Chapter Text
It’s been a few years since Izuku moved in with his dad and stepdad.
When he turned twelve, he’d been with his dads a year and a half, and started calling Shouta ‘dad,’ another year and he stopped calling Hizashi by his first name and referred to him as ‘pops.’ Needless to say Izuku was a lot more comfortable around them than he was when he first arrived.
After Izuku admitted he wanted to be a hero, although quirkless, his dad and pops began to train him. Since he was quirkless he’d need all the help he could get to make it as a pro. Eventually, he had gotten extra training from Snipe, learning to shoot a firearm.
His pops nearly had a heart attack the first time Izuku had held a gun, but even Hizashi knew Izuku couldn’t rely on hand-to-hand combat.
Throughout the entirety of training Izuku had been homeschooled, usually doing his schoolwork at U.A. so whenever he’d get a break, he’d be able to train with either his dad, pops, or Snipe when one of them didn’t have a class.
Originally, he’d stayed enrolled at the Aldera district, but after coming home with more bruises than he left training with his parents pulled him out and did what they could to make that district better for kids like him.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much that could be done. Despite laws being put in place to protect individuals who are discriminated against for having mutations or ‘weak’ quirks, there were hardly any protecting kids with no quirk at all. At least Izuku was free of that place, and to his knowledge, there weren’t any other quirkless kids who lived in the area.
He hoped there wasn’t at least.
Eventually, Izuku was in his last year of middle school and his parents and he were thinking of the best course of action regarding education for Izuku.
“Well, if he went to U.A. he’d stay close to us so we could help and look after him. He could also ride with us in the morning to save him from having to commute.” His pops pointed out, leaning on his hand messing with his long hair.
“Yes, but if his peers found out about him being our kid then they could try and fight his spot in the class claiming its favoritism.” His dad explained with a sigh.
Izuku was sitting thoughtfully trying to decide which was the best route. He wanted to take into consideration that Bakugou would be at U.A. and he didn’t want to risk being outed so quickly. He wanted to be able to prove himself before people immediately didn’t take him seriously. Honestly, the best bet sounded like Shiketsu.
“Honestly,” both heads turned towards him, “I think I should try for Shiketsu. I know a student that will get into the hero course, and I don’t want to be outed at quirkless before I have the chance to prove myself. Besides, if I get into another school nothing stops me from transferring later. Win-Win, right?”
His dad nodded in agreement before his pops chimed in. “Wouldn’t that mean you’d need to stay at their dorms? I’d hate for you to be so far away from us.” Izuku nodded and deflated a little.
“I don’t want to be so far away from either of you. But I really do think this is the best bet. Besides Shiketsu students have the same schedule as U.A. just a different exam date. I’ll be able to come home on the weekends and the breaks.” Hizashi deflates and nods.
“I know, listener. I’m just worried. You haven’t ever been away from home before.” The blond takes a deep breath before continuing, “But, I know you’ll do great.” Izuku gets up and hugs Hizashi.
“Thanks, pops. I appreciate that.”
Izuku would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous. Despite his parents reassurances and faith in him, Izuku can’t help but be worried about not passing this exam. The written was easy, however the practical is what he’s worried about. If it’s something quirk heavy like U.A.’s practical, he’ll be perpetually fucked.
But, either way, he’ll figure something out.
A hero, who Izuku recognizes as Miracle, walks up to the podium to get the practical exam started.
“Good afternoon! Today you all will be participating in the Shiketsu heroic practical exam!” Some excited whispers break out, but mostly they stay quiet. “I’m excited to see everyone’s potential, but first we need to discuss instructions and rules. First up, lets get the instructions explained.” The screen behind the hero lights up, showing a realistic fake city, including civilians which Izuku assumes are actors. “Each of you will be set in a fake city simulation like the one shown on screen. There will be civilians, petty criminals, and villains. Each situation has a different point system. That point system won’t be shared, but you’ll know when you receive your letters. Get all the points you can and be safe while doing so!”
It makes sense why they aren’t telling us the point system, if they did then most people would just go towards the bigger crimes and ignore the civilians entirely.
“Now for the rules!” Some grumbling which cause Miracle to create a stern expression on their face, “If you all want to be heroes, rules are something you’re going to have to get used to. It’s important to follow the rules no matter where on the social latter you are. Heroes may be seen as celebrities but their priority is to save and protect the people.” Miracle was a no-nonsense pro. They were a twilight hero from America and became popular for their American slang. Its said them and Snipe get along, which Izuku can confirm.
Snipe had gone to America to study abroad and met Miracle. They became quick friends over their weapon of choice. Snipe had told Izuku if he got in to continue his weapon training with the pro.
“Now, the rules. The first rule is you may not sabotage any of the other examinees. Like I’ve already explained you’re here to be heroes, not competitors. The second rule is you have two hours to do everything you can. The third rule is to use your best knowledge, common sense, and judgment. After all those are important things for a hero to have.” Miracle smiled and bowed. “Good luck to you all,” they looked up with a smirk, “some of you will need it.”
Cool, but creepy. Izuku thought.
Eventually, he was led to a city simulation, number 13, with eleven other people. Almost everyone looks nervous save for this one huge teen. He’s tall, much taller than Izuku, and definitely way more muscle.
A horn blares and the doors open, everyone rushes in and Izuku goes a different way than everyone else. He’d rather deal with people as little as possible, only because of the competitive setting.
To be fair though, he was an introvert.
The first scenario he came across was of mugging and he thought of the best way to go about it. Eventually, Izuku decided to drop down on them from the fire escape to get the ‘victim’ out of harm's way.
Once he figured it out, it didn’t take long. He used his training to take down his opponent and check in on the victim, once he did the actor put on a blue sticker saying, ‘I have been helped.’
The second scenario was of an old woman who’d fallen, Izuku went up to help her checking for serious injuries and asking if she needed medical assistance. Once she dismissed him she put on the same sticker the actor previously had.
The third scenario he ran into was the one that took the longest.
He had decided to travel on the roofs as his dad did, making things a little easier to spot, when he saw a woman standing on the edge of the building.
He knew logically this was a scenario, but it still sent a pang of adrenaline and depression through his heart at the sight.
He made a small noise so she wouldn’t startle to harshly and jump. When she looked back she had tears in her eyes.
She’s acting, it’s just an act. It’s okay. Izuku thought to himself quietly.
“Miss, can you please come down from the edge?”
“I can’t, I’m sorry I just can’t do it anymore!” Her tears spilled down her cheeks and a small sniffle could be heard.
“It’ll be okay, let's sit and talk for a bit, alright?” Izuku slowly sat down, and with hesitation, the woman followed. “That’s great. I’m Midoriya Izuku, what’s your name?” The woman sniffed.
“Hori Isamu.” The girl answered.
“Hi, Hori, it’s nice to meet you. I wish it wasn’t like this though.” Izuku heard a small cry before continuing, “Can you tell me what led you here today?”
“I’m just so tired! I lost my job and my boyfriend passed away recently… I’m not sure what to do.” Izuku frowned.
Something doesn’t feel right.
“I’m sorry to hear that. It sounds like life hasn’t been easy for you.” Hori shook her head and a sob escaped.
Something really doesn’t feel right. But its not real, its… a scenario. But…is it?
“I lost someone once too.” Hori looked up, sad and confused. “When I was little it had just been my mom and I. When I turned ten she passed away in a villain attack.” The woman wiped aggressively at her face.
“How’d you handle it?” Izuku felt his own eyes water as he swallowed the lump forming in his throat.
“Not well at first, I didn’t go to school for a week. I was in a new apartment with new people and it was all so sudden. My world changed so drastically in such a short amount of time.”
“That’s how it feels for me too. I’m not good at talking to people, so work and my boyfriend were all I had. Now both are gone.” Hori’s tears slowed and her voice became a little clearer.
“It wasn’t easy. But I planned.” Hori’s brows drew together in confusion and Izuku elaborated. “I found a way to make my life better. Of course, nothing could replace my mom, but I could make myself feel better.” Izuku tilted his head. “Do you want to make a plan for you?” Hori hesitated before nodding. Izuku smiled.
“That’s great! Let’s talk about what your last job was, your boyfriend… if you can.” Hori bit her lip and scooted forward, farther from the ledge.
“Well, my last job was waitressing, I hated it but it was all I could do. I don’t have a high school or college degree, I had to drop out because I needed to take care of my little brother at the time since my parents were too busy working.” Izuku smiled.
“That’s admirable of you, you’re practically a hero.” Hori blushed.
“Not really… my boyfriend, he was diagnosed with a terminal disease. I hated I wasn’t able to help him.” Izuku smirked with a thought.
“Well, would your parents help you pay for school if you went back.” Hori thought for a moment before nodding.
“I think so.”
“Why don’t you get your GED and then go to college? You seem like a smart woman, you absolutely could do it.” Hori’s eyes widened and scooted closer to Izuku.
“That sounds nice… maybe I could prevent someone else from feeling this way by helping the ill.” She smiled faintly. Hori looked around the city before looking at Izuku.
“Thank you, Midoriya. I think I’m ready to come down now.” Izuku smiled and they walked down the stairs to the pavement together.
When they got down there the woman put a blue sticker on herself.
Thank kami. I guess she’s just a good actor.
The timer sounded and Izuku realized his time was up. His heart stopped, there was no way he got enough points to get in.
For some reason he couldn’t pinpoint, he couldn’t feel disappointed. Something about this situation wasn’t right to him, and he felt he actually did something. Maybe his intuition and analyzing skills were off and he just wasn’t quick with finding scenarios to complete, but maybe he did do something.
When he went home he told his parents about how he did and they told him not to worry about it, and regardless of his results, they were proud of him. It wasn’t until a week later when he received his letter from Shiketsu that he found out which course he was in.
He’d been sitting in his room when a knock sounded on his door.
“Come in!” The teen called, hand buried in his curls as he was hunched over a math problem that had been giving him trouble.
He heard the door open and his dad walked in the room. (They were too quiet compared to his pop’s loud footsteps, besides Hizashi isn’t one to gently open a door.)
“Hey, kid. Your results are in.” He said, putting the letter down in front of him. Sure enough, on a white envelope was the symbol of Shiketsu. “Do you want to open it by yourself or with your pops and I?” Izuku clenched his pajama pants in an attempt to alleviate his anxieties.
“Can I open it by myself?” Izuku asked and his dad nodded, leaving with encouraging words and a gentle shut of the door.
Izuku slowly opened the envelope and a disk fell out, a hologram of a hero started playing. The orange eyes immediately told Izuku it was Miracle.
“Midoriya Izuku! I am going to be the one to deliver your results.
On the written exam you scored a 97%, one of the few who did so well. On the practical exam… that takes a little explaining.
To pass the practical exam you needed to earn at least 70 points. Stopping the hypothetical mugging you earned 15 points and helping the elderly woman you earned 10 points. With those two scenarios you only had 25 points.
Now, the woman you talked off the ledge, Hori as she told you, was indeed an actor the school paid to help with the examination. However, that was not the scenario we had given her.”
Izuku’s heart dropped.
Was that woman really going to? Suddenly the teen felt an odd mixture of relief and nausea.
“She had, indeed gone there to meet an unfortunate fate. But being the true hero you are, you stopped her and sat with her for an hour and a half to talk her down. Watching the footage we were all so proud at how you handled the situation.
Taking everything into consideration, this being a real situation that you handled beautifully and how well you did on the written exam: The principal, staff members, and anyone else who had a say in it have awarded you the rest of the points you needed.
Congratulations Midoriya Izuku, I am pleased to tell you that you’ve been put in Shiketsu’s hero course! I look forward to our lessons.”
Izuku’s eyes welled with tears and he ran to tell his parents. He’d never felt so happy and sick at the same time.
Thank kami I saw her.