to attend to.” Denki said. “I pried a little and he just said that there are more important things than business. I mean, his shop has been in his family a while and the only thing I've seen him close for was family related. Last I checked, we're all good!”
Izuku thinks that’s a little odd. He hopes no one is getting sick and they haven't told Denki about it. That didn’t work out so well last time. When Ikazuchi's quirk started affecting his health, the only person who knew before Izuku was his wife. The sweet woman, who knew her way around a wooden spoon, convinced him to tell his family after Izuku’s suggestions about how to mitigate his quirk.
All their whispers are then overshadowed by yelling that echoes from the hallway. Everyone looks at one another and Izuku guesses, as class representative, he should be the one to investigate. He knows that his classmates are right behind him though. He may or may not feel a couple breathing down his neck. As he opens the door he sees a familiar face passing by.
“Hey, Monoma!” Izuku called out to him. “Do you know what's going on?”
“I think there's going to be another riot. I see a lot of people gathering around the gates with signs. Some of us thought we'd give them a piece of our minds. Ya know. They're disrupting our education.” Neito said with a smirk and then walked off before turning to look over his shoulder to lock eyes with Izuku. “And well, maybe I don't like that they're messing with one of the stars of the show.”
Izuku just sighs as he looks down at the floor and grips his hands tightly to calm himself. Despite his excellent performance in the Sports Festival, people still aren't willing to accept he's staying in the hero course. Why couldn’t they leave him alone? He knows how this will end and he doesn’t know why they haven’t learned. He’s not leaving UA and will only cause trouble for themselves. It makes his heart hurt and he bites his lip. He isn’t going to cry and give them the satisfaction that they’re wearing him down. They’re not, but that doesn’t mean Izuku doesn’t have feelings about it all. He's picking the high road and not looking at them. That's what they want. For people who pay him no mind, they surely want him to notice them.
Izuku looks up to smile at…his friend. He thinks he can call them friends. He appreciates what he did for him at the Sports Festival and he thinks the understanding between them has opened that door for them. He didn't have to be so nice and Neito did say he wanted to meet him in order to tell him that he could make it. And he did and would.
“Finally, something we agree on! Outta my way!” Katsuki yelled as he pushed past Izuku.
“Wait, Kacchan!” Izuku called after him.
“Bakugou! We shouldn’t yell at the protesters! UA will handle them as they always have!” Tenya said.
“I agree! Let's go tell them to leave our friend and classmate alone!” Mina said as he followed suit.
“Right you are! I'm with ya, man!” Eijirou agreed as he pushed through.
One by one Izuku watches his classmates follow Katsuki’s lead in confronting the protesters. He’s utterly speechless and the words he does manage to get out fall upon deaf ears. He appreciates them for wanting to stick up for him, but they really shouldn’t leave the classroom unless instructed. Izuku face palms himself. He's not going to lose his position because of this, is he?? Instead of worrying about it, he decides he needs to get them to come back.
Izuku manages to squeeze his way through the crowd that’s gathered by one of the windows. It seems like they’ve all been stopped. It appears to mainly just be the hero course. He finds his friends who thankfully aren’t pressed against the glass, practically barking at his defense. Izuku is a little thankful for whatever the reason because that means one, they won’t get in trouble, and two, he can possibly get them to return to class so his first reason doesn’t happen regardless. It doesn’t bother him as much anymore, really. No doubt UA has their staff already handling the situation and students should let them handle–
“What the fuck.” Katsuki said as he looked outside. “I see my parents.”
That throws Izuku through a loop. Mitsuki and Masaru Bakugou have always been super supportive of him. He hopes they’re not here to start something with people who could possibly hurt them. He’s not concerned about Masaru, but Mitsuki is a force to be reckoned with. She’ll cut someone with her manicured nails without blinking an eye or breaking said nails. The woman already told him what she’ll do to his…mother if she shows her face again. She’ll have to get in line, apparently Shouta has called ‘dibs’ on being first. Hizashi’s words apparently. Izuku thinks he’d be first to give his…parents a piece of his mind, but if they showed, Izuku doesn’t think he’d be able to do it. Not that he thinks he’ll get the chance anyway because they’re long gone.
Regardless, Izuku only knows one person coming by who isn’t technically supposed to be here and that’s Michi who should be here within the hour. He's so thankful because he really needs someone to talk to. No offense to Shouta or his friends, but it's different with her. They listen to him vent, not process and recover. He wonders since she’s seeing him on a day she doesn’t have patients, would she mind an extended session? He doesn't want to waste her time or feel obligated, but there's so much Izuku feels he needs to talk through.
“Is that my grandma?” Hitoshi asked.
“Dude. My grandparents are down there too!” Denki exclaimed, pointing them out.
“My aunt and uncle are outside too!” Eijirou shouted as he waved.
Ikazuchi? Sandraa? Shinji? Mayu? Izuku doesn’t know Hitoshi’s grandmother’s name, but she’s out there too? Why are all these people who know him out there? He doesn’t think they’d turn their back on him. Not after everything they’ve done for him. He’s been meaning to get in touch with all of them more often to show his gratitude, but as Denki said early, school seems to take up most of his free time. He hopes they aren’t putting themselves between him and the rioters. He doesn’t want to see anyone hurt because of him.
Courage gathers in Izuku’s heart as he looks out the window. His heart jumps to his throat for once instead of his stomach. He is speechless to the overwhelming emotions he feels instead drowning in the acid of his dreams being burned away.
WE'RE PROTECTORS, NOT PROTESTORS!
DEKU IS THE NAME OF A HERO!
ANYONE CAN BE A HERO!
WE SUPPORT HIM!
A HERO IS A HERO!
YOU CAN DO IT, IZUKU!
Izuku can see Katsuki’s parents down there with big flashy signs telling him he can do it. They never told him otherwise and got angry toward his parents on his behalf. They’ve always been so kind to him and help when he asks for it. They showed him what parents are supposed to be, which is supportive, but always giving a push when it’s needed most.
Izuku can see Shinji and Mayu, people who didn’t even know him beforehand, but helped him out by keeping safe something that means so much to him. Izuku’s entire dreams are etched in those notebooks. While he holds the dreams and information close to his heart and mind, it doesn’t change the time he’s put into each one of them. Despite having the tablet now from Mei, he still likes to write things out first.
Ikazuchi and Sandraa gave him a safe place. A place he could go and feel welcome. A place he could lean on to not fall behind. He could go there knowing that he doesn’t have to keep his guard up constantly and could relax. It wasn’t like in middle school where it was walking into hell. A home away from home.
Even if he didn’t know her, Izuku could feel that helping people and hearing how grateful they were made this entire ordeal worth it. Sure, he’ll run into people who will slap his hand away or say rude insults, but then there are those people who are grateful. Even after they’ve learned the truth about him. Who believe that ‘Deku’ can, has, and will save people. From now on, everyone should know who Izuku Midoriya is.
He’s a hero. A quirkless hero who is the first to one day graduate from UA High School.
He’s…
Izuku felt himself collapse against the window, holding onto the glass and not landing on the floor. He can’t help the tears that start falling from his eyes. Fat tears rolled down his face that he couldn’t stop. Even though no one in the draft wanted him, there are people, who he wants to save, out there who do. They believe in him and know how much he’s already done for them despite not being recognized as a hero. He’s a hero to them and he always will be no matter what happens.
Izuku gasps a little as he feels a hand on his back and another grabs his hand.
“It’s okay.” Katsuki said.
“Yeah man, it’s a good thing.” Denki added.
“I-I know.” Izuku said as he smiled. “I’m just really happy.”
This wasn’t how he was expecting his Monday to go.
Izuku can tell the rest of his classmates want to say something on his behalf, but are choosing to leave him to who appears to his closest friends. Izuku can say that he trusts them all, some more than others, but they’ve accepted him because they respect him and see that he’s no different. If everyone could be like them, then the world would be a much happier place. Perhaps he could trust them about himself if they want to know. He won’t burden them with knowledge they’re not asking for. He notes to thank all of the supporters out there personally for what they did. He wipes his eyes on his sleeves before taking a deep breath to collect himself. Despite how much he wants to stand there and look at it, they do really need to return to class as it seems like the rest of the students who were more curious are doing. There’s a few left he recognizes from Class 1B though.
“We should be getting back to class. I'm sure by now Mr. Aizawa or Ms. Midnight has arrived and is wondering where we–”
“Izuku.”
That voice.
Izuku felt like he was punched in the gut. He lost his breath and felt like he was going to be sick in one fell swoop. His heart that was once floating on cloud nine, dropped to the gravity of the situation to his feet. He hasn't heard that voice in over…what, almost three years? He slowly turns around and sees them.
Inko and Hisashi Midoriya are standing there in the hall with their eyes locked on him.
He feels the weight in his throat. It’s not necessarily panic he feels upon seeing. It’s something bitter and confusing. His mom hasn’t changed too much, but he can tell that she’s lost some weight. Something else she blamed on him. However, he hardly recognized his father. The man looks borderline greasy with his messy black curls and scruffy face. It’s not like Shouta’s or Hizashi’s facial hair as his is more unkempt. His eyes looked slacked too and Izuku guessed there’s a pack of cigarettes in his pocket.
“How the hell did you get on campus?!” Katsuki yelled, startling everyone. “More so, what the fuck are you doing here?!”
“My word! Katsuki! I thought I saw your parents outside. Quite the ruckus they’re making.” Inko said sweetly. “It’s good to see you looking so well and possibly catch up later, but right now we need to talk to Izuku.”
Denki feels like he’s getting slapped in the face by the scene in front of him. These are the normal parents that left Izuku and why he now lives with their teacher. The people who left him to fend for himself on the street to live homeless on a trash beach. He doesn’t ask Izuku about those days because he doesn’t like the look on Izuku’s eyes. It’s a sadness that he knows won’t go away. He can understand the anger radiating off Katsuki.
Everyone in Class 1A, except Katsuki and Denki, looks at one another and the mysterious couple in front of them. The man and woman look similar to their representative. The same green hair, messy curls, round eyes and the way the woman addresses him by his first name. This had to be Izuku’s parents. Was there something wrong they needed to discuss with him? Were they checking in on him with everything that’s going outside and possibly thank them for helping their son? Despite concluding who this was, neither Izuku or Katsuki look pleased to see them.
“My parents didn’t condone me being alive.”
Momo slowly brings her hands to her mouth to keep her thoughts to herself as she remembers what Izuku said about his parents. She’s been meaning to ask more. If he’s truly alright. Even though she’s never seen these people, she knows what kind of people they are. They’re different from her own…parents.
“Are you friends with that quirkless boy? I noticed you’re in the same class.”
Momo’s tea cup froze as she was about to take a sip at her mother’s question. She didn’t think her parents were quirkist, but did they think that Izuku wasn’t adequate to be in the hero course? She hated to think that this is where they would differ in opinions, but she would stick up for her friend who was willing to do the same for her.
“Yes! I am! He’s very kind and is actually our class representative.” Momo answered.
“And this was a voted position?” her father asked and Momo nodded. “He must be very intelligent to have made his gear too.”
“Indeed, he is! He was admitted through recommendation by the principal! I think he’ll be one to challenge me for top scores.” Momo said.
“It’s good to have someone to push you along.”
“I wonder how his parents feel about this.”
“They’re no longer in the picture.” Momo answered and both her parents looked at her curiously. “He confided in me about his homelife a little. His parents seem to have abandoned him and he lives with someone else.”
“Oh, poor dear.” her mother said. “I do hope whoever he’s with takes care of him.”
She does too, but Izuku seems happy.
“Well, let us know if you need something for class or anyone in it. We’re still supporting UA after all with our business and we’ll include your classmates as well.” her father offered.
“Thank you, Father!”
Her parents want to see her succeed in life, while his parents want to see their son burn his. These were the people who hated him for being born. She’s already formulating an ugly thought in her mind of why they’re here. People often get close to her family in order to use them for their own selfish gain. His parents see all this attention and think they can ride those coattails.
Despite her family not knowing him, her parents respected him. She knows that’s why her father is possibly ‘ignoring’ the fact Izuku is quirkless. It’s because he built himself from the ‘ground up’ and he’s making a name for himself. He’s succeeding and he respects that. Her mother is also someone who often donates to charities, always being the giving type to those who don’t truly have the means to stand on their own. Momo thinks this is where her parents’ hesitancy about her becoming a hero and her own resolve to become one started.
“How about ya answer my damn question?! Why the hell are you–” Katsuki started to scream before he was cut off by a hand holding out.
“What are you doing here?” Izuku asked as he stepped tentatively forward.
“What do you mean? We came to see you, of course! Your dad even came back from the US! Can’t your parents come see you?” Inko asked as she stepped toward him which made Izuku step back.
“N-no. No, you can’t.” Izuku said as he stumbled a little, finding the words he wanted to say, deciding on the emotions he wanted to feel about seeing them again. He looks her in the eyes as he starts to tear up. “You left me.”
Izuku knows a few of his classmates are wide eyed about this revelation. As far as he knows, only four people know. All of which he told himself in either so many or not so many words. Eventually he knew people would find out, but this wasn’t how he thought it would happen.
“Izuku.” Inko called out with the shine of tears forming in her eyes. She slowly walks toward him with clear intentions to hug him. “Mom and Dad apologize for leaving you, but you have to understand that–”
“I don’t want your apologies!” Izuku screamed as his voice cracked and the tears started on their own. He’s crying because he’s angry. Izuku has decided on anger for the moment influenced by the pain, the first taste of his reality, that they made him live through. For the loss of support he’s always wanted, but could never have until recently. Pleading to anyone listening why it took so long for him to have any real parental figures in his life. “I shouldn't have to understand anything! You have no good excuse for leaving me!”
“You were–” Inko tried again as a few tears fell down her face.
“A child!” Izuku screamed. “A child, at thirteen, that you left alone to fend for himself in a society that doesn't want to see him survive! Something you said yourself! He’ll be dead before he’s eighteen!”
Inko doesn’t bother flinching at her own words, but her mask she’s putting on cracks a little. She does wonder if Mitsuki told Izuku what she said. She told the truth and he’s taking it how she expected. He’s overreacting to the truth. Perhaps it’s because he understands it too. While he might now live past that age, she doubts he’ll be doing anything worth it. Unknowing to Izuku, over nineteen other people flinch instead and one of them has heard it before.
“Izuku, do not raise your voice toward me. I raised you better than that.” Inko said defensively.
“You didn’t raise me at all!” Izuku snapped.
Inko takes a deep breath trying to put his behavior behind her. It won’t matter once she takes him out of here and gets rid of him.
“You're being misled. That was not what I meant. I was worried about all the statistics showing otherwise. I didn't want to watch you take your own life. I couldn’t be attached to you and watch you do that–”
Izuku’s face twists with disgust. He can’t believe it. Anyone else might have fallen for this, but not him. She did ‘raise’ him after all. He’s used to how she would barely acknowledge him unless it benefitted her. She’d make herself out to be a victim to make people bend to what she wanted. She’s done it to him so many times as a child. She’s thinking she can win against him this way and make him back down to be her ‘little boy’ again who went along with whatever his mother said because he didn’t know any better. He’s not that naïve child anymore. She had a hand in that too.
“Don't act like you care! Don't gaslight me into thinking you left because you actually care. If you did, you would have stayed by my side! You would have protected me! You would have supported me to ensure that wouldn’t happen!” Izuku yelled as his eyes glistened with tears that wouldn’t stop.
“We were–”
“Looking out for yourselves! Just admit that you're selfish and hateful! Disappointed in me when it was out of my control! I wasn’t what you wanted! You were supposed to love me no matter what! All of me!”
“Izuku!” Hisashi snapped, finally speaking up with a hint of anger and urgency in his eyes. “Do not talk to your mother like that.”
Izuku’s flash over to his father. He’s not blind to not have noticed how quiet the man has been. The older man doesn’t know what to say to him so he’s letting the ‘sweet mother’ do the talking or he’ll just open his mouth and spill their little secrets of why they’re here. Especially considering the last interaction they had, which is the only one Izuku remembers. The pain in his face and the slamming of doors. That was over a decade ago. He’s a stranger to him now. He knows nothing about the man except what his quirk is. A quirk he’s familiar with.
“Like you have a right to talk or even be here! What mother leaves her son?! Tells people, she called her family friend, that her son will be dead before he's eighteen! What kind of father doesn't support his son?! Told him that he's useless! Smacks him around at four and says be realistic. You don't get to talk! You weren't even here! I barely recognize you! I get to talk now. I don't want or need either of you! I've been fine on my own, no thanks to you! I did get knocked down, like you said, but I got back up. Every time and without either of you.”
They’re just memories that are deeply rooted that won’t go away. At one point he was a child who didn’t know any better, but learned real quick that he had to be weary of who to trust. Being quirkless felt like selling his soul to an eternity of bruised heart that could only take so many more hits before it gave out. Only time would tell if it would heal and it was a dance with the dark until it came to light. They didn’t want to risk their own and thought they were saving themselves. Or was it something like power or money? It didn’t matter anymore. They were being hateful because he wasn’t like everyone else. He can only think that they’re here now because he’s doing well for him and they want to cash him on their son who is now making a name for himself.
“You're so ungrateful!” Inko screamed as she stepped toward him with every intention to smack him for speaking to them that way. “I'm still your mother! I could take you out of this school! I don't understand how you got accepted in the first place. It won't matter because I'm going to the principal and you'll go somewhere that will take people like you!”
Izuku finds that statement seriously unsettling for a number of different reasons. First off, he doesn't want to leave UA. At least not until he graduates. He promised. He worked hard to get into his dream school and he isn't going to let the woman who just happened to give birth to him rip that away because she's on a power trip. Just so she feels like she can still knock him down to make herself feel better after he made her feel small.
Both his parents are the worst offenders. They’re no different than any of the rioters, bullies, or anyone who has thought down on him. That’s who they really are to him. The first ones to put him down. To make sure the ideal of him being completely worthless was in his head. They've come unaccompanied and unannounced so he assumes that no one will let them waltz in here like they have a right to and then tell him what to do. Just because he shares genetics with them, doesn’t make them his parents and allows them to decide for him.
But then, what does she mean by 'go somewhere that will take people like him’? Where are they planning to take him if they could? He knows that there are quirkless support groups, but he's never found any nearby that actually treat themselves like actual people. He's seen the boards online and they all talk about keeping their heads down and how they can live life unnoticed. That's another reason he can't find a physical group…it's because there aren't ever enough people and most just end with funerals or hate crimes. But that just works for him instead of her? He hates to think they’re in cohorts with some kind of villain for whatever reasons.
Izuku is also about to burst her bubble because he’s like ninety-nine percent sure that she can’t because of a conversation he recalls having with Shouta. Back when the riots started, Shouta told him that if Izuku were to ever leave school then he would have to be the one to authorize it. She’s not even on any of his school paperwork. However, he wonders if that still holds true if his mother still has any parental rights despite him being in Shouta’s care. He hasn’t been really asking questions about the situation because he never thought he would need to worry about it. He thought they would never come back.
That unknown is causing him to slowly panic though and he needs to find the one person who can fix this. Hopefully his classmates, despite them watching this unfold terrifying him, have run to grab a teacher. Their homeroom teacher that is.
It makes his chest hurt with suspense that she actually might have some validity to her statement. He's not sure, but his…mother may have some rights to him despite Shouta being his legal guardian. All he knows is that the latter told him that his mom had a year to show up and claim him before she'd forfeit him over without consent. This would allow Shouta to gain full custody and to do as he pleased. An option that Izuku would like very much. An option that Izuku doesn’t know has come to pass. Considering he hasn't been told otherwise, it seems unlikely. If she did come back, it could turn into a legal battle that could get messy depending on how it’s presented. Izuku thinks with Nezu on his side, they wouldn’t have a case against Shouta.
Izuku loves living with Shouta and by extension Hizashi. Despite their odd dynamic, it feels like home. They actually care about him as a person and not be seen as a check or a burden. They want him to follow his dreams and have his back when no other adult has before that day. They built back his fractured heart and despite the walls he’s put up, they’ve either climbed over them or waited for him to lower them. They stepped in when the people in front of him stepped out.
Izuku wanted to be free of these people forever. To put a gap so wide between them that he couldn’t turn back and see them or hear their echoes. He knows even if they returned, nothing would be like from when before he was four. They burned this bridge the times they walked out the door without him. They both made their beds thinking he was better off dead so Izuku thought similarly. He thought the life with them was over so he ran into a new one he wanted.
“That won't be possible.”
Izuku whipped around to see Shouta walking toward them. His classmates parted ways so he’d have a direct path. He feels nausea, in a way of relief, that he’s here. He wonders how long he’s been here and listening to Izuku say his piece with them. Giving him the moment to express himself, say what he's wanted to for so long and only ever wanted to say in therapy. He's grateful for that as Izuku feels his heart, mind, and shoulders lighter. That gratefulness extends to right now for him stepping in because he's about to panic because he doesn’t know what to do. He's not even sure what Shouta is trying to do. What can he do?
“I don't know who you are, but I am his mother!” Inko snapped.
“What we do with our son isn't of your concern.” Hisashi added.
“It does concern me when I'm his legal guardian and he’s technically my son.”
Shouta knew that his class left the room. He’s not surprised, especially when he heard of why. Nezu messaged them that another ‘protest’ was occurring to let it happen. Initially he thought it was because he was allowing the police or someone else to handle the situation, but then he saw what they were saying. He could allow them to see this themselves and allow Izuku to realize he’s wanted as a hero and a person. However, what he didn’t expect was for one of his students to come running, out of breath, to get him and explain that some people who appeared to be Izuku’s parents were here.
He could hear Izuku’s screams from down the hall. Logically and rationally, he should step in, but chooses not to. As Izuku’s teacher he should step in, deescalate the situation, and move them to a more private room. As Izuku’s guardian though, someone who wants to fully take that role from them, cut it out if he has to, he wants Izuku to finally face one of the things that keeps him up at night. He’s finally found some courage in this exact moment, and Shouta doesn’t want that to fade because he wanted to give them a minute to recollect themselves. Shouta wants Izuku to scream at them because Shouta can't hit them.
They haven’t outright attacked anyone so he can’t intervene physically, but according to the principal, the police are on the way. They’re getting arrested regardless because Shouta is filing charges if he can. Strangers bullying him is one thing, but parents abandoning him is where this all started. He might not be able to get Hisashi, but definitely Inko. That was the first mark. The first scar that won't ever go away.
Izuku ignores the gasps and whispers he hears echo behind him. Shouta just outed the fact that Izuku lives with him. It’s not really a secret, but is it anyone's business except his and Shouta’s that he goes home with the man every day? No. However, Izuku’s more concerned about the last part of his sentence. His son? Shouta sees him as his son?
“I have still have my rights–”
“--That were terminated,” Shouta interrupted, “as of Friday. Three days ago. I put in the paperwork then and got the call confirmation about an hour ago.”
Izuku’s eyes widened and there’s slight smile of relief and happiness. Shouta was gone most of the day on Friday, having left earlier. He came home with a folder and instantly put it in a locked drawer. Izuku assumed it was hero business that no one else could see. It wouldn’t be the first time and the man isn’t just a full-time teacher. And then that means the phone call that Shouta had to take this morning during homeroom was about receiving full legal custody of him.
“W-what?” Inko stuttered.
“As of then, Izuku Midoriya is in the full custody of Shouta Aizawa, me. The court called me earlier to let me know all I need is one more signature as I had already signed the documents that afternoon. The only other signature I need is of consent which isn’t yours. Having friends in high places and making a compelling argument they should expedite it to save the trouble of having to deal with such a case would be in their best interest. I was also confirmed that even if you did show up, you would get nothing and for the fact Izuku will be sixteen soon. He has the right to choose and I think he’s made it clear where he stands.”
“Mine?” Izuku asked in disbelief.
“Yours, kid.” Shouta answered.
Izuku’s signature is all that’s needed. He’s of the legal age that he can choose where he stays. He wants to stay with Shouta. He wants to stay with the person who supports and cares about him. No doubt it sounded like the principal helped push their case along so they wouldn’t put it off because he’s quirkless.
“You little bastard!” Hisashi roared as he charged at Izuku as his mouth spat out flames. “I don’t care how much you’re worth! I should have taken care of you–”
His quirk was immediately cut out as Shouta’s quirk flared to life and stopped in his tracks as his scarf wrapped around his chest. The man growled as he kept those same angry eyes from that night locked on Izuku.
“Might I remind you that quirks used to harm another individual is illegal and you're in a school full of pro heroes.” Shouta growled. Everyone watching, except Izuku, has backed cleanly off out of the way of their teacher. “I’ll have to detain you until the police arrive for further questioning.”
Unknown to them, a pair of mixed eyes widened at the sight of the flames leaking out of the man’s mouth. Shouto Todoroki can’t help wondering if Izuku’s fear of fire didn’t start with his father, but his own father. He knows the more noticeable burns on him are from Endeavor, but was there any other ones he didn’t see caused by this man? Was he the real reason Izuku was scared of fire because in the end, he always got burned? But…he sees him as his friend and thus wants to learn to be by his side without fear just like he said. Shouto can do that. His mom agrees that he shouldn’t limit himself and talk with his friends who are looking out for him in ways she wishes she had.
It wasn’t her fault.
It wasn’t Izuku’s fault either.
“I didn’t do shit!” Hisashi yelled. “Don’t act like you give a shit about him! That’s our son! He’s not going to make it here and you’re all pitying him! There’s better places for him than wasting your time!”
“Don’t worry, Hisashi. I’ll petition for them to let you go and to the court for our son.” Inko said.
“You won’t be going anywhere either.” Shouta said. While he has Hisashi detained for the moment, a few other teachers should be arriving soon to help. He sent a message on his way down that there were unauthorized people on campus. Well, he thought they were, but apparently someone who has his eyes on everyone and everything was a step ahead.
Shouta: Izuku’s ‘parents’ have been spotted on campus. Come to the location of my phone if you’re available.
Hizashi: On my way! No one’s touching our kid! Especially them!
Ishiyama (Cementoss): I will be there momentarily.
Kayama (Midnight): How did they get on campus with the barrier? I doubt the commotion outside would have disabled it.
Nezu: That would be me! With reasons to believe that charges can be filed, why not trap them in a place with no escape! ^_^
“Alright everyone, let’s go back to class.” Cementoss called as he guided Class 1A back to their class while Vlad King grabbed the stragglers of Class 1B.
Everyone looked like they wanted to protest, but ultimately decided this wasn’t their business or fight. Despite the questions and concerns, Izuku doesn’t need them right now. He doesn’t need dozens of people overwhelming him even more. Even if they’re wanting to help, it isn’t the time. Their questions will likely go unanswered. This wasn’t any of the business and no doubt something Izuku didn’t want out in the open. However, this unfortunately shed some light on the life their friend and classmate has lived.
“I can take him.” Hizashi said to pull Shouta from his thoughts as he walked down the hall a little to remove Hisashi away from Izuku. He made a nod toward Izuku who was still standing at the end of the now empty hallway near Inko as neither had moved. “He needs you more.”
Shouta simply nodded and handed Hisashi off. He knows if the man tries anything that Hizashi will happily scream in his ears. He’s right though. Izuku hasn’t moved, probably still processing what happened. Maybe even wants a moment alone with his ‘mother’ who was the person there longer than his scumbag. However, Shouta knows Izuku can’t be left alone with her as much as with the man who just tried to burn him.
They’ve both hurt him.
“Did you ever love me?” Izuku asked in a low voice as she turned his gaze from the floor to Inko. He hopes that part of her was just corrupted by his father. That part of her was blinded and that woman he used to run to for comfort is still in there. Maybe he can try and save her?
“You were cute for a while, but then you were quirkless. There was nothing special about you.” Inko answered with a venom dripping off the last word. “You were so determined and eventually I thought you’d give up, but you didn’t. I just wish we would have known your true value sooner.”
“Value?” Izuku questioned. This is the second time he’s hearing about this. His father said something too about ‘his worth’. He thought he was worth nothing to them. Just a whisper in their memory, a ghost who still lived despite them wanting otherwise. “Ack!”
Izuku choked as Inko pulled his tie with her quirk. The part wrapped around his neck is pulling forward, cutting off his airway and his eyes burn. He can’t breathe as he claws at the knot, trying to get it off. The pain in his neck almost feels like it’s going to snap. He hates now that Shouta showed him how to tie them correctly. He stumbles toward her open hand that’s waving toward him. Despite the spots in eyes, what scares him the most is the crazed look in her eyes. She almost looks…scared, but it’s laced with hatred she aims at him. His brain is stuck between trying to get his tie off and not allowing her to get her hands on him. He doesn’t want to strike her. He’s trying to be better than her, him, and everyone else that’s ever put a mark on him. Tears start leaking out his eyes.
“How dare you?! I was supposed to be happy without you! Maybe I should drag you outta here!” Inko screamed as she yanked again, causing Izuku to step forward. “You’re supposed to be useless! You were either supposed to die or be useful to us for once! They might kill us and why should you get to live! Why can’t you–”
A fist comes across Inko’s face and knocks her to the floor.
Izuku inhales as the pressure releases, finally able to breathe, and he collapses against the floor. His fingers shook while undoing his tie, but he can’t seem to control his hands. After a few seconds of fiddling with it, he’s able to get the offending fabric off his neck and toss it away from him. The ‘thank you’ on his lips is ready for whoever stepped in because he didn’t want to think about what would have happened. He looks up to see his savior breathing rather hard and shaking her hand out.
“Michi!” Izuku exclaimed.
“Are you okay?” Michi asked as she quickly kneeled down to his side and checked his neck for any damages.
Michi sighs in relief at her findings. Thankfully, it looks like she didn’t cause any bruising, but it might be too early to tell. Her own bruises didn’t show their true colors for a few hours. She can’t say the same for her hand however or this woman’s face. Tomoko might have shown her a little about how to throw a punch after she was attacked last year, but she might have forgotten in the heat of the moment. Turning the corner and seeing that woman hurt this boy again blinded her. Her eyes caught sight of Izuku asking for help. The tears and fears throughout his expressions that begged for someone to save him from the person who was supposed to protect him.
Izuku had been protecting himself for too long.
“Fine, thanks to you.” Izuku said in relief as he just stared a little blankly at her fussing.
“Thank goodness.” Michi said.
“You struck me!” Inko screamed as she had tears in her eyes. Whether they were from pain or anger, Izuku didn’t care. However, he doesn’t like that she’s glaring daggers at Michi. “I could have you arrested for assault!”
Michi rolled her eyes and stood up to face her while standing in between her and Izuku. Out of her peripheral vision, she can see him stand up on shaking legs.
“And I can have you arrested for child abandonment, negligence, endangerment, emotional abuse, assault with your quirk… the list might continue. Need I go on?” Michi said as she counted on the fingers of her uninjured hand. “I would think my accredited opinion would go a lot further than a neglectful mother.”
“You don’t look like a pro! Whoever you think you are won’t save you–Huh?!” Inko exclaimed as her hands were forced behind her back.
“We’re to hold you for detainment until police arrive.” Nemuri said as she cuffed Inko to detain her until the police arrived for her and her husband. She looks up to Michi and nods to her which is returned. Someone from school who was a year above her. They didn’t talk much, but knew of each other. She appreciates what she does for the people she sees.
“You can’t do this!” Inko screamed as Nemuri pushed her. “I can punish my son how I see fit!”
“Save it, ya windbag.” Nemuri scoffed.
As she walked by Shouta, the man nodded to her his thanks before he ran the rest of the way toward them. He turned around to see the sight happen. Izuku was struggling as Michi came to save the day. He didn’t have to activate his quirk to save him because she handled it for him and then Nemuri swooped in to take care of the rest.
Izuku was safe from them and he’ll remain that way.
“Are you okay?” Shouta asked as he also looked over Izuku’s neck.
“I’m fine.” Izuku said. “Tired though.”
“It’s been a lot.” Michi said understandably. In her professional, a little personal opinion, she thinks Izuku should take the rest of the day off. While they don’t have to have their session if he isn’t up for it, she still thinks he needs time to settle himself.
“We’ll see Recovery Girl just in case. You might have some not showing yet or possibly be dehydrated.” Shouta said as he looked down at her hand. “Both of you need to see her apparently.”
“Worth it.” Michi smirked before her face looked a little worried and awkward, “Sooo, I’m not getting arrested, right?”
Michi is one hundred percent sure that her punching Inko was in fact called battery. That is very much illegal unfortunately regardless of the reason, but she might get by considering she was protecting someone that was acting like a villain.
“I think there should be more of a concern that she used her quirk to try and choke him than you using your fist. I doubt if she presses charges, they’ll stick. Even so, I’m sure Nezu could back up the claim that the camera glitched or he’ll get you the best lawyer.” Shouta answered.
Shouta will give her this one. At least someone got to do it and he was able to tie up the man who dared to call himself Izuku’s father and punch the principal of Aldera. Nezu was right in the regards that they have them both here and now even more evidence that will make sure they face some justice for what they’ve done to Izuku. Shouta is certainly filing for restraining orders as soon as possible even if they face time.
“Good to know.” Michi answered. She doesn't think it’ll affect her work, she’s a private licensed therapist. She’s her own boss and she would think her clients would see this as a plus as she sticks up for them regardless. That is if they find out about it which sounds unlikely unless it’s news leaked
Izuku just stares at them as they both talk about what to do moving forward. It seems so casual. They both have the same plan in place to go see Chiyo and then go from there. They’ve both always been there for him. They’ve done so much for him and don’t ask for anything in return except for him to keep going and try his best. To do what he’s been doing this entire time except with a smile and not running away from what he wants. In their own ways they help through the storms when everything feels like it’s falling apart. They don’t hold anything against him down, but instead lift him up.
He can’t stop thinking about what happened as his breath starts to pick up and feels an all too familiar burn in his eyes. The comparisons that keep flashing through. The questions, answers, and truths that have been placed in front of him.
Shouta wants to adopt him?
Michi just risked her career to save him?
His…parents tried to attack him? Maybe even worse from the way they were talking about.
His parents…protected him.
Izuku feels his lip wobble and he feels the tears start streaming down his face.
Shouta and Michi turn around sharply as they both hear a sniffle. They’re both greeted and concerned by the sight as Izuku just stares at the floor as tears start streaming down his face. They both spring into action and run toward him both thinking that the events of the last hour or so have finally weighed on him and have been lifted from his shoulders.
The relief.
“Izuku!” Michi exclaimed as she pulled him into a hug that he surprisingly returned rather tightly. Her eyes widened at the gesture as she hugged him back and petted his hair. “It’s okay. They’re not going to hurt you ever again. Take a deep breath and–”
“It’s not that.” Izuku said through his tears as he let her go.
Izuku stared at both of them. These two are the closest adults in his life. He trusts them with his life. He knows they’ll always be there for him. If he wasn’t able to be with Shouta, he’d want to be with her if he had the choice. He never thought that a hero he looked up to and his therapist would become such figures in his life. They’ve done more for him in the last year than his parents did in fifteen combined.
Shouta. His…dad. Someone to lean on and handle things when he didn’t think he could. Someone who would protect him from the hardship and stand between it. Helped him achieve his dreams when he thought he could only scrape by. To pick him up when he fell down and push him when he needed it.
Michi. His…mom. Someone he could feel vulnerable with, even if it was her job, but made him smile and always looked out for him. Understood him in ways that other people can’t because they don’t understand what he’s experienced.
At this moment, he’s not afraid to tell them, but he’s scared he’ll lose this chance.
“Can I tell you both something and it doesn’t have to change anything, but I feel like you should both know how important you are to me. I just feel like if I don’t say it now I won’t ever do it. But then what if that changes things and I can’t see you anymore and–”
“Izuku.” Michi said. Instinctively hearing her voice, before she can even say it, he takes a deep calming breath. He’s being vulnerable right, opening up, and she’s so proud of him despite the events that caused this. “Good job. Now, you can tell us anything. We won’t be mad and if this is something we need to address, we’ll work through it. This is good that you’re expressing yourself in what sounds like a positive way, especially after what happened. Do you want to go somewhere more private?”
“No. It’s fine.” Izuku said before looking at Shouta. “Do…do you really have full custody of me?”
“I do.” Shouta answered. “I wasn’t lying when I said your mother’s rights to you were terminated on Friday. It’s been over a year since she left, since the day we met, and that time was all I needed in order to take over. Since that day, I’ve been planning on it because I want you to stay and so does Hizashi. This just ruined my plan to tell you on your birthday, but it’s good this happened now so she can’t fight for you. Not that she could now with the stunt she pulled and getting arrested. Izuku, I want to adopt you. I can. I have the papers. Like I said, they just need your consent.”
The third option. The option that Izuku wouldn’t mind, but would never voice out loud. That he left up to Shouta because Izuku thought it was too much to ask for. That he was too scared to ask for it because he wanted to know for sure that the man wanted him as his son by his own free will. He’ll have a place to officially call home. The clock struck midnight and Izuku is still wearing Shouta’s name attached to his records. It didn’t, it won’t disappear.
Izuku could only nod as he couldn’t find the words to speak about how happy he was. He really wants to stay with them where they can have pancakes in the morning and talk about getting a cat. He won’t even mind being woken up at six in the morning anymore because that just means more time with them.
“Izuku, this is a good thing.” Michi said. “I doubt this will change anything with the school that isn’t already–”
Izuku looks at her. She thinks this would make things awkward at school. He knows it wouldn’t because it hasn’t to begin with. Shouta won’t treat him any different. Parents can teach their kids; therapists can’t see their kids. His concerns are more about how this affects their dynamic. She already has an important role in his life, he can’t give her another one that could cause conflicts of interest. He’s pretty sure there’s some rule against it.
“I-It’s not that.” Izuku sniffed as he wiped his face.
Michi looked at him a little confused and then she remembered that Izuku said he had something to tell the both of them. What did he have to tell her? Did he not want to see her anymore? That’s fine if it’s his choice, even if it does make her sad. While she’ll say he’s made great strides in the past year-ish, she wouldn’t say she’d be comfortable letting him not see anyone at all. Especially after today. She did say she would find someone for him and pay for the sessions. She’ll keep her word and at least hopes he’ll stay in touch.
“Did I do something wr–”
“No!” Izuku interrupted her before she assumed she had done something wrong which she hadn’t. “You’ve been great! I love coming to talk to you even when it’s not really about our sessions. Um, there’s not an easy way to say this, but I…I see you like my mom.”
‘Oh.’ Michi thought.
Michi Keisuke never thought she’d be one to have children. Sure, her mother hints she would like grandchildren one day, but she ignores her and says that Hero is a fur-baby so he counts. While she likes kids, she just never felt she had the time to give them along with the dedication to her patients. There was also another reason that she kept to herself. More of a fear. She would protect her child with everything she had, like she did for Izuku, but what if that wasn’t enough? She couldn’t go through that pain again like her father. She doesn’t think she’d survive that. Watching her child fall so deep into despair that they would take their own life or even be murdered. While the gene is dying out, being quirkless runs in her family. After what her father, and now Izuku have gone through, she doesn’t want that to happen to her child.
Didn't it already happen though to this child that she’s attached to?
This boy in front of her sees her as a maternal figure in his life.
The moment she saw his tears, those fears she had came to life.
“I-I'm sorry if that's weird or makes you uncomfortable. I know it's your job to help me, but you do so much for me outside our sessions too. Always checking in, cheering me on, and I couldn't help seeing you that way. The way…she used to be. That support system. If that makes seeing me change then–”
Izuku gasps as he feels an embrace grab him tightly.
“It’s okay with me.” Michi said as she teared up a little as she hugged him. “If you want to see someone else, I said I would–”
“Can I still see you? Please. We’re not blood related and you’re not adopting me so in theory it shouldn’t be affected by anything, right?”
“I don’t see why not, but we’ll remain professional during sessions which we normally are. If you want to come see me on off days then I don’t see why not if Aizawa doesn’t mind. You still haven’t met Hero yet.” Michi said with a smile.
“You keep forgetting to bring him.” Izuku joked with her.
“You try getting him in a carrier.” Michi said as she ruffled his curls. She has the battle scars to prove it when she takes him to the vet.
Izuku feels so light right now with them. While there are things that concern him, those can wait for a couple minutes as he enjoys this moment. So maybe, yes, he is the lovechild between Shouta and Michi who broke up, never dated, amicably because Shouta realized he liked Hizashi and Michi was a cat lady. More like married to her work. He makes a note to get closer with Hizashi and see him as a second father or maybe step-dad in this context? At this point, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He isn’t sure if he’ll ever call them Dad or Mom, but perhaps one day he can. It’s not like anyone else is using those names.
However, Izuku would like to tell them one name first before those.
“I want you guys to hear my hero name first. I wasn’t sure before, but I’ve decided. I want to go by Deku. I know what it means, but I want to give it a different meaning. Like a nickname for dekiru. I know you said you wouldn't call me that, but I’m making it my hero name because it’s where it all started. I saved people as Deku before and I’ll continue to do so. I can do this so please continue to support me!”
“I guess I’m going to have to know what to call you during internships.” Shouta said as he patted Izuku’s shoulder.
Deku, the same kid he chased around town helping anyone he could find.
Izuku nodded before looking at Michi.
Michi softly smiles as she remembers the multiple times she scolded about calling himself useless. She remembered telling him she would never call him that and how she might have been one of the first few people to tell him that his worth wasn’t defined by a quirk or not having one. He’s a person. A different person than the boy she met in the alley or that first session. A person who wants and can make a difference.
“Fine, but only because Deku is the name of a hero.”